The Nursery

The super cute blanket you see our sweet Evan wrapped in was made by his Aunt Becca. She was extremely thoughtful when she picked out the Classic Winnie the Pooh pattern. Growing up, I collected all sorts of Classic Pooh figurines and room decor. Originally, I had no intention of decorating the nursery with this as a theme; however, my mind was changed. It means so much to me that Bec chose one of my childhood treasures to share with my son. It is something that not only Evan but I will hold dear for years to come.

I knew from the start that I wanted the nursery to have a vintage feel - to have a good mix of some old with some new, along with a conservative touch of Classic Pooh. Now that it's all finished, I feel like this was accomplished. It isn't very big, but we made good use of the space. It's a cosy, little room, and while he isn't sleeping in there yet {he's sleeping in a Bednest beside our bed for the time being}, we still very much enjoy the nursery.

 

Evan's current sleeping arrangement.

Entry from the hallway {Chair/ottoman and red lamp from IKEA}.

Monk likes to be around whenever Evan and I are in the nursery, so we made room for his little sleeping pad.

• Blanket {Mrs. Speck}
• Rustic stars and stripes/union jack pillow made by helkatdesign {my boss Paul and coworker Matt}

Reverse side of the pillow. One of my nursery favorites!

• Table {Gumtree seller - UK's Craigslist}
• ABC Scripture Cards {Moore family}
• Children's prayer book {baby shower}

 

• Classic Pooh curtains and tassels {Mothercare}
• Baby sign {local children's charity shop} 

 

• Book basket - bottom left {TK Maxx - UK's TJ Maxx} 
• Framed bunting {Jeff's creation}

Alphabet cards {Amazon.co.uk}

Wonderful built-in storage and crib {IKEA}.

• Back bunting {Gisela Graham bunting - Coast & Country Interiors}
• Evan's initials {Etsy}

• Classic Winnie the Pooh bedding and mobile {Mothercare}
•  Stuffed Classic Pooh Bear - bottom left {Aunt Becca}
  

Evan approved. :)

Front bunting reads NURSERY {Gisela Graham bunting - Coast & Country Interiors}

• Antique dresser {Gumtree seller}
• Vintage-style wall storage {ebay.co.uk} 
• Munchkin Nappy Disposal {Amazon.co.uk}
• Changing pad and cover {Mothercare}
• Storage box {IKEA}
• Green wipes holder {Amazon.co.uk}

Top Shelf {left to right}

• Blue sock monkey {Children's Shop in Corsicana}
• Blue lantern {IKEA}
• Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales {Ben & Katy}
• Home Sweet Home trinket {local charity shop}
• Snap card game {children's website}
• Paddington Bear {Katy}

Middle Shelf{left to right}

• London scene {Anthropologie}
• You Are Special book {Mike, Andrea and Mae}
• Double-decker bus {local charity shop}
• Clock {Anthropologie}

Hooks

•  Red hanging storage {IKEA}
• Baby Ragz Bib {Brittany}

41 Weeks {And Yes Still Waiting}

 

How far long? 41 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7-8 pounds

Total weight gain? about 36 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes, and even though it's still not easy to turn over, I have been sleeping well.

Best moment(s) this week? Jeff's parents arriving and getting to show them around Parliament. Also, still having my Mom here. :) It has also been great that Jeff's had the flexibility to work from home. I feel more at ease when he's near.
Miss anything? The rest of our families.

Movement? Yes :)

Food Cravings? Pineapple and sweet iced tea.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope - not yet. :(

Belly button in or out? Stretched out.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Anxious!

Looking forward to? My son's arrival! If I haven't had Little M before Friday, I will meet again with my midwife that afternoon. Since I'm past my due date, she'll offer me a second membrane sweep and we'll discuss induction. For those who don't know, a membrane sweep is a way of bringing on labour before other methods of induction are offered. {I had my first sweep last Friday, which obviously wasn't successful.} Generally, hospitals here will offer induction to women who don't go into labour naturally by 42 weeks. If they prefer not to be induced, they can forgo induction beyond 42 weeks but will be monitored closely. The hospital I'm delivering at offers induction around 12-13 days after my due date. Hopefully, I won't need to be induced. However, I am open to whatever method will be safest for my sweet boy. I'm just praying for a safe delivery and healthy baby.

