Ummm...We are here...

Soooo...we are alive...barely. Babies 17.5 months apart is rough. NOT gonna lie. I personally, barely made it through those first three months, where my sweet, sweet, sweeeet daughter SCREAMED HER HEAD OFF 24/7. Oh. And wouldn't let anyone else hold her. It was oh-so-horrible. We couldn't go anywhere or do anything. Oh...you think YOU can calm her? Go ahead. Go ahead. Don't believe me...and no one did...until they touched her and she screamed. She was that way even with her Father....and Nana, and Aunt Muffin and Mimi, and my best friend Regan. So sad. BUT - after many sleepless nights, lots of crying and cursing from me, lots of trips to the doctor (WHY is my baby screaming? you say this is just newborn rash and NOT an allergy? really?) and a trip to the pediatric gastrointerologist...things are on the up & up! :) yay! C is on super expensive prescription reflux meds, and super expensive prescription formula - thanks to her milk protein allergy. Yay. That is why I haven't blogged in three and a half months. I spent any down or quiet time just sitting. And staring. Ahhhhh....

So. Now she is finally sleeping. (She still screams a lot - and typically won't let anyone near her except for myself or Justin - you can talk to her and she will SMILE SMILE SMILE just please don't touch her). Ugh. So embarrassing. We are having so much fun as a family of four - especially now things have calmed down! They are both growing up way, way too fast!

Here is a glimpse into the past few months...

She rarely did this...

Little man still loves to play dress up!

Dinner with best friends...

Caroline's first "play" date! :)

John Marshall got his first hair cut at the barber shop!

We stuck our two month old in the exersaucer.

And Mommy never gets to wear make-up.

Caroline's first snow!

Caroline is 2 months old - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

JM'S second Christmas...

JM's first rodeo...

Daddy turned 29! :)

We did lots of this...

Caroline turned three months old! :)

She celebrated her first Valentine's Day...

He celebrated V-Day with a little huggin and a kissin...

I thought she was teething because she continued to scream all the time. She wasn't.

He likes to pretend to blog.

St. Patrick's Day at Joe T's...

"Playing" outside in his jammies. If blinding yourself and purposefully running into things constitutes playing.

JM is too cool for school...

And this was from today. We attempted "Spring Time" pics. The top pic is the BEST out of the bunch. And it's not great. The bottom pic is how ALL of them look. She already prefers NOT to be touched by him. I can hear it now - "Mom - he's touching me!" :)

Where She Will Sleep...

Soooo...here is where she will be sleeping...of course I did what I SWORE I wouldn't do. What I DIDN'T want to do. What I DIDN'T like about having a girl: PINK. And what color are her walls? PINK. What color is EVERYTHING in her room? PINK. Ohhhhhhhh well. The story behind the wall color is just ridiculous. This is the second coat of pink we paid to have painted. It's not my favorite - but I was over having it done again. I am still missing coordinating pillow shams for her bed - those are on back order. I still need WALL DECOR in a MAJOR way...but I have some Beat.rix Potter prints ordered, that of course won't be here for 6 weeks...but I don't really care! :) Also - I need something cute for her bedside table...but quickly decided it might be awhile before she gets cute things on her bedside table since her big brother LOVES to destroy everything in her room. I wonder how long it will take before I train him NOT to empty all of her diapers and burp rags on to the floor? Or when I will learn to put the diaper wipes and bottom cream up, and not in a basket that is accessible to him?

Her room...

My favorite part of her crib...

I really like her curtains...

The shelves above her changing table...The top shelf has my baby book, and some of my Bunnykins from when I was a little girl...My Mom started collecting them for us when we were little...

Looooove this book. It was mine as a little girl, and my Mom included it in one of her gifts to me at Caroline's "sprinkle" - I remember reading this as a little girl and wanting soooo badly to be a Mommy and take care of a baby :)

Every girl needs a picture of her big brother...

Most likely where she will REALLY be sleeping...

And Just Because I Love Him...

