33 Weeks

How far along: 33.5 Weeks. It's gettin' real, peeps. Really real.

Baby’s size: 19-ish inches and about 4.2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Kinda the same answer as before, yes...but still trying to utilize dresses & real people clothes as much as possible :) 

Sleep: Going strong!! Forget the alarm clock in the morning, my new indicator it's time to "rise and shine" is baby hiccups. Every, single, morning. :) Steady and strong and beckoning me to get my lazy arse out of bed and eat breakfast to feed him ASAP. 

Best moment of this week: Celebrating and showering Baby Hayes on Saturday at an ADORABLE shower thrown by some incredible friends and family. It was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen, we were BLESSED with generous gifts and it was just a joy to be in the same room as so many that I love. I'm still in somewhat shock and overwhelmed at the love and support I felt that day. Waiting on a few pics from that day and I'll soon post all the adorableness. It was insane. :) I'm so, so grateful.

Miss anything: Bending over to put on shoes, get dressed, pick something up, paint my toenails, etc. without grunting like a fat and lazy dog. I guess this is why you should strive for a wonderful, patient and adorable husband like mine who will glady give you a pedicure when you're feeling less than capable. 

(In case you're wondering....he did a fantastic job ;) and I'm hoping he doesn't kill me for posting this pic. Pretty sure he doesn't read the blog, so don't rat me out ;))

Movement: Still movin' and groovin' in there!! He never lets me question whether or not I'm pregnant :) Thankful.

Food cravings: Uh, sweets have taken a high priority in the food chain. I'm all about the afternoon ice cream, popsicle, cookies & milk....sheesh. 

Queasy or sick?: Besides faithful heartburn/reflux issues - no sickness. Sleeping upright is FUN! ;)

Have you started to show yet?: Si

Gender: Boy ~ Hayes Austin Gresham

Belly button in or out: Hope it goes back in. Can it go out any further?! It's starting to creep me out. Can't look at it. 

Wedding rings on or off: Seriously considering this to be the week they come off. With the heat and swelling...I'm thinking they are on their last leg :/

Happy or moody most of the time:  Full of joy and gratitude. 

Looking forward to: Celebrating my little sis and her upcoming wedding this weekend at her bachelorette party and just enjoying these last 45 days with my man until the littlest man is here. :)

32 Weeks

How far along: 32 Weeks...weekly countdown is in the single digits now. :-O

Baby’s size: 19 inches and approximately 3.75 lbs ~ Dr. also said that he is measuring to have a long torso...no surprise there!

Maternity clothes: Yes but still loving and getting away with wearing "regular people" maxis and dresses like the one above. 

Sleep: Still going pretty well! Only getting up once a night and the best part is the new maneuver I've discovered in making getting out of bed easier!! We have a big wooden/leather headboard and before getting up, I reach both arms above my head, put them on the headboard and literraly catapult myself up to sitting position. It's....awesome. Because I have a lot of round ligament pain in my hip-"ish" area, this takes the pressure off my lower body and is quite entertaining, especially when Justin is awake to watch the event. 

Best moment of this week: Getting a good report from my doctor - everything is progressing perfectly! Baby Haye's heartbeat is looking strong, he's measuring on-track and dr. said he looks so good we could wait 3 weeks for next appointment instead of the scheduled 2. PRAISE be to God who is beautifully crafting His child inside of me as HE sees fit. So grateful Hayes is looking to be healthy. 

Another highlight this week was baby prep class #2 and watching Justin's face as they showed us a video of a live birth. THAT was entertaining ;)

Miss anything: Some of my shoes are now taking the back burner due to some swelling issues ;) Nbd.

Movement: Still a very active, wiggly little guy! He's been in the same head-down position for several weeks now with his little feet being right below my right ribcage. So, everynow and then I get some sweet little kicks and jabs to that set of ribs, which sometimes feel like he's tickling me and other times I kind of want to scream :) Oh, and he gets the hiccups a LOT! 

