Five Books I've Read {thursday thoughts} + 37w4d update!

I love books! I love discovering new books to read and falling in love with the characters and the story, the setting... all of it. But what I end up doing most of the time is rereading my favorite books over and over again. I just get hooked. I've read the Twilight, 50 Shades, & Hunger Games series countless times and have yet to get sick of any of them. I've read the Harry Potter series once throughout and read a couple of the books more than once... I'm currently stuck on HP #4. For some reason I start the series and end up stopping on Goblet of Fire before finishing the series again. So hopefully I can muster up the nighttime energy to finish the series soon so that I can find a new book to read and fall in love with.

Here is a list of a few books I have recommended to people recently! Like I said, I haven't done a whole lot of reading new books lately but these are five books I have absolutely loved.

ONE. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I definitely have no ever cried so hard while reading a book... maybe not since reading Nicholas Sparks' The Guardian (if you love good books and love dogs... read that book). Also, take into account I was reading this while 20 weeks pregnant so maybe that has something to do with the extra strong emotions. I do think a lot of it had to do with the characters in this book being so incredibly relatable, reliable, and so so real. It made everything feel as if it were happening to me or extremely close to me. There's a second book in this series and I started to read it but I had a hard time getting into the book - so I hope to try again soon.

TWO. You Matter More than You Think: What a Woman Needs to Know about the Difference She Makes by Leslie Parrott

It's been a while since I've read this one but the two things I love most about this book was how simple & uplifting of a read this was it was each time I sat down with this book. At the end of every chapter there were a few questions to reflect upon that brought me out of my comfort zone to answer. I considered this a great thing - you want to be outside that comfort zone as much as possible when it comes to self reflection. This is a book you can (and should) revisit every so often as we are always changing. I'm adding this to the list of books I'd like to read again in the near future and I'm sure it'll be something I document here on my blog when the time comes!

THREE. The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

I was so super pleasantly surprised by this book. I don't want to say much about this book except that I think it's one hell of a good book. I didn't feel very invested in the characters at first and felt the book in general felt sooo slow in the first few chapters. Everything changed about halfway through the book for me and I was hooked. There were some really suspenseful parts to this book and typically that's not the type of book I read but I am so glad I did. And I highly recommend it and don't want to give anything away!

FOUR. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

I felt like everything in this book was so incredibly unique. There are lots of comparisons from this book series to the Twilight series but I never really felt that way. (The thing they had in common for me was that I was completely in love with both series!) The characters & all the various relationships (familial, romantic, friendships, etc.) in the book is really what got me interested and kept my attention! I also read Beautiful Darkness, Dream Dark, Beautiful Chaos, & Beautiful Redemption... but I read them all so fast that it's all kind-of a blur at this point. I will say that I enjoyed all the books so so much. I'll definitely be rereading these some day! If you like to use your imagination while reading then I recommend checking these out if you haven't already.

FIVE. Our Q&A a Day: 3-Year Journal for Two People by Potter Style

Okay, so this might be a less traditional answer for the prompt since it technically isn't a book you read... but I have enjoyed it so much (when we remember to keep up with it) that I'd love to share it here. I remember my Gramma Myers encouraging me to write and to journal from a very young age and ever since then I've kept one. Most of my life it was the traditional "Dear Diary..." every day but occasionally my journaling included daily writing with prompts. I benefited so much from all types of writing but it feels so great writing with a purpose greater than what you did that day. What makes this journal so special & fun is that you get to complete it side-by-side with someone else. Here are a few examples from the book:

Today was rewarding because _______.
What color are your socks today?
What's the foundation of your relationship?
If you were to make a playlist for your partner, what would the title be?
Jot down three things you can't live without.

It's fun and easy - you've got about three lines to speak your mind for the question that day. Afterwards we'd compare answers and talk about it. It's something little to get you talking to each other at the end of your day. I love it & definitely recommend it. Tony & I have fallen off the wagon so hopefully this will be our calling to get back into it! And a huge thank you to Hannah for introducing me to the journal!!!!

So that's it for this week's prompt. I'm halfway through the Thursday Thoughts list I put together and I'm sure I was supposed to be done with it by now! Considering we have no clue when Crosby will make his way into the world I should probably start writing these now & schedule them out for the next few Thursdays ahead of time.

Speaking of Crosby's debut, I visited my doctor today. At this point the visits are on a weekly visit but they've been quite uneventful. Except for today's visit, that is. My doctor came in and we chatted and he measured my belly and checked for the heartbeat. He told me I was still measuring small and I still don't see HOW that is possible. He told me he was pretty sure that Crosby was still not head down and if that were the case then he would like to try turning/spinning him. It would be possible to get Crosby into position before labor started and wouldn't be much of a possibility to do so after labor starts. Since I am 100% not wanting major surgery after two successful vaginal deliveries, I was all for having my doctor attempt to move the baby around. This would require a trip to labor & delivery. It seemed like baby was still side lying in there and while that would mean a smaller/easier spin for baby and me, it would also mean it would be easier for Cros to just pop back into side lying after the procedure. If this were to happen then my doctor would flip him again and then break my bag of waters so that baby would have less mobility in there/less chance to go right back out of head down position. Oh, and this could happen as soon as today! Which means super potentially that there was a slim chance that in about 24 hours - give or take - we'd have a baby in our arms.

