Growing Ghoens: Week 27 Bump Date

Trimester three is so close I can almost taste it..  But for now, we're wrapping up week 27!

I probably say this every week, but I feel like I'm looking more and more pregnant by the day. Maybe that's just how it's going to be at this point. Growth EVERY week.

It's funny too how I wake up in the morning with this "little" belly, like the one you see above, then go to bed with one that seems MUCH bigger! HA!

So what did we do this week?

Well, we tried out some new meal-plan approved recipes! A veggie, pasta, turkey sausage mix + some tasty banana bread muffins (recipe HERE)!

And we got creative making a stir-fry from a leftover veggie tray we made for Leigh Ann's wedding weekend. Let's just say not much goes to waste in this house :)

OH!! And the "diaper bag" we picked out came in finally from Fawn Design.

These back packs have been out of stock for a while, so when they were added back to the website a couple weeks ago, I was sure to snag mine up QUICK. Your daddy approves of both the style & the color.. he even asked to try it on when he got home that day. I love how proud he is already!

I'll snap a few photos to share soon with y'all of the bag & maybe even give a quick review once I use it!!

I LOVE that it doesn't give off the traditional diaper tote, mom "vibe." This is totally a bag I'd carry around anytime.. I might not even wait until the baby comes in June to give it a test spin!

A little later in the week, your Rock-N-Play arrived from some sweet family friends. Your dad & I put it together & let your sisters check/sniff it out.

Hard to believe that you'll be sleeping in this next to our bed pretty soon!! I hope you like it, baby bear. I've heard great things about how helpful this is positioning babies who have reflux or are colicky.. not to mention the peace of mind from having you on your back, but slightly elevated. We'll see how it goes!

We got another great week of workouts in too!

Chalene Extreme is such an awesome program. I can modify the weights & movements as needed to keep you safe, while strengthening my body for labor!

While this was technically the second week doing the workouts, I decided to consider it a full week one because of the wedding week madness last week (we missed two days & had a few cupcakes!!)

So far we're using 5, 10, 15 & occasionally 20 pound weights.

3 of the 5 days each week are solid lifting, while the other 2 days incorporate cardio, muscular endurance & some yoga/flexibility training!

I absolutely LOVE it!!

After a long week of working & working out, I spent my Friday night nursing what seemed to be a cold that carried into Saturday. We looked up lots of natural remedies that we've been trying in addition to diffusing some safe essential oils, taking extra vitamin C & drinking lots of water. Would you believe one of the things we tried was ingested two cloves of raw garlic? It actually helped some!! I'll do whatever I have to do to get better, but mommy is trying to avoid medicine as much as possible for now! Since what I ingest, I share with you..

Saturday morning your daddy asked me on a breakfast date to one of our FAVE spots to try & cheer me up.

Although I couldn't taste much because of this cold, I still ordered my favorite: Huevos con Chorizo (mexican eggs). And your dad got his normal: the everything.

He asked me while we were sitting at the table how we would have you set up with us for breakfast when you arrive. I told him that I would either wear you to breakfast or we're prop you up beside us in your carseat. SO surreal to think & talk about. We can't wait to take you with us on our breakfast dates, little one.

You'll love the Donut Hole!

And how precious is your daddy here, by the way?!

Okay sweet pumpkin!! Mama is keeping it short today. This week is already FLYING by & I'm making lots of mental notes for our next update.

We love you to the moon.

Stay cozy in there!!

Growing Ghoens: Week 26 Bump Date

#26Weeks = six & a half months

That's how long we've been hanging out together, baby girl!

I've gotten so used to having you around as my little buddy.

Spending every moment together.

Knowing you're in my belly makes me feel like you're safe.

Your kicks & squirms reassure my heart.

So when I didn't feel you for over half a day last Monday, my heart sunk.

I was overcome with worry.

Knowing that God created my body to be a home for you to grow in.

But being aware that there's nothing special I can do to keep you safe.

.. that's hard to accept sometimes.

I told your daddy about how fearful I was. And that I was really trying to surrender my feelings to the Lord.

You know what he did?

He prayed for us. Touching my belly.

Giving it all to Jesus.

..your daddy is the best.

Over the next several hours, I tried everything I could think of to get some wiggles from you.

laying in every position I could think of // reading the bible to you // praying with you // squishing my belly // eating breakfast // drinking ice water // having some sugar

None of them seemed to work.

So we decided it was safest to call the Doctor & see what they said.

They asked me to come in right away for an NST (non stress test).

Of course, as SOON as I pulled into the OBGYN parking lot, I began to feel you squirm for the first time in what felt like forever.

I told the nurse, but she said we needed to check on you anyways.

I sat back in a recliner & the nurse found your heartbeat.

Oh sweet girl, that is one of my favorite sounds.

She gave me a "clicker" & told me to press the button anytime I THOUGHT I felt you move..

We sat there for about 30 minutes before we saw the midwife.

She looked at the results, your heart rate pattern & gave me a quick exam.

She encouraged me to follow my gut with moments like those & told me I did the right thing calling/coming in.

