Blessing Box

Yay for Blessing Box this week!

My biggest blessing is my washing machine still working!!! I did something so dumb. I put our comforter that my daughter peed on in it. I am fairly certain I had done that before and it all worked out fine...not sure what the deal was this time. ANYWAY. I went to check on it and there it sat with my comforter full of water NOT WORKING! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
All I thought was "no this can't be happening right now, no please God not now!" So I calmly started pulling and yanking this huge, soaking wet, very heavy comforter out of my machine. Once it was out still nothing. I pushed every button, waited, pushed more buttons. At this point I am practically in tears thinking about not having a washing machine, and having to buy a new one, because let's face it repair costs practically as much as a new one.

And have you ever really thought about how wonderful and great your washing machine is? And how hard it is without one for even a week?

Anyway, I took a deep breathe and just prayed "Please! God fix my washing machine, I am sorry I was so stupid and stuffed that way over sized too large comforter in it. Please, you are all I have right now to fix my mistake!!!"
And you know what? It started working just like that. Now, I know God isn't in the business of being the Maytag man, but I sure appreciated it yesterday!
All I can think about is Praise God!!! x1000!!

It's the little things that can bless your socks off, quite literally sometimes.

Miscellany Monday

1. Today is my first day really back at home, since last Sunday. We went to HP7 last Sunday, Thanksgiving dinner with my parents Sunday evening. Monday-Friday I worked (w/ the exception of Turkey Day, which was spent w/ my FIL). Saturday my cousin had her son's 2nd birthday party and Sunday was spent re-doing my paint color debacle. Whoa, long week!

2. When you have a newborn you always hear about how you will constantly be changing crib sheet etc, etc. However, that was never our case. But now, at 21 months I am changing more crib sheets and the bumper more times than I care to count. Seriously, I never know what I am going to get when I walk in there. She is daytime potty trained, but not night-time. However, she doesn't like being in poopy pants any more, so she takes off her pants and diaper, thus getting poop everywhere! Aggghhhh!!! I am really at a loss as to what to do, other than investing in a video monitor so I can catch her doing it before she does it.

3. As previously mentioned we painted Lo's room this weekend {well Chad did}. I will post more on the nursery later, but let's just say I had this really great idea, that turned out terrible, which resulted in a re-do on Sunday. Thanks to my wonderful husband who corrected my craziness, with out a complaint!

4. Santa already has Lo's gift in the works and I am so pumped about it. Santa already changed his mind once and now is giving the other gift as a b-day gift. HA! Anyway I think she is going to love it! Now just to make room in the play room for all these toys. ::sigh:: Ah, the joys of Christmas.

5. And finally, the best part of my weekend was getting to take a nap with my daughter in our bed. I just love snuggling with her, but she doesn't let it happen very often.

Hope you all had a happy weekend and a good Turkey Day. {Although, I don't care for Thanksgiving food AT ALL!--but I recognize I stand alone in that}

Thankful

Today is the day of Thanks. Today is the day people in the States stop and remember all they have to be grateful for in their lives; you know before they shove a bunch of food down their throats. :)

I too have much to be grateful for, I do try to stop once or twice a month and participate in Blessing Box to list out some of the things that I am blessed by, because thanksgiving to God shouldn't come just once a year.

My top 10 things I am thankful for this year {however, they are in no particular order}:

1. My family-a husband who supports me being home with our daughter (and soon to be son). A beautiful, healthy and vibrant daughter who fills my days with joy. Another baby, a son. Extended family who is always willing to help babysit and support us in everything we do.

2. Our home. Earlier this year I was really upset and angry about not being able to get into a newer home in "Mayberry," but really I have come to realize that the home we have is enough, it keeps us safe and warm, so what more could you really need. ;)

3. Freedom and all our troops who fight to keep that right.

4. My awesome part (part) time job. It allows me the opportunity to work and contribute, but also allows me to primarily be a mommy.

5. Christ and His free gift of salvation He offers me and any one who seeks it.

6. My daughter's heart that is already becoming aware of "Gigi" (aka Jesus). That is probably the greatest gift a parent could receive, knowing their child {will/should} fall in love with God.

