tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77547241446795927542024-03-12T22:38:23.658-04:00beyond the aisleadding color and style to every day.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.comBlogger1523125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-52745225682219436982018-08-23T09:38:00.000-04:002018-08-23T09:38:44.129-04:00we survived the fourth trimester! & weekly victories.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A phrase that is currently gaining traction in the world of pregnancy books and blogs is "the fourth trimester." I first saw the phrase in <i>The Happiest Baby on the Block</i>, which I read before Connor was born. Dr. Karp uses the phrase to explain that a newborn isn't totally aware that he/she isn't still in the womb, and anything un-womb-like is a shock to the little one's system. As the moms in my online support group would say, they're still potatoes for the first three months. Then there was a popular <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/well/a-survival-guide-for-the-fourth-trimester.html" target="_blank">New York Times article</a> and there are at least two books with that title.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I spent a lot of the "fourth trimester" mentally processing my emotions after Connor's birth did not go the way I had envisioned. In my job as a school director and instructional coach, I work with a lot of data. I like statistics. My pregnancy had felt average; I'd experienced symptoms right along the timeline the Ovia app said I would. I'd read that with most first pregnancies, the baby comes after the due date, so I expected to be able to start my maternity leave and have a few days of downtime before going into labor. I would prepare freezer meals and postpartum care items, finish doing some crafts for the nursery, and select books to read during my break from work and society. I knew that the majority of births aren't via Cesarean section, so I didn't expect to need one. Despite giving birth in a state of the art hospital surrounded by kind doctors, nurses, and my family, I had a rough time just dealing with the fact that the experience I'd envisioned - feathering my nest and then giving birth like some kind of woman warrior - had slipped away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">C-section recovery seemed to go on forever - I was still losing blood a few days before my 6-week check up. Those freezer meals never got cooked and the meal train kindly set up by friends only lasted for the first week home, after which point I lived on microwaveable French bread pizzas, chicken pot pies, and canned tuna. Nights with the baby could be rough - latching to breastfeed was a struggle for Connor and there were tears from all three family members sometimes when it didn't seem like peaceful sleep would ever come. The nursery still isn't "done." I wish I had written more down, taken more pictures, but the truth is I was exhausted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We survived the fourth trimester. I have returned to work (the self-help book about that is, of course, called <i>The Fifth Trimester</i>). Connor spends the day with a babysitter who he greets with a huge smile every morning. He is making eye contact and laughing and just generally less potato-y and more of a person. My hair isn't in a messy bun all day anymore, but it is falling out, right on schedule for a new mom. And every day feels like running a marathon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During the haze of maternity leave, Mr. Q would leave for work when I was still in bed, usually with a baby attached to me. He would come home to find me on the couch with a baby attached to me, ask what I'd done that day, and I'd get kind of confused - <i>what </i>did <i>I do today? </i>There was nothing to actually show for my days (other than a tiny human who was still alive). For one week, I recorded what I did meticulously to figure out what my average days were actually like. Taking a shower, feeding the baby, putting on clothes, and feeding myself <i>were</i> all accomplishments, and seeing them written down was therapeutic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My blogging friend Micah regularly posts the goals she has set for herself and uses her blog posts to track her progress toward those goals. As I've started to feel a little overwhelmed with this "fifth trimester," I thought it might be a good idea to do something similar. I'm going to call it my "weekly victories" post. We'll see if I have enough energy and/or time to keep it going every week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>this week's victories:</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">went to the YMCA for a 30 min. workout</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">went to Bible Study (C was super well behaved!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">J gave C a bottle of formula for the first time so I could pump - he seemed to digest it just fine and it helped him sleep better</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sent C to day care with 4 bottles of pumped milk every day</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cooked a meal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">developing a new morning schedule that gets us both to work on time</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the bridesmaid dress I ordered online for my SILs' wedding fits my lumpy postpartum body!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>goals for next week:</b></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">take C on a walk outside</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">go to the YMCA</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">take C to meet my yoga friends</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">start building up milk stash again (currently only have 1 oz. extra)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">prep 3 lunches, buy lunch 2 days</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">attend virtual workshops for my job</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">do something nice for my mom who is watching C while the babysitter is on vacation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">go to the chiropractor</span></li>
</ul>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-21342077485961851122018-07-22T19:43:00.000-04:002018-07-22T19:43:18.767-04:00a birth story, part ii.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2018/07/a-birth-story-part-i.html" target="_blank">Continued from Part 1...</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once I was ready for surgery, two nurses wheeled me quickly to the operating room. It was white, bright, and freezing cold. The doctors and nurses in the room identified themselves to me and I heard my doctor, who was on the other side of a blue drape across my body, give a quick narrative including my name, age, and medical history, explaining the procedure, and stating how much blood I was expected to lose (that was scary to hear). Josh was allowed to come in and sit down beside me. He and the anesthesiologist each held one of my hands as the surgery began. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A c-section is a very strange procedure. Being awake and aware (though in the haze of sleep deprivation and medication) and knowing that your body is being cut open and taken apart is surreal. The doctor would say, "you're going to feel some pulling," and I would cry out, not from unbearable pain but how surprising and strange the sensation was. I told the doctors that I was okay but needed to make noise. The anesthesiologist told Josh, "if you want to look, you can stand up now," and at 9:35 p.m. I heard my baby cry. That cry meant he was alive, and I started to cry as well. The doctors said, "Heather, here's your baby," and held my son over the drape so I could look at him before whisking him over to the side of the operating room for whatever after-birth procedures he needed. As he cried, I thought, "that's <i>my son's voice</i>." The baby's umbilical cord had already been clamped and cut, but Josh got to cut it to the length it needed to be to fall off properly. He was 20 inches long and weighed 6 pounds 12 ounces. After he had been weighed and his APGAR signs checked, the baby went with Josh to a recovery room as the doctors finished sewing me up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A young nurse named Emily took me to a big recovery room where I was the only patient, where Josh and the baby were waiting, and Josh placed him on my chest for our first skin-to-skin contact. The baby immediately started bobbing his head and rooting on my chest, found my nipple and latched on. Emily said it was the fastest she'd ever seen a newborn be able to do that. The recovery room was also where Josh told me the detail I'd missed in the operating room because I was so out of it: the doctor had announced that the baby's umbilical cord had been wrapped around his neck <i>twice</i>. I think that somehow my body knew it would not be safe for me to push, and shut down the process of labor for a reason. The female body is amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I could have stayed in that little bubble of love with my new family forever, but knew that our parents and sisters wanted to see the baby and know that we were both okay. He also needed a name before they met him. Josh said, "He looks really Irish right now. Connor." I asked which of our middle name choices, and he said, "Connor Phillip." Phillip was my dad's name and I knew that choice would be so special to my family. I couldn't wait to introduce our parents to their grandchild and our sisters to their nephew. We would spend the next three days in the hospital so that I could recover from my surgery and so that we could focus on bonding as a new family of three.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-84486366695156016432018-07-20T12:07:00.000-04:002018-07-20T12:20:49.004-04:00a birth story, part i.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The week that ended up being my last week of work before maternity leave was a very busy one as usual. I was helping the middle school administrators make scheduling decisions for the next school year, coaching a student as she prepared to give an Ignite talk at the state superintendents' conference the next week, and helping teachers prepare for state standardized testing. That Wednesday I had my scheduled weekly OB/GYN appointment - one of the quick, routine visits that consist of not much more than a weigh-in and blood pressure check - and everything was normal. My doctor asked me if I wanted her to check my cervix and I refused once again - members of my online May moms' group had posted about how painful those checks were and everything I'd read said they weren't medically necessary. The only real sign that I was nearing the end of my third trimester was how swollen my feet and legs were - so much that my ankles had disappeared and a coworker was joking that I had developed "flegs" instead of cankles. My nurse had ruled out preeclampsia in a previous appointment and my doctor had declared that I was "just a sweller." I was moving more slowly, parking in front of my school to save steps instead of in the teachers' parking lot, taking the elevator when I had to go between floors, and asking kids to surrender the most comfortable seats in their classrooms to me when I did observations (and help me out of those seats when I needed to stand up again). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That Thursday, I attended the annual educators' banquet to support a friend who was nominated for Teacher of the Year and my student who was delivering her speech as a test run. When my name was called to honor my ten years of service to the district, it took me a while to waddle up to the front of the auditorium to collect my certificate. On Friday, I chaperoned the eighth grade dance after school, and my coworker made me put my "flegs" up on a Rubbermaid tub that held photobooth props. I stayed, along with a few of the other chaperones, until every student had been picked up. That night as I was going to bed I felt a few contractions, different than the Braxton-Hicks ones I'd experienced after going on a too-strenuous hike in the winter. Though strong, these contractions were irregular and ended after two hours or so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day was May 5th, which was the day of the Kentucky Derby this year in addition to being Cinco de Mayo. I had to get out of bed to throw up that morning, which my brain mentally cataloged as a potential sign of labor. Then mucus plug made an appearance, but I told myself that I could still have a week to go. Being a group of people who can never resist a celebration, our Bible study friends had planned a Cinco de Derby party at the lake, and we had planned to go. Since I still felt good and the party wasn't too far away from our packed hospital bags, we decided we'd still go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my dad's favorite songs was Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" and since he passed away my mom and I have liked to think of cloudbursts as a little hello from him. On the drive toward the lake, it started raining, but the sun still shone brightly. I felt such a sense of peace and that everything was going to be okay, and excitement in the knowledge that my baby would be on the way soon. I didn't have much of an appetite for the tacos my friend Jessi had made, but I parked myself in a rocking chair with a stool and enjoyed the conversation and picking a horse to root for. One of my best friends remarked on how uncomfortable I looked, and actually asked me if I was in labor. When I got too tired and achy, I let Josh know we needed to leave.