The good always outWEIGHS the bad!

A day in the life of a pregnant woman definitely has its ups and downs. First of all, I have not slept through the night in many many months. A painfully full bladder usually wakes me up around 11pm, 2:30am, and then ironically about 45 minutes before my alarm is set to go off! I am about 32 weeks pregnant, so getting out of bed (and the previously blogged about bunker) is getting really hard. Recently I have been experiencing SPD (Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction). This is basically when your body sends a hormone down to your pubic bones to soften and separate them to get ready for birth. Incidentally, IT HURTS!! It specifically hurts when you try to use one leg at a time. I.E. walking up stairs, getting in your car, putting on pants, and then putting on socks, and then putting on shoes...hahaha!! I'm told this is all normal.

About 2 weeks ago I started getting this pain in my lower right rib. Turns out that sharp pain is my abdominal muscles separating...YAY :) But allllllll of this pain and uncomfortability is completely overshadowed the second Jett does something incredible (which is like everyday). The other day Brett and I were sitting on the couch having our daily "talk to Jett" session. We usually see who can get the biggest kick. Well on this particular night, Jett was moving but it was in a rhythmic motion. We figured out our sweet little babe had the hiccups!!! How cute is that?? At that moment I was like what SPD? Then, last week we had some 3D/4D ultrasounds done that brought tears to our eyes!

We were told that at 30 weeks, our little one (haha) was measuring 3 weeks ahead. The average baby is usually about 3 pounds at this point, where Jett is almost 5 pounds!! Honestly, I didn't care what the nurse told me....I mean LOOK AT THIS FACE!! What an angel :)

All in all I would have to say that the amazing always outweighs the pains of pregnancy.

Babymoon in the Smoky Mountains!

Brett and I took this past weekend as our "babymoon". What is a babymoon you ask? Well you take a honeymoon AFTER you get married, but you take a babymoon BEFORE the baby comes. It is potentially your last opportunity to get away as a married couple before you become parents :) Brett and I decided to drive up to Pigeon Forge Tennessee and have a romantic weekend in the mountains. It was absolutely perfect! We took our time getting up to the cabin and timing was perfect because at the moment we got up the mountain it started snowing! We woke up to 3 or 4 inches of beautful powder. It was a magical babymoon and I recommend taking a babymoon to all soon-to-be parents!

These are a few of my favorite things...

I'm going to be completely honest (since I feel like not everyone was with me). Pregnancy is not all butterflies, roses, and beautiful moments. Don't get me wrong, it's completely amazing that I am growing a person inside of me, but there are a few things that no one talks about BEFORE you decide to expand your family. Pregnancy can be hard, metally, physically, emotionally, but there are certain things that can make pregnancy oh so much easier. So sit down. Let's talk. These are a few of my favorite pregnancy items...

Your back is going to hurt. Now, if you're lucky...you won't be like me and start having major lower back pain in the first trimester. Either way your new best friends will be massage envy, bubble baths, and your heating pad. Maybe all three in one day!

Every pregnant woman is totally paranoid about getting stretch marks. I have received nothing but mixed messages though. I've read articles that say its all genetics. I see commercials that say use this product and you WON'T get stretch marks. But I think my pregnant friend Dani put it best, "Whether stretch marks are genetic or not, I would rather spend $200 during the course of my pregnancy even if it only prevents ONE stretch mark." Brilliant! One of my favorite things is Clarins body treatment oil. It smells sooooo good, lasts for months, and makes your skin feel fabulous!

I have a small confession to make. During the first part of my pregnancy, sometimes I would forget to take my prenatal vitamins for 2 or 3 days in a row. I know...I know...I'm a horrible mother-to-be. So shoot me. But before you do, let me recommend one of my all time favorite things. GUMMY PRENATAL VITAMINS! Hallelujah! I literally have not missed one day of vitamins in 3 months. So if you hate taking prenatal vitamins...get the gummies. (You can get them at Target).

Alright one more favorite thing. I absolutely LOVE my boppy total body pillow! My husband calls it "the bunker" because I basically sleep in a bunker of pillows. Toward the end of pregnancy, sleep becomes harder and back pain becomes more intense, so if it takes a bunker of pillows get a good night sleep, SO BE IT!

Third Trimester!!!

Ok whatever you do...don't google "third trimester" images. I SAID DON'T DO IT! Just take my word for it...it pulls up some disturbing images on the first page. We are officially in the third trimester. I'm not sure if that calls for some sort of celebration; I just know that some of my friends who have had babies usually announce it. YAAAAAYY :) I know what it means for me. Only one trimester more til I can meet the little booger who likes to beat me up every couple of hours. One more trimester til my back might feel normal again. One more trimester until we become parents!!! So crazy, but I really cant wait.

A little side note: to those ladies who are having major back pain during their pregnancy. Do yourself a favor and get a membership to Massage Envy. Its been the BEST decision I've made, evvvveeeeerrrrrr. Shamika at the Dunwoody location is for real a goddess!!

I need some input on a particular topic. My friend Dani is also pregnant and (thank goodness) she is always researching pregnancy and parenthood and sharing with me. Recently she told me that even in the second trimester the baby is already starting to develop sleep patterns and daily schedules. Jett kicks, swims, rolls around, punches, uses my ribs like a trampoline, etc every 2 hours or so. What do we think that means?

Jett's Room

Our baby boy is due April 3rd 2011 (please please please come earlier). We are currently working on his nursery. Jett Liam Crowder is going to be one spoiled little guy. His nursery alone has at least 6 people contributing so far! Rachel helped me paint the whole room. Mom and Shel are doing all the bedding, curtains, window valence, wall mural, etc. Regan has a wall reserved for her painting. And when its all said and done poor Brett will have put together and taken apart cribs 4 times! Here are some photos to document the transformation...Let us know what you think. I'll post more pics when the furniture comes in :)

Brad Paisley. The anthem to our lives...

Brett and I have this awesome connection to Brad Paisley and his music. We honestly feel like he is writing songs to narrate our lives. Anyone else feel like that? I guess that's why he's so successful, because so many people can relate to his songs. We danced to "She's Everything" at our wedding. We revealed the sex of our pending addition with "Anything Like Me". And earlier today Brett and I were driving home from the fabric store when "Little Moments" came on the radio. Brett said this song reminds him so much of me. I thought, "awww soooo sweet". And at that little moment, I heard the part in the song when he says she misreads the directions, Brett started smiling and I realized I was going to the wrong way on 75! I guess I know why this song reminds him of me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBErCVNP6rM

I'm not making any promises...

I've been talking to my husband (Brett) about starting a blog for quite sometime now. ALRIGHT so its been over 6 months! The things is...who has time??? I thought, "It would be really nice to share our lives with our friends and family" especially those who live out of state/out of country. In fact, its a really good thought. Brett said I should post something new everyday. Like, whats the one thing I would share with my girlfriends that day about our lives? I thought to myself "dang its a miracle if I remember to brush my teeth before I go to bed!" I'm aiming for once a week :) So here goes...I'm not making any promises...but here goes! Welcome to The Crowders Get Crowded.