Pregnancy Updates

I have seen this on a few blogs of other preggos and wish I had done it all along! But I didn't - but maybe now it will motivate me to update weekly now that we are on the homestretch! :)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: GAIN of course - however, I did lose 2 pounds over the past 3 weeks. I have gained 19 pounds total. :) And I am not ashamed! So far, it is all in my belly - maybe a *little* added to my "knocking me out with those American thighs.." hahaha.

Movement: Karris is pretty consistent with her movement, always at night when I get in the bed around 11ish, when I wake up to go to the bathroom around 3AM and then when I usually wake up at 10. She is pretty calm during the day, I usually feel her again around lunch and again in the evening.

Sleep: This past week was actually one of my most comfortable until last night. I have the big Boppy pillow but it seems to sometimes get in the way more than anything... It is funny because Daniel bought me this really soft blanket about 2 months ago and that is ALL I sleep with. No sheets, no comforter, just my blanket, pillow or 2 and Cinammon. (My teddy bear I have had for 17 years now lol.)
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach

Cravings: I'm surprised I really haven't had any real cravings throughout this whole pregnancy. Or maybe that's because I have always had cravings? Not sure but nothing has changed much. OJ was my go to at the beginning but since I have been trying to only drink water I have cut it out. I still need my pizza here and there - but usually I only have a "craving" when someone mentions a certain food that sounds yummy!

Best Moment this week: Hearing Karris' heartbeat on Monday - 149 :) And putting away all of these A-MAZ-ING shower goodies! And even more, seeing sweet friends from home - I miss you all!

58 days to go!

Karris and I have been showered to no end the past 2 weeks! My nursing friends had us a shower and then I had a shower back home last weekend. They both were wonderful and we are so blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives. Karris has gotten so many cute things with her monogrammed name and initials on them. I laughed and said she will never forget her name!

Sweet Hostesses!

Gorgeous Christening gown from my Nanny & Poppy!

Cute favors!

 We had our 31 week appointment on Monday - things were great, I measured right between 31 & 32 weeks so a little ahead of schedule which is just fine with me! My doctor was very pleased with my weight gain, I had only gained 2 pounds since the last time. We start 2 week appointments now! We go for 2, 2 week in a row and then after that we are on weekly visits. The nursery is all done except I am waiting on her rug to come in! We ordered it online and of course the size we wanted they were out of, so now we have to wait on it to come in another 2 weeks. That's ok though - we can wait on one last thing!
Daniel put together Karris' stroller Saturday night when I got back from the upstate. We are using my old highchair from when I was little and also a rocking chair that has been in the family since my dad was little! (A little rocking chair, Karris size.) It is funny, because I came home with 3 rocking chairs. One that a sweet family friend Cindy made that matches our outdoor furniture and then another that  a man that used to work with my dad made for us when we were little. Karris is going to feel very special with all of her own little chairs. :)
I got to see our friends Kelly & Parker on Friday on our way through Columbia - Kelly is due June 25, she has a week and a half to go! Best wishes Kelly with baby Hampton! Daniel and I can't wait to meet him! I also went to a baby shower for my friend Ava on Sunday - she is having a little boy as well. Seven will be here in mid July! I can't wait to meet all of these precious litle boys!
We are very excited that this weekend we have showers with our friends here in the inlet and some from out of town. Saturday morning my girlfriends are having a brunch and then Saturday night we have a "baby party" that Daniel and all of his guy friends get to be a part of! I am so excited and remember when the idea of a baby shower back in January seemed like eternity away! 58 days to go as my "baby ticker" said. Wow it is truly flying by!

Nursery & 28 week appt!

My sweet Aunt Tammy had a graduation/celebration of Karris get together for us back on May 14 in Columbia. Or so I thought... we didn't even send out in invitations because I didn't want to invite people to a million events. Well, we got there and it was decorated to a T! She had pink table cloths with goodie baskets for Karris as centerpieces, a whole spread from Palmetto Pig, and the cutest cake! That wasn't the only surprise. Daniel and I had been so lucky because my aunt's good friend Theresa (who happens to also be a friend of our's aunt's as well - small world) had offered to GIVE US her children's baby furniture. It was of course beautiful cherry, mahoghany wood and since we are having a girl - even came with a canopy. Well, long story short, the crib was older than the new models and Theresa was worried with all of the new safety issues with cribs, that it wouldn't be safe enough. So, she was going to get a crib to match the rest of the furniture but couldn't find the exact match she wanted. So... get this - she BOUGHT US our ENTIRE set of baby furniture. We didn't know until we got to Columbia. We, of course would have never let her do such a big blessing for us - but there was no way that she would say no, so that is what it has been. Exactly that, a BLESSING. And not only is it gorgeous, it's truly the nicest baby furniture you can imagine. It is made by Baby's Dream, it's a white (called vanilla) set, and a sleigh crib. So gorgeous. The nursery is still a work in progress - but here is a sneak peak :) Daniel and I love going into Karris' room. We both laugh because it is so funny that we each go in a few times a day because it is so exciting to know she will be there shortly. It smells like a baby, too with all of the diapers and baby wipes we have accumulated!

