36 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

Tomorrow is officially BABY MONTH!! I remember thinking how eternally far away March felt when we found out I was pregnant again. It seemed like f-o-r-e-v-e-r and that the time was going to drag on and on and on. And here we are, with less than 30 days to go until we get to meet you! So. Freaking. Excited!

How far along: 36 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes. I really should stop buying them, but I just can't help myself. Does Pregnant Shopaholics Anonymous exist?
Best moment this week: Mommy and Daddy maternity pictures taken by my friend and co-worker, Nicole. She did our wedding pictures too, so I know these are going to be amazing! I can't wait to show them off soon!!

Worst moment this week: Pemberley had Raleigh's phone and accidentally heaved it at my face. It hit my upper lip and I started bleeding inside my mouth. I cried in the bathroom for a good 10 minutes. That suuuuucked.

Miss anything: Sleep. Seriously, I miss the hell out of sleep. I know it's not going to get any better once baby is here and we're doing the whole wake-up-a-million-times-a-night thing, but at this point, it honestly can't get any worse. I'm terribly uncomfortable, have to pee at least six times between 10pm and 5am (yes, I counted) even though I stop drinking liquids at 7pm, and my RLS is just awful. Sleep, I miss you.

Movements: Yes! I know I'm going to cry when I can't feel her kicking around in there anymore :(

Cravings: Crushed iceiceiceice

Queasy or sick: Is it weird that I feel way better pregnant than when I'm not??

Looking forward to: OB appointment tomorrow, diaper shower at work on Wednesday, and more maternity pictures later this week! I'm so very blessed!!

Wedding rings on or off: Very minor swelling in my feet, but my hands are totally fine :)

Belly button in or out: It's *finally* starting to poke out! I don't know why I have this weird obsession with an outtie, but I might be on my way to having one for the next 4-ish weeks!
Stretch marks: Nada. Anxious to see how much weight I've put on since Week 34, though. I feel like it's almost impossible to not have one good stretch mark, considering how huuuuge I'm getting!
Labor signs: I seriously thought about going into SMMC yesterday. Raleigh was out tutoring and I was working on long term sub plans while Pem napped (for 3 hours. BOOYEAH!). The contractions started and wouldn't stop like they usually do! I started timing them and they weren't consistent enough to warrant waking up Pemberley and putting on a bra, though. They finally went away after an hour, but man. I was kind of scared! Guess Raleigh and I need to buckle down and think about an emergency plan, just in case!

I put this together, just for fun. I love tracking how healthy you are, and seeing how big you're getting! ((And what a difference between week 16 and week 36!! Helllooooo belly!))

Well, baby girl. One month until we meet you and see your sweet little face. I'm so emotional right now thinking about the moment when the doctors put you on my chest after I give birth! I can't wait to know if you'll look or act like your big sister, or if you'll just be your own little Waverley. I can't wait to see how Daddy and Pemberley will react to meeting you for the first time, and I can't wait to bring you home and show you your pets and house. I'm really the luckiest mommy in the whole world! 
Love, love, love, 

35 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

This chalkboard just.isn't.possible! I can't even.

How far along: 35 weeks

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Going to miss them soon :(
Best moment this week: In a weird, twisted way, it was staying home with Pemberley on Thursday and Friday, even though she was sick with a 103.8 temperature. She hasn't slept in my arms like that since she was 11 months old.

Worst moment this week: Finding out Pemberley has an ear infection (hence the fever). It hurts so much when your kids are sick and they can't communicate it with you. My mommy heart was  broken watching her be sick. 

Miss anything: A nice glass (or three) of sangria, as well as tummy sleeping. Lord, I miss being comfortable in bed. And RLS can kiss my butt.

Movements: Adoring all of them except the ones *right* to my bladder. Those SUCK.

Cravings: Crushed ice, strawberries, and root beer

Queasy or sick: Nope. Keeping up on my Vitamin C intake so I'm healthy for the home stretch!

Looking forward to: Maternity pictures on Tuesday. I'm celebrating my last pregnancy with a bang :)

Wedding rings on or off: Still on. No swelling. Boom.

Belly button in or out: Staring to poke out a little bit!
Stretch marks: Not a one.
Labor signs: A few bouts of super sharp, really painful round ligament pain (they call it "lightning crotch" for a reason). I literally dropped to my knees today and cried out in pain! Hopefully it doesn't happen at school...

Your Gigi, a very wise woman, told me tonight that I didn't need to be scared of dividing my love between you and your big sister, because a mother's heart doesn't divide love - it adds and multiplies it. Considering how much stress I've experienced this past week thinking about what it's going to be like when you get here, that piece of comfort was so well-timed and exactly what I needed to hear that it reaffirms belief that everything will be okay; that I can handle this mommy-of-two thing. Between Gigi, Grandma Joanne, Great Grannie, all of your aunts, and your big sister, you are very lucky to have such wonderful female role models in your life. I can't wait to introduce them all to you very, very soon!

With all of the love in the world (multiplied),

34 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

Only a month and a half to go! Eight and a half months pregnant never was so much fun, my sweet little Valentine!<3

How far along: 34 weeks (finally, an on-time update!)

