26 weeks

Holy Moly! I'm so close to being in the third trimester I can taste it!

I'm 26 weeks today & I feel bigger & more uncomfortable than ever. I know what you're thinking- "just waitttttt until you're 36 weeks!!" But for real, I really started to get uncomfortable this week. I feel like I'm growing at a rapid pace & my skin feels like it's going to break from stretching!! Oy.

Miss Claire is doing just fine in the womb. She weighs about 2lbs & she has found my bladder. She either lays on it or kicks it all. day. long. Silly girl.

Some milestones this week: I officially waddle. Especially later in the day when I'm exhausted. It's reallllly attractive. Also, sleep is becoming quite a task. I fall asleep for a couple of hours & wake up to my hips THROBBING. Oh my gosh. It is so painful. Even with my Snoogle. Poor me.

Anyway, hubby & I are packing up our bathing suits & puppy & heading down to St. George tonight to spend the weekend in the yummy sunshine by the pool & yes, I will be wearing a bikini (and 100 spf). Judge if you may, but I will be a heck of a lot comfier with my bump hanging out rather than shoving it into a one piece. ACK! Hubby's little sister lives down there & we'll just be staying with her. I'm excited! But wish me luck on the 4 hour car ride as it will most likely turn into a 6 hour car ride with all the tinkle stops we'll have to make for me.

I didn't feel like doing the survey this week, so I'll just leave it there.

I hope you all have a wonderful 3 day weekend!!

Oh yes, I'm growing. If only my hair would grow too.

hmph.

Hey! Guess What?!

99 Days Until My Due Date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Officially in the double digits.

This is too, too weird.

If my daughter is anything like my dog...

...then we aren't buying her any toys. We'll let her play with socks & cardboard boxes.

Seriously, our puppy has an enormous bin full of all kinds of toys. Granted, she does have her favorites & plays with those. But if she could choose just one thing to play with, it would be socks

These are all the socks that were downstairs the other night. Belle gets into the laundry baskets & pulls the socks out & brings them downstairs. She loves socks! So funny.

If babies are anything like dogs & want to play with everything BUT their toys (and I know they are), then I ain't wasting my money ;)

We'll toss her some tupperwear & boxes & call it a day.

I thought this was blog worthy.

Um.... ya. This was the view from my bedroom window when I woke up on this lovely May Monday Morning.

It's 31 degrees. I'm wearing Uggs & a sweatshirt that is entirely too tight. And it's the end of May.

Think of me when you're laying by the pool or strolling in the park. Happy Monday! (insert sarcasm)

OMG. 25 weeks?!

First of all, thank you all so much for being so sweet in my last post where I whined & had a pity party. That was a shitty day. But, everyone has 'em! I think my husband was about to admit me into the looney bin when I went from hysterically crying & hyperventilating to laughing uncontrollably in a matter of 5 minutes. I felt like such a crazy because I could not control it for the life of me. I had NO clue why I was crying or laughing. ::shakes fists at hormones::

It feels SO bizarre that last week I did my 23 week survey not knowing I was actually 24 weeks! (my doctor told me my due date was September 3rd, rather than the 8th). So here I am, 25 weeks & counting.

Braxton hicks are still making their appearance about 5x a day or more, I can't be on my feet for longer than 45 min without my ankles swelling, the nausea is back!! & my poor belly button feels like it's going to be ripped off. But, I'm pregnant & this is all a part of the crazy ride!

Survey Time!

How far along?: 25 weeks. OMIGOD.
How big is baby?: Approx. the size of an eggplant & weighing about 1.5lbs
Weight Gain?: When I weighed this morning I was up another half pound. So, 16.5lbs. But that was before I ate my Paul Bunyan cinnamon roll, so I'm probably up another 5 lbs after eating that thing
Stretch Marks?: Not yet, even though my skin feels like it's going to break from growing so much.
Maternity Clothes?: Still pretty much just pants. Dresses & shirts are non-maternity
Sleep?: Great until I wake up from my hips throbbing.
Best moment this week?: Seeing my belly move from the outside & Receiving baby girl's bedding in the mail & setting it up in her crib! It is soooo perfect! Now we just need a mattress. Haha.
Food Cravings?: Nothing in particular. Just food.
Gender?: Sweet baby girl
Movement? OH YES. I don't think she EVER sleeps. Yesterday & today she's been using my bladder as a pillow/trampoline. No kidding. But earlier this week, I felt kicks up towards my ribs. Crazy girl.
What I miss?: Beer. My long hair (so random). My libido (I think my husband would agree, poor thing).
Belly Button?: Completely flat & stretched.
Labor Signs?: No. Just the braxton hicks. yuck
What I'm looking forward to?: Probably hitting the 3rd TRIMESTER in 3 weeks!!
Milestone?: Reaching viability last week (without me knowing) ha!

