20 weeks. It's a . . . !

So I'm running behind this week.  At least the picture was taken on the correct day! I really, REALLY need to learn how to use this fancy camera. (The first pic is not mine, so that one is good!)  That should be my goal this week. My phone was maxed out on photo space and it took me entirely too long to get that situation figured out.  And therefore I missed out on the opportunity to Instagram my experience eating a Cronut.  You GUYS. So. Good.  Anywho, not sure that I'll have a post up next week, but I'm going do my best to keep up after that.

Written July 26th

how far along: 20 weeks.

size of baby: a banana!

maternity clothes: I don't think I'll be able to accurately answer this question until I'm actually working again.  I don't really get "dressed" that often... whoops!

symptoms: Hm, good week!

exercise: An awesome jog with my friend Tracy this week was just the pick-me up I needed.  Does shopping count as exercise?

cravings/aversions: So I tried the Burger King frozen lemonade before my ultrasound.  It was good, but it wasn't really all that fresh.  Apparently it had just the right combo of cold and tangy to get the little babe movin' and groovin' because he was shaking up a storm for us! 

movement: I SAW him moving.  It was absolutely incredible.  I wish I could see him in there every day.  J and I were amazed at the little guy kicking around in there.  Unfortunately, I still can't feel him too much.  TMI warning, but apparently I have an anterior placenta, which makes a sort of buffer between the two of us.  Maybe I'll be thankful for that in a few weeks.

sleep: I think my sleep problem is more of an anxious/excited problem.  I didn't sleep with anticipation of finding out the gender, and now I'm up thinking about what I should name the kid!

gender: Oh BOY! (I so called it).

looking forward to: Some time with my in-laws.

worries: Why did I choose to include this bullet? Let's chose not to worry about anything right now. :)

milestones: Half-Way! It's a BOY! 

best moment this week: Best week so far, I'd say.  Starting off with the ultra-sound, leading up to the Gender Reveal Party, seeing friends for TWO bridal showers on Saturday, shopping for my little man, buying his crib... this was a big week!

19 weeks.

I was VERY tempted to opt out of the photo this week, but instead decided to just give it to you real.  This is what I look like most summer days... I am planning to wash my hair and get dressed today. Big deal, I know. :)

Written July 16th

how far along: 19 weeks.

size of baby: a mango!

maternity clothes: Not technically, but not "regular" clothes... If that makes any sense.

symptoms: Some more swelling here and there, and insomnia and hunger!

exercise: Daily morning walk/jogs with Sadie. We got her a new leash (gentle leader) that completely stopped her from racing after every squirrel. It's a dog owners savior!

cravings/aversions: Still lemonade. A friend told me that Burger King sells frozen lemonade this summer so you better believe I'll be making a stop (or 10) this week. Bonus, according to the internet it's only 80 calories!

movement: Still not completely sure, but I'm going with YES! If what I'm feeling is in fact the babe, then I think I've been feeling it for quite a while now.

sleep: I have had some wacky dreams and just generally do not get into a deep deep sleep. A few nights I've gotten up, had cereal, watched Ellen, played Candy Crush... just not tired!

gender: This is the last week before we know!

looking forward to: Our gender reveal party! We have our ultrasound this morning, but were waiting to find out until Friday evening with all of our family. I'm still thinking boy. J thinks girl. 

worries: That this kid won't give up the goods at our ultrasound today!

milestones: hmmm... 

best moment this week: J and I had a great weekend together, just the two of us. We saw a movie, worked in the yard and around the house, went on a jog, made pizza, visited a new church and just hung out. I also got to visit a few friends last night and will see two more great friends tomorrow afternoon. Summer is good :)

Birchbox Favorites.

Here I go again, raving about products I love.  As I mentioned before on this blog, I'm a subscriber of Birchbox, which means for $10 I am mailed 5 samples of new products each month.  It might be the most exciting mail I get each month, and it usually contains at least a couple things that I really like.  It's been a great way to try out new products, without having to commit to the whole thing.  Also, a lot of times the sample will last a VERY long time and they are great for travel.

Below are the products over the past year or so that are my absolute favorites.  If I haven't bought a full size of each of the product below, I've definitely kept it on my mind to do so in the future.

1. Klorane Gentle Dry Shampoo. This stuff lasted me about 2 months, using it about 3 times a week.  It's only $18 for a full size, and it WORKS!

2. theBalm Stainiac Lip Stain. The sample lasted me about 3-6 months, wearing it a few times a week.  I bought the full size (I think about $15) with my birchbox credit and it has lasted me another 6 months, and I'm thinking it'll be around for a while still.  It's not a lipstick, not a chapstick, but literally a lip STAIN.  It lasts all day, and it just gives a little bit of color without the goopy feeling of gloss.  I usually wear it under a more nude gloss so that I still have some color after the gloss wears off throughout the day.

3. Stila Smudge Stick waterproof eyeliner. This came as a full size in my box and lasted me more than 6 months.  You only need a TINY bit, and it lasts all day and does not smudge.  I have the purple and brown.

4. Jouer Matte Moisture Tint. I got a teeny-tiny sample of this in my box and threw it in my bag for our cruise over spring break.  I couldn't believe that I wore it all seven days were were gone.  It's great because it has SPF 20 and it literally stayed on all day long swimming in the ocean, walking waterfalls, snorkeling, etc.  I only had to use a tiny bit. A summer vacation MUST HAVE.  Full size is $30.  I haven't splurged, but I really want to.

