Pregnancy #2: Week 40!

 Last weekly update for this pregnancy!!

It's really blowing my mind that we're at the end already!

This pregnancy has been so much more of a whirlwind than my first was. 

This time around there was so much less worry because I had already done it before but also so much less time to soak up the little details of pregnancy.

It's hard to remember all the little things when you're constantly chasing a toddler around!

My pregnancies are super easy though and I am so thankful for that.

Aside from the minor scare of the polyhydramnios issue closer to the end we haven't had any bumps in the road. 

It's a little harder to convince my husband that we only want 4 kids though when I have such breezy pregnancies!

It's hard at the end when you've gained a bunch of extra weight, you're carrying around a heavy baby (and toddler) and your body is preparing to give birth but I am so thankful for the miracle that is pregnancy. 

All I can do now is think about having my sweet new little daughter in my arms within the next few days!

I'm skipping stats today.

Nothing has really changed since last week other than the fact that my patience is wearing thin. 

I am scheduled for an induction Saturday (6/8) at 7:30am so Penny will definitely be here before the weekend in through. 

At my visit with my OB on Tuesday I was already almost 100% effaced and 4.5cm dilated!

--when I went into the hospital in labor with Viv I had already been in labor for 6 hours and was only 2cm dilated and after 16 hours of full-on labor I was 5cm!! So this is kind of crazy to me that I'm already so progressed and labor hasn't even started yet!--

My OB stripped my membranes Tuesday also to try and help speed things along but it didn't help.

Yesterday we walked quite a few miles, I ran around a bit, chased Viv around playgrounds, did jumping jacks, drank raspberry teas for days, evening primrose oil....NOTHING IS WORKING!

I'm a little desperate to start natural labor before Saturday morning because I really don't want to be induced but I just don't feel like Penny is going to come on her own.

I haven't even had a single Braxton Hicks in days....AH!

Josh keeps urging me to drink castor oil again (I did with Viv and was in labor within about 3 hours) but I just don't feel like that's a good choice right now. 

Maybe Viv and I will have a dance party today. 

Anyway, next post will probably be a baby announcement so stay posted!

I'm going to go do some lunges now.

Ha!

xoxo. 

Pregnancy #2: Week 39

This post is SUPER long and probably really, really boring for anyone but myself...

I went back and forth debating if I would write all this or just keep it to stats but then I realized that I would like to remember all this in the future...

Also, like most of the time, I didn't proof-read so don't judge my terrible grammar. 

I feel like the day I hit 39 weeks my body and my patience began to test me.

On Thursday (39 week mark) I woke up feeling really great and motivated.

It was supposed to be 90 degrees that day so I dropped Josh off at work and Viv and I went to meet up with our church's play group at the nearby splash park. 

That's when the discomforts of pregnancy *really* hit me for the first time.

We got to the park and met up with all our friends, laid out our picnic blanket, got Viv in her swimsuit and then that was it...she turned into the most hyper-active child ever.

She usually is pretty crazy but I've been able to handle it thus far without a problem and things are especially easier when Josh is with us.

Anyway, on that particular day I literally felt like Penny was going to fall out of me because she was SO far down and SO heavy!

Add that to a toddler who insists on running as fast as she can through a sea of hundreds of children on a 90 degree day and I thought I might faint. 

I tried my best to chase her all around the playground and go down slides but honestly, I just couldn't bend my body around enough. 

After about two hours, two changes of clothes for Viv, an exploded diaper, and an entire quart of strawberries later I decided I did my motherly duties of the day and said goodbye to our friends and packed up the car. 

That's when I discovered that the AC in the car wasn't working too btw. 

For the rest of the I was miserable and mean.

Our apartment didn't have AC either at this point and it got up to 94 degree in there since we can't open the windows (we're on the 2nd story and Viv is obsessed with climbing to look out the windows). 

Viv wouldn't nap because it was so hot and I knew we had to leave again soon to pick Josh up from work so there was no rest to be had.

