Pregnancy Files 2 {The Bump Week 30}

Thankful Mama Shirt from Ezra and Eli

Well week 30 has come and gone, but I am bound and determined to finish a bump post (1 of 3 I've actually managed to finish writing this pregnancy, oops.)

Best Moment this Month: Sharing baby's name with the world and hearing Aiden say "baby Alder." I love how he says it. It just melts my Mama heart. I also 100% enjoyed "eating for two" this Thanksgiving. I know pregnancy hormones are crazy, but I was/am just feeling so incredibly thankful for all I've been given.

Food cravings: No real food cravings or aversions this pregnancy. I can always eat Chipotle, but that's not something new for me. ;)

Movement: So much movement! Alder is much more mobile than Aiden was. Aiden was all cozied up in one spot. He didn't move around nearly this much at this stage, but Alder is a different story. I'm constantly getting elbowed in the gut by this kid. Haha. I honestly do love being able to feel him move and attempt to guess what I feel jabbing out at me...his arm, leg, elbow, tiny booty? I love it.

Symptoms: Back pain and random leg cramps in the middle of the night. I still feel incredibly good for being in my 3rd trimester, I feel almost too good and am constantly doing more than I "should be," causing me to be exhausted by the end of each day. If you can complain about feeling good, I guess that's my only complaint.

Nursery: I told myself I'd never be "that Mom" who waited until her 3rd trimester to get the nursery together. I always just thought even with my second child that I'd have the nursery done quickly and just be able to relax and enjoy the 3rd trimester. Well I was wayyyyy wrong. Alder's nursery is starting to come together, but is not anywhere close to ready. We did buy a rug, dresser, crib and changing pad and we have paint colors picked out, but that's about it. We have a lot to do and I want it done by Christmas. Time to make a list of "honey-do's" for my husband...dun dun dun.

Letter for Baby:
Dear Alder,
I can't believe you have been growing inside me for 30 plus weeks now. Even though life is busy and crazy right now with me chasing around your big brother and your Daddy working and in grad school, I still think about you all the time. You are a miracle and you bring me so much joy already. I love feeling you move around and picturing what you will look like. I love the hope and anticipation that comes with meeting you in just two months. You are already very loved little boy.

Love,
Your Mama

Week 16 Bumpdate

                Week 22 Bumpdate

See my 30 week post with Aiden here.

Pregnancy Files 2: {The Bump Week 22}

*Check out my previous post for a chance to win $75 to PinkBlush. 

Giveaway ends tonight at Midnight!

Best Moment this week Month: Finding out that we were having another BOY! Drew and I are over the moon that Aiden is getting a brother and that we will be parents to two boys! (See our Gender Reveal Party details here).

Food cravings: Apples, Chipotle, Oreos (Up until now I haven't been craving sweets very much so now I'm in BIG trouble.)

Movement: Yes! The other night I had a sweet Starbucks drink and a fall treat and then went to the movies with a girlfriend. Baby went crazy with the sugar rush and then me being still for a full 2 hours. He was having a party in my belly. And Drew finally, finally felt him kick!

Symptoms: My back hurts a lot more this time around, probably because I'm carting around a toddler and growing a mini human at the same time. That kinda makes me sound like Superwoman, right?! I'm also feeling stretched, I wonder why? ;) And people finally know I'm pregnant just by looking at me now. More people have commented on my bump this week than throughout my entire pregnancy. I guess I have finally popped.

Nursery: Still decluttering, but I do have a nursery theme picked out and tons of ideas pinned...still no real progress though. We need to get on that.

Letter for Baby:
Dear Baby Boy,
Aiden and I got to hear your heartbeat today. It's just the best sound in the world. You are growing right on track and I love feeling you do flips in my belly. I know you can hear our voices now so in the time we have alone together I try to talk to only you.

Aiden now says your name and is getting excited about being a Big Brother. He points "you" aka the baby out in all our baby books that we have been reading and then points himself out as the Big Brother. I hope you two will be the best of friends. That is my prayer tonight.

