Happy New Year!!!

25 Weeks

I have 25 weeks of pregnancy behind me, only 15-ish more to go! This pregnancy has been a bit different from my previous ones in regards to symptoms, etc. One of the strange, and very unique, side effects that has arisen this week is extremely itchy KNEES. What? Yeah, knees. Once I get scratching, I can't stop, which has caused many bloody knee incidents. I have started applying Eucerin liberally to my knees, which does actually help a lot. It is just such a funny side effect that it still makes me smile whenever the itchiness starts up. Pregnancy is a trip, let me tell ya. You never know what's going to happen next!

The other thing this week has brought is a "sore" spot on my belly about the size of a silver dollar. It is just a spot that is tender all the time, and I am wondering if it could be a weak spot in my abdominal muscles, or my uterine wall? Anyone else have this happen to them?

Baby Bug just keeps getting bigger, and is very active! I feel every little wiggle and kick, and have been able to share that with family now, since it can be felt through my belly now.

That's about all for this week!

Craving of the week: I could always go for a steak-- throughout this entire pregnancy. One other notable change is that I do NOT like ice cream since being pregnant- normally one of my favorites!

Workin' Girl

This Christmas season put a little strain on our finances, so we sent Sophia out to get a job.

O Christmas Tree

The current state of our Christmas tree...

December 1


December 23

It's a good thing Christmas is tomorrow. I'm not sure that poor thing can handle much more.

Well Rounded Meal

24 Weeks

Exhausted.
Fat.
Frustrated.
Uncomfortable.

SOOOOO ready for Christmas.

Nuf said.

Sherlock's New Assistant

"The fates are against you, Watson."

Ten Year Plan

I got tagged from Erin.

10 Years Ago

1.) How old were you? 16
2.) Where did you go to school? Homeschooled. Went to a homeschool co-op.

3.) Where did you work? Papa Murphy's Pizza

5.) Where did you hang out? At Abby's house

6.) Did you wear glasses? Nope!

7.) Who was your best friend(s)? Abby, Hannah, Megan
8.) How many tattoos did you have? Zero

9.) How many piercings did you have? double pierced in each ear

10.) What car did you drive? A huge blue, full size Ford van called The Blue Whale

11.) Had you ever been to a real party? Yeah right
12.) Had your heart broken? That would mean I would have to talk to a boy, so no! (Don't let the prom picture deceive you. I didn't really talk to Nate much at all. I held my bouquet of wrapped flowers so I wouldn't have to hold his hand in the picture. Yeah, I ruined his senior prom I'm sure.)

13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Very single

5 years ago

1.) How old were you? 21

2.) Where did you go to school? Already graduated from Winona with a A.A. in Liberal Arts

3.) Where did you work? A Montessori

5.) Where did you hang out? with Abby & Ben, our house

6.) Did you wear glasses? No

7.) Who was your best friend(s)? Abby, Megan, Jared

8.) Who was your crush? My huz, Jared

9.) How many tattoos did you have? None

10.) How many piercings did you have? 3 in each ear, nose, and belly button

11.) What car did you drive? 1996 Mazda 626

12.) Had you had your heart broken? Hmm, not really.

13.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter: Just married!!

December 2009

1.) How old are you? 26
2.) Where do you work? At home, caring for my two beautiful baby girl
4.) Where do you hang out? At home and my mom's

5.) Who is your best friend? Jared

6.) Do you talk to your old friends? Yes! Most of my "old" friends are my current friends, with a few additions!

7.) How many piercings do you have? One more added to the left ear, minus the belly button

8.) How many tattoos? Still none

9.) What kind of car do you have? A Mom-mobile-- 2003 Dodge caravan

10.) Has your heart been broken? Nope, happier than ever!