40 Weeks {And Still Waiting}

How far long? 40 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7-8 pounds

Total weight gain? about 35 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes but it is hard to go and stay asleep. Turning over is not easy, and I always wake up whenever I do. I'm also very ready for Little M to be here, so the excitement of his arrival doesn't help. :)

Best moment(s) this week? My Mom and Dad arriving last Friday! We have been able to show them some beautiful English countryside (including Stonehenge), enjoy a nice afternoon tea, check out London and Parliament.
Miss anything? A/C. It's been a hot summer for London, and even with our fans, I've been hot a lot. I'm ready for fall, so it'll be cool again.

Movement? Yes but I can definitely tell that Little M is running out of space.

Food Cravings? Peaches.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope - not yet. :(

Belly button in or out? Stretched out.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy! Anxious!

Looking forward to? Still very much looking forward to our little guy's arrival, and hopefully, he'll come while my parents are still here (they head back on Sunday morning). Also, Jeff's parents arrive on Saturday, so we are looking forward to seeing them.

39 Weeks {Full Term}

How far long? 39 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 7 pounds

Total weight gain? about 34 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes but it's becoming more difficult to fall and stay asleep. I'm hot a lot {even with the use of a fan directly on me and sans covers} and the slightest sliver of light has me wide awake.

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting with Ben and Katy on Saturday {thank you both again for Little M's gifts!} and finalizing the nursery {still minus his initials but they should be arriving any day now}. I'm so excited to show my parents when they are here, which will be in 2 days!! Also, with being at home and not out in the heat, my feet and ankles haven't been swollen.
Miss anything? Smaller legs!

Movement? Yes but I can definitely tell that Little M is running out of space.

Food Cravings? Cold apples.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope :(

Belly button in or out? Still not out but there's still a bit of a lip on the top.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Our little guy being here!! In the meantime, I'm trying to get as much rest as I can. Also, as I mentioned earlier, my parents arrive in 2 days and I couldn't be more excited! I have already cleaned and re-cleaned our home and finished all of the laundry, but I'm sure I'll find more to keep my busy until Friday.

38 weeks {Full Term}

How far long? 38 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 6.5/7 pounds

Total weight gain? about 32 pounds {I lost 3 pounds over the last week. After talking with my GP and answering a few questions, she said to monitor my weight over the next week and let her know if I lose anymore, but that all seems OK for now. Little M is still moving a lot, and both he and I checked out very well at my 38/40 appointment today.}

Maternity clothes? Yep and a lot of skirt wearing lately. With the hotter weather we've been having and lack of a/c, it helps me stay cool.

Sleep? Yes and I have been able to sleep deeply.

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting with our next door neighbors and meeting their sweet, little girl - who was born almost a week early. I'm happy that Little M will have a little friend next door.  

Miss anything? My family and friends who are stateside. While we keep in touch and I am able to share updates about the pregnancy via phone calls and social media, I still miss being able to experience all of this with them near. I'm excited that we can catch up and they can meet Little M when we visit in December.

Movement? Yes :)

Food Cravings? Peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Still not out but there's now a bit of a lip on the top.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Enjoying these last few days as a family of 3 {counting Monk, of course}. Working from home the past two days have been nice, and I look forward to my simple 'commute' the rest of the week. As we still have a few deliveries trickling in, I thought getting dressed rather than sitting in my pjs all day would be best. Also, one week from this Friday, my parents will be in London, and I absolutely can't wait! Oh and this Saturday - our good friends Ben and Katy are coming to visit.

37 weeks {Full Term}

The 'not so glamorous' weekly photo. Please excuse the tired face and swollen feet.

Katy, me and Matt in the office at my 'leaving do.'

How far long? 37 weeks  
Baby size? 21 - 22 inches and about 6.5 pounds
Total weight gain? about 35 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes and enjoying it while I can.

Best moment(s) this week? For having worked in Parliament for a year and a half, I had never seen Prime Minister David Cameron until last week, when I saw him twice. We also made good progress in our flat over the weekend. It feels so good to walk into an orderly home. When I met with my midwife last Friday, she confirmed that our baby boy is still doing very well, as am I. We discussed options for the birth plan, and I booked a 41 week appointment, in case I don't have Little M by 5 August. It's so exciting to think how close he is to being here!! Lastly, I'll include today's treat. As it's my last week in the office, my 'leaving do' was today. It was a wonderful time, and I greatly appreciate those who not only coordinated the party but also purchased the best gift (photo below)! I'll be reminded of many wonderful memories every time I look at it! :)

Miss anything? My siblings - if only they could be here to see their nephew when he's born. We already have our first trip back with baby booked for December, which is great as they'll see him then. The wait is just a little longer than we'd like.

