February 14, 2012

Well, well, well...Life is a little bit busier with two! :) In all honesty, I was exhausted yesterday and even though I had help from my mama, I am not sure I spent more than about 15 minutes on the computer all day...and that was to work on these pictures! So, hang with me and slowly but surely we'll get caught up!

These are all from Tuesday of this week!

Since I had Will so late at night and we weren't moved until 4 AM, there wasn't much sleep to be had Monday night/Tuesday morning. The hospital seemed to wake up for the day around 6 AM, so we just got up as well.

Eddie went home on Tuesday morning to shower, change clothes, and pick up James to visit the hospital. The boys picked up two dozen roses for me for Valentine's Day and Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Holy cow, they were delish!

James was like a pinball at the hospital, bouncing from one thing to the next. He wore. me. out. while he was there. But he was SO sweet holding his little brother. He has really, really been excited about this new boy!

Later, James went back home with Cacky and Anna and Poppy stopped by for a visit!

And then after that, Papa and YaYa came for a visit!

I was exhausted by the end of the day. I think Eddie and I were both asleep before 10 PM. Of course, I was awake every 10 minutes for either nursing or having my vitals checked, but we did get some sleep.

It was definitely a different Valentine's Day than we've ever had before, but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

BIRTH day...February 13, 2012

We're back! So thankful tonight to be home and sleeping in my very own bed! I wanted to go ahead and get things posted because chances are that if I wait to post, I won't remember anything! I'll try to get caught up before next week!

Monday was a BIG day around here! We were scheduled to go to the hospital for a 1pm induction. Yea! We had our bags packed, our house picked up, and we were ready to go!

One last belly shot! 40 weeks!

Last family-of-three picture!

Eddie and I left our house and had a picnic in our car before heading to the hospital. I had one last bowl of potato soup before delivery. :) (I've since had THREE bowls of potato soup...must not have just been a pregnancy thing!)

We got checked in and I got into a gown and in my bed. The first thing they needed to do was get my IV started. As I mentioned last week, I had to have some antibiotics before delivery to make sure that Will didn't get pneumonia. This wasn't a concern with James, but it was this time around. Unfortunately, I was dilated 3 centimeters two weeks ago and because last time I hit 5 centimeters and then almost immediately I was fully dilated, my doctor made the decision to induce before I went into labor on my own. Well...the first step in getting that process started was the IV...and the IV didn't go so well. My nurse tried three separate times to get it started and wasn't successful. She finally called in someone else to try it. That nurse took two times to get it in. Five separate IV sticks is NO fun. It took at least forty-five minutes just to get that part going. It was at least 2:30 by the time I started my IV fluids and antibiotics got started.

So...the next step was to start pitocin. There was some magical formula for how many bags of fluid I needed to have before I got another bag of antibiotics, etc. I think after one bag of antibiotics I was able to start pitocin, but I may not be remembering that correctly at all. Anyway, pitocin was started and through the entire first bag my nurse came in every 15-20 minutes or so to turn it up. My contractions (I had been having them on my own all day) definitely started getting stronger and stronger at this point.

Eddie worked during all of the waiting around. I told him that if the people he was talking to on the phone knew where he was, they would be mortified!

The second part of the day that set us back a bit was the fact that there were several emergency c-sections on Monday afternoon. This resulted in the nurse anesthetist and my doctor being tied up. They knew that when my water was broken my contractions would get worse and I would need an epidural but I wouldn't be able to get one because of the emergencies. So this held us up a little bit. I think my water was broken around 7pm.

They did continue pitocin, but they didn't continue to turn it up after my water was broken. As best I can remember, I was finally able to have an epidural around 9:30pm. (I could be completely wrong about this.) I was SO nervous this time around for my epidural. I'm not sure what it was, but I was really, really concerned about it. I could NOT relax. I think this is probably the reason that my back is still hurting today where the catheter went in for the epidural. Once that got started my blood pressure and heart rate remained okay but I started having a hard time breathing. The nurse finally realized it was anxiety because the side-effects from the epidural were SO different than they were last time. It made me feel loopy and I could not stop shaking all over. (Although, in hindsight the loopiness could be because it was gettin really late and I'd not gotten much sleep the night before!) The epidural took about 45 minutes so it was probably around 10:15 or so by this time.

