Hello Third Trimester!!

Pregnancy Questionnaire #5

27 Weeks!

Hello Third Trimester! It is so nice to meet you!

Only 3 more months to go and we will meet our sweet little baby girl!! 

How far along? 27 weeks! Only 13 more to go! Or less if she decides to come early!

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained around 10-12 lbs. Not bad at all! 

Maternity clothes? YES! YES! YES! I am starting to find that less and less of my normal clothes fit. Wish I would have saved some of my clothes now from when I lost weight! They sure would come in handy now!

Sleep:  More than 2-3 hours of sleep at one time is getting hard to come by. I guess I am getting prepared for when she comes and will need to feed every 3 hours. I toss and turn a lot and have to go to the bathroom several times. I even wake up very thirsty. Since it is getting hotter I am getting uncomfortable at night with that too and I sleep with a fan on my side of the bed.

Best moment this week:  Jason getting to feel Anna Reese move. He couldn't believe it was her!

Movement: She is very active! I am starting to notice more when she is sleeping and when she is awake. Which thankfully goes pretty much hand in hand with me.

Food Cravings: chocolate milk and cookies at night. cottage cheese and peaches. fruit. Hot dogs and mac and cheese still (but not as often).

Food Aversions: Still the same...chicken and onions

Gender: A sweet little GIRL!!! 

Name: Anna Reese 

Labor Signs: None yet, but I am expecting to start feeling some in the next few weeks.

Belly Button In or Out? Can't believe it but I am still an Innie.

What I miss: A good night's sleep.

What I am looking forward to: Going home to Mississippi in June for my baby shower. It is the last time I can travel that far before she comes.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Breathing harder, more uncomfortable, hot flashes

Weekly Wisdom:Try to go to bed earlier so you can get more hours of sleep. And if you haven't started already, start getting the nursery together and stocking up on diapers! Watch the sales papers and get coupons for diapers!

Milestones: Entering the 3rd trimester!

Bump Picture: See below!

 27 Weeks Pregnant!

When I went home a few weeks ago to Mississippi my wonderful MIL took me shopping for sweet Anna Reese. These are a just few things we got. All of these items went to get monogrammed.

J + M

I worked on many projects yesterday since I had the day off. But I want to share just one with you today. Like I told you in kitchen project post we are slowly getting things up and decorated in this house. Each house has had a different layout so I always have to rethink how I am going to hang pictures, furniture placement, and how I am going to decorate. I try to reuse as much as possible or buy "new" things that fit in the budget.

My goal yesterday was to get some of our master bedroom pictures and decorations hung up. We have a long 3 pane window that hung above our couch in the last house and had pictures in each opening. I wanted to reuse this window in the same way but I could not find one single place downstairs to hang the window. It is just too long for any wall. So I decided to hang it above our bed, but I did not want the same pictures hanging it. I knew I wanted our initials hung over the bed in some way. So I came up with the project below after googling framed initials.

I started out with these 3 frames.

Each one was a different color so I painted them all the same color.

Next while the frames 1st coat was drying I started on the initials.

I didn't have a plus sign but I did have a cross and I cut it down to size.

Next I started painting them antique white.

 After 3 coats of spray paint, I lightly distressed the frames. 

I didn't want to see too much of their previous colors.

Next after the letters got 2 good coats of white I distressed, stained, and waxed them.

The next step was to cut something to cover the fabric with.

I found an old box in the garage and traced the mats and cut the cardboard to size.

Then I picked out my fabric.

I really wanted a print but the prints I liked were too big.

So I went with burlap.

I hot glued the burlap to the cardboard and put them in the frames.

Next to last step was to hot glue the initials onto them.

And they are done!

 Last step!! Hang them up!

I just love the way they look above our bed!

This project cost me $0!!!

I had everything I needed around the house!

22 weeks...Pregnancy Questionnaire # 4

22 weeks!!!

How far along? 22 weeks! 18 more weeks to go! This pregnancy is flying by!

Total weight gain/loss: I am so happy about this...I am so scared to gain a lot of weight and not be able to get it off. With that being said when I when to our last appointment on March 29th I had only gained......5 lbs so far!!! yay!! I am not sure how this has happened especially with how snacky and hungry I have been lately!! And yes, my doctor is happy about how much weight I have gained esp since I lost weight in the 1st trimester.

Maternity clothes? Yes!! Thankfully I wear a "uniform" to work because my tops and some of my dresses are starting not to fit with this baby bump! I am so excited to watch my belly grow!

