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Baby #2 #35 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

IMG_4537 Ahh…. 35 Weeks. The milestone of ’35 weeks down and 35 days to go’. 35 days seems like nothing, but 5 weeks still feels like a ways away. At home, I’m feeling like I don’t have a whole lot to do to prep for your arrival. Your room is ready, I have diapers and wipes, nursing stuff ready and he fabric shells of all of your gear is washed. The three things I have left to do include: getting a hospital bag packed, buying an outfit to bring you home in and buckling the car seat base into the car. This is miles ahead of where we were with Lexi considering we hadn’t even had a shower at this point.

What I’m not ready for is stepping away from work and all of the things that come with a having a newborn. I’m ready to have a break from the craziness of work and just be at home with our family, but there is so much going on that only I am aware of and need to start to mind dump my projects onto others so things don’t fall apart when I leave. I’m also slightly disappointed to be leaving as I feel like there are a couple of projects I’ve been working on for the past 6 months that are finally starting to make headway and now I’m going to have to step away and wont’ be able to close the loop on everything. This is such a different mindset than I had with Lexi and honestly surprises me. I’ve never been so engaged and passionate about a job before. I’ve always been passionate about doing a good job, but haven’t been attached to what I’ve been doing. I can already tell that it will make going back to work so much easier than with Lexi.

I’m also not prepared for life with a newborn. Lexi was so easy on us, but I know I can’t expect that you will be like that and almost feel very naive of what to expect. I’m not ready to have lots of sleepless nights and wake up at 5-6 am everyday for the next 6+ years. I’m not ready for the amount of time I will need to spend with you and how that will change my relationship with Lexi. The other thing I don’t feel prepared for is the amount of love I will have for you. It is so hard to understand and believe that I could love another little babe as much as I love your sister.

The pain I was feeling last week when I walked or stood on one foot has gone away, and been replaced with the pregnancy waddle and a non-stop need to go to the bathroom. I constantly feel like I need to go, and that if I don’t go I may have an accident. This could also be a result of drinking more water, but I think it has a lot to do with you just getting bigger. I also subconsciously groan when I stand up and need a little assistance by pushing off on my own legs or holding onto something when I get up from the floor. I also have a hard time going up stairs while holding Lexi.

Sleep is getting more difficult. I have a harder time staying asleep and mobility is limited. The thought of rolling over is comparable to the idea of running a marathon–terrifying! In general, I have very littler energy. I’m working hard to try and not let that effect Lexi and have her watch TV every night after work, even though that’s what I want to do.

I’m looking forward to next week when we have another ultra-sound and get a better progress update on how things are going. 36 weeks feels like a big mental milestone.

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 34 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

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The bump continues to get bigger every week. I have a couple of defined stretch marks to the left of my belly button and it looks alike a couple developing on the right side. There are 3-4 lines on each side and make about 2 inches long. My belly button still remains an ‘innie’ although it is starting to appear flatter.

This past week was interesting. On Sunday, Daddy and I went to a movie for one of the first times in over a year. It was such a nice treat to 1.) see a movie and 2.) see it in a theater. Grandma B and Papa watched Lexi and after, Lexi and I sat in the hot tub. Papa was nice enough to turn the temp down so it was safe for me to go in. While I was in there, it felt great, but almost immediately after, I felt more pelvic pressure and a little pain every time I would put pressure onto a foot.

This pain continued throughout the week and had me a little concerned. Did my water break or get a really small leak? What was making me feel so crappy? Then on Tuesday, I had a couple of real, painful contractions, which had me very concerned. There were only a couple so I’ve coupled it up against dehydration and just trying to do too much. Mental note to myself that nothing at work is worth having you arrive early or put onto bed rest. Must take better care of myself.

Overall, work continues to be absolutely insane. Being down two-and-a-half people on our team of 4 is a killer. I’m working ~15 hours a day and working on a project that is pretty complex and brand new to me, so I’m a little worried I may be missing something or with the aggressive timelines may not meet the deadline. Hoping that everything falls into place and things settle down in the next two weeks when our new team members start.

