Beckett James | Two Months

Stats:  10 lbs 10 oz (12th percentile).  22 1/2 inches long (26th percentile).  Head is 15 1/4 inches around (34th percentile).  Basically, you are the exact opposite of your sister.  Her head has always been gigantic and her weight and height at this stage were in the 50th percentile (she has since surpassed those stats).  You on the other hand, are just so tiny (although you don't appear super little just by looking at you).  The doctor assured me though that you are gaining at a normal rate and you started out small so you may just be lean your whole life.  Plus, you are getting all bottles (more below) so we know how much you are eating and you are eating plenty.

Likes:  Eating.  I don't know that this will ever change.  Baths really calm you down now as well.  The Baby Bjorn.  This has been a serious lifesaver over the past month.  Even Beeba got in on the Bjorn action over Christmas to give us breaks.  Squats.  Uncle Andrew figured this one out, and in turn, we've all gotten major leg work outs ever since.  You may have ruined poor Beeba's knees.  But, whatever works at this point!  Rocking…the 45 nap intruder is already here and you will not go back to sleep (or stay asleep) on your own which means we either Bjorn it or rock you for the remainder of your nap.  Depending on what I have to do for the day, we rock.  I've gotten a lot of reading done and daddy is enjoying his netflix shows.  Oddly enough, you seem to love diaper changes now.  Or at least leading up to them and after.  You love to lay on your changing pad and stare at the collage wall daddy put together.  Usually when you get super fussy at night, I try to give you a change of scenery and take you in there which calms you down for a few minutes.

Dislikes:  Being put down for longer than 5 minutes at a time.  I have noticed in the past few days that you've gotten a lot better with this.  You usually cry for a few minutes and then are able to calm down and be ok for much longer stretches.  I'm guessing you'll be much better in the next month.  Having anyone sit while holding you…somehow you know and prefer the feeling of being in the air.  Getting dressed.

Biggest Achievement This Month:  You are making it longer stretches at night.  Yay!  For the past few nights, you are up around 3:30 or 4 am.  Then right back down (it takes us 30 minutes total now which is a huge improvement) until about 6:30 or 7 am.  So great!  Now if we can just stretch that 3:30ish a little longer and eliminate it entirely :)  Your sister wasn't sleeping through the night until 3 months so maybe that will be your month too.

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  Naps…ugh.  You did so well before we went home for Christmas.  Then things just went downhill.  I can get you down by rocking you for 5 or 10 minutes.  Then you usually sleep 30-45 minutes and are up.  You won't go back down on your own, but are clearly still tired since you are cranky.  So I basically spend the rest of your nap rocking you so you'll stay asleep.  I know this was hard for Zoe as well so I suppose I have more training to do.  Although, I'm not sure how it's going to go when we pull your sister out of day care.  Maybe this last month just us will be all you need.  We'll see.

Secret Tricks:  Again, squats and Baby Bjorn.  Those have been our two lifesavers this month.  And usually a change of activity is just what you need to calm down as well.

Sleep:  For the past few nights, you are up around 3:30 or 4 am.  Then right back down (it takes us 30 minutes total now which is a huge improvement) until about 6:30 or 7 am.  Before then, you were up around 3:30 most nights, and again at 5:30 and then made it until about 7 and came back to bed with me because it wasn't time to eat yet and I was too tired to get up for the day.

You are going to bed a little after 11.  You nap though from about 8-10pm, we have to usually wake you to eat, then you are right back to sleep.  Daddy just keeps you upright so you don't spit up.  I'm thinking though that you'll be ready to go to bed earlier this month and then we'll just do a dream feed at 10.

Temperament/Personality:  The beginning of this month was rough.  You weren't happy ever (unless you were eating or sleeping).  Thankfully, we had a week at home where everyone took turns so that I could keep my sanity.  Then daddy was home for another week before going back to work.  You are definitely on the upswing now.  You still have your moments, but you are getting so much better.  You are finally starting to smile which makes me remember that you will be a happy baby all the time soon enough.  You just wanted to give me a run for my money just like your sister did and look at how happy she is now.  Daddy seems to have completely forgotten how she was, but Beeba and I have reminded him.

Eating:  I clearly jinxed us in the last post.  Over Christmas, you started spitting up blood…a lot.  So the doctor said I should pump for a few days and then try again.  You spit up a little blood but not as much, so I gave it a few more days.  By then, you much preferred the bottle and I could tell that we were going to end up in the same place again (spitting up blood).  So that ended our breastfeeding relationship rather unexpectedly.  I surprisingly am much more ok with it than I was the last time around.  

