39 Weeks/ LAST Bumpdate!!!!

Cant believe that as I write this, our precious little girl will be here in less then 24 hours!! So many emotions! anxious, excited, nervous...you name it! The bags are packed (minus a few small items we need to grab on our way out the door), carseat installed and ready to go, and the house is cleaned from top to bottom ( thank you SO much Cindy for coming over yesterday and helping us  cleaning our entire house ! we love you !) 

Today we decided to do absolutely nothing, be super lazy and not leave the house and its been wonderful! Started out with yummy homemade breakfast sandwiches ( our favorite) then my mom came over for some football and also yummy bbq ribs and brought her famous mac salad and some brownies ( this was wonderful...because who knows what I'll be eating for the next 3 days in the hospital :( ) my Uncle Bryan, Aunt Judy and cousin Jessie also stopped by today to pray before the big day tomorrow which was SO sweet of them!! I've been so nervous lately and Uncle Bryan's words always have a way of calming you down. Love him! And now I'm sitting here, soaking up these last few precious hours with my baby girl in my belly ..feeling her kick and roll and stretch all over. I will miss feeling her kicks...I feel like I've been pregnant for so long that my belly is going to feel so weird empty! But I am secretly looking forward to sleeping on my stomach again soon and not being in so much pain all the time. Anyways, I figured I would do one very last bump date along with this post because the next time I blog it will be all about baby girl's grand entrance and of course LOTS of pics !!

BUMPDATE:

How far along: 39 weeks today!

Gender Prediction?: GIRL

Baby is the size of?: A watermelon! a very big..very odd shaped watermelon ! so very curious to see how much she really does end up weighing! 

Weight gain: 45-50 total. :-( Don't judge.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes yes. My Grandma Sue actually stopped by Thursday afternoon and brought me lunch and the sweetest box filled with so many soft/cozy maternity&nursing clothes from my favorite place ( The Gap ) that I can wear in the hospital and for the days after. It is so wonderful receiving gifts for baby girl...and it is also wonderful when the Mama gets remembered too. Thanks gram! 

Stretch marks: Yes. Damn damn damn. 

Belly button in or out: Out! 

Sleep: Not good at all...and I keep telling myself I am going to go to bed early tonight and get a good night sleep and be well rested for tomorrow. NOT gonna happen. How is one to sleep before an event such as this??? Have to be up at 4:30 tomorrow so hoping I am able to get a little something..as I am well aware SLEEP is no longer about to be in my vocabulary :( 

Best moment this week: Chris and I had our very last date night on Friday night! Tried a new ( to us)  Italian restaurant called Dominics on the Lake...and it was FANTASTIC.Although I didn't see a lake anywhere nearby... I already can't wait to go back. Of course as "Matteson luck" would have it ( it is true...Matteson luck is such a thing and it rubs off on the people they are married to/dating) Chris' dinner was totally wrong so they had to re-make it, someone took my chicken parm so they had to make that over, and worst of all..they were out of cannolis. BOO. Oh well, the food was SO fantastic it was worth the headache. Plus, we're used to the luck and it was super busy.

Also received some canvas prints of two of my favorite pictures from our maternity session for the nursery! 

Miss anything: Being able to walk, bend, sleep, drive...without being miserable. Hopefully that all goes away very soon!!

Movement: Again..she is all out of room and I am feeling her in all corners of my belly!

Cravings: Nothing too specific this week. The usual fresh fruit/ water. Also been craving chipotle. There is one across from the hospital we are staying at...I think I'll have Chris make a run while we are there! ;)

Queasy or sick: Lots of pain/pelvic pressure. Heartburn is terrible. Nausea has been good this week!

Looking forward to: TOMORROW! I get to meet my Daughter and finally kiss, cuddle and love on her all over!! the day is finally here and we are so so so excited!!

