Showered with love

 So everyone might gasp in distaste, but sorry not sorry I helped plan my own baby shower! Most people in our family do not have a ton of money and time to be able to plan a shower entirely by themselves, so I figured why not help cover the cost and get crafty? We decided to go with a fall themed co-ed November baby shower. I know November seems a little bit early for a February due date, but I have never been a fan of baby showers the month before the baby is due. It truly does not give the parents enough time to sort and wash everything, and then save up enough money to buy whatever else is needed. I like the idea of doing a shower two months before baby is due...but who wants to do a baby shower in the middle of Christmas season!? Plus fall is a perfect time to celebrate a new baby with the season of thankfulness! I can think of nothing else to be more thankful for.

Enter tons of craft stores trips, mason jars, burlap, apple cider, and delicious pumpkin cake. Everyone in our family contributed together to throw my baby shower at the very place my husband and I got married, a little log cabin 20 minutes from our home. It was truly special to reminisce our wedding day while celebrating the next chapter in our lives.

There are no words to express the gratitude I have and the happiness that fills me for times like these.

26 weeks

How far along? 26 weeks and 3 days (a little late oops)

Total weight gain/loss: about 18 pounds
Maternity clothes? Wearing lots of maternity clothes and even back brace.
Stretch marks? I have noticed some on the under part of my breasts. Not really surprised haha. 

Sleep: Ok with all the stuff that's been going on I have been so exhausted. 
Best moment this week: Baby shower!!! Seeing all my friends and family loving up on my baby girl :D
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? I'm slightly sad that I can't have some wine with my thanksgiving dinner. This is the best time of the year for some delicious wine!
Movement: LOTS and lots of kicks. Some stronger than others. Starting to feel them higher up. 

Food cravings: Still loving breakfast. Still can't resist Wendy's 4 for 4. I'm liking peppermint a lot lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Peanut butter gives me major heartburn.
Have you started to show yet: Definitely feeling huge!
Gender: Girl girl girl!
Symptoms: Back pain.
Labor Signs: Hopefully not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? getting more and more shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: A mix of emotions. Lots of emotions going on.
Looking forward to: Thanksgiving & Christmas!!! :D

24 weeks

How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 13 pounds
Maternity clothes? Maternity clothes mixed with some normal clothes.
Stretch marks? Just bought my second maternity massage bar from lush! Going strong.
Sleep: On and off. Back pain is here to stay.
Best moment this week: Hubby is definitely feeling baby girl. I think she is starting to go head down.
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Eating normal food and feeling normal in general
Movement: LOTS and lots of kicks. Some stronger than others. Right in the crotch

Food cravings: Still loving breakfast. Wendys 4 for 4 deal is my weakness :P

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not a fan of meats.
Have you started to show yet: Definitely feeling huge!
Gender: Girl girl girl!
Symptoms: More stretching pains, back pain, etc.
Labor Signs: Hopefully not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? getting more and more shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!
Looking forward to: Getting baby girl's crib, and my baby shower both very soon! 

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Just about 12 pounds
Maternity clothes? I've been wearing my maternity shirts from pink blush and absolutely love them! I go back and forth between maternity jeans and regular leggings that are still fitting well. Might be time to invest in new bras.
Stretch marks? Still going strong *fingers crossed*
Sleep: On and off. Back pain is starting to become a real thing.
Best moment this week: Hubby is starting to feel little flutters on the outside. I love how much he loves her!
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Eating normal food haha
Movement: LOTS and lots of kicks. Some stronger than others. She's having a dance party in there.

Food cravings: Lately I've been a huge fan of breakfast. This has occurred randomly throughout my pregnancy, but lately I LOVE breakfast. Which is weird for my because normally I don't ever eat breakfast. I LOVE milk, oatmeal, pancakes, fiber bars etc.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not a fan of meats.
Have you started to show yet: Yes, but I always wonder if people think I'm pregnant or just chunky lol
Gender: Girl girl girl!
Symptoms: I've been getting strong stabbing pains in the upper middle of my stomach. Usually when I engage my abs. I'm thinning it it my abs separating. Ouch. Starting to become a little uncomfortable to bend as my belly gets in the way. Also some normal acne seems to be attacking me.
Labor Signs: Hopefully not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? In...but getting more and more shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!
Looking forward to: Getting baby girl's crib, and my baby shower both very soon! 

Letters to Aurora

Aurora
I am just over half way through my pregnancy with you, and I am giddy with excitement at what is to come. Time is flying by and it is only a matter of time before I will be in the hospital with your father meeting you for the first time. Your dad and I have been thinking about you a lot lately. How will we decorate your room? How should we raise you? Who will you be like? We are very eager to find out. Speaking of your father...he loves you so so much already. I hope you find a man like him one day. He likes to read and talk to you while you are growing inside of me. He was so excited when he found out your ears have developed enough that you could hear his voice. He is going to be such a good dad. Seeing his excitement and his love for you fills me up with all the happiness I could ever need in one lifetime. I'm sure he won't always be perfect, but I can assure you that he loves you more than you can ever imagine. I have been getting more and more pregnancy symptoms as the weeks go by. Some of them, like the lower back pain, is not so fun, but for the most part it's not so bad. I enjoy feeling you kick and squirm throughout the day. It's my constant reminder that you are healthy and growing. I can't wait until your dad starts feeling you kick on the outside. One thing I think about a lot is what kind of mother I will be. I want only the best for you, and sometimes I am terrified that I won't be good enough. I don't want your childhood to be anything like mine. I want to put all my effort into you. I want to be a good role model of what a strong woman in this world should be. I want you to always always know that you have a family and that we love you. I didn't get this as a child and it is my biggest hope for you. I never want you to feel alone in this world. I want to be the person you will come to in your happiest and saddest times in life. I want to guide you to become loving, caring person who works hard for the good things in life. It is quite a responsibility to do so much for one person. Everything I do will impact you in one way or another. I'm up for the challenge. As I said with your father I won't always be perfect, but I will always love you and be here for you and do the very best that I can.
Love your Momma.

