34 Weeks

How big is baby: Week 34 | Butternut Squash
How I'm feeling: Alright! Tired forsure but also feeling prepared as my last couple of weddings are very close and I am super excited about them. Just two shoots and two weddings left and then this little dude can come whenever he wants! I almost feel like I am in school again and just waiting till June 19th when my out of office is going up. SO a tad bit freaked, but mostly excited it's all coming up so soon!!!! Definitely getting more swollen in my legs, but it is minimal if I walk early in the day and then put my feet up!!! It's just so weird to feel like sausage legs...
Weight gain/loss: 53-55 I think. My body just is holding on to more weight and definitely more swollen in my feets. I tried hard this week by upping my walks to everyday and no peanut butter but it seems like I am gaining consistently about 2-3 pounds a week. I am still feeling good, just expected it to slow down a bit.
Stretch marks: Yep! On the Left side of my tummy and the two are kinda growing. Today I thought I saw the mirror set on the other side but kind of went away after lotion.
Sleep: Doing pretty good. I toss often at night. Last night I had dreams that I was having contractions EVERY time I fell back asleep. Like I was in a contraction and wasn't dealing with it well. It was SO frustrating. I wasn't experiencing pain at all or cramping but woke up feeling like I failed at something. SO weird.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Grilled Shrimp was amazing this weekend, and still loving the chocolate chips. Also loving strawberries, blueberries, walnuts and goat cheese as a snack. Fresh cucumbers and watermelon also good.
Movement: Yep! At his own times of course but anytime I have been nervous I will sit down for the 5 in a hour 10 in two hour counts and he does well. Last appointment he was still head down, shoulders to the left, butt and feet to the right. Praying he stays that way.
What I'm loving: That all my Blooma momma friends are having babies, two actually yesterday. It's crazy to think that we are that close! Yet maybe far too with 5 weeks left! It's been such a joy to attend yoga and barre at a place that just loves Mommas and get's so excited about births!
Symptoms: My smelling sensation has gone crazy! I can smell EVERYTHING, which is good and bad. Ha. Going to the bathroom often. Pelvic pain. Swelling feet. Hips that hurt at night. Also last week was the first week I am starting to do less at Yoga and Barre. My body is just saying take it slow and that is totally good and great. Oh ps up another size in BIG undies size 10 this week, they are getting harder to find.
What I'm looking forward to: I have a friends shower, my last shower this weekend! So excited to see all those ladies and also to then close out the registries and have all that we need!!!
Best moment of the week: Finishing all the Thank You's that I have been working on for months. Cleaning and organizing the nursery. Really getting the drawers ready and things washed and making sure I have enough of "certain" things before we purchase out the end of the registries! I also scored a Mamaroo last week and I am so excited about it! We did a lot over the holiday weekend and still felt rested. It was greatness. 
Verse that I am clinging to:  Philippians 4:6 | Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
I posted this on instagram last night as I could worry about SO MUCH RIGHT NOW. But why? I just need to PRAY about it instead and remind myself that God is in control and not me. He has the perfect plans.
Advice to myself :: G, God has this. Stop worrying. Pray more, keep asking for what birth you would like and then continue to surrender it All. Take your naps. PUT YOUR FEET UP (especially early in the day, like let them drain for 20-30 against the wall it super helps) It will get done. How huge of a blessing that you are HERE. 35 weeks today. What a amazing gift today is. Stay in that and the moments will fly by! Get out early in the am to walk as it's getting hotter and GO TO BED EARLIER!
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Whoopsies, took these on 35 Weeks exact, but you get the drift ;)

26-34 Week Comparison

The big long one was almost too much to view, so I started from 26 weeks till 34 weeks here! :) A little behind on this one but it's all good :)

