31 Weeks

Size: A pineapple! My favorite :)

Major happenings this week: She's going through major brain & nerve development, as well as eye development.

 

Sleep: I'm sleeping on two pillows now to elevate me enough so heartburn doesn't wake me up. It usually does the trick.

 

Miss Anything: Feeling "fit." No matter how much I walk, it doesn't compare to the higher impact exercises my body was used to pre-pregnancy. I want to run a mile so badly I can't stand it. (And no, I wasn't a big runner before I got pregnant. I guess people want what they can't have, huh?)

 

Food Cravings: chicken, milk, fruit

Bellybutton in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On

Gender: Girl!

What's been happening: I finally decided on & ordered artwork for the nursery. I also ordered the glider this week & can't wait to get it in.

We had our 31 week appointment this morning. Baby girl's heartbeat is perfect & I'm still measuring right on track. The doctor told me she's happy with my health & the baby's health, so keep doing what I'm doing... Oh, you mean chicken biscuits? Deal.

Looking forward to: Another free weekend to do whatever we want! After this we have 4 weekends free before she makes her arrival... It just got real!

Megan + Charles {Engaged}

A week ago today our lives changed forever. It’s one of the many milestones we’ve experienced lately. Ryan’s sister, Megan, became engaged to the love of her life, Charles! I don’t think it’s any secret how much I love Megan and I often brag that she’s the best sister-in-law in the world (because she is).  Our whole family loves Charles so much and we were so excited to see them take a step closer to starting their life together.

Although they’re only 22 and 23, this has been a long time coming. They’ve been together since they were in high school and there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re made for each other. They balance each other out beautifully and fit in with each other’s families so seamlessly.

Despite the fact that we were so excited to hear that Charles was planning to propose, most of us were caught completely off guard. Charles still has two years of pharmacy school and we knew he didn’t want to get married until after he graduated. Although Megan was a bit more anxious to get the ball rolling, she understood his reasoning and never pushed him.

A week before Charles proposed he got the most devastating news that any child can. After fighting cancer for the past several months, his father was told that there was nothing else the doctors could do. We’re continuing to pray for him daily & ask that everyone do the same.

Charles had planned to propose this summer, but decided to move it up so his dad could be a part of it. He planned out the entire weekend, convincing Megan to play golf with him on Edisto Island, then coordinated for both families to be waiting at a beach house after he popped the question. The proposal went off without a hitch & Megan was so shocked when she found us all in Edisto waiting on them.

 

Our view from the porch

Waiting anxiously for the newly engaged couple!

Ryan with his dad

Megan & Charles with his parents

Is there anything better than a mother's reaction? 

 

Megan with her Daddy

 

Our crazy family!

 

 

 

 

We spent the rest of last Saturday night as one big happy family, eating cake & planning their life together. That night we all slept under one roof and it felt like we’d done it a million times before. On Sunday morning Ryan and I decided to take a walk on the beach. Even in January there’s no place I’d rather be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have  no idea where I'm looking.

 

 

 

After a big breakfast and saying goodbyes, Ryan and I headed back to Lexington and reflected on the weekend. Although our hearts were so heavy for obvious reasons, one happy moment casted so much sunlight in all of our lives.

30 Weeks

10 more weeks, people... TEN!!!

Size: A cucumber. She's about 15.2-16.7 inches long (I'm sorry, have you ever seen a 15 in cucumber? That would make for some interesting jokes in the grocery store.) & weighs between 2.5-3.8 lbs!

Major happenings this week: I definitely feel like I've hit a milestone. 30 weeks. Wow. We're getting so close!

Sleep: This is getting a little rough. The heartburn is getting worse & I'm having really wacky dreams. Last night I got attacked by a Chinese mob. Can't wait to slumber again tonight. 

After I woke up from the attack I was starving. I begged poor Ryan to run downstairs & get me a pop tart & a glass of milk. He's really been so amazing throughout this entire pregnancy.

Miss Anything: Lots of things, but the end is near, so no complaints.

Food Cravings: Wendy's

Bellybutton in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On

Gender: Girl!

What's been happening: We had our 3D/4D ultrasound on Monday. We have one stubborn, beautiful little girl! She only let us get a couple of pictures of her face, then she'd turn her head again. Can anyone say, "Just like her Mama?!?!" At one point she threw up this sign...

