30 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

Three quarters of the way there! We're in the home stretch now, baby girl!

How far along: 30 weeks + 3 days...we can now officially count down the remaining weeks in single digits. Holla!

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Not in this picture , but you'd better believe I'm living in maternity tops and yoga pants for the other 6 days of the week.
Best moment this week: Passing my three hour glucose test. In fact, that may be the highlight of like, my entire life. I don't think I could make it the next 10 weeks if I had to give up chocolate chips or cookie butter in my pancakes.
Worst moment this week: Having to take the three hour glucose test because I failed the one hour by 20 points. The office was running late and it took over four hours. The drink was as thick as syrup, and I was pissed I had to spend my day off at the doctor's instead of home with Pemberley. 

Miss anything: My immune system. I've been batting a drippy nose, cough, and cloudy head all week, not to mention I'm really.freaking.tired.
Movements: Loving every single one.
Cravings: Pancakes and cereal. No shame from getting up at midnight to eat some Cinnamon Toast Crunch. In bed. While watching Breaking Bad. And waking up Raleigh :)
Queasy or sick: Just from my head cold.
Looking forward to: a SNOW DAY. This would be the year when we have zero snow and I have to go to work every single day! GRRRR

Now that we're closer to our due date, I am adding a few categories related to labor...

Wedding rings on or off: Ring and band are still on. The swelling at the end was easily the hardest part of my pregnancy with Pemberley, so I'm going to be keeping an eye out for puffiness/water retention so I can invest in a pair of compression socks this time around!
Belly button in or out: Flat as a pancake. It's bizarre.
Stretch marks: I'm soooooooo lucky here. I didn't get any with Pemberley, and I don't have any as of yet. Praise the Lord for small miracles!
Labor signs: Some Braxton Hicks contractions, mostly when I'm hip-carrying Pemberley for a long time (read : 2+ minutes), or when I'm walking a lot at school. But after a break and some water, I'm good to go! 

Nursery work is coming along so nicely! We'll be done waaaay sooner than we were with your big sister's room (thank GOD because I don't think I can keep it up at this place for much longer). I'd love to take a few more pictures once we get things finished. Your room has just the sweetest little details :)

Lastly, this past week Daddy made the worst joke (that I'm only good at decorating nurseries), and what did I think about having another baby so I could decorate some more? Waverley, I could have smacked him! Three under three is just a big HELL NO. But it did get me thinking about redecorating Pemberley's room soon...hmmm....

Love you sooooo much,

29 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,
Twenty-nine. 29. 30-1. I don't care how you write it, I'm still in disbelief that we're this far along already. I realize the hard part of pregnancy hasn't hit us yet, but I'm going to hate when this is all over.

How far along: 29 weeks

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes and no this week! I'm loving the maternity shirt + open cardigan + scarf + leggings + boots look lately.
Best moment this week: Raleigh got a new job! So. So. So exciting for our family!
Worst moment this week: Hearing that Papa G lost consciousness while he was driving after a hike. Raleigh and I were really scared after we got the call from Darcy. We're still hoping for some answers as to the cause. It's such a terrifying thing to think about, but we are so grateful that no one was seriously hurt.

Miss anything: Silence. I feel like whenever I walk or bend over, I can hear myself breathing. I HATE breathing noises like that!
Movements: Hiccups! Rolls! Kicks! And all as I'm settling down to go to sleep...
Cravings: The usual ice and pancakes.
Queasy or sick: Eh, I'm having regular light nose bleeds now, but I had them with Pemberley so it's not too surprising. I might try a humidifier next to my side of the bed and see if that helps.
Looking forward to: warmer weather. Is it summer yet?? I want to dress Pemberley and Waverley in matching summer rompers SO BAD!

We've gotten so many compliments from the nursery pictures I posted! I'm just positive that your darling little personality will match your sweet little room. As much as I don't want this to be over, I honestly can't wait until you're here! I have dibbs on kissing and hugging you first!

