hiccups.

I started to feel Gum Drops hiccup's for the first time late Tuesday night.  He has them again right now and it's so funny.  I can remember hiccups with Gavin and Gabby too.. just another joyful part of growing a human in your tummy =)

PS: August marks the beginning of our 'debt snowball' Dave Ramsey plan/budget.. I may need encouragement and prayers to stay focused and make wise decisions.. so thanks in advance!

28 weeks – 3rd trimester.

     

We’ve made it to the 3rd trimester and I am feeling it.  I’m beginning to feel frumpy and uncomfortable and I don’t know how much more my tummy can stretch (although I know it can stretch a lot more..)  I’ve been real emotional lately, maybe a little crabby, but I think it’s my hormones.  I’m completely exhausted so I’m going to cut this short and get some zzzzzzz’s!

How far along: 28 weeks 3 days

New maternity clothes: none.

Weight gain: not sure – I guess we can say + 12 lbs since that’s what the doctor’s scale said.  I was so stinkin’ sweaty at my nephews birthday party on Saturday that I felt like I lost about 12 lbs so maybe I’m at + 0.. yea right.

New baby items: yes, Gum Drop got some new clothes from some family - Aunt Patty, Amanda and their crew – thank you thank you – he’s going to be one well dressed little fella =)  I also bought him a nice heavy blanket that was on clearance at Target and a set of Carter’s onesies that I got on clearance for $4.79!! Things are starting to come together for this little man.

Sleep: well, it’s getting harder to get comfortable and to get in and out of bed; this has been hard with Gabby teething – she’s up a lot at night needing comfort from her momma so I am in and out of bed a lot which is not fun (but anything for my little Weezie Bug!)

Best moment of the week: seeing his adorable face during the ultrasound on Friday and learning that he is growing well and healthy; picking up his crib from a friend; family buying him new outfits; getting our double stroller put together and watching Gav try to push it around!

Stretch marks: yep, they are mine forever.

Food cravings: Gap Diner.. I’ll get there sometime.  mmmm.. Olive Garden sounds real good right now too..
Gender: Team Blue!!

Movement: yeppers - time start my kick counts!

Labor signs: just the awful braxton hicks contractions but they don’t signify labor in any way.

Belly button in or out: funny shaped.. either flat or an outtie.. just depends on my position and how much I’ve eaten =)

What I miss: sleeping on my belly; my old clothes; wine; running.

What I'm looking forward to: learning the results of my gestational diabetes test; working from home tomorrow and hanging with the kiddos!

Weekly wisdom: there are only 151 days until Christmas!

Milestones: By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds, like a Chinese cabbage and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

(the photo on the left is incredibly embarrassing but I'm going to post it anyway.. you can see just how dirty our mirror is.. oh my, I’m sorry!) 

Houston we have a tooth!

Gabby's first tooth is popping through and I don't think the second is very far behind.  The one I spotted today is the bottom front left tooth, I see a teeny weeny white coming through.  I think the right one will be coming through tomorrow or Wednesday - poor girl has been cranky lately so I certainly hope them finally breaking through will help her feel better!

On a totally different note - is it hard to make your own baby food??  I went to target tonight to buy baby food and man it's expensive.  It can't be too hard to make your own but I'm a real dumb-dumb in the kitchen so maybe for me it will be hard..

nervous.

A big THANK YOU to Lindsay and her family who gave us a crib for Mr. Gum Drop!!  We picked it up today and I cannot wait to put it together and get it ready for him!

On the other hand, I am totally terrified to put it together and get it ready for him.. I have no idea where we are going to put it.. how are things going to work with a newborn and a 10 month old in the same room.. is that even a good idea.. oh man.  Gum Drop will be in our bedroom for a little while but when he's ready to move from the bassinet into his crib is it best to have him in Gabby's room for a while.. or will they just cry and wake each other up??  Ah well, I guess we will figure things out as they come.  I'm starting to get real nervous about how things are going to go.. it's getting a lot harder caring for a mobile 7 1/2 month old with a pregnant belly.  She tries to crawl all over me and it's extremely uncomfortable but she obviously has no idea.

I hate to complain, and I'm sorry I am.. I guess I just have some days where I am super excited and cannot wait to meet Gum Drop then I have other days when I am consumed by the fear and anxiety of what our "new normal" is going to be and I fear being a bad momma for my kiddos.  I am so incredibly grateful for friends and family who have been nothing but supportive and helpful through this very unexpected journey.. even my Uncle Wayne who loves to tell me I'm getting fat again and teases me about not being able to drink!  This is absolutely my last pregnancy (yes, really it is!!) so I want to enjoy every little second of it.. and I do feel blessed to have two healthy kiddos and another on the way.. I know this is God's plan for our family.. it still scares the crap out of me!

chubby cheeks!

