Monday, September 30, 2013

My Mom's Short Visit {In Pictures}

As I mentioned in my last post, my mom was able to come stay with Jillian and I while Phil was out of town for his conference in Seattle. It was great having another adult around, but especially one I love so much :)
She helped me not only take care of Jillian, but also myself. I ate much better with her around and the house was a little cleaner after she left. {Plus, it's hard for me to bathe Jillian with my big ol' belly right now} She was more than happy to spend lots of time with Jillian and myself!

Here are a few pictures of her visit:
{She arrived Wednesday while Jillian was napping. As soon as Jillian was fully awake again, the reading marathon began!}

 {After Jillian's class on Thursday morning, the three of us ran a few errands. When we were at Target, Jillian had a blast sitting in all the different chairs}

{Friday, we went to a park by our old house. Before we got to our main order of business, Jillian and her Jemma played a bit! That was one big slide}  

{Swinging on the squeakiest swing in the history of man} 

{After some play time, we took some of Bebe's ashes and laid her to rest along the walking path. She is an Oklahoma dog, and deserved to be in one of her favorite places} 

{Jillian and her Jemma sitting on a bench after they chased some ducks}

{Three generations :)}

{After a stop at Sonic, we put Jillian down for a nap. While she slept, my mom and I worked on my big project: a homemade Tigey doll for Jillian's birthday! It won't be perfect, but I have a feeling she'll love it :)}

{We baked some Banana and Chocolate Chip Bread for me, then a loaf of Pumpkin Bread for Phil (since he can't digest bananas)}

{We also tried a new recipe for dinner. We didn't do it exactly as the recipe called, but it turned out pretty yummy! My mom is a good sport about trying new things, so I knew she'd be a good guinea pig for this ;)} 

{This was technically on the day my mom headed home. She left at 8 am in the pouring rain, but made it home before 9 pm. This was taken when Jillian and I jumped in the car at 11:40 pm to pick up Phil from the airport. She was pretty sleepy when we left, but was wide awake when we parked at the airport. It was a long night, but definitely worth it!}

As I said, it was a short visit. It feels like we try to squeeze lots of things in, but we did hit all the important highlights I think :) Even if she was here for a month, it would fly by and seem too short to me. I do miss her, but I'll be so glad to see her and my dad within 2 months! I'm counting down the days...

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Collection of Thoughts

It's been quite the week around here, so this is a pretty random collection of my thoughts.

  • Phil and I got Starbucks recently because we found quite a few gift cards after we cleaned out our dresser drawers. It was awesome! However, it got me thinking of how I'm in the minority that doesn't like those Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I do love pumpkin, but I think my expectations were too high when I got one for the first time. I'll just stick with pumpkin bread and my normal drinks from Starbucks. {Please don't throw things at me!}
  • Speaking of things I don't understand, I totally related to Shannon when she mentioned Seinfeld. I have tried to watch it several times. Both sides of my family like it and I just don't get it. I mean, I have laughed a few times, but I don't get the overall appeal. Phil is determined to get me to like it, but we'll see.
  • Like many of you, I'm glad fall TV is starting back up! I have only seen a handful of shows since Phil is out of town and I'm not allowed to watch without him ;) I will say, in terms of new shows, The Goldbergs is my favorite so far. Do you have a favorite new show yet? What about an old favorite?
  • The Royals have a winning season for the first time in a decade!! We almost did well enough to be in the running for the Wild Card spot, but we had a rough patch recently. I'm fine with losing the spot in favor of a winning season. No need to be greedy ;) It's just been nice to have a decent season!
  • I'm starting to regret teaching Jillian the word "help." Now, at random times, {and seemingly no reason at all}, she'll just start yelling "hah puh! hah puh!" She will use it correctly 8 out of 10 times though. I just didn't realize she'd be saying it all throughout the day.
  • Phil is getting home late tonight from Seattle. It will be SO great to have him home! I'm pretty jealous because Jillian and I were originally going with him. However, due to a change in how Phil gets paid, we didn't have the money. I missed out seeing my brother, but at least he'll be in town for a wedding next month! Plus, Phil always seem so lonely when he goes to these conferences alone. I think he had a good time overall, but he'll be much happier with his girls {and growing boy!}
  • It's been great having my mom in town while Phil's been away! She helped me get caught up on some house chores, read several books several times with Jilly, shopped, baked, and enjoyed one another. I'll do another post in the next two days with pictures from her visit. I'm so blessed to have her and my dad in my life. I treasure our relationship, and just wish we lived closer together. 
  • The next time I see her, (and my dad), in person will be either Thanksgiving or David's arrival! {Pending which happens first!} I can't believe we're at this point in my pregnancy. Soon and very soon, we'll be a family of four! It'll be so nice to have my parents around too. Hopefully my dad won't have to travel back to Minnesota before David's arrival. We'll just have to wait and see :)
  • For today, I'm just doing a load of laundry and biding my time until Phil's plane gets in late. Do you have any plans for the weekend?

