What a week!

Last week was BY FAR the best week of my pregnancy. It all started off last Monday with an awesome appointment with my high-risk doctor. My cervix was measuring 3.5 cm...the longest it has EVER measured. Baby boy was head down and we got a lot of amazing pictures. He was sucking his thumb, yawning, and the tech said that he has a head full of hair. Eeeeekkkk....I love babies with hair. (Later, Mike asked me if I thought it was dark hair. Of course...right?! I've never seen a baby born with long, BLOND hair.)

Here we are looking up the little ones nose and seeing his smushed, little lips. Underneath is a profile. It's getting cramped in there! The tech even threw in a few 3D pictures. I'm still learning how to use my new scanner at home so hopefully I can get some of those in here soon.

After the ultrasound/cervical check, I went to go talk to my doctor. He was pleased with my measurements and how everything was going. He said I could come back in 2 weeks and if my cervix was still holding strong, I could stop my medicines, cervical checks, and be a normal pregnant lady! YAHOO! He also suggested that I get a little more active (as in running errands, NOT working out) so we went to Target! I'm so excited to get to a point where I can be "normal" but of course, that makes me a bit nervous. Tons of questions going through my mind. What if I stop my medicines and I go into labor? I'll only be 33 weeks. What if I go into labor at Kate's wedding? I'll be 35 weeks. What if the contractions get really bad? What if I lose my plug? Endless questions consume my mind. But I have to go back to my original thought process. Trust the doctor. Faith over fear (thanks Melissa).

So after my glowing report from the doctor, we went to Target to start shopping for the little man's room. We still have A LOT to do! Right now, we only have the dresser and crib assembled and the walls painted. Hoping to make much more progress in the next couple of weeks. We are getting there slowly and hope to have some more pictures soon.

Baby boy moves so much now. His movement is constant and causes my whole tummy to move. I got a really cool video of it but tried for an hour to upload it and it didn't work. Booo...

I think the best part of the week was getting my maternity pictures taken by my husband. The weather has been totally erratic this week in St. Louis. Sun, rain, snow, sun, rain, snow. We jumped at the first sunny day (it was 80 degrees when we started) and headed down to a lovely field. Of course, we got there...it was totally swampy, the grass has all been cut, and the wind was INSANE. But I was dressed and we were already there so we gave it a shot. The wind was frustrating and my hair was crazy...BUT the outcome was amazing.

I have to gush for just a minute. My husband is amazing. I have always said that he is the most thoughtful, kind, and caring person I know. He has been absolutely incredible throughout the pregnancy. He has to "pick up a lot of my slack" for some weeks when I was too scared to get off of the couch. He has cooked for me, shopped for me, and more than anything, comforted me in my lowest and most terrified times. This pregnancy has been a rollercoaster and we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It truly is hard to put my love for my husband into words. But the fact that our love has created a new life, is both overwhelming and incredible. We cannot wait (well...we can wait until at least 37 weeks) to meet this little blessing that will be coming into our lives so soon.

You can see more on his blog HERE.

I treasure the pictures that Mike took of me. I am hoping in the next couple of weeks, we get another sunny day where we can get a few more pictures with him too.

I think in all of the excitement of the week, I overdid it because Braxton Hicks contractions have become a new part of my life. I had a few here and there before this week, but lately I have been having a ton. It is just a reminder than I need to take it easy and keep this little guy cooking.

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30 weeks!

30 weeks! 3/4 finished! 75% done! 7th month!

I took this picture yesterday (officially 30w3d) after my doctor appointment. 81 degrees felt AMAZING! Too bad it looks like the rest of the week will be filled with rain and cold weather.

30 weeks has been interesting. I am starting to feel the pregnancy symptoms that are common for 3rd trimester. Probably the most painful is my sore back. I haven't been to the chiropractor since I started seeing the high-risk doctor because I've been nervous. I don't want anything to pop into place that causes some new type of movement/change in my cervix. I have been sleeping very well up until this past week. I am getting up a few times to go to the bathroom and then toss and turn after that. Turning, rolling over, and getting out of bed/off of the couch is getting harder. Braxton Hicks contractions have also started recently. They aren't painful but I really don't like them. Really don't like them.

