35 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  35 weeks!!  ~5 more to go before we meet our little girl!!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  coconut!!

Total weight gain/loss:  + 16.8 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new.  I’m wearing lots of dresses, and my pre-preggo dresses are nice and stretchy J  When I wear pants though, they definitely are maternity.

Sleep:  Not bad actually.  I sleep decently well, although having the only sleep positions of left side or right side is getting old.  I can’t wait to be able to sleep on my back and my belly again.

Best moment this week:   My Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Baby Shower with all my mommy’s friends and thrown by my her best friends.  I’ve grown up with most of these women, and to spend the afternoon with them celebrating my unborn daughter and remember my mom was absolutely magical.  The love they had for mom transcends everything, and the love they already have for Grace is overwhelming.  I will write a separate post dedicated to this marvelous afternoon…stay tuned.

Baby Movement:  I can’t say it enough…Grace is a wiggle worm!  She’s definitely getting bigger.  I can feel her kicking higher now…not so much into my rib cage yet, but she’s getting there {she’s already head down by the way, and has been for a couple weeks}.

Cravings:  Strawberries!  And gummy candy (gummy bears, starburst) ß don’t know where that came from!

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy, but that will come soon enough.  Other than that, no!  I’m enjoying every second of being pregnant :)

Pregnancy symptoms:  A little heartburn and constant bathroom breaks!!  I can tell she is running out of room and pushing on my bladder ALL THE TIME.

Showing yet:  Torpedo belly!!!

Labor signs:  No.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  finally getting the carpet in the nursery installed.  It was supposed to go in this past week but there was a shipping error and it won’t go in until next week.  I can’t wait until that’s done so I can finish organizing all Grace’s wonderful gifts from family and friends.  

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 /

My Pink and Sparkly Baby Shower

A few weeks ago, my insanely talented cousins, the dynamic mother-daughter duo, threw me an incredible baby shower to honor Grace.  Everything was pink and sparkly, and even more incredible than I had imagined it would be.  They spent months planning this and creating all the decorations down to the very last detail.  They wouldn’t tell me anything about it, except that it would be pink and sparkly (my kind of theme!).

On the day of the shower, I entered their house and was blown away.  I first saw the tables with beautiful centerpieces, and decadent handmade and hand decorated ombré rosette cake, and then I turned and was taken aback by an incredible pink and white backdrop with a crystal overlay.  In front of it was an ottoman for gifts, which now held my “Mommy-to-be” pin and a special pink mason jar blinged out with crystals for my drink.

Then I looked to the side of that and saw a huge diaper cake adorned with a pink tutu that was topped with a beautiful pink cursive “G”.  Next to it were dozens of mini water bottles, each wearing its own tutu.

To one side of the diaper cake and tutu water bottles was a dessert bar which included rice krispie treats dipped in white chocolate dyed pink, marshmallows dipped in pink edible crystals and adorned with tutus, and chocolate chip cookies.  Please note, all of these items and treats were handmade/hand baked by my cousins!

Then outside on their patio we had a onesie decorating station and a headband making station.  Everyone had so much fun with these activities!  The onesies were so creative and beautiful, and the headbands are equally adorable.

Once all the guests arrived, we talked, laughed, took pictures in front of the pink, white and crystal backdrop, and decorated onesies.  I think it’s safe to say that Grace has some adorable onesies to wear made with love by her aunts/cousins/friends.

Aysha, Lisa, me, Koko, Marilyn

Me and Lisa

Me and Koko, both preggo together!

Kelly, me, and Marilyn

Me and Katy

Me and my Aunt 

Me with my wonderful mother-in-law and gramma-in-law

Me and Jodi

Me and Amanda, both preggo together!

We enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by opening presents!  I can’t even begin to describe the love Grace and I felt on this day, especially with as we opened presents.  Grace was definitely showered with love from beautiful homemade gifts (blankets, hand embroidered sheets, burp cloths), to so many adorable clothes that I was constantly squealing (dresses, swim suits, socks, shoes, sunglasses, and more, all itty bitty!).  She also received a rocking horse that sings, bottles, lovies, carseats, car seat canopies, a turtle constellation night light, and so much more!!  Mommy also received a beautiful Tory Burch diaper bag :)

Handmade blanket to go with the book, Mrs. Twiggley's Tree

Mommy's brand new designer diaper bag :)

One of my favorite things about this shower is that guests were asked to bring a book instead of a card to help build Grace’s library.  We received so many wonderful books, and the inscriptions in some of them made me cry.  Sean and I have already started reading a story to Grace every night, and she absolutely loves it.  She knows her daddy’s voice and gets so excited while we read in bed.  I can’t wait until she is here and we can read to her in person {not in utero}.

