27 weeks

How Far Along: 27 weeks. I decided to go with the 3rd trimester beginning at 28 weeks so...this week marks the last of my 2nd! Woo hoo! All of my update emails mention the "final stretch" and "almost there" but I feel like February is so far away. Everyone keeps saying, she's going to be here before you know it! I hope time goes quickly only because I'm so excited to meet her! Part of me believes them, part of me doesn't. 

How I'm Feeling: I feel good! I've noticed my appetite has increased so I try and keep a lot of snacks in the house. She's gaining about 6oz/week right now so it makes sense that I would need some extra cals! I'm sure I'll be getting plenty of extra calories come Thanksgiving..seriously can't wait.

Layla girl is breech as of now so I'm really hoping she will flip around soon. I've been doing some downward dog type stretches to maybe give her a little push. She still has plenty of time to shift to head-down, I am being selfish and wanting her to flip by 30 weeks so that we can see her clearly on her next ultrasound!

I know she's still head up because I feel her little feet fluttering and kicking down low. She has stayed active all day long recently...I love it! I call her my crazy girl because she seems to be a nut in there. She has started to get the hiccups this week!

Braxton Hicks contractions are starting. I mostly just notice my stomach getting super hard but they are painless and very sporadic. I've only had one stop me in my tracks when I got up to go to the bathroom early in the morning. I think it may have been coupled with my ongoing "bathroom issue" which by that I mean, I hardly ever "go". Fun pregnancy times. Now that she's bigger she puts a lot of pressure on everything down there.

Weight Gain/Loss: Probably still somewhere around 10-11 pounds total. I need to start weighing at home just to keep track of my weight gain from this point on.

Cravings: Apple pie! These Thanksgiving commercials plant ideas in my head! Trader Joes has an apple pie that is quite delish I have to say! I also bought some gourmet cupcakes (gourmet makes them sound way better and totally acceptable to buy...right?) yesterday. I picked them up, put them back down, and picked them up again. They are pumpkin spice with cream cheese frosting...who could possibly say no? So I bought a pie & cupcakes..shame shame shame (but soo good).

Gender: Girl & she has so many cute girly clothes heading her way from a fabulous Gap sale. I was pretty proud of myself for the savings...

What I Miss: Brunch. After the (so called) ultrasound on Saturday, we went to brunch where I would typically have joined in on the bottomless mimosas and eggs benedict. I had some yummy sweet potato pancakes but didn't pack quite the same punch as I sipped on my club soda. Oh well..very minimal loss!

What I'm Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving! It should be a good time with my family and food. I'm still waiting for my gestational diabetes blood work. I figured they would call me next day, but their website says to allow 10-14 days for blood work..weird.

Weekly Wisdom: If you're pregnant during the fall/winter, maternity leggings will be your best friend. They go with anything and everything & are super comfortable. I bought some maternity pants a while back when they were on sale and have yet to wear them. Leggings are where it's at people, for real.

Camera shy.

Well, it's official. Dylan and I have the most stubborn little girl & she's not even born yet!

Lord help us.

All I can do is laugh, but we went for the eagerly anticipated 3D ultrasound and Layla decided she didn't want to participate today. I either have great intuition or I jinxed it, but I just knew that she was going to be difficult. I joked that she would probably cover her face come showtime and..that's exactly what she did!

She's also breech, which isn't a big deal as of yet, but the ultrasound tech said it makes it harder to get a good image when they are head up.

So oh well...we rescheduled for 3 weeks from now. I'm disappointed because I was so excited to see her today but, I would rather have a good session with good pictures rather than battle with her and that stubborn arm for the length of my appointment.

For as wiggly and crazy as she seems to be in there, she sure does love to keep that arm up by her head! She had the same arm up by her face at her 15 week & 18 week ultrasounds. Home girl better move that arm out of the way come birth time because I read a horror story of a woman who delivered with her baby's arm by his head and to put it shortly, it wasn't pretty. Ahhhh..

