Baby R2: 24 weeks!

How far along: 24 weeks! It seems to just be cruising along.

How big is the baby: Baby weighs more than a pound and gained approximately 4 ounces last week. He/she is approximately 12 inches, about the size of an ear of corn. Body is filling out proportionally and will soon start to plump up.

Weight gain/loss: Holding steady at 17 lbs., which is somewhat of a miracle considering that I've had a ton of crap food with being sick and birthday sweets over the past week.

Sleep: Since I was sick and had very broken sleep I was pretty exhausted, but the last couple nights I've felt much better and gotten some solid sleep.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: One day last week (when I was sick) I HAD to have mac & cheese. A sweet friend gave me a box with several of the easy mac cups for my birthday to keep in my office. LOL!

Gender: We'll find out when born!

Movement: Yes.

Worries: None

The belly: Still growing! Feeling heavy and itchy. Belly button is getting close to popping.

  

 

 

Cooper vs. Baby 2

What I'm Loving: That pregnancy-wise, I'm feeling really great. Back and leg pain has subsided. I've been trying to get in more regular workouts and it's been a huge help I think.

Symptoms: Not really pregnancy related, but our entire household was sick with a cold/upper respiratory infection last week. Of course I was limited on what I could take being preggo, but think it's mostly cleared up, thank goodness.

Milestones: None
 

What's different this time: I don't have that wonderful burst of energy yet, so I'm pretty much not expecting it. :/ {Expect this to stay :) Also, I'm pretty sure it's due to having another kiddo to keep up with.}

What I'm looking forward to: May? LOL

Best moment of the week: My birthday and being pampered/spoiled.
 

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30 and fabulous

Saturday was my 30th birthday!

It's weird, but I'm not freaked out or anything about turning 30. In fact, as I was visiting with a gentleman old enough to be my dad today, I told him it sort of feels like a badge of honor and I'm very content with my age. The age 30 just sounds so much more distinguished. Because if we're being honest, I don't want to be 25 again - I don't want the drama, etc. As a 30 year old woman I have a great husband, little boy and another baby on the way, job, home, etc., so what more could I want? Other than those little crow's feet to disappear :)

Anyhow, I'd always said I wanted a big surprise party for my30th, but when I got pregnant, that just didn't seem to make sense anymore. So I switched gears and decided to do a very relaxing day.

A few of my closest girlfriends and I spent the day getting pampered with manis, pedis, facials, a blowout and our makeup done. We had a blast and all agreed we need the excuse to do this more often!



Once we were done getting pampered, we all went home to change clothes, and met back up (with husbands and a few other friends) for dinner.

 

It was a perfect day, other than still fighting off a pesky cold.

The best part is that my birthday "celebration" has lasted several days. My friend Bella sent flowers to me at work on Thursday (she was afraid I may take Friday off.)

My friend and coworker Ashleigh grabbed cupcakes on Friday when picking up lunch.

I woke up to a yummy home-cooked breakfast on my birthday, and while we were out on Saturday, my boys washed and detailed my very messy car and it looks AMAZING.

Since it took much longer to clean the car than hubby thought, he waited until Sunday to make my cake, but that's OK.

 

And today I came to work to cupcakes, cookies and flowers from my coworkers.

Spoiled, yes. But feeling very loved.

I totally fell off the wagon of completing my 30 before 30 list. But that's OK. Life got busy, and a few of those things just weren't possible being pregnant. But I'm going to look at the list and perhaps revamp it into a wish list of what I want to accomplish as a 30 year old.

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When being a mom is hard

"Get out of my life."

"You're a bad person."

From the mouth(s) of babe(s). Otherwise known as how my three-year-old absolutely broke my heart with those nine little words in five minutes.

It was a bad morning. For starters, it was Monday. It was hubby's first day back to work in 2 weeks, and he had left about 10 minutes prior. Cooper is a daddy's boy and over that two week time period, grew accustomed to daddy walking him to the car and buckling him up. It was time to go and I turned off the TV and asked him to put on his jacket. Instead he insisted the show was "almost over" (when it had just begun) and then decided he wanted to eat the cereal that had been sitting on the bar for 20 minutes.

Not happening. And I totally lost my cool. And what's a hormonal woman to do when she refuses to cry? Blow up.

Sometimes, I feel like my kid hates me. Chalk it up to raging hormones or the fact that I'd spent 10 minutes trying to get an institutional can of tomato sauce to open with no luck, it hit hard. Really hard.

I need patience. I know that. And to be honest, I know I'm not always the best mom to my kid. He may adore and look like his daddy, but he acts a lot like me ... which is scary, because we butt heads ... A LOT.

But guess what? It got better. That night when I picked him up, he seemed remorseful and gave me a hug and said "I'm sorry, Mommy." {Cue the tears, again.} And I've figured out better ways to handle the sass. When disciplining him, I'm firm. I lay out the consequences if he doesn't follow the rules, so he knows exactly what the punishment may be, whether it's being spanked, turning off the TV, or something else.

Nobody said this parenting gig was easy. And to be totally honest, I'm still a bit terrified over how we are going to transition to 2 kids while in the throws of the terrible threenage years. But I know it's my job to make him a good person. We complain about all of the horrible things kids/teens do, but it's only because parents don't stand up and discipline them. I'm constantly saying that it's my job to raise my son to be a good husband someday, and I wholeheartedly believe that.

How do you get through the days with your threenage terror?

But I know we will adjust. With a little bit of patience. And some wine (come June). And a whole lot of love.


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Baby R2: 23 weeks!

How far along: 23 weeks! Four months tops to go.

How big is the baby: Baby weighs as much as a mango, just over a pound, and is about a foot long. Baby has developed a sense of movement and can feel me dance. Blood vessels in lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and hearing is becoming more keen.