Sleep:  Some nights are better than others. Sometimes it takes me a while to fall asleep because she is moving so much.

Best moment this week:  Realizing after taking some pictures that you can tell I am pregnant!

Movement: She has gotten more and more active. She likes to move more in the afternoon and evening though.

Food Cravings: Still craving  fruit. I have been craving veggies lately. And spicy food. Whales (they are a staple in my lunch bag).

Food Aversions: Its gotten better but still chicken and onions. And some foods textures gross me out after a few bites.

Gender: A sweet little GIRL!!! 

Name: Anna Reese Ellis. Right now I call her Anna Reese. Hopefully the double name will stick!

Labor Signs: None yet, thank goodness!

Belly Button In or Out? Still  an innie. But I feel like its looking like it might pop out. This could be my imagination.

What I miss: Sleep!!

What I am looking forward to: Some of my family is coming next week and then I will be in Mississippi the last week of April! I am so ready for my family to see the baby belly!

Pregnancy Symptoms: I have had a couple of headaches from not sleeping as good. My back and hips are starting to bother me more. Crying and more crying!

Weekly Wisdom: Make sure to get some form of exercise. I have found that walking is helping ease my back and hip pain!

Milestones: Reaching the half way point of the pregnancy and finding out that we are having a GIRL!!

Bump Picture: I don't have one today since I shared one with you the other day.

Over the weekend...Kitchen projects

This past weekend we got several projects done that we had been working on. Yay us! 

We finished most of the kitchen projects that I had on our to do list. I am trying to still get this new house decorated. This pregnancy has slowed me down a lot on my decorating. I would usually have everything in its place by now. The first trimester took my energy away and I have been working on things slowly since the 2nd trimester started.

  Since we are renting and can not paint the walls I am trying to add as much color as possible with our furniture and decorations. And I think I have that accomplished in the kitchen. I only have a few more things to make for the kitchen which includes the curtains for the window above the sink, a shelf for above the sink and then something  to display on the cabinets above the fridge.

I wanted to share some before and after pictures with you of a piece we refinished for the kitchen. It was originally our my idea to use the piece as an island. But Jason hated it as an island because he was going to have to do so much extra to it to make it work as one. 

I knew I wanted this piece to be two toned with the top stained and the bottom red (my favorite combo!). So I started by sanding the top down to get a smooth finish on it. Then I sanded the rest of it to prep it for painting. The next step is the part where we Jason tried to make it into a kitchen island for me. After those several hours we nixed the idea and I just painted the bottom parts red. (note we did not do this all in one day more like a couple of days). Next came the distressing, staining, waxing, and changing the hardware. Now its all complete and in its home. I love how it turned out!

Before picture of the top

Before front view

Kitchen wall #1 done!

So many little projects on this wall: 

1. Red piece (doesn't it look so much better!!)

2. Blue shelf thing (Jason built this little beauty for my cookbooks!)

3. Turned large old window into a chalkboard/cork board

Kitchen wall #2 done!

I love wall collages of pictures and decorations!

I love the calendar in the middle of the frame which is backed by chicken wire and fabric.

I think I need one more thing in this collection. I am thinking about adding some type of hooks under the

calendar to hang my lunch box and aprons from.

I am sooooo happy to have these projects done!! It took a lot of team work! Jason helped me so much with getting these two walls in the kitchen decorated and done! Love him!

Happy Monday!

P.S. I am linking up to Made by you Monday over at Skip to my Lou and Motivate me Monday at Keeping it Simple

Sitter/Nanny VS Daycare....Plus I am almost 22 weeks!

We have been busy this past week. Sorry for the lack of posts!

We started the search for someone to keep our sweet Anna Reese when I return to work. We never realized how expensive day care is. And  I am sure it cost more here than it does back home! It would be so nice if we were closer to family because I know who would be keeping this sweet baby!

 We are currently on a waiting list for a church daycare. However there is only one spot available for October. Even though we are at the top of the list at #2 I don't think we would get it.

We did meet one girl this past week that is a good potential sitter for us. She was very nice the only thing keeping us from going with her right now is that we would have to drive into a nearby town to take Anna Reese to her. But she her cost is half the price of daycare! That is a BIG plus!!

We have another lady that we are trying to set up a day and time to meet with that is closer to us. It would be nice if we like her because she is just a neighborhood over. And she is a little cheaper than daycare but not as nicely priced as the other girl.

