The Past 9 Months- A Look Back

Don't forget to vote for what you think Max's weight will be. If you'd like to be specific, leave it in the comments.

Today is my last day at work for 12 weeks! We had yummy celebratory donuts that Lacey brought in (I was craving Krispy Kreme). I thought I'd take a look back at the pregnancy and share some thoughts and photos from the past 9 months

We found out in the beginning of June that we were expecting a little bambino. David was traveling and I couldn't wait to tell him.

Our first doctors appointment wasn't until July 15 at 9 weeks. It felt like a million years waiting for the confirmation appointment.

I was so glad that Michelle and James were passing through on their summer vacation so we could tell them in person. They helped us skype my mom and share the news.

Michelle and James made all the shirts and I came across this baby bump shirt the other day. I should have put it back on, but there is NO way it would fit.

From week 6 until week 17-18 I was not feeling so hot. It was an all day yucky feeling and I was unable to cook or do anything like I was used to.

Most of my weekends were spent laying down, researching and reading. Thankfully it went away and I have been feeling pretty great ever since!

David jumped into survival mode and started accomplishing items that have been on our to-do list like home renovations. We wanted to do something for us before we would be devoting our everything for the baby.

In October we had a gender reveal party where we found out before hand that Max was a boy and had a fun party to share. The cupcakes revealed blue!

It was fun google videoing with my family and friends from all over that weren't able to be in GA for the party.

It was really fun and I'm glad we did it.

In November we went up to NY for thanksgiving and had a great shower with my family. My mom and sister did a great hosting job and Max got spoiled rotten.

I thought I was getting so big, but man was I wrong lol. I don't look 30 weeks pregnant here.

In December we had so many fun holiday gatherings including my GA shower hosted by David's family. I was also thankful to have my family come to town to help with the nursery and really pull everything together for us.

We also got to see baby Max on 3D/4D ultrasound. He wasn't very cooperative, but he is so cute looking still.

We also learned that he should have been turned face down by now and tried everything to get him to go on his own. We even had an external version performed by the Doctor to manually try to turn him. We were unsuccessful and now just anticipating the scheduled c-section.

I was also so excited to get maternity photos done to remember this time.

One of our favorite projects was the evolution of Max's nursery. We started just with custom bedding and colors (blue, aqua and lime green) and when my sister told us that the boy in the wild things book was named Max we thought it was really cool. We began researching how we could incorporate various pieces into the room. David's motto on this project was apparently go big or go home, because he took it to the next level with customized vinyl wall decals which he created and placed on the walls. I love the personal touches.

Here is a picture from 9 weeks. I can't believe I thought I was getting a stomach at that point. 

10 week belly shot.

This was from this morning, so just about 39 weeks! I'll take a full length one for our final days left. I think I will miss feeling Max move all the time the most. I have really enjoyed that and think I will be using my moby wrap a lot to keep him close. I can't wait for my mom to come tonight and for us to meet Max on Friday. I'll post my last survey tomorrow at 39 weeks!

Thanks for following in our journey!

Chipotle Chicken Tostadas

I went to a baby shower for our niece Ashley a few Sundays ago and made these yummy Chipotle Chicken Tostada bites. I wish I had pics from the shower, but I didn't bring my camera and haven't seen them yet. It was very girly (since shes having a girl) and was SO cute! I pinned this recipe on pinterest and it's from Apple A Day.

Ingredients-
1/4 c. plus 2 TBSP chipotle salsa, pureed (She recommended Herdez brand)

1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (I used 2 chicken breasts)

2 avocados

zest and juice of one lime

2 TBSP red onion, finely minced

1 clove garlic, pressed or finely minced

1 Roma tomato, seeds removed, finely chopped

2 TBSP fresh cilantro, minced

1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely minced (optional)

1/4 tsp. cumin

salt and pepper, to taste

24 round tortilla chips

24 cilantro leaves, for garnish

Directions:

1.  The night before serving, pour 1/4 c. pureed chipotle salsa over the chicken breast and allow to marinate, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.  Turn once during marinating time.

2.  Cook the chicken, covered, in a saute pan.  Allow to cool, then shred.  Mix shredded meat with remaining two TBSP salsa.

3.  While chicken is cooling, make guacamole by combining all remaining ingredients (except chips) in a nonreactive bowl.  Mix together with a fork, leaving only small chunks.  Adjust salt and pepper as desired.

4.  Just before serving, top each chip with a generous TBSP each of guacamole and chicken.  Top with a cilantro leaf and arrange on a platter.

They were a big hit and very tasty. I would try to wait until right before to put them out as the chip does got soggy after a little with the guacamole on it. Sorry these are iphone pics so not the clearest.

Where the Wild Things Are Jungle Vinyl & Nesting

Well, I think the nesting has finally kicked in. I have had a ton of energy and wanting to get things done. I really just think it's because we have a certain day and my mom is coming so I want the house cleaned and things ready. The extra energy is helping, but my body can't keep up with my energy level. My feet start hurting and I just can't go for as long as I want.

