35 weeks 3 days

How far along? 35 weeks, 3 days

Baby's size? A honeydew melon - approximately 5 1/4 pounds, which means my girl is probably 6 1/4 pounds.

Weight Gain? +6 pounds as of the doctor today, so +22 total 

Maternity clothes? Yup, although some of my shirts aren't fitting around the bottom of my belly.

Stretch marks? None yet. Fingers still crossed.

Belly button in or out? Out like a turkey timer...

Sleep? Hit or miss really. I toss and turn a bit and wake up to pee at least once a night.

Foods I am loving? Bananas! (just ran to the cafeteria to get one)

Foods I am hating? Nothing really.

Best moment this week? Having a great doctor's appointment today! Everything is looking good and I'm dilated to 1 cm, so the doc thinks it will be about 3 more weeks until her big debut :) I'm super excited!

Movement? Her kicks have turned into nudges and rolls as her space is getting more and more cramped. I've seen heels and what I think may be an elbow poking out. She's a wiggler though.

Symptoms? Braxton hicks contractions plus some mild regular contractions and lower back pain. A few muscle spasms/cramps here and there too. Swollen fingers and feet at times too. All in all though, not bad. Oh and shortness of breath lol.

Gender? Girl! - Lexie

What I miss? red wine.... 

What I'm looking forward to? Going to the doctor once a week now :) The nursery is done so now we just play the waiting game.

Weekly Wisdom: If you skip out on chores they will still be there when you decide to actually do them. They don't go away and there's no fairy lol. Sometimes sitting with my feet up is a much better option.

Milestone: 1.5 weeks until full term (next weekend) and dilating to a 1.

Emotions: Excited and nervous as we get closer to her actually being here.

What BabyCenter says:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.


Oh on another note...

I had my first public stranger groping today. I was in the cafeteria downstairs when a lady walked up to me and started rubbing my belly while asking me all about my pregnancy. I was so caught off-guard that I didn't even know what to do or day! Then another lady walks up to me as I'm holding my to-go container and says "I hope you're eating healthy mama." Umm yes? {as I hide stare at the kit-kat bar in my hand lol.} Interesting day I tell you...

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Nursery is complete

Friday the ladies at work threw me a little baby shower, which was so sweet. We got a couple of really cute outfits, a gift card, and some other useful stuff. We had some things to return to Babies R Us, though, - duplicates and what not - so we made what I hope was our last run to Babies R Us until after the baby is here. We picked up the last remaining things off our registry I think we need and called it good. We also ordered the remaining items off our Target registry that we needed. Bada bing. Bada boom.

Saturday afternoon I finished up washing her clothes, socks, blankets, etc. and got everything organized in her room. All the clothes are hung up and organized by size. I made these cute little dividers too...

I only washed her newborn and 0-3 month clothes though as I've been told (and I've read) to only do those since she could grow into another size pretty quickly or the opposite. Regardless though, all her onesies, pants, socks, shorts, skirts, hats, clothes, and whatever else she has is now organized and ready for her :)

I got the monitors set up and the changing table ready too. I put a canvas bin on one of the shelves of her changing table and rolled up all her little oneies in it - divided by size of course - so it's easy to just grab a onesie when changing her. I also got diapers, wipes, powder and diaper rash ointment in one little bin. Then the nasal aspirator, nail clippers, brush, and cotton swabs in another.

All her toys are in a little bin on her shelf - although she won't really need them for a little while. Oh and socks. Goodness gracious. Matching her baby socks was a lot like playing memory. OK here's a pink one with white polka dots...where's the other one. It was a lot of fun just sitting there though and putting them together. I still can't get over how tiny they are though.

Extra diapers are organized by size and additional boxes of wipes are stored in the closet. I designated two shelves in the guest bath for her towels, sheets, and bath supplies, so that's ready and organized too. I also finished applying the vinyl decals to the walls late Saturday night.

I feel so much better knowing that her room is ready. Everything is where it should be (for the time being). Everything is washed (and smells so good). Everything is ready...now we're just waiting for baby :)

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Baby on the brain

I've been so wrapped up in counting down the days to baby (37, btw), finishing up projects, and doing things around the house (i.e. organizing like a mad woman), that I've lost track of where we actually are in time. The last week I've sat on the couch with hubby every night enjoying cuddle time, while doing things here and there while dinner cooks and it's been amazing. Last night I was going through the mail and there lays a "Happy Birthday" card from Victoria's Secret! I was like Happy Birthday? {Ooooooh Yeeeaaaaaa!} It's been in the back of my mind, but then slips away. Well now it's something like 12 days away and I'm like sweet! I love birthdays :) Then I'm like wait...it's the end of April? How so?