I think I've had a small growth
spurt.




View from the top.
My tootisies are becoming hard to see!!

Belly buttons & Hormones

I'm a complete mess today. My hair isn't doing what I want it to. I'm exhausted even after sleeping for over 10 hours. My husband didn't do the one chore I asked him to do. My clothes look hideous on me. I miss my puppy & I'm just plain sad.

Don't ask me why I'm crying. But I am. And it's slightly embarrassing, as I am at work after all.

And, my belly button is killing me. It feels like there's something pulling on it from the inside & it's being stretched from the outside. It just feels like a giant bruise. So weird.

Well thanks for letting me complain. I'm just having an "off" day.

Monday Updates

First of all, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend & that it was just as gorgeous weather where you are as it was here! OMG. I broke out my sundresses- FINALLY! I only have about 47 of them that up until Saturday, I had not been about to wear. And today it's 82 degrees here! That makes me happy :)

We spent the weekend at the annual Festival of Roses that the church puts on. It was pretty lame for me this year because all we do at the festival is sit in the bar & drink. Well, hubby enjoyed about 589034804 beers while I sipped on my yummy water & non-alcoholic beer (which was pretty dang good, considering).

They have a silent auction every year & this year, you'd better believe that the Grandmas bid on all things baby. My momma didn't win anything ::tear:: but my mother-in-law won a basket full of baby toys & this gorgeous hand painted toy chest for Claire's nursery:

Cute, huh?! The chest goes absolutely perfect in her room, right under the window. I love it!!

Also, I had a doctor appointment this morning. After waiting 2 hours, I finally saw the doctor for about 15 minutes. I told him about my continuous Braxton Hicks that I had all weekend. He told me as long as they're not less than 5 minutes apart & I don't get more than 6 an hour, then it's not cause for concern. He checked my cervix just to be safe and all was good! Phew!

And here's the kicker... I am measuring 24 1/2 weeks. Like you all have told me & I have read that it's normal for baby to be measuring ahead, but I finally just asked him when my actual due date is. Like, the date he has on my chart. Because I was so confused as to when my due date is. He told me it has always been September 3rd (which happens to be the exact day my sister has to go back to college. Awesome. I'm hoping Claire will magically come a few days before then- I know, wishful thinking). Well, that's news to me! I was never informed of an actual date.

So, criticize all you want, but I'm going off that due date from now on, which puts me at 24w3d & I will most definitely be changing my little ticker at the top. Oh yeah!! I feel dumb that I had been going all along not knowing when my damn due date really is! oh well!

Sorry to bore you with all these random facts. Hope you're having a happy Monday, or what's left of it :)

This has to be just about the sweetest thing.

Yesterday, I was going through my mail & I came across an envelope from my Grandma.

This is what was inside:


I couldn't read it right away. I glanced at it, & tears welled up in my eyes. Hormones I guess. But I read it this morning before I left for work & it had to have been one of the sweetest things I had ever read.

A Newborn's Conversation With God: A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small & helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you." The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing & smile to be happy." God said, "Your angel will sing for you & will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love & be very happy." Again, the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful & sweet words you will ever hear & with much patience & care, your angel will teach you how to speak." "And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together & will teach you how to pray." "Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life." "But I will always be sad because I won't see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me & will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you." At that moment, there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name." God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom."

I hope this put a smile on your face or if you're like me, you have tears running down your face onto your keyboard.

I love you Grandma, for thinking of me & Claire when you sent this. She is a child of God & I am her angel. I love that.

23 Weeks

I had an "OMG" moment yesterday when I realized that our baby girl is going to be here in about 3 1/2 months!! I seriously can't even believe it.

