Friday Fun Facts: T2 27 Weeks

Hello 3rd trimester?! Some sources say 27 weeks, some say 28. I did my 2nd trimester workout DVD for the last time today and will pop in the 3rd tri DVD on Monday so I'm going to say an unofficial hello to my last and final trimester. Ever.

Which makes me super sad. My mother-in-law asked me if I was done being pregnant. I said no, and that I don't think I ever will be with this baby. (Although if I'm 41 weeks pregnant and huge all bets are off.) But right now, I'm trying to soak up every last bit of pregnancy I can since this will most likely be my last.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed Luke's pregnancy immensely but there was a part of me that knew I would get to hopefully experience it again. This time, it's different. Final. Plus, I know that babies are WAY more work outside the womb than in, so I'm in no real rush for her to get here.

And if we're being totally honest here, 2 kids scares me. A lot. Getting out the old baby stuff and setting up her room made me realize that 2 kids is a reality that will soon be ours. I don't know if I'm ready for 2 kids. But I guess we will just have to figure it out! Chris and I both realize things will be crazy for awhile but then things will settle down and return to normal, a new normal, but normal nonetheless.

Size of baby: This week, E weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended.

Major Developmental Milestones: She’s sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. I can chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements I might be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.

Food Cravings: Cravings are so boring this pregnancy. I don't think I mentioned it last week, but I sent Chris out to the store for donuts so I could celebrate National Donut Day. He told me I should take Luke in the morning on the actual holiday but I wanted those donuts then, at that very moment. Thankfully my husband is awesome and went to the store after only one Veruca Salt reference said in my direction.

I have been having almost the same thing for lunch everyday - PB&J, green grapes, and Cheetos. I used to eat a Lean Cuisine religiously for lunch but the thought of them lately makes me want to puke a little...especially the tomato-based ones. Which if you are familiar with Lean Cuisines, you know that's like 90% of them.

Chris is on this health kick - perfect timing since all I want to eat is junk and I'm only going to get bigger in the next 13 weeks.

Best Moment this week: The nursery has been painted/wallpapered and the crib and dresser are in the room! SO much progress from last week.

What I am looking forward to: I have my glucose test next Wednesday. Yep, 2nd time around. My doctor makes his patients do it once at 10-12 weeks and again at the normal 28. Here's hoping I pass!

Although, my girlfriend Les and I have a theory. We always hear these horror stories of women not even able to finish the drink or feeling so sick after and neither of us has had that problem. We chalk it up to the fact that we eat tons of sugar and processed crap daily. So a drink full of sugar is just another Wednesday to my body. Those women that can't hack it are probably the ones that are all about the "clean eating." I like to think for once my poor eating habits are coming in handy.

10 on 10: June 2013

I see #10on10 every month on Julie's blog (who links up with the mastermind behind the idea, Rebekah) and think it's totally awesome but I'm always late to the party. For once, I remembered first thing in the morning so I was able to actually participate. #10on10 is 10 pictures on the 10th of the month. A quick and easy way to document one day of our life - a brief snapshot in time. Spoiler alert: If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen these all already.

1. Breakfast // 2. Errands - always with a sip // 3. Cool guy begging for a picture // 4. Lunch! // 5. Nap time means work time // 6. Nap time also means snack time // 7. #happymail for baby girl // 8. Bedtime stories and 2 binkies - always // 9. Bump watch and another snack time // 10. Half asleep hubs

5 Years

Chris and I got married 5 years ago today. June 8, 2008. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it? 5 years doesn't seem like that long ago but looking back at our pictures you can tell our wedding isn't "current" anymore.

We got married before the invention of "Pinterest" and for that I am thankful. I think there is way too much pressure on brides today to have it all and do it all and make sure it's "Pinterest" worthy.

I did have my own personal Pinterest... a 2 inch 3 ring binder FULL of magazine tear outs and every invoice, timeline, budget spreadsheet, business card, piece of important paper as it related to the "big day." I still have it. I couldn't bear to throw it out - that thing was (and is) an organizational work of art with all it's tabs and dividers. I'm hoping someday E and I can look through it together.