At this point, this sounded like music to my ears!!! Obviously it would be great to not go through the pain of having Crosby manually spun around while in my uterus... but to get this show on the road and maybe even meet Crosby by the end of the day? Hell. Yes. So I headed to ultrasound to see what was going on in there... and guess what? Crosby is technically head down but just kinda in a funky position! So no need to spin him around (YAY!) but also no need to induce which means no baby today. I felt relieved but I also felt a bit bummed. All this potential excitement just fizzled right out. At least for today. The rest of the evening I felt sick and weird and potentially was having contractions/Braxton Hicks. It was no fun! I got in the bathtub here at home and thankfully started to feel better. I suppose all the talk about induction got my body thinking it was time to start warming up for game day! I have no idea when he'll be here or even if I've dilated at all yet... but I do know my due date is just a tad over two weeks away. Even if I'm pregnant for another two weeks, that's still only fourteen days left. That's no time at all. So I suppose it's time to tie up all our loose ends and make the most of it!

Thanks for reading everybody... if you could keep us in your thoughts & prayers over the next few weeks through this huge life change, I would love and appreciate that gift. Please let me know if I could return the favor and in what ways I can be keeping you in my thoughts & prayers in that time period as well. XXOO

Recap on the Thursday Thoughts prompts: Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six

Baby 3.0: 34 Weeks + So Long Summer!

34 weeks pregnant and 6 weeks to go until we meet our little man

I'm feeling: Lots of things. Lately I've actually started to feel excited about this being my last pregnancy. I'm looking forward to ditching maternity clothes forever - eventually. I'm glad that once I'm done carrying Crosby that hopefully I'll never see these numbers on the scale again. I'm ready to have my body back to myself for every single one of the perks. Obviously I plan to have a long breastfeeding journey ahead of me so my body won't really be completely mine BUT it'll be a heck of a lot closer. I'm starting to feel more sweet than bitter about this being the end of my bringing children into the world.

I'm still feeling very weird and conflicted about sending Presley to pre-k a couple days a week. (Mostly weepy.) Yet, I'm looking forward to the opportunities for her... I truly am. How is it that just over two years ago she was sitting on my last pregnant belly with me in a little diaper? And now she's ready to start her first school experience. The time has absolutely flown by right past me. I love her and I love getting to know her... I love who she is and who she has become. I love the progress we've made together and the lessons we've both learned along the way. I love her at this age and wouldn't wish to go backwards - but I don't know when I'll be ready for her to be so independent. I suppose the time for me to feel this way is right around the corner and since I'm not there yet nor have I ever been there on my parenting journey thus far I just can't comprehend what that's gonna feel like. With that said, I'm looking forward to meeting her teachers this week and seeing her classroom and a glimpse into all the things that will become part of her new routine later this week. I'm ready to get the ball rolling instead of sitting here in anticipation.

I love our lazy mornings and while we'll still have many more days like this as her program is only two days a week, I know these days are numbered.

Cravings: Cheesy potatoes! They're just so delicious. So if you're heading to our co-ed baby shower this weekend then you'll get a taste of them because I'll be bringing a big batch! I've really been liking the chicken Philly sandwich from Lenny's lately. Other than that, there's nothing specific or repetitive that comes to mind.

Baby's size: Somewhere around 18 inches and 5 pounds! Mostly from here on out it's just putting on baby fat - most of the big developments are already done.

{L to R} 34 weeks pregnant with Presley, Molly, & Crosby

High of the week: Tony having two days off in a row - finally. We met Papa and Grandmommy on Sunday to celebrate Papa's birthday a little early. We had lunch downtown and went to the Bass Pro Pyramid which was all a lot of fun. Then on Monday the four of us went to the zoo. It was a TON of walking but it really was all worth it seeing how much fun the girls had splashing in the water!

Cooling off at the end of our zoo trip in the water 

Getting very sweaty playing on the playground at the zoo

Grandmommy & Papa walking into the Pyramid with the girls 

She cracks me up! 

Low of the week: Probably when Molly slipped and smacked her head into the wall on Friday. She slammed it right into the corner of the outlet and it sounded awful. Couple that with her cries afterward and it just becomes more than I ever like to bear. I hate, hate, hate when my kids are hurting. I also hate that with head injuries you just can never be too sure right away if everything is okay or not.

Just after it happened

But as you can see she doesn't let it get her down

What I'm excited for: I'm so so super excited for our baby shower this weekend! I love celebrating the baby that is about to come into this world. I love getting together with friends and family - especially when it's for happy occasions. I'm also getting SUPER excited for the Fall. I know we don't get much of a true Autumn here in the Midsouth, but I do love what we get. I love that the pumpkin-flavored-everything things are starting to show up on the shelves in the stores!!! I've liked the heat the summer has provided but I'm looking forward to a little less heat and a little more breezes. I'm excited that we've got six weeks (hopefully less!) before we lay our eyes on Crosby and become a family of FIVE!

That's it for this week! It's hard to believe the summer really is wrapping up but the show must go on and there are plenty of things to look forward to!!! 

Baby 3.0: 33 Weeks

33 weeks pregnant with Crosby with about 7 weeks left to go!

