Weeks 21-22-23 | an update

How far along: 21-22-23 weeks

Best moment these 3 weeks: 

Spending time outdoors! We just returned from our Florida vacation, and we all had so much fun getting outdoors and spending time in the sunshine after being cooped up all winter. Also got to hear baby's heartbeat today at my OB checkup. Baby #2 has had a much more consistent heart rate than C, who was all over the place, and has been holding steady at 150 bpm for my last three checkups.

Maternity clothes: 

I've been mixing and matching this past couple of weeks as we've been on vacation in a warmer locale. The great thing about my summer wardrobe is I have several dresses that are flowy enough that they cover the bump without needing to be actual maternity clothes...yet. We went on a warm weather babymoon while awaiting C's arrival, so I did break into some of my maternity dresses for our trip, and can't wait until it's warm enough at home to wear them on the reg... so comfortable! I also picked up a couple of new maternity swimsuits (here & here) that were super cute for lounging by the pool or walking on the beach. Highly recommend the Liz Lange line of swimwear if you are in the market for a maternity swimsuit. I found they fit true to size.

Sleep: 

Ugh...still not great. The first part of our trip was likely because C was sandwiched between T & I all night...not about to sleep in a Pack'N'Play when mom and dad were in the same room with a king sized bed! Sleep was better for the second leg, but I still find myself waking up earlier than normal because baby is kicking my bladder. When I was expecting C, I didn't experience the frequent need to empty my bladder or poor sleep so early on, so it just goes to show how every pregnancy is different!

Miss Anything: 

Energy! Just when you think you have something back, you go on a beach vacation with a toddler who doesn't sit still. I am completely wiped out from our trip, and looking forward to getting back into our everyday routine with plenty of toys to play with, and no pool to worry about every second of our time spent outside. We do have a lake in our backyard, but C has yet to discover it, and it's not as easy to play in as the pool was, so I think we'll be OK for a couple of months yet until it really warms up and we are outdoors more.

Baby Movement: 

Lots! Usually noticed during the evening or mornings. We went for a boat ride on the ocean last week, and baby was kicking the entire time. I was happy when the ride was over to stop the assault on my ribs!

Cravings/Aversions: 

Still craving sweets. Luckily, on our trip, we spent tons of time outdoors walking around, so hopefully that triple chocolate brownie with black raspberry ice cream and chocolate syrup I had the last night of our trip was all burned off!

Symptoms: 

The usual suspects...fatigue (see chasing a toddler around a pool above), and joint/back pain. My left lower back has been bothering me off and on this entire pregnancy. Some days, I feel like I can barely get up from a chair or go on a walk without a serious amount of discomfort. I have almost cracked down to go visit a chiropractor, but honestly, I've only gone once in my entire life, and T is not a strong believer, so I have been holding off. 

Looking forward to: 

T & I are sneaking away this weekend for a mini babymoon getaway without C...and we can't wait! Don't get me wrong, we loved every minute of our Florida getaway as a family, but some trips are best spent as adult only adventures...you know...the ones where tons of walking, no napping, quiet venues, and late dinners are enjoyed. So, with barely a moment to catch our breaths, we are headed to the East coast to catch a glimpse of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.. It's been on our bucket list for a few years, and on a last minute decision, we decided to go for it since walking through quiet exhibits and museums all day isn't such an excellent activity for an active toddler + newborn. Who knows? Maybe we'll get there and see tons of little kiddos milling about the national mall taking in all the famous historical and political sites. Maybe we'll find that it is in fact a kid friendly trip. If so, we can always head back. In the meantime though, I think T & I will both enjoy taking in the sites like we did pre-kids!

