Italy Part 5

Italy Part 5

The last of The Jewel's Tour of Tuscany

After our amazing Wine Tasting and Lunch we headed back out and about the Tuscany Countryside and went through San Gimangino (again, don't know if I spelled it right) and then headed to Pisa.

Countryside

 Remember, the towers were cut off when the Florentines took over.

 GELATO!!!  Along with a wine addiction, I also left Italy with a Gelato addiction!!

 Some Cheeses...Jo and I got kicked out of this cute little store, not litterly, but she told me I couldn't take pictures.

And on our way to Pisa...

 The wind turbines reminded me of home and T. Boone Pickens!

 This was a cute itsy-bitsy little church...and I really mean itsy-bitsy.

 And we are here!! I don't remember what these building were, but the Leaning Tower is to the right.

 The Leaning Tower of Pisa!! I don't know if the picture really shows how much it really is leaning. If I remember right, it continues to lean more every year! You could take a tour in the tower, we chose not too, only because it was getting late, but Mike also because of the leaning...it really looked like you would fall right out of those pillars!!

 The Blood Evans

  The only reason the Blood Evans can be reproduced :)

After our tour was over, it was really sad...Alessandro, was amazing. He was so personable and shared his own life stories with us throughout the day. We wanted him to join us everywhere we went, but he stayed professional and did what he was 'suppose' to do. I mean I know we are super fun people and who wouldn't want to hang out with us, but maybe he just didn't want to hang with us silly Americans.

Alessandro, also gave us dinner recommendations and even dropped us off at a restaurant that, of course, was incredible! And guess what, we had some more wine!!

More Italy to come soon!

Tuscany Italy Part 4!!

Italy Part 4!!

The Jewels Tour Continued...

After we left Siena, we drove through the Tuscany country side, which was more than beautiful. There really aren't words to describe the beauty there. But anyway, we headed to San Gimangino (no idea if I spelled that right!) Went through another castle area there, had the 'World's Best Gelato' and then headed to our Wine Tasting Lunch....FABULOUS!!!

Alessandro said this was the first Bank.

 Every time you left or arrived in an area you went 'through' the gates of that city. You really just went around it, but back in the old days, you actually went through them. I don't remember which gates this was.

Beautiful Tuscany! 

 Alessandro pulled over for us and got a picture of the whole group.

At the Wine Tasting!!! We had so so many wonderful wines! We ordered about 6 bottles...which we still have!! They were shipped after I found out I was pregnant and Mike has been a super trooper and not opened one, to wait for me to enjoy!

We also had my FAVORITE Lasagna at our lunch. It was so incredible along with Truffle Oil.  I'd never had that, but my oh my it was delish!! For a small small bottle of Truffle Oil, it would cost about $75 US dollars...we opted not to get any, but I really really thought about it!

 This is the winery guy, he was a hoot!

 Preparing the glasses for their award winning wine. 

The couple in this picture were a little weird...they were on their honeymoon, oh nice would that be...and obviously set up this wine tasting lunch...did they have any wine...NO!! I don't think they even tried the wine...they only pour a taste for you and then your can ask for more and they weren't stingy! But we all thought it was a little odd to go to a wine tasting and not have any wine.

 Another favorite picture of Mike

 These two couples were from England I think...they were very nice and funny too.

Well there another part...there is still one more part to this amazing Jewels Tour. Hope you enjoyed!

34 Weeks!!

I couldn't pick a favorite out of these two...

How far along: 34 Weeks!!!! Mike and I really can't believe it. It sounds so close. But I feel I've been in '7 months' FOREVER now!

We have a Large Cantaloupe, about 19-22 inches and 5.5 pounds.

What I've Learned from What to Expect: They say most the growth now will be in her weight and not so much in her length. Her fat percentage has picked up to about 15%. Her brain is continuing to grow.

Next week at my appointment, Dr. Cox will do another measurement. I'm hoping she's doesn't measure super big. I told Dr. Cox when I found out I had Gestational Diabetes, that I didn't want a 10 pound baby...she assured me that she couldn't catch a 10 pound baby :)

Total weight gain/loss: 9.5 pounds.... 1/2 pound gain this week

Stretch marks: Nopers, not yet.

Sleep: For the most part is Good! Yay!  But, last night was awful! I couldn't fall asleep, when I did, I felt like I was only asleep for like 10 minutes before I had to get up and go to the bathroom...which has been on a pretty scheduled every 2 hours...I guess good for practicing nursing right! I also attribute the bad sleep last night to my stupid bedtime snack (GB) I have to have...I was already so full from dinner, but I have to have a carb snack around 11:30, so that I don't go longer than about 9 hours without eating. 

Best moments this week: Good golly she has been a dancing machine this week and my stomach has been doing the wave constantly. But as soon as I say something to Mike or someone to look or feel, she gets shy and stops. Reading to her is so much fun--Remi and Nellie still like it too, they get comfy while I read. And I really feel like between Sunday night and Monday morning, my belly really started poking out there!

Miss Anything: Starting to miss the Dr. Pepper again and Ginger Ale...they are full of carbs and I chose to eat my carbs rather than drink them. I also miss twisting and popping my back.  Mike has given me the reverse bear hug to pop it and it feels amazing...in fact, I may have him do that tonight!

Movement: Umm, Yes!