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Bébé Deux Week 30 Update

I am hoping to be around a little more soon. We've had two weekends in a row with no plans, so we have been getting a lot accomplished! We have a small section to paint tonight before we're completely done with the living room/dining room/kitchen. {I no longer like super open concept homes or textured walls. Both have been extremely frustrating the last 2 months!} We also painted and installed new hardware in the guest bathroom! In between running around and getting things ready for David's arrival, we've tried taking a little time to just enjoy one another as a family of three. I wouldn't trade that for the world :)

I saw the doctor this morning, and everything is looking/sounding great! I did get my pertussis and flu shot, which is why I have a band-aid in my picture :) I'm glad to have those done! 

Today's date: September 24, 2013

How far along: 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: 18.5 pounds (I'm retaining water due to some digestive issues, so I expect this to not go up next week! Even if it does go up, I know it's not a huge deal.)

Size and growth of baby: David is the size of a head of cabbage! He is around 3 pounds, and about 15-1/2 inches long. His eyesight is still developing, and his vision is at 20/400. {This means he can see objects if they are close to his face.} David is also strong enough to grasp a finger! {via and via}

Baby is a: boy!

Maternity clothing: All clothing, except a few things I wear at home, are maternity.

Sleep: Sleeping is still pretty good. Phil and I haven't gone to bed until late the past few nights, but that's mostly our fault. I wake up once to pee, but can usually fall back asleep easily. Not napping much, but hopefully that'll change. I do feel more tired lately, so I should really take it easier than I have.

Movement: Lots! David kicks from time to time, but it's mostly stretching and scooting around. He was pushing really hard on my belly the other night. It almost hurt, but it was really fun to watch!

Cravings/Aversions: Main craving this week was tortilla soup, coffee, and brownies. My aversions are more in the form of things that I can't eat because it causes issues later. Otherwise, I don't have smell or taste aversions anymore!

Morning Sickness: Still Zofran free :) I do have some digestive issues I spoke to my doctor about this morning. I have a little cramping and such, but it's all lower intestines as opposed to my tummy. 

Symptoms: Obvious baby bump, round ligament pain, back pain, stretch marks reappearing, abs feeling heavy and sore, nesting, gas, movement, graphic/scary dreams, peeing a fair amount, light contractions if I overdo it, and extremely tired.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first: More weight at this point, I feel more tired with this pregnancy, can't eat spicy foods without some wicked heartburn, and craving more sweet than savory things than before.

The best moment of this past week: The weather, Saturday was a great day overall, and surviving yesterday.

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: My mama coming tomorrow, Phil going to, (and returning from), Seattle safe and sound, and more fall weather!

Baby #1 & #2 Bump Comparison:
{Left: Jillian 2011 Right: Bébé Deux 2013}

David Bump Comparison:

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Bébé Deux Week 29 Update

For about 85% of the day yesterday, I had a MUCH better day than I have all month! *knocks on wood* I'm hoping this means the rest of September will be kinder.

Today's date: September 17, 2013

How far along: 29 Weeks

Total weight gain: 14 pounds

Size and growth of baby: David is the size of an acorn squash! He is between 2-3/4 and 3 pounds, and about 15 inches long. He is squirming around and growing rapidly! (I had the sore muscles to prove he just went through a growth spurt!) David is growing white fat deposits under his skin, which is making his energy surge. His movements are giving a sneak peek to his personality, (which seems to be pretty laid back in comparison to Jillian). Feeling a subtle twitch? It could be David hiccuping! {via}

Baby is a: boy! Our little David :)

Maternity clothing: All clothing, except a things I wear at home, are maternity.

Sleep: Sleeping well at night, even if I wake up to use the bathroom. If I sleep really hard, I won't usually wake up to pee. Had a really graphic dreams three nights in a row that made me wake up because I was afraid/upset. I guess that is starting now. Took a few naps this week, and that was nice! I don't expect it to last though.

Movement: Started my kick counts and he does really well! Easily gets 10 movements within an hour.

Cravings/Aversions: Main craving this week was tortilla soup, Nutella, and coffee. My aversions were mostly my way of trying to resolve some digestive issues over the weekend.

Morning Sickness: I got a little queasy this week, but it was due to the digestive issues I previously mentioned. Didn't take Zofran, and it is starting to resolve :)

Symptoms: Obvious baby bump, round ligament pain, back pain, stretch marks reappearing, abs feeling heavy and sore, nesting, gas, movement, graphic/scary dreams, peeing a fair amount, light contractions if I overdo it, and extremely tired.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first: More weight at this point, I feel more tired with this pregnancy, and craving more sweet than savory things than before.

The best moment of this past week: Jillian doing better at her class, having all my fall activities up and running so we can get into a groove, and a few little moments where we just enjoyed the life around us as a little family.

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: My mama visiting next week, and Phil going to, (and returning from), Seattle safe and sound! {It'll be the farthest we've ever been apart since we've been married!}

Baby #1 & #2 Bump Comparison:
{Left: Jillian 2011 Right: Bébé Deux 2013}

David Bump Comparison:

But I Know What It Feels Like

This post is going to be awfully vulnerable and hard for me, but I really want to finally say it out loud. I got permission for my daughter ...