31 weeks- yikes

How far along?31 weeks!

Baby’s Size: Head of lettuce

Total Weight Gain: Overall down 6lbs from pregnancy weight. Of the 20 that I lost in the first 20 weeks, in the past 11 weeks I've put back on 14 of it. Not too bad.

Maternity Clothes:Yes. Wearing maternity pants, mostly maternity tops. Mix of maternity dresses and non maternity dresses

Gender: Another sweet baby girl. 

Movement: Yes! It's crazy how different pregnancies and baby's even in the womb can be. I have an anterior placenta with this baby and with Presley. Presley was such a quiet baby in the womb. Occasionally she'd dance and bounce my belly- but she had me worried daily that she was OK in there. I could always count on her jumping around after my coffee at work in the morning. But otherwise, that was the only thing I could count on. This baby girl is CRAZY busy!~Constantly trying to hurt me, or evacuate my belly via my sides or ribs. She moves all the time. And has zero set schedule of activity. I think we are in for a much different type of baby.

Sleep:  Yeah- not so great. Up several times a night to be. Re-adjust comfort or pillows. 

Symptoms: Tired. Pregnancy aches and pains. Peeing a lot. Braxton Hicks nightly. Lots of fun stuff.

Food Aversions: Nothing really. Sometimes veggies...and sometimes meat.

Food Cravings: Fruit. Lots of fruit. Popsicle. Smoothies. Ice cold water. Salt & Vinegar chips.

Best Moments this week: Having my hubby's big job be finished. He's been working 14/16 hour days for 2 weeks straight. I had seen him maybe 6 total hours across those 14 days. 15 mins here, and there in the morning and at night. I was a exhausted mama!

What I miss: Wine. Beer. Cold summer cocktails. Ooo yum. Soon. Soon. Having my underwear not roll down in the front. Being able to go more than 2 hours without peeing. Drinking as much caffeine as I want. Being able to take good cold meds! (passing around some snot in our house) Sleeping for more than 2 hours at a time.

What I am Looking forward to: Well this is a happy/and not so happy thing. I'm looking forward to spending an entire night/day with my hubby childfree. But it will be Presley's first overnight at Grandma's and I will miss her desperately. Also, it's because I agreed to go to the Indy 500 with my husband at 7 months preggo. So as thrilled as I am to have some time just the two of us for more than a couple hours. The race is supposed to be the hottest in history- its big, its crowded and temps are supposed to reach 95 degrees! We are prepared for the weather with a cooler full of fruit and water. Hats/sunscreen and our parking spot is relatively close to our seats. So if I get overheated I can just go to the car and sit with the AC and rest. I hope to get a bit of healthy sun this weekend on my arms and legs. Momma is quite pale and the Vit D is good for you if you can not get burnt.

 

Milestones: Feeling uncomfortable. Yup- got there last week. Which makes you feel like crap no matter what you wear. I am hoping the bit of tan with help that some. 


As always we are busy and the weekends are flying by! This is Presley's last day at the daycare. It's bittersweet. We love her teachers and they have done a FINE job caring for her the past 14 months. But we were able to find a fabulous summer option where a girl we know will come to our house and watch her there 3 days a week this summer for less $$ and more one on one time. She is also available for a few weeks after I have #2 to help with Presley. In the fall Presley will be going to another person we know. She does some in home pre-school with a handful of kids. But she doesn't like to have kids till they are closer to two. The baby will start at the daycare because they are the place locally that takes care of infants and of course we are so happy with them. - of course they are expensive.


We are getting ready to move Presley into a big girl bed and are working on re-arranging the girls' room and mounting some furniture to the walls so if little Miss P does get out of bed she can't pull things over on herself. 


We decided on a first name for the baby! Avery. It was my first choice and when I first told the hubby- he said NO. LOL. I dropped it for a couple weeks and when the name subject came back up- he confessed he'd been thinking and Avery was also his first choice and her really liked it :-) So there it is, meant to be. We are deciding on a middle name. We are picking between Rose & Grace. I think I am leaning towards Rose. Avery Rose. Sounds sweet. Perfect for another little princess. 


Happy Memorial Day weekend!