Food cravings: Not a lot of new updates here, either. Popsicles and anything frozen are sounding great, though. 

Queasy or sick?: Nope!!

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes

Gender: Boy :)

Belly button in or out: Definitely out

Wedding rings on or off: On but wondering how much longer I'll be able to say this, considering how I'm swelling at the end of work each day

Happy or moody most of the time:  Thrilled :)

Looking forward to: Seeing some great friends I haven't seen in a while this weekend and continuing to put final details into the nursery - almost there and will post some pics soon! :) 

TYPSDWP - Part IV

Back again, with more cautionary tales of a preggo. 

Without futher adieu....things you probably shouldn't do while pregnant. Part IV. 

1...get a pedicure and put the spa chair on any setting other than something gentle and smooth. Or possibly don't even choose a setting at all! Notice the diagram does not account for a protruding belly and that will become a distraction to the nail technician if you choose anything labeled "knocking," "pushing," "pounding" or "tapping". Trust me. Avoid the awkward eye contact after catching her staring at your belly shaking like a bowl full of jelly.

2...follow all advice found in baby books, no matter how sentimental or sweet it sounds. In your mind (that is a sea of hormonal & sometimes crazy emotions), it might momentarily convince you to head to Hob-Lob, grab some plaster and actually dip your stomach in a bathtub full of plaster and paint it gold. Sleep on this one before making any rash decisions and save that 40% off coupon for a more useful Pinterest DIY craft. Where do you even hang a bronzed belly, anyhow?! Inverted as a fruit bowl in the kitchen? Ok, now that I can visualize, maybe I changed my mind.... 

3...go fishing in a small boat with a weight capacity limit. You'll forget that you have gained all those extra LBs. This way, you won't be embarassed when you are asked to maneuver around the boat to "keep you from getting splashed or wet", which we all know really is a nice way of gently encouraging weight re-distribution in order to keep the boat from stalling (which it may or may not have done several times with you sitting in the back).

4...think you won't enjoy the blood glucose test drink. Because you might. And you might ask for another round. And you might get shot down. 50 grams of sugar to start out your day while preggo?! What are you trying to do to me?!

5...expect to be upset when you order the yogurt with granola and they accidentally give you the yogurt with cookies. It will secretly be the highlight of your day and you'll internally bless the sweet soul that "messed" up your order. (please happen more often)

6...eat copious amounts of Krispy Kreme donuts and chocolate milk. Oh....WAIT a second.........yep, this is another one of those things I'm telling you 'not' to do but you should actually read this as YES, DO THIS. DO IT NOW!!! There's much less guilt involved in this activity when you're pregnant...and wearing the paper hat. 

(Hope all you candy-crushers out there notice my sugar rush reference. What has my life turned into? Can't even eat breakfast without thinking about how to get my next life.)

7...look down at your feet very often. There's a good chance you won't be able to find your ankles, your toes will look like puffy cheetos and you'll consider using them as defense weapons should you be in need. (Ok, don't judge my socks, here. I have no idea why I didn't notice BEFORE my neighborhood walk that my "ankle" socks turned into knee-highs.)

8...when you see a swarm (literally, hundreds) of baby frogs while you're out working, try to chase them down and catch them in cups to give your frog-loving niece. While in heels and work attire. While very pregnant. A nurse in an account you call on might be watching you out the window and might come outside to ask what you're doing/offer assistance (because clearly it is needed). Which, of course, you'll take her offer and have her taking photos with your phone in no time. Also, you probably shouldn't try to transfer frogs to other containers while IN the car. One might jump out onto your floorboard and send you on a wild frog chase frantically looking for the tiny sucker. Before you go into premature labor thinking about how bad a dead frog in your car would smell while you're already in extreme "nesting" mode, avoid this activity. Don't frog-hunt while preggo. Just don't. 

9....pretend like you know how to respond to questions like "Is what you have contagious?! Can I catch it??" or "Do you know how you got in that predicament?" or "Did you swallow a watermelon??" Honestly, no one knows how to answer those questions in a normal manner. Just smile, rub your belly, and feel thankful that you will never see that person again. (hopefully!)

