Maternity Photos

Well, it has been a hot minute since I last posted. My last post was a 39 week bumpdate, but I ended up going 11 days overdue and had Abiageal on March 6th, 2017, and now I have a 7 week old! I've been thinking about posting her birth story on here, to share and to keep, but it's probably going to be a while (let's be honest).

It's really been great, despite recovering from a c-section (helllllo house cleaner!), and our little chicky is so happy and healthy.

Anywho, I wanted to share the photos my sister in law took of me! I was 34 weeks along in these pictures :)

All photos courtesy of Treasured Forever Photography!

I'll be sure to share Abiageal's newborn photos too! I somehow found the time to make this post because it's 7am and of course I'm wide awake while Abby sleeps soundly in her bassinet. 

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 39 Weeks

How far along: 39 Weeks

Gender: Girl

Belly Measurement: 38 cm as of Tuesday. My belly had stopped at 37 cm for 3 weeks, then bam another centimeter! It could also have been the position baby was in when she measured. I see my midwife again next Tuesday!

Maternity clothes: Yeeeepppppp.

Sleep: Pretty frustrating. Up to pee, braxton hicks, and hip pain when I lay on my right side. Also, heartburn.

Best moment this week: Rob came with me to my midwife appointment, as he wasn't working, and he got to hear her heartbeat as well! I'm also negative for that group B strep thing, which means no IV for me if I can help it during labour!

Worst moment this week: Heartburn is going to be the death of me, or someone. I'm living off Tums! Knock on wood, but today hasn't been bad at all. Also, midwives suggested walking or swimming to help with labour, and I haven't been doing that (except walking around the grocery store and cleaning the house) so I basically got called out in front of Rob, lol.

Miss anything: Not having heartburn, and just not being pregnant.

Movement: Quite a bite. She likes to move her bum and feet along my bra line but it doesn't hurt. This past week or so though, she likes to push on my left side and it's actually a little painful. I try pushing her back to stop but it doesn't work. I was worried last night because I realized she had hardly moved all day, but she started moving around while I was bed.

Cravings: Just orange juice and berries still. 

Queasy or sick: Yes. Taking my nausea meds in the morning as well as at night now.

Looking forward to: I believe the last bit of pregnancy is so uncomfortable so that you're okay with the impending doom of all that pain to get her out. We're ready for her to come, but we're enjoying our time together, the silence, and the ability to get out of the house whenever we want, but I am SO DONE being pregnant. It's taking a huge toll on me to constantly have heartburn and the other side effects. I'd be okay going into labour right now just so it could start being over with. So, in short, I'm looking forward to the pregnancy symptoms to be gone, but I guess you get a whole new set of symptoms after labour. 

Hopefully this is my last bumpdate!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 36 Weeks!

But seriously, how does Rob get toothpaste on the mirror every. single. time?!

How far along: 36 weeks/1 day in the picture

Gender: Girl

Belly Measurement: As of Tuesday, it was 37 cm, so about a week ahead.

Maternity clothes: Everything lol.

Sleep: Last Friday was glorious, I slept straight from 9:30pm-4:30am before a pee break. No such luck since. If I find a comfy position, usually a Braxton Hicks forces me to move, or I'm up to pee.

Best moment this week: I'm all done work! I'm officially on maternity leave :)

Worst moment this week: My gosh, the heartburn. It. Won't. Quit.

Miss anything: Not having heartburn and being able to dry my legs after a shower or put on socks without having to pee afterwards from bending forward.

Movement: Quite a bit, but her movements have become more gentle as she gets squishier in there. Rob saw my belly move yesterday and I've been seeing it a lot more! She doesn't move if I lay on my left side, so at night I try and sleep on my right side for a bit just to feel her move. Trying to soak it in as this very well could be my only pregnancy and it's almost over!

Cravings: As of lately, fruit! Mostly berries, grapes, and orange juice. A bowl of fresh fruit is SO good with cinnamon sprinkled on top.

Queasy or sick: Still occasionally nauseas some days, despite still taking meds. Can't wait to be done that!

