Oh and a little Easter lesson we will be doing today...
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy Easter
Girls camp fundraiser cookies, dying and painting real Easter eggs and painting our Easter tummies :)
Oh and a little Easter lesson we will be doing today...
Oh and a little Easter lesson we will be doing today...
#6: If I could have three wishes, I would wish for...
1. More wishes.
2. A stable job for Mr. D that would allow us to live somewhere for at least 5 years
3. Quick labor, easy delivery (and recovery), and a healthy happy baby girl.
2. A stable job for Mr. D that would allow us to live somewhere for at least 5 years
3. Quick labor, easy delivery (and recovery), and a healthy happy baby girl.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
2.5 hours
All to myself. In my empty house.
This will probably never happen again... Or at least not anytime in the near future. Busting some Justin timberlake, watching/listening to kardashians with anna while deep cleaning the house and doing laundry is probably the best way I can think of to spend it. Although having been up since 4 am, I should probably be napping. :)
Update: it took me three hours to reorganize/move furniture around and then deep clean out bedroom, little d's bedroom, the kitchen and the office. I still have the living room, "cold room", and bathroom to finish before I go to bed, which I have deep cleaned often enough to only need a quick once over. I wonder if I will ever have time to do this sort of thing again??
This will probably never happen again... Or at least not anytime in the near future. Busting some Justin timberlake, watching/listening to kardashians with anna while deep cleaning the house and doing laundry is probably the best way I can think of to spend it. Although having been up since 4 am, I should probably be napping. :)
Update: it took me three hours to reorganize/move furniture around and then deep clean out bedroom, little d's bedroom, the kitchen and the office. I still have the living room, "cold room", and bathroom to finish before I go to bed, which I have deep cleaned often enough to only need a quick once over. I wonder if I will ever have time to do this sort of thing again??
Um.
10 things I don't want to hear my last few weeks of pregnancy:
1. Didn't you have that baby already/oh you're still pregnant?! (I think the answer to that is pretty obvious.)
2. Still here, huh? (See number 2)
3. ...as long as you don't have a baby while you're here (haven't heard that a million times)
4. Can I touch your belly? (Especially when it is a statement more than a question and people touch it anyway)
5. How are you feeling? (I'm pregnant. So what do you think?)
6. Should you be doing that? (Yeah... I'm an adult. I do what I want but thanks.)
7. You look about ready to pop! (Thanks for calling me fat?)
8. You don't even look pregnant from behind. (Yeah... Nice try but that's a lie. I own multiple mirrors and am fully aware of how I look from behind.)
9. So... When are you due again? (Only because it is usually followed by a fake "oh that's so soon!" Or a pitiful/disappointed "oh.")
10. Oh you look SO great for being as pregnant as you are. (Only because this is usually accompanied by a look of pity)
Stuff I love to hear in my last weeks of pregnancy:
1. You look amazing.
2. Would you like a cookie/brownie/piece of cake?
3. How many more months do you have left?
4. Would you like a foot rub? (Only if its from my husband or else that's just weird)
5. Or... No comment at all. Just look me in the eyes when you talk to me and stop awkwardly staring at my midsection like something's about to come tearing out of it.
Only 10 days left and then (hopefully) I can get REALLY offended if someone makes a pregnant remark.
1. Didn't you have that baby already/oh you're still pregnant?! (I think the answer to that is pretty obvious.)
2. Still here, huh? (See number 2)
3. ...as long as you don't have a baby while you're here (haven't heard that a million times)
4. Can I touch your belly? (Especially when it is a statement more than a question and people touch it anyway)
5. How are you feeling? (I'm pregnant. So what do you think?)
6. Should you be doing that? (Yeah... I'm an adult. I do what I want but thanks.)
7. You look about ready to pop! (Thanks for calling me fat?)
8. You don't even look pregnant from behind. (Yeah... Nice try but that's a lie. I own multiple mirrors and am fully aware of how I look from behind.)
9. So... When are you due again? (Only because it is usually followed by a fake "oh that's so soon!" Or a pitiful/disappointed "oh.")
10. Oh you look SO great for being as pregnant as you are. (Only because this is usually accompanied by a look of pity)
Stuff I love to hear in my last weeks of pregnancy:
1. You look amazing.
2. Would you like a cookie/brownie/piece of cake?
3. How many more months do you have left?
4. Would you like a foot rub? (Only if its from my husband or else that's just weird)
5. Or... No comment at all. Just look me in the eyes when you talk to me and stop awkwardly staring at my midsection like something's about to come tearing out of it.
Only 10 days left and then (hopefully) I can get REALLY offended if someone makes a pregnant remark.
30 things #5: 5 things that make me most happy right now
1. Drew Dowling
2. Little d
3. The impending arrival of my baby girl
4. Working out
5. Springtime and General Conference (they sort of go hand in hand)
2. Little d
3. The impending arrival of my baby girl
4. Working out
5. Springtime and General Conference (they sort of go hand in hand)
Friday, March 29, 2013
"Almost April"
That's what I decided to call this month once we hit about the 15th... March has been the longest coldest snowiest month I can remember in a long time, so about the 19th, I just tore march off the calendar and the next day our snow pants and jackets and assorted snow gear was put into storage in protest of the lamest month of the year. Which I never realized until I had a toddler with cabin fever all winter once he realized that snow was not so much fun as it was wet and cold, not to mention the consistency almost always made for terrible snowball making.
Anyways, April is Monday, it supposed to be hitting 60 degrees out here (rain or shine, doesn't matter to me as long as its 50 or above i am happy!) and I can finally start saying I'm due next week instead of next month. Spring summer and fall are my favorite seasons so I am thrilled they are all that lie ahead of me for the next eight months. We have a lot to look forward to... baby, wedding, pool time, and even a bowling pass for the too rainy or muggy days, courtesy of mr. D that we will be taking full advantage of in the upcoming weeks. Not to mention baseball games and smoothies and barbecues and picnics in the backyard... Can you tell its been a long winter for me?! Good riddance, winter!
