Sunday, June 23, 2013

33 weeks! {As of Yesterday}

Throughout the entire pregnancy, I’ve given an update here and there, but I figured I would start giving a weekly update since I’m getting closer to the end.

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{How far along}

33 weeks….and yes, I am providing a picture! Surprise! Ignore my bare feet! I’m at home, so the shoes come off.


{Total Weight Gain}

14 pounds as of my last doctor’s appointment, although I’m sure I’ve put on some more since then

{Stretch Marks}

None yet! I’m hoping it will stay that way, too.


{Sleep}

Surprisingly, not so bad! I get up a few times a night to use the bathroom, but I can typically go right back to sleep. The good news is that I don’t have to get up to go to work, so I can makeup for any lost sleep by sleeping in.


{Best Moment This Week}

Getting compliments on how well I’ve done through this pregnancy! You people know how to make a pregnant girl feel good! Oh, and I scored a baby monitor and other baby goodies in the clearance aisle! It’s the little things in life!


{Movement}

He’s like a little Mexican jumping bean! Not only are the movements on one side of my stomach, they are now on both sides at one time. I’m pretty sure that he’s had the hiccups some this week, too. He’s probably had them before now, but my husband helped me realize that was what was going on.

We went to the movies yesterday and watched Fast 6. I swear he didn’t move just about the whole time we were in there. The loud sounds of speeding cars might have done him in…haha!


{Gender}

Baby boy! While I’m not sure what exactly to do with a boy, I’m excited about him, and I think a baby boy is the perfect fit for me. I might have my hands full if it were a little girl!


{Labor Signs}

None yet!


{Belly Button}

Still in, but flattening out!

{What I Miss}

Being able to sleep on my stomach {oh, how I miss that}! Being able to bend over and get up easily from the floor! Looking normal!

{What I am Looking Forward To}

Being able to buy and wear regular clothes again! Being able to sleep on my stomach! Holding my baby boy and not just imagine what he’s going to look like and be like!


{Milestones}

Officially in month 8! He should be around 4 1/2 pounds {or possibly less since he was measuring about a week behind}. Antibodies are being passed from me to my sweet, baby boy.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Oh, Say Can You See?

In exactly two weeks, we’ll be hanging out our flags, watching fireworks, and celebrating the birthday of our great nation. So, why not start putting thought into some décor ideas to spruce up your party or just your house?

Of course, Pinterest is the best go-to site to find a little inspiration. With all of this time on my hands, I might as well use it efficiently {or at least somewhat so}.

Here are some of my favorite inspiration photos {you can click on the photo for the source}…

{Centerpiece Ideas}

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patriotic idea 2

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{Tablescapes & Details}

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{Favors}

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{Décor for the Porch}

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porch 2

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These are some of my favorites! I’m thinking I can take a few of these ideas and apply them in some form or fashion. If you want to see some other great ideas, I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to Patriotic Ideas. Check it out!

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Getting Prepared

On Saturday, I’ll officially be 33 weeks pregnant. Time has flown by so far, but it seems like it is moving so slowly now that I’m getting more and more uncomfortable by the day. While I’d like to throw myself a pity party, this whole pregnancy experience hasn’t been so bad so far. From what I’ve heard from others, I could have had it a lot worse.

I’m quite grateful on many days that I’m off for the summer, especially when I’m trying to get things ready for his arrival or would just rather take a nap. On the other hand though, working is probably what made the days fly by so quickly because my mind was on so many things. Don’t get me wrong. There is plenty more to do….here at home and at work, but it’s now ultimately up to my will power to get it done.

Having time to think also allows me to pine over things that are said or done that don’t sit well with me. In my head, I know that I shouldn’t worry about it or let it get to me, but it is harder to do than I wish it was. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband that lets me vent over and over and get it off my chest. I feel like my filter is slowly fading away, so I’m having to really put forth an effort to not say exactly what I think and regret it later on. People can be so thoughtless sometimes, and being pregnant doesn’t help their insensitivity. Pray that I’ll be able to control it for the next however many weeks.

