Pregnancy Files {The Bump Week 31}

Best moment this week: This week has been a whirlwind so please excuse my doctor's office selfie as my 31 week bump picture that is really me at the beginning of 32 weeks, oops. I actually like it because it captures so much of what pregnancy is...living in between the moments of doctor's visits, praying everything is growing at the right pace, smiling so big when you hear your baby's heartbeat. So the best moment of my week was lying on the bed in the doctor's office and listening to Aiden's heartbeat then hearing the doctor say that everything is looking great and right on track!

Food cravings: I've eaten more Chinese take out the last two weeks than ever before. Someone please stop me. 

Movement: He's been moving around a lot and when I set things on my stomach they won't stay there any more as he has been kicking them off. So funny. He is also hiccuping daily. I love it.


Symptoms: Things like putting my shoes on, picking things up off the floor and sitting upright for long periods of time comfortably are getting more and more difficult especially since some part of Aiden is camped out under my rib cage. We went to a movie the other night and I just could not sit still. I kept having to change positions to try and get comfortable. 

Nursery: This week we finally got around to doing a few more things in the nursery. We got take out Friday night and took it back to the house then it was operation Aiden's room. Drew hung up a new clothing rod in the closet, mounted curtain tie backs, we hung our mobile and I washed and sorted a bunch of baby clothes! It is so fun and surreal to see baby clothes in our washer. So tiny and adorable!!

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
I always look forward to hearing your heartbeat at each doctor's appointment. It is such an incredible sound and it makes me so happy to hear!! 9 more weeks until we get to see you and feel your heartbeat ourselves. Your Dad is coaching his first football game this week and I can't wait to go and watch. We can't wait to see what kinds of things you are interested in!!
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
This week has been a busy one. I'm trying to make time slow down by soaking up every moment of this pregnancy. This week I have a few people on my heart to pray for. Specifically couples who are struggling to conceive and want it so badly. I'm thankful everyday for Aiden growing inside me, but I know it is not an easy journey for everyone. Help comfort those couples who are trying, give them wisdom and patience and most importantly help them to trust in your perfect timing and your plan for their lives and for their family. Thank you for knowing and caring about every detail of our lives.
Amen. 

1 Peter 1:6
"Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead."

          Week 14 Bumpdate                          Week 15 Bumpdate                          Week 16 Bumpdate 

         Week 17 Bumpdate                          Week 18 Bumpdate                          Week 19 Bumpdate 

    Week 20 Bumpdate                          Week 21 Bumpdate                          Week 22 Bumpdate 

    Week 23 Bumpdate                          Week 24 Bumpdate                          Week 25 Bumpdate

    Week 26 Bumpdate                          Week 27 Bumpdate                          Week 28 Bumpdate

    Week 29 Bumpdate                          Week 30 Bumpdate                          Week 31 Bumpdate

Things I don't want to forget...

There are so many sweet moments that come and go during a pregnancy. Time is going so incredibly fast and then there's that thing called pregnancy brain so here are some things I don't want to forget...

//How hard Drew worked stripping paint & refinishing old furniture that belonged to his Dad for Aiden's nursery

//Picking out the accent wall color and putting on the first coat

//Putting together our crib and mini table and chair set

//Sharing in the joys of pregnancy with dear friends

//A sweet blog friend who showed up to our date bearing baby gifts and great advice

//How excited I was to get my Snoogle in the mail

//A dear friend who helped me register

//How much Sawyer loves hanging out in Aiden's room

//My first shower thrown by my old coworkers

//Special visits from my sweet cousins

//Knowing I have people praying regularly for me and Aiden

And how incredibly loved I feel every day by my friends, family, coworkers and sweet baby boy as he kicks and punches my insides...haha. I truly have loved almost every second of this pregnancy! Less than 10 week to go!

Pregnancy Files {The Bump Week 30}

Best moment this week: Hands down the best moment of the week was my shower. My sweet sister in laws threw me the best shower. I felt so loved and Aiden is already one spoiled boy.

