Week 31

The nursery is almost done, which is great because I have lost all of my energy.  That neat freak desire I was feeling?  Ya, it's long gone and the dishes are piling up.  The lack of sunshine and downpour of rain isn't helping to energize me either.  Get it together Florida.  

How far along? 31 weeks 

Maternity clothes?  At this point I just wear whatever fits, even if it's the same dress 3 days in a row.  I'm running out of options here. 

Stretch marks? Nope.  

Sleep: We went cold turkey with Harrison's paci this week, and although he is doing GREAT and sleeping like a champ, he is back in our bed.  I mean, how do you say no to a inconsolable toddler who kindly "gave" his pacis to his unborn sister and is crying for "mommy's bed" - you don't, you say yes and you snuggle, even if that means you don't get much sleep.  

Best moment(s) this week: Spending some quality family time together.  Work has been super busy, but the weekend was slow, so I took advantage, put my phone to the side, and enjoyed spending time with my boys. 

Miss Anything? Afternoon coffee- I've caved a couple of times and had some extra caffeine to get me through, but I miss having that pick me up as part of my daily routine.  

Movement: She's still a busy girl in there- I constantly feel and see her little foot move across my stomach, which is still so totally weird.   

Food cravings: All of the sweets.   

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating or not eating.  I have to eat just the right amount and at the right time or I start to feel a little nauseous. 

Gender: 💅

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks are becoming more common and stronger. 

Symptoms: Weight gain- 10 lbs, exhaustion, running out of breath, always full + always hungry, and feeling like a beached whale.  

Belly Button in or out? Umm.. not sure? 

Wedding rings on or off? On.  

Happy or Moody most of the time: My mood swings have leveled out (I think) and I felt like I was overall in a pretty happy place this week. 

Looking forward to: Heading to the Keys!  I am ready for a virgin pina colada, hammock, naps, and some time on the water!   

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Week 30

30 weeks.  It's time for the real countdown.  I know I've said this before, but how am I this far along in my pregnancy?!  It's going by so much faster than the first time.  This week was filled with a cold and nursery decorating... I'm not going to let a few sniffles stop me or my daily shopping binges!  Seriously though, my bank account is embarrassing.  It's just line after line of returns and purchases from the happiest place on earth, Target.  Sometimes you just don't know what is going to work or not until it's in the room 😏.  It's so close to being done and I can't wait to share it with you all soon!

How far along? 30 weeks 

Maternity clothes?  I caught my belly hanging out of a maternity shirt in public this week, so there's that. 

Stretch marks? Nope! 

Sleep: Between the dance parties in my uterus and not being able to take Nyquil for this cold I am lacking on my Zzzs. 

Best moment(s) this week: Seeing the nursery come together!  It's becoming my new favorite room in the house. 

Miss Anything? Just normal things, like walking up the stairs and not being out of breath. 

Movement: Constant. 

Food cravings: Cereal (BOGO Cap'n Crunch this week 👌) and all things with chocolate (brownies, cookies, milkshakes...).

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Eating too much or not eating in time. 

Gender:  I was lucky enough to see Harper again this week (#spoiled) and my double-chinned chunky little love is definitely still a girl. 

Labor Signs: Nothing new to note. 

Symptoms: Oh, the back pain!  New this week: the feeling of being stabbed in the vagina.  Super fun times. 

Belly Button in or out? I seriously can't describe the odd form that my belly button has taken on. I need to take pictures to show teenage Harper why she should NEVER EVER get her belly button pierced.  

Wedding rings on or off? On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am having an inner crisis with the status of my house.  I need it to be clean, but I have this thing called a toddler... the struggle is real. 

Looking forward to: Our family/maternity photo shoot this week! 

Speaking of photo shoots... I'm trying to embrace this whole "my pregnant body is beautiful" thing so I had Mike take some photos to document this time in my life and hopefully I can look back on these one day and truly appreciate the amazing things this body was capable of doing.  Having a daughter has really made me think a lot about body image and how I need to start talking about myself and in turn teach her to love and respect her body the way it is.  This was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it's a documentation of one of the most wonderful and special times in my life and is a reminder of just how awesome growing a human is.  I'm not going to post them for public view as my mom may disown me (yes, mom I'm dressed in them), but they did make me feel beautiful, which is totally worth it.  

