37 weeks

Uber-cute hat I crocheted for the cutie :)

• Weighty Issues: Weighing in at 136 on the home scale, total gain: 23 lbs. Perfect!
• Stretch Marks: Nothing new :)
• Sleep: Who knew I would turn into a nocturnal hamster... My acid reflux has made it so hard to sleep laying down even with the Zantac (not sure what happened but it is now not as effective..) sadly the couch is much more efficient at letting me sleep sitting up. I am definitely nesting and have the need to stay up to finish projects. Also night sweats... ugh.
• Best Moment this week: Um being 37 weeks! I cannot believe that she's almost here!!
• Food: I cooked dinner 4 nights in a row, sadly that is a record.. but seriously someone please feed me some McDonald's, I am in need! Also weird tidbit I decided I will no longer buy ground beef at the grocery store unless I am at TJ's or Whole Foods (thanks for freaking me out Jamie Oliver) but I strangely will eat a McDonald's burger which is probably worse..
• Clothes: Lots of workout/comfy clothes going on over here. Not exactly cute, I get cute for my doctors appointments and church though lol. 
• Labor signs: Nothing, I'm taking this as a good sign at the moment because there is still much to do. Belly looks like it may have dropped a little bit and at last dr.'s appt. her head is 'way' down there as the midwife stated. 
• Belly Button: Out but sometimes flatter and still wondering what it will look like after prego
• What I miss: Normal sleep a little bit but I'm seeing this as preparation for baby. 
• What I’m looking forward too: Our baby girl being here :)
• Weekly Wisdom: Get rest, however and whenever.
•  Weekly WTH: Night sweats are killin' me they are so gross
• Nesting: Um you might have seen my to-do list, its getting done just a bit slower than I would like at the moment. Any volunteers?

The Hospital Gown!!

• Milestones: Full term baby :)

For more on the development of a 37 week old baby click HERE.

To-Do List

With a move that just happened and a baby on the way very soon I happen to have a lot to do

• Do Laundry (okay, I do this about 3x a week but it still is part of my to-do list)
• Get rid of boxes from moving
• Finish organizing bedroom and craft/play area (half-done :)
• Write emergency number list to post on fridge
• Get oil changes on both our cars... we both hate doing this! I would almost pay someone take it for me plus my car needs to be smogged :(
• Finish thank you cards
• Attach Billy bookcase to wall
• Work on address change items (Dmv, social security, etc..)
• Prepare freezer meals for post-partum ( 2 down, hoping to make 3-5 more myself plus my mom is making me some)
• Find out if I left some Pyrex pieces at old apartment... 
• Install car seat and get checked for safety 
• Set-up notebook to track feedings, changes, activity, etc...
• Finish packing hospital bag
• Set-up index card cleaning system
• Make birth inspiration book
• Sew mermaiden doll for baby girl
• Sew hospital gown for moi
• Work on base pages for Gma brag books and our own photo and memento books for baby
• Get pedicure
• Work on decor projects for the baby nook (hang shelves, make tissue paper poms, make faux mats/ frames for artwork, paint her letter)
• To buy: more baby hangers, seat protector to go underneath car seat, curtain rods for bedroom and living room, stamps for mailing baby announcements and thank you cards, heavy duty eye concealer, lamp shade for baby night lamp, furniture fuzzy protector pads for our ottomans, shelf for in freezer, more clothes pins and possibly a rocking chair and rug... 

fill in the blank friday

1.   The last thing I ate was       Fritos... and watered down Crystal Light Lemonade   .

2.  The next thing I'd like to eat is    I barely have an appetite lately, just thirsty all the time but I am making quesadilla hotdog wrap things for dinner  .

3.  The best things     bring lasting joy not just a moment of happiness, also when your husband tells you are talented at organizing and making it cute- sure brightened my day yesterday :)  .

4.  Something that makes me supremely and utterly happy is   planning parties, organizing /decorating, reading, crafting and just being with my boo .

5.  Sports are     barely existent in our house, we basically only check stats on Giants games some days... something I never thought I would say. plus hubs watches some nba court classics like things on youtube but thats about it p.s. I hate hockey most of all  .

6.  I miss       that were not going to Resolved this year but I will definitely have it streaming all weekend :) although part of why I love going is to be in Palm Springs, my 2nd favorite city   .

7.  Right now I am       trying to finish organizing my craft area.. so that I can start sewing and other craft projects I have still plus dreading going to the grocery store  . 

