Baby Lyons | Week 30

How far along? 30 weeks. Wow, how did that happen? I feel like I blinked and here we are 3/4 of the way through the pregnancy. 

Size of baby: A cucumber or butternut squash (17 in., 3 lb.) I don't know about you, but I've yet to find a cucumber that is 17 inches long. 

Gender: We will know in June! 

Weight Gain: Up a total of 23 pounds. At what point do we stop talking about this part? haha

Maternity Clothes: You betcha! Loving dresses, tanks and lots of workout clothes. Easter weekend was the perfect excuse to be super casual most all the time - just sitting around with my besties and catching up. I did buy a couple tanks and some capri tights from H&M that have certainly come in handy. 

Nursery: Is so sweet! I like to just sit in there and take it all in. The gold knobs came for the dresser {and while they still need a little adjusting/tightening] they are so perfect! The light fixture and dimmer have arrived, but are not installed yet - and the curtains came too. We started unpacking some shower gifts and organizing, which has been really fun. The little cub already has quite the book collection and lots of clothes, blankets and toys to get us started. 

Purchases: Auntie Lyns and Dot got the lil cub a couple things this weekend - a pack a swaddle blankets and a little monster named Pixie. She came from the Asheville open-air market. Look how cute! 

Movement: Love my early morning kicks. It seems like the cub has been very active at 5 a.m., and while being woken up that early isn't my favorite past time, I am enjoying the special quiet time with the cub. J even woke up one morning and got to feel a good strong kick. Starting to feel a little booty or feet up in my ribs, which means he or she is growing for sure! The movement is so much more noticeable these days and I love it. I know why people say they miss it once the baby comes. 

Symptoms: Started the week with a little head cold - runny nose, sore throat - ended it with a worse cold and lots of fluid in the ears. You can see my lina negra now and the belly button is starting to get more and more flat. The belly is certainly feeling heavier and making it harder to move around, but I do love it when it gets in the way. Reminds me that the cub is with me. Nose bleeds are still around on occasion.  Happy my legs and feet are doing pretty good and not too much swelling. My feet are certainly feeling the weight gain, but holding up ok. Feeling a pedi is in my near future. 

Sleep: Sleeping pretty good. Only up twice to potty and usually falling right back asleep. Noticing that I really need 8-9 hours a night to feel rested. Usually that doesn't happen, but I have squeezed in a few naps here and there. 

Workouts: Still getting in several walks, but having to pace myself. Also realizing how much just walking for work or around town takes out of me. It's much more of a workout than I ever imagined. 

Cravings: I haven't been able to live without chipped ice! Still loving fruits, yogurt, milk, cereal, cheese and crackers and he occasional bag of chips! 

What I Miss: Nothing at all. Life is really good for me and the babe right now. 

Best Moment This Week: Spending Easter weekend with my Mangos and their wonderful families. The lil cub got lots of loving from the aunties. On a side note, we had a not so great moment this week - my FIL has come down with a terrible bacterial infection and is really sick. If you are a follower, please send up an extra prayer for his recovery. We are taking it one day at a time and hoping his strength pulls him through. We know he can't wait to meet you, Baby Lyons!

Looking Forward To: Hopeful for some good news for my FIL and just for a good week ahead. 

Our Announcement | Weeks 5-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Week 17 | Week 18 

 Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 25 | Babymoon 

Week 26 | Week 27 | Weeks 28 & 29

Bbay Lyons | Weeks 28 and 29

How far along? 28 & 29 weeks

Size of baby: An eggplant and acorn squash (15.2-16.7 in., 2.5-3.8 lb.) 

Gender: We will know in June!

Weight Gain: Up a total of 20 pounds and starting to feel it! ha Belly is defiantly growing bigger every day.

Maternity Clothes: You bet! I can get away with some dresses, tops and skirts that aren't maternity, but they are getting snug. Invested in some maternity shorts and workout capri's last week - so worth it.

Nursery: Lots of progress! We have carpet, new blinds, the dresser is up and as of Monday - we have a crib and mattress!! It's starting to get real, y'all! haha We also ordered our light fixture, window treatments and knobs for the dresser. My sister-in-law went over and above for our shower on the coast {recap to come soon} last weekend and sent us home with a ton of options for décor. So excited to start decorating! Here is a sneak peak.

