30 weeks

I can't believe in 10 weeks, Saylor will be making her appearance. She is really growing now (as am I!). Seems like the weight is just creeping on these last few weeks as my body gets ready for her arrival! This is just crazy! We have so much to do, but I am just so excited... The time is really flying by. 

Here is what baby center says about week 30:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs 3 pounds. A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) 

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 14 pounds  

Maternity Clothes: been rotating between the same 4 or 5 outfits and pulling out some summer dresses that work good for both! :) Ready for fall and jeans!

Best Moment this week: putting together Saylor's swing

Gender: It's a girl - Saylor Alden Branch

Movement: feeling her move all the time... seeing my belly pop up in places when she pokes her arm or foot!

Food Craving: cereal!

What I miss: fitting into my regular clothes

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights, ha

What I am looking forward to: getting the nursery painted and putting the furniture in

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea. Nausea. Nausea. Will it ever end?!?

Bling Bling, she got the Ring...

Congratulations to my brother, Jake, and his new fiance, Candace, on their engagement! 

We are so excited for you! Let the fun begin!

How GREAT is our God...

The splendor of our King

Your majesty

All the earth rejoice, all the earth rejoice

He wraps himself in light

and darkness tries to hide

it trembles at its foot

How great is our God,

Sing with me, How great is our God

And all will see how great, how great, is our God

Age to age, he stands

Eternity in his hands

Beginning and the end

Father, Spirit, Son

The lion and the lamb, the lion and the lamb

How great is our God

And all will see how great, how great, is our God

The name above all names

He is worthy of our praise

My heart will sing...

How great is our God

How great is our God

And all will see

How great is our God

These are Saylor's 4d ultrasound pictures from August 13th. The first time I really got to see her sweet face. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. What a miracle. What a gift. How great is our God.

Sydney!

My poor husband is surrounded by girls... he already has me and Chloe, a chocolate lab Sage, and we have another little girl on the way, in just 10 short weeks. In addition to those girls, we have a precious little kitty named Sydney. Sean surprised me with her on Valentine's day this past year and i just adore her. She has one blue eye and one green eye and I often tell Sean that she was the best gift ever :).

I have always loved kitties and was over the moon excited when he had little Sydney waiting on me on love day this past year. This little kitty follows me wherever I go.. right in between your legs. I love it. As I was sitting at the computer this morning, she was laying right behind me, catching a snooze as I type. 

If I sleep, she snuggles up. If I am tired, she certainly finds herself being tired too. We laugh that she is really more dog than cat. 

Sean is so sweet... and we have decided that it must be his lot in life to be surrounded by women ;)!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people! 

My little brother, Chad, turns 25 today and my bestest friend, Melanie, turns 28 today! Happy Birthday... I hope your day is as fabulous as both of you are!

We love yall! xo

Closet love!

Thank you to my dear friend Melanie, Saylor's closet is beginning to come to life... :) Mel knows how unorganized I can be, so she decided a closet organizer would be perfect for this little girl. Boy was she right! I spent some time this week organizing all of the things we have for Saylor. It was so fun and the closet is starting to look precious! I can't wait to dress her up! 

 My mom gave us these little baskets and put her name on them... I love them!!

A girl can never have enough shoes....

29 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 14 pounds total 

Maternity Clothes: been rotating between the same 4 or 5 outfits and pulling out some summer dresses that work good for both! :)

Best Moment this week: the babymoon hubs and I took! 

Gender: It's a girl - Saylor Alden Branch

Movement: feeling her move all the time... seeing my belly pop up in places when she pokes her arm or foot!

Food Craving: pickles, blueberries

What I miss: fitting into my regular clothes

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights, ha

What I am looking forward to: getting the nursery painted and putting the furniture in

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea is still hanging around and now heartburn has started to join the ranks as well!

28 weeks (& 3 days)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 weeks (and 3 days)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 14 pounds total 

Maternity Clothes: been rotating between the same 4 or 5 outfits and pulling out some summer dresses that work good for both! :)

Best Moment this week: my precious baby shower in greensboro, the 4d ultrasound, putting all the new baby goodies away in the nursery

Gender: It's a girl - Saylor Alden Branch

Movement: All the time!!

Food Craving: everything sounds good these days!

