Feelin' Great

We did it...we finished the Whole30!! Today is officially day 31. The last 30 days have been challenging yet rewarding. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who is wanting to feel better, get rid of food cravings, improve your skin, lose weight, etc. Now, this program was not easy by any means but COMPLETELY doable...I promise. You CAN go 30 days without bread or milk or oreos (I know, even oreos!). Here are a few reasons why Brock and I loved this program and are so thankful that we stuck with it!

#1 You feel GOOD

I don't really know how else to say it...you feel good when you eat good! After just the first 2-3 days I could tell a difference in how I felt, especially at the end of the day. I always felt bloated and my stomach would rumble and lots of nights I would just go to bed miserable and mad at myself for what I ate or how much I ate. During this program I felt good all day and only felt bloated 1 or 2 times. 

#2 Your skin looks good

Yes...even mine! I have dealt with horrible acne since 4th/5th grade. I have taken every prescription med, used every OTC and prescription cleanser, and taken Accutane 3 times (yes, 3...and it was obviously not the miracle worker for me like it was for others) and with everything it would get worse at first and then be ok for a little while and then get bad again. My "good" days meant I only had 1 large cystic zit and several small ones. I would normally get a big one 1x a month and always had smaller ones to accompany it. This month, after about week 1, I only had 2 very small pimples that were gone in a day! My skin feels good and looks good!

#3 You learn to cook

Ok, most of you are probably much better at cooking on a consistent basis than we were. The last year or so we had fallen into a bad habit of eating out A LOT and when we cooked it wasn't always on the healthy side. This helped us realize that cooking is good and easy! We made plans a day or 2 ahead of what we were going to cook for lunch/dinner and we just did it...no questions asked! I also learned how to use spices (instead of the pre-packaged seasonings....ya, they all have sugar in it!). We've even been making our own salad dressings...I know, we're just outdoing ourselves!

#4 You eat good food

Yes, good food! I have eaten more vegetables this last month that I never thought I liked....and what do ya know....they're pretty good! If you google "whole30 recipes" you will find a lot of yummy recipes to break up the usual grilled chicken and salad. Over these 30 days I have created a much healthier relationship with food and how I feel when I eat it....and let me tell ya....you feel good when you eat good (did I already say that?!)!

#5 You have to go shopping

Yep...shopping. Why? Because your clothes will not fit at the end of the 30 days! Brock and I both experienced weight loss! Brock lost 16lbs and has had to take his suit pants in to get taken in and desperately needs a new belt! I lost 9.6lbs! I am finally under the weight I was when I was in high school, a weight I've been trying to reach for the last 10 years....and I did it just 5 months post-baby! I had to go shopping for new pants last weekend and dropped 2-3 sizes...so fun buying new clothes! And let me re-iterate, we lost this weight with changing our diet only. Neither one of use worked out these 30 day (except for 2-3 walks with Blakelee, the weather hasn't been too walking friendly). So, diet is definitely 90% of losing weight!

We had a great experience and learned a lot in these last 30 days! Now, what happens is we go through a reintroduction phase. They suggest to introduce dairy and see how it affects you over the next 2-3 days and then so on with the other groups of food. This way, you will know exactly how your body will respond to different foods and then you can decide if it's really worth eating "that" food. So, on to the reintroduction phase. I honestly would be just fine with staying whole30 but I know there will be instances where I will "treat" myself and that's ok. It will be nice to really know the effect different foods have on how I feel and look.

So, here are some tips from Brock and I if you plan on attempting the whole30:

• Just do it...now...don't wait! Give yourself a day to buy groceries and then start...there is no "good" time

• Get online. They have everything online! Read and print off The Whole30 Program and the testimonials (these get you excited about the results you hope to see in yourself). Print off this shopping list and The Official "Can I have..." Guide. READ the "Can I have..." guide...it will answer questions you didn't even know you had!! Be careful with the almond and coconut flours...acceptable but you can't make any sex with your pants on....haha, just read it! 

• Read the book It Starts With Food. I'm currently reading it and wish I would've read it earlier in my 30 days. It is SO interesting and gives you a detailed outline of whole30 and the reintroduction phase...definitely worth it!

