Celebrating Baby M

We had a very busy and exciting weekend.  We traveled to Lake Charles to celebrate our sweet Baby M.  I can't express enough how thankful I am for the love and support we have been given by our family and friends.  It means so much to Bryan and me to see how much our little "caboose" is loved, and it isn't even here, yet!


We started the weekend with a diaper party for Baby M.  We have decided to continue to use cloth diapers on Baby M (we have been using them on Austyn for a year), so a traditional diaper party wasn't a good option for us.  There is a local store, eLeMeNO-Pee, that sells cloth diapers and cloth diaper accessories.  I spoke with the owner about doing a cloth diaper party.  She was so excited!  She filled a tub with different types of cloth diapers (yes, there are different types--lots!) in all gender neutral colors and prints, and brought it to the party.  Instead of the guests bringing a package of disposable diapers, they just bought a diaper at the party.  It was so great to give our family the chance to learn about modern cloth, and to see just how easy it really is.  Everyone was impressed and on board with us!

Cloth diapers are no longer associated with diaper pins and "jiffy" pants (or those nasty plastic pants).  Modern cloth is great!  Just look at how cute they are!

The shower was absolutely perfect!  Instead of a traditional guest book, everyone signed a children's book for Baby M.  Everyone left the sweetest messages for Baby M, and I can't wait to share them :)

There were also cards with "Wishes for Baby M" printed on them.  Each guest took a card and filled out different wishes they have for the baby.  I had so much fun reading these!!

We had cupcakes by the fabulous Cupcake Crazy!  They were delish!  And yes, my friends love me so much, they got me two King Cakes, too!!

The cloth diaper representative explained a little bit about modern cloth diapers and how they work.  While she did this, the guests were able to pass around the diapers and then ask questions.  This part was hilarious!

After the Q & A, it was time to shop :)

Here are some of the party guests!

And here is the big sister with the greats!

I am so upset with myself for forgetting to take a picture with my hostesses.  I can't believe I did that!  I don't even have a picture of two of them or of myself.  I know, shame, shame.

After the party, Bryan and I were off to take maternity photos with the ever-so-talented, Ashley Wood.  Seriously, she is ah-maz-ing!!!  Those of you who know Bryan, know how much he hates taking pictures!  And what does he hate more than taking pictures?  Kissing in pictures ;)  I can't say how proud I am that he didn't complain at all.  Not once!  And we shot photos for two hours!  He loves me :)

These are just a few "sneek peaks" from the photo shoot.  Ashley did such a great job!  I love them all, and I can't wait to see the rest!!

I'll be sure to post the rest in a few weeks when they are ready!

While this weekend was great, it was very bittersweet.  We had so much fun with our family and friends, but it is going to be our last trip to Lake Charles until May.  This will by far be the longest we have ever gone without making a trip home.  We have decided that it is best for me not to travel anymore.  Austyn just came so fast, we feel that a four-hour drive (mostly though nowhere with no cell phone service) is just too risky.  I don't want to have this baby on the side of the road!  Ha ;)  We also don't plan to travel with a brand new baby.  We want to wait about a month or so. 

Those of you in Lake Charles, just remember--The road that brings us home will also take you here!  We would love to have visitors over the next couple of months!

I will continue to update everyone here, though, so stay tuned!



31 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Thirty-one weeks!

I had a routine check-up yesterday, and everything was perfect.

My uterus is measuring 33 weeks instead of 31, which the doc says is just fine.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +15 pounds

Size of baby:
Baby M weighs just over three pounds, and is over 16 inches long.

Fetal Development:

"This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy." -babycenter.com

"He's about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long and weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds this month. He's getting so big, he's probably crowding your lungs.  He's going through major brain and nerve development.  Eye development, too--His irises now react to light!  All five of his senses are in working order." -thebump.com

Movement: Baby M wiggles, rolls, and squirms more than kicks, and it still amazes me every time. It is such a miracle!