For the rest of the evening I just laid on the couch and cried about my hips, back, heartburn, swollen feet, etc etc. 

Friday was a much better day.

It was 90 degrees again but we were able to do things to keep cool.

Josh had the day off so we all went to get groceries in the morning then went to the library for a while to keep cool and let Viv play. 

I was feeling a little better physically but the heat was making me swell so bad. 

We spent the evening going out to dinner, to the beach and out for ice cream with our friends and that was good for all of our souls. 

That night after we got home around 10pm I started feeling a little weird.

I thought maybe it was going to turn into labor but didn't get my hopes too high.

I went to sleep and throughout the night I kept tossing and turning and not really feeling able to rest. 

The next morning by the time Viv and I woke up Josh was already gone to work so we got up and had breakfast and took a bath.

Josh's parents were coming to get Viv to take her for the afternoon and it couldn't have been a better time!

As the morning progressed I kept feeling worse and worse and my body just kept doing crazy things.

My eyes felt so tired and I kept seeing floaters, I had a bad headache that felt like it was going to turn into a migraine, I was too nauseous to eat, my heart was racing and my hands were shaking, and I could literally watch as my ankles and hands swelled up! 

I knew these were all signs of preeclampsia and I knew that because of the polyhydramnios issue I've had for months that I was higher risk for pre-e.

I laid down in bed for awhile and I felt a little better after a few hours.

Josh got home and his parents brought Viv back and they spent awhile installing some AC units (hallelujah!) that they had bought for us (!!!) so I was still able to rest awhile while they were here helping with Viv.

Everyone left and Josh, Viv and I took a little afternoon rest in bed before we were going to go over to his parent's house for dinner. 

By the time it was time to leave I just kept feeling worse and feeling like I should call my doctor and see what she said - but it was a Saturday and I knew she probably wouldn't be the doctor on-call. 

The only thing we hadn't checked yet was my blood pressure so I told Josh that we should stop at the pharmacy and get my BP checked and that if that was high then I would call the doctor and if it was normal 

I would just ignore all my other symptoms and chalk it up to the heat making me feel so awful. 

My BP was 140/80 so I called my doctor's office and they transferred me to the hospital where they said to come in right away for some tests. 

Ugh.

All I wanted was to relax, enjoy a nice steak dinner, and watch the huge thunderstorm that was rolling in. 

So, we left Viv at Josh's parents house and raced home to pack our bags just in case they didn't let us come back home from the hospital.

I couldn't stop crying because we left Viv in such a hurry and I wasn't ready for that to be the last time that she was my only little girl. 

I had no peace about it and I was distraught. 

We got to the hospital around 7pm and got right into triage.

They hooked me up to monitors and ran a bunch of tests.

My BP was down to a normal level which gave me hope that we were going to be able to leave.

After almost 2 hours of waiting for doctors and test results they came in and let us know that I didn't have preeclampsia and that I was just really dehydrated! 

I was so, so relieved and happy!

I felt like a stupid little girl for freaking out and going into the hospital but since it was a weekend and I couldn't just go into my dr's office I really didn't want to take a chance that my baby could be in danger. 

Josh was almost in tears he was so disappointed that Penny wasn't going to be born - he was more excited than I've ever seen him before thinking about his new daughter coming.

Since I had the polyhydramnios for so many months though they wanted to put me on an induction list but I refused. 

I really just want natural labor to begin and have my baby when she feels she is ready and that's the only way I will have a peace (unless something urgent happens that I would do whatever it takes to make sure she is safe) but right now I have no risks and there's no real reason for me to be induced. 

I was more thankful than ever before to go home to Viv and sleep another night with her in my arms.

She's only my baby girl for a few more days and I was so thankful to get her for at least one more night.

I know that once labor happens naturally that I will be less emotional about leaving Viv because I know that it will be the right time and how it supposed to be. 

I just hated so much being rushed away from her like I was when I wasn't even in labor!  

We went to church this morning and I felt such a peace in my soul.

I felt peaceful about this coming week and I felt peaceful about Viv, myself, and all the things that are going to be happening soon.

