[ 2 months ]

my little man is growing more every day - & I'm falling more n more in love with him. 

Transitioning to Mama Bear

Being a mother is seriously the best thing. Ever. I know it sounds cliche- but I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin. He has changed me 100%. He motivates me to be a better person, not just a better mom. I find myself getting emotional over anything to do with family. It is really the most beautiful blessing. Now that he's here, I can't imagine my life without him. I don't know how my mornings were ever happy without waking up to his cute little toothless smile.

Before Hudson, my days consisted of sleeping in til noon, drinking coffee til 3, working out, cleaning, making dinner & playing on Pinterest all day. Then my weekends were going on adventures with my hubby & taking lots of naps! I had no idea how boring I was. I told Shawn just last night that I've always fantasized about being a mom, and how much fun I would have with my baby- but now, I fantasize about my white cloud-like bed & a long nap. He reminded me that I've been the queen of sleep for years & that I lived it up before becoming a mama. Haha // he also made a comment about how nice it is for me to be tired at 9 instead of bugging him to stay up and watch movies with me every night, like I used to. Granted, Hudson has started sleeping through the night & it has been heavenly but I wake up naturally, just to check on him. Mom senses are no joke! 

We are getting pretty used to his schedule & it makes planning outings much easier! Although, I'm still trying to get used to trying to nurse in public. It is so awkward, and Hudson isn't crazy about being completely covered! Every morning, I go running/walking at the park & Hud absolutely loves it. He usually sleeps, but when he's awake, he is SO happy listening to all the different birds chirping! Seeing him in the stroller helps me push myself harder too- sounds crazy, but I remind myself that I gave birth to that little cutie & labor is much harder than running up a hill! While giving birth, my mom kept telling me "You can do hard things!!" & I say it to myself all the time. Not just when I'm working out! Not every day is heaven with a baby, sometimes he is a fussy little punk & doesn't want to do anything but yell at my boob & fuss when he's not nursing! So on those days, I've learned to get some snacks, turn on a movie & just love on him! I'm tellin' you, it took me a while to figure out how to be patient. I can't even tell you how many times I called my mom crying about how I couldn't even get up to go to the bathroom & it was 5 o'clock & I still hadn't eaten! Haha I'm so glad that he's more content & actually likes being in his monkey chair so I can have a break!

It is so crazy that my baby will be 10 weeks tomorrow! Every day goes by so quick. He is already growing out of newborn clothes & wears size 1 diapers- almost ready for the next size. Ah!! Where has the time gone? He talks to me all day & has started watching animated movies with me! I can lay him down on his boppy & he will just lay there amazed at the screen, sucking on his fist! He is obsessed with his hands lately! It's the funniest thing! Instead of waking up crying, I can hear him sucking on his hands. Its so cute to wake up to! He is getting so chunky, I am always nibbling on his rolls & kissing his chubby cheeks! He already gives me looks like I'm crazy whenever I smooch him all over his face! I love it so much. He is the cutest thing in the world!

I'm still working on my Labor & Delivery story- it's taking me forever! There is just so much to tell & I don't want to forget little details! It already seems like I'm forgetting some of it! My mind is just all over the place. That's one thing I wish I had done right after I had him! So, advice to other new mama's- write it down! They sleep so much the first few weeks & there's definitely time! I still had such a strong nesting instinct the first couple weeks so in my spare time, I was deep cleaning everything & doing laundry. Don't do that. Haha it doesn't help you heal any sooner & you'll be even more drained! It's so funny how during all the painful contractions, I kept thinking I only wanted one kid now, because it hurt so bad! But then after the whole experience was over & he was in my arms- I wanted to do it all over again. Its so amazing. Ah. That's another bit of advice for new mama's // Don't let horror stories about L&D scare you- it will hurt, you will feel like it is impossible to get that baby out of you, but you're made for this! I remember I was most nervous about being spread eagle in front of people, but once its happening, you don't even notice because your mind is completely focused on getting your little sweetheart out! 

Anyway, I'm getting anxious now that Hudson has been napping for two hours. I'm ready to play with my baby!! 

