36 Week Bumpdate: the 9th month

36 weeks! Some days I feel tiny and some days I feel huge :)

Total Weight Gain: 25 lbs

Symptoms:  So emotional. The things I tear up over make even me laugh (aka ABBA's Dancing Queen coming on the radio. Not. Even. Kidding). Also starting to really notice my body's practice contractions. It's pretty amazing to watch it prepare. 

Size of the baby:  Healthy and ready to meet the world whenever she so chooses!

Sleep:  Taking some herbs and that has really, really helped. 

Best Moment Last Week: Wrote my birth plan. Finished my nursery (pictures below). Washed the littlest clothes and blankets. Boom, boom and boom!

Movement: Hiccups. This week Evelyn has had hiccups a couple times. I used to hear that and not think it sounded that remarkable, but, guys, it is SO precious!! 

Cravings:  I had my first intense one. I woke up from a nap last weekend NEEDING a pancake with peanut butter and strawberry jam on it. Not even sure my eyes were open yet before I stumbled into the kitchen and started making my little buckwheat pancake. :)

What I Miss: Being able to keep my due date clear in my head. Somehow over the last couple weeks it has turned into a "due season" and therefore I answer with things like "Well, anytime between now and Thanksgiving." Why I can't go back to the auto "November 14th" is beyond me.

What am I looking forward to:  Baby shower this Sunday! Oh man, I can't wait! And then I'm throwing a shower for a dear friend on Friday. So much celebrating to come!

Milestones: Hello full term! I've made it to the I-can-safely-birth-at-the-birthing-center milestone and that feels great. 

How is Daddy?   Handing out loads and loads of hugs when I get weepy and exhausted. I'm so thankful he encourages me to slow down. 

And here are some pictures of the nursery! 

I've been dreaming up this room since before we even found out we were having a girl. I did the majority of it over the last couple weeks, while my mom was out of town (half to surprise her, half to see if I could do it on my own- we always decorate together), and love how it all came together. 

This is super budget-friendly nursery- free crib (Thank you Montague's!), childhood bookcase and dresser, gifted bedding, 1 gallon of paint to take the walls from white to warm, stenciled E with a borrowed projector (because vinyls are not very reasonable), Draping wall using fabric from our wedding, black button wall- 1 yard of fabric for coverage, Chandelier using beads from our wedding and a broken lamp shade for the ring base, foam board valance with 1 yard of fabric, and spray painted lamp with a shade covered in old lace. 

Besides the valance and button fabric and some paint, I pretty much just bought the baskets in the bookcase. Bonus: they were on sale! Most of the decor I already had and all the colorful blankets are so decorative stacked up. 

I'm particularly in love with this striped valance. (Tutorial) 

It takes me back to our Europe trip.

These buttons are actually bar stool samples I saved when my parents closed their store 6 years ago. I thought they could be fun in a nursery some day.

 And I was definitely right :) 

35 Week Bumpdate

Total Weight Gain: 23.5 lbs

Symptoms:  Did you know nausea can come back in the third trimester? That's fun. Just tack it on to the tiredness. All of that combined with the heat that still sticking around in OR is definitely making me very ready to get this baby out. 

Size of the baby:  The size charts are really starting to vary at this point. 18 inches and 4.5 lbs is the average. But from this week on out, nothing is really accurate (since babies are born between 17&22 inches long and 6-10 lbs..) Basically, she's good sized and can come out almost at any time :)

35 Weeks big! 

Sleep: Almost non existent. 6 hours a night is a good night. 5, not bad. 4 is where we really get teary. Pushing through. Choosing joy. Looking forward to this part of this season being done. 

Best Moment Last Week: Going to Bauman Farms with Joseph. It was so fun to go on this date I have been looking forward to since the spring. Only funny thing was I had always pictured it in sweaters and boots. Instead, we were sweating it out in T shirts and shorts. Rolling with the season! 

Movement: Evelyn's little kicks are getting higher! I can't believe how much she has grown

Cravings:  Quiche. Green smoothies. Pumpkin treats (but isn't everyone thinking of those in October?). Milk.

What I Miss: Being able to fall asleep on my own before 2 am. 

