Bumpdate 26 Weeks

 Hola! Here we are again...skipped 3 weeks worth of bumpdates again....poor Crawford. We're back in VA after a long stay in NC but joining Hubby again this weekend back in NC. Whew! We're all over the place! Andi is loving being back at school and having a great week and Miss Crawford has decided to be the most active kicker in my belly ever this week. (starting at 5am usually!) Read on for what has been up with the bump and the babe lately and to get a little nursery sneak peek:

January 2020 vs. January 2015

How far along? 26 Weeks 

Size of Baby: 14 inches and 2 lbs

Total weight gain/loss: Up 11 pounds since October 6th 

Symptoms: Lower back pain has started a little and sleeping is definitely harder bc I can't stand side sleeping. Also having to pee all the time still.

Maternity clothes? All day everyday - I am literally living in leggings!

Stretch marks? No new ones - boobs are enormous though so I'm sure something will appear unfortunately. That line is getting more visible though this week and my skin feels soooo tight ugh so I've been adding bio oil this time around each night and I really like that stuff!

Sleep: Heating pad is essential and big body leg pillow via amazon 

Best moment this week: Feeling her almost constantly now and matching date nights with my big girl are a must! Andi is so ready to be a big sis and I can't wait to watch my heart grow. She amazes me everyday and I am so blessed to be her Mama. 

 
Miss Anything? Wine. Always. 

Movement: "ALL the time! My little crazy dancer! She is really packing some punch lately and triggering my bladder almost directly. It is so fun to see her moving around and stretching my belly!" <---same this time around currently!

Food cravings: Cherries & Tangerines 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: SO much so

Gender prediction: Girl! Miss Crawford Childress (CC)

Nursery: Right when we left NC last week the crib was delivered so hubs jumped on it and sent me a pic of it set up! We've gotten an original piece of art via Maren Devine, chest of drawers and ordered the sconces. The rug is currently in my cart so its slowly coming together! I love the calm colors and theme for her nursery and of course all the gold accents! Need to decide on glider since we didn't save ours and some cute bedding. Thinking a light pink toile to play off the marsh tones in that painting. I will also be adding a white bookshelf once I find one, the below baskets via Ballard Designs and lamp set via Overstock to flank a gold mirror. Stay tuned! 

Crib via Amazon
Dresser via antique find
Sconces via Amazon

so far pretty plain - did reuse our bamboo curtains and rod
 via Ballard Designs in here though!

Workouts: 3-4 prenatal workouts per week/walking 

Labor Signs: eeek no!

Belly Button in or out? both? 

Wedding rings on or off? On but feel bigger- I think that happens in winter though

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Time needs to slow down though!

Looking forward to: heading back down to the new house this weekend to see hubby and all the things that have been delivered lol

 
Previous bumpdates with Andi:

       WEEK 12                                WEEK 13                    WEEK 14                             WEEK 15

             WEEK 16                                        WEEK 17                                        WEEK 18

       WEEK 19                                                  WEEK 20                                     WEEK 23

WEEK 25

Bumpdate: 23 Weeks

 I know I know - second child stereotype of having less time = TRUTH. However, we've completed an out of state move, the holidays, virtual school and remote work and we're still in the middle of a global pandemic! ALL THE THINGS! But I told Miss Andi I simply had to do an updated bumpdate and try and catch up a bit for Miss Crawford. Today I am 23 weeks and 3 days and thankfully feeling great! Thanks for popping by and hope y'all are all doing well and staying healthy! (I'll post links to the weeks we dropped the ball on just so we can look back on them!)

How far along? 23 Weeks & 3 days

Size of Baby: A large grapefruit- 11 inches and 1.2 pounds already!

Total weight gain/loss: I literally couldn't tell you - I have an actual appointment ont he 22nd of this month and will find out!

Symptoms: nothing uncomfortable other than HATING side sleeping!

Maternity clothes? Got some cute stuff over the holidays!

Stretch marks? Searching but nothing new yet- whew! 

Sleep: ordered a normal body pillow this time and its helping but I always get better sleep on my back which is apparently forbidden at this point

Best moment this week: Andi finally getting to feel her! We found out I had an anterior placenta this time around so we really didn't feel her until about week 20. Now she's really moving and kicking and its amazing to see and feel!

