39 Weeks & Waiting

I feel: impatient! And it’s not even my due date yet. Where are you, M!?

Happy or Moody: Happy at home and irritable at work. My patience with people is running thin… Must be a pregnant woman syndrome?

Showing: Definitely. Feeling as big as a house. Every time Mike sees my bare stomach his reaction is “Whoa.” And people who haven’t seen me in the last couple weeks have had literally the same response. So obviously things are changing!

Maternity Clothes: The belly has definitely dropped because I now find my bump hanging out the bottom of tank tops that used to give me lots of coverage down there. I remember when I first got pregnant I saw a woman at Walmart with her bump hanging out of her shirt and thought it was unbelievably trashy… Of course now I feel terrible because the same thing happened to me the other day at Marshall’s, and I had been walking around for goodness knows how long and didn’t even notice it! I can’t see my feet let alone the bottom of my stomach.

Exercise: Long dog walks.

Miss Anything: Ready for cute clothes and bikinis again… Whenever I get the pre-baby body back of course. I also miss talking about anything but being pregnant. When something consumes so much of your life it’s hard not to talk about – that’s all you do/are! I realize the conversations will probably switch to baby once she’s here, but any change will be better.

Anything make you sick/queasy: No

Movement: Her movements have slowed which is hopefully a sign of her getting ready. But she’s definitely still moving! Right now she’s sitting very heavy on my right hand side with her butt pressed (pretty hard) up against the front of my stomach.

Excited for: M to be here! Her due date is THIS SUNDAY!  I’m growing steadily impatient, and I still have 6 days until her due date. I can’t imagine how I’ll feel if I go past her due date (which if she has any of my stubbornness, I probably will).

Favorite Moment of the Week: Spending time with great friends this weekend and literally doing nothing on Sunday but vegging and laundry.

Last Wednesday’s doctor’s appointment was an interesting one. I hit the 30 lb. mark – something I was really hoping wouldn’t happen. But it did. I’m beginning to realize that you virtually have next to no control over pregnancy weight gain (besides not eating everything in sight).  I’ve added a lot of water weight these last few weeks as my feet and hands have started to get puffy – especially when I’ve been sitting outside. The ankles are still mostly in tact from what I can tell and nothing is bothering me too much. I gained hardly anything my first two trimesters and thought I would make it under the average 25-35 lb. weight gain for my whole pregnancy. Then third trimester happened and BOOM! Here grows baby. I’m not concerned seeing as how the average woman loses about 12 lbs. within the first week after delivery between the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. With successful breastfeeding (fingers crossed!) and working out once I’ve been approved, I’ll be on my way to post-baby wedding body in no time! (Sounds like an entirely new blog series, don’t you think?)

My irritability is starting to get the best of me. Especially in the morning. And especially at work. I can’t imagine how I am going to feel when I have to go back to work after maternity leave… I don’t even want to think about it! Luckily McKenna’s Aunt Sanie (my older sister, Stephanie) had impeccable timing when she Dropbox’ed some of the songs she recorded for McKenna – her baby shower present to us (and a personal request I had made). It really cheered (and teared) me up listening! I’ve included one of the songs in this post in case you missed it on my Facebook page.

Cross your fingers that Little M is on her way! I know she’ll get here eventually, but we’re ready for her now!

Here Comes the Sun – Stephanie Scarcella feat. Heather Smist

The Nursery Reveal!

Last weekend Mike and I finished up the nursery… Only a month after I wanted it to be finished. It just goes to show how much (pregnancy) life gets in the way and that nothing ever goes according to plan. I’m just happy it’s finished before she’s here! I will be adding little touches here and there as time goes on, but overall I’m extremely pleased with it! It’s one of the brightest and cheeriest (and most feminine) rooms in the house, and I love just sitting in it. I can’t wait to sit in it with Baby M!

The closet is just inside the entrance of the room to the right. There haven’t been doors on the closet for some time, and I wanted to use something a little more closed off than a curtain. Mike had these panel curtains from Ikea in front of the washer & dryer downstairs, and I loved the idea for the nursery closet. Ikea has a relatively decent selection of patterns and textures to choose from. I loved the teal dots since they bring the teal in from other parts of the room. Unfortunately the pattern had been discontinued, but they still had the one up for demo – Score! 

For inside the closet we used the 5-shelf Expedit Shelf from Ikea in white. The pink & gray baby themed storage boxes were a shower gift from a friend of the family’s. I kept the area to the left of the shelf open for the hamper and other possibilities. To the right of the shelf (photo below) we are using two tension rods to hang some of M’s clothes. I got this idea from Pinterest and liked the fact that the rods can be adjusted once she starts growing and her clothes get bigger/longer. 

