Bumpdate: 34 & 35 Weeks

Posting two weeks at a time again. It's saying something that I actually take these pictures, so I'm not going to feel bad about not finding time. Shedding all mama guilt with baby #2.

Josh is trying to push through a really tough summer session, and frankly, I cannot wait for him to be done with it! Just another week! We are making it by on as few cooked meals and as much time outside as possible to pass the evenings without daddy around!

I was 34 weeks on 7/28 and 35 weeks today! I had another appointment with our midwife yesterday. We're almost in weekly appointment territory. Everything looks great -Lincoln has a healthy heartbeat, very swift kick and his head is down. Just praying he stays in a good anterior position. After Dayton shifted to a posterior position during labor, I'm paranoid! You'll find me trying every trick in the book to prevent that from happening again. We'll see if any of it works.

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 33 Weeks

I was 33 weeks on Tuesday!

It's practically impossible to maintain personal space with a two year old around which means you catch the cold they had! I spent two days recovering, but the rest was actually really good for me.

We're so excited to have two little boys in our house, and it's getting more and more real every day! We're not ready for you, sweet boy, but we'll be ready whenever you arrive! Does that even make sense? Thankfully, a good friend told me you're just never as prepared for baby #2 as your were with #1. I'm holding onto the fact that it's true and okay.

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 31 and 32 Weeks

I may be posting late, but at least I took the pictures on the right days. That's something.

I was 31 weeks on July 6th and 32 weeks today. I'm still feeling great! I have ad a few restless nights with our little acrobat, but nothing major. I can also still wear my wedding ring which I could not at this point with Dax! On top of that, I'm pregnant during the summer so I totally didn't expect to be less swollen.

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 30 Weeks

It feels like we've hit a new milestone -less than 10 weeks until Baby Lincoln's due date! I went back for the dreaded 3-hour glucose test this week and passed with flying colors. No gestational diabetes in this house! Woot woot! I've been sorting through some of Dax's baby clothes (trying to not tear up at how tiny he once was) and new clothes we've been given or purchased. I just can't wait to see our little munchkin!

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 28 Weeks

I had a fantastic time in Spain, but am so happy to be home! I'm pretty sure this baby grew a ton while I was gone. The jury is out on whether that is because he's really growing or because I ate my way through Spain. Either way, this bump sure is getting bigger!

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 26 Weeks

This is a very fun post for me to write as we finally have a baby name! We want our children to have strong and somewhat unique names. With Dayton, it was easy. We had the name before we knew he was a boy. This time around there was a lot more debate.

Sweet Lincoln Augustus will be joining our family in September! Augustus was my great-grandfather's middle name on my mom's side. I love passing down my wonderful heritage to a new generation. We're excited for this lil' guy to take further shape in our minds as we anticipate his arrival.

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 25 Weeks

We missed 24 weeks. I cannot even remember why at this point, but I am catching up!

Josh gave me the most wonderful surprise over Memorial Day Weekend -a combined birthday / babymoon trip to New York City! He also surprised me with having 2 of my best friends join us...more on all of that in a later post.

I was 25 weeks on May 26th. We've just been enjoying this growing bump and our last days as a family of three!

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 23 Weeks

We've hit 23 weeks and have narrowed this boy's name down to 3 final options. I really want to monogram everything I can get my hands on, so the sooner we pick a name the faster I can start. Maybe that's why Josh isn't in a hurry to decide?!? No matter what name we decide on, we can't wait to meet our sweet boy!

Bumpdate: 22 Weeks

I was 22 weeks on Tuesday. We're starting to put together Dax's "big boy" room and hope to have him sleeping in it by the end of June -all in preparation for Baby Boy 2! This summer is sure to fly by in record time, and we just cannot wait for September!

Bumpdate: 21 Weeks

I was 21 weeks on Tuesday and am still feeling great!

