34 Weeks

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 34 weeks

Size of Baby: 5-5.5 lbs

Weight Gain: 35 lbs; a LOT of fluid retention.  My poor toes and fingers look like the Michelin man.

Stretch Marks: Still none!

Maternity Clothes:  Getting sick of them.  Looking forward to going shopping after baby.

Gender:  Sweet baby boy!

Movement:  All the time.  He moves a lot between the hours of 11am-1pm and in the middle of the night.  

Sleep: Not great.  Last night I was up from 2-5.  I think God is just prepping me for reality of life with a baby.  And I'm surviving. :o)

Missing:  My shoes.  My feet are so swollen that I'm limited to a few pairs of sneakers, boots, and my Danskos.  I can't wait to be able to wear flats.

Loving:  Little Debbie Christmas Tree cakes - to a point that I'm disgusted with myself.

Craving:   Salads with ranch dressing and croutons.  I guess that makes up for the Christmas tree cakes.

Feeling: Swollen and sore.  After swelling all day, my feet are super sore in the mornings.  Aside from the swelling and general achiness, I'm feeling really good.  I'm getting excited about CT's arrival and completion of the nursery.  I really can't complain - a little bit of swelling and achiness is nothing.

Looking Forward: I get to see my brother again this weekend which makes 2 weekends in a row and I'm going to complete our registries at Target and Babies R Us since we have had all of our showers.    

Best Moment(s):   Seeing my family was awesome.  Also this week, I completed my master's coursework and we got our carseat/stroller (gotta love Cyber Monday).  I had a craft fair this week and added more inventory to my Lulu's Mimi website.  Things are wonderful!

We had our last "easy" dr. appt. Monday and we are both measuring exactly where we should be.

Just one of the new items available at Lulu's Mimi.

Stop by and like my page, then leave a comment if you're interested in placing a Christmas order!

Getting our carseat/stroller in the mail makes me feel like we are officially ready.

Secret Santa Gift Ideas

I don't know about you, but I luuurrrrve Secret Santa.  You know, drawing someone's name, buying them cutesy little things for each day of the week at work and then one big reveal gift the last day.  I honestly feel like it totally gets everyone in the holiday spirit.

How can you not?!  Every day of the week begins with a little, wrapped surprise in your mailbox!

Sometimes it's hard to figure out what to buy for your Secret Santa because you generally stay within a certain budget.  At my school, we purchase $2-$3 each day for 4 days and then do a $10-$15 gift the last day.  It keeps it budget friendly, but you aren't stuck with a bunch of Dollar Store stuff.

Here are some Secret Santa Gift Guides in case you're participating this year...

For the male coworker:

guys secret santa ideas by coachgaines on Polyvore

For the female coworker:

coworker secret santa by coachgaines featuring body moisturizers

Check back Wednesday for some really creative ideas for those coworkers you are close to. You know...some gifts that say, "I like you more than a coworker."  That type of thing.

Happy shopping!

33 Weeks

How Far Along: Last Saturday marked 33 weeks

Size of Baby: 4.5-4.75 lbs

Weight Gain: 33 lbs

Stretch Marks: Still none!

Maternity Clothes:  Loving them, but really looking forward to maternity yoga pants once Christmas break rolls around.

Gender:  Sweet baby boy!

Movement:  He is a restless little thing!  Since he is getting bigger I'm feeling him move the entire day.  I love it.  Every once in a while he moves really quickly or hits something just right and it gives you that dip in the tummy like when you're on a roller coaster.  I'm not gonna lie...I kinda like it.

Sleep: Not great.  I feel like this is God's way of preparing me for what's to come.

Missing:  Wine.  Still.  I have a feeling this will last the next 8 weeks.

Loving:  The cold air.  I love having a need to drink cocoa, wear slippers, and turn on the gas logs.

Craving:   Just some quiet time.  Time to reflect on the last few months, prepare my heart and mind for what comes next.  I really just want to soak this all in before its over.

Feeling: Blessed.  A healthy baby boy.  It's literally the best feeling in the entire world.  There were things that happened this week that could have really brought me down and, perhaps if I were in a different place in life they would have, but there is just way too much to be grateful for.  I'm seriously so blessed.

Looking Forward: We have another shower this weekend with friends.  I'm especially excited that some of my friends I've made from blogging are coming!  Seriously, the friendships I've formed are awesome.

Best Moment(s):   Hubby and I went on an awesome date last Saturday.  We went to the Grand Luxe Theater and watched Catching Fire.  The food was great and so was the movie!  We traveled north to be with family and friends and I just couldn't be happier to be here.  It was the best to just be home and be around the people that love me and already love our baby boy so much.  I've missed them. 

My mom made this for us and I just fell in love with it!  How cute is the ECU sock monkey and the diaper motorcycle?!  Love.

Just a small portion of the family I got to see and came out to show CT some love.