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Week 29

What an incredible week!  Yes, I've been a bit moody, but what can you expect from someone who's being held hostage by a tiny human being growing a bundle of joy.  I am seriously so in love with her already, but I am really ready to love her in the real world instead of in my uterus.  But, back to why this week was incredible... Harper's BABY SHOWER!  Sandy + Nicole threw a cereal themed shower, which was ahhhhhhhmazing.  Harper and I were completely spoiled by our friends and families and this girl has a killer wardrobe now.  A giant thank you to everyone who came, especially our parents for traveling here and the beautiful hostesses for putting this all together and making each detail perfect.  You can see pictures here.

How far along? 29 weeks 

Maternity clothes? Pretty much!  I squeezed into a non-maternity dress for my shower, but only because I am refusing to buy any more maternity clothes at this point.  But, yes, I still wear them on the reg. 

Stretch marks? Nope- keeping my fingers crossed. 

Sleep: I either sleep like a rock or am up all night.  I never know what I'm going to get, but those nights of good sleep are much appreciated.  

Best moment(s) this week: Harper's cereal-sly amazing baby shower 💜

Miss Anything?   Relaxing.  What does taking it easy look like?  Between a seven days a week job, a toddler, and the overwhelming feeling of always needing to clean or organize I am BEAT.  We have one more get-away in a couple weeks before Harper's arrival, so hopefully I can get some relaxation in then.  

Movement: Her movements have become more controlled and less violent (for the most part), but she is still a very active little lady. 

Food cravings: Cookies, cereal, ice cream... the real good for you things.  

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope.

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: The occasional Braxton Hicks contraction and the feeling of pressure. 

Symptoms: Weight gain (9 lbs), the constant need to organize or clean, back pain (over it), headaches, general irritability, and either starving or feeling uncomfortably full- nothing in between.   

Belly Button in or out? I honestly don't even know anymore. 

Wedding rings on or off? Still on

Happy or Moody most of the time: Both.  Moody when something doesn't go my way, happy when it does.  I can definitely blame that on hormones, right?

Looking forward to: Feeling in control of my body and emotions again... one day right? 

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Week 28

Sweet girl is as big as a bowl of cereal this week, which is fitting because it's my favorite thing to eat and also my shower theme next week!  We had another doctors appointment this week: I passed my glucose test, measuring just right, heartbeat was 148, TDAP shot completed, and I'm slightly anemic-- the doctor suggested more spinach in my diet, but I heard steak.  Now, the fun begins... appointments every two weeks!

How far along? 28 weeks

Maternity clothes? The shirt pictured is not maternity..laundry day and all.  But, don't worry, the pants are plenty stretchy.  

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I'm definitely getting less and less sleep at night, but she's just being considerate and preparing me for what's to come.   

Best moment(s) this week: Beginning the nursery!  Harrison has officially moved in to our former guest room/office and we are now in the very early stages of setting up the nursery, as in her stuff has been placed in the room and the door is closed so I don't have to see the mess.  Our plan is to finish setting up after the baby shower -- we've both been in crazy nesting modes so I actually think this will happen.

Miss Anything? Just generally feeling like a normal human.

Movement: She is kicking me in all sorts of places I didn't know she could reach- ouch. 

Food cravings: All of the food.  I am constantly hungry.    

Anything making you queasy or sick:  No

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks on occasion. 

Symptoms: Always hungry, lots of pressure + discomfort at night, back pain, and extreme nesting. 

Belly Button in or out?  I don't even know what shape is happening there. 

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Both.  

Looking forward to: The baby shower -- a huge thank you to Sandy + Nicole for planning this special day for Harper 💜

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Week 27

Who wore it better?  I totally rocked this dress at 27 weeks last time around and I think it's a close tie for which baby makes me look like I'm smuggling a beach ball.  This little girl is growing and oh my goodness is she moving.  I officially feel like my body no longer belongs to me and that I am harboring an alien creature trying to escape.  This must mean I'm in my third trimester...

Happy Mothers Day!

How far along? 27 weeks

Maternity clothes? Most definitely. 

