40+ weeks

How far along?

40 weeks (and 3 days, but who's counting?!)

Maternity clothes?

When I'm forced to leave the house, yes. Other than that, it's pajama shorts and tank tops all the live long day.

Sleep:

Still so-so in the sleeping department. I've been waking up from an itchy belly and full bladder at least twice a night for the past week or so. The bathroom part I can deal with - it's the itchiness that makes me a grumpy momma!

Best moment this week:

Seeing baby girl on the ultrasound screen again during the biophysical screening - hearing the ultrasound technician say that she has a full head of hair, and that they're estimating her at 7lbs 1oz!

Miss Anything?

Sleep (I know, I know - better get used to it), my clothes, being able to get in and out of bed easily, wearing normal shoes...

Movement:

Still squirming, kicking, and hiccuping away in there!

Food cravings:

Popsicles, and lots of 'em.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope. Unless you count the random puking episode I had last night after eating dinner at Friendly's. Major flashback to the first/second trimester sickness, and I did NOT miss throwing up like that! So gross.

Gender:

Little lady :)

Labor Signs:
Still absolutely nothing.

Symptoms:

I'm 9+ months pregnant, so I'm basically experiencing a laundry list of symptoms. It's simply just too long to name them all!

Belly Button in or out?

I think it's officially out now. Showing through every shirt and dress I have!

Wedding rings on or off?

Still off.

Happy or Moody most of the time:
Happy, but seriously impatient!

Looking forward to:

Meeting our little girl. Seeing her face on the ultrasound this week made me want her out even more than I did before, if that's even possible! Her little face is so precious (at least from the side), and I think she's going to look a lot like her daddy! I'm just hoping she will decide to come meet us before my next scheduled doctors appointment next Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

39 weeks!

How far along?

39 weeks and feeling it…!

Maternity clothes?

Strictly. Even the maternity clothes hardly fit my belly anymore. I’m ready to get the old me back!

Sleep:

Hit or miss. Usually miss. I’ve been getting really uncomfortable lately with lots of lower back pain on top of having to go to the bathroom every 3-4 hours. And getting in and out of bed these days is more difficult than ever before!

Best moment this week:

Having Luke surprise me with a spontaneous dinner picnic on the beach with take out Chinese food, followed by a nice walk along the water. Trying like crazy to get Marleigh to swim toward the light!

Miss Anything?

My old clothes, my old body, non-swollen feet and visible ankles, shaving my legs without having to set aside 40 minutes of time to do so, and so on.

Movement:

Mainly just squirms and baby hiccups these days. I can’t imagine it’s too comfy in there anymore!

Food cravings:

Caramel Frappes from McDonalds. So bad, but oh so good. It’s been my little indulgence this week. Because heck… I’m 39 weeks pregnant, I’ve grown a human, and I deserve it! 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Heartburn every so often. It’s been gone for the past couple of days, but I’m sure that in saying that, it will return with a vengeance tonight! 

Gender:

Girl =)

Labor Signs:

NONE. In the words of my doctor, "Baby is having a damn blast in there!” Apparently I’ve made it a little bit too homey in my belly for her to want to come out, but we’re hoping she changes her mind soon! I really don’t want to go past my due date next week! 

Symptoms:

Besides the swelling, back aches, pelvic pain/pressure, and exhaustion, my stomach is so itchy lately that I literally feel like a crazy person. I have tried almost everything there is to try, and every combination of lotions and creams and body butters, with no luck. I even had to sleep with a cold washcloth on my belly the other night because the itchiness was just too unbearable and I couldn’t sleep! It’s probably the worst symptom I’ve experienced thus far. Just hoping and praying MJ comes soon so it will go away! 

Belly Button in or out?

Top is out, bottom is in. It’s a sight to see. 

Wedding rings on or off?

Off and I miss them terribly! 

Happy or Moody most of the time:

I still feel generally happy, but I’ve been coming down with a case of the weepies a little bit this week. I am not a patient person, and this waiting game is truly a test for me. Despite it all, when Marleigh squirms around in there, it makes me smile and reminds me that it will all be worth it in the end when I have our precious girl in my arms! Trusting in God’s timing and knowing that she will come out when she’s ready – and keeping my fingers crossed that it’s soon! 

Looking forward to:

Marleigh’s birthday! Every day, I wake up wondering if today will be the day I become a mommy! We’re ready for you, little one!

Progress

Just a little collage of the bump over the past 38 weeks. I'm not-so-secretly hoping that I won't have to add another row to this ;) Come on out, Marleigh Jo! The world is waiting for you!

38 weeks down...!

How far along?

38 weeks!

Maternity clothes?

Squeezing into anything that will cover my belly at this point. Running out of options fast!

Sleep:

Pretty good for the past few nights – only waking up once or twice to go to the bathroom, as opposed to four.

Best moment this week:

My amazing husband getting his first full time teaching position! So many of our prayers have been answered, and I am so insanely proud of him!

Miss Anything?

My old body, my old clothes, and my energy!

