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 

Pinterest Projects: Success and Failure

I love Pinterest! It's clear by my nearly 2000 pins that I'm hooked. I keep my boards nice and tidy and really try to do some of the projects I pin. 

{{NOTE: If you've never heard of Pinterest, only know it in name or want to know how to use it better, I have the perfect post for you. Just head on over to Grey Likes Weddings. The author, Summer, has a fabulous post, A Pinterest Field Guide: Four Steps to Winning at Pinning. Even as an avid pinner, I learned a thing or two.}}

Okay, back to my projects. I recently found two that I wanted to tackle right away.

1. Oven Dried Strawberries: these look amazing, right? I'm always on the hunt for natural ingredient snacks. How could I go wrong with this pin?!?

Result: Here's how it could go wrong. After 3 hours and having completely followed the very easy instructions I had this on my hands.

Some of the strawberries were still mushy while others were dry as a bone. They're the least appetizing thing I've ever laid eyes on! I threw them all away. And yes, mama, I did use the brand new Williams-Sonoma pan you gave me. It's still soaking to be honest! This very well might have been a user error or maybe my oven is whack, but I can say I won't be drying strawberries like this again for a little while. I'm sure I'll give it another whirl because that first picture just looks so tasty! If you have tips on oven drying fruit, please let me know!

2. Pedi Perfect Feet: I need a pedicure every day of my life. I swear! I go one day after getting a pedicure and could stand to have another one. I can't afford a pedicure every day or every week. During summer months a monthly pedicure is a must, but I'm trying to find a way to spread them out a little throughout the rest of the year. I saw this post and thought, It won't work, but what will it hurt to try. I followed the instructions to put shaving cream on my feet (with my husband looking at me like I have 10 heads), then dipping a towel in a solution of listerine and warm water I wrapped my feet up in the towel for 30 minutes and waited. 

Result: I don't have a picture of my feet because feet are just gross in general, but it worked!!! My feet are extra clean and far smoother than when I applied shaving cream. I followed up with the suggestion of drying them with a hair dryer and then applying lotion. We'll see how long this lasts, but it's a much cheaper option to an actual pedicure!

So while every Pinterest project doesn't pan out, I do think it's a great place for brainstorming and storing potential ideas. It's a bevy of creativity for sure...just be sure you use good manners when pinning and correctly site all your pins!

Stephanie