Other updates around you: sleep continues to be pretty good. I wake up around 4 to go to the bathroom. Just not feeling like I’m getting enough sleep. Your movement continues to be aggressive. Lots of stretching, hiccups and kicking of my internal organs verses the outside.

At the doctor’s appointment this morning, your heartbeat was the lowest it has ever been, 133–which has me leaning on the boy side of the gender again. The doctor also thought you were sleeping which may explain the lower heart rate. Everything else seems to be going well. I did have her check me to make sure you hadn’t dropped or any kind of progression had been made and she confirmed that everything looks as it should for 34 weeks. Weight gain is at 17 lbs.

I think that is it for now.

Love, Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 33 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear little babes,

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Another week is checked off the list. I can’t decide if time is going fast or slow. It is hard to believe it is the middle of January and I only have to wait 7 or 8 weeks to meet you. It feels like the last 30 weeks or so have gone by in a flash, yet when I think about last June when we found out we were expecting you, it feels like another lifetime.

In general, work is insanely busy right now so I’m hoping these last few weeks feel like they go fast. I’m excited to meet you and see how you blend into our family.

This past week, the weirdness in my hands and feet has gotten more intense. They feel very dry regardless of how much lotion I put on and like they need to be massaged. However, after I’m done rubbing them, they don’t feel better. It is very much like restless leg syndrome in my feet. Wearing socks to bed helps–specifically, ones that have compressed arch supports. I remember this same thing with Lexi–which ended up turning into ICP, we’ll see if the same thing happens this time, or it is just a weird side effect of pregnancy.

Overall, I continue to feel pretty good and fairly comfortable. I still have a limited range of positions I can sit or lay at to feel like I can breath normally, which isn’t a big deal. Sleep is still going well. Eating is kind of up in the air. I do eat, but don’t have a large appetite and get full pretty quickly. For the most part, nothing gets my mouth watering–just eating out of necessity. Heartburn has been fairly minimal as well as general hip pain and swelling that I was experiencing last time.

I don’t have the time to analyze and day dream like I did with Lexi, which I think made those last 8 weeks with her go by slowly. I’m hoping these next 7 to 8 weeks will be quickly.

Overall, i feel like your movements have become much more intense over the last week or two. Kicks, rolls and you stretching out are much stronger and felt more intensely than they used to. I can now also identify different body parts. You’re head down and can tell the difference between your feet stretching out and your hands.

Until next week…

Love, Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 32 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Sweet Little Baby,

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I’m starting this weeks update with the same phrase as last weeks, ‘What a difference a couple of days can make.’ This week was definitely smoother than last and included ringing in the new year. The year we get to meet you! So exciting. Work was busy all week and it was so nice having New Years Day off. I was able to take down and pack away all of our Christmas decorations AND get your bedroom ready for you.

Earlier in the week, we moved Lexi to her new big girl bedroom and so far she is doing great. This also enabled me to move a couple things around in your room and get the newborn baby tubs out. Your clothes are folded in your drawers and hung in your closet and Lexi’s toys all have a home. Overall, I’m feeling much more prepared. I even feel that it won’t be a big deal to if the basement isn’t bedroom finished by the time you’re born–which is a huge mental shift for me in general, but especially from last week.

Onto your progress. I had a doctors appointment this morning and you continue to appear very healthy! Your heart rate is at 155–which is another checkmark on the ‘your a girl’ list. It isn’t always the case, but girls heart rates tend to be a little higher and you’ve consistently been in the 150-160 range, which from my understanding is on the higher side of the scale. Overall, I’m about 50/50 in thinking your a girl or a boy. Lexi continues to refer to you as her sister. Completely unprompted, she was talking about how she wants to share her new books with her sister. Her confidence in you being a girl is definitely impacting my perception.