Stretch marks? The bump keeps growing, but no stretch marks just yet! 

Sleep: Between getting up to use the bathroom and flipping from side to side I'm not getting any real solid hours of sleep, but I am definitely tired and sleeping hard between the bathroom and belly roll wake up calls. 

Best moment(s) this week: A weekend away in Tennessee to see my family.  We were able to spend two special occasions together -- my dad's 60th birthday and mothers day!  It was a weekend filled with wineries, breweries, food, + family.  

Miss Anything? Cold rosé and craft brews. 

Movement: I'm almost positive that she smuggled baby head phones in there and jams out around 10 every night.  Or she invites friends over.  I'm not exactly sure, but either way there is some kind of party happening in my uterus.  

Food cravings: I have to have at least 3 bowls of cereal a day. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I don't eat enough.  I'm so bad about eating lunch because I don't have a designated lunch break, but I've learned to stash snacks in my purse for when I start feeling woozy... also McDonalds.    

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks... I probably notice this about two times a day. 

Symptoms: Headaches, weight gain (8 lbs), and the constant need to pee. 

Belly Button in or out? In-ish? 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: If I had to pick just one... moody. 

Looking forward to: August. 

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Week 26

And just like that, my second trimester is over.  I'm not sure how that's possible since I found I was pregnant like, yesterday.  I'm starting to lose my energy and my patience and am keeping my fingers crossed that time continues to move quickly.  I am so ready to meet this little lady.

How far along? 26 weeks

Maternity clothes? Still yes.

Stretch marks? Nope! 

Sleep:  It's not so bad.  

Best moment(s) this week: GIRLS TRIP!  Sandy and I went to Tampa for the weekend to visit Kristin and it was a much needed get away.  We went shopping, ate delicious food, had dance parties, and laughed way too much.  I really missed wine though.  

Miss Anything? See previous statement. 

Movement: I don't remember Harrison's kicks feeling so extreme.  Sometimes her kicks are painful and take me by surprise, but it must mean she's getting stronger.  Also, I can feel the outline of her foot sometimes -- freaky and amazing!    

Food cravings: Give me all of the Captn' Crunch please.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope 

Gender: Girl

Labor Signs: I had a few Braxton Hicks contractions this week.  I felt my stomach get very tight and felt discomfort that was a little painful, but nothing like the real thing. 

Symptoms: BACKACHES and occasional nausea.  

Belly Button in or out? In?  Such an odd shape...

Wedding rings on or off? On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Both at the same time. 

Looking forward to: Yep, you guessed it, starting the nursery. 

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Week 25

I'm feeling pretty pregnant these days.  I'm fairly certain she grows by the minute and prefers to put all of her weight on my bladder.  She's cute though, so it's ok.  Besides the typical aches and pains of growing a human and my walk turning into a waddle, I'm enjoying life and eating all of the ice cream while I still can.  And no, I won't share. 

How far along? 25 weeks

Maternity clothes? These sweatpants are all that fit me right now. And yes, I'm saying it in a Mean Girls voice as I type. 

Stretch marks? No - and I don't know how because she is GROWING! 

Sleep: I can't complain- I know many actual sleepless nights are ahead of me.

Best moment(s) this week: Seeing baby girl!  We got to see our little babe in 3D this week and my oh my has she grown!  I posted a couple pictures below - she's got long legs, Harrison's nose, pouty lips, and just a little bit of peach fuzz.  She also does not like to cooperate and hides her face behind the umbilical cord.  We think she's perfect 💜 Thank you Sneak Peek! 

Miss Anything? Being comfortable. 

Movement: She's into dance parties at night.  

Food cravings: Fruit & Captn' Crunch. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Gender: Definitely still a girl.

Labor Signs: Nope

Symptoms: Back pain (lower and between my shoulder blades), increased energy in the mornings, and the constant feeling of having to pee.  I've also gained about 6 pounds.  

Belly Button in or out? Still in. 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy this week - woo hoo! 

Looking forward to: Ending my 2nd trimester-- one week to go!  I know the 3rd trimester is difficult, but it means I'm closer to meeting her sweet face and I am so very ready for that.  

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