Life with baby Hudson

Our new life as a family has been an absolute dream. My whole life, I imagined what it would be like to be a mother- I could have never imagined that it would be this amazing. Don't get me wrong, it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life - but it's getting easier! The first 6 weeks were rough! I never knew how crazy lack of sleep can make you. Hudson has been such a good baby, though. The hard parts have mostly been due to my post partum hormones! The hormones gave me a rash that is just barely going away! It got worse the more I nursed! Luckily, it's started to go away now that my hormones have evened out!

Hudson is such a happy & smart baby! I love spending my days with him - watching him learn & seeing his big smile everytime I talk to him. It's hard to believe that he's almost 8 weeks old! Days go by so quick! 

Our life has been so blessed with this little boy. Everything revolves around him. We lay down in bed, just talking & watching him! Shawn is such a great dad - it's made me fall more in love with him everyday! He helps so much & is willing to do anything so this mama can relax. He leaves the house at 5 am & sometimes gets home as late as 8! After a long day, he still takes Hudson & makes me go for a drive or brings me flowers & chocolate. We've learned so much about each other through this experience & became closer than ever. I couldn't imagine sharing a life with anyone else. I feel so honored to be his wife & to be Hudson's mother. 

I've been writing my Labor & Delivery story & I'm hoping to share it soon! Finding time to blog is much different now - how do all these moms do it?! Total rockstars. Adjusting to a schedule revolving around a newborn has been interesting. But, I can't wait to share his birth story with all of you! 

Overdue!

So, I'm still pregnant... 

||Pregnancy Questions||

How far along?  40 weeks 

Stretch marks? Yes indeed. Starting to get irritated when clothes rub against them. Ugh..

Sleep? Bout the same! I feel pretty lucky with that!

Miss anything? I couldn't possibly name all of the things I miss. I miss normal things even more now that I'm passed my due date! Haha 

Movement? Always! It makes me so anxious that I can feel him squirming in my arms soon. 

Cravings? I haven't been craving anything - but I have decided to indulge in snacks & some junk food because I haven't my whole pregnancy & I'll be eating super clean & healthy again once he's out. So excited to get my body back!

Belly button- in or out? I would say it's half n half. Haha 

Feeling? Pretty tired & uncomfortable. Sometimes I get emotional too- I'm just so ready to hold my son.

This is officially my last pregnancy update! Woooo!! If/when I hit 41 weeks, I'll be at the hospital being induced! I had my last appointment & haven't had much progress since last time. Still dilated to a 2 but now I'm 80% effaced! He stripped my membranes again hoping to speed things up, but I doubt it'll do any good. This little guy is quite cozy in there!

I'm starting to get pretty uncomfortable. He is getting big & my Braxton Hicks have been knocking the breath out of me! I haven't had many real contractions yet, that I know of! Hubby rubs my back every night after I put heat on it for a few minutes. It seems to help me relax & that makes it much easier to fall asleep! 

We have everything ready for this babe to make his debut! Hospital bag is packed, everything is washed, car seat is in the car & I have all my things for nursing & healing afterwords. Anytime now, baby boy! Also, we have his full name picked out & I'm just dying to share it. Only a few more days!! Can't wait til my posts are mostly of our little nugget! 

Counting down!

I'm officially four days away from my due date! At this point, I'm not near as nervous as I was a few weeks ago. I think I've come to a peaceful realization that if I stay positive & strong, it'll help get me through labor & delivery. I'm a firm believer that maintaining a positive mind set can go a long way! 

The past week I've started getting pretty uncomfortable. He is getting heaving & now that he is dropping, it feels like I can barely walk or that he could just fall out at any time! Haha // my nights are getting interesting too. Shawn wakes up from a dead sleep offering to help me get out of bed every two hours. This belly is no joke! I can tell that baby boy has way less room now, but he still squirms just as much! Everyone said I would start to feel him less during this last month, but I'm pretty sure he took that as a challenge! I feel him non-stop! I can almost grab onto his little feet. I'm not complaining though- he makes me so happy, even when he keeps me up til 4 am practicing his moves! 