• Clean out your kitchen! Get rid of everything you can't eat during the whole30...get it out of sight, that way it won't tempt you. 

• Have some food prepared. We tried to always have hard boiled eggs and ground beef or grilled chicken already prepared and ready to reheat and eat for a quick lunch or dinner. We would grill out about 1x a week and grill extra so we had a couple extra chicken breasts to eat throughout the rest of the week. We kept hard boiled eggs which were great for a quick lunch with a sweet potato or to throw onto a salad...we even took them with us when we went to Lubbock for the weekend and ate them for breakfast. I try to have at least 1lb ground beef precooked in the freezer, ready to go. It's nice to heat up and put in stuffed peppers, on a salad, mix with marinara over spaghetti squash, or in an omelet. I also made this yummy crustless quiche Sunday evenings and then we would have it to eat breakfast the rest of the week (and sometimes would heat a piece up for lunch!).

• Larabars. They are so good and are on the whole30 plan (well, some...you have to check the ingredients). They suggest you don't eat these unless it's an emergency snack because they are sweet and will still trigger your sweet tooth....well, we didn't follow this rule very well. You're technically not supposed to snack during the whole30. Personally, I didn't want to mess up my supply for breastfeeding, so I ate when I was hungry...which meant snacking. These are awesome snacks are a saving grace when you travel out of town...they even turned into lunch a couple times. Our favorites are Coconut Cream Pie, Cashew Cookie, and Banana Bread. I'm sure the peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough are amazing but they're not whole30 approved...I look forward to trying these!

• Google recipes! There are SO many out there. Experiment and have fun with your meals! Here are a few we've liked:

Chicken Tortilla-less Soup

Chocolate Chili

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Taco Seasoning 

(I used a few different recipes for this...all were good)

Beef Breakfast Sausage

I used this to season our hamburger meat to taste like breakfast sausage and put this in our Crustless Sweet Potato Quiche
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Garlic Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes"
(I used a bag of frozen cauliflower, minced garlic, and coconut oil for this recipe)



Wish us luck as we start reintroducing foods and begin to live the whole9 life!!

Good luck to those of you who decide to do the whole30...you can do it! If you have any questions or need encouragement please let me know!

We're going "All In"

So...Brock and I have been talking about getting "healthy" for quite some time now. Over the last year or so we've done Weight Watchers on and off, a program called Take Shape For Life, the p90x diet...and plenty of times of "just trying to eat better". Now, I loved the p90x diet and had the most success with it and kept up with it for about 9 months....Brock didn't like it as much. We definitely decided that if we're going to do something and stick with it we need to do it together. So, for the last month or two I've been complaining to Brock about how terrible I feel all the time. I'm constantly bloated, my tummy is always rumbling, and to put it simply...I just feel crappy. Since I've had Blakelee I haven't been trying to eat as healthy as I used to. Why? I have no idea. But lately I have felt so guilty about the things I eat and know that's the nutrition that little miss is getting...how selfish can I be?! So, I mentioned to Brock about trying Paleo, clean eating...I just want to feel better from the inside out! He said he would be interested...sweet! So, I texted a friend of ours that has done/is doing Paleo and really likes it. I asked her if she had any tips, she said "Go all in, don't ease your way into it." She also mentioned the whole 30 program. So, I started to look at The Whole 30 Progam. Basically it's an 'all in' attempt to clean out your system, a bit stricter than Paleo. I read several of the success stories and most of them focus on the health aspect...improving blood pressure, decreasing reflux, improving acne (what?!? I'm SO in! I've had acne since 5th grade. The terrible, huge, cystic acne. I'll try anything to try to get rid of it....because obviously my body doesn't realize I'm not a teenager anymore and isn't supposed to still be breaking out!). So, I ran the idea by Brock and he agreed that it sounds like a great opportunity to form healthy habits and clean up our bodies. So...we're going "all in" starting...tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. We're not waiting any longer. At first I thought, "well, we're going to Lubbock this weekend, and then OKC another weekend, and etc..."....there is no "good" time to start getting healthy. The time is now. As I read about the Whole 30 Program it talks about how we make choices of what to eat, we don't "have" to eat something because it's there. It's time for me to grow up and learn to make good choices for my body, for Blakelee's body...it's time for me to be able to say "no" when I need to. So...as I sit here eating oreos, (Don't judge. We have them in the house and they need to be gone by tomorrow. No need in waisting them by throwing them out!---ugh...see, I NEED to learn to say NO!!!) I am preparing to go "all in" tomorrow. I am so excited to get healthy and feel better! One of the things the program says is you can't weight yourself during the 30 days. They want you to see how you "feel" rather than looking at the scale. So, we will weigh in the morning and then again after 30 days. I will try to keep you all updated (because I know you will be sitting on the edge of your seats waiting to hear how we're holding up!) throughout the process! It will be challenging but I am so ready for it!! Wish us luck!!