I asked my nurse how we'd know it was time for him to be here after my epidural. She showed me on the monitor how his heartrate would start dipping a bit during a contraction and she mentioned that I'd start to feel some pressure. About that time I felt a LOT of pressure and mentioned it to her. She checked me immediately and laughed and said I was feeling pressure because I was about to have him. She told me NOT to push.

They got everything set up and Eddie called Mom (around 11pm). She was at home with James and we wanted him to be Will's first visitor after he was born. Eddie's mom, dad, and sister had been at the hospital since early evening so they were waiting as well. After everything got set up and the doctor came in I started pushing. I pushed a grand total of FIVE whole times before he was born. :) Wonderful delivery! He was born at 11:37pm - NOT the Valentine's baby that my nurse was certain that we'd have!

Big Brother made it to the hospital just in time to meet Baby Brother! He was not sure what to think since he'd been pulled out of bed and hauled to the hospital at midnight! The first thing he said was, "He's not in your tummy anymore!" He was very excited, but very, very quiet!

Then the other visitors were allowed a quick visit! I think everyone was gone from the hospital by 1AM. Very, very quick visit!

The hospital gives daddies a scrub shirt with all of the baby's information on it. Poor Baby Brother's little feet didn't show up, though.

Big Brother got to help push Will to the elevator when he went to the nursery. My nurse also let him push the lullaby button that they do when a new baby is born. James was overly excited and pushed it THREE times...at 1 AM. :)

After everyone left, Eddie picked up McDonald's for us for dinner. We spent the next few hours trying to sleep and waiting for my legs to wake up. One of them did NOT want to wake up from the epidural! We finally moved to the postpartum wing around 4AM.

More tomorrow from Valentine's Day!



Baby Brother...39 Weeks!!!

We've had a great morning! (Well, I have...James is still SO SICK. He's pitiful.) I have on REAL clothes and makeup. Not yoga pants. :) I left the house today for the first time since Monday! Woohoo! My doctor's appointment went well. We went to Target (although, I didn't find the cute little Converse that I was looking for for James' Valentine's Day gift...the colors were wrong). AND I just stuffed my face on the most delicious lunch from Panera and James was asleep so I didn't have to share. :) Is that terrible or what???

I am 39 weeks, 2 days pregnant! WOOHOO. I actually can't believe I have made it this long. I was CONVINCED that I was going to have an early baby this time around. I'm not sure why, but I had a feeling. Obviously, that's not a concern anymore!

My appointment this week was later than normal...but it was my LAST appointment. I will show up at the hospital to be induced next week if I don't have him between now and then. I was still 3 cm dilated like last week. The midwife saw me today because my regular doctor is out of town but she mentioned that I may have a baby this weekend. We'll see! I'm sort of set on the other "birth" day that they gave me, though. Guess I have no control...his birthday has already been picked out by someone else! If I don't have him before his "birth" day I'll go to the hospital early next week and get things rolling! It has been mentioned many, many times that this will likely be a very quick delivery! I am hoping it is also uneventful and pain free. :) I can dream, right?

We are SO ready to meet him!

Size of the Baby: A watermelon! He’s probably between 18.9-20.9 inches and 6.2-9.2 pounds. Obviously, it varies at this point. James was 8.2 pounds and 21 inches

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around. He’s still trying to push and stretch. Little legs must be getting cramped.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca! Sugar, sugar, sugar. Fortunately, eating all of this sugar, sugar, sugar hasn’t made me feel too bad.

Symptoms: I’m VERY uncomfortable. I have also had reflux from you-know-where this week. It has been horrible. One night I thought I might have to sleep sitting up and another night I woke up with horrible reflux. Yuck.

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: James’ Big Brother outing!

And just for fun, this boy perked up at the end of my appointment and wanted to have his baby checked out, too:

Baby Brother...38 Weeks

I cannot believe I'm posting the above picture. My hair and makeup...whoa. It was taken at the end of the day today, after I'd been to the doctor and hospital (just to register) and then laid on the sofa the remainder of the afternoon. I feel bad, I hurt, and I look terrible...but LOOK HOW BIG THAT BABY IS! Whoa. Someone has grown.

