16 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): The big weigh in is this afternoon - YIKES!

Exercise:
I took Thanksgiving week off!!!!!!!!  :)  I overindulged big time!!!!!!! 

Symptoms:  I've caught another stinking cold!!!!!!!  This time my nose is so stuffy I can't breathe!  Ugghh, miserable!  As far as pregnancy symptoms go, I have none really other than getting up to potty twice a night!  Hoping it continues!  :)

Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is December 4th for blood work.


Maternity Clothes:  Still no maternity clothes yet.  I definitely thought about it yesterday!  I was seriously tempted to get down the two bins of clothes I've got, but decided against it.  :)  I think the real reason I decided against it is because I didn't feel like going through it all right then. 

Gender:  We find out the sex December 10th!  Less than 2 weeks!  Exciting!!! 


Movement:  Since I was off work the past week, I haven't really noticed the flutters.  As I've said before, the only time I've really seemed to notice the flutters is when I am sitting quietly at my desk.  I'm guessing since I'm back at work, I will soon start noticing again.

Food Cravings: I literally attacked my honey baked ham this past week!!  I was so excited to tear into it.  It is one of my favorites!  I finished off the last of it last night in a white bean and ham soup.  It was delicious!

Food Aversions: This week I was just a total fatty so nothing was averted!!!!!!!  :)


Best Moment of the Week:  Pointing to my belly asking Lottie, "What's in Mommy's Belly?" and hearing her respond, "BABY!!"  So cute!

What I Miss: I missed having a glass of wine with my girlfriends over Thanksgiving.

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: I can't reiterate how quickly time is passing by!!!!!  It must be having Lottie in the picture this time that makes it seem that way.  I mean, the days are flying by!

Fears/Dreading: Leaving Lottie alone in the same room as the baby!  This is terrible but I had a dream that Lottie accidentally suffocated the baby!  Ugghhhhh - I know - terrible!  I have a really good feeling that Lottie is going to be a very loving, nurturing big sister so am hoping any scary, negative, fearful thoughts like these won't creep up again!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Follow up appointment is today and next ultrasound is 12/10/12.


Bump Photo: "Chubby Phase"

DIY - Thanksgiving

After pinning DIY idea after DIY idea on Pinterest, I decided to finally give something a go.  With the holidays right around the corner, it just seemed appropriate to have a little fun with glitter.  I love glitter - but it is MESSY! 

After seeing these vases, I fell in love with them and knew I wanted to try to replicate these along with other ideas I had seen on Pinterest. 

After the glitter and glue dried, I broke out my hairspray and applied over the top to prevent the glitter from getting everywhere!  It worked like a charm! 

My neighbor has a giant pine tree that produces the largest pine cones you have ever seen!  They are gorgeous.  I had Steve run over to see if we could have some and of course they didn't mind, even said that if Steve wanted to rake his yard he could do that to.  :) 

I bought a can of gold spray paint and went to town.  I had a small can of red that I tried out which came out fine, but I really preferred the look of the gold ones.  They came out so cute and perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas!  :)

Thanksgiving itself was nice.  It was just the five of us - Steve, Lottie, myself, my sister and her husband.  Steve fried up a turkey while my sister and I cooked about 8 different dishes.  Holy food coma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was ridiculous!  This preggo was worn out by 5:00 p.m.

Lottie's favorite was the honey glazed ham and the roasted carrots.  She didn't really eat much else.  No wonder she stays so little, unlike her mama!

Later that day / night, my two girlfriends came over for dessert.  Lottie gave everyone their Thanksgiving cards and we all stuffed ourselves with sweets all over again! 

 

All in all, I ate wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much as usual!  I put myself to bed around 10:30 and took a 4 hour nap.  Then, Steve and I did some Black Friday shopping at 3:00 a.m.!  It was great!  No lines, no traffic, no craziness and I got most of my shopping done!  We were out for about 4.5 to 5 hours and got home just in time for Lottie to wake up. 

Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  I go for my 16 week check up today so am not looking forward to the big weigh in!  :)  YIKES! 

Lottie's First Trim

Since Lottie has been on bow strike, hat strike, head band strike, etc., her hair has been out of control.  It is growing so fast that I can't seem to do anything with it. 

Well, on Sunday night I took control.  I couldn't take it anymore and I didn't want her hair constantly in her eyes or it affecting her vision. 

