36 Weeks!

Same outfit, different week. Only so much fits these days...


How far along? 36 weeks, 5 days.

Total weight gain/loss: 37 lbs....and feeling every bit of it. 

Maternity clothes? I must admit, I am quite proud that I can still mix a few non-maternity pieces in. And by few, I mean exactly 3 things! 2 pairs of yoga pants, and a black maxi skirt. Although surely they will all be nice and stretched out post-pregnancy.

Stretch marks? The beginnings of two have been spotted....on both sides, precisely where I haven't been oiling...go figure! yuck! 

Sleep: Terrible, horrible, awful... and any other definition you can think of!

Best moment this week: Yesterday I got to celebrate my newest niece, Eliana Rose, and my fellow fabulous preggo/BFF, Brittany, at a "Sprinkle" in her honor. It was so much fun! And I feel so lucky to be able to go through this with my very best friend! It's also her 2nd baby, so its been so nice to be able to vent and pick her brain for advice. 

 

Miss Anything? Mimosas, Bloody Mary's....you name it, they were flowing yesterday and I wish I could have partaken!

 Movement:Tons! Mainly in my ribcage! Thanks Sailor! 

Food cravings: Nothing in particular, just eating like a hog. Trying to avoid acid reflux at all cost (Impossible! The other day I woke up with it! I hadn't even eaten anything yet!!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No. Doc says I'm completely closed! Which is good if you're having a C-section, as I am.

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? Off! I wonder if my size 4 wedding bands will ever fit again? 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody, and Happy. So happy and excited that it is getting so close! I am SO READY. But if I am going to be completely candid, I am a nervous wreck about the c-section. I thought I'd be fine, but the closer it gets, the more I want to throw up and cry just thinking about it. I honestly feel so calm and at peace about officially being a mom and taking care of the baby, but I just can't get past the terror of surgery and the unexpected. Prayer has been helping though. Join me?

Looking forward to: My precious baby girl.

Grow Strong my little Honey Dew!
Love,
Mommy

34 Weeks!

How far along? 34 Weeks, 4 days. 

Total weight gain/loss: Drum roll please... 35 lbs. So much for meeting any kind of a weight goal...guess I can't control everything!

Maternity clothes? All day everyday. I know it must be getting close to the end of the road when some of my maternity clothes start getting snug...

Stretch marks? None spotted yet, but I've been told not to get too excited...they often show up in the last couple weeks.

Sleep: Sucks! Sucks! Sucks!  Sorry if I am a little grumpy due to lack of sleep!

Best moment this week:  Yesterday my dad and step-mom threw us the most wonderful NOLA-themed family baby shower! It was so great to see a bunch of my family, and my in-laws even made the trip from Arkansas too. The cutest thing about the whole shower was that everyone's present was themed for a place in NOLA that we could take Sailor one day! If we guessed it right, the person who bought the gift won a prize! We loved it! And thanks to my clever hubby, everyone got their prize!

 Daddy and Mama Deb (Or soon-to-be- Grandpa and Na-Ne)

 Wonderful in-laws!

Miss Anything? Well, the champagne was flowing at the shower, a glass or two of that would have been nice! 

Movement:Tons! She's starting to pack quite the punch! But if that means a healthy baby girl, consider me a punching bag :-)

Food cravings: With Mardi Gras just a few days away, I'd have to say king cake has been mighty good to me this season!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No, but lately I've gotten a little carried away with the spicy food again, and consequently, my heartburn/acid reflux is back in full effect :-/

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? Off! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy, a little stressed, after all, only a truly insane person would enter into her last semester of the teacher-certification process 8 months pregnant! I don't know what I was thinking enrolling, but my teachers have been very understanding and accommodating thus far, so lets just hope that continues! 

Looking forward to: My beautiful baby girl!

Grow Strong my little butternut squash!
Love,
Mommy

More Nursery Progress...

 Made by her daddy :-D

 My wonderfully talented mommy made all her bedding, and a cute diaper stacker!