So I had my gestational diabetes test this morning and that drink is so disgusting - it's like fruit punch mixed with the craziest energy drink on steroids - super nasty - but done, thank goodness.  Hopefully I will pass the test and won't have to go back for a 3 hour test.  After my lovely cocktail I had an ultrasound and got to see my Mr. Gum Drop!  He now weighs about 2 lbs 10 oz which puts him around the 53rd percentile for weight.  All of his measurements were great; my only concern is that he is breech right now.. basically just like the frank breech baby in this photo..

The midwife said not to worry, there is still time for him to turn and plenty of room so I'm really really really hoping that he turns!!  He actually had his feet and his hands over his face for most of the ultrasound but I did get to see a couple cute shots of his face - his nose, his mouth, his chubby little cheeks.. SO cute!!  What a beautiful blessing.. very unexpected.. but beautiful =)

Weight: I gained 4 lbs since my last visit - so according to the doctor's scale I am up 12 pounds total but according to our home scale I'm only up 10 pounds (I like the home scale better!)

Blood pressure: 113/65

Urine: forgot to ask and the nurse didn't tell me so I have no idea!

Heartbeat: 150 bpm!!

Next appointment: August 3rd - I start going every 2 weeks now..

Hard to believe I will be full term in 9 weeks.. man this pregnancy is flying by!  (I will try to post one of the ultrasound photos soon so everyone can admire his chubby little cheeks!)

teething = boo!

My sweet little Gabby-weez is teething – no teeth yet but definitely bumps – and she is not a happy lady.  But she is a movin’ and groovin’ lady – Gabby has perfected the ‘army crawl’ and it’s the cutest thing!!  It’s hard for Gavin though; now he needs to remember to keep his small toys off the floor which is a big change from the past couple of years.

How far along: 27 weeks 3 days

Weight gain: +10 pounds

Any new maternity clothes: I did get a shirt recently at Target.[love that store]

Any new baby purchases: bibs & clothes (on clearance!) & monthly onezie stickers from pickystick.com

Sleep: I have good nights and bad nights.. last night was definitely bad, hopefully tonight will be better..

Best moment of the week: buying the kids ‘big brother’ ‘big sister’ ‘little brother’ shirts!! our double stroller arriving; AND picking a name for our little man.. BUUUTT it’s a secret.. hopefully I can hold it in until Mr. Gum Drop arrives!!  I am super super super super super super super super super super excited about his name – it took us a while, several discussions and strolls through the baby name book but we finally have it!  (as long as he arrives looking like a “*” and not something else we will be fine!)  We are keeping the name a surprise because we’ve never done that before – we’ve knew the gender and shared Gav & Gabby’s names before they were born so this is something a little different!

Stretch marks: just my old ones; I sure hope it stays that way!

Food cravings: Gap Diner, still.

Gender: sweet baby boy!

Movement: yes!!

Labor signs: holy cow these braxton hicks contractions are driving me crazy.. they’ve been real bad the past 2 days.. I guess I should just get use to them.

Belly button in or out: I’d say it’s flat; but it does pop out depending on how I’m sitting or how much I have eaten!

What I miss: today I really missed being able to get in and out of my car with ease.. ah, the little things!

What I'm looking forward to: our DR visit on Friday - hopefully learning I do not have gestational diabetes; our ultrasound on Friday after my nasty glucose drink; picking up the crib my friend Lindsay and her hubbs are giving us!!

Weekly wisdom: drink lots of water.. that’s all I got..

Milestones: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds, like a head of cauliflower, and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

26 weeks.

First here are some fun photos – most of Gabby Louise since Gav has been on this boycott Mommy’s camera kick lately, grrr! =)

      

that play $ is Gav’s favorite toy right not – he loves playing ‘store’ and pretending he is paying.  Too bad I can’t really use that $ at the store =)  And I got that jumperoo for Gabby (and Gum Drop) for $13.00 – another steal!!

How far along: 26 weeks 3 days
Weight gain: I’m scared of the scale.. lets just say +10 lbs.
New maternity clothes: nope.
New baby clothes/items: YES!!  We bought his bedding.. I posted about one that I love but just couldn’t seem to find peace with spending $150.. we found an adorable set on clearance for $42.00 – it includes the bumper, a fitted sheet, a quilt and the crib skirt.  We got the diaper stacker for about $8.00 and an extra fitted sheet for about $7.00.. so in total we spent about $56.00 on his crib bedding.. wahooo!!  We don’t need the lamp, rug, hamper, valance or light switch so it really wasn’t a big deal that the set was on clearance and not all the items were available.  I’m wicked excited about the set =)  (I’ll be sure to take better photos once I get the bedding out and washed.)                  I’ve also picked up some clothes here and there for him and a couple really nice blankets on clearance.  Another exciting purchase – my aunt just bought us our double stroller – THANK YOU AUNT CONNIE!!!    Check out our new double stroller.. I can’t wait until it comes =)
Sleep: rough lately b/c Gabby hasn’t been sleeping well
Best moment of the week: ordering our double stroller and getting an awesome deal on bedding!!
Stretch marks: yeppers.. no new ones that I’ve spotted yet. 
Movement: oh my yes, the movement has definitely increased the past week
Food cravings: Gap Diner; plums. 
Gender: BOY!
Belly button in or out: it’s flat but it does stick out a little depending on how much I’ve eaten that day! 
Labor signs: no, but the braxton hicks contractions have been terrible lately; especially if I’m dehydrated they are super painful.. 
What I miss: having energy; being able to [somewhat] control my hormones; wine; feeling in shape and healthy; not having this dragon in my throat every stinkin’ day; sleeping on my tummy
What I'm looking forward to: getting things as organized as possible for Mr. Gum Drop; our double stroller coming in the mail!!! 
Weekly wisdom: "Don’t fall prey to the weaknesses."

