Weeks 17 through 22

*read our journey here*

Weeks 17 through 22

Getting so excited about cooler weather, fall and being that much closer to the due date of our daughter.  This pregnancy has gone by fast, yet still just as special as the first.  I relish in every moment knowing that this is my last baby.  Her little kicks and jabs are the best.  She’s a mover… my goodness!  We’ve been watching her from the outside of my tummy since 17 weeks, whereas with Henry, we couldn’t see his movement until 22 weeks.

I have a doctor’s appointment this Friday and then her in depth fetal heart scan and ultrasound next Tuesday to totally rule out any heart defects.  We are certain that everything is fine with her, but would really appreciate any prayers that you could send our way.

Somedays, I pinch myself.  Every child, every pregnancy, every birth is a true miracle.  I still can’t believe that I’m so lucky to have Henry and our precious Olive.  I pray for those who are in the fight towards mother and fatherhood.  I hope that you can feel our prayers during your wait and please know that your time soon is just around the corner.

It’s really hard not to be emotional or sentimental… John (oh boy!), my sweet hubby gets very chocked up.  For those who know him, know how much he loves being a daddy.  I literally can’t imagine what it’s going to be like in the delivery room with him… this whole having a daughter thing is getting to him.  I’ll never forget during Henry’s birth, I had to tell him to ‘buck up’ because both of us couldn’t be a mess.  I remember even saying, “ok, babe, my turn to cry”!  I don’t think he’s ever cried more in his life… like the hyperventilating cry.  I put on my big girl pants and pretended to be the strong one so I didn’t scare our doctor away.  I’m not sure which will spark more tears for him this time around… the birth of our daughter or introducing her to Henry.  Lord, pass the tissues now because when I let my mind go there I’m in a puddle!

Come on Christmas – we are so excited to welcome our precious little gift!

Nesting:  I have 16 weeks and 1 day until she arrives, which sounds like forever.  Being in the wedding industry and approaching fall, we’re gearing up for our busiest season to date.  Which means back-to-back wedding weekends and weekdays filled with clients.  That doesn’t leave a lot of time to wash and fold baby clothes, hang pictures and make the nursery picture perfect for the baby’s arrival.  I did clean out the refrigerator last weekend.

I keep putting the nesting off as I’m soaking up as much one-on-one time with my little man as possible.  Realizing that’s what’s so important… making everything tidy and perfect is the last thing on my radar.

Also, let’s be real… we were in 500sf apartment before Henry, I did zero nesting (other than washing his clothes) and moved 2 weeks after he was born.  Maybe I’m just not cutout for this nesting thing.

Emotions:  They are definitely running high.  I’m just so thankful for my little family and to be able to carry this little miracle.  This, y’all, it’s everything that I’ve ever wanted (children and a husband).  To be living in this “dream”, is truly a blessing.  I’m incredibly happy and to think about where we are and how far we’ve come as a family – all the feels.  John and I started trying for a family six years ago.  Through our lows and some of the darkest days that made us question everything, including our faith and marriage, we can now celebrate our 2-1/2 year old and a baby on the way.  We doubted so much.   To reflect on those dark days with smiles on our faces, a baby by my side and one in my tummy… I just can’t explain it!

Sleep:  We have Henry sleeping by 7:45pm now, which makes me relieved knowing that we’ll have little Olive here in 16 weeks. Now, if mama could learn how to sleep… but honestly, the last week since Henry’s been sleeping and going down 3 hours earlier, I’ve been able to catch some quality ‘zzzzzzz’.  Some nights I crawl into bed at 8pm and play on my computer and watch a Netflix show.

Cravings:  Speaking of Netflix, I’m craving some Netflix these days.  We finished Breaking Bad (all 500 seasons) in one month.  Yikes.  Now we’re onto Stranger Things and Parenthood.