Movement:

Little miss likes to wiggle her toosh around all day long. It’s like human whack-a-mole in my belly. She sticks her bum out, I give it a little pat, and she wiggles it somewhere else – it’s the weirdest / cutest thing! I’ve also been able to feel some little feet/heels pretty distinctly lately, which is fun.

Food cravings:

Nadda. I honestly haven’t been very hungry at all lately. Probably my biggest craving would be sweet tea or Arnold Palmer.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope.

Gender:

Girl :]

Labor Signs:

Some cramping and abdominal pains here and there, but nothing too extreme. I wish I had more to report in this department! Ready for baby to come out!

Symptoms:

The usual swelling of my feet and “ankles” and still really intense pelvic pressure and pain, plus some heartburn here and there – mostly in the middle of the night while I'm trying to sleep!

Belly Button in or out?

The top half is out, the bottom half is in. I have one very indecisive bellybutton.

Wedding rings on or off?

Off :[

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy!

Looking forward to:

Marleigh deciding to come out and join us. I am SO ready to meet this little girl that has been growing inside of me for so long! Trying my best to have patience and rely on God's timing – but seriously, little girl... aaaaany time now would be fine by me!

FULL TERM! 37 weeks

How far along?

37 weeks! Holy moly – baby girl is officially full term! 

Maternity clothes?

Yes, and hardly fitting into my shirts anymore! I seriously think about 5 of my tops still fit me comfortably. 

Sleep:

What is sleep? ;) It’s still hit or miss. Some nights, I only get up once to pee. Other nights, I get up 4. This is not an exaggeration. Also, I can’t wait until my sleep is interrupted with baby cries instead of a burning pelvis and achey lower back. Being awake will be so much better with our little girl in my arms. 

Best moment this week:

Hearing Marleigh’s strong heartbeat at the doctor this past Tuesday, and the doctor telling me she’s measuring “perfectly.” (Take that, co-worker who told me I look like I’m having a biiig baby)! Also, getting together for dinner with one of my very best friends who lives way too far away while she was up visiting from Florida.

Miss Anything?

I miss being able to get in and out of bed easily, sleeping on my back/stomach, my wedding rings, and being able to give my husband nice big hugs without my belly getting in the way! 

Movement:

This little lady sure does like to wiggle! I have a feeling she’s going to be a busy little thing – just like her daddy! 

Food cravings:

Nothing really. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

No. 

Gender:

Girl!

Labor Signs:

Some cramping and a TON of pain and pressure in my pelvic area.

Symptoms:

You name it, I’m probably experiencing it! Especially the swelling. My feet and "ankles" are really ridiculous. And painful. And I can't wait until they go back to their normal size.

Belly Button in or out?

I really don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain the status of my bellybutton these days. 

Wedding rings on or off?

Off :[ 

Happy or Moody most of the time:

My happiness is starting to change to moodiness due to being so uncomfortable, but I’m trying to resist it as much as possible and enjoy the final days of this journey! I know I'm going to miss having Marleigh in my belly with me, but right now, I'm really ready for her to come out!

Looking forward to:

Does this question even really need to be asked?! Meeting our baby! I seriously cannot wait to have her on our side of the world!

36 weeks & going strong...ish!

How far along?

36 weeks!

Maternity clothes?

Yes, and so ready to get back to my old clothes! I have approximately 4 shirts that will still fit over my bump, and once Marleigh is born, I never want to look at another maxi dress again!

Sleep:

Pretty good so far this week, although I can plan on being awake at least twice in the middle of the night for one of two reasons: baby kicks to the ribs, or baby bouncing on the bladder!

Best moment this week:

Turning my desk calendar to August – happy birthday month, baby girl! Also, going to the doctor this week for my first weekly visit. Hearing that perfect little heartbeat is the best thing ever. AND, the doctor says he thinks she's head-down in there, which is great news! (Although Luke & I are still convinced she's laying diagonally).

Miss Anything?

I miss not being sore constantly. My back, ribs, and pelvis are in rough shape these days!

Movement:

Still as active as ever! Lots of rolling around in there, and I’ve noticed a couple cases of baby hiccups this week, which is weird and adorable at the same time.

Food cravings:

Chili cheese fries. Most random thing ever. Also, earlier this week I had a craving for Hawaiian Punch and Rice Krispy treats. Apparently, pregnancy gives me the eating habits of an obese 7 year old.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

No.

Gender:

Girl!

Labor Signs:

Marleigh has seriously dropped in there, and the shape of my belly has completely changed over the last week or so. I've also been experiencing some decently painful cramps for a couple days – hopefully that means she's getting ready to come out soon!

Symptoms:

Just the same ol’. Swelling, sore, achey, and tired. 

Belly Button in or out?

Out-ish.

Wedding rings on or off?

Off, and I don't like it!

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy, although I’ve had a couple of moody episodes this week. I’m just getting so anxious to meet this little peanut that’s been growing inside of me for so long, and I’m ready to get back to feeling like my old, non-pregnant self (whatever that feels like)!

