28 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013 - HELLO 3RD TRIMESTER!!!

SURGERY DATE: MAY 3, 2013 - 11 weeks to go!!!

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 21 lbs - YIKES!

This past week during my visit to the doctor, I did the glucose screening test.  It really is a piece of cake.  You have to drink a sugary fruit punch drink within 5 minutes, then wait an hour to have your blood drawn to see if you are at risk for gestational diabetes.  I didn't have any issues with Lottie, so am hopeful there will be no issues this time around. 

I also had to have a RhoGam injection in the bum.  I have Rh Negative blood (O Negative) which means that I don't have a certain protein on the surface of my red blood cells.  It can be serious if you are Rh negative and carrying a baby that is Rh positive (like baby's father).  It can cause serious disease in your baby (scary).  The injection helps suppress my immune system from fighting off Rh positive blood cells which have entered into my blood stream from the baby.  I had to have the injection the last time I was around 28 weeks pregnant and a second injection after Lottie was born. 

Exercise:
M- Insanity
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Insanity
T - Arrichion (MMA)

The Tuesday Warrior class is kicking my bum!  I guess they don't call it Warrior for nothing!

Symptoms: INSOMNIA (no joke - the worst!!!), bloody gums when brushing / flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty, hot flashes,  not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute and a little hip pain at night (due to sleeping on my sides).  Despite it all, I feel great, just really wish I could get some rest!  I'm tired! 

Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is March 22, 2013. Lab work came back great after increasing my dosage so hopefully I can keep my appointment in March and not have to go back before then.

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 


Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Movement:  She is moving more and more every week!  Most active times seem to be when I'm sitting at my desk.

Food Cravings: Holy COW - so, since we had Lottie's birthday party on Saturday, I have been eating sweets like it is my job!  It feels like the holidays for crying out loud!  I hate to do it, but I'm going to have to throw out the sweets tonight - I have ZERO and I mean ZERO self control when it comes to sweets.  In the trash it all goes tonight!  I may need a little help from Steve to physically make myself do it!  Geezzzzz

Food Aversions: See above - clearly there were NO aversions this past week!

Best Moment of the Week:  Hearing my little girl's heartbeat this past Thursday!  It always provides such comfort. 

What I Miss: SLEEP!!!!!!!!

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: During my first pregnancy all I thought about was being pregnant and how slow time was passing by.  This time around, it seems this pregnancy has really passed me by.  I am going to try really hard to soak in this last trimester.  It will be the last baby, so I am going to try to hold onto these last precious weeks.

Fears/Dreading: Dreading the cost of having two kids in day care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is March 4, 2013.  I start going every two weeks now!

Bump Photo: Did I mention HOT FLASHES?????????  I know I look like I'm headed to the beach, but mama was sweating! 

  

 

Lottie's Big Girl Room

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY - it has been around my house for the past few weeks.  Between getting Lottie's big girl room ready, planning her 2nd birthday party and preparing for Mini Coop #2's arrival, I am truly one tired mama.

But, it's all been worth it especially now that her room is about 90% complete.  It looks beautiful and I am so happy to have more storage space for her toys, art supplies, etc.

Since Mini Coop #2 is a girl, we are keeping the nursery exactly the same.  There is absolutely no point in changing anything about it other than getting new letters up with her name vs. Charlotte.  So, since we are not making any changes, we decided that we needed to go ahead and get Lottie used to sleeping in a different bedroom.  Since her room has been finished, it has been quite an adjustment for her.  We have been slowly easing her into her big girl bed and as of this week, we've had two successful nights!  Ahhhhhhh

Here's a look at Lottie's new bedroom................................

Storage Unit: Ikea

Storage Boxes: Target

Trashcan: Walmart

Letters: Ebay

DIY curtains - I saw so many cute DIY ideas on Pinterest that I decided to give it a go.  I bought the curtains from Target and the pom poms from Michaels.  All I did was hot glue the pom poms to the curtains and it instantly transformed them from plain jane to super cute!!!!  So proud of my little curtains! 

Tissue Poms (DIY) - I might be a little obsessed!

Bed: Furniture Factory Outlet World (it is gorgeous and will last her for years and years to come!)

Bedding: Zullily

Pillow: Home Goods

Sheets: Target

I fell in love with this bedding when I saw it online.  Bedding is so difficult to find.  It took me about a month to finally find something I really felt like would last her through the years.

Monkey: Sam's Club

Vase: Burlington Coat Factory (OLD)

Bed skirt: Target

Bed Rail: Target

We decided to position the bed this way until Lottie was old enough to where she wouldn't need a bed rail.  Of course, instead of buying two bed rails, we are using the wall to prevent falling off one side.

For now, this area is storage for Lottie's baby clothes and a few other things I am currently working on moving.  My house is so small that we are literally running out of places to store stuff.

