second baby bumpdate | 38 weeks

It seems crazy that this will likely be my last bumpdate post before baby girl arrives! I had another doctor's appointment yesterday morning and am still measuring ahead so we scheduled an induction for next Thursday evening if baby girl doesn't decide to come on her own before then! At this point, every single part of me aches all the time but we are almost there and I feel so grateful that I have now made it over a week past when I had Liam and am hopeful that this baby is out of the woods from having to spend any time in the NICU like he did. 

How Far Along ...

38 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL! 

Maternity Clothes ...

I have about 4 outfits left that actually fit my body so wearing the same dresses and maternity leggings on repeat until this baby girl makes her appearance!

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly Button barely in & Wedding Ring off

Sleep ...

Sleep (or lack thereof) hasn't changed much in the last couple of weeks. On a good night I get at least one 2 hour stretch but mostly wake up every half an hour to an hour throughout the night. Basically I'm a walking zombie and I don't have a newborn yet. 

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Spending time with Liam. This is our final weekend together as a family of 3 so we have just been focusing on making the most of it! Squeezing in park dates, trips to the pet store, time at the library picking out new fun books to read together, going for wiggle car rides around the neighborhood in the mornings and evenings, and eating special treats! 

Miss Anything ...

I miss not having to sleep on my side with a body pillow all night. I seriously can not wait to sleep on my stomach and back again!! 

Movement ...

This is what I'll miss the very most about this pregnancy and have been spending more time each day just sitting and watching/feeling her move. She doesn't have any more room left in there so her movements are very obvious and clunky. It is fun to be at the stage when I can feel a little hand or foot poking out and kicking me! The Braxton Hicks contractions almost completely died away and I have only had a couple in the last 2 weeks. 

Cravings ...

Oh man, we tried a new place by our house called The Soda Barn and their coconut lime sugar cookie is to die for! Like I have to stop myself from going there for one every day.  

Feelings & Emotions ...

Feeling pain in just about every part of my body these days! It is becoming a struggle to go from sitting/laying down to standing and to not hobble around while walking because my inner thighs are constantly on fire. I am feeling anxious about leaving Liam when it is time to go to the hospital. I know he will be in good hands and just fine without me but I've only ever left him overnight once before and thinking about spending time away from him is hard.

Looking Forward to ... 

Next Thursday evening unless she decides to come before then! I can hardly wait to meet her, finally figure out her name (she still doesn't have one), and hold her in my arms for the first time!! 6 days and counting, our sweet September babe!! 

second baby bumpdate | 36 weeks

I know it has been a minute since I've posted anything in this space. I typically set aside time during Liam's nap or in the evenings after he has gone to bed and truthfully by both of those times of the day I have ZERO energy left. I've been needing to nap when Liam naps and squeeze in a 20 minute friends episode with Nic in the evenings before I'm off to bed for the night. It's like the first trimester all over again! haha ;)

Anyway, here we are at 36 weeks!! Part of me can hardly believe I'm saying that right now and the other part of me is like, "Hallelujah!" The "nesting list" is down to only a couple things left on it and then we are ready to meet this baby girl!

How Far Along ...

36 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL! 

Maternity Clothes ...

I wear dresses or a nightgown all day every day because even leggings are too hot. I am definitely looking forward to fitting back into my old wardrobe! Especially because it will be my favorite time of year, FALL! 

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly button barely in, looks more like an outie (you can totally tell in the small mirror in the picture above!). Ring off (sad day, darn you swelling!).

Sleep ...

Sleep is so rough. Most nights I wake up every 30 minutes or so either from a kicking baby, a full bladder, or an aching body that needs repositioning. I honestly think at this point I'll be getting more sleep after the baby is here! haha At least a more restful 2 hours in a row. I am also having crazy anxiety dreams all night long. Mostly about going back to work/teaching??

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Our best moment with baby girl ... our doctor appointment this morning! We heard her heartbeat right away (that has't happened most of my pregnancy, they usually have to search for it which gets nerve wracking), she's head down, I'm 2 cm dilated, and everything is looking great! Our best moment with Liam ... hearing his vocabulary taking off! He finally started mimicking this last week and says a few new words just about every day now. We couldn't more proud! 

Miss Anything ...

I miss sleep and feeling comfortable. My feet tend to swell from the heat and my back hurts pretty bad by the end of the day. 

Movement ...

Oh my goodness, she's been getting the hiccups!! Liam never did that and I always wondered what that would feel like. It cracks me up every time! She still saves a lot of her active time for when I am sitting or laying down but I love being at that point in the pregnancy where I can watch my belly move and practically see or feel a foot or her hand sticking out! I started having a few Braxton Hicks contractions around 34 weeks which made me so nervous because I had no idea how real they feel!! I never had them with Liam and only know what real contractions feel like and they are so similar just irregular. Thankfully they are few and far between.  

Cravings ...

Still have to have something sweet in my day whether that be fruit or our new favorite discovery, Halo Top sea salt caramel ice cream! 

Feelings & Emotions ...