As much as I didn't get to see today, I did get a quick glimpse of her yawning on the 2D ultrasound which was cute. She was probably saying, yawn..are y'all going to leave me alone yet? It wasn't the clearest image (the tech was more concerned with getting her to move her arm than try and get a good shot..which was fine) but I did get to see her chubby little cheeks and round head! She will absolutely have my big round melon head. I know I keep saying that, and you can't really tell now that I have a big head, but my head & fat face barely fit in my hospital newborn photo. I'll try and find the picture. Knowing how she is positioned now, it's definitely her big noggin I always feel around my belly button.

Today was just a reminder that although she may be inside me and I'm carrying her, she is her own little person on her own schedule already! Maybe she will feel more cooperative in 3 weeks..

Still waiting to get an update on when Dylan will be home...seems like I'm waiting for a lot these days! Oh well, such is life..and all good things are worth waiting for.

26 weeks

How Far Along: 26 weeks! It's up in the air as to if this is my last week before the (TA DAAAA) third trimester! I've read that the third tri starts at 27 weeks or 28 weeks. Who knows. Baby Girl is opening her eyes this week & continuing to pack on some fat. All of her senses are now developed & she can react to loud sounds. She is measuring right on track based on my belly measurement at my appointment. Such a high achiever already ;)

How I'm Feeling: Physically, I am tired..I'm not sleeping too well with the constant shifting from side to side (thanks hip pain). I feel like soon I'll need to start rolling over on my hands and knees rather than just rolling across my back (for such an easy task, it's getting harder and harder to do!). My sweet furbabies like to wake me up at 6:45 every morning to go out...could be worse, but once I'm up I'm up for the day. Emotionally, I'm just ready to get an update as to when Dylan will be coming home. I've also started becoming obsessed that I won't have everything I need for her. It's irrational but probably common amongst crazy first time mommas. I'm signing up for a birthing class at my OBGYN office and I'm hoping surrounding myself with other pregnant ladies will help put my mind at ease.

Oh, and pregnancy brain is real. I've almost sprayed root lifter all over myself instead of perfume, I've almost sprayed perfume in my hair rather than hair spray, and last night when I was cooking pasta I couldn't figure out why the water wasn't boiling..hint: it helps to turn the burner on. 

Weight Gain/Loss: Up 6 pounds from my 22 week appointment, so a total of 10 pounds. 

Cravings: No real cravings...I've been trying to eat healthy as I'm obsessed with knowing everything I eat gets passed on to Layla. I'm having the GD glucose test tomorrow so I've tried to stay away from lots of sweets (whether that has any effect, who knows..). Fingers crossed for good results!

Gender: Girl. She is so active! I'm trying to figure out how she is positioned in there..I've read that she should start shifting to the head-down position but from what I can tell she is feet down..way down. She likes kicking my bladder and I can literally see her feet tap dancing low in my pelvic area. If I feel around my belly button I can feel something big & hard (I'm assuming her head??). I'm hoping the ultrasound can give me an idea of what in the world she's up to in there.

What I Miss: Not much. Wine would probably be the main thing, especially with the holidays coming up! Yum...holidays..I am so looking forward to all of the eating heading my way. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: A LOT! My appointment tomorrow, ultrasound on Saturday (I get teary eyed thinking of seeing her sweet face), Thanksgiving, Christmas, my baby shower in January, and Dylan coming home! 

Weekly Wisdom: Check out what classes your hospital offers! I got online to look at my hospitals offerings and they have a lot I would like to take if I am here in Atlanta. They offer breastfeeding classes for couples or just moms. They even have a "Baby and Your Dog" class which I will definitely consider checking on.  

Infant Headbands: Babylicious Divas

So, of course when I found out that we were having a little girl I started thinking about all of the sweet headbands and accessories I could buy for her! Because seriously, nothing is cuter than a little nugget in a headband. I browsed Etsy and came across the shop Babylicious Divas...

{Etsy Shop}

I knew that I would need to gradually build my headband arsenal and didn't want to spend a fortune doing so. I really love that this shop is run by a mother & daughter team. Their pricing is very reasonable and all of their products look adorable. I ordered two sets of 6 headbands..

I didn't order newborn size as I have a strong feeling Layla will be born with my big melon head. I went with the 0-3 size and I'm hoping they will fit her! I love that the flowers aren't obnoxiously huge. All of the headbands seem very well made and I just think they are the sweetest things ever!

For 12 headbands, I spent around $26. If you "Like" their Facebook page you can receive 10% off which is a little added perk.

