Our Last Summer as a Family of 2

Between the first trimester exhaustion, working full time, and all the baby excitement I definitely didn't blog much this summer. However, I wanted to just take a little space here to write about a couple of my favorite things we were able to do this summer-our last summer as a family of two. 

Fathers Day

Celebrating Fathers Day was awesome this year. In the morning I got pretty sick and instead of making breakfast for Nate, I stayed in bed eating toast and praying I'd feel better. Luckily prayers are answered and soon enough I was feeling great-and we finally got to honor our fathers, tell our siblings about the baby, and celebrate Nate's new role as a dad. 

4th of July

We celebrated the 4th of July this year by checking out the hot air balloons, camping out (in our house-pregnant camping does not sound appealing), cruising University Ave to check out everyone camped out for the parade, BBQ-ing with my family, and rocking out to Journey. Independence Day in Provo is always the best, and I'm so glad we were able to have such a fun one.

California 

I took a quick, unexpected trip to California at the end of July to go to my grandma's funeral. Because of work Nate had to stay home, however it was so good for me to be able to go there and spend time with my family. I'll always remember how nice it was to be gathered with so many of my cousins, laughing over stories about our grandparents. I learned so much about my grandma this summer-and so much about my pops. Reading their love letters though-that was definitely a highlight. 

Our Everyday

Although the holidays were fun, and the trip to California so important, my favorite thing about this summer was just our everyday life. Nate started a new internship that has been such a blessing to us. We worked all day, and spent our evenings going on walks, BBQ-ing, watching our TV shows, going to $5 movies, at my doctor's appointments and talking about our baby. On the weekends we would sleep in, go to the farmers market, go on dates, and teach primary. It may not sound like anything too exciting-but these little moments spent just the two of us-these are the moments that mean the most to me, the ones I want to remember most about the time when we were just a little family of two.

Bumpin' Bumpin'

I'm completely obsessed with my baby boy, and everything that has to do with him-including this (not so little anymore) bump. I have actually loved watching my body grow in this way, and knowing that my little boy is growing right along with me. I'm so amazed by this whole baby growing process, and I feel so blessed to be experiencing it.

Thirteen Weeks

Fourteen Weeks 
(officially in that 2nd trimester and ready to tell the world)

Fifteen Weeks

Sixteen Weeks

Seventeen Weeks

Eighteen Weeks

Nineteen Weeks (It's a Boy!)

Twenty Weeks (Halfway!)

Twenty-one Weeks

Twenty-two Weeks

Twenty-three Weeks

Twenty-four Weeks

Happy List

Ten Things Making Me Terribly Happy
(in no particular order)

10-Renting a puppy last weekend-best surprise Nate date.

9-FOOTBALL Season! (and currently being ranked #1 in my FF league)

8-Driving the Alpine Loop and getting to check out the stunning Autumn leaves

7-My ever growing bump

6-A clean and happy home

5-Our wedding photo album that we finally ordered

It's funny how having a baby motivates you to get all your projects done

4-The 2nd Annual Rau Family Fall Festival

Parm fondue, sparkling apple cider, pumpkin, and Remember the Titans

3-Sleep! I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

2-The Women's Session of General Conference tonight. Beautiful, inspiring words for women everywhere.

1-Baby boy's kicks that are not only strong enough for me to feel-but for Nate to feel. We have one strong, healthy boy.

It's a Boy!!

Friday September 11th, at 19 weeks we finally got to see our little baby again. I'll always remember how nervous/excited/anxious we felt as we waited for the ultrasound. There were so many emotions-but mostly I just couldn't wait to see our baby. And, it did not disappoint. 

A beautiful head, wonderful toes, strong arms and legs, a beating heart, and a little something else that quickly made us say "It's a BOY!" 

A Boy. A healthy, strong, growing BOY! 

It immediately felt so right-of course he is a boy! He is my little boy. 

We celebrated by buying blue candy, and an "It's a Boy" balloon. We then headed out for "boy food" (delicious BBQ), and went home to watch a "boy movie" (the Avengers). Although I sometimes feel like I have no idea what to do with a little boy, growing up surrounded by so many girls, I could not be more excited to be the mama of this boy.

Dear Baby Boy,

You are growing so strong, and I couldn't be more proud of you. From the beginning I've told you not to worry about a thing, that I would take care of everything and all you needed to do was grow. Thanks for keeping your end of the deal. I can't wait to get to hold your strong hand in mine.

xoxo

Mama

First Trimester Bump

Look at my baby grow! From the very beginning of this pregnancy I knew I wanted to be good at taking pictures, and documenting this important event. Nate had a great idea though-why settle for a picture when you could make a gif? And thus begun our first Sunday tradition as a family of three!

Five Weeks

Six Weeks

Seven Weeks

Eight Weeks

Nine Weeks (the 4th of July!)

Ten Weeks

Eleven Weeks

Twelve Weeks

  

Start Spreading the News

We found out about the baby back at the end of May, and we lasted all of about four days before we told my parents. We just live so close to them, and them so much that I didn't' think I'd be able to keep it a secret very long. They were happily surprised, and of course ecstatic about being grandparents. I don't think I'll ever forget their reactions. About a week later Nate's parents were in town so we got to tell them in person too! They were so happy to have another grand baby, and we were so happy that we got to tell them in person!

On Fathers Day we told our siblings and although some of them didn't believe us at first (3 of the 5 siblings), they were all so excited! Once they realized we weren't joking.

Telling people about the baby has been one of my favorite things. It has really made me realize how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. I've always thought that I was blessed with the very best people in my life, and that feeling has only grown as I've gotten to love all of Nate's people too. We feel so blessed that our baby is already loved by so many.

Look Whose Family {and belly!} Is Growing

Baby Rau is due February 4th, and Nate and I couldn't be happier. We already feel so blessed to be parents to this sweet, growing babe. 

........................

Dear Baby,

Dad and I are so excited that the world knows about you now. Obviously no one is as excited as we are, but when you get here you are going to be greeted by a lot of people who already love you. The three of us are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives, and nothing makes me smile like listening to others talk about how excited they are to meet you too! However, we can definitely wait for now-so you keep on growing strong and we'll keep busy getting ready for you. 

We love you,

Mom and Dad