33 weeks

How far along: 33 weeks
Total weight gain: 22 pounds 
Maternity clothes: Just rocking a belly band still. 
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: Not great, hip pain keeps me awake.
Miss anything: Not really.
Movement: Mostly she is stretching her legs out or trying to get comfy.
Cravings: Watermelon, strawberries, nectarines, peaches....just fruit in general. 
Gender: Girl 
Labor signs: None yet. I'm guessing soon though. 
Symptoms: heartburn is in full swing! It's amazing how much it will keep you up at night. Hip, pelvic, and tailbone pain like cray. 
Belly button in or out? Pancake flat. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy and excited! Just think, she will be here in 7 short weeks! 
Looking forward to: We have maternity pictures, doctors appointments and a baby shower coming up all within the next 3 weeks. Can't wait for it all!
Countdown: 49 days!

Nursery inspirations and progress

With just under two months till baby girls arrival we have really started to make some leeway on her room. It's still far from being finished so I don't have any pictures that show it off nicely yet. 

But I can show you some of the inspirations for her nursery. Because we are renting and will be moving approximately five months after she is born, we found it pointless to waste money and paint her room. So that's one thing checked off our list. 

She has a dresser similar to the one below. Its long with 3 drawers. This will be her changing table. Her changing pad will be on top and it will have a basket in top to hold creams and such. The first and possibly second drawer will hold her cloth diapers along with a few disposables that we will keep on hand for just in case situations. 

She is lucky enough to have two dressers which you would think would provide plenty of clothing space. Well with her long dresser being used for cloth diapers it really cuts down on space and she has a lot of clothes! So this is the idea with her closet. Rylees closet is bigger than ours, not fair but I'm getting over it. We're going to hang all of her clothes clothes. The drawers will be for sleepers, onsies, pants, and gowns. 

We'll have baskets on the shelf to hold her bibs, socks, booties, and other small things that are a pain to organize.

This was the main goal for her room, but since I can't paint it I can only pick and choose ideas from it. She does have poms hanging above where her crib will be. 

Since her room is the color of the picture below, we decided to go with a color combo of dark hot pink, light pink, and white. 

What we do have done in her room looks pretty decent so far but I want it to look better before I show it off. :-)

Water Park Fun

Today was a scorcher! It was so hot and I was tired of spending my summer in doors. So after my 32 week appointment today, my family headed to the water park for some splashing fun. I got this gorgeous new maternity suit from my mom. She has such great taste doesn't she?! I love the zig zag pattern and the colors! Plus it makes my bump look super cute! 

We spent a good amount of time on the lazy river going under the water falls and getting soked. And you can't hit up a water park without going in the wave pool! Probably my favorite part, but I had to be more cautious with my little girl hanging on for the ride in my belly. 

Just being able to spend quality time with my mom, aunt, sisters and brother was priceless. We all had so much fun. 

Side note: There was a woman there with her five month old baby and it got me giddy with excitement to think that will be me next year with Rylee. 

Some fun pictures to show how much fun we had. :-)

I'm a Granola Mom!!

What is a Crunchy mom? Below is a list of what most crunchy moms are or due. And because I don't like the term crunchy I am changing it to granola. People identify granola moms with granola mainly because its earthy, healthy, and nutty. People also like to use the term hippie-esqu. In the world we live in today every type of person has to have a "name" and apparently mother isn't good enough.  For some reason as women we cant accept the way other people choose to parent. There are wars between moms who think disposables are horrid and should be illegal and then theirs the moms who couldn't fathom putting poopy diapers into your washer. I for one could care less how another woman chooses to parent her child, unless of course it is harming and abusive in some way. We need to appreciate each other as women and understand that we are all doing the same job. Just because one woman does her job differently than another is no reason to put her down.

I really don't mind if someone wants to call me a granola mom or a hippie mom because to me its a huge compliment. I am choosing the path I think is best and right for my child.

This list is definitely not exclusive to all granola moms. Doing any one or two of these things is enough to get you the label in some circles. Other circles are more extreme and to be labeled as such you have to meet high standards. For me, personally, I will be doing all of the below.

1. Extended breastfeeding-usually beyond a year.
2. Cloth diapering
3. Drug-free birth
4. Baby wearing
5. Stay at home parenting. You can still go back to work and be considered a granola mom though. I don't think just because you choose not to stay home doesn't make you any less granola-esqu.
6. Co-Sleeping
7. Homemade baby food-usually all natural and organic
8. Homemade house hold products
9. Against vaccinations
10. Home schooling

My choices and views on 1-5:

I plan to breastfeed. I am actually very excited about having that bond with my child and that one on one time. I plan to breastfeed as long as I can. I am also going to be cloth diapering Rylee. I have many reasons for this and will do a separate post on it later-I'm not against using disposables once in awhile either. I plan to have an all natural drug free birth with the use of water as a pain reliever. This is just a plan, I am not above asking for that epidural if I really need it. I plan to wear my baby as often as possible, it helps with regulating so much in there bodies and allows momma to get some work done around the house. I will be a stay at home mom. This is definitely a luxury not every mom can afford. I'm sure at some point Rylee will be in our bed co sleeping with us. I do plan to keep her in her bassinet most the night because my husband is constantly moving or twitching in his sleep.