*on our way to the hospital*

I feel like this week is going to be refreshment and relaxation and that when Penny does decide to come that I will be mentally and physically ready for her.

Being in that hospital birthing center again brought a rush of so many emotions.

It was just less than a year and a half ago that we were there for the first time...becoming parents.

It was the weirdest feeling being in there and knowing that I would be giving birth again so soon.

All the feelings and emotions were just pulsing through me and I felt so scared and yet so energized.

When it's time I know I will be so ready to give birth. 

It's such an incredible experience and all of the pain and fear goes away as soon as that baby is in your arms.

Her Size: Well, two weeks ago at our ultrasound she was close to 8 pounds. They say that at this point babies grow about a 1/2 pound per week which would put her at just under 9 pounds! We'll see soon though - I really don't trust those ultrasound measurements. I just hope that they aren't underestimating like with Viv (they said she was about 6.5 pounds a few days before she was born and she ended up being 9.6!)

How Far Along: 39 weeks 3 days

Total Weight Gain: Ugh. I don't know about total (and honestly, I don't want to know) but the other day I had lost 14 pounds and then was up 16 pounds by that night - THIS WATER RETENTION IS KILLING ME! Because of the extra amniotic fluid I had for so many months, the edema is so much worse than for a normal pregnant woman. I am however very thankful that I haven't had hardly any swelling in my face! It's stayed pretty much in my legs and feet and only a little in my hands. So it's easy to hide under maxi skirts! Another thing that I'm super thankful for is that I'll probably lose most of my weight right away since most of the weight I've gained has been in water (plus having a huge baby). My last pregnancy I had lost all the weight plus about 8 extra pounds just in the first 2 weeks and was down to much less than I've ever weighed before after just about a month. I'm praying I can lose the weight and tone up fast again so I can enjoy swimsuit season! And not a single stretch mark again - hallelujah! 

Sleep: I've basically given up any hope of having a good night's sleep. I'm up every 3 hours to pee and to drink a big glass of water and the rest of the time I'm constantly tossing and turning. I figure it will help when the baby comes if she's not a great sleeper like Viv was. I'm a little nervous to have another baby because I'm afraid we won't get another good sleeper - Viv has slept at least 8-12 hours a night since the ay we brought her home! 

Maternity Clothes: None. I'm growing out of all my clothes and if I don't have this baby soon I'll literally have nothing to wear!

Cravings: Taco Bell, ice cream, hot dogs, lifesavor mints, peaches and watermelon. I only have a few days left to cash-in on my cravings!!

Aversions: None - my appetite is still pretty much none (most of the time)

Symptoms I Have: You name it, I have it. 

Doctor's Appointment: Tuesday! She'll be checking my cervix so let's cross our fingers for some progress! 

Movement: Tons! And it's getting so painful because she's so big!

Best Moment of the Week: My in-laws getting us air conditioners!! Thank you again! 

Looking Forward To: Meeting Penny! Not being pregnant anymore! 

What I Miss: Everything that I could do when I wasn't pregnant. I'm so done with this! 

Weaned!

Okay, we've made it to a huge milestone with Vivienne!

We're are weaned from breastfeeding!!

She will be 16 months old on Monday and I am so proud to have made it to this point with breastfeeding.

There were so many times early on when I didn't think that we would even make it a couple months let alone almost a year and a half.

We didn't really plan to wean her, it just sort of happened.

Over the past month or so nursing was getting so painful for me because of the new baby coming that I would literally have to pray every time we would nurse and just ask the Lord to calm me down. 

I was getting frustrated and angry because of all the pain and I knew that if I didn't pray for peace that I was going to snap at Viv soon and I never wanted nursing to be anything but a comfort for her.

About 4 nights ago I just decided that I couldn't nurse her to sleep one more night and I just told her no.

I was so torn because we have such a close bond through breastfeeding and I was so scared to lose that but I knew that if Viv didn't stop soon that it was going to effect Penny.