Here is the link to the program if anyone is interested in it!
The Whole 30 Program

Blakelee's Birth Story!

So, I've been off the blog radar for the last 3.5 months. I've been a little busy....busy rocking, cuddling, feeding, changing diapers, loving on my baby girl....it's been a good busy! Anyway, I'm going to do my best to play catch up and get back to blogging on a more regular basis! Here is my attempt to let you all know how we welcomed our sweet baby to the world!

   At our last Dr's appointment on 5/17 we decided to schedule an induction to begin 5/20 at 7pm. We were going to start with the cervidil and then pitocin the next morning if needed. The days following our appointment were filled with excitement as we anticipated what all was going to take place on Monday/Tuesday; however, I was still praying/hoping that I would be able to go into labor on my own! 

   I woke up Monday morning around 5:00am needing to use the restroom (what's new?!). Once I got back in bed I could not get comfortable and started to notice I was having contractions. They weren't terrible but they were definitely stronger than the ones I had felt before. I couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to start timing them, they were about 9-10 apart at this time. Brock woke up around 6:30 to go up to the office to get some things done before heading to the hospital. Before he got out of bed I hugged him and said "I've been having contractions for the last hour or so that are now 8-9 min apart...just sayin'!" He immediately asked if we needed to go to the hospital now! I assured him it wasn't time yet. He showered and reluctantly left for work. I told him I wanted to take a shower and get ready and see if the contractions continued (any time I thought I was having contractions they would always stop once I changed positions or started doing something else) and that I would call him and let him know. So I took a shower and bounced on my exercise ball as I got ready for THE day....and the contractions were still happening and getting a little closer together! Brock couldn't stand it and was back home by 9:00 and ready to get in the car and head to the hospital. So, we took one last "bump" picture and headed to Amarillo. I decided we could go and walk around the mall some and when they started getting closer then we would be close to the hospital. On the ride to the hospital my contractions definitely got stronger and by the time we got to Amarillo they were about 5-5 1/2 minutes apart. We decided to just go ahead and get to the hospital. 

   We got to BSA around 10:30, they checked me and I was only 1cm dilated and 80-85% effaced. They called Dr. Freeman and decided to go ahead and admit me since I was scheduled to be induced that evening anyway. They started me on the lowest dose of pitocin to try to get the contractions strong enough to help dilate. Once I was 3-4cm dilated I decided to go ahead and get the epidural. The contractions weren't terrible but the last couple I had while we were waiting on the anesthesiologist definitely brought tears to my eyes! The epidural was amazing, I'm pretty sure I even got a few cat naps in after that!