So, after I put her to bed, I got my brush and scissors and went to town.  I literally only cut off a tiny bit - just enough to get the hair out of her eyes.  I have trimmed my bangs thousands of times so I didn't think twice to cutting hers. 

When she woke up the next morning, she looked like a new person.  Her hair looked much better and I felt so much better about getting the hair out of her eyes. 

Of course, I had to save her locket of hair I cut just as my mom did mine.

Terrible lighting, but there it is - a few strands of my baby's hair. 

She is growing up far too fast!!!!!!!!

15 Weeks - Mini Coop #2



Due Date: May 11, 2013

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): The last time I went to the doctor, it was 0lbs, but my britches are getting tighter and tighter.  Sigh...........  I'll weigh in again next week.  Lord have mercy on my Turkey belly!

Exercise:
M - Day off work which meant no work out - :)
T - Arrichion - Circuit Training
W - Yoga
T - Arrichion - MMA
F - Group Power

Symptoms:  ZITS!  Holy hormones!  I feel like a 15 year old girl.  My poor chinny chin chin is OOC with zits! 


Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is December 4th for blood work.


Maternity Clothes:  Not yet!!  I am still giving myself a little pep talk whispering, "No maternity clothes until at least the 16/17 week mark!"  Come on T!  I think right now I am in that "chubby" phase where it looks like I am gaining weight, but not pregnant.  Awesome!  :)


Gender:  We find out the sex December 10th!  Less than 3 weeks!  (Steve still wants another little girl!!!)  I want a BOY!  :)

Movement:  Flutters, Flutters, Flutters - there is no denying the flutters.  While I only seem to notice while sitting at my desk at work, they are definitely there.  Not strong enough to feel on the outside, but once you've felt them before, you know exactly how they feel.  I love it.  It's the one really great thing about being pregnant.  If I could feel those tiny kicks and punches all day, I would.

Food Cravings: This past week I had a craving for PIG!  Yep, BBQ and honey baked ham.  So, I put a pork butt in the crock pot on Saturday night and we had BBQ on Sunday.  I am so looking forward to my honey baked ham on Thanksgiving.  Steve went out and bought it last night!  One happy preggo over here!

Food Aversions: Pumpkin spice latte!  Awful, I know!!!!!!  Shedding a tear as we speak.  I love them, but when I ordered one the other day, something happened..........  It was disgusting!  So, then I ordered another one a couple of days later and it was the same.  Guess I am missing out this holiday season! 

Best Moment of the Week:  Feeling those familiar flutters!  One of the BEST feelings as a woman you can ever experience. 

What I Miss: Regular caffeinated coffee and hot English tea! 

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: Time is still flying by this time around! I'll be 4 months along in just a few days.  Also, I am shocked that I am feeling the flutters already.  The last time around, I didn't really feel anything until I was around 23 weeks pregnant.  I'm sure a part of that was not knowing what "flutters" were. 

Fears/Dreading: Steve going back to work so soon after the baby's born!  After a c-section, it is really tough getting back on your feet.  Heck, I ended up having to sleep on our couch for the first week after we got home because our bed was too high for me to climb up.  Just dreading the length of time it takes to recover.

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next follow up appointment is next Tuesday and next ultrasound is 12/10/12.


Bump Photo: "Chubby Phase"

HOLIDAY CRAFTING - Turkeys

Me and my little mini me started crafting it up last Sunday!  We put together little turkeys for her to give to our guests / friends who are coming over for Thanksgiving.  While Steve was giving her a bath, I attempted to put together the first turkey so I could show Lottie what to do.  Once Lottie had her bath, she was super excited to craft it up.  They do an art project every day at school and she loves it. 

While at Michaels a week or so ago, I stumbled across the cutest little holiday craft projects for kids.  I immediately snagged a few for Lottie and I to do the next few weeks.  I have always loved crafts, so the kid in me was hooting and hollering! 

Here is our attempt at foam turkeys!  Guess I should preface it by saying, "Lottie is no Picasso!"  :)

Don't mind the lid - Lottie's art table is under construction at the moment, so this will have to do for now!

All in all, we had fun.  We are going to finish them up tonight by adding them to a folded card along with other cute little Thanksgiving stickers I purchased.  Boy oh Boy how Friday nights have changed!!  :)

I am so excited for Thanksgiving!  Being able to spend 5 whole days w/ my sister, her husband, Steve and Lottie - doesn't get much better that!  6 more days!

