Weekly Wins {The Ides of March}

Hey, bunnies! Happy Friday. Or Ides of March if you are a history buff. It has been quite a busy week here, and man oh man, we are edging closer and closer to baby time. Let's count down some wins this week, shall we?

+ Last weekend Le Husband and I drove to Ohio for his mother's surprise birthday party. Which had been planned since November. Which actually turned out to be a surprise baby shower for ME! It was so sweet, so fun, such a lovely, lovely time. I'm so lucky.

+ Finally bit the bullet and bought me a mommy car. Say hello to my new whip :)! Ain't she a beauty?

+ Cooking dinners has become a hurdle after work. My body just is so tired after work that I have to lay down and rest for a bit and then you know the deal, getting up is tough. So I found some yummy frozen meals that aren't too high in sodium and are natural and are quite delicious.

+ Le Husband and I agreed we didn't need to go on a full BABYMOON because of his and my crazy work schedule. Taking time off is really tough right now and he's trying to get everything done so he can have full paternity leave once BOB arrives. Well, he decided to use a work snafu as a way to get us a short lil Babymoon. It's not far away, but will be a lovely little jaunt just the two of us.

+ Later this weekend Le Husband and I will be doing lots of work in the nursery and I'm excited to see the room start to come together. Getting so so so so so close :)!

C U R R E N T L Y {MARCH}

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scheming: on how to get someone in the house to deep clean everything. nesting is HERE!
reading: baby blogs, pregnancy instagrams, Babywise and positive birth affirmations.
buying: the most random food things, I can't even write them out here, haha.
making: lists on lists on lists. so much to do.
accomplishing: lots of purging, gifting and lots of naps.
loving: how sweet everyone is being to me and BOB. seriously, the support is the best and I'm so lucky.
praying: for a healthy baby and an uncomplicated delivery.
watching: the normal shows and some breathing videos.
hoping: to find some energy in the next few weeks so I can help finish things around the house.
feeling: lots of baby kicks, but also feeling heavy. and as graceful as a hippopatums.
anticipating: labor. family coming into town. a baby being born. labor. bringing a human home. labor.

Show Us Your Books: March

Linking up with Steph for Show Us Your Books in March. I've been trying to read a lot because I know reading will be taking a back seat in the coming weeks. Once again my authors and lead characters are female and I really enjoyed all books which is always nice. Can't wait to see what everyone else is reading.

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Normally I import book pictures randomly then write their description. Not so, this time. I have purposely put this book first because IT.WAS.THAT.GOOD! Think 'Lilac Girls' & 'The Nightingale' both wrapped up in WW1 & WW2. Women resistance in both World Wars has become one of my favorite genres, even if it's heartbreaking to read. This book follows two incredible women and melds into one big story of resilience and revenge. I randomly put a hold on it at my library and I'm so glad I did. I had no idea it was such a big read and I highly suggest you put it as your next TBR.

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Oh, what a story. Hannah has been known to write quite a bit of doozies and this one checks all the boxes. It is a story about family. The kind you are born into. The kind you marry into. And the kind that doesn't have to match. It is about the sadness of infertility and the choices of unplanned pregnancy. It is beautifully written and every character {except one in my mind} is someone you can hope and cheer for because everyone is JUST trying to do the right thing by them. I felt this story deeply as it dealt with pregnancy and wanted to reach into the book to give the two main characters a big hug. Incredibly moving, perfectly written and gripping.

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Another WW2 book about women and one I truly enjoyed. One woman set in present day attempts to find the owner of a journal who was part of the ACK-ACK in WW2. There is mystery, strength, heartbreak, sadness, joy, betrayal and of course romance. I learned quite a bit about British women in the Army and truly felt my heart breaking for the main 1940s character. Fantastic read.

