A Surprise Shower!

My coworkers surprised me with a baby shower last Friday! Apparently, they had been planning this for over a month and I had no clue! They even had my mom and J in on it- and no one slipped up once! They did a great job with the decorations and food. Everything was so cute and delicious!! We got some great gifts for baby E and the whole thing really meant a lot to me! I am so fortunate to work with a great group of sweet, thoughtful people : )

At 31 weeks baby is the size of a pineapple- in our case, I think she may be 1 1/2 pineapples ; )

Loved these flowers!

Daddy to be : )

I cannot even tell you how adorable this tutu is!! Teeny tiny and so sweet!

31 Weeks

Countdown: 9 weeks!!
(or as of today, 8 weeks, 1 day!)

How far along? 31 weeks
Maternity clothes? mixing maternity and non-maternity, but most of what I wear is still non-maternity. I'd say 10% maternity, 90% non.
Movement? I think squirmy would the best way to describe what I've been feeling! A little wiggle worm kicking, punching, and stretching every now and then
Cravings? fruit- especially watermelon this week!
Anything make you queasy or sick? trying to pay attention to what gives me heartburn and stay away from that- so far chocolate and orange juice are definite no's
Sleep? I still wake up pretty frequently, but luckily have had more luck with falling back to sleep- so, yay!
Best moment this week: getting to start our twice weekly appointments (it's a lot with work and all, but so worth it to hear and see our sweet baby and know how she's doing) and having our maternity pictures taken! Also had a surprise baby shower at work! I am lucky enough to work with some really great, thoughtful people and they put together a cute shower- and even had my mom and J there!
Gender: sweet squirmy girl :)
Labor signs? none
Symptoms?  heartburn/reflux, BH contractions, tired, swelling, emotional, run out of breath easily, thirsty!
Belly button in or out? getting flatter everyday. By the end of the day or when I sit down, it is 100% flat or sticking out!
What I miss: I could do without some of the symptoms, but I really have enjoyed being pregnant!
Weekly wisdom:Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.(Phil. 4:6)
What I am looking forward to: getting our maternity pictures back and going to our first class over the weekend! And I'm really excited about our guy/girl shower next weekend and getting to see several of our friends!
Milestones: all 5 of her senses are now developed and she has doubled her weight in the past 4 weeks hitting the 4 pound mark! Wow! This week my stomach/belly started feeling really tight- up until this point, I could see my belly growing, but it really didn't feel like it...it feels like it now! Guess that's what happens when you're carrying around a 4+pound baby around :)

Nursery {Update and the Rug & Glider!}

We have received all the "big" pieces for baby E's nursery! The rug came in a week or so ago and over the weekend, the glider was delivered. We love it. It is so comfortable and fits perfectly in the spot I had planned (Whew!) Also, we put up new blinds, curtain rods, and window panels.

Notice the new knobs on the top 4 drawers :)

If I'm in the nursery, he is right there with me!

Cash is always very interested in anything we bring in the nursery. I set these bags on the dresser and later saw him sitting and staring up at them (as you can see), and he may or may not have been whining ;) He's going to be REALLY curious when we bring home a living, breathing baby!

It's all coming together! Now really all we have left are some DIY projects (me) and to hang frames and shelves on the walls (J). Since we are two months away from her due date (2 months yesterday!!), I thought it would be good to update the nursery "to-do" list!

To do:
- Empty room, move furniture from guest room to office
- Organize closet (she and I will be sharing!); including organizing her clothes by size and hanging vs not hanging and using hanger tags
- Change light fixture- will probably do a fan

Purchased (aka DONE! :)
- dresser/changing table(assembled and in the room)
- Sheep Rocker (this was J's pick and a great find at the PB Outlet!)
- elephant prints for above crib
- picture ledges most likely to go above dresser
- window panels: now hanging!
- bookshelf (assembled and up in the room!)
- rug has been ordered: delivered and in the room
- ottoman for glide: just needs to be covered
- crib skirt: still need to add trim to bottom
- hamper for diapers

