Chunky Braid and Bump

 

11/22/2014

This sweet baby girl of mine sure has gotten herself nice and comfy inside mama's belly. She must love listening to my heart and snuggling mommy...because she is refusing to evacuate the premises. I was 38 1/2 weeks here already and SO ready to meet her. She has her own plans apparently. Week 38 was full of many false alarms. Many times we contacted family to line up a babysitter for Eliana. Kept us anxious all week thinking that every time we had contractions and extra pressure, that was it. Every morning I wake up and my sisters and mom text me asking if there's any news, any progress. Waiting honestly is the worst!

I know that its best for the baby to stay in as long as she needs. But, this last week has been chalk full of contractions, stretching and major aches and pains. There were several days where I had contractions that got pretty close together, but never stayed consistent enough or got stronger. She has been stretching like crazy, my stomach being pushed and prodded every which way. My doctor was just amazed and shocked that she hasn't broken my water yet. We were sure she would be here by now. If not for the discomfort, we would just wait patiently. Although honestly at this point, we have given in. We decided to just take it easy and let her decide when its time.

My body is definitely ready to have her though. She's already measuring in at 40 weeks. I continue dilating and now at 4cm. Cervix still fully thinned and head engaged and very low. Everything is ready for her arrival, accept her. I am even emotionally more settled and ready for whenever she decides to come. A week ago I was so anxious, felt so much nervousness. But after waiting for two weeks now, with no success, I am just ready to hold her already. Ready to get this birth over with and ready to enjoy her warm and sweet little body snuggled up against me.

She is growing by the day, and my curiosity with her. How big will she be...how will she look? I love her so much already. Every day I just sit looking down at my belly, as it rolls around with her movements, and I try to guess if its her knees pushing at me or her little booty, or maybe a foot stretched out to the far recesses of my belly (always the right side). She is such an active little one. I want to meet this little wiggle bug already! And at the rate she's growing, I hope I'll be able to deliver her. Seems shes getting pretty big, and because we had Eliana early, we don't even know what size our full term babies can be. Eek! Pray for my delivery, I sense the end is near and I hope all this pre-labor will make me have her very quickly. 

Burnt Orange

11/04/2014

Sweater: Old Navy // Pants: Aeropostale // Wedges: Steve Madden

We have made it to nearly 36 weeks you guys! Just two days shy of my 36 week mark. I feel absolutely wonderful and blessed. I have gotten to rest so much this weekend. My sweet man made sure of that. Watching our toddler and helping with everything. Hubby had an extended weekend, having taken Mon & Tues off, so we could go out of town on a last little getaway before the baby comes...yet plans went awry and we had to stay in town. Turned out to be so wonderful and peaceful.

Saturday it rained and was perfectly gloomy allllll day long. Finally...*Sigh* my kind of heaven. As the rain drummed on the rooftops in town, the foothills received a dusting of snow. The weather got chillier and the air is beginning to smell more like crispy winter. Meanwhile, we stayed indoors, cozy as can be. Honestly, couldn't have been more perfect. We got a few things done around the house, but mostly, we just enjoyed bumming around with lots and lots of cuddling for these four days. I wish we had these type of weekends more often. 

Our little angel Eliana has been extra cuddly and sweet. Giving mommy so many kisses, hugs and sweet little smiles. Following me around, wanting to be near me, touching me. Being very quiet and calm, she isn't much of a talker, but lately she keeps saying, "mom and mama" over and over. I get so excited every time and she gets shy and stops. I wish I could just make time stand still, to soak in these moments more deeply. She makes my heart nearly burst with the joy she brings me. Sometimes I cannot believe I get to experience this love and sweetness from not one angel, but two. God has surely blessed me.