I knew that if I didn't get some sort of break, or even if I had to nurse both of them that I would give up too early with Penny and I so deeply want her to have an extended nursing experience as well. 

So, the first night was rough.

It was one of the most emotional and traumatic times so far as a parent. 

It was bad because of how she was reacting to not being allowed to nurse but also because I was so emotionally invested in this journey we had been on together.

So many times that night I questioned if I was doing things the right way or if I was a terrible mother.

We never let her cry it out before and here I was just starting out of the blue.

Deep down I felt a peace though and so I continued to let her cry.

I snuggled her and rocked her in my arms to let her know that my love was still there.

I sang her lullabies and told her stories.

I stroked her hair and her cheeks and held her so tight while she cried.

After about 25 minutes she had settled down and was starting to fall asleep.

After 35 minutes she was peacefully sleeping just like if I had nursed her to sleep.

The next night was a little bit easier.

I held her close and hushed her to sleep within about 15 minutes... and her crying was not nearly as bad as the first night. 

Last night after her bath was had, her teeth were brushed, and stories were told she jumped into my arms and kissed my face and fell asleep in my arms within minutes.

It was the most beautiful experience so far for me as her mother.

There was so much peace and so much comfort.

I am so thankful for the 16 special months that I nursed my firstborn to sleep every single night.

There is a bond from that time that could never be broken.

I am also thankful that this journey has come to an end.

It was time and both of us knew it.

It was time for her to be the big girl and sleep on her own before her little sister comes and it was time for me to realize that she is no longer my littlest baby (even though she will always and forever be my baby). 

There is something just so deeply special about my sweet Vivienne and watching her grow and mature so much over the past few nights has made me so proud and so grateful. 

This morning to celebrate her 3rd night of being a big girl and going to sleep without nursing I whipped up a batch of pink heart-shaped pancakes (thanks Melissa for the idea of celebration pancakes!!) and made her some pink strawberry milk and had ready for her when she woke up! 

She was so excited...mostly though because I let her have extra maple syrup with her pancakes...hehe.

I put Taylor Swift (she's obsessed) on and we danced all morning while we had breakfast. 

After she ate she took a bath with extra bubbles and special bath paints and just had the best time!

It was raining and dreary all morning and afternoon and I just decided that all the housework could wait and that Viv deserved all my attention for the rest of the day instead of just making the morning special...

We made a cozy blanket fort in her room and played with all her dolls and read so many stories, we painted special pictures for Penny for when she comes home, and we ate lots of popcorn!

Later in the afternoon I had a doctor's appointment but after that we stopped at the local pet store and saw baby bunnies and other furry critters.

Finally, after Josh got home from work we all piled into the car and ventured out in the rain and spent some time at the library since it was too wet to go to the playground like usual. 

We're trying to spoil her as much as possible and make her feel so special before the new baby comes and takes some of our attention away.

I just love spending my days at home with my girl doing fun things and making memories! 

Pregnancy #2: 38 weeks!

Oh my, I feel like I'm constantly doing these weekly updates! 

Only a few more weeks to go though!

I'll keep this post short and sweet though, I promise. 

So, good news!

I no longer have Polyhydramnios! 

My fluid levels are back to normal and so we don't have to induce next week!

I'm so, so excited about this!

Now I don't have to worry about any delivery risks that can be caused from Poly, I don't need to be induced a week before my due date, and I just don't have to stress!

Other exciting news...

I really, really thought I was in labor last night.

Like full blown cramping and steady contractions!

I felt in my heart though that it really wasn't labor and didn't panic.

I took my time putting Viv to sleep and then clean the house just in case!

I packed all my clothes and toiletries and straightened my hair but still I wasn't *really* feeling like it was for real. 

Josh and I hung out and then just went to bed like normal.

Josh said he woke up all throughout the night to check on me to make sure my water hadn't broke - so cute!

Anyway, I woke up this morning and have been feeling normal all day so I guess it was just a false alarm.

I'm so ready to have this baby and have her home with us. 

My belly is getting so big and it's just so uncomfortable to do little every day things. 

