Pregnancy Highlights: 35 Weeks

How far along: 35 weeks. She is over 18 inches long and now tips the scales at over 5 pounds.

Total weight gain/loss: 25 pounds

Maternity clothes: Yes, though I did find 2 non-maternity skirts to squeeze into for the next few weeks. And I have several opportunities to swim before she's born so I'm rocking my non-maternity one-piece, which I think is safe to say will be ruined after this from stretching. Oh well...

Best moment this week: Seth and I went to Target and got a bunch of things Addison will need that we never had for a girl -- some blankets, pink pacis, etc. I still have a bunch of stuff I need to get but one of my friends gave me a TON of breastfeeding supplies she had leftover so that took all that stuff off the list! Plus, I had a chance to work in her nursery some more. I have almost all the clothes washed and hung (in size order, of course), and am organizing like crazy. I framed the artwork this weekend and we'll be trying to get that up soon as well.

Gender: Please God, let it be a girl. :) Everything is so girly. haha.

Movement: Lots of Braxton Hicks and lots of her squeezing in a ball and then promptly stretching out. OUCH!

Food cravings: Nothing really...though I do love Subway's grilled chicken sub pretty much right now.

What I miss: Any sort of down time and being comfortable :)

Sleep: I've been getting SO HOT lately which is making sleep pretty annoying without freezing the rest of the family. And last night, I am NOT exaggerating, Carter was up 10 times saying he was "all done" sleeping so I'm a big groggy now. One of my biggest fears is seriously another baby who doesn't sleep mixed with a toddler who doesn't sleep.

What I am looking forward to: Super-cleaners, mom and grandma, are coming to help clean my house on Friday AND I hope to finish her nursery this week. We got a bunch of stuff out of the attic (car seat, etc.), so I plan to start working on some of that stuff as well.

Symptoms: Pressure, swelling on work days, dizziness occasionally, stretch marks...you know, the fun end-of-pregnancy stuff. :)

She'll be here soon -- only FIVE weeks to go!!!

Mom Enough?

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Surely you've seen it...the Time Magazine cover that has sparked mommy-wars left and right in the past few weeks. And for good reason. Seriously, Time? Are we "mom enough?" Now, I realize I'm hormonal and fiesty right now and that could be what sparked a little fire, but I know plenty who are fired up about this too and are neither of those things.

The article, in summary, discusses attachement parenting--a "phenomenon" that includes babywearing, extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping, etc., etc. Obviously, they used this photo (and accompanying headline) to raise controversy. Bravo, Time. As a marketer, I can successfully say you've succeeded).

But let me get this straight...those who choose not to do those things AREN'T mom enough? I wouldn't know WHY the never-ending feeling of inadequacy plagues moms day in and day out. [Sense my sarcasm]

I did none of those things with my child (nor did I have the desire) and I'd say he's just fine, thankyouverymuch. And it's right for us. Just like doing all those things is right for another mom and her baby.

It'd be nice if we could just call truce on these "mommy wars." Why can't we all just agree to disagree on parenting styles??? I can't even count the number of times I've felt inadequate as a mom and wife in the past two years, all because someone was comparing what I did/do to what is socially appropriate, expected, blah, blah, blah. A lot. Like, a lot. Because, as moms, we just can't do it all and someone is seemingly ALWAYS looking at you with their judgy eyes. ENOUGH!

Last time I checked, birthing my child with drugs still makes me "mom enough."Choosing to bottle feed my son after a few weeks because it just worked better for us made me "mom enough." Not peeing alone for two full years has made me "mom enough." Waking up three times a night for years months on end to feed and rock my baby back to sleep IN HIS OWN ROOM has made me "mom enough." Working 40+ hours a week and then coming home to house that needs to be cleaned, dinner that needs to be made, and a little boy who needs attention (and finding the time, somehow, to do all of it) makes me "mom enough." And all that bathing, caring for, nurturing, singing to, praying with, reading to, teaching, memory making, wet-toddler-kissing, boo-boo tending, loving his daddy stuff?

Yeah, last time I checked, that makes me "mom enough."

Pregnancy Highlights: 34 Weeks

How far along: 34 weeks. She is about 18 inches long, and is roughly 4 3/4 pounds. The doctor did do an external measurement (guesstimate) on her and said that she doesn't THINK she'll be much bigger than Carter was. That would be awesome since, you know, he WAS over eight pounds! :)

Total weight gain/loss: 24 pounds

Maternity clothes: For sure, though still rocking non-maternity short sleeves when I can! Wishing I could wear some sundresses, but I would never subject the world to these swollen legs/ankles. Nasty!