My choices and views on 6-10:

I like to cook and I think making my own baby food sounds fun. That's not to say I wont buy a jar of it here and there, but when I do it will be organic for sure. I already make my own house hold cleaning products so that is nothing new to me. I wont be vaccinating Rylee. Its a personal preference and each family has to decide for themselves what is best for their child. My husband and I have yet to decide on homeschooling. After all we have five years to figure that one out, but were not putting it past us. The world is getting worse and being "sheltered" isn't such a bad thing.

I find all these to be really exciting and for some parents its just not there cup of tea. And that is ok. We need to start supporting each other as moms and women and stop judging and tearing each other down.

Like I said there are a lot more parts to being a granola mom that I didn't include or else this post would never end, but this is the list of what parts of being a granola mom I will partake in.

32 weeks!

How far along: 32 weeks!!

Total weight gain? 20+ pounds. I have a doctor appointment tomorrow so I will know for sure then.

Maternity clothes: Nope! My belly band is working wonders! It has allowed me to wear ALL my pre-pregnancy pants so I haven't had to buy any. Score! 

Stretch marks: Still in the green. Praying it stays that way!

Sleep: I think I have finally come to terms with the fact that I will never sleep well again. 

Miss anything: Being able to lean against something without gravity pulling me down. Sleep. Being mobile and pain free. 

Movement: Lots! And I love it! She is running out of womb (see what i did there?? =) so now its more like giant movements. Sometimes I can tell if she is sticking a elbow out or a knee out. There is this one new movement that she just started today that doesn't feel good at all. It literally makes me hunch over when she does it. 

Cravings: Water for one. I just cant get enough of it. It tastes sooo good! And Jersey Mikes Subs. Good heavens it is delicious! 

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: Nothing really. She did drop so she is getting ready and in position. More on that later. 

Symptoms: Heartburn mostly at night around 4 am after my snack. Pelvic pressure, hip and tailbone pain. I also start to waddle if I have walked to much. Hysterically crying over small things every now and then. 

Belly button in or out? It really depends on the day and how much I have eaten. At this very moment its half and half. 

Wedding rings on or off? On and loose. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and excited all the time. Except for when I am being crazy and crying. But that only happens a few times a week. 

Best moment this week? Relaxing in bed with Casey and I was sitting in front of him while we were watching a movie. He had his arms around me holding my belly and she was going to town moving and rolling. It was so nice to just lay there and experience that with him. 

Looking forward to? I have a doctor appointment tomorrow. I want to ask my doctor if she can tell how much Rylee weighs again. She was 3 pounds at 28 weeks, which is the 65th percentile, and they say baby's grow half a pound per week until delivery so that would make her chunker butt around 5 pounds now. Which in turn would put her at 8.5 pounds at least by 40 weeks. I never saw myself having close to a 9 pound baby. 

Countdown: 56 days or less! I would love for her to come the first week of September. I don't really care though. As long as she is healthy. 

In other news. She has definitely dropped. I don't know if she dropped completely or if she has more to go, but I've been waiting for it. I woke up Friday morning with serious tailbone pain and hip pain. I literally looked like my 80 year old grandma trying to walk around all hunched over and shuffling my feet. I knew she felt lower because I could literally feel her down there. So I looked in the mirror and you can tell. Baby is low! I even did a side by side picture to see the difference. The first one is 30 weeks and the second one is 32 weeks. 

Baby shower #1

This last Saturday was my baby shower with Casey's side of the family. It was hosted by my amazing sister-in-laws and my mother-in-law. It was a sea of cute pink and white.

This "it's a girl" backdrop my sister made was one of my favorite decorations. I even kept it and hung it up in Rylees nursery. 

This is my mother-in-law and me. She is the best MIL anyone could ask for. 

Me and my sister-in-laws. They did a fantastic job at hosting and decorating. 

One of my closest girlfriends. She has been by my side through my whole pregnancy. 

The beautifully decorated hall. I love all the poms and the game table. Pink! Pink! Pink! It just gets me so excited!

This baby fruit bowl was my biggest surprise! I've always wanted one and they did such a good job on it!

Baby girl was blessed with lots of clothes and diapers. I can't wait to see her in all her cute outfits. 

Thank you everyone who came! It was great to see all our family and friends. And thank you Ashley and Jamie for decorating and hosting such a beautiful shower. Love you!