What I miss: fitting into my regular clothes

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights, ha

What I am looking forward to: getting the nursery painted and putting the furniture in

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea is back! Blech!

"...and along came Saylor"

This past weekend was packed full of events. My birthday was on Friday and first thing that morning, Sean and I headed to have a 4-d ultrasound done of our sweet baby girl (pictures to come!). It was so amazing to see her little face. I was in complete awe.

Friday night we celebrated with family and friends at my parent's house in Greensboro. We grilled out, had cold beverages (non-alcoholic for me) and did cake and presents. It was a wonderful night!

Saturday night was my 10 year high school reunion. Pictures and post to come on that soon.

On Sunday, my very best girl friends gathered together and hosted our first baby shower for Saylor. It was unbelievably precious. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of girlfriends. Seriously. 

It was Sunday afternoon, and Carrie, Melanie and Kristen were the fabulous hosts.

These girls are just wonderful. They are my rocks and some of my very best friends. I am so lucky to call them my friends! Between the precious favors, rockin' food (and displays) and all the sweet little gifts for baby girl, it was a perfect day.

Little girl things are to die for:

Lovely ladies:

A perfect day. Fabulous friends. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I love you each of you. 

Saylor and I are so blessed!

And just for fun... here's the bump, as we enter the 3rd trimester:

27 weeks

27 weeks... we are getting closer! This 3rd trimester is sneaking in and beginning to take hold of my body, ha! I feel like I am getting bigger by the day. Gone are the days of seeing my feet! Yikes! 

Here's what baby center says about this week:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 27 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 8 pounds total (as of my last dr's appt)

Maternity Clothes: been rotating between the same 4 or 5 outfits and pulling out some summer dresses that work good for both! :)

Best Moment this week: the nursery furniture starting to come in.

Gender: It's a girl!

Movement: I feel her every 3 - 4 hours

Food Craving: nectarines, blueberries and bread (especially biscuits!)

What I miss: A full night's sleep and my regular clothes

Sleep: Good nights and bad nights, ha

What I am looking forward to: our 4-d ultrasound on Friday and our first baby shower on Sunday!

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea still hanging out and lots of random pains.

Today...

Today, I will not be moved by what I see, what I think, feel or hear. My Father has called me blessed and highly favored...I will walk in that confidence and will rest and be at peace. Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke peace to the waves. I rebuke the unseen demonic forces and speak peace to my natural world. - Scott Reese

Happy Anniversary!

8.9.10

"But at the beginning of creation God 'made them male and female.'' For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." - Mark 10: 6-9

Today my parents have been married 30 years. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! Thank you for setting such a wonderful example of what love and commitment really is. May we all share the joy and love that lives between you and Dad. Cheers to another 30 years!

PRESH!

This came in the mail today.... and I think it is the most precious little thing ever! It's called the Funky Flowers Ruffle legs... 

I ordered it from She She Made and she makes the most precious things. If my husband wouldn't kill me, I'd order a whole bunch more! Can't wait to see our little girl in this onesie!

Speaking of my husband killing me, I found a precious children's boutique and a trendy maternity store in Cola today. Life is looking good ;) 

26 weeks (or maybe 27!)

I know I have mentioned this before, but this due date switching is confusing, ha! For the sake of the blog I will go with the 2nd due date they gave me, November 10th, however, the last time I was there they mentioned the 7th. Sooo.... I have been given the 2nd, the 7th and the 10th. Sheesh. Anyways, my clicker calculates based on the 10th, so here we are, at 26 weeks! Can't believe it is getting so close!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 8 pounds total

Maternity Clothes: been rotating between the same 4 or 5 outfits these days, ha.

Best Moment this week: ordering our nursery furniture

Gender: It's a girl!

Movement: I feel her every 3 - 4 hours

Food Craving: Sean says I crave everything lately.. aka.... everything sounds good :)

What I miss: A full night's sleep and being able to run without a big belly (been power walking these days instead, ha)

Sleep: Not the best... too many bathroom breaks during the night and now leg cramps! ouch!

What I am looking forward to: the 4-d ultrasound (hopefully next week!)

Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: None yet. Yikes.

Symptoms: Nausea and my feet are starting to swell when I exercise or stand up too long. Blech!