Pregnancy Update: 32 Weeks

 

HOW FAR ALONG: 32 weeks

HIS SIZE: 18 inches long & 4 pounds; the size a Florida pomelo

WEIGHT GAIN: 23 lbs

SLEEP: Off and on; seems like I sleep good for a few nights in a row and up at 1 AM on others.

SYMPTOMS: Nothing out of the ordinary.

STRETCH MARKS: None

MOVEMENT: A lot

THREE THINGS I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW: 
1: 3D/4D Sonogram - We went on Thursday to have a peek at Ashton. It is so amazing to see him so clearly just moving around contently. Not only did he look so chubby, he also had evidence of abundant, curly/wavy hair. This is not a shock since Jeremiah has super curly hair. What surprised us the most was how incredibly similar Ashton looks to Ryann when she was born. They could be twins! So thankful for this moment and looking forward to meeting him in February.

2: Cybex Carseat and Stroller - Is this lame, lol? We finally completed all of our baby purchases! I am overly interested in baby products and reviews so I spent a lot of time researching and comparing the plentiful options available. Our decision ended up coming down to either the Cybex or Nuna carseat and the Cybex or Bugaboo stroller. In the end, we kept in (semi)simple and went with all Cybex. My favorite thing about the baby carrier is that it reclines when attached to the stroller or when out of the carseat base. This is very beneficial for when a sleeping baby will be spending extensive time in the seat as the more-upright position that the typical carseat design places a baby in isn’t ideal for breathing, and also may not be ideal for spinal development. The downside is that the seat weighs 13 pounds. I guess I better start doing some strength training:)

3: Christmas Break - We had an amazingly nice Christmas break and it is going to be tough going back on Monday!

BOOKS I AM READING [OR LISTENING TO]: 

Pregnancy Update: 31 Weeks

Dress: Tart | Watch: Michele | Necklace: Rachel Zoe Box of Style | Lips: YSL

HOW FAR ALONG: 31 weeks

HIS SIZE: 17.5 inches long & 3.5 pounds; the size of a head of romaine lettuce

WEIGHT GAIN: 22 lbs

SLEEP: So far, better than when I was pregnant with Ryann.

SYMPTOMS: I was pretty miserable this week with a two day bug I must have picked up. I am NEVER sick and of course came down with something on my birthday. Needless to say, I spent my 31st in bed.

STRETCH MARKS: None.

MOVEMENT: Jeremiah and I both agree, Ashton moves way more than Ryann did. Not only is there more movement, the intensity of the movement is more noticeable.

THREE THINGS I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW: 
1: Sigma Beauty Express Brush Cleaning Mat - My sis bought me one of these for Christmas and I am so pumped! Like most, I do not clean my makeup brushes near often enough. This makes cleaning all brushes a breeze!

2: Rachel Zoe Box of Style - This is my fourth season receiving the Box of Style. It is so fun to get a curated box of goodies each month. The gist is you spend $100 on each box and receive $400+ in products ranging from designer jewelry to luxurious leather goods. I love this so much that order my sis a Box for Christmas. Here is what we received in the winter shipment. Use this code to get $10 off your first order.

3: Birthday Ring - This year I received a rose gold Cartier Love Ring (engraved inside with "Love, Ryann") for my birthday. It was very unexpected and I was shocked at the effort Jeremiah went through to obtain my ring size (my right and left hand are different). He let Ryann pick the color and she affectionately and unsurprisingly chose the "pink" rose gold. Good taste, little one! Although this is a pretty extravagant gift, the meaning behind this ring is so special. Even thought I spent a majority of the day in bed, I was glad I got to spend it with Jer and Ry.

BOOKS I AM READING [OR LISTENING TO]: 

Nursery Sneak Peak #2

We are SO close to finishing Ashton's room! We hung the bookshelves last night and are just waiting on some last minute finishes. Here are a few of the big pieces that we have included in his room.

Monte Designs Luca Glider

I have been eying this chair for some time and I knew it would be the perfect addition to Ashton's monochrome nursery. I went with the exact configuration shown in the picture above: black glider body and bonded leather piping. I paired the glider with this white leather ottoman from Land of Nod. The chairs are made to order and take 6-8 weeks so I was thrilled when it was finally delivered. I see us spending a lot of time in this chair.

