24 week bumpdate

My first late post! I have done these on Fridays always and I officially feel like a mama now that I am behind on something! Lol. In my defense, I did have a yucky cold earlier in the week and had to sub with barely any time for going to the bathroom 8 times an hour (oof, bladder).

Yesterday, before subbing:

How far along: 24 weeks, 3 days (officially hit V-day aka viability day, if Gd forbid I were to go into labor now, the hospitals would take every effort to save baby)

How big is baby: big enough to look pregnant! I think about a pound and a half. 

Weight gained: let's go with 10 pounds, even though sometimes it's 9. I have a feeling I'm about to hit a growth spurt so if I say 10 pounds this week, 20 pounds next week won't sound as bad.

Maternity clothes: Need the jeans! I went to Old Navy to get two pairs of low panel jeans (pictured above) because as of now, they fit better than the high panel. I am sure in a month that will change.

Stretch marks: My linea negra has significantly darkened. That's the line from my belly button down. 

Miss anything?: Sleeping through the night. And people not saying snarky comments like "oh get used to it". I will gladly get used to it, thank you much, I can't wait to be completely and utterly exhausted and delirious while loving on my little man!

Movement: Yup, I feel him when I lay down and sometimes when I sit. When I go for walks I get braxton hicks contractions. They don't hurt, but just feel awkward to walk through. Also, he has been moving around and switching positions, and sometimes I can see exactly where he is! It's crazy. The other day I woke up and my belly was lopsided to the right:

That night I was with my mom and he did it again! Since I was with her I could have her take the pic from the other side. Eden pointed out my giant body and tiny head. Laugh away. (and please ignore that gorgeous line negra making its debut).

Cravings: Candy (skittles, sour patch kids), kit kat bars, fruit and water, and let's just throw thai food in there because, um yummmm. Jaren was over the other day and I gave her some Osem pickles to eat (the best pickles EVER) and we ate the entire can. I do admit, that was more her than me, but still. Those pickles are heavenly. I found a dozen on amazon for $20 including shipping. Pregnant friends, get ready to taste the best pickle you've ever had. It's so flavorful and has no artificial colors.

http://www.amazon.com/Osem-Mediterranean-Pickles-Passover-19-Ounce/dp/B000ZK5NV6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384638762&sr=8-1&keywords=osem+pickles

Aversions:  When I get heartburn I can't think of anything to eat, blahhhhh.

Other symptoms: Heartburn has been bad ish this week. Really not like, bad bad. But I've definitely had to have tums every day. Still getting braxton hicks every once in a while. Also had a cold earlier this week, and I hate being sick. I'm such a baby. Being pregnant and sick SUCKED. 

Best moment this week: Had an echo on Monday and baby's heart is looking perfect!! I also subbed at the school my mom teaches at and it was so nice being there. I really love that school. I barely got to see her but we drove together and it was a fun bring your daughter to work day for us :-) I got to see some of the students I had in 5th grade that are now in 9th grade, etc. It was really nice! Lastly, I got to spend the day with my friend Dana and her 5 week old precious baby girl Leah:

Most looking forward to: Charlie should be home in 4 ish weeks!!! Also, we are moving some of the baby stuff to the Ridges, which is where we will be living starting next month! It's one property technically, split into two homes, each complete with a master bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, etc. We are so excited to be so close to my parents and to be able to continue renting our house out like we have been!

That's actually the back of the house. From this angle, we will be on the right and my parents will be on the left. Those windows actually face a view of the strip. In January we will have a big housewarming/baby shower party for our friends and my parents friends as well. That means we'll have about a month to settle in before then.....Eeeeeek!

I promise there are lots of good recipes and updates coming soon!

Boots and Booties at the Venetian

When Jaren was pregnant with Elsie, she told me about a military baby shower through the community. When I knew this little bean was going to turn into an actual baby, I searched around, and found that it was happening in October. Boots and Booties was happening at the Venetian, and I was officially invited! I wanted to make sure that Charlie's rank as an officer would not be an issue, but I was told with enthusiasm that there were more than enough donations for us, and to please come.

A few of my pregnant friends went as well - Leah Churchill due about 10 weeks ahead of me with a baby girl, and Ariana Wethington, who is due about 3 weeks before me with twin girls! Ariana and her husband moved into the house 3 doors down from my parents! It's been so fun having a pregnant military spouse so near.

We drove together and I got a text from a really good family friend that they were volunteering and saw my name. Her daughter, Kyra, is the sweetest thing, and I was so happy to see her!


The Venetian donated the space, staff, AND food. And one more big thing I'll write at the end.

THey had a really cute cake on display:


Volunteers throughout the community donated items for over 200 expectant mothers, and rolled I don't even know how many diapers for each mom to get a diaper cake!




Very excited to see Ariana's gifts:


And then of course we had to go find mine!




Me and Ariana:


There was food for all, and an MC for all the speakers. Lots of state representatives came and spoke, as well as people involved with military non profits.

I was kind of obsessed with these:


There were raffles for some big items including 11 cribs and 5 new car seats! Since we have a crib and carseat I put my ticket into a photography package and didn't win. But that is fine by me, this event was SO ridiculously generous, from the community and the venetian.

I didn't open the gifts there because I wanted to do it at home where I could really dig in.