I think I am actually starting to get kind of emotional about not being able to feel him in my belly soon. I know that having him here will be the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me, but I know for sure that I'll miss it. I feel like I've really embraced every aspect of my pregnancy though. Rarely have any complaints- even through the hard times. I love feeling his movements, hiccups & stretches! It feels like just yesterday I was getting excited over his little flutters, & now he is big n strong, ready to come out & change our whole life! 

Oh, & for anyone who is wondering about visiting us when he's born- we plan on only having our immediate family visit at the hospital. Once we are home & feeling up to it, we will have friends come visit! I know it's a bummer to wait, but I don't feel bad cause he is ours & we want to experience the first few days just us three. I will not be giving out info on our hospital or room number & our family is being advised not to either. I have already had some interesting responses to our plan, but I seriously don't feel even a little guilty. We still love you all, but we want him to ourselves for a bit. :)

Update on baby - we had our appointment today! I've only progressed a little but I'm up to 2 centimeters dilated & 50% effaced. He did a membrane sweep & I've already been feeling quite crampy from that. We are hoping he will come on or before his due date! I have my next appointment the day after he's due, but hopefully I won't have to go to that one & he'll be here already! 

Mango icee in hand- walking the canyon to get this boy out!

Me & my handsome - just waitin' on our little fella. [hopin' he looks just like his daddy] 

Pregnancy Q's & Bump Update

||Pregnancy Questions||

How far along?  38 weeks

Stretch marks?  Yes!

Sleep? Sadly, my sleep is getting worse every night. It's just hard to stay comfortable!

Miss anything? REAL sushi. I've been on a sushi kick & California Rolls are getting old!

Movement? All the time - especially now that Daddy is home. He goes crazy in there when he talks.

Cravings? Maybe the sushi is considered a craving? But not really, mostly ice water still!

Belly button- in or out? Still mostly flat, the top pops out sometimes though.

Feeling? So ready to be a mama! 

I know you guys are probably ready for me to stop posting about my belly and all these crazy questions, but now that I'm so close to my due date, I want to update as much as I can! This pregnancy is almost over- which completely blows my mind! Did it fly by to everyone else too? At the beginning, 40 weeks sounds like a lifetime but before you know it, you're nesting & just waiting for the baby. Ah! I'm so excited to NOT feel the nesting instinct though, I just want to relax! I'm always doing some kind of project. Cleaning baseboards, sanitizing the whole apartment- every day. Everything is so organized! I thought I was bad before, but WOW.

One thing I've noticed the past couple weeks is that I'm very anti-social! [I'm sorry to anyone who feels like I'm a bad friend.] I'm so scatterbrained, and the only thing I can think about is the upcoming weeks, and becoming a mother. It's hard for me to focus on anything else. I've talked to a few mom friends, & they all say they were the same way! Now that my hubby is home, its probably worse too. I just want to cuddle up with him, talk to our boy, and wait for him to arrive! 

Oh! I can't believe I forgot to mention my new blog design! I have been following/obsessing over this awesome girl, Heidi on Instagram for a little over a year now, and she agreed to help my ideas come to life! She did even better than I imagined. I'm completely obsessed with my logo/header. You should all check out her blog here! She is definitely a jack of all trades- you will love her! 

Anywho, I guess the only other update I have is that I went to the Dr yesterday & I've only dilated a 1/2 centimeter since last week. I'm starting to think he's pretty cozy in there! Every girl I know is either having their baby early or they are on the verge of it. Even ones due after me! It's pure torture. I really just want to hold my baby boy. I love being pregnant & I need to enjoy these last few weeks being just with Shawn but I think we are both getting anxious at this point. Come on, little guy!! 

Even my niece is ready for him. ;)

〈〈 38 weeks 〉〉

ready for you, baby boy. ◆

I've been away from my handsome husband for 6 weeks & he finally got home two nights ago! I'm so happy to have my other half back- I was starting to go crazy! It's such a relief that now he will be here whenever our son decides to make his grand appearance! I've been so worried that I would go into labor early & I would have to do it all without him by my side. I feel so blessed. I can't believe we will be a family of three in just a couple weeks! 

