WIWW: Bump Style

Well, there is absolutely no hiding this baby bump anymore! At 30 weeks, I've had to start rotating more maternity clothes into the mix. And to be honest, I can't even be mad about it. Maternity pants are so much more comfortable.

Here are a few recent outfits incorporating both maternity and non-maternity options:

Casual Friday

 Top: Old Navy (maternity, gone but I also have this one and love it)

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind (maternity)

Sneaks: Keds, similar

Workday

 Top: J.Crew (non-maternity)

Pants: Gap (maternity)

Shoes: Sperry Topsiders, similar

Necklace: Francesca's Collection

Weekend Errands

 Cardigan: Old Navy, old (non-maternity)

T-Shirt: JCrew Factory (non-maternity, just bought up a size)

Jeans: 7 for All Mankind (maternity, and worth every penny)

Shoes: Sperry Topsiders

It's definitely easier to go the non-maternity route with tops than with pants these days, which you may have noticed above. 

More outfits to come!

Linking up with What I Wore Wednesday

St. Augustine, FL - 2014

This year's trip to Florida was perfect. After a rainy week last year, it was so nice to be welcomed by blue skies and beach weather!

Past recaps found here:

• 2011
• 2012
• 2013

The condo my mom originally rented was flooded thanks to work being done in the unit above hers....so they had to move her to a new complex. But with this new view, we were not complaining one bit!

This was my view for the first full day I was there. It was one of the best beach days I've experienced so far in St. Augustine. And man was I relaxed by the end of the day! (and a little burnt unfortunately)

Day 2 was cloudy but I didn't even care. The beach was basically empty since it was a weekday and it was still plenty warm.

Bruno loves the beach! But stole my towel...diva.

Our morning routine: Coffee, fruit smoothies, and reading on the porch in our PJs

And our (bi)nightly routine: Frozen yogurt at Coco Mango....

I did a horrible job at taking photos on this trip. It was just too easy to kick back and relax! Or go shopping....that's what rainy days on vacation are for, right? You know who made out best? Baby C of course. Nona decided it was time she picked out a few outfits for the little love.

Well Mom has secured her spot on the beach for next year thankfully. So who knows, maybe it will be Baby C's first trip! :)

Guest Bathroom Update

This post is incredibly overdue. And please excuse the quality of some of these photos - taking pictures towards a sunny window is not my expertise, especially whilst using an iPhone. 

Before

Step 1: Gut It! 

Bye bye blue tiles, laminate floor, old stained vanity and tub

Sturdy tupperware bins have been a huge help in this demo - bringing loads of debris out without getting too heavy or breaking. Highly suggest this.

Step 2: Remove the Cast Iron Tub

We thought my dad was kidding when he said the best way to remove cast iron tubs was with a sledgehammer...he was not. One google search confirmed his advice. And all that dust/lint? Blown installation that made its way under/around the tub - absolute mess.

Step 3: Bring in the plumber and electrician for rough fittings

And install the tub and shower!

Step 4: Install Drywall

We decided to hire a family friend for this step. J helped with fitting the drywall but we left it up to the pro to tape and mud. Starting to look like a bathroom again!

Step 5: Remove old Subfloor

According to J, this was by far the worst part. Lots of nails and the wood just kept splitting into a million pieces...

Step 6: Sand the Drywall

I was so excited to get this primed and painted that I volunteered to help J with the sanding. Plus, I felt bad at how long removing the subfloor took. This is the worst job ever!! I ended up quitting once the walls I could reach were good and let J tackle above the shower and the ceiling. Covered in dust.

Safety first!

Step 7: Prime and Paint

J handled the priming and ceiling paint. I hated every minute of painting the ceiling in the master bathroom and decided I didn't want my body to feel that kind of stress right now. Thanks J! :) My mother-in-law helped us paint so we had this done in record time. Color of choice - Classic Gray. Due to convenience, I had this color matched to Behr No VOC paint at Home Depot - they were great! And because we weren't super picky about the color, I can't tell you if the color match is exact or not, but its the right shade and tone we were going for here. Light and neutral!

So what's left to do?

• Install new subfloor
• Install Ditra over sublfoor
• Tile!
• Bring plumber back in to install vanity, shower fixtures, and toilet
• Bring electrician in to install lighting, finish installing overhead vent
• Install baseboards
• Decorate!

I feel like we are getting so close! Once the tiling is done we'll be in the homestretch. Cross your fingers, pray for me, do a little lucky dance - if all goes well, the tiling will be done this weekend. Eek! I cannot wait to see this beauty installed. 

Easter 2014

A few months ago I realized if there's a holiday that would be easier for J & I to host than another, it would be Easter. My office is closed on Good Friday, and having the holiday on Sunday gave me two full days to prep. So we threw the offer on the table a few months ago and left it at that. But a few weeks before Easter I realized we had never firmed up the plans. Oops.

