24 Weeks

24 Weeks


Look how happy I look in that first picture! I can't even believe I took it because I had on no makeup, my hair was pulled back in my normal style (which is not really a style), I had on some of my oldest pants that really should be thrown away because they are wearing out. Yet look at that round belly, isn't it just darling? Ok maybe not that cute but do you see a stretch mark? Nope. Do you see a belly button popped out - well almost. I guess my biggest complaint this week, and yes I have many but we can just talk about my major one, is the comfort. I have come to realize that I hunch over a lot. This does not allow my stomach to have enough room, therefore causing me discomfort. I am trying to work on sitting up straight. It is even worse when I drink or eat a lot of food where I almost have no room to function. But there is a silver lining to this cloud, I only have -16 more weeks right?

In other news, Summer is amazing. She let me take my new favorite photo of her this past week.


Look at how stinking cute she is! The plan was to get a dirty photo so we took a bunch of brown eye shadow and rubbed it randomly around her face. Then I saw the hat and coat and thought .... ya! She was making the cutest faces trying to get a "dirty" look. I am going to get this printed - I am just not sure how yet, canvas or regular or AH decisions.

Vacation

California. Huntington Beach. Aquarium of the Pacific. Disneyland. We did it all, three days of fast fun. I will share a bunch of pictures and sum up my thoughts, good and bad, on each section of our trip.

Huntington Beach: Cold, Windy, Dirty, a lot of walking, humid, but overall we made it work. Does that sound like a complaint? As we were sitting on the beach we asked ourselves, why do we do this again? I think we might go to a nice hotel with a nice pool next year :o) Don't get me wrong, we had a nice time, Summer really enjoyed the waves, eventually, but I hate being cold, I hate cold water, I hate wind, I am not good with the sun, I hate being dirty/sandy ... you get the idea.





Aquarium of the Pacific. No complaints here, we needed something to do in the morning while it was still cold and overcast at the beach so we killed the morning and had a pretty good time. Afterward we had lunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, which just seemed right.




Disneyland. Overcrowded, a lot of walking, more walking, hot afternoon, but really how can we complain, Summer had a blast! She got to meet 5 princesses and a prince and a few other characters. We went to our hotel during the hot afternoon and hung out and swam then we headed back to the park in the evening to ride a few more rides. If you can believe her favorite ride was the roller coaster! It was fun, just a long day. The day we left we first had breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen and that, while very expensive, was so worth it. Summer got to eat with Balou, Chip, Dale, Aladdan, Pluto, Goofy, she really enjoyed seeing them all.





So that sums up our trip, it was nice but hard for us old timers :o)

I am DONE!

Once again I am reminded how each pregnancy can be very different. Yesterday I had a very busy day, I ran 3 errands (bank, bank, post office) before 10, taught a toddler dance class, went to the gym and attended the zumba class, and took Summer to her dance class. On the way to her dance class I noticed my stomach getting hard over and over. I think that is what they call Braxton Hicks, which is basically a contraction that gets your body ready for the real thing eventually. They are more common in second+ pregnancies and can occur early or anytime, or not at all. I had them with Summer towards the end and never realized what they were until I was being monitored and the nurse asked if I just felt that contraction - a contraction I thought was the baby turning. Anyway as I was driving to her dance class I started having these contractions over and over, my stomach was a hard ball. I didn't think it was normal to have so many so I called the on call doctor and after about an hour I got a call back. After I told him what was going on, and by then having this hard stomach for over 2 hours, he suggested I go into Labor and Delivery to be monitored. The nice thing about being pregnant is you basically skip the emergency room and go right up without a bunch of messy paperwork. So while being monitored in Labor and Delivery I assumed the monitors were picking up these contractions only to be told after 30 minutes that nothing was showing. I was really shocked, was it just constipation? Then the nurse moved the monitor and the contractions finally showed up. They weren't that bad but enough to see on the monitors. Since they kept coming the doctor prescribed medication to stop them and came in to have a look around. *I must say the doctor remembered that I have a heart issue, or anxiety, because he prescribed the medication that would lower my blood pressure instead of giving me the one that would cause a rapid heart beat. Way to go doc!* I also gave an urine sample when I arrived, and that came back that I was only a little dehydrated so they gave me a bag of fluids. The doctor looked at my cervix (I think that is what it was) and it was all closed, he then measured my cervix (I think that's what he measured) to find it was a 4 which was really ideal and meant that these contractions were not doing anything to put me into labor. He did swab my uterus (or cervix or something) and did find I have a bacteria infection which is most likely causing my contractions so now I am on antibiotics for the next 7 days. They taste horrible by the way. I am drinking a ton of water too and not doing as much today. I think I was in Labor & Delivery for at least 3 hours, I finally got home around 11:00 pm. Overall I guess I am glad I went, I am on antibiotics, but how annoying. So far this pregnancy is just giving me so many problems, and now I am too scared to continue working out so I am going to just try to do less I guess. And where did I get this bacteria infection anyway, even though the doctor said it is very normal in pregnant women, I can't avoid it if I don't know where it came from ...

