BABY LUCAS: WEEK 27 + BABY SHOWER RECAP

We kicked off week 27 with our baby shower - and hello, third trimester!

Ben is nearly 14.5 inches long and 1.9 pounds - the size of an acorn squash. This week's post is a long one, so hang in there with me!

Workouts this week have been walking and the elliptical. I would love to be able to jump in the pool this weekend, but we are busy-busy!

Nothing new in terms of symptoms. Our little cub is as sweet as can be in there and makes things easy for me. I have felt more pressure down below, so I'm wondering if he is settling in. I've been waking up an hour earlier than I normally do, but still sleeping well. Most times when I wake up he takes about 15 minutes to start rumbling.

OK - onto the shower... I always knew I wanted a garden themed baby shower and the theme didn't bother me when we found out we were having a little man. We've spent months planning out the shower and our family and friends made it so perfect!

We had about 50 guests at my mom's house and it was overwhelming seeing everyone in the same room! I'm super thankful our friend Brittany was there to help snap photos.

I found a few invitations I loved on Etsy and let Aunt Kiki pick her favorite for the shower. Gigi printed and sent them out for us! We decided mint would be a great start to the color palate :)

We asked everyone to bring a book to start Ben's library collection and these ladies did not disappoint! We only had 2 duplicates in the entire stack and those will find a nice home at my mom's house for Ben to have.

I cut 45 feet of paper flag banners that my mom helped string and hang in her living room. I wanted it to feel whimsical and these were a show stopper! The different shades of blue helped tie in all of the decorations!

Aunt Nikki created all of the flower arrangements throughout the house to tie in the garden theme. They were gorgeous and I would walk around from room to room just staring at them :)

A family photo after I opened gifts!

Our amazing Aunt Kiki who was always there for me helping to make this a shower I would never forget.

Aunt Nikki drew on our chalkboard to welcome guests.

Aunt Kiki got me a "mamma" sign for my chair and I'm so glad I have a close-up photo of this!

Gigi made our favors! Custom cookies with handmade bookmarks and wildflower seeds in mini pots. :)

The cake was from Baltimore Cakery - the same place and flavor as our wedding cake. Everyone raved over this cake so fighting traffic to pick it up the Friday before was well worth it!

I made a "Baby Ben" cake topper with string, paper straws, washi tape and stickers.

Cupcakes from Wegmans (Aunt Kiki) were amazing! Uncle Chris and Aunt Panda did an amazing job creating the food labels. I asked for watercolor and these turned out so great!!

My two little sweet gals - Jayden and Harper were all-stars helping me open gifts.

This sweet Lucy was so great at helping me open gifts and she sewed Ben and I the sweetest minky pillow that is currently sitting in his crib waiting for him!

The bump photos were strung in the kitchen for our guests to see.

Beautiful Aunt Britt! I am so thankful for the photos she captured of the day!

My sweet Sammy!

My little Rory Bear - waiting for her bear cub friend to come :)

24 years, marriage and babies!

It was a perfect day! We really are SO lucky to have so many people who care about us and about our Benny Bear. I'm still in shock by the amount of work that everyone put into this shower. Our Grammy D was the woman behind the scenes who worked tirelessly cleaning her home, preparing food and setting up decorations for 48 hours straight before the party. We love you!

This little piggy loved the cupcakes! haha

Monday (the day after the shower) I had my glucose test in the morning. I haven't heard anything all week so I am assuming I am in the clear! I'll know for sure at our 28 week appointment.

We have a mattress in the crib! After unpacking our gifts, I really loved the look of adding a pop of red in his nursery like this swaddle blanket. 

Instant tears were shed when I opened Rory's gift to Ben. I can't wait to see them wear these together! 

I started organizing his top dresser drawers. I've got newborn diapers with diaper items in the first drawer and burp cloths, bath/medical items in the second. Once everything is where I want it I'll add a note to the washi tape so Chris can easily navigate :)

I found the PERFECT mirror for his room at HomeGoods this week. It's grey with weathered wood and the tiniest streaks of blue. It really ties in the grey in the room and makes it so sophisticated. I can't stop sitting in the room and staring! 

