Nursery reveal!

I may have procrastinated a bit with this nursery, but it's finished before he's here and that's all that matters! Between items being on backorder or discontinued, I'd like to blame that for my procrastination and not the fact that this is baby #2 and everyone said this would happen. Anyways, thanks to Pinterest and the Restoration Hardeare website, this room is just what I wanted it to look like... Clean and soft with a hint of baby animals. Here are the photos: 

38 week bump update

 

Total weight gain: 32 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: No... I've been using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: So tired. I wake up a few times in the night because of terrible hip pain or because I need to go to the bathroom.

Miss anything? Sleep, not having to go to the bathroom every five minutes, raw sushi, and being comfortable in general. And a cocktail on a Friday night.

Exercise: I haven't been to the gym in a week or two because I've been tired and feeling lazy. Up until this week I was doing my workout DVD a few days a week, but my back has been hurting too bad to do anything besides walks to the park. That's been the extent of my workouts.

Movement: I'm still having sharp points like an elbow sticking out. He's been pretty active and sometimes painful. He's been getting the hiccups often too.

Food cravings: Grilled cheese sandwiches, grapes, and cran apple juice. And candy... I am on my second bag of Starburst jelly beans since the stores stocked the shelves with Easter candy.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In, but almost flat now.

Wedding rings on or off: Engagement ring and one band on, one band off. My hands and feet have started to swell a little.

Symptoms: Oh boy... hip pain, sciatica pain... SO painful lately and causes my legs to give out sometimes, sleepiness, and Braxton hicks contractions (mainly at night) that have been getting more painful as the days go on. If they were more consistent I would think it was a real contraction, they take my breath away sometimes they hurt so bad.

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby! Just a few more days. I'm excited but also scared, nervous, anxious, etc. I just hope Blake is ok with our new addition and the transition is smooth as we adjust to being a family of four. (I'm also dreading surgery and the recovery)

Labor signs: Other than head down, no.

This was taken over the weekend at my friend Marissa's wedding

Maternity photos

A few weeks ago, we took maternity photos at a wilderness park in Coto de Caza. I used a new photographer... unfortunately mine moved to Las Vegas.
Here are some of my faves:

35 week bump update

 

Total weight gain: 27 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: No... I've been using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Still really tired lately. I'm exhausted by the end of the day and take advantage of naps on the weekend when Blake naps.

Miss anything? Sleep, not having to go to the bathroom every five minutes, raw sushi, and being comfortable in general. And a cocktail on a Friday night.

Exercise: I've been back in the gym for cardio as well as taking Blake to the park and my DVD workouts.

Movement: Yes! The kicks are super strong now and sometimes keep me up at night. I feel him a lot when I lay on my side. I've been feeling what I think is a knee or elbow sticking out daily too. I think he is more active than Blake.

Food cravings: Pizza... specifically Pizza Hut pepperoni pan pizza. I'm still craving pb & j sandwiches. Pineapple and ice cream have been pretty good too... not together!

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In, but almost flat now.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: Sciatica pain... so painful and causes my legs to give out sometimes. Sleepiness, heartburn, and Braxton hicks (mainly at night.)

Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery... just a few things left to do and its turning out so cute! I'll post pics once its complete. I can't wait to get a massage next week to help my back pain. 4 more weeks until we meet our baby boy and I can't wait... this pregnancy really has flown by.

Labor signs: No

32 week bump update

Total weight gain: 23 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: Using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Still really tired lately. I fall asleep on the couch by 9 pretty much every night while watching tv.

Miss anything? Sleep, not having to go to the bathroom every five minutes, raw sushi, and being comfortable in general. And a cocktail on a Friday night.

Exercise: I've been getting back in the gym as well as taking Blake to the park and my DVD workouts.

Movement: Yes! The kicks are super strong now and sometimes keep me up at night. I feel him a lot when I lay on my side. I've been feeling what I think is a knee or elbow sticking out daily too.

Food cravings: My craving for grapes is back, that's about it. I'm still liking pb&j sandwiches too.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In, but almost flat now.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: Sciatica pain, sleepiness, and cramping. Heartburn has been better (knock on wood)

Looking forward to: Getting the nursery put together. I got the wall prints, they're perfect. I think Andrew is painting the nursery this weekend. The crib and dresser will get here in two weeks. We really need to get baby's room in order!