Looking forward to:

SHARK WEEK in 11 days, and obviously most importantly, meeting Marleigh Jo! My family has been estimating when she’ll arrive, and everyone is guessing she’ll come early. Luke thinks she’ll come exactly a week early (August 21), my dad is guessing August 26th, and my mom is guessing 10 days early (August 18). Any of the above would be absolutely fine by me! The countdown is on!

T-32 Days

How far along?

35 weeks! Just under 5 weeks to go until baby girl’s due date! (cue minor panic attack)

Maternity clothes?

Yes, and getting so sick of them all!

Sleep:

Pretty good lately, actually. Still getting up at least once in the night to go to the bathroom (make that 3 times last night), but other than that, no major complaints.

Best moment this week:

Our entire weekend this past weekend was the best. We spent every night watching movies snuggled up on the couch, and I got to sleep in on Saturday and Sunday until after 9:00. That hasn’t happened in I don’t even know how long! It was a wonderful weekend of relaxation... just what the doctor ordered for this sleepy momma!

Miss Anything?

I miss being able to put my pants on without feeling like I’m going to topple over. Also, being able to walk/sit/do anything without my pelvis feeling like it’s cracking in half. I never wanted to be one of those pregnant women who “waddles,” but now I totally understand it (and fighting with everything I have to walk normally)! While we're at it, let's add a few more things to this list, shall we? Shaving my legs in under 40 minutes (and without the help of a handheld mirror), being able to actually reach the sink while doing the dishes, getting out of bed without having to hoist myself up... (to be continued)

Movement:

My belly is a near-constant wave of baby wiggles and squirms, with a couple big ninja kicks mixed in here and there. It’s quite entertaining to watch Marleigh move around inside of me – and Luke and I spend a lot of time just staring at my belly and laughing at her!

Food cravings:

Nothing this week, really. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope.

Gender:

Girl :)

Labor Signs:

Still nadda. I’m hoping that Marleigh will stay cooking for at least two more weeks (until full term) before I start experiencing any sign of labor! Fingers crossed she cooperates!

Symptoms:

Achey back, swollen feet (flip flops at work are totally appropriate for pregnant women, right? right.), tired almost all the time (when does the "nesting" stage kick in?!), sore pelvis.

Belly Button in or out?

It still hasn’t made up its mind.

Wedding rings on or off?

Usually on (just the wedding band), but it depends on how cruel mother nature is being with the humidity.

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy, but getting ready to be back to my normal, non-pregnant self!

Looking forward to:

Meeting this little peanut! I’m getting so incredibly anxious to welcome her into our world, but I want her to keep growing strong in there for a few more weeks until we greet her. I’m also really looking forward to fall and cooler weather, and I can’t wait to be home for 10 weeks on maternity leave during the best season of the year! Cozy blankets and sweaters, lots of snuggling inside with candles lit, and brisk family walks at night with daddy! Life is going to be so good.

Bump Update: 34 Weeks

How far along? 

34 weeks!

Maternity clothes?

Yessir. I also “splurged” on some new tanks and t-shirts from Walmart last week. And by splurge, I mean they were $3 and $4 apiece, and I secretly love them a lot. 

Sleep:

I’ve slept straight through the night for the past two nights in a row! Praise God! I will gladly take 5:30 or 6:00 AM bathroom breaks over a 2:30 or 4:30 wake-up call any day! 

Best moment this week:

There have been a few, as always. Going to the doctor for another checkup and hearing a strong heartbeat, having Luke home with me for the morning yesterday (he’s usually at work for an hour already by the time I wake up for my day), having my parents over for dinner last night. Very blessed! 

Miss Anything?

Nothing in particular, really… I feel like I’ve been pregnant my whole life, and can hardly remember what life was like before this big ol’ belly! 

Movement:

Marleigh makes her presence known with giant kicks and almost constant squirming (and I love each and every one). 

Food cravings:

Freeze pops, Arnold Palmer 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

No! 

Gender:

Little lady 

Labor Signs:

Nadda. Still no sign of Braxton Hicks, although I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before I experience them! 

Symptoms:

Some intense pelvic pain this past week, and the usual stiff/achey lower back. Nothing major, and nothing a bag of frozen peas and a heating pad can’t handle! 

Belly Button in or out?

…What belly button? 

Wedding rings on or off?

My wedding band is still squeezed on my finger most days. The engagement ring has been temporarily made into a “charm” on one of my white gold necklaces, because I missed looking at it. 

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy! Some moodiness here and there when I’m feeling really uncomfortable or after a long day, but I’ve been doing my best to keep my emotions at bay! 

Looking forward to:

Enjoying the rest of the summer with my handsome hubby, and meeting our little girl in a few short weeks!

Minding My Peas and Q's

{image via slashfood.com}

Tomorrow, I will be 34 weeks pregnant. That means I'm 3 weeks away from the baby being "full term" – meaning Marleigh has the green light to come out anytime after the next 21 days!

