grab bag!

I just came across Mama M.'s 5 Question Friday and thought it would be fun to play along.  Basically she posts 5 questions each Friday and anyone who wants can answer them.. so here goes!

1. Is there something you've always wanted to try but just can't muster up the courage to actually do yet?  I’d say sky diving – I enjoy flying so the height doesn’t bother me but the free-falling through the sky is pretty scary.  (and it’s probably safe to say I will never muster up the courage to do it!)

2. If you had $100 handed to you in cash without your significant other knowing about it, what would you spend it on? Hopefully I would put it right into the bank and pay some bills but if I didn’t make it to the bank I’d probably spend it on random stuff – clothes for myself, clothes for the kiddos, a new Pandora charm for my bracelet, trinkets for the house and some stuff for Gum Drop!

3. What was your favorite piece of playground equipment as a child? Our elementary school had this really really awesome huge tire swing (it was a bunch of tires attached to one another) and it was a blast.. that was definitely my favorite!!

4. Do you prefer a sweet or hearty breakfast? I’ve never been a huge fan of breakfast foods but lately it’s been sweet – chocolate chip pancakes (yummy!) or some sugary cereal

5. Are you a Neat Freak or a Messy Bessy? oh I hate clutter, I hate mess – it drives me crazy.. but I don’t clean as much as I should so although we don’t have a bunch of junk and clutter lying around you will likely find more dust and dirt than I’d like you to.

Next subject – our big ultrasound today!!  We got to watch Gum Drop on ‘tv’ for about 35 minutes today and it was so fun =)  The sonographer, Rachel, was great.. she explained things very well and seemed very into our little man.. what even “awing and oh that’s so cute” right along with me!  I am so insanely excited to share that he is healthy healthy healthy – everything is measuring right on track and each part was in it’s proper place.  The amniotic fluid levels are great, my placenta looks healthy and they actually think my cyst got a little smaller.  And of course, Gum Drop is definitely a boy.. got the ‘money shot’ to prove it!!

 

Rachel tried to get some 4D shots of him but he was nuzzled nicely into the placenta so it was hard to get a good shot of his face.

Although Mr. Gum Drop was a surprise I am certainly feeling very blessed and excited to meet him and see his adorable face.  It looks like he has a cute little button nose, just like Gavin and Gabby’s!!

And the last subject for today – an answer to a question that has been asked a lot lately – Kiley, how did you get pregnant again so quickly – aren’t you suppose to wait at least 6 weeks before doing anything??  Well, here’s your answer – yes, you are supposed to wait at least 6 weeks and we did, believe it or not.  I had my 6 week post baby check up on a Tuesday and was told that everything was normal and I had healed very well.  I was cleared for normal activity again.  The next day Steven and I, well you know, and that was it.. we made another baby!  Yes, it only takes one time and yes, although it took us almost a year to get pregnant with Gabrielle it only took us, well, no time at all to get pregnant with Gum Drop.  So there ya have it – maybe a little personal for me to share but it’s the truth =)

Okay, I lied, here’s the last subject.. my adorable kiddos!!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend =)

19 weeks!

(I cannot get this font un-bolded, which is irritating me but I am not rewriting it!)  So I have never been late with a belly post (I always post them on Tuesday) – not even during my pregnancy with Gabby – but this one is late – and I have good reason!  I spent all afternoon and evening at the hospital.. 6 hours actually.  I had been having a lot of pain and discomfort the entire day, mostly on my left side and where my cyst is.  At times the pain would shoot across my tummy.  I tried to drink water, rest and take Tylenol but for some reason yesterday nothing was helping so I called my OBGYN.  They tried to get me in to one of their offices to be seen but had no openings so they told me to go to triage at Women & Babies.  I had 4 different ultrasounds, a urine sample and blood work done.  The results from the ultrasounds showed that everything appears ‘pretty normal.’  I had a scan of basically everything from my cervix up – my lungs, my kidneys, my gallbladder, my spleen – pretty much everything.  I also had an internal ultrasound done because they wanted to check my cervix - I was having some contractions and they wanted to make sure those contractions weren't changing my cervix at all.  I didn’t get to see the baby at all – bummer – but I did hear his heart beat which sounded lovely – and was a HUGE relief.  Steven got to see the baby for a minute or two but I couldn’t see the screen.  Oh well, we have our ultrasound on Friday and I know I’ll be able to see him then! =)  I’m happy to know everything is okay and the pain is actually gone today, go figure.  I wish I would have just ‘sucked it up’ yesterday but I was worried and in pain.