Labor signs: No

30 week bump update

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: Using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: I need more. I've been super tired lately. I've been waking a few times in the night to go to the bathroom. Insomnia is getting in the way of my sleep, sometimes I'll be up for 2 hours tossing & turning, trying to fall back asleep.

Miss anything? Sleep, not having to go to the bathroom every five minutes, raw sushi, and being comfortable in general. And a cocktail on a Friday night.

Exercise: I've been getting back in the gym as well as taking Blake to the park and my DVD workouts.

Movement: Yes! The kicks are super strong now and sometimes keep me up at night. I feel him a lot when I lay on my side.

Food cravings: Lately its been bagels, cutie oranges, pb&j sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, and most recently strawberry frozen yogurt. I've been craving frozen yogurt from a place I grew up going to that I just found out closed five years ago... so no luck satisfying this craving.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: Ugh... heartburn, sciatica pain, fatigue, and insomnia. My hair is growing fast which is awesome though.

Looking forward to: Getting the nursery put together. The rug got delivered today and its perfect. Unfortunately the crib and dresser won't be in stock until the end of February, but that gives us more time to clean out the room that has been our office. Also looking forward to getting a much needed facial and massage next week.

Labor signs: No

 

25 week bump update

 

Total weight gain: 15 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: Using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: I've had a little bit of a cold, along with the rest of the world. Besides waking up from a sore throat in the night, I've been sleeping pretty well.

Miss anything? Still wanting a cosmo... don't think the want will go away until I can have one again after baby... but the sparkling cranberry juice is still doing the trick.

Exercise: Taking Blake to the park and a few DVD workouts have been the extent of my exercise routine. I'll get back to the gym at the first of the year along with everyone else.

Movement: Yes! The kicks are getting stronger every day. Andrew is able to feel them now. I could even see them from the outside the other day.

Food cravings: I haven't been craving anything lately.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: I have been feeling good! No complaints here, just some slight heartburn and hip pain when I wake up. My parents got me some gift certificates for prenatal massages so I'll be using those soon.

Looking forward to: Christmas tomorrow!! This is my most favorite time of year and its so much fun to be able to enjoy it with Blake. We've been doing Elf on the Shelf which Blake (and Andrew) is really into. Its so fun seeing him get excited looking for Mr. Elf (Blake named him) every morning. I'm loving creating our own family traditions and I cannot wait to see Blake's face when he comes down the stairs to see what Santa left him tomorrow morning since he's really starting to understand whats going on. (I've been waiting for this moment since he was born.) After the holidays, its project nursery time!

Labor signs: No

 

23 week bump update

Total weight gain: 12 lbs

Maternity clothes: I bought some fall/winter maternity clothes that are actually cute so I've been wearing them. Plus the pants are comfortable with the stretchy waist band.

Stretch marks: Using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well (knock on wood)

Miss anything? Still wanting a cosmo. I bought some sparkling cranberry juice and drink it out of a martini glass lol. I also miss a gym class that I used to take pre-pregnancy. Its too intense to do now.

Exercise: I've been back in the gym after a few weeks off from all my traveling. Its always hard to get back to working out, but I feel so much better when I exercise.

Movement: Yes! The kicks are getting stronger every day. Andrew is able to feel them now.

Food cravings: Fruit juice in the morning and bagels with cream cheese. And anything sweet.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: I've been feeling pretty good. I've had some heartburn recently and still have some acne but nothing terrible.

Looking forward to: So much right now! Getting a facial tomorrow, Christmas parties, making tamales with my family, and Christmas activities in general. I love this time of year! Also I've finally come up with a "theme" for the nursery and bought a few things to start piecing it all together which is exciting.

 

Labor signs: No

20 week bump update

Total weight gain: 10 lbs

Maternity clothes: Wearing maternity pants and most of my tops are maternity but a little big still. I can wear a few of my pre-preg sweaters. I'm loving that the weather has been cooler to wear fall clothes.

Stretch marks: Using a combo of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Still waking a few times a night to go to the bathroom, but I have had a few nights without interruptions which was awesome.

Miss anything? Sounds bad but alcohol (cosmopolitan in particular.) When we were in NYC last week I had the waiter shake cranberry juice with ice in a martini glass to feel like I was drinking a cosmo.