It seems that I've officially reached the uncomfortable part of the third trimester – and although the female body was made for this, it is not an easy task.

I spent the majority of my weekend this past weekend on the couch... in-between tears and mental breakdowns, with a heating pad on my lower back and a bag of frozen peas down my pants. Yep, you read that right. Down my pants.

Here's the scoop. I woke up Saturday morning to the worst pelvic pain I have ever experienced. Imagine what it would feel like to run crotch-first into a hard object (a doorknob or bedpost, for example) multiple times, and that's what my pelvis felt like. Bruised. Broken. I suffered through our 8 hour birth class with the pain, only to have it get increasingly worse as the day went on. Despite the discomfort, I tried my best to put mind over matter and ignore the pain as much as possible, so Luke and I went out to dinner Saturday night and had a nice little date night together.

As soon as we got home, I assumed my position on the couch in my pajamas, and we watched a movie together. All the while, it felt like my pelvis was splitting in half. We went to bed, and I made my usual fortress of pillows – with an added pillow between my legs to try to ease the pain. No dice.

Sunday was more of the same. We went to church, spent the afternoon at my sister- & brother-in-law's house, and came home at around dinner time. I wrote out thank you notes from our baby shower (finally), and spent some more time with my bag of frozen peas.

Needless to say, I have been quite the emotional roller coaster for the past few days. I'm so thankful for Luke for being the wonderful husband he is. He has been my rock throughout this whole pregnancy – making sure I have everything I need, giving me hugs when I need them (which is often), and reassuring me that everything will be OK and that this is all going to be more than worth it. I know that it is. But when your bones feel like they're splitting apart, you can't get a decent night of sleep to save your life, and your hormones are running wild, it's sometimes hard not to let your emotions get the best of you.

...Until you snuggle into bed for the night. And your husband reads your daughter bedtime prayers in your belly. And she kicks so hard you're almost sure that her little foot is going to go right through your skin. And she wiggles and squirms and moves your whole stomach like waves in the ocean. And you think about her tiny little self, and about what she is going to look like, and be like; and you imagine holding her in your arms for the first time, and sniffing her little head, and knowing that this person – this teeny little person – is your creation...the best thing you could ever dream of making.

It's then, in those moments, that you realize it's really not all so bad. And the pain seems to disappear for a little while. And every little thing you've suffered through – the 17 weeks of morning sickness, the sleepless nights, the achey muscles and sore bones, the changing body – suddenly become the best things you've ever experienced. Because they were all a part of bringing this little life to you. 

And this little life has already made your life better in ways you couldn't have imagined.

Sometime within the next 42 days, our world will change forever. We will have a daughter. We will become parents. And we will spend every single day thanking God for trusting us with our very own miracle.

Nearing the End – 33 Weeks

How far along?

33 weeks! 

Maternity clothes?

Yes, and running low on my outfit choices. I have always hated duplicating outfits, but I don’t want to step foot in another “maternity section” to buy anything new. 

Sleep:

It depends. Sometimes, Marleigh decides she wants to be BFFs with my ribs, which is no bueno for sleeping. Other times, she uses my bladder as her personal trampoline – also causing issues in the sleep department. And sometimes, when she’s being nice, she lets me sleep straight through the night until around 5 AM. Those are the nights I look forward to! 

Best moment this week:

Going to get our Build-a-Bear stuffed with the recording of baby girl’s heartbeat inside. I love having my favorite sound available whenever I want now (and Luke pressed the paw to listen to it 3 times before bed the other night. How cute is he?) 

Miss Anything?

I really miss my pretty clothes, and cooler weather. Note to self: next time, try not to be 8 months pregnant in the heat of the summer! 

Movement:

Marleigh is still a squirmy worm! She jabs, twists, and swims around (with what little room she has left in there) almost all day. It can get pretty distracting when my entire stomach is wiggling around, especially when I’m trying to concentrate at work, but I wouldn’t trade feeling her move for anything in the world. It’s gotta be one of the best (and weirdest) feelings! 

Food cravings:

If I have a Pink Lemonade Arnold Palmer, all is right with the world. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

Nope! 

Gender:

Girl! 

Labor Signs:

Nothing that I’ve noticed really. I have no idea what Braxton Hicks contractions feel like, but I think I might have experienced some small ones the other night. Not entirely sure though. Other than that, nadda. MJ still has a few weeks of cooking left to do until she’s ready to come meet us! 

Symptoms:

Some slight round ligament pain (not fun), swollen feet/hands, and I even feel like certain features on my face are swelling (where did these lips come from?!) 

Belly Button in or out?

Same ol’. 

Wedding rings on or off?

I’m still managing to keep my wedding band on! And hopefully will be squeezing my engagement ring on my sausage finger for our maternity photos this weekend. Here’s to hoping! 

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy! Although, the weepies caught up with me a little bit earlier this week after a somewhat overwhelming day. I managed, however, to dry it up and have a great evening with my hubby and my mom after. All’s well that ends well, right? 