We did just purchase the Easel from Ikea ($14.99) - awesome deal - it has a blackboard on one side and a dry erase on the other side.  We also bought paper to drape over it for her to color. 

She still has so much stuff from Christmas that she is playing with that we've not even broke out the easel yet.  I'm sure within the next 3 or 4 months, we will.

Frame: Hobby Lobby

Carriage: Hobby Lobby

(I used cardstock paper from Michaels for frame fillers)

Dresser: Furniture Factory Outlet World

Tray: Hobby Lobby

Crown: Hobby Lobby

Frame: Target

Sunglasses: The Children's Place

Frames: Hobby Lobby

Cardstock: Michaels

CHEESE Mommy!!!!!

One of Lottie's favorite things is plopping herself down on the floor and reading every book in her box.  She loves to read!

CHEESE!

I still need to add a few things to the wall - just haven't been able to figure out just what...........  Any ideas are welcome!  We are having some family photos taken in March, so I am thinking of maybe adding some prints of all of us. 

This vanity is a piece of furniture I hold dear to my heart.  My dad built this for me by hand when I was a teenager.  It doesn't really work in Lottie's room, but for now, I really have no where else to put it.  Ideally I'd like to sand it down and re stain it, but with all we have going on at the minute, I don't think that is going to happen for awhile. 

Hopefully by the time Mini Coop #2 makes her debut, Lottie will be fully adjusted to her big girl room!  Wish us luck!  :)

27 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 3, 2013 - 12 weeks to go!!!

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 16 lbs - I've got another weigh in on Thursday - YIKES!

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Insanity
T - Arrichion (MMA)
F- Group Power

Can I just say that exercising is becoming a lot more difficult.  Group Power (weightlifting) is still pretty easy and is definitely something that I think I'll be able to do up until the surgery date.  However, my Tuesday and Thursday circuit training classes are kicking my bum!  I am really struggling with push ups, pull ups and burpees.  Trying to lift an additional 20lbs on a pull up band is HARD!  Period the end - my bum is getting too heavy for all that!  Insanity is still okay though - it is getting harder, but nothing like Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums when brushing / flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for as long as I could before.  I feel bad, but after a couple of minutes, I have to put her down.  It becomes pretty uncomfortable.  All in all though, these symptoms are nothing - I feel wonderful and trying to hold onto this feeling as I get ready to enter into my third trimester (the most uncomfortable of the bunch!)


Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is March 22, 2013. Lab work came back great after increasing my dosage so hopefully I can keep my appointment in March and not have to go back before then.

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!!  This past weekend I bought a pair of Plus Size tights from Walmart to wear with all of my dresses.  They were $5.  Maternity tights usually run around $15 and I refuse to pay that kind of $$$ for tights that I'll only be wearing for another month or so.  They fit like a glove - so comfortable!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!

Movement:  She is moving here and there.  Honestly though, I wonder if I shouldn't be feeling her move more.  I get so paranoid about it sometimes!  But I think a big part of it is me staying so busy that I don't pay attention to the small movements. 

Food Cravings: Milk - No lie, I am going through about a gallon and a half of skim milk each week.  I drink at least two large glasses a day.  I seriously can't get enough! 

Food Aversions: No aversions this past week - just straight up FAT!  :)

Best Moment of the Week:  I had a long talk with Lottie's teacher at school on Friday about how she was doing and progressing.  I couldn't have been more PROUD of that little girl.  She said that she is so smart and has the most bubbly, fun personality.  She really lights up the classroom.  She also said how sweet she was and how she was really going to miss her when she moves up to the next room.  Hearing those sorts of things about your child really makes me feel like I am doing a good job.  There are many times as a parent where I don't feel like I'm doing enough and am making so many mistakes, so to hear these affirmations really makes me feel great. 

What I Miss: A GIANT vodka cocktail - yep, I said it!!!!!!!!

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: My sweet tooth doesn't seem to be overwhelming me this time around.  Although I say that - if you sat a cake in front of me, I'd probably eat the whole thing.  Maybe the real difference is that I'm not putting myself into a situation where I would eat an entire cake at a sitting. 

Fears/Dreading: Dreading all the washing of clothes, etc. that I need to do before Mini Coop comes along!  At least we aren't having to go out and buy any new clothes.  :)

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is this Thursday.  I will also have the glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes.



Bump Photo: Typical work outfit........

Super Bowl

We stayed home this year - just the three of us.  I made turkey burgers and tater tots (Mini Coop #2 was craving tater tots!)  I'm so glad we did being as the game was delayed due to the power outage. 

Lottie and I were stoked for the super bowl halftime show this year featuring Beyonce!  Steve - not so much.  In fact he disappered when it started - go figure. 

As soon as the halftime show started, Lottie was on her feet, running in circles and getting her dance on!

