38 Weeks

How far along? 38 Weeks

Total weight gain: Enough, only, maybe, slightly too much. Considering the size of my child, I count this as a win!

Maternity clothes? Yup, and looking forward to being out of them... eventually.

Stretch marks? Yes, lots and lots. My belly still looks like a brain.

Sleep: I get up multiple times a night, now. Add this to the fact that I wake up every time I need to roll over, and I get up a lot. However, the sleep I do get is pretty decent. I hope this is a good sign for the coming weeks!

Best moment this week: The best moment this week will come at approximately 1:30PM on 12/24- when I get to see my little human (and his face!!), on the outside, for the first time!

Miss Anything? Everything you can't have while you're pregnant. Chris suggested I ask a friend of mine to bring me sushi in the hospital. I think she would do it, too, she did just bring me two bags of peanut butter m&m's (my favorite) for no reason. She's the best.

Movement: This kid kicks my bladder, and anything else he can reach, all day long. I know this is the part I will miss most, and I am relishing these last few days watching him roll around and feeling his little hiccups. I like to think I will look back on these times with a lot of fondness, and block out the parts where he has made me grunt and cringe from some of his especially strong kicks.

Food cravings: Not a craving, but I wouldn't mind a big, juicy, medium/medium rare steak. Another thing for which I have to wait.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Sometimes the idea of doctors cutting through multiple layers of skin and muscle makes me a little queasy, but I am trying to keep a more "the ends justify the means" kind of attitude about it.

Gender: Boy!

Symptoms: Hip pain. Lots of hip pain. I finally did my Christmas shopping, which involved standing in some really long lines and a lot of stops, and it really took a toll on my hips, especially my right one. I think my right one got the brunt of it because I got in and out of the car a lot, and it takes a little bit to get the other leg into the car. Add this to the fact that my ab muscles are pretty much no good right now, and I was pretty much using only my hip muscles to get my other leg in the car. Man, does that sound pathetic, haha!

Belly Button in or out? Mostly just flat, sometimes a little bit of an outtie.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I miss them. I really miss them. I have had my engagement ring for almost 4 years now. Even though I have had my other rings for less time, my finger looks/feels pretty strange without them.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Pretty irritable still. I think it comes with the territory of being 9 and a half months pregnant. The whole 9 month thing is a lie. A LIE. It's 10 months, and nobody tells you, you only find out when you do the math after you find out you're pregnant.

Looking forward to: Seeing my little boy! Only 3 days to go. SO surreal.

I am going to try to remember to take a picture on Tuesday and do a 39 week update, but if I don't, the next time you hear from me I will be announcing the arrival of our little babe, and you will finally learn his name!

Maternity Photo Shoot/Baby Update

I haven't really shared any news about little Baby Stocking in a while, but we were really waiting for our 36 week appointment before we could really get any solid details and make any sort of plans. I had an ultrasound at 36 weeks that was the last step in helping us determine our delivery plan. This ultrasound was where we found out exactly how big he was going to be. And by exactly, I mean the doctors could be off by as much as 1.5 pounds.

The ultrasound determined that our little baby was 10 pounds. At 36 weeks.

What did that mean for us?

Well, it meant that unless I went into labor on my own in the next week or so (I didn't), then I would be having this baby via cesarean. If I were to try to deliver vaginally after that point, it would not be good for myself or the baby due to his size. Even if his head were able to fit, his shoulders would likely get stuck, and all of the pressure pushing down on his shoulders during the delivery could result in permanent nerve damage. And nobody wants that.

So, since he didn't come, we scheduled a c-section. This is the part where I was a little sad for a while. NYS will not let a c-section be scheduled earlier than 39 weeks. If anyone remembers my due date, it was December 30th. You know when a week before that is? 12/23. Christmas eve eve. That means that I will be spending Christmas/my birthday in the hospital, which is really the one thing I wanted to avoid.

