Bump Update- 39 Weeks!

 

(Picture taken on 5.8.13 @ 39 weeks, 1 day)   How far along? 39 weeks, 2 days..... 5 days till my due date!!    How big is baby?  The size of a watermelon....19-22 inches, 6-9 lbs     Total weight gain/loss?  +15 lbs     Maternity Clothes?  Oh yes....thank goodness for maxi dresses and skirts!  Old Navy, GAP and Target are my go-to maternity stores.   Stretch Marks?  Sides and boobs.      Sleep?   The past 2 weeks it has been pretty good....but only because of the medicine I have to take at night so I don't cough all night long.  I have had a terrible cold for going on 2 weeks and nights are the worst so my doctor has me on some good (and safe) stuff to help me sleep!            Miss anything?  Just about everything. HA! I would love a margarita, I would love to walk normal again, I miss being able to stand up and move around easily, I miss running A LOT... you name it.    But, I know I have less than 2 weeks left so I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.         Movement?  All the time :)  I have started taking a few videos of my belly when he is really active and I realized this week just how much I touch my belly.  I am starting to see why people say they miss being pregnant....  Honestly, I don't think I will miss being pregnant but I will definitely miss the kicks and feelings when he is moving all over the place.               Food Cravings?  Ice, Mac & Cheese, fruit, anything cold.... and random craving in the past 2 weeks- Swiss Cake Rolls.  I have not had those in years but I saw them in the store 2 weeks ago and immediately had to have them.  Pretty sure I ate one in the car on the way home from the store.        Anything making you queasy or sick?  Meat in general.  Most nights I want anything that does not have meat in it.    Have you started to show yet?  My belly is HUGE!            Gender?   BOY!!!    Labor Signs? The past few days I have had an increase in painful braxton hicks.  A few times they stopped me in my tracks and I had to sit down right away and breathe thru them.  They have not been regular at all though.  Still having a lot of pressure and pain "down there" and have a hard time walking normal. Since I have not worked in a few months I feel like I have been nesting for awhile but in the past week it has gone to a whole other level and I have had more energy.  Hoping that is a good sign!       Belly Button in or out?  Almost completely flat.   Mood?  Pretty good...happy, excited, a little anxious/nervous now that I am in the last days!          Symptoms?   Braxton Hicks, lots of pressure and pain down below, bad head cold, aching hands          Wedding rings still on?  Still on!              Best moments of the week?  - Celebrating our 2 year anniversay on Tuesday!  We watched our wedding video and our engagement video, hubby brought me beautiful red roses, and we had an awesome dinner at Flemming's Steakhouse....this preggo lady ate 1 lb of crab legs.  Eeeek! Probably more seafood than I should have eaten at one time being preggo, but it was just so good and I had not had seafood in weeks so I couldn't resist.   - The nursery is done!  And we love it!  I posted about it a few days so check it out if you haven't already.   - All the things I wanted to have done before Connor's arrival, are done.  We are officially ready.    Looking forward to? Having this baby sometime in the next 12 days at the most! Celebrating Mother's Day this weekend Having a much needed massage tomorrow morning :) It will probably be the last one for awhile..   Doctor Appt. Update- I had my 3rd weekly appt. yesterday afternoon......still not much progress.  I am not dilated at all and my cervix is 70% effaced.  Doc said she can feel his head now but it is still too high...he is not "locked and loaded" in place.  Baby's heartbeat was good...my blood pressure was perfect.   I have my next appt. next Wednesday (I will be 40 weeks, 1 day) and if I am still not dilated then I am scheduled to check in to the hospital on Sunday night, the 19th and they will induce on Monday morning, the 20th.  Of course I would love for him to come on his own and come sooner rather than later...but there is something nice about having it planned too.  So, we will just wait and see what happens!  No matter what he will be born on or before May 20th! Whohooooo!!      

Nursery Reveal!

The nursery is finally done...well, almost.  I just need to finish a few small things but for the most part, it is done and we absolutely LOVE it.    When we found out we were having a boy I originally wanted to do the nursery in light blue, gray and white and do a little bit of a lake theme.  Then one early morning on our hour commute into work we were talking about it and completely changed our plans.  My husband is a big golfer and we always joked that if we ever had a boy we would enroll him in golf lessons as soon as he could walk.  So, why not do a golf themed nursery?!  I didn't want it to be cheesy or too "baby-ish" though.  I wanted it to be a little preppy and something that he could grow into over the years.   First, we came up with the color scheme.....navy, lime, white and gray.    I knew for sure we were going to do white furniture and a gray glider & ottoman.  Then we would decorate with fun prints and golf-ish fabrics.  Here is a look:  

 I have ordered a changing pad cover (navy with white dots) from etsy but it hasn't come in yet.  Once we have that, the hutch/dresser will look a lot better.