Sidenote: little d put on my glasses this morning and it was just about the cutest thing ever. Although I am so blind I am sure if he wears them too much it will probably make him actually need to wear a pair.
Anyways, April is Monday, it supposed to be hitting 60 degrees out here (rain or shine, doesn't matter to me as long as its 50 or above i am happy!) and I can finally start saying I'm due next week instead of next month. Spring summer and fall are my favorite seasons so I am thrilled they are all that lie ahead of me for the next eight months. We have a lot to look forward to... baby, wedding, pool time, and even a bowling pass for the too rainy or muggy days, courtesy of mr. D that we will be taking full advantage of in the upcoming weeks. Not to mention baseball games and smoothies and barbecues and picnics in the backyard... Can you tell its been a long winter for me?! Good riddance, winter!
Sidenote: little d put on my glasses this morning and it was just about the cutest thing ever. Although I am so blind I am sure if he wears them too much it will probably make him actually need to wear a pair.
30 things #4: 10 things I wish I could have told my 16 year old self
1. He's not worth your time. You don't ever need to lower your standards for someone who belittles you and makes you think you are any less than him. Get him out of your life.
2. Work on improving yourself from the inside out.
3. High school will mean nothing once you get to college. Your relationship with your family (especially your sisters!) will last a lifetime and you should learn to cultivate it.
4. Take good care of your body (and your skin! stop with the tanning beds!).
5. Be proud of your accomplishments.
6. Don't allow things you can't control (ie, a boy liking you) to control your emotions.
7. Stand in holy places and never lose your focus to work your way to the temple.
8. When you break up with someone, don't get back together with them. There is a reason why you broke up in the first place and you should try to remember that.
9. Study hard and don't procrastinate.
10. Learn how to cook! Sew! It kills me how many hours were spent on IM or moping over some boy... all those hours I should have been using to be more productive. I could have started my own boutique or bakery with Anna!
2. Work on improving yourself from the inside out.
3. High school will mean nothing once you get to college. Your relationship with your family (especially your sisters!) will last a lifetime and you should learn to cultivate it.
4. Take good care of your body (and your skin! stop with the tanning beds!).
5. Be proud of your accomplishments.
6. Don't allow things you can't control (ie, a boy liking you) to control your emotions.
7. Stand in holy places and never lose your focus to work your way to the temple.
8. When you break up with someone, don't get back together with them. There is a reason why you broke up in the first place and you should try to remember that.
9. Study hard and don't procrastinate.
10. Learn how to cook! Sew! It kills me how many hours were spent on IM or moping over some boy... all those hours I should have been using to be more productive. I could have started my own boutique or bakery with Anna!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
A good good week
The stars have truly aligned for me this week and while not in the way I envisioned it (hoping to have a baby two weeks early), it has nevertheless been a super good week, mostly with my relationship with little d. While not perfect I feel like it is slowly nearing 99% perfection, which thrills me and also makes me a little sad since these moments are limited to at most the next two and a half weeks, at which point we will have to start over again to regain a new "norm", which will include someone else to demand my time.
Sunday I set out to not let little d watch any TV. I like to think He doesn't get a ton of screen time when he is with me, only when I need the extra 30 minutes to nap or shower or clean... Which ends up being a lot more hours a week than I care to admit, especially bothersome because he asks for a show ALL the time as a default activity, and as soon as the show is over he is begging me for more, which puts him in a rotten mood. EVERY. TIME. So while the idea is all good mommy like to keep the TV time to an absolute minimal, it was really for my sanity since the meltdowns that would eventually ensue never made those extra 15 or 30 minutes worth it.
While he has still watched some TV at the gym daycare and with his dad this week, I think because it has turned into a novelty instead of a routine (enjoying it with someone instead of by himself while I am off getting stuff done), he has been better behaved as a whole this week. No TV has also coincided with nicer weather so we are going out at least twice a day, which I feel like makes both little d and I slightly less irritable. We have also been doing some Easter crafts, playing basketball in the cold room, and I've spent less time preparing meals/doing my hair or makeup/prepping for baby (since everything's about done at this point) which by default means more time with little d. Instead of defaulting to the TV at 6am, we will usually read or talk or play for a little bit before breakfast.
I've also stopped snacking so much with him. We used to have snacks so often that weren't bad but just made it so that he wasn't eating his meals. I've scaled back considerably, mostly by not toting around much more than a small apple and its also helped with the cleanliness of my car to not be constantly passing food and wrappers back and forth.
The "good choices" sticker chart has been working out really well. We are adjusting the reward this week from grit snacks and other goodies to a trip to a real bowling alley which he is SUPER excited for, and should be able to get by tomorrow. He is devastated to lose a sticker and while he still makes some bad choices (like hitting me when he could possibly lose a sticker), on the whole he is doing marvelously for only doing this for the last few weeks. I love that it keeps him accountable, and it mostly goes for doing things like chores (feeding the cat, helping me do dishes or laundry), being nice to the cat by petting him instead of hitting him, being nice to the kids in nursery or childcare, and he has finally (knock on wood) broken the habit he's had for awhile of taking off his onesie while he is supposed to be asleep then taking off his diaper and playing. I can tell he had been doing it because when stuff gets moved around he either no longer has his onesie snapped on (or his clothes on), or his onesie is soaked in pee. gross, I know but Boys will be boys I suppose. However, it is funny and sweet to hear him holler at me each morning an afternoon after waking up, "mom, I'm awaaaake! And I get a sticker because I make a good choice and didn't put my hand in my diaper!" And he will go on to lift up his shirt to show off his dry (and intact) onesie. Now we just have to deal with the nose picking :)
In addition to the good choices, nice weather and lack of meltdown inducing TV, we have settled into a nice routine. He still wakes up at the crack of dawn but at least he still naps a good 90 and can be put to bed before 8. And when there is going to be a variation in his routine (like when I left early one evening to go to a meeting) we talk about it often and early enough that he always knows a step or two ahead of what we are going to be doing. The kid thrives on structure. And helping... I've been trying to be extra patient with him keeping in mind that he really does only want to help, so the training for proper behavior at a store (holding hands with me or at least staying near me and putting something away if i say he cant have it), dish washing and laundry and even sweeping or mopping up floors, while taking much longer to do it together than i would like, has really paid off and he is truly an exceptional little helper.
