40 Week Bumpdate! Happy Due Date!!

How far along:  40 weeks!!  Happy Due Date!!!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  jackfruit

Total weight gain/loss:  + 20.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  Very good actually!

Best moment this week:   Learning that I'm already 3cm dilated, 50% effaced, and a -2 station!  She's on her way!  Doctor thinks it will happen naturally by sometime early next week (yay for no need to induce!)

Baby Movement:  Lots of movement still, especially at night, but she is running out of room and getting much stronger.

Cravings:  The watermelon cravings continue!

Missing anything:  What it's like to not have heartburn :-P

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, Braxton Hicks, and difficulty bending over to tie my shoes when I go walking.

Showing yet:  BIG BELLY!

Labor signs:  Constant contractions, dilation, and effacement.  It's just a matter of time now!

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  My birthday tomorrow, and hopefully meeting Grace this weekend or very early next week!!!

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 / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos / 38 weeks / 39 weeks /

The Waiting Game

At 39 weeks and 3 days, it's now a waiting game.  Everything is done:  the nursery is complete, the rocker is ready to be sat in, all her little clothes are washed and ready to be worn, the crib sheets are on the crib, the bassinet is set up in our bedroom, and diaper bags are packed and ready for our first outing {whenever that may be}.  Now all we need is our little girl to *grace* us with her arrival.

I am a planner.  I like to make lists, I like to organize things, I like to make schedules.  Don't get me wrong, I love being spontaneous, and I'm good at it, but when it comes to things like this, I plan.  I love to plan parties, I love to plan my projects at work, I love to plan my chores and to-do lists, etc.  Up until now, I've been able to plan my doctor's appointments, knowing when we are going to see her little face on the ultrasound or hear her strong heartbeat on the doppler machine, plan the classes we have taken from our Bradley Method birthing class to numerous breastfeeding classes.  Now, nothing is in my control, and the impatience is getting to me!!  My Mom always told me "patience is a virtue" and I would always respond with "it's not one of my virtues" with a laugh and smile.  The thing is, though, it's true!  I have many wonderful qualities, but patience is definitely not one of them {although, I'm sure I will learn it soon enough with a child :)}.

However, I believe this waiting game is preparing us for what lies ahead:  the unknown.  We can't anticipate anything at this point, from our daughter's arrival, to her sleeping pattern, to whether or not she's a quiet baby or a crying baby, and so forth.  We will relinquish our "control" and hand it over to this sweet little angel I'm about to give birth to...she will be the director of our lives from now on, and we can't wait!!!!! :)

39 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  39 weeks!!  ~1 to go!

Baby is the size of a(n):  pumpkin or watermelon

Total weight gain/loss:  + 19.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  Good actually!  But I usually wake up around 3am to pee.

Best moment this week:   Being on maternity leave!  Haha.  I've been quite productive...cleaning the house, purging and reorganizing the pantry/kitchen, finishing the last bit of Grace's laundry, installing a new shower caddy (hubby installed the new shower head), and running a ton of errands.

Baby Movement:  She's moving a lot still, but running out of room to do so!  Her movements are now tight and deliberate, and I can feel all her limbs.  She's ready.

Cravings:  Watermelon is still my go-to!

Missing anything:  What it's like to not have heartburn :-P

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, and Braxton Hicks.

Showing yet:  It looks like a swallowed a watermelon or torpedo!  #torpedobelly

Labor signs:  Braxton Hicks, hips widening and pelvic pressure.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Meeting Grace, hopefully sooner rather than later!!!  We're ready for her!

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 / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos / 38 weeks /

38 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  38 weeks!!  ~2 to go!

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

Total weight gain/loss:  + 19.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  It's ok.  I'm getting restless switching from my right side to my left side all night.

Best moment this week:   My hubby setting up the bassinet in our bedroom, which is where Grace will sleep in the beginning :)  We are now officially ready!!!  We also set up our little lullaby swing (which is amazing and I wish they made something like that for adults!).  AND...IT WAS MY LAST WEEK OF WORK!!!  AS OF TODAY, I'M OFFICIALLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE!!  WOOHOO!

Baby Movement:  She's still quite the wiggle worm!

Cravings:  I still can't get enough watermelon!  Mmmm.

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy and back.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, and Braxton Hicks.

Showing yet:  Yep!  She's all belly, sticking our forward, and she's starting to make her descent toward my pelvic area!