Love,
Your Mama

Shirt from Declan+Crew

Week 16 Bumpdate

See my 22 week post with Aiden here.

First Trimester Rewind {The return of the bump}

Oh the first trimester. So much excitement and so many symptoms. When I was pregnant with Aiden, I honestly felt great in my first trimester. I was tired, but I was hardly nauseous at all and I slept really well right up to the very end (with a little help from my pregnancy pillow.) Don't hate me for that, because I've pretty much made up for it with this pregnancy. Nausea, insomnia, weight gain, oh my.  But I can't even be mad about it because every symptom means there's a baby that is growing inside of me and that fills me with so much joy.

So my first trimester included lots of eating (the only thing that made me feel less nauseous), taking naps with Aiden and reading in bed at 3AM when I couldn't sleep. There were doctors visits, our first ultrasound and the return of my bump, which has decided to pop out way earlier than last time. I personally am super excited about this (my pants are not so excited though so I got rid of them. Haha.) Here's my first trimester in pictures....

"So you're saying I am going to have to share you?!"

And of course a few weekly bump pictures! 

I have already come to terms with the fact that this time around I will not do a bump picture each week. I'm sure you're all super disappointed. Ha.

So all you Mamas out there with multiple kiddos, what are some must haves for Baby #2?

SaveSave

Big Brother Status

Baby Renner #2 is coming January 31st (ish), 2017!
We can hardly contain our joy and are so very thankful for this new blessing.

The Very Best Valentine's Gift

L is for Love shirt from The Blue Envelope

It was last year on Valentine's Day that I told Drew I was pregnant. I had known for 2 days and was exploding with happiness on the inside, but wanted to wait for the perfect moment to tell him. On Valentine's Day we ventured out in a snow storm to our favorite restaurant, had a nice dinner, came home and got cozy and then I shared the news that would change our lives forever.

It's so crazy to think back on all the things I was wondering back then...

I'm pregnant, now what? Will I have an easy pregnancy? Will we have a son or daughter? Am I going to be a good Mom? Who will our baby look like?

Now a year later instead of holding a positive pregnancy test, I am holding my baby boy. I am so thankful. Finding out about him was the best valentine's present ever!

Here are some things that I L-O-V-E about Aiden at 3 months:

I love how you look when you first wake up in the morning...morning stretches are the best

I love how you stare at me with those big dark eyes

I love the rolls on your thighs and arms

I love how you love hanging upside down

I love your coos

I love when you talk to me

I love your smile

I love the face you make when something surprises you

I love how much you love to splash around in the bath

I love your furrowed brow

I love that when you cry for something it sounds like you are calling for your Mama

I love your little toes

I love your big belly

I love your long fingers

I love the way you light up looking at your Daddy

I love how routine you are

I love looking over at you in the middle of the night and seeing you smile in your sleep

I love how much I miss you when we are apart

I love how you have turned our world upside-down in the best way possible

Why Harry Potter makes me think of being pregnant

Before I got pregnant, I never had any desire to read the Harry Potter books. When they came out, I wasn't interested in reading them or seeing the movies, but for some reason when I got pregnant I decided I wanted to jump on the Harry Potter train...aka the Hogwarts Express and I'm so glad I did!

I started reading the first book in the series when I was about 20 weeks pregnant and I couldn't stop. I was hooked. By the time I got to the 7th book, my due date had arrived.

I enjoyed the books so much that I even had my husband read me part of the 7th book in the delivery room! That and popsicles can only distract a pregnant gal so long though...

Harry Potter will always have a special place in my heart. It reminds me of days spent reading in Aiden's nursery and dreaming about the day he would be born. It reminds me of the day Aiden was born and how my sweet husband did everything he could to make it a peaceful day for me. It reminds me of the many hours I spent breastfeeding my tiny little newborn while carefully balancing my book on the Boppy pillow.

I can't wait to read these books with Aiden someday. I half expected him to come out with a lighting shaped scar on his forehead! Haha.

