Thursday, April 27, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 25 Update


Today's date: April 27, 2017

How far along: 25 Weeks

Total weight gain: My scale at home needs a new battery. I'm going to guess I'm at 3-4 pounds gained.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a rutabaga, napa cabbage, or Tarte Tatin! She is over 1 1/2 pounds, and 13 1/2 inches long. Although she flips around everyday, Final Fourth is learning the difference between being upside down and right side up! Hair is starting to show in the color it will be at birth. {Will they be a red head? Blonde? Brown?} She is continuing to gain weight so that they won't be so wrinkled at birth. {via & via}

Baby is a: girl! Alexandra Grace

Maternity clothing: All day, err day. For the most part, things still fit. I have a feeling nothing will really fit by the last few weeks.

Sleep: Really groggy in the morning, and desperately want a nap during the day. I have a feeling I won't be getting any extra energy this pregnancy. Not surprised, but it does make nesting harder.

Movement: She is moving every day! In fact, I saw her kicking around before I ate lunch today :)

Cravings/Aversions: No real cravings this week. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: None!

Symptoms: Heartburn most days, sore breasts, dizziness, nesting, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: Minus a few minor details, it's pretty much the same.

The best moment of this past week: Getting a storm shelter for the rest of tornado season!

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: SIL's baby shower, and getting baby prep done!
Now to compare pregnancy bumps :)

{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Lexie Bump Comparison:

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Catch Up

I am playing catch up today!

Between Easter, busyness, exhaustion, potty-training, and everything else going on, I just didn't have it in me to try and update. Well, I take that back. I typed up my pregnancy updates, and even took pictures. However, I just didn't have time/energy to edit the pictures and officially post the updates. {See Also: #fourthbabyprobs} Anyways, those updates are up and back posted :)

I had a much needed mental health day yesterday, that also coincided with getting a storm shelter!! I'm SO happy to have that little underground room! Also, we're going to be having nasty storms Friday, so the timing was perfect ;)

All this to say, I'm hoping to keep my energy up and continue posting as often as I can. Hope you are all doing well!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 24 Update


Today's date: April 20, 2016

How far along: 24 Weeks - first official viability milestone! :)

Total weight gain: I'm at 2 pounds gained.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a cantaloupe, ear of corn, or demi baguette! She is around 1 1/2 pounds, and a full foot long. Although she is pretty lean right now, Lexie's body is building up proportionally and will continue to plump up over the next 16 weeks! Final Fourth's lungs are growing "branches" as well as a substance that will help the air sacs inflate when she is out in the world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will be changing soon. {via & via}

Baby is a: girl!

Maternity clothing: All day, err day. Some of my clothes are starting to wear down a little. Come on, I just need 15 more weeks!

Sleep: Nightmares are fewer, but still not getting restful sleep :(

Movement: She is moving a few times every day. I have to remind myself to not do any kick counts right now because Lexie is still too small for that. Luckily, she's been pretty good this week about kicking around the time I start to worry.

Cravings/Aversions: Mostly strawberries, but otherwise no real cravings. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: None!

Symptoms: Heartburn most days, sore breasts, dizziness, a few headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: Minus a few minor details, it's pretty much the same.

The best moment of this past week: Hearing Lexie's heartbeat, finding out her ultrasound scans, (particularly her heart), look great, and getting some much needed advice.

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: SIL's baby shower, getting a storm shelter, and getting baby prep done!
Now to compare pregnancy bumps :)

{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Lexie Bump Comparison:

Thursday, April 13, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 23 Update


We're in the middle of Holy Week, and even though we're not as busy as we've been in the past, I'm already tired! This will be a combination of Lottie's 1st Easter, and our only Easter as a family of 5! I'm going to get Easter basket supplies, and have a feeling I'll be going overboard a bit. Can't help it ;)

Today's date: April 13, 2017

How far along: 23 Weeks

Total weight gain: I'm right around my prepregnancy weight. My scale needs a new battery though, so I'm not so sure if it's 100% accurate.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a grapefruit, a Barbie doll, or Buche de Noel! She is a little over a pound, and about 12 inches long this week. Ears are fully functioning, and loud noises may even startle them! Final Fourth is also swallowing so that she can practice breathing, which may cause hiccups soon. {via}

Baby is a: girl! Lexie Grace <3

Maternity clothing: All day, err day.

