30 Weeks

How far along: 30 weeks, 5 days
Size: 15.7 inches and 2.75 pounds (cabbage)
Gender: Girl
Total weight gain: 24ish pounds
Maternity clothes: I scored this $8 maternity maxi dress from our local Once Upon a Child!
Stretch marks: I ended up ordering more of my Burt's Bees Belly Butter - no homemade balm this time around.
Sleep: This week has been so much better! I'm more comfortable at night and am waking up less frequently as well.
Movement: She's still giving me some pretty forceful jabs throughout the day. I feel her more up toward my ribcage now, and she loves to move when I sing to Nora and when she hears Matt's voice after work.
Queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: --
Symptoms: A little heartburn off and on, an achey tailbone, and a few leg cramps.
Belly button in or out: Still hanging in there.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Recap of the week: Well, I didn't make any progress on either of the bedrooms yet, but we've filled our week with lots of play dates, cleaning, and errand running.
Looking forward to: Vacation!!
Looking back: 30 weeks with Nora.

I have a fun tutorial to share once I get around to taking some photos, 

hopefully sooner rather than later :). Stay tuned!

+, Lauren Aiken

29 Weeks and Mother's Day

How far along: 29 weeks, 5 days
Size: 2.5 pounds and 15.25 inches
Gender: Baby girl
Total weight gain: 23ish pounds
Maternity clothes: Last week I picked up a couple more tees and a pair of denim shorts to get me through our hot summer!
Stretch marks: Still using my belly butter, though not as often as last time.
Sleep: Sleep has been terrible this week. My entire back hurts all through the night, making it hard to sleep but easier to get out of bed in the morning :). I'm also waking 4 times on average to pee.
Movement: I think I'm carrying even lower than I did with Nora, so most of the movement is pretty low, but this week I felt a few kicks up near my ribs. Most frequently she kicks my sides mid-right and lower left.
Queasy or sick: Thankful to be feeling well!
Labor Signs: --
Symptoms: I've had an uncomfortable belly and lower back pain the majority of this week. I think it's also time to bra shop again.
Belly button in or out: About the same - flat on top, still in on the bottom, and super sensitive.
Wedding rings on or off: On.
Recap of the week: Matt was out of town during the week for work so Nora and I had a couple play dates, shopped, and had our first Starbucks mommy-daughter date. We had a great weekend together after he returned and grilled burgers for Mother's Day.
Looking forward to: I need to make some serious headway on Nora's new room and getting the new nursery ready in the next few weeks! My goal is to have everything done by the end of June.
Looking back: 29 weeks with Nora.

We tried to snap a few photos before church on Mother's Day, but Nora wasn't having it. This is our best shot. 

I taught her how to water the flowers last week while Matt was gone, and it's one of her favorite things to do now. Of course, she loves drinking from the cup also..

And we got some bubbles ("buh-buhs") at Target last week too, which has become a daily outdoor activity. She doesn't quite have the blowing figured out so we still have to help her. When she gets the wand, it goes straight into her mouth :).

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

+, Lauren Aiken

28 Weeks

How far along: 28 weeks, 5 days in the photo (though now I am into week 29). I absolutely cannot believe I'm already in the third trimester!
Size: Approximately 14.8 inches and 2.25 pounds, and I'm measuring right on track.
Gender: Girl
Total weight gain: 21ish pounds
Maternity clothes: I think I'm close to giving up on trying to work with non-maternity clothes. It's much easier to just shop maternity, and I'd have to buy new pieces anyway that wouldn't fit down the road.
Stretch marks: No.
Sleep: I've been uncomfortable more frequently at night. I'm using a pillow between my legs/supporting my lower belly and another pillow behind my back now. The pillows help a lot, and most nights I sleep pretty well overall.
Movement: Oh yes. She's still small enough that I'm feeling fairly big jabs, mostly far over on my right side and downward.
Queasy or sick: I am still well! I had my glucose test this week and passed this time around! My thyroid levels are a tad bit high now, so I'm adjusting my medication accordingly and will not get tested again until post-delivery.
Labor Signs: --
Symptoms: My uterus feels much heavier this time, but not many complaints other than an occasional uncomfortable day or two each week.
Belly button in or out: In on the bottom but flat on top.
Wedding rings on or off: On, though my hands swell a little when I go for walks.
Recap of the week: The week flew by since we had company in town. Both sets of Matt's grandparents stayed here for a few days each, and his entire family was here for Mackenzie's graduation! We got lots of visiting time in, walked around downtown Franklin, ate out, and had a vineyard picnic.
Looking forward to: Doing a little nesting and getting back into our normal routine.
Looking back: 28 weeks with Nora

+, Lauren Aiken