Then that reminded me that our Babymoon is the week of my birthday. So in two weeks, hubby and I will be off on our romantic little Babymoon complete with a big comfy hotel bed, a steak dinner, AND breakfast in bed :) Then it's his birthday!

I seriously have so much to be excited about that my head might explode!

Speaking more of baby...I washed all her newborn and 0-3 month clothes yesterday plus all her bibs, blankets, and sheets. I've got most of it folded and I have to say it was so fun laying out her sweet clothes and folding up those blankets. I'm so looking forward to her being here.

We've also successfully widdled our "Before Baby To-Do List" down to just a few more items. Most of them being "nesting-like" items and not necessarily omg, I have to do this before she's here kind of thing...you know like having the pack-n-play set up, which we do by the way.

Before Baby To-Do's
1. Have garage sale*
* as much as I wanted to have one before she gets here, I'm quickly realizing it's just not in the cards. Now to decide if I just take it to Goodwill to just get rid of it, or do I hold onto it in hope we'll do it this Fall....

2. Clean out the Guest Room
This room also seconds as my "OMG I have to clean the house in 5 minutes and this shit crap needs a home...to the guest room!" It's my storage for all things random. Generally I have it very nicely organized and ready for any spontaneous guests, but in getting the house ready for baby, it's been a "dump room" to say the least. I could really have it clean and organized in probably 45 minutes if I'd just stop to do it. Plus we need a place for people to stay if they come visit once little miss is here. {Karen I'm eyeing you!}

3. Clean out master linen closet
This is just a nesting list item. It probably is fine, but it's driving me crazy.

4. Organize entertainment center
Again, a nesting item, but I want to move some of the books off of there and to a bookshelf in the back of the house to make it seem less cluttered.

5. Finish the nursery
This is a legitimate one! I've got a few finishing touches to put on the nursery and it will be done. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if I get to mark this one off my list this weekend.

6. Pack hospital bag
Again, a necessary and legitimate item. I've got everything I need to pack it, I just have to actually place the items in my bag. The fact that I have everything makes me feel better though. Perhaps I can just go ahead and do that this weekend as well.

7. Clean/Organize the office
I did this at the beginning of the year and was so proud of my organizational skills and well then...life happened and shit crap paper piled up. I've got stacks of paperwork to be filed so our office looks like someone ransacked it looking for that missing diamond or something. Basically it's a mess and needs some TLC.

So see I've actually completed a lot! Everything is practically ready for baby (including us) and the house is almost organized (or as much as it's going to get prior to her arrival). I think it's all very doable in the 4-5 weeks we have left.

It may sound like I've been running around mad, but I've actually added resting and relaxing to my daily routine lately. It's kind of amazing. I started a book (the first one in months) last week and actually finished it last night. Hubby and I have been getting lots of cuddle/together time too, which is so nice and so important.

Other than being stressed at work, I feel like I'm in a really good place right now and couldn't be happier. {Now if only I didn't have to work tomorrow. Boo.} I've got a great weekend ahead with nothing planned other than to do exactly as I please and spend time with that sweet husband of mine.

{Sorry for the rambling post...}

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iPhone Picture Apps

I find that I use my iPhone a lot for spontaneous pictures. Especially since it's easy to share them on Facebook :) We all know I love photography and taking pictures, so it would only make sense that I'd have a couple neat apps on my iPhone for taking said pictures.

Yes, the iPhone's camera is pretty great, but I love enhancing my photos a bit and well it just gives them that extra edge. I've found 2 camera apps that I use almost religiously for my iPhone photos. I have probably 6 or so apps for photography on there, but the following two are the ones I use most and have familiarized myself with....

{Best of all...they're free!}

ShakeItPhoto

Love this app! When you want to take a picture, you open up this app and it brings up your camera. You take your picture and if you like it, you click use. Then it turns it into a Polaroid...complete with the undeveloped photo that you have to "shake" to develop. You get to watch your picture develop right there old school style and to sweeten the deal, it even makes the old "Polaroid" sound. AND your pictures are super cute with a vintage tint.