Purchases: I have been pretty good these past couple weeks, knowing we had a shower coming up I was able to contain my buying. I did pick up a couple pineapple hats for the little babe, but other than those - we kept our purchases to nursery items. Dresser pulls, light fixture and window treatments. Trying to stay practical. ...for now.

Movement: Lots of kicks! Sometimes so hard that it startles me... it's so fun. I love it! 

Symptoms: The last two weeks, I have been feeling pretty good. Had pretty good energy and overall feeling great. Over the past couple days, I have started to feel the belly growing and it's slowing me down a little. The babe is starting to push up into my ribs which is getting quite uncozy at times.

Sleep: Pretty good. Up once a night to pee and usually up early to eat. 

Workouts: Walks are getting shorter and harder, but still trying to get out.

Cravings: Frozen yogurt, grapes, pineapple, strawberries... nothing too crazy. 

What I Miss: Being able to put on shoes quickly... the belly is causing some challenges. :)

Best Moment This Week: Most defiantly our baby shower! My bestie, Ale, and my sister-in-law, Karen, put on an amazing shower for Baby Lyons. We made the long 13-hour trip down to the coast, but it was so worth it. We got to visit with family and friends and celebrate the soon-to-be-arrival of our little cub. Can't wait to share all the pictures soon!

Looking Forward To: Our weekend ahead in Asheville with my Mangos and their men/babies. We decided before Baby Lyons arrival and a couple cross-county moves for two other Mangos, that a "Man-gofest" was in order. Can't wait to see my girls and love on their little ones! 

Our Announcement | Weeks 5-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Week 17 | Week 18 

 Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 25 | Babymoon 

Week 26 | Week 27

five on friday... babies, crackers, and flowers!

Happy Friday!! We road-tripped it 13 hours yesterday to the coast to visit with our families this weekend and celebrate Baby Lyons! Leaving at 6am defiantly helped the day move by a little quicker, but it was still a long trip for a 7 month preggo like me. To pass the time, I slept a couple hours in the morning, then did some work, took a few phones calls and of course, did some baby shopping! Which brings me to my number one today. 

{one} These fun baby beanies are available on Eleventh Avenue today for $6.95. I mean, I couldn't resist the pineapples... hurry, one 1 day left on the sale!

{two} If you are a cracker and cheese fan like me, you'll love Triscuit's new Balsamic Vinegar and Basil flavor. They are a perfect little app, layered with some fresh cheese and tomatoes. 

{three} We made some major nursery progress this week! The hubs put together our ikea dresser and hung the new blinds. It's starting to take shape! 

Now just to order some knobs for the Ikea Hemmes. I'm leaning towards these brass pull rings from Going Knobs. There is a great DIY brass rings I found, but I just don't know if I could pull it off. Anyone ever made their own knobs?

{four} It's officially spring time in the south. Probably my most favorite thing about this time of year on the Gulf Coast is the azaleas and bridal wreath. Living in Virginia, we have some of the most springs, with tulips and daffodils and more forsythia than you can shake a stick at. But what we don't have is this. 

Our drive down yesterday was filled with road sides just like this one... a flashback to my childhood in Mobile. 

{five} Our baby shower on the coast is this weekend and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate Baby Lyons with the whole fam, including J's parents - who are driving down from NC to be here with us. I know my sister-in-law and bestie have been working overtime to get ready for tomorrow and we couldn't be more grateful and excited! Follow along on insta this weekend for a sneak peak. Full re-cap to come soon!

Cheers to the weekend my friends! 

Momma's, let's read!

When it comes to reading, I have picked up exactly zero books over the last 7 months. Before we

 got pregnant, I loved searching through stacks of books and pinning stacks of "mommy-reads" and here I am, over half-way in and not a single book in hand.  

Pre-pregnancy, I did read one book about motherhood, Green Sparkly Earrings, and I loved it so much I passed it along to a friend when she told me she was expecting. It's lighthearted and fun, and reminds you about the true joys in motherhood. 

Today, I thought I would share some of those many pins I have saved over the years' and see if anyone has some favorites?

April's reads.

Simplicity's read.

Dear Owen & Co.'s reads.

Pregnant Chicken's reads.

