Monday, March 30, 2015

Bump Brief #21

Bump Brief #21: 28 weeks




How far along? 28 weeks, baby is the size of an eggplant or butternut squash.

Total weight gain/loss: 156 today, +9lbs! Gained 2lbs this week instead of my average 1lb I had going on. 
Stretch marks? Nope. My stomach itches and my boobs itch, but no new stretch marks, thank goodness! 
Sleep: Not a great week for sleep. Nate was sick with a bad cough so he was up all night for 2 nights and if the coughing didn't wake him up on the other nights, I woke up hearing it on the monitor. Poor little guy. Took him to the doctor and he said he was fine, but the cough would linger for another week or so. Good times. We also went cabin camping for a night and that sleep wasn't great. Nate did AWESOME, which I thought it would be the opposite. It was me. Couldn't get comfortable and I had to pee. Walking in the middle of the night and risking waking up Nate was not going to happen. 
Best moment this week: Camping! Even though I didn't sleep well, we had a blast! We had a tiny little cabin with a full size bed and a bunk bed. It had a porch, picnic table, and walking distance to the beach. 
Also, some random lady came up to me while I was wearing a bikini and said, "You look amazing". Um...THANK YOU, random stranger. I wanted to hug her. I think pregnancy is beautiful and natural, but you can't help but feeling huge and unattractive at times. Especially in a bikini,no make-up, building sandcastles, and have sand in places where it shouldn't be. 
Preggo Problems: 1. Getting up from a laying down position. I feel like a beached whale. 2. Heartburn. 3. Can't paint my toenails. 4. Can't shave. I may get a Brazilian!?
Movement: Stronger kicks and movement. Some actually hurt. Hopefully she is moving herself down down. 
Food cravings: Still sandwiches. Chicken sandwich, PB&J, Sourdough Jack, grilled cheese...
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 
1. Baby is busy dreaming, breathing, and coughing(probably got the cough from Nate...sharing germs already.) 
2. Baby has packed on enough fat that it is almost able to regulate its body temperature by itself.
3. 84 days until EDD!!
Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 
Belly Button in or out? In-ish. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: The week was rough with a coughing toddler and lack of sleep. I will admit I let him watch way more TV than any child needs. He only likes one show, Tumbleleaf, and I'm pretty sure we watched the entire season. Not proud of that, but he needed to rest and so did I. As soon as we went camping, mood was great. It was nice to have a stay-cation. I was on my phone less. Used it only to take pictures and my tablet to read a book (The 5 Love Languages of Children). This week I have a midwife appoint along with my glucose test. Hooray!

I try to include Nate in my pictures. This was the first shot. Such real life. Oh, Nate... 

Here are 2 semi-normal pictures.


Hope everyone has a great week and a wonderful Easter weekend!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Toddler Tuesday: Easter Edition!

Easter is coming up! To be honest, I only celebrate because of the cuteness. We are not a religious family, so we won't be going to church.
**If you are religious, please message me if you have questions on why we are not. I don't want this post to be offense or looked down upon because of our personal beliefs.

So...what are we doing for Easter!? I have an Easter basket for Nate, did a couple crafts, and have snack ideas. My husband's work has an Easter Egg hunt the day before so we will go to that for Nate.

Here is Nate's Easter basket.
 What's inside?
*Annie's bunnies. White cheddar and snickerdoodle. They were 2/$4 at Target and bunnies.
*1 M&M egg.
*On the Farm book. It has little felt animals to put on the book. Dollar section at Target.
*Sesame Street bath coloring pieces. Dollar section at Target.
*The Goodnight Gecko book. This is sort of an inside joke. Nate had a gecko in his room one day and now he thinks he is living in there. This book was just so fitting and hilarious not to get. Plus, it will be a Hawaii keepsake. $13
*Bug catcher toy. Dollar section at Target.
*Basket was $3 at Target
Total spent: $23. More than I was going to spend, but I splurged on the gecko book.

Easter painting crafts/art: Easter Egg painting


What you need:
1. Easter egg printable. I printed out 4 so he could do a few of them.
2. Paint.. I gave him 6 colors, but you can choose how many you want or have on hand.
3. Clothes pins. I had 6 for the 6 colors.
4. Cotton balls or puffs. I did 3 cotton balls because they were bigger then the tiny puffs I had on hand. 3 puffs, just have a different size. 
5. Scissors to cut the egg out after.
6. Painters tape (see below for second painting idea)
7. Paint brushes (optional)



 The next one I used painters tape to make lines on the egg. I did one with straight lines and one with lines in different places, somewhat abstract looking. I let Nate choose if he wanted to use paint brushes or the cotton ball/puffs.