Folks, We're in a Regression

That's right. A regression. I guess we are in a Recession as well...oh wait...didn't the Pres make a big announcement one day and say it was over? That's right. So anyway. We are out of the Recession, and I am in Regression.

Those non-stop Braxton Hicks? GONE. The occasional REAL contractions? GONE. The low pressure and constant urge to go to the bathroom? GONE. The occasional cramping that goes along with labor? GONE. I have even SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT recently. WHAT. THE. HECK. Soooo...I am regressing. I feel like I am back at week 23. Seriously. If I didn't have such bad low back pain - I would forget I was pregnant. And - no - the low back pain isn't because labor is near...my massage therapist lady thinks it's because of how the baby is sitting she may have pushed my lower spine out of alignment. WHO IS THIS CHILD? I would love to know. Soon. Also - I thought babies were supposed to run out of room, and stop moving as much? She is a little gymnast in there. Flip-flops, cartwheels, rolls. (Side Note - I am not a gymnast. Confession - I cannot do a cartwheel. Will this make me a bad girl Mom? Or can I lie and tell her I used to do cartwheels and round-off back hand springs all the time?)

Even though the ticker says I have 18 or something days left - I am starting to not believe it.

I am driving my husband CRAZY. I just know it. He doesn't have to tell me. When he is smiling at me - I see that look in his eyes - the "Geeeeeeeeze - she is so hormonal/crazy" look. I might have even shed a tear last night when Suzanne told me her cousin (who is due a few days after me) has already lost her mucus plug. How sad and gross is that? I cried over someone else's mucus plug? Lord. Help. Me.

Sooooo...I guess I will continue on like nothing is about to happen...Hanging out with my cute little man who is currently sporting a monogramed jon jon (which his father says is GIRLY enough) AND several of my acrylic bangle bracelets. Because of him - I am typing this post with one and a half hands...he is leaning on me with his arm on Caroline watching a little PBS while I drink my coffee and blog. And then we are off to music class....which I hope we can make it through without him running to the door and shouting "GO! GO! GO!" a million times.

I hate Regressions.

Pumpkin Patch - Attempts 1 & 2

Attempt 2...was at the little Methodist church that is just blocks from our house...walking distance in fact. A walk, I will NOT be making until after I have a baby...the Children's Ministry there sells pumpkins and has a pumpkin patch every year! I would say the second attempt was MUCH more successful...we might even go for a third try at a Patch out in Grapevine...3rd time's the charm, right?

Me and my Pumpkins...JM at exactly 17 months, and Miss C at exactly 37 weeks...

***Sidenote***Ummmm...wish I was a photographer and knew how to mess with color/exposure/all that jazz? Maybe I will attempt it with these...just not for blogging purposes...

This one below cracks me up - it's JM attempting to "hug" W...

Attempt 1...was at the Arboretum (which is GORGEOUSly decorated with pumpkins, pumpkin houses, patches, etc.) where Summer arranged a fun picnic with lots of little ones and their Mommies. I would say (for us) it was a failure with regards to cute pictures, but JM had a BLAST running away from me, and throwing the "balls" and breaking their stems off, and throwing the occasional tantrum or two! :)

I got ONE of these types of pics. Seriously. That's it.

I got lots of cranky-pants pictures...(while his bff smiled, and smiled, and smiled, of course).

But MOSTLY...I got back and side of head pics...busy little man!

36 wk 5 day Appointment, KKG, and JM turns 17 months

Today...was my 36 week and 5 day appointment...the big "first check" appointment. I wasn't expecting much - and I didn't really get much...below are the stats! I DID manage to pee in about 75% of my ob/gyns bathrooms today. I can say that they were all clean, and very nice and tidy. What is with my bladder today, I don't know!?!?!?