It's the little things...even at 16.5 months

I don't ever want to forget the hour yesterday evening Presley and I spent on a little dinner date.

It wasn't a big deal. Daddy went to the shooting range so we decided that we would go to Chipotle and get a quick dinner. Presley loves Chipotle (a burrito bowl and chips and guacamole).

The evening was so nice we took our food to a picnic table in the open uptown park area and started to eat. After a few bites and lots of smiling at me she climbed up on my lap. Apparently, sitting next to me wasn't close enough.

Once on my lap she helped herself to double and triple dipping chips to scoop up as much guac as possible. In between each bite of the burrito bowl she would lean in and give me a hug. It was precious. She felt so special to be having one of her favorite eat out meals, outside at a park, sitting on her mama's lap. There were a ton of hugs given along with lots of "mmmm's" and "more" requests.

At 16.5 months the little sweetie truly felt special about the dinner date- I could feel that that meal/time together made her feel really good. Of course I care that she liked the food choice, but my full intention was to grab a quick bite to eat, something I knew she'd eat well, and to prevent myself from cooking and cleaning. The added bonus was the outdoor picnic table and making my precious sweetie pie feel super special. It's the little things that even at this age really do matter to them. They notice.

I just don't want to forget that something as simple as getting out of the normal routine, having a different kind of one-on-one time with my daughter matters. Even at this age. We don't have to do anything extravagant.

We don't eat out much- and will probably do so even less with the addition of a new baby. But once in a while- We have to remember how it made her feel to have that time together. And that each of our sweet little girls will need some special one on one time with one or both of their parents. Just like mommy and daddy need some time here and there on date nights.

Update- we are here, alive and mostly well.

Let's see here. What's been going on in our house?

Week before last I left Presley for the first time...(tears) I went to a conference for work Wed-Fri. It wasn't terrible. Although I missed her terribly, but it was nice focusing on purely grownup, work things for a few days. I took advantage of the mommy time and went to bed early, watched reality TV and slept till 7am. However, the days were really busy and my meetings went from 8am till 7pm. With dinners with colleagues Wed and Thur night. Its amazing though that I still had some "me time" with that busy of a schedule. But I guess when your family is at home tending to themselves- all I had to do was care for me. That was easy. Normally I work 10 hours. (6/a7a-4p/5p) then I get home and from 5:30p-8p. It's dinner, bath, snuggles, books, bedtime. Clean. Prep for next day and try and get myself a little shower and maybe watch an episode with hubby and hit the bed by 9p/10p. Because its up at 5am.

It was a great opportunity for me at work and the timing was just right to leave Presley. She's old enough (16 months- that I felt comfortable), it wasn't too long to be gone and Hubby handled it all like a pro. Although he said that 3 days was long enough and he had no clue how single parents do it all by themselves. With the 3rd trimester officially here that will be my last big trip (flying anyway) and with the new baby you can expect that it would be another 12/16 months before I would be ready to leave them again. Then again....with two under two I may be begging for work to send me some place baby free much sooner :-)

Last week was a blur. We played catch up from me being gone. Then the weekend was here and gone. We helped my dad at his swap meet. My allergies are in full effect and killing me.

Monday I dropped P off at school and thought to myself that a few random symptoms during the weekend might be a bigger illness. I was right, I got back to my office (after my 1hr glucose test)ready to call the daycare to inquire if any of the other kids had hand-foot-mouth? I had two voice mails from them. :-/ Presley indeed had it (confirmed by the dr too) and as of 10am they'd sent home 5 of the 9 kids in her class. The good news is that she really feels fine...and is loving the extra days at home with mommy or daddy. 7 to 10 days out of daycare! WHAAAAT. Her first symptom showed up on Saturday. So that does allow her back to the daycare on Monday. phew. The only thing is that she is a tiny but fussier than her normal. But really it isn't even that bad at all.We've had crankier healthy days for sure

That's the quick update. Oh Grandma is home from rehab. She's doing OK. A long road to recovery- it's hard. But she is doing well considering all things.

Mother's day is next Sunday and it's also my mom's bday. We are figuring out what to do. I think we are going to make garden stones with our hand prints on them and decorate with gems.

bittersweet

Yesterday pushed my limits. Emotionally and physically. I was almost half way thru a 10 hour day, after two days a sick kiddo. I was thrilled that she was home with her dad today but desperately wanted to be home to cuddle her as well.

