Quick Update.

 So, quick update...

I'm still pregnant!

We were supposed to go in Saturday morning for an induction but they sent us home because they were full with emergencies and I wasn't a priority. 

I was definitely thankful for this because I wanted so badly for Penny to come naturally.

Sunday we went in for a non-stress test and everything looked perfect...so still, no induction. 

We've tried every form of natural induction that I could think of...

Walking (oh man, so much walking), sex, acupressure, evening primrose oil, raspberry tea, dancing, yoga, spicy food, even castor oil (with absolutely no effect whatsoever!). 

You name it, I've tried it. 

I have an appointment this afternoon and I'm hoping that maybe she can just call and get me in for my induction and make it a priority. 

At this point I don't care how my baby is born just as long as she gets here!

She is huge. 

Huge.

I'm impatient and just ready to get settled into life with a new baby. 

Come on Penny!! 

We're waiting for you!

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! 

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...

A Little Bit of Life

During weeks that I don't take very many photos I always feel a little guilty. 

On average I take probably 500 pictures a week with my DSLR but over the past few weeks I've only taken about 100.

I feel like Vivienne grows up so much each week and when I don't capture everything I always regret it later on.

So many people always say things like I should enjoy the moments happening without a camera in front of my face but honestly, have you people ever taken a photo in your life?

I feel more in the moments happening when I DO have a camera in my hands than when I don't.

I get down on the ground with Viv when I'm taking pictures, I run and chase her, I capture every face she makes and every laugh. 

When I don't have a camera with me I'm more likely to just let Josh chase her around (mostly though because I'm 9 months pregnant - ha!).

Josh and I are almost on a daily basis looking back on photos from the years that we've been together, our married life, all of our adventures with Viv. 

My photos are my most prized possessions.

So, all that to say...over these past few weeks I've been just too pregnant to bother with taking a lot of pictures and I'm regretting it! 

Another thing I just realized...

I didn't even take any photos on MOTHER'S DAY!

We had such a lovely day and I guess I just forgot!

This pregnant brain is killing me!

Oh! 

I have to brag a little bit about Joshua.

He graduated this weekend with his BS degree with a double major in History and Political Science (with an almost 4.0 gpa I should add!)!

Hallelujah!

It's been a long, long road to get here but he did it and I am SO proud of him!

He has been so incredible over these years of schooling - never complaining even once.

He's 21 years old, has been married for almost 3 years, has (almost!) 2 children, and has worked at least 2-3 jobs the entire time he's been in school. 

I think there's something to say about that!

I have so much admiration and respect for this guy of mine. 

I love my husband more than anything and even though we still have a ways to go while we find a job and a place to really call home, we have come so far and have been so blessed.

And because I know you secretly read my blog...

I'm so proud of you, Honey!

Thank you for all your hard work, patience and unwavering love over these past few years. 

I'm so thankful for the way our lives have unfolded and I can't wait for the next journey ahead of us!

Okay, I'll stop now...

I know that I say this all the time but Viv is *such* an adventurer! 

We took her to this nature trail the other day and just let her lead the way.

She marched through the grass, stopping every few feet to pick flowers and find bugs.

Her spirit is so happy and full of joy and I just can't get enough!

It's been getting more difficult for me to take Viv to the park by myself because all the walking onsets a bunch of contractions that I can't really walk through.

So, our days have been mostly spent inside doing art projects and getting ready for Penny and then when Josh gets home from work we head outside until dark.

It's more fun when Daddy is around anyway! 

Pregnancy #2: 18 Weeks

These photos are not my favorite - actually I kind of hate them.

I've been wearing my hair in a sock bun just about every day because it's so easy and hassle-free but by the end of the day they're huge and falling out (like in these pictures) and with that headband (that is falling off) I just look like I should be scrubbing floors. 

And that dress...ugh. There's 3 layers of thick fabric and so it makes me look 30 weeks pregnant.

(I've felt gross and fat all week...welcome to pregnancy I guess) 

Anyway, enough of me being vain and complaining about myself...

Also, I'm not technically 18 weeks until tomorrow (not like it really matters much) but we have a super busy weekend so I knew if I didn't do this now then it would be late and I probably wouldn't get around to it. 

Still feeling great (except for feeling like a fatty) and have a ton of energy.

This week I've been organizing the house and cleaning all the spaces that often get neglected.

When I was pregnant with Viv I always wanted to clean and organize too..it's kind of weird.

I don't know if I've started gaining any weight yet but I think I must.

I feel like I am.

I'm starting to feel chubby and my bump is definitely growing fast.

We eat pretty healthy so at least I don't feel like I'm pigging out.

We have our anatomy scan and find out the baby's gender next Thursday (Jan. 10th)! 