33 Weeks

How big is baby:  Week 33 | Durian Fruit
How I'm feeling: Well honestly I would say week 33 was the hardest so far. Up until now I have had harder or scarier days but this was the first week things got harder physically. I just have been really really tired, this little dude must of had a HUGE growth spurt this week. Shooting kids is pretty rough right now as the up and down and chasing is harder than I thought. Shooting couples and weddings are a lot simpler compared to littles. I don't typically have to chase, bend, grab, scream, dance and chase adults as I do with kiddos. I have noticed how much I actually do bend over everyday. It's tricky when there is not room!
Weight gain/loss: Feeling HUGE. Belly button almost popped somedays. Hit 50 today. I wonder if I would have been running/working out hard prior to getting pregnant if my weight gain would have been a bit different. But truthfully I have eaten really clean and worked out a ton (just non hard cardio) and that's all I can do. I just am going to choose to be grateful that my body is making a human. It's so weird how once you hit another weight number (30,40,50) the fears come and try to settle in. But for me this is another lesson of surrender. My body is shared with someone else and their needs right now. I just need to trust Jesus and His plan.
Stretch marks: Found my first two this week. AHH! It's alright as I thought I might get them as I had them growing up on my back. I hadn't been good about lotion-ing religiously, so I am starting now again to hopefully prevent more.
Sleep:  Reasonable. Trying to nap more during the days. I was SO tired this last week. Crazy tired. Getting out of the bed is the hardest.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Had hunger that never stopped it felt like. Chicken Salad still a winner, some chocolate, other than that not too much. I had 3 small laffy taffy's on the ride home from Wausau this weekend, perfect little cheat. I had way too many GF items over the weekend. They just make me feel like CRAP. No more.
Movement: Yes, again at his own times. Morning btw 5:30-8:00 or after I eat, then pretty quiet till early evening 6-8 and then crazy from 8:30-12:00pm. He might have turned posterior in the last week or so? We will see what the doc says, I just can't seem to feel his hard back like usual just little appendages.
What I'm loving: Feeling halfway normal today. Since the weekend was so busy so grateful to wake up on Tuesday with no pelvic pain. I had a great Monday of a private barre session and yoga and naps.
Symptoms: Crazy CRAZY pelvic pain. Increased pressure on cervix. (Not my favorite) Exhaustion. Feeling down. Harder to move. Gas pain that feels like "contractions" seriously super weird. Needing to not wear certain pants as they are too tight!
What I'm looking forward to:  Seeing my new physician again tomorrow and having a trillion questions to ask. I can't wait to knock down some of the BIG ones I have. Hopefully my body recalibrates to this last growth spurt and will start to feel super great again! Yesterday I ran to target and got the final workings of my postnatal things and hospital bag, from all the suggestions on facebook and friends! It felt so good to finish. I love walking through a new and quiet target in the am!! Also, blowing up my stability ball to work on. Sitting in general has become alot harder with pelvic pain.
Best moment of the week:  Nerdy but my new pjs! Our shower in Wausau was fun to see family and friends. I wasn't feeling well most of the weekend so I would say another would be waking up Tuesday morning without most of the pain!

Advice for myself: Gina if you do ever get to experience this awesome gift again. Use these next weeks to rest. Schedule less and know this is where the going gets a bit more rough. Schedule a prenatal massage or two for 32/33 weeks. Go outside and breathe. It's ok to ask for help. It's ok to say no to the dog that always sleeps on top you. Also, remember you are carrying a miracle a gift you waited for and that is way more important and awesome than you right now. Care for you, but also know this is the end of the road and let that baby grow! Also start wearing a maternity belt around 31 during house chores and shoots? I am trying one now and it will hopefully help the pelvic pain.
Verse that I am clinging to: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." (1 Peter 5:7, NLT) | like I mentioned earlier I really am in a place of needing to constantly surrender to Him. To lay out all my fears, hopes, physical ailments and just talk to Him like he is my dad. Sharing the good and the bad. Praising in the hard and the blessing. I am sure there will be more ahead, but just praising God that there is a baby in my belly. That my friends is a miracle!!!
Photo: this dress is totally navy in color just looks black due to the crazy lighting in the nursery. Only 7-8 pictures left!?!?!?

