Still pregnant….I don’t know why but I really didn’t think I’d see 40 weeks this time around. I guess I thought by the third kid my body would know the drill. It’s all good though. I just keep reminding myself how much her brain is developing, and how this is simply the calm before the storm so to speak. Once she is out we have three kids!! Ahhh three kids!!!
Lately my husband and I have had a hard time falling asleep at night. I don’t know if it’s our anxious minds, our over dosing on caffeine, or God allowing us to have some special time together. Let’s just say pillow talk has been at an all time high! We have watched countless movies, laughed and joked together, dreamed about our future and what our new daughter will be like. It has been very special to me and I know the memories out weigh the lack of sleep.
We’ve been trying to do as much fun stuff with the boys as possible before sister gets here (#pinkinvasion we call it). We go swimming, hit up the library, explore a new park, or find new favorite treats (ice cream, doughnuts, candy from the gas station where mommy always gets a huge cup of crunchy ice!!) on a weekly basis. Other fun summer activities include going to the zoo, the Indians game, putt putt golf, numerous trips to the lake, and Cohen even got to go to the Brickyard 400 with daddy. Kempton has enjoyed being mommy’s side kick this summer and has even embraced the pink! I think he’s going to love having a sister what do you think?! One special thing we did as a family was go to build a bear and make sister a special bear. Brooks and I started this tradition when I was pregnant with Cohen. We make each of our children a special bear with our voices in it. This time we let the boys come with us and it turned out to be a very fun family memory.
In other news I just recently stopped working. Normally the summer is a very slow time in the makeup business, but I’ve been surprisingly busy. I kept getting asked to work jobs, or to do makeup consultations, and I didn’t want to turn them down. Just last week I finally said I’m officially on maternity leave! I would of never been able to do it without a supportive husband, a helpful mother-in-law, and my Blanqi support tank!! I’m serious guys, this support tank is the bee’s knees. Definitely a maternity must have.
39 weeks
How far along: 39 weeks and 5 days
Baby is the size of a: mini watermelon. Between 6 and 7 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Outfits from Pink Blush, Jeans from A Pea in the Pod, and my Blanqi tank. Other than that I have loved free people all throughout my pregnancy because I know I am buying pieces I can wear both now and post pregnancy. Their clothes are so flowy in the middle, yet tight on the arms. I am able to buy my normal size and feel comfortable that I am not stretching anything. Also I’ve been buying a lot of basic tanks and wearing vests over top. I’m all about investing in clothes that you can get the most benefit from. If this is your first baby I totally encourage getting some great staple maternity pieces. Another thing I’ve been known to do is shop the men’s basic section. Since my husband wears size Med I am able to buy nice soft shirts for us to share! It’s funny cause just today I was searching all over for a shirt and come to find out he was already wearing it!
Sleep: I have a hard time falling asleep at night. Not because I’m uncomfortable, but because my mind is constantly going. I find once I’m asleep I sleep good and hard but then any noise, or urge to pee can wake me up and keep me up. I’ve been taking little cat naps during the day and that has been helping a lot. I guess my body is preparing itself for the upcoming interrupted sleep.
Exercise: We take Emmy on long family walks every night.
Movement: She is a mover and a shaker! I joke that she is already a little ballerina.
Any Cravings: The ice craving has somewhat ceased. Although I’m still a sucker for a 44oz gas station cup full of crunchy ice.
Miss Anything: Wine, summer concerts, the fair, my ankles.
Anything make you queasy or sick: The puking/pooping part in Bridesmaids gets me every time.
Any Labor Signs: Lots of contractions. 3cm dilated and 50% effaced.
Wedding ring on or off: On but I’m starting to get a bit puffy.
Happy or Moody: Mostly happy, but I have my days.
Looking forward to: Meeting this baby girl and having all of my family around.
Best moment of the week: Spending quality time with my mom shopping for baby girl. Also finalizing the name with daddy and starting to call her by name.
This pregnancy has been such a blessing from God. I’ve never enjoyed being pregnant like I have this time. I have felt great, been able to spend lots of quality time with my kids, and I’ve taken time to document so much of this last go round. Our family has bonded over this baby and the fact that it’s a girl is just icing on the cake. I finally feel more than ready to close this chapter of my life. This is it! The last time I’ll be pregnant, and I’m really okay with that.
In the last few weeks I’ve been focusing on soaking up special time with Kempton, knowing pretty soon he is going to look like such a big boy. It makes me sad to think he will no longer be the baby. I’ve also loved spending one on one time with Cohen and talking about how he has such a special role as oldest in the family. Brooks and I have grown even closer over the past 9 months. Just the other night he looked at me and said “how did we get so lucky to find each other?! Do you think this is how all married couples feel?” We’ve been together for almost 11 years now and our love just keeps getting stronger. Thinking of him having a daughter almost brings me to tears and I just can’t wait to see how God creates a special soft spot in his heart.
Ok sorry for the sappy pregnant emotion. I just never want to forget all these amazing feelings. God has been so good to our family and now all we can do is pray for a safe delivery and a healthy baby! Thanks to everyone for following along with me on this journey. It won’t be long now….
Photo by the amazing Ashley Elizabeth Moore!
xo Mandy
Ps. I’ve got the Grand Finale of pink invasion giveaways going on over on instagram. Check it out @madeoverbymandy. One lucky follower will win the whole list of my favorite items for baby girl!!
I usually make a piece of whole grain toast with pb2 and nutella. No one else in my family really likes it so I get the whole jar to myself!!
mandy odle 
