bump watch:: 40 weeks

Posted on September 9, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 40 — baby is the size of a jackfruit!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing about 7-8 lbs.

Best moment this week: The start of football season! Georgia and Auburn both won their games, so we had a happy household on Saturday. And while we couldn’t make it to Athens for my game, we had fun watching it downtown with friends before heading home to catch the Auburn game on the projection screen. We also had an impromptu date night at Bocado over the long weekend — they have one of the best burgers in town. It may very well have been our last solo night out before becoming parents, which is sort of hard to believe!

Miss anything: Normal sleep, ShockTop during last weekend’s football games, being able to bend over easily… ya know, the usual at this point.

Cravings: A grilled hot dog, which I got on Labor Day! Yay!

Feeling good/bad: I’ve been getting more of those pesky Braxton hicks contractions, and I’ve just gotten more uncomfortable with each day this week, so I’m hoping I’ll get some relief soon. We went for a long walk at the park Monday morning in hopes of getting her moving (which obviously didn’t work), but I’m shocked I made it as long as I did. 🙂

Baby purchases/gifts: I might have gotten this glittery UGA headband for her first game day… can’t wait to deck her out in both her Georgia and Auburn gear this fall!

Looking forward to: Meeting our girl!! We’re officially at our due date, but I also realize that it’s just an estimate… so as long as she’s healthy, it’s not the end of the world if she doesn’t come today. I have a doctor’s appointment on Friday, and if she’s not here by then, we’ll start talking plans for how to proceed. We are all hoping and praying she’ll make her debut very, very soon, though! We’re ready to see her sweet face!

bump watch:: 39 weeks

Posted on September 2, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 39 — baby is the size of a watermelon!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 7 lbs.

Best moment this week: Starting my first week as a lady of leisure! haha — I kid, I kid… but it was a bit refreshing waking up on Monday and not having to go to work. I had my latest doctor’s appointment this week, and while there’s nothing exciting to report just yet, everything looked great. I plan on getting in some pool time, relaxation, and home-cooked meals over the next few days, as long as she doesn’t make an extra early arrival.

Miss anything: Same things… uninterrupted sleep, fitting into normal clothes, and really just being comfortable all the time. But I do have comfort in knowing that we’re almost to the finish line!

Cravings: My sweets craving has officially been satisfied over the past 10 months, but especially the past few weeks, thanks to so many birthday dinners and work parties. Now it’s time to start weening myself off the sugar….

Feeling good/bad: Girlfriend is getting quite heavy to carry around all day and my wedding rings officially no longer fit, but I really can’t complain. For the most part, this has been a very easy, pleasant process and it’s honestly flown by, which I could not be more thankful for!

Baby purchases/gifts: I think we officially have every baby item known to man. Just kidding, but we at least feel prepared in that regard! She has a closet that I’m jealous of, we’re stocked on diapers and wipes (to cover at least the first few weeks, so I’m told), and there are numerous baby-holding contraptions lining the walls of our living and dining rooms. I think we’re all set!

Looking forward to: Heading to the hospital to meet our girl — hopefully sooner rather than later!! We’re just playing the waiting game now, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe, healthy delivery. We can’t wait to see her sweet face and introduce her to the world!

bump watch:: 38 weeks

Posted on August 26, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 38 — baby is the size of Swiss chard!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 6.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: Today is the best day of the week because it’s my 32nd birthday and we’re only 2 weeks out from my due date! We had dinner at Murphy’s in the Highlands last night with my family, and it was excellent, as it always is. They have such a decadent dessert menu – we all wanted several items from the list, but settled on three, including their famous Bonzo Cake and Tollhouse Cookie. Yum!! My sister-in-law’s mom and I share a birthday, so tonight we’re going to their house for a joint celebration dinner. Parties all around! I have a feeling 32 is going to bring the most exhausting, crazy, exciting, BEST year of my life!

Miss anything: A couple glasses of wine during all these celebration dinners would be nice! So soon, so soon….

Cravings: Eating all the cake!

