Little Man Baby Shower

For my first baby shower, we did a Little Man baby shower with mustaches, bow ties, etc.  Seriously, without Etsy and Pinterest, where would we be?!  Everyone got really into it which I loved.  I'm so excited to share these photos and where we got all the ideas from.  Again, all credit goes to Nancy, Jessie, Abby, and Mom for going with my idea and making it an awesome day....not to mention the showering of gifts!


Here's the skinny:  
Theme: Little Man Baby Shower

Colors: Lime green and blue

Food: All of the food was related to boys or "little men".  Cigars, Beer, Lassos, Weiners (haha), Bow Ties....Cigars were chocolate dipped pretzels, Beer was Root Beer, Cowboy Lassos were cream cheese jalapeno pinwheels, Little Smokies for Weiners, and Bow Tie pasta salad.  

Centerpieces: 3 Mason jars purchased from Walmart with dowel rods with mustaches and bow ties on them.  I bought the mason jars for about $10/dozen but printed the mustaches and bought cardstock to cut out, which took forever, but was way cheap.  For the bow ties, I used argyle scrapbook paper and a template I found for free online. 

Table Setting: Mason jar centerpieces, lime green and blue plates and silverware wrapped and tied with a bow, "Wishes for Little Man" sheet (purchased here)  **I would highly recommend doing something written down from guests to the parents or baby.  I was literally laughing than crying reading the sentiment some of them had.  I will cherish them forever.

Decor: Banner (purchased here)  We printed ourselves to save $$$

Games: Name that 'Stache.  I found pictures of famous mustaches and cut off their heads and everyone guess.  

Prizes: Gift cards to Target, Starbucks, or Panera.  Personally, I love shower gifts...not games so much, but I love winning.  So I wanted to make it worth it for people to win something.  Thus, we got gift cards.

I also passed around an empty frame and took pictures of everyone at the shower holding up their mustaches or bow tie.  I saw it somewhere on Pinterest and honestly, I already love that I know exactly who was there at the shower.  Everyone was a great sport about it and I think secretly enjoyed it.

Favors: Onesie cookies with a mustache piped on them from Shelly's Sweet Treats - friend from Pawnee with a cookie shop.  I don't know if it will work but here is her Facebook page link Shelly's Sweet Treats.  They were awesome!

Alright, I think I got it all covered....enjoy the pics!

The Invite - purchased from Etsy

Head table

The Ervin women

What?! I can't enjoy a beer? =)

 

Old friends

The hostesses enjoying the end of a great day...one of my favorites of the day

Again, another favorite, Momma and me

My best friend is pregnant too!  So great to share this with her and we couldn't have done it without her!

The centerpieces

Smokin' a cigar

Gift Table

Megs and Kels back together!

Love him =)

 What a great day!  Thanks everyone!

 

Week 31

Week 31 – Jan 21 – 27^th

Baby is the size of – 4 navel oranges or about 3.3 pounds and 16 inches long.  He is getting ready for a growth spurt.  He can turn his head from side to side and his body is beginning to plump out.  All of his moving is a sign that he is active and healthy.

How I’m feeling – I basically use momentum to get out of bed each night to pee (which is several times).  I’ve had some cramping up near my heart when I drive.  Doctor said it was my ribs rubbing up against my uterus but it usually goes away when he drops down a little bit.  I’ve had more bad leg cramps that Nathan has tried to massage out in the middle of the night.  I’m tired, oh so tired, and more so than the second trimester.  I’ve had several ladies at my gym think I was 2-3 months along and another woman told me I looked “amazing.”  I am very lucky with this pregnancy to still be able to workout at this stage. I’m not sure if this is pregnancy related but my hair has become very ratty after my shower.  It could be lack of conditioner or that my hair hasn’t been this long in a while, but sometimes I want to blame it on the baby. 

**Read below about my random nerve or pelvic girdle pain on Saturday.  Hard to walk at this point and believe me, I hate feeling broken but I know this can be a side effect of pregnancy.  Hopefully a good adjustment will fix me up or get me on my way!  