What am I looking forward to:  Finishing the major nursery projects this weekend! Look for pictures in the near future :)

Milestones: Realizing that every time someone reminds me to enjoy where I'm at, it's okay. It doesn't mean I was spilling discontent. And also I think I've realized with going from a couple to parents, you just can't know what you're going to miss until it's really changed. And that's okay too. Grace covers. I am enjoying these moments and so excited for the next ones too. 

How is Daddy?  Helping me get our little home ready. We got the balcony cleared! (check off my nesting list). We're almost all moved in/organized, and that feels fantastic. 

34 Week Bumpdate

Pardon the bathroom selfie. Done is better than perfect :)

Total Weight Gain: 23 lbs

Symptoms:  Insomnia still rolls on. And the naps still roll on. And the lower back pain is getting combated by yoga. Okay, that's a little whiney. Mostly, when I've had some decent sleep the night before, things are lovely. It's harder to remember that when I'm sleep deprived. 

Size of the baby:  The size charts are really starting to vary at this point. 18 inches and 4.5 lbs

Sleep: Less solid, that's for sure. It's harder to get comfy and I get woken out of a deep sleep by this little mover. I guess this is getting ready for a newborn kind of schedule. But keeping up with my bedtime routine of a bath and then stretching, even when I think I'm tired enough not to need it, is mostly resolving the crazy-late nights. 

Best Moment Last Week: Painting Evelyn's room. And having lots of people over for tea dates or dinner. It's been a blessing enjoying all the friends and family that are so close! 

Movement: Better question: When is she NOT moving? 

Cravings: Pizza. This week it feels like the healthy cravings are all gone and what I really want is just pizza for every meal. lol. Thankful my life isn't ruled by my cravings! 

What I Miss: Sleep. Are you sensing a pattern this week? ;)

What am I looking forward to:  Getting this nursery finished. The goal is by the end of next weekend! 

Milestones: I've hit that glorious "nesting" phase. I'm actually enjoying and looking forward to all the little projects I want to finish before Evelyn's arrival. I was starting to get nervous it was going to feel like a list of chores until the very end, but I'm feeling inspired and oddly energized by it all. 

How is Daddy?  Joseph started classes this week for his apprenticeship! He's rockin this balance thing and helping so much in finishing up our home organization. Almost everything has a place now :)

33 Week Bumpdate

Total Weight Gain: 21

Symptoms: One big belly! New this week: rib pain. That's apparently just what happens as baby gets bigger and bigger. Looking for a bright side: it's helping me sit up very straight. 

Size of the baby:  17 inches long and about 4 lbs.

Sleep: . "Stock up on sleep now." "Sleep while you can!" "Take naps now and be thankful you don't have a toddler keeping you awake all day." Uh huh. Funny. You try sleeping with crazy hormone insomnia and a future athlete rolling around in your stomach. This week I am thankful for coffee, a flexible work schedule, and under the eye concealer. 

Best Moment Last Week: . Having my first baby shower! I am so blessed just to have seen so many women from so many areas of my life come together. I love knowing that Baby E is going to grow up with so many different women pouring into her life!

Movement: So much movement it's not even funny. In fact, I'm pretty sure she came head up the other day and then flipped back to head down. But I'm so glad she's a healthy little mover and shaker!

Cravings: Bran muffins (after a couple weeks, I finally gave in and whipped up a batch) and frozen blueberries (Thank you Willamette Valley Fruit for my favorite frozen treat!)

What I Miss: When shopping for myself was more fun than shopping for this tiny human being inside me. Seriously, just let me buy something to make me feel pretty! But instead all I want to do is buy things like this and this. 

What am I looking forward to: Painting the nursery. Hopefully it will happen this week. 

How is Daddy?  Sleeping soundly (thankfully! So glad I don't wake him throughout the night) and taking care of this mommy to be with lots of hugs and encouraging words. I didn't realize how important words of affirmation would be as I'm growing this person and not feeling as productive/attractive/energetic/etc. 

32 Week Bumpdate

Total Weight Gain: 20 lbs

Symptoms: Still rocking the stuffy nose, tiredness, achy back, and perpetual desire to eat :)

Size of the baby:  16.5 inches long and about 3.75 lbs.