For now, I'm pumping three times a day.  I don't know how long I'll continue, but it's going ok for now.  You are getting about 3 formula bottles a day and 4-5 breast milk bottles depending on the day.  You are taking 3.5-4 oz. I still have milk saved in the freezer too.  My goal when you were bornwas to at least make it to 6 months.  Now that we've hit a major bump in the road, I'd just like to make it to three.  

Randoms:  You are in size 1 diapers and 3 month outfits.  You are officially out of newborn clothes.  

Milestones:  You are getting better at holding up your head although you detest tummy time.  And the best part of this month…your smile!  I love to see it and try so hard to see those gummy grins.  Of course, you try to charm me at 4 am when I'm changing your diaper.  It's so hard to be all business so as not to encourage play time at that time of morning.  

Favorite Baby Gear:  Baby Bjorn for sure.  White noise.

How are you two months already Beckett?  Again, time is just flying by.  You get happier and happier each day and I can't wait to see what month 3 has in store for us.  We love you "Baby Beckett!"  

Beckett James | One Month

Note:  This was written on time…I just didn't upload the pictures on time.  The holidays got the best of us!

Stats:  21 inches long (27th percentile), head 14 3/4 inches (49th percentile), 8 lb 14 oz (16th percentile).  You are a little peanut compared to your sister!

Likes:  Eating.  White noise just like your big sister.  Standing and being bounced.  Baths seem to be going better as well.  You also LOVE the Baby Bjorn.  I put you in it when you start to get fussy and you are out within 15 minutes.  I usually leave you in it for a little while then I swaddle you and put you down for your naps.  I know that eventually we need to just nap and not use this as a crutch, but I'm ok for now since it works and you're only 4 weeks old.

Dislikes:  Getting dressed/diaper changes.  Being overtired.  Being set down awake for longer than 5-10 minutes (little guy loves to be held).  Tummy time.  Evening hours…fussy time is anywhere from 6-11pm.  Sometimes you are ok until 8 and then fussy from 8-11pm.  I know that it's just a phase and you'll grow out of it.  I'd say we should be good by the end of January based on how long it took Zoe to grow out of it.  That seems so far from now!

Biggest Achievement This Month:  Making it until 4am!  It was only once, but I'll take it.  It makes me realize there is an end in site :)

Biggest Challenge of the Month:  Figuring out your reflux issue.  It wasn't nearly as bad as some I've heard, but we went through two days of just extreme discontent.  Those inconsolable sobs really did a number on my confidence.  Thankfully, things seem to be a little better.  Still not great, but better.

Secret Tricks:  Standing and bouncing just like your big sister.  Usually, if you are fussy, I can put you in your carrier and stand and bounce and you'll fall asleep.  Usually, if you are freaking out, it's because you are tired so it's just a matter of getting you to sleep.

Sleep:  Sleep is going great for only being a month old.  It takes a while to get you down for your morning nap.  You definitely don't fall asleep on your own and need to be rocked for about 15 minutes to get calmed down or put in the carrier.  The morning is one of your most awake times so I'm guess you just have had a lot of stimulation and need help relaxing.  You do pretty well going down for your early afternoon/early evening naps.  I pop you in the carrier while I'm making lunch/dinner and bounce around while I'm doing it and you are usually out pretty quickly.  I can transfer you to your bouncy during the early afternoon and get a good hour or two out of you.  The early evening nap is iffy.  Sometimes I can transfer you, other times you'll only sleep in the carrier.  I know things will get better here.  

Temperament/Personality:  I'd say you are just like your big sister here too.  I wouldn't say you are as fussy as she was, but part of me wonders if I have less anxiety this time around and was able to calmly figure out what helps you relax faster than what I did with your sister.  You aren't really awake for very long at this point, so it's hard to say how you'll be.  Your fussiest period is after your early evening nap (8-10).  You are usually asleep then after I feed you at 10.  But occasionally, daddy really has to work to get you to sleep.  I know though, that this phase will pass and those smiles and giggles will come soon enough.  This "fourth trimester" period just seems to be hard on my babies.  Your sister was a new baby around 2-3 months, so we'll get there.

