Baby #2 and Easton's 21 month update!

Let's do this again!!!

Dan and I are SO delighted to be expecting baby #2, due May 14th 2015! We are very very blessed to have gotten pregnant easily again and are so excited for Easton to be a big brother! He will be 2 years and 4 months older than his baby sibling! 

So I'm officially 12 weeks along, and I'm feeling pretty good! Thankfully the exhausted, need-to-have-a-nap-everyday phase is over (it lasted from about weeks 6-10) and my morning sickness is gone for the most part too! I feel a little yucky first thing in the morning but once I've had breakfast, I feel a lot better. If you remember my constant complaining of morning (HA... try all day!) sickness while I was pregnant with Easton, this is a welcome change!

We had an early ultrasound at 10 weeks and got to see the little bean and his/her strong heartbeat! Such a wonderful experience to see your baby for the first time, wiggling around inside you :)

We'll go for our comprehensive ultrasound around 20 weeks, which falls right around Christmas, so we'll be finding out the gender then and I will definitely blog about it! So far my mama's intuition is failing me, I have no feeling whatsoever whether its a boy or girl! What do you think!?

Yes, I know... it's HUGE!

I do feel like I've started showing MUCH sooner than I did with Easton! I compared my bump at 12 weeks this time around with my bump at 18 weeks with E and they're pretty much the same size! YIKES! Better slow down on the Halloween candy...

Which is a perfect segway into Easton's update! Here are some photos of the little Lion man from yesterday, in his Halloween costume!

 

Easton is 21 months (closer to 22 now, but whose counting) and I'm LOVING this age!
He says TONS of words now, and is even starting to put 2 words together. Full sentences are right around the corner! I love hearing him talk and say new words. Proud mama!

He loves to read books, make Playdoh animals, play hockey with daddy, do puzzles and play games on the ipad, go for walks, take his nap (weirdo!), watch 'Diego', 'Backyardigans' and 'Chuck and Friends' on TV, help mommy bake, sing "Old MacDonald" and "Wheels on the Bus" (with actions too!), go to Amanda's house (daycare 1-2 days a week) to play with his friends, but most of all, he loves to play with his TRUCKS! My goodness this boy is truck obsessed. Tractors, bulldozers, dump trucks ('dumpy'), big rigs, pick up trucks, monster trucks, race cars ('racey'), police cars ('peece'), you name it, he LOVES all things automobile. Such a boy.

Easton reached a big milestone last month.... transitioning to his "Big Boy Bed"! About 2 months ago, Dan and I bought him a toddler bed and put it in his room for his "friends" to sleep on, knowing that eventually we'd need the crib for baby #2. We made it up with sheets and a blanket, put a bunch of his stuffed animals on it, and told him he gets to sleep in it when he's a big boy! Well, one night, about a month ago, Easton didn't feel like going to sleep at bedtime (which is quite unlike him, we never have issues at bedtime), and he CLIMBED out of his crib! BOOM! It terrified Dan and I, so we decided it was time. The next morning we made a big production about moving his crib and putting his "Big Boy Bed" in its place, and telling him he gets to sleep there now! We tackled nap time first, and he got out and ran to his door 4 or 5 times that day, to me sitting right outside. I brought him back in each time and told him to go to sleep. Its time for a nap. Well eventually, about an hour later, he fell asleep. That night went AMAZINGLY well, he slept the entire night in his bed, not getting out at all! Even in the morning he stayed in bed and just called out to me that he was awake! Since then, he's been great about going down for naps and bedtime, and has only gotten out a handful of times! I figure if he was still in his crib and he really wanted to get out, he would, so he might as well do it from a safer spot! I'm so pleased with how smoothly it went!

Now for the boring stuff - so I remember for #2...

Easton sleeps from 8:00 pm -7:00 am (roughly) and naps for 2 hours from 12:30-2:30 ish.

He's still in a picky phase with food, even turning up his little nose at some of his past favorites! He started LOVING milk, which is so strange, because he used to not want anything to do with it. He still loves to "dip dip" his food in any sort of dip really, loves yogurt, grapes, cheerios with milk, toast with PB and honey, most kinds of soup, crackers, cheese, beans, apple sauce and pasta. Not a huge meat guy.