I had my 28 week appointment today and everything was GREAT! Daniel didn't get to go because the man coming to install our blinds said he was coming at 9 (of course the same time as my appt) and that if we weren't here we would get charged extra. So, he was bummed. But we are also happy to finally have blinds! My friend Nicole came with me though, she had been wanting to come to an appointment so it worked out perfect! She goes to my same Dr. regularly, I think she really just wanted to see him because he is kind of cute. Haha just kidding Nicole. :) I was so excited to hopefully get to really "see" Karris' face but she, like usual had both of her little hands near her mouth and didn't turn her head. Daniel says "stubborn like her mommy" - I beg to differ. :) She measured at 28 weeks 2 days. Except her long legs were 30.5 weeks! Maybe she is going to be a tall little girl :) Or maybe she is just going to be like me and have long legs and a short torso lol. My legs are the same length as my sister's and I am 5'4" and my sister is almost 5'9"! She is such a wiggle worm these days. She moves around all day long - especially when I am eating or when I am laying down. My belly button is slowly becoming an outie and I really can't stand it haha. But the bigger she gets the more it happens. No worries - I am not a 2 piece bathing suit wearing preggo. Hahaha. Her is kind of her profile below - you can see her cute little nose and the ball near it is her hand. She was probably about to punch me as they got the shot.

That's all I have for now! Other than that, I have just been busy preparing for her arrival and still working at the restaurant. I haven't gotten the dates for my boards yet - so I am hoping I get those this week or next week. No one from school has gotten the information yet, so we are just waiting and waiting. I am so ready to take them and get it over with and hopefully find a nursing job sooner than later! I need to atleast have one secure so I have a "start" date, or else miss Karris may need her mommy to stay home with her until next year. Lol. :)

Told you when I had more free time...

that I would update more! :)

We have had a great week - my dad and Debbie came to stay Tuesday, then mom & Michael stayed Wednesday. I had my nurses pinning on Wednesday! So that is done! Now to the job hunt... debating whether I will try to start before Karris is here or after! Time will tell! My pregnancy ticker says I have 98 days to go. Flying by!

Daniel and Brian are at a golf tournament in Charlotte, they went up for the night last night and are coming back today. I am just working all weekend - nothing too exciting! I have a class next week to prepare for the NCLEX then I will schedule my date to take it ASAP. (NCLEX is my boards, I forget sometimes that I am a little too familiar with all that good stuff now.)

Daniel got me an iPad for graduation! I am slightly obsessing over it already!

Here are a few pics from pinning! And I am 26 weeks today! YAY!!!!!

Happy May!

25 weeks! With Daniel at my friend Heather's surprise party!

We had our 24 week appointment last week. It was supposed to be on Tuesday but Dr. S had some emergency deliveries so I had to go back on Wednesday. I was so sad - but then I remembered that that could be me one day! So I understood :) I am feeling Karris kick around a lot more frequently now. It is the neatest thing ever. Daniel has felt her one time. Everyone has their on take on what those first kicks feel like it, to me it feels like when you blow a bubble - kind of like someone is blowing bubbles in my belly... or kind of like popcorn popping. I love it :)

Everything was great at the appointment- all they did was listen to the heartbeat - which was 155, right on target, and measure me to see how far along baby Karris is. This was the first appointment that they could actually do a measurement at. I have finally got a real-life baby bump and people are asking me when I am due FINALLY on a regular basis. It makes me happy to be out of the awkward stage of is she pregnant?? Or is she just awkwardly fat in her gut lol. I have also finally started putting on some real weight. Daniel kept asking me if we were going to have a little squirt because he would see pregnant women due around the same time as me who were a lot bigger like back in February & March. I just told him that as long as the baby is measuring up to date - it is all fine. And most of the girls he had seen probably have already had a baby! I have come to realize that your husband actually seeing the baby bump makes it a lot more real to them. I think it is so sweet. I feel more and more blessed each and everyday that we have a healthy baby girl on the way. Being pregnant makes many others share stories of happiness and sometimes sadness that people have experience with losing children. miscarriages, etc. It is a blessing for sure.

Our next appointment is May 24. I already can't wait because we will get to see her face! I am so anxious to see what she looks like. I thought I wouldn't want to know but I have changed my mind completely. I cannot wait! I wish I was a rich celebrity and had an ultrasound machine at home haha.