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At about 11:00 that night, I started to have contractions again. I opened the tracker in my Ovia pregnancy app and started recording them. They were all about 40 seconds to one minute in length, but very irregular - anywhere from three minutes to 15 minutes apart. To deal with the pain, I tried bringing the yoga ball upstairs into our bedroom. My favorite strategy we'd learned in our Prepared Childbirth class was getting on all fours, but that wasn't bringing much relief either. My contractions started out in the depth of my belly and felt like period cramps, then circled my body and ended in my back - what's called back labor. At around 1 a.m. I asked Josh to call the hospital. The doctor on call said my contractions were too irregular for her to tell us to come there yet, and for me to try to get some rest. It's probably a good thing I wasn't the one on the phone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I went downstairs to labor for a while so Josh could try to sleep. After another hour of contractions, I told Josh that I just wanted to be at the hospital even though my contractions were still irregular. Lying down and sitting were incredibly uncomfortable - I felt best either pacing the floor or pushing against a wall while lunging and peddling my feet the way my yoga teacher tells us to do in downward dog. I had figured out that I would have about six contractions between our house and the hospital and felt like I could handle that. On the drive, I leaned the seat all the way back, gripped the seat and arm rest, and screamed a lot. The good thing about being in labor in the middle of the night was that there was no traffic on the way to Roanoke. When we got to the hospital, a security guard met us at the door and helped me out of the car. I couldn't wait to stand up, so I rejected the wheelchair he offered and hobbled to the elevator as Josh went to park the car. Our hospital has an express elevator that only goes to the Labor/Delivery and Mother/Baby floors. A lady getting into an elevator on the other side of the hallway saw me clutching my belly and rocking from side to side and said, "It'll all be worth it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To get into the L&D unit, I had to pick up a phone beside a locked door and identify myself. It felt strange, alone and in pain, limping toward a dark triage room. "In here," the nurse called. I had to undress and get on an exam table, and anticipating the pain of lying down made me want to cry. The nurse checked me in and paged the OB/GYN on call. I was 100% effaced, four centimeters dilated, and the portable ultrasound machine showed that the baby was head down, ready to be delivered. I got a hospital bracelet and was taken to my room. Josh called our parents and his sister to let them know it was happening.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The doula who taught our Prepared Childbirth class had recommended requesting a nurse who liked supporting natural birth, but we didn't have to - the nurse assigned to us asked about my pain management preferences, and when I told her I wanted to avoid medication as much as possible, she went to get a yoga ball and peanut ball. She arranged my monitors so that I was able to still get up and down from the bed, bounce on the ball, and stand up as needed. As the pain from my contractions got more intense, she helped me get on all fours or lie on my side with the peanut ball between my legs. There was a shift change at 7 a.m., and the new OB/GYN on call was my own doctor, which I felt very lucky about. My new nurse was very motherly and sweet. When the pain got too much for me to handle, and I had thrown up several times, I asked for IV pain medication, still wanting to avoid an epidural if I could because I wanted to be able to move around as much as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The L&D floor was very busy on May 6th. There was a set of twins and a set of triplets being delivered via Cesarean section, and eight other mamas in labor. My father-in-law went to the waiting room for a while and ran into one of my coworkers' mother-in-laws - it turned out that she was in the room next to mine. Her due date had been May 10th and mine had been May 16th, so both of us would be starting maternity leave earlier than planned! Our nurse was happy to relay messages back and forth between the rooms about how we were doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Though the IV pain medicine helped, I could still feel my contractions, and since the ward was so crowded, my nurse had told me that if I decided on an epidural I should let her know sooner rather than later because the anesthesiologist could be busy with another patient. She reminded me that I hadn't slept, and might be too tired to push if I spent all my energy on managing the pain of labor. On one of my cervical checks, my doctor accidentally broke my bag of waters. I had learned that after the water breaks, contractions become more intense and painful, and since I was already at my threshold for pain, I asked for the epidural.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">anesthesiologist looked like someone who would be cast as a caring, fatherly doctor on a show like <i>E.R.</i> and was the nicest person we'd met in a hospital full of nice people. I had been scared of getting a shot in my back, but the worst part of the process was the numbing shot before the epidural. I laid down to let the medicine do its work. Unfortunately, the next thing I knew I was coming back to consciousness with my bed angled so my head was down. There was an oxygen mask on my face. There were four nurses in my room, talking fast, which really alarmed me. I could see Josh and asked him what was happening. My blood pressure had dropped, which is the most common side effect of an epidural, and the nurses got me back on track.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the epidural, my nurse wanted to help me change my position fairly often so I didn't develop a blood clot or anything like that. However, the baby's heart rate would drop in some of the positions she tried. I got an internal monitor for the baby, and spent most of the time in "throne pose," which is being almost vertical in the hospital bed with pillows under each leg. My sister and her fianc</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ée alternated sitting in front of the monitors, watching the baby's heart rate and letting me know when I was having a contraction - which was really strange since I couldn't actually feel the pain, just a sensation that<i> something </i>was happening in my body. My doctor came by to let me know her shift was ending and she was disappointed that she wouldn't get to deliver my baby. The doctor who had admitted me and my original nurse came back on duty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The doctor was starting to get worried because the baby's heart rate kept dropping and I wasn't progressing past 8 centimeters of dilation. At about 8 p.m., she told me that I needed to make a decision: I could have a C-section right away, be awake for the procedure, and have Josh in the operating room with me. Or I could continue to wait to try to do a natural birth, with the risk that the baby's heart rate could drop further and I would need an emergency c-section, for which I would have to go under general </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">anesthesia and no one would be allowed in the room. It wasn't much of a choice, and I asked for time to talk to my family. I burst into tears pretty much as soon as the doctor left the room - I was tired, I was scared by the prospect of major surgery, and I was worried about my baby. We knew what I needed to do, and my father-in-law led us in prayer. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone except Josh had to leave, and we talked about potential baby names in the time we were alone together - even though some of our friends thought we were just keeping it a secret, we really hadn't chosen one yet. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My nurse came to explain the preparations we would have to undergo and to get me ready. Josh still wanted to be able to cut the baby's umbilical cord, and if there was anything wrong with the baby I wanted Josh to stay with him instead of me. She had seen our family prayer and said that my </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">anesthesiologist liked to pray with patients if they wanted. He and my nurse prayed with us and it made me feel so much more safe and secure with what was about to happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>To be continued...</i></span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-54078133544745449462018-07-15T12:00:00.000-04:002018-07-15T14:52:01.019-04:00sunday simplicity: national ice cream day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtW5rrmnLBf_kz7mQhzizlE2MpX0VtjeWqHNkvGAKDSxO4NxTe5ixDD-cM-7PfCVweKjPL4WTf8je9h1z5EDC7Y8YtCzEUDDRYiawNOMIg6xuVzrFUA1vrSTvAl0tKIloPBDWPN258Z0/s1600/theweddingstandarddotcom_blog_dessert_on_wheels_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="800" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtW5rrmnLBf_kz7mQhzizlE2MpX0VtjeWqHNkvGAKDSxO4NxTe5ixDD-cM-7PfCVweKjPL4WTf8je9h1z5EDC7Y8YtCzEUDDRYiawNOMIg6xuVzrFUA1vrSTvAl0tKIloPBDWPN258Z0/s400/theweddingstandarddotcom_blog_dessert_on_wheels_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://the-poffs.com/" target="_blank">Danielle Poff</a> via <a href="https://www.theweddingstandard.com/blog/dessert-on-wheels/" target="_blank">The Wedding Standard</a></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Your love is better than ice cream</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">better than anything else that I've tried</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">- Sarah McLachlan</span></i></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-28896347109003226272018-06-15T16:02:00.004-04:002018-06-27T11:55:21.944-04:00my maternity photoshoot.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At 36 weeks pregnant I asked Mr. Q to take some photos of me because I wanted to remember what I looked like super preggo. I love all the pretty maternity shoots on Pinterest and showed him a few of my favorites for inspiration. The downsides of pregnancy for me were constant heartburn and regular morning sickness beyond the first trimester, but one of the upsides was the clearest skin I've had since elementary school - how could I not want to document that? I was also reaping the benefits of prenatal vitamins with thicker hair and longer fingernails, and found myself Googling whether pregnancy could make freckles more prominent (it can). I felt great about my appearance, and that's not the normal state of affairs for me. I'm so glad that I did get some photos when we did - the next weekend we went on our last date night as a party of two, and the weekend after that I was in labor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14fOI8gJhTam0mzcsY-I7AU_6WbxeqsjsKBC9QxfK5fTC-qiHIWVR63ufEqLClTiPQw0TOuCthyLeDehEK_yDnNsO4x3gR7r0rjG2dTR_RuTfSsCOng0DZZUdnjPecVo5eXeXB7qIhik/s1600/_MG_0007+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14fOI8gJhTam0mzcsY-I7AU_6WbxeqsjsKBC9QxfK5fTC-qiHIWVR63ufEqLClTiPQw0TOuCthyLeDehEK_yDnNsO4x3gR7r0rjG2dTR_RuTfSsCOng0DZZUdnjPecVo5eXeXB7qIhik/s400/_MG_0007+%25282%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeqDpyd8lHs-zeWCOxKZkunOR8Ond2Hl4TVZdogO9oVkOCWh3qscnJEmTBvbzqrlTDn_Ho3xgDYTs2UU64eGd6MJgjkc9ulN3X3Ef2SqqUHje42ZBZT_EpXInnuS491YPMAer4YVoQ5I/s1600/_MG_0031+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeqDpyd8lHs-zeWCOxKZkunOR8Ond2Hl4TVZdogO9oVkOCWh3qscnJEmTBvbzqrlTDn_Ho3xgDYTs2UU64eGd6MJgjkc9ulN3X3Ef2SqqUHje42ZBZT_EpXInnuS491YPMAer4YVoQ5I/s400/_MG_0031+%25282%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of the benefits of living close to a college town is a freely available beautiful setting! We started our afternoon on the campus of Ferrum College. My dress is from Pink Blush (<a href="https://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-35124-dusty-mint-draped-maternitynursing-maxi-dress.aspx?DepartmentID=1" target="_blank">same style in new colors</a>) and I got the kimono on sale from Motherhood Maternity (<a href="http://www.motherhood.com/lace-maternity-cardigan/006-93856-12-S%2FM.html?country=US&currency=USD&mrkgcl=917&mrkgadid=3119495754&product_id=006-93856-12-S%2FM&adpos=1o4&creative=109530710765&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp4KPxLrW2wIVlIrICh2yBgGCEAkYBCABEgJLnfD_BwE" target="_blank">similar</a>). Mr. Q insisted that I wear my glasses in a few photos because "your glasses are you."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiHVeVzhK9-8JGPoE77ciCYh7JYayamdBmucEpVdPYil1wLhmgeB6iowf_AVWZWa_rUkhqf_YYE5faswowa86WqBomg455bEFiOibWLXjzdHje4zVYvOnmGUoed1WtY5PPVq610E83IE/s1600/_MG_0049+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiHVeVzhK9-8JGPoE77ciCYh7JYayamdBmucEpVdPYil1wLhmgeB6iowf_AVWZWa_rUkhqf_YYE5faswowa86WqBomg455bEFiOibWLXjzdHje4zVYvOnmGUoed1WtY5PPVq610E83IE/s640/_MG_0049+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwXZnLlFbWDJ_3Q6AnSnkhoW4k-s6HVg7ETqCYHu45lQj9DbxJBuzNWubxP9Ly-uai7O18NMLIg9iYx5fgkNM7lGEJeMGthjDOkvDDDlxEADuEQYJACcekrABfv6vv474eVvy7Nfdms0/s1600/_MG_0065+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwXZnLlFbWDJ_3Q6AnSnkhoW4k-s6HVg7ETqCYHu45lQj9DbxJBuzNWubxP9Ly-uai7O18NMLIg9iYx5fgkNM7lGEJeMGthjDOkvDDDlxEADuEQYJACcekrABfv6vv474eVvy7Nfdms0/s640/_MG_0065+%25282%2529.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Ferrum, we headed to our friends' beautifully tended Zen garden. This is probably my favorite photo from the day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhTKAtqQuW0eyRWzMFOPJncvEtZCfTU5pY_rEmcHORRuv3c9e0wVsDm3k8hbi4ONVb8wXh3LvOeQ-GOMuyQWwyGc94C7prDtE4rSaFE5K0anrl-rRZTcGzhnKGXq9kcnNnXBGkN-Uhhs/s1600/_MG_0073+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhTKAtqQuW0eyRWzMFOPJncvEtZCfTU5pY_rEmcHORRuv3c9e0wVsDm3k8hbi4ONVb8wXh3LvOeQ-GOMuyQWwyGc94C7prDtE4rSaFE5K0anrl-rRZTcGzhnKGXq9kcnNnXBGkN-Uhhs/s400/_MG_0073+%25282%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1RQb_8zFzZrLTTjxouszunCDQACu7GQtBB062MlZc_2jouHEtxFfKNUzoWF8r5-xnyrLbun-0hAepywc947OvUbjW7FXG-ftEcp9kXLRHxMtoXuD6AMO02wI9hpRN86sHBwEtQVevNs/s1600/_MG_0089+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1RQb_8zFzZrLTTjxouszunCDQACu7GQtBB062MlZc_2jouHEtxFfKNUzoWF8r5-xnyrLbun-0hAepywc947OvUbjW7FXG-ftEcp9kXLRHxMtoXuD6AMO02wI9hpRN86sHBwEtQVevNs/s400/_MG_0089+%25282%2529.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, we headed back to town. I was inspired by a friend's maternity shoot which included some shots in front of a vibrant mural. There's an art gallery in our town that has a beautiful Van Gogh inspired mural on the side. It was a great backdrop for a few more photos in the last of the evening light.