36 Weeks

How far along? 36 weeks and 5 days! The exact same week/days I was with my first check with JM. With Caroline my body is 50% effaced, and 2cm dilated. With JM I was 70% effaced and 2cm dilated. I am still not feeling any of that low pressure - but he told me her head was in position - well actually he said something technical and medical - but I can't remember what he said right now! :) So anyway...my point is - even thought things are "happening" - I am not terribly excited? I will be terribly excited when I have a BABY!
Heartbeat? 150

Total weight gain/loss: 31 lbs...can I take off a couple of pounds? This was before my restroom extravaganza. And plus, my watch weighs 5 lbs, I swear.
Maternity clothes? oh yes. yes. yes. yes. and my support hose. :)
Stretch marks? No - but a varicose vein that looks like someone took a baseball bat and whacked me across the back of the leg...

Sleep? I can't even talk about this...when I look at the clock every night before I fall asleep it is at least 2:00AM. Ugh.
Best moment this week: Caroline's BFF Evelyn Marie Lambert was born! I think that counts as a "best"! :)

Movement: still moving and a shaking like CRAZY.
Food cravings: Still freezing cold milk with cereal.

Gender: Caroline McCall, our sweet baby girl.

Labor Signs: No...still lots of BH contractions.
Belly Button in or out? Just depends on the day - sometimes and innie - sometimes and outie! This is gross, but my hole from my belly button piercing (and yes - I had one - and yes - it has been out of my body for over 8 years) is red, irritated, and looks infected. I know, gross and TMI - but what the heck?!?!?! It hasn't seen jewelry since 2002!
What I miss: sleep! sleep! sleep!
What I am looking forward to: HAVING THIS BABY!
Milestones: I find it impressive (to myself) that I can still will my wedding rings at this point, and that I still have two pairs of shoes that I can fit into! :)

Shout out to Kappa Kappa Gamma - it's your birthday today! :) (Raise your hand if you were a kappa and KNEW that?) My Granny (mom's mom) was a KKG, My Mom was a KKG, and ONE of my little sisters was a KKG. I was a KKG...soooooo guess what Caroline will be!?!?!?! Just kidding...no pressure...kind of...

17 months...is he really 17 months today? He is funny, a stinker, and he loves to tease me. He has started to cuddle alot more lately - which I LOOOOVEEEEE. We have a big front porch with lots of porch furniture, and he likes to run and hide behind the chairs while I am locking the front door...and tries to get me to start a game of chase with him...which I don't - but I still think it's funny that he laughs and KNOWS that it's hard for me to get to him...He is going to be "milk" for Halloween...out of the PBK catalogue. He LOVES his milk - and will start crying for it if he doesn't get it within 2 seconds of sitting in his chair. Oh how I love you funny little man! Happy 17 months!! :)

36 Weeks - I AM READY FOR YOU CAROLINE!

Sooo...I am 36 weeks...and I. AM. READY. Granted...I still feel great, I am NOT miserable like I was with JM at this point...she is still up so high, in a strange ball, I don't feel any more pressure "down there" - which is GREAT. But....all that to say...I am just ready!!! And don't tell me she needs to "cook" longer - because I FULLY BELIEVE they have her due date off by one week and that she should technically be due 10/29 (that's point A). Point B would be that at her 20 week sono, she measured one week ahead. Therefore, she may come out.

No - her room isn't finished. Still need a lamp. Still need some more accessories. Still missing two pillow shams for the big bed....BUT...I don't care anymore! :)

So last time to try to get JM out - we did the BD (and if you don't know what that is - google it) and I walked alot, but when I walked, my ankles would oooze out over the tops of my shoes, which is horrible. This time...I have started taking that evening primrose oil which is supposed to soften things "down there" - you can even INSERT the gel capsules down there. Thought I was brave enough to do that last night - I wasn't. Don't feel like doing the BD yet. Thought I was, but I am not. Soooo....we will see if the midwives trick of primrose oil works. I am not going to be drinking that raspberry tea that supposedly works, because I don't like fruit. I get checked for the first time on Wednesday...which I will be 36.5 week. I just need to be showing SOME progress on my own for him to induce me at 39 weeks. KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED.

