As we were wrapping up the maternity photo shoot Sara snapped the picture below.  I saw the “speed hump ahead” sign and thought it was very fitting given the impending arrival of our little one.  I think I read it speed bump instead of hump, but I’m guessing you get the belly analogy.  I can’t believe the big day is so close … only 10 days until Jellybean’s due date!!

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Happy Friday!

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A couple of blogs I follow do weekly or monthly Thankful Thursday posts, but when November hit the number of bloggers giving thanks increased significantly.  With Thanksgiving only a week away I decided it was time to jump on the thankful train as there is a lot I have to be thankful for this year.  So here goes nothing …

I am thankful for (in no particular order):

(5)  my family and friends.  This is pretty much a given, right?  I would crazy not to be thankful for the amazing people in my life.  They truly make the good times better and the bad times bearable.  Love you guys/gals!! xoxoxo

(4)  my job.  During and after the furlough I quickly came to the realization the impact not having a job would have on me, as well as my family.  There is of course the financial side, but having a job gives me purpose and something to “do” each day.  I didn’t think I was the type of person who needed something to “do”, but apparently I DO!

(3) the patience and support of my husband.  The hubby honestly deserves a metal for the level of patience and support he brings to the table.  While he has always been that way I think he put his game face on when we got pregnant.  Though it is obviously very exciting it can also be stressful and scary; yet he seems to take it (and all my fun emotions that go along with pregnancy) all in stride.   I’m very lucky to have a husband who is so incredibly patient and supportive!

(2)  my parents and sister coming to DC for Thanksgiving since I can’t travel to MA.  Thanksgiving is by far my most favorite holiday and this year will be the first time I’m not in Massachusetts celebrating.  We ALWAYS do Thanksgiving at my parents house and then Thanksgiving “round 2” on Friday or Saturday with my great aunt and a whole bunch of the cousins.  The weekend is kind of like an eating marathon!  They are all changing their schedules/traditions to be with the hubby and I this holiday.  While this year won’t be exactly what any of us are use to the most important thing is we are together and I am thankful they are willing to make the trip!

(1)  being pregnant.  It is such a blessing to be able to be pregnant.  I complain too often about pregnancy symptoms like aches, pains, being tired and gaining weight.  It’s easy to sometimes take for granted what an amazing miracle it is to carry my little one!!  Have you seen the maternity shirts that say “I’m growing a human.  What’s your super power?” … love it!

While there are way more things I am thankful for these couple items do top the chart for this year.  Only one more week until my favorite holiday of the year … bring it on Thanksgiving!!!

What are you thankful for (this week, year or even just today!)?

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We are talking baby names today … and you know what?!?!  With less than 5 weeks until her due date, the husband and I have yet to decide upon a “real” name for our little Jellybean.  Friends, family, coworkers and even strangers ask about the baby’s name, to which we respond “not sure yet”.  There are folks who think we are fibbing and others who just want us to decide so they can call her something other than Jellybean.  While we do have about 5 names on the list of possibilities, a front runner just hasn’t revealed itself yet.

In fact, I actually have serious reservations about picking a name prior to meeting our little girl.  My fear is this: we decide to name her Ashley … tell everyone … meet her and she doesn’t look at all like an Ashley, but like a Charlotte instead.  Then we have to tell everyone we are switching her name to Charlotte.  While the rational side of me knows things like this happen ALL the time and it’s not a big deal the other side gets nervous just thinking about it.  Picking a name is a HUGE decision.  I mean our baby girl is going to have this name literally for her entire life (well unless she opts to change it).

I have some friends who named their child super early in their pregnancy.  They shared the name with everyone or in some cases just a select group of family and close friends.  A part of me envies their ability to make a decision, stick with it and not have “buyers remorse” {so to speak} on the name they selected.  Often I find people will announce their baby’s name on Facebook after making a selection.  Other friends keep it a secret from everyone and only share once their baby’s name once s/he has arrived.

The husband and I have kind of split the difference between keeping the names we like a total secret and sharing them with everyone.  We decided to share the name possibilities with immediate family only.  For us that includes both sets of parents, our sisters and brother-in-law … actually as I write this I think my sister’s boyfriend knows the names as well, but he is the only exception to the “rule”.  He kind of gets an honorary place with the immediate family due to his BF status.  Anyways … prior to sharing the names we made our family agree to two things: 1) they will NOT share the names with ANYONE 2) they can’t comment on the names.  While I think (and hope) they abiding by rule #1 there have been a few slip-ups with rule #2, which is fine.

The husband and I have tired a variety of methods when picking out baby names.  We have gone to baby naming websites, the social security office website and reviewed family names.  A lot of the names we liked initially have been in the top 100 baby names for the last couple of years, like Riley and Peyton.  We were easily able to find two family names that would be meaningful to both sides of the family, Jean and Patricia, though we weren’t immediately drawn to those names.  It was suggested we pick a name stating with J – because of her nickname Jellybean – however none of the J names have spoken to us.

So what will Jellybean’s real name be?  I have no idea.  Maybe it will be one on the short list or possibly it will be one we haven’t even discussed yet.  Honestly I am just not sure, but for now we are “OK” with the big day arriving and not having a specific name picked out for JB.  Else, to everyone’s surprise, we will just go ahead and name her Jelly. =)

How far along were you when you decided on your baby’s name?  Did you keep it a secret or share with friends/family?  Any baby naming book or website recommendations??

**Disclaimer … any names included in this post are NOT on our short list of names for Jellybean.  Let let guessing begin!**

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This pregnancy seems to be just flying by, but feels so long all at the same time.  Thank goodness for maternity/stretchy shirts and pants because my little one just keeps growing and growing.  This picture was taken at the very end of the 7th month … HELLO jelly belly!