  

32 Weeks!

How far along? 32 weeks, 2 days.


Total weight gain/loss: 32 lbs in 32 weeks. Is it too late to make 35 lbs. my new goal?
 

Maternity clothes? all the time. But this cute little yellow number is actually an oldie I found in the back of my closet. It works with leggings.

Stretch marks? Still slathering the Bio Oil! None spotted yet. but I can't see below my belly button, so that doesn't say much...

Sleep: Still lame! Thinking a body pillow may help, but then again, the problem isn't as much getting comfy as it is TURNING OVER to get comfy. 

Best moment this week: Well, backtracking a little, Friday (1/18) was my last day of work until after Sailor gets here, and my coworker, along with some of the parents of the kids I teach threw me a WONDERFUL SURPRISE SHOWER! And boy was I surprised! The tears? They were flowing!! Here are some pics:

 This one was the doozy! That's all my sweet babies' hand prints. I love it!

 

  Two days later I had another FABULOUS shower thrown by my best friend, and Sailor's godmother, Brittany. It was beautiful and I felt so blessed!

 Sailor and her future best friend, Eliana.

As for my actual 32nd week, I've just been enjoying the extra rest. Not to mention I feel like a good wife again, cooking and straightening the house...I legit haven't done much of that for like...8 months. haha.  
 

Miss Anything? Comfort .And a big, fat, spicy tuna roll!

 Movement:Tons! Crazy girl loves my rib cage! Thanks Sailor, mommy appreciates it! 

Food cravings: Oranges! Lately, if I am not eating oranges, I'm sipping orange juice!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Tried at home coffee a few days ago...still not a fan. 

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? Off! And replaced by a huge faux set from Wally World :-)

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody I guess. Or just still very emotional. This past Sunday morning I LITERALLY cried over spilled milk...LITERALLY! I had just made myself a yummy bowl of cereal, plopped down too hard on the couch...and BAM, MILK EVERYWHERE! I felt like such a fatty that I just started bawling! My sweet hubby was gracious enough to clean it while I had a melt down... and then not laugh about it til a few hours later!

Looking forward to: I have one more "Family Shower," and then it will just be a countdown til Sailor!

Grow Strong my little squash!
Love,
Mommy

As promised, here are some of my favorite maternity pics! Thanks again Leslie! 

30 Weeks!

Hangin' in the nursery :-)
How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days. 

Total weight gain/loss: 29 lbs! (So much for my 30lbs dream....) That's 5 lbs in 2 weeks! Guess you can say all of my senses are fully functioning again, and consequently, my appetite is back! 

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I would like to proudly point out that I am wearing my size small pre-pregnancy maxi skirt in this pic. Way under my belly of course!

Stretch marks? Bio Oil all day,but I'm definitely getting itchy around my belly, and that makes me nervous!

Sleep: Sucky, who knew it would be so hard to turn a basketball over from side to side.

Best moment this week: Well,to backtrack a little, last Sunday our very talented friend Leslie took some maternity pictures for us! We had so much fun! Even though it seemed like it was the coldest day of the year! Anyway, I got to see some sneak peeks, and I'm in love! I'll post a few when I get them back! Thanks Leslie! Also, I would have to say the best moments of this past week have been us really getting on the ball with the nursery! Each day has been like Christmas when I get home and see things I've ordered on my doorstep! Some of the goodies: Graphic prints from Etsy to hang up, Her letters, curtains, a chandelier, and some spice racks to display our favorite books, (Thank you Pinterest!) not to mention 10 or so of mommy and daddy's favorite books! (The Grouchy Lady Bug, Fancy Nancy, and Love You Forever...to name a few!)

 

Miss Anything? Comfort. Plain and simple. I feel like no matter where I am, I am never comfortable!

 Movement:Tons!

Food cravings: Not a lot in particular. I guess I've drank plenty of orange juice this week...

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really.