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Another book I just so happened upon while browsing the library and one I'm so glad I picked up. Originally I thought the title had to do with the Titanic, but it ended up being about the Lusitania, which was a ship torpedoed by Germans during WW1 who's sinking ending up galvanizing Americans into the Great War. There are three different women narrators, two on the ship and the main character is set in the 2000s. She is an author looking for her next big novel and the journey takes her over to London to try and snuff out a public figure in the  middle of a scandal. Normally I don't enjoy multiple narrators or multiple jumps in history, but this book did it well so there wasn't any confusing and it all made good sense. Lots of twists and I honestly did not figure much of it out until it was all wrapped up. Great historical fiction read, I don't think many would dislike this book.

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This book was found last SUYB and one I really enjoyed so thank you to whoever recommended it. I admit, I found some of plot and writing a bit juvenile, but overall the book was fun to read. I very much enjoyed the heroine's point of view and her drive to want to help women writing into the column. Glimpses into the London WW2 life paint such a story and I truly enjoyed all of the little touches of history. Easy read for a quick trip.

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I wasn't quite sure about this book when I picked it up, but it was a pleasantly surprising read. A down on her luck woman helps to clean out her deceased landlords home and uncovers all kinds of letters, secrets and history inside the house. Many fun and not so fun characters and by the end you can kind of figure out what is going to happen, however I don't think that detracted from the story. I do admit some of the writing was much too flowery and some of the letters just seemed to go on and on, but overall the story did tie together nicely.

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Surgeon leaves the big city to help her father run a campsite and to escape a possible malpractice suit. She's tough, she's soft and she learns so much about herself while she's away. Of course there is a man involved and of course there is a push and pull, but the author did a great job weaving a lovely story even though you can kind of tell where it's going. Similar to a Nora Robert's book, but without some of her fluff. Would be a good pool or vacation read.

TBB Asks: Shop Till You Drop Edition

1] Top Three Shops? Loft, Reebok, Nordstroms

2]Where is the majority of your shopping done, online or in shops? Online if I shop.

3] What's your favorite thing to shop for? Shoes, shoes, shoes. 

4] What do you HATE shopping for? Jeans or bras. 

5] What's your most favorite thing you've ever bought? My LV Speedy. I saved up for it and it was so fun to buy.

6] Do you prefer to shop alone or with others? I prefer with others. It's just a fun party that way. 

7] Best Bargain? Hmmmm, I think LOFT has the best bargains going on, but Nordstrom's Sale is pretty fab.

8] Thrift store shopping: Yes or No? I would if I had the patience. But I don't. 

9] Best cities for shopping? Paris & Rome :)

10] Who's your style or fashion icon? I'm a big fan of classic so Audrey Hepburn but also LOVE Victoria Beckham, Jessica Alba, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner. 

Weekly Wins: End of Feb

Afternoon! I know this post is late on a Friday and many won't read it but I want to document some of my weekly wins. Since I use this as a journal I try to make time for things I want to remember. 

+ I'm still on high after such a wonderful baby shower weekend. Seeing my family and my BOFF for three whole days was so lovely and I was so glad Le Husband was able to be there for the party. It was so fun just enjoying the weekend and I felt beyond loved. 

+ Sportyspice is still in VA and it's so fun seeing all the cute videos of lil bean with grandparents. 

+ I taught a barre class last night and it was so much fun. I didn't just wing it and I believe it showed. It was to a new group of women I'd never taught before so I was a little nervous since I teach different barre than most. After class I had THREE women tell me this was their FAVORITE format of barre {including purre barre and barre3} and then requested my teaching schedule. Such a great feeling.

+ I finally bit the bullet and bought a support band for my bump and am SO glad I did. It is making quite a difference in support and I'm hoping it will help me from feeling so sore the next day. Trust me, I'm still cleared to workout and everything is fine, this is just a bit of support for the bottom of the belly. I have quite a schedule in March and am beyond thankful I chose to purchase something because I KNOW I'll use it even after baby.

+ Spring is right around the corner. I cannot wait until the sun shines warmer. 

+ WE ARE IN THE LAST FULL MONTH OF PREGNANCY!!! BOB will be here in less than two months, oh em GOOOOOODNESS! I am excited, nervous, ready, not ready and just WHELMED ;)! Cheers to MARCH!