32 Weeks

How big is baby:  32 weeks | Squash
How I'm feeling: Holy tired! This week has been full of super tired and I have been starting to be super stiff. I need to start going to bed a bit earlier! I did do a lot of back to back shooting last weekend, but yet I think little man is just growing this week. Praying hard this body continues to hold up.
Weight gain/loss: 47 pounds. Almost to 50! I feel like that girl on SNL saying I'm 50!! :) Definitely it seems like it's all in my legs and booty. But hey, if it supports this belly than I am ok with it.
Stretch marks: None, I see yet. We will see if they stay away.
Sleep: Is going alright. Having very terrible and vivid dreams so it's hard to sleep because of them. Also I had the BEST nap of my life on Mother's Day. With literally 7 pillows, now that I sleep with nightly. A little less hip pain this week.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: OMG. Chicken salad! Jenna made some for my bible study shower last week and have been craving it ever since! The beets and salad less this week but for sure have made that chicken salad 3 times this week! Also, chocolate chips as usual.
Movement: Tons! Not always when I stand up but it's so fun and just makes me feel so lucky to be pregnant when I can feel a little person in there. Can definitely feel more of where he is. This action really has only been since week 31 I think.
What I'm loving: That's it's already 33 weeks today! It's gone by so fast. I am so excited to finish up my last weddings and then meet this little man. It's just exciting it's really getting closer.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. Hip pain. No energy.
What I'm looking forward to: We have another shower this weekend and just really excited to see everyone. Also to meet with our new doc again next week and ask a bunch of questions about what is upcoming. What if's and such. I am working hard to get my hospital bags packed soon too. I just want to get as much done by June 1st, so it can be a relaxing month.
Best moment of the week: My shower last week with the bible study girls was absolutely delightful. Tea, cookies and just a fun and gorgeous time!! It was such a blessing! We also had a breast feeding class that I really enjoyed this week.

Advice to myself: Adding this one to the mix this week. If I was ever blessed to be pregnant again, it would probably good to read through my own advice as I am asking SO many momma things around these weeks.  Gina be efficient with you days in term of doing and resting. Don't waste time in the morning being unproductive. So that you don't have to feel guilty about taking an afternoon nap or 3. Take baths. Cuddle Mya and actually rest or read. No phone. You only have 7weeks left of this gift that you might not ever get to experience again. Soak it in. Also continue to trust Jesus in his plan for baby z's arrival. He has it. Keep praying for what you hope but give it all to Him.
Verse that I am clinging to: 
Verses that just remind me that God HAS this! He is in control!!! Learning to believe how BIG his LOVE and plans are and that I need to stay and be in them.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go Joshua 1:9 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 
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Nursery Sneak

Just a quick sneak of the close-to-finished nursery. No theme necessarily, but just cute lamby's popping up here and there. Mostly super simple bright white and some fun gold accents. Leaving out some of the favorite power pieces in the room for the big reveal later. Won't show it all till our official newborn session, but here are some fun sneak peeks! Pretty sure I will switch around the little gray shelf with less red stuff, but looked good together so I thought it would be fun to grab a pic! In LOVE with the watercolor prints I got from the amazing Shalyn Nelson SO talented. I will have to show you the others that we have too! AHH! It's coming together!!!

