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Almost Go Time!

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Hey there friends and loved ones! It’s been a while since I’ve posted and with good reason…I’ve been REALLY really REALLY busy.

I’m now almost at 38 weeks and just hoping and wishing that she’ll stay in there just one more week or so and then I will feel like I’ve gotten soooome kind of rest between getting the house situated and her being here. It’s been quite a circus at the Potuck homestead AND at the salon!  We just finally finished settling into our new home 20 min outside of Nashville. Yep, just a supposed couple weeks before Elsie arrives. We like to do things last minute I suppose…

But all is well. We are set to go. Just wanted to update everyone on my pregnancy journey and life in general. Pregnancy has been …a lot of mental work for me. I google so much stuff without having been pregnant. So, once I became pregnant the research for me has been never ever ending. I’ve enjoyed it, actually. Some things I wish I never found out, but mostly pretty interesting. I feel like such a pregnancy pro. I could maybe..probably deliver a baby at this point. I’ve had pretty much zero issues with this first baby girl (beside the typical preggo symptoms) I am hoping the labor and delivery will go just as smoothly!!! I hope I hope I hope!

Let’s just say this…to be able to work on my legs all day long up until the due date…what a miracle! Here is a photo of me this week at the salon doin’ my thang. See…I look SO happy to be working still! And I am!!!

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So there’s that. From the front I don’t look ready to pop I suppose…but here I am almost 38 weeks from the side!

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SEE!! I’m so ready guys!  I promise to post about baybay Elsie’s arrival and maybe if I’m lucky I’ll post again next week!

For those that are interested in what baby Elsie’s nursery is lookin’ like…well we’ve finally finished! It’s fresh and sweet. We went with a super anti-pink look. Darren and I aren’t the biggest fans of super duper girly vibes, so we felt like keepin’ it somewhat simple.

If anyone wants to know where we purchased anything, let us know!

Enjoy 🙂

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27 Weeks and I feel…

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HOW FAR ALONG –  27 weeks

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TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    I think this week I packed on a couple more lbs due to the baby shower and family in town…I’m guessing 18 lbs total at this juncture.

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MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Maternity shorts. Regular stretchy clothes in medium instead of small.

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STRETCH MARKS?-   Ok..this is sad for me to post. I found some tiny white ones on my boobies. I almost cried. Ohhh but they are tiny indeed. I’m holding out hope that no more shall surface!

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SLEEP?-  Bad this last week. I can’t get comfy because of my heavier belly. I got a new leg pillow. I also just purchased a belly wedge to lift the belly. It’s only going to get worse.

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BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    The family baby shower! It was SO wonderful seeing my in-laws and Darren’s bro & wifey. I missed them so much. We had such a great weekend filled with LOTS of yummy food and conversation! Darren and I also went to the flea market the weekend before and got anew kitchen table…later we found a chest of drawers for Elsie’s changing station. What fun shopping!

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MISS ANYTHING?-     Sleeping normally. I won’t lie…I am starting to really miss caffeine! I had no idea how much I depended on a random cup-a-joe. Also, Super sweaty workouts. Regular clothes. My golden tan ( being able to tan my back side) I can’t lay on my tummy while preggo. I really need to float in a pool!

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MOVEMENT?-  The day AFTER my inlaws left she started a new dance routine in my belly. I think it’s some salsa dancing. I feel some brazilian influences in her moves. She is CRAZY!  Before she was just kicking after meals and late at night at the bottom of my belly…but she changed position finally. Now she is kicking higher up and punching lower. Darren and I sat around the other day watching how crazy it looks (YES! You can finally seeee her moving!) It’s so crazy and awesome! It scares me for a second with every random huge maneuver.

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FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Sweets this last week or so…

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FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

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GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

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SYMPTOMS-    Heaviness in lower belly since she changed positions. My OB suggested I stay on my feet no more than 5 hours at work. Ughhhh. This is so hard to do! I’m tired way earlier now. I have random cramps from ligaments stretching. I also have a bruised feeling on my belly which I found out is from where she kicks the most. Let’s see….Oh…the trouble sleeping. Peeing a lot more again since she is bearing down a bit more on my bladder. Oh joy….

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

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LOOKING FORWARD TO-  moving OUT OF THIS TINY HOUSE! Our vacation to Siesta Key in just two weeks!!!!!

Belly at 27 weeks!

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Bonjour!

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post, so I figured I’d post the photo I had taken for my 27 weeks! SO SORRY about the awful pajama shorts/sportsbra combo. Where is my style these days? If you find it, tell it I miss it dearly. Ok..so.. I’m definitely growin’. It’s funny I’ve heard from half the people/clients that my belly is small, but then the other half of folks (whom I agree with) say that it’s a big ball of a belly! I for sure feel bigger and more preggo than ever. I am thoroughly enjoying not having to “suck in”. 😉 Also my doc says I’m carrying high, which doesn’t mean much other than that’s because of the size of my torso and how strong my ab muscles are! So…for all those that believe in old wives tales about boys carrying low and girls carrying high…or vice/versa…well it’s all a bunch a hooey! It’s all due to torso size and how strong the abs are! Interesting indeed. Whatever the scientific reason, I am enjoying looking pregnant as can be (for now). I get all types of favors…including, but not limited to: Dibs on the next open stall in any public bathroom, dibs on the next open table at a restaurant, employees at ANY grocery store insisting they carry my bags to the car, strangers slamming on the breaks to let me jaywalk across streets, sweet smiles and sweet compliments, people waiting no matter how slow I walk to keep doors open for me…the list is endless. I feel like being pregnant might have made me lazy for life.