7. My doggies. I love them so much. Animals just bring a different element of joy and life to your home.

8. A full pantry and fridge.

9. Friends who are there for you know matter what.

10. Chad's job that provides for all our needs {and wants}, plus, he truly enjoys it and that makes me happy.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalms 100

4 Blood draws, 3 hours, and 2--50g of Orange drink = 1 not so happy camper

Thursday was my 3 hour GTT (glucose tolerance test). I have been dreading this day since I found I had to do it 8 days ago. I put it off as long as I could. But alas, I decided it best to go in and really see if I in fact had GD (gestational diabetes) rather than just taking the diagnosis.

I had to fast for this one (too). {I had to fast for the one hour too, only because in my first pregnancy I failed the one hour and had to take the 3 hour as well}. Anyway Chad couldn't be home until the afternoon, so I hadn't eaten anything since 8pm the night before. Can you say starving?!

130p-fianlly get my fasting blood drawn. Lab tech hands me the 100g of nasty orange syrup. Except there is a huge hole in the cup and it is pouring all over us! She runs to get another cup. I sit there contemplating if I should start chugging or not, but then I was afraid she would make me drink extra, so instead I sat there watching it pour all over me and the floor. Awesome.

Tech comes back. "Sorry but we are out of 100g [orange syrup nastiness]. You will need to drink TWO of the 50gramers."
Even more awesome.

On the upside the 50g aren't so bad. More like drinking a real orange crush soda {I am use to diet soda only}. Let's just say my bladder was FULL and I spent the next hour taking potty breaks every 5 minutes!

130-200p-sit in exam room all alone staring at the ceiling trying to read a book.

200p-get a slight queasy feeling and headache. Must shut eyes.

230p- 2nd blood draw. This one leaves a big ole mark! Ouch!!

230-330p-sit in exam room all alone, staring at ceiling, listening to my ipod and laughing at all the songs my hubs surprising put on there.

330p- 3rd blood draw.

330-430p-again sit in exam room all alone, staring at the ceiling, listening to ipod and now thinking about how badly I want to eat!

430p-4th and finally blood draw, on same arm she mutilated during the 2nd blood draw. Big ouchie again!!

GO HOME!!

Except now I can't find my cell phone. I searched everywhere. Finally, I kindly ask the lab tech if could call it to find it. You know where it was? In.the.trash! That's right, I threw it away at some point during my delirium. There was no accident about it. The ONLY way for it to get in the trash was for me to put it in there. I was embarrassed when the lab tech pulled it out. I felt like such an idiot.

Anyway, overall, I actually survived this, unlike with Lo. I only got a mild headache and slightly dizzy. It did hit me pretty hard that night, I started getting a low feeling, which never feels good. I could hardly hold Lo and felt like I was going to drop her trying to get her to bed.

Thanks everyone who prayed. I really felt them and know it helped me get through this so much more easily than my previous time. I really felt God's hand in this. I think it really helped me to drink 2 50gramers than the straight 100g, I attribute that hole in the cup to God...He knew what I needed.

Now for the results. I "passed" I use that term loosely, because as an RD I know what my numbers should be and I wasn't exactly pleased, but they weren't off the charts either, just borderline.

Again thanks for the prayers!

28 weeks {aka Watch Mommy Grow}

How far along: 27w 3d {I am posting early, because next week I go back to work for the week and won't even have energy to post anything substantial}.

This is at 27w0d.
I love how Lo is always sneaking into the pics!

28w pregnant with Lo!

Total Wt Gain/Loss: +10#
Maternity Clothes: Definitely wearing, especially pants! I love dresses and tunics, but mostly just live in sweats.

Best Moment thus far: ...sometimes I lift my shirt up and watch him squirm around in there, that always makes me smile.

I have been thinking about this verse a lot lately.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ~Ps. 139:13-14

I also, love how Lo is understanding something about what is going on. She talks about "baby" all the time and lifts up my shirt to give him 'moochies.

Gender: BOY!

I don't think I ever shared my 20w u/s pics yet. Here he is!