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for reading/keeping up and putting up with my million facebook/instagram baby posts daily until this point!! I bet your glad its over....

just kidding....its about to get ALOT worse!!! ;-)

36/37 weeks

Can't believe this is one of my very LAST bump dates on here! I feel like I just started this thing! It is absolutely crazy/insane/not-real that in exactly ONE week... just SEVEN days...our baby girl will be here. I feel like I just peed on a stick yesterday and freaked out and was dancing with my doggies in the living room waiting for Chris to come home to tell him the news! Soo much has happened since then and I really can't even believe the time is finally here. I felt like it went by SO fast..yet I also feel like I've been pregnant for my whole life if that makes any sense? haha.

On a more serious note...I am so ready/anxious/nervous/ and maybe slightly terrified for Monday. Is that normal? I think it is.I hope it is. Everything seems to be hitting me...Are we ready ? Do we have everything we need?  What if something goes wrong ? What if something happens to her or me? I've never held a newborn before..Did I do enough reading/researching on caring for newborns? I spent too much time decorating nursery and buying cute clothes and not enough time learning how to care for baby!! I'm terrible! 

Those are just a few random thoughts I've been having....totally normal right? please tell me yes! haha! Everyone keeps telling me your "Motherly" instincts kick in and take over and I hope that is the case! Either way...Must stop worrying and know that everything will be fine! 

BUMPDATE:

How far along: 38 weeks 1 day

Gender Prediction?: GIRL

Baby is the size of?: A watermelon! 

Weight gain: ooh yea....Although the gaining seems to have not been as drastic the last few Doctors appts ..only up by a pound each time and pretty much staying the same. I'm not happy/proud of the 45lbs I've gained ! Mama's got some work to do after this baby is born!!

Maternity clothes: Umm yes....and those aren't even comfy anymore! Currently living in my Gap modal stretch pants and tanks. 

Stretch marks: Ohh yea...I made it so long without a single one I thought I would get away with it but nope.

Belly button in or out: Out...I hate it. Outie belly buttons are so weird!

Sleep: TERRIBLE..awful....horrible...can't move. stuck in place. pain everywhere. just killmee nowwww. I need a trapeze like my residents have @ work to hoist me outta bed ;)

Best moment this week: Hmmm.... Not many great and wonderful things happening over here since this chick is officially MISERABLE. I did get out on Saturday w/ my Mom and Brandy for a pedicure which was so nice! also did some shopping with them ( or should I say attempted) until my legs/pelvis/and hips laughed at me and then decided not to work anymore. boo :( I hate sitting for long periods of time I go crazy...yet when I try to get up and out of the house...I can't do that either. I feel trapped! these next 7 days need to flyyyy by. But something tells me the last week will be the longest of my life?

Miss anything: Being able to do life.

Movement: She's out of room! My belly is taking on all sorts of shapes lately as she stretches and rolls across it.

Cravings: Hmm..still loving my ice water and all things fruit. Currently obsessed with Wegmans strawberry sorbet bars. Its like a smoothie on a stick! YUM! also loving all things pumpkin spice....typical. 

Queasy or sick: Nausea has been coming and going lately. And just major pain/pressure. 

Looking forward to: NEXT MONDAY!!!! Can't believe that in exactly a week from this very moment baby girl will be here and in our arms :) 

WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO:

Did some early decorating for Fall. 

I love my sparkly pumpkin :)

Took advantage of Bath&Body 2/$22 candle

sale last week and had a $10 off coupon too! score!

I am absolutely loving this scent for fall!!

Pre-baby stock up !! 

How adorable are these halloween headbands I 

ordered for Ava? I can't wait to dress her up 

Of course Ava's room wouldn't be complete

without a picture of her guardian angel pup Jax.

I am still so sad she won't know who he is :(

but I look forward to the day she gets to pick out

her own puppy to grow up with.

Made some goodie bags for the nurses in the hospital!

As a nurse myself I know how awesome it is to

be recognized and hopefully this brightens their day! 

and if it gets me a few extra perks i'm alright with that ;)

Inside the bags are mini hand sanitizers, pack of gum, 

famous amos cookies, starburst/skittle packets, and fruit snacks.

I was having a particularly crappy day last week. Until I 

received the most amazing package in the mail

from my sweet sister in law Nicki! It is called the

blardigan! half blanket half cardigan! not really..just the most amazing

oversized/comfortable/soft cardigan you've ever worn.

Seriously. Every girl needs this Blardigan for fall/winter!