Like I said though, I’m trying to get everything prepared for the little guy’s arrival. We still have two more showers coming up in the next three weeks. Can’t wait for those! I still have some projects for art on the nursery walls to complete, a dresser to locate, some items to get monogrammed, a bag to pack, and the list goes on and on.

I hope to {start} to be putting a bag together near the end of next week and start getting the essentials together, along with those things that I just can’t live without. Please comment with your advice at the bottom. I’m just compiling a list based on several lists I have found on other blogs.

{For Mom}

Take to the hospital {mom}

  • Any pre-registration forms, insurance card/info, photo ID, short-term disability forms
  • Camera, charger, memory cards, and lenses
  • iPad, iPhone, and chargers
  • Toiletries and Makeup
  • My own pillow
  • Nightgowns
  • Robe
  • Flip-flops {not a fan of slippers, and need another pair for the shower}
  • Socks
  • Going home outfit {comfy, of course}
  • A change of clothes {or two} for at the hospital
  • Extra pairs of comfortable underwear that I don’t love and don’t mind being ruined
  • Dark colored towel
  • Maxi-pads
  • Nursing pads
  • Nursing or sports bra
  • Snacks
  • Change/cash for vending machines

{For Dad}

  • His own pillow
  • Change of clothes
  • PJ pants and t-shirt
  • Toiletries

{For Baby}

  • Car seat
  • A couple of onesies or sleeper gowns
  • Going home outfit
  • Socks & Mitts
  • Swaddling blanket(s)
  • Receiving blanket
  • Boppy pillow
  • Pacifier

So, ladies…..what am I missing? What do I need to make sure to bring? What can I do without? I’m probably over-packing {it’s what I’m best at}, but I’d rather have what I need than know it’s at home and not accessible. You can thank the internet and every woman in America’s hospital list for what you see above.

Please….give your advice! And if you don’t want to leave a public comment, feel free to message me.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Five Bits of Randomness

{One}

The Blueberry Festival is tomorrow, and I’m hoping to score some great finds. The vendors never disappoint. The plan of action is to be there at opening, catch a ride on the shuttle {the pregnant chick doesn’t want to lose stamina before I even get there}, walk through all of the booths and make notes of items of interest, and then go back and purchase whatever I think I have to have.

{Two}

The Pottery Barn Kids catalog came in today. Once again, my eyes were drawn to this adorable diaper bag in there….not terribly priced either. I’ve been shopping around for one that fits my style. I’ve browsed a local store and the Thirty-One catalog. This bag has to be my favorite so far though. It’s the PB Harper Tote. Who knows though? I might come across one that I like even better.

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{Three}

I went to the doctor yesterday….in and out. Everything was still good, and I’ve now gained a total of 14 pounds in 32 weeks. It’s hard to believe that I’ve only got 8 weeks to go. It’s becoming way more real now as the time gets closer. My burst of energy seems to be depleting. I just want to sleep, but I’m still feeling great.

{Four}

This is one teeny tiny sneak peek at the little man’s nursery. I’ve GOT to get a dresser and put some things on the wall before I’m satisfied.

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{Five}

I’m doing a post coming up about what all I need to pack for the hospital. Start thinking of helpful advice all of you moms who’ve been there. I don’t want to be whipping something together at the last minute and forget something that I really will need.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Making Progress {Slowly, but Surely}

At the beginning of the year, I remade my 101 list full of large and small goals that I wanted to accomplish in the next 1,001 days. This is one of my favorite things to do since a) I have a type A personality b) It helps you see what you have done c) You feel like you’re accomplishing something in this whirlwind of life.

So here’s what get to be taken off of the list:

{Five} Promote Colby’s Business

No pictures of this, but I did help Colby pick out some business cards for Langham Lawn Care. Now, he’s ordering signs for stump grinding as well. The business has really taken off this summer, and we can only thank the good Lord for answering Colby’s prayers.

Before it’s all over, I’d like to see him have decals on his truck and trailer, too. 

{Nine} Paint Living Room

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{Fifteen} Take a Bubble Bath

I couldn’t get enough of these early in the pregnancy. I’m beginning to think they might be a good idea again although I’m feeling particularly great overall.

{Twenty-Eight} Have a party with friends at the house

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{Thirty-Eight} Frame my Master’s degree

There’s nothing really special to see. Just take my word that it’s there! This is all thanks to my wonderful MIL.

