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  • April 12, 2018

    39 week bumpdate

     

    How on earth have we made it this far? To be only a few days away from our due date feels so surreal, it always felt like a distant thing that would never happen. It's getting so. dang. real. 

    HOW ARE YOU FEELING? SYMPTOMS?
    I'm thoroughly enjoying these last few weeks of pregnancy, to be honest. I've never understood the people who say they love being pregnant and all the things that come with it, and I definitely stand by that still, but I've really loved these last couple weeks for so many reasons! First, this last month I've officially "popped" and look pregnant versus having a questionable Thanksgiving dinner belly, if y'all know what I mean. So it's a really fun conversation starter with people - strangers in Texas LOVE to chat, especially about babies! I haaaven't loved the many side effects that came with pregnancy (like my eyebrows thinning/changing color, weird skin issues like eczema forming and terrible teenage-like acne, the peeing + sneezing thing getting out of hand.. just to name a few) but I'm really embracing these last few days, especially knowing this will be my last first pregnancy. It's so bitter sweet. I feel wonderful & totally like myself, so life has been fabulous. I'm very very very lucky!
    SIZE OF BABY
    A watermelon. WHAT!
    CRAVINGS?
    I think rather than a craving, there's some things I'm REALLY excited to start eating again so soon. There's a sub shop that's been local in our town for forever and I absolutely love their salads, but steered clear from it just because they say cold cuts aren't completely safe and stagnant lettuce isn't the best thing to consume - although I'm sure it's alright, I just like to be safe. SO YEAH. VERY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TURKEY SAMMICHES THAT WILL BE ON THE MENU VERY SOON ;) 
    GENDER
    Still our little dude :)
    MATERNITY CLOTHES
    Well, with a week left, it may be a little too late to start purchasing those, hah! I've honestly lately just lived in my comfies or Andrew's tee shirts since I work from home. When we go out, dresses, always! Honestly never felt the need to buy a maternity specific dress since most dresses are already maternity friendly.. but I guess that can also depend on your belly size! 
    EXERCISE
    Same as before! The elliptical is my bff since I'm not able to run anymore. I'm thinking of starting to take long walks again (I stopped walking a few weeks ago because I would always get Braxton Hicks contractions) to see if baby boy would want to make his debut a little sooner than later! I wouldn't mind :) 
    CHALLENGES
    Getting out of bed is a whole new game lately... I literally have to roll like a tree log to stand up to go pee every 1.5 hours in the night (NO JOKE. EVERY 1.5 HOURS). The last week I haven't been able to fall asleep, either. Which is so odd because I'm super fatigued! My body hasn't been able to fall asleep until around 5am and then I'm up again at 7am. Maybe this is the baby really preparing me for what's to come? LOL. I'm the type of person who can barely function on less than 7 hours of sleep, so this will be fun. Also my skin is so out of whack... hormones really are no joke when it comes to pregnancy! I definitely do not feel like I have that "pregnancy glow" they always talk about..
    BEST MOMENTS
    When Andrew grabs his guitar and starts playing/singing lullabies to my belly. I could sit there for hours and soak in all that sweetness. Rocking quietly in the nursery chair, staring at the quiet room and envisioning all the little memories we will make here. Collecting all the sweet little things like bonnets and socks and onesies, they are so tiny for such a short time! Andrew keeps surprising me and buying these adorable little nikes or vans for me to freak out over. Why are tiny things the best?!
    PREGNANCY PURCHASES/FAVORITE ITEMS SO FAR
    -For labor/aftermath/cozy home time, I snagged a couple cute robes from Pink Blush. I love this one and then this one for the days I wanna feel eeextra pretty ;)
    -Also heard great things about this nursing bra. I also got another cozy bra I think would be a great substitute as a nursing bra here & here.
    -I have heard waaay too much about how recovery after baby can be long and grueling. People really don't talk about this enough because I had never heard about this until late into my pregnancy! Like HELLO, of course there's going to be a recovery time needed. You push a dang baby out of your body! Women are super stars!! So I'm stocking up on cozy clothes that aren't too frumpy, but cozy enough to lounge in for days at a time if needed. 1) a Dwell and Slumber dress is an obvious one here, no brainer. 2) I've stocked up on my fair share of cute sweat pants that aren't too hot, like these and these.
     -Last but not least, this is so unrelated to pregnancy.. but my eyes popped out of my head when I saw these. If a sneaker had my name written all over them, it would be THESE. SO unique and darling, right?! Get them now. You are very welcome. 
    I have gotten in contact with so many amazing small shops that have gifted us with some amazing items for us to cherish for years to come -- I will be sure to make a blog post sharing my experience with each of these items (and many more) with a newborn! But in the mean time... FIVE. MORE. DAYS. LEFT.
    UNTIL BABY.
    FIVE.
    I'M FINE.
  • March 30, 2018

