32-34 weeks

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 30 lbs

Maternity clothes? Maternity clothes, husbands clothes, no clothes lol I'm pretty miserable in anything now a days.

Stretch marks? Everywhere ):

Sleep: Not so good lately. I wake up at 1am, 3am, 5am, and 7/8am every.single.night. to go to the bathroom. And every time I wake up I have to roll over to get out of bed, and this absolutely destroys my hips. So painful. But when I am actually asleep I am OUT, so that is nice. Miss Aurora has been kind to me this pregnancy and sleeps until around 9am most mornings...man I'll miss that when baby boy comes.

Best moment this week: Feeling more prepared for baby Ethan. Hospital bag is packed, everything that is necessary is bought, all the clothes and blankets are washed, nursery is sort of together. I feel good about it. We just need to sanitize binkies/bottles and pull out some of Aurora's old baby stuff.

Worse moment this week: Had to go to Labor and Delivery twice to stop consistent contractions (they're still coming just not timbale). Blood pressure is acting up again, fasting blood sugars are a mess (100+) even with medicine, hip pain is miserable and starting to shoot down my leg. Yeah third trimester is kicking my ass.

Miss Anything? Just having a normal body would be nice. Being able to eat ice cream with out killing my kid would be great. I miss being able to run around with Aurora and get on the floor to play with out being being in a ton of pain.

Movement: Less movement then last month, but still a lot. Whenever he's on the monitors he kicks them like crazy. He's been getting hiccups every day twice a day lately.

Food cravings: Still loving all things meat. We've been grilling a lot lately since the weather is beautiful and I love it. BBQ chicken is my favorite right now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I seem to feel sick if I go too long with out eating.

Gender: baby boy 💙💙

Symptoms: All the usual things. 

Labor Signs: Non stop Braxton hicks (or maybe real contractions?) that are sometimes timbale, lots of pressure down there, baby is engaged as of right now and I'm sort of dilated and soft. 

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but very shallow, if I push down it pops out lol.

Wedding rings on or off? on and off. I'm uncomfortable wearing them most days

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm an emotional mess. The third trimester is extremely exhausting mentally. I go back and forth between he's trying to come on his own any day (hence the having to stop contractions at L&D) to they may induce me any week (high BP and out of control GD), to I will go full 40. lol. It's really exhausting to be prepared for any of that. 

Looking forward to: Honestly I'm looking forward to just being done, but I know I need to soak in these last couple weeks as a family of three. Enjoy my time with Aurora while I'm still getting ok-ish sleep and not glued to a newborn. Also the longer he can safely stay in there the better. I don't want a NICU stay.

P.S does anyone else notice how crazy this baby bump is? One day its LOW, another it's super high. One day its round and big, others its more squared off and small. So weird.

Aurora at 2 years old

Sleep- Aurora is a fantastic napper. She will take a 4 hour nap if I let her. She usually wakes up around 8 am (sometimes earlier sometimes later). She stays awake for about 5 1/2 hours and naps around 1:30/2pm. She stays asleep until I wake her up at 4:30 when daddy comes home. As I said she would easily sleep longer if I let her, but then she would be difficult to get down at night. Bed time is around 930, but she often fights it and stays awake in her crib until 10pm or later. She will go to bed easier if we go out in the afternoon, but living in Alaska that isn't always an option. Her bedtime is later than I would like, but the only fix would be taking her nap away. I would rather her still nap and go to bed later.

Eat- Aurora eats breakfast pretty much right after we wake up for the morning. Her favorite breakfasts are; nutrigrain waffles, yogurt and a banana, bagel and cream cheese, any fruit especially oranges, and apple cinnamon oatmeal. Lunch is right before nap time so she's nice and full (and has no excuses). Favorite lunches are; peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or any fruit/yogurt/cheese/cracker combo. In the past she usually got a snack after nap time, but recently she will eat dinner better if she does not get a snack. So we eat dinner at around 630. She still loves chicken nuggets with a vegetable (green beans, broccoli, carrots, corn, peas) and some sort of pouch (apple sauce, pear/spinach/pea, etc.) she has tried and liked cheese burgers, and quesadillas as well. Our trick to get her to eat meat and veggies is allowing her to dip it in ranch. She will eat anything dipped in ranch haha. If she's really not feeling chicken then we resort back to a grilled cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (if she didn't already have for lunch). She still isn't a big fan of any meats, but I still always ask if she wants to try whatever we are having. She is great at using a fork, and can even use a spoon with sticky things like yogurt. We are in a mix of still using her high chair and letting her sit on a regular chair at the table.