This has been a phenomenal week, and while he still drives me nutso sometimes with the continuous streams of "why? Why? Why?" Or responding to me with "huh?" (One of my biggest pet peeves), the good in my life is certainly outweighing the bad by leaps and bounds. He is so smart and so loving and instead of looking forward to my alone time once I put him to sleep I actually look forward to seeing him again once he does wake up. He is the greatest joy of my life and I am so grateful to have him.
I sincerely hope that this super strong bond we have formed in the last couple months and weeks (it has been a gradual process for us both to get on the same page) will help us get through the next couple weeks and months without him feeling any sense of lacking. My heart is so full this week yet I know somehow in the next two weeks or so it will expand to include one more.
And on one final note, i'll be honest... The no TV thing was nice for this week but since we are getting NESN this weekend in time for opening day against the Yankees on Monday, it's not likely to last long. But I'm excited to exchange the hours spent watching PBS to watching a full baseball season with my boys. Fingers crossed the arrival of baby A will bring them some luck this year!
Sunday I set out to not let little d watch any TV. I like to think He doesn't get a ton of screen time when he is with me, only when I need the extra 30 minutes to nap or shower or clean... Which ends up being a lot more hours a week than I care to admit, especially bothersome because he asks for a show ALL the time as a default activity, and as soon as the show is over he is begging me for more, which puts him in a rotten mood. EVERY. TIME. So while the idea is all good mommy like to keep the TV time to an absolute minimal, it was really for my sanity since the meltdowns that would eventually ensue never made those extra 15 or 30 minutes worth it.
While he has still watched some TV at the gym daycare and with his dad this week, I think because it has turned into a novelty instead of a routine (enjoying it with someone instead of by himself while I am off getting stuff done), he has been better behaved as a whole this week. No TV has also coincided with nicer weather so we are going out at least twice a day, which I feel like makes both little d and I slightly less irritable. We have also been doing some Easter crafts, playing basketball in the cold room, and I've spent less time preparing meals/doing my hair or makeup/prepping for baby (since everything's about done at this point) which by default means more time with little d. Instead of defaulting to the TV at 6am, we will usually read or talk or play for a little bit before breakfast.
I've also stopped snacking so much with him. We used to have snacks so often that weren't bad but just made it so that he wasn't eating his meals. I've scaled back considerably, mostly by not toting around much more than a small apple and its also helped with the cleanliness of my car to not be constantly passing food and wrappers back and forth.
The "good choices" sticker chart has been working out really well. We are adjusting the reward this week from grit snacks and other goodies to a trip to a real bowling alley which he is SUPER excited for, and should be able to get by tomorrow. He is devastated to lose a sticker and while he still makes some bad choices (like hitting me when he could possibly lose a sticker), on the whole he is doing marvelously for only doing this for the last few weeks. I love that it keeps him accountable, and it mostly goes for doing things like chores (feeding the cat, helping me do dishes or laundry), being nice to the cat by petting him instead of hitting him, being nice to the kids in nursery or childcare, and he has finally (knock on wood) broken the habit he's had for awhile of taking off his onesie while he is supposed to be asleep then taking off his diaper and playing. I can tell he had been doing it because when stuff gets moved around he either no longer has his onesie snapped on (or his clothes on), or his onesie is soaked in pee. gross, I know but Boys will be boys I suppose. However, it is funny and sweet to hear him holler at me each morning an afternoon after waking up, "mom, I'm awaaaake! And I get a sticker because I make a good choice and didn't put my hand in my diaper!" And he will go on to lift up his shirt to show off his dry (and intact) onesie. Now we just have to deal with the nose picking :)
In addition to the good choices, nice weather and lack of meltdown inducing TV, we have settled into a nice routine. He still wakes up at the crack of dawn but at least he still naps a good 90 and can be put to bed before 8. And when there is going to be a variation in his routine (like when I left early one evening to go to a meeting) we talk about it often and early enough that he always knows a step or two ahead of what we are going to be doing. The kid thrives on structure. And helping... I've been trying to be extra patient with him keeping in mind that he really does only want to help, so the training for proper behavior at a store (holding hands with me or at least staying near me and putting something away if i say he cant have it), dish washing and laundry and even sweeping or mopping up floors, while taking much longer to do it together than i would like, has really paid off and he is truly an exceptional little helper.
This has been a phenomenal week, and while he still drives me nutso sometimes with the continuous streams of "why? Why? Why?" Or responding to me with "huh?" (One of my biggest pet peeves), the good in my life is certainly outweighing the bad by leaps and bounds. He is so smart and so loving and instead of looking forward to my alone time once I put him to sleep I actually look forward to seeing him again once he does wake up. He is the greatest joy of my life and I am so grateful to have him.
I sincerely hope that this super strong bond we have formed in the last couple months and weeks (it has been a gradual process for us both to get on the same page) will help us get through the next couple weeks and months without him feeling any sense of lacking. My heart is so full this week yet I know somehow in the next two weeks or so it will expand to include one more.