Movement: His movements aren't as great as Lo's were. I just feel him some, enough to know that he is in fact still alive. Although, I have started to feel a few rib kicks. Not going to lie, I am entering the phase of movement I loathe! I hate being beat up from the inside out, I do NOT find it cute or endearing. So it looks like gone are the days of the sweet gentle movements. :(

Milestones: Baby’s energy is surging, thanks to the formation of white fat deposits beneath the skin. (Have those kicks and jabs to the ribs tipped you off yet?) Baby is also settling into sleep and waking cycles, though -- as you’ve also probably noticed -- they don’t necessarily coincide with your own. Also this month, all five senses are finally functional, and the brain and nervous system are going through major developments. ~(courtesy of thebump.com)

Food Cravings: Pizza, Chocolate, Soups (especially taco or tortilla), Apples and Raw Broccoli with Ranch dip. Mmmm good.

What I miss: My brain. It is official gone. Mommy brain + pregnancy brain is not a good combo! :)

Sleep: Lately it has been good. I wear myself out by the end of the day I am ready to sleep! And I can still sleep on my tummy which makes for better nights.

What I am looking forward to: The end. 10ish weeks and counting!!! {God willing}

Belly Button: Completely popped out. It is so embarrassing!

What I learned at my pre-natal visit: I won't go back until 1st of Dec, b/c I went late last time, and Lo needs pt2 of her flu shot. I try to avoid going to the Dr. like the plague. Not b/c he is a bad Dr., quite the contrary, just hate going. But I do know after this next visit I start going every 2 weeks! Isn't that beyond crazy? Didn't I just tell ya all I was knocked up yesterday?!

BUT I do have my 3 hour GTT test Thur (Nov 18). I really was trying to come up with every conceivable notion to get out of it, but I am putting on my big girl panties and going. If you think of it I wouldn't snub my nose at a prayer or two. But my bet is that the way things are going in this pregnancy I come back with a big fat positive for GD {gestational diabetes}.

Symptoms: Other than the constant stream of braxton hicks contractions I get about every few days, I feel good. Oh and just plain tired again. There is so much I want and need to accomplish during nap time and the evening hours, yet I find myself taking a nap and/or going to be 20 minutes after my daughter. She goes to bed at 7p.

Interesting things that happened/anecdotes:
*I have yet to dream about our baby. Not once. Chad has had 2 or 3 dreams already. However, the other night I had a dream about him her. That's right I dreamt our baby was a GIRL. I could see her and everything. It was like I never even knew I was pregnant with a boy, it was always a girl we were/are getting. Weird huh?! I suppose you just never know until they are here although this sono pic does seem to suggest the obvious.


*I THINK, and I stress think {so family don't hound me} that we have settled on a name...I am more confident this time about it, but not so confident I am purchasing his monogram yet. Actually, I/we have it narrowed down to two choices, but I am leaning more towards one now.

I imagine there may be a whole post on the subject once he is here. :) Until then each family member has named him something and continues to call him these silly names.

*We {and by we, I mean my little sister Meg and Chad, I am just picking paint color and supervising,} are going to paint Lo's room over Thanksgiving ::tear:: to make way for the boy. I was/am against this idea, but Chad and Meg insisted, thus why I refuse to take part in the painting process, not because it is "dangerous" for a pregnant woman to paint. Lo's room is the lightest shade of pink available, I don't see the big deal, we can add splashes of blue in there...but alas, I guess I got out voted by all. :(

But I do want the room ready to go before Baby Q gets here. Lo will stay in her crib for awhile, and Baby Q will be in our room in a bassinet. But we are still going to go ahead and get Lo's toddler bed/mattress ordered and toddler quilt made, {b/c I loathe all those cutesy character quilts...I mean seriously!} and set-up. I may start transitioning her during nap times to her BIG GIRL bed, still a little nervous about the night time...

To my Auntie Meg,

Dear Auntie Meg,

Please teach me how to climb trees.


