26 weeks

This is my favorite time of year! And thanks to Grayson I'm never cold! So long are the days of goosebumps and chattering teeth! If Matt and I have a night in, you can pretty much bet there's a fire going, cookies baking, and DVR clearing taking place. And as soon as the clock strikes 9:30 PM, we're all passed out on the couch. Ohhh have times changed.

I ordered our Christmas cards! Now I know people barely glance at them and toss them in a pile with the 923847 other cards they receive (maybe even use them as a nice fire starter), but I'm attached. There's something about sending mail to others that puts a huge smile on my face. Please bare with me the next, eh, 50 years.

Regina Spektor was SO GOOD. It was hilarious to me how much Grayson would move during certain songs and then be completely still during others. Maybe he'll recognize her voice outside the womb! Lord knows I play enough of her :)

So I am having the HARDEST time not shopping for this kid for the fall/winter months next year. Especially when Gap emails me every 5 seconds with all these 30% off deals, and then I go looking for more coupons, and then this happens... 

But really, it could have been so much worse. Who says baby girls are more fun?! Boys can be just as exciting to dress up. Who am I kidding, as soon as baby Gray finds a mirror and understands what I'm doing to him it's going to be graphic tees, cargo shorts, long socks, and white tennis shoes. Oh well, all the more reason to soak it up as long as I can!

We're in the double digits! 95 days until D-Day!!!

25 weeks

We're back from the Babymoon! It was fantastic. We couldn't have asked for a better time (or weather!). We ate at so many delicious restaurants, shopped till we dropped, and took advantage of the beautiful, quiet beaches. I am so happy we were able to get away before things got insane with the holidays and baby planning, I can't wait to go back next year with baby G!

Unfortunately, the night we came home from Florida we noticed our entire bedroom closet was flooded due to a hot water heater leak in the garage. Definitely the perfect end to a 6 hour drive! So now it sounds like we're blowing up 71 jumpies in our house from all the fans and dehumidifiers. Sounds just like the ocean waves...

I can't believe it's the Christmas season. Now, previous years I get really upset when Thanksgiving gets shafted, but Matt has informed me the season begins November 1st, not Black Friday (what would I do without his Target knowledge?) so I guess I have to suck it up and tis the season and stuff. 3 more weeks of Christmas sounds good to me anyway! Here's to Peppermint Mocha flavored everything and ridiculous doggie collars and sweaters. Sorry Zane ;)

As for a nursery update, the painting is complete, the crib is set up, and the gliding ottoman came in yesterday! I love it, and I can't wait to start using the glider every day. I've been patiently waiting for that arrival, hopefully it'll show up sometime this week so I can glide watching The Big Bang Theory put it in the nursery and dream about holding Grayson in it ;)

24 weeks

I am well aware this picture doesn't show my babes very well but it was SO COLD and windy that it was the best I could do. This week was packed! I found a new doctor in Atlanta finally, and the appointment went really well on Thursday. Turns out Grayson is 1 pound 7 ounces and I swear half of that is his nose ;) I'm so incredibly excited, becoming a mom is starting to really hit me!

Such a cutie.

Saturday took every morsel of energy out of me! It was the annual Southeastern PugFest, and I'm convinced it was a little glimpse of heaven. So.many.pugs. A ton of them were in costume for Halloween, I honestly couldn't handle it! They had everything from pug races to contests, of which Zane won Best Trick! I couldn't believe it! I was shaking like a leaf in front of everyone while I was giving him commands. I don't know what happened to my comfortability on stage, but it's definitely gone! I wasn't even the one performing :-\

In other news, WE LEAVE FOR THE BEACH ON THURSDAY! I cannot contain my excitement! It's supposedly going to be sunny and in the mid 70's the ENTIRE time! I have a huge list of restaurants for us to try while we're down there, it's going to be awesome not cooking for 4 days!

16 WEEKS LEFT!

23 weeks

Grayson has found my rib cage! And he's showing no remorse. He has been super active these past couple of days, I was actually able to record him on my phone doing the worm through my stomach. It's been awesome seeing my belly move all around at night while he break dances. I can't wait for him to come out and show me all the moves he's learned.

As for symptoms, holy heartburn. Tropical Fruit Tums has become my new best friend. I didn't even know what heartburn felt like until pregnancy.  I wonder if the old wives' tale will be true and he'll come out all hair. Whatever the case, I hope he gets his daddy's wavy locks :)

Also, my dental hygiene has had to take quite the boost these days. If I don't mouthwash and floss daily, I feel like I haven't done anything! (I mean...I have always flossed...of course...). They're not kidding when they say pregnancy puts a damper on your dental health. Hopefully my teeth can keep up their good reputation and stay on point at check-ups!

