37 Weeks

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How far along? 37 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 33 lbs. I am going in weekly so we will see how the weight gain continues until Little Coraline decides to make her debut.

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it.
My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-) 

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! I know they say it is mostly genetics, but I will just let you know that I refuse to scratch my belly at all. On top of not scratching, I use Jergens lotion with Vitamin E oil and Aloe religiously. Anything with Vitamin E oil is suppose to be great for your skin regardless, so why not? So far so good. Just wish I would've considered butt stretch marks, or "red marks". 

Sleep: Sleep is better this week, I am still tired, but definitely got a "second wind" to help get all those baby gifts un-packed and put away.  The only thing is she is really getting up in my ribs. It gives me anxiety because I am afraid she is going to dislocate a rib or something. haha

Best moment this week: Getting the nursery 90% finished!!! Just waiting on the crib bedding to be delivered :-)

Miss Anything? Wearing my cowgirl boots! It is August, my favorite time of year is just around the corner and I miss wearing my cowgirl boots and cute fall clothes more than anything. It really sucks being prego in the summer (excluding this summer. I was extremely blessed with a mild Texas summer, but I know I wouldn't get this lucky a second time.) The only bonus with being prego in the summer, come fall you don't have to worry about fitting into pre-pregnancy cute shorts and pants right away - It is totally fashionable to rock the leggings, tunics and boots to give you more room while you drop the mommy weight. :-]

Movement: Her movements are up in my ribs now. Before they would be close to my ribs and I could push her little feet away, now they actually glide up UNDER my ribs where I can't reach, for obvious reasons. She has dropped a bit lower this week. I went to work out for the first time since week 28 and she dropped painfully low afterward. I have woken up feeling crampy from her in the middle of the night. I can feel her little hands move around my belly button and hip bones too. 

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Hands and Feet hurt REALLY bad. Especially my knuckles. They ache and almost feel like bruises to open and close my fingers. It is worse when I wake up first thing, but they get better during the day. I don't know if I am just clenching my fists or something in my sleep, but regardless. THEY HURT!
Ligament spasms? They are super loose in my groin area and sometimes spasm or cramp as I am walking. It feels hella weird and kind of unpleasant.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? I have moved my wedding ring to my right pinkie and taken my Aggie Ring off for safe keeping. We went out to dinner with friends, I was talking with my hands, as usual, and my Aggie Ring went flying! I almost had a heart attack. It is too tight to fit on the correct finger, but too heavy to properly hold on my pinkie. It makes me sad not to wear it. :-[

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Meeting our Little Lady!!! We absolutely love her so much and both of us can not wait to hold her!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: This week Taylor and I went on the hunt for a china cabinet or entertainment stand for tax free weekend. We didn't find either that Henry and I both would love, but we did find an amazing chair for the nursery! We were suppose to receive one, but it hasn't been delivered and with Coraline only 3 weeks away - the doctor saying she could be here any day, we really need a chair for those late nights and just can't keep waiting around. [I kept the 90 day return policy receipt though, just in case!]  We were wondering around and then stumbled upon this lovely reclining chair that matches her room beautifully. It doesn't glide or rock, which is a bummer, but it is super comfy and reclines! If anything, it would be a great accent piece to add to our living room set later down the road.

We were also able to use our gift cards from the showers and coupons from the mail to buy Coraline the baby monitor and swing. :-] All the big ticket items are officially DONE! 

About the Board:

I read this on a picture from somewhere, it didn't say who the quote was by, but I snapped a photo of the quote and had to use it! It is quite fitting, don't you think?

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

The top is a Long and Lean tank from Target. I am wearing a high/low skirt from a local boutique.

35 Weeks & Pain Coping Mechanisms

How far along? 35 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 31 lbs. I go in again Week 36 for another soon! I really wanted to stay below 30 lbs, but as we can see I have gone up one pound over and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[ They say at this point she is growing 30 grams a day!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-) 

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! 

Sleep: Sleep is better this week, I am still tired, but definitely got a "second wind" to help get all those baby gifts un-packed and put away.  The only thing is she is really getting up in my ribs. It gives me anxiety because I am afraid she is going to dislocate a rib or something. haha

Best moment this week: Found our labor coping mechanisms courtesy of Birth Boot Camp! I'll explain more in the "Thoughts".