For a while, about a month ago, I thought  he was getting ready to potty train. He peed on the potty 4 or 5 days in a row before bath time, but then just stopped doing it. Or he'd peed on the floor or in the bath right after I'd take his diaper off! Little Monkey. Thats ok though, our initial plan was to wait until #2 is here in the spring, and the weather is nice, to start the potty training process, so that's what we'll do. He'll be about 2.5 which I think makes more sense anyways.

He's wearing 24 months or 2T clothes, size 6-7 shoes, and size 5 diapers. He hasn't grown much since 18 months I don't think. I'd say he's up to about 28 lbs now, and around 36" tall.

That's about it!

Here's a photo overload of the little dude, mainly from our trip to Mary Lake in August, and our pumpkin patch visit in October.

It COULD be any day now... or not.

Here we are - a week before our due date. It could be any day now! ... Or another 2 weeks. It's BRUTAL not knowing when it will happen! Since New Years day I've been going to bed hoping that I'd wake up in the middle of the night with contractions or laying in a puddle of "water", and be off to the hospital to have a baby. Then I wake up in the morning feeling defeated, sore and still pregnant. Very pregnant. Man, do I envy the girls who have their first babies at 38 weeks! I guess I have to look on the bright side. He's obviously not here yet because he's not finished cooking, so it's best to let him do his thing until he's ready. It's just so much easier said, than done!

39 week belly shot (and check out my new iPhone 5 - I'm in love!)

Anyways, I thought I'd do another "Pregnancy Journal" update, since it COULD be the last. Here it is...

39 Weeks Pregnant

Size of baby: Your baby's the size of a watermelon! The average baby is about 20.5 inches long from head to toe and weighs approximately 7.5 pounds at birth, but anywhere between 5 pounds 11.5 ounces and 8 pounds 5.75 ounces, is a healthy range for newborns.

What's baby up to?: Your amniotic fluid, once clear, is now pale and milky from your baby's shedding vernix caseosa. The outer layers of skin are also sloughing off as new skin forms underneath. His brain is still growing at an astonishing rate, a pace that will continue for the first three years of life. His head has dropped into your pelvis by now, which makes your breathing easier but walking harder.

Total weight gain/loss: + 29 lbs (I actually lost 3 pounds since last week... apparently a slight weight loss is a sign that labour is imminent! A girl can hope!)

Pregnancy symptoms: Fatigue (followed by bursts of energy and nesting/cleaning urges), constant backaches and pelvic pressure/pain, heartburn (only when I’m in bed - a couple Tums seems to do the trick), more frequent urination, and a couple other symptoms I would classify as “TMI”, and spare you from!

Maternity clothes?: Pretty much everything. And I haven’t worn pants in like 2 weeks because the waist band digs in too much ... leggings are my bottom of choice these days!

Stretch marks?: None. C’mon skin... you can do it! Just a bit longer!

Sleep: about 9 hrs during the night, with the occasional afternoon nap!

Best moment this past week: Probably hanging out with my brother and his girlfriend on NYE (Dan was working)... baby related... learning that I’m 1cm dilated. Hey - it’s something!

Miss Anything?: My pre-pregnancy clothes, walking without discomfort, being able to sleep through the night!

Movement: Still lots - It generally feels much lower now, but I still get the occasional kick to the ribs or a foot that presses against the side of my belly and hangs out there for a while, until I push it back in!

Food Cravings: Fruit (specifically blackberries and pineapple), cheese, milk.

Exercise: Lots of dog walking!

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope.

Gender predictions: It’s a boy!

Labor sigs: Yes actually - engaged head, 1cm dilated... and those “TMI” symptoms I wont share here, since I don't want to gross anyone out :)

Belly Button in or out: Mostly out.

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Happy or Moody: Happy (for the most part), but I’m ready to be done!

Looking forward to: Meeting our baby boy! I have another OB appointment on Monday, so I’m hoping I’ll show more progress and hopefully have him before my due date, which is January 12th! (Statistically speaking, only 50% of babies are born by their due date, and another 30% are born the following week, so it’s pretty much a given that he’ll be in my arms by the 19th, at the very latest)

Baby boy's "Going Home Outfit" - all packed and ready to go!