I seriously could have punched the one nurse in the face.  She was hooking me up to the contraction monitor but told me she wasn't going to worry about the baby's heart rate monitor because at this point it's not a viable pregnancy and the baby would die if he was born today.  Thanks..a lot..I'm scared, in pain and emotional and you feel the need to throw in my face that if my Gum Drop is born today he will die.. how nice of you.

Here's my weekly quiz - just a day late =)

How far along: 19 weeks 4 days
Weight gain: I'm up about 3 pounds
Maternity clothes: pants = yes.  some maternity shirts are still a little too big.  I finally went through my closet and sorted through all my maternity clothes to figure out what still fits and what needs to hit the road =)
Stretch marks: I haven't spotted any new ones.
Sleep: never enough.. won't ever feel like enough =)
Best moment of the week: I definitely felt Gum Drop move Monday night.  I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep and I felt a couple kicks.  I could even feel them with my hand on my tummy which was very exciting!!

Movement: see best moment!
Food cravings: diner food - I've been wanting to go to the Gap Diner recently - who knows why, I'm just craving it - and I haven't been there in.. at least 4 1/2 years!
Gender: boy!
Labor signs: no no no.
Belly button in or out: in.
What I miss: same old stuff - this week it's really been my pre-Gabby clothes - I feel so frumpy and 'out of style' in my maternity/fat clothes =)
What I'm looking forward to: our BIG ultrasound on Friday!!!  Although we already know the gender it will still be so exciting to see our Gum Drop again!  And to find out if he is growing and developing just the way he should!
Weekly wisdom:  one step at a time..
Milestones: Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you. Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now.

giveaway – fingers crossed!

I’ve been entering a lot of giveaways lately but haven’t won.. yet!  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Kelly’s current giveaway!  The winner gets a free vinyl of their choice from Magically Made.  I love the Treasure Life’s Little Moment vinyl!

no boring days.

Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted about a client who lost her baby a couple hours after birth.. well to make this devastating situation even more heart-wrenching last week the coroner who preformed the baby’s autopsy was killed in a car accident.  This obviously has complicated the process of obtaining the baby’s body for her funeral.  I just can’t believe all that has happened in regards to this situation.. it’s just all so sad.  A Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep photographer got some beautiful photos of the baby and I know her mother will cherish those for the rest of her life.

I am working on a case right now with two birthparents who are 16 years old.  Long story short the mom called us from the hospital after giving birth and wanted to make an adoption plan for the baby.  Since there is a lot of kinks to work out in the case before involving an adoptive family the baby was placed in interim care.  Part of the ‘kinks’ was contacting the birthfather.. but with them both being high school students that was pretty easy.. he found out through friends who I believe found out on.. where else.. Facebook.  He is not in agreement with the adoption plan and wants to parent the baby.  I met with him and his family this morning – Monday morning at 9 a.m. – not my favorite meeting time but in this case certainly necessary.  I became incredibly agitated early on in the meeting because he family kept speaking for him.  I kept asking what his parenting plan would be, at 16 and still a sophomore in high school, and with each question I posed his family answered while he had this smart-alec grin on his face.  The step-dad starting talking and I tried to explain that I really wanted to hear from the birthfather directly since he is technically the only one, besides the birthmother, with any legal rights to the child.  Well I must have hit a nerve because he became very irritated and disrespectful towards me.  I said, as nicely as possible, please calm down, there is no reason to be disrespectful.  He stated [in a raised voice] that he was going to act how he wanted because the situation is bullsh*t and makes no sense.  Then, it happened, (and I am SO proud of myself!) I told him to leave my office.  I said, if you are going to continue to raise your voice and disrespect me then you can leave my office.. and he did.. and of course, as he was leaving he says, “I’ll see you in court.”  Right, okay, sounds good, because you can sue me for telling you to leave my office, enjoy your time in the parking lot sir, have a nice day.

Some days this job is just too emotional for me (especially with my hormones being heightened due to this munchkin in my tummy.)  I know I do God’s work and I know the work I do is powerful and life-changing but there are some days when I just wish I had another job.. a simple job with regular hours, no phones ringing at 11 p.m. with client crises, no emotional involvement.. oh but what would I do.. who in the world knows.. but for now I will continue my journey as a pregnancy counselor and pray the Lord uses me where he needs me.

I hope everyone has a blessed week – I’ll be back tomorrow with my 19 WEEK belly post!!