I can’t even being to express my thanks and gratitude to my family and friends who came to my baby shower for Gracie.  Thank you for your never-ending love and support, and your generosity towards me and Grace.  From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

My cousins, the dynamic mother/daughter duo who threw my fabulous baby shower

And a HUGE thank you to my cousins, the dynamic mother-daughter duo, who threw this spectacular shower!!!  You ladies when above and beyond, and completely blew my mind.  Everything was absolutely perfect.  Thank you.  I love you two so much.

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 /

34 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  34 weeks!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  cantaloupe!!

Total weight gain/loss:  + 16.4 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new.

Sleep:  The last few nights I’ve actually slept through the night, and it’s wondrous!

Best moment this week:   Seeing the unveiling of our mural on the nursery!!!  It looks incredible and it’s better than what I had imagined!!  I will devote an entire post to the nursery once it’s complete, which should be soon hopefully!

Baby Movement:  She is wiggling, and hiccupping, and all that good stuff!  I love feeling her move; it’s such a miraculous and indescribable feeling.  She also loves Story Time and gets extra wiggly…every night before bed, Sean reads a story to me and Gracie, and she loves hearing her daddy’s voice :)

Cravings:  Strawberries are still my #1 craving!  Drizzled with a little local organic honey…mmm.  I've also been loving cereal for breakfast.  Normally I'm an eggs and spinach kind of girl, but lately nothing beats a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios or Life Cereal with almond milk.  So good!

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy.

Pregnancy symptoms:  The wrath of heartburn is back!  Ugh.  Also, I’m peeing a lot more frequently.  I can tell when she is dancing on my bladder because I’ll go pee, then literally 5 minutes later I will feel like I have to go again.  I’m also starting to feel Braxton Hicks every once in a while.

Showing yet:  Torpedo belly!!!

Labor signs:  No.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Maternity pictures AND my baby shower this weekend with all my Mommy’s friends.  My Mom’s best friend wanted to throw me one with all these wonderful ladies, and I feel so honored and blessed.  Mom would be so happy…she is smiling down from heaven above.  

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 / 

31 Week Bumpdate!

Unfortunately I was sick all week and wasn't able to draw my chalkboard, but I found these cool stickers to use.

How far along:  31 weeks!  We're now counting down in single digit weeks!!

Baby is the size of a(n): cabbage or pineapple

Total weight gain/loss:  + 12.8 lbs

Maternity clothes:  I just bought a couple very cute casual dresses thanks to my Bump Style Box!

Sleep:  Pregnancy wise, I'm sleeping great!  Unfortunately I've been sick all week, which has hindered my sleep (thanks stuffy nose and cough).

Best moment this week:  My baby shower to shower Gracie with love!!!!  It was last Saturday, and I can't even begin to tell you how magnificent it was!  My cousins, who hosted, created everything themselves, and everything was pink and glitter and so perfectly gorgeous and girly!  All my family and friends were there, and Grace was spoiled with so much love!  She definitely made out like a bandit, and we are nearly ready for her arrival!!!  This shower deserves a post all on it's own, which I will write soon.  In the meantime, here are a couple pictures to tie you over :)  (Update:  full baby shower post here.)

The gorgeous cake my cousin made (the inside was ombre too)

With my two cousins who threw my shower, the mother-daughter duo

Baby Movement:  Lots of rolls and wiggles!!!!  And she started getting hiccups which is hilarious, because it feels like my stomach/uterus is twitching.

Cravings:  Nothing in particular.  I've been sick all week and haven't had much of an appetite, but I've been forcing myself to eat for Grace's sake.

Missing anything:  Not really.  I’m enjoying every day of this pregnancy, even the unpleasant heartburn.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Heartburn :(

Showing yet:  My belly is huge and I am so in love with it!

Labor signs:  No.

Belly button in or out:  Outtie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  *OUR BABYMOON!!!*

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 /

Weekend in NYC + A Surprise Baby Shower!

Last weekend, Sean and I traveled to New York to visit some of our friends and my godparents.  It was brutally cold {Saturday dropped to the teens}, but we still had the most incredible and fun-filled weekend.