5 years ago also meant that not every photographer provided digital files. You could get them, for a cost. And we were on a budget. So printed proofs it was. I literally have 2 photo boxes full of every single picture taken at our wedding. Awesome except for when you are getting ready to blog about your anniversary and you have no pictures to post.

So forgive me, these were scanned into my computer and then uploaded. Not the best quality but I wanted to put these up here since this blog didn't exist 5 years ago.

5 years ago today...

 

If you would have asked me 5 years ago what the best day of my life was, I would have answered this day. But 5 years later and I realize it was a really good day. A PERFECT day. Was it the best? I don't know anymore. We've had so many "best days" - Cancun, finding out we were pregnant, the day Luke was born, Maui, finding out we were pregnant again. Those are just big things that stick out in my mind but there are lots of little insignificant "best days" - a 2 hour dinner at Roy's no rush and no kids comes to mind.

 

But for all the good days, we've had our share of hard ones. Heck even some hard months. Times we haven't seen eye to eye but I think in the end that's what makes a marriage stronger. Fighting through the hard stuff and coming out the other side - still together and stronger than ever. I think it's harder to appreciate the good times when there aren't any bad (or less good) times to compare them too.

 

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them" (The Office)

 

The past 5 years has been full of the "good old days" but the days we are living right now? These are the "good old days" too. In another 5 years we will look back on these days and smile when we remember all the memories we are currently making. 5 years seems like a long time but really, it's just the beginning. I love you Christopher Thomas - I did then, I do now, and I will forever.



Friday Fun Facts: T2 26 Weeks

Double-digits! It's official - 98 days until E's due date. And if she's anything like her brother and comes early, possibly only 91 days until she's here. But so far, she's nothing like her brother (in all aspects of this pregnancy) so she will probably be late. 41 weeks pregnant here I come - I'm just preparing myself now.

Not too much to report this week. I had 8 zillion cavities filled on Wednesday. Ok, not 8 zillion. Just 2. And the other 2-3 I have are so bad they probably need crowns so we need to wait until after baby. What can I say? Pregnancy and my teeth just don't get along. But cavities can be fixed. I will take cavities over stretch marks any day. Is that vain? Probably. And since once again, E is nothing like her brother I will probably have 8 zillion stretch marks by the time this pregnancy is over too.

We had our monthly OB check this week. Just one more 4 week stretch and then we start every 2 week visits! Crazy! Baby sounds great - still head up and laying diagonally across my stomach. My uterus is measuring about 24.5 weeks (should be 25.5) so the bump is definitely smaller this time around. (Luke always measured ahead.) I'm trying not to focus too much on the numbers. I feel good and baby is healthy so that's all that matters.

I'm also pretty convinced that everything is smaller this time around because I'm not sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day. Chasing Luke burns quite a few calories and like I mentioned last week, my snacking only happens during certain non-Luke hours.

Size of baby: Emilee is still an eggplant and will be for 3 more weeks or so. But, she's continuing to put on baby fat. She now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches from head to heel.

Major Developmental Milestones: The network of nerves in baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. She may now be able to hear both my voice and Chris’ as we chat with each other. I definitely notice her moving more now after loud sounds - such as the vacuum cleaner or Luke's screams. She's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of her lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when she's born and takes that first gulp of air.

Food Cravings: Nothing new to report. I'm really not that hungry this pregnancy. My appetite is the greatest at breakfast and then it's all downhill from there. Which is super disappointing. This is my last chance to pig out and have a legitimate excuse to do so and yet I just don't want to. #firstworldproblems I did put on the majority of my weight with Luke during the 3rd trimester so maybe my appetite will be coming in the next few weeks. If you asked me what I wanted to eat right this second I would tell you a cheeseburger, chocolate shake, and Cheetos. And maybe some sort of fruit. And a donut. Ok, maybe I do have some mild cravings...

Best Moment this week: Our doctor's appointment - I know I'm such a nerd.

What I am looking forward to: Her room was painted yesterday and wallpaper is being put up tomorrow! Hooray for progress in her room!

