Wow. Two Saturdays ago, my hubby and I were delighted for a day as a family. We met some relatives for breakfast, then had plans to go to the mall together and get some stuff done around the house. Little did I know what would be waiting for me when we stopped back home. I literally walked into my own home and there was a surprise shower being thrown in my honor! I was 100% surprised, not even a hint of anything had ever occurred to me. Most folks don't have a shower for second baby, especially so close together and same gender, so I never thought a thing about not having one. It was an intimate gathering, but very thought out and beautiful. I am so glad to have the memories we made there, and feel like Neil has been honored and that folks are excited to meet him. Oh how I long to see his little face and hear his cries and just get to know him and show him how loved he is.
And my pregnancy update....
How far along? 31 weeks
Maternity clothes? Got a few new tops last week on sale from Old Navy. It's hard to try to be cute and comfy without spending money on clothes you can only wear for a short time.
Weight Gain? + 23 pounds... woah nelly.
Stretch Marks? nope
Sleep? Wake up a few times each night. My limbs fall asleep often. I can't really get comfortable. Also, due to a storm, a weird travel/nap schedule one day, and other factors, I've been up with Ian a lot in the night recently too.
Movement? I pretty much feel like he's trying to bust right out of me. He is SUCH a mover. Literally, at my last ultrasound I asked if he was still breech. She said "nope, look right there, he's head down". Then she moved the wand and measured another part of him and we all watched as he flipped right that moment back to being breech. The tech said she had never seen that happen so quickly, right in front of us, this far along. Oh well, we'll call him "Flipper".
What I Miss? Being able to bend over. When I drop something, I instinctively reach down to get it, only realizing about half way down that I'm being blocked by this belly. Then I strike all kinds of silly poses and squats trying to reach whatever it is. Only once last week did I just look at the item (a sweater Ian had thrown on the floor at Kohls) and said to myself "I'm pregnant, someone else will pick that up". Ya gotta just let it go sometimes....
Symptoms? I don't want to start waddling just yet, but sometimes I feel like I'm going to just tip over with all this extra weight in the front.
Food cravings? FROZEN COKE!!! I mean, I need to install an Iccee machine with the coke flavor up in here. Currently, I just keep a cup of coke freezing in the fridge often. It's the only caffeine I have, and I only have it probably every other day.... but boy, I just crave it. Frozen Lemonade and Root Beer Floats are tasty too... And now I'm thirsty.
Food aversions? None.
Best thing this week? Besides the surprise shower.... I got in Neil's bedsheets and almost have his nursery completed. I'll post pics when it's ready. Nothing too fancy or wild, but just enough difference from Ian's nursery so that this little guy can feel special too. Don't want him developing that middle child syndrome already.
How Ian's doing with everything? Talks to my belly more and more each day. He knows which room is Neil's and we talk with him about what he will teach Neil and what babies are like.
What I’m Looking Forward to? We are going to try to plan a "Babymoon" here in the next couple of weeks. I think we will just be spending one evening at a hotel, with Ian too, visiting friends and swimming in the hotel pool.
Weekly Wisdom? My children are NOT my everything. They are certainly gifts from God, they are certainly the apple of my eye and such a delight to watch grow and learn and love on. I was so made to be a mom, and raising a family is one of the most important things I may ever do. BUT my children are not meant to fulfill me completely, they're not meant to be the only thing I can talk about, the only thing my brain thinks about. I did not vow to my husband "till kids do us part", so keeping my marriage vows of loving him and serving him and honoring him are still very important and I must make the effort to pick showing him my love- even though with kiddos it has become more difficult. I believe God has great plans for my life, beyond what I can even hope for or imagine, and I must be listening close to Jesus to know each next right step on this path.
Milestones? I did pass my 3hr glucose test so yippee for that. I feel more confident with every day that passes that the little guy is happy and healthy and am at peace with however my birth story plays out.
Next Appointment? March 10th I have another ultrasound. If placenta hasn't moved by then, we will schedule a c-section in the books, even though we may scan again just before the section to see if maybe it had moved at that time. So Neil's birthday could be that first week of April.... Crazy!!! Still praying that the placenta moves and I get to "enjoy" a natural labor whenever this guy sees fit to arrive, but I'm definitely open for however the plan is supposed to unfold.
Ian preparing Daddy's Valentine's surprise....
There may be something in the water at church
At my favorite restaurant, celebrating Poppy turning 60!
I will focus on another potty training update soon :) Have a terrific week!