Eating:  Things are going SO much better here compared to Zoe.  At least we have this going for us :)  I've made sure to be mindful of everything that went wrong the first time around and am doing everything I can to prevent those things.  Sometimes I feel like I'm being anal, but it's worth it for these first few weeks/months to start out right and not go through the excruciating pain like before.

So far, you are still eating 8 times a day.  We are on a 2.5-3 hour schedule for the most part.  You go through longer stretches at night, and shorter stretches in the evening.  You could probably go longer in the evening, but I'm trying to load you up on calories in hopes that you'll sleep longer :)  Since you are going from 10pm-3am right now, I don't want to mess up what we have going for us.

Your schedule usually is (give or take) 3am, 6:15am, 9am, 11:30am, 2:30 or 3pm (depending on your nap), 5:30pm, 8pm, 10pm.  Not bad at all for how little you are!

Randoms:  You are in size 1 diapers.  They are roomy so I'm guessing you'll be in them for a while, but newborns were getting a little small and I didn't want to buy another box.  Size 3 clothes are very roomy, but newborn outfits are getting small in the legs.  You might end up being long and lean!  Although, in looking at pictures of Zoe, she didn't really start chunking up until 2-3 months.  I love those baby rolls so I'm hoping you have a few :)

Milestones:  Sleeping for longer stretches at night.

Favorite Baby Gear:  The baby carrier has been a lifesaver this time around.  It's allowed me to play with Zoe, get her dinner ready, eat lunch, etc. 

It's crazy to think it's been a month already little man!  It's so different this time around knowing what's around the corner with having your big sister to compare to, but I'm trying to be mindful and stay in the moment.  I don't want to wish your baby days away just to get to the next milestone.  Love you buddy!  I can't wait to see what month two brings!

Adjustment from One to Two

I was really worried how Zoe would adjust to having a little brother.  She has been the center of our world for 2 years and her world was about to be turned upside down.  She's a super helpful toddler.  She loves to help clean up and get things for us, so I was hopeful that as long as I gave her "tasks", she'd be ok.

The afternoon that Beckett was born, my mother in law brought Zoe to the hospital.  She was a little unsure of what was going on and the look on her face definitely made me nervous.  But looking back, I think she was just overwhelmed and really wasn't sure what to think with everyone all in the same room, talking to her, and coming at her.  Because five minutes later, she was climbing on my bed and begging to hold Baby Brother.

Not so sure...

"I wanna hold him!"

The first few days, she went back and forth calling him Baby Ben and Beckett, but I think she's got it down now :)

She LOVES giving him kisses.  I think she'd kiss him all night when she got home from day care if we let her :)  She loves tickling his feet and announcing to us when he's awake or crying.  So far, she doesn't really seem phased at all or jealous of this new little addition.  Life has pretty much gone on as normal.  I'm kind of holding my breath and just waiting for the other shoe to drop.  But maybe this will go better than I ever thought…

"I wanna have a sleep over!"

Aaron has been amazing at taking over all duties with her when I have to feed Beckett (which feels like all the time even though it's only every 3 hours).  Zoe has tested our patience here and there…playing with the bouncy seat when we repeatedly told her no, etc.  But they are very minor incidences and nothing to worry about.  Typical toddler stuff that would have happened even if Beckett wasn't here.  

Riding in Beckett's "boat."

I think the adjustment has just been hardest on me and the mommy guilt I feel.  I love them both so much and it's crazy how your heart can explode like this a second time.  But I don't want Zoe to feel replaced in any way.  I want to make sure she knows how much mommy still loves her.  I just feel so consumed with Beckett right now, but I know that it's just the newborn stage and eventually it won't seem like I'm constantly feeding him.  And I try my best to read to her while I'm nursing, or play tea parties with her in between feedings.  Thankfully, her bedtime also falls in between feedings so I can help with that some nights too.  Zoe honestly doesn't seem to have any resentment.  It's all in my head.  But it hasn't stopped me from sobbing to Aaron.  

I just want them both to know how much I love them.

It's only been a few weeks though, so we'll see how my outlook on this changes as we get into more of a routine and we are all together more.  Zoe is still in day care full time (I don't feel coordinated enough just yet to take care of both of them all day).  But we'll get there.  I'm just so happy that Zoe loves her baby brother so far.  It's made me feel so much better.

Beckett James | Birth Story

Mr. Beckett's arrival was not at all what I expected…other than he was early which I predicted all along.  So here is this little guy's story.