Love

21 Months

WARNING: I never intend for these to get so long, but I can't help trying to record all the things I can remember her doing at this age. If no one but Lo and I appreciates it one day then that is fine by me, so read at your own risk. :)

Twenty-one. Months. Unbelievable. I have a nearly two year old on my hands. It feels just like yesterday you were born and we were taking on the world together and figuring out this mommy/daughter/baby thing. Now we are still taking on the world, but you need me a little less and that is ok, you are growing up and I love watching you learn. I feel really honored and privileged that I get to be here witnessing all the silly, quirky, crazy things you do. I am just trying my darnedest to live IN THE MOMENT with you, because baby girl, we are about to add a BOY to this mix and life it will never be the same. Although, secretly as much as I wanted another little girl, I am SO glad you are my only little princess and you don't have to share you tiara.


Here a decent list of things you are up to (that mommy's pregnancy brain can remember):

Verbal: You are finally starting to talk more. I hear less "uh-uh-uh" {praise Jesus} and more real words about what you need and want. It is as if your verbal door has been unlocked and you are ready to tell the world everything you know.

showing mommy how to use her new cell phone.

Some of my favorites are: Spaghetti, Cinnamon, Tucker, Ummmm, ::smacks lips::, poo-poo, potty and Minnie. You say each of those words clear as a bell and it just floors us, because you can't say a lot of the simple words like cat, cow, and Toby.

she loves to feed the ducks!

I wish there was a way you could click on each word and hear her say it, poo-poo is so freaking cute, no one says it cuter. And spaghetti just cracks me up every time. Evidently, I go around saying "Ummm, ::smack my lips:: a lot because everyone says that is where you got it from, so that pretty much makes me laugh when you do it and now I catch myself doing it all the time!

You also will enter a room and just say "HI!" as happy and welcoming as any Wal-Mart greeter {actually you do a better job.}


And I have to include the story where daddy was being smart with mommy about pajama Sunday and I told you to just tell daddy to "shut it" and you did and it was hilarious. Naughty, but hilarious. Guess I need to be careful about what I tell you to "say," I don't want you to get in trouble on my account. :/

*You are able to associate and match things. Your memory is outstanding, or maybe it is because mine is so poor...hmmm. Can't hide things from you or trick you like I use to do. You recognize the KSU Wildcat and will say "go go!" You also know the ugly bird (the Jayhawk) and you will say "Meg." (That is where Meg attends college).

Some Sundays we stay home and watch our service Live online.
Lo likes to lead our worship with Lance.

*You are learning more sign language. We did this when you were young for basic needs (ie eat, milk, more, all-done), but since mommy doesn't know any other foreign language, I decided teaching you how to sign would be easiest way to learn a second language. Plus, mommy wasn't about to be out done by Elmo, who taught you the sign for banana and giraffe! Anyway, you are picking up on it phenomenally fast. {As they say kids do at this age}. Of course, cookie was the first sign you picked up on in a matter of seconds...no idea why?! HA! You can do almost the whole little baby book we got from the library (~25 signs). So now I need to learn more!!

I was really impressed when you were reading another book and did the signs for the different animals, and objects with out any prompts. Or when you put on your giraffe pants and do the sign for giraffe. Crazy.

aforementioned giraffe pants.

*You love your baby doll. You named her, Baby. I named her Yellow Baby when I was your age, so your little apple doesn't fall far. (That's probably what you will call her if mommy would ever teach you your colors.) My heart could burst knowing that baby is bringing you as much joy as it did for me as a child.

why don't I have a picture of you and this beloved doll?!
here she is pre-redo

We recently had her re-done, b/c she had been loved on a little too much. This doll is from 1975ish. She has definitely had some good mommies in her life!

*You also really love your Minnie Mouse doll. I am not sure what exactly prompted your new found love affair with all things Minnie Mouse, but it is cute. My only guess is that it all started when I put your picture out of you dressed up like Minnie Mouse for Halloween last year. Ever since then you have been obsessed. You love your Minnie bib, and bowl too and get so excited to finish your cheerios and exclaim: "MINNIE!" I see a 2nd B-day party theme in your future. :)


*You love to pray. I love that if I teach you nothing else in this world (like your colors and how to count) you will love Jesus and really that is all that matters.

*You love to watch Melmo (Elmo). And since he is a better teacher than me, I go for it.

*You love to go down slides. You are fearless and brave the biggest slides there are head first!!!


*You like to dip your graham crakers in my coffee for snack time. Shhh, don't tell daddy, he thinks she is too short already. :)

*You love to look at your baby scrapbook I made you. We talk all about you as a baby. I am hoping this prepares you for your brother. I know you are going to be my good helper!

