30 Weeks

An update from my blog post at 28 weeks:

How far along? 30 weeks today

Total weight gain/loss: Two and a half pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight in October

Maternity clothes? Absolutely.

Stretch marks? Still not seeing any. *knock on wood*

Sleep: Good and bad. Some nights I wake up every 2 hours and some only a couple of times. I wish I could figure out what was making the difference so it would be more of the latter.

Best moment this week: Hearing the little guy's heart beat at our check-up on Tuesday morning. :) Strong 150.

Movement: A lot. He kicks my upper belly so much at times, I wonder if he's in there kickboxing. LOL

Food cravings: No strong cravings that I've noticed recently.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but it's getting closer to flat.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the little guy.

Milestones: Trent & I took our last trip until after the baby is born. We plan to stick close to home from here on out. I'm quite happy about this right now since my legs and behind were hurting and/or tingling during the ride home. No matter how I shifted, I could not get comfortable.

Energy Level: Fairly high at the moment. I even had enough to help Trent with some yard work on Tuesday night.

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A's 1st Birthday

I've been on a digital kick this week. Made this one last night with some photos I took at our friends' son's first birthday in 2007.


Supplies: Erica Hernandez's Letter Template #8; Birthday Party paper & cake tag from Tia Bennett's Happea Birthday kit; Clocks paper & olive label from Tia Bennett's Comical JuniorPEA kit; Pupcat & 2Peas Blocks - Birthday fonts; date brushes from Rhonna Farrer's Celebration kit; Cocoaboard & Nightgraph papers from Miss Mint's After Midnight kit; Sunburst & Creamsicle papers from Miss Mint's Tropical Popsicle kit; Graphic Pop 7 paper from Scrapbooks Etc website.

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Snapshots of our Weekend

Quick digital page I created last night using photos from our weekend. The fun polaroid frames by Kate Teague made it easy for me to just drop in several photos. I used my tablet to handwrite the note on my belly photo.


Supplies: Kate Teague's Film Fun kit; Rhonna Farrer's Celebration kit; tag 2 from Miss Mint's Tropical Popsicle kit; Batik Regular font.

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Beach Weekend

Trent & I took Friday off and spent a long weekend at the beach in South Carolina - our last trip before the baby is born. We couldn't have picked a better weekend as the weather was sunny and in the 80s. Perfect for enjoying the beach and relaxing.

1. 115/365: Sandy feet, 2. Seagull, 3. Ocean View, 4. Rainbow of Houses

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PhotoHunt: Protection

The first fully protected outlet in our house as we prepare for the baby:


This outlet is directly behind the crib so I made sure to install the safety covers before we put the crib in place. Definitely not a spot I wanted to forget as it would be easy in the future for curious little fingers to reach down to.

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt Participants

1. Lynn

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6 Baby Names

Aimeslee tagged me in January to list 6 baby names that made our semi-finalist list. It was impossible for me to even start a list at the time because Trent & I had decided to wait until we knew the baby's gender before discussing ideas. Now that we've had some time to think about it, I'll share a few of the names that have come up in our discussions and reasons why they haven't made the list...

1. Gavin - I actually suggested this name and still like it, but I can't pronounce it! LOL Trent laughed every time I tried to say it.
   
2. Clark - too much of a tongue twister with our last name that begins with "C." Seriously, I stumbled over it the first time out of my mouth. One of those "say this 5 times fast" sort of things.
   
3. Braeden - Trent's first response was "like braidin' hair?" And off the list it went.
   
4. Russell - as a teenager I babysat for a little boy with this name and his 2 brothers - all were quite the handful. I haven't seen them in years, but those images stick with me so this was an instant no.
   
5. Henry - liked this one until I remembered it's the name of a coworker's dog. An association (even though unintended) that I don't want. Strike it.
   
6. Trent suggested Frank Ulysses as a joke. Nothing wrong with either name, but combine them with a last name that starts with "C"? Enough said. ;)

Wondering what name we have chosen? So far we can't agree on one! But, even if we had, my lips would be sealed. When we agreed to find out the baby's gender before birth (I initially wanted to wait, but finally sided with Trent on finding out early), we also agreed that we would keep the name a secret until the little fellow makes his appearance.

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Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to my sister, Mary! :)


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View card; miscellaneous light green cardstock; Prima flowers; Making Memories brads & patterned paper; Basic Grey patterned paper; Fiskars threading water punch; Stampin' Up stamps; StazOn ink.