Labor signs:  Braxton Hicks, although that's not really a "labor sign" per se since they are false contractions.  It's basically my uterus practicing contracting for the real deal.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Meeting our daughter and telling her how much we love her for the very first time :)

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 / 27 weeks /

/ 28 weeks / 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks / babymoon / 33 weeks /

/ 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower / 35 weeks / 36 weeks /

/ nursery reveal / 37 weeks / maternity photos /

Maternity Photos {Grace}

A few weeks ago, Sean and I took our maternity photos down by the beach.  We are elated with the way they all turned out.  They capture our pure joy and happiness for our daughter, Grace, and for each other.  

Photo Gallery by QuickGallery.com 

  Photos taken by Sisterlee Photography

37 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  37 weeks!!  I'm officially full term!

Baby is the size of a(n):  honeydew melon

Total weight gain/loss:  + 17.2 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new!

Sleep:  Tossing and turning from side to side all night.  I'll be comfortable for a couple hours on one side, but then that shoulder and hip get stiff so I have to turn over, then vice versa...it's a vicious cycle.

Best moment this week:   Confirming at my doctor's appointment that Gracie is still head down and ready to make her descent!  Also working from home this week has been absolutely wonderful.  One more week of work until I'm officially on maternity leave!

Baby Movement:  Oh yea!

Cravings:  I'm still on a watermelon kick!!  It's just so tasty and satisfying!

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy and back.  Other than that, I'm missing nothing!

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn, constant bathroom breaks, and Braxton Hicks.

Showing yet:  Torpedo belly!!!

Labor signs:  Braxton Hicks, although that's not really a "labor sign" per se since they are false contractions.  It's basically my uterus practicing contracting for the real deal.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Meeting our little miracle girl!  She could really come any day now!!!

My June Bug wanted to be in the picture :)

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 / 27 weeks / 28 weeks /

/ 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks /

/ babymoon / 33 weeks / 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower /

/ 35 weeks / 36 weeks / nursery reveal / 

Gracie's Nursery Reveal

Words can't even describe how ecstatic I am over Grace's nursery!  It took longer than we anticipated, but it's finally done and it was so worth it!!!  The two big things are the new carpet, a very generous gift from my daddy {he didn't want his granddaughter crawling around on 1970s yellowed and stained carpet!}, and the custom hand-painted mural on the wall, a gift from my dad's girlfriend.  Sean and I are over the moon with how beautiful everything turned out.  It's peaceful, unique, beautiful, and so perfect for our little Gracie.  Enjoy the pictures!!!  Details and links for items are at the end of this post.

Here is a before and after of the nursery:

The top pictures are before (minus the crib...Sean built that early when the room was still a bedroom) with the red accent wall and old yellowed carpet.  The bottom pictures are after with the new carpet, the mural, and of course all the new furniture and decorations :)

Wall Art (custom set of three flowers):  Bed Buggs on Etsy


Wall Art (flower above bookshelf):  gift from my dad's gf

Wall Art (ice cream and cake prints):  Andy Warhol

Wall Art ("Darling" above door frame):  gift from my dad's gf

Crib:  Baby Cache Kensington in Natural

Crib Bedding:  Carousel Designs

Quilt:  Handmade by Sean's grandma, Gracie's great-grandma

Bookshelf:  Pottery Barn Kids Cameron 3-Shelf Bookcase

Rocker:  Pottery Barn Comfort Swivel Rocker and Ottoman in Performance Tweed, Gray

Pink pillows on rocker:  gift from my dad's gf

Dresser:  Ethan Allan {from 20 years ago...this was from my old bedroom set}

Mural above crib:  Custom hand-painted

Stuffed Animals:  Mermaid {Bla Bla Knit Doll}, pink bunny {Pottery Barn Kids}, Moose {random store in Montana}, pink knit bear {hand knit gift from one of my mom's friends}, little pink piggy {gift from my dad's gf}, rocking horse {gift from family friend}, yellow ducky and Olaf {gifts from my hubby}

Figurines:  Some belonged to my Grammie and some were mine growing up

Pink striped hampers:  handmade in Senegal

Pink rhinestone piggy bank:  handmade by my cousin

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 / 27 weeks / 28 weeks /

/ 29 weeks / 30 weeks / 31 weeks / 32 weeks /

/ babymoon / 33 weeks / 34 weeks / pink and sparkly baby shower /

/ 35 weeks / 36 weeks /