35 weeks...say what?!

How far along: 35 weeks

Baby size: Honeydew melon (length average: 18 inches and weight average: 5 1/4 pounds)--I'm wondering from you mommas already out there that went to a doc that did very minimal ultrasounds...did you know your baby's approximate size other than them just checking your belly size week by week? I'm just wondering if that is enough for them to know that everything is progressing fine with their weight, or if I will possibly have another ultrasound? (I'm going to ask at my next visit this week.)

Total weight gain: About 17 or 18 pounds--I haven't kept up with this well.  If the doc says things are good, I'm good!

Sleep: Not bad.  Some good nights...some more restless. (ditto from last week)  I am more sore when I wake up in the middle of the night.  My joints hurt and sometimes it's hard to get my belly in a position that doesn't hurt.

Movement: Still crazy strong.  She also has started having hiccups daily.  For four nights in a row they came at 10 pm like clockwork, now the times are more sporadic.

Food cravings/aversions: Still hungry all the time.  I eat a huge meal and then can be starving about an hour after.  Mexican is still gross to me.  I also want fast food way too often!

Pregnancy Symptoms: Fatigue, constant bathroom trips, joint pain, and occasional Braxton Hicks.

What I miss: Feeling normal.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting this little girl.  I'm also looking forward to my next appointment on Wednesday (cervical check for progression toward labor) and our Labor Class at the hospital this week.

Milestones: For me-- I still find it hard to believe that I'm only 5 weeks away from being 40 weeks pregnant and that in just a couple weeks it would be perfectly fine for her to come at any moment.  For Adeline--Almost all of her main systems have developed, minus her digestive system (that develops further after birth) and she's just gaining weight.

Best moment this week: Having the energy to go to a great arts and craft fair with my mom--I wasn't sure if I would be up for it, but I was.  We go every year and I always look forward to it! Also, my in-laws bought Adeline's mattress, so the nursery really is thisclose to being ready for reveal!

Moments with Justin: I'm having more and more meltdowns lately--mainly stress related due to all the demands I have beyond getting ready for baby.  My brain is in full-on baby mode and it's so difficult to continue to work.  He's been so wonderful to calm me down, remind me to take it a day at a time, and challenge me to slow down--something I don't do well on my own.

(Again, mommas out there that worked in the 3rd trimester--how realistic is it for me to say that I am working until the doc tells me not to or I go into labor? Am I crazy? Should I plan on finishing up with work earlier? Advice...)

rosette fun

I've always loved the look of those sweet rosettes that flood the Pinterest tags and are all over the internet and craft world.  So with a baby girl on the way, I decided that this mommy-to-be must get moving creating some sweet rosettes, because I'm foreseeing lots of floral headbands in our future!

I started to create my first rosettes thinking I was going to make a headband, but then I remembered this "blah" lamp in the nursery that I have been trying to think of what to do to fancy it up.

So with my first rosette creation...this lamp now definitely has a new, more whimsical look.

 

If you haven't created a craft with rosettes yet, let me warn you, it becomes addicting! As soon as I did this project, I started thinking of all the other things I could do with these adorable fabric flowers...not to mention all the color combinations and vintage button combinations (I have en entire gallon-size bag) I'm planning for headbands!

My next creation was a headband for Adeline...

I used this tutorial that Emily shared with me and then made them my own a bit as I went.  So fun!

How Much Can I Save in a Year? September Link-Up!

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://www.cait-theblessedlife.blogspot.com" _mce_href="http://www.cait-theblessedlife.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5575605478_84ee822740_m.jpg" _mce_src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs170.snc3/19765_265054143834_265050838834_4530250_4491090_s.jpg"/></a><br />

   

 How in the world is September already over?!

September Savings 

$57.94

2011 Total Savings

$661.76

Best of Savings

Free or Almost Free Items this month with coupons:

-Avent bottle with purchase of my prenatals

A Little Savings Tidbit

Check this post out to see how I have re-organized my coupon system!

