24 Weeks AKA 6 MONTHS!! AHHHH!

How far along? 24 weeks 4 days! 

Total weight gain: Still up almost 4 lbs!

Maternity clothes? Still haven't used the Bella band but mainly bc its been so hot I have been in shorts and dresses. Pretty sure its necessary for the majority of my jeans now.

Stretch marks? No stretch marks yet thank goodness!! I talked to a ton of girls at the wedding we went to this last weekend and they all said they didn't get stretch marks...at least with their first! Fingers crossed!

Sleep:?  So exhausted these days that I have been pretty much sleeping just fine. We were in Tahoe for 4 days so I never sleep as well in a hotel room but overall not bad. I do wake up to the little guy kicking a lot, but luckily (for him) it doesnt keep me up!

Best moment this week: Being 6 months pregnant!!!! I just can't believe it and I finally feel like I REALLY am pregnant. Our little guy is kicking up a storm all the time and I am actually starting to be able to feel where he is in my belly (like low, high, on the right, sitting directly on bladder etc). Its so exciting and it just makes me even more anxious to finally meet our sweet little boy! We definitely spend a lot of time playing him music in the mornings and talking to him these day i.e. "what are you doing awake at this hour?"!!!! 

"Who do you think you are kicking your mommy like that?!"

" How will you ever repay me for the months of carrying your free-loading little body around, etc??" 

...you know, stuff like that.

Anyway, we went to Tahoe for Joey's best friend Steves wedding and had such a blast! The weather was out of control beautiful, the wedding was gorgeous and SO sweet (yes I cried quite a few times) and we had a great time with all of our friends. Joeys parents went to the wedding too which was a lot of fun because we got to spend some quality time with them and talk the baby talk! 

It was a super busy weekend but we had plenty of time to eat out on the water, take a boat out on the lake, and dance up a storm at the wedding. Plus, there were so many girls my age who had adorable babies with them at the wedding, Joey and I spent an abnormal time ohhhing and ahhing over how precious they were and soaking up all the advice they had. Pack and Play anyone??? 

Anyway,  it was SO nice to chat with all these couples who are in the same boat as us and who LOVE being parents! Literally, every single one of them said that being a parent is the best thing in the world!! We also got the dish on a few of our friends who may be heading down the same road as us soon, which I cant wait for! Anyway, it was a super fun weekend and  I was so glad to be a part of such fun festivities!

Miss Anything? Nope! Enjoying feeling the little guy kick so much its hard to really care about anything else! And seriously I think talking to all these girls at the wedding made me realize even more how special of a time this is and I already feel like this was the best decision we've ever made in our lives! Oh wait, did I not say I miss margaritas? I MISS MARGARITAS!

Movement: ALL THE TIME! This is by far the best part of pregnancy so far. Joey, my mom, Steph and a few of the girls at the wedding have now all felt him kick! Its hard to miss these days!

Food Cravings: HUMMUS and SRIRACHA. TRUE FOOD. BBQ chicken salad is out, Fred's is back in. Chipotle has been making a few guest appearances in my diet as well.<------------------TRUE DAT

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just realized I have only taken ONE nausea pill today. This is big folks.

Gender: BOY! Boooyaah!

Labor Signs: Negative.

Symptoms:  Back pain is starting to happen a lot. Feeling a little large and in charge but overall I'm good!!!

Belly Button in or out? This belly button of mine is def on his way out. I am constantly examining him and am feeling the need to dignify him with a name. Roy perhaps?

Wedding rings on or off? ON!!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: This IS the happiest I have ever been!

Looking forward to: Texas this weekend for another beautiful wedding with friends! Going to Austin (which ive never been to) and am excited to check it out! I hear they have an awesome downtown area and some good grubbin. BBQ COME AT ME! 

Also, just looking forward to the rest of this pregnancy! Someone told me at this point you either love or hate pregnancy and are willing/not willing to do it again. I would TOTALLY do this again. But maybe you should ask me again in a month or two.

Oh and next Tuesday we get to see the little guy at our appointment! CANNOT WAIT!

BTW, I know this site is super hard to comment on so if anyone wants to contact me directly my email is alexnacol@gmail.com :)

I happen to love rehearsal dinners and we had a BLAST!

Beautiful lake tahoe!