Feeling good/bad: The lower back pain continues, as does lack of sleep. I’ve started having some Braxton Hicks contractions at night, so I guess things are getting going. At my appointment yesterday, the doctor said she’s in position and things are looking good!

Baby purchases/gifts: I finally found a UGA onesie for baby girl so that she can cheer for the Dawgs (and Auburn, of course) in just a few short weeks.

Looking forward to: We’ll be celebrating my dad’s 60th birthday this coming weekend! I so wish we could have done something big and exciting in his honor, but he promises that getting his granddaughter is the best present of all. 🙂

And in case anyone would like an update on Coco and her new bed… it’s on the left. Unused. I guess the girl knows what she likes.

maternity portraits

Posted on August 25, 2015 by mhayes24

As a photographer and soon-to-be mom, it was important to me to have maternity portraits taken. I felt like this was something I’d want to have to look back on years from now, as well as for Leighton to see how very loved she was before she even got here. We had them done in nursery so that big (fur) sister Coco could be included, and then we headed out to my favorite nearby photo session spot, Whittier Mill Park, for some more just before the sun set. The lighting was gorgeous, and we had the park all to ourselves! The photos were taken by the lovely Hayley Jo Photography, and we couldn’t be happier with the finished product… enjoy!

Also, if anyone needs embroidering done in the Atlanta area, Savvi Stitches (run by my neighbor, Savannah) is super easy to work with and has a very quick turnaround time when she’s not busy working as a flight attendant!

bump watch:: 37 weeks

Posted on August 19, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 37 — baby is the size of a winter melon!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 6.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: A few things! We received the images from our maternity portrait session, done by the lovely Hayley Jo Photography. I especially love the photos including our first baby, Coco — she did a good job tricking the camera into thinking she was a perfect angel. 🙂

My parents are officially moved into their home in Marietta! Craig, my dad, and my brother have been working like crazy the past 2 months to get the house updated for my mom to be living here before my due date, and the transformation is amazing. We’re excited to have them join us in Georgia after all these years of talking about it!

And my incredibly thoughtful coworkers threw me an early going away party last night, complete with all of my favorite desserts, a piñata, Phil Collins tunes (my fave!), and the most wonderful Puppet Yearbook, which chronicles my 9 years at the Center. Leaving is bittersweet, but little lady and I will be back to visit often!!

Miss anything: Same ol, same ol — uninterrupted sleep, as well as being able to sleep on my back!

Cravings: Not really!

Feeling good/bad: I’ve started having some pretty bad lower back pain if I sit for too long. The only thing that seems to help is walking around or at least standing up. No fun.

Baby purchases/gifts: My coworkers gifted me with a spa gift certificate to use before or after baby, which I’m thrilled about! And to go with the “Tiki Baby Shower” theme, they got us the cutest outfit with gold pineapples all over it. I can’t wait to see her in it soon!
Our glider finally came in — a few weeks early, too! We picked it up over the weekend, and it completes the nursery perfectly.
My Lily Jade diaper bag also arrived, and I am in love! Sounds funny to say that about a diaper bag, but this guy is leather, smells amazing, and looks just like a bag that I’d normally carry. It has a huge pouch with about 75 pockets for baby stuff, and I love that I can take it out to use as my own bag when baby’s not with me.

Looking forward to: My 37 week appointment this morning — hopefully all is well! She’s been moving around like a wild banshee lately, which is always reassuring, but I think she’s starting to run out of room in there. 🙂 I’m also really excited for tomorrow night’s dinner with several girlfriends in celebration of my bday and Leighton’s impending arrival. We’re going to Community Smith in Midtown, which is a newer restaurant that I’ve not yet been to. The 3-week countdown is on!

bump watch:: 36 weeks

Posted on August 12, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 36 — baby is the size of a large cantaloupe!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 6 lbs.

Best moment this week: Having a relatively low-key weekend and getting in some pool time for the first time in over a month! I also had my 36-week doctor’s appointment, and everything is looking good! The doctor said that she was really going to town with a high heartbeat, which is always nice to hear.