Looking forward to: All the 0-6 month clothing is currently in the washer/dryer, so folding and hanging all of that today! I also have a baby shower next week on Sunday and I'm sooooo looking forward to it! As terrified as I am for labour, I'm also intrigued. I wonder how it'll start for me, how I cope, and when it will start. Last night after a pee break, it took a little while for me to go back to sleep because of an intense period cramp-like pain. It kind of set in that she could come any day now, so it kicked my butt in gear this morning to organize her room a little bit and wash those clothes! Also, time to start planning freezer meals.

Bumpdate || 33 Weeks!

How far along: In this picture, 33 weeks/2 days. Today I am 34 weeks!

Gender: Girl

Belly Measurement: Unsure, but assuming all is great. My midwife is on holidays so I saw a different midwife and she just said "perfect!" when she measured this past Tuesday but didn't tell me the number. I also didn't ask, haha.

Maternity clothes: Yep. Everything except the cardigans! My belly has juuuuust about outgrown a few of my maternity shirts, but I got more during our trip to BC over the holidays. I'm good now until she pops out of me!

Sleep: It's okay. Since my last bumpdate, we went to BC for 2 weeks and I found it difficult to sleep well as we weren't in our own bed. Being back, it's a lot better. Braxton Hicks contractions started last week and kept me up a couple nights because they'd only go away if I changed position. The midwife I saw on Tuesday said her head is really, really low so that could also be contributing to the cramping I've been having. Now I have a cold and woke up with a fever this morning, so sleep was hard but I did end up getting 10.5 hours (according to my FitBit).

Best moment this week: Coming home and being back into our routine and I'm able to start getting things done around the house.

Worst moment this week: This cold! Rob and his mom had it for almost the entire time we were in BC, and it started hitting me the Sunday morning we flew back to Alberta. It's slowly progressing and this morning I woke up with a fever and a swollen throat. One symptom at a time apparently, but it's better in some ways because I'm not completely bed-ridden. I took today off work to rest and relax and hoping to go back tomorrow!

Miss anything: My energy.

Movement: Some times at night it feels like she's going to burst out the side of my belly, but it doesn't hurt. She's pretty active, and her little feet or bum keep pushing my bra up on my left side ;) She's still head down but facing posterior. I have some moves I'm going to start doing so she turns to face my spine for an easier labour.

Cravings: Sweet things, but not necessarily sweets. Orange juice and fruit are big right now. My appetite has gone down a bit with this cold, but the raspberries I had with my lunch were divine.

Queasy or sick: Occasionally slightly nauseas but not enough where I feel like I'll puke. Still taking my nausea meds before bed!

Looking forward to: My last day of work is January 27th, then I can start making freezer meals and getting things done around the house! Also, maternity photos this coming Sunday, and baby shower on the 5th of February! Oh, and I guess meeting our baby and wondering when labour will start. ;)

I missed a few weeks (obvs) of bumpdates, but I did take a picture the morning we arrived in BC at 31 weeks/2 days!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks today!

Gender: Girl

Wedding rings on/off: Off - when I get warm, my hands have always swelled, which I think is typical for anyone, but I was scared of my rings getting stuck so I took them off this past Friday and have them in a safe place. It feels so weird being ringless after wearing them for over 4 years.

Belly Measurement: I see my midwife this upcoming Tuesday, but I'm going to assume on that day I'll be 29 cm

Maternity clothes: Living in my Old Navy maternity jeans and the WalMart brand leggings my friend gave me

Sleep: Better than the previous bumpdate! I've just found, while it's fun to go and hang around friends, being DD is the worst on my sleep. We'd get home around 12/1am but I'd still get up to pee and still wake up hungry/not able to go back to sleep at about 7am on the weekends. I'd end up having a headache and no energy for the rest of the day, and I really hated my weekends being gone because of that.

Best moment this week: We purged more than half the things from the room in the basement (and have yet to take it to the dump...) and I sorted through all the hand me downs that we've received. I also finished our registry. Feeling a little better about the idea of a baby being in our house in ~12 weeks.

Worst moment this week: I took the glucose test this morning - yuck! I felt a lot better than I thought I would though, and the lady who drew my blood said I could consider that a good sign.