I created a poster for M inspired by a few I had seen online. We framed it and arranged it next to a few black and whites from our maternity shoot – soon to be replaced with newborn pictures of her, I’m sure. The frames, of course, are from Ikea, too!

We also bought the MALM dresser from Ikea. I love how deep the drawers of Ikea dressers are – so much room for storage! Unfortunately we had no where else in the house to put my television, so it’s mounted to the wall in the nursery. It most likely won’t be used often, but since this room will also be serving as a guest room at times (or once M is sleeping in the nursery a room for us when we have guests over), it may come in handy.

I bought the APA Storage Box from Ikea – SHOCKER! It originally came in raw wood/white, so I painted the wood to match the colors in the bedroom. I also wanted the storage bench to serve as an ottoman for the futon, so I cut a piece of a mattress pad we were throwing out and covered it in fabric I found at Hobby Lobby (it can also serve as a makeshift changing table if need be). 

As of right now, these floating shelves from Home Depot are holding onto some knick knacks and stuffed animals. The bird canvas I picked up when Mike and I were in St. Augustine in January – I loved how the colors perfectly matched the colors of M’s room.

And the “BIG REVEAL”… M is for McKenna! No sentimental story behind her name, really. Mike and I both narrowed our boy/girl name list to three each before we found out the gender. We both had McKenna as our number girl name, so that was that. Easy peasy 🙂 Now you know! 

This ladder shelf I’ve had since high school, and it has been through many paint jobs, from black to brown to this light teal. I love the color and how cheery it is! 

A favorite quote from one of my favorite books growing up (I’ll Love You Forever), and some additional knick knacks. The floral arrangement in the ceramic antique holder was a gift from McKenna’s Aunt Stephanie for her shower. 

Bow & Lucky the Dalmation, named by Baby Natalie, have been around for a very long time. Bow was a gift from my Great-Great-Aunt Martha at my first Christmas (1991) & I’ve had lucky since I was a toddler. I was really excited to incorporate these into McKenna’s nursery! The shadow box next to Lucky holds old family photos and baby items of my mother’s, McKenna’s grandma. 

McKenna’s first owl bank; a framed, inspirational Disney/Pixar quote given to me by my sister at my college graduation (“To infinity and beyond” – Toy Story) and all of McKenna’s books from the shower as well as some from my childhood are on the bottom two shelves. 

Last but not least is McKenna’s crib! One of my favorite parts of the room and the most colorful. The custom tassel garland was purchased on Etsy for use at both her shower and in the nursery decor. McKenna’s talented grandma sewed her crib bumper and ruffled crib skirt, as well as the matching minky blanket draped on the side of her crib. 

 

38 Weeks!

I feel: over it. What little glamour I found in being pregnant is gone. I’m just ready to meet her already!

Happy or Moody: How about anxious? Or antsy? I’m just trying to relax until she gets her.

Showing: Yes – and dropping more every day. I can start to feel the weight and pressure in my crotch.

Maternity Clothes: Rockin’ maxi dresses and skirts, my maternity capris and shorts, lots of tank tops with cardigans and v-neck t-shirts. The only pre-pregnancy clothes I wear now are jackets/cardigans. At home it’s as little clothes as possible – I’m hot all the time! And some t-shirts I was comfortable wearing before are proving to be shorter – a sure sign the belly is getting lower 🙂

Exercise: Dog walks. Walking as much as I can!

Miss Anything: Ready for cute clothes and bikinis again… Whenever I get the pre-baby body back of course.

Anything make you sick/queasy: No

Movement: Shifts from my left side to my right side. Again, hope she’s getting into the right position for arrival!

Excited for: M’s arrival! Especially now that the nursery is finished (to be revealed later this week) and our hospital bags are packed.

Favorite Moment of the Week: Getting to spend time with Mike and enjoying dinner on Saturday night at our favorite South Tampa Italian restaurant Vino e Pasta.

This weekend was focused on finishing up the nursery and picking up the miscellaneous baby items left around the house (which have been driving poor Mike absolutely bonkers… Can’t wait ’til the baby is here and leaves her toys everywhere). I’m saving the nursery reveal post for later this week (Eeep!), but I did want to share the contents of mine and M’s hospital bags.

Disclaimer: there are some personal, feminine items that are bound to make those with more conservative or childish mindsets uncomfortable. Either get over it or feel free to leave this post.