Love you sooooo much,

28 week chalkboard + nursery sneak peek

Dear sweet little one,

 Well, it's official. The third trimester. It honestly feels like your Daddy and I just found out that we were expecting again, and here we are, two thirds of the way closer to meeting you. It's so unreal how fast time flies, especially when you're having fun - believe me, I am having a blast being your mama!! (And, as you can see, also embracing the new year with some new blonde hair!)

How far along: 28 weeks - third trimester, here we come!

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: At this point, the number of maternity clothes I own may have eclipsed the number of non-maternity ones! I'll be so sad once I don't have a need to wear them anymore...
Best moment this week: Seeing all of the progress on the nursery! I may or may not have (but definitely did) repainted the purple accent wall this past week. I saw a color at Home Depot that I knew was just perfect, so I bought a sample and tried it out. And I love it! More on the nursery below...
Worst moment this week: It's pretty safe to say that pregnancy RLS is back. Thank God I'm going in on Tuesday for my (last) monthly checkup so I can ask about some relief. I get so crabby when I have no sleep!
Miss anything: Sleep. Rest. Naps. Siestas. Shut eye. Ugh.
Movements: With a belly that big, you'd better believe it!
Cravings: Crushed ice is life. Pretty sure Raleigh is sick of cleaning up cups with spoons in them that he finds littered around the house. #sorrynotsorry #crushediceisbestwithaspoon
Queasy or sick: Starting this year off feeling really good :)
Looking forward to: Getting my glucose tolerance test over with on Tuesday. Fingers crossed for low numbers like I had with Pemberley!

Okay, so your nursery. It. Is. Amazing! It's definitely a tie between your room and Pemberley's room for my favorite space in the house. I'm really happy we decided to go with purple and pink, instead of just purple. I think it adds a sweet, girly touch :) The alphabet wall is done and hung, and the lampshade is finished too. They couldn't match with your rug any better! I hope, hope, hope you grow to love your room as much as I do when you're old enough. Once the closet is finished and your name is done for above your crib, I'll post more pictures. But for now...here are some sneaks! 

 

Love you so much, little baby girl!

27 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Next week we're in our THIRD trimester and it makes me want to CRY! I honestly can't tell you how much I've enjoyed this pregnancy with you. I didn't get to experience pregnancy over the winter holidays with Pemberley, but I'm loving Christmas and New Year's with you and our little baby bump! The chalkboard says it all, sweet girl...the best IS yet to come next year for our family!!

How far along: 27 weeks + 2 days

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yep, and I got spoiled with a bunch of new ones for Christmas from Mom and Grannie. I can't wait to show them off over the next few months!
Best moment this week: Watching Pemberley open her presents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day :) I'd also like to give a shout out to the enormous turkey feast that Raleigh made on Saturday night. d.e.l.i.s.h.
Worst moment this week: Waking up multiple times a night because I can't get comfortable...and we're not even in the third trimester yet :(
Miss anything: Well, I can't help but give the espresso beans I bought as a stocking stuffer for Raleigh the stink eye every time I walk past them. I'm sure one wouldn't hurt, but I doubt I'd be able to stop there. #thestruggleisreal
Movements: Yes! This is the first week when I've been woken up by big movements. But I'm not complaining; I'm loving every wiggle and roll and kick!
Cravings: Crushed ice like WHOA
Queasy or sick: Feeling like a million bucks, minus the whole not sleeping part
Looking forward to: Having another week off so I can rest before the home stretch starts at work, and, of course, continuing to make progress on the nursery!

That's all for this week. I'm going to go try to convince Daddy to help me with hanging the alphabet wall in your nursery while big sister takes a nap. Wish me luck!! I love you SO much!

26 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Merry first Christmas! You're not even here yet, and you're going to be spoiled rotten!

How far along: 26 weeks + 2 days

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes! (But not the sweater I'm wearing in this photo. Praise the Lord for warm, cozy, open knit cardigans!)
Best moment this week: Definitely a tie between leaving work on Friday and knowing I don't have to go back until next year, and celebrating my 34th birthday with Raleigh and Pemberley - hellooooo tiramisu cheesecake!
Worst moment this week: Realizing that Christmas is coming and I still have to buy and wrap several presents. I despise wrapping.
Miss anything: A stiff holiday drink & sleeping for more than 3 hours straight.
Movements: Yes! The big movements are finally starting!!!
Cravings: Crushed ice & pancakes with peanut butter
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Watching Pemberley open presents on Christmas Eve, and hosting dinner over here for the first time. I FINALLY feel like a real adult now that we get to host!