Miss anything: An ice cold beer by the pool would have been nice. Can’t wait to pour a pumpkin-flavored one for the start of football season in about a month! My very limited closet is also getting really old, but again, I can see the finish line!

Cravings: Hm… nothing that I absolutely have to have. Still fully enjoying sweets while I have the excuse, because I’ve got to cut that out after she arrives!

Feeling good/bad: A little more tired, but otherwise pretty good. I’ve been waking up a lot more in the middle of the night, but it’s not like that’s going to change for the foreseeable future. I’m also kind of in disbelief that we only have 4 weeks left… the past 9 months have surprisingly flown by!

Baby purchases/gifts: We’ve been picking up some of the last little things we need to finish off her nursery, like the diaper pail and video monitor. We’ve put together the stroller and car seat so that we’ll be comfortable using them once she’s here. Coco, however, is TERRIFIED of both of these things, so we’re working on that…

I’m also thrilled with the name hoop I had made for her nursery door. I sent photos of the bedding and room to Miss Tweedle Crafts (on etsy), and she did a wonderful job! I love supporting fellow small businesses while adding a dash of whimsy and uniqueness to our home.

Looking forward to: Tomorrow, several of my wonderful coworkers and I are doing a baby Happy Hour at our old favorite, Trader Vic’s! Six years ago, we celebrated my upcoming wedding there with work friends, so it only seemed appropriate that we’d go there for this big life event, too.

It’s hard to believe that I’m quickly winding down my time at the Center for Puppetry Arts. I’ve worked there for 9 years, which seems like a lifetime, yet it has flown by at the same time. I started there as a graphic design intern right after college and was soon hired as a full-time employee doing graphic design work and coordinating the birthday party program. I later took on facility rentals as well and became the Facility Rentals Manager. It’s been a wonderful 9 years filled with laughter, learning, great coworkers, and so many puppets. I am leaving my position at the end of this month to prepare for baby girl’s arrival. I will be staying home with her permanently, while also building my photography business (and of course selling Stella & Dot on the side!). It will be quite the change, but I’m thrilled and so very thankful that we’re fortunate enough for this dream to become a reality!

bump watch:: 35 weeks

Posted on August 5, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 35 — baby is the size of a canary melon! (What in the world is that?)
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing up to 5.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: Celebrating baby girl at my shower on Saturday! We feel so loved, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Leighton when she arrives!!

Miss anything: I would have loved to have a mimosa at my shower, just saying… 😉

Cravings: Does craving cooler weather count?

Feeling good/bad: I’ve started experiencing some lower back pain when I sit for too long, which is incredibly uncomfortable, but it thankfully hasn’t happened very regularly — yet. Other than that, feeling good!

Baby purchases/gifts: We received so many wonderful, creative, and generous gifts at my shower! One of my very favorites is the custom painting that Lauren’s dad made for us. We have hung it above the dresser, and it finishes the nursery perfectly. We are now working on completing the “need” list from our various registries so that we’ll be all set before the big day. Also, how cute are these embroidered bloomers?!

Looking forward to: I have a doctor’s appointment this morning, so hopefully we’ll have another good report! Otherwise, I think we’re both just looking forward to a quiet week with home-cooked dinners and a low-key weekend. Hopefully some pool time, too!

bump watch:: 34 weeks

Posted on July 29, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 34 — baby is the size of a pineapple!
Measuring approx 19-22″ long and weighing as much as 4.9 lbs.

Best moment this week: My mom is in town to see the progress of their home renovation and for my baby shower this weekend, so we have some fun things planned while she’s here!

Miss anything: Undisturbed sleep, but I know that’s never going to be the same from here on out… 🙂

Cravings: Not really!

Feeling good/bad: Still thankfully feeling pretty good and I have a decent amount of energy. Baby girl is moving around a ton lately, which is always reassuring and so neat to feel (and watch my belly moving around!), but it’s also starting to get a little more uncomfortable as she’s growing!