Since no doctors were available from my practice to perform c-sections on the 23rd, mine is scheduled for the 24th. Although I had a bit of a selfish reaction to start, I feel much better about it now. Sure, I will be spending my birthday with an IV in my arm and nowhere near my Christmas tree or a yule log (even one from YouTube streamed on my TV), but I will by spending it with my baby. My little boy. The tiny human who my favorite person in the world and I made. And that is a great gift.

In one more week, I will have that little guy in my arms!


IN OTHER NEWS:


If you were paying attention to my last post, you will know that Chris's step-dad, Jim, took some maternity photos for us when we were visiting for Thanksgiving! I really love them, I think they turned out great! One of my favorites is when we re-created one of our favorite engagement photos. Take a look:

This one is a side by side of a photo we got taken in the fall of 2011 (right) and the left is fall of 2014! I think I look younger in the newer photo, but Chris looks so much older! (Hunkier, too! ;) )

36 Weeks

http://jimdanvers.blogspot.com/ 

How far along? 36 Weeks (This is a little late, I was 38 weeks yesterday...)

Total weight gain: Enough

Maternity clothes? Of course

Stretch marks? Yes, lots and lots. My belly looks like a brain.

Sleep: Having a harder time getting to sleep some nights, but it could be much worse.

Best moment this week: Turkey sandwiches from Thanksgiving Dinner leftovers! And, although it happened last week, Chris's step-dad took some awesome maternity photos for us! (That's what I am using in lieu of one of my usual pictures, since I forgot to take one of those. Sorry!)

Miss Anything? Everything you can't have while you're pregnant.

Movement: He kicks me A LOT. And now that he is so big, his movements get really uncomfortable because he really can't move without squishing my internal organs...which are not for squishing.

Food cravings: Christmas Cookies! But I think that is just a hazard of the season.

Anything making you queasy or sick: This is the one thing during my pregnancy that has stayed the same and really worked out in my favor. I really have not been sick at all.

Gender: Boy!

Symptoms: Sneezes. It was like as soon as I got pregnant, I started sneezing. It doesn't matter what the weather or pollen count is, I just sneeze a lot. More in the last 9 months than in my entire life before I got pregnant.

Belly Button in or out? It still alternates between slightly-stuck-out and flat, depending on the baby's position.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I miss them.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Lately I have been getting really irritable. I am at that point where I am uncomfortable nearly all the time and the baby's kicks can hurt and I pant when I walk 10 feet. 

Looking forward to: Knowing what my baby boy's little face looks like!

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks (Actually, 35 on Tuesday)

Total weight gain: I actually didn't gain anything at my last appointment, so that's pretty cool! I have not been dieting or anything and the baby is still huge, I just don't have that pesky polyhydramnios issue any more! Woooooo! Not gaining weight is still a minor miracle though- at my last appointment, the baby weighed 7 LBS 5 OZ (give or take a pound.) I know, lots of kids aren't even that big when they're born. I guess I am just a champion baby-grower.

Maternity clothes? Yes, what few maternity items still fit. I find myself tugging on my shirts because they are not as long as I remember...

Stretch marks? Of course, and I have also developed what seems to be a fairly mild (based on crazy google photos) case of PUPPs. It's basically a type of rash that develops on your belly and stretch marks during pregnancy. My mom picked me up some hydrocortisone, and that helps, but the only drawback is that I can't use it as often as I want.... the directions suggest only 2-4 times a day. That means some itchiness slips through. However, we just got back from visiting my MIL, and she gave me some Udderly Smooth Body Cream  that seems to work REALLY well. It's only been two days since I've been using it, but it has worked better than anything (other than the hydrocortisone cream) has so far. I'm just wishing I had it sooner!

Sleep: Midnight pee breaks seem to be back, and I REALLY miss sleeping on my stomach. It's like every night something in my head says "you'd be more comfortable on your stomach." Then it's too-bad-so-sad and I go to sleep on my side. Someday, self, someday.

