28 Weeks. Hello, Third Trimester!

I'd like to officially welcome myself to the third trimester! I am so excited to be entering this final stretch of my pregnancy. The past months have just flown by, and I know the remaining months will do the same. In between now and June, just about every single weekend is booked with something. I'll also be wrapping up my final photo sessions before my extended break, so it will be a busy April!

I had a neat experience a few nights ago. I was laying in bed, watching my tummy shift with all of Ethan's turns and flips, when what appeared to be a tiny foot pushed straight up above my belly button. He actually held it there long enough for me to feel that little bump with my fingers and it even felt like a foot from the outside! He's really taking advantage of what little space he has and seems to always be stretching body parts and running in place. ;) Ethan also had his first case of the hiccups (at least that I am aware of) a couple of nights ago. He also has them now, as I type!

After pulling out all of Gracie's baby stuff recently, sorting through what would be kept and what could be given away, I realized that we were going to need a few key baby items, ones that weren't pink or floral print. Every single blanket was all girl, as were the burp cloths and towels and bibs. I finally decided to just go to Babies R Us and register, although I hadn't planned on adding much to a registry beyond diapers and wipes. It was totally overwhleming at first, I guess I had completely forgotten how much a newborn and breastfeeding mother need, but I had fun scanning the necessities, as well as a few things I think Ethan would enjoy. I think he deserves to have a few non-hand-me-down toys and books. :) We are feeling lucky to already have so many of the bigger/more costly baby items. I was thinking ahead when I registered for Gracie, and so much of what she had was only used briefly and looks fairly new.

I'm still enjoying making prenantal yoga a priority. It's amazing the difference even just a 15 minute meditation and stretch session makes in how I'm feeling. As for cravings, I still really haven't had many strong cravings, but I've noticed a strange addiction to carrots since Thanksgiving (when I almost handled the entire carrot section of a vegetable tray on my own...). I can easily go through a bag of baby carrots per week. A more recent craving has been cranberries, these are also always on the grocery list, and a favorite for Gracie as well.

We have about 12 weeks to go!

Sweet Sunday.

Today a sweet little boy, and a friend of Gracie's, turns three. His momma and I first bonded over Starbucks drinks and dreams of motherhood. Her little boy was born on the 27th of March, Gracie on the 27th of May. Since they are exactly two months apart, I know that once his birthday arrives, it's time to let reality settle in. My daughter will be three in just two short months! It's at this point that I'll start making celebration decisions and preparing myself for her THIRD birthday. These first years with our firstborn have just gone by so quickly.

I woke up this morning to a little face and a sweet voice telling me to look, the sun was up. In a pregnant-momma-who-did-not-sleep-well haze, I pulled my baby girl into my arms to snuggle before forcing myself to roll out of bed. We arrived at church a few minutes early, so we strolled the halls of what will soon be Gracie's preschool, stopping to admire the artwork and crafts displayed along the hallway walls and doors. She'll officially start at the end of August and I'm so excited about this for her. I think Gracie will just love coming to "school" and learning along with little friends.

She's been doing well in her Sunday school class. When we dropped her off this morning, I had to try multiple times to get her attention so that I could tell her bye... She jumped right into an activity and seemed completely comfortable with me leaving. As her mommy, I always worry. Will she have a good time? Will she find a friend to play with? Will she tell the teacher when she needs to potty? I think I can relax a little, she seems to be thriving in her toddler independence. A teacher approached us this morning to tell us that she is so sweet and "quiet". I wouldn't really use the word quiet to describe my child, but I imagine that she is much more reserved when we aren't around and she's one of many children in a class. Even as a baby, she was more likely to sit back and observe before making any moves.

Sean and I enjoyed an uplifting service this morning. I'm so pleased with all that our church is doing within the community, especially with the young people. I hope that Gracie and Ethan will one day be a part of all the amazing things our youth group is doing to reach out and serve. It's inspiring to me to watch these kids stand up and speak about their commitment to making a difference.

I hope everyone has had a blessed Sunday! After this morning, and a yoga session this afternoon, I feel ready to take on the coming week!

(I tried to upload a picture of Gracie, but it wasn't working right...maybe later.)

What. A. Week.

I can't remember the last time I was this desperate for a weekend, but here I am, all but on my hands and knees thanking the Lord that it's Friday afternoon. This week has been challenging. It has worked me mentally, physically, and perhaps most of all, emotionally. I think I have told myself (and those that are lucky enough to get to listen to me vent) that I am "losing my mind" at least once per day, since Tuesday. I have decided this just has to be my last baby, because I'm not sure how I would even begin to handle being pregnant with two young children to care for...(although I'm still holding onto all my baby girl stuff, just in case...).

But, now that there is a real end in sight, I'm feeling a weight already lifting. Weekends are these very necessay things, and not just to those who work outside of the home, but to those who work within the home, too. While I'll still be "momma" all weekend, I'll have an extra set of hands to bring giggles, wipe tears, kiss boo-boos, discipline...you get the idea (and this is where my respect for single mothers shoots through the roof. My own mother has been there and I admire women without that extra set of hands more than I could express...).

