Place your bets- little man or little miss?

{via}

Our anatomy scan is today, it's finally here!

After what seems like ages, we will found out if we will be having a sweet little boy or a precious little girl soon. I'm full of excitement and so anxious to share our news with our families at our Gender Reveal party this Sunday. So while you will have to wait until after Sunday for our big news, what do you think...little man or a little miss? 

Maxi-mista

Maxi Dress: Old Navy Maternity, Cardigan: Banana Republic, Sandals: Old Navy, Necklace: Forever 21, Bracelets: Ralph Lauren and Stella & Dot

Oh yeah that's another maxi dress, best part is that it was only $12.94 on clearance. 

*fist pump*

I wore this out last Sunday for lots of errands. Lately, I feel most comfortable is maxi dresses so I'm trying to add to my collect, four is definitely not enough. We also made our first big baby purchase and ordered the chair and ottoman for the nursery. I can't wait to start decorating it!

I also might have cut about 4 inches of my hair off and done highlights, it was just getting too long for my liking and I needed a change. I'm already missing my ombre hair, but I can easily go ombre again next time. Anyone else itching for a major hair cut? I seem to do that at least once every year or two.

Linking Up Today With:

The Pleated Poppy

Random Wednesday

Whatever Whenever Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday

Style Sessions

Anything & Everything

I Feel Pretty

Wardrobe Wednesday

dressing the bump

It has been a challenge to find clothes I'm comfortable in and actually like while my body seems to be changing every day. While I would say I've become mildly obsessed with any sort of maxi dress or maxi skirt, I've also found a great flowy top with a cinched in bust has been a great staple. On days where I feel like I'm on constant repeat, I know I can always mix it up with my accessories and bags. 

What were some of your maternity staples? 

Bumpdate Week 17

**Each bumpdate is from the previous week, I am currently 18 weeks 3 days**

How far along: 17 weeks

Total weight gain: About 10-11 pounds

Stretch marks: Nope. However I feel like I'm stretching more and more so the inevitable is just around the corner I'm sure.

Maternity clothes: I can't fit into any of my pre-pregnancy pants except for a few skirts. Some tops are maternity and some are flowy tops from pre-pregnancy.

Belly Button in or out?: In :)

{via}

Sleep: Good for the most part. Been having some great dreams this week, I love pregnancy dreams! Think I might need to get a pregnancy pillow soon though. Anyone have recommendations?

Best moment this week: Mother's Day! Nothing special for me, but loved being with family all day. Also got my hair done and ordered the cake for the gender reveal party, it's going to be so cute!

Worst moment this week: Getting heartburn for the first time, really? Yuck. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? All the food that I CAN'T have. Deli meat, medium-rare steaks, soft cheeses and wine! Had a meltdown the oter night because all that sounded good for dinner was everything I couldn't have. Go figure. 

Movement: I'm not sure. I thought I might've felt a little tap near my belly button on Mother's Day, but I can't be sure. I might be so anxious to feel movement I'm making it up? Who knows. Get to kicking baby!

Food cravings: Hamburgers! Grapes, fresh fruit, and cucumber sandwiches.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth and raw chicken, ew. 

{via}

Have you started to show yet: Yup, just a little. I had someone rub my belly the other day again. Sigh, when will I get the courage to just rub their belly right back? Don't touch my belly, please and thank you. 

Gender: We found out next Thursday on the 23rd! I can hardly wait. 

Symptoms: Lower back pain, round ligament pain and occasional headaches. Hopefully I don't have to add heart burn to the list and it was only a one time thing. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Except for my melt down at dinner the other night, calm down hormones. 

What I'm reading: Still working on What To Expect When You're Expecting and I started The Happiest Baby On The Block. I've had a hard time getting into it, but I'm trying. 

Looking forward to: Feeling those kicks for the first time and baby Patrick's sex on Thursday...so close!

Orange Crush

Top: Old Navy Maternity, Shorts: Motherhood Maternity, Sandals: Old Navy, Necklace: Etsy, Watch: Fossil, Bracelet: Stella & Dot, Handbag: Coach, Sunglasses: Forever 21

I can't even begin on how beautiful it was this last weekend, it was like...summer. It was warm and in the 80's, light breeze, everything is green and flowers are blooming. I was in Heaven, really. If this is any indication of how our summer is going to be, bring it on!

I feel like I need to apologize you guys, my outfit photos are so lack luster these days. Not to mention I'm only doing one a week instead of my normal 3, yikes. It probably has 96.9% to do with the fact that not much fits the way I want it to in my closet and everything is tight unless it's maternity. Hoe-hum. I will try harder...promise.