Still need:
- glider (still working on the color)
- crib
- fabric: I am pretty sure I have decided on the fabric!!
- bedding: crib sheet(s)- found several I like, just need to narrow it down to 2 or 3; bumper (undecided)- bought an almost new bumper from a friend of a friend that I am going to cover
- lamp for dresser/changing table
- frames for prints (thinking diy...)
- prints/photos for picture ledges
- baskets for shelf
- pretty hardware for dresser/changing table

To make:
- ruffle lamp shade (I want to try this using the floral fabric)
- sew floral fabric (or solid fabric- thinking light pink) to bottom of crib skirt
- frames for elephant prints (using this tutorial)- thinking about doing 3 different patterns or 2 of 1 pattern and one other- stripes, dots, chevron- using white, pale pink, aqua, and maybe a gold?? Decided to just buy some cute frames :)
- mobile
- ottoman slipcover

To decide:
- BEDDING!?: almost there!
- Glider color
- to use or not to use? and if so, where? (of course she'll need a name first, ah!!)- still not sure on these and STILL no name!

30 Weeks

Countown: 10 weeks to go!

How far along? 30 weeks (the size of a head of cabbage or about 15.7 inches and 3 pounds!)
Maternity clothes? Still wearing all pre-pregnancy tops (even though I may need to be more careful since the WalMart incident! I tried on a maternity top this week and it finally fits! I ended up wearing it at least 3 nights after work this week!), 2 pairs of maternity pants, and non-maternity long dresses and skirts (although I did wear one maternity dress last week!)
Movement? feeling less big kicks/jabs and more of just her moving around/rolling. We went in again for monitoring this week (the night of the 3rd) and once again, she was moving a ton (I just couldn't feel it) and her heart rate was great!
Cravings? not craving much really- fruit always sounds good and have some multiple times a day! And anything cold- ice water to shaved ice
Anything make you queasy or sick? trying my best to stay away from chocolate and anything that might potentially give me heartburn (which, let's be honest, at this point is almost everything, so I just make sure I have Rolaids with me at all times!)
Sleep? just depends on the day
Best moment this week: having the 4th of July off! :)
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? none
Symptoms?  heartburn/reflux, BH contractions, tired, swelling, emotional, improved posture! (she still loves hanging out on my right side under my ribs causing me to not be able to slouch), out of breath (I run out of breath SO quickly these days! And going up just one flight of stairs is a full workout for my lungs and my legs!), I also wake up super thirsty- not sure if it's pregnancy related or 100+ degrees everyday related...
Belly button in or out? the bottom half is pretty flat and the top is hanging in there, but definitely pokes out (which is obvious in many pictures of me from the front)
What I miss: I think this is obvious, but SLEEP! However, I would not give this up for all the sleep in the world!! And maybe the sleep deprivation won't hit me as hard since my sleep has been pretty sparse or months?!
Weekly wisdom: I still can't believe I'm growing this little person inside of me! Our bodies really are incredible. And it's really amazing how much you can care and worry about someone you've never met! (but not TOO much longer :)
What I am looking forward to: maternity pictures and a growth ultrasound next week! Also, my twice weekly appointments begin next week- non-stress tests on Mondays and growth ultrasounds on Thursdays. Really looking forward to getting to check on her twice a week until she arrives!!
Milestones: we are in the 30s!!!

Cash stopped by this week's post to say hello!

Happy 4th!

We spent part of our 4th (less than 3 hours) at Nashville's Hot Chicken Festival with a few friends. And it was for sure hot- the temps outside and the chicken!! It was a good time though and I even made it without getting swollen ankles! (thanks to lots of water, standing in the shade, and trips to the misting tent!) The rest of our day was spent at home, inside and out of our sweaty clothes from the festival!
P.S. I could get used to having Wednesdays off- only having to work 2 days in a row? I think it's a nice little break in the week- I like :)
(sorry if you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen all of these!)

We've had Bolton's and Biscuit Love's chicken, so we tried Pepperfire

"Mild" um, still super spicy.

Red, White, and Blueberry!

 Hope you had a great fourth of July as well!

The countdown is on...

