Friday Five

We just got back after ten amazing, incredible, breathtaking days in Ireland. We traveled with another couple who were amazing to travel with. We all had a blast. I am already wanting to plan another trip with them ASAP!!! Michelle and Stu are hands down the best traveling buddies!!! Here are my five favorite photos from the five-million we took!

#1. The boys surprised Michelle and I with a nights stay in a castle complete with fine dinning and a Spa day! My pre-natal message was so amazing. Way to go boys, you made these girls VERY happy!!!! 

#2. Ireland has the BEST FOOD!!!! They are so gluten free friendly. I ate dessert with dinner everyday and enjoyed gluten free bread throughout our trip. I was in gluten free heaven! 

 #3. We went to the Dark Hedges or better know as "Kings Road" on Game of Thrones. Since Game of Thrones is filmed here Michelle and I had to act out a few scenes.

#4. The views! I cannot even begin to describe the scenery and views in Ireland. They were breathtaking. This is an image from Giants Causeway.

#5. Walking across this rope bridge to gorgeous views of mountains and water as far as the eye could see. This bridge was an adventure for sure, but the walk was so worth it. 

If you ever have the opportunity to go out of the country, I would highly recommend Ireland. We had a blast touring Dublin and Northern Ireland. We adventured in a different city every day and made memories that will last us a lifetime! 

Bump Date- 18 Weeks!

This picture is in Ireland at 17 weeks pregnant. 

How far along: 18 weeks this Friday! 

Total weight gain: 2 pounds.

Clothes:  Using the bellyband. I am still in my normal shirts but my pants are a bit uncomfortable buttoned. 

Sleep: I am so blessed, I am sleeping wonderfully.

Cravings/Aversions: Gummy snacks! I bought Annie's organic gummy bunnies to help curb my "sweet tooth". I am trying to be as healthy as I can, but I still want to satisfy those cravings. While we were in Ireland, I ate all things carb and gluten-free and it was amazing. I had ZERO guilt, simply bliss! 

Symptoms:  My nails and hair are starting to get healthier and stronger. I also have my energy back!!! 

ENERGY:  I am still on an Ireland trip high so I feel AMAZING! I pray this lasts a while!

Exercise: While in Ireland we walked over 25,000 steps in one day. I also went to barre and pilates this week. I am hoping to stay active as long as I can. 

Mood: I feel so great, blessed, happy...all the feels! God is good.

Movement: She was moving a little during the Georgia Tech game in Ireland. It was mainly flutters and strange "oh, there is something in there" feelings. 

Miss anything?  I am growing a precious gift from God! I don't miss anything! 

Best moment this week: Seeing Ireland with amazing friends. We also got baby girls stroller from my generous parents. Sweet girl has an awesome ride ready for her in February.

Looking forward to: Feeling her kick and move.

Michelle and I jumping for joy in Ireland. Baby girl is 17 weeks. 

16 Weeks! Bump Day!

Me by the water at 15 weeks pregnant. 

How far along: 16 weeks

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!

Total weight gain: 1-2 pounds.

Clothes:  Still fit but my jeans are starting to get uncomfortable.

Sleep: I am so blessed, I am sleeping wonderfully.

Cravings/Aversions: Craving water. I cannot get enough water and/or ice! I want big cups of cold ice water. I have many aversions. One day I can't stand the smell of meat, the next day I want a giant burger. Makes zero sense. 

Symptoms:  Pregnancy brain (or lack there of...) is no joke. I feel insane half the time trying to figure out what I am doing. Also going #2... hahaha! Well, I'll just leave that right there. Lets just say I believe more then 1/2 my weight gain isn't actually baby. Also, I thought you were supposed to have gorgeous thick hair... where is my luscious pregnancy hair?

ENERGY:  I had zero energy at the beginning of my pregnancy. I was so sick. I lost a lot of weight, didn't want to eat, and was pretty nauseous 24/7. Walking down the stairs was hard work. Once I went on prescription medication, I became a different person!! Hallelujah, I am me again. I still have shortness of breath and I tire easier, but I am back to running and normal life. If I don't think about it, I can fight through it. Overall, I am so blessed and doing great!

