35 Weeks Pregnant

Hey y'all! I apologize for my blog being so heavy in "maternity related" posts, but I guess pregnancy is just kinda what's on my mind lately. ;-)

I'm 35 weeks!  Reaching 9 months!  We're almost there and it's getting so exciting!  My days are filled with the feeling of precious feet kicking me from the inside (I LOVE it!), swollen feet, heartburn, preparing his little space with adorable baby things, embracing the heat of this Alabama summer, and preparing for delivery day!  God is so good!  Last year at this time we we're going through a heartbreak of miscarriage and now I'm getting ready to hold another precious little son in my arms. 

Only, God knows what this life will have in store for us.  I just have to trust Him!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

I've seen quite a lot of other pregnant bloggers do "pregnancy update" posts and I thought it as a fun idea. So.... here's mine:

My Baby's Size: About 18 inches long and weighing around 5 pounds.

Cravings: I am soooo in love with Italian foods and vinaigrettes right now!  Also, fresh fruits and cold water with lemon!

Sypmtoms: My feet are very swollen if I sit in one position for any length of time, LOTS of heartburn, but significantly less than when I was expecting Gavin.  I'm starting to feel pretty big, weighing the most I ever have in my entire life at a whopping 174 lbs!  And I've had quite a few false contractions within the last 2 weeks, but overall this has been a very healthy, comfortable pregnancy (aside from the morning sickness during the first month.  So glad that's over! Haha) and I am very blessed.  The Lord is good!

Reading: Though these books are not technically related to being pregnant, they are what I've been reading lately whenever I have the chance for some quiet time to just relax, put my feet up, and do some learning for personal growth.  In This House, We Will Giggle by Courtney DeFeo & Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.  Both are good reads. The first has do with teaching your children virtues through fun, structured family actions and the second on a biblical view of when to say yes, no, and taking responsibility for your own life.

Appointments: I'm down to my last few Dr.'s appointments which are now every two weeks instead of four.  Next one is on Wednesday.  We're getting close!

Fun Purchases: His sweet little bed, newborn diapers (I was way too excited about buying tiny diapers again!  It's been a long time since I changed a little diaper.  click here to see how I potty-trained my 2-year-old in 3 days), some cute baby beach clothes for our family vacation coming up in October, and all the supplies for nursing again.  I loved breastfeeding Gavin and hope to get to do the same with Garrett.  It is such a precious time of bonding with the little one that is uniquely special for just mommy and baby.

Looking Forward To: Holding, kissing, hugging, and loving this new little bundle of joy from the outside of my belly. ;-)  Yes there is pain in the delivery, but it is soooooooo worth it!!!

"A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the JOY that a child has been born into the world." -John 16:21

See Also:
Our Gender Reveal Party
10 Tips For Feeling Great While Pregnant
"Dear Moms of Little Ones"

10 Tips For Feeling Great During Pregnancy

Hey y'all!  I'm now 35 weeks pregnant with our second little boy, William Garrett Wright!  I had my last doctor's appointment on Tuesday and we are so blessed to have a very, healthy pregnancy so far for both me and baby Garrett!  Pregnancy doesn't have to be a miserably, uncomfortable nine months.  This is my third time to be pregnant (we had a miscarriage last summer) and I actually Enjoy being pregnant!  Yes your body is going through a lot right now and some amount of nausea, lack of energy, and crazy emotions are inevitable, but if you take the time to take care of yourself then this beautiful time of your life can be filled with joy, fun, and the exciting anticipation of meeting your new little one!
Here are some of the things that have helped me literally feel great while pregnant!

1. Drink Water
Stay Hydrated!  Drinking water is one of the best things you can do to help yourself feel better while pregnant.  Water helps your body transport nutrients, remove waste, regulate your body temperature can also help you think more clearly and keep your skin tighter and more vibrant.  While pregnant you should be trying to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day (64 fluid ounces) plus an additional 8 ounce glass for any time you're physically active or even when you sweat a whole lot due to the HOT summer heat.