Exercise: I've been traveling so much lately, I haven't done anything. We walked over 35 miles when we were in New York so I don't feel terrible about skipping the gym the past two weeks.

Movement: Yes! I think I skipped the flutters and went straight to feeling taps/light kicks. They can't be felt from the outside yet, but I feel them a few times a day.

Food cravings: No real cravings lately. I had a few days that I was eating caramel apples but that's it. Still have a sweet tooth and love spicy foods.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness! I did feel carsick in New York, but I would have even if I wasn't pregnant. Those cab drivers and the traffic is not a good combo for someone who gets motion sickness.

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes the bump is pretty visible now.

Gender: Boy

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: I have been super tired lately, but I'm sure that's from so much traveling lately. I wish the acne on my forehead would go away, but overall I feel good!

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving, decorating for Christmas, and cooler weather.

 

Labor signs: No

 

 

17 week bump update

Total weight gain: 4-5 lbs

Maternity clothes: Not wearing any yet, but I bought a ton of fall clothes since I only had summer maternity clothes from being pregnant with Blake.

Stretch marks: I just started my regimen of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Still waking a few times a night to go to the bathroom.

Miss anything? Sleep. And a cocktail.

Exercise: I've been doing my workout DVD, going on walks, and short trips to the gym.

Movement: Not yet... I keep waiting to feel flutters.

Food cravings: I've been on a salad with Italian dressing kick, and have been loving sour patch watermelon candy.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I've been feeling good lately thank goodness!

Have you started to show yet: Yes, but I'm in the awkward is she pregnant or just gaining weight stage.

Gender: Boy

 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: I have been feeling more energized and good in general. I'm remembering why the second trimester is called the honeymoon phase.

Looking forward to: The whole month of November! Andrew & I are going to New York, Chicago, and of course I'm looking forward to my birthday.

 

Labor signs: No

 

Its a...

This post is long overdue but its official... Blake is going to have a baby brother!

I honestly could have bet a million dollars that I was pregnant with a girl. Everything in the first trimester was so different than when I was pregnant with Blake and pretty much every wives tale pointed to girl. So needless to say I was kind of shocked when the ultrasound tech said boy. It took a few days (and a trip to Janie & Jack, my favorite baby clothes store) for me to process the fact that I will have two little boys come April. It makes me happy knowing Blake will have a little buddy, but I think I'm most excited to dress them up in matching outfits & bow ties hehe.

15 week bump update

Total weight gain: 2-3 lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet, still wearing my normal clothes for now.

Stretch marks: I just started my regimen of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Sleeping through the night is now a thing of the past. I'm waking 1-3 times/night to go to the bathroom, and several times I'm awake for at least an hour because I can't go back to sleep. 

Miss anything? A full night's rest. I made a "mocktail" over the weekend because I was missing cosmos. I just shook cran-mango juice with ice in a martini shaker & even drank out of a martini glass & it did the trick.

Exercise: I only made it to the gym once this week. We went to Disneyland for Blake's birthday on Tuesday and an app on my phone clocked about 4 miles that day, so I didn't feel too guilty.

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Nothing really. This weekend was so unbelievably hot so one day I had to get an Icee... I haven't had one in years.

Anything make you queasy/sick? I wish I could pin point it. The queasiness comes out of nowhere but it gets worse if I'm overly tired or its too hot out.

Have you started to show yet: Today- yes, yesterday- no. I definitely look like I ate too much, but not quite a bump yet.

Gender: It's killing me not knowing! I've had a few girl dreams (with Blake I had boy dreams) but who knows. Hopefully we will find out in a few weeks.

 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: I've been SO tired this week. Still having some nausea and acne.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Finding out if the baby is a boy or girl, less than two weeks now.

Labor signs: No

 

 

13 week bump update

Total weight gain: 1 lb

Maternity clothes: Not yet, still wearing my normal clothes for now. I did, however, stock up on some of my favorite maternity basic tanks & tees from Target over the weekend.

Stretch marks: I just started my regimen of Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day. It worked with Blake, so fingers crossed it will work again.

Sleep: Sleeping through the night is now a thing of the past. I'm waking 1-3 times/night to go to the bathroom, and several times I'm awake for at least an hour because I can't go back to sleep. 