I'm SO giddy about it!

I can't wait to find out what we're having so I can start thinking about it!

If we're having another little girl I want to re-arrange the nursery and make some new decor.

If we're having a little boy I'll probably paint the walls white and just take down the really girly things and just freshen things up a bit. 

I don't want to buy any nursery decorations or anything until later in the year after we move.

By then Viv will be close to ready for a toddler bed and hopefully soon after that we'll be ready to buy a house and we can have separate rooms for the kids. 

So I'm not really thinking of doing much with our nursery now since we'll be moving soon after the baby is born. 

I love having a baby growing inside me again.

It's such a peaceful and fulfilling thing to feel.

All I can think about is Viv having a playmate and how close they're going to be.

I feel him/her moving around and kicking all the time now and I just love it so much.

I can't wait until I can feel it even more later on - it's so much fun! 

We picked out an absolutely perfect first middle name for a girl this week.

Like I've mentioned before, all our kids are going to have 3 middle names (like I do) so it takes a lot of time to pick out perfect and special names. So right now we have a definite first name and first middle name for a girl and I am just smitten.

We have a name that we love for a boy that we decided on a long time ago (a whole name) but I think the first name is just a little too simple for our style...so we've been thinking a lot about more boy names. There are so many cute ones to choose from! 

Baby is about the size of a sweet potato right now or 5.6 inches (approximately).

My Thoughts for the Day.

When I was in the shower this morning I was thinking (that's really the only time I have to think) about some things. I think that every day I'm going to do a short post about my thoughts for the day, kind of like a journal entry. That is, if I have enough time in the day to have anything thoughts! 

-----

Becoming a mother for the first time was the weirdest experience I will ever go through. 

My body went through a trauma it had never had before and my emotions for the first week after Viv was born were horrific. 

I had no idea what I was doing or why I wanted to have a baby.

It was bad - so bad.

I know I won't feel like this again because it was definitely a new-mom thing. It was because I had no idea what the hell was going on. I think what made it the worst was the fact that even though Viv breastfed great from the moment she was born, I wasn't used to it. I was sore, I was crying, and then after a few days my milk came in. It was painful and it was weird. Breastfeeding never felt natural for me even though it went smoothly. For months I felt awkward and I never got that rush of oxytocin that everyone talked about being so wonderful. 

*After a few months it definitely got better emotionally for me and now I love breastfeeding and Viv is almost a year old.*

To make things worse, Josh had to go back to work and school only a few days after we brought the baby home. I didn't really have time to figure out what I was doing before I was alone all day while he was gone. Every night when he got home I cried uncontrollably  for hours. It freaked him out and it freaked me out because neither of us knew why I was so distraught. 

Luckily, all of these emotions only lasted about a week.

After that I got my head all figured out, got my baby figured out, and things got a lot better from there.

But that first week is definitely something that will always be so strong in my mind - it was intense. 

I am so glad that I never have to be a first-time mom ever again.

Even through all of the wonderful and beautiful moments that made up my days, the confusion and awkwardness was enough to make me go mad. 

Being pregnant for the second time is such a different experience than it was when I was pregnant with Viv. 

I know what it will be like to have a newborn, I know the routine of changing diapers and nursing. 

With Viv I was forever reading different things about pregnancy and having a newborn, following the growth and development every week.

  Everything is still so fresh and new in my mind that I almost feel like a baby-growing professional. 

I don't constantly think about what it will be like to go into labor and deliver the baby - I just know it's going to happen and I know what to expect and I don't think about it. 

What I do constantly think about is what it's going to be like to have a 15 month old baby and a brand new baby.

Now there's a thought that scares me a little!

Sleeping schedules are going to change - where will the new baby sleep since we already co-sleep with Viv.

Are we going to teach Viv to sleep alone or is the new baby going to sleep in a bassinet?

 Since Viv is still nursing, our feeding schedules are going to have to adapt to two babies nursing.

When I go out I'll have two babies to fit in a shopping cart or put in the stroller.

Two babies to give baths every day, two babies to always change clothes and diapers of. 

Two babies to take to playgroups and church.

I know we'll work everything out fine and things will fall into place just like they did when we were new parents with our first baby, but there is still just so much to think about just like when we were first pregnant. Only this time, everything that we're thinking about is so different.

I'm so excited to have two babies.

Being a mom is the most fun thing and I'm so excited to have two babies to play with and love and to raise.

I'm so ready for the challenge of having two.

I'm ready for the chaos!

No Babe Yet...and a lot of rambling

Here's 39.5 weeks.

 -----

Well, I'm 40 weeks and 4 days pregnant.

Too long! 

I thought for sure she was coming on Thursday.