We are having so much fun chatting with Dax about his new baby brother! He wants to go through all the family members and tell us if they're a boy or girl. Nana and Daddy have been girls a few times now! He is a budding conversationalist with lots of baby/belly questions or comments -especially since his new baby cousin Fletcher arrived on Saturday. He's going to be the best big brother!

Bumpdate: 20 Weeks

We're there! We've made it halfway! It's been a tough couple of weeks. Dax had his first round of pink eye plus a double ear infection. Then we've all 3 been fighting colds. Josh was the last to get hit, and he's now trying to get well as finals start! I skipped taking my 19 week picture -I just wasn't anything to look at last week! Lol.

Bumpdate: 18 Weeks

I was 18 weeks on the 7th. It's hard to believe we're almost halfway there! Happy, healthy and constantly chasing a sweet toddler.

Stephanie

Bumpdate: 17 Weeks

Being pregnant the second time around is quite different! I started wearing maternity clothes much sooner and boy how the body knows where to go! I'm loving pregnancy just as much though and have not been sick at all. Praise the Lord!

We scheduled our ultrasound for next Friday! This is most exciting news! We will likely find out baby's gender, and I can start planning -as though I haven't already.

Stephanie

Bumpdate Growth

He is here!!!! We couldn't be more excited to introduce our sweet little Dayton Xavier (Dax) Bills to the world. We've spent the last two weeks enjoying the process of bonding and getting to know our new little guy and life as parents (with the help of my mom -she's here 6 more days and our wonderful friends and family continually bringing food). My birth story is coming, but for now you can check out the progression of my growing belly. We've compiled them all into one post ending with our sweet little guy.

Stephanie

36 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 36 weeks (3/7/2013)

Produce Aisle: Approximately the size of a watermelon (19 to 22 in, 6.5 lbs)

Maternity Clothes: It's all about comfort these days. My biggest struggle is finding 5 different outfits for work! Oh to be at home in yoga pants and t-shirts. Just a few more weeks (days - please!).

Stretch Marks: They're just hanging out!

Belly Button In or Out: Still non-existent.

Best Moment of the Week: We also had childbirth class Saturday and Sunday! I'm glad we did it. We learned several breathing and relaxation techniques. We also learned about all the interventions we would like to avoid if at all possible. It's very clear that Highland Hospital has a phenomenal team and we are so blessed to be delivering there!

Progress (now that I'm far enough along to get checked every week I'm adding this fun section): 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced, -2 pelvic station

Movement: Dayton's quite cozy. Movement has slowed, but still consistent. My belly has definitely dropped!

Food Cravings: It's hard for me to eat a full meal lately, so there's lots of snacking going on! I'm all over Noosa, but I don't think it's pregnancy related. Just crazy delicious yogurt!

Gender: Getting all the tiny little clothes hung up and put away is one of my favorite things! I really think I could wash them 100 times just to get to fold them again. I'm certain I will look back on this with crazy eyes in the future. 

I love Baby Gap! Especially for boys! Here are a few things I've got on order.

These two little numbers just looked so cuddly!

I couldn't get enough of this little anchor pattern.

I ordered this in 6-12 months for the fall. It's lined!

What I miss: There are too many things to list. Painting my toes, seeing my feet, wearing my wedding rings. The rest are probably not within my comfort level of self deprecation on this little blog!

What I'm looking forward to: This baby being on the outside! Let's go Dax!

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions are in full force. Nothing painful.

Emotions: I totally freak out when I think everything isn't perfect for his arrival. Then I start thinking about everything after his arrival and realize perfection is far from my grasp!

Prayer (we are praying a host of things, including scripture, over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one each week from our list): "We pray that the spirit of postpartum not play a roll in this birth experience and that I am able to enjoy the early days with our son."

Stephanie 

35 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 35 weeks (2/28/2013)

Produce Aisle: Approximately the size of a large cantaloupe, like last week...just a little bigger (19 - 22 in, 6 lbs)

Maternity Clothes: Nothing new, but I'm still fitting in the ones I've purchased. At this point, that's an accomplishment!!!