Friday Favorites

A few weeks ago, T & I cracked down after nearly two years of sleeping on a worn out mattress that should have been tossed...well...two years ago! After testing ALL of the mattresses in the furniture store (for obvious reasons, C loved this plan. Did you know there are remotes for the beds with incline adjustments and massagers...me either! Of course, C spotted these right away  and after playing with said remote while I tested the bed, he almost had me convinced that we needed the upgrades!), we ended up going with this Sealy Posturpedic Premier Hybrid which has a mix of a memory foam topper with springs underneath. A BIG problem with our previous mattress was that we were constantly rolling into the middle, and after speaking with the 'mattress expert' at the furniture store, we learned that many people with pillow topper mattresses have also complained about this issue. Anyways...the foam topper is the latest and greatest in all things mattress, and we loved how it conforms to our bodies making it nearly impossible to feel when one of us gets up in the night. Also great...it has cooling gels in the memory foam to prevent body heat from being trapped. AND...drum roll please...it's a KING! 

Because our previous...never to be mentioned again bed...was a queen size, this means I am now redecorating our entire bedroom. While I loved our bedding and headboard from our queen bed, I'm leaning in a new direction for our new bed that's maybe a little less French country, and a little more clean and modern...think plain white with pillows and throws for accents. First on the agenda, being that it's still relatively chilly, we were in need of a new down comforter. After reading many...many reviews, I ended up ordering this version (scored 20% off with coupon!), and we have been loving it. Not too hot, not too cold. In terms of a headboard, I've been leaning towards an upholstered headboard, and think this style from Pottery Barn could be just what I'm looking for. Now the biggest question on my mind is do I go with oil-rubbed bronze for the headboard nailheads & curtain rods, or pewter. Our other bedroom furniture has oil-rubbed bronze hardware, but I ordered the pewter curtain rods and now can't decide if that is the right move. HELP!

With spring just around the corner, I've been on the lookout for some new kicks to update my closet. I really need a new pair of neutral spring/summer sandals in white or beige, but the options are endless, and I'm having a hard time finding some that I could wear with everything. These sandals (currently being price-matched!!) are near the top of my list, but I'd also like to find some sandals that aren't a gladiator style that could go with some of my more feminine summer dresses. While searching for sandals...of course, I got sidetracked, and stumbled across these sneaks that I immediately fell in love with. They'd be perfect  for pulling together a casual spring everyday look paired with a plain white/pink T, grey baseball cap, and jean capris. Ahhh...isn't it amazing how sometimes just one staple can inspire an entire look? Easter basket gift to myself perhaps?

Other fashion related things on my mind...I bumped into a friend the other day who was looking ooooh so stylish dressed in capris, flats, sweater layered over a button up, and theee most polished looking trench coat I've seen in a while. A great trench has been on my wish list for the longest time, and after seeing it so chicly styled for spring, it may need to appear in my closet sooner rather than later. This or this version can usually be found on sale, and might be just the thing for my spring wardrobe.

Next week, we are headed to the sunshine state for some rest & relaxation...ah hem...T is attending a medical conference, and C & I are going to be completely on our own in a relatively unfamiliar place during the day for most of the week. I know that C will have so much fun swimming and playing at the beach, but a toddler can only take so much time in the sun before a burnout happens. Did I mention that we will ALL be sharing a non-suite single-room hotel room for 5 days? Eeek! While I'm sure our hotel will be nothing short of spectacular, I don't think it will work to quarantine C in the bathroom for sleeping just so that T & I don't have to go to bed at the same time. It happens people! You'd be amazed how many people have suggested it to me! Ultimately though, the idea of putting C in the bathroom to sleep feels a little bit like neglect or punishment, and I'd rather not have a guilty conscious all week about his sleeping arrangements - not to mention he'd obviously hear us getting ready for bed and wake up anyways. Bring on the uncomfortable sleeping situation where C knows we are in the same room and won't stop crying until he joins us in the middle of the bed! If it goes anything like usual, after finding himself in bed with us, he'll roll around and play for most of the night, and finally find his comfortable spot situated crosswise between us with his feet in our faces! At the very least, maybe we'll be able to sit on the balcony for a bit and he can get couple hours of shut-eye before we head to bed. I'll be happy when the second leg of our trip arrives and we aren't staying in a hotel so he can be in a separate room from us!

Coming Soon!

Baby W #2 is headed our way!



Week 20 | Halfway there!