  The afternoon went well and was pretty uneventful. There were a couple times that Miss B's heart rate would drop and I would have to change positions to find one that she liked (picky all ready!). Around midnight the nurse checked me and said I was complete, 10cm dilated and 100% effaced. She wanted to wait to push until she dropped a little more. Around 12:20am the nurse came in and had me start pushing. Now, the position that Blakelee cooperated with throughout the day was sitting straight up and the lower end of the bed down and any time the would lie me down to check me her heart rate would drop....soooo this was the position they had me push in. Now, I haven't ever pushed in any other position previously to this (obviously) but it felt incredibly awkward! They would only let me push every other contraction because her heart rate kept dropping while I would push and would take a while to recover. I could tell the nurse was worried about her heart rate. Dr. Freeman came in and explained to me that there was a possibility he would have to do a c-section due to her heart rate. I told him I understood and it didn't matter to me, whatever was going to be safest for B! He checked me one last time and said "oh, she's just right there. Let's try one more time". I pushed through one more contraction with Dr. Freeman. After, he said he felt it would be in the best interest for the baby that we go ahead and do a c-section. (After she was here, he told Brock on the last push he felt her turn face up.) Now, he said it wasn't an emergency and I had fully prepared myself for this to be a possibility---I still went into a little bit of a panic. I wasn't panicking because I didn't want a c-section, that didn't bother me at all. But, all of these thoughts started flooding my mind. Why is her heart rate dropping? Is the cord wrapped around her neck? What if they can't get her out soon enough? etc. I was trying to stay calm and collected so that I wouldn't cause anymore stress to B, but I was scared!! From the time they were prepping to take me to the OR to the time I heard her cry I was in a constant state of prayer, I knew that's all I could do at that time. 
  

  
They wheeled me to the O.R. and Brock got decked out in his scrubs. They got me all set up and then Brock came in and squeezed my hand and gave me a big kiss and said, "it's going to be fine, we're about to meet our daughter". Thank gosh for my wonderful hubby knowing just what to say. It was only a matter of minutes and I heard the most beautiful sound I have ever heard, the sound of my sweet baby's first cry...music to my ears. Let the waterworks begin. Brock went over with the nurses, they wrapped her up and he brought her over to me. Now, of all the things that happened that day and the days following, this moment will be the one I remember forever. Brock brought her to me with tears streaming down his face, he held her up to my face so I could give her a kiss, he leaned down and kissed me and through all of our tears he said, "she's perfect, she's beautiful, she's ours!"

  The nurses whisked Brock and Blakelee away while they closed me up and took me to the recovery room. While waiting in the recovery room I just kept thinking, "oh my goodness, she's here, she's mine, she's healthy, she has lots of dark hair, she's beautiful, etc..." Brock brought her into me and I got to hold my baby girl for the first time. Let me tell you, I love babies. I love to hold and cuddle and rock babies....always have. I didn't think I could love it more. However, there is absolutely NOTHING like holding YOUR baby for the first time. Nothing. I held her, weeping with such joy...overwhelming. She was wide awake. She looked into my eyes as if to say, "hello Mommy, I'm all yours!". Ah, as I sit here typing this 3.5 month later I can barely see the screen through my tear filled eyes. It was a wonderful, amazing, exciting day!  

~"I saw God today"~

*Thanks to my sweet friend Alicia for taking pictures! I will be forever grateful to her for capturing such precious moments for us! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and for sticking out with me til EARLY in the morning...love you!!

May 21, 2013 - Blakelee Alise is here!!!!

SHE'S HERE, SHE'S HERE!!!!

BLAKELEE ALISE SHERWOOD

May 21, 2013 at 1:49 a.m.

6lbs 5oz and 18 3/4 in long

Our first picture as a family of 3!!

Such a proud Daddy!

My first time to hold my precious baby girl!

Such an amazing, wonderful, perfect day!!

40 Weeks!

Yes, I know this is VERY late but....I've been a little pre-occupied ;) So, I will answer these questions the best I can for how I was feeling 3 weeks ago!!

How far along: 40 weeks, 2 days

Maternity clothes: Yep!

Best moment this week: At our Dr's appointment we decided to schedule an induction to start with cervidil Monday 5/20/13 at 7pm and then if needed  pitocin the following morning. We are so ready to meet this little girl and I'm already on maternity leave so we decided to go ahead and schedule the induction since I'll be full term. You can't tell from the picture (it was taken literally 2min before we left for the hospital) but I started having contractions this morning and so we're heading to the hospital now instead of this evening!

Movement: Yes!

Food cravings: Not really anything specific this week!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: A few contractions here and there until this am...now they're about 7-8 min apart!

