Week 30 Update-Hooray for another Milestone!!

How Far Along? 30 weeks as of Friday!  O.M.G!

Nursery Sneak Peek!!!  More to come!

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

My app says that she'll start gaining nearly .5 lbs/week soon...that's wild.  I can definitely tell a change in my tummy size.   

Maternity Clothes? Still mixing it up.  I bought two new sweaters this weekend and just got a size up instead of maternity.  At this point I feel like I should be able to make it without any/many more purchases.  Anyways...it's all about Suzanna Grace's outfits now-who cares what I have on. ;)   

Weight Gain? I have a DR appointment on Thursday and I am sure that I am up to 20 lb. or more.  Grow, grow, grow Suzanna Grace!!    

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  The blue veins are out of control.  Is it just because my bod is so pale or is it because your skin is stretching and more transparent?  Who knows?  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  It was honestly a little rough this week.  Tossing and turning around 2 or 3 in the am...going back to sleep but then doing it again before original wake up time.  I started sleeping with a pillow support on my back and front though for the past two nights and it has really helped.   

Movement?  This week has been BUSY and when I am on the move SG's BIG movements are not as forthcoming (or maybe I just don't notice them as much) as they are when I am laying down/relaxing.  She really gets going when I am at school meeting with my small groups as I think she gets a little swished and needs to let me know it. #pregnantteacherproblems  
As I type she is moving her whole body around and doing some jumps.  Goodness, I do love her little movements. What a miracle.  

Food Cravings?  Nothing really, but when I am hungry...I need to eat...and eat a lot.  Oh and I eat between 3-5 oranges each day.  Yummy!   

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope, thank goodness. 

Labor signs? No!  Still have 10 weeks (a little less) to go!  I can't tell if I have been getting BH or not...I've had about 2 days during the week when I had a few pains in my belly button and then moved around to the point that I told my kids that I just needed to take a minute to sit and not talk...luckily they were very understanding and many chimed in that their mother "says that all the time...she really will be fine in just a few minutes...don't talk to her..." HAHA.    

Belly button in or out?  Out.  I like to think that if it had a name it would be "Herb."  It kind of looks like a turtle and pokes out when I laugh.  It's just silly looking. 

  

Wedding rings, on or off? On.  I will be really sad when/if the answer to this changes... thank goodness for freezing temps which equal less swelling.  

What I Miss? Nothing.  I am just so happy to be carrying this sweet girl that I cannot really complain about missing anything. 

Symptoms? Nothing really.    

Happy or Moody? Happy, happy, happy.  A little more emotional these past few weeks than ever before as I think about how close we are to SG's arrival.  I am sure that any mother will agree that when you become pregnant/have your baby you want everything (yourself, your spouse, the world) to be better for your child.  I feel like SG has already made us better people and just get so teary eyed dreaming about our lives with her.

Best Moment of the Week: 

-The nursery is COMPLETE!  AHHHH!!!  I am working on a post all its own!  It is just perfect!

-Suzanna Grace's baby shower this past Sunday...again another blog post in itself.  What a blessing to have such wonderful friends.  

Looking forward to... 

-Well, the nursery is complete...we have been showered with more gifts that we could imagine/ever deserve...and now we are just looking forward to meeting our girl.  Since I work best in "life event" timelines and 10 weeks seems like a year/tomorrow at times our next big event is a Babymoon to San Francisco at the end of February.  We will be right at the cusp of the "do not travel" period so fingers crossed that I get the go ahead closer to time.  

Sweet things and Life in General:  

If Kyle read my blog then he might see this and tell me not to take and post creepy pictures of him sleeping...but if he doesn't read then he won't know...He was worn slap-dab-out after two days of nursery design and set up and really enjoyed this new super soft pink blanket that I bought.

