Caroline: One Month

Caroline Grace is a month old now. I can't even believe she's already a MONTH. We can't imagine life without her:)

She loves snuggles, her lamb wubbanub, sleeping, and being close to her mommy!


** We aren't through with the nursery yet. Loooooong story. But when we are, I'll post pics:) **

Caroline's Birth Story

Well, I decided it's time to update the blog! Here's Caroline Grace's birth story before I forget it all.


Her due date, May 12th, came, and she just wasn't ready for the outside world yet. That night we went to Hobby Lobby to pick out props for the newborn photo shoot that my husband was hell bent on doing himself. [different post for a different day. my advice is just have them professionally done. end of rant.] Afterwards, we went to one of our favorite places to eat, J. Alexander's, as a party of 2.  That night, technically May 13th, I woke up to cramps. I'm a deep sleeper, like in a coma sleeper, and it woke me up out of a dead sleep. I was able to fall back asleep but 30 minutes later, cramps. Then, they started coming faster. This went on til about 7am. I decided to go ahead and get up and have a shower to be ready to call doctor as soon as they opened. Well, needless to say, the contractions stopped when I got out of the shower. I already had an appt for the afternoon and a scheduled induction to begin at 8pm that night. However, my doctor told me to go ahead and come in as soon as we could. They hooked me up to the machine, but I'd only had one contraction while there. My doctor looked at us and said why don't we just go have this baby now. We headed across the parking lot to labor and delivery. I was so excited to finally be meeting my baby girl!

We got all checked in, and they gave me pitocin to start the process. However, until I'd had my epidural, they wouldn't send for my ob to break my water. I was like let's get this party started! I was nervous, but the epidural was painless. I guess she still wasn't ready to come into the world yet. We started the induction around 11am-ish and it took until like 1am for me to reach 5 cm. Then, she stalled. About 2:30, the doctor came in and recommended a c-section. I just started crying. I really didn't want a c-section. I didn't want to have the lengthy recovery of a c-section. Caroline Grace was born at 3:01, so it was a rather fast process. As they pulled her out, I remember the first thing the doctor said was "that's a BIG baby." I kept hearing that throughout the room. I felt like she was an amazon or something. I wasn't able to see her yet as I was being stitched up.

The only bad thing about a c-section is I lost bonding time with my little one. I was so looped out on meds that I was afraid to hold her, my uterus "massage" took longer than anticipated, and they had to go ahead and take her up to the nursery while I was getting said "massage." Pssssh, don't let the word massage fool you. That massage is like buying oceanfront property in Arizona. I told hubs to go with her and leave me. He taped her getting her first bath and her measurements. I'm so glad I have that video. I've watched it more than once:)

And now almost 5 weeks later, I'm so in awe that she's mine. My Caroline Grace:)

A Letter to my Unborn Child

**I started this post on 6/6/13**

To my Unborn Child, I see mothers posting a post each month describing their babies and writing them tidbits. What a way this day in age allows us to keep our memories. I am not sure when I will meet you, albeit in my womb or from the arms of the mother who so selflessly gave you up for adoption to me. I guess I'm writing you this letter because I want you to know how much we have wanted you. Unfortunately, my body has not made this process easy due to having PCOS. The doctors have put me on medication that made me nauseated all day for a month til my body became accustomed to it. Not to mention, it gives me another side effect that I'm not even going to mention. I am doing all of this just by chance it will help me have you. And doing this by chance in the hopes it gives me answers. If I'm not meant to have children, it will allow me to know adoption is our path. You see I just want you to know how much I can't wait to hold you in my arms.

**Finished on 5/12/15**
It's been almost 2  years since I started this post and a lot of things have changed. The medicine did nothing, yet I stayed on since it regulated something my body doesn't normally do on its own. So, in that respect, it did something. It just didn't do what I wanted it do-- give me a baby. So, we had to go through the IVF process to have you. I was nervous and scared and emailed someone I know that had gone through it before me. I remember in her email she said during her in vitro process she just kept thinking it has to work. It has to work. And I made that my mantra. It has to work. I'll never forget going in on the day of our transfer. I was more than nervous in that moment than any other in my life. And being 34 at the time, I'd had lots of moments. I had St. Gerard's prayer brought up on my phone, and I said the prayer for motherhood several times. During the transfer, I just clutched my patron saint, Saint Gemma Galgani, pendant and prayed. And, I just prayed.  The next step was just to wait... I'm not the most patient person when it comes to wanting to know something. Waiting makes me wonder if purgatory is real, how do those poor souls do it. How do they just wait? HOW.DO.THEY.DO.IT. But, they just do. And, that's what I did.