I've been wanting one forever. Thank you SO much Nicki!

I can't wait to light a pumpkin candle and snuggle up with baby

girl in this!!

Most recent bump pic. She has definitely

dropped and I'm DEFINITELY feeling all of THAT.

This was only a few days ago..and I already feel 

way bigger. ughh.

And who remembers when I thought

I had a baby bump? haha!!

Same shirt and all ;-)

34/35 weeks!

Lots of fun things happening over here lately and lots of big news to share!!  We had another ultrasound last week because baby girl was measuring big...and that she is! she was a little under 7lbs at only 34 weeks! I could not believe it! We had a checkup yesterday and we asked what this meant and the Dr said they estimated her weighing 10lbs by 39 weeks and said there was risk of her breaking a collar bone or an arm coming out and recommended a C-Section. So Chris and I both decided we were not willing to risk anything of the sort and agreed that was the way to go. So we decided September 29th baby girl shall make her grand entrance! Unless of course I go into labor sooner than that! She needs to stay put for a little bit longer though so her tiny lungs can finish fully developing! 

...Here's a two week pregnancy update for you :)

How far along:  36 weeks tomorrow

Gender Prediction?: GIRL...confirmed again at last ultrasound!


baby is the size of?:  A big baby :)

Weight gain: yes...and I am feeling every pound of everything!

Maternity clothes: All of them!

Stretch marks: A few small ones underneath my belly

Belly button in or out: Out

Sleep: Not so great. It takes way too long to get comfortable and once I do, I either am up to pee, forgot to plug in my phone, or take my prenatal vitamin and then have to start the whole process over :( Also my hips have been hurting so bad in the mornings..probably from me sleeping on my side and all of the extra pressure/weight on them! haha

Best moment this week: Finding out baby girl will be here sooner than we thought and having an exact birthdate for her made everything seem so much more real. IT IS HAPPENING THIS MONTH! 23 DAYS! or sooner if she can't wait till then. I can't believe it. This pregnancy has flown by and now I keep thinking of things I haven't bought or done yet and am kind of freaking out...but they say you are never really 100% ready for a baby and I feel that is definitely the case for me. We'll survive! 

So in love with those cheeks!

snoozing on her arm..as always.

Also, after 11 weeks of waiting our crib bedding finally decided to show up and I couldn't be more in love with it! Although it was way too expensive..and apparently bumpers are considered dangerous nowadays? Wish we would have known this before we purchased! Oh well, it will look pretty until we decide to put her in the crib
 ;)

Diaper bag..thought I would share because I love

it so much! Did not love finding the same exact

one in the store for $40 cheaper the next day though ;)

Got all of our maternity pictures back and also love how they turned out! Here are just a few of my favorites.

Miss anything: Being able to walk more than 10 feet without hurting..and also shaving should be considered an olympic sport while you are pregnant. just saying.

Movement: Not really distinct kicking anymore..more like rolling and stretching. I love being able to follow her little foot/heel across my belly.

Cravings: Still loving those fruit smoothies! 

Queasy or sick: Not really. More like serious body aches/cramps/pressure/pain. Last Tuesday at work I started having bad cramping and serious back pains. I made an appt just to be safe and fortunately  I am not dilating or anything but they did pull me out of work for the remainder of my pregnancy. Being a nurse and on your feet all day and lots of bending/lifting is really difficult this far along ! It is a good thing but I know I am going to go absolutely craaaazy at home for these next few weeks. Soo someone come over and keep me company :)!

Looking forward to: Soaking in these last few weeks of pregnancy and awaiting baby girls arrival!! Also, I must say I am looking forward to football sundays starting back up (you know i'm in it for the chicken wing dip and chili and all that other yummy food Chris makes on Sundays ;) ) annnnddd SOA starts back up on Tuesday which I am super excited for!

Baby Shower/Bumpdate!

So much going on over here, not sure where to start with this one! 

Last weekend Nicki, Dan and Mikayla were up from Maryland and we were busy as ever with so many fun festivities! 

