Dear Baby (26 weeks, 2 days)

(26 weeks, 2 days... big bump, teeny tiny feet)

Dear Little Lady,

TGIF!  Mama is ready for the weekend so that we can rest rest rest.  We skipped yoga yesterday... oops.  You were hungry so I made the executive decision to go home and eat an entire box of Annie's mac & cheese instead.  We will go to yoga on Tuesday though, I promise! 

(glucose test)

Yesterday was the dreaded glucose test.  I have heard so many horrible things about it but honestly it wasn't that bad.  It was just like drinking a bottle of really potent Sprite. Hopefully the results come back normal... fingers crossed!  I really have no interest in going back to do the 3-hour test.

Your daddy is away this weekend in New Orleans for Will's bachelor party.  It is kinda lonely in the apartment without him.  Do you miss him?  I sure do.  We have to eat well this weekend and get lots of rest so he doesn't worry about us.  What do you feel like eating?  Anything at all?   No?  I didn't think so, ugh.

I love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Mom     

that little tiger in all my photos

I have gotten a couple questions about who/what the little tiger is in all my photos.  I wish it was something more exciting or significant but it is just my iPhone case.  I got it in the kids section at JCrew. Isn't it the cutest?!

Pregnancy Update (26 weeks)

(25 weeks, 5 days)

How far along: 26 weeks today.

Baby's size: She weighs 1-2/3 pounds and is about 14 inches long (according to Babycenter).

Boy or girl: It's a girl!

How am I feeling: I am feeling pretty good.  The exhaustion has lifted some because I have been doing such a good job of resting, HA.  Kev still thinks I am not resting enough but it's harddddd.  I laid on the couch Monday evening while Kev cooked dinner which I haven't done in a long time.  Don't worry though, I got plenty of futzing in after dinner doing the dishes and washing my bathing suits - Kevin reprimanded me for that.  According to him resting before dinner doesn't mean I am allowed to futz around after dinner.

My sciatic nerve is still bugging me and I have done nothing about it.  Stupid me.  I am going to a prenatal yoga class tomorrow so hopefully that will help a little.  Even though we are so insanely busy over the next couple months I am going to try to get back into working out on a semi-regular basis, I have been a major slacker.  I've got to get my muscles in good shape for labor/delivery... oh lord is it already time to start thinking about that?!?!  This pregnancy is flying by!

I have also been feeling some aches and pains which is most likely just round ligament pain but as a first time mama sometimes it is hard not to get worried.  Grow baby grow!    

Maternity clothes: Most of my clothes are maternity now except for my tank tops and t-shirts.  I think my belly is finally getting large enough to fill out maternity tops.  I did get my first pair of maternity jeans with a full belly panel... hot.

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well besides the frequent bathroom breaks.  I sleep in what Kevin calls a pillow fortress... one pillow under my right side and a flatter pillow on my left side to support my belly.  

Baby movement: She is a mover and a shaker.  Feeling her movements is by far the best part of pregnancy for me.  I am still in awe and have to pause whenever I feel her.  There is nothing sweeter than feeling her move around... it's my little check-in signal from her letting me know she is doing just fine.   

Food cravings: Hmmm nothing really... fruit smoothies or green juices sound appealing I guess.

Food aversions: I am still having issues with not feeling hungry ever.  I never feel hungry anymore... I usually just go straight to nauseous if I haven't eaten for too long.  I have been getting so many comments about how small I look these days.  While I obviously don't want to be told how large I am it was getting me a little worried that she wasn't growing enough.  I know I have been eating but I worried that maybe I wasn't eating enough for her.  I measured a little small at my last midwife appointment on Monday (measuring around 24 weeks with a weight gain of 14 pounds in total) but I was told that is totally normal and nothing to be concerned about yet.  If I continue to measure small at my next appointment we might do an ultrasound to check on the little lady.  Kev is prepared to lock me in a room with pints of ice cream to fatten me up.  If such torture should become necessary I request only pints of Jeni's ice cream!

What I miss: I still miss knowing what I feel like eating and feeling hungry.

Best moment: Floating with the little lady in the ocean and pool this past weekend.  It was so warm and heavenly. 

What I am looking forward to: My glucose test tomorrow... NOT.  Ha, it won't be that bad.  I am really looking forward to our 3D/4D ultrasound in a couple weeks.  We will get to see her cute little face!

(25 weeks, 5 days)

Dear Baby (25 weeks, 6 days)

(25 weeks, 2 days)

Dear Little Lady,

This weekend you and I got to spend some very relaxing time in the sun with some awesome ladies.  Did you have a good time?  We went swimming in the pool and the ocean.  Could you feel that?  I wonder if it feels different for you when I am floating in water.  Maybe not though.  Could you tell that I was one blissed out mama?  There is nothing better than sitting on a sandy beach in front of the ocean.  We camped out under an umbrella so you wouldn't get too hot.  It was heaven.  Being near the ocean just makes my heart happy and being able to share that with you is the best.

