39 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 39 weeks - LAST week of pregnancy! :)

Size of baby: 20 inches and about 6.16 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Weight gain: 22 pounds

Movement: She is only moving a lot during certain parts of the day. I know she will has no room! But she is getting bigger and stronger!

Sleep: Sleeping is just hard with a big belly, hips that are sore and bladder that always needs emptying! :)

Symptoms: Uncomfortable! Cramping and contractions but nothing regular or super close together. Low back just feels weak and sore! As of last Wednesday, I was still 2cm and 90% effaced.

Cravings: No cravings this week, just ate a ton of food during Thanksgiving!

Best moment this week: My family all coming to visit us for Thanksgiving, everything being checked off my to-do list but most of all knowing that I am going to HAVE A BABY THIS WEEK!!!!!!

38 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: 19.6 inches and about 6.11 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Weight gain: 21 pounds

Movement: She is still rolling around and I am trying to treasure all those movements because I know they are about to be over!

Sleep: I am barely getting any sleep now. Peeing at least every 2 hours and just can't get comfy! I am looking very tired! I guess I am just getting used to my new reality! :)

Symptoms: Uncomfortable! Cramping, Lots of painless but stronger contractions... I would say at least twice an hour if not more. Low back just feels weak and sore! As of Friday, I was 2cm and 90% effaced.

Cravings: I am just hungry all the time! Loving Sonic again, thanks to Prilosec helping with reflux!

Best moment this week: Matt's mom and aunt came up this past weekend and helped me decorate for Christmas then cleaned my house from top to bottom! I can never say thank you enough for all they helped me do! I am so excited to have Christmas decorations up before she comes!! I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful in-law family that loves us so much!

Preslee,

You can come any time now baby girl! So many people are excited to meet you and are praying for your safe delivery! We are all anxiously awaiting your arrival and can't wait to fall in love with you! Love, Mommy

The end is near!

Tonight, I am sitting in bed thinking...

I can hardly believe that I will be a MOM sometime in the next 2 weeks!! What?!! I have dreamed about this for so long and it's coming so soon that I am almost in shock that it's really happening!

Tomorrow is my last day of work! How is it possible that it's my turn to take maternity leave???!

I have a nursery, baby products all over the house and a precious cradle next to my bed just waiting for a baby girl to come and LIVE AT OUR HOUSE FOREVER!

As hard as I try, it's just not possible for me to picture what she will look like. Will she have hair, will she be little or big, will she have my features or Matt's?? Obviously it doesn't matter but I just can't wait to put a face to her precious name!

My mind is racing with thoughts about labor, being at hospital and basically all of the unknowns but I know that it will all be perfect when I get to meet Preslee for the first time!

I absolutely can not wait to see Matt holding his little girl! I don't think he can even imagine how much he is going to be in love with her. And I feel like I may fall in love all over again watching him with her!

I'm just thanking God that my dream is about to come true! Oh My Goodness... I am about to be a MOTHER!!

37 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 37 weeks

Size of baby: 19.1 inches and about 6.5 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes

Weight gain: 19 pounds

Movement: Slow stretching movements and she still has a few active times of the day but there's not much room to move in there now!

Sleep: Getting up every 2 hours to pee but sleeping decently between the pee breaks. Trying to not take naps so that I can sleep good at night!

Symptoms: Cramping is a new symptom this week. Lots of braxton hicks contractions... I would say at least twice an hour if not more. Low back just feels weak and sore!

Cravings: I am just hungry all the time this week!

Best moment this week: My co-workers all went out to eat to Noodles for hangout/baby shower! It was fun to be together since I am about to not be around them everyday! I will miss knowing what's going on at the salon! :) I am very blessed to love my job and love all these girls (and boy) that I work with!

36 weeks

Whoa! That is big ole' belly! And a very tired looking momma! :)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 36 weeks

Size of baby: 18.6 inches and about 5.13 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes everything is maternity except Matt's large tshirts!

Weight gain: 19 pounds

Movement: She still has a few active times of the day but I can tell this week that she has really started to slow down.

Sleep: As you can see from my tired eyes in the pic, sleep is not so good anymore! I can't sleep any longer than 2 hours, then I am up to pee!

Symptoms: Fatigue is here to stay! Having some strong but painless contractions, pains in my back, ribs and hips and many twinges, aches & pressure as I feel her getting lower!

Cravings: I am missing my sweets but this week I got some Twizzlers and finished off the bag tonight! :)

Best moment this week: Spending the past weekend with Matt! I know our time as just the two of us is almost gone so I really cherished the 2 full days together!

25 days until due date--- 4 days from TODAY I will be full term! Praise the Lord!