Until next photo….

xoxo (I’ve been watching Gossip Girl like crazy on Netflix so the “xoxo”…some of you girls might understand haha)

afterlight

Extra tidbits of the daily happenings….

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Today I went in for my monthly visit to the OB. This was no typical visit. I have been fretting over it for about a month. It was the visit where they screened me for gestational diabetes. I only felt a little anxious because…1.) I hate hate hate getting blood drawn. And I had to get it drawn TWICE today. I nearly pass out every single time.  2.) I have a few people I know that found out they have gestational diabetes even though they are totally fit and active.  3.) Both my parents have diabetes which ups my chance of getting the gestational variety.

So there’s that.

Now I wait until Tuesday  (or they say maybe if I’m lucky tomorrow) to find out if I qualify for 3 months of constant blood drawings and dietary changes. This sounds nightmarish to me. I really hope I passed with flying colors. I’ll keep y’all updated. I will say the doctor said that based on all previous blood work she safely assumes I’m in the clear. I told her “well, I have been eating unusual amounts of sugar this pregnancy, so I wouldn’t be so sure”. She laughed and explained that while that isn’t really healthy, that it doesn’t have anything to do with the results of the test. Apparently, it’s all about how your body breaks doooown the sugar that you doooo eat. Some women just can’t do this properly while preggo, and with some there are no issues. That was a bit relieving. So for all those soon to be mamas out there…if you ate a lot of sugar, just know it won’t affect the test results (unless you already were pre-disposed to having it).

But, don’t run out and rob a candy store or anything. This is not a free hall pass to junk out. It’s just useful info.

Anywaaaay, other than that the visit today was splendid. Elsie’s heartbeat was strong and loud! I love hearing it so much!! I’m also measuring out completely normal for where I’m at in my pregnancy. She told me my weight was completely on track, and that I should plan on gaining about 15 lbs more. That’s 30 lbs total. Which is right on target. The way my appetite is…this should be no problem.  I would have loved to stay around 25 lbs, but there is no way that is happening. I’m just happy to be alive and carrying this little cutie pie so well!!!

Until next time…

xo

25 weeks and I feel…

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HOW FAR ALONG –  25 weeks

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TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    This one is gonna shock y’all. I’ve gained 16 lbs already! Sheesh. Mama is gettin’ big. Doctor says it’s totally average. I feel bigger, but I’m super happy that it’s healthy weight!

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MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Just maternity shorts and a few maternity dresses. I’m still squeezin’ into my old summer dresses/clothes quite nicely.

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STRETCH MARKS?-   No no no! I’m visualizing stretch mark free skin and hoping that my positive thoughts manifests into reality!

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SLEEP?-  Still with some pee breaks. Not many, though. I’m smart and stop drinking water about an hour and a half before bed. Elsie reaaaaally loves kicking me at night though. It lasts about 20 minutes. Also, my mind keeps waking me up around 6am because I manage to throw my pregnancy pillow far away from me…therefore I wake up sleeping on my back. This is a big NO NO. I think it’s my body telling me I’m pulling an illegal maneuver. Sigh…

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BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    Darren took me on a couple date nights. He knows how to woo a lady. It was much needed after how busy salon life has been. He made my week sweeter!

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MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. Regular clothes. My golden tan ( being able to tan my back side) I can’t lay on my tummy while preggo. I really need to float in a pool!

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MOVEMENT?-  Oh yea. She’s starting to feel like a snake in there. Her movements are different from the last few weeks. They’re more fluid with some intermittent knocks and jabs. I realize that I have only been feeling her low near my pelvis (so most people can’t feel her yet unless they touch way down and I won’t allow that!!!) The doctor says it’s because of my anterior placenta and that in the matter of a few weeks I will be able to feel her allll over the place. At that point she’ll be bigger than the placenta so it’s placement won’t matter. Darren is allowed to feel her, though. 🙂

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FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Gone.

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FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

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GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

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SYMPTOMS-    I feel so much energy still! I get tired about 7-8 pm, however. I still somehow manage to stay up until like 12am every night. Luckily I’ve changed my work schedule where I go in later, so I can sleep in just a little bit if I can. Enjoying that portion of life while it lasts 😉  Pretty sure I’m just anxious because this is our first baby. I’m super happy all the time. A little emotional from time to time, but nothing drastic. Skin is touch and go with breakouts still. Cramps are worse when I walk…if I even have any. I’ve also had just a couple Braxton Hicks contractions. They don’t hurt, but they feel weird. That happens when I go on walks, mostly.

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

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LOOKING FORWARD TO-  moving OUT OF THIS TINY HOUSE! And baby showers! ANNNND….Our vacation to Siesta Key in 1 month!