We arrived Friday afternoon and it was beautiful!  It was cold {in the 20s}, but the sun was shining and it was crystal clear.  That night Sean went out with some of the guys to see the Islanders kick the Penguins butt {hockey}, and I met up with some of the girls for a late dinner.  It was great catching up, and after a few hours we called it a night; we had a big brunch planned with everyone the next day at one of our old college hangouts with bottomless mimosas and the best burgers in town.

Saturday morning we took the subway uptown to Pipers for brunch.  We were running a little bit late because of the train, but when we arrived we were blown away!!  The girls had planned a co-ed surprise baby shower for us, and everything was pink!  It was a pink jungle theme with pink giraffe and elephant confetti, favors, plates, and balloons including a large pink giraffe balloon!  I went around and gave everyone a big hug as I fought back tears of joy {thank you pregnancy hormones}.  We of course dove in to mimosas {OJ for me} and domestic beer, and ordered burgers like the Eli Manning burger or the Derek Jeter burger.  We drank, talked, ate, shared stories, and laughed so hard our bellies ached.  After we ate, gift magically started appearing in front of me.  I did not expect a shower, let alone the plethora of adorable and very generous gifts we received.  Grace was definitely spoiled by her NY Aunts and Uncles!  Some of the gifts include hand knit beanies and booties, onesies and matching beanies, a pink princess bath towel, a pink bath robe, the 4moms bath from our registry, our high chair, the AVENT bottle gift set, our giraffe floor mat, on the go changing station to match our diaper bag, gift cards, bibs, the crib mobile, and so much more.  We could hardly carry everything on the train!  Luckily the big items like the bath and the high chair were shipped to our home.  Several hours {and many mimosas} later, we said our thank yous and goodbyes.

Sean and I headed back to the hotel to drop off our loot and get ready for date night in the city.  We started at the illustrious PEGU, where we went during our engagement weekend, for drinks and appetizers before heading to Tribeca Grill for dinner.  We had so much fun together talking and laughing, and fantasizing about our future with Grace.  We know our nights alone are fleeting, and we enjoyed every moment together.

The next day we woke up to a warmer day of 40 degrees, but it was pouring rain with no chance of letting up.  A little rain never hurt though!  We got up and dressed, and our first stop was for PIZZA!!!  NY pizza is the absolute hands down best pizza in the world {and I’ve eaten pizza all over the world!}.  With full bellies, we decided to walk over the Eugene O’Neill theatre to see if we could get last minute tickets for The Book of Mormon on this rainy day.  Unfortunately the afternoon show was sold out, so we opted for Plan B:  The Metropolitan Museum of Art.  We didn’t stay long because half of the city had the same idea as us and it was packed!  Our next stop was one of our favorite spots, the Central Park Boat House.  We walked through the park in the rain, which was very romantic, and made it to the Boat House with a couple hours to spare before they closed for a private event.  We enjoyed hot totties and cocktails/mocktails while listening to the very talented pianist play a collection of songs from musicals to classical pieces.  He even played Frozen’s “Let It Go” {needless to say I jumped for joy}.

After a couple cocktails/mocktails at the Boat House, we walked to the East Side where we would later be meeting my god parents for dinner.  We had some time to kill and decided to make our way to an old Irish pub where we could watch the Seahawks vs. Packers {go Seahawks!}.  On the way, however, we stumbled across the most adorable baby store called “Giggle.”  We walked around and we found two awesome items for our Gracie:  her first stuffed animal and a gray furry onesie with bear ears.  Her stuffed animal is the most adorable donkey you’ve ever seen.  We fell in love with him because one of our favorite Christmas songs is this silly song called “Dominic the Donkey.”  Of course we named her stuffed animal Dominic.

Later, after watching the Seahawks beat the Packers in overtime, we met up with my godparents at this fabulous French bistro called Orsay.  I felt like we were in Paris.  My godfather told me they had recently undergone a $20M dollar renovation where they brought in everything, including the tiles for the floors and the molding for the ceiling, directly from France.  It was very authentic, and the food was just as spectacular.  I enjoyed butternut squash risotto after a delightful first course of escargot, and Sean enjoyed a steak that he said was one of the best steaks he’s ever had.  The four of us shared profiteroles and a hazelnut pastry-thing for dessert, both of which were decadent.

The next morning we woke up early to catch our flight home.  We had such a wonderful trip.  It was great to see everyone and celebrate so many life events together {my pregnancy, one of my roommate’s upcoming wedding, new jobs, etc.}.  It was short and sweet, and kind of fun to think that next time we go back we will be brining our daughter with us.  Oh the sound of that makes my heart go pitter patter :)