Definitely a lot of highs and lows! Some days I can tell my hormones have completely taken over and I'm super emotional and feeling sad. Other days I can hardly believe I'm 36 weeks because I feel so great!! I'm feeling so much more prepared for this baby than I was with Liam (I've even made some extra meals to save in the freezer for when she comes!). Most of all, we are just getting so excited to meet her! We all talk about her every day and even Liam will put his hands on my tummy now to try and feel her move! He will be the sweetest big brother. 

Looking Forward to ... 

Baby girl being in our arms in 4 week for less!!!

second baby bumpdate | 32 weeks

First of all, it feels so exciting to be in my 8th month of pregnancy. I definitely am physically feeling it at this point but knowing we get to meet our baby girl in just a little over a handful of weeks from now makes it totally worth it!! 

She still doesn't have a name quite yet which I've been surprised we haven't felt concerned about because Nic and I are such planners at heart. Also considering we had Liam's name picked out shortly after our 20 week ultrasound with him and it just fit right away and felt right from that moment on. We have narrowed it down to a couple of favorites and plan on deciding at the hospital after we meet her for the first time!

You get to see a little peek into her nursery in this picture. It is getting so close to being done, I can't wait to share soon!

How Far Along ...

32 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL! 

Maternity Clothes ...

Definitely! Although I won't lie, I spend most of my time in my Dwell + Slumber nightgown or my robe that barely ties shut at this point whenever I am home. ;)

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly button barely in, ring barely on. haha 

Sleep ...

Pregnancy insomnia has hit in full force and sleep is really hard to come by these days. I feel discomfort in just about every position I try and have a hard time with acid reflux or breathing while lying down. It makes for some long nights and even longer days entertaining a two year old.

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Getting a surprise opportunity to see baby girl on an ultrasound! I've been measuring big throughout this pregnancy and my OB just wanted to check and make sure everything was okay. Baby girl only measured 2 days ahead of our scheduled due date and the amniotic fluid levels were normal so we feel blessed she is healthy and growing away in there! My second best moment was getting her going home from the hospital outfit in the mail this week. It was such a fun and special thing for me to pick out for her and I can't wait for her to wear it!

Miss Anything ...

I miss having energy and being able to sleep! If I exercise in the morning it completely zaps the rest of my energy for the day and I usually have to take a nap when Liam does to keep up. Even on the days that I just got for a walk in the evenings, by the end of the day I definitely physically feel it. 

Movement ...

She loves to move any time I'm still (sitting or laying down) which is my favorite because I can actually enjoy it during those times. She never kicks hard enough to wake me up or anything. At our ultrasound, the tech said she was head down and facing up which would explain the constant little feet I've been feeling shoved under my rib cage though! haha ;)

Cravings ...

I'm loving grapes lately! 

Feelings & Emotions ...

Physically it has been a rough couple weeks for me which of course takes a toll emotionally too. I had the flu two weeks ago and then followed it up with an unexpected tooth implant last week. I also decided during all of that chaos to potty train Liam so poor Nic has come home to tears a few of those days. haha I'm thankful that the flu only lasted about 48 hours. Now I'm just hopeful that the tooth pain will go away soon too! 

Looking Forward to ... 

My mom coming to town tomorrow and throwing me a baby shower on Saturday! I'm excited to see friends and family and celebrate this sweet baby girl!!! 

second baby bumpdate | 29 weeks

H E L L O    T H I R D    T R I M E S T E R !!!

How Far Along ...

29 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL!

Maternity Clothes ...

My favorite thing to wear right now are maxi dresses (maternity or non) with a tied tee over the top of my bump! They are so much more breezy and comfortable than a giant belly band on a pair of capris or shorts in this summer heat.

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Oh my goodness you guys, my belly button is barely hanging in there this time around! It has becomee so shallow that I would be more surprised if it didn't pop by the end of this pregnancy than I would if it stayed an inie. I'm kind of excited about it! ;) Wedding ring is still on most of the time. I only avoid wearing it when I am playing in the sun for a while with Liam. #swelling 

Sleep ...

The body pillow has become my best friend again these last few weeks, although not to my neck. I struggle to sleep without it though. On a really good night, I wake up once to use the bathroom but on average it is about 4 times. Whoever said "enjoy all the sleep you can before the baby comes" has never been pregnant. haha I am usually able to fall right back to sleep after having to get up though so that's really nice.

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Finding out I passed my glucose test!!! Such a weight off not having to do the 3 hour one. You betcha I celebrated with ice cream! ;) 

Miss Anything ...

Fitting into more than a handful of things in my wardrobe. I already feel like I rotate the same 4 dresses over and over again and I still have about 2 and a half months to go. SO thankful the tailbone pain I mentioned at 25 weeks has gone away! I also miss working out without the added weight on my ankles. 

Movement ...

This cute girl moves all the time now and because I am carrying her so much higher and in front of the placenta, I feel her so much more than I did with Liam! I already see random limbs jabbing out as she kicks and moves in there. I love every minute of it!!!

Cravings ...

Sugar (fruit & ice cream) and Cafe Rio Salads 

Feelings & Emotions ...