Also, I got my hair cut today. About 3-4 inches off and back to blonde for the summer. Anyone else always go lighter in the summer? I do it every year, so predictable. :)

Linking Up Today With:

Pleated Poppy

Random Wednesday

Whatever Whenever Wednesday

Style Sessions

What I Wore Wednesday

Anything & Everything

I Feel Pretty

Wardrobe Wednesday

Bumpdate Week 16

**Each bumpdate is from the previous week, I am currently 17 weeks 3 days**

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: About 8-9 pounds

Stretch marks: Not yet, but my skin has been a little itchy lately. I'm going to keep moisturizing and hoping this doesn't lead to stretch marks in my near future.

Maternity clothes: Definitely. I've been trying to get more summer maternity clothes for my upcoming trip to Maui...yay!

Belly Button in or out?: Innie

Sleep: Pretty good! I only wake up 1-2 times a night to use the restroom and can usually fall back asleep pretty quickly. My pregnancy dreams are back again this week so I'm excited about that.

{via}

My gender reveal party package I ordered, more pics to come!

Best moment this week: Planning our gender reveal party! The invites are officially out and I can't wait to start working on some decorating projects for the party. We also spent all weekend at my in-laws boat house and it was so nice to be outside in the sunshine and work on a little tan for Maui. 

Worst moment this week: At my 16 week check we had a terrible scare. The OB wasn't able to find the babies heartbeat for nearly 5 minutes with the doppler. I had never been more scared in my life. All that kept running through my mind was, "No no no no. This can't be happening!" The doctor finally suggested we go into the ultrasound room and after another minute or two found our little nugget's heartbeat strong at 160 bpm. Whew, what a relief! She said it could be due to the positioning and my anterior placenta. All I know is I couldn't be more thankful baby is healthy. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? My fresh turkey sandwiches (that probably won't be coming off the list anytime soon) and a medium steak. I had to have my filet mignon that we BBQ'd well done the other night and it was not the same at all.  

Movement: Not yet, but I am getting quite antsy to feel something, anything! I'll take a little baby flutter over a full kick at this point. Hoping it's coming soon.

{via}

Food cravings: Orange juice, fruit, ice cream and hamburgers! Haha

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still don't want to look at or touch raw chicken, but that's it.

                                         8 weeks                                                      16 weeks

Have you started to show yet: I think so. I was looking at my 8 week picture compared to a photo taken this week and have to say I'm looking a little rounder these days.

Gender: Not sure yet, but our anatomy scan is on the 23rd! My husband & I will be finding out at the anatomy scan, but will wait to tell family/friends until our gender reveal party on the 26th. 

Symptoms: The OB said the pains I've been feeling in my lower abdomen are round ligament pain from all the stretching and growing. Still getting headaches a couple times a week also, no fun!

                                                {via}                                                        {via}

Cute Etsy prints, can't wait to know the gender to start decorating!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

What I'm reading: Still working on What To Expect When You're Expecting and I started a new book called The Happiest Baby On The Block. I really haven't read much of it lately, I need to get on my reading. 

Looking forward to: Feeling some movement and finding out the sex soon!

What I've Been Reading [April 2013]

Question of the month from Skylette: "What is blogging etiquette to you?  For example, do you comment on everyone's blog that comments on yours?  Do you follow everyone with a blog that reaches out to you?"

{via}

I've only been blogging a little under a year now and it seems there are so many do's and don'ts about blogging that it leaves me head spinning. Personally, I do my best to keep up with my blog posting schedule (2-3 times per week) and try to respond to comments the best that I can, however it's difficult to keep up with work, family, volunteering, planning for the baby that's on it's way and trying to have a personal life. I'm in awe of some of the amazing ladies that are able to create new material and posts daily, I simply can't keep up. I think it's safe to say I've also struggled with trying to keep up with the Jones', meaning there were times when it was all about gaining followers or getting comments. I quickly realized that was not why I started a blogging at all. If I'm able to post 2-3 times a week- great! If not, I'm not going to stress about it and compare my blog to others. That's a recipe for disaster. One of my pet peeves in the blogging community would have to be the "Follow me and I'll follow you" comments. Sometimes they are sincere, however most of the time I find that the comments are generic and not related to my post at all. Those are the type of comments I don't respond to and won't check out or follow their blog. 

The blogging community has taught me so much and I love the friendships I have made through blogging. I truly enjoy getting up each morning to read blogs and getting inspiration from others. 

What is you're blogging etiquette?