31 weeks

 

How far along: 31 weeks 
Total weight gain: 20 pounds
Maternity clothes: Nope, my loving mother gave me her belly band which is amazing! Wish I would have gotten one sooner. Really can wear all my normal jeans and shorts again. Bought some super soft stretchy V necks from Target. Just those few things have really expanded my wardrobe back to what it was pre-pregnancy.
Stretch marks: None yet, belly butter is working wonders! 
Sleep: it's okay, have to prop myself up now and I've been having some heartburn that keeps or wakes me up. 
Miss anything? Being comfortable in a bikini, being tan, and being able to bend over. 
Movement: Yes, she is bigger now so it's a lot of rolling and shifting. 
Cravings: None. 
Gender: Girl!
Labor signs: None yet. Won't be saying that in a few weeks! 
Symptoms: Aches from my hips and pelvis,  heartburn, and hard time sleeping. 
Belly button in or out: the top is out and the rest is flat. 
Wedding rings on or off? On and loose.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy and getting really excited for the birth of our baby girl.
Best moment this week? My in-laws threw me a baby shower and it was beautiful!
Looking forward to? My doctor appointment on Monday and my sides baby shower in August. 
Countdown: 60 days or less!

Monday ramblings

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a great and relaxing and fun filled weekend!

I have so much going through my head and lists upon lists of things I need to accomplish before baby gets here. I have officially 10 weeks until my due date, but I'm counting on 8 because I think she will be early.

That gives me 2 months to get everything I need done. That's a daunting thought.
Especially since the next few weeks are full of events.

July

12th- baby shower #1
19th- family camping trip

August

9th- Logan's birthday party, Kylies birthday party, maternity pictures

16th- baby shower number 2

Not to mention doctors appointments every two weeks. I can't even list the things I need to get done. It's an endless list.

I'm feeling 22

Happy birthday to me! Last week was my 22nd birthday. We decided to hold off on celebrating until Saturday though because my birthday was on Wednesday and the Fourth was on Friday.

Saturday was a blast! We woke up and ran a few errands then went to dinner at Mongolian BBQ with my mom, dad, siblings, nana, grandpa, aunt, Suzanne, John, Stacey, Gary and of course my wonderful hubby. We never go out to eat and we never go to Mongolian BBQ because it's not close by.

We ate dinner, opened a few gifts and then had the most delicious cake ever!

Afterwards we got to go to my friends house who I never get to see and spend time with them. All in all it was a great birthday!

Fourth of July

Our Fourth of July was uneventful this year. We went to my mother in laws for fireworks and that's about all.

Fourth of July was my father in laws holiday. You know how everyone has a holiday where they go all out? It could be Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving..well the Fourth was my father in laws.

He would make a huge BBQ spread with brats, hot dogs, burgers, steak and chicken. We would have potatoe salad, corn on the cob, watermelon, macaroni salad and lots of yummy desserts.

We would all sit around outside and chat while the kids ran around playing in the yard. Then when it was close to dark, he and the men of the family along with his daughter would get the fireworks ready. It was tradition.

We always had the biggest and baddest fire works in our town.

This year was nothing like that and probably won't be like that ever again. This was the first Fourth of July since his passing last August. We weren't sure what to expect but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.

At least we still gathered as a family to let off a great fire works display. He would have been proud of us.

Hopefully next year will be better and we can thoroughly enjoy our holiday weekend without the emotional scars that are still so fresh. We love you Harry Jewell. 

30 weeks

I can't believe I'm already 30 weeks. I feel like this marking point is when everything goes by faster and gets more real.

How far along? 30 weeks 
Total weight gain: 20 pounds. I'll get my official weigh in tomorrow. 
Maternity clothes: I don't have any maternity clothes. I have been wearing allot of stretchy clothing though. I found some awesome new shirts at Target that are comfy, stretchy and stylish. I need to go pick me up a few more. 
Stretch marks: zero on my belly. Im really praying hard that it stays that way and using my belly butter religiously. I don't think my self esteem could handle stretch marks on my belly. 
Sleep: it really depends on the night. Sometimes I sleep great and other times my hip pain gets the best of me. 
Miss anything? Sleeping, being comfortable, walking normally.. 
Movement: yes, this is my favorite part these days. She is big enough to see through my stomach. She is constantly moving and I'm always curious to know how she is adjusting and in which way. 
Food cravings: none and it's rather irritating. I am always hungry but have no cravings. So it's like an empty hungry. That's worse because I don't even know what I want. 
Gender: baby girl :-)
Labor signs: none yet, can't wait till I'm posting her birth announcement here. 
Symptoms: hip pain, pelvic pain, back pain, my feet hurt, and that's about it. 
Belly button in or out? Still in limbo.
Wedding rings on or off? They are still on.
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy and super excited the closer September gets. I still get a few mood swings occasionally but hey.
Looking forward to: I have my appointment tomorrow where I go over birth, labor signs, when to call, and all that exciting stuff. I can't wait! Also this weekend is one of my baby showers. Eek!
Countdown: 69 days or less!