 I feel like the top of the hutch needs a little something up there....it seems so bare right now.  We have a medium sized 2013 Masters flag coming from Georgia so I think I will frame it in a shadow box and put it up there, then maybe a couple newborn pictures?  We'll see!

  Furniture & Glider- USA Baby  Shag Rug- Garden Ridge Small bathroom rugs- Pottery Barn Kids Lamp- Pottery Barn Kids Book Ledges- Target Golf Ball Baskets- Range Mart Wooden Letters- Craft Cuts Mirror-  Hobby Lobby "Oh, The Places You Will Go" Print-  Yassi's Place (etsy shop) Golf course names print- Paper Bleu Studio (etsy shop) 4 Golf accessory prints- Zeppi Prints (etsy shop) Green Chevron Minky Baby Blanket- The Buttercup Boutique (etsy shop) Drapes, Bedding and Shower Curtain-  custom made by a family friend who is an interior designer   I am so happy to have the nursery done and all ready for Connor's arrival (even though he really won't be in there for a few months).  Now.... COME ON BABY!!  

2 Years & 39 Weeks!

  Celebrating 2 years of marriage today and 39 weeks of pregnancy! Whohoooooooo!! *Bump picture and update coming tomorrow*    

   

{All About Mommy}- Guest Posting Today!

   

      Head over to one of my bestie's blogs, Down With The Dearmore's, for my guest post on all about how I have prepared for mommy hood the past few months!   And make sure to follow along over the next couple of weeks...she has some great {All About Mommy} posts coming up from other Mama's out there! :)   Have a great weekend! xo  

38 Weeks & Latest Reads!

Happy Thursday and happy 38 WEEKS (+ 2 days), baby!! Normally I would do a 38 week bump update, but I really don't have too much new to share....just a quick update.....   -I am 38 weeks and 2 days today and huge and uncomfortable -Recovering from one of the worst colds I have ever had -Had my weekly appt. Monday and I am still not dilated at all and his head is still high.  Looks like Baby C is perfectly content in my belly and is not planning on coming out anytime soon.  I keep telling myself that no matter what, he will be here in 3 weeks or less though.  So, by Tuesday, May 21st, he will be here.  When I think about it like that, I can deal with it :)      Now....on with what I have been reading lately..... I have been spending a lot more time laying around these days so the reading has picked back up. Thanks to my go-to "what should I read next?" BFF, Lia Joy, and Goodreads, I always have great recommendations!  So, here ya go!   1.  The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True To You By Jessica Alba  

  Description:  ( via Goodreads) As a new mom, Jessica Alba wanted to create the safest, healthiest environment for her family. But she was frustrated by the lack of trustworthy information on how to live healthier and cleaner—delivered in a way that a busy mom could act on without going to extremes. In 2012, with serial entrepreneur Brian Lee and environmental advocate Christopher Gavigan, she launched The Honest Company, a brand where parents can find reliable information and products that are safe, stylish, and affordable. The Honest Life shares the insights and strategies she gathered along the way.

The Honest Life recounts Alba’s personal journey of discovery and reveals her tips for making healthy living fun, real, and stylish, while offering a candid look inside her home and daily life. She shares strategies for maintaining a clean diet (with favorite family-friendly recipes) and embraces nontoxic choices at home and provides eco-friendly decor tips to fit any budget. Alba also discusses cultivating a daily eco beauty routine, finding one’s personal style without resorting to yoga pants, and engaging in fun, hands-on activities with kids. Her solutions are easy, chic, and down-to-earth: they’re honest. And discovering everyday ways to live naturally and authentically—true to you—could be honestly life-changing   My Thoughts: LOVE Jessica Alba, LOVED her book.  She discusses everything from eating organically, using non-toxic cleaning supplies at home to the best, non-harmful products to use on your babies.   I already do a pretty decent job of buying only organic meats, fruits and veggies but I learned so much about about house hold products and caring for your family.  Since reading her book I have found quite a few friends who have bought products from her company, The Honest Company,  and they are raving about the products.  So, I may just have to make a purchase soon!       2.  The Unidentified Redhead By Alice Clayton 

    Description: (Via Goodreads) When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actress, it’s a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best-friend agent, will that dream become a reality—or at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? And when an unexpected sizzling romance with Jack Hamilton, the entertainment industry's newest “it” boy, threatens to shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life, how will that affect her career…and his?