36 weeks

Mmm some of my faves-Napa salad, Antipasto salad & Boneless buffalo wings

• Weighty Issues: Weighed in at 137 at my appt. last week and just weighed 134 on my home scale. Either one I'm in perfect range for gaining and really happy with not gaining above normal. Strange as it is, at the moment I'm really pumped and motivated to lose the baby weight and I can't wait to find out how much I will have to lose. Plus I really want to get into better shape than I was before I got pregnant, I was thin but not fit. I actually did Weight Watchers online program to help me get in a healthier place before I got prego :)  
• Stretch Marks: Still just the tiny ones here and there but nothing new and nothing scary. 
• Sleep: I just started taking Zantac for my acid reflux at night, this has helped amazingly! Yes, I still get up 3-5x a night but only to pee not cough for 15 minutes while getting the acid out of my throat. Sometimes I think baby girl kicks me and that wakes me up but I still go pee anyways. 

• Best Moment this week: Some relief from my acid reflux! Also excited that my appointments are closer and closer together :) next appt. is on Wednesday next week!!
• Food: Smoothies, lots of watered down Crystal Light Lemonade (we had a heat wave it was necessary), Chipotle (its just too hard to cook when its hot), cereal w/ a banana, Hamburgers and fries sound good all the time lately, really enjoying eating lots of salads for lunch :)
• Clothes: Maternity plus non-Maternity dresses.. Although some of my maternity shirts are starting to seem short! Really not happy about that.
• Labor signs: No new ones, which honestly I'm thankful for because I feel like I have a MiLLiON more things to do.. 

My Aunt Carol, Me and My Momma

• Belly Button: Definitely out.. Now I'm beginning to wonder what it will look like after baby. 
• What I miss: Nothin really 
• What I’m looking forward too: Sadly at the moment- feeling prepared for her to come home. I feel like I am mentally but I still have so much organizing to do from our move.. I really don't have as much as it sounds like I do (finish craft/play/office area, finish ours and baby's clothes, our hallway and then just random little things like put up pictures). 

• Weekly Wisdom: Just feeling Blessed everyday! To be able to carry this little person in me is such a beautiful blessing and even more of a blessing is that I get to be a stay at home mommy :)
• Weekly WTH: Okay so I love hot weather but hot, dry weather -not this yuck we get in the bay area. Wishing I was down in Palm Springs for Resolved Conference this year to enjoy the hot desert heat but alas I am kinda too pregnant for a road trip and too much to still do :(

Blessed with lots of amazing gifts!

• Nesting: Everything needed for baby is here or on its way!! Stroller comes on Friday and I am so excited for it! lol. Yesterday I washed all of the little lady's clothes up to 6 months and all her blankies, sheets and cloth diapers too. Now I must organize them all in the closet and in her bins. I actually ran out of her hangers, I have 30 but no surprise she has a lot more clothes than that. Still have to work on my sewing projects but I can't start until I have the craft/play area in order.. Also this week we must, must, must put in her car seat!
• Milestones: She weighs about 6 pounds and is around 18 and 1/2 inches in length :)

in my bag 2.0

Welcome to In my Bag 2.0

I noticed no one linked up last time, so just let me know if you guys are interested and I will set it up ;)

1. An awesome MAC special edition makeup bag- probably the one red thing I own that I love (red and I aren't friends)

2. Okay so I have a lot of old makeup that I kinda never get rid of.. probably not the best thing and I definitely know better being a trained esthetician and all but its just so hard to throw away. 

Lipstick- Avon lip miracle in Rose Parfaite (best color ever! I'm a nude lip addict because I have really red lips naturally) 

Lip gloss duo- Too Faced dessert combo special edition

3. Floss- Oral B Satin floss in mint- don't bother buying any other floss cause this is the best

Lip Balm- Rosebud Strawberry- one of the best lip balms and tastes like strawberry milkshake

4.  Lotion- Johnson's Lavender & Chamomile - not sure if this really melts away my stress but it sure does smell good on my hands and I get it in the travel 99 cent section at Target

Powder compact- Avon- once again ancient but hate throwing away something when I still can kinda use it but I will be buying just a blotting sort of compact once this is gone

5. Lip gloss- Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Sandy- I love Buxom lips I have 3 or four different shades of this plumping gloss because its a perfect consistency (slightly sticky but doesn't feel like you have goo on your lips) and the plumping action isn't too dramatic since they use mint, so it also cools your lips :)

Mascara- Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express- This does work pretty well to separate and define lashes to look like false eyelashes but it does dry out really fast for some reason

6. Tweezers - Special awesome esthetician ones that have really nice grippy points, I tweeze where ever when ever basically so these come in handy often for my eyebrows and anytime someone has a splinter

Nail clippers- basic.. but my nails grow like weeds and I also clips a lot of strings off with these

Acetaminophen- really cute tiny bottle that came with a bigger bottle. Go Target!