Movement? Yes, especially near my rib cage.

Food Cravings? Still dill pickles.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Not out but kind of still in - very stretched out.  

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy - even though I was tempted to be slightly moody to a random gentleman at the train station, when earlier this week, he asked me if I was carrying twins! ;)

Looking forward to? Resting. This will be a good 'last' week for me, commuting wise. Little by little, my body is starting to wear down. I work from home next week, but it will still be nice to do so in comfortable clothes (aka pjs)!

Gift from the office - front of cushion

Gift from the office - back of cushion

36 Weeks

How far long? 36 weeks 

Baby size? 20 - 22 inches and about 6 pounds

Total weight gain? about 33 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes and turning over has become quite a chore! 

Best moment(s) this week? Washing/drying all of Little M's tiny clothes and blankets! His nursery is almost finished. I've got a few more things to organize, and we are still waiting on his initials to arrive, but all of the large items are set. I also had the opportunity to see the cyclists whiz by Parliament during Stage 3 of the Tour de France on Monday, 7 July. There were so many people who waited hours outside to cheer on and catch a quick glimpse of the riders. It started to rain some before they arrived, so I decided to watch inside from the first floor of the building where my office is. While it didn't last long, the atmosphere, felt even inside, was incredible. 

Miss anything? Snow cones! If only Sno Biz was nearby - I'd have a #3 flat top Sweet Tart snow cone everyday! :) 

Movement? Yes, and within the past week, I've noticed Little M responding to loud noises. When we were at the laundromat on Saturday, I accidentally dropped a bag full of coins on the bench I was sitting on. What a strong jolt I felt! You could even see my entire belly shutter.

Food Cravings? Pickles - dill pickles specifically. The only thing is Jeff and I can't seem to find them anywhere here. We've purchased a few different brands and they are all more sweet than sour. What an insignificant bummer.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope but heart burn is oh so frequent.

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Not out but kind of still in - very stretched out.  

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and somewhat overwhelmed.

Looking forward to? My next antenatal appointment, which is this Friday. I'll meet with my midwife, have Little M checked out and further discuss the birthing plan. I know that I want to try to deliver naturally and am interested in water birth. There is a suite led by the midwifery unit at our hospital that facilitates this. The environment seems very calming, and I'm hopeful that we'll get to deliver there. If we do experience any complications or if I decide I want an epidural, then I can easily be taken to the adjacent hallway, where the labor ward is.

Prepping Victoria Embankment for the cyclists.

Stage 3 - it was quick but what a view!

35 Weeks

I was prepared to write this update last night, but because of a clumsy moment, I decided to sleep off my irritation (towards myself) and post today. After getting home from work yesterday, having dinner with Jeff, doing a few quick chores and taking a shower, doing the weekly blog update while having a late night snack of Fruit Loops seemed like a wonderful way to wind down. Once I got everything prepped, I started to walk down the hall, bowl of cereal in one hand, and a few odds and ends in the other. All of a sudden, my right hand decides - on it's own, I might add - to let go of the bowl. It was as if this all happened in slow motion. I look down and can see it slowly rotating towards the ground, and next thing I know, I'm jolted back to reality by a loud noise and ceramic bowl, milk and cereal spread out all over the floor. I just stood there a bit, looked at the mess and thought to myself, 'how did that just happen?' Jeff was very kind to come to my aid and help clean it up. He claims that I was carrying too much, but I'm telling you, my hand just decided to do it's own thing. ;) Anyway, how ridiculous that such a silly incident put me in a funk for the remainder of the evening. I ended up having a nectarine and checked out Amazon for some remaining purchases for Little M. 

On another note, here are a couple of photos of our kitchen. It's the largest one we've had since living in London, and I really like that we have an eating area too. We also have a dishwasher again - happy, happy, happy times!

View from the hall.

View from the laundry room.

How far long? 35 weeks 

Baby size? 20 - 22 inches and about 5.5 pounds

Total weight gain? about 32 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes but getting comfortable enough to fall asleep is becoming increasingly difficult. Once I go to sleep, I'm golden though. 