Miss anything: Sleeping soundly, but I know I've hit the point of no return on that ;)

Movement: Lots! She's also getting stronger. Rob hasn't felt her yet. We tried! She'd move and I'd put his hand on my belly, then she'd stop until he took his hand off. Attitude already!

Cravings: Not that I can think of really. I had one day where I just really wanted orange juice so Rob picked some up for me on his way home from work.

Queasy or sick: Holy, apparently I still can't go without my nausea meds at 7 months pregnant. Last Saturday morning I woke up feeling a little funny but I just thought I was hungry. Nope. Turns out I had forgotten my meds the night before because I had to RUN to the bathroom from the couch. Unfortunately, I couldn't hold it back and I heaved mid run - twice. Caught it in my hands the first time, then the second heave went down the front of my pajama shirt. Luckily I missed the rug and that my dogs are gross because by the time I was done puking in the toilet, there was no mess for me to clean up in the living room, hahaha! Sorry for the gross story! I ended up taking a gravol, as the water and granola bar came up shortly after my first episode and I could already feel myself getting a headache and I didn't want to end up at the hospital again. When I puke, I just don't stop apparently.

Looking forward to: Christmas! 

Bumpdate || 26 Weeks!

How far along: 26 weeks

Gender: Girl

Belly Measurement: 26 cm, right on target! 

Maternity clothes: Oh yes. My friend was super generous and when she gave us a ton of baby stuff, she gave me some maternity clothes too.

Sleep: It's not very good the past week or so - up every 2 hours super thirsty and needing to pee, so I'm going pee then having some water, therefore needing to get up again in a couple hours to pee. Oi vey! Along with some pretty vivid dreams that are borderline nightmares.

Best moment this week: Feeling more and stronger movements

Worst moment this week: Not sleeping very well but I manage well throughout the day despite my lack of sleep. So far.

Miss anything: Having more options to pick through when choosing my outfit for the day, haha!

Movement: Lots, and she's definitely getting stronger! Even with the placenta up front, I feel a ton.

Cravings: Not really. I seem to be more into baking, even if I don't want to eat it, and making biscuits or bread from scratch. It feels homey!

Queasy or sick: Still occasionally. Still taking 2 pills at night as I'm way too nervous to stop. 

Looking forward to: Sorting through all the baby stuff that we've received! I wasn't feeling "ready" for a while there because while we were receiving a ton of stuff, I didn't have anything at the house. Now that our nursery/guest room is piling up with stuff, I've been feeling better and a little less anxious about how close I'm getting to my due date.

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 23 Weeks!

Happy Halloween! Last night I went to a Halloween party at a friend's house and dressed up as Winnie The Pooh :) It was comfy and easy to put together! I painted a mason jar to be my Hunny pot, which I drank virgin Shirley Temples (thanks Cali!) and water out of all night, and I used some felt fabric and sewed the ears on a cheap headband. The tops were found at Value Village! I could only find a cardigan in the right orange/yellow colour, so I wore it backwards and simply folded a small red shirt over top. Couldn't find a dress or the right colour bottoms, so I opted for my jeans.

How far along: 23 weeks 2 days.

Gender: Girl

Belly Measurement: Assuming 23cm, but I'll know on November 15, my next midwife appointment. 

Maternity clothes: Definitely. Found a black tank top in my closet that still fits nicely even though it isn't maternity :) 

Sleep: Okay. Up once or twice to pee, as usual. My nose is constantly stuffed and I think having the furnace on now is messing up my nose, which in turn isn't letting me sleep as soundly. I was up early yesterday because I was super hungry, and up early this morning because my nose was plugged and my ears hurt. Time to try out a humidifier!

Best moment this week: Feeling movement with my hand for the first time the other night! 

Worst moment this week: My nose/sinuses! It constantly feels like I have a cold. I swear I go through a box of kleenex every week, especially in the mornings. I've been asked at work if I've caught the cold going around, but I really don't think I have. Just pregnancy fun!

Miss anything: Nothing I can really think of.