JM finally knows to kiss my tummy when I say "Kiss Caroline" - and he will rub it when I say for him to "Love Caroline." He also knows where "Caroline's room" is - but he has NO CLUE who/what Caroline is - because he always looks so confused in music class when we sing hello/goodbye to another little girl in there named Caroline. Love it. This week his trick has been to finally SAY the word "eye" and poke everyone's eyes out. Me, Elmo, Dad, and last week he tried to poke poor little Cason's eye out, but quickly recovered with a hug - which involves him laying his giant noggin on top of poor Cason. Ha! :)

Here I am at 36 weeks with Miss Caroline...still no change from last week, or the week before...haven't dropped, etc., I have only grown bigger.

Here I am at 36 Weeks, April 2009 with Mr. John Marshall...MAN my wrists were even swollen!!!

34 Weeks & 4 Days - WHOOP there she is!

Somone has decided to make her grand appearance (belly wise). I look sooooo weird. Just blow up a LARGE beach ball and stick it on my belly, why don't you?!?!! Geez. By the way - I figured an iphone pic is better than no pic at all. I am carrying her SO much higher than JM, and SO differently - she sticks straight out to the front - nothing on the sides - it cracks me up! And even though I weigh A LOT less this time around - I think my belly is bigger looking than it was with JM, although - bigger looking in a different way.

Ok. After my last bitchy, whiny post, I decided to suck it up, and get it together. Actually, the support hose - although horribly sexy, and horribly comfortable (not) have made A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE, and I would like to credit J*bst Support Hose with helping me get it together. Seriously. I feel like a new person. I can walk around all day and feel great. Getting them on is a bit of a joke - and mine are only "medium pressure" strength - it seriously takes me a full minute to get one leg on! But I can't live without them now!

Lots has gone on...my little man has started Mother's Day Out two days a week...he is SLOWLY getting better at being dropped off. He has finally learned to give kisses and hugs - which I LOOOOOVE. He can do "sic 'em bears" - and loves to play on the golf course at night when his Dad gets home. We stick him in the stroller and walk over to the course, where he runs around screaming "goooawwwf" (golf) - it's too cute. A new trick of his is running over to the toilet paper roll and blowing his nose on it. He loves to say "DaDa" - and does NOT say Mama. In fact, he calls his waffles that he has every morning (whole wheat and organic folks, he is a man of routine and I cannot change his eating habits) he calls the WAFFLES MaMa. Justin even asked him about his waffles last night during bath and he CORRECTED him and said "MaMa" - NICE! :) We do a weekly "musikgarten" class which he finally "gets" and is starting to participate in - that is, when he is not running to the door and yelling "go, go, go." Also - if it can be climbed - he is on it. Chairs, tables, blocks...toilets. Anything. He also threw his first MAJOR public fit at the zoo the other day, before my friends could arrive to help. A stranger Mom had to hold the stroller still so I could shove my fit throwing 16.5 month old into it. Arching back, kicking legs, and everything! so. much. fun.

Some dear friends threw the most precious "sprinkle" for Caroline - and as soon as I can wrangle pictures from people - I will post them! I felt so loved - and Caroline got some wonderful things! I am so excited!!!

Her nursery. Well. We DO have curtains and crib bedding. And a changing table. We don't have bedding for her big full size bed. We don't have a lamp. We have no accessories. Working.......on....it. I have 5 weeks or less, right? I had ordered pillow cases from Horch*w - and then in an effort to save money, I ordered bedding from PBTe*n. Love the pillows from Horch*w. HATED the bedding from PBTe*n. So I spent a zillion dollars returning the bedding and pillow cases from PBTe*n, and said "screw money" and ordered coordinating bedding matching the Pine C*ne H*ll pillows from Horch*w. I got the bedding/duvet cover in from Pine C*ne H*ll - and what do you know - the "white" sheeting on the duvet does NOT match the "white" sheeting on the coordinating pillow cases. Of course. I call PCH - and they said that is NOT supposed to happen. So I spent another bazillion dollars returning THAT duvet. The new one should be here this week, and LORD HELP ME IF IT DOES NOT MATCH. I am running away to Fiji. Or some place like that. If Angelina and Brad can have their babies in exotic places, well - then so. can. I.