Funny, borderline neurotic Grace is perfect in her imperfections, and the sexual chemistry between her and charming yet blissfully unaware Jack is off the charts. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a super-steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the paparazzi has never been so fun.   My Thoughts: Hilarious. Witty. Fun-loving. Awesome book.  This is a fun, sweet, easy read that leaves you wanting more of Grace & Jack....and luckily there is a 2nd book so you can get more!         3.  The Redhead Revealed By Alice Clayton    

  Description: (Via Goodreads)  As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun.

Wait, it’s just friendship, right?

Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film.

But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference?

Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it?

Alice Clayton brings the second installment of a tale told with her magical mix of humor and heat, so cuddle up under the sheets and flip on the Golden Girls. Grace and Jack are at it again   My Thoughts: Once again, LOVED this book! Great sequel to The Unidentified Redhead and leaves you loving Grace & Jack and their wild relationship even more!     4.  The Happiest Baby on the Block By Harvey Karp, M.D.  

  Description: (Via Goodreads) In perhaps the most important parenting book of the decade, Dr. Harvey Karp reveals an extraordinary treasure sought by parents for centuries --an automatic “off-switch” for their baby’s crying.

No wonder pediatricians across the country are praising him and thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, have turned to him to learn the secrets for making babies happy.

Never again will parents have to stand by helpless and frazzled while their poor baby cries and cries. Dr. Karp has found there IS a remedy for colic. “I share with parents techniques known only to the most gifted baby soothers throughout history …and I explain exactly how they work.”

In a innovative and thought-provoking reevaluation of early infancy, Dr. Karp blends modern science and ancient wisdom to prove that newborns are not fully ready for the world when they are born. Through his research and experience, he has developed four basic principles that are crucial for understanding babies as well as improving their sleep and soothing their senses.    My Thoughts:  Definitely my favorite "baby" book that I have ready.  A lot of friends recommended this book to me and we learned a lot of the techniques from the book in our baby classes a couple months ago.  I have actually seen the techniques put to use and they work!!  Amazing!  I learned a lot from this book and our classes and will definitely be using his methods for calming and quieting Connor when he gets here :)  Highly recommend for all you mommies to be out there!
 Have you read anything great lately? Let me know!! Always looking for new books to read :)     

The Best Month of the Year! Happy May!

Happy May Day, friends!! I feel like I say this every month, but this year is really flying by....we are almost half way through the year!  For as long as I can remember May has always been one of my favorite months.  Growing up, it was the month when school ended for Summer break.  Now as a "grown up" it means no more cold weather, weekends spent at the lake, Cinco de Mayo, long, sunny days and beach vacations.  May is the month I got married in.  And now, May is the month that I will give birth to my first baby!!!!  My due date is May 14th and my doctor said that no matter what she will not let me go more than one week past my due date so that means that sometime in the next 21 days, he will be here :)    The final countdown is on!   

      Mother's Day is also a big part of May!  One of my best friends, Jen, from Down with The Dearmores, has set up several "All About Mommy" guest posts for the next few weeks so for all you mommies and mommies to be out there, make sure you follow her blog for all things Mommy!  

 

    2 movies I can NOT wait to see come out on May 24th.  We are already planning date nights to see these 2 :)  

    See why May is going to be such a great month?!?! =) Have a happy day!    

Bump Update- 37 Weeks!

 

