38.5 Weeks | Size of a .... Baby

Daddy playing a song for his little boy.  I adore this handsome man.

How far along?  38 1/2 weeks

Maternity clothes? Nothing but!

Stretch marks? No, I'm feeling rather blessed being able to still say 'no'. 

Sleep: Is important... I hear I won't get much for the next 18 years ;-)  Not getting much, but enough!

Best moment this week: Doing our feature shoot of boy's nursery & some maternity for a magazine/blog!  It was so fun and will be great to have the photos to share with him in the future.

Miss Anything?  My stomach.  I miss my stomach desperately in so many ways.

Movement:  Yes.  He has slowed down as there is clearly no space, but he's still sweet as can be with his little movements. :-)

Food cravings:  Nothing.  I hardly want food these days.  Eck.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Noises, surprisingly.

Gender: Bebe boy-o!

Labor Signs:  I have irregular contractions and intense pressure, to the point I think I'm starting to waddle.  It's okay, it means he's close!!

Symptoms: Emotional!!!!  I'm don't typically cry too much but I've definitely had a meltdown or two recently.  Don't ask my husband..... ;-)

Belly Button in or out?  Totally out.

Wedding rings on or off?  They're off as of the 30 day countdown.  I have a beautiful replacement from my husbands Grandmother though!!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, anxious, excited.... still!

Looking forward to:  That very first moment I lay eyes on our sweet little bebe!  I cannot wait for him to be in my arms!

36 Weeks | Size of a Crenshaw Melon

This is why bebe's are only allowed to occupy the womb for 40 weeks.  Crazy, right?!

How far along?  36 1/2 weeks

Maternity clothes? Oh yes.  

Stretch marks? No.

Sleep: Is rare, but I think my body is prepping me for what's to come.  I'm okay with that. :-)

Best moment this week: Ending February!  Man, it feels great for the countdown to be under 30 days!!

Miss Anything?  ^ Sleeping like a normal human, working out, wearing regular clothes, eating 'banned' foods, wine, being able to stay up late.... Umm, I'm suddenly missing a lot.  Guess that's what happens when you have 23 days left??

Movement:  Reference above video.

Food cravings:  Not much of anything.  I don't have much of an appetite, really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just his movements, actually.  He is SO big and I love the feeling and know I'm going to soon miss it horribly.... but he really is a strong and big little bugger! (Ouch!)

Gender: Teensy King!

Labor Signs:  Lots of Braxton Hicks contractions.  I think I'm starting to get 'the waddle' too.... 

Symptoms: Lack of sleep and appetite.  Oh, and lack of ability to pay attention - HolyBaby (on the brain!)

Belly Button in or out?  Out. Full blown out.  My family/friends like to touch it when I laugh.  It is funny, I admit.

Wedding rings on or off?  Off.  At the 30 day countdown, I suddenly couldn't wear my rings.  #SadDay I am wearing the most beautiful ring in its place, though!  I get the honor of wearing Aaron's Grandmother's ring and it is absolutely stunning!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, anxious, excited, ready!

Looking forward to:  Meeting our sweet little boy.  I just can't wait - seriously.

32 Weeks | Size of a Large Jicama

Sans make-up.  Ever have one of those days you just don't feel like getting ready after a shower?

How far along?  32 weeks

Maternity clothes? Yes.  The only thing I can wear that is non-maternity?  Bra & panties!

Stretch marks? None.  Praise Jesus!

Sleep: I need about 8 hours to be satisfied but those hours come so scattered that I have to get a grandma-of-a head start just to accumulate that many per night!  I'm looking forward to my belly sleep again.

Best moment this week: Showing off our sweetest little Prince via 3D/4D ultrasound.  He's so handsome & totally responsive to us already!!

Miss Anything?  ^ Just belly sleep!

Movement:  Constantly!  I already miss that movement in my daydreams of the future ;-)  It's such a blessing to always feel him and have him with me.... that won't be forever, I know.

Food cravings:  Pancakes and other various breakfast sweets.  I want donuts quite frequently but haven't caved.  As for pancakes?  Yup, at least once a week for 3+ weeks now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Gender: Little Prince!

Labor Signs:  I had some intense contractions that were consistent for about 3 hours this past week. Doctor told me to relax and load up on H2O.  She's so smart ;-)

Symptoms: Headaches and charlie horses.  I could do without them both.

Belly Button in or out?  Out. I find myself pushing on it like a squishy little pillow. #weird

Wedding rings on or off?  On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, anxious, excited.

Looking forward to:  Our birthing class beginning this Monday.  I think it'll be a great way for Aaron & I to do a little bonding over the things we haven't discussed too much as of yet.  We've been too caught up in the fun purchases to think about what a real birthing plan looks like!

27 Weeks | Size of a Head of Cauliflower

           

How far along? 27 weeks

Maternity clothes? I've moved into primarily all maternity clothes.  I have to say, after caving into the  dreaded maternity pants, I couldn't be more pleased.  They make them cute and 'normal' looking now and they are SO much more comfortable than belly bands and elastics on my button!!