The beautiful venue and couple!

my hubby and all the boys!

We even made it up early to watch the sunrise over the lake. I love tahoe. the lovely couple!

oh boys!

23 weeks! Holy cow this is going fast!

How far along? 23 weeks 5 days! 

Total weight gain: Went through a bit of a growth spurt and gained a pound and a half this last week. So up almost 4 lbs!

Maternity clothes?  Finally bought the bella band! Necessary! Haven't used it yet since its been insanely hot and I still fit in my shorts but I tried to wear my old white jeans out before I bought it and ended up spending the night with my pants unbuttoned at the dinner table. In a restaurant. Oh pregnancy, you make me such a classy gal.

Stretch marks? Not yet but seriously I can feel my stomach stretching every waking minute. PLEASE STAY AWAY STRETCH MARKS! 

Sleep:? I have been SUPER exhausted this last week! I have seriously been barely able to keep me eyes open at night and even taken a few naps which I never ever ever do (unless I'm not pregnant and just had a lovely champagne and bloody mary brunch- in that case, NAP CITY!)  Anyway, whoever said the 2nd trimester was a burst of energy was obviously drinking 10 cups of coffee, 24 hour energy's and a case of redbull. And I'm pretty sure I could still nap after that. 

Best moment this week: Had a great time with my sister Lani in town with us and her friends! They were a ton of fun and made me nostalgic about my college days!

Joey and I finally had a more relaxed weekend, which was nice since the upcoming ones will be insane.  We had a friday date night and went out to dinner in hopes of resolving the name debacle- unsuccessful attempt #500. We are no longer arguing about who likes what as we both are now equally confused and both reluctant to make a final decision. But it was nice just being with the hubby and the majority of our conversations are how amazing next year is going to be with the baby and how excited we are to have an addition to the family. If only we had a name for the little addition. Suggestions anyone??

We went shopping with my mom on Saturday and ate at my fav True Food. I realized how far we really are behind in nursery planning so we looked at some cribs and dressers and ended up registering at Pottery Barn. Those people are like car salesmen I tell you! 

Then we had a relaxing sunday and went out to dinner with a bunch of our friends at......you guessed it! True Food. I know, I am out of control. Its definitely getting awkward.  But no less awkward then waddling around with your pants unbuttoned, sweating non stop and having to pee every 5 seconds. 

Miss Anything?  Nope! I think I am so tripped out that I am going to be 6 months pregnant next week that I am more focused on how soon this is going to be over. Which you would think I would be so ecstatic bc 1. our baby will finally be here!! and 2. I get to enjoy margaritas again!!! BUTTTTTTT I have a feeling I am going to miss being pregnant (obviously not the toilet worshipping, weight skyrocketing, caveman hunger, bipolar mood swinging parts of it (which might be 90% of it)..but the excitement of  having a sweet little baby growing inside of me,waking up every day with something new happening, and just the miracle of it all. But boy does that margarita sound good.

Movement: ALL THE TIME! He kicks soooo much, I really really really really really really love it! It has to be one of the top coolest things ever!

Food Cravings: HUMMUS and SRIRACHA. TRUE FOOD. BBQ chicken salad is out, Fred's is back in. Chipotle has been making a few guest appearances in my diet as well.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nauseous but the throwing up is pretty much coming to an end. Although I did wake up feeling like crap today.

Gender: BOY! Boooyaah!

Labor Signs: Negative.

Symptoms:  Back pain is starting to happen a lot. Still getting so full so easily, its obnoxious.  Feeling bloated and gross all the time but that may be partially the 90 degree that is plaguing OC! FALL/WINTER COME AT ME!

Belly Button in or out? This belly button of mine is craaayyy. He's in, he's out, he doesnt know what he is anymore.

Wedding rings on or off? ON!!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: This might be the happiest I have ever been!

Looking forward to:  Tahoe this weekend for Steve and Alisa's wedding! Joey is one of the groomsmen and it will be so fun seeing everyone and being in tahoe. I absolutely adore Steve and Alisa and I cant wait to see them make it official! It is going to be a blast! We may even have to sneak by the blackjack tables for a little. What??? No one said a pregnant lady wasnt allowed to gamble!!!!!!