Best moment(s) this week? The continued decorating of the nursery. I get so excited every time something else is delivered. For the most part, we are done - just waiting on the arrival of Little M's initials (which will showcase above his crib). It's now time to get all of his clothes/blankets cleaned and put away. We've made good progress on the rest of the house as well. I need to finish organizing the laundry room, bathroom and bedroom. 

Miss anything? My smaller ankles and feet. And when I say smaller, I mean slimmer because I obviously have rather large/long feet. I've only had minimal swelling lately (thank goodness!), but they just look... ick! 

Movement? Yes and I enjoy it so much!

Food Cravings? Fruit Loops! Jeff was able to get these a few days ago from Tesco, a nearby grocery store. We paid about £2.79 ($4.79) for one box. I've since been told they had been previously been available at specialty shops only for £8 (about $13.73) - how crazy and for only one box?!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? I'm so stretched out that I'm not really sure anymore.  

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and even more so because my parents arrive in London on 1 August and Jeff's parents on 9 August! Let the countdown begin!!

Looking forward to? Getting everything sorted around the house, our parents' visits AND holding my sweet boy come August! I've got 2.5 weeks of work left in the office, then 1.5 weeks of working from home plus a few days of holiday before my maternity leave starts. There's so much to do and it seems time is just slipping away. Motherhood will be quite a change, with plenty of hard, stressful times as well as many wonderful times. It's a change that I'm looking forward to. God placed in me a strong desire to be a mom when I was very young, and it's hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, my son will be here. I don't even know how I will be able to contain the immense joy of being Little M's mom or seeing Jeff being a Daddy (beyond excited about this!!). I'm so thankful for God's gracious gift and pray that Little M grows to have a caring spirit and a Christ-like love for others. 

34 Weeks

Taken yesterday, as I worked from home today.

Snuck this photo today at a charity shop in between doctor appointments.

How far long? 34 weeks 

Baby size? over 20 inches and about 5 pounds

Total weight gain? about 28 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes, and it has been better lately.

Best moment(s) this week? Decorating has officially started in Little M's room. Jeff and I started sorting through his clothes, toys and books as well. Also, my 34 week appointment from today - baby's heartbeat is solid, my blood pressure is normal and there's still no sign of gestational diabetes. Little M is head down but not yet engaged. He could still flip around but it's not likely. This news has been such a comfort, and I'm so grateful for our healthy boy.

Miss anything? I think this is less pregnancy related and more of me missing Texas during the summertime, but Taco Shop Dr Pepper or the second best Route 44 Dr Pepper (easy ice on both!) and a nice afternoon drive in the country.

Movement? Yes - I've tried to catch it on video, but when I do try, he stops. Guess Little M is already showing his dislike for the camera like his Daddy. ;)

Food Cravings? Bagels and cream cheese. It had been cinnamon and raisin bagels but recently I'm into blueberry bagels.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Still the same - in and more flush with my belly. 

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but still stressed. Jeff and I are still getting our home and the nursery in order. Only 6 weeks to go - the clock is ticking!!

Looking forward to? Finishing the nursery soon and having a clean, organised home!

33 Weeks & Bits About Our New Place

This photo was taken in one of the ladies' rooms at Parliament, because we've now fully moved into our new place and no longer have a large enough mirror for the weekly 'bump shot.' Jeff could take it for me, but with a demanding project just started, he won't be getting home until later in the evening. For everyone's sake, I decided to pass on posing in my pjs.

How far long? 33 weeks 

Baby size? over 19 inches and 4.5 pounds {We had our third and final sonogram last Thursday and were told our little boy was measuring within the normal limits, but on the upper end. The sonographer then said he was 4.5 pounds and that this was very reasonable because Jeff and me are... well, tall. Seemed to be a polite way of wording it. From what Jeff has read, our Little M is on track to be around 8 pounds. I'll take that. No offense Philip - kudos to my Mom - but I don't think I want to start off with a 10 pounder! ;)

Total weight gain? Unsure as our scale has yet to be unpacked.

Maternity clothes? An absolute must.

Sleep? Yes, but sadly, Jeff and I have moved from a king size bed to a double - which is slightly smaller than a queen. Thankfully, I'm still sleeping well but have lost ample space to stretch out.

