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! :)

24 Week Post

I will post pictures soon...but I have no idea where the camera cord is for the small camera that J and I took with us on vacation. It has my 22, and 24 week bump shots on it, and pics from our trip to Captiva Island, and The Plant, in Kyle, Texas. Mainly I am too upset to do anything right now, because apparently, I am a fat a$$.

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks and 5 days! My appointment was a little behind thanks to a wonderful Babymoon/4 Year Anniversary trip with Justin
Heartbeat? Sounded fast. I was too upset with Dr. to ask.

Total weight gain/loss: Here comes the cause of my emotional break down. At 20 weeks, I had gained 10 lbs. That's fine. I KNEW I had gained weight this time...and was none to thrilled to see that I had gained 10 MORE pounds. That's right. 10 pounds, in one month. My total is now at 20 pounds. TWENTY FREAKING POUNDS. Here. Is. My. Problem: I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENT than I was at the beginning of my pregnancy when I had gained nothing. I am more active than I was when I was pregnant with JMS. I was in better shape when I got pregnant with Caroline (that's her name, by the way) than I was with JMS. SO WHAT GIVES?!?! Basically - I did this last time I was pregnant - except I think I was closer to 28 weeks when the rapid weight gain started. This time...I GOT PUT ON A DIET. I WAS TOLD TO BUY A SCALE, AND TO JOURNAL MY FOOD. He was strict. And very straight forward. No more carbs. No salt. WHICH by the way - I have been doing SO good on. He lectured me, and now I am at home crying. A typical lunch for me is a homemade quesadilla (usually 1/2 of one), tomatoes, carrots, and hummus. Or hard boiled eggs and veggies and hummus, maybe cheese. Dinner is chicken breast/salad. Or salmon. Bkfast is cereal. Snack is yogurt. Seriously. And these are not huge portions. Last time I was eating a pint of icecream every other night, and definitely consuming a box of mac n cheese every other day. This time I am healthier - and it gets me in trouble?!?! So. I went to Target. Bought a freaking scale, and have been crying to my poor husband ever since. Don't worry. Tonight at the Fort Worth Club all I had for dinner was twice baked mac n cheese, twice baked mash potatoes, and corny dogs. Seriously, I did. I was so mad at myself, my body, and Dr. Oh. And I had an icecream sundae. I guess my new "diet" starts tomorrow. He says we can combat my weight gain, and that he will be monitoring me, and I am only to gain one pound per week. Right. Tell THAT to my body.
Maternity clothes? Yes. I STILL fit into my size 2 Gap maternity jeans, thank you very much. Dr.
Stretch marks? No - BUT I can feeeeeel a varicose vein growing behind my knee. NASTY.

Sleep? What is that????
Best moment this week: In the waiting room today, Caroline had her first set of hiccups - I forgot how much I loved those!!!

Movement: Still movement. When we were on our flights to and from FL she would go CRAZY - which is funny - because JM never moved extra when I flew prego with him. ALSO - this little girl makes me motion sick!!! In the plane, laying on a raft in the ocean - sheeeeeesh I got so sick!
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? In still...but starting to look funky!
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 .
Milestones: Do her hiccups count?

June at Nana & Papa's

In June we went to Houston several times, for extended periods of time, to hang out with some of JMS favorite people: Nana, Papa, Aunt Mimi & Aunt Muffin. We always have a blast with them. Here are some snap shots from a few of our visits...

We played around the house...

We played in my parents' awesome neighborhood pool that was recently remodeled...

Ate at one of our Houston favorites...Lup*'s Tortill*s

Helped build his own wagon just for Nana & Papa's house...

J and I went to a sorority sister's wedding...

Played dress-up...

(Lafayette from Tru* Blo*d, anyone?)

We did some more swimming...

Beach Bum

One of the first weekends in June, while we were in Houston - we were able to make a quick trip to Galveston Island to celebrate James Thomas's first birthday. It. Was. Amazing. His Mommy thought of EVERYTHING. There were pools on the top level of the house, bottom level of the house, on the beach...a "beach themed" candy bar...special cookies...special cupcakes...personalized buckets with shovels for the kiddies...toys for kids every where...great burgers and snacks...I could go ON and ON and ON!!!

I was excited to see what JM thought of the ocean/sand. His first trip to the beach was La Jolla in October - and the Pacific is a little too cold at that time of the year - so he stayed dry. He is NOT a fan of sand. He would play in the pool on the beach, and then lean over the edge and just shake his head "no" over and over at the sand. He gets that from his Mama...I am afraid.

We had a wonderful time - and were so glad to help celebrate the birth of one of the cutest little guys I know!

It took awhile for the camera to adjust to the HUMIDITY...beware of too many pictures! :)

My two favorite boys...

First steps in the sand...

Does NOT like the sand...

Lunching with Lauren and William..

Checking out his belly button while hanging with the birthday boy...

And he's done for the day...

ohhhhhh Boy...

It's a GIRL?!?!?!?

On Monday - our little family of three was forever changed when we saw a GIRL on the ultrasound screen. To say I was surprised would be a HUGE understatement. I expected a boy. I thought I was having a boy. I KNEW I was having a boy. I made the tech check the "area" several times. Then I marched my pictures into the ob's office - where I made him check several times. I didn't cry...I didn't really do ANYTHING - that's how shocked I was!

I am the oldest of three girls. Justin is the oldest of two boys. My Mom and I never understood families that "made" one of each...so I just assumed after JM, that I would be a boy mom - and I got used to the idea - and loved it. This little girl in my belly has just blown my world.

This morning when I was washing dishes - it finally hit me. I am having a GIRL! I get to do girl things. Buy dresses. Buy bows. Talk to her every day, multiple times a day, on the phone when she is 28 and over being a bratty teenager. We can go to musicals. We can shop. I can fix HAIR. I started bawling at the sink - while JM ate his breakfast, oblivious to the fact that his Mom is a loon.

