28 Weeks with Carolina James

How Far Along? 28 weeks

Sweet Carolina James, it is hard to get a moment to myself these days so big sissy is in our 28 week shot.  Suzanna Grace is so excited about "baby sissy" and you will no doubt be her absolute favorite.  She loves to give you kisses and a "pat,pat" while saying, "baby....sissy" and smiling.  

Size? 

Maternity Clothes? Oh yes.  In fact I foolishly tried to slip into a pair of pants on this very morning and got stuck.  There was no using the belly band to keep them up, no the zipper wouldn't budge and the legs were painted on.  Needless to say, Momma is now enjoying the comforts of elastic waist pants exclusively.  Last pregnancy I lived in piko tops and this year I have discovered their dresses.  Can I get an AMEN for this brand?!

Weight Gain?  At my 28 week appointment I weighed 136.  

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion.  Buttered up just like a greased turkey.  

Gender? A sweet, precious, already so loved little sissy, Carolina James

Sleep?  What's that?  Some nights I sleep soundly but most nights I just have a hard time getting comfortable.  I can really only get comfortable on my back but then I wake up in pain because of all the weight that is sitting on me.  Kate has offered her pregnancy pillow which I plan to get tomorrow and I have also ordered a belly support band that I will try to wear during the day and maybe at night too.  Of course it doesn't help that when I do wake up, I then lay there daydreaming about my girls and our future together as a family. 

Movement?  It's so funny how Carolina James (and probably all babies for that matter) are connected to their mother's emotions and feelings.  At the beginning of last week, after our beach trip, I was worn out and couldn't get my energy back.  She was less active too.  Once I started feeling better she began bouncing around all over again.  The nurse laughed during the heartbeat reading this week because she said that she could feel CJ jumping around.  I can watch my tummy move with her movements too.  Oh how I love the feeling of my sweet SG going nite,nite on my chest and my precious CJ kicking inside.  Thank you, again, Lord for the miracle of babies. 

Food Cravings? Anything and everything SWEET.  Someone stuck another 1 lb bag of peanut M&Ms in my buggie at the grocery store...so I guess I'll have to eat them.  I heard on a TED talks podcast this week that it has been proven that babies who's mothers ate chocolate while pregnant were happier and more outgoing than those who's mothers did not.  Just like SG, CJ is going to be a very happy girlie! Also loving that honey crisp apples are back at Kroger. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Labor signs? No! 

Belly button in or out?  Herb has been out and proud for awhile now.  

Wedding rings, on or off? On and fitting well.

What I Miss? Nothing.  

Symptoms? Just tired and a little sore.  Hoping the belly support band will help.

Happy or Moody?   How could the answer to this be anything but HAPPY.  Crazy enough I have met several girls in my neighborhood who are expecting girls right around the same time as me.  Lindsey and Caroline both have little boys a few months older than SG and I know we will have fun getting everyone together when our girls come too!

Dr. Visit Update: I am using the midwifes and met with Shania this week.  I just love how laid back and encouraging they are.  I was measuring at 27 weeks and the nurse shrugged it off and said, no big deal.  You and the baby are healthy...we will just continue to watch it.  They also take plenty of time to chat and answer questions.  I was so sad to leave Dr. Heraty and while I wish that I could still use her, I think that these midwives are going to be awesome and help us to have the same great labor and delivery experience.  

Best Moment of the Week/Month: Working on the nursery AND receiving your very first monogrammed outfit from SuSu.

My precious littlest angel girl,

You are a mover and a shaker but I can tell already that you have a sweet little spirit.  Your big sissy loves you so much and your parents cannot wait to meet you.  It's hard to believe that we will have another baby in just a few months and the reality of it all hits me in different ways each day.  I have a hard time picturing you right now but I am willing to bet that will have something to do with your spontaneous and relaxed personality.  I pray that you have all of the good qualities of all of our family members and I think you'll probably remind me daily to not sweat the small stuff.  I know that your smile will melt our hearts.  We love, love, love, love you. Grow, grow, grow baby girl.  

                                                                         Love, Momma

Labor Day Weekend Beach Trip

JJ and J-Pop organized a Moore Family Reunion for Labor Day and we were excited to be able to join in on the fun!  We left first thing Friday morning and made it to the beach in record time.  SG rode in style and enjoyed of the classics that MaMa checked out from the library.  Daddy said that if he heard, "In the gnome mobile, the gnome mobile, riding around in the gnome mobile..." one more time he was going to walk to the beach.  At one point both SG and Daddy had one their headphones...so much for road trip games and talking to MaMa.

 Suzanna Grace was pooped out by the time we made it to dinner at The Gulf so JJ carried her in and got some sweet snuggles.  Luckily, she only snoozed for a bit and was able to run around and explore.  This was our first time to visit The Gulf and we will definitely by making it a stop for every vacation in the future.  Great food, cocktails, and a place for the kids to run around and play...yes, please!

 Later that night, Uncle Ryan and Uncle Bryson made it to the beach too.  SG was excited to wake up and fine two of her favorite fellas at the condo.  Since it was the first weekend of college football (and because the MSU dress that JJ bought her last year is too small...I promise) she sported her Ole Miss cheerleading outfit.  She did a few cheers and yelled a version of Hotty Toddy before J-Pop kicked her out.

Daddy says that "vacation" to him during football season means sitting on the couch so MaMa got to hang out on the beach...with a book and no baby (while SG napped.)  I snapped this picture of Carolina James (27 weeks) to send to Daddy.  She kind of looks like a greased turkey...the cutest greased turkey, of course.

 After her nap, Suzanna Grace joined me on the beach and brought Dada, both Uncles, and Meghan with her.  They played some beach games and let SG throw the ball too.

I really do just love a pregnant body.  I think it's so beautiful to be able to see God's miracle of a baby changing your body.  Thank you Lord for babies and for this Big Sissy.

The Moore aunts arrives and gifted SG with a princess gown, pink pleather jacket, and purse, among other things.  This baby strutted around like she was THE princess and loved all of her new clothes.  Work it guuuurl!

We love, love, love the beach!  This visit, SG enjoyed wearing her floaties and swimming in the pool.  She also REALLY liked floating in the lazy river with JJ and J-Pop.  One day she even fell asleep in the lazy river and took an hour long nap while we floated around.  At the beach, she dug with her toys in the sand and got super tickled when we jumped the waves in the ocean.

On Monday we headed back home.  What was a quick 5.5 hour drive down to the beach turned into an 8 hour trip home...we were exhausted and Daddy used M&Ms and ice cream to keep MaMa and baby happy in the car.  Daddy's girls each have a big sweet tooth!

Sweet angel baby may have ruined the princess dress (don't worry, we are working on the stains and she'll wear it no matter what...) but it was comfortable enough to snooze in.  We were happy to get home and relax after a long car ride.  Suzanna Grace sported her first ponytail for the evening.  AHHHH!  What a little princess.

We had a blast on out last beach vacation as a family of 3 and look forward to this spring when we can go back and take sweet Carolina James.