    How far along? FULL TERM....37 weeks, 1 day..... 20 days left!!     How big is baby?  About the size of a watermelon....19-22 inches.  At my doc. appt. on Monday we had an ultrasound to see about how much he weighs and she estimated he was close to 7 lbs!     Total weight gain/loss?  +15 lbs     Maternity Clothes?  Every day.   I live in maxi skirts, tank tops and maxi dresses these days!  Thankfully there is some really cute stuff out there for Spring and Summer.   Stretch Marks?  Sides and boobs.      Sleep?   God is definitely trying to prepare me for when Connor arrives.  Sleep doesn't happen much these days.  Tylenol PM doesn't even work as well as it used to.           Miss anything?  After the past 2 weeks I have had, I miss EVERYTHING.... sleeping, not going to the bathroom every 30 minutes, not being in pain, you name it....         Movement?  I read something this week about how at this stage the baby usually sleeps anywhere from 16-20 hours a day.  Totally not the case for Connor...he moves allllll day long and all night.  I rarely go for an hour where I don't feel him.  That will be what I will miss most about being pregnant.             Food Cravings?  Ice, Banana Split (someone posted a pic on Instagram of a banana split last week and ever since then I have wanted one!), pasta      Anything making you queasy or sick?  Meat in general.  Most nights I want anything that does not have meat in it.    Have you started to show yet?  My belly is HUGE!            Gender?   BOY!!!    Labor Signs? Painful braxton hicks, intense pelvic/who-ha pain      Belly Button in or out?  Almost completely flat.   Mood?  I have had a few breakdowns the past week... I am pretty miserable and limited on what I can do so I've been pretty down.  And I cry at just about anything.  My hormones are definitely crazier than they have been throughout the rest of the pregnancy!        Symptoms?   TERRIBLE pelvic bone/who-ha pains and pressure, unable to walk much, restless legs, aching hands and wrists.  I woke up this morning with a sore throat and bad cough too.          Wedding rings still on?  Still on!  I have had a few days in the past 2 weeks where I could not get them off though, but that usually just happens after I have been standing for too long or if I am in the heat.            Best moments of the week?  -The nursery is almost finished and we absolutely LOVE it! Can't wait to do a whole post and share it with you :) -We had an ultrasound on Monday and got to see him for the first time in a long time. He is head down still and facing my back so we couldn't see too much but still amazing seeing his big head, belly, spine and little feet.   -Hubby and I spent a couple hours on the lake on Sunday.  The lake is one of our favorite places to be and the weather was beautiful so we took the boat out and enjoyed some time just the 2 of us.  And I got to work on my tan :)   -Last Thursday night we went to my husband's company's employee appreciation dinner in Houston and at the end they surprised us with a ton of gifts for Connor!  We were so surprised and feel so lucky to have such great, generous people in our lives.  We are officially completely stocked with everything we need!    Looking forward to? -Giving birth!!! haha :)  Seriously though.... I am SO ready and so excited.    -Finishing the nursery this week -Next doc. appt on Monday, 4/29   Doctor Appt. Update- At our appt on Monday she checked to see if I was dilated for the first time.....and nope, I am at a big fat 0 still.  And she could not feel his head so she said I probably have a ways to go.  We had an ultrasound to see how big he was and confirm that he is head down.  Doc. said he has a big belly :)  My blood pressure is perfect, his heart rate is perfect...so everything is good!  She did tell me that once I was at 2 cm. she would induce if I wanted her too, but she would prefer if I just let him come on his own.  So, we'll just see how miserable I am when that time comes...if it comes! But she did say that no matter what she will not let me go too far past my due date...a week at the absolute most.     

{My Pregnancy Survival Guide}

  With my pregnancy coming to an end in about 4 weeks (hopefully!) I thought I would share with you some of my favorite things these days....things that have helped me survive the past 9 months, and especially the 3rd trimester.   1.  Pregnancy Books If you know me or have been following my blog for a long time, you know I am a big reader.  When I first found out I was pregnant I read every book I could get my hands on.  I wanted to know everything there is to know about my pregnancy and my baby.  I read the funny books, medical books and the week by week books.  These were a few of my favorites:    

      2.  The Bath Tub The past couple of months I have spent A LOT of time in the bathtub.  It is pretty much the only thing that gives me any relief from the aches, pains and restless arms & legs. There have been days I have taken 4 baths but mostly I take one mid-morning and one right before I go to bed.  I have even gotten up in the middle of the night and taken one.  The warm water and Bath and Body Works Lavender Chamomille Bubble Bath work wonders.  It helps ease the pains and helps me relax.  The hospital I am delivering at actually has a few hydrotherapy tubs in the birthing center and  they will let you use them when you are in labor (but before your water has broken).  You better believe I will use one if I am able to.  =)    

    (Best stuff ever)     3.  Soma Intimates Sleepwear and Undies At the end of the first trimester when I officially had a bump and started to get uncomfortable at night I went on a mission to find comfortable things to sleep in and keep me cool at night.  I also knew I would need different under garments as my body grew.  Soma Intimates has been a lifesaver.  I sleep in their night gowns every night and only wear their undies.  They are cool, comfortable, soft and there are tons of cute prints.  But, they are not maternity...I just buy a size up from what I wore pre-preggo and they fit perfectly!  

      4.  My Husband My hubby has been amazing throughout the past 9 months and I don't think I could have made it at times if it wasn't for him.  He has taken care of me many times when I have been sick, put up with my crazy cravings and indecisiveness, been involved in every decision and moment, taken breastfeeding and childbirth classes (and not complained once), helped out so much around the house and stayed home with me at times when I knew he could have been out doing something fun with his friends.  He worries about me and always wants what is best for me.  My love and appreciation for him has quadrupled since I got pregnant and I can not wait to see him as a Daddy in a few weeks.  And now I am crying.......  