Best moment(s) this week? Seeing our boy for the last time in utero! Catching up with Ben and Katy as they helped us move last Saturday {Thanks guys! And thanks again to Jacob for his help the prior Saturday!}. Also, meeting our next door neighbors. They too are expecting their first child - but a girl  and in mid July. They have a pet as well - a curious cat who visits our garden every now and then. Monk wants to make friends, but the cat doesn't stay around long - on the ground at least. He's happy enough to check Monk out atop the fence. 

Miss anything? Remembering simple things. For the way my memory has been working failing lately, I should tie 50 ribbons around each digit.

Movement? Yes - strong, fluid movements. I think we are getting close to recognising what Little M body part is protruding when he does move.

Food Cravings? Cold watermelon - yum.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In and more flush with my belly. 

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and somewhat stressed. We've got so much stuff out and about in our home. I'm ready to get everything in it's place AND get the nursery finished ASAP.

Looking forward to? Friday, the first day to my weekend. Hoping I have the energy for it to be a productive one around our new place. {Photo of front door below. I will do a post of the inside, including the nursery, once we are completely settled.}

32 Weeks

How far long? 32 weeks
Baby size? about 19 inches and 3.9 pounds 
Total weight gain? about 27.5 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep and I will be buying (more) longer shirts soon.

Sleep? Yes, but I do toss and turn throughout the night. Stretching out my back is now part of my morning routine.  

Best moment(s) this week? Getting the keys to our new place and spending Sunday putting together Little M's cot/crib in the nursery, in addition to our bedroom furniture. Jeff assembled while I helped organize the hardware (which there's always an abundance with IKEA furniture). Also, many thanks to Jacob for his help at IKEA and with moving. :) 

Miss anything? Normal walk - I'm starting to waddle some.

Movement? Yep

Food Cravings? Tuna fish sandwiches - I only have my advised one serving a week though.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? Technically still in, but not by much. It's not far from being flush with my belly.

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy and ready to get fully settled into our new place.

Looking forward to? Moving out of the old place (official on Sunday) and moving in to the new one (should be Friday/Saturday).

31 Weeks and Update on the Home Front

This weekend, Jeff and I will get the keys to our new place - yay! What a wonderful, quick provision!! We'll start with the lighter stuff and move what's remaining the following weekend. The home we are moving into, we actually saw just 3 days after finding out about us needing to vacate our current place. We put an offer in the next day and things have been in motion since. Praise the Lord!

A few perks:

• It's only .7 miles away from where we are at now (making this move a lot easier).
• We are already familiar with the area (which we like) and our commute to and from work.
• I can stay with the same GP AND deliver at the same hospital.
• It has a dishwasher (an actual one and not me!).
• It has a good sized nursery with built-in storage for Little M.
• It has a back garden for Monk.

How far long? 31 weeks
Baby size? 16 - 18 inches and just over 3 pounds
Total weight gain? about 25 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yep

Sleep? Yes, but oh my legs. They just ache and can't seem to get comfortable.  

Best moment(s) this week? Celebrating our 7 year wedding anniversary! For those who know me, know that I enjoy reminiscing, and it was so nice to do just that with Jeff. After work, we enjoyed a nice, leisurely dinner at Bianco 43 near Trafalgar Square, where we talked about all of the transitions we've gone through, how we celebrated past anniversaries and how we both look forward to meeting our son in less than 2 months. We also Skyped with our parents about their upcoming trips in August!

Miss anything? Walking in public and people NOT staring at my belly.

Movement? Yep, especially near my diaphragm.

Food Cravings? All the fruit.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Initial moving this weekend and getting the nursery partly arranged.

30 Weeks

How far long? 30 weeks
Baby size? still about 16 inches and 3 pounds 
Total weight gain? 22 pounds

Maternity clothes? Absolutely

Sleep? Yes, but I am waking up earlier than usual. 

Best moment(s) this week? Our weekend visit to Wales. It was a great time with Katy, Ben and his parents!

Miss anything? Breathing easier while walking up stairs or inclines.

Movement? Yep, but I can tell room for Little M is starting to become sparse.

Food Cravings? Orange flavored Calippos - yummy UK ice lollies.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy!

Looking forward to? Picking up Little M's crib bedding this weekend!

29 Weeks and Another Move on the Way

Jeff and I had a real 'case of the Mondays' yesterday. Before lunch, he received a call from our letting agent, who informed us that our landlord is now in a position where she needs to sell and not rent out the property we live in. We have only been living here since mid-December and now have 2 months to find a new home. A lot in me wants to be angry, bitter, and anxious, but what good would that do? I don't think entertaining questions as to why this is happening would be helpful, even though part of me wants to. Honestly, part of me wants to wallow with self pity in this situation. 