**Doctor visit 1/24/13 – This was another relatively short visit.  Not that it wasn’t still an hour and half with waiting and all, but actual doctor time was short.  My blood pressure was good (107/80) and my weight was holding steady at 166lbs.  Actually I think I lost a pound between my visits, but that was probably from water or my clothes.  We heard his heart beat again (130-134 which is “perfect”).  I’m measuring normal and everything is going well.  Two more two week visits then I’m going weekly.  I’m starting to put together our birth plan for when we go into labor and the doctor said just give it to the nurses when we arrive.  I can’t believe how close it is getting!

Activity –

Monday – Treadmill run 35 min; pushups and plank

Tuesday – Ran 12 min on treadmill, Elliptical – 30 min, weights – 15 min

Wednesday – 4.13 miles – 42 min (10:14 pace)

Thursday – 25 min Elliptical; 13 min jog on treadmill – 1.25 miles; Weights – arms – 5-8 min

Friday –Rest and travel day for my shower!

Saturday – 40 min; 4.23 miles.  I felt great running this morning with Ryan and Nancy until about the 35 min mark.  I got this sharp shooting pain on my left side down to my knee.  I walked a little but it didn’t go away so I ran to finish up.  This pain killed the entire day.  So much so that I could barely put my pants on that leg.  I can walk, but I’m limping.  From what I’m reading, it sounds like my sciatic nerve or pelvic pain girdle from my pelvis rotating.  Both can be due to my uterus expanding or him being in a different position.  I’m going in Monday to get adjusted and hopefully that helps lessen the pain.  In the meantime, I’m heating, icing, wobbling on a disc, doing stretches and going to try to walk and swim as my exercise.  I read that keeping moving should help.

Sunday – Elliptical – 20 min, walked – 10 min (.5 miles), Swam 10 laps – 15 min, weights- 10 min

Weight Gain – Weighed 166 at Doctor’s (about 163-164 at home).  163.6 pounds at home on Sunday morning.

Maternity/Baby stuff bought/got – More Baby Ganics wipes and diapers, diaper pail inserts, and some drawer dividers for the dresser.  I also purchased a belly back support thing on Saturday night after my nerve/girdle pain thing.  Not sure if it will help but I was desperate at the time. 

We had our shower Saturday and it went so well!  It was mostly family and my teacher friends there and it was great to see them all!  Baby Tobin literally got tons of cute clothes, toys, and essentials for bringing him into this world.  And the theme and décor was perfect.  Everyone really got into it.  Many thanks to Mom, Nancy, Jessie and Abby for all they did and do in general to make it special for me.  I’m getting pictures together now to post soon!  

Maternity Photo Shoot!

One thing I have liked about being pregnant is being able to expand my wardrobe, but again, I'm cheap and thrifty.  So, how does one justify buying a whole new wardrobe when you'll only wear it for 3-4 months!  I didn't start really needing maternity wear until my 5th month, and I'm still able to wear certain jackets, yoga pants, and t-shirts.  Some of them lead me to wonder how baggie they are on me when I'm not pregnant!  

That being said, I'm quite proud of my ability to find cute maternity clothes at a discount (well, most of them), but a girls' got to splurge!  Here are some of my favorites and where I got them...

Top - Macy's maternity discount rack - $14.99, Khakis - Macy's (not on sale but much needed for work)-$30.00

Top - Gap Maternity - Once Upon a Child-$8, Leggings - Macy's - $20

Top - Old Navy Maternity $25, Jeans - Gap maternity - $32 

**I went to buy these from the actual Gap store and they were $70...um, no thanks.  I get Gap's emails and they sent a 40% off coupon the next day.  Bam, found them for almost half the price, plus free shipping over $50 and I needed maternity tanks.

Top - Liz Lange for Target Maternity shirt - found at Goodwill - $4

; Skirt - Motherhood brand - found at Goodwill - $5

Dress - Liz Lange for Target - on clearance - $12.98 (regularly $25-30)

Dress - Liz Lange for Target - on clearance yet again - $12.98 (org. $25-30)

Top - Liz Lange for Target - found at Goodwill - $3.99.  Can you tell I shop at Goodwill religiously?!  Pants - kids resale garage sale - Motherhood brand - $4

Top - Motherhood - $4 again from Goodwill; Pants - grey bottoms (forget the brand) at Goodwill $4.99

As you can see I've found much success at Goodwill, garage sales, and Once Upon a Child.  When I do want brand new, I look on Old Navy, Gap, and at Macy's.  They often have coupons or coupon codes you can use to get free shipping, etc. To get the deals at Goodwill, you almost have to go at least once a week.  Most of the Target stuff I find there has the price tags still on!  So for those that are a little leery of buying from Goodwill, trust that no one else has worn what you are buying!  Also, right after Christmas and other holidays, Old Navy has huge maternity sales.  I got a Bears t-shirt for $5 and some cute yoga shorts for $5.  It also helps that I can wear a lot of my regular dresses still.  Baggy and blousy is in so that works for my big belly right now!  Another big helper is clothes I can borrow from friends and my sister in law.  They are all teachers so I've been able to get a lot of use out of khakis, tanks, and jeans.    