I saw my for-real doctor at my appointment today. She checked me and I have made lots of progress in the past two weeks...like, WAY more progress than I ever made with James on my own. She said that she can't make a guess about when he'll actually be born, but things are looking promising. We did schedule an induction should I make it a bit longer. In my gut, I doubt I'll make it to my induction. I really have felt all along that I wouldn't make it to 40 weeks and after today's visit, coupled with lots of contractions lately, and feeling so yucky all day today, I really am feeling like we'll be having a Groundhog baby or a Super Bowl baby over a Valentine's baby. But I could be completely wrong!

After my appointment, I went to the hospital to pre-register so that some of my paperwork would be taken care of ahead of time. (I've been told to get myself to the hospital asap should I go into labor...probably not much sitting around and waiting this time around!) We mentioned to a nurse in the elevator that I had an induction date and then told her about my check up and she said, "Oh, we'll see you before your induction then!" Ha! Makes me a little nervous to think that I may not have a "planned" delivery, but I have a lot of my to-do list done, and honestly I guess it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things anyway. So we'll see!

Size of the Baby: The size of a pumpkin! Yes! I can tell! He’s probably 18.9 to 20.9 inches and weight about 6.2 to 9.2 pounds. Obviously, this just varies baby-to-baby now! James was 8.2.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds. I ate and ate and ate this week. I was STARVING.

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around. He’s still trying to push and stretch. Little legs must be getting cramped. He still has a party from 10-12 every night. Sometimes it lasts even longer. We are going to have fun working that out when he gets here. James almost always starts waking up around 1:30 so by the time I fall asleep from the party in my tummy, someone else is screaming. Fortunately, Eddie is AWESOME about getting up with James (mostly because James wants nothing to do with me in the middle of the night), so I've been able to wake up and go right back to sleep.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca! Sugar, sugar, sugar. Fortunately, eating all of this sugar, sugar, sugar hasn’t made me feel too bad. Lots of Crystal Light. :)

Symptoms: Contractions over the weekend. Just VERY uncomfortable lately. I suddenly feel very big. Some nausea, but not too much. Lots of pressure at the top of my tummy lately, too. I don't know if maybe he's dropped and because all the weight is now down that the bottom my poor upper stomach muscles (ha!) are being stretched, or what. At Monkey Joe's on Sunday I walked around feeling like I needed to carry my tummy. Not painful, just uncomfortable!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: Baby shower!

Baby Brother...37 Weeks!

Guess who we saw today? NOT the doctor. :( I was told by a doctor two weeks ago (not my own...haven't seen her since early December) that's it's VERY important now to see the same person each visit. Too bad they don't seem to take that seriously. When I checked out she gave me the appointment and I said, "Now, this is WITH Dr. W.?" and she said it was. I get that they have to run out to deliver babies, but not every single time I'm there. I've been a LOT and have seen MY doctor maybe 4 times and another doctor only once. IF we ever have another baby, I may be looking for a different practice...which is a shame because I really like my doctor when I see her. *Sigh*

So, what did we learn today? My weight is still good. My blood pressure was 110/62 today and Baby Brother's heartrate was 159 (I think). I measured fine. They didn't check any progress this week so it was a pretty quick appointment.

I've been rehearsing in my head what I'm going to say next week at my appointment to SEE a doctor. Pretty sure I'll ask the nurse as soon as I'm called back who I'm going to see and insist that it be the doctor. Last time I was induced so I'd rather talk to her about it beforehand this time around. I'm down to 20 days until my due date so I'd say it's time to have a chat with her about it. I know it will all work out but it is stressful!

James and I got several errands run after my appointment and got a few more things marked off my list. Thankfully! It's sloooowly getting shorter, which is fantastic! He and I even had a picnic in the car today while we were out. He thought that was funny. I've eaten out twice with him now - Chick-fil-A (which he calls "Chicken Day") and Sonic. I've downloaded an app on my phone that tells which foods to avoid at fast food restaurants and it's made me feel a little more at ease. I'm still a little panicky out and about with food.

Size of the Baby: Probably around 7 pounds by now!

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +12 pounds. Can you tell my appetite is in FULL FORCE? I cannot stop eating. I eat a little bit, get full, wait, eat a little more!

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca!

Symptoms: Sciatica this week. This is how I felt my WHOLE pregnancy with James, though, so I’ll tough it out for three weeks.

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: Nursery progress!

I Seem to Remember Being a Little Bored...