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: Her movements are up in my ribs now. Before they would be close to my ribs and I could push her little feet away, now they actually glide up UNDER my ribs where I can't reach, for obvious reasons. She has dropped a bit lower this week. I went to work out for the first time since week 28 and she dropped painfully low afterward. I have woken up feeling crampy from her in the middle of the night. I can feel her little hands move around my belly button and hip bones too. 

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Her sitting painfully low.
Ligament spasms? They are super loose in my groin area and sometimes spasm or cramp as I am walking. It feels hella weird and kind of unpleasant.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: I mentioned above we learned coping mechanisms for labor in our Birth Boot Camp class. I was really excited for this class and I feel we learned quite a bit. Our midwife passed around ice, a napkin and set a timer. Randomly the timer would go off to signal a "contraction" and we would have to put the ice in our bare hands. She then encouraged our partners to help us "cope". If the coping mechanism worked, the pain from the ice went away, if not, well then the ice started to burn. HAHA We learned that Henry rubbing my head and neck, laughing and talking about what we are excited for with Coraline's arrival helps me to relax and cope with pain. The midwife also noted that we laugh a lot together and says that is a great sign - she thinks natural labor will be easy for us. GO US!

I also had another dream about Coraline - love those! All I can remember is once she was born they put her on my chest to hold. She cried for a bit, but once she felt the warmth of Henry and myself she began to sooth herself and calm down. Once she was calm she opened her eyes. She had the most mesmerizing emerald green eyes!! They were gorgeous. I remember looking down and just being dumbfounded by how beautiful her eyes were. Green eyes are a definite possibility since my mom has green eyes, so we will see! :-)

We also decided to play music for her this week and see what she liked. First we picked a mutual favorite band - A Perfect Circle. She moved toward the music and seemed to like being pressed up against it. We then tried Blake Shelton and Josh Abbott - she moved away from those. Henry then tried Turnpike Troubadors, another favorite with lots of fiddle music and she pressed herself up against the music. We played Sublime, another rock band, and another country song - she stayed away from all those too. We played another fiddle-heavy song and she pressed up against it. We got a big kick out of it! Every song heavy on the fiddle she LOVED. She just keeps getting more and more perfect every week. :-)

About the Board:

We tried to keep the board simple this week. We chose the line about the fiddle because of the experience listed above in thoughts. :-]

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Jessica Simpson Maternity Top and Jessica Simpson Maternity pant/leggings. I LOVE this outfit. It is a new line that just came out at Motherhood Maternity - just my luck at 35 weeks. haha I despise those pants with the stretchy belly band thingy. They pull my belly down and itch like freaking crazy! I have read that scratching your belly is what opens up the skin for stretch marks to begin and refuse to scratch my belly. Not to mention, it is Texas. It is hot. My belly has enough pressure without this stupid band pressing on it and then layer clothes on top of it as well. Can you tell I despise it? When I saw these adorable "pants" I had to have them! They have a low lying waist in front to accommodate the belly without smothering it. They also have these notches with a bit of elastic to accommodate the growing bump. So, when I sit down they don't cut into my belly like the belly band pants do. Not to mention they have faux pockets in front and real pockets in back, so they look like black skinnies, only very comfy and stretchy. I am not limited to wearing them with just tunics either. WHERE WERE THESE MY ENTIRE PREGNANCY!? Better late than never though I guess. I would put these pants on my top 5 maternity wardrobe MUST-HAVES.

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 31 lbs. I go in again Week 36 for another soon! I really wanted to stay below 30 lbs, but as we can see I have gone up one pound over and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[ They say at this point she is growing 30 grams a day!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP! What is amazing is no stretch marks on my belly, none what-so-ever! 

Sleep:  Sleeping is WAY off. By 4 pm I am exhausted! I want to take a nap, but always talk myself out of it. By nighttime I am exhausted and feel like I should be able to pass right out, but don't. Major insomnia. I should probably just start giving in to the 4 pm nap. :-/ Either way I am EXTREMELY tired.

Best moment this week: Found out what position Coraline is in and Henry learned massage techniques from our Doula!

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!! What's new? ha! Oh and hiccups! Those movements count, right?

Food cravings: Watermelon. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More and more contractions! 