7. Nail file- Ms. Manicure 4 step nail buffer/file- this thing makes my nails look gorgeous, that is when I give them the time they deserve.. 

fill in the blank friday

1.   The last movie I saw was       in theaters True Grit , months ago - movie theater seats are not comfortable for pregos and at home - last night we watched Fracture  .

2.  I want to    thai curry that is still cooking in my crock pot and some froyo w/berries would be a nice addition   .

3.  Surprises are     really nice but sometimes make me uneasy lol  .

4.  The best accessory is   cute shoes and a good attitude .

5.  My favorite warm drink is     mmm well having worked for Starbucks I have about a million but the one I look forward to most every fall is decaf pike place roast with pumpkin spice syrup and I top with creamer myself  .

6.  My favorite cold drink is       i love passion tea lemonade  .

7.  Currently loving       our new apartment cause its kind of amazing and searching pinterest for interior design ideas   . 

35 weeks

Super cute pic of Kim and I - at the shower

• Weighty Issues:  I started using a new scale at home and it says 131 lbs but I think I'm definitely more than that. We shall see at my doctors appt on Thursday. 
• Stretch Marks: Still just a couple barely noticeable ones 
• Sleep: Most nights I wake up at least once with acid reflux and take Tums that barely help and give me the grossest after taste in the morning. New addition to sleep are lovely night sweats, I presume partly due to our warmer weather and hormones.
• Best Moment this week: My shower!! It was so wonderful, My friends Jess and Niki did an amazing job putting it together. Such a blessing to be surrounded by amazing women showering me and baby girl with love, good food and gifts :) Plus moving in has worked out pretty smoothly basically only have our bedroom and craft/play area to be organized!
• Food: I've been eating lots of salads, cereal, smoothies and burgers lately. Yum! Our oven is now a gas one but is not working yet? so I haven't done any cooking at the new place yet.
• Clothes: Wishing I had some cuter shorts options for this warm weather but might have to resort to wearing dresses. 
• Labor signs: No new braxton hicks thankfully! Hoping none for awhile and on the topic of labor we are really hoping that I don't go into labor anytime soon since Patrick's assistant manager is still gone, and really hopefully I will be over my due date :) I just don't want baby girl to have to share her birthday lol too many birthdays in July. 
• Belly Button: Poky the last couple days, it definitely fluctuates
• What I miss: Only having my stove :( tired of having to eat out
• What I’m looking forward too: Just enjoying this time and getting our home ready. But of course really looking forward to her being here, its completely frightening and exciting at the same time.
• Weekly Wisdom: um nothing new I can think of really.. just enjoying this time
• Weekly WTH:  Just the stove...
• Nesting: Full on nesting and organizational mode around here, even Patrick is getting in on the nesting. Before baby being born is honestly the best and worst time to move because we are getting rid of loads of stuff we've held onto for who knows why and able to fit all the things we love :) and having lots of fun with our new Ikea items. 
• Milestones: Hello my little honeydew melon :)

For more on the development of a 35 week old baby click HERE.

in my bag

I have wanted to do a What's in My Bag post for a long time. So here it is! I have decided that I will turn this post into a new series here on Known As Emj :) oh and don't forget to link up your own bag!

The Bag:  

Gap tote bag- they make different versions of this bag every season. Mine is from Jan/Feb 2011

The Contents:

1. Camelbak kids water bottle- I like this smaller version since it fits in a side pocket
2. Gap wallet
3. Stella & Dot mini lookbooks
4. Super cute reusable Paper Chase bag
5. Gucci sunglasses- secret: I found these in the lost & found at my old job
6. My makeup bag
7. Huge bobby pins from my hair stylist, these work wonders and hold everything
8. Sanrio card case- I keep business cards and gift cards in here
9. Assorted keys/ keychain
10. Assorted pens, gum and yummy Philosophy pomegranate lip gloss
11. My pen case
12. Random extra bag

After taking pics I realized a few regular bag items were not in it... So usually I have my Kindle, a book, notebook and planner but not always all of them :)

