Wednesday, February 27, 2013

What's in my belly?!

Come join the fun and take a guess at what's in my belly. I'm due May 3rd and we have no idea what we're having (nor have we nailed down baby names).

Stasa's birth stats:
Born at 38 weeks, 6 days
Weight: 6lbs 14oz
Length: 20.5"

Lexi's birth stats:
Born at 38 weeks 5 days
Weight: 7lbs 14oz
Length: 20.75"

What's your guess?

Sunday, February 24, 2013

And they're sick again

I guess I should be grateful that when my kids get sick they coordinate it so they both get the same thing at the same time. It started on Saturday evening. I noticed Stasa was talking a little funny so I got a flashlight and checked her throat. Sure enough, swollen and red tonsils. She didn't have a fever and was acting like her normal self, although she did have a slight rash on her chest.

Both girls went to bed as usual last night and Tom and I stayed up piecing together a black and white puzzle of the New York City skyline. Yeah, party on!

Around 3ish Stasa came in our room and I just pulled her into bed because I was way too exhausted to even roll out of bed. I did eventually roll out for my middle of the night bathroom break and put the baby monitor on before I got back in bed. I woke up again around 5ish to Lexi whining, but when I saw the time I opted to turn the monitor off and let her go back to sleep. At some point Tom got up and put the monitor back on.

It was past 8:00 when Stasa woke me up and we heard Lexi singing in her room. Stasa went to open her door to let her out. All we hear over the monitor is "OH MY GOD LEXIA. Don't move. Poop everywhere. MOMMY!"

I looked over at Tom and thought "come on!" I prepare myself for the worst only to be hit with something even worse than poop: PUKE. Puke everywhere. I'm guessing that when she was whining around 5:00 was when she puked. I felt awful that she had been sleeping in it. Tom came in and took Lexi in for a bath while I striped her bed and cleaned everything up.

We took both girls in to urgent care since I had a strong suspicion that they both had strep. Sure enough, I was right and they're both now on antibiotics for the next 10 days. Two hours after giving the girls their first dose, Lexi got sick all over herself and the floor. So up we went for bath #2 of the day (and bath #3 in less than 24 hours) while Tom cleaned up the mess on the floor. I knew it was coming, too. I heard her stomach gurgling and then about 10 minutes later she started coughing.

We spent most of the day trying to keep her hydrated and after the second puke Tom made everyone a banana smoothie. We were hoping that would help stop her up a bit because between these little stomach emptying parties she was busy blowing out of her diaper.

Well after she finished her smoothie the stomach gurgles started again. I asked if she was feeling sick and she said yes, so I took her into the bathroom. We cuddled on the bathroom floor in front of the toilet. I told her to put her puke in the potty and sure enough about 10 minutes after we went in she stood up, leaned over the toilet, and let it all out. As soon as she was done she proudly looked up and said "I puked in the potty!" So much nicer than having it all over the floor.

She finally seemed to feel a little better, but was walking around like a drunkard because she was just so exhausted. While Tom and Stasa ran out to grab dinner, Lexi curled up in my arms and passed out. For the night. My poor little boo boo.

Stasa still sounds horrible, but acted like her normal self for the majority of the day (minus the exhaustion meltdown she had right before bed). Both girls are staying home tomorrow and hopefully they'll actually manage to eat something (and keep it down).

Here's what my day looked like.
(technically from Saturday):


Refusing to eat dinner on Saturday





Friday, February 22, 2013

Disney on Ice

I'm so happy I decided to get tickets to Disney on Ice back in December. We ended up only paying $55 per seat and I got to choose our seats which meant we ended up sitting in row 3 center ice. And of course my psychotic self decided to make the girls dresses to wear to the show. I originally wanted to find special Disney fabric for each girl's dress, but didn't really like any of the options at JoAnn's so I went with a big pink and white polka dotted cotton and embraced the Minnie Mouse theme. I cheated a bit by using a pre-made t-shirt for the top of the dresses, but also made my life a little more difficult than it needed to be by deciding to work with tulle AND stretch sequin for the first time. I think the dresses turned out pretty cute and the girls LOVED them and the special headbands I found to match.