And on one final note, i'll be honest... The no TV thing was nice for this week but since we are getting NESN this weekend in time for opening day against the Yankees on Monday, it's not likely to last long. But I'm excited to exchange the hours spent watching PBS to watching a full baseball season with my boys. Fingers crossed the arrival of baby A will bring them some luck this year!
30 things #3: My relationship with my spouse
When I married Mr. D, it came with the understanding that as someone who was allergic to (and did NOT like) cats, my lifelong dream of having one was essentially squashed.... but I was okay with that. He was a total steal and of all flaws he could have possibly had, a dislike of cats was the least of my worries. In the just under four years of my dating life before I met him, I dated or nearly dated my fair share of jerks, idiots, and overall complete losers. It was so shocking to me that Mr. D actually showed interest in me because he was the complete opposite as all those other guys, so I felt like giving up the feline dream was pennies in comparison to the infinite value of an awesome husband who loved me and treated me better than any other guy (aside from you, Dad!) had ever treated me.
So imagine my surprise when not even two years after we got married (2008), a stray cat showed up in our driveway on a snowy night. I was allowed to indulge in giving treats to said cat, who four months later had kittens, one of which was our darling Kevs. I am still shocked to this day that we were able to find homes for Lucy and all her kittens except for Kevs and that Mr. D was okay with it. Let's be honest, at this point sometimes he likes Kevs a bit more than I do. Could have something to do with tripping over him on the stairs on a nightly basis in my bathroom runs. Regardless, he chose to let me keep a cat which I would never have thought in a million years he would let me do.
The same year, Mr. D graduated from BYU and could have taken a job anywhere...but he got a job (I like to think) at BYU so that I could finish my last year of school there. Then the following year when I did graduate and landed my dream job at the high school in Utah, he was content to continue working two more years there (it was a job he liked, but it was only 3/4 time).
2009 when I decided I wanted to have a baby, it only took a few weeks of convincing to get Mr. D on board. Same thing happened in 2012.
When we had little d in 2010, Mr. D played stay at home dad during the day so that I could work. He was incredible. He even helped with late night/early morning feedings.
In 2011, when I decided that enough was enough and I felt like I just couldn't do the working (full time outside the home) mom gig anymore, he encouraged me to quit. Later on that year when we couldn't find anything that suited us in Utah, he agreed we would move across the country with no jobs and no real plan to live with my parents until something turned up.
I relay all these instances because to me they are defining moments in my relationship with my husband. Every place we have lived in he has found for us and has been perfect for our situation of life. While we do not agree on everything and I struggle at times to live under the frugality that he wants for our family in order to save money, he is my perfect fit. While I have come up with a lot of the crazy ideas we have followed through with, every decision has been made together. He is my best friend, my confidante. We were sitting in the temple a few nights ago and the craziest idea popped into my mind, how would you react if you were to miscarry this baby right now? It was terrible. I hadn't felt her move in minutes (which felt at the moment like hours), and I found myself in a terrible panic....for about two minutes. Then I looked over and saw my husband, my rock. And I realized that no matter what happened to me or my family, I have him for not just time but all eternity to take care of me. I was overwhelmed with love for him and was astounded at the depth of love I felt toward him. While I felt so very in love with him on that April 28, 2006 almost 7 years ago, it has deepened since then into something truly incredible.
While we have our ups and our downs as a couple, I am confident in that decision I made as a 20 year old who had only known the man she married for 8 months. It is not a decision I took lightly and certainly not one that everyone can make so young and in such a short period of time but it was the BEST decision I have ever made. Mr. D is one of the most selfless and Christlike people I know and would do anything for his family. He makes me want to be a better person every day.
So imagine my surprise when not even two years after we got married (2008), a stray cat showed up in our driveway on a snowy night. I was allowed to indulge in giving treats to said cat, who four months later had kittens, one of which was our darling Kevs. I am still shocked to this day that we were able to find homes for Lucy and all her kittens except for Kevs and that Mr. D was okay with it. Let's be honest, at this point sometimes he likes Kevs a bit more than I do. Could have something to do with tripping over him on the stairs on a nightly basis in my bathroom runs. Regardless, he chose to let me keep a cat which I would never have thought in a million years he would let me do.
The same year, Mr. D graduated from BYU and could have taken a job anywhere...but he got a job (I like to think) at BYU so that I could finish my last year of school there. Then the following year when I did graduate and landed my dream job at the high school in Utah, he was content to continue working two more years there (it was a job he liked, but it was only 3/4 time).
2009 when I decided I wanted to have a baby, it only took a few weeks of convincing to get Mr. D on board. Same thing happened in 2012.
When we had little d in 2010, Mr. D played stay at home dad during the day so that I could work. He was incredible. He even helped with late night/early morning feedings.
In 2011, when I decided that enough was enough and I felt like I just couldn't do the working (full time outside the home) mom gig anymore, he encouraged me to quit. Later on that year when we couldn't find anything that suited us in Utah, he agreed we would move across the country with no jobs and no real plan to live with my parents until something turned up.
I relay all these instances because to me they are defining moments in my relationship with my husband. Every place we have lived in he has found for us and has been perfect for our situation of life. While we do not agree on everything and I struggle at times to live under the frugality that he wants for our family in order to save money, he is my perfect fit. While I have come up with a lot of the crazy ideas we have followed through with, every decision has been made together. He is my best friend, my confidante. We were sitting in the temple a few nights ago and the craziest idea popped into my mind, how would you react if you were to miscarry this baby right now? It was terrible. I hadn't felt her move in minutes (which felt at the moment like hours), and I found myself in a terrible panic....for about two minutes. Then I looked over and saw my husband, my rock. And I realized that no matter what happened to me or my family, I have him for not just time but all eternity to take care of me. I was overwhelmed with love for him and was astounded at the depth of love I felt toward him. While I felt so very in love with him on that April 28, 2006 almost 7 years ago, it has deepened since then into something truly incredible.
