Mom Confessions

I have a confession. Ok, 10 confessions.

Sometimes...I am a bad parent. I do things I know I shouldn't do as a parent. But...I do them anyway. Because it's easy or convenient or I don't want to hear screaming or I want to get something done. The bad part is it is completely on purpose to avoid situations or, to be honest, to be selfish. Is it bad that I do these things consciously or do I get some sort of leniency towards my actions? I don't do these ALL the time. But I do do them more than I care to admit. 

My mom confessions:

1. I let my son watch a TV show in the morning so I can drink my coffee HOT and/or wake up more because the sun isn't even awake yet.

2. I let me son watch a TV show while I cook dinner so I can...cook dinner.

3. I give my son fruit snacks so he will get in his car seat without a fight.

4. During his nap (if he takes a nap) I will eat candy or some type of junk food so I can eat it in peace and not have to share.

5. I give my son a snack or even buy a snack in the store so he will sit in the cart and behave.

6. I go on playdates so I can have an adult conversation. This doesn't usually happen they way I envision it, but it's still nice to get out and try.

7. I will drive around the block just a few more times than I need to in hopes he will fall asleep in the car.

8. I get distracted by Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. This is not necessarily on purpose, but I will get on my phone to check a few things and end up staying on for 30+ minutes. Essentially, ignoring Nate. 

9. I let my son eat an "easy" lunch. Because I don't want to cook 3 meals a day. Want a Lunchable? Sure? Pretzels with hummus? Go for it. 

10. Whenever we leave somewhere, I tell my son we are leaving because "insert place here" is closing for nap time. I literally did this today at Sea Life park. "We have to leave because the dolphins need there nap and it is closing for them to sleep in a quiet place". He bought it. But he didn't nap. Damn it. 

I know I am not alone in this. 

What are some of your mom confessions?/ Obviously I have no room to judge so share away!

From the Aloha State to the Sunflower State

It's almost time to PCS...again! As our move approaches, I am starting to think of all the changes that comes with moving from state to state. Yes, the states combined make up the United States, but each individual state has a culture of their own. This move will be a very drastic change. From Hawaii to Kansas. Can't get much different than that.

We have only been in Hawaii for a year and a half, but the culture grows on you, you embrace it, and you pick up on "local" slang and mannerisms. When I think about it, it is actually quite strange. You literally change and morph into another person(to a certain extent, of course). It happened in Georgia, too. Caught myself saying "y'all". I would've NEVER thought I would pick up on that word(?).

So here are a couple things that will change from moving to Hawaii to Kansas...

1. Military related pay. We get COLA(cost of living adjustment) in Hawaii. Basically we get paid more for living here. Kansas we will not. Cost of living is way lower in Kansas and Hawaii is considered overseas. Boo to less money.

2. Shoes. In Hawaii, we wear flip flops everyday and when you enter someone's home you take them off and leave them either outside or at the front door. It is seriously going to take great effort to remember to leave my shoes on in Kansas.

3. Addressing adults. Everyone in Hawaii is called "auntie" or "uncle". Nate says, "Hi, Auntie!" to practically every stranger. When we move, we will switch to calling everyone else "Sir" and "Ma'am". Nate is going to be very confused.

4. Weather. One of the aspects I dread the most! From sunny 70-80 everyday to snow. Snow. Blah. So not looking forward to that. Nate, on the other hand, will be excited to build a snowman!

5. Traffic. Extreme to non-extreme. What!? A positive!? Oh dang, Kansas...look out, there is something good about you!

6. Visitors. A lot to a little. Everyone wanted to visit us in Hawaii. Kansas. We shall see...

7. Shipping. Another positive for Kansas! Shipping things to Hawaii sucks! It takes forever and some things won't even ship here! The costs will be lower in Kansas and it will be quicker!

8. More weather related stuff.
a. AC------>Heater
b. Towels-------->Jackets
c. High surf advisory------->Tornadoes

9. Food. Less rice moving from Hawaii to Kansas. There is freaking rice with EVERYTHING in HI. I'm assuming more BBQ sauce is in my future in KS.