    37.5 Week Update + Hatch

    Dress is from my favorites at Hatch -- I NEED this in every color. So unbelievably comfortable and cute!
    HOW ARE YOU FEELING? SYMPTOMS?
    Rounder and rounder each day :) I can't quite walk around as much as normal since I start to get sharp pelvic pains after being on my feet too long :) :) :) He is head down and verrrrry low, so I can definitely feel that pressure almost 24/7. Health wise, I feel fabulous! Totally like myself, just a little more waddling than normal, haha. I truly have enjoyed pregnancy, despite all the weird hormonal changes like 12 year old acne, my eyebrows thinning out and my hair changing color... it's been a beautiful and easy going pregnancy, so I consider myself pretty freakin' lucky. My sister insists that pictures are crucial right around this time and how I really need to start documenting these last magical weeks - I feel so silly (but mostly like a whale) taking pictures all the time, but I whole heartedly believe I will look back and wish I took those monthly "bump" pictures, so I'm making up for that now!
    SIZE OF BABY
    A winter melon! About 6 lbs. 
    CRAVINGS?
    I think that is officially off the table! Just trying my best to eat well and get enough nutrition nowadays.
    GENDER
    Still our little dude :)
    MATERNITY CLOTHES
    I've finally found the maternity heavens! It's hard to find maternity clothes that aren't frumpy and something you feel like you wouldn't normally wear, you know what I mean? I'm so happy I got together with the dolls at HATCH and snagged a couple items from their new spring line. I'm sincerely not joking when I say I've worn this dress for the last four days in a row (so yeah, basically since the day I got it in the mail). It's the first of many dresses I'm sure I will invest in... pregnant or not. Haha! I really love their denim line too, because they don't have the ugly additional piece of fabric that goes over your belly and you have to find a shirt long enough to cover that hideous thing. I have always front-tucked my shirts in my jeans, and you can do that with their maternity pants! I'm in love.
    EXERCISE
    Remember that pelvic pain I was talking about? Yeah, running is off the table haha. I miss running a lot! So I've been living on the elliptical instead, it's a lot less taxing and hard on my ever growing belly. I definitely see my body changing and preparing itsself for labor and growing this babe at a faster rate now. They say your body produces so much fluid (including an incredible amount of additional blood) near the end, so these changes are good! I'm eager to get back to work and start my goals for my new and healthy body postpartum. Exercise is one of the things that really get my endorphins going, so I feel so much happier! It will definitely be a learning curve figuring out how to juggle sweet baby boy and my new exercise routines. I hear this also helps with PPD, which I really hope to combat if that were to ever happen!
    CHALLENGES
    I look back at this entire pregnancy and really wish I worried less. But who am I kidding.. I will be the biggest worry wart for the rest of baby boy's life! I'm trying my best to sit back and soak in these last couple weeks and enjoy these moments alone... quiet moments alone.. hah! Countless times I have had the opportunity to really put pregnancy into perspective and really wrap my head around how extremely blessed I am to even be able to be with child! That really turns my day around when I start to worry about the future and the unknown, I'm just lucky to be bearing my own little baby that's (so far) healthy as ever. I just wish I could get out of my head and give myself a break! I just want to be the best mother I can be. Also! I am really trying to comprehend labor. LOL. I'm still in denial that I'll wake up one day and he'll just be there so I don't have to endure the labor part. Again, just gotta let go and go with the freakin' flow.
    BEST MOMENTS
    Feeling accomplished that I actually completed something from my to-do list each day. HAH. Some days the "nesting" trigger happens, but doesn't last long because it usually requires me to bend over, which obviously is not physically my most favorite thing to do lately :) So I'd say checking things off our list and feeling SOMEWHAT prepared is nice.. which I'm sure is only the tip of the iceberg of what's really to come!
    PREGNANCY PURCHASES/FAVORITE ITEMS SO FAR
    -First, obviously discovering my new found loves at Hatch.  I'm needing this dress and these jeans next. 
    - I've heard a lot about the benefits of belly bands after birth, so I did some research and invested in this one. I'll definitely let y'all know if it was worth it or not!
    - Nursing dresses! Gimme aaalll the nursing friendly clothes! For some reason, I'm on this kick lately so I've been on the hunt for all things button down with all the flaps and secret passage ways..  haha! I have an unhealthy love for this dress and this top!
    Happiest Good Friday to y'all! And of course, Happy Easter. This is truly the loveliest holiday & time of year.
  • March 18, 2018