Saturday: Was a day full of wedding fun! ( No peeps, not ours as many of you thought! haha) Robby, one of Chris and Dan's bestfriends from high school got married and they were both in the wedding. It was so much fun! 

Chris and I before the wedding :)

Dan, Nicki and Mikayla before wedding

Robby and Sara- The Newlyweds :)

Loved her dress and everything

about this wedding! Bridesmaids

walked down the aisle barefoot 

 too which was also super cute! 

Nicki and me at the reception!

Chris, Robby and Dan at reception..

Not really sure whats on Robby's head ..and of 

course Chris' shirt is unbuttoned! haha

This was such a fun night celebrating Robby and Sara and even though I couldn't drink you better believe I had lots of shirley temples and yummy food and cake...oh and there was a smores bar...boom!

Sunday: Was a day full of celebrating our precious little peanut Ava! It turned out absolutely amazing and beautiful!! I can't thank my momma enough for putting this together for me and working so hard on making all of the little details come together. Also Nicki for doing all of the games and for all of her hard work helping as well. Lots of love for you ladies!! 

The cutest invites courtesy of RachellesPrintables

on Etsy.

The cutest baby shower cake ever 

made by my friend Brittny from high school

she does amazing work!!! 

Part of the gift table. Love this :)

And..my most favorite part of the entire party

the treats table!! with little baggies that said

"Babies are sweet take a treat" 

So much cuteness!!

Cupcakes, chocolate covered pretzels, pink starburst, frosted

marshmallows, buttercream mints, cake, baby feet cookies, gum balls

yum!

My good friend Rachel, her precious baby Willow

and Me :)

Rachel's Daughter Maddox and me.

Love this little girl..she was super adorable

helping me open presents too!!

Mikayla helping me open presents too!

Loved my little helpers :)

Nicki put together this for our guests

to leave their fingerprints! Loved this

little touch <3

Favors I made for our guests! Also did a Pink Chiffon

scented one that said " Tickled Pink you could join us!"

( Pinterest rocks ;) ) 

Thank you ALL so much for coming and for all

of the sweet gifts and love you showered baby girl with!!

I can't wait to show Ava someday just how loved she was even

BEFORE she was born. We love you all so much :)

Monday: Chris and I both took the day off from work just to catch our breath and attempt to sort through all of the baby goodies and start getting organized and put our house back together. Also had my 33 week checkup at the OB, where I measured 36.5 weeks...we now have to go for an ultrasound tomorrow to make sure baby girl isn't ahead of schedule or measuring too big. I'm sure everything is fine...I won't turn down another ultrasound though that is for sure!! Will keep you all posted :)

Now for the Bump Date!

How far along:  34 weeks 1 day


Gender Prediction?:  Girl

Baby is the size of?:  A Pineapple! 19-22 inches long and 5 lbs! Will know exact measurements tomorrow though!

Weight gain: To be truthful I have gained much more than the 25-35 lb average that women are "supposed to" gain... try 45-50.. I am ashamed! 

Maternity clothes: I hate clothes.

Stretch marks: Not full blown yet but definitely the beginnings of them on either side of my belly button

Belly button in or out: OUT

Sleep: Not very good lately. Everything is uncomfortable. Horrible back pain/sciatic pain. Rolling over is a workout and waking up all the time to use bathroom sucks. I give you permission to slap me if I complained to you about my first trimester ;) 


Best moment this week: Well last week was the baby shower and wedding which was so much fun!! This week not much going on so far...Took the day today to sort through lots of baby clothes and wash everything...baby laundry smells so yummy!

Does it get any cuter? Yea yea...it'll be a hot mess

in a few months but for now its adorable.

Chris being such a good sport helping me

sort through the piles and piles of baby girl clothes!

Miss anything: Being able to bend over...seriously...can't even put shoes on without help. I miss not feeling like a beached whale and not huffing/puffing after going up 5 stairs ;)

Movement: LOTS. She is running out of room in there! I love setting things on my belly like the remote and watching her try to kick it off. Also love feeling her little hands/feel roll across my belly and be able to follow and watch !

Cravings: Smoothies!! Can't get enough of them lately. Lots of fruit and water....Not sure if its because I am so hot all the time or what. FYI if your near wegmans...they have the BEST smoothies!! I have been getting them everyday and love the 4 berry fruit and yogurt kind. YUM!