How far along:

20 weeks

Best moments so far:

We had our 20 week ultrasound this week and got to have a 2nd peek at baby! Our first peek was back in late January, when my Doctor ordered an ultrasound to firmly establish dates and rule out multiples...Thankfully, we had no surprises! 

Speaking of surprises, we told our family about Baby in late January. I got C a shirt that says Big Brother on it, and we just waited to see how long it took everyone to figure things out. Prize goes to Grandma S for noticing immediately, while it took Grandma J almost 30 minutes to notice!

This week, we learned that everything is progressing normally, and we can all breathe a little more easily. Baby currently weighs in at .78 pounds and is right on target for gestational age. T & I did find out baby's gender, but have not decided yet if we will share this time around, or wait until baby's arrival in July for everyone to be surprised like we did with C. I was dreaming of a gender reveal party with a beautiful white-frosted cake colored pink or blue, but T asked the tech almost immediately what baby's gender was, so that dream went flying out the window! #FAIL Maybe we'll still have a little party for our family so at least someone can have the fun of experiencing a gender reveal!

Maternity clothes:

The 'bump' made an appearance sooner this pregnancy since my abdominal muscles have been stretched this way before...my pregnancy book refers to this as the 'warmed-up-effect'. Blah. Most of my jeans and regular leggings became uncomfortable (particularly when sitting down) around 11 weeks, so I busted out the maternity leggings and a pair of skinny black maternity jeans, and haven't looked back since. I'm still able to wear most of my tops...three cheers for drapey sweater season!

Sleep: 

Not great. I'll be honest, during my first trimester, our mattress was begging to be replaced...which we finally bit the bullet and did...but now, my overall sleep still isn't great, at least in the mornings. Maybe it's due to baby sitting on my bladder, or maybe it's nature's way of adjusting my sleep schedule for the lack of sleep ahead, but it seems that with each passing week, I wake up earlier and earlier. Blah.

Miss Anything:

Sushi...but let's be honest...I miss this even when I'm not pregnant since we live about three hours from the nearest sushi restaurant. It's also a bummer when our quarterly wine box arrives and I have to sign for a whole case of delicious wines that I won't be able to enjoy for many months to come.

Baby Movement:

Yep! I started to feel baby around 15 weeks, and was able to feel baby kicking on the outside at 16 weeks. Nothing too consistent yet, and T hasn't had the pleasure, but in the coming weeks, I expect the kicking to be more noticeable on a regular basis.

Cravings:

Sweets...but that could just be a by-product of the recent holiday season. Other than that, anything someone else wants to cook for me! Looking forward to spring and summer to have an expanded group of restaurants to visit in our 'everything comes to a halt between Labor Day and Memorial Day' neck of the woods.

Aversions:

During my first trimester, the smell of coffee pretty much gave me instant morning sickness. A real bummer since T made it every morning before leaving for work, and tends to drink it by the potful on his days off. I do continue to allow myself the indulgence of one cup mixed with milk on most mornings, as the taste doesn't have the same effect as the smell. After 13 weeks, the smell of coffee hasn't really been bothering me at all which is great news!

Queasy or sick:

Most days starting from around four weeks thru about 13 weeks exactly, I experienced some level of morning sickness. It was never to the point that I couldn't hold down my lunch so to speak, but that queasy feeling got to be pretty extreme. I'm convinced it has been much worse this pregnancy than it was with C, but it could also just be that I now have an active and growing toddler who doesn't slow down just because I don't feel so great. Since 13 weeks, I've pretty much been back to normal on the queasy front. 

Symptoms: 

I've been very fatigued so far this pregnancy, and have had several days where it was hard to keep up with C's level of enthusiasm for life. I'll be honest, there have been some nights that T doesn't walk in the door until 7:30pm, and I can't keep my eyes open past 8pm. In other weird symptoms I've experienced, around 10 weeks, I had a heat rash appear on the tops of my hands. I thought it was a pretty odd symptom to have in the middle of winter when the temps outside were rarely over 30 degrees, but apparently it's a thing. Since then, I've also been dealing with awesome things like shortness of breath, skin breakouts from all the crazy hormones, and more headaches than normal. Joy. 

