an emmerson update

I might possibly be the worst at keeping you guys updated on the happenings inside my belly.

Awkward? Sorry.

I always planned on doing weekly baby bump pictures/updates...

well, here I am, 28 weeks later...whoops.

So, here's my third trimester update!

(Better late than never to start, right?)

We have 12 more weeks until little girl graces the world with her presence. 

I had a moment of shock when I realized that. 

12 weeks?! 

That's like..tomorrow.

According to my nifty baby app, Emmerson is 2.2 pounds/15 inches long (a cucumber.)

According to my weight and the amount of movement, she's the whole Veggie Tales cast.

(This is where some bloggers make mention about their weight gain...ain't happening.

Let's just say I'm looking forward to stepping into that gym post-baby!)

I've tried to get "maternity" clothes that I can wear after baby. 

Mostly sweaters, which I like big and comfy, no matter what size I am! 

But, maternity jeans/leggings...my best friends. 

Why would I even want to go back to normal buttons and zippers?

Sleep has gotten more and more...interesting. 

I'm usually a stomach and back sleeper. 

Both of which I've had to train my body to stop. 

Also, I'm a turner.

 Every few hours, I have to switch sides. 

Poor Husband, we've had to resort to two different comforters because of my constant tossing and turning.

Best moments so far?

Seeing the potato's heartbeat (week 5 does not look like a baby)

Hearing the heartbeat for the first time.

Seeing the ultrasound that actually looked like a baby.

It's a GIRL!

Registering/Pinteresting

Any and every conversation that Husband and I have about our little girl.

Feeling those first "flutters."

Seeing my stomach twitch and roll.

Baby showers.

I started out with awful morning/all day sickness. 

Thankfully, that went away around week 14.

But, the constant symptom has been acid reflux. 

TUMS have become my daily "dessert" after most meals.

Yumm-o.

I'm hot. 

All the time.

I'm usually freezing, so this has been the biggest change.

I'm so, so thankful for TN's Fall and Winter weather!

Is back/hip pain a symptom? 

Cause, there's that.

All of which I just put under the "growing pains" category.

So.

Totally.

Worth it.

Snickers and Sandwiches.

All day.

My belly button is morphing.

Kind of being stretched flat.

Weird.

Her nursery theme is maps and hot air balloons.

Adventure!

Pastel yellows, blues, greens.

I wish I had adorable pictures to show my growing belly, but my self conscience-ness of being in front of a camera has doubled since being pregnant.

I love my belly.

It's the puffy face and arms I could do without.

Again I say,

So.

Totally.

Worth it.

Well, there you go, (Mom, random friends/family members)

an Emmerson Marie update.

mini messages

Dear hash browns,
You are officially my first pregnancy driven craving. Congrats! Now Husband, keep 'em coming.

Dear Dancing with the Stars,
I have never watched you, but I started last night because of my love for Duck Dynasty's sweet Sadie Robertson (and Carlton.) But, is it a written rule that dancers/celebrities are supposed to be SO mushy gushy touchy feely? Do those people get extra points? Creeeeepy.

Dear Bailee girl,
You have no idea how much my heart hurt driving away from the vet without you! I hope you are staying warm and they're giving you extra loves. You are quite aware of how cute you are, so I'm sure you're milking it.

Dear Emmerson Marie,
Grow baby girl, grow! I feel you moving ever so slightly, can't wait for those strong kicks!

Dear Water,
Taste better so I'll want to drink more of you.

saturday

(baking with my little girl last week)

Today's high is 72, but I don't think it's gotten above 64.

That, my friends, is the sign of a great day.

Husband spent the early part of the day doing manly things with wood and tools.

While the girls stayed home and watched the amazing movies abcfamily has going on right now.

I also re-read my blog posts.

I'm so glad I started this "diary" four years ago.

The journey and memories are so precious to me.

The best part about today is what's to come.

The husband and I are finally baby registering!