I'm not feeling the greatest today (achy all over, and kinda flu-ish), plus Dan is working so I have no one to take my Outfit of the Week photos. I think it's a pajama day, for this girl!

Have a great weekend everyone!

In the home stretch now!

What a crazy week! We did a TON of running (well... driving) around for various Christmas celebrations and I’m officially exhausted! Last Friday I went solo (Dan had to work) to a Christmas potluck that some friends of ours hosted. I honestly cannot remember what I did on Saturday, but I’m sure it was busy lol. Sunday we went to Georgetown for another Christmas dinner with 2 other families that we do every year. Monday (Christmas Eve) was spent with Dan’s side, and Christmas day, with my side in Georgetown. On Boxing Day, I went out for breakfast with my two best friends and then relaxed the rest of the day. Thursday we did some shopping for the last few baby items on our list and then I had my weekly OB appointment. Dan worked yesterday and I did MORE shopping (this time for myself!) and we took down the Christmas decorations. Today we ran some more errands and bought and installed a new toilet for the powder room and new track lighting for the family room. I think I need to crawl into bed and hibernate until I go into labour! LOL. 

Christmastime is so exhausting, but this year it was truly amazing! I’m so thankful that I get to spend this time of year with my family and closest friends, exchange gifts, eat delicious food (and gain 5 pounds in 2 weeks! EEEKKK), and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. I can’t wait to celebrate Christmas next year with our almost 1 year old son! So crazy!

I had every intention of documenting this years Christmas festivities by taking hundreds of photos, but I hardly took any! I guess I was just enjoying myself too much to remember to take some photos... very unlike me! Anyways, here's a photo of my parents tree on Christmas morning (before the opening began). A little excessive, right?! Next year, I will obviously make up for the lack of photos this year!

Alright, so in terms of pregnancy updates - we’re 38 weeks pregnant today! Baby boy will be in my arms in 2 weeks (and not a day later! Noooo way!) It’s still totally surreal to me that I’m going to have a baby in a few short weeks, and be a mom for the rest of my life! I’m so excited and nervous and anxious at the same time!

I’m feeling very prepared physically, having completed everything on my “To-Do” list (posted here back in October). Feeling mentally prepared is a different story, entirely. I’m so unsure of what to expect when contractions begin, during labour and delivery, immediately after he’s born, and of course when it comes to being a mom and the new responsibilities it entails! I suppose these feelings are completely normal for new parents, but it still doesn’t make it any less nerve-wracking! I know I’ve done everything I could have to prepare myself, so I’ll just have to trust that that’ll be enough (and that my motherly instinct will kick in when it needs to!)

I’ll leave you with a ‘Bump Photo’ for comparison (I seriously didn’t think it could get any bigger than it was in my 36 week pic, but alas, it has grown (and dropped!). I blame it on the delicious Christmas food!)

 

... And my “Outfit of the Week” - what I wore today. Gotta love a casual Saturday!

 Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Seraphine

T-shirt: ?

Scarf: Winners

Purse: H&M

Boots: Sorel (Tivoli suede)

I won’t be posting again until 2013, so I hope everyone has a fun and safe New Years!

Cheers to a great year, and an even better one to come!

Less than a month to go!

Another week has flown by and we’re officially less than a month from our due date (28 days to be exact!). Next weekend I’ll be 37 weeks (considered full-term), which means baby boy could come at any time! Am I ready? HECK YES! (Well, there are a few things I still need to buy, but they can wait - I’ve got all the necessities!)

In other news, Dan and I both got sick this week - sore throat, congestion, cough - us and the rest of the world, it seems. I taught a bunch (it was my last week!), did some Christmas baking with my mother-in-law and sis-in-law, and finished my Christmas shopping (and wrapping!). This afternoon is Family Christmas #1 with my dad’s side of the family - and the holiday rush officially begins! OH YA - we also got a new vehicle! Check out my “Mommy Wheels” :) 

Here’s an updated bump photo to compare to the others. This last month is going to show some significant growth, I think! 