Sleep continues to be pretty good. I usually need to get up once a night to go to the bathroom, but on the nights that I’m able to make it through the whole night are glorious. No complaints in the heartburn department. Occasionally, I’ll have a little bit, but remember it being much more frequent and intense with Lexi. My fingers have started to swell. I removed one of my wedding rings, but am still able to wear the engagement/wedding so nothing too bad on that side of things. Energy hasn’t been too bad this week either, but that could also be a result of going into work later than normal as it was a holiday week so I was getting more sleep. Shortness of breath continues–most suprisenly when I’m just sitting. I’m pretty sure you are sitting much higher than Lexi was as I don’t have the hip pain or pelvic pressure I did with her. Overall, I feel pretty comfortable and am not impatient to meet you. I’m sure this will all change over the next 4 weeks. Mostly, i’m intrigued by how you’re going to arrive. Are you going to be breech and require a planned C-section, will ICP develop again and require an induction, which may or may not require a C-section, will you come early, or late, will I be at work? Will my water break first or will I start having contractions. Will you come fast and not enable an epidural? Will I be able to deliver at Maple Grove or need to go to another hospital, will Dr. G be able to deliver you? Will you come in the middle of the night, what will we do with Lexi? Really the scenarios are endless and it feels like they are always running through my head.

One other small note–I’ve had a couple of evenings where it feels like my feet almost have restless leg syndrome. They feel really dry (even if I have just put lotion on them) and feel like they need to be messaged. The feeling intensifies at night. I also vaguely remember this feeling building before the itching came with Lexi. Not to say the itching is coming, but just documenting for my own sake for potential future needs. Dr. G suggested wearing compression suggested wearing compression socks at night, so I’ll give that a try and see if it does anything for me.

One more two-week appointment and then on to our weekly appointments!

Love,

Mama

 

Day to Day, Lexi

Lexi-isms

peanutsmiles

Sweet Girl,

I swear I haven’t forgotten about posts for you. I have drafts of your monthly posts all the way from August that I need to publish. They are just more involved and I need to find time to finish them.

In the mean time, a few funny things about life with you as of late.

As I was setting the Christmas tree up and put the first section into the bottom stand and the branches bounced down, you exclaimed–“Wook Mama, tree has wings!”

Also in relation to Christmas, we have some metal reindeer that sit near the fireplace and they have some bells around their neck. When you first noticed them, you excitedly told me, “I jingle their balls.”

You’re very confident that the baby is going to be your sister and when we ask you what we should name her, you just say ‘Girl’. Along those lines, over the past few days, with no prompting on my behalf at all, you like to tell me the things you’re going to share with your sister. Randomly, you started talking about how you were going to share books with sister and your pals. I asked if you were going to share Giraffee with your sister and you responded sternly, ‘No, Giraffee mine’.

You love anything and all things trains these days, and every train is named Thomas.

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You learned how to open doors this week, which has made things a little more interesting as it is harder to keep you out of certain areas. While celebrating Christmas with Daddy’s family, you opened the door to the basement and went down their to get a toy. I saw that the door was open and the light was on, but didn’t hear any activity going on down there so I shut off the light and closed the door. I quickly learned that you had been down there. Thankfully, you went to the stairs, turned the light back on and came up and started banging on the door. Because the height of the stair is lower, you can’t reach the door handle. I felt pretty terrible about that, but was glad you didn’t freak out at all.

This is your second night sleeping in your big girl bed and so far so good! You haven’t gotten out yet–just gone straight to bed.

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You can say your ‘L’s but most of the time they come out as ‘W’s’. ‘Wook, Wexi, Wight, Woud, Wips’

Grandma B gave you a Santa nesting doll and you love to play with it. For some reason, you refer to the smallest one as ‘Baby Boy’.

We had some Christmas show on one morning and Santa came on the screen and you stood up on the couch started clapping your hands and saying ‘whaa-whoo’ ‘Whaa-hoo’!

Thats all for now my love bug. I have so many more thoughts for you around becoming a big sister and how our relationship is going to change. I’ll find some time in the next couple weeks to share.