While we have our ups and our downs as a couple, I am confident in that decision I made as a 20 year old who had only known the man she married for 8 months. It is not a decision I took lightly and certainly not one that everyone can make so young and in such a short period of time but it was the BEST decision I have ever made. Mr. D is one of the most selfless and Christlike people I know and would do anything for his family. He makes me want to be a better person every day.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
38 weeks pregnant with #2
+32.5 pounds. Maybe 6 pounds baby and the rest as a direct result of chocolate covered pretzels, my staple in this pregnancy. No regrets :)
Slowing down significantly but still able to run under 15 minute miles (2), lift weights with ease, carry little d backpack style, and survive burpees, footfire, push-ups, and suicides in boot camp. Still going through my to do list, and trying to get two things accomplished per day. Ill probably easily make it through the list this week, except for making freezer meals, I have no motivation whatsoever to do that. Should have done it a month ago when I was excited about it. Oh well.
Baby's moving a lot, mostly at night and when she hears her brothers voice :) the next week looks to be nicer (not snowy) weather so I will take an early spring to an early baby, easily. It feels so good to be outside even though nothing but pajama pants and three maternity shirts fit me properly. I will be investing in a decent pair of maternity sweats next time around.
IF baby girl is late (after april 9) I will just go ahead and send out a warning to all that I will be rearranging the entire house (again), deep cleaning (again, since I already have a deep spring clean planned for April 1), continuing to go to the gym and run and work my butt off in boot camp (Tuesday morning) so it cannot be said I could have done anything more to induce my own labor naturally. Maybe then I will actually do the freezer meals.
38 weeks down, 2 to go... Hopefully!
Slowing down significantly but still able to run under 15 minute miles (2), lift weights with ease, carry little d backpack style, and survive burpees, footfire, push-ups, and suicides in boot camp. Still going through my to do list, and trying to get two things accomplished per day. Ill probably easily make it through the list this week, except for making freezer meals, I have no motivation whatsoever to do that. Should have done it a month ago when I was excited about it. Oh well.
Baby's moving a lot, mostly at night and when she hears her brothers voice :) the next week looks to be nicer (not snowy) weather so I will take an early spring to an early baby, easily. It feels so good to be outside even though nothing but pajama pants and three maternity shirts fit me properly. I will be investing in a decent pair of maternity sweats next time around.
IF baby girl is late (after april 9) I will just go ahead and send out a warning to all that I will be rearranging the entire house (again), deep cleaning (again, since I already have a deep spring clean planned for April 1), continuing to go to the gym and run and work my butt off in boot camp (Tuesday morning) so it cannot be said I could have done anything more to induce my own labor naturally. Maybe then I will actually do the freezer meals.
38 weeks down, 2 to go... Hopefully!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Cookie ice cream bowls and yummy necklaces
The cookie bowls were a Pinterest find which we decided last minute to experiment with on the missionaries. It probably takes a little practice to look nice but all i did was turn a muffin tin upside down, wrap each tin in foil and then smash a store bought cookie dough ball on top, baking like usual. looked a little funky but with the ice cream It was a hit! The necklace was my moms idea... I guess all the toddlers in her ward have Cheerios and fruit loops strung on yarn or twine around their necks, and it has turned out to be pretty awesome not just for church but also waiting at the car dealership.
Also awesome? We saw a man in a turban in the waiting room and little d loudly an excitedly exclaims, "look mom a REAL pirate! See his pirate hat?" I nearly spit out my cocoa I was laughing so hard.
Also awesome? We saw a man in a turban in the waiting room and little d loudly an excitedly exclaims, "look mom a REAL pirate! See his pirate hat?" I nearly spit out my cocoa I was laughing so hard.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Braxton hicks vs. false labor vs. real labor
I've had so many questions about these three subjects since this is no longer my first go around, that I absolutely felt the need to post about it. And who knows? Maybe I'd forget about how different each of them are in a year, anyway. While everyone obviously experiences these three differently (like keely who with her second baby went to a doctors appointment after thinking she was "just" having some painful Braxton hicks to realize she was in full blown labor and had the baby like an hour later!) or not at all, this has been my experience through two pregnancies.
Braxton hicks for me are sometimes brought about by dehydration, working out, or stress. Other times it is completely random. It feels similar to how your abdominals get hard when you are doing crunches, except you aren't usually doing anything to get the "tight as a rock" sensation. It is a tightening of your midsection that ranges from noticeable to uncomfortable to downright "I am having real contractions?!" But you know it's not the real deal because it goes away with drinking water (up to 30 ounces sometimes!), walking or moving around if you were resting, or resting if you were moving around a lot, and it will either be super irregular or just go away. Also, while it can be super uncomfortable, I would never describe them as painful. I started getting these around months 4-5 both pregnancies, both times while on the elliptical, and it would range from a few times a week to a few times a day.
False labor is the WORST. It started about a month or more out with both pregnancy and HURTS. Bad. It too is irregular and with my experience radiates super pain from your lower abdomen, sort of like period cramps but wayyyy worse. It is not as painful as real labor, but the reason it is worse is because it isn't doing anything to progress you, not really. Thankfully in both pregnancies I had way more Braxton hicks than false labor, and stopped them both in the same way... Water and stopping or starting movement (usually walking or stretching). Also breathing is super important for these contractions since they are technically supposed to be prepping you for the real thing. Supposedly.
Real labor contractions are consistent and frequent and in the beginning (12:01 am of my due date!) feel a little bit like a mix between Braxton hicks and false labor. Last time I remember thinking it was sort of fun to time them and see how long each contraction is vs. the time in between, then try to guess when and how long the next one would be. I made every attempt to get my shower in, nails painted, and other assorted last minute things in between the contractions since during the contractions I was usually doubled over in pain, counting down the seconds till I could comfortably move again. That was not the time to go to the hospital. But I did, figuring hey, this could be it, right?