I had been having braxton hicks contractions for months.  The cramping was getting worse every day but nothing consistent or time able.  Monday night Aaron had talked to his mom to confirm her arrival on Wednesday.  I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.  At one point Monday night, I was getting more crampy and noticed they were coming at frequent intervals, but they weren't intense and they were pretty far apart, then they went away.  Two weeks before, I was 3 cm dilated.  The week before, there was no change.  I went to bed Monday night with no knowledge of what was to come…

I woke up around 12:45 am with actual contractions.  I turned on my app and started to time them.  They were averaging 50 seconds to just over a minute in length.  They were coming about 6 minutes apart at that point.  I wasn't supposed to call the doctor until they were 5 minutes apart, lasting one minute each, for one hour.  At 1:30 am, I decided to get up and go downstairs.  To pass the time, I unloaded the dishwasher…so glad I wasted my time there :)

Shortly thereafter, I went upstairs to tell Aaron I thought this was it and to call his mom.  I got the rest of my things around, called the doctor, and showered.  The time between contractions went quickly from 6 minutes, to 4 minutes, to 2-3 minutes apart.  Looking back, this should have been a sign to stop what I was doing and go to the hospital rather than unloading the dishwasher, showering, etc.  

We called the people we had asked as our Zoe backups.  Thankfully, our neighbor answered right away and came over until Aaron's mom arrived around 5:30 am.  We left for the hospital just before 3 am.  I remember thinking the contractions were coming REALLY close together and things were feeling a little odd down there.  I had an epidural with Zoe though, so besides the early contractions, I really didn't know what it would feel like later in labor.

As we got to the check in desk, I realized my wallet was at home.  Thankfully, that wasn't an issue.  They quickly checked me in, Aaron ran down to move the car, and a nurse came in to ask questions and help me get into my gown.  I think then the contractions were 2 minutes apart.  A nurse was nice enough to push my pelvis together during each one.  I was in HORRIBLE pain at this point and not really getting any relief.  The nurse checked my dilation and didn't say a word.  I repeatedly said I wanted an epidural ASAP.  

When she came back, and I asked how far I was and she said, "Well, I didn't want to tell you.  But you are at 10."  That's when I really lost it.  Sobbing, screaming, swearing.  I kept saying that I just wanted to go home…too late for that!  I was so upset because I knew at this point I couldn't get any pain medicine.  And I don't do well with pain.  I had no idea how much longer I had.  I just knew that I was in so much pain.

They quickly wheeled me from the trauma intake to the birthing rooms.  I screamed the whole way down the hall.  My water ruptured and splattered all down the hallway according to Aaron.  We got into the room just as my doctor was rushing in.  They forced me to move from the gurney to the other bed which I did not want to do.  It hurt so horribly.  I just wanted them to pick me up but eventually I crawled over.  

The doctor told me to push with the next contraction and Mr. Beckett James made his debut with that one contraction in about two pushes.  The RELIEF from the pain was amazing.  And hearing those sweet cries made it all worth it.  I give major credit to women who go without drugs purposely.  It's no joke.  

All in all, we got in the car at about 2:50 am.  Got to the hospital around 3 am.  And he was born at 3:34 am.  We JUST made it.  I joked with the doctor that I plan to camp out at the hospital the week before my due date if we have another baby.  She laughed and said that we can talk about induction for sure once I get close to the end to avoid a home birth :)

The poor little guy went nameless for quite a while, but we finally were able to agree.

Beckett James 
November 11, 2014
Born 3:34 am
7 lb and 9 oz
19.5 inches long

Mr. Beckett we love you so, so much already.  Your little bird cries are just adorable.  You tolerate CONSTANT kisses from your big sister and are just the best addition to this crazy family.  We can't wait to watch you grow and your personality to shine.  

Zoe Louise | 24 months

I don't know how I have a 2 year old already, but here we are.  This stage really has been my favorite so far.  To see her language and understanding of things just explode, has been so much fun.

Some of the funny things she says lately...

We are working on manners.  She always been very good with please.  She's getting so much better with thank you and now will say "Tank you mommy, daddy."  For whatever reason, she always has to throw my name in their when she's thanking Aaron.  She only does it though when thanking him.  If she's thanking my mom, she gets it right ("Tank you Beeba.") 