Food cravings: Sweets? Yes please.

Movement:  He is moving around quite a bit as he gets bigger and bigger. He is a whopping 3 pounds right now. Crazy.

Symptoms: My poor back...it hurts...all the time. It's getting harder and harder to feel comfortable sitting or laying down.

Nursery: I now have all my wall decor thanks to my very talented sister in law who painted them for me. I have been rearranging them like crazy and plan to hang them with her this weekend. Once the walls aren't so bare I feel like it will really start to feel like a baby could actually move right in.

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
You are one loved little boy already! Your Aunts threw a party for you and me this weekend and it was absolutely over the top. They had all the guests fill out a "Wishes for Aiden" paper and I loved filling it out and thinking about all the things I hope you grow to love about yourself and this world. You are already so loved and so many people just can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
I'm so thankful for such amazing support. This pregnancy has shown me how truly loved I am. I know Aiden will have such a strong support system when he gets here and that is such a blessing. Help me to continue counting my blessings as I get more and more tired and uncomfortable these last few months.
Amen. 

Colossians 3:14
"And over all these virtues put on LOVE which binds them all together in perfect unity."

          Week 14 Bumpdate                          Week 15 Bumpdate                          Week 16 Bumpdate 

         Week 17 Bumpdate                          Week 18 Bumpdate                          Week 19 Bumpdate 

    Week 20 Bumpdate                          Week 21 Bumpdate                          Week 22 Bumpdate 

    Week 23 Bumpdate                          Week 24 Bumpdate                          Week 25 Bumpdate

    Week 26 Bumpdate                          Week 27 Bumpdate                          Week 28 Bumpdate

Rocking a Muumuu like my Mom...

I remember a few months back reading the book Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy and laughing hysterically when she was talking about her strong desire to wear a muumuu. You get to the point in your pregnancy when you just want to be super comfortable, hence her wanting a muumuu. I was looking at some pictures recently of my mom when she was pregnant with me. She could rock a muumuu I tell ya...

So when eShakti contacted me about reviewing a dress I picked the most muumuu like dress I could find because it just sounded fantastic. I received my dress in in the mail, added a skinny belt and wore it out that night. It is the most comfortable dress ever especially for a pregnant gal.

The material is breathable, the pattern and detailing is fun and makes me feel like my mom totally could have worn this dress when she was pregnant with me. My other favorite thing about this dress is that it has pockets. Who doesn't love a dress with pockets?

eShakti does a great job customizing orders. I requested the length of the dress be knee length, which was longer than the actual dress shown on their website and I love how it turned out.

 So here's the question of the day...would you rock a muumuu?

You can get 10% off your eShakti order now through 9/19 by using the code: nestfulofloves

To connect with eShakti you can like them on Facebook or check out their Pinterest page

While I did receive this dress for free, all opinions are my own.

Woodland Shower | The cutest baby shower ever

This weekend my sister in laws threw me the most amazing baby shower ever. I can not even put into words how much it meant to me. They put their hearts into every decoration, every recipe, every game...I am so blessed.

The weather the day of my shower was absolutely perfect. My shower was at Drew's family cabin on the river which was the perfect setting since the theme was woodsy. My sister in law, Carly painted every adorable woodsy creature you can imagine to use not only as decoration, but also for me to use in my nursery. Win, win. Here are a few pictures from the cutest shower I ever did see...

Aiden has the best Aunts ever and is already so well loved!

Husband approved meal {Shepherd's Pie}

It has been 2 months since I posted a recipe, which gives you an idea of just how much cooking has been going on around here these days. I've cooked here and there, but lately I'd rather be lying on the couch reading a book about babies or doing a nursery project than spend my time on my feet sweating in the kitchen. #sorryhusband
 
Well I learned the other day that one of my husband's favorite meals is one I had never ever cooked him and I started feeling guilty. The night before my husband's first day back at school I decided to make it up to him and finally make him Shepherd's pie. I turned to PW for help because I thought surely she'd have a wonderful Shepherd's pie, but I couldn't find one so I turned to Paula Deen's and friends she did not let me down.

