Saturday, April 23, 2016

32 Weeks

Fuchsia Maternity Maxi HERE
How far along? 32 Weeks 
Fruit Size: Squash
Nickname this week: Little Buddy
Total weight gain/loss: +28 lbs (meep)
Maternity clothes? Yes, I had a couple non-maternity loose fitting tanks that I'd rotate in but the bump put a stop to that this week.
Stretch marks? Yes
Belly button in or out? Out
Wedding ring on or off? Off
Sleep: Mix of good & bad.
Favorite thing this week: When baby got the hiccups while we were listening to his heartbeat at the last check-up.  That may have been favorite thing of the month <3
Miss anything? Ankles & feet that aren't swollen!  I've never seen such a thing, I'll start the day out great but by dinnertime they're so puffy.  Any tips to help with that one?  I'm already wearing compression socks as often as possible & elevating a few times throughout the day (one of the perks of being your own boss & working from home).
Movement: Lots & Lots
Food Cravings: Still Sweets
Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen Ankles/Feet, Sciatic Nerve Pain
Have you started to show? Yes
Gender: Boy
Happy or moody? Happy (& sometimes whiny)
Looking forward to: The pregnancy massage/pedicure hubs surprised me with for week 33 (#onehappymama) & trying out prenatal yoga.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

PinkBlush Maternity & My Dream Maxi

I had no idea how difficult it is to find a maternity dress until this month.  We have three things lined up in the next 8 weeks & I was determined to find a maxi that would cover spider veins & swollen ankles while still giving me a feminine shape.  Tall order, right??  

It's hit me more & more over the past couple weeks that my body is no longer just my own; which leaves me longing for styles like what I'd worn pre-pregnancy.  Khakis & tanks to garden in (or try to with that belly), skinny jeans & flowy tops for date night, sundresses to lounge around the house.  It's the simple things like that which leave me feeling my best. 

So after searching high & low, & briefly considering sewing my own, I came across PinkBlush Maternity.  As someone who is all about comfort & casual when it comes to clothes, this breezy maxi is perfect for grilling on the weekend or to wear to one of those events I mentioned before.  Plus it's something I will totally throw on after baby L makes his appearance in June.








Special Note: This post was written in collaboration with PinkBlush Maternity, but all opinions are my own.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Nursery Inspiration

I am all about nursery DIYs, not only to save money (which is a huge bonus) but also because it adds a bit of us into baby's room.  Working in such an artsy industry with Painted by the Shore it's sometimes hard for me to channel my inner creative for home projects.  Sounds crazy, right?  It almost feels like bringing work home, something I'm sure tons of you can relate to.

But I'm determined to create a bit of canvas wall art, give baby's hand me down dresser a face lift, create a gorgeous mobile & of course that library/photo wall you see below which may be my favorite inspiration of the bunch.  Can you tell I'm an avid book reader?  Right now my book list consists of pregnancy magazines from our Doctor's office, What to Expect When You're Expecting, What to Expect the First Year & a few new children's favorites I read to the bump (& the dogs who always end up resting their heads on my stomach to listen).

(from left) Color Palette by magnetStreet // Navy Dresser by involving COLOR
// Hot Air Balloon Mobile by Lia Griffith
Library Wall by Project Nursery

We're t-minus 2 months (squeal) to the due date so stay tuned this month to see how each DIY comes out!  Plus I'm going to share my own instructions on that canvas art <3

Friday, April 8, 2016

30 Weeks

Maternity Top HERE // Maternity Capri Pants SIMILAR HERE
How far along? 30 Weeks 
Fruit Size: Cucumber
Nickname this week: The Cuc
Total weight gain/loss: No comment, I think I'm still in shock after seeing those numbers on the scale at our last appointment.
Maternity clothes? Yes, minus a few of hubby's tops (his grey tees are just beyond comfy right now).
Stretch marks? Yes
Belly button in or out? Out
Wedding ring on or off? Off
Sleep: Okay but my back pain seems to get worse at night which makes getting comfortable enough to fall asleep harder.
Favorite thing this week: How sweet & protective our pups are of me & the bump.
Miss anything? Having an entire closet that fit.  This week I thought I'd try on a few pre-preggie maxi dresses figuring they're so long and only fitted at the bust, meaning there was no reason they wouldn't work at 30 weeks pregnant.  I haven't laughed that hard in a long time, oh my goodness. 
Movement: Less this week which is strange but after checking our midwife suspects The Cuc is just settling into sleep patterns.
Food Cravings: Sweets
Pregnancy Symptoms: Acid Reflex
Have you started to show? Yes
Gender: Boy
Happy or moody? Happy :)
Looking forward to: Practicing the things we learned in birthing class until we memorize those breathing & pregnancy massage techniques.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Summer Baby Boy Wishlist

The past 2 weeks have been baby crazy!  We did our hospital tour which was super helpful, took an infant/child CPR class & did a childbirth class (check out Jan Ferraro if you're in CT, she was AMAZING).  

I will be the first to admit the hospital tour made me queasy.  It felt like this crazy dose of reality, you'd think the giant stomach or nursery prep would have done it by now but apparently not, that in ~2 months it will no longer be just us two & I'll be in labor.  WOW.  But the childbirth class the following week was a huge nerve calmer with the labor part.  Hubs & I had no idea that there are so many options when giving birth, plus ways to make me more comfortable (#yay) & positions that can actually shorten the labor process (#doubleyay).

All that's left is a meet the pediatrician appointment later this month, getting that nursery done & some serious stocking up of all the essentials.  Turns out I am a total sucker for rompers & bandana bibs (who wouldn't be with a summertime babe??).  Here are a few things currently on my wish list (& a few from our registry).

(clockwise from top left) Carter's Gingham Romper // H&M Polo-shirt Jumpsuit // Carter's Striped Top & Overall Set
// aden by aden + anais Bandana Bib 2 Pack // H&M Hooded Jacket // H&M Hat and Bandana Bib Set