Last Thursday, I had my weekly checkup with this little baby of mine. Right before the appointment, she dropped SO low, almost made me worry she had decided to come early. My doctor reassured me that around this time, the babies can start doing that, getting comfortable lower. She ended up moving back up by the end of the day though, to my relief. I had just turned 35 weeks that day, yet I continued measuring 2 weeks ahead; baby bump coming in at 37 weeks! Either this baby girl is really big(and growing) or my due date is off. Personally I have believed its off this entire pregnancy, so I am expecting to have this baby in the next 3 weeks or so (now that I'm nearly 36 weeks). I could be wrong of course, but just in case, this week I'll be packing my hospital bag. I just feel so much urgency to get things ready for her arrival. I need to get her nursery stocked and ready and finish moving Eliana into her new bedroom. Lots to do.

Today was a blustery chilly day, hence my cozy knit sweater. I love buying sweaters in bigger sizes...not only are they comfortable, but I can wear them while preggo too. I paired this burnt orange sweater with my favorite comfy wedges for running errands. I had an appointment today to do my finger prints for my Naturalization. I have lived in America for over 21 years, most of my life, yet only now have I gotten around to becoming a citizen. I studied all the questions and continue to review them for my impending interview. Really hoping to get this whole process done before this baby arrives and I resume sleepless nights and my groggy mommy brain comes back full force. Wish me luck!

 This is one of my favorite photos from the weekend. Eliana cuddling with hubby at Grandmas house. Her little hand holding daddy's finger and he's looking down at her adoringly...I melt.

For the Love of Black

 10/19/2014

Shirt & Pants: Forever 21 // Heels: Enzo Angiolini

I love me some black neutrals. For those that have been following me on Instagram a while, you may have noticed how often I wear it. In fact, it is my favorite color...or lack of color, for those who are technical ;) I feel its the perfect way to take brighter summery clothes and transition it into fall-winter. I wore this simple, billowy top with some bright stretchy pants and snake skin heels. I love that black is so versatile, and especially love the peep holes on the back of this top.

This was the perfect outfit for a family dinner with my husbands side. It was his grandmas birthday and we had gone out for some Asian food, which coincidentally, is also my favorite. I was 33 1/2 weeks along, fighting a head cold and had started growing in leaps and bounds giving me some major hip pains. But I wouldn't have passed up the opportunity to enjoy my favorite food, that's for sure! So glad we went, and had fun. Great, now I'm craving some rice and chicken... mmm mmm! Hope you all enjoy your weekend and go out and do something fun. Thanks for stopping by :)

Geeky Chic

 

 Boots: BCBGeneration / Dress: Shabby Apple  / Jacket: Forever 21 / Scarf: Forever 21

Being a mommy, and preggo at that, my normal day to day look is with my hair up and my geek glasses on. If my hair is down at the beginning of the day it ends up wrapped up in a topknot at some point throughout the day. So, naturally I look for comfort in all I wear. Which, at this point in my pregnancy, is pretty much dresses...ALL THE TIME.

Being 6 feet tall, finding dresses that fit this long torso of mine is quite the challenge. You can imagine my joy and happiness when I came across this website, called Shabby Apple. They have a very large selection of beautiful dresses practically sewn with me in mind (happy dance). Simple, comfortable, elegant, beautiful and most importantly long. They carry dresses that come down to my knees or even my ankles if I so choose. This my friends, rarely (if ever) happens and is a cause for celebration when it does :) I ordered this wrap dress several sizes too large, trying to compensate for this growing bump. Next time I will be ordering my exact size.

Today's weather was perfectly chilly and breezy. I paired this dress with my favorite suede boots, a super soft, over-sized scarf and a light jacket. Absolutely perfect for me. I get hot so easily during pregnancy. I love wearing plenty of layers I could take off if I feel overheated or put on as needed. I was so comfy and you can be sure I will be wearing this dress on repeat this last month of my pregnancy and afterwards as well.

PREGNANCY UPDATE:

We are nearing 35 weeks and feeling so strong. We have officially made it past 34 1/2 weeks this time around, praise God! This is my second pregnancy, yet everything is so new to me at this point. We are starting our weekly checkups with the doctor and boy are we growing! At our last checkup, few days shy of 34 weeks, we were measuring at 36 weeks! That's over 2 weeks ahead...This little girl is growing so well; will be big and strong, like her mama. She is already a little character, pushed back at every touch the doctor made. Even when we simply listened to her heart beat. :) She started sleeping for larger periods of time in recent weeks and whenever she is awake she never stops moving. Always stretching/pushing with her legs and bum or tapping with her little hands. We just have 1 month to go, give or take, and I am so extremely in love with her already! 

