Bumpdate :: 37 Weeks

The bump is noticeably missing from this week's update but you get the idea: BIG.

Justin was out hanging Christmas lights on the house and it was getting dark so Gracyn and I did an impromptu photo shoot to make sure I actually put this small watermelon to work before I turn 38 weeks. I tried to use the self-timer on the camera but those weren't pretty so G is flying solo this time!

I've reached the puffy stage of pregnancy. My wedding ring hasn't fit for the past week or so and after this Thanksgiving weekend, my feet are constantly swollen and I officially have cankles. I'm measuring 1.5 weeks ahead of "schedule" but according to my doctor it isn't that big of a deal. I'll just be delivering a 13 pound baby in 2.5 weeks.

And yeah, this baby will be here in a little over 2 weeks. So crazy.

These are a few of my favorite things... {stocking stuffers}

Joining in on the link-up again today to discuss stocking stuffers for my cute little elves!

Does a newborn need a stocking? Probably not. Is the newborn getting a stocking? Most definitely. At first I had a hard time thinking of things to fill up their little stockings - things that would actually be used and played with as opposed to cheap trinkets that would end up being a waste of money. I think this is a good start!

{for the big girl}

1. I originally saw this purple sock monkey at Target - there was a matching pink one too - and I thought it would be fun to give one to each of the girls. I can't find them on the Target website so I'm not sure if it was just an in-store fluke or what. Amazon to the rescue.
2. We've watched Frozen twice now and if we're not careful I think Gracyn will become obsessed just like every other tiny human on the planet. I think she'd dig this Little People Princess Set.
3. Every time I wear a necklace, Gracyn likes to play with it and asks to wear it. She is seriously giddy once I put it around her neck and exclaim how pretty she looks. She has her own necklace and bracelet set that came from Carters and she loves it. I've been looking for plastic dress-up jewelry that she can play with on a daily basis. I thought this would be easy but I have yet to find exactly what I'm looking for. This necklace and bracelet pair is a start but I'm keeping my eye open in case I come across something better.
4. I can't believe we don't own a Mr. or Mrs. Potato Head yet. I don't even know if this will fit in a stocking but I think Santa needs to bring one to our casa this Christmas regardless.

{for the newborn}

1. A coordinating sock monkey to match big sister? Obviously.
2. This elephant teether is adorable. We already have Sophie but I'm thinking the babe would get a kick out of this too someday.
3. I am so excited to take baby girl's monthly photos. I was even more excited to order her stickers from Lucy Darling. I used Lucy Darling for G's stickers, too. I chose The Little Artist collection and I'm in love.
4. You know those crazy loop giveaways on Instagram? Where you have to "like" each picture and follow 43 shops at a time to be entered? Well, I'm kind of obsessed with entering and have found some great little shops along the way. Better yet, I actually WON a giveaway prize from Bannor Toys! I scooped up this handmade baby rattle in the shape of the state of Kansas. It will even have her name engraved on it. I can't wait to get it in the mail and see it in person.

These are a few of my favorite things... {my wish list}

Totally joining in on this fun link-up the next few Tuesdays. I'm always at a loss as to what to get people on my Christmas shopping list so I'm hoping to gather some inspiration from some bigger and better bloggers out there.

First up, though, is MY wish list in case any of you out there feel like buying me a present! Just kidding - really this is just for my husband to give him ideas, although I don't even know if he reads the 'ol blog on a regular basis or not. We'll see once Christmas comes around! :)

I'm not hard to please and I don't have expensive taste. I have a hard time justifying spending more than like $30 on anything for myself and my favorite store is pretty much Target which is why half the things listed come from that special, special place...

1. Post-Baby Clothes. Mostly cardigans (like here and here) and tops (here and here) that are functional, look decent enough that I can wear them to work and at home. Clothes that say "I'm 29" as opposed to the American Eagle graphic tees that I have hanging in my closet from circa 2003. Not that there's anything wrong with American Eagle. I could just use some updating, that's all. 
2. Candles. I've been a lover of Yankee Candle's Cranberry Chutney for as long as I can remember. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it, am I right?
3. Scarves. Here, here, and here. #targetdoesitagain
4. 2015 Planner. I don't lead a super-busy life or anything like that but I'm a big fan of making lists and writing things down so I think a planner could come in handy. Take the place of the 38421 "notes" I have saved on my iPhone.
5. Justin legitimately laughed at me when I said I wanted a few new CDs for Christmas. He said I should just download them from iTunes like a normal person. Duh. So maybe I will. At any rate, I'm loving Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and Phillip Phillips.
6. Perfume. I got this bottle from Victoria's Secret last year and still really like it so it's on the list again this year.