Movement: Quite a bit! Especially at night when I lay down, or any time I'm on my back really. She's getting stronger and I can feel her more, even with the placenta being anterior.

Cravings: Nothing crazy.

Queasy or sick: Apparently I still can't go without nausea meds. I realized on Thursday, when I suddenly felt like barfing everywhere at work, that I had forgotten to take my meds the night before. I've weaned myself down to only 2 pills at night, rather than the 4-5/day and I apparently can't miss them.

Looking forward to: Getting all the hand-me-downs we're receiving and organizing it all (we have the best family and friends!). Also, only 2 months until we're in BC for Christmas!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 22 Weeks!

How far along: 22 weeks.

Gender: Girl!

Belly Measurement: K, so, I've changed this from Weight Gain to Belly Measurement because it's a huge (I hate using the word but...) trigger for me. It's hard seeing the number creep up after my almost 2 years of clean eating and exercising, even though it's a mixture of my uterus, placenta, water weight, breasts, etc.. I just don't think it's good for my mental health right now to focus on a number. My midwife agreed that it's best I don't weigh myself until around 37 weeks (for the hospital's knowledge just in case) and we will go by how I feel and my belly's measurement. I eat relatively healthy still and allow myself some treats. All that really matters is that my uterus and baby are growing according to my pregnancy. My body will also gain what it needs to gain for this babe. So, my belly is measuring 22cm as of 2 days ago, which is right on target!

Maternity clothes: Yep, definitely.

Sleep: Pretty good still. Getting 8-9 hours every night and down to 1 or 2 pee breaks.

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at the midwife appointment.

Worst moment this week: Stepping on the scale at the midwife clinic but I'm ready to move on from that. 

Miss anything: Nothing off the top of my head.

Movement: Minimal, but hearing her heartbeat on Tuesday reassured me. She was moving around a lot after my 20 week ultrasound, then the past 4 days she moved maybe once or twice that I felt. I have an anterior placenta, so that may have a big part in it.

Cravings: It's random and if I smell something good, I want it. I can usually work past it and just deal with what I have in my lunch or what's in the house for dinner. 

Queasy or sick: Occasionally nauseas still. I'm weaning off my meds and usually only take the 2 pills at night.

Looking forward to: Halloween! My first Halloween with a baby bump :)

xo. Nicole

Baby Maxfield Gender Reveal!

Well, here we are in the 20th week of my pregnancy! I did a bumpdate for it the other day, but this week is especially special because we got to find out the sex! We had our family over for dinner last night before we opened the pumpkin to reveal either a small blue pumpkin, or a small pink one. Our friend Megan was given the sealed envelope, the big pumpkin, pink and blue paint, and the small pumpkin right after the ultrasound. She was sworn to secrecy, she wasn't even allowed to tell me!

Most of the Old Wives Tales pointed to a girl. I have gotten so many people telling me "oh you have this symptom so it's obviously a girl/boy!" Well, no. All of those Old Wives Tales are just for fun! When you think about it, they have a 50% chance of being right, so a lot of people end up believing them. The signs and symptoms, like carrying low, the heart rate, the amount of all-day puking, acne, heartburn, it's literally just how your body does pregnancy. Despite all that, it was still fun to use the OWT's to guess the sex before we knew!

I tried to keep decorations at a minimum because really, all of that work for a 2 second pull-the-pumpkin-out felt like a waste. I also kept a small pumpkin theme, as we were finding out what our little pumpkin would be :)

The ultrasound on Thursday morning was a long 45 minute one, but it was the anatomy scan. Baby was facing away from us and sleeping for most of it, so the ultrasound tech got plenty of the pictures she needed. She was determined to get the sex for us (and she needed baby to face us, or switch positions at least for the heart pictures) so she had me do some jumping jacks and try eating the candy that I had in my purse. Well, it worked because...

It's a girl! 

It definitely feels different, knowing the sex. It feels a lot more real knowing we have a baby girl arriving in ~4.5 months!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 20 Weeks!

How far along: 20 weeks.

Gender: Unknown, we find out tomorrow evening at our Gender reveal dinner!

Weight gain: Last known was 6lbs, not sure right now.