Miss anything? Alcohol LOL. I miss my cosmo on a Friday night.

Exercise: I've been going to the gym a few times a week, even if its just for 20 mins of cardio on the elliptical machine. I've been doing the pregnancy DVD's I did with Blake and love them, its a full body workout with light weights. We try to go on walks, but its just been so hot lately.

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Cold red grapes. The last few days I've been craving salad, mainly chicken Caesar salad (the one from Cheesecake Factory to be exact.)

Anything make you queasy/sick? I wish I could pin point it. The queasiness comes out of nowhere.

Have you started to show yet: No, I just look & feel bloated.

Gender: It's killing me not knowing! I've had a few girl dreams (with Blake I had boy dreams) but who knows. Hopefully we will find out at 16 weeks... a long 3 week wait.

 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

Symptoms: Where do I start, ha! Nausea (I'm drinking ginger ale as I type.) Just when I think its starting to let up, it comes back with a vengeance. I'm great in the mornings, then around 4pm I start feeling sick. Acne on my face & for the first time in my life, on my upper back. My face hasn't been as oily lately though. Some slight cramping, I remember this feeling... its everything stretching.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy over the weekend. Last week was a different story though. I was so moody, I think a stressful week at work was to blame.

Looking forward to: So much right now! I'm most excited to take Blake to Disneyland for the first time on his birthday. I can't believe he is going to be 2 next week, I'm just so excited to celebrate him and make his day extra special!

Labor signs: No

 

 

Round 2

Round 2... Blake is going to be a big brother!

As you all know by now, baby #2 is due April 2, which means Blake and the baby will be exactly 2.5 years apart. Ironically, both Andrew & I are 2.5 years apart from our brothers. It feels like I was just sitting in this same spot on the couch doing my weekly blog updates. I'm going to try my best to update this blog as often as I did the first time.
This pregnancy has been a little different than with Blake, but they say every pregnancy is different.

Here's a re-cap of the first trimester:

• The nausea... ugh! I haven't actually thrown up, but have been feeling sick especially in the late afternoons/evenings. Ginger ale has been my best friend (along with hard candies, gum, saltines, and 1/2 a Dramamine)
• I'm not as tired this time, maybe because I don't have the ability to nap at any given moment this time
• I have acne again and my face has been super greasy
• Smells don't seem to bother me as much. With Blake I would have to hold my breath walking by hospital cafeterias. This time, the smells that bother me are a dirty dishwasher and Blake's dirty diapers
• No real food cravings yet except cold red grapes. Everything sounds good so far

Week 38 update

How far along: 38 weeks

Total weight gain: 40lbs... and I can't wait to see the scale drop instead of increase week after week.

Maternity clothes: Still wearing a mix of maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes (mainly only pre-preg maxi skirts and some dresses.) My pre-pregnancy maxi dresses are now too short. I'm starting to hate getting dressed and sick of rotating between my few outfits.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I'm alternating between using Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day.

Sleep: Sleep is very uncomfortable these days. Between the horrible hip pain that wakes me up at night to the tossing & turning with a giant belly, sleep is no longer enjoyable. I'm still waking up several times a night to go to the bathroom and I get insomnia 1-2 times a week where I can't fall back asleep for hours.

Miss anything? I miss being comfortable and being thin. Everything is harder now especially getting dressed and putting shoes on. I don't even try to pick up anything on the ground anymore, Andrew has been a huge help with that. I also miss raw sushi, especially tuna. I could also go for a mimosa, maybe because its football season.

Exercise: I go to the gym for cardio a few times a week (I do the elliptical or walk on the treadmill for at least 2 miles), do my pregnancy workout DVD a few times a week, and we take Lily on walks a few days a week. I've stopped going to my step/weight class because its too hard now but I've been pretty good at sticking to doing something active five days a week. Lately I've been going to the mall to walk around for a change, I used an app and its 1.3 miles to walk the whole mall... not bad. I can't wait to get back to my pre-pregnancy workouts.

Movement: He's pretty cramped now so the movements have turned into a lot of pushing and poking. He gets the hiccups a few times a day too, in fact he has them right now as I type this.