Looking forward to:

Meeting this little peanut in a few short weeks! I’m also anxiously looking forward to our birth class this weekend – 9 whole hours of information and techniques to get MJ out safely! It will probably end up being completely terrifying, but it will be good to be able to see exactly what I’m in for with this whole labor business. Yikes!

Marleigh and Me: 32 weeks!

How far along?
32 weeks!
Maternity clothes?

Yes and no. I’ve been making some of my “normal” tank tops work lately, which is nice. But as far as bottoms go, it’s maxi skirts and maternity capris/jeans. I have yet to find a cute pair of maternity shorts. I’m starting to think they don’t actually exist…! 

Sleep:

Decent. My ribs have started getting sore again lately through the night – probably because little peanut is growing so fast and running out of room in there. On the plus side, I made it 2 nights this past week without waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, which is basically a miracle!

Best moment this week:

Decorating Marleigh’s nursery all day on Sunday and having the day off with my handsome hubby yesterday! We are just waiting on the rug for her room to come in (should be arriving today) and her room will be complete! This makes me a very happy momma.

Miss Anything?

Throwing on an outfit quick and looking decent without 15 minutes of thought and 5 hit-and-miss attempts. Also… where did all of that 2nd trimester energy disappear to?!

Movement:

Ninja kicks have turned into lots of squirms and wiggles, with a few twitches here and there. I think she’s going to be like her daddy – she never seems to sit still lately!

Food cravings:

Pink lemonade Arnold Palmer, and basically anything sweet. Also, freezie pops! I have at least one every night.

Anything making you queasy or sick:

For some reason earlier this week, my Apple Jacks that I enjoyed for breakfast did not sit well in my stomach, and I was given a flashback to the first trimester morning sickness. Fortunately, it seems it was a fluke. I’ve been feeling pretty good lately, even despite this awful heat and humidity.

Gender:

It’s a girl!

Labor Signs:

Nadda. Still waiting to experience the Braxton Hicks contractions, although I’m completely OK with contractions not making an appearance until the real deal!

Symptoms:

Just the usual swelling and slight discomfort. Also, I’ve been feeling really tired lately.

Belly Button in or out?

Out-ish…

Wedding rings on or off?

They come and go, depending on how closely my fingers are resembling sausages that day.

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Happy!

Looking forward to:

Meeting our little girl! I’m getting so anxious to see her little face and hold her in my arms. Not too much longer now!

Showered with love

Last weekend, I had the privilege to be surrounded by 50 amazing women – family, friends, and friends that are family – to celebrate our baby girl. I can't even explain the happiness it brought me to see so many people with so much love for her. Everyone was more than generous, and Luke and I were completely overwhelmed by all the wonderful gifts we received. Marleigh is so lucky :)

Here are just a few snapshots from the shower. The weather was perfect. The food was delicious. The love was abundant. Our hearts and our home are full!

THANK YOU, from the bottom of our hearts, to everyone who made the trip to celebrate with us. We hope you'll come back for a visit when MJ makes her grand appearance in a couple months!



{image credit: K.B.Rebman Photography}

Bump Update – 31 weeks!

How far along? 

31 weeks! We’re in the single digits for weekly countdowns. Eek! 

Maternity clothes? 

It’s a mish-mash at this point. Mainly maternity with some of my old tops that are long enough to cover the bump! 

Sleep: 

Meh. I’m just trying to get used the fact that I will be awake at least once in the middle of the night due to baby kicks and a bathroom trip. My 4:00 wake ups have now turned into 2:00 wake ups almost every single night. 

Best moment this week: 

We had our baby shower this past weekend, and we had all of our guests bring a book for MJ’s “library” instead of a card, so her daddy has been reading her a different bedtime story every night this week. So far, we've read On The Night You Were Born, The Very Lonely Firefly, Clifford, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. My heart melts and I can't help but smile (and ok... cry a little too) when I see how much love Luke has for our little girl.

Miss Anything? 

Sleep. I have a feeling I’ll be saying this for a while! Also, if I thought I had "cankles" before, I was so so wrong. I miss being able to wear normal shoes without having to literally peel my feet out of them at the end of the day. Helloooo, Old Navy flip flops!

Movement: 

Tons! Lots of squirms as baby girl tries to get comfy in there, and she seems to be quite fond of my right rib cage lately, which I’m a little nervous about, seeing as I cracked my mom's ribs when she was pregnant with me. Hoping MJ doesn't follow that trend!

Food cravings: 

Ice cream, ice cream, and more ice cream. (Rolo McFlurry, anyone?) 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Nothing in particular. I’ve had a couple queasy mornings lately, paired with some decent headaches, but nothing in comparison to those first miserably sick months.

Gender: 

Girl

Labor Signs: 

Nadda. 

Symptoms: 

Besides my ever-expanding belly, not too much to note this week! Just the usual soreness and slight discomfort. For some reason, by the time I crawl (aka plop) into bed for the night, I feel like my back could easily snap in half. Luckily, I have a great husband who gives me back rubs almost every time I ask!