I've been feeling the nesting bug taking over me recently. I can think of so many things I want to get done before we meet this little one. We have slowly started working on moving our eldest, Eliana, out of the nursery and into the room next door. I am hoping they will be great sleeping next door to each other, not waking one another. That is one thing I have been extremely nervous about. I expect to be lacking a lot of sleep myself, feeding around the clock. But I am REALLY hoping Eliana will continue sleeping well. In the last year and a half, I can count maybe a total of 30-50 days where she slept through the night. These last few weeks being the majority of it. She is finishing up getting all her teeth, just 4 back molars to go. And this mama has been enjoying SO many cuddles, hugs and kisses; Eliana recently learned to give kisses. Its the sweetest thing!!! For now, I will be enjoying my opportunity to sleep and will be giving our eldest all the attention I can as we prepare for the arrival of her little sister some time around Thanksgiving.

If anyone has any experience or advise they can share on how its been introducing a second sibling, I would love any tips or comments you may have to give :) Thanks for stopping by!

Bumpin' A Green Dress

 

 10/16/2014

 Dress: Forever 21 / Opaque Black Tights: find here / Clutch: Forever 21 / Black Pumps: by Miss Me

When you find yourself amongst such glorious bursts of color, what to do accept twirl? And twirl some more. The cool refreshing wind rustling the leaves, sunshine warming the skin and gloomy clouds floating past in the sky...once again, this is proving to be my favorite season yet! I'm even more excited for this cooler weather because I can transition my summer clothes right into fall by simply adding tights or sweaters. Makes it so much easier to dress this ever growing bump. 

Whenever I shop for my bump, I always look for non-maternity clothing, so I could wear it after my pregnancies as well. I simply fell in love with this green dress when I found it at Forever21. Girly and pretty with just a touch of sexy thanks to the deep V in the back. With a flowey skirt and soft material, its definitely a favorite. I simply paired it with a colorful clutch, black tights, platform heels, and braided up my hair - letting the dress and bump have center stage.

 PREGNANCY UPDATE:

On this glorious day I am blessed to have made it to 33 weeks and counting...Just over 6 weeks to go, if that. Third trimester we just both grow. My baby girl is approximately 19 inches long and topping out at a whopping 4 1/2 pounds. Imagine a honeydew curled up inside a watermelon and you can know what I'm dealing with here. My baby girl is consistently active and SO strong! 24/7 she is nudging, kicking and tapping away. She is getting cramped in there, I can feel every movement and can see my stomach rocking whenever she moves to get comfortable. She already brings me so much joy and I keep imaging how she will look, smell, feel...simply holding her tiny little body in my arms, close to me.

While she is comfy as can be, this mama is having quite the time. Constant and strong braxton hicks contractions, which at times make me feel like my stomach will burst as it hardens my abdomen! Itchy skin as it stretches. The worst car sickness and my never leaving friend morning/ day sickness.  Painful round ligament pains also have been kicking my booty. Cant seem to get comfortable especially while staying busy and keeping up with my 18 month old toddler. I've tried laying down, getting comfy but that only serves to make me feel even stiffer when I get up; making me waddle and limp at times, feeling like an old lady. If any of you mamas have any tips I would greatly welcome the suggestions! 

Most importantly though, I am yet to experience any contractions as I had with Eliana. With my first pregnancy, they started at 20 weeks and would occasionally happen and made me and my family worry. I ended up having her at only 34 1/2 weeks, and we still don't know what caused her to arrive early. We are praying and hoping I carry to full term this time around. It will be so magical to hold my baby the same day I deliver her and not have to wait a whole day... Getting to bring my baby home the next day and not spend any time driving day after day to the NICU is something we are yet to experience and are so excited for! So far I feel strong, baby feels high and we are doing great! Praise God! We are heading in for our weekly check ups with the doctor, so we will be keeping a close eye on this little one.