Nana's Her Name and Spoilin's Her Game

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things ever was going to lunch with my Grandma Helen and Keri and then shopping for Easter dresses. So fun! So fancy!

This Christmas is big time for Harlie, because this is the first year that she will get to go see The Nutcracker with her Nana. This is a tradition that Florence started with Blair almost 10 years ago and I know it has created some very special memories for the two of them. I've so excited for Harlie that she now gets to join in on the fun.

In preparation for the big day, Florence took the girls, like she's done every year with Blair, to pick out a dress. Harlie got to choose whichever dress her little heart desired and I'm the luckiest mama in the whole world because I got to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room thanks to the magic of the iPhone! I have the best MIL ever. No really, EVER!

She sent me each photo and then at the end told me which one was the winner...

Dress #1

Dress #2

Dress #3

Dress #4

And the winner was..........Dress #1!

Harlie was even able to pick out some sparkely tights to go along with it. Lucky girl!  Now we're just counting down the days until her first trip to the ballet!

*The title of this post comes from a license plate frame spotted by Blair who then told Florence about it who told me via text. :-)

26 Weeks

How far along are you?: 26 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain: 20 lbs. Oh boy.

How big is the baby?: 1 2/3 lbs. and 14 inches long.

Maternity clothes: I have about 4 trusty pairs of pants I can wear and a handful of tops so this is good...gonna go find some boots soon and some more sweaters for winter.

Stretch marks?: Just the one so far.

Sleep: Sleeping ok...all things considered.

Best moment this week: Just all the generosity that has been thrown my way the last couple weeks. A sweet sis who watches Harlie and makes Costco runs for me, a mama that cooks me spaghetti and meatballs and buys me dinner, and  friends whose generosity, friendship and excitement for me, are making sure I still have those "moments" this time around.

Movement: Yes, bigger, clunkier and more often. Plus she keeps squashing my bladder, which is awesome. Last night I saw my belly roll like crazy monster-in-the-belly style...could see a good portion of her body poking up...even though it's the second time around, it's just as amazing to see.

Food cravings:  I've been eating a lot of salad this week which is good...maybe I should cut back on the gallons of ranch dressing though. :-) I'm scared about the quantity of chocolate I'll be consuming this week.

Food aversions: None really.

Labor signs: I had some weird tightening yesterday, almost felt like cramping, but I think maybe the peanut is starting to get crowed and just trying to stretch out.

Belly button in or out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Trick-or-treating with the fam tonight!

A little shy of 26 weeks but lovin' this shot Keri took of Mel and I at her amazing baby shower!

25 Weeks

How far along are you?: 25 weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: 18 lbs.

How big is the baby?: 1.5 lbs. and 13.5 inches long.

Maternity clothes: I can finally wear my maternity sweaters!!! And Mel gave me some great stretchy skinny cords that I'll be wearing all the time!

Stretch marks?: I think I just discovered my first one, on my lower belly. Ugh.

Sleep: I desperately need to get a body pillow or wedge or something...I'm terribly unsupported.

Best moment this week: Harlie was able to finally feel the baby move. She's constantly coming up to my belly and talking to Ashlynne and giving her hugs. I love it.

Movement: Yes, big time! I think she may have flipped positions because I'm feeling her so much more now and higher up, whereas before all the little punches were way down low in my abdomen.

Food cravings:  I need to get a reign on my eating habits big time....more veggies, less crap!!! I ate 6 pieces of garlic bread on Saturday and 1,300,765 crackers with 10 tons of super chunk peanut butter today.

Food aversions: None really.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: Still in but my belly is finally tightening up!!! Yay! Nothing's worse than a growing squishy belly.

What I miss: My sanity. My emotions are through the roof. But I've realized that talking about them helps...so next time you see me, ask me how I'm doing. ;-)

What I'm looking forward to: Maternity leave...I'm getting excited to have a few months to just focus on my family. 

Blurry and black and white is the only way I'm showing my bare belly. :-)

 

Happy 17th Birthday Austin!

