SECOND TRIMESTER UPDATE ❤ 27/28 WEEKS

While I have been very active on all my other social media platforms, I have totally neglected this blog the past six months! With the new year I want to get back to posting more regularly on here, because this blog is first and foremost a journal for me that I never want to stop using. The main thing that has been keeping me away from posting here is that I have been doing much more vlogging. Basically what I would post on my blog now done on video form on my YouTube channel. I have been posting very regularly on there if you are interested. 

Just yesterday I filmed and posted a Second Trimester Update! I haven't posted more about this pregnancy because there hasn't been much to say. I have been feeling amazing and I have hardly any symptoms to even mention. You can hear more about the things that have been changing more recently for me as I am about to start the final trimester of my pregnancy. I can't believe how fast this has flown on by and before I know it I will be a mom of two! A little BOY! AHHH haha I am getting excited :)

GENDER REVEAL VLOG ❤ HE OR SHE? WE'RE HAVING A...

HE OR SHE? Check out our gender reveal vlog :) We are SO excited to see Ella become a big sister! These are the kinds of videos I really love having. I believe that life should be enjoyed and celebrated, and invite you to join along in the party! ❤ XO

Life Lately... He or She?

 

He or She? 🍫 What will it be? Make your guesses now because we will announce the gender tomorrow! 💙💕😝 Ella only seems to care about shoving chocolate in her face! 😂 What can I say? Haha #leftoverhalloweencandy

It appears I can only manage so many different social media platforms! haha I have been focusing a bit more on my YouTube channel lately and have totally neglected the blog. Since having Ella I have taken so much video it is crazy! I have decided to not let those go to waste and just sit on my desktop, and to essentially "blog" them, or as they say "vlog." So I have doing a lot more vlog style videos over there if you want to check them out. Just in the last week I vlogged our trip to Arizona (Part One, Part Two, Part Three) Our Halloween weekend, and more recently a little peek into our week! I will work on being better about posting them on here along with whatever pictures I have to keep things moving on this front. Don't be surprised if you see some out of order posting as I play catch up on the blog! 

Here is my latest vlog! I go to a friendsgiving, paint more cabinets in my kitchen, and prepare for our gender reveal :)

16 Weeks Pregnant Update + Vlog ❤

My top is from ARDEN for those who have asked. LOVE ALL THEIR STUFF!

How far along: I am 16 weeks and 2 days!

How big is baby: The size of an avocado

Weight Gain: Haven't weighed myself this week but I think I have put on a few pounds.

Maternity clothes: I am starting to wear more of my maternity tops and while I can fit into my regular pants, I am having to start doing the hair band trick on my jeans by the afternoon ;) haha

Stretch marks: No new ones!

Sleep: Thankfully so far no issues! .

Craving: Same old, same old. Cereal, PB + J's and Macaroni and Cheese. This time around I find that I am almost not in the mood for food. Which is kind of depressing cause I live for food haha

Feeling: I am getting anxious to find out what we are having! Ella and I are off to Arizona for a trip and soon after we get back we will be finding out the gender and I couldn't be more excited. I JUST WANT TO KNOW!

I put together a fun little pregnancy update via a vlog if you want to watch that for some more insight and a peek into my day.

14 Weeks - First Trimseter Update - Baby Number Two!

Well wow! Here we are, back to some maternity updates for the blog for baby number two. Still haven't really wrapped my mind around that. You see, this baby was kind of a surprise. I talk all about it in my YouTube video so I don't want to rehash here, but let's just say I am really fertile! haha Trevor and I have always wanted to have our children close together. We had talked about having our kids 18 months to 2 years apart, so this does fit into our plan nicely. This pregnancy so far has been a night and day compared to Ella's. I was incredibly sick the past few months, throwing up multiple times a days every day. Thankfully as I have entered the second trimester it has been so much better! I also haven't put on any weight, which by this time with Ella I had already gained about 10 pounds. My circumstances are just so different now, where I am able to be so much more active because I am not chained to a desk all day and being temped by donuts and eating out with co-workers haha I decided to fill out the little questionnaire I did with Ella's update and I plan to do the occasional video update as well on my YouTube channel. 

How far along: I am 14 weeks and 5 days!

How big is baby: The size of a Lemon :)

Weight Gain: I go into more detail about this in my YouTube video, but I haven't put on any weight. I keep fluctuating back and forth a pound. This pregnancy is already so different from Ella! haha It is so strange to see my tummy pop out but not see any weight gain on the scale!