(a little Miami storm rolling through)

(Anne and Julie... oh that view!)

(really missing this!)

I really hope that you make some amazing friends in your lifetime.  It is never too late to make new friends either!  5 years ago I didn't know any of these ladies and now they are my besties.  Spending time with such a special group of girls really made your mama feel so lucky to have made such incredible friends.  A weekend full of fun and laughter with really good friends does wonders for one's soul.  We are gonna have to do it again!

(Anne, Aubrey, Jenna, Dre and Me)

(Jenna, Aubrey, Me, Anne and Julie)

We did miss Dad while we were away, didn't we?  This trip got me really excited for the little babymoon weekend your Dad and I just booked.  It will be awesome to have some relaxing beachy alone time before you make your grand entrance and take over our lives... in a good way :) 

Keep kicking and growing in there.  We need you to fatten up!

Love,
Mom

(25 weeks, 3 days)

(25 weeks, 3 days)

Dear Baby (24 weeks, 6 days)

(24 weeks, 6 days)

Dear Little Lady,

I saw you in my dream last night and you are just the cutest cutest cutest.  I dressed you up in your pink elephant coming home outfit and had you all wrapped up in a blanket.  Oh how I can't wait to see your cute little face in person and smother you with kisses.  I know we have a ways to go and you have lots of fattening up to do but I am just so excited to be able to hold you.   

We finally started to do some re-arranging and organizing in order to get the "man cave" ready to transition to the nursery.  I am really looking forward to getting some nursery furniture so that the room feels more baby ready.   We have lots of artwork to frame and lots more work to do in there before it will be ready for you. 

My favorite time of day right now is bedtime because you are so active when I lie down at the end of each long day.  Your dad comes in to say goodnight and he lays down with his hand on my belly feeling all your karate kicks.  I think you know his voice already because if you are being really quiet you usually perk right up when you hear him come in the room.  It is such a special time for our little family of three.

We love you so much.

Love,
Mom       

(24 weeks, 6 days)

Baby's first Phish show!

(Baby's first Phish show 7.10.13)

On Wednesday Kev and I took the little lady to her first Phish show.  It was my 34th show and Kev's 37th.  It was so great to see Phish live again especially since I don't know when I will have the chance to go to my next show.  I got to hear a couple of my favorite songs (Harry Hood and Possum) and dance with my love.  I really don't think that there are many experiences that rivel the energy and pure joy of seeing live music and sharing that with someone you love is pretty much the greatest thing in the world.     

Though the music was awesome I will admit it was a little bit of a tough experience for me.  There was just way too much cigarette smoke and it was extremely humid which made it exhausting to be on my feet for so long.  I also was feeling very mama bear protective over my baby bump around so many drunk/not-in-their-right-mind people.  I am gracefully bowing out of the only other Phish show we can attend this summer at Jones Beach because I just don't think it is the best environment for me right now.  I am really sad to miss out and I feel awful for bailing on Kev last minute but we discussed it and we definitely think resting and feeling comfortable are a top priority for me and baby right now.

All that aside I am so glad I went and that we got to introduce our little lady to our favorite band.  We will definitely take her to see a show sometime in the future... at a venue with a large enough lawn that we don't have to be too crowded.  In the meantime she will be listening to plenty of live phish at home.  We've gotta get her dancin' as early as possible! 

(Official show poster by Mike Davis... we got one to frame with our tickets in honor of Baby's first show)

Dear Baby (24 weeks, 1 day)

(my man lookin' all California cool)

Dear Little Lady,

I wanted to tell you a little about how awesome your dad is because he is simply the best.  I know he hoped he would have a boy first (mainly so that they could harass our daughter's boyfriends... typical) but he is really excited that you are a girl.  I think he is finally wrapping his head around the fact that a little princess will be quickly taking over his life.  I really hope you are a daddy's girl because I know Kev will just love that but if you like me better that's okay too :)  

There are many things he is looking forward to doing with you like taking you to baseball games and the driving range.  Your dad will definitely teach you all about sports and how to fly fish (something I have yet to learn).  I know he will also be really good at tea parties if that is more your style.  I keep wondering what type of girl you will be... a girly girl, a tomboy, maybe a little of both.  I know whatever type of girl you are your dad will love adventuring with you.    

I feel so lucky to have met your dad and fallen in love with him.  I love him sooooooo much!  He makes me laugh every day and takes such good care of me.  He is certainly the life of the party and is probably the nicest guy I know.  He is fiercely protective of those he loves and the best friend anyone could ask for.  I could not imagine my life without him.  Writing about how great he is gets me a little teary (pregnancy hormones or just lots of love?).  You are gonna be the luckiest little girl with him as your daddy and I know you will have him wrapped around your finger in no time.

