here is yet another "recently i'm" post

Recently I'm...

Hunting- BABY FURNITURE. Not cheap. I'm hoping that the price tags I'm reading are all a big fake out and I will find the real prices at the next store. The hunt continues.

Drinking- H2O baby. That's all I'm drinking. Last appointment I informed my Doctor, very proudly I might add, that I am drinking 3 24oz bottles of water a day. She looked at me and said, "I'd like you to do more if you can". Um... what? Her analogy to help me get he picture- Get in the bathtub with a straw. No problem, instead of getting up 3-4x's a night to pee I'll just sleep on the toilet.

Eating- Well mostly everything right now. I am finally feeling good and all of the sudden everything sounds good to me. Someone says Pizza- I want it. Someone mentions fruit salad-gotta have it. Getting the picture?

Growing- In lots of areas. On a serious note, this pregnancy journey has been full of ups and downs causing me to look up more often. I am humbled by the ways God draws me closer to Himself. There is truly nothing more awe inspiring than having this life form it's lung and bone inside me.

Growing- My baby bump. Aforementioned my appetite has improved greatly. Last night I ate a Cinnamon roll at about 8:45pm. I felt so full afterwards, I waddled around the house moaning and complaining that I ate it. Eric noted that my belly looked more "swollen" (good choice of words on his part) after my indulgence. This morning I woke up and my stomach had grown! Ladies and gentlemen, the amazing cinnamon roll baby. I'm sorry baby.

Enjoying- This 75 degree weather we are experiencing today. Spring have you sprung? I don't want to get my hopes up too high yet, but I am expecting you to stay!

Walking- in this 75 degree weather is AWESOME. Obviously I am going to have to keep up some kind of physical activity when I loose self-control again and cause my baby to grow due to a 10:00pm ice cream splurge. Again, sorry baby.

Contemplating- Natural birth vs. epidural? Any thoughts?

Hoping- to be inspired and come up with the PERFECT baby boy name.

Cleaning- base boards. Not a usual item on the cleaning list but, I can still bend down right now and feel that it probably won't be happening for a LONG time unless I do it now.

Impressed- my husband started P90 X at the beginning of this week and has not skipped a day yet. Way to go!

Hospice of West Alabama 5k run (update)

I work for this amazing agency called Hospice of West Alabama. I am a home-care social worker for those that are terminally ill. I have been blessed beyond belief doing this kind of work. It is a wonder to see how God uses all stages of life to continue to show his incredible love for us. Last weekend March 6th Hospice of West Alabama had it's 1st annual 5k run/walk. It was an AWESOME turn out, as you can see by the pics. It was a beautiful day and everyone who participated had a great time. Enjoy the pics!

Baby Bump at 23 weeks

I hate this pic, but I put the same outfit on so the growth is more obvious. I am going to take another one very soon as I feel my stomach grows more by the day and next Tuesday I will be exactly 6 months! Whoa!! Click here for previously posted baby bump pic.

Baby Weekend #1

Let me tell you, registering for a baby is NOTHING like registering for your wedding. Wedding registry, to me at least, was sheer bliss. Baby registry.... not so much.

There is a WALL of bottles people. A WALL. How the heck am I supposed to know which one of those bottles my baby will be using? No really, that was a real question so please respond in the comments section. Then there was an ENTIRE isle dedicated to breast pumps. Um, that goes where and does what? And how much did you say that was? Oh, only $275.00, just checking. Most of you are probably thinking at this point in the post, "Wow, she is not ready". And you're probably right, but to reassure you readers who are already scared for my unborn child, let me assure you- my mom will be coming when I have the baby.

After Eric and I meandered down every isle scanning who knows what- we finally finished. We looked at each other like, "I am overwhelmed AND this is all your fault!" And then the baby blankets and boppy pillows cleared, as if it were a sign from God, and we were drawn to the middle of the store. Oh sweet middle of the store. The clothes section!!!! (Cue heavenly music) We looked at each of these small items with such delight. We looked at each teeny tiny tennis shoe with wide eyes and giggles. So adorable, so small, so... trendy! We should have started there even though the registry people at the store say not to register for clothes or shoes or things like that because their inventory changes too quickly. I say BOO to that. We found our sanity again in the middle of the store. We couldn't help ourselves and it was just what we needed to remind ourselves how awesome baby Hoff is! Thank you adorable Carter t-shirts, your clever embroidered phrases made me grin from ear to ear. Thank you baby puma shoes, you made me want to squeeze your head off your shoes are so cute. Thank you onesie pajama outfits with animal feet, you even made my husband squeal with delight!