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQePdbwzqvtVMev1gIWmlkm_GRGo0EKcP2Lj5Qt7wt_tupxnTsKxZ7B7cfaCFEXnHNxs58IesizqpjFQpniJvEguufpx_u1OxrPPOh97Rbk2L2wjF1nPoOVljWyGrEnxcJ8pYlu3c2ok/s1600/_MG_0110+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQePdbwzqvtVMev1gIWmlkm_GRGo0EKcP2Lj5Qt7wt_tupxnTsKxZ7B7cfaCFEXnHNxs58IesizqpjFQpniJvEguufpx_u1OxrPPOh97Rbk2L2wjF1nPoOVljWyGrEnxcJ8pYlu3c2ok/s640/_MG_0110+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ_o_Gq423oJ6kJX75-JDgH2-5e46oWapN9ecOP3cw0bSRt6wYkP2ekCfaSkDfO_KTwXfsvXuokb4YgbI1rPGbtlJzZxu1AUwXzFxQmox6XvuNpaBIV3CsWO16A4JcPx8eyoCUgJN91A/s1600/_MG_0122+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ_o_Gq423oJ6kJX75-JDgH2-5e46oWapN9ecOP3cw0bSRt6wYkP2ekCfaSkDfO_KTwXfsvXuokb4YgbI1rPGbtlJzZxu1AUwXzFxQmox6XvuNpaBIV3CsWO16A4JcPx8eyoCUgJN91A/s640/_MG_0122+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Linking Up With:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.threadsforthomasblog.com/2018/06/tie-front-shorts-and-best-linen-cami.html" target="_blank">Threads for Thomas</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://walkinginmemphisinhighheels.com/2018/06/trend-spin-linkup-summer-style-2/" target="_blank">Walking in Memphis in High Heels</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://getyourprettyon.com/style-your-budget-one-outfit-five-budgets/" target="_blank">Get Your Pretty On</a></span></div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-73669983453586713812018-05-14T08:00:00.001-04:002018-07-03T13:48:46.765-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: #f1c232;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #cccccc;">colorful </span><i style="color: #f1c232;">start...</i></b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>5/19 - Armed Forces Day</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #11d6f4; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>SWOON.</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawyu4Fevvu3ssCVsTVQEbmCeS255K7RjGwefhaaNyFthPHHTpaaFkZUNF7jLgvNcbIeXbLn3iYhCKaShRKLH5hBR-RUWwhGmQFEquW2zFW08b9UZ8VD9TTosoYKVK0e7NF_GGqyilQX0/s1600/project+nursery+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawyu4Fevvu3ssCVsTVQEbmCeS255K7RjGwefhaaNyFthPHHTpaaFkZUNF7jLgvNcbIeXbLn3iYhCKaShRKLH5hBR-RUWwhGmQFEquW2zFW08b9UZ8VD9TTosoYKVK0e7NF_GGqyilQX0/s400/project+nursery+2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="http://www.wisteria-photography.com/" target="_blank">Wisteria Photography</a> via <a href="https://projectnursery.com/2018/05/in-the-nursery-with-forrest-and-j/" target="_blank">Project Nursery</a></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A colorful, modern <a href="https://projectnursery.com/2018/05/in-the-nursery-with-forrest-and-j/" target="_blank">bohemian nursery tour</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">SMILE.</span></span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops: </span><a href="https://bonniechristine.com/2018/free-downloads/may-2018-calendar-collection/" target="_blank">Bonnie Christine</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="http://mindingmynest.com/2018-desktop-calendars/" target="_blank">Minding My Nest</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.mospensstudio.com/may-watercolor-wallpaper-downloads/" target="_blank">Mospens Studio</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How Megan Markle and Prince Harry may <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2018/05/10/meghan-markle-embrace-subvert-wedding-traditions/576408002/?for-guid=89F97935-068D-4B19-BB9D-DC3A6E4D48B4" target="_blank">embrace traditions</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">REWIND.</span></b><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017: spice-inspired <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2017/05/pinspiration.html" target="_blank">summer style and entertaining</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: My <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/05/style-my-third-stitch-fix-may-2015.html">third Stitch Fix</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/05/favorite-pins-memorial-day-inspiration.html">Memorial Day inspiration</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/05/my-spring-in-instagram.html">spring in Instagram</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/sunday-social-summer-fun.html">summer memories</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/style-memorial-day-nautical-fashion.html">nautical fashion</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/inspiration-for-sweet-strawberry-spring.html">strawberry wedding</a> inspiration.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013:</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/patriotic-home-decor-for-memorial-day.html">patriotic home decor ideas</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">for Memorial Day and beyond.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">2012: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/sunday-simplicity-70.html">bridal portrait inspiration</a><span style="text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/spring-color-mint.html">mint fashion picks</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/spring-color-wedding-wednesday-mint-and.html">wedding inspiration</a><span style="text-align: justify;">. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">2011: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/05/sunday-simplicity-18_22.html">flower girl inspiration</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-19545189112903187772018-05-07T14:51:00.000-04:002018-06-27T11:50:28.122-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: #674ea7;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #f1c232;">colorful </span><i style="color: #674ea7;">start...</i></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">5/8 </span>- National Teacher Day</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #f4cccc;">5/13 </span>- Mother's Day</b></span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxGf2EWRY97WqWI58oBJUfdp1RWz6V5uOUKeEOCkjBecTq8bSG3KpHEPg12Kt1FcJeppPHxL2qU-fYDP2ZJwWP6k1cChQURWSdEJafsNbkcuoU0evBkhs94xVPYUIIKOLS8lGEupeRFI/s1600/intimate+weddings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxGf2EWRY97WqWI58oBJUfdp1RWz6V5uOUKeEOCkjBecTq8bSG3KpHEPg12Kt1FcJeppPHxL2qU-fYDP2ZJwWP6k1cChQURWSdEJafsNbkcuoU0evBkhs94xVPYUIIKOLS8lGEupeRFI/s640/intimate+weddings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://letsfrolictogether.com/" target="_blank">Let's Frolic Together</a> via <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/cynthia-johns-home-california-wedding/" target="_blank">Intimate Weddings</a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/cynthia-johns-home-california-wedding/" target="_blank">at-home California wedding</a> looks so joyful.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A roundup of <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/8-elegant-wedding-card-holders/" target="_blank">modern, elegant card box</a> ideas.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From A Burst of Beautiful, a <a href="http://www.aburstofbeautiful.com/2017/05/simple-vibrant-mothers-day-table-setting.html/" target="_blank">pretty centerpiece</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops: <a href="http://theeverygirl.com/free-downloadable-tech-backgrounds-for-may/" target="_blank">the Everygirl</a>, <a href="https://www.crosscards.com/wallpaper/monthly-calendars/may/trust-in-christ.html" target="_blank">Cross Cards</a>, </span><a href="https://www.inkstruck.com/free-2018-may-watercolor-wallpapers/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Inkstruck</a>.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fun: Monica's <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/friends-apartment-updated-set-decor-2018-258517" target="_blank"><i>Friends</i> apartment updated</a> for 2018.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>REWIND.</b></span></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/sunday-social.html">TV flashbacks</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/good-morning-sunshine-lemon-wardrobe.html">lemon yellow</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/inspiration-for-rustic-lemon-yellow.html">rustic wedding</a> inspo, and a <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/photo-hour-school-year-edition.html">day in my life</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014:</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-social-past-and-future.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I shared my past and made predictions about my future</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-292187419322649572018-04-30T08:00:00.000-04:002018-06-27T10:52:34.010-04:00this week's clicks.<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="color: #e06666;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #ea9999;">colorful</span></b><b style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> <i>start...</i></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">4/30</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>- International Jazz Day</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">5/4</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>- Star Wars Day</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999;">5/5</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span>- Kentucky Derby</b></span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDqGqObdRHH_GetWR2tBN3dO8Mp8J5JSsMIL2V7dsZRBBl-dSBKO54ZZ31T7uKQJE8MFwOePpKS8CX-BW8vwuag_rqPy73raMY698bcozEpq5fupryBlZ7rwYTj_SxWBORm_R7YX5_Gk/s1600/Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDqGqObdRHH_GetWR2tBN3dO8Mp8J5JSsMIL2V7dsZRBBl-dSBKO54ZZ31T7uKQJE8MFwOePpKS8CX-BW8vwuag_rqPy73raMY698bcozEpq5fupryBlZ7rwYTj_SxWBORm_R7YX5_Gk/s320/Roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/heatherbquinn/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></span></div>
<br />
<b style="color: #e06666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">SMILE.</b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/katie-brians-stunning-santorini-elopement/" target="_blank">Santorini elopement</a> may induce wanderlust.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops: <a href="https://www.baby-chick.com/may-desktop-mobile-wallpaper-download/" target="_blank">Baby Chick</a>, </span><a href="https://sarahhearts.com/may-2018-calendar-wallpaper/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Sarah Hearts</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.uppercasedesigns.com/blog/2018/5/1/may-2018-desktop-calendar-wallpaper" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">Uppercase</a>.</li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The significance of <a href="https://www.racked.com/2018/4/25/17275020/avengers-infinity-war-hair-mantis-black-widow-gamora-scarlet-witch" target="_blank">superheroines' hairstyles</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/what-50-year-olds-know-that-20-year-olds-often-dont" target="_blank">Life lessons from a 50-year-old</a> (like "Enjoy life.")</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span>
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">FLASHBACK.</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/05/16-weird-ways-to-celebrate-star-wars-day.html">Star Wars Day</a> - Ma</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">y the Fourth Be With You!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-may-favorites-favorite-things-link-up.html">May faves</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/spring-2014-st-germain-pink.html">pink wardrobe picks</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/05/inspiration-for-spring-dogwood-wedding.html">dogwood wedding</a> ideas.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-simplicity-119-viva-sweet-love.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">fiesta</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/spring-color-vintage-style-lemon-wedding.html">lemon</a> inspired wedding ideas<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunday-social-all-about-4s.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday Social</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, and </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/05/blessings.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blessings</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-plans-for-tonight.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">meeting Ben Savage</a>, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">favorite </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/spring-color-solar-power.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">neon finds</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/05/spring-color-wedding-wednesday-neon.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">party ideas</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">. </span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2011: DIY </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/05/diy-flower-girl-basket.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">flower girl basket</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nd </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/05/mothers-day-and-little-family-history.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">why my mom walked me down the aisle</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-58877906344587123442018-04-28T12:00:00.000-04:002018-05-01T19:01:41.283-04:0037 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYuB1LRuaRsNHi-cvfRP9u33hyxglBtJ1IuEfQJS6vFvVzbmAUx_AN6QwK2yRt4z068UdZ9zbg9yu-nQin6tYfCA8b2w6OhuwdeswTjtp-_TH1r9T_3_fAXS4afXfoRT7AjBk17IMmMw/s1600/37+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="563" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYuB1LRuaRsNHi-cvfRP9u33hyxglBtJ1IuEfQJS6vFvVzbmAUx_AN6QwK2yRt4z068UdZ9zbg9yu-nQin6tYfCA8b2w6OhuwdeswTjtp-_TH1r9T_3_fAXS4afXfoRT7AjBk17IMmMw/s400/37+weeks.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">37 Weeks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">a honeydew melon</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">This week's prenatal appointment: </span>Pretty standard, except the nurse got a little worried because my left foot is more swollen than my right, so she went to test my sample for high levels of protein (a sign of preeclampsia) right away. Everything was okay, though - my OB/GYN was like, "you're just a sweller!" I had also lost two pounds - I've had very little appetite for dinner this week as I get full after just a few bites. Baby was measuring right on track according to fundal height, though.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Major pregnancy symptoms this week:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">I've been noticing lately that the freckles on my cheekbones that were barely noticeable before are becoming really prominent - yet another thing I can thank pregnancy hormones for, apparently. I don't mind if they stick around after pregnancy because it's kind of cute. Another positive symptom is that the baby has started "lightening," a.k.a. dropping down lower in my body, so I can breathe a lot more easily! On the downside, the round ligament pain that was part of my first trimester has returned, but now it feels kind of like someone is sitting on my hips.