31 Weeks and Counting!

Only 9 weeks to go until we meet Baby Boy Jennings! All of the festivities surrounding the birth of the Royal Baby this week has made me even more excited for our own arrival. Here’s to looking as radiant as the Duchess just one day post delivery! 

Resource of the Week: Visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/cps/index.htm to locate a car seat installation and inspection station near you. Luke and I have an appointment at the Presby location next month. 

Swollen and Tired Feet? Aching back and stiff legs? I recently discovered Evanesque Spa, owned by Pure Barre client, Barbara Rader. Located off of Knox, this boutique spa offers prenatal massages for just $40. 

Latest Find: Custom monogrammed layettes on Etsy. Monogramme Maison (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonogrammeMaison) makes beautiful “coming home” outfits and monogrammed onesies. 

In Need of Some Workout Motivation? Whenever I find myself struggling to get through a Pure Barre class, I remind myself of some of our pregnant Pure Barre clients, particularly those who are farther along than I. Seeing other mommies-to-be push themselves through a difficult thigh or seat series is just the encouragement I need. 

Hello 30 Weeks!

It’s hard to believe that I’m already 3/4 of the way there! The nursery furniture arrived this past Monday and I am completely ensconced in the “nesting” phase. I have to admit that my lower back and ribs are beginning to ache and that by the end of the day, my feet are swollen and sore, but just 10 weeks away from meeting our little slugger, it’s all well worth it. 

Nursery theme: Baseball and puppies. 

Nursery colors: Navy, light blue, reds, and grays. 

Tips of the week:

• Pedicures are the ultimate cure for those aching feet. Pampered Soles on Lovers is my favorite. They offer a “Pea in the Pod” pedicure that is perfectly suited for the mother-to-be. 

• Read a book that has nothing to do with parenting or babies. 

• Stop over-thinking every minor decision. I swear I’ve spent more time agonizing over how many Aden & Anais swaddle blankets we might need or the pros and cons of a Bumbo Seat. Take a deep breath and relax. 

On Registering: If I were to do it all over again, I would still register at Babies ‘R Us, Pottery Barn Kids, and Restoration Hardware Baby & Child. That said, here are some things worth remembering...

• Babies ‘R Us: Almost always a completely overwhelming shopping experience. I think it has hands down become Luke’s least favorite place in the world. However,  they offer a very easy return policy and almost always have coupons or sales of some sort. 

• Pottery Barn Kids: Better to register online, the store on Knox sometimes seems overcrowded and understaffed, particularly on Tuesdays at 11am when they host story time. That said, I love their products and they also offer an easy return policy. And if you catch them just before close, late in the afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday, it can be a perfectly pleasant shopping experience. 

• Restoration Hardware Baby & Child: Absolutely beautiful merchandise, but given that there isn’t a store located in Dallas, returns have proven to be tricky. You must wait to receive the store credit in the mail, before sending it back to RH Baby & Child, at which time your order is processed and the refund applied to the new order. Just a little bit complicated! That said, some of their items are truly one of a kind. My suggestion, only register for what you truly want from here and are fairly certain that you won’t have reason to return. 

What's in an ultrasound?

Before becoming pregnant, I assumed an ultrasound was the same thing as a sonogram. Little did I know that an ultrasound is actually the procedure by which a sonogram, or picture of the baby is created. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. For more information, visit: http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ultrasound.html

Aside from hearing your baby’s heartbeat and feeling him or her kick, seeing your baby’s sweet face appear on the screen is one of the most exciting moments of a pregnancy. The number of sonograms a woman receives throughout her pregnancy varies from practitioner to practitioner. I've heard from some moms, that their doctor offered them a sonogram every week during their third trimester! 

At 8 weeks, a sonogram confirmed my pregnancy. At 13 weeks, I saw our little jumping bean during routing genetic testing. And at 19 weeks, we learned from a sonogram that we are expecting a Baby Boy! Our practitioner has also been kind enough to offer two additional ultrasounds to calm some prenatal nerves. Assuming all continues to go as expected, we will have our last ultrasound next week, at the 30-week mark. Nearly 3/4 of the way there, the homestretch is in sight! 

Hello Third Trimester!

Officially 28 weeks and counting, I am two-thirds of the way there! It's hard to believe that Luke and I are just 12 weeks away from welcoming Baby Boy Jennings into the world.

