11.22.2013

Thankful - What a Week!

So I have no idea what really happened this week, but obviously blogging took a backseat. I think maybe I'm just tired. Oh, and I've also been working on Millie's quilt. So it's not like I've been doing nothing. (And taking care of a toddler, too!)

Between my bible study at home, church, and PWOC I feel like I've been given opportunities all week to stop and be thankful for something. And that's really a good thing, because life isn't always easy...and we're so busy and caught up in what's going on in front of our faces that sometimes we miss stuff.


Here's what I'm thankful for this week:

Because this should always be #1: my faith, my salvation.


It's the only sure thing I have. Everything else in this world will fade away. Most of all, like that verse from Job, I'm thankful that I know that my Redeemer lives.

I'm thankful for sweet, sweet new friends, who do amazing things like watch my daughter for me...


....and then clean my kitchen, too. Her husband (who randomly had the day off - thanks, Army!) also raked and bagged a ton of leaves in the front yard. I mean....seriously. It doesn't get any better than that!

I'm thankful not only for my sweet little rainbow baby, but that she also is head down again. :)

Can you see her hands clasped together and in/near her mouth?! Ah, so cute!

I'm especially thankful for these two, and their relationship that melts my heart.



This was after he came home from work one day (for lunch, I think). She was so, so happy and wanted him to tickle her. Haha! She is getting to be more of a daddy's girl every day. Just recently, she started asking him to "read da book" before bed. So now, I get her ready for bed and hand her off to daddy (after I get a hug and kiss, of course :)). I gotta say, it's kind of nice that she doesn't feel like she needs me to put her to bed every day. I do miss it occasionally, but I also know it'll come in handy when Millie comes.


I'm also thankful that this week is finally over. =P It felt so long and drawn out! Probably because it was busy. I'm looking forward to hanging out and relaxing a bit this weekend. 

I hope ya'll have a great weekend!

34 Weeks...Say What?!



How far along? 34 weeks! And holy moly, look at that bump! {Now that I'm almost 35 weeks, it seemed like a good time to do a post. Haha!}

Size of baby: Well, I haven't looked it up, but at the last ultrasound, little missy was estimated to be about 5 lbs. And the rest of her was right on target for her gestational age. Wahoo!

Maternity clothes? Oooooh, yes.

Best moment this week: Finding out she was back in her head-down position! At my appointment last week, she was breech which totally freaked me out. I am totally on board with delivering a breech baby, but most hospitals and doctors are not. Anyway, I'm just glad she turned back around. That I can handle. :)

Miss anything? Yes and no. I miss being able to turn over in bed, get out of bed easily, not having heartburn or back pain....but that's just all part of it.

Movement: This girl is crazy active. Not all day, but she moves a ton. Of course, now that she's bigger I feel every little movement, so there's that too.

Food cravings: All the sweet things!! Doubly frustrating thanks to GD. *sigh*

Food aversions: None, really. Other than the usual list of things I don't eat. ;-)

Gender: It's a GIRL!

Labor signs: Yep, had some of those this past weekend! Sunday I had contractions for an hour. About 30 minutes in, I started to freak out (because OMG it's too early for that!) and decided I should drink some water and lay down for a bit. That did the trick, though not immediately, and they slowed down right at the hour mark and then just went away! It was so crazy because I never had anything like that happen when I was pregnant with Charlotte. I had the normal, run-of-the-mill Braxton Hicks, but nothing like this! Even better - when I mentioned it to my doctor, she was totally happy about it. LOL! She is with me on not inducing this time (at least not before my due date), and she said this is a good indication I won't need to be induced. Hooray!

Sleep: Getting worse. :( I wake up all the time, either because I'm uncomfortable, need to use the bathroom, or I wake up sweating. Ugh. A few nights ago, I didn't get to sleep until 1am because miss Millie was having a dance party. *sigh*

Symptoms: Everything. Well, except nausea. 