So we checked in with J's parents and guess what, they were more than happy to give up Easter dinner to us. So things got real. I was really going to be hosting my first holiday ever, with my mom out of town unable to help, and I was nearly 27 weeks pregnant. Just a little pressure on myself to do it right.

One of the things I was most excited about was decorating the table. I knew I wanted natural colors with lots of white. And after seeing these Queen Anne's Lace napkin rings in a magazine I knew they were perfect. I jumped online to order them for in-store pick-up (the best innovation ever) and fell for the Succulent napkin rings as well. So I split the order between the two and picked up a few more white cloth napkins while I was at it.

How I planned on having the table look

But silly me, I left the table cloth until last minute. I thought we had a burlap/linen colored tablecloth that would work perfect. Just totally forgot it was the right size for our table with one leaf in it, not all three. Nor did I realize how hard it would be to find a tablecloth long enough! We left the store with a few options but it quickly became apparent that the pink one was the best fit. It could have been worse. At least it's an Easter-y color, right? And it did match the woodwork on the chairs nicely.

Another thing hosting the holidays allowed for was use of our full China set. Only took nearly 5 years but it was so fun to get all the fine china and Waterford flatware out.

I just absolutely love these napkin rings.

And what's Easter without a little candy? These M&M easter eggs are pretty amazing. I have to say, I may have enjoyed them a little more than Cadbury mini eggs....and I may not have been the only one. And Starburst jellybeans - do not even get me started. Multiple bags have been consumed over here....multiple. The blue bowls were snagged in the Ikea marketplace at a recent stop.

 We were pretty excited to be hosting our first holiday....so a few pictures were snapped pre-party.

Once everyone was over, my mind was completely focused on getting the food right so no pictures were taken. I'm always interested in hearing what others enjoy on holidays so here's a look at the menu we chose to serve-up (thank you mom for helping me finalize this and the full grocery list well ahead of time!).

First Course

Easter Soup (a family recipe from my mom's side, my first attempt was a success!)

Second Course

Salad (courtesy of Meg & Dan)

Main Meal

Honey Ham

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Coleslaw (courtesy of J's parents)

Au-gratin potato casserole (courtesy of J's parents)

Rolls

Dessert

Homemade fruit tart (courtesy of Natalie & Greg)

Chocolate trifle 

Serving in courses is something my mom's family has always done and I really enjoy. It does make the meal last a bit longer but to me, that's what the holidays are for. Family time. So it was really nice to sit at the table for a little longer than normal and enjoy a few great laughs with everyone. 

Cross #21 of the list! 

What's your favorite part of Easter dinner?

I asked many members of J's family this question, even asked my family too even though only my dad could join us for dinner. I wanted to make sure everyone was happy with the meal. My sister-in-law mentioned how her grandmother always had coleslaw with the ham on Easter. So I decided we needed to as well, and you know what, I loved the combo! For my family, everyone's answer was the same, Easter Soup.

Fun Fact Friday 05.02.14

You know what's the best part about Fridays these days, casual wear to work. I've stocked up on maternity jeans. Work pants not so much, but jeans were switched over quite a while ago. So, so comfortable.

So I think I have a little shopping to do this weekend to snag another pair or two of work pants. I've been relying on the bella band and hair elastics through the button hole of pants for the most part. But yesterday I realized this just isn't working anymore. Ridiculously uncomfortable. Pretty happy I made it this far but the waist size on my pre-preggo pants just doesn't cut it anymore. Ah well, having to go shopping isn't the worst thing.

1. I owe you a recap of Easter. Next week. J & I hosted and had such a great meal. Here's a sneak peek.

2. And I owe you a recap of Florida still. Happy to hear mom will be returning next year. Baby has its first trip on the horizon! I don't think he/she will mind this view. :)

3. And I owe you a recap of Charlotte. We had such a fabulous weekend in Charlotte. I think it's settled that we'll be visiting in the Spring from now on versus the Fall. Weather was incredible. Here's a sneak peek.

Horse races Saturday / Boating Sunday.... mid-80's and blue skies the whole time

4. A few recent purchases I'd highly recommend:

• We had dinner with friends last month and they had this pitcher. I bought it online the next day and we looove it. 
• I bought this cover for my mini iPad and it is awesome. I absolutely love how it swivels so that you can still have it vertical in the stand.
• I also recently bought this iPhone case. I decided I needed a little tortoise in my life, daily. Very happy with this purchase. If I could have found a tortoise iPad cover, I would have bought that too.

5. Congratulations to Jayden for winning the Preggers giftcard!! Thank you so much for those of you who entered. Hopefully we'll have some more giveaways in the future.

Have a fantastic weekend!

What are you up to this weekend?

