Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! 

I'm sad since this year it's looking rainy, so I hope we get some trick-or-treaters. (especially because I don't need to be eating all this candy!) One of my favorite past times is dressing the Elsa up for the holiday....which she might just hate. 

Oh well. I'm the mom. I win. She will be in costume! :)

31 weeks......just a few days late!

Ooof! After a CRAZY week, (with multiple nights of parent/teacher conferences, a field trip, changing lesson plans, technology training, data teams, and nasty weather) I am finally getting to make this post! I'm hoping that next week will finally slow down for a little bit---at least at work! I've been chasing my tail the past few weeks and I am pooped!!!!

How far along? 31 Weeks!

Symptoms? Just feeling uncomfortable. Round ligament pains on occasion, heartburn, sore hips. That lovely gas from the first trimester has come back (I know, gross, right?) Peeing ALL the time now, thanks to sweet boy treating my bladder like a squeeze toy.  On occasion, I can feel little man pressing into my rib, but usually he will just punch me directly in the bladder. I love his movements, but man, he's hurting me from time to time! Ouch!

Sleep: Sleeping well, just flipping like a pancake. Still getting up to tinkle once or twice every night.
Best moment this week: Making it to Friday! Ha....it was a LONG week! :)

Miss Anything? Cold, deli sammies. I've been listing off sandwich orders to Christopher for the day after delivery.

Movement: Baby dances all the time. I love seeing my tummy roll around in different directions. Sometimes he feels like he is pushed up and laying against my front, which is exceptionally uncomfortable. I usually try moving around to encourage him to change positions, but that usually results in him punching my bladder. Oh well. 9 weeks, kiddo! :)

Food cravings: Nothing in particular; I just have a good appetite. The scale at the doctor made me panic at my last appointment, so I am trying really hard not to give into so many temptations these last few weeks. OF COURSE, baby is due during the holidays....SO. Hmm. We will see how that goes. Yowza.
Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs?  Nope

Belly Button in or out?  So small....so flat (but still an innie!)
Wedding rings on or off? Yesterday my fingers were a little puffy and my rings felt snug, but not to the point where they were hard to get off. I'm thinking I may stop wearing them soon, just in case.
Mood: Irritable....but that's nothing new....just escalated by pregnancy
Weekly Wisdom: Just. Breath. Hard times will pass!
Looking forward to: Passing out candy to all the trick-or-treaters that come a' calling! I love seeing the kiddos dressed up in their costumes--so fun! :)

Pics from the Weekend

Here are a few pics from our trip to Chicago/Madison this past weekend! Enjoy!

30 Weeks

How far along? 30 Weeks-- 10 weeks to go! WHOA!

Symptoms? A lot of the same---also adding in occasional shoulder pain/stiffness from being on one side too long at night. Also, my tummy is feeling very uncomfortable and stretched out.....I'm feeling like there is no more room....but I know I am OH so wrong. 

Sleep: Sleeping well, as long as I am in my own bed. Not so well anywhere else!
Best moment this week: Getting to be in Chicago with Christopher's family for our baby shower. Christopher's brother and sister-in-law threw us a lovely shower with lots of yummy food. Let me just say, I love being in the midwest during the fall---the weather is AMAZING and the scenery is beautiful. (Not to mention, all the good eats year round!) We were also able to spend a day in Madison, Wisconsin (where the hubs went to college). It was so fun to walk down memory lane, go to places where he would take me when I used to visit him, eat yummy food, and back University of Wisconsin gear for our little man. What a great weekend!

Miss Anything? Being able to put my socks on with ease. It's the little things, people!

Movement: Baby is still moving a ton, but I think he is beginning to run out of room. Some of his movements are more like he's "shifting" around and trying to get comfortable.....with an occasional kick to the ribs or punch to the gut!

Food cravings: Anything sweet. Anything savory. Deli meats are making me drool again. I want a COLD spicy italian from subway......like something fierce!
Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs?  Not at all!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking VERY small......Christopher thinks it's about to blow!
Wedding rings on or off? Depends on the day.....but usually on!
Mood: MOODY!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy time with the ones you love! You spend so much time looking forward to something and before you can blink, it's over! Cherish the moments!
Looking forward to: A quiet weekend at home! YAY!

29 Weeks

How far along? 29 Weeks

Symptoms? Same old stuff, different day. Back pain, hip pain, heartburn. I've also added leg cramps in the mix. It is what it is!

Sleep: I am usually sleeping well at night. Occasionally I will wake up to go to the bathroom and  can't get back to sleep, but usually I can get settled again pretty quickly. I can tell my bladder is running out of room, as I am starting to get up multiple times in the night to go to the bathroom now. I didn't know I could pee so much in one day! 
Best moment this week: Birthing classes this past weekend were incredibly informative and beneficial. The head speaker was wonderful, and she brought in a plethora of other special guests, including a nutritionist, anesthesiologist and a pediatrician. We also got to go on a tour of the labor and delivery unit at our hospital, which made things feel even more real, and truthfully, made me feel a bit more relaxed. Hubby and I were very impressed the pediatrician and we were delighted to find out her practice is not far from our house. I called Monday to make an appointment to meet with her--so hopefully, she will be our kiddo's doc! Also, we got to see Larry and the Madam this weekend as they made a quick trip to Franklin. It was fun catching up, as well as getting Pucketts AND Pancake Pantry. NAM!