I go in for my 24 week appointment on Thursday! Should be getting the scoop on the hospital and the classes and all that jazz, I can't wait! We're only 118 days away!

22 weeks

This week has been relatively calm. My bellybutton is looking very odd and super shallow. Which has made for some easy cleaning sessions ;) I feel like a bottomless pit when it comes to eating and I swear my thirst is never quenched! Definitely feeling like an oompa loompa, but I know I have a looot more growing to do so bare with me as I witness my entire body turn into a marshmallow. If this is how I feel at Halloween, I'm doomed at Christmas!

One reason I may be feeling a little off today is because of the mayhem of a day I had yesterday. Now, all I did was throw in a couple loads of laundry, wash some dishes and make 12 adorable halloween cupcakes, but the number it did on my body is embarrassing! My tailbone was screaming, legs aching, and my back begging for a 24 hour break. It was terrible. I felt like I had just built an entire house. Okay, a house for Zane, but still, a house.

That's right. Nothing special, just 12 chocolate cupcakes with eyes. MURDERED me.

My hat goes off to all the working moms out there, I wouldn't last a day in your shoes!

So I'm feeling a little down to say in the least. It was nice wrapping up yesterday at an awesome Halloween party though. I camped out on a bench next to the bonfire making s'mores and watching The Adams Family while Matt drank delicious beer in front of me. Evil husband ;)

I will definitely be spending this Sunday cankles up, apple cider in hand, waiting for Revenge to come on so my brain can conjure up more psycho dreams about me being Emily Throne.

Ah, yes. Can't wait.

21 weeks

This week has been an absolute blast. Matt and I went to Moe's the other day to try and satisfy my Barberitos craving (I'm having major Athens withdrawls), and as soon as we sat down he told me he had a surprise. I went in instant shock mode and told him no, no, no whatever it is don't give it to me! He then took something out of his pocket and that's when I saw the Ticketmaster envelope. I, of course, began crying because my hormones wouldn't settle for anything less in the Moe's restaurant booth, and had a complete meltdown. My longest, favoritest artist's name was plastered right in front of my eyes...

I.freaked.out. This is definitely one for the bucket list and I can't wait to grace Grayson's ears with the beautiful voice of Regina Spektor. I hope he does some cartwheels in there, I know I'll be.

On Sunday, we went to Washington Farms and I was on cloud 9 the entire time. Something about farms and fall weather sends me to the moon. We first went to the petting zoo and I had a field day hearing the sounds of goats, cows, and pigs as I walked around playing paparazzi.

They're clearly use to this type of attention.

Then, we went to the pig races. By far the cutest/funniest thing I have ever witnessed in my life. These little guys were 9 weeks old and were not joking around about winning the race. I wanted to take all of them home with me, but Matt reminded me that we already have one named Zane.

We also went through a corn maze that took forever and a day that I would not recommend to anyone in the middle of their second trimester, I was looking for a bench made out of corn the entire time, but it was the most satisfying feeling walking through the exit (even if it was what felt like 5 hours later). We eventually made it to the concession stand and I downed an amazing cup of homemade farm fresh strawberry ice cream. All was worth it after that :) On our way out, we went through the pumpkin patch in search for the perfect pumpkin. I absolutely loved being able to pick one straight from the vine! It was overall the coolest experience and I cannot wait to go back next year with Grayson!

20 weeks

Halfway there! Today marks 20 weeks and Monday marks the first day of October, so I'd say things are about to fly by, rill fast. I ordered my Halloween costume (shirt) and I can't wait for it to come in! I've had my eye on one from cafepress.com for awhile, and when they had a 30% off sale on everything a couple days ago, I couldn't resist.

I.can't.wait.to.wear.this.every.day.

In other news, candy corn pumpkin candy is the tastiest Halloween delicacy on the market. My taste buds have definitely moved on from Reese's and Butterfingers to this sweet honey sugar in shape of a perfectly crafted punkin. Matt and I tried the Pumpkin Pie Pizza at Stevie B's last night (I swear I ate some salad, too) and it was surprisingly satisfactory to our recent pumpkin kick! This morning we made Archer Farms Pumpkin Pancakes and it was the perfect start to a fall morning. We live about a mile away from the Silver Comet Trail, so after a meal, we will venture to the beautiful trail with fastly-changing leaves that crunch when we briskly walk by with our (psycho) dog who doesn't understand bicyclists. Before the season is over I HAVE to go to Washington Farms in Watkinsville. Hayrides, corn mazes, pig races, zoo animals, pumpkin slingshots, corn cannons; I've never been to anything like this so I'm determined to start this year! To pick out your own pumpkin in a real pumpkin patch is so foreign to me, quite a change after all those years in good ole church parking lots.

Matt started painting the nursery! I'm in love with the color. I tried my hardest to help him every way I could, but the smell got to me and I had to sit it out. I am so excited to see it completed. Oh, and with a crib! Unbelievable. October, be good to us. 20 weeks to go!

19 weeks

FALL IS HERE!!! It's been absolutely gorgeous outside; I am in love with the cooler mornings and evenings. Football season is in full swing, and UGA has won every game! Even though we're playing teams that my high school football team could beat, I suppose some recognition is in order (can you tell I'm a married-in UGA fan?). This week I didn't cook a thing, and the nursery wasn't touched. Matt hasn't been feeling up to par since the weather change, and I well, don't have a good excuse for the frozen dinners. It has definitely been a recuperation week!

Speaking of recouping, Matt and I will be able to go on a Babymoon this fall! We are ecstatic since this is our 1st vacation since our Honeymoon! We'll be staying at a beach townhouse right outside Seaside, and we promised each other NO cooking ;) It'll be the perfect long weekend before the holidays and hardcore baby preparations.

I also cannot wait to look at this view all day:

Thursday was our 18 week appointment and we got to see how much our man has grown. It was amazing! We actually got to see him drink some of the amniotic fluid! Kind of freaked me out, but equally just as fascinating. I can't wait to hold this little guy in 5 short months.

18 weeks

Happy one week 'til Fall everyone! I couldn't wait, I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte and it was everything I hoped it would be. Next on the list is finding Halloween costumes and decorating! I understand we're only in the middle of September, but I'm a sucker for advertisements and Target already has their Halloween display out so I'm hooked. I'm a little upset because pregnancy has put a major damper on my love for sweets, so now the only thing I crave is Kit Kat bars. Those don't even have caramel in them, let alone peanuts. What is happening to me...

A couple nights ago, Matt felt Grayson kick for the first time! It was so awesome feeling his little kick and then looking at Matt and Matt looking at me for confirmation. I'm so happy he finally got to experience his son for the first time (besides holding my hair while I throw up and running errands for foods neither one of us knew I liked). I can't believe how active this little guy has been! This was the first week I felt him out in public and not at home sitting a certain way at a certain time trying to decipher if it was really him or my stomach rumbling for more food.

Ah, food. The dish I made this week puts my mom's Stouffer's version to shame ;) First I made a homestyle meat sauce and had it with spaghetti. The next night, I took the leftover sauce and made a good ole Traditional Lasagna. Now the meat sauce recipe link isn't working, but the lasagna has its own recipe; it just hasn't been tried and true by a pregnant woman yet. I do change all the meat to turkey meat, Grayson can knock me off being a vegetarian but not that far off ;) 

My 18 week ultrasound is on Thursday! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. This pregnancy really has flown by since the 2nd trimester started. Grayson already has enough newborn clothes to last him a lifetime, AND thanks to his Gigi? Nana? Gram? (ya'll gotta help Matt's mom pick a name!) he has all the children's books a kid could ever want. It's the same books Matt had when he was little, so that already makes me tear up, I can only imagine what I'll feel when Matt is reading his books TO Grayson. Ah, I can't handle it.

Hopefully this week will consist of a lot of painting and bringing our nursery plans to reality. I can't believe how much this kid already has and it's only September. It's going to be a fun 5 months!

17 weeks

17 weeks today! The feel goods of the second trimester are finally settling in! I have been trying to get back into taking the prenatal pills, and I'd say I've been taking them every other day (and gummies on days I don't feel well).

I got maternity clothes! And they are magical. I don't feel like the Hulk after a bad day anymore. It took an entire day, but Matt was a trooper and stuck it out. I reeeally wanted a certain pair of boots, but my calves measured an inch bigger than the whole circumference of the boot...story of my life. Thank you 13 years of ballet for ruining my chances of ever purchasing a boot worthwhile.

Now that all family and close friends know, I can finally announce that we are having a BOY! We found out at 13 weeks, 5 days and right when the doctor put the camera on my stomach I shouted, "It's a boy!" We are so excited to have pee everywhere to experience the joys of having a son. We have settled on Grayson Jon Moskal, although I do still have freak out moments wondering if Poindexter or Aloysius (yes that's a family name) would be a better fit. We are so excited to watch this fella grow, even now! I feel a kick every couple of days which sends me to the moon but I REALLY can't wait to feel him all the time. 

I have had the weirdest dreams every night. One night I dreamt that I was taking shots 7 months pregnant and then decided to take a break and eat Kit Kat bars with my dad. Another night, I had to choose between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and my husband. And of course I chose my Luvahub ;) They get weirder and weirder, between all my years at dance and Catholic middle school, my brain comes up with some interesting stories. Only if back then life was actually that cool...