Next is...

Adobe Photoshop Express

If you love editing your pictures and you love PhotoShop (or some variation), then you will love this app. The capabilities are so cool and it's so easy to use. With a few taps of your fingers, you can turn an ordinary picture into something really beautiful.

Take for instance this picture I took with my regular iPhone camera...

Decent picture, but nothing spectacular right?

So now I take and adjust the exposure and contrast...

Voila! Boosted with incredibly vibrant colors! Look at those beautiful green leaves! Even the trunks of the trees seem more detailed. It went from drab to fab {lol}

Wanting something more classic? Turn your original photo black and white by selecting "Black and White" under one of the toolbars at the top and then boom!

Gorgeous.

You can also select from 7 different effects for your photo. Here's the soft black and white option...

It gets better!

You can also select to add a border. You're given 8 different options. Here is my black and white picture with the rough edge...

This version is my favorite. I think it's so gorgeous. I actually want to get this one printed :) And the best part was that it was all free...not to mention done on my cell phone. Oh where technology can take us...

Hope you enjoyed this fun little post. I know I love finding out about new iPhone apps.

{P.S. this is the park where we took our maternity pictures last night. It's such a gorgeous, peaceful, little place.}

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Baby Bump Pictures

Hubby and I + bump are headed to take our maternity pictures tonight at a park near downtown Houston.

So excited!!

Taking this girl for her first professional shoot :)

So glad bump's looking so fabulous today :)

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8.5 months

How far along? 34 weeks, 2 days

Baby's size? I'm imagining that she's around 5+ or so pounds. Websites say she should be about 4 3/4 - like a cantelope - and 18 inches long.

Weight Gain? +16 pounds total 

Maternity clothes? Yes! And even some of those are starting to NOT fit my belly. Kinda ridiculous!

Stretch marks? None yet! Fingers crossed.

Belly button in or out? oh it's out...

Sleep? Sleeping well other than changing positions a few times a night.

Foods I am loving? Loving cupcakes and the idea of cupcakes. Blizzards ranked high on my list this weekend too.

Foods I am hating? Nothing really.

Best moment this week? Watching my belly grow, which means baby is growing!!

Movement? She's a busy little girl, that's for sure. She'll really get to moving if I sit down and lean back. I swear sometimes she's practicing Tae Bo.

Symptoms? Puffy fingers. Swollen feet sometimes. Achy feet. TIRED! Lower back discomfort. May sound like a lot, but it's not so bad. I really am feeling good, just dealing with a few extras :)

Gender? Sweet girl!!

What I miss? I miss being able to do things...like paint my toes. I tried this week and well it wasn't easy. 

What I'm looking forward to? Washing and folding all her blankets, sheets, and clothes this week. Also we take our maternity pictures tomorrow! So excited!

Weekly Wisdom: Get things done early and then sit with your feet up :) Sitting and relaxing is amazing!

Milestone: 3 more weeks until full term and a few short weeks after that she'll be here!! Woot woot!

Emotions: I cried this weekend when my wedding rings weren't fitting anymore. I find I get easily frustrated too.

What BabyCenter says:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which will help regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

BIG Belly :)

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Ribbon Bulletin Board

I know you've all seen these little bulletin boards. They seem to be everywhere and have been around for years. I've always wanted to make one, so I did a little reading lately on what some people do to make them and then just went at it the way I normally do things - no instructions lol.

I didn't take pictures throughout the process, but it's really relatively easy to do. OK, here's how..

What you need:

1 artist's canvas in desired size. (Mine is a 16x20)*
*I went to Michael's and found their cheapest canvas. A set of 2 for something like $9.99 and I used a 40% off coupon.

Fabric to cover board*
*I got some duck canvas from Wal-Mart. $7 for 2 yards worth. They come already pre-cut. You'll have enough left over to make a few boards or other projects if you go this route.

Coordinating grosgrain ribbon


Batting*
*I bought a small packaged roll at Wal-Mart for a few bucks. It was cheap:)

Buttons (I used 7)


Staple Gun


Staples


Glue Gun


Spray Adhesive


Needle & Thread




What to do:

Cut batting to fit the front of the canvas. I cut a 16x20 piece. I doubled mine as well since it was thin and I wanted a "padded" look. Go ahead and cut your fabric now too. You'll want 2-3 inches extra on all four sides for folding. (Ex. my canvas was 16x20 so I did 19x23)

Spray down the front of your canvas with spray adhesive. Carefully lay the batting on fresh adhesive making sure the edges of the batting match up to the edges of the canvas.