Black and White Flat Weave Rug

We went with this large 8x10 flat weave rug from Target. It adds a fun dimension to the room.

 

Babyletto Modo 3 Drawer Changer

We chose this changing dresser because it has a small footprint (we had already purchased a very large dresser) and it pairs well with our Babyletto Lucite Crib. Jeremiah and I are both tall and appreciate not having to lean too far over to change a diaper. The added drawer space is also a bonus!

BlaBla Hand-knit Animals

These stuffed animals are irresistibly soft and cuddly! Ryann has quite a few of these so we thought Ashton needed a collection of his own.

For more fun black and white nursery ideas, see this previous post.

Disney Outfit Details

I LOVE planning our outfits for Disney almost as much as I love planning the trip. Here are the outfit details from our 2016 trip. I will post all of the details from our 2014 trip soon!

MATCHING ALICE IN WONDERLAND FAMILY SHIRTS: Etsy  //  RYANN'S ALICE COSTUME: Amazon  // RYANN'S BLACK HEADBAND: Amazon  //  BLACK GLITTER MARY JANE TOM'S: Amazon

RYANN'S SNOW WHITE DRESS: Etsy

TOO BASIC BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SHIRT: Amazon  //  GASTON SHIRT: Amazon (similar)  //  RYANN"S BELLE DRESS: Etsy  //  YELLOW LEGGINGS: Amazon  //  PINK CONVERSE: Amazon

MINNIE MOUSE SHIRT: Kohl's (similar)  //  MICKEY SWEATSHIRT: Forever21 (similar) //  MICKEY MOUSE SHIRT: Amazon

PINK MINNIE MOUSE TUNIC: Amazon (similar)  //  PINK MINNIE EARS: Disney World 

MINNIE DRESS: Amazon  //  SEQUIN MINNIE EARS: Disney World

CINDERELLA SILOUTTE SHIRT: Etsy  //  RYANN'S PERSONALIZED CINDERELLA SHIRT: Etsy  //  BLUE PRINCE CHARMING SHIRT: Amazon  //  RYANN'S PERSONALIZED CINDERELLA SHIRT: Etsy

LITTLE MERMAID COSTUME AND SHOES: Disney World Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

ANNA DRESS: The Disney Store

LITTLE MERMAID BACKPACK (This was a huge hit at Disney!): Amazon

WOMEN'S JUNGLE BOOK SHIRT: Amazon (similar)  //  MEN'S JUNGLE BOOK SHIRT: Amazon

LEOPARD MINNIE OUTIFT: Sparkle in Pink (no longer available)  //  PINK CONVERSE: Amazon

RYANN'S PINK JUNGLE BOOK SHIRT: Amazon (similar)

MATCHING MOM AND DAD MICKEY/MINNIE SHIRTS: Etsy  //  MINNIE MOUSE TUTU COSTUME: Amazon  //  PLAID SHIRT: Gap

MEN'S MERMAID SHIRT: Amazon (similar)  //  WOMEN"S MERMAID MEME SHIRT: Etsy  //  PLAID SHIRT: Gap

PERSONALIZED MERMAID SHIRT: Etsy  //  MERMAID LEGGINGS: Amazon  //  PURPLE CONVERSE: Amazon

MATCHING PRINCE/PRINCESS NAMES SHIRTS: Etsy  //  BELLE COSTUME: The Disney Store

SHE'S MY ELSA MEN'S SHIRT: Amazon  //  MOMMY AND ME "LET IT GO" SHIRTS: Cents of Style (no longer available)  //  RYANN'S FROZEN BOW: Amazon

My Fav Mickey & Minnie Apparel for Women

Disney-themed Backpacks (because why not?)

Pregnancy Update: 30 Weeks

HOW FAR ALONG: 30 weeks

HIS SIZE: 17 inches long & 3.5 pounds; the size of a cantelope

WEIGHT GAIN: 20 lbs

SLEEP: So far, better than when I was pregnant with Ryann.

SYMPTOMS: I have had the odd sensation of feeling very hungry but full at the same time. As in it feels like I want to eat though I feel physically stuffed.

STRETCH MARKS: None.

