The Nursery

I haven't gotten a chance to post photos of the nursery yet so, I figured I'd better do it now. 

36 weeks

We are officially 9 months pregnant today. I can't believe that our baby will be here in 4 weeks. Her nursery is pretty much complete with the exception of a few missing items. We made her bed today and it's so cute. I'll post pictures once it's all done. 

We're also behind on photos again. I'll get to it eventually. 

Random Things

Every day, pregnancy introduces me to new experiences. They range from significant to trivial to serious to silly. I thought I would post about some of them.

Bra Shopping - Having a substantial rack is something very new to me. I had to say goodbye to my modest sized chest about 8 weeks into my pregnancy. And apparently - they're only going to get bigger. Especially after the baby is born and my milk comes in. Now that I've welcomed a fuller bosom, bra shopping has completely changed. Full coverage, no padding, light lift bras are a whole different animal to me. Finding cute bras has suddenly become a little more difficult than it used to be. Comfort is starting to climb the priority ladder and will soon surpass cute. Thank God for Victoria's Secret or I don't know what I'd do. However, with no telling how big these things are going to get, spending $50+ on a bra that may not fit in 3 months seems silly.

Bending Over - Minds in the gutter aside, I'm being very serious with this one. Bending over has become one of the hardest things to do now that my flat belly has been replaced by a watermelon. Whether it be shaving, putting on my shoes, or picking something up off the floor, everything has become a chore. Never been pregnant? Put a basketball under your shirt and try to reach your feet. It's not easy!

Intense Sense of Smell - I walked into the cafeteria this afternoon and thought to myself, "It smells like mashed potatoes and gravy in here" and sure enough, there were mashed potatoes and gravy on the grill. Bloodhounds can eat their hearts out for real.

Swelling - Every part of your body swells when you're pregnant. Why I went into this thinking I was going to be an exception to the rule is beyond me. My legs, my feet, EVERYTHING is swollen. I think the worst part about it is not being able to wear my wedding rings anymore. I either wear just the band or both rings on a necklace. I can't wait to be able to wear them on my fingers again. 

Mama Bear Mentality - My baby girl isn't here yet, but I already have an overwhelming urge to protect her. When random people try to touch my belly, I move away, not so much for me, but for her. The thought of anyone doing anything to hurt her makes me see red. I haven't even met this little girl and I wouldn't hesitate to rip someone's throat out that posed any sort of threat to her. It's a wild feeling.

Every day it's something new! I look forward to what's to come next.

POTD - 03/23/14

(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes
I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man) - Kenny Loggins
Grease - Frankie Valli
Kingdom Come - The Civil Wars
Don't Worry Baby - The Real You 
I Want it All/We Will Rock You Mash Up - Queen & Armageddon 
Heavy In Your Arms - Florence + The Machine
Africa - Toto
Talking to the Moon - Bruno Mars
Cool - Gwen Stefani

Playlist of the Day (POTD)

I've always been a huge fan of the idea of playing music for your baby while they're in the womb. Some studies say it helps with development and makes it easier for them to learn. Some studies say it doesn't do anything for the baby. I'm going to take the optimistic approach and assume it will be good for her. Music is good for babies once they're born so, why not while they're still in there? With that being said, here is Baby Girl's first playlist of the day:

As The World Falls Down - Davie Bowie
Runaway - Bon Jovi
Foolin' (Live) - Def Leppard 
Dust In the Wind - Kansas 
Love Walks In - Van Halen
Magic Dance - David Bowie
When Doves Cry - The Be Good Tanyas
Dream On - Kelly Sweet 
Kiss From a Rose - Seal 
Under The Bridge - Straight No Chaser - Favorite!

* The highlighted songs are ones that she seemed to like the most. When I say liked the most, I judge it based on how much she  moved around while I played the song. "Under The Bridge" was definitely her favorite. 

23 Week Update

How far along? 23 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: 15 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? Maternity shirts and my belly bands are my best friends. Clothes are super uncomfortable right now. This includes pants and bras. Everything just feels too tight.

Stretch marks? I either have gnarly purple stretch marks or varicose veins on my thighs and my butt. They're weird.

Sleep: I don't get a lot.

Best moment this week: Buying Baby Girl her own little pink dream catcher.

Movement: Tons and tons of movement. She's like a little sea monster in there. 

Food cravings: Mediterranean food, ice cream.

What I miss: Lunch meat. I'd kill for a turkey sammy.

What I am looking forward to: Continuing to get her room ready

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? Half in - half out. I think it's going to pop any day now.

Springing Forward

It's the first day of Spring and there is only a little over a week left in March. Time is flying. I remember the first 12 weeks of pregnancy went by so slowly and now it feels like they are speeding up. I can't believe we are almost 23 weeks. If you haven't noticed, I missed the last two weeks photos. Sorry. Keeping up on a blog every week is hard, no matter how exciting it is.

We had an ultrasound on Tuesday and Baby Girl had the hiccups. It was the cutest thing ever. She was also sucking her thumb which was crazy to see. Watching her on the ultrasounds is so amazing. I keep asking myself when this pregnancy is going to feel real. I don't think any of this is actually going to hit me until she is in my arms.

A little side note about ultrasounds - Jason has come to every single ultrasound we've had since we found out we were pregnant. He hasn't missed a one. It's pretty great. I'm pretty lucky. :)

I feel huge right now even though most people say I'm pretty small. So far, I'm all belly. Everything I wear is starting to become uncomfortable and it's only going to get worse from here on out. I honestly can't remember the last time I actually NEEDED (and not just wanted) to buy new underwear because my butt was growing. Weird..

With that, I'll leave you with our 22 week photo.

16 week update

How far along? 16 weeks.

Total weight gain/loss: 6 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? None of my regular pants zip/button anymore. Thank God for the belly bands or I'd be in some trouble.

Stretch marks? None so far

Sleep: I'm not sleeping well. Sleeping on my stomach is starting to be uncomfortable and I don't like sleeping on my side.

Best moment this week: My day date with Jason.

Movement: Not feeling anything yet.

Food cravings: Macaroni and cheese, ice cream, and tuna sammies

What I miss: Sleeping on my back

What I am looking forward to: Our doctors appointment on Tuesday.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? In still, but starting to get like flat? I dunno .. something is happening!

Random thought

Sports bras are a miracle when you're pregnant. I don't know why I didn't try this sooner.

15 weeks + 2 days

Once again I'm a little behind on my photos. I'll update later this week with our 14 and 15 week photos.  I don't have a whole lot to update on today. Jason and I have been making more frequent trips to Babies R Us and getting an idea of what we're going to need when the baby gets here. It's overwhelming how much you need and how many options there are out there of everything. Sheesh.

Anyways - I'll leave you with this little weekly update thingy that I think I'll start doing along with our photos:

How far along? 15 weeks + 2 days.

Total weight gain/loss: 6 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? I bought two belly bands so I can still wear my regular pants. Definitely loving maternity tops though.

Stretch marks? None so far

Sleep: I'm not sleeping well. Sleeping on my stomach is starting to be uncomfortable and I don't like sleeping on my side.

Best moment this week: Getting an afghan in the mail that my Nana crocheted for the baby.

Movement: Not feeling anything yet.

Food cravings: French vanilla ice cream

What I miss: Sleeping on my back

What I am looking forward to: My day date with Jason on Friday and our next doctors appointment.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? In!

Yum

I just ate the most delish tuna sandwich. Seriously, it hit the spot.