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Duh
Best moment this week: Getting our Little Giraffe package for Miss Waverlely from Gigi in the mail (more on that below). Also, celebrating Valentine's Day at First Watch with a delicious breakfast!

Worst moment this week: The nightmares I've been having about delivery. I think I was traumatized with Pemberley's and now I'm scaring myself stupid the closer we get to D-Day.

Miss anything: So many things, but right now I can't stop thinking how much I'm going to miss my baby bump after I give birth!

Movements: Ohhhhh Lordy yes. She's running out of room (if you couldn't tell) and the movements are less kicks & jabs and more slow-moving rolls. She still hasn't 'dropped' yet, so Raleigh gets to hear me ask her to please stop kicking my ribs about a million times a day.

Cravings: Funfetti cake mix cookies (it's a thing...Google it and thank me later), and raw pancake batter.

Queasy or sick: Nope

Looking forward to: No school tomorrow (hurray!) and our 34 week OB appointment on Tuesday

Wedding rings on or off: Still on...pretty proud considering they were off by this time with Pemberley!

Belly button in or out: Borderline both. Again - weird.
Stretch marks: Nada
Labor signs: Damn Braxton Hicks! But other than that...no :)

We got the CUTEST package from Little Giraffe this week. I pulled up after work one day and saw the package sitting on the front steps and literally squee'd with delight. They make the best baby gifts! Here it is, all bundled up. I can't bring myself to open it just yet, because it's so stinking adorable! Your Gigi loves you very much, sweet girl!! 

Well, I think that's just about it for this week, little princess! I've said it before and I'll say it again...we love you and can't wait to meet you!
Lovelovelove,

33 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

ONLY SEVEN WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

How far along: 33 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes, and as much as I am loving dressing the little huge ass baby bump, I was thinking this week about how nice it'll be to wear cute shorts again this summer (they just don't make cute maternity shorts).
Best moment this week: Caroline came over on Saturday afternoon and hung out until we put Pemberley to bed at 7pm. It was so fun seeing her and just catching up! I miss my sister :) It was also pretty neat to find out on Friday morning that the ladies who work at Dunkin Donuts had a bet going as to if I only ordered decaf iced coffee because I am pregnant - haha!

Worst moment this week: Explaining to my students that Waverley doesn't fart in utero. The joys of teaching 8th grade...

Miss anything: Sushi. I'd love to go out on a nice sushi date for Valentine's Day, but sadly, that'll have to wait until next year.

Movements: Big kicks and punches! Sometimes they cause me to stop and have to catch my breath!

Cravings: Well, sushi, now that I'm thinking about it. And crunchy cookie butter. But not together because gross.

Queasy or sick: Feeling pretty fabulous :)

Looking forward to: Getting this week over with so we can go hear Waverley's heartbeat on the 16th. (OB/GYN appointment counts are down to FIVE!)

Wedding rings on or off: Still on! Minor victory!

Belly button in or out: Flat as a pancake. Mmmm...pancakes...
Stretch marks: Miraculously, none.
Labor signs: Nothing yet, aside from Braxton Hicks. I'm anxious to see if I'm dilated at all in a few weeks!

Despite no labor signs yet (thank goodness), I still have a feeling you'll come a little bit early like your big sister did. I really can't wait to see what labor is like with you, even if that sounds a little crazy. People are telling me all the time how the second is much easier than the first (and after Pemberley's 12 hour labor, I desperately need that to be true!). Either way, I grow more and more excited to meet you every passing day. I love you, Little Miss Waverley!

32 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,
We can officially say that you'll be here NEXT MONTH! 

How far along: 32 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Loving them! Especially this pink tank top. I just realized I own it in four different colors, and that it's a leftover from my pregnancy with Pemberley.
Best moment this week: Getting stopped by a random stranger at Wal-Mart and being told I "have the perfect bump." We talked for a few minutes before parting ways, but I thought it was really awesome for a complete stranger to give a compliment :)

Worst moment this week: Leak peeing. It's horribly embarrassing, but it's the truth. I have the world's weakest bladder all of a sudden and let's just say I'm happy to be taking off work a few weeks before my due date...just in case.

Miss anything: The weather was really nice this weekend, so we grilled out. Delicious food, but a cold beer or margarita would have been the icing on the cake.

Movements: Big, huge kicks! I swear that my students could see my belly moving if they were paying close enough attention!!

Cravings: Crushed ice, obvi. And I pretty much can't function in the mornings if I don't have my iced decaf from DD. (Yes, I realize the coffee does nothing for me sans caffeine, but let me pretend, ok?)

Queasy or sick: Feel awesome!

Looking forward to: Pemberley's Valentine's Day mini  photo session. I made the most DARLING pink tutu dress for her to wear, and I know Jo Snaps will do a fabulous job taking pictures!

Wedding rings on or off: Still have everything on. I'm nervous it won't be much longer, though :(

Belly button in or out: I guess in, but that's a close call.
Stretch marks: Still none!
Labor signs: A few pretty intense Braxton Hicks contractions, but other than that, nope.

Daddy and I can't hardly wait until you're here, baby girl! We'll be setting up the Pack and Play in the living room soon, as well as your bassinet next to my side of the bed. It's going to be so exciting to finally hold you!!!!!!
Love, love, love,