Growing Ghoens: Week 20 Bumpdate

Time for our Week 20 Bump Date.. & incase y'all didn't do the math, we're HALFWAY through this shindig!!

How did that happen already??

Okay, how about the highlights, baby bear..

- You play the bongos on my insides now & I LOVE it!

- You wake me up in the middle of the night to pee 10 times.. amongst all the other reasons we wake up at night.

- I finished reading a book about how to get you to sleep 12 hours by 12 weeks.. let's see if we can make it happen.

- We finished week THREE of our 21 Day Fix Extreme program.

- I started having to wear your dad's PJs the night after I took this photo. They fix PERFECTLY!

And the BIG one..

We had your 20 week ULTRASOUND & got to see your little hands & feet.

Your dad and I both got choked up watching you wiggle. It was the sweetest.

You did NOT want a profile shot of your little face, but we did get a quick peek.

The ultrasound technician said you weren't very cooperative, but I think it was further confirmation that you're my child.

We confirmed that our DNA testing was right & you're a precious baby GIRL!!

Mommy whipped up a sweet video of the ring test we did before Christmas + your original gender reveal & shared it with the world.

I cried half the time I was making your video & every time I watched it afterwards.

Sweet pea, you are SUCH a blessing to us!

Every time I think this just can't get any better, you surprise me somehow.

What we're eating lately:

BREAKFAST (protein pancakes, scrambled eggs & turkey bacon.. the works)

Tomatoes with pink himalayan sea salt. YUM!

Greenberry Shakeology with frozen mangos.. like a POPSICLE!

So here we are.

Over the hump.

Loving every minute of this adventure.

Imagining what it will be like to snuggle you.

Savoring this season.. take your time growing in there.

But know we can't wait to meet you.

Drum on, baby G. Your beats are my fave.

Baby Ghoens GENDER REVEAL

I'm not going to lie, there is something SO fun about having special little secrets to share with just your spouse..

our courthouse wedding

our pregnancy

the other half of our purpose going to Europe

the gender of this precious cub

.. but it's time to share 

Nate &  Nate & I are thrilled to announce that we're having a....

God is SO good!!

Thank you for your prayers & for celebrating with us!

Growing Ghoens: Week 19 Bumpdate

Welcome to our week 19 "bump date."

Baby cub, you must've read my blog last week because this week, I got the most precious gift a few days ago.. BABY KICKS!!!!

*heart melting*

I started feeling them on Wednesday, but your daddy didn't get to feel them until a couple days later in the middle of the night.. that's when you seem to be most active, little one. Or maybe it's just when I notice it the most.

Do you get annoyed with my poking or squishing?

Your kicks are addicting - I couldn't just have one!! I promise I'll be gentle, but having the reassurance that you're moving around in my tummy is just the BEST!!

My belly grew even more this week, peanut.

And I officially ROCKED your bump this weekend for a wedding. It was my first time not hiding it at all (besides our secluded beach trip last weekend) & there was NO question about whether or not I was expecting a baby...

We got lots of questions about how excited we are for you to join our world :) 

Our 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts are going great, BUT we did slip up a couple of days on our meal plan. Yikes!! We're back at it though now. Gotta stay our healthiest!!

Night time is getting tougher - I can't really seem to get comfortable or fall into a deep sleep. We're going to have to get a little creative & start diffusing oils again.

I wonder if you like the smell of lavender & citrus like I do?

The countdown is ON to your next ultrasound.

In a matter of DAYS we'll get to see how much you've changed the past 8 weeks.

We even get to confirm your gender & share it soon with our friends & the rest of our family.

I'm little giddy to see your face, hands & feet.

To see your heart, spine & noggin.

To hear ALL is well & that you're growing strong.

Until then, we'll stay patient & soak up your kicks..

Mama & Papa bear love you, pumpkin!!

January 2017 Coaching Sneak Peek

BUSY girls who still want more outta life.

Who refuse to settle.

Who are willing to sacrifice now to experience freedom later.

Who want to be their BEST, healthiest self.

Who want to break CHAINS.

Who want to defeat the odds & overcome self doubt.

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Maybe you crave to be more present in life // Maybe you dream of being debt free // Possibly you'd even just like to save up for a vacation or be able to afford a baby sitter once a month.

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Whatever IT is, you've got this void or this dream even, but that's all it is for now. Just a dream.

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What if I told you I could help you make it happen?

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What if I told you that taking care of yourself & helping others could literally be the solution or next step you didn't know you were waiting for?

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Welp, if you never ask or never investigate, you'll never know.

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So here's what I'm doing.

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I'm hosting a private, online, 4 day SNEAK PEEK group starting tomorrow (January 18th) that is self paced & obligation free.

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I'm going to share some real life stories - including mine. I'm going to answer questions - nothing is off limits.

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But here's the deal.. if you're willing to WORK, you'd be amazed at what's possible. The rest you will learn as you go.

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There's no experience (life or learned) required to do what I do.

Just a willingness to be coached & commitment to do your BEST, even when you may not feel like it.

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Want to find out more without feeling pressured?

Just HERE to request to join my group!

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Seeing this a little late? Email lindseykollar@yahoo.com for more info!

Growing Ghoens: Week 18 Bumpdate

We officially wrapped up week 18, little one, so it's time for a recap!!

First of all, you're the size of a sweet potato, which is adorable.