This has been the longest week. The longest, toughest week. I am overwhelmed and sad about what is ahead of us in this severe allergy diagnosis. Way, way overwhelmed. I'm certain it doesn't help that I got this news at 36 weeks gestation. :( Hormones galore! I'm going to try my best not to whine and cry about it, but there's not a ton of information out there so I am going to post things I learn every once in a while. There's information, but not the daily life kind...and that's what I'm looking for right now. I'm not going to lie, this stuff TERRIFIES me.

I've been running through all the stupid "what ifs" in my head. "What if we forget his EpiPen at home?" "What if someone doesn't read a label and he has a reaction?" "What if someone tries to 'test' his allergy?" (Y'all, the amount of stories I've heard about family members "TESTING" a severe food allergy is remarkable. Let it be known that mama bear will HURT someone who does that.) "Will we ever be able to travel out of the country with him?" "What if a restaurant doesn't have their ingredients listed somewhere? Can we still eat there?" See? Overwhelmed. Suffice it to say that my sweet family is in for it in the next few weeks. Those of you who are around James all the time are about to be BOMBARDED with information and dos and don'ts.

A family friend was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy when she was three. Her mama and my mama have known each other practically since they were born so she's probably going to be my sounding board for a while. Yesterday, she mentioned to Mama that she STILL has to remind people around her daughter that she cannot have peanuts in anything. Her daughter is twenty-one. Y'all. This is lifelong, here. I texted another friend last night who's been dealing with MAJOR health issues with her son for about a year now. I asked her if she just felt like she was in the pit of despair when they first found out. Thankfully, she told me it was normal! :) She said I just have to get used to our new normal. I think instead I'll put James in a bubble and we'll stay home forever. Y'all feel free to visit, though! :)

Okay, I'm making this post way longer than necessary. More about Baby Brother, less about James now!

I've mentioned before that the first go 'round of pregnancy was way different than this one has been.

For one thing, I worked (outside the home) through week 20 of my pregnancy with James. Because I taught school, summer began WAY before I would've begun a maternity leave and I was free to lounge the day away (inside, with air conditioning) weeks 21-40. Now, I'm sure I wasn't lounging all the time, but I wasn't doing much! This time I, of course, have the job that never ends. I (mostly) love it, but it is work. Eddie has been FANTASTIC when he's home from work, but between 8-6, James and I are almost exclusively on our own.

At home isn't as big a deal as being out and about. I have a HUGE mama bus and he has a HUGE toddler carseat. Some of you know what I'm talking about. I need the running board to easily get into my vehicle. I have to lift James to about chest height to get him into his seat. At the doctor's office last week he weighed 30.5 pounds. You'd think my arms would be way more toned by now. Lifting him and carrying him makes my arms and back ache. Last time I carried a purse...and that was it. And if I sat my purse down for a second it didn't run screaming into another direction. :)

Another difference has been the time of year of these pregnancies. Last time I was HOT all.the.time. It was the hottest summer of my life. Hottest EVER. Our house was hot. The car was hot. Outside was hot. It was hot everywhere. The only relief I ever got was in a swimming pool. And we don't have one.

This time, obviously, hasn't been in the middle of the summer. And it also apparently hasn't been in the middle of the winter since we're having one of the warmest winters I can ever remember. (If you're from the north, feel free to laugh at me. It's 70-something* today and I'm wearing jeans and long sleeves. I'm not cold, but it ain't hot!)

Last time, I had the nursery completed by Week 36. I really had it completed before then. I got my bedding from my aunt as a baby shower gift at with exactly one month to go until James' due date. The only thing not completed were the letters I had painted for his room and I think I got those about two months later. No biggie!

This time, I couldn't ever find bedding that I liked so I broke down and bought pre-made. I don't have much against pre-made but the skirts never seem to fit just right. I've ordered his skirt and I've ordered a duvet cover that matches so that my aunt can turn it into a bumper. (The pre-made bumpers that matched this set are all sold out.) We've sort of started leaning toward a theme. We're not all gung-ho about a theme, but we have something that we'll probably do anyway. I'm going to have a canvas painted with his name on it (yes, he has one; no, I can't tell you) to hang over his crib but I'm in no rush on it. I still need to clean his room out.

Last time, I washed clothes as I received them and had them hanging sweetly in his closet. I'd go and peek in every once in a while and think how BIG they looked!