Food cravings: Fruits

Anything making you queasy or sick: I don't know what it was, but at work, there was some funk that just smelled and it made me feel blah and then at Marshall's this weekend, when I trying on some shirts (the one is the picture is a newby) the lady in the room next to me OBVIOUSLY didn't believe in deodorant or showering. She smelled so bad, I was almost dry-heaving and rushing to get through my clothes and get the heck outta there! So gross, people, just use soap and some deodorant!

Labor Signs: Some Braxton-Hicks contractions. I feel that they have decreased in the past week or two.

Belly Button in or out: Stretchie!!

Most Ridiculous thing I've Cried about or gotten Upset about: I get upset that Mike can't read my mind sometimes...I want him to know that I need my back rubbed and think it would be nice of him to just offer sometimes, rather than me always having to ask.  Call me crazy, I know. But I feel bad always asking and I feel it would be a nice gesture for him to offer sometimes. I did let him know my feelings about it as I was crying :)

Gestational Diabetes Update: Managing Well. I go meet my dietitian this week.

Pregnancy Symptom: TONS of Back Pain, Wanting to nest and love it!! Peeing ALL the time! Pregnancy Brain, Back Pain, Sore Feet, Feeling more tired, oh did I mention Back Pain. Some Ligament Pains in the side of my stomach if I move a certain way too fast--usually happens when I try to turn over in bed or getting out of bed. Getting a little anxious about the big day

Wedding rings on or off: On, but sometime I feel I have Shrek fingers now :)

Happy or Moody most of the time: TIRED! I napped on Sunday and I came home from work yesterday and took a nap for about 4 hours!! It felt amazing! But otherwise, pretty happy this week!

Looking forward to: Meeting her...I still want her to come in July, but I am so excited to see her and meet her and just love on her. Working on Baby Book. We have our Birthing Classes next weekend, so that will hopefully be exciting. Picking a pediatrician...We have it down to 4 and possibly to 2 if the other 2 aren't affiliated with Hillcrest. Thinking about packing a hospital bag-what do I need?! And probably need to figure out our options on D-Day! Maybe they will help us out with that at our Birthing Class.

And Anything Else: I think Remi has a clue that something is going on and growing in my belly now. She hasn't changed a lot, but she has smelled my belly a lot more and she follows me around the house all the time.  Usually if she up and around she follows me around, but if she's napping or laying down, she normally just let me do my own thing...now, she will get up from her nap and walk to the bathroom with me and lay on floor by the bathroom, or walk with me to the kitchen when I fill my water bottle. I think its cute and sweet. She's also been a little more gentle about giving us her paw for 'shake' or 'high five'...or if she just wants to give us some paw-lovin. 

I don't think my boobs are as big as they were...Mike didn't comment :)

Thunder Up!!

Excited for some Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball tonight!!

Little Bit's Baby Shower with Friends!!

Showering with Friends!!

Mike, Little Bit and I are so blessed with such a wonderful supportive family and more blessed with friends that are so excited to meet Little Bit too. Amy and Amber hosted my second shower June 2nd. It was so fun and I am so appreciative of all they've done for me. Food was delish, and Amy was so sweet to make sure I was okay with everything with all the GB stuff. I figured, oh well, if my number is high for celebration.  But thankfully it wasn't, even better!! We had fruit and dip, turkey & cheese and ham & cheese croissants, mini quiche, rainbow chip cupcakes-my fav!, and mimosa's--virgin for me and Alayna though :)

Little Bit is so loved, she received so many wonderful gifts. If she came today, we'd definitely be ready for her!

Here are some pictures from the shower. Thank you everyone!!

 Amber let me take some of the lanterns for LB's room.

 Our monitor!! So excited to be able to watch her in her slumber. Thanks Amy, Eric, and Sue!

 Amber out did herself again by making the cutest burp clothes, including an OSU one of course! I was so excited for these :)

 Jen, gave me a bucket of 'All the Goods'! I love everything I got, but I was most excited about all the fun, necessity, things that I wouldn't know to get. She included, medication, nose sprays, breast pumping things, diaper rash stuff, and so so much more! Thankfully she even wrote out a list of what I will be using it all for too!

 I'm pretty sure they are laughing as I pull out all the stuff that Jen gave me, and I had no clue what is was for.

 Her first Soccer Ball, thanks to Kendall!

 A girl can never have to many tutu's!!

 And another favorite was my girl friends making month onsies for Little Bit. I had been looking into purchasing some stickers from etsy, but these are so much cuter!  Thank you so much ladies...Amy, Amanda, Jen, Alayna, Amber, and not able to make it Tiffany and Allison!  Y'all are great!

 And the Mom's or Grandma's, which ever they'd like to be called now :) minus Sarah Jayne, who had to leave early

 Katy and Rachel

 Aunt Jo!!

 Amber is so creative!

 Me and Jen

Amy, Me, and Amber-You girls are so wonderful!! Thanks so much!

 And at home, playing with things we got...our stroller...Nellie tested it out for us, she's a fan. Later in the evening she got in the underneath basket too, didn't have my camera for that though! And thankfully it didn't freak Remi out, since she will be walking with me with it!

Thanks so much!  We really are so blessed to have all our friends and family to support us and our new journey into parenthood. Little Bit is so lucky to have so many people that love her!