She's starting to recite her books from memory now.  I've noticed it the most with Wheels on the Bus and Polar Bear Polar Bear.  Her cry for the babies on the bus is VERY dramatic and so cute to see her fake it.  She can only get through the polar bear and the lion pages in Polar Bear Polar Bear, but I still thought it was pretty good that she is starting to "read" to herself.  She can now read almost all of Knuffle Bunny too.  It's absolutely adorable.

She is starting to throw 4 into her counting lineup.  Most days it's still 1, 2, 3, 6, 9!!!!!  But some days 4 makes an appearance.  And she can somewhat sing her A, B, Cs.  Sometimes instead of saying P she says "pieces" which I have no idea where that came in but for only being two, she's doing pretty well :)  I've caught her twice counting to 10 and getting EVERY number, but that's definitely not the norm.

The "go away" has left her vocabulary for the most part.  She's now onto "need" though.  Ugh.  "Mommy, I need my yogurt."  "Mommy, I need peaches."  I love seeing her form sentences more and more, but I could do without the "need."  We are working on adding please to the end.

She doesn't watch much TV, but we do let her watch Elmo clips on You Tube every once in a while, and there is a Cookie Monster skit that is all about wanting something but having to wait.  This girl can pound her milk, so we've always given her water during lunch/dinner and then milk when she's done eating so that she'll actually eat solid food.  Well she would FREAK out when she was done and wanted her milk instantly.  Aaron would always sing the Cookie Monster song to her and then remind her that Cookie Monster says "Me want it but me wait!"  And sure enough, after WEEKS of going through this, she now says "Milk" and as we're getting it, "Cookie Monster want it but wait!"  And no screaming.  It's so fun to see things like this sink in.

She was obsessed with all things camping when we were up north.  "Beeba, I go back in the camper!"  Or "Fire pit hot!"  She very emphatically would tell the ducks that were on the shore to "Stop right there!  Go back in the wawa (water)!"  I love that she threw in the quote from her ballerina book :)

She loves to tell us when Wally is sitting next to her in the car.  Except she says "Wally sit next to you!"  She still mixes up her pronouns :) 

She'll also put on her sunglasses and walk around saying "Cool duuuude!"  I die with cuteness overload.

And probably my mom's favorite, she can FINALLY say Beeba.  And she is definitely making up for lost time and saying it a lot :)

The world still ended when most days when she had to leave the park or any source of water.  Although this has gotten a lot better too in the past few weeks.  I finally would sit with her and talk to her before we left about how we were going to leave, but we could come back again, and it's ok to be sad but we can't get really upset or we couldn't come back.  It's slowly gotten a lot better.  The first few times she was a little teary and whiny.  I repeated the talk every time.  Then the last few times she's left no problem.  Now, she does try to stall a little, but NOTHING like it used to be :)

She's starting to pretend play more.  She'll give her babies drinks of water, or have pretend picnics.

And she's starting to use a fake, high pitched voice for certain things.  Sometimes when she's talking to Wally.  It's almost like the voice people will use when talking to babies.  I remember my friend's daughter doing this when her little sister was born and it was seriously the cutest thing ever.

She moved to her big girl bed this month and is doing amazing.  She plays a little during naps but usually conks right out.  No problems getting out though.  She always asks to get down, so she hasn't gotten out on her own (yet).

This girl loves, loves, loves to help.  It may be because she's obsessed with stickers, but whatever the reason, she's still an awesome helper.  I can ask her to clean up any of her toys and she'll usually oblige.  Last night, I was trying to help Aaron clean up dinner and she wanted our attention so I'd give her small tasks with her toys.  And when she was all done I told her how great of a job she did, etc., etc. Then she looked right at me and said, "Sticker?"  I suppose it's a cheap reward system :)

I really could go on and on and on.  I just don't want to forget anything!  I do miss my baby but love seeing her learn and explore new things and have things we are trying to teach her actually click.  Maybe we are doing some things right :)

August 31, 2014 - 29 Weeks

Officially my last week in the 20s.  Then only 10 weeks left.  Things are getting real!

Not much new pregnancy-wise.  I'm getting to the "I'm done point" which isn't great considering I still have 2.5ish months left.  I no longer can paint my toes or do any sort of bending over without seriously squishing this little guy.  I get so tired by the end of the day or start having serious braxton hicks contractions that I try not to overdo it, but then I feel like I'm jipping Zoe and being a lazy bum.  Thankfully, she's content when I read or do puzzles with her.  And she could care less if I sit and watch her play outside rather then partaking in all the fun.  It's my own guilt I guess.  She prefers to sit on my lap though now for everything which is starting to get tricky since I'm running out of lap room as this belly keeps getting bigger.

