End of pregnancy…

Lets talk pregnancy, more importantly the end. As the end draws closer and closer, I start thinking about how excited I am to NOT be pregnant. I am definitely not one of those women who love pregnancy. I spent 22 weeks throwing up with Mason even on medicine. I spent 16 weeks with constant nausea on this pregnancy. Everything that could go wrong at the end of my pregnancy did with Mason. Swellings, high blood pressure, bleeding, emergency c-section, more high blood pressure post baby. This pregnancy, so far, no swelling or not too bad, but the heartburn is awful. Try reading a story to your toddler with constant throw burning pain and the desire the throw up said throw burn. We are having another c-section, which I am okay with, but not looking forward to my toddler thinking I hate him.

I am looking forward to my body going back to normal. I cannot wait in fact to be able to bend over at the waist again. I want to play with Mason and him to feel like Mommy is fun again. I miss those times, especially on days with nice weather and I know it would be possible minus the 9 month belly I am sporting. I want to wear normal clothes again, I want to all around feel normal.

Will I miss the kicking and movement of my baby girl? Nah! Keeping it real. I hear some women say after they have their first that they miss those moments, but after Mason I didn’t and knowing Addie is my last baby I can say I will most likely not miss the kicks to my ribs or the fact that I cannot breath a deep breath without her fighting back and the crazy feeling when she bounces off my bladder. Nope won’t miss that either. Why won’t I miss it? I will have the real deal in my arms.

Reality is…pregnancy is a means to an ends. I love kids would have a ton of them if it didn’t mean I had to be pregnant. Reality…pregnancy’s are not always fun. Reality…pregnancy is rough on your body. Reality…some people just don’t LOVE it. You know what, that is OKAY!

I am dying to meet Miss Addison. I want to know if she will look like her brother, her daddy, me or a combination. Will she have blonde hair like her brother and Daddy or dark hair like me. Blue eyes are a definite. Daddy and Mommy both have blue eyes. Will she be longer…heavier than brother. I am thinking yes. Why? I have gained almost the same amount of weight at this point with Mason, but with Mason I was retaining a lot of fluid.

I cannot wait for Mason to meet his sister. I cannot wait to see how he is with her. He loves babies. In stores, if he hears one cry, he gets concerned and I have to tell him it is okay that baby’s Mommy will take care of her. He loves to help out already, so I have a feeling he will be a big helper. Getting blankets, diapers, pacifiers, or whatever sister needs. I have an older brother and I just know it will give new prospective to that relationship.

I am looking forward to watching my husband fall in love with another baby. He is the best Daddy, Mason and I could ever ask for and I know Addison will have him wrapped. Goodness, Mason has him wrapped for the most part. He says he doesn’t know what to do with a girl. Raise with all brothers and has only experience Mason first hand. I know he will be great though. He will love and protect her from everything and everyone. He was protective of Mason in his first weeks, more so than me as a first time mom. I am hoping he doesn’t baby her too much though. I wouldn’t know what to do with a girly girl. 

We cannot wait to meet sweet Addie, but if she wants to cook just a little longer that would be great. I got some work items I need to finish up.

Week 36 – Baby #2

How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 22 lbs. according to home scale. This isn’t changing a lot.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but even those are feeling uncomfortable. Don’t mind me, I might spend the next 3 weeks in yoga pants and dresses.

Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness and applying lotion like it is going out of style.

Sleep: Sleep has been decent. Once the husband returned from his work trip things got a lot better. While he was gone I had a toddler who kept waking up, a dog who kept begging to go outside in the middle of the night, we had horrible storms with tornadoes and hail. It was a fun week while he was gone.

Best moment this week: We had a fun birthday party Saturday, but I was sad we had to leave early due to a sleepy meltdown child. I love first birthday parties for kids. First cake, first present opening (minus Christmas). It is always exciting. We also went and saw my parents and brother this weekend. Mason was so excited when I told him he was seeing Nana, Papaw and Uncle E. It was so cute he said YAY!!!