The shop seems to do a lot of business but still provides great customer service. I liked that they provided tracking on their shipping and I received my package really quickly and right on time. I love buying from great Etsy shops because my purchases always come so nicely packaged!

Dylan asked if we could put a "soft cap" on the number of headbands we order. I said I would try..

I have stumbled across two different DIY headband tutorials via Pinterest that I plan on trying next week. I'm typically decent at crafting as long as steps are clear and there is no sewing involved, ha. I'll head to Hobby Lobby this weekend and, fingers crossed, will have a new budget-friendly way of adding to her collection!

25 weeks

How Far Along: 25 weeks - baby girl is the size of a large cauliflower & is using her equilibrium to determine up from down!

How I'm Feeling: I am fighting some ridiculous heartburn today! I think that she is moving up higher (which would explain the heartburn) and my belly looks different. I've thought it was shrinking (I'm crazy, I admit it), but I think rather than being balled up lower down she is stretched out and up higher.

Weight Gain/Loss: Fingers crossed I've put on a few..we will find out next week! 

Cravings: Not really a craving, but Talenti gelato is amazing. Their chocolate peanut butter Cup is insane. I also tried their peppermint bark flavor which was pretty delish as well.

"Our gelato is made with fresh, hormone-free milk and only pure cane sugar. Not only is it delicious, but with 30% less fat than regular ice cream, it’s also a healthier alternative."

I've tried to keep it healthy other than my new gelato obsession. I'm allowing myself to have whatever I want though. For cookies, I bought Kashi Raisin Oatmeal Flax cookies, that way I get my cookies while also getting 600mg of Omega-3's and 4g of fiber, 12g of whole grains. 

I'm having my glucose test next week so  we will see how that goes!

Gender: Girl. I raided the sale section at babyGap this weekend! I love a good sale. Most of the pieces I bought were "final sale" price and the whole store was an additional 30% off!

Having a girl is so fun because girls = headbands! I received my order of headbands from a great Etsy shop called BabyliciousDivas. I'm going to do a post of my Etsy purchases soon. I've had really good experiences so far with the shops I've ordered from!

What I Miss: I really don't miss much. I'm ready for Dylan to be home! 

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm looking forward to my appointment next week & my ultrasound that weekend! I can't wait to see her! 

Weekly Wisdom: I've been lazy the past few days, no real wisdom coming from this pregnancy brain!

Tank continues to claim my Boppy pillow for himself..

22 weeks vs. 25 weeks. She is invading my rib cage now & I can feel it for sure!

Along For The Ride..

In my last post I briefly mentioned the news that Dylan will be home for the birth of our baby girl. I didn't elaborate because honestly at the time, I was still in the midst of deciphering my feelings on the situation.

By not discussing it, I feel like I didn't let on to how excited & relieved I feel that he will be home. I also didn't let on to how absolutely thrown for a loop I started feeling at the news.

We prayed (and prayed and prayed...) that "they" would send him home early and in time to attend the birth. I spent many days with tears in my eyes as I looked at pictures of new dads with their babies at the hospital, wondering if Dylan would get to experience those first moments. I would pin articles about "Tips for new dad's for the first few weeks" and wonder if I should even bother reading. It made me sad not for myself, but for Dylan. I knew that I would be okay as I would be with our daughter, but I worried about him missing out on such a precious time in our lives.

I relied on my faith that however things went, that was how it is meant to be. If he was here, great. If he wouldn't be, we would be okay. It was the uncertainty that was and continues to be more stressful than the facts at hand. I don't do well waiting on the sidelines, swaying in the balance. I like to have a time line, a general plan as to when and how things will go. Especially being pregnant.

I've mentioned before that my hormones are really kicking into high gear. I cry at everything. Everythingggg. I cry when I think about the fact that I don't know where my baby will be born. Which hospital should I tour? How can I possibly make a birth plan when I don't even know which state I'll be in? A part of me hates that now when I go to my doctor appointments, I can't speak in confidence that I will be delivering with someone in that practice. Living in limbo is not fun, especially as my baby girl is limboing and cha-cha-cha'ing in my belly, reminding me that she is going to be here before we know it!