Land of Nod Grand Opening

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Land of Nod, but all my opinions are my own. #PMedia #NODinCA  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.”

Last week I had the privilege to attend a VIP grand opening party for the brand new Land of Nod store opening at my local mall, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. I had been stalking their Instagram account all week and was loving all the sneak peeks of the new store.

If you remember, I shared E's nursery inspiration board here filled with Land of Nod items. I love to online shop but something about being in a store and able to physically see and touch items is still my favorite.

Can I just say how blown away I was with the store? The attention to detail was crazy - there was so much to look at it I didn't know where to look first!

I love the way products were displayed - and they had great pieces of installation art everywhere I looked. The products were set up in small vignettes so you had no problems picturing it in your own home.

I have to say my favorite items in the store had to be the bedding. It was sophisticated and yet fun at the same time. I liked that they did have "collections" but that items were interchangeable to fit a custom color scheme or theme.

Too bad I had already bought Luke's big boy bedding or I would have been all over this nautical set! Adorable! I may have to go back and get the sheets - kids always need more sheets right?

So what did I come home with? Because you all know I couldn't possibly go to the party and "window shop." Well, wonder no more:

The Jenny Lind Nightstand in Azure. I had my eye on this piece since I found it online last week and I was so happy to see they had it in store and in the color I was looking for! I'm really trying to step outside my design comfort zone for E's nursery and this pretty teal nightstand is just what I needed to break up all the pink and green happening in her room. I definitely appreciated the fact I was able to see it in person before ordering it. It's definitely hard to see exact color on a computer screen sometimes.

I don't have any pictures of the nightstand in her room yet for 2 reasons. One, I ordered a fresh one since I wasn't in a hurry and didn't really want the display model. And 2, E's room is far from done. But you better believe when it is there will be pictures galore!

If you are local, Land of Nod at South Coast Plaza (3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92626) is now open! And even if you aren't you can still shop online and follow them on Twitter and Facebook. Happy shopping!

Friday Fun Facts: T2 25 Weeks

I don't know where time is going. 25 weeks. 3 weeks left in the second trimester and just 105 days to go - it's kind of crazy.

Like I mentioned Wednesday, I had my first (and hopefully) last sickness of this pregnancy. I remember getting a cold with Luke at some point too so I was expecting it. Your immune system is already low and now I have a toddler that touches EVERYTHING and also loves to share my drink, food, etc.

Which is why I don't think I've gained as much weight this time around. I have to plan my eating binges appropriately. I can't eat anything around Luke or he wants "some." And momma don't share. Especially when pregnant. So snacking is only feasible during naptime and after bedtime. Luke would probably cry if he knew Chris and I made cookies every night after he went to bed. Poor kid. (And every night is no exaggeration.)

I'm feeling lots more movement throughout the day and I have even started to feel body parts from the outside. I have no idea what I'm feeling but certain parts of my stomach will feel extra hard in places so it has to be E.

Size of baby: Emilee is now the size of an eggplant. She measures about 13 ½ inches and weighs a whopping pound and a half.

Major Developmental Milestones: She’s beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. I'm praying she has more hair than her brother... which wouldn't be that hard to accomplish because Luke still has like no hair. Which is fine because he's a boy but girls need hair!

Food Cravings: Warm chocolate chip cookies are a big draw right now. Thankfully Albertsons sells them frozen in a bag so I can make 2 (or 4) at a time. I was eating ice cream for awhile but have been trying to cut back since dairy and a snotty nose don't really mix well.

Best Moment this week: Getting things done around the house. Emilee's room is now full of just Emilee's stuff. Hooray! Paint and wallpaper should be happening sometime next week.

What I am looking forward to: We have our monthly doctor's appointment on Tuesday and I always look forward to those. I'm also looking forward to seeing what she looks like. When I picture our baby, I picture Luke. And if this baby was a boy then I would just assume he would look like Luke but since it's a girl I really have no idea what to expect. All I know is she will be adorable. :-)

Transitions

Sidenote: Happy 400th post to me! Yes, this is really my 400th post. Holy cow. That's alot of posting. And writing. And talking about myself and my family. And the trend continues today as I try to update where we have been.