11.) Single/Taken/Married/Divorced/Bitter? Happily married to the best man ever

Invalid

On Friday morning, we excitedly arose to go on a family date to the Children's Museum! Jared and I were both helping the girls get dressed, when I accidentally kneeled on Sophia's foot. I did not even realize I was on it, and at first didn't think much of it. But after 2 hours of Sophia whimpering and collapsing to the floor every time she put pressure on it, I was reduced to tears of guilt. We cancelled plans to go the museum, but still wanted to have a family outing. So we went to Wal-Mart, where we could push around our invalid in a cart. We headed straight for the toy section, and Sophia wanted to get down and try to walk. She limped down the first aisle, but by Aisle 3, her foot was miraculously healed and she was running from treasure to treasure. Whew.

23 Weeks

Not much time has elapsed since I posted last week's update, but one notable development is the start of Braxton-Hicks contractions. I have had 3-4 per day for the last few days now. I didn't expect to get them quite this early, but hopefully it's just a sign that my body is remembering what to do and labor is a snap. :) Hopefully.

Now that I am at 23 weeks, time seems to have slowed down for me a little. The first twenty flew by in a heartbeat, but the past three have crawled by at a snail's pace. When titling my post tonight, I thought to myself "Really? I am only 23 weeks?" I attribute this change of pace to the largening of my body. Time goes slower when you feel uncomfortable and... large. No, I realize I am not huge yet, or even close, but my body is certainly not normal, and it's hard to deal with the sudden change... like searching for clothes that fit every single morning.

I feel Bugger moving around all the time now. Not just kicks anymore, but the squirming too. Always a delightful, yet strange, feeling. I love it!

Craving of the Week: Jeans that fit AND stay up.

French Braids!

Snow Day!

We got dumped on yesterday, so naturally it was time to bust out the sled! Unfortunately it was BITTER cold out, so our escapade only lasted about 20 minutes. But we had fun while it lasted!

All bundled up!

Ready to sled!

It was so bitter out that even our eye lashes were frosted after 20 minutes!

22 Weeks

Oops! I forgot to post this until now! My 22nd week has been pretty uneventful. The only real thing to report is how frequently I have gotten a bloody nose-- a new occurance this week. On some days, I have gotten 3 in a day! I am attributing this partly to the sudden drop in temperature and dry weather. But I have never had a bloody nose outside of pregnancy, so that has to be a big factor as well.

Craving of the Week: Nothing to report this week! A small return to normalcy!

MOA!

Jared and I took Sophia on a special date to the Mall of America to get her a Build-a-Bear for Christmas! Here are some pictures of our adventure!

Leaving for the MOA very excited!

Sophia and Mommy

Sophia and Daddy

First stop, water fountain to throw a penny in!

Shoppin with Mom

Buddies

Lunchtime!

We were visited by a SHARK!!

Picking an animal at Build-a-Bear! (A 45 minute process!)

Choosing a sound to go in her pink unicorn. She almost chose the Lion ROAR!! But she decided on the horse whinny. Whew.

The fluff machine was the coolest.

Washing "Horsie" in the air bath! (A 30 minute process!)

Finding more friends at Build-a-Bear

Next stop, candy shop. Very happy about that sucker!

A happy girl huggin her new horsie, heading home

Three minutes later...

Prayer Support

Would you please consider praying for Jared this week? For the past couple of months he has had a second shift position at Delta. He used to have first shift, which we loved. But we have both had a very difficult time with this new schedule. We don't get a whole lot of time together, and he really misses being home during the girls waking hours.

Delta is doing a "realignment" this week, which basically means everyone looses their current position and they all re-bid on the positions in order of seniority. Jared is the last person to bid (least seniority), and we are really hoping and praying that he gets the option to go back to first shift. Please join us in that prayer. We are so thankful that Jared still has a job, and trust God will put him where He wants him. Thank you!