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Movement:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>Baby's got less and less room to wiggle as time goes by. When I lie on one side to try to sleep I sometimes feel a sensation like a bubble moving up my side that I interpret as him telling me to roll over!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Best moments this week:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">I had a great time on Saturday shopping with April (despite my increasingly swollen feet) and just hanging out - we realized we've never had a girls' day with just us. We met up with Mr. Q and one of our best guy friends for dinner and Sweet Frog afterward. On Sunday, one of our friends from Bible study who is a youth minister was preaching at her church, so we hauled ourselves to the 8:30 service. I'm so glad we did because her sermon on John 13 included stories from our small group and she even quoted Mr. Q! </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Miss anything?</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">I have to admit that I felt a little sad when the waiter walked by with a margarita flight at Rodeo Grande on Saturday.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moment of the week:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">My co-worker's wife had her baby! He set up a group text so he could let us all know at one time, and one of my other team members had a moment where she thought the text was from me - "because you're so organized," she said. They did a water birth at our local birthing center.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">How I'm preparing for birth this week: </span>Not really a birth preparation, but I'm finally getting around to writing thank you notes for the gifts Baby Q received at both of my showers - the Southern manners guilt was really starting to get to me. The big birth prep this week was our very last class - breastfeeding! We took this one through our local perinatal education center rather than through the hospital, and I'm glad we did - the woman who runs the center was so real and honest, and told us we can call her any time we need help or bring our babies there if we're worried about how things are going. Such a cool resource I'd almost overlooked and it's basically within walking distance of my house!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby/Pregnancy related purchases:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I'm obsessed with <a href="http://www.carters.com/carters-baby-boy-little-collections-bug/V_127H021.html?cgid=carters-baby-boy-little-collections-bug&dwvar_V__127H021_color=Color&dwvar_V__127H021_size=12M#start=1&cgid=carters-baby-boy-little-collections-bug" target="_blank">this Carter's overall outfit</a> I found at Burlington with April - the little bugs in jars and magnifying glasses are one of the most adorable prints I've seen on baby boys' stuff and remind me of summer and being a kid. I also found the <a href="https://www.target.com/p/safety-1st-174-safety-essentials-set-46pc/-/A-52339209?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9008747&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlKql08fl2gIVgQOGCh0BfQozEAQYASABEgKJgPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">home childproofing kit</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Sponge-Bottle-Brush-Blue/dp/B019YJRYKG" target="_blank">bottle brush</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nuby-4-Pack-Safe-Feeding-Spoons/dp/B002GAY07Q" target="_blank">heat-safety spoons</a> from my registry there for better prices.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-30912667764695675062018-04-23T08:00:00.000-04:002018-06-26T14:53:42.540-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">get your week off to a</span></i><i style="color: #f4cccc;"> </i><span style="color: #f4cccc;">colorful </span><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">start...</span></i></b></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">4/23</b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> - World Book Day</b></li>
<li><b style="color: #073763; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">4/27 </b><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">- Arbor Day</b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">4/29</span></b><b style="color: #f4cccc;"> </b><b>- International Dance Day </b></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.chrisjevans.com/" target="_blank">Chris J. Evans</a> via <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/chelsea-rosss-intimate-hawaii-wedding/" target="_blank">Intimate Weddings</a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/chelsea-rosss-intimate-hawaii-wedding/" target="_blank">vintage-inspired intimate wedding</a> in Hawaii.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A plant-filled <a href="https://blog.westelm.com/2018/04/23/rebuilding-a-nest-in-brooklyn/" target="_blank">bohemian Brooklyn home</a> tour.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Lia Griffith, cute DIY <a href="https://liagriffith.com/spring-blossom-baby-shower-invites/" target="_blank">baby shower invites</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love this <a href="https://projectnursery.com/projects/modern-cloud-nursery/" target="_blank">modern cloud nursery</a> with pops of gold.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Digging everything in this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/partyofonepaper" target="_blank">Etsy paper goods shop</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A <a href="http://www.mothermag.com/music-playlist-for-kids/" target="_blank">kid-friendly music p</a></span><a href="http://www.mothermag.com/music-playlist-for-kids/" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank">laylist</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> that's not Kidz Bop #29.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/style-top-10-remix-challenge.html">remixed closet staples</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/05/april-favorites.html" target="_blank">April favorites</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/sunday-social-pet-peeves.html">pet peeves</a> and the <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/on-wednesdays-we-wear-pink-mean-girls.html">best [<i>Mean Girls </i>themed] link-up ever</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: inspiration for my eternal favorite spring trend: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/spring-style-trend-mixed-prints.html">mixed prints</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunday-simplicity-67.html" style="text-align: justify;">backyard wedding inspiration</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> and ideas for a</span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/03/happy-cinco-de-mayo.html" style="text-align: justify;">Cinco de Mayo celebration</a><span style="text-align: justify;">.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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</ul>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-80037705001879454082018-04-21T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-22T21:50:37.756-04:0036 Weeks<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">I found some new questions for this week on </span><a href="http://www.peachesandglitter.com/35-weeks-pregnancy-survey/" target="_blank">Peaches + Glitter</a><span style="color: #444444;">.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">36 Weeks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a papaya or 2-liter soda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"></span>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week: </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444;">these<a href="https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=198598012&vid=1&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&sdkw=maternity-foldover-bow-tie-lounge-shorts-3-4-P198598&sdReferer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oldnavy.com%2Fproducts%2Fmaternity-pajamas.jsp" target="_blank"> ruched pajama/"lounge shorts"</a> from Old Navy - definitely going in my hospital bag!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">This week's prenatal appointment </span><span style="color: #444444;">was an exciting one, and Mr. Q and my mom joined me for our final sonogram. Unfortunately, our guy was not in the mood to show much of his face and kept his little fist in the way the whole time, but we were able to find out that he weighs about 6 pounds 7 ounces and his head is about 8 centimeters in circumference. As far as I'm concerned he can keep those measurements until his due date! The sonogram technician also commented on how big his feet are, which was kind of strange since neither of us have large feet for our height. Maybe Baby Q will take after my tall maternal grandma and great-uncles. This week's appointment also included the regular sample and blood pressure reading, and my exam by the doctor included the Group B strep test, which is not pleasant but not a big deal (I knew what to expect from the ladies in my Reddit "bumpers" group who are further along in their pregnancies). My doctor asked if I wanted her to do a cervical check but I passed because I have heard they are quite painful and I don't have any signs that labor will come early.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Total weight gain: </span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">About 16 pounds.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Major pregnancy symptoms this week: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">THE SWELLING. Not just my feet but my hands as well now - I've had to start checking my rings during the day to make sure they'll still come off. I've also started to feel more skin tags developing on my neck and chest, which is irritating, and there are even some tiny ones on my eyelids which is a very strange feeling. Hopefully they will go away after pregnancy!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Sleep: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not too bad, still waking up 2-3 times a night, but I've been able to get comfortable and my congestion seemed less severe this week.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Miss anything?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Movement: </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm feeling fewer big kicks/punches from Baby Q as he has less room to move around in there.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Best moments this week:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">There's a tie, so I'm going to start listing multiple moments in this section so I can remember as much of this special time in my life as possible. On Saturday I spent the day with three of my best friends from middle and high school, one of whom is also expecting and all of whom are mamas. Then on Sunday my bestie who lives in Colorado and was in the area visiting family was able to take a few hours to swing by our house to see the nursery and grab lunch.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moments of the week:</span></b> </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Had a little colostrum on Sunday which felt VERY real. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Braxton-Hicks contractions during dinner with our Bible Study on Monday night.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We also had our "graduation" from Prepared Childbirth class on Wednesday, Newborn Care class on Thursday after my OB/GYN appointment, and we have Infant Safety and CPR on Saturday. I did not mean to schedule all of this for the same week.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mr. Q and I went to check out the new Earth Fare store in the city between the doctor and class on Thursday and sneaked in a little impromptu date night in their sushi bar (I got California rolls, no raw fish!) and it got me thinking about how few of those special little everyday adventures with just the two of us we might have left.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Food cravings/aversions:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;">Ice cream after work is the new pinot grigio after work. This is a stressful season to be a school director between application deadlines, visitors from other areas, our students' last major projects and presentations before we start state standardized testing, and our final in-person coaching visit from the nonprofit we're associated with. I may have eaten my feelings a few afternoons.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">How I'm preparing for birth this week: </span><span style="color: #666666;">B</span><span style="color: #444444;">aby's diaper bag is packed for the hospital with onesies in newborn and 0-3 month sizes, a tiny little side-snap shirt, a going-home outfit, hat, socks, mittens, bib, burp cloth, swaddle, and receiving blanket as well as some baby oil to help with meconium and tiny emery boards for his nails. My bag's getting there - waiting for a few things I ordered from Amazon Prime to hopefully make labor less unpleasant.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby/Pregnancy related purchases:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My BFF who has a one-year old went with me to Babies 'R' Us last Saturday and helped point out some things I wouldn't have thought to buy, like a pacifier pouch. This week I have another shopping trip lined up with my friend April and we're going to hit up Burlington and some of the other discount stores in town that have baby stuff.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: #45818e;">Looking forward to: </b><span style="color: #444444;">Maybe carving out time this coming weekend to take some maternity photos with Mr. Q. I decided I'd rather spend any extra money we have right now on baby necessities and medical bills rather than on a photographer, but I still want to make sure to capture how I look now that I am VERY pregnant, but before I start to feel too uncomfortable to move around. Speaking of discomfort, I am looking forward to baby "dropping" since at least one of his feet and/or his butt has constantly been in my ribs this week.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-77580107309747493622018-04-16T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-28T09:24:10.975-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: #76a5af;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #f4cccc;">colorful</span><i style="color: #76a5af;"> start...