Time and time again though, Philippians 4:6-7 has been a great comfort.

⁶ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Prayer helped me through Monday night, and I know it will continue to do so. I'm reminded of God's love through Jeff and Little M. This situation could be worse, and I keep telling myself that to keep some perspective. There are so many things to be thankful for. How blessed we still are!

As we are making this transition, I do ask for your prayers. They are greatly appreciated. 

How far long? 29 weeks
Baby size? about 17 inches and 2.9 pounds 
Total weight gain? I actually have an update here - 20 pounds.

Maternity clothes? Thanks to Mothercare and H&M {and Jeff for waiting outside each store while I tried clothes on - by the way, who thought having 1 changing room was a good idea?} I should be set for the remainder.

Sleep? Still sleeping and getting enough of it right now. I'm enjoying it and reminding myself this will all change once Little M is here. 

Best moment(s) this week? Visiting the Mum2Mum Market on Saturday and buying some cute clothes for our boy. Also, feeling him move during our first 'official' British barbeque with Ben and Katy on Sunday.

Miss anything? Life without heartburn!

Movement? Yes, so much wonderful movement. I like to look down and view the movements from the outside. They've become more noticeable and forceful every day.

Food Cravings? Nectarines

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but a bit emotional because of the impending move.

Looking forward to? First trip to Wales this weekend with Jeff, Ben, Katy and Monk.

28 Weeks

How far long? 28 weeks
Baby size? almost 16 inches and about 2.5 pounds 
Total weight gain? 12 pounds... still no new batteries in the scale {sigh}.

Maternity clothes? Yes and the two stain patches on the right pant/trouser leg keep reminding me that I need to buy another pair.

Sleep? I toss and turn from my left to right side throughout the night. Jeff will offer me extra pillows if I get really uncomfortable.

Best moment(s) this week? Feeling Little M move during some of my favorite Italian outings {gondola ride in Venice, trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, drive through the Dolomites, viewing the original statue of David by Michelangelo in the Gallery of the Academy of Florence}.

Miss anything? Taking decongestants for sinus issues. I have to let it run it's course, but thankfully, my asthma hasn't been affected.

Movement? Oh goodness, how to describe this. For those who have seen SNL's 'More Cowbell' skit, at times it feels like Little M is really 'exploring the space' as Will Ferrell's character Gene Frenkle does!

Food Cravings? Ritz crackers with peanut butter and strawberry/plum jelly.

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, happy, happy.

Looking forward to? Sleeping in a bit on Saturday before hitting up a nearby mum2mum market.

27 Weeks

In our very 80's hotel room, I have been taking breaks while writing this update, to look outside my window to admire the Dolomites, a part of the Southern Limestone Alps. Yesterday, it was clearer and you could see some of the snow capped mountain tops, but there's more of a haze today. Either way, it's still beautiful, and I'm happy to be in the town of Belluno, Italy for the week. Jeff is working with a client here, and since we decided to make it our 'last trip before baby,' I'm enjoying this time with him.

How far long? 27 weeks
Baby size? about 15 inches and 1.93 pounds 
Total weight gain? I'm still sticking with 12 pounds {I, again, forgot to get a new battery for the scale before we left for this trip - hopefully can update next week.}

Maternity clothes? Yes, and it's becoming more apparent that I need to buy more.

Sleep? I'm still sleeping well, but a sea of pillows seem to be the solution for my aching back and legs. I never have that many around but the thought is very nice. I'm coping just fine with my two at the hotel. I'm surprised though that I haven't taken Jeff's pillows... yet.

Best moment(s) this week? Last Friday, Little M responded to Jeff's voice for the first time. The first time Little M responded to my voice was the week before, while Jeff was in Slovakia. I was beyond happy to share this moment with Jeff!

Miss anything? Tying my shoes in a normal fashion. The bump is making it more difficult.

Movement? I've been feeling lots of wonderful movement and am beginning to visibly see it 'on the outside.' Little M is usually moving in spurts throughout the day. He still settles down whenever I'm am ready to sleep. 

Food Cravings? Fresh fruit... and pastries. During the week for breakfast, I've been enjoying (too much really) the apricot croissant with a decaf, skinny latte from Caffe Nero. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? Nope

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy, even though little things that don't matter seem to easily upset me lately.