And speaking of healthy carbs (ha), we successfully completed week ONE of our new, healthy meal plan & six of our seven 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts this week.

Mom was bad & skipped the yoga day because she's a cardio/weights junky, but I promise I'll start doing more of that in the future as we prep for your arrival!

Operation strong & healthy pregnancy is back in FULL swing.

Your dad hopes you come out doing some of our Insanity moves :)

I finished my hypnobirthing book this week (thanks Aunt Uli! I loved it) & am getting ready to start learning some exercises that should be really helpful during your grand appearance. How do you feel about visualization, baby bear? Because you're going to get to hear all about it!

 People surprisingly have lots of opinions about how you should bring babies into the world, but my goal is for a healthy, peaceful (as much as possible), uninterrupted & natural entrance. Although I'll do anything to make sure you arrive safely, mom & dad are still doing our best to give you a special, wholesome welcome to the world.

This week something happened seemingly overnight & my bump started to reallllly round out in my torso + firm up in my lower abdomen. What are you doing in there, babe? Growing like a weed?

We're out of most of our pre-pregnancy skinny jeans & workout bottoms now.. I hope you're appreciating the extra space in these maternity pants as much as I am! Talk about comfy :)

Did I mention yet that we took you to the beach this weekend & mom rocked a bikini?? I think you loved the warm sunshine & sound of the waves.. so peaceful & relaxing. I can't wait to take you there when the time comes!!

We ordered your nursery rug this week & are still looking for a dresser to put your teeny tiny little clothes in that I am MELTING over. Your closet is organized, big thanks to your dad, & we got a fun pouf ottoman that we'll use when you're getting rocked to sleep!

I still just sit in your room sometimes & visualize life once you're here. Your fur sisters are SUPER curious about your room & all of the items starting to accumulate in it.. they KNOW something new is on the horizon. I bet you'll think Moose & Tannyn are pretty cool.

Our favorite foods this week:

Yogurt Bowls

Broccoli

Clementines

CHIPOTLE Bowls (twice!!)

..& lots of lime in our water

Energy is MUCH better during the day, sleeping is rough at night, dreams are VIVID & sickness is more minimal (only puking a few days a week). I haven't felt you very much lately so I'm ITCHING for your next ultrasound appointment at the end of this month. I can't wait to see your little face & watch you wiggle.

Baby bear, you have our hearts.

We love you so much & pray for you daily.

Stay safe, healthy & cozy in there.

And feel free to kick mom really hard whenever you're ready.

Growing Ghoens: Week 17 Bumpdate

Yesterday we wrapped up week 17, baby bear.

This week you eased up on the nausea & gave me 4 straight days of no throwing up (hallelujah).. we had our first big bowl of broccoli again in MONTHS thanks to dissipating food aversions.. & I think you let me feel you for the first time.

That rolling, fish deep in my tummy sensation was the coolest thing I think I've ever experienced before with my body. If it was you, please do it again & often. That little reminder that you're in there & growing strong gives me more joy than you could ever know!

Your room is finally painted, but we're on the hunt for the right lighting.

The color we chose is a perfect grey that looks totally normal in natural lighting, but gives off a purple hue at night..  don't worry, we'll figure it out if you're a little boy or hate purple. We finally cleared out the lingering guest room furniture (thanks to Mimi & Papa for storing it) from our entry way & assembled your rocking chair.

I just love sitting in your room & just thinking about what life is going to be like.. what YOU'RE going to be like.  How you will be our most mysterious, probably difficult & yet AMAZING adventure thus far.

Your dad talks to you all the time now, which is heart-melting & creepy all at once. Although I know you're the reason my belly is growing week to week, it still catches me off guard when your dad comes to touch you or talk to you.. my stomach has never had this much attention before, little one.

Speaking of things being creepy, are you as weirded out as I am when people want to touch you? If you've inherited ANY of my personal space beliefs or reservations then I know the answer is yes.

Baby cub, what's the most polite way to tell people not to touch our bump?

We'll talk more about that later as you get bigger, I guess :)

Okay little pumpkin.. We're starting a new routine back up with work + fitness + nutrition this week. Mom's got GOALS that she wants to tackle with you.. what do you say?

Next Up:

21 Day Fix Extreme Meal Plan + Workouts {2nd trimester edition}

Coming up with a new schedule for our 2017 business goals.

How does it feel to be second in charge? Pretty sweet?

Time to get healthier, stronger & tackle some achievements for our family while we help people!

I've got a got a good feeling about week 18, baby bear.

We love you to the moon & back!

Our Next Adventure: Coming June 2017

While we may have just come home from an absolutely incredible trip together {more to come on our #GhoensToEurope trip later}, our GREATEST adventure still lies ahead!

With overflowing hearts of pure joy, we're excited to announce that we'll be adding to our family in June of 2017!

Our journey to this precious little one has been a road of both heartache & excitement. But God has used this year to teach us SO much about His faithfulness, timing, & provision, while drawing us closer to Himself.

One day soon I'll share more about our road to #GrowingGhoens but in the mean time, I want to praise Jesus for allowing us this incredible opportunity to become parents.

You're a good, good Father.
Giving us more than we deserve.
Revealing Yourself to us in the mountains & valleys of life.

May our lives & the life of this child bring YOU glory, Lord!!

"For this child we prayed.."
1 Samuel 1:27