18 weeks!

All I have to say is.. IS IT THE WEEKEND YET?!?!!  I just need a day off and it’s only Tuesday evening.. oh my =)

How far along: 18 weeks 3 days
Weight gain: +2 pounds (maybe +3 – haven’t been on the scale in a few days)
Maternity clothes: yesterday my entire outfit was ‘normal’ clothes – today my pants are maternity but my shirt is not – I have not purchased any new maternity clothes.. I do need to look into a ‘preggo’ swimsuit (as my hubbs calls it!) for the beach – I don’t need these stretchie marks hanging out!
Stretch marks: yeppers – I am using BioOil so hopefully that will help with preventing new ones and helping the old ones to fade =)
Sleep: Gabby is still waking up at least once a night to eat and it’s hard to fall back to sleep but my hubbs never gets a good nights sleep since he works at night and watches the kiddos most days so I cannot complain!
Best moment of the week: I am pretty certain I felt Gum Drop move yesterday!!  I was driving home from an appointment just singing away and I felt a few flutters!!  I’m pretty sure I felt a couple more flutters while laying in bed trying to fall asleep last night!!  Friday was a GREAT night – I hung out with some good friends and enjoyed a MaryKay party – it was SO SO SO nice to have a girls night =) =)
Movement: Yeppers, see best moment above =)
Food cravings: oh I am still ALL about [fountain] diet coke with lemon!
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: no thank you.
Belly button in or out: innie.
What I miss: same stuff, just a different week =)
What I'm looking forward to: feeling Gum Drop move more; the weekend and a couple days off from work!
Weekly wisdom:  “I get by with a little help from my friends.” 

Milestones: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, about the length of a bell pepper, and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born.

 

What fun would a post be without some photos of my cutie-pie kiddos!!

I now pronounce you husband & wife!

Last night my friend Christine got married to her long time man, Mike.  They have been dating since our freshman year in high school.. so about 12 years!  Christine and I have known each other since 4th grade so she is certainly a friend life-long friend although we don’t hang out nearly as often as I’d like.  Anyway, they got hitched last night.  They did a private ceremony and then had everyone join them for cocktails and hor’douvers.  (diet coke w/lemon for this momma please!!)  My hubbs sure enjoyed the open bar – he doesn’t drink often since I can’t drink but last night he certainly kicked back a few yuenglings! 

Christine looked absolutely beautiful.. too bad I don’t have any photos to post.  Yea, I know, no photos.. not even a photo of my hubbs and I all dressed up.. not even a photo of me and the bride.. not even a photo of, well nothing.  I’m angry at myself for not using my camera but I knew when I decided to take my little point and shoot that it wouldn’t get used.  I love my D-SLR but it is a pain to take it everywhere so last night I left it at home, big mistake on my part but too late now!

Congratulations Christine & Mike – you 2 are finally husband & wife!!  Enjoy your honeymoon in Punta Cana!

Their wedding makes me want to get married again.  Steven and I were planning a big wedding, then learned we were pregnant with Gavin and plans changed quickly.  We decided to go to Hawaii and get married there, just the 2 of us and a beautiful beach.  Well, it rained the entire time we were there so our beautiful beach ceremony turned into a gazebo ceremony.  We did have a reception/pig roast later in the summer with family and friends but it didn’t really feel like a ‘wedding’ in some aspects.  I’d love to renew our vows, wear my first wedding dress I bought that is currently shoved under my bed, have my dad walk me down the aisle and celebrate our love with family and friends.. maybe someday..

I hope everyone has a great week.. mine is jam-packed with appointments, trainings, conferences and oh, a brand new desk that will be waiting for me in my office tomorrow morning.. can’t wait =)

giveaway.

I haven’t won either of the giveaways I entered this week, but Kelly is hosting another that I’d love to win.  You get extra ‘entries’ when you blog about a giveaway so I’d like to increase my chances any way I can!  The winner gets their choice of a crayon wallet or a mini list taker from Bits n’ Pieces, etc. – they are just too cute!!

I’m keepin’ my fingers crossed.. sure would be nice to win something =)

new computer & pee on the floor.