10....do things you'd regret while at the beach such as: contemplate attending naked foam parties or let your husband utilize your womb as a beverage holder. Or take the bottom two pictures, ever. 

That's all for now. Do as I say, not as I do: make good choices, friends. 

:-)

"Babymoon" in Florida!

Last week, we were fortunate enough to spend some time in Florida, to see a sweet friend get married and then ventured on for a great little "babymoon" before our life changes in a big (but amazing) way! 

The wedding was for our friend Carly, one of my best friends and roommates  from college. Her wedding was on the sandy white beaches of Santa Rosa and it was absolutely gorgeous. She was a stunning bride and it was just a beautiful night. Ol' preggo even got to bust out some trusted (*cough* rusty *cough*) dance moves, which felt great, albeit embarassing as ever! (my feet were not so happy the next day, either) So happy for my sweet friend and wish her and her hubby all the best in their new journey together. :) 

After the wedding, we headed to a small condo in Destin and camped out for a few days. It was so perfect and just what we needed before little guy comes in a few months. We truly just relaxed on the beach and by the pool. every. day. Oh, and played a lot of frisbee, flew the heck out of a $5 drugstore kite, fished off the pier, ate a LOT of snowcones and fresh seafood and enjoyed long walks on the beach. Honestly, I was hesitatant to bust out the swimsuit being 30 weeks huge and all, but had the realization that 1) there will be SUCH a limited time in my life to be pregnant and I need to enjoy it and recognize it not as a physical embarassment or something to hide but a true gift and miracle from The Lord 2) the tankini's/one pieces and all other similar options rode up in places they shouldn't, pinched, squeezed and suffocated me and just felt overall uncomfortable and 3) why should everyone else enjoy a nice, tanned stomach while I'm hiding mine and it's getting pastier by the minute. So, I just did it. And I must say, it was a great conversation starter/friend maker. Something about a protruding belly button gets people a-chattin! And they will say...whatever is on their mind. No filter ;) A few photos from our trip...

Justin surprised me while walking on the beach one night with a third diamond band for my ring. He said it was an early "push" present and sweet symbol of our new family of 3. It's so perfect and I was so surprised!! Such a completely thoughtful thing to do - I will never forget that moment..it was almost like getting proposed to all over again. I'm so blessed by this man. He's an incredible support to me and will be the best daddy :)

Soon to come: things you probably shouldn't do while pregnant and on the beach. Did you really think all my photos and stories would be normal from this trip?! ;)

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30 Weeks down, 10 to go!

How far along: 30 Weeks...how did that happen!?

Baby’s size: 18 inches and approximately 3 lbs ~ about the size of a head of lettuce 

Maternity clothes: Yep, maxi dresses are the bomb!

Sleep: A few weeks ago, I wrote that sleep was taking a turn for the worse and I am happy to report that it has since improved again! Not sure why and definitely do not want to jinx it, but I am only getting up about once to go to the bathroom and the night sweats have ceased! YESSS!

Best moment of this week: Being on the beach in Florida with Justin - we had the best time relaxing and enjoying our little 'babymoon'. Post and pics on that to follow. 

Miss anything: Being heartburn-free. 

Movement: LOTS. All the time, constant, consistent movment :) Jabs, punches,   kicks, etc....he never stops! Laying on the beach, we would laugh as my stomach would get very flat on one side as and bulge on the other as he was changing positions. Kind of a creepy thing to watch but so amazing at the same time. 

Food cravings: Nothing has changed, here. My appetite has not been quite as strong as it was - I'm more into snacking these days. Large meals don't settle too well and I fill up rather quickly!

Queasy or sick?: Nope!!

Have you started to show yet?: Yessss :) 

Gender: Still a boy!!

Belly button in or out: Oh wow, is it ever out. And it was the one part of my body that got sunburned on the beach this past week ;)

Wedding rings on or off: On. And Justin surprised me (again) on our trip with another band addition to my wedding ring as a "pre-push" present. SO sweet and it's just beautiful!!