Belly button in or out? Almost out! Depending on her position, sometimes it is out. 

Looking forward to: Finishing her quilt, starting her bumpers, and going to NC for Thanksgiving next week! It'll be our first Thanksgiving with family in 4 years, and the first time in 3 years that I won't be cooking or hosting. Slightly weird, but also great! 

What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year? Hosting? Visiting family?

11.15.2013

Christmas Mug Swappers, Swap Away!



So, this post is basically just for the lovely ladies who are doing the mug swap with me this year. Sorry to all the rest of you!! (But if you're looking for a recent post to read, you can check out yesterday's thankful post. It's a bit sappy, but worth a read, IMO. ;-)) This was supposed to go up earlier in the week, but we had a power outage and then a super busy couple of days and, well.... It didn't happen. That's life, right?

Anyway! On to business. :)


  • After the sign-up deadline (and a minor snafoo or two), names have been drawn!
  • Although it doesn't show up this way on the website, the person you drew in the swap also drew your name. I've checked and re-checked that, so don't worry!
  • Now's the time to get a wish/recommendation list to your swapper! You can do that by creating one on the Elfster site, making a board on pinterest and sending that to your partner, OR simply by sending them a message. Easy peasy.
  • Make sure you also get your mailing address to your partner. That's kind of important. ;-)
  • Don't forget, your partner needs to receive their gift by December 10th!


Now, go forth...shop, and swap! :)


11.14.2013

Thankful Thursday


One thing I really like about November/Thanksgiving is that it gives you a good reason to take a look around you and be thankful for all your blessings - big and small. So that's the reason I'm doing these posts this month. 

Here's what I'm thankful for this week:

My in-laws. Example #1? A text from my FIL yesterday:


I could go on and on, but I'm so thankful that I have a good relationship with them. And I'm really looking forward to my MIL staying with us for a while after Millie is born. AND I'm looking forward to having them 3-4 hours away next year instead of 12-13!!! 

Babysitter possibilities. A couple from our small group have 2 girls (a teenager and a "tween") who could quite possibly become regular babysitters for us. Our small group meets at church on Sunday nights (mainly because it's a marriage group and we need childcare) and all our kids were in a room together playing last week. When I mentioned babysitting, both of them basically said "sign me up." LOL. Not that we can afford it all the time, but I'd like for Charlotte to have a regular babysitter. And I also think it's good for teenagers to babysit - gives them an idea of what parenthood is like. ;-)

Friends who bail me out! This week Amanda is watching Charlotte for me while I go off to my OB's office again. Next week, a friend from our small group is watching her for another appointment. Since I have to do NSTs now, it's really best if I have someone watch her at home. Unless Joe were able to go, too. Then it might be okay. But he's in class this week and next. Thanks, Army.

My babies. I suppose this one is a bit of a given, but it's still true. Charlotte is growing so fast, it seems. I mean, really. I don't know where my baby went. For the most part, I'm loving this stage/age she's in. She's hilarious, smart, chatty, and OMG so sweet. The unsolicited hugs are my favorite part. This growing thing is definitely bittersweet for me. 

At least she still looks like a baby when she sleeps. Right? :)

Even though I haven't met Millie yet, I'm thankful for her - for the opportunity to grow her, and feel her move inside me...even though those movements are really starting to hurt! I admit to complaining a bit more than when I was pregnant with Charlotte, but truth be told, this pregnancy has been harder on me. More than anything, I'm looking forward to meeting her and getting to know her. And I can't wait to see how Charlotte is with her!

So smushed in my belly, but SO sweet.



11.12.2013

The Stare

It never ceases to amaze me that people feel the need to "weigh in" one way or another on someone else's life, especially that of a total stranger. You kind of expect family members and close friends to offer unsolicited advice, or even off-the-wall remarks. You expect it because you "do life" with these people - you call, text, send photos, and share pieces of your life with them. Naturally, they have a response to anything big - or small - in your life. But strangers? That's what I don't understand....