Sleep: I've had a couple nights in a row of successful, non-insomnia nights! Woot Woot! So far, here's what's working: a warm bath with a birthing book. Then stretching in front of a fan. The warming then cooling mimics melatonin and seems to really do the trick. 

Best Moment Last Week: Learning to protect my nap time. It's hard for me to allow rest to become part of my routine, but I need it. 

Movement: Evelyn is all over the place. Up high, down low, getting ribs, etc. It's really neat to feel. 

Cravings: Can you crave cold weather? I am so ready for jeans, boots, and shirts with sleeves :)

What I Miss: Feeling interesting. For those who have hung out with me, I really AM trying to talk about things other than Evelyn, the baby room, pregnancy, etc. It's just hard! lol

What am I looking forward to: My first baby shower this weekend! 

Milestones: This article really inspired me: Here. I've really been loving our home tidy and clean. Just taking 20-30 min each day to devote to this keeps it so lovely. Simple life is the best. 

How is Daddy? Incredibly affectionate. And gives the best hugs. 

31 Week Bumpdate

31 weeks +4 days: Getting rounder and bigger

Total Weight Gain: 19 lbs

Symptoms: Tighter back this week. Pretty tired too. 

Size of the baby:  16 inches long and about 3.3 lbs.

Sleep: I've hit a phase of insomnia and uncomfortableness. I basically take a series of naps every night. I've had a couple solid nights here and there, but I'm looking forward to some longer nights, hopefully, soon!

Best Moment Last Week: We started setting up Evelyn's room! It's a long way from finished and already so cute!

Movement: Oodles! This week in church she moved so much I almost started laughing out loud! 

Cravings: Nothing too particular this week. 

What I Miss: Correctly judging my size when sliding behind someone's chair..

What am I looking forward to: Tonight Joseph is coming with me to my appointment! I can't wait to introduce him to everyone at Bella Vie. 

Milestones: I think I can officially let the extra concern/advice/warnings roll off my back with a smile now. It's a learning curve, for sure, but after so much from so many people, you just have to laugh. (I know it's all out of love an concern, so that helps too.) 

How is Daddy? Sweetly sacrificing extra space to my sprawling sleep needs :)

30 Week Bumpdate

Last week..

29 Weeks and hiking the trail

This week...

30 weeks

Total Weight Gain: I vow to get some scale batteries THIS week. Grace covers this busy time :) But from what my midwife appointment mid-day weigh said this week, it looks like I'm gaining about the same pound a week. 

Symptoms: Nothing too crazy- Still have my stuffy nose every morning and a little acid reflux in the evenings. Over all, very thankful for how comfortable I am. 

Size of the baby:  15.5 inches and about 3 pounds

Sleep: Sleeping is getting a little more uncomfortable. This may be the week I break down and borrow a body pillow :) 

Best Moment Last Week: Going backpacking with my whole family! It was so fun to unplug and get away together. 

Movement: Little Miss E is very active in the morning and at night before I fall asleep. She actually wakes me up in the morning!

Cravings: This past week has been more suggestion-based cravings. I see over-ripe bananas, and I can only think of banana bread. Someone mentions apple season, and warm applesauce sounds like THE best. Currently thinking about applesauce again.. Keeping the food choices very balanced and healthy so this baby grows strong and I don't just grow extra wide ;) 

What I Miss: My waist. It's pretty much gone now. And I forget just how pregnant I look until I look at myself sideways in a mirror- Surprise!!

What am I looking forward to: Joseph DOESN'T work tomorrow! It's our first Saturday together in far too long. 

Milestones: God is doing such a cool work in my heart. I've always admired mamas' toughness. They just get stuff done without complaining in a way I hoped, but doubted, would ever come naturally. And yet somehow over the last couple of months, I have found myself complaining less (in my head as well as my words). Hottest summer in 100 years? Somehow this heat-wimp is taking that in stride. Moving while pregnant? Slow, but do-able. Backpacking trip 29 weeks pregnant? Not the most comfortable thing I've ever done, but not half bad either. Maybe it's my brain shifting from the expectation of getting taken care of to preparing to be the one taking care of. And I'm so thankful for this change! 

How is Daddy? Incredible. After a couple miles, he carried my pack on our hike like the stud he is. I'm amazed at how well he is taking care of his girls :)