Play- new toys she loves; puzzles, kitchen and play foods, lots and lots of coloring and stickers, little people play sets (princess castle and farm), she has an indoor slide she can climb and slide down on her own, and she has started imaginary play with baby dolls and stuffed animals. She loves her mickey, donald, and pluto stuffies and has to sleep with them every night. Obviously she still loves TV, and can also play on an iPad. She loves ABC mouse and any fisher price apps. Another new play adventure for her is being enrolled in gymnastics and soccer. She does struggle following directions and doing scheduled activities that constantly moves and changes. She is more used to wondering her playroom doing whatever she wants. I want to get her involved in more things like this so she can grow.

Milestones- Since 18 months she has talked A LOT. She talks in sentences, and does a very good job at trying to get her point across. She knows some basic emotions such as happy, sad, angry which I try to help her understand as much as possible. She can also sing full songs such as old mcdonald and twinkle twinkle. We have introduced the potty, and she has peed in it a couple of times. My take on the potty is to introduce it and encourage her to use it as much as possible, but I am not forcing any 3 day training quite yet. If she wants to try great, if not then it's no big deal. She has not attempted to climb out of her crib once (knock on wood) so my thought is "if it aint broke don't fix it". I don't want to move her to a toddler bed unless I have to. I have no issue her staying in her crib as long as possible. Aurora will become a big sister in July!! We take care of baby dolls to practice for her baby brother. We also read lots of books and watch some shows about it as well. I believe she really is excited for a baby and will love him and think he's adorable...until he tries to take any of her toys lol.

Stats- 25 pounds, 32? inches, 3T clothes, size 6-ish shoes

28-30 weeks

How far along? 30 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 25 lbs

Maternity clothes? Same as always. A mix. It really isn't necessary to buy all maternity clothes. The only think you really NEED is a pair or two of maternity jeans/shorts.

Stretch marks? All over. Sad face. At least they are only on my stomach

Sleep: Exhaustion has come back with a vengeance. I get through the day pretty good thanks to coffee and nesting, but I usually pass out while hubby and I are watching a show after Aurora is in bed. I can't even make it until 10pm.

Best moment this week: My blood pressure has calmed down a little bit (although at my appointment today my lower number was 97), my blood sugar has been good, and my last appointment they said baby boy is now head down. All of this makes me feel relived. I feel more relaxed thinking my birth will go more or less "normal" instead of having to be induced due to high blood pressure, or having to get a c section because he is breech. Since we live away from family my biggest stress right now is making sure I can fly my mom out at the proper time to make sure someone is with my daughter when I give birth. Otherwise I'm giving birth alone while hubby stays with her. All this news makes me a little more confident that baby boy will make it to due date and my mom will be here.

Worse moment this week: I'm really starting to feel run down from the baby. It's scary some days to think I still have 10 weeks left, because I feel 9 months pregnant.

Miss Anything? I miss just having my own body. Its really hard lately to move around. I have so much I want to do and I literally just can't. I struggled just moving a laundry basket down the hallway the other day. There are days my daughter wants to me stand and hold her for a long time before bed and I literally just can not. 

Movement: LOTS of movement all day...isn't he supposed to sleep at some point? 

Food cravings: MEAT. I've been obsessed with ribs and burgers lately.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I got heartburn medicine and I'm feeling much better. 

Gender: Little man 💙💙

Symptoms: Hip pain (I really should see a chiropractor), out of breath, nesting,

Labor Signs: Getting braxton hicks contractions, but other than that he's staying put.

Belly Button in or out? Still in, but pretty shallow.

Wedding rings on or off? on and off. I'm uncomfortable wearing them most days

Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy and optimistic 

Looking forward to: Maybe a growth scan? I wish I could get a 4d scan but its really pricey in Alaska.

Random thoughts: Officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes again. No shock since it runs in my family. I have noticed this time has been much easier than last time. I have a better idea of what to eat/not eat. I was on a Keto diet prior to getting pregnant and this is way easier compared to that. Hubby is also dieting so we are supporting each other and it works out nicely. This pregnancy I crave meat which is great for a diabetic diet, whereas last pregnancy I hated meat and just wanted carbs. So far my sugars have been fantastic, even my fasting numbers. I'm hoping to stay off of medicine this time. 

22-25 weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 20 lbs
Maternity clothes? Still mix and match, but I did just buy a bunch of new maternity shirts. I usually wear lularoe leggings or maternity jeans (or my hubbys boxers around the house) and a maternity shirt

Stretch marks? My stomach is blowing up this time with stretch marks. Sucks. I did so good the first time around. Im not sure if living in dry Alaska contributes to that.
Sleep: Less pressure and peeing at night, but more hip pain and poor circulation.
Best moment this week: Reaching half way and viability!