21 Weeks

Our Thanksgiving weekend was fantastic, and Bug got plenty to eat :)
I have had a very normal week again, with the exception of ending each day completely exhausted. Exhausted doesn't even describe it. I'm not sure there is a sufficient word. I never remember feeling this tired the first two pregnancies (for good reason I suppose), and didn't even feel so devoid of energy after giving birth! I am praying I regain some level of energy back, or I'm not sure I'll stay sane til April!

Bug is getting stronger each day, and I am starting to feel little kicks through my belly now. S/he is also getting more active, and actually kept me up at about 3am the other night with a kickboxing routine.

Craving of the Week: turkey, of course

Ultrasound

Meet Bug!

You can see the umbilical cord coming out of Bug's tummy

Another beautiful profile

Cute little feet!

Unfortunately, we didn't get very many good photos to take home, but here are the best. The ultrasound went well, and Bug appeared perfectly healthy. The sonographer was very thorough, which we were thankful for, and it was interesting to know what we were looking at the whole time. However, we were pretty disappointed/frustrated that she refused to do a 3D ultrasound for us (which Lakeview advertises and one of the bonuses we were really looking forward to). She gave us a very lame excuse about babies at 20 weeks look "really freaky" in 3D (There are so many things wrong with that statement and I was pretty enraged. Babies NEVER look freaky, they are beautiful at every stage Lady!!) We pressed it further and she said maybe she would try. When the ultrasound came to an end, she said "Oh, looks like the arm is in front of the face, which means I can't do 3D." WHAT? I'm trying to keep perspective here, that Bug is healthy and that we even got to have an ultrasound and see him/her at all. I was just really excited about seeing Bug in 3D.

20 Weeks

It is incredible that so much time has passed, and I am already at the halfway point, but it also seems like forever ago that we took that test. One thing is for sure, time goes faster when you have little ones to distract you. My mind is never fully focused on Bug, until I lay down at night and all the distractions of the day are quiet. It is one of my favorite parts of the day, when I can just lay in bed, quietly, and feel Bug moving and squirming.

We cannot wait for Wednesday morning, when have our ultrasound! I will be sure to post those first glimpses of Bug!

Boy, this pregancy sure is different than the first time. Its amazing how 3 years (and two pregnancies) can age the body so fast. I have aches and pains every time I get off the couch, and my back has been acting up frequently. I have to say that I, in general, feel a little more normal this week though. My appetite has leveled off, and my energy level is somewhat normal (what is "normal" when you have two toddlers?!). I have, however, begun to have trouble sleeping. No matter how exhausted I am, I have a really hard time falling asleep. Uber annoying.

Craving of the week: Dunn Brothers Decaf Vanilla Iced Nirvana (Watch out! 26 grams of fat! That one should last me til delivery!)

Married to McGyver

Last night, my husband got locked out of his car.

To unlock his car, he used:
2 coat hangers,
the cone end of a light wand,
a rolled up newspaper,
a tin of snus,
a windshield wiper,
3 forks and a spoon.

Out of Stock

I have been thoroughly unimpressed with the retail market lately. It seems like every time I go to the store to pick up one little thing, it is out of stock.
Or they don't carry that item anymore.
Or they just don't carry that item.

This is frustrating enough in itself, but is magnified when you have two children under two to put coats and shoes on, carry up the endless flight of steps, strap one into the car, chase the other one across the yard and rip her off the tricycle, strap that crying child in, drive to the nearest store, unstrap both said children, strap one into the cart, carry other (heavier) child because she refuses to walk, finally get into the store, walk to the complete opposite side of the building (it seems like everything I ever need is across the ENTIRE store), search the aisles in vain, search the STORE for a staff member to help, only for them to point me to the aisle I was just in, explain that I already looked, and hear "Oh, I don't think carry that item then." (Really? You won't even look it up in your computer to verify? Do you realize I will kill you if you make me drag these kids all across town looking for this item, and then find it here next week?)

It seems to me that recently, stores have not only been struggling to keep their shelves fully stocked, but also to keep quality (*ahem* helpful) employees on staff too.