Well tonight UGA plays Missouri and we're having the Moskals over for some delicious food on the grill. I made this trail mix that beckons Fall with every handful eaten. I could not find a better way to post this (the picture on Pinterest doesn't go to the right blog post) so hopefully everyone has good eyes, because this is so worth it.

Nursery Plans

Now that the crib is ordered and a new month has arrived, I'm getting super excited about planning the nursery. Right now the second bedroom is a storage unit for everything we didn't feel like dealing with after the big move in July, BUT rest assured, this baby is going to have an awesome set up. Mom bought a changing table from a garage sale in her neighborhood a couple months ago, so I'm thinking after a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint, it will be good as new! I decided that I definitely want to go with a tall chest of drawers as opposed to a long dresser, and I want it to be a fixer-upper. After seeing a pine chest with 5 drawers at Ikea for $99, it looked like the perfect choice! But that project is probably weeks away with everything else we need to get done first. I can't wait :)

As for the set up of the nursery, I made a layout to give an idea of what's ahead:

Now there is NOT that much extra space in the middle of the room, and the extra long wall next to the closet is miniscule in comparison, but I did the best I could with the Pages software on my Mac. I'm still crossing my fingers that everything will fit this way!

Matt and I went to Home Depot this morning to look for the "perfect shade of gray" and found our match! It is called Silver Sateen by Behr:

This shows a bit darker than the sample we got today, but it gives you at least an idea of what it will be like! I can't imagine the day I will be putting up photos of the nursery completed, it feels like an eternity away. This weekend we (hopefully) have big plans for the nursery, and getting this mama some fat jeans (outlet shopping, anyone?). 

Bargain Buys

Last night I went on Target.com to look for a dress I could no longer find in the store. Once I got on the site, I noticed that Target was having a major baby sale this week. To my surprise, the major sales were all things I had on my "list" to buy in the future. I gathered up my Target REDcard and Team Member Discount Card (benefits of being married to a Target manager!) and decided to go ahead and take the plunge. I cannot believe how much we saved between the sales, free shipping, promotional gift cards and my discount; we ended up saving over $500 and have $125 of gift cards on the way! Now almost all the major purchases are taken care of and we did it for under $1,000. I'm feeling pretty awesome.

Here is a list of the goods:

1. Babyletto Modo 3 in 1 Crib with Toddler Rail

2. Chicco Cortina SE Travel System- Perseo

3. Medula Pump in Style Advanced Breast Pump with Backpack

4. Chicco Polly SE High Chair- Perseo

5. Chicco Lullaby SE Playard- Perseo

16 Weeks

This week has been filled with a lot more cooking, eating, and avoiding nausea. I stopped taking my prenatals about a week and a half ago after eating mom's "sea shells" and "seeing it again" in the upstairs bathroom. As a replacement, I throw back two prenatal gummies a day that taste like sour patch kids. I'm not complaining but I am a bit skeptical on whether they're beneficial at all. Nonetheless, I've been feeling a lot better!

Yesterday, I made a boatload of pasta salad (I highly recommend this recipe if you're not a fan of mayonnaise), and capped off the night with Stuffed Pepper Enchiladas. I absolutely love the mixture that I stuffed into the peppers, but one thing I can't stand about green bell peppers is that they do not absorb any flavor whatsoever! I would much rather have the deliciousness wrapped up in a tortilla. Lesson learned.

21 days until Fall! I can hardly wait. Football, candy corn, hot chocolate, fires, s'mores with those fires, leggings, pumpkin spice everything...I'm ready. Zane already has his Halloween collar on. No shame.

Matt and I bought a 750 piece puzzle this week that glows in the dark. I was really into it the first night and then I woke up with killer neck and back pain the next morning (which still hasn't gone away), so now there's hundreds of pieces all over the coffee table as decoration. I can only imagine what else pregnancy has up its sleeve for me. 24 weeks to go!

15 weeks

The bump is out!

Matt and I are so excited about this little addition to the family. It took us by complete surprise, but we are ecstatic about raising a new life and starting this journey together. 

I also cannot wait to be huge just in time for the holidays. This baby has sent my appetite surging like Michael Phelps training for the Olympics.

Which brings me to my newfound favorite hobby, Pinterest Recipes. Last night I made Crock-Pot Chicken Tacos for Matt's side of the family, and it sent me straight to heaven. It's probably the easiest recipe I have ever made, although sitting in the house while it cooks for 8 hours is not the most enjoyable task. Tonight, chicken tortilla soup is on the menu. The website suggests using the leftover chicken for the soup, so hopefully it's another winner. Wish me luck!

Here's to the next 6 months full of eating, growing, and getting ready for baby Moskal!