I think that this week calls for a pedicure, lots of spicy food, and a lot of walking to see if we can get this baby moving!

If I don't go into natural labor by my due date (June 7th) then my doctor really suggests that we induce that day because of how big she's measuring. 

So, I know I can at least hold out until then!

Pregnancy #2: 37 Weeks!

Oh, you guys...

I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over!

I mean, I wore bicycle shorts under my dress this morning to church because I couldn't bear to wear pants, I've been living in maxi dresses and skirts and am starting to feel like an old lady because of it, and all my other dresses and skirts are too short because my belly is SO big! 

So, there are my excuses for this train-wreck of an outfit.

Ugh and my poor, poor legs are in desperate need of some sun and some working out!

Okay, onto some real pregnancy stuff maybe?

It's been a few weeks since I've updated more than just brief little things (which I regret because when I was pregnant with Viv I barely updated at all by the end and I wish that I had!).

I'm still going to the doctor once a week for a regular check-up, once for a non-stress test and every other week for an ultrasound. 

My amniotic fluid levels are still elevated but Penny is in position and has dropped so a lot of the delivery risks go way down if the baby is in position (phew!).

I have an ultrasound tomorrow to check my fluid levels one more time and if they're still elevated then I will have to be induced on either May 30th or 31st - if the fluid levels have gone down and are normal then we won't have to induce.

Honestly, I hate the idea of an induction but I will absolutely do whatever needs to be done to make sure that Penny has a safe and healthy delivery. 

My doctor wants to induce by my due date (June 7th) though anyway because Baby is measuring pretty large and we don't want her not to fit through the birth canal (I almost needed an emergency c-section with Viv because she was so big 1 week past her due date).

So, I will know for sure tomorrow if Penny is coming on May 30th or June 7th! 

Or, if she decides to come anytime from now - her due date would be perfectly okay with me too!

We have everything ready for our new sweet daughter to come home and I'm starting to feel so stress-free. 

We have the girls' room settled and so cozy, the cradle is set up by my bed side and ready, pack-n-play is set up with the bassinet attachment in the living room, swing is together, diapers are supplied, baby tub is washed, all Penny's clothes are washed and put away...hmm anything else?

The only things left to do is just superficial house work but I've been super OCD about cleaning lately so I'm not worried about that. 

We have a bunch of stuff to drop off at Josh's parents house to store in their basement but that will only take a few minutes to do.

Penny's hospital bag is packed and I know what things I want to pack for myself so that will only take a second.

The only thing that I really wish that I had is this sling but I haven't been able to drop almost $100 on it with everything else we've needed - so that's a little sad but hopefully we'll be able to get it soon!

I'm really feeling like I want to switch pediatricians for both the girls before Penny is born. 

I've never been happy with the one that we have and I really don't want to be taking Penny there now too.

He's just so gruff and impatient. 

Ugh. 

So I have to makes a few calls today and see what I can figure out!

Her Size: Well, 2.5 weeks ago she was almost 6.5lbs so by now she's at least 7.5lbs but since she's been gaining so fast I wouldn't be surprised if she was closer to 8lbs! We'll find out tomorrow though. 

How Far Along: 37 weeks, 4 days! Getting SO close! This is crazy!!

Total Weight Gain: The other day I calculated only gaining 22 pounds....but then by the evening I had gained almost 15 in water weight alone (just that day!). I've been having terrible swelling due to the excess amniotic fluid and  it's been driving me crazy! My legs and feet are always so sore from all the fluid and I even had to take off my wedding rings already! 

Sleep: Most nights I sleep great but there have been some nights lately that I'm up about 5 times to use the bathroom or move pillows around or just because I'm restless. I feel like I'm getting enough decent sleep though and often I will nap during the day with Viv which helps a lot. 

Maternity Clothes: Back to none. The maternity jeggings that I had been living in are a little too tight to be comfortable now since I'm swelling so much. It's been getting really hot out lately too so I'm really preferring skirts and dresses anyway. 

Cravings: Anything super cold and icy! 

