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Pregnancy and Body Image

In Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry29 Comments

I’ve spent a lot of time over the years writing about body image on this site. It’s been such a blessing to hear stories from so many other women who have struggled with body confidence and self-acceptance and are now loving and embracing their bodies and all that they can do. Although I’ve made huge strides over the years in loving and appreciating my own body, I have to admit that I was very, very worried about my body and … Read More

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38 Weeks

In Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry5 Comments

How far along are you?Ā 38Ā weeks 4 daysĀ Cravings?Ā Smoothies, orange juice, water with ice and real fruit popsicles.Ā Weight Gain:Ā At my 38 week appointment I was up 29 pounds. I’ve heard that as labor approaches sometimes you lose a few pounds? I’m guessing my total weight gain will fall right around 30 pounds for this pregnancy.Ā Fears:Ā I’ve been increasingly worried about our baby’s health. I think it’s pretty normal, but it’s hard not to worry about things going well and baby being born healthy. … Read More

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36 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry7 Comments

First, I can’t believe it’s been so long since I posted a pregnancy update. I looked back and the last update I did was at 27 weeks. Honestly, the third trimester has been a combination of busy and uneventful, so I haven’t had much to write about pregnancy-wise. Now that I’m in the home stretch, I’m excited to get the updates going again! How far along are you?Ā 36Ā weeks 4 daysĀ Cravings?Ā The entire third trimester has been all about me craving smoothies! … Read More

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What I’m Packing in My Hospital Bag

In Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry34 Comments

Joe and I have been in full-time baby preparations lately, getting everything ready for our little peanut’s arrival. At 36 weeks pregnant, the car seat bases and car seat have now been installed, the baby clothes are washed and we have plenty of wipes, diapers and all the practical things that a baby needs. My most recent project has been packing my hospital bag so I’m ready at a moment’s notice. I’m not all the way there yet, but I’m … Read More

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Baby H Maternity Photos

In Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry32 Comments

I knew from the start that we wanted to have newborn photos taken professionally in our home after Baby H arrives (in just about 5 weeks!) but I was a little unsure about taking maternity photos. I’ve seen so many maternity photos that make me uncomfortable (bare bellies really aren’t my thing!) and sometimes they feel so forced. But when I booked Gina to take our newborn photos and she offered to do a small mini maternity session of about … Read More

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A Baby Shower for Baby H

In Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry6 Comments

It was so wonderful to head home last weekend and spend a little time celebrating Baby Hofmeyer at our first baby shower! My mom’s amazing friends hosted the shower at my mom’s house and a handful of my good friends from high school were also there to celebrate. I can’t believe that we’re past the 32 week mark and that little one will be here so soon. To be surrounded by so many people who have prayed for our baby … Read More

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Baby Hofmeyer’s Gender-Neutral Nursery Reveal

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry12 Comments

Happy New Year, friends! I’m kicking off 2015 with a tour of my new favorite room in our house, Baby Hofmeyer’s nursery! It’s been so fun to put together this nursery piece by piece, and seeing it finally come together just 8 weeks shy of baby’s arrival makes the whole thing even more real. I’m finding it hard to believe that we’re really going to be a family of 3 pretty soon. I’ve never been great at taking photos of … Read More

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What I wish I would have known about the first trimester…

In Infertility and Miscarriage, Pregnancy by Madison Mayberry9 Comments

I spent a lot of time reading (okay, obsessing and worrying) about what was normal vs. not normal during the first trimester. After two miscarriages I was extremely worried that my symptoms weren’t normal or our baby wasn’t healthy. Understandable, yes, but healthy? Absolutely not! Since a lot of my symptoms weren’t textbook “normal” I thought perhaps some other moms-to-be could use a little reminder that what the books and websites say don’t necessarily hold true all the time. They’re … Read More

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27 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry9 Comments

I’m so sorry for the radio silence these last few weeks. Truth be told, a few other thingsĀ have demanded my time and attention and I’ve been unable to devote any time to blogging. I’m hoping to resume a more normal schedule in the next month, but until then I appreciate your patience and understanding!Ā  How far along are you?Ā 27 weeks 1 dayĀ Cravings?Ā I think I may be one of the most boring pregnant women around when it comes to my eating. … Read More

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DIY Idea: Baby’s Nursery Letter

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry6 Comments

A few months ago my mom sent me a handful of inspiration photos for our little one’s nursery. I immediately fell in love with the idea of writing our baby a letter and placing it above the crib in our nursery. The original inspiration photo I saw featured a canvas that was handwritten/painted by the parents, but since I wasn’t super confident in my handwriting skills I decided to make the canvas digitally and have it printed on a canvas. … Read More

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24 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry9 Comments

How far along are you?Ā 24 weeks 3 daysĀ Cravings?Ā Still nothing new or exciting to report here! I think Joe actually wishes that I had some sort of unique or interesting craving since you hear so many funny stories from other people. I’ve been eating a lot of string cheese, yogurt and baked potatoes this week, along with pizza, which continues to be my favorite pregnancy food. Thankfully veggies are still my friend, so there has been a fair share of kale, … Read More

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23 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry8 Comments

How far along are you?Ā 23 weeks 2 daysĀ Cravings?Ā Still no real cravings. I continue to prefer salty over sweet and have found that a few items I never ate in the past have made their way into my diet. Take, for example, the fact that I had my first hot dog (a very expensive organic, nitrate-free, grass fed hot dog, that is) in YEARS and it tasted amazing. I’ve continued to love juice like orange juice and grapefruit juice and fruit … Read More