FILTHY but HAPPY

This is what I imagine Lottie would look like if I (MOM) were to say go out of town for a few days and left Lottie with Dad.............

FILTHY but HAPPY

No, all kidding aside, this kid sure knows how to get filthy!!!!!!!!  Between food, picking up dirt, leaves and touching the wheels on the car, the girl can't seem to stay clean!  And that hair!!!!!!!  Lord have mercy, I just don't know what I am going to do with that mess! 

Gosh, I love this kid! 

14 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): The last time I went to the doctor, it was 0lbs, but my britches are getting tighter and tighter.  Sigh...........  I'll weigh in again on the 27th.


Exercise:
M - Fight Gone Mad - Circuit Training
T - Arrichion - Circuit Training
W - Sick
T - Arrichion - MMA
F - Sick

Symptoms:  I caught a nasty chest cold this past week which put me out of work last Wednesday.  Thankfully, all that is left is a little cough.  Other than that, still feeling pretty great.  Energy levels are slowly getting back to normal, so that makes me happy!


Thyroid: Next follow up appointment is December 4th for blood work.


Maternity Clothes:  Not yet!!  I keep giving myself a little pep talk whispering, "No maternity clothes until at least the 16/17 week mark!"  Come on T! 


Gender:  We find out the sex December 10th!  (Steve still wants another little girl!!!)  I want a BOY!  :)

Movement:  It's either those little familiar flutters I feel or gas (TMI) - can't quite differentiate yet!

Food Cravings: Nothing out of the ordinary yet, but my girlfriends brought these amazing caramel, cookie brownies to our Panther tailgate on Sunday and they were DELICIOUS!  I can just see myself now getting into some trouble later on with those things! 


Food Aversions: Stir-fry, fajitas


Best Moment of the Week:  Playing with a baby doll with Lottie - feeding it, burping it and watching her interact with it while I care for it.  Hopefully with a little practice and time, I will slowly be able to prepare Lottie for the arrival of our little one. 


What I Miss: Somebody get me a turkey sandwich on wheat from Sub Station II immediately with a glass of WINE and a side of sushi! 


Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: Time is still flying by this time around!  Also, I seem to be showing a little more in my lower gut area.  My belly is definitely starting to get more roundish sooner than the last go around.  I've been told with your second, you start showing a lot sooner than your first.


Fears: Early labor and the dreaded C-Section and associated risks for infection at the incision site.


Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next follow up appointment is 11/27/12 and next ultrasound is 12/10/12.


Bump Photo: Tailgating!

The girl that HATED bows

As I've said time and time again, my child hates any and all things put in her hair!!  That includes bows, rubber bands, hats, heck even a brush through it most days!

With that said, I was informed by day care that apparently she doesn't like any of the little girls hair up at school.  She apparently has been walking around taking every one's hair bows and hair ties out of their hair.  While Steve and I have been secretly hysterically laughing about this, I have to ask - who does that?????? 

Only my child......................  Geezzzz 

Any suggestions other than bribery, tricks, distractions (already tried those) are welcome!  I'm just a mama who wants to play with her kid's hair!  HELP! 

13 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

After reading and following so many ladies who have done these surveys in the past, I am totally jumping on board!  They were so much fun to read and would be great to look back on especially since I didn't start the blog until Lottie was about 4 months old! 

Due Date: May 11, 2013

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): As of last Monday, 0lbs so far (thank you Jesus!)

Exercise:
M - Fight Gone Mad - Circuit Training
T - Arrichion - Circuit Training
W - Yoga
T - Arrichion - MMA
F - Group Power (weights)

I did not work out during my last pregnancy and it was a HUGE mistake!  I ended up gaining 48lbs!  I can't believe I'm even disclosing that!  So, this time around, I am hoping that with constant exercise, I will bounce back a bit quicker this time!

Symptoms:  I've been one lucky mama during both my pregnancies!  No nausea and no real symptoms other than getting up to potty twice a night and being SUPER tired.  I am pretty much going to bed the same time as my 20 month old!  :)

Thyroid: I've been dealing with thyroid problems (the kind that makes you fat) since 2009.  I normally see an endocrinologist every 6 months for blood work and medication refills / changes, but during pregnancy, my doctor makes me follow up at least every 2 months.  During pregnancy, your thyroid requirements increase and since I have issues producing thyroid hormones on my own, I normally have to have my thyroid medication increased.  If it isn't treated properly, it could lead to various complications like low birth weight, preeclampsia, stillbirth, etc.  Scary!!  I did just see my endocrinologist though on the 10th and we increased my medication from 75mcg to 88mcg.  Hopefully that little tweak will keep my levels exactly where they need to be for the next several months.  If not, then we will adjust accordingly.