As far as food goes… OH LAWD, stop the madness.  Everything sounds so good y’all.  I can’t stop eating.  Knowing that this is my last pregnancy (pass the tissue), I’m giving myself the excuse of overindulging.  Whatever.  I am craving anything and everything salty.  Cheese.  Now that the pumpkin candy corn is out, I literally can’t be trusted in any store.  I had my first PSL of the season last week and the thought of that deliciousness touching my lips hasn’t left me.  I’m basically having a love affair with every carb that ever existed.  I dip my fruit in Cool-Whip, the low fat one that has like 25 calories… just don’t ask me how many tubs I go through in a week.

I’m trying to stay healthy and I’ve been really good about meal prepping… for breakfast I eat oatmeal, lunch I have a salad with probably a can of olives (not kidding) and a tub of feta cheese (stop the cheese madness), snack is typically fruit with Cool-Whip and dinner has been one of these Paleo meals that I’ve been making on Sunday.  Every night I have an ice-cream treat too.

What I didn’t mention is all of the junk that slips between breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Ooooooops!

Work:  Still going strong and loving all of my brides.  Very much so looking forward to our last wedding in December and taking time off.  With Henry, I worked a wedding in Raleigh less than a month after giving birth.  I jumped in way to soon and I regret it now.  I regretted it then too.  Even though I jumped back into work so soon with Henry, I was blessed with the worlds BEST brides during that time, which made the transition so much easier.

Thankfully after Olive’s arrival I don’t have my first wedding back until March.  Really excited about some quality family time and so very thankful for an amazing team of girls who can help me while I’m out.

Highlights:  We had a wonderful time celebrating our last vacation as a family of three at Amelia Island Plantation (blog coming soon).  John asked me what my favorite part of the trip was and it was definitely when a turtle mascot came through the pool handing out Italian Ices.  I hope I never forget the look on Henry’s face as he ran up to Tanner the Turtle.  It was such a special time with our little family and Henry was on his best behavior.  We will be going back in June to celebrate John’s 40th birthday (and our first family vacation as four)!

Looking forward to:  FALL!  This heat is killer, I’m so looking forward to cooler weather and overdosing on PSL’s.

Nursery:  I’m excited about this…. I have it planned out on paper, now I just have to clean it out, organize, etc.  I really have some fun stuff happening with this room and I can’t wait to show you a special project that I’m collaborating on with an amazing local artist.

Workouts:  Getting back into walking.  It’s just been too hot and the treadmill is so boring.  I am keeping up with my Body Pump classes which is perfect for pregnancy.  Excited to get back to running once she’s here.

On her name:  It’s funny the reactions that we receive when we tell people and even strangers her name.  We love it and as much as we loved the names that have been on our baby name lists for the past 6 years… but Olive was something new and fresh.  A name that we didn’t even realized existed.  Most people’s reaction is typically, “Olive?  Is that short for Olivia?”… or this one is my favorite, “Oh, that’s nice…(errrrrrrr)” (insert: the look on their face b/c they don’t know what else to say).  You can read more about her name here.

How is Henry:  I can’t get over how much the little guy ‘gets it’.  He’s so excited about his baby sister and talks about her and to her often.  Lately, he loves the book and nursery rhyme, Rock-a-Bye Baby.  He sings the song often and likes to hold a stuffed animal to pretend that it’s baby sister.  He also loves it when we hold him like a baby, sing Rock-a-Bye and sway him back and forth.  I can’t tell you how many times a day he’ll run up to my stomach to kiss it or say, “hi baby sister”.

He’s very proud to be a big brother and there’s nothing that melts more than to experience this love and excitement with him.  Hearing him say her name is just the cutest, “Olibe Aahhhmelia Torne” (Olive Amelia Thorne).

He’s very concerned about mommy though.  He always asks if mommy is sick or tired.

My sweet guy!

Henry + Mommy:  During my last update, Henry was very much attached to mommy.  He’s giving me a little space lately and very much so into Daddy.  Although, on Sunday, I left for an hour and John said he cried the entire time I was gone because he wanted me home.

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