{Forty-One} Go one a nice date with my husband

After taking advice from some good friends, we went to Destin for a date to celebrate our anniversary. It was also the last day of school and a great treat after such a rough week. Y’all should definitely check this place out! It’s right by the harbor and has plenty of seating inside and out. It only seems fitting to eat outside though when you’re at the beach. The food did not disappoint and was worth the price when you’re treating yourselves every once in a while.

Boshamps

{Fifty-Five} Put more personal photos around the house

This is just something you’ll have to take my word on, too. I’ve brought out frames that I’ve had stashed in a closet and filled them with photos of us, mostly from our wedding. Once the little guy is born, I will be putting up some more in frames that are currently empty in his room and will probably add many more to fill our bookshelves here and there in the den area.

{Fifty-Nine} Buy a new bathing suit

And you can bet your bottom dollar I will never post a photo of myself in my bathing suit while pregnant. After an invitation to the lake, I scoured town to piece together a decent bathing suit that wouldn’t scare the daylights out of my friends. Luckily, I found one….and a cover-up that I never had to take off {thank God}. Just imagine a bandeau style tankini top in black with white polka dots and a black bottom…..you get the picture.

{Seventy-Four} Make a new wreath

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Door hanger

{Eighty-Four} Clean out courtyard

This was one of those goals to accomplish before the party, and thanks to my husband we did. We cleaned it out and pressure washed the entire thing. Hallelujah!

{Ninety-One} Find the baby a caregiver

This was one of my biggest worries for the longest time. I didn’t want my baby to have to go to daycare {not that there is a thing in the world wrong with that}. In a small town though, the options are very limited, and I felt sure I could find someone who could work with me and keep him at their home.

After a week of two of worrying, we got two phone calls in one day about two possibilities. Praise the Lord! One worked better for us over the other, and we are now so pleased to know that our baby will be in the hands of someone we trust completely, a mother who is raising three wonderful children, and someone we know will treat ours like her own. Our prayers have been answered!

{Ninety-Eight} Attend a baby shower for me {click picture for link}

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{Ninety-Nine} Get summer maternity clothes

I’ll be completely honest. I haven’t really bought maternity clothes other than shorts and pants. At this point in the pregnancy, I could benefit from a few more shirts in a bigger size, but not necessarily maternity. I’m not going all out in that department though since I have a couple of dresses I can wear as well….not to mention the fact that I’m not having to work right now since I’m out for summer. Perks of being a teacher!

{One Hundred One}  Pick out baby’s name

We’ve picked it out, and we’re keeping it a secret. It’s actually been kind of fun to hear people’s guesses. So far….I haven’t heard a correct guess. Before long though, you’ll all know…..when he gets here, of course.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Instant Relaxation

Since we have moved into our new home, I new that the color in the living room was not going to work for me. Too dark! And you know how I like things to be light and airy feeling! While I haven’t fully accomplished that entirely through my house, it’s a work in progress.

Back in January, we ordered two new sofas to go in the living room. We chose quality in our sofas because we knew that they would be what we would have in there for a very long time. So far, I can’t be any more pleased. They are comfortable to sit in, and I’m definitely glad we chose to pay the extra $20 or $30 for both of them to be sofa size instead of a sofa and a loveseat. It’s worth it to be able to sit that extra person or two when you have company over.

So, let’s just flash back to what the room looked like in January before the furniture arrived and while carpet was being installed in our guest bedroom.

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It’s a good thing the only thing on my mind during that time was sleeping…..thank you, Baby Langham.

Then, the sofas arrived, and we moved all of the random furniture back into the room it belonged in {kind of}, and I planned for the future of my living room to make it a little more friendly to the eye.

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Since we knew things were about to get real crazy around here with a baby shower and a new kid added to the mix, we changed this room around drastically within a week’s time.

Colby painted the room in one night and did the trim on another day. I scored lamps from T.J. Maxx, pulled out frames and accessories from my stash of things I buy and haven’t used yet, and bought and painted a mirror found at the Habitat Restore.

