We are officially just over 2 weeks away from Baby Boy’s due date (Nov 24th!) so I thought I’d take a moment to touch base with a more personal post.
Life here has been hectic and time has been flying. I’ve been working more than ever trying to get posts prepared and ready so that when he arrives I’ll be able to take something of a “maternity leave”… not sure yet exactly what that is going to look like!
I have posts scheduled out through the end of this month and December but hope to be able to hop in and touch base/share some life updates along the way. It has been a little strange making recipes so far in advance and I’m even a little sad that (for all blog-related purposes) I’m actually already finished with my Christmas baking!
I’ve also filmed all of my videos through January for YouTube, so if it seems that I’m still getting bigger and bigger in my videos even after the baby is born, well, that’s why! 😂
I’ve been doing pretty well. Feeling huge, for sure. Waddling everywhere I go and always keeping an eye out for the nearest bathroom. I’ve been living in Target yoga pants and anything I drop these days (which feels like everything) I just have to write off as a gone from my life for good. Acid reflux is my newest nemesis (thank goodness for Tums) and putting on shoes is essentially impossible.
But Baby is healthy and a “good size” (5 lbs 15 oz!) as per his last ultrasound and that’s the important thing and I’m trying to remember to be grateful (because I am so, so grateful) even when I’m uncomfortable and tired and taking 20 minutes to get my socks on. I’m enjoying his kicks and movements and so excited to see what he looks like.
Pregnancy Must-Haves
I don’t really have a long list of must-haves, though a few of you have asked, but there are a few things that have made my life a little easier.
Even though I’m not sleeping well I am so glad I bought a pregnancy pillow early on. I didn’t think it made that much of a difference until I tried sleeping without it one night.
Also, while I wouldn’t exactly say this has been a “game changer” I’m also glad I bought the Blanqi belly support band. It totally does roll up if you move a lot from standing to sitting but I notice a clear difference in my back pain on days when I wear it vs. days when I don’t and it’s worth the annoyance of having to pull it down every so often.
Since I’m thirsty all the time, a big water bottle that actually keeps my water cold has been essential. I had a few metal ones that I just didn’t like drinking out of once I got pregnant and ended up switching to a 24 oz Tervis tumbler (and yes that goldfish design is the one I have 😂). It’s huge and keeps my drink cold longer than a regular glass, doesn’t leave condensation and has a lid for traveling so it’s become my constant companion.
As I mentioned: Target yoga pants. Champion is the name of the brand, I think. Soooo comfy. I bought maternity jeans and a pricey pair of maternity leggings that got rave reviews but I never wear them, I’m not comfortable in anything except these yoga pants. They are not maternity-style, but they’re so comfy. I just wish they made them with pockets!
Any suggestions for must-haves after the baby arrives are very welcome!
The Nursery!
Zach and I finally finished organizing and setting up the nursery last weekend. Realistically the baby won’t be sleeping in here until he’s a bit older (I have a bassinet in the bedroom), but it was so important to me to have it done before he arrived.
We ended up with a Lion King theme for the nursery (my favorite movie ever as a child), even though my original intention was just generic jungle.
I completely love it, even though Zach was left scratching his head about how we ended up here. I think he would’ve preferred a theme somewhere along the lines of hockey, cars, or baseball, but here we are. I’ll leave some links at the end of the post for most of the items we bought/received. Just about everything came from Amazon!
So that’s life lately! Big changes are coming up any day now and I am excited and honestly a bit nervous!
While I’m a little naive still about what life with a newborn is going to look like, I do plan on getting back to the kitchen as soon as possible and I hope you love all of the recipes that I have planned for you over the holidays.
Thank you so much for reading, it means a lot to me 💜
Links for Nursery Items.
Some of these links are affiliate links.
- Babyletto White Crib — “Scoot”
- This is the rug we went with (an 8’6″ square in Beige). I was super skeptical about buying a rug off of Amazon but after looking everywhere else and not finding anything we liked (or in our budget) this one had great reviews so we went for it. Zach and I keep commenting on how plush it is and how much we love it, ha!
- Graco Changing Table
- Little white bookshelf — this is really a pretty flimsy little bookshelf and I anticipate we’ll be exchanging it for something sturdier when he gets bigger, or maybe we’ll end up moving the rocker into this spot. It works for now, though!
- Elephant Ottoman
- Lion King Bedding Set
- Graco Glider Swing
- Most of the artwork is from Etsy with the exception of this canvas hanging over the changing table.
