36 weeks, 5 days with BEAUTIFUL Maternity Pictures

I am so glad I finally did it...maternity pictures that is. I have always wanted to do them but by the time you get to the home stretch (eeek no pregnant woman likes to hear the word stretch...stretch marks that is...LOL!) it's about the last thing you feel like doing.

I knew with this baby being our last I had to embrace this pregnant belly before it was gone and contact my favorite photographer and friend Joyce Blackson to capture the moment for me. It was actually a really fun photography shoot, the kids got to kiss the belly which they always love to do, Jon and I took a few together and I felt like I was on America's Next Top Model when I went solo with my belly. I can't wait to see all of the pictures from the session but here are a few she provided me with to share now.

36 weeks, 2 days

I had our in-home appointment with Mid-Wife Kathleen yesterday and everything went great. She went through the preparation of both the birthing tub and bed set-up with Jon and I as well as the overall in-home birth process for when Harlow arrives. I have another appointment scheduled next week and my guess is Harlow will be born the week after that which is the week of my 30th birthday.

Silly Paige was playing with her toes...

Every Princess Needs to Sparkle!

I made Harlow a couple Sparkle onesies and I have one more in the making. I found this great brand of organic cotton clothing from Lime Blossom Naturals that was just perfect to add the Swarovski sparkles to. I love mix & match basics on a baby and you can't get anything softer then this brand.

It was fun creating custom sparkle onesies for Harlow (Paige has had quite a few over the past 2 years) and it will also make for a nice keepsake after she outgrows them. I am working on at least one more which will have a fancy "H" on a romper and I do have a few other ideas if time permits. In case you didn't know, I used to have a Sparkle business on Etsy (SparkleYourKids) but when the belly came into play I put it on hold for a bit. It's hard to capture the "sparkle" indoors but it's hot here in TX so I wasn't about to stand outside trying to get the perfect picture so these will have to do for now.

I plan on Harlow wearing this one just after birth, it is extra cute with ruffles on the bum...


I have some ruffle pants to pair with this one...


I have started laundering some of Harlow's blankets and clothes this week and have begun setting it all up, pictures coming in the next day or two. I have a maternity session set up on Sunday to capture this belly before it's gone so wish me luck!

35 Weeks + and Nesting

I had my 35 week appointment with my Mid-Wife Kathleen last week and everything was just as it should be. My belly measured right on, Harlow's heartbeat was perfect, my blood pressure was normal and she ran the last of the blood work she needed before delivery. Our next appointment, which will be next week will be a home visit where she will review the birthing tub set-up and other necessary details with Jon and I. Jon and I have gotten our at home birthing kit and purchased the other essentials yesterday so we are ready for Harlow to make her debut.

I have begun nesting and it's definitely been nice getting everything around the house in order. I plan on washing a few things in Dreft (love that smell!) for baby Harlow today and will get her moses bumper (I had the moses basket from Aiden) and other goodies I had made by the very talented Monique from Etsy in the mail tomorrow (see pictures below). Harlow won't have her nursery ready since we haven't been able to sell our guest bedroom furniture yet to clear out her room but we figure we have time as she will sleep in the moses basket in our room for at least 3+ months anyways. So I am using a nice bamboo clothing rack we already have along with canvas baskets for her clothes, diapers, etc. to set up a area for Harlow next to her moses basket in our room. I will take pictures of it all put together in the next few days.





Jon has been helping my need to nest by painting the playroom a pretty light blue and next is painting and putting together Paige and Aiden's PBK Dr. Seuss bathroom before Harlow makes her debut. I figured since we couldn't put our time and energy into Harlow's nursery we may as well get a few other things off of our to-do list in the meantime.

My Texas family of friends is hosting a baby shower for me on July 31st; I am really looking forward to getting together with all of my friends to celebrate Harlow's arrival. I also have my BIG (well you can't get much bigger then being 9 months pregnant...LOL!) 30th birthday coming up on August 11th; I hope to go out to a nice dinner with Jon to celebrate and have friends over a movie and some cake before Harlow makes her debut...guess we will see if that all works out. Well off to nest and tend to the kids.