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco5UGeRgvLsKVIM4A-lIbKRJI5TWUIaZpFV_5CntgAaHop8W3RiGyTDooEn5uZplW2Zj7q-ST90foHX85JOsMcbUoR2ZhbU47w33ze84vVV0YxE77LaQX8kRLSkmeSe22WgC3soMrUV4/s1600/project+nursery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="684" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhco5UGeRgvLsKVIM4A-lIbKRJI5TWUIaZpFV_5CntgAaHop8W3RiGyTDooEn5uZplW2Zj7q-ST90foHX85JOsMcbUoR2ZhbU47w33ze84vVV0YxE77LaQX8kRLSkmeSe22WgC3soMrUV4/s400/project+nursery.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://projectnursery.com/2018/04/neutral-nursery-nook-in-master-bedroom/" target="_blank">Project Nursery</a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A <a href="https://projectnursery.com/2018/04/neutral-nursery-nook-in-master-bedroom/" target="_blank">sweet little baby nook</a> in a master bedroom.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A two-bride <a href="http://www.greylikesweddings.com/inspiration-shoots-and-boards/modern-botanical-inspiration-shoot/" target="_blank">modern organic inspiration</a> shoot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A buffalo check <a href="http://www.100layercakelet.com/2018/04/02/modern-camp-themed-1st-birthday-party/" target="_blank">camp-themed kids' birthday</a> party.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.hwtm.com/2018/04/cinco-de-derby-kentucky-derby-party-printables/" target="_blank">"Cinco de Derby"</a> is happening next month!</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops from <a href="http://mindingmynest.com/2018-desktop-calendars/" target="_blank">Minding My Nest</a> and <a href="https://www.crosscards.com/wallpaper/monthly-calendars/" target="_blank">Cross Cards</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://theeverygirl.com/7-types-of-people-you-should-have-in-your-life-by-30/" target="_blank">7 types of people you need in your life</a> by your 30's.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://liagriffith.com/foiled-tropical-luggage-tags/" target="_blank">DIY luggage tags</a> would be a sweet bridesmaids' gift.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I loved reading Emily's <a href="http://www.dailygarnish.com/2011/09/on-natural-childbirth.html" target="_blank">take on "natural" childbirth</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span></span><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/what-im-reading-literary-junkies-link-up.html">Literary Junkies</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-boy-behind-blog-mr-qs-turn-to-post.html">Mr. Q's blog takeover</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-april-in-entertainment.html">April in entertainment</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-in-entertainment.html">Entertainment faves</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-spring-in-instagram.html">spring in Instagram</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/04/my-big-goals-for-future.html" style="text-align: justify;">Goals for the future</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<ul>
</ul>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-41145296732565663982018-04-14T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-15T20:12:50.988-04:0035 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO8Dw-BzhgcuMJmcCk1IXfK7_xqrDqV04kenJEpC81OEuQ7boHS5Ssin8gIul0L3_4tGb88ng5gCWxOuLquxSBNORj2ZSIiC4hcz02kPMVn_nDDyrqQdHpcU8syLdo6Z3yQNbQ8vc24s/s1600/babyshower.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="456" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBO8Dw-BzhgcuMJmcCk1IXfK7_xqrDqV04kenJEpC81OEuQ7boHS5Ssin8gIul0L3_4tGb88ng5gCWxOuLquxSBNORj2ZSIiC4hcz02kPMVn_nDDyrqQdHpcU8syLdo6Z3yQNbQ8vc24s/s320/babyshower.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;">35 Weeks</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;">a honeydew melon</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span> </b>Really loving some of my LuLaRoe pieces that work great for pregnancy - my TC leggings still work great and I wore an Amelia yesterday to host a group of visiting teachers and administrators (I also plan to use the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/579697783255091440/" target="_blank">backwards-Amelia trick</a> when I'm nursing!)</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Major pregnancy symptoms this week:</span></b> I got hit by ALL THE SYMPTOMS plus feeling very weepy on Tuesday morning and ended up having to take a sick day (only the second I've taken while pregnant, though). I spent some time responding to e-mails and making sure everything was okay at school, then slept from about 9:00 to 1:30! I suppose my body just needed rest because I felt better each day as the week went on. The foot swelling I thought might just be a fluke last week has become a very real thing. Today my flip-flops were seriously cutting into the tops of my feet, and yesterday even my Crocs felt snug - not sure what I'll go if my feet get too big for them!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Best moment this week:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span>This week my co-workers threw a joint shower for me and for our Civics teacher whose wife is pregnant. Both spouses were able to make it, too (Mr. Q showing up was a surprise for me). It was really fun shopping for my co-worker's baby because they are having a little girl and I haven't gotten to look at girl stuff!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moment of the week:</span></b> This week in our Prepared Childbirth class we went over what happens if a mama needs a C-section and the various procedures baby will undergo after birth - instead of general information our class is getting very practical as we get closer to our due dates.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Food cravings/aversions: </span>With some nausea returning on Tuesday, all I really felt like eating was a baked potato. Luckily I started to feel better for the rest of the week and enjoyed pizza and cake at my work shower.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">How I'm preparing for birth this week: </span><span style="color: #666666;">I finally called the doctor's office to make sure the one I want Baby Q to see is accepting new patients, and I'm planning to start packing hospital bags for me and baby tomorrow.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, utopia, "palatino linotype", palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby/Pregnancy related purchases:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Hitting up Babies 'R' Us today since it's the last weekend they'll be accepting gift cards and there are a few things still on our BRU registry that I can't find anywhere else.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-53735873163205635062018-04-09T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-22T21:57:33.799-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: cyan;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: magenta;">colorful </span><i style="color: cyan;">start...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqca-UnmRCB_JZiBWL3eT4Ah5aVmbQxe0FY_oijDwzFrUa2g_cZ0_3ykddWSXWe9XMw1YLFsRChhZRsHIdCJ87b3fVavTJ3LKpuebS_fNFbaFuKg3qlJFcwDcAinIxXMRcYt2p1zo94Jc/s1600/gws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="861" data-original-width="1300" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqca-UnmRCB_JZiBWL3eT4Ah5aVmbQxe0FY_oijDwzFrUa2g_cZ0_3ykddWSXWe9XMw1YLFsRChhZRsHIdCJ87b3fVavTJ3LKpuebS_fNFbaFuKg3qlJFcwDcAinIxXMRcYt2p1zo94Jc/s400/gws.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://www.tiffanysangsterphotography.com/" target="_blank">Tiffany Sangster Photography</a> via <a href="https://greenweddingshoes.com/colorful-desert-elopement-inspiration-at-seven-magic-mountains/" target="_blank">Green Wedding Shoes</a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A <a href="https://greenweddingshoes.com/colorful-desert-elopement-inspiration-at-seven-magic-mountains/" target="_blank">crazy-colorful elopement shoot</a> in the Vegas desert.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This dreamy <a href="https://domino.com/modern-caravan-isla-airstream-tour" target="_blank">blush Airstream makeover</a> is a must-see!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A roundup of the prettiest <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/10-breathtaking-long-sleeve-wedding-gowns/" target="_blank">long-sleeve wedding gowns</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Modern <a href="https://www.westcoastcapri.com/blog/2018/2/22/boys-nursery-design" target="_blank">boys' nursery picks</a> from West Coast Capri.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops: </span><a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/03/desktop-wallpaper-calendars-april-2018/" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">Smashing</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="http://maydesignsblog.tumblr.com/post/172343954445/april-alcohol-ink-desktop-phone-downloads" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">May Designs</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="https://www.mospensstudio.com/a-watercolor-life/" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;" target="_blank">Mospens Studio</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anthropologie's new Nordstrom <a href="https://shop.nordstrom.com/c/anthropologie-home" target="_blank">home decor line</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who's psyched for <a href="https://www.mother.ly/news/target-and-hunter-boots-are-teaming-up-for-the-collab-of-our-dreams-" target="_blank">Target's collab with Hunter boots</a>?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Five <a href="https://camillestyles.com/wellness/the-5-rules-of-being-a-feminist-at-work/" target="_blank">rules to live by</a> as a feminist in the workplace.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span></span><br />
<ul style="font-family: 'times new roman';">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017: garden-themed <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2017/04/pinspiration-easter-in-garden.html" target="_blank">Easter pinspiration</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/pinspiration-sweet-side-of-serenity.html" target="_blank">serenity blue</a> color inspiration, spring <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/creative-spring-table-numbers.html" target="_blank">table number ideas</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/lately-in-entertainment.html">my entertainment faves</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-searching-for-sunday-loving.html">Rachel Held Evans' <i>Searching for Sunday</i></a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: a classic <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-classic-spring-break.html">Spring Break wardrobe</a> and a <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-spring-and-summer-bucket-list.html">spring and summer bucket list</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/sunday-social-all-about-twitter.html">about me + Twitter</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/steeper-or-cheaper-tv-style-citrus.html">citrus prints</a>, and the <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/susan-g-komen-5k-race-for-cure-recap.html">Susan G. Komen 5K Race for the Cure</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/04/titanic-dinner.html">Titanic dinner party</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-44461946777779538302018-04-07T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-08T13:26:11.257-04:0034 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwRDss8VccPneuXmQohcrs47fQUPv2EdmcUjSph2N78w_Qpns1KNis5N-MDWiUJeqMXKlg9SA4sw-WfldDh53fxwWZ8tJX9DAPeq4XZxDLJTFUgoy9wFtzkmPMU9TkkimQcggeAxOf4Y/s1600/Resized952018040695185416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwRDss8VccPneuXmQohcrs47fQUPv2EdmcUjSph2N78w_Qpns1KNis5N-MDWiUJeqMXKlg9SA4sw-WfldDh53fxwWZ8tJX9DAPeq4XZxDLJTFUgoy9wFtzkmPMU9TkkimQcggeAxOf4Y/s400/Resized952018040695185416.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">34 Weeks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">a Savoy cabbage</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span> </b>Dresses - pretty much every morning this week I dealt with a moment of "ugh, I cannot put on pants" while looking into my closet. The one in the photo is an <a href="https://www.target.com/p/maternity-knit-ruffle-sleeve-t-shirt-dress-isabel-maternity-by-ingrid-isabel-153-navy-pink-stripe-m/-/A-52931671?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Women+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9008321&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3-DOz5Sr2gIVF1mGCh0RYARvEAQYByABEgKzufD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Isabel from Target</a> purchase - I couldn't resist the ruffles on the sleeves. Please excuse my pasty white knees - it was almost 70 degrees yesterday, and it's supposed to snow today because Virginia weather is ridiculous, so I took the opportunity to free my legs before having to go back to leggings with everything.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Major pregnancy symptoms this week:</span></b> Mainly being more emotional than usual. Nausea made a comeback on Monday morning - luckily it was the last day of Spring Break so I got to rest all day instead of having to get ready for work after being sick. I have a fairly persistent sore throat that I think is probably from congestion making me sleep with my mouth open. I also saw some swelling in my ankles this week - I walked around Target after my OB/GYN appointment on Thursday and afterward my ankles were actually hanging over my shoes and had a noticeable crease when I bent them. I added yet another pillow to my bedtime setup that night - that makes 2 under my head to help with congestion, the bottom two <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boppy-Custom-Total-Body-Pillow/dp/B00AIVN89G" target="_blank">Boppy total body pillow</a> pieces under my tummy and between my legs, and now one under or between my feet.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">This week's prenatal appointment</span></b><b style="color: #666666;"> </b>was a quick one - weight, BP, fundal height and a sample. I have my final ultrasound in two weeks and can't wait to see how much Baby Q has grown. My doctor is fairly sure he is already head down but it will be very reassuring to see that on an ultrasound.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Total weight gain:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span>About 14 pounds, mainly in this trimester. So happy to finally have an appetite and be able to nourish my little one with lots of protein, fruits, vegetables, and yes, carbs and ice cream.