Can you tell they're excited about going to see Mickey Mouse? Well, that and we told them we were going to take a train to get there. They looooooooove trains.


We ended up spending more money once we got to the show because you can't not get popcorn and cotton candy. And I got suckered into getting the girls these obnoxious spinning light things. The girls, of course, don't think they're obnoxious at all and still play with them around the house.



The show itself was awesome. And I'm kind of glad we saw Treasure Trove and not just the princess show, even though Stasa is princess obsessed. There were so many fun parts of the show - Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Aladdin, The Lion King...and they did have some princesses. We saw a short bit with Ariel and Snow White and then all of the princesses came out during the finale. Since we were so close to the ice we really got to see everything and the girls were entranced.


check out the "free" mouse ears we got with our cotton candy

Donald, Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy introduced the show and came out periodically between the stories.



Alice and the rabbit


And here comes the Queen of Hearts


Peter Pan - we loved the croc


The Lion King - I didn't get the best part on camera - Rafikki's blue butt (which Stasa declared to be her favorite part of the whole show)


Nala and Simba


Snow White!


Aladdin - look at Jasmine up there


And one more of my princess. She really loved every minute of the show.

30 Weeks Pregnant




How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I finally snuck a peek at my file at this week's appointment and it looks like I've gained a total of 19 pounds. I'm hoping I don't gain more than 25, but then again it doesn't really matter. I'll be joining Weight Watchers while I'm on leave so I can get a head start on losing all of the baby weight before I go back to work.
Maternity clothes? Yep. And leggings and tunics are quickly becoming a good friend.
Stretch marks? None yet
Symptoms: Still just the sciatica and the doctor took one look at the heels I was wearing and said "if you play, you're going to pay." Not that the heels are giving me the sciatic pain, but they're certainly not helping make it feel better. Apparently there's this special back pillow I can get that will help. I guess I'll be checking out Brookstone sometime this weekend.
Sleep: It's been good this week, although I'm always tired by mid-afternoon. 
Best moment this week: Taking the girls to Disney on Ice and having them play nicely after daycare a few nights this week.
Have you told family and friends: Yep!
Miss anything? I want sushi.
Movement: This baby seems to be way more active than Stasa and Lexi were. Stretches, kicks, flips. I selfishly love this time when the baby is all mine.
Food cravings: No real cravings this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, but I've still got my head cold. Yay.
Have you started to show yet: You betcha.
Baby is a: surprise!
Belly Button in or out? Still in
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and tired
Looking forward to: My first attempt at DIY maternity pictures this pregnancy. 

Friday, February 15, 2013

29 Weeks Pregnant


How far along? 29 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Still haven't paid attention to the numbers nor have I stepped on a scale outside of the doctor's office.
Maternity clothes? All of the time. And I finally found a few new dresses to add to my work wardrobe and I love them. Throwing a dress on is so much easier than finding pants that fit and flatter my figure. 
Stretch marks? Nope ::knock on wood::
Symptoms: Say it with me: sciatica! My good friend is back. ::sigh:: Honestly I can put up with the constant need to pee and the perpetual heartburn, but good grief the sciatic pain KILLS. All I can do is sit on a heating pad (or in a bath) and massage the pain out. But that's just a temporary relief. And yes, I know, I shouldn't be sitting on the floor with the kids, but seriously, how do you NOT sit on the floor when you have small kids?
Sleep: Pretty good this week. Now if I could just keep the cat from walking on my bladder before my alarm goes off, I'd be golden.
Best moment this week: Finding three maternity dresses that flatter my body and are comfortable and work appropriate.  
Have you told family and friends: Yep!
Miss anything? After watching a Cougar Town marathon I was really craving wine. A big Carl of wine.
Movement: All of the time. Flips, kicks, pushing out and stretching, punching my lady parts. You name it, the baby does it.
Food cravings: Nothing specifically, though I do love fresh salads and light foods. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: No queasiness, but I have caught a head cold from the girls. There's nothing worse than being sick while pregnant. 
Have you started to show yet: Yep - and this week I really feel as if my belly is stretching more and more.
Baby is a: surprise!

