BUMPDATE // Baby #2 // 39 Weeks

HOW FAR ALONG// 39 Weeks
BABY SIZE// Mini watermelon
MY SYMPTOMS//
I went to the Dr yesterday and I'm 3 cm and about 40%. I started out Monday with a head cold or some kind of sickness that has continued to get worse and today I woke up with a stomach virus. I deliver tomorrow if I make it over night. What perfect timing!
MATERNITY CLOTHES//
Yes yes yes.
SLEEP//
Not very well these past couple days.
MOVEMENT//
Yes and very low may I add. I've felt like shes trying to shove her arm out of my body.
CRAVINGS//
Ice chips and cold stuff.
GENDER// Its a girl!
WHAT I MISS// 
Being comfortable! So ready to have some relief and move around successfully.
WORKOUTS//
Does lifting Finley count?
EMOTIONS//
I have been OK if feel like... but I did lose it earlier because I wanted to spend this day with Finley and Shane as Hopper Party of 3 and have some one on one with Finley. And here I have been, in the bed all day with a virus. I did get to hear her sweet voice this morning and her sweet "mama" and laughing some. Amber was here pretty much all day getting things done for me. OMG I'm so appreciative and thankful for all she's done these past couple of weeks. I guess I've obviously felt to sick to really think about delivery.. I just know I don't want to go thru it again and I think the reason why is because I'm scared I'm going to rip again. That was one of THE hardest things on me.. I couldn't sit in any position or get comfortable and the swelling in my ankles was absolutely ridiculous. I don't think I saw my ankles for 3 weeks.
DREAMS//
None that I can remember.
HUBBY'S THOUGHTS//
He's excited to meet FSH and he's been in a great mood. We are also very excited for the new addition that is going to be our living room.
3 AMIGAS THOUGHTS//
They are probably wondering what all this ruckus is about in this house!!
BEST PREGNANCY MOMENT THIS WEEK//
Finding out when we will meet our new precious girl!

BUMPDATE // BABY #2 // 38 Weeks

HOW FAR ALONG// 38 weeks

BABY SIZE//  about the size of a leek
MY SYMPTOMS//
I guess just the normal uncomfortable I'm-ready-to-deliver symptoms. My back is killing me and I've really wanted to get a massage but I haven't made the time for it nor have I wanted to spend the money on it either. Yesterday, me and a couple of friends did sneak off to the Foot Palace and I got a little massage there and it was WONDERFUL. The girl I got was amazing too. I'll be requesting her next time.  I'm constantly peeing and I honestly wonder at times am I leaking fluid or just peeing on myself because of obvious reasons.  My right ankle has started to swell and my right foot has still been hurting. It did the same thing with Finley and I'm not quite sure what has caused this but ready for it to be over. My joints are starting to hurt too in my legs... extra weight?? I've gotten several new batches of stretch marks. I've been using oils and lotions and whatever I can find like crazy and more just keep popping up. I'm praying they fade and won't be horrible after I start healing. And the weird thing is, is my friends and family have been telling me I don't look that big but my skin just continues to stretch and stretch. I wish I would've just gone ahead and taken these belly pics the same way I did with Finley to really get a comparison. I chose to do it this way because had I had to move everything I did the last time, it probably would've woken her up being right outside her door.
MATERNITY CLOTHES//
Yes .. I wash my leggings ALL the time and clothes are on repeat. Today I tried to wear my maternity jeans and I couldn't even pull them up comfortably. I was talking to Finley while I was trying to put them on and I said "nope Finley .. they are TOO TIGHT!" And she repeated, "tooo tight". I busted out laughing. It was hilarious! 
SLEEP//
Sleep has been OK. I've gone back to sleeping the correct way in the bed surrounded by tons and tons of pillows and its been OK but just waking up takes a toll. I think last night I slept under the fan being too high and now I have a sore throat, my head is killing me, and I've had a runny nose. I'm praying it goes away. I'm so frustrated with that because I really don't have time to be sick.
MOVEMENT//
Still moving like crazy and yesterday I literally thought she was going to jump out of my Britney. It was SO uncomfortable and hurt so bad.
CRAVINGS//
Ice, ice and more ice. I was told my several people I have an iron deficiency. I really haven't had that ONE craving where I just feel like I can't be without something. 
GENDER//
Its a girl!
WHAT I MISS//
Being comfortable, exercising, my prepregnancy body.
WORKOUTS//
None. I feel like hauling Finley around is enough for me right now.
EMOTIONS//
I cried a lot this week on Wednesday.. my Mom went to the ER on Tuesday for chest pains (everything is OK now, it was all stress induced and she went into an exercise program way too fast and hard), there was some family drama in a couple of areas this week and between that, having the cleaning lady and the carpet cleaners AND construction going on at the same time with a Min Pin that doesn't know how to stop barking... I completely lost it. But it only lasted a little bit and then I was good.
DREAMS//
I know I've had a few but nothing that I can bring back to memory.
HUBBY'S THOUGHTS//
He has been in a great mood and I think he's ready to meet FSH.!
3 AMIGAS THOUGHTS//
They don't know what to think about all this commotion and since we've had the carpets cleaned they have slept in the kennels every night! When they can learn not to pee in the floor then maybe they'll earn a night off... but until then.... 
BEST PREGNANCY MOMENT THIS WEEK//
Getting farther along with the back porch! It's been great seeing its progress.