Sleep: Nightmares are getting fewer, but still not resting well. I'm feeling borderline narcoleptic lately. I'm wanting to nest, but have zero energy to do it.

Movement: She is kicking and squirming every day now! She has a quiet day here and there, but she always moves for daddy at bedtime :)

Cravings/Aversions: No real cravings this week. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: None!

Symptoms: Heartburn most days, sore breasts, dizziness, a few headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: Aside from not being on Metformin or Zofran, taking low dose Zoloft, and also not having a low-lying placenta or spotting, it really is not much different. It's a mix of all kinds of symptoms, and I just feel like my normal pregnant self.

The best moment of this past week: Going to an egg hunt at our old church, and remembering it was my turn for snack at preschool! HAHA

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: Easter, my SIL's baby shower, getting a storm shelter, and getting baby prep done!
Now to compare pregnancy bumps :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Lexie Bump Comparison:

Monday, April 10, 2017

Honest Update Vlog 4/10

I thought about not posting this several times. However, in the spirit of being honest, here is my honest update vlog.

I'm not feeling so down that you need to worry about me. I could just use a prayer, smile, and/or hug. It's partially due to hormones, and partially due to lack of sleep. I know things will get better. It's still a valley though.

If you're feeling sad, overwhelmed, or depressed, please follow this link to find someone who wants to help.

If you just need someone to pray with/for you, you can follow this link here. Also, I'm always available to pray if you want to email me :)

Let's lift each other up. I know I need it sometimes.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Baby C: Final Fourth Week 22 Update


Today's date: April 6, 2017

How far along: 22 Weeks

Total weight gain: 1 pound under my pre-pregnancy weight.

Size and growth of baby: Final Fourth is the size of a papaya or spaghetti squash! She is around 1 pound, and 11 inches long. They are settling into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It's easy to figure out the pattern as those kicks begin to start and stop around the same time :) (Looks like a night-owl just like mama!) {via}

Baby is a: girl! Lexie Grace <3

Maternity clothing: All day, err day.

Sleep: Not getting restful sleep lately, partially due to nightmares. Lots of tossing and turning at night.

Movement: She is most active at night time, and I even saw my first kick on Tuesday night!

Cravings/Aversions: No real cravings this week. Aversions are still the smell of raw meat, cooking meat in a crockpot, and anything that smells/sounds bad at the time.

Morning Sickness: More of a low appetite than morning sickness.

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore breast, hip pain, headaches, gassy, cranky, peeing a fair amount, round ligament pain, and exhausted.

Labor Signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

How this pregnancy is different than the first three: Aside from not being on Metformin or Zofran, taking low dose Zoloft, and also not having a low-lying placenta or spotting, it really is not much different. It's a mix of all kinds of symptoms, and I just feel like my normal pregnant self.

The best moment of this past week: Just surviving the week. It's that time of year where business + storms + allergies = complete chaos.

What I miss: Nothing at all :)

I'm looking forward to: Easter, my SIL's baby shower, getting a storm shelter, and getting baby prep done!
Now to compare pregnancy bumps :)
{Left: Jillian 2011 Middle Left: David 2013} 
{
Middle Right: Lottie 2016 Right: Lexie 2017}

Lexie Bump Comparison:

Monday, April 3, 2017

Recipes On My Phone

In trying to get a variety of food during my pregnancy, (especially since chicken is the only thing that EVER sounds good), Phil and I have been trying lots of new recipes. These are the ones that I have saved on my phone because they are definitely repeaters!

Here are a few of the recipes that we've tried:

Restaurant-Style Ranch Dressing from Our Best Bites {So good, I don't even bother buying bottled Ranch anymore!}

Crock Pot Buffalo Ranch Chicken by Food, Fam, Crafts, Fun {Frank's was a bit salty for us. If you can find hot wing sauce with less sodium, I would recommend that. Otherwise, it was yummy!}

Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken by Homemade Hooplah {Very delicious, especially since I'm into vinegar tastes this pregnancy!}

Spinach and Cheese Quiche from MyRecipes {We were making this once a week, and eating it for breakfast with our favorite salsa}

Eggroll in a Bowl by Mostly Homemade Mom {We've made this more than once, and it's very good! I can't seem to eat it as leftovers, but I think it's more of a pregnancy & pork thing}

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup by A Spicy Perspective {We just made this last night, and it was so good! We added the Red Pepper Flakes in individual bowls, (because, kids), and I added lemon juice to my personal bowl. Overall, it was so good! I would have bathed in it if Phil had let me...}

If you're looking for some new recipes, be sure to try these out!

