38 Weeks...

Preggo Buzz

So here we are at 38 weeks...My family has come and gone and still no little one. I'm sad she didn't make an appearance for their visit. But what can you do? My mama & daddy said they will fly back down here as soon as they get the call that I'm in labor. So that makes me feel better. 

This week has been all about aches and pains. I'm huge...at least it feels that way and oh so ready to pop!  I'm trying my best to relax and be patient, but my nerves are getting the best of me!

 Hopefully baby girl will be here before I go back to work on Jan. 3rd. I can not stand the thought of having to go back to work for a week or two before she comes. Ugh. The stress... 

I had my doctor's appointment this past Wednesday. Heartbeat sounds great. Blood pressure wonderful. Blood & urine awesome. Dilation 2 cm & my midwife says my cervix is extremely soft. So she feels it could be any day. It's a waiting game.  

How is CJ? He is great, he is a little hyper lately. I think he is as anxious as we are. A little from being out of school, having my family from Texas come visit and knowing his sister could come at any moment. 

How is Daddy? Daddy has honestly been on my nerves. It's like in the movie Bride Wars where the girl is in the bed with her husband and he is sleep. She looks over at him and says "your getting on my nerves". LOL it seriously feels like that. But we've talked about it and hopefully these mood swings will change. I love my hubby and appreciate him so much, I'm just goin through some thangs ya'll!! LOL

Week: 38 weeks

Weight gain: 25 lbs. Christmas. Cooking. Dinner. Leftovers. 
Equals all the weight gain! Oh well I'm over it now. It is what it is. 

Stretch marks: None still thank you Lord.



Belly button: Still flat :)

Clothes: Maternity & non-maternity

How big is baby:Baby is the size of a pumpkin. I seriously believe this. I'm so cramped now. 

Babe's Growth: She may have about an inch or so of hair already. She is slowly shedding that white goo on her skin called vernix caseosa which we may see on her at birth.  

Sleep: It's a constant battle. I pretty much take Tylenol PM every night. Which I dont know if that's healthy, but my DR. said I could take it to help the back pain & get some sleep. 

Movement:She is rolling now, seems like it's hard for her to punch and kick as much. 

Food Cravings: Sour Cream Pound Cake, Chips, Queso, pretty much anything right now. Since I'm off from work I am eating so much more

Food Aversions: Milk

Symptoms: The Back Pain is ridiculous. I mean it is killing me. ALL.THE.TIME. I mainly have relief when I'm walking and working out. I bought a birthing ball today so hopefully that gives me some relief. 

What do I miss: Sleeping comfortably & not being overly emotional. 

Best moment this week: Spending time with my family & my girlfriend coming over & having movie nights with me

What I am looking forward to: Going into labor

Next Appointment(s): January 3rd, 2013

Until Next Time...

Love Jones

Sandy Hooks

I don't want this to be a long drawn out post about this. It is just weighing on my heart....

 There are a few emotions  I want to vocalize and respect I want to give.

Honestly the whole tragedy scares the crap out of me....it makes my heart week....makes me have thoughts that aren't positive in the slightest about our society....it makes me fearful to be at work...makes me fearful for my child to go to school...

I work in an elementary school, and in the front office at that, so if this were to happen to our school I would be one of the people to encounter the issue and try my best to prevent it....my husband teaches in an elementary school....my son goes to an elementary school....how do you put into words the sympathy, fear and anger you feel...

I can't.

All I can say is my heart goes out to each and every person, family members, police officers, neighbors, teachers and staff, strangers, victims and survivors that has been affected.

May God give us all the strength to forgive, move forward with progress each day, be thankful and not take for granted our blessings.

-Love Jones

36 Weeks...9 months Say What??

 *Please excuse the quality of these pictures, the only time that I have to take pictures is at work & normally with my phone. I have my real camera packed & ready for delivery! It may come out for Christmas if my lil mama isn't here though. 



So....OMG....I am officially 9 months pregnant!! 

*Pause* (let's have a moment of silence for this accomplishment)

I am extremely thankful and blessed to have this little girl in my belly...

With that said...