I'm feeling: My energy has been in short supply. Sleep is getting a little trickier. My patience have been thinner than usual lately, or at least it has felt that way. I told Presley and Molly earlier this week (after Molly was really testing me in the store) that my patience were so tiny I could barely see them! Tonight at bedtime Presley was playing with her buddies and Tony and she told one of her buddies she couldn't see her patience because they were so small. It was HILARIOUS to hear that come out of her mouth. But overall, I'm still getting around well enough. I'm still feeling pretty good! It's all worth it knowing there is a little human in the making.

Cravings: Pickles. Potatoes. I made potato skins this weekend that really hit the spot! Not a whole lot in the food department that I'm not a fan of these days.

Baby's size: He's already between 17-19 inches long and possibly between 4-6 pounds.

{L to R} 33 weeks with each baby - Presley, Molly, Crosby

High for the week: I loved having lunch with my family and my in-laws today and then going shopping with my girls and mother-in-law! I love good deals and found a puddle jumper for Molly on clearance for just over $8! I also ran into some family friends while out shopping that I haven't seen in several years and it was so wonderful to see them. And as always, I love hanging out with my girls everyday!

Low for the week: Realizing Presley's first day of pre-k is a little over two weeks away. I know it could be all the extra hormones surging through my system right now that's making me feel so incredibly weepy about this moment, but I think it's mostly just me and my feelings regardless of hormone levels. She's my baby. My first baby. I've been with her damn near every moment of her life thus far. I'm her primary caregiver. She's with me when we wake up and I'm with her up until she goes to bed at night. When we decided to send her to preschool I was okay with this - I wanted this for her. I looked up some of the best, most recommended programs in our area that worked into our budget. I thought it might even be really nice to have some time apart... a little more space in my day and maybe a bit less stress. Now? I am falling to pieces over it. To me, this is the beginning of the end of a certain chapter in my life with Presley.  She'll never be staying home with me anymore. It's the start of her not needing me so much anymore and that terrifies me. What is that life like? I haven't lived that part of parenthood before. It's trusting other people (who are strangers to me at this point) to love and cherish and care for Presley the way I would... basically for the rest of her life. I'll lose a little bit more every year.

I know, I know. There are going to be beautiful things. I will get to watch my child grow and flourish and become this amazing version of herself. There will be things she will gain, a little more each year. I know this will mean a little extra time for Molly - and Crosby. I know there will be wonderful things on the horizon for me in regards to this stage for Presley. Right now though, I'm sad about it. And I want to be sad. I don't feel the joy and I don't want to. Oh, and I want to homeschool. But ya know, maybe we'll see how it goes with pre-k first before we jump the gun on anything else.

What I'm excited for: Seeing the doctor again this week. It's always reassuring and also nice to have a moment every few weeks to focus solely on little Crosby. I absolutely love watching the Olympics - especially the US women's indoor volleyball and the US women's beach volleyball! They've been doing so well and it is incredible watching these teams play, so I'm looking forward to more of that. Tony's also got Saturday off this week and I always look forward to a little more time together as a family! I'd also like to put my hospital bag together this week and I am pretty excited about that.

Baby 3.0: 32 Weeks

32 weeks with Mr. Crosby man... that means 8 weeks or so left!

I am feeling: Let me just say I am getting SO EXCITED to bring this little guy into the world. It's becoming a bit more real every day! I also really, really enjoyed our weekend at home altogether. Tony has every other Saturday off and it is so so so great when he has two days off in a row. You can just tell the girls thrive with him home as well, too. So these days I'm feeling grateful. (Check back in with me after next weekend when Tony has to work Saturday... I might be feeling more frazzled!)

Tony & the girls pretend sleeping this weekend before bedtime

Cravings: I suppose my cravings lately would be Thanksgiving dishes. A few days ago I whipped up some green bean casserole and a few days later it was sweet potato fluff. Last night I made some amazing cheesy potatoes that hit the spot & made me miss our family get togethers every Thanksgiving! I am soooo craving having my body back for just myself - to be able to move with ease and to sleep on my back or belly! I'm craving easy breathing, too.

Baby's size: At 32 weeks gestation, Crosby is about four pounds & 18 inches long! No wonder I feel like I am really, really running out of room for him this week. Also, babies born this week have around a 90% survival rate!

L: 32 weeks with Crosby R: On top, 32 weeks pregnant with Molly and bottom, 32 weeks pregnant with Presley

High for this week: THE OLYMPICS!!!!! Yaaaaay! I've really been enjoying the indoor women's volleyball. It reminds me of watching Ashley play at Germantown and absolutely falling in love with that sport. Swimming and gymnastics have been super exciting to watch as well. I've also been cooking a lot more at home lately and while I'm totally not loving the constant dishes (though it's honestly not my least favorite chore) I have really enjoyed the yummy homemade food and saving money! Some of the dishes I've made recently: Stuffed pepper soup, chicken in coconut mango verde sauce, homemade lasagna, and a paleo chicken spinach stew.

The beginning of tonight's stuffed pepper soup

On deck for the rest of the week will include one of our FAVORITE dishes - coconut chicken curry! I plan on including this meal super soon in a blog about easy meals I plan to make to stock our freezer before the baby comes. I also promised a certain someone (aka, my husband!) that I'd whip up some yummy potato skins for us to eat while watching the Olympics so that'll be coming up here soon, too. Another favorite thing I've been up to this week is crafting various things for our upcoming co-ed baby shower!