It was only after I went to the hospital, got checked in for an hour of observation and got sent home with some pregnancy safe version of ibuprofen and napped for an hour that it got REAL. Instead of not being able to sleep because of excitement, I was unable to sleep because the contractions would wake me up and then I'd be so paranoid about them coming again that I couldn't get back to sleep. What followed in those next few hours before I got my epidural was NOT pretty: each contraction would wrap from my lower back to my front abdomen and make me unable to talk or walk, and in between each contraction, I would fall into an exhausted sobbing heap in shock at the amount of pain I was feeling. And even then I was barely dilated to a 3 or 4 by the time I got to the hospital. So, no thank you do I have any desire to go without my beloved epidural.
In short, Braxton hicks: drink water, move around and they'll go away. False labor, same thing. If it gets worse, more frequent, and you find yourself unable to talk or walk during contractions, you've hit the real deal and you better be ready for that baby! Two weeks two days (and at max three weeks three days!) till I get to meet my baby girl at long last.
Braxton hicks for me are sometimes brought about by dehydration, working out, or stress. Other times it is completely random. It feels similar to how your abdominals get hard when you are doing crunches, except you aren't usually doing anything to get the "tight as a rock" sensation. It is a tightening of your midsection that ranges from noticeable to uncomfortable to downright "I am having real contractions?!" But you know it's not the real deal because it goes away with drinking water (up to 30 ounces sometimes!), walking or moving around if you were resting, or resting if you were moving around a lot, and it will either be super irregular or just go away. Also, while it can be super uncomfortable, I would never describe them as painful. I started getting these around months 4-5 both pregnancies, both times while on the elliptical, and it would range from a few times a week to a few times a day.
False labor is the WORST. It started about a month or more out with both pregnancy and HURTS. Bad. It too is irregular and with my experience radiates super pain from your lower abdomen, sort of like period cramps but wayyyy worse. It is not as painful as real labor, but the reason it is worse is because it isn't doing anything to progress you, not really. Thankfully in both pregnancies I had way more Braxton hicks than false labor, and stopped them both in the same way... Water and stopping or starting movement (usually walking or stretching). Also breathing is super important for these contractions since they are technically supposed to be prepping you for the real thing. Supposedly.
Real labor contractions are consistent and frequent and in the beginning (12:01 am of my due date!) feel a little bit like a mix between Braxton hicks and false labor. Last time I remember thinking it was sort of fun to time them and see how long each contraction is vs. the time in between, then try to guess when and how long the next one would be. I made every attempt to get my shower in, nails painted, and other assorted last minute things in between the contractions since during the contractions I was usually doubled over in pain, counting down the seconds till I could comfortably move again. That was not the time to go to the hospital. But I did, figuring hey, this could be it, right?
It was only after I went to the hospital, got checked in for an hour of observation and got sent home with some pregnancy safe version of ibuprofen and napped for an hour that it got REAL. Instead of not being able to sleep because of excitement, I was unable to sleep because the contractions would wake me up and then I'd be so paranoid about them coming again that I couldn't get back to sleep. What followed in those next few hours before I got my epidural was NOT pretty: each contraction would wrap from my lower back to my front abdomen and make me unable to talk or walk, and in between each contraction, I would fall into an exhausted sobbing heap in shock at the amount of pain I was feeling. And even then I was barely dilated to a 3 or 4 by the time I got to the hospital. So, no thank you do I have any desire to go without my beloved epidural.
In short, Braxton hicks: drink water, move around and they'll go away. False labor, same thing. If it gets worse, more frequent, and you find yourself unable to talk or walk during contractions, you've hit the real deal and you better be ready for that baby! Two weeks two days (and at max three weeks three days!) till I get to meet my baby girl at long last.
Friday, March 22, 2013
The List weeks 3 and 4
While some days the last two weeks have been sooooo slow (me being slow that is) and discouraging with a total lack of energy akin to hitting the wall in a marathon (which I've never done but I assume it would be like this), I have had a couple lucky productive days sprinkled into the mix.
Also it's pretty amazing how much one can manage to do when false labor contractions scare you mentally enough to think "I may not be around/able to do this tomorrow!".
The nursery on the other half of our bedroom is done. The attic/storage space we have is completely reorganized. The kitchen is reorganized. I did a total deep clean of the entire house (and hope to do at least one more in the next two weeks. I finally organized and decluttered the office. Little d has his gifts from baby sister ready and waiting (shhh don't tell him she got him a magna doodle, new pjs and a real camera!), my shopping list is prepped, cleaned out the fridge and freezer, thank you notes for my shower are caught up with, bottles have been washed and big brother little sister onesies are done. Phew!
Although my "to do" list continues to be around the same amount of 10-20 things even with me getting stuff done because I keep thinking of more to do, so long as I get around to cleaning the interior of my car (and little d's car seat), takings kevs to get his nails trimmed, cleaning the house one last time, and making a few easy freezer meals, I'm good to go. And that is a very good thing.
Not to worry. I've already rewarded myself with copious amount of chocolate covered pretzels.
Also it's pretty amazing how much one can manage to do when false labor contractions scare you mentally enough to think "I may not be around/able to do this tomorrow!".
The nursery on the other half of our bedroom is done. The attic/storage space we have is completely reorganized. The kitchen is reorganized. I did a total deep clean of the entire house (and hope to do at least one more in the next two weeks. I finally organized and decluttered the office. Little d has his gifts from baby sister ready and waiting (shhh don't tell him she got him a magna doodle, new pjs and a real camera!), my shopping list is prepped, cleaned out the fridge and freezer, thank you notes for my shower are caught up with, bottles have been washed and big brother little sister onesies are done. Phew!