The hardest part is that I am not in control, Dylan is not in control. We know he will be sent home early, but our time frame as of now is so vague. We don't know if it will be soon, soon enough for me to move back to North Carolina, or towards the end after I can no longer safely travel.

My instinct is to say, don't you people get it? That this is something that takes some actual planning? Give us an answer! However, after years of living a military life, I have accepted that the military is their own breed and work at their own pace.

I try to remind myself that even though it seems like the military is the one calling the shots, it's really in God's timing. I am constantly reminding myself that our plan is already decided & that worrying and wondering isn't going to change a thing. I'm just incredibly impatient!

Either situation does not stress me or disappoint. Dylan and I both agree that both have their pros and cons. Our main desire was that Dylan be there, and whether it's in Atlanta or North Carolina, he will be. I remind myself to be thankful for this on it's own. It is in my personality to say, "Ok great..now on to the next thing to worry about...". I need to just stop and be grateful that our prayers were answered & a weight has been lifted.

I remind myself constantly at how lucky we are. My pregnancy has been a breeze. Seriously..sure, I had horrid morning sickness in the beginning but nothing out of the norm. I've had zero complications, I have a healthy baby girl, and a supportive family. Sure, I hate that all of her stuff is stacked in a pile with no where to go as of now, but at least we are able to provide for that "stuff". Family and friends have already been so generous with buying things that she needs. What a blessing to even have people in our lives that can do that for her. I think of all of the women in this country who are pregnant with zero support, emotionally or financially. Layla will be born into a world of love and I am so grateful for that.

britax travel system & 4moms infant tub from her grandpa!

There have been so many moments lately that I realize how much this little girl has already altered our life so much, and for the better. My mentality on so much has already shifted to thinking of her and our little family first and foremost. One main example is when I did learn that Dylan would make it home early. My first feelings were, well I'm going to stay here either way.  I already picked up and moved because you left & it's not fair to expect me to pick up and move again. A part of my initial reaction was selfish anger. I felt like here I am, pregnant and "alone" (not really alone, I have family and friends..but without my husband). I found a great OBGYN practice that I was excited to dive 100% into. I was excited to plan a hospital tour and sign up for classes at the hospital. It was nice to not feel like I was in transition. There are so many changes going on in my body and mind during this pregnancy, it felt nice to feel like my plan was established.

And then..it hit me. That this isn't about "my" plan..this is about our families plan. Where I would usually be stubborn and all about what I want, I have to take into consideration that this is just as important to Dylan, she is just as much his as she is mine. I would never want him to miss out on a single second, especially since he will already have missed these months of feeling her move around in my belly.

So we will see, I can plan everything in my mind, worry, stress, and none of it would change a thing! So I guess for now, we are just along for the ride..

24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks. Officially 6 months pregnant! She is approx. 12 inches long and is on her way to becoming a little chunky monkey!

How I'm Feeling: Some days I feel like we've come so far (which we have!) and some days I feel like we still have so far to go. I am still enjoying this phase though, she is more and more active every day! I am also feeling excited and relieved because we found out this week that Dylan will be home from deployment early & in time for Layla's birthday. God is good!

Weight Gain/Loss: Haven't weighed since my last doctor's appointment, but I would say I've gained judging by the pictures I just saw of myself! I can mainly see it in my face in pictures, and I can tell I'm a just a little bigger everywhere else.

Cravings: Halloween candy! Ha. I'm balancing out my candy consumption with lots of vegetables. My appetite is never ending. I think I'm in trouble with all of the holidays coming...I'll be whale status in no time!

Gender: Girl. I am so excited with some little things I found at my favorite flea market to go in her nursery!

What I Miss: not much...maybe a good bottle of vino & sleeping on my back. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Finding out when Dylan will be back. We have to plan whether or not I will move back to NC or stay in Atlanta. It will all depend on how late in the game they send him home..

Weekly Wisdom: Start collecting nursery items early. It's been less overwhelming and more fun for me to find random things while I'm out and about. It never fails, if I'm looking for something last minute I will not be able to find it! I want her room to feel collected, not bought. A good flea market is a great place to find some cool little things! Here are a few things I bought this weekend..

Vintage White Frame:: I'm planning to add a decorative "L" or monogram.

Small grouping to go on a shelf by her dresser!