Belly Button in or out? 

My belly button has a mind of its own. 

Wedding rings on or off? 

Still just the single wedding band. My engagement ring technically still fits, but it’s pretty snug, and it makes me too nervous to wear! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy! I had a couple meltdowns over the weekend due to being overwhelmed, overtired, and just plain old moody, but I’m better now… I think ;) 

Looking forward to: 

Soaking up some Vitamin D this weekend, enjoying the beautiful weather, dinner at the country club with my parents (chicken parm get in my bellayyy), getting the last of the essentials for baby girl, and hopefully finally finally finally decorating Marleigh's room!

30 Weeks!

How far along? 

30 weeks! I cannot believe how fast the time is going. 

Maternity clothes? 

I haven’t gotten anything new in a while, so my daily looks consist of mainly maxi dresses or skirts and tanks, with the occasional maternity jeans thrown in the mix on cooler days/nights. 

Sleep: 

It seems to be an every-other-night deal lately. One night, I’ll be up every 2 hours tossing and turning with sore ribs and an achey back, or having to go to the bathroom; then the next, I’ll sleep almost all the way through the night, with a bathroom trip between 4-5:30 AM. 

Best moment this week: 

Spending the weekend soaking up the sunshine and spending time with Luke and our families – swimming, garbage picking, and celebrating Lukey’s first father’s day! 

Miss Anything? 

I miss when shaving my legs didn’t have to be a planned event due to the fact that it takes at least 20 minutes. Also, sleeping with my usual 2 pillows and not having to worry about waking up whenever my Snoogle falls off the side of the bed! 

Movement: 

I’m feeling her squirm more and more lately, and she’s starting to put a little more pressure under my ribs. The “Pregnancy Bible” (scariest book in the world) says she is most likely moving into the head-down position starting this week, so that explains it! 

Food cravings: 

Fruit! Give me cherries, watermelon, or cantaloupe and I’m a happy camper. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

No, thank God! 

Gender: 

Little lady 

Labor Signs: 

Nothing yet! Haven’t felt any Braxton Hicks contractions (knock on wood) or anything unusual to note so far. With only 7 weeks to go until we reach full term, though, I’m guessing this will change soon…! 

Symptoms: 

Nothing major – just some swelling and slight discomfort (mainly in my lower back and feet). Also... can we please discuss how ginormous my face and arms look in this picture? Ugh.. gross. 

Belly Button in or out? 

Your guess is as good as mine! 

Wedding rings on or off? 

Still rockin’ the single wedding band. For some reason, my engagement ring thinks it's too cool to join the party. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy :) 

Looking forward to: 

Our baby shower & my dad’s 50th birthday party this weekend, and seeing my big sisser and our family from out of town!

Oh baby! 29 weeks

How far along? 

29 weeks! 

Maternity clothes? 

Samesies as always. My old shirts are slowly but surely getting too short to cover my growing belly! 

Sleep: 

Eh… Our bed and I have a love/hate relationship. When I don’t feel like my back is snapping in half, I tend to sleep pretty well. But this week, those days are few and far between. Also… I’m apparently quite fond of 4am, and wake up every. single. night between 4 and 4:15 for a bathroom trip. 

Best moment this week: 

Welcoming Lukey home from his motorcycle trip on Sunday. Missed him so much while he was gone! 

Miss Anything? 

The 3” of hair that got chopped off without my consent last weekend. I just wanted a TRIM! Is that so much to ask for!? Also, I miss being able to wear cute shoes without my feet looking like I have a mild case of elephantitis! 

Movement:

Experiencing some new kicks and wiggles lately. I can now feel her actually squirming around in there – getting cozy before bed and rolling around after lunch. It’s crazy watching my stomach move around with her! 

Food cravings: 

Got home from work last night and was craving ice cream like nobody’s business, so I convinced Luke to take me on an outing! We met up with Jessie, Brian, and Ava, too – which made it even better! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

I’ve been feeling little hints of queasiness in the mornings again lately. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t been sleeping very well or because of the allergies I’ve recently started experiencing, but I’m hoping and praying the morning sickness isn’t making a comeback! 

Gender: 

Our girl! 

Labor Signs: 

Nadda 

Symptoms: 

Hmm where should we begin? Swollen fingers and feet – check. Headaches – check. Exhaustion – check. Achey all over – check. Rapidly growing belly – check! 

Belly Button in or out? 

More and more of an “outie” every day. 

Wedding rings on or off? 

I’ve managed to fit my wedding band on my fat little finger for the time being, but the engagement ring is MIA. Thankful now that I didn’t get them soldered together! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Despite the discomfort, I’m still very happy most of the time. Bed time is rough, especially in the first few minutes of trying to get comfortable (before I give up and pass out from exhaustion anyway), but feeling Marleigh’s kicks and watching her movement makes everything so completely worth it. 