Miss Anything? Normal clothes. Spring Clothes. Clothes that don’t stretch. I see lots of cute spring outfits and I am dying to make a few purchases but I know better.

Movement: She is still moving with strong motions, but she did drop a little last week. I have had relief in my ribs, but my bladder. Oh God help me and her need to bounce off of my bladder. I would rather her do that then the ribs kicking. The ribs actually hurt, very painful, but fortunately pressure in the bladder is better.

Food cravings: No way. Nothing. It sucks. I am not really hungry therefore I don’t want or crave anything.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I have had a few nights where I have been feeling sick, but it is late at night or in the middle of the night and I have some medicine that helps.

Feelings: It is getting close. So so close. I am excited and nervous. Nervous about Mason, excited to meet Addison and start our life as a family of 5 (with Gabby). I am uncomfortable and my back pain is getting worse. It doesn’t help that I don’t know how to slowdown and carrying around 30lbs of toddler doesn’t help.

Gender: GIRL! Sweet Addison Monroe.

Belly Button in or out? In. It is looking weird, like it is trying to poke out.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: This is going to be a good week. I get to hear little girl’s heartbeat this week and I start my weekly checks. Wow, makes it real. We also have a baby shower this coming weekend that my SIL and a friend are throwing us. Can’t wait to spend some time with our friends and family before baby girl arrives. AND my birthday is this week. My parents are coming up Friday night to allow Michael and I a night out, kid free, for my birthday. Is it Friday yet?

Due Date: We are scheduled for April 22nd for my c-section, so unless baby girl has another idea, she will arrive April 22nd or before.

36 Weeks Pregnant with Mason…for a comparison.

Swimming Boy

Birthday Party Pool Party. My little man loves to swim. He is not afraid of the water or anything. He jumps in, rides the slide, and just smiles and laughs. I love it. Check out that smile! As soon as he comes up he laughs and says again again. I have to laugh at this picture. My niece is not happy about the water slide. She is scared, but we got a smile at the end. See…Smile. It makes me realize how much we need to get this little boy in swim lessons. He is a little fishy and I can’t wait until he can swim without his vest. Giving Daddy hugs. He is thanking him for taking him swimming. Several people commented on Mason’s personality and his love of the water at this party. It makes me smile. He does have a very fun little personality and his facial expressions are the greatest. I guess he gets it from somewhere, so Daddy and I will take the credit.

Hospital Bag Time

I guess since we are less than 4 weeks until my c-section is scheduled and there is a chance that Addison may decide to pick her own birthday as opposed to the birthday I picked, and I guess that I need to pack my hospital bag. Yikes. So, What’s in my bag?

MY BAG:

1. Belly Bandit: This is something I didn’t have last time and I survived, but I have heard wonderful things about the Belly Bandit for c-section recovery. It is probably #1 item I will be taking with me.

2. Yoga Pants: I have some from my last pregnancy that I love. I got them from Old Navy and I plan to get a few more and take them to the hospital with me. I want to be comfortable.

3. Nursing Tanks: My favorite nursing tanks came from Target. I still have them from my last pregnancy and don’t need new ones, but I will be packing several in my hospital bag. C-section=at least 2 nights in the hospital.

4. Toiletries: This is easy for me, since I travel a lot, I have a travel bag with pretty much a copy of all my go to products in smaller containers. I will include a hairdryer and makeup with this category. My c-section is scheduled for noon, so I will get up that morning, shower, do my hair and makeup for the day. Might as well feel good going in for the day. 

5. Flip flops/house slippers: Flip flops for the shower, even though I brought these last time I was so out of it in the morning I showered without them. Hopefully someone is nice enough to remind me this time. House slippers. My body swelled horribly after my first c-section (I have heard it is normal) and the only thing I could fit my fat feet into were my slippers. I did leave the hospital in tennis shoes…not sure how my Mom and Michael got them on my feet but it worked.

6. Camera/cell phone/chargers: My camera didn’t need its charger, but my phone did. My camera will last a week, trust me if you don’t charge it on vacation 10 times don’t take it to the hospital…one more thing to lose.