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Lottie: {Eight Months}

Lottie –

You are eight months old today! There is just no way it is possible for you to be this close to being a 1 year old. I just want to bottle you up!

According to our measurements at home, you are 18 lbs, 5 oz and 27 inches long.

Size 6 Month, 6-9 Month, and 9 Month clothes are what you are wearing. Some of the 6 Month clothes are too short, and you wear 9 Month pjs almost exclusively. You wear size 3 diapers, as well as special overnight diapers to keep you from having leaks at night. You can wear size 1 shoes, but you don't really like anything on your feet.

You are eating 5 bottles, and 3 meals a day. You drink Similac formula, with a little mix of Similac AR to help with spit up. We're trying to slowly wean you off the AR, but you have enough spit up that we can't completely stop it yet. You prefer your bottles to solid foods. You don't always eat much solid for breakfast or lunch, but dinner is usually a win! You really like Vegetable Beef, and you like most of the chicken dinners we've bought. You tried some puffs and Mum-Mums, but don't seem overly impressed. Aside from texture, there does not seem to be a food you dislike the taste of.

We've been really fortunate that you have not gotten sick very often! Your appetite has been down a bit lately, but no fever or anything. You got a bit cranky when you were getting your teeth, but you've been a healthy baby! We still need to be vigilant about germs because the flu is making it's second go round this season. I think we can do it!

You sleep from about 8:30 pm to 7 or 7:30 am. You take 1-2 cat naps during the day, and one longer nap around 2 pm. I'm going to start trying to put you in your crib for your longer nap because you'll be too big for the swing soon enough. Overall, you're a good sleeper, and we appreciate it, baby girl!

Bath time is ok. You don't necessarily love it, but you don't mind it either. You know a bottle comes after you're dressed, so that may be the reason you're ok with it ;)

You have two teeth! The bottom two are officially out :) You act like you're working on your top ones, but nothing is happening just yet. You chew on anything you can get your hands on. Still no pacifiers for you.

You are officially a crawler! You can roll to both sides, scoot backwards, and army crawl to get where you want to go. Once you figured it out, there was no stopping you! You are quite the wiggle worm, and we have to watch you carefully so you don't get into trouble. Also, your older siblings have a tendency to not pay attention to where they're going. Even the dog has narrowly missed stepping on you! We'll try and keep you as safe as we can, little Lottie! You can sit up well, and you're trying to use your muscles to sit up on your own. That'll be next, I'm sure!

We are constantly complimented about calm, beautiful, and sweet you are! You are very serious, but you will give the sweetest smiles when you want to :) You don't laugh often, but it's the best sound when you do! Sometimes you do this Frankenstein-style laugh where you're just grunting happily at daddy or mommy. It's pretty cute :) You adore your siblings, and really love to hold your daddy's face when he give you kisses. You like mama's hair in your mouth at all times! You get really chatting every so often, and it's adorable.

Things you love: the jumperoo (if you're in the mood), being tickled, food (especially your bottle), watching brother make silly faces, chewing on everything, getting attention from sissy, perfecting your crawl, blankets on your face, being with people (especially mommy and daddy), your sound machine giraffe, your special song mommy sings with your name, and being held. You don't enjoy: being hungry, being tired, being in a chair or swing when you want to be held instead, and loud barking.

We learned this month that you will be getting a sister for your birthday! We're not exactly sure just how close your birthdays will be, but you will be within a few days. Even though we all thought it was a boy, I think you're going to LOVE having a sister so close in age to you! Just remember, we won't love or cherish you any less once Lexie is here :)

Charlotte Eliza May, we just love everything about you! You light up our days, and we are having so much fun learning more about who you are! We can't wait to see what the next month will bring :) Love you, Vanilla Bean Latte!

And now a few outtakes:
{I got some good smiles this month!}

{Sitting up like a big girl}

{What a face! HAHAHA}

{With her bear}

{What a sweetie pie}

{Two hams in one picture...}

{Something tells me this will not be the last picture of these two looking like this! HAHAHA}

{Sweet kisses}

And a few comparisons :)
{Months 1-3}
{Months 4-6}
{Months 7 & 8}

{Left: Jillian 8/2012 Middle: David 8/2014 Right: Lottie 4/2017}

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 ...