Love,

Mama

 

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 31 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Baby,

What a difference a week can make! Last week I was all cool, calm and collected–this week, I’m a ball of nerves. I feel like there is so much to do before you arrive and I’m not ready at all! The biggest thing on the to-do list is getting the basement bedroom done so we can get our bedroom and the rest of the house ready for you to arrive. Lexi has some fairly large toys and I want them to go into the basement to help make things less cluttered, but that can’t happen until the building materials are out of the way. I also want to get Lexi’s room complete and move her from her crib into a big-girl bed. Some serious nesting going on here!

This week, I’ve also had a sudden shift in your gender. Up until this last week, I’ve been 99% confident that you are a boy. Then this week, I had a couple slight thoughts that you might be a girl and those inclinations have only continued to grow. I’m about 80% sure you’re a boy and 20% you could be a girl. Cousin Addie predicted you are a girl and has a pretty good track record on gender predictions. Lexi also talks about her sister on a regular basis without any prompting from us. For example today, we were looking at books and she gathers them all up and walks away and tells me she shares books with sister. Daddy also thinks you’re a girl. I looked at some belly pictures of me with Lexi and I would say that I’m carrying you the same way I carried her. Low and very egg shaped.

My hormones got the best of me this week. Overall, I’m a lot less patient while I’m pregnant and unfortunately I think Lexi gets the raw end of the deal–at least more so than anyone else. I just don’t have the energy to be firm with her and end up giving in to her requests more often than I should–especially when she puts up a stink. Which has only taught her to do it more often to get what she wants. The worst two situations are getting her to go to the bathroom and put her boots and jacket on. After an epic 45 minute battle of getting boots and jacket on–I was completely beat. Plus, I had just hosted Christmas for Daddy’s family the day before and was exhausted. I get home and Daddy asks me how I was, and I just burst into tears. I felt stretched to the brim in everything going on in life. I was thinking about two strangers that died in a car accident the day before (I know, odd considering I didn’t see it or know these people, but just kept feeling bad for their families and thinking what if that would have been myself and Lexi in that car or Daddy). I degress…. overall, physically I’m feeling pretty good. Emotionally, I’m feeling a bit stretched.

Hoping this next week levels out.

Love,

Mama

Chirstmas, Lexi

Christmas 2014

peanutsmiles

Sweet Babes,

Merry Christmas.

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This is officially you’re third Christmas, but the first one where you sort of got what was going on. We had all sorts of celebrations with families and were very busy. The first was with all of mommy’s aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids on papa’s side of the family. I think there were over 80 people there! Santa came to visit you and all of the other great grandchildren. You were pretty scared of him and refused to sit on his lap. It didn’t help that he arrived just as we got there so you were a little overwhelmed in general but after the fact, you talked about him and continued to tell me how much fun you had. The following day, we celebrated with papa, grandma B, and your auntie She-She, Dustin, Uncle Joe-Joe and Auntie Angie. You had a ball playing with papa and brought every gift that anyone opened to show him. IMG_5125

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IMG_5116 Then on Christmas Eve, we went to church. You did pretty good with the exception of needing to go to the bathroom twice during the service. Then we went to celebrate with mommy’s aunts, uncles and cousins on mommy’s side of the family. You loved playing with your girl cousins and had fun singing and dancing with them. IMG_5130

On Christmas morning, you slept until 9 am (even though I was up at 7:30 and excited for you to wake up). As we went down the stairs and you peeked through the spindles on the stairs and saw all the presents under the tree, you said ‘Oh my! Oh my goodness!’ So sweet. The opening was a little different than what I expected. We had to keep putting presents in front of you and try and get you to open them. You weren’t too interested. You mainly wanted to play with the toy kitchen from papa and grandma that we had set up.

