Weekly Survey - 34 Weeks!

 

How far along?: 34 weeks (aka 8.5 months!!)!! Whoops - my post is a day late! I just didn't get to it yesterday!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: BUTTERNUT SQUASH!! He's getting big (and so is momma!!)!

Maternity clothes?: All the time!

Total weight gain/loss: Still gaining... feel like it's like crazy now!!! My exercising has not been great lately - ughhh!! Whoops!!

Stretch marks?: not yet, but I'm sure they are right around the corner. I can kind of sense where I'm going to be getting them!

Sleep: Other than a few aches and frequent potty breaks (yup, those are back!), I'm sleeping pretty great!

Best moment this week: Had a great visit with a lifelong bestie this week (who happens to be pregnant and due a month before me!) - it was so great getting together with Clarissa and can't wait for our little guys to have some awesome play dates!

Also, getting our maternity pictures back (below are just a few!) and deciding on our little guy's name! We can't wait for EVAN JAMES ERNST to arrive!!! :) Thank you, Alicia Cooper, for documenting this amazing time in our lives!

Movement: Yup... he's an active little guy and those movements are getting stronger! Sometimes they even hurt! Yikes!

Food cravings: Been craving juice and fruit the past few days! Other than that, nothing specific!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: nope.

Have you started to show yet?: absolutely.

Labor signs?: nope.

Belly button in or out?: in, but getting pretty close to flat.

Wedding rings on or off?: off. :(

Happy or moody most of the time?: Welp, it depends! hahaha. Happy, for the most part... but don't anger me right now. Not fun to be on the receiving end of that! Just saying! :)

Symptoms: All the same ones! However, been having some intense lower back pain the past couple of days. Yuck! Resting, Icing, and Heat!

What I miss: Have really missed intense workouts, but I know I will be back at it before too long!


What I'm looking forward to: 2 more baby showers this week, getting our house all ready for our little peanut to arrive, and the arrival of our bambino!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) Your little angel is not peeing at the rate of a pint a day (now you can see where all that weight is coming from)! Actually, this is impressive and is just another sign of your baby's readiness to be born. Up until now, your baby had no immune system of its own and relied upon your antibodies to keep safe. This week, your baby's own immune system is kicking into high gear. Good news, if you baby was born today, your baby would have a high chance of having few problems. Of course, the lungs still need as much time as possible. If you are having a son, the testicles will begin descending this week as well.

Weekly wisdom: Stay hydrated (especially if you are pregnant during the heat of summer!), don't overdo it (when nesting and trying to get the house ready!), and rest when possible! I keep telling myself to try and enjoy these last few weeks as much as possible!

Below are some pictures from my work baby shower and baby shower that my amazing friends had for us!! Mark and I (and Baby Evan!) are truly blessed!! 

*We love you, so much, already, Evan! We can't wait for you to arrive, but also still have a lot to do (and you need to bake some more!)... so, keep growing and we will snuggle you soon! Hugs and Kisses, Momma and Daddy!*

Weekly Survey - 33 Weeks!

{Wowsers... that's a big belly and it's only going to get bigger! YIKES!! haha!}

How far along?: 33 Weeks!! Only 7 weeks left!!! Yayyy!!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: DURIAN FRUIT! (Hmmmm... I've never heard of this kind of fruit before!)

Maternity clothes?: All the time! Momma's getting big, so there are really no other options!

Total weight gain/loss: Well, at my last appointment, I actually lost 5 lbs.! But, I think that's because at my appointment before that, I had gained "3 lbs. too many." However, that appointment took place in the afternoon (all of my appointments have been in the mornings AND it was after a very big Mexican meal), so the doctor thought I was retaining water. He said I'm right on track! Whew!!!

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but I think I can tell where I'm going to be getting some. Weird!

Sleep: Been sleeping pretty well. Waking up fairly early (even on the weekends!), so apparently God is preparing me for the arrival of our sweet bundle of joy and the many sleepless nights to come! hehe. :)

Best moment this week: Maternity pictures were this past weekend! So fun and can't wait to see the final pictures!! Also... we bought my new "mom car" this weekend!! Sooooooo exciting!

{Getting pampered for 2 reasons: 1. Maternity pictures AND 2. Growing a baby is hard work and this momma needed it!}

 {Curled my own hair for maternity pictures (that's a first! ha!) and Momma's new car!}

Movement: We have an active little peanut on our hands!!! hahaha!