Wednesday at the doctor I had my cervix checked for the first time and I was at 2cm dilated, 50% effaced.

She stripped my membranes and said that she wouldn't be surprised if Baby came in the next few days.

I started drinking Raspberry Leaf tea and using Evening Primrose Oil to help my cervix along.

Thursday morning I passed my plug and once again, I was super excited that maybe she would come on time after all!

That evening I started having painless contractions so Josh and I went to Wegman's to walk to try and help her move along a little - I also made Josh stop at Taco Bell to get "the spiciest thing on the menu plus about a dozen fire sauces please" in hopes that I could...burn my esophagus out along with a baby. 

Well, it's Sunday and I've had no changes.

I've had to pee more than ever and I am starting to notice some very faint stretch marks on my belly.

-- Vivienne, if you're going to stay in Mommy for much longer just please stop stretching me out! --

I thought about taking Castor Oil tonight...but I'm too scared. 

I painted my nails all nice Thursday night thinking that I would be in labor in a few hours...now I'm going to have to repaint them because they're gross and chipped...another inconvenience of being overdue ;) 

Not that I really care - I'm just being a baby.

I filled the freezer with chopped veggies and prepared meats for quick meals for the next few weeks.

We've been slowly stocking up on food to have on hand so our stockpile is pretty awesome. 

I've also been cramming in a lot of reading... attachment parenting books, breastfeeding books, Tina Fey...you know, the good stuff.  

I have my induction scheduled for Thursday night (maybe I'll have a Groundhog's Day baby!)

The only reason that I'm happy about the possibility of being induced is that my doctor is going to be there the whole time and will deliver Viv. If I have her before my induction date there's a chance that my doctor won't be on call...and I looove my doctor so at this point I'm actually hoping to go until Thursday for that reason...and that reason alone. 

Tuesday morning I have an ultrasound and Wednesday I have a non-stress test and meet with my doctor. 

So at least I'll be busy all week.

The house was spotless but now it's messy - it's hard keeping things clean!

Our landlord is supposed to be replacing all of our windows sometime this week so I have to pack up and move stuff so that it's out of the way.  I'm super upset that he's doing it this week because I'm going to be so busy and I want Josh to be home while they're here. I also don't want them doing it if we're in the hospital and coming home to a disastrous house from construction and things being packed up. I thought about standing up to him and telling him "look mister I don't know who you think you are deciding to do all this work the week I'm bringing my tiny baby home and stressing me all out but you're not coming in my house and that's final! *hands on hips, eyes squinted into 'the look'*." but then I remember that we live in an apartment and I want to stay living here...so I can't really say those things to our landlord. Dang. 

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Okay, last but not lease I thought I would do some fun facts about my pregnancy...oh wait, why did I say fun?! hahaha....oh boy.

- I've gained 27 pounds...I know that may not seem like a lot, and I know a lot of women who gained more than that but listen ladies, ALL of this 27 pounds has been gained in my belly - I swear it. I fall over forwards, literally! I fell over the other day (almost on my face) just trying to put my undies on! My back kills and all my shirts are forever going to be stretched out. It's been awful. 

- I've consumed more french fries and ice cream than in my whole life combined. Thank God for all my veggie and fruit cravings too - I'm hoping that helped balance things out!

- Sprite has been a total addiction. 

- For the past 2 months I've been getting Josh to go out with me by saying "this could be the last time we go out together before the baby is born!" It's getting old for him.

- I forgot that my baby might not be 10lbs like I was and didn't buy her a single newborn sized thing. She may be swimming in her clothes for awhile. 

- I haven't been able to sleep at night for about 3 months - so I take 3-4 naps a day.

- I ripped out the crotch of my favorite maternity jeans because I've worn them every day for about 4 months. 

- I've had severe heartburn non-stop since October...literally all day errr day. I'm hoping this means my baby is going to have Elvis-like hair - come on Old Wives, may your tales be true!

- I miss eating tuna fish sandwhiches most of all.

eh, I can't think of anything else.

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I probably won't post until after the baby is born...you know how I am.

Until then...

Little Last Bits

Getting last little things together. 

It seems like the little things to do never stop adding up but it's fun and keeping me busy while I wait. 

 Meals planned for the next few weeks. Super simple and easy things. ^

 Pages for Vivi's journal ^

 printed our some new prints for around the house from Pinterest ^

 Almost 40 week belly!

you can see all my veins and capillaries. It's so yuck.

Also, for the past 3 days my belly, breasts, and feet have been covered in hives.

So red and itchy as you can probably tell but apparently it's common in pregnancy. 

Still to do:

dog to the vet

oil change in the car

groceries

paint nails

charge all electronics

laundry 

and probably a bunch of other things I'm forgetting.