Pregnancy Anxiety

Those who know me really well know that I am a worrier at heart. Can't help it, that's just the way I'm made. I think I have been fairly good over the course of 9 months managing my fears and concerns. The last few weeks, and anticipating the next several to come have me in all sorts of an anxious state. We have been taking our weekly childbirth classes, which I am not sure have helped me or scared the crap out of me. Last night's topic was unexpected outcomes and ppd. Really fun things to get your mind turning right before bed time. I feel bad that I shouldn't have these anxious feelings and that I should be only focusing on the good things to come, but sometimes that is hard to pull off. 

When you were pregnant did you have a million fears and what if's? Or if you are pregnant now, can you relate? Or am I the only crazy one worried about each and every thing? I have been trying to keep myself occupied with nursery decor and washing baby clothes, but those thoughts still creep in my head.

via

I read a daily devotional, Jesus Calling, that sometimes speaks to me on a wild level. It is my second year reading it and I highly recommend to everyone. This was yesterday's reading:

I actually read it this morning after falling asleep from exhaustion last night. It was the perfect way to start my day with a sense of being refreshed and putting my head in the right place.

All I know is that in three {four weeks max, come on Weeks!!} I will have the most amazing little baby to hold in my arms and that makes all this worrying and nonsense worth it. I am officially "full term" today and I wouldn't dislike it if he was ready to come in the next hour! 

Yes, I am one of those Moms- ready now.

Thanks for letting me vent! Feel free to comment, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

xo.

Quilted With Love

The most anticipated nursery item finally has arrived! I am so in love with this Dresden Quilt, handmade by my Mom, customized to a capital T for our little man. 

Over the last several years, my Mom has been quilting as a hobby in her spare time. Most recently she made a baby quilt for my new niece, and wanted to make one for Weeks as well. I knew I wanted a Dresden Quilt ever since seeing Ten June's nursery. I love the vintage design, and the way it incorporates some whimsy and all the colors to tie the room together. I'm not sure how many hours went into the hand stitching that goes around each dresden, the stitching around each circle, and the binding that was sewn by hand. She has been working on it for months!

To start, every single piece of fabric was hand picked by my Mom and I. It was a fun morning in the fabric shop sorting through tons of bolts and pieces of fabric, envisioning what would be his future quilt. Lots and lots of time went into the way it all got laid out, and down to how it would be quilted. I think she did an amazing job putting it all together!

My very favorite part is the hand stitching! I know a major part of quilts is the quilting itself, but I'm in love with the hand stitches.

One thing is for sure, I know Weeks is going to spend a lot of time with this blanket. It will be something he has forever. I can just picture him now having tummy time! I can hardly, hardly wait.

If you by chance are in the market for a quilt like this, I can certainly put you in touch with the designer. Not to brag, but my Mom worked on this as a labor of love. She loved putting it together and I think it really shows. It has tied the room together so well and I couldn't be happier with the handmade choice!

Hope you love it as much as I do! Thanks Mom :)

xoxo.

Bump Update: 36 Weeks

How far along? 36 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Hit +19 this week!

Maternity clothes? Oh yea.

Stretch marks? No...fingers crossed!

Sleep: Here and there....some good nights and some bad. Even on a good night I am getting up at least 3-4 times a night to visit the bathroom. I really can't remember what it's like to sleep through a night, and I know that won't be changing anytime soon.

Best moment this week: Just being another week closer to meeting our boy. His bag is all packed and ready to go, now it's just working on mine and Stephen's!

Miss Anything? My clothes, my energy...but it's all ok.

Movement: Yes, he is quite a strong little guy in there.

Food cravings: Big mistake to buy my favorite candy ever: Cadbury Candy Eggs {not the creme filled, just the little bite size candies}. Although, I can't count these as a craving: I go overboard on them every Easter! I have been loving Cherry 7 Up and Root Beer as well.