Looking forward to:

Warm weather! The temperature is finally starting to shift in the upward direction, and C and I have been loving every chance we've had to get outside for some fresh air and sunshine. Next week, we are taking to the skies to visit the sunshine state, and can't wait to relax (as much as one can with a toddler by the pool and ocean) and soak up the sun.

13 Week Ultrasound Pics:

20 Week Ultrasound Pics:

It's fun to see a couple of different ultrasound dates to see how baby is growing! Hard to believe that at 13 weeks, baby looked like...well, a baby, and not just a blob! To give you some perspective, at 13 weeks, baby was only about 3 inches long and weighed approximately 1 ounce! Such an amazing little miracle!

'Every good and perfect gift comes from above.'

JAMES 1:17

17 - 21 Month Update

Ahhhh....where has the time gone? It's amazing how much C has changed these last several months. It's hard to believe that it won't be long before its time to celebrate his second birthday (Note to self: plan birthday party)! Since learning to crawl and walk, he has become much more active...and always seems to be getting into something he shouldn't be. Surprising? No. Frustrating? Big time!

18 Months



19 Months



20 Months



21 Months

SEVENTEEN - TWENTY-ONE MONTH FAVORITES

Blankets

Grapes, blueberries & mandarin oranges

Bath time

Reading
Playing at the park (fall) & sledding (winter)

Being chased

Going out to eat - such a great eater, and loves to people watch!

Playing with kitchen utensils, spice jars & mixing bowls
Flushing the toilet
Unrolling toilet paper

Throwing his sippy cup on the floor or down the stairs
Emptying wipes containers while Mom's not watching

Opening & closing the bar fridge and freezer drawer

Overall...Getting into trouble!

LEAST FAVORITES

Meat

Sleeping in his own bed while traveling

Letting Dad help with bath time or bedtime 

MEMORIES & MILESTONES

C has become an official tummy sleeper. I continue to lay him down on his back, but after leaving his room, he immediately flips over to his tummy for the rest of the night. He has also decided that he needs to have not one, but two blankets in his crib most nights...along with an occasional stuffed animal. When he is tired, he will pull a blanket off the couch or chair, find a comfortable spot on the floor to snuggle up, and start in with the 'ga-ga-ga's' while sucking his thumb. The best part is, no matter the time of day, if I'm in a cuddling mood and go find a soft blanket and lay on the floor, C will drop everything and crawl right over to roll in for the snuggle. It is honestly one of my favorite memories of C at this age, and I wish I could bottle up this snuggle time with C to keep forever. Ahhh...if only he'd stay so little and snuggly!

Speaking of other adorable antics, C has taken to blowing kisses at bedtime. I should back up and say that when he gets tired in the evening and knows it is bedtime, he has a habit of waving 'night-night' to T and any other visitors we have as I take him in to bed. He has also gotten particularly good at turning on the crocodile tears whenever we have other family members around at bedtime and he is sad to say 'night-night'. After bath time, brushing teeth, PJs, story time, and laying C down in his crib, he blows kisses, and sometimes if I'm lucky, he'll pat my hand or mouth to make sure I got the kiss. He's a boy after his mama's heart, that's for sure!

First overnight away from Mom & Dad...Oct. 24, 2015. The stars aligned, A.K.A. I had a baby shower to attend on the opposite side of the state, and T was on call all weekend, and therefore unable to control if he would be able to attend C 100% of the time. Luckily enough, Grandpa T & Grandma J were more than happy to have C for his very first sleepover away from Mom & Dad. After keeping me up most of the night on Friday before my statewide trek (he heard me come into the bedroom, and was not about to be left in the Pack & Play after spotting me in bed), Saturday morning arrived bright and early and I was on the road, Grandma & Grandpa left to fend for themselves until Sunday night. I'd like to report that C cried the entire time from missing T & I, but that's just not the case. He was so busy riding in tractors, exploring state parks, and playing with his grandparents, aunt & uncles, and cousin J, that I don't think he even realized I wasn't there until Sunday night when I showed up to take him home.