      5.  Social Media Friendships I have made some amazing friends thru the blogging, Instagram and Facebook world and one of the most helpful things during this pregnancy is having so many people that are pregnant at the same time to go thru it with. Through blogging I have become friends with or follow 9 others who are due within 1-2 months of me....these are girls I keep in touch with regularly and follow their blogs religiously and I am so thankful for every one of them.  There are several that are even due the same week as me and it has been so fun getting to go thru this (over the internet and thru pictures) together!   My husband makes fun of me and thinks it's a little weird I have so many "pen pals" as he calls them. haha Of course I am so thankful for my family, best friends and friends in real life too....they call to check on me regularly and answer all my millions of questions, hosted amazing showers for us and will be the best "aunts" to Connor.  God really has blessed us with some pretty awesome people in our lives :)  Love you all!     6.  Maternity Dresses & Skirts I live in maxi dresses and skirts these days.  Jeans and pants in general are too uncomfortable.  In my opinion Old Navy and GAP have the best selections for these pieces and they aren't very expensive!   

    (All photos via Old Navy website)       I am leaving out a bunch of random things that helped get me thru pregnancy but these are some of the most important and essential in my experience :) What helped you?   Happy Monday! xoxo      

Bump Update- 35 weeks!

Hi, friends!!! I have turned into the worst blogger ever...I know.  Growing a baby is hard work! ;)  Between keeping busy with house and nursery projects, feeling pretty bad most days and trying to rest a lot, blogging has taken a back seat lately.  I hope to keep posting at least once a week thru the end of my pregnancy and get back into it more once Connor arrives and we get into a little bit of a routine.

Moving on to my 35 week bump update...

(Bump at 34 weeks)

(Bump yesterday at 35 weeks)     How far along?  35 weeks, 1 day!  34 DAYS LEFT...holy cow!     How big is baby?  About the size of a large cantaloupe...19-22 inches, 5 1/2 lbs    Total weight gain/loss?  Somehow managed to lose 3 lbs in the past 2 weeks.  So, total weight gain- 11 lbs.     Maternity Clothes?  Oh yes.     Stretch Marks?  Still on my sides and boobs.  Boo.      Sleep?   Waking up every couple of hours to use the bathroom and still having to take Tylenol PM pretty much every night.          Miss anything?  I would kill for a margarita :)  This whole pregnancy I have not missed alcohol until now.  Springtime and this weather make me want to sit on a patio and drink a big ole margarita!  The thing I miss the most...not being in pain all day, every day.        Movement?  All the time! I love laying on my back or side and watching him rock n roll in my belly.           Food Cravings?  Ice, margaritas, mac & cheese, spaghetti, strawberries     Anything making you queasy or sick?  Still red meat.  I haven't eaten a steak in 9 months and only eat hamburger meat sparingly.   Have you started to show yet?  Oh yeah           Gender?   BOY!!! Connor Christopher   Labor Signs? Painful braxton hicks, intense pelvic/who-ha pain      Belly Button in or out?  Almost completely flat.   Mood?  Super emotional the past few days but still happy and in a good mood.  I have been lucky not to have crazy, raging mood swings or too many crying bouts the past 9 months but something definitely changed the past few days.  I have cried more in the past 3 days than I have in the past year combined.        Symptoms?   Acid Reflux and heartburn, nausea, aching hands, hot flashes, restless legs, hip, tailbone and pelvic bone pain, low blood pressure.....you name it.  I am a walking pregnancy book ;)        Wedding rings still on?  Still on!            Best moments of the week?  We have gotten a lot of little projects done around the house and nursery.  I am feeling much more prepared for when Connor comes!  And 3 friends gave birth to healthy babies yesterday and today!  It has been so fun going thru this pregnancy with so many people that are pregnant and due close to me and now they are all starting to go into labor.  Totally makes me jealous though :) hehe I am almost finished with my hospital bag and Connor's too!  Daddy just needs to do his.   Worst moment of the week?  I threw up in the middle of my massage yesterday morning.  That was awful and embarrassing.  I woke up yesterday feeling bad so I should have just canceled my appt but I didn't.  When the massage first started I got really hot and broke out in a sweat over my whole body.  The massage therapist noticed and immediately took the heavy blankets off me and turned a fan on my face.  Right about that time, I leaned over the edge of the table and threw up on the floor.  Ughhh.      Looking forward to? My next doc. appt on 4/22....we will have an ultrasound and my doctor will start checking me for progress!! YIPPY!!  And looking forward to finishing some projects around the house and getting some landscaping done...hopefully all before Connor arrives!   Hope y'all are having a great week! xo