Worse moment this week: Blood pressure issues. I've had a couple blood pressure readings above 140/90 and it is really starting to concern me. The other day I started seeing spots and colors in front of my eyes, and my OB sent me to labor and delivery. They said my blood work came back good, the baby looked good, and my blood pressure slowly went down while I was there. So I was sent home. I hope this isn't a reoccurring thing.
Have you told family and friends: We announced his name ^^
Miss Anything? WINE hahaha and being able to take any medicine I need when sick.
Movement: He is definitely a mover! Way more than his sister.

Food cravings: Cereal has been a favorite this time.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Literally everything is giving me miserable heartburn

Gender: Little man 💙💙

Symptoms: Swelling, hip pain, itchy stomach, out of breath all the time, baby is still breach.Labor Signs: Nothing significant. Braxton hicks are happening all the time.

Belly Button in or out? In, I don't think I'm a popper.

Wedding rings on or off? on and off. I'm uncomfortable wearing them most days

Happy or Moody most of the time: still pretty moody to be honest

Looking forward to: Finishing nursery, packing hospital bag, hospital tour...all of it. I can't wait for him to be here!

New this time: This pregnancy could not seriously be more different than my first. They really are right when they say every pregnancy is different. Im having some high blood pressure issues, which I never had with Aurora. I'm getting high 140s over high 90s. Lots and lots of swelling already. My hips pop loudly all the time, I feel like I need to see a chiropractor. I just feel completely defeated this time whereas when I was pregnant with Aurora I was still in the gym until 39 weeks. A positive difference is my skin is almost flawless this pregnancy compared to break outs all the time with my girl. 

18 and 20 weeks

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 15 lbs
Maternity clothes? Mix and match some normal some maternity

Stretch marks? Ugh sadly there are new ones forming in the middle of my stomach ):
Sleep: At night I get SO MUCH PRESSURE down low. Especially when I have to pee. I literally feel like baby boy is going to fall out. So needless to say I'm tossing and turning a lot
Best moment this week: Anatomy scan. Grandmom visiting. Auroras birthday

Worse moment this week: Running around shopping for birthday caused a lot of back pain/contractions
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows.
Miss Anything? Being able to move freely and keep up with a toddler
Movement: Lots and lots of movement, mostly at night and in the mourning. Or if I'm sitting hunched over he kicks me haha. He hates being squished.

Food cravings: Everything gives me heartburn.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nausea has actually let up. 

Gender: Bouncing baby boy.

Symptoms: So much pressure, less back pain but still there, and lots and lots of heart burn. 

Labor Signs: Hopefully not for a while but I am getting braxton hicks

Belly Button in or out? In I don't think I'm a popper.

Wedding rings on or off? on and off. I'm uncomfortable wearing them most days

Happy or Moody most of the time: pretty moody this week and hormonal 

Looking forward to: Getting baby boys nursery together.

New this time: It feels like a bowling ball is sitting on my cervix. I never felt this much pressure with Aurora, and she was always so much higher than he is. Baby boy is technically breech as of 20 weeks. I'm trying not to worry too much about it because he has plenty of time to flip, but Aurora was already head down at 20 weeks and never moved.

20 week ultrasound 💙💙💙

14 and 16 weeks

How far along? 17 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? Mix and match some normal some maternity

Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: Exhaustion is starting to let up. I had a period of time where I was having crazy dreams/nightmares that was keeping me up at night, but now I am sleeping good again
Best moment this week: Elective ultrasound to confirm that he is indeed a BOY

Worse moment this week: back pain getting worse and worse
Have you told family and friends: Everyone knows.
Miss Anything? Feeling normal. Ugh I used to say this when I was pregnant with Aurora and unfortunately that "normal" never came back. This time I just mean I miss having my own body.
Movement: I am feeling movement pretty consistently every day now. I have had two big kicks that literally knocked my breath out. I'm nervous for when he gets stronger.

Food cravings: Honestly nothing. I have been eating ice cream at night to help with heart burn, but I don't really crave it.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still toddler diapers and the fridge is the absolute worst.
Gender: BOY BOY BOY
Symptoms: My breaking out got a lot better. I'm getting hints of heart burn and feeling lots of stretching and growing.
Labor Signs: Not any time soon
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? I purchased fake size 7 wedding rings that look just like my real ones to wear until I have this baby and can get my real wedding rings resized. I don't want to resize them just to resize them again.
Happy or Moody most of the time: I go back and forth to be honest. Like multiple times an hour lol.
Looking forward to: Grammy coming to visit for big sisters birthday and getting to be here for the anatomy scan!

New this time: Holy BACK PAIN. My back/hips feel like they are going to fall off its so painful. I'm thinking about seeing a chiropractor. It was definitely not this bad when I was pregnant with Aurora even at 39 weeks.