My mom never made Shepherd's Pie growing up so I didn't know what to look for in a recipe, but I just assumed Paula Deen would know. So here's her recipe and let me just say that this Shepherd's pie is husband approved and now in my meal planning binder to be made again.

Ingredients:
1 small onion chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables (I used frozen vegetables that I thawed in the refrigerator beforehand)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 to 10 medium red new potatoes peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cups milk
12 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups instant biscuit mix (I used Bisquick)

Instructions:

Beef Layer: Saute onions in 2 tablespoons butter. Add ground beef. After beef is browned, add tomato sauce; Mix in vegetables. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

Potato Layer: Peel and slice potatoes 1/4-inch thick. Cook in boiling water for approximately 15 minutes or until fork-tender. Whip potatoes with electric mixer; mix until moderately smooth. Don't over beat them; a few lumps are nice. Add 1/2 cup heated milk, 1/2 cup butter, and sour cream. Salt and pepper, to taste. Whip until mixed. Adjust thickness by adding more milk, if desired.

Biscuit Layer: Combine biscuit mix and 1 cup milk. The mix should be thinner than normal biscuit mix but not runny.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Spray a 9x13 or any similar casserole dish. Layer half way up with the mashed potatoes. Next, spread a layer of the meat and mixed vegetables. Pour biscuit mix over meat and veggies. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and drizzle over top. Bake for approximately 35 to 45 minutes until top is golden brown.

Original recipe found here

Pregnancy Files: {The Bump Week 29}

Best moment this week: This week Drew and I had one last day date before he went back to school. We picked up some handmade stuffed animals for Aiden from a shop you will soon hear about then went to Drew's favorite toy store, King Arthur's Toys then ended the day with ice cream. Drew is a big kid at heart. Long before we were pregnant we would make stops at this toy store just for fun. It was so cute hearing him talk about all the toys he can't wait to buy and play with Aiden someday. It made my heart happy.

Food cravings: Nothing stands out this week, but I am noticing that it is not taking as much to fill me up lately.

Movement: Lots of moving and hiccups! I have been waiting to feel hiccups and was so excited when I felt them. It is the cutest thing ever.

Symptoms: I'm definitely growing quickly and can feel my tendons streeettcchinng. My back is also achy making finding a comfortable position to sleep very difficult. I still feel good overall though.

Nursery: My changing pad cover from ModFox came in the mail and I love it. I've had a few friends stop by this week so I can show them the progress of the nursery and I can't wait to actually start hanging things up on the wall this week! I also found a steal of a deal on curtains at Target! $9.00 a panel on Clearance and they are exactly what I was looking for! I hope to finish up the nursery soon and finally share some pictures.

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
I am getting more and more anxious to meet you. Your Dad has already bought you toys that you probably won't play with for years, but it is so cute watching him get ready for your arrival.  He is already your biggest fan. We can't wait to be parents and we already love you to pieces.

Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
Thank you for all the joy that Aiden has already brought me. Help him continue to form perfectly inside me. As I read books and pray about being his mama give me wisdom and peace. I know I have things to work on in myself to be a better wife and mother, help me see the specific areas that I need work and give me the strength to fix them with your power. I can't wait to be a mom.
Amen. 

1 John 4:13
"This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: he has given us of his Spirit."

          Week 14 Bumpdate                          Week 15 Bumpdate                          Week 16 Bumpdate 

         Week 17 Bumpdate                          Week 18 Bumpdate                          Week 19 Bumpdate 

    Week 20 Bumpdate                          Week 21 Bumpdate                          Week 22 Bumpdate 

    Week 23 Bumpdate                          Week 24 Bumpdate                          Week 25 Bumpdate

    Week 26 Bumpdate                          Week 27 Bumpdate                          Week 28 Bumpdate