Luckily, I am off ALL week for spring break. I am looking forward to relaxing and prepping myself for April. We have SO much to look forward to during our last month as a family of 2. I am currently trying to find an outfit or two for my maternity pictures. We are just waiting for the right day with great weather. I'm getting really big so we would like to take the pictures in the next week or so.

Nursery progress is moving. Mike has painted the walls and assembled the crib and dresser. The chair I wanted it now out of stock so I'm starting over on that one. I'm also on the search for some cute decor items to put on shelves in the nursery. Any help and suggestions on where to look?

This piggy bank is adorable but I wish it came in other colors.

I'm loving this little book holder but not the $124 pricetag.   I also adore this picture frame, but it is out of stock (and $40...shakes head).

Dwell Studio has such cute things! I just can't bring myself to spend so much money on little knickknacks for the baby's room. I'm not particularly crafty so I won't be taking on too many DIY projects.

Where did you find your cute decor items?

I'm going to go and spend sometime with my little birthday girl! Our puppy-love is 2 years old today. Words really do not express how much we love our little lady. I cannot wait to see her with our son...I know she is going to be a wonderful big sister. AND...I cannot wait to give THIS AWESOME TOY to her tonight. She's going to love it!

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

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Hello 3rd Trimester!

I am now 2 weeks into 3rd trimester and feeling pretty good! Let's catch up!

How Far Along: 29 weeks
Size of Baby: Approximately 2.5 pounds (although I think he is probably bigger) and 15 inches long.
Total Weight Gain/Loss: At last week's doctor's appointment, the total was 17 pounds.
Maternity Clothes: Oh yea! I really like my maternity clothes too. I'm excited to start wearing some of my new spring clothes from Old Navy.
Movement: The movement has recently changed from the constant kicks and punches to more of a rolling/waving feeling. So much fun to watch! Sometimes it is uncomfortable...not painful yet...just kind of makes me feel a bit strange.
Symptoms: Still just the sore back. I am also starting to feel more Braxton Hicks contractions which really annoy me. They don't hurt, but I don't like them. Of course, they makes me nervous.
What I Miss: Shaving my legs without having to sit down, not getting winded from walking up stairs, shopping, and most of all, drinking.
Girl or Boy: BOY!
Belly button In or Out: Still an innie...but not for too much longer. I'm guessing that it will be flat in a couple of weeks.
Stretch Marks: They still haven't made their grand appearance. Just waiting though.
Cravings: Still orange juice. I've also been wanting a lot of popsicles. Ohhh...and sushi. I've never been a big raw fish fan so I still indulge pretty regularly in a California or Shrimp Tempura Roll. YUM!
Best Moment This Week: We started cleaning out the nursery. I am really looking forward to getting started!

Kind of crazy that THIS is what is inside of me! He's getting so big! But so am I...

I'm so thankful to be in my 3rd trimester. For awhile, I was scared that I wouldn't get here. My cervix has been holding pretty steady. Last week, during the ultrasound, it fluctuated from 2.4 cm to 3.4 cm. Those measurements are pretty much the shortest and the longest it has ever been and I watched it change within seconds. Crazy cervix! I have set little goals in my head...first was 24 (viability), then 28, next is 30, and then 34. Only 5 more weeks until I hit that last goal. My final goal is a healthy baby boy with no NICU time so 37 is the ultimate goal. Still praying a lot and we are thankful for every day and week that we have with the little man inside.

I have a lot to look forward to in the next couple of months! We will start working on the nursery (FINALLY), I have a couple of showers that are being thrown for me (so fun), spring break (only 8 more school days), we will attend childbirth and infant care classes, my hubby is going to take maternity pictures soon (I'm a bit nervous about that), and I get to be a bridesmaid in a dear friend's wedding. March and April are going to FLY by!

Since I just started blogging again, I know that I have missed a lot of documenting of this pregnancy. If you have any questions, let me know!

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