Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am most thankful for my baby sister, Cayce Martel (lol, she doesn't like her middle name). She is three years younger than me - and I say "baby" sister rather than "little" sister because she is about 5 inches taller than me! We've definitely had a roller coaster relationship over the past 25 years but I couldn't imagine anyone else being my sister and best friend.

When I say roller coaster, I really mean a two-mountain climb. "What does that mean?" you ask? Here it is: when we were young, we were best friends. All throughout elementary school we were together - playing Barbies, building forts, riding bikes, going to the pool, etc. etc. We LOVED each other!

My mom dressed us alike, we shared everything, 
and spent lots of fun times together.

That was all of course before I went to middle school and thought I was too cool for my sister. And then there was high school. We went to different high schools, hung out with different crowds, and went in two different directions. See how one of us is blonde hair/blue eyed and the other brown hair/brown eyed?

Yeah, we are totally opposite in personality too. Where Cayce is outgoing, confident, and extroverted, I am much more shy and introverted. She has an awesome sense of fashion (for which I'm always asking advice) and is GREAT at juggling family, friends, and work - making time for everyone! She is also super hilarious and can ALWAYS make me laugh or feel better if I'm in a bad mood.

For instance, she was Snookie to a "T" at our last Halloween party - it was awesome. Luckily, once I went away to college and we had established ourselves independently, we got closer again. We now talk almost every day and I don't know what I would do without her. I still hear of instances where sisters aren't close or don't speak/hang out and I can't imagine that. I love my sister!

And she made a GREAT Maid of Honor, giving an amazing speech (making everyone cry of course), and doing what she does best: loving all those around her!

 So although we are completely different, our differences bring us together in the end - and I can't imagine my life without her!

What are you thankful for today?

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth

Expectant Elizabeth: Week 16

How far along?   16 weeks

Size of the little one?  The books say 4.5 inches, about the size of an avocado!

Gender?  Don’t know yet, but can’t wait!!

Weight Gain? 7.5 pounds

Stretch marks?  None yet, still have to keep up with the lotion.

Maternity clothes?  Not yet, although a good friend lent me her maternity jeans in case I need to break them out. So far, getting by with the belly band for my office clothes, and leggings, and dresses for outside of work.

Sleep?  Good so far minus the waking up in the middle of the night for bathroom trips. Still have to get those 8 eight hours though!

Miss Anything? Again, wine. And it's annoying to have to constantly think about what I'm eating (is this healthy? is this on the "do not eat" list? etc etc)

Cravings? Still nothing crazy. But fruit - love berries! In fact, for my birthday at work this year I preferred a tart from Wegmans rather than my usual double chocolate! Weird for me? YES. I've heard that if you crave chocolate, this means it's a girl. So perhaps another sign that it's a boy?

Symptoms? HORRIBLE acne. Worst it's been in my life. Yeah, that glowing skin they say pregnant ladies get? Not so much. I knew that it would probably be my luck to make my skin so haywire, but not THIS bad!!

Belly button? Still in, but I swear it's becoming rounder - is that possible? I've always had this phobia of having my belly button touched so this is torture and I am dreading an "outie".

Best Moment this week? Trying to figure out if it's the baby I'm feeling move. I've been getting those "butterflies" and the doc said they sometimes start as early as 16 weeks...but it could be my imagination.

Looking forward to?  putting our house on the market next week!!! This has been super stressful so one more thing out of the way and off the list is such a relief.

Exercise? Started running and Pilates again!

Attempting to keep it together 24/7,

Elizabeth