twenty-eight.

Two weeks ago tomorrow was my 28th birthday, which is really weird. I'm sure everyone who's older than me will roll their eyes when I say this, but last year, when I turned 27, I started not being able to remember how old I was. After 25 and before 30, the numbers just really run together.

Anyway, we were in Houston for a wedding (more on that to come...) and I got to celebrate with John, his parents, my aunt, grandmother and mom! We had a great time having dinner at Backstreet Cafe. My grandmother brought me the most hilarious hat that I wore for probably longer than most people. The picture below is the only one from my birthday but at least you get to see the hat!

I've kept the hat (it's on the hat rack in the nursery) and, I'm really thinking maybe the baby will take a pic or two in it after it's born, or on its birthday. It could be cute.

Cheers to 28 -- it's definitely going to be a great year!

belly business -- 34 weeks

How far along: 34 weeks 

Size of the baby: large canteloupe (up to 22 inches and 5.5 lbs.) 

Total weight gain/loss:  official weight gain from the doctor -- 19 pounds.

Maternity clothes: All maternity pants, but now that the weather is nice, I've been able to wear some of my non-maternity short-sleeved shirts, etc. 

Cravings: still craving all things candy-related

Symptoms: I think I've finally hit the uncomfortable mark. Getting off the couch, walking for any period of time, sleeping, eating etc.; it's all uncomfortable.  

Movement: Lots of movement -- the heartbeat was in the 160 range at the doctor yesterday because the baby is so active.

Gender predictions: The nurse at my last appointment thinks we're having a boy.

Last week was really busy with work stuff and, as a Chi O advisor, I had to be at the house on Saturday for Mom's Day, which went really well. 

The only issue I had with being on my feet for about 4 hours at the house is that I was wearing very unsupportive shoes and my back was killing me -- hurting to the point that walking was extremely painful. Luckily we have a good friend that's a PT and he's given us this heavy duty ice pack and a stim. So I used a heating pad and iced and felt much better by Sunday. 

I've continued heating and icing the last few days and it helps, but my back is still killing me -- the pain is starting to move up to the middle, too! I've said it before: the pain and discomfort sucks but it's all totally worth it!

I made my hospital bag list over the weekend, and I thought I would feel like something was really accomplished when I finished this task, but really, the majority of the list can't be packed until it's time to go ... so unfortunately, I didn't exactly lower my stress level by crossing that item off my to do list.

With March (practically my busiest month so far) almost behind me, I'm looking forward to having free weekends and fewer meetings, appointments, etc. during the week, so I can finally make some progress on organizing the nursery, washing clothes/towels/sheets for the baby and maybe even get a little decor on the walls!

Oh, and in exciting news, a friend of mine, who was scheduled for a c-section Tuesday had her baby girl on Sunday -- 7 lbs. 1 oz.! Can't wait to see pics -- congrats Meghan and Collin!

And, now, since I didn't post a pic last week (I'll probably end up regretting that...), here's my 34 week pic. Enjoy!

belly business -- 33 weeks

How far along: 33 weeks 

Size of the baby: pineapple (19 inches and 4.9 lbs.) 

Total weight gain/loss:  official weight gain from the doctor -- 17 or 19 pounds. I'm not weighing on my own, so I'm going with what the doc told me last time.

Maternity clothes: All maternity pants, but now that the weather is nice, I've been able to wear some of my non-maternity short-sleeved shirts, etc. 

Cravings: still craving all things candy-related

Symptoms: I've noticed that I tire easily and, with the weather warming up, I've started having some swelling (now I understand why everyone said I was lucky to have the baby by May). I sleep with a pillow under my belly every night to keep back pain to a minimum. 

Movement: Lots of movement, especially in the middle of the night, after I've gone to the bathroom.

Gender predictions: The nurse at my last appointment thinks we're having a boy.

Last week was definitely busier than I thought it would be! 

I had a doctor's appointment last Monday and the heartbeat was up to 150 bpm, which is considerably higher than it has been. The nurse said it was just because the baby was moving around (which it does very often). Everything was measuring right and I got another A+ from the doctor.

By Thursday I had enough of my to-do list crossed off, and J and I were off to Dallas to stay with a friend on our way to Houston for a wedding (post on that coming soon). We had dinner with a group of friends, which was super fun despite the terrible service, and then hit the hay early for our four hour drive to Houston.

On Friday (my birthday...post coming soon) we got in to Houston and settled in.

The weekend was really fun, but were up for a rude awakening on our drive home. Not only was it 7 hour drive back home on a Sunday, we were also up against Spring Break traffic. By the time we go to Oklahoma, I thought it would be smooth sailing the rest of the way, but no. We hit traffic moving just 4 mph and stayed in that for 30 minutes before turning around and taking another highway.

Needless to say, this preggo was really ready to get out of the car by the time we got home around 8 that night!

In more pregnancy-related news, J and I preregistered at the hospital on Monday. That's a big thing that got crossed off our list! Yay!

kate spade.

So, when I was in high school, Kate Spade bags were all the rage and at the time I wanted one bad. But, in time, I got over my love of KS.

I've been getting her daily emails for a while now, and today's email really reeled me in. Today was all about canary yellow. I love yellow ... it used to be may favorite color, and, really, it's still in my top 2.

I ventured to the Kate Spade website and was not disappointed! Her jewelry and clothes are so bright and fun. Just enough girly flair to make a staple piece a little more interesting.

Below are just nine things I have my eye on from the website. If you haven't been there recently -- go!

belly business -- 32 weeks

How far along: 32 weeks 

Size of the baby: honeydew melon (19 inches and 4.5 lbs.) 