Best moment this week: Finding out my shift at work is getting switched to an earlier time! I will now be getting out at 5, which means I will get home much earlier! Also, I had a Thanksgiving dinner yesterday, and aside from the residual food coma, it was pretty great.

Miss Anything? I still miss all the same stuff.

Movement: All. The. Time. 

Food cravings: I don't think I am really having any cravings. I honestly don't think I have had any real cravings this whole pregnancy, just something that sounds good at the time, but nothing that I have to have right now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Thankfully, this one is still a no.

Gender: Linebacker Boy.

Symptoms: Restless legs when I am trying to sleep, still. And just generally being uncomfortable. I also miss being able to set things on my lap. Which mean, I guess, that I really just miss having a lap. Ha!

Belly Button in or out? It alternates between slightly-stuck-out and flat, depending on the baby's position.

Wedding rings on or off? Since the weather has gotten cooler, I have been able to wear my band, which has been nice.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and slightly nervous. I really feel like the baby is going to come sort of soon, I just really hope he waits until December so that I can celebrate Thanksgiving with my family this weekend.

Looking forward to: Putting up my Christmas tree!!! I really can't wait. We have only had room to put up our small Christmas tree for the past couple years, but this is our first Christmas in the new apartment... and we get to put up our 7 footer! As my husband would say, "Huzzah!"

34 weeks down, 6(?) to go!

Bedtime Stories

This is my husband reading our (unborn) son a story. It's one of the cutest things I've ever seen, and I had to share!

32 Weeks

Whoa, Mama.

How far along? 32Weeks

Total weight gain: I am actually not sure, I stopped asking!

Maternity clothes? I think I should just start wearing a snuggy or something at all times. Something to cover my belly and be soft and fuzzy at the same time. Maternity clothes are seriously starting to get tight or short, what will I wear to work?!

Stretch marks? Oh yes. The maternity bands on my pants also are getting very tight which is causing a tad bit of dermatitis on my belly... nothing major at all, just a little itchier than normal. Some hydrocortisone should clear it up.

Sleep: Missing stomach sleeping a whole lot.  And if my legs could just stop feeling like they want to run a marathon when I want to sleep, that would be great.

Sleeping is not bad, it's just getting to sleep sometimes.

Best moment this week: FINALLY catching the little alien child moving on camera! Chris has it on his phone or I would share it here, maybe once I figure it out I will post it.

Miss Anything? Just your average "you can't have that because you're pregnant" stuff.

Movement: He moves almost non stop....unless someone that is not me (and now Chris!) tries to feel him move. This includes the nurse that is conducting my weekly non-stress tests and the monitors she sticks on me. You're a funny one, kid.

Food cravings: Still loving my Lindor chocolate, but I really don't think that is a new thing. I go through this Lindor chocolate phase every once in a while, and this time just happens to be when I'm pregnant.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Still incredibly grateful for that.

Gender: Boy!

Symptoms: I am feeling more and more uncomfortable, almost all the time. A short trip to the grocery store leaves me waddling and breathing hard.

Belly Button in or out? It depends on what weird shapes the baby is making my belly into!

Wedding rings on or off? Sadly, off. I really miss seeing them on my finger.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Tired, but happy!

Looking forward to: Still the same- the holidays! I finally got to switch out my "Happy Halloween" banner for a fall wreath! Next step....CHRISTMAS.

8 weeks to go! 

30 Weeks

I know I'm full of excuses most of the time, and this time is no different. I know a lot of people have been looking for a bumpdate, but I kept forgetting to take pictures! I usually can't wait to get out of my work clothes when I get home, and I inevitably remember that I was supposed to take a bumpdate picture -right after my pajamas are on. This time I took one in the morning before I left for work! Also, I have been busy with all of the appointments I have now, but more of that, as well as an update on my giant belly situation, will come later. Isn't it huge?! Comment with your guesses on how far I'm measuring and I will let you know soon!

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: A lot. Too much. But thankfully it appears to be all baby.