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? Off! Now it looks like I'm having a bastard child, but hey, I'm proud of myself for taking them off right before I likely lost my finger to blood loss. Sacrifices.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I've been super sappy this week because I am coming up on my last week of work before I start my maternity leave, and I honestly don't know how I am going to function without my "School Babies!" I'm so attached it's not even funny! These were my "first children," and I'm gonna miss out on so much while I'm gone! I've cried a few times just thinking about it... Friday is gonna be rough...pray for me. Anyway, before anyone gets worried, I am not on bed rest or anything, my doctor said that while dealing with Cerebral Palsy and pregnancy, she's basically treating me as if I am carrying twins. (Due to the double lack of balance.) She said if I had a desk job she probably would have let me go much longer, but since my job is very active, and involves many hazards I could trip over, she feels it would be best to cut out a bit early. 

Looking forward to: My shower next weekend!

Grow Strong my little cucumber!
Love,
Mommy

28 Weeks!

How far along? 28 Weeks. (On Christmas Day!)

Total weight gain/loss:Still hanging on to 24 lbs. I actually had the worst sinus infection ever over the last 2 weeks, and well, when you can't taste anything, it doesn't really entice you to eat much...

Maternity clothes? Oh yes, but I still rock my pre-preggo sweaters and jackets, with only one or two [top] buttons buttoned. 

Stretch marks? Bio Oil all day. Still none spotted yet...

Sleep: Sucky, especially with the added discomfort of not being able to breathe through your nose...(Luckily, I am on antibiotics now and feeling much better!) 
Best moment this week: Well last week I got the diabetes test over with! No gestational diabetes...everyone get excited!! It actually wasn't that bad, just tasted like a flat Sunkist. Anyway, the best moments this week would have to be all of baby's movements! She is a wild woman in there! I find it particularly funny that if I sit a certain way on the sofa, I can pretty much count down like 15 minutes before she finds her favorite position...nuzzled right in my right rib cage!! It's so weird to see the right side of my belly practically bulge out like a tumor! I think I could watch all of her fluid movements all day. And even  though some are painful, all of this is so amazing! 

Miss Anything? Well, with it being New Years Eve and all, you know I have to say a good cocktail :-) And maybe a cute sparkly top. But don't yall worry, I'm still rocking a glittery little maternity top tonight! 

 Movement:Tons!

Food cravings: Practically everything in sight now that I can taste again!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really. Not even coffee. I have even been indulging in some Starbucks (with some Christmas gift cards!) Yet I still haven't mustered up the courage to drink home made coffee just yet...

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat

Wedding rings on or off? On, still can't get them off!

Happy or Moody most of the time: So emotional this week. Just a big cry baby! Between being sick, being all sappy because of the holidays (I feel so blessed!), and the nursery coming together, I just can't contain myself! 

Looking forward to: Maternity pictures, showers, finishing up the nursery...birth :-)

Grow Strong my little eggplant!
Love,
Mommy

And some nursery progress...

 You can't really tell from the pics, but it's painted this pretty pinkish brown color called "Meadow Pink!" And the empty spot next to the night stand is where the glider we ordered will go! We are hoping it will get here before Sailor since they said it could take up to 12 weeks, and well, I only have like 10. 

26 Weeks!

How far along? 26 Weeks, 4 days. 

Total weight gain/loss: 24 lbs. My acid reflux was so bad last weekend, I couldn't keep anything down :-( it was horrible! Which likely explains the weight loss. But thanks to some wonderful mommy advice via Facebook, I think a combination of my prescription, tums, and a glass of milk at night has made it more manageable for now! Perhaps my suffering means Sailor will have a head full of dark hair...we shall see! 

Maternity clothes? Always. Funny story, I was very fortunate to get some great maternity hand-me downs from a friend of a friend,Summer, and while sorting through them with my non-pregnant friend, Stephanie, we made a "NO" pile, and had a good time laughing at some things thinking, "NO WAY!" Stephanie then suggested that I keep a few items I said,"NO WAY" to, because according to Summer (who has 3 kids), at some point I will get desperate. Fast forward to this past Thursday, when in desperate need for something warm, I sought out a big comfy sweater from the "NO Pile" and to tonight, as I sit here in the comfiest pair of huge pants I thought I'd never wear.