BTW, I know this site is super hard to comment on so if anyone wants to contact me directly my email is alexnacol@gmail.com :)

TRUE FOOD AMAZINGNESS!

Taco Tuesday with my sis and her girlfriends!

Shopping with my gorg momma!

22 Weeks Down-18 to go!!

How far along? 22 weeks 4 days! 

Total weight gain: Right on track, gaining 1/2-1lb a week.So up almost 2 1/2 lbs but it feels like a million.

Maternity clothes?  My belly has officially popped out this week! At the start of the week it was the same but by the end of the weekend it got wayyy bigger. HELLO PREGNANT LADY!

Stretch marks? NO but I'm scared its going to happen soon bc my stomach feels like its going to explode with how much it is stretching. 

Sleep:? Not too shabby. I've been waking up earlier than normal bc I have so much on my mind (all exciting things) but other than that I sleep as snug as a bug in a rug.

Best moment this week: This was SUCH a busy week there were SO many good moments! Joeys mom Pat was in town and his aunt Donna-we did a ton of shopping and baby planning which was a blast! Pat came with us to her first doctors appt, in which she cried as she heard the heartbeat- it was very sweet! But between my tears of joy, my moms crying and joeys mom crying, our doctor is probably wondering what he signed up for when he took us on! Just imagine us all when the baby is born!

My mom moved back home! SO happy, I got to go back to work with her at her house like we used to which was SO nice and comforting to know she will be here! We went out to dinner in Laguna on Thursday and she bought us a few treats and it was so nice just knowing we are all in the same city again!

This weekend was my girlfriend Brooke's wedding at Pelican Hill, in which I was bridesmaid. It was such a beautiful day with such a beautiful bride and amazing wedding. I ABSOLUTELY love all the girls in the bridal party and it was SO fun getting all glammed up and watching such a wonderful couple come together! The ceremony was beautiful and we had so much fun at the reception cutting a rug on the dance floor (Joey thoroughly embarassing himself with his dance moves) and just celebrating with all our friends! I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of the weekend and I really think the heat and all day festivities might have helped this belly to pop out a bit more! 

Miss Anything?  Nope! I thought it would be sad to not be able to do all the normal celebrating we do at weddings (30 champagne toasts, end of the night shots etc) but turns out I was pretty able to do everything aside from drinking. I thought I might be too exhausted to dance but NOPE I was out there for quite a bit, trying to drag Joey off the dance floor to save our reputation, and then giving in and dancing the night away:)

Movement: ALL THE TIME! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE feeling the little guy kicking in there. He's so cute and squirmy all the time, I just adore him already!

Food Cravings: HUMMUS and SRIRACHA. TRUE FOOD. BBQ CHICKEN SALAD! <-----------Hasn't changed one bit!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nauseous but haven't thrown up in over a week which is fabulous!! Starting to feel like maybe the sickness is coming to an end!

Gender: BOY! Boooyaah!

Labor Signs: Negative.

Symptoms:  I get SO full but so hungry at the same time. It feels like my stomach is physically stuffed to the brim but I am still hungry. I think this is a combo of the stretching of my belly and having less room in there thanks to the little guy.

Belly Button in or out? Getting weirder by the minute. I can make it look like a total outie if I pull my belly up. Maybe I'm the weirdo?

Wedding rings on or off? ON!!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: This might be the happiest I have ever been!

Looking forward to:  My little sis Lani is coming to visit tonight with some of her friends- CANNOT WAIT to see her! And then this is our last free weekend before we are off to Texas and Tahoe for more weddings. Looking forward to some relaxation time with the hubby before more festivities!

BTW, I know this site is super hard to comment on so if anyone wants to contact me directly my email is alexnacol@gmail.com :)

21 Weeks down! 19 to go!

How far along? 21 weeks 4 days! 

Total weight gain: Right on track, gaining 1/2-1lb a week.So up about a pound a half.

Maternity clothes?  Still in my normal clothes but I desperately need the bella band. Need to stop being lazy and get down to the maternity store.

Stretch marks? NO. Please let this answer stay the same throughout the pregnancy.

Sleep:? Sleeping okayish except when the dog decides he is in the mood for a middle of the night temper tantrum and goes scampering around the bed wanting to be chased. A new habit he has seemed to pick up since his mom got preggers. Such a considerate little doggy.