Maternity clothes? Absolutely. Even my maternity shirts are starting to get either tight or too short. What do you wear when maternity clothes stop fitting? 

Stretch marks? Absolutely. I like to joke that my belly is like a tree- you can tell how far along I am by counting the rings around my belly button. Thankfully the itching has subsided.

Sleep: I was a stomach sleeper before, so I am getting steadily more miserable when it comes to sleeping. However, I still sleep relatively well, all things considered.

Best moment this week: My best moment this week will be on Saturday, I'm sure. Baby shower!!!

Miss Anything? Nothing has really changed for me as far as what I miss. I will be drinking a tall frosty mug of beer and a glass of Riesling and chasing it with a sandwich chock-full of deli meats as soon as this baby makes his debut.

Movement: Sometimes I feel like he is trying to push his way out of my belly -- too bad for the little guy, it's not working. It is fun to watch him try though!

Food cravings: Chocolate. Not Hershey's chocolate, the good stuff- Lindor chocolate. Lindor chocolate truffles. Unfortunately good = expensive. But I am definitely known to grab a truffle bar from the check out lane at the grocery store.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! So grateful for that.

Gender: Boy!

Symptoms: I feel uncomfortable a lot of the time. I can't sit, stand, or lay down for too long.

Belly Button in or out? It alternates between slightly-stuck-out and flat, depending on the baby's position.

Wedding rings on or off? Either only one, or off. I really miss them, actually.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! I get a little emotional about all of the money I need to pay- with this polyhydramnios (extra amniotic fluid) business, I need to have a lot more appointments so it gets a little overwhelming.

Looking forward to: The holidays. I think Baby Stocking will make his debut closer to Thanksgiving than to Christmas, and that makes it even more exciting!! My friend Ashley has made it known that if the baby is born before Christmas (I really hope so), then we better get a picture of him in a Christmas stocking :) I agree.

10 Weeks (or less) to go! 

Nursery Inspiration

Although we currently live in a one-bedroom apartment, our lease is up just a month or two after our little guy is supposed to be here, so we will be moving to a two-bedroom. I guess that just gives me more time to plan out a nursery! Here are some of my Pinterest favorites:

I just love the mobile on this one. I am not a huge fan of the crib on wheels (maybe this is a bassinet?), but I like the light and dark and neutral colors with pops of green and yellow.

I LOVE the idea of displaying books like this in a child's room. I think it is a little more fun for them than the usual bookcase and it would be so fun to pick out books at bedtime! :)

I am a really big fan of the rustic feel of this one. The rug reminds me of the pallet projects I see everywhere nowadays, but I love how warm the whole room feels. 

This corner is so cute! I love this style of glider- we even registered for an over-sized version that will be great as the baby gets older (and takes up more room). The collection of frames and the bookcase make this corner seem fun, while the light colors make it look a little less cluttered. 

I'm not normally a huge fan of themes, but I just can't get enough of this world-traveler theme! I don't like the pirate all that much, but I love the planes and the map, and I would put a little globe on a bookcase and fill the bookcase with books of travel and adventure. :)

What are some of your favorite nursery ideas? Do you have any advice for me on nursery planning? Are there some things in your nursery you just can't live without? Tell me!

24 Week Excitement

So, if you've ever been pregnant, you know that your monthly appointments are not very long or very eventful.

Usually.

My 24 week appointment started off with an abnormally long wait time. This means I waited 20-25 minutes instead of the usual 5 or so. When I got taken back and I got my blood pressure taken (perfect) and got weighed (not perfect), I noticed that I had gained more weight than I really expected, since I had been better about what I had been eating since my last appointment. I obviously expected to gain weight, I mean I am pregnant, but not that much. Since 16 weeks, I have gained about 15 pounds. And that. is. a. lot.

When I finally got back to a room to see a doctor, I started asking her about the size of my belly (it's big), and the the weight gain. She started asking me about my diet and whether I have been drinking water (she thought she'd catch me on the sugary drinks), but they have both been fine. I drink mostly water and I hardly ever eat out any more and I eat a lot of vegetables and lean meats. Once she got through with that part, she suggested that we do some blood work to check my thyroid.