After he was done, I let them dry. The dotted ones, I cut the egg out. The painters tape ones I peeled the tape off then cut out the egg. 

Another craft I did but didn't take a picture of the process was footprint carrots. All you do is paint their foot orange, put the footprint on white paper. Let it dry then add a stem using a green pen, crayon, or marker. Super easy. 

Now what!? What do you do with all the art? You can make cards and send them to family. You can make magnets(laminate them if you have one), frame them, etc. I made an Easter banner using all 3 of the crafts. I punched a hole in them and used yarn to hold it up. 


Easter snack:
Bunnies eat carrots. Do kids? Most kids, my son included, don't eat as much veggies as they really need. We went to Costco to get little travel hummus packs for him to dip carrots in. I had some baby carrots I cut into thinner pieces for him and made some "ready-to-serve" carrot bowls. I only did 3 bowls because I ran out of carrots and I'm not even sure then hummus idea will work. 1 pack of hummus in his little toddler bowl and carrots. 


Phew. That was a long post. I hope you got a few ideas for Easter. Let me know what you have planned or anything other ideas! 

Happy Easter!

Monday, March 23, 2015

Bump Brief #20

Bump Brief #20: 27 weeks








How far along? 27 weeks, baby is the size of a cauliflower or a bunch of bananas. Each app has a different fruit/vegetable...it's hilarious what they come up with.
Total weight gain/loss: 154 today, +7lbs!
Stretch marks? Nothing new, but my stomach feels like it is being stretched to the max. One day this week Morgan was pushed so far up against my belly button I thought I had a hernia. No joke, I was googling belly button pain. It hurt to have a shirt against it. Next day, perfectly fine. Thank you, Morgan, for moving because I was almost in tears. 
Sleep: Better. For my birthday presents, Jason got me a pregnancy wedge pillow, a handheld massager, and a pregnancy support belt to wear during the day. The combination has helped a lot with my back pain and with getting better sleep. 
Best moment this week: Luau date with Jason! Not really pregnancy related, but it was nice to have a date night. I actually had a lot of good moments because it was my birthday and I was totally spoiled. I ate great food, took naps, luau, got roses, my mom got me some new clothes and a wrap I'm still waiting on. The best pregnancy related moment was scoring a $20 glider/rocker from a FB yardsale page. It wasn't the style I really wanted, but hey $20 compared to $300-$400. I'll take it!



Miss Anything? I think I might change this question to "Preggo Problems". I don't really miss anything, but I have uncomfortable moments. Nate is a wild kid and he likes to jump on me and hug me and lay on me to read books. It's just not easy anymore. He has elbowed me pretty hard, on accident, just trying to play. 
Movement: She is getting way more active. Last night, Jason felt a huge lump. Butt, head? No idea. Ever since the luau she was been shaking her little thing like she is auditioning. 
Food cravings: Sandwiches. Subway. I've had it twice this week. And please, spare me on the "don't eat deli meat" crap. And lemonade. Ice cold lemonade. 
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 
1. Baby's liver is still developing, using all of my protein.  
2. Third trimester has started! 3 more months left!
3. Time to start thinking of a birth plan. 
*I didn't do one with Nate. Might need to do a small one for Morgan since we are moving so soon after. We'll see. 
Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 
Belly Button in or out? In-ish. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Tired, but good! I've taken a lot of naps this week. I'm trying to drink more water, but I feel exhausted even if it's been an easy day. Other than tiredness, I feel the need to clean and organize Morgans stuff. I am waiting on one last diaper shipment then the diaper prep will begin. We got her a suitcase so I can pretty much pack her all up and be ready for hotel living and a hospital stay. Nursery in a bag she will have!