Rings: On!

Looking forward to: I am beyond excited to meet this little girl!! I can't believe it is finally here!! Hoping for a smooth labor and delivery!!

Little Miss' Sweet Nursery

Well, after finding out our sweet baby is going to be a girl back in December I was so excited to start planning for her nursery! I really wanted something sweet and girly, colorful but not crazy! As anyone that knows me well knows I don't make decisions too quickly so it has been quite a process but I am SO in love with the finished product!!

This is kind of a pic of the overall room...at night! (minus the shutters...still have to hang those back up!)

Her bed! I instantly fell in love with this bedding on Etsy, I love all the coordinating fabrics and colors! We also got her monogram on Etsy...simple yet girly!

The bookshelf, filled with sweet gifts and books!

Can't wait to rock our sweet girl to sleep in the glider! The amazing curtains were made by my mom, she did such a great job, it really completes the room! The adorable prints above the chair I bought from Zulily.

Dresser/changing table: The B was a gift from a friend and the owl vase was decoration at my shower that my hostesses let me keep! The cover for the changing pad came with the bedding and the I found the mirror at Michaels!

A view of the bed and closet from the other corner of the room!

All we're missing is sweet Blakelee!!

39 Weeks!

How far along: 39 weeks, 1 day

Maternity clothes: Yep!

Best moment this week: I was hoping to spend Mother's Day holding my sweet girl but doesn't look like that's going to happen! I got the sweetest bracelet from Brock for my 1st Mother's Day and we had a great brunch with my parents! We also had a good Dr's visit on Thursday. We had another ultrasound, so it was fun to get to see her! Unfortunately, we didn't get to see her face because she's so far down and in the right position, can't be too upset about that though! Everything looked great and they estimate her to be about 7lbs 1oz as of last Thursday which puts her in the 56th percentile! The tech says she has some chubby legs!! Haha....poor thing, comes by that naturally!

Movement: Yes!

Food cravings: Sonic peanut butter fudge shake has been my weakness this week...1/2 price after 8!!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: I get contractions when I go for walks but then they always stop when I'm done :( Mainly just braxton hicks still!

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby girl!! I'm really hoping she decides to come this week, we learned that our Dr. is going to be out of town the week of the 20th! I'm trying to be patient but I'm just SO ready for her to be here! One of my best friends said yesterday, "She's like her momma, not really in a hurry! Can't be mad at that!" So true! But she does have some of Brock in her too so maybe she'll come a couple days early!! We will keep everyone updated! I also plan to post pictures of her nursery and some updates we've done to the house...so be on the lookout! :)

38 Weeks!

How far along: 38 weeks, 1 day

Maternity clothes: Yes, and comfy shorts/pants and t-shirts!

Best moment this week: I did a few loads of Blakelee's laundry...it was so fun to fold those little clothes and blankets! I'm sure feeling excited about doing her laundry will not last but the first loads were fun!!

Movement: Yes! I can feel her REALLY low now...love to know that she's getting ready!

Food cravings: Not really anything (boring...I know!)

Gender: Girl!!

Labor signs: I had some contractions yesterday morning that were consistent enough that I started timing them but then they stopped :( Last appointment he said I was pretty much the same, MAYBE 1cm dilated (I'm pretty sure he said that just to make me feel like something had changed!) 

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: I am getting so excited to have this little girl in my arms!! I always said I wouldn't be one of "those" people that gets impatient and that I would just want her to come when she's ready....well, boy was I wrong!! I am SO ready for her to be here!! We go back to the Dr. on Thursday for an appointment and another sono. He wants to check her growth/weight since she was in the 80th percentile back at 34.5 weeks. I'm excited to have another sono but would have NO problem if we didn't make to Thursday and we could just see her in person!! Prayers that I make some progress this week, a safe delivery for both of us, and for a healthy baby girl would be much appreciated!!!

37 Weeks!

How far along: 37 weeks, 3 days

Maternity clothes: Yes! And stretchy pants and t-shirts!! :)

Best moment this week: Working on her nursery! It's really coming together...I melt every time I walk in!!

