24 & 25 Weeks

Time is flying by.... I feel like Harlow will be here in no time and I still have soooo many things to do. I did knock out the crib bedding and furniture last week for the nursery which I am super excited about. I can't wait to see it all come together. Fabric will be here next week and I am having a seamstress I found work her magic. Michael and I went to look at gliders and went with the most comfortable one rather than the one I had been eyeing... I am really trying to make sure the nursery is not only adorable, but also (and more importantly) cozy and functional - since we will be spending many a sleepless night in there with her :)

We are also trying to get things done around the house that we know we absolutely wont have time for once she makes her big debut. For example, a storage shed in the backyard is in the works today. I just went out there to check out the hubs and his ongoing project and let's just say I hope he cleans up after he is finished. Tornado Michael is in full effect in the backyard :) The end result is always good, but the process is a little messy for my taste, but at least we will finally have a place for excess things we don't want to store in the house - Crap, really - Things we should probably be throwing away, but instead are building a custom home for in the backyard :) We were able to agree on the shed because it is going behind the covered patio and is completely hidden and can't be seen from any window in the house or any from any angle in the yard. Storage sheds aren't my favorite. Very useful, but impossible to make chic on a budget....

Now for the good stuff!  I am 27 weeks and 1 day pregnant as of today, but as usual I am playing catch up and blogging about 24 & 25 weeks. Harlow is definitely growing like a weed, which is evident with my growing belly. It has really taken off the past couple of weeks!

24 Weeks

p.s. I actually steamed the dust ruffle this weekend... clearly after these pictures were taken. It looks sooo much better. It MIGHT have just been worth the effort :)

25 Weeks

How far along? 24 & 25 Weeks

Total weight gain: 24 pounds. yep. that's right. moving on... 

Maternity clothes?: see above. at this point it either has to be maternity or a something from the big and tall section to ensure my belly isn't hanging out :) 

Stretch marks? No...  

Best moment this week: Ordering crib fabric. and. if I am being honest. sleeping in on Saturday morning.

Sleep: What sleep?? I am either tossing, turning, rearranging pillows or going to the bathroom. 

Miss Anything?: Getting out of my car without making a grunting noise. Granted my car is very low to the ground, it has become noticeably more difficult to get out of it in heels with my purse and work things without a grunt and rocking motion :) 

Movement: All of the time. I can see my stomach move now through my clothes!!! 

Food cravings: Baked potatoes, fruit, orange juice, pasta

Belly Button In or Out:  Barely in...

Symptoms: headaches, almost daily

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am very happy, but I am pregnant and not sleeping so moody comes with the territory.

Looking forward to: getting in bed early tonight!! 

24 & 25 Weeks According to Instagram:

1) New vintage coffee table - Love!!!

2) Ordered this for Harlow :)

3) New vintage piece for the living room

4) Bumpers for Harlow's crib

6) Healthy Lunch

7) Already enjoying being out of heels - yay for leopard TOMS

8) Glider Fabric

9) Parker and Cass keeping me company in our room (usually off limits) while Michael was out of town

10) Fabric for the crib skirt, shade and changing pad :)

22 Weeks Bump & Wedding Album

This week I am 22 weeks and feeling pregnant - in a good way :) People in public definitely notice and ask when she is due, which is fun! I can see how this will not be fun after little Harlow is here and I still just look pregnant - which I hear happens all of the time - but for now I am soaking it all in :)

My 22 week check up went great and she is measuring right where she should be and all looked good, including all of my tests from the last appointment. It is very calming to hear the Doc tell you everything looks great.

p.s. please ignore the bed that isn't made and the wrinkled dust ruffle. It's new and I haven't felt like steaming it and was hoping the wrinkles would fall out on their own. looks like maybe I misjudged that... As for the bed I have no excuses there, except that as time goes by I see fewer and fewer reasons for making it. I get right back in it every night.... Regardless, it will all have to wait because I am off to the beach!!!




But before I go - I wanted to share our wedding album! It came in a couple of weeks ago, but I have been so busy that I hadn't been able to swing by and pick it up. Michael was sweet enough to go by and grab it show up with it one night after work last week. I realize we have already celebrated our 2nd anniversary this past March and to some of you it may be odd that I am just now getting my album... We kept saying for months after the wedding we needed to choose our photos and order it from our photographer, Bludoor Studios, but we kept putting it off, or forgetting... Finally, two years after our wedding we chose our photos and submitted them. It was a pleasant surprise when we got the call that it had arrived and was well worth the wait! It is absolutely beautiful and a nice reminder of a perfect day - March 20th, 2010!