We hit 30 weeks today! 10 to go... : )

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks
Maternity clothes? Same ole...but dresses/skirts and stretchy/yoga pants are definite favorites
Movement? Movement was an issue this week. Last week, baby was very active and moving all over the place. Monday afternoon I noticed she wasn't moving as much and the movements I felt weren't as strong. After that night and Tuesday, I decided to contact my doctor's office since a decrease in movement can be a cause for alarm. I didn't want to overreact (or be "that" crazy pregnant lady), but at the same time didn't want something to be wrong and just brush it off. They had me come in Wednesday afternoon for a non-stress test where they monitor baby's heart rate for 20-30 minutes. I was really scared and worried (honestly, an emotional basket case), but she sounded perfect! Her heart rate was in the 135-140 range for the most part and it needed to go up by at least 10 when she moved, and her's was going up by 15. We could also hear when she moved, but most of them I couldn't feel. There are several possible reasons I might not have been feeling her as much, one being her position- I'm wondering if she's just in a spot where I can't feel them as much and therefore, am not able to notice them as easily. If I rest and just focus on her, I feel them. Yes, she is already showing us who is in charge!! :) Thursday evening she was very active and seems to be keeping it up (and she better or she is grounded when she makes her appearance!)
Cravings? Sprite Zero. Really anything sounds good at this point :) I even ate pizza this week! Although, "they" say she can now taste what I'm eating and it can affect her taste in the future, so I'm trying to cut down on the sweets and eating lots of fruits and veggies!
Anything make you queasy or sick? It doesn't make me queasy, but I'm pretty sure chocolate gives me heartburn, so bye bye chocolate
Sleep? some nights aren't too bad, some I lay in bed awake in the middle of the night for hours
Best moment this week: even though the reason was scary and concerning, getting to listen to our girl's heartbeat and movements for 20 minutes wasn't so bad :) Also, she got the hiccups for the first time Friday morning! This week has been pretty emotional and stressful, but getting to finally feel those hiccups made up for it a little bit : )
One more good moment this week- J got to feel her moving an elbow/knee/something across my belly
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? none (unless you count the BH contractions, but since they aren't painful yet, I'm going to leave them in the "symptom" category : )
Symptoms?  heartburn/reflux, BH contractions, tired (not sure if this is the beginning of 3rd trimester trimester sleepiness or my lack of sleep...I'm thinking more the latter), swelling (the 100+ temps seem to be getting to me- hello, 108?! A little nervous about the next couple of months- even though I'm inside all day and drinking tons of water. Even stranger, it seems like it's always my left ankle that gets more swollen?!), emotional!
Belly button in or out? same- the bottom half is pretty flat and the top is hanging in there
What I miss: nothing!
Weekly wisdom: when in doubt, get checked out!
What I am looking forward to: this should go without saying, but meeting this silly girl in about 2 1/2 months! And seeing the look on J's face when he sees her for the first time (I'm getting teary eyed just typing that- I'm not kidding when I say I've been emotional!)
Milestones: last week in the 20's!!! While this pregnancy hasn't flown by for me, I really can't believe we're days away from 30 weeks!
Hiccups!!
We also went to our first baby related "class"- we did a tour of the maternity floor (not really sure what it's called, but Labor and Delivery, Postpartum, Nursery, etc) this week. I'm really glad we went because although I knew where to go, I became a lot more familiar with the floor and now J also knows where to go (which will be good in case I'm in labor and acting like a crazy person!). When we got to the nursery, I started to walk up to the window and had to step back because I was getting choked up (e.m.o.t.i.o.n.a.l)! I took a deep breath and went back to the window to look at those sweet babies- so tiny and adorable!! We also found out more about what Vanderbilt offers, so it was time well spent!
Awkward and Awesome: Awkward- walking into WalMart and realizing my belly was peeking out from my shirt...but at least I was at WalMart, right?! Awesome- getting an AMAZING deal on a crib mattress- right, mom?! ;)
A few photos from this week:
monitoring baby's perfect little heart beat and movements

 

I purposefully never wear dresses on days I have appointments so I don't have to lift it all the way up, but of course I wore one Wednesday when I had to go in for this unexpected appointment! ha!

 Our tour Wednesday night

during the Power Point portion of our tour, we saw a familiar face! Sweet little Greyson :)

ready to welcome a new baby!