Pregnancy Weeks 30-32

30 Weeks

31 Weeks

32 Weeks

How Far Along: 30-32 weeks
 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a large jicama (approximately 3.75 pounds)! 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes:Basically all maternity with several non-maternity pieces squeezed in there.

Workouts: Finally this past week I decided to throw in the towel on running until after Madison is born...which was a bit sad. I began running a bit with the hubby the other day and the amount of weight that I am carrying around my midsection was just a bit too uncomfortable. Plus, I don't know about anyone else, but lately when running, it feels like you constantly have to pee? I am assuming this is from the pressure of the baby on my bladder as I bounce up and down? Anyway, from here on out there will be a lot of brisk walks, weights, etc but no more running.

Weight Gain: 23 pounds.

Sleep: Fairly well,I really cannot complain. Except for my current insomnia (it is 5 am in the morning on a Sunday).

Cravings/Aversions: Not too much. Just craving more salads and healthy options actually. 

Movement: ALL the time. Baby girl's movements used to be the most energetic at nights; however, recently, she is much more active during the day and seems to quiet down at night. Does this mean she is getting on my schedule just a bit? One can hope, but who knows!

Nursery: Basically done. I need to stop by Pottery Barn Kids and grab a pillow insert; but other than a couple small things, done.

Symptoms: Growing belly...

What I Miss: The same as usual...Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine....probably the red wine the most. 

Mood: Still very emotional at times and nesting like crazy. So far we have re-organized the pantry and added additional shelving and I have re-worked several areas of our kitchen cabinets to make room for all of Madison's bottles and future baby items. 

Best Moment This Week: Our baby shower last weekend and putting the finishing touches on our nursery. I think we have done a lot, but I still feel like there is so much to do!

Looking Forward To: Getting to meet our little one. I still have a little less than two months, but I am getting (just a bit) impatient!

Our Charlotte Baby Shower

This past weekend I was fortunate to have yet another baby shower thrown by two of my best friends here in Charlotte. The food was delicious {Midwood Smokehouse catered} and the weather was perfect {70 degrees}. It was a great day filled with good friends, food, and of course...a baby shower.

The beautiful invitations. 

 Loved the banner that Brooke found on Etsy!

The cake had a raspberry filling and was from Tizzerts...so delicious.

Thank you to Brooke and Rachel for all you did to make our baby shower so special!! It was a truly memorable day!!

My Virginia (Family) Baby Shower

This past Saturday we had our family shower in Sharps, Virgina at Evan's grandparent's house. We had quite a large group and the food was delicious! Evan and I are so grateful to have had such a beautiful shower thrown for little Madison!

 Evan and I before the shower.

 A dress that my mother-in-law made...I can't wait for Madison to be able to wear it!

 Personalized M&M's with Madison's name on them.

 Nonalcoholic punch for the pregnant lady.

 Yogurt parfaits.

 Opening gifts.

 Mom gave me the dress that I wore home from the hospital.

 Sophie the Giraffe.

Our Pack 'N Play!

We also got our Bob stroller (pictured above) which is definitely the one thing one our registry that I was most excited about! Bella (of course) helped with opening all of the gifts.

It was so great to see everyone and really touched by all of the love that we felt for baby Madison!

My Work Baby Shower

 Today, my co-workers from U.S. Trust pulled out all of the stops and pulled off a simply amazing baby shower in honor of our little Madison. I was so in awe of all that they did that I was literally shaking when we walked in the conference room today. I will let the pictures do most of the talking...

One of my co-workers made the beautiful letter M for Madison and also handmade all of the hanging decorations. Dean and DeLuca catered our lunch which was absolutely delicious. We had petite ham biscuits, egg salad sandwiches, chicken salad sandwiches, artichoke dip, orzo pasta (my favorite) and fresh fruit.

 An adorable diaper cake made by another co-worker.

 The spread...

 Hubby and I feeling so loved.

 Another co-worker spray painted mason jars and added fresh flowers to coordinate with our pink and grey nursery theme.

 Pink lemonade (of course) and sweet tea to drink...

 Oh my goodness...the cake was from my favorite bakery, Cloud 9 Confections at 7th Street Market. As always, they did not disappoint! The cake was beautiful!

 One of the many games that we played. Another co-worker organized four to five games I think? Games included a baby word scramble, a word find, and the price is right baby.  The game pictured above was guess my due date.  I hope one of the earlier guesses is right, ha! I kind of doubt that will happen, but one can be optimistic!

 Oh my gosh...sooo many gifts. I swear my co-workers bought practically one third of my registry! It was so incredibly sweet!

Thank you to all of my co-workers for an amazing day! Evan and I felt so truly loved and blessed!

Pregnancy Weeks 28-30

 28 Weeks

 

29 Weeks

 

How Far Along: 28-30 weeks

 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a cabbage (approximately 2.75 pounds)! 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes: Lots of leggings and a lot of non-maternity larger shirts. Almost ALL of my dresses for work are maternity at this point.

Workouts: Slowing down a good bit. Not being as good about working out as I should. I have gotten in several runs and some walks with Bella and Evan. I am waiting to suspend my gym membership until around 35 weeks; however, as I am hoping to still get in some good workouts. 