First of all, there is no doubt in my mind that ole Kyle Moore is going to be the best Daddy.  He has had one of the best role models for the past 29 years and has seen what it means to love, sacrifice, and support your child because his own Dad is his number one fan and greatest supporter.  My "sweet thing" for this week was the fact that he was able to again see and work along side of a wonderful example of a "girl Daddy" from my Daddy.  Just the way that he talks so sweet to MA and I, would not sit down until every single thing was complete for the nursery (and other little projects around our house), and gets such pleasure in the fact that we are so happy.  He kept telling me that my thank you to him for all of his hard work was that he gets a granddaughter.  Funny enough (and not that Kyle isn't always sweet to me) but I think his heart became a little more tender this weekend after so much of his blood, sweat, and tears went into putting together a nursery where he will bring home his little girl.  I have seen him walking back into her nursery over and over today and I just know he is so proud.  He was holding a little lamb that his momma sent for the shower and told me, "I can just see a little girl hold this...it's so much more real..."  

Be still my heart. 

Week 29 Update

I saw this Eudora Welty quote on a friends Instagram and had to copy it because it is just oh so true.  This blog in itself is a modern example of a good tale...or so I hope.  There is nothing that I love more than a sweet handwritten letter or visiting with with friends and/or family for hours as we put our"great talkers" skills to work.  The great thing about Chicago is that, contrary to Southerners' beliefs, it is not the north (nor are they/we Yankees) and Midwesterns are a lot like Southerners in terms of their endearing personalities and good ole folk spirits.  I hope that for as long as we stay here we are able to instill the best of both the south and the midwest in our little girl. (And Lord...please let her develop a southern accent...)  

How Far Along? 29 weeks!

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

AHHH!!!  Look at that beauty!  Our hospital does not offer 3D sonograms and when we saw her on Wednesday she was only willing to give us a face on shot...no profile.  I have to brag on her though for her Aunt Ashlee as she is a firm believer in profile and slightly head tilted photographs taken of women.  She says that very few women have mastered the straight on look and agrees that Suzanna Grace shouts confidence! ;) That's her little hand by her face too...perhaps she is practicing her "hand, hand, wrist, wrist, touch the pearls, blow a kiss..." and is, at the very least, giving us a wave. Get it girl!  

Maternity Clothes? 

Still mixing it up.  There are a few pairs of pants that still fit comfortably with the help of the belly band but I am in love with my ASOS black tights.  I have a pretty standard uniform of the black tights and some type of flowy top.  I bought this beautiful dress for the shower next weekend and am thinking of pairing it with my fur vest and tights:

                               again...ASOS should be paying me to shop there...

Weight Gain?  I went to the DR on Monday and am right on track-still gaining about a pound a week and having a total gain of between 14-16 pounds.  I was measuring small (I have been since they started doing the tummy measurements) so my doctor ordered an ultrasound to check on Baby Girl.  I was, of course, a little nervous and disappointed in myself since I have been making very conscious efforts when it comes to gaining weight and growing.  My DR assured me that women just carry their babies differently and that since Suzanna Grace is VERY active and had already kicked her twice during the appointment the ultrasound was more for my peace of mind.  Luckily there was a cancellation on Wednesday morning so I was able to get in pretty quickly for the ultrasound.  We loved being able to see Suzanna Grace again and could not get over how big she is!  Baby Girl had a great ultrasound and hit all of her measurements perfectly. Her length and weight (2 pounds 12 ounces) were right on track and there was plenty of amniotic fluid surrounding her.  We should get the final say from our DR Monday or Tuesday but the tech said that everything looked good.  I keep hearing the phrase, "some women 'hide' their babies" when they are pregnant.  I do not want to hide my baby.  I want to show her off and I think that over the past few weeks especially she's been showing out loud and proud.  Just happy to be healthy all around.     

Stretch Marks? Nope,  Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day.  

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  I am getting plenty of sleep and rest.  I was basically on bedrest for about four days as I enjoyed the last of our Christmas break and then 2 snow days.  It was glorious. I wake up at least once during the night, usually around 3:30, to go to the bathroom but I always fall back asleep pretty easily.  