7. Pillow: I wanted my own pillow and a blanket from home.

8. Sweatshirt/sweater: I don’t know why, but I was freezing constantly. Even when I got home. My body really struggled to control its own body heat post baby. Plus hospitals are always cold.

9. ID/Insurance cards: Just in case. Our hospital does most of the paperwork prior to going in, but you never know.

For Baby:

1. 2-3 outfits or more: I left Mason in the hospital provided outfits until the day we left and then I put him in his going home outfit, which was a preemie outfit and still big on him. I got a few cute outfits for baby girl to go home in and since she only goes home once, I am sure I will be keeping her looking good during our stay.

2. Blankets: Yet again hospital provides, but I have one specially for her that I will bring. This was the one thing I put Mason in daily, a special blanket for him.

3. Boppy Pillow: Makes BF easier and helps to have a pillow over your stomach for possible laughter and coughing. Post c-section problems.

4. Car Seat: They won’t let you leave the hospital without one.

5. Baby Book: This was helpful, because post c-section medicine helps remove brain power and if you want to remember gifts, flowers, and who came to visit, probably a good idea to bring this. Our hospital doesn’t do foot prints in the book, they provide you a cardstock type paper with them on it.

For Husband:

Our hospital is super close to our house. When we had Mason, my Mom would come early in the morning and relive Michael to go home and shower and rest. Michael was super sick when Mason was born. He didn’t want to have PJs or anything for himself there. He didn’t really care. I am sure similar things will happen this go around, minus the sickness. I think I put a few items in the car for him just in case he changed his mind, but he didn’t. It was nice of my Mom to give him a break and she was able to help me get out of bed and shower, so when Michael finally got back to the hospital we were both refreshed.

Does this sound like a lot? Am I missing anything important? Any suggestions?

Week 35 – Baby #2

How far along? 35 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 22.5 lbs. according to home scale.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but even those are feeling uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness and applying lotion like it is going out of style.

Sleep: Some nights I sleep better than other nights. Probably just depends on how exhausted I really am at bedtime. Michael was gone last week and I never sleep as good when he is gone. If Mason was a little older I would have him sleep with me when Michael is gone. Is that bad?

Best moment this week: It was a slow but busy week. We had a kid birthday party on Sunday at a local indoor pool and it was fun to watch Mason laugh and play, but in regards to the baby nothing new this week.

Miss Anything? I have said it before, but I am going to say it again, I miss my old clothes and my old body. 29 days!!! 29 Days.

Movement: Girlfriend needs to drop already…for multiple reasons, but main reason is that she is killing my ribs. She uses them to leverage herself to flip side to side. And you can tell because my belly will be sideways.

Food cravings: One Word…HEARTBURN! No food is safe from the burn in my throat. The other reason I would really love Addison to drop…even if it was just a little.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new this week.

Feelings: It is getting close. So so close. I am excited and nervous. Nervous about Mason, excited to meet Addison and start our life as a family of 5 (with Gabby). I am uncomfortable and my back pain is getting worse. It doesn’t help that I don’t know how to slowdown and carrying around 30lbs of toddler doesn’t help.

Gender: GIRL! Sweet Addison Monroe.

Belly Button in or out? In. But starting to look odd.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: I am already looking forward to the weekend. We have another fun birthday this week and next weekend is my baby shower. It is scary to think we will be only a few weeks away from meeting Addison come the shower day. April is only a week away…YIKES!! 

Due Date: We are scheduled for April 22nd for my c-section, so unless baby girl has another idea, she will arrive April 22nd or before.

Baby’s Room

The room is ready for a baby to arrive. We don’t have her bedding yet, but since we waited so long to find out and then I had to make some bedding decisions, it might not arrive until she arrives. I am okay with that. We have a sheet in the bed and it is ready to be slept in and really that’s all that matters. Our plans are to have Addison in our room for 6-8 weeks. Mason we did 6 weeks. At 4 weeks we started the transition, but now we are in a two story house and the kids are upstairs. It might mean Addison spends a little more time in our room, which I am completely okay with this time.