34 Weeks

How far along? 34 weeks and 4 days! I have an appointment tomorrow...but little man is napping right now...soooo I will post now! :)
Heartbeat? At my appointment 2 weeks ago it was 150bpm

Total weight gain/loss: 27 pounds. And. Ok. I will give my doctor credit - I DO feel better this time around...my sciatic nerve hurts WAY less - due to less weight on my body...I feel so much better at 34 weeks with Caroline than I did with John Marshall...and LOOK better too - but I guess the fact that I weight 160 something at this point last time has something to do with it.
Maternity clothes? oh yes. yes. yes. yes. and my support hose. :)
Stretch marks? No - but a varicose vein that looks like someone took a baseball bat and whacked me across the back of the leg...

Sleep? Riiiight. I get up to go to the bathroom at least twice a night...
Best moment this week: Ordering some more things for the nursery...teaching JM to "pat" my belly/Caroline...

Movement: holy. moly. I repeat - holy. moly. This is just insane. And it hurts. Elbows, Knees, Feet, Hands...alllll over. She flips and rotates constantly - so I never know where she is. JM just stayed in the same position from about week 20 on - and punched from his little spot.
Food cravings: Still freezing cold milk with cereal.

Gender: Caroline McCall, our sweet baby girl.

Labor Signs: No...still lots of BH contractions.
Belly Button in or out? Just depends on the day - sometimes and innie - sometimes and outie!
What I miss: Not feeling like an elephant when I try to shave my legs in our shower...
What I am looking forward to: I can't even type it all out. Her nursery has me stressed. I want it complete. Which means I will have to plan things and actually get my rear in gear and take care of it . (This is the same thing I wrote last time - and it needs to stay here - although - I DO have all of her clothes washed).
Milestones: I guess making it past 30 weeks felt like a big milestone to me...when you are pregnant - each day/week counts as to the viability of your little baby - and each day I know she grows stronger, and healthier in there - that's a huge milestone! :)

Can I Just Complain?

ok. thanks. I will.

I have a bazillion bump pics and vacation pics to upload. Maybe this weekend. It's fun to compare the bump pics too - because they are so different. C is so much higher than JM. But right now, I want to complain.

I am only 28 weeks and some days, and I already feel like my v is going to fall off, and the baby just drop on out. Isn't it too early to feel this way?!?! Please, God, it's too early!!! I have been having BH contractions NON-STOP, and the only thing that stops them is laying down, which is TOTALLY practical when you have a 15 month old who RUNS every where. Right. Also - I have had a few real contractions. REALLY!?!?! REALLY?!?!?!

And my newest, BEST friend - the varicose vein. It looks like someone hit the back of my leg with a baseball bat - and it feels about that same way too. It came up so suddenly, and spread/bulged so quickly that my ob sent me to have an ultrasound to make sure that there wasn't a clot. The bonus from that hectic day was that I talked the u/s tech into putting the doppler on my belly just to REALLY confirm that there is a girl in there. There is. At the appointment, my doctor suggested getting the lovely medical support hose. Riiiiiggghhhht. In the summer. Support hose? That look like flesh leggings?!? No way. Except, this morning I called the nurse for the prescription/information for the leggings, because it hurts that bad, it spreads daily, and I am that desperate. UGH.

Other than THAT - I feel great - truly! This pregnancy has been way better than JMs. I am just MAD that the whole vein thing has put a kink in me being able to be really active/play with JM. He now likes to lay in his PBK chair and prop his leg up. Sad. Who do you think he sees doing that all the time!?!? ha!

Today is my BABY'S 15 month check up. I CANNOT believe it!!! I love him so much - he is so funny, smart, cute - all the things a Mommy is supposed to think about her son! He makes us laugh daily.

Friday is my glucose test. I think I was supposed to have it at 28 weeks - but I will be 29. Oh well. I am working really, really, really hard on watching what I am eating so that I pass this test - I do not want to do the three hour version. At all.

ok. enough negative venting...I will be back soon with pictures! :)