I can't believe I'm 38 (and a half now) weeks pregnant! My last blog post was at 32 weeks and I'll try to remember everything that has changed since then!

 38 weeks pregnant

 38 weeks and picking strawberries!

Updates about being pregnant now:

• I'm getting pretty dang big! I had an ultrasound at 36.5 weeks and she was measuring at 6 pounds 9 ounces although I know to take that with a grain of salt. we got to see her cute face in her ultrasound and she had both hands at her face. She was moving a lot too which is always good and we confirmed she is indeed, still a girl! At my 37.5 week appointment my belly was measuring right on track at 37cm so I'm expecting her to be right around 7 pounds, 9 ounces since that is what I was! :)
• Not only do I look big I feel big! I'm finally starting to feel that "I ache all over" kind of feeling that pregnant women always refer to! My feet are swollen, my back aches constantly, and my belly feels big, tight and heavy! 
• Last weekend Jason and I took a 1 day childbirth class and it was actually really great. It made us feel a lot more prepared and was very informative. We learned all about breathing techniques, stages of labor, swaddling and other fun things. We were the people who were due first out of 20 couples but hey, better late than never, right?
• I've read a few more books and although I'm feeling really informed overall I'm at the point where I just want to experience things for myself (labor, delivery, breastfeeding, infant) and stop hearing all opinions. I know my  experience will be completely my own and no one elses. And baby girl will be her own person and I'm sure the books will help but I'm ready to meet her!! 
• I finished work on the 8th so I've been job-free for a week and a half. It's been really nice since I've needed all this time to finish more baby projects and to try and rest some (although I do little of that since I feel like my to do list never ends!) It was super sad to leave my job but I'm ready for this next stage of life and my work threw me an awesome going away party and I'll definitely stay in touch with everyone there and visit :)
• Last week I washed all the baby stuff, made tons of returns/exchanges/final purchases and organized more of the house. Jason assembled the stroller, pack n play, bouncer, monitor and added batteries to things. I think I thoroughly wore him out!
• We installed the car seat last week but I scheduled an appointment to have it checked out (you can do it here too) and luckily we did, because it wasn't set up properly! We had them show us how to do it in both cars and we feel much better now knowing we know how to keep her safe! We will be doing this every time we get a new car seat, new car or just forget-as it's a free service and they say in general, 70% of all car seats aren't properly installed. So at least we aren't the only ones who were confused! 
• Baby girl is still kicking me lots and they are starting to hurt more and more as she gets bigger but my belly has no room to give! I also have to go to the bathroom all the time which gets old fast (I've always prided myself on being able to hold it!). She's also taking up lots of stomach and diaphragm space so I can't eat very much at one time and I get winded even walking up the stairs, I do think I will be ready to have my body back soon!!
• I did have my 38.5 week appointment today and I was dilated to a 1! Yay! But I'm not letting that be any indication of when she will come since I know you can stay like that for a long time! 

Congrats if you read through all of that! I wanted to do an update before she comes and before I forget everything I'm feeling while in my current state :)

Mainly Jason and I just can't believe we have made it this far and we are just so excited to see and meet this baby! We will see if she is a redhead (a common question we get). 

Maternity Photos

We had a great Saturday last week taking our maternity photos. It was great weather and our photographer found a cool spot at a park nearby for great photos. 

I was 34 weeks pregnant in these photos and was feeling pretty good! I only seem to be feeling more and more uncomfortable these days so I'm glad I did it then!

Hope you like them! We are excited to meet this sweet baby soon!

Utah Visit and Shower

Last week we were able to spend the week in Utah as our last trip before this babe comes! It was so great to see my family, Jason's family and some friends during out time there. 

I really didn't take any pictures of anything but the beautiful baby shower my Mom and her friend Vicki threw for me since I was busy just enjoying our trip!

But we first spent a couple of days with Mom and Don at their pretty condo in Draper, it was our first time to see it and we loved it! It has a great view of the valley and we loved watching sunsets and relaxing to the view! Uncle John was visiting too so we enjoyed good meals and Shark Tank together! We are so glad we got to see him!