Then she measured me.

And was surprised.

Because I am measuring at 30 weeks. I am only 24 weeks. That's 6 extra weeks worth of belly.

This made her reconsider. I got sent in for an ultrasound to see if I had any extra amniotic fluid, and to give my organs a once-over. They found that it did look like I had a little extra amniotic fluid and, as far as they could tell, that my organs were fine. This is when all the craziness started.

They brought me in to an empty exam room and told me that they wanted to send me to a perinatal specialist because of my size and because of the amniotic fluid. and they threw around the term "high risk" which is just terrifying to a first time mom who was fine 20 minutes ago. With all of my extra baby-mama hormones, I naturally got worked up and started to cry. The good thing about this is that, because I was all worked up, they told me they would call the specialist and make the appointment for me. The appointment was that day, so I headed over to the hospital (which thankfully was right around the corner) and filled out paperwork and waited to see this specialist.

They told me that they wanted to do an ultrasound, and so they did the entire anatomy scan again (still a boy) and found that he was measuring a little ahead. Babies this gestational age usually weigh about a pound and a half, give or take a few ounces. Guess how much my little dude's estimated weight is? 2.3 pounds. Wowza. He is in the 95th percentile for size, and the 97th percentile for weight. A biiiiiiig baby.

Because of this and the obvious amount of extra fluid I am carrying around, the specialist said that he thought it was a good idea to have me checked for gestational diabetes. Either way, I have to go in every 4 weeks to check his growth. So, I did my glucose test the same day. I drank that drink that tasted surprisingly like Hawaiian Punch (enough to convince me to never ever give it to my child) and I went home to await the results. Thankfully, the doctor called me the next day and said...

I did not have gestational diabetes!

Woo! He told me, verbatim, "you just have a big baby." Because of this, he might come a little early and I have a higher chance of having a c-section due to his size.

So, there you have it. Along with some almost-diagnoses of placenta previa and echogenic intracardial foci, which both were cleared in the end, I had a VERY eventful day. But the good news is, I'm fine. The best news is that little man is fine.

And I really need to thank my husband for going to every appointment with me and offering me support in a would-be-hysteric moment. He is the best.

24 Weeks

I know this is a little late. I was 24 weeks on Tuesday (aka 6 days ago), but I had a whole lot going on this week, so I apologize for the late post. More on that later. For now, 24 weeks!

How far along? 24 Weeks

Total weight gain: A lot. Too much. But doesn't every pregnant person think that?

Maternity clothes? Yes, please! Even my largest pre-pregnancy t-shirts are working hard to cover up this baby belly. Most of the time, I walk around the house looking like a middle-aged man with a pot belly hanging out the bottom of his shirt.

Stretch marks? Yes. This baby is growing so quickly that I have suddenly acquired stretch marks. Sigh. My biggest issue is finding something to ease the itching that these stretch marks cause. I was initially using Olay something-or-other, but it wasn't helping, so I started using the Lubriderm Intense Healing (or something along those lines) and that helped a little, but since the stretching has really ramped up lately, I had to go buy some Palmer's Cocoa Butter. Not the lotion, the actual butter stuff. I needed something thick enough to really get in there, haha. It feels much better, now, but you can still catch me absently scratching my ginormous belly.

Sleep: The second trimester welcomed a lot less midnight bathroom breaks, but I fear they are on their way back....

Best moment this week: Going out to dinner and a movie with Chris this weekend, courtesy of our friends. We babysat for them on Saturday and they gave us the best gift! We saw Guardians of the Galaxy, and it was awesome. The best part was is, since we waited so long to see it, the theater was empty aside from a few people that sat in the very front row. Which is something I will never understand....doesn't everyone know you sit in the middle of the theater so you can see the whole screen without turning your head?!