We bought the bedding yesterday!! And will be here next
week. Like it??


This past week has been...weird. I feel dizzy a lot & just off kilter oh & I didn't sleep for 3 nights in a row. I know it's normal, but it's still no fun. I've also started getting the dreaded Braxton Hicks contractions this past weekend. That was pretty scary considering I didn't really know what to expect. From what I've found out, it's normal to be getting them at this stage as long as they aren't regular or painful. So, I've just been drinking tons of water & taking it easy-but I still get them. CLAIRE, STOP THIS NON-SENSE.

One more quick thing, something that I noticed that bothers me, is when people treat pregnant women like they're disabled. I'm pregnant, not paralyzed. It bugs me really bad. For instance, when I was at the grocery store this past weekend, the cashier acted appalled when I was lifting the Gatorade bottles from the counter into my cart. "Oh my gosh, be careful. I can do that for you." She said. Uh.... they weigh like 5 lbs. I promise, I'm fine. I carry more weight on my ass & mid-section on a daily basis.

Ok, now that I got that off my chest, let's to the ol' survey:

How far along? 23 weeks
How big is baby?: Still the size of a papaya & weighing a little over a pound
Weight gain?: As of this morning, I weighed .5lbs more than last week. I'm hoping I can keep the weight gain at this pace.
Stretch Marks?: Negative
Maternity Clothes?: All bottoms, some shirts & regular sizes in dresses
Sleep?: Getting more & more difficult. I just can't seem to shut my mind off at night.
Best moment this week?: Probably Mother's Day. It was just a really good day.
Food Cravings?: This week, it has been eggs & french toast. What the hell?
Gender?: Girl!!
Movement?: All the freaking time. She is the sassiest thing. I swear she never sleeps. I worry if I don't feel her every few hours, even though I know that's silly.
What I miss?: My skinny face ::pouts:: oh & BEER. I sound like such an alcoholic.
Belly Button?: Flat & making its way out.
Labor Signs?: I hate adding this question back in, but since I've been getting Braxton Hicks, then I guess this somewhat applies. Besides that, none.
What I'm looking forward to?: Reaching 24 wks!
Milestone?: hmm.... ordering the bedding??

If I'm being honest, I don't think I look any bigger since
about 21wks. But that's just me.

I AM SO SICK OF WEARING
WINTER CLOTHES.

" You ARE a mother...

I'll beat up anyone who says you're not!"

That's what my sweet husband said to me while we were laying in bed on Sunday morning. I believe I said something like "I'm not a mom YET. And I don't think anyone else thinks I am either." And then he said that to me. Sweet, right? He made the point of saying that I am growing a human in me. I am caring for this baby & taking care of myself so that baby is taken care of. I agree. If you are pregnant, you are a mother. Even though the baby is not an outside baby yet, I am still nurturing & taking care of her. Therefore, I am a mother.

I hope all of you had a fantastic day celebrating your momma's & yourselves! We did! We went to brunch with my family & my mom & dad gave me a card & a gift certificate for a pre-natal massage! I am so excited to book it. I think I'll wait until my third trimester when I'm really hating life. HA! After brunch, we went & saw the movie Babies. Cutest movie ever. There was no talking, but it was so interesting to see how babies are raised in other countries. I loved it.

Later that evening, we went over to my in-laws & had a bbq. They also gave me a card, which I thought was so sweet that they thought of me!

I gave both of the Momma's Grandma (his mom) & Nana (my mom) picture frames with Claire's ultra-sound picture in it & a book called "How to be a Perfect Grandma". They loved it!

I'm so mad that I didn't get any pictures of me & my mom. But I did get some of my sisters-in-law & momma-in-law.

Oh & did I mention that hubby got me a Willow Tree angel? I LOVE Willow Tree figurines. He also got me a card from him, Claire & our puppy. My heart melted.

I absolutely cannot wait until next Mother's Day when I have my baby girl in my arms.

Me & Hubby's Momma

Me & my gorgeous sisters-in-law!

"All that I am & all that I hope to be, I owe to my mother."

I don't know why I'm even going to attempt to put into words how I feel about my mom & what she's done for me over the course of my short lived life.