Last weekend, Michael finished painting the Pink at the top of her room. He surprised me, because Mason and I were napping away in our room and I thought he was watching a basketball game upstairs. Nope. Painting. Something he HATES. I love to paint and if I wasn’t pregnant I would have been the one doing the work. Tells you how much he loves me.

Eventually, her dresser will also have a changing pad on it, but right now Mason still uses it and we have it in his bathroom. Once Addison is upstairs all of the time I will switch it over and the baskets on the left will hold diapers for me. If you look in her bed, you will see a giraffe. Mason picked it out and made it for her at Build-A-Bear last weekend. I made the sign above her crib and the mobile. I love that mobile it is perfect for her. Girl has to have a place to house all of her bows. This is right as you walk into the room. I also made this. The fabric is part of her bedding. The girl making the bedding sent me a yard, so that I could make this and do some matching. I cannot wait to see if baby girl is going to be born with lots of hair like her mama or a little hair like her brother. I have a feeling she will have some hair. Room Wall Color: Repose Gray (SW)

The top color was custom to match the signs I made.

Majority of the decor has come from me or Hobby Lobby. Love Hobby Lobby!!!

Week 34-Baby #2

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 22 lbs. according to home scale.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but even those are feeling uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness and applying lotion like it is going out of style.

Sleep: I would love this to improve, but I doubt it will. Between the baby in my belly, my dog and my toddler some nights can get rough.

Best moment this week: Hearing sweet baby’s heartbeat. Nothing beats getting a chance to hear it.

Miss Anything? I really miss a good drink. We had a big St. Patrick’s Day party this weekend and it was disappointing not to get to have a drink. Especially when they have such good drinks. They also have oysters and I couldn’t have those either.

Movement: The last week has been rough. I think Addison decided to take a turn or flip and now she is back in my ribs and hurting me. She is one boney little girl…put on some fat!

Food cravings: I wish I had some cravings. Honestly, it has been more the opposite, and I don’t want food. Everything causes heartburn…and when I say everything lets include water in that category.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new this week.

Feelings: I am getting excited. Our friends had their sweet baby over the weekend and we went to see them. Makes me realize I will have one of those in a month. It is the start of all of my friends having babies. I have another due before me and two due after me…we are talking due within a few weeks. I know lots of 2015 babies that will be born this year.

Gender: GIRL! Sweet Addison Monroe.

Belly Button in or out? In. But starting to look odd.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: Nothing this week. Michael is traveling some over the next few weeks and I am worried about being alone with the crazy toddler this far along. I just worry about something happening, but know deep down it will all be fine. If there is anything I am really looking forward to it would be going to get some newborn snuggles from our friends sweet boy.

Due Date: We are scheduled for April 22nd for my c-section, so unless baby girl has another idea, she will arrive April 22nd or before.

Long Week

It has been a very long week. Last Friday, Michael’s grandfather passed away. We have been keeping busy, between work, visitations, and a funeral it has just been crazy. We took Mason with us to the visitation but not the funeral. I didn’t really want to take him to the visitation but we didn’t want to get a sitter, so he came with us and he hung out with the iPad (Jungle Book) and a coloring book and snacks. Kid was set. He actually did really great. I was very impressed with him and when we left he handed out some much needed hugs to his Great Grandmother, Great Great Grandmother and Great Uncle. It was sweet and I could tell it made a difference. It is amazing what the love of a toddler can do to bring up spirits. I am glad Michael made the decision to take him.

Mason with his Great Grandpa Sperry.I am so glad we were able to get this photo back in 2013 with 5 generations of Sperry present.

Week 33-Baby #2

How far along? 33 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 22 lbs. according to home scale.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but even those are feeling uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness and applying lotion like it is going out of style.

Sleep: I wish I could say this is going to get better, but I know I am only going to get bigger. My hips have started to hurt when I wake up on my side. Baby girl loves to stick arms and legs out randomly and they hurt!