Next lay your fabric on top of the batting, centering the canvas underneath. Flip it over so the back side of the canvas is facing you and the right side of your fabric is on the table.

Start with one of your edges and fold inward so that the edge of your fabric matches up to the inside edge of the wood supporting the canvas. Staple with your staple gun along the back edge.

Do the opposite side next, repeating above steps. {Be sure to pull your fabric taught as you're working}.

When you move to the other sides you'll want to fold the edges in like you're wrapping a present. Staple in place. Flip canvas over.

Lay out your ribbon how you want it and cut the pieces. I weaved mine. I put a small drop of glue at each ribbon intersection to secure them in place. Now they won't move either. Glue the ribbon along the sides of the canvas so that the ends are now in the back. Glue tail ends down and staple if desired.

Now you have your ribbon secured on!

Grab your needle and thread and sew your buttons on at each ribbon intersection. I did four loops through the button holes and then back out the back of the canvas. I found it hard to be able to tie a secure knot so I snipped the threads and applied some hot glue to secure the threads. {Cheating, but whatever}.

All done! Flip it over and hang it with price somewhere to organize coupons, invites, pictures, and more.

I hope all of that makes sense. It's a really easy project and will not only organize your space, but it could also make a great, inexpensive gift! And it's homemade, which makes it that much better!

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The weekend...

We finally had a relaxing weekend. We've been so busy lately that all we could dream of was an uneventful weekend where we were both home. Finally...it happened.

Friday night my BF Bailey came over with her little family and graciously helped me go through things in the nursery (Jack helped too). We had all the clothes from the shower to go through. I had already organized them by size, but needed to determine if we had enough in each size and where we perhaps needed more. We actually didn't really have much to take back, so that was nice. She also helped me go through the pile of pacis and other baby-related items. It was so nice to really feel more organized and be one step closer to having the nursery finished.

Saturday Hubby and I were up early so we went out to breakfast and to run errands. We had things to return and coupons to utilize :) It was so nice being out and about together. On the way home we saw a car show in Friendswood and decided to stop. It was so fun looking at the cars - new and old - and the hard work that these people really put into them. Hubby turned into a total gearhead and was fascinated. The weather was gorgeous, which made it that much better walking around.

We saw a Mercedes McLaren (sp), which apparently is like a $250,000 car. I had to take a picture.

Then we saw a really cool Ferrari. The inside was totally awesome.

We also saw a 1923 Ford T-Bucket. The old cars were so neat to see and be able to look it.

I tried to get a picture of Hubby and I, but I kept chopping his head off with the iPhone...

That afternoon hubby did yard work while I finished up my LAST sewing project!!!! I was so glad to get it done. When I was finished, I got all my sewing stuff organized into my new sewing closet Hubby put together for me. No more projects for a little while.

Later Saturday I sat to read a stack of magazines I had and ended up falling asleep. It was the first nap I've taken on a weekend in I don't know how long. I woke up to the smell of delicious steak as hubby started grilling up dinner. He made ribeyes, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes. {He's so awesome}. THEN he took me for a blizzard at Dairy Queen. Love that man.

Sunday we attended Jack's baptism and baptism party, which was so fun. We enjoyed being able to be there for our friends and Jack. It was a special day. Once we got home we ran out to find some cheap little bands for me to wear as my wedding rings are getting tight. I figure if I made it to 34 weeks with my size 5 wedding bands, then I did pretty good. We found some completely within our price range at Dillards that I can wear for the next few weeks. {I'm talking $20 cheap - score}.

It may sound silly, but I just needed something small and inexpensive to wear. I've already been asked how my "boyfriend" felt about the pregnancy a few weeks ago and I was wearing my wedding bands. Odd. I know it's because I look so young. Anyways, hubby found me these nice little bands I can wear until my rings fit again.

Kind of a long, rambling post...so sorry for that. But anyways...hope everyone had a nice, relaxing weekend! I think mine was so relaxing that I'm pooped from relaxing! Super tired today...

Happy Monday

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Currently...

Craving: A cupcake. And a big glass of milk.

Listening to: Pandora - my country station :) {Currently Lady A is playing}

Wanting to buy: The rest of the baby stuff we need - but I still have one more shower. So wait I shall.

