Christmas 2014 in Review

Evan and I decided right after Christmas 2013 that Christmas 2014 would be celebrated in our own home with just the three of us {Evan, myself and Bella}. Other than the Christmas when we had just gotten back from our honeymoon, every year we always travel to Virginia for Christmas to visit both families. My parents live in Warrenton, Virginia and a good bit of Evan's family lives in the Richmond area. This year we thought it would be nice that given this is the last year before baby, we just enjoy the peace and quiet that we currently have with just the three of us. Next Christmas we will have a little one  {probably not a bit relaxing} and we know that we will want to travel to everyone so that they can meet our new addition. Although I know next Christmas will be a bit a lot more chaotic; I can't wait!!

Here are a few pictures from this Christmas just the three of us. We spent our days off doing some cooking, eating out, shopping and a whole lot of relaxing. It was wonderful.

I made Christmas cookies for a select few friends in the area. I found these cute containers at Target last minute.

A glimpse of our new stockings from Pottery Barn! I LOVE that Madison has her own stocking for next year. 

Pregnancy Week 19

 


How Far Along: 19 weeks
 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of an heirloom tomato. 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes: Lots of leggings and still a lot of my regular larger shirts.  I still can't wear a lot of maternity dresses as they are still too big. I am trying to find some good workout clothing since I am getting back in the gym. Any suggestions?

Workouts: Three. Elliptical and bike workouts. Hoping to run more next week!

Weight Gain:Not sure, I am dreading getting on the scale after Christmas.

Sleep: Pretty good. I have been going to bed a little later than previously...usually by 10:30 pm.

Cravings/Aversions: Pizza,buffalo wraps, Christmas cookies and Nerds...Christmas was not good for healthy eating!

Movement: Yes!Feeling baby girl every day all day, although a lot more movement at night. I actually get a little nervous when I do not feel her moving within a couple hour period.

Nursery: More progress: several shelves have been put up, the curtains are complete, and we also ordered Madison's monogram for over her crib.  We also bought some additional clothing items during after Christmas sales.

Symptoms: Growing belly...

What I Miss: Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine. Not much else.  

Mood: So so happy and content knowing we are having a little girl!

Best Moment This Week: Continuing to feel Madison kick and move around! I love feeling her move; it makes me reassured that all is well.

 
Looking Forward To: Completing the nursery!

Pregnancy Week 18

How Far Along: 18 weeks
 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a sweet potato.

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes: Same as last week. Lots of leggings, nonmaternity dresses from Forever 21. I got several great pieces from H&M Maternity. I highly recommend their maternity jeggings! I still can't wear straight maternity items (other than pants) because they are just too big still. 

Workouts: Two. Ugh. I still struggle to find the time/motivation. Evan and I did join a gym that has several indoor swimming pools and an outdoor pool for the summer in addition to the fitness center and exercise classes. I am hoping to make it to the gym a good bit since I can walk there.

Weight Gain:Up another pound from the past two weeks.

Sleep: Pretty good. I have been going to bed a little later than previously...usually by 10:30 pm.

Cravings/Aversions: Pizza, vegetarian subs, sweet potato fries, salads...basically anything other than sweets.

Movement: Yes! This past Saturday night I felt her first kick and Evan was able to feel her kick too! Since then I have felt her move every day. It is a pretty awesome feeling!!

Nursery: We have made a good bit of progress.  Dresser, curtains, closet shelving, lighting, crib, and rug are in place. I still have a lot of the small details to complete, but all of the major pieces are in place!

Symptoms: Almost normal energy level. Growing belly...

What I Miss: Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine. Not much else.  

Mood: So so happy and content knowing we are having a little girl!

Best Moment This Week: Our 18 week anatomy scan. I was a bit nervous even though we were assured at our 15 week 3D scan that everything looked great. I was still worried and it was great to hear again that everything looked great and that it appears we are having a completely healthy little girl.
 
Looking Forward To: Is it too soon to say that I am looking forward to Madison finally being here? Because I already can't wait! 

2014 Christmas Pajamas

I think that Bella and I have started a new Christmas tradition. I found these matching Christmas pajamas at Target in early November and was excited to take pictures with them. They actually had men's matching pajamas as well; but Evan opted not to participate. Something about not liking the idea of these pictures going public made him opt out! So without further ado, here is my mini photo shoot with my other best friend, my sweet mini Goldendoodle, Bella. Don't mind my preggo belly in this pictures! I am really starting to pop at 18 weeks!

Pregnancy Weeks 16 and 17

I am a little behind on my weekly bumpdates (again), so I have combined weeks 16 and 17 to catch up.

How Far Along: 17 weeks
 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of an onion.

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes: Lots of leggings, nonmaternity dresses from Forever 21. I got several great pieces from H&M Maternity. I highly recommend their maternity jeggings! I still can't wear straight maternity items (other than pants) because they are just too big still. 

Workouts: Three. Ugh. I still struggle to find the time. I need some motivation!

Weight Gain:Ugh...8 pounds from original weight.

Sleep: Pretty good. I have been going to bed a little later than previously...usually by 10:30 pm.

Cravings/Aversions: I LOVE Jimmy John’s vegetarian subs still. Like I can eat it every meal...no joke.

Movement: None yet, I can't wait!

Nursery: Progress has begun! We found a dresser at The Depot at Gibson Mill in Concord, NC and found curtains, shelving options, and a chandalier at Ikea. Evan has installed the shelving in the closet and it looks amazing. I am so thankful to have such a handy husband! We still need to purchase the crib, but I have it picked out.

Symptoms: Almost normal energy level. I feel almost completely normal..I LOVE it!

What I Miss: Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine. Not much else.  

Mood: So so happy and content knowing we are having a little girl!

Best Moment This Week: Starting to see the nursery come together. We still have a lot of work to do, but we have put a good dent in it! Also, picking our top day care facility! It is pretty swanky and I am really excited! Our daycare has baby yoga and an in house chef that makes organic baby food!

Looking Forward To: Feeling the little one move and especially for Evan to be able to feel her kick.

Our Gender Reveal

On Thanksgiving day we gathered with family and found out the gender of our first child. Carrie, my soon to be sister-in-law did a great job capturing all of the special moments on film and my father in law took a video of the whole reveal. We went for our gender reveal scan at Lake Norman 3D Imaging on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Roxanne, the ultrasound tech, was amazing and Evan and I plan to back again towards the end of our pregnancy! I was terrified that the baby would not cooperate and that we would not be able to find out in time for Thanksgiving, but was relieved when Roxanne assured me that she had no trouble determining our baby's gender. Without further ado here are a ton of pictures of our gender reveal...

 The cake was from Cloud 9 Confections in Uptown Charlotte. They did an amazing job!

 A shot before the big reveal...

 I kept repeating before cutting the cake: "I am so scared!" I was shaking and I was so nervous! We really would be happy with either gender, however I did really had my hopes set on one particular one if I am being honest...

 

 

WE ARE HAVING A GIRL!!!

 Our sweet little Madison Ashley! We could not be more thrilled! I was really really hoping for a girl and we got our wish! I have already bought tons of bows and frilly dresses! I cannot wait!