I tested early even though I wasn't supposed to. I'll never forget the first two tests were negative. I knew it was still early, so I didn't let it get me down *too much*. Then, I'll never forget that first time I saw the faintest second line. The next day it was darker, and then, I knew. I knew. I knew you were here. And I cried. I cried because I was so happy, I cried for all the women like me who felt defeat month after month, and I cried because now it was a whole different type of being scared. I cried because I didn't want to lose you. And, now here I type the rest of this letter on May 12, 2015, your due date. Obviously, you take after me on punctuality as you are just happy as a lark in my womb with no evidence of showing up today on time. But that's okay, I'm always late, and if you are too, we'll just both be late--together:)

I can't wait to meet you, Caroline Grace! You are already more loved by me than I have loved anything or anyone in this world.

Presidents' Day Hostess + 28 week Update

Last month, I was one of the hostesses for our monthly DAR meeting. Since it was the Saturday after Presidents' Day, we chose to use that as our theme. I think our table came out nicely!

We made sure to include a couple of cherry desserts to honor George Washington. Remember "Washington would not tell a lie when asked if he cut down the cherry tree." ;) Our desserts were mini cherry pies and chocolate covered cherries.  For my bumpdate, I took a bathroom pic before my meeting. ha!

**I think this is the week where my bump started to pop out for real**

how far along: 28 Weeks

size of baby: eggplant

gender: female

belly button in/out: out

weight gain: 14-15 lbs

maternity clothes: right now still trying to wear as many of my non-maternity tops as possible like this gap tee. however, they are starting to get too short as my bump is growing. thinking i need to get a few classic tops to hold me over til the baby comes. 

stretch marks: not yet *fingers crossed*

rings: on :)

nursery: bedding purchased. 

movement: feeling her kick a lot more. 

symptoms: heartburn and indigestion

sleep: still sleeping through the night. having to get up a few times but nothing major

best moment last week: still feeling her move is cool!

cravings: sour candy, sprite [try to not have it often], chocolate, salad

aversions: pb&j, bananas, grilled cheese

what I miss: coloring my hair, having anything BUT dry skin/scalp, gums that don't bleed, sleeping on my stomach

looking forward to: picking out pieces for the nursery, meeting our baby girl:)

5 on Friday

I'm so glad they brought 5 on Friday back. I love being able to do a quick recap of my thoughts for the week. And I could totally be late to the game, as I didn't post much for the 1st/2nd trimester, but I'm back and ready to jump right in. :)

1. We made it to 30 Weeks. Yay!
I've been kind of slack on the updates. Technically, I'm 30 weeks. I'm going to catch up this week. I can't believe we're already this far. It seems like time is flying by, and I can't believe we only have 8-10 weeks to go!

2. My birfday! 
This picture is from my birthday when I thought turning 28 was actually old! I turned 35 yesterday. I can't believe I was 28 when I started this blog. I still feel like I'm 25, but alas the frown lines on my forehead and my old lady hands tell a different story. ha!

3. Best Birthday Present 
We had snow, sleet, and ice yesterday. I got a **snow** day for my birthday. I had the day off, and luckily, the county was closed, so I got to spend the day with my husband and Puggy as well. This morning we had a record low, and well, the side roads are still nasty, so a second snow day to me. Getting snow days are just the best, and to have them on your birthday is like icing on the cake!

4. Pugggggggggyyyyyyyy!
Puggy got a bath yesterday, and she's nice and fluffy. She thinks I've neglected in showing y'all a new pic of her. We have one of these heat dish warmers we got from Costco which was on the floor, and she was loving it! She would just curl up and get comfy and snooooze! ZzzZzzZZzzzs.

5. Downton Abbey Season 5 finale
My, oh my! Where do I start?!?!?!? #1 I'm so glad they decided not to end it this season. I think the story lines are recovering from the Mary/Matthew tragedy, and it really could go on from here. #2 This has been my FAVE episode thus far. You can really see how some of the characters have grown such as Edith and Tom. I won't write much about it just in case some still haven't caught up. But hurry up because this episode was AH-mazing!
 

Piko Love

Right now, I'm LOVING these tops. And no, they are not maternity tops. I specifically bought these because I can wear them now and after the baby. I think they are so cute dressed up with a scarf and some cute earrings! I really wish I had bought one in a hot pink color.

 
I also have these in a teal and a mocha color. Unlike the models, I don't go pantless. LOL. I bought them from pikoshirts.com which is a US seller. You can't beat the prices!These are SO comfortable, and I guess I'm late to this trend, but as the saying goes...Better late than never! 

27 Weeks

**this is the tired face. i had taught school all day and had parent-teacher conferences til 6:15 p.m.**
how far along: 27 Weeks

size of baby: rutabaga

gender: female

belly button in/out: out

weight gain: 14-15 lbs

maternity clothes: i'm still wearing as many of my non-maternity tops as i can

stretch marks: not yet, hoping it stays that way

rings: on :)

nursery: bedding bought, now need to look at paint colors

movement: moving around more since she's getting bigger

symptoms: heartburn/indigestion

sleep: still sleeping most of the night-probably get up about 2-3x 

best moment last week: feeling her move more!

cravings: sour candy

aversions: pb&j, grilled cheese

what I miss: soft cheeses, a cold coca-cola, being able to get in/out the car easily, wish my gums were back to normal, never thought i'd say i miss my oily skin--pregnancy has dried my skin out as well as my scalp:/

looking forward to: meeting our baby girl

Scentsy Sale!

