18 weeks and counting

Feeling great and rockin' the prego belly!

Goldfish in my tummy

About 2 weeks ago, I was able to experience by far the coolest sensation I have ever felt--the baby moving! The best way for me to describe the first couple of times is to relate it to a fish. It feels like a tiny goldfish is just swimming around down there. It was so quick and did not last long, but there was no mistaking that it was the baby. Since then, I have felt it more often. Yesterday, I felt a much more pronounced "kicking" feeling that felt a bit like popcorn popping. As I am typing this now, I can feel the "popcorn" and I absolutely love it! It usually only happens if I am slouching on the couch and relaxing. Even more of a reason to take it easy! Doug keeps trying to feel it but no such luck just yet. It's still early so I don't expect him to feel it yet but he is very anxious.
I'm feeling good most days and much more energetic than I was the first 3 months. I enter my 5th month next week so I'm sure I'll start to see (and feel) more changes. I am officially in maternity clothes, mostly because they are just more comfortable. I could probably squeeze into my pre-prego clothes but I don't want to stretch them out and ruin them. It's nice not being in that in-between stage anymore. A lot less melt-downs when I'm trying to get dressed in the morning! ;)
I went with a girlfriend last week and registered. Boy, was that a process! Seriously, I don't think I would have survived without a friend who has been through it before. At one point, she was just pointing to things and telling me to scan them and I had no clue what I was scanning. Glad that part is over. I never realized how overwhelming that store can be when you have no idea what you are looking at. The plus side of registering is that seeing all of those baby products made me realize how quickly our little blessing will be here. I just can't wait to hold this baby and smell it! Oh the smell of babies! Is there anything sweeter?!

Velez Family Pictures

I was CERTAINLY not prepared for the challenge that a large family brings when photographing. Regardless, I would like to think I was able to capture a few classic shots. The photos were taken at Fischer's Park-an absolutely beautiful location with lots of fun photo opportunities.

Barefoot and ...

...PREGNANT, of course! It feels so good to finally be able to announce this to everyone. The 1st 12 weeks of hiding it and keeping it a secret is so not fun. Although, if you know me at all, I did tell a select few. ;)

The morning sickness is over (and boy oh boy was I ever SICK! Think the flu, except it lasts for WEEKS!) and I am finally starting to feel more like myself. Still exhausted, but I hear that will even go away for a few months as well.

This is definitely the craziest adventure we have ever been on and I will do my best to update those of you who live far away as much as possible.

Seth's newborn pics

What a trooper this little guy was! He let us put him in all sorts of props and basically slept through the entire shoot! Congrats, Melinda and Steve! Seth is adorable!!

Declan's 1st birthday party

Talk about a perfect day! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and allowed us to spend most of the day outside on the deck. It was great to get together with old friends and spend the day celebrating Declan's 1st birthday. Happy Birthday, Declan!!

San Francisco and Napa Valley

What a fabulous trip! Doug has family that lives in San Jose (about 1 hour South of San Fran) and they were kind enough to invite us out to stay with them. So, we decided to try and fit in as much as possible. The first night that we flew in, we drove to San Francisco and had dinner at Gary Danko's What an amazing restaurant! After we ate more than 2 people should ever eat, we drove an hour north to Napa Valley. We stayed at this adorable little hotel and then woke up the next morning at 5:00 am for a balloon ride. One of my dreams has always been to go up in a hot air balloon. And what better place to do it than over Napa Valley?! We arrived at one of the wineries and were told that we had to go to an alternate location for the balloon because there was some fog at the 1st location. So, we drove about an hour west to the 2nd location. The balloon was being blown up when we arrived. We all got pictures and were so excited to go up. About 20 minutes after we had been waiting, the pilot told us that more fog was moving in and he had to cancel the flight. Talk about MAJOR disappointment! It took everything I had not to cry (I know, total baby!). Doug promised that we would do it some day.
So, after that crazy morning, we were ready to tour the vineyards. And boy did we ever. We went to some amazing places and got to sit outside on the most beautiful day and sip some of the best wine I have ever tasted! It was straight out of a movie!
The next day we spent exploring San Fran. We did all of the touristy things: Cable cars, Ghiradelli Square, Golden Gate Bridge...
It was so much fun and such a gorgeous city.
Saturday was spent exploring Sausalito and Muir Woods. As we were walking through the woods, we saw a trail that said "Ocean View Trail." Doug had on dress shoes and I had on my uggs. Neither of us were intending to take a long hike. After about 2 hours and a couple of foot blisters, we finally reached the top. The view was breathtaking and so worth the long hike! And the smell! Oh my! The entire forest smelled so sweet! It was like nothing I have ever smelled before. Pure and unpolluted. Absolutely divine! It is what I would imagine heaven smells like!
Next to our day in Napa, Sunday was probably my favorite day of the trip. After Church, we drove down the coast to Carmel and did the 17 mile drive. Talk about beautiful! I could totally see myself living here....if only I had more money! ;) Carmel was so adorable! Tiny little cottages right on the rocky beach. It might just have been the most romantic place I have ever been! If you have never done this drive or visited Carmel, it is definitely a must! You will not be disappointed! We finished our beautiful day in Carmel by eating at this quaint little restaurant called Casanova
We had such a great time and felt so blessed to be able to enjoy loving family, amazing food and some of God's most beautiful creation all in one trip.