I'm trying so hard to get her to grasp that there will be a little human here soon.  I just don't think she has any clue.  I'll tell her baby brother is in my belly and she looks at me and lifts up my shirt and looks at me again and just pokes my belly button and does her "I'm tickling you" squeal.  I'm praying that her transition goes ok. 

We made our one and only trip up north this weekend.  So much fun and too short as always!  Traffic wasn't bad at all thankfully.  Zoe is great in the car (especially now that she can face forward), but she only lasts so long.  And 5 hours is long as it is...add in traffic and that's tough. 

While some our meals out weren't so great (mom and dad are still trying to figure out what places have good food and which don't - we definitely helped with the do not go back list), we made up for it with lots of trips to the playground, a little children's museum, walks, shopping, feeding the ducks, camp fires, etc.  Zoe had so much fun, slept great, and misses her camper already :)

August 24, 2014 - 28 Weeks

(I've had this saved for a week now waiting to add the picture, but the picture never happened.  Oops!)

Third trimester!  Things are getting real now.  Once we are back from up north, we are going to need to start getting our last few projects done.  It's really all cosmetic at this point, so I suppose everyone will live if we don't get it done.  Although, we still have not discussed names at all.  I finally put my list out so I would remember that we absolutely need to figure this out.  Don't worry baby boy, we really are excited!  Your sister is just a busy body during the day and I'm a blob on the couch by 8pm :)

While I went from being REALLY nervous about having a baby when Zoe was JUST turning 2, to mildy nervous, I'm really getting ready to meet this little guy.  Not only so that I can do all of my normal daily activities without feeling like I just ran a marathon, but also to have that newborn smell, and that teeny tiny baby to love all over.  It's hard to believe that we'll be able to love another little nugget as much as we love Zoe, because man, she's adorable and hilarious and smart and SO MUCH FUN and steals my heart every day.  But somehow, I know it's going to explode all over again.

My appointment this week went great.  I'm up 21 lbs total.  For a brief moment, I did the math wrong and thought it was 30 and had a mental freak out.  I'm trying to remember though it is what it is.  I feel like I say this after every appointment.  I guess I don't need to write down my mental struggle every time.

Apparently I'm also measuring right on track which I was shocked about.  I feel like I look quite a bit bigger already this time around.  The doctor assured me I'm not going to birth a 12 pounder (yet).

I start going every two weeks.  Crazy that I'm to that point already!  I think it stays this way until week 36, then I go once a week.

We had a nice, lazy weekend after the chaos from the week before.  I've realized Zoe has a shopping addiction like her mom.  I'll tell her we're going shopping and she whines and whines "Shopppppiinnnngggg!" until we are actually there.  Oh boy.  Target is one of her favorites.  Thankfully, she's all about the people watching and doesn't want everything she sees (yet).  Her and I ran errands most of the morning until her nap.  Then we played until it was time for dinner.  She's very into our neighbor Morgane and loves playing when they are out.  We only saw them for about 5 minutes before we ran to dinner.  Maybe this week!

Sunday we went to the zoo.  We realized that Zoe likes the animals for about an hour, then prefers to just run around and have fun with everything but the animals.  She was still good and not mischevious at all, she just didn't care about what we were seeing.  We decided that we'll have to go around backwards next time so she can enjoy the end animals a little more.

Next weekend is up north!

August 17, 2014 - 27 Weeks

I was so worried with the rate my bump was growing that this would be a gigantic baby.  Now that I look at pictures over the last few weeks, I think he just had a growth spurt and now it's evened out until the next growth spurt.  His kicks and taps are getting stronger and stronger.

I'm still feeling ok and nothing other than the hip pain at night.  Still craving all things fruit.  I have a horrendous canker sore on my tongue in the worst spot (it basically scrapes on my molers anytime I eat or talk), so eating has been interesting the past few days.  I might need to resort to smoothies....if I can find a place that makes them.  Although drinking out of a straw hurts even worse.  I think I'm through the worst of it though.  It was a long few days earlier this week.