I also thrive on time spent with my family. I come out of a weekend feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the week ahead. The frustrations of this past week won't matter tomorrow, they don't really matter much now, not when spending quality time with my husband and daughter is on the agenda. I've got this little guy flipping around in my belly as I type, a beautiful daughter stirring from her afternoon nap, and a wonderful and supportive husband that will be on his way home soon... I am thankful for these blessings and thankful for moments of clarity that bring things back into perspective.

Happy Weekend. :)

Wordless Wednesday.

We're celebrating the warm weather by getting out and enjoying it.

Happy Wednesday!

Time Out.

Gracie insisted that she go to the bathroom by herself today, but not on her potty, on the big one. I tried to explain why it was a good idea for me to stand by and help her, but she started to cry and made it clear she wanted me out of the bathroom. Part of me wanted to give her the chance, part of me knew why this was not going to go well.

In the end, there was pee all over her pants and running down the toilet. One more mess, one more change of clothes that I didn't want to deal with. As frustrated as I was, I tried to calmly explain once again why she still needs mommy's help, but all I did was make her cry. I felt like I was telling her she couldn't do something, when she believed that she could. It hurt my feelings that hers were hurt. It upset me that I upset her by speaking more harshly than I should have. It was one of those moments where I would have liked a "do-over", a chance to approach my toddler in a different way, turn the moment into a learning experience with smiles, instead of one with tears.

This post is my own "time-out", a chance to clear my thoughts and breathe. Since becoming a mother, I've learned that some days are harder than others, sometimes both of our emotions run high and we both cry, and sometimes I feel guilty for not being better, or more patient, or more gentle towards her when she's done something as simple as try to potty on her own...

I realize that I'm not alone and that parenting in general is challenging. I also know that even on the toughest days we're trying hard to be the mothers our babies deserve. It's not always easy, but that little girl is my heart and I'll always be striving to be better tomorrow than I was today.

My time out is over. Now I just want to let my baby know how proud I am of her, and tell her how much I love her.

27 Weeks.

Tomorrow I'll officially be 27 weeks pregnant. I'm still not sure how we got this far this quickly, but here we stand, just a week away from slipping out of the 2nd trimester and into the 3rd. My little guy is almost 2 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower) and a little over 14 inches long.

Last week, I went in for my glucose-screening test. I drank a fruit punch flavored drink, with 50mg of sugar, then waited an hour to have blood taken to test for gestational diabetes. I'm happy to report that I passed and also received good news concerning the other results of the blood work.

During the hour wait, I had my monthly visit with the doctor. Everything once again checked out great. I was able to hear Ethan's heartbeat, which is something I always look forward to. My only concern during this visit was my recent weight gain. I gained 9 pounds in a month. So, I had a little chat with the doctor regarding this topic. He first assured me that if I were going to have a jump in weight, this is when it would be, so while I'm not excited about it, it's happening at the right time. He explained ways that I can maintain my current weight for the next 2-4 weeks, which would then put me back on track for their recommendations and my own personal goal.

It seems like I should have made some of these changes from the beginning, but I'm making more of an effort now to cut the empty calories, while also adding in more exercise (especially now that it's warming up). I'm switching back to skim milk, because I have been drinking a LOT of 2% milk, which is just building up unnecessary calories and fat. I've really been enjoying making prenatal yoga a priority each day. I end up feeling so much better and more energized, even when I have to force myself to do it. Sean bought me a new yoga mat and prenatal yoga DVD for Christmas, so it's finally getting the use it deserves.

I recently pulled out my "Gracie" pregnancy journal and found it very interesting that at this same point with her I gained 10 pounds in a month! I am also almost the exact same weight. The only difference is that I weighed more in the beginning with her. I guess my body decided it should keep things fair and catch up. :) Worst case scenario is I have a few extra pounds to lose. I am SO thankful that this is the only thing that has been a concern (if you can even call it that) during this pregnancy!

Ethan still moves all the time. It is so funny to me because while I've been pregnant before, I have never experienced this type of movement! Sean and I both wonder what in the world he is doing in there... it feels like maybe I'm pregnant with a little rabbit instead of a baby?! Sean and I just enjoy watching and feeling him do his thing and we're anxious to see what he's like once he's here with us, on the outside! We only have 92 days (give or take a few) to go!

A Pink Tree for Gracie.

I've expressed Gracie's love for flowers many times since last spring. She seems to appreciate the process, the nothingness that slowly becomes something beautiful. We've been checking on our flowers daily and there is almost always something new to observe as the first day of spring approaches. She's also been noticing the blooming trees that stand in the yards and line the streets of our neighborhood, as well as those we pass while out. My little lover of pink has been requesting to see "pink trees" for a couple of weeks now, and luckily, they are getting easier and easier to find. Last weekend, we discovered we have our own "pink tree" blooming in the backyard. This tree didn't bloom at all last year, so we were surprised and delighted to learn Gracie wouldn't have very far to go to find a tree with blooms in her favorite color!

I took this picture this morning before we left for Kindermusik. I am so excited about spring outfits and flip flops! The high was 80 degrees today!

Here is Gracie on St. Patrick's Day. I cut out a shamrock for her, wrote her name in glue, and let her go to town with the glitter...I am still finding glitter in her hairline and she pointed out that I had glitter on my face today! That gold glitter sure was fun though!

Happy Friday!