Symptoms: 
Exhaustion! Absolutely exhausted.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Very small bladder...very. small.
Baby hiccups
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: I have mentioned before that I am planning a natural child birth but in a hospital. I can not stress to you how grateful I am that we have hired a Doula for the process. I have read and been told on countless occasions to hire a doula for a natural birth, but ESPECIALLY if you plan to natural birth in a hospital. No matter which way we choose to birth, I am beyond happy that we hired Jenni. She actually came to our Birth Boot Camp class this week and taught all the Hubby's a few massage techniques for the aching Mommies. Boy are they FABULOUS! Henry really picked up on what she taught and has been doing wonderful at home. We, or I, particularly like a thing called "Rebozo" or "Sifting". It lifts the baby's weight off my back and accommodates Coraline to be in a better position. We learned right now she is in the LOT position. AKA - Her head is down, facing my right side, back side is on my left side, which is why I feel her little feet on the upper right side of my ribs/torso. LOA - where she is head down, facing my spine is the optimal position, but LOT is the 2nd best. Go little Coraline! 

About the Board:

We themed the board around her nautical name and nautical room. :-) Like my attempted seahorsies?
She is roughly 5 lbs and the size of a small pumpkin. I really need to take a step back, I didn't realize my usual spot is starting to interfere with the board. Oopsie!

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Dress is from Motherhood Maternity.

33 Weeks

Baby Shower #1

How far along? 33 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 30 lbs, will have another check up Week 34. Really trying to maintain a total weight gain no more than 30 lbs, but seeing how I am at 30 lbs already and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP!

Sleep:  Sleeping is WAY off. By 4 pm I am exhausted! I want to take a nap, but always talk myself out of it. By nighttime I am exhausted and feel like I should be able to pass right out, but don't. Major insomnia. I should probably just start giving in to the 4 pm nap. :-/

Best moment this week: First baby shower!! 

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!! What's new? ha!

Food cravings: Watermelon. Henry picks the best ones too. Each time before he leaves town I make sure he picks a watermelon first so I can snack on it while he is gone. :-)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More contractions this week! Happened at work while sitting at the desk - probably because I was stressed. I am on a roll. 

Symptoms: 
Exhaustion! Absolutely exhausted.
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Learned I am allergic to cocoa butter.
Hips hurt. Especially my right hip.
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Frequent bathroom visits
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: We had our first baby shower this week! It was great to have so many family members from each side of my family attend. Usually we get all my moms side or all my dads. We had a good combination from both. They didn't do any crazy games except Baby Bingo, which turned out to be fun for the guests and kept them engaged during the gift opening. Everyone got a Blank Bingo Card and filled in the squares with gifts they thought we may receive. If they got 5 in a row they got a bingo and a prize. The mini-liquor bottle prizes were a hit! There were also two Starbucks gift cards and a mystery prize. We got tons of adorable outfits, wipes, bottles, little baby knick knacks and Coraline's carseat and extra base for Daddy's truck. We are truly blessed with some amazing, generous family members. Not to mention, my sister made the CUTEST Coraline diaper cake!! I was truly shocked at her talent to make it. Although I am sure her boyfriend Brice had a helping hand. hehe Then my Aunt Robin had the genius idea of freezing watermelon slices on sticks to make "fruit pops". Watermelon has been my main crave lately, and to have it frozen, slushy like on a stick was awesome! Genius idea for future kid birthday parties. 

About the Board:

No board this week. :-[ I know, shame on me. With work and traveling to and from Houston I just didn't make time for one. Not to mention the exhaustion, remember?

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Dress is from ASOS.
Belt from a local boutique.
Wedges are Gianni Bini - my absolute favorite shoe designer and he by far has the most comfortable heels/wedges, especially for 33 weeks preggo!

Check out this adorable video courtesy of my Uncle John

Photos courtesy of my Uncle Warren

Photos courtesy of my Uncle Warren

32 Weeks

What do Coraline and a Jack in the Box have in common?

How far along? 32 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Up 30 lbs, will have another check up Week 34. Really trying to maintain a total weight gain no more than 30 lbs, but seeing how I am at 30 lbs already and Coraline still has big growth spurts ahead...my dream seems to be squashed. :-[

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP!

Sleep:  Sleeping well again. :-]

Best moment this week: Nursery details have been added. You can see details of our Glam Nautical Nursery: HERE. 

Miss Anything? Alcohol. It is hot and I want to enjoy the fun fruity alcoholic beverages everyone else is getting to enjoy. Jealous. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!! What's new? ha!