Maternity clothes: I am still in my regular clothes! 

Stretch marks: No new ones!

Sleep: Thankfully so far no issues! I am still early enough along this hasn't been a problem yet.

Craving: Exactly what I craved last time I was pregnant haha I have been craving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cereal (Life, Grape Nut Flakes, Oatmeal Squares, Honey Bunches of Oats, and Special K Vanilla Almond.) Mac N Cheese, of course!

Feeling: Excited :) The first few months I was so sick and busy I hardly registered that I was pregnant, but now that my energy is coming back and I am feeling better and I have a little bump, I have been thinking about baby number two a lot more. I can't wait to see what he or she is like and watch them with Ella. Hearing the heart beat and seeing the ultrasound is always crazy, there is a little life in there! The body really is an amazing thing, and these little ones really are miracles. Trevor and I are thrilled that our family is growing. I just want to get all our kids here as soon as possible! I want my whole family together :) haha

Ella Grayce Crowley

Well we had a pretty amazing weekend in the Crowley household, introducing... 

Ella Grayce Crowley

Our hearts have grown a few more sizes! After only a 3 1/2 hour labor, our little girl was born at 4:44 am on Saturday morning. She was 7 pounds 4 ounces and 20 inches. She wore the same outfit home that I wore home from the hospital after I was born. We are absolutely smitten!

40 Weeks Pregnancy Update

  DRESS: C/O Target SWEATER: Cotton On (Similar)

I am 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant! Baby girl is as big as a Jack Fruit, whatever that is? haha I am officially "past due" and let me tell you, I feel it! Last week at my appointment I was dilated to a 1, so I was really excited to see if anything had changed at my doctor's appointment today. I was still dilated to a 1, however, I had completely softened, and my doctor said the only thing holding me up from dilating was the fact that I haven't really been having any contractions. Because my cervix has softened, once I start having contractions, the dilation will amp up! My doctor stripped my membranes, which I was really nervous about doing, but thankfully it wasn't bad at all. I had totally hyped it up in my head. I mean, sure, it was really uncomfortable, and it "hurt" but not much worse than the cervical exams you get weekly at this point anyways. Both my doctor and I hope the stripping gets my body going over the next 24 hours! I feel a little achy but so far, that is it. Cross your fingers people. I would really like to start on my own and not be induced.

My Mom is flying in late tonight so she will be here for the labor and delivery. Trevor and I are going on a little date night tonight because who knows if this could be our last without needing a babysitter! Isn't that a thought? Crazy! Hopefully my next blog post will be a baby girl announcement. Stay tuned :)

39 Weeks Pregnancy Update & a VLOG

TOP: C/O Pink Blush Maternity  KIMONO: Cotton On

Well folks, I am truly at the finish line! I am 39 weeks pregnant and 3 days with only 4 more days until my due date! Baby girl is the size of a Watermelon!

I have decided that this Friday will be my last day of work, the day before my due date. That is if I don't go into labor before that! I was planning on working up until I went into labor, but Trevor convinced me I should take some time to relax and rest before the baby comes. It didn't take too long for him to convince me of that with how tired my body has been though! haha Not much has changed since last week really. Still uncomfortable and ready for baby girl to arrive. Still trying to get everything ready before the baby comes. I am starting to think you can never fully be "ready" so I just need to go with it at this point. I have my last scheduled doctors appointment tomorrow, which is pretty surreal. I might have to another one though if she doesn't come this week. I believe I wrote this in my last update, but if I don't have the baby by the 29th I will be induced that day. So I guess we shall see what happens!

I finally posted a new YouTube video! Talk about procrastinating, the last one I did was me announcing I was pregnant and doing my 13 week pregnancy update! haha I do plan on doing more YouTube videos again, so stay tuned ;) I know, I know, like you haven't heard that before! haha

38 Weeks Pregnancy Update

TOP: C/O Pink Blush Maternity PANTS: C/O Target

Tuesday was our wedding anniversary and before we headed out for dinner I had Trevor get my weekly bump picture! I am 38 Weeks and 3 days in this picture and baby girl is the size of a pumpkin! Pumpkin is actually what my grandparents call me, so that kind of made me smile this week. I have 1 week and 2 days left until my due date! AHHHH :)

