34 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 34 weeks (only 6-ish to go!)
Size of baby: Almost 18 inches long and five pounds (the size of a cantaloupe)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 30 lbs. I know. My doc says it's not a huge deal as long as I've gained fewer pounds than how many weeks along I am, but since I wanted to max out at 35, that means I have seriously got to lay off the sugar.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. And some of them are getting a little snug, oh my goodness. I really don't remember feeling this big with the first two. 

Gender: We're having a GIRL! Harper Kate :)

Movement: Baby girl moves a LOT. At least now she's balancing out between my left and right sides.

Sleep: I sleep okay (as in I can go all night without getting up to go to the bathroom), but every morning I wake up with a very sore back pain.
What I miss: Not needing to pee every thirty minutes. Really, it's getting out of hand.

Cravings: Carbs. Sugar. Dairy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about the weight gain, haha. 

Symptoms: A big ol' belly. Occasional shooting pains in my legs (I'm working on improving circulation). Lower back pain (although I'll take some back pain over the horrible pelvic pain I experienced with my first two pregnancies).

Best Moment this week: Honestly, it's been a hard week. I'm trying to get so much done before August, but we're also trying to enjoy the summer with our family. I did get all of Avery's outgrown clothes organized, and all of the newborn and 0-3 month clothes are washed, folded, and hung. Progress at least?

Sweet Summertime!

Now that VBS is over and I'm caught up on Etsy orders (translation: not working every free second), it's officially summertime in our house!

Avery and I kicked it off on Saturday morning by going to my friend Kari's baby shower! Kari and I have been friends since we were 12, and our third babies are due two weeks apart. She's been a buzz kill and not finding out the baby's gender, so I don't know yet if Harper has a best friend or a future husband! Gosh! Anyway, the shower was at Shannon's house and was so pretty and relaxed and fun.

Crystal, Kari, and Trish (Kari's mom, who I actually can't call Trish because she'll always be Mrs. Harrison to me!)

Some sweet girls joined the party!

Hostesses! Crystal, Kyndra, me, (Kari), Iris, Karen, Shannon

Karen, Crystal, and Kyndra

Patsy is hilarious. :) At least Iris and I thought so in this picture!

Nancy, Suni, and Trish

The fun continued after naps when we all headed up to Ft. Worth to spend the evening visiting some friends with my brother and sister-in-law. We went swimming and had fajitas and watched the Rangers on TV while the kids played. It doesn't get much better than that!

Some of the VBS kids sang the week's theme song on stage on Sunday, and it was basically adorable. Okay, so it was mostly adorable for it the parents, but I'll share it here anyway. :) (It's kinda shaky because I was trying to watch it live instead of through my phone screen, but you get the gist.)



That was also my last Sunday as the children's ministry director, so it was bittersweet. I have a couple more things to do to close out everything this week, but I'm basically done. I know it's the right decision, but it feels kind of weird!

We decided to do our grocery shopping on Sunday night, so we made a dinner stop at IHOP first. The kids were so super sweet, and it was actually a pleasant family grocery experience. (And dinner for 4 people for only $5 is always a win. Yay for free dinner coupons!)

Monday wasn't super exciting because I had chiropractor and OB appointments, but the kids played in our blow up pool while Matt pulled weeds. I organized 5 huge bins of Avery's outgrown clothes and washed all of the newborn and 0-3 month clothes for Harper (two huge loads!), so I was tired. We watched Ramona and Beezus before and after a create-your-own pancake dinner (Avery loved the movie!) and then I worked at church with Kendra so we could organize some information she'll need to take over leadership of children's ministry.

And today I took the kids to Hawaiian Falls with our neighbors, Brooke (and Colbi!) and Whitney (and Heston!). Poor Matt didn't get to join in the fun this time, but we'll have to go back with him because the kids LOVED it. And it wore them out. Landon was asleep about 30 seconds after we left the parking lot.

We ran a zillion errands tonight so we could get some supplies for Avery's party this weekend, and we were gonna try to see my parents who just got back from Europe, but they were later getting in than expected, so that was a no go.

Tomorrow we're continuing the fun by taking the kids to see Despicable Me at the super cheap showing at a local theater!

Yay for summer! 

33 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 33 weeks
Size of baby: 17-ish inches long and four-ish pounds (the size of a pineapple)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained a lot of weight. I don't know the number right now because at my last appointment the new nurse took my stats, and I forgot to ask her since I was so bummed not to have my regular girl.

Maternity Clothes: Yes in everything. And I am SOOOO thankful for my awesome friends who are letting me borrow so many clothes! Shout out to Kendra, Kyndra, Whitney, Julia and Brooke!