She's either a fan of the Texas Longhorns or rock & roll. Either way, fine with me. She's quite the sassy one, but we're already so in love!

Also, Ryan's sister got engaged this past weekend. We all went down to Edisto to be with the happy couple & we had a wonderful time. Lots of pics & the full story to come!

Looking forward to: A weekend off. We were supposed to do the labor classes, but they got moved to February. I can't believe we have 2 days with nothing to do!

Here are some shots of Miller.

Here's one of my baby pictures. I wonder if she'll look like me! The tech said she can already tell she has hair, so we shall see!

29 Weeks

Size: An acorn squash. She's already measuring 15.2-16.7 inches long & weighs about 2.5-3.8 lbs. She should triple in weight before birth, which means I'll start seeing the weight come on faster. Oh joy.

Major happenings this week: I've gotten my energy back. Last week must've been a fluke. We have another appointment tomorrow. I feel like I see those doctors more than my family & friends now.

 

Sleep: Great! 

Miss Anything: My old weight! I know I'm gaining weight for a GREAT reason, but it doesn't necessarily make it easy to see new numbers on the scale.

 

Food Cravings: milk, McDonald's ice cream (trust me, it's the best), yogurt w/ fruit

Bellybutton in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On

Gender: Girl!

What's been happening: The lady who was making the bedding for the nursery is finished! I can't believe it. I'm so excited to get it & put it in the room!

Looking forward to: Our appointment tomorrow & even more than that - our 3D/4D ultrasound on Monday! Both of our moms are coming with us to the ultrasound & I can't wait to see our baby girl!

Our Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend, and as expected, it was filled with family, friends & great times. The only thing I regret is not taking more pictures. We got to hang out with a lot of our college friends Saturday night & I didn't take a single photo. Oh well, I guess that's what our memories are for, right?

On Saturday morning we headed to Greenville for a late birthday lunch with my family since we couldn't all get together on my real birthday. We met at Brick Street Cafe and it was absolutely wonderful!

I've mentioned before how incredible this place is, and how even MORE incredible their cake is. My parents bought an entire sweet potato cake (my favorite!) for us to share. This cake is big enough to feed 20+ people. Keep in mind there were 6 adults there. My mom has a recurring fear of running out of food. When she makes mashed potatoes we can feed a village.

I visited my sweet friend Rebecca after lunch and she has a beautiful little girl. I was able to score some awesome hand-me-downs from Whitley Grace & I know Miller will love wearing them!

After visiting with Becca & WG, we headed to Josh & Jamie's to get ready for the birthday party. I took the leftovers to my best friend as a surprise (shocker, it's her favorite cake too). She had a surprise waiting on me when I got to her house... a giant piece of sweet potato cake! Great minds think alike, huh?

We went to the Esso Club in Clemson to celebrate a wonderful man's 55th birthday & got to see a lot of our favorite people. We all (yes, the men included) huddled around a couple of the TV's to watch the Miss America pageant. Miss South Carolina is a Clemson student, so we were all rooting for her. I still think she got robbed, but that's a whole other post.

Here's the only picture I took the entire night...

It's always wonderful to have a night out with your best friends, especially when you're all on the same page. We headed home at 11:00 because we couldn't hold our heads up any longer.

On Sunday morning we woke up to sweet Pierce, had biscuits with Josh & Jamie, then headed back home to get stuff done around the house.

Ryan finished the dresser for the nursery and the lady making the bedding for the nursery also finished the bumper & crib skirt. I'm getting so excited about putting it all together!

28 Weeks + My 27th Birthday

Hello 3rd Trimester!!!!!

Don't you love how that mallard has sneaked into so many of my weekly pictures? I'm too lazy to crop.



Size: An eggplant.

Major happenings this week: We're in the home stretch! I started my 3rd (and FINAL) trimester today! I can already feel the effects of it - I'm starting to get really tired again. People don't lie when they say the 2nd trimester is the best.

Sleep: I've slept really well this week. 

Miss Anything: Tucking in shirts. I was going through a phase of tucking in everything into my dress pants & high waisted jeans before I got pregnant. Can't wait to do that again!