It's like shopping without spending a dime.

(Which is convenient when you don't even have a dime to spend!)

Woo Hoo, date night!

Oh! I'm gonna break out the first scarf of the Fall!

Things are getting fancy over here!

Happy Weekend!

monday words

"Oh the weather outside is frightful..."

Too soon?

Although, we have been having multiple rainy days and nights the past few weeks.

And since "I love all things that make people miserable"

(as my friend so lovingly put it)

I have enjoyed every minute of the rain.

Rain brings cold.

Cold brings sweaters, moccasins, boots, candles, pumpkins (the list never ends.)

Not to mention the holidays that are soon to arrive!

Halloween, Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS.

And ohmylanta...

Emmerson is due anywhere from Christmas Eve to the beginning of January.

(2 guesses which date I'm hoping she chooses to arrive!)

The excitement is almost too much to bear.

Pregnancy has been everything I wanted and more than I imagined.

I haven't really experienced crazy cravings, I naturally love and crave food, so no noticeable difference from any other day in the life of Lauren.

But the hormones?

Oh man...those are real.

Poor Brandon. He truly has been the best during my crazy spells.

Like one day I woke up completely convinced he didn't love me anymore.

And he won't let me watch Criminal Minds because pregnant Lauren takes their stories as REAL LIFE and WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN?

All crazy spells come with the company of pretty impressive cries.

And I know I'm being irrational, but my feelings and heartbreak is so real!

So real.

Thanks to amazing family members and my knack for painting and reusing furniture, 

Emmerson's nursery is basically complete.

It's my favorite room in the whole world.

If I'm ever feeling sad, I just grab a blanket and snuggle on the floor of her room.

The puppies follow me and think I'm crazy.

Which, I am...but also pregnant, so it's allowed.

And let's just be real for a second,

I am t-terrified of labor and all that follows.

Pain and me...we ain't homies.

Paper cuts bring a tear to my eye.

So, I cannot even imagine.

And I try my hardest to NOT imagine...

and Husband forbade me from reading all the "horror" stories of labor.

T-totally worth it, Lauren.

All in all, life is pretty near perfect here in our slice of the world.

Just waiting on a job.

The big j.o.b.

Teaching has proven to be more difficult and "unreachable" as of now.

Plus add in the fact that I'm over 5 months pregnant...

I walk into a place (belly first) and they see someone who will work for a few months, take a maternity leave, and never return.

Talk about discrimination.

If they only knew I'd kill to work for them and bring some more financial stability to our house.

When those moments overwhelm me and I begin to feel worthless, 

I look down at my growing belly,

over to my handsome husband, 

and up to my amazing Heavenly Father,

and remember that this...

all this,

is in His hands.

dreaming of baby girl...

She has a gender.

She has a name.

She has a face that husband already claims has my nose.

She has us wrapped and we haven't even "met" her yet.

I can't stop remembering seeing her at the ultrasound yesterday.

30 minutes of uninterrupted Emmerson movie-time.

I prayed for clear boy/girl parts and baby girl was in the perfect position 

(little behind sticking straight up.)

Cute for now, but we'll work on lady like positions when she's here.

She was moooooooving.

Active little girl.

(Can't actually feel her yet, but she was swinging all arms and legs, 

opening and closing her cute little mouth.)

Dancer, maybe?

Pinterest is no longer a safe place for me.

Give me all things baby girl!

Headbands! Oh the headbands.

(Not the oversized bows/flowers though. 

Simple, precious is the key.)

Everything I'd wear, but mini sized.

Yes, I will be that mom.

The one that occasionally matches with her baby.

No shame.

I hope she has Husband's black hair and freckles.

And Mamaw's smile.

I've already cried thinking about her daddy giving her away at her wedding.

And telling her all about the lady her middle name came from (my Mamaw.)

Oh, Emmerson Marie, you have stolen our hearts and turned our world upside down.