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Untitled After a nummy breakfast, we spent the entire day in jammies and playing with your new toys. You loved all the extra attention from mom and dad as we sat down and played with you and weren’t distracted with other house chores as we normally are on a regular day. Untitled

Untitled Finally, on the day after Christmas, we had Daddy’s mom and dad, sisters, cousins and grandparents over. The boys played hockey and you and Ashley and Courtney had so much fun playing legos. Through all of these celebrations, you were spoiled with gifts–but a few of your favorites have been your train set, new Thomas books and your toy kitchen (and food). In addition to the actual celebrations of Christmas–you have really gotten into singing some Christmas songs, specifically: Jingle Bells, Rudolph and You Better Watch Out. You know about 80% of the words and do a pretty good job singing them. You’ll even play your xylophone while you sing. You also loved all of the Christmas lights on people’s houses. As we would drive, you would get very excited and kick you legs and point and say ‘wook mommy, wook’. You also LOVED the train that went around the Christmas Tree and would ask to ‘wake it up’ about 10 times a day. You sat on the ottoman (Lexi’s seat, as you would call it) and watch it go around and around and around. It never got old. We also made and decorated some sugar cookies with Grandma’s help. You were sorta into it but were more interested in just playing with Grandma. Untitled

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Merry Christmas love bug. I hope your excitement for Christmas continues to grow and you able to enjoy the magic of the season.

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 30 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear little babes,

We’ve officially reached the 10 week countdown, which honestly means nothing to me because it still seems like a long time from now. This morning, I had a checkup and things continue to go great. Your heartbeat was between 155 and 165. The doctor said you had the hiccups–even though to me it felt like you were just moving around. I’ve never been able to tell the difference between general movement and hiccups with you or your sister. No other major news to report, my appetite has been pretty minimal lately. Nothing sounds really good to eat and I’m not feeling too hungry either. My lack of energy is becoming more noticeable. I have a hard time getting up in the morning and just generally feel tired or worn out. With that said, I do feel fairly comfortable. I’m sleeping pretty well. I usually get up to go to the bathroom in the wee hours of the morning, but am able to go right back to sleep. I’m loving the fact that I can sort of sleep on my stomach which is seriously A-Mazing! Also my hips haven’t hurt too bad. I’m not sure when they got sore with Lexi, but so far so good.

Christmas is in two days, so Merry Christmas to you little bug–stay cozy!

Love,

Mama

Baby 2, Pregnancy Updates

Baby #2 29 Weeks

peanutsmiles

Dear Babes,

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29 weeks and so many things on my mind.

1. Christmas is less than 10 days away, which seems crazy, but feeling pretty good about the shopping front.

2. Work is insanely busy right now.

3. My first stretch marks are making an appearance.

4. The size of you is starting to impact simple everyday tasks. Like when I’m trying to cook–my belly gets in the way of getting close to the counter. Lexi has a hard time sitting in my lap to read stories (or in the rocking chair). I need to sit down to put socks on. Shaving. I get out of breath going up stairs. I can’t just sit up. Sitting up from laying down can’t be done.

5. There is a very small range of an angle I need to be at to be comfortable. Sitting straight up or too forward makes it difficult to breath, but laying flat is also difficult to breath or any kind of slouching just doesn’t work.

6. A colleague of mine was expecting two weeks ahead of you and they had their baby last week, 10 weeks early. It reminded me how unpredictable you little babes are and how little control we (I) have. Please stay hunkered little one, I’m not ready for you yet and you need more time to grow.

7. Your big sister is absolutely hilarious.

8.  I have no appetite.

9. Sleep is good, but I have no energy. Feeling the drain of the 3rd Trimester.

10. Keep growing and stay healthy. We’re excited to meet you, but not for several weeks!

Love,

Mama

Alexis Monthly Posts, Lexi

Lexi is 2!!

peanutsmiles

Happy Birthday my sweet Lexi!!! It is hard to believe you are already two, and at the same time that you are only two. You feel like you have been a part of our family forever and it feels like you are a lot older than two. I remember being in labor, the excitement, anticipation and series of events like it was yesterday.

Lexi 2nd Birthday 2014-2RT

You bring your Daddy and I so much happiness everyday. Daddy is constantly saying ‘I love the bunks.’ or ‘Lexi is the best/sweetest.’ or ‘I know it’s good for her to sleep, but I can’t wait until she wakes up.’ I couldn’t agree more. I always feel like I am racing to get home from work to see you and can’t get here fast enough. When I am home, I want to be with you whether it is putting you down for bed or being there when you wake up or even having you run errands with me. You have an infectious smile and giggle and the expressions you make and the way you talk with your eyes makes my heart dance with delight. You are a true sparkle of happiness in our lives and your grandparents and aunts and uncles. They love you and can’t get enough time to spend with you.