Low for this week: The girls' play tent was on top of the guest bed in their playroom and both Presley and Molly were inside the tent hiding from Tony and I (neither of us had a clue this was going on) and somehow the girls and tent all tilted backwards and everyone fell off the bed and got hurt. We heard the screams and cries and that was an awful sound. Both girls were pretty upset and it seems like everything is okay but I hate that you can never be sure if there are any undetected injuries. I hate hate hate hate when my babies get hurt!!!! Another thing that sucks lately is sitting on the floor and then having to get back up... that's becoming increasingly cumbersome. Having to pee in the middle of the night has been no fun. Also having little to no energy throughout the day can be brutal.

What I'm excited about: I'm SO happy we're done looking at hospitals and have picked where I'll be giving birth. Baptist Women's seems like a wonderful place to bring our child into the world and that it'll be a great fit. They encourage baby to stay with mom but also offer a nursery as needed, the hospital was beautiful, the staff was friendly, and I love the separate rooms for birthing and recovery. Though, I would be interested to hear anybody's experience in an all-in-one birth/recovery room. For some reason I just find it comforting to leave the room where I labored and pushed after it's all said and done and time to recover. What do you guys think about all-in-one rooms versus separate labor/delivery and mother/baby rooms?

I don't know about you guys, but when it comes to sharing my thoughts, feelings, and experiences - especially when it comes to these big life moments - I'm very conscious of the balance between keeping it real and sharing my immense gratitude. I am so aware that so many precious couples are struggling with infertility and would absolutely give anything to be pregnant - and yet here I am complaining. I also really desire & strive to keep it real in my writing, though I don't ever want it to come at the expense of another's feelings. Pregnancy (and parenthood), for me, has been anything but glamorous but I have also been very fortunate with relatively good health. I don't ever want to be perceived as anything but grateful and extremely aware of the fact that the little things I am taking for granted or complaining about are directly attached to the big things that someone else is currently praying for. I know how fleeting this life is and more than anything I want to write down every big and little moment that I can so that when these moments pass that I will have something to look back on. And maybe even some day my kiddos will glance at some of the things I've written here.

Thanks for hanging with me through it all.

Baby 3.0: 30 weeks

29 weeks pregnant with Presley, 30 weeks pregnant with Molly, and 30 weeks pregnant with Crosby

Things on the pregnancy front have still been great lately. Though I'm a few weeks into my third trimester I haven't hit the disparity point yet where you're just ready to be done! I feel pretty huge but honestly not horribly so yet. Sleep is weird lately but I'm still able to get a decent amount. (For example, I've been sleeping upright a lot as well as sleeping with my lamp on... both very weird for me.) My energy is still hanging in there. It's super hot outside but thankfully that hasn't been awful... we just haven't spent a whole lot of time outside this summer. I'm dreading the tail end of a pregnancy where you feel like you lack the ability to move comfortably because this time around I've got two little ones to chase around as well.

This is how I REALLY feel when taking these pictures, sometimes.

All that considered, I do feel like I've been pregnant forever this time around. I suppose that goes with the territory of finding out you're pregnant before you miss your period. I'm also very ready to meet Crosby!!!! I know the girls' excitement is especially influencing me to feel this way. The thing I can't wait for is for the girls to come visit us in the hospital and to see them meet Crosby for the first time. My heart is bursting just thinking about it!!!! And maybe even more than that I can't wait to see Tony be one of the first people to ever hold Crosby and to have that special small amount of time where it's just Tony, Crosby, and me. I've already decided that once I hit the 37 week mark I am going to start making eggplant parmesan at least once a week in hopes that the tall tale that it'll help induce labor is rooted in truth.

One of my recent cravings is the Reese's blizzard from Dairy Queen. I can't even tell you the last time we've been to DQ or even the last time I wanted to go there before now! I had a mini Reese's blizzard this weekend and it was exactly everything I dreamed it would be!! It's also pretty awesome to feel just a tiny bit closer to my dad through this somewhat bizarre craving, seeing as he worked for the DQ company for something like 20 years.

In other news... Tony and I went bowling (I'm pretty sure for the first time SINCE BECOMING PARENTS) with some friends last week and had a blast. I forgot how much of a challenge bowling is! I bowled a 100 so I felt pretty accomplished there and I also got to know two of Tony's coworkers' significant others which was so nice! He always seems to work with some of the best people. And I'm absolutely looking forward to going again. We went to the same bowling alley we used to go to just about every weekend when we were younger.

...and no. I don't think I'll ever be able to stop the reminiscing!

And before that we got to meet sweet baby Carter! Our cousins Shelby & Cory brought him into the world just a few weeks ago. Crosby & Carter will both share the same middle name (which makes sense as it's a family middle name) and they'll be about 2.5 months apart in age! It'll be really awesome to see how both boys are as they grow.

Over the weekend we made a short trip to Nashville to celebrate Anne Marie's 4th birthday. We celebrated at McAlister's and the Discovery Center but I think the kids had the most fun just hanging out at the Carrico house.

The two smallest girls

It is surprisingly difficult to orchestrate a photo like this considering they're all on different schedules (eating, sleeping, potty breaks, etc.) and not to mention they're busy bodies going in all directions!