There really hasn't been a whole lot that's new pregnancy-wise this week.  All of our energy/worries have revolved around the storm of the century we got hit with Monday night.  I picked up Zoe from day care and the lake had formed in her room.  Things went downhill fast from there.  We got home and she loved walking in the rain from the car to the house..she had her rain coat on so it was fun for her (not so much for me, but her giggles helped).  I checked the basement and everything looked ok.  We had a very slow leak in one of the windows because of the amount of rain and Aaron needed to unclog the gutters.  Very manageable though.  Nothing a towel couldn't take care of.  That was about 6:15.  Aaron got home at 7 because of traffic and roads starting to close.  Zoe and I were just cleaning up her dinner and Aaron ran out to take care of the gutter.  Then he went downstairs and the mayhem started.  Water was coming up from the sewer.

Now I in my pregnant and over emotional state started flipping out and sobbing (let's be honest...I would have done this even if I wasn't pregnant).  He did what he could to get things off the floor that weren't wet yet.  He gave me stuff to put up so he could get it out to the garage.  Baby clothes that I had JUST taken out of totes to rewash were floating.  I hope Zoe has no recollection of my crazy yelling and crying.  I finally realized it was what it was and got her ready for bed.  And proceeded to sob on and off all night until about 2am. 

The bad news....we don't have the insurance rider that covers this. 

The good news....We recently reorganized the basement last summer and almost everything was off the ground.  Most of what was on the ground was plastic and easily sanitized.  What wasn't plastic appears to be in good shape and hopefully the bleach keeps away the nastiness.  The laundry is coming out great thanks to a few tips the flood cleaners gave us (although a long process).  While we lost a few things, nothing was sentimental and nothing was of huge value.  We know a lot of people who have it a lot worse.  So I'm counting our blessings where I can.

Thankfully our neighbors have a family friend who owns a cleaning company and they came out Tuesday to give us a quote and were back that night to clean.  I've heard that most companies have days long waiting lists.  And with the smell that was creaping up the stairs by Tuesday afternoon, I'm so thankful that they thought of us and asked if we'd like them to come over.  The owner has come back twice nice to check on everything and was super helpful with how we should clean all the stuff we'd moved to the garage and how we should clean the laundry.  Stuff I never would have figured out on my own.

While times like these suck and I don't want it to happen again EVER, it's so nice to see all of the support and help from those around you.  Again, our neighbors were a saving grace by offering to have their friend come over with his company.  We've also comiserated at least once a day (I like to complain as part of my therapy :) ).  My mother-in-law dropped everything and drove over Tuesday morning to watch Zoe and help us clean.  My parents have offered up a lot as well.

Let's hope next week is a little more low key, ok?

August 10, 2014 - 26 weeks

Time is just moving right along over here.  We are trying to soak up the last month of true summer as much as we can and balance getting Zoe's room ready. We are almost to the "putting up the decorations phase" which is way more fun then all of the moving and patching the wall crap.  In just 3 short weeks, we get to finally make our way up north.

I had an unexpected appointment this week (more on that later) and I'm still up about 20-21 lbs.  If I only gain a pound every other week, I'll end up about right where I was with Zoe which doesn't feel too daunting at all.  However, in my past experience, I was at about a pound a week towards the end.  In my defense, I think a lot was water weight when I look at pictures Aaron took.  My face really did swell up more than I noticed in the moment.

Sleep is still fabulous!  Zoe always sleeps well but sometimes will cry in her sleep.  It usually doesn't last long, but it wakes me up.  This hasn't happened in a while and has been glorious.  It did happen 3 times last night which is super unusual for her.  I went in and rocked her at one point just to make sure she was ok.  Again, she was totally asleep and unaware.  I just wanted to enjoy some extra snuggles.  Her nap at school was horrible though which usually always equates to bad sleep all around for her.  Hopefully today is better.  I can't complain though.  One bad night out of the month is nothing to worry about.

I'm currently obsessed with peaches still.  I could eat a handfull a day.  I'm trying to limit it to two at the most.  I have no idea how I would survive being pregnant in the winter here in MI.  I just can't stop with the fruit!

I am getting super full fast now though.  And I still have 14 weeks to go.  I don't feel like I look exceptionally bigger than I did with Zoe at this point.  But I can tell my stomach just has no where to expand at this point.

No huge worries this week.  I did go to the doctor to get a weird feeling I've been having on and off checked out.  It was almost like I felt like my bones down "there" were growing because they were aching when I walked.  The nurse thought it was probably fine but had me come in to get checked just to be safe.  Sure enough, baby boy is locked up tight.  Let's stay that way for a while, ok?