Movement: Yes...although we did have a little scare this past Saturday. She was moving just not her "normal" amount! So, to be on the safe side we decided to go to the hospital just to make sure everything was ok! We were monitored for about 2.5 hours and everything looked great...she's just running out of room and wanting to sleep more!!

Food cravings: Not anything this week!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: A few real contractions but nothing consistent! At the last Dr's visit I was 50% effaced but no dilation yet :(

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: Holding my baby girl, I'm getting so anxious to meet her!! Hoping I have made some progress when I go to the Dr. on Thursday! Prayers welcome! :)

36 Weeks!

How far along: 36 weeks, 1 day

Maternity clothes: Oh ya!

Best moment this week: We received her bedding and her room is finally starting to come together! I love it, I tear up every time I walk in there! I did my first loads of little pink laundry this week..SO fun!! 

Movement: ALL the time!

Food cravings: Nothing really...but I did really want a hamburger last night! :)

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Mainly Braxton-Hix but there have been a few times that they have definitely felt a little different/stronger but nothing consistent!

Rings on or off: On! (unless I forget to put them on in the morning...forgetfulness is starting to get to me!!)

Looking forward to: This weekend we have worked hard to get things ready for her arrival! I'm ready for her room to be somewhat complete (I'm sure it won't EVER be completely done!) so that I can show it off on the blog! Even though we feel like we still have a lot to get done before she comes we are both just SO excited to finally get to meet our sweet baby girl!! Prayers for an easy labor/delivery and a healthy baby girl will be much appreciated!!

35 Weeks!

How far along: 35 weeks, 3 days

Maternity clothes: Some, haven't bought anything new in quite a while!

Best moment this week: We had a great week! We had a Dr's appointment last Thursday and got to have a sono to see Blakelee's position and estimated weight. It was so amazing to see how much she has changed in the last 15 weeks since our last sono! Everything looks perfect! She has hair and chubby cheeks, they estimate that she weighs 6lbs 3oz right now...that puts her in the 80th percentile!! We also went to Abilene for the weekend and got to see some great friends and celebrated Austin and Kellie's wedding! The weather was perfect and the ceremony was beautiful...it was a wonderful weekend!

Movement: All the time...never ceases to amaze me!

Food cravings: Nothing this week!

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Nothing but Braxton Hix

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: We started our weekly appointments so I'm excited to go to the Dr. this week and check to see if we've made any progress! I'm also looking forward to organizing her clothes, setting up her pack and play, and getting her bedding!!

Here are a few pics from our sono!

34 Weeks!

How far along: 34 weeks, 3 days

Maternity clothes: Some!

Best moment this week: My friends here in Borger gave us the most amazing shower to celebrate Miss Blakelee's coming arrival! It was wonderful and we felt so blessed to be surrounded by friends and family...Blakelee is already very loved!! Brock and our friend Devon also moved all the furniture up to the nursery, it's coming together!

Movement: I love all her movements and hiccups....it's amazing!!

Food cravings: Nothing...boring!

Gender: Girl

Labor signs: Not yet

Rings on or off: on

Looking forward to: We have another Dr's appointment Thursday and we have our last sono....we get to see our sweet baby girl again!! We haven't seen her since 21 weeks...I'm so excited! We also will be heading to Abilene for Brock's little brother, Austin, and Kellie's wedding this Saturday! I can't wait to have a sister in law!! We will also get to visit some of our wonderful friends in Abilene...I'm very ready for Thursday to get here!

33 Weeks!

How far along: 33 weeks, 3 days

Maternity clothes: Some!

Best moment this week: I came home Friday and Brock had set up her bed in the nursery! I walked in and teared up...I love it!! I can't wait to see it all finished! We also had a fun morning Saturday - our sweet friend, Alicia, took maternity pictures for us! We LOVE how they turned out! We also enjoyed Easter Sunday in Hale Center with family! ...It was a great week!

Movement: All the time and A LOT! It still isn't old!!

Food cravings: Not this week!

Gender: Girl!