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Best moment this week:</span><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;"> </span>Spending time with my BFF, her husband, and their daughter who is almost one and a half at a weekend hockey game was a lot of fun - and another couple we're friends with and their toddler son ended up having tickets right behind us! I missed the epic fight that apparently happened between the two teams because I'd gone to get a snack, and since it was the third period of the game the concession stand was closed, so Mr. Q and I ended up at Sonic at 10 p.m. to get me a corn dog and hot fudge sundae. I have a truly wonderful baby daddy. Today we have some friends coming over, we're headed to a wedding tonight, and Mr. Q's parents are coming to see the nursery and have dinner tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moment of the week:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 15.4px;">I had to do a mental shift in yoga class - I'd gone into the studio thinking, "let's see how many poses I can't do <i>this </i>week," but tried to pick myself up and focus on all of the things I still can. I tried to put as much effort into my practice as I would have pre-pregnancy, and while my classmates were doing poses I can't get my pregnant body into, I did other poses that I felt like my body needed. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">Food cravings/aversions: </span>Chocolate! Also had the return of the Friday night craving for spaghetti from Hema's - that combo of meat, carbs, cheese, and slightly spicy tomato sauce hits all my pregnancy loves.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-weight: bold;">How I'm preparing for birth this week: </span>In our prepared childbirth class this week we practiced breathing techniques, went over a list of items to pack for the hospital, and started talking about birth plans - basically what choices we may have to make during birth and what our options are. It was comforting to me to hear that I have the right to ask what alternatives are available, if a situation is an emergency, and whether Mr. Q and I can have time to talk before I have to make some of those decisions. Knowledge is definitely empowering for me - probably why I spend so much time reading pregnancy books and blogs. I need to schedule our hospital tour soon - even though I spent two days basically living there when Brittney was giving birth to her daughter, I want the opportunity to ask the L&D staff some questions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby/Pregnancy related purchases:</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15.4px;">We used our 15% registry completion code to order some of the large items - our dresser/changing table, shelving unit, and second car seat base. I'm looking forward to having the storage furniture in Baby Q's room so I can stop just shoving things into his closet! I also ordered the quilted sheet for his Pack 'n' Play (I know that babies shouldn't have fluffy bedding, but the bassinet in that thing is SO HARD!) and some things for my hospital bag.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-11141124940000058502018-04-02T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-02T08:00:09.663-04:00this week's clicks.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: #a2c4c9;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #ea9999;">colorful</span><i style="color: #a2c4c9;"> start...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://melanieduerkopp.com/san-francisco-ferry-building/" target="_blank">Melanie Duerkopp</a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A colorful <a href="http://melanieduerkopp.com/san-francisco-ferry-building/" target="_blank">San Francisco Ferry Building wedding</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A round-up of the <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/10-fabulous-wedding-signs/" target="_blank">prettiest signs for weddings</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monika Hibbs' pretty spring <a href="http://www.monikahibbs.com/guest-bedroom-refresh/" target="_blank">guest room refresh</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A <a href="https://projectnursery.com/2015/09/vintage-modern-boys-nursery-reveal/" target="_blank">cozy boho baby's room</a> from Project Nursery.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Desktops: <a href="https://www.baby-chick.com/april-desktop-mobile-wallpaper-download/" target="_blank">Baby Chick</a>, <a href="https://melarmstrongdesign.com/april-2018-free-desktop-calendar/" target="_blank">Mel Armstrong</a>, <a href="http://theeverygirl.com/free-downloadable-tech-backgrounds-april/" target="_blank">The Everygirl</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">April Fools' roundups from <a href="https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/april-fools-pranks-2018-257348" target="_blank">Apt. Therapy</a> and <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/remysmidt/april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-internet-2018-brands?bfsplash&utm_term=.rmK99r0p8x#.th2aaNGnR5" target="_blank">BuzzFeed</a>...</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and a local known for his <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mark-cline-virginia-roadside-attractions" target="_blank">elaborate pranks and quirky art</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://websta.me/p/1739368250254417057_1642797659" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ri</span>ngo Starr is now a knight</a> of the British Empire!</span></li>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span><br />
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/book-reviews-for-love-and-breaking-busy.html" target="_blank">Books that inspired me</a>, an <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/lately-in-instagram.html" target="_blank">Instagram update</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/5fandomfriday-make-up-friday-5-songs.html" target="_blank">5 songs that changed my life</a>,</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: a <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-uncertain-choice-by-jody.html">fairytale romance</a>, a <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/style-picks-spring-refresh.html">spring color palette</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/04/inspiration-restaurant-wedding.html">restaurant wedding receptions</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/wedding-wednesday-creative-table-number.html">table number ideas</a> and reflected on <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/goal-setting-what-fires-me-up.html">how my passions affect my goals</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/style-ready-for-spring-fling.html">pastel wardrobe ideas</a> and reflections on <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/love-and-marriage-series-challenges.html">challenges</a> in marriage.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/03/home-decor-porch-patio.html">inspiration for our patio</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-23023144841961152242018-03-31T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-01T13:12:50.498-04:0033 Weeks<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">New questions this week are from <a href="https://www.pbfingers.com/pbf-baby-33-weeks/" target="_blank">Peanut Butter Fingers</a>, a new-to-me blog by a mom who's also a personal trainer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> 33 Weeks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> a head of cauliflower</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span> </b>I love my <a href="http://www.motherhood.com/search/?q=V-neck+side+ruched+maternity+tee&lang=default" target="_blank">side-ruched tees from Motherhood</a> Maternity because they are so soft and come in several cute prints, but this week I learned that the <a href="https://www.target.com/p/maternity-shirred-v-neck-t-shirt-isabel-maternity-153-by-ingrid-isabel-174/-/A-52449895#lnk=sametab" target="_blank">Isabel brand at Target</a> has a better fit for me as a petite lady and are half the price, which felt like a preggo victory since I'm now officially at the point where I'm wearing more maternity than pre-pregnancy clothes.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Major pregnancy symptoms this week:</b> </span><span style="color: #45818e;">I've been waking up with numbness in my legs and arms from having to side-sleep. The whole right side of my body hurt this morning when I got out of bed. I've also been experiencing more shortness of breath when I go up stairs, to the point where I'm not just coughing or breathing heavy but need to take a little break before moving on to whatever I went upstairs to do.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Best moment this week:</span></b> This week was our spring break from school so it was pretty great all around. I had a shopping trip with one of my best friends, went to see <i>A Wrinkle in Time </i>and eat pizza with my favorite teacherladies, spent a day hanging out with my mom, and tonight we are headed to a hockey game. The time with my mom is probably the most special because she's so excited about the baby and shares little memories from when she was pregnant with me, and she finally got to feel baby kick and feel the little lump of butt below my ribs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moment of the week:</span></b> We watched several beginning-to-end birth stories in our Prepared Childbirth class this week. I was surprised by my reaction - instead of being grossed out or made nervous/scared by the birth scenes, I loved seeing the babies come out and be put on their mamas' chests, and started crying in an "I want mine!" way. I love feeling the baby's strong movements, especially when they can also be seen from the outside.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Food cravings/aversion:</span></b> I had a coffee craving a few mornings this week - still sticking to decaf for now, but can definitely say my aversion to the smell has passed. Mr. Q got a few interesting freezer meals on his last Trader Joe's run and I've been trying those for lunch this week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How I'm preparing for birth this week:</span></b> I've been researching pediatricians and have settled on two that I want to meet. I also spent some time this week doing all of the baby's laundry and getting the nursery more organized. Mr. Q and I are both in major nesting mode, and right now our living room looks like a tornado hit because it's home to the ever-growing Goodwill pile. I like that the baby has been the kick in the pants we've needed to purge the clutter and simplify.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby/Pregnancy related purchases:</span></b> I've needed a new pair of walking shoes for a while, and found these <a href="https://www.skechers.com/en-us/style/23028/relaxed-fit-breathe-easy-fortune-knit/nvy" target="_blank">Skechers with memory foam</a> on sale at Shoe Carnival. My feet are still my pre-pregnancy size and I'm hoping they stay that way! And my mom couldn't resist buying Baby Q <a href="https://www.target.com/p/baby-boys-printed-french-terry-hooded-sweatshirt-with-ears-cat-jack-153-green-0-3m/-/A-52961298?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9008747&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3JON0siZ2gIVElqGCh1RSQmHEAQYASABEgKnyfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">this borderline ridiculous hoodie</a> on our Target run. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-52140677824514621792018-03-28T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-02T16:00:31.876-04:00pinspiration: a farmhouse Easter<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maybe it's the copious amounts of <i>Fixer Upper</i> I've been watching lately (it's the perfect thing when I'm in preggo nesting mode, but too tired to actually clean or work on my own house), but I'm really feeling a farmhouse-inspired theme for Easter this year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016992153102/"></a><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016985302826/"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm so inspired by the cobalt and terra cotta tones in this very Anthropologie-esque vignette from House By Hoff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016994039405/"></a><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016990405197/"></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How cool are the Rae Dunn inspired Easter eggs from DIY Beautify?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016994039409/"></a><a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016994011885/"></a></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Using temporary tattoos to decorate eggs is one of those ideas I'd never think of - Lia Griffith is so creative!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To make your holiday extra special, here's a playlist that would be the perfect background music for a farmhouse brunch:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/1255253724/playlist/2Xxu2gL7aUqSQYTIyRoARQ" width="300"></iframe></span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-58771611818644280312018-03-26T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-01T22:11:51.998-04:00this week's clicks.<div>
