31 Weeks! The CountDOWN is down to 9!

How far along? 31 weeks
Maternity clothes? I bought a great dress, that's non-maternity, but made me feel less fat than normal. I wore it for work, and it was a huge hit! I felt very pretty, which I've needed in the past few weeks!
Stretch marks? No, which I'm very surprised about. My belly has gotten so big, so I can't believe I don't have something. But there's definitely nothing there! I hope that lasts the last 2 months!!!
Sleep? Sleep when I'm NOT in my own bed is definitely horrendous. I now understand why people have a hard time sleeping. However, mommy and daddy have a wonderful sleep number bed, and I have deflated it ALL the way, so I have a nice little cocoon. It's quite comfortable, and if I can get through the night without having to pee, I usually sleep all the way through. Every once in awhile, I wake up to you moving around, but otherwise, it's great!
Best moment this week? My best moment this week has simply been SLEEPING!!!
Miss anything? I miss all my non-maternity clothes...once again, that's #1 at the top of the list. I can't wait to get back to them!
Movement? Sometimes, I get really worried when you don't move for awhile. And just when I start thinking about it, there you are with a little shoulder or butt in my ribs, or foot by my hip. I love watching you move when I come home to your dad - I swear that you can tell when your dad is around or that you're reacting to him talking to you through my belly. It's so adorable and sweet!
Food cravings? Not really...once again. Just everything in sight, really.
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not really...
Labor signs? Not really...
Symptoms? A little bit of nausea every once in awhile, and sharp pains "down there." Not to mention the backaches and inner thigh pains! Seems as though my body is readying for birth!
Belly button in or out? In, but the mole is out officially...
Linea nigra? Darker line down than the one up!
Wedding ring on or off? Today and yesterday, it was off. All of a sudden, my fingers swelled horribly. I'm guessing it's because of the humidity and my lack of hydration! I'm definitely drinking more water!
Happy or moody? It was a little of both this past week. I've been crying a lot more lately, but I've also been very happy. A lot of stress at work led to crying more, I think, but only because there was so much going on and I was so tired!!!
Looking forward to: Doing things for "Baby's Arrival" this week/weekend since I have the rest of the week off... and making sure that we're getting ready... AND Baby Shower #2 in Des Moines!

The CountDOWN begins! 30 Weeks!

How far along? 30 weeks
Maternity clothes? I've been digging the maternity/non-maternity dresses, leggings and boots this week. I've had to "dress up" for work three times, and all three times, I have worn this outfit.
Stretch marks? No, which is awesome. But I've been diligently putting lotion on my belly each morning, so hopefully that's what's helping!
Sleep? It's still touch and go, which is better than it just being terrible. Last night was horrible, but the night before was great. Tonight, your daddy is home, so it might be terrible again. Ha!
Best moment this week? Not really the BEST for me physically, but I've been having these sharp, shooting pains in my pelvic floor. Turns out, it's just my pelvic floor widening and you "dropping" down, so that definitely makes it the best moment!
Miss anything? Yes. And I'll leave it at that!
Movement? I love how you don't really KICK me anymore - it's very random and sudden and much less than it used to be - and now you more or less "roll" everywhere in my tummy. And I love it!
Food cravings? Not really. I'm chowing down on crappy foods, so I've tried to get back into the habit of eating healthy things, like fruit and veggies. However, it's not working out for me so well!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope!
Labor signs? Just those sharp, shooting pains, which means labor isn't too far away!
Symptoms? Not really! Just the constant urge to NEST!
Belly button in or out? It's in...but my mole has begun to stick out!
Linea nigra? A very faint line on a very stretched, smooth belly!
Wedding ring on or off? On, although this week, it's started getting tighter. The humidity has made everything much more bloated and swollen than normal! Including my face!
Happy or moody? More or less happy this week - much better than last!
Looking forward to: My baby shower given by your Auntie Courtney. I can't wait! She always makes it a great time!!!

In other news, your daddy's out-of-town project for his uncle's house is nearing it's end! I will be so excited when we can relax on the couch EVERY night together!!!!!

29 weeks!!!!!

How far along? 29 weeks
Maternity clothes? Thank God for my Yoga pants and my over sized North Face Fleece. And those awesome maternity tank tops and my Buffalo jeans!
Stretch marks? No! I thought I saw a difference around my belly button, but I think that might have been my eyes playing tricks on me!
Sleep? I slept AWESOME this past Saturday night, but I think that's because I was so tired! Otherwise, it's definitely been touch and go the past couple of nights. With your dad being home a little bit more, his snoring keeps me up, not to mention my acid reflux and my huge belly!
Best moment this week? My baby shower. It was adorable! Abby and Rachel did such a great job and it was fun to get so many outfits and toys and goodies that we will get to use when you get here!!!!!! I loved seeing all my friends and family come to support us and see me in my pregnant state! :)
Miss anything? My non-maternity clothes! I keep longing for the day where I can wear them again!
Movement? You've chilled out a bit, so far. I think it's getting tight in there!
Food cravings? My veggie roll-ups. I made them last week and started salivating when thinking of them today! So I made some more...
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not this week!
Labor signs? None!
Symptoms? The urge to nest has gotten worse. Your dad wasn't home this weekend, but came home Sunday. I had all your gifts still in the gift bags, just waiting for your dad to come and sort through them so I coudl put them away! I can't stand the house being dirty!!!
Belly button in or out? It's in...but my mole has begun to stick out!
Linea nigra? A very faint line on a very stretched, smooth belly!
Wedding ring on or off? On! But I've noticed some swelling in my hands and legs!
Happy or moody? This week has been tough, so I've been very moody. Very emotional, crying for short times, then happy a half hour later.
Looking forward to: Week 30!!!! It's the last deca before you come!!! So excited we don't go any further (hopefully) than week 40!