We can't wait to meet you and we love you so much!       

Love,
Mom

(Kev's caricature he got done in Santa Monica)

(Daddy's ladies)

Pregnancy Update (24 weeks)

 

(23 weeks, 6 days)

How far along: 24 weeks today.

Baby's size: She weighs just over a pound and is almost a foot long (according to Babycenter).

Boy or girl: It's a girl!

How am I feeling: Soooooo tired and worn down which I know is entirely my fault.  I am still really struggling with the whole slowing down thing.  We just have so much planned over the next few months it is hard to find time to really take a break.  For now I am taking working out off my to-do list and resting every moment I get.  I have noticed that my belly seems smaller this past week but I think that is just because she has changed positions.   Of course I freaked myself out about it momentarily but she has been moving so much I know there isn't anything to worry about.  I am just focusing on relaxing (I swear I will be focusing on this for the rest of my pregnancy).   

Maternity clothes: I wish I could wear maternity leggings, a stretchy tank and my sneakers every single day.  I am pretty much only wearing dresses, skirts, maternity leggings and stretchy tanks/tees.

Sleep: I am sleeping really well (probably because I am so tired all the time) and still getting up multiple times to use the bathroom.  I don't think my belly is big enough to really make sleeping uncomfortable yet but I am sure that will change soon. 

Baby movement: She has been moving around so much lately.  I find that the more active I am the less she moves or maybe I just don't notice her movements as much.  When I rest she has a little party in there just kicking and punching up a storm.  I love every single moment of it.  I have been having the best time watching her move.  It is like watching something try to escape from my stomach... creepy but in a cute way, haha.  The other night I had my hand on my stomach and felt her roll over.  I couldn't tell exactly which body part I was feeling but it was so cool.

Food cravings: I am still struggling with the not being hungry issue.  I thought I was supposed to be ravenous.  I have to keep reminding myself to eat every few hours otherwise I don't eat anything until I start to feel nauseous from not eating.  This sucks.  I do like the idea of drinking smoothies though.  Now that it's miserably hot outside the only thing that sounds remotely appealing is a cold fruit smoothie.

Food aversions: Well I tried to eat some beef jerky last week and almost gagged.  I guess I am kinda having an aversion to food in general... I just don't want anything.   

What I miss: I miss knowing what I feel like eating.

Best moment: Feeling her move around like a champ... if this is any indication of her personality we will have one feisty little lady on our hands.

What I am looking forward to: I am looking forward to taking little lady to her first Phish concert tonight and I am looking forward to not doing anything this weekend (after our next Phish show on Friday)... Mama needs her rest!

 

(23 weeks, 6 days)

Santa Monica

This past weekend we spent the 4th of July holiday in sunny Santa Monica, CA celebrating the marriage of our dear friends Heather and Nolan.  What a fun weekend is was though is was pretty exhausting for me.  Being is the sun felt so good even if I did leave with a bit of a sunburn.  I could totally get used to 75 degree weather without humidity... damn you NYC humidity.

(Santa Monica Pier)

We rented bikes one afternoon to bike down to the Venice Boardwalk.  What an adventure that was.  I hadn't ridden a bike in years.  Thankfully we all made it out alive and didn't get into any accidents (there were some dicey moments).

(Venice Boardwalk)

The wedding took place at Shutters on the Beach overlooking the ocean.  We danced the night away to the best live band.  It was such a great time and we had quite the Skidmore crew in attendance.  Unfortunately my sciatic nerve was acting up all night so I wasn't feeling my best but I made it through!

 (the three amigos)

(23 weeks, 3 days... with really flat hair)

Lesson learned this weekend... do not try to keep up with everyone.  I am still working on slowing down but it is so hard.  Oh well.

Dear Baby (22 weeks, 6 days)

(22 weeks, 5 days)

 
Dear Little Lady,

Guess where we are going tomorrow?  California!!!  We will get to go to the beach and swim in the ocean!  Being by the ocean is your mama's favorite.  There is nothing like the salty air and sound of the waves.  It is so peaceful.  I really hope you love the ocean too.  Your dad and I want to make spending a week or two by the ocean every year a family tradition.  It would be such a dream to own a house on the beach!

We have a 6 hour flight ahead of us tomorrow and it will be past our bedtime, yikes.  I really hope we can get some sleep.  I plan to make this trip a really relaxing one with lots of beach time and floating in the ocean.  It is going to be so fun!  There are so many people that are excited to meet you.  Don't be shy though... I know a couple people who will really wanna feel some of your karate kicks.  Let's show off for them!  You will get to hear fireworks for the first time too.  I hope it isn't scary.

I cannot wait to get some sand between my toes and float with you in the salty sea.  I am already dreaming of our first family trip to the beach (hopefully next summer).

We love you so much little lady!

Love,
Mom   

(22 weeks, 5 days)