Aversions: I haven't had much of an appetite still - Penny is just taking up too much room and whenever I eat anything I just feel crappy. 

Symptoms I Have: I was having the most severe heartburn ever for so many weeks and now all of a sudden it's gone and I haven't had any in over a week! I've been having a ton of Braxton Hicks and a few more severe contractions. Whenever I walk too much I start to contract and get so uncomfortable. Also, the swelling is driving me crazy like I keep saying lol. 

Doctor's Appointment: Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound to measure my fluid levels again and then a regular appointment for my NST and check-up and also to schedule my induction!

Movement: She is still constantly moving around and stretching out! My belly is relatively small for how big Penny is so I'm sure she must be a little squished in there. Sometimes I feel like she's just going to break right out of my belly! 

Best Moment of the Week: Getting Penny's cradle all set up in our room! It's so cozy and sweet! 

Looking Forward To: Having this baby!!

What I Miss: Running and playing in the grass with Viv without a huge belly in the way or having to think about being careful, easily walking places and being able to bend over, having clothes fit me....oh my, I think I could go on forever...

Pregnancy #2: Week 34

Ah!

We're getting so, so close to the end!

Only six short weeks left until we welcome our sweet girl into the world!

This past week was so delightful.

We were busy, busy, busy every single day but the weather was gorgeous and we were so happy.

Viv and I's allergies flared up pretty bad during the beginning of the week causing us to cancel a few play dates which is always sad but we made up for it with other adventures.

The weather lately has been perking up and this week is supposed to be even better!

Josh was surprised because Viv and I were rarely home at all this week but I keep telling him that it's because we've been cooped up during the awfully long winter and we're ready to explore! 

In just a few weeks it's going to get a little bit harder to just get out of the house with a newborn so I'm enjoying being able to so easily just grab Viv and get out.

My mom keeps telling me to rest and take it easy but really, it's so much better for my soul to be busy and active. 

I really don't feel like I'm over-doing it (even though I didn't get a single nap all week!) and I'm happier than ever!

Her Size: About the size of a butternut squash! We'll find out on Wednesday at our ultrasound approximately how long and what her weight is! 

How Far Along: 34 weeks and 3 days! 

Total Weight Gain: I lost a couple pounds last week from all of our activity so I'm not sure what the exact number is right now. 

Sleep: Sleeping great! I get up a few times in the night to use the bathroom but I've been able to go right back to sleep. 

Maternity Clothes: The only maternity thing that I've been wearing are a pair of jeggings from Old Navy that I got a couple weeks ago...they're amazing!

Cravings: shells and cheese, vanilla custard ice cream, any kind of cold or icy drink 

Aversions: None! 

Symptoms I Have: Heartburn has been pretty bad at night until I take a couple of Melaleuca anti-acid tablets. All my aches and pains that were so terrible a few weeks ago have disappeared and I'm definitely crediting all of our activity and exercise to that...I've been feeling pretty fantastic lately!

Doctor's Appointment: Wednesday I go for an ultrasound and my weekly NST. I can't wait to see my little Penny! I'm a little sad though because Josh has to work and can't come see her too :(

Movement: ALWAYS MOVING. Seriously, this little baby is ridiculously active. 

Best Moment of the Week: I was taking a bath on Tuesday and I literally watched Penny move from the breech position into the head-down position. I could see all of her limbs and visibly see her change such a drastic position...it was so cool! Then at my doctor appointment that day she confirmed that she was in fact, head-down...yay! Now if she just stays that way ;)

Looking Forward To: Wednesday's ultrasound! 

What I Miss: Being skinny!! 

Last Week (catch up)

I've been a little absent this week I guess, huh?

The beginning of last week was sunny and kind of warm so Viv and I spent most of the days outside going for walks and playing at parks.

The elementary schools are right across the road from us and there are three huge playgrounds that we discovered and are now our favorite places to go - I was glad to find some playgrounds within walking distance. 

It's hard to walk two miles to a playground when your kid just wants to get out of the stroller and run free - so I'm super happy.