Having Amber over to spoil us by cooking us lunch and getting to play with Finley and it also allowed me to get a little bit of stuff done myself.

Going to the Foot Palace and having more girl time ... spending some alone time with Finley before Baby #2 gets here ... continuing to have a healthy pregnancy ...

and God continues to bless my new business that I'm apart of and I'm SO very thankful for that! Especially how its going to help us while I'm out on maternity leave.

BUMPDATE // BABY #2 // 37 Weeks

HOW FAR ALONG// 37 Weeks

There was a glare on the chalkboard so a little different angle for this belly pic. 
BABY SIZE// bunch of Swiss chard
MY SYMPTOMS//
I am back to not sleeping very well and Sunday night I laid down and actually got very nauseas. I ended up propping myself up for the rest of the night. Sunday I woke up in a hurry of course for church and let the dogs out. Long story short, from the shower, I saw Sox running towards the road. So I jumped out, soaking wet, and when I hit the tile floor in the kitchen, I didn't fall but my body jerked backwards. Later on at church, when I would stand up to walk, it was very difficult. I know I pulled a muscle and even the nurse told me the next day I very well could have down there with everything being this close to delivery. At my appt Monday, all was fine and I even told her about cramping, no sleep, and nausea the night before. I just knew that I had to have dilated something but nothing had happened and if anything my cervix is MAYBE at 20%. Who knows if she was even able to check me very well because it was so painful I came off the table, tensed up, and was asking her to stop. I do not remember it being that painful the first time I was checked with Finley. Everything looked good with me as well. Weight, BP, heart beat was 160 (this is the highest it has been but FSH was very active and she said it was just like us. When we get active our heart rate goes up too. I did have a little bit of my Spark drink before I went in so I'm wondering if that had anything to do with it as well??)  I go back Tuesday so we shall see if anything has changed.
MATERNITY CLOTHES//
Yes, yes, and yes. Ha. And my new found love has been Matilda Jane pants. They are SOOOOO comfortable and I can't even believe I can wear them right now. I hope they are not so big after delivery that they don't fit. I already found another pair for $40 bucks instead of whatever the original price is (I got my first pair half off for having a party) because I love them so much!! They are packed in my hospital bag. If they are maybe I can just dry them and they will shrink back up.
SLEEP//
Off and on but not really that great at all.
MOVEMENT//
Busy bee in Mommy's tummy! Shane has seen her really poke her bottom out at times when we've been on the couch and he just makes comments about how wild that is.
CRAVINGS//
Red Raspberry Rehydrate. I've ordered 3 cans in 3 weeks!!
GENDER// 
Its a girl!
WHAT I MISS//
Sleep, sleep, and more sleep. Moving around comfortably. Spending more time with Finley. It's about to send me over the edge. I didn't want everything happening at once but I know that God has a plan and its not up to me. I wanted to be able to work a couple hours, get Finley and us spend time together and this week has been nuts. We started construction on the back porch for our new living room, the cleaning lady and carpet cleaning lady came in the same day, and then we had a small family emergency in the middle of all of that. Which has turned out to be completely OK but when everything hits, whew it hits!!
WORKOUTS//
No workouts or walking exercise for quite some time now.
EMOTIONS//
I cried today (4/19). Finley left the house in Shane's arms asking for me to "come on" in her words and I couldn't leave the house because of everyone being here. I felt like a piece of dirt and when I got back in the house just lost it. I know that she has to be feeling "what is going on with my Mommy's belly and all this stuff going on in the house?"
DREAMS//
I did have an amazing dream and my Pastor interpreted it for me. It's truly amazing and just brings joy to my heart. I'm so thankful for the dreams that I get at night. They are so vivid with color even most times and the meanings are wonderful.
HUBBY'S THOUGHTS//
He is completely stressed out because he feels like he can't get anything done. Welcome to the club sweet hubby.
3 AMIGAS THOUGHTS//
They are being sweet and cuddly! Probably wondering what's going on too but they've been thru this one time already they probably already know ;)
BEST PREGNANCY MOMENT THIS WEEK//
Hearing FSH heartbeat, feeling her sweet movements... I'm trying to take it all in because I know its quickly coming to an end.. getting the porch started and getting the house cleaned. 