*I am fairly certain you are getting you canines (on bottom) for sure, hopefully they will be here by Christmas. Why we have our fair share of battles and problems around here, you have never had trouble teething...yet.


*You have two best friend Gracie and JuJu, they are the only ones who can keep you calm and content in Kidzone at the Y.

Speaking, of the Y you know we go MWF mornings and will say "Y" the whole way there, but then once we are there you aren't a fan...hmmm.

putting on make-up with mommy. I love our special girl times!

*Mommy does try and teach you things. I get really cool ideas from Auntie Misa, Julie, and the website I can teach my child...but you don't like those ideas and have no interest in learning from me! Oh well I guess that is what Kindergarten is for.

*You are very, very active, as I have just recently learned...I was {naively} under the impression ALL toddlers were this active! Thus, the need to be in gymnastics, which you absolutely love!

*We are trying to work on independent play. You have always been a high maintenance, help me child. {See I told you we have our fair share of issues over here. :)} You are very clingy to mommy again, and want my undivided attention pretty much 90% of your waking hours. This will have to change when your brother comes, so best to start now. I am going to try this idea about "play time" the only problem is your play room is my office area, so we shall see how this goes.

*We have been mega blessed that you have only been sick one time, thanks to patient zero, as I like to refer to my beloved niece, when she gave most of us some unknown crazy stomach bug back in April. However, a few weeks ago you ran a random fever (102-103*) for 3 days and then a day or so later you broke out in a rash, pretty sure it was Roselia. Not that it was a big deal, but that is the only other illness you have had to date in your little two years of life! PTL!
You have a bullet-proof immune system like your daddy I guess.

*Baby girl I love you. I always will, but me and your little attitude are about to embark on a journey. Parenthood is here in full force. I am not ready to be a disciplinarian or enforcer. I want us to just have a good time, but that is not good for either of us. I don't want to end up on Super Nanny some day saying "I have no idea why she acts like this?" ::insert dumb founded face:: So we enter the so-called "Terrible Twos" I am convinced {perhaps naively so} that it doesn't have to be like that as long as we establish so rules, boundaries and limitations. It really makes everyone happy when those are in place.

*And now I shall leave you with a fun fact. Olivia, did you know your name means "Elf Army?" Seriously, Elf Army...we are looking up meaning of names as we attempt to name our son, and I looked up Olivia and this is what I found! I could have sworn it meant "Peace." You know like the olive branch...So to my sweet little Elf, Mommy and Daddy love you to pieces we love the little girl you are growing up to be! Happy 21 months!


If you made it to the end, congrats! And thanks for checking in with us on another edition of Watch Me Grow. :)

Could I Please Just Get One Break?

This is how I feel regarding this pregnancy. I can't catch a break to save my life and personally, I don't know how much more I can take without breaking.

So once again I failed the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). And once again I have to endure the 3 hour test. For those of you who have never had the privilege of taking the 3 hour test, you have no idea how bad it is. Seriously, I count it amongst the worse days of my life. Top 3 for sure!

I am just done.
I am tired of the stress and worry I have every day about whether or not our son will be special needs or not.
I am tired of having contractions all.day.long. for days on end.
I am angry I have to take the 3 hour test.
I am just done.

I have been trying to be a more positive person, but today is NOT that day. Today I am complaining. And if I fail the 3 hour, I don't even want to talk about what state I will be in. It won't be the Gestational Diabetes that bothers me (I am an RD with more Type 1-insulin dependent diabetics in my family than you can count) it will be that yet again, God has to throw another ire into my fire. I guess I am just not getting the lessons HE wants me to learn, so He keeps giving me more! I sure hope in the end I come out shiny and new, because at this point I have my doubts (about myself, not God).

So today is a bad day.

Miscellany Monday

1. Most of you know one of the long list of reasons I have for not having any more babies is because I can NOT have two boys. period. I am barely adjusting to the idea of one. :) I come from all girls, it is all I know, and my experiences when two or more boys are gathered is never good! HA!
Did you know God is funny? And God loves to constantly show me His sense of humor.
Just because biologically/anatomically my daughter is a girl, doesn't mean she isn't all boy! This girl gets in more scrapes, scuffles and accidents then any boy I ever seen! She is fairly fearless (a known boy feature) and doesn't look before she leaps. So am I getting two boys?! Looks like it!

