31 Weeks

Wow, it's amazing what you can accomplish when you don't have to go to work!  Look at me - posting EXACTLY on my weekly date!  I know I fell behind for 99% of this pregnancy so it is my goal to keep up with it until the BIRTH (which by the way, is coming way faster than I anticipated).

I am now on my biweekly appointments which is kind of crazy and I am really looking forward to my final ultrasound.  I haven't had one since the gender ultrasound at 20 weeks and I am just so excited for ONE more where I can actually (hopefully) see some detail in his little face!  I don't have one scheduled at all but previously I was told by the ultrasound tech that she would see me again between 34-36 weeks to determine if he is breach which would help prepare the doctor's and myself for the type of delivery I would be having.  I know it's a little into the future, but I am just really excited!

I have been having the serious urge to nest.  Andddd it hasn't been happening.  I have ZERO desire to clean our house or any of that stuff.  I want to get going on the nursery but it STILL is not finished being painted and I STILL do not have a crib.  I am getting really antsy and anxious regarding that.  I am very aware that Lincoln could decide to make his appearance whenever he wants (although it's unlikely, yes I know) and I would like to have something prepared!  Once I can get working on the nursery and decorating it (which I have only been excited about my entire life) then maybe cleaning will fall into place.  I really have no desire to get on my hands and knees and do scrubbing or base boards because any bending I do makes me feel like I am going to throw up.  A pregnancy perk right there folks.

On top of all the excitement behind dying to create Lincoln's perfect room, our 1 year wedding anniversary is on Saturday! I can hardly believe it.  It is INSANE what can happen in 365 days.  Let's recap a few things:
1. A year ago on June 17th/18th was my insane bachelorette party - 1 year later was my baby shower.
2. A year ago on June 25th/26th were some.. ummm.. pictures for Darius for my wedding gift to him - 1 year later were our maternity photos.

It's just INSANE what can happen!!!!

Here are a couple of our amazing maternity photos by our favorite photographer Laura Charlotte!

Our babymoon is this weekend and I am so excited!  We are heading out on Sunday for Gettysburg.  On our wedding night we stayed at this amazing B&B called Antrim 1844 and we are going back to stay there a year later (super pregnant).  We will be seeing a war reenactment (Darius' choice), having a delicious 6 course meal (will probably be full after the appetizer round), going on a ghost tour (will convince myself a spirit has taken over Lincoln), shopping tax free at the outlets (for more baby things) and seeing the fireworks (hopefully get some serious kicks happening then).

And last, ahhh yes, I am going to admit it.  I AM DONE BEING PREGNANT.  There, I said it.  Call me crazy, hate on me for it, tell me I am not enjoying the time.. whatever, I don't care.  I AM OVER IT. The second trimester was fantastic but I admit that I have been on the urge of nausea again lately and find myself gagging a little more often than usual.  I am paranoid about falling back into the first trimester misery and I am just done.  I know Lincoln isn't done, so he can stay in until his due date but then it's eviction time.  No, I don't plan on being induced but I am more than ready whenever he is (past 37 weeks).  I feel fat.  My ankles and fingers are swelling more.  My right foot constantly hurts.  I can't bend over.  When something hits the floor, it is there to stay.  I have no energy, I constantly want naps.  I get full after like a bite of lettuce.  I heard I should be eating for two and just sitting around stuffing my face with cheese curls while the dust falls onto my belly.  None of this is happening.  I pee every other minute.  My back hurts.  I could go on and on and on.  Mama is over it.

Coming home shoes!

I have decided to embrace the double chin situation!
Also, baby is the size of a cantaloupe!

How far along? 31 weeks! (feelin' huge!)

Maternity clothes? God, even those are getting a little tight.
Stretch marks? I found ONE under my belly button.  How would I have ever seen it without a mirror?!?!!?
Sleep: Naps are starting to become a priority once again... which I am fine with.
Best moment(s) this week: He has become a lot more active lately which is really nice and reassuring... especially after reading one of those annoying pregnancy blog/forums where people say if you don't feel him 10 times in 2 hours then to go to the hospital. One day he just wasn't as active which is normal for him but I convinced myself he was under stress and lit every relaxing candle in our house and practiced breathing and was crying and wanted to call my hospital.
Miss Anything? It's summer.. mama wants a beer.
Food cravings: A lot more sweets lately.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I still try to avoid red sauce foods and I am not really into pizza which is really weird.
Gender: Baby boy!
Labor Signs: None - waiting on braxton hicks or something.
Symptoms: Exhaustion, swelling of hands and feet, double chins, large belly, people beginning to ask when I am due and then looking shocked when I say August, heartburn constantly even with the Zantac, trouble getting up after laying down, peeing every other minute, paranoia something is wrong... I'll stop here.
Wedding rings on or off? Still off! :(
Happy or Moody most of the time: Despite all my "complaining" I am still pretty happy!  I have some moody moments here or there like the other day I could not explain why I was so grumpy and then it hit me that it's because I am sad that I can't bend over anymore.
Looking forward to: Our wedding anniversary and babymoon this weekend!