21 Weeks

I can't believe how fast time is flying by... Harlow will be here before we know it! Today I am 22 weeks pregnant - and a week behind on blog updates. I am definitely feeling and looking pregnant this week. I felt Harlow move for the first time last week! Within a couple of days I could see my belly moving as she moves around inside of me. It is the coolest, craziest, wildest -- really there are no words to describe it. Whatever it is, it is completely awesome and I am a huge fan!

21 Weeks

How far along? 21 Weeks

Total weight gain: Not too sure... I have a check up tomorrow so I will know better then. All I know is I am definitely ahead. But trying very hard to eat healthier than I was in the beginning. 

Maternity clothes?: I have reached the point where only clothes that are stretchy or were too big for me are fitting. I feel like I am down to one of everything that fits and is comfortable. I feel like I wear the same thing over and over, but I really hate to spend a bunch of money on clothes I can only wear for a few months. It's slim pickins' in the morning when I get ready for work, that's for sure. 

Stretch marks? No...  

Best moment this week: Feeling Harlow move and kick :) 

Sleep: I actually can't complain lately. I think I have been so exhausted from unpacking every night after work that I can't help but sleep good. 

Miss Anything?: Fitting into my clothes :( As wonderful as being pregnant is and feels and looks - I mean I am totally in awe of this belly I am growing --  I do miss skinny jeans. At this point it is hard to imagine a day when I will ever want to wear skinny jeans again.

Movement: YES!!!! 

Food cravings: Salad and Potbelly oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are still high on the list. Lucky for me Michael is a fan of Potbelly and likes their salads and cookies too.  I am still loving watermelon too! 

Belly Button In or Out:  In, but it wont be long...

Symptoms: I had a few HANGRY outbursts this week, but nothing out of the ordinary. 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :) (Except for those minor hangry outbursts)

Looking forward to: Destin!!! Thursday morning I am meeting two gals in Destin for a few days of relaxation on the beach. I can't wait!!  I am also looking forward to a few swatch 

samples coming in the mail. I am ready to finalize the fabric for Harlow's crib skirt!

21 Weeks According to Instagram:

  

1) Michael turned 32! Happy Birthday babe!

2) View from our kitchen table - LOVE our new home! 

3) 21 Weeks Belly Shot

4) One toe down! I am very clumsy these days!

5) Yummy Marinara

6) Pretty Schetti!

7) Send off dinner for Martha before she moves across the pond

8) Pretty soon the bump is going to eclipse the laptop

9) Trying to find the right shade for Harlow's bedding! 

Harlow Hawkins

Even though many of you already know I thought it was only fair that she get her own post. Yes, that's right folks I said SHE. Baby H is a girl!!! I always thought she was and they confirmed it at our last appointment. They said everything looked great and they were sure Baby H is a girl!! It is amazing how much more real it became when I could start referring to her as a little girl or my daughter. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A DAUGHTER!!! And her name is Harlow :)

19 Weeks & 20 Weeks

I have some catching up to do. We are finally moved into our new home, but needless to say spare time has been hard to come by lately. So many exciting things to share!! Let's start with the move... Without focusing on the negative I will just leave it at this. We had a stressful week right before we closed. The closing changed several times and the entire deal almost fell through to the point where we started looking at apartments to get us through until after Baby H makes his/her debut. (Did I mention we know what he or she is?!?! - next blog post, so stay tuned!) I am not sure we will ever be out of boxes, but we are already completely loving our new home and being in Fort Worth! While we may still have lots of boxes that haven't been unpacked, don't you worry because the crib is up and ready to go :) It makes me happy to walk in there and see it and know that in few months Baby H will be sleeping 8 hours a night in it. How do you like that for positive, wishful, almost delusional thinking?

Now for the belly...

Excuse the mess - we were still living in the hotel and I took full advantage of that and lived like a complete slob. It definitely had it's perks with room service and a maid everyday, but we sure are glad to be home :)

How far along? 20 Weeks

Total weight gain: I have no idea. I think about the same... The scale was packed and I am just fine with that :) Ignorance is bliss sometimes.

