22 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 22 weeks, 1 day (in the middle of my fifth month)

Size of the baby?  At this point every baby is different, but I have a feeling she's going to be big.  We are a papaya this month and won't change until week 25.  I can really feel my stomach pulling out now and my sister said that now I really look pregnant. 

Maternity Clothes?  A mix of maternity and not.  

Gender?  We are having a precious baby girl.  

Movement?  This week she started to make more sporadic movements.  They feel like muscle twitches or spasms but my doctors office told me that this is normal.  She hiccups and kicks me every day.  I have felt it with my hand several times but we're still waiting for daddy to feel the kicks.  She's stubborn and as soon as his had touches my belly, she stops!  

Sleep?  Sleep is okay.  Once I get comfortable everything is great but if I roll over at all I wake up to move the pillow to the other side.  

Cravings?  Fruit and more healthy things (for once).  We ordered the Pizza Hut cheesy bites pizza last night and I was kind of wanting a nice healthy dinner instead.  

Symptoms?  My stomach area is getting a lot rounder (among other things).  My feet area always hurting and a bit swollen.  I've had some indigestion problems too so I bought everything fiber filled in the store.  I wouldn't trade any of it for my sweet girl! 

Best Moment of the Week?  Having random strangers say "Congratulations" or "When are you due?" because I'm obviously pregnant.  My hubby really started acting excited this week so I think it had sunk in that we're having a baby!  

Happenings

1.  After having the most possibly lazy Sunday of my life, I'm still so confused about "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" after five episodes.  Who are these people?  Why are they so disliked?  And why for Pete's sake do they adore such humongous wedding gowns?  It's crazy.

2.  My baby girl has been hiccuping a lot this weekend and I can feel every move she makes when she does.  It started Friday night and felt like muscle twitches in my abdomen.  I've been feeling them on and off ever since and it's the neatest feeling.  I can even see my belly twitch and move when she does it.  Poor baby, hiccups are no fun!

3.  I can't get enough water these days.  I love the taste, if that is even possible.  

4.  I've decided to start my cookie making business up again this summer.  For those of you who remember, I was a cookie making machine last summer.  I'm only going to do local orders and pick and choose which orders I take.  The intricate orders last year used to stress me out beyond belief.  I'm looking forward to making them because they actually are really yummy.  

5.  There are already too many Obama 2012 bumper stickers out there.  I'm scared, just saying.

6.  I'm starting a checklist for baby registry items.  If you are a mom and have a great recommendation, I'm open to your suggestions!  I've heard good things about Dr. Brown's bottles, MAM pacifiers, the Angelcare Monitor, Fisher Price's Rock and Roll Sleeper, Sophie the Giraffe, etc.  

7.  Summer school starts this week and I'm excited about getting back into a routine.  I think it will help me stay focused on something else besides thinking about the baby 24/7.  I'm looking forward to meeting my first graders!

8.  I heard that iPhone charges are changing in July.  Supposedly it won't be a set data plan fee per month but a few for usage.  Oh Lordy say it isn't so!  If you already have an iPhone they say that you are grandfathered in until your contract is up.

9.  Zulily is addicting!  Addicting! 

10.  I want to be friends with Pippa Middleton.  I feel like spending an afternoon with her would give me some downright good fashion sense.  She is fab!  This picture may be hanging on the fridge after the baby is born for inspiration!

Baby Girl's Nursery Plan

No, this is not my nursery...don't I wish!  But I did find this on Pinterest and it really gave me inspiration for the nursery.  I love the periwinkle blue on the walls with pops of pink (however the design firm in San Fran, where this pic is from, wasn't so helpful about giving me the paint color).  And anybody who knows me knows that there is something extra special about this room!  Our color scheme is light periwinkle blue, bright pink, soft pink, green and yellow.

Right now our nursery is in the process of having the guest room furniture moved out, carpet pulled up, new carpet installed, and then primed and painted.  I know that once everything is finished and I've decorated it how I want, it will be beautiful.  My good friend Rachel @ Silver Lining Decor came over this week and we hashed out details with a tape measure and Pottery Barn Kids catalog.  I also really like PBK because you can register for virtually everything you want and if it's not purchased, you get 10% off for six months, not just on a one-time purchase.  

For the bedding I've decided on the Brianna collection from PBK.  When I saw it online and in the catalog it didn't thrill me, but once I saw it in the store I was sold!  The colors are so bright and cheerful and perfect for the nursery.  Here's a picture from their website and then a shot I took in the store.  

The paint color is Benjamin Moore Windmill Wings from the PBK fan deck.  In real life it looks a lot more purple-blue.  I may still visit Ben Moore and pick up a few swatches but this matched the bedding beautifully. I'm pulling the blue color from the butterflies in the bumper.  

For the windows, I am heavily considering these black-out mini dot panels from PBK.  I'm taking the idea from my inspiration picture with the bright pink against the soft blue walls.  These would really pop!  The other idea swirling around in my head is to take a kids duvet in the Brianna and have Rachel make some coordinating long panels with the yellow print from the bumper.  Just an idea, we'll see! 

I even found this cute birth announcement on Etsy that matches the bedding.  It's precious!  I'm also going to have a name canvas done by Small Words Art to hang over the crib and then frame three newborn shots of her and hang them over the changing table.  