Hope you enjoyed and if you are pregnant, got some tips!  I love shopping online for a style than creating my own at home with cheaper knock-offs.  Here's to showing off that bump!

Week 30

Week 30 – Jan14 – 20

Baby is the size of – An eggplant and around 3 pounds.  He is forming his sleep patterns and may be dreaming by now.  He can open and close his eyes even though vision is still very poor.

How I’m feeling – I’m officially in the 30 weeks!  I can’t believe how fast it has gone by.  It’s becoming very real that he is coming soon!  Apparently the 3^rd trimester is my time to get emotional and ridiculous.  I had 2 meltdowns on Sunday and looked at Nathan and said, “What’s happening to me?!”  I can’t even control it!  And I am tired…oh so tired.  I get done at the gym and lay down for a nap.  Most of the time the gym energizes me.  It is getting way harder.  I also feel more lower back pain while running due to the stress of the baby weight.  I’m cutting back slowly on my times and intensity (running 15-30 min here and there) but running outside is still better than treadmill running, but I have been lazy in my wanting to attempt the cold. 

I ran Saturday and had massive sharp pains on my right side.  They were so bad I had to walk for a few minutes.  Then those pains moved to my lower section near my uterus then they migrated to the left.  I used this opportunity to practice my deep breaths moving my stomach up and down and that seemed to help. 

I’m also paranoid of getting the flu but I don’t get the flu shot.  Mostly because I’m cheap and our doctor is against it.  But then I heard that it takes 2 weeks to go into affect anyways and it may not protect against the strain that is taking everybody out right now.  So, I have upped my Vitamin D with a pill from our doctor and a Vitamin C drink that isn’t half bad. 

We had our last class this weekend on Breastfeeding.  It was pretty informative and basically sounds like tons of work.  But I knew that when signed up for this!  I just want to make sure I get the science down of feeding and pumping and changing.  I’m sure I’ll catch on as soon as he arrives.  We are going to go shopping for a deep freeze for extra room for milk and stuff we like to keep cold. 

Activity –

Monday – Run 35 min – treadmill, Bike – 10 min, pushups and planks

Tuesday – Elliptical – 30 min, 15 min treadmill run – 1.5 miles, weights – 10 min

Wednesday – 32 min run – 3 miles

Thursday – Elliptical – 30 min, Walk uphill on treadmill – 15 min, weights – 10 min

Friday – 26 min run

Saturday – 43 min run – 4.43 miles.  10 min mile pace overall

Sunday –Fit Pregnancy 3^rd Trimester workout – 35 min (weights and light cardio…very low intensity)

Weight Gain – Weighed around 163.6 on Friday at home.

Maternity/Baby stuff bought/got – The crib and dresser are put together and in their place!  I need to start filling the dresser.  I’ve gotten a few books and gifts in from people who cannot come to the shower.  My cousin Karla got us our tub, and a hamper from my dad’s step sister.  I also found some bottles on sale at Target and liners.  I got a few nursing bras and tanks for my hospital bag.  Our mattress was on sale on at Babies R Us so I went ahead and got it so I can put crib sheets on it.  They also had buy one get one free of Baby Ganics products which are toxic free (things like bottle soap, disinfectant wipes, and diaper spray). 

We have our first shower next Saturday and I’m super excited to show you all pictures from it.  It should be super cute!  That being said, I have to clear a space on the baby room floor for all the new stuff we will be getting.  Everyone has been so generous and loving to us as far as giving us toys, books, clothes, etc.  It will all go to good use. 
 

*This week I’m working on washing clothes, putting stuff in the drawers, and working on the stuff I’m hanging on the walls.  I can’t wait to share it all with you!