Maternity Clothes:  I despise maternity clothes - most are just plain HIDEOUS!  But I know when I reach the 30 to 40 week mark, I'll be thankful for those stretchy leggings and jeans!  No maternity clothes for me yet.  Last go around I bought the belly bands that you put over your pants that don't quite button anymore and survived off of those for weeks!  I also bought tops / pants in a bigger size so that I could avoid wearing maternity clothes for as long as possible.

Gender:  My gut tells me I'm destined to have GIRLS but would love to have a chill little dude running around!  We find out the sex December 10th!  (Steve wants another little girl!!!) 

Movement: Not Yet

Food Cravings: Milk, fruit, salad, nothing out of the ordinary really

Food Aversions: Stir-fry, fajitas

Best Moment of the Week:  Seeing my little one on the big screen last week!

What I Miss: Turkey sandwich, WINE, shellfish, sushi, Crystal Light Energy wild strawberry mix, The Hero Rush (5K obstacle race I signed up for pre-pregnancy - was not able to compete in that)

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: Time is flying by this time around!  6 months from now this baby will be here and my tiny little house is NOT ready! 

Fears: The dreaded C-Section!  It has already been discussed that I WILL be having a c-section vs. a VBAC.  Oh Joy!

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next follow up appointment is 11/27/12 and next ultrasound is 12/10/12.

Bump Photo: (I feel like such a cheese ball!)

Headed to work

A First Look at Mini Coop #2

7 Week Ultrasound

12 Week Ultrasound

Lottie's BIG Announcement

NOW show us how you really feel Lottie..........................

Thanks a lot Dad!!!!!!!!  It's all your fault!!!!

Steve and I are expecting MINI COOP #2!  To say we were surprised would be a bit of an understatement, but once the shock wore off, we couldn't be more happy about expanding our little family. 

Being a mom is the absolute greatest thing I've ever done in my life.  While no one said it would be easy, it has certainly been rewarding.  There is just no way to describe the love you have for a child.  I can't imagine what it will be like to love two children.  I think my heart might explode! 

My due date is May 11, 2013 - 6 months from now (WHOA!).  I am 13 weeks along and after my 12 week ultrasound last week, everything looks great and I feel great.  Thank God! 

Please keep our little family in your thoughts and prayers as we go through this journey again.  Praying for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. 

Halloween

Let's just say that trick or treating could not have gone any better!  Lottie was such a good sport.  From the first house to the last house, she ate her way through it.  I would say that Lottie's favorite type of candy is the sweet and sour ones.  She seems to lean more towards the sweethearts, suckers and sour gummies.

After I picked up Lottie from day care, we headed to Jeanette's house to meet another friend and her two kids (1 yr and 3yr).  It was the first time all three had ever been trick or treating.  The 3 year old was over the moon excited and knew that every house we hit, he was going to rack up.  Lottie (almost 2) didn't have much clue as to the rhyme or reason of it all, but enjoyed walking through the neighborhood with her sucker in one hand and mommy's hand in the other.  The 1 year old was the cutest thing ever.  He literally ate so much chocolate throughout our walk, I thought he might pop.  He was loving it. 

This year, Lottie was a bunny!  Since she refused to wear any costume at Party City, we went with the ears and tail below.  The ears were a bit bland so I decided to spice them up by adding hot pink pom poms to help make them pop and also to match her tutu we already owned. 

After adding the pom poms, the ears were a little heavy, but in the end they worked and they looked so much better!

Sweethearts in hand!

Sucker in hand! 

Last Friday night, Lottie had her fall festival at day care.  They had games galore, crafts and a cake walk for all the little ones. 

Pumpkin Craft

Crazy golf

 

Cake Walk - Lottie refused to walk around in the circle on her own so mommy jumped in and we walked and walked and tried to win us a cake, but failed!!!!!  We played about 4 times and still never won a cake!  :)  After the music stopped each time, Lottie would plop down and try to eat whatever was in her bucket.  It was too funny!



What a great Halloween we had!  I can't tell you how much fun it was to go trick or treating again.  To do all of the things I did as a child a second time around with my child just fills my heart with so much joy and happiness!  I am so GRATEFUL!  :)