The two biggest girls 

So incredibly sweet seeing this

Goodbye hugging turned to wrestling

It was a lot of fun but it was all jam-packed into a day and a half. It's great to live close enough to be able to do this one a semi-regular basis and I know no one enjoys it as much as the kids do. As hectic as I always think it'll be to get together with so many little kids, it went really smoothly and we all really did have a great time. Not to mention, every time we visit the Carrico's we get some super yummy meals!!!

It also seems like the only time we'll successfully get a family photo anymore these days is when we're all four in the van.

Um, have I mentioned lately how much we love and appreciate this van?!

And I couldn't finish this blog without including a picture from Molly's most recent mess - which was her getting into my mascara and putting it on her face!

That is a face I can't be mad at right there! Hope everybody has a happy week!!!

38 Week Pregnancy Reflection {baby two}

How far along?:  Phew, didn't think I'd still be posting these at this point!  I am 38 weeks along in my second pregnancy and I wholeheartedly thought I would have had Molly by now!

L: Me @ 38 weeks with Presley
R: Me @ 38 weeks with Molly

I am feeling:  I'm not feeling terrible, to be honest with you... I just think I am getting mentally exhausted of being SO pregnant.  I have some pregnant friends who are still in the early stages of pregnancy who have said they're jealous that I'm nearing the home stretch... but I have to be honest and say I think they are crazy to be jealous of ALL this right now!!!!  I know they mostly mean they're wishing they were getting ready to meet their baby's already... but holy moly - the third trimester is TOUGH.

Size of baby:  Still about the size of a watermelon (YOWZA!) at about 6.5 lbs & 19-22 inches!

Movement:  Molly still moves most when I'm in bed for the evening... lately I will feel her down low in my belly on the far right side and simultaneously will feel what I'm guessing is her feet up in my ribs on the far left.  So I am really thinking she is going to be leggy like her dad!  And FINALLY, Tony witnessed Molly when she seriously looks like she is trying to crawl out of my stomach.  And he was as freaked out as I always am when it is happening!!!!!  It's seriously creepy.

What I miss most:  Ahhh... so much at this point.  I just miss the comfort of not having a 6+ pound person inside of you at all times.  As hard and as equally uncomfortable as the newborn stage will undoubtedly be, I am so looking forward to some relief.

Cravings:  PIZZA.  Which is so bizarre to me.  Tonight we are having Papa Murphy's Gourmet Vegetarian Pizza.... delicious as always! 

Best moment of the week:  This morning I was telling Presley how excited I was that she was going to be a big sister soon.  Usually this doesn't return a response from her as I figure the whole thing is too much for her to really comprehend... but today she replied, "Yeah!  Molly... soon?" and after my enthusiastic reply I gave her a hug and my eyes started watering big time.  She is going to continue to be such a wonderful helper and will be such a fantastic sister.  I just can't wait!  I really hope Presley is excited for this huge change.

What I'm excited about:  I'm excited to meet my new doctor on Friday - yes... new doctor at 38 weeks.  What am I thinking, you ask?  Well, I had a change in insurance so it was a mandatory change.  And this doctor will be my first male OBGYN - so that is going to be another big change!  I'm also very excited to celebrate with friends & family this weekend for Miss Molly's upcoming arrival.  It's easy for me to be somewhat of a hermit these days, so it will be extremely nice to see everybody.

**Don't forget - if you want to make a guess at when Molly will be here, you can enter right HERE.  There will be a prize.  And the prize will be awesome.  And I'm not sure what that prize will be yet.**

What to Expect: {7 QTs} Late 3rd Trimester

I'm linking up with Kathryn @ Team Whitaker for 7 Quick Takes and this week I'm tackling the topic of what you can expect in the last leg of your third trimester!

* 7 *

One thing you can expect is having a routine GBS {Group B Strep} test at which time your doctor will swab your vagina and rectum.  Painless and super quick!  Mine was done at my 36 week check up and is usually done between 35-37 weeks.  My doctor said some women carry this specific bacteria and it can negatively affect baby's health while passing through the birth canal.  If you test positive for the group b strep infection it is my understanding that you will get some antibiotics before labor and delivery!  Nothing to stress over but absolutely something to make yourself aware of beforehand.

* 6 *

You will have gone from having a wellness check up every 4 weeks, down to every 2 weeks, and now you are on VIP status and will most likely be seeing your doctor every week now!  Take advantage of these moments and make sure to ask any/every question you've got while you have your doctor's undivided attention.  Not only will this help give you peace of mind, it will help you and your doctor to form a relationship and continue to get to know each other!

* 5 *

If your doctor is anything like mine is, s/he will start checking your cervix to have a better understanding of your progress around this time in your pregnancy.  You'll likely find out if you are dilated, effaced, and possibly will find out if baby is in a favorable position (head down) for labor and delivery.  And I'm not going to lie - this may hurt a bit or at least will be a little uncomfortable.  You can make it a little bit easier on yourself by not clenching up and relaxing as much as you can.  I know... I know... easier said than done.  I was dreading the pain associated with getting checked this time around but it hurt far less than I remember!  Phew!