Food cravings: Nothing specific! I have definitely enjoyed having some more healthy cravings this week! I haven't really been horrible, but it's nice to have healthy cravings and not worry! HA!

{Starbucks obsession... always have a craving for that! Also, my somewhat healthy cravings: Greek yogurt w/ PB granola, smoothies, and PB, banana, and chocolate chip baked oatmeal... yum!}

 

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not really! Not digging the heartburn though!!!

Have you started to show yet?: Uhhhhh... I'd say yes! What do you think??! hahahaha!

Labor signs?: Nope, not yet!

Belly button in or out?: In still. Well, at least for the time being!

Wedding rings on or off?: Off. :(

Happy or moody most of the time?: Happy, for the most part! However, I have my moments!

Symptoms: All the same ones!

What I miss: I would really like a cold sandwich (with the warmer weather and all!).

What I'm looking forward to: Baby showers! Getting our house more organized (We're having a garage sale with my parents and we can't wait to get some of this stuff out of our house!)! Getting more work done in the nursery!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) This week, your baby will begin developing folds on the cerebral cortex of the brain. Full development of this part of the brain won't come until beyond teenage years. Right now, it means your baby is getting better control of localized functions. This translates to the ability to live outside the womb. Your baby spends most of the day and night sleeping and your baby's skin is finally changing from red to pretty pink. Your baby is dreaming and you may notice from time to time that they startle easily should you hear a very loud noise. Sometimes, they may even startle from a dream they are having during REM sleep in utero.

Weekly wisdom: Make sure you are staying well-rested and hydrated!! That's all I have for ya this week! Sorry! haha.

Finally got around to getting some pictures together from our baby shower on 4/26/14! See below!! Such a cute and fun time!!

{Baby E's great grandma and grandmas at the baby shower! Also, all the lovely hostesses for the shower! Loved all the super cute decor!!!}

 

We love you, little man!! Can't wait to meet you (very soon!)! Hugs and Kisses *Love, Momma and Daddy*

Weekly Survey - 32 Weeks!

{That belly is growing!!! WOWSERS!! haha!}

How far along?: 32 weeks (aka 8 months!!)!!! Can you believe it??! Me either!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: SQUASH! Getting big!

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes! Really no other options!

Total weight gain/loss: Holy buckets... I'm definitely gaining!

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but I'm sure they are just around the corner! This belly is getting huge!

Sleep: Other than a rough weekend (from being very sick!)... I have been sleeping pretty well! I feel like God is prepping me by not letting me sleep as much as I used to and still allowing me to be able to function during the day! So, that is good... I mean, it's not super fun, because I do love my sleep, but I need to start getting used to it! :)

Best moment this week: Celebrating Mother's Day with a baby in my belly! Next year, I will get to celebrate Mother's Day with our son in my arms!!! I can't wait! Also felt really good to get our first round of thank you cards finished this weekend!

{Gorgeous Mother's Day tulips from my hubby (and son!)!}

 

{Thank you cards galore! Mark, Baby E, and I are so blessed! We have such amazing friends and family in our lives! How did we get so lucky?!}

 

Movement: Movements are definitely getting stronger! I'm starting to be able to actually feel his body parts when I put my hand on my belly! So weird and amazing at the same time!

Food cravings: Latest cravings have been pancakes and watermelon! I really haven't had many cravings lately... well, until this week! I, also, had a chocolate shake craving this week!

{Cravings fulfilled!! BEST husband EVER award goes to my husband, by the way!!}

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nothing pregnancy related, but I did have a bout of severe yuckiness/ illness this past weekend! Holy yuck! Definitely not fun and I'm sure it was worse because of the fact that I am pregnant and uncomfortable anyways!

Have you started to show yet?: Um, are you blind??! hahaha!

Labor signs?: Nope. Thank goodness!

Belly button in or out?: Still in, but just waiting for that little thing to go flat and pop out! ha!

Wedding rings on or off?: Off. :(

Happy or moody most of the time?: Have my moments, but for the most part happy! Sorry if you are on the recieving end of a not-so-happy moment!

Symptoms: Same as before. Just getting more uncomfortable.

What I miss: The same things that I have mentioned before.

What I'm looking forward to: More baby showers, working on getting the nursery complete, maternity pictures this coming weekend, and the arrival of our little guy (of course!!)!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) The five senses are complete, and the last call for birth is now in progress. Your baby will be situating him or herself in the comfortable fetal position, preparing to enter the birth canal. If your baby hasn't turned yet, don't worry - some wait till the last minute. Your baby now uses up all the space in the uterus. This means that moving and turning is more difficult (and more uncomfortable for you) than it was just two weeks ago. Your child's days are now spent gaining weight from both fat and muscle as well as learning how to use their own body so your baby will be ready for the meet and greet just a few weeks away.