This time, I scrambled the past two weekends to pull clothes out of the attic. Some of them are hanging, some are in the dryer, some are piled in the rocking chair in his room. I keep walking by the sofa (where some of them are folded) and thinking how TINY they look! Surely that's not 3-6 months! It looks like a newborn outfit! :)

We were excited then and we're excited now but last time the last four weeks dragged along like they'd never end. This time I actually told a friend that I had my fingers crossed that I wouldn't have made any progress at my 36 week appointment. :) What pregnant woman thinks that way?

I know that a lot of it has to do with having had a child already (and knowing just enough to be terrified) and that a lot of it has to do with how sick we've been lately. I'm not making progress while I'm sleeping and trying to recover. BUT...the good news is that I do know that Baby Brother won't care whether his room is finished. He won't care whether my house is clean. And he won't care whether I've stocked my freezer with meals. He's going to come when he's good and ready (or when Dr. W. is good and ready to induce!). We're excited and can't wait to meet him!

Baby Brother...36 Weeks! (And an Allergy Update)

I saw a nurse practitioner at my appointment today. They were running so behind that I didn't care WHO saw me. She called in a Z-Pack for me since I'm still sick...eight days now. I sound horrible and my throat is so sore it hurts to talk. She also did my Group B Strep test and checked my progress. Baby Brother is head down (although, I think he goes into a transverse {sideways} position sometimes...) and I'm not dilated at all yet.

I ran from my appointment to James' allergist appointment. There is good news and bad news on that front. The good news is that James is NOT allergic to peanuts. The bad news is that he is allergic to all tree nuts. We're going to have to learn to read labels, he has his own Epi Pen, and we'll be doing our research on what to avoid. We asked lots of questions about Baby Brother just so that we'd know. Chances are NOT in his favor that he'll outgrow it, but they'll re-test him in a year and again five years after that to see what shows up then. Oddly enough, his bloodwork came back negative and they decided to do a skin test just to be on the safe side. Poor little man!

Size of the Baby: Still about the same! I know the thing on the sidebar says differently. Make your best guess. (Actually, maybe we SHOULD have a guessing post!) He’s about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out he won’t get much longer, but he’s plumping up. (Funny, since I had a 21 inch baby the first go ‘round!) He’s now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he’ll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds. I had a little scare on Saturday where I stepped on the scale and had lost 4 pounds. I assume it was the whole only-taking-in-liquids thing on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They’re back.

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc. Fresca!

Symptoms: Oddly enough, I’ve had NO pregnancy problems in the past week. I’ve felt great! If only I hadn’t had a fever for four days, no appetite, body aches, a throat and lungs that feel like they’re on fire, and a cough that won’t quit!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Confession: Eddie’s been tying them for me when he’s home. If James could tie, I’d enlist his help as well! Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: Ha! I enjoyed my weekend with Eddie, but I wish I’d felt better! I DID make nursery progress, so maybe that was my best moment!

Baby Brother...35 Weeks!

I got a reminder today that His plans are not MY plans. :) James (who usually goes to school on Tuesdays) is currently asleep in my bed with a yucky nose, gunky eyes, and a low-grade fever. Pitiful. Tuesdays and Thursdays are my days for getting lots of things done and I don't have many left. BUT...sometimes we need a wakeup call to slow down, don't we? Being thankful in everything...I'm thankful this is the first time since November that he's been sick. We've had a good stretch of health for a bit and that's nice! Let's get it out of our systems NOW instead of everyone getting sick in February and March!

Size of the Baby: He’s about 17.2 to 18.7 inches. From here on out he won’t get much longer, but he’s plumping up. (Funny, since I had a 21 inch baby the first go ‘round!) He’s now about 4.2 to 5.8 pounds, and he’ll put on a pound or more of baby fat before birth. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.

Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc.

Symptoms: My legs are restless, my back is achy. I’m exhausted all the time. I’m still nauseated a lot. I can’t breathe. I have a little bit of sciatica. I am running back and forth to the bathroom all the time. So fun! Someone feels like they start break dancing at 11:30 every single night. It’s hilarious how on schedule he is already! We’re going to have to work on those days and nights! All normal, though…it could be much, much worse! I’ll take it for the next five weeks if he’ll stay put!

Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.

What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Breathing normally.

Best Moment This Week: An entire date weekend with Eddie!

