30 weeks

I finally made it to my 30's, and i'm lovin it.

Thirty, flirty, and thriving—ok, not so flirty, but check out this glorious girth that keeps on growin.

I'm, like, really really pregnant now.

A few facts about me and baby, as of late:

We took a trip to Arizona last weekend for a baby shower and got tons of BABY MERCH! It was so fun to finally get a bunch of little girl clothes. So many onesies! So much PINK! My heart was exploding.

While in AZ, I got to attend and sing at this lady's homecoming. I also had the honor of singing at her farewell 18 months ago—at which time, she told me that I was invited to sing again when she got home, but I would have to bring "my child" with me. We laughed about it then. After all, I wasn't even married yet. But wow. Pretty prophetic.

We love broccoli and leafy green vegetables. Yes, I'm serious. Especially raw broccoli. But hey, healthy cravings are cool because you don't have to fight them! Eat all the broccoli I can handle = NO GUILT. However, my unrestrained appetite at my work's Cookie Bake-off Social last week = SO MUCH GUILT.

Pants with zippers feel like a distant memory. Very distant. No complaints though. With a big, elastic band around my waist—I've got no problems.

Along those lines, the fun part about turning into a big mama is having to get new clothes! Cuz yeah, what else can I do? This baby (my belly) ain't getting any smaller. And to my joy and surprise, there's actually some cute maternity-wear out there.

By the way, any idea where I can get some maternity tights? Cuz the thing about tights is that they're tight. 

I have come to realize that when someone says that you're "all belly," they mean that as a compliment—I think. Still not entirely sure.

We love cheesey, prenatal yoga videos—like this one.

Jacob and I started our hypnobirthing class, and it has been cool. I'm already feeling more confident about this birthin' business. And the relaxtion CD that I'm supposed to listen to every day is pretty dreamy. Like... it puts me to sleep so fast.

Relaxation tracks + bubble bath = transcendent, prenatal spa day for Holli.

I only work for FOUR MORE WEEKS. Meaning, I only commute for FOUR MORE WEEKS. I forecast some pleasant changes in my life. Big changes too. Kinda crazy to think about.

I'm pretty sure I almost passed out on the Frontrunner last week, and continue to have uncomfortable, dizzy spells almost every morning while I ride. I think my big belly is cutting off my circulation. Starting today, I am careful to stand up and stretch my legs when I feel a spell coming on. It helped.

CHARLEY HORSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!! How does something so painful have such a cute name and bring THIS IMAGE to mind?!?

I'm pretty sure that I slept through the entire duration of sacrament meeting on Sunday. And yeah... we have one o'clock church now. I justify my behavior with this attitude: I'M PREGNANT. I DO WHAT I WANT. Deal with it.

The physical/mental/spiritual/emotional preparations have begun to welcome this baby girl into our lives, and we are so so excited.

28 weeks

My first week into the third trimester was a success. I'm feeling happy, energized, and ultra-womanly. Going for the "fertility goddess" look, not achieving it, but feeling womanly nonetheless.

I tend to freak-out a little when I remember that my belly still has a few months to grow even bigger than it already is. But hey, this thing ain't over until the fat lady screams, right? 

There are times when I feel like a second-class citizen in my own body; at the same time, I enjoy feeling so physically in-tune. Every day is a conversation with my body, and I find all the changes, sensations, kicks, cravings, and even the new aches and pains pretty fascinating. It's not always a cakewalk, but I love sharing my body with Baby. Even more, I love assuring Jacob that Baby "told me" she wanted a spoonful of Nutella. Call it the mysterious maternal bond—I know what she likes.

I can honestly say that (so far) I've enjoyed being pregnant. I'm sure there are women out there who will want to smack me just for saying that, but I mean it. Yes, there have been days that were emotionally and physically overwhelming, but the good days have both outnumbered and out-shined them.

Before pregnancy, I expected (and dreaded) that there would be more miseries than joys, and have been pleasantly surprised to find the opposite. Lots of joys mingled with a few endurable miseries.

Of course, I hear the hardest days are still ahead of me... I better not speak too soon.

Third Trimester Kickoff

This is why Mondays are currently the best...

I get to knock off another week on my baby countdown! Whoo hoo!

Another week of pregnancy survived. Another week closer to Baby Robinson.

The reason why this Monday is especially monumental is that it kicks off the beginning of my
THIRD TRIMESTER.
*someone strikes a gong*

(I kinda feel like I deserve a third trimester kick-off party, but I also feel like I deserve A LOT of things when pregnant)

But wow. It's HERE. The beginning of the end. I really have to start getting my mama-act together 

and seriously consider the idea of pushin this baby out... because it WILL happen eventually.

Any tips for surviving the third trimester?

This rookie needs your wisdom.

Baby at 20 weeks

profile

legs and feet

The last look we had at Baby Robinson was the big 20-week ultrasound.

These photos just mesmerize me. 

That little profile. Those tiny legs and feet.

That's really our baby girl in there. 

