27 Week Bumpdate! Hello 3rd Trimester!!

How far along:  27 weeks!  Welcome to the THIRD TRIMESTER!!!   Woohoo!!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  papaya {yum}

Total weight gain/loss:  + 12.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  I just had to buy some new super soft jersey knit PJs at Nordstrom, because my boxers are officially uncomfortably tight.

Sleep:   I flip from my left side to my right side and back all night long, and I wake up one to pee in the middle of the night, despite going right before bed.

Best moment this week:  Buying our glider at Pottery Barn for the nursery, and getting our crib bedding!!  The bedding looks *beautiful* and I could not be happier with it.  Our glider, because it’s custom, won’t be here for another 6-8 weeks, but it’s going to be so comfortable, I can’t wait!!!

Baby Movement:  Constant!!  She is a little wiggle worm, and more active than your usual 27-week baby, according to my nurses.  Her kicks are getting so much stronger, and I’m convinced she will be a runner or a soccer player :)

Cravings:  Pineapple!!  Coconut!!  Mango!!  Take me to Hawaii please… 

Missing anything:  Nope!  I’m enjoying every second of being pregnant.

Pregnancy symptoms:  It’s definitely hard to bend over and buckle my gladiator sandals now.  I can do it, but it’s a challenge.  I am still having a little nighttime congestion, and the heartburn is ramping up…this morning I ate a banana and got heartburn…what the heck!

Showing yet:  My belly is BIG!!!  I’m all belly though :)

Labor signs:  No.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  My baby shower in three weeks!  I know it’s a ways away still, but my cousin is putting so much effort into it, and I can’t wait to see everything come together!  All I know is that the color scheme is pink and gray…everything else is a mystery!!

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /

/13 weeks / 14 weeks / 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks /

/ 19 weeks / 20 weeks / 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks /

/ 24 weeks / 25 weeks / 26 weeks /

26 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  26 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  head of lettuce

Total weight gain/loss:  + 10.2 lbs

Maternity clothes:  No update here.  Still wearing my pre-preggo clothes (my shirts were either flowy or stretchy, and I love showing off my bump) with the exceptions of pants (jeans, black leggings).  I am still wearing my workout pants under my belly.

Sleep:  Lots of turning at night from left side to right side to left side to right side...

Best moment this week:  Feeling Grace's knee and what we think was her head with our hands when she was super close to the surface!!  It was so cool!

Worst moment this week:  I don't normally have this, because I have no "worst moments", but yesterday something kind of scary happened, and I want to document it for my own memory.  Two nights ago it was my Dad's birthday and we went out to dinner to celebrate.  Towards the end of dinner, I got really dizzy and light headed just sitting there, so Sean walked me to the ladies lounge where I sat for 10 minutes while it passed.  I concluded it was a sugar rush from all the desserts, since I'm not used to eating that much sugar.  But then yesterday at work it happened again while I was just sitting at my desk.  Sean told me to call the doctor, and she told me to go straight to Labor and Delivery for monitoring.  Sean met me at the hospital, and I was admitted.  They monitored Grace, and thank God she was OK!  They said she was perfect with a very strong heart, and she is as active as a 30-week baby, not a 26-week baby.  They ran some tests on me including an EKG to test my heart, a urine test, blood pressure tests (laying down, sitting, standing), and all came back normal.  They ruled it to be vasovagal, triggered after I eat when my blood is in my stomach, and since my blood pressure is already on the low side of normal (typical in pregnancy), it caused me to get light headed and dizzy.  After about 4 hours, I was discharged, and grateful my darling Grace was ok (and that I was too, but Grace is more important of course :) ).  I came home and rested all last night, and I feel fine now.  I think both times I had larger-than-usual portions of food, and so I need to make sure I am constantly eating smaller meals throughout the day (which I usually do).  Thank God we are okay though :)

Baby Movement:  The nurses said that for a 26-week baby, she moves like a 30-week!!  She's very active and looking great!!!

Cravings:  Water!  And a donut.

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my back and tummy.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, nighttime congestion, some lower back ache.

Showing yet:  She's huge!!!  I'm all belly too...just growing forward!

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Picking up our custom crib bedding today, and then going shopping for a glider!!  NESTING MODE HAS COMMENCED!

