33 Weeks

Wow, I just looked at the countdown to Emma Claire's due date and there are only 49 days left people! Where has the time gone?! This last week literally flew by, it was so wonderful having the hubster home with me for a whole ten days! :-) Now we're back to the grind that is real life...he left bright and early this morning and won't be back until this evening. Settling into a new routine is always hard, but I am just SO GLAD that he gets to come home each night and the long summer of separation is over now! I've taken it pretty easy today, I've found the less I run up and down the three flight of stairs in our house the better I feel. I'm going to figure out a cleaning schedule so that I can make sure the house is neat and tidy without constantly running up and down stairs. Today I've mainly stayed on the main level and have been cooking and baking up a storm, at least I'm doing something! It might not be cleaning or laundry but that's okay :-) Now on to the fun stuff...baby update!

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Size of Baby: A little over 4 pounds and 17 inches long, she's now the size of a honeydew melon!

Total Weight Gain: 15 pounds! I went to the doctor on Friday and everything is still looking good! I was SO excited because my second appointment with my new doctor was scheduled for the week of the Hubster's vacation! So he got to go with me and meet the doctor :-)

Maternity Clothes: Yes :-) And some regular shirts too, that are longer. I finally had to go out and buy maternity JEANS! We had a cold front and I just figured I could wear my old jeans with my belly band...ummm WRONG. The LAST thing an eight month pregnant woman should do is try to put on her old jeans!!! HA! While they fit (sort of) there was no way even a belly band could help those suckers fit!

Gender: She better still be a girl! HA! I had a dream the other day she was a BOY! EEK! We'll just blame that on crazy pregnant dreams!

Movement: Lots and all of the time. It's been so fun to watch the Hubster watch and feel my belly. I LOVE having his hand on my belly and then when she moves he'll say, "What the heck was THAT?!" She kicked him so hard once he pulled his hand away and said, "WOAH!" She startled him! :-) It's fun that I know her position, her head is way down low, and her little tushie is up on my left side which means hands and feet are towards my right side. I'm starting to feel her feet in my right ribs more often. She's not necessarily kicking me but she makes it hard to sit sometimes because her feet are just there!

What I Miss: Bending over! When did that get so hard?! I feel like yesterday I could bend over and now I can barely put my socks on!

Cravings: None really.

Symptoms: Braxton hicks, indigestion (really only if I do a lot of bending over during the day),

Best Moment of the Week: Spending time with my husband :-) I forgot how much I just love being with him. He always makes me feel better, he cracks me up, AND it's been SO WONDERFUL to have someone to get me water/a blanket/anything else I need. Seriously ladies, don't take your husbands for granted during your pregnancy. It has just been wonderful having someone else to share in the pregnancy! Not that I'm discounting help from all other people, but it's just nice to share the pregnancy with the other person who helped make the tiny little person inside of me :-)

What I'm looking forward to: Getting her nursery put together. We didn't really focus on her room at all during the Hubster's week off. We're planning on painting tomorrow and will hopefully be putting the crib together soon and finishing some other little projects :-) Here's a fun tidbit of nursery info...I just bought a $5 chandelier that's going to be all dolled up for her room! I can't wait to share!!!

Baby Bump

She looks REALLY high in this picture! I feel like I'm SO MUCH BIGGER than I look in this picture!

If you read all of that then kudos to you! I was very chatty today! Some days I find that I could care less about doing another update, but this week I was more into it. I think it's because Hubster has been home and I feel like I have more to talk about. :-)

Happy Tummies=Happy Home

Lately the Hubs and I have been getting back into the swing of things, including cooking! I think that the smell of home cooked food really makes a house feel more like a home. While I did do some cooking before he came home, it was hard to cook for one so my meals were much simpler and easier was better :-) Now that he's home I've had fun cooking for him again! Cooking is one of my favorite things to do at the end of a long day. I know that sounds like the opposite of how most people feel, but it really does help me to relax! Our "first meal" together at home was pan seared tilapia, wild rice and green beans. Seriously the easiest dinner EVER! It took all of about 20 minutes!

I used Wegman's pan searing flour to cook the tilapia, if you have a Wegmans near you...go get some of their pan searing flour! It is wonderful!!! It gives you a "fried" crunch without actually frying the food! Genius!

A few days ago we got a little cool front and the temperatures dropped down into the 50's at night and low 60's during the day so of course I had to make SOUP!

Potato soup is one of the Hubsters favorites, I love it too! There's just something about this soup that I LOVE! Maybe it's the cheese and bacon we get to add on top ;-)

You can't have soup without grilled cheese! I made these with fresh french bread and they were amazing! Much smaller than with regular bread but that's okay!

