31 Weeks...and Wedding Weekend #2!

**This is a pregnancy-related post, so please feel free to skip this post if you're not up for it. God bless.**

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday, or happy BUMPday as we call it in our house! I hope everyone’s weeks are off to a great start.

Our week, as usual, has been busy. I’m sounding like a broken record these days, aren’t I? We capped off last week with a daddy-daughter dinner date (me) and a bachelor party (T), before launching into yet another wedding weekend. Four down (this year), one more to go—our last of THREE just in the month of November!

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. We were able to witness our good friends Mary Jane (the girl I sponsored earlier this year as she entered the Church!) and Zach tie the knot in a gorgeous Catholic ceremony that, per usual, brought me to tears. And get this—she walked down the aisle to the SAME SONG that I did at my wedding, a song that practically no one has heard of, and I had no idea until her processional began! Naturally, more tears—actually, closer to full on weeping (T was very proud). Since I know you’re SO curious, here’s the song—I highly recommend you listen to it, it’s just gorgeous!

The bride looked STUNNING, the groom looked dapper, and we ate and drank (I even stole a sip of T’s Malbec…mmm!) until way past my bedtime. The only thing that I was SUPER disappointed about was my realization that I really can’t dance anymore! Well, not like I want to. After movin’-and-groovin’ to a few upbeat songs, I quickly realized that gravity and my huge belly are no longer friends. I was ACHEY. Again, poor T, because you should see this guy’s moves…what a stud. 

Of course, I HAD to dance when they started playing my favorite song (the song I had requested!)...again, enjoy.

We consoled ourselves with an extra piece of wedding cake (and a few extra mini cupcakes), because why not? Sadly I was too lazy to take any pictures...I will try to remember this weekend!

Sunday was another very, very busy day. Grandma and Grandpa Holi (T’s parents) drove in from IN to help with some chores, and we were SO GRATEFUL. T’s dad fixed our garage door opener, and I can honestly say it felt like Christmas morning to have a working garage door again! One more thing to check off of our before-baby-comes list! He also put a keypad on our garage door, and picked up our new water heater. Because, of course, our water heater decided to crap out around the same time that our other expensive chores needed tending to. Still, so so grateful for their help. Grandma Holi even washed a bunch of baby clothes for me while I ran errands—thank God for helping hands!

And another amazing bonus, T surprised me with an early Xmas gift…a remote car starter! You see, I used to have one, but a few years ago in a game-of-catch-that-went-awry-aka-a-game-of-catch-that-I-did-not-even-know-I-was-playing, it broke. And so, I am OVER THE MOON to have a new one! T had refused for a while, but what finally convinced him? “I was thinking about it, and I just decided that I didn’t want you and baby to ever be cold.” Be still my heart.

What’s left on our previously long list of chores, you might ask? Well, general construction of the baby’s nursery is of course a priority, but that will not be done until mid-spring, so I am putting it OUT OF MY MIND until then. We do have a brand new baseboard heater waiting to be installed in the room, so, baby steps (pun intended).

But the interim nursery is looking so good, you guys! T cleared out all of the extra furniture/garbage so that it actually looks like a nursery and not a dumping ground for random stuff. While I so badly wish I could repaint/redo the room, I am trying to remind myself that the real nursery will be lovely and baby will not mind the random stripe on the wall (from the previous owners) in the meantime. I have most of the hand-me-downs (again, thank God for help!) washed and put away, our glider is re-covered and clean, and our crib is all put together. After we fill it with a few more shower gifts, we will be READY FOR BABY to move in! Holy cow, did I just say that?! Are we THAT CLOSE?!?!?! I always love looking at people’s “nursery tours” when they’re finished with baby’s room, but this room is nothing to brag about. What I WILL be bragging about is the room’s adorable tenant…move-in date is scheduled for TWO SHORT MONTHS from now!!!

Also, our car is fixed and humming like new. Another expensive chore, but so glad it’s done.

The only thing left on our plates, so to speak, is holiday-planning. We are trying to keep things as simple as possible this year, but as you all know, the holidays are NEVER as simple as we want them to be. We have almost all of our Christmas shopping done, we just need to finalize plans and whatnot. God, give us the patience and clarity to recognize that despite the hustle and bustle, this season is about YOU. I definitely need that reminder, now more than ever!

Have I bored you all enough yet?! On to the fun stuff!

