Bump Date | 34 Weeks with Sophia

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31 Weeks
32 Weeks
33 Weeks

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Nighttime Routine during Pregnancy

Posted by stormieariel

In my 33 week bump date post, I mentioned my nighttime routine and decided I would go into more detail of what I actually do most nights to help get my body ready for bedtime. Some nights my routine works wonders and other times it is a complete fail but it is what kinda sorta works for me however I am open for more suggests!

Shortly after dinner, I begin to run my bath water while I use the restroom. Once I am in the tub soaking, I watch my subscriptions on YouTube and this will last for about 20 to 30 minutes before I get restless.

At this point, I enter the shower (I only soak in the tub and do not cleanse while in the tub because its hard to wash my hair so just imagine the whale found on the Galveston shore) and do my shower thing, self explanatory I think. I exit the shower and dry my body off and wrap my hair in the towel, apply deodorant, moisturize my face and clean my ears. I personally don't feel dry even after drying off with a towel so I will sit in front of the fan for about 20 or 30 minutes, sometimes less. After I feel dry enough, I remove the towel from my hair and begin my nightly hair routine.

I than go to the restroom again and will begin the winding down process of getting comfortable. During this time, most nights, Anthony and I will do our relaxing techniques we have been learning in our birthing class which is basically me in a comfortable position and he rubs me down making sure all my muscles are relaxed (before we started this, I use to do yoga poses and stretches which also helped with my restless leg pains, I just have been to lazy to keep up with doing both things but I think I should start my yoga back up). Once I start getting restless again, Anthony gets ready for bed while I go to the restroom again and I will attempt to fall asleep.

Side Note: I try to go to the restroom multiple times before actually attempting to fall asleep to prevent waking up so much during the middle of the night however if I don't drink enough water (I typically drink 3 bottles and that seems to be the right amount for me) during the day, I try to drink at least 1 bottle an hour before bedtime and that will keep me going to the restroom all night but I don't feel dehydrated waking up. So it's best for me to drink my water throughout the day, way before bedtime, so I only end up getting up once for the restroom in the middle of the night.

And that my friends is my nighttime routine, it typically takes about 4 hours to do but I do everything at a snail pace and sometimes things come up in between each stage like taking dogs out, playing on my phone, working on blog stuff or ebay stuff, etc.

What did your nighttime routine look like when you were pregnant? And what is it like now as a parent? Any tips for this mama to be?

More Pregnancy Tips & Tricks:
Pregnancy Must Haves

What to Ask While on a Maternity Hospital Tour
What to Take From the Hospital After a Maternity Stay
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (see my review here)
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth (see my review here)
What to Pack for the Hospital during a Maternity Stay
Baby Registry Tips & Tricks
Bradley Method Class Review
What No One Tells When You Are Expecting
Surviving a Summer Pregnancy

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Monday, February 15, 2016

Bump Date | 33 Weeks with Sophia

Posted by stormieariel

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

Can you believe I only have about 7 weeks left in this pregnancy?? It seems unreal and time flew by although now it kind of seems like a stand still. Mornings are getting harder, getting up and ready for work is a nightmare; nights are still hard to even fall asleep no matter how tired I am. I feel like I have tried all types of sleeping remedies and will just have to suck it up.

My current nighttime routine starts with a warm bath after dinner, I lay and soak for about 20 minutes and than get in the actual shower. After I have dried off, combed my hair, etc. Anthony and I will do some relaxing techniques we are learning in our birthing class. The simplest and easiest one is him rubbing my back and while it relaxes me, it doesn't put me to sleep. This is when the horrible cycle begins of tossing, turning and peeing. Yupp, peeing. While I toss and turn, my little love tosses and turns on my bladder. Fun times, I tell you. So if you mommas have any sleeping techniques that worked for you when you were preggo, I am all ears.

Little Love is definitely moving a lot more which I thought she was suppose to slow her moving down due to lack of room from her growth spurts but that hasn't stopped her one bit. She enjoys jamming her self into my left side and than it feels as if she stretches since I feel a lot of pressure down below and feeling like I am being stabbed in my ribs at the same time. It's hard to imagine this little girl has grown so long to be able to do that and I can't wait to see her at our 36 week ultrasound (the last time we saw her was at 20 weeks). And of course, I absolutely am excited to see her in person. Her little nose and toes and fingers. Looking into her beautiful face, I know it will all be worth it.

