34 Weeks

Why is it that so many of the "This week, your baby is the size of a..." compare your baby to a variety of squash?  There has to be other large vegetables out there, right?  At 34 weeks, The Bump compares this little lady to a butternut squash. 

I kinda don't mind that comparison  because "butternut" makes me think of "butterball" and "butterball" makes me think of squishy cheeks.

Onto a super exciting pregnancy status update. 

I haven't been sleeping very well this pregnancy, which is totally different from my experience with Camden.  I don't think I had any sleep issues with him until the very end, and this was evidenced by all the whacky pregnancy dreams I had (and shared).  Recently, I must have been sleeping deeply for once because I dreamt that the baby's hand was coming out through my belly button.  Creepy.

Speaking of sleep, I have to do a three point turn when in bed and switching from my right to left side.  I think I previously described this as feeling like at turtle stuck on its back/shell.  There is some serious rocking going on to get my momentum up to change positions.

Last week I went into Sephora to restock some makeup essentials.  I couldn't find the shade/color of Bare Minerals foundation I was looking for and asked an employee for some help.   She said that of course she could help me, but first asked me to help her pick up some promotional material that had fallen on the floor.  Cue audible snort and eyebrow raise.  Just kidding, but I really wanted to ask her if she was serious.

I feel like my body is really started to "be pregnant."  The water retention is real and my feet get puffy at the end of the day.  Also, my hips and pelvis don’t lie and I can tell my body is starting to prepare for the big day because both are so very sore.  Relaxin hormones are rampant.  I have also noticed in the last two weeks that people at work first make eye contact with me and then their eyes immediately drift south to my belly.  I'm just waiting for someone to say, "Haven't you had that baby yet?" so I can mentally punch them in the mouth.  Also, I officially can't go anywhere in public without a stranger commenting on my pregnancy/belly.  Thankfully it's nothing rude - just lots of questions about my due date and the baby's sex. 

The other night Camden sang, in its entirety, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to baby sister and I hard core swooned.  I really hope his "excitement" for baby sister remains once she arrives.  We bought him a little baby doll to help practice how to hold a baby and gentle touches.  Sometimes he is super gentle and other times he carries her around by her feet.  Time will tell.

My 34 week OB appointment went really well, other than I still don’t know for sure if sister's position has changed from breech to head down.  Sometimes I think she has flipped but then other times I feel like she is tap-dancing on my bladder.  We will have an ultrasound at 36 weeks to check/confirm her position, as well as her size/growth.  I'm measuring small for dates and just want to make sure that she is a "healthy small" and not an "unhealthy small."  Plus, I'll accept any chance we get to peek in on the little ladybug.

Until 36 weeks.

Take Luck,

LP

If You Give a Kid a Cupcake...

... He will go bat shit crazy.

I'm only sort of kidding and I'll tell you why.

This past weekend was kinda nutty.  Ryan had to work 8am-8pm on both Saturday and Sunday.  Odd shifts are far from ideal, but they are what they are and I try really hard not to complain.  At least not too much anyway.  As luck would have it, with Ryan at work and me 33 weeks pregnant, Camden decided to give me a real run for my money.

Saturday morning we had soccer and it was all fine and dandy.  Until class started.  Because I am compulsively early, we were there before the mob of 20 wild beasts (and their parents) gathered on the soccer field.  Cam was happy to run freely (wildly), pass the ball back and forth with me, and score goals.  My dad had come to watch and was standing out on the field with me when my Hammy decided he didn't so much want to participate.  Like at all.

For the next 45 minutes, he alternated between debating on participating, throwing himself on the turf, drinking his water, running away from us, picking up some of the obstacle course equipment and using them as (flying) weapons, and just generally doing the exact opposite of anything and everything I said.  I promise I'm not one of those parents that thinks their child is a perfect little angel (hello, I refer to him as a wild beast), but this behavior was really out of character for him.  We tried ignoring him, two-year old appropriate reverse psychology, and timeouts and none of it was helping or working.  He kept saying, "Go home?" and while part of me really, really wanted to get out of there and put us all out of our misery, the other part thought, "No, we're not going home, you little jerk face.  We are staying here."  More flailing, more defiance and I finally waved my little white flag, threw him over my shoulder (a sight, I am sure of it), and carried him off the field.  A screaming, kicking child, and a 33 week pregnant woman don't really mix, so my dear old daddy had the honor of taking over as chariot.

Thank goodness he napped well and wasn't a complete shit the rest of the day and evening, but he was close - totally sassy and testing my already low patience like it was going out of style.  We capped off the day with a trip to the park to "frow wocks."

Sunday morning he was in a super great mood.  We went to the grocery store nice and early (because that's what parents whose kids wake up at 6:15am on Sunday do), and he was my little helper.  He loves counting and putting produce into the plastic bags and then gently placing (ahem, throwing) them in the cart.  

We spent the rest of the morning playing trains, reading books, blowing bubbles, and FaceTiming with Ryan's parents.  Our friend's little boy, Alex, was having his third birthday party at a local park in the afternoon and it was going to work out "perfectly" with Camden's nap time.  I can hear God laughing at me as I type this, because I'll give you two guesses as to who decided it was a great day to spend an hour protesting his nap.  