* 4 *

You can pretty much expect that your doctor will be going on vacation sometime soon.  This has happened to me with both pregnancies with two different doctors and countless of my friends have had this happen very late in their pregnancy too.  What can you do?  Doctors are people too and lets face it... they probably need time away more than anyone!  My advice is just don't sweat it.  Your doctor isn't the only one who can help you bring your baby into the world.  With Presley we got SO lucky and just fell in love with the midwife who helped through labor & delivery while my doctor was gone.

* 3 *

Swelling happens.  Nothing to be concerned about as long as the swelling is slight.  It helps to keep your feet propped when you can, to eat/drink well, to get some exercise, & believe it or not - to keep drinking tons of water!  (If you have sudden or extreme swelling - don't wait to call your doctor.  Better to be safer than sorry!)

* 2 *

Start saying your goodbyes to sleep if you haven't had to already.  Between more frequent bathroom visits at night and general discomfort with the growing baby - my sleep is definitely a little patchy these days.  However, I've found that this time around I am so exhausted after having dealt with a toddler all day that I will just pass right out... after watching an episode or two of Grey's Anatomy.  {Which I have become obsessed with again... started it from the beginning and almost done with season 4.}  :)  Sleep will become a happy part of your life again eventually.

* 1 *

I would say something to be on the lookout for is fluctuating moods.  Some days I cannot WAIT to not be pregnant any longer!  I can't wait to have my body back to (mostly) myself and to get to meet our brand new baby and get our life as a family of 4 started.  I can't wait to hold a sweet, sleepy baby of my own and to get to know her.  I can't wait to see her little features.  I can't wait for Presley to become a big sister!!!!  The next day I am feeling panicked about HOW in the heck I am going to do this... how am I going to deal with sleep deprivation and a 2.5 year old who is ready to go every single morning?!  I worry whether I will be a decent mom to either girl - how will I split my attention between the two who will both no doubt be needing it?  Oh... and don't get me started on worries when it comes to labor and delivery!  My advice?  You can't help the changes in your mood, but  you can control your thoughts!  Your worrying literally will not change one thing.  You will be birthing and then taking home a child either way and what happens is just gonna happen!  The newborn phase is brutal, but if it was completely awful and not worth the struggle, I wouldn't have subjected myself to this again!  (Something I keep reminding myself!!!)  So go easy on yourself - if you can't stop the worrying then just try not to think about it so much because as I said before, it's going to happen either way!  There is no use stressing yourself out over things unnecessarily.

For you parents who have been there, done that - what would you add to the list?  Did some of these things happen to you?  Any funny third trimester stories? 

Pregnancy update!

So, I'm still pregnant. :) And by the sounds of it, this baby isn't going anywhere anytime TOO soon -- my doctor is still adamant in her professional opinion that I'll follow in most first time mother's footsteps and deliver after my due date.  Honestly, even though I feel huge (AND, have just started getting stretch marks on my belly) and am ready for Presley to get here, I would really be okay with waiting until my due date or beyond.  Now, because I want to log everything as I've done throughout my pregnancy, I'm going to continue talking about pregnancy symptoms.  Some of your reactions to the specifics might be alongside the likes of my sister's -- Amanda, to be exact -- and you might think the following is "Ewwie."  You've been warned.  But if you've ever read a pregnancy book in your life or learned the biology of pregnancy, I'm sure you won't hear anything you haven't heard before.

As far as my stats go, my doctor checked me at my appointment today and I am still 1 CM dilated and about 70% effaced.  And on Tuesday night, I started to lose my mucus plug (that was the "ewwie" part for some of you) which is just another sign that my body is progressing as it should.... GO BODY, GO!  :)  So when I got to my appointment today, I was surprised I hadn't dilated any more than I already was.  And, like the good girl that she is, Presley is still in the head down position!!!  This past week I could swear that she moved into a funky position because I've been so uncomfortable and felt so much pressure in my midsection, but it must just be because she's growing bigger and running out of space.

Since my body is beginning to get ready for labor, my doctor said the latest she'll let me go past my due date is Monday, March 5th!  It's kinda cool to have a due date and now an expiration date!!! :)  My next appointment is a week from today, but I won't see my doctor since she'll be out of town all next week.  Yes... if I go into labor next week, my doctor will more than likely not be there.  It's a bummer because I really do love my doctor, but so many people I love and trust know her midwife and have highly recommended her, so I will be requesting her if need be.  So, the next time I'll see my doctor if there is still no baby is going to be the day after my due date -- Monday, February 27 and she'll be stripping my membranes in hopes to induce labor with a more natural technique.  It all felt so surreal to me to be talking to my doctor about the specifics today; to see her look at the calendar and to begin to plan for my baby!

And since I gave all that lovely information, the online guessing game to figure out Presley's due date is now locked so no one has any inside information to influence their guess.  Now, I just have to figure out what the prize is going to be for whomever wins! 

So that is all I really have for a pregnancy update.  I can't believe that tomorrow I'll already be 39 weeks pregnant.  It doesn't seem very long ago that we were just finding out that we were expecting in the first place!!!

A picture of us from my phone the night I took the pregnancy test!

Pretty soon I will be writing about how fast Presley is growing rather than how fast my pregnancy has flown by.  And instead of pictures of my own growth over time, my blog will be full of pictures of her as she grows!  If I guessed correctly on the online pool, only 11 more days until we all get to know the girl who has inspired all this blogging over the past several months. :)

38 week Pregnancy Reflection!