I have had a pretty persistent pregnancy symptom the last few months that can actually be pretty painful. I have been trying to describe it to Trevor every time it happens because it usually results in me going "OUCH, OUCH, OUCH!" haha and I just recently learned it actually has a name. The name is horrible, haha, but it is called Lighting Crotch. While the name leaves much to be desired, it is actually a pretty good description of what it feels like! I have had it multiple times a day, pretty much every day, for the last two months. Anyways, after looking it up and reading about it I feel a lot less crazy. I would always tell Trevor it felt like she was punching me in the crotch or pinching me. Which online it was described exactly like that, "a sudden and often sharp pain deep in the pelvis or vaginal area. The severity varies but most women find that it’s quite painful and feels like they’re being ‘punched in the crotch’." I even saw it described as a stabbing pain, or like you sat on a knife. So accurate! Anyways, it is by far my least favorite pregnancy symptom I have had, and it has unfortunately been my most persistent besides swelling. It happens for a few reasons but mainly it is the baby being down low and hitting your nerves! Lovely.

Trevor has reached a point where he is incredibly impatient waiting for the baby to come. He wants the baby out now! haha Every day he asks her why she won't come out and play already. He lays his head on my stomach, rubs it, talks to her, it is actually the cutest thing ever and melts my heart. He is going to be such a good Dad. She will be teased and loved like no other, that is for sure! I am getting significantly more tired, but am trying to pull through strong and continue to work, and go about my life without letting it slow me down. For now I don't want her coming before the 15th, which I don't think will happen anyways, but it is pretty mind blowing to realize that my due date is only in 9 days! I have slowly been getting some to dos done on my list, but I still have my hospital bag to put together and some clothing organization to do in the nursery, so until that happens she is not allowed to come! haha Gosh, if only I could know what her time table was that would be super helpful!

I am getting a little more anxious for labor and delivery as I get this close. I have taken classes, read books, and feel as prepared as one like me could ever be going into something like this, but that fear of the unknown is creeping in. I am always nervous about doing something I haven't done before, no matter how prepared I feel for it. But I know that my body is built for this, and that I can do anything I put my mind to. I know I am strong, and capable. So I am just trying to keep the positive vibes headed my way and be confident :)

37 Weeks Pregnancy Update

DRESS: C/O Pink Blush Maternity SWEATER: Target 

In this picture I was 37 weeks and officially hit FULL TERM. Baby girl is the size of a Winter Melon, and I have 2 weeks and 2 days left before my due date! Pure craziness I tell yah. 

Mother nature sure knows what she is doing. I feel like all the things you can complain about throughout your entire pregnancy all accumulate and hit you at once during the last month and few weeks. You know, just to make sure you are on board with the fact that the baby needs to come out soon! haha I have been getting nauseous again, which I think is due to the fact that there is no more room in there at all so she is squishing up on my stomach a lot. The heartburn has really picked up at night as well. I have been having back spasms occasionally, and my belly feels so heavy I swear I need something to like, lift it for me when I walk! When she moves now it can be pretty painful because she is just rubbing against me with no wiggle room. So overall I am pretty uncomfortable at this point, tired, and just wanting her to be here already! haha

I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I am now full term and baby girl is due in just a few weeks. I personally think I will go late, but only time will tell. I am sure I have had small braxton hicks but they are hard to notice or catch, however, last week I DEFINITELY had some for a good half hour. It was pretty crazy! I won't lie I have been pretty proud of myself for the energy I have been able to maintain. I am working full time, and have been coming home trying to finish house projects and errands that still need done. I painted the nursery closet doors this week after work, and even managed to shave my legs! All by myself people! I did both of these things all by myself :) haha Yes, the shaving the legs part deserves a high five. I had a doctors appointment this week, and will have them every week from here on out. My doctor told me how great her heart sounds, very strong! Which of course was good to hear. I got my first cervical exam... which was not so great, haha. I still have to put together my hospital bag, yikes, but plan on finishing that this week so I can be prepared. It is crazy to think some people have already had their babies by this time and I don't even have my hospital bag together. I feel like this month is going to whiz on by simply because of all the things I still need to get done before she comes!

I swear, the baby showers just never seem to end over here. I had one in San Diego, one up here in Utah, my ward at Church hosted one for me last week, and then on Saturday Trevor's family came up to host one at our place - FOUR baby showers! I feel very blessed to have so many people in my life who want to celebrate our little girl. I will share more details about the last two showers soon!