Best moment this week: Lots of good ones! We started playing the baby music (Pandora has this Baby Einstein station that plays classic rocks song in a lullaby tone) and NO I don't think it will make him smarter but he does seem to start kicking up a storm when we play it and its a fun way to interact with him! We lay in bed for about 15 minutes (you dont want to overstimulate him) and both put our hands on my belly and wait for the kicks to start! Plus Joey and I love the music so I won't pretend its only for Baby C.

The weather has been SO nice but a little on the hot side. We had a really fun BBQ and bonfire with our church group at this beautiful private beach in Laguna during the week and it was so nice to be with such an awesome group of people in such an amazing place.  

Also, I THINK we might have picked a name!!!!!!1Well, at least we have narrowed it down to a just 5 names which is better standing than we were at last week. We won't announce it until were 100% sure but I think we might be there!

Yesterday, Joeys mom came into town and we spent the day at Fashion Island where she spoiled us rotten and got us quite a few mommy and daddy treats! We sure are lucky and we had a blast! Plus we got to eat at True Food for the 3rd day in a row which was AMAZING/EMBARASSING/SHAMEFUL.  sorry for being a creature of habit- I just couldn't resist!  I did duck down a few times when I saw the waitress from the day before. I'm sure I was very sly, the akward pregnant woman try to duck behind the water glass.

Lastly, my mom moved back early!! I am so happy! Her house in portland flooded so she had no other choice to come back. Was I hoping some toilet catastrophe would happen that would force her back early? Is a pregnant lady hungry?

Miss Anything?  Not so much this week! I feel like after the 20 week mark I am really hitting my stride. Dare I say I kind of LOVE being pregnant (aside from all the sickness in the beginning)!

Movement: ALL THE TIME! Everyone tells you when the baby kicking is one of the best parts of pregnancy..and I'm here to tell you, IT IS! Joey is claiming the baby is already doing the Cefalu Shuffle in there. Please do NOT let him inherit his fathers rythmn and dance moves. PLEASE.

Food Cravings: HUMMUS and SRIRACHA. TRUE FOOD. BBQ CHICKEN SALAD!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still nauseous but as long as I take my nausea medication I seem to be okay. Cant eat anything in excess or too sweet. Learned my lesson with waffles the other night.

Gender: BOY! Boooyaah!

Labor Signs: Negative.

Symptoms:  A bit of back pain starting to rear its ugly head.. 

Belly Button in or out? Still weird looking. Not loving it.

Wedding rings on or off? ON!!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: A clam!

Looking forward to:  Our doctor appt tomorrow and getting to see the little guy again!! CANNOT WAIT to see him moving and shaking! Also, it is my girlfriend Brookes wedding this weekend and it is going to be absolutely beautiful! Cannot wait to celebrate!!

Pics from the weekend below and just a reminder of why the baby is not ALLOWED to do the Cefalu shuffle (his reputation, sense of dignity etc).

BTW, I know this site is super hard to comment on so if anyone wants to contact me directly my email is alexnacol@gmail.com :)

 The Cefalu Shuffle in all its glory.

Well if that doesnt scream sophistication I dont know what does.

Shopping with Pat!

The baby name debate! And I think it might be settled!

Attempt #3 at getting another dog. Joey was definitely much closer to being convinced after holding her but is insisting we wait until after the baby. Totally irrational:)

The beautiful private beach in Laguna and the bonfire!

Family portrait

Winston has been feeling left out with all this baby talk!  Once i promised him this would be our first family pic he cheered back up.

 (Joey and I are dying over this. it literally looks like Winstons feet)

20 weeks aka 5 months! Halfway there!!!!!

How far along? 20 weeks 3 days! Can you believe we are halfway there!!!

Total weight gain: Right on track, gaining 1/2-1lb a week.So up about a pound.

Maternity clothes? No but I probably should be. I think I have about 1 more week in my regular jeans. Bella band is definitely needed at this point.

Stretch marks? Negative, but am stocked up on enough Mustella to last me a lifetime.

Sleep:? Sleeping okayish. Body pillow is helping, dog is not. Still up about 5 times a night to potty.