Maternity clothes: Yep! Everything I'm wearing, except my cardigans, are maternity.

Sleep: Pretty good! Getting 8-9 hours every night. For the past 4 nights I've been getting up at exactly 12:51am to go pee and then again around 3:50...so weird.

Best moment this week: Seeing baby at the ultrasound this morning, knowing things are developing normally.

Worst moment this week: For the past 2 weeks I've had gas and stretching pains that would kick in when I'd stand up. All for good reason because apparently it grew 4 inches this week. Baby's measuring 16 cm as of this morning :)

Miss anything: This week has actually been wine! Once or twice I've wanted it, but nothing major.

Movement: Definitely. The ultrasound this morning confirmed that the placenta is at the front so it explains why I don't feel much, but I do feel the flutters really low. I can tell it isn't gas now!

Cravings: Nothing that sticks out this week.

Queasy or sick: Occasionally nauseas. Too nervous to stop my meds completely but I can usually skip my afternoon pill now.

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender tomorrow night! I've prepped a little chalkboard (well, foam board) and a pumpkin for our reveal. My friend is currently painting the pumpkin the appropriate colour and will put it inside the big one! :)

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 18 Weeks!

Sneaky break time selfie because I forgot to take a picture in the morning before work...again. My friend Allison recommended a selfie stick because it comes with the tripod attachment. May be worth it!

How far along: 18 weeks 

Gender: Unknown

Weight gain: 6 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yep! I bought some from Old Navy, though I found the jeans are a little big right now. They keep falling down during the day, but it's nice to have the option. 

Sleep: Pretty good actually! My fitbit says I'm getting over 8 hours and I'm sleeping pretty heavily with only one pee break.

Best moment this week: Feeling movement that actually felt like movement on Wednesday or Thursday maybe? Haven't really felt it since, just the occasional jab at my bladder. When that happens, I don't feel the movement, just the sharp, not-so-painful feeling of it being hit. Also, Rob found a job and starts this coming Tuesday! Only 2 weeks of him being unemployed but it made us realize how badly we really need to start saving, especially if it happens again. With his new job, we'll also need a second vehicle before baby comes in February because I'll be without for 10 days in a row - not good for doc apps or emergencies.

Worst moment this week: I can't recall anything off the top of my head, which is nice :)

Miss anything: Same old, same old.

Movement: Some obvious movement for a day this past week, but not so much anymore.

Cravings: Poutine, perogies, taquitoes, hashbrowns, cheese, oranges, and whatever's not in my lunch.

Queasy or sick: A few bouts of nausea and some wicked heartburn kicked in. Diclectin is still working well for me!

Looking forward to: Gender reveal in 2 weeks!! Rob still thinks it's a boy and I'm undecided. Half the old wives tales say boy, the other half say girl. In all the ultrasounds, it's been lying on it's back at the bottom of my uterus and kicking away. So maybe it is a boy! I've been finding myself wondering more and more and what it'll be like having a boy or a girl.

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 17 Weeks!

Again, no one to take the picture at 7:30 in the morning, so this is my makeshift selfie off a sugar jar on the kitchen counter to get a somewhat flattering angle, haha!

How far along: 17 Weeks 1 Day

Gender: Unknown - 3 more weeks!

Weight gain: 4 lbs total

Maternity clothes: I found I don't like the maternity jeans that I bought and I'm desperate for some that actually fit well. Hopefully I can find a cheap pair that can be my go-to. I also am down to 3 tops that fit that I can wear to work. I'm in need of a shopping trip quick!

Sleep: Hilarious. I've been sleeping really well but I've been apparently waking up and mumbling nonsense to Rob and getting all mad when he doesn't understand what I'm trying to tell him. The texts I wake up to from him explaining the situation are so funny! I've only had to pee once in the night, but I think that's from my lack of water intake (oops!).

Best moment this week: Seeing baby on the ultrasound for a quick 30 seconds at the hospital.