Oh God, you are so funny, I can hardly contain my laughter.

I know this picture doesn't show it well, but she has a cut under her right eye, after falling off a piece of equipment at the park. A nasty black and blue bruise on her forhead (her hair is covering it), due to same fall and finally a scar under her left eye from falling from a chair and me scratching her trying to "save" her. OY!
And that is just her face.

2. I am pretty sure we will NOT have our son named by the time he is ready to come into this world! Why is this so hard?! I can not bring myself to commit to any name, or they just don't seem like the "right" name for our son. I love and like lots of names, but nothing fits.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I had the PERFECT girl name and now I am slightly sad I will never get to use it. Or maybe it is because as my husband said "boy names are boring...just pick one."

Can't say I am not trying. I checked out these 3 books to help me find one!!!



3. HP7 {Harry Potter 7} is out in 11 days and my sister Meg, Chad and I see it in 13 days!!
Many years ago we started a family tradition of seeing a Christmas Day movie. Many years ago Meg was 11 and there weren't many options, so we went to HP1...I wasn't too excited about it, but by the end I was enthralled. The three of us all started reading the books and looking forward to the movie's premiere. When HP2 came out Chad and I drove all the way from Manhappenin' to take Meg to it {as a surprise}. Thus, starting a beautiful tradition.
Now crazily enough it is my baby sister Meg who is driving down from college to go with us!!! Isn't that crazy?! Anyways so excited. Although, generally speaking the movies ALWAYS let me down, but it is still fun to go!


4. This just feels like such busy month, and I am already worn out and ba hum bug already. I feel like I would like to sleep for a week to finally feel rested, but we all know that won't be happening. Part of me feels like I have a small bout of flu, from the flu vaccine no less. {I know they say that is impossible...but that is how I feel!}

Miscellany Pic: Check out that pony tail?! It makes her look WAY too old. I am not ready for her to be so grown up.

Baby Q Pre_Natal Update

My prenatal appt was actually normal for once. No bad, or ambiguous news this time. Unless you count our decision NOT to have the 28 week u/s. There are lots of reason we opted out, but the big one being, if I hear one more set of odds about this baby, you will have to lock me up in an institution. It is taking all my inner strength and lots and lots {and lots and lots} of prayer for me to get through this. Most days I just pretend nothing exists and bury my head in the sand. That is usually my go to answer for problems...mature I know. :) I wish there were words to convey how this pregnancy is effecting me, but there aren't, or I don't have them.

On the upside, they now have TWO female OBs in their practice. Yay! Currently I am only seeing our GP because I like him way better than my last OB, but at 34/36 weeks I get the boot to an OB and now I can have a female one.

The weird crazy thing is, I see him next month and then start every TWO WEEKS, holy cow!!! Where did this pregnancy go?! I am not ready to be a mom to two yet!!!

However, evidently it is time for the dreaded Glucose test :/...mostly, I just hate how it makes me feel, and I just pray I don't fail it, like I did with Lo. I barely survived the 3 hour test last time. ::shudder::

Finally, I am measuring good and his little heartbeat is 160bpm. This always amuses Chad and I because Lo's was off the charts the entire time, I am not sure she ever really trended down until birth! This could explain a lot. HA!

Editor's Note: Check THIS post out from GirlTalk...it is as if God read my post today and is commenting to me.

24 Weeks {aka Watch Mommy Grow}

How far along: 25w 2d (I am just so behind, it has been a busy few weeks!) Sort of the theme with this pregnancy. He will be here before I know it, now that the holidays are hitting.

Here I am with Baby Boy Q at 24 weeks. Honestly I think that tunic makes me look far more ginormous than I am, but oh well.

Here I am with Lo at 25 weeks. So much smaller I think.

Total Wt Gain/Loss: don't know around +7-10 I am guessing?!!? Not too thrilled about this, b/c I gained only 2-3# with Lo at this point. It wasn't until after the holidays that they could even get weight on me. Plus, I work out like crazy, so it must be muscle tone...right?!