She then told me that everything seemed just fine!

What a sense of relief!

Thank you, Jesus.

Last week kicked off my latest bible study through the book of 1 Samuel. It was such a timely serious of readings with life's happenings as of late - between my dear friend patiently waiting for answers with her health & the women I've been getting to know who are in a season of wait for a baby.

Let me encourage you.. if this is you!

Download the First 5 app & start this study with me.

WOW, such a powerful message.

On another note, this week was officially the start of my little sister Leigh Ann's WEDDING WEEK!! She came over on Tuesday to finish some last minute details & spend some time together before she moves to Mississippi.

We played some cards, practiced wedding dances while we worked on a playlist, ran some errands & went to dinner. These two are a riot together!! If you follow me on Facebook, I'm sure you saw their dance off :) 

This week was pretty great in terms of nutrition!

I took some time to food prep, whipped up some yummy salads & made great snack choices.

Can I just say how much I love kiwi with the skin on now?

So surprising because I was weirded out the first time I tried it!!

Being in another online challenge/accountability group helps me SO much with staying on track. I'm so excited about the 16 women in my #GBMarchChallenge who are working out, drinking shakeology & eating healthy alongside me.

If you want information on how to join us, shoot me an email to lindseykollar@yahoo.com so we can chat!

Chalene Extreme (the program I just announced I'm working through) is going great!

The weight lifting to failure has been a challenge, but a welcomed one. The workouts are also a little longer than I'm used to, but Chalene Johnson (the program creator/trainer) is SO motivating that it seriously flies by!! I appreciate how much she takes the time to talk you through each exercise & educates you on what you're doing each day.

I can't wait to see what kind of progress I make at the end of the first 30 days.

Stay tuned..

Friday morning was the kick off for the #ToddTheKnot wedding festivities. I completely unplugged for about 2 days to soak up family time & it was WONDERFUL!!

Over the course of Friday & Saturday, we had a bridal brunch, the rehearsal, dinner, a girls sleep over, a morning of family DIY set up, the ceremony, the reception & a family dinner afterwards.

Leigh Ann was such a beautiful bride.

The wedding was special.

And we are so blessed to welcome Travis into our family.

Our hearts are full!

So here's to week 27..

I can't believe we're almost done with trimester TWO.

Almost to the home stretch, baby girl.

Until next week!!!

Growing Ghoens: Week 25 Bump Date

Oh sweet girl, we just wrapped up week 25.. my heart bursts with joy thinking about how big you're getting & that in just a few months, we'll be holding you tight.

Here's what we did together this week.

Monday, our sweet friend Hollen welcomed baby Ezra into the world. So we whipped up a pan of lasagna & took it over on Wednesday night to hug momma & baby. What joy new life brings!!

I chuckled each day as I added to my magazine stack. Normally I just get my shape magazines. Now, we get lots of family & maternity magazines. Times are changing already around here & I love it!!

I finally went to get my hair done after almost 7+ months of neglect.. Oops. I couldn't wait any more because your Aunt Lou is getting married in a WEEK!!! Your momma & aunties are bridesmaids & your cousin Finley is a flower girl. If you were here, you'd be in it too, pumpkin!

At the end of the week, we took your oldest sister, Moose-girl, to the vet for all of her shots. Hoisting her up in the car is an interesting task with a belly our size now. I mean, I've got a cauliflower baby in my tummy now :)

Otherwise, we wrapped up another round of 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts & finally decided on our next strengthening program.. announcement coming soon!

We partnered with another dear friend & momma who join our #GracefullyBalanced coach family.

Welcome, Lauren!

We wrapped up our bible study in Judges. And are gearing up for 1 Samuel.

We helped minister to Hollen & her family as they've gone through some very hard times since the baby was born at the beginning of the week.

(Please pray for them, y'all!)

And we started planning what will probably be your dad & I's last little get away together as a family of two in April.

#SoSurreal

 Okay, I'm keeping this post short.. so this is all for now!

More to come later this week on mama bear's new program that is going to usher us into trimester 3!!

I love you to the moon, baby girl.

Growing Ghoens: Week 24 Bump-Date

It's our week 24 bump date & we're officially SIX months into this pregnancy, y'all!

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We kicked things off during week 24 on a video chat with momma's business partners.

Then we dove into work!

We made LOTS of videos this week for some gals (fellow mommas mostly!) who are ready to dive into coaching to serve their families while they help others.

How cool is our job!?

I get to be home with YOU one day, while supporting our family financially, because we're helping women be healthy & start businesses that make a positive impact on other people!!

#BLESSED

Otherwise, this week was full of breakfast food, some exercise (I missed 2 of 7 days), outdoor time & a fun day with family. Your Aunt Tecia & cousin Olivia came to see us from Georgia. ALL 9 of us girls got together for dinner (for THREE hours at Chick Fil A.. HA) to catch up & LAUGH!!

They even got to feel you a couple of times!!

Besides that, we had some mega heartburn, continued insomnia & achy hips/pelvic area.