Hellooooooooo third trimester!

How far along? 28 weeks
Maternity clothes? My yoga pants rock and pretty much, anything that's comfortable. I love changing into really comfortable clothes when I get home from work!!!
Stretch marks? No! Hooray!!! I'm super excited that I still don't have stretch marks. I'm hoping hoping hoping that it stays that way!!!
Sleep? It a little touch a go a couple days ago, but last night, I put a pillow between my knees. Heaven! It worked like a charm and I woke up this morning feeling refreshed!
Best moment this week? I saw you MOVE. As in, MOVE. My whole belly moved really slowly! I can tell things are getting tighter in there and you must be uncomfortable, but hopefully the more uncomfortable you are, the sooner you'll come out and join us! :)
Miss anything? Not waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom!!!
Movement? A ton! And real movement - not just kicks. I've noticed moreso this week than any other week that you do this twitching thing that sometimes scares me a little bit. It's like when you get an eye twitch, only in my belly! Pretty crazy!!!
Food cravings? Not really. I really like all of it! :)
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not really, although I have been feeling slightly queasy on and off for a week or so. It goes away fairly quickly...
Labor signs? None!
Symptoms? I have an incredible urge to nest!
Belly button in or out? It's in...but my mole has begun to stick out!
Linea nigra? A very faint line on a very stretched, smooth belly!
Wedding ring on or off? On!
Happy or moody? Still ridiculously happy. All the time!
Looking forward to: My baby shower is this weekend. I can't wait to see everyone and get all those great gifts that is going to make this even more real! :)

I love how I have switched from the count-up to the count-down! Only 12 more weeks until I get to hold you in my arms! :) I love you already!

Oh how I'm getting anxious for you! We're almost to the third trimester and it seems like only yesterday that we found out we were pregnant with you! How time flies...

How far along? 27 weeks
Maternity clothes? My David Britton maternity jeans, some maternity dresses, my yoga pants and maternity sweatshirt that I LOVE from Target!
Stretch marks? NO! However, my skin is stretching very taughtly and it HURTS! But I'll survive...
Sleep? Yes! Although these past few weeks, I've been waking up more and more to go to the bathroom. But luckily, sleep comes quickly when I lay down. However, your daddy keeps stealing my belly pillow and curling around it in the middle of the night, which causes me to wak him up when I'm stealing it back. :)
Best moment this week? Best and WORST moment would have to be my belly growing. It's the best because I feel like I have this motherly intuition - my belly hurts and is stretching, and your movements have started to differentiate from your normal scheduled times, so I can tell that you're catching some extra zzz's and working hard at growing. I can't wait until you're big enough to join us. :)
Miss anything? Not really! I am thoroughly enjoying my pregnancy!
Movement? The past few weeks you have been moving quite a bit. However, in the past few days your movements have started to be different as I think you're growing. Your kicks are getting harder and now your daddy can feel you pretty often. A lot of the times, we'll sit on the couch together with his hand on my belly and he'll just feel you while we're watching TV!
Food cravings? Not too much this week... just food in general!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope!!!
Labor signs? None, but that's good because you'd be WAY too early!
Symptoms? Some dizziness. And I get car-sick really easily. Hungry all the time - I feel like I could eat and never be completely satisfied!
Belly button in or out? It's in...but my mole has begun to stick out!.
Linea nigra? A very faint line on a very stretched, smooth belly!
Wedding ring on or off? On!
Happy or moody? Still ridiculously happy. All the time!
Looking forward to: THE THIRD TRIMESTER! It's just around the corner!!!!


In other news, Monday will be the anniversary of your Grandpa's death. I think it will be easier than it has been in the past. I have you, and I can't help to think that your Grandpa had something to do with you being a boy. He knew that's what I needed and I think you will always have a little piece of him with you because of that.

I miss him every day, but rather than be sad, I have sweet sweet memories and the knowledge that he gave me you so his memory could live on. I bet you will have some sweet characteristic of him, or some physical trait that will let me know you were kissed by him when you were made.

I can't wait to meet you.

Pregnancy Survey!

Yes, I am going to do a pregnancy survey - probably for the rest of my pregnancy. I want to remember what it was like to grow with you, so although I'm starting early, I can't wait to go back and read this someday.

