Maternity Photos (35 Weeks)

I have been documenting my pregnancy by photos since 9 weeks (well let's be honest, my husband has been). Between my mirror selfies, drawing of the fruit or veggie on the chalkboard (according to the "What to Expect" app) to posing in front of a blank wall I think we pretty much captured it. Thank goodness my husband has been so easy going about being my on-demand photographer. 

I decided that I wanted to treat myself to professional photos. Who knows how many times in your life you will be pregnant, I have always loved the look of a pregnant woman. Plus this feels like a very special time in our lives & I wanted to make sure it was photographed. I felt like these were more for me than anyone else, so I saved my husband from attending the photoshoot. I went with Sheri Shanahan from Sheri Shanahan Photography. Living on the westcoast & being a fantastic time of year I knew I wanted it outside & to have a "natural" look to them. We decided that Piper's Lagoon would be a perfect location (grass & trees on one side & the ocean on the other). Sheri was amazing! I can't say enough great things about her. She had the same ideas as me & her passion for photography was evident. So grateful I had the opportunity to have these photos done. I know one day I will look back & have fond memories....

 

Melissa xo

35 Weeks!

We are currently at 35.5 weeks! Unreal... I'm finally finished work, currently nesting like crazy & trying to get some relaxation in before our baby girl arrives. I started on the outside & am now working my way inside. At least I can enjoy my backyard now :) I didn't realize that you feel the need to clean & organize every square inch of your home? 

I see the doctor every week now. Today he told me the baby's head is very far down in the birthing canal (sorry might be too much info) explains the pelvis pain I have every day. Apparently I am a "fingertip" dilated as well. This could go on for weeks so in the mean time I will just have to be patient. Baby is the size of a large cantaloupe (5.5 lbs). Heard her sweet little heart beat again today. She seems to be healthy & content. I'm feeling full on kicks & jabs now. I always feel her little feet at the side of my stomach sticking out, I'm sure I will miss that. Still feeling pretty good for the most part, able to still do the same things as before just needing a little more sleep at night (waking up usually at 3:00 AM seems to be a normal occurrence). Had my maternity photoshoot yesterday. It was so fun! I went with Sheri Shanahan of Sheri Shanahan Photography. She shared the same vision as I did for the shoot. The little daisies in the grass were the perfect setting for the pictures. We also did some by the ocean. Excited  to receive more copies of the photos! 

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." Winnie The Pooh

Melissa xo 

33 Weeks, Countdown is On!

Hard to believe we have only 6 weeks left until we are at 40 weeks! Every morning I wake up feeling ambitious to do a million things but by mid-day all I would like to do is nap.... My list of things to accomplish is growing by the moment. I think the panic is starting to set in "this will be the last 6 weeks of my life to have time to myself & to get things done". Everyone I know has recently told me their birth stories (some really great & others not so great). Main thing I'm trying to remember from these stories is chances of the baby being healthy are 90%. Mothers give birth every single day across the world. The female body is meant to do this! Plus the benefit of meeting our little girl at the end is all worth it! 

Baby girl is the size of a pineapple this week. Weighing in at almost 5 lbs! She's keeping me up a lot more at night now. Very active! I don't know what's going on in there, perhaps a dance party? I think it happens to be right on top of my bladder.  I'm getting up a few times throughout the night ( a lot of pelvic pain as well). Who needs sleep anyways? I believe this happens in the third trimester just to prepare the soon to be momma's of an interrupted sleep pattern. 

For the most part we feel ready for her arrival. My husband ordered our last "big purchase" today, the baby monitor. We went with the D-Link wifi baby monitor. It really is amazing how technology has advanced so much. We can control it from our smartphones & iPads! My next thing to do is get the hospital bag ready. I think I have an idea of what to bring but any helpful suggestions would be great! 

Melissa xo 

32 Weeks!

Time is going quick! Although some days it feels like I have been pregnant for 5 years... I woke up this morning to look at my "What To Expect" app & it said 8 weeks remaining! Now the real panic is starting to set it. I think I will be cramming  with books, blogs & youtube videos within the next few weeks. I was quite open minded going into this pregnancy with regards to the mindset "anything can happen, it's not going to be by the book". Now I feel like I want to educate myself & prepare for babies arrival & bringing her home. 

Size: Honeydew, 19 inches, 4.5 lbs, she is to gain 1/2 a pound every week! 

Baby: She seems quite content moving around inside. Lots of movement still during the day. Finn loves to cuddle up on my stomach & feel her kicks. I have a feeling they will be the best of friends.

