3rd Trimester- It's getting REAL!

Happy Hump Day Everyone! We made it through 1/2 of this week, but to me this is week at will never end. Being that it's the first week of school might be playing a big roll in why this week is just not ending fast enough, but I digress...

I'm officially into my 3rd trimester of this pregnancy and this whole "We are having a baby." is getting very REAL. Being that it's been over a month since I talked about my "Baby Bucket List"- I figure it would be a good time to check in to see how I'm doing when it comes to getting stuff done.

For Me:

1. Use our movie gift cards: NOPE. However, there hasn't been anything out that I even wanted to see. I'm not just going to waste a gift card on a movie I don't want to see.

2. Visit with my Michigan family: NOPE -not since I made this list. However, my cousin Carla is coming to visit with me this weekend and help alter my bridesmaid dress.

3. Go to a baseball game: Nope and I'm really not sure this will get done, but it's not going to break my heart if it doesn't happen.

4. Use up my gift certificates for massages: Again- NOPE. However, I'm already planning to take some extra vacation days in the next two months from work so this will happen!

5. Go to  Wisconsin with our friends: YES!! And we had a great time! The only thing is peeing in the woods at night is no fun because you end up with mosquito bites in places you really don't want them!

6. Anna's wedding stuff:
Bachelorette Party-Yes!



Wedding Rehearsal- No, but that's this weekend!
The Wedding- No, but we only go 10 days to go!

For Baby:



1. Create a baby registry: YES!! We aren't done yet but we got the one at Target at least started!

2. Get nursery ready: Nope. However we know the "theme"- stars & moon. I'm basing my ideas off this room I really like I found Pinterest.

3. Get the air ducts in our house cleaned out: Nope. Sam did look into a bit but isn't sure if it's really something worth spending our money on- so we'll see if this ends up off the list all together.

4. Get our carpet and couches cleaned: Again- no. However, I'm going to try to hold off on this one until closer to when the baby comes because they will just get dirty again.

5. NEW to the list- Figure out how many of "my people" should be invited to the baby shower so invites can be order. This will need to happen pretty quickly because it's important to give people enough time to plan to come.

Well- wish me luck on getting these listed knocked out before this lil man decides it's time to show his face to the world.

Being Sick and Pregnant - SUCKS!

It's hump day and I've been sitting on my hump all day because I'm home sick. Being it's the week before the start of the fall semester- this probably the worst week of the year for me to be sick but at this point I just had to give in, stay home, and try to get better. Being that Sam gave me this awesome cold, here is my 26 weeks "bump" picture because it's seemed to be the most fitting-

Yesterday I actually had another doctors appointment. It was the appointment that they check to make sure that I have don't have gestational diabetes. I drank a the "orange drink" (it's like a little thicker McD's Orange High-C) and then I had to wait an hour to have them draw my blood. The baby loved the extra sugar from the drink because he's was having a party in there.

Also while at the appointment I asked about what I can do about this cold. The answer "Yeah- nothing really." Well, isn't that great. So I've done everything I can (that I'm allowed to) to kick this cold out of me, but I can't get better soon enough.

If had give any advice to any other pregnant ladies out there dealing with a crappy cold here's what I suggest-

1. OJ needs to become you favorite drink. I like to mix my OJs- 1/2 regular & 1/2 fun flavor of OJ (Strawberry, Banana, Orange is my favorite).

2. Invest in good tissues. I normally just have cheap tissues around the house, but being it's "back to school" time- the good tissues were on sale. I'm so glad I picked up a new box with lotion because it's saving my poor nose.

3. Sometimes sticking your head in a hot shower helps knock the junk loose.

4. Pet snuggles can make you feel a little better because they are just so cute!

5. Rest, rest & more rest. This is the hardest one for me but I'm trying.

Well, I think it's time for my afternoon "cat nap". Shamrock is already ahead of me on this one!

Bump Updated- Under 100 Days To Go!

Happy Monday Everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Ours was pretty uneventful. We are starting to prepare the house for this baby boy who is due in less than 100 day- well 99 days to be exact! This weekend's project included pulling all the stuff out of our cabinets, pantry, and buffet to better organize our stuff because there wasn't any place for the baby stuff to go- bottles, sippy cups, kid plates, etc.  I'm glad we did this project but it caused a big mess in the process.

 



It was a good project for both Sam and I to work on together because it was project that involved having good communication skills. We both got to express want we wanted to happen and then we got it done together as a team. Many times house projects seem to be either a "Sam project" or a "Stacy project" but this was very much a team effort which was nice change of pace. Plus, now we got a lot room in all the cabinets- see!



I know it's been a while since I actually did the "bump" picture update so I figured I needed to share what been going on over the last 6 weeks. So here you go!

 

20 weeks- It's a Boy!- Happy 4th of July!

 

21 weeks- Bedtime = Baby Party Time!

 

22 weeks- Starting to plan the nursery.

 



23 weeks- Dad got kicked. (Well he finally felt a kick.)

 



24 weeks- Started baby registry. (Started but not close to being finished.) 

 

25 weeks- 100 Days to go!