The doctor did say the baby was just barely viable, which is really scary because I don't want to deliver a baby at 23 weeks. So now I am home trying not to stress and relax, which isn't easy.

And I have yet to blog about our vacation! We went to the beach, the aquarium, the beach again, Disneyland, and you can bet I took a ton of photos, but those will have to wait until tomorrow. I guess I have been really busy and active the past week, I have done a ton of walking, and I can tell myself that I am pregnant not disabled but the truth is being pregnant makes everything so much harder.

Is it November yet?

22 Weeks

I am more than half way yet it still feels like I have forever to go. I have gained 13 pounds so far, and since I only want to gain 26 I am halfway there. I only gained 26 pounds with Summer so hopefully I only gain 26 with this little girl. I am having a "better" day today, not really feeling sick, so it will probably be back the next day or the day after. I still haven't gone and got any tums, but the heartburn usually only bothers me in the middle of the night, which seems odd, but I have been able to fall right back to sleep. I have heard that eating an apple will help and I really should try that first huh.

Here are some pictures of my 22 week belly.

Here is a comparison with Summer.

I don't think I look a lot different, maybe longer if that is possible. I have had a few people tell me that I am hiding my belly when I tell them I am pregnant - really, is it even possible for me to hide this big thing? I guess I carry my belly well :o)

I first started blogging when I was 26 weeks pregnant with Summer - I am almost there, can't wait to start comparing my blogs from that pregnancy to this one.

One last thing, names. I think I have one! I haven't told anyone except Kris and Summer, Summer likes it but she is so easy going, Kris - I think it will grow on him. Of course this might not be the name but for now I like knowing I have a possible option. Here are a few names I have liked so far:

Pepper
Savannah
Blossom
Harper
Honey
Kori
Pippi

I want a unique name but not so strange. I don't know why it is so hard this time but it sure is. I guess I still have 18 weeks to pick something out, so I am trying not to stress.

Imagine

Imagine floating in a bubble of water - not being able to see anything but darkness, not having to breathe air, not hearing anything but muffled sounds. I can't imagine it, but I guess if I was in that situation I would have nothing else to do but move around too. It just seems to unreal to me to think that we all started out as nothing more than sperm and egg, tiny little microscopic pieces that came together and successful created a life, and now look at us, or at least me, 130 pounds of flesh and bones and I am doing it again. Well maybe a little more than 130 pounds right now.

I took this picture this morning for my macro what is it contest and this is how I feel right now.

I have no energy, I want to go lay down but I am not sleepy. I have no desire to do anything, no drive, no push. I feel a little sick but not enough to do anything about. I feel drained and thirsty but I can only go pee so much because it takes energy to walk to the bathroom. I know it is going to be worth it but right now it is hard getting through the days most days. I am normally a person who is always on the go. There are things I need to do, like go buy tums, but I just put it off as long as I can.