How far along? 25 weeks
Maternity clothes? I live in my David Bitton "Buffalo" jeans. They are so comfy! And my tank-tops from target! It's usually those two staples with a sweater or open cardigan. I have also been utilizing some of my dresses with leggings and riding boots!
Stretch marks? Nope! Thank goodness!
Sleep? YES! I have figured out that if I deflate our sleep number bed all the way, I am able to make a cocoon that conforms to my body and cradles me as I sleep. I have also realized I use that cradle to sleep on my back and slightly to the left. It's comfy!
Best moment this week? Getting rid of my cankles! The swelling was so terrible when I came back from Florida! I also got a lot of compliments while in Florida from my co-workers. How I was all belly and nothing else, you wouldn't even be able to tell I was pregnant except for the belly AND the greatest of all, I make the cutest pregnant lady. It also helped me to realize that I LOVE being pregnant!
Miss anything? My pre-pregnancy wardrobe! However, this is teaching me how unimportant having a huge wardrobe really is!
Movement? I have figured out that you move every day from about 9:00-11:00 depending on when I have my Mt. Dew, then from about 1:00-3:00 and again from 7:30-8:30. Sometimes, you wake me up in the morning with your little feet kicking me at about 6:00 a.m., but otherwise, you are on a pretty set schedule.
Food cravings? Oddly enough, I LOVE chips and dip (haha) but if I have too much, it makes me feel sick! Actually, any food that isn't very good for you - too much of it - makes me feel sick.
Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope!!!
Labor signs? None, but that's good because you'd be WAY too early!
Symptoms? Swelling, fatigue, overabundant joy. :)
Belly button in or out? It's in...but barely.
Linea nigra? A very faint line on a very stretched, smooth belly!
Wedding ring on or off? On!
Happy or moody? HAPPY!
Looking forward to: Your daddy finishing your changing table, and my Rockford baby shower on Feb. 18!!! Super excited!

The Nursery: A Tribute to Grandpa Tom

We have your nursery 90% done. And how thankful I am for that! We only have your closet system to put in (which...we might never do that, so if you're reading this 25 years from now, sorry about that...) and your changing table. Your dad will be making your changing table and I'm excited for that. He was going to make your crib, but it was going to be tough since he has been so busy, so we decided to just buy one as well. Actually, buy a second one...you'll have to ask your dad about that story. He'd love to tell it, even 25 years from now!

So in "designing" your nursery, I knew I didn't want to spend a ton of money on decorations, bedding, or painting. We have painted nearly every room in this house ourselves. I am DONE with painting.

A couple years ago, when we repainted your room as a guest room (it was BRIGHT blue prior to us painting it - be thankful you got green and yellow!) I knew I wanted that room as a nursery since it's right next to our bedroom. So we painted it green and yellow, added the new doors, trim and crown moulding. We had a futon in there as a guest bed, but I sold that for $75. Wahoo!

So then we found out we were having you, and viola, we had your room painted. Only, we had a TON of crap in there. The closet held all my formal dress clothes - dresses from my choir teaching days, bridesmaid dresses etc. and all your dad's dress clothes. Not to mention, other clothes, ironing board, iron, suitcases and other miscellaneous items that we had to find room for. And we did find room for. Although, it wasn't very fun!!!

So we moved it out, found room for it and began moving "you" in. So far, everything that has to do with a baby has gone into that room. And then I started to nest. So I wanted everything organized and the room ready for your arrival. So we got a crib that we didn't like. As I write this, it's sitting in the basement, waiting for a home. Then we got another crib.

I knew your Grandpa Tom had made a glider and ottoman for your Grandma Mary. But she didn't use it and had put it in her basement (yes, her big, scary basement) right before you were born. I asked her if we could take it and she said yes, so I knew that was coming. I also knew that you would love the mini rocking chair and rocking horse Grandpa Tom had made, so I knew that was going in your nursery too.

So I had a lot of the big things taken care of, but I didn't know how to decorate. I knew I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money. It's just not worth it (you'll hopefully get that common sense too...) so I figured I would make some things.

After a little research, I found a cool idea for a mobile. Superglue them to a sewing circle and let them hang. But I wanted to do something just a little more than that. But I left it and went back to brainstorming.

I had the idea to paint your pictures and use excerpts from songs your Grandpa Tom really enjoyed. So I picked "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, "Your Song" by Elton John, "I Hope You Dance" by Leeanne Womack and "Chattahoochee" by Alan Jackson. I have some really fond memories from the Leeanne Womack song and Alan Jackson with your Grandpa Tom, but those paintings didn't make it in there. :) However, the Elton John and Led Zeppelin song did. As soon as I knew I was painting the trio of pictures representing Led Zeppelin, I knew I had to make a "bird's nest" from which the circle of ribbon would hang. After a little ingenuity, viola, I did it. And it's amazing. I'm sure it will be outdated and probably a little "weird" when you finally read this or look back on this, but I think it's beautiful and I'm so so so excited for you to come and enjoy it. And I know that each time I rock you in that rocker, each time you sit in your own rocker, use the rocking horse and essentially, are in your nursery, a little bit of Grandpa Tom is there with you.

That's the most important part of all. I'm so excited to meet you and enjoy the nursery with you. I love you!