Symptoms: Baby boy is getting really cramped up in there. We ate out for dinner twice this week and I squirmed the entire time. He likes his feet against my ribs, which causes my back to ache. Pretty much means I can't sit on the couch or in a restaurant booth comfortably. I never understood exactly what it meant to be "uncomfortable" in the last month, but I so see it now. Sciatic nerve pain made an appearance yesterday as well! Symptoms are piling on!

Have you started to show yet: Yes?! haha.

Gender: Sweet little boy- WEEKS!

Labor Signs: Nope....

Belly Button in or out? In/flat.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

Looking forward to: Baby boy's arrival. Can it just hurry up and happen already?!

Thanks for reading! xo.

Motivational Monday

1 source unknown / 2 / 3

Did everyone have a good weekend? We were super productive again, still checking things off the ever accumulating to-do list. Wishing you all a happy Monday to start the week off right!

xo.

Four for Friday

1. The Hospital Packing List:

Since this is an event we can't plan for when it's happening, I like the idea of being prepared with my belongings and everything to bring along with us. I scoured lists online and compiled my own into a cute printable. Now, it's just packing the bags and buying more things that I need. Anything you brought to the hospital you wish you would've left at home?

2. Easter Baskets

Since I will have my very own little Easter bunny this year, I am looking for the perfect Easter basket! I'm so excited to have things like this to plan for with a little one. Since he will be most likely a week or less old, I'm thinking about packing it full of some things we need like wipes, a few bottles {sorry Weeks!} along with some fun toys and onesies. We already are spending a fortune on everything else so I want it to be a little practical, and obviously he doesn't need candy.

find it here

pattern found here

find it here

3. Meal Planning

Things have gotten really repetitive lately for dinners. I told you the other day I have made the same soups over and over again this winter. It's time for something new. I loved seeing Natasha's meals that she serves her family. I'm thinking the Poppyseed Chicken could be made this weekend?

4. Free Printable

I saw this printable for a nursery, but I think it would easily look adorable with "L is for Love" or your last name "C is for Chalk". You can customize with your background color. Love it and love even more that it's 100% free!

What is on the books for your weekend? 

Happy Friday! xo.

My Makeup Bag

One of my sweet readers requested I do a makeup post- how fun! I had not thought to do this and I was very flattered to say the least. I don't consider myself a major makeup know it all, once I find something I love I usually stick with it for a while. I do love to hear what everyone else uses, so hopefully this will interest you as well. Since being pregnant, I have been trying out more and more products, which has been really fun. Here's whats in my bag these days.

Clinique Long Last Glosswear: I love this in Air Kiss. It's what I wear daytime and even if I'm going out to dinner. My lips have a lot of color already and this is a good compliment.

Lancome Star Bronzer: I always dust some on my cheeks, a little on the forehead, a tad on the chin. I use sunswept. I always need some color, this is a must.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: I tried this on a whim and l-o-v-e it. I actually use a blush brush to apply it even though I think you could rub it on. It's darker than what I would guess I would pick but I love it on!

Lancome Cheek Brush: Similar to the one I use. I use two different brushes for bronzer and blush.

Clinique Line Smoothing Concealer: This is what I'm using right now, but I usually switch to something lighter in the summer time.

Clinique BB Cream: I started using this last summer (shade 02) and it has kept my skin fairly moisturized through the winter, and has built in SPF- something that is so necessary. I haven't tried other BB creams so I can't compare.

Clinique Superfine Liner for Brows: Been usin' it for years. Perfect for blondes with light eyebrows. I've tried other pencils and always come back to this one.

 e.l.f Cream Eyeshadow: I almost always wear something in a sheer gold for my eyelids during the day. For $3 you can't beat it! This is really pretty in candlelight.

Chanel Eye Shadow Base: This is a splurge worthy base for your eyes! It's a wonderful base when you add more eyeshadow on top, but is beautiful alone too.

Too Faced Three Way Eyeliner: Still experimenting with this one. I tried it last week for Valentine's day at the root of my lashes and liked the results! I usually only wear eye liner at night, and occasionally daytime. 

Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow: The latest eyeshadow compact I have purchased for my green eyes. I have liked the far right color for adding emphasis this winter. Not any everyday thing though.

Maybelline Illegal Lengths Mascara: A drugstore brand that gives really long lashes, but not a lot of volume. For me, it works fine because I have a thick set of lashes, they just need to be darker and longer! A lot of times I rotate back and forth between a tube of expensive mascara (see next) and trying out a drugstore brand. Makes me appreciate the nice stuff and makes me think about what works best for my eyes!

Chanel Volume Mascara: What I am currently using and love. Gives an unbelievably thick set of lashes. After trying my Mom's I asked her to pick me up some. Most of my Chanel products are chosen after my Mom and sister try them out! 

Whew! That was long, are you bored yet? Now it's your turn. Have you tried any of these? If you have, have you found anything you like better? I would love to hear if you post on your makeup bag- make sure to let me know if you do! 

xoxo.

A Few Dinners Lately

Here's a glimpse into whats been cooking in our kitchen...

We have been eating a ton of soups this winter. I love being able to prepare a meal once and then reheat for leftovers the next day, and freeze some at the same time! Most soups we can get at least three meals out of {for two people} and that includes seconds usually for the hubs. This Cheesy Taco Soup was delish! I think I could try a hundred different taco soup recipes and be happy.

We've all seen the million ways you can use a pack of canned biscuits/crescent rolls and I wanted to give it a go. I made these Garlic Parmesan Knots from a regular can of biscuits...they were simply divine! Hot out of the oven=perfection. Stephen said the only problem was that we had 8 of them, waiting for us to eat! Next time I will make a small pack so we don't throw the leftovers away.

 Served with our meal was a big salad and these Corn Tortilla Crusted Chicken Tenders. We saute a lot of chicken for an easy dinner and this was a new twist. I loved how crunchy the outside was!

Some other soups that I have posted on before you might have missed, that I have made over and over again this winter:

Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili

Tomato Tortellini Soup

The tortellini soup is one of my all-time favorite recipes, and one of the easiest at that.

If you want to see more of what I'm craving/indulging in these days,
check out my Delicious Food and Drinks Board! 

Bump Update: 35 Weeks!

{at least lets hope only 5 more weeks!}

How far along? 35 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Still around +18

Maternity clothes? Yes, but I'm shopping for normal clothes! Not to be over zealous about fitting into normal clothes again, but it's nice to see them on the horizon!

Stretch marks? No...fingers crossed!

Sleep: A few really awful nights, and a few nights that make up for the bad ones. If I don't get a good nights rest I am miserable the next day. I know, go ahead and tell me this is just the beginning!

Best moment this week: A perfect Valentine's Day with my sweet husband. I didn't even miss a glass of wine.

Miss Anything? Nope.

Movement: Yep!

Food cravings: Peanut butter cookies, more donuts...spicy food sounds so good but I can't eat it- I will pay for it all night.

Symptoms: Achy back, acid reflux, getting uncomfortable.

Have you started to show yet: Yep. 

Gender: Sweet little boy- WEEKS!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? In/flat.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy with the exception of days after a night with little sleep and waking up with acid reflux multiple times. I am likely to be in tears those mornings! #pregnanthotmess

Looking forward to: Our little man's quilt is finished and we should be getting it today. I can't wait to see it in the nursery! The rocker should be arriving this week too! The nursery has been so much fun to work on, I have enjoyed every second of it, and can't wait to finish it up!

Other moments from this week:

{Hubs did really good this year with Valentine's flowers: my favorite pink peonies and red roses!}

{Valentine's pregnant style: sometimes I resemble someone toting a basketball around. Advice for any mommas to be: invest in a great pair of maternity jeans. I couldn't have gotten by with out my citizens!}

{Worked on another nursery project this weekend: a bench cushion for his closet. I'm a little more in love with Weeks and his room every time I walk in it and think of him!}

Thanks for reading! xo.