<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #999999;">get your week off to a </span><span style="color: #38761d;">colorful</span><span style="color: #999999;"> start...</span></i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #9fc5e8; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON. </b><i>this week in pretty things.</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDXW_Bwj0M7LVBdy9RrL3P_g-E4i8C42Jbe8b9pRPjo-GRr6DOqQD7m5w6hkVz9d9y5zBAEp_dgeEHSXLXvr-XXkE-pxG8h_Vwds2715AoxRrEtuHnAB2F0DjDwwTCbdocgtqMDy4q3I/s1600/project+nursery+blue2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDXW_Bwj0M7LVBdy9RrL3P_g-E4i8C42Jbe8b9pRPjo-GRr6DOqQD7m5w6hkVz9d9y5zBAEp_dgeEHSXLXvr-XXkE-pxG8h_Vwds2715AoxRrEtuHnAB2F0DjDwwTCbdocgtqMDy4q3I/s400/project+nursery+blue2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://thediyplaybook.com/" target="_blank">Bridget Matkovich</a> via <a href="https://projectnursery.com/projects/a-nursery-that-will-grow-with-baby-boy/" target="_blank">Project Nursery</a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">An ethereal <a href="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/minimalist-yet-wild-bridal-shoot-in-the-scottish-highlands/" target="_blank">bridal shoot in the Scottish highlands</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The DIY Playbook's <a href="https://projectnursery.com/projects/a-nursery-that-will-grow-with-baby-boy/" target="_blank">calm, modern boy's nursery</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Monika Hibbs rounds up <a href="http://www.monikahibbs.com/spring-entertaining-hop/" target="_blank">spring entertaining pieces</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love this <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/172122016994014310/" target="_blank">idea for displaying photos</a> via A Cup of Jo.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>THIS WEEK. </b><i>the kids are all right.</i></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Photos from <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2018/03/photos-from-the-march-for-our-lives/556454/" target="_blank">March for Our Lives rallies</a> worldwide.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The New England Patriots <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/salvadorhernandez/the-new-england-patriots-loaned-their-plane-to-the-parkland?utm_term=.cg6331Ma0P#.gipZZOKY4v" target="_blank">lent Parkland kids a plane</a>,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/2/22/17039950/gun-control-laws-military-parkland-shooting" target="_blank">Veterans are showing their support</a> for the youth activists,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/march-for-our-lives-best-signs_us_5ab65c73e4b0decad04a493b" target="_blank">protest signs</a> were <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2018/03/24/best-signs-from-march-for-our-lives/33237403/" target="_blank">creative</a>, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/2018/03/24/best-signs-from-march-for-our-lives/33237403/" target="_blank">moving</a>, and <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/news/nation/2018/03/24/incredible-march-shots-from-across-the-usa/33238571/" target="_blank">heartbreaking</a>.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK. </b><i>let's see how far we've come.</i></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2017: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2017/03/pinspiration-niagara-blue.html" target="_blank">Niagara blue pinspiration</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2017/03/my-march-favorites.html" target="_blank">March favorites</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/literary-junkies-april-2016.html" target="_blank">Literary Junkies</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/pinspiration-lets-get-away.html" target="_blank">spring getaway pinspiration</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/lately-in-entertainment.html" target="_blank">book + concert reviews</a> (Elton John!), and my <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/04/style-my-fifth-stitch-fix-march-2016.html" target="_blank">March Stitch Fix</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: I pretty much <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/03/currently-inspired-by.html" target="_blank">predicted the Colors of the Year for 2016</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: Sunday Socialabout <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/sunday-social-ideals.html">ideals and accomplishments</a>, my fave <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/spring-color-pistachio.html">green</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/black-and-white-for-spring_22.html">black and white picks</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/04/my-april-favorites-favorite-things-link.html">my April favorites</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/style-rainy-day-fashion.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rainy day fashions</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/wedding-trend-bridesmaids-in-white.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">white bridesmaid dress inspiration</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, explained</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/organization-my-meal-planning-process.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how we save money on groceries</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, completed </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/liebster-blog-award-take-2.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my second Liebster survey</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, and shared</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/04/our-story-love-and-marriage-series.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my love story with Mr. Q</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> for the Love and Marriage series.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: I collected </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/04/sunday-simplicity-63.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">inspiration for an April Fool's wedding</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></li>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-84980729847293766862018-03-24T12:00:00.000-04:002018-04-01T12:03:12.363-04:0032 Weeks<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For this week's survey I found some new questions on Tumblr, which let me warn you can be a very strange place to search for anything related to pregnancy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> 32 Weeks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Baby is the size of</span></b> a head of romaine lettuce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span> </b>I've hit the point where I am able to wear very few of my pre-pregnancy tops. My favorite thing this week was the <a href="http://www.pinkblushmaternity.com/p-24906.aspx?DepartmentID=1" target="_blank">PinkBlush dress</a> I wore to my shower on Sunday - since maternity shopping options are limited in my area (there's a Motherhood Maternity in our mall and a Motherhood Maternity department at Macy's. That's it.), I ordered several options from PinkBlush and <a href="https://wrenandivory.com/" target="_blank">Wren + Ivory</a>.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Major pregnancy symptoms this week:</b> </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nonstop heartburn continues. This week lower back pain really became a thing, and I had some really vivid dreams (usually if I watched TV right before bed, things from the show popped up in my dreams, so I probably need to avoid potentially scary/gross things like <i>X-Files</i> and <i>9-1-1</i> for a while). I haven't had any severe Braxton Hicks contractions since our trip to West Virginia, but I am having the sensation sometimes that there is a phantom elastic band around the top of my bump. Today I've just been really tired, but since it's spring break I have zero regrets about spending the day watching rom-coms on Freeform. That wonderful second trimester energy is in the rear-view mirror for sure and I wish I'd taken more advantage of it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>This week's prenatal appointment:</b> </span>Short and sweet with the regular tests. My fundal height measurement was normal, Baby Q's heart rate was 147, and I have gained about 10 pounds total now, which I am happy with. Dr. B thinks he is head down already.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Best moment this week:</span></b> Definitely my baby shower on Sunday - getting to see so many friends and family members come out to love on my little one was awesome, and he received several very sentimental and sweet gifts. It meant so much to me that Baby Q's two <i>great-great-Aunts</i> came! I'll do a shower post soon. While Brittney and I were at my shower, her husband Chris helped Mr. Q put the crib together, so Baby Q's room is really starting to look like a nursery and not a junk room! </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mom and cousin came over to our house afterward and spent some</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> time with us, then Mr. Q and I spent a few hours putting things away (although we didn't have to do much because Brittney's sister had already sorted all of my gifts as I was unwrapping them - so helpful!). </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Today I'm headed to a Harry Potter themed shower for a friend whose due date is a few weeks after mine and Mr. Q is doing even more nesting (taking things to storage/Goodwill, putting the bike storage rack together to make more space for baby furniture).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Funniest moment this week:</span></b> The look a student I don't work with gave me when she heard me tell a colleague, "I have a butt right here," while pointing to my bump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">"It's getting real" moment of the week:</span></b> The look a student I don't work with gave me when she heard me tell a colleague, "I have a butt right here," while pointing to my bump.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Food cravings:</span></b> Red Gatorade (really hope I'm not giving Baby Q in-utero ADHD from the red dye) and all the fruits. I think I could eat a whole bowl of fruit salad and drink a gallon of pomegranate or blueberry juice. Mr. Q also very kindly went to pick up spaghetti with meat sauce from our favorite Italian restaurant at 8:30 last night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How I'm preparing for birth this week:</span></b> I'm trying to use the yoga ball as my chair for a little while every day, I'm drinking <a href="https://www.mamanatural.com/red-raspberry-leaf-tea/" target="_blank">red raspberry leaf tea</a> whenever I remember to, and I've started <a href="https://www.mamanatural.com/dates-during-pregnancy/" target="_blank">eating a few dates</a> every day. I also spent some time today looking at all of the "What to pack in your hospital bag" posts on Pinterest and creating my own list. I ordered some comfy-looking nursing clothes from Old Navy today, and I'm going to go ahead and buy my travel toiletries next week while I'm on spring break.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Our childbirth class was canceled this week because it snowed on Wednesday, so I took the time to start reading </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Happiest Baby on the Block. </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not a huge fan of Dr. Karp's grandpa-joke-accented writing style, but I've learned a lot from the book and can't wait to practice the soothing techniques with Baby Q.</span><br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-90163325247240992572018-03-21T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-02T15:34:36.278-04:00pinspiration: floral manicures<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Floral manicures are nothing new, but they've definitely been prominent on my Pinterest feed lately! I've noticed that a lot of the beautiful images are from LA Studio <a href="https://www.instagram.com/oliveandjune/?hl=en" target="_blank">Olive + June</a>, but there are plenty of DIY versions as well. I have nothing but admiration for ladies who have the patience and talent to paint these designs freehand on their own nails - for the rest of us, there are manicurists and nail wraps to get our nails perfectly ready for spring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Would you try floral nails? Do you prefer one accent nail, or ten floral tips?</i></span></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-19820810698319064612018-03-19T08:00:00.000-04:002018-04-01T18:45:46.832-04:00this week's clicks.<div>
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i style="color: #a2c4c9;">get your week off to a </i><span style="color: #45818e;">colorful</span><i style="color: #a2c4c9;"> start...</i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #93c47d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4kIi6NcIFMOpJYbfr5DgqVsPs2WFFBYkO6-V90VVKHxt9Bt_Xp_r12Xjx2nMfHuleTf4K7P7QlmbgMGJb35bPxtbkLjqxRoEKypgN-uw_casMVH2CwoV-5gMbUZLX5-Xj2rOmlQVh8Q/s1600/intimate+weddings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4kIi6NcIFMOpJYbfr5DgqVsPs2WFFBYkO6-V90VVKHxt9Bt_Xp_r12Xjx2nMfHuleTf4K7P7QlmbgMGJb35bPxtbkLjqxRoEKypgN-uw_casMVH2CwoV-5gMbUZLX5-Xj2rOmlQVh8Q/s400/intimate+weddings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.paigenelsonphotography.com/" target="_blank">Paige Nelson Photography</a> via <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/hannah-rockys-intimate-redwoods-wedding/" target="_blank">Intimate Weddings</a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can never resist a romantic <a href="http://www.intimateweddings.com/blog/hannah-rockys-intimate-redwoods-wedding/" target="_blank">wedding in the woods</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A <a href="http://stephaniesunderland.com/blog/2018/2/9/the-vineyards-at-aquebogue-wedding-helena-jonathan-ny" target="_blank">New York vineyard wedding</a> with gorgeous florals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Elegant <a href="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/wedding-day-after-session-at-lewis-clark-college/" target="_blank">garden wedding portraits</a> in Portland, Oregon.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The cutest, and most relatable, <a href="https://websta.me/p/1735698760137620889_54105378" target="_blank">unicorn cake</a> I've ever seen.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These <a href="https://www.target.com/p/acacia-salad-servers-hearth-hand-153-with-magnolia/-/A-53177682#lnk=sametab" target="_blank">serving utensils</a> would be a great housewarming gift.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A round-up of cute <a href="https://www.mother.ly/shop/35-of-our-favorite-easter-basket-ideas-for-babies-toddlersthat-arent-candy-" target="_blank">Easter basket ideas</a> that aren't candy!</span></li>