Best moment this week: Getting the room painted. I know this is small in the grand scheme of things, but her room is coming together! I cannot wait to get her bedding and get her trim painted pink. Everything else is ready. She could sleep in the room if she was born today, but I am sure she will spend 6-8 weeks in our room like her brother.

Miss Anything? I miss really playing with Mason. He is an active toddler and it is getting so hard to really play with him the way he wants me to. I am hoping he doesn’t get into the routine of me not doing as much before I can move normally again and pick him up!

Movement: This girl is a little rough on my insides. She goes crazy for OJ though.

Food cravings: Food cravings are going away. I am not as hungry. During the day I could eat cheese and crackers or a bowl of cereal for a meal. I am just not hungry.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new this week.

Feelings: I am starting to retain fluid again…BOO. My lower legs are swelling and my blood pressure, even though still normal, has started to rise. I am hoping it is just 3rd trimester stuff and not a redo of the end with Mason. The good thing this time is I know what to expect.

Gender: GIRL! Sweet Addison Monroe.

Belly Button in or out? In. But starting to look odd. My dark line has started to appear. A little later than with Mason, but it is coming in.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: My doctor’s appointment this week! I want to hear my baby’s heartbeat. It is actually going to be a hard week. I have a lot going on with work and a funeral to go to, so it is just going to be a long week.

Due Date: We are scheduled for April 22nd for my c-section, so unless baby girl has another idea, she will arrive April 22nd or before.

More Snow Fun

Over the weekend, we got some unexpected snow. The forecast changed about a million times before Friday at about 12, when they said starting at 2 we will get snow. I thought this was funny, but they weren’t lying. I went to get the mail and we had NO snow. 10 minutes later I looked outside and the roads were covered. Random snow storm. It snowed all night and all day Saturday. We didn’t have that much accumulation but enough for some afternoon fun in the snow. Mason, Gabby, Michael and I played forever. I think Mason would have stayed outside all day if we had let him.

Biggest doggie smile ever! She loves the snow. Snow Angels. I took this right before, Mason decided to try and eat the snow. Everyone enjoying the sledding. Gabby would just run circles around them. And jump over Mason. He had so much fun “sledding.” He would say go faster and if/when he threw himself out of the sled he would laugh. Even, when he got a face full of snow.

Week 32 – Baby #2

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 20 lbs. according to home scale.

Maternity clothes? Yes, but even those are feeling uncomfortable.

Stretch marks? No-Thank goodness and applying lotion like it is going out of style.

Sleep: Sleep was a little better this week. I still have a cold but it is improving. I cannot get comfortable anymore. I find myself on my back every time I wake up. I had this happen a lot with Mason. I always start on my side.

Best moment this week: Getting to hear my little one’s heartbeat! She is constantly on the move now. Her rate this time was 149. She runs away from the doppler.

Miss Anything? I want to sleep again, but this isn’t coming back anytime soon. I am sure it is your body’s way of preparing you for sleepless nights. I am feeling quite large lately and would really like to chase Mason and rough house with him again. It makes me sad.

Movement: She is all up in my ribs. I feel like she doesn’t have the space she wants. Some days I need to lay down to give her more space, but she lets me know she is there flipping around and pushing out.

Food cravings: Sweets and lots of them! I really need to get this in check. I also love having a Dr. Pepper in the mornings. It is my one caffeine drink a day.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing new this week.

Feelings: I am feeling like the due date is fast approaching! 7 weeks to go…50 days. What What. 50 days! That’s if she doesn’t decide to come early. I don’t know why, but I have a feeling she may want to pick her own birthday.

Gender: GIRL! Sweet Addison Monroe.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Looking forward to: The end! And getting her room finished. We weren’t able to paint this weekend. It was too cold and snowed all weekend, so we all played in the snow and stayed inside. Next weekend for sure! I am so looking forward to hanging up all her stuff and decorating. It will be great!

Due Date: We are scheduled for April 22nd for my c-section, so unless baby girl has another idea, she will arrive April 22nd or before.