Maternity Pictures

I was sad to move away from Utah, for more than one reason, but because I know of tons of photographers from all over the area. Maternity, birth photographers, wedding, etc with such great talent and a lot of different price ranges. My wedding photographer was the absolute best and I recommend her to everyone I know, and I was disappointed we weren't able to use her for any maternity/newborn photos. I feel like photography is a huge industry in Utah because of the million weddings happening every year there so there is great selection. 

Birth photography is huge there too - and ALL over Pinterest - and something that I super wanted for our family. I think having those precious pictures of your newborn who is just fresh from heaven in the hospital is really special, and pictures that you will love forever. Unfortunately, no one around here in Oklahoma really offers this or it is crazy expensive. One photographer quoted us $1600……no just no. I'm gonna buy my baby some cute clothes instead! I have a nice camera so I am just going to take it along and pray Mike develops some sort of skill of taking newborn pictures that day :) 

Anywho, thankfully Mike's cousin Chrissy lives here and is an amazing photographer who graciously took some maternity photos for us!!! I am so glad that we got to document this stage of our lives in some great photos. The lighting was perfect and she made it really fun! The wind was completely insane though and it was blowing my hair in every direction which did not make me a happy camper. However, the pictures turned out great!!  just not my best hair day :)

Thanks again Chrissy! 

37 Weeks

How far along:  37 weeks 

How big is baby: 6 - 6.5 pounds and over 19 inches long would be the estimation.

Gender: BOY!

Total weight gain/loss:  13 pounds. I lost almost the exact same amount in my first trimester because I had like negative appetite but my doctor doesn't seem concerned. Steadily gaining one pound a week which is what is supposed to be happening - or it's all those donuts I ate? Who knows :) 

Maternity clothes: Large t-shirt and sweatpants heyyyyy oooooo. What else do you wear this late in pregnancy? Dress up in cute clothes? Um no. My mom bought me the dress I'm wearing in the pictures and it is the best! No pinching or tightness anywhere. I would love to buy some new fall clothes, but i have restrained because I will most likely be wearing a large t-shirt and sweatpants after birth for awhile haha. I am excited to "get" my body back even though that sounds selfish!

Sleep: Sleep has been better actually lately. I am tired all of the time, but I am not waking up every 2 hours like I used to. I still have to get up to pee but I can fall back asleep! 

Best moment this week: My doctor said I am 3cm dilated and 80% effaced! She said that is really good for first time moms but I know you can stay dilated like that for a long time so I am trying to not get my hopes up. Also, the nursery is finally coming together and it has been SO fun decorating it. Once it is finished I will have to put some pics up of it. ALSO, our carseat arrived this week and it freaked us both out a little - this is all really happening and it's coming up so soon haha! Mike installed the base in the car so it is cool looking at it every time we get in the car. 

Movement: He has zero room left in there so it is mostly rolls and small movements, but he is head down and all I can say is OW! So so much pressure where his head is and it's making it hard to walk and just plain uncomfortable! Que the waddle! The pelvic pain and pressure is a real thang y'all. 

Food cravings: Mazzio's pizza and anything chocolate. SO random. I swear I crave pizza every single day. 

Have you started to show yet: YEP.

Belly Button in or out: Still only half of it sticks out and it isn't noticeable through my shirt. 

Miss Anything: Not having to do a 6 point turn in bed when I am trying to switch sides while sleeping. Ha!

Looking forward to: Meeting our little man soon! 

xoxo, Ally

33 Weeks

Holy moly

How far along:  33 weeks 

How big is baby: Different websites say different things, but I'm going with the size of a honeydew melon which is 19 inches and 4.5lbs.

Gender: BOY!

Total weight gain/loss: 10 pounds I believe.

Maternity clothes: Loving my maternity jeans/capris. I wear them every day, shamelessly haha. Or a skirt which is way more comfy but requires you to be a little more ladylike ya know. I honestly hate all clothes and feel like everything is too tight and usually chill in a largeeee tshirt around the house. 

Sleep: Sleep? What is sleep? I am so uncomfortable at night trying to sleep - maybe I should get a body pillow. Anyone like theirs and actually think it helps? Anyways, between that, me getting overheated quickly, having to pee, AND Mike sleeptalking sleep is nonexistent. Just preparing me for baby right? 

Best moment this week: We have finally moved into our new place! It doesn't feel like home yet, but we went to our new ward today and everyone was soooo nice and welcoming. I think it'll be a fun 2 years here!

Movement: Kick kick kick all day long. I read that the ratio of amniotic fluid to baby is about equal now so you can feel their movements more. It is freaky to sit there and watch your belly and see your WHOLE belly move or some body part to jab outwards. Mike loves to poke my belly and make him move around. 

Food cravings: Water which is good and bad. I'm trying to drink more to be healthier, but then I gotta go to the loo every 20 minutes. I am also really loving oatmeal and yogurt? Random. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I do have acid reflux sometimes, but I can control it pretty well. Just can't lay down right after eating!

Have you started to show yet: -_- (<-- that face is all that is needed here). beyond showing. 

Belly Button in or out: Eek! It is like half in and half out. How does that work!? The top half of my belly button, if that makes sense, sticks out. It isn't noticeable through my shirt yet though.

Miss Anything: SLEEP! 

Looking forward to: Getting the nursery all put together, washing the baby clothes, and making our house feel like a home!


xoxo, Ally

Canada

Canada/Montana 2014

In July, we went to Canada and Montana with our 2 bff couples. Brett is from Canada and we have been planning to visit ever since we all became friends. After graduation, we were all free of responsibilities so we had to go before med school started for everyone. One last hurrah. 

We spent a few days in Canada and then a few in Montana because Brett's parents live in both places - both equally fun. While we were there we swam, rafted down a 35 degree river, rode around the ranch on the golf cart, ate poutine and canadian candy, hiked, fished, biked, saw awesome wildlife, talked late into the night, and every other fun thing you do on vacay. It was an awesome trip!

Now for the picture overload...

Canadian candy - mostly quite delicious 

Canada - the homestead 

They caught a fish together - how cute :)

Waterton National Park 

Made it to the top! (30 minutes after the rest of the group - sorry guys!). It was a straight up vertical hike and all switchbacks. I wanted to die. 

Weiners of Waterton - basically a JDawgs but still delicious.

The water was freeeeezing but so pretty.

The homestead - I love horses! 

The temple in Canada

Glacier National Park 

There was a bad haze over the mountains when we were there so none of my pictures turned out.

Lake MacDonald 

xoxo, Ally 

P.S. - if any of the pictures are blurry/weird I blame the one contact I am wearing. I have an infection in one eye and I can't find my glasses so one contact it is.