I am ECSTATIC!!! And still in SHOCK!!! :)

I am also loving just how excited my husband is to have a little girl...in fact, I think he WANTED a girl...

Any ideas as to what JM and I have been up to since Monday?

Shopping for Sissy, of course!

The profile shot! :) (which looks NOTHING like John Marshall's - her legs also look skinnier and longer)

20 Weeks

How far along? 20 weeks!
Heartbeat? 150 bpm - still higher than John Marshall's...

Total weight gain/loss: I guess I will be honest. 10 lbs.
Maternity clothes? Yes and No. Some things I wear maternity - like the fabulous new white, straight leg jeans that took me FOREVER to find. And the maternity tank tops...but - I always wore those before being pregnant because they are super long. I can still wear some of my shorts, and one pair of jeans...but I think I am about to transition to wearing all dresses!
Stretch marks? No - BUT I can feeeeeel a varicose vein growing behind my knee. NASTY.

Sleep? Lately it has been hit or miss. As in - I either sleep through the night, soundly...OR experience insomnia and the racing thoughts.
Best moment this week: Seeing a beautiful, healthy baby on that screen!!!

Movement: lots! Just way softer than JM's - I have to concentrate sometimes to find it - I am so busy during the day. You can also see her move now - SO FUN!
Food cravings: Still freezing cold milk with cereal.

Gender: Clearly my "gut" was wrong. Sweet, sweet baby GIRL.

Labor Signs: No...but GEEEEEEZ bring on the Braxton Hicks. Which are no fun when you are lugging around your 25 lb nugget of a 13 month old! :)
Belly Button in or out? In still...but starting to look funky!
What I miss: I still miss margaritas with salt...again. I also miss sneezing and not peeing at the same time.
What I am looking forward to: Ending the great debate, otherwise known as naming a baby girl. Justin and I never really discuss girl names - because we CANNOT. CANNOT. CANNOT. agree. I THOUGHT we had agreed...but he is not committing 100%. Oh well. In my head, for now, she is CMS.
Milestones: hmmmmm...we are half way there!!! yay!!! By the way. This pregnancy - while I might look the same as I did last time in the morning - I definitely get a WAY bigger "evening bump" this time - if you know what I mean.

BUMP SHOTS

Baby GIRL at 20 weeks, 5 days - June 2010:

John Marshall at 21 weeks - December 2008:

BIG DAY

Whelp. Tomorrow is the big day. When we find out just "who" this little baby is. We have our boy name - of course, and our girl name. I have been calling this baby by his boy name the entire time...hopefully I am right?!? It's after 11:00 right now, and Justin has long been in bed - but I can't get off the couch! The little one is just moving around - visibly - and I LOVE watching my stomach and feeling him move. I am praying tomorrow we see a healthy baby on that screen - the rest is just in the details!

Da-Doooo!

JM's newest thing is wiping off his own high chair tray and sippy cup. I am sure I do not have the only child in the world who HATES getting wiped down after meal time??? Anyhow. I have found that the trick with him is to give him his own wet paper towel while I wipe him down with the rag. He truly scrubs his tray, tries to wipe the sippy cup, and when he is finished - he likes to tear the paper towel in into TINY pieces, and waits for me to say "THANK YOUUUUU!!!" after receiving each piece, to which he repeats, "DA-DOOOOOO!!!" - this a cell phone pic of him saying, "Da-Dooo!" - LOVE him to pieces! I hope I remember these moments...

Baby Deaux

This past week while I was in Houston, my sisters were able to feel Baby Two moving around. I love that already, I can tell a difference in my two babies - even from the womb. By 18 weeks, JM was PUNCHING and KICKING. Something fierce - that you could feel and see - which is pretty stinking early, if you ask me. I have felt this baby just as early, but his/her movements are much more subdued, and soft...not as fierce. This weekend, Justin kept trying to feel the baby - but every time he but his hand on my stomach - he/she would completely stop moving. It just tickled me to death...I blamed it on the fact that "he" (Baby Two) is upset with Justin for continuing to call "him" a "girl" - sure enough, on Sunday night - after I got Justin to admit it COULD be a boy in there - he felt the baby! Justin was super excited to feel Baby Two - just as excited as when he first felt JMS - can feeling a baby kick/move inside of you EVER get old? I don't think so! :)

Where's your belly button?

I just love my little man in this picture. It's from my phone - but still - I think it is going to be one of my favorites forever! We have been working with JM on "Where is ___(fill in the blank)___?". Mainly body parts...It really irks me - I am just being honest here - that my friends with one year old little GIRLS seems to know everything, and then TELL you about it. They can talk. Anyhow. JM cannot. He sometimes says "Mama" - but only if he is upset. Says "Dada." Says "Uh-Oh." And "Larry." (That's our cat). So we have been working on "knowing" things. This pic was taken on the same day we learned where our belly buttons are. He sometimes thinks he has to pull up his shirt, and then pull down his pants to find it. I love it. He will now pull up mine and Justin's shirts and attempt to say belly button. He for sure has belly button mastered.

He does not have his "nose" mastered. I know that he knows what/where it is - because he will point to mine - and touch his, but only 80% of the time. Tonight, in the bathtub I asked him where his nose was. He proceeded to look at his bellybutton, and then down PAST his belly button, and THEN he grabs IT. Anyhow - when he does that - he just looks up at me and smiles. He KNOWS it is not his nose! So I say, "No - JM - that's your _____. Where is your nose?" Again, he smiles the biggest, knowing smile...and does the same darn thing! He is such the little jokester already...we are definitely going to have to work on that one!