The layout of the couches wasn’t exactly working for me. The couches were way too far apart. While the couches were pulled out to paint the walls, I quickly realized how well they would do if one of the couches wasn’t on the wall and met the corner of the other couch. I then moved one of the side tables in the middle of the two couches to make it make more sense.

Here are the before and afters from the different angles…

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For those of you wondering, the paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue with White Diamond trim.

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So, now I can plan for getting this room to a more finished state.

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I might even want to add in a chair by the fireplace and between the piano. We’ll just have to see how it goes. I have ideas for it all, but I’ll share it all once I have it all together.

P.S. I have a nursery update coming. I promise. It’s actually half-way done. It just needs a few things here and there.

P.S.S. My computer is on the brink of dying. I’m praying it will hold on just a little bit longer. The good news is that I’ve backed everything up. Woohoo!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Trying Something New {A Paint Party}

Alright ladies….I know many of you have already been doing this for quite some time, but now you can do it in our own town. If you haven’t tried it, I really encourage you to get a group up and give it a go!

The Dot Shop is one of the newer shops in town with some of the newest styles in clothes and jewelry….not to mention the cutest door hangers on the block!

Some of the girls got in contact with the owner and set up the date and time. We brought some snacks and drinks and got busy! We picked our two designs that we wanted to do ahead of time, and she had them cut out and ready to go when we got there.

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Some of us did the mason jars, and the others did flowers. I knew I needed something pretty simple, and come to find out even that was too hard for me. I just don’t have enough confidence in myself. Luckily, the owner was happy to help so that we left with something we were proud of and looked awesome!

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We can’t wait to do another one in the fall! It might be the only way we can ever all get together! Life is way too busy!

Seriously though….schedule your party with your gal pals! It’s a good time!

Monday, June 10, 2013

Rain or Shine….The Show Must Go On!

Boy, oh boy! Saturday was a whirlwind….as was the week leading up to it!

We turned the house upside down, had our air conditioner replaced, and had a baby shower at our house all in one week! In the upcoming week, I’ll share with you some updates we made to the house this week to get it ready for company, but for now I wanted to share with you the awesome baby shower hosted by my three best friends in honor of the upcoming arrival of our new little boy!

The amount of preparation these girls did to make this party a success can never be appreciated enough! It was a party full of good friends, good food, and a good time! And some really great gifts!

In an effort to do my part, I put vases of hydrangeas in nearly every room in the house. What can I say? It’s my favorite flower!

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The girls set up the party in the yard. Tables were accented by baby’s breath and candles in mason jars that were tied off with a twine bow.

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The cake table was set with the burlap runner used from my wedding, a gorgeous paisley cake atop a milk glass cake plate {seriously….this couldn’t be any more fitting for me} surrounded with baby’s breath, and all of the essentials to dig in.

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The appetizer table held all kinds of yummy treats including fruit kabobs, a sausage dip, and a chicken ball. If you could walk past that table and not make a plate, you have way more will power than me. The tree in the middle served as the “wishing/advice” tree….and boy did I get some advice!

Boys that you’ve gone to school with nearly your whole life give interesting and humorous advice!

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The gift table was complete with rocking chairs for the husband and I to open up the goodies that we were going to be blessed with.

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Unfortunately, I didn’t get a photo of the food table with all of the delish food on it, but I did get a before photo! Just imagine it with grilled chicken quarters, baked beans, potato salad, and I can’t even remember what else! Tea was served in mason jars and in a whiskey barrel full of bottled sodas or water.

Can it get any more southern of a party?

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The guests began to arrive and settle in….

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all before the the rain came…..

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and thinking that the rain would pass quickly like it always does, the boys did their part to save the party {moved the food tables under the porch and turned the chairs at an angle}! And even hung out under the trees while the ladies moved under the porch!

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The rain got harder, and we quickly realized that it wasn’t planning on letting up any time soon….not to mention that everything was soaking wet!

On to Plan B….move the party inside!

Inside or outside though, we all still had a great time and adjusted easily.

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Thanks to everyone who came! Rain couldn’t mess up our good time! I love spending time with each and every one of you! You all mean so much to me, and I can’t wait for you all to meet our little guy! To be quite honest, I’m getting more and more anxious to meet him myself!

31 weeks and going!