Finley was "helping" while Teresa was at our house cleaning!

Goooo Dawgs! // Our 1st Gym Dawgs Meet

After baby dedication, Finley and I attended our first Georgia Gym Dawgs meet! This is another thing that I've been wanting to do for quite some time now. Like, for years. And every year, I say that I'm going to buy tickets and it never happens. 

So one weekend Whitney and her family went and everything just went from there and we got our own tickets. 

After church, Shane took us thru the drive thru to get food, we got back to the house, she finally woke up from her nap, I changed while he changed her in the car and we were on our way. Of course, it wouldn't be true Hopper fashion if we weren't late and due to traffic we were. I think we missed a whole segment of the vault routine. 

I finally got parked, me and Finley walked for what seemed like FOREVER, we found our gate, Whitney and Brynn found us, we got something to drink and finally got to our seats. OMG what a hike.

I felt so bad we were late and it truly seemed like we were there for 30 minutes. There was a lot going on around the coliseum that day too.. a baseball game and something else.

For what we did make it there for, it was SO much fun and I can't wait to get back! We have wondered what Finley will do when she gets older and gymnastics has been brought up in conversation. She enjoyed it too! The music and the lights and she seemed very engaged in what was going on. I didn't quite know how she would react just sitting and watching for her age especially but she did so good!

I've tried to find activities that we can do together before FSH gets here and I'm so thankful to have this memory with Finley.  I will cherish it for all time!

Finley is Dedicated

March 5th was a very special day in our family as we dedicated Finley at our church. 

This is something that I've definitely wanted to do for quite some time now and I'm so thankful that it finally happened. 

She was so good during the whole service until we got called up to the front and she lost it. I think she was hungry, it was nap time, and It think she wanted the camera and could see it in the distance.

I felt SO bad for all the other families because Pastor Arlene prayed over each child individually and all I thought was, oh my goodness they can't even hear their prayer.

I must have had a mortified look on my face because she kept reassuring me it was OK. We got thru it tho and Finley passed out on the way home. HA!

Family that was present: Weezie, Gamma and Pa, Tacie, Gigi, Mama Jane, La La, and Savannah.