I AM SO TIRED. I mean I have literally thought about going on maternity leave early at least 10 times this week. All I have left is Today. In my Dr. Appt yesterday my midwife congratulated me on working for 9 months! Which made me feel great! 

How is CJ? He is doing fantastic! So excited he gets a Christmas break and overjoyed that my family is going to be here this weekend! He loves his Aunts, uncle and my baby niece. 

How is Daddy? Daddy has been wonderful, a joy to be around a majority of the time. He has been so sweet in the last two weeks. Love him. 

How is lil mama? My little girl has been fab. She doesn't have much room these days so it makes for interesting streching sessions. Where there is literally a foot trying to push through my belly or her bum imprint coming up to say hello. She seems healthy and energetic most of the time. I'm so excited. 

Week: 36 weeks & 2 days
Weight gain: 21 lbs. I'm doing good by staying within my goal. With Christmas around the corner I dont know how I will hold up tho.

Stretch marks: None so far...thankfully
Belly button: Still flat :)

Clothes: Maternity & non-maternity depending on where I'm going. 

How big is baby:Baby is the size of a crenshaw melon (whatever that is) basically a  small watermelon

Bug's Growth: They say, your baby is still packing on the pounds at the rate of about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 lbs. and is more then 18 1/2 inches long. Exciting!

Sleep: My sweet sweet husband gave me an early Christmas present! He bought me a  Sealy sleep/nursing pillow. It fits perfectly in between my legs and under my belly and is pure heaven. I am officially back in our bed! 

Movement:Yes I feel her still & she has the hiccups like 2 or 3 times a day. This is the first week I've really felt them and KNOWN what was going on. Very cool.

Food Cravings: Fried Shrimp....I wanted it all week long!

Food Aversions: Nothing this week!  I started drinking Silk instead of milk and that has been great!

Symptoms: I actually feel really good, besides lots of pressure down yonder, being so tired at night  and the  sometimes "sweet" uncomfortable movement in my belly. 

What do I miss: To be honest, I miss my family so much it hurts and I can't wait to see them. 

Best moment this week: Being at work for the last day (today)!

What I am looking forward to:

• Today...my last day of work!!!
• My family coming from Texas this weekend!!

Next Appointment(s):

• Dec. 26th (37 wks & 3 days) hopefully she will be coming while my family is still here, that's all I want for Christmas!! *crosses fingers & asks for prayers*

Until Next Time...

Love Jones

Baby Shower #1

Good 'ole Savannah, Georgia! My husband is from Savannah and that is where all of his family lives.  We live about four hours away from Savannah. So because of the "high risk" in my pregnancy, I could not travel after 30 weeks. So my MIL planned the baby shower early!

 I am not an " all pink" woman....I like the color, I wear the color but when it comes to baby girls. I don't feel like everything has to be pretty in pink.  I love to see little girls in blues, greens, grays, reds, lavenders and still be oh so pretty. So the theme for the baby shower was a majority of lavender and a few other colors! My MIL ordered everything off of PartyCity.com and did a great job I must add! I love her...yes seriously, she's a great woman!

I really enjoyed myself and appreciated all the love! It was so much fun and I loved seeing my husband's family come together for this event. His "whole" family doesn't get together often or as often as I am used to my family getting together. So when they do, it's beautiful to see and be a part of.

I loved the theme, the mom with the stroller & her purse on her shoulder!
It suited me well, since I'm so sassy & sarcastic as my MIL says!

I helped out by making the tissue paper pom-poms that are hanging from the ceiling! They came out pretty and all the back pain and lack of sleep the night before was worth it! Plus I got to catch up on the show Scandal...to die for by the way!

Our wonderful cousin Sheila was one of the two hostess that we had for the baby shower. She did great & isn't she beautiful!

Don't like this picture of me but figure you all would want to see one....

The big brother had a soccer game early that morning, so him & daddy came to Savannah after his game. Just in time for the baby shower. He was excited and was thankful for the baby shower gifts that we bought for him as well so that he didn't feel left out. We plan to do this the day of the birth as well. We want to present him with something from his sister in the hospital room.

My husband's older and only brother came to the shower with his family. Below they are with our little cousin...she was irritable but still adorable right.



My MIL help us open up gifts...

