"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 :)

25 Weeks

How far along: 25 Weeks

Baby’s size: ~13.5 inches and ~1.5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes but loving that it's dress season now! So much more comfortable than squeezing into pants :)

Sleep: Doing pretty well here, still!! 

Best moment of this week: Celebrating 3 years of marriage to sweet Justin Wade. We did a few different things to celebrate through the week and weekend but the best surprise was receiving a GORGEOUS new wedding band from him on Saturday night. I will post a photo and more on that later, but it was very meaningful and such a precious gift as we celebrated our last anniversary as a family of two. I love him so much and am enjoying watch his paternal instincts come out full force. He has been working so hard on the nursery and getting things ready for his boy. Also a great moment this week was getting our glider/rocking chair in. It wasn't supposed to be in until  June, so we were excited to receive it early. After we got that, we were able to buy a changing table and several other things for the nursery so it's in really good shape! As in...it's pretty much almost finished :) Pics will come soon. 

Miss anything: Some of my clothes for sure!

Movement: A ton!!!! It's been really cool the past few weeks for Justin to be able to feel - and see - so much movement from the lil guy. This is by far the BEST part of pregnancy to me. I absolutely love feeling him move around and after seeing my Dr. for a quick checkup on Monday, I now know that his head is down (RIGHT on top of my bladder, thank you!) and feet are on the right side of my stomach, which would explain the specific movements I've been feeling in those areas. 

Food cravings: HOLY MOLY get me chocolate milk....ASAP!!!!! What's the deal?! Milk has always been a craving in my pregnancy: the coldness of it appealed to me as my heartburn has been pretty bad and it just sounded good. But lately...load it up with chocolate, baby. I could drink it by the gallon!! Gosh...my mouth is watering just typing about it. I seriously NEED it sometimes. Also, sweet tea tops the list (specifically, I am hooked on a Crystal Lite caffeine free lemon iced tea mix) and the usual - donuts, waffles, CARBS :) Wow...doesn't that sound healthy for baby? ;) Thank goodness for prenatals to make up for my shortcomings! I'm already anticipating a great detox and cleanse after he's born!

Queasy or sick?: Nope:))))

Have you started to show yet?: Oh yes! A guy in home depot was singing to my stomach tonight. Weird. 

Gender: Still a boy (and yes, I ask my Dr. every visit if it's still a boy in there!)

Belly button in or out: Out

Wedding rings on or off: On 

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy and the ocassional sappy/sentimental 5 minute cry that's usually cured by chocolate milk :)

Looking forward to: A getaway 'babymoon' trip we are taking in a month to Destin, FL where we will go to a dear friends wedding and beach it up for a few days :)

TYPSDWP (Things You Probably Shouldn't Do While Pregnant) Part TWO

1....Assume your body (belly) is personal propery anymore. It's very much not and at times will be labeled with a "Touch/rub/talk to me, please" sign in bright, flashing, neon lights. 

2....Be surprised when you wake up to find your husband either A) missing from the bed entirely and sleeping on the couch because of your squirming, barricade wall of pillows, incessant bathroom trips or newly acquired snoring habits (yikes!) -or- B) wrapped in a mummified cocoon, as seen below, thanks to newfound sleeping patterns with a pregnant woman. 

3....Act like you're not clumsy or a bit "off your A-game" every now and then. You will spill things, trip and randomly lose your balance and this should not shock you. However, think of this is a lesson in childhood preparation and learning to clean up large, sticky messes quickly. See broken work computer and photo #2 below. Note my personal takeaway lesson: go ahead and invest in sippy cups. Though baby will not use them for several months, they would clearly benefit my current lack of grace and carefulness.

4....Attend a Ranger baseball game and practice your parenting skills with a bag of kettle corn. Don't try to hold, rock, feed it a bottle and/or nurse it. Don't slouch and pull your maternity stretch pants up over your shirt if you're uncomfortable in the stadiums new and tiny seats, either. You probably won't end up on the jumbotron but a five year old "Honey Boo-Boo" lookalike sitting in front of you WILL try to take pictures and you never know where those will end up. 

5....Film your stomach in attempts to capture the movement or kicks you constantly feel and want to show others. It's pretty awkward to pull off filming yourself for that long without taking deep breaths that could potentially appear to be baby movement. Believe me, it will take you NUMEROUS attempts and the baby will inevitably always kick as soon as you stop filming. Then, once you DO capture what is to you a phenomenally miraculous moment, no one knows just how to respond when you text them the video along with an overly excited note: "I know it's suuuuper hard to see but JUST wait....at the 1:48, mark you WILL see a sliiiight up and down motion on the upper right hand portion of the screen. I promise it's there and it's not me breathing, just keep looking. SO COOL, huh?!" I'm telling you, it's best to keep these moments private and save yourself the potential tears of anyone not relishing in a video of what could easily pass for gas bubbles in your stomach for all they know. 

6....Let shopping or planning for the baby and all the changes life will bring stress you out. Stop and take a minute to smell the roses. Utilizing a plastic hand crane of course. 

7....Try and figure out the logical math behind a 1 pound baby causing weight gain in the double digits for you. It won't ever add up. And then, you just might have a conversation with a nurse while working and she will tell you that she only gained 18 pounds her entire pregnancy and lost it all 5 days after the baby was born. Your hormones might get to you and you might call her a name under your breath.

8....Let anyone - including the girl at the "To Go" counter - make fun of you for ordering copius amounts of food when you're staying alone in a hotel for work. If a half slab of ribs sound good to you.....then, they just DO. And you can't help that Chili's marketing finally got the best of your pregnant mind and appetite. (Not shown: chips & salsa and cinnamon apples...JK. But not really.) 

If you have any doubts I will run out of TYPSDWP, have no fear. Though my  journey is a little more than 1/2 way over, I anticipate plenty more tidbits to share to those expecting mama's out there in the upcoming months ;)

23 Weeks

How far along: 23 Weeks

Baby’s size: ~11 inches and around 1lb

Maternity clothes: Yes:)

Sleep: Minus waking up ~2x for bathroom trips, still doing well in this department!!

Best moment of this week: Going to the doctor and bringing my mom along to see him/hear his heartbeat. We received a great report - all looks to be developing healthy and normal! Saw all of his tiny fingers and toes and I'm just so incredibly thankful:)

Miss anything: Not really!!

Movement: Oh yes, lots! He continues to be a very active little guy!! I have even felt the hiccups a few times. 

Food cravings: No new changes here....craving milk, waffles, carbs :)

Queasy or sick?: I love being able to say no!

Have you started to show yet?: YUP

Gender: BOY! :)

Belly button in or out: I think I lied when I said I would always have an "innie." It's definitely not "in" anymore! 

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy happy :)))

Looking forward to: Enjoying the nice weather before it gets too hot! :)