I know I just posted Friday but it feels like FOREVER ago. Maybe because our 3 day weekend was anything but restful and we spent all 3 days working on the garage and cleaning out E's room. You know it's a bad sign when your husband is actually looking forward to going back to work because there is no manual labor involved.

To start the weekend off right, I came down with an obnoxious head cold on Thursday night/Friday morning. It figures. We go to Sea World, my kid licks turnstiles (yes, this really happened) and I end up sick.

Not to mention that I already have horrible "pregnant nose." For those of you who don't know what that is - basically your mucus membranes swell up during pregnancy and it's like you have a cold already. So add in a cold and I was pretty convinced I was going to die. No joke. My saving grace was some Breathe Right strips. Yep, the kind old men (and my husband) use for snoring. Those things work so good I might wear them for the rest of the pregnancy. "Opens up your nasal passages 30% more" and that is a fact I can attest to. Plus, it's drug-free. Because we all know you can't take any of the good drugs when you are pregnant.

Great news is Chris now has my cold too so we wore matching strips to bed last night. #sexytime

Ok, where was I? Oh yes, in the middle of all this sickness and garage business we did some rearranging and transitioned Luke to a big boy bed. I have had mass anxiety for weeks because we all know potty training was an epic fail so I was kind of expecting the worst.

We went straight to a twin bed since my parents still had my Gramme V's old bed. It makes me happy that it is now Luke's bed. We took the crib apart Saturday afternoon and before we brought in the bed I asked Luke where he was going to sleep and he looked around and said, "I dunno?" Too cute.

Bedtime came and I hadn't even walked all the way down the hall before I heard Luke come running after me. Uh oh. 10 minutes in and he was out of bed more times than I could count. Chris and I feared we were in for a long night.

The bad thing about the twin bed is Luke can get down but he can't get back up on his own. So once he's out of bed he's kind of stuck. After putting him back numerous times we finally took the door handle off from the inside (I ordered this lock but it isn't coming until tomorrow) and then we heard him scream "up" for a few minutes. Because he clearly had gotten out of bed and couldn't get back in.

We waited him out and Chris went in 10 minutes or so later and put him back in bed one last time and that was it. One hour of a "struggle" (if you can even call it that because there were absolutely no tears involved) and he was down for the count. I was shocked.

Naptime the next day he didn't even try to get out of bed and the second night we found him asleep on the floor. But the past two nights he hasn't even tried to get out of bed. Big boy bed transition - success!

Ps. We have a bed rail up - I just took this pic before we put it on. Speaking of which, trying to make a bed against a wall and with a bed rail 6 months pregnant is quite the challenge.

And yes, I realize we got off WAY too easy. Which scares me a bit because everything Luke does with ease is another nail in my coffin when it comes to Miss E. That girl is gonna have drama for days I just know it. Luke is truly the easiest kid ever. Except for potty training. But that was partly my fault - he wasn't totally ready.

So Luke loves his big boy bed and it breaks my heart a little less each night I put him in it. I think I took the transition harder than he did. He looks so tiny in such a big bed. But I know there is a day coming when he will fill out that bed too. The same way he went from being teeny tiny in the crib to almost too long.

I promise to post pics of Luke's big boy room when it's all done - still have a few more things to move around (like the glider). But for now, here is a before and after pic of our beautiful new garage:

Yes, it is finished. I asked for a closet in the garage and that's exactly what I got. And more. We've moved everything out of E's room and we still have one whole cabinet empty. There is that much storage.

My husband and father-in-law have been working non-stop in the evenings and on the weekends for over a month to get this thing done. And they did it all (except the drywall) themselves. I'm not a huge fan of DIY (I'm in the pay someone else to do it camp) but I can say that I am extremely thankful that they not only have the work ethic to accomplish a task like this but they have the skills (for the most part) to do so. I don't like DIY but I do like saving money and that we definitely did.

Here's to more progress and more pics of E and Luke's room soon.