Working on: Work: Preparing to write a proposal. Home: Organizing and wrapping up my last sewing project as well as working on the nursery little by little.

Dreaming of: Sleep. I stayed up late last night doing things thinking that it would be OK, because I'd be SO tired that I would sleep like a rock. Wrong. I tossed and turned all night and am paying for it. I almost fell asleep typing up my proposal! {This is my break to wake up...and eat a pack of gushers!}

Suffering from: Occasional swelling and fullness. I'm trying to drink more water, which keeps my fingers from getting puffy. I need to find a box to put at my desk for my feet though, because they are super puffy today. Feeling full - very full, but hungry. Odd feeling lol.

Enjoying: The last few weeks of this pregnancy. In a few short weeks we'll be a family of three.

Avoiding: Sorting through baby clothes from the shower. It's overwhelming deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. 

Measuring: +16 pounds heavier at this point. Belly is definitely "out there."

Reading: Sliding into Home by Kendra Wilkinson {on my new NookColor}

Watching: This week: Pawn Stars, Love & Other Drugs, American Idol, and the A-Team.

Writing: Thank you cards from my shower! Lots of thank you's to send :)

Looking forward to: Lots of things....work baby shower {next Friday}, birthday {19 days}, babymoon {3 weeks}, last specialist appointment {May 18}...

Nervous about: Getting everything done before the baby gets here. I imagine it will all get done, but it just seems daunting at times. The house and work combined.

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Versatile Purse

I recently found this tutorial for a really cute purse and wanted to try it out. I just put my own spin on it {as usual}.

I have been wanting a fun, versatile, Spring bag, but didn't want to spend the money with my birthday and a new baby right around the corner. I decided against making mine reversible and wanted instead to add lots of pockets to the inside for organization. All in all it took about 3 hours to cut and sew, which is pretty normal for a purse/tote. At least for me anyway. I also got to try buttonholes for the first time, which wasn't as hard or scary as originally thought.

The main thing I love about this bag (besides the colors) is the fact I can make it hobo or crossbody. I cannot wait to start using it!

The buttons down the side allow you to adjust your strap length. The strap has 4 buttonholes on each side so all you have to do is unfasten and refasten.

I really wanted this bag to be useful (another reason I decided against making it reversible), so adding lots of pockets in the inside allows me to keep things organized. I have two medium/large-sized pockets on one side then 3 pockets on the opposite side. I made spots especially for my cell, hand sanitizer, and a pen. All things that could very well end up floating around the bottom of my purse.

crossbody option

You can fasten the straps all the way to the end to make it a hobo style too! I like crossbodies for when I'm running errands and don't want to keep tucking my purse under my arm. But I like hobo's to be cute and stylish. I love that this purse gives me both options.

hobo option

With a baby on the way I think this will be a good option for me to have. Although, even with a baby not on the way, I think this would be a great bag for just about any woman! I think I need to make one for every season! I'll have to keep an eye out this fall for some rockin fabric. I think I'm going to go mustard and grey with this set from Etsy. I'm thinking the 3rd and 4th from the top. Love!

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Cupcake Love

{Made by me :)}

I'm in major cupcake mode and I totally blame my baby shower haha. They had fabulously decorated cupcakes in a variety of flavors that were just divine.

They've been on the brain this week and now all I want to do is bake some pretty cupcakes. I think I'm going to invest in an icing bag so I can do the tops all pretty. I'm ordering this from Amazon. {Unless of course someone wants to get them for me for my birthday! - 20 days!}

I also found an incredible Etsy store dedicated to cupcakes called Cupcake Social. I mean how fabulous are these liners?

{Here. 20 for $7}

or these!!

{Here. 45 for $3.25}

Lovely.

They even have Sprinkles {love}, candles and twine to make your cupcakes ultra fancy.

{Here. 1/4 lb for $3.50}

{Here. 10 for $2.25}

{Here. 100 yds. for $9}

I'm totally smitten with the idea.

Then to really put the icing on the {cup}cake, I found these two deliciously sounding cupcake recipes!

Lemon Cupcakes - Recipe here.

and I really can't wait to try this one...

Mint Chocolate Cupcakes - Recipe here.

You totally want to go bake right now, don't you? I know I do.

In the meantime, I'm going to just drool over the thought of devouring cupcakes.

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