10. Music. Reggae to Country. Eh...I could go either way with this change. I like them both. Jason on the other hand might be using his IPOD A. Lot. He hates country. I love it and hopefully will be getting to go to a couple concerts!

Those are just a few changes we get to experience with our next PCS. I am super sad to leave Hawaii. But, life must go on and the Army must move us. We will survive, we will adjust, and hopefully embrace the next new state we get the privilege of living in. Because honestly, who gets to say they have lived in so many states as us!? From North Carolina, to Virginia, to Georgia, to Iowa, to Hawaii, and now to Kansas.

In less than 2 months we will be on a flight with a 2 1/2 year old and a newborn. Wish us luck and hope we move with grace and a sense of humor! Mahalo Hawaii for being such a great duty station and Howdy, Kansas...nope. Can't do it. Howdy will not be in the vocabulary.

Bump Brief #26

Bump Brief #26: 34 weeks

Manoa Falls hike. I didn't carry Nate much. He went up all by himself and most of the way down.

I'm officially the size of a table.

How far along? 34 weeks, baby is the size of a...cantaloupe, pineapple, butternut squash, giraffe...take your pick. I'm leaning more towards giraffe.

Total weight gain/loss: 162 today. Up 15lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. 
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I've decided to take a different approach to this lack of sleep. Yes, I don't sleep as well as I did when I was not pregnant. But I am sleeping more than I will be with a newborn! I wake up to kicks, hiccups, heartburn, and having to pee, but I can usually go back to sleep fairly easy. I average 5-7 hours a night. This is way more than what will be happening in a 6 weeks. Trying to be positive and realize I am getting more sleep and should appreciate it before the screaming and around the clock nursing begins. 
Best moment this week: Getting results back from my MRI! It is NOT cancer! When a doctor throws around the words "ovarian cancer" it is a game changer. Worry is an understatement. Anyway, great news and such a relief. I am ok, Morgan is growing, and I can try for a vaginal delivery. Crossing fingers for not much back labor!

Preggo Problems: I'm starting to call my night preggo problems the "nighttime preggo problem trifecta"...when I have to pee, Morgan is getting the crap out of my ribs and/or has hiccups, and I have heartburn simultaneously. 3 out of 3 at the same time. Not cool. 

Movement: Yes. Rib kicks, elbows, knees, butt. I pretty much feel every body part of hers trying to shove out of my stomach. She is running out of room!
Food cravings: BBQ chips...still. 

Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1. She has REM sleep cycles.

2. Lungs continue to mature and fat layers are growing to help regulate temperature. 

3.42 days until EDD! 

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button in or out? Depends on her position, mostly out though.
Wedding rings on or off? Off...still. My finger feels naked.
Mood: Good! Obviously the MRI results contribute to that. I am also feeling like I have so much to do! Not really baby related, but moving related. I know it will be fine, but I feel like my to-do list is piling on. 

Bump Brief #25

Bump Brief #25: 33 weeks

 These are phone pictures. Honestly, I was too lazy to get out my good camera. Nate just fought me for an hour to nap so all I wanted to do was drink my Dr. Pepper, eat my BBQ chips, write this blog post, and sit on my ass. Sorry not sorry.

How far along? 33 weeks, baby is the size of a...durain!? What the flip is that!? 

Total weight gain/loss: 159 today. Up 12lbs from pre-pregnancy weight. 7 more weeks to go!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: For me, not really. For Nate, not really. For Morgan, not really. For Jason, sleeps like a husband. Jealous. So. jealous. 
Best moment this week: MRI and blood work! HA! Just kidding, both of those sucked. I did get a pedicure last week which was amazeballs. I also got my first edible arrangement from a friend! 

Preggo Problems: 1. MRI during pregnancy. Holy uncomfortable. 2. Peeing every hour, sometimes more. 3. Being huge. 

Movement: Yes. Kicking me in the ribs and hip bones mostly. And, the girl has hiccups a lot. Nate likes to feel the hiccups and giggles. It's super cute. 
Food cravings: BBQ chips. Cold drinks. Fruit.  And anything someone else wants to make for me because that is just awesome. 
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1. Eyes are open if she is awake.