Happy or moody most of the time:  Happy!!! (sprinkled with a few moody "nesting" moments and a slight breakdown while trying on swimsuits before our vacation). 

Looking forward to: Starting our baby prep classes this week and just more prep for this boy!!

So long 2nd Trimester!

How far along: 27 (but really 28 is on Sunday) Weeks (the quality of the above pic is not the best but I keep forgetting to take them, so this will have to do!!)

Baby’s size: ~16 inches and 2.5 lbs or about the size of a head of cauliflower

Maternity clothes: Clearly. Workout clothes were on the shopping list this past week. No one wants to see preggo with a crop top in the gym! 

Sleep: Sadly....this is beginning to become a bit more problematic. I have zero trouble falling asleep until I wake up around 3:30/4:00am to go to the bathroom. Then, I come back to bed and it seems to be a battle trying to readjust all the pillows back to their respective positions and get myself to fall back to sleep. I always feel like I could just wake up right then and get the day going. Which, one of these days I should probably take advantage of. Also.....several nights the past few weeks I have woken up in a full on sweat, even though I KNOW our thermostat is set to 68 or 69 degrees and we have a celing and oscillating fan in our room. I told Justin I felt like I was cooking from the inside out and the only thing that helped me go back to sleep was putting a really cold washcloth around my neck and on my face. I've now started a proactive approach of showering before bed and sleeping with my hair wet, which seems to keep me cooler! I wake up with scary fro hair, but whatever it takes!! :)

Best moment of this week: A specific account I call on for work only sees reps once every 3 months and as I was leaving my appointment this month and reached for the calendar to schedule my next visit, I realized that I could not sign up for an appointment because in 3 months...I'll be a MOM and at home holding a sweet little boy! (and no, this is not necessarily answering the question on whether or not I'll go back to work, I'm just simply unsure as to the exact timing of my maternity leave, etc. at this point;)). 

Miss anything: My parents had a little party for Cinco De Mayo last weekend and I couldn't help but stare at everyone's margaritas. Other than that night, I honestly have not missed alcohol at all. 

Movement: Still SUCH a wiggly little guy. He is on the go pretty much 24-7 and I couldn't be more thankful~he's healthy and active! The hiccups have also been a very frequent thing the past few weeks and I finally got Justin to feel them and belive me that's what that rhythmic movement was. His little head is still right on top of my bladder, which makes for a lot of lost time during the day taking bathroom trips and moments of discomfort, but I absolutely love feeling him move around. Such a sweet gift from the Lord.

Food cravings: Still chocolate milk and lately FroYo and watermelon have been  high up on the list. Oh gosh....I just gave myself the craving for watermelon flavored froyo. But really, anything cold sounds delightful. 

Queasy or sick?: Oddly enough, I've had a few days where random periods of nausea came back to visit me and I was shocked!! (apparently around 27 weeks with another surge of hormones slams your body again so it can happen), but it was NOTHING like it was before and passed rather quickly :) Only other pregnancy 'complaint' at this point is how quickly my feet wear out - I guess because of the extra weight. Wedge heels have been my absolute lifesaver and I almost can't even stand to wear flats. Oh, and some round ligament pain...but I won't bore you. (oh, I already have? not surprised;))

Have you started to show yet?: Can probably go ahead and skip this question from here on out ;) Maybe we should change it to "Have you started to waddle yet?" To which, I can also answer yes...dang it!! 

Gender: BOY :) And so, so happy about it! 

Belly button in or out: I cannot believe how BADLY I jinxed myself on this in one of my first posts. I could not have more of an "outie" right now!!! Numerous times a day I will get comments on it. I have tried the ol' bandaid trick, but it pops right through! Thinking duct tape is my next in the line of defense. 

Wedding rings on or off: On. But beginning to closely monitor my sodium intake as well as up my water consumption because my hands and feet have swelled up a few days after work lately!

