Baby Sunshine: Week 25

 

Size: Baby Sunshine is about the size of a rutabaga, weighing a pound and a half.

Total Weight Gain: Official doctor weigh in is 21 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Yes. Yes. Gap had an awesome sale so I picked up another pair of full panel maternity jeans.

Gender: Surprise! We will find out in February.

Cravings: Sugar (thanks to Halloween candy) and baked goods.

Symptoms: Braxton Hicks contractions started a few weeks back, but have become more frequent. Nothing to be concerned about, but the doctor said to make sure I stay hydrated and take it easy when they are happening.

Movement: Pretty frequent. The little one also had hiccups a few times which is one of my favorite things.

Sleep: Not great this week. There was lots of tossing and turning, but only one night when I was up for an extended period.

Moment of the Week: I finally had my first dream about the gender of the baby. Hearing the heartbeat (in the 130s) - that sound never gets old! A sweet friend also took some family pictures of us at the park.

What I Miss: Sneezing without crossing my legs :)

What I'm Looking Forward to: Halloween festivities today and starting to clear out some of our junk to make room for baby.

Big Sister: Sophia has been very attentive to Baby Sunshine this week. She has been cuddling, asking to lay on me, and planting random kisses on my belly. Sharing with Baby Sunshine has also become one of her new favorite things.

Looking Back: This week seems a lot like when I was pregnant with Sophia. My personal goal is to stay around the same weight gain that I had previously. So far so good.

And in case you were wondering where Sophia was in the top picture, she was being rather cooperative while I was trying to take pictures. Not a battle I was in the mood to fight.

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday: Cupcakes

Sophia decorated cupcakes and serenaded me for my birthday. 

The perfect treat from a sweet little lady.

Halloween Pajamas 2014

Just like {last year} we went a bit overboard with Halloween-themed pajamas. Most I purchased last year at the end of the season at a deep discount. Despite my best intentions, I did not get pictures of Sophia in all of her Halloween Pajamas.

These kitty pajamas from Gap are my favorite. 

Last year from Gap (kitty mask version this year) 

This set is a repeat from last year, but I love it just as much. Sophia likes looking for the glow in the dark eyes under her covers.

Last year from Just One You Made by Carter's

These skeleton pajamas are Sophia's favorite. At night she likes chasing after us while she glows. During the day she hates taking them off, just in case she would miss a moment of them glowing. She would wear her "Skelton Costoon" 24/7 if I let her.

Old Navy

Want to join the pajama party?

Visit Darci, Ashley, Natasha, or AP to join the link up.

43/52

We are a little obsessed with Halloween at our house. We visited the zoo every weekend this month giving Sophia the opportunity to dress up in four different costumes. Here she is as Little Red Riding Hood, the same costume she wore last year.

I love the stance and faraway look of my little storybook character.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Baby Sunshine: Week 24

Size: Baby Sunshine is about the size of an ear of corn and weighs a little over a pound. My uterus is the size of a soccer ball.

Total Weight Gain: Up one pound for a total of 19 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, except for sweaters and hoodies even though I can't button and zip all of them.

Gender: Surprise! We will find out in February.

Cravings: Baked goods. I have made three different batches of muffins this week.

Symptoms: Mostly just feeling worn out a few days. Biggest complaint is my left leg feeling like it wants to pop out of its socket.

Movement: Lots of low movements.

Sleep: I am getting used to my new normal where I wake up multiple times each night. At least I have been able to fall back to sleep fairly easily.

Moment of the Week: Solidifying our boy name and making progress on a girl name.

What I Miss: Wearing trouser socks...the veins in my right calf are really pronounced and higher socks make them very painful. Thankful that I can wear athletic socks without issue, just missing out on all of my fun patterned socks.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Family pictures, my birthday, a doctor appointment, and Halloween. Next week is a good week!

Big Sister: My favorite thing this week was tickling Sophia's belly and her telling me to be careful of the baby. She had fun wearing a 'baby belly' at the maternity store. I laughed when I showed her a picture of me when I was pregnant with her and she didn't believe it was me. My hair was shoulder-length, but she hardly reacted when I donated my hair last month.

Looking Back: It seems I am doing a better job of keeping my skin hydrated this pregnancy. At this point in my pregnancy with Sophia a lotion bottle was my best friend. I am also not as emotional this time around. Keeping toddler emotions in check is about as much as I can handle I guess.

Five on Friday

I'm linking up with April and the Ladies for another Five on Friday.

Cheers to the weekend!

one

I am loving pumpkin flavors this week. Two of our favorites are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins and Pumpkin Apple Quinoa. The toddler is not a huge fan of quinoa, but she loves this for breakfast with chocolate chips added.

two

I am on the hunt for a dress for maternity pictures. I hate it when I have something in mind, but am unable to locate anything that matches my vision. I was hoping for a flowing long-sleeve dress, but I did find a top that I love.

While I was trying on clothes, Sophia discovered the baby belly that newly pregnant ladies can wear to see how clothes will fit. She loved wearing it around the store while I made my purchases.

three

We have visited the zoo each weekend this month for Hallzooween. Sophia has dressed up as Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty, and Super Sophia. We will probably visit again this weekend so Little Red Riding Hood can make an appearance this year.

Dave finally decided on costumes for Sophia and himself. Fortunately I am able to dress up to match the theme he picked. I have my fingers crossed that everything arrives in time for Halloween since we ordered online.

four

I recently bought this remote for my camera and it has made taking weekly bump pictures so much easier. When I was pregnant with Sophia I could rely on Dave to snap a quick picture for me. It got a bit more difficult trying to bribe the toddler to cooperate. Using the self-timer worked, but Sophia loves being in charge of the remote when we take pictures together.

five

My birthday is next week and this quote rings true for me right now. Looking forward to all that the next year is going to bring.

via

Shaw Farms

Even though the ground was still a bit soggy we made a trip out to Shaw Farms to celebrate all things fall. We visited the farm last year too (read about it here). I had pumpkin pictures I was hoping to take, but the toddler was having too much fun exploring the displays.

She did stand in front of the corn long enough for me to take a picture, even if she did have her arms crossed the whole time.

There were lots of schools on field trips so we got on our hayride a little later than I planned. Thankfully I had a few snacks in my bag to tide us over.

The hayride took us all over the farm. Sophia loved pointing out the pumpkin patch and all of the displays set up along the way. 

Not the best picture, but proof that I was there.

A little windy and a bit muddy, but a fun morning at the farm. I can't wait to head back next year and continue our fall tradition.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jess and Ashley.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins // Gluten Free

I am always on the lookout for easy gluten free recipes that are tasty and stay moist. These muffins match that description are are the perfect treat for fall. I have made them several times over the past few weeks and they don't last long in our house. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

slightly adapted from Running with Spoons

Ingredients

1/4 cup peanut butter

3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp honey

1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten free)

1 tbsp ground flaxseed

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips, plus more to top

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375F and spray muffin pan cavities with cooking spray.

(original recipe uses a high powered blender, which I do not have)

Use a food processor to turn oats into flour.

Mix all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

Fill cavities of muffin pan about 3/4 of the way full.

Top with additional chocolate chips.

Bake for 10-15 minutes until a toothpick entered into the center comes out clean.

Allow muffins to cool for ten minutes before removing from pan.

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Yield: 9 Muffins

Toddler approved (her favorite part is the chocolate chips, of course).

Linking up with Kate and Emily.