Maternity clothes?: Only work pants so far... However my button up shirts for work have officially been retired. I really feel that once they start popping open while you are walking it is really better just not to wear them :) 

Stretch marks? No... I have been using vitamin e lotion, bio oil and some other stretch mark oil that I found online. My belly is always oiled up and I pretend that this might really be working. Infomercials were made for me. 

Best moment this week: Dinner with my sister last night. We had some really good laughs and some fairly decent pasta. Doesn't get much better than that. 

Sleep: I started sleeping with three pillows for more support and decided it was time to break down and buy the pregnancy pillow which makes it debut next week. It looks awesome, but it also looks like Michael better like it to since it is going to pretty much take up the whole bed. 

Miss Anything?: We went to Mi Cocina a few days ago and everyone had a margarita or mambo taxi. I was jealous - very, very jealous.  

Movement: Not Yet

Food cravings: Salad and Potbelly oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Belly Button In or Out:  In, but it wont be long. 

Symptoms: It's what I affectionately refer to as ANGRY HUNGRY. HANGRY. And it happens A LOT. 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: This was a tough week so I will go with moody and happy - very happy to be moved in, but it was hot and stressful so I can't say I always handled it with grace.

Looking forward to: Decorating the Nursery!!!!

Please excuse my tired eyes and pitiful hair. Moving really wore me out! Moving is hard when you are in great shape, but when you are pregnant and hot even with the air conditioner set on 68 - moving feels more like a marathon. And I am definitely NOT a marathon athlete even on the best of days. 

18 Weeks

Sweet Baby H, 

     It has been 18 weeks since you set up shop in my belly. We saw you today and you are growing strong and healthy. You are busy flexing your arms and legs and I can't wait to feel you moving around in there. When we saw you today you were laying back with your arms stretched above you and we even saw you open and close your mouth. We also saw the four chambers of your heart and your kidneys. It is still amazing to me that all of that is going on inside of me - that you are growing inside of me. We can't wait to meet you and keep wondering what you will look like and who you will be... 

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain: 15 pounds - no change from last week

Maternity clothes?: Only work pants so far... Still wearing lots of maxi dresses and flowy shirts to mask the mini bump that sometimes just looks like I need to put down the cheeseburger.

Stretch marks? No... Still crossing my fingers that I will be one of those lucky girls who doesn't get stretch marks, has perky boobs after breastfeeding and finds a six pack is hiding under this baby belly within weeks of delivery. A girl can dream, right?

Best moment this week: This morning without a doubt. We had our 18 week check up and saw Baby H on the big screen. We could see Baby H's nose, eyes, arms and legs and movement. It was amazing! So much better than the 6 week ultrasound that looked more like the weather radar in black and white. 

Sleep: Saturday was a bad night, but then I discovered putting a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side and for now it has changed my life. well at least my night life :) 

Miss Anything?: During Heather's wedding festivities this weekend in Santa Fe, I wanted a margarita so bad I could taste it. or maybe that was because I licked the salt off of every glass Michael had... Needless to say I parked myself at the candy bar and did myself in there. Not a totally bad trade off. 

Movement: Not Yet - waiting anxiously!!

Food cravings: It's still anything with cheese and lots of fruit. Tonights dinner is strawberries, sharp cheddar slices, grapes and watermelon. I have a really bad heartburn today so fruit sounded like it would help.

Belly Button In or Out:  In

Symptoms: HEARTBURN ---- I have never had it and didn't know how icky it can be....

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, happy, happy - and hungry :)

Looking forward to: Moving on Saturday! As much as I hate moving, I am ready to just get it over with already. I am hoping for a cool front or I may just need to wear an ice pack like mascots do under their get ups. We move everything to storage on Saturday and will be at a hotel for several days - then later next week we move into our new home in Fort Worth. And the very next day I can start getting  Baby H's nursery ready! I can't wait.

10 Weeks

I was 10 weeks on Tuesday.  We had our second ultrasound and could see Baby H much better this time. We could see his/her legs moving while Baby H was laying back hammock style, relaxing. Here are some fun facts about what is going on right now. inside me. I still can't believe this is all happening INSIDE of me.

What is Baby H up to? (According to babycenter.com)

Your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a store. Vital organs - including his kidneys, intestines, brain and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) - are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy. If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on his tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can now bend. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meeting over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measure half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size - to nearly 3 inches.