As well as cousin Sheila...

This was my favorite baby shower game everyone played. 2 people partner up and one has to feed the other baby food. Which ever one finished all of their baby food first wins! It was hilarious to see their faces as they tried to eat the baby food.



This is the BIG BROTHER shirt CJ will wear when he meets his sister! I have a little sister shirt for the baby and plan to have them take pictures! I can't wait!

This is the diaper cake my MIL made for us. She has a real talent when it comes to making diaper cakes. She just started selling them and so far everyone loves them! It was beautiful!

I had an awesome time & our little family is so blessed to have people love and embrace our new bundle of joy. We are thankful and blessed.

-Until Next Time
  Nicole Jones

SoCcEr SeAsOn

[Disclaimer: Old Post soccer season ended mid November]


SoCcEr SeAsOn

So if you know my kid...this 4 year old literally waits ALL YEAR long for soccer season. He plays t-ball, has his swimming "team" weekly in the summer and races his motorcycles & bike! But he always asks when soccer season is. He knows that he goes to Tejas every summer for about 2 months and when he comes back he knows soccer season will be starting! This was CJ's 4th season of soccer. He started at 2 yrs old (almost 3) and played every Saturday and practiced throughout the week. His dad bought a goal and balls and takes him out on his own he loves it so much! I mean he will literally practice kicking into a goal against the wall for hours.

His first season (winter) he played in the Youth 3yrs division. He was a little too good as his coach would say. He had wonderful control of the ball for a 2 year old and he was faster than every child out there. He had lots of fun and scored a majority of the goals. The second season(early Spring) he was 3 yrs old solid. He played and they ended up letting him play in both divisions Youth 3yrs & Youth 6yrs.

The Youth 6yrs old division scared the living day lights out of me! The kids were 6 and here is my 3 years old trying to be as fast and aggressive as them. He did it though and still managed to score and only cry a minimum of once a game. Making mama yell uncontrollably at the coach & my "this makes him tough & better" husband! I must admit. It worked.

This year CJ is 4 years old playing in the winter division with the Youth 6yr olds. He kicked butt! He scored like crazy & is still faster than a majority of the kids in the division.

I wont lie. I'm one proud mama! My husband & I are sports fanatics. He loves to research college kids, we go to high school games all over the state in every sport practically and we watch NFL & basketball seasons together. I ran track since I was 7 and these fast legs paid for college with the blessing of my full scholarship! I guess you could say my family breeds athletes mom, dad myself and so far little brother have all went to school on full athletic scholarships. Both of my sisters play volleyball on National Club teams with hopes of scholarships once they're complete with high school...so I can't say my husband and I aren't hoping for the same results in this family!!

The best part about my son is he will try any sport, but he actually loves and has fun playing soccer. So as long as he loves it, he can play it. I will never force my son or daughter to play anything EVER. I can wish, hope, pray and secretly stomp my feet but I will never make my children do any sport they don't enjoy!

This soccer season was AWESOME! They were undefeated & my son was the MVP! So proud! Sorry for the bragging, it's all in fun...sort of! lol

Until Next Time...
-Love Jones

34 Week Preggo Buzz

Preggo Buzz

So we are at 34 weeks into the game! Yes Lawd! I am soooo ridiculously ready for this baby to come! I'm also super excited for my family to come visit! They did not get to be here when CJ was born, although they did get here when he was 4 days old. I wanted nothing more than my mama to be in that room with Chris, my MIL and I. So with that being said I pray this little girl makes my dream come true and comes in between Dec 20th & the 28th. Those are the days my family will be here. I would be head over hills excited & praising God even more than I already will be if this happens for us. Now I know there are those women that will say "you shouldn't rush your 40 weeks". If it bothers you, I'm sorry but my mid-wife and my doctor said that if she is born at or after 37 weeks he considers that full term and he is just fine with that. Considering I had went into labor with CJ at 33 weeks and delivered him at 35 weeks. He thinks 37 weeks is more than fair!! So I am just fine with 37 weeks & it gives me hope of having my & Chris' family all together for this birth.