Heartbeat: 140

Gender: We don't know!

Cravings: Anything and everything. I am just hungry all the time!

MaternityClothes: I am still wearing both regular and maternity tops, but I have retired my regular jeans.

Sleep: I haven't been sleeping much lately.  I don't think the alarm woke me up once this week.  Between reflux (YUCK), cramps in my legs, and needing the bathroom, it's hard to sleep.

What I miss: Sleep!

Symptoms:

-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh!

Leg and foot cramps! All. Night. Long. 

Missing Feet-- I am having more trouble every day reaching my feet! Putting on my socks and shoes has become a real chore nearly impossible, ha!

Braxton Hicks Contractions:  All the time! 

Indigestion and reflux! All. Day. Long! I keep Tums with me all the time...sometimes it helps, but usually, it doesn't.

Shortness of breath-- Because Baby M is so high, I always feel out of breath. I find it hard to catch my breath, and I can never inhale quite enough. I am ready for Peanut to drop so I can breathe again :)

**UPDATE**
Because this is the week we celebrated Baby M, I am going to add a couple of photos to this entry.

Oh, How Pinteresting!

It's Wednesday again----Wait, what?  Already?  Wow!  The days and weeks are simply flying by me!  But yes, it is Wednesday, which means....Oh, How Pinteresting!

This week's post is a continuation of my post earlier in the week, A New Beginning.  So if you haven't read that one yet, you should check it out.

These are some recipes I have found to help us in our new journey.  Just click on the photo to go to the recipe/source.  Enjoy!

This crock pot chicken taco chili is only 4 Weight Watcher points.  That's right, FOUR!!

I love her blog!  She is full of great recipes ;)  This one is only worth 4 WW points!

Garlic & lemon chicken with green beans & red potatoes! Yum!

Another WW recipe-- THREE points!!  That's right, all this yummy, sweet goodness for only three points :)

This one, I just love!  Make-ahead smoothie packs--genius!  Just throw 1 cup frozen fruit and 2 plain frozen yogurt cubes (from yogurt frozen in an ice cube tray) into a baggie.  When you are ready for a smoothie, simply put in a blender, add milk or juice, and whirl until smooth--easy-peasy!                   

See yall next Wednesday!

Chores

Gannon has been reminding me lately (on his own) that one day he will have to do things like the dishes and the laundry.  I am impressed because we have never really talked about chores with him.  He has come to the realization on his own that as a family, we help each other.  I have to give Bryan most of the credit for this because of the way he helps me with everything.  I love that they, well at least Gannon (for now), notice how much emphasis we put on team work.  Neither of us ever really have to tackle anything alone, and they are watching.

Like I said before, Bryan and I have never really discussed chores.  Not with the kids or with each other.  When Gannon mentioned it again last night, I started to think...He's five, now.  Maybe chores aren't such a bad idea!  And you all know how much Austyn hates to pick up...Well, maybe this could be the answer for her, too!  Now, don't get me wrong, they will not be asked to fold laundry, do dishes, sweep, and take out the trash.  Yet!  But I think I am ready to start baby steps with them, as well as giving them an allowance.

Now, for the fun part!  I have been Searching Pinterest for "Chore Chart Tutorials" and while I couldn't find a tutorial, I found an Etsy shop, Abbie's House, that sells the cutest magnetic chore charts.  My favorite part (which is absolutely necessary for my two kiddos) is that the chores are not written--they are photos.  While Gannon is learning to read, Austyn isn't even close.  I wanted a chart with illustrations of chores rather than words.  How great are these?

Now, in addition to chores, we have to start allowances.  It won't be much, obviously, they are three and five.  But it will hopefully be something to keep them motivated throughout the week.  I also want to start teaching them about the value of money.  I have found several cute ideas on Pinterest, of course, that I can't wait to implement into our lives!

The first is "Save-Spend-Share" mason jars.  Pinterest led me to this blog, which is full of cute ideas and printables.