Momma: It's safe to say I look pregnant now. Some have told me I have a torpedo belly... My belly button is sticking out now. Getting hard to bend over. Thank goodness for my sweet husband who treated me to a nice manicure & pedicure yesterday. It might be hard to paint my own toenails. Feels like I am running out of room inside! Heartburn seems to strike daily. Smaller meals seem to help plus a pack of Tums in my purse. I find myself waking up lots in the night. This is good training for when the baby arrives, getting me used to interrupted sleep. All worth it! Still attending prenatal yoga & enjoying every minute of it. Feels great to connect with people going through the same thing. The teacher is amazing & gives a lot of advice/ positive encouragement. 

Soon you will be here sweet girl! 

Melissa xo 

Floral Crown

I've loved floral crowns for as long as I can remember. I debated wearing one at my wedding but decided to keep it a little more "traditional". I knew that if I were to do a maternity photoshoot that would be the perfect opportunity! Now is the time. I looked into purchasing them on Etsy & different stores online but decided "why would I pay someone else to make me one when they look simple & fun?" Plus this way I can pick the exact look I want. 

I bought all my supplies at Michaels. They had everything I was looking for. What I purchased was flowers (also looked for flowers with leaves as I like greenery), floral tape, glue sticks & glue gun, wire. 

First step is to measure the wire circumference around your head twice. Twist the wire together in multiple spots then using floral tape to secure it. 

Next, cut the flowers off the stem & start placing them around the wire to get an idea of how you want the floral crown to look. I like the look of having one large flower at the front with smaller flowers & greenery to follow. 

Once you have an idea of where you want the flowers & leaves to go you can use the glue gun to attach them to the wire. Once the glue has cooled, you wrap small pieces of floral tape around the stems to reinforce them (make sure to pull the tape tight!) From there, make your way around the crown. I did have to try it on a few times during the process to make sure I liked the placement of everything but that's because I'm picky ;) Voila, you now have a gorgeous floral crown! 

Melissa xo

30 Weeks!

I feel like I have a little boxer inside my stomach these days! Baby girl is a wild one. She calms down at night but during the day it's non-stop kicking, stretching out & moving around :) My favorite thing these days is to touch my stomach & see if she responds back, she always does! 

She currently weighs 3.2 lbs & is the size of a head of lettuce. From now on she will be gaining nearly 1/2 a lb a week. Is it any wonder I feel like I'm starting to run out of room? I find myself starting to eat smaller meals now & trying to catch my breath quite often (especially after walking up stairs!) I'm also finding myself up more at night now but still getting a good nights rest. My appetite is ever so changing. Finally I can eat pasta again! Can't seem to get enough of cereal & smoothies...

Prenatal yoga has been amazing. So glad I signed up. I always forget my love & passion for yoga when I'm not partaking in it. Of course, this yoga seems quite tame in comparison to the classes I'm used to going to. Lots of deep breathing & stretching. Interesting to meet other moms ranging from 17 weeks- 38 weeks. I look forward to the mommy & baby yoga classes after this :) 

Still hard to believe it's Easter weekend & we have 2 months to go! That felt like a lifetime away at Christmas time. Everything is progressing nicely. Doctors visits will be every 2 weeks now. 

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside... When a tiny heartbeat is heard for the first time, and a playful kick reminds her she is never alone." 

We are so excited to meet you Baby Coulter! 

Melissa xo 

27 Weeks!

We have now hit the third trimester! Hooray! This feels like an exciting time. Feeling great (no more puking), finally looking pregnant & everything is setting in that I will soon be a "mom" (still is hard to believe at times) Actually just last week I had the moment where I realized it's really all happening. Hard to believe I have only 2 months left of work then I will be on maternity leave & next thing you know I will be holding this baby girl in my arms.

Everything is still going well with the pregnancy. The usual visits with the Doctor every 3 weeks. My stomach seems to be growing by the day. It's now quite firm & finding that clothes aren't fitting like they used to (thank goodness for Old Navy & Thyme Maternity). Baby girl is so active during the day. I swear she is doing somersaults in there. Makes me happy when I can feel her moving around all day. She's the size of a cauliflower, unreal. I'm still sleeping well but noticing is much harder to roll over during the night, could be the massive tummy I have now ;) Finn already loves baby girl. He lays on my stomach in the evening. Precious! Starting to do yoga again. Found some great articles on prenatal yoga. Also considering taking a prenatal Pilates class. It is true what people say, pregnant ladies do love their ice cream. Can't seem to get enough of it these days! 

"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you'll ever know."

- Winnie The Pooh 

Melissa xo