Miss Anything? Still wine...always wine...haha

Movement: Finally! Mostly at night!

Food cravings: Sunny D and Italian Ice - also cherries

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Oh gosh yes 

Gender prediction: Girl! and I'd like to announce...mmhmm... Miss:
                                     
                                          Crawford Childress <3

I read a book last year that a friend sent me called The Hideaway and the main character's name was Crawford. Although he was a guy, I simply loved it for either gender. I was sitting on the beach in Oak Island with Mom back in October and she suggested using it either way even though we sort of thought we were set on Collins for a girl. I looked down at my growing belly and whispered "Crawford" and it was all over. Crawford it was. Childress is after my Dad and gives her the potential nickname of CC down the road. 

Nursery: Painted, curtains hung, dresser in place and a design board created with everything ready to go!

Workouts: Oh geez... I've been bad at this lately...moving on

Labor Signs: eeek no!

Belly Button in or out? In and getting flatter

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! 

Looking forward to: Our next appointment and more nursery decorating!

Double Feature: Weeks 16 & 17

 Hey y'all! I dropped the ball on last week's little update but promised myself I would do this so I'm combining the two. I'm only 17 weeks TODAY so I won't have much for this week in general but I want to knock them out because we are neck deep in packing and have to be out of the house by THIS Sunday! Oh and its Thanksgiving week on top of that. Whew! Hope everyone has a safe, socially distanced (insert sad face) and yummy Thanksgiving!

Mama made an appearance for this week's photo!

How far along? 16 Weeks (merging with 17 too)

Size of Baby: Dill Pickle and a pomegranate! 4.6 inches and 4 oz/ 5in & 5oz

Total weight gain/loss: Still only up 1.5 pounds this week (can we pretend it'll stay that way?) I think 124 as of now

Symptoms: Pretty awesome so far! I've missed this!

Maternity clothes? Buying ALL the cute maternity clothes - living in the Old Navy leggings 

Stretch marks? No... got some new firming lotion to add to the mix

Sleep: For some reason this week has been awful BUT my back hurts due to packing boxes and being on the ground and no furniture...you name it

Best moment this week: Signing closing paperwork & my bestie Cici is in town to help! Oh and Thanksgiving food of course despite Covid ruining seeing family!

Miss Anything? WINE

Movement: Nothing prominent yet! When I lay down at night though there are some interesting things going on ever so lightly so I try to feel for them! Hoping to feel her soon since I'm a week away from when I first felt flutters with Andi!

Food cravings: All my usual things like fruit, etc. and still Italian ice like crazy! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, thank goodness

Have you started to show yet: ummm yes- no denying I am preggers! 

Gender prediction: GIRL! Oh..and we have a name! Will share after our Dec. 11th Gender Scan (just in case haha!)

Nursery: putting a list together of things we will need - fun!

Workouts: Walking the neighborhood and a mix of pre-natal workouts 3x a week

Labor Signs: No way José

Belly Button in or out? In and stretching..

Wedding rings on or off? On but feel bigger- I think that happens in winter though

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & overwhelmed 

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving and a short week. Feeling more movement!

15 weeks!

 

How far along? 15 Weeks 2 days

Size of Baby: Avocado - my fav! 4 inches and 2.5 oz

Total weight gain/loss: Same as last time - sitting at 124 so up 2ish pounds?

Symptoms: No bad ones thus far!

Maternity clothes? Oh yes- 100% when it comes to pants - just ordered a lot of cute stuff from Old Navy and Pinkblush 

Stretch marks? Not yet (thankfully)

Sleep: Sleeping great and heading to bed way earlier than usual. Still waking up to pee every night 2 times or more! Moving in with my parents at the end of the month and just ordered a fab memory foam mattress haha (we close on our house the 30th! ah!)

Best moment this week: Knowing I'm already in the second trimester and feeling that uterus - whew! I'm still hoping for early signs of kicks! 

Miss Anything? Still wine! My friend Hill got me this faux sparkling rose and its actually pretty tolerable (lol) 

Movement: see above! Still waiting but I try every night to slightly push in on spots!

