Can you feel it growing?

This whole pregnancy thing is going by quite quickly. Next week ill start my third trimester! CRAZY! Its gone by so quickly! EEK! So excited to get that little man in my arms and feed him some boob! hah ;) Today I was feeling in the mood to shoot something fun and the sunset was pretty. Ive found that my new camera is TERRIBLE at the whole tripod/timer thing so most of my shots were hardly in focus. This was one of the better ones and im still not happy with it. And yes, I did intensify that sunset. It wasnt THAT pretty. But Im guessing for my selfies in the future Ill use my old camera. Cause.. it likes me better than my new one.

Next week we'll go back to the normal silhouettes. Deal?

• 27.4 Weeks along. 
• Jack is still a boy.
• He is getting his move on in my belly. Typically I feel him crazy amounts in the morning, he waits until its almost time to get up though. He knows not to wake me up YET. He'll be doing enough of that soon.
• No strange cravings though im still enjoying my Fruity Pebbles and Dr Pepper. Poor kid is def going to like sugar. 
• How am I feeling? PERFECT! Every now and then at a photosession I get some aching on and my back hurts but I sleep/shower it off. Im glad it still goes away. Still doing that Lindy Hop when I feel like driving to Durham. Its getting harder and harder to drive out there. Its just soo incredibly far for me all by myself.
• At my most recent ultrasound he was already 2 lbs! Which was 3 days ahead of schedule so he may come a bit early, or he'll be big.. either way, im scared.
• At my last appt I had gained +8 lbs, so im not officially up +10 pounds. Not too bad for ALMOST being 7 months pregnant.
• My every two week checkups start with my next appt and im not too too excited about going in THAT much.
• Thinking about trying to labor without drugs. Im not sure im strong enough, but I AM thinking about it all the same. Im a HUGE wimp but at least I know that about myself.
• While in Nashville we attended a dance and I was sitting on the ground for a few of the competitions they had. There had been music all night. Jack is used to loud, awesome Jazz from me going to dances so often. What he's not used to is clapping. I think he could feel the vibrations and every time there was a lot of clapping he was SUPER active and then the clapping would stop and so would he. Then it would start up again and so would be. It was weird and interesting. Hopefully he will get his rhythm and musicality from me and not his dad.

A few weekends ago I visited Nashville again. This time it was to celebrate my birthday. :) What better way to celebrate my birth than to get to see that alien growing inside me? Here are some of the best shots we got.

Its like he knew we were watching him.. I wonder what color his eyes will be

Apparently its quite rare to get a photo of a 4 Chamber heart in a baby this young. Aunt Leslie was super proud of this photo even though its not too too visible in the photo. Its exciting all the same.

He's got at least 5 toes, and apparently his daddies HUGE feet. Great.

And this is totally random a while back around when we got married there was a website going around where you put two faces together to see what youre kid will look like and .. obviously I saved what it came up with. It happens to be a boy so I figured Id post it and we'll see how right this website really was.

This little guy is cute isnt he? Jack has a lot to live up to.

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Wordless Wednesday | Furbabies!

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Learn Something New Tuesday! a bloghop

Today I am participating in a bloghop! This weeks theme is FOOD! Who the heck doesnt like food? Well.. unless they are at the beginning of their pregnancy. It does happen. 

Anyway this blog hop is sponsored by Life with the Dietrichs and What would Jen Do! Thanks ladies.

1. Favorite food?
I know it probably sounds weird that my favorite food is seriously Chef Boy Rd's Ravioli. Its pretty much the best thing ever.I hope I never tired of it.
 

2. Favorite restaurant? 
All of my favorite restaurants ARENT chains. And I happen to not live where they are anymore and it makes me sad. My favorite restaurant is a Mexican places in Pensacola, Fl called La Hacienda. They never get my order right(even though it NEVER changes) but its still the best ever. My second favorite is a place called Mcguires. I love those Irish Boxtys(fried mashed potato.)

But seriously, how can they mess up a chicken burrito covered in cheese sauce ALMOST every time?


3. Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
Im a pretty picky person, so I dont typically eat 'weird' food. I am trying to be more adverturous but at the same time staying away from 'weird.'

4. Eaten anything for money, how much did you get paid?
Hmm , nope.

5. Weirdest place you have ever eaten?
Would in the bathroom count? I think thats kinda weird. 

6. Favorite dessert?
Oh dessert. No favorites. Im terrible. I do really like chocolate covered strawberries AND cherries. Probably the best thing about Valentines day is getting those cheap cherries on sale afterwords. 

Other Tuesday hops going on!

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InvisiBUMP Review and Giveaway (ends 2/18)

So the other day my husband asked me what my favorite "pregnancy purchases" had been and I instantly knew my favorite purchase.

The invisiBUMP!

