3 {ish} months to go!!!

"Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from"

 

We are beginning to write our story as we approach the birth of our little girl! We are just under three months until February 5th {her due date}, now while I know it's just a day that she could potentially arrive on I am SOOOO looking forward to that day!

The Lilja family has had an EXTREMELY busy fall, with lots of weekend vacations and fun adventures.  Our first fall adventure is one that happens every year (for the last 3 years) but usually happens in the summer.  We headed up north to International Falls to do some fishing with our guide friend Chris Granrud. Chad has known him a few years and designed his website, so every year we go and spend a few days at his home and enjoy some fishing and quite time away from the city!

We took another trip up in that direction a few weeks later and headed to Ely MN with two other couples.  This trip is also a bit of a tradition and never ceases to be a good time! The boys did lots of hunting for grouse, and there was even a long group hike that we all got to take.  Our good friends Adam and Val are the brains behind this traditional trip and have come to be two of our best friends! They have a daughter Kennadie, who just celebrated her first birthday, a puppy Miika who has grown up hunting with Hunter, and they are expecting their second baby just next spring just a few months after Baby Lilja is due.  Chad, Adam and the dogs do lots of hunting all fall and I'm pretty sure Adam is the reason Chad hasn't freaked out about having a baby girl!!! It has been so fun having friends that have been through all of this to give us advise and guidance as we get ready for this adventure.  We are also so lucky to have friends that share our same faith and beliefs, and know our little girl is going to be just as lucky to have them as godparents. Adam and Val were baptized with me a few years ago and go to River Valley with us, I so look forward to having our kids grow up together at RVC and share in so many memories and experiences! Here are some pics from our trip to Ely.

Val and I

Adam, Val and Kennadie

Adam, Chad, Miika and Hunter

 Another family we have been SUUUPERRRR (inside joke..) fortunate to get to spend some awesome time with this fall are the Klumpers.  Chad and Lucas work together and Menasha and he and his wife Sarah have a daughter Susie who is an absolute blast to be around! Chad and I played softball with Lucas, Sarah and Sarah's sister Wendy this summer and fall and have had a great time getting to know all of them.  I experienced a first this fall of picking apples at an apple orchard (I know, I live in MN and have never picked apples... city girl I guess).  We had a great time picking apples (and climbing tress for Chad and Lucas) and even made some delicious pies!! We also got the pleasure of going to South Dakota with them just a few weeks ago! Chad had never been pheasant hunting in SD, and Sarah's dad owns a ranch with lots of land so we decided to make a weekend of it! I got to spend time with Sarah, Wendy and Susie while the boys shot lots of birds.  Hunter and Chad were in heaven being able to hunt so much!! It was a fantastic trip with lots of fun memories for our whole family! Sarah has been so awesome in giving me lots of tips for getting ready for baby girl and we know they are going to be a huge help when she finally arrives!!

Switching gears back to baby girl, my amazing aunts Cheryl and Katie threw me an amazing shower this past weekend.  I was surrounded by family and friends, and baby girl and I got absolutely spoiled!!

 

 

Baby girl got tons of amazing gifts, and my mom came over afterwards and help me sort through everything and put things together (can you tell I'm excited?!?!). Her nursery is under construction, so as of right now everything is in the basement/man cave which means it's become my favorite place to be! Baby girl is moving and kicking all the time (even as we speak) its such a fun feeling that I know I probably am going to miss, but can't wait to hold my little girl in my arms! Here are some updated stats and bump pics! 

 Weekly/Monthly/Whenever I get around to it UPDATE!

How far along? 28 weeks (tomorrow)

Total weight gain: 15ish

Maternity clothes? Still wearing some non-maternity tops, but pants (besides cozzies) are all maternity

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: Sleep is decent... flipping from night shift to normal people hrs is getting harder

Best moment of the week: Baby shower/Girls weekend

Miss anything? Missing my New Age wine...

Movement: Lots of kicks, somersaults and flips!!

Food cravings: Chocolate...

 Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!!! (besides riding in the car for long periods..) I officially stopped puking at 20 weeks 2 days, and haven't looked back since

Symptoms: Just the standard sweet tooth and having to pee ALL THE TIME

Belly button in or out? In-ish... its fading fast I think

Wedding rings on or off? On, but off when I sleep

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!!

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving and winter weather, bring on the snow!!

Here are the latest bump Pics!

 Hunter, Chad, Baby Girl and I hope you have a fabulous week!!!!

Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/f/family_quotes.html#06f5sk5M9RXrc1Pr.

Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/f/family_quotes.html#06f5sk5M9RXrc1Pr.99

Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/f/family_quotes.html#06f5sk5M9RXrc1Pr.99

Every family has a story that it tells itself, that it passes on to the children and grandchildren. The story grows over the years, mutates, some parts are sharpened, others dropped, and there is often debate about what really happened. But even with these different sides of the same story, there is still agreement that this is the family story. And in the absence of other narratives, it becomes the flagpole that the family hangs its identity from.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/f/family_quotes.html#06f5sk5M9RXrc1Pr.99