Everything is ready for our little man at this point! I've almost finished washing all his things & started packing our hospital bag. I'm hoping to have everything done by my 39 week mark. Ah, where has my pregnancy gone?! This strong baby boy will be out of my belly & in my arms before we know it. I am so, so excited! 

My nights have definitely started getting more uncomfortable, which was expected- especially with how close I am. It's just getting more awkward & hard to switch from side to side. Then I almost get up 6 times a night, regardless of how much I drink! When I actually sleep, it's good sleep though. But as for right now, he is doing some intense karate moves in my belly & making it far too amusing & ticklish for me to sleep! I have Braxton Hicks a TON throughout the day & night. I don't think they hurt, they are mostly just tense & my belly clenching makes it hard to move. I've been drinking lots of Raspberry Leaf Tea & I think it makes me have even more mini contractions.  I've heard great things about the wonders of the tea & it makes me happy cause it tastes sensational. It doesn't take much to please me in the tea department though, I love most teas. No sugar, no honey- just tea. Aaahhhh :)

Pregnancy has been such an amazing journey & I think it's definitely been the greatest thing I've ever experienced. From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I have fallen asleep smiling every night. He is the most incredible blessing. He has already changed me in countless ways - & I can't wait to see the ways he continues to change me. Becoming his mama bear will be the greatest adventure -I can't wait to meet this little cub. 

||Pregnancy Questions||

How far along?  37 weeks

Stretch marks?  YES! I all of a sudden started getting so many. I thought it would bum me out, but I honestly don't even mind them. He is worth every single one!

Sleep? Still sleeping good! If I didn't pee 4-6 times a night, I would say there is zero complaints on my sleep! ;)

Miss anything? Now that I'm so close to the end, and so huge - I miss everything! I can't wait to do things on my own again, and even walk without this waddle!

Movement? Still constant movement! He is getting so big & strong in there!

Cravings? Haven't really been experiencing cravings lately- just always thirsty for an ice water!

Belly button- in or out? Flat button! Sometimes it pokes out a little if I've eaten lots though!

Feeling? I'm feeling good! I get exhausted fast & I can't walk around for long - but other than that, I'm just so over excited about meeting my baby!!!

Yesterday I had my 37 week appointment! Baby boy is still doing great, already in position to come out! I am 1 centimeter dilated & 50% effaced! I'm just hoping he will stay in there a little bit longer & wait for Daddy to drive from Wyoming! It's so cool to think that in less than a month I'll be able to hold him in my arms & that he will be ours - forever!

I'll definitely miss playing games with him in there though. Usually he will kick water bottles right off my belly!

In other news - Shawn got me my mama car!! It's a 2010 Mazda CX-7.We have been looking for months & I finally found this one. I loved it instantly. It's a smooth ride, very comfy, gorgeous interior, lots of space, & it came with a tv that folds down on the ceiling so I can play movies for our little man during our many road trips! 

I'm not sure there's anything else to update you guys on! - but, if anyone has any advice on things they highly suggest me packing in my hospital bag, then please feel free to send me a list or the things you just couldn't live without! 

▸▸▸ katie 

Restless Mama

I am so blown away by how fast my pregnancy has gone by. It is still surreal that I'm even having a baby! I'm already so in love with this sweet little soul and I know I'm in for the most intense love I've ever known. He will be here in less than a month! I know I've said this before but, this pregnancy has been the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced. It is truly remarkable that my body was made for this. I think I've been pretty blessed though- I've had it pretty easy. I am just barely starting to get uncomfortable, and even that just depends on how he's situated in there. I have slept great the entire time, until tonight! But I think that's only because I am so excited! I day dream about him being here, then when it's time to sleep, I have problems shutting my brain off! I can't wait to just have him in my arms.

