29 weeks

Today : 29 weeks + 4 days

Weight Gain :  18.5 lbs ... I feel like I have been packing it on the last few weeks, but my belly is growing and it's pretty obvious that Samson is getting big. We also may or may not have a pumpkin shaped candy dish filled with goodies on the counter. Whatever.

Maternity Clothes : Obviously. Can I get an amen for leggings? All day, every day. 

Stretch marks : No. People keep telling me that it's bound to happen since my belly is growing so much, so fast, but I haven't seen any yet. Hopefully they don't ever make an appearance before OR after Samson's arrival. Fingers crossed!

However, my belly button is this.close to no longer being an innie... and it is freaking me out. Will it ever be the same? It's okay to lie to me if necessary.

Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Frappucino ... such a yummy treat!

Sleep : Will never be the same. One, I'm a grade A pumpkin smuggler at this point and a back sleeper by nature. I've succumbed to sleeping on my side, but it is not nearly as comfortable for me. Two, Sunday marked the onset of some pretty awesome carpal tunnel symptoms: numbness, tingling, decreased grip strength and PAIN. Oh my gosh. From my hands up to my shoulders.. No matter what I do it wakes me up every few hours. Pray for me!

Also, I ended up working 5 days in a row.. which is a BIG stretch from my normal 2 days on, 5 days off routine. I know, I know.. rough. BUT, it really did interfere with my already changed sleep schedule (especially since one of those days I worked 3rd shift). 

Sickness : I occasionally get some pretty bad reflux, I attribute that to my rapidly decreasing stomach capacity. Thankfully very rarely do I get heartburn.. But, I did have to cancel some plans last weekend because it was so bad. 

Movement : Yep! I'm starting to get to the point where I can definitely distinguish body parts. It's fun and sometimes painful. I'm convinced our little man is trying to make his way out of my belly button, but his (getting more frequent) swift kicks to the bladder remind me he does know what direction is up and what direction is down. Maybe we should have expected it, we named our little boy after the strongest man in the Bible.

Kisses from Cash as he helped me pick out the fabric for Sam's room.

 Cravings : Corn dogs. For the record, I haven't had any... yet.

Exciting happenings : A lot of extra work at the hospital this week. After that, I got to spend some time with one of my best friends, Holli, as well as my mom. 

Also, I FINALLY picked out the main fabric for Samson's room! I had to e-mail the designer to ask if she would be able to flip the design 90 degrees for me so it would work out for the project I have in mind, her response was seriously lightning fast and a big fat yes. Hallelujah! Can't wait to get my hands on this and get to work!

Fabric by Eloisa D. for natitys design on Spoonflower

28 weeks

Today : 28 weeks 4 days

Weight Gain : 16.5 lbs ... maybe 17 lbs. Depends on if you weigh me before or after ice cream.

Maternity Clothes : Yes, I am so thankful for those elastic sided shirts. This belly is starting to look like it belongs in a diagram of a solar system. 

Stretch marks : Nope.

Sleep : I've been waking up really early and taking a long morning nap with Cash after Aaron leaves for work. Awesome. 

Sickness : Reflux at night.. thankfully no heart burn or nausea though.

Movement : Yes. I have really noticed Samson responding regularly to things going on outside my belly. When my hands (or laptop) are resting on my stomach, he'll poke or kick me. If I'm laying on my left or right side, he'll push HARD towards the side down. Pretty awkward feeling. He loves to dance on my bladder when Justin Timberlake is playing but, country music seems to have the opposite affect. Hopefully that's a sign that he'll be lulled to sleep with country music radio like his cousins Annalyn & Emelina.

Cravings : Apparently caramel truffles... I didn't realize that happened until I got home from the grocery store. They are both delicious though, I promise.

Exciting happenings : This week has been so busy for Aaron, so I feel like it just flew by. We are so excited to meet our son, but I think we both would appreciate it if time slowed down just a little.

Cash caused quite a bit of drama halfway through the week with a sudden onset of ridiculous sickness and a trip to the vet. He's on the mend though, don't worry.

Hopefully next week I'll be able to finally pick some fabric for the crib skirt, curtains and teepee I plan on making for the nursery. I was far too scatter brained this week to make it happen. However, I was not too busy to check out some cute baby things. So far I have only bought one toy and one package on onesies for Samson, but I can feel my will power slipping! Check out how cute these things are & you'll understand why... feast your eyes on some of my favorites.

26 weeks

Today : 26 weeks + 4 days

Weight Gain :  14.5 lbs … seriously. Whoa, belly ;)

Maternity Clothes : It’s officially fall, which means leggings and boots. I’m still wearing my regular leggings/yoga pants but maternity tops are a yes... and often.

Stretch marks : Nope… but I’m sure feeling stretched. The past 2 weeks have felt like HUGE growth weeks for both Samson and me, according to pregnancy apps he’s 2 lbs + now.

