Target Threshold Spring Collection

Have you seen the Threshold collection at Target? If not, you're missing out. For the look and the price, it's chic & cheap.

The buzz is out for the new collection to hit stores March 17th. Mark your calendar!

Pieces currently in store that I am loving...

$11.99-$16.99

$25.99

35 weeks...32 days to go!

I cannot get over that as of today we are 32 days from the big due date. Where has the time gone? In a way I feel like I've been pregnant forever (as much as I talk about it on this blog!) but in all actuality it has flown by. We are getting really excited & also a bit anxious, which is to be expected.

We are making progress in the nursery...slowly but surely. My brother saw it the other night and said 'This is it?!'. So while it may look a little bare to most, this mama does have a vision. It's just a matter of getting it all done. We have the main things in place...we would be fine if this babe makes his/her debut early...it's now just time to get things on the wall and all the toys set up.

With that said, we completed 35 weeks on Friday. Here is my little recap.

How far along? 35 weeks.

Baby Size: More than 5 lbs; between 18 and 20 inches in length.  The size of a small roasting chicken! (Yes, baby center really referenced that) 

Total weight gain/loss: 29 weeks! The girl scout cookies & valentines candy are really catching up to me J 

Maternity clothes? Still a mixture, mainly maternity.

Stretch marks? Nope, Palmer’s every day.

Sleep: Experiencing sleep insomnia the past few nights with lots of rotating back and forth, but still feeling rested for the most part.

Best moment this week:  Hearing the healthy heartbeat and having a good doc appointment. Also, we are making more progress on the nursery.

Miss Anything? The ease of getting up & bending over. It is nearly impossible to put on shoes and bend down to pick up things. 

Movement: Hiccups almost every day & lots of swishing!

Food cravings: Candy: Peanut M&M’s and twizzlers!! Also, diet sodas. So bad.

Labor Symptoms: Lots of pressure on bladder and lower back pain but nothing of note. I don’t think I’ve felt Braxton Hicks yet but I do feel the occasional stomach tightening.

Aversions/Anything making you queasy or sick:  No.

Misc: Nothing of note, just getting really excited!

My Baby Shower

This is a little overdue but my best friends hosted the most amazing baby shower for me a few weekends ago. It was beyond perfect & special in so many ways. They really went above and beyond to make a preggos girl feel special and we got so many incredible gifts and baby essentials for baby H. We are so grateful!

Baby Bee was themed throughout the shower and was so cute. Tina did an incredible job on all the fun decor.

A childhood favorite book all the guest signed.

A picture tree of John & I throughout the early years.

Gorgeous food display

Even monogrammed cups for Baby H! Spoiled or what?!

Kristen's famous homemade cookies

My future sister in law & my sis {everyone knows my mother refuses to take pics!}

Sweet handmade blanket from my MIL for baby H if its a ...BOY

And another one if its a... GIRL

]

All the hosts!

All the goods!

Tina made a very special book with cards for each of the guest to fill in the blank. Questions like when you grow up I hope you... I hope you get your mama's....

It's funny how similar answers were from friend to friend. Baby H is going to be well aware of how wild & crazy his/her parents are!

It was such a special day I will remember forever. My sister and aunt both jumped planes to spoil baby H and all of our family and close friends were able to attend. My friends seriously did so much to make it so memorable!

Y'all are the best!

34 Weeks & the Classic City

John had a bachelor party in Athens this past weekend and we both had Prez Day off on Monday, so I twisted his arm into staying in Athens on Sunday night. It was a post-Vday celebration, pre-baby jaunt. I pitched it as a last getaway before we become parents --how many times am I going to use this one?!

We stayed at The Foundry, brunched at the highly recommended Branded Butcher (it did not disappoint), shopped downtown (I've forgotten how cheap everything is), got a fabulous pre-natal massage, and capped it off with dinner at one of our faves & an Athens staple, Last Resort. We also put it together that we met 10 years ago this year in Athens. CRAZY. That's another story in itself!

