30 Weeks

How far along? 30 Weeks-- 10 weeks to go! WHOA!

Symptoms? A lot of the same---also adding in occasional shoulder pain/stiffness from being on one side too long at night. Also, my tummy is feeling very uncomfortable and stretched out.....I'm feeling like there is no more room....but I know I am OH so wrong. 

Sleep: Sleeping well, as long as I am in my own bed. Not so well anywhere else!
Best moment this week: Getting to be in Chicago with Christopher's family for our baby shower. Christopher's brother and sister-in-law threw us a lovely shower with lots of yummy food. Let me just say, I love being in the midwest during the fall---the weather is AMAZING and the scenery is beautiful. (Not to mention, all the good eats year round!) We were also able to spend a day in Madison, Wisconsin (where the hubs went to college). It was so fun to walk down memory lane, go to places where he would take me when I used to visit him, eat yummy food, and back University of Wisconsin gear for our little man. What a great weekend!

Miss Anything? Being able to put my socks on with ease. It's the little things, people!

Movement: Baby is still moving a ton, but I think he is beginning to run out of room. Some of his movements are more like he's "shifting" around and trying to get comfortable.....with an occasional kick to the ribs or punch to the gut!

Food cravings: Anything sweet. Anything savory. Deli meats are making me drool again. I want a COLD spicy italian from subway......like something fierce!
Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs?  Not at all!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking VERY small......Christopher thinks it's about to blow!
Wedding rings on or off? Depends on the day.....but usually on!
Mood: MOODY!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy time with the ones you love! You spend so much time looking forward to something and before you can blink, it's over! Cherish the moments!
Looking forward to: A quiet weekend at home! YAY!

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 Weeks

Symptoms? Same old stuff, different day. Back pain, hip pain, heartburn. I've also added leg cramps in the mix. It is what it is!

Sleep: I am usually sleeping well at night. Occasionally I will wake up to go to the bathroom and  can't get back to sleep, but usually I can get settled again pretty quickly. I can tell my bladder is running out of room, as I am starting to get up multiple times in the night to go to the bathroom now. I didn't know I could pee so much in one day! 
Best moment this week: Birthing classes this past weekend were incredibly informative and beneficial. The head speaker was wonderful, and she brought in a plethora of other special guests, including a nutritionist, anesthesiologist and a pediatrician. We also got to go on a tour of the labor and delivery unit at our hospital, which made things feel even more real, and truthfully, made me feel a bit more relaxed. Hubby and I were very impressed the pediatrician and we were delighted to find out her practice is not far from our house. I called Monday to make an appointment to meet with her--so hopefully, she will be our kiddo's doc! Also, we got to see Larry and the Madam this weekend as they made a quick trip to Franklin. It was fun catching up, as well as getting Pucketts AND Pancake Pantry. NAM!

Miss Anything? Not having to pee all the time. I used to have a bladder of steel. I guess those days are over.

Movement: Baby is squirmy and wiggly. Sometimes his kicks/punches almost hurt---especially when they involve my bladder. I've also felt some baby hiccups multiple times. Christopher loves to feel those teeny, little hiccups!

Food cravings: Sweets. Most definitely, sweets. I did get my fix of blackberry cobbler Saturday night at Pucketts. DELISH!
Have you started to show yet: Last update on this one. One word: DUH.
Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs?  I don't think so and I pray it stays that way!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flatter AND smaller. Will it pop??
Wedding rings on or off? On...even though, I thought after the weekend they might be off. However,  I think I was just a little dehydrated.
Mood: Irritable and anxious---but excited for the weekend.
Weekly Wisdom: Give thanks, even when you have a crummy day. Lift people up; don't tear them down. You  never know what is going on someone else's life.
Looking forward to: Seeing the hubby's family this weekend, visiting his college campus, and having our 2nd baby shower! So much to look forward to! :)

1 in 4

October has always held significance for me, as I feel it is the start of the holiday season. First of all, it begins with my birthday, ends with Halloween, and somewhere in the middle, Christmas decorations go up at Target. However, as of this year, October is giving me another reason to reflect. October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. The beginning of 2015 was so incredibly difficult with the loss of our first baby. I'm incredibly thankful for the little boy that is growing in my tummy and everyday I get more excited to meet him. However, he does not replace the baby that was lost. He is my 2nd child---the little brother. My first little love is already in heaven.  Albeit his young gestation, that little Bean made me a mommy in my heart and I still mourn his loss.

Sadly, miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility are very common. Insanely common. I had no idea until I became a mommy of a lost little. One in four pregnancies results in the loss of the baby. Those odds are staggering. If you have ever suffered a pregnancy or infant loss, my heart and prayers go out to you. If you have not, I guarantee you know someone who has. On October 15th, light a candle  in remembrance for the  lives  lost all too soon.

A life is a life, no matter how small.