The sore hips while sleeping are making there way back :(  No heartburn though.  Definitely hitting the uncomfortable point though.  I'm just done by the end of the day.  I'd love to go for a walk or go to the gym but I just want to crash.  And then I get uncomfortable and my back hurts.  Complain, complain :)

August 3, 2014 - 25 Weeks

 

It's August already...where is the summer going??  I knew this would happen especially with how busy our calendar was from the end of June through July, but seriously.  I feel like it just got warm.  Only 4 weeks until Labor Day!  Which I'm excited for since it's our only trip up north this year but still! 

I realized that I forgot to document my weight gain from my last appointment....ugh.  I don't really want to, but I do like being able to look back.  And IN CASE we have a third, I know I'll want to know.  19-20 lbs already.  I'm hoping now that vacation is over, this will slow way down.

I'm still sleeping fine.  Now that I'm back in my own bed, my hips don't hurt nearly as bad.  It is starting to get a little harder to roll over and to get out of bed from laying down.  Those ab muscles aren't what they used to be.

Loving fruit as always.  Peaches have been my favorite lately.  Thankfully they are coming into season here in MI soon.  Jimmy Johns still sounds...so so.  I still haven't been to the one that opened within walking distance.  What is wrong with me???

I have one name that's been on my list that's really growing on me.  But I don't know if I like it for an adult.  I think it's super cute for a baby/little kid, but I don't want this baby boy to hate us when he's older :)

I'm starting to be able to see movement from the outside now.  Those jabs are getting stronger and stronger!  I can also feel body parts from the outside poking out (no idea what they are though - butt or head).  The movement still feels really low this time around.

Not too many worries this week.  One small second of spotting but it was gone as soon as it arrived.  Then I've also had these weird "zings" or aches down in the nether region.  They are very random and I only notice them once or twice a day when I'm walking.  I called the nurse and she had no idea what I was describing...probably because I was going a horrible job at describing them.  She described what I should be worried about (basically the start of contractions or the need to push) which I know about and it's definitely neither.  For now, they've gone away so I'll just mention them at my next appointment.

I'm also starting to freak out at how much I feel like we have left to do.  We are making progress.  And once the office is cleared out (Sunday), I'll feel much better.  Then we can start assembling some of Zoe's stuff, I can lay out what needs to go on the wall that I already have to figure out what we still need to buy, etc.

And the worry that we'll have no one to watch Zoe when I go into labor is creeping up.  I cannot do this without Aaron, and what if it's the middle of the night and not when she's in day care?  Aaron has assured me that there are people who will help and I know that.  But what if randomly everyone is unavailable??

With Zoe, I had a lot more heartburn.  It's almost nonexistent right now.  We may be looking at a bald baby... :)

Overall, things are great with just a few worries.  15 weeks left!!!  Can't wait to meet this little man :)

July 27, 2014 - 24 Weeks

Some sources say this is the week of viability!  Although, I feel like 26 weeks sticks out more in my head.  But either way, we're close.  Granted, this little guy better stay put for a while longer :)  It's just reassuring when I hit that point where things "should" be ok no matter what happens.

Another crazy week around here.  We were busy catching up on sleep, getting back into our daily routine at home, and unpacking from vacation.  

Then Zoe and I hit the road yet again to head back to Rockford.  Aaron decided to stay back and relax (I don't blame him).  Zoe and I had a great weekend at Cody Lake with Nana, Great Grandpa, etc.  She LOVED the lake as to be expected.  Nana would chase and and Zoe would splash and run…"Catch you!" she screams :)  Then we got back and made it to church and pizza with Papa.  Sunday was my family reunion.  It was fun to catch up with family I don't get to see very often.  Zoe had fun playing with her cousin Cameron and Matt.  She's definitely coming out of her shell and finally starting to venture out on her own and becoming less timid.

Aaron got started on clearing out the office.  We'll get there slowly but surely with this baby :) We are home now for a good chunk of August until Labor Day weekend, so I'm hoping to check a few big things off of the list.  

I had another appointment last week.  It went well.  The weight gain was eye opening, but I guess I should have been ready for it after being on vacation and being terrible at working out lately.  I have four weeks until the next appointment and then I have the glucose test and start going every 2 weeks already!