19 Weeks

I am still very hungry this week. A little bit of energy has returned, but I still get tired pretty darn quick too. So, if I could, I would probably lay in bed for a lot of the day, with a plate of food, and switch off sleeping and eating... But that is FAR from reality (which is a good thing). I run behind those two precious girls of mine all day, non-stop, and usually only enjoy the luxury of a nap on Jared's days off. (Thank you Honey!!)

Buggers has been kicking more and more and I love every single kick! It always puts a smile on my face to feel that little babe moving around. I believe everything is growing as normal (meaning getting bigger!) because it is getting pretty uncomfortable at this point to lay on my tummy at night. It is also starting to get just a little harder to get up off the floor and even the couch. In effort to ease some of these discomforts (esp as I get bigger) I have started stretching for about a half an hour a day, which I have found very helpful. It also seems to give me a little more energy, and I sleep much better at night. I am just more comfortable in general.

Shinae brought over a load of my pregnancy clothes this week (that I had lent to her during her pregnancy) which I am SO thankful for!! I have been enjoying much clothing-related-comfort this week!

We are getting very excited for our ultrasound scheduled for next week! Can't wait to see Bug!

Craving of the week: asparagus, steak (which I might add, where both purchased for me and cooked by my faithful husband at 11:30pm one night this week!)

Sophia's Art Project

So yesterday, while Mommy was packing up the Operation Christmas Child boxes, Sophia decided it was time for an art project. She opened up the junk drawer (which is a new trick) and pulled out a...

Yeah, that's right. A SHARPIE.

Anyone who has been to our house knows that we have a back room that is around the corner from the kitchen. Since we are pretty much the coolest parents ever (or perhaps that there is a lack of storage-- I'll let you decide), we have two mattresses laying on the floor in the back room, to play and jump on. The girls love it back there and go play in there together all the time. Sophia musta thought they were a little boring and needed some artistic touches...

These pants need some blue in them too... and my fingernails... and toenails...

...oh! and Jazlyn's face... and scalp!!

Mommy cried a little.

18 Weeks

Can you believe it?? 18 weeks already! I know I've said it before, but this pregnancy has really been flying by. I can't complain. Forty weeks of pregnancy is a long time, so when some of that time goes by quickly, there is still plenty more to enjoy. :)

In latest Bug news, s/he has really been working on leg strength!! I have started to feel clear kicks this week! At the beginning of this week, I mostly felt the kicks at night, and when I was laying down, but at this point I feel that adorable little Bug kicking me all throughout the day. And the best news of all, Jared got to feel Bugger kick too... twice!!

I have been very hungry and tired again this week. I think Bug must be growing a little extra.

I have my ultrasound scheduled for November 25th when we get to see our little Bug for the first time!

Craving of the Week: french onion soup, anything savory/salty, anything made on Top Chef (that show always makes me hungry!)

Twice Chewed

Last night for my birthday party, the family went out to Donatelli's in White Bear Lake. Uncle Josh went over to say hi to Jazlyn when we were all at the table...

Josh: Is that...? Is she chewing GUM??

Jared, convulsing with disgust, digs in her mouth and discovers that our one-year-old is indeed chewing a wad of gum. I'll let you guess where it came from.

GROSS!!

17 Weeks

This week has been a good one! Bug has been craving healthi-er foods, which is good for both of us. I have also found that my thirst for water has increased (It's always been difficult for me to drink plain water, so this is also good!)

I am growing daily, and you'll find me each morning digging through the closet in search of a pair of jeans that fit decently. I have been employing the hairband method, as well as the Bella band now, as none of my pants fit buttoned anymore. :)

I have felt in good health this week too! No nauseau! I have been extremely tired again this week, but I think that is due to spending the past 3 weekends away from home.

This past weekend I went to a quilting retreat, and had the chance to make a new baby blanket for Bug! I think it could be appropriate for a boy or girl, right??

Craving of the Week: Chili