Happy Shopping! (wink, wink!)

Bumpdate :: 35 Weeks

Large and in charge with a side of crazy-eyes.

I don't know why but I had this goofy expression in every pic we took this afternoon. This is my "Hurry Up and Take the Picture, I'm Huge and Need to Sit Down and Rest Before I Pass Out" look.  I wear it well these days. At least Gracyn was kinda-sorta cooperating.

Oh, and that so-called maternity shirt I'm wearing? Stretched to the max and it won't be making another appearance here any time soon.

4.5 weeks to go!

Five on Friday

Is it me or was this just the longest week everrrrr?

{ONE :: Brrrr.}

It was 70 degrees on Monday. It was 35 degrees on Tuesday. It's supposed to snow this weekend. Not cool, Kansas. Not cool. I don't mind winter, I really don't, but I'd prefer if it would change over gradually instead of a polar vortex moving in and shocking our systems all at once.

{TWO :: Turkey Day}

We have no plans to travel for Thanksgiving this year. With baby girl scheduled to arrive 3 weeks after the fact, we just didn't feel like packing up and traveling. I'm actually kind of excited to stay home and possibly cook up a Thanksgiving feast for my little family. And by "cook" I mean watch help Justin as he does most of the heavy lifting while I watch the Thanksgiving Day parade and taste-test everything.

I might attempt to make a pie or something but I'm not known to be the best cook so it's best if I just hang back and do this...

{THREE :: Christmas Shopping}

I have big plans to really start my Christmas shopping this weekend. Justin and I are keeping it very low key this year when it comes to exchanging gifts with each other - just a few small items from our wish lists. Gracyn is getting a "big sister" gift the week before when baby girl arrives, so we aren't going crazy with her gifts either.

And what does a newborn really need for Christmas, anyway? Don't tell her, but she's kinda getting gypped for her first Christmas. She'll have a few gifts, don't worry, but at one-week old I don't think she'll notice.

{FOUR :: Name Game}

Speaking of baby girl - she finally has a name! Well, a first name. But a name nonetheless! We're still throwing around middle name ideas but it's so fun to actually call her by name. Every time we ask Gracyn what her sister's name is, she just says "Noooo. Baby nigh-nigh" which either means she doesn't like her sister's name or she doesn't like her sister. Time will tell how that one pans out...

{FIVE :: Hanna Andersson}

I had the privilege of going to a party for the new Hanna Andersson store that's opening up here in town with some of the other Kansas City Moms Blog ladies. I have to be honest, I wasn't really familiar with the Hanna Andersson brand but after spending way to many minutes hours browsing their website and seeing the majorly cute clothes in person, I'm a fan.

Their pajamas are adorable so of course the girls got a few matching pairs. They even make pjs for adults. Do you think I could convince Justin to get matching Christmas pajama sets for the entire family? I'm thinking it needs to happen...

Happy Weekend!

I'm linking up. You should link up, too!

Gender Neutral {Baby Shower}

This last Saturday, my mom, sister-in-law and I hosted a baby shower for my bestest friend and cousin, Alyssa. She's getting ready to welcome her first bambino at the end of the month and it was so fun to have all of her family and friends over to celebrate the new mama.

She doesn't know if she's having a boy or girl (for the record, I'm team GIRL...) so we had to come up with a theme that wasn't too manly or frilly. Enter "Vintage Gender Neutral" - at least that's what I'm calling it! We scoured Pinterest for ideas, my mom brought most of the decorations, we made some yummy snacks and I think it turned out pretty sweet!

Baby Blumhardt, we are SO excited to meet you! You are already loved by so many people...

Bumpdate :: 33 Weeks

We missed a few weeks but here we are - 33 weeks along. It definitely feels like I have a pineapple all up in my business. What I presume is her tushy is up in my ribcage making it difficult to breath 99% of the time. Heels and fists make runs across my stomach all day long and sometimes it even takes me by surprise. It doesn't "hurt" but it's def uncomfortable at times as my muscles stretch. If I move a certain way, I can feel some twinges and little spasms here and there too. Fun times, for sure.

Also, never mind my appearance. We spent the day deep cleaning Casa de Oakley and I'm pretty sure I haven't showered since last Thursday...

She's the best.