Food cravings: Mango italian ice all the way!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Oh yea and boobs are AHmazing 

Gender prediction: Girl! 

Nursery: Definitely have months to go before focusing on this in the new house but thinking an ivory/wood tones marsh like theme (I have a beautiful marsh, lowcountry painting I'm centering this around) 

Workouts: Still squeezing in walks and nightly prenatal workouts 

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Anxious!

Looking forward to: Celebrating Seth's 35th birthday this Saturday! We're doing at the house for our last hooray before moving out! 

14 Weeks (then & now)

 Hey y'all! 

     So the weeks are flying and I can't believe I did a separate chalkboard design for each one (I sort of miss it but piggy backing off of last time is totally working for me too) I definitely feel larger this time around but other than that not much has changed! 

How far along? 14 Weeks 1 day

Size of Baby: an orange - 3.5 inches and 2oz

Total weight gain/loss: up 4 total I think?

Symptoms: No sickness but still going to bed SUPER early

Maternity clothes? Oh yes- 100% when it comes to pants

Stretch marks? No - using Basq intensive stretch mark butter

Sleep: Sleeping great and heading to bed way earlier than usual. Still waking up to pee every night 5 times or more! 

Best moment this week: Heading down to Edenton, NC with Seth on Friday to check out another rental property option

Miss Anything? Still wine - especially since we're awaiting election results!

Movement: Nothing prominent yet! Can def feel uterus though!

Food cravings: Mango Italian ice

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet: Oh yea and boobs are incredible this time around! ha!

Gender prediction: Baby Otey #2 is another girl!

Nursery: No - will focus on that once we move

Workouts: Trying to walk with Andi and squeezed in a prenatal weights workout last night!

Labor Signs: No way

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: Feeling more movement!

I'm Baaaack (I think)

 Hey y'all! 

   I've been thinking recently a lot about blogging (circa 2015 blogging, the OGs so to speak) and how much I genuinely miss it. The connections, the outlet, the information, the help, the fun, etc - I miss it all! 2020 has obviously been a complete BUST for everyone and we all know 2019 really was not ours or Andi's year but I'm really hoping 2021 will be great. Actually, I'm willing it to be great. 

We've completed our biggest renovation and it is currently under contract with terrifying but exciting plans to move to NC into a beautiful historic home. We've also expanded our reno work into other people's homes and spaces now which has been super exciting. Despite the pandemic and craziness, life seems to be exactly where it should be.... with that said, we have some more mega news and I am OVER the moon to share this with y'all (aka anyone who is actually still reading) that after 5 years of weighing the pros and cons and essentially convincing my hubs, we are thrilled to announce that we are expecting again! Baby GIRL Otey #2 is due this May (the exact same timeline as Miss A) and I am nervous, excited, overwhelmed, out of the loop (haha) and somewhat ready!? I think I'm most excited for Miss A to be a big sister and have that built-in companion in life. Also, this news is pretty much why I wanted to dive back into blogging. I've found myself looking back at those old posts since it has been so long since I've done this and it has been so helpful. I've laughed (at my made up grammar mostly) I've cried and I've just simply enjoyed reading back over the last 5 years of our lives. Thank goodness for this little space! I also want baby #2 to be able to go back and read everything the same way Miss Andi will be able to one day. Its such a great virtual diary so to speak. 

Whether you're tagging along for the ride or not, I've decided to dive back in and have my little space up and running again. I've simplified the layout and changed some settings (for now) due to some weird privacy issues that happened but I'm hoping to reconnect with everyone and just have a sweet little reference spot that I can look back on one day. I've created a new email to coincide with this space so feel free to reach out! I plan to do the weekly updates because hey, why not? I'm also super interested to see how these pregnancies compare. This will be fun and I'm excited to see our family grow in more ways than one!

Stay healthy & be kind y'all.

Like they say..showing a little quicker the 2nd time for sure!

How far along? 13 Weeks 3 days

Size of Baby: a jalapeño! 

Total weight gain/loss: I started at 120 and now 124... eek

Symptoms: No sickness thank goodness but a little bloated still

Maternity clothes? yes...ALL the leggings

Stretch marks? No... started some intense creams early this time though!

