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!!

Blaze.

As I said in my last post my mind has been mush lately.. tonight I will blame it on the fire breathing dragon lurking in my throat.. he won't leave me alone.. how about I name him Blaze.. yes that sounds good!  Blaze does not seem to be accepting of his tums medicine tongith.. he's continuing to spit his nasty fire at me and it hurts, a lot! I have lots of random things on my mind but can't seem to focus on one thing.. here are some of my random thoughts.

I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with this bedding set. (and it's 20% off right now!)

I really want to get my hair cut like this but know I will regret it after..

I wish I could afford to be a stay-at-home mom.  I stayed home with Gavin until he was 8 months old and although it was very very difficult at times I really really miss my kiddos during the day.  I know financially it just can't happen right now, especially with Gum Drop on his way but a girl can dream =)  I definitely admire and respect women (or men) who stay home and care for their families day in and day out - it's not easy - and is certainly more difficult than most full time jobs. 

My daughter is a freakin' rolling machine.. she is rolling and scooting allllll over the place.  I am not ready for her to be mobile.  I mean, I'm excited for her to be growing and developing, it's just all happening SO SO SO fast.  Before we know it her little brother will be rolling all over the place too.

Which leads me to my next random though - Mr. Gum Drop.  He is still nameless, although I think I 'finally' have a favortie.  I'm still working on hubbs a little - I have two very special middle names I'd like to give him but he's not feelin' that - thinks it's too much - so we'll see.  I'm also surprised at the amount of stuff we need for him even though we already have two kiddos.  We need a crib and bedding - since Gabby will still be in her crib.. we need a high chair (I really like the space saver fisherprice chair) - since Gabby will still need her high chair - we'll need new carseats - we'll need a double stroller - we'll need an extra set of hands or 2 - we'll need.. okay, that's enough for now.  I need a money tree =)

Leads me to my next random though - debt and money.  I've always been anxious about money.. I love to shop.. I enjoy getting a cart, putting my purse in the cart, pulling out my list and coupons, scanning shelves for products, placing products in the cart, crossing them off my list.. I do not enjoy paying.  I could shop every day of the week (I definitely don't but I know I could)  I've got to figure out a way to be smarter with our money - I'm not stupid with it by any means.. I'm a smart gal and am very aware of what's necessary, what's not and when enough is enough.. but I feel like we could do more with what we have, ya know.  I'd like to read a good 'financial security' or debt book.. if anyone has suggestions send them my way.  I really want to be proactive in regards to college funds and retirement but that's hard when some months are almost paycheck to paycheck.  I want to stretch what we have as far as possible and need some insight as to how to do that.

Speaking of stretching, I really need to get my butt on that exercise bike.  I feel like a giant tub of flab.. blah!  I may look into doing weight watchers after the baby arrives.. I've seen sevearl success stories online using weight watchers.  I'm a picky eater, hate to cook and would be very content eating cereal or peanut butter and jelly every night for dinner but that just won't work for my family.  I really think some sort of structure will be helpful for me with losing weight.  At my college graduation I was the same weight I was in 5th grade (136 lbs - yes, I was a chubby kid!) and my goal after Mr. Gum Drop arrives is to make it back to a healthy and strong 140, which is where I was before I got pregnant with Gabby.  I'm hopeful! (and hungry.. too bad the frosted flakes are gone..)

Okay, enough randomness for now, it's bedtime!

Oh yea, I forgot, I LOVE the new show BostonMed.. SO good.