Maternity Relaxed Tunic Tee | Maternity Crop Jeans

As last week, I continued to keep my outfits pretty simple and causal. It just makes it easier getting dressed in the mornings and who says causal can't be cute or fashionable? I am making it work for me so whether your preggo or not, causal can be cute. My formula is truly basic, jeans and sperry's with a shirt and depending on the weather I may add a layer such as a cardigan or sweater to it. If you wanna up the factor, add in a statement necklace or scarf or even a handbag as I typically do for my outfits when I am not pregnant. I hope you can find inspiration in these outfits to create simple outfits for yourself!

Nike Hoodie (similar) | Maternity Scoop-Neck Tee |

Maternity Jeans | Sperry's

Graphic Tee | Sweater (similar) | Maternity Jeans |

Sperry's

Maternity Striped Tee (similar) | Maternity Jeans (similar)

Striped Drop-Shoulder 3/4 Sleeve T-Shirt (similar)

More of my Maternity Style Posts:

More Bump Date Posts:

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Sunday, February 7, 2016

Bump Date | 32 Weeks with Sophia

Posted by stormieariel

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

I must admit, this week of pregnancy has been the hardest between the discomfort and the exhaustion although my blood work showed I am anemic so hopefully taking iron supplements will give me a little boost of energy again.

I remember once I felt comfortable in my pregnancy and it finally felt real that we had a baby growing inside of me, I would have anxiety attacks thinking about being 30 weeks or further along because of the fear of giving birth. However, when I think about birth day now I try to picture what this beautiful babygirl will look like and wonder what type of emotions I will go through and it feels like I am daydreaming. I don't have the fear I once had, I am actually looking forward to going into labor just so I can finally have my Little Love in my arms. I think one of the things I am looking most forward to after pregnancy is the ability to lay on my stomach again. I have been struggling for weeks, WEEKS, with sleeping comfortably and I know I obviously won't ever have a good night rest becoming a mother but I just want to at least get to rest my body comfortably. No matter which side I sleep on, Little Love scoots to that side and elbows and knees me and when I lay on my back (it's only to give my sides relief for a few moments) Little Love smooshes my lungs and makes it pretty hard to breath. I am definitely being prepared for the sleepless nights to come but I know it will be worth it once I get to stare down at my baby.

Maternity Dot Print Blouse (similar) |

Maternity Crop Jeans

I also struggled a lot with putting outfits together this week, I didn't have the energy or the inspiration plus my feet are hurting a lot more and coming up with cute outfits to coordinate with my tennis shoes instead of flats is kinda hard. I feel at this point its more about comfort but I hope I can find inspiration to make my outfits fashionable so I don't feel like I gave up on my life which is how I felt this week. Not a good feeling.

Maternity Shirt (similar) | Maternity Crop Jeans |

Printed Flats (similar) | Necklace (similar)

Maternity Cross-Front Shirt (similar) |

Maternity Crop Jeans | Sperry's

Striped Maternity Shirt | Maternity Jeans (similar) |

Nike shoes (similar)

More of my Maternity Style Posts:

More Bump Date Posts:

Sharing at: A Life in Balance, Remodelaholic, McCall Manor

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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Babyshower Pregnancy Printable

Baby Shower Games + FREE Printable

Posted by stormieariel

This past weekend, our friends and family got together to shower our Little Love with love. We were surprised with how many people come out and felt so lucky to know so many others are just excited about our little girl as we are (I will be sharing more photos of the entire babyshower later on so be on the lookout). After we enjoyed refreshments, my sister led our guests through some fun baby shower games.

One of the first games we played was called Yummy Yummy. Guests tried to guess what type of baby food we had out either by tasting or smelling which only one person was brave enough to try tasting the food.

via

We also played a game where guest have to remove clothespins off a hanger one at a time using only one hand without dropping any. The highest amount taken off was 17 I believe and the smallest was 1. It was kinda funny watching everyone attempt this.

And of course, it wouldn't be a proper babyshower without the guests trying to figure out how round mommy's belly is. I think my belly was 12 squares of toilet paper round, the highest guess was 21 (I must look like a cow to that person) and the lowest guess was around 8, (maybe?).

The last game we didn't have time to play as we were already 2 hours in the shower and still needed to do cake and presents however I thought I'd share it with you and include a FREE customizable printable for you guys!

Download your FREE Who Knows Mommy & Daddy printable here.

While the games are fun to play and watch people play, I really enjoyed the time of fellowship with everyone and the cake (it was delicious!)