Gender: We're having a GIRL! Harper Kate :)

Movement: Baby girl moves a LOT. At least now she's balancing out between my left and right sides.

Sleep: Yeah, that. I sleep. Not very well, but I sleep. I get super hot at night, but I really like to have a blanket on, so that complicates matters. Just do not tell me that it's my body's way of getting ready for sleepless nights with a newborn. That is a lie. I slept waaaay better after both of my kids were born than during pregnancy, even including the multiple feeding wake ups.
What I miss: Not needing to pee every thirty minutes. Really, it's getting out of hand.

Cravings: Carbs. Sugar. Dairy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about the weight gain, haha. 

Symptoms: A big ol' belly. Occasional shooting pains in my legs (I'm working on improving circulation). Lower back pain (although yay for weekly chiro appointments now; I'm hopeful for improvement or at least tolerance).

Best Moment this week: VBS! It's going really well, and I'm just relieved that it's here. We've been working on it for so long, and it's my last hurrah as the children's ministry director (I'll write a separate post on that later). It's definitely bittersweet, but I'm trying to enjoy it even though we're in survival mode this week!

 

I was supposed to start my two-week appointments with my OB this week, but since everything looks good and this is my third time around, he made it three so I don't go back until next week. Either way, we're only 7ish weeks from meeting Harper, so next week begins the rush to get baby stuff ready and catch up on and get ahead on Etsy orders! I can't believe it's getting so close!

Weekend Recap

FRIDAY

We had a super fun day planned!

I started my morning at the chiropractor (by myself!) and left feeling like a human again. I'm so glad I'm up to weekly appointments for the rest of this pregnancy. I'm even more glad that they're cheap now that I've reached my deductible. :)

After I swung by the house, we took the kids to the library for the county's K-9 unit visit. I thought it was really interesting, but Landon just wanted run around the blanket and yell for the dogs while Avery was complaining that it was too hot and Matt was telling me that he already knew all that stuff from his ride-alongs with my police officer brother. Oh well.

We tried to go bowling with our Kids Bowl Free coupons, but the local bowling alley was totally booked until 3 pm. Boo. Apparently it's like that every Tuesday and Friday, so we'll have to catch another day to attempt it! So we went to the park with friends instead. Y'all, Texas is getting hot.

We forgot to pack lunches to eat at the park, so we decided to grab some lunch at Fuzzy's because I'm pregnant and yum, Mexican food. I guess this week's heat caught everybody off guard because their A/C was out, and it was ridiculously uncomfortable in there. Not to mention that the food was expensive and we were all sick to our stomachs before we even got home. Suffice it to say, Fuzzy's is no longer on my favorites list. And then we realized on the way home that there's a Taco Cabana in town now, so that would've been a cheaper and probably cooler alternative. Can't win 'em all.

Avery and Landon were worn out and took really long naps. Score. By the time they woke up it was dinner time, and we had a living room picnic to watch the Rangers on TV. Matt grilled hot dogs and corn on the cob to go with our broccoli and dill pickles for dinner, and he even busted out some grilled peaches for dessert.

SATURDAY

Matt was a nice son-in-law and went to mow my parents' yard (they're in Europe--jealous!), so I took Avery and Landon to watch Allison's game in a 4 on 4 tournament. Sigh. I really miss playing. And I got to see lots of my former high school players, who are totally grown up now. Some have even graduated from college. Weird! 

Avery even got to practice on the field between games. She was so focused and worked so hard at dribbling and shooting (she's already pretty dang good at passing, especially for a three year old). I loved watching her play, and I cannot wait until she starts with a team this fall. Landon, on the other hand, enjoyed running around trying to grab the ball from her and standing behind the goal with his mouth on the net. He still has a couple years. :) 

I spent some time working on VBS stuff at church while the kids napped, and then we made homemade pizzas before grabbing some snow cones with Uncle Nick! (FYI, mixing blueberry and banana and adding cream does not make a snow cone taste like a blueberry banana smoothie. Bummer. Next time I'm sticking with wedding cake.)

Matt and Nick went to a movie, so I spent my Saturday night cutting fabric! (Try not to be too jealous.) Upon high recommendations, I started watching season 1 of Pretty Little Liars, but I'm not sure I'm gonna watch the whole thing. I'm only two episodes in, so I'll give it a fair shot, but so far it's just eh. 

SUNDAY

Whew. I'm still recovering. We had to be at church super early because Matt was in charge of the worship service this morning. I was a substitute teacher in the PK/K Sunday School class, and that just about sucked up any energy I had. I love those kids, but let's just say that it was not a good idea for me to teach a class that Avery was in. We'll leave it at that.