Sleep: Sleeping great, minus waking up to pee every night 5 times or more! Ugh.. always sleepy though. I'm in bed usually by 9 which is SO unlike me.

Best moment this week: Getting all of her genetic testing back and last week finding out early that its another GIRL

Miss Anything? wine...wine...wine... (drinking coffee this time but limiting to 1 cup usually)

Movement: Not yet but I hear its sooner second time around? Tightness in lower left area

Food cravings: Fruits & Halloween candy for the win and now add jello! (same as last time)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: most def

Gender prediction: all pink everything

Nursery: We're moving at the end of the month so not quite yet! Have some fun plans though once we get into the new house

Workouts: Trying to walk the neighborhood and doing prenatal workouts 3 times a week and weight strength training

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy/anxious - lots going on!

Looking forward to: Feeling more movement

Click here to see this week in 2015!

xo JMO 

Andi Meets Miss America!

Happy Monday y'all! If you've been following since the beginning then this will come as no shock...I love pageants- always have and always will be a huge supporter of the Miss Virginia and Miss America organizations. Not sold? Do a quick Google and you'll see that those organizations are one of the biggest scholarship providers for young women. (Andi's newborn photoshoot was Miss VA themed...ha! Not kidding!)

 Last year Emili McPhail, Miss VA 2018, came to visit Andi and that was beyond amazing. She is a fellow Hollins girl as well! This year we got a phone call that almost knocked us out of our socks! Miss Andi was invited to meet Miss America y'all! Just to give a little background, this year's Miss America was also Miss Virginia! We watched Emili crown the new Miss VA Camille Schrier last June and it was so exciting. She is only one of two Miss America candidates ever to incorporate science into her on stage talent. See her experiment below!

Camille is a doctor of pharmacy student and a graduate of VA Tech University. She brings brains and beauty to the organization and is the sweetest gal you'll ever meet! We had no idea it was going to be a one on one meet and greet and we were so shocked when we arrived to almost 15 cameras, news anchors, radio hosts and photographers. Andi was able to chat with Miss America about everything from science to tiaras and also informed her that she also held the title of Miss August in the Children's Hospital of Richmond Calendar. It was such a fantastic moment and it made my heart so happy to see Andi look up to her that day. See the news story and video of the two meeting here:

https://www.nbc12.com/2020/01/16/four-year-old-girls-dream-comes-true-meeting-miss-america/

Andi's Miss August Calendar shoot! 

We'll be able to see Camille again in June when she comes back to the Miss VA pageant and maybe again at her upcoming homecoming! If you want to follow along on Miss America's year you can follow her on instagram here on her personal account or here for the official Miss America account. Next year Andi will be old enough to participate in the Miss VA Princess program and you better believe we're diving in!


Camille reached out to me later that night and asked if she could send Andi something special in the mail. Needless to say, Andi will be OVER the moon when the surprise comes so stay tuned! Such a cool experience that I'm sure she will never forget. (Mama won't either!) Hope y'all have a great rest of the week!

Things I've Been Eyeing...

Hey y'all! Happy new year! Today, over lots of coffee, I've decided to share with y'all all of the random things that I've added to my wishlist lately. I love seeing these type of posts from others so I figured a new year refresh bundle was definitely in order! I hope everyone is having a great start to 2020. We're getting ready for an upcoming gala, a surprise trip to Disney's Grand Floridan resort with friends for Miss Andi and just came off an excellent week where Miss Andi got to meet Miss America y'all! Check back later this week and I'll definitely share more on that! 

Happy Monday Friends!

1. Annette Handpainted Triptych
2. Monterey Hand-knotted Area Rug 
3. Lemon Tree Coco Door Mat
4. Blue Ming Ceramic Planters 
5. Any kind of storage baskets
6. Lake Pajamas

Ps - Frontgate is doing 25% off sale right now!

1. Outdoor Pillows for back porch
2. Skinny storage basket
3. Leopard Sneakers
4. Planters (but probably black ones)
5. Collagen by Beauty Tonic
6. Raincoat
7. Bento Box
8. Makeup Towels