35 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of baby: 18.2 inches and about 5.6 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes everything is maternity at this point! And if you are really observant, you will notice I had on the same shirt 3 weeks ago in my weekly pic. I am running out of options and don't feel like buying anything for only a month!

Weight gain: 19 pounds

Movement: Poor girl has got to be cramped in my small torso! I feel her trying to stretch and roll around! She has active times of the day and from 12am-2am she moves the most of all! I am sure she will be a night owl like her parents! :)

Sleep: Besides the many pee breaks and normal aches in the night, I am sleeping decently!

Symptoms: Fatigue is getting worse, tons of braxton hicks contractions, pains in my back, ribs and hips and many twinges, aches & pressure as I feel her getting lower!

Cravings: Nothing new this week... I want many things (like mexican food) but have to go without because of the pain I would feel if I ate it!

Best moment this week: Starting my weekly doctor appts! But on that note, my least favorite moment was my first cervix check! Ouch!

31 days until due date--- 10 days until full term!!

34 weeks.

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of baby: 17.8 inches and about 4.14 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes everything is maternity at this point! And those skinny jeans that I was so excited about last week, well... they aren't so comfy! :(

Weight gain: 18 pounds

Movement: She is is still doing lots of moving. Not as many kicks, more just stretching and moving around. I feel her at the top of my stomach all the way down... Crazy feeling!

Sleep: Besides the many pee breaks and normal aches in the night, I am sleeping decently!

Symptoms: Fatigue, tons of braxton hicks contractions, pains in my back, ribs and hips. After the weekend car ride, I am having some sciatic nerve pain as well! I never could have imagined how much pregnancy takes out of your body!

Cravings: Applesauce and still eating lots of Special K cereal!

Best moment this week: Traveling to our hometown for the last time before Preslee comes! We went home for my 10 yr reunion and our hometown baby shower! Many pics coming from the weekend!

39 days until due date--- 18 days until full term!!

My 2nd baby shower!

Some of my best friends from college threw me a shower in Little Rock this past Sunday. We all went to college at Ouachita Baptist University. Most of them live in Central Arkansas so it was so fun to get together with everyone I don't get to see near enough!! I seriously had so much fun and loved all these sweet details they thought of to make my day so special!

My good friend, Stefan made this wreath! She has been so crafty lately! This wreath is now hanging on the nursery door and it just looks precious!

My roommate in college, Gracen, was so generous to host the shower at her house and she made this cute diaper cake! We had elephant decor in our dorm room and apartment in college so the gray elephant was such an appropriate decoration at the shower! :)

They know how much I love chocolate! And I just love seeing my little girl's name and initials on so many things!

My cousins, Suzy and Alex came to this shower and I was so excited to see them! They got Preslee her exersaucer which I am sure we'll be using a ton!

Emily and I don't get to see each other enough because she lives in Fort Worth! She is having a sweet baby girl at the end of December! (Luckily for her, my belly is totally covering hers! ha!)

My childhood friend Lauren surprised me with the Nap Nanny, which is SUCH a nice gift!! She said they wanted to do something special because I got stuck in the elevator at her wedding! Ha!

Matt later asked if they make Nap Nanny's in adult sizes because it looked so comfy! :)

Some of my pledge sisters! I wish we got together more often!! I have SO many wonderful memories with these girls!

How cute is this onesie??!!

Love this monogramed bib and bloomers! Our sorority colors were black and red so it was only appropriate for Preslee to get some red and black things along with all her pink stuff! :)

It was so good to see Kimbo and Jessica! I haven't seen either of these girls in over a year!

I am so thankful to have such sweet friends that already love Preslee so much too!! I had the best time putting away all the goodies I got from the shower!

We are blessed with so many friends and family who shower us with love before Preslee arrives! And we even have one more shower in our hometown! I am so grateful for all these sweet gifts for our baby girl!

33 weeks

(Romeo wanted to talk to me while I was trying to pose for the pic! I thought this was so sweet!)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Size of baby: 17.2 inches and about 4.7 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes and I am excited about my new skinny jeans and fall clothes I can wear this week since it's turned cool!

Weight gain: 18 pounds

Movement: She is moving all around my whole stomach!

Sleep: The last few nights of sleep have been better. I have been limiting the water intake after dinner and Tums right before falling asleep seems to help a little with the reflux pain!

Symptoms: I might be starting to waddle! ha! Mainly because my back feels so weak. Having many stronger braxton hicks throughout the day but nothing painful. I have had a little bit of swelling in my feet and also my wedding rings are off!

Cravings: Rice Krispie treats!