Although my "to do" list continues to be around the same amount of 10-20 things even with me getting stuff done because I keep thinking of more to do, so long as I get around to cleaning the interior of my car (and little d's car seat), takings kevs to get his nails trimmed, cleaning the house one last time, and making a few easy freezer meals, I'm good to go. And that is a very good thing.
Not to worry. I've already rewarded myself with copious amount of chocolate covered pretzels.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tickled pink
I remember being done with teaching with about two months left till my due date with little d and some sweet friends of mine from the ward we had only been living in for four months offered to throw me a shower... My sisters had already thrown me a shower a month earlier and pregnancy was exhausting so I politely declined.
This time around with no sisters to throw me a shower, my visiting teachers offered to throw me a shower three weeks before my due date (this time we had also only been in the ward about four months) and I happily accepted. While I was worried I would be too tired to enjoy it, they kept it really simple (one getting to know you game so I could learn more about the ladies in my ward, food and gifts) and I had a really good time.
Since I had an early morning doctors appointment (dilated to a 1, same as I was the last time with little d), I didn't make it to the gym for the second day in a row and was super low on energy. Getting Concessa's quilt and then getting a plethora of gifts that evening was exactly what I needed to get excited about out upcoming arrival.
This time around with no sisters to throw me a shower, my visiting teachers offered to throw me a shower three weeks before my due date (this time we had also only been in the ward about four months) and I happily accepted. While I was worried I would be too tired to enjoy it, they kept it really simple (one getting to know you game so I could learn more about the ladies in my ward, food and gifts) and I had a really good time.
Since I had an early morning doctors appointment (dilated to a 1, same as I was the last time with little d), I didn't make it to the gym for the second day in a row and was super low on energy. Getting Concessa's quilt and then getting a plethora of gifts that evening was exactly what I needed to get excited about out upcoming arrival.
30 things #2: 3 Legitimate fears I have and how they became fears
1. Being alone in the dark and getting attacked by someone. This probably comes from too much watching "To catch a predator" when I was younger. Also just being on my own in college and walking around in the dark solo (something I never really did while living at home) sort of allowed my imagination to run wild.
2. Mr. D dying and leaving me to raise two kids on my own. I was actually more scared before having kids that he would die and leave me alone (he wouldn't dare), although now the challenge of having to provide for two kids as well as myself is certainly more terrifying.
3. Spiders I cannot see, specifically a spider coming out of the toilet while I am on it. The movie "Arachnidphobia" was certainly a catalyst for this thinking but also I flush just about every bug and spider I catch (heaven forbid I don't crush them enough when I put them in a tissue in the trash and they crawl out on me) and I do worry sometimes that they will resurrect from their watery grave and unleash some revenge.
Augh, that was awful. To make up for it:
2. Mr. D dying and leaving me to raise two kids on my own. I was actually more scared before having kids that he would die and leave me alone (he wouldn't dare), although now the challenge of having to provide for two kids as well as myself is certainly more terrifying.
3. Spiders I cannot see, specifically a spider coming out of the toilet while I am on it. The movie "Arachnidphobia" was certainly a catalyst for this thinking but also I flush just about every bug and spider I catch (heaven forbid I don't crush them enough when I put them in a tissue in the trash and they crawl out on me) and I do worry sometimes that they will resurrect from their watery grave and unleash some revenge.
Augh, that was awful. To make up for it:
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Wishing waiting hoping
I am getting too pregnant to efficiently shovel these days. Hopefully this will be the last big snow of the season... We are ready for spring!
37 weeks pregnant with #2
It is official. I am full term! Also we are one day short from 4 weeks away from Marathon Monday and I would be remiss if I said that did not make me the tiniest bit sad. Not because I missed out on months of training in Nemo-esque snowstorms but because that April 16th, 2012 still seems like it was only a dream to me. I can barely remember what it felt like to run a marathon, I just remembered it was hard but how could running 26 miles not be? I miss it. I feel like my workouts have sort of plateaued over the last month, mostly due to not being able to do everything without some sort of restrictions.
Watching the Biggest Loser finale last night was hard. I miss being able to push myself to the limit and feeling sore and achy all over after a hard workout. I still work out hard, I am currently lifting 20-30 pounds on my bar for my weight training class and it still feels good, but I've also been doing that amount 2-3 times a week for, oh... the last 4 months.
Coming into this pregnancy in decent condition, I not just kept track of my weight but also a few key measurements, knowing that I was going to get bigger no matter what, but I wanted to keep the biggering to a minimum in my arms and legs (since I already knew I mostly gained in my stomach). Last pregnancy, what I remember the most about how I felt the last trimester was a saggy butt, flabby arms, and legs like tree trunks (which I wouldn't have minded as much if it wasn't for how infrequently I could feel the blood circulating through my legs from only walking as workout the last 90 days). I wanted desperately to preserve my bum (and a billion squats later, it's still in decent condition) and surprisingly enough, looking over my measurements since I found out I was pregnant July 31, my arms have actually stayed the same, and while my hips and thighs have grown it was not as much as I worried it would be (don't even bother asking about my waistline, we all know that's a lost cause!). The damage has been minimal for now. :) It is still difficult to keep up with little d and all the running around, playing baseball and basketball with him, but I'm doing it! And all vanity aside, I've selfishly been hoping for minimal change to my body because I don't want to be a deadbeat mom sitting on the sidelines...not that little d ever allows me much time to do that even if I wanted to.
I'm hoping for a steady stream of husband, mom, sisters, mother in law to help little d and me get through those first 4-6 weeks of lameness. I'm hoping if everyone takes a week it not only go by faster but will make it more manageable. Since I was back at work at 4 weeks post-cesarean last time, I am hoping to take little d to the gym with me around that time (A can't go until she is 6 weeks so her first time will probably be after the wedding in June), assuming I feel up to it (probably just easy walking on the treadmill) and assuming the weather is not nice enough to go out for walks, since that would be my first preference. Plus, I want to be sure I can maneuver around an airport at 6 weeks postpartum, since, well, I will have to and because it will be a sort of first mini vacation for our little family and I want to be sure I can really enjoy myself and not feel restricted.