My bag:

• A comfortable, loose and very soft pair of pajamas for after delivery
• A nursing tank as well as a regular, loose fitting tank and stretchy yoga capris for the trip home
• 2 nursing bras
• 3 pairs of underwear I could care less about (I actually bought them  in a 6-pack from Walmart with postpartum messiness in mind… I haven’t bought underwear in a 6-pack since I was like, well, 6.)
• Super absorbent, winged overnight pads from Always (Also haven’t bought those in over a decade.)
• Shower flip flops
• Travel size: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash, Vaseline & deodorant
• Antibacterial for myself and all the guests who want to come around Baby M
• A hairbrush & headband (I always have a ponytail holder around my wrist so no need to pack that)
• Cell phone charger

 

M’s bag (all washed and ready for M!):

• 2 receiving blankets (cuter than the ones at the hospital)
• 1 swaddle blanket
• onesies in 2 different sizes – Newborn & 0-3 months. A few short sleeves and a few long sleeves
• Mittens
• A newborn pacifier (not sure we’ll use it, but just in case)
• M’s first aid and grooming kit
• M will be coming home in the pink and white ombre knit blankie her great-grandma knit for her and a one of her headbands or her bow cap

I also put together small gifts for our nurses/doctor as a token of our appreciation for all their help– mini antibacterial hand gels from Bath & Body Works and chocolates

 

April 19, 2013-2014: Then & Now

Throughout this pregnancy, I like to have a little fun and ask Mike what he was doing a year ago on whatever day it is. I tend to ask on holidays (it’s easier to remember), but it’s an interesting way to learn things about each other that we may not have already known and an even better way to really marvel at how far we’ve come since then. Well, we’ve finally hit that point where one year ago today we were in each other’s lives.

One year ago today (and in about 10 more hours), I was walking through the parking lot of Four Green Fields in downtown with one of my best friends and roommate at the time, Candice, about to meet some guy she knew all because of some goofy photo of me she posted from our trip to Miami the weekend prior. 

The photo that started it all.

I remember walking in and telling her it still wasn’t too late to turn around. We could go do something else. Just ditch them (Mike and his friends). I was content being single. I wasn’t pursuing anyone at the time and in fact had just sworn off dating or trying to meet anyone – sounds like something someone who is content being single would do, right? But when Candice told me Mike wanted to meet me, she also said something to the effect of, “He’s also tall, good looking and really laid back. Maybe that’s what you need.”

If something happens, it happens. If not, I’m right back to where I was before. What have I got to lose?

Well something happened. I met Mike, and I was hooked.

And now here we are, one year later, engaged and running errands to finish the nursery before heading out to dinner to enjoy what will be one of the last weekends of just him and I before our daughter makes her debut in the world. (We’re also celebrating our one year of meeting, but I threw that in there. He probably thinks it’s cheesy, but it’s a great excuse to go to our favorite Italian restaurant in town.)

Photo Credit: Catherine Ann Photography

Some days I sit here and can’t believe that thanks to some weird Instagram picture of me (and Candice for posting it) that I met my very best friend – this tall, handsome, strong willed, hardworking goofball of a man who loves me, provides for me and wants to spend the rest of his life with me and our soon-to-be pretty little girl – the pregnancy thing is a hard one to believe still, too. 

But I am so blessed. And for all of the family and friends that have supported us, encouraged us and been excited for us throughout this wild ride and will continue to do so – we’re blessed to have you in our lives, too!

And did I mentioned he’s just strong, too? Photo Credit: Catherine Ann Photography

37 Weeks!

I feel: way too awake for 10:30 p.m. on a week night.

Happy or Moody: I guess moody is a good word. Current state is happy, however the mood does seem to shift quickly between happy, irritable and emotional… Oh pregnancy, hormones.

Showing: Yes – and I think she may be starting to drop!

Maternity Clothes: Rockin’ maxi dresses and skirts, my maternity capris and shorts, lots of tank tops with cardigans and v-neck t-shirts. The only pre-pregnancy clothes I wear now are jackets/cardigans and the items I know I won’t stretch out and destroy.

Exercise: Dog walks.

Miss Anything: Wedges. I wore some for a wedding the other weekend and it’s just not the same. Not only was it next to impossible to bend over to put them on, but, in addition to the uncomfortable factor, not being able to see them when I look down makes it that much more pointless.

Anything make you sick/queasy: No

Movement: Her movements are still frequent but have gotten slower and less aggressive. Now she feels more like she’s rearranging herself (hopefully getting ready)

Excited for: the nursery to FINALLY be finished this Saturday.