What I’m Reading: Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success, by psychologist Madeline Levine, is a refreshing reminder that success is all too often measured by high grades and college acceptances, and that our children's worth should not be defined by their next achievement. 

How I’m Sleeping: I’ll be honest, not very well. Between getting up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom and upper back and rib aches, it has been a while since I've had a good night’s sleep. 

How I’m Feeling: Tired, and bigger, but very excited--I can't wait to meet our little bundle of joy. 

Weight Gain:  According to my doctor, I’m on track to gain the recommended 25-35 pounds. I’ll be the first to admit that weight gain can be a little overwhelming. Regardless, I feel healthy, am still able to fit into my Lulu, and can even make it through a killer Pure Barre thigh series without a break. Although I do find myself breathing a little more deeply and sinking a little less low. It’s helpful to remember that each woman and each pregnancy are different.

Latest Craving: Milk chocolate covered graham crackers from Starbucks. 

What I'm Doing:  Interviewing pediatricians. I've met two so far and have two more appointments. I started with recommendations from my OBGYN, other mommy friends and Pure Barre Dallas clients. I had absolutely no idea where to begin when meeting each doctor; the following interview sheet has been incredibly helpful: Pediatrician Interview Guidelines

What's in a Baby Shower?

I have spent the last two weekends celebrating Baby Boy Jennings, first in Dallas, then in Atlanta, with many of my nearest and dearest family and friends. Thank you to my wonderful hostesses for throwing two fabulous parties, and to everyone who was able to join me in the festivities. In Dallas, we indulged in petit fours topped with blue booties and in Atlanta, in Gigi’s Cupcakes. Surpise takeaway? My favorite childhood book, The Giving Tree, signed by all shower guests with sweet notes for Baby Boy Jennings and his mommy-to-be. Most popular gift? Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether. And remember Pure Barre Dallas client Claire Christensen's advice on registering and returning? She was absolutely right! Don't be afraid to return or exchange. All three of our registries are almost complete. Baby Boy Jennings is one lucky boy! 

Dallas Hostesses  

Atlanta Hostesses

"Mommy Wars"

Being an expectant mother can be a little bit overwhelming at times. It’s easy to get caught up in the debate over the latest parenting style, recommended sleep training method, or appropriate age to register (or preregister!) your child for preschool. I recently came across a blog post that helped put things in perspective. When it comes to my hopes for Baby Boy Jennings, I couldn’t agree more. 

"Am I Mom Enough? A Motherhood Wish List"

25 weeks down, 15 to go!

What I’ve learned so far: 

Indulge (in moderation). If you never give in to cravings, you’re bound to overindulge at some point. I passed Society Bakery on my way home from my 24-week appointment last Thursday and just had to have a frosted, sugar cookie. I’ve tried to approach pregnancy from the Weight Watchers perspective. If you want a cookie, have it. Just limit yourself to one and remember that’s your dessert for the day. 

(Flower sugar cookie, courtesy of Society Bakery, makes for a very happy Thursday!) 

Exercise. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists recommends 30 minutes of exercise a day on most days of the week, if not all. I swear by Pure Barre. It’s kept my mind calm, my body flexible, and my arms, core, and legs strong, even as my belly has continued to expand.

Pregnancy brain is a real thing. No joke. I find that I am increasingly more forgetful and careless with each passing day. When it happens, apologize. Most people are understanding. 

People will begin to offer you assistance. The checkout woman at PetSmart may offer to carry the dog food to the car for you. A stranger may offer to give up their seat for you. Now is not the time to be entirely selfless. Say yes and thank you. You have the rest of motherhood to do for others.

Trust the advice of other new mothers. New moms are eager to share their experiences, so don’t be afraid to ask. Very quickly you will learn that few things are too personal or off limits. 

Be creative with non-alcoholic drinks. Sparkling water with cranberry juice or ginger ale in a tumbler looks an awful lot like a cocktail. Want something tasty? Virgin daiquiris taste like smoothies, and I’d forgotten how yummy a Shirley Temple actually is. 

Having a baby is a life changer. Hearing his heartbeat and feeling those first faint kicks took my breath away. Through this journey, I have fallen more in love with Luke than I thought possible. And come September, I am absolutely certain that we will be ready for the ride of a lifetime.