Stretch Marks: Steadily existing. I just pray every day that they're mild enough to go away!!!

Belly Button In or Out: Non-existent.

Best Moment of the Week: I'm measuring a few weeks ahead so they had me come in for another ultrasound to check everything out. Thankfully, there weren't any issues at all!!! In addition to checking out all his measurements, we got to see his sweet face!!!

Movement: The majoring flip flopping has slowed down at this point. He has lots of hiccups and you can see where he sticks his bum out making my belly oddly shaped.

Food Cravings: I really just want ice cream all the time. I can't eat very much because Dayton's taking up so much space, but boy do I like it!

Gender: I've been working on some framed prints for D's walls. The first is a verse we love and want him to know from an early age. We'll hang this over the changing table with a collection of a few other things we've collected.

This second print is a portion of the 4th stanza of The Road Not Taken. Author, Robert Frost, is one of my favorite poets. This also fits well with our explorer theme for the nursery. We want Dayton to take the road less traveled through life! This will hang over his 3 little book shelves from Ikea. They're actually spice racks that I've painted the same navy as the changing table -picture to come when I get them hung up.

What I miss: Leaning or bending over. I'm so looking forward to not wearing boots anymore! They're such a pain to put on when I can't sit down and lean over to get them on my lovely swollen feet.

What I'm looking forward to: Holding our sweet baby!!!! We're ready when you are (as long as my mama can get here in time)!

Symptoms: I really have very little to complain about. My pregnancy has been picture perfect! We've been praying since day one that I wouldn't have any major complications and trust that the Lord will continue to bless my labor, delivery and Dax's beginning! That being said...my feet and hands are swollen. I have little time to prop my feet up, but do so whenever possible. In addition, I still can't breathe too well. He's dropped a little, so that's given me some added lung capacity!

Emotions: I'm in full nesting mode and really just want everything in the nursery to be perfect. We're so close! Most of my emotions surround his arrival and those are joyous ones!

Prayer (we are praying a host of things, including scripture, over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one each week from our list): "We claim proper growth and development for our baby in Jesus' name!"

Stephanie

34 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 34 weeks (2/21/2013)

Produce Aisle: Approximately the size of a large cantaloupe (19 - 22 in, 5.5 lbs)

Maternity Clothes: I really thought I would make it through my pregnancy with all my maternity clothes fitting. In my mind, my 7 month size was as big as I would get. Ha! What was I thinking??? I picked up a 2nd pair of jeans (shown above) that are a little roomier than the pair of skinny jeans I had originally purchased. While the original pair still fits, I can't keep the material up and over my belly. In addition, I got 2 tanks from Gap that I wished I had purchased long before now! They are smoothing and hide any bumps (other than the main bump)!

Support Cami - Gap

Stretch Marks: We're still in the same place. Nothing more and nothing worse, but they're still there!

Belly Button In or Out: Completely flat!

Best Moment of the Week: Finishing the bedding for Dayton's crib was a huge accomplishment! There aren't plans for him sleeping in the crib immediately, but just having that done gave me the confidence that we could get all of the things on my to-do list accomplished before he arrives!

Movement: There is a foot permanently planted under my right rib cage. He's definitely head down. I really think he's poking at my bladder on purpose!

Food Cravings: I had a hankering for a big juicy burger. It was the oddest thing. I don't EVER crave a burger and could get buy with 1 or 2 a year and be just fine. Josh fulfilled my wish and we headed to Bill Gray's (a local burger joint by the lake). Not only did I polish off my cheeseburger, but ate part of Josh's hot dog and then we had custard. I haven't been that hungry since the early days of pregnancy!

Gender: Little boy clothes, toys and linens are starting to pile up around here! I'm loving every single minute of it. While we plan to use cloth diapers eventually, we'll be using disposable until Dayton fits into a standard cloth diaper. The Honest Company has the CUTEST patterns for their diapers. I love their eco-friendliness and also love that they arrive right at our door! Check out these great patterns.