The guest bathroom is getting sanded, primed, and painted! I have 3 color samples ready to go once J primes the walls today. And then it's a quick decision before paint is purchased Saturday. Eek! But we have got to move this project forward. If you're attending a Derby party, have so much fun! And have a mint julep for me, would ya?!

Baby C - 28 Weeks

I am SO overdue for a baby update! My original goal was once every 4 weeks figuring that especially in the beginning, not much changed week to week. And then I missed the 24 week update and have somehow landed at 28 weeks without even blinking. Third trimester people! Ah!

Seriously, by all accounts and measures, we're in the third trimester over here and I may be silently freaking out. Definitely not ready for Baby C to make his/her appearance just yet.

These pictures were actually taken at 27 weeks but I figure you won't be too upset about that. I just can't seem to find the time on weekends lately so we'll have to go with artificial light this time.

Wednesday nights I've been taking prenatal yoga and feel the most pregnant, mama-ish, ready, and even just beautiful after. I'm relaxed, I've just spent an hour with other mamas-to-be, and the best way to describe it is that I just feel good all around. Excited. And definitely connected to the little love that continues to grow inside of me.

So let me throw some stats/info at you:

Size: Baby is currently the size of an eggplant/head of cauliflower/head of lettuce depending on which app I'm looking at. He/she is weighing in around 2.2 - 2.5 lbs and is 14-16 inches long.

Weight gain: around 23 lbs....my weight gain spiked a little since my last OB visit and I'm not going to lie, it's kind of driving me insane. Mostly because I have no idea where that much weight is going! I do notice my thighs are getting bigger but everything seems to still fit the same way it did weeks ago. And 20 lbs in just my legs would be a bit absurd. So who knows. Thankfully, my doctors are not concerned in the least bit. And I guess knowing that both my mom and her mom gained a lot of weight in pregnancies, it's basically bound to happen to me too.

Cravings: Fresh fruit. Give me all the fruit salad. And soft-serve ice cream. This is thought about daily....not necessarily indulged in daily but man is it on the forefront of my mind quite often. Iced coffee too...I could drink it all day. Don't worry, I don't. But I seriously could.

Aversions: Hmm...I think the most noticeable for me is that I could do without salty foods lately. Part of it might be because I've been traveling to warmer climates and wanting fresher foods but who knows.

Belly button is still in. For now...it's getting precariously close to becoming an outie. :)

Missing Most: My sister asked me this question last weekend and I thought it was a good one. I felt like I needed to think about it for a minute but J answered her right away for me. Maybe I complain much? Ha. Anyways, for the first half of pregnancy I'd say wine was at the top of the list. Yup, call me an alcoholic if you feel so inclined, but I do love a good glass of wine or two often.... But guess what, I don't really miss it all that much at this point. Yes, to all you ladies out there who've said, I don't know what I'll do without wine - you will survive. I am a survivor here. And overtime, the  craving/need goes away.

Anyways, today what I miss most is a hard workout. I am so limited in what I can do for a workout before I'm in pain or out of breath, plus it's important not to let your heart rate rise too high or get overheated. I'm really grateful I was able to run as long as I could but would have loved to have continued to do so. I so look forward to the day I'm cleared for a good run. And I pray that once that happens, all of the pain I'm currently experiencing will have subsided. Otherwise, there will definitely be tears. Lots of them. Yoga has been a great stress-reliever but nothing will replace a good run. It's like a good cry if you know what I mean.

What 28 weeks feels like (really): I've thought about this a lot lately. No matter what, when asked how I'm feeling, I respond with "great!" And really, things are going well for me. The biggest reason being that I know they could be way worse. But here's what being 28 weeks really feels like:

• Too much sodium or not enough movement during the day cause my ankles to swell up
• Intense/annoying pain in my lower right ribs, mostly on the front side but recently spreading to the back - the worst when sitting, especially on a couch. Flying has been fun...
• But trying to sit with a tiny arch in my back to straighten out my rib area just causes lower back pain
• Don't even think about picking up the pace more than a moderate walk because - 
• it begins to feel like I've been kicked {hard} between the legs, and my hips start to hurt
• I am totally out of breath before I'd ever anticipate
• Constantly need to use the restroom.
• Be careful when laughing, sneezing, coughing, even if you've just emptied your bladder (or so you think).....ya it's happened
• It is getting harder and harder to laugh! Omg I can't breathe.
• Wore a pre-pregnancy strapless bra to the horse races last weekend, worst idea ever. Oh the rib pain.
• Random, intense pain as the round ligaments surrounding the uterus stretch out.
• A full feeling that tends to linger and feel as though you've been punched in the stomach at times. Especially if you need to bend over, roll over, move too fast.
• Abs feel like they've had a great workout lately...but I think they're just getting real stretched out.

Don't worry, that uncovered outlet will be taken care of before he/she is here....