2. Bones are hardening. 

3.49 days until EDD! 

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

This was her ultrasound picture at 32 weeks. Weighing about 4lbs. She is looking to be around an 8-9lber at birth. Yikes! Trying to mentally prepare for that.

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button in or out? Depends on her position, mostly out though.
Wedding rings on or off? Off. They need to be re-dipped, but that will have to wait until after our move. 
Mood: Still up and down. Nate has been acting up, I can't sleep well, nervous about MRI results, excited that next month Morgan will be here. Next month. Wow. Next month I will be a mother of 2...holy moly. 

I didn't write last weeks blog post because I was not feeling great after having some blood work done and a MRI very suddenly. It freaked me out. I have an appointment on Thursday with hopefully the results and good news. Morgan is FINE! She is doing well. The MRI and blood work is to check on the cyst they found at 20 weeks in more detail. It is growing(size of a cantaloupe). Send your positive vibes my way for good results! I will update next week with the outcome and any information I get from the doctor. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Bump Brief #24

Bump Brief #24: 31 weeks

 Excuse the frumpy look. I did take a shower, but I was back in comfy clothes. The day was full of laundry and cleaning with no intention of seeing the public.

How far along? 31 weeks, baby is the size of a...forget the fruit. Feels like a watermelon or bowling ball. I'm going to start my own sizes. Fruit and veggie comparisons. It's gotta stop. I will determine what size baby is now. Muhahaha! And yay to single digits weeks left! 9 weeks to go!

Total weight gain/loss: 158 today. Up 2lbs from last week. I guess my scale is not broken. Pre pregancy weight was 147, so total gain so far is 11lbs. 
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I may have to delete this one, too. Sleep is not great. I don't think it will get better. When I get to write about my sleep I feel like it is rubbing it in my face that it's not going to happen. For a very long time. Sleep is a thing of the past. It's time to mentally prepare myself for it. 
Best moment this week: We went camping again! In a cabin. The bed was still horrible, but other than that I had a blast. This time we went with our friends. It is so fun to see our little toddlers camp, play, get dirty. Of course we ate horrible and I loved it. S'mores...yes, please! 

Preggo Problems: 1. No sleep 2. Feel the need to nest and organize, but can't. 3. My boobs are leaking and I have let down feelings. So strange. Good because I want to breastfeed again, but I didn't leak pre-baby with Nate.

Movement: I am trying to get a video of this little girl on video, but she is so stubborn! I hope she isn't camera shy, that just won't work for me and this picture loving girl. 
Food cravings: BBQ chips. Cold drinks. Fruit.  
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1.  Baby's neck is very flexible, which allows it to turn its head freely. Um...exorcist baby? Creepy!

2. Braxton Hicks may increase since baby is growing.

3. 63 days until EDD! 

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button in or out? Out-ish. It's more out than in. Through a shirt it looks out. 
Wedding rings on or off? Off again. I cleaned my rings and tried again. Now my finger is irritated. Boo.
Mood: It seriously changes everyday. Today I feel full of energy. Yesterday I was exhausted. Last Thursday I was PISSED at the world because I under cooked hard boiled eggs that I was making for Jason's work function. Like irrationally pissed. I went to bed at 8:45. 

Nate is going to be such a good big brother. It is weird that in just 2 months we will have 2 little humans to take care of. I know I will love them both, but the thought of sharing myself with Nate, Jason, Morgan and myself has me a little terrified. 

Bump Brief #23

Bump Brief #23: 30 weeks

How far along? 30 weeks, baby is the size of a cantaloupe.

Total weight gain/loss: 156 today. No gain for the past 2 weeks. Super crazy since I eat a ton. I feel huge and I am definitely growing. Maybe my scale is broken...?
Stretch marks? Not on my stomach. I feel like the ones under my boobs are either coming back or I'm getting more. Can't tell for sure. 
Sleep: Not great. Toss and turn all night. I even woke Jason up one night which is really hard to do. Sorry, hun! 
Best moment this week: Maternity pictures! I won't get them for a few weeks, but it was still fun to do. I took my own with Nate and it was nice to have someone else take them of us for a change. Also...these pants in the bump shots. I have 3 pairs. I feel like I'm part MC Hammer and part in pajamas. Yes, I wear them in public. They are so comfortable, Cheap ($8.99-12.99), and I can wear them after baby. #toolegittoquit 

Preggo Problems: 1. Heartburn. 2. Getting in and out of my car. I feel like I have to slide myself in. After getting Nate in his carseat and myself in, I'm out of breath. 3. I never know what I want to eat.