... and a frontal version - ha ha ha - it actually looks like I swallowed a watermelon!

  

I figured it’s time for another “Pregnancy Journal” entry considering I haven’t done one since 31 weeks!

  Pregnancy Journal for Week: 36

Size of Baby: Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds and is more than 18 1/2 inches long (let’s be honest... ours is probably already 20”!)

What's baby up to?: He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

Total weight gain/loss: +27 lbs

Pregnancy symptoms: Fatigue, backaches, occasional heartburn, frequent urination (like... way more... so annoying!), pelvic pressure/pain (combined with easier breathing, I think that means he’s “dropped!”) One thing that seems to have gone away are Braxton Hicks contractions... or maybe I just haven’t been feeling them like I was before?

Maternity clothes?: Yep, mostly everything. Even some of my maternity jeans are starting to feel uncomfortable like they’re digging in to the bottom of my belly. I’m pretty much living in leggings!

Stretch marks?: Nothing  - fingers crossed it stays that way!

Sleep: about 9 hrs during the night, with the occasional afternoon nap.

Best moment this past week: Since I didn’t have an ultrasound or OB appointment or do anything “baby related” this week, I’d have to say that baking with Dan’s mom and sister was the best moment! We made a ton of delicious Christmas goodies, and I had a blast doing it :)

Miss Anything?: Not really! I’m surprised I don’t miss my morning coffee more, but tea has really grown on me!  (I switched when I found out I was pregnant, since it’s got less caffeine).

Movement: Still lots of movement! It feels different though. Less “kick-like” and more like he’s trying to roll around in there. His movements are usually very obvious from the outside and I can see my belly bulge out to one side! So strange.

Food Cravings: My sweet tooth is back! Dark chocolate, clementines/oranges, milk!

Exercise: Lots of walking (...more like waddling).

Anything making you queasy or sick:  Nope.

Gender predictions: It’s a boy!

Labor signs: The past couple of weeks, I’ve been feeling constant pelvic pressure, which I think means that “lightening” has occurred (ie. he’s dropped and ready to rumble!)

Belly Button in or out: Mostly out.

Wedding rings on or off: On! (I haven’t experienced any swelling at all...)

Happy or Moody: Happy! ... although more easily irritated than usual.

Looking forward to: MEETING OUR BABY BOY! I just cant wait to see what he looks like, hear him cry, kiss him, and bring him home! It’s been such a long 9 months and Dan and I are ready to welcome the most precious addition to our family.

 ______________________________________

Lastly, my Outfit of the Week. This is what I'm wearing for our family Christmas get-together this afternoon, at my aunt and uncles. We're leaving now! 

Top: Smart Set

Sweater: H&M

Pants: Dish

Boots: Aldo

Necklace: Suzy Shier

Updates Galore and Bump Comparison!

So, I think I’ll start off this LONG post of updates, with a belly comparison shot. The first is from 9 weeks when I started “showing” and the last I took today, the start of week #29! Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell if I’m growing since I see myself everyday, but when you compare photos, side by side, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed in the last few months! I’ll probably do another 2 or 3 of these over the next 2.5 months to compare the belly throughout the entire pregnancy! 

Alright so, I had a super productive week and I’m finally starting to cross things off the “To-Do” list! You never know when baby will choose to arrive (HOPEFULLY it’s at at least 37 weeks so we know he’s finished cooking!), so it feels good to get things done now while I can still move comfortably and the weather is decent enough. 

My mother-in-law and I went to order the stroller and car seat last week, and to my surprise, the carseat I wanted was on sale so I bought it in stock and got 15% off! (sidenote: don’t you hate when you write a long sentence and forget enough high school grammar to remember where to put the commas?... Whatever. I’m only an elementary school teacher. Deal with it).  

On the weekend, Dan and I cleaned out the garage and reorganized the furniture in the spare room so we can fit the glider. My large computer screen is in clear view so I can turn on a movie to keep me awake during late night feedings. The bed is also an option if I’d rather just fall asleep.... LOL is that safe?! I’m just resting my eyes, I swear!)