Last night, we went to eat at Cracker Barrel. We didn't go because they were doing something for Veterans Day (they weren't), but simply because we wanted to. While we waited for our food, Joe suggested that I go look around the shop because I always want to and never get enough time whenever we go. Obviously I jumped at that chance. ;-) 

I took my time perusing the store, looking for possible Christmas gifts or cute clothes and toys for the girls. As I was looking over the toys, an employee stopped to ask if I was having a boy or girl. Since I'm very obviously pregnant, this is pretty common and unsurprising. I answered her, and she mentioned how fun it was shopping for a girl. I basically replied with, "Yes, I'm very familiar with that since I have an older daughter too." Then, of course, she asked the next obvious question: "How old is she?" When I told her that Charlotte is 19 months, she said nothing, but widened her eyes and stared at me.

She just stared. That was it.

But the look on her face said it all - all the things I've heard before:

Oh, you're going to have your hands full!

Don't you know how this happens?

Oh, that's awfully close together!

I bet that was a surprise!

And on and on and on. Because I couldn't care less what she had to say next (if anything), I laughed and walked away. 

Because what would she say if she knew? If she knew that we lost a baby before this one? If she knew that this baby was helping to slowly, but surely heal my heart? What would she say if she knew that I don't care that my hands will be full, because my heart will be overflowing? If she knew...she'd probably be the one walking away from the conversation with nothing left to say. 

I have no doubt that having 2 under 2 will be difficult. But I also know that this is my path. It was chosen for me - or I was chosen for it. And by the grace of God, I'll get through any tough times ahead. Besides, I'd rather have my young babies and my husband with me and have tough times, than not have them - or any one of them - at all.

Also, how can you be upset with someone for making cute kids like this one?!
(P.S. Let this serve as proof that we did, indeed, visit a pumpkin patch this year. ;-))

11.07.2013

Thankful Thursday

First things first, don't forget to sign up for the Christmas mug swap I'm hosting this year if you're interested. Deadline is the 10th!

Last November, I attempted to do a thankful post every day. 

I'm already kind of over seeing all of the daily posts on FB. Is that bad? I mean, I'm glad people are taking a minute to be more aware of the blessings all around them, but it really seems forced from some people. And that bothers me, times a million.

Anyway, I think I've decided to do one post a week. Mainly because I'm so scatterbrained that it's easier to do it one week at a time. ;-) I do think it's good to take some time out of the day and think of all our blessings. Our church/pastor is doing a series called "Blessed" this month, and the message this past week just really made me think. It's challenged me too, which is good, but also hard. Anyway



Things I'm thankful for this week:

  • Friends that help out in a bind. (Shout out to Amanda for coming to my rescue this week!)
  • Potential new friends from church. (I need community like crazy.)
  • Fall temperatures. Because, oh my goodness, did I miss this!
  • PWOC. It's been such a great thing for me. The Bible study alone has been fantastic. And getting to know some of the other women in my "class" has been great, too. I wish I had made some closer friends (and I still might) in my study, but this was something I feel like I really needed. It really has been perfect.
  • 2 nap days. Charlotte has been sort of transitioning from 2 naps a day, to one. Some days she's fine without one, and some days she most definitely is not. It's tough trying to figure out... She's always been a high sleep needs baby, so I never know when she's truly ready to drop a nap. Example? Last week, she fought her morning nap 3 days in a row. So I gave up and we went without. This week... She's had a morning nap twice (she went with me to my OB appointment on Tuesday, but I could tell she missed her nap), and both times she slept for 1.5hrs in the morning and 2-3 in the afternoon. WHAT?! I do not understand this girl.
  • 4 day weekends. Not gonna lie, I'm loving that this weekend is a 4 day. We have several things that need to be done, and there is no way that even half could get done in 2 days. Which really ends up just being one - Saturday - because of church on Sundays. I don't know what all we'll be able to get done, but even if we just do a few things, it'll be progress.
What about you - big plans for this weekend?

