29 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 3, 2013 - 10 weeks to go!!!


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

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


Exercising is becoming a thing of difficulty!  Trying to do push ups, pulls ups, etc. with an additional 20+lbs of weight on you is NOT easy!  I've had to do a couple of modifications during my circuit training classes - no more burpees and definitely no more box jumps/steps!  But with that said, I can't imagine at this point not working out so I am carrying on until I can carry no more!  I am almost at 100 classes at Arrichion so my goal is to get there before I go out on leave!  I think I've got about 12 to go. 


Symptoms: INSOMNIA (no joke - the worst!!!), getting up THREE times a night to potty, 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 pretty good.  I am definitely getting much more uncomfortable though.  I feel huge!!!!!!!!!!


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:  This past week, she had a couple of dance parties that seemed like it lasted for 10 minutes or so.  It was great! 

Food Cravings: This past week, I have been absolutely ravenous!!!!!!!!  I can't stop eating!  I have been straight out of control!  I ate more of those honey wheat braided pretzels than I care to share.  I can't stop!  I am still eating healthy (fruits, veggies, lean meat) but find myself wanting to snack all the time.  Snack attacks!
Food Aversions: ZERO!

Best Moment of the Week:  Outlet shopping with my sister at Tanger Outlets - Myrtle Beach!!!!!  We had such a good time - just the two of us. 

What I Miss: This past week I had a good ole cry (dang hormones!!!!!!!!) - I really miss my parents.  I just don't think you can truly appreciate them until you have your own kids.  I just wish they were here to love on my babies and provide me with the guidance I feel like I need from time to time.  I would give up almost anything to have just one more day!!!!!


Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: I feel like I am much more hormonal!  Poor Steve is all I've got to say!  :)


Fears/Dreading: This week, I've had some lower abdominal cramping.  I fear going into early labor b/c I need every day leading up to the surgery reserved for work!!!!!!!!  Thinking about all of the work and the need to find a temp replacement is enough to get my blood pressure soaring!

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


Bump Photo: If you poked me with a pin, I'm sure I'd pop!

 

 

Happy Birthday Steve

Cancun, Mexico

2008

Today, I'd like to wish my hubs a very happy birthday.  I know I don't tell him like I should, but this guy is truly the most wonderful husband, friend and father a gal could ask for.  I really hit the jackpot with this one.  He is my best friend!  No matter how many spats or challenges we've faced through the years, I know I can always count on him for advice, protection and pure love.  How he has put up with me amazes me!

Happy Birthday Steve!  I love ya!  xoxoxo

Farewell Pacifier

Today marks the day that we say BYE-BYE to the pacifier!  My kid loves her pacifier!!!!  I suppose you wouldn't know it just looking at her on an average day or seeing photos because we don't usually let her have it during the day unless she is napping.  But........... she asks for it all the time and is the happiest little girl you've ever seen when she has it.  It is definitely her security blanket!

Now that she is two, I think it is time for the pacis to find a new home especially with a new baby on the way.  I really don't want the two of them sharing one or Lottie taking one out of her mouth and putting it into the baby's mouth (gross!), so we are getting rid of it before we even get to that point. 

COLD TURKEY!

Hopefully this week will run smoothly (HA, yeah right)!!  Two big changes - no more pacifier and transitioning into a new classroom at school should make for the week from you know where!!!!!!!

Lord, please give me patience this week!  I have a feeling that I'm going to need it!  :)

Lottie's 2nd Birthday Party - Farm Animal Theme

This year I decided on a farm animal theme birthday party for Lottie.  We visited a few petting zoos this past year and she showed such interest and love for the animals that it seemed the most fitting theme would be animal related.  Since she's been old enough to really start getting into books and talking, we've read a lot about animals and the noises they make.  She can just about tell you what every animal known to man is and the noise it makes.  The cutest noises probably come from her doing pig, cow, horse, owl, lion, shark and cat (sounds possessed)!  :) 

I started gathering ideas from various party blogs and Pinterest and from there just started printing (free) animals online, etc.  I purchased card stock (on sale - $1.75 for a pack of 25) from Michaels and just started printing, cutting, gluing, pasting and stringing everything together.  It ended up taking quite a bit of time to do because well I work full time and have a two year old to look after.  But in the end, I really quite enjoyed it.  Most of it was done during down time on Sunday afternoons.  Best of all Lottie was such a good little helper.  She loved to help me punch holes, gather supplies, hand me things when needed.  She was a lot of fun and it made for spending lots of quality time crafting, creating and just having some great mommy/daughter bonding. 

Please excuse the extravagant amount of photos I took!  One of these days, I'll learn to make cute collages, etc. with all the photos so that it doesn't appear as though there are that many photos. 

Cake Pops - Steve bought me one of these little cake pop makers for Christmas (don't even ask!) and it worked like a charm!  Thanks to my sister and Kellan for making these!  They went straight to the hips!  Dreading my next weigh in! 

Animal banners

Hanging balloons

Pinterest idea - spoon an apple pie into individual cupcake wrappers - makes for the perfect bite size piece of pie!

Adult party favors - I bought pre-made popcorn at the dollar store - no lie, it was movie theater delicious!!  AND CHEAP! 

My little animal centerpieces turned out precious!  The ribbon came from Michaels and the mini hay bale from Hobby Lobby

Welcome sign

Menu:

Shredded pork

BBQ beans

Pasta Salad

Coleslaw

and

Snacks / desserts galore!

Another Pinterest idea - Duck Pond (lemonade) -

And good ole $2 buck for the adults!

Kid's craft / food table

I found really cheap, cute crafts from Oriental Trading along with temporary farm animal tattoos

Birthday banner

Kid's party favors

Lottie's birthday cake ($17 at Harris Teeter) - I took them a picture of a cake I found online and asked them to replicate.  How cute is that little piggy???  I was impressed!

Kiddos crafting it up!

Lauren & Addison

Lottie loves arts and crafts so I knew this would be perfect for her!

Cheesing / Showing me her little piggy she made

Morgan & Ginger

Like Christmas all over again..........  Presents galore - way too much!

My house has been overrun by MINNIE!!!!!!!!!

She wants her new shoes on asap!

Pin the sticker (chicken) on the missing chicken (Party City game - $2)

Lottie was tripping me out with the blindfold!

Wrong way Lottie!  :)

Almost quitting time! 

Aunt Amy & Lottie

Party is over!!!!!!!!  I can not believe all the snow we got that afternoon. 

One of her new fav things to play with!!!!!

Jacked up on party junk food!  Just before crashing!  Playing with Uncle Anthony

She literally sat on the couch and passed out - I'd say it was a great day!

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all our friends for coming.  Our little one is so blessed to be loved by so many!  She had such a great time! 

But don't think this will be the last you've seen of the animal themed party..............  Mini Coop #2 will be having a similiar farm animal themed 2nd birthday party as well!  :)