20 weeks

How far along? 

 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: still about 7 pounds
Maternity clothes? Wearing maternity pants in this picture, still doing ok with normal shirts.
Stretch marks? Still going strong *fingers crossed*
Sleep: Pretty good! The cold weather is definitely helping.
Best moment this week: Anatomy scan, baby girl is still perfect in every way.
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Not this week
Movement: I finally felt a real KICK! She did not like the ultrasound tech searching for a heart beat and taking pictures of her. She put her hand up and kicked it away...which of course made me swoon. So cute!
Food cravings: Carbs carbs carbs as always.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I haven't been liking any kind of meat lately. 
Have you started to show yet: I would say yes for sure.
Gender: Girl! And has been confirmed for sure.
Symptoms: Stronger round ligament pains and stretches. Stronger kicks.
Labor Signs: Not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? In...but it's getting pretty shallow these days.
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!!
Looking forward to: Getting baby girl's crib and my baby shower 

Nursery ideas

So here is what I have to work with. In the corner I have a start of a diaper and wipe stockpile, my old baby blanket that I want to get cleaned and maybe use for baby girl, my diaper bag, and some hand me downs from my sister in law. The walls are teal and I LOVE them.

Crib Dresser Rug Curtains Bookcase

Here is what I am envisioning for baby girl's room. I fell in love with two different cribs, one was white and one is the grey above. Although I still love the white crib, I thought grey would pop better with the teal and accent all the other colors I want in the room. I've never been a fan of baby themed rooms, I like the idea of the "theme" being colors and textures. That way there isn't much to change as my daughter gets older.

19 weeks

How far along? 

19 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: about 7 pounds...right on track for a pound a week
Maternity clothes? I finally caved! My regular clothes were just SO uncomfortable. I have some maternity jeans, and longer tank tops. I also bought a couple of cute shirts for the holidays.
Stretch marks? Still going strong *fingers crossed*
Sleep: Fairly ok for the most part.
Best moment this week: Ordering baby girls crib!
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? I'm definitely starting to be sad about not getting to partake in all the yummy wine festivals for fall. And sipping on some festive drinks while around a bonfire. Next year!
Movement: Still no crazy kicks, but lots of flutters at night.
Food cravings: Carbs carbs carbs as always.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Seafood ): 
Have you started to show yet: I do feel like as I walk around everyone is starting to notice my belly.
Gender: Girl! And has been confirmed for sure.
Symptoms: Doing ok, stronger round ligament pains and stretches.
Labor Signs: Not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: I feel like I'm pretty happy most days, just can't wait for her to be here
Looking forward to: Decorating the nursery and baby shower 

17 weeks

How far along? 

 17 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: about 5 pounds 
Maternity clothes? None yet...but I'm seriously considering it soon.
Stretch marks? Still going strong
Sleep: Not bad, the pillow definitely helped.
Best moment this week: Hearing baby girl's heart beat, and seeing her in 4D!
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows
Miss Anything? Seafood! Everyone is eating crabs and muscles and I just want to eat it so bad but baby girl wants nothing to do with it.
Movement: More flutters, and I felt her completely turn around once.
Food cravings: Carbs carbs carbs as always.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Seafood ): 
Have you started to show yet: Definitely becoming more noticeable in clothes.
Gender: Girl! And has been confirmed for sure.
Symptoms: Probably got the worst headache/migraine of my life a couple days ago. Didn't go away for two days. Other than that the normal stretching feelings.
Labor Signs: Not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On  
Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody. Not that I'm not happy but I've got a 'tude most of the time. 
Looking forward to: Starting to decorate the nursery, baby shower is being talked about, and I can't wait to be half way pretty soon!! Time is flying by.

Gender reveal

I knew from the moment my husband and I were given the option of finding out the gender of baby Clay that I wanted to do it in a special way. Yes you find out much faster if the doctor tells you right away, but it's not very personal to cry in excitement in a doctors office with just your husband and your doctor. So we decided to do a gender reveal.

Of course I've seen the typical announce with a cake with pink or blue icing on Pinterest. Although it is a cute idea I've already been to other friends parties who have done this many times, so I tried to think of something different. So my cousin and I came up with the box. Two strings for my husband and I to pull and out comes confetti and balloons and surprises of pink or blue.

So we got our doctor to write the gender and put it in an envelope

Decorated the house a little bit....

Asked some friends and family to join us....

and found out we're having a GIRL!!!

The day could not have been more perfect and I am so glad we decided to find out this way. For anyone out there debating whether or not to do a gender reveal you should definitely go for it! It makes the moment so much more magical when you find out in front of everyone you love at your own home. Memories we can cherish forever and ever!

15 weeks it's a girl!

How far along? 15 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 3.5 pounds 
Maternity clothes? None yet
Stretch marks? Nope *fingers crossed* been applying more lotion since my stomach is so itchy lately
Sleep: Not the best. I did just buy a pregnancy pillow so hopefully that will help.
Best moment this week: Finding out the gender!
Have you told family and friends: Yep
Miss Anything? Sushi and seafood ):
Movement: I feel little things here and there but probably not the baby.
Food cravings: Meat and veggies
Anything making you queasy or sick: Seafood especially husbands tuna yuck
Have you started to show yet: I'm showing in my eyes but not the public eye
Gender: It's a girl!!
Symptoms: Even more stretching pains
Labor Signs: Not for a long time
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :D
Looking forward to: 4D ultrasound and starting the nursery