Baby Bean Update: 34 (point five) Weeks

My parents and brother spent the weekend here for Memorial Day, so I didn't get to do a baby update! I'm so glad they came, though, and left my brother. Now I have someone here with me other than Little S while Husband's at work all day. It's good to have that security in case of an emergency! I became 34 weeks pregnant on Saturday, May 26, and today's May 29! That means ONE MONTH until d-day at the latest!

top: c/o maurices, jeans: Motherhood, sandals: Fergie

4.5 weeks. 4.5. weeks. 4.5 weeks. 

Apparently in that last photo, that's all I'm thinking. I definitely forgot to smile. Sorry 'bout that. Also, Readers, meet my Summer Hair. Summer Hair, Readers. I don't blow-dry in 100% humidity. Because, really, that's just dumb. I'm sorry if you choose to fight that battle, but I have wavy, frizzy, baby-fine hair and it's a super huge pain to dry it and have it go all lioness on me within 10 minutes.

So, 34 weeks... Let's see what we're working with, here. Back pain, pelvic pain, lots of contractions, my tummy is SO TIGHT that I feel like it's going to rip open, sciatica in both legs, but mostly the left one, numbness in my left elbow/forearm/wrist (pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel), and major feet swellage... on the other hand, though, I'm feeling happy, hopeful, uplifted, and almost (alllmost) ready. Can't ask for more than that!

Exciting news: Check out Mommy Moxie on Etsy!

I have some awesome things to show you at the end of this week and a fun giveaway coming on Monday!

Don't forget that if you place an order with Bitty Bug Designs through June 15, 50% of the proceeds will be donated to the Fund for Officer James Winslow!

Bitty Bug Designs for Care of Officer James Winslow

There are days when an outfit post or shop update just won't cut it. Today is one of those days. I have a very pressing matter to discuss and although I am not able to help on my own, this might give us ALL a chance to make a difference.

Please see donation opportunities at the bottom of this post.

Our friend, Neil (left) and his brother and best friend, Officer James Winlsow (right)

The younger brother of one of mine and Husband's dear friends is a police officer in Suffolk, Virginia. Young, fairly new to the profession, and hot off the newlywed bandwagon, James Winslow has been nothing but a sweet, Southern, dedicated gentleman since we met. He forcefully followed his dream to become a police officer and is a wonderful one. Unfortunately, with that territory, comes the high risk of danger. Fearlessly, Officer James Winslow "responded to a call around 8:26 a.m. (on Saturday, May 19) for a stolen vehicle when he chased (Joseph) Staton into a wooded area. Once he was in the woods, Staton reportedly used a blunt object to strike Officer Winslow in the face, where he suffered serious head injuries as well as injuries to his arms.

"When additional police officers responded to the scene, they found the assaulted officer lying unconcious. Winslow was flown by Nightingale to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where he remains in critical condition at this time." - WAVY News 10

More of the story can be found here.

Suspect, Staton, found.

Officer Winlsow has undergone intensive surgery and is stable and recovering. We don't know how long he'll be in the hospital, but we do know that he will be recovering and out of work for quite a while. The Suffolk Police Officers Local 780 have set up a fund to help during this period of time for Officer James Winlsow and his wife, Sarah. Because I am unable to send a chunk of helpful money to donate to this fund, I thought about it for a while, and figured I could open the opportunity up to everyone possible. We can help Officer Winslow and his family through this TOGETHER. I am contacting 31 of my fellow bloggers to see if they will participate in spreading the word. You can also blog about this or share the link to this post on your Facebook page. 

DONATIONS THROUGH BITTY BUG DESIGNS:

50% of ALL proceeds from now until June 15 will be mailed via check to -

Fund for Officer James Winslow

Monarch Bank

2999 Corporate Lane

Suffolk, VA 23434

ATTN: Suffolk Police Officers, in c/o Officer James Winslow

If you would like to send a donation, please write "Officer James Winslow" in the memo line.
Please grab this button for your sidebar so you can help spread the word!

<center><a href="http://www.fashionmommaintraining.com/2012/05/bitty-bug-designs-for-care-of-officer.html" target="_blank"><img alt="A Little Bit of This" src="http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/k550/thelittlebit/BittyBugDesigns_co_OfficerWinslow.jpg"/></a></center>

To make a purchase and donate to the Fund for Officer James Winslow, please visit Bitty Bug Designs on Facebook and either send me an email: kimberly.s.parham@gmail.com OR a message through the facebook page. Items in the shop are ready-to-ship, unless otherwise noted. EVERYTHING can be custom-ordered. Choose a fabric from the swatches album or send a special request.

Bitty Bug Designs Shop Update!

My fingers might fall off from all the sewing I've been doing, recently. But I'm absolutely loving running Bitty Bug Designs! I've only had a handful of orders, but am glad to be getting some items out into the community to get feedback and hopefully some word-of-mouth recommendations! I just wanted to share some of the new things that are going on!

Here are a few of the new fabric swatches for custom orders! I also have several solid flannels to back these prints. Please don't forget! If you have a special fabric request, I will do my best to go out and find it for you! Don't be afraid to request something that you don't see in the shop!

 This is a custom cloth wipe order that was fulfilled last week! I love them so much. I can't wait to get some more done for my girls! S uses them for #1s and I just wash them every other day. Super simple and such a big money saver! And since I'll be cloth diapering Miss Bean, this is the obvious option for us. All natural and saving money? Can't wait!

 And this is probably my proudest moment (just not my proudest photos). I made my first nursing cover and it turned out so much better than expected! This is for my cousin who's having a little boy in early September (I think!). She already came and picked it up and I think she loved it! With full coverage, boning around the neckline so you can see baby, but no one else can see you, little flannel pockets for wiping baby's mouth or storing nursing pads/pacifiers, and an adjustable D-ring neck strap, you really can't go wrong! This cover sells for an affordable $25 as opposed to the more expensive (and very similar in design) options you may find in stores.