Ive got a lot of hand-me-downs in the way of maternity clothes. Most of which dont exactly fit perfectly but im cheap and I dont want to buy more pants Ill only wear a few months. In comes the BUMP. I remember at the beginning of my pregnancy wanting to wear tight shirts to show off my belly but since my pants didnt fit I couldnt because I had a huge belt outline. I discovered the BUMP a few months ago and it has seriously been a life saver! Now I can wear my tight shirts to show off the belly AND my pants that are too big for me without feeling frumpy. 

My favorite things about the InvisBUMP:

• Its adjustable so it will fit most any belly bumps.
• No bulge = a sexy bump

and my most favorite thing about it:

• You dont have to take it off at the airport!

With my thinnest belt you can still see frumpy belt underneath

With the invisiBUMP! No lines. Just awesome smooth-ness.

I am so glad I made this purchase. You should too!

BUY

Invisibump website

Right now when you buy 2 belts you get a free Rock Candy belt for free! Its PINK!

GIVEAWAY

Win - Not one but TWO lucky winners will win an InvisiBUMP.

How to Win - Maximize your chances of winning. Leave a separate comment for each entry. Only valid after you complete the first mandatory entry:

Mandatory Entry

Like Invisibelt on FB

and

Sign up for Dishing with Kathy (invisibelt's newsletter)

Extra Entries:

• Follow Invisibelt on Twitter
•  Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect (top right hand corner) 3 entries
• Follow @trulescentMAMA on Twitter. 2 entries(be sure to leave a separate comment for each)
• Tweet this (can be done daily): "Win an InvisiBUMP via @trulescentMAMA ends 2/18. http://bit.ly/fbqUa2 #giveaway #baby #pregnant"
• "Like" Scrumtrulescent Mama on Facebook 2 entries (be sure to leave a separate comment for each)

Please leave a valid email in the comments if your Blogger profile is private so that I can contact you if you win. Giveaway ends 2.18 at 11:59pm EST. Winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 

The opinions expressed in this post are my own and not influenced by the company.

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its beginning to look a lot like..

..Valentines Day around my house. 

Now that my table is clear of everything bad I have my Valentines Day Placemats set out and my other random pinkness throughout the house. I find Valentines Day quite cheerful and exciting. It was one of my moms favorite holidays. We always celebrated it and she would always do something special for the day. :) I realizes a few weeks ago I only had wreaths for Thanksgiving and Christmas and surely I cant have a nude door ALL year. So I got to working on a Valentines Day wreath. I really like the way it turned out. It makes me excited for a spring one!

I already had the pink and purple yarn so thats why its purple and not red and pink. No sense in buying things if you already have them laying around.

I had been eying these birdies for a while now and I needed something to use them for. I think she looks perfect perched in my wreath. Maybe expecting a lover bird?

I love her long and flowy tail!

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Wordless Wednesday | Its a New Day!

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Road Trip! Washington

Ok, you got me, this wasnt a road trip. But we did go there. There was a death in the family and Neil ended up being able to take emergency leave and was able to come home for a few weeks to be with the family. It was awesome having him home again, but quite stressful all the same. We flew to Whidbey Island. Wa a few days before Christmas. Which, just so you know; trying to get cross country plane tickets a few days before Christmas on the cheap isnt an easy thing to do. Though im just glad we actually GOT tickets. While we were there we absolutely HAD to get out of the house. We went on a hike after we had been there. My MIL placed a Geocache along a popular hiking route at Ebeys Landing and we found it.

A few days Neil and I went our on our own for some fresh air. I wanted to go places I had never been on the island yet. First we stopped at the Deception Pass Bridge.

His beard has started to grow in Thank God! That deployment mustache is TERRIBLE!

It certainly was a lovely day out. 

Then we headed over to.. a lake or something. I dont remember where we went, but it was pretty. It would be a fun place for a photosession!

Of course we had to get our jump on! Though the camera wasnt at the best angle for it.

I was right at 20 weeks here

And last but not least, probably my favorite shot from the whole week.

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Blog Hop!

So all the blogging world has been all a buzz about "Blissdom" and its this weekend in Nashville. I will also be in Nashville this weekend but im not attending. BUT! I am participating in my first blog hop! :)

Yippee!

So here's a little about me. :)

I am awesome. I am pregnant with my first kiddo. HE is a boy and due in May. Im a bit nervous but exciting all the same.

I am a photographer. See: www.hilarymercer.com :)
I like to sew. I like to lindy hop. I hate to cook which is good cause Im no good at it. My house is a mess and im working on getting it clean.

Im married to a pretty awesome guy. He's in the Air Force and he's deployed at the moment. But dont worry, hopefully he'll make it back for our babies birth. If he doesnt, ill be quite upset.

We live in North Carolina but we'll be moving at some point this summer. We have no idea where.

So currently, im doing a lot of waiting.
Waiting on an assignment. Waiting on my husband to come home from war. Waiting to pop out this baby.

By the way, my awesome friend Autumn of Reminiscing Moments Photography took this photo when we got together the other day. She's awesome.