Not too long before noon I got my first of a hand full of calls. My dad had been admitted to the hospital for chest pains and they were keeping him to a heart cath in the morning (today). To likely put a stint or two in to fix/help/repair some blockage. So being the Daddy's girl I am...I was worried. Then I got the call that my sister in law was FINALLY in labor. :-) She's been teasing us for weeks. Then I got the call that my husband discovered termites and we'd be having an exterminator come out that night to handle it. $$$$

When I got off work I had to drive the hour + north to see my dad and my nephew. Plus, I couldn't even handle hearing what the extermination was going to cost . But my baby had been home all day feeling just crappy and I wanted to snuggle with her. I'm lucky because her daddy take excellent care of her when she isn't feeling great. She had to be with her daddy for the evening and I needed to be with mine.

So after 10 hours at work, I got in the car and headed to see my family members. Of course they are at two different hospitals. Add my grandma in the mix, although I didn't get to see her last night. I have three family member in three different hospitals in one city. Of course, not the city I live in.

I loved getting to see my new nephew. He is of course a picture of perfection. My brother now has a son. He is the father of two girls of his own and two step daughters. So he was quite outnumbered and baby James will help bring a bit more "man stuff" into the house.

I was/am worried about my dad. I could see he was in pain. I hate that. Today he did have two stints put in and officially diagnosed with coronary heart disease. I'm thankful it was all discovered and fixed before he had a heart attack. Now he must just get serious about a lifestyle change and really stopping smoking. :-/. I try to tell him smoking just isn't "cool" anymore.

I got home after 11pm last night and it was about midnight before I was asleep. The hubby was kind enough to let me crash for a few hours before work alone in the guest room and he tended to the kiddo. She had a rough night and we decided she needed to stay home today and see the Dr. Hubby was able to take off work to do that. Little girl has another ear infection as a result of a yucky cold. :-/ But she is on the road to recovery.

I am thankful to go home tonight and snuggle with my baby and my hubby and rest. Tomorrow is my day off and I can't wait! We only have one appointment in the ate afternoon and I think afterward it will be treated with some ice cream. Baby girl and I need a date and a little comfort food.

Remarkable

My grandmother is nothing short of remarkable. She is absolutely amazing.

On Friday night they transferred her out of Hospice to the hospital so she could be evaluated and medically assessed for a rehab facility. Transferred out of Hospice...that rarely happens. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but anyone who saw her on Tuesday (day of stroke) would have agreed that Hospice was the only choice, medically speaking and seeing her physically in a coma.

Well quickly she's made huge improvements. By Thursday she was eating on her own, sitting up in a chair, standing for short periods of time to be helped to the restroom. And every day getting more and more movement in her left arm. Within one week (today) they will be putting her in a in-patient rehab facility to formally being her recovery to return home.

Her CT scan came back with reduced bleeding, reduced swelling and significant changes over a few days with no medical intervention. It's not her time. This stroke is not going to be the reason she passes. She will, she's 85! But not because of this, she's not ready. She has a summer of great-grand babies being born that she has to hold and one great-great.  It's not quite her time.

This is nothing short of a miracle. The survivor of 3 strokes. The woman is just amazing. I'm so blessed to be her grand-daughter. What an inspiration. The power of prayer, the handy work of God.

What a week...

This week started out completely out of the norm because the hubby was going to be working out of town. So already I was a bit stressed, solo parenting and working full time. We are a team and everything is better when we can work together. That being said, I knew I could handle it- I would have to let some things go- but we'd be fine :-)

I'm happy to report that we survived. Exhausted. But Presley and I survived without Daddy. She yelled for him every day and looked for him. We were extra blessed because he came home a day early! That's right, he got home last night not too long for Presley had to go to bed. I was so grateful for him to be home last night! He was able to drop baby girl off to school this AM, so I could get in early and get off early- because we have a big change in plans for the weekend.

In addition to being solo this week something terribly sad happened. Tuesday morning I got a call that my Grandma had another stroke (#3) and wasn't doing very good and we would be transferring her to Hospice. heart.break.