We took Matt for a Father's Day lunch with some good friends at our favorite local burger place. It totally made up for our Fuzzy's experience on Friday, but their A/C was out, too!! 

I had to be back at church to set up for VBS (which starts tomorrow, eek!), and I was there until 9. Matt brought the kids up after their naps so he could practice with the band, so it was a very long day. And guess what. The A/C is halfway out at church, too. I think maybe I'm just not meant to enjoy cool air this week, which just seems mean. The church looks awesome (and I can't take any credit for the decorating; Cindy did an AMAZING job with her team!) though, and I know all the long hours will be totally worth it to see and hear kids learning about Jesus. 

I'll forgo the sappy sentimental post, but happy Father's Day to my amazing dad and to my phenomenal husband! Y'all are the best. :)

p.s. Rangers, please start winning again. This is getting ridiculous.

32 Weeks

I am officially large.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 32 weeks
Size of baby: Over 16 inches long and four-ish pounds (the size of a large jicama [again with the random produce comparisons])

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained a lot of weight. I don't know the number right now because at my last appointment the new nurse took my stats, and I forgot to ask her since I was so bummed not to have my regular girl.

Maternity Clothes: Yes in everything. And I am SOOOO thankful for my awesome friends who are letting me borrow so many clothes! Shout out to Kendra, Kyndra, Whitney, Julia and Brooke!

Gender: We're having a GIRL! Harper Kate :)

Movement: Baby girl moves a LOT. At least now she's balancing out between my left and right sides.

Sleep: Yeah, that. I sleep. Not very well, but I sleep. I get super hot at night, but I really like to have a blanket on, so that complicates matters. Just do not tell me that it's my body's way of getting ready for sleepless nights with a newborn. That is a lie. I slept waaaay better after both of my kids were born than during pregnancy, even including the multiple feeding wake ups.
What I miss: Not needing to pee every thirty minutes. Really, it's getting out of hand.

Cravings: Carbs. Sugar. Dairy. I guess I shouldn't be surprised about the weight gain, haha. 

Symptoms: A big ol' belly. Occasional heartburn. A sore back when I spend too much time on the floor cutting fabric. But overall, I'm really feeling pretty good right now!

Best Moment this week: Sitting in a kiddie pool this morning while Matt and the kids played on the slip 'n slide and with the water hose. My swimsuit wasn't even maternity. I'm livin' the classy life at this point.

I'm just gonna put it out there that I am officially terrified of not making it to the hospital in time and having this baby at home or in the car or something equally ridiculous. (I know, I know, home births are awesome and blah blah blah, but if I wanted that, I would've been paying a midwife and doula, not my outrageous doctor and hospital fees.) I keep hearing stories of friends and friends-of-friends either barely making it or not making it to the hospital in time, and most of them have been receiving chiropractic care, so now it FREAKS ME OUT. So Whitney and Brooke, if you get a frantic middle-of-the-night phone call in a couple months, just come over and watch my kids until my mom gets here so we can speed right along at the first contraction. I'm not even kidding.

An Airplane Birthday Party for Landon

Last weekend we celebrated Landon's 2nd birthday with a super fun red and turquoise vintage airplane party. Landon loves airplanes, and it worked out perfectly that the day of his party was also the day of an event at the small local airport, so we had airplanes and helicopters flying over our yard during the whole party!

We kept things pretty low key, and while I got a few ideas from Pinterest, the goal was to let Landon and his friends have fun without us spending hundreds of dollars on stuff that nobody even cares about. (Admit it, people. Pinterest parties are nuts!)

I went to my friend Charlotte at The Paper Cupcake for printables. Guys, she is awesome. She did these custom invitations, banner, and cupcake toppers for us, and I was so pleased with how they turned out!

Matt made the absolute best cupcakes on the planet. He's our resident cake guy, and he did not disappoint. He found a new recipe to try, and I'm even sharing it here because it would be completely unfair to keep that goodness to ourselves. Try it out and thank me later.

My mom orders special birthday plates for the grandkids every year. They're super cute and the kids love having them to eat off of throughout the year!

We are completely spoiled to have our own personal photographer. :) Thank you SO much for documenting this party, Allison! (Don't forget to check out her incredible work at Allison Jean Photo. She is seriously the best.)

We love our little two year old!

Thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate! We are so thankful to have such amazing people in our lives. Friends and family, check out the rest of the pictures here!

DETAILS

Printables: The Paper Cupcake

Photography: Allison Jean Photo

Birthday Shirt: Design by HeatherAileen, created using airplane and number appliques from Planet Applique

Custom Plate: Rosie Posie Designs