 

I feel like the bump hasn't changed too much over the last few weeks. However, I've noticed the bump will be out there a lot more at night than during the morning/day. For that reason, I finally broke down and wore one of my maternity dress for the first time when I went out for Anna's party last weekend. I think in the next week or so, I will need to go through all my clothes and figure out what I can still wear for a while longer (so basically my clothes I was wearing before I lost the weight) and what needs to be put away until after this baby is born (so anything I bought after Christmas last year). Sounds like I got another weekend project to me!  

 

Have a great week everyone!

Maybe.. Just maybe... August won't completely suck!

Hi Everyone. Welcome to August. My most dreaded month of the year. If you work at a school, college, or university you probably fully understand why August is worst month of the year for me.

I remember as a student, I loved August because it was "back to school" time! "Back to school" meant I got new clothes, new school supplies, and I was excited because I would get to see my school friends again. There was always an excitement about August that I loved. However, those days are gone.

Now, August is the month where students are trying to come back to school last minute because "Hey- why not?", my phone and email is blowing up with 1,000 different questions/ issues, there are more meetings and events that I need to attend then I have time for, and my bosses are constantly on us about the enrollment numbers and getting more people into courses. Because of all of that, August is the month I normally find myself taking after work shots of whatever booze I have in the house, but not this year (I wonder why?).

 

However, I'm trying (trying being the key word) to look at all the positive things that I got going on in August in hopes to make this month suck a little less. So far the month started off on a strong note, with my friend Anna's bachelorette last weekend!



Good times were had which included a pole dancing class, a lot of tasty food, and a late night of dancing with a moose!

Also, at the end of month I have my cousin coming in from Michigan to alter my bridesmaid dress and spending the weekend visiting Chicago.

(She also did my wedding dress. She does great work!)

 



Additionally, I have Anna's wedding rehearsal!

Finally, I also got some really exciting news from one of my close friends. I can't really share too many details yet because it's not "Facebook" official, but I'm very excited for this new chapter they are starting in their life!

Well August, 6 days down & 25 more to go. Wish me luck everyone!

Living for the Weekend on Hump Day!

Happy Hump Day Everyone! We've made it half way through the week! Also being that it's Wednesday, I figure if I'm going to get a weekend recap in- I need to do it now before another weekend gets here.

This last weekend, Sam and I went up to Wisconsin with some of our friends for a weekend gateway. This trip is a yearly things for our friends, but it's just the second year Sam and I got to go. What I love about this trip is that it's cheap and we get to hang out with great people! Our friend Lindsay, her dad lives off a river in Wisconsin so we get to camp right on his property- so it's at no cost to us and there are no other campers to deal with!

 

We had up there on Friday so we could really enjoy the whole weekend. We started with some group food shopping, setting up tents, making dinner, and just hanging out for the evening- over all it's just a chill day/ night.

 

 

Saturday was "Float Trip Day!".  We got up in the morning ate some food, got in our swim suits, and then headed out for an afternoon on the river!

 

 

Like every year, we enjoyed just spending a number of hours floating the river, hanging out, and of course drinking (except for me- but I survived).

 

 

After the float, some of the boys got in some fighting practice. This went on for about hour, so everyone got in some free entertainment.

 



 

Sunday- We decided that our group would make a final field trip to a local brewery- New Glarus Brewery- before everyone parted ways.

 



 



This place was really cool. This is a Germany style building and had beautiful grounds to walk around on.

 

(Don't mind the squinty eyes- that is what happens when you face the sun without sunglasses)

 

 

All in all is was another great trip with great friends marked down for our history books (or blog in my case)! 







Baby Bucket List

I been meaning to write this post for 2 months, but I guess it's better late than never! Being that we just have under 4 months until our lives are changed forever, there are a number of things I hope to do. Some of the things are for me because I know there won't be much time for that once this little man arrives, and some of the things are what I want to get done for him (and some are for both). Also, being that this list is being made later than I wanted, some of things I have already done or have planed. So lets get down to the list...

For Me:

1. Use up our movie gift cards (which are still from Christmas). I was told that once the baby comes trips to the movies just aren't going to happen, so you better enjoy them while you can.

2. Visit with my Michigan family. Now, I can check this one off this list because I have already made three trips since I found out I was pregnant. However, I would love to get in one more trip if I'm able to find the time.

3. Go to a baseball game. This one is also done, but again it might be fun to go to at least one more before the end of the session.

4. Use up my gift certificates for the two massages I already have. I've kind of been waiting until I have felt like I "really needed" one. However, the bigger I get the more aches I have, so I don't think it will be an issue making sure they get used.

5. Go to  Wisconsin with our friends. This is the plan for this upcoming weekend so hopefully we'll have some nice weather and I don't get eaten alive by mosquitoes.

6. Enjoy & celebrate with my friend Anna with all the wedding plans that are coming up, including her bachelorette party, wedding rehearsal, and (oh course) the wedding!

7. Go into Chicago, visit Joe's new place, and make it a mini weekend vacation of it! There isn't anything I really want to do, but it would just be fun to spend a weekend in the city.