I also need to take some good photos of Summer, now that she is 4 I need to get out the big lights and white paper and really showcase her face. If only I felt like it ...

But don't pity me, it could be much worse and for as much as I complain I am actually doing fine, my spirits are still up, I have so much to look forward to, I love life and know things will change because they always do.

What a Week!

This has been one of the busiest weeks ever. On Monday Summer got her new bed. On Tuesday I took Summer to her first cheerleading class. Well actually it was the third class but we missed the first two, and it is only a 6 week program. She really enjoyed the class so I will probably sign her up again after this course ends. On Wednesday, well that was the BIG day, my little baby turned 4! We had a princess tea dress up party at 10:30 where Summer and 5 other little girls celebrated in style! It was a lot of fun and very cute :o)



After the princess party some friends stays to swim, and then we relaxed and waited for the real party. It was at the bouncy house and didn't start until 5:30. 20 little kids bounced and ran for over an hour, it was fun to watch the energy but I was kinda glad I didn't have to jump myself.

and yes, this was the cutest birthday outfit ever! Summer really didn't like it, luckily as we were entering the bouncy place some moms were leaving and they commented on how cute it was, so that helped. I think this may be the last year I am able to pick out her outfit :o(

On Thursday Summer had her 4 year well check up. Weighing in at 41.5 pounds, measuring 42.5 inches tall, still in the 90+ % for both, she is as healthy as can be. When she turned 3 she was 37.5 pounds and 39.5 inches so she gained 4 pounds and 3 inches in one year. She was also lucky enough to get three vaccines! Well, maybe lucky isn't the right word, but I really played it up and she was looking forward to it, until the first needle hit her soft chunky little thigh, her face had such a look of shock and she almost lost it, I, on the other hand, was trying my hardest not to lose it myself. I don't know how people can watch their children get shots, it was insane! She didn't end up crying, even with all 3 pokes, I was so proud of her. Later in the day one of her legs was sore :o( but as of today she seems fully recovered.

That brings us to today. 22 weeks pregnant and still quite ill. People always say that every pregnancy is different and I didn't want to believe that, I wanted to be completely over my sickness at 14 1/2 weeks like I was with Summer, but that is not the case :o( I do have good days and I really want to know why, is it something I eat, but I haven't figured it out, and to make matters worse I am starting to get heartburn. I have tums from my pregnancy with Summer but they expired a few years ago so I haven't taken any, I need to get to the store and buy some more. The good news is the little squirmy girl inside me is still very active so I don't worry as much as I could, of course I have my moments and I am still not convinced I will end up with a baby in November, but at least I am closer to the end. I might have a name picked out but we will see. I also stopped taking the daily baby aspirin because after two days I started having anxiety (thinking I was having a heart attack).

We head to the beach next week for our "official" summer vacation, I think I am looking forward to it, I guess we will see how it goes, hopefully I have good days while we are there. Until then ...

Majorly Behind!

So much has happened in such a short time, so let me try to catch up! First, we have had a lot of thunderstorms and a ton of rain. It has been nice, all but the high humidity, and by high I mean like 30%, which isn't high for some people but for Vegas it is crazy and almost unbearable! Here is a short video showing an afternoon pouring from this past weekend, it came out of nowhere, lasted a good 15 minutes, and was gone. Next we bought a new pool, a big pool, the kind you inflate the ring and it fills up. It is like 4 feet deep (almost) and 14 feet across (I think, bad with measurements), so Summer has been enjoying some afternoon dips.

Summer also had rehearsals all last week for her own TV Show, she is going to be on a dance show on a local Spanish channel with her dance class. She had 5 days to practice with 5 other girls and she ended up doing amazing. Remember she is only 3, well for a few more days. Here is that video.