Miss Anything? Not having to pee all the time. I used to have a bladder of steel. I guess those days are over.

Movement: Baby is squirmy and wiggly. Sometimes his kicks/punches almost hurt---especially when they involve my bladder. I've also felt some baby hiccups multiple times. Christopher loves to feel those teeny, little hiccups!

Food cravings: Sweets. Most definitely, sweets. I did get my fix of blackberry cobbler Saturday night at Pucketts. DELISH!
Have you started to show yet: Last update on this one. One word: DUH.
Gender prediction: Boy!

Labor Signs?  I don't think so and I pray it stays that way!

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flatter AND smaller. Will it pop??
Wedding rings on or off? On...even though, I thought after the weekend they might be off. However,  I think I was just a little dehydrated.
Mood: Irritable and anxious---but excited for the weekend.
Weekly Wisdom: Give thanks, even when you have a crummy day. Lift people up; don't tear them down. You  never know what is going on someone else's life.
Looking forward to: Seeing the hubby's family this weekend, visiting his college campus, and having our 2nd baby shower! So much to look forward to! :)

1 in 4

October has always held significance for me, as I feel it is the start of the holiday season. First of all, it begins with my birthday, ends with Halloween, and somewhere in the middle, Christmas decorations go up at Target. However, as of this year, October is giving me another reason to reflect. October 15th is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. The beginning of 2015 was so incredibly difficult with the loss of our first baby. I'm incredibly thankful for the little boy that is growing in my tummy and everyday I get more excited to meet him. However, he does not replace the baby that was lost. He is my 2nd child---the little brother. My first little love is already in heaven.  Albeit his young gestation, that little Bean made me a mommy in my heart and I still mourn his loss.

Sadly, miscarriage, infant loss, and infertility are very common. Insanely common. I had no idea until I became a mommy of a lost little. One in four pregnancies results in the loss of the baby. Those odds are staggering. If you have ever suffered a pregnancy or infant loss, my heart and prayers go out to you. If you have not, I guarantee you know someone who has. On October 15th, light a candle  in remembrance for the  lives  lost all too soon.

A life is a life, no matter how small.

Click on the pic below for more info on this topic:

*Last night I sadly learned that a friend has suffered the loss of her newborn son, who was born at 21 weeks gestation. I can only imagine the crushing grief she and her husband are feeling. Please lift them up in your thoughts and prayers.*

28 Weeks!

Wow! Two trimesters down...where has the time gone? Only 12 weeks to go!

 (now, excuse me while I panic....)

How far along? 28 Weeks

Symptoms? Hip and back pain still. Heartburn. General moodiness for no reason. However, on a positive note, healthy nails and hair! :)

Sleep: I'm sleeping well at night, with an occasional wake up to flip over/potty. Only problem is, I sleep so deeply that getting up in the morning has been getting a lot harder. Not to mention, I think the fatigue is coming back....I feel like I could nap during the day again. Uh-oh!
Best moment this week: My birthday this past Saturday....we had a great day together with some yummy food, shopping, and best of all, our 4D ultrasound! We finally got to see our little guy looking like a baby (and not an alien haha). It was so incredibly sweet and exciting. I just can't quit watching the DVD. Definitely the best birthday ever! :)

Miss Anything? Mobility. Getting off the couch or out of bed? Yes, the struggle is real.

Movement: Baby is head down and isn't shy about throwing punches. We even caught him on tape giving mommy a knuckle sandwich on Saturday.

Food cravings: Savory sweets. Basically, if it's a carb and will make me 100 pounds heavier, I most likely want it. UGH.
Have you started to show yet: Oh, so round.
Gender prediction: Little man!

Labor Signs?  Possible Braxton Hicks contraction on occasion? Maybe? I don't know for sure...

Belly Button in or out?  Looking flatter!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Just moody......swinging here and there!
Weekly Wisdom: As I look back on the past few months, I'm amazed at how quickly this pregnancy has gone by....and now, we are only 12 weeks from D-Day! I think it's important to savor this time I've got left with just little dude and myself---even though I'm so anxious to meet him in person! 
Looking forward to: Our birthing classes this weekend! Hopefully we will learn a lot and it won't scare us too badly. :)

Here are some pics from this past weekend....

Birthday fun! (especially yummy breakfast and new boots!)

And now for the best....a few pics our sweet baby....
I could just eat him up!!!!

Be still my heart!

Can't wait to kiss those little feet!!!

sucking on the side of his little hand

little smile

oh, those sweet, little lips!

Hands are already in his mouth. Silly guy!