Week 29 | an update

How far along: 29 weeks

Best moment this week: 

Celebrating Mother's Day ranks right up there on the list. I also had fun sneaking out of town to celebrate my future sister-in-law at her bridal shower over the weekend. Not much to report baby related. I've been feeling some especially strong kicking, so I would like to think that means baby is growing stronger every day!

Maternity clothes: 

Yes. Pretty hard to get around them anymore.

Sleep: 

I left C home with papa T for my overnight trip to the bridal shower over the weekend (literally maybe only the third time T has had to handle 100% parenting and bedtime responsibilities), and ever since my return, he has had a SUPER hard time getting to, and staying asleep. He cries and cries after I leave the room from laying him down at nap time or for the night, then several hours later is back up and crying some more. It is abundantly clear to me that Papa T's shenanigans of allowing C to go without napping and staying up late = a TERRIBLE sleep pattern for C. SOOOooooo frustrating!!! He has always been such a great sleeper and usually falls asleep no problem, but ever since he got off his routine, we have been riding the struggle bus around here. Between ending up in bed with T & I, and middle of the night consoling, this past few nights of sleep have been seriously lacking in the 'restful' department for all of us. Top that with the overall general exhaustion of growing a tiny human, and you'll understand why I'm wearing sunglasses in this week's update! If you're the praying type, maybe you can work into your prayers that C gets back to his groove of being a good sleeper instead of this endless crying we've been dealing with this week!

Miss Anything: 

Good sleep! I honestly think that if it weren't for C's trouble sleeping, my sleep this week has actually been better in the sense that I haven't been waking up as early as I was. I'm not sure if I should chalk this up to C's late night howlings keeping me up late, or the fact that I hung new blackout curtains in our bedroom.

Baby Movement: 

Yep. Baby's kicking has become much stronger this week, and at times has been somewhat uncomfortable. I've also noticed that baby seems to like music as the kicking seems to be stronger when I'm jamming out to tunes with C.

Cravings/Aversions: 

Wine anyone?! T opened up a bottle from our wine club the other night, and after a day spent with C with no napping, I would have been more than happy to indulge in a glass or three. On the bright side, there is a light at the end of this tunnel, and with any luck, I'll be able to enjoy a glass by mid-summer.

Symptoms: 

Ugh...this week I started to experience some Braxton Hicks. Yep, you heard that right! With C, I never really had any false contractions, and my first experience with them was pretty much when I went into labor. This week however, I thought I may have to go visit T the night he was on call at the hospital. The baby book I read, Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, did give me fair warning that Braxton Hicks contractions are not uncommon at this stage in the game, so I wasn't overly concerned, but I also think I probably need to be better about staying hydrated, and maybe not go on such long walks when T isn't going to be around. Speaking of walking, I've noticed that I've had to slow down the speed of my walking this week as I find myself trying to catch my breath if I go too fast. A pregnant runner I am not!

Looking forward to: 

This coming weekend is filled with celebrations. We kick off the weekend with Uncle T's high school graduation on Saturday, and then C's 2nd Birthday party on Sunday. I can't believe we will have a two year old on our hands next week! Thinking about how fast the past two years with C have gone just about brings tears to my eyes. I'm so thankful that I have this blog to look back on all of our adventures together! 

Mother's Day 2016

Happy belated Mother's Day! I hope all of you mamas out there got to spend the day doing some sort of celebrating or spending time doing something you love. My day was pretty low key, but we all had fun. After tearing T away from planting flowers (which I should mention he pretends to hate, but secretly loves...at least I think), I got to spend part of the beautiful afternoon outside by the lake with my family...doing fun things like going for a walk, breathing in the fresh air, and daydreaming about the coming months as we prepare to become a family of four and our hearts grow three sizes to make room for our newest little one.

The day would not be complete without a shout out to my wonderful Mama J who has taught me everything I know about how to be the best mama I can be. Although we didn't spend the day together, I am forever grateful that I got to learn from the best, and consider myself lucky to call you mom. Love you!

Last, but not least, I stumbled across this print the other day, and thought it was just perfect for Mother's Day. To C, the littlest one who ever stole my heart...

Love you C! Happy Mother's Day all!

Second Birthday Wishes

As I sit here typing out this post, I can hardly believe the fact that C will be turning two years old in just a couple of short weeks. Where has the time gone!? As he gets older and grows more independent, and his future sibling's arrival draws nearer with each passing day, I am reminded to cherish every moment we have with him at this fun age. Here's a little list of some things I think he'd have so much fun with for his birthday this year.

Prince Lionheart Wheely Bug // C would be sure to have a blast on this tiger wheely bug (size large). He has outgrown his ride-on combine, and isn't quite ready for pedals or motor-operated toys just yet. This tiger would be fun for him to ride indoors, and would be great for working on balance and coordination.

