Week 33 
Baby H is the size of a Durian.

How far along? 33 Weeks

Maternity clothes: I love the new dress I'm wearing in the picture above, and I can't wait to see how it looks in the maternity photos we'll be taking in early October! Thank you to Macy's for your awesome clearance sale! Pregnancy is about small success and big changes; Even though finding a dress that fits is a small success, I'm grateful to have something I feel cute in now that Max, and my bump, are taking over. 

Sleep: I knew it wouldn't last... This week I've been tossing and turning all night long.

Best moment this week: Catching Max on the move...on video. He's so active at night, so I couldn't resist taping him as he moved around the other night. It will be so much fun to have this video to look back on once he's born! Check it out on our Facebook if you want to.

Miss Anything? Not really. I'm a lucky lady.

Movement: When I'm at work I don't get much time off my feet, so when I finally get to sit down Max has little dance parties to celebrate. As he gets bigger and has less space to move around this has gotten a little uncomfortable, but I still love feeling his little hiccups, twists, and kicks.

Food cravings: Cuban... especially plantain chips with mojo sauce. Did someone say date night? 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Gender: Our little man

Labor Signs: No, although my Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming stronger, and I'm beginning to feel some pelvic pressure. Sometimes I feel like an overstuffed turkey- It's not a glamorous comparison, but anyone who tells you that pregnancy is glamorous is lying through their teeth.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, nesting, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, slight dizziness, backache, leg cramps, leaking colostrum, fatigue, hot flashes, and the best part, ever-growing baby and belly :-) 

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie, somehow. Maybe it will stay that way the whole time?

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and so in love!

Looking forward to: Date night tonight!

Week 32 
Baby H is the size of a Squash.

                                   
The nursery is complete! I went into full nesting mode this week and washed all Max's little onesies, towels, blankets, and sheets. Max definitely has enough clothes- we were both surprised by the amount of tiny mittens, socks, hats, and rompers we've accumulated over the past seven months. Our family and friends have been so generous, and we are incredibly grateful for their help. All in all, we are pretty prepared for our little man's arrival. Check out these pics of the nursery to see the place he will call home!-

Letting in the sunshine-

Max's stash of homemade blankets!

Our glider (and presents we haven't unpacked yet!)

You can tell we're book lovers since Max already needs a second bookshelf.

All the art is up now...

little touches

A hand-painted card from Auntie Lauren

The bassinet, of course...

and now for the art-

Those tiny clothes!

How soon will he outgrow these adorable little pieces?

How far along? 32 Weeks

Maternity clothes: Barely fit- and I have two months to go!

Sleep: Still sleeping through the night :-D!!!!

Best moment this week: Wednesday afternoon with Gabe. I had a doctor's appointment in the early afternoon, so I only had a half day at work. When I got home, Gabe made us lunch and we curled up on the couch to watch The Great British Bake Off. After that, we watched a PBS special on pie shops around the country...obviously we were indulging our sweet side. Once the show finished up we headed to my appointment. All is well with little Max, but my doctor told me that she does not advise me working past 36 or 37 weeks because of the severity of the Braxton Hicks contractions and cramps I've been having lately (I had been planning on trying to work until Oct. 16th, so my last day of work got moved up to Oct. 2nd. I'll be full term about then, so I feel like it's a good choice to leave work earlier rather than later. I have mixed feelings about leaving my school, but at the same time I am so excited to have a few weeks of free time to relax and finish off my classwork (and to lounge in my pjs) before Max comes. Gabe's been supportive of this decision, because, of course, he wants what is best for me a little Max). After my appointment, we went to Fresh Market and loaded up on healthy staples (okay, we also bought some Peach Praline pie). Finally, we headed home and enjoyed a simple dinner together before Gabe headed to work for an overnight. Thanks to my pregnancy hormones, I randomly started crying after he left...because we'd been having such a great day and I didn't want it to end. While our afternoon sounds pretty normal, it was just one of those days when you have an amazing time doing ordinary things. And that's what marriage is all about <3   

Miss Anything? Pumpkin Hard Cider...yes, it's officially pumpkin season again!

