Week 31 bumpdate

  How far along: 31 weeks!
Baby Size:A butternut squash (17 in, 3.1 lbs)
Weight gain: 24 pounds.
Maternity clothes: I just scored some maternity spring clothes {dress, shorts, tops and tanks} during Old Navy's last sale and got 7 new pieces for $60! With only 9 {or less} weeks left, I'm trying not to spend too much on maternity clothes at this point.

Stretch marks: I've officially gone through 5 jars of different belly creams/oils/butters and have decided on a favorite! So far I've tried Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter, Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve, Belli Elasticity Belly Oil, Revitol Stretch Mark Prevention and The Spoiled Mama Bump Gloss Stretch Mark Oil. I liked all of them for different reasons, but my absolute favorite has been the Motherlove Pregnant Belly Salve! My mother-in-law actually purchased this one for me after some research and I love the consistency of the shea butter and the smell is heavenly.   Sleep: I have good nights and bad. It's getting increasingly difficult to get comfortable at night.   Gender: After lots and lots of consideration, I finally purchased Caroline's hospital go-home beanie. I swear this was the biggest, most emotional clothing purchase I've ever made, even more so than my wedding dress. Ever since I found out we were pregnant I have dreamed about putting a ginormous bow on my baby girl's head and I have finally purchased the one that she will wear first.

Movement: Our prayers have been answered! Caroline is no longer breech and is head down! We were so relieved to hear the good news at our last appointment! Hooray, hooray! Now let's just hope she stays in this position.
Best moment this week: A 90 minute much needed prenatal massage, our 30 week check up and celebrating Charlie's birthday!   Looking forward to: Our first baby shower in two weeks! I truly have the most amazing girlfriends who have been working tirelessly for months (and meeting weekly) on a top-secret party for Matt and I. All I know is it's going to be a Baby-Q (remember my bbq craving was what led us to take a pregnancy test) that's not just for the ladies so Matt, his friends, my girlfriend's husbands and our dads will all be there to celebrate Miss Caroline Grace over BBQ!

Food cravings: Fresh orange juice (with lots of pulp) has been my #1 most consistent craving throughout my pregnancy. I go through a gallon a week, the fresher the better.     Anything making you queasy or sick: No.   Labor Signs: Not yet, but Caroline is measuring a WEEK AHEAD of schedule which is insane to think she could potentially come early. At this point, I am really hoping she stays put until her due date, but am also trusting in His perfect timing.   What I miss: My energy! I found out at my doctor's appointment that I have seriously low blood pressure which explains why my energy is basically non-existent these days.   Symptoms: Tiredness, back pain, round ligament pains, pregnancy insomnia, abdomen discomfort at night when moving around, etc.
Nursery: Purchased a few small things this week but am still on the hunt for a small round side table!
Belly Button in or out? Starting to get super shallow.
Wedding rings on or off? On, and hoping that I can continue to avoid swelling until at least after my maternity pictures in a few weeks.

Mood: Anxious to meet our baby girl.
Workouts: One dance class, one elliptical workout. Definitely slowing down.   Prayer for Caroline:    Dear Jesus, Thank you for the privilege of knowing You and for the peace You give. I pray that Caroline will be born into a peaceful, calm atmosphere and have a peaceful, calm spirit. Help her to grow up knowing You. I pray that Caroline will develop a strong immune system and that You will protect her from disease and illness. Help me feed her the best way I can, whether it's by breastfeeding or by bottle, help her to get the nourishment she needs on a daily basis. I praise You and thank You in Jesus's name. Amen.
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:1  Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen

Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen

Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty

 Twenty-One / Twenty-Two / Twenty-Three

 Twenty-Four / Twenty-Five / Twenty-Six

Twenty-Seven / Twenty-Eight / Twenty-Nine

Charlie Turns Eight!

Over the weekend we celebrated Charlie's 8th birthday! We had cake, pawty hats, presents and lots of outside play time. It was perfect.

Year after year we order Charlies birthday cake from the best little dog bakery - Canine Cafe. We went with his favorite flavor...peanut butter!

Since Charlie's favorite toy is a tennis ball, we decided to load him up for his birthday.

He was in heaven!!!

You can read about his previous birthday pawties {here} and {here}!

Five on Friday!

Happy, happy Friday!   - ONE - Today is Charlie's birthday! I cannot believe our boy is 8 years old already! We are going to celebrate tomorrow with cake, pawty hats, tennis balls and a nice long walk! If you've been following my blog for awhile, you know how obsessed with our fur baby we are. If not, you can read about his previous birthday pawties {here} and {here}!

- TWO - I was so happy to win Home Sweet Ruby's coffee koozie giveaway last week! Loving my new coffee accessory.

- THREE - I finally upgraded my ELF eyeshadow pallet to Urban Decay's Naked pallet and am obsessed. The quality is a noticeable difference and my shadow lasts all day now. Thanks to Laura for pushing me on this makeup splurge!

- FOUR - Also on the books this weekend is some spring decorating! Is it just mine, or does anyone else's husband pitch a fit when you ask him to go into the attic to bring down holiday decorations? Seriously, you'd think I asked him to get me McDonalds french fries at 11 pm at night as he's getting into bed. I'd neeeever do that! 

-FIVE - Which leads me to candy bribing. Easter candy is definitely my favorite holiday candy (even more so than Halloween candy). Chocolate dipped peeps, cream filled eggs, peanut butter stuffed bunnies, Starburst jelly beans...oh my goodness, I love it all.