L is for Love: and Lucky.

Hello Baby,

Some days I still can't believe I'm pregnant with you. 

How or why on Earth did I get so lucky? It overwhelms me!

I remind myself of this every day, right after I say 'Good Morning' to you. 

Your entire little self is a direct result of a love Mr. C and I share. 

I'm getting impatient as we wait to meet you. 

It's like I'm too excited to sleep. 

I feel like I know your sweet heart already. 

And let me just say, I'm so honored to be your Mommy. 

Feel like it will be any day now...

{print from here}

XOXO- Mom 

P is for Pregnancy: 36 Weeks, 3 Days!

Hello Baby,

So I might be in denial, just a tad...

because today I'm exactly 36 weeks and 3 days pregnant.

AKA a little over 3 short weeks until we get to meet you! 

Yay!!! and eeeeeek!!!

{hello baby! BELLY!}

Week 36(ish) Milestones:

• Belly Button is exactly flush with the rest of my belly. It's hilarious.
• According to my pregnancy tracker, you are the size of a Watermelon (and it feels like it too!) and are approximately 19-22 inches, 6.5 lbs.
• I've had 2 weekly appointments already. As of last week, things are progressing right on track! (Get ready for some TMI, but I'm 50% effaced but not dilated.)
• Lately, I've been having more pain in my lower back and it's getting uncomfortable to sleep at night. It's time for a body pillow and heating pad. 
• An hour long hot bath is a nightly routine. During my break, I may or may not have taken 2 baths a day!...
• I'm pretty sure I'm rocking a little bit of the "pregnancy waddle". Forget about the high heels, unless it is a super special occasion.
• As of this weekend, your room is unofficially officially done! (minus the custom crib, but this one is a wonderful placeholder) *pics to come soon!*
• After the hospital tour recently, we pre-registered. So technically, we are good to go! Finalizing the last of my work maternity leave details still keeps me up at night, but I hope to knock out everything this week.
• If you must know (and yes, people are asking)...so far I've gained about 25 lbs overall.
• Mr. C and I STILL have not decided on a name. And we get asked every day! I will say though that we do have a front runner. No, I'm not telling! 
• My appetite is that of a 16 yr old hormonal high school football player. I literally just looked down and noticed I just ate half a bag of pita chips and tub of hummus. I'm still hungry...
• Hospital Bag is pretty much packed. Boy, was that a reality check. I had to remind myself I wasn't going out of town on vacation...womp womp. 

Let me just say, we are SO excited/anxious/nervous/can't wait to meet you!

...however, I can still wait until Feb. 1st though, just so you know... :)

XOXO- Mom

P is for Pregnancy: 31 Weeks

Hello Baby,

Happy 31 weeks to you today! 

from google images.

So an update from yesterday...

We are still waiting to hear back from the Doctor Lady on your official status, 

but the sonogram yesterday went really well and they said you're growing perfectly! 
(sigh of relief)

You were quite the character though and put on a little show :

from left to right:

#1. Face Side Profile

#2. Face Side Profile- you yawned twice during (which was so cool) 

and here you're sticking out your tongue! (you're definitely our son!)

#3. Face Front View- eyes wide open and you smiled a little!

#4. Right Hand Profile- giving us a "thumbs up"!

And in other news....

It just so happens that today we closed on our NEW LOT!

Not too much longer until I get to squeeze you!

XOXO- Mom

P is for Pregnancy: Nerves

Hello Baby,

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment. 

We will continue to listen to your little heart beat (which was very strong!)

and check up on you every 2 weeks until you are born. 

The doctor worries that you may be a little tiny, so we scheduled a sonogram for today.

I couldn't really sleep last night because my mind was all over the place. 

I guess this is what being a mommy will be like. 

Thinking and worrying about you all the time!

I'll be thinking good thoughts until 2 pm today...

(at least we get to see you another time!)

I pray that you are happy, healthy, and growing in there. 

from google images.

See you soon,

XOXO- Mom

Tuesday To-Do's or Not To-Do's

A new sense of urgency has set in with the arrival of the 3rd Trimester. 

People politely remind me that "he could really come any day now!"

Cue awkward smile/in-shock face now. 

(Um, NO... I'm not ready)

So I politely remind Baby C to please wait until February 1st like Doctor Lady said.

It seems as though a lot of major life decisions all need to be made within the next few weeks. 

Or probably should have been made weeks ago...high five for me!

I'm usually a control freak about these things (in a good way!),

but for some reason this feeling of being overwhelmed has enabled me to procrastinate even more. 

All I can not think about lately are questions like: 

"What are you going to do about child care?", 

"What is it going to be like when you go back to work?", 

"Who is your pediatrician?", 

"Is your life insurance and will in order?"

Riiiiiight. About all that...

I'll answer those after my bubble bath. 

XOXO-LC

P is for Pregnancy: Week 28

Hello Baby,

Today you are 28 weeks old!
We are officially in the 3rd Trimester!

From google images.

Week 28 Milestones:

• Belly Button is STILL an technically an innie, although it's actually just more flush with the rest of my bump. 
• According to my pregnancy tracker, you are the size of a Cauliflower and are approximately 16 inches, 2.5 lbs.
• Cravings are different every day. (Tonight I'm thinking Chinese food!)
• Mint Tums are my new best friend. 
• I'm starting to have the occasional Braxton Hicks contractions. They basically feel like short, sharp pains right under my rib cage. Not really as painful as they are uncomfortable. 
• Your room is coming together...Really the only things left are the custom crib and artwork.
• I need more closets/drawers/stuff to organize...nesting has officially set in!
• My clothing options are starting to slim down (no pun intended)
• Sometimes I can see your kicks from the outside of my belly, not just feel them from the inside! 
• So far I've gained about 16 lbs overall.
• Mr. C and I still have not decided on a name. And we get asked every day! 
• I get out of breath faster than usual- room in there is getting tight and I can really feel the pressure on my lungs these days. 
• However, I still have a ton of energy and am feeling great!

P.S.

You got a special treat this week from your Auntie Lisa...

She loves you so and brought you my favorite cake balls from Louisiana! 

T-Minus 12 weeks! 

XOXO-Mom

P is for Photos: Maternity Photo Shoot Prep

I'm not going to lie, there are moments when I miss my pre-pregnancy body.

Simply because I've probably just stood in my closet for an hour trying to decide what to wear 

and then finding out (the obvious) that I can no longer fit into my waist-cinching outfit of choice.

Vain moments aside, I've never been happier with my pregnancy body. Seriously. 

I truly believe pregnant women are some of the most attractive women. Ever. 

Something amazing happens...This is what the female body is intended to do.

Now I'm not calling myself pretty by any means; I'm just saying I've embraced my new figure. 

Every time I look at my round belly,

(and other miscellaneous, not to be named, expanding body parts!) 

I'm reminded of the miracle taking place within.

So, to capture the last of these special moments, I've decided to have a maternity photo shoot.

I've scheduled one with some sweet and very talented friends of mine, Amanda and Kate. 

Technically, they specialize in some drop dead gorgeous and tasteful boudoir photos.

(I've included a little snack of some of mine they did last year!)

But, they've kindly agreed to photograph my pregnant body one day next weekend instead!

Here are some inspiration photos for my maternity shoot:

 All images from here.

(Isn't she darling?!)

Getting ready for our close up. 

XOXO-LC