I also snagged this pillow that has different shades of blue in the diamond patterns. I thought it was a nice touch and makes the room feel more masculine. I'm currently deciding between photos and books for the bottom ledge. Maybe it'll be a combination!

Week 27 has been so good to me. I can't believe we are in the third trimester and after our appointment next week we will be visiting the doctor's office every two weeks. Someone pinch me - I can't believe Ben will be in our arms in 3 short months!

WEEK 26: BABY LUCAS

26 weeks! Baby is the size of a coconut - which I can totally imagine when I look down at my belly. 

His kicks are getting stronger! I definitely jump frequently when he kicks during the day because it's so surprising how much stronger they feel. He is also wiggling his butt all over the place because the placement of the kicks change by the hour. 

My sciatica is gone - a friend informed me she had a case of it during her pregnancy also and it only lasted 2 weeks. It's mostly how the babies are positioned at that time (so I was told). 

Workouts are still spin and walking. Driving to spin class I ask myself how many more weeks I think I can continue this - but once I am in the class I still feel great. I took a nice long walk with Nikki and Rory on Monday before the huge thunderstorm that rolled in. 

Weight gain has been consistent - I jumped on the scale and didn't pass out from the number so that's good. I'll wait until 28 weeks to see what the midwife says I have gained to date. I'm thinking it's 16?

No new cravings (this boy is normal) and I've been having a lot of yogurt with fruit and granola because it's just so easy to pack for lunch/snack. 

I am wrapping up a video for the shower that I am excited about. I also have a longer version started that I can keep adding to for his pregnancy/birth video. I'm really glad I made these - it always seems silly when I am recording videos, but then looking back I am so glad I have them to keep and share with him someday. 

Friday I have off work so I am putting a reminder on my phone to call the insurance company about my breast pump, if circumcision is covered and to call the pediatrician offices. (totally forgot to do)

I'll be running around like a mad woman all weekend prepping for the shower, attending the crawfish party and Chris' Aunt Kim's 50th birthday party Saturday.

WEEK 25: BABY LUCAS

Week 25 and my chart says Ben is the size of a head of cauliflower. He now weighs over a pound and a half and is about 13.6 inches long.

The end of this week we get into the double digits! Um, what?!

This week my workouts are still consistent with before - spinning and walking. I added an extra spin class to my routine this week, which felt great so I am hoping to keep it up for a little while longer!

No new cravings or symptoms. My sciatica is still there and I am thinking it will stay with me the entire pregnancy. It isn't super painful, just super annoying that it won't go away.

We semi-finished the star wall in the nursery and papa bear hung the hooks on his door and the mobile. The room is looking more and more complete! Just needs a few decor items as finishing pieces.

Planning and getting ready for the baby shower is pretty much complete! I can't believe it's next weekend! I'll be sad when it's over because I've had so much fun putting together ideas and crafting. 

Our maternity shoot is scheduled for July 12th in Annapolis. I'm currently saving inspiration images.

I planned early for Father's Day and decided to design Chris a shirt he could wear at the hospital when Ben is born. It could only get sweeter if I got a matching onsie for Ben made... that is my mission before he is born. 

We totally flaked on the photo this week! Two more weeks until we are officially in the third trimester!

BABY LUCAS: WEEK 24

24 weeks! I say this every week, but it's crazy how fast time is going. The first 8 weeks were miserable waiting for our first doctor's appointment and finding out the gender and now we find ourselves saying, "Weren't we just at the doctors?!"

We had our 24 week appointment and I've gained 4 pounds in the past month, so total weight gain is around 14 pounds. 

Little man was showing off his spunk when we were listening to his heart rate - he kept kicking the Doppler machine! Heart rate was between 140 and 150 bpm.

The midwife says it sounds like I've been having some sciatic pain - which basically feels like I strained a muscle in my tail bone - it's common in pregnancies and she gave me a chiropractors information and told me to look up some exercises to help. I'm still doing spin class once a week and hope that adding in some swimming will also help.

I made my appointment for my glucose test (week 27) and after our next appointment we go to the doctors office every 2 weeks. Can you believe it?! I got the cards to three pediatricians in the area so I will be calling and making appointments to visit each office and ask if they have a lactation consultant on-call available. 

