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,

  

31 week chalkboard

Dear Sweet Little One,

We're finally able to count down the weeks until your arrival with the fingers on our hands and we couldn't be more excited!

How far along: 31 weeks + 1 day

Gender: Little baby girl <3
Name: Waverley Violet
Maternity clothes: Yup.
Best moment this week: The nursery! Curtains are up and clothes are washed, hung in the closet, and put away in the dresser. We literally only have to put up some shelves and the closet organizer and then we're good to go. Nesting this early is going to pay off :)

Worst moment this week: Between the snow forcing us to have a 2 hour+ drive home on Wednesday and my first emotional breakdown of this pregnancy, the worst moments of the week have been plentiful. I'm happy to move past them and start fresh!

Miss anything: Ohhhhh just a few things lately. Let's see...I miss being able to walk or run up the stairs, pick up and wear or carry Pemberley, bend over without discomfort, and I really miss not having to pee every 30 minutes. You know...just to name a few things.

Movements: Baby girl likes to sit high and to the right, just like her big sister did. I get frequent little love kicks to my rib cage, but as much as I wince...I love them :)

Cravings: Fruit - apples, pears, and strawberries. Iced decaf sugar cookie coffee from Dunkin Donuts.

Queasy or sick: Feeling better from my cold, thank the Lord.

Looking forward to: Getting measured at my appointment on Feb. 2nd. I'm anxious to see how Waverley is measuring because she feels a lot smaller than I remember Pemberley feeling at this point.

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

Belly button in or out: Raleigh says I still have an innie, but I have my doubts. Looks flat from where I can see (which, granted, is limited, but whatevs.)
Stretch marks: Nada
Labor signs: Vivid dreams about labor, but no signs other than Braxton Hicks contractions when I do too much.

Daddy and I managed to snap this cute picture during the brief shitstorm snowstorm last week. You were in there, just wiggling around! I wonder if you'll grow up to be a little Colorado snow bunny? (I know your Gigi and Papa G would LOVE that!)

Love you always tiny girl,

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!