The rest of the week was pretty dreary and chilly so we had a couple indoor play dates and spent some time at the library.

You know what I hate about our library?

The computers in the children's area!

Viv doesn't want anything to do with anyone or anything besides the freaking computers! 

It drives me crazy!

-end rant-

hmm...what else from last week...

We started Viv in her toddler bed (kind of - post later on about that whole deal)

We watched a whole lot of raunchy comedies while snuggling in bed at night sans child.

Started the clean eating diet (which has been awesome and not much different than our regular diet).

Didn't go to Target once.

Went to the doctor three times.

Ripped a whole in the crotch of my favorite jeans.

Went to our friend's wedding sans child (again)

^^^I'm usually on the ball when it comes to having someone take photos of Josh and I when we're dressed up but totally forgot this day...except for this not-so-lovely shot that my mom snapped as we were heading out the door. Ah well...^^^

And yeah, we're missing a door on one of our cupboards - I'm aware. It fell on my head a few weeks ago.

^^^Gorgeous bride. So happy for Jolene and Matt!!^^^

^^^Me at 32 weeks, Hayley at 28 weeks, and Nessa at 18 weeks!

I love these people. ^^^

^^^Sprinting.^^^

^^^We like to play in the dirty sand way too much^^^

^^^We pretty much live on random playgrounds. Seriously, they take over our life.^^^

^^^Sniffing her first flower of Spring. You can see how delicate she is.^^^

I'm not too sure what this week will bring.

A friend and I were supposed to have another photo shoot yesterday but I had to freaking cancel because my doctor wanted me to come in so she could steal my blood.

Today I had 3 combined doctor appointments (that I brought Viv too and I have to give her credit because she sat in her stroller for an hour and a half without complaining once!) and then came home and Viv and I passed out for a few hours.

As soon as I'm done catching up with some blogging and my kid stops eating things off the floor like a dog we're going to hit up the library and then grab some groceries before picking Josh up from school.

Oh, then it's dinner-making time, bath, teeth, stories, and bed.

Are you glad I bothered to tell you all that? I thought so.

Ultrasound Update

So, this morning I had an ultrasound to check and just make sure that everything was a-okay with Penny and make sure that she was growing like she should.

I mentioned in my last pregnancy update that at my last doctor's visit I was told that my uterus was measuring almost 3 weeks behind (basically my uterus hadn't grown in 3 weeks). 

I knew that I wasn't as big as I felt that I should be and it was starting to become a little bit of a concern.

I really didn't worry at all and knew that from how insanely active she always is that everything was fine but it's still a little scary to hear that you're not growing like you should be!

I knew that the Lord was growing Penny as perfectly as he planned and that maybe He just made her to be a little bit more of a peanut than her big sister was.

Anyway, at the ultrasound today we discovered what I knew was always true...Penny is growing absolutely perfectly and is as healthy as can be!

Surprisingly enough she's actually bigger than average babies at (approximately) 4 pounds 6 ounces already at only 30 weeks 5 days! 

Thank you Jesus!

My ultrasound technician said this to me:

"I wouldn't cross my fingers for a small baby!"

So relieved to hear that she's growing properly.

The only thing is that she's in the breach position (obviously there's time for her to flip) and is literally standing on my bladder and totally stretched out! 

No wonder I've been SO uncomfortable lately and no wonder I feel like she's going to fall out! 

Viv was breach all the way up until week 39 so I'm not worried about that yet.

Just in the past couple days my belly has totally popped and I'm feeling totally pregnant and it's even getting hard to hold Viv! 

I am so completely thankful for this little one growing inside me and cannot wait to bring her into our lives!

Currently In March

Cleaning: Everything!!! I'm in full spring cleaning/organizing mode and am becoming a little obsessed. We're having house guests next weekend so I'm hoping to be completely cleaned, organized and purged by then. Oh yeah, and we're having a baby soon...so I'm in full nesting mode!