5. Lulu Organics Jamsine Hair Powder. Basically another awesome, yummy-smelling dry shampoo, but this one is a powder, not a spray.  They accidentally gave this sample to me twice, so they gave me a $10 credit to the shop.  I was not a bit disappointed to see it in my box again.

6. Nail Polish. This is always fun to find in my box.  It lasts forever, no need for a full size.

7. Beauty Blender and Cleanser. The beauty cleanser came in my box and I used it for about 3 months to clean my make-up brushes.  It's amazing and works in about 3 seconds.  I went ahead and got the Beauty Blender from Sephora after all its hype, and it has also not disappointed.  You wet the sponge and then use it to blend in foundation.

8. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. This came in my box a long time ago, and I still haven't forgotten about it.  It's pricey full size, I think around $50.  I haven't splurged, but again, I think about it.  I used the for a LONG time.  It's a sand-like powder that you use on your wet face to exfoliate.  My face felt so smooth and clean. Love this one.

18 weeks.

Written July 9th

how far along: 18 weeks.

size of baby: a sweet potato.

maternity clothes: still most comfy in dresses.

symptoms: a few headaches and ... moody much? whoops.

exercise: been doing well! hoping the cooler weather will come this week and offer some chances for some longer walk/jogs.

cravings/aversions: I've always liked lemonade, but now it's like I NEED need. And frozen lemonade? The best.

movement: I THINK so...

sleep: just fine. 

gender: only one more week before we know!

looking forward to: some free time.  I've got lots of projects (cleaning, organizing, etc.) that I'm excited to finally tackle.

worries: oh, you know, anything and everything. 

milestones: almost half-way there!

best moment this week: another good weekend trip last week to the lake with my immediate and extended family.  Too bad I couldn't do too much boating and what-not, but the weather was perfect, and so was the company.

1st Trimester Must-Haves.

For any new mamas-to-be, I thought it might be helpful to create a list of some things I found helpful throughout the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.  Every pregnancy is different, and these were my favorites.  Luckily, I have wonderful friends and family who have helped me out a TON already-- sending sweet gifts, giving advice, lending me clothes, offering to help, etc.

1. What to Expect Pregnancy App.  This app tells you day-by-day and week-by-week what is going on with you and your baby.  Your body feels completely different almost instantly, so this app helped me feel "normal".  Also, the message boards are a great place to go to if you feel like you need reassurance that your symptoms are in fact, okay.

2. Pregnancy Books.  Those are my 3 favorites: You Having a Baby, Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, and Belly Laughs.

3. Snacks.  Almonds, crackers and LEMON jolly ranchers were my saviors at work.  Nothing really sounded good at first, but these things helped ease my stomach.

4. Dry Shampoo.  Klorane is my favorite.  There are many days when all you want to do is sleep, and washing your hair becomes less of a priority more often than not.

5. Water bottle.  Stay hydrated!

6. Miralax.  Stay regular! haha. :)

7. A journal.  It is amazing how quickly you forget what it felt like to find out, visit your doctor the first time, tell your family, etc.

Not on the list above, but still a "must".

8. SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP!

9. Zofran.  It's a prescription anti-nausea drug that I kept on hand and only had to take about 5 times total.  Although, it was a life-saver. As most of you know, I HATE/am-scared-to-death-of throwing up.

10. A friend (or 3) to talk about your "secret" with.  Girlfriends are the best.

17 weeks.

Written July 2nd

how far along: 17 weeks.

size of baby: an onion.

maternity clothes: mostly dresses and workout pants :)

symptoms: my hands and feet swelled up over the weekend after a few hours in the heat followed by a few hours in the car.  I called my mom to tell her about it and she informed me that she was so swollen from 3 months on that she never wore her wedding ring (and had to get it re-sized) AND ended up buying new shoes in a size bigger! It's been better since then, but I'm hoping that doesn't end up happening consistently.

exercise: Actually, YES. I'm 2 for 2 this week for morning workouts.  Planning to keep it up the rest of the week.

cravings/aversions: nope.

movement: Maybe???

sleep: just fine. 

gender: still think it's a boy. 

looking forward to: the holiday weekend!

worries: just hoping all is well in there.

milestones: Not pregnancy related, but I survived summer school! It now officially feels like summer.

best moment this week: Had a wonderful weekend trip to Oklahoma and then Dallas. I'm catching up with old roommates tonight so that should be fun!

Some nursery ideas.

Some of you might have already seen these room boards as apparently I'm not so technically savvy and posted them as I was creating... Whoops.

We will be finding out our baby's gender in a few short weeks so I'm getting anxious about getting started on some decor! Being completely indecisive (per usual), I bought 2 rugs at Ikea over the weekend similar to the ones below. Thy we're only $20 each! Most of the furniture below is similar to stuff I have already, so I'm going to try to incorporate those things. The wooden alphabet art is something I'm going to attempt myself, so we'll see how that goes!

I need some help-- black or white crib?! I want it to be gender neutral. Obviously, I'm leaning  toward black, but I'm not convinced.

Nursery girl by allismea on Polyvore

Nursery boy 2 by allismea on Polyvore