Click on the pic below for more info on this topic:

*Last night I sadly learned that a friend has suffered the loss of her newborn son, who was born at 21 weeks gestation. I can only imagine the crushing grief she and her husband are feeling. Please lift them up in your thoughts and prayers.*

28 Weeks!

Wow! Two trimesters down...where has the time gone? Only 12 weeks to go!

 (now, excuse me while I panic....)

How far along? 28 Weeks

Symptoms? Hip and back pain still. Heartburn. General moodiness for no reason. However, on a positive note, healthy nails and hair! :)

Sleep: I'm sleeping well at night, with an occasional wake up to flip over/potty. Only problem is, I sleep so deeply that getting up in the morning has been getting a lot harder. Not to mention, I think the fatigue is coming back....I feel like I could nap during the day again. Uh-oh!
Best moment this week: My birthday this past Saturday....we had a great day together with some yummy food, shopping, and best of all, our 4D ultrasound! We finally got to see our little guy looking like a baby (and not an alien haha). It was so incredibly sweet and exciting. I just can't quit watching the DVD. Definitely the best birthday ever! :)

Miss Anything? Mobility. Getting off the couch or out of bed? Yes, the struggle is real.

Movement: Baby is head down and isn't shy about throwing punches. We even caught him on tape giving mommy a knuckle sandwich on Saturday.

Food cravings: Savory sweets. Basically, if it's a carb and will make me 100 pounds heavier, I most likely want it. UGH.
Have you started to show yet: Oh, so round.
Gender prediction: Little man!

Labor Signs?  Possible Braxton Hicks contraction on occasion? Maybe? I don't know for sure...

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flatter!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Just moody......swinging here and there!
Weekly Wisdom: As I look back on the past few months, I'm amazed at how quickly this pregnancy has gone by....and now, we are only 12 weeks from D-Day! I think it's important to savor this time I've got left with just little dude and myself---even though I'm so anxious to meet him in person! 
Looking forward to: Our birthing classes this weekend! Hopefully we will learn a lot and it won't scare us too badly. :)

Here are some pics from this past weekend....

Birthday fun! (especially yummy breakfast and new boots!)

And now for the best....a few pics our sweet baby....
I could just eat him up!!!!

Be still my heart!

Can't wait to kiss those little feet!!!

sucking on the side of his little hand

little smile

oh, those sweet, little lips!

Hands are already in his mouth. Silly guy!

27 Weeks

How far along? 27 Weeks

Symptoms? Hip and back pain. Saturday was a rough day that started with a call to the doc on call (since basically every pre-term labor pain is ALSO normal pregnancy pain) and ended with a heating pad and tylenol. Also, I'm hungry....like, can't get full hungry. ALL the time.

Sleep: I'm sleeping really well through the night (with an occasional pee break around 2) but still waking up sore. Oh well...at least the insomnia is gone for now!
Best moment this week: Spending time with my hubby and planning our first family trip for this summer. So exciting!

Miss Anything? Now that the weather is cooler....I'm missing coffee. REAL coffee...not decaf.

Movement: Baby is as active as ever! He loves story time with daddy every night and will kick and roll when he hears his daddy's voice.

Food cravings: Still hungry--all the time. My appetite is really good, however, not for food that particularly good for me. Dear Walgreens......the Halloween candy you have on the shelves is so tempting..... I love you and hate you at the same time.... (tiny mellow-pumpkins......have mercy....)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing this week! Feeling great! :)
Have you started to show yet: Looking large!
Gender prediction: Baby boy!

Labor Signs?  Nope...please stay this way!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flat!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Happy! It's my favorite time of year! Yay for fall!
Weekly Wisdom: Always remember to be thankful!
Looking forward to: My birthday on Saturday! We are going to have breakfast at one of my favorite places in downtown Franklin and then we are going to have our 27 week 4D ultrasound! I can't wait to see our little man! What a wonderful birthday gift! 

A few more shower pics...

Here are some of the photos I couldn't get to upload the other day...

Weekend in Memphis

This past weekend, we headed to Memphis for our first baby shower! My bestie Jana organized this shower for us and did a fabulous job! We ate tasty Italian food at Amerigo's, as well as played games that did not involve sniffing candy bars in a diaper (thank goodness--HA!). We also got to see a number of friends we haven't seen in a while and it was so nice to be able to visit with them all! Grayson was completely spoiled and received so many precious gifts! Christopher and I were blown away and we feel exceedingly blessed. Having had this first shower is starting to make things feel very "real." Baby is coming..... and soon.

Our only problem? We have all this great stuff for baby, however, it is all piled in his room. Grayson has all kinds of goodies.....but no room for him!

 Mom and dad better get on that.... :)

Here are a few pics from the weekend----Enjoy!

Dessert and Gift table

Adorable place tags

Desserts and gifts

What's a baby boy shower without a stash?

Yummies!

So cute!

Larry, Sara, Christopher, and I

Katie, Anna, and Miranda

Opening our diaper changing kit ;-)

getting equipped with all we need