Speaking of celebrations, last week my brother Ben and his wife had their first baby! A boy! It has been so much fun being pregnant for our first times together. The texts we would send each other over the past few months are pretty great and I am so excited for them. His name is Jack and is seriously one of the most adorable babies! I am not just saying that because he is my nephew. Looking at all of his pictures they are posting and see their excitement really got me baby hungry, so I guess it is a good thing I have my own coming soon. It will be fun to have cousins so close in age. Ben is going to be such a good Dad and I am so excited for them both! But seriously, how cute is Jack? I had to restrain from posting a million of him.

35/36 Weeks Pregnancy Update

DRESS: SIMILAR

Taken this afternoon right after Church. I am 36 weeks and 1 day! Baby girl is as big as a large Cantaloupe. I have 3 weeks and 6 days left, but whose counting? ;)

I have been so busy lately that the last few pregnancy updates have been done two weeks at a time. We just have so much going on it gets hard to snap a picture of myself during the week. Last weekend we painted the nursery, or should I say I painted the nursery. This may not sound like a big deal, but being almost nine months pregnant and seeing that the nursery is really the size of two bedrooms... it was a feat and I am exhausted. I am also really proud of how it turned out because I have never painted before! There was a bit of a learning curve but I think I got it down. Trevor really couldn't do much with his foot, but he helped here and there. Taping, pouring paint, watching me paint, haha. Bless his heart. It was fun to talk about our little girl and how this will be her bedroom, probably the biggest bedroom she will ever have all to herself. Too bad she won't realize it before she can truly enjoy that aspect, haha.

Anyways, the paint job made a world of difference in the room! It got me really excited to finally get started on fixing up the rest of the house, probably after baby however. And then this weekend we finished all the big stuff up, putting together the crib, moving in the dresser, framing pictures, Grandpa even built the stroller and car seat! I have to give a big thank you to my parents who helped out a ton. They were on their way back from Canada and stopped in for the weekend. Grandpa and Grandma worked their butts off helping Trevor and I who honestly needed it under our current conditions. It was greatly appreciated and cut the time it would have taken us in half, probably more! haha

So many things have been changing for me physically lately. I feel her move so much more now which is crazy! I feel like I keep saying this but I guess that makes sense as she gets bigger and bigger, but it doesn't change how weird and fun it is. My back hurts, and my hip pain is an every night thing causing me not to sleep that well basically every night now. I have been breaking out like never before in my life. I mean it, I never had breakouts like this even as a teenager! haha I think I have a lot going on with my hormones lately and this heat and constant sweating isn't helping. I have even noticed my shoes not fitting, which I have heard happening to many pregnant women. As long as they shrink back I will be fine, I have too many amazing shoes! haha All of this for baby girl is worth it though, really. I can't wait. This week at my next appointment I will have an ultrasound which I am excited for. I have only seen baby girl twice so it will be fun to see how big she is in comparison. The doctor wants to see where she is positioned and if she is ready to go for birth! I also have to have the Group B Strep test which is going to be a blasssssst. I can't believe I only have four more doctor's appointments! AHHHHH. August can't come soon enough :)

33/34 Weeks Pregnancy Update

DRESS: C/O Pink Blush Maternity  KIMONO: Cotton On

Trevor took this picture on our porch this morning, I am 34 Weeks and 1 Day! 

I have two baby apps I use to follow along all the changes going on with baby girl, and today it says she is as a big as a butternut squash! 5 weeks and 6 days to go, is it too early to start a paper chain countdown? haha :)

Man, baby girl has grown! I now feel every jab and kick and sometimes, they are intense. I was actually in a lot of pain earlier this week because she was moving so dang much and really going crazy in there, haha. It is like a love/hate feeling because I love feeling her move and knowing she is alright in there, but also would like to get some sleep and not feel like my insides are a punching bag! haha Pregnancy is funny that way, so many things you love about it, and others you could do without. For example, my dark arm pits. Okay, this one folks is a weird one. I had noticed my arm pits getting darker, and I thought I was going crazy and one day I went to put on some deodorant and there was no denying it, there were these super dark pits I had never seen before! Being practically albino, I don't have any color variation when it comes to my arm pits so this was not normal for me. I looked it up and lo and behold, darker pits are totally a pregnancy symptom! All resulting from those lovely hormones of course. The things our body does is the most impressive, and sometimes the strangest. It has sure been an experience!