So, a little update on our life right now... Sadly, I'm in Utah while Shawn works in Wyoming. It is so hard being away from him. Especially while being pregnant. Baby E loves hearing daddy's voice, and I know Shawn hates not being able to hold on to my belly every night and feel his little boy moving around. It is so hard being away from my other half, but everything we do now, is for our son. He is already worth every minute we have to be apart. Shawn's job moves around a lot, and it's very unpredictable! So, we decided to rent out my mom's basement until his job signs on a long term contract somewhere. Hopefully it will only be a couple months! I'm so grateful for my hard working husband. He is amazing! 

My Dr. appointments have been going great! I'll now be going in every week for check-ups! Baby boy is measuring perfectly. I've gained about 21 pounds at this point - and my Dr. is guessing that he will weigh between 7 and 8 pounds! I'm starting to get pretty nervous about giving birth. I have felt so peaceful, and at ease with the thought of it, until recently when every woman decides to tell me her horror story! So, I've decided to kindly ask them to save their story for after I give birth to my little guy. I know my body was meant for this, and that he will be worth every bit of the pain and torture. Even though, I fully plan on getting an epidural- I'm still scared and worried! I'm hoping everything will go smoothly and that he will be a healthy, strong, little chunk. 

I'm pretty sure we have finally decided on a name for him too! We still have a few back up names, just in case the one we like doesn't fit! But we won't be announcing it until the big day! We have gone through so many names, and changed our minds a million times! It's so hard to name a person! Especially because Shawn and I both think he needs a strong name that will fit him for life, not just a cute baby name. I can't wait to share it with you guys!! 

-- I will do my pregnancy questions on my next post, and put up some bump pictures! 

xx, Katie

I'm the worst blogger!

Well, seeing as being a better blogger is one of my resolutions this year - I probably should get on that! Once I sit down to write, between letters to my baby & journal entries, I'm pretty drained before getting to my blog. So maybe I'll just try to blog once a week! 

2014 has been pretty good to us so far! We are starting to get extremely anxious with the arrival of our baby boy in 9 weeks. This pregnancy has flown by! It seems weird that I'm almost done with this journey, and preparing to start an even better one. We have moved so many times in these 8 months, it's crazy! I think between moving & trips home, it's helped the time pass! I have a feeling it will start to slow down because of how excited we are, & how crowded my belly is getting! 

I still don't have many complaints about pregnancy. There's definitely days where I'm more uncomfortable & just wish he could be out already, but it's so amazing going through this experience. We got a 3D/4D ultrasound just a few days ago & it was SO cool! Definitely worth the extra money! We were so happy when we got to see his squishy face. He was still stubborn, just like he's been in all my ultrasounds! He was hiding most of his face & trying to sleep. It was so neat though- cause usually we can't get good pictures because he won't hold still! He seemed so content in there. Just smiling, sticking his tongue out, & poking out his perfect lips! Did I mention that he is a chunk?! Oh man. If you didn't know this, chunky babies are my favorite & as soon as I laid eyes on those cheeks, I instantly had the urge to kiss & squeeze em! I could go on for days talking about all the things I'm excited to do with my babe, but I'll resist. Haha 

||Pregnancy Questions|| -

How far along?  31 weeks

Stretch marks? Not really- there are a few small ones, but none on my belly so far. 

Sleep? Now that he's getting more crowded, it's definitely harder to stay comfortable or even breathe! But yoga & little workouts help move him down so he's not up in my ribs! 

Miss anything? Haha! Umm.. Putting on my own shoes without cussing, ab workouts, sleeping on my belly & feeling sexy! (Any woman who feels sexy at this stage is very lucky- I feel beautiful but no where near sexy) 

Movement? All the time! My belly is always doing crazy things. Playing tag with him is my favorite! 

Cravings? Still fruit! I can't stop eating it. 

Belly button- in or out? It's sorta just flat! I thought it would have popped out by now! So we'll see. ;)

Feeling? I feel good for the most part. I get really short of breath though. Even just from talking! Some days are hard, but I just try to relax, stretch & drink lots of water. 

I am getting maternity photos done when I go to Utah for my baby showers, so I will definitely post some updated bump pictures!