Queasy or sick:  Just read above paragraphs :)

Looking forward to: Ultrasound tomorrow and finding out how big baby girl is!!

One Big Bumpdate!

Since I am terrible at keeping up, i will just do one big bump date ! since I can't even remember how i was feeling at 27 weeks anyways ( which is where I left off with this thing) anyyyyyway....

How far along: 32 weeks!...only 8 short weeks until we get to meet our baby girl. Or should I say 8 long weeks since everyone says the last weeks are the longest/hardest ! certainly starting to feel it!

Gender Prediction?: GIRL :)

Baby is the size of?: A head of lettuce? 19 inches long and roughly 4 lbs!

Maternity clothes: Yes...and even those seem to be getting small...not sure if its the dryer shrinking them or me growing ;) we'll go with the dryer. but seriously clothes just bother me all together. Unless it is 10XL size sweatpants....it is uncomfortable. Everything just seems to cling and I get way too hot. 

These Modal Drawstring pants from The Gap

are my most favorite maternity purchase thus far.

SO comfortable and the softest material you will

ever put on I swear. I just bought a second pair in gray 

I plan on wearing these babies well after Ava is here too.

Stretch marks: Just noticed some small ones creeping under my belly today. nooooooooooo.

Belly button in or out: OUT..

Sleep: So-so...Currently sleeping with 1 bump nest body pillow and a couple more for my feet and behind my back. Getting comfortable and into bed at night takes a solid 20 minutes. 

Love this thing!! and all the different ways you can wrap

yourself around it. Also it is super soft and there are a bunch

of different fabrics and colors to choose from! I have the yellow one :)

Best moment this week: Lots of fun stuff going on over here :) Had our childbirth class last Saturday which was pretty terrifying. I have sort of been blocking out the reality of labor/childbirth and that just made it so much more real! Also, at home we've been working hard on baby girl's nursery! Got carpet installed and put together the dresser/changing table and hung some shelves and decorations :) I CAN'T WAIT to put everything together and organize it all. Although I'm sure for the first few months her nursery will be the room she is in THE LEAST haha. Here are some nursery updates for you..

Finally decided on carpet in here!

Love how it turned out...the perfect shade of

gray and super soft too!

Chris hung these IKEA floating bookshelves.

I plan on changing the books out with the holidays

and coordinating them once she gets a little older.

These books are all from her big cousin

Mikayla and I can't wait to read them to her!!

Another awesome IKEA purchase was this 8 drawer

Hemnes dresser. I saw a lot of people on pinterest

using this exact dresser and doubling as changing table and 

that is exactly what I plan on doing. For the price you really can't go wrong.

This thing is massive and the drawers are really deep with lots of storage space.

Just make sure you have about 3 1/2 hours set aside to put it together

or two lovely men in your life to do it for you ;-)

A little girly DIY I found on pinterest.

Gold sequin hangers and a cute little

picture saying and dress. I'm in love<3

Pink tassel garland for above the crib.

Loved those Anthropologie zinc letters, but did not love

the price, and the color wasn't my favorite.

You know by now I'm a gold freak.

found these paper mache letters at Hobby Lobby

and Chris spray painted them.. Much cuter and

instead of $60 this cost maybe $6. I plan

on hanging these above her crib on the wall

above the tassel garland.

I'm going to stop with the gold soon I swear.

Miss anything: Being able to do simple things without my back and legs hurting like crazy or getting winded...like going grocery shopping, or to the mall. Who knew the little things we do everyday are MUCH more difficult when you are 30+ weeks pregnant. 

Movement: Lots of rolling and stretching lately! Baby girl is getting big! 

Cravings: Smoothies, mac and cheese, grilled cheese, and really any kind of cheese! 

Queasy or sick: Neither really. Just uncomfortable !!

Looking forward to: LOTS of fun stuff going on this week over here! Maternity pictures tomorrow morning, Dan Nicki and Mikayla get here Thursday afternoon , a wedding Saturday and my baby shower on Sunday! I can't wait to see everyone !