Weekly wisdom: Take advantage of energy, when you have it!! According to the pregnancy app, it is now a good idea to start really protecting your belly. Now that your baby takes up most of the space, they aren't as protected by amniotic fluids as they were weeks ago. So, keep that baby protected, momma!

P.S. I don't know what I would do without my understanding, supportive, and overall AMAZING husband! He has made the whole pregnancy thing so easy! I love him so much!!! Thank you, Mark, for making me a mommy and for being with me every step of the way!

Little guy, we can't wait for you to get here and to be able to snuggle you in our arms! Keep baking for now! We will see you soon-ish! Love you to the moon and back! Hugs and Kisses *from Momma and Daddy!

Weekly Survey - 31 Weeks!

{Wowsers... Look at that belly!!!!!}

How far along?: 31 weeks!! Only single digit weeks left!! Yayyyy!!!

This week, Baby E is the size of a: PINEAPPLE!! Our little guy and momma's belly are getting B-I-G!!

 

Maternity clothes?: Oh yes!!

Total weight gain/loss: Gaining, for sure! That's what I'm supposed to be doing, right??!

Stretch marks?: Not yet, but I know they will show up before the end! It's just a matter of time!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty great still! Only a few minor complaints here and there - mainly to do with heartburn and some hip pain. But, I'm pretty exhausted as soon as my head hits that pillow! :)

Best moment this week: First off, it has been a really cloudy week around here, so I'm glad the sun finally made an appearance on Friday! Made it through our all day childbirth class! Whew! Very long, but also had some great information! Started to make things even more real for us! We have also had some very productive days around the house lately (nesting??? you may ask! I'm asking myself the same!! haha!)! Trying to stay active and doing some exercise! I, ALMOST, got in some type of exercise everyday this week! I only missed one day, so not too bad!

{Too many clouds this past week!}

{An all day childbirth class meant we deserved a special treat, right??!}

 

 

{Trying to stay healthy for our little guy!!}

Movement: Yup, our little man is pretty active!! hehehe!

Food cravings: Nothing specific! I LOVE ANY AND ALL FOOD! haha!

Anything making you queasy or sick?: Not really! My heartburn sometimes makes me nauseated! Yuck!

Have you started to show yet?: Um, duh!!!! haha! Momma and baby are growing like crazy! ha! :)

Labor signs?: Nope!

Belly button in or out?: In still. However, it's definitely getting closer to being flat. Yikes!

Wedding rings on or off?: Off. Sad!! :(

Happy or moody most of the time?: Hmmmm... it depends! For the most part, happy, but I definitely have my moments! I'm starting to get more impatient with things!! Whoops!

Symptoms: All the same ones! Just getting more uncomfortable, at times! And yes, again, I know I still have a ways to go - so, no need to tell me! Remember, my patience is dwindling some, so don't go and irritate me! hahahaha!  

What I miss: This weekend (with the awesome weather!) was the first time that I actually missed being able to have an alcoholic drink while sitting on the deck with my hubby! Plus, I'm still craving a Mr. Goodcents sandwich!!

What I'm looking forward to: Breastfeeding class this wednesday, more baby showers, getting more organized around the house/ nursery, maternity pictures on 5/17/14, and the birth of our little guy!!

Milestones: (Based on a pregnancy app) The only thing not ready for delivery is your baby's lungs. Amazingly, every other organ is ready! Your baby may weigh as much as a gallon of milk and will double in weight, gaining as much as 17 ounces per week. The bones are beginning to ossify - which means your baby will need plenty of calcium from YOU. Your baby's brain is continuing to grow and the folds of the cerebrum and cerebellum are increasing. Your baby is paying lots of attention to what you are doing and to what is going on around you, so be sure to keep things calm and peaceful. Research indicates that your baby actually feels maternal stress - so keep it at a minimum.

Weekly wisdom: Make sure you are sticking with your exercise (as much as you can!) and eating as healthy as you can! These are both areas that have been getting more and more challenging for me! I'm trying my best though!

We love you, little man, and are looking forward to meeting you! Keep cooking and growing! Lots of love and hugs! Love you to the moon and back!

Love, Momma and Daddy