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /

/13 weeks / 14 weeks / 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks /

/ 19 weeks / 20 weeks / 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks /

/ 24 weeks / 25 weeks /

The Meaning Behind the Name

I’ve received a lot of compliments on our darling girl’s name, and also questions on how we chose it.  I thought I’d share the meaning behind the name for those who are wondering.

Grace Patricia

Grace

This is a name we have loved for a long time.  We thought it was beautiful, sophisticated, joyful, warm, and endearing.  Grace has many meanings, including that of eloquence or beauty of form, kindness, mercy, favor, and is derived from the Latin gratia (favor, thanks).  It also means goodness and generosity, with Latin and English ties it to "God's grace" and “God’s favor” respectively; it has an Irish meaning of grace and love; and also ties in Greek mythology to beauty, blossom, and joy.  The name was made popular by 17th-century Puritans, who bestowed it in reference to God's favor and love toward mankind.  It also happens to be the name of my great grandmother, Grace Ann Austen.

Patricia

This name is very special to us.  We knew that if we were to have a girl, this would be her middle name no matter what.  For those who know me, you already know why this name is so special.  For those who do not know me well, Patricia was my mom’s name.  She passed away in March of 2012 of a rare bone marrow failure disease.  She was one of the most intelligent, confident, beautiful, witty, kind, generous, loving, inspiring, and happy people I have ever known.  Everyone who knew her thought this of her.  Soon after she passed, Sean suggested naming our unborn daughter after this incredible woman I was so blessed to call Mom; I cried tears of joy and of course said yes.

Patricia means nobility, and it’s derivation is from the Latin patrician, which is a nobleman or aristocrat.

We are very proud of the two beautiful names we have chosen to give our daughter.  She is already the light of our lives, and we cannot wait to meet her in a short three months.  We love you Gracie <3

25 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  25 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  cauliflower

Total weight gain/loss:  + 11.0 lbs

Maternity clothes:  No update here.  Still wearing my pre-preggo clothes with the exceptions of pants (jeans, black leggings).  I am still wearing my workout pants under my belly, and some pre-preggo jeans with the belly band J

Sleep:  I have been getting very congested at night, which unfortunately affects my sleep.  However lately I have been practicing relaxation techniques my hubby and I have learned in our Bradley classes, as well as listening to relaxation music my doula/mother-in-law recommends to help put me into a deeper state of relaxation.  The marriage of these methods seem to be working and helping me sleep better.

Best moment this week:  Painting the nursery!!  It looks AMAZING!!!

Baby Movement:  Lots of wiggling and kicking!  She loves dancing on Mommy's belly.

Cravings:  Water, water, and more water!  I’m drinking so much water, preferably iced because that seems to be the only thing that quenches this insatiable thirst.

Missing anything:  A sandwich from our local deli.  They have the BEST sandwiches, but unfortunately I can’t eat deli meats due to listeria.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, nighttime congestion, some lower back ache.

Showing yet:  My belly is BIG and I LOVE it!!!  I can only imagine how much bigger I will get in the next 15 weeks (wow, do I really only have 15 weeks left???  Time is flying).  The other day my hubby came up behind me and gave me a hug and kiss as he put his hands on my belly and said, “I love your growing belly” with a giant smile on his face.

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Celebrating Mom’s Angel day today, celebrating my little brother’s birthday this weekend, and interviewing our top choice pediatrician next week!  And of course…NESTING!!  Now that the nursery is painted, we can arrange the furniture, decorate, and organize the gifts we’ve already received! :)

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /

/13 weeks / 14 weeks / 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks /

/ 19 weeks / 20 weeks / 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks /

/ 24 weeks / 

24 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  24 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  head of lettuce or length of an ear of corn

Total weight gain/loss:  + 9.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Haven’t had to buy anything more.  Just jeans and yoga pants, and a couple tops, but I’m still wearing my pre-pregnancy tops and dresses to show off my bump!

Sleep:  I seem to be waking up every night between 2:30-3:30am.  Luckily I can go back to sleep, but it still isn’t the most fun to wake up in the middle of the night.

Best moment this week:  Feeling and watching Grace move!  She’s getting stronger and I can see her movements now!  I also got my glucose test back and I’m negative for gestational diabetes (as I expected).  Yay :)

This week we received our very first Tula Baby Carrier!  I had participated in a couple stockings (where they stock their merchandise on a specific day/time and everything sells out in less than 5 minutes, that's how coveted these are), and on the last one I was successful!  My husband was laughing watching me because my heart was racing trying to score one of these bad boys...and we did!!  We bought the Rockets, which is so cute, and will look great on Sean as he wear Gracie.