Movement: Max is constantly on the move. Once I hit 36 weeks, he should be head down and his movements will be less obvious. For now though, I'm treasuring every little kick, shift, and wiggle!

Food cravings: Salad, salad, salad...and pie, thanks to PBS.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Gender: Mr. Max!

Labor Signs: No, I've still been having slight cramping though, and my Braxton Hicks contractions are becoming more frequent.

Symptoms: Same as last week: Braxton Hicks contractions, nesting, slight dizziness, backache, leg cramps, leaking colostrum, fatigue, hot flashes, and the best part, ever-growing baby and belly :-) 

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Excited and happy.

Looking forward to: Maternity leave!

Week 31 Baby H is the size of a Pineapple.

I'm so in love with Max and my basketball-sized belly!

According to my pregnancy app, Max is about 3.5 lbs now

DIY Nursing Scarf- They are way too easy and addictive to make. I made 4 of these this week!

One of Gabe's sweet co-workers sent us this awesome mommy and daddy set for Max. I know he will be adorable in his little Arsenal kit!

I may share croissants, but the bacon is mine!

Class treats for the kiddos... so I had to have one too!

Nesting has set in! Max's nursery is almost complete and it will be featured in my next post!

How far along? 31 Weeks

Maternity clothes: DIY Nursing Scarves! Also, my maternity pants no longer fit...Pregnancy is one long lesson in being humbled by your body and all the changes it goes through.

Sleep: I've actually had four nights of sleeping through the night!! Why didn't I spring for that little pregnancy wedge pillow sooner?

Best moment this week: Our Sunday morning breakfast date and stroll downtown. Gabe and I went to Goose Feathers, one of our favorite little places in the historic district, for a lovely early morning treat. We ordered up two breakfast sandwiches and a raspberry cream croissant to split, then relaxed and talked about our week, what we've been reading, and the excitement of parenting which will be upon us soon. I love that even after three years, something as simple as sitting at a table together and holding hands still sends shivers up my spine. While our time as a two-some is drawing to a close, I know we will fall even more as we enter the next stage of our life together. I cherish every moment we share and I know our love will grow and continue with the addition of little Max to our life. Until he arrives, I plan to relish these little moments that are just ours.

Miss Anything? Owning a bra that fits...and wearing a bra size that is sold in stores. Judging from the growth going on little Max will be well fed! 

Movement: Still loving it! Since my amniotic fluid has reached its peak now, Max's movements are stronger than ever. Sometimes that translates to being painful, and I've been pretty uncomfortable the last few days. That being said, many of his movements are pain-free and I love watching him move around, and the effect it creates on the surface of my belly. I have no idea what he's doing in there, but Gabe and I love making up silly little scenarios for his actions. It's so good to know he is strong and healthy, and I can hardly wait to meet our little man!

Food cravings: Hazelnut, Bagels, Chinese food (homemade, take-out, you name it), Pumpkin (it's back!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Gender: Our handsome little boy :-)

Labor Signs: No, although I had some cramping this week and I had Braxton Hicks contractions for three or four hours the other day. Working on my feet all day is pretty taxing, and I actually left work early yesterday because I was in so much pain (I'm not the kind of person that leaves work). I went to the doctor and was grateful to learn that everything is fine with me and Max. Max's heart rate was around 140, which is nice and strong! Everything checked out with my lady bits too, but they ran a test that screens for the likelihood of pre-term labor just to be safe. Thankfully the results came back normal this morning, so Max will stay where he belongs for now. The Nurse Practitioner (who is amazing) told me that I've probably just been pushing it too hard at work and asked me to take the day off to be cautious. I have a four day weekend ahead and I plan to rest up, enjoy a weekend off with Gabe, and spoil Max with love and attention (and maybe some ice cream...). 

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions, nesting, slight dizziness, backache, leg cramps, leaking colostrum, fatigue, hot flashes, and the best part, ever-growing baby and belly :-) 

Belly Button in or out? Is it weird to say that my belly looks surprised? Gabe thinks I'll have an outie in 28 days... I think I'll have an outie in 7. We'll see who's closer...

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy as can be!

Looking forward to: This four day weekend of rest and relaxation!