• Beautygirl24 - Noelle has a serious sweet tooth this Spring. See what jewelry she likes to call her rock candy!
• Ella Pretty - Check out Ella's Mall Haul: Forever 21, Coach & Camo Pants
• Lindsay J Everyday - Lindsay has some exciting news.
• Love, Lipstick & Pearls - Kristen shared her Favorite Home Items that she can't live without.
• Schnelle Couture - Danielle joined the ombre party.
• Sequins and Stilettos - Skylette plays with the black & white trend here.

Colors of the Rainbow

Dress: Nordstrom, Cardigan: Nordstrom BP, Belt: H&M, Sandals: Old Navy, Watch: Fossil

**16 weeks 4 days in photos above**

Now that the weather is finally looking like Spring around here (even Summertime with our 80 degree days?!?!) I can't get enough of maxi's. Maxi dresses...maxi skirts, I don't discriminate. I mean how much more comfortable can it get than that, especially when your waistline is expanding daily. Since I only have 2 maxi dresses I've decided I want need a few more. Any recommendations for some cute maxi's for this pregnant lady?

Linking up Today With:

The Pleated Poppy

Random Wednesday

Whatever Whenever Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday

Style Sessions
Anything & Everything

I Feel Pretty

Wardrobe Wednesday

Bumpdate Week 15

**Each bumpdate is from the previous week, I am currently 16 weeks 3 days**

How far along: 15 weeks!

Total weight gain: About 5-6 pounds, I gained 1.5 lbs from last week.

Stretch marks: Not yet & I'd like to keep it that way thank you. :)

Maternity clothes: I finally "popped" this week and have been loving my little baby bump! None of my pre-pregnancy pants fit, but I'm able to wear my pre-pregnancy tops still. A few are tight and some don't fit at all. *insert sad face*

Belly Button in or out?: Innie

Sleep: Sleep is good for the most part. Sleeping with a pillow in between my legs has helped. I still usually have one night a week that I get up to pee and can't fall back asleep. I haven't had anymore crazy pregnancy dreams this week, I kind of miss them!

Best moment this week: Getting our anatomy scan scheduled! May 23rd we will find out if baby Patrick is a boy or a girl, we are so excited! Also, we are starting to plan our gender reveal party and trying to get more serious about names. We have a few girl names that we both really love, but we need to keep working on finding some boy names.

Worst moment this week: The worst has been trying to brush my teeth! Every time I brush my teeth I gag and have recently started throwing up in the sink. It's awful as I can't go without brushing my teeth, it's just gross! I threw up twice the other morning, I brushed my teeth then threw up before I was done so I had to re-brush and then threw up AGAIN. Third time was a charm. My headaches are back also, which is no fun. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? My fresh turkey sandwiches still. That and a lot of my clothes that aren't fitting. 

{via}

Movement: Not yet. Since I have an anterior placenta and it's my first I'm guessing I won't feeling anything until I'm about 18-20 weeks. I can't wait to feel some movement. 

Food cravings: Fresh fruit, hamburgers and anything with a dip. Especially ranch dip with veggies!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Brushing my teeth is gag central. Raw chicken is still nasty.

Have you started to show yet: Still looking a little bloated and like I ate too many hamburgers, but I think by next week I'll start sporting more of a baby bump. 

{via}

Gender: Not sure yet, but our anatomy scan is on the 23rd! Although I have a feeling we are having a little girl. Hey, I have a 50% chance of being right, no?

Symptoms: My lower back has been really tight and sore and still get tired easily. Other than that I feel good. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

What I'm reading: Still working on What To Expect When You're Expecting and I started a new book called The Happiest Baby On The Block.

Looking forward to: Feeling some movement and finding out the sex soon!

Hello Casper!

Tank: Motherhood Maternity, Jacket: Old Navy, Maxi Skirt: Nordstrom, Sandals: Loft, Necklace: Forever 21, Sunglasses: Forever 21

**15 weeks 4 days**

I'm finally popping, yay!

So let's go ahead and address how particularly pale I am right now. I know, it's bad. You see we had an amazing warm spring day last week and I just didn't have time to get enough self tanner on me to make any difference. Did this stop me from wearing a tank top and exposing my Casper-like complexion, no way Jose. 

Looking back on this outfit I now realize how badly the stripes photograph, so sorry you'll forgive me right? You win some and you lose some. We took these photos last Saturday on an especially beautiful day (78 degrees!), we went downtown and walked around shops and went to lunch. It was so beautiful out I couldn't help but bring out my maxi skirt. What are your favorite spring & summer staples?

Linking Up Today With:

The Pleated Poppy

Random Wednesday

Whatever Whenever Wednesday

What I Wore Wednesday

Style Sessions

I Feel Pretty

Wardrobe Wednesday