Best moment this week: Having my 2nd baby shower! My college friends were so sweet and I absolutely loved everything about the shower! Pics coming tomorrow!

46 days until due date--- 25 days until full term!!

Check up!

I went to my 32 week appt today! All is well and I am measuring right on track! I can't believe I just have one more appointment in 2 weeks then I start going weekly in November!! It's so crazy that baby time is getting so close!

Also I just have to share that yesterday, I got a good check-up by "Dr. Brody"! You have to go see these pics on Brody's mom's blog!! They are just too precious! Click HERE!

I have my second baby shower this weekend with my college friends and I absolutely CAN'T WAIT!! Mainly, I am just so excited to see all these girls that I don't get to see often!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Maternity photos

After we got pregnant, I knew we had to take maternity pics this fall! I looked at a few websites of photographers in the area but knew immediately that we wanted to use our talented friend Alicia, at NW Photoworks to take our photos! I also knew I wanted our "first baby", Romeo, in some of them! These are such special keepsakes of the pregnancy we've dreamed about for so long! Just wanted to share a few of these with my blog friends who have prayed for us throughout this journey!

You can see a few more on her site! We're so thrilled with how they turned out! She's only shown us a sneak peek of the whole session, but after seeing these few pictures, I can't wait to see the rest!!

32 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: 16.7 inches and about 4 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes and lots of Matts big tshirts! :)

Weight gain: 17 pounds

Belly Button: It is OUT! And it has been showing thru all my shirts! ha!

Movement: I really love feeling how strong her movements are. Makes it seem more real that she is growing and getting closer to coming out!

Sleep: This week I can't sleep on my sides because the reflux pain is so bad. So I am propped up on pillows on my back all night. Its not so comfy and I think I am getting pregnancy insomnia this week. I miss my sleep but maybe this is just getting me ready for what is to come!

Symptoms: My daily energy level is much better, especially at work but my body can't keep up! (If that makes sense) Also having stronger braxton hicks and the peeing is getting out of control! ha! The reflux meds help the burning in my throat but do nothing for the burning in my stomach & back! :(

Cravings: Lots of chocolate! But trying not to eat much because of the refulx pain! Eating a lot of baked potatoes and bland foods to try to get some relief!

Best moment this week: Taking maternity photos! I can't wait to see them, especially the ones with Romeo! :)

Speaking of Romeo, he has been such a sweet boy! He let me practice with him rocking in my new glider! :)

I was sick last week and I really hate that I missed the 31 week update/picture! Only a few more weeks of the updates so I am going to make sure I don't skip another one! I feel like I am growing rapidly and don't want to miss documenting this last special part! (Even if I am feeling too big to take a pic! ha!)

Things I am loving...

• My heating pad! I spend every night laying on it in bed after work!
• Matt's large t-shirts, my loose sweat pants & sports bras!
• Candy! - Up until the 3rd trimester, I just really didn't even care for my normal favorite candy but now I want to eat chocolate and sweets constantly!
• Going to the doctor every other week! It's making this part of pregnancy go by faster!
• Feeling Preslee's big movements and trying to figure out what body parts I am feeling!
• But most of all... Matt talking about Preslee. He is just going to be the sweetest daddy! He wants her room to be perfect and goes in to look at it everyday! We sit in the glider together some nights and just dream about her being in there with us! We are getting SO excited about her arrival!!

Today marks 3 years of blogging! I love that I have all these memories and thoughts written down! I never thought I would stick with this blog for this long but, I am so excited that I did so that I can share the next chapter of our lives on here! Only 63 DAYS (or less) TO GO!!

30 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: 15.7 inches and 3.3 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Yes and I even got a few new shirts this week to try to get me through the next 2 months!

Weight gain: 15 pounds

Belly Button: It is OUT! I had an outie as a child and it feels weird to have it back! ha!

Movement: I love feeling all her big movements! I am really starting to be able to tell her awake periods of the day!

Sleep: Sleep is getting more uncomfortable this week. I am able to sleep but just not as long as I usually do!

Symptoms: I think the new iron is helping!! I didn't even take one nap last week which hasn't ever happened! Also having some more braxton hicks, peeing ALL the time, reflux and back pain!

Cravings: My sweet tooth has come back and I am loving desserts again! :)

Best moment this week: Having my very own baby shower!!

Our first baby shower!

Yesterday I had my very own baby shower! It was such a surreal but wonderful feeling knowing that it was finally my turn to have a baby shower! I have always loved to help host and attended so many of my friend's baby showers but I always dreamed of what it would be like when it was MY shower!

I have to say that it was the most perfect shower!! My friends went out of their way to make sure that there was no detail spared! I truly felt so special and loved every minute of the shower!

