maternity photo ideas!!

One thing about this pregnancy that I am most excited for is our maternity photos. I have been thinking about them the whole time and what I would want them to be like. I'm not really a winter person and was worried I wouldn't be as excited about having maternity photos taken in Dec or Jan but ever since I started a Pinterest board for inspiration...I can't wait!!

We were going to have them done in Nov but things fell through, so we've moved them onto either the end of Dec or Jan. One of Luke's best friends is going to be taking them for us and he is wonderful! He shot amazing photos at our wedding and I am so excited to see how these photos will turn out.

Luke came up with the idea a couple months ago of having the majority of them taken inside at our house, just being casual/going about our day...making breakfast, drinking coffee/tea, playing with Monty and snuggling in bed. At first, I wasn't sure and wanted them outside but the more Luke and I talked about it and all the cute set ups we could do, the more and more I became excited!! We bought a beautiful house and have worked hard at making it beautiful and cozy, so its setting for our photos as we make this house a home for our little family.  I love that these photos will be uniquely as ours and mean something when we look back on them after we've moved out of this house one day and remember where we started and that those rooms hold those memories and many more.

Here are a few of my favorites that have inspired our at home photo shoot!

sources on pinterest

We'll also be having newborn/family photos take after River is here that continue on the at home story. We thought it would be cute to have the same sort of photos, doing the same sorts of things but with River incorporated into them.

This is such an amazing, special time in our life and I'm so excited to capture it.
I haven't felt like many people in our lives have been that enthusiastic or involved in our pregnancy or that I have got to share many of my firsts with other people because we don't live where everyone else does. I think most women want to feel a little extra special during their pregnancies and I just haven't felt that, so to be able to get dolled up and have photos taken just feels extra special to me and I know it does to Luke as well. 

How far along? 29 weeks 4 days. At my last appt I was measuring ahead and the doc thought I'd be closer to mid Feb due date but as of my appt on Tuesday my belly hasn't grown and is back on track for my original due date of Feb. 23rd...so its like a week got taken away from me, ha.
Total weight gain/loss: 16lbs
Maternity clothes? I haven't worn the maternity jeans since the last time. I have two maternity sweaters and two maternity dresses...I've worn the sweaters and not the dresses but there is still time! I can still fit into my jeans with the hair band trick and most of my shirts/sweaters still fit. 
Stretch marks? nope. I thought I got one and poor Luke endured a long evening of crying and freaking out. turns out my underwear is just too tight. 
Sleep: still sleeping good.
Best moment this week: I lost my mucus plug last week and wasn't scared but nervous a bit that my cervix was starting to open...I called my doc and he said as long as I didn't start having contractions he'd wait to check me at my appt on Tuesday. My cervix is open a tiny bit but nothing to be concerned about, so that was nice to hear!
Have you told family and friends: yup, everyone knows!
Movement: All the time. He goes bat shit crazy sometimes and it makes me wonder what he is doing!!
Food cravings: it was coconut donuts...I fulfilled that craving and now I'm good. Eating super healthy these last couple months to keep my body in tip top shape!
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope!
Have you started to show yet: yup, I've popped!
Leakage: some
Gender prediction: Boy. and I was right!!!
Labor Signs: Braxton hicks have started but they're nothing I can't handle!
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? on. 
Happy or Moody? Happy. 
Weekly Wisdom: Always tell the person/people you love how much you appreciate them. Luke and I have always told each other "thank you" at least once a day whether it be just for loving one another or for what meal I made or letting him play Madden instead of doing dishes or for the times he snuggles into my neck and gives me one soft kiss. I am so lucky to have Luke as my husband, the things he does for us and how hard he works and his ethics and priorities never cease to amaze me. I never have to worry and I think that has helped me to have such a carefree pregnancy...I haven't been nervous about a single thing and even after our birthing class, I'm still nonchalant about it all. Knowing I have such an amazing partner has kept me upbeat and positive and made me realize that its just our little family that matters during this journey and no one else! 
Milestones: We had our birthing class and enjoyed it so much! Next Thursday is our hospital tour and that Saturday is our breastfeeding class. I've also picked out my large purse/diaper bag and ordered a little suitcase for River's hospital items and plan on going shopping for all the hospital essentials after Christmas! Its so fun to plan and get organized!!