10 Weeks Til DD-Day

And by DD-Day I mean Due-Date Day.  I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by.  Let's be real though- that first trimester was a BITCH!  I barely survived it and I still think it's really unfair that Kate Middleton can be hospitalized for being a princess while all of us common folk have to suffer at home.  I still would have taken an IV and a hospital bed to this day.  I know that one day I will forget a lot about the pain of pregnancy but that part I will NEVER forget!  Even Darius vouches for me when telling people about how awful those first 16 weeks were.  SIX.TEEN.WEEKS.

But holy shit, fast forward and here we are! 10 weeks away from baby!  Today I had my 30 week appointment and the doctor assured us that everything was going well!  She believes that he is head down and he is growing to date.  I got my whopping cough vaccine and I am starting to feel ready to go.  I don't have anxiety yet about labor itself but I HAVE become one of those pregnant ladies that is getting anxiety about WHERE labor will start.  As of right now, I am scheduled to return to work at a strong 38 weeks pregnant.  WTF?!  When school actually begins, I will be 39 weeks pregnant.  That's really pushing it.  I am glad I have a wheely chair in my classroom that I can just scoot around on because let's be real, that's all that is happening. (Let's not even discuss that I don't have a long-term sub --- more to come on that in the near future).

Last Saturday my mom and my best friend threw me an amazing baby shower.  It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more.  From the decor to the food to the cake to the games - it was so incredibly beautiful.  What was most important to me was having everyone there that mattered to me.  I feel I have finally hit a point in my life where I now have the group of friends I have always wanted.  It was such a wonderful feeling to have so much support in welcoming our baby.

OH - IN OTHER NEWS - the name has been announced!  We have known his name for a while now but I never felt like publicly/socially sharing because I'm not in the mood for the gossip or negative talk.  If you don't like my child's name, I really don't care.  Do I hope people like it? Yes, of course.  But Darius and I have been using this name for a while now and it just feels right.  And besides, Emily and my mom like it and that's all that really matters.  So baby Cross will be: Lincoln Alexander Cross.  Alexander is Darius' middle name and that just felt right.  I am a firm believer in some part of the name being family related. We went through every male first, middle, last name in our family and Alexander was the one that really fit.  As for Lincoln... it just came up!  We both loved it and the rest is history!

Here are some photos from Lincoln's shower -- enjoy!

How far along? 30 weeks!!!

Maternity clothes? Anything which stretches, I will be wearing.
Stretch marks? NO!  Keeping my fingers crossed!
Sleep: I have been sleeping a lot better lately.  I went through a phase when hitting the third tri where I was sweating a lot at night and it would wake me up.  Now, I'm back to normal.  I just get up a lot to pee which is annoying - per usual.
Best moment(s) this week: My gorgeous baby shower!  It was so fun to celebrate Lincoln with my favorite friends and family!
Miss Anything? I want my favorite Jersey Mike's sub and the biggest mimosa in the world!
Movement: He;s moving all the time now!  Some movements are kind of painful or weird feeling, but it's all good!
Food cravings: Anything salty and soft serve ice cream.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Foods with red sauces give me horrible heartburn! 
Gender: Having dreams it's a girl so I am hoping he's a boy hahaha!
Labor Signs: None!
Symptoms: Rib cage expanding = pain, baby being head down = pelvic pain, random headaches, exhaustion, bending down = feeling like I have to throw up, out of breath, swelling in hands and feet and knees, expanding belly, huge thighs, horrible heartburn, peeing constantly.
Belly Button in or out? In - I don't think we will be an outtie!
Wedding rings on or off? Yeahhhh, we stopped wearing those about 2-3 weeks ago.  Out of no where they wouldn't even go past my knuckle.  This makes me very sad.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Generally happy!  Maybe a little moody here and there waiting on the nursery to be finished painting so I can finally decorate it.  That was a jab at my husband.
Looking forward to: Our first year anniversary is next Saturday and this will equally be our babymoon!  Can't wait to celebrate!