Then we spent time with Jason's family: his 2 brothers Brady and his fiance Sierra and Michael and his wife Camie and our niece Shayla. And Karen and Jedd came down from Pocatello to visit too! It was so fun chatting, playing with Shay and being together. We are blessed to have so much wonderful family.

Saturday we had the shower with family and friends and it was a blast! Read below for more on that! 

Finally, with Mom and Don we did visit BYU and get baby girl some Cougar gear! We HAD to eat sweet potato fries at Guru's too! It was fun revisting BYU and Provo, a lot has changed in 3 years since we graduated (which makes me feel old even saying!). Mom and I had fun doing a few baby projects too-looking for a blessing dress, finding me some comfortable shoes to help my feet hurt less, nursing bra shopping, a DI stop and seeing what little we know about baby stuff (there is so much of it!). But it was wonderful just getting to be with her and be together. Can't wait for baby girl to have her as a wonderful grandma (she gets 2 other great ones as well!).

Mom did a great job putting on the cutest shower for me! We had delicious chicken salad sandwiches, Karen brought delicious fruit, cousin Rondalee brought amazing cupcakes and Aunt Cheryl brought the best cookies! I felt so loved and couldn't believe how many people came to support this baby. We feel so blessed to have great family and friends in Utah and Texas! We didn't do any games, just chatted, ate too much food and opened presents (the best entertainment for all!).

 My fabulous mother who threw the best shower! She thought of everything-fun favors, name tags, cute gifts -the Nordstrom onesie below is from her!

 Jason did help cut croissants before he got kicked out!

 Yum!

 Pretty table! Mom did everything in pastels-perfect for baby girl AND spring!

 My mom put these favors together and Don engraved them with little sayings. Adorable.

 What? You aren't married to an amazing calligrapher? My mom's a lucky lady!

 I was in love with this little piggy and these spring candy corns.

 

 My mom found these socks and I can't get over them! Can't wait to see baby girl's little feet in them!

 Beautiful berries!

 Ronda Lee's amazing cupcakes!

 So festive! 

 Opening presents is the best! This little girl is going to be very well dressed!

 We didn't get many pictures of presents but I got so many adorable outfits 

and sweet things from everyone!

 All the family and friends who came to support! Aunt Jan drove down from Pocatello-and her son just had a baby girl too! Our little girls will be 2nd cousins and only a month apart in age which will be so fun when they get to see each other. 

And the whole Tate family came to see me which meant so much!

 They are some awesome ladies and it was fun to catch up!

My former Round Rock friends & The Seven represented by Miss Ellen-she is pregnant with a baby girl too! These are my favorite ladies & wish I saw them more

 but it was great to see them for a little while!

We had a great trip (even if Jason had to work during the weekdays, he was a good sport!) and we are getting even more excited for baby girl to join us!

Nursery for Baby Girl

By popular request....our nursery reveal! We have put so much time into every detail and I'm so happy with how it turned out. It's bright, practical and fun. And it's the perfect combination of girly and usable for future children not to mention-Jason and I enjoyed putting it together as a labor of love and combines things about each of us that we love. 

 The heart wall colors inspired our other decor. I love them! 

Don't ask us how many times we put these on the wall and repositioned them. I'm sure glad our marriage survived the "heart wall placement of 2014."

 My good friend Cami made me this rag banner for my baby shower and I love it! Don't worry I know it's a choking hazard so I'll move it once she actually sleeps in here but it makes me so happy, I love to look at it!

My parents rocked me and my brother in this rocking chair and my grandmother rocked my dad in it. It's really special since I remember this rocking chair in my room growing up! And I love the fun pattern on the curtains!

This owl lamp was our first purchase for the baby room once Jason let me start shopping! (I wanted to start at like 5 weeks pregnant, ha!) This was a black end table we had that we repainted a coral color that we think turned out great! 

We also painted the wall shelves below the same color.

 Again, a mix of fun and practical on the bookcase. We have lots of books, many from my childhood and lots inherited from friends or from thrift stores.  

My stepdad gave me that piggy bank and I love it!That lamp by the door will hopefully be soft enough for night feedings and is right by the door so should be easy to access.

The empty frames will be filled with a maternity photo (we are taking them in 2 weeks) and I'm sure some photos of our baby girl.   

 

Jason's mom made us the prophet sign for Christmas and we thought it was perfect for baby girl's room. Right next to her cute red headed father's photo. 

Isn't  Jason adorable as a little kid? 

 I'm mildly obsessed with bows and headbands and it's been fun making them and hunting for bargains. I got this necklace holder on Amazon and it works great for the headbands that I don't want to squish into the jar :) I have all the bows in the closet on a some of my own handmade bow  holders! 

 

 This mirror is perfect for what I wanted: able to see baby girl on my shoulder and/or see myself in the event of spit up etc.

 I'm sure it will be fun for baby girl to look at and smile too :)

 We are using this dresser as our changing table and we love how big it is for storing clothes and items as well as room to put things on top for quick access. We love the art above the dresser too, the middle one has the name we have picked out but we aren't revealing it yet!

 Love this quote from one of my favorite musicals- Gigi. So feminine and sweet. 

 A little ode to Jason's French and I love all the colors. 

We can't wait for baby girl to come and enjoy her room as much as we love visiting it and filling it with things for her!

32 Weeks Update!

I can't believe I've made it to 32 weeks! This has seemed like a long pregnancy so far and can't believe I still have 8 more weeks to go! I know I need that time to keep mentally preparing but I'm running out of physical things to do to prepare.

At this point:

• Nursery is done! All decorations are finished and her closet, dresser etc. are all organized.
• I've made my own bows and burp rags and that is about all the craftiness I have. I can definitely keep making more but I've taken a hiatus for now. 
• My back is hurting more and more and earlier in the day. I think sitting at my desk all day is getting harder but I don't know how to avoid it as short walks don't' help (I still need to be at my desk 7 hours to get work done). 
• I've read 4 or 5 parenting/baby books so far and have 4 or 5 more I'd like to read before she arrives. I really enjoying learning all these perspectives and how babies work! 
• I get indigestion most nights as I sit in bed. If I can fall asleep quickly, it isn't as bad but it's rather uncomfortable at night. 
• I'm still doing zumba and signed up for another 4 weeks but I think people are starting to wonder if this baby will pop out while I do my moves!
• My feet seem to be in a constant state of swelling and if I walk around a lot in one day they blow up even more. It's making it hard for me to have shoes that fit my feet anymore! I sure hope they go back to normal size after the baby! 
• It's getting harder and harder to get up and down from sitting/bed etc. I guess I get what people are talking about now! 
• I've become obsessed with garage sales! I've only been able to go a few Saturdays since I often have to work or other things. It's fun finding bargains and saving some money since there is so much to get for a new baby!
• I'm still enjoying my nightly baths and I'm still sleeping pretty well for now but it depends on the day. 

I have my 32 week appointment tomorrow and then we head to Utah to see family and for my baby shower! I'm so excited!

A Quiet House

Saturdays are very sacred to me. I'm often working or have plans made months in advance for church, trips or usually overdo haircuts/errands etc.

But due to a bad stroke of luck, our weekend plans were cancelled due to my lovely bout of strep throat and leaving us completely open- a true rarity. 

We went to bed last night and didn't set alarms, knowing we would wake up naturally (Jason, of course, before me).But wouldn't you know it? It rained all night and into the morning and stayed dark-letting us both sleep in until 10am! If you know Jason, this happens 1-2 times a year. And even myself, committed to my weekly Zumba at 8:30am- it doesn't roll around that often anymore. 

So we slept. And we awoke with no plans. No obligations. And a quiet house. 