Movement? Oh yeah, ALL.THE.TIME.  Suzanna Grace doesn't just give a few little kicks and jabs...she rolls her whole body and, presumably, gets excited and tries to jump out.  I know from the ultrasound that her head is on my right side and her booty is down (breech) so it's fun to know that might be moving.

The other night I fell asleep while Kyle was still reading in bed and the next morning he told me that she was kicking him in the hip throughout the night.  He said at one point he had to get out of bed and laugh at the situation because he could not believe that he couldn't sleep because of her kicks as I was just a sleeping on through them.  I cannot get enough of her high-fives, body rolls, and twists. 

Food Cravings?  Nothing really.   

     

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope, thank goodness. 

Labor signs? No!  Still have 11 weeks to go!  

Belly button in or out? Proud and out.  Kyle told me last night that he assumed that the tummy measurements (fundal height) were from my pelvic bone to my belly button at each doctor visit.  I laughed and laughed since he also assumed that my belly button would eventually move to be right under my sternum so that it would measure 40 cm.  Oh goodness. Bless him.  After explaining what the DR is looking for he did agree that it made much more sense.     

  

Wedding rings, on or off? On.  I will be really sad when/if the answer to this changes... thank goodness for freezing temps which equal less swelling.  

What I Miss? Nothing.  I am just so happy to be carrying this sweet girl that I cannot really complain about missing anything. 

Symptoms?  I think that as soon as I hit the 3rd trimester a signal went to my hips and told them to start aching.  My DR recommended that I try yoga which did help a little, but I am afraid that I have developed a slight waddle.     

Happy or Moody? Happy!  Do y'all have the "On the Night You Were Born" book?  If you don't you should buy it.  I sit in her room and read this book to her over and over.  All of Nany Tillman's book are precious and I think are essential to any child's library collection.  She even has a new one coming out called The Crown on Your Head  and I cannot wait to buy it too.

  

Best Moment of the Week: 

1. Seeing our sweet girl on Wednesday and having a healthy check up.  God is good. 

2.  Sweet time with friends this week.  Between being homebound because of the snow and the nerves that came with my Monday doctor's appointment, my precious friends again came through and helped me remember to count my blessings and reassured me everything would be okay.  From an hour long uplifting, just what I needed phone call from Mrs. Jeane, to an afternoon bus ride and movie with Renee, an unexpected Mommy card from Sarah, Baby Shower for Miss Bailey Templin, and then a girls night in with my oldest Chicago teacher friends, I end the week with a heart that could just burst.  Thank you friends.   

Kate (expecting Miss Bailey) is due one month before me.  At her shower we had a preggo vs. preggo/nursing mommy game of pong sans alcohol.  We're wild.      

3. The glider/recliner for the nursery came in!  Unfortunately we only made it into the den with it...and then we realized that it was comfortable so we didn't bother moving it any further.  Kyle and I have both enjoyed it...we'll get it in there before she comes.

4. Mass cooking with Kyle.  Last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were COLD!  As in you could not go outside without freezing to death.  The schools were even closed and folks were advised not to be outside for more than 15 minutes at a time.  Yikes.  I recruited Kyle though and we did some mass cooking and freezing so that we will have some meals now that he's in school 3 nights a week. 

Looking forward to... 

-Family and friends arriving this weekend for Suzanna Grace's Baby Shower.

-Painting the nursery and adding the final pieces of furniture and accents!  Hooray!

Have I mentioned how talented my family members are?  My Daddy and Momma have built an oversized shadow box frame, daybed headboard and window valance and baby sister Mary Agnes (plus Momma) has sewn every piece of bedding and curtains for the nursery.  How would I do this without them?  I FaceTimed with SuSu and Daddy B tonight to see the progress and could not get over the fact that my request for nail head required measuring and hand placing every single nail head.  Daddy's sure do love their little girls.  

Oh and "1 of 1", Daddy's business has been and will continue to make custom pieces for others too if you are interested.  Just wait until you see his final pieces and then I guarantee you'll be asking for his contact info.  I am amazed by his talent.  

