Reflections & Perspective from a Pregnant Mama

7 1/2 weeks

35 weeks

I just have to laugh looking at these two pictures side by side.  For those of you who keep telling me how great I look - thank you and I love you, but I must say there's no denying I've gained weight since my first pregnancy shot and there's definitely a little someone inside of me.  I have had this obvious realization hit me lately that somehow or another this rock solid little thing I feel in my stomach has to exit somehow and I must say - when I think of the HOW, I get slightly scared :)

It kinda puts everything in perspective when I look back at a stomach I never even appreciated I had, to the one I have now that's round and jiggles at times like a "bowl full of jelly" to quote the Night Before Christmas.  But, it's also one of the most amazing feelings I've ever had to look down at my full belly and see Sophia inside squirming around and making all kinds of shapes on my little basketball stomach.  I guess the gist is, for the trade off of what's coming I'll take the belly and added pounds and I just can't wait to meet her and see what she'll look like.

It's crazy as I stare down the finish line of this pregnancy how mixed my emotions have become.  Some days I'm just so excited to be done with this and have my baby in my arms.  The discomfort level keeps creeping up and I suppose I am growing more and more tired of the frequent bathroom runs and added aches and pains in my hips and back (especially when I sleep at night) and yes, sadly the back-acne (throw me a bone why don't ya?).

I'd love to have my body back so I don't have to worry about what position I'm sleeping in, what kind of cheese I'm consuming that might hurt the baby, or whether that special sauce in my meal at a restaurant has something I'm not supposed to be eating.  There are so many rules and things to think about when you're pregnant and it honestly just boggles the mind and becomes overwhelming at times.

Yet, the other side of me is slightly panicked and anxious at the thought of becoming a mom in a few weeks.  I know I'll be "ready" because I've always wanted this and shoot - I'll have to be, but I find myself running through checklists trying to make sure I'm as ready as I can and there just never seems to be enough time to juggle everything on my list and keep up with my day job.  My brain just feels clogged at times and I find my stamina waning by the end of most days.

Trey and I made up a list of things to do before she gets here - like dates we want to take before we can't and I hate feeling like the life as we we know it - which is so fun and great - is about to end.

So then I go back and forth between feeling guilty about not being completely "ready" and excited about the changes coming our way.  I guess this flip floppy mind is somewhat normal when you go into having your first child.  I suppose overall the excitement at holding our little girl and getting to know her far exceeds any reservations I have and I just pray she's a healthy and happy little baby.

Something tells me it will be love at first sight and nothing else will matter on her birth day.  So pounds, pack 'em on if you will.  Bathroom runs do your worst.  If every other mom out there could handle it, I feel confident I can too.  And Sophia, hurry up and grow to healthy size because I can't wait to meet you!

A New Car!

Too much info for one post so here's part 3.  On top of the jammed packed weekend of getting the nursery ready and having my second baby shower, Trey and I bought a new car!  We'd been debating on the new Nissan Pathfinder, Lexus RX 350 and the Acura MDX for a few weeks now but Trey found an amazing deal on a 2011 MDX down at the Mercedes Dealership in Columbus, GA so Friday afternoon we decided to bite the bullet and head down there to buy it.  

We worked out all the details before we got there and knew that if it looked good we'd drive it home.  It didn't disappoint and an hour after we got there we were heading home in a new car.  I can tell it's going to take some getting used to for me to drive an SUV but I love it already and know it'll be a better option for me when I'm driving little Sophia around town soon enough.

Belly Bump update & Nursery Sneak Peak

First an update on belly shots.  I'm now at 33 1/2 weeks so another shot to come...

29 weeks                                                                                                       32 weeks

I've been trying to hold off on posting any shots of the nursery until I was completely done but since it's almost there I thought I'd share a few.  I couldn't resist after getting my bedding - which was made by my sister in law Carrie Beth.  She did such an amazing job on all the bedding and the skirt and even made a cute pillow with Sophia's initial on it.  Thanks Carrie Beth!!!  I love how it all came together so perfectly and the pattern really matches well with the colors in the room.  

My mom is making me curtains with the same pattern as the crib skirt and I can't wait to see the final look!  All that's left after that is a changing pad, crystal chandelier (waiting on Trey to hang it - you can see it in the closet), and putting up the baby mobile.  I love going into her room and just taking it all in and can't wait until she's here to use it!  

Love this bedding!

Hand made frame

Inspiration - sold at Precious Cargo for $98!  That's insane!

Had so much fun paining this!

I made the letters with scrapbook paper and mod podge paint.  Topped them off with some decorative flowers.

Thanks to all the clothes friends and family (especially Carrie Beth!)  have gifted and passed down this girl is going to be one stylish little chick!

Baby Showers!

These past few weeks have been so fun and busy getting the nursery ready for baby girl's arrival... and by the way we FINALLY have a name!  After months of back and forth Trey and I decided on Sophia Marie!  I quickly made some letters for the wall and nailed them up so Trey couldn't change his mind so it's set and I couldn't be happier and more relieved that at least that decision is down! ;)

Anyway, I feel like every day I find one more little thing to do to add to the nursery and it's so exciting to see it finally coming together.  It's funny too how a little tiny room is getting so much more attention than any other room in the house but I guess that's to be expected when it's your first child.  It really has been fun adding my little crafty touches to the room and now after receiving some cute gifts from my amazing and generous friends and family at my first 2 baby showers it really feels like it's almost ready for Sophia's arrival!

On that note, I have had baby showers the past two Saturdays and the hosts have just completely outdone themselves at both.  The first one was hosted by some of my closest friends Maggie, Kelsey, Terrie and my cousin Ali and this weekend Carrie Beth and Jen hosted another one.

They were both absolutely amazing and everyone put in such attention to detail!  I felt so loved seeing how much work they all put in to throwing me the most perfect showers and everyone who came seemed to really enjoy the yummy brunches.  Thanks again girls!

And little Sophia is already so spoiled with all the great gifts I got to welcome her into the world.  It's really all still so surreal that ready or not she's coming soon but it does make me feel a little more prepared now that I have some baby gear and accessories that I'll need when she gets here.

Here are some pictures from the showers...

Last weekend...

me and the amazing hostesses - Ali, Terrie, Maggie and Kelsey

Terrie bought the cake from a lady in Athens and it was delicious!

Maggie and Kelsey

So fun to spend time with some of my best friends from high school and college!

Little Sophia is so lucky to have such talented friends and family who make her such cute things!

Everyone was admiring Ann's smocked dress that she hand made.  I love it!

Another adorable handmade gift from Terrie's mother - she made the quilt herself!

Maggie and Mrs. Williams made the cutest diaper cake and I loved how Maggie tried to incorporate the giraffe theme into everything since she knew I had a giraffe thing going in the nursery.

Yes, those are pictures of me they secretly got my dad to drop by before the shower.

This weekend's shower...

With the announcement of our name Carrie Beth and Jen scrambled to personalize everything for the shower.  This greeted us at the door and I thought it was so cute!!!

 Such a cute shower favor!

me and the hostesses and junior hostesses with the mostest (Handley and Harper were such great helpers!   I know they're going to be the best cousins!)

I was overwhelmed at how generous everyone was!  Got some really great gifts!

Adorable personalized cookies and diaper cake

 My friend Bree and I are due just three days apart and both will be delivering at Piedmont!  Too crazy!  She's expecting a little boy and I can't wait for our little ones to play together!

So glad Lula was able to make it.  Not sure how I would've made it through 2 years at King & Spalding without her.

Love all my dinner club girls!

Alpha Chi sisters!