Cute pillow from Etsy

We're going to go with the PBK Comfort Swivel Glider as our splurge item.  My mom purchased our PBK crib and I'm defintely going with the Ikea Hemnes dresser (which is $299 and we just sold some guest room furniture for $300, so it worked perfectly!).  Therefore, we haven't spent much money at all on furniture so this will be our special piece!  I wanted to do the contrast welt in a light blue but Justin wants it in plain white, so I'll let that go!  

Ikea Hemnes Dresser

21 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along? 21 weeks, 2 days 

Size of the baby?  It's hard to tell now that she is bigger than what my weekly updates say.  I'm guessing that now a week later, she may weigh around a pound.

Maternity Clothes?  Mix maternity pants and tops and regular tops and dresses.

Gender?  Girl!  She is so loved! 

Movement?  On and off this week.  I get really freaked out when I can't feel her for a few days but I know this is "normal."  I've got to stay calm! 

Sleep?  This week a "fun" new thing happened.  Every time I roll over to change positions in bed, dull aches and pressure overtake my lower pelvic area.  I am kind of scared to roll over now so I try to be as still as possible.  It does not feel good.  

Cravings?  Twizzler Pull & Peel

Symptoms?  Pelvic pressure and it hurts my abdomen to use the bathroom now.  When I sit down I have to hold my stomach because it just plain hurts.  Sometimes I want to call the doctor about this, but again I feel like it's "normal."

Best Moment of the Week?  We are starting to register this week!  Today our mission is Pottery Barn Kids!
  

Week 21 Belly

Cute Etsy Baby Shop

A wonderful room parent from my third grade long-term gave me a gift certificate to this fabulous Etsy shop, Craft Works by WonderJo.  I was able to choose my own applique design from the shop and I picked out the cute, swirly lollipops.  The package came in the mail today and these pieces are adorable!  The set came with a onesie, flip bib, and a burp cloth.  She has many different applique designs for boys and girls so check her shop out if you're in the market for a baby gift! 

I Want a Bumbleride

After doing much research on strollers, I have concluded that I really, really would like a Bumbleride Indie stroller.  I did not like most of the strollers that I was seeing in places like Babies R Us and Target, so I decided to investigate further.  I also didn't want anything too big and bulky and "overly" baby looking.  Enter Bumbleride.  I'm not even sure how I found their website but I fell in l.o.v.e.  The Indie comes in some great color combinations that would be gender friendly in case next baby is a boy.  It has three wheels and can go over any type of terrain from the mall to the beach to rocky steps at a park.  I even slipped into a local baby boutique yesterday and they had them in stock and I got to see a demonstration.  I am SOLD!

I have a friend who has a Bumbleride and loves it but I would love to know what you think if you have one!  

I'm having a hard time deciding on which color combination.  The Seagrass (green/aqua above) or the Spice (tangerine/aqua below).  Decisions, decisions!  Which would you choose?

Gender Revealed

We had a very successful ultrasound on Friday afternoon and we are pleased to announce that...

It's a...

You knew I was going to make a glittery sign, right?

We are very excited and now knowing the gender and seeing her sweet little face makes it so much more real.  The ultrasound tech was probably tired of me asking so many questions but I wanted to make sure I saw everything.  We saw her two legs and two feet quickly but it did take her a while to find one of the arms and I held my breath the entire time.  Her profile is precious and she even had her legs crossed at the ankle, we have a little lady!  Our doctor said so far everything looks great and I am so thankful.  I've already prayed so many times that she will be healthy, that we would make good parents for her, even that she will marry a wonderful man one day and accept Christ as her Savior. 

Justin and I found out the gender after the measurements were taken and then my parents came into the room to see the baby for a bit.  When we held up the "girl" sign (because I did have a boy sign too), my sweet dad broke down in tears.  He is so excited to have a granddaughter.  We all love her so much already!

And just in time for Father's Day...

Psalm 139:13-14 Print via Etsy

20 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How far along?  20 weeks, 5 days = Over halfway there! 

Size of the baby?  Our baby is around 10 inches long (crown to bottom of feet) and 14 ounces.  Our ultrasound showed us a big baby for their age!  

Maternity Clothes?  Love them!  Hubby asked if I would ever go back to regular clothes! 

Gender?  We know!  I will spill the beans tomorrow!  

Movement?  Yes and according to the ultrasound, our little one was moving like crazy! 

Sleep?  The Boppy pregnancy pillow is fabulous!  I highly recommend it! 

Cravings?  No major cravings!  Although today I drank a root beer with my eggs and bacon.  Weird! 

Symptoms?  Still just very sore feet!  I wish I had the money to have a professional foot rub every week. 

Best Moment of the Week?  Having our ultrasound and finding out the gender!  I will also never forget that my parents came into the ultrasound room and we held up an "It's a _____ " sign and my dad broke down into tears.  I will never forget that moment.  

 

Around the World Fabrics

If I could afford these fabrics from Designers Guild, I would do an Around The World nursery in a heartbeat. They are so cute I had to share!  How precious is this? (Not sure how much per yard, but since I worked for a design firm that carried D.G. I would say probably over $100 per yard!)

2 Years of Wedded Bliss

I cannot believe that it's been two years.  Two years since the best day of my life (so far, I'm sure baby's birth may trump that for both of us).  I married my best friend and it's been one fantastic ride that I wouldn't trade for the world.  If you told me two years ago that today I'd be five months pregnant with our first child I would have not believed it.  But, here we are.  Here are some of my favorite memories from our big day!