Sweet things and Life in General:  

I am not sure how I came up with the time for this alarm but I love the email and phone reminders that I get each Friday reminding me that we are one week closer to meeting our baby girl.  Oh how I will miss these. 

How do you block Smocked Auctions and other smocked clothing stores from appearing on your FB newsfeed?  I have a very hard time talking myself out of a $25 smocked outfit...my rationalization is that play clothes outfits are probably at least $15-$20 anyways so I might as well just get the smocked.  I am pretty sure that this is what will cause my bank account balance to drop significantly. 

Just for documentation purposes: 

Kyle started the winter quarter this week with only 2 out of the 3 classes due to the cold weather on Monday.  Bless him, he has spent the whole day today preparing for next week's classes too.  Kyle has been at Kellogg working on his MBA in the part time program since Summer 2012 and is planning to take 3 classes, instead of 2, for the next two quarters so that he will be able to finish this summer (a whole quarter early might I add) before I have to go back to work.  I am constantly amazed at his work ethic and time management skills.  He's a smart fella and I am oh so proud.    

Well, I have once again managed to write a novel about all that occurred in just a weeks worth of time.  The blog is getting a facelift in the coming weeks so get excited!

XOXO

Weeks 27-28 Update

Sorry y'all, I took a much needed break over the past week and a half to enjoy time with family and celebrate Jesus' birthday!  Oh what fun we had!

How Far Along? 27-28 weeks

27 Weeks at GanGans

28 Weeks

And yes, that is my HS mirror with a Grateful Dead bear...we were once hippies. 

Do you notice a trend in my clothing? The black tights are here to stay!

Size? 

Suzanna Grace is:

Maternity Clothes? 

Yes, yes, and yes.  Kyle brought my ASOS order to MS with him on Christmas Eve.  I cannot tell you the difference a pair of maternity pants makes when it comes to comfort.  The belly band and regular jeans just were not doing it for me anymore.  I got a pair of black leggings and two pairs of dark skinnies.  Though not maternity, Kyle's Momma also got me a few of those Piko Tees which I have lived in since Christmas. Ah! Leggings and an oversized shirt = HAPPY 7 month preggo girl.  Kyle of course rolled his eyes at my 45 lb. suitcase after seeing me in the exact same outfits everyday that we were at home...especially since they were comprised of items that I received once we got to MS.  He says it adds to his request to travel with SG and without me from now on.  

Weight Gain?  
Not sure on exact weight but I can tell that I grew while we were at home.  I go to the Dr on the 6th so she will give me an official number.  Still feeling great though and making sure to eat, eat, eat...which was not hard being at home for the holidays. 

Stretch Marks? Nope, just a few blue veins on my sides.  MA says that my stomach is very "moist" which, because of using the Burt's Bees Momma Tummy Lotion twice a day, it is.   

Gender? A precious baby GIRL, Suzanna Grace!     

Sleep?  Yikes! This is proving to be more and more difficult.  I wake up at least once to go to the bathroom and then 1-2 more times to switch sides.  Suzanna Grace is moving around nearly every time I wake.   

Movement? She has started getting, what I am guess are, hiccups.  I feel many little jabs over and over for about a minute or two.  Kyle was able to feel them the other night too and could not get over it.  She not only kicks and jabs but I can feel her stretching her whole body. I also think I may be feeling some pressure in my ribs but not kicks just yet. 

Food Cravings? I do not crave anything but basically everything sounds good...except grilled chicken.  I have been trying to menu plan for the coming weeks as Kyle begins his three night/week classes on Monday and I still need to have supper each night.  I cannot stomach the thought of grilled chicken though and am having a hard time thinking of 1 person meals that don't include it.  There is always that KFC on my way home from school....fried chicken still sounds really good. 
     

Anything making you queasy or sick? My stomach curled as I watched/listened to Kyle drink milk from his cereal bowl last night.  I have never been a straight up milk drinker but witnessing it being done has never grossed me out until now either.  

Labor signs? No!  Still have 12 weeks to go!  

Belly button in or out? Hehe, she's out.  Mary Agnes laughed for awhile at it's movements over the break.  
  