Food cravings: Watermelon. Henry picks the best ones too. Each time before he leaves town I make sure he picks a watermelon first so I can snack on it while he is gone. :-)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: More contractions this week! Happened at work while sitting at the desk - probably because I was stressed. I am on a roll. 

Symptoms: 
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Learned I am allergic to cocoa butter.
Hips hurt. Especially my right hip.
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Frequent bathroom visits
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands. Especially my right foot. 

Belly Button in or out? My belly button is officially FLAT. No innie, no outtie. 

Wedding rings on or off? Both rings have moved to my pinkie fingers. I had a scare with my Aggie ring and just decided to keep them both there. Juuuust in case. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: First thought - gosh we look a shaggy mess in this weeks photo!!
Second - We are learning so much in our Birth Boot Camp class. I can't express to you how wonderful this class has been. We intend on doing a natural birth. I had wanted to do the Bradley method, however in a small town that was close to impossible without driving an hour to get to a class. When I found this class right down the street from us, designed by a lady who taught the Bradley Method for over 20 years I was ecstatic! I have been against epidurals since I was in high school. I have always had a pretty high pain tolerance, such as opting to have my teeth drilled without medication. Plus I have woken up in the middle of a few procedures, so not only do I have a high pain tolerance, my body has a high tolerance I guess to anesthesia. I would assume that given my history, an epidural wouldn't really work to the extent on my body that it does for most others. Each person has their own reasoning for either choosing an epidural or choosing natural and I don't knock those choose the epidural. This is just my personal preference. I want to be able to labor in my position of choice, walk around, use the restroom and better engage with my baby post-delivery. However, I know I can't beat myself up if for some unforeseeable reason I do end up getting an epidural. My birth plan though clearly states no epidural and to not offer drugs to me, I know they are there if I choose. :-]

About the Board:

Inspiration was from a dream. You hear of those crazy prego dreams? Well this one was pretty odd. I dreamt my stomach was a Jack in the Box. I would crank the Jack in the Box and the music would play until my belly would pop open. It would pop open like the vintage post office box drawers on the street. When it opened I could see Coraline in my tummy, head down, facing my spine. She was wearing this super cute footy onesie I had recently purchased. When she saw that I was looking down at her she looked up at me from between her legs and reached her hands up for me to pick her up. I almost went to pick her up until I realized she wasn't ready to come out yet and slammed the drawer shut!!! HA! Pretty odd, huh? 

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Top and leggings are from Motherhood Maternity. I love this top, however I feel like it is the least flattering in photos now that I am getting bigger. It doesn't accommodate upper boob expansion very well.

Weeks 30 & 31

How far along? 31 Weeks 

Total weight gain? Still up 23 lbs, will have another check up Week 32. Really trying to maintain a total weight gain less than 30 lbs. We will see how that goes!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red marks are still on my butt! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP!

Sleep:  Sleep has been pleasant this week. Except when she kicks my ribs. It is a weird sensation I am not use to and it wakes me up the moment it happens.

Best moment this week: Started Birth Boot Camp and almost finished painting all of the nursery! One stencil left!

Miss Anything? My cousin and alcohol. I could definitely dive into a large mojito.

Movement: She LOVES to move!! She has begun to kick under my ribs. The sensation of her tiny feet gliding under my ribs is SO. FREAKING. WEIRD. It almost takes my breath away. Plus I have heard crazy stories of ribs being dislocated and broken, so I am on pins and needles afraid she's going to give me one of those donkey kicks and there goes a rib. I have had 3 ribs fractured before and it is NOT pleasant. Since she is gliding UNDER the rib, I can't push on her foot to move it like when she hits my hip bone or pushes too hard on my side. The lack of control makes me more uneasy. 

Food cravings: Watermelon. Henry picks the best ones too. Each time before he leaves town I make sure he picks a watermelon first so I can snack on it while he is gone. :-)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: Woke up to another set of contractions this week. I was sound asleep and woke up delirious from the pain. Couldn't wrap my mind around what was happening and when the fog finally cleared and I realized what was happening I was able to roll off the bed and get on all fours to ease and rock through them. 

Symptoms: 
Braxton Hicks! Yay.
Learned I am allergic to cocoa butter.
Hips hurt. Especially my right hip.
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Frequent bathroom visits
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands.