I have been taking some birthing classes and I have really been enjoying them. I only have one left and it is getting pretty surreal that I am in the final stretch of preparing myself for birth. I have always been fascinated by birth, watching documentaries and what not from a young age, and so these classes have been so much fun for me! I am a sponge and love learning more about my body, my baby and everything that is happening. I have also been loving learning all about my choices, options, and things about hospital policies and protocol. Seriously, anyone who is pregnant should really know what is going on, there are a lot of things you would be surprised to learn they do that is completely unnecessary for you and your baby that you can opt out of. It has been fascinating to educate myself on all of this.

I have got to a point in this pregnancy where a good nights sleep is hit or miss. My hips just absolutely kill me in the wee hours of the morning and body pillows, nothing, helps! Ugh. Trevor has been really sweet, he will wake up and try and help me get comfortable, bless his heart that he has to lose sleep too! haha It is fun in the morning when it is just me, him and our baby girl and we kind of just talk to her and about her. I already feel like we are a family, and I love it.

32 Weeks Pregnancy Update - Lindsay Olsen Photography

 

DRESS // SANDALS // BRACELETS // FLOWER CROWN

 

 

LINDSAY OLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY

 

 

Lindsay Olsen is a Newborn and Baby Photographer here in Utah, and while that is her main focus, she indulged me in some maternity pictures. Oh my goodness where do I even start? I love these! When you are this far along in your pregnancy it can be hard to feel like you look your best, but I think Lindsay captured the beauty of pregnancy in these photos and I will cherish them for years to come. The softness and natural element these photos have suit a maternity session perfectly, and Lindsay made me so comfortable. I can't wait to work with her again when our little girl arrives! And, as per usual, a gazillion photos after the jump...

 

How big is baby: Baby girl is as big as a squash, or a head of lettuce! Can you believe that? Around 19 inches long and almost 4 pounds.

I forgot to mention something exciting that happened back in week 30, Trevor got to see baby girl move! He has yet to feel her, BOO, but he saw her moving one time when we were trying to get him to feel her. It was pretty cool and it is so fun that you can see her jabs through my stomach every now and then if I am laying down. I love it! Speaking of movement, like I mentioned last week, her movements are so much more intense now. I could tell that something definitely had changed and after my appointment this week I learned that she has indeed turned head down. I had a feeling she had, so it is fun knowing exactly where she is and what I am feeling or seeing. For example, sometimes she goes completely to one side of my belly and I look super lopsided, it is hilarious. My doctor told me when I see the lump that appears, it is her bum! How cute is that? Okay maybe other people wouldn't think that is cute but to me it is utterly adorable.  

It was getting a little surreal as the doctor started asking me a lot more about how I plan to give birth, and questions about nearing the end of this pregnancy. Before we know it, she will be here! 7 weeks and 4 days to be exact. I would love if she came a little earlier than that, but seeing that the women in my family tend to go late I am not getting my hopes up! haha I have been feeling pretty good, considering there is a pretty intense heat wave right now in Utah. It has been in the 100's the past few weeks and I am dying! Being pregnant in the middle of the summer is already one thing but add this heat and I am over it, haha. Besides that the only thing bothering me lately is the usual, swollen feet, painful swollen hands, and while I don't have heart burn that bad typically, I have noticed an increased need for tums in the middle of the night. I really think my list of pregnancy complaints is pretty small compared to what I hear other women talk about so I am considering myself lucky! We have so much to do this month to prepare for the baby so I don't want to rush time, but August just can't come soon enough!
 

30/31 Weeks Pregnancy Update

 

DRESS: C/O TARGET // PURSE (ALMOST EXACT) // SHOES // BRACELETS // WATCH C/O DW // EARRINGS // LIPSTICK

 

BRIT NICOLE PHOTOS

 

These fun photos were from my little session a few weeks back with Brit and thought they would be fun to share!

“Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends!” –KATE SPADE

 

Gosh I am behind on these updates! Last week my mom was in town, and with working full time, and Trevor breaking his foot and needing surgery, life has become a tad hectic for me! I am going non-stop and honestly am shocked I am evening finding the time to blog at all. But I am committed! haha I decided to do a combined update for the past two weeks to catch up, and do a more general update like last time without all the specific questions.