Favorite Moment of the Week: Getting our maternity photos taken by Katie & John at Catherine Ann Photography and getting to review the photos!

The 37-week mark started with our maternity photo shoot on Sunday evening with Katie and John at Catherine Ann Photography. Katie and I have been friends for a few years now, and it was a no brainer when I found out I was pregnant that she would take our maternity photos. She and John will also be shooting our wedding photos for that event next year. I love their use of natural light in all of their photography, and they are so friendly and make it so comfortable to work with!

This was Mike and my first time getting professional photographs taken together, and will probably be our last until the wedding. I think we did pretty well together 🙂 We got to review our photos with John and Katie tonight, and they are INCREDIBLE! We got some great baby/belly shots and some great overall couple shots. Of course, I wound up buying all the digitals because I just can’t say no to great photographs. And when else is this kind of event going to happen, right!? Never.

This afternoon I had my weekly check up. It was a new experience because I got to visit with the midwife at the women’s clinic I frequent. For those who don’t know, I am a patient at Partners in OB/GYN, a clinic with a division in Tampa. At the clinic, patients cycle through different doctors each week so that you can meet each one before your delivery. You are not guaranteed one particular doctor during delivery as any of them could be on call at that time (let’s face it, that’s life), so they allow you to get to know each one. I must admit, I was a little skeptical at first, but now I really appreciate getting to meet new doctors and hearing their opinions about different things. The midwife I met with, Dr. Edmonson, had a great perspective on natural birth at St. Joseph’s as well as some great advice for those moments when I feel as though I am starting to go into labor. She recommended:

• Staying at home as long as I can before admitting myself to the hospital. This is partially because home is much more comfortable than the hospital and also because, once admitted to the hospital, they do not allow you to eat or drink until delivery. This I was SO happy she told me and had no idea.Who would deprive a woman about to go through something more labor intensive than a marathon of food and water?!
• If I start having 5-1-1 contractions (5 minutes apart, 1 minute long for 1 consecutive hour) and the doctor finds out I am less than 4-5 cm dilated, ask to go home for a few hours or walk around outside for a few hours before coming back to get checked and admitted.
• During the labor process, walk around, sit on the medicine ball, etc. as much as possible. The minute you start laying on your back on the hospital bed, the pain of contractions can become more focused and more intense than if you are moving around and putting your focus elsewhere.

Dr. Edmonson also did a cervix exam and said that I have plenty of pelvic room for natural birth (Yay!). She also mentioned that Baby M should have no problem arriving on her (without induction) as she was already slightly dilated and the cervix was softening. Dr. Edmonson could actually feel M’s head through the amniotic sack during the exam, which of course I found absolutely amazing.

This week I finished packing mine & M’s hospital bag and preparing the small gifts for our nurses. Stay tuned for that post soon.

I know last week I promised a nursery post, but unfortunately it didn’t get completed last weekend. We tried, but there were a few things that need to be purchased to hang some last minute things, and we didn’t have time to run out and get them. The nursery WILL get finished this weekend because a.) Mike can’t take the clutter and b.) frankly, we’re just running out of time, so a nursery update will be provided then.

36 Weeks

I feel: tired, but much more relaxed.

Happy or Moody: Happy.

Showing: Yes

Maternity Clothes: Rockin’ maxi dresses and skirts, my maternity capris and shorts, lots of tank tops with cardigans and v-neck t-shirts. The last pair of pre-pregnancy jeans were retired on Friday.

Exercise: Dog walks.

Miss Anything: Sushi.

Anything make you sick/queasy: Mike packed his lunch this morning (chicken) and the smell of poultry at 6:15 a.m. made me want to barf.

Movement: Her movements are still pretty big (not all the time, but a lot) for how little room she’s supposed to have. She was doing a lot of moving around last night so I am hoping she was repositioning and getting ready for arrival in the next month or so!

Excited for: our maternity photos this weekend with Catherine Ann Photography!

Favorite Moment of the Week: Spending the weekend with our closest family and friends – I didn’t want it to end and wish we had more time with everyone!

This weekend was much more exciting and less stressful than I imagined it to be. I had an amazing time with Michael’s family in Bradenton celebrating his mom’s birthday and our baby shower. I met a lot of his relatives that I hadn’t met yet (including his older sister and her family), and I felt so comfortable with everyone right off the bat, which was wonderful.