11.06.2013

32 Weeks, Baby

First things first, don't forget to sign up for the Christmas mug swap I'm hosting this year if you're interested. Deadline is the 10th!



How far along? 32 weeks! Duh. ;)

Size of baby: BIG. =P I didn't look up "standard" size at this point, but we had an appointment yesterday. According to the ultrasound, she weighs 4lbs 14 oz. Charlotte was 5lbs 5.4oz at birth. Also, her little leggies measured at 34 weeks. Haha! I wonder if I'll have a bigger baby this time around....? I know those measurements aren't 100% accurate.

Maternity clothes? Um, yes. Still needing some more fall/winter shirts. 

Best moment this week: Definitely seeing her on the ultrasound. And since I had an NST, I got to listen to her heartbeat and movements for a good while, too. And, as always, having nurses/doctors exclaim I have quite a mover on my hands is funny. ;) My girls are nothing if not active!

She's head down (hooray!) and all smooshed, 
but that's her little face with her hand right in front.
Also? The thing above her head is the placenta. Poor kiddo is super smooshed!

Charlotte was pointing at her pictures, saying "Millie! Millie!"
It was basically the cutest thing ever. 
(Especially after her complete meltdown during my ultrasound yesterday.)

Miss anything? Sleeping on my stomach, and generally not being uncomfortable.... But those aren't really big things.

Movement: See above comment. =P She moves like crazy! Just like her big sister. Although she definitely hurts me more. Haha

Food cravings: Last night I really wanted a donut. That's about as outlandish as my cravings get. 

Food aversions: None that I can really think of.

Gender: It's a GIRL! :)

Labor signs: I mentioned to my OB yesterday that I've had some weird pains in my stomach, and um...she thinks they're probably contractions. Soooo, yeah. They feel a lot different than any I ever had with Charlotte, so I guess I just haven't recognized it. Further proof that every pregnancy is different.

Sleep: Sleep is meh. I rest fairly well (most of the time), but I'm definitely getting up for potty breaks. I've been waking up in a sweat a lot lately, too. Comfort isn't always an issue, but I think I'm just getting used to hurting. Back and hip pain are just part of it!

Symptoms: Some heartburn, back and hip pain, and 3rd trimester exhaustion has definitely kicked in. Hence yesterday's almost 2hr nap. I even surprised myself on that one!

Belly button in or out? Both? It depends on how Millie is positioned and how I'm sitting. If I'm standing up, it's more like half in, half out. I give it 2 more weeks before it's an outie all the time.

Looking forward to: Getting her quilt done, working on the rest of her bedding, and getting her room all set up! One step at a time.

11.01.2013

A Christmas Mug {Swap}: Sign-up Day!

Last week, I came to ya'll with a rather fantastic idea. ;-) And since a fair amount of you agreed with me, it is now official:



Oh, yes. This. Is. Happening!

I've never hosted a swap before, so my apologies in advance for any snafoos that may occur. Other than that possibility, I'm pretty excited about this! I hope ya'll are too. :) It's been a while since I even participated in a swap, so I'm really looking forward to it. 

Now, for the details:


  • Sign-ups start today and end on November 10th. All you have to do is leave me a comment with your email address.
  • There is a spending limit of $15. This is to keep it fun and affordable for all of us. Please stick to it!
  • You must be willing to ship to APO/FPO addresses. A good portion of my readers are military, who often live overseas. It won't cost you more to ship, but you will have to fill out a form, and send your package earlier.
  • Your partner needs to receive your gift by December 10th. {This is mostly for my benefit, because little miss Millie is due December 28th and I'd like to be as prepared as possible for an early baby!}
  • Try to have a wish list so your swap partner will have ideas for your mug.
  • Most importantly.... Have fun!


If you have any questions after you receive your invite to the swap (before, too, I guess :)), please feel free to email me or just leave a comment. 

Happy swapping!