 

How big is baby: Baby girl went from a Cucumber to a Pineapple! How on earth is there a pineapple inside me?! haha

SO much has happened over the last few weeks. I hit 30 weeks the day of my Utah Baby Shower! It was fun to celebrate this little girl with all the friends I have made since living here in Utah. I also got to see some people I grew up with that have ended up in Utah, and even my mom came up for the shower. It was a great day and like a giant reunion of sorts! I have so many amazing people in my life and people willing to go above and beyond for me! Thanks to everyone who came out and those who traveled to see me, I appreciate it so much! During week 30 Trevor also went and broke his foot, I wrote all about it HERE, but to sum it up it required surgery and from here on out our summer is going to look a lot different with him not being able to walk up until the baby is born, and me being super pregnant. It isn't the end of the world of anything but it sure puts a wrench in a lot of our plans and things we wanted to get done before the baby arrives. But we will just have to make do! So now I am taking care of me and this baby, and my big baby Trevor who can't do much since he can't bear weight at all on his foot for the next six weeks!

 

My swelling has gotten to the point where I have developed Pregnancy Carpal Tunnel, where my hands are tingly, numb, and weak. Sometimes it can spread up into my wrists and forearm. It is the worst in the mornings, but gets better throughout the day. In the mornings in can be painful just to try and get some toilet paper from the roll because it hurts so much to bend them!!! Thankfully this should go away once I have the baby, but for now it is very annoying. My feet seem to be managing the swelling a little better, I think it is because I have learned how to keep them down a bit with compression socks and taking breaks. Gosh this third trimester stuff is fun, no?! haha

 

So far during week 31 I have noticed a change in how I feel her move. She must be a lot bigger, because her movements are so much more intense, and more uncomfortable. I hesitate to use the word hurt, because that isn't right but, I can feel she is hitting a lot more stuff in there than she was before! I am also really starting to feel the restrictions of my body as I get bigger. We have been doing a lot of house projects and work these days and my body just doesn't move the same way it used to, that's for sure. There is a legit basketball baby belly now! haha While it is hard work I am actually really happy I have something active to do at the end of my days. It has been hard getting myself to the gym, but just doing this housework I feel has made all the difference in making sure I am getting enough exercise! I sit at a desk job all day long, so to come home even though I am tried and do something I can tell is keeping my body a lot stronger than if I was coming home and vegging on the couch. I also read that keeping active can help with the swelling so maybe that's why my feet have got a little better? Who knows! Either way, I am at the point in this pregnancy where I am taking it a day at a time. I cant' believe I only have about 8 weeks left in this pregnancy! The single digit count down is blowing my mind! haha Baby girl will be here SO SOON :)!

DRESS: C/O TARGET // PURSE (ALMOST EXACT) // SHOES // BRACELETS // WATCH C/O DW // EARRINGS // LIPSTICK

29 Weeks Pregnancy Update - Great Salt Lake Maternity Photos

 

Roxana B Photography

One of my favorite things about the blogging community, and I should really just start saying social media community, because let's face it, it isn't just about blogging anymore, is meeting so many talented and creative people! I have been able to collaborate and work with so many awesome companies and people. One of those people is Roxana! She has been helping me with my Pink Blush Maternity Collaborations over the last few months, and so when she wanted to get some maternity shots of me, of course I obliged. We always have a blast together, and I love when she brings her sweet baby Clara with her. That gorgeous little girl with a head full of hair would make anything in life better. Anyways, remember how much I loved this dress from ASOS? Well even though I am already about to bust out of it *awkward face* I figured it was perfect for the location she wanted to shoot, the Salt Lake! And it was such a gorgeous night and the sunset was killer and Roxana rocked it of course. Infact, this is where Roxana and I originally met, she was helping her talented sister-in-law out when they did this dreamy shoot with me!

Anyways, I thought I would share these images along with my 29 Weeks Pregnancy Update. I also decided to just do a general update and forego some of the repetitive questions this week! :)

How far along: I am 29 weeks and 5 days!

How big is baby: Baby girl is as big as an Acorn Squash!