Exercise: I totally went for a 3 mile run, did pilates twice, and went to a barre class all in one week! HIGH FIVE ME! I plan on working out as much as I can as long as I can. I am not myself without working out. 

Mood: I am so thrilled, excited, and blessed. I am a little nervous, but if I wasn't, I would be worried. 

Miss anything?  Although there is a lot I cannot do or cannot have, I know there are so many that cannot have or do what I am doing right now. I choose to focus on the positive fact that I am growing a human inside my body!!! HOW COOL! I am going to enjoy and cherish every blessing this pregnancy brings! God is so good and faithful always! 

Best moment this week: I love telling people and sharing our special miracle with others. 

Looking forward to: Our trip to IRELAND!!!!!

Back to School

School started back in Charleston this week. I must admit, I was ready to get back into my classroom and into a routine. I love my job so much and I am very blessed to work at such an amazing school. First grade is SO much fun; it has to be the best grade to teach. They are so sweet, funny, and crave learning. We as adults could learn a lot from six and seven year olds!

It was so refreshing to see students I have taught in the past and new smiling faces. I cannot wait to see what this seventh year of teaching has in store for me. I can guarantee it will be FULL of hugs, laughs, and lots and lots of sweet prayers. 

Jam-Packed Weekend

Last week Jeffrey and I went to the Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally's comedy show. It was so funny! They are hands down, the cutest couple ever! #marriagegoals #lifegoals.

Friday night we met up with friends to see my very first soccer game. We had a blast cheering for the Charleston Battery! 

We finished our weekend with a bridge run after church! One of my favorite runs is the Ravenel Bridge. It is so peaceful. 

So... is anyone else CRAZY excited for cooler weather, booties, Fall, and EVERYTHING PUMPKIN?!?!? I love pumpkin and I am not afraid to admit it.  I have already made pumpkin bread and pumpkin smoothies and it is amazing!

When your Husband Travels

As many of you might know, Jeffrey travels for his job. He leaves for Kansas Monday at 5:00 am and doesn't come home until Thursday around 7:30-- that is if Delta is on time-- hahaha! PS, Delta is rarely on time! I would be lying if I said the travel was easy, but it really isn't hard either. It is just our "normal". Us Nelsons have never been normal so it works for us. Just like anything there are good days and bad days. I choose to focus on the good. I am a glass half-full kinda gal. So, how does one survive when your husband is gone?

1. Put on Netflix, sit on the couch and surf the internet completely ignoring said Netflix show running in the background.

2. Go on long walks with your puppy. If you want to walk the afternoon away, you can!

3. Eat popcorn for dinner! Cause, why not.

4. Watch every girly movie, tv show ever and enjoy every cheesy/ridiculous line.

5. Pray! Pray a lot because it is hard and it's okay to admit that. No one will fully understand what it is like until their husband travels 4 days a week. Trust me, weekly is SO different then the, "oh I am only gone a few days a month".... hahahaa, I wish!

So for those of you who roll your eyes at me and say it isn't that bad, you're right! It really isn't that bad most days; however, give me some credit where credit is due (you roll your eyes because you have NO idea what it's like)! Having your spouse travel makes you a total badass! High-five wives with traveling husbands, we are fierce! Army wives, you get a total "eye of the tiger" award. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds so cool! Go you, you're amazing. You make me and my traveling husband look silly!

Murder Mystery Theater

We solved the crime... or were we the crime? dum, dum, dummmmm!!!! Indeed, Jeffrey was the dead body, but was he really dead or the murderer???

For our anniversary Jeffrey surprised me with a Murder Mystery Theater date night to the Black Fedora in Charleston. We saw "Inspector No Clue's Murder Mystery". As any good husband would, murder was the theme of the night! We had mystery chicken followed by cheese cake to die for, for dinner and dessert. It was delicious.

We then headed to the theater where a murder would soon take place! Jeffrey was chosen as a member of the audience to be the dead body! He did a great job if you ask me. Best "dead body" I have ever seen! BUT... was he the killer?

No, he wasn't, it turns out the killer was... Wait, I can't tell you who the killer was, you're going to have to go and find out for yourself! Go visit the Black Fedora and see if you can solve the crime!