Total weight gain/loss:  official weight gain from the doctor -- 15 pounds. I'm not weighing on my own, so I'm going with what the doc told me last time.

Maternity clothes: All maternity pants, but now that the weather is nice, I've been able to wear some of my non-maternity short-sleeved shirts, etc. 

Cravings: still craving all thing candy-related

Symptoms: My back aches a little more often and standing for too long tires me. I've also started to notice that my ankles and legs will start aching, and those aches will just move up my body. It's fun. 

Movement: Lots of movement, especially in the middle of the night, after I've gone to the bathroom.

Gender predictions: The nurse at my last appointment thinks we're having a boy.

Last week was super busy, but we got a lot of baby stuff accomplished!

Monday night was our final childbirth class. We toured the new hospital where baby M will officially makes it's debut and met one of 9 pediatricians in Norman. 

Tuesday and Thursday night, I had meetings. And then, pretty much my whole family came in town on Friday. 

I was running around early on Friday getting last minute things done, and then I picked up my brother and sister in law from the airport. That evening we had drinks and snacks and then dinner at Othello's. It was really nice to have everyone around!

Saturday was my baby shower (thanks B, Libby, Tara & Rachel!!). It was super nice and to say that everyone was generous is a huge understatement. We got our travel system, the bouncer, the pack 'n play and the high chair. Not to mention, we also got tons of super cute neutral clothes, diapers, bath products, toys, etc. It was awesome! I'm going to have my work cut out for me getting thank yous out in a timely fashion!

J got the furniture put together and the room set up just in time for my whole family to get to see where baby M will eventually call home! I'll post pics very soon. 

This week my plan is to get the contents of the closet transferred to plastic tubs and then really get everything organized. I'm really excited to do a load of baby laundry with my brand new bottle of Dreft! It's the little things...

Anyway, I had another doctor's appointment this morning, and everything is still coming along as it should! I cannot believe how close we are getting! Ahh!!!

(PS -- I'm sorry this has really turned into a baby blog, it's just that's what I've got going on, but I'm really trying my hardest not to become all baby, all the time. You'll be happy to know that this coming weekend is my birthday and we're headed to a wedding, which means there are non-baby posts to come!)

do you see the resemblance?

I was looking through the latest issue of Lonny tonight, and saw this in there!

"Chanel 2010" by Don Oehl

If you've ever seen a pic of my grandmother, Mia, you would see the resemblance and maybe understand why it sang out to me (hello! the hair?!).

Anyone have a spare $1000 laying around? I love this!

the picture

Since I never remember to get J to take my picture before I've changed into my pajamas every night, I'm left with iphone pics of my belly. They do the trick well enough I guess.

Here I am at 31 weeks and 4 days.

Please excuse the laundry basket and unmade bed. 

belly business -- 31 weeks

How far along: 31 weeks 

Size of the baby: head of lettuce (19 inches and 3.9 lbs.) 

Total weight gain/loss:  official weight gain from the doctor -- 15 pounds. I'm not weighing on my own, so I'm going with what the doc told me last time.

Maternity clothes: All maternity pants, but now that the weather is nice, I've been able to wear some of my non-maternity short-sleeved shirts, etc. 

Cravings: yesterday I had to have McDonald's french fries, and I think that's my first true random craving

Symptoms: The backaches are getting more frequent and I'm sleeping with a couple pillows to ease back and leg pain. Sleeping is getting a little tough, but I've had two good nights in a row. 

Movement: Lots of movement.

Gender predictions: The nurse at my last appointment thinks we're having a boy.

We've had a pretty eventful week -- full of ups and a downs. 

On Monday I had a doctor's appointment, and, once again, I got a thumbs up on everything. The baby's heartbeat was 136 bpm. Sadly, we won't be getting to see our little buggaboo again (in an ultrasound), unless something isn't measuring as it should be, so I'm crossing my fingers that won't be the case. So, the next time we'll see baby M will be when we meet him/her in 9 weeks or less!

Thursday afternoon I saw on facebook that one of our friends was in labor with their little girl! She came about 5 or 6 weeks early, weighing in at 6 lbs and measuring 19" and both mom and baby were doing really well. The funny thing is that we were supposed to be in Dallas this weekend for their baby shower! I'm packing up their gift and putting it in the mail tomorrow -- their going to need everything they can get their hands on!

The same day, I found out another friend of ours were not going to be having a baby afterall. They were supposed to find out if it was a boy or girl and instead found out that it had health issues and wouldn't end up making it. Needless to say, we went from very excited to devastated for our friends. The events of this week just reiterates what John says: having a baby really is a miracle. 

Friday night, J and I put together the crib (with a little help from his friend Brad). I love the crib and can't wait to get the mattress and be able to put it all together with the bedding!

Saturday (since we didn't end up in Dallas for a baby shower) we went to OKC to look for a chair for the nursery. J's grandparents are very generous and have decided that that is going to be their gift to us. Though we both had different ideas of what we did/didn't want, we found something that is a definite compromise. I'm really excited!

And, finally, yesterdayJ will finished the final paint touchups in the room. We have a shower next weekend (almost my entire family will be in town!) and I'd like the room to be as ready as possible.

Below are a couple pics of the crib. I'll have a 31 week pic up tomorrow! Have a fab Monday!

hootie hoo.

As a Chi Omega it's kind of a rule that you have to love owls. And, how perfect is it that owls are so en vogue?

Speaking of owls being in style, look at this adorable little sleep sack I found on Gilt this morning. And, thankfully its neutral -- no pink or blue!

**Edited to add: I checked online and though this is no longer available on Gilt, I found it on here, along with tons of other cute owl baby stuff!