21 weeks.

This has been such a busy and crazy week! My husband was out of town from Sunday to Thursday, which means not a whole lot of help. Silver lining: class also started this week so I got a few hour break twice this week!

21 weeks

How far along: 21 weeks 

Total weight gain: +5 

Baby is the size of a: A pomegranate (and taste buds start to work)!

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Really good since I had to bed to myself all week!

Best moment of this week: Getting to see my little pumpkin during the ultrasound! She is still a girl! 

Movement: A little near the top of my ribs, and a little on the lower left 

Food cravings: Nothing in particular 

Anything making you queasy or sick: diapers and the trash can

Aches or pains: gallbladder and heartburn 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: I don't remember anything from this week!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy.

Looking forward to: Going through the new box of clothes my sister in law gave us! 

I desperately need to iron the crib skirt, but I love it - and it is from Target! I wanted the Pottery Barn one, but it was $79 for essentially the same thing! I need to find new pillows and I am excited that my husband said that I could get the rocker that I wanted, but it will be closer to April when I get it! I need to get some curtains and I am fairly sure I know what I want over her dresser - but I am going to leave that one a surprise! 

I am hoping to add some art to our upstairs hallway this week, because I saw something that I like to add some personalization to a hallway and I think I have everything to do it, so I won't have to spend any money! 

I also love following Pottery Barn Kids on instagram, and loved this shot!! Such a pretty nursery! 

20 weeks: Half way point!

I cannot believe how fast these past 20 weeks have flown by. I definitely would not have been saying this around week nine when I could barely get off of the couch. I am so happy I am feeling better now and getting things done, just in time for my last Spring semester of classes!

20 weeks

I also got a few things put together in the nursery this week and finished the blessed crib today! I bought this ruffled crib skirt in white, a pink changing pad cover, and got a free countered pad from my sweet neighbor. Luke still uses his, so I didn't want to move his out of his room quite yet! 

How far along: 20 weeks 

Total weight gain: +2 officially 

Baby is the size of a: A banana

Maternity clothes: Yes

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Getting better!

Best moment of this week: Finishing the crib. I told my husband to kick me in the shin if I ever say I want to paint a crib again. I should have known after painting the rocking chairs that are on our front porch. It is extremely meticulous and too many different crevices. I did use a brush and a roller for it, so that made it go by faster, but it still took about two hours per coat and it needed two coats. 

Movement: A little near the top of my ribs, and a little on the lower left 

Food cravings: Nothing in particular 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Oh, the fridge, now that I can smell again

Aches or pains: Since my uterus is starting to get closer to my gallbladder, that pain is returning 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: A lot of things have to do with makeup

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy.

Looking forward to: Finding a fitted crib sheet I like. I also need to get some curtains.

I will be back later this week for a post on my favorite Pinterest baby organization!

Twelve minute English muffin recipe.

My mom has been making this recipe for as long as I can remember, and I love it!

Ingredients:

• Craft singles
• Bacon
• Tomato
• English muffins

It is such a fast and easy recipe, and tastes amazing as well, that is why I love it! I cook the bacon in the microwave because it is less messy and faster. To do that you put two paper towels on the bottom of a microwave safe plate, put the bacon on the paper towels, top with two more paper towels (do not overlap bacon), and cook for 4 to 6 minutes. Once the bacon is cooked, I use an electric skillet and place the bottom on the English muffin, bacon, tomato, then top with cheese before putting the top of the English muffin on again. I cook it on 250* for about 4 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted. Enjoy! 

19 weeks.

Almost to the half way mark - and I thought I could make it through the season without getting sick! I have been laying low with an upper respiratory infection this past week and with the addition of asthma, it has been a tough week for breathing. Oh the joys. Every time I feel like laying down and feeling bad for myself, I try to think about how much worse it could be. This pregnancy is so much easier than my pregnancy with Luke, and I am hoping that is not an indication of a difficult baby! After having Aiden 4.5 years ago, I feel like I could conquer any child - craziness.

19 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks 

Total weight gain: +2 officially 

Baby is the size of a: Mango

Maternity clothes: Yes, and I feel so much more comfortable than I did when squeezing into my non-maternity clothes. 

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Not so good. Between the running nose, coughing, extremely sore throat, it hasn't been the best week for sleeping. 

Best moment of this week: Getting the new car seat. We got Aiden's infant seat in 2010 and it will expire in June 2015, so we needed a new one. This is the one we got, but in purple. That is really the only "big" purchase we needed to buy. We have the double stroller, single jogger, etc. I also did some work in the nursery before I got sick, and love how that turned out. 

Movement: I have been in so much pain this week from the URI that I haven't felt her move as much as usual. Also, the anterior placenta doesn't do me any favors. 

Food cravings: I haven't been hungry all week. I do think it is funny how with Aiden all I wanted were grilled veggies, with Luke all I wanted was brownies, and there is nothing that I crave with this baby! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coughing has made me throw up a few times

Aches or pains: Lots, I get braxton hicks from all the coughing fits.  

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: No.

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: Nothing memorable this week. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy.

Looking forward to: Painting the crib as soon as I can breath again.

Rifle Paper Co. prints

My grandmother's depression glass jar holding bows

The crib I fully intend on finishing at some point, it was $10! 

I think that is all for this week! 