I'm blessed. I'm almost 29 (gasp) and I have grown up with 3 of 4 grandparents. Seriously, that is amazing. They are a huge part of my heart, and a big part of who I am today. All 3 are in their mid 80s, and I'm prepared mentally that they won't live forever. (even if I want them to) But, the reality of losing one is heartbreaking.

Grandma is a fighter. She recovery mostly from her first massive stroke about 8 years ago. She had a mini stroke a few years back, but has also recovered. Stroke #3 is another massive one. Wednesday morning, she woke up in Hospice and tried to get out of bed to make my grandpa a cup of coffee. Granted she was disoriented- not remembering the past 24 hrs and where she was exactly. Physically she was only able to stand for a few seconds...but the woman stood up! When she is awake she is talking and knows who is there and can interact. She's a fighter. It's way to early to say if her brain and body will fight this stroke too, so many things can happen following a stroke and she is still very ill. But she isn't going down without a fight, that is apparent. The woman gave birth to 11 children, yes 11. Amazing....Good Catholics to say the least. Although, even in her mid- 80s she gives all us granddaughters a good talking to about birth control! LOL she obviously didn't use it! She has over 70 grand children (including great, and great great) and makes each of us feel so special. She loves babies/kids. Every time we bring Presley over or my other nieces she says how they brighten her day and make her feel so good.

This weekend we planned on having a friend stop in town and stay tonight and visit. See Matt's family on Saturday and go to my mom's on Sunday. That's all out the window now. I hated to cancel on my friend, luckily good friends completely understand.

We are just over an hour from my family and my grandma. So rather than be back and forth all weekend long we are headed up to stay with them and be close to grandma so we can have lots of visits. Several of my cousins from out of town will be around as well, and it seems like just being "home" and close to my family is what's important this weekend.

Can't wait to bring Presley to visit Grandma. I know it will brighten her day.

Also, waiting on my SIL to have my nephew. Anytime, anyday now. 4+ CMs...38 weeks....seriously, anytime. Another very good reason to be close to home. :-)

Under normal circumstances I prefer to drive back and forth and sleep in my own bed. But this weekend is an exception. I don't want to spend 2/3hrs a day driving, when the time could be spent visiting or sleeping. - For this particular weekend that's most important.

Happy Easter. I hope you all have a blessed weekend.

Grandma got a manicure and pedicure with us on Sunday in preparation for my nephew's arrival.

Grandma snuggled with my lil P

Raised Bed. Our garden

I've had a few questions about our garden since I posted a pic of the little girl and her daddy pulling early spring weeds from it :-) I wrote an email to one blogger, and after a few other questions and prompts for a post on it.....I am turning my email into a post. Why didn't I think of it on my own. blogger fail. 

A few years ago I asked the hubby to build a raised bed for our summer garden. We don't have a huge 

back yard (long and narrow) and we had tried a small garden on the ground the previous summer, but I wanted a raised bed. 

Matt started to do his research and he found that the wood typically used to build a raised bed was treated and the chemicals would leach into the soil and our plants. The untreated lumber wouldn't last but a couple years before it rotted and would need to be replaced. So we started looking into bricks. There are lots of options, the prettier the brick/block, the more pricey. Our budget (as always) was limited. So ultimately we decided to use the cinder block. For a few reasons, cheap and we figured (kids, nieces/nephews) could paint on it or draw with chalk on it so it would be an extra space for outdoor fun- as well as a fabulous place for a garden. The biggest sell on the cinder for me was the holes in the cinder block that allowed perfect spots for herbs to grow alongside the plants. Fresh cilantro, basil, chives, parsley, rosemary...All ready for me at anytime throughout the summer.

Our yard is kind of sloped. So on one end the garden it is pretty short and low to the ground, but on the far end its about 4 blocks high! (too your waist) At first I didn't really like how tall it was. But considering we don't have a large area for plants- esp. the kinds with vines the tall end has allowed us to grow cucumbers and put old chairs up against it and give the vines a way to grow out and towards the ground! It's worked great in that respect. We love cucumbers and having a garden without them was just sad for us.

