Pregnancy Loves

I've been thinking a lot lately about all the things that I have "LOVED" having or knowing about during my pregnancy and thought that I would share:)  In no particular order (random thoughts)  Sorry this is a long post!

1. Meijer's free prenatal vitamins:)  FREE-need I say more??!!  In all honesty I was on prescription prenatal vitamins for a few months before conceiving and continued on those for a while after becoming pregnant.  However, I reached the "bridge" in my insurance where I had to start paying 100% out of pocket and those babies were close to $90--WHOA!  Not that I can't afford that, but who wants to pay that every month?  So I kindly asked my OB/GYN, who shined the light on the fact that she can write an RX for generic prenatal vitamins and Meijers fills it for free.  Now these are not the ok tasting capsules that I was used to, but they do the trick!
2. My Pregnancy App by BabyCenter: OMG I LOVE this app. It gives you daily tips or answers to common pregnancy related questions and sends you a weekly update on your babies growth, etc.  My FAVORITE feature is the Birth Club--this allows people all over the US and Canada that are expecting the same month as you to communicate.  People post random questions or stories and everyone gets the response.  I check this numerous times a day--am beyond obsessed!!  But its so fun to hear what other people are feeling and doing.  
3. Mama's Bees Belly Butter: This is what I have been using to prevent stretch marks!  I used it in the beginning, but when I ran out I opted for the cheaper Palmer's Cocoa Butter.  NOT a fan!  It smells and leaves me feeling sticky.  However, as to not waste precious $$ I finished the Palmer's and quickly resorted back to the Mama's Bee.  Only advise I have is to use this anywhere you think you might get stretch marks-not just the belly but breasts, hips/thighs and butt (sorry if TMI!) Ha but I have no stretch marks knock on wood!!  And I use the belly oil at bedtime to help with itching, but I only place this on my belly
4. Extra pillows: I must admit that my sleeping has suffered only minimally throughout my pregnancy.  I take pride in the fact that I've always been a good sleeper. That's not to say that I haven't had some nights where its taken me hours to return to sleep after taking a potty break, BUT again not on a daily basis.  The one thing that helped when this did occur was implementing an extra pillow into my bed.  I use mine between my legs, but it also helps to put one under my back/side.  Now I see no reason to purchase a fancy "pregnancy" pillow.  I had entertained the idea of purchasing a body pillow, but the pillows off my guest bed work just fine!
5. Maternity clothes:  A large majority of my clothes have been borrowed!!  Thank you Megan:) And Andrea!  Honestly I would have been out a lot of $$ had it now been for these girls!!  Also, my favorite places to shop are Macy's (they care an array of brands including motherhood maternity), Kohls--always has great deals, Gap/Old Navy--I got a bunch of dresses for cheap here just check website and they have free shipping for orders over $50, Motherhood maternity--gift cards are wonderful thanks mom! and the LOFT.
6. Bare Minerals Well-Rested Concealer: Ok not necessarily pregnancy related, but something I stumbled across a few months ago and LOVE!  It helps with those dark circles under the eyes and gives you a "glowing" complexion:)
7. Orange Leaf: No further explanation needed!
8. Parents magazine: This covers advise for moms with kids of all ages but for the most part is geared towards older kids. Still fun to read:)

And I think it goes without saying that I've loved every little kick and movement that I've felt.  And knowing that my daughter (whoa-that sounds weird!!) is growing strong and healthy.  I've loved sharing every minute with Adam.

I'm sure there are lots more things but that's all I can come up with for the time being.  Hope it helps those expecting!

Baby Bump

Well, today I printed off some pictures to place in my "The Belly Book" journal and I just began reminiscing about my bump!  Adam and I both feel as though the pregnancy has gone by so quickly, but then we think about the fact that we found out we were expecting in JULY--holy crap that was a long time ago ha!  My belly is still growing and I feel like I have a ways to go.  I feel HUGE but everyone seems surprised when I say I'm due at the end of March (they think I'm small) which makes me feel a little better! I do think I'm carrying a little low--from the start.

9 weeks

Ok this is just a little look back. Please excuse the bare tummy exposed-I obviously didn't have a bump yet and Adam wanted to document the early pictures like this!  I must admit looking back at this picture does 1) make me miss my old figure 2) make me realize how good I looked!  mostly because I worked so hard to get back to my pre-wedding weight! ha

29 weeks

Whoa! What a difference 20 weeks makes!!! Not only has my belly grown but look how much my hair has grown--loving those prenatal vitamins:)

30 weeks:)

Not much has changed over the last few weeks.  I've gained 1 pound since my last doctors appointment-which is great considering the holidays, etc.  I have unfortunately had 2 different episodes of nausea:(  I was hoping that I would never have to experience that again.  But it was short-lived (snacks are reinstated into the my daily regimen!)  And for about a week I had a terrible case of the afternoon sleepies --again not sure if related to pregnancy or lack of sunlight (winter blues).  Stella may end up being bald if the old wives tale is true because I haven't had heartburn (knock on wood!)  I did experience indigestion around week 19-20, but that has resolved.