Weight gain/loss: Up 17 lbs, which is a 4 lb. gain? I also had a big weight gain this week of my first pregnancy so I'm thinking it may just be my growth spurt. Trying not to freak out but that's hard!

Sleep: Very tired and falling asleep on the couch again. Waking up around 4 a.m. most every day to use the restroom.

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing specific comes to mind, although I am still on quite the berry kick.

Gender: I'd be shocked if it's a boy

Movement: Yep. Mostly in the mornings, evenings and after eating.

Worries: None

The belly: Growing and there's no doubt that there is a baby in there! I don't think I've mentioned yet, but I got some pretty rough stretch marks the last 12 or so weeks of my first pregnancy, so I've really been slathering up with coconut butter and other lotion. So far, the others haven't darkened, nor do I see any new ones!

  

What I'm Loving: Being visibly pregnant.  

Symptoms: Back and leg pain. I have had a stuffy nose for about three weeks now and it can go away any time.

Milestones: None

What's different this time: I don't have that wonderful burst of energy yet, so I'm pretty much not expecting it. :/ 

What I'm looking forward to: My birthday this weekend! Since I'm preggers and can't do much, some girls and I are doing a spa day.

Best moment of the week: Getting Cooper's new room started and seeing him "grow up" into his new bed

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Five on Friday

TGIF! Since I only worked four days last week and three the week before, it's felt like a LOOOOOOONG week and I'm so ready for 5 to be here today.

{1} A few months back, we went to a local furniture store to look for new bedroom furniture for Coop and us. We picked a set we liked for him, but were still debating what we liked for us and had a few different sets to compare before making an order. Well, earlier this month we learned the store was going to close and began a liquidation sale. We got his set and a mattress, but could not order ours. Anyhow, the furniture will be delivered tomorrow, so we have dedicated this week to cleaning out the room and painting. We still have half a wall and some touch ups to tackle tonight, but should be ready to go soon!

 

We chose a grayish-blue and I love it! Also painting all the trim white.

{2} All of the above painting has been killer on my body this week. I need a massage.

{3} I turn 30 next week! I'm actually not too bummed over it, other than wishing I could enjoy a drink or two :) A few girlfriends and I are doing a sort of spa day then having our hubbies meet us for dinner since we get hair and makeup done too. I'm pretty darn excited.

{4} I'm really looking forward to Super Bowl Sunday for the food. We are planning to just do a bunch of appetizers - Rotel dip w/chips, mini pigs in a blanket and some chicken wings. Yum.

{5} Our town is definitely in a "baby boom" right now and pretty much the first was born yesterday. It makes me so excited to see my little one! We're pretty much right at four months from my due date and that makes me so, so happy.

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Thirty-One!

After a lot of consideration, I signed up as a Thirty-One consultant yesterday! I hosted my first party last fall and could have ordered the entire catalog :/ Since I've received my items, I use them all regularly and they are a HUGE help in getting us organized around the house, especially when losing our spare bedroom.

I'll be hosting a launch party in the next week or so, and if you have your eye on anything, I'd LOVE to have you order something.

In February, if you spend $35 you get half off a purse.

And I'm also super excited to receive my All About the Benjamins wallet, which is on special this month! You can also order that through my website in the next few days if you HAVE to have it, but it won't be part of a party. Through Saturday, when you spend $35, you'll get a Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote for $10 or the All About the Benjamins Wallet for $20.

With my busy life, I'm not sure how I'm going to fit this in, but the company seems super flexible to work with and I foresee using my consultant discount for lots of presents, etc. I will primarily do Facebook or online/catalog parties, so if you've been on the edge about trying any products, please let me know! My party was actually a Facebook one and very minimal work for lots of rewards!


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Baby R2: 22 weeks!

How far along: 22 weeks (What I consider the "true" halfway point - I found out 18 weeks ago and have a maximum of 18 weeks to go!)

How big is the baby: According to my app, 11 inches and close to 1 lb. (about the size of a spaghetti squash.) However, at my ultrasound last Thursday, baby was already measuring 1 lb., so he/she is a little bit over. Lips, eyelids and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and tiny tooth buds are developing beneath the gums. Eyes have formed.

Weight gain/loss: Up 13 lbs. I was really, really bad this weekend :/

Sleep: Pretty much sleeping like a rock, some nights I even skip my 4 a.m. "wake up call"

Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Fruit/berries and carbs! Still have such a sweet tooth. I'm really itching for some Mexican right now, but it's been a month and is always a favorite of mine!

Gender: Still thinking girl. I wavered a bit on Thursday/Friday but back to that thinking. Baby's heart rate was 140 during the u/s which signals boy to me. Also, the tech knew the sex without having us look away which tells me it was very evident. But who knows, maybe it was evident nothing was there and we just had no idea what we were looking for. I could swear she also said he a couple times, But that could have been to throw us off?



Movement: Lots, especially after I eat or if I'm wearing tighter pants.

Worries: Baby is measuring ahead so still a little worried about a C section or induction, but I have a few months before that becomes a huge concern.

The belly: Getting bigger. I'm in mostly maternity pants, which kind of stinks because most of mine from C are too big (I started this pregnancy 20 lbs lighter.) I am visibly pregnant from the front in form-fitting clothes, but even flowy clothes can't hide the bump anymore!
  

 

What I'm Loving: Seeing the babe and knowing everything looks good! 

Symptoms: Nothing in particular. Still some leg, back pain but that's due to my activity usually.

Milestones: We hit the anatomy scan and everything looked perfect!

What's different this time: I don't have that wonderful burst of energy yet, so I'm pretty much not expecting it. :/ 

What I'm looking forward to: Finished Cooper's new room (furniture will be delivered this weekend) so I can make a few adjustments to the nursery.

Best moment of the week: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound.

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