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Happy Earth Day!

Wordless Wednesday Participants

1. Diana Rambles 2. *Just Jen* 3. Laura L.

4. Nadia 5. Joy @ Mommysjoy 6. Susieqtpie

7. Holly\'s Mom

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Painting Party

Last August, my dad & I spent a Saturday helping my sister & her husband paint the living room in their new house. I quickly scrapped photos from our painting party using sketch #18 from the Pink Sketches blog. I used this same sketch on a basketball layout in February. This time, I turned it sideways for a different look. The background cardstock is actually white, but looks pale blue in the scan.


Supplies: Bazzill cardstock; Making Memories foam stamps; white acrylic paint; American Crafts rub-on letters; Martha Stewart Crafts sepia pen; Basic Grey chipboard.

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Happy Anniversary

Today is my mother & stepfather's 23rd anniversary. Here is the card I made for them:


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View card; Daisy D's patterned paper; miscellaneous white cardstock; American Crafts ribbon & rub-on.

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Laughter

Created this page yesterday for Jan's 4/17 Springboard Challenge at Scrappin' Mojo. Photos are of my cousin & his adorable son last August.


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View "Indigo" cardstock; Cosmo Cricket & Basic Grey patterned papers; Making Memories journaling paper & date stamp; Micron black pen; vellum; Autumn Leaves label sticker; StazOn black ink.

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Thanks patchwork card

Simple thank you card inspired by the April A Year in Cards class at Two Peas and by Terri's "bug" challenge on Scrappin' Mojo:


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View card; StazOn black ink; Studio G stamp; Making Memories, Doodlebug Designs, American Crafts, Deja Views and Sharon Ann patterned papers.

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28 Weeks

Found these questions in a post by Laura this week on Cameron Crazy blog and thought they would be a good way to document how my pregnancy is going at this point.

How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: One pound gain. I weigh myself at home each Wednesday morning and lost weight the entire first trimester. It wasn't something I was trying to do. I suppose it was caused by my loss of appetite. The OB assured me in January that it was nothing to worry about. As of last week, I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and this Wednesday found I'm one pound up.

Maternity clothes? About 90% of the pants & tops I wear are now maternity. I can still use a few regular items such as printed t-shirts for working out (although I've warned Trent that I may soon raid his drawers since mine are starting to get snug on the belly).

Stretch marks? Not that I'm aware of.

Sleep: Fairly well. I have nights were I feel as though I'm up every hour and others where I only wake a couple of times. I'm adapting better to sleeping on my side, but still dislike it. I miss back sleeping.

Best moment this week: Any time the little guy is active - especially when he moves around for Trent. I really believe he knows when his dad's hand is on my belly. Either that or hears me mentally saying, "kick for him," over and over again.

Movement: A lot. He used to follow a schedule (morning, after lunch and bedtime). I still feel him those times of day, but now there are a lot of inbetween "play times" as well. :)

Food cravings: Still enjoying the "3 C's" - cantaloupe, chocolate & Cheetos - although I am not noticing the strong "must have" desire for these that I've had in the past.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? In. But definitely much more shallow and rounder than pre-pregnancy.

What I miss: Sleeping on my back. Being able to tie my shoes from a seated position without feeling as though I can't breathe.

What I am looking forward to: Meeting the little guy. Holding him. Watching Trent with him. :)

Weekly Wisdom: Don't believe every pregnancy horror story you read online.

Milestones: I now have to lean forward a little to see my feet. I think I first noticed this last week, but it is pretty funny how one day you can look straight down and there they are. The next day it's "where'd my feet go?"

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Happy Birthday, Zac!

Here's the fun card I made for my brother-in-law's birthday today:


I mounted the sentiment on foam adhesive squares so it would pop off the card:


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View card; acrylic paint; Making Memories foam stamps; EK Success patterned paper & scallop circle punch; black stamp ink; We R Memory Keepers patterned paper; QuicKutz circle die; Martha Stewart Crafts rub-on; foam adhesive squares. Inspired by the Two Peas Stamp Camp Week 2 Class.