Vanessa & Kyle’s wedding in Clearwater on Saturday was gorgeous! I wouldn’t have expected anything less from the newlyweds. It was great being able to celebrate with them! I realized that Baby M has been to 4 weddings thus far! Quite the crasher.
Our baby shower couldn’t have been more successful thanks to my mom, Mike’s parents, Mike’s sisters and his aunt. Everyone worked so hard to put it together for us. A huge thank you to our guests as well – I was so happy with who turned up and felt incredibly blessed with those that traveled far distances to make it for the occasion. Of course there were some who couldn’t make it, but I know they were celebrating with us in spirit. I’ve included some photos from the shower in this post.

Mike and I both took Monday off to recover from the weekend’s activities. We dedicated most of Monday to working on the nursery and putting items from the shower away. We got a lot done! I am determined to finish the nursery on Saturday (with some help from him of course), so hopefully next week’s post will include the great nursery reveal.

The drink & dessert table

The gift table – so incredibly humbling!

My gorgeous mama & grandma-to-be!

Mike’s family (& my future in-laws!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35.5 Weeks

I feel: a little on edge.

Happy or Moody: Irritable.

Showing: Yes

Maternity Clothes: Rockin’ maxi dresses and skirts, my maternity capris and shorts, 1 pair of pre-pregnancy jeans (YAY! for low rise jeans), lots of tank tops with cardigans and v-neck t-shirts.

Exercise: 2-3 Rigby walks/day… And do the stairs in our house count? They’re beginning to feel like their own workout.

Miss Anything: Having the appetite of a normal person. Craving all of this junk food all of a sudden (I’ve always had a sweet tooth, but I’m even more aware with how outstanding it is right now) and craving it every couple hours is getting difficult. It’s like I’m never full!

Anything make you sick/queasy: No

Movement: She’s a little roley-poley these days. Her moves aren’t as quick or short, but she’s starting to stretch a lot more, and I’m pretty sure I can feel her wiggling her way south. Getting ready!

Excited for: the weekend. It may not be a relaxing one, but I need a weekend badly right now!

Favorite Moment of the Week: This week has definitely been a tough one with my emotions and work and not having Mike home but one night. Thankfully he has been so sweet and supportive and has really gone out of his way to make me feel loved this week 🙂

It’s crazy to think I already have another doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I feel like I just had one, but then again, I guess I did. I’m sure I’ll have gained at least 5 lbs. with all the sweets I’ve been eating this week – from pastries at work for coworker’s birthdays to the nutella in the pantry, I seriously cannot say no. It’s a huge problem. And, of course, my irritability with work and other every-day things that normally wouldn’t stress me out but do because I’m pregnant… yeah, those don’t help with my junk food intake either.

This week at work has been tough. I’m going to sound like I’m complaining about nothing, but Luckily the doctor’s appointment tomorrow will feel like a break from work. For those that don’t know, I have chosen not to go on maternity leave ahead of my due date or even at my due date if Baby M’s not here yet. Instead, I will be working up til she’s ready to show up! I work in a very small office (there’s about 4-6 of us max in there during the day) and don’t have physically exhausting work, so I figured I would rather get my time off in once M’s here rather than ahead of schedule. That being said, part of me is beginning to regret that decision as my brain is beginning to turn to mush, however I know I’ll be so grateful I held out when I can have the full 8-10 weeks (maybe more) off once she’s here.

One of the only things that will get me through the day on Friday will be bringing Rigby to work with me. Rigby and I will be featured in an ad in the South Tampa Magazine for the pest control company I work for – Nvirotect – to show how friendly our products are for everyone – pregnant women, kids and pets alike! Hopefully my smiley fur ball behaves and gets us a good shot. He’ll then spend the rest of the day at the office with me until we get to leave and head to Bradenton for the weekend!

So many things going on. My future MIL’s birthday is Friday and a lot of her family (Mike’s family) is in town from out of state to celebrate! It will be so nice meeting so many of them after hearing so much about everyone. Mike and I have a friends’ wedding on Saturday (what will probably be a gorgeous, formal event that I will look like a total slob at because I can’t fit into anything but maxi dresses these days), and Sunday is the shower! I was first so concerned with the details and decor and wanted a Pinterest shower, but now that I am this pregnant (almost 9 months!), I could care less. I am just looking forward to having my closest friends and family make the trip there, including many from out of state. I am especially grateful and excited to see my best friend Shannon and her daughter who I haven’t gotten to seen in almost 2 years!

Pray for an easy end to the week for me. And next weekend… Finishing the nursery! Get pumped, people!