Baby Brother...34 Weeks (And a Nursery Update!)

34 Weeks, 2 Days

Can you tell how high he is? He is no longer low, low, low like before.

I had a REAL doctor's appointment yesterday. I saw a FOR REAL doctor. Not my doctor, mind you, but a doctor! Ha! He said my EKG looked fantastic. I have no heart problems that they could see. What a relief! Would you like to know what he thinks my problem is? The fact that the baby is all up in my ribs (see picture above) mixed in with a lot of heartburn and reflux. Did you know that can cause nausea? Hmm. I think it's probably a combination of that and the baby getting on that vagus/vagal (?) nerve. He's just running out of room and wearing my body out. Hopefully he'll stay put for at least three more weeks, though! I measured at 33.5 cm (from the bottom to the top of my belly - it's supposed to align with the number of weeks gestationally). A teeny bit small, but not much. In two weeks I'll go back for my 36 week visit (and then every week after that) and they'll check my progress then. Hopefully I'll see my real doctor one of these days. The great news yesterday is that he's flipped and is head down, butt up. I was excited about that until I realized at 11:30 last night he was transverse - butt on one side, head on the other side of my stomach. Apparently he still has some flipping room. Mrs. Bobby (who delivered Eddie breech) says not to worry too much about beforehand position - Eddie was apparently head-down just days before he was born. Oh well. Hopefully he'll be right where he needs to be when the time comes!


Size of the Baby: He still weighs between 4.2 pounds and 5.8 pounds and measures anywhere from 17.2 to 18.7 inches. I have felt all along like he might be smaller than James (he’s measured smaller, James measured a little bigger), but maybe that’s just wishful thinking.



Total Weight Loss/Gain: +10 pounds


Maternity Clothes: I’m reaching the time we’re I’m outgrowing my maternity clothes. The mediums are too short, the larges are all too baggy. I just wear yoga pants at home anyway, though.


Gender: Another boy!


Movement: Yes! He’s running out of room so no more jabs, kicks, and punches, but he’s still rolling all around.


Cravings: I don’t have any real cravings. I’ve wanted lots and lots and lots of water lately. Diet Coke tastes bad (that’s a good thing, huh?) most of the time, but I like anything that’s a clear soda – Sprite, etc.


Symptoms: I was so uncomfortable last night. I know it’s because I was up all day long but I felt terrible. I feel like I have restless leg syndrome at night these days. I can’t breathe. Sciatica has kicked in (thankfully much, much later than with James!). Someone feels like they start break dancing at 11:30 every single night. It’s hilarious how on schedule he is already! We’re going to have to work on those days and nights!


Sleep: SO hard to fall asleep these days. I toss and turn (which isn’t easy) and huff and puff until I finally wear myself out. I’m usually up until 1 or 2 AM. No fun.


What I Miss: Bending over without hurting myself. Tying my shoes on top instead of the side (HA!). Breathing normally.


Best Moment This Week: We had a great New Year’s Eve and a fun time watching UGA’s bowl game with friends on Monday. And James is back in school so he’s excited about that!

So the nursery update...Mom and I went to Albany again yesterday to look at fabric for this boy's room. I cannot find ANYTHING that I want. NOTHING. Yesterday was the same old story. I would find fabrics I liked, but nothing I loved. So I've been looking online for alternative ideas. I found something today from Pottery Barn Kids - which, of course, is sold out. SO...I'm improvising and ordering a duvet cover in the same pattern to see if Leta (Sonny's sister) can work with that. We'll see. Worst case scenario is I have to send it back. But this nursery needs something in it! It's pitiful and empty! :)

Baby Brother...33 Weeks!

It's okay if you think I look exhausted and in need of concealer. I am and I do. :)

Size of the Baby: A honeydew! (I feel like I’m carrying one!) He weighs between 4.2 and 5.8 pounds and measures 17.2 to 18.7 inches.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8-9 pounds (I forgot to weigh but it's somewhere around there. Wonder if we're going to have a smaller baby this time? I'd gained 19 by now with James and he was 8.2.)

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front. I wound up having to order two more dresses last week to make it through the next two months. Ha!

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes, but I can tell he’s slowing down a little bit. He must be running out of room!

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage.