Belly Button in or out? Innie - barely.

Wedding rings on or off? My left hand randomly swells now with the fluctuating heat waves, so for safe measure I have moved my wedding ring to my pinkie. :-]

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house from the tornado!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: None this week really. Most was in the Labor Signs part. Talk about fun! lol

About the Board:

Inspiration was from 4th of July this week!
Fonts were free handed. 

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Top and skirt is from Old Navy maternity

There was no board for 30 weeks, but we did get a wonderful shot together at the wedding. <3

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain? Still up 23 lbs, will have another check up Week 32. Really trying to maintain a total weight gain less than 30 lbs. We will see how that goes!

Maternity Clothes? ASOS is my top #1 choice! The tops/tunics run true to your pre-pregnancy size. (Given you didn't let yourself go and blow up like a balloon - boob growth is accommodated for). I found that the pants are true to your current pregnant size. So if you measure your hips properly, use their size chart to order the proper pregnancy size. Yes this means you may order a 10/12/14. Grieve for a bit, then get over it. My next choices are The Gap/Old Navy. I have really only ordered tank tops from there and again, true to pre-pregnancy size. However, for 3rd trimester I recommend going up one size, the belly region can get tight. :-)

Stretch Marks?  The red mark has officially popped up on my hiney! First my boob, now my butt!! Come on! Good news, the red marks on my boob have vanished! Gone! Not even a slight sign that they were once even there. WHOOP!

Sleep:  Sleep has been tough this week. Tough due to the fact that I have been dealing with the awful news of my cousin's murder. It's tough having pregnancy hormones. It's tough dealing with the loss of a loved one. But MURDER is on a whole different level without throwing the pregnancy hormones in the mix!

Best moment this week: I can't say this has been a good week at all. :-(

Miss Anything? My cousin. 

Movement: She LOVES to move!!

Food cravings: Coconuts and watermelon!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Textures are still making me sick. 

Gender RESULTS: BABY GIRL!!! My gut feeling was right all along! I absolutely can't wait to meet her!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks! I had my first set of Braxton Hicks contractions. Talk about scary for me. I had to drive 5 hours to Houston to attend my cousin's viewing and funeral alone. Henry was in a wedding and although he could have made it back in plenty of time to still be in the wedding, he would have been an hour late to take the groomsmen photos. So off to Houston I went, alone. I cried so hard Friday night and Saturday that I triggered my first contractions! I was half-way back home when my stomach started oddly tightening. It felt like my muscles all around my stomach tightened and you could physically see my stomach raising toward my diaphragm and tightening up. There was no pain in my abdomen, but there was a shooting pain that started at the base of my ribs on either side and shot down my back. It felt like "back labor". I began talking to my sister-in-law since she had back labor to confirm it was what she felt and she confirmed it. She googled Braxton Hicks, ordered me to pull over drink water, take deep breaths and chill out. It took about 30 minutes, but they finally stopped and I drove the rest of the way home, changed quickly and headed over to the wedding in time for the reception to begin. Whew! 

Symptoms: 
If I don't take my prenatal vitamin at night, my legs get extremely antsy! It feels like I need to go running they get so antsy. However, if I take my pre-natal within 30 minutes they chill out. I read that it has to do with the iron. Either way, it works.
Movements have changed from individual movements to feeling simultaneous movements in two different spots. Like I will feel something toward my right side up by my ribs, and at the same time another movement on the left side of my belly button. It's the weirdest, yet most wonderful feeling in the world.
Disappearing belly button, baby bump, nails and hair growing like weeds, baby movements (the best!) and my boobs have drastically increased.
Frequent bathroom visits
Occasional swelling of my feet and hands.

Belly Button in or out? Innie - barely.

Wedding rings on or off? My left hand randomly swells now with the fluctuating heat waves, so for safe measure I have moved my wedding ring to my pinkie. :-]

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, Happy!

Looking forward to: Finishing out the nursery and getting back into our house!

Baby Name? Coraline! I love the name!! See WEEK 21 for name details. <3

Thoughts: None this week really. Most was in the Labor Signs part. Talk about fun! lol

About the Board:

No board this week. :-( With the funeral and murder of my cousin, I am just a wreck this week.

Pregnancy/Maternity Fashion: 

Dress is from ASOS and the nude belt is from a boutique around our town.

Lovely friend Kristi