~34 weeks and the nursery ~

I started scaling back on work this week and it’s been nice to have a week without having to go anywhere/any specific plans or things to do besides deep cleaning the house and catching up on organizing and other chores that have been on a to do list for way too long.  I’m getting tired much more easily now too so it’s been a blessing to be at home and able to rest when I need to… PLUS between my mom being here last week and finalizing everything this week, the nursery is almost complete!  We’re just waiting on the glider to come in, the bumper and crib skirt for the crib, and need to put some pictures in frames!

 the cradle was Patrick's that he slept in when he was baby, and is from his "Aunt" Linda who was the one of the most special people I've ever met.  She always told me that she wanted to see our babies in it some day, and while I hate that she isn't here to see it, I love thinking of her every time I look at it.  We're using it to hold her stuffed animals/toys/etc

 

 bedding!  Still need to get the bumper! 

 

 this corner is just waiting for the glider to come in

 

 her dresser with hanging initials

We had a diaper consultation (oh, the words you never pictured yourself saying…) with Ivy’s Diaper service on Tuesday.  If you have ever considered cloth diapering, I highly recommend talking with them if you are in Charlotte, or looking around your own local area for a service there.  I had never really thought about it until one of my good friends starting using them and after research and speaking to them this week, I honestly can’t imagine why you wouldn’t at least consider it!  The cost compared to buying disposable diapers is basically even  - obviously you save a TON of money if you wash the diapers yourself and don’t use a service but that’s a little too much for this mama to take on ;)  But like I said, it’s an even cost comparison, super convenient, better for the environment, easier on baby’s skin and they are extremely easy to use, not at all like what you would think of as cloth diapers previously with having to pin them on the sides/etc… PLUS the diaper covers are cute J You can cancel the service at any time, there’s no contract so I figured there’s no harm in at least trying it, if we end up not liking it for some reason, we can always stop!

Okay, enough on the diaper tangent!

This was 33 weeks, 1 day - Aubrey's last out of town trip this side of the womb ;) no more traveling for this mama.  But SO, so glad I got to go to Sarah's wedding in NH last weekend - one of the most beautiful wedding's I've been too and such a great time with the girls!

 

I’m still feeling pretty much the same as last week and am basically just in disbelief that we get to meet her so SOON!  Whenever I’m driving/waiting in lines/on planes, really just have any time to daydream during the day I’m thinking about holding her and what wondering what she’ll be like and look like.  I am so excited for holidays this year just thinking about that she’ll get to be with us for my favorite times in the year – fall and Christmas.  6 weeks from today is her due date, I’m getting impatient J

~ Baby Shower ~

32 weeks and 6 days today!  It’s so hard to believe that it’s getting so close!  My doctor told me that you are technically full term at 37 weeks – crossing my fingers that she doesn’t decide to make too early of an appearance – it’s been hard to decide when Patrick should stop traveling for work to make sure he’s in town when Aubrey is born when there is really no way of telling when she’ll actually decide to grace us with her presence!  Everything about this pregnancy has been pretty textbook so far, so hopefully that will continue for the final weeks including coming around her due date!

Last weekend, I had a baby shower in Cary hosted by my sister and two very close family friends.  I was completely overwhelmed beautiful and thoughtful they made everything.  Everything from the flower arrangements to the cupcake frosting, to the yogurt on the covered pretzels was done in mint and lavender (the nursery colors are mint, lavender, and pale grey).  There were so many special touches throughout the shower that just made it incredible:

 

beautiful quilt made with all the fabric swatches being used in the nursery!

 

getting Aubrey set to be a little fashionista ;)

 

 

 such a cute Nana!

 

gift table display - thought this was a great idea - displaying the gifts as they are opened so people can go up to table and see them rather than passing them around after opening (the sign reads Aubrey Grace)

 

 

 Mimosas and Cupcakes with the cutest monogrammed toppers

 

They put together an ice cream bar (obviously they know me and my cravings!) Cutest sign reading "sprinkled with love"

 

opening gifts!

 with the wonderful hostesses!

 with Aunt Ellen :)

 

 

The most special part of the day though, was everyone coming to celebrate our daughter.  It’s so amazing to see how much she is loved already and it meant the world to me to have all of these amazing women there.  We are so, so blessed!