Pregnancy Tidbits from Weeks 28 to 31, 8th month, 3rd trimester, week by week, baby bump, pregnant, pregnancy log | Life's Tidbits

Pregnancy Tidbits from Weeks 28-31

Random Tidbits

Pants – I now sit down to put my pants on … ohhhhh so sad {blushing}.  While I can successfully get dressed without sitting down it just feels “safer” and much easier to sit down.  So my tush meets the bed or couch when the pants come on or off LOL.  I feel like someone once told me – or I read it somewhere – that one of the most common household accidents is people hurting themselves while putting on their pants.  Have you heard that or am I making it up?

Wedding Rings – Are now off *extreme sad face*.  I absolutely LOVE my engagement ring and wedding band.  Although I can still get the rings on/off, my fingers are just swollen enough to make the rings uncomfortable.  The husband finally convinced me last weekend to stop wearing them.  It makes me sad every time I look at my hand.  I don’t know why I miss them so much, but I do.  It just feels too early to have to take them off.

Cravings – I am over my coffee obsession.  I crave something sweet after each meal … ummm yes that does include breakfast … though I do restrain myself, most of the time {evil cackle}.  Even just a couple peanut butter M&Ms can curb the craving.  Jelly and I just love sweets.

Daddy Approved Clothing – Jellybean now has a daddy “approved” outfit … the husband said monkeys were a must. Little did he know his mom would find a PINK monkey outfit.  How cute is this outfit?!

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Tidbits that Haven’t Changed

Gender – Jellybean is STILL a girl!  Why “still” you might be asking?  Since finding out the gender of our little one people have told us numerous stories of the ultrasound technician saying the baby was a girl and then on the day of the baby’s birth … BOOM it’s a boy!  I’m pretty confident about Jellybean’s gender as we’ve been fortunate to have it confirmed by three different technicians at three separate appointments.  So … JB is still a girl!

Due Date – December 23, 2013.  Even if she’s late I’m praying for a 2013 baby and not 2014 :)

Symptoms

Swelling – My feet and fingers have entered sausage town … population 20!

Congestion – The stuffy nose and night time snoring continues.

Movement

Jellybean’s movements are getting stronger by the week.  Sometimes the kicks are so strong it startles me.  It shocks me (and the husband) how such a tiny little ~3 pound person can produce such a strong punch!

Maternity Clothes

Same as the 5th and 6th month – 90% maternity clothing with a sprinkle of my old clothes, sweat pants/shirts.  The husband’s t-shirts are now tight around my belly so I’ve stopped wearing those.  My husband is by no means a “big” guy so while it’s a little sad his shirts don’t fit around the belly anymore it isn’t shocking either.

Missing Anything?

Not worrying about what I consume.  I’m fortunate not to have food allergies so having to inquire about what’s in food or worry about how it is prepared.  Pregnancy has given me a whole new level of respect for people with food allergies.  I’m looking forward to not having to worry about what types of food I’m eating.

Highlights

Making progress on the nursery – The room has been painted.  Dresser, nightstand, rug, crib and glider were purchased (just waiting for all the pieces to be delivery).  Now we just have to focus on wall decorations.

Looking Forward To…

Thanksgiving – My FAVORITE holiday is right around the corner and I can NOT wait.  My parents and sister will be making the trip to DC since I can’t travel to Massachusetts.  While this year won’t be exactly the same as what we are use to, it will be great to all be together for the holiday.

Fears/Concerns

Not being prepared – I feel utterly unprepared for our new life/reality.  While the nursery is slowing coming together we don’t have diapers, a changing pad, onsies or any of those basic items.  It was a conscious decision to hold off on purchasing this stuff, but I think the time has come to get some of the basics into the house.

Premature Labor – I am scared about going into labor early.  The doctor asked me at my last appointment (31 weeks) if I had any contractions.  I said no, but honestly I’ve never had a contraction … I’m assuming if I had a contraction I would know it, right?  Just being asked the question made me realize how close to Jelly’s due date we are getting!

That pretty much rounds up my 7th month of pregnancy.  Just 8 “short” weeks (plus or minus) until we get to meet our little one.  I’m so excited!!

Any pregnancy tidbits you care to share?  I would love to hear them!

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It’s Throw Back Thursday!!  Fall is officially here, which brings back tons of apple picking memories.  I don’t think you can grow up on the east coast, Massachusetts specifically, and not have gone apple picking as a child.  I’ve been dying to go apple picking someplace in Virginia, but we have been just too busy the last few weekends.  I’m hoping we can squeeze in a trip in the next couple of weekend … but it is certainly not guaranteed.

In the mean time these photos from apple picking with the husband, sister-in-law and brother-in-law will have to surface.  The husband and I were in town visiting when we all decided a field trip was in order.  Into the car we went and drove out to Applewood Orchards to do some apple picking.  Such a fun day!

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Husband, what is up with that face??  He is such a goober … makes going through old photos even that much more fun!
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And now for my favorite shot of the day.  I loved the look of this old tree and the clouds passing by.
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And because I had to have a funny face picture of my own …
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OK … now I really want to go apple picking.  It is fall must do!

A few recipes I want to try out once I actually GO apple picking this year include:

Those recipes look YUMMY!!

Blogs, stores and commercials are all gearing up for the holiday season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas).  While I’m not really ready to start thinking about Hanukkah and Christmas, I’m definitely getting excited for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

What’s your fall throw back Thursday memory?

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