Between hitting the third trimester and staring to go to the doctor every 2 weeks now, I feel like we are so much closer to meeting her and I'm so excited!!  Over the last week we've made a big push to get most of her nursery done and I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders considering we finished Liam's the morning we went into the hospital to have him. When I really think about it, I am feeling anxious about how little time I have left with just Liam so I am trying my best stop soak up every minute of it. 

Looking Forward to ... 

Celebrating the 4th of July tomorrow with the parade, a bbq, s'mores in our campfire, and fireworks! Our last holiday before baby girl is here! 

26 weeks ...

27 weeks ...

second baby bumpdate | 25 weeks

How Far Along ...

25 weeks

Gender ...

baby GIRL!

Maternity Clothes ...

All day, every day. This pure body crew tee has become a favorite!

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly button in, wedding ring on (unless I spend time outside, my hands swell too much).

Sleep ...

For the last few weeks I have only been able to sleep on my right side on my body pillow. I feel like I can't breathe when I'm on my left which makes for an interesting and sore night as you can imagine spending 8 hours on one arm. Typically I wake up about twice in the night to use the bathroom. 

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Getting a blow up pool with a seat for this momma to lounge in the sun during hot days while Liam splashes away! BEST.PURCHASE.EVER.!

Miss Anything ...

No tailbone pain and ICE CREAM! I'm trying my best to avoid processed sugar for a while, especially with my glucose test coming up in a week and half. The tailbone pain is manageable with lots of stretching throughout the day.

Movement ...

She kicks the hardest whenever I am eating fruit or dessert (girlfriend loves sweets) and whenever she hears her daddy's voice. She starting to kick more and more throughout the day, even when I'm walking around and I love it so much!

Cravings ...

Mostly sugar since I'm trying to avoid it. haha I also had a Cafe Rio salad for the first time in a really long time the other day and oh my gosh, drooling. 

Feelings & Emotions ...

I'm always so grateful to be pregnant and experiencing this miracle but I will admit that I've had a hard time with feeling so much bigger and more uncomfortable this pregnancy. I don't remember feeling that way until the last 6 weeks or so with Liam but my tummy is already starting to feel heavy. I'm also carrying her so different (much higher, basically right behind my belly button) and it is intimidating wrapping my mind around the fact that it will continue to stretch for another 3 1/2 months. 

Looking Forward to ... 

Making the most of every moment I have with Liam, just the two of us. We painted together today and have plans to spend the rest of the evening in the pool with his new water soakers. Spending time with him is so much fun! I'm also looking forward to finishing baby girl's dresser. Nic has been working so hard painting it and we thought it was ready to bring in on Saturday only to discover that the paint added width to the drawers and they won't open and close well anymore. That sweet man of mine has basically spent his evenings this week coming up with a plan to fix it and I love him so much for it. It is looking just as I dreamed it would!

picture from 24 weeks ...

We love you, baby girl!

second baby bump date | 21 weeks

How Far Along ...

21 weeks

Gender ...

GIRL! Looks like those gender predictions were spot on. ;) We had such a fun time sharing the news with friends and family last week and are still pinching ourselves that we are having a daughter!!!

Maternity Clothes ...

Definitely on the bottom but I can still make a handful of non-maternity shirts work for the time being. If I am being totally honest I am already finding myself living in dresses just like I thought I would all summer! They are so much more comfortable! This is my favorite maternity dress so far!

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly button in, wedding ring on.

Sleep ...

Not too bad, still wake up several times throughout the night to use the bathroom. I have found myself sleeping on my back more often than not lately with no body pillow in sight which is odd to me given how far along I am. 

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

I'm not sure anything can top getting to see our sweet girl for the first time at our ultrasound last week or when Nic got to feel her kick for the first time at 19 weeks (2 Sundays ago)!!! But coming in at a close second would be hearing her heartbeat at our doctor's appointment this morning and picking out her first outfit!! 

Miss Anything ...

Peanut Butter. I haven't been able to eat it this pregnancy because of the smell and the acid reflux it seems to cause. For someone who eats scrambled eggs and a piece of peanut butter toast for breakfast every morning, it has been a bummer. Seriously, what do you put on bread if you can't have peanut butter?! haha

Movement ...

Still my FAVORITE part of pregnancy!! She is quite the wiggly little thing, every time we go in for an appointment to hear her heartbeat or for the ultrasound she is always in a completely different position/direction. haha She is starting to move more and more throughout the day which I love!

Cravings ...

I haven't really craved anything this pregnancy so far.

Feelings & Emotions ...

My heart is so full! I had this moment a couple nights ago when Liam and Nic were running beside each other across this park field toward the sunset while I sat and watched from the park bench ... I placed my hand on my tummy and suddenly felt baby girl kick and I couldn't help but just feel overcome with joy and gratitude. It was such a surreal moment for me being surrounded by this little family that Nic and I have created together because it is everything I've ever dreamt of. 

Looking Forward to ... 

Mother's Day weekend this weekend! My mom is coming to stay with us and it feels special to celebrate it with her!

pictures from 20 weeks ...