Food cravings: Nothing really, still loving sweets as always. I went to Sprinkles Ice Cream and got the animal cookie flavor, wow it was so good. Its not as big as it looks, its only one scoop. My rule is and always has been everything in moderation.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Car sickness.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely. I'm so sick of strangers asking when I'm due and what I'm having... and of course I'm sick of their comments. People are so rude. If I could stay home all day everyday I would to avoid it.

Gender: Boy! Our friends Josh & Anna just went to Pittsburgh (Josh is from there) and came home with these Steelers onesies for the baby (I'm a Steeler fan). I love them and can't wait for him to wear them on game days! Thank you again, I love that they came from Steeler Country!

Belly button in or out: In, borderline flat.

Wedding rings on or off: On, but they're hard to get off at times. I've been wearing my engagement ring with only one wedding band instead of two.

Symptoms: Menstrual cramps, lower back pain, and I have a lot of pressure on my bladder lately because he has dropped. I feel uncomfortable all the time. I have a faint line down my belly aka the linea nigra. Also have "pregnancy mask"- I have a dark patch on my right cheek and forehead and have been wearing spf 30 everyday hoping it doesn't get worse. I'm waking up with hip pain. Also I have sciatica back pain, its only on my left side but is so painful. I've been super tired and needing a 1-2 hour nap every day and would sleep more if I could. Also my feet have started to swell. On a positive note my hair is long and full and I get tan quickly.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy... and anxious, nervous, excited, scared, etc.

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby! It feels like I have been pregnant forever, but at the same time these last few months have flown by. He will be here before we know it! (I hope.)

 

Labor signs: Baby has dropped and is engaged in my pelvis and I'm 50% effaced, no dilation just yet. I've had a few pains of what I think are contractions, but nothing consistent or too painful. I have weekly checkups now.

Week 37 update

How far along: 37 weeks... baby is considered full term!

 

Total weight gain: Fluctuate between 38-40lbs

Maternity clothes: Still wearing a mix of maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes (mainly only pre-preg maxi skirts and some dresses.) My pre-pregnancy maxi dresses are now too short. I'm starting to hate getting dressed and sick of rotating between my few outfits.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I'm alternating between using Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day.

Sleep: Sleep is very uncomfortable these days. Between the horrible hip pain that wakes me up at night to the tossing & turning with a giant belly, sleep is no longer enjoyable. I'm still waking up several times a night to go to the bathroom and I get insomnia 1-2 times a week where I can't fall back asleep for hours.

Miss anything? I miss being comfortable and being thin. Everything is harder now especially getting dressed and putting shoes on. I also miss raw sushi, especially tuna. I could also go for a mimosa, maybe because its football season.

Exercise: I go to the gym for cardio a few times a week (I do the elliptical or walk on the treadmill), do my pregnancy workout DVD a few times a week, and we take Lily on walks a few days a week. I've stopped going to my step/weight class because its too hard now but I've been pretty good at sticking to doing something active five days a week. I miss my pre-pregnancy workouts and being able to do an intense workout.

Movement: He's pretty cramped now so the movements have turned into a lot of pushing and poking. He gets the hiccups a few times a day too.

Food cravings: Nothing really but I craved a grilled cheese sandwich for two days. Still loving sweets as always.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Car sickness.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely. I'm so sick of strangers asking when I'm due and what I'm having... and of course I'm sick of their comments. People are so rude. If I could stay home all day everyday I would to avoid it.

Gender: Boy!

Over the weekend we went to our last nice dinner for a while before the baby comes. We went to Stonehill Tavern at the St Regis (it was SO delicious!) Even though my mom will want to babysit, it was nice to enjoy one last date night just us two.

 

Belly button in or out: In, but its getting really shallow now, almost flat.

Wedding rings on or off: On, but they're hard to get off at times. I've been wearing my engagement ring with only one wedding band instead of two.

Symptoms: Menstrual cramps, lower back pain, and I have a lot of pressure on my bladder lately because he has dropped. I feel uncomfortable all the time. I have a faint line down my belly aka the linea nigra. Also have "pregnancy mask"- I have a dark patch on my right cheek and forehead and have been wearing spf 30 everyday hoping it doesn't get worse. I'm waking up with hip pain. Also I have sciatica back pain, its only on my left side but is so painful. I've been super tired and needing a 1-2 hour nap every day and would sleep more if I could. Also my feet have started to swell, which might be related to the heat. On a positive note my hair is long and full and I get tan quickly.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy... and anxious, nervous, excited, scared, etc.