Still need to figure out if I want to go to 4 days a week after I come back from maternity and figure out daycare - the most dreaded item on my to-do list!

We were running off to a wedding on Sunday (first day of our 24 weeks) so we quickly drew on the chalkboard. 

Brent and Nooshin's wedding was on Kent Island and gorgeous! I squeezed into an old dress and we headed towards the bay. The weather was perfect! We stopped and grabbed a drink at Hemingway's before the wedding.

I finished potting the plants on the deck and Chris is now officially in heaven... or paradise. We plan on getting some string lights for the deck to complete our little space. It looks like he may need a papa bear lounge also since mine is so cozy :)

Monday we headed to the pool for our first official pool day of the summer at Merritt. I need to invest in a maternity bathing suit (not what anyone wants to spend their money on!) so I can tan this bump! 

Still no extra stretch marks... my nips are becoming a little National Geographic, but I heard that they go back to normal-ish after you are done breastfeeding.

Monday we had Nikki, JR, Rory, Kelly and Albert over for dinner and crabs. It was so nice and out! Rory let me test drive her in our stroller which was so much fun, I can't wait til Ben is here so I can push him around town.

I've been crafting for our garden themed baby shower. I finished making 45 feet of flag banners for the room, grabbed some blue and mint ribbon, put together a few of the above flowers and rolled the silverware up pretty! It's so hard for me to sit back and not help! I feel so fortunate to have a handful of people helping out with favors, decorations, food and more.

Little man decided to throw a party for his Aunt Lauren and I felt him kick on my left side for the first time on her birthday! He is now kicking immediately after I drink or eat something he likes. The boy knows what he likes :-)

How handsome is our papa bear?? SO lucky to have this cutie <3

I'll keep updating the post as the week continues :)

BABY LUCAS: WEEK 23

Holy moly... time is flying! Baby Ben is the size of an ear of corn this week, almost 11 and a half inches long and weighs over a pound! 

The sounds that he experiences in my belly, he will be able to recognize when he is here. He can also tell when I am dancing, which I thought was pretty cool.

This week we painted the nursery and hung the shelves for his books. I am working on putting up the star decals on the window wall (not sure that will get completed this week) and am excited to start looking for nursery decor and artwork. 

I picked up a few little things off of our registry last week and our bottle warmer was delivered on Monday. Spoiler alert... it works! I also grabbed what I hope is all of the clothes he will need for the first 6 months. I'm sure I'll see things here or there, but it feels good for me to know that I can check that off the list. I even have a pumpkin picking outfit for him, because I am SOOO looking forward to taking him on lots of fall walks, to the farmers market on Sundays and to pick pumpkins and sip hot apple cider at the farm.

Chris found out that through his work, he gets 12 weeks of FMLA time and between the week that they pay him and all of his personal/sick time he can stay home with me for the 3 months and get paid fully! He's still deciding on how much time to take off, but his work is really flexible during the late fall and winter months so he will be around a ton.

I'm really excited to get to spend extra time together as a new family --- to be home, take long walks, create new memories and have my best friend by my side. Oh, and the naps. I am looking forward to the naps that I will now definitely be able to take having an extra body home with Ben!

This week I also signed Chris and me up for our hospital delivery tour in late July and a breastfeeding class in late August. I also plan on signing us up for the child care class at the hospital sometime in August.


I caught the first, super-small kick/belly movement on video Wednesday morning. I was so excited to have proof of his wiggling that I woke Chris up to show him. No shock that it was on my right side since that's where I always feel him most. Chris also felt him for the first time this week! I knew it couldn't be long after catching it on video!

BABY LUCAS: WEEK 22

Ben is the size of a spaghetti squash or papaya this week. He is about 11 inches long and about an ounce shy of 1 pound. Although, my belly feels so much heavier than that :)

Week 22 started out with Mother's Day.

 I was so overwhelmed by all of the messages, cards and gifts I received as a momma-to-be. I am extremely grateful every day to have such a loving husband, but Mother's Day and every day of my pregnancy I am reminded just how lucky I am to share my life and this journey with Chris.