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

What I Miss: Deli meat. And blue cheese. And yes, I know it’s okay to eat pasteurized blue cheese, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. (I also know that to miss blue cheese is WEIRD but my favorite restaurant salads have it on there.)

Best Moment This Week: Christmas!

Baby Brother...32 Weeks

Can you hear that? It's the sound of me hyperventilating since I've realized that I am down to 8 weeks...EIGHT WEEKS...to my due date. I've finally made a little nursery headway (I think). We may have come to an agreement on the name (maybe...). We just have to get through Christmas and putting all of the decorations away and we can focus a lot more on getting the baby stuff ready! I am excited about pulling out itty bitty clothes!

I had a doctor's appointment today and all was just fine. According to my home scale I've gained about 10 pounds, not just 8 like I recorded Monday when I wrote this. However, I blame the Christmas goodies that have taken over my kitchen. :( My blood pressure was 120/82 and Brother's heartrate was 163. I measured exactly as I should - 32 cm. We saw the nurse midwife again today. I'm going to have to be ugly and ask to be scheduled to see a doctor, I guess. At this point I've only seen a doctor probably half (or less!) of my eight visits. It puts Eddie in a HORRIBLE mood. I am sure they're billing me for seeing a doctor when I'm not. *Sigh* All looks great but I have to say that I felt like today was a wasted appointment, especially since a certain toddler was ugly while we were there. (And then felt the need to ask for candy when we left. No sir.)

Size of the Baby: By now, Baby Brother weights about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long. Supposedly, I’ll be gaining about a pound a week for the next 8 weeks. That would double my weight gain! He’ll gain a third to half his birth weight during the next seven weeks. He has toenails, fingernails, and real hair. His skin is becoming soft and smooth!

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of it. He enjoys sitting right on top of my bladder all.the.time. He is still super low, although I can tell his legs have grown because I feel punches and/or kicks up almost in my ribs now. He wiggles all the time now! I can almost be guaranteed a show right when I lay down to go to bed. I woke up Saturday morning and thought he was trying to flip to a head-down position. His head was resting on my hip bone (ouch!) and his feet were at the other hip. I had my fingers crossed but when I got up and moved around his head went right back up to my ribs. Mrs. Bobby said it doesn’t make a bit of difference because Eddie was head-down just days before birth and he suddenly flipped right before he was born. He was a breech baby!

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I told Eddie last night that I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

What I Miss: Deli meat. And blue cheese. And yes, I know it’s okay to eat pasteurized blue cheese, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. (I also know that to miss blue cheese is WEIRD but my favorite restaurant salads have it on there.)

Best Moment This Week: All of the Christmas activities!

Baby Brother...31 Weeks!

Size of the Baby: Baby Brother is about 16 inches long now, and weighs about 3.3 pounds (three navel oranges). He’s also apparently about to head into a growth spurt. I can’t wait to see how much he really weighs. James was 8 pounds, 2 ounces when he was born.

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +8 pounds

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of it. He enjoys sitting right on top of my bladder all.the.time. He is still super low, although I can tell his legs have grown because I feel punches and/or kicks up almost in my ribs now. He wiggles all the time now! I can almost be guaranteed a show right when I lay down to go to bed.

Cravings: I’m back to feeling a little puny about food. Nothing sounds good to me anymore. My favorite thing right now is a Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart with peanut butter. Healthy, huh?

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I told Eddie last night that I have officially hit the uncomfortable stage. I am so glad that we only have one weekend of spending the night away from home between now and his due date. I am uncomfortable in my own bed so I know it wouldn’t be fun trying to sleep somewhere else. (I’ve hit the part of pregnancy where it’s hard to sit up but I still have to sit up to roll over in the middle of the night. It’s a process and probably looks similar to a turtle who has been flipped over on its back.)

Sleep: It’s taking me a lot longer to fall asleep now. And usually I wake up a few times in the middle of the night.

What I Miss: Deli meat. And blue cheese. And yes, I know it’s okay to eat pasteurized blue cheese, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. (I also know that to miss blue cheese is WEIRD but my favorite restaurant salads have it on there.)

Best Moment This Week: Our two dates this past weekend!

Baby Brother...30 Weeks

*** I feel like I should put a disclaimer here that there is a lot of pregnancy talk here. Nothing gross, just a lot of pregnancy stuff. Carry on if you feel like it! ***

I had a great check-up today! I can't believe I'm going every two weeks now. Time is just flying by!