Belly Button in or out? In and it'll probably stay that way.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and tired
Looking forward to: Disney on Ice tomorrow!

Friday, February 8, 2013

28 Weeks Pregnant



I'm changing the format up a bit this week. I follow quite a few blogs and a lot of the pregnant moms try to keep it interesting by posting the same questions each week. Here we go:

How far along? 28 weeks (yay third trimester!)
Total weight gain/loss: Who knows. I haven't really been paying close attention to my weight gain, but my doctor did tell me that it would be okay for me to gain a little more than I have.
Maternity clothes? Most definitely, but I'm still on the hunt for work pants. I picked up a pair of more casual black pants I can wear to the office and a pair of black skinny pants, but I'd like some more suiting material pants.
Stretch marks? No new ones, just the same old ones I've had from growth spurts as a teen.
Symptoms: Exhaustion. And recently my hip/butt area has been in pain. I think maybe I have a pinched nerve or something because my left leg occasionally goes numb, but laying on a heating pad definitely helps.
Sleep: Usually pretty good if I actually make it to bed before passing out on the couch. Although last night was a rare night of sleeplessness thanks to both girls being up from about 2:30 am to 4:30 am.
Best moment this week: Winning an award at work! And hearing the baby's heart beating at the 28 week appointment. I'll never tire of hearing it.
Have you told family and friends: Loooooong ago, although some are still just now discovering that I'm pregnant.
Miss Anything? Occasionally I miss wine. Especially when I've had a long and trying day.
Movement: Like a kickboxer. LOL This baby is stretching out like crazy and really responds when the girls talk to it or if Lexi hugs my belly.
Food cravings: No consistent cravings, but I have been wanting sweets this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.
Have you started to show yet: Yep!


Baby is a: surprise!
Belly Button in or out? In, but that's to be expected since it remained an innie throughout both of my previous pregnancies.
Wedding rings on or off? On and hopefully they stay that way.
Happy or Moody most of the time: It depends on the amount of sleep I manage to get, but mostly even tempered or happy or even slap happy.
Looking forward to: An adult brunch this weekend without the girls and some clothes shopping for me, again without the girls.

Monday, February 4, 2013

She is the puzzle queen



Stasa is currently OBSESSED with puzzles. I don't think a day has passed without her asking to do a puzzle in the morning or evening. We have about 10 floor puzzles, a handful of wooden puzzles for Lexi, and one hundred piece smaller tabletop puzzle. We should probably get a few more smaller piece puzzles because she's got the floor ones down pat. We did get two more complicated floor puzzles made by Melissa and Doug, but even those she's getting to know really well.

I was surprised at how well she did the small piece puzzle, too, I think because I assumed she wouldn't really get those until she was a bit older. But she seems to have the whole spacial thing down and can eyeball where pieces fit. I love hearing her say "turn it, turn it, turn it" when she's trying to figure out how the pieces fit correctly. So now I'll be keeping my eye out for more advanced puzzles for the queen.


Friday, February 1, 2013

27 Weeks Pregnant


It's going. Nothing new to report this week. I'm fairly sure the baby is now head down because I'm feeling more movement in my pelvic area instead of on my sides. I have an appointment next week, so I'm sure I'll have more to share after that. I also haven't heard back yet about the results from my glucose test so I can only assume that all is good. Which also means I'm not testing as anemic this time and don't have to take any iron supplements. Yay!

My belly's slowly growing, but I do feel like I'm not as big as I was with Stasa or Lexi. Maybe it's just my imagination though. I haven't even really tracked my total weight gain this time and just figure I'll gain what I gain and once I get the all clear I'll rejoin Weight Watchers and start exercising.