Monday, March 16, 2015

Bump Brief #19

Bump Brief #19: 26 weeks







How far along? 26 weeks, baby is the size of a cucumber. According to the ultrasound today, baby is weighing in at 2lbs!
Total weight gain/loss: 153 today, +6lbs!
Stretch marks? Nothing new. 
Sleep: Not horrible, not great. Found out Morgan is transverse(sideways) so that might explain why even sleeping on my sides aren't comfortable. Laying on my back gives me heartburn and I can't lay on my stomach. The struggle is real. 
Best moment this week: Prenatal massage! My mom got me a gift certificate for my birthday and it was SO relaxing!
Miss Anything? Eh, the usual. Painting toes, shaving, sleeping well. Nothing crazy. 
Movement: Yes. She has a dance party between 9:30-10 almost every night. Starting to move a lot during car rides...guess she doesn't like being squished while I sit or she hates my singing. It's a toss up.
Food cravings: Can't think of anything specific this week really. Tomorrow we are going to a breakfast place for my birthday and I'm pretty stoked to try their blueberry cream cheese stuffed french toast. Get in my belly!
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 
1. She's taking breaths of amniotic fluid. 
2. Baby is borrowing antibodies from mom to help fight infection and kick start its immune system.
3.Under 100 days until due date!!
Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: No. Braxton Hicks, yes. 
Belly Button in or out? In. It looks funky. Getting flatter. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Good. had an ultrasound this morning so we got to see Morgan wiggling around in my belly. They checked the cyst and I need an MRI in 2-3 weeks to get some more details about it. Doctor said it is still grapefruit size, hasn't gotten bigger or smaller. I will still need to get it removed, whether it be if I need a C-section or 6 weeks after Morgan is born. Doctor said cyst shouldn't affect labor or delivery. So...that's the news. 

Here are a few ultrasound pictures from this morning. Morgan apparently smuggled in a foam finger in my belly. 







Monday, March 9, 2015

Bump Brief #18

Bump Brief #18: 25 weeks


How far along? 25 weeks, baby is the size of a head of cauliflower.
Total weight gain/loss: 152 today, +5lbs!
Stretch marks? Nothing new. 
Sleep: No nightmares this week! I busted out a body pillow so that has helped with the sleep. Had a couple early mornings from Nate and things to do, but not pregnancy related.  
Best moment this week: Had an appointment this week. All is well with baby so far. Good fetal movement and good heart rate. Midwife couldn't really go into detail about the cyst until we have the next ultrasound. 
Miss Anything? Painting my toes is difficult. I like to do them myself and it is really hard to bend. 
Movement: Oh yes. She still stops whenever Jason tries to feel. Nathan did the same thing. Related much? Jason says he has the sleeping enforcer hand. 
Food cravings: Doritos. Cool ranch. Yes, I got some. Haven't opened the bag yet because I'm scared I'll eat the entire thing in one sitting.  
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 
1. Baby might be moving towards birthing position.
2. Movement can rock baby to sleep.
3. Eyelashes are still white due to lack of pigment.
Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: No. Braxton Hicks, yes. 
Belly Button in or out? In. It looks funky. Getting flatter. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Good! Happy we had an appointment, my mom comes in 2 days, Nate has had a good week except one day, did 2 hikes in 2 days, and I got to go to a friend's baby shower!





Monday, March 2, 2015

Bump Brief #17

Bump Brief #17: 24 weeks


How far along? 24 weeks, baby is the size of a small cantaloupe! 6 MONTHS!!!
Total weight gain/loss: The pounds are packing on now. 150 as of this morning. +3lbs. Not sure if it is all the Oreos I ate or the baby. Probably a combination of both. 
Stretch marks? Nothing new. 
Sleep: Better this week. I forgot to mention last week the dreams nightmares I've been having. I've the same bad dreams where Nate is drowning and the baby girl is kidnapped. Different scenarios, different nights, but each time Nate is in water and someone is taking the baby. What the EFF!? Definitely don't sleep well on those nights. In the past 2 weeks, I've had that nightmare 4-5 times. Not cool. 
Best moment this week: We picked and finalized a name!! 
Miss Anything? Being able to bend over comfortably. I had a splinter this week which was a bitch to get out and shaving my legs is now a task. 
Movement: Moving more and more. Still mostly at night, but I can feel her in the daytime now. I think in the daytime I was doing stuff and not paying attention much to feel, but they are stronger now to feel while being busy. It feels like she is standing straight up and down...punching my ribs and stomping on the bladder at the same time. Think of Mario jumping up to punch a brick to get a coin. That's what it feels like. 
Food cravings: Sushi and strawberry milk. Not together. And no, I haven't had any. 
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 
1. Skin is turning more pink due to the appearance of capillaries.
2. Baby is about 1-1 1/2lbs!
3. Taste buds are forming.
Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Morgan means "sea". Emily means "to strive or excel". Emily is after a woman in my life that has been there for me since the day I was born. She is not blood related. She is just one of those people in this world that are truly selfless, generous, hardworking, kind, and the perfect "grandma". If our daughter can possess any of the qualities she has, she will be a wonderful girl. Thank you, Emi, for being my grandma.
 Emi and me as a baby

 Emi and Nate 

Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In, it might pop out this pregnancy though.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Good! Getting out of my funk I was in last week. I am tired and slightly uncomfortable(my back hurts), but mood is MUCH better! Happy! 

Pictures this morning were in bed enjoying my morning coffee. Happy Monday!!