 

For Baby:

1. Create a baby registry. I think my plan is to register at Target and somewhere else (Buy Buy Baby, or Babies-R-Us).

2. Get nursery ready. Now there is many things that go into this one project which includes painting the room,  picking out & buying furniture, and just getting the room organized/ set up so it's ready when he comes home.

3. Get the air ducts in our house cleaned out. Now this is kind of for both. I've been wanting to get that done since we bought the house, but now with a baby on the way it's something I really want to make sure get completed so we have as clean of air in our house as possibly.

4. Get our carpet and couches (both sets) cleaned. Again this is really a "both" category, but it's something that needs to get done more because the baby is coming.

I know there are probably more things I'll come up with to add to the list, but for now it's a start!

22 Weeks: Pregnancy Progress Update

Happy Friday Everyone! This the last Friday of my "Summer Hours" at work and it feels like it went by really fast. I also can't believe it's been 5 weeks since I did a pregnancy progress updated.  In these last 5 weeks there has been a number of changes so it was about time to get this updated done.

Weight Gained: With these summer hours, I've working longer days at work so it been a lot harder to go to the gym. However, when I did go to the gym on Monday, I was up about 12 pounds from my weight when I found out I pregnant. Being that you should gain a 1/2 pound to a pound a week, I'm still "on track" which is good. However, I have to say considering I lost all that weight before the pregnancy, it's more mentally challenging to watch the scale go back up because just a few months ago that would have equaled "failure" on my weight lost goals.

Symptoms: Pregnancy brain... I found myself checking last night that I put the leftovers away because I just really couldn't remember if I did or not. Another example- I was eating peas last week and I called them carrots. I mean I was looking right at those bright green peas and was like "I hope the baby likes these carrots!". Yup- pregnancy brain! 

Movement:  Oh yes! It was kind of special because my first two really good kicks came the night of Sam's birthday. Also, this kid thinks that my bedtime is his party time. However, I now feeling more and more kicks through out the whole day and not just at night.

Food Cravings:  Still- not really. If I do get a craving it is just like before I was pregnant- if it's something I want and if it's in the house, I'll eat it. I do find myself eating ice cream pretty often (ok almost everyday). However, even when I was losing weight, I never denied myself ice cream; I just made sure I ate smaller portions... now that has changed. Now, I have no problems making myself a good sized bowl of Cookies and Cream with chocolate sauce- which is my current favorite!

 

 

(Also, black raspberries with vanilla ice cream is also very tasty!) 

Food Aversions:  Things have gotten better in the meat department so I have slowed down on the pasta intake. Also, I'm trying to make sure that I have at least 2 salads a week for lunch. I'm never very excited for the salads but I can eat them without really any issues.

Sleep:  Is ok. I have no problems falling a sleep when I go to bed. However, when I get up for my middle of the night bathroom break, I find it takes me anywhere from 15 minutes to a hour to fall back to sleep. So this morning I was up from about 4:30am until 5:15am... so if for some reason you see me on Facebook at 3am-5am, that's what's up!

Stretch Marks? None- yet. However, I thought I saw one a few weeks ago which freaked me out so I been putting a lot of lotion on my belly these days in hopes it will help (even a little bit).

Miss Anything?  I do miss getting to do some of the "fun stuff" that my friends are doing. For example- I didn't go to the Jimmy Buffet concert this year because we figured it wouldn't be the best idea to have a pregnant lady in the hot sun with a bunch of drunk people all day.

Or another example- was playing on the "slack rope" with my cousins at our family reunion last week. The last thing I would want to do is fall off and get a rope in the gut.

 

I know those seem like silly things, but you just realize that you have to be more careful about what you do when your carrying another life in your body.

 

Looking forward to: To some of the exciting things we have planned over the next few weeks including a trip to Wisconsin with friends, my friend Anna's bachelorette party and wedding! I want to really enjoy the last bit of summer before we get in full on baby mode this fall.

 

Belly Button in or out? Still in, however I can tell it's not as deep as it normally is. A few days ago I told Sam that I think my belly button is more "cute" because it's not this crazy deep cave like it normally is.

Happy or moody most of the time? Good question... I'll say happy. However, my tolerance for stupid people and their BS is definitely lower than normal. My coworker commented after a situation at work "So those hormones are kicking in really good I see."- yeah that's about right.

New Baby Items: I have some great people in my life who are already showing their love for me and this baby. Here is a picture of all the different gifts we gotten in these last 5 weeks.

 

However, I still haven't personally bought anything. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I'm really going to try and hold off as long as I can because I know there are probably many more gifts to come because we are very bless to have great family and friends in our lives.

Exercise: Yeah...about that... like I said earlier with these longer work days, it's been a lot harder to get to the gym. However, I'll be getting out of work at my normal time starting this upcoming week, so I hope to get back in the swing of things because I know the healthier I am the easier things should be.

Other questions: I know some people have asked when my due date is. Currently it's set for November 18th. This is the second date I was given (the first was November 10th) so I'm just hoping that this little boy will show his face before Thanksgiving! But we'll see what happens....

Have a great weekend everyone!