Looking forward to? Riding a gondola in Venice this weekend with Jeff!

26 Weeks

Now that I'm nearing the end of my second trimester, I've decided to do a weekly update. Since week 12, I've been posting a weekly photo on Instagram, but with my failing memory, I'd like to further document the remainder of my first pregnancy on the blog. When my BFF Nicole was pregnant, I enjoyed following her weekly blog update. It's hard to believe that her beautiful Ellie is almost a year old! I feel like I keep saying this, but time really flies and Little M will be here before I know it.

How far long? 26 weeks
Baby size? about 14.02 inches and 2 pounds
Total weight gain? 12 pounds {confession - I've probably gained just a bit more. I keep forgetting to replace the battery in our scale at home!}

Maternity clothes? Yes, even though I can still wear most of my pre-pregnancy clothes {i.e. by using the rubber band/hair tie method with my jeans/shorts}. I do have one pair of maternity jeans from H&M, which are for the weekends. I'll be buying another pair, because they are incredibly comfortable. For work, I have a maternity skirt, pair of pants {trousers for UK friends} and some dresses. Most of my pre-pregnancy work dresses and casual shirts still fit but are becoming snug. I doubt they'll last much longer.

Sleep? I have been sleeping well for a few hours at a time. When I do wake up, it's usually because of back pain, and once I get comfortable again, I quickly fall asleep. My pregnancy pillow has been helpful too.

Best moment(s) this week? Feeling Little M move around on my train ride home from work. Makes for a more enjoyable commute. :)

Miss anything? Cider!

Movement? Yes, even though Little M seems to be more relaxed at night. He's been moving more during the day. 

Food Cravings? Sushi! I liked sushi before and have been craving it a lot since the beginning of this pregnancy. Please don't worry - I've only eaten cooked fish. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope - not since week 12. 

Gender? Boy!!!

Labor signs? No

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding ring on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy {unless I have to stand the majority of my train ride, which is rare}

Looking forward to? Jeff coming home from Slovakia on Thursday!!

I haven't even met him yet, and my sweet boy has already been such a blessing in my life! I know I sound like a broken record, but it's so wonderfully true. There is so much joy with every move he makes and thinking of him brings a huge smile to my face. It's difficult at times not to get too anxious because I really want him here now. I rest in God's timing being best and look forward to the day Little M arrives!

Christmas Time Was Here...

Happiness and cheer! Oh, there was a lot of both this past Christmas because my sister, brother, brother-in-law and cousin stayed with me and Jeff for 2 weeks. It was their first visit to London and even their first time across the Atlantic! We showed them in and around London and went on a mini European holiday. I enjoyed their visit so much, and I was very sad to see them leave for the States. The experiences we had together were great and very memorable. And with too many stories, I'll just finish this post with some photos of our incredible time together.

Jacob, me, Bec and Philip in South Bank by the Thames on their arrival day.

Near the London Eye.

Outside of Westminster Hall for the Parliament tour.

Best seats on the bus for their first double-decker ride.

Champagne Afternoon Tea {for one - I was a day shy of being 8 weeks along} at The Wolseley.

Bec and I in the central square of Brussels, known as the Grand Place or Grote Markt.

The best Belgian waffle topped with Nutella and strawberries.

Manneken Pis or Little man Pee or the real crass 'Pissing Boy' in Brussels.

Ten Boom family home in Haarlem, Holland.

Me inside the 'hiding place' in Corrie ten Boom's room.

Waiting to enter the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Statue of Anne Frank outside of the museum.

The Berliner Dom {Berlin Cathedral}.

The Alte Nationalgalerie {Old National Gallery} in Berlin.

The Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin Wall line.

Remnants of the Berlin Wall.

Standing over Hitler's bunker.

Holocaust Memorial

Checkpoint Charlie

Berlin Christmas Market

Humboldt University of Berlin, where outside in the public square, Bebelplatz, the Nazi regime burned around 20,000 books written by who they labeled "degenerates" and opposers of the regime.

A memorial to the book burning set into the Bebelplatz.

The ridiculously funny seating arrangement from Frankfurt to Paris.

The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial just outside of Luxembourg City.

General Patton's grave inside the cemetery.

Visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Jeff, me and Kyle outside of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The Eiffel Tower at night - what an experience to have with these two!

Entrance to La Cambe German war cemetery near Bayeux, France.