Planning: Lots of planning for baby #2. Right now I'm planning out a very simple nursery re-do and making lists of all the other things that need to be done before she comes. 

Planting: We planted some seeds for the windowsill the other day but right now it's blizzarding and I have no hope for spring so I might just chuck my poor seedlings in the trash before they feel like they have any chance of a happy or healthy life - because really, it's going to be winter forever so why even bother. (can you tell I'm fed up with the cold weather?? well, I am! It's making me really, really sad). 

Skipping: Right now I'm skipping my nap time (while Viv sleeps) so that I can clean food off the floor, get dressed, blog, and maybe start on some Easter decorations. 

Wearing: Right this very moment? The same pair of jeans and t-shirt that I've worn every day since we got home from vacation (though I did change last night when I went to meet some friends). Why waste a bunch of clean clothes when I'm just going to be scrubbing and cleaning, am I right?

Today I'm linking up with Harvesting Kale and Ot and Et! 

You should too - it's fun stuff! 

We're back!

We're officially home from vacation!

Bags are unpacked and everything put away, kitchen is fully stocked, and life seems to quickly be going back to the normal routine. 

We had an incredible time and loved every second of the warm sun, sandy beaches, and all the great family time but it's always nice to be back home.

I have quite a few posts planned and can't wait to share some photos from our trip and also get back in to the swing of regular blogging!    

The next few weeks are going to be so filled with projects and fun things.

This week is spring break for Josh at school so we still get to have him home quite a bit this week (except for work) and next weekend my brother and sister-in-law are coming up from Philly to stay with us for the weekend! 

Then of course there's Easter, which I'm way too excited about. 

Yay for Spring and being back into a routine! 

I missed you all and missed blogging and can't wait to catch up on all I've missed in the blogging world over the past 10 days! 

xoxo.

Quick Update.

So, I thought that while I had a few minutes to spare I would do a quick update.

Here's how last week looked:

Tuesday: follow-up ultrasound to see Viv's heart since they couldn't get a good look during the anatomy scan.

Wednesday: My monthly check-up and Josh had a dr appointment too. Got the keys to the apartment.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Cleaned and painted at the apartment all day.

Saturday Evening: Went to the city to see our friends sing at a coffee shop

Sunday: Church then more cleaning/working at the apartment.

Monday: Finally finished cleaning everything and started moving boxes

Tuesday: Moved lots of boxes and relaxed

Phew!

When we first saw our apartment (the first time since we saw it once 2 months ago) I cried for a few hours.

It wasn't how I had been picturing it and my expectations had grown severely. 

I was a basket case that day.

After a few days of cleaning (scouring. It smelled like smoke pretty bad) and painting I am absolutely in love.

I adore our new home.

I love that we haven't had to rush to get things done and I can just do everything at my own pace and not stress and not have to worry about spending time with Josh, cooking, resting.

I love that I have done everything by myself (aside from some help from my dad and then Josh helped paint a little).

I feel more accomplished than ever with the work I've done.

Yesterday and today we have been bringing some boxes over here and there. 

Tonight I have a few furniture painting projects that I need to finish and then unpacking the kitchen!

We were planning on renting a U-haul for the day tomorrow but we're just going to rest instead.

I'm not ready to move all the big stuff over yet and I want to keep things going at the pace that it is.

Josh has the day off tomorrow so we're finally going to just rest together and cook a nice dinner in our new home and just have a day to take in each other and everything that has been going on.

My poor husband has been working so hard and barely has a minute to spare. 

I make sure I just eat him up when he's around though.

We have until the 30th to get everything out of where we're living now so there's no rush to get done.

As much as it would be nice to get everything organized as quickly as possible I need to not overwork myself - for the baby's sake. 

We're getting there slowly but perfectly fine and I am completely and utterly content. 

:)

Vivienne is growing like a weed. 

Just over a pound as of last week!

I can't believe how fast my pregnancy is going by. 

My baby girl is going to be here in the blink of an eye. 

Our weekends are all filled up until the end of October then those 2 big holidays will be here so fast. 

Where is the time going?!