Stretch marks? Nope.  Thank you, Jesus!

Sleep: I'm sleeping okay.  I'm already feeling my 2nd trimester energy dwindle which has me in bed earlier.  In turn, I'm also up much earlier.  (5:30/6am, anyone?)

Best moment this week: Purchasing the majority of his nursery furniture.  Pics to come!

Miss Anything?  I miss real sushi.  This seems like a trend....

Movement:  Constantly!  He is definitely getting bigger!  We love to lay in bed at night and watch the alien-like (as my hubs says) movements drifting from one side of my belly to the other.  I can't wait to kiss our little king!

Food cravings:  Not so much.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.

Gender: Teeny King!

Labor Signs:  Regular Braxton Hicks still but nothing intolerable!

Symptoms: Headaches.  I'm also starting to get exhausted rather easily.  Oh.. and my legs are supAsore for NO reason!

Belly Button in or out?  Out. 

Wedding rings on or off?  On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & anxious!!

Looking forward to:  Our maternity session on January 26th!

Developing Bebe's Nursery

We finally started the awesome adventure of preparing Bebe's nursery; I've been waiting for this for quite some time!  So, here we go....

Here is the start of the process.... Going from blue to linen.

This room has previously been used as my husband's makeshift studio as well as our closet.  Thankfully, we do have actual closets that we're now utilizing for their intended purpose ;-) 

It was a process, but we finally chose "Natural Linen" by Glidden.  I strongly suggest you take advantage of the wonderful testers before committing next time you tackle a paint job!

I love the random surprises that Aaron pulls out!  He's truly the best!!

Clearly just the beginning; I'll have many more posts to come!  Next up.... carpet and new trim!  Once that is done, we'll add the new crib, changing table, and hopefully glider (contingent upon finding 'the one').  

26 Weeks | 3rd Trimester (final stretch!)

How far along? 26 weeks

Maternity clothes? A good mix of maternity and pre :-)

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Comes and goes.  I'll sleep when I'm dead!

Best moment this week: Walking in to find my husband painting the nursery!!  Christmas came a little early this year!  #BestHusband

Miss Anything?  I miss.... nothing, currently.

Movement:  Always.  I can't get enough!!

Food cravings:  None.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not anymore.  I hear this may come back??

Gender: Boy-O!

Labor Signs:  Still having Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing out of the ordinary.

Symptoms: Headddddaches.  Boo.

Belly Button in or out?  Nearly a full-blown outie.  

Wedding rings on or off?  On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy + Excited

Looking forward to: Getting new carpet & the baby furniture for bebe's nursery!

25 Weeks | Size of a Rutabaga

How far along? 25 weeks

Maternity clothes? Yep!  I definitely like to pick and choose from oversized non-preggy clothes, but still throw in a good dose of maternity.  It is mostly rather .... umm .... aging, if you ask me!

Stretch marks? No, thankfully.

Sleep: Is a little rough.  I'm not requiring as much lately, however.

Best moment this week: Watching Daddy get his first few responses while talking with Bebe.  I'll forever cherish these precious, amazing little moments!

Miss Anything?  I miss getting a real massage.  We are in every other week and it's great, but I'm ready to have my stomach-lying privileges back.... in 15 weeks ;-)

Movement:  Non-stop!  He moves a lot in the middle of the night; I have a theory about this....

Food cravings:  Nothing.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just the flu!  Unfortunately, Aaron and I have suffered a bit from this nastiness!

Gender: All boy!

Labor Signs:  I've had my fair share of Braxton Hicks recently.  I had quite a few during a workout the other day so took it easy the rest of the week.

Symptoms: There is no denying this belly.  Just sayEN!

Belly Button in or out?  In. Out.  I'm working on the full-blown outie.

Wedding rings on or off?  On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Just happy :-)

Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery!  Well, Christmas and Aaron's birthday, too! 

20 Weeks | Length of a Banana

Getting ready to watch the Salinas wedding!  It was great to be a part of their special day!

How far along?  20 weeks - Halfway!!

Total weight gain/loss: I still don't like this question... in fact, this is the last time you'll see this one!

Maternity clothes? Still in my jeans and a FEW of my shirts, with the help of a belly band!

Stretch marks? Nope.

Sleep: Just fine.

Best moment this week: Being able to see the bebe move - not just feel!

Miss Anything?  Caffeine and real workouts!!

Movement:  Constantly and I LOVE it!!  I think I'm growing a ninja!

Food cravings:  Nothing, really.... for the majority of the pregnancy, to be honest.  I'll have one occasionally but not enough of one to actually go after it!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Only exhaustion.

Gender: HE'S A BOY!

Labor Signs:  No.

Symptoms: Still headaches. :-(

Belly Button in or out?  In.

Wedding rings on or off?  On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Heading to KC to share a little bit of this pregnancy with my oh-so-curious (& slightly left out) family!  It has definitely been a struggle to have them so far away during such an amazing time.

WE'RE HAVING A.......

That's right!  Bebe Watkins is a Boy-o!!  TOO EXCITED! :-)