Callie tagged me in a post to share ten facts about my pregnancy with Claire and it sounded like fun.

1. I gained about 46 pounds and have 5 more to lose to get back to my prepreg weight2. Toast with butter was my go to meal, I did not want any vegetables, like any at all.
3. Cooking meat disgusted me, the smell of it just was the worst.
4. I got really into hypnobirth and never trusted my body more then I did those last few months of pregnancy. I will forever be in awe of what it can do.
5. Taking baths and getting foot massages were a daily need, my body ached.
6. I only had a few bouts of nausea but I was so very very tired the first trimester.
7. At the end of my pregnancy all I wanted was spicy food, especially indian food. mmmm
8. I found out I was having a girl at our gender reveal party when I was 19 weeks pregnant, it was such a fun day.
9. I loved giving birth and if I had to do it all over again I would try it the exact same way.
10. I did boot camp until I was 29 weeks pregnant and I wish I would have gone longer but I am proud of myself.

The last few nights have included me hoisting myself into Claire's crib once she has already peacefully fallen asleep. She usually doesn't even notice that I have joined her until I give her too many kisses or fix her blankie. I just miss her. She is getting so big and even though we have been having a few very rough patches when she giggles it all just goes away. She is happy and healthy and we will work on helping her deal with her emotions
Have a great week!
Nikol

Hi friends! I have been counting down since November 30th when we got our first positive pregnancy test result but now that it could happen THIS month I feel like everyone around me is counting down too. I really feel so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who are so excited for us and want to meet Claire Olive almost as much as we do. From my friends who want to be in the waiting room, to our friends and family who are already offering help once she arrives and to my mom and Ryan who will be in the birthing room with me while Claire joins us - I could not have more awesome people around me.

I had my first little scare the other evening, as you all know there was some intense heat this last weekend (plus Ryan was out of town haha) and throughout this pregnancy I have been lucky enough to have very minimal swelling in my hands and feet. That was not the case last Friday after concerts in the park. My toes started to swell, my fingers followed right after but once I could no longer bend my toes or my fingers and then my ankles ballooned up - I had a few hours of being sure that I had preeclampsia (Preeclampsia is when a pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine after the 20th week of pregnancy. Symptoms include swelling of the face, hands and feet. Blurred vision. Headaches. Nausea). My only symptoms were my feet and hands but the amount of swelling was so shocking that I emailed my midwife right away. This occurred again the next day and this is when I decided to waddle on down to the local CVS and check my own blood pressure, whew I was fine. It was just the heat and all is well with my blood pressure and Claire. That was a long winded story about something so simple but it was my first taste of being really worried, I did not want to overreact or get scared or tell Ryan he must rush home because Claire was coming but I was on the edge of it. Thankfully breathing exercises helped me relax, my support system was there for me and I had plenty of access to ice water baths for those huge ol feet.

Other than that last week and weekend were amazing! It was my last week of work, which is mostly sweet but there is a touch of bitter in there. I think about the salon alllllll the time haha so I wonder when I will stop reaching for my phone to make sure the salon is cleaned and that customers are happy. Customers brought me gifts and gave me lots of hugs. I will miss a bunch of them while I am gone but I will still be tanning so hopefully I will run into them every now and then. After I left work my weekend included: concerts in the park with Teresa, Shannon & Erica. Lady date with my mother-in-law we got facials [my first and it was awesome] and lunch, we had lots of fun. Headed to SC V for dinner with Sara, Carolyn's bridal shower, and lots of time with my mom and dad which was really nice. My mom wrapped my legs in cold towels and took care of me when I did not feel so hot [or I guess I felt TOO hot] it was nice to be home and pretty soon I will have my own little girl to take care of.


Instagram photo dump

Pregnancy updates!

Shar is now about a week past her due date and still not baby boy in sight. With this heat and all of the excitement I don't know how she does it but she seems to be plugging along. I am thinking about them and still so excited to find out his name haha wishing them a smooth delivery. UPDATE! Vincent Kazuo Gaurdabascio was born! July 4th, 1:58am 8 lbs 15 oz, 22.5 in! CONGRATS!!

Andrea gave birth on June 26th to Declan! He is such a handsome little man already. He was born weighing 7 lbs 13 ounces and 21 inches long. Hope to see him soon and that they are all doing well in their new home.

Brittany had her baby today! July 3rd at 12:34 and weighs 8lbs 4 oz 18 3/4 inches! River Gracyn is her 5th and she is such a cutie. Wishing them all the best - 5 kids just blows my mind! 

Hi sweetie, how are you? Mommy has had a busy few days and you have been kicking up a storm throughout it all. I think you are enjoying my maternity leave because even though we are doing a lot it is all relaxing and fun. You are now 36 weeks and only have one job left while you are in my belly - to put on some weight! They estimate you will gain about an ounce a day, I promise to keep eating lots of veggies and protein  to make sure you have healthy things to help your growth. I know you are measuring small for your age but they think it is mostly because I am petite and probably make small babies. Sounds ok with me for the delivery but I do hope you become a little chubster who has rolls I can munch on.
You will soon discover how adorable baby girl clothes is, believe me though it is amazing. Your mommy and the people who love you are showering you with the cutest clothes, you will be stylin! Your mommy is not the most stylish so you might be teaching me a few things little lady. I cannot wait to dress you up, have you spit up on it and then dress you up again. I love you so much and I am so excited to meet you.
xo
Momma