Baby Hogan - Weeks 28-32

The weeks seem to be flying by, probably because our to-do list before Stevie arrives is never ending!

Feeling: So tired, and yet so restless at night, some serious heartburn that has made me cry at times... (which I'm sure has nothing to do with the extra hormones and sleep deprivation...!), speaking of hormones...hello crazy emotions, lots of nesting, some braxton hicks contractions.

Craving: Pickles (how stereotypical!), green beans, squash and zucchini, BLUE BELL (it is FINALLY back in my life!), spinach dip, queso dip, bacon sandwiches, still a smoothie everyday.

Milestones: Moving from a Dr.'s appointment every 4 weeks to every 2 weeks, first snow with a bump, finishing touches on nursery decor (pictures coming soon!), putting together her stroller and car seat, starting to pack the hospital bags, my mom booking her flight to come to Asheville! - So many things that can only mean her arrival is just around the corner!

Anticipating: Making the most of the last few weeks with just the two of us! Meeting our sweet girl so soon!

28 weeks

30 weeks - and a "Hello!" from Fitz

31 weeks - First snow in Asheville!

 32 weeks

Article: This IS Our Problem: Fixing Foster Care in America, My Part (And Yours)

We are so excited about this pregnancy and everything it means for our family and it would be so easy to focus all of our attention on the changes and excitement ahead, however I have been continually thankful for the small and big reminders of the call and passion we have towards adoption and foster care. Though the excitement of our growing family is good and deserves attention, I never want to lose the burden that has been placed on my heart for the thousands of children who aren't as lucky as Stevie will be to be born surrounded by so many family and friends that will love and support her.

I know that the unique place we find ourselves right now doesn't allow us to move forward in the way we know we are called to eventually, but I do pray that God continues to break my heart for what breaks his.

Today, the reminder came in the form of a wonderful article calling us all to play a part in giving a voice to the children without one. God has called us to take care of the widows and orphans. I don't believe that means we are all called to adopt or foster, but it does mean there is a role for us all to play. This article has some great options for ways we can all speak up for the kids in our own Foster Care system.

You can find the article here.

Baby Hogan - Weeks 24-28

As the last day of 2015 draws to an end I am a little emotional as I think about everything this past year held and everything 2016 promises. (Or maybe its just hormones...!) 2015 has been a crazy and wild year filled with so many exciting memories that we will always cherish, but we cannot wait for all that the next year will hold. We can't wait to meet our sweet girl, learn to be parents, and capture all the milestones that we will experience with Stevie! God has been and continues to be so good to us. Let's do this 2016!

I can't believe the THIRD and FINAL trimester is here! :O Where has the time gone!

Feeling: Generally pretty good. Back pain, heartburn, general exhaustion, and trouble sleeping at night. Oh also - hello hormones. The things I get teary over... oh my.

Craving: Homemade salsa, coke floats, sauteed green beans, cookie dough (don't worry I didn't give in...but making Christmas cookies this year was a major test of will power!) Most random craving was definitely for strawberry sheet cake. It. Was. Amazing. Still loving my smoothies just about every day!

Milestones: Our annual trip to Louisiana with a bump during which I, by some kind of Christmas miracle, did not get the stomach virus the rest of the family did. Getting to see so many friends and family in Louisiana. We celebrated our last Christmas without our sweet girl and tonight we will ring in the new year - a year where we will meet sweet Stevie! 

Anticipating: Organizing the house and nursery, touring the hospital, taking a birth class, but mostly just the arrival of our sweet girl!!

24 weeks - In Lee's Summitt, MO

 25 weeks - Home in Asheville, NC

No pictures from weeks 26 & 27, we were in Louisiana and everyone who could take the picture was sick... and when they finally felt better we were too busy catching up to remember to take a picture!

 28 weeks - Back home until Stevie's arrival!

Baby Hogan - Weeks 20-24

I've been on the road on a grand adventure seeing so many friends and family these past weeks! 

Feeling: Overall pretty great. Definitely some aches and pains that are always present and I'm so tired, but still pretty great.