My glucose test from two weeks ago was fine. I think she said it was 83 which is fine. Anywhere between 70-125 is normal (I think).

I mentioned that I'd been having nose bleeds. They haven't been terrible but I did have an embarrassing time when we were out shopping after seeing Santa on Sunday. We just rushed to the bathroom quickly. Dr. W. said that sometimes low platelets can cause nosebleeds but that mine were fine two weeks ago. She said she'd be glad to order more testing but I declined. They're not THAT bad. More than likely it's just broken capillaries inside my nose since pregnancy causes you to grow so many more of that. That, combined with whack-o temperature changes and dry air have probably caused them to occur.

I asked if she could feel to see how he's positioned. I've mentioned before that he doesn't feel like he's in my ribs at all. I told Mama not too long ago that I am convinced he's breech. Well...he is. :) She barely touched the top of my belly and said, "Oh! That feels like his head!" Ha! She seemed surprised! She said his head is right up under my ribs so more than likely all of the pain and discomfort that I'm feeling (like I'm carrying him low) is just a result of his little feet and legs doing all their kicking down instead of up. I couldn't breathe with James and that hasn't been an issue at all this time. The symptoms I'm feeling this time are that my stomach might rip open - it literally feels like it might some days - and an early waddle. :) She mentioned that often the higher the baby is the lower he feels. Weird. Not sure why. She said he has PLENTY of time to flip before he's born (Eddie was a breech baby - yikes!) and that if he doesn't she'll flip him manually by pushing on my stomach to turn him (an aversion). (Although, I'm not sure whether I'd rather take the aversion route - which can be dangerous to the baby - or the c-section route. Let's pray this little boy turns!)

Everything else looked fine. My blood pressure was 122/70 and Baby Brother's heartrate was 153. My weight still looks fine and I'm measuring fine. He's growing and healthy and all is well!

Then she showed me how to turn the apps off on my iPhone. Ha! I really like her a lot. She is WAY laid back which helps me. :)

I drove to Albany today to pick up my other baby from Mama and to go to the fabric store there. I think I brought back 20 swatches to test out. Options, options! With James I knew exactly what I wanted...I don't even know what COLORS I want with this boy. No name, no nursery, no nothing. Poor second child!

Here's the other pregnancy stuff...

Size of the Baby: Baby Brother is about 15.7 inches long now, and weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage).

Total Weight Loss/Gain: +7 pounds (By the way, I looked to see how much I’d gained with James at this point because with him I just felt HUGE and I’d gained 17 pounds by now. Ha! I WAS huge! I wasn’t chasing anyone around then, though, so I’m sure that has something to do with it.)

Maternity Clothes: I’m in them! I’m out of most everything else, save sweaters that are open in the front.

Gender: Another boy!

Movement: Yes! Lots and lots and lots of it. He enjoys sitting right on top of my bladder all.the.time. He is still super low, although I can tell his legs have grown because I feel punches and/or kicks up almost in my ribs now. He wiggles all the time now! I can almost be guaranteed a show right when I lay down to go to bed. Monday night he was wiggling so much that from the time I got in bed until I fell asleep I got up three times to go to the bathroom!

Cravings: Still feeling really, really good food-wise. I am still really craving sugars but trying to eat enough protein that I'm not crashing-and-burning.

Symptoms: I’m waking up with leg cramps, I have to potty all the time, my back and lower tummy are sore and achy. I think I probably wouldn’t be feeling quite this pregnant this early if I wasn’t hauling a toddler around all the time. He’s walking a lot, but I still have to heave him into the car and up on high things. Whew!

Sleep: Still ok. I’m actually falling asleep and staying asleep all night long, usually. Hope I don’t regret saying that! Someone has decided that our bed is more fun to sleep in, though, and he keeps me awake more than pregnancy does. It is taking me longer and longer to actually fall asleep, though!

What I Miss: Deli meat. And blue cheese. And yes, I know it’s okay to eat pasteurized blue cheese, but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. (I also know that to miss blue cheese is WEIRD but my favorite restaurant salads have it on there.)

Best Moment This Week: All of our Christmas fun! The decorations are up, the elf has been to visit, and we’ve seen Santa! James and I have also been reading a lot of Christmas books and watching lots of Christmas movies!