It's been 3 years and I love that it's up off the ground and you don't have to bend over to weed it! Since this will be the 2nd spring/summer I've been pregnant and using the garden, having to not bed over to weed/plant/harvest....SOLD. Seriously, you can sit on the edge of the block and reach all the way to the middle!

It was relatively easy for the husband and FIL to build. (they are pretty handy). We needed a sizable truck load of dirt (which we got from a farm friend out of a cow pasture. Grows amazing after years of "fertilization"! :-) But it was a several days of them working on it and getting it level. Then filling with dirt. They did pour a little concrete in a few of the cinder holes to keep it from moving over time and having the weight of the dirt push it out. Each year the dirt has settled a bit and we've had to add a little top soil. But nothing expensive or that a few bags of dirt didn't solve.

My one complaint is that its a bit of an eye sore in the winter. A big cement block structure in the back yard without much in it. But with that said I don't care that much about what others think and its in MY back yard and I think that as our kiddies get older I will have them paint on it. What mama doesn't love the artwork of their children....even the scribbles of a toddler. 

I would say we probably spent about $150 or less on the initial building of it. I think more in the $120 range. But after Matt broke a tool and a saw blade we were probably in the $150 range :-)

Let me know if you have any questions! We love it.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple summers.

I love photos of my husband working on projects with his dad. Something warms my heart every time.

Done! Ready for dirt!

First year we tried "square foot gardening" although my square feet weren't exactly right.

Early cucumbers planted right on the end of the tall side so we could have plenty of room for other plants

Cucumbers growing over tall end. Chairs not shown. We added those about this time so they could vine a bit more before hitting the grass.

Basil!

Good luck in your gardening ventures this spring/summer. I hope to try and document our produce and garden this summer. Remind me as I will likely forget I wanted to blog about it!

My daughter loves the dirt

Working in the garden with daddy!

A little bit of this and that.....Randoms

Things have been super busy around these parts. - But really, when aren't they?

I'll share below the randomness we've been up to.

Last weekend we hosted Babypalooza 2.0. :-) Some of our college friends are starting to have babies as well. Two couples so far to be exact. (That we are close with) Our first one was in Michigan in late summer. We all got together this past weekend. A total of 3 couples (6 adults) and 3 babies at our house. We don't have a big house at all. We were pretty much filled to max capacity. But we had the best time! The weather was amazing and everyone enjoyed themselves. It was awesome to see the kiddos- they grow and change so fast! It was a bit of a joke all of us trying to get out of the house. One bathroom and 3 kiddos on different nap/sleeping schedules. I was totally wore out from all the hosting, but no complaints and would do it all over again. We are making memories here, and loving every bit of it.

Simple happiness!

The neighbors have a 5 year old and he has grown out of a Little Tykes slide. So they washed it up and brought it over to us. Presley is in love! She loves the slide at the park, but really is thrilled to have her own in her back yard!


Last night we went to the Aquarium. It was my niece's 3rd birthday. It was such a blast! Presley loved it. She was able to walk around. (or ride in her stroller if she needed a rest or snack) It's so fun to see her enjoy new things. I love being able to experience all these things with her. I can't wait for her to be pointing out the fish or sharks to her little sister! Life.is.good.

Pointing out the octopus to daddy!

A lift from Uncle Dave. Birthday girl all smiles

Loved to make the frog go ribbit!

Checking out Mighty Mike with Grandma!

"What's this floor mommy?"

I don't know about you all- but it was kinda (dare I say) Hot this week? 87?!?! It's apparent that I need my AC charged, Presley and I were sweating running errands yesterday. Poor girl! We don't have central air (gasp! old house) Our window units work quite well, but aren't installed this early! Luckily, it's cooled off. Let's hope we get a little normal spring weather. It was one thing thinking I would have June/July to be a HOT preggo mama. But add 2 additional months to that.......not so cool. (literally)

Poop story.........:-) I know all you mama's have them.
Last night after getting home from the aquarium it was time to get Presley a bath. Girlfriend was dirty and I know she put her little hands on anything she could at the aquarium. We don't like to bring dirt in our beds....:-) So, I strip her down....let her get a little air while I run bath water and grab her a cup of milk for after her bath. Normally she is running to the bathroom when she hears the water running! Well I was in there running the water and she didn't come. So I called for her. You know, a guarantee that she will come now. But nothing. So I get up and go to find what she is up to....Well out sweet little love bug was pooping! On the floor. Apparently, she needed to go and she needed to go now! I screamed (not a mad one) - the kind where you are shocked by what you are witnessing. LOL It startled her and she stepped in it. Squished between the toes and into the carpet! YUCK! Hubby was laughing, I was laughing. Presley was just confused. Hubby cleaned it up- I bathed her and cleaned up the tub.  Never a dull moment these days. :-) Let's just hope she doesn't make it a habit. And I will be leery of letting her run around without a diaper....ever again!

