Texas Bluebonnets and a Due Date

Spring in Texas is a glorious time. The weather is warm (this week has been in the high 80's), bluebonnets are blooming, and the humidity hasn't spiked yet. Don't blink or you might miss it! This spring I'm especially grateful as our little rainbow baby is due to come any day now. We are feeling the excitement and anticipation in our house as we wait.

I had my weekly doctor appointment on Monday and we got to see our bashful boy. It seems he wants to surprise us with his face as we have yet to have a successful profile view. He does have cheeks for days and the perfect pout. And perhaps that ol' wives tail about heartburn and babies having hair is true. Turns out, he has a head of it and even has a patch of longer strands. 

The biggest news was the he's no longer breech (yay!) and he's 8lbs 8oz. Let's take a minute here and reflect on this. I am 37 weeks carrying an 8.5lb babe. 

Alright then.

Needless to say, my doctor is not allowing me to go to 40 weeks; that's just asking for a 10 pound baby. So our due date was moved up a week (still doesn't feel soon enough). I am 1cm dilated which is progress for Stover women. Slow and steady is our game. We don't do labor naturally and getting to 1cm took doctors half a day with Liam so any progress is encouraging! I'm counting the days (4) til I'm done with work because holy F E E T. They definitely reflect that I'm carrying such a big boy.

Around this time last year we shared the news of our miscarriage and it's incredible to think that one year later we would be waiting for our baby to get here. He is a mighty God and I just can't help feeling joyful at His goodness. 

A Mini Bumpdate

Sweatshirt: Target | Jeans: Target | Slides: Target | Sunnies: Ray-Bans | Bag: Catherine Malandrino

A few things to note as I waddle my way into these last several weeks of pregnancy.

• These pictures have made me realize it's time to retire this sweatshirt (at least in public). I think it's done all the stretching it can do. But if you're not carrying a basketball with you everywhere you go, this is quite possibly the softest thing you will ever put on your body. Which is why I say "in public" because I just don't care if the bottom of my belly hangs out around the house.
• BH contractions have hit on the reg. At least one an hour and later in the day I'll have 4-5 an hour. Never enough to actually be of any use, just the riiiiight amount to make me utterly exhausted. Is that even possible? Speaking of contractions...
• Those jeans I so proudly could still fit into at 33 weeks? Well that is no more. Shoulda kept my mouth shut.
• I've never been one to contour my face every day as my makeup routine is pretty simple. But these days, I need all the extra help I can get because #fatface. I've never used so much bronzer in my life as I have this last month. This one from NARS is my favorite if you're curious.
• I finally got my life together and started buying what I needed for my hospital bag. Purchasing this bottom spray brought me right back to labor REAL quick. That post-partum life is a doozy.

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Bumpdate: 30 Weeks

Pants: Old Navy, sold out in this color; purple and small dots still available  | Sweater: Target | Boots: Target | Beanie: Target | Sunnies: Nordstrom, similar | Bag: Catherine Malandrino 

I can't believe I've already hit the 30 week mark! When I look back, I laugh at what I thought was a "bump" at 12 weeks. Oh the silliness.

How far along? 30 weeks and ticking.

Name: We've finally picked a name but for now we're keeping it to ourselves.

Movement: Now that he's the size of a cabbage (seriously who decides what to measure by??) and space is harder to come by I feel every little thing and he's an active little guy. He's definitely more active at night which is typical. He pushes his little self out and it makes walking interesting because it hurts! Every night around 6PM my tummy gets really tight and I can feel him in a tight ball. Sometimes I'm able to push him back in but this seems to be something he loves to do! I love though that I can feel whether he's moving a hand or foot or when a long arm or leg is kicking. My uterus doesn't love it so much, however.

How I'm feeling: Aside from getting more and more uncomfortable, I'm feeling pretty good. At my last doctor's appointment I found out I was anemic and the iron supplements I'm taking now make me nauseous. I've learned to take those at night and my prenatals in the morning which make it more tolerable. Mostly I'm just getting so excited to meet our little man and know that the more uncomfortable I get, the closer it is until he's here!

Cravings: Still nothing specific although my sweet tooth is coming back. I feel at ease knowing there's a gallon of Blue Bell in the freezer. That said, I still prefer savory over sweet. I can get down on chips and queso if given the chance. Every weekend, we've made it a point to try a new restaurant and my pregnant self is loving it. So far we've tried Mexican (Rio Bravo and El Pueblito), BBQ (Pecan Lodge), and Lazy Dog. I'm still dreaming about the brisket sandwich from Pecan Lodge. If you're ever in Dallas, GO--the line is worth it.

Workout: Nothing's really changed here. I posted my pregnancy workout routine a few weeks ago and this still remains my favorite way to stay active.

Nursery: I've mentioned before that February is baby month and we'll be getting most of our purchases then. I've finally settled on the bassinet, rocker, and other bigger items. It took a lot of research and googling to find exactly what I wanted. We knew we didn't want a typical glider that looked like it belonged in a nursery and it was important for me to find one that didn't cost $2000 and fit into our aesthetic. I'll post more on the nursery once we've officially bought everything.

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Compromises

Sweater: F21 (old), similar | Jeans: H&M | Boots: Target | Necklace: Stella & Dot, c/o

Being pregnant is all about compromises.

Do I wear sneakers or flats? Flats because I can't bend over to tie my shoes.

Chocolate or ice cream? These days ice cream.

Jeans or leggings? Leggings because the thought of jeans makes me claustrophobic. When mobility is already limited, choose whatever has the most stretch.

Pee or lay in bed a little longer? Unfortunately the former always wins.

Make Liam breakfast or let him choose his own breakfast because he can get it himself? Well yesterday he had popcorn for breakfast so you decide. #momfail

Husband is also learning about compromises.

Hot, angry wife or get an extra blanket for his side of the bed? He learned this one quickly. Always choose to be cold for the sake of the wife.

Make dinner now or later? Always now because again, hangry wife.

Allow for wife and colossal size pregnancy pillow to overtake the bed or split the bed evenly? He selflessly takes one for the team. Poor guy. Sometimes I wake up and I'm diagonal, body pillow and all and he's huddled on the very edge of the bed. But he never says a word and always always always makes sure I'm comfortable. He's been such a dream boat these last few months.

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