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby! It feels like I have been pregnant forever, but at the same time these last few months have flown by. He will be here before we know it! (I hope.) Also this is my last week of work before I go on maternity leave- yay!

 

Labor signs: Baby has dropped and is engaged in my pelvis and I'm 50% effaced, no dilation just yet. I have weekly checkups now.

Week 36 update

How far along: 36 weeks

Total weight gain: I've stopped weighing myself daily. It worked for me to keep myself on track before I was pregnant, but its gotten discouraging. I will just go off of the scale at my weekly Dr appts now.

Maternity clothes: Still wearing a mix of maternity and pre-pregnancy clothes (mainly only pre-preg maxi skirts and some dresses.) My pre-pregnancy maxi dresses are now too short. I'm starting to hate getting dressed and sick of rotating between my few outfits.

Stretch marks: No, and hoping it stays that way. I'm alternating between using Palmer's cocoa butter, Mustela, and bio oil twice a day.

Sleep: Waking up 3-4 times in the night to use the restroom. I wake up with hip pain which goes away quickly but it wakes me up at night because it hurts so bad. It feels like I'm sore from a big workout. I get insomnia 1-2 times a week where I can't fall back asleep for hours.

Miss anything? I miss being comfortable and being thin. Everything is harder now especially getting dressed and putting shoes on. I also miss raw sushi, especially tuna. I could also go for a mimosa, maybe because its football season.

Exercise: I go to the gym for cardio a few times a week, do my pregnancy workout DVD a few times a week, and we take Lily on walks a few days a week. I've stopped going to my step/weight class because its too hard now but I've been pretty good at sticking to doing something active five days a week. I miss my pre-pregnancy workouts and being able to do an intense workout.

Movement: He's been really active lately, especially when I'm laying on my side and sometimes it keeps me up at night. I've been feeling him under my ribs and can feel an elbow or knee rolling. I don't see anything poking out yet but that area gets hard when he does it. Sometimes he kicks so hard that it makes me jump.

Food cravings: This is a weird one- celery with peanut butter (I've never liked celery, but its been so good lately.) Also ice cream, grapes, and these vanilla cupcake goldfish... they're soo good.

Anything make you queasy/sick? Car sickness.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely. I'm so sick of strangers asking when I'm due and what I'm having... and of course I'm sick of their comments. People are so rude. If I could stay home all day everyday I would to avoid it.

Gender: Boy!

Belly button in or out: In, but its getting really shallow now, almost flat.

Wedding rings on or off: On, but I've been swollen because of our hot weather which makes them hard to get off at times. I've been wearing my engagement ring with only one wedding band instead of two because my hands have been too swollen.

Symptoms: Heartburn has really calmed down thank goodness, that was the worst symptom I've experienced. I have a lot of pressure on my bladder lately, maybe he has dropped a little? I feel uncomfortable from a tight stomach and I have a faint line down my belly aka the linea nigra. Also have "pregnancy mask"- I have a dark patch on my right cheek and forehead and have been wearing spf 30 everyday hoping it doesn't get worse. I'm waking up with hip pain. Also I have sciatica back pain, its only on my left side but is so painful. I've been super tired and needing a 1-2 hour nap every day and would sleep more if I could. Also my feet have started to swell, which might be related to the heat. On a positive note my hair is long and full and I get tan quickly.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy. I'm getting anxious about the labor and pre-labor, I worry that my water will break in public like the scene in the Sex & the City movie.

Looking forward to: Our Dr appt tomorrow. We get an ultrasound, we haven't gotten one in about two months and can't wait to see our lil guy. Also looking forward to finishing packing my hospital bag. I just washed all of the baby's clothes & blankets, maybe this will help me to feel a little more prepared.

Maternity photos

Our maternity photos are here! I posted a sneak peek when we took them a few weeks ago, and I was so excited to see the rest. I used Love Is Photography who was a recommendation from my friend Anna and I'm so happy with how they turned out! The photos are sweet, soft and rustic which is the look I was going for.
Here are some of my faves: