20 Week Bumpdate ~ Half Way There!!!

How far along:  20 weeks!  HALF WAY THERE!!!!

Baby is the size of a(n):  banana (in length), and weighs 11 ounces!

Total weight gain/loss:  + 3.6 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Still wearing my flowy tops and dresses, with the addition of maternity jeans :)

Sleep:  I finally figured out how to sleep comfortably with the Snoogle.  For me, it’s much better against my back than my stomach.  I’m now sleeping well, but still having very vivid and bizarre dreams.

Best moment this week:  Our 20 week anatomy scan!!  Sean and I went together and it was incredible!  They measured her head, her brain, her heart, her body, her arms, her legs, her hands, her feet, her spine, the alignment of her vertebrae, her bladder, and more, and everything is perfect!  She is growing right on schedule for her 6/26 due date, and she is currently weighing in at 11oz!  They also turned on the color that shows blood flow, and we saw the blood flow in the umbilical cord and her heart.  All her organs are functioning perfectly as they should.  And the final results for down syndrome, spina bifida, and other chromosomal diseases came back completely negative (which is what we anticipated with all the prior screenings).  We are very happy parents!!  Oh, and our sweet little angel was sleeping like her mommy with her hand behind her head and using her elbow as a pillow!!  Like mother like daughter :)  Here is a 3D picture our doctor took of our little miracle (the circle to the left of her face looking at the picture is her elbow):

I can't wait to kiss this sweet face <3

We also started our birthing class.  We are doing the Bradley Method, which we chose because it focuses several things that are important to us:  an all-natural birth without medication (which I DO NOT want, plus I can’t have an epidural even if I wanted one in the heat of the moment); relaxation techniques including music therapy, massage, and positioning; and the critical role of the husband as a main participant in the birth.  Sean will be “coaching” me with relaxation methods we learn together to ensure I am as calm and relaxed as possible throughout the entire labor and birth.  Additionally, my mother-in-law is a music therapist and a doula, and she is my doula!!  I am so excited because she is such a wonderful woman, and an incredibly talented music therapist.  She is very familiar with the Bradley Method and with her expertise on top of Bradley, I feel confident and comfortable, and quite frankly EXCITED to labor and give birth.  Bring it on!!!

Baby Movement:  Flutters!!  More and more flutters in my belly!  Because I have an anterior placenta (placenta on the front side), it creates a pillow effect, which means she has another layer to kick through.  So it may take me a week or two longer to feel the stronger movements than on average.

Cravings:  Ice water (which I usually never drink; I prefer room temp) and apples!

Missing anything:  It’s not pregnancy related, but laying out at the beach.  The weather has been so nice, and if it persists, I will need to do this soon :)

Pregnancy symptoms:  Peeing what seems like every 10 minutes!

Showing yet:  Yes!!  Baby Gracie had a growth spurt this week and is making mommy’s belly pop!!

Labor signs:  Nope.

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

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Feeling her movements more pronounced.

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 /

19 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  19 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  Mango or grapefuit!  She’s growing!!

Total weight gain/loss:  + 2.8lbs

Maternity clothes:  No update from last week here.

Sleep:  Sleep is good, but I’m having weird dreams, like REALLY weird.  My dreams include a combination of superpowers, witchcraft, being late to work, not turning in an art project while on the beach {what the heck?}, scenes from novels that I’m a part of, and pre-term labor.  They are very bizarre.

Best moment this week:  Feeling more flutter movement from my daughter!!!  Oh, and I got a prenatal massage which was heavenly!!!

Baby Movement:  Flutters!!  More and more flutters in my belly!

Cravings:  Current craving as I’m writing this is an egg bagel, toasted with cream cheese and lox.

Missing anything:  Nope.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Slight lower back pain {although the massage helped that a lot} frequent bathroom trips, and more difficulty bending over.  This morning I put on these super cute gray suede and leather pumps, and I had a heck of a time clasping the ankle strap.

Showing yet:  Definitely <3

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  It’s popping out!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Our 20 week anatomy scan next week!  We can’t wait to see our little girl in full detail!!  We also start our birthing classes this weekend!!  We are doing the Bradley Method, which is all natural and focuses on relaxation.  I love that the husband takes such an active role in the birth process with the Bradley Method :)  We are so excited!

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 /

Let the Nesting Begin!

Happy Wednesday!!

Last weekend hubby and I started working on the nursery!  The room had off-white walls with a deep raspberry accent wall.  It was great for the guest bedroom, but no so great for our sweet Grace's nursery.  For her nursery we are doing light pink, light gray and white.  Needless to say, the red wall had to go.

Sean and I decided it would be fun {and cheaper} to do it ourselves, so we took a trip to Lowe's to acquire the necessary tools.  After speaking with the paint specialist for a while, we picked up two rollers, a brush for the edges, tape to tape the molding and floor board, the aluminum tin to put the paint in, and a very high-end high-hide primer that would make the red disappear.

Before we could start priming, we had to take apart the guest bed.  I originally thought we could have the guest bed, the crib, and all the other furniture in the room, but we decided it would be better to store it for now, so that the nursery is more open and there is ample room to play {especially as Gracie gets older}.  Once the bed was gone, Sean moved the crib to the center of the room and covered it with plastic sheeting {we already had plastic sheeting from a Halloween party a couple of years ago where we turned our sunroom into Dexter's kill room}.  Then we taped all the edges of the wall, and we were ready to prime!  We had to much fun priming together!

We finished one coat in less than an hour, and it looked great.  The wall looked mostly white, but we decided a second coat would be perfect just to make sure no red would peak through.  After the first coat dried, we zipped through the second coat.  Just with the white primer, the room looks so open and airy now!  I didn't realize how closed off the room was with the red.

Here are the before and after pictures:

Before (with Juno, our Great Dane)

After the primer (sorry the lighting isn't very good)

We are so happy with the way it turned out.  Now we just have to finalize our paint color for the accent wall and paint!  Then it's time to DECORATE!!!  Woohoo!!!

On a totally unrelated note, before we worked on the nursery I got my daily 3-5 mile walk in.  I am grateful that I am able to continue working out during my pregnancy {albeit much less intense}.  I know it will help with my labor when the time comes.  I've also started adding squats and lunges to my routine, which are definitely getting more challenging as my belly grows and my center of gravity changes.  Here's a picture of me and my 18 week belly after my workout:

Love my growing belly, and love my R2D2 yoga pants!

Enjoy the rest of your week!!!

18 Week Bumpdate!

How far along:  18 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  Bell pepper or a sweet potato!

Total weight gain/loss:  + 0 lbs (Last week I gained two pounds, but this week I was back to my norm, and the lack of weight gain concerned me.  I called my doctor and she reassured me that no weight gain is A-OK right now, as long as I’m eating, which I am…constantly.  Her reassurance made me feel better :)  Also, because I was in great shape pre-pregnancy and at a healthy weight, she said I should gain maybe 15-20 lbs during my entire pregnancy.)

Maternity clothes:  A couple really cute sweaters from A Pea in the Pod.

Sleep:  It’s OK.  I’m using my Snoogle body pillow, which is wonderful for my lower body, but I’m starting to get neck cramps from the top portion of it.  Also, I’m starting to have weird dreams.  The other night I had a bizarre dream that was a combination of Great Expectations, Harry Potter, the Salem witch trials, and Superman.

Best moment this week:  NYC!!  Hubby and I went to NYC for the long weekend to visit my old roomies, their husbands/boyfriends, and my godparents.  We had so much fun, despite the freezing cold weather (Saturday it was in the teens(!) but it was still sunny and crystal clear).  Saturday we had what I thought was going to be a casual brunch with the gang, but they surprised us with a baby shower!!  We had bottomless mimosas (OJ for me) and best burgers in town, and we laughed so much our bellies ached!  Gracie was hands down spoiled by all her aunts and uncles with very generous gifts.  Thank you!!  More detailed post on our trip to come soon!

Baby Movement:  When we were riding the subway on Saturday in NYC, I felt a strong flutter.  It was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before so I know it was our girl!  It was incredible!  It was still very soft, but definitely noticeable.  I can’t wait to start feeling her more.

Cravings:  NYC pizza!!  We  partially satisfied this craving with a giant white slice (yum) and a giant regular slice (mmm) while we were there, but I want more!

Missing anything:  Running!  I can walk, which I do every other day (3-5 miles), but I do miss running.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Slight lower back pain, frequent trips to the bathroom, and bending over is becoming more challenging for sure.

Showing yet:  Oh yea!

Labor signs:  Nope.

Belly button in or out:  It’s still technically “in” but it’s starting to pop out!!  I had to take my belly ring out.

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  Painting the nursery!!!  We have the primer, paint, and all the supplies, now we just have to do it!  Then I can really start to nest :)

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 /

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 :)

17 Week Bumpdate!

17 week bumpdate picture taken in Central Park, NYC!

Central Park, NYC

How far along:  17 weeks!

Baby is the size of a(n):  naval orange!

Total weight gain/loss:  +2.0 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Nothing new :)

Sleep:  Sleeping is starting to starting to become slightly uncomfortable.  I have been sleeping on my left side, which is most comfortable, but half way through the night my neck starts to ache and I have to turn over to the other side.  Turning over has become more challenging, and once I’m turned over, I’m not as comfortable.  And it’s only going to get better {sarcasm} haha!

Best moment this week:  I had an ultrasound this week just to check everything before flying, and she is doing so well!  She is definitely like her mommy and is not camera shy at all!!  She was actually FACING the ultrasound wand…yes, we got a face forward frontal view instead of the traditional profile view, and she was waving her sweet little hand the entire time like she knew mommy was watching!  I have to say, babies look so strange from a frontal view on a regular 2D ultrasound.  I could see the skeletal structure of her eye sockets and nose, and her eye sockets looked like wide eyes staring (of course her eyes are closed and covered by eyelids, but that’s what it looked like).  She stayed facing us until my doctor moved the wand, and it was precious.  She just wanted to say hi :)

Baby Movement:  I felt flutters earlier in the week, but I have no idea if it was the baby or gas.  I did read that most first time moms feel their baby as early as 15 weeks but they attribute it to gas because they can’t recognize the feeling of baby yet.  I’m going to say it was her, but who knows.  I should start to feel her without a doubt in the next couple weeks though.

Cravings:  Peanut M&Ms, and NY pizza since we’re going to NY!

Missing anything:  Sleeping on my tummy.

Pregnancy symptoms:  Those darn round ligament pains, although they are becoming less frequent now.  Also it’s getting a little more difficult for me to bend over.  Hubby and I were at a hockey game the other day and while we were sitting in our seats I bent over to reach into my purse and I struggled.  I teased him that soon he is going to have to start putting my shoes on my feet, and we laughed {but seriously, I’m sure I will need help down the road}.

Showing yet:  Oh yea!

Labor signs:  Nope.  Too early.

Belly button in or out:  Still an innie!

Wedding rings on or off:  On!

Looking forward to:  NYC, my second home!!  I lived there for four glorious years with eight fabulous girls in a townhouse, and I go back at least once {sometimes more} a year to visit them and my godparents who live in the city.  We are spending this weekend here (hence the picture above taken today) so my next week's 18 week bumpdate will include some NYC tidbits :)

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 /

16 Week Bumpdate!

I decided to go old school with my chalkboard this week...traditional black and white :)

How far along:  16 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss:  +0.2 lbs

Maternity clothes:  Same as before...I have a couple cute maternity jeans, a couple cute tops and sweaters, but luckily, my flowy pre-pregnancy tops still work just fine :)

Sleep:  Sleeping through the night, although it's starting to get uncomfortable turning over from one side to the other.  I think I will be bringing my Snoogle to bed with me soon.

Best moment this week:  Sean and I went to Lowe's to buy primer and paint for the nursery!  We are so excited to start painting!  We also bought Gracie's crib mattress this week, and I splurged and bought her a *custom swaddle blanket* and *newborn hospital beanie* {they are ADORABLE!!!}.  I'll post pictures when they arrive :)  I also started pre-natal yoga this week, and it was phenomenal!  There were women ranging from 16 weeks all the way to 37 weeks.  And this class was no joke...I used to do yoga a lot and this was like a typical class except for chaturanga we did not go down on our bellies {we did a pushup and came back up to down dog}, and savasanah was on our left side instead of our bag.  Other than that, we did warrior poses, sun salutations, tree poses, pigeon pose {this felt incredible}, and some wall poses.  It was tough and felt so great.  And I met some very inspiring women...the energy was palpable.

Cravings:  Pho!  I was craving it after pre-natal yoga on Wednesday, so I indulged.  It was the best pho I've ever had!

Missing anything:  Nope!

Pregnancy symptoms:  Pregnancy brain!  Yes, this is a real thing with many scientific studies surrounding it.  Look it up.  I'm also experiencing the ever so lovely {not} round ligament pains.  These are the ligaments that support your uterus, and as your uterus expands and lifts, the ligaments stretch much like a rubber band.  The pain usually only lasts several seconds, but it's sharp and uncomfortable.  And like a rubber band, it's best to bend into it.  My doctor says these should subside soon.

Showing yet:  Yes!!  It's beautiful.

Labor signs:  Nope.  Too early.

Belly button in or out:  In

Wedding rings on or off:  On!