Welcome Peanut: My VA Baby Shower

Wow. Just wow. This weekend was the most incredible celebration of love and I wish I could go back and do it all over again. Just to relieve the fun, joy and duh, food. 

Le Husband and I flew back to VA for my baby shower and it was seriously the best weekend ever. My sisters, mom and friends did such and fantastic job with all the little details and I just LOVED the Peanuts theme. 

What made the weekend even better was my BOFF flying in from Texas to attend the shower. I remember being so excited for her shower, 4 YEARS ago for her sweet little E. It was beyond special having here up with me for the weekend and I LOVED how quickly and easily she fit in with my family and my friends. Seriously, newest sister to the clan :)!

We also celebrated my sweet niece's 1 year birthday on Sunday and it was quite a lot of fun. She really enjoyed her smash cake and did so well with so many people in the house. Especially back to back days. It was a full weekend of chilling, dinners, food, girl talk, self care, celebrations and love. I am so blessed and feel so thankful to have so many wonderful people who care so much about me.

Friday Letters: Third Trimester Edition

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Open letters are cathartic. I find writing them here, in a journal, or social media just makes me feel better. Usually I'll write about a bunch of different things, but as my life now is consumed with the third trimester most of my thoughts center around baby.

Dear Stomach: YOU ARE LARGE AND IN CHARGE. I swear you grow an inch a day and I'm constantly hitting you against myself and randomly now against other people, eeeeek! Thank you for keeping BOB safe and thank you for being so incredible as you grow. Now, please just don't give me stretch marks, kay?

Dear Sleep: WHY YOU LEAVE ME?!? LEGIT, you gone. Everyone said third trimester is the toughest for sleep and dude, the first week of the third trimester you disappeared. I'm now waking up every hour, even though I don't have to pee and then the last REM I'm able to sleep for three hours straight which is just TOUGH to feel rested. Will you come back, please?

Dear Fitness: We are approaching that time. The time where exercises I LOVE just aren't the most comfortable. I'll be honest, I haven't worked out as much as I expected and I think that is playing a part in my fitness. Or, my endurance. I've tried to get to the gym on my own, but most of my workouts have consisted of just teaching. ATTACK and COMBAT are taking more of a toll on me than I thought and I'm honestly said when I think of giving up teaching so soon. But, I'm so grateful to still be able to move.

Dear Random People: How bout you keep the opinions to yourself. Don't get me wrong, I find pregnancy a wonderful time where people are super excited when they ask about BOB. I enjoy your excitement when you find out we are going to be surprised about the gender, makes me smile. But, when you launch into your scary birth stories, or tell me I look big enough to pop, or try to tell me to get sleep now, I want to tell you to shut your mouth. Why do people like to say weird things?

Dear Family & Besties: Thank you so much for everything so far. For all the support, the pep talks, the allowing me to cry, the excitment, the offering to throw me a baby shower, the telling me it's okay, the sweet notes and just being there. I haven't been the easiest pregnant woman, and I know that. This has been a lot harder than I ever expected and I'm grateful for people who love me and BOB so much.

Dear Pregnancy: Holy moly, we are in the weekly SINGLE DIGITS! I am baffled, just baffled. In a few short weeks we will be ONE MONTH away from delivery day and eeeegggaaadd. I knew time would fly, even on days when I felt awful, but I cannot believe we are now here. I'm praying this last trimester isn't as awful as people say.

Dear Food: My word are my tastebuds all over the place. Some days all I want is sugar. Other days it's salty and crunchy. Some days I just want to eat all day. Others I barely get enough calories. I feel the extra weight though, especially from many nights of ice cream and cereal before bed. I'm up just over 20 pounds and can't really blame that all on baby :)! I need fresh veggies to be my craving again, I miss that feeling.

Dear BOB: Oh sweet babe, I love you. I love your kicks. Your movements. Your recognition of my voice. I pray for you daily. I dream about your face. I dream about your arrival and I'm so excited to meet you. We want you to keep cooking, but gosh, just wondering WHO YOU ARE is killing me. Keep being healthy and keep growing. I can't wait to hug and kiss you!