2. Go To Bed
Your body needs rest!  Especially during my first trimester and again now during the third, I felt so tired during the day and had a lack of energy.  But I've found that if I stick to a strict sleep schedule, go to bed on time, the same time, every night and wake up the same time every morning (even if that means going to bed early to feel rested enough), then I can tell 100% of a difference in my attitude and productivity throughout the day!  Resist the urge to stay up late, sleep in late, and have randomly different hours of sleep every night (7 hrs this night, 10 this night, 9 the next, etc.).  It's so tempting for me to work late at night when it's quiet and my 2 year old is asleep, but it only ever makes me feel more tired and useless the next day (click here to see a post on my schedule).  There may be something to that old saying "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise" after all.  Decide how much rest you need, what time you have to go to bed to achieve it, and stick to it!  This will look different for everyone, but make your plan and make it happen!  This is probably one of the MOST effective thing I've done to feel great while pregnant. :-)

3. Read Bible/Have Devotions
Spend quality time with the Lord in prayer, reading and memorizing His Word.  Take the time to have good devotions with God.  I try to have my devotions first thing in the morning to give me something wonderful to think on for the rest of the day.  The Lord can give you strength to keep going, even when all else fails, God loves you more than anyone else possibly can and He truly understands your needs and struggles better than anybody.  You are about to have a small child in your arms to raise, nurture, and care for.  Read good books on raising children.  Seek His guidance as you start this huge responsibility of motherhood!

4. Take a Walk Outside
Walking is one of the greatest things you can do while pregnant.  Just getting moving (even and especially when you're feeling sluggish) will do wonders for your energy level!  Better yet take walks outside and enjoy some wonderful fresh air and sunshine too!

5. Stretch/Exercise
Look up some good prenatal stretches and exercises to add to your daily routine.  They can help get rid of back and hip pain, help with breathing and swelling during the third trimester, and strengthen your body for an easier delivery, all while giving you more energy and getting your body healthier!

6. Eat Healthy Foods
It seems kinda obvious, but eat healthy foods and snacks that fill your body with good nutrients and avoid the junk foods.  Here are a list of some extra nutritious, super, power foods to include in your pregnancy diet:

Berries - fiber & antioxidants

Avocados - folic acid & potassium

Yogurt (not the sugar-filled, artificially flavored stuff) - calcium & probiotics

Eggs - iron, protein, vitamin A

Sweet Potatoes - vitamins A & E

Beans and Lentils - protein, magnesium, zinc, fiber, iron, & folate

Kale and Spinach - calcium, vitamin A, folic acid, and fiber

Oranges - vitamin C

Bananas - vitamin B6

Almonds - calcium & vitamin E

Salmon - omega 3

Broccoli - protein & calcium

8. Swim

This is one of my favorites!  Especially right now since I'm pregnant during summer. ;-)  This is a great way of exercising.  Floating relieves the heavy belly weight off your back, and keeps you cool through the intense summer heat!  Also, if you've got older kids, this is great fun for them too and a special playtime with mommy. :-)

9. Get Dressed
Simple as it sounds, it truly helps.  Even when you don't feel like it and aren't going to leave the house, go ahead and get dressed cute, brush your hair, wash your face, and do whatever it takes for you to feel pretty, fresh, inspired, and prepared for the day.

10. Take Naps When You Can
Difficult to do with an older toddler in the house too, but your body could use the extra rest.  Now that I'm in my third trimester and getting closer to baby go-time, I try to go ahead and nap when Gavin does (instead of working on big, unfinished projects which is very tempting during this quiet-time) which helps to re-energize me and I wake up with more patience to be a good mom to Gavin.  There's no need for me to be stressed out, tired, cranky and no fun for him just because I'm pregnant and tired!  It's not an excuse; pregnancy is a blessing!  Be intentional!

!!Bonus!!
11. Go On Date Nights With Your Husband
And lastly, my FAVORITE!!!  Take time alone with your husband!  Just the two of you!  Go on dates! You both seriously need this time to talk, laugh, plan and grow in your marriage.  You don't have to do anything expensive or exhausting, just set aside a specific time for just the two of you and get creative!  It's totally worth it!!! :-)

I hope this list was helpful and encouraging for some of you pregnant moms out there. :-)

And for you more experienced mothers, what are some

of ya'll's ways of feeling great and having energy during pregnancy?

I would seriously LOVE to hear your advice!

See also:

What to Pack in Your Hospital Bag for Labor and Delivery

Wright's Trading Post || GIVEAWAY!!!

Hey y'all, here is just a quick post to let y'all know about a GIVEAWAY that we're having over on our Etsy shop's Instagram this week, @wrightstrading!

Super excited about this: Go check out our "Wright's Trading Post" Instagram for info on how to win one of the rustic, home decor products from our shop!

Also be sure to visit our Esty shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/WrightsTradingPost

to see the rest of our handmade, rustic items that we offer!

Father's Day Craft // Hand-print Sign From 2 Year Old

Hey ya'll!  This adorable, little, hand-print sign is Part 2 (see Part 1 a Father's Day card) of Gavin's Father's Day gift to Jesse this year.  I just LOVE the way that it turned out (besides the obvious thumb problem with the hand-print :-/ , but oh well.  It's still super cute!).  The precious rhyme paired with his darling hand is such a great gift and will end up as a keepsake for years to come I'm sure.