Otherwise, we have spent most daylight hours (off work) outside. The weather is truly amazing and we love it. Presley loves being outside. Getting dirty and exploring all the things she can. We go to the park- there is a perfect sized one not to far for her to climb on. Pictures are limited because it's hard to photograph and be on duty watching the kid. We've been eating dinner on the porch and having snacks out there too. She seems happiest when we are outside playing. I am too! So it's awesome.

Park snack for a tired girl!

Pushing her car outside.

Hi everyone! I have my purse full of chalk!

Matt goes out of town for a whole week soon and I will miss him desperately! Then, in a few weeks, I leave for work for 3 days. I'm nervous already. First time I will have ever been away from here overnight. (Well there was once, but it was for just over 12 hours (6p-7a kinda thing) 

It's a.........

Hubby and I went for an ultrasound this AM. 7:30am to be exact. I could hardly wait to find out about Baby #2....let alone wait all day the day of the appointment. 

So we went in, and right away the tech was measuring our little one's long legs. A trait we are obviously passing on to baby #2. I knew immediately when she was measuring her legs what we were looking at. I exclaimed to the hubby! "You're right!" Before the tech even was looking in the area.... The tech said, "Oh I wasn't checking out that yet" :-) I told her she could double check for me, but I knew :-)

We will be having another girl! I kinda knew we were. Only because we have a boy name picked out...and I knew that wasn't the name of the child in my belly. But that's all I knew. Hubby has said for weeks we are having another girl :-) He's been dying to hash out names. I have been refusing, because....we don't have the same girl name taste at all. So it will be another journey to find the perfect name :-) 

I guess now we have to start working on that...Naming baby girl #2!

We are feeling overjoyed that Presley will have a sister and another precious little girl in our house. Our hearts are overflowing. We know that little girls 19 months apart will be a handful and full of some of drama. But ultimately, we can't wait to raise two best friends and teach them how to love and care for one another in a way only sisters can. 

I am still in a bit of shock on the fact that I am the mom of girls! As I've said before, I grew up the only girl with 3 brothers. One girl is one thing, two girls is something that will be completely new to me. It's going to be an adventure, I can't wait to see what this girly ride is going to be like. :-) 

My scanner is broke- I will scan the U/S pictures when its back up and running. 

Double Stroller Recommendations?

OK friends...I need a little help.

I'm looking for a double stroller. Prefer something light weight, as we already own a travel system. And although I love it. It's heavy and I don't want to own another heavy bulky stroller.

But, I'm totally open for looking into most everything. It may turn out I ditch the travel system stroller for something else.

What recommendations do you all have? Will two strollers be a s good as a double? I could simply get an additional umbrella stroller for Presley and use the other for the new baby.

Oh choices...

Words :-)

So at 14 months (post is late) this is the list of words, signs or sounds for words Miss Presley is making.

Mom

Dada (she says dad waaay more often. Little Stinker!)

Elmo (doesn't say it all the time, but she she does- it's very distinct and directed right at her favorite character)

Bluuuu for blueberry (favorite fruit)

Aaaaa for apple (2nd favorite fruit)

Baw for ball

Dog

Woof

More and signs more at the same time

Signs bath- sometime squeaks our a "ba" at the same time

Uh-oh 

Hat

 

She also seems to understand so much. She complies with "sit on your bottom", "go get your ball", "throw you ball", "go get your book"- many other things she is understanding but I can't think of them at this moment.

"bump" 19 wks. Excuse the dirty mirror, messy bed, etc. But as you can tell- baby 2 is there and growing and I'm thankful for the overall weight loss. I have a long way to go once baby 2 is born.