Since it was cool outside and I had all of the windows open I just HAD to bake something "fall" for dessert. I grabbed some apples, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla and pie crust and made my own version of an "apple braid" that I found HERE on Pinterest! She made hers with homemade bread, I used pie crust. I also added more ingredients, I wanted some sugar in mine! ;-) It turned out WONDERFULLY! I was somewhat skeptical, but I was surprised! The Hubster LOVED it! I think I'll be making this a lot more this fall!

I had some extra pie crust and filling so what did I do? Make mini apple pies of course!!! :-) They were TOO CUTE and super easy!

If anyone wants the "recipe" for the apple mixture I'll try to do another post about it! I didn't really pay attention to how I made it this time, I just kept adding ingredients until I liked the taste!!! I'm going to make this again and write down how I made it so I can share!

Weekend Wrap-Up

You know your Husband is finally home when....you visit Lowe's a couple of times a day, the sound of the weed wacker can be heard early in the morning, you're picking up clothes, doing dishes, and straightening up way more than usual ;-) All kidding aside I'm SO GLAD that he's home! We have had a relaxing but productive weekend and are now settling in waiting for the remnants of tropical depression Lee to dump a TON of rain on us! Here's a little overview of our weekend.

Saturday was my BIRTHDAY! :-) The big 2-3! Paige sent me this ADORABLE present in the mail!

"God is Good. God is Great, Thank You Lord for the LONE STAR STATE!" Isn't that SO TRUE?!

Saturday night we relaxed at home with a pizza from our new favorite pizza place. It was nice to just spend a night at home with him.

SO GOOD! Pretty much every pizza place up here is New York style pizza, which I LOVE! Thin pizza is my favorite, and the Hubster loved it too!

On Sunday we went to Babies R Us to pick up Emma Claire's CRIB! The Hubster was so excited because we could park here...

He's so cute, he thinks they should have these parking spots everywhere :-) Whenever we're at a store he always says, "The need expectant Mommy parking!" I just love him.

At Babies R Us I just about lost him to the toy section. Christmas this year will be so fun! He's going to have a blast picking out toys for Emma Claire :-)

We got to pick out our first baby accessory together! We got her mobile play station, it's SO CUTE! It was fun to finally buy something for her with the Hubster.

The Hubster also got to pick some Fall/Thanksgiving baby bibs for Emma Claire!

He has also been busy this weekend with yard work. It's nice to have him here to trim trees and cut the grass. Plus he's a really cute yard guy ;-)

While he worked the girls and I sat inside and observed, ready to help if needed. And...yes, the dog is ON the windowsill...and she sat here for about an hour and was perfectly content.

And just for fun...here's a onsie that I got for Emma Claire :-) I think all of her uncles will appreciate it! Perfect for football season!

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Labor Day weekend!

32 Weeks

Hi y'all!!! I CANNOT believe I'm at 32 weeks already...that means that there are only EIGHT more weeks until her due date and that I'll be full term in only FIVE weeks! WOW! Where has the time gone?!

How Far Along: 32 Weeks

Size of Baby: 3.75 Pounds and 16.7 inches long

Total Weight Gain: 14 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep! Although now that I'm unpacked I have found several "normal" shirts that I can still wear! The one I'm wearing in this weeks picture is non-maternity!

Gender: Girl! Emma Claire

Movement: ALL the time, and it's way more fun now that the Hubster is home and can feel her too!

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night ;-) I've been getting up 3-4 times each night, bending over, putting clothes on normally  

Cravings: None right now, I wish I had some...it would make restaurant decisions much easier!

Symptoms: HEARTBURN...oh my word y'all...I HATE tums :-( yogurt has been helping, and if I am careful to not bend over too much it's not too bad. I don't have it everyday but when I do it's no fun. Braxton hicks are in full swing! I can't get over how hard my belly gets! The bathroom and I have also become best friends again! I swear every time I get up I have to pee! Ha!

Best Moment of the Week: When the Hubster came home! I love having him here! :-) It's been so fun showing him around our new little town and neighborhood!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Picking up our crib and painting the nursery!

Baby Bump

A Few of my Favorites

Kelly, over at Kelly's Korner, is hosting SUYL "Favorite Blogs" today! I read SO MANY blogs it's so hard to pick my "favorites", I don't want any hurt feelings if I've left someone out!!! I think I may do another post like this next week to cover everyone!

A Few of my Favorites

Kelly's Korner

I have been reading Kelly's blog for a while now and I just LOVE her! If you haven't read her blog you need to!