How I'm feeling
I'm still exhausted, but I don't have morning sickness so I don't feel like I can complain. Now, don't me wrong, if I don't have something to eat about every 3 hours I start to get nauseated and weak. I am eating like a horse. It is a tad scary. For example. I literally had double Michael's portion tonight at dinner and I could have kept eating.

Cravings of the Week
This changes on a daily basis....

• Ice Water with Lemon. No ice, no deal. No lemon, no deal. 
• Chipotle Burrito Bowl
• Bananas
• Multi Grain Cheerios
• Best Maid Sliced Hamburger Pickles
• Bagels w/ cream cheese

I realize most of these cravings sound healthy, which is funny given that last week all I wanted was a cheeseburger and that is basically what I had everyday. This week I fought the urge to have cheeseburgers and have been trying to give this baby a little more of the food pyramid. 

Tears of the Week

I had read that I would be emotional, but Lord did it hit me like a freight train this week... 

• At our Ultrasound on Tuesday
• Remember Me - If you haven't seen this movie, it is sad. the whole thing. It's one of those... 
• Telling Michael about the movie, Remember Me
• Life As We Know It - If you haven't seen this movie, it is precious, but a tear jerker, especially for those who are pregnant. 
• I am sure there were more, but my memory isn't the greatest these days... 

Baby Brain Moments

• I know there have been some, but I can't remember. And I'm not just trying to be funny. 

What I'm Looking Forward To

• The 2nd trimester burst of energy I keep reading about

Next Appointment

• July 10th 

Peanut Butter & Cheese

I have to say that I disagree with most literature out there that says you don't gain any weight at all until the second trimester. This certainly isn't true for me. I have officially gained 5 pounds. At this rate I am going to have one very round face to go with my soccer mom bob. Oh well. I can't help the fact that food ALWAYS sounds so darn good. And unfortunately it isn't the good food. I used to have fish at least once or twice per week and now the sound of the word salmon makes me want to vomit. Peanut butter and cheese make me really happy though. Oh and watermelon. I bought one Monday and it will be gone by tonight. yikes. They say cravings don't start by this point either, but as you probably guessed - I disagree with that too. Someone please tell me you were immediately hungry and heavier. Even if you weren't, just say it anyway, pretty please :) I figure that no well documented pregnancy is without the pre-bump picture. This way we can see just how bad (in a good way) it gets. I can see a trainer in my future, but for now I am going to focus on a healthy baby and the grilled cheese(s) that I am going to take down tonight.

8 WEEKS

Whoa

Sooo since finding out that I'm expecting I've been doing A LOT of reading... And I've got to say it's all very eye opening. Like wide eyed, Oh My Goodness! What the... Is this really going to happen like this? It's a really good thing people don't read these books and blogs until after the deed is done :) Because some of it is really unnerving! I know it will all be worth it when I'm holding our baby girl or boy, but I must say it is really a good thing Michael and I enjoy a good horror show because I get the distinct impression from my light reading that the delivery of our precious, sweet baby girl or boy might be just that... Here's just one of the many blogs I've stumbled across...

10 Things They don't Tell You

Whoa!

For now I'll just focus on the good and relish in the things I don't know. Ignorance is bliss. Really.

I already bought something for Baby H last weekend while we were in San Antonio for a wedding. I couldn't help myself. Who could with faces like this?

A picture that is truly worth a thousand words...

We are having a baby!!!

Baby H is due Jan 8th and we couldn't be more excited. Without giving you too many details, this is something we have been working on for months and months, so it had become quite regular practice to take a test and get a negative. I was so used to it in fact that the first time I got a faint line one evening I brushed it off and thought it was a fluke. Two days later I took another test during my lunch break just to be sure and got another faint second line. I immediately drove straight to CVS and bought several different types of tests, including the one that says YES or NO, just to remove any doubt. They were all positive, all 7 of them. By the time Michael got home from work the counter was covered in pregnancy tests. At this point I was still in disbelief, although it was clearly confirmed - 7 seven times - that I was indeed pregnant. Even at the first ultrasound I was apprehensive that the Doc would tell me I wasn't pregnant, but there on the screen was the heartbeat. It was official. There is a baby growing inside me! Whoa. It's amazing and exciting and scary and every emotion all rolled into one.