Weeks 21 & 22

I'm 23 weeks this week, but here's some updates about weeks 21 and 22.  It's amazing to me the difference in movement the last week.  I had felt some kicks and rolls before, but not consistent and Chris hadn't felt them yet.  Now I feel him move all the time.  I love it.  Although it's making sleep much harder than it already was.  I swear his little legs are right on my bladder and I have to pee all the time.  Sleep seems to come in phases and I'm currently in a not good one! I can't get comfortable and wake up often.  But it is really nice to feel his kicks while I'm laying there.  I did tell him I'd be okay if he was a little less active than Addilyn once he comes out! 
I've started getting really bad acid reflux this last week.  I don't remember having that until the end with Addi.  I've been eating tums often, but it doesn't seem to help a ton.  Any suggestions? I'll make sure to ask my dr next week when I go!  
I ordered fabric for a changing pad cover and crib sheet and am going to attempt to make my own. I'm super excited to work on his nursery and start making things for his room.  I've been collecting quite a bit of clearance clothes for him and love looking at them and refolding them in his dresser. Boy stuff is pretty cute after all! 
Addilyn is still pretty interested in everything for "the baby" and thankfully she's starting to say baby brother more than baby sister.  She kissed my belly often and always wants to say goodnight to him. It is so sweet and while I know the transition is going to be rough on her, I am so excited to see her love on him!  
We have two names we love, and the last week or so are pretty sure we like one better than the other. I'd love to know his name for sure, so we can start calling him that, and so that Addilyn can get used to it too.  She suggested Batman and car the other day, so we should probably get a real name in there soon!  
As tiring and exhausting that I feel pregnancy is, I am so thankful for the blessing to to carry this sweet boy and love him so much already!  

Doing lately . . . .

top: shade maternity (old)   leggings: gap maternity  boots: zulily  vest: c/o shein

Wearing . . . . this green hooded vest which is perfect for cool, rainy days we've had.

Watching . . . Limitless.  Chris and I's new favorite show.  It is soooo good.  We also started Supergirl last night, and I surprisingly was a fan.

Cooking . . . this Thai Chicken crock pot meal (so good and so easy!) and homemade twix bars for girls night this week.

Taking . . . a short nap most days when Addilyn naps.  I swear I had energy for about three days and then back to feeling exhausted all the time.

Making . . . . a mobile for baby boy's room.  I love it and can't wait to finish it!

Looking forward to . . . a girls day and night away this weekend with my mom, aunt and sisters.

Hope you all are having a great week!

For Mommy & Me

 It's amazing to me I haven't matched Addilyn more and I don't know why! I need to be taking advantage of it while I can, right?  We recently got these adorable Mommy & Me headbands from the etsy shop For Mommy and Me.  Best friends and owners, Angela and Courtney, have a shop that is full of adorable, handmade products like headbands, tutus, baby shoes, bows, scarfs and lots of other cute things!  Besides the items we got, my other favorites are this jersey set, elastic ties, and scarf set!

The girls sent me these two sets: the pumpkin inspired set and the purple knotted jersey set.  Both of them have removable ties so you can wear it two ways.  Normally when I wear headbands, it's because I haven't showered and I throw my hair in a messy ball.  I attempted to try out the turban style and I like it!  These headbands are super soft and the purple one is a little wider that I think it'd be perfect for cooler weather, as it can cover my ears.  

Addilyn started pulling off her headbands over a year ago and I haven't tried for awhile.  She actually kept these on for a long time, and I'm excited at the thought of her wearing them again!  She looks so stinkin' cute in them, I sure hope so!

 For Mommy and Me has been around since last summer, and besides their etsy shop, they sell their items in a few shops around the DJ area, New Jersey and Philadelphia.  They also donate one product for every five items sold.  They currently donate items to a charity for moms called My Grandmother's House.

 

Angela and Courtney are offering you 20% off your order.  Just send them a message through their etsy shop before your order and she'll send you over a code!  Thank you so much Angela and Courtney! We loved working with you and love your shop!

Check out the shops facebook and instagram for new items and updates!

The best present

coat: c/o shein   leggings: gap maternity  boots: zulily 

This morning I celebrate my 31st birthday and am enjoying one of the best presents you can get!  A quiet, slow morning.  Addilyn slept over at my in laws last night, Chris left for work early this morning and I'm currently sitting on my couch, drinking coffee and watching the Today show.  I'll go pick her up in another hour or so and we have not much planned for the day, which is okay with me! The weather will be up in the 70's so we may walk in the forest preserve before we have dinner at my parents.  Chris and I went out for sushi last night and then grocery shopping and home before 8 to watch some tv and relax.  A perfect birthday evening as well!  I'm so thankful for my sweet family and am excited for another year, another sweet baby to join our family and to continue to thank God for all he's given us! 

On turning 31

I feel like the older I get, the wiser I should become.  The more profound things I should have to say about another birthday.  Yet, I don't think I have much to say about turning 31 tomorrow.  
I read a chapter in Jen Hatmaker's book, For the Love, a few times now and she wrote about turning 40.  On how you stop caring about what other people think, and how you become more confident in your own skin.  I don't want to wait until I'm 40 for that!  But yet, struggle with that now.  I want to stop worrying about what I look like, how bad the bags under my eyes will be after no sleep for over a year come March.  I want to be confident that I'm exactly who I should be, and not be afraid of what other people may think.  To know that I have different personality traits and handle things differently and that it absolutely okay.  
So maybe this year that's my thing.  To be more comfortable and confident in who I am.  To know that God made me more introverted.  He made me with homebody tendencies, yet with a high need to feel loved and pursued.  And to be okay with those things, and know what I need to be energized and to feel loved.  To not feel bad about saying no to things and guarding my time at home with Chris or by myself, and not feel lame for choosing a movie on the couch over going out with friends.  Or feel like a loser because I like to get in bed before ten every night.  To not let a rude comment from a stranger have any affect on my day.  To know that I was a really great teacher and those skills aren't lost on staying home with Addilyn.  
That if anything I'll be the mom bordering on the hovering side, but that I struggle to feed my daughter well rounded healthy meals.  I struggle letting Addilyn be unhappy with something, but I know I need to and it's hard for me.  That I love her more than anything, but have never wanted to wake her up because I missed her when she was sleeping.  That I may just cry when you tell me my daughter didn't do great in Sunday School or childcare when I pick her up.  That I find it enjoyable to decorate my house and make things, but that I usually don't feel motivated to sit and read a book. That I'm not interested in talking about politics and I like using medicine and not pure, organic anything.  That I love talking to people and friends face to face but will happily avoid most phone calls. That I probably expect too much out of friendships, and need to adjust my expectations.  That I overanalyze text and facebook messages and probably read too far into things.  That I am one of the most high maintenance sleepers and suck at sleeping in general.  That I am really sensitive and feel lonely easily.  That I am stubborn and hate giving up, and am sure I passed that gene right along to Addilyn.  
And that God just made me easily annoyed.  Just kidding.  I know that it my own fault and I probably shouldn't just accept that one, but work on it.  We'll save that for year 32.  Sorry Chris.  
So here's to my year 31.  To being more confident and content with who I am and not waiting until 40 to do so!