I can't wait to tell you all about Christmas in a few days! I love you so much, big girl!

25 week chalkboard

Dear sweet little one,

It's a big time for us! 15 weeks away from meeting you, and I turn the big 3-4 on the 18th! I am pretty excited that I get a half day at work on my birthday, and that I get to spend it with all of my favorite people...Daddy, Pemberley, and you!!

How far along: 25 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yes! And I’m loving them.
Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at our appointment. A strong 158!
Worst moment this week: Hearing that I apparently lost 6 pounds in the last month. Dr. Shipman isn’t too concerned yet, but they’re going to monitor my weight at my next appointment in January.
Miss anything: A good night’s sleep. But if you regularly read this, you already know that!
Movements: Waverley is a little mover and a shaker! She loves to give little kick reminders when I’m settling down for the night. I’m going to miss those…
Cravings: Crushed ice. I literally have dreams about it and moments throughout the day when I think I’m going to cry if I don’t get to eat any! Also, any kind of breakfast food. Fruit, pancakes, toaster strudels. So what if I ate breakfast for dinner three times this week?
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Seeing more nursery progress! The letters for the alphabet wall will be my Christmas break project :) Also looking forward to spending my birthday with my family!

With so much love,

24 week chalkboard

Hi sweet little one,
Well, little miss girl, Daddy and I are so excited to announce your name that we decided we couldn't wait any longer! Without further ado...

And finally I get to tell you all about how we picked your name!! Waverley is from two of Sarah Addison Allen's books, Garden Spells and First Frost. It's actually the last name of her main characters, the Waverley sisters. These books hold a special place in my heart; they're full of such magic and whimsy and every time I read or reread one of her novels, I feel such a peace inside. I mean, when she writes lines like "It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon" and "Crystalline swirls of sugar and flour still lingered in the air like kite tails”,  how can you not stop and just appreciate words???

((I might have worn your Daddy down until he relented with this name, but I simply couldn't help it. You're already my perfect little Waverley!!!))

We were up in the air as to your middle name for quite some time. I was pretty set on Eloise (yes, as in the little girl who lives "in the room on the tippy-top floor" of the Plaza Hotel in NYC), but it just didn't flow like I wanted it to. Daddy and I both loved Violet from the beginning, though. For some reason, Waverley makes me think of the color purple, so Violet made sense. I think your Gigi will also be very pleased, as I know she liked Violet too :)

I say your name all the time and fall more and more in love with it every time I do. I also think it's just too adorable that your name matches so perfectly with your big sister's! Pemberley + Waverley. My heart melts when I think about my two perfect girls with their two perfect names!

Now for the 24 week chalkboard rundown::
How far along: 24 weeks + 3 days
Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Definitely...I mean, have you seen my belly??! I made the mistake of wearing regular leggings to work last week and I was mean mugging my students all day because I was so darn uncomfortable! Lesson learned. Maternity clothes all the way from here on out.
Best moment this week: It'd have to be asking Pemberley to go get her baby, then watching her walk over to the toy bins, dig around for it, and bring it to me! We're still working on gentle kisses and not biting its face, but that will come in time. I hope.
Worst moment this week: When I woke up craving ice at 3am and realized that it was all the way downstairs and that just wasn't happening. It was a sad moment.
Miss anything: The ability to shave my legs in the shower, and to see my toes when I'm standing. I also miss being able to walk up the stairs while holding Pemberley and not feeling like I just got done running a 5K...
Movements: Yes! They've picked up quite a bit in frequency and intensity. I'm definitely in the "sweet spot" of the second trimester!
Cravings: Crushed ice. More crushed ice. And cold to the point of almost frozen pears.
Queasy or sick: Nope, feeling awesome!
Looking forward to: Our 24 week doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and getting more work done in the nursery! It's going to tie Pemberley's room for my favorite place in the house, I can tell already!

I love you so much, little baby Waverley! Love, love, love,