The same day we had a wedding to attend, Summer was a flower girl and let me just tell you, she did amazing! She didn't practice but we did watch youtube videos so she knew what she was suppose to do and boy did she ever do it! Of course I took a video of that too!

Now we are caught up to today, two days before my little baby girl turns 4. Today her big girl bed arrived. I think I am going to cry later when I am alone .... anyway here are some photos of her big girl room and bed.




Tomorrow we clean and go shopping because on Wednesday she has a princess tea party. So much yet to do, yet I am still sitting here, so I better go, more later!

My Own TV Show

You know when you watch an episode of House, or Grey's Anatomy, or any of those doctor shows, and the patient is told they need a certain procedure but they refuse, and the doctors are all mad and try to find a way to trick them into taking it, and you - the audience totally agree with the doctors, well I kinda feel like that evil patient that isn't willing to take a daily shots for a controversial clotting disorter that I have. It helps that the doctor admits it is a controversial treatment and he admits he is a very aggressive doctor, but it still sucks because if something does happen to this otherwise perfectly healthy baby it will be because of me and my body and my choices. All I can do is hope that by keeping things natural everything will work out, and hopefully I get lucky.

So if luck is in my favor, good luck that is, then we are going to welcome our second daughter into our family sometime in November. Her 20 week anatomy ultrasound today was perfect, she is happily moving all the time, which I was told is a really good thing. It means she is getting a lot of exercise. The doctor did say that it could also be because a) I am so thin and b) because my placenta is in the back so there isn't much blocking her movements. Of course being the worrier that I am, I figured she was moving so much because she was/is in agonizing pain, but I like the doctors explanation much better.

I got to see this little girl wiggle and move around for a good 20+ minutes today. I saw all kinds of body parts, her brain, her heart, her legs, hands, feet, head, nose, pretty much every little part on her body. The technician was pretty good at pointing things out to me. Oh - and I found out her second toe is longer than her first toe, which is just like my toe! I don't think Summer has a longer second toe, like her daddy, so maybe this little girl will have my feet. I don't know if that is a good thing or not, but very interesting.

Now the hard part, waiting 20 more weeks and finding a name. I really can't complain much, besides being ill I have had a fairly easy pregnancy. I mean being ill really sucks but at least I haven't had any complications. And if I hadn't turned 35 I would never have known about my controversial clotting disorder and I can pretend I am still 34 and be oblivious to that piece of information.

In other not so good news, I found out last Thursday that my OB doctor on Base, the one I picked because I would have one doctor follow and deliver me, will be gone on a two week TDY right before I deliver. Chances are he will not be around for the delivery. He wasn't happy, I am annoyed but that is a ways out and between now and then anything can happen. Maybe I will be late and he will be back, or maybe I will be early and he will still be here. Now we just have to wait ...

Brussel Sprouts

I love this video of Summer trying to eat a second brussel sprout. She ate the first one.

Summer & Ana

Born 13 days apart, Ana was actually due before Summer but Summer came early, Casey and I met when we were pregnant, so early that we didn't even know we were having girls yet. These girls have known each other since they were a few months old, they always get along, love playing with each other, are as different as can be yet have a lot of similarities.

Look at them now, playing together, jumping, laughing, squealing like little girls, and hugging :o)





I think my favorite picture of them together so far, they are so happy, this was a real hug and they are both looking at the camera!

Hopefully they stay friends forever!

Ready for the 4th of July?

I guess we are ready for the 4th, with so much else going on we aren't really doing much this holiday, maybe a BBQ and sitting out front in the driveway popping legal fireworks while we watch illegal fireworks go off around us in the neighborhood. We did make a project together for the holiday with red and blue paint and our hands and feet - well Summer's hand and foot! I also started taking pictures again of my beautiful little girl, two nights this week, I am on a roll!



and I have been making hair bows, this one is for the holiday, wouldn't you say?

I hope everyone else has a wonderful 4th of July!