This past week my mom was in town and we basically got the nursery put together!  I love the way it turned out - I'll post pics of it next blog. 

32/33 weeks update:

Total Weight Gain: 29 lbs - and feeling every. single. one of them... she is HEAVY (Or my ass is, not exactly sure.. probably both!)

Maternity Clothes: still a combo of maternity and normal clothes in larger sizes

Stretch Marks: No, thankfully!

Sleep: not fabulous - waking up a lot, and it's hard to roll myself out of bed when getting up in the middle of the night

Exercise: I think that I'm pretty much done with running until after baby - really just my knees are, I went last night and my body was not very happy with me... so I guess it's walking and the eliptical for the next seven-ish weeks :( 

Best Moment of the Week: Baby shower and having mom around to get organized...feeling MUCH better!  Oh, and the AMAZING fall-ish feeling weather today :)

Miss Anything: Sushi, wine/beer/champagne and being able to tie my shoes without a stomach being in the way

Movement: constantly!

Food Cravings: Nothing new. 

Symptoms: less heartburn (YAY!) more looking like I've swallowed a  basketball, getting out of breath quicker, and headaches - which I think was also due to the crazy heat last weekend.

Looking forward to: my friend Sarah's wedding in NH this weekend and getting to see a bunch of college friends!

 

~Nesting and a Babymoon~

For anyone who isn’t aware, “nesting” is part of pregnancy, meaning you get in psycho cleaning/organizing moods as you prepare your home for baby.

I think we’ve been a little too focused on nesting in the rest of the house and not as much for the baby:

Thus far since moving back, we’ve done some major landscaping, lowered the roof on the front porch, redone the smaller back deck off the kitchen, put new floors in the laundry room/walk in pantry, put up crown molding and ceiling fan in the nursery, repainted three rooms, had our dining room set restained, installed a security system, put in a doggie door for Sadie lady, and are almost finished having the downstairs bathroom completely renovated….

And no, the crib is not put together, I don’t have a dresser or glider for the baby room yet, and haven’t even BEGUN organizing her things.  Thank God my mom is coming for a few days next week to help me out…. Sigh.

We did go on a little weekend getaway/babymoon (I wonder when babymoon's started becoming popular and who coined that term??) to Asheville last weekend which was so much fun and much needed.  We haven’t really had any time to ourselves in the past few months between the move and traveling/house projects etc.  So we packed Sadie and our things for the weekend and stayed at the Aloft downtown which is the most dog friendly place  I’ve  ever stayed.  They have dog water bowls in the lobby and brought her a dog bed and treats to the room!  It’s a great hotel to stay at with no dogs too – perfect location! 

We ate a LOT and worked off some of what we ate hiking both days.  The weather was gorgeous, we got use our new camera a bit, and overall just got to relax and enjoy J

The first day we went to Dupont National Forest where there are  numerous waterfalls and trails, and a swimming hole that was Sadie's favorite part, naturally  It's also where they filmed the Hunger Games which is pretty cool (Or the part of me that is still a teenager and loves the Hunger Games does anyway...ha)

 

 

 

 

  

 

such a pretty pup :)

 

Before we headed back on Sunday, we hiked to the place we got engaged, the Frying Pan Tower.  It used to be used a fireman lookout but now is just a place where you can climb up and have an amazing view from the top.  Either it's shakier/scarier than I remember or I'm just more of a scaredy-cat these days (probably the latter).  We tried to get Sadie to climb up it with us too, but she froze halfway up the first flight of stairs, poor thing... not a fan a heights!

 



 

 

 31 weeks :)

 day we got engaged 3.5 years ago (right) and now! 

 

 

Views from the top of the tower: