BumpDate: 36 Weeks

How far along: 36 WEEKS 

Feeling: Great!! But not so great at night…

Maternity Clothes: No- I have been lazy this week after recouping from my cold. So I’ve been in yoga pants and T’s. Easy.

Sleep: Sleep is not that great…Once I’m asleep it’s Fabulous. It’s the falling asleep part that gets me. Now that I have about 26 days to go, my back hurts and I’m having Braxton Hicks, false contractions. And Baby So is ALWAYS awake and kicking during this time. I try to breathe threw them, but I always end up in tears. Ralph is awesome and he will rub my belly and it puts Soph to sleep EVERY time!  

Best moment of the week? Spending time with Ralph. Gosh I love that guy! He is my all-time high, as good as it gets **In the words of Blake. So I can’t even fathom the love I will have for him and Sophia when she arrives. 

 

Movement: Always, my spicy little poppy girl.  

Food cravings: Nothing- but Ralph and I BOTH have been loving Fresh City and Boloco’s so we usually pack the dogs up and go on a Saturday Night “Date” and pick up food and eat our stir fry or wraps outside! It’s such a beautiful drive because the leaves are changing to reds, yellows and orange! I love the fall and it’s exciting to look forward to our little tradition we have got going on for the past 4 months!

Food aversions:  None.

Belly button in or out? In. Doesn’t seem like it’s going to pop out either, which I’m happy about because I’m sure it would have freaked me out!

Rings off or on?: On. With 26 days until she arrives I’m not sure I’m going to have to take off my rings. Which makes me Happy Happy Happy! I love looking at my big Rock and envisioning saying “I Do”…to think on this date next year I will be Married to the best love I have ever known. There are no words. October 4, 2014!!!!!!!!!!  

Goals for Next Week: Finishing getting any last minute things done. I’m officially done with work in 2 weeks! And the BIG NEWS that I spoke of months prior is becoming a reality. I’M TAKING A YEAR OFF!!!! I will be tutoring 10 of my students in two block sessions of 45 minutes (5 students each) so I will be “working” for 90 minutes a week, but basically not working.  Then it’s off to teach 6^th Grade, god willing. I’m playing it by ear for now but that is kind of where we stand as of now…and I think Ralph is happy to have a stay at home bride to be. Maybe if I master clean house, happy baby/dogs and Dinner he won’t want me to go back EVER  ;) HaHaHa we will see about that.

What I miss: Piping HOT Jacuzzi Baths in our Master Bathroom, with candles lit, Godiva chocolates, freezing Cold Ice Water in my pink LL Bean bottle, essential oils *Lavender and Eucalyptus (5 drops of each), mud mask on and Netflix Movie’s playing! *Yes I did this often before we found out I was pregnant, 3-4 times a week!!! I love to pamper myself and Ralph loves to be able to watch his truck/logging shows in peace ;)

 
What I'm looking forward to: Having a Family!! Ralph and I have dreamed of this day…We love every aspect about Family life.   

Milestones: The house is ready for her!

Thoughts: Just excitement and NERVES. I’m for sure a wimp, I got a flu shot today at my Doctors appointment and I may have cried, OK I DID!!! The nurses and doctors there get a kick out of me but I was Positive that if I got this flu shot I would end up with some weird reaction or ailment and end up like that girl on youtube that can only walk backwards after getting a flu shot! I didn’t want to be injected with some freaky virus from Guatemala and die! They quickly assured me that NO I would not end up walking backwards, it was NOT from Guatemala and I would be just fine!! I may need to bring all the girls there gift baskets as well as the hospital staff when I go into labor! Although they did say they always look forward to me coming in…I think its because they get a good laugh! HaHaHa

And Top Baby Blogs did their annual "resets" so every vote went back to ZERO, boo! So If you would all Vote for me again to get back in the Top 20 I would be SUPER HAPPY!!! It takes two seconds I Promise ;) Click the box on the left and the first Owl. THANK YOU :)

My Baby Shower

               Pink Chevron Baby Shower

No detail was overlooked at my “Baby Girl Chevron Baby Shower”, styled and planned by the mom-to-be (ME) along with the help of my sweet friend Crystal. I absolutely love pink, and crystal thought it would be fun to incorporate the Chevron Print that I have Sophia's Nursery set up in. Which I thought was a fabulous idea!!  My mom ordered the invitations Via: Vista Print (which I thought were super cute). She designed the invitations herself with the help of templates, creating a simple, lovely design that set the tone for this classically styled event. 

The Venue which was at The Coachman’s Lodge was Enchanting. It was held in the Beautiful Bartlett Room. They have Amazing outside grounds with a pond, Arbor and two Gazebos. Which Ralph and I we were able to walk after the shower. We decided to go with a Sunday Breakfast Buffet, Breakfast or brunch baby showers are gaining popularity as I’ve noticed.  Sunday morning showers enable the guests to come, visit, enjoy the shower, and then have the rest of the day to take care of their other responsibilities. Plus I wanted to be able to have the rest of the day to get organized ;) Which seriously felt like Christmas Morning! And serving guests a baby shower buffet can take the worry out of finding the perfect shower foods. Buffets can include a variety of choices that are sure to please everyone at the shower. Which I think worked out really well…The food was delicious and there was a wide variety, the servers were on their toes and continued to bring out hot food as it started to get low. The chef whom I met prior was so professional and I truly loved the atmosphere. I also liked that the servers were dressed in pant suits and tuxes; it gave it that “feel” I was really looking for. 

Crystal found inspiration in the pink and gray color palette from my baby’s nursery and added some sparkle with the gorgeous chevron and Pink linens that we were able to request from the venue. The chevron pattern was also picked up from various paper goods vendors from Etsy. Lovely Balloon arrangements created by a Pinterest inspired project complemented the table design beautifully, along with the irresistible treats from Crystal that were displayed on the most beautiful Wooden stand, built by her dad! Guests also enjoyed  yummy Fresh lemonade, with sliced fresh lemons (that was supposed to be PINK but worked well being yellow with the pink stripped straws purchased from Etsy) along with shower activities that included a fun Bingo game where the first two guest were able to win mini gift baskets and a fun “Wishes for Baby” that were filled out by every guest… Brilliant idea, and I will cherish those forever (Thank You Crystal) I read them all with Ralph that night and some made me ball and others made me laugh hysterically! Thank you all for your sweet thoughts to Baby Sophia!! 

Every seat was headed with place settings from Martha Stewart, and was lined with a light cream trim, it was fun putting silly names on a few and I knew my family and friends would get a kick out of it. One thing that I completely overlooked was hiring a photographer. As the weeks approached I became so overwhelmed (maybe that is why “Moms To Be” have it as a surprise!) but I LOVE details and I just couldn’t handle not being involved, control freak (I know!) Luckily my friend Crystal saw my distress and completely took the reins…Because Y’all know I would have never asked for help! She called me up, amidst my tears and said everything is taken care of! In disbelief I sat on the phone as she ran down the line of details already accomplished, she must have ran around to 20 different stores, online for hours and baking for days! I was handed a “To Do” list of remaining things to get done and it was pulled off!! I am forever grateful!! My mom, soon to be mother in law, Crystal, Sandra and Sandra’s sweet mom met at the Venue and we finished the set up and we were ready to Rock and Roll!!! 

As my family, friends and extended family started to roll in I couldn’t help but think how much LOVE baby Sophia will be surrounded by! Thank you Everyone who came out to celebrate with me, We are truly blessed. 

Ralph and Anthony (Ralph’s Bestfriend and Sophia’s Godfather) arrived the last 30 minutes to say Hello to Guest, Eat and Pack up the Trucks. SHE WAS SPOILED, for sure!! Crystal in a blink of an eye had the entire room and all my supplies packed up in my car, and Ralphie & T had the truck loaded up and we were off!! We all met at my house and literally put away everything in one hour! Well the boys watched the Patriots game which happened to fall on the same time as the Baby Shower Ending (they were good sports about it though) So Crystal, my mom and I put EVERYTHING away!! Minus the big boxes of stuff that Ralph built that night! Overall, it was a Beautiful Morning/Day and I wouldn’t have changed a thing!

Party Credits: 

* Styling: Sarah and Crystal

* Photography: Totally forgot about this aspect…Luckily I had my camera and I was able to get     pictures from my guest! But wanted to hire someone :/

* Baby Shower Chevron Printables: Etsy

* Cake, Cupcakes, Pops & Sweets: Crystal and I

* Dessert Stand: Custom made by Crystal’s Father, Yes he is a Genius!

* Center Piece Arrangements: Crystal found this whole concept on Pinterest, she bought white fences at the craft store and I purchased tissue paper and balloons and Walla! Seriously the easiest and cutest center pieces ever!! I wasn’t able to find butterflies for the strings but they still came out super cute!

* Baby Shower Decorations: My mom picked up the cutest stuff for the past few months so we kinda just winged it when we arrived as to what we were going to put where.

* Thanks for Poppin’ By Favors: Etsy, Crystal!

*Baby Shower Bingo in Chevron print and Wishes for Baby: Etsy, another amazing find by Crystal!!

*Straws & Chevron cupcake Liners/toppers: Etsy

* Top Cake “S” Sophia topper: AcMoore

*Venue: The Coachman’s Lodge, Hosted by Donna & Sharon (THANK YOU “Mom’s”)

*Dress: Jessica Simpson Maternity from Destination Maternity

*Hair: Personal Professional Hair Dresser (aka my MOM)  

♥♥♥

HUGE thanks to Crystal and all her fabulous work, from baking, running around, hours of searching online, to favors and everything in between, everything came together for this most stunning of Baby Showers, and for gracing My Shower with your beyond gorgeous ideas and inspiring work! ♥

Top Baby Blogs did their Annual "Reset" so all Voting went back down to Zero, Boo! I would love if you all Voted and got me into the top 20 again!! THANK YOU ALL!!! xo

BumpDate: 34 & 35 Weeks

How far along: 34 WEEKS two weeks ago…It’s been a crazy two weeks! Everything with Baby Soph is Fabulous…This Momma not so great, I’m sick! 

Feeling: Today, Great! If I wrote this at 34 weeks I would have said awful. I had a really bad cold!

Maternity Clothes: Both maternity and regular.

Sleep: Sleep is good now, but not fun with a cold.

Best moment of the week? My BEAUTIFUL BABY SHOWER, this was on Sunday…So I was fine then. I got a cold on Monday. So I guess 34 weeks was a good week, wow, I’m all over the place hahaha

Movement: YES!

Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions:  None.

Belly button in or out? In.

Rings off or on?: On.

Goals for Next Week: I didn’t achieve any; I just laid around in bed and on the couch.

What I miss: Being able to move around freely, it’s hard to do anything being BIG!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Little Sophia!!!  and finally doing my review from an Awesome Company that sent me some pretty Rad clothes...and is giving one of my Lucky followers a $50 dollar Gift Card!!!

Milestones: The house is ready for her!

Thoughts: I'm going to add week 35 from Friday, because I'm that far behind ;) 

 How far along: 35 WEEKS on Friday…As of TODAY October 1, 2013, I have 29 Days until her Halloween Due Date!!! TWENTY NINE DAYS!!!! I still can’t believe it!  

Feeling: Fabulous, for the first time in a week, I had the worst cold! Praying that Ralph doesn’t get it just in case Sophia makes an early debut!

Maternity Clothes: Both maternity and regular. I really didn’t have to go to crazy with maternity clothes, I guess that is a perk of being pregnant during the Summer! Dresses were my life saver, and now that October is officially here I thought I would have to buy some fall maternity clothes…Thank you New England, this week 76* and later in the week 80’s! HaHa this time two years ago I think October 15^th we had SNOW! So I think I’m done with the maternity clothes.

Sleep: Sleep is good now, but not fun with a cold. It does take me a while to get comfortable. From 8pm to around 11pm is the worst. Not sure why but I’m in pain and achy. I usually cry and Ralph is always trying to comfort me but it’s so uncomfortable with a big belly, backache and false contractions. I have a feeling I will go into labor around that time.

Best moment of the week? Watching Ralph build a TON of baby gear!! Our house is flooded with the most amazing baby accessories. Everything is built, plugged in our loaded with batteries. Baby Soph certainly has her options of things to hang in around the house!

Movement: YES! Usually around that 8-11pm

Food cravings: Nothing

Food aversions:  None.

Belly button in or out? In. Doesn’t seem like it’s going to pop out either, which I’m happy about because I’m sure it would have freaked me out!

Rings off or on?: On. With 29 days until she arrives I’m not sure I’m going to have to take off my rings.

Goals for Next Week: Have all her new clothes from her baby shower washed, and hopefully finding a spot to put them…I wonder how Ralph would feel about Sophia moving into his closet. She isn’t even here yet and she is taking over Daddy’s ONE closet. Her momma has the other 5 in the house!! Soph and I have WAY to many clothes!

What I miss: Energy! 

 
What I'm looking forward to: Seeing Little Sophia!!!  

Milestones: The house is ready for her!

Thoughts: TIME FLIES! And Top Baby Blogs did their annual "resets" so every vote when back to ZERO, boo! So If you would all Vote for me again to get back in the Top 20 I would be SUPER HAPPY!!!