Before the wedding last weekend! Yes, same dress. And you'll see it again THIS WEEKEND, too, ha!

A shot from a baby app that I use...I can't BELIEVE how big baby's hand print is already! Also, note the text where T is comparing baby's size...pretty cute.

How far along?  31 weeks! Baby is 17ish inches long, apparently the size of a head of Romaine lettuce, and at my appointment last week the doc estimated that he is already between 4-4.5 pounds!!! Um, HUH?!

Clothing? Quite limited…rotating the same 8-10 pieces over and over again, trying to be creative with accessories. Pretty much wearing leggings every day if we’re being honest.

Stretch marks? I don’t think so? Sometimes I see some red marks on the belly but they usually disappear by the end of the day, so probably just lines from clothing. But honestly, at this point, I will take whatever comes. My belly is huge…it would not be a shock.

Sleep? Not awesome, lots of tossing and turning and definite belly pain when I sleep…is that normal? I just feel like my belly is sore, constantly. Still,  I shouldn’t complain too much because I am still getting my 8+ hours despite my restlessness. Very grateful for this.

Best moment of this week? Celebrating another lovely wedding, getting SO MUCH accomplished for baby, crossing into the SINGLE DIGIT WEEKS until my due date!!!

Worst moment of this week? This week was pretty great. I am tired/sore all the time now, but really, small potatoes.

Miss anything? There is nothing that I can’t live without until January!

Movement? CONSTANT HICCUPS! Lately Baby H has been hiccupping AT LEAST once a day, usually 2-3 times! It’s awfully cute, I love it so much!

Symptoms? Big, tired, slow. Achy, some indigestion/heartburn, breast tenderness, uncomfortable fullness after meals, sore back, Charlie horses, trouble with sinuses (especially at night), upper/lower linea nigra, weak legs, TOTAL pregnancy brain, trouble with sciatica, and major pregnancy brain. Oh, and just a SORE tummy. It’s sore all the time. Braxton Hicks are definitely kickin’ up, too. **Note: I re-read this and noticed that I wrote "pregnancy brain" twice, and almost deleted one of them, but decided to keep them both, because, well...pregnancy brain is obviously real, folks.

Food cravings? Last night I was craving SODA, which never ever happens. I don’t even like soda, honestly. But I CHUGGED a Sprite and man, was it good. Also, this is not a craving per say, but I cannot get enough hot showers these days. I wish I could spend all day in the shower!!!

Gender? Did you notice that I changed the gender pronouns on you today?! Figured I should practice for a little man, even though I still think girl!

Labor Signs? Nope.

Belly button in or out? OUT AND PROUD.

Mood? Starting to get REALLY excited…with the holidays and everything else we have coming up, baby’s birthday is starting to feel very very close!

Rituals? Nighttime lullaby, holy water on the belly in the morning, holy oil on the belly at night. Routine bedtime chats. And a few playful poke fests to watch the baby squirm around in my belly!

Milestones? Reaching single digit weeks left until the due date! Getting into the constant-hiccupping phase!  Also, starting to be able to identify certain body parts as they poke out of my stomach…can definitely tell the difference between elbows and baby’s cute little butt!

Looking forward to? My 32-week appointment on November 25, the last of our fall weddings this weekend, THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S, and the start of BABY SHOWER SEASON!!!

Bonus shot of the adorable invite my aunt sent out! I love it so much!

This week's pregnancy-small-talk-gems (aka things other people say to pregnant ladies without thinking): Got another very nice compliment from the same train station lady today! She walked by and told me I was GLOWING, which every pregnant lady loves hearing. Not to be outdone by this lovely exchange with a male co-worker: “Wow, you’re HUGE all of the sudden. How much longer will you be with us?” “Um, 7.5ish more weeks.” “Holy cow, that long?! Are you sure there aren’t two in there?!?! Maybe you just look so big because you’re so short?!” And he continued from there, trying to find some “reason” for why I looked so big. How about because I have a giant baby in my stomach?! Also, please hush up.

Some bonus shots that I found on my phone this week, of a day this summer when T and I were matching...

Although I could NOT BE MORE EXCITED TO WELCOME THIS LITTLE ONE INTO OUR FAMILY, I have had my moments of sadness over the fact that E&T time will never be the same. Regardless, he will always be my very best friend, and I cannot WAIT to see him as a Dad!

That’s all for now…have a terrific week!