Picture on the far left was our old stomping grounds senior year. Best house ever. 7 girls, 2 bathrooms, more late nights than we can count.

It was so much fun to get away on a whim & it was the perfect date night before we become parents (my famous last words!).

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Today marks 34 weeks & 4 days...38 days from D-date....wow is all I can think to say right now. Are we prepared? No. (Will we ever be?) Are we excited? Beyond.

Here is Week 34 in recap ::

How far along? 34 weeks.

Baby Size: About 5 lbs and 18 inches long.  Baby can blink eyes and lots of brain development this week! 

Total weight gain/loss: Find out next week.

Maternity clothes? Mixture of both, but mostly maternity.

Stretch marks? Nope, fingers crossed.

Sleep: Several adjustments & potty breaks throughout the night, but still waking up feeling fully rested.

Best moment this week: We finally set up the crib and the glider arrived. Makes it that much more real! Also, hosting some friends baby showers that are due 3 weeks before and 2 weeks after me. Baby H is going to have lots of friends!

Miss Anything? Bending over easily. It’s touch getting dressed & putting on shoes! 

Movement: Lots of movement everyday around 2pm. And the hiccups continue.

Food cravings: Red Berries Special K, blueberries, and lots of Valentines sweets & desserts. Girl Scout cookies were also delivered this week…!   

Aversions/Anything making you queasy or sick:  No.

Misc:  Continued lower back pain but it’s just part of it. Also the face is starting to chunk up & swell along with my fingers! The water retention is kicking in.  

V Day a New Way

Happy Valentine's friends! I am not a big valentine's person; however, I admit if the husband showed up empty handed or didn't acknowledge the day I might pitch a big ole crybaby fit.

But seriously why is it we expect flowers, kindness, appreciation, and love- even a gift on a random date of the year? Shouldn't everyday be a day about love & appreciation?

If I weren't preggos our night would look a little something like this...

                

 


But let's get real, it is going to look more like this...

         

 



I did start a new tradition in our house last night. I decided to make the day before Valentine's a day for John. I made him waffles and fruit for breakfast and he came home from work to a cooked dinner and homemade dessert. Now I know for some of you this is a normal thing, but I haven't cooked dinner in probably 6 weeks. I know, it's really pathetic. It's just not my thing. John is a much better cook and he really enjoys it. And yes I'm aware, I've got it made.

I'm doting my spread with you because the dessert recipe is worth sharing.

Dessert recipe found here at Gina's Skinny Recipe Blog

• 1-3/4 cups challah bread, cut into 1/2 inch cubes {grocery didn't have challah so I used sweet italian)
• 2/3 cup 1% reduced-fat milk  {I used fat free milk on hand}
• 2  tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• cooking spray
• 1 oz dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (Green & Black's 70% dark)  {I used toll house brand}
• 2  tbsp fat-free whipped topping  {Used ice cream instead}

Preheat oven to 350°.

Arrange bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes or until toasted. Remove bread from oven; decrease oven temperature to 325°.

Combine milk and next 5 ingredients (milk through egg) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add bread, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Divide half of bread mixture evenly between 2 ramekins coated with cooking spray; sprinkle evenly with half of chocolate. Divide remaining bread mixture between ramekins; top with remaining chocolate.

Place ramekins in an 8-inch square baking pan; add 1 inch of hot water to pan. Bake at 325° for 35 minutes or until set. Serve warm with 1 tablespoon whipped topping or we used Vanilla Ice Cream.

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My kind of recipe, easy & quick. It is worth mentioning how rich it is. If you're not a huge chocolate person, I would cut out the middle dark chocolate morsels and only use on top. Also, the ice cream was a nice added touch. Don't pass it up!

Enjoy!



33 Weeks: Less than 50 days to go!

How far along? 33 weeks.

Baby Size: A little over 4 lbs and 17 inches long.  Pineapple! 

Total weight gain/loss: 26 total.

Maternity clothes? Yes. Thank goodness for maternity jeans & pants.

Stretch marks? No, but not sure how this belly keeps getting bigger.