BUMPDATE // BABY #2 // 35 - 36 Weeks

HOW FAR ALONG// 36 Weeks officially

BABY SIZE// head of romaine lettuce
MY SYMPTOMS//
I've been pretty crampy the past week off and on and I still think experiencing lower back labor?? I've felt pretty heavy in the front and I've been wearing a support band.. although it presses on my bladder and I just feel like I have to pee even more. Maybe I'm not wearing it right but I've adjusted it different positions as well.  I'm not quite sure if the pollen is having a lot to do with this as well but I've been getting really sleepy at times and been having some HORRIBLE headaches. Even Finley has been stuffy and cranky after we come back in from playing outside. And let me tell you just FYI, the kid LOVES to be outside and we've had some major meltdowns trying to get her back in the house. Oh. my. I use the restroom a lot at night.. Work is getting more challenging but I'm hanging in there. I really need someone to shampoo for me but I'm making it work and I've cut down my hours a lot. I haven't had any swelling until yesterday and its only in my right foot. So strange. I'm pretty sure if memory serves me correctly, I did this with Finley as well.  I feel a lot of pressure! I was cleaning the living room closet out the other day, and I got almost finished and I felt like she had really dropped. Shane kept telling me to sit down.. I wonder if I made him nervous! Ha! The next day at work, I can't tell you how many people told me how low I looked. 
I did have a Dr appt today (4.10) .. I really thought maybe they would check me telling them I've been cramping and having pains in my lower back but they didn't. They will next Monday and told me if I had any problems before then to let them know. My BP, weight, urine was good they said and FSH heartbeat was 135. She wasn't putting on a show this time like she normally has.. please don't have your days and nights mixed up little girl! Which by her movement right now and the dance party she's having in my belly tells me otherwise. Yikes!
MATERNITY CLOTHES//
Yes and Shane's t-shirts!
SLEEP//
For the most part it's gotten better but there have been several times I will wake up pretty early and not be able to go back to sleep until day light. I want to go ahead and get up and get going but I just can't do it. I've been so miserable later on in the day when I've done that. I'm literally sleeping in the bed sideways. It's the only way I can get somewhat comfortable. I have a body pillow on my left side and on the right side I just use two pillows and then I have another pillow behind my head and one I hold on to. Who are these people that only sleep with one pillow?! I have yet to figure out how to do that. 
MOVEMENT//
All over the place!
CRAVINGS//
Barberitos quesadilla, Dr Pepper, Planet Smoothies, Kashi cinnamon harvest wheat cereal, and I am CRUSHING some Advocare Red Raspberry Rehydrate and Cherry Spark mixed. .. these aren't cravings but they are good to me right now: Fage Key Lime yogurt, La Croix waters,
GENDER//
its a girl!
WHAT I MISS//
Moving around easily, sleeping on my back, normal clothes, 
WORKOUTS//
I haven't done anything in a few weeks and it's definitely crossed my mind but hasn't happened. I've wanted to do arms especially but I think at this point carrying around Finley has been enough for me.
EMOTIONS//
I feel like I've been pretty good. The porch hasn't even been started on and here we are a couple weeks out but I guess that's in true Hopper fashion. Like I said, I just will NOT be here while construction is going on if it doesn't get done before baby arrives.
DREAMS//
I did have one Saturday night about delivery. I was pushing and the epidural wore off and I could feel everything and I just remember screaming my head off in pain. The next morning at church, one of our sweet members asked could he pray for me and he specifically prayed for a smooth delivery and for the rest of my pregnancy to be smooth and easy as well. It was wonderful and I'm so thankful for those prayers!
HUBBY'S THOUGHTS//
We talked tonight and one of his comments was : "I feel like we are getting hit with everything at once." Yes, that's how it always happens right?
3 AMIGAS THOUGHTS//
For the trillionth time, the hefts need bark collars. Can't take it anymore but who hasn't gone and gotten them anything??
BEST PREGNANCY MOMENT THIS WEEK//
We went and ate for my Birthday at Houndstooth Grill where we had our rehearsal dinner. It was delicious!!

The girls also took me to lunch at Cheddars and to this place called the Foot Palace. OMG. They massage your legs and your feet and your upper body including your scalp if you choose to, all while lounging in these huge sofa type chairs with a blanket and pillows. 

The week before Amber took me to float ... if you've never done this before you gotta do it!

Maternity Session // FSH + Family

In the middle of February, I opted to go ahead and have our maternity session. It was honestly a little too early for it by photographers suggestions but I wasn't feeling too good about myself and I wanted to go ahead and do it. Also, this time of year gets to be busy for Shane, and since he wasn't here for Finley's, I wanted to be sure to have him in these. We made a family session out of it as well, and I'm so thankful for these shots!

It was a GORGEOUS day and not too cold! Finley, of course, was out of sorts and didn't get warmed up until the VERY end. She hasn't seen Lizzie since her 1st birthday but I have no doubt she remembered who she was. She even let Lizzie hold her! Which does NOT happen.

WARNING: There are a ton. Couldn't narrow them down.

Dress: Rent the Runway

MUA: Me

Hair: Me

Headband: harpersfolly

Finley's dress: ebay (for $11!!)