The Simple Note

I'm not to the point where I am over it, but I am getting more and more uncomfortable by the day. I have really enjoyed sharing my journey with you guys. It's been so good to know that other people can relate or really are interested in how our journey has progressed. Here are three tips for future or soon to be moms trying to figure all this out.

1. Take naps. Around 30 weeks I began getting more exhausted during the day like I was in my first trimester. What I found was that around 11:45-1:30 were my peek times for exhaustion. Being a teacher didn't allow for mid-day naps and once Spring Break came, I took every opportunity to take one. Now that I am back at work, it gets a little hard during that time span. If you can, at any point in the day, take the nap. Your body will thank you.

2. You can't do it all. I am definitely a get it done type person. I like to take charge and go after the millions of ideas that populate in my head each day. Well, you can't. It took me a while to understand this. As pregnancy progresses the toll it takes on your body. Even thought it is a beautiful process, it is a difficult (even for the mom with the easy progression). While I've been blessed to have a fairly smooth pregnancy, I had to start considering what my random acts and do it yourself attitude was doing to me physically. Or maybe I got tired of being yelled at.

3. You need the support; not the stress. I don't know what I would have done this pregnancy without my husband. There were countless times I simply needed back rubs, physical support for bathroom trips, two tums from the medicine cabinet, couch sleeping support (he insisted if I slept on the couch he would too), extra hands for lotion, or just someone to talk to. I commend all the moms who work hard day in and day out and have do do so much on their own. If I could say anything for future moms to be it would be to get all the support you can. Friends, grandparents, siblings; when help is offered, take it.

Not to mention the number of people who have poured into our lives with other forms of support; words, gifts, and random acts of love!



 April is here. My birth month, T's birth month, and B's. Here is how we've been doing.

1. Heartburn persists. Doctor C informed at my last appointment baby girl has hair. So that's good to know. I am definitely curious to see exactly "how much". I have so much heartburn, I can feel the tingle and itch in my ears.

The Fix: Tums 

2. Feet swelling has been consistent. At first it was just one foot, now it's both. Doesn't cause much pain, more so skin tightness and discomfort. Elevation doesn't exactly help.

The Fix: Drinking water seems to do the trick, but some days nothing seems to help. 

3. Cravings. Mashed potatoes and gravy (extra gravy please). Ice Cream. Steak and Potatoes.

The Fix: The husband. 

4. 22 pound weight gain so far. I am so pleased with my body and how it has been reacting to my pregnancy diet. (What diet?)

The Fix: Stay on track with my fake diet. 

5. The Nursery Nook.  While I plan to do a future blog post on all details nook, I will say, it is not done! Last week I hung the mirror that had been sitting in the box on the floor for almost a month or more. By the end of the day, it fell and completely shattered. I was so hurt! I haven't even thrown it away yet, it just continues to sit.

The Fix: Find a new mirror for the wall. Have someone else properly hang it! Remember what I said earlier about support?

6. Lack of breath.  Oh my goodness walking, laying, and even talking causes me to loose my breath. I move so slow now and I even have mild wobble walk. Sometimes, I feel like my airways are restricted.

The Fix: Re-positioning is required to catch my breath. 

7. Lack of sleep. You know how I mentioned earlier to take naps during the day. Well, I don't exactly sleep at night either. My peek times for waking up are 3:00-5:15 a.m. I can't say she's always awake and moving, but I know that I can expect to be up at that time and then back to sleep around 6 am and up for work around 7.

The Fix: None.

Over the next few weeks I'll be sharing our final pre Baby B details. All things nook, hospital bag, and first time mom must have recommendations. Until then, if you have a pregnant friend or even a friend that's trying to conceive, check on them. Be that support.

Dress: ASOS
Photographer: Corey W. Photography

It's Friday! I can't believe how fast time has been passing by. I am currently 32 weeks and Baby B is doing so well. She's extremely active, especially during the end of the school day and the evenings.

To catch you up, a few weeks ago, I started a new dresser project that has took a long pause because life has been so busy! I've been working so hard with my business lately and in between work, side projects, client meetings, and baby planning where is the time?

I am so happy that this weekend is a little slower than normal. With hopes, I'll be able to tackle a few DIY projects for our baby shower next weekend and her little area.

The Nook: 

T and I decided on a nursery nook for the baby. It took a few discussions and his knowledge on babies and newborn parenting to get me to come around, but I am glad I finally did.

Paint: 

Last month, we painted the bedroom a brighter color, Sherwin Williams Bohemian Lace. The previous color wasn't exactly the color I wanted for the room when we first moved in and painted. I was so happy to rid of that dark chalky grey.

The Dresser: 

I fell in love with this Pottery Barn Blythe Extra Wide Dresser. I just loved how sleek and simple it was. The legs give it that extra detail and the color was neutral and soft. Let me quickly add, it was completely out of our budget for a baby dresser. I couldn't fathom spending $1,100 for a dresser!

I'm not new to refurbishing, so I went to Marketplace and Offer-Up to find a similar version that I could do for less (way less) than the cost of my first love. It took a few months for me to find a similar version. I lost a few bids on Marketplace and then I found the one!

Before:



After:


It took me about a month for me to contact/buy the dresser from the seller. Once I got it home, I began working on it right away.

Last weekend, I took some time to find dresser toppers like a changing pad, a marble and gold tray for her essentials, and some wall decor to finish up the space.

The Crib:

We found a soft grey 5 in 1 baby crib from Target that we (more so I). Simple and a little traditional mixed in one. I loved that it was something that can grow with her over time.

This Weekends Plan: 

• I plan to add the hardware back on the drawers and clean the inside one more time. 
• Return one wall art to Home Goods and purchase a replacement. 
• Hang mirror above dresser
• Find a blush throw for nursing chair
• Purchase a Gold Rod for curtains

I'd love to hear from you. How did you design your nursery or nook? What are you up to this weekend? 

• Extreme exhaustion
• Watermelon breast (tender, hard, sore)
• No Morning Sickness
• Hunger between 2 and 7 am
• No cravings

• Always tired
• Watermelon breast starting to dye down
• No morning sickness
• Still hungry all the time 
• Cravings (starting to kick in):
•  Cold sandwiches with mustard and pickles!

• No morning sickness
• Constipation kicks in
• Cravings:
• Orange juice
• Citrus fruits (Grapefruit)
• Salty/Sour chewy candy (Trolli Sour worms)
• Pepperoni and crackers 

• No morning sickness
• Heartburn. I've never in my life experienced heartburn like this. Every. Single. Day. Tums are not my friend. Thanks to my friend, Janine, I found that cold chocolate milk works wonders. 
• Less discomfort while sleeping
• Bathroom trips decrease
• No Morning Sickness
• Weight Gain (so far I've gained 8 pounds)
• Cravings
• Grapefruit
• Cheesecake
• Gender discovery!