Best moment this week: We finally have the nursery arranged, painted, etc. Now is the time for the fun stuff - setting up, decorating, washing clothes, etc. I need help.......mom. :)

Gender: still a girl :)

Movement: Lots but she surely has to be running out of room. She is head down, so most of what I feel is a baby bottom and tiny little feet poking out of my stomach!

Food cravings: Nothing really...I have moments where I'm STARVING though.

What I miss: Having nothing to do!

Sleep: Aside from the 1000 bathroom breaks, shockingly not so bad.

What I am looking forward to: Finishing off the nursery, and pedicure and shopping day with one of my best friends who is due 2 days after me. We're gonna waddle our way through Babies R Us for those last-minute things we need!

Symptoms: Still the soreness (ohmyword, the soreness....ahem), swelling, indigestion again.

SIX WEEKS!!!! I can practically taste the sleep deprivation. ;)

Pregnancy Highlights: 33 Weeks

How far along: 33 weeks. She is over 17 inches long, and is over 4 pounds already!!

Total weight gain/loss: I have my next appt. on Thursday, but my guess would be maybe 23-24??

Maternity clothes: Yes, and I finally broke down and went to Motherhood Maternity yesterday and bought four short-sleeved shirts. That's the very last thing I'm buying, even if it means I wear those exact same four shirts for the next seven-ish weeks.

Best moment this week: The nursery is painted and things are starting to get set up now!! Seth put the crib back together, and I've put the crib skirt and bumpers in! I also did my first load of baby girl laundry to begin hanging in her closet.

Gender: still a girl :)

Movement: Still crazy and she's now begun balling up in my ribs. It's a good time. :) I just feel so uncomfortable - I'm not sure how she's positioned but I'm going to ask the doctor on Thursday. Sometimes I feel like she's left to right rather than up and down. Ouch!

Food cravings: None really...except on Mother's Day when I needed a brownie and my good husband ran to the grocery store to get my something comparable from the bakery section.

What I miss: A calm night, a weekend with no plans, laying around reading. haha :)

Sleep: Eh. Last night was fairly good considering I only got up one time to go to the bathroom. But Mr. Carter is STILL getting up at 5:15. Must...nip...that...in...the...bud...before...Addison.

What I am looking forward to: We're going away this weekend for our last hurrah with Carter by taking him camping. I know, we're crazy. But we want to spend special time with him and the options were limited since I'm on call for work next week through the end of the month.

Symptoms: Still the soreness, swelling, and general discomfort.

Seven weeks to go!!!

Mother's Day

(sidenote: very pregnant. Not the best picture, but will have to do!)

Holy cow! That was my THIRD Mother's Day already. Super hard to believe. The first one was sort of a blur, though, since we had just come home from the hospital the day before and spent a bit of Mother's Day back there doing bloodwork, etc. for Carter's jaundice.

This year, I wanted to just relax and hang out (and sleep, if we're being honest here). Carter wanted to give his mama lots of time with him because that little rascal got up early...5:13 a.m., to be exact. Seth was wonderful and got up with him to let me sleep in. That lasted til 6:40 a.m. when Carter began a morning meltdown. Oh well, such is motherhood right? :)

Carter presented me with his card and they also got me a super pretty bouquet of flowers, too.

Seth made omelettes for breakfast and we relaxed before we got ready for church. We decided to go out for dinner at suppertime rather than lunch hoping to beat the Mother's Day crowd. So we made a nice lunch and then it was NAPTIME for the whole family. WOO HOOO!!!! Every mother's (or at least those with a toddler and 33 weeks pregnant) dream....ahhh, we settled into bed and fell quickly asleep...

...for one hour. Little stinker again decided sleep was overrated. But again, Seth was awesome and got up with him and took him outside and I slept for another hour. It was glorious. After I woke up, I went outside and we all hung out while Carter and a friend played in the water table, sandbox, and all over the yard. We couldn't have asked for more gorgeous weather!!

We made a trip to Bass Pro (my idea actually!) to purchase our new tent for camping. It's a nice, big, family-sized tent that we'll break in this weekend! NUTS? I think so. But, we really wanted to plan a special last hurrah for Carter before I got ENORMOUS and [more] miserable AND we're staying super close to home (state park is 10 minutes away) because sitting in a car for more than that is equivalent to torture right now (oh the pain!!! Ouch!).

After we purchased our new tent, we went to Red Lobster (one of my absolute favorites!) for dinner, then home to chill, read books with baby love, and put him to bed for some relaxation.