Jumping on the couch after she put on her dad's hat backwards. Cracking me up on a daily basis!

Super silly "daddy's girl" Loves her blanky and hats!

typical toddler pass out.

morning apple snack. loves them. requests them specifically

passionately saying "aaaaaa". She loves apples

At her great-grandparents. Proud smile for figuring out the toy. This is my grandpa. Love him so!

My mom playing "puppets" with my neice Reese. Reese will be three this month and has a fantastic imagination! Also, note her sunglasses. This was about 7pm and they are totally upside down.

My niece Camille (Cami). She is 19 months and such a beauty with curly dark hair. And the sweetest little love bug!

Presley having a snack of carrots and cranberries. She is about to feed her snack to the dog.

"Mmmmm"

Here are some photos of this past week/weekend.

Update: 19 weeks!

How far along? 19 weeks

Baby’s Size: Large Mango :-) (6 to 8inches)

Total Weight Gain:-20 lbs total. Seriously, this is going to slow or stop and at some point with the amount of food we've consumed (baby and me) we are going to gain.

Maternity Clothes:Yes. Wearing maternity pants and a mix of tops.

Gender: We find out on 3/12! 11 more days! Hubby swears its a girl. I don't care...he doesn't either, but he is sure its a girl for some reason.

Movement: Yes! Not crazy yet. But feeling this little one do gymnastics in my belly is fun :-)

Sleep:  Great! Up 2-3 times to pee. Presley is sleeping better. 

Symptoms: Starving. Lower back pain. Saw a chiropractor for the first time 2 weeks ago. It's been very helpful, but most helpful are the exercises she has me doing. About a week ago, this bump "popped" out. And there it is :-) random folks are probably still wondering about a beer gut, but those who know...most definitely see baby bump these days. 

Food Aversions: Cheese alone. This is so sad for me, as I believe that cheese and crackers is an important food group. :-) With a large glass of wine. But, cheese by itself...no longer has a place in my heart. I hope this will change soon. 

Food Cravings: Meat- ribs (we went on a date 2 weeks ago and got this craving...now I want more) Steak. Also went to one of our favorite Butchers and got some yummy Filet's and a tri-tip. And grilled out. Need to do that again - ASAP. Standard, carbs :-) 
Chewing gummy candy- orange slices, swedish fish. skittles. 
Fruit. Lots of fruit. Probably eat the most of this. Although, I crave the others more :-) Me and apples are BFF's- same as with Presley.

Best Moments this week: Scheduling the ultrasound for 3/12! Having my back feel better and feeling the baby move more. 

What I miss: Wine. I don't know when I will stop missing this. I guess not till I can drink it. 

What I am Looking forward to: 3/12! Ultrasound. Finding out if Baby W R2 :-) is a boy or girl!

Milestones: Bump popping out. More baby movement. Being past what would have the "half way point" with Presley - Since she came 9 days early. Note to baby2...9 days early is the perfect time. Fully cooked, but mommy is more than ready. So if you do as your Big Sister, we are officially to the half way point ;-) (Not, counting on anything...baby's do their own thing)

OK, I keep forgetting to get a bump photo. Bad me! Cause I got one to show. Instead, here's a face shot of P and I on my day off yesterday. She is all excited about this toy, UNTIL the camera comes out. Then she gets shy and sucks those lips in.

Early shift

Hubs said he'd get up w P this am for me. We've had a rough two nights with a cough and teeth..... This is what I wake up to.

*in his defense she was baby gated in a safe room. She had milk and her favorite show on.....:)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Presley 2/14/11

One year ago! My little valentine!

Happy Valentine's Day!~

Can't believe an entire year has passed. My serious little peanut is now a toddler in full force! 

I have to say we have a very low-key day planned. It's Daddy/Presley day. I am at work. I will come home about 5p. Cook dinner, play with Presley hang out with hubs. Do the normal chores. Then snuggle with the hubby a bit. Nothing crazy. We may get a sitter for Friday night and go out to eat. OOOO fancy! :-) Then again, we may not. Just not sure yet. 

Going for a ride on her dog! LOL...she has been tossed of a few times ;-)

Morning Elmo and Milk...Serious business.