So after my laptop took a dive (literally) I got a new one – and I am trying this Windows Live Writer blog thingy.  I have no idea how it works but we’ll give it a shot.  I used my best buy credit card so I don’t have to pay any interest on the computer for up to 18 months, which is good b/c I definitely don’t have the extra cash in my account to blow on a computer right now.  $$ has been causing me a great deal of stress lately – between the new baby coming, Gabby’s doctor bills, my dentist bills, a new computer, our car insurance that is due this month and Steven’s van inspection – I feel like I’m constantly thinking about $$.  I’ve been doing well with putting money into savings but I feel like that hasn’t been growing as much as I want it to.  I know it’s silly to stress about $$ – just be wise day to day – easier said than done.

Anyway, I’m going to wrap this up and mess around with this laptop a little more.  I feel like I probably should have done more research before jumping into a purchase but I really need a computer, I think I got a decent deal and I have 18 months to pay it off. [and it’s a very pretty red color!!]

Classic Gavin moment – he and I are standing at the desk at Best.Buy paying for everything and he says to me “Mom, I have…” then proceeds to pee in his pants.. not just a little pee.. all over the floor.. all over his shoes, socks, pants and underwear.. in the middle of Best.Buy.  I apologized to the clerk and told him I think he may need to call maintenance.  Thankfully I had a change of clothes for him in the diaper bag, but no extra underwear or socks.. so he left the store underwearless, sockless and shoeless with a bag full of pee-covered clothes.  Oh the joys of being a momma!!

{almost} wordless Wednesday

photos of my sweet potato enjoying her cereal and trying sweet potatoes for the first time =)

amongst the pain of yesterday these photos bring me so much joy - I am blessed.

pain.

Today has been one of the worst days ever...

An expectant mother who had been working with our agency on her adoption plan had an emergency c-section this evening; her amniotic fluid was low and I believe there were some other pretty serious circumstances so the doctors decided it was time for this little lady to join the 'outside' world.  They did the c-section and the baby had some respitory distress.  They worked on her for over 2 hours and were going to fly her to Hershey Medical Center (which was actually where a co-worker and I already were meeting with another couple).. but the baby didn't make it.  They could not get her breathing and she passed away.  I've never had this happen before.. the hard part (besides the obvious pain) is this mother is not my direct client.. she is the client of one of our other counselors who works out of our State College satelite office.. this was her first client she has had.. her first potential placement.. how do you help someone through such a tragedy..  I'm just so sad for this mom, for our worker and for the adoptive family the mom had selected to parent this child.  My heart breaks for everyone involved.

Gum Drop is growing! {17 weeks.}

How far along: 17 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: +2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I think my days of hair ties and safety pins serving as buttons are over..

New baby items: nothing new.. I've had my eye on a few things but am trying to save $$

Sleep: if it weren't for the pains from my cyst and all the stretching and growing that's going on I think I'd be just fine - the ultrasound tech told me that the stretching/growing pains get worse with each child that you have - well ain't that just lovely!

Best moment this week: feeding Gabby cereal for the first time!!

Movement: I'm not sure.. I've felt a couple little flutter/bubbles but it's hard to tell if it's Gum Drop, gas or something else..

Food cravings: I am loving diet coke with lemon - but it's only good if it's fountain soda, it just doesn't taste the same from a can or a bottle.

Gender: boy!!!

Labor Signs: no.

Belly Button in or out: innie.

What I miss: wine, running & my '2007' body - it's amazing what running can do for your body and your attitude, my pre-Gabby clothes, my friends from high school and college that I haven't seen in a while (random, I know.. but I do miss them!!)

What I am looking forward to: my friend Christine's wedding this weekend.. she is marrying Mike, whom she has been dating since we were freshman in high school (1997/1998).. it's so exciting that they are finally tying the knot!! (too bad I won't be able to enjoy the cocktails with everyone.. hopefully I can get a diet coke with lemon!)

Weekly Wisdom: Believe.. Hold Fast.. Hope.. Have Faith.. Trust.. Rest Assured.. All things are possible with God. 

Milestones:  Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

17 weeks 3 days {I feel like this belly appeared overnight!}

another giveaway!

Tanya at Keep It Real is hosting a giveaway that ends today!  The winner gets a custom card design or a bow holder by Kelly at Your Loving Memories.  I would LOVE to have her customize birth announcements when Baby Gum Drop arrives - they are SO nice and classy =)  Go check 'em out!

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Gavin.

I was looking through all my old facebook photos trying to find a photo of Gavin from when he was 10 months old - I am trying to envision how big Gabby is going to be when Gum Drop arrives.  I came across some adorable photos (well, they are all adorable!) and thought I'd share.  I can't believe Gavin went from this..

to this..

to this..

to this..

what a handsome boy!!