I am very nervous about finding someone to keep Anna Reese because we don't know anyone here. I am not sure I am going to be comfortable leaving her in someone else's care. I would love to stay at home with her and I will if for some reason we can't get a sitter or we don't get the daycare spot. The other daycares that we have looked at would cost us both of my pay checks every month!! And I would much rather stay with my sweet baby than work for nothing!

Do you have any good tips or questions for potential sitters and daycares?? We just flew by the seat of our pants with the first girl that we met. I was so nervous I forgot most of the questions I wanted to ask her.

I am going to leave y'all with some pictures from today and two projects that I completed for her room. After work this afternoon Jason and I went to a Home, Garden, and Flower show and walked around downtown. We also went to an antique store to see if we could find something to make Anna Reese's "chandelier" for above her rocking chair out of. Unfortunately we didn't have much luck there and I was a little disappointed with the show. It was more for if you are going to remodel your home. I wanted to see more flowers!

P.S. I am also leaving you with some sweet pictures of Anna Reese!!

Anna Reese's headband and bow holder which is an old crib spring.

A pink letter A that is hanging on and old half screen window above Anna Reese's  crib. 

Almost 22 weeks!

Jason and me!!

Sweet Anna Reese!

This is her profile picture from our last appointment when we found out she was a girl!

Can you see that she has her knees up? And her elbow?

Her sweet heart and heartbeat!

Wish I could hear that sound more often!

IT"S A.........

We are so ecstatic about the news of our precious Baby Ellis' gender!

Before going to the Doctor this morning Jason told me he thinks it is a GIRL, but He would really like for it to be a boy.

My gut feeling from the beginning has been that we are having a girl.

Watch the video of my sweet niece Bella  after receiving a special delivery to tell her and my sister what Baby Ellis' gender is! 

P.S. Bella also reveals baby's name!

In Case you couldn't understand Bella....

We are having a GIRL!!!!

And her name will be Anna Reese!

Half Way Point! 20 Weeks.... Pregnancy Questionnaire #3

20 Weeks is already here?!?

I can't believe I am already half way through the pregnancy.

Seems like we were just having the pregnancy confirmed and

 now we are waiting to confirm the gender of our little one.

How far along? 20 weeks! Half way there!!

Total weight gain/loss: Not sure. I will find out Friday. I hope its not a terrible amount. I have been so snacky lately.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but pants only. Although I have a few pairs of my work pants that I can still wear. Still in my regular size shirts. No maternity tops yet!

Sleep:  I sleep better some nights and other nights I toss and turn or get up and down. I wish I could sleep through the night!

Best moment this week:  Getting to feel baby Ellis move! Baby has gotten to be very active!

Movement: Baby Ellis moves a lot after I eat. Like it is giving me a sign that the food was good and it approves! It also moves more during the evening than during the day.

Food Cravings: I am craving fruit. I wanted a smoothie really bad this morning so I made one for my breakfast and it was delish!  My cravings fluctuate. I usually will want something if I think about it or if someone brings up food.

Food Aversions: I am still not caring much for chicken and onions. Although I will eat chicken cooked certain ways. I don't care for meats that much. I would rather eat veggies and fruit. But my dr says I need protein so I try my hardest to eat meat.

Gender: This is the week!!! We find out FRIDAY!! I am beyond excited!!

Labor Signs: None yet, thank goodness!

Belly Button In or Out? Still  an innie. I am curious if I will stay an innie or if it will go out.

What I miss: Nothing really. Well I do miss one thing...my favorite pair of blue jeans!

What I am looking forward to: Finding out if baby Ellis is a boy or girl!  And hearing the sweet heartbeat!

Pregnancy Symptoms: This past week I have had some nausea and headaches caused by smells. I also am starting to have low back pain and my hips tend to hurt at the end of the night.

Weekly Wisdom: Talk to other moms. I received some good tips from a mom today on diapers and if we end up buying formula.

Milestones: Reaching the half way point!!

Bump Picture: There is a picture below but Its not really a bump picture.

This is Me with my Lil Man this past Sunday.

He is obsessed with my tummy and laying on it or near it.

I can't be out of his sight unless he is laying on the bed upstairs and

 I am downstairs but he will come and check on me.

He was being very protective of me not too long ago,

but Jason and I had to end that. 

He was nipping and growling at Jason and Ellie Mae if

they got to close to his momma.

I think he might have a hard time when baby comes and 

he realizes he isn't the baby anymore!