I have to say one thing I love about our own house is the peace and quiet. No neighbors above or below making noise. No cars constantly pulling in and out of your driveway. It's literally one of my favorites things about this home. Is that at anytime, I can sit and soak up the quiet. Sometimes I have us turn off the TV or music just to enjoy it. And I love my mornings to get ready and the evenings where I tidy up, all in my own peace and quiet. 

So this morning, we savored it. We slowly woke up. Slowly opened the curtains and soaked in the day ahead. And there was no stress and no fleeting here or there. And I loved it. I'm savoring these last few weeks of just Jason and I. We have been so spoiled to be just us for the past 5.5 years! We are completely selfish and still madly in love and we love our time alone together. 

But it's changing. We love this baby already. I never knew what people meant. How can you love someone you have never met? How can you already sacrifice so much for a tiny human that is still growing? How can we love to hang out in the nursery for no reason just to picture our baby girl?
I guess that's parenthood slowly making it's way into our lives. 

And I loved this Saturday. Loved it and will remember it for all the tiny moments we had together - the laughs, the kisses and the quiet. 

But you know what? I'm eagerly anticipating those hectic Saturdays with a baby-jetting from one thing to the next. Those hectic Saturdays with toddlers-trying to keep to a schedule to have fun before naptimes and breakdowns. I'm excited for Saturday morning cartoons to be heard downstairs as Jason and the kids eat cereal while I sleep just a little longer. 

It will be different. It will be hard. But it will be wonderful. 

I know I will miss this lazy Saturday and this quiet house. But I know we are about to experience so much more. 

And I can't wait.

Pregnancy Update: 20 Weeks & Gender!

Here is my update at 20 weeks!

I had my 20 week doctor's appointment yesterday and the baby is looking great!

 She was again, confirmed to be a girl so I can continue making baby bows and dreaming of (and buying) cute girly outfits. All of her measurements were normal and no "abnormalities" were found. We are so happy that a healthy baby is taking shape! We got to see her little hands and feet and she was moving a lot! I still haven't felt her move but the doctor said it could still be a few more weeks and not to worry. 

The first outfit we bought when we found out it's a girl! 

I'm officially half way there now! I can't believe it! 20 weeks down, 20 to go! 

Official 20 week photo! 

I'm feeling much better now that I kicked the cold that had me down for 5 days last week and so far so good this week. 

Jason and I also booked a cruise for our babymoon in a few weeks and we are so excited. It's funny, we realized we haven't actually taken a real vacation together (other than family holidays) since we have lived in Austin (2.5 years). So we are excited to enjoy a week together just the 2 of us where we get to soak up the sun and endless buffets. 

The nursery is gradually coming along and I have some vision but it's not totally confirmed yet. I did get curtains I like and Jason and I found an adorable owl lamp at HomeGoods that was perfect for the space. We are planning on painting a few items in the room once my colors/vision are totally together. For now, we are enjoying figuring out the design together, gradually. I'm way less intimidated by decorating than I am by picking car seats and strollers (how do you ever choose?!)

I'm also officially transitioning to maternity clothes whenever I can. My parents got me some great maternity clothes for Christmas and I feel ready to start wearing those that I don't drown in. Regular pants just seem to dig into much and hurt me and baby. When I can, I wear things I have that are looser and still comfortable so I don't burn out on my materntiy clothes that I will be wearing for the next 20 weeks. But it's fun, new clothes and watching my body change (although it seems to be happening verrrrrrry slowly, at least to me).

Maternity shopping with my brother, Jason, Dad and Carol. We had a blast. 

This is me with a "7 month" belly. Thanks for the cute clothes guys! 

We are so excited for this baby girl. I'm definitely not ready for her to be  here yet but I'm enjoying the journey despite the trouble sleeping, acid reflux, my non belly that looks like I'm fat and being sick for too long. But overall, I feel like it's going really well. Not to mention I have an awesome husband who cooks, cleans, does laundry and treats me like a princess. I'm a lucky girl and so is this baby to have a wonderful father.