Maria
What a blessing to be blessed with a bundle of joy during the holidays (or anytime for that matter). A Thanksgiving baby, how precious! 💙 Wishing you all the best!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Maria! 🙂
Vicki
Wishing you all the best Sam! I love your recipes and quite honestly I’m a little jealous that your Christmas baking is done. I’m sure you’ll appreciate that in December. Enjoy every moment.
Sam
Thank you so much, Vicki! I’m sure I will in December, too!
Dayna
You look beautiful!! You are going to be a wonderful momma. You are so sweet and loving. I am a 67 year old Nana with a 3 year old grandson and I can tell. 🙂 I love your recipes. I have printed quite a few and put them in a notebook. Maybe someday, when you life settles down (about 10 years from now, ha, ha) you’ll publish a cookbook. I would definitely have it on my shelf.
Good luck and enjoy your sweet new baby boy.
Sam
Thank you so much for the kind words, Dayna, I really appreciate it <3
I'd love to do a cookbook someday, but yes maybe when things settle down a bit 😂
Thank you for reading along with the blog and I'm so glad you have been enjoying the recipes.
Judy M Register
Love the colors everything is just beautiful !
Sam
Thank you! I probably should have mentioned that we didn’t even have to paint the nursery so I can’t really even take credit for it, it was that color when we moved in but I loved it so much I couldn’t imagine changing it.
Vivian Cragg
Congratulations on your upcoming bundle of joy. Enjoy every second of his life, it goes by really fast. Remember to take lots of photos.
Sam
Oh I’m sure I’ll take too many photos, I’m good at that 😂
Thank you so much, Vivian! We are so excited <3
Aimee
Sam, thank you for this special update! I’m so excited for your little man to get here. You look beautiful and so radiant! I hope your labor & delivery is a piece of cake. 😉
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Aimee! I really appreciate it! 🙂
Jaymie
Love the nursery. And you look beautiful! Thanks for all of the hard work you put into your blog. I enjoy all of your recipes!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoy my recipes, Jaymie! Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it! 🙂
Caroline
God Bless you new family!
Sam
Thank you, Caroline! <3
Marina
Graduations I am so happy for you ,God bless you!!!!!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Marina! I appreciate it! 🙂
Susan Margolis
Dear Sam, a baby will completely change your life positively. My advice from an old mother to a new one is try to sleep when the baby sleeps. My only other advice is to enjoy each and every day with your baby because it goes very fast. May you have an easy delivery.
Sam
Thank you so much, Susan. Keeping my fingers crossed for an easy delivery, too!
Kim
November 24th – just in time for Thanksgiving! Give my best to your mother, I’ll bet she’s thrilled!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Kim! Yes, she is so excited! 🙂
Wendy
Best wishes for your upcoming Special Delivery and looking forward to seeing your precious bundle. Greetings from British Columbia, Canada.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Wendy! I appreciate it! 🙂
Melody
Congratulations 🎉🍾🎈 Sweet Sam I pray your delivery is easy and God bless you and your husband and that sweet lil gift from God above, I’d like to get you a gift card how can I get it to you 🥰 Blessings Melody 🥰
Sam
Thank you so much, Melody! I so appreciate the offer but please don’t even think about it, we are well prepared now, but I really do appreciate the gesture! <3 Thank you so much for your kind words.
Peggy
A baby bjorn is a must!!! And then when they are too long for that a backpack. I think that’s why my kids love the kitchen, they would always look over my shoulder and watch what I was doing. Many blessings to you all!!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for the tip, Peggy! I have heard how wonderful the Baby Bjorn is, excited to try it! Thanks for our blessings, it means so much! 🙂
michelle ruggiero
Sam please read up on the fourth trimester. It is a valuable trimester. Snuggle hold and nurse. He will only be this small for a short while. Take many pictures and rest!! Did I say rest? Your job is just beginning, of course you just completed the other biggest one… growing and nourishing a healthy bundle of joy. Allow others to wait on you. Stay in bed and recover. Your body needs it and you deserve it. Enjoy the most precious gift you are about to receive. And include daddy in everything. Do not worry about the labor it will be over before you know it. Warmly, Michelle
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks so much, Michelle! I appreciate it! 🙂
Deborah
Congrats! I’m so happy for you and Zach. The nursery looks phenomenal by the way…Just a quick remedy for heartburn, try a teaspoon of mustard. It worked wonders for me during my second pregnancy…Also, my daughter was born with a tons of curly hair, so I think there is some truth to the hair/heartburn myth! Best of luck!
Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for the helpful tip, Deborah! I will have to try mustard out for sure! Thanks for your good wishes, it means so much! 🙂