What I miss: Breathing! I swear in the last 2 weeks I have so little room to breathe! I know it's all part of the package, but I still feel like I'm short of breath. He's taking up so much space these days. 

What I'm looking forward to: We just can't wait to meet our little peanut!!!! He's going to be here before we know it. Until then, I'll be scurrying around trying to make sure EVERYTHING is perfect!

Symptoms: Swollen feet and fingers. I've been wearing my wedding rings around my neck for a couple weeks now, but I'm officially in a new sector of swelling. I can't ever get my rings on and my feet are like sausages by the end of the day. I keep being told to put my feet up, but I can't for the life of me understand how a full-time working mom-to-be has any time to prop her feet up...except when she escapes to write a blog post every once in awhile. I'm trying to make it a priority, but I just really haven't had time.

Emotions: I'm just as emotional as usual. In addition, I've been a little on the cranky side and quick to snap at someone. I'm sure it's really becoming and have to watch myself at the office!

Prayer (we are praying a whole hosts of things, including scripture, over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one each week from our list): "We pray that you govern every aspect of Dayton's delivery -giving wisdom to the staff in charge of our care and to the the decisions we make along the way."

Stephanie

32 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 32 weeks (2/7/2013)

Produce Aisle: Approximately the size of a honeydew melon (19 in, 4.5 lbs)

Best moment of the week: During week 32 I had my second shower which was thrown by my wonderful stepmother-in-law and all of Josh's sisters. I'm so blessed to have them. Here are just a couple of pictures from the day!

{Not my favorite picture, but the best one. Sigh.}

{Such adorable decorations -I'm blessed!}

{Lovely ladies and sisters!}

Symptoms: Just take a look at my feet! They are so swollen by the end of the day. I'm also wearing my wedding rings around my neck instead of finger. At least it's just started for the last few weeks!

Prayer (we are praying a whole host of things over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one from our list each week): "Throughout this pregnancy I will not be overly stressed in Jesus' name!" (This is one of those prayers that get's prayed every single day!!!)

Stephanie

31 Week Bumpdate

How far along: 31 weeks (1/31/2013)

Produce Aisle: No change this week. He's still the size of a head of lettuce.

Best moment of the week: The rug and mobile got ordered! 

We've had he best luck with rugs from Rugs USA! They run great sales on 100% wool rugs. You just can't beat it!

 Homespun Chevron Charcoal Rug - Rugs USA

The mobile is a kit to put together and still needs to be tackled. I had so much trouble balancing realistic looking hot air balloons with cartoon looking ones. This little guy just fit the bill! Thank you Etsy!

Hot Air Balloon Kit - CraftSchmaft

Prayer (we are praying a whole host of things over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one from our list each week): "The devil will not cut off my expectation of being a joyful mother in Jesus' name!"

Stephanie

30 Week Bumpdate

A couple of these weeks just seemed to blend together! I will be posting them separately, but have very little recollection of what actually happened. Josh and I have been cramming in so many work projects along with all the baby things that need to take place. I have just not been able to even think about much else.

How far along: 30 weeks (1/24/2013)

Produce Aisle: Approximately the size of a head of lettuce (18 in, 3.2 lbs)

Best Moment of the Week: Getting the crib up probably takes the cake for my favorite moment! It just all seemed so real when our little guy suddenly has a bed! We're SOOO thrilled with our buying experience from Bratt Decor and so far thrilled with the quality of our purchase. It's such an incredibly sturdy crib that we know we will be able to use for as many babies as we decide to have. Here's a couple pictures.

{Josh putting together the crib}

{The finished crib}

{A close up of the details we love so much about this crib}

Prayer (we are praying a whole host of things, including scripture, over this pregnancy and our Peanut every day -I thought I would share one from our list each week): "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Jeremiah 1:5

Stephanie