My mom is the most selfless person I have ever met. Yes, I may be biased; but everyone who meets her would agree. She puts everyone (especially her chilren) before herself & I admire her so much for that. Well, I admire everything about her; but this is one of the biggest things.

She is a woman of faith, commitment & devotion & if I can even be a sliver of a mother that she is to my sister, brother & I; then I will have accomplished all I need to in life.

Happy Mother's day Momma. I love you more than words will ever express & actions will ever show.


And Happy Mother's Day to all you amazing Mothers out there. You have the most selfless, rewarding job in the entire world.

22 Weeks!

YAY! I'm slowly gettin' up there guys!

I'm 22 weeks on Cinco De Mayo. I think I'll celebrate by eating. Mexican. And drinking virgin margaritas. Sound good? Ok then.

I'm feeling pretty uninspired on what I should write about since things have been pretty uneventful, so I guess we'll just jump into the survey!

How far along?: 22 weeks
How big is baby?: Approx. the size of a papaya & supposedly she stays that size until I'm 24 weeks? Ok.
Weight gain?: As of this morning, I was up .5lb from last week. So, 15.5lbs total. But I just ate Chick fil-A for breakfast, so I'm probably up another 2lbs from that.
Stretch Marks?: Nooooooo.
Maternity Clothes?: All pants. And my tank tops are maternity-which is pretty much all I wear.
Sleep?: No major complaints. Once Claire settles down for the night, I fall asleep pretty easily.
Best moment this week?: Getting going on the nursery takes the cake. Wait, that was last week. Oh well.
Food cravings?: Honestly? Salad. I know. My mouth just dropped too.
Gender?: A wiggly sassy girl
Movement?: Oh ya. This morning I had my hand on my stomach in bed & she kicked it so hard that it woke me up. But it's weird because the dr. said I have an anterior placenta & won't be feeling movement very easily. That's a load of crap. I feel her all. the. time.
What I miss?: Not feeling like I'm going to pass out 3x a day. Not peeing 5803932x a day.
Belly Button?: Is ugly.
What I'm looking forward to?: Getting my hair done on Saturday!! It looks AWFUL. I look like a shaggy dog with roots.
Milestone?: Having the nursery actually look like a nursery & getting stranger comments everyday!

Here I am in my 22wk glory.


Sorry, I had to do it. My shirt is throwing up a peace sign,
so I did to. Get it? 22 weeks? I'm so funny. ::crickets::

wow. this is weird!

This is extremely random, but I just had to share.

I was browsing blog backgrounds on shabbyblogs.com & came across the background I have on my blog.

Want to know the name of my background on that website??? CLAIRE. No joke.
I had no idea until now.

Coincidence? I think not. Fate? Maybe. hehe

Oh sh!t, there's a crib in my house.

First things first, ::points to new header:: you like? I got all "techy" on Friday night & designed my very first header. It's not professional, obvi; but I was pretty proud of myself.

Ok, onto more important things, like THE FACT THAT THERE'S A CRIB IN MY HOUSE. ASSEMBLED. READY FOR A BABY. That to me, is so surreal.

Hubby & I got so much done this weekend on the nursery front. We painted & set up the crib. It looks awesome, in my opinion. The green walls accented with the espresso crib just looks so good. We're going to hang the curtains tonight & then I think we'll be done for a little bit. I mean, we do still have about 4 months til baby even gets here.

But holy cow, painting is HARD. It takes everything out of you. I'm so glad we painted when we did. If I had been much bigger, I would have probably died. My back & arms are still killing me from all the manual labor. (Can you tell I'm a bit out of shape??)

Well, that's all I've got for now. I'll leave you with some pictures of the progress of the nursery thus far! The pictures don't really do the walls justice, but you get the idea.

Oh & did I mention my husband made me wear a mask? He claims it was to keep me from inhaling fumes. Psshh, I know it was because he wanted to make me look like a freak- well, it worked.

America's Next Top Model, here I COME!

I should probably get my roots touched up first though.

Puppy helping dad prep.

Dayumm... by the way, I look like I'm about 35 wks pregnant.

It was the angle. I swear.

Takin off the blinds. Ooohh exciting
Ta da!!
I'm in love.

Puppy watching dad set up the crib.

Perfection!
View from the door.