Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

How far along? 32 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs 3 3/4 pounds and measures 16.7 inches long; about the size of a squash or jicama
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I haven’t made any purchases in a few weeks and I think I have enough stuff to get me through the end of the pregnancy. Hard to believe that Baby will be here soon!
Miss anything? Being able to maneuver around without needing assistance.
Food cravings? I love pickles lately. I could eat them just as a snack (this is after hating them for years). We have lots of cucumbers in our garden so I’m looking into pickling our own! We’ll see if that pinterest project actually pans out.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not really anything new here.
Sleep: So I think my time of blissful sleep through the night has ended for the next several months. This past weekend I woke up a few times during the night whether it was to go to the bathroom, feeling the baby kick, or no reason at all. Either way, I think my body is getting ready for Baby’s arrival!
Best moment of the week: I don’t know what my best moment of the week was. Nothing really all that exciting happened but nothing bad happened either. Baby is still consistently moving and I can’t wait to hear the heartbeat again on Thursday! :)
Nursery: I made a little art project for the wall with my old card making supplies and a few additional cutouts. I have some ideas of other things to make but we’ll see how creative I actually get with them. Hoping that the hubs paints the nursery this weekend so I can get things organized in there!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? Lots of it! As I mentioned last week, the kicks and squirms are pretty strong. Some of them have even been mildly painful. Should be fun to see how much stronger these things get in the next few weeks!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: The back pain is still an issue. Thankfully my BRF got me a wonderful gift of a prenatal massage! I cannot wait to use it! The other weird thing that has started is that it just harder for me to move around. When going to sleep, I have to lie down and get up slowly. If I lay in the tub, sometimes I need help getting up. If I lay on the couch, I sometimes need to work hard to get up. I can imagine things will only get harder in the weeks to come!
Daddy is feeling: a little stressed and overwhelmed. Aren’t we all?
Mommy is feeling: Ready for the nursery to be done so I can do the fun part, decorating and organizing!
Workouts this week: Lots of walking, as usual. I went with my running club for a group walk and it was a lot of fun.  We even went out for ice cream afterwards!
Looking forward to: My first baby shower this weekend! I’m so excited to celebrate with my husband’s family. Everyone has been through so much lately and this baby has already brought so much happiness to them. I’m very much looking forward to hanging out with everyone in celelbration.

In July, I participated in the Foodie Penpal program through The Lean Green Bean's blog. My pal Kelly had participated last month and it seemed like so much fun so I thought I would give it a try. There are a few rules (of course), but basically you are assigned someone and you send them some fun food stuff in your area. You get their email so you're able to ask them some of their food preferences as well as their address. I wanted to send my person a fun Chicago box so I had lots of fun deciding what to include.

The person that was assigned my name was Melissa and she lives in Connecticut. I've never actually been to Connecticut before so I was looking forward to experiencing some food from different parts of the US! She listened to my weird pregnancy restrictions and wishes and what she delivered was fantastic!

The contents included:

• Ranch seasoning from a local spice shop. I've already used this seasoning on vegetables and it is quite outstanding. It would probably also be good mixed with some sour cream or greek yogurt as a veggie dip. With the fresh cucumbers we have in our garden, I just might have to experiment!
• Local honey. I haven't tried this yet but I'm sure it will be amazing!
• Lemon Lime and Sarsaparilla flavored soda from a local old-time soda shop. I love that she included caffeine free options for this pregnant mama! The Lemon Lime tasted like an unfrozen freeze pop. It made me feel like I was in a diner in a movie. The husband and I enjoyed the Sarsaparilla soda last night. It tasted very similar to root beer and was a nice after dinner dessert. :)
• Tomato-basil jam. We haven't tried this yet but I imagine it would be delicious on toast with an egg breakfast. Maybe we'll open it up this weekend?
• A lovely hand-written card explaining it all!

Last week my husband's grandpa passed away so I didn't have much time for blogging or a 30 week update.  Thank you all for your kind words on Facebook as we are going through this difficult time. It is greatly appreciated. I did still take a 30 photo, though. I can't believe so much time has gone by! Baby Wilson's due date is less than 9 weeks away!