This is a picture David snapped because I was a cleaning freak and he thought it was funny. Apparently, this is my "David, you better start helping and stop taking photos of me look". I love how my shirt doesn't cover my stomach and I didn't notice. I am not looking so hot in the photo so disregard my overall appearance. I've also decided that I don't wear jeans unless it's to work. I deserve to wear lounge wear, even in public this last week.
Into the Jungle- We have finished Max's nursery for real. The Where the Wild Things Are Jungle has fully come to life in the nursery. I really didn't know what to expect and who knows what is inside David's head, but it exceeded my expectations.

We had over 120 individual medium leaves, more than 50 tiny leaves, 15 fern leaves and some palm leaves.

I love how it turned out.

David put some on the door to make it look like the jungle was coming out the door.

We enjoyed our last weekend of freedom before Max will be here and are getting more and more excited each day!

38 Week Pregnancy Survey

* I put a poll up on the side bar to start guessing Max's birth weight. We can't take bets on when he will be born since we're doing a scheduled c-section so we thought this would be fun. If you'd like to be more specific with your guesses, leave a comment on here. A prize will be rewarded to the closest (if there is a tie, it'll be whoever responded first).

How Far Along: 38 weeks 

Size of baby: Your baby has really plumped up. He weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). He has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold his hand for the first time! His organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb.

Total Weight Gain: 28-29 lbs 

Sleep: Still up to pee a few times a night and having a hard time getting comfortable.

Symptoms: I feel completely normal after the version procedure. I was just sore the next day, but after that I don't feel like I had it done.

Cravings: nothing crazy, still loving cereal and desserts.

Gender- Max David 

Movement: He's still in his frank breech position. I can see and feel his little feet on my upper right side poking through with his head around my belly button/left upper side.

Maternity Clothes: Same

Best Moments this week: Having the version procedure over with, even though it didn't work. At least we tried and can now prepare for him to come via c-section. 

What I'm looking forward to: My mom coming into town! She will be here next Wednesday in preparation of my c-section which is scheduled for Fri. Feb. 10th at 9:45AM. She'll stay for a long weekend and then come back a few weeks later to help us out again (what a great mommy I have!). My sister will also be coming in for a long weekend after we get home from the hospital. I am so lucky to have them clear their schedules to come and visit!

I made them valentine themed since we're so close to the holiday and filled them with a variety of candy and chocolates. I think I made 16. I created the tag using a free online template, brought that into powerpoint and then borrowed/stole wording from Leah's nurse goody bags (thanks Leah).

Milestones: We finished our nurse goody bags (just in case) and will be putting up the jungle leaves in Max's room in the next couple days.

To Do List: We really are done with everything. We are going to try to get the car seat installation inspected, I want to make a few more frozen meals, Max's jungle vinyl, House needs to be picked up and cleaned for visitors and Molly needs to be groomed (meaning David needs to cut nails and wash her). 

I can't believe in 1 week we will be parents! This is our last quiet weekend alone in our house with miss. Molly. 

38 week shot. Sorry, I just wasn't feeling a photo today so this is the best I have.

Maternity Photo Shoot

For my NY shower my sister and mom purchased a maternity photo shoot and newborn session with my wedding photographer. I was so excited, because I wanted to get them done, just probably wouldn't have done it myself. I picked a bunch of photos to show you and some of you have noticed my new blog header. Thanks to Pam with Paris Mountain Photography for the great photos, we can't wait for our newborn session with baby Max. 

David was a great sport posing in photos even though he doesn't love being in front of the camera. I love that we have these to show our love for Max even before he is here.

Pics were taken at 36 weeks. We love you Max and can't wait to meet you... SO SOON! Thanks Shell and Mom!!!

Circus Themed Baby Shower

Last week we had my work baby shower and it was just unbelievable the details that Leah and Lacey put into it. They went with a circus theme and it was very fun and extraordinary. This decor could seriously be in a magazine. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. 

They set up the conference room and transformed it into the circus. 

The food and snacks were so creative, delicious and perfect. 

Max even had his name on debut as the center piece. 

We had a great turn out, here is some pics of people who attended. It was standing room only as the party even began. We did have 1 more guy attend, but he wasn't pictured (we don't discriminate).

We loved the Izze drinks and straws, they were so fun. 

Max got some great goodies and we are so lucky to work with great people. 

We played a baby animal trivia type game and guessing how big my stomach was. Check out all that ribbon!

It was very fun and I had a great time. 

No party is complete without favors and candy of course. 

We had cotton candy and chocolates in our animal themed favor boxes. 

Thank you SO much to Lacey and Leah for being the most wonderful hosts ever. I am so lucky to have them as such good friends.

test-blog not updating

I'm having issues with my blog updating for people to see, so I am putting this up as a test. I did post on our external version appt. from Friday yesterday and tried to repost it today, but it's not working. If you'd like to see it and also the wonderful wall vinyl David has created for Where the Wild Things Are, please go to the blog directly.