Belly at 25 weeks!

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Amigos! I skipped a week because honestly…there wasn’t much of a change. I will probably only post every other week or so from here on out because it’ll be cooler to see a significant change. Week to week is starting to get borrrrring. But, anyhoo, all is well in baby Potuckland. The sun is shinin’, the birdies are a chirpin’, and summer time is officially here. I know all too well how brutal middle TN summers can be. I am mostly looking forward to it. Y’all keep your fingers and toes crossed that I don’t swell up and burst.

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23 weeks and I feel…

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HOW FAR ALONG –  23 weeks and some odd days 🙂

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TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    At last OB appt it was a grand total of 11 lbs…I’m going to guess probably 12, 13, or so at this point?

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MATERNITY CLOTHES?-    Maternity shorts and one maternity dress. Other than that this week it’s been stretchy old clothes I already had! I did buy a few dresses that have a lot of give, but luckily they weren’t maternity so I can wear them after baby, too!

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STRETCH MARKS?-   NO. Thank goodness. Let’s stay positive!

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SLEEP?-  Pee breaks and baby jabs. This week was a little more disrupted than last. Sigh…it will only get more interesting.

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BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    Darren felt a teeeensy bit of Elsie moving! He said it felt like a little heart beat pulse! I can’t wait until he can feel a huge karate kick from her. Although…that means I’ll be feeling it allllll the time. Also, got some cool registry gifts this week!

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MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. THE SUNSHINE!!! Regular clothes. My golden tan. <—-Still all of that.

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MOVEMENT?-  Yep! stronger!

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FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Gone.

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FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

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GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

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SYMPTOMS-    Happiness! Lots of energy this week. Breakouts come and go. I’m getting used to it. Tired early. More pee breaks this week. Gotta practice my kegal exercises more!

WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

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LOOKING FORWARD TO-  moving OUT OF THIS TINY HOUSE! And baby showers!

Belly at 23 weeks!

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Sorry I’m more than a few days late posting! I have had an incredibly busy week. This week was pretty awesome. I definitely feel some growth this week, and Elsie’s kicks are getting stronger. One night this week she woke me up at 4am with a huge jab to the uterus. I realized this is only going to get worse/funnier. Hopefully this is the last picture where I will be wearing winterish clothes. The weather here is about as random as Elsie’s kicks & punches!

Love!

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22 Weeks and I feel…

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HOW FAR ALONG –  22 weeks! Time is flyin’!

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TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN-    I thought 8 lbs…maybe 10 lbs…..but it was 11 lbs. I am a healthy lady!  Growin’ like a wildflower!!!  😉

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MATERNITY CLOTHES?-     Absolutely this week. In fact, I have to go find just a couple more shirts/dresses today on my day off. The things I thought that would fit have surprised me by not being so comfy. SHOCKING. 😉

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STRETCH MARKS?-    Nope. I am bathing in creams even though I KNOW that stretch marks are genetic (from what every woman tells me). I can’t help it. It’s an extra reason to rub my belly, and it eases the itchies from stretching. I’ve been hearing that they sneak attack the belly the last few weeks. Joyous news, for sure.

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SLEEP?-  A couple insomnia nights this week, but no pee breaks! So, in general, a great sleep week! No crazy dreams, either.

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BEST MOMENT THIS WEEK?-    Feeling Elsie even MORE! She is getting so strong. Also, buying some cool decor for her nursery. It’s going to be so fun getting in there to decorate. We don’t move until late July now, so it’s frustrating having to wait. I’m dealing with this crazy time frame quite nicely, though.

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MISS ANYTHING?-     Super sweaty workouts. THE SUNSHINE!!! Regular clothes. My golden tan. <—-Still all of that.

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MOVEMENT?-  Yep! A lot more!

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FOOD CRAVINGS?-  Gone.

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FOOD AVERSIONS?-   Gone.

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GENDER-  Our baby is a sweet AND active girl.

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SYMPTOMS-    Still beaming with happiness on a daily basis. I feel like not much can get me down. DON’T try to test this, please. 😉 I am definitely tired earlier than ever. I huff and puff walking small distances. I am still working out (walking/lunges) every other day. However, I still become breathless at the slightest activity. My breakouts are slowly going away again. I hope they never come back. Other than that…nothing bad!

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WEDDING RINGS ON OR OFF?   ON :)

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LOOKING FORWARD TO-  Starting our birthing classes May 14th. I know Darren is soooo excited about it, too. Hahahaha. Yea, right.

Belly at 22 weeks!

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It really does get bigger every week. I’m waiting for a week where it doesn’t get bigger, but just changes shape. Lots of preggo friends have reported this happening at about my stage. However, I just feel like Elsie is growing sooo much every week. I’m happy about that, of course. But, I really…really…really hope she doesn’t turn into a 10 lb baby! And if she does, I’ll just be happy she is healthy 🙂 She is really making a scene inside my belly this week. LOTS of kicks and jabs. Every time it makes me giggle because it’s like she just suddenly goes haywire. I wonder if she knows how much she is amusing me these days? My crazy girl.

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