So my lil mama is doing great in there they said! Her heartbeat sounded wonderful and this past appointment was th best next to the gender reveal for me. I met with my mid-wife and came with a list of  questions ready for her to answer. She answered every question and reassured me of most of my worries. She gave me this really warm and lovely feeling and I knew I in that appointment I wanted to her to deliver my baby. She gave me a BIG hug when she came in and a BIG hug before she left. It was  just a really good feeling and I felt comforted. She even gave me her cell phone number if I just want to call her or in case I go into labor and she isn't on call. Bottom line...I love her. I adore her. She is going to make this birth experience so much better than CJ's.

At the end of the day. I am so incredibly thankful for this baby, family and support  regardless of what happens. Now on with the stats! Most of it is the same as last week.

Week: 34 weeks & 3 DaysWeight gain: 18.8 lbs 
Stretch marks: No so far, thankfully
Belly button: In or flat I guess...it's not out yet tho! 

Clothes: Maternity & Non maternity...depends on where I'm going or what I'm doing. To work I normally have on some comfy maternity clothes. When I go out with the family, I can still wear my skinny jeans unbuttoned to go into my boots! & when I workout yoga pants & t-shirts/sweatshirts work for me!

How big is baby:Baby is the size of a cantaloupe 

Bug's Growth: they say baby is about 4 1/2 to 5 lbs and 18 inches long. She is just trying to gain more fat for those cheeks over the next few weeks! Hopefully only the next 3 weeks

Sleep: Still horrible, especially in my bed. But I manage to get 3 broken up hours on the couch, before the alarm goes off at 5:45am.

Movement:Yep still very powerful too!

Food Cravings: Ice & Mexican Food

Food Aversions: Still cannot touch milk...

Symptoms: Back pain is ridiculous. I have been wearing my support faithfully now. I'm just in general uncomfortable. Also been nauseous more lately. Oh & the pressure down under actually excites me each day :)

What do I miss: Being comfortable!

Best moment this week: 

• Feeling her entire body try to roll and move inside of me. I could really feel her size this week. It's amazing. She is strong. Makes me anxious & excited.  & very hopeful that she comes during the 37th week (crosses fingers). 

What I am looking forward to:

• Last day of work Dec. 18th
• My family coming from Texas during my 37th week (melts my heart, I miss them so much!)

Next Appointment(s):

• Dec. 17th and I pray I have dialated

Fifty Shades of Grey Party...say what??

So obsessed much? Well I am guilty. I have read all 3 books 3 times each....I am in lust love with Christian! Believe it or not it was looking like a pretty good name for my unborn child before I found out she was a girl. And well Christina is just a plain NO for my personal taste. I mean come on, I've already got two Christopher's.

Crazy thing about this book is I thought it was a "life" enhancement or encouragement book. Everyone kept talking about it, I kept seeing it on the news, twitter, etc. and hearing about it from friends, but no one was giving details. One of the mom's on my son's t-ball team even told me "Oh girl you have got to read Fifty Shades of Grey" but she didn't emphasis. So finally while at SAM's one day, I came across it and threw it in the basket. Got home, ran a warm bath & began to read. A little slow at first...but the candles were lite and I was relaxed. Few more pages....and then a few more and BAM!! I was shocked & I was hooked!

Everyday at work I was literally counting down the hours until I could get off to read it! One day my co-worker/friend walked past me and I saw the book on her iPad  Our connection and love for this book was INSTANT! We compared notes, favorite parts &our mutual  lust  love for Christian. Well eventually we got all of our co workers reading this book and we all became obsessed! Yay for not being alone in this  lust love relationship with a man that does not exist! My friend decided that she was going to throw a Fifty Shades of Grey book party! How exciting?!

The only hard limits for the party were:
  1) You had to have read ALL 3 books
  2)You had to wear a black t-shirt, jeans and gray tie

To die for! The invitation was fabulous ( she actually wrote the above hard limits on it! The concept...genius and her presentation at the party spectacular!!!

I arrived late of course. Attempting to find a decent black shirt to fit over this baby bump took forever. Doing my unmanageable hair even longer and well I am obsessed with the artistry of makeup so I was thinking about doing something "out there" and then at the last minute I took it all off and went natural. I haven't felt "pretty" or even cute this entire pregnancy. Which I hear happens with girls but who knows?