So in love with our Tula Rockets baby carrier!  Can't wait to wear Grace!

Even the puppies were excited about it!!

Baby Movement:  She’s a wiggle worm!!  She’s most active in the afternoons and late evenings, but I feel her throughout the day.  Lately, in addition to kicks, I’ve felt her doing somersaults!  She also becomes active when I drink a lot of ice water at once :)

Cravings:  Ice water.  It seems to be the only thing that quenches my thirst, and I’m drinking so much of it…at least 96-120oz a day!

Missing anything:  Nope.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Constant trips to the bathroom, lower back aches, congestion at night.

Showing yet:  Oh yea!! 

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Painting the nursery next week!!!  We finally settled on a white for the three walls and a soft pink for the one accent wall that the crib will go on.  I’m so excited!!!!  Oh, and our hospital tour is next week, which I'm looking forward to as well!

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /

/13 weeks / 14 weeks / 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks /

/ 19 weeks / 20 weeks / 21 weeks / 22 weeks / 23 weeks /

MDS Awareness Week 2015!

This week is MDS Awareness Week!!

As you may recall, my Mom passed away 3 years ago on March 13^th from a very rare bone marrow failure disease called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).  This disease is so rare, affecting less than 0.001% of the nation, that we weren’t able to officially diagnose my mom until 3 days before she passed away.  Because of the rarity of MDS, there is no research available and thus it’s very difficult to make a diagnosis.  Currently, there is no cure.  After she passed away, I channeled my grief into finding a way to help make a change.

I discovered the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation, and immediately became involved.  For the last three years I have served on the committee for their annual Hope Steps and A Cure Walk/Run here in Long Beach to help raise awareness and funds to find a cure for MDS.  If you would like to learn more about our story, please find it on the AA&MDS site here.  This year will be my fourth year participating in the 5K, and I am asking you to join me by either walking or running the event with me, or donating to TEAM PAT REEP.  The 5K run/walk will be held on Saturday, April 25^th  in Long Beach.  It’s a beautiful, scenic, and flat course along the beach path beginning in Shoreline Village.

To make a donation, please click here, then choose “Support Me”.

To register for the walk/run, please click here.

My mom was the most kind, generous, loving, and giving woman I have ever known.  She was my best friend.  Everyone who knew her loved her.  She was a leader in the Long Beach community, and devoted much of her time to philanthropic work.  It’s my turn to give back.  Please consider joining me or supporting our cause in honor of my beloved mommy, Pat Reep.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

23 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  23 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  eggplant

Total weight gain/loss:  + 8.6 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Maternity jeans and yoga pants.  I also got a couple cute maternity tops that I couldn’t resist, but my pre-preggers tops still work!

Sleep:  Mediocre…I get so congested at night, so I bought a humidifier which seems to be helping.

Best moment this week:  Sean feeling Gracie move!  Her kicks and punches are getting stronger, and Sean was able to feel her!  I’ve never seen him smile so big :)  We also spent last week in Montana at my Aunt’s house with my brother and cousins.  It snowed while we were there, so the snowboarding was superb!!  I obviously didn’t go snowboarding, but I met them at the lodge for nachos and beer (Shirley Temples for me) afterwards.  I also finished Gracie’s 1^st baby blanket while they were on the slopes!!  I’m so happy with it!!

The best nachos ever!!!

My family :)

Baby Movement:  I feel her all the time!  She is kicking away right now as I type this!  She will definitely be a little athlete of sorts.

Cravings:  Pancakes!!!!!!!!!  Hubby took me out for pancakes (blueberry!) and they were the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.

Missing anything:  Nope.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Constant trips to the bathroom, lower back aches, congestion at night.

Showing yet:  Oh yea!! 

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  It’s now an outtie!!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Throwing my best friend’s baby shower tomorrow!  I’ve put so much time and effort into making it perfect for them, and I’m so excited to see everything come together.  Praying for good weather!! 

Previous Baby Bumpdates

If you want to see more, check our my other bumpdates below!

/ pregnancy announcement / journey to pregnancy / 12 weeks /

/13 weeks / 14 weeks / 15 weeks / 16 weeks / 17 weeks / 18 weeks /

/ 19 weeks / 20 weeks / 21 weeks / 22 weeks /