It was a great day and I am so thankful for Seth and my sweet little boy who made me a mama. :)

My to-do list and where I stand :)

- Remove guest bed from guest room/nursery.
- Paint nursery. (In progress)
- Get custom artwork made (Done, but need to send to be printed)
- Arrange/set up nursery.  (Seth put the crib back together in there, but it's obviously not arranged yet until I'm done with the painting)
- Buy curtains for nursery.
- Buy a baby book for her and other little things like mattress cover, girl blankets, etc.
- Buy pump, accessories, and necessary supplies.
- Begin buying diapers, wipes, and things of the sort so as not to be overwhelmed 2 weeks out!
- Borrow McKenna's baby clothes and go through them. :)
- Get all baby things out of storage and clean them.
- Touch up paint throughout entire house (note: this time, use CORRECT paint). (well, I did the upstairs, but that is going to suffice for before Addison)
- Deep clean house including baseboards, vents, etc.
- Shampoo carpets (or get them done professionally) in living room/hallway. (Scheduled for next Friday!!!!!!)
- Clean out any messy closets or storage areas that stress me out before I even have 2 kids.
- Clean out tupperware cabinet. MY. WORD. Where will bottles go?!?!
- Make freezer meals for when she arrives.
- Make plans for Carter and Bentley for when I go into labor.
- Buy a big brother gift for Carter.
- Take photography class (Next Wednesday)
- Mulch the flowerbeds.
- Install carseat (not quite yet).
- Finalize work maternity plan. (In progress)
- Potty train Carter?!?! (This is low on the list for a reason. Would be nice, but not sure it's realistic)

Pregnancy Highlights: 32 Weeks

How far along: 32 weeks. She is almost 17 inches long, and is 3.75 pounds already!! She now has toenails, fingernails, and hair.

Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds. And according to Baby Center, it is now common to gain 1 pound per week. Ugh. :)

Maternity clothes: Yes, though I'm squeezing in non-maternity clothes on the warm days so I don't sweat to death.

Best moment this week: Getting to celebrate my baby love's 2nd birthday! :)

Gender: Girl. Add-in-son, according to her big brother!
Movement: Sometimes it takes my breath away she's so crazy in there!

Food cravings: None this week.

What I miss: Relaxing at night. I feel like there's always something to do - you know, like prep a nursery, organize, etc. 

Sleep: I have good and bad nights. I was so exhausted this past weekend I slept pretty well, but some nights are very rough.

What I am looking forward to: We're FINALLY painting the nursery this week. The paint and all supplies were purchased last night and I fully intend to complete it before the weekend is over. I'd like to start setting things up!

Symptoms: General soreness and swollen legs/ankles at the end of the day

Eight weeks to go!!!

Carter's Mickey Mouse Party

On Saturday, we celebrated baby love's 2nd birthday with a Mickey Mouse party (with some "Clubhouse" themes). It was so much fun to plan! Over the past few weeks, I have designed and created everything completely on my own. I LOVE to party plan, especially kids parties, so this was definitely right up my alley. Loved celebrating my big two-year-old! :)

Once I created the invitation, the colors and themes were based off of it!

The crepe paper banner, which was WAY easier than I thought it might be!

Super easy centerpieces made with a terra cotta pot, Easter grass, skewers, styrofoam balls, and black paint.

The sign directing the guests to the backyard.

The "hot diggity dog" bar was the basis for the menu. I created a menu with different regional hot dog varities and then had all the coordinating toppings for people to create whatever they wanted (chili, saurkraut, cheese, onions, etc.). We also had "ears" of corn, french fries, and fruit salad (well, and cupcakes and ice cream, of course).

Water bottle labels. There was also soda, tea, and juice boxes. And, speaking of juice boxes, it was hilarious because between the six kids able to drink juice boxes, they went through about TWENTY!!! They were "juiced" up...literally! :)

Cupcakes made by mommy! Chocolate with vanilla icing and chocolates piped like Mickey ears.

My big birthday boy blowing out the candles on his cupcake. At first, he was a little shy with everyone singing to him, but then he was excited to blow out his candles and dig in! :)

Sooo cute. I could just squeeze him! :)

Goodie bags for all the kids! :)

Rice krispie treat favors - I was going to make them shaped like Mickey ears but you can't do everything, right?!?! I figured I'd be nuts to cut them like Mickey ears once I got started.

Playing the clothespin drop. They also played bean bag toss, but that didn't last long. Too many toys in the yard and kids to play with!!

