Soul Cycle Shower

I have been spinning at Soul Cycle for nearly two years now (it'll actually be two years right when Baby Simcox comes!).  I can't sing enough praises about SC... great workouts, encouraging mantras, motivating instructors... but the best thing I've gotten out of Soul Cycle has been a wonderful group of friends.  And when my friend Sally found out that I was pregnant, she offered to throw a Soul Cycle fiesta shower in honor of Baby Simcox!  My SC gals co-hosted the event - from left to right in the below, Ashlie, Olivia, Rachael, Elizabeth and Sally.

We met up at Fernando's, a Dallas staple when it comes to Tex-Mex, and I arrived to the cutest spread of cactus cupcakes, maracas, and fiesta decor on our table.  We chowed down on chips, queso, guac (well, I passed on the guac ;) ) and quesadillas before opening presents.

My friend Sally had a special blanket made for Baby Simcox - it was covered in little bikes in honor of Soul Cycle!  So cute.

My friends know me so well - Baby Simcox has been gifted with plenty of water-related gifts, including this adorable unicorn baby float for the pool from my friend Rachael.  This little girl has no choice but to be a water baby!

A fun side story from the party: my friend Sally is obsessed with Troy Aikman, the famous Cowboys quarterback.  He spins at Soul Cycle sometimes and was in a class with us the week before the baby shower.  During the shower, all of the sudden one of our friends caught Sally's attention to tell her that Troy Aikman was not only in Fernando's, but was walking toward our table at that very moment!  He was at the restaurant with his family and I assume was headed to the restroom, but stopped briefly at our table to say hello to Kevin, our instructor.  Sally nearly hyperventilated, and I will forever claim that Troy Aikman made a surprise guest appearance at my baby shower :)

So grateful for this great group of people who brighten my week every week, and this lovely group of ladies who come from all different walks of life but - thanks to Soul Cycle - have become dear friends.

TSL Baby: Weeks 27-30

Why hello, third trimester!

Baby:  At Week 30, she was just about 3lbs and the size of a head of cabbage.

Feel Any Movement?  Whoa, does this little girl love to move!  Starting a couple of weeks ago, it has seemed like she is always moving around!  She is especially active in the evenings when I wind down for bed.  We learned during my 28 week appointment that she is head-down right now, so her little legs and feet have plenty of room to kick around my belly.  When she shifts, my entire belly shifts with her and it is so fun to watch.  I also wake up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom, only to find that the baby has been having a dance party while I've been asleep.  Hah!

Symptoms:  I was terrified that I would lose all of my second trimester energy immediately at the start of third trimester, but I've managed to hold on to it thus far.  I'd say the biggest symptom is this growing belly!  My appetite has increased steadily over the past few weeks as well.

Food Cravings:  Peanut butter remains a favorite.  I'll have just a spoonful of peanut butter when the pregnancy hunger hits me unexpectedly, and it nearly always does the trick.  All kinds of fruit.  Oh, and strawberry pop tarts have randomly been on my mind too.

Food Aversions:  I am happy to report that, while I still don't want to eat guacamole, I can eat sliced and even mashed avocado (in omelettes) now and can also have guacamole on my plate without losing my appetite.  This is a big deal, people.

Nursery Plans:  The nursery is currently a total disaster zone.  Thanks to the generosity of friends and family who came to my baby showers, we have lots of wonderful clothes, toys, baby items, etc. for the baby.  Now I just need to organize everything!

Pregnancy Exercise:  I'm still spinning 2-3 times per week at Soul Cycle.  I've also been going to the YMCA 2-3 mornings per week and doing a combination of elliptical for about 45 minutes, followed by free weight arms series.  I've found myself really enjoying pregnant exercise time this past month - I think it's mainly because once I get the endorphins flowing, whether on the elliptical or on the spin bike, I feel most like my usual self.

Steve and I have also continued our evening walks.  I really cherish the time outside, and can't wait to walk with our baby girl in a stroller instead of my belly!

Appointment Updates:  Effective as of Week 28, we are now down to biweekly OB appointments!  I had a specialized ultrasound at my Week 28 appointment to check on a few things.  The ultrasound came back great and the baby is growing and developing very well.  Since the ultrasound was extra precise, the doctor got a detailed look at her brain, heart and other organs, and told Steve and me that she has a "brilliant brain"!  I'm sure he says that to many parents, but these two parents in particular just loved that report :)  I also had to get a shot of RhoGAM at that appointment since I am RH negative.  That was not very fun - but of course worth it for the baby.  

My Week 30 appointment was just a standard routine appointment, but I was very happy to hear that my weight gain was perfect and my belly was growing just as it should.  We go back in Week 32 for another specialized ultrasound appointment.

Pregnancy Life:  I'm generally enjoying the third trimester much more than I thought I would!  So far, it is a lot like second trimester, just with a bigger belly.  I'm sure I'll start slowing down soon, so I'm trying to enjoy this while it lasts.

This past month was jam-packed full of baby related fun, including three baby showers!  I will post more about each of them later - there is too much fun to describe in one little summary here.

A Soul Cycle shower hosted by my best spin class gals:

The sweetest baby shower brunch in Indiana with my beloved Hoosier friends, hosted by my IN bestie Sara (and on her birthday, I might add!):

And a lovely joint Simcox baby shower with my SIL (who is due 6 weeks after me), hosted by our MIL at my in-laws' house in Indiana:

I am still on a high from all of the love and gifts bestowed upon Baby Girl by friends and family at these showers.  Truly felt showered with love!  More details to come, I promise :)

In other pregnancy life related comments, I'm finally at that stage in pregnancy where I have started getting smiles and looks at my belly from strangers.  Cashiers in the grocery store line love to ask me when I am due.  It is fun :)  I have also learned that people really speak their minds (without a filter) when talking to a pregnant gal!  I've been told on multiple occasions how "small" I look or how I don't have much of a belly - so much so that I had to ask the doctor for reassurance that all was well at my last visit!  Turns out yes, I am perfectly fine and so is the baby :) so now I just try to smile and say, "thank you" when someone decides to comment.  It's easiest that way!

Looking Forward To:  At the end of Week 30, I was looking forward to my last baby shower here in Dallas (it's happened now and was wonderful, but I am going to save it for my next TSL Baby update!).

I haven't had the nesting sensation kick in full gear yet, but I have had an increased desire to check off some boxes when it comes to getting projects done around the house before the baby comes.  Steve and I have finally settled on the doors that we want to get installed in our study, and it's my big goal to organize the nursery this upcoming weekend.  Now that I am no longer traveling until the baby comes, I am looking forward to spending time at home and planning for her arrival.

And last but not least, an updated "bumpie" collage.  Only 10 weeks to go!