24 WEEKS- My ear of corn?

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at about 1 1/3 pounds. Since he's almost a foot long (about the size of an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Total Weight Gain: Well, the time has come.  I had my 24 week appointment this week on Monday, and I got my first 'look' from the doctor.  I have officially reached the 20 lb. mark, and she had to just 'let me know' that this was a much bigger jump then last time. blahblahblah.  I'm telling myself it's all muscle weight- right?

Maternity Clothes: I did a little Allen Outlet window shopping recently and am happy to say that there are some very 'pregnancy friendly' clothes out there right now.  I got some awesome shorts from the Gap that are drawstring, but have pockets and look really cute with a tank top- which is my style must have in every color imaginable! I've also picked up a few cheap maxi dresses/skirts and am still staying true to my workout clothes- especially since we're starting the nursery!

Stretch Marks: For some reason, this last week I have been stretch mark paranoid.  I keep thinking that I see the beginnings of stretch marks, so I'll lather on the Coconut Oil and obsessively check every hour ( <-- embarrassed to say), but then I'll look at another time and it looks fine.  So, I think I'm still good- but who knows!

Sleep: For the most part, I've been sleeping really well and feel much more rested throughout the day.  My problem is that I pass out early on the couch every night, and Mike insists that he tries everything he can to get me to go to bed but I'm dead to the world.  Well, I usually wake up around 2-3 and go to bed- BUT the other night I went to bed around 2:30 and never fell back asleep. Finally, around 5--I got up, made some green tea, and did some yoga.  Very good of me, huh?  Definitely not the kind of person I usually am- thought I'd give it a try!  It was actually really relaxing and quite nice.  Don't know if it will become part of my regular routine, but maybe I turned a new leaf- you never know!

Best moment of this week: This past week or so has been great!  I had my birthday (last one in the 20's!) and it was great! Even though it was in the middle of the week, the people around me did an awesome job of making it special for me!  I got some extremely thoughtful gifts too!  Mike got me laser hair removal- what what!! Landon and Whitney got me some VS perfume I've been wanting.  Mom & Dad got me some VS yoga pants and a new necklace.  Tom & Patsy got me a Michael Kors purse.  Matt & Cecily got me a fossil wallet and initial earring studs- one 'C' & one 'G' (for Grace & Clark)- cute huh?  I just loved them all!  On birthday night, we went to dinner with Landon & Whitney and then went for fro-yo!  Like I said- great day!

Also, I finished cleaning out the house and we had our garage sale.  The garage sale was a total flop!  I advertised on Craig's List and we put signs up all over the neighborhood, but barely any people came!  A lot of the people told us that there were garage sales all over the place that day.  *Note: later that day, we went to take our signs down and they were missing.  Mike's convinced our 'competition' stole them! Ha!  Well, the following Monday, I spent the whole day going to 'Once Upon A Child', 'Plato's Closet', 'Kid to Kid', & 'Half Price Books'.  I made about $100 extra, so that puts my nursery budget at around $250.  Ouch.  Good news is- Mike and I stopped at a garage sale this last weekend and got a crib and changing table for $13!  Awesome, huh?!  Whitney & I did a little flea market shopping and paint shopping today, and will begin the furniture/room painting tomorrow---so get ready for some nursery pics!  Here are some final pics of my organized house!  The kitchen pantry and laundry room linen closet!

Miss Anything? I miss my normal energy level.  Even though I feel much more rested than earlier in the pregnancy, I just feel sluggish and don't like it!  A friend of mine from church told me about this book/ blog that she's reading that is all about an all natural diet & cleanse.  She's trying it out for two weeks and is going to let me know how it goes.  She loves the book/blog and says it makes perfect sense.  It just talks about all the dangers and unhealthy effects of the food we eat and better options.  She just told me about it today and has been on the 'cleanse' for like a week now and says she feels awesome.  I'm going to read up on the blog and let you know what I decide.  I've never been a very big 'granola' health nut, but I know I want my kids to have better eating habits then I do- plus keep us all nice and healthy! Why not?  If anything, maybe if can just help me get some basic guidelines/ grocery lists/ recipes.  Here's the link if you're interested in checking it out yourself! Summer Tomato

Movement: Nothing new here.  Clark still moves all over the place.  Mike has felt and seen him move multiple times now.   This is pretty common, but he also loves the night time.  When I finally sit down on the couch at night, it is party time for baby Bolding!