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<span style="color: #a2c4c9; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/pinspiration-dramatic-side-of-rose.html" target="_blank">rose quartz pinspiration</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-circle-spring-break.html" target="_blank">loss and reunion</a>, and a <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/5fandomfriday-geeky-clothing-and-accessories.html" target="_blank">geeky wardrobe wishlist</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-my-blog-was-outfit.html">my blog as an outfit</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/style-time-to-get-away.html">teal and chambray wardrobe updates</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/paper-chase-best-watercolor-wedding.html">watercolor stationery</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-february-march-in-instagram.html">life in IG</a>, and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-february-and-march-in-entertainment.html">entertainment</a> picks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">2013: </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-2013-garden-style.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">garden-inspired wardrobe ideas</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/03/inspiration-french-lavender-wedding.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">inspiration for a French lavender wedding</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">, and </span><a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/03/februarymarch-in-entertainment.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: justify;">February and March in entertainment</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: I <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/03/in-search-of-direction.html">reflected on the course of this blog</a>, and shared <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-blog-mances.html">my blog loves</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">2011: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/03/invitation-and-flower-girl-success.html">we designed our invitations and found our flower girl's dress</a>.</span></span></li>
</ul>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-79136425727649371962018-03-16T12:00:00.000-04:002018-03-31T15:18:50.682-04:0031 Weeks<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I added some new questions this week from a survey I found on a Babycenter message board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My son's shoe collection is already cuter than mine.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">How far along?</span></b> 31 Weeks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span> </b>Not clothes, but shoes - my <a href="https://www.crocs.com/p/crocs-kadee/11215.html?cid=060&adid=Shopping_Google_NonPromo_women_NULL__11215&CAWELAID=330004870000143889&CATARGETID=330004870000529782&cadevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_t-pmoj82QIVjeDICh0p5wudEAQYASABEgJDZ_D_BwE" target="_blank">Crocs Kadees</a>. I know some people absolutely loathe Crocs, but these have been a go-to throughout my teaching career and I appreciate them even more now that I'm very pregnant and my feet start hurting halfway through the day in other shoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Major pregnancy symptoms:</b> </span>This was a rough week. I started feeling just generally bad Saturday night, and Sunday ended up probably being the hardest day of pregnancy so far. I was having back pain that made it difficult to stand up straight, round ligament pain that made it hurt to walk, and abdominal pains that made it hurt to lie in certain positions, so I couldn't get comfortable at all. I spent most of the day in bed and learned very quickly that if I end up being put on bed rest I will probably go insane. Then, on Wednesday (our first full school day of the week after snow), I got very dizzy after standing in a friend's office talking for about 15 minutes, and ended up with both school nurses fussing over me and ordering me to call my OB/GYN's office. Though my pulse had been faint, my blood pressure was normal, and my OB nurse thought my blood sugar was probably the issue - she recommended that I add more protein to my breakfasts and drink at least a gallon of water daily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Best moment this week:</span></b> This one's a tie between the unexpected snow day on Monday, which felt like the universe giving me my Sunday back, and spending Friday night with Mr. Q putting together the first pieces of nursery furniture (rocking chair, glider, and storage cubes) - it's so exciting to work on our little one's room. I'm also really excited for and looking forward to this weekend - I'm going wedding dress shopping with my sister-in-law's girlfriend (now fiancée) on Saturday and my baby shower is on Sunday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Food cravings:</span></b> Hot dogs (Mr. Q found some with no nitrates!) and crunchy Cheetos.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Have you picked out names?:</span> </b>I've narrowed my list down to three contenders, but Mr. Q and I have yet to have the big name discussion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Planning for a home or hospital birth?:</span> </b>Hospital - actually the same one where I was born!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Planning for a natural or medicated birth?:</span></b> I want to have as natural a birth as I can withstand. I am open to medical interventions and pain medications if needed. I'd really like to avoid an epidural because I want to be able to walk and move around, especially after learning about laboring positions in this week's Prepared Childbirth class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>Who will be in the delivery room with you?:</b> </span>Mr. Q and my mom.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-59998988478020806832018-03-12T08:00:00.001-04:002018-03-26T15:39:50.175-04:00this week's clicks.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #76a5af;">get your week off to a</span></i><span style="color: #ea9999;"> </span><span style="color: #fff2cc;">colorful </span><span style="color: #76a5af;"><i>start...</i></span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #f4cccc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SWOON.</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslGLqHdtLVjRbyrFKGPZLkUAnOtSipYRBRC1UwZyCZHS7fqAVAYifag3fEObK4wD4s1P0qBfHWXkp7lE-T13UWwSoHa4LiiL3iiDHZN6F8D16FFjETY5ej_kPJW54jdfMSjI_Pjdif-A/s1600/magrouge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslGLqHdtLVjRbyrFKGPZLkUAnOtSipYRBRC1UwZyCZHS7fqAVAYifag3fEObK4wD4s1P0qBfHWXkp7lE-T13UWwSoHa4LiiL3iiDHZN6F8D16FFjETY5ej_kPJW54jdfMSjI_Pjdif-A/s400/magrouge.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.michaelandcarina.com/" target="_blank">Michael and Carina Photographers</a> via <a href="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/virginia-wedding-blending-classic-tradition-with-modern-flair/" target="_blank">Magnolia Rouge</a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">I fell in love with this classic <a href="https://www.magnoliarouge.com/inspiration/virginia-wedding-blending-classic-tradition-with-modern-flair/" target="_blank">country club wedding</a> in Virginia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From Beka Price, a dreamy <a href="http://www.bekapricephotography.com/2016/07/28/lavender-fields-maternity-photographer/" target="_blank">maternity shoot in a lavender field</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A sweet, romantic <a href="http://www.gabriellakatalin.com/blog-1/2018/3/7/kayla-vison-couples-session" target="_blank">couples photo sesh</a>. In Hawaii. With a puppy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love Alicia's convenient and chic <a href="https://www.aburstofbeautiful.com/2018/02/built-in-office-nook-part-one-free-plans.html/" target="_blank">do-it-yourself office nook</a>.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>SMILE.</b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Desktops: </span> <a href="http://theeverygirl.com/free-downloadable-tech-backgrounds-for-march-2018/" target="_blank">The Everygirl</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.crosscards.com/wallpaper/monthly-calendars/march/" target="_blank">CrossCards</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">,</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="https://blog.flipsnack.com/march-2018-wallpaper-calendar-desktop-background/" target="_blank">Flipsnack</a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span><a href="https://sarahhearts.com/march-2018-wallpaper/" target="_blank">Sarah Hearts</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rifle Paper Co.'s new <a href="https://riflepaperco.com/collections/keds/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=keds-spring-2018" target="_blank">collab with Keds</a> is here + includes kids'!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love peeking at Bridget Beth Collins' <a href="https://websta.me/n/flora.forager" target="_blank">creative floral artwork</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Currently pinning <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/unbirthdayparty/holidays-easter/" target="_blank">inspiration for Holy Week and Easter</a>.</span></li>
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<span style="color: #76a5af; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>FLASHBACK.</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2016: spring <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/spring-reading-challenge-ideas-and.html" target="_blank">reading challenge recommendations</a>, <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2016/03/5fandomfriday-geeky-tattoos.html" target="_blank">tattoos I'd love to have</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2015: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2015/03/my-march-favorites.html" target="_blank">my March favorites</a> (and OUAT obsession).</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2014: inspiration for a sweet <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2014/03/inspiration-for-dreamy-mint-and-babys.html">mint and baby's breath wedding</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2013: <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-simplicity-112-ireland-i-remember.html">memories of Ireland</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2013/03/spring-color-citron.html">citron wardrobe inspiration</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2012: inspiration for <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2012/03/pantone-winter-2012-orchid-hush-and.html">a moody pastel country wedding</a>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">2011: creative <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/03/card-storage.html">ideas for wedding card storage</a> and <a href="http://notjustbrides.blogspot.com/2011/03/thank-you-sign-idea.html">thank you signs</a>.</span></li>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7754724144679592754.post-80356612438951241752018-03-10T12:00:00.000-05:002018-03-12T17:04:16.119-04:0030 Weeks<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Upon realizing that I potentially only have 10 more weeks of pregnancy, I've decided to be a little more deliberate about tracking everything. I'm going to start with this survey I found via the <a href="http://www.topbabyspot.com/" target="_blank">Top Baby Spot</a> blog.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week's major milestone was doing some serious </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">nesting </span></b><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and </b><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">getting the Pack 'n' Play set up in our room!</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>How far along?</b> </span>30 Weeks</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Gender: </span></b>Boy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Total weight gain:</span></b> 5 lbs. - this is unusually low, and the original goal I was told was to gain 15-20 total, but baby is in 45th percentile for weight, so my doctor isn't worried - I'm having a "belly-only" pregnancy without doing any special dieting or exercise; just a combination of luck, genetics, and some occasional nausea.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">This week's OB/GYN appointment:</span> </b>I found it interesting that my blood pressure has been the exact same the last three visits. Short appointment this week - fundal height measurement (normal), heart rate (147), and sample.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Favorite maternity clothes this week:</span></b> The waterfall sweater Brittney handed down to me from her pregnancy, which is also nursing-friendly - I wear it at least once a week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Stretch marks?</span></b> Yes, but they are more on my back/hips rather than my belly so I'm wondering if they're just my teenage stretch marks becoming more prominent?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Sleep:</span></b> Waking up about twice a night but able to get back to sleep quickly. Mr. Q says I am tossing and turning quite a bit and snoring, but those things aren't waking me up ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Best moment this week:</span> </b>Pedicures (since I can no longer bend comfortably), shopping, and dinner with Brittney and her sweet one-year-old on Friday. It's so cool to watch her baby's development and know that at this time next year Baby Q will be working on fine motor skills and might be trying to take his first steps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Movement: </span></b>Baby Q has two main daily kick-fests around 10 AM and 10 PM, and it's so cool to be able to see movement from outside now instead of just feeling it. My friend Abby got to feel him kick during our faculty meeting on Monday and almost cried, and Emily felt him at Bible study that evening - that was an especially active day for some reason.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Food cravings: </span></b>Chicken tenders, all the pasta in the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Anything making you queasy or sick: </span></b>Not feeling the smell or taste of peanut butter these days, and popcorn shrimp that tasted yummy and I had been craving unfortunately made me sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="color: #45818e;">Major pregnancy symptoms: </b>Heartburn, back pain, round ligament pain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">Milestones: </span></b>Starting our Prepared Childbirth class through the hospital; I really liked the instructor, who is a professional doula and trained Lamaze instructor. This week she went over the three stages of labor and we also discussed some potential red flags to look out for in the coming weeks. Also super excited for my baby shower next weekend, especially since some gifts have already started to arrive, like the glider and ottoman my uncle and aunt sent.</span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14444558246969200094noreply@blogger.com0