We've got one more store to register at and then baby weekend #1 will be coming to a close. Shout out to my sister and Eric's sisters for their guidance and support. They have helped so much when I have my melt downs over which bib is best. Also, just in case you were wondering (after this very sarcastic post) We truly are thrilled that we are having this baby boy and..... we really did find our sanity again in the clothes section :) .

Baby Bump pic to come soon!

Hellooo soup weather

Hello soup weather. I can't believe my surprisingly southern self is saying this in the great state of ALABAMA, but for real, this has been one cold winter for the south and what better way to warm you up then a hot bowl of your favorite soup. My friend Lillian has a fantastic blog called A Bride in Boots and recently shared this wonderful website. I found several receipts to try! Perfect for these chilly days we've been experiencing lately and as Lillian so perfectly put it, CARBOLOAD people... it just feels good! I think my nesting instincts are kicking in or maybe I just feel good enough to cook now- either way I am enjoying this new fervor for the kitchen. I have been looking for a yummy cheesy soup lately and I'm trying this one TONIGHT complete with the bread bowl of course.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

... and this one later in the week. Don't you just feel warmer looking at it?

Valentines Day Recap...

My Valentines Weekend started off on Saturday with some beautiful flowers from my awesome hubby and a package in the mail from my parents. Inside the package was a card that made me cry (thank you pregnancy hormones) and the most adorable boy clothes ever! My mom bought me some in almost every size so I could see the growth of the baby over the months. So fun to look at and SOOOO CUTE! Baby clothes are too much fun.

The precious card from my parents

The adorable outfits lined up from smallest to biggest

This one had cute monkey feet on it!

Sunday (Valentines Day) my husband surprised me by fixing a fabulous home cooked meal complete with my favorite dessert- Ben and Jerry's half baked frozen yogurt.

It. was. awesome.

My handsome hubby cooking for me :)

Just waiting to EAT

The gorgeous flowers

It's the little things, isn't it ladies?

One of his very thoughtful and hilarious gifts

I hope your Valentines Day was as relaxing and wonderful as mine was.

another "why my husband is so cool" post

OK so if you haven't check out the local joint blog yet you are missing out. Eric has taken it upon himself to start a blog featuring our local businesses. There are GREAT give-aways so make sure you check it every week for a chance to win some really cool stuff from our wonderful LOCAL JOINTS!

Enjoy!

"OH BOY OH BOY"

Big day in the Hoffman household! We are having a Boy! We found out on Monday February 8th and we couldn't be more thrilled. It definitely seems even more real now. Eric met me at the Dr.'s office at 11:00am on Monday. As soon as we began the ultrasound Eric yelled, "I see it!! it's a boy!" The ultrasound tech replied, "No, that's the umbilical cord". But not long after that we found out Eric was right! The ultrasound tech had to show me where I needed to look because I couldn't see anything :). What a surreal experience to see the baby moving inside me... literally just like an alien. We had an awesome day sharing the news with family, friends, and co-workers. We are so blessed!

This is Eric and I nervously sitting in the waiting room before having the ultrasound

Me finding out it's a BOY!

There he is... "Baby Hoff" I know you can see that so well! ;)

I even got to take this CUTE cake from celebrations bakery to my office to share with my wonderful co-workers.

Recently I'm...

Cleaning: the kitchen.... constantly

Baking: oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Wearing: my brown and blue scrubs... have I mentioned I love wearing scrubs.

Making: grape chicken salad... yummmmmm!

Looking for: some great nursery ideas

Loving: hot chocolate and a cozy seat on the couch next to my hubby

Watching: Lost, The Bachelor (you know you do too), and whatever Netflix movie comes in the mail

Wishing: I would exercise more

Happy: for my friends who just adopted a baby

Hoping: the Colts win the Super Bowl

Reading: What to Expect When You're Expecting

Thinking: my husband looks great in his purple shirt

Craving: chips and dip

Excited About: finding out what the sex of the baby is next Monday!

There and Back

We made a whirlwind trip to Michigan this past weekend, which seems to be starting a trend for us unfortunately. We always leave wishing we had just one more day to spend with family and friends. The reason for this trip was to celebrate a wedding! One of Eric's best friends got married this past weekend and Eric had the honor of standing in the wedding. Here is a recap of the very fast 3 day trip we had in the cold and wonderful state of Michigan.

Eric's adorable niece Marina and nephew Nathan sporting a very crazy hat!

Eric holding Marina... awwwe!

My adorable niece Abbi doing what she does best.... looking SO CUTE!

Eric and Dan (the groom)

My beautiful friend Rachel

The CRAZY bridal party cutting a rug

We miss them already