Sharing at: A Life in Balance, Remodelaholic, McCall Manor

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Bump Date | 31 Weeks with Sophia

Posted by stormieariel

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

At this point, I feel like time is flying but at the same time it is at a stand still. I am so anxious to meet our little girl but still feel like this is unreal. I imagine what it will be like the day I see her for the first time and the emotions I am bound to go through but it feels like it's only a dream. Obviously her little kicks and punches remind me its not a dream and while I'm anxious to meet her and have my body back (tossing and turning in bed is no fun), I am trying to soak up these last weeks before she is here. I know I will miss these little moments we share of her wiggling around inside of me and I know I will miss the alone time Anthony and I have been able to share without children, those moments will be harder to find.

I also noticed such a huge difference in my belly size from Week 30 to Week 31, baby girl has definitely grown. It shows in my energy level as well, I have been even more exhausted this past week and find I cannot stay on my feet too long without them pounding or my heart racing. All simple tasks are now nearly impossible and must be assessed before performing.

Maternity Shirt (similar) | Maxi Skirt

Maternity Shirt (similar) | Maternity Pants | UGGs |

Pea Coat (similar) | Leopard Scarf (similar)

Maternity Blouse (similar) | Maternity Jeans |

Flats (similar) | Cardigan (similar)

Basic Maternity Tee | Maternity Jeans |

Ed Hardy Shoes (similar) | Utility Jacket (similar)

More of my Maternity Style Posts:

More Bump Date Posts:

Sharing at: A Life in Balance, McCall Manor

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Monday, January 25, 2016

Bump Date | 30 Weeks with Sophia

Posted by stormieariel

I decided to document our pregnancy as a way to get all my feelings and emotions out and to later look and remember this beautiful time in our lives. I hope you enjoy if you decide to follow along on this life changing journey.

Man, these past 30 weeks have flown by! I can't believe we have about 10 weeks left before we meet our babygirl!! I am super excited but I wouldn't rush this process for anything, I want Little Love to develop as much as she can especially that brain.

I noticed breathing is becoming harder and I have been tired during the day even when I do have a good night of sleep. Falling asleep is still hard but I always struggled with falling asleep even before I was pregnant however I don't get up as much as I use to in the middle of the night so that is a nice break. It's hard to describe but I feel little knots sometimes were Little Love is probably pushing her feet or hands, it's different from a kick so maybe she is stretching? Idk, it feels weird but amazing at the same time and sometimes it can be uncomfortable especially if I am laying down but it doesn't hurt at all.

Maternity Tunic (similar) | Belt (similar)

Graphic Tee | Maternity Pants | Sperry's

Poncho (similar) | Maternity Pants | Sperry's

Basic Tee | Maternity Crop Jeans | Printed Flats (similar) | Necklace (similar)

Maternity Dot Print Blouse (similar) | Maternity Crop Jeans |

Cardigan (similar) | Flats (similar)

Maternity Graphic Tee | Maternity Jeans |

Sweater (similar) | Flats (similar)

Maternity Scoop-Neck Tee | Maternity Jeans |

Puffer Vest | Sperry's

Side Note: I got my puffer vest as a Christmas present years and years ago and I cannot find it online nor can I find a similar one for a reasonable price range therefore I didn't link anything. If I come across one that I think will match for a decent price, I will add the link or if you can find one let me know so I can link up to it!

More of my Maternity Style Posts:

More Bump Date Posts:

First Trimester

Second Trimester

28 Weeks
29 Weeks

Sharing at A Life in Balance

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Little Love Pregnancy

Maternity Photoshoot | Little Love

Posted by stormieariel

Last weekend, our friend Nick was able to take our maternity pictures for us. We wanted to do them in enough time to display for our babyshower at the end of this month. It rained the day before and was forecasted to rain that day as well but we were lucky enough that it did not. Also luckily, I gave myself two outfit options, one for cold weather and another for warm weather as one never knows what to expect with this bipolar Texas weather. We are so happy with how amazing these came out and that we were able to get this beautiful season in our lives captured. Be warned, this post is very photo heavy.

I am so blessed to be married to this man and that he will be the father to our children. Each passing day I fall more and more in love with him (if you can't tell). I enjoy the interaction he already has with little love and know I will fall more deeply in love seeing him fall in love with our little girl.

Man, it is still hard to believe we were chosen to have this beautiful adventure together.