When I got there it was cool to see everyone in their black shirt, jeans and gray tie!!!

The buffet she had sent up came with custom name plates! So awesome. We made our plates and took our seats. We started with discussion questions she handed out for everyone on each book. This book party was awesome. It was nice to get everyone's perspectives, opinions and feelings on each book, character and the different "situation". I thoroughly enjoyed myself

After the discussions over all the books, we ate the cake!! She had a special presentation from a Fifty Shades of Grey toy saleswoman. I know...I know...I didn't know that they existed either. It was crazy, but entertaining  she had all the same toys, instruments  utensils (whatever you want to call them) from the book. Everything from the flogger, to the brown leather strap, to the silver balls....literally EVERYTHING from the book. The brochure was even based around the book. All in all this party was fun, entertaining & it left me satisfied with my fix of Christian Grey! She made plain vanilla lip balms as party favors to go home with! I needed this outing...It was worth getting ready for!

Is anyone else as in love with this book as my friends and I are??

Laters Baby...
(if you read the book you get it)

Until Next Time...
-Love Jones

33 Weeks Preggo Buzz

Preggo Buzz

So time is flying! As you can see I am sporting a new hair do! I call this my "birthing hair" lol...when I went into labor with CJ my hair was a HOT MESS and I am so embarrassed by the pictures to this day. I mean my son looks great, but his mama  me...I looked like the grim reaper!  So this time even if I'm caught off guard like I was with my son (went into labor at 33wks 4days).  I will be somewhat prepared because I have already started packing my bag & gathering stuff for the hospital.  So this past week has been great! 


Aside from feeling very pregnant, nauseous and fatigued I did not have to go to work because our school district was out for the week!The baby is a rolling & punching machine and our family is all to ready for this little girl! I have been nesting off and on. The room is pretty much organized.    Just need the hubby to pull out the travel system, install the car seat and the bedding is supposed to be delivered today!







Week: 33 weeks & 1 day
Weight gain: 17 lbs.
Stretch marks: Nope, hopefully I stay lucky
Belly button: In or flat I guess...it's not out yet tho!

Clothes: Maternity & Non maternity...depends on where I'm going or what I'm doing. To work I normally have on some comfy maternity clothes. When I go out with the family, I can still wear my skinny jeans unbuttoned to go into my boots! & when I workout yoga pants & t-shirts/sweatshirts work for me!

How big is baby: Baby is the size of a pineapple!

Bug's Growth: They say she should be 17.2 inches & around 4.5 lbs. Sure feels like it!

Sleep: Non existence at night, I wake ...but I sure could use a nap during the day

Movement: Yes, it's powerful & super fierce now too!

Food Cravings: Ice

Food Aversions: MILK! I get so sick for at least an hr or two after I have a bowl of cereal

Gender: Still a girl! Better be, after all the wonderful gifts she's received 

Symptoms: Back pain, insomnia & sometimes being short of breath 

What do I miss: Sleeping on my stomach & feeling good in general

Best moment this week: 

• Having a week off from work for Thanksgiving Break & doing some Black Friday shopping with my MIL!

What I am looking forward to:

• Meeting my baby girl!
• Last day of work Dec. 18th
• My family coming from Texas (melts my heart, I miss them so much!)

Next Appointment(s):

• Nov. 30th

Until Next Time...

-Love Jones

Sickness Story, Surprises & Goals!!

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WTF?? 27 weeks!

Hey everyone!!

Yes...WTF?? 27 weeks...like seriously!!??

I know I have been ghost. Let me my most sincere apology,

 I selfishly have just neglected my blog.

 I will admit I check my favorite blogs regularly and even comment on some of them. But I've simply been to consumed in life and a little bit lazy to take pictures, watermark & post them.

I also haven't felt the prettiest lately...guess what I've heard is true.

When your having a girl...they suck all the beauty out of you for themselves! And if that's the case I'm just fine with that!!!

So we are officially 27 weeks & 4 days! Time is certainly flying and I don't mind it one bit. I'm actually super excited because I have discovered that I am just not that "I love pregnancy" person and probably never will be. I felt like before I was so young with my son and still trying to finish college and learn how to be the wife I wanted to be, that I didn't let pregnancy really effect me. It was just another job I had to fulfill in the midst of "trying to make it".