Check out Bitty Bug Designs for your little one or affordable shower gifts for a friend or family member! Spread the word and help this SAHM get the business going so I can continue to SAH! 

Please and thank you, of course.

Thank you, Crystal, for hosting the first Bitty Bug Designs giveaway last week! I'm so glad we have a winner! Congratulations, Vicki!

This week, we have a great giveaway going on at my sweet friend Heather's blog, Blonde Undercover Blonde! She's giving away a pack of two custom burp cloths! Be sure to check back with the shop frequently this week, because burp cloth designs are changing drastically and will have fuller coverage for mom and baby! They'll be much cuter, too!

Mother's Day + Giveaway!

We started Mother's Day off with a clean house (thank you, Hubby!) and a morning at church. My in-laws drove down and met us at a restaurant for lunch (where they gave all the mommies a rose!), then we all came back to the house. Husband took S for a bike/trailer ride to the river, FIL took a nap, and MIL and I went to the fabric store. I think that place is my new Heaven and I might like it more than Target. GASP!

I kind of love this picture. I have no idea what face I'm making or why. It looks like I'm about to sneeze or my husband said something totally inappropriate. I'm guessing it's the second one. And no, it's not something S would understand. He's really good about that.

 shirt and pants: Motherhood, cardigan: Filene's Basement, shoes: Guess, bracelet: c/o Poshlocket

I had a very nice Mother's Day weekend and I hope you did, too! I only wish I could have been with my mom! She's my favorite. I'll get to see her in a few weeks for Memorial Day, though, and we'll be hard at work with a deep spring cleaning! 

GIVEAWAY TIME

My friend Crystal is thoughtfully hosting the very first Bitty Bug Designs giveaway, starting today and ending Monday, May 21! I'm giving away an $18 credit to the shop, which includes custom orders, so be sure to check out her post today and enter!!!

Here are some example items you can use a winning credit toward:

Baby Bean Update: 32 Week Update

I'm wondering exactly how much bigger I can get.

That's really all that's on my mind. That, pain, and watermelon.

Apparently, I'm also neighborly and Husband catches me waving.

 hi-lo ruffle top: c/o Anika Burke, tank: Maurices, jeans: Motherhood, sandals: Target, necklace: family heirloom, bracelets: c/o Anika Burke, "wedding ring:" fakeout while mine don't fit from Kohl's ($9, yeah!)

 Bean is moving non-stop, which is awesome because I had some time where she didn't move about a week ago and again on Thursday. It was kind of scary, but I drank a ton of ice water (60 oz!), laid on my left side, and she started up again. Phew! I'm not exactly sure if there's any more growing room in there, but I'm feeling pretty healthy other than the back pain and Braxton Hicks contractions. Those babies used to feel like pressure and now they're pretty painful. Yuck! And it's practice for what? My c-section. Nice.

 

 In other news, I don't hate my hair anymore. I was having such a hair color identity crisis over the past few weeks and I'm really over worrying about it all... It's not so bad. Husband and my friend, Mell, really like it with a little bit of roots showing. I think I do, too. I was quick to think it needed to be touched up, but I think it looks less harsh against my skin with the darker roots. What do you think? You know, since my hair is the topic of conversation as of late.

In other, other news, I am so excited about my new bracelets and Light as a Feather top from Anika Burke! I received these items in the mail last week and couldn't wait to wear them! I also received a beautiful ivory bow belt with a sweet note that suggested I wait until Bean is born for comfort. If you haven't had the chance to pop over to Anika Burke, check them out on Facebook and Twitter, too! If you haven't noticed (ahem), if you check out the little ad on my sidebar, YOU can receive 30% off of your Anika Burke order by using the code LITTLE-BIT. Go 'head. Treat yourself!

* Anika Burke Junior Clothing * Anika Burke * Anika Burke Eclectic Boutique * 

In the otherest of newses (I'm so making up words, here), I have some exciting giveaways starting this Monday, May 14 for those of you interested in my new shop, Bitty Bug Designs! I'm so excited to be spreading the word and sharing products that I'm passionate about! I've worked so hard on starting up my stock and I'm excited to begin custom orders as I build fabric inventory. Please stay tuned to find out where you can enter to win some Bitty Bug swag! Special thank yous go out for all of the support I've had and if you haven't, yet, follow Bitty Bug Designs on Facebook and Twitter!

New Shop: Bitty Bug Designs!

I am so excited to announce that my new shop, Bitty Bug Designs, is now open! I've been brainstorming this idea for months and am so happy it's finally coming into fruition. I imagine production will be slowish at first because I need to build some income before I go out and stock up on fabric. I have a handful of choices right now and plan to get to the fabric store again this weekend. Most importantly, I plan to support other work-at-home-moms and purchase wholesale fabric from their shops as soon as I have a steady enough idea of how much I will need. I want to thank everyone I bounced this idea off of and who supported it! And here are the first few official items in the shop!

 Double-sided flannel receiving blanket, warm and lightweight! $16.50

Pack of 8 double duty flannel cloth wipes! Green living + soft on baby's bum! $8.00

Pouch-style baby sling, lightweight and sturdy flannel $28

Triple thick flannel burp cloths, set of 2! $10

I'll also be adding peek-a-boo nursing covers, soon!

I would really like to do three giveaways starting next week, so if you're interested in hosting on your blog, please send an email to kimberly.s.parham@gmail.com! The first three people to contact me will host the giveaways for an item in the shop or a credit. Your readers will also get a discount for one month from the giveaway start date! I know I only have two items up at the moment, but there will be way more by Sunday evening! 

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