Weight Gain: Holding steady at 20 pounds for the last several weeks.

Sleep: Fairly well,I really cannot complain. 

Cravings/Aversions: Still Gardenburgers, Cadbury Eggs, Combos (real healthy, right?), Greek salads... 

Movement: ALL the time.

Nursery: Done except for some things we may possible receive from our baby showers. Pictures coming in the next day, I promise!

Symptoms: Growing belly...

What I Miss: Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine....probably the red wine the most. Oh and Sam Adams Cold Snap. I am buying Cold Snap so that I can have it for after Madison is born!

Mood: Still very emotional at times, but very happy that little one is progressing so well and we only have 10 more long weeks before we (hopefully) meet her.

Best Moment This Week: So far, my 30 week appointment when the doctor commented on my drama-free pregnancy. I am just so happy that our little one is healthy and so far everything is going very smoothly! Oh... and passing my glucose test on the first try. I was really nervous about that.

Looking Forward To: Sooo many things to look forward to: my work baby shower tomorrow and our family Virginia baby shower this weekend, our Charlotte baby shower the following weekend, and our 3D ultrsound tomorrow evening. Can't wait to catch a glimpse of what our little one looks like!
 

Pregnancy Weeks 25-27

25 Weeks

26 Weeks

27 Weeks 

How Far Along: 25-27 weeks

 
Size of Baby: Baby is the size of a head of cauliflower (approximately 2 pounds)! 

Gender: A sweet baby girl! Madison Ashley!

Maternity Clothes: Lots of leggings and still a lot of my regular larger shirts. ALL of my dresses for work are maternity at this point.

Workouts: On average, 2-3 elliptical workouts and weights and several runs.

Weight Gain: Ugh...17 pounds...

Sleep: Fairly well, except I find that I have been tossing and turning a lot more than I used to. And Madison just loves to move all over the place at night. Her kicks are getting so strong that they very much keep me awake at this point. 

Cravings/Aversions: Still Gardenburgers, like one a day, rice crispy treats, Cadbury eggs...I am bad. 

Movement: Yes! So much. I can see her move by looking at my stomach.

Nursery: Umm...done except for some things we may possible receive from our baby showers. I need to post pictures!

Symptoms: Growing belly...

What I Miss: Caesar salads, soft cheeses and red wine....probably the red wine the most. Oh and Sam Adams Cold Snap. 

Mood: Very emotional at times. Those SPCA commercials on TV...I cannot handle them ANYMORE.

Best Moment This Week: My brother in law's wedding in Richmond, Virginia this weekend...it was great to see everybody and see Carrie become a member of our family!

Looking Forward To: I am not sure if I should say looking forward too, but my glucose test is this Friday (wish me luck). I am very much looking forward to it being over because I am hoping I pass. I just have this awful fear that I won't. Also still our 3D ultrasound {at 30 weeks}...I cannot wait to get a good glimpse of what she looks like!

1st Trimester Essentials

I have been meaning to post my first trimester essentials for a long time now and am finally getting around to doing it. Some of the items on this list are a bit unconventional/random and some of these may offer more of a laugh than anything, but here you go...the things I could not do without my first trimester....enjoy...

1) I'm So Pregnant (Adult) Womens Maternity T-Shirt
This shirt epitomizes how I felt during the entire first trimester. To be honest, I felt really bloated and fat the entire time....and I wasn't really showing yet, so people probably just thought I was fat...this shirt would have helped A LOT. The McDonalds and Taco Bell runs probably did not help (for the record, I am not someone who generally frequents these fine establishments but it's what the baby was craving...what's a girl to do)? 

2) J Crew Tee
Some really comfortable loose fitting t-shirts. During the first trimester, I did not want anything constricting or emphasizing that slightly bloated mid-section.

3) Lululemon Activewear Pants
I actually discovered these fairly recently and you can wear them well into your second trimester. I have already invested in two pairs and plan to go back for more. They offer free alternations for us short ladies as well!

4) H&M MAMA Jeggings
Umm....dare I say these are the best and most reasonable maternity jeans? I love these! Now, you may not need them until the second trimester, but I say go ahead and order them early so you have them for that day when the jeans will just not button...it's a depressing day ladies...be prepared.

5) Snoogle Chic Total Body Pillow
In my opinion, most people will not need a pregnancy pillow until you are well into your second trimester, however, I occasionally began using mine at the very end of the first trimester. For leg and tummy support, these are pretty awesome. 

6) La Croix Sparkling Water
These are great to add a little variety to the monotony of water. Plus, they helped ease that awful nausea (a bit) in the beginning. 

7) Wheat Thins
I got so tired of snacking on solely saltines when I was nauseous, these are tasty while still being somewhat bland and easy on the stomach. 

8) Jimmy John's
Is this a bit random? Yes, however I missed subs and most sandwiches so much during the first trimester, but I discovered that many sub places have vegetarian subs which obviously do not have lunch meat on them, so I am able to eat them. It helps me miss eating my beloved subs and sandwiches less while still refraining from eating lunch meat.