So tell me, what are you favorite books right now? Especially those mommas out there. 

Catching up!

one. In celebration of the weekend {and lent} we pigged out on fish and chips on Friday!

two. We had a fabulous time at the Dinner Dance on Saturday. As usual, I took zero pictures of us, but stole a few from FB of the event to share.

Bessie the cow was raffled off. 

There were even caricature drawings!

The Hastings

Late night dancin'

three. On Sunday we finally used our china! Yes, it has been almost 4 years since our wedding, so we decided it was time.

four. We built a nice bed for our garden... but I didn't take a picture. Final garden updates to come soon!

five. T-minus two days until we head south for our baby shower. We are so excited!!

Happy Tuesday!

Baby Lyons | Week 27

How far along? 27 weeks

Size of baby: A rutabaga (13-6-14.8 in., 1.5-2.5 lb.) 

Gender: We'll know in a couple months! I'm feeling boy... but sometimes I think girl. We may need to start a poll, what do ya think?

Weight Gain: Had a quick little check-up this week and I am up 20 pounds from my pre-baby weight. They started measuring my belly and I was measuring a little ahead, but they also said it could have been how the baby was laying. They do think the head is down already - which is just crazy to imagine that I could be that close. Almost to the third trimester! 

Maternity Clothes: The warmer weather has finally arrived and I am loving my new wardrobe that comes with it. I haven't minded tights and long sweaters, but am so ready for less layers and more variety. So many of my dresses fit with the belly too - which is nice for sure. 

Nursery: New carpet is installed! I knew it would make a world of difference, but I think it still surprised me at how much better it looks {and feels}. New blinds and the curtain rod are in the room, waiting to be installed. Still deciding on window treatments, but I'm thinking they may be white as well. Hoping the hubs has time to put together our dresser soon!! 

Purchases: New category! I thought it would be fun to start sharing some little things we pick up for baby here and there. We have tried our best to buy anything yet, and wait until after our showers to see what we really need. But, this weekend was the annual Mom's-to-Mom's sale at a church in town, so I snuck over on Saturday for their half-priced hour. They had lots of little goodies, so I picked up a few little items for the lil cub. I mean, who can resist 50 cent onesies? 

A couple boy and a couple girl ones... and a few gender neutral. I mean, monsters and fish could be girly too, right? All we need are some bows!

Movement: Usually late at night or after meals I can feel the little cub moving around. The kicks are getting a little more consistent and stronger. 

Symptoms: Feeling great! Have lots of energy - which I think is because of the warmer weather - but still tire after long days or early morning work days. My feet are starting to ache more and I am just hoping that these size 11 feet don't grow any. Shoes still fit, so we are good there. 

Sleep: Still sleeping great! Have to stay on my left side, or I wake up with a sharp pain under my ribs... not sure if that's little feet or my stomach growling. 

Workouts: Lots of walking! Hit 10,000 steps on my fit bit 3 days this week, and 8,000 the other 4 days.  Much thanks to a busy work schedule, house work and the pretty weather! 

Cravings: Frozen yogurt and ice-cream. 

What I Miss: Nothing. Still occasionally miss my cold turkey sammies or a good glass of vino, but not so much that I didn't forget about it a few minutes later. I do miss running, but am enjoying some nice long walks in this gorgeous weather.

Best Moment This Week: Receiving our baby shower invitation for the coast! Ale and Karen did such a cute job designing our little "golden book" and we can't wait to celebrate with all our family and friends on the coast in just a couple weeks. J's parents are even driving down for the celebration. We are really excited to have all the family together to toast Baby Lyons! 

Looking Forward To: Taking Baby Lyons to the Chamber Dinner Dance this weekend. 

Our Announcement | Weeks 5-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Week 17 | Week 18 

 Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 25 | Babymoon | Week 26

My favorite color is GREEN!

Green has always been my favorite color, which makes St. Patty's day that much more special. I mean, who doesn't love a day when everyone is wearing their favorite color?  It's pretty great.

Today, I just wanted to share a few of my favorite things... in green. 

Green Apple Ginger Sangria

via Made with Happy.

Green and burlap decor.

via landeelu.com.

The perfect green studs.

via Peacock Boutique.

Green love birds

via.

How do you green?  Happy St. Patty's!