Welcome Caroline Grace Marcellino!

We welcomed our sweet baby girl, Caroline Grace Marcellino, into the world on Wednesday, May 7 at 4:42 p.m. Everyone is doing great and we have been so overwhelmed with love, support and well wishes! Thank you all for your prayers for our labor and delivery! We felt them! God is so good!

Caroline Grace Marcellino

6 pounds, 11 ounces and 19 inches long

{first car ride}

{our little family at home}

 

Week 40 Bumpdate {Hello Due Date!}

  Happy Due Date to me! I honestly wasn't completely sure I'd see this date since I swear I've run out of room in my belly. However, baby girl is so content in her warm and cozy home, albeit temporary. Just to keep things real, I have to admit that I've definitely found myself frustrated and struggling at times this week. Wednesday we had our doctor's appointment and I was devastated when the doctor told me that we had not made any progress in the labor department and that he would likely see us again in a week (today) to start discussing options if we don't go into labor soon.    However, I committed long ago that I would make this a very positive pregnancy experience for Matt and I so I must finish it out on a happy note even though I really just want to whine about my pains and discomforts. So first of all, we selfishly wanted a May birthday for our little girl and now we've guaranteed it! Who knows, maybe she'll even be a Mother's Day baby! Secondly, we are very lucky that Caroline has stayed put longer than we had hoped because her first day of school doesn't start until September, yet I go back to work at the end of July (yes, I am going back to work), leaving a month long gap during which we will need to secure temporary care. So, the later we deliver, the shorter the gap. Also, we have a beach vacation scheduled at the end of July and we were a tad worried we would have to cut it short to get back to work if Caroline made an early debut. So that's a relief, and a trip we are really looking forward to. Lastly, I am the only person who gets this precious time with her and I am going to soak in all these last little rolls and pokes as possible. She and I have a bond that no one else will ever understand and I must cherish these last few days with my little girl on the inside.

Because he is the best hubby and soon-to-be-daddy, Matt surprised me with reservations at one of our favorite restaurants in Charlotte - The Fig Tree.We went all out and ordered everything that looked yummy on the menu. It was the perfect date night.

How far along: 40 weeks!
Baby Size: A small pumpkin {20 inches, 7.5 pounds}
Weight gain: 32 lbs , shockingly no weight gain for the first week of my entire pregnancy.
Maternity clothes: Now that I'm working from home, I am pretty much living in yoga pants and maternity tanks. Stretch marks: Probably.   Sleep: Really, really great, even through the Braxton Hicks and frequent tinkle trips.   Gender: Caroline Grace Marcellino!

Movement: Yep, she definitely favors my left side and loves to poke her booty out all day long. It's the funniest thing ever.
Best moment this week: Our last fancy dinner together before baby, planting lots of stuff around the backyard over the weekend and my last day working in the office!

Looking forward to: Meeting our sweat pea - SOON! Matt set up the hammock in the backyard this weekend so we have another little place to relax once the baby arrives. Food cravings: Dried and fresh fruit, muffins, bagels and bread.     Anything making you queasy or sick: No.   Labor Signs: I would be seriously surprised if we didn't make some major progress since our last appointment after all of the crampiness and other "labor is near" symptoms I've experienced the past couple of days.   What I miss: Well, besides our due date, I've missed an ice cold beer. I can't decide what my first drink will be...a refreshing cocktail or an extra large summer shandy on draft.   Symptoms: The usual, very long list of pains and discomforts. I really want to go for long walks with Charlie but my round ligament pains are so horrendous that it's almost not even worth the effort of lacing up my shoes to walk a slow half mile.   Nursery: It is so ready for a little girl to come home to!  

Belly Button in or out? In and out, it varies still. 
Wedding rings on or off? On and no swelling at all (very thankful).
Mood: Anxious, anxious, anxious. I should add that this is Matt's mood too. Every time I even call for him he comes running over with his hospital bag in hand. I swear he is more on edge than I am.

Workouts: Pitiful short, slow walks and squats!   Prayer for Caroline:    Dear Lord, Thank you for helping me make it to the full stretch of my pregnancy. Please help Caroline come at just the right time and bless my labor and delivery. Give the medical staff wisdom to make all the right decisions. Help me to be strong during delivery and trust in You. I pray that your presence would fill the room with joy as we welcome Caroline into the world. You are so good and I love You. Thank you, Lord. Amen. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. - Psalm 37:7

 FORTY!
 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 

Thirty / Thirty-One / Thirty-Two

 Thirty-Three / Thirty-Four / Thirty-Five

 Thirty-Six / Thirty-Seven / Thirty-Eight

Morgan Alexandra

 Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Today I have something awesome to share with y'all. If you're a long time reader of mine you know that outside of giveaways I don't ever feature sponsors, shops, products, etc. on this little blog of mine. However, today is an exception...because she is that awesome and I personally love her to pieces. My very talented cousin-in-law, Morgan, has officially launched her new business and website - Morgan Alexandra!
Remember the gorgeous handmade Caroline Grace watercolor print we hung in our nursery? A lot of you asked where you could find one. Well, you're in luck because you can now purchase a custom watercolor print at Morgan Alexandra's Etsy Shop for $15!
And right now Morgan is generously offering a 20% discount to my readers. Just use promo code carolinegrace at checkout. Visit her shop {here}!

Meet this cute-as-a-button girl behind the brand...

 Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be here today on Christina's blog! I'm so blessed and thankful to be able to call her family since she's married to my oldest cousin Matt! I am a designer and paper lover from the lovely state of North Carolina. I had a dream of owning a little paper shop one day but I always seem to let fear stand in my way. After hearing some incredible women talk about their stories (Lara Casey, Emily Ley & so many more), I finally decided that fear isn't a good a enough reason because God is SO much bigger than fear. So with a completely unrelated bachelor's degree and countless hours of teaching myself design, Morgan Alexandra was created. I want my products to reflect what really matters in life and be a beautiful print hanging on a wall in a home or office!

 

Obsessed yet? You can also follow Morgan here:

Instagram / Pinterest /  Facebook / Etsy