Food Craving: Still have an out of control sweet tooth!  Right now, I'm obsessing over Dunkin Donuts iced coffee and Starbucks Frappuccinos (decaf of course)!

Anything making you queasy or sick?  No specific food really, but I have been getting nauseous and light-headed quite often lately.  I honestly think I'm just getting dehydrated.  I've made it a point to always have a water bottle the last couple of days, and it has really helped.

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: Besides the fact that I have been feeling more sickly and having some minor stomach cramps on & off-- pretty much the same symptoms.  I know I've mentioned my face turning into a hot mess, so I've adopted a new skin care regimen!  The other weekend, I had an Arbonne party (I'm such a sucker and can't say no!) and what attracted me to the brand in the first place was all the natural ingredients the products have!  I don't know anybody who has really used Arbonne, but I got a killer discount for throwing the party and need to try something! I'm just going to keep it real and show you some before pictures-- I'm mostly concerned with all the skin discoloration/ age & sun spots. I haven't broken out as bad this pregnancy, but my skin color is all out of whack!

Left Side

Right Side

My new regimen!  Consistency is key!

Belly button in or out? Out.  

Wedding rings on or off?  wedding band only--permanently. (For the next couple months anyway.)

Happy or Moody most of the time: So happy.  I just love the summer so much! Even though I'm crazy busy everyday, it's so nice having the time to do things that need to be done around the house- especially with a new baby on the way!  

Looking forward to: Getting started on the nursery, 4th of July relaxation by the pool, my cousin's wedding this weekend, and a week at the beach!!! I am one lucky girl!

Some other stuff!

I'm happy to say that Grace has slowly overcome her ball obsession, and we're all very happy about that.  Gymnastics & swim lessons have been really great the past week!  She is really coming around and I can see her learning so much so fast!  This week, however, the gym is closed for 4th of July and I missed the memo.  Grace was seriously heartbroken.  She just stood at the door and cried. Sooo, we went to the mall and played in the playground for a while.  

CCCHHEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSEEE!!!!

Ready for swim school!!

This past weekend, my mom had a houseful of girls, so Dad headed to Dallas to hang with Landon and I.  On Saturday, we went to Allen Celebration which was just a family festival for early 4th of July celebrations.  It was a really fun/ well organized event.  We got there pretty early (around 5:30), which meant we had a killer parking spot.  That never happens at these things!  Fireworks didn't start until about 10:15, so we had a lot of time to kill-- and with a 21 month old, nonetheless.  Well, of course, Grace did awesome!  They had some bounce houses, which she regulated.  She seriously has no fear!  She climbed some big slides and didn't even hesitate at the top. (Check out my youtube link for some video--super cute!) Candice's youtube!

The Boldings----for now!

Gettin' comfy and having a snack!

Loving on Daddy!

Headed to the bounce houses!

Having some lemonade with Pop.

We have also spent a lot of time at the dog park lately.  The dogs have developed serious cases of cabin fever--I think they're ready for hunting season already! And...Daisy is starting to pack on a little weight--it must be sympathy weight for her pregnant mama.  Besides giving the dogs some great exercise (this park has a large pond that Daisy can swim in and it keeps them nice and cool), Grace also loves going to visit all the 'puppies.'  She's gotten to the point now where she recognizes the parking lot and immediately starts saying 'Puppies!' on repeat.  (Also some good video of the pups on the youtube link!)

Three kiddos: Daisy, Grace, & Rex

I'm also super pumped that Landon and Whitney have a Bahama Bucks right by their house!  I have been griping since the day we moved up here about how there's nowhere good to get a decent sno-cone!  We stopped by the other day and I had myself a delicious half wedding cake/ half blue coconut--with cream!  De-licious!

Some Grace updates: Miss thing is just growing like a weed and does something new everyday!  Right now, she loves coloring and drawing with her sidewalk chalk.  She can identify most of her shapes and letters A, B, & C.  She also likes to sing a variety of songs in the car-- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, ABCs, Itsy Bitsy Spider, & of course- "I Love You/ You Love Me" is a big hit!  Her favorite song on the radio is 'Wagon Wheel'---she always sings the part of the song that goes "Hey, mama rock me."  Cracks me up every time.  She also has started perfecting "No, thank you" and "Yes, please".  If anything, we'll have one polite child!  I know I say it all the time, but Mike and I are just so grateful everyday to have Grace in our life--she is just a huge bundle of joy and happiness that we could never had imagined otherwise.  She is so tender-hearted and loving--just breaks my hear all the time!! <3