Wedding rings, on or off? On.  I will be really sad when/if the answer to this changes... thank goodness for freezing temps which equal less swelling.  

What I Miss? Sleeping on my stomach. 

Symptoms?  My back has been hurting a little but I think it may have had to do with the variety of beds that I was sleeping on while at home.  I also have to go to the bathroom a LOT more...Baby Girl sits on my bladder.   

Happy or Moody? Happy!  We have gotten a LOT done in the nursery and it makes my heart happy to see it all coming together!  I find myself just hanging out in her room, touching her clothes, reading through her books, and daydreaming about her being here.  Kyle asked me tonight if I'll just stare at her in the room once she arrives...well duh.  Isn't this what every first time Momma does?  

  

Best Moment of the Week? 

- Oh my, there are too many to name.  Being at home with all of our siblings and parents was such a blessing.  We were able to spend quality time visiting with just about everyone back home.  It was fun to know that the next time we head back to the South Suzanna Grace will be with us!  AH! 

-Christmas with Kyle...on New Years day.  Perhaps this will be our family tradition as long as we are traveling back to MS over the actual holiday. Suzanna Grace received lots of precious baby books to add to her collection.  She gave both Kyle and me a gift certificate for a massage, Kyle received a golf GPS thingie, and I received a beautiful bracelet with Suzanna Grace's monogram on it.  Poor Kyle had to witness uncontrollable tears as I read her precious books and wore the bracelet.  My heart was/is so full.

  

I LOVE a children's book and these are just precious.  I read at least one to her each night. AHH I cannot wait for storytime when she gets here! 

-Auntie Booze sent us a fun onsie and booties too.  Funny enough when I daydream about Suzanna Grace I see myself as a baby and then picture a mixture of Kyle and me...but mostly me.  Mini-GA...LOVE it!

- We also LOVED spending time with friends on New Years Eve.  These folks are such blessings in our lives.  

Kyle, GA, Ashlee, Lesley, Geoff, and Napper

-I wish that I had documented New Years day but you know your friends are family when you can share New Years lunch and a nap together.  At one point Kyle and Geoff were snoring in unison.  Sweet friends and full bellies. 

    

Looking forward to... 

Suzanna Grace's Baby Shower over MLK weekend.  My Daddy is going to bring all of the nursery furniture that he has built for us too!  Hooray!

I mean...how precious is this invite.  Keith, Rene's husband, wanted to know if it was a wedding invitation.  It is just perfect and I cannot wait!

-Also this weekend marks our first baby prep class.  We are taking a tour of the maternity part of the hospital on Sunday.  I am excited to see it and ask questions.  Kyle wants to know why we can't take an online tour.  He claims that he has learned everything via YouTube thus far and that he can learn about deliveries (all that he cares to know beforehand) and newborn care online.  We'll see. 

Sweet things and Life in General:

 

Thank you Lord for Glazed and Infused donuts.  Since I was one of only a handful of Chicago folks who woke up feeling GOOD on New Years day I ventured out in the snow to grab some of these yummy treats.  I just "sampled" a little from all four.

  I leapt for joy tonight as I filled in our 2014 calendar when I saw that not only will we have had daylight savings but SPRING will also have just arrived by the time Suzanna Grace gets here at the end of March.  It snowed for two days straight here in Chicago (take a look at the snow on our porch) and it's going to get down into the single digits by Sunday.  YIKES!  

Okay, ya'll, do Mommas really use this?  I know it has a filter but sucking the snot out with your mouth?!?  As gross as it is, I am pretty sure that I registered for it...Angela says that it won't be her gift of choice for SG and I am hoping that they just send us home from the hospital with that bulb thingie.  

Happy Weekend!

XOXO

Christmas Photo Dump

I am so behind on blogging all that has been going on that this post is just going to be a quick iPhone photo dump.  Sometimes stories are best told through pictures anyways...

Suzanna Grace's glamor shot on my Momma's picture tree.