Every week when they get their allowances, we will divide them into three jars.  One is for saving, one for spending, and one for giving to those who are less fortunate than us.  How we will divide them has not yet been decided, but that part is not important right now.  We let them drop money in the donation buckets at Christmas time, and when we explained what those buckets were for and what they had done to help others, they were so proud.

I also saw this:

I think it is necessary for kids (heck, even me) for everything to be tangible when dealing with money.  This project is so simple, and it will allow them to choose what they are saving for, and show them their progress along the way.

I know most of this will be a long-shot with Austyn, but I really think Gannon is going to enjoy it, as well as benefit from it.  Austyn just loves to do anything her big brother does, so she just may get more out of it all than we expect.  Plus, we have to start somewhere.

Any other ideas are completely welcome, so if you have tips and tricks that have proven successful, please let me know!

Now, all I have to do is convince Bryan to buy me those adorable chore charts!!

3-0

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Thirty weeks!

And, because it is January 20, that means exactly two months until we hope to welcome Baby M!

In sixty days, we will have three children!  Eeek!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +13 pounds 

Size of baby:
Baby M weighs about three pounds, and is around 15.7 inches long.

Fetal Development:

"Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face (normal adult vision is 20/20)." -babycenter.com

"His skin is getting smoother, but his brain is getting wrinklier -- to make way for all that essential brain tissue.  He's now strong enough to grasp a finger!." -thebump.com

Movement: Baby M wiggles, rolls, and squirms more than kicks, and it still amazes me every time. It is such a miracle!
I have been doing kick counts, and they are going very well.  I have never had to lay for the full thirty minutes...I can usually count 4-6 movements within ten minutes :)

Heartbeat: 147

Gender: We don't know!

Cravings: Anything and everything.  I am just hungry all the time!

MaternityClothes: I am still wearing both regular and maternity tops, but I have retired my regular jeans, finally!

Sleep: I haven't been sleeping much lately.  Three nights this week, I woke up between 2-3 and never could fall back asleep.  It is making for some long days. 

What I miss:  Sleep!

Symptoms:

-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh! I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy. I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery. This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.

Leg and foot cramps! Yuck! 

Missing Feet-- I am having more trouble every day reaching my feet! Putting on my socks and shoes has become a real chore, ha!

Braxton Hicks Contractions: I never really had these with the first two, but I have them all the time with this one.

Indigestion! All. Day. Long!   I keep Tums with me all the time...sometimes it helps, but usually, it doesn't.

Shortness of breath-- Because Baby M is so high, I always feel out of breath.  I find it hard to catch my breath, and I can never inhale quite enough.  I am ready for Peanut to drop so I can breathe again :)

A New Beginning

Bryan and I have made a resolution to eat healthier.  For us, it's not about losing weight, at all (however, hopefully that will be an added bonus).  We just want to be healthier in general.  We want to teach the kids better eating habits that will follow them into adulthood. In conjunction with this, Bryan has started Weight Watchers because part of a healthier lifestyle is maintaining a healthy weight.  I will join him in this program in March, as, obviously, I can't start it now.  We have been on the hunt for healthy. but satisfying recipes that will also please our picky little munchkins. I know...it sounds impossible!  But actually, it hasn't been any harder than trying to get anything else in their little tummies.

This is a recipe I found for ground turkey that is absolutely delish, AND it is only 5 points!!  I hope you enjoy!

*Just click the photo for the recipe*

Oh, How Pinteresting!

It's Wednesday again, so that means another link up with Michelle over at The Vintage Apple!



I am dedicating this week's post to the things that make me giggle.

I would just die, ha!

Nice try!

Oh, if only we could actually use this!!

While this doesn't apply to mine, I still find this absolutely hilarious!

Yeah, pretty much...

These two go hand-in-hand...

ummm

So very true!

Ice T!!

And finally....This one cracks me up every time I look at it!!

Hope you laughed with me this morning!  Happy Wednesday, see yall next week!