Now the big question is, how do you follow up a series like Harry Potter? 

What should I read next?

Help!

Pregnancy Files {The Bump Week 40!}

 {Sorry for two bump posts in a row, but I'm kind of over them and wanted to hit publish.}

So I did it. I somehow managed to take a bump picture every week. They may not have all been taken with a quality camera, the last few weeks I could only manage fuzzy iPhone pictures, but hey, it's documented. Thanks to all of you who have stuck around to read my pregnancy posts and make sweet comments along the way. I can't wait to be able to share pictures of Aiden with you, but he has yet to make his debut! I'm praying contractions start soon...like while I'm typing this post. Who prays for contractions? Haha.

Best moment this week: So many people have told me that they went into labor after eating Bang Bang shrimp at Bonefish Grill. I love Bang Bang Shrimp so didn't need any other reason than possibly bringing on labor to go and give this theory a try. Our waiter asked me when I was due and I said casually, "today." He couldn't believe it and was so incredibly sweet. He ended up treating us to dessert and comped it "due date."

Food cravings: Anything with sugar...Nutella by the spoonful has been doing it for me lately.

Movement: He has been moving around a ton. The doctor's say he is about 6 pounds 12 ounces right now and I am guessing his living quarters are getting a little cramped.

Symptoms: Definitely crampy and achy. I love fall, but putting on boots has been a real challenge. Drew has been helping me, but when he's not around it feels like every time I pull on a boot I'm going to go into labor. I would actually welcome that at this point...

Nursery: A little sneak peek above. It's all finished minus hanging a few things on the walls. I have a nursery tour post drafted in my drafts folder...someday it will make it out there.

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
There have been a few perks to you not being born on your actual due date. 1.) Your Dad and I have gotten a few extra date nights in. One included free dessert, 2.) I'm now on page 700 of the 5th Harry Potter book, 3.) I feel especially loved because someone is constantly calling or texting to check on me and see if you have entered the world yet. While it is nice to still feel you moving around inside me I really, really want to see your little face. Please come soon. Tonight would be nice.
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
This week has been tough on me. More than I thought it would be. I've been super emotional in our chats together, but know you have this all under control. I know you know how badly I want to meet Aiden, but I also trust you completely. Thank you for allowing songs to come on that you know I need to hear at just the right moment. My song of the moment..."I surrender all." I surrender to you my anxiousness, I surrender to you my body and little Aiden. Thank you for taking care of us and meeting me where I am. Amen.

Psalm 37:7
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

          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 

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Week 38 Bumpdate                          Week 39 Bumpdate                          Week 40 Bumpdate

Pregnancy Files {The Bump Week 39}

 {Posting a week behind as most of you know since my due date was the 19th!}

Best moment this week: The weather this week has been gorgeous so I've gotten quite a few nice walks in at the park by our house. I want the leaves to hang on just a little longer. This season has gone by way too fast.

Food cravings: Still Chipotle. I thought yesterday was going to be my last Chipotle run before Aiden, but I will probably have it again today. Just being honest. Haha.

Movement: I have the alien belly. He is constantly morphing around in there. When I set anything on my stomach he makes sure to kick it off immediately. 

Symptoms: My back hurts. A LOT.

Nursery: Working on my nursery tour post...hopefully I'll post it next week.

Prayer for Baby:
Dear Aiden,
This week has been hard for me because all I want to do is meet you. I've had to distract myself with things like laundry, fall baking and episode upon episode of Gilmore Girls on Netflix. I know everyone says rest up and enjoy this time and I've heard you can't stay pregnant forever multiple times, but I just want to hold you. Are you helping me practice patience? I'm trying very hard to be patient.
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Lord,
You know my heart. You know what I'm feeling before I even speak it. Calm my heart and help prepare my body and my mind for giving birth to this precious boy. Amen.

Psalm 40:8 "I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart."

          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 

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Week 35 Bumpdate                          Week 36 Bumpdate                          Week 37 Bumpdate