Looking forward to: 

Meeting our little girl! Luke and I have been getting so anxious lately for her to join us out in the world (even though we want her to stay cooking in there for these next 11 weeks). I can’t wait to see what her face looks like and be able to hold her in my arms, and to become a happy little family of 3 :)

Marleigh Jo – 28 Weeks!

How far along? 

28 weeks! 

Maternity clothes? 

See that outfit above? That’ll likely be me, in some variation, for the rest of the summer. 

Sleep: 

Iffy. This week was rough in the sleep department due to stress, sore ribs, and an achey back. 

Best moment this week: 

Going to the doctor yesterday and hearing Marleigh’s strong heartbeat. Baby girl gave us a little scare Tuesday night, and after bawling my eyes out in fear and staying up through the night worrying, the sound of her heart and having our doctor reassure me that everything looks perfectly normal was music to my ears. 

Miss Anything? 

Shopping. I went to the mall yesterday with my mom to take my mind off of things a bit, and saw so many cute things that non-pregnant me would have loved to purchase! 

Movement:

So much lately, and I absolutely love every single one. I’m starting to be able to feel her actual movement now – not just kicks and punches. Squirms, rolls, and feeling her trying to get comfy in there is so surreal. 

Food cravings: 

Dunkin’ decaf iced coffee. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Nope. I had a morning this week that I wasn’t feeling quiet up to par. Coincidentally (or not?), it was the same day that we had the scare. I’m hoping that doesn’t happen again for the next 12 weeks! 

Gender: 

Our little girl :) 

Labor Signs: 

No! 

Symptoms: 

Swollen fingers, sciatica, rib pain, and a child-like bladder. Same ol’ 

Belly Button in or out? 

Again, I have no idea. 

Wedding rings on or off? 

On, but it’s getting more and more difficult to get them off of my fingers. I’ve been trying to take them off every night to give my little sausages some breathing room! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy! 

Looking forward to: 

Marleigh’s daddy getting home from his motorcycle trip that he left for this morning. I miss him already! Also, getting my hair done Saturday – a much-needed morning of pampering for this sleepy momma!

The final stretch – 27 weeks!

How far along? 

27 weeks – hello, third trimester! It’s nice to meet you! 

Maternity clothes? 

Trying to avoid at all costs. Stocking up on tanks and maxi skirts/dresses. Pants are overrated anyway, right? 

Sleep: 

We’ve been house sitting for my parents this week while they’re in Mexico, so sleep has been hit and miss. Their bed is extremely comfortable, but I miss sleeping in our cozy little home. 

Best moment this week: 

Can't really pinpoint just one this week. Probably all day Monday – going to garage sales, decorating my office at work, having a lazy movie day, and spending quality time with my love. I wish every weekend could be a long weekend!

Miss Anything? 

Seriously missing my blonde hair. This little mommy needs some highlights, ASAP.

Movement: 

Baby girl is getting antsy in there! Kicks, punches, dancing, and I think I even felt her flipping around the other night. Still loving every single time I feel her move, even though some of them are starting to jolt me!

Food cravings: 

Nothing too extreme to note this week!

Anything making you queasy or sick?

Nope. 

Gender: 

Girl 

Labor Signs: 

Nadda. Still hoping I don’t experience the Braxton Hicks contractions until we’re much closer to the due date! 

Symptoms: 

Swollen hands/feet, tiny bladder, and my sore ribs are making another appearance lately. 

Belly Button in or out? 

I’m honestly not even sure how to answer this question anymore...!

Wedding rings on or off? 

It's day to day. I had to take them off for a day or so over the weekend because of the swelling. Squeezed them back on my fingers because I felt so weird without them! I think it might be time to invest in a fake set. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy as a clam.

Looking forward to: 

The baby shower in a few weeks! I’m so excited to see all of our friends and family!

Baby girl - 26 weeks

How far along? 

26 weeks! 

Maternity clothes? 

I've made the executive decision that I will be living in maxi skirts/dresses for the summer. 

Sleep: 

Pretty good lately, besides a few nights of waking up for trips to the bathroom. 

Best moment this week: 

Painting Marleigh’s nursery and setting up her crib! Her room is slowly but surely coming together! 

Miss Anything? 

Margaritas! 

Movement: 

Ninja baby in full force! Luke and I love laying in bed watching and feeling her crazy kicks. It's always the best way to end the day!

Food cravings: 

Nothing to note this week. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Negative. Until next Saturday, when I have to go for my glucose tolerance test. I think I can feel my gag reflex kicking in already...!

Gender: 

Girl 

Labor Signs: 

Nope! Although, my weekly update from “the Bump” said that Braxton Hicks contractions usually start around this week, which is definitely not something I’m looking forward to. 

Symptoms: 

Just a growing belly!

Belly Button in or out? 

Still pretty even with the rest of my stomach… 

Wedding rings on or off? 

On! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Very, very happy! 

Looking forward to: 

Camping this weekend with Luke, Jess & Brian – and a long weekend, at that! Definitely going to soak up some good R&R.

25 weeks!

How far along? 