Sleep: Insomnia. Crazy. I read it about in what to expect & it’s true, it’s a real pregnancy thing. I wake up at different times throughout the night wide awake & ready to go.

Best moment this week: Organizing & looking at all the great baby gifts we got. Also, having a great doctor’s appointment. Baby measuring on track size wise & heartbeat strong in the low 140’s.

Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night but don’t think I’ll do that again for 18+ years!

Movement: Some movement very early in the morning & also mid day. Also, baby has been hiccuping the past few days. So neat!

Food cravings: Sweets galore, loving the Reese’s valentine hearts & nightly ice cream. Also, cold fruit.  

Aversions/Anything making you queasy or sick:  No.

Misc:  People are so kind to pregnant girls. I get lots of doors held open, strangers offering to carry groceries, smiles, questions & advice.

Guest Bathroom Moodboard

We are making progress in the bathroom. The shower tile is installed & grouted and the walls are painted. They plan on starting the floor tile today. He mentioned completion by the end of the week but we know how that goes...!

Here is the latest pic:

In case you forgot, it looked like this 2 weeks ago...

And here is the guest bathroom mood board:

Left to Right:

-Subway tile in the shower with light gray grout
-Bone Mirror from Ballard Design that I have had a love affair with for quite sometime
-Benjamin Moore Green Tint in the bathroom. Just like the nursery. It keeps the look cohesive throughout our little rancher.
-2" Marble Hexagon tile on the floor
-El cheapo Vanity from Home Depot spotted on Pinterest. We debated this decision back & forth but decided to splurge on floor tile and settle on vanity, as in the end this will be the guest/baby bath and the vanity will not get a ton of use. While the quality isn't all that great, the color is fab and it fits the purpose.
-Vintage Antique Brass pulls to jazz up el cheapo.

Stay tuned!!

32 weeks: 8 months down, 8 weeks to go!

Hubs is skiing with the boys {getting it all in before lock down!) so this is a self pic last Friday.

How far along? 32 weeks.

Baby Size: ~4 lbs and 17 inches long.  Baby now has fingernails & toenails! 

Total weight gain/loss: We’ll find out tomorrow

Maternity clothes? Yes. I have on a non-maternity dress today and it is stretched & pulled tight from the front side AND backside!

Stretch marks? Not so far.

Sleep: Somewhat. Lots of wake up’s throughout the night and sometimes I have trouble falling back asleep.

Best moment this week: Prepping for the baby shower my best friends hosted this past weekend!

Miss Anything? Walking normal; the waddle is officially on!

Movement: Lots of movement very late in the night/early morning around 4am’ish. She/He is going to be a party animal like its parents!

Food cravings: Still savory…back on the waffle train. Also drinking lots of crystal light.  

Aversions/Anything making you queasy or sick:  No.

Misc:  Lots of lower back pain and pelvic pain. Thinking baby is getting into ready position!

Pinterest Project: Christmas Card Organization

Something about January, well February now, always makes me want to get organized. 

Christmas Cards are one of my favorite holiday traditions and I always hate throwing them away. Every year, I look foward to unpacking the holiday stuff and looking at last years cards. It's fun to see how families and babies have changed throughout the year.

I did this project a few weeks ago before packing up the holiday stash. I found this idea on Pinterest, of all places!, and while at first I found it to be one of those unnecessary, too-much-time-on-hands, type A projects, the practicality of it appealed to me. It was easy, simple, & cheap. My kind of project.

Here are the details...

Supplies:
-Hole punch
-2 inch silver rings (bought mine at staples for $4)
-A lot of free time on your hands (husband comment!)

Directions:
-Hole punch your christmas cards
-insert the silver rings

Wa-La!

Here is an example of looking back at 2011 vs 2012.

{Hey Jo!}

The original link to the pinterest project  is found here,

http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/12/uheart-organizing-christmas-card-books.html

This blogger even kindly offered free printable covers for the project, but I don't have a colored printer at home so I left this part out for now.

Pretty easy & simple project, right?