MOVEMENT: He loves to move at night right when I get settled, just like his older sister did.

THREE THINGS I AM LOVING RIGHT NOW: 
1: Necklace I received at a favorite things party -  I recently hosted a favorite things party and received the daintiest necklace hand-made by my friend Brittany. While I have quite a few necklaces, this one, stamped with a mountain, has a special message. It is a good reminder to live in the present and remember that everyday is an adventure.

2: Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil - My skin has been exceptionally dry the past few months. This oil has been a lifesaver! I put it on at night before I go to bed and apply it under my makeup in the morning. I think there is a stigma that putting oil on your face will make your skin appear "oily" and clog pores. This is definitely not the case with this product.

3: Modern Burlap - I have purchased a lot of their products for Ashton. The organic, monochrome designs are simple and match our nursery design perfectly. So far I have picked up the marble print (changing pad and crib sheet), Swiss cross (crib sheet and swaddling blanket), tree hugger (changing pad cover and swaddling blanket), cactus (swaddling blanket), B&W stripe (changing pad cover and crib sheet, Jeremiah 29:11 swaddle, modern mouse swaddle, hero struck swaddle, "You are our greatest adventure" swaddle and Swiss cross throw. I love their stuff so much I have to resist the urge to buy more. I even ended up getting Ryann "I love you to the moon and back" swaddle to snuggle with because she loves them, too!

BOOKS I AM READING [OR LISTENING TO]: 

Actually not reading anything at the moment but definitely open to recommendations!

Our 2016 Disney World Trip

As we begin to plan for our 2017 Disney Trip, I thought it might be fun to recap our second Disney trip from earlier this year. We also visited Disney during Christmas time in 2014. I will get that to that trip later:) Jump to the bottom if you want to see our itinerary.

{Disclaimer: This post is LONG and full of pictures because words cannot come close to capturing the experience}

Where we stayed: The Polynesian - If it is in your budget, stay on property and on the monorail. The amount of time you save on transportation is worth the premium price. Plus, the Polynesian is amazing! Great food, great atmosphere and great location!

How long we stayed: 2/26-3/2 (6 nights/7 days) - We flew in on the earliest flight out of Dallas and made it on property shortly after 10:30 AM. We made the most of last day by catching the 8:50 PM flight out of Orlando.

Our Daily Experiences: Day 1 * Day 2 * Day 3 * Day 4 * Day 5 * Day 6 * Day 7

Outfit Details: Aside from scheduling, this is the number 1 question people ask: Where did you get your outfits? Short answer: a ton of places:) Long answer: Read this post

My top takeaways from this trip:

1. Don't over plan the first day! We fell victim to this by scheduling a full day a MK and the Mad Hatter and Alice in Wonderland Tea Party experience at the Grand Floridian. If that was not enough, we also booked a formal dinner at the California Grill in the Contemporary Resort. Needless to say, all Ryann wanted to do was ride rollercoasters. Parent fail! We ended up feeling so bad that we took her to the park around 9 PM for Magic Hours after dinner, Elsa light up costume and all.
2. Just because your child was super into something the last trip, doesn't mean they will be the next. Ryann was obsessed with the characters and character dining the first time we took her. While she still enjoyed the meeting the characters this time, her passion was riding the rides...over and over again. I think she would have rode Seven Dwarf's Mine Train 50 times if we would have let her. If we could do it over, we would have cut down on the time we spent at the character dining.
3. DO NOT fall victim to buying stuffed animals and souvenirs on the first part of your trip. Ryann came with a Disney Gift Card knowing that was all she could spend. However, we let her pick out items the first few days and got stuck carrying it around the parks every day. Heaven forbid we left them alone at the resort. The next trip, all purchases (aside from Mickey and Minnie ears) will be saved for the final days of our visit.
4. Plan more time than you think for naps. Jeremiah and I promised we would do better this trip and plan for naps. Well, that didn't really happen. We were tired but hated to miss a minute and dealt with more meltdowns that we had expected. More naps = less meltdowns (for both parents and kids)
5. Splurge for the Memory Maker. 90% of the pictures we have are from our Memory Maker account and were taken by Disney cast member throughout the properties. Almost everywhere you turn, there is a Disney photographer there to capture a memory. Don't forget to ask for a Magic Shot! (A magic shot is where the retroactively superimpose a character or added action to the photo such as Olaf or Tinker belle) 
6. Bring a stroller! If you child is 10 months or 10 years old, bring a stroller. Disney has stroller parking everywhere because people who know Disney know that this is a crucial item to pack. For both trips, we brought our BOB and were thankful both times. On an average day, you will walk at least six miles. If you want to make it on time to reservations, pushing your child is the way to go. Not to mention, a comfy stroller is the perfect place for a tired child to take a nap so said parents can potentially have some "adult time". During our first trip, Ryann slept for about 4 hours while we were at Epcot and Jeremiah and I were able to travel around the World uninterrupted. We just kept on pushing the stroller from place to place (obviously). If you don't believe me about the stroller, Google it! This is the top tip most regulars list. Also, make a sign or do something to make your stroller quickly identifiable. There are a lot of black strollers and Disney cast members move them all the time to make room. We put neon pink ribbon all over ours and hung this sign from the handle bars. Again, bring a stroller!
7. During late fall, winter and early spring, be prepare for variable weather. You may be in shorts during the day and gloves and a hat at night. Also, it rains in Florida year round so be prepared with a rain jacket or poncho. 
8. Get a Park Hopper Tickets. You will likely not stay at one park all day and will need to visit multiple parks for eating and events. A Park Hopper grants you admission to all the parks in a given day where as a general ticket is one and done.
9. Disney is MAGICAL! But you better have a plan! I planned a ton the first trip and even more for this one. If you think you are just going to book your trip and show up you are sadly mistaken. You will inevitably have a miserable time because everything at Disney is based on reservations, from Fast Passes to meals. If you can't plan on your own, get a travel agent! Also, aside from making reservations, pay attention to when you travel. I would say trip satisfaction has more to do with the time of year you go as anything else you can control. There are tons of Disney Crowd Calendars out there that detail the slowest weeks of the year. Our rule is we DO NOT go if school is out! The fist time we went was on the 2nd slowest week of the year that overlapped into one of the busiest. There was an unbelievable difference in crowds during the first part of our trip versus the last. This trip was during the 4th slowest week of the year right before kids started to get out for Spring Break. Our next trip in 2017 will again be when kids are in school and is ranked the 2nd best week of the year to visit due to Christmas festivities and low crowds (week of 12/9). If you have questions, ask! I love to talk about Disney!
10. Make planning and the anticipation special. I will be blunt...Disney is not cheap! Both times we have done some type of fun reveal and always do a count down to make the upcoming trip special!

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Day 1

6:50 AM flight out of DAL

Check in at Polynesian

Magic Kingdom

Wonderland Tea Party with Alice and Friends; Grand Floridian

Dinner at California Grill and Fireworks from the Terrace; Contemporary

Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom
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Day 2

Hollywood Studios

Breakfast at Hollywood and Vine w/Disney Junior Characters; Hollywood Studios

Lunch at 50's Prime Time Cafe; Hollywood Studios

Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table; Magic Kingdom
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Day 3

Magic Kingdom

Breakfast at Be Our Guest; MK

Lunch at Chef Mickey's with Mickey and Friends; The Contemporary Resort

Dinner at ‘Ohana's, The Polynesian Resort

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Day 4

Magic Kingdom

Breakfast at The Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and Friends; MK
Bibbiddi Bobbidi Boutique, Magic Kingdom
Dinner at 1900 Park Fair with Cinderella and Friends, Grand Floridian
Magic Hours at MK

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Day 5

Animal Kingdom

Brunch at Tusker House with Safari Mickey and Friends, Animal Kingdom
Dinner at Mickey’s Backyard BBQ; Fort Wilderness Camp Grounds

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Day 6

Epcot

Breakfast at ‘Ohana's with Lilo and Stitch; The Polynesian Resort
Lunch at the Coral Reef Restaurant; Epcot
Dinner at Akershus with the Disney Storybook Princesses, Epcot
Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom

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Day 7

Magic Kingdom

Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare with Alice, The Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh & Tigger; The Grand Floridian
Lunch at Kona Cafe; The Polynesian Resort
Catch Return Flight at 8:50 PM out of Orlando
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