Stretch marks? Bio Oil all day!

Sleep: Sucks! Every night...SUCKS! Tossing and turning....tossing and turning. 
Best moment this week: Well, no doctor's appointments this week, but its been pretty great to peek into our newly painted nursery, with our newly assembled crib and changing table, courtesy of my sweet hubby! (still waiting on the dresser and night stand) Sometimes I just stand in there and imagine things a few months from now, other times I stand in there and get stressed out at how much is left to do! haha! 

Miss Anything? Cute outfits for the holidays! While browsing at Charming Charlie this weekend, (I can still splurge on jewelry!) I kept thinking, look at all these cute shirts for skinny people...must be nice!

 Movement:Tons!

Food cravings: Coke and milk! (Don't worry, not together!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: coffee, peanut butter (thanks to last weekend's acid reflux issues...)

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? Flat, but not out! 

Wedding rings on or off? On, problem is they won't come off!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy I'd say. (Maybe this is a better question for my hubby!)

Looking forward to: Doing more stuff to the nursery, maternity pictures, showers, birth :-) 
All kinds of things!
 
Grow Strong my little head of lettuce!
Love,
Mommy

24 Weeks!

How far along? 24 Weeks, 5 days.

Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs!!! Yikes!! Thank you Thanksgiving! At my 23 week appointment I was at 21 lbs...fast forward one week (after Turkey Day...) and BAM! 25 LBS! My dream of only gaining 30 lbs seems to be dwindling! 

Maternity clothes? All day, every day. Well, except during the work week, my XS scrub pants still fit below my belly (HOLLA!) But my polo shirts are entirely too short, but being the stubborn Taurus that I am, I'm still rocking them, only with a long maternity tank underneath. I'm sure it looks ridiculous. 

Stretch marks? Bio Oil all day everyday baby! 

Sleep: Still sucky! I have got to get my butt off this sofa! I would say I accidentally fall asleep on here at least 3 days a week! And it is no bueno for my back!

Best moment this week:Well, back tracking a little...while in Arkansas over Thanksgiving (23 weeks) Will finally felt Sailor kick! And I was so relieved because I was so anxious for him to! She's tricky like her mama! Every time I'd put his hand on my belly...she'd stop. But now he's felt her a bunch! So has my mom, and mother in law! As for this week, the best moment had to have been seeing baby on screen again at my high-risk appointment, my mom came with me for the first time and it was so special to be able to share those moments with her. Also, I have been officially discharged as a high-risk patient (praise god!) My placenta moved right on up where it should be, and my cervix appears completely competent and able to maintain this pregnancy! Thank you for all the prayers.

Miss Anything? I know this might sound weird, but I will miss being high-risk. I got spoiled by all those ultrasounds...now I don't think I'll get another until probably the very end. I will also miss the doctor and staff there because they were so great!

 Movement:Tons!

Food cravings: Maybe my most bizarre one yet, but REAL COCA COLA! Doesn't sound so weird though right? But you see, I haven't had one in 5 1/2 years!! (I switched to Diet) But the other night leaving work it just hit me like a brick...I NEED A REAL FULL-SUGAR COKE RIGHT NOW! Fast forward to me in the Mickey D's drive thru... and  now, a terrible habit has formed.

Anything making you queasy or sick: coffee, my sweet sweet coffee! I will enjoy you again one day! 

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In, but getting shallower by the day (and by shallower, I mean I can no longer put my finger inside of it...it's like FLAT!) But not out yet!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I may or may not have had a crazy lady crying fit last week in a Gordman's dressing room while struggling (hardcore) to put my boots back on. Thank you to my precious husband for (eventually) helping me be able to laugh it off...

Looking forward to: I just want to hold her so bad. Every time I see a baby being born on TV, I want our time to be NOW! But I know this bun has to bake a bit longer! And I'm ok with that ;-)

Grow Strong my little canteloupe!
Love,
Mommy