New Year, New Baby!

8DPO-12DPO

A new baby Clay is coming in July 2018! I am 12 weeks pregnant, officially out of the scary first trimester, and here is how I've been feeling.

How far along? 12 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: about 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? I've broken out a couple of old maternity shirts mixed with my normal shirts and I'm mostly just wearing leggings. At night I live in hubbys clothes because I don't want anything touching me.

Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: Tired alll the time. I hit a brick wall pretty much every day at around 6/7pm. I also have been sneaking naps in when Aurora is napping during the day. When I do fall asleep I am dead to the world and pretty cranky if something wakes me up.
Best moment this week: Finding out the gender! 

Worse moment this week: This winter has been nasty with sickness going around. It feels like my whole family has been sick for like a whole month long.
Have you told family and friends: We announced on Christmas.
Miss Anything? Drinking some wine would be nice, and being able to take some cold medicine would help a lot when I'm feeling sick and stuffy.
Movement: I feel some flutters every now and then but I can't really tell if it's baby or just bloat and gas. I definitely think it is the baby sometimes, but I am waiting for a more pronounced KICK.

Food cravings: This pregnancy nothing really seems to sound good. It's more like settling for what doesn't make me want to throw up. But I tend to hate sweet things, and crave salty meat things.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee (RIP), sweets, tuna, changing dirty toddler diapers, every time I open the refrigerator bleh. Pretty much everything.
Gender: We will post soon!
Symptoms: Nausea, exhaustion, breaking out, lots of bloat and gas, normal pregnancy symptoms.
Labor Signs: Not any time soon
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? My rings still need to be resized from the last pregnancy. My fingers have literally grown like two ring sizes. To be fair I was a ring size 4.5 when I got married, which is really tiny.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Over the moon excited for another baby
Looking forward to: Wanting to do an ultrasound around 15 weeks since we don't do the 12 week scan. We always prefer the blood test, and insurance won't cover both. We haven't seen the baby since it was teeny tiny at 8 weeks. Looking forward to seeing a big squirmy baby.

New this time: So far this pregnancy has been VERY different from my pregnancy with Aurora. I did not appreciate how easy her pregnancy was back then. I never gagged and threw up with her, I basically forgot I was pregnant most of the time. I was taking a physics class for pete sake. The first trimester was a piece of cake. This time I gag at least 15 times a day and just generally feel awful. Speaking of Aurora, she has been incredibly sweet and is obsessed with babies right now. She is going to make a great big sister

18 Months Old

Sleep- Aurora started sleeping through the night consistently around 14 months old. However, teeth are constantly messing that up. Whenever a tooth starts coming through Aurora has issues sleeping, and the second it pops through she for the most part can get back to sleeping through the night. Due to our recent move across the country sleep got pretty rocky for a bit. Paired with a possible 18 month sleep regression it was pretty rough. Aurora became very clingy. She not only needed us to stay in the bedroom while she fell asleep, but sometimes required a hand to be touching her at all times as well. After finally moving into our new house, getting her crib back, and molars all being popped through I think it is safe to say she is for the most part sleeping through the night again...until more teeth come.

Eat- Eating for the most part has stayed the same. I have noticed that as she gets older Aurora is not as open to trying new foods. She will only eat what she knows she already likes, which is pretty opposite of what she was like when she was a baby. I'm hoping this is just a toddler thing and she will grow out of it. Right at 18 months Aurora is figured out how to stab food with a fork and bring it to her mouth. She is pretty proud of herself every time she does it. I want to start working on spoon feeding too.

Play- Aurora LOVES to sing songs. Her favorites are twinkle twinkle little star and old mcdonald. She still loves reading books (over and over and over) and is starting to show an interest in stuffed animals. She loves her shape sorting bucket, and can put the right shapes in the right holes most of the time with out any help. She also loves doing flash cards, and taking them from me and putting them all over the house. Her new favorite show to watch is blues clues, which I think is incredibly cute because that was my favorite show as a child.

Milestones- This girl is SMART. If you take the time to sit down and teach her anything, she will pick it up pretty quick. She can sing her ABCs, point to and say any letter in any order. She can count 1-20 (with a few exceptions), point to and say any number 1-20, she knows basic shapes, colors, and animal sounds. It blows my mind. She recently started to be able to jump off of the ground, and can climb up and down stairs with out help. She has picked up a ton of vocabulary in the last six months. She started talking more at around 15 months, and her first sentence was at 16 months. She can mimic most words you ask her to, and can say small sentences such as "thank you", "change butt", "I love you", "peek a boo", "all done", "night night" etc

Stats- 2T clothes, size 6 diapers, lbs, inches