35 Weeks

And just like that we're ONE week away from baby month!! A lot has gone on since my last pregnancy update and I've written down a lot of it to remember for myself but I thought it'd be fun to compare how things are going now versus the first go 'round!

Oh and also, these maternity photos from Shannon Michele Photography had to be shared! Girlfriend worked some miracles for us during this sweaty sunset session! Rowan cooperated roughly 10% of the time and rarely smiled, but you wouldn't know it if you saw our whole gallery. We debated having maternity photos done a second time around and I'm SO so glad we did! 

Gender: BOY!

Symptoms: The good news is my diastasis recti pain trailed off around 30 weeks (which I'm assuming is just a sign my abs finally gave up the good fight) but that led to tailbone and pelvic bone pain. It definitely felt like my body was prepping to have this baby weeks ago! 

But overall, I'm feeling pretty good for 8 months pregnant. Still have bouts of dizziness and circulation issues but I'm used to it at this point. I've also had multiple Braxton Hicks contractions every day, regardless of my water intake.

Also, stretch marks. So. many. stretch. marks. Ugh send all of your miracle cream recs people! 

Baby: Baby boy is head down and already very low! At our 30 week ultrasound, he measured 2 weeks and 2 days ahead. My jaw just about dropped. R measured ahead but not that much and he was 7 lb 6 oz so I'm trying not to stress too much! My belly has measured within the limits so they don't see a need for further ultrasounds or moving the due date. 

We've also been told he has hair! R had a ton of crazy hair so I was excited to hear this with baby brother too. 

Pregnancy Differences: I never had Braxton Hicks with R so that is definitely new. Others I'd add to the "new symptoms" list would be the tailbone pain and swelling (currently sporting a Qalo ring these days). 

Weight Gain: +32 lbs.. almost identical to my pregnancy with R at this stage

Maternity Clothes: Pretty much wearing only maternity clothes now... glad to finally retire some of my shorts. As much as I loved them, leggings are feeling pretty amazing right now! 

Movement: Tons! He is most active at night between 10 and midnight, which I kind of like because I'm a night owl and I get to soak in those crazy belly shifts uninterrupted. 

Nursery Progress: Working SO hard to get this babe's nursery done! We finished the built-in closet shelving and most of the details have been ordered, just waiting on delivery! My biggest issue is the wall paint color right now... feeling like its impossible to decide and dreading actually starting to paint it. 

This week I also started getting out the mamaroo, rock 'n play, and other changing table things AND brainstorming what I want to pack in my hospital bag this time around. It feels crazy to think we're almost full term! 

Big Brother: Well, we're definitely feeling the twos over here with R. One minute he's super sweet, the next he's having a meltdown because I put a pillow in the wrong spot. (Kid definitely got my attention to detail.) But when it comes to baby brother, he's been discretely sweet. He loves to use my belly as a pillow now and has felt him kick, but doesn't seem to react a lot to it which I'm assuming is just a boy thing. He says he wants to buy baby brother things, provided he gets something too.. ha.

Every once and a while he still says he has a baby human or baby Dino in his belly. It's still just as entertaining to hear about. 

R is really good with younger kids, so we're so excited to see him with his baby brother!! 

Looking forward to: Holding this babe in my arms! And a large, delicious glass of Pinot Noir. 

Maternity Photos: I've had so many questions about where we took our maternity photos and outfit details! Shannon met us at the Folly Beach inlet, which is this gorgeous space at the very tip of Folly Beach with the Morris Island Lighthouse nearby. It's a bit of a trek from parking but SO worth it!

My dress is by ASOS and currently under $50! Limited sizes though so act fast :) R's shorts are from Janie and Jack and his shirt and suspenders are from Zara Kids.

Because what two year old wouldn't end up fully clothed in the ocean by the end of the session? Love these boys SO much and can't wait to add another to our crew!!