Best moment this week: So many good moments this week!! Our 20 week appointment went AMAZING! It was literally terrifying having them examine all of little baby C's organs, brain and body measurements.I just kept waiting for them to tell me "uh oh, this is a little big/small/alien-like etc. But they didn't!The doctor told us we have a perfect little baby and that everything is line with how it should be!

He weighs in at 11 ounces (can you believe he is almost a full pound??) and he is in the 54% percentile for size so he is perfectly sized for where we are in the pregnancy. We were in the appointment for about 2 1/2 hours and I was pretty darn nervous the whole time.  But the nurse was a doll and even took some 3-D shots for us. This was definitely a big moment for Joey and I , and we both just keep looking at each other during the appointment in amazement that our little guy is growing so perfectly.  It was definitely one of those "WOW this is really happening and we are SO blessed" moments.

Second most amazing this moment this week happened this morning when we woke up. The baby was kicking up a storm and Joey decided to see if he could feel it- AND HE COULD!!! At first I told him when the baby was kicking and then he told me to not tell him and see if he could tell when it happened and he did!! He felt him kick at least 10 times. We were both pretty much laughing and crying at the same time we were so excited! Things are happening folks.

Lastly, we had a fun weekend,  it was SO beautiful out and spent Friday at Pelican Hill for dinner and Saturday some time on the water in newport for my girlfreind Nicoles bday, which was awesome. Very different from our normal beer guzzling duffy rides but even more beautiful since it wasnt hazy from beer goggles.  We went to OC fair Saturday night with a group of friends and had a blast. I definitely missed all my fav fair rides (the gravatrone, the hammer etc) but I settled for the swings and the ferris wheel with a carmel apple. Heaven.

Miss Anything?  The wild fair rides. Margaritas. A flat stomach.

Movement: Kicking all the time now and I am loving every single minute of it. He sure doesnt want me to forget he's in there. 

Food Cravings: HUMMUS and SRIRACHA but my tongue has been burned beyond imagining. SO unfair. I am into any and all fro-yo these days and I am definitely back on the True Food wagon (hummus, edamame dumpling, ahi salad). MMMMMMM.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still nauseous, just not throwing up really anymore which is a nice change. Cant wait to not be taking nausea pills every day. I still wake up nauseous almost every day. 

Gender: BOY! Boooyaah!

Labor Signs: Negative.

Symptoms: Cramping has been bad this week but the nurse assured me it was normal as my uterus is stretching.  Getting some lower back pain, and just feeling tired in general. 

Belly Button in or out? Still weird looking. Not loving it.

Wedding rings on or off? ON!!!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: A clam!

Looking forward to:  My mom moving back on September 2nd! Cant wait to have her here for the rest of the pregnancy and I seriously just feel so much better knowing she will be here once the baby is born and for family dinners.YAY!

This week is pretty quiet but looking forward to the end of it as Joeys mom is coming to visit and so is his Aunt on Sunday which is SO exciting! I love having family in town! Joey and I are going to try to get some stuff done for the nursery this week since starting next weekend it is going to be wedding season for about a month and we will barely have time to breathe. Check out the pics of the little guy below and from the weekend!


BTW, I know this site is super hard to comment on so if anyone wants to contact me directly my email is alexnacol@gmail.com :)

 BABY BOY!!!

 His little legs above his head!!



 3D kinda freaky looking but you can see his eye looking at us! I love this and it made my mom instantly cry. people are either amazed at how well we can see him or a few of my girlfriends thought it was really scary. you tell me.

 Pelican Hill.

 Joey getting down on the ridiculous sausage.

 Fair food is pretty darn good.

 the gals.

 beautiful day on the water.

 the cefalu clan! All 4 of us!

The cookie monster

Today is the big day  of our 20 week appt! I have decided I HAVE to make these people cookies as we are going back to the place where we did the genetic testing and I swore up and down that  I would bring that woman cookies every single day if she told us the gender. However, I am running into a few hiccups as Joey is not too helpful when it comes to making OTHER people cookies.

Me: Joey, can you check and see if we have any butter?
Joey: I dont know
 Me: Look and see
 Joey: I WILL NOT SUPPORT YOU MAKING OTHER PEOPLE COOKIES IF I CANT HAVE ANY! (promptly stomps into the other room)

...and that is the start to our day. Wish us luck!