All about Austin: 17th Birthday Edition

E:  What would you do with $100 dollars? A:  Probably put it towards gas money. E:  If you could go anywhere in the world to visit, where would you go? A:  North Fort Meyers, Florida E:  What is one new thing you would like to try this year? A: I'd like to try to drive some sort of sportscar. E:  What is one memory you have from this summer? A:  Playing endless hours of Halo Reach. E:  What is your favorite food? A:  Tri-tip E:  What is your favorite song? A: Panama, Van Halen....I've always loved that song. E:  What is your favorite color? A: I never had a favorite color, but if I had to pick one, probably black. E:  What is your favorite movie? A: There's so many but it's so hard to decide....I'll go with Dumb and Dumber. E:  Who is your best friend? A: Mmmm, it's between Truman and Rubin...(pondering), Truman, we hang out more and it's more optional, we choose to be together more. E:  What is your favorite thing to do? A:  Go to the shooting range. E:  What is the coolest thing you've done all year? A: Win MVP of Track. Would you say win or award? :-)

23 Weeks

Me and Ali-son-shine! (Thanks Keri for the pic!)

How far along are you?: 23 Weeks 1 day

Total weight gain: 15 lbs

How big is the baby?: Just over 1 lb. and 11 inches long.

Maternity clothes: I need to figure out a fall work wardrobe. Jeans are ok maybe twice a week but I need to throw in some professionalism too!  Also need to get some flat bottom boots.

Stretch marks?: No new ones yet.

Sleep: Not bad this week.

Best moment this week: Hearing Austin voluntarily express that he really really liked the name Ashlynne. Approval from a 16 year old is big time!

Movement: Yes, all the time!!  So cool.

Food cravings:  Baked goods, potatoes, OJ
 

Food aversions: None really.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In, but flattening waaaay out.

What I miss: My waist....  I don't even really have an underbelly one yet...so I just look like a big tree trunk.

What I'm looking forward to: I keep imagining Harlie with her little baby sister and I just can't wait to see them meet.

22 Weeks

I know you can't see my belly at all, but I like this photo of Florence and Scott in Florence's new house!

How far along are you?: 22 Weeks

Total weight gain: 14 pounds, down 1 lb from last week ...so either the scale is wrong again or all the walking and stair climbing at work is dropped some of the previous stuff-my-face-at-my-desk weight off.  We'll see what it says next week.

How big is the baby?: 1 lb. and 11 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Yup!!!

Stretch marks?: No new ones yet.

Sleep: At my 21 week doc appt, I was told I can start taking Prilosec...woo hoo! I've taken one pill this week and no reflux so far!

Best moment this week: Cleaning my bathroom...accomplishment of the year!

Movement: Yesterday I could see Ashlynne kicks through my clothes!!! It was the first time I could see it from the outside...so cool! Also, she loves orange juice.

Food cravings:  Spinach dip, onion dip, clam dip...any dip!
 

Food aversions: None really.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In, but flattening waaaay out.

What I miss: Ibuprofen. I pulled a muscle in my back and it hurts whenever I reach or bend or carrry or MOVE really. Sucks...I had to grit my teeth today after I was asked to pack up the supply room..Ouch! But I finally bought some Tylenol and some heat patches (hopefully I can use those)...lets hope that works!

What I'm looking forward to: Going to the pumpkin patch for Maxie's birthday on Sunday!


 

21 Weeks

Since Scott only sees me in my pajamas during the week, we'll have to settle with this 20 wk 6 day shot when he was around to take my picture. Darn night school.

How far along are you?: 21 Weeks

Total weight gain: 15 pounds

How big is the baby?: 3/4 lb. and 10 1/2 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Yup!!!

Stretch marks?: No new ones yet.

Sleep: My reflux has subsided in the past week or so (knock on wood!). I look forward to going to bed because I'm so wiped by the end of the day, but I just wish I slept better and didn't wake up so early. I can't ever get my body to relax enough to fall back asleep after I wake up usually between  5:30 and 6:30.

Best moment this week: Spending the early evening outside my parents home watching the sunset and the kids play.

Movement: Feeling some jabs and little peanut punches. Can't wait for Harlie to feel her!