Ofcourse there are not my favorite symptoms during pregnancy.. but they're awesome, in a way.

It's amazing to me how I haven't really changed my routine much at all, but my body continues to change all on it's own for YOU on a weekly basis.

And these symptoms are just a natural part of that process.

Anyone who thinks our bodies as women aren't MADE & equipped for childbirth is cray.

I was literally MADE to be your momma, baby bear!

On Tuesday we met with a midwife & really liked her.

She encouraged us to pursue a natural birth if that's what we really wanted & explained how she specifically would support us. She told us that the best ways to prepare for your arrival are to learn + practice breathing techniques daily & to research how the female body functions during labor so that I understand the process once we're in it.

I loved something that she said.

"ELIMINATE fear"

She told us not to listen to people's negative/horror stories.

There's truly nothing to fear in birth.

YES, it's going to be the hardest thing I've ever done.

And there will be pain.

But that my hardest experience in life is going to reward me..

..with my GREATEST gift!!

She is SO right..

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Momma's special friend, Hollen, hit her due date this week.

So we decided to take her dinner to make things easier while they wait for their baby boy to arrive. I hope you two will be pals while we live here!!

We are truly so blessed to have such wonderful friends, baby girl.

They love you & pray for you often!

Over the weekend, we got to go sit by our neighbor's pool & do some reading.

Look how much mommy's body is changing!

We're going to need a maternity bathing suit STAT. Check out my belly button.. and widening hips!

Making room for you, little cantaloupe <3 font="" nbsp="">

Your Aunt Uli, Uncle Jeff & cousin Aspen showered you with some special gifts this week too. You even got some cute newborn hand-me-downs you'll get to wear in a few months! Hopefully, we'll get to visit with them again soon.

Your nursery is beginning to feel more & more like YOUR room rather than just A room. It's such a special place in our home now!!

That's it for now, I think.

Next time I post our weekly bump date it's going to be MARCH.. & before we know it, JUNE will be here!!

We're ready for you, babe.

Well, almost.

You keep growing healthy & strong in there.

Take your time.

And come when the time is right.

But we can't wait to smooch you!!

Growing Ghoens: Week 23 Bump Date

It's our week 23 bump date & I can't believe how quickly time is F L Y I N G!

I feel like you must be growing like a weed because our bump is creeping up higher & higher towards my rib cage.

Some mornings when I lay on my back, your kicks seem SO high! I love our morning time together before the day gets started..

Not only did I get to watch you kick this week, but you're moving so much now that my belly sometimes looks like it's doing the wave.

I LOVE it!

I'll try to share a video here sometime..

Our heart is so full, sweet girl.

We were MAJORLY blessed this week by someone from our church {anonymously} who decided to surprise us with your stroller from our registry.

Wow, God is good!!

If you're reading this post, thank you SO much for your generosity & love for our family! This meant more than you know.

See that lamp in your room?

Well, your dad helped pick it out & assembled it after church on Sunday. We sat in your chair to talk about where we should put it.. imagining rocking you to sleep at night & not wanting it's light to hurt your little eyes when you look up at us.

As real as you are to you dad & I, we can't fully imagine what life is going to be like when you're here. You will be our greatest adventure & responsibility.

And we don't take that lightly!!

Tuesday was Valentine's Day, little one.

I joked that I was going to give you a little treat or two because it meant that we both got to eat some of the chocolate covered fruit I made your dad :)

Your papa teej (my daddy) actually sent this little box of snoopy chocolates for the two of us too! He sure does adore you..

What did you think of the steak dinner we whipped up for our date night in?

Your dad was so sweet & cooked our meat extra long to be safe. He doesn't know that we almost lost a tooth eating it.. but it didn't matter to me because I love that he thinks of keeping us safe!!

Wednesday was your MiMi's birthday (my mommy). We spent the day with her having lunch, shopping for wedding dresses (your Auntie Lou is getting married soon) & then talking about the book of Judges in our weekly discipleship group.

We chatted about whether or not you hear us talk about God or read the gospel.

I want nothing more than to plant seeds now that will hopefully blossom one day into a beautiful relationship between you & Christ, sweet girl!

 Check out these sweet "woolies" you got from your Aunt Ali this week!! Your little piggies are going to be comfy & cozy in these precious little booties.

Momma would have never met Ali if it weren't for our coaching businesses.

Her friendship has meant so much to me (I'll tell you about it one day) & I can't wait for her to come scoop you up & meet you. 

Other than that, it was a pretty normal week for us.

Lots of exercising, food (several treats + some new healthy recipes) & time with family.

 I'm having such a fun time in this new season of life connecting with other mommas & mommas to be..

..gaining wisdom from them, building new friendships, helping them get healthy & even showing them how this business we're a part of can change life for their families.

It's simply amazing how God is so at work in every aspect of our lives.

Giving us what we need at the right time & aligning our paths with the right people at the right time.

His hands are all over our family.

Protecting, providing, correcting & directing us.

We surrender you to Him & know there's no safer place to be!!

Here's to wrapping up month 5, baby bear!