As if this wasn't enough, they made an announcement that the Venetian had donated a gift card to every single mother for $150 for babies r us. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Sheldon Adelson owns the Venetian and the school my mom teaches at, so I have seen his generosity with the Jewish community. He has donated millions to amazing organizations such as birthright and Yad VaShem. His and his hotel's generosity hit a personal level with this though. Mr Adelson and the powers at be at the Venetian, the thank you note that I sent is not enough. What you did for these military moms is absolutely amazing and life changing for so many of them/us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Weekend in LA and greek festival

A few weeks ago I drove to LA to visit one of my bridesmaids Rose, who moved after finishing her residency, and for my good friend Emily's baby "sprinkle". It's her third little one and she doesn't know the sex (I think boy).

I wasn't going to come empty handed for her girls so I made them monogrammed turkey shirts.



I left on a Friday and here was my bump right before :-)



When I arrived Rose was her amazing self and had bought all my craving foods. For 24 hours. What a freaking awesome, sweet, and thoughtful friend I have.


We decided to get Mexican, being in Southern Cali and all. Loved me some guac. I also watched despicable me 2 the night before and wanted one of those sombrero hats made of chips with guacamole in it.

My time with Rose was short but it was so good to see her. Love you, Rosie!

On Saturday I drove over to Agoura Hills for Emily's sprinkle. She has done a belly painting for each pregnancy. Shayna was a pumpkin, Talya was a beach ball, and baby #3 is her world!

We took the obligatory belly pic - I got nothing on this third time mama! 

The spread was gorgeous, healthy, and delicious. 

Salads were catered from CPK. Did not know they catered! They were so yummy. There was a roasted veggie one and a quinoa one - I am definitely keeping them in mind for my next event. Perhaps my shower? I don't mind copying Emily, I would be lucky to be remotely like her.

Look at that barbie in the jello!

Apparently the belly comes out and there's a belly in it. Super creepy, but funny and adorable. Em got it for her little one so explain what is in mommy's belly.

Pink and blue! Which will it be?

Em and her amazing sisters in law. Seriously, I have only met them a handful of times and love them.

And I can't resist a pup-pup. I wish golden retrievers didn't shed and had small poops. Then I'd have like 5.

Emily, my dad, and my Rabbi, are the only people that I don't get upset if they call me Ravit (my first name for those who don't know!). And look how pretty the nail polish color I got was! Jill (her sister in law) painted my nails. Ummm yeah this was like, over two weeks ago and they are still peeling off. Maybe I should get a manicure.

One of the cute games - I won one of them, not that one.

My favorite response. Does Emily wear a thong or briefs?

Did you get that? It "depends". Hehehehe.

After the shower I drove back to the valley area and met Rose for some shopping before going home. I needed to be back that night because of Sunday school the next morning. 

After Sunday school I didn't want the weekend fun to end so I babysat Jaren's girls. Clara and I did a really difficult spiderman puzzle. Seriously, I grew up doing 1000 piece puzzles all the time, and this was HARD.

And then that night Katy and I went to the Greek Festival. It's a huge event that our neighbor chairs. Stuffed our faces, so yummy!

I told you I'd catch up with the blog and I'm already writing a post 2 weeks late. Oh well, better late than never :-)

See you later in the week!

Weekend Part 2 and guest blogger announcement

Cravings: pink pink pink!

On Sunday morning my mom and I woke up in the hotel (Marriott - we get lots of points with them and great military upgrades when I'm traveling with Charlie). We looked at different websites of videographers. I used to not want a video of the wedding until I saw a highlight reel that Sarah, Charlie's sister, was tagged in on facebook. I was hooked. It is more "cinematography" than "videography" and is something I actually would watch quite often, such as if I am having a sad day, or maybe if I miss Charlie, etc. It's short, you pick a song it goes to, it captures all the highlights from getting ready to getaway, you can include your vows or speeches if you want, etc. I think at this point I may have found a company to do it, but am still taking suggestions!

After we looked at reel after reel, it was time to head over to the shower. When Em first got married, I forgot her invitation at my apartment in Baltimore. I had no idea where to go! Luckily I remembered a few details and called a few hotels and found it. This time I forgot the invitation on my fridge, but luckily Em texted me right back with the address :-)

We walked in to see this:


Em's sisters in law, best friend, mother in law, and mom did everything by themselves. I couldn't believe the cake pops weren't professionally done! Her s.i.l. got styrofoam spheres, hot glued moss to them, put them in the buckets, and put the cake pops that she made into it. 
Something really creative that she did was dip marshmallows and white oreos - the oreos were my favorite.

I got to see Shaya, Em's 2.5 year old princess:


She showed me her rapunzel case and put stick on earrings on me. So glamorous!


I got to give baby Talya some kisses:


And taste yummy food, including a sampling of the cake pops!


One of my favorite parts was seeing the soon to be family of 4 (David came to pick up Shayna):

Unfortunately I didn't snap a picture of all of them together, whoopsie.

Here mom came and brought this:


She appraoched me and said "I was horrified to find out that Em took you to get your tattoo!" So funny. She read it on the blogpost I had written about Emily's pregnancy photos. To this day, none of us can get over the fact that Emily is the one who took me to get it when I was so young! So out of character!

I think my favorite picture of that day is actually this one:


Me and Emily both have such special relationships with our mommies. Boschnack/Rackow clan - start coming back to Vegas for Thanksgiving!

While we were at dinner for Emily's birthday, she spoke about a parenting tip that was so phenomenal, I got excited, without even being married yet let alone pregnant. I am very excited to announce that Emily will be making a guest appearance on the blog with tidbits of parenting! I can't wait for her advice to reach you all.