Movement: A lot of movement. Some are painful, some feel like she is vibrating, some feel like she is trying to escape already. 
Food cravings: COLD drinks. I feel thirsty all day long. Food wise, I am a see it to crave it girl. If I see an ad or someone else eating it, then I crave it. 
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1.  She is now strong enough to grasp a finger!

2. Skin is getting smoother and brain is getting more wrinkled for brain tissue. 

3. 3/4 of the way done! 10 weeks left. 70 days until EDD. Not that I'm counting or anything. ;)

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button in or out? Out-ish. It's more out than in. Through a shirt it looks out. 
Wedding rings on or off? Off for the moment. I am not swollen, but something is irritating my skin underneath the rings. It's red and itchy. Just taking a few days to let it breath, clean my rings, and see if it goes away.
Mood: Impatient. Happy. Overwhelmed. Tied. Awake. Grateful. Uncomfortable. So many emotions. So. Many. 

Bump Brief #22

Bump Brief #22: 29 weeks

How far along? 29 weeks, baby is the size of a Hawaiian pineapple! How fitting. 

Total weight gain/loss: 156 today. No gain at all this week. Had a midwife appointment last Wednesday. She said that I was measuring a week ahead, but not gaining as much as she would like to see. Holy confusing! How can I be a week ahead, but not gaining enough? Obviously Morgan is growing. Not sure why the number on the scale means so much. I definitely like to see the small number on the scale, but in terms of a healthy pregnancy and baby development, why does it matter? I tried to google measuring ahead, but no weight gain and got nothing so if anyone has some insight I'd be glad to hear it!
Stretch marks? Nope.Still surprised by this. Thankful, but surprised.
Sleep: Ok. I toss and turn pretty much all night. I go to bed very early so I am still get sleep, it's just interrupted. I took a lot of naps this week, too. I'm back to the mid day drain. 
Best moment this week: Having a midwife appointment is always a good time. Seriously, it makes it seem like I'm one step closer to meeting lil miss Morgan. I did have my glucose test and a few shots so the appointment was very long. Another best moment was 2 wraps came! One from from my mom and one from Jason. I LOVE them! One is a Mexican rebozo from Guadalajara and the other is a Kokadi Morgan. I started belly wrapping with them. It helps relieve some of the pressure. 

The pink one is the mexican rebozo. The purple one is Kokadi Morgan.

Preggo Problems: 1. Putting on tennis shoes and socks.Thank goodness I get to wear flip flops 99% of the time here. 2. Heartburn. 3. TMI I have a hemorrhoid. I have never had one before, not even pregnant with Nate. I feel like I should have a whisper font, because it's gross and embarrassing and I feel strange even typing it. I think that's enough detail into that preggo problem. Carry on...
Movement: She is getting crazy. Sometimes it looks like she is hula dancing in there. 
Food cravings: Nothing in particular this week. Since we went camping I have had a few more s'mores, but I can't think of anything I am craving. 
Interesting facts about baby (according to pregnancy app): 

1.  Her lungs are producing surfactant to get ready to breath the world's air. 

2. She can open her eyes.

3. Her skeleton receives about 200 milligrams of calcium a day. Probably more since my freaking heartburn is so bad at night.

Gender: Girl!! And her name is.....

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button in or out? In-ish. 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: This week went by really fast to me! I hope it stays at this pace. It's a strange feeling when time goes fast to me. I like it, but then I know I'll look back and think I wish it wouldn't went slower. Savor the moments more. And I do savor the moments, I try my best to at least. I am very thankful to be pregnant and mostly healthy(still need more info on the cyst situation). Other than being tired again, some round ligament pain, and the few other preggo problems I listed above, I am doing well. Only 77 days until EDD!