(PS I know you are rolling your eyes at me Melissa, but I don't care I don't like it!) ;)

Maternity Clothes: Definitely wearing, especially pants!

Best Moment thus far: Is it bad I don't have one? I have been so overwhelmed with all that is going on not only with the baby, but just busy doing life, I have hardly paid any attention to what is going on inside. But Chad did start feeling Baby Q move a week or so ago.

Gender: BOY!

Movement: He use to move around like crazy, but now I hardly notice any movement at all. Matter of fact last night I was laying in bed wondering when the last time I felt him move was (it was that morning, but still you would have thought there would have been other movements in the day), but again I have been swamped these last few weeks going going going, that I haven't stood still long enough to notice...Did that happen to you guys?

Milestones: Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes. ~(courtesy of thebump.com)

Food Cravings: Apples.

What I miss: My brain. It is official gone. Mommy brain + pregnancy brain is not a good combo! :)

Sleep: Lately it has been good. I wear myself out by the end of the day I am ready to sleep!

What I am looking forward to: Nothing really. Just soaking up our family of 3 right now. I will tell you what I am not looking forward to and that is the Glucose test that they will be giving me here soon. Yuck! And all I have to say is I better not fail it this time!

Belly Button: Completely popped out. It is so embarrassing!

What I learned at my pre-natal visit: Haven't gone yet. :/ (It is scheduled for this week) But every time I go, I don't come home with the best news {mostly ambiguous}, so can you blame a girl for not wanting to go.

Symptoms: Other than the constant stream of braxton hicks contractions I get about every few days, I feel good.

Interesting things that happened/anecdotes: We are trying to settle on a name, but it is hard. This is such a big decision. When we picked Lo's name it was like the angels sang and we knew it was perfect. We have names, we try them out, but nothing seems "right."

Any suggestions on boy names? I like plain and simple, nothing to crazy or out there.

I had to bust out my "bump pillow." It is nothing fancy, just a very old pillow that is practically flat, it gives just the right support to my belly, plus as I flip flop around it stays with me unlike those fancy ones!

Back when I was pregnant with Lo, I took a pic with my two sons. I use to laugh and wish I was pregnant with a boy, so I could say "My Three Sons" like that old TV show....well, now

I AM!
Here are "My Three Sons!"

Tucker, looking less than thrilled about another baby coming! HA!

Trick or Treat

While technically last year was Lo's FIRST Halloween, she was too little to Trick or Treat any one but her grandparents. So this year was uber fun taking her around, even if it was only to 5 houses!

We Trick or Treated my parents the weekend before when Lan's and Misa were in town. So here are the pics that ensued from that fun!

Finally, a good one of the two of them!

They are always going around holding hands, it is just precious.

Someone should tell them it isn't safe to go into houses! ;)

Of course we had to paint our pumpkin to proudly display! Nothing like waiting until the last minute for that! Mommy had a little fun too, I am no fan of carving pumpkins that is for sure! But I do like the seeds! YUM!!!

However, once her hands got "dirty" with paint we were "all done."

What an artist...oh wait, that is my side. Lovely.

Here is her handy work!

Then on Halloween night we Trick or Treated Grandma Rachel and then went around her neighborhood (or down the cul-de-sac I should say), and then someone was D-O-N-E, done! Bless her heart she ran a 102+ fever the past week, broke out in that Rosela rash and is all sorts of congested, but she was a trooper.

Ready to hit the houses!
Thank goodness for the beautiful, perfect weather that evening.
We got this from a friend to borrow. I am so glad we went with this, she was adorable!

We actually got a decent family picture!!
Chad hates that I wear that spider in my hair every year! I love it!!! :)
This is also Chad's version of dressing up...wearing his Charger's jersey.

The first of our FIVE house stint! She did pretty good and even said "trick or treat" a few times and we ALWAYS got her to say "thank-you" which the people loved more than the the trick or treat. Gotta start 'em young on manners.

Chad and I were just starting to have fun Trick or Treating with her and then she was over it. Too bad, I guess there is always next year!

Hope you all had super fun Halloween!