Swing // When you are just two, but are the size of most three year olds, some toys just need an upgrade. C has reached the last few days he is able to use his outdoor swing that he loved so much last summer and fall. He's got such a long torso that the straps just barely go over his shoulders, and he'd definitely be more comfortable this summer in this standard toddler-sized swing.

Golf Set // C has recently discovered T's golf clubs, and is completely in love. The other night, he drug around a golf club in the driveway and front yard for a good hour before having a meltdown because it was time to go in the house. He'd have fun learning how to golf with Dad with this set, and would be able to take it to the golf course for a father-son golf outing.

Basketball Hoop // C absolutely LOVES to play ball, and would be sooooo excited to have his very own basketball hoop to practice his jump shot.

Broom Set & Vacuum // C is quite the little helper when it comes to cleaning...or should I say the main reason I spend half of my day cleaning to begin with! He loves to mop and help vacuum, and I have no doubt that these cleaning supplies his own size would be a sure hit.

Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket // T & I purchased C a regular style lifejacket for boat rides and everyday use, but this life jacket is specifically designed for 'learning to swim', and would be great for using at the pool, YMCA, or swimming in the lake later this summer.

Plan Toys Dancing Alligator // C discovered a pull along toy on a recent mommy-son date, and he got a real kick out of watching how it follows and bobs along behind him as he pulled the string.

Little People City Skyway & Wheelies // A great indoor toy for rainy days and times when C's newest sibling and I need a minute of inside play. C has been all about his cars, trucks, and tractors lately, so he'd be sure to have fun with this toy.

Hope this helps those of you who have asked for a wishlist! If you have any other ideas, we would welcome anything that would be good for solo-play, sensory, or educational for a two-year-old. It's going to be a very VERY busy summer at our house, and probably like all soon-to-be mama's of two, one of my biggest concerns is how to make the transition from one to two kiddos go as smoothly as possible all while keeping C happy, busy, and entertained as we adjust to being a family of four.

Week 28

Week 28 | an update

How far along: 28 weeks

Best moment this week: 

I passed my glucose test!! Woot woot! I should mention this was not without leaving with an arm that looks like it got ran over by a train. Seriously though. Sometimes when I have blood drawn, I don't bruise at all, and other times I leave looking like I was just in an accident. T says I had a hematoma - basically, the stick stopped bleeding externally, but internally kept bleeding, and thus the black and blue all down my arm. Ick. I was surprised to find that even with all the extra sugar - 50 grams of straight dextrose - and my morning cup of coffee before my appointment, baby's heartbeat still came in strong and steady at 150 bpm...the same exact heart rate of my last four appointments when I didn't have any extra sugar or coffee beforehand!

Maternity clothes: 

Yes. Here I'm wearing these Gap jean capris, BeMaternity Ingrid & Isabel seamless cami (love these for layering!), and Motherhood 3/4 sleeve top (old, similar here). My general rule for any post-baby clothing purchases for myself is that everything must be nursing friendly, and not form fitting. I've never been big on form-fitting clothing, which is great because so many of today's styles are drapey and flowing, but making sure the straps can easily slide off my shoulders, there are buttons up the front, or it is loose enough to easily layer a nursing cami underneath are absolute necessities for my clothing for at least the first six months of this new baby's life. In case you are looking for some reasonably priced options, I just picked up some great finds at LOFT outlet. Buy one get one free elastic waist shorts!? Yes please!!

Sleep: 

Still getting up relatively early. I'd love to get a pregnancy pillow to sleep with, but I'm just not sure I can justify the cost for something that I will only need for the next three months.

Miss Anything: 

I'd love to be able to run to Jimmy Johns and have a sub without asking for the meat on the side for once. In case you're wondering what I'm talking about...pregnant ladies are supposed to stay away from all cold meat for fear of listeria which can cause serious problems for baby. This means no cold meat sandwiches, cold meat on salads, meat & cheese trays, or even leftover pizza! Boooo...

Baby Movement: 

Yes. Usually pretty active around 11a.m. I've noticed.

Cravings/Aversions: 

Still sweets. No jokes, dinner one night this week was just strawberry shortcake and chocolate ice cream. Lucky for me, T was happy to eat dessert for dinner and C had already eaten a more balanced meal, so I didn't feel too bad about it. :)

Symptoms: 

Nothing new to report here this week. Just feeling tired - likely from staying up too late reading Game of Thrones book 2 for T & I's little book club, then getting up earlier than usual because my bladder is getting stomped on.

Looking forward to: 

It's Mother's Day this weekend, and I'm looking forward to hopefully doing something fun with my family. I'm spending Saturday with Mama J and the girls celebrating my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and then who knows what on Sunday? Brunch, planting flowers, and spending time outside perhaps?! Maybe I can even convince T to fire up the grill and make me a mocktail!