Food Cravings: Sweets.

Bellybutton in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On

Gender: Girl!

What's been happening: All of the fabric has been dropped off to the lady who's making the skirt & bumper. I can't wait to see it come together!

We decided to (aka: I guilted Ryan into) refinishing a dresser we already had for the baby's nursery. I thought it was a piece from Ryan's family, which was going to be really special in her nursery. Turns out it was just a dresser that one of his former college roommates no longer wanted, so we grabbed it when Ryan moved out.

We (Ryan & a friend) dragged it down a flight of stairs & into our garage so we could begin work on it. After examining it, I found a stamp on the back that indicated it was solid cherry wood. HELLO! If we had bought a new cherry dresser for her nursery it would've cost us upwards of $800-$1000! We bought all the supplies to refinish this bad boy for $75. I've taken lots of pictures & will post them all once it's complete.

Lastly, I went to the doctor for my 27 week appointment & glucose test last week. I passed the glucose test (thank you, Jesus), so I don't have to do the 3 hour test. I almost yacked 3 times, but managed to keep it down. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

Miller must've REALLY enjoyed the sugary drink because she was going nuts in my belly by the time the doctor came in. I laid back on the table & Miller started having a flash dance party. The doctor said, "Wow, you've got a wild woman in there!" Yeah, doc. You have no idea.

For the 3rd week in a row, I'm measuring a week ahead. We may have a March baby after all!

Looking forward to: Seeing lots of family & friends this weekend. We're going to the upstate to celebrate a wonderful man's 55th birthday & I can't wait to see a bunch of our friends. We're also celebrating my birthday one last time with my family since I didn't get to see them all last weekend.

 

 

My 27th Birthday!

 

I was excited to celebrate my 27th birthday during my 27th week of pregnancy. I love coincidences, what I can I say?

 

On Friday Ryan got my favorite pizza for lunch at the office. I also got this card from our co-workers...

 

 

 

It says, "The secret to staying young? Lie about your age."

"If I've learned anything in my 29 years, it's that!"

The day before I had a conversation with Nick, who works with us. I was teasing him because he just turned 30. I said, "You know how old I'll be on Sunday?" Before he had a chance to answer I yelled out, "A lot younger than you! 27!!" He replied, "Yeah, but you look 34."

The boy is quick. What could I say?

Inside was a gift card to Burger King. These people know the way to my heart!

On Saturday night we met my wonderful parents 1/2 way for dinner at Fatz. It's our special meeting place now. Ryan got me a raspberry elegance cake from Publix. This thing is amazeballs (you're welcome, Jamie).

Have a great Wednesday!

27 Weeks

Holy schnikies... Yes, that is my belly. Yes, I still have 13 weeks to go!!!! Oh my goodness I swear one day it's just going to burst wide open!

This was a conversation I had with a stranger last week...

Lady: "You must be due any day now!"

Me: "Actually, I still have 3 months to go."

Lady: "Oh, I didn't mean you're big or anything. Don't take it that way."

Really? REALLY????? How else would you like me to take it?

I wanted to be "all belly," but this really is getting out of hand!

Size: A rutabaga. She's about 13.6-14.8 inches long & about 1.5-2.5 lbs in weight.

Major happenings this week: I'm in my last week of my 2nd trimester! I can't believe I only have 13 weeks left! Tomorrow will mark exactly 3 months from my due date.

The baby is practicing inhaling & exhaling. She's also showing brain activity!

Lastly, I have my glucose test tomorrow. I'm hoping I can pass it on the 1st try so I don't have to do the 3 hour test.

Sleep: The heartburn is getting worse & so are the weird dreams. I'm waking up quite frequently now. 

Miss Anything: Buttoning my pants.

Food Cravings: Nothing unusual.

Bellybutton in or out? Out

Wedding rings on or off? On

Gender: Girl!

What's been happening: I FINALLY decided on all of her nursery fabric (sound the Hallelujah Chorus). Ryan & my parents painted the nursery Monday & my dad hung the chandelier. I'm loving how the room is coming together & can't wait to get it done!

Looking forward to: My birthday! I'll be 27 on Sunday. EEk! Another year older, but I know I'll never be this young again :)