The front door had a cute little sign welcoming everyone to Julee and Preslee's shower! Also they had my growing belly pics along with some ultrasound pics hanging in the frame for people to see as they walked in!

The invitation along with all the signs had the crib bedding pattern on it! It all matched and looked so cute!

The wonderful hostesses that I am truly blessed to call my friends!

Emily Richardson, Devin Bertram, Jill Shumard, Jennifer Francis, Renee Morris, Leslie Duffield and Rachel Bell.

Just a few weeks until we meet Annabel!! Emily at 36 weeks, me at 30!

I was so happy to have my Mom and Matt's mom at the shower today! They are going to be the best grandmas and Miss Preslee is completely spoiled by them already!

Jennifer made these precious banana pudding cups! She used food dye to make the pudding pink! These were so precious and tasted amazing!

Along with the cake and banana pudding, we had fruit kabobs, veggies with ranch, pita chips with cheesy spinach dip, and a delicious dessert called Death by chocolate!

This set-up was so pretty! The mirror is actually from Preslee's nursery so it really tied the theme together!

Once again, Rick's Bakery out did themselves on the cake! Perfect!!

I have talked about it on the blog before, but I LOVE cotton candy! The favor for all the guest was this yummy pink cotton candy!

The cotton candy table was just too cute! The sign on the table said Thanks for celebrating Sweet Preslee.

The guest had coffee punch, Peach tea punch or water to drink with all the yummy foods!

We received so many sweet things for our baby girl!! I am going to share more pics of those gifts along with more pics of friends that were there to help spoil Preslee this week!

29 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 29 weeks - LAST week in the 20s! CRAZY!

Size of baby: 15.2 inches and 2.14 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Running out of options with non-maternity clothes so YES almost all maternity now!

Weight gain: 14 pounds

Belly Button: It is OUT! I had an outie as a child and it feels weird to have it back! ha!

Movement: There is some serious movement going on! I have to tell her to settle down some nights! :)

Sleep: Still sleeping decent but takes more to get comfy!

Symptoms: I am still anemic so I am on prescription iron twice a day. I am hoping this will help my fatigue! Also having some braxton hicks lately, peeing ALL the time, reflux and back pain!

Cravings: I am just hungry ALL the time!!

Best moment this week: Passing my glucose test!!

More new post coming up this week!

28 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: 14.8 inches and 2.9 pounds

Gender: A GIRL!!! Preslee Bell Turner

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah! :)

Weight gain: 14 pounds

Movement: All day I get to feel her sweet kicks and movement! Love it!

Sleep: Getting a little uncomfortable this week when I get out of bed and have to change positions a lot in the night.

Symptoms: Same ole aches and pains... I know she will be worth ever pain and symptom! :)

Cravings: Eating more sweets than I had been and just basically eating a lot!

Best moment this week: Seeing Preslee on 4d ultrasound! AND getting her armoire and the glider for her room! (Pics coming soon)

Sweet cheeks!

This morning, we took our moms and Matt's gram to our 3d/4d ultrasound in Little Rock! We were all so excited to see Preslee but she didn't feel the same about seeing us!

The first half of the appt, she covered her face with both hands. We finally agitated her enough to get her to move them but this pic cracks me up! She looks so annoyed and just wanted to sleep! I know if we had gone at midnight, she would have really put on a show for us! :)

We fall more in love with this sweet face every day! Seeing her and hearing that she is perfectly healthy makes our hearts almost burst with joy! We just can't wait to kiss those baby cheeks in 12 weeks or less!!!

*My 28 post will be up in the next day or so. Just returning from a long weekend and haven't taken this weeks pic but the good news is our internet is finally fixed!!

Books lately...

My pregnancy tiredness has hurt my relationship with my kindle! ha! But I have been given many books on pregnancy so in the last few weeks, I have been reading some of those. I am sure many of you have read these but if not, these are the 2 faves so far!

Jenny seriously tells it like it is! I laughed all the way through it! Her humor really helps you laugh about even some of the most not-so-fun things you experience during pregnancy and delivery! I enjoyed it so much, I could read it again! If you are pregnant, you should pick up this quick and funny book!

A few weeks ago, my mom brought me The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. If you don't know me well, my mom is a HUGE breast-feeding advocate! She has helped many of my friends with tips during their first weeks of nursing. I know I am so lucky to have such a huge wealth of knowledge/support to help me try to succeed at breast feeding! I have started reading this book and can already tell that I will be using it as a guide and also a reference if I start having issues after Preslee is here!

Let me know of any other books I really need to read in the next 12 weeks!!