I can't believe that in 5 months he will be 4 years old.. that seems SO old to me!  He is a boy now, not a toddler and while I am so excited to see him grow it makes me so sad that he is no longer my sweet baby boy..

He is an AWESOME big brother.. seriously couldn't have asked for a better adjustment.  Gabby truly adores him and has started to 'talk' to him, which he just thinks it the coolest thing!!  Gavin has such a sweet disposition, I hope that doesn't change.  He's so loving and thoughtful - even tells me thank you for making him dinner (when I do make it!)  He has great manners and is just a joy.  I am excitied to see how he reacts to his little brother - who he refers to as his baby boy that he is going to name Abby's Flying Fairy School (it's a clip on Sesame Street).. what a silly goose.  I'm so lucky to be his mommy =)

The Vintage Pearl Giveaway!

I typically don't get into giveaways but I can't resist this one.  Mrs. F at As the Forest[e] Grows is hosting a giveaway - the winner receives a $50 gift certificate to use at The Vintage Pearl website.  Back in late January I ordered the 'a flower and a circle' necklace with Gavin and Gabby on them.. only to find out about 2 1/2 weeks later that surprise baby Gum Drop was on the way.  I'd love to win the gift certificate so I can get an additional charm with Gum Drop's name.  There are also several other things I'd LOVE to buy from this site - it's just all so beautiful!!

Keep your fingers crossed that I win =)

Gabby is 5 months old!!

Holy smokes, almost half a year has passed with our beautiful little lady!  She is truly a joy and I feel so blessed to be her mama!!  Everything seems to be going so quickly - before we know it her little brother will be here =)  I love Gabby more each day; being a mommy is simply incredible.  She really is a daddy's girl but I'm holding out and hoping she'll be 'my girl' when she's older!  [I am picturing shopping trips, salon days and sleepovers!]

• I'm sure you weigh at least 16 pounds, probably more
• You drool like crazy but no sign of any teeth yet
• Pacifiers aren't nearly as fun to suck on as your shirt and/or bib
• Daddy can make you laugh like crazy!! You don't give mommy such loud, happy laughs but that's okay
• Your hair is growing and is a pretty light shade of brown
• Your eyes are still a beautiful blue and you have gorgeous long eye lashes - I wonder if they will change color or stay blue - personally I hope they stay just the way they are - but that's completely out of my hands =)
• Bath time = lots of smiles!
• You are still in size 2 diapers; I bought a box of size 3 and they are just a tad too big
• Many of your outfits are 3-6 months but with this warmer weather I've been putting you in dresses and they are 6-9 months; many of them are mini skirts since you are so long!
• Tonight was the first night I put cereal in your bottle; hopefully it will keep you asleep!
• You are eating 6 to 8 ounces per feeding and are still eating about 6 bottles a day
• On April 16th you rolled from your back to your belly and now you're a pro!  You still haven't rolled from your belly to your back; probably because you hate being on your tummy!
• You are great at holding toys and already seem to have a couple favorites
• I have a feeling you will be sitting by yourself in the next month or so; you are getting stronger each day!

 oh yes, I snapped this just at the right moment  - needless to say this was our last photo =)

16 weeks.

Sorry - not much time to type tonight; here's the normal weekly quiz & belly post!  I will be back tomorrow with Gabby's 5 month post!!!

 

How far along: 16 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: I was +1 lb on the scale this morning - at this point with Gabby I was up about 6 or  7 lbs so I am happy with 1!

Maternity clothes: It won't be long until I am completely into my maternity clothes - I wore a maternity skirt today and it was so comfortable!

New baby items: nothing new.. I did go through all the clothes I kept from when Gav was a baby so I have some piles of laundry!  (I sold a good bit of his good clothing when I found out Gabby was a girl, which I am sad about now but I honestly never thought I would need them again!)

Sleep: it's been rough lately since Miss Gabby has been waking up in the middle of the night to eat

Best moment this week: not one particular moment but watching Gabby and Gavin play and 'talk' to each other has been a lot of fun to watch =)

Movement: not yet.

Food cravings: pickles!

Gender: boy!!!

Labor Signs: no.

Belly Button in or out: in.

What I miss: energy & wine.

What I am looking forward to: getting some yard work done this weekend - I'm not looking forward to the 'working' part but I am looking forward to the 'accomplished' feeling when it's all done!

Weekly Wisdom: Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Milestones:  Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

 

 16 weeks 3 days.