How far along?:  I'm 38 weeks & 3 days into my first pregnancy!  We're hitting the final stretch here!!!

1 week & 4 days until our due date!!!

Size of baby:  Baby is still the size of a watermelon this week!

About 19 to 22 inches and could be up to 7 lbs.!

Gender:  A baby girl :)  And according to the old wives tale, she will be bald as ever because I have still had ZERO heartburn!!!!

Movement:  Still a little jumping bean!  She still loves to move around and is trying to break through my skin it feels like at some points!  Her hiccups have come back to at least twice a day, but they don't seem to last as long as they did before.  I've been a little nervous over the past week because it feels like Presley's moved from being head down back to laying sideways in my belly like she was the majority of my pregnancy.  I hope she is still head down and descending like she should be!

Cravings/Aversions:  FRUIT.  I've recently chowed down on green grapes, bananas, raspberries, black berries, and they've all been SO delicious.  Been loving some ice and water as well!

I am feeling:  WONDERFUL!  My last appointment was Thursday and my OB checked me for the first time and I was 1 CM dilated, 60% effaced, and my doc could feel Presley's head.  That made me so happy to hear that things are naturally progressing the way that they should!  My pregnancy symptoms at the moment are swollen ankles and legs if I'm walking around too much, hip pain throughout the night, and getting up to pee about every hour -- or so it feels (I stopped looking at the clock each time though)!  I feel absolutely huge and it's IMPOSSIBLE to shave my legs, clip my toenails (this took me literally 5-10 minutes to do last night!!!), or many other little things of that nature.... but I still feel wonderful as long as I give myself enough time to rest and don't try to do too much.

What I miss most:  Oh geee... the same things as always, I guess!  I miss sleeping on my back and my stomach... I will enjoy that SO very much once I'm able to do that again.  I miss being able to bend and fold and flex my body as needed throughout the day.  I miss working out (lifting weights, Zumba class, etc.) and I miss being able to have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.  But I will definitely miss being pregnant.  Might not miss being THIS pregnant, though. :)

Best moment of the week:  I'd have to say my doctor's appointment was probably a major highlight of my week.  My BP was 110/70 and Presley's heartbeat was 145 BPM, the routine GBS (strep) test came back negative -- woohoo -- and I left feeling like I had accomplished something.

What I'm most looking forward to:  I felt so great after my doctor's appointment last week that I can't help but look forward to my appointment this Thursday!  I'm looking forward to getting a pedicure this week... just can't wait to get pampered.  And of course, I am so looking forward to meeting our baby girl!!!!!!!!!!!  I just cannot wait to find out when that will be. :)

On-going goals:  Getting our cars cleaned out, putting the car seat and it's base into my car, and CLEANING THE HOUSE!



I also want to wish everybody a VERY happy Valentines day!!!  I hope you choose to spend at least a portion of your day with someone who loves you or doing something you love.  I am really looking forward to EVERY day I get to spend with my husband because he makes me so happy.  :)  This journey has honestly just brought that to the forefront of my mind and has given me such an appreciation for him.  I realize how lucky I am to have him with me because I've seen other friends of mine go through huge life changes such as having a baby and it brought havoc into their relationship and forced a wedge between them and we have only gotten stronger!  Even though I know you don't read my blog, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, baby... cannot believe this is our last holiday just the two of us. :)

Supremely blessed.....

Pregnancy Survey!

Whether you landed here by mistake, are an avid follower, or maybe this is your first time reading my blog, I'd love to hear from you!  Also, if you enjoyed this post, take a moment to vote for our blog - Chasing Moonlight & Roses - by clicking on the button below.  Thanks!

1. What name did you and your spouse call your baby before you knew the gender?

 "Baby" and "It" -- haha!  And I hated that.  I don't remember ever coming up with a nickname that stuck.  Kinda called her a "little peanut" every once in a while.

2. When did "Oh-my-gosh-we're-having-a-baby" really sink it?

 Geez, every so often it still sinks in a little more and more.  I would say the first time he was with me to hear her heartbeat was really one of those moments.  Oh, and DEFINITELY the first ultrasound appointment when we saw our baby moving on the screen!!!  How surreal and amazing!

3. When you think of yourself as a mom, what's the first thing to come to mind?

Giving kisses; eskimo kisses, kissing boo-boo's, forehead kisses, and goodnight kisses.

4. Is your nursery complete? What's the theme and what do you have left to complete?

Almost complete -- just needing to paint the letters of her name and put them up, hang a picture frame, and that's just about it.  The room definitely has a girly jungle theme... lots of pink! 

5. List 5 qualities you hope your baby will possess:

#1.  Easy-going  #2.  A good cuddler  #3.  Independent  #4.  Patient  #5.  A gooood sleeper!

6. What's your ideal labor experience?

Having the will and energy to move around as much as possible and utilizing all the natural pain-management techniques offered by our hospital with my husband right by my side.  If I don't get the room with the whirlpool, I'm going to be one unhappy camper!!!!