Worst moment this week: Oh boy. Well, I got hit with a nasty cold that sent me to the hospital because my old nausea meds stopped working completely. Then on Tuesday I woke up at 3am with a wicked headache that induced puking until about noon when Gravol stayed in me (as per hospital orders). Rob got laid off, so my maternity shopping is at a standstill until we know when EI will kick in or if Rob finds another job right away (but no one's hiring electricians :( )

Miss anything: Not feeling like puking, haha!

Movement: I think so...I say that because I think I felt a flutter and then the usual "jabs" at my bladder. It's not even squishy in there yet! I definitely think he/she is laying low and getting my bladder because on the ultrasound, it was having a freaking party in there and I couldn't really feel it. 

Cravings: Whatever I smell, apparently. A kid at work today had a poutine and now it's all I want. 

Queasy or sick: Yes. New meds are helping a lot, though the mornings are still iffy until I eat something and if I wait too long for my lunch break, then I feel queasy after eating.

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender in 3 weeks!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 15 Weeks

My new favourite picture of us. It was taking over the weekend by my sister-in-law and it's totally "us".

How far along: 15 weeks 4 days

Gender: Unknown

Weight gain: 2 lbs so far. Our scale stopped working after Koshka slept on it for a while and I don't see my midwife until the 20th

Maternity clothes: Bought some used maternity jeans off a lady online and they work really well. I was hoping for straight cut, but unfortunately they're boot cut so they make me look bigger than I am.

Sleep: Relatively okay. I'm back at work so I'm up earlier, but I'm finding I have more energy after work!

Best moment this week: Maternity jeans, haha. Telling my boss at work about my pregnancy, it still feels like I'm lying to people when I tell them. And realizing I only have less than 6 months of work left ;)

Worst moment this week: I've noticed my back hurting at the end of the work day, so my midwife has recommended an osteopath.

Miss anything: Clothing fitting nicely

Movement: None, though I think it likes to kick my bladder already because I get a weird feeling followed by a not-so-sharp pang feeling

Cravings: Fruit and sushi - mainly california rolls!

Queasy or sick: It's come back! I've puked the last couple mornings, despite my pill, but then I'm better for the rest of the day

Looking forward to: Gender ultrasound on October 6th! Hearing the heartbeat again on September 20th, and more maternity clothes. I need some more for work rather than rotating the same two tank tops, haha!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 14 Weeks

I didn't take a chalkboard photo this week because we rushed out of the house Thursday morning for a random day trip to Jasper! I met Nicole from Gypsy in Jasper - it was so cool! We recognized each other basically right away. It's always so interesting and cool to meet bloggers in real life.

How far along: 14 weeks

Gender: Unknown

Weight gain: 2 lbs

Maternity clothes: Desperate, but leggings will do until I get paid.  

Sleep: Alright except apparently my body thinks waking up at 3am for an hour or two is the new 'thing'.

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat at my midwife appointment, and a day trip to Jasper. Also, my bump is becoming more of a bump than a bloat :) 

Worst moment this week: Shitty people on social media.

Miss anything: Not feeling so blah

Movement: Not yet, but hopefully soon!

Cravings: Orange juice, lemon/blueberry greek yogurt, fruit

Queasy or sick: Yep. Meds are still helping and I still have days where I need more than one pill in the morning

Looking forward to: An even bumpier bump and finding out the gender in October.

Not much happened this week but every week is a new experience. It's still very surreal that I'm actually pregnant!

Also, make sure to follow along for more updates on my Facebook page!

xo. Nicole

Bumpdate || 13 Weeks

Thanks to my grandma for taking the picture. We have some practicing to do, but we have ~7 more months of practice ;) Also, pretty sure the bump is mostly perogies but I can't suck it in sooo...

Also, the picture says 1st trimester, though many say after 12 weeks is the 2nd. Well, my midwife and some apps say 14 weeks is the second trimester so I'm just going by that.

How far along: 13 weeks

Gender: Unknown. I still feel it's a girl, while Rob keeps calling it 'he'. Heartrate says 156bpm...

Weight gain: Not sure - refusing to weigh myself

Maternity clothes: Not yet but I'm juuuust about ready to bite the bullet and buy some jeans/tank tops.