This week I had a doctors appointment. I look forward to these appointments because it means I get to hear that heart beat again. I just LOVE hearing her heart beat! That morning before going in she was moving more than I had ever felt her before! It was so fun! I had worn a pair of leggings that I guess have gotten a little tight, haha, and I was having a hard time trying to find a spot to put them that felt comfortable. Wearing them below the belly was making me sick, wearing them above the belly was apparently annoying baby girl. Every time I brought them up over my belly she started moving around and "freaking out" and when I would put them back down she would stop. I guess was in "her space" and is was hilarious! Anyways, at my appointment my doctor asked if I had changed anything with my diet or exercise because my weight gain trend looked much better. What a relief! haha I honestly hadn't changed a thing, and she mentioned again what she said earlier when I had gained so much in a short period of time that sometimes women put on more during different stages and it usually all balances out. This made me feel a lot better! She estimated I will put on around 40-44 pounds, which ironically is exactly what my mom put on with all six of her pregnancies. We have always been so similar so that made me smile. She told me that I passed my glucose test with flying colors *yay for that fiasco* and we proceeded to start talking about how I need to look into pediatricians and get registered for labor and delivery.... Oh man, at that moment it hit me how close I am getting. We are preparing for the last leg here! I even booked out my doctor's appointments for the rest of my pregnancy! I am going to be starting my hypnobirthing classes as well and can't wait to really start mentally and physically preparing myself for delivery!

I also am starting to notice some slight "Pregnancy Mask" on my face. My skin has definitely gone through some changes during this pregnancy! Hormones, got to love them. I haven't really had acne or anything, but the texture and pigmentation has changed. It is just different and unpredictable. When telling my mom about the pregnancy mask she mentioned she had some of that too, of course! Remember how I said my pregnancy has been very similar to hers?! haha Anyways, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, I have pretty sensitive skin, and I do have the linea nigra. In fact I need to make sure I get a picture of my stomach sometime for keepsakes as well. I used to think taking pictures of your bare pregnant belly was weird but now I totally get why women do it :) haha

Anyways, it has been a pretty exciting and busy week! I am feeling baby girl move lot more which makes me happy, obviously. I think Trevor will probably be able to feel her one of these times now, he just needs to catch it! He has had a few missed opportunities. She is getting bigger every day and I FEEL it so I know soon enough he will have plenty of opportunities. I am SO excited to meet her. She needs to just get here already!

A TOTAL PHOTO DUMP AFTER THE JUMP - Roxana B Photography

There were just so many pretty ones it was hard to narrow down which ones to blog! Roxana rocks :)

28 Weeks Pregnancy Update

DRESS: C/O TARGET // BRACELETS // WATCH: C/O DANIEL WELLINGTON // HAT: ARDEN

 

BRIT NICOLE PHOTOS

You are all probably sick of seeing bump pictures after last week, but I still had to share my update for week 28, Sorry! This blog was in fact started as a journal to document my life, so document I must do :) I keep getting behind on these so you will probably see a double post this week of updates so I can catch up.

 

How far along: I am 28 weeks (in this picture!) haha

How big is baby: The baby is as big as an eggplant!

Sleep: Remember how I was just saying sleep was going alright? Well we can just scratch that. My poor hips just hurt all the time, and my feet, and I am soooo over it. I got a bunch of suggestions on facebook last week for body pillows, I am finally giving in and will be getting one! I probably shouldn't have waited so long! haha I am stubborn like that.   

Craving: I have never been a big lover of just basic meat and veggie sandwiches, but for the last few months I have been really enjoying them and dare I say, craving them! Lately I have been wanting Subway and Jimmy Johns. This was probably more due to the fact that my body wanted a break from the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I was having daily, haha. But really, I hope this new acquired taste lasts because I would love to maintain eating healthier sandwiches even after this pregnancy!

 

Random: I had to take the infamous glucose test, which by the way, was not nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Kind of tasted like orange soda, meets Gatorade, meets tang. The worst part was just having to drink it in under 8 minutes on the spot. I was also annoyed I had to just sit there for an hour. I work right down the street and was hoping they would let me go back for a bit, but alas, I had to just sit there in the waiting area for an hour. If I had been thinking ahead I would have brought a book. Let me remind you I HATE needles. I have a phobia of them, which has honestly gotten better since getting pregnant and needing to get my blood drawn so much. So I go in there and I am talking to the lady about the drink, and how it wasn't that bad, yadda, yadda, prick, prick, anyways. Done. Phew. So were talking and I mention the test again and she goes, "Oh wait, Glucose!" I used the wrong tube! She took my blood in the wrong vile, I guess you need to have a specific kind for this test that has a powder inside already to mix with. Anyways, she proceeds to prick my same exact vein, which by the way, WAY HURTS the second time around. I was NOT happy! Then I make a sarcastic joke about how it is a good thing we caught that or I would have not only needed to come back and get pricked again, but take the drink and wait another hour! She then made some joke about needing to print off another label for the tube with my name on it so she doesn't lose it..... I didn't laugh. And I swear if I have to go back and do this all again because this woman lost my blood, head will roll! haha I laugh but I am half joking.