Miss Anything? Still just the normal things- sushi, beer (especially this time of year), and salami slathered in mustard.

Movement: From the way the Ultrasound techs react, this kid moves a lot more than other kids...and I get the constant reminders every day. :)

Food cravings: For a week or so, I could not get enough rye bread. Especially rye toast. SO delicious.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still a no! Thank goodness!

Gender: Boy

Symptoms: More trouble bending over every day. People think that getting up his hard because you're so big, and that's partly true. However, the biggest problem is leaning forward. With a big 'ol belly in the way, you can't really bend in half. I told Chris the other day that it's like putting a pillow under your shirt and then trying to get up without squishing the pillow. Good luck!

Belly Button in or out? Kind of flat.... I'm really hoping it doesn't start looking like a turkey timer.

Wedding rings on or off? Down to one. I normally have three, but all three don't really fit, so I picked my wedding band and that's all I'm wearing for now.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy! Sometimes I get frustrated at work when I get really tired, but that's pretty much it.

Looking forward to: I would normally say cooler weather, but it's here! YAY! Big fan of this fall-feeling weather. 

Only 16 weeks to go!

22 Weeks

I feel like this shirt makes me look more pregnant that I really am, but I am assured on a daily basis that I'm just that big.

How far along? 22 Weeks

Total weight gain: I gained a little more than I wanted at my last appointment, but I am attributing it to all of the barbeques and pot luck type events I went to in the preceding 4 weeks. I am trying to make some healthier snack decisions, so we'll see what my weight looks like at my next appointment. I have only gained around 15lbs so far, but I'm only halfway so that's a little terrifying for me.

Maternity clothes? I wear mostly all maternity tops with a few of my own thrown in, but I really only have one pair of maternity jeans- black skinny jeans my awesome friend Lauren got for me. I use belly bands most of the time to hold my (unbuttoned and unzipped) pants up and to cover everything. Lauren let me use one she had, and my mom bought be one. They are lifesavers for my work pants especially. No amount of hair tie magic works on those little metal tabs.

Stretch marks? Not on my belly, but a few on my upper thighs/lower buttock region. Bring on the yoga.

Sleep: There is no way my perpetually-thirsty self is not drinking water right before bed, so I think I probably bring it on myself, but I currently get up 1-2 times a night to go to the bathroom, not to mention going right before I go to bed and right after I wake up. How does my body hold so much liquid?!

Best moment this week: Having Chris feel exactly how hard our little guy kicks! He had his hand on my belly, and my normally dad-shy son finally kicked right under Chris's hand. His response? "Holy s#!t!" and lots of smiles.

Miss Anything? I really want a pumpkin beer! And, as always, a salami sandwich with a side of sushi.

Movement: Tons and tons, with more every day! The baby was in constant motion during my ultrasound, so I think he is just finally get strong enough for me to perceive more of his movements.

Food cravings: Nothing really!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Nausea free for almost all of this pregnancy so far (lucky me!)

Gender: It's a BOY! :)

Symptoms: Sometimes when I lean forward or bend down to get something, it's a little hard to breathe, but other than that, nothing really.

Belly Button in or out? Looking weirder (and flatter) every day.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, happy, happy!

Looking forward to: Cooler weather and pumpkin swirl at Dunkin. I know a lot of other places have rolled out their pumpkin flavoring, but having a pumpkin iced coffee almost every day of the season for the past two years has really made me partial to Dunkin's pumpkin swirl. I'm pretty sure they are releasing it in a week or so, though! And I finally found a Dunkin sort of close to me after thinking that my only option was Tim Horton's (good, but not the same.)

Only 18 more weeks to go!

It's a......

BOY!!!!!!!