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: I have my Borger baby shower this coming Sunday, I'm so excited to see everyone and celebrate Miss Blakelee's coming arrival!!

32 Weeks!

How far along: 32 weeks, 4 days 

Maternity clothes: Yep, but still wearing lots of pre-preggo clothes!

Best moment this week: I don't know that I could pick just one thing! I had a blast doing the Color Run in Lubbock this last weekend!! Brock went and picked up all of Blakelee's furniture! We painted stripes in her nursery! We are still constantly amazed at all of her movement...we feel incredibly blessed!

Movement: Yes!! ALL the time!

Food cravings: hmmm...have any of you tried Sonic's new sweet tots?! I had them 4 times this last week...haha!! SO good!

Gender: Girl!

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: We're getting new carpet put in her room on Friday and plan to put up furniture on Saturday! I'm so excited to see things start to come together! We are also getting pictures made Saturday and visiting family on Sunday for Easter! Looking forward to a great weekend!

So, here's a pic of how much I've grown in the last 20 weeks...crazy! And I thought I was showing then! :)

Meet our new addition!!

MEET SAMSON!!!

How cute is that sweet face?! This is the newest addition to the Sherwood fam! (I know, most of you probably think we're crazy getting a puppy shortly before baby!) Brock and I have wanted to get Raider a buddy for quite a while now. We started looking back in the fall but since our dogs are outside dogs we decided to wait until the weather was nicer (which, who knows when that is in the Texas panhandle!!) We were looking at a group on facebook and saw this little cutie and his brother. Brock called and got some info and then went out to look at him and came home with him the next day!! He is a 1/2 lab 1/2 great pyrenees...in other words, he will be HUGE!(hence the reason for the big name!) Brock said when he went to go check him out his brother was biting at his pants and was all over the place, Samson on the other hand was just chillin' and a lot chubbier than the brother....a lazy dog, that's just what we wanted!! haha! We've had him now for a little over a week. He's definitely come out of his shell and is interested in everything! We are so entertained watching him explore and try to get Raider to "play" with him! We've also discovered that our sweet "white" puppy is destined to be gray, there's no hope for his pretty white fur when he lives outside! Raider's still not sure what to think of him, I know they will be best buds before long! I feel like this little guy has already gotten so much bigger! We took him to the vet last week and he weighed 6lbs. We have to take him back in a month and she thinks Samson will weigh in around 15lbs...crazy!! 

For those of you who don't know, this is Raider, our 8 year old chocolate lab!

Love this little guy!! (Probably not little for long though!)

It's been so nice out this last week, we've loved hanging out in the backyard with the puppies and soaking in some sunshine and cuddles!

Samson LOVES snuggling with Raider...I think Raider secretly likes it too!!

31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks, 1 day

Maternity clothes: Some!

Best moment this week: We had a great week! We welcomed a sweet new addition to our family, Samson (more on the blog about him later!), had beautiful weather that Brock and I thoroughly enjoyed each evening (yes, that means we were not productive with the nursery/bathroom...but it was just too nice to pass up!), had another good Dr's appointment on Friday, and I got to spend some time with my sister (she's the talented artist that decorated my board this week!)!

Movement: Yes, a lot!!

Food cravings: Not anything specific...yep, I'm boring!

Gender: Girl!

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: We found out that Blakelee's furniture is in! Brock is going to get it Saturday, I can't wait to be able to put it in her room and finally see the room coming together! I'm also looking forward to going to Lubbock Saturday to run (more than likely walk) in the Color Run with my sister!!

30 weeks

How far along: 30 weeks, 4 days

Maternity clothes: Yep!

Best moment this week: We finally did a lot of work upstairs this last weekend and we have a pink room! We're getting closer to being ready for this baby girl!

Movement: Yes!! She had hiccups for the first time this week, so cute!

Food cravings: nothing specific this week!

Gender: Girl

Rings on or off: On!

Looking forward to: Another weekend working on the nursery and hopefully getting her furniture in soon!!

(Sorry so late this week, I really have no excuses! I plan to post the next bump pic on time...we had lots of excitement this week that I can't wait to share with all of you!!)