Sleep: Waking up around 3am super nauseas for a half hour, then back to sleep. Getting up more frequently to pee because I can actually drink water now without throwing it up. Otherwise, sleeping pretty soundly with some crazy dreams including one about Rob in a car fire and bleeding out every hole on his face!

Best moment this week: Getting some of my life back! I had to go on meds for my all-day-nausea and it's been really nice to not feel nauseas. I finally went for a pretty decent (1 hour) walk the other day. I'll slowly get back to jogging just in time for the ice and snow to show up. Also, 2 ultrasounds this past week!

Worst moment this week: Breaking down and going to the hospital on Saturday night because one sip of water would come up 5 minutes later. I was there for about 6 hours (2 was waiting, while barfing stomach acid into dog poop baggies because it was all I had) on an IV getting rehydrated and pumped with some safe meds.

Miss anything: How my body and mind felt when I did Whole30 and was at my lowest weight. I felt so good about myself, and could wear anything in my closet without being self conscious. Now that I'm not so nauseas, I can get back to my healthy eating and hopefully get back into the mind frame, while still being pregnant and knowing my stomach is going to balloon.

Movement: None yet. This morning I could feel some growing pain-like cramps, so hopefully this bump will really pop soon so I actually look pregnant!

Cravings: McDonald's breakfast. I've only had it once...twice..this past 2 weeks. Other than that, fruit and a beautiful concoction of sparkling water with orange juice and ice!

Queasy or sick: It's still there until I take my meds in the morning.

Looking forward to: Seeing my midwife next week and finding out the gender on October 6/7th!

I had two ultrasounds and skipped a 12 week bumpdate because one ultrasound was the dating scan, which told me I was 12 weeks that day and my previous bumpdate was actually 11 weeks 3 days then. Oi vey! That ultrasound tech told me I was 12 weeks that day and that baby was 4 cm long. For my second ultrasound, the NT screening, the lady told me I was still on track but baby was 6 cm and the previous tech was wrong about the length. So now I'm not 100% sure what my date is, because wouldn't I be further along than 12 weeks if it was longer? But I'm going by the first ultrasound for my due date. Cooonnnfusing! 

Anyways, here's the two pictures I've received, one from each scan!

xo. Nicole

My First Bump Post || 11 Weeks!

Seriously disregard the crappy photo and mess of a bathroom counter. I'm going to force Rob or my grandma into taking real photos of me (with my iPhone of course, because that's all I own) with a chalkboard for next week's!

How far along: 11 weeks

Gender: Unknown - I think it's a girl, Rob thinks it's a boy

Weight gain: 2 lbs

Maternity clothes: Not yet. I tried jeans on Saturday night and that was a no-go. Leggings ftw! 

Sleep: Most of the time it's okay. I'm getting up more often to pee in the middle of the night, and I heard it only gets worse. This past week, I've wanted to sleep all day but before that I would be wide awake at 4am, listening to Rob snore until his alarm went off at 5:45. 

Best moment this week: Finally getting to hear the heartbeat! Before that I had had no reassurance that this thing was alive, other than my symptoms.

Worst moment this week: Puking. A lot. I had to pull over on the highway to puke for 15 minutes. The other day I couldn't even keep water down until I had a 4 hour nap. My nausea went away for a solid 5 days only for it to come back full force. I'm on day 2 of minimal nausea and no puking again, so let's hope it stays away this time!

Miss anything: Not being nauseas all day, eating Whole30, and running. I know they say to not stop what you're doing and to continue everything as normal when you get pregnant but that's a lot easier said than done! I didn't plan to stop, my body forced me to by making me eat every hour, only specific things, and making me pay for it if I didn't. I've heard the second trimester is a lot better, so I'm aiming to start walking/jogging again and eating a hell of a lot better too.

Movement: None yet. The apps tell me it's doing somersaults and everything in there, though I have yet to feel anything but gas ;)

Cravings: Fruit like blueberries, raspberries, mandarin oranges, and strawberries. Pasta most of the time. Booster Juice is my new thing. I wake up craving the pomegranate passion, it's so tart and sweet! It helps me nausea stay away too.