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Favorite Photos

This month I had Tere's circle journal in which she asked us to share a favorite photo or photos. Two immediately came to mind as they each represent special moments in our family - our wedding day and the first ultrasound photo of our son. :)


Supplies: Bazzill cardstock; Urban Lily patterned paper & photo journaling card; Basic Grey chipboard photo corner; black stamp ink; Prima flower; Stickles; Heidi Swapp ghost hearts; staples; Micron black pen; Making Memories rub-on; EK Success corner rounder.

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Surprise Shower

Last night was the monthly Ladies Night dinner with the group from my church. Unknown to me, however, it was also a mini surprise shower. One of my friends, Kelly, made this beautiful cake for us to enjoy:


And they gave me the diaper bag we registered for filled with toys and toiletries:


I was completely surprised and blown away by the generosity and thoughtfulness of it all. I can't say thank you enough - Trent & I are both very appreciative. :)

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Disney on Ice layout

Quick page I put together over the weekend with photos from the Disney on Ice show we attended last December:


Inspired by Random Chaos 52, I simply printed the photo collage from my blog post, added the title and fun little Tinkerbell & pixie dust stickers.


Supplies: Bazzill cardstock; Die Cuts with a View adhesive backed cardstock; QuicKutz Tangerine font; EK Success sickers; Signo Uniball white pen.

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Easter Treats

This cute little treat box was one of the projects I made at the Stampin' Up party a couple weeks ago:


Have a beautiful Easter Sunday!

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PhotoHunt: Triangle

Last July, Trent & I spent a day at the Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach, SC. I snapped this photo at the entrance to the British Invasion section. The park is reopening this year under new ownership and a new name - Freestyle Music Park.


Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt Participants

1. Sandy 2. Tara R. ~ If Mom Says OK 3. Mrs. Mecomber 4. SabineM

5. Daisy 6. Kerri @Latte\' Buddies 7. JUNE 8. MariTes

9. Brita 10. Ordinary Biscuit 11. feefifoto 12. Kim

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26w 6d

Inspired by Sketch This: 83 and Lyssa's monotone challenge at Scrappin' Mojo, I put together a quick digital page last night using the photo from yesterday's post. I wanted to capture how much I'm enjoying my pregnancy at this moment. :)


Supplies: Solid Purple Paper from Anne Langpap's Free June 2007 kit; Crystal Wilkerson's Inked Edges template #1; Purple Floral paper from Rhonna Farrer's Color My World kit; Tia Bennett's Fit 2b Tied alpha; mesh (recolored) from Erica Hernandez's Maddie Embellishments; label (recolored) from Tia Bennett's Comical JuniorPEA kit; Block Label from Jennifer Pebbles' skinny label & paper digital freebie; Amienne font.

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Belly Update

Before heading out to Trent's softball game last night, I had him take a few photos of me in our backyard. Here's my favorite:


I'm happy to say I feel great and feel as though I look great too. That black long sleeve t-shirt is actually one of my pre-pregnancy tops. With the belly, it comes down to about where you see my fingertips so I layered it over a maternity tank top. I haven't purchased any long sleeve maternity shirts since most of my rounder days will be in warmer weather and, with a few good tanks, this layering has worked so far on the few cool days we've had.

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Say What?

It's true. People say the darnedest things particularly to pregnant women. I just hope nothing like this has ever slipped from my mouth. And, thankfully, have a good sense of humor that I can laugh at these statements that have been said directly to me over the last couple of weeks. (Keep in mind, I still have 13 weeks to go!)

From a stranger at a party who immediately rubbed my belly...

When are you due?
Early July.
Really? My daughter is due late July and I'm really worried because she isn't as big as you are.

After dinner at a local restaurant that same night, the cashier asked me if I was expecting. What the gender was. When I was due. After telling her early July, she paused and said, "Early July? Wow. Long way to go. Big baby."

A family member (we'll leave it that vague) ... "You're a lot bigger than you were last week." I think this was the result of my clothing. "Last week" I wore a slim fitting t-shirt. "This week" I had on a looser fitting top.

The OB at yesterday's appointment, after looking at my chart, "I see you've had a good weight gain." If still being 2 lbs below my pre-pregnancy weight (I lost 10lbs the first trimester) is a good gain, I'll take that. Then when measuring my belly, "Your belly is on the big side. Baby's had a growth spurt." Really? I haven't been in the doctor's office in 6 weeks. Seems like a "growth spurt" would be expected. ;)

Honestly, I'm now quite curious to see what is said to me next. And, perhaps I should start counting belly rubs too as my belly has suddenly become public property. Trent keeps asking if rubbing my belly is good luck. Well, we haven't won the lottery yet - oh, wait, you have to actually play it to win, don't you? Let me buy a ticket and I'll share the answer. In the meantime, for those readers of mine who've been down this road before, what humorous comments do you recall?