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Your personality starts to come through more and more everyday. You look identical to me when I was your age (when you see pictures of me, you say ‘That’s Lexi’) but I think you have more of your Dad’s personality. You’re pretty shy with new people and new places but eventually warm up (and love to talk!). You’re are just happy and content with your simple little life. You definitely have a little bit of mine and daddy’s stubbornness in you and don’t seem to be a fan of change. You don’t like to change your clothes (and prefer to keep your jammies on all day) and don’t like getting ready to leave the house.

You are quite the chatter box. You talk in full sentences and it is a rare occurrence for us not be able to understand what you are saying. You love to chat to yourself, talk to your pals, announce what you see whether we are driving or what you see on TV or in books. You also are pretty good at picking up on phrases Mommy and Daddy commonly say such as: ‘how about’ ‘hey’ ‘be careful’ ‘get down from there’ ‘i love you’ ‘sweet dreams’ ‘see you later’ and ‘sure’ ‘don’t touch, only look’, ‘no jumping, only sit on couch’–you’ve even nailed the inflection. Some of my favorite things are when you say large words like ‘dangerous. quesadilla and patient.’

  • Favorite Books: Curious George, books where you need to find things and little princess books
  • Favorite Shows: Thomas, Frozen, Despicable Me, The Little Mermaid and Dinosaur Train
  • Favorite Foods: Anything sweet, Chocolate Milk, Juice, Mac’N Cheese, Raspberries, Blueberries, Yogurt, Popcorn, Ice Cream and Fruit Snacks
  • Favorite Songs: Let it Go, Thrift Shop, Shut up and Dance, Scalliwag, Everything is Awesome
  • Favorite Activities: Dancing, Running Fast, Playing with Pals, Bulldozer and Diggers, Reading books, Talking, Playing with Papa and Grandma, Taking Baths and Singing songs

You’ve been pooping on the potty for months now, but in the last week you’ve been wearing underwear every day and been doing a great job ‘tinkling’ on the potty. You’re even waking up dry from naps and bedtime. Keep it up big girl!

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You can repeat the numbers correctly from 1-15, but I wouldn’t say you really grasp the idea of counting. When we ask you to count, you just repeat the numbers, but don’t necessarily look at the grouping of items and put a number with each object. We’re working on you ABC’s but about 8 letters in you forget the order.

You continue to be a rockstar sleeper. You go down for bed between 9 and 10 and wake up between 8 and 9. You also will take a nap from 2-5 everyday. Daddy and I love to watch you on the monitor when you’re waking up or as you’re falling asleep as you chat, sing songs, move about your crib and just generally be happy for 20-30 minutes before we get you in the morning or before you fall asleep at night.

You know about half of your colors. You’re very good at identifying pink and blue and get green about 80% of the time and red about 50%. You haven’t figured out purple, orange, yellow, black, brown and white yet.

We’re beginning to see what the ‘terrible twos’ are all about. You usually have some kind of tantrum every day. Some days there are many and they are dramatic, other days they are in-frequent and minimal. All of the time, they are about really trivial things like putting your boots on or not allowing you to play with chapstick. You definitely throw more of a stink for me than anyone else. Going to the bathroom and leaving the house are the most common reasons for you to have a tantrum and it usually consists of having your body become limp like a spaghetti noodle, kicking screaming and throwing your body in all directions to make it very difficult for me to get you to do anything. Sometimes, I just walk away and let you have your moment and within about a minute or so,  you come find me for some comfort. It is amazing that I can make you that angry, but you almost instantly forgive me and want some love from to console you.

Lexi, Daddy and I love you so much and feel so blessed to have you in our lives. We can’t wait to see what this next year brings you and how you are going to react to being a big sister.

Love,

Mama