Eating Stirfry with a spoon. It ended up really messy. But she started out OK

This is my little peanut this year. Time sure flies. They grow so fast!

Sleepy Sunday

My child has fallen asleep in three places she loves today.... In backward order of occurrence.

Playing and then before you know she is snuggled up to the dog asleep! I guess bedtime couldnt wait any longer! I guess a day of partying and playing with her cousins was just too much for her!

Afternoon nap with her great-grandma during a Baby Sprinkle Party for her little cousin!

Pre-party nap in uncle David's lap.

Don't Miss her giveaway!

The lovely Mrs. to Mama is doing another giveaway...and I want to win.

To win, I gotta do a blog post on it! :-) Now, as much as I want to tell you about it...I don't actually want you to enter....selfish? yes, I want to win!

But go ahead, if you really want. Nothing better than good competition. Plus, the giveaway is good stuff!

Check it out!

http://www.frommrstomama.com/2012/02/valentines-day-giveaway-time.html

Oh and her daughter...adorable.

Thanks Becky! I hope I win!

Love Story Link Up!

A link up from the ALWAYS Lovely, Mrs. to Mama.

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?

9 years in April. Wow. really! 
2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}

I dated one of his friends. (whoops) But we hung unplanned for the first time at a big college block party. A few more random hanging out events. Then summer came and the rest is history. Last summer I ever lived at home. :-) The rest were spent in Oxford with my love very close by.
3. If married, how long have you been married? If not, is this the guy you hope to marry? {do tell}

4 years on 6/21/12. Time is flying right by us. Seems like just yesterday we were driving cross country exploring everything we possibly could in 2 weeks!
4. If you are married, where did you get married at? Big or small wedding?  If not, where would you like to get married? And will it be big or small?

We got married at the Church/Elementary School Matt attended. We had 220 guests at an outdoor reception under a big tent at his parents. We had the best day ever on the solstice.
5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!

Hmmm. I guess not a ton. "babe. hon. honey."
6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.

He is an excellent father. He is the best partner I could ask for. He loves me...a lot.
7. Tell us how he proposed? Or your ideal proposal?

My hubby isn't a genius in the romance department. We were in Vegas....(for my work!lol) Of course we arrived a day early to play a little and we had tickets for the Beatles Love Show. We were staying at the Venetian. So we got ready to go to the show, and having no clue where it was in the Mirage or how to get there I wanted to leave early. Hubby, wanted to ride in the Gondolas! I denied him! First of all, glad he didn't propose there, cause its not real Venice and a bit cheesy for me :-) BUT that would be romantic to him. (bless his heart) So of course we arrive WAY too early in the Mirage and we must decide what to do, we have over an hour to kill. We hit up a Martini Bar and order some cocktails. And before I know it, he is on one knee proposing! Wait what! Didn't see that coming! It was awesome. I said yes! I love our story. Nothing fancy and crazy romantic, but you know, that just isn't the guy I married. But he does other things....like randomly brings flowers home. Writes me a love note. And makes me chill out when I am all Type A - wound up!
8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?

 He is flowers and champagne kinda guy. Flowers to make me smile, champagne or liquor to get me frisky!
9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?

Can you be both. I love a beautiful dinner on the beach, or lake overlooking water. But I love popping in a movie and relaxing on the couch.
10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?

Take him out of the country. Ireland- in the summer. We'd both agree on the climate.
11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. 

Since we will have 14 month old and I will be 4 months preggo.... We will be lucky to get a babysitter and go out to dinner. I'm OK with that.
12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?

No. Too practical. We are pretty broke these days. (paying our bills) but not much extra. And the tax bill is always due this time of year. 
13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. 

For me its that we are equal partners. I wouldn't be able to be with someone who didn't work with me as a team member at home. We both work full-time long days. And I just can't do it all and be a good mom. He helps with the house, cleanup, baths, dishes. There are a few things we both have that are exclusively our chores...But I'm OK with that. I don't do dog poop...and he has never mopped the floor :-) I dust and clean corners he empties the trash and recycles and takes it to the street. The rest we just do to get it done. I'm blessed here. Of course, it isnt perfect. He has his days...weeks. But he really does do his part at him.
14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.