Sleep : Starting to deal with some insomnia. Which is really not fun. It’s extra time for devotionals and browsing for fun mama accounts on Instagram though, so I’m not complaining… yet.

Sickness:  No, dealing with less heartburn/reflux this week too. Holla!

Movement: Samson’s has been flipping the other direction lately and kicking my internal organs more often than my belly button, which is a really weird feeling. He also tends to favor curling up in a little ball, mostly on my right side so my stomach looks lopsided pretty frequently.

Cravings: No. This week has actually been a really good week eating wise. I’m eating more good stuff and less junk. There have been a few days that I have been totally famished… which is which why I think both Samson and I are going to have a growth spurt. Don't worry though, I had a Dr Pepper one day and some donuts this morning.. all is right in the world.

Exciting happenings: We started some baby registries this week! Registering was fun, but fairly overwhelming.  For such a little human, babies come with a lot of stuff, yikes! If you have any good ideas, send them our way!

I read that Samson’s eyes are opening and he can see and respond to light outside my belly.  I put a flashlight up to my stomach and sure enough, ninja kicks and rolls. This baby is active and kind of crazy, Lord help us.

Boston Scream and Pumpkin Donut with a Hot Chocolate

Cash is getting excited to meet this baby everyone keeps talking about

24 weeks

Today : 24 weeks 5 days

Weight Gain : 11.5 lbs

Maternity Clothes : It's a pretty good mix at this point. I'm still small enough to fit in to most of my own shirts, but big enough to fit in to some maternity shirts. The maternity jeans have been doing me a solid for a few weeks now, but I still wear my own yoga pants and sweats. 

Stretch marks : Nope

Sleep : Sleeping more normally since I gave up on the extra pillows, although if Samson is awake, it's only a matter of time before I join the party. 

Sickness : Nada

Movement : Yep, every day. Samson seems to have a fairly consistent sleeping/awake pattern and certain times of day (or night, if you read my last post) seem to be when he is most active. A few days ago I made a video of my stomach moving, I can't imagine how much crazier it is going to look as he gets bigger. Maybe I'm just easily entertained, but I love to poke my belly and watch him kick back. 

Cash pretends he doesn't like sprinkle donut Mondays.

Cravings : My diet is fairly balanced and I try to be very conscious of making healthy choices when it comes to my food most of the time. I definitely notice myself splurging more often than normal, but I really am ok with that. To me that means I'm drinking a Dr. Pepper every few days, having a donut or two once a week, and having treats occasionally that I wouldn't normally have.  I'm still eating lean meat, vegetables, fruit and all the good stuff. I'm not craving anything crazy or doing anything nuts like eating an entire package of Oreos... for now.

How cute is this little girl? Good grief.

Exciting happenings : 24 weeks is the age of viability! It's also the beginning of our 6th month of pregnancy... 4 more months to go!  Aaron traveled for work this week and I got to tag along for the ride. We ended up spending some time with my cousin Elizabeth, her husband Ryan and their little girl Reese. We always have such a good time with them and it's really exciting to think soon enough Samson will be able to join in on the fun! 

Samson also got some fun stuff this week and Cash was nice enough to model them for everyone. Thanks Kami & E! 

Cash heard these were for "the baby," hope he doesn't take it too hard in January...

23 weeks

Today : 23 weeks 5 days

Weight Gain : 10 lbs ... in the morning, before breakfast ... and clothes. Who knows what the scale might say after a donut or two though...

Maternity Clothes : My normal shirts can still stretch over my belly but, holy guacamole no way am I fitting into my skinny jeans anymore. Why am I not one of those blessed women who starts to grow a basketball under my shirt and nothing else? My hips and butt may never, ever be the same.

Cash is tired of hearing about my pregnancy butt.

Stretch marks : Nope

Sleep : Not as easy as it used to be! It has definitely helped to have the cooler weather at night though, I love the cool, crisp air of fall. 

Sickness : Nope

Movement : Yep. Strongest kick yet happened this week following a bowl of ice cream.. Aaron saw it from the other side of the couch. I have a feeling that Samson's going to be one strong little boy!

Cravings : My doctor was totally cool with my obsession with Dr. Pepper, so that's awesome. No crazy urges this week, but I've partaken in iced coffee from Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.  We also tried a new recipe for Browned Butter Snickerdoodles.  Side note: if you aren't browning your butter before you bake, you are missing out. I learned this trick the year we got married. It changes everything and is totally worth your time. 

Black coffee with pumpkin spice syrup from Starbucks. And Camo. Hello Fall!

Exciting happenings : Everything is measuring right on track and looking good according to my doctor.   My mom and I tried out some gliders at a local furniture store and then Aaron & I tried out a few more at Babies R Us a few days later. Still haven't picked one... it seems like such a big decision! Super crazy to imagine rocking our baby in one of them in a few months.