Milestones: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

wait, what.. 99 days?!

Hard to believe.. just 99 days until Mr. Gum Drop is due to arrive =)  I just re-read my 99 days with Gabby; it's fun to go back and read about my pregnancy with her [even though it wasn't that long ago].  I am slowing preparing for Gum Drop's arrival - we have a crib lined up that a friend is giving us.. THANK YOU LINDSAY!!!  We also have a mattress lined up that another great friend is giving us.. THANK YOU MELINDA!!!  I'm blessed to know such wonderful, giving, caring people =)  I also have started to really dig through Gavin's old clothes to figure out what we have and what we still need to get - that's been a lot of fun!  I've made a couple purchases here and there for him but I won't buy anything unless it's on sale/clearance so I've been doing well =)  [a 5 pack of Carter's onesies for $5.99 - go me!]  

I've also decided (at least for now) what my next tattoo will be..

No.. not a pillow.. the letter "G" - just like the one on this pillow - likely very small on the inside of my wrist.  That is of course if Mr. Gum Drop ends up with a 'g' name!  Okay, gotta run - phone calls to make and emails to send!  Have a great weekend =)

Gum Drop = 25 weeks - Gabby = 7 months!

And Mr. Gavin will be 4 year old in 3 months – holy smokes!!

4th of July weekend was great – we spent Friday evening at my hometown’s community fair then watched fireworks.  Saturday was spent hanging out then heading back to Grammie and PopPop’s so they could watch the kiddos while Steven and I went to a bridal shower for my good friend and her fiancé.  Sunday was spent at our aunt and uncle’s house swimming in their wondering pool – and Monday was more of the same.. swimming, grilling, s’moores and fireworks!  Gabby did amazing with the fireworks and so did Gavin.. the past couple of years he has been scared of them, but not this year, he was lovin’ them!!  Below are lots of photos from our weekend =)

 

Next subject – my adorable daughter is now 7 months old!!

• You are likely very close to 20 pounds
• You wear size 6-9 month clothing
• Carrots and bananas are your favorite foods so far
• You can roll and scoot all over a room in no time
• No teeth yet but I think they’re on their way soon
• Holy cow you have curly hair when it’s wet!
• You are 100% a daddy’s girl
• You have a uni-brow (don’t worry – I’ll teach you how to use tweezers!)
• You’ve tried some fun foods (ice cream, strawberries, taffy, watermelon, cheerios, freeze pops) and you’ve loved almost all of them
• You LOVE LOVE LOVE swimming

I am so so so happy to have a daughter – I just love her to pieces and can’t get enough of her snuggles and smiles =)

(the sign idea is not working out so well now – she just wants to eat it!)

25 week quiz [if you’ve made it this far!]

How far along: 25 weeks 3 days
Any new maternity clothes: nope

Any new baby clothes/items: I bought Mr. Gum Drop some clothes – only stuff that was on sale.. I got some good deals!

Weight gain: I haven’t been on the scale in a while so we’ll just stick with +8 pounds (although it’s probably more after the holiday weekend)Sleep: so so so so so tired all the time

Best moment of the week: hanging out with family & friends for the holiday (and eating s’moores – yummy!)
Movement: yes, he is definitely moving a lot now – I can feel him often! 
Food cravings: honey mustard (which I hated up until 2 months ago!) 
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: nope.. just the fake contractions that are incredibly annoying! 
Belly button in or out: both – it just depends on how full my tummy is
What I miss: sleeping on my tummy; wine; having energy; being able to bend over without any discomfort

What I'm looking forward to: hopefully selling some clothes at a consignment shop sometime this week (always nice to put some extra $ in the bank!); getting my Mary.Kay products this week; possibly planning a trip to Knoebels later this summer!

Weekly wisdom: "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
Milestones: Your little grower’s physical proportions are evening out at this point and most of their remaining development will largely be weight gain and lots and lots of nervous system development. The good news is: if your child is born premature now they’ll be more likely to survive without too much trauma as their lungs began to produce “surfactant” last week, which means their tiny respiratory system is getting stronger with each passing day. Yes, now’s a good time for a minor sigh of relief and a quick pat on the back.

holy crap that’s a long post – I’m sorry – thanks for hanging in there!!