31 Weeks

How big is baby: 31 Weeks | Pineapple
How I'm feeling: Crazy 32 weeks tomorrow! Pretty good. More pressure and pelvic stuff, but seems he is sitting higher and stretching the top of my belly. Definitely way more tired than last week, and just trying to rest up.
Weight gain/loss: 43.5 pounds.
Stretch marks: None that I see yet. The belly button is getting close to popping though.
Sleep: Definitely getting harder. I need to start rolling out before bed as I am getting bad hip cramps in the middle of the night. Weird scary dreams too.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Craving fresh food. Kale, Beets and Feta or Goat Cheese. We actually ended up making Gluten Free and Sugar Free donuts last week at night and they were AMAZING sauce. Recipe Here.
Movement: Finally starting to feel him a bit when I stand up. Mostly at night. His awake time are in the am 7-9am after eating and then later night like 6-9 and 11-1am.
What I'm loving: A pretty much FINISHED nursery! As far as decor wise, I think we are just missing a lamp! AHH it looks awesome. I think I am posting a sneak tomorrow for y'all! Saving the good big stuff for our actual newborn session later, but have some that will give you the feel of the space.
Symptoms: Starting to swell more at night and my legs are just getting bigger. Tired. TIRED. This week. Last week had SO much energy but this week no way! Hungry for chocolate.
What I'm looking forward to: Tomorrow I have an appointment that I am pretty pumped about. Also I have my bible study girls shower. I am so excited to have a girls night with them. This week is Leah's gender reveal as well, so excited to see who they are adding to their family a little boy or girl.
Best moment of the week: It was really fun to have our first shower and see many family friends I haven't seen in awhile. My mom and sister did a really amazing job and it looked gorgeous! The GF glazed donuts weren't that amazing from the bakery, but their chocolate kind was super good. Blooma Barre was amazing today! I just love my teacher Julie she rocks IT! Also, my chiropractor taped my back last week and it really helped!!!
Verse that I am clinging to: Ephesians 5:15 | Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.  I just need to continue to keep Jesus as my focus. My first thought in the morning and not just zipping into my day and saying I will do devotions later. So, I just need to manage my time better with the Lord and set my heart and soul from the START of the day!
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          | Photo taken at 31 Weeks and 6 days | 

30 Weeks

How big is baby: 30 Weeks | Cucumber (photo taken on day 1 of 31 weeks) whoops :)
How I'm feeling: Pretty good. More tired but have had the huge energy rush to get stuff done. Everything done. My bank acct doesn't love it, but really can't wait to have most of the rooms "finished" for now. Been staying up WAY too late. Taking a nap if I can during the day.
Weight gain/loss: 42-44
Stretch marks: None I can see yet, Peeking around for them though.
Sleep: A little bit better than last week. I think cause I am exhausted once I finally sleep at like 2am. Still get my BEST rest at the end of Yoga.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: All this girl wants is a gluten free glazed donut and my mom is having a bakery make them for my shower this weekend. I am PUMPED about it. Other than that, this week's food tastes are down besides craving beets, goat cheese and kale. I have to figure out HOW to make beets before the ones I have go bad!
Movement: Yes, he is in there. Still wondering WHERE He is or positioned but this week felt my first elbow or foot maybe, more of a smaller part. Kinda fun.
What I'm loving: Getting the nursery close to done! The prints for the walls are coming in and it's really coming together. Also just finishing the basement up a little too! It isn't perfect but good! LOVE my dear friend Anne who is so incredibly gifted at helping!!!
Symptoms: Hip pain, Pelvic pain, starting to get uncomfortable sitting and working on a laptop is tricky.
What I'm looking forward to: Pretty excited about my first shower this weekend, and like I said that donut. :)
Best moment of the week: Scoring some dressers for our room for $35 total at an awesome thrift store. They will need a little finishing but they are beauts! Also, teaching a class over at influence this week was pretty awesome. I felt SO incapable, but the Lord worked and I think the group got a lot out of it! Feeling grateful! Today was my first day to Yoga, but did walk on the treadmill. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday as well as did the Blooma Yoga tape at home. I am SO a go to class not a video at home girl. I just love the interaction!
Verse that I am clinging to:  2 Corinthians 4:7 ::  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. I just love this verse. Jason Meyer has talked about, and I found in my bible from last September. We show our cracks to show Christ! Just powerful to me, meaning we weren't made to have it all together! We need Christ!!!
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