34 weeks

• Weighty Issues:  If my scale was unpacked I would tell you.
• Stretch Marks: I found a couple odd little ones on my side. Thankfully not scary ones.. 
• Sleep: Randomly wake 3-4 times a night, sometimes to pee and the other times I'm not always sure.
• Best Moment this week: Moving!! Can't wait to share pics once we are settled :)
• Food: Strangely not as ferociously hungry this week but drinking a lot of fluids.
• Clothes: Bored with and uncomfortable in most of my clothes. Lets just say the sweat pant and I are more than friends. We have good weather this week so I will be able to wear some comfy dresses and the steal of a deal dress I got at Old Navy for my shower on Saturday!
• Labor signs: Had my worst Braxton Hicks yet on Sunday while we were watching the NBA Finals, they surprised me a little bit but manageable with the Bradley techniques I learned.
• Belly Button: Not as poky this week :)
• What I miss: Just sleep, all this moving business has turned me into Nesting Freak!!
• What I’m looking forward too: My shower on Saturday, I love all-girl parties and don't get too many chances to go to them. (I must plan some now that we have the space to have guests over plus more people need to get married and have babies.) Really really looking forward to little lady arriving soon but feel like I have too much to do! 
• Weekly Wisdom: Relax and balance, this has definitely been the theme the past couple of weeks. So much has been changing in our lives plus I have asthma and now my lungs have less room so I get winded pretty easily. 
• Weekly WTH: I look like crap lol...
• Nesting: New apartment woah, so much to do but it is getting done. To do this week though is work on my sewing projects and wash everything of baby girls.

Sorry for the lack of posts lately but as you just read-we have been moving..

fill in the blank friday

1.   I love       finding deals   because      it makes me feel accomplished and like I used our money better.. lol although this is probably a downfall of mine because I'm still spending money when doing this and get that fleeting shopping high  .

2.  A time that mama knew best was    oh many, many times.. things she has taught me: high school girls are dumb and usually just jealous, love your body the way it was made, eat what you want, in moderation and don't feel guilty about it  .

3.  My first kiss went a little like this     how am I supposed to remember that, it happened in 5th grade  .

4.  My celebrity crush is   mark wahlberg but I also really like adam brody too, Ithink my hubs is kind of a cross between the two  .

5.  My splurge of choice is     usually books lol  .

6.  My biggest accomplishment is       probably my marriage- especially now since I've been a stay at home wife and future mom, I feel like I'm doing better at this than anything I ever have :)   .

7.  My dance jam of choice is       Marvin Gaye's "Got to Give it Up" or Chris Brown's "Forever"  . 

33 weeks

• Weighty Issues:  Weighed in at 133 at my appt. last week. total lbs gained= 20 
• Stretch Marks: Still the same! I do rub lotion on my belly after I shower but I believe my lack of stretch marks has more to do with genes than lotion.
• Sleep: Getting up more at night has caused me to sleep in more and on some busy days take long naps :)
• Best Moment this week: My appt. was great, gotta love hearing babys heartbeat and appts are gonna be closer together now, next appt. is on the 16th. Hubs had the car washed and cleaned in prep for baby, love it time to put car seat in soon!
• Food: I've been snacking during the day a lot, these are my mini meals in between regular meals. I ate a whole container of hummus, thankfully its good for you.. Having lots of salads for late lunch, mmm. Craving sweets non-stop this week, definitely not my norm. 
• Clothes: I really do wear a mix of stuff but obviously mostly maternity. I'm pretty bored with my whole wardrobe at the moment. 
• Labor signs: No other braxton hicks for a while now.
• Belly Button: Is still out, not as flat boo!
• What I miss: I believe I am beginning to miss having my body to myself, I love pregnancy even the yuck parts have been okay with me but I forget what it feels like to be just me and what I used to look like. I still miss salami as well.
• What I’m looking forward too: Taking newborn care class together this Saturday and shower next week and uh moving whenever that happens..
• Weekly Wisdom: Balance
• Weekly WTH: I get itchy allllll over and it sucks.. the only relief is to shower, which is not always convenient. 
• Nesting: With packing to move I'm in a sort of nesting limbo and it sucks! Packing is not fun at the moment, it was sooo much easier when we moved from our parents homes to our apt we have now. 
• Milestones: hello baby pineapple :)

For more on the development of a 33 week old baby click HERE.


p.s. sorry for lack of photo guys, my handsome photographer and I have been busy and lazy.