Sorry for the grainy photo, it's actually a screenshot from my BFF's instagram video. Fun fact about me, I always intend to bring my camera and take pictures of the fun things I do, but then I don't. I am usually in a whirlwind (caused by procrastination, mostly) right before any events that I am planning, and for events that I do not plan, I forget to bring my camera or take pictures with my phone because I'm too busy doing stuff! I also apologize for waiting so long to post this! At this point most (all?) of my followers are my Facebook friends, so you already know. BUT, if you didn't, I'm sorry I kept this information from you for almost two weeks....

BUT ANYWAY

It's a boy! If his movements in-utero are any indication, we will be chasing this boy around for years to come :)

I have to admit, I was pretty convinced it was a girl. My mom had a girl first, my grandma had a girl first, I'm carrying kind of high, and my face is all broken out almost always. But, the one thing this little munchkin cooperated for was the gender reveal, and it was obvious. No mistaking it.

My mom also made us a super cute gift. She was going crazy not being able to tell me about the gifts (she'd made a boy gift and a girl gift), but I was really glad she kept it a surprise. Take a look at what she made us:

How adorable is this little press hat and matching tie?!

I should probably tell you that I am a big reader, and my husband is actually an author and freelance journalist! So this was a really thoughtful and totally awesome gift. Thanks, Mom!

Which brings me to my next point- the "H." This is (if you hadn't guessed it) the first initial of our little dude's first name, but you will have to wait until he makes his debut to learn the name! We decided that we are going to keep that part a secret :)

And to give you an idea of what kind of parents we will be:

This is my husband sucking the helium from the "It's a boy!" balloons.

<3

20 Weeks

If you look closely, you can see The Hulk on my shirt!

How far along? 20 Weeks

Total weight gain: I'm trying not to think about it
Maternity clothes? Most definitely.
Stretch marks? Nope.
Sleep: I haven't been waking up more than once a night, so that's pretty great! I've heard it's downhill from here.
Best moment this week: Seeing the baby on the ultrasound :)
Miss Anything? Beer and wine. I really want a nice sangria or a fall beer!
Movement: I get punched in the gut quite a bit nowadays, and I love it.
Food cravings: I had to have peanut butter chocolate ice cream, but I suppose I could have lived without it.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Nausea free is the way to be
Gender: TBA- Gender reveal party is only a couple days away!
Symptoms: Nothing really so far
Belly Button in or out? In, but getting suspiciously shallow...
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: The gender reveal party!!! Saturday can't come soon enough!

Baby: Weighs 14oz (that's almost a pound!), has a heart rate around 149, and is more active than ever. It keeps its hands up by its face (preparing for the next punch, I'm sure), and keeps their legs crossed under their little bottom, which I cannot wait to see on the outside!

Gender Reveal Party Pin-spiration

So Chris and I have decided that we want to do a gender reveal party! After talking to some of the people in my family, this is apparently a new-fangled idea that only my generation has embraced. I love this idea! I think it is an awesome way to share your news while also getting together with close family and friends. With that said, it's one more thing to add to a long list of to-dos and it does require planning. Being a procrastinator at heart, my plans do not always get actualized. However, I am really trying not to let that happen this time. You should know, though, that this party is two weeks from Saturday, and this is pretty much what I've got, haha.

Reveal Ideas

The one on the left is something I just recently found. We saw the silly string one a while ago, but we both instantly liked it. We are having our gender reveal outside, since it will be August, so we wouldn't really have to worry about too much of a mess. The one on the right is something that I automatically dismissed at first, but since we are having the party outside, it might be really fun to see the balloons drift off into the sky. We may also do a combination of these.

Decor Ideas

As you may have noticed, I apparently have a pretty specific idea for decor. I just love how adorable those old-fashioned style banners are! I don't want anything about this baby to be cookie-cutter (who does?!), but it is so hard to think of original ideas these days! I think there comes a point where nearly everything has just already been thought of. I am just a big fan of the old-timey feel that this style lends to any sort of get-together.

What do you think?

I found all of these on Pinterest, and I'm sure they are super easy for anyone to dig up. If you are curious what other things I may have pinned regarding baby, click on the banner at the right of the page that says "Pinterest" and give me a follow!