Trick or Treat! C got to spend Halloween 2015 at Grandpa and Grandma's house in my hometown. I had surprised T with a getaway to Minneapolis for his birthday, and C stayed behind to carve pumpkins with Cousin J and Uncle T. After making what was likely a huge mess in Grandma J's kitchen, and going on a night walk while all the other little kids were out trick-or-treating, it was time to light up the jack-o-lantern. As you can tell, C was absolutely fascinated!

C loves playing with Cousin J. The two little rascals have recently figured out how to team up to push the couch out of the way so they can access the stairs and cause trouble on both floors of G & G's home!

Speaking of trouble-making...this kid doesn't look like he could ever get into any mischief right?

Over the past couple of months, C has been transitioning to one nap per day. I am not sure this is because he truly only wants/needs one nap per day, but nevertheless, two-a-day naps may soon be a thing of the past. We have been so busy during the mornings lately that C has been going down for his morning nap after eating lunch...sometime around 11:30a.m.-12p.m., and sleeping until 2-2:30p.m.. On a day that we are at home during the morning, he is usually still ready for nap time at 10:30a.m., and will sleep until sometime between 12:30-1:30pm. Regardless of what our morning looks like, C has not been taking an afternoon nap on the reg unless we have lots of active playtime that wears him out. As far as bedtime goes, we've adjusted to 7p.m. most nights for lights out now that it gets dark earlier and C isn't napping as much during the day. We've found that regardless of what time he goes to bed, he typically still gets up at the same time of day...usually between 7:45-8:30a.m., so pushing up bedtime by an hour was essential so he could remain as well rested as possible. I'll be honest, we don't always hit the 7p.m. bedtime, but we have been making a conscious effort to get as close to it as possible. It's been good for C, who is usually rubbing his eyes and getting crabby by then anyways, but it also means more planning on my part to have dinner ready earlier, blocking out enough time to give C a bath afterwards, and still having time for bedtime stories before bed. Unfortunately for T, earlier bedtime also means less father-son bonding time on weeknights, but overall, earlier bedtime is a positive change for C, and T & I will just learn to adjust.





Around 17 months, C finally started 'real' crawling instead of 'army' crawling! He really hadn't ever been around other kids who were crawling before since his main partner in crime, Cousin J, pretty much went from birth to run and skipped right over the crawling bit. When he first picked it up, he was relatively slow, and so when he wanted to get somewhere fast he would revert back to 'army' crawling...which as we all know is much more difficult! He's got amazing upper body strength though, and has no problem pulling T's 25 lb weights across the floor! I have a little two pound weight set that he has been enjoying using to 'lift' while T is lifting at night so he can be just like dad.

Last fall, I started taking C to Time-Out-Nursery on Tuesday mornings. Time-Out is a free or donation-based 'daycare' service offered to mothers who need a time-out to do things like get groceries, clean the house, hit the gym, go to an appointment, take a shower, etc. It goes from 8:30-11:30a.m., and has a been a great opportunity for C to play with some other kiddos close to his age while getting some social interaction with someone other than family. It is based on a first come first serve basis, and they only accept a set number of kiddos per week, so C doesn't always have the opportunity to attend, but when he does, he sure has fun!

About midway thru month 18, C started having mini-tantrums...AKA...when he doesn't get his way, he throws his whole body on the floor and whines. This is usually caused by an impending bedtime, or when I refuse to pick him up. He's also learned to arch his back and make his arms go limp which makes it especially frustrating to pick him up when we need to go somewhere. Most of the time, he is a perfectly willing little spirit, and loves to go on an adventure, but when hunger strikes or nap/bedtime is looming...watch out!

After many months of walking holding onto someone's hand, C took his first unassisted steps on Jan. 1, 2016 at 19 months. He has been on the move ever since, and getting into more trouble than ever. Did I mention his favorite cupboards and drawers are the ones holding trash and silverware? Safe. Every time I turn around he seems to have found some kind of new mischief to get into!















Over the winter...pretty much any chance we had that wasn't -20 degrees or super windy, we went on outdoor adventures and took C sledding. He loves to be out in the fresh air and sunshine, and while the weather is cold, we've been making the most of it. Can't wait for sunny and 75!