  

Now it's your turn! Link-up below! Whether its an update on your savings so far this year or just a great trip you had with great savings! Anything goes! Also, make sure to go check out Thankfully Thrifty to see how Ashleigh's savings are going so far this year!

crazy coupon lady

The title coins the phrase that my dad used when he first saw my new coupon system....my coupon binder.  (Don't be fooled, he was kidding and, as an avid Dave Ramsey fan himself, is always intrigued to hear what I'm up to with my couponing.)

I started out my system with a small picture album that I wrote about here.  It worked great, but I ran out of room for all my coupons.

Next, I went to one of those small accordion type plastic folder systems.  It worked okay, but I hated how I couldn't see the coupons.

Hence, why I finally broke down and decided to be one of those shoppers in the store with a binder at hand.  So far, I'm loving it!

THE binder

 I like how I have room in the pockets to keep my grocery list and a list of my electronic coupons that are on my store loyalty card.

To organize, I purchased baseball card sleeves (found at Target).   I used small pieces of paper and taped them onto the pages to use as dividers.  Among my sections are "canned", "breakfast", "Boone", "baby", and I even have a section specifically for Target coupons.

Each section of the page holds one coupon (unless I have multiples of a coupon, then it holds them all).  If I have to fold a coupon to fit, I just make sure to fold it to where I can see the specifics and the expiration date.

So what works for you with couponing?

shower #1!

We had our first shower this weekend!  My wonderful aunt and a close family friend/my grandpa's distant cousin threw the shower at my mom and dad's.  It was a great mixture of family and friends.  We are already blown away by the love! Among so many other wonderful gifts (adorable clothes, baby care necessities, and tons more), we received our Graco travel system, umbrella stroller, Pack-N-Play, and highchair!

wonderful hostesses--my aunt on left and Claudetta on right

with my best friend, Cheri (left), sis-in-law, and mother-in-law

work friends!

Amanda guessed my belly size

my momma, aunt, and grandma

another shot with these lovely ladies

so we're both much more excited than this picture shows ;)

Justin came to load up the cars

pretty shower bouquet

success after the shower--the pack-n-play is together and in our room!

We have our church shower next weekend and then Justin's family shower the following weekend---can't wait!

bump update: weeks 33 and 34

my dad told me this week it looks like I swallowed a basketball...this picture tends to make me agree :)

How far along: 34 weeks

Baby size: Cantaloupe (length average: 18 inches and weight average: 4.75 pounds)

Total weight gain: About 17 pounds

Sleep: Not bad.  Some good nights...some more restless.

Movement: All the time--and super strong. Part of me not sleeping is her being so active.  A couple nights ago I had to get up and walk around a few times to try to get her to calm down and quit moving so much just so I could sleep.  Her foot is almost always stuck in my rib and a lot of times I feel a foot (I think) poking out from my side.  Her movements amaze me sometimes with how strong they are and how much my belly moves from them.  Not complaining, though...I know the movement means she continues to progress and is staying healthy!

Food cravings/aversions: Hungry all the time.  Salads and cheesy soups are tasting really good.  I'm also craving Coke a lot more.  For some reason, meat is less tasty right now.  Justin is convinced I could be a vegetarian.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Fatigue, achy legs, constant bathroom trips, and occasional Braxton Hicks.

What I miss: Again, I'm going with normal energy level.  Also, I'm looking forward to having my body back as far as not so restricting.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting this little girl.

Milestones: For me-- My next doctor appointment (next week) is my first internal exam to check on progress toward delivery.  After that visit, I will start to go every week.  Crazy! For Adeline--Her central nervous system and lungs continue to mature.  She's also adding more fat to help with body temperature when she's here.

Best moment this week: Our first shower was great! We are so blessed by the amazing family and friends that shower us with love and will love on Adeline when she's here.

Moments with Justin: Sitting in the nursery floor amidst all the shower gifts as he read one of the books we got as a gift aloud so Boone and Adeline could listen.  I can't wait to see him holding her in his arms as he's reading to her!

fall fun

Our home has been humbly decked with Fall decor.  I decided that if I didn't do it now, it might not happen before Adeline makes her debut.  Now let's hope we have the energy to take down the Fall decor to put up Christmas. ;)

Happy Fall!!