Carter got a sandbox from Gramma and Pa and the kids were PUMPED to play in it. There was a lot of sand loss but they had so much fun. He was blessed with so many wonderful gifts - trucks, lots of clothes, sand toys, money, remote control fire truck, beach towel, aqua doodle, a grocery cart he's been pushing around for days now, travel games, and much more.

Chillin' with Maw-Maw!

Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate Carter's party with us - we had a great time and I think it's safe to say he did too since he crashed afterwards! :)

"Happy to you" Carter Nicholas. :) (Sidenote: he always forgets the "birthday" part).

My baby is TWO!

Well, I am officially the mother of a two-year-old. How did that even happen???? I seriously remember walking into L & D like it was yesterday. Sigh....he's growing up too fast.

He's SUCH a big boy now - we've been saying for weeks that there's no baby even left in him. While this update could get SUPER long, I'll try to keep it fairly short.

Here are a few things Carter is doing/saying/etc. at two years old:

- Weighs about 35.5 pounds (though we have his well visit on Friday so I will update this. I'll also update his height).
- Speaks in full sentences a lot ("I don't want that." "I want milk." "Come here, Bubby." etc). He says just about ANYTHING and shocks us all the time with the amount of words he knows.
- Started taking his diaper off all the time.
- Sleeps in a big boy bed and is doing wonderfully!
- Still gets up super early (the past two weeks have been in the 5:15 a.m. range).
- Still uses a paci, but we hope to break that soon.
- Totally loves all things digger, tractor, cars, etc.
- Is scared of loud noises or anything out of the ordinary (leaf blower, lawn mower, vacuum (sometimes), dump truck toys that make noise, and things like that).
- Likes a nightlight and insists that the hall light stays on until he falls asleep at night.
- Loves to go to school and talks about his friends and teachers all the time.
- Always, always, always says "I love you" to Seth and I - often times, completely out of the blue, though totally appropriate (like when we read a book to him, give him milk when he asks for it, etc.).
- LOVES to play outside and get dirty.
- Talks about "Add-in-son" all the time, and knows he's going to be a big brother soon.
- Goes back and forth between being a mama's boy and a daddy's boy.
- Loves to sing "Jesus Loves Me" before bed every single night - and don't try to skip it. :)
- Is still in a finnicky eating stage a little bit. He eats SO MUCH yogurt and fruit, which are both fine, but can be a stinker about other things. He does love his meat, too, but prefers steak and "kicken." Oh, and hot dogs.
- His favorite things to watch are the Baby Einstein Shapes DVD and Chuggington.
- Goes down the steps really well facing forward.
- Knows almost all the animals and sounds, is doing really well counting, and knows many parts of the ABCs.

Carter Nicholas, we love you soooo much and we can't believe how much of a big boy you are already! We are proud of you and can't wait to see you be the big brother. Big smooch! :)

Pregnancy Highlights: 31 Weeks

How far along: 31 weeks. She is almost 16 inches long, and is over 3 pounds already!!

Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds. Um, that was a big 2 weeks, though I blame it on girls weekend in Baltimore - Cheesecake Factory, Uno Pizza, etc. It was inevitable. :)

Maternity clothes: Yes, though I'm squeezing in non-maternity clothes on the warm days so I don't sweat to death.

Best moment this week: I got to go on an overnight girls trip to Baltimore with my sister and two friends while the boys bonded at home. We ate out, relaxed, walked around the Harbor, talked, got in the hot tub (except Addison and I), etc. It was a lot of fun!

Gender: Hopefully girl, or he'll be wearing a lot of pink. ;)

Movement: Constantly! She rolls and rolls, though I can tell she's running out of room because now when she rolls, my entire stomach goes lopsided. You can always tell where her head is and where her little baby bum is too.

Food cravings: Cereal. Lucky Charms, Cocoa Crispies, Corn Pops. Mmmm.

What I miss: Sleeping.

Sleep: Not so good - I just cannot get comfortable no matter what!!!

What I am looking forward to: C-man's birthday party is this Saturday!! I am so excited for it and to celebrate two years of surviving being a mom. :) His party is Mickey Mouse, and I'm now praying for good weather. Also, after his party (well not RIGHT after, but in the days following), we'll remove the guest bed from the nursery and GET.TO.WORK!!!

Symptoms: General soreness everywhere, hip pain, and serious swollen legs/ankles at the end of the day. Oddly enough, the days where I sit and am not on my feet as much are WAYYYY worse. The doctor said this is because your belly rests on the tops of your legs when sitting and cuts of circulation to your legs. Hmm, interesting. I was far less swollen walking around on girls weekend than already today at 10:55 a.m. at work. Go figure! 

Single digit weeks to go! WOO HOO!!