29 Weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: Twenty-nine weeks!

Oh. my. word! 

Ten weeks! 

67 days!

That's all that's left of this pregnancy!  I know I have said it before, but I can't believe how fast this is flying.  Gannon and Austyn are very excited, and they talk about their new baby all the time.  They are always asking if it is March, yet so the baby can come out.

I forgot to blog this earlier, but a couple of weeks ago, someone at day care asked them if their mommy was going to have a baby.

Gannon said, "No, WE are going to have a baby!"

I was so proud of him.  Bryan and I have never put it in that context to him, so the fact that he, on his own, has completely internalized this, just amazes me. 

Size of baby:
Baby M weighs between two-and-a-half and three pounds, and is just over 15 inches long.

Fetal Development:

"Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.." -babycenter.com

"Baby already measures about 15.2 to 16.7 inches long. Right now, we weighs about 2.5 to 3.8 pounds but he's still got a ways to go -- can you believe he'll triple in weight before birth?
He's getting a little cramped in there, since he's growing so fast. But you probably already realize that, since you're getting all those jabs and kicks.  He's growing white fat deposits under his skin, and his energy is surging because of it. 
Feel a subtle twitch? It might be baby hiccupping." -thebump.com

Movement: Baby M wiggles, rolls, and squirms more than kicks, and it still amazes me every time.  It is such a miracle!
At this point, I have to start doing kick counts.  This means I have to lay on my side for thirty minutes (3-4 times per day) and monitor movements.  I should be feeling 4-6 movements in that thirty minute time period.  If there aren't 4-6 movements, I have to roll to my other side and try again.
*When I was pregnant with Austyn, she did not cooperate with this at all.  She liked to scare us.  Around 33-34 weeks, she stopped moving, almost completely.  We went to the ER to have her checked more than once, and they couldn't even get her to move (although her heartbeat was very strong).  They did ultrasounds and discovered that my fluid levels were a little low, and that's what was causing her lack of movement.

Heartbeat: 135

Gender: We don't know!

Gut feeling: Gannon and I are saying boy, and Bryan  and Austyn say girl.

Cravings: White gravy!! I want chicken strips or chicken fried steak and white gravy all. the. time! And, pizza rolls!! I know, yuck...but YUM!! haha

Total Weight Gain/Loss: +11 pounds

MaternityClothes: I am still wearing both regular and maternity tops, but I have retired my regular jeans, finally!

Sleep: Sleep has actually gotten better...for the moment :)

What I miss: Honestly, I am really, really sad that I can't soak in a really hot bubble bath!

Symptoms:

-Morning sickness is still here, but she only visits in the morning. I know better than to try to eat breakfast...I just make up for it the rest of the day!

-Clumsy!! Boy, am I clumsy! I drop everything, I trip over my own feet, and I knock over any glass in my reach. Sheesh! I ran into a tent pole at Academy the other night, and at Subway, I turned to leave the register and ran into the post that makes the line...Oy. I was like this with Gannon, too, but had no sense of recovery. This time, I am able to save at least most of my spills.

-Vivid dreams! I know I have talked about these before, so I won't go into detail about all of them, just let me tell you...Wooo-eeee, there have been some doozies! Ha!

Leg and foot cramps! Yuck! These have really been intensifying lately.

-Back/hip pain! This has actually gotten much better since I have been seeing the chiropractor. It isn't gone...but it is much better! I have stretched my appointments out to four weeks, now.

Missing Feet-- I am having more trouble every day reaching my feet! Putting on my socks and shoes has become a real chore, ha!

Braxton Hicks Contractions: I never really had these with the first two, but I have them all the time with this one.

Indigestion!  All. Day. Long!  I didn't experience this with the first two--actually, I have never experienced this, so it's new for me. It's nasty. It leaves me nauseated at night when I am trying to fall asleep. It leaves me starving and nauseated at the same time. Weirdest. Feeling. Ever!