Feeling: Sore! My feet are always killing me. I have ran two half marathons and a full marathon, and the soreness I am feeling I would associate to how my feet felt after those races. Compression socks have been my only little glimmer of hope, but while they do a lot of the swelling they only help so much for the pain. I guess I just must have really poor circulation because they are numb when I get up in the morning and just sore when I walk on them in general. Even when I am sitting at work at my desk all day, when I get home you would have thought I had been on them ALL DAY. It is by far my biggest complaint about pregnancy so far. BUT I know how lucky I am to have all these aches and pains and the ability to carry this sweet girl, and so I will take it in stride!  


Dear Baby Girl,

I am officially in the third trimester and I can't believe how fast the time is going by! Less than 11 weeks to go! Which sounds like forever and like nothing at the same time. You Father and I have been feeling the pressure trying to get everything in order for your arrival. I am feeling you move a little more, and am crossing my fingers your Daddy, who has been very patient, can feel you sometime soon! Dang anterior placenta! haha Anyways, I am about to get started on your Nursery and I am so excited to make a space just for you. Speaking of spaces, your Dad and I bought a new couch and it has an obnoxiously large ottoman. We have dubbed it the Baby's Island, because we decided how cute you would look just chillin' in the center of it, your own island of leather haha We just can't wait for you to get here already!

XO, Mom 

27 Weeks Pregnany Update!

DRESS

 

It was really sunny and windy so excuse my squinted eyes! haha I saw this dress on ASOS weeks ago and as soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. Have you ever had a moment like that while shopping? It was like, "Um yup, your mine!" haha Unfortunately this dress was apart of the packages that were stolen from my doorstep while we were gone in New York! BUT the customer service was amazing and they totally replaced it for me without any hassle! How amazing is that? I have always LOVED ASOS but after that they have my loyalty for life! I hope to still be able to wear even when I am not pregnant.

How far along: I am 27 weeks and 6 days

How big is baby: The baby is as big as a Rutabaga!

Weight Gain: Don't really weigh myself unless I have an appointment! Speaking of appointments, I have to do that Glucose test sometime soon.... BAH.

 

Sleep: I don't know what has happened this week but I am crossing my fingers that it lasts! I have been sleeping soooo well. I feel like the bigger I get the more comfortable my sleep has been? Is that normal? haha I am sure I will hit a point where that is absolutely not true anymore, but for now I am enjoying it.

Craving: I am back on the peanut butter and jelly train! I have been eating them all week. I also got the most insane craving for egg salad sandwiches yesterday so I have plans to make lots of those too :)

 

Random: I really miss my jawline! haha It is pretty much non-existent at this point. I mean, I had noticed that it was disappearing, but it wasn't until I saw a picture of myself from last summer that it really hit me! Oh well... someday it will return! haha

Feeling: I have been feeling baby girl, so much more! I don't know if she has always been so active, or if I am just feeling it more now that she is bigger, but I have been feeling much more than I normally do and I have been loving it. Keep it coming little one!


Dear Baby Girl,

This past week I went home to San Diego to attend a Baby Shower hosted in your honor! There are so many people that already love you. I don't know if you will ever understand how lucky you are. I have so many hopes for you in this life and having loyal, amazing, dedicated friends who love you unconditionally is such a big one. I hope that you will have that, and that you can be that for those around you. It was such a beautiful day, and at one point opening presents I just burst into tears. It wasn't the gift specifically that made me cry, but knowing that you would be here so soon and wearing these clothes and using these things, it just really hit me and made it all a reality. I am going to have a daughter! Thankfully I was amongst friends, but I was still a tad embarrassed I got so caught up in my emotions. You already mean so much to me, and you aren't even here yet. I have been working like a crazy woman trying to get everything ready for your arrival, I want everything to be perfect, but I know it won't be. I guess it is already a lesson in parenting... I want to be a perfect parent, but I know I will make mistakes because I am only human. But I love you more than anything and I think that is really what matters in the end. You will be loved perfectly!

Love,
Mom