How far along? 31 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs 3 1/3 pounds and measures 16 inches long; about the size of a coconut
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. Loving my maternity shorts in these warm temps!
Miss anything? Craft beer. This seems to be a frequent answer to this question.
Food cravings? Something fried. Probably not a good thing…
Anything making you queasy or sick? I’m still having an aversion to salad. Oops.
Sleep: I've still been able to get a good amount of sleep, but the back pain and strong kicks before bed make it a little difficult to fall asleep. Also, the mid-night bathroom trips have started. I imagine they will only get worse.
Best moment of the week: Hearing Baby’s heartbeat again! The sound NEVER gets old, seriously.
Nursery: All of my clutter is gone and a harry potter themed light switch panel has been ordered. This weekend the hubs will be painting so we can get the new-to-us dresser and bookshelf ready before our first baby shower on August 3!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? Lots of squirming, moving around, and kicking. The doctor said it should start coming into a more regular pattern now. The kicks are pretty forceful now. You can really see my belly move!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: The back pain is still by far the worst thing. I’ve been taking baths, self-massaging, and laying down when necessary. However, sometimes none of this stuff works and my back still hurts. I might have to bring a pillow to work or something. We don’t quite have the money right now for a pre-natal massage but I would really like to get one soon. Also, even though the temps in Chicago are crazy hot and humid, my hands are still somehow dry? Oh pregnancy hormones. You do weird things.
Daddy is feeling: the pressure to get things done in the nursery… We have been so busy almost every weekend, there is so much to do around the house
Mommy is feeling: Excited and getting ready!
Workouts this week: Lots of walking, as usual. A few quick jogs to cross the street (in which I have to go pee immediately afterwards) but that is about it.
Looking forward to: The nursery transformation! Hopefully we can get a lot done this upcoming weekend!

Erin at Loop Looks tagged me to answer some ABC questions so I thought I would oblige!

A. Attached or Single?

Attached. Been married for 3 years!

B. Best Friend?
I'd have to say my cousin. I don't have any sisters and neither does she. We are the same age (born 2 months apart) so we are natural besties (even though I'm sure we drive each other crazy sometimes). She is the closest thing I've ever known to a sister.

Additionally I think you all probably know who my best running friend is Maggie. We were around the same pace (at least, my pre-pregnancy pace), we would dress alike without even realizing it, and she is probably one of the best people that I've ever met off of the internet. :)

C. Cake or pie?
Cake please! [Red velvet] Cupcakes preferred.

D. Day of choice?

I like Saturdays best. They are usually my most productive day of the week and I can stay up as late as I want! Although these days, I can barely make it past 10pm.

E. Essential Item?

Hmm, that is a tough one. I don't really know what to say here. Comfy shoes?

F. Favorite color?

Green, any shade.

G. Gummy bears or worms?

Bears. I don't like the dual flavor combos of the worms.

H. Home town?

Oak Lawn, IL

I. Favorite Indulgence?
During this precnancy it has been donuts. I haven't had a donut in years and then I found them quite delicious and delightful when I needed to add an extra 300 calories per day to my diet. :) Not to mention, I discovered specialty bakeries as well. DD just doesn't do it for me.

J. January or July?

My birthday is in January so I think that's what I'll go with! :)

K. Kids?
If you're new here, I have one on the way!

L. Life isn't complete without?

Dessert. Period.

M. Marriage date?

June 12, 2010

N. Number of brothers/sisters?
2 brothers

O. Oranges or Apples?

Do I really have to choose? I love them both for very different reasons. I made the switch to organic apples a few months back and I can never go back to regular apples ever again. So delicious! Oranges are a bit of commitment fruit. You have to commit the time and energy to peel it, and then sometimes the insides are not sweet enough or kind of gross and then you are disappointed (with some very sticky hands). But when an orange is good, it is totally worth it.

P. Phobias?

I don't know if I have any real phobias. There are several things I don't like such as mice, ants, bees, running in the heat, other people's stray hairs... Have I grossed you out yet? Because I think I might go throw up.

Q. Quotes?

I've been a big fan of quoting Napoleon Dynamite lately. Perhaps it is because I haven't seen the movie in a long time and I recently remembered how much it makes me laugh. There is just something about it. "Do the chickens have large talons?"

R. Reasons to smile?

Every time the baby kicks, I can't help but smile. Even if it kicking my bladder when I have to go to the bathroom or painfully kicking my ribs... makes me smile every. damn. time. :)

S. Season of choice?

I love the spring time. It is great temps for running PRs, I get to bring out all the bright colored clothes that have been dormant all winter, flowers are blooming, and I get to enjoy some nice temps before the retched summer heat kicks in.

T. Tag 5 People

I usually don't do this but what the heck... If you don't feel like filling this out, I would totally understand.

Maggie @ Mag Mile Runner

Amanda @ Get To Goal

Amanda @ Too Tall Fritz

Stephanie @ Run For Fun

Kim @ Ilax Studio

U. Unknown fact about me?

I loved studying anthropology in college. I wanted to switch my major and spend my years digging in Central America. My mom laughed when I told her about the switch and said there is no way that is happening. So I got my degree in business, and I think it is a better fit for me in the end.

V. Vegetable?

Do sweet potato fries and onion rings count? Salads still sound pretty gross to me in this pregnancy. Probably not a good thing. Oops.

W. Worst habit?

I still bite my nails occasionally. I know it is a really gross habit. I stop for periods of time but then, I just can't help myself. It is probably how people feel about smoking.

