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July

All Videos, Blog, Family, pregnancy, Videos, Vlog

28 week bumpdate (with a video!)


Jessica Roberts in Blue Mamma Belle Dress with Sunflowers
 
It’s so crazy that I’m already 28 weeks, which also means that I’m in the 3rd trimester–the final stretch! If you want to know how the pregnancy has been going, make sure you go all the way to the end of this post where I have included my first bumpdate video! 
 
This has been one stressful week for us. This time last week, I was going back and forth, trying to decide if I needed to go to the ER. I had a pain in my jaw/tooth/whole left side of my face. It was so severe that I was curled up in a ball, hardcore crying. And though I’m a wimp with pain, I usually never cry from it. I decided to wait it out until the next day. I have had pain off and on this past week but it’s almost all the way gone at this point–so weird! I did find out that I need one, if not two, root canals on Monday (and to be honest, I’m completely dreading it!!)
 
Jessica Roberts in Blue Mamma Belle Dress
Blue Mamma Belle Dress Maternity
These pictures were taken on Wednesday night, right after a fast, but powerful storm blew through our area–taking out our electricity for 24.5 miserable hours! It was sad to have to throw out all the food that went bad in that time but I’m thankful that we are safe and that no real damage was caused!
 

Blue Mamma Belle Dress with Evangeline

Blue Mamma Belle Dress with Evangeline 2Blue Mamma Belle Dress with Evangeline 3
Those pictures with Evangeline are some of my favorites ever!! Don did a great job capturing this stage of life of me with all my little loves. It’s stressful to get everyone in the shot sometimes (especially since my boys are entering the stage where all their smiles look fake and forced haha) but I truly treasure each and every picture. And the promise of cupcakes made the kids extra well behaved and motivated to get into a few shots with me 🙂
 
Roberts Family Group Shot with Blue Mamma Belle Maternity Dress

Roberts Family Group Shot with Blue Mamma Belle Maternity Dress 2

 Can we just pause and talk about this maternity dress that I’m wearing?! It’s from Mamma Belle and I am in love! I don’t own anything else in this color and I think I need to change that because it is too good! The maternity clothing industry has come a long way since my first pregnancy (and so has my style–or lack thereof!) I love the ruching on the sides and the black and white floral pattern. But I think my favorite part is that it’s lightweight and so comfortable. Comfort is pretty much my number one requirement for clothes these days–and dresses and leggings are my comfort clothes! Mamma Belle also offers other beautiful maternity and nursing friendly dresses, so be sure to pop over and check out the site!
**this dress was kindly sent to me but I was not asked to give a review. These are my real, honest opinions!!
Blue Mamma Belle Dress Maternity 2

Blue Mamma Belle Dress Maternity 3Blue Mamma Belle Dress Maternity 4Roberts Family Group Shot with Blue Mamma Belle Maternity Dress 3Roberts Family Group Shot with Blue Mamma Belle Maternity Dress 4

 Now, before you watch this video, a few disclaimers!!!

1) I usually end up editing myself out of every video we make! It is extremely awkward to talk to a camera–but I’ve heard it gets easier with practice? We’ll see! But editing this video was tough and I was cringing the whole time. How do my friends deal with me? 
 The fact that I’m posting this video is actually kind of a miracle because after I made it, I wanted to just delete the whole thing!
 
2) The clip that appears while I mention my exhaustion cracks us up–so I hope you get a kick out of it too 😉
 
3) I recorded the talking videos right as the crazy storm was blowing through. So there are some weird lighting shifts. Also, you may hear kids being loud in the background because…well, #reallife.
 
4) If I don’t go into hiding after posting this, I may do a couple more videos before baby girl is here. But I’m not making any promises!
 
5) Fun fact: Evangeline fell into the pond while we were videoing at the park. I thought for sure we would have to leave right then and there but she toughed it out. I still keep laughing about it though.
 
Anyway, enjoy! And thanks for reading/watching!

 
 

 

birthday, Blog, desmond, Family

my baby is one!


We officially have a one year old! We celebrated Desmond’s first birthday today. This year zipped by so fast. Especially after the wait for him felt like so long. When I was pregnant with him, I was sick and in pain almost the entire second half of my pregnancy. I was also preparing to be a bridesmaid in my best friend’s wedding as well as in the process of purchasing our first home. It was such a busy season of our lives and I had such a hard time feeling any sort of bond with him before he was born like I had with the others.
Kids Group Shot
I had many worries that maybe I wouldn’t love him as much as I loved the other kids. I had heard other mothers voice this concern before and never understood how they could feel that way. I always knew I would have no problem bonding with my child. But this time just felt different. And while I knew I loved Desmond, I felt like our bond just wouldn’t be the same.
Kids Group Shot 2

But when he was born, all of those feelings quickly vanished. I then found myself feeling so much in love with him as a newborn that I was wanting another baby pretty much as soon as he came out haha. Ever since then, I still feel a special bond with this little guy, our baby #5. This past year with him has been such a joy. 

(It takes a special kind of love to post my swollen pregnancy face on my blog!!)
Jessica and Desmond

Don and Desmond

(photos by Liam and/or Kai)
Don Jessica and Desmond
Don Jessica and Desmond 2

So as what happens with the 5th child (at least in this home–with all of the busyness) we had a simple little birthday celebration with just our family…getting our free Chick-fil-a for Cow Appreciation Day and eating cupcakes made with a box mix.

Happy First Birthday

Happy First Birthday to Desmond

Desmond didn’t mind as he dove in, face first, for his first bite.
Desmond Eating Cake

Desmond Eating Birthday Cake

Desmond Eating Birthday Cake 2

 

And now for all the “fun facts” that probably only a mom would love!
Desmond started walking in the past few weeks, perfecting his walk every day. He’s determined to get it down so he can keep up with everyone else.
Desmond Eating Birthday Cake 3

 

He loves mimicking sounds and waving and clapping his hands. He can say “hi” “mama” “dada” “uh oh” and “whoa!” (I think that’s it!!) But he’ll only say them when he wants to. He’s pretty stubborn about talking.
Baby Hand in Birthday Cake

 

He likes to stare at everybody outside of our family with a blank stare and makes them work very hard for a smile. But once he warms up to a person and his surroundings, he’s very carefree and super happy. His personality is hilarious and I spend a ton of time cracking up about everything he’s doing.  
Messy Baby in Birthday Cake

 

He still sleeps in our room (in a playpen) because he wakes up early and I don’t want to have to walk up the stairs to get him in the mornings haha. Part of me looks forward to him moving in with his brothers (and they beg for it all the time!) but the other part loves walking into our room every nap time or at night and seeing the adorable way he’s sleeping. Don and I text pictures to each other almost daily when we catch him in a sweet little pose.
Baby Feet in High Chair

 

I love this kid to the moon and back. It’s always so crazy to think that one day soon I’ll be saying “I can’t even remember Desmond as a baby!” 
Messy Baby in Birthday Cake 2
Messy Baby in Birthday Cake 3

 

But like with all the others, I love that I get to experience the joy of watching him grow. Love you and happy birthday, Desmond Reese!
Messy Baby in Birthday Cake 4