Baby Gardner-25 weeks

How far along? 25 weeks
Total weight gain. 17 pounds total
Baby Development.  Baby G is about 1.5 lbs and his hands are fully developed by this week, fingerprints and all!
Maternity Clothes? You bet. Bought a few pair of maternity skinny jeans from Gap, which I love-so comfy, and a maternity dress too. No more squeezing into cloths, too uncomfortable. Also, the work scrubs are getting a little snug, but I am hoping to make them work for at least another month.
Stretch Marks? Still clear
Sleep? Sleep is good, but keep wanting to turn on to my back, which is a no no.
Best Moment of the week? Laying on the couch and SEEING a kick!!
Symptoms? I get full soooo fast. If I eat anywhere near the amount at one sitting that I used to  pre-preggo, I am so uncomfortable. Also the muscle cramp in my butt is back with a vengeance. 
Food cravings?Nothing in particular. I did get one hard core craving of carrot cake cheesecake, but it luckily went away after a nights sleep.
Miss anything? Nope
Movement? All the time, he is very active 
Gender ? Little baby boy
Belly Button in or out? In, but working it's way out.
Goals for upcoming week? Paint the nursery
Looking Forward to?  Nearing the third trimester, I am very anxious to meet my little man
Thoughts?Word to the wise, if your in your second or third trimester, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHOP AT A NON-MATERNITY STORE. It will make you cry and power walk to the nearest Auntie Annie's pretzel shop(just guessing, ahhem). If you try to get something fitted, it doesnt fit right, if you go for something 'roomy' it makes your body look like a blob. I made the mistake of trying on dresses and a few skirts at Express, bad idea.

Baby Gardner- 24 weeks

How far along? 24 weeks
Total weight gain. 16 pounds total
Baby Development.  Baby G is the size of a cantaloupe and is working on putting on his baby fat.
Maternity Clothes? Wearing a few maternity basic tees and leggings, otherwise working with what I have
Stretch Marks? Still clear
Sleep? Sleep is great with the occasional calf cramp
Best Moment of the week? Had our 24 week appt and everything is going great. Little fella is right on track and everything is looking good!! Also when I was at the delicious popcorn store the guy ringing up my multiple bags of chocolate peanut butter popcorn said something about having a little one soon-thanks Yummy popcorn man, you made my day!
Symptoms? Reflux and heartburn cured by Tums
Food cravings? Still craving lots of sweets and still on my yogurt, fruit and granola obsession
Miss anything? Still crave a good run, but otherwise, happy as a clam
Movement? You bet, this little man is a mover. It feels as if he is doing the Harlem Shake multiple times throughout the day 
Gender ? Little baby boy
Belly Button in or out? In, but very shallow
Goals for upcoming week? Its a busy work week, so if I can get the crib up and buy paint, I will be happy
Looking Forward to?  My mom and I are going to the babyfair on Sunday, so I am excited to get some good ideas and information
Thoughts? I continue to be amazed how fast and smoothly my pregnancy is going. I am finally enjoying and looking forward to all the changes that are happening. I cannot wait for him to get here.

Baby Gardner- 23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain.  15 lb I think, but will know for sure this week at our appt
Baby Development.  Our little nugget is now weighting over a pound and measures about11 inches. Over the coming weeks, he will gain 6 ounces a week- time to put some meat on those bones!!
Maternity Clothes?My wardrobe pretty much consists of leggings and one pair of skinny jeans that are still fitting for now. Did buy a few maternity tanks to cover the goods and also a pair of workout capri's that stay below the bump so i don't get indentations by the end of my spinning class
Stretch Marks? still clear
Sleep? sleeping great, even though my little man likes to have a dance party at about 11 pm
Best Moment of the week? Picking up our crib and placing the order for the other nursery furniture and officially clearing the nursery of everything non-baby!!
Symptoms? Leg cramps have been hitting in the middle of the night and still get heartburn with spicy food
Food cravings? Anything sweet: yogurt covered raisins, dove dark chocolate, whatever is in the house
Miss anything? Lunch meat sandwiches
Movement? Oh Yeah, this man is moving more and more.
Gender ? Little baby boy
Belly Button in or out? In
Goals for upcoming week? Pick out paint for the nursery and read more about breastfeeding(how often to pump, how long it can stay frozen/refrigerated, best way to warm milk, ). Also purchase bark collars(citronella) for the pups, no more barking like crazy when they hear a car door slam outside. Time to train these dogs to not wake up a sleeping baby
Looking Forward to?  Our 24 week appt, I love hearing that everything is going well and my my list of questions for the MD is pretty long, so it will be nice to get those answered.
Thoughts? Nothing new to report, just enjoying this time when I am feeling really good and still able to walk without a waddle.

The big 3-0

A few weeks ago I celebrated the year that I think, may be my favorite so far. I really thought it would be difficult to celebrate an end to the 20's, but it really was not bad. Looking back I had a great time, met some amazing people, and now I am ok with taking the next step. Granted, having a growing peanut inside me does make '30' seem a little sweeter, I think baby aside, I wouldn't want to be in my 20's again. I love being established, not having to worry about first dates, rent, being comfortable with my body, and most of all, figuring out who in life are good genuine people and which are just there for the party.

My 20's were interesting, I learned a lot about myself and other people, but now is the time to take that knowledge and put it to good use. Growing a family, experiencing milestones with the ones I love, and enjoying everything I have been blessed with. I am so excited for everything this next year has in store for me. I wouldn't trade any amount of money for the unbelievable experience I have had with my pregnancy this far. The first site of a bump, the first kick, seeing our little man with the hiccups on the ultrasound, and even the extreme tiredness and my ever changing body. It has truly been a gift. I LOVE YOU GROWING BABY GARDNER.

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff, lets get to the good part, BIRTHDAY GIFTS!!! Since my birthday fell on a Monday and both the hubby and I had to work (it is just another day, right), we decided just to make dinner at home and relax. Well, after some very yummy homemade Greek pizza for me and pepperoni for him, we dove(literally, didn't wait for Ross to walk over and get a fork-straight tongue to frosting) right in to the strawberry cake (our wedding cake!!) Ross brought home from Wheatfield's. And since he likes my growing Kim K butt so much, be brought me 2 pieces slabs of cake home.

Most delish cake EVER

 After enjoying my delicious cake, he brought out the present. As soon as I saw the box, carefully wrapped by Von Maur, I knew exactly what was inside. I tore into it, opened the big gorgeous box, and there it was, the Marc Jacobs Baby bag I wanted, but couldn't bring myself to splurge on. I felt like Carrie opening the box to a pair of blue satin Manolo Blahnik's (comparison of the year-lol). And the best part, he remembered, even though I showed him while he was sitting on the couch watching football a few months back. Its everything I wanted: black, large, not too 'diaper baggish' , and the hubby actually likes it.

As I was checking the compartments out modeling it for the hubs, I realized there was something inside.  I reach in and pull out a little pair of pants, followed by the tiniest little track jacket. Ross wanted to make sure the baby got something too-talk about melting my heart. I can just picture him in the baby department at Von Maur picking out a little outfit. It seriously brought tears to my eyes.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband and father-to-be in my life. With a man like this by my side, I know my 30's are going to be the best.

Thank you so much for all the birthday love, I am one lucky 30 year old!!!!