Baby Stella can be as long as 15-17inches long!  Whoa-I was only 19inches long as birth.  She can weigh up to 3 pounds:)  Her brain is developing more and more everyday--and it's starting to look like a human brain with all the gyri and sulci.  With her increased body fat she can now begin to regulate her body temperature and will begin to shed her lanugo.

Well, we have been busy!  The nursery is coming along.  And I even have a few crafty things that I'm making for the nursery (I'm so proud of myself!)  We've been attending our childbirth classes--more to come on that later.  I have a doctors appointment this week--we are now on an every 2 week schedule--it's getting sooo close!  Next month is even busier--we have our baby showers AND it's Adam's birthday month.

Nursery Sneak Peek

Ok, here's just a peek!  Don't want to share everything just yet because it's not quite ready:)  We still have lots to do, BUT I want to show off all of Adam's hard work.  He was off work the week between Christmas and New Years and worked so hard to make Stella's room beautiful.  I absolutely LOVE it so far and can't wait to see it complete!  My main job was to supervise-haha.  No, seriously I did little besides pick out the color of paint and help pick out the furniture.

Before

After Paint, New Window Casing, and Bead Board/Chair Rail!

With Furniture:)  Brodie loves laying in Stella's room!

 I'll be sure to share more once complete!  Can't wait for everyone to come visit and see it for themselves too:)

Third Trimester:)

Well, Hello 28 weeks!  We are in the final stretch and have entered the third trimester.  This pregnancy has flown by!!  I know, I know-I probably won't be saying or thinking that in the upcoming weeks, but for the time being I feel like it was just yesterday that I peed on that little stick:) hehe!  In all honesty the second trimester  was over before I even had a chance to cherish it.  I think maybe I have the holidays and busy work schedule to blame for some of that--it seems this time of year always flies by.  Regardless, here we are 3rd trimester:)

28 weeks:)

Size: Baby is the size of an eggplant!  She's adding body fat and weighs anywhere from 1.5-2.5 pounds:)

What's Developing: Again, she's developing more body fat.  Her lungs are still maturing and she's continuing to grow neurons!

Weight: I've not gained any weight in the past 2-3 weeks!  Don't worry I'm definitely eating enough and getting enough calories:)  I'm right on track with everything (even with my goal pregnancy weight gain!)

Movement: Still about the same.  There are days when it feels as though she never stops moving/kicking/squirming!  And other days she is a bit more predictable-being active around times I'm hungry, at night before bed, and first thing in the morning. I have yet to feel her have hiccups:(  Maybe she's had them I just don't know what they feel like...

Cravings: Nothing that I HAVE TO HAVE RIGHT THIS MINUTE:) but definitely more sweets!  I think her favorite foods are going to be oranges (or oj) and sweets (chocolate, ice cream, etc)

Symptoms: Pretty uneventful-thank goodness!  Since the middle of last week I have felt the fatigue starting to set in again.  I just can't seem to keep my eyelids open in the morning.  Not sure that I can blame this on pregnancy entirely (could just be my active schedule)

Sleep: I have resorted to using an extra pillow to sleep with which has made a huge difference.  I use it between my knees.  I helps to keep me on my side.  I am falling asleep more easily and easily return to slumber after my nightly bathroom run! There for awhile I would be awake for 2hours or more after my awaking to use the bathroom--this was awful! Now, I just don't want to crawl out of bed.  Luckily, Stella is cooperative at night.  She's fairly active at night but she's not kicking so hard to keep me awake or awaken me from sleep.

Highlights:  We have been busy planning for baby lately!  Adam has worked very hard on the nursery and it looks great! I finalized the bedding and have ordered it:)  We also started our child birthing class as of last night.  There's still lots to do!

2011 Rewind and 2012 Fast Forward

Whoa I can't believe it's already 2012!  2011 was a good year but I'm really looking forward to what this year brings:)
Last NYE was a bit uneventful-we may have even gone to bed before the stroke of midnight oops:/
January we started planning our trip to Europe. We made flight, hotel and some excursion arrangements and bought Rick Steve's books.  Highly recommend these books.
February we celebrated Adam's 27th birthday.  I bought him Rosetta Stone Spanish--I think he used it few times not sure that he's fluent at this point
March was fairly uneventful.  Adam began traveling again and was in Charleston, SC for sometime.  The last weekend of March, first part of April I met him down there for a long weekend.  It was great!  We even met up with Jen Burton and Geoffrey for dinner!
Adam was away here and there throughout April.  We hosted the Easter celebration with my family.
May was one of the best months!  We took a 10d trip to London and Paris:)  Best trip of my life and it felt so good to cross it off of our bucket list!

Buckingham Palace

Bath

Stonehenge

Eifel Tower

June was all work and no play!  But we decided we were ready to become parents!
In July, we visited with some friends in NC.  And took a vacation to HHI with my family .  I attended a CME conference while there too.  When we returned, we found out we were pregnant!
August was full of fibbing to all our friends, family and coworkers!  Then towards the end of the month we began sharing the news of our little one!
September, we entered the 2nd trimester!

In October we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary!  We took a weekend trip to the Great Smoky Mountains and did a little hiking.  And we found out we were having a baby GIRL!

Week 16:)

November marked my BIG 29th birthday--the last birthday I'll ever celebrate haha!

Week 21:)

December was filled with holiday parties and starting on the nursery!