One thing is for sure in my house - if there's music, she's dancing (if you want to call this dancing.....)

Can you believe this one will be 2 years old in 10 days?????????  She is my little rockstar! 

The Circus

This past weekend, we took Lottie to the circus!  It has been years since I've been and after asking Steve, I have come to the conclusion that he's never been to a circus.  He claims all he wanted to do as a child was play football (soccer) with his friends - not go to a bloody circus.  :) 

While I think Lottie may still be a little bit too young to really get the ultimate experience of all of the lights, acrobatics and special effects that go into it, I think it's fair to say that she really enjoyed it. 

She really got into the music of course and danced away.  In fact when they played that song, "I'm sexy and I know it", she started throwing her hands in the air and shaking her hips.  I thought to myself, "Oh Lord".  Stop that now!  Too soon, way too soon for that! 

I think her favorite part was seeing the lions and tigers perform.  Those animals were fierce.  I kept thinking what a nut job the guy in the ring was for getting that close to them.  They were growling and clawing at him.  I thought for sure we were about to witness one of the lions getting their grub on! 

Another highlight was watching the elephants perform.  They looked so sweet and did the cutest things. 

Here are a few photos of Lottie's first visit to the circus!  (The photos didn't come out great due to the lighting in the arena)

 

"Oh, look mommy!!!"

Wild hair - mid show she decided she didn't want it up any longer!

I definitely remember seeing this as a child!

Dragon themed show

All in all, we had a great time at the show!!!!!!!!  I think she would really be into it in a couple more years. I'll probably wait until Mini Coop is two before going back.  That way both her and Lottie can take full advantage of all there is to offer.  :)

Little Love Birds

And it starts................

This morning I got this text from Steve..........

We are in trouble!!!!!!!  Cole was there this morning when I dropped Lottie off.  When he heard her voice, he started shouting Charlotte.  Then when she saw him - she walked in the room, put her hand on her hip and threw her hip out and pouted at him.  It was ridiculous.  The teachers were crying saying, "Good luck with that Dad!"  Where did she learn that from???

I have been cracking up all morning!  I have no idea where she learned or got that from!  She's quite the little character to say the least.  When you ask her who her friends are at school, she always says Cole's name first! 

Needless to say, it sounds like we are going to have to start keeping tabs on those two!  :)

26 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 3, 2013 - 13 weeks to go!!!

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 16 lbs

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
T - Arrichion (MMA)
F- Group Power

Symptoms: INSOMNIA!!!!!!!!!!  So tired!  I suppose it doesn't help that I am getting up every morning around 5/5:30 to work out, but hey if I'm not sleeping, I may as well be up doing something productive!  I'm also having a little bit of bloody gums when brushing / flossing along with getting up THREE times a night to potty.  That definitely doesn't help the sleeping situation.  Honestly though, besides being a little tired, I feel GREAT!!! 

Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is in March. Lab work came back great after increasing my dosage so hopefully I can keep my appointment in March and not have to go back before then.

Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!!  I am trying to rotate all of my maternity clothes, but keep finding myself always going back to my white maternity tee, rolled up skinny maternity jeans and my leopard flats.  It is just a great go to outfit for anything we do on the weekends!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!!


Movement:  She is moving more and more every day.  Most active times seem to be in the morning at my desk and right before bed.

Food Cravings: Pimento cheese & triscuits!!!!!  So this past week I got a craving for pimento cheese and reduced fat triscuits so I stopped by the Teeter and took care of it! Two nights last week, I ate that for dinner along w/ raw veggies and edamame!  I've got a feeling that will be happening again this week!  I told Steve he was on his own a couple of days last week!  :)

Food Aversions: Cheese dip........... the classic Velveeta / Rotel tomatoes/chile dip that everyone knows how to make.  I made it for Super Bowl and it about made me sick.  I think it was the Velveeta!!!  Ughhh, just thinking about it makes me want to throw up!  But Lottie loved it and she got it all over the place in the process!  :)


Best Moment of the Week:  Feeling my sweet girl move more and more!  She really threw a couple of great kicks in there this past week!  Future soccer player!  :)


What I Miss: I'm going to have to go w/ having balanced hormones!  This past week Lottie threw one of her biggest fits, tantrums to date.  It made me CRY!  I'm usually very level headed about these sorts of things, but this past week, it really made me wonder what it is going to be like having a new born baby and a two year old!  Lord have mercy!  I'm going to need lots of prayers ya'll! 

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: The last time around, I didn't have a crazy two year to run after!!!!!!!!!  :)


Fears/Dreading: This past week made me fear having a newborn and a crazy two year old to look after.  The newborn is going to be a breeze compared to my two year old!!!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is February 14.  I will also have the glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes.

Bump Photo: Minnie makes an appearance! (Oh and try not to go blind........I am so PALE!  My legs are begging for some sun light!!!)