Food cravings:  Peach and berry cobbler, lemon pie, orange juice
 

Food aversions: Not so bad this week.

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In.

What I miss: I've missing my FACTO days when I only had to go into the office 3 days a week and I could spend part of my pregnancy taking it easy and going on prego walks on my mornings off with Ali.

What I'm looking forward to:  Fall! Also, to start my new job tomorrow.


 

19 weeks - It's a GIRL and more BIG News!

Okay, this is technically me at one day shy of 19 weeks, but I can't help myself from sharing this photo of me and Mel-Dawg and our bellies! Thanks Keri!

How far along are you?: 19 Weeks, 1 Day 

Total weight gain: 12 pounds

How big is the baby?: 8 1/2 ounces and 6  inches long...about the size of an heirloom tomato.

Maternity clothes: Thanks to Keri and Mel, I now have some good basics for fall! Yay!

Stretch marks?: No new ones yet.

Sleep: I have started having terrible heartburn/reflux at night....and it sucks so bad...makes my whole chest ache unbearably. Tums is not very helpful at all. I'll have to talk to the doc about this at my next appt.

Best moment this week: Well this has been a pretty good week. As far as pregnancy goes, finally confirming that out little peanut is a girl was pretty darn exciting. Which means now we can finally call her by name, Ashlynne Marie. Gosh, I still can't believe this is happening and I'm getting so so excited!

Movement: Definitely more movement this week! Love it!

Food cravings:  Cheesecake (thanks Keri!), lemon anything, sushi, horseradish
 

Food aversions: I've had a little bit more nausea this week, and there is a god awful smell at my work. Bleh....eating at work is no fun.

Labor signs: No more Braxton Hicks this week.

Belly button in or out: In.

What I miss: I've been missing the Woolwich house A LOT lately. Especially Harlie's old room.

What I'm looking forward to:  My new J-O-B!!!!!!!

I just found out today that I was selected for the SSA position I interviewed for last week! The increase in salary will be enough to pay for Ashlynne's daycare when I go back to work and this is SUCH a huge relief! Aside from that, the job is in our Business Services Unit (facilities) and will be way more interesting than my current one. I won't be tied to desk work! Yay! AND I get to stay in the same building, just one floor up! You guys...I just cannot even tell you how exciting this is. The timing is also perfect with Aust and Harlie's b-days and Christmas coming up! Hallelujah!

18 weeks

Since I didn't take an official progress pic yesterday, I'm going to use this super flattering photo Scott took of me last night after dinner using the whole "Hey Honey!" surprise photo method. Nice guy right?  Anyway, am I the only one that forgets when they have a kiddie crown or hat on?

How far along are you?: 18 Weeks, 1 Day 

Total weight gain: So the scale says 8 pounds, which is 2 pounds down from last week...either the scale LIES or I've actually lost weight since cutting back on the 24/7 carb fest now that my morning sickness has abated. I'm thinking the scale lies.  My mind is trying not to go to "OMG the baby is shrinking!!!"

How big is the baby?: Better be 7 ounces and 5 1/2 inches long...about the size of a bell pepper.

Maternity clothes:Yes please!!

Stretch marks?: No new ones yet, but I just started the belly butter routine.

Sleep: Ack. I'm back to peeing 4-5 times a night.

Best moment this week: Finding out I probably get to keep my OB for the delivery...it's like a freakin' miracle. Things like this don't happen to me....lately.

Movement: Feeling some flutters, primarliy at night and when I first wake up.

Food cravings:  Granola, soft serve ice-cream, milk, margaritas (!), SWEETS!
 

Food aversions: I have actually worked my way back into the kitchen which pleases the crap out of me...I feel more and more like my normal food lovin' self again.

Labor signs: No! But some Braxton Hicks-like tightening....I actually kinda like the feeling...more proof there is really something going on in there!

Belly button in or out: In. I was telling Mel today I think it's gonna stay in like last time.

What I miss: I missed cocktails like crazy this weekend....

What I'm looking forward to:  Our gender scan redo on Friday and Sara's birthday brunch on Saturday!!!