X. X-ray or Ultrasound?

ULTRASOUNDS ARE THE COOLEST!! I never officially posted it on the blog, but if you want to see Baby's ultrasound photos, check out the "About Me" section. I have the 10, 12, and 20 week ultrasound photos posted. :)

Y. Your favorite food?

Mmmm, delicious, greasy pizza

Pizza. NOM NOM NOM

Z. Zodiac sign?

I’m a Capricorn.

Obviously this is not a fashion blog, but I have posted a few things here and there on fashion. Before I got pregnant, I felt I was in a bit of a clothing slump. I felt my wardrobe was frumpy and tired so I had talked to Erin at Loop Looks and she came to do a closet consultation! I felt this meeting gave me the kick I needed to get out of my slump. Just in time too, for my body to start changing and for me to embrace the bump as it continued/continues to grow and grow. Here are some tips the helped me still feel good and confident.

1) Accessorize: This is something I read all over the internet. I invested in some statement necklaces (I was able to get some cheaper items from Etsy and Groopdealz), got some skinny belts to accentuate my new waistline, and I got a few bracelets too. I've never really been one for accessories before, but this tip has definitely helped me feel a bit more "snazzy" in my maternity clothes. Very much a "fake it 'til you make it" kind of a thing. Dressing up every morning for work really does make me feel better in my maternity clothes.


2) Embrace Maternity Clothes: Some of my friends and co-workers held off purchasing any maternity clothes as long as possible. I made the switch probably earlier than I needed to but the pants are just so dang comfortable! Work pants was the hardest thing as they normally sit higher on the waist which was brutal during the nauseous phase and uncomfortable once the belly expanded past the "burrito for lunch" stage. (My full thoughts on brands of maternity clothes can be found here.) I found that I felt better once I was more comfortable. I felt most comfortable in flowy non-maternity tops and maternity pants. Although, now that I'm getting larger, the need for maternity tops is becoming greater. I guess that is what happens when you're in the third trimester! :)


3) Shoes: I think this kind of goes along with #1, but if your feet feel cute in some cute shoes, you'll probably feel better too. I invested in some nice comfy shoes that should last me through the end of the pregnancy. They aren't too bulky and look nice with skinny jeans (one of the downfalls of gym shoes). I also got some comfy flats and flip flops too for when I'm in the mood for something different. I don't normally buy shoes so for me, this was something special. If you normally buy lots of shoes anyways, ignore this note because you already know what I mean! :)

Only 1 of these dresses is maternity. Can you guess which one?

4) Dresses are your best friend: This is really the best advice I received. (I think Bobbi originally posted this on my Facebook page when we first announced that we were expecting.) I feel I was able to find some cute spring and summery dresses that will last me throughout my pregnancy. Some maternity, some not. (And some borrowed from a friend.) Here are some things that helped me when scouring the racks in the non-maternity section.
What to look for in non-maternity dresses:
a) Waistline --Would it hit above or on top of the belly?
b) Straps -- Can I wear a bra with this dress?
c) Stomach region -- How forgiving is it? stretchy? not-so-stretch? Is there a knot or some rouching for extra room?
d) Length -- Is it office-appropriate? When the bump expands and the hemline increases, will it still be comfortable?
If it meets all this criteria and you can also wear it after the baby, it is a win-win and you should buy said item immediately (that is, if you have a coupon or it is on sale).

I hope those of you pregnant mamas out there find these tips helpful! For those experienced mamas out there, are there any tips that I forgot to mention that helped you out? 

1) I had a really fun time meeting Anne this past weekend. Our in-laws both have cottages in Michigan and it was (strangely enough) easier for us to meet up in Michigan than in Illinois. We had plans to meet at this cute old time soda shop that also sold ice cream but when we arrived, they were randomly closed. Not to worry, we looked up a local Dairy Queen to walk to and still got ourselves some delicious ice cream. :) I love meeting bloggers in real life after you feel like you already know them from the internet. It is kind of weird yet cool all at the same time. One of the many reasons I love having my blog is all of the wonderful people I have met as a result. :)


2) This "30 signs you're almost 30" article from BuzzFeed has been making its way around the internet this week. Being 29 myself, lots of these things really hit home. Click on the link if you haven't done so already. My favorites were #3, 8, 9, 13, 17, 18, and soon to be #30.


3) I continue to be annoyed with pregnancy healthy food and snacking advice. I'm reminded weekly (if not more often) on the various baby apps that I have about what I should be eating and how I should be fueling. The most recent one included some tips on how to avoid ordering pizza and how to make a healthy alternative at home with an english muffin. Um, sorry but if I want pizza, I'm going to be ordering pizza. I did that before I was pregnant so why would I change now? Everything in moderation, just as in life.

What are some of your random thoughts this Thursday?

I'm in Michigan, celebrating this weekend with some relaxation, boating, ice cream, and lemonade. I hope you're having fun celebrating and relaxing this weekend too!