Mini-adventure and hike in McCormick's Creek State Park

It is FINALLY warming up, Tank, so B and I decided we'd go on a little half-day adventure. We packed up our "Reschly" cooler with a picnic lunch and visited Cataract Falls and McCormick's Creek State Park, and went on a short but very rugged hike with creek stomping. I was worn out after just a quick hike, but the scenery was beautiful!

 Upper Cataract Falls

 The old Cataract General Store used to be great for browsing... but it's now closed and up for sale.

My bump looks VERY big here! I was very careful with my balance on all these wet rocks. No falls!

 Another waterfall, this time at McCormick's Creek State Park.

Tank, your dad is braver than I am at this point in the pregnancy!

I love this photo

22 weeks down, and Tank is kicking!

Tank, you either love or hate our favorite spicy black bean soup recipe, because today your daddy got to feel your tiny little kicks right after dinner! From the outside the kicks feel like little pulses, but I know you will keep getting bigger and stronger until we meet you in the outside world!

 This squirrel was checking me out while I was on the computer!

My belly is starting to pull my non-maternity tank top all out of proportion

21 weeks down - and anatomy scan pics!

Tank, your dad and I went to your "anatomy scan" ultrasound this week - it was so great to "see" you again! The technician said that everything looks amazing, you're a few days ahead of your due date size, and you're definitely a girl (sono confirmation that I promise NEVER to put on the Internet). We got some adorable photos from the sonogram, too.

 The photo is sideways, but she is waving at us! (or shooing us off)

Tiny baby feet

 And I cut my hair off, the first in what I'm sure will be a long series of low-maintenance "mom looks"

HALFWAY THERE!!! Twenty weeks down!

Tank, we are halfway to meeting you, and we couldn't be more excited if we tried! Your dad is getting more and more excited about my more-obvious baby bump.

The weather is finally warming up a bit, so we took you on your SECOND hike this weekend, this time to Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge south of Columbus, Indiana. It's known for its waterfowl and wetlands - there were lots of sandhill cranes stopping in during their spring migration. They were too far away for a photo, but they were LOUD! Muscatatuck is flat, which was a nice way to get back into hiking after such a long, cold winter. I was shocked at how out-of-breath I got after just a 2 mile hike - I know that's a pregnancy symptom, but I realized I need to honor my limitations to stay healthy.

Halfway belly... it will get more than twice this big, I'm told (and I hope!)

 Old pioneer cabin at Muscatatuck NWR

Checking out the info board. Muscatatuck has a newer and very well-done visitor center, too. It was our first time visiting, and it was very impressive!

Your dad posted this pic on Facebook because he said it showed off my bump well. I've just started wearing some of my maternity tops that your Grandma Jane bought me! They're comfy!

Nineteen weeks down!

Soooo close to halfway! Weird pregnancy food cravings hit me this week: I made B take me to Applebee's, of all places - I probably haven't eaten there in ten years, but I saw an ad for their 1400-calorie Quesadilla Burger and I had to have it. Yum.

Other big news - we are moving! Originally we had decided to stay in our tiny 2 bedroom bungalow for a few years to save money. But once we added up some necessary repairs (new roof and siding were absolute "musts" since it rains in the bathroom sometime), plus the cost of future tuition given that we're in IPS schools, and factoring in the increasing crime rate on the Near Eastside, we decided we wouldn't be saving money after all. We've got an accepted offer on a two-story house in Noblesville (HSE schools) with three bedrooms, two and a half baths (music to a pregnant lady's bladder!), and twice the living space, in a safe neighborhood with walking trails and a pool. We don't close until end of April, but we are thrilled and the house fits neatly within our budget.