our little mango.

at 19 weeks

..........

•  i have quite the ever-growing belly. unfortunately, it's still not cute, but oh so close. {at least that's what i keep telling myself}

• we saw baby girl move for the first time! now my whole day and night is consumed looking at my belly and waiting for jabs. hubs is sure she's got a bright boxing future ahead of her.

• i learned that my mini crib option is no longer an option. somebody/i didn't account for the baseboards—or heater–in the measurements. we're going to blame the shrinking pregnancy brain on the one. unfortunately cribs don't go any smaller than mini...

• getting used to sleeping on my side is just painful, which in turn typically leads to me just laying there. for a long time.

• i've got so many veins in my chest, breasts, and stomach that i look like i could transform into a super hero at any moment.

• our pillow talk is consumed with who's features she's going to have and if she's going to be lucky enough not to look like i did as a baby.

• i've started to waddle. not cause i'm big but because i'm a drama queen. there, i said it. oh, and i moan whenever i move.

• my hair has never been better. long, silky, and smooth. unfortunately for me, the hair growth didn't stopped there.

• i've never felt so connected to my little girl. i love it, and i love her!

 ............

today marks the start of week 20, and i'm eager to see what changes it'll bring!!

cupcakes!!

 i found this cupcake class on gilt group a few weeks back and had to buy it.

i mean, who doesn't like making cupcakes?

and even better, who doesn't like eating cupcakes?

i was sold.

my friend erica accompanied me, and she turned out to be quite the little baker! 

just check out how natural she looks in the pictures!

there were twelve girls in the class and they divided us up into three tables—

each making a different cupcake and frosting.

being the only mormons and pregnant girl in the room, 

we of course got assigned to making the chocolate coffee cupcake with kalua frosting.

but no worries because it all gets cooked out anyways, right? 

right??

it was such a fun night out with the girls, and i'm now eager to book reservations

for their baby food making class!

any takers?

looky looky who came to visit...

...only my bestie, carly!

we went went through our entire college major together,

and then moved to the big bad city to start our careers.

i never thought she'd leave me, until well... she did,

and i've missed her ever since.

even though we only had one quick day together,

it was as if she had never left.

don't you love how that happens with dear friends?

naturally, we got our eat on—breakfast followed by dessert—

and then were off to our couples' massage in chinatown! 

love ya girl & you better believe i miss you already!

a night in outfield.

my dad had all sorts of fabulous activities planned while we were out visiting. one being a beautiful night at the rangers stadium. there's nothing better than great company at a great game! and the weather... ah! perfect. we also got lucky and got to watch a lovely fireworks show at the end of the game! the moon was shining full in the background making it even more beautiful. 

oh man, i just love texas.

this is hubs when he's 85...

doing what texans do best.

a cougar weekend.

hope y'all enjoyed your weekend! we sure did as we spent it with family cheering on our cougs in austin. hubs and i have been looking forward to this trip for quite a few months now, and it was {almost} everything we could have hoped for. just wish our cougs would have won...!

after a delayed flight, a missed flight, and then a night in a shady atlanta motel, we finally arrived in dallas 15 hours later! we were so eager to see my family and they were even more eager to see us. i'd been keeping the gender of baby m a secret since i wanted to tell them in person, so they just about died with anticipation and were happy when we finally arrived!

early the next morning, we all caravanned down to austin together. it was a hot, and i mean hot, day down there! so hot that my sis and i just might have been scheming of ways to get back to dallas asap and hit up the spa. but once the sun went down and the cougs got into their groove, we couldn't have been more happy with our decision to stay. even though we lost, it was a great game, and i couldn't believe how nice and cordial the texas fans were. but honestly, who could be too surprised... texas is the greatest place on earth! am i right or am i right?

so. darn. hot! cooling ourselves off before heading back out into the sun.

it's a baby girl!!

...and we couldn't be more thrilled. 

 

i've already done a little shopping

{hence the adorable leopard print shoes}

and there's more damage to be had. 

hubs is ecstatic to have two girls in his life now—

but mainly because my shopping attention will now be redirected

from him to her. 

we can't wait for her!!

ballerinas, bicycles, and the 'burbs.

 

i was fortunate to spend a couple days with my sister-in-law and her family while in chicago. her girls are just the cutest and have grown way too much since i've last seen them, so it was great spending quality time together. it was also great spending some quality time in the 'burbs! let me tell ya—it's been way too long since that happened! 

jacquie kept asking if i wanted to go into the city and explore, but i insisted that i was content and happy just hanging around the house. and as a matter of fact, i preferred it! it's such a nice break from the norm. so instead we filled our days bike riding around the neighborhood, picking up kiddos from school and gymnastics, braiding hair, playing dress up, and baking yummy banana bread and oatmeal cookies. 

i sure love my life in the city, but man, that was a dream!

good eats.

kari and i both like to eat—alot.

so naturally that's what we did—alot.

..........

a} athenian room:

out of my love for tina fey,

we visited her go-to greek restaurant. 

it was my first time having greek, and it was a win.

b} ghirardelli:

i haven't been here since i lived in san fran 4 years ago,

and i have been craving ever since. i didn't know there was one in chicago,

and once i saw the restaurant sign i literally darted for the door! 

i could not stand to pass up their delicious cookie bottom sundae. 

i die.

c} ann sather:

"french toast fantasy"

need i say more?

ok i will...

my french toast was made of cinnamon rolls!!!

now need i say more?

i love eating.

i l.o.v.e. chicago!

i'm still in chicago,

and loving every moment of it.

be back soon!

girls' weekend in chi town.

i took off to chicago today for a long girls' weekend

filled with family, best friends, and shopping! {naturally}

have a fantastic LONG weekend,

and i'll catch you up when i'm back.

p.s. baby gender time is happening real soon.

which means i can finally start shopping for baby m.

i couldn't be more ecstatic!!

what's your vote??