What else... OH, I made a birth announcement (Well, the template really, since we obviously need to wait until he’s born for the photos). I found the idea on Pinterest and just made my own in Keynote. It’s pretty darn cute. We plan on sending it as an email, rather than mailing them out. Who uses snail-mail anymore, let’s be honest!) 

I also wrote a letter to our little dude, during a sentimental moment the other day (I may or may not have just finished a good cry during TLC’s A Baby Story, LOL). I think it’ll be really cool for him to read, when he’s old enough to understand. Dan’s working on one as well (what a good daddy!).

I had my first appointment with my obstetrician on Monday afternoon. It went very well, other than the 2 HOUR wait to see her! I even arrived 15 minutes early (as I always do for appointments... I hate feeling rushed), only to be sequestered in the smallest waiting room known to man with no book to read and, worst of all, no snacks! Talk about a “hangry” preggo lady! Anyways, she seemed lovely and very knowledgeable, once I finally met with her. I’ll be going every 2 weeks until I’m 36 weeks and then weekly until baby is born, so hopefully the wait isn’t so awful all the time. Luckily, Dan’s cousin and her hubby were there as well, so I had someone to chat with. She’s overdue by a few days now, so hopefully their little girl arrives soon! 

I read in “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” to start counting kicks once you’re into the 3rd trimester, so I started keeping track of how long it takes for me to feel 10 movements. I feel him most when I first get into bed, and so far, it hasn’t taken longer than 9 minutes to feel 10 movements! My OB said if I haven’t felt 6 within 2 hours, to go to emerg... so far, I think I’m good!).

Dan and I also registered for a prenatal class at the end of November, which is a 6 hour course on a Sunday. My OB recommended it and it’s run by two perinatal nurses and a lactation consultant from our local hospital. It’s supposed to cover topics related to late pregnancy, coping and pain management techniques for labour, birth and the post partum period, as well as breastfeeding. Hopefully it’s useful and worth the money! 

The nursery is coming along nicely! I won’t be showing any photos until it’s completely done, which will definitely be before December! I hope it’ll be worth the wait. Personally, I love it and it’s coming together just as I imagined. 

No OOTW post today because I’m saving my outfit for tomorrow night. My mom is hosting a jewelry party and I have a cute dress from Seraphine Maternity to wear. I’ll post it on Friday, I promise! For now, here’s a picture of my hospital “clothes!”  A new fleecy leopard print robe from Winners and the softest pink PJ’s from Zellers! At least I’ll be comfy... well... as comfy as one can be pushing out a child! LOL.  

Have a great week everyone : )

My 'normal' clothes are officially too small :(

How far along? 18 weeks (August 11th 2012)

Size of baby: 5 1/2 inches long (crown to rump) or approx. 8 1/2 inches long (top of head to feet) and weighs 7 ounces. 

What's baby up to? 

He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Total weight gain/loss: 13 lbs 

Pregnancy symptoms: I get extremely hungry if I don’t eat every few hours. I’m tired more than usual, and peeing often! 

Maternity clothes? Almost all of my bottoms are uncomfortable (the waist band digs in when I sit down) so I use either an elastic band or “belly band” to keep them up without doing them up! I bought a bunch of maternity tanks but most of my regular tops still fit alright. 

Stretch marks? nope

Sleep: 8 hours minimum plus an occasional 1hr nap in the afternoon

Best moment this past week: Hearing the heartbeat at my 17 week doctors appointment. I hadn’t heard it since the ultrasound at 9 weeks.

Have you told family and friends: Yes, we did so at 12 weeks. I think everyone knows now! 

Miss Anything? Caffeine! 

Movement: Not yet

Food Cravings:  Cranberry juice, grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches, McDonalds fries (which I’m trying my hardest not to give in to!)

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, a little bit! (see 18 week photo below!)

Gender predictions: No idea! I flip back and forth every day! 

Labor sigs: No

Belly Button in or out: Innie, but it’s starting to pop out a little bit and feels like a bubble.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or Moody: Happy! 

Weekly Wisdom: Get things done while you can still move! (although, I really need to listen to my own advice!)

Looking forward to: August 27th - 2nd trimester ultrasound and finding out the sex! 

Yes, that is an elastic band holding my jeans up!