25 weeks 

Maternity clothes? 

Yessir. 

Sleep: 

Still being jolted awake by weird and stressful dreams! And trips to the bathroom. And baby girl's dance parties inside my belly. 

Best moment this week: 

Getting to see a 3D image of our baby girl’s face on our ultrasound! Such a wonderful little surprise. I’ve probably looked at the picture of her about 1,000 times already. So in love with that precious little profile! 

Miss Anything? 

I miss being able to highlight my hair. Looking back on pictures of me as a blonde make me a little bit sad inside! 

Movement: 

Marleigh’s new nickname is ninja baby. She is kicking, punching, flipping, dancing, who knows what in there – all the time! It’s fun to learn her sleep patterns. She’s most awake early in the morning and right before bed time, with a nice little jolt of energy right around lunch hour. 

Food cravings: 

Nothing at the moment. Usually it's a nice tall glass of lemonade. I cured my Boston cream donut craving this week, and it was just as delicious as I had hoped it would be!

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

No! 

Gender: 

Beautiful baby girl 

Labor Signs: 

No! 

Symptoms: 

Pea-sized bladder, swollen fingers/feet, achey back and sore ribs. And most recently, heartburn. It showed up out of nowhere yesterday afternoon, and lasted for a few hours. So far, it's been absent today – and I'm hoping it stays gone!

Belly Button in or out? 

Uhm... neither? 

Wedding rings on or off? 

Still on for now! 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy, although the moodiness is slowly getting worse. For instance, we stopped at Walgreens this weekend for stamps, and the worker behind the counter was really awkward and looked at us like weirdos for even asking for stamps. Then, he went on to explain how they only sold them by the book, but he wasn’t sure how many stamps were in each book. So when we asked to see one book to find out how many we would need, he proceeded to tell us they didn’t have any. Umm.. OKAY? We got into the car and I was so frustrated that I started to cry! When Luke asked me why I was crying, the only reason I could come up with was “that guy was so stupid!” Ridiculous. Luke says he likes pregnant Sammi. I’m not so sure of her. 

Looking forward to: 

Painting the nursery this weekend, and finishing the furniture for her room! Lots of decorating ahead of me, and I cannot wait!

Marleigh & Me: 24 weeks

How far along? 

24 weeks – 6 whole months! Cannot believe how fast the time is flying by with this little peanut. 

Maternity clothes? 

Unfortunately, yes. Having the hardest time finding affordable clothes that I like. I’m really glad maxi skirts/dresses are “in” for the summer! Makes life a whole lot easier. 

Sleep: 

Interrupted lately with frequent trips to the bathroom and crazy dreams. For instance, last night I dreamt that I was in a parking lot in the winter time – and a strange man started following me and abducted me. Then it turned into me trying to find this man (who abducted me.. but turns out, he really abducted a little girl and I witnessed it? Who knows), in the grocery store, shooting him with machine guns that shot gum balls instead of bullets. Then I chased him down and found him in the parking lot, where he tried to stab me, and I stole his knife and “stabbed” him (but really just cut into his skin a little bit) about a zillion times. So bizarre! 

Best moment this week: 

I’ve had a few. Monday night, when I got home from work after a long day and spent the evening eating cake and ice cream, watching hockey, and relaxing with Luke. Last night, FaceTiming with my sister who I miss SO much, being weirdos together, as per usual. Also… really looking forward to tomorrow at 5:00, so I can give the weekend a nice warm welcome back into my life. 

Miss Anything? 

Not in particular. 

Movement: 

Another active week this week! Baby girl was moving so much the other day that I had to stop what I was doing at work until she settled down in there! Baby kicks can be very distracting! But they’re my absolute favorite. 

Food cravings: 

I’ve been really craving a Boston cream donut for the past few days. Resisting so far, but it might be necessary to indulge within the next couple of days. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

I’ve had a case of the sniffles for the past few days (apparently pregnancy can cause allergies, which is interesting). So that has been making me feel a little under the weather, queasy stomach here and there, but nothing major – and definitely nothing like those first 16 weeks! 

Gender: 

Little dirl. 

Labor Signs: 

Noo. Although we’ve officially hit the point where the pregnancy is “viable,” meaning MJ would have a 1 in 4 chance of surviving outside of the womb at this point, I’d rather not test the odds! Baby girl seems to be quite cozy in there, and will hopefully have another 3 months of solitary confinement ;) 

Symptoms: 

Still sciatica and sore ribs, although they’ve been a lot better this week. 

Belly Button in or out? 

I guess technically in. Getting closer to popping out every day. 

Wedding rings on or off? 

On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy. The moodiness is starting to creep up on me, and I can feel it coming but I’m trying to fight it with every ounce of my being. So far, a cup of hot cocoa does the trick and makes me feel better. 

Looking forward to: 

Short-term: the weekend! Overall, I’m really looking forward to (and a little bit anxious for) our next ultrasound next Tuesday so we can find out if my placenta previa has corrected itself and watch our little peanut on the big screen.