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spring

A few photos of our flower garden last year for Terri's weekly challenge at Scrappin' Mojo and the Two Peas March Super Sketches class:


Supplies: Bazzill cardstock; Autumn Leaves patterned paper; Making Memories tiny alpha stickers and patterned paper; Maya Road chipboard bird; Martha Stewart Crafts sepia pen; EK Success corner rounder punch.

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Project 365 Organization update

In January I shared my plan for organizing my Project 365 photos. I had purchased photo sleeve pages to fit my 3-ring scrapbook albums and planned to simply insert photos as I went. If I felt inspired to scrap a certain photo or event, those pages would be mixed in with the photo pages. I was okay with this until recently when I realized I wanted something more. Just a little notation spot on each page for more details about the photos and the days they represented. Plenty are "real life" and not exciting enough (nor do I have enough time!) for a full scrapbook page, but did deserve a little more than just a title on the photo.

Over the weekend, I officially started this change by rearranging the photos in the pages leaving a single pocket on each page open. Then I created a 4x6 journaling card in Photoshop:


I printed the cards on both sides of white cardstock sheets, cut them out and added stamped dates using my Making Memories date stamp:


Then began to journal details about the photos and events surrounding them. Between the photos themselves, my blog and notes about the photos on Flickr - I was quickly able to begin filling in the details of the first few weeks of the year. Here's an example of what one of the pages looks like:

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Day at the Zoo

We had a wonderful visit yesterday to the NC Zoo in Asheboro. The weather was sunny and in the mid-70s making it perfect to get out and see the animals. The zoo is quite large and divided into two sections - North America and Africa. We started at the Africa entrance planning to visit just that one half. Walking the entire zoo is approximately 5 miles and, at 26 weeks, I wasn't sure if I was up to that. Suprisingly, I felt great the entire day and we walked almost all of it!

At the start of the day checking out the elephants:


Better view of the elephants from further down the path (even though we enjoyed this new path during our visits last year, I'm still in awe how close we can get to the elephants now) :


Bison relaxing (these guys were always way across the field and hard to see during our visits last year) :


Pardon the glare from the glass - this chimp was a total showoff and had fun coming up to the window & interacting with the kids:


Giraffe (the zoo is opening a new feeding station next month where you can feed the giraffe leaves - can't wait to try this on our next visit) :


And, yes, I did manage to capture a few shots of a zebra as I mentioned in yesterday's post. This particular zebra was starting to chase a couple ostrich:


Still having fun chasing those ostrich around and entertaining the crowd:

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PhotoHunt: Stripes

We're off to spend the day at the North Carolina Zoo which led me think of zebras for this week's PhotoHunt theme. We missed seeing them last year. I went back in my files to 2004 to find this particular photo. Hopefully, we'll catch a few out and about today.


Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt Participants

1. Lussie 2. Teena in Toronto 3. Life Ramblings

4. Cindy 5. Sherry at EX Marks the Spot 6. Gypsy at Heart

7. srp 8. Daisy 9. Cindy O

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Altered Notepad

Jess shared a post earlier this week on altering a notepad. I loved the idea and used it for my little craft project last night. Lately I've had so many things on my mind that I really need to be carrying a small notepad with me to keep track. Using a few odds and ends from my stash, I quickly recovered a boring red notepad we had into a much cuter floral one. ;) I used the Xyron laminate/adhesive cartridge to adhere it all and give the cover a little more durability (thus the shine in my photo).


Supplies: Basic Grey patterned paper; Prima flower; Making Memories acrylic flower and tiny alpha letter stickers; Heidi Swapp journaling spot; black stamp ink; Xyron laminate/permanent adhesive cartridge; notepad.

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Thank You Very Much

Fun little card I made earlier this week for my Etsy shop:


Supplies: Die Cuts with a View card; miscellaneous cardstock; American Crafts patterned paper, ribbon & rub-on sentiment; staples; Making Memories metal rimmed tag.

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Wordless Wednesday w/ Cali & Chester

Wordless Wednesday Participants

1. feefifoto 2. Debbie

3. Jack 4. Kelly

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