Baby purchases/gifts: We received a fun gift from my friend’s mom, which was filled with really helpful items, as well as some adorable Aden + Anais burpy bibs. I can’t get enough of their super soft products!

Looking forward to: My garden party baby shower this coming weekend!! I’m so excited to celebrate baby girl with all of my favorite girlfriends and mine and Craig’s moms and sisters. This shower seemed like it was so far away when my sweet sister-in-law Lauren started planning it…. it’s hard to believe it’s already here, because that means we’re getting really close to baby time!

bump watch:: 33 weeks

Posted on July 22, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 33 — baby is the size of a honeydew melon!
Measuring approx 19″ long and weighing as much as 4.5 lbs.

Best moment this week: A few things! We had our maternity photo session on Sunday, and it was so fun to be on the other side of the camera for once! We worked with the lovely Hayley Jo Photography and had the best time. I’m really excited to see the finished product!
I got to have dinner with my Springbluff girls from college on Monday night, and Tuesday was a busy day filled with a doctor’s appointment for my 33 week checkup (all is well!) and a breastfeeding class that we attended at the hospital, which we both found really informative. Things are quickly falling into place and being checked off my to-do list before baby girl arrives!

Miss anything: Not feeling sleepy throughout the day from several somewhat restless nights in a row. Could be worse, though. 🙂

Cravings: Not this week!

Feeling good/bad: Feeling pretty good! I’m a bit more tired in the afternoons, which I’m afraid isn’t going to get better any time soon. Also, she started wiggling around during dinner last Friday and didn’t stop moving for a solid 2.5 hours. Hope this isn’t an indication that she’s going to be a wild woman!

Baby purchases/gifts: Once we decided on baby girl’s name, I just couldn’t resist buying some embroidered things from our neighbor who does monogramming. I of course had to have a onesie with her name on it to use as a prop during our maternity session, and I can’t wait to share some photos soon!

Looking forward to: A busy weekend in town! I have two newborn sessions this Saturday, and I’m hosting my Stella & Dot fall collection debut trunk show at home on Sunday — also known as my last trunk show before I pop! Gotta get it all in before I’m too big to move around. 🙂

bump watch:: 32 weeks

Posted on July 15, 2015 by mhayes24

# weeks: 32 — baby is the size of a head of lettuce!
Measuring approx 19″ long and weighing about 3.9 lbs. (That’s the longest head of lettuce I’ve ever heard of…)

Photo location: Carolina Yacht Club in Charleston, SC
We traveled there last weekend to celebrate our friends at their fabulous wedding, and it was such a great weekend. This was the “last hoorah” out of town before baby comes, so we’ll be staying put in the Atlanta area from here on out!

Best moment this week: We finally agreed on a name for baby Hayes!! It was a compromise that we’re both very happy with, and I love the name the more we talk about it. We’re in the midst of sharing with family and friends, so I’ll be sure to post here soon!
Also, we toured the maternity ward of the hospital — things are starting to get real!

Miss anything: An ice cold beer on the beach when it felt like 1,000 degrees outside would have been nice! Instead, I tried to stay as hydrated as possible and had my fill of water. 😉

Cravings: My mom sent up chocolate marshmallow brownies with my dad this week, so my dessert craving is currently being satisfied.

Feeling good/bad: The heat and humidity in Charleston was a bit overwhelming (but worth it for the fun trip), and my feet finally started to swell a bit… thankfully, after a day back at home, they look normal again. I’m also starting to feel more and more achy when I wake up in the morning, mostly thanks to having to sleep on my side. I’m adding more pillows to the mix in hopes of a little relief.

Baby purchases/gifts: Our friends in Augusta gifted us with the most adorable smocked outfit over the weekend, and I’m so excited to see her in it next summer. Is there much cuter on a baby than polka dots, smocking, and a ruffled bottom?

Looking forward to: Our maternity photo session this coming weekend! Craig keeps asking if he has to be in these photos since he’s not the pregnant one… so maybe it’s just me who is really looking forward to this. 🙂 It’s going to be fun being on the other side of the camera for once!

hayes everyday

Tag Archives: pregnancy