Bump Update: 32 Weeks

I have been carrying our sweet baby for 8 months.

EIGHT MONTHS.

That.is.crazy.

People keep asking me if I'm ready.

Yes.

And no.

I mean, you'd think after 8 months, I'd be ready. But I still feel like there is more money to be saved, more projects to be finished in the nursery, more precious time spent with my hubby, and more books to be read to "prepare" me for what is to come.

What a joke, right?

I will NEVER be ready.

My hope is that she comes into this world and things will just... fall into place.

How Far Along: 32 Weeks - 8 months. And I'm actually 33 weeks today. Holy hyperventilating. 

Maternity Clothes: Um. Yes. I am ALL maternity. I have friends who just buy bigger "regular" clothes...not I. I feel most comfy in maternity. And I've actually outgrown some of my earlier gear. Yikes!

Gender: GIRL! On this note... since I'm a low-risk pregnancy, I've only had 1 sonogram. So this is all we have to go by in terms of the sex. I've had a few moments lately (specifically after we've put in HOURS of work on the nursery and washing all her little baby girl clothes) where I've thought to myself, "Hmm. Funny if she came out a boy". 

I've known 3 people this has happened to. 

Let's all cross our fingers...

Movement: Her movements have completely changed. I love them so much. She's no longer kicking or poking. Now, she's simply stretching out, nudging, and rolling all over the place. We feel her little legs and arms all the time. Makes my heart MELT! 

She's also ventured up into my ribcage. This does not feel overly comfy. 

Sleep: They say that insomnia is very common and I believe 70% of women deal with it during 3rd trimester. I have been BEYOND lucky. I wake up once every night to go to the bathroom, and I barely remember it. I am sleeping so well. 

I do wake up every time I have to roll over (which is about every hour) simply because it is a whole process. But I'm still sleeping beautifully. 

And I don't feel bad about it. I struggled with YEARS of insomnia. Years. I think now my body is just making up for all that lost sleep. :)

What I miss: *Being able to roll over without looking and feeling like a walrus. *Wearing a cute little Victoria's Secret bikini. *Being able to paint my toes. *Not having to worry about every single thing that I ingest. 

Cravings: Starbucks Iced Soy Lattes and Quik Trip fountain sodas. Stop judging. I switch it up and get caffein free half of the time. Can't help it. Let a girl indulge. 

Other crazy symptoms: Heartburn is bad. Luckily, I only get it about 3 times a week. Oh, and Braxton Hicks contractions every day. I was getting concerned because I have so many, but my doctor says that you often feel them if you are in shape and work out a lot. 

Oh. And the weight (annoyingly) just keep piling on. I gained 5 dang pounds in Aruba, and now I'm starting to gain a pound a week. Not happy about this. But it's all for my little chunky monkey! :) But surprisingly, my weight nazi of a doctor  says that I look great and there is no concern on the weight gain end. Phew! 

Size of Babe: Honeydew and 4 pounds. 

Best Moment this week: I'm combining several moments over the last few weeks. 

1). The nursery is FINALLY coming together!!! I'm such a planner, but this has been one thing we've really had a difficult time just getting done. Our schedules have been insane, so it's been hard. But it is finally starting look like an adorable little baby room. Pics soon to come. ;)

Two observations about the nursery:

• It's Gabe's new hangout. I find him hanging out in my rocker with a beer and his iPad daily now. 

• Sam is LOVING the new rug. I like to think that it's his little way of telling Lyla he's excited to meet her. :)

2). Date night with my love. Of course we got Mexican food and frozen yogurt. 

3). So many CLASSES. We've taken a baby care, how to soothe a crying baby, and our Bradley Method labor and deliver classes. And we still have more to go! We are absolutely loving our labor classes. It's a 12 week course focusing on natural childbirth, and Gabe and I have reached a whole new level of bonding. It's very special. And I'm SO happy with the class.

4). My out-of-town college friend shower. My college besties threw me the sweetest little shower a couple of weeks ago. Little Lyla is already so spoiled! ;)

Bump Pic:

Just what the doctor ordered

We made it back from vacation alive, in one piece, and no early delivery of Baby Lyla. :)

I can't begin to tell you how many concerned looks I got from people when I told them we were going to Aruba at 30 weeks pregnant. Maybe I WAS crazy, but I got the go-ahead from my doctor, and it was the best decision ever! Especially because I have felt great during my third trimester (unlike my first and second).

Needless to say, traveling wasn't so bad (just swollen ankles a day or two) and it was one of the funnest trips we've ever taken.

We were on the beautiful island of Aruba, the southernmost island of the Caribbean...and only 10 miles from the coast of Venezuela.

The bluest waters you've ever seen.

Fine, white sand.

The BEST food I've ever had on vacation. I mean not one.bad.meal. (I paid for this fact when I got back and realized I had gained...GULP...5 pounds. Yikes!)

And one of our most favorite couples in the whole world. Our travel buddies from Rhode Island.

Let's just say there's definitely a reason that Aruba's motto is "One Happy Island".

Even though we're just now paying the bills for the trip, it was TOTALLY worth it.

Happy Baby Mooniversary

So. I've actually been back from vacation for a week.

Went straight into an insanely busy week with all day school trainings, homework that made me want to pull my hair out (what teacher has homework over summer break???), doctors appointments, labor and delivery classes, and of course catching up on laundry and housekeeping.

But I'm back in action.

We had THE most amazing trip to Aruba.

Before we left, we heard from several world traveler friends, "Aruba is our FAVORITE place to visit" or "Aruba has the most stunning beaches you've ever seen."

Nothing but the truth, my friends.

We originally had plans to go to Italy or Costa Rica this summer. But then 8 months ago, I found out a teeny little bit of surprising news that would change our plans. ;)

So, we decided that we should do something a bit more relaxing.

So our plans changed to celebrate our BABYMOON (last vacation before Baby Lyla)/6 Year Anniversary with two of our most favorite people in Aruba.

And it couldn't have been more perfect.

Here are just a few pics of the first day we were there.

We celebrated 6 years at our own little private table.

On the beach.

3 feet from the ocean.

Until the sun set.

It was PERFECT.

More Aruba pics soon to come...