Traditional Christmas Eve gathering with the Rays, Moores, and Dahlems.  Church at First Baptist and then a tenderloin and veggies supper.  We missed Rob and Angela who were in the midst of their 15 hour drive back to MS from WI...in a blizzard. 

Handsome little brother, Duff. 

      

 

Kyle and I rotate who's house we stay at but because the Moore brothers like to sleep a bit later than the Ray crew and MA and Timmy leave after breakfast we always go to my house to exchange gifts first.  

-We were so proud of Mrs. Jeane's Pinterest Monkey Bread that was such a success!

-The boys had to load up the custom piece of furniture that Daddy build for Mr. Timmy before Christmas celebrations could begin. 

-Last Christmas as a family of TWO.  (Don't you just love the mantel full of Nutcrackers?!)

-Matching Mommy and newborn jammies for SG and me in the hospital.  This may have been my favorite gift!  And yes, Kyle will put the robe on for a picture so that we can all three be matching! 

 Rob and me admiring baby jammies.  He is clearly mocking me. 










Duff, Kyle, GA, MA, Timmy, Rob, and Angela on Christmas morning

 

 

After breakfast at Momma and Daddy's, MA and Timmy headed to Marks and we headed to Kyle's parents for Christmas with the Moore's.  Mrs. Jeane had the perfect sparkly pink stocking for Suzanna Grace and it was filled to the brink with precious happies for her.  Baby Ryan joked that this Christmas was all about SG and I think that I would have to agree!  

-Kyle and me with her stocking. 

- Kyle opening her gift from Bryson--a jacket and handmade moccasins from Nepal!  Everyone wished that they too were able to wear the comfy looking shoes!  

-Kyle knows that he is already in over his head with girlie outfits and such.

-Bryson decided that he needed to help open gifts for SG.

  -Precious goodies and dresses from Mrs. Jeane (Sissy) for SG.  PINK Ugg boots and clothes to last her a year.  Thank you Sissy!  

**The following day as I went to leave for my parents house Mrs. Jeane told me that I could leave the box of clothes at her house.  I told her that I wanted to take them with me so that I could look at them...to which to replied that she wanted me to leave them so that she could continue to look at them too ;)  SG, you are loved girlie!

 I hit up a few post Christmas sales around Madison too.  As I reasoned with Kyle, it's either full price next Christmas or 1/2 price now...I mean, I could not pass these up. 

On Friday, Momma and I ventured to Pontotoc to celebrate Christmas with the Duff Family. MA, Timmy, Rob, and Angela met us there while Daddy, Duff, and Kyle could not make it.  (I told Kyle that this may be his last year to have the option of staying back in Madison so he enjoyed the day golfing and spending time with his Dad and having a fun supper with his Momma.)  We played Minute to Win It games and enjoyed a traditional Christmas supper.  We so enjoyed spending time with our sweet GanGan. 

My babysitters growing up surprised us with gifts for Suzanna Grace while we were at home too.  I smiled ear to ear as I opened the gorgeous dresses and we talked about all of the funny times that we shared with Rebecca and Emily growing up.  Needless to say, Suzanna Grace is going to be the best dressed little girl in Chicago. 

 Beautiful wrapping                   Grandmothers admiring sweet baby clothes

"Remember how Rob wanted that bathtime Barbie for his 3rd birthday...Remember the time MA got her belly button stuck in the zipper..." 

A baby robe?!?! I LOVE it!!!

 

-Daddy B checking out the oh so soft baby clothes.  

-Showing off her toddler Lilly Pulitzer place setting. 

While my pictures mostly show the material gifts that were exchanged, we also spent a lot of time giving thanks to the good Lord for the best gift of all...the birth of His Son, THE reason for the season.  Being pregnant put a whole new perspective on Christmas and I found myself tearing up throughout many of our activities.  We are so, so very blessed.

Thank you Ray and Moore parents and siblings (plus the "Ezell girls" and Mrs. Laurie) for all of our wonderful gifts for SG and for giving of your time to us over the past several days.  We love you!

XOXO