What You'll Need:

White construction paper

Green (or whichever color you'd prefer) finger paint

A scrap piece of wood (never very hard for us to come up with since we run a sawmill and are building our house)

A good black marker (or calligraphy pen if your good at that!)

Twine

Hot glue

A prepared craft area ready for  paint + toddler = MESS! :-) Have Fun!!!

...And one adorable 2-year-old's hand!

How To Make It:
1. Cut out the paper to fit the size that you want it to be on your board
2. Make the hand-print on the paper
3. Have fun using the rest of the paint with your toddler on other projects or just have fun with it while the hand-print is drying
4. Write the rhyme, child's name, and date
5. Neatly glue the paper to the board on the edges
6. Wrap and glue the decorative twine

Have Fun! :-)

What Father's Day crafts have y'all made?

Do you have any other special "hand-print" craft ideas?

See also:

Father's Day Craft // "I Love You This Much" Card

DIY Homemade Playdough Recipe

Father's Day Craft Idea // "I Love You This Much" Card

Hey y'all!  Father's Day is just around the corner and today's craft is so adorable and a really easy last minute gift to make from your toddler.

Here's what you'll need:

2 sheets of construction paper in different colors (we used blue and green)

A pen

Tape

...and a cute, squishy baby hand! :-)

Start by tracing the little hands and then cut them out.

Write on one (the front of the card) "I Love You"

and on the back of the card "Happy Father's Day! Love, (child's name) age and year" so

that you'll know when it was made in the years to come.

Now cut a strip from the other color of paper and write on it "This Much!"

Lastly, tape each side of the strip to each little hand.

That's it!  Now you've got a super cute Father's Day card!

What are some cute toddler crafts that y'all made recently?

Maternity Outfit // Gray Striped Maxi Skirt & Navy Blue

Hey y'all!  As I'm quickly approaching the 3rd trimester, maxi skirts have become a staple for me.  They are just so versatile!  You can wear them stylishly above your baby bump and tuck in your blouse, or comfortably under the bump, like I did here for church last Sunday, which also kinda holds up your heavy belly a bit and feels good on your back!  All of the maxis that I've been wearing throughout this entire pregnancy are actually non-maternity skirts, but because the material is so loose and stretchy they work great.  It's always a plus for me when I can make my normal clothes work without having to buy any new clothes! :-)

The greatest part about this outfit is that the entire thing cost less than $10!!!  As a young pregnant mom on a tight budget, that is a WIN!  I would encourage all of you pregnant moms to search your local "returns" stores for maternity clothes before spending full price on them new.  We have a store near us, where I got this shirt and skirt, that sell new clothing that people returned, were overstock, etc. and the prices are marked waaaaay down for the same clothes you would pay full price for at the mall for example!  It definitely pays off to take your time and find the best deals!

My sister-in-love, Chelsey gave these

sandals to me and I like them very much!  They go with basically

everything and give the outfit a classy look.

// outfit details//

Shirt: Bargain Hunt (for only $2)

Skirt: Bargain Hunt (for only $7)

Sandals: Given to me

Do y'all have any favorite places to buy discount maternity clothing?

What has been your favorite church outfits to wear this summer?

DIY Homemade Playdough Recipe

Hey y'all!  One of Gavin's very favorite things to do is play with playdough! I've tried a bunch of different "homemade playdough recipes", but have never been super pleased with them until this one.  This one has been amazing!  It lasts a long time, feels better then store bought, was sooooo quick and easy to make, and doesn't leave a messy film on your hands or play surface!

What you'll need:

1 Cup Flour

1/4 Cup Salt

1 Cup Water

1 Tbs Oil (we used olive oil)

2 tsp. Cream of Tarter (can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores)

About 4 Drops of Food Coloring (depending on how dark or light you want it)

Optional: A Couple Drops of Essential Oils  (We used peppermint essential oil in the greenish colored batch and ground cinnamon in the reddish colored batch to add a pleasant smell.  I want to try lavender and/or chamomile sometime for a calming playdough.  Just be creative!)

How To Make It:

In a saucepan mix all of the ingredients together using a wooden spoon (the order doesn't matter).  Stir well until mixed thoroughly.  Heat over medium heat and keep stirring the whole time until the "playdough" is one big thick clump.  Remove from heat and knead by hand.  Be careful 'cause it is hot!  Store in an airtight container.  That's it!

When cool, have fun playing!!!

Gavin really enjoyed getting to "help" me

make it and then of course getting to play with it! :-)

Playdough is a great learning toy for toddlers and

a good, quiet, busy, and constructive play activity that we use a lot.

Do y'all have a favorite homemade playdough recipe?

Are there any other DIY toddler "toys" you've made recently?