Craving: Because I've been on the road I've gotten to eat so many of my favorites from all over! Blue Bell ice cream has returned to Texas so I ate that every. single. day. that I was there! I've had Taco Bueno's mexi-dips and chips four times! LOTS of delicious Mexican food, fabulous Thanksgiving spread, and my many requests for my mom and dad's home-cooking! Still rocking my smoothies every day.

Milestones: Traveling with a baby bump! Seeing so many friends and family and lots of them getting to feel Stevie's sweet kicks. She's kicking strong enough now that they are visible movements in my belly - if you happen to be staring at it when she does! Family and friends showering Stevie with all sorts of fun goodies! Taking some fun pictures with Tay and Molly and snapping a few maternity pictures as well!

Anticipating: The infamous glucose test is coming up. I'm not really anticipating it, but it should be something to remember based on everyone's faces whose ever had to do it! Starting the decorating and nesting in the nursery! We have one more cross-country road trip to make in December as we go see Aubrey's family for Christmas!

20 weeks

 21 weeks - spent in Ardmore, OK, Watauga, TX and Witchita Falls, TX

Photo by Alexis Hines Photography

No pictures from weeks 22&23 - Spent in Watauga, TX and Lee's Summit, MO

24 weeks - Spent in Lee's Summit, MO

Baby Hogan - Weeks 16-20

Half way there!

Feeling: Pretty great. I will now join the chorus of other pregnant women who say the second trimester is awesome. I will take the new symptoms like heartburn over nausea any day.

Craving: A lot of the same. I really haven't had many huge out of the blue weird cravings... I eat a lot of Chick-fil-a and I have a smoothie every. single. morning.

Milestones: First little flutters and kicks! Amazing. Telling family and friends that we are having a little girl and that her name is Stevie! Got to see our sweet Stevie at the 18 week ultrasound! She was so busy in there waving, kicking, and sucking her thumb.  We took the guest bed out of the second room in our apartment to make the transition from "Guest Room" to "Nursery" official!

Anticipating: The upcoming holidays and my big trip where I will get to see so many friends and family! My first shower for sweet Stevie later this month! Flying with a belly...praying all goes smoothly.

16 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

20 weeks

Stevie at 18 weeks sucking her thumb!

It's a ...

Aubrey and I are super excited to announce that Baby Hogan is a....

We had our ultrasound this past week and got to see our sweet baby girl! Besides getting to find out that we will be joined by a beautiful little lady in March we got to see that she is developing beautifully and that she looked healthy and happy!

Aubrey and I actually decided and agreed on a girl name long before we were pregnant. It was of course brought up again when we found out we were pregnant and we both still agreed! It was just clear to both of us that this name was waiting for the little girl we might have one day.

We also decided on a boy name we loved so we went into the ultrasound excited to find out which name we would get to share with the world.

So, without further ado...

Stevie Tay Hogan, we love you so much and we can't wait to officially "meet" you in March! You are loved by so many already!

Baby Hogan - Weeks 12-16

Can't believe a month has already gone by since we announced our exciting news!

Weeks 12-16

Feeling: With the transition into the second trimester my nausea decreased and eventually has disappeared! (and by that I mean I still get car sick easier than normal and sometimes the thought of a certain food makes me want hurl...but I'll take it!) Still pretty tired, but much more energy than last month! Feeling lots of stretching in my stomach... not the most fun, but definite signs that baby is growing!

Craving: Very specific cravings have begun. A specific pasta dish from TGIFridays, Pigs in a blanket, and Dean's French onion dip. But with the nausea gone I can now eat a much wider variety of items without ending up sick!

Milestones: Cleaned out my closet and put away all summer and spring clothes, along with any fall/winter clothes that wont fit, then went out and bought clothes so that I will have something to wear...!

Anticipating: Our Dr. appointment at 18 weeks where we will find out the gender!!! Watching my belly continue to grow!

12 Weeks

13 Weeks (forgot to take a picture at 14 weeks!)

 15 Weeks

 16 Weeks (and Fitz)