I have my nurses pinning on Wednesday (it is basically my graduation, just for nursing students.) Actual graduation is Thursday but I am not going to participate because after sitting through USC's, I think the pinning will be just long, special  enough. My dad & stepmom are coming down tomorrow and staying and then my mom & stepdad are coming down and staying Wednesday. We will have a house full the next few days but I am really excited! Dad & Debbie haven't seen the new house and Michael hasn't either. I am just busy working at Salt Creek in the mean time and looking for a nursing job too! I haven't decided if I am going to start a job before baby or after... but I have a feeling I need to start before because it will make it PRETTY hard to start after she gets here I have a feeling! I picked out her bedding last week - it is precious! It is made by Petunia Pickle Bottom. You can see it here!

We will have the furniture for her nursery on May 14 after we go to visit my aunt and uncle in Columbia to pick it up. I can't wait to have the nursery done! But I need something to do with all this spare time without school. My mom is bringing me her sewing machine when she comes up - I want to start an adventure making clothes. (Only very simple things of course.) Will keep you posted.....

Busy as can be!

I am updating, finally! We have been absolutely crazy the past few weeks! We moved into the house officially April 1, followed by a wedding weekend for good friends Christina Cook & Brian Payne, followed by another wedding weekend for one of my best friends Marcelle Miller & Conor Lalor! Add school, work, hospital internship and the move in general to all of that and that equals not much time to breathe! Daniel was a groomsman in Brian's wedding and I was a bridesmaid in Marcelle's. We had 2 jam packed weekends in a row of fun! Karris is going to come out dancing if it has anything to do with these past 2 weekends! :)

Here is a pic of the den - not finished yet. Daniel wants a new TV & entertainment center - but this is the set up for now!

Me the day before 23 weeks! (At work)

Celle's wedding day! Everything was absolutely gorgeous! It was supposed to "hail and possibly tornadoes" - but the weather held off! No rain in sight. They had an awesome band and they are such a great couple. Can't believe I bet both Celle & Conor almost 9 years ago (at separate times ironically, and actually I met Conor before Marcelle!). So funny how life works. They are so in love and so happy - and the reception was one one the best I have ever seen. Yay for Mr. & Mrs. Lalor!

Daniel & I at the wedding reception - background couldn't be prettier!

Kris, me & Nicole

So anyway! We had our 20 week appointment on March 29. They confirmed we are having  a sweet baby girl! Everything looked great and she measured right uo to date. Her little femur bone actually measured a week early - she may be tall like her Aunt Brittany. :) I am SO ready to get her nursery done. We are getting her furniture in Columbia on May 14. I am waiting to get it until I really start the nursery because I want to make sure it is exactly what I want! Right now, I am thinking I will be doing light pink, brown & white. I did get her monogram wall letters in a few weeks ago. They look like this -

They are really big, the picture doesn't do them justice. I can't wait to have them above her crib! Her crib even has a canopy. It gets me so excited just thinking about it being all decorated! Less than 17 weeks until her due date! Coming along!

On another happy note - my nursing pinning is May 4. Another super, super exciting thing. I cannot believe it is almost here and that I made it this far. Last test is Wednesday and my final is Friday. Could not be any happier! I will feel like a free woman after Friday. Just not having the stress of school in my life is going to make me feel like a new person!

Happy Easter everyone! I wish we could spend it with family, but Daniel and I will be here for the weekend!

Almost 20 weeks and half way!

I haven't updated in a bit. I have been so, so busy! We went to our 16 week appointment a few weeks ago and all was still well. Got to take a quick little sneak pic at the little one. :) She was curled up in the fetal position. It was cute! We go back next Tuesday for the "big" 20 week ultrasound. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for a healthy little girl! We did get our penta screening test results back and everything came back negative - big blessing.

Our sweet angel!

My birthday was March 8 - we had a great time at dinner with a lot of friends. For my birthday I told Daniel I just wanted new den furniture - so we spent the day buying a new couch. I later went to visit my mom over my spring break and got a new chair and some other things!  We will be closing within the next week on the house! We will be moving back to Murrells Inlet (we have been in Surfside since we got married). We couldn't be more excited. It had just started being built at the beginning of the year - so we even got to pick out our hardwood floors and granite for the countertops. It has been really neat watching it progress! Of course I am most excited about getting in and getting Karris' nursery started! Ironically, my friend from USC, Forrest Beverly's company is building it! So he and Katherine will be our future neighbors too! We are very excited about that!

Happy Birthday to me!

Most of the girls!

Laying the hardwoods!

Countertops are in!

I will try my best to do the 20 week update next week. In between my 3rd test and us moving it isn't a definite but if not - sometime within the next 2 weeks. :)