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Road Trip! Florida

Uhhh, I am SUPER way behind on blogging personal stuff. I was in Florida in.. October. Wow. It seems like it was such a long time ago. I guess it was, around that time I was 10 weeks pregnant and I am now 25. TWENTY FIVE! Holy cow im going to have a baby soon! EEK! Anyway, here are some of my favorite personal images from the trip. Though- I will admit. When I wasnt shooting weddings I didnt really want to take photos so there arent THAT many awesome ones.

I took my first trip to Sea World. Thanks Sea World for letting Military in for free without their husbands. It was really nice and very relaxing for an amusement park. Alicia and I went on a non busy day and it was awesome. I didnt even have to wait super long for her to ride the roller coasters because.. Im definitely not a fan. 

My favorite show was the dolphins. It was pretty interesting.

The Shamu show was a big let down for me. Mainly because there was a guy right in front of us taking photos with his camera phone THE W H O L E TIME. Ugh, oh well. Shamu isnt allowed in the water with the trainers anymore due to the accident earlier this year. So a lot of the typical tricks you can imagine the silly whale wasnt allowed to do.  :(

A few days later Alicia and I traveled down to Fort Myers to see my friend Alex and while we were there we visited Sanibel. This wasnt my first time to Sanibel but I still loved it. Id really like to come back and take little Jack so he can see all the shells. Which I neglected to get a photo of. Alicia took most of the photos here and she got it along with the "Sanibel Stoop."

While we were on the island we got some geocaches. I think we got 6 that day actually. This was one of the spots. I was a bit nervous AND a bit relieved to have not seen any alligators. 

Throughout all of our time knowing about this mystical island of Sanibel we had always heard about this awesome restaurant called the Bubble Room. Well, it totally lived up to our expectations. It was yummy and super strange.

Alicia has a thing for Mr Kent.

And we finished off the meal with a SUPER YUMMY piece of cake. 

Apparently its their world famous and has won a lot of awards. It certainly deserved them.

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Twenty Four weeks

Well, its time for another belly shot. Its been a while. My goodness, taking a photo a week is hard work. How I ever completed my 365 in 08/09 Ill never know. I mean.. I know most of my photos were crap but I finished it! Recently there just isnt anything too too exciting to take photos of, plus ive been busy.

24.4 Weeks

How I feel: Not too different. I slept really bad the other night, I just couldnt get comfortable. I was quite frustrated as there seems there is no comfortable furniture in my house. I dont know what I was thinking before. But I do know im going to need a good comfy, chair to nurse LJ in. Cause the couch just aint gunna cut it I dont think. Other than that, its getting harder to get my shoes on. Im continuously out of breath, especially when talking on the phone. I tend to pace while on the phone so I suppose it can count as a workout.

At some point last week I felt a hand or something up at the top of my belly AND a kick at the bottom. Which means, there is ACTUALLY something inside me. Growing rapidly everyday. It was sorta neat because he's getting big and im excited about it. My goodness he moves a lot though. He either doesnt like hot chocolate or he loves it because if I ever want to make him squirm I drink it. Plus its so yummy right now since its cold out.

Cravings: Still nothing really. I still R E A L LY like fruity pebbles though. Dr Pepper is still up there though im drinking in moderation. Im trying to not drink soda more than once a week. So far I think Ive done pretty well- except for the first week of the new year.

Other changes: I was reading up on dry skin and I decided to give a go at dry brushing before my showers. The idea is that it helps get rid of all of the excess skin accumulating on the surface. Its also supposed to be a good stimulator and makes your skin less lazy so your cellulite will be less visible the more you use it. Im on day 2, so we'll see not that I really have cellulite. Well, not thats too too visible.

Ive also been cleaning and organizing the house. For those of you who I have let into the house you know Neil and I both are not the cleanest people in the world. Which makes living hard sometimes. Well not hard but more annoying since neither of us are OCD about anything. For almost 2 weeks Ive gone to bed with the dishes done AND Ive woken up and made my bed. Ive also been setting a timer for an hour a day and tackling something I thought was major before. Im on day 5 of this and its going super awesome so far. These HUGE messes have been able to be cleaned up in an hour. Here I was thinking it was going to take hours! So far, Ive tackled Neils hot spot in the kitchen(its not 100% done yet though), the pantry, I tackled most of the table tops in the house(side tables and living room table) and yesterday I defeated the dining room table. Mostly it was covered in photography stuff and I just wasnt sure where to put it. I found homes for everything and mopped and swept and it looks lovely now. Forgive the Iphone photo. Im quite sad I didnt take befores of anything. It would have made a bigger impact. Just know, there was a TON of crap on it before.

 

And yes, I know its not completely empty. I cant lift the rolls up by myself so they will stay there until someone nice comes over.

I feel a lot better about getting the house clean. Who knew it was so easy?! Just allotting a little time a day. Crazy, who knew!

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