This time around I can say that I'm in a much better place, I honestly love  being a mother & wife no matter how hard it can be sometimes.  I've come into my own as a woman. So I have truly tried to really feel and understand everything about my body and this pregnancy. I cherish the moments my daughter moves inside me, I try to sing to her as much as possible and I actually do feel VERY connected to my daughter. I pray she is daddy's little girl and that they fall in love as soon as she gets here...

 

How far along:
27 weeks & 4 days...since we are expecting to be early again. I feel like it's closer that it is. I went into labor with CJ at 33 weeks and 6 days. Then I stayed in the hospital with them trying to stop my labor until I was 35 weeks on the dot. That day they let me go and I gave birth to my handsome son. So they expect for me to go early with this little princess. How early we don't know?? I just want to make it to December 19th which is my last day of work before Christmas break. If I could truly have it my way she would hold off until December 21st when my family from Texas could make it down here!! I'll be 36 weeks on Dec 16th.
So fingers crossed I make it that far!

How am I feeling
I feel okay. I am actually really starting to get tired again now.
I'm beginning to get uncomfortable and I now
have a little bit of a wobble when I walk.

How is CJ doing:
CJ is super excited & being the best big brother/son by reminding mama of everything I'm not suppose to do so that can hurt the baby i.e. bending, picking up things I drop, crying He.Can.Not.Stand.It...he trys to make it all better by kissing my stomach and hugging me.
I love that kid so much, he is amazing.
He has nicknamed his sister "Tinkerbell" and it is the most adorable thing that warms my heart to the core!!

How's is Daddy:
Daddy is daddy. My husband is a good man. He is just very unemotional. So right now he seems calm as a cucumber & keeps getting bugged to death by his family to start "pampering" me. I know he will come into it soon. He just does things on his time and I still love him for that. I'm just waiting for the labor & delivery to see my handsome honey spring into action!

Maternity Clothes:
I only wear maternity work pants most of the time. I also have a pair of capri's and 2 pairs of jeans. Other than that, I wear sweats and maxi skirts. I'm still wearing all my own shirts. We're going on a trip to Myrtle Beach this weekend and I fully plan on making my husband get me some fall/winter maternity shirts and a pair of really good
shoes because my feet are starting to hurt.

Weight Gain:

So I've actually stopped checking because the numbers on the scale break my little "once upon a time I was a track star" heart...

I know as of my Dr. Appt. 3 weeks ago I had gained 12 lbs.

He said that was really good  and I really had been trying. 

So we will see how I come out next week at my Dr. Appt.

Food aversions: 
I'm getting to that point where I don't really have a taste for anything but I'll be hungry. It's weird & extremely annoying.

Cravings:
 Ice from Zaxby's or Sonic. I craved the same thing with my son. I don't know what it is, but I'm scared I'll be anemic next time I go to the doctor's, because that is what happened when I started craving ice last pregnancy.

Gender:
 It's A Girl!!

Nursery Progress:

We have the crib, changing table and my husband bought two new chester drawers for the baby. I have washed all the clothes that she can wear left over from CJ. When I had my first baby shower in Texas I was 5 months & didn't know the gender yet. So we got a lot of unisex clothes & colors. We always kept CJ's clothes in great shape.

So we have a whole lot of green, white, yellow and tan onesies, gowns, sleepers and pants in Newborn & 0-3 months.
 Other than that I still need to decide & order the decor for the room.

 

Best moment this week:
Finally being able to find a place to fall asleep & be half way comfortable...

our sectional has become my friend. 

What I am looking forward to:
My baby shower on November 10th...we decided on a very non-traditional baby shower because I cannot stand baby games or people looking bored. So two of my friends are having it at one of my favorite restaurants and our "games" will include door prizes with adorable bottles of wine and other fun stuff. I cant wait to see a lot of my friends that really know how to have a good time.

[So here is the bump...couple days away from 7 months.

Sorry my face is always missing, told you haven't been feeling too pretty lately.]

Until Next Time...

- Love Jones