There are only a few days left to shop the Scentsy Sale! Right now, almost everything in the catalog is 10% off. Most exceptions are licensed/charity products. I just put in an order today stocking up on Happy Birthday bars. It's being discontinued for good:/ I'm SO sad about this as it's one of my fave scents. Don't forget to check out the sale! :) Email me if you have any questions! https://southernbellejm.scentsy.us

Top 5 Oscar Favorites

Here are my Oscar Faves from last night.

1. J-Lo in Elie Saab.
Girl can't go in public without some sort of her goods out, but still I think this color, cut, and look looked fabulous on her!

2. Reese in Tom Ford.
Reese is MY girl! She's probably my top girl crush, and I just love her:) I think this is so classic and clean, and I think going sans necklace was perfect. It put all the attention on her dress. Loves it!

3. Emma Stone in Elie Saab
Not a lot of people can pull off this color. However, I think she looked smashing. The dresses flows nicely to enhance her silhouette, and I think her hair and makeup were done well as in not to compete with her dress.

4. Chrissy Teigen in Zuhair Murad
Homegirl is just HOTTTTTTT! I think this color really suited her skin tone! I think it was sexy without being skanky. The soft waves in her hair almost brought an old Hollywood feel to me. I really liked this!

 5. Jamie Chung in Yanina Couture
This is another WOW. When I think of the Oscars, I think of wow dresses. I just think this is so fun and beautiful. I would love to wear something like this myself!

Five on Friday

I really miss the 5 on Friday link up. I always felt like it was a great way to kind of some up my week! So, I thought I'd do that today.

1. my post glucose indulgence. no, i still don't have my results back. they said the weather has delayed the results. i will retain regular diet til i hear otherwise;)

2. i was off school monday due to president's day. however, i've been out the rest of this week due to bad weather. i know northerners laugh at us, but down here, we're just not equipped for this kind of weather. snow, ice, slush, etc.

3. due to said "winter break," i have been catching up on shows like scandal, how to get away with murder, downton abbey, etc. :) btw, does anyone else think mary has been SUPER catty towards edith lately. pot calling the kettle black if you ask me. she could easily be in edith's predicament right now due to her gallavanting around lately. 

4. another year, another season of lent. this was my dinner. hubs's was the same except he had fish sticks with his. brought it back old school. reminded me of dinner i had as an 80s kid. ha! i know i could *technically* have had the fish sticks but i've kinda been a super psycho pregnant person about what i eat as in no seafood, no soft cheeses, no lunch meat, etc. guess that's what #miraclebabies will do to ya;)

5. traffic school. why might you ask. well, i got a ticket earlier in the fall. i haven't had a speeding ticket in YEARS. i rarely go over 5 miles over the speed limit. this day i was speeding not realizing it. i'll just save you the crazy story but long story short, i was on a hill, pb&j sandwich in floor board was getting smushed, didn't take foot off accelerator, look up and boom sheriff is in the street already clocking me. needless to say, fighting crime in my small town is pulling teachers over in a 3 sheriff speed trap. lol. want my two cents? pay the extra 20ish bucks and take it online. not only did i complete the course in like an hour instead of 4, i also got to do it in my pjs at home. totes worth it!

This Soundtrack = Bomb Dot Com

I've read the books. Have I seen the movie? Nah. I'm not sure if it's just the casting [fyi--in the previews, i think jamie dornan looks like a frat boy] or what, but I just have no desire to see it at this point. Maybe, netflix, later? However, the soundtrack is AH-mazing!

I mean it's got a few classics on there like Beast of Burden, Witchcraft, and Man on Fire to a college classic Crazy in Love to a few new cool tunes. All in all, I'm really diggin' this album.

Also, if you're into classical music, while I'm no classical connoisseur, I do like it. If you can find the album above, it's worth it. I really really enjoyed E.L. James taste in the classical compositions she chose for the book. I bought it this summer off ebay and listened to it quite frequently.

First Piece of the Nursery

I have been mulling over bedding for a couple of months now. I felt like once we had the bedding picked out everything else would be so much easier! The first bedding we ordered was from Pottery Barn, and while it was pretty, I just felt kinda meh about it. Then, I started searching on etsy, and it kind of just got out of control. I finally decided spending $400+ on bedding is just ridiculous. But I'll admit, it's really hard to find anything that isn't covered in owls or butterflies, or isn't super trendy like chevron and what not. I just wanted something pink, girly, and feminine.

I finally decided to try PBK again, and I'm so glad I did. They were having a sale, so with tax and shipping we only spent right at $200. I did not order a bumper as we won't be using one, but I did get the crib skirt, quilt, matching pillow sham for pillow for the rocker, and I went with a white with pink polka dots crib sheet.

It came in, and it was exactly what I wanted. It's called the Ruffle Collection.

Now, just time to start picking up pieces and hoping it will all come together in the end!