Little d currently weighs 34 pounds and I have gained 32, but I am proud to say I have never felt denied or restricted myself with food, I have just made sure to be constantly drinking a lot of water, getting in at least a good serving of fruit and veggie a day (pretty hard when all I want to do is eat chocolate). Augh, I feel like all I think or blog about is my weight sometimes but to be honest, I don't think about it much aside from when little d is in bed, and if I remember correctly from last time, I could care less about it once that little bundle of love is placed in my arms.... can't wait till that happens and at least it is now sooner than later.
Every false labor contraction I think, can this be the real thing? Please? I am so ready for pregnancy to be over with and to not spend every waking moment thinking of all the things that could go wrong in labor and delivery, and even if everything goes terrible and I have another bad experience at least I don't have to worry about it again for awhile. :) Not to mention the appeal of sleeping on my stomach or back again, touching my toes, and being able to get up from a sitting or laying down position without rolling like a turtle.
Watching the Biggest Loser finale last night was hard. I miss being able to push myself to the limit and feeling sore and achy all over after a hard workout. I still work out hard, I am currently lifting 20-30 pounds on my bar for my weight training class and it still feels good, but I've also been doing that amount 2-3 times a week for, oh... the last 4 months.
Coming into this pregnancy in decent condition, I not just kept track of my weight but also a few key measurements, knowing that I was going to get bigger no matter what, but I wanted to keep the biggering to a minimum in my arms and legs (since I already knew I mostly gained in my stomach). Last pregnancy, what I remember the most about how I felt the last trimester was a saggy butt, flabby arms, and legs like tree trunks (which I wouldn't have minded as much if it wasn't for how infrequently I could feel the blood circulating through my legs from only walking as workout the last 90 days). I wanted desperately to preserve my bum (and a billion squats later, it's still in decent condition) and surprisingly enough, looking over my measurements since I found out I was pregnant July 31, my arms have actually stayed the same, and while my hips and thighs have grown it was not as much as I worried it would be (don't even bother asking about my waistline, we all know that's a lost cause!). The damage has been minimal for now. :) It is still difficult to keep up with little d and all the running around, playing baseball and basketball with him, but I'm doing it! And all vanity aside, I've selfishly been hoping for minimal change to my body because I don't want to be a deadbeat mom sitting on the sidelines...not that little d ever allows me much time to do that even if I wanted to.
I'm hoping for a steady stream of husband, mom, sisters, mother in law to help little d and me get through those first 4-6 weeks of lameness. I'm hoping if everyone takes a week it not only go by faster but will make it more manageable. Since I was back at work at 4 weeks post-cesarean last time, I am hoping to take little d to the gym with me around that time (A can't go until she is 6 weeks so her first time will probably be after the wedding in June), assuming I feel up to it (probably just easy walking on the treadmill) and assuming the weather is not nice enough to go out for walks, since that would be my first preference. Plus, I want to be sure I can maneuver around an airport at 6 weeks postpartum, since, well, I will have to and because it will be a sort of first mini vacation for our little family and I want to be sure I can really enjoy myself and not feel restricted.
Little d currently weighs 34 pounds and I have gained 32, but I am proud to say I have never felt denied or restricted myself with food, I have just made sure to be constantly drinking a lot of water, getting in at least a good serving of fruit and veggie a day (pretty hard when all I want to do is eat chocolate). Augh, I feel like all I think or blog about is my weight sometimes but to be honest, I don't think about it much aside from when little d is in bed, and if I remember correctly from last time, I could care less about it once that little bundle of love is placed in my arms.... can't wait till that happens and at least it is now sooner than later.
Every false labor contraction I think, can this be the real thing? Please? I am so ready for pregnancy to be over with and to not spend every waking moment thinking of all the things that could go wrong in labor and delivery, and even if everything goes terrible and I have another bad experience at least I don't have to worry about it again for awhile. :) Not to mention the appeal of sleeping on my stomach or back again, touching my toes, and being able to get up from a sitting or laying down position without rolling like a turtle.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Playing with fabrics and celebrating St. Patricks Day
Over the last week, some projects I've been working on lately: a baby blanket for baby girl (not shown but it looks just like the car seat canopy I made last week), sewing a baseball patch to cover the well-worn hole on little d's "sliding pants"
More felt flowers for bows for baby girl
Practicing making "easy" skirts
Sewing coordinating PJ pants and skirt for my kiddos... who will be ready for the playoffs come June!
Making my first (no-sew) tulle tutu skirt and washing all the bottles I haven't looked at in almost two years.
And for St. Patrick's day, we did a color/rainbow project a few weeks ago with Fruit Loopies, marshmellows and coins (that has finally taken the place of that Grinch I actually convinced him to take down).
We made Lucky Charms treats for the YW (and may have snuck a few ourselves)
And for dinner we had "Green eggs and ham" (or bacon since I don't like ham) with Green Smoothie
Green eggs and smoothie were both made that color by my favorite most versatile veggie/food dye...spinach! Eggs were scrambled/cooked until 1/2 way done then added a few handfuls of the food-processed spinach (I buy bags of prewashed fresh spinach then freeze them), and our green smoothie was a cup of water, three heaping handfuls of spinach (one for each family member), two bananas (one fresh, one frozen), a few handfuls of frozen mixed fruit, a handful of fresh pineapple, and a few spoonfuls of strawberry chobani. I don't usually add the second banana or the pineapple but I knew Mr. D doesn't really like my spinach smoothies so I wanted to be sure I would drown out any possibility of there being a spinachy taste. I think it worked.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
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