Family Bonding in Cannon Beach!

What a day! the three of us (Pete, Nellie, and I) or should I say the four of us (Shipley too) made a spontaneous day trip to Cannon Beach. Only one hour west of our home in Beaverton. . .it was quite easy to wake-up and say let's go! It was a beautiful day-90 degrees here in Portland and 70 degrees on the coast...perfect for a beach walk. Nellie loved chasing Pete in the sand and dodging the waves. I enjoyed a nice leisurely walk as I watched my ankles swell up. :) We made a stop at Bruce's Candy Kitchen for some of our favorite salt water taffy and then headed to the Wayfarer Restaurant for the world's best clam chowder. We were there about 3.5 hours before heading home so Pete could catch the end of the Seahawk's game. :)

It was a lovely outing that left us both smiling. We realized over dinner last night that our weekends before baby are very limited and our time with just the two of us is far and few between. I am 30 weeks and 1 day today...less than 10 weeks to go. We are more than thrilled to welcome Shipley into our lives-but we realize a special phase of our life is ending and a new one will be starting. We cherished the freedom of today...the good conversation...the laughter....and the relaxation of one of our favorite spots (the Oregon Coast). Today was one of those days we will look back on in 20 years with fondness!

Reflecting over left over dessert

As I sit here nibbling on a piece of leftover red velvet dessert from yesterday's lunch at The Cheesecake Factory with two of my favorite people... I feel very content and relaxed. My mom and grandma came to stay with us for the past four days. This is the ultimate treat for me!

Being the least crafty and artsy person there every was.....they help me put my ideas into action. They also sew, iron, and do lots of other things I'm not really gifted at.  We got so much done in the baby's room! It was rewarding and fun. They also cook, clean, organize, and tell me ways to better my kitchen. :) My grandma made one of her delicious casseroles, her famous french toast, and traditional pot roast and mashed potatoes last night. Baby and I got fattened up a bit. ;) Pete also truly enjoyed the home cooking!

In addition, they gave me some motherly advice I needed to hear.  "Rest up, drink more fluids, and relax....everything will be ready when Shipley comes!" The more pregnant I get-I need to remember that I can't keep going the same speed I always do. My mom and my grandma helped enforce this. I just wish they could move in until the baby is born. I love having the helpers and the time with them! Nellie sure enjoys their company too.

I am blessed with two wonderful women and role models in my life. Their tips, tricks, ideas, expertise, and advice makes me a better woman myself and prepares me for motherhood! Which by the way, I am growing more excited for every single moment of every single day.

Mmm the last bite is always the best! :)

little footprints, pink filling....many BLESSINGS

Little moments...little footprints.. like this with my niece Elle Grey completely made my summer. Hearing her little voice say, "maggie com here" as she would grab my hand ....was priceless. She would also point at my tummy and say baby or baby "shippy". My heart melted a thousand times just being around her. The last day she sang a song about me, "maggie, maggie, maggie, maggie, maggie, maggie.". I almost cried with joy!

Being with my family for a week at Solana beach was pretty rewarding. It is amazing how fast a week can go by, but how many memorable moments can be packed into that week. I cherish every single one.

We also got to reconnect with dear friends, celebrate my friend Mel's baby shower, and my sweet friend's also threw me a baby shower. It was an exciting week. Last but not least, we revealed the gender of baby moormeier. The filling was pink...Shipley Lucille Moormeier. We are proud parents of a little girl. :)

Beaming with happiness

We've already been home for a week and the routine of life rolls on...but thinking back on the many blessings of this past month keeps me smiling. 

Life is not always full of sunshine, love, and surprises. We all experience highs and lows. But life is beautiful in the good and the bad. I think finding this beauty and holding on to it is key. This month I have felt the beauty of life in so many ways..I'm holding on tight! :)

Growing mom and growing baby :)

Week 4-at our celebratory dinner

Week 8

Week 15

Week 18 and 3 days

For those of you who have been asking about my belly growth...here is a little preview. I added a few of my weekly progress pics. :) I'm 19 full weeks tomorrow! woohoo. We find out the gender of little baby mo on monday! We are so excited and we are doing a gender reveal party next Thursday in San Diego (more details to come). Almost to the half way mark and doing well. Resting up this weekend at home! Starting to feel little baby kicks and loving it! :)

I miss you so much Grandpa!

5 years ago today. . .My grandpa left this world. I said goodbye to an amazing grandpa, a role model, a wisdom giver, a friend, and someone who could always could make me smile and brighten my mood. I said goodbye but he is always in my heart. I think of him often...wondering what he would think about things or what his advice would be.

My grandpa was a huge part of my childhood and really shaped who I am today. He always encouraged me to be a nurse (as he loved math and science) and he is one of the big reasons that dream came true for me.

Things aren't the same without you grandpa, but we will never stop remembering you! Your brave spirit and your passion to be with Jesus truly touched me. I love you and am thinking of you more than ever today!

One of his favorite songs...a great memory I have singing with him...

---

1. What a friend we have in Jesus, 
 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

2. Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

Hello Second Trimester

Today I am 14.3 weeks along in my pregnancy. I also wore maternity jeans (not that i needed to)  for the first time yesterday... I thought both these milestones deserved a blog post. :) Pete and I could not be happier to know that God has blessed us with a growing baby. We feel joyful, happy, joyful, and happy!

November 24th is our due date and it could not come quick enough. ALTHOUGH I do love being pregnant; despite a few pesky symptoms. I just feel like smiling ALL the time.  For the most part,  I have been feeling really well. My worst symptoms has been exhaustion and food adversions. I sleep or feel like sleeping all the time. The smell of asian food or seafood has me running for the back door. It is starting to improve though and I have only thrown up one time the whole first trimester.  Pete has been great about making me countless peanutbutter banana protein shakes and has been more than accomodating with my odd food issues. One of my few cravings has been our neighbor dave's barbeque ribs. He made them for me last night..boy oh boy were they tasty! :)

We've started crib shopping, we've tested out strollers, and baby names are a daily discussion. We find out the baby's gender on July 2nd! We are not near as anxious to know the sex as we thought we would be. We both feel happy with either a boy or a girl and more than anything just want a healthy baby!

Thank-you family and friends for your well wishes, your prayers, and your continued prayers as we prepare to become parents. Let the next chapter and the journey begin! :) And cheers to the second trimester or as they say the "golden trimester"!

True Blue Friends

What a treat the last three days were. Two of my dearest friends and their husbands came to Portland for a special spring visit. I had lots of plans in store and the sun stayed out for us most of the weekend. It was perfect!

We stuffed ourselves at some of Portland's finest restaurants. We tried Pok Pok (thai) and Torro Bravo (spanish tapas) for the first time. They have both been on my bucket list for forever. They were extremely delicious. We also devoured some tasty food at the "good food" food carts on Belmont. Yum-Herb's Macaroni was insane! Lastly, we hit Blue Hour for a happy happy hour and one of my favorite breakfast spots- Isabel Cantina (in the pearl). Needless to say- we did not go hungry this weekend!

We power walked the nike campus, enjoyed a beautiful drive to Sauvie Island to sit on the beach, and shopped numerous districts to our heart's content. The boys enjoyed golf, basketball, and local breweries. We also snuck in a game of "fish bowl" (tradition) to finish off the weekend. Memories were truly made!

There is nothing like a visit from your true blue friends to leave you laughing, inspired, warmed to the core, and then oh so sad that they are gone again. Now as we are each back in our own cities (Portland, Seattle, and San Diego)-we look forward to the next reunion and think fondly on this one!

THANK-YOU my friends for brightening up my month with your visit!