I received lots of texts and love from friends, cards, gorgeous flowers and handmade gifts - including a flower pot with a butterfly made from Rory's footprints. I felt like the luckiest girl around to have such an amazing "village" of people.

It feels like summer is starting early - with temps reaching the 90s earlier in the week. My ankles, feet and hands have began to swell - luckily it hasn't been bothering me. I've just been noticing the physical change.

Workouts this week have included walking and spin class. I started back up with spin last week and so far, so good!

I weighed myself on day 5 of this week and I've gained 2 pounds since my last doctors appointment - so I'm probably right around the 10 pound mark.

Still loving on watermelon and sweet potatoes this week. I haven't really been in the mood to make dinner, so crock pot sweet potatoes or my moms cooking is perfect :)

I've been singing sweet country songs to the babe. I can't wait to kiss his sweet, chubby cheeks!

I've now mastered part of his schedule. He kicks regularly around 8:10P and right before bed around 10-10:30 (these two times are consistent every day for the past two weeks). I sleep throughout the night so I'm not sure if he is awake and wiggling then. I occasionally feel him first thing in the morning and around 10:15A and sometimes on my way home around 5:10P.  I feel him now towards the center of my stomach and still on my right side. Chris still hasn't been able to feel a kick on the outside!

Crazy dreams are now beginning!

I actually had a dream on Tuesday night about holding him for the first time and all I can remember was me kissing his sweet lips and him giggling. Nikki and Rory have been in a lot of my dreams. In most, we are just hanging out or she is helping me with advice, which is very the "norm" for us so I know she is going to be an amazing Aunt to him.

Thursday night I had another crazy dream where I was at the doctors for my 24 week check up and they said he was looking great and was positioned perfect. I think they asked me if I wanted to see him and I said yes and somehow he was magically handed to me. I remember looking at him with this perfect head of dark hair and thinking to myself - I knew he'd have lots of dark hair. I was snuggling with him and they said alright, he has to go back now. I handed him back to the nurse and she took him into the next room and the next thing I know he was sneaking back to the room because he didn't want to leave me. I told him he wasn't done growing yet, so he needed to go with the nurse. As much as I wanted to be with him, I knew he wasn't ready yet.

BABY LUCAS: WEEK 21

21 weeks and Baby Ben is the length of a large carrot!

Lower back pain has started (Sunday and Monday I had it pretty bad, but then it went away!) and sleep is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable. I find myself tossing and turning throughout the night. It's going to be a long 4+ months :) Sitting or bending over in particular sparked the pain. I read exercise should help so I'm going to try and do nightly stretches to help prevent that from becoming a common thing.

We started the week checking out the Sykesville wine festival. I picked up a few candles and two new dresses from Gypsy Sisters where Sydni (my makeup artist) works. Her and her sister are pregnant and due a week and two weeks ahead of me and were rocking the dresses. I wore them to my sister's graduation and Mother's Day brunch.

The bump goes in waves. Some days I don't look too pregnant, and then other days you can see how he has grown (see below - 21 weeks, 3 days).

I've been loving on watermelon and sweet potatoes this week. In fact, I think my first craving I've had is watermelon. Once I ate all of the watermelon, I was so sad and couldn't stop thinking about it!

Baby Ben loves to move around after dinner - and some days that is the only time I get to feel him! I'm still only feeling him on my right side. Waiting patiently to feel him on my left :)

I think my nesting is starting to kick in because I had the urge to wash the inside of my car. All I could think of was not wanting to bring him home from the hospital with hair and glitter stuck to him!

On Friday we drove to Ohio to see our girl graduate from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Aunt Lauren is officially a doctor!

Saturday we started off the day at Tasi for brunch on Saturday, then went to Lauren's award ceremony where she received three awards - one being in the top 25% of her class. She's pretty awesome. 

My sweet hubby buckling my shoes so I wouldn't flash anyone.

 
Lauren and I at her awards ceremony!

We had an early dinner and then wrapped up the night at her hooding ceremony. :)

See ya later, 21 weeks! You were exceptionally good to me :)