Pottery Barn Kids: How to Save Money

I am seriously a sucker for a good PBK sale. I am also a sucker for paying full price for things I love, but I am trying to get better about how I spend our money. I do not get too many things from Pottery Barn Kids, but there are some things that are not sold in the cuteness of quality of PBK. One of those things is the chamois sheets and crib sheets they make. You can buy Carter's brand and they are good, but they are not nearly as thick and well made as the PBK ones. Also, Carter's only makes the crib sheets, and PBK makes big kid bedding in the chamois fabric.

I thought I would throw together how I save money at PBK in order to get some cute things for much less than the full price!

1. Facebook. Follow their page on Facebook to keep up with the latest sales and one-day deals!

2. E-mail. Go to their page and sign up for the e-mail list. Typically, when you open in a new browser, a pop-up comes up to input your e-mail, and they send you 10% off within a day. Every month they usually have a day with 20% off any item, and often you will get a Free Shipping e-mail. Unfortunately the sale and Free shipping will not go together. They will accept printed out coupons from your e-mail in the store, if you have one close to you!

3. Wait. If you have fallen in love with an item from PBK, it will eventually go on sale. Monthly they have different items $100 off (cribs and rockers), or a white sale (bedding), or have a specific item that is on sale for that month.

4. Free Shipping. Always look for items that have free shipping. Diaper bags and stroller blankets (baby's favorite thing) always ship for free. The stroller blankets also make amazing baby shower gifts. The plain ones are $29.00 and $7.00 for personalization… every mama loves something with their baby's name on it.

5. Shop on big holiday sale days. Black Friday, New Years Day, and Memorial Day usually give out coupons. For example, this Black Friday they included a coupon until the end of January that is $10 off $50 or more at Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn, AND Pottery Barn Teen.

6. Shop in store. If you are looking for something big, like a crib or rocker, it is best to order and pick up in the store. You will avoid hefty shipping costs on things like furniture or kids anywhere chairs.

7. Ask an employee. Usually there is a shelf or area that is full of clearance items. It is usually in an inconspicuous place that may not be easily visible, so ask! Many times you can find bedding (especially queen) on super clearance. Every once in awhile you find something amazing and it is 50% of more off!

8. Floor models. Ask if they have anything available as a floor model to sell. Last year I bought Luke a Rocking Bear - and they sold me the floor model for 30% off. At first they offered me 20% off, then I asked for 30% seeing it was a little worn. All the lady needed was manager approval, and they gave it to me 30% off!

Happy shopping! 

18 weeks.

I have finally reached 18 weeks! The good news is, one more week has gone by. The bad news - I am slowly not being able to sleep on my stomach! If you know me well, this is the time when sleeping becomes a major problem! I seriously can ONLY sleep on my stomach, so I am sure there are many sleepless nights in my future. And when you nurse, sleeping on your stomach is only possible right after a nursing session, within an hour, you have to move to you back or side… all for one sweet baby girl!

18 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks 

Total weight gain: +2 officially, but I am sure it is at least 4 by now! 

Baby is the size of a: Sweet Potato

Maternity clothes: Yes! I finally bought some comfortable clothes that fit. If I could, I would live in yoga pants all week. 

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Decent. I stayed up with my best friend, who is visiting from California, until 3 a.m. on New Year's Eve, and I am still playing catch up. But, since we are both pregnant, it will be awhile until we see each other. We are pretty lucky in that the last few years we haven't gone more than a few months without me visiting her, or her visiting Colorado. But both with new babies, and weddings galore next year, the trips for fun have to be put on hold. 

Best moment of this week: Seeing Heather. It is so hard for me when she leaves. Many of the friends in my life are so inconsistent. She is the one person who never cancels, always follows through with what she says, and it is nice and refreshing. There are not a lot of people around that can hold plans. 

Movement: A little bit more every single week. 

Food cravings: Really healthy things. My first trimester, all I wanted were McDonalds cheeseburgers. Gross. Now all I want are salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, or water. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: It has been SO nice my husband has been home for two weeks. I have not had to change a diaper since the Monday the week before Christmas week. 

Aches or pains: Just crampy when I do not drink enough water. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes 

Gender: GIRL!! 

Labor signs: No, but Braxton Hicks start so early during the third pregnancy. I don't think I even had one with Aiden, and I already have them with this little girl. 

Belly button in or out: In

Wedding rings on or off: On

What are you dreaming about: Just weird stuff. Most recently, it was a long ordeal about getting an old car towed and not putting Aiden or Heather's kids in car seats and getting pulled over by a police officer. 

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy. There has to be something about having a girl that makes me a much happier pregnant person. When I was pregnant with both boys I was so angry all the time and just overall pissed off. It must have been the testosterone flowing through me (I feel bad for boys, I really do)… but now I don't really have any of those feelings and it takes a lot to make me mad… Aiden knows how to do that though!

Looking forward to: having my husband put up her new light fixture! We are also going out tonight to dinner and a comedy show for Heather's birthday and last day in town. Then we are going out with other good friends on Saturday evening! 

I also finished her dresser. This is the first time I am not entirely pleased with Annie Sloan. I am unsure if I got a bad batch or not, but it did not cover nearly as well as my past quarts have covered. I ended up doing three coats and it still has some darker areas. I also got the hardware from Hobby Lobby, and they did not come with screws, which also is kind of strange. 

After one coat of Annie Sloan 'Pure White'

I also am SERIOUSLY in love with the new Pottery Barn Rockers. Too bad they are ridiculously priced and I am just not sure I can spend (or even have) $1000 to spend on one baby chair. But… my heart melts for these.

Swoon.

Well, that is all for today!