A few facts about me and baby these days:

We love to eat ice. So much that I sometimes find the idea of eating a snowball in our front yard as a treat very appealing. Or sucking on an icicle. I've heard this means I'm iron deficient. Which probably means I should be taking a supplement... or eating more steak. I really don't want my love for ice to disappear though! If you were a fly on the wall in our home, you would often hear me calling to Jacob in the kitchen, "Honey! I want some CUBES!"

I've surrendered to my newly-discovered obsession with sweets. I've never been a huge sweets person to begin with. I've always liked cake, brownies, cookies, ice cream, etc—but never loved them. Definitely never craved them. I was always more drawn to tart and savory flavors. Not anymore. Suddenly, things like chocolate, waffles, pastries, and cupcakes are ever on my mind. So... you know... if you ever feel like randomly taking me on a date to Cocoa Bean or Awful Waffle.. I mean... I won't turn you away.

Just before you think I'm a complete sugar-glutton, I've also discovered a new love for baby carrots. Never liked raw carrots before. Now I eat them every day. They are basically my default snack. Pregnancy can work all kinds of weirdness on you, man.

I'm getting big, but I can still sleep soundly through the night. In fact, I think I'm getting better sleep now than I did a few months ago—although my dreams have been super weird and vivid, and I sometimes get woken up in the morning by violent kicks from baby. I assume she is hungry for her breakfast. Sorry baby! I'm up I'm up...

Another man at work asked me if I am expecting twins. When I told him no, he looked concerned and said, "You look well-along." To that, I wanted to say, "Dude! I AM well-along! I've been pregnant for HALF of a YEAR." I should have something to show for it, right?

People say all kinds of awkward things to you when you're pregnant.

I want so badly to buy baby clothes and all the adorable baby merch out there, but Jacob keeps reminding me to wait until I've had a baby shower. He keeps me practical. Still, so so tempting.

I signed up for a hypnobirthing class. Kinda nervous. Kinda excited.

Me and baby do yoga together, though some of those poses are becoming more challenging with my big belly in the way. Can't give it up though. It's our bonding time.

She has a name. And a middle name too. At least, we are pretty sure about it. If you ask me, I'll probably tell you. But I don't want to "announce" anything until she's here and it's final.

We love our baby girl.

2012 in Photos

So we're officially halfway through January already, but I still wanted to do a little recap of 2012 via photo.

Here it goes...

We kicked off 2012 at the happiest place on earth—DISNEYLAND!

January 1st 2012, 3:00 am, SPACE MOUNTAIN

Arches Nat'l

Goblin Valley. One of the coolest places in Utah. Period.

Our first married Valentines.

Our short, but enthusiastic obsession with BLADES!

I got a new job at the Church History Library in SLC. This pic somehow represents that.

My fam came up to Utah for April conference

We built a fire pit in the backyard

Jacob turned 23, and we celebrated his "Michael Jordan" birthday

Sadly, we were released as primary teachers in the Spring, but I'm so thankful for the time we got to teach these kiddos.

spontaneous trip to AZ to see my brother's band's last show before his mission

SOLAR ECLIPSE!

Sedona, AZ

Another trip to AZ for Sky's missionary farewell

Got our pass of all passes and hit "the peaks" all summer

It was the summer of BBQs

Camping in Rexburg

YELLOWSTONE

Jackson Hole, WY

Hiking in the Idaho back-country.

4th o' July

My first time going to Girls Camp as a leader!

tubing the delta in Stockton, CA

beautiful Yosemite

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Cruisin the PCH

Celebrating our 1st anniversary in Morro Bay

fulfilling tradition

LA

Riding the Ferris Wheel at Santa Monica Beach

And this is when things start to get interesting...

Watching the sunset at the beach

Can you tell that I just told Jacob a really good secret? Like... I might have a tiny baby inside me? Well, I did. And we took a picture to document this precious moment in our lives.

Staying at the Imperial Palace in Vegas

I never imagined I would be taking my first pregnancy test while staying in a goofy casino-hotel on the Las Vegas Strip—but I wouldn't change it for the world. Definitely one of the strangest, funniest, happiest experiences of my life.

POSITIVE!

Parents-to-be

So we're having a baby? Good thing we're in Vegas to celebrate the good news!

Zions Nat'l

KIMBRA CONCERT!!!

We planted our first garden, and grew a ginormous banana squash!

Jacob's fam came for October conference

Our very first look at Baby Robinson at 12 weeks

We tell the world about our good news

Beautiful Fall in Provo—kinda poetic when you think about the magnificent changes taking place in our lives

the "bump" begins

Provo's first big snowstorm—and our power gets shut off, but it was a good adventure

16 weeks and sucking her thumb

IT'S A GIRL!

Our first Christmas tree

halfway there!

Baby at 20 weeks

A wonderful 25th birthday

Christmas in Mesa

If you can't tell from the pictures, it has been a very monumental year for me and Jacob.

It's pretty amazing to look back and remember all the good memories we've made together and the steps we've taken as a couple.

Of course, the biggest step being the baby girl that is growing inside me at this very moment.

She has already changed our lives so much, we already love her so much, and feel incredibly blessed to know she will be in our arms soon.

Can't wait to meet her in 2013.