Queasy or sick: Definitely. The nausea and puking kicked in at 5 weeks 4 days, and since then I've only had 7 days of minimal nausea and no puking. It's all worth it, and I don't want it to sound like I'm complaining because we've waited long enough for this! I'm on day 2 of a stretch with minimal nausea, so let's hope that stays.

Looking forward to: Seeing my bump grow into more than just bloat. The picture above is from yesterday and I realized I just couldn't suck it in anymore. I'm also looking forward to our first ultrasound on Thursday morning! 

Our Family is Growing By...

2 feet! After nearly 4 years of unexplained infertility, we are so excited to announce that Baby Maxfield will be joining us in February 2017! 

I'm currently 11 weeks, based off my last period, but I have my first ultrasound coming up on August 11th, which will give a more accurate date. I also was lucky enough to get into a midwife clinic and I am so, so happy. I've had one meeting with them so far and I really like it. I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time at that appointment (150 bpm!). It was nice to have some reassurance, other than my symptoms. 

I'll definitely be doing bump updates, so stay tuned!

Photo c/o of my sister-in-law from Treasured Forever Photography

xo. Nicole 

Guest Post - Samantha

Hey guys! Today, I'm featuring one of my sponsors, Samantha. She was my first ad swap and since then, I've become a regular reader of her blog and I'm never disappointed. I love her Instagram Style posts and her recipes! I'll let Samantha introduce herself :)

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Hey there! My name is Sam and I blog over at 

My Latest Obsession. 

I write about all of my “latest obsessions” most of which fit into the categories of crafts, clothes, and life tid bits. Today, however,  I’m going to share with you one of my hugest obsessions. His name is Brandon and he is my lover / fiancé /baby daddy. Brandon and I met yeeeeeears ago during high school in our theatre program. It was our junior year of high school during the production of My Fair Lady when we started “talking” backstage. 

After just a few short weeks, we became absolutely inseparable. Brandon and I would spend as much time as we could together (after school of course), until about the 5^th call from Brandon’s mother telling him to come home now!  And then times we couldn’t be together, we would constantly be on our phones, texting one another.

It was 24/7 communication. Oh, to be a teenager in love. Eventually though, the school year ended and summer began which meant we could now spend ALL day, EVERY day with each other. And I don’t think it ever got old. During that summer, we got extremely spoiled with our ability to see each other. Really. When it was time to go back to school, it was… rough. But in a way, it made the time we did see each other, much more meaningful. So we got back in the groove of going to school and then before we knew it, I got pregnant! This was a huge deal… well obviously. We were both completely in shock and didn’t quite know what to do or where it would lead us. 

But we were always in it together, separating was never a thought. So, neither was giving up our baby. We made it all the way through high school and had our daughter a month after graduation. Fast forward 3 years and we are living on our own in our very own apartment, making memories and creating a life as a little family. But it wasn’t always this way. We started out living with my dad. We went to school and got jobs. Everything was going ok but then we started to get a bit restless. And then Brandon proposed!!! This kind of kick started our life and got us back on track. We started thinking of the future and got the idea that we needed to move out! Soo, despite some disapproval on my dad’s part, we found an apartment 15 minutes away. We have lived here now for almost 2 years and are thoroughly enjoying being on our own. 

We struggle a lot. Balancing school, work, and a little one is not for the week of heart.  And it’s not so easy supporting ourselves but it’s made us appreciate all the little things in life! Having a place to call our own is worth every single hour worked and bill paid. We are now, thriving as a family. And through all the fights, the stress, the let downs, Brandon and I are still a team, plowing through life, hand in hand. 

We've grown so much as individuals, it’s cool to look back and be proud of all of our accomplishments. It’s great to think about all the obstacles we faced and overcame. But the best part is, is that we did it together. Brandon and I.  I absolutely love my life and a lot of that, I owe to Brandon; it wouldn't be the same without him in it. He is my number one partner in crime… but most importantly, my partner in life.

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Thank you Sam for sharing such a wonderful story. I am so happy that things have worked out for her, Brandon, and Eliza. Eliza is such a lucky little girl to have such a loving family!

xo. Nicole