    rachel parcell x celeste clark

    It has been such a delight to work with amazing, talented women who happen to start their own business the exact same way I did - on their own powered by determination, starting from the ground-up and working around the clock (and babies!).. this woman in particular, is one of the OG bloggers of our time.
    Say what you will about "blogs" and the negative connotation others may say about it being a saturated market, but I think it's an incredible outlet for people of all sorts to 1) share their God given talents and 2) inspire others.. and be inspired! What the heck is negative about that? Bloggers and influencers have to have an extremely tough skin to get through the unnecessary haters, but they continue to share their content and inspire millions around the world - myself included. I'm also more of a "see the glass half-full" type of person, so this may only make sense to people with my same perspective, but this could be a nice little light to those who don't quite understand this angle of the argument.
    Rach is a doll and so kind. I've made a handful of watercolored designs exclusively for her brand over the last year & a half and just feel honored to be apart of her lovely, romantic clothing line.
    I received this sweet little package at my front porch consisting of a piece from her new spring line {launching tomorrow, March 19th!}, necklaces from my favorites Made by Mary {one saying "mama".. reminding me I can't believe I've earned this title!}, a fabulous velvet hanger and yummy little macaroon. So darling, right?
    skirt | similar shoes & here | similar hat | similar top
    This skirt is buttery soft, to say at the least. It also fit perfect and snug over my belly, which is great even though it's not titled a "maternity" item. I've tried to save my money throughout this pregnancy and not purchase unnecessary amounts of maternity clothes that only last a few short months - so a piece as versatile as this is perfect. And it'll be amazing with my postpartum body as well! It has multiple soft, flowy layers, so it's inevitably flattering.
    Not to mention... it has my own artwork on it! This will never get old to me. I am continually grateful for opportunities like this. As a little girl, I would have never dreamt that I would be wearing my own artwork.. not to mention, being a full time artist in general!

    Basically.. this post is just to share my gratitude. And also, being a proud soccer mom wearing my own florals, of course. I really hope others are encouraged to "see the glass half-full", you will see such a huge change in your life finding the positive in things you may have thought were meant to be negative. There's room for all of us to be happy!
    Happy happy spring, friends! xo
  • March 04, 2018

    a baby shower in the garden

    The time has come! After much reluctancy (on my end), we showered baby boy this weekend and I am so happy I decided to have a shower (very last minute, might i add! i genuinely hate the attention!) I happily painted my own invitation... I mean, it is my day job to do things like this ;) BUT, I never paint things for myself. It was fun to take my head out of work mode and paint a little something just for me. 
    My amazing sister, Ashley and my mom jumped on the party planning train the second I gave the OK - and I am not even slightly surprised how much effort and detail Ashley put into everything. She's very type-A when it comes to planning and almost always makes every tiny piece of decor by hand, no matter what the job is. She's one of the few people who understand and know my minimalistic, yet modern, eclectic, slight bohemian, nature inspired, rough around the edge style (HA), so of course her first thought for the theme was to be Peter Rabbit. I have always been inspired by Beatrix Potter story books and the sweetness of the illustrations and soft color tones. Not to mention, it's based out in nature and obviously I am all things leafy and earthy.. DUH. Every plant and vegetable you see is real, too. Real life garden party!
    My parent's house on the farm is the coziest, most quiet place so it just all tied in together perfectly. So yes, they nailed everything on the dang head. We constantly tell Ashley that party planning is her life calling, but I think she genuinely just enjoys creating things from her heart and soul. I would say we are very related in that sense :) My siblings all have this type of work ethic in common! We love creating original content, it's so fulfilling!
    It was such a nice, easy going morning gathered by so many lovely friends and family. Baby boy is absolutely spoiled rotten already!
    My parent's front entrance felt like a tiny little farmer's market with 3ft tall Peter Rabbit characters greeting you at the front door. So freakin' cute, right?!
    The weather was amazing this weekend, sunshiny & high 60's - so we left the door wide open to greet our friends to welcome themselves in with the lovely breeze following behind them {open windows and doors are a RARITY with Texas -- March is the sweet spot between freezing and mosquito/flies season} 
    Ashley set up a little guestbook type station once everyone walked in. And next to that was the party favor section - customizable essential oil rice/lavender bags. Such a fun thing to keep in your car or office space to give a calming scent. Of course, Ashley thought of this, and yes, it's adorable.
    This is easily my favorite part! The painting block room.
    We aren't the biggest fans of cheesy baby shower games, so this little activity was light, easy for everyone & practical since I got to take them home! I didn't get a moment to sit and paint, but it made me giddy seeing the girls gather and channel their inner painter ;) My parent's house is open with tall ceilings, so the rooms were divided but still feel all together - if that makes sense?!
    So of course, Frank Sinatra was blaring in the kitchen for all these open rooms to enjoy in the background. He's my abbbbbsolute favorite. Jazz 4 ever.
    The master minds behind it all! Ashley is to my left and mama to my right. 
    Cute & tiny little fact - 
    Ash painted these little pictures on edible sugar paper for the cakes. Kidding me?!
    We were having too much fun, so I only got a couple pictures with a few of the many gals that came!
    I'm still in sliiight denial that we will have a baby in a few short weeks. It's slowly getting real and my bending over skills are slowly decreasing. Basically every emotion has come across mine and Andrew's bodies - trying to make time slow down so we can soak in these special moments!

    All my best wishes to y'all and hope your weekend was just as beautiful as it was in Texas! xo
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