Bless Our Nest

Shannon's blog was one of the first I found when I started reading blogs and I love hers as well. She has a great decorating style and always has cute pictures of her ADORABLE little boy!

Living the Adventures

I found Allie's blog through a link up at Kelly's Korner a while back. It turns out we were in the same sorority at Baylor, several years apart! She is also having a sweet baby girl soon, it's been great reading her fun posts!

A Wedding Story

Elizabeth is expecting a sweet little girl soon as well! Her blog is adorable just like her, I love reading her new posts!

Live a Charmed Life

I LOVE Emily's blog! I've been reading for a long time now! I found her blog before I had mine and she has such a great writing style AND design style. Her house is adorable! Speaking of adorable....she just had the CUTEST little girl a few months ago!

There's No Place Like Home

I've also been reading Dina's blog for a while. Her house is to die for and I love how she decorates. Take a look around if you want to be inspired! She has great taste, and it's all so unique!!!

2 Kids, a Minivan and a Mortgage

I've been following Kate's family blog for a while too. Her daughter, Lucy, is battling cancer and going through more than any child ever should. Kate's posts are real and heartfelt and this family is always in my prayers.

Sophisticated Steps

Gail cracks me up. She is a rock star designer, photographer, Mom, Wife...she basically does it all. AND she's funny!

Keeping up with Kayla

I tried to get a picture but it wouldn't work :-( Anyways, Kayla is a fun, young, great girl who has such a cute blog! She has two adorable dogs and a really cute niece!

I seriously read so many blogs it's hard to capture my favorites! I'm sure I'll add a few more as I think about it! I also have some of my favorites listed on my sidebar! What are some of your favorite blogs?

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Thursday Thoughts

Whew...what a day. I finally got our bedroom organized and now all of the boxes are out of the house! WOO HOO! Those of you who have recently moved (or have EVER moved!) will join me in this celebration! There are only TWO boxes left and they are out in the garage with a bunch of the Hubster's survival stuff in them. I'm letting him go through those :-) He really is extremely lucky...coming home to a house that is completely unpacked and organized! He won't have to open but TWO stinkin' boxes! How did he work that out ;-) I think I've opened a thousand boxes! Here are some random thoughts and highlights from today...

Our room looks somewhat normal! I HATE the white walls but they're fine for now. I'm not in a hurry to paint our room. The nursery, guest room, and dining room are next on my to-do list.

Our bookshelf is now back in business.

Decorations that are waiting for a big strong man to hang them ;-)

The closet is now organized...somewhat. (It may not look organized to the untrained eye but trust me...everything has a "place") We don't have a dresser yet so finding a place for everything was difficult...hence so many piles on the top rack. But if moving has taught me anything it's that nothing is permanent, I just have to make it work until we get a new dresser!

This AMAZES me. How in the world did we end up with THIS. MANY. HANGERS?! I swear they multiplied when we moved! ha! For now they're being stored in the guest room...but seriously who has this many "extra" hangers?!

When unpacking the bedroom I came across these blue decorative balls that my mom got me, I'm not sure what to do with them so for now they'll hang out with the lemons. Any suggestions? There are just 3 of them.

My Mom suggested that I move this lamp above the fridge and I think she was right, I love it up there! :-) I have a lamp obsession and I've been slowly finding spots for all of them.

This magnet is one of my favorite wedding gifts we received, I know...a magnet as a favorite wedding gift?! But isn't it too cute? And I've started using it for my OB appointment cards...I think it's a very fitting phrase, don't you? ;-)

I also organized underneath the sink today! I love the little organizer, it created so much space! If you need to save space under your sink give this a try!

A very special guy has a birthday coming up soon and I've put this basket in the kitchen as a catch-all for birthday supplies! I have his card, presents, and fun birthday things in it. With all of the chaos I didn't want to loose anything I will need for his birthday!

The dogs are adjusting as well :-) They love getting to run up and down stairs all day. They're so cute...they just follow me around as I clean, organize and move things around...my little helpers. I cannot wait to see what they do when the Hubster comes home. They haven't seen him in almost FOUR months! I have a feeling that he will need to give them some major attention when he gets here!

Tomorrow is cleaning day AND furniture day! The rest of the furniture is FINALLY arriving! I love sharing a love seat with two my furry love muffins, but mama is ready for a BIG SOFA! :-) As for the cleaning, the house was professionally cleaned before I got here AND when I got here I deep cleaned it, BUT it's time for another cleaning! A house can never be too clean ;-)

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" Psalm 27:4