Happy or moody most of the time:  Very happy! Praising Jesus for blessing us beyond belief with this miracle and feeling completely showered in His mercy. Daily. 

Looking forward to: Our trip to Florida this week, continuing to have fun and enjoy our last few weeks as a family of two and obviously...meeting our little man in 84 days!

TYPSDWP - - Part III

It's that time again.....Things you probably shouldn't do while pregnant. A shameless part 3. Here she goes.

1....assume that the odd, dark colored line running down the middle of your belly is a botched self-tanner job and try to rub it off. Because, you're right: you didn't put self tanner on your belly! Nor is it just a part of your belly you failed to get clean in the shower. This, my friends, if you're unaware (like I somehow blissfully was), is called the linea nigra and is super common. By far, one of my least favorite surprises of pregnancy thus far but  I'm learning to embrace it as one of the only tan parts of my body these days. Sexy.

2....think that your first trip to register for baby will be anything short of a marathon experience if you know nothing, like us. Nearly 2.5 hours of carseat education from an eager employee and we left with worn out souls, starving bellies, a SUB-PAR knowledge of how to attach a one to a stroller without causing an infant concussion, (let alone the ability to keep a child alive) and only 2 items on said registry: the stroller and a wub-a-nub pacifier. Go us. (Seriously though, how are you supposed to put the baby on the stroller WHILE vigorously shaking and snapping in the 15 pound carseat?! This remains a mystery I'm all too anxious to NOT find out). 

3....be a great wife, spend hours cleaning (specifically sweeping and mopping the long overdue kitchen floors) and then cook dinner. You'll spill a whole bottle full of miniscule parsley flakes and I'll just let your fun imagination conjure up what emotions and actions could follow. 

 4....stand next to this end cap display while in line to check out. It just messes with a pregnant woman's SOUL. Also, for that matter....as context clues will tell you, I was at WalMart. Also, bad for the soul while pregnant. Or....for ANYONE, ANY DAY EVER.

 5....take all the pillows from BOTH hotel beds and think you won't wake up in Heaven. Because you will.....it's awesome. Or you might wake up in a full on night sweat. Not awesome.

6....pretend to dance like you're "normal" and put the moves on your husband without a little something getting in between you. Or think that people won't immediately clear the dance floor to watch the horrid scene and give you space. 

Even worse: do not let anyone capture video footage. You just don't look the same. Nor do you have any sort of balance or style anymore.

While on the subject of dancing....don't spend your Saturday mornings wearing a robe (sometimes the only thing that feels comfortable), your husbands cowboy hat and a neck brace. You'll end up doing this and looking like something out of a horror movie: 

7....ever leave home without these. Or Zantac. Or both. Or assume that you'll never feel like a fire-breathing dragon. 

 8....let your yard & weeds get out of control while focusing on things inside for baby. Though it could double as an impressive 2nd Christmas tree this year, I'd say this sucker was uncalled for! And growing through a brick, I might add. Impressive. (to be fair to my awesome, yard-whisperer of a husband, it was on the side of our house we never see, so it was easily & clearly overlooked amidst the excitement of prepping for baby Hayes;))

 9....pose with a non-pregnant, buff friend like THIS....

 10....again, have any sort of shame for loving condiments in their purest, simplest form. Then remember #7 above.

11....drink while you're with child. But when you do, make sure it's a Dos Equis. (SURELY a disclaimer is not needed that this is not an endorsement to boozing while pregnant. I may eat double cheeseburgers and ketchup a la carte...but not a drop of alc has entered this bod. Nor should it yours.)

12....repeatedly ask your OB-gyn if they have ever delivered any babies with teeth. Just because it might be your obsessive, ridiculous nightmare, doesn't mean it is all that common. And on the same note, don't listen to your husbands wild dreams, either. He might tell you that he dreamed your child was born with a reddish-tinted beard. That will quickly replace your previous fear and you'll gladly accept a newborn with pearly whites versus one you need to bust out the electric razor on in the hospital. 

That's all for now.....let's hope :)