7. List 5 things that have changed in your relationship with your spouse since you've been pregnant: 

Honestly, I'm not sure that much has changed.  We've known each other for so long and have been through so many changes in those earlier years that I think things don't change us very much.  I know it must have changed us in some ways, but I'm not sure that I could see what those changes have been.  I would say that we have started spending less time talking about ourselves, less money on ourselves, etc. and have done so much talking about Presley and money spending on her already!!!!

8. List 5 things you think will change once your baby arrives:

#1.  Goodbye sleep  #2.  Less cussing around the house for both of us  #3.  Less time in front of electronics  #4.  More music  #5.  A greater need for cleaning!

9. Where do you think you'll be when you go into labor? Why?

Probably at home because that's where I feel like I am the vast majority of the time.

10. Have you been talking to your baby? Playing music?

I don't talk to her TOO often because honestly, I feel crazy when I do that.  In my second trimester I read to her just about every night!  However, Tony was pissing me off the other day so I was telling her some unfavorable things about him... ;)  I have played music for her -- mainly my favorite Disney songs or Mumford & Sons.

11. In what ways do you hope your baby is like your spouse?

Oh, SO MANY ways do I wish she will be like her father.  I hope she has his sense of humor, the naivety in which he looks at things, his taste in music, the fact that he is sooo easy going, his peacefulness, wouldn't mind staring at two sets of those beautiful eyes, his work ethic and selflessness, his common sense, the way in which he refuses to be part of the crowd.... oh my word, I could honestly go on and on and on!!!

12. In what ways do you hope your baby is like you?

I hope that she has my willingness to consider that there is a God and that Jesus came to earth and died for us as well as a feeling of joy and peace while at church,  I hope she enjoys being thrifty & crafty, my love of words and writing, my silliness, love for Disney!!!, love for food, and I hope she isn't afraid of being independent.

13. How long will you wait for the next baby, or if this is your last one, why/why not?

Tony and I have talked about all different kinds of options.  We've considered the possibility of just having her and spoiling her blindly!!!!  But, if we decide that we'd like a sibling for her then I would like to put about two years in between them because I love being about that close in age to both of my sisters.

14. What kind of grandparents do you think your baby will have? 

I wish I was able to see what kind of Grampa my dad would be... it's so odd to think of him with that title!  I am SO beyond excited to see my FIL, Mike, with Presley.  I think he will be just absolutely sweeter than ever with her but won't be afraid to rough her up once she gets a little bit older.  I think both of her grandmother's will readily spoil her and will enjoy doing girl things with her throughout the years.  I think all of her grandparents are going to want to be a big part of her life and try to guide her through life.

15. Who will be with you during labor? Who will visit you in the hospital during your recovery? 

My husband - that is it.  If either one of my sisters make it in town before Presley is born then that would be the only possible exception.  I would be open to friends and family who want to visit us in recovery to be able to do some!  The more to celebrate her birth, the merrier... unless it's sleepytime... then ya gotta go, people!

16. How much will you tell your baby (child, teenager) about your past? Why/why not?

I think that will depend on her age at the time, but I am honestly open to telling her all she'd like to know about my past.  I think it's important to share that openness and if she can learn anything by the choices I've made that would be great.

17. Do you have any hopes for your child's activities? (Sports, academics, school preference, activities, etc)

No preference here, I just hope that she finds all sorts of activities and hobbies that interest her.  I would love for her to pick up drawing or writing, but other than that, I can't say that I would mind what she chooses to spend her time on!

18. When will you tell your baby about the birds and the bees?

I'm sure we'll have a "big" conversation about it at some point, but for the most part, I would like to slowly explain the birds and the bees to her throughout her life, taking into consideration the appropriate details for the age she is.  Tony has already told me that it's not his job, though, since he's a boy but I would like for Presley to be able to confide in a honest and kind man's perspective and someone she can trust in addition to hearing from a woman!

19. In what ways do you hope you'll parent like your parents did? In what ways do you hope you aren't like them? 

I like that we did so many fun things as kids with both of my parents and I feel like when we were younger spanking helped us rather than hurting us (even though it hurt like heck!) when we needed it.  And even though I enjoyed having a BAZILLION toys growing up (and I'm sure with 3 girls it's just impossible to not end up with so many toys), I think we're going to (try to) do a lot less toy buying for Presley and save money for her future as much as possible in place of extra "stuff."

20. Which childhood memory do you hope your child will have (similar to one you fondly remember)? 

GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!! :)

21. And finally, Be annoying! What "advice" do you want newly pregnant women to know?

Goodness.  Just know that you can do it.  Every pregnancy is different.  Try not to get hung up on the number you see when you get on the scale and DON'T let people's RUDE comments about your weight get to you!!!!  Also, don't let the rude comments in general about what you could be doing better/what you're doing wrong get to you because it's easier for rude people to talk about your flaws rather than focus on their own!  But for every negative person, there are a HUNDRED sweet, kind, and helpful people willing to support you and expect nothing in return!  Don't pay high prices for maternity clothes if you can help it -- Old Navy & Kohl's both have great maternity clearance sections and Goodwill is a great option, too!  When you have a question or concern, no matter how small or stupid it may seem, DO talk to your doctor and their nurses about it because it will make you feel better.  It goes by very fast, so document (pictures, writing, journals, etc.) things as you go if you think you'd like to look back and reflect on this important time in your life.  I think that's just about it!  Have fun and enjoy this fun fun fun time!!!!