Did you guess Camden?  Congratulations and don't mind my middle finger.  He finally fell asleep after he had some quality scream-crying time in his crib (don't judge) and then being rocked to sleep.  

I woke him up (I know!) and we ventured to the park.  He was very excited to go to the birthday party but not so excited to forfeit the present (four little Chuggington trains).  Thanks to the weather, the park was crazy crowded, but we found our people and I immediately helped myself to food while Camden was entertained by a bubble machine.  We spent some time playing on the playground, and then it was time for cupcakes and gifts.

Here's where it got really interesting.  We don't give Cam a whole lot of sugar.  Don't get me wrong - he eats his fair share of processed foods, but very, very rarely does he get sugary treats.  And I was reminded as to why.

I took about 90% of the frosting off of his cupcake and helped him eat it so not to make a total mess.  I should have videotaped his consumption because, dear lord - he inhaled it.  I should have known that a shit storm was looming.

We watched Alex open all his gifts and resumed playing on the playground until it was time to go.  My parents were at the Mariner game for my dad's birthday and they had asked if we would check on and feed their puppies for them so we needed to scoot.  Cam surprisingly left without a fuss and we drove to Grammy and Papa's.  We let the dogs out, he stepped in dog poo, and somehow the dog poo managed to find its way onto his shorts.  Fantastic.

Cara called me on FaceTime so Cam and I sat down in the living room to chat.  It was then that I started to wonder if the cupcake he consumed at the party was laced with crack.  Why?  Because during this FaceTime session, my child thought he was auditioning for toddler WWF/WWE and was repeatedly standing on a little red rocking chair and jumping onto me like a spider monkey.  Or Hulk Hogan.  I don't even know.  It was sort of funny at first and then he got this crazy look in his eye and (wait for it) picked up his toddler sized rocking chair and threw it at me.

It's beyond embarrassing but I mean seriously, people. 

Cara and I attempted to continue a conversation and failed miserably - both of us seriously distracted by our boys.  For the record, her boys were not throwing toddler-sized rocking chairs at her.  We finally gave in and ended the call, and I drove a pant and shoe-less Hammy home in relative silence, promising myself to never ever let him eat a cupcake again.

We got home, powered through the rest of the night, and I didn't even have to go in his room once to get him to lay back down in bed.  I think part of his little man self just knew that mommy was done.  Ryan got home just after 8pm and asked how my day was.  The tears immediately started flowing and somehow I managed to say, "It was OK."

With a new baby less than six weeks away, I should probably get used to our lives being a little more chaotic than we're used to.  But seriously - no more cupcakes.

Take Luck,

LP

Taking Stock / 03

Camden is spending the afternoon with my mom and I am pathetically bored at home, with nothing but laundry to occupy my time.  How is it that he stretches me to my limits on a daily basis and I am wishing for some peace and quiet, yet when I have some peace and quiet I'm wishing for my Hammy?

It was just before Christmas that I did my last Taking Stock post, so let's just say that my Cam-less afternoon has turned into your lucky day.

Making: list upon list upon list of things I need to buy and do before this baby comes.

Cooking: steak fajitas.  Of which I will only be able to stomach the veggies.

Drinking: water.  Like it's my j-o-b.

Reading: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Wanting: the next 6-7 weeks to pass by quickly and slowly all at the same time. 

Looking: at all these little baby girl clothes just waiting to be worn.

Playing: "Get back in bed" with Camden at bedtime since transitioning to a toddler bed.

Wishing: Camden didn't think it was so hilarious to get out of his bed.

Enjoying: feeling this baby have dance parties.  Sister has moves already, I can tell. 

Loving: any picture of Eloise and Rosie.

Pondering: if baby sister will have blonde hair and blue eyes like Camden or brown hair and brown eyes like her Daddy.  I would have bet big money that Cam would have had dark hair and dark eyes like Ryan. 

Considering: whether or not I should go shopping for a few more maternity items or just make what I've got work. 

Watching:  Season 4 of Parenthood.  

Needing: nursing friendly, light, and non-clingy postpartum clothes for the summer.  Joy.

Wearing: jeans, a comfy shirt, and scarf.

Following: @mommasgonecity and her #TheoandBeau series.

Noticing: that even though I feel twice the size I did at this stage in Camden's pregnancy, I look almost exactly the same.  For now.

Admiring: Ryan's hard work in the yard this weekend.  He bought and spread over 40 bags of mulch and it looks fantastic.  Side note, I ate a cookie while he loaded 15 bags into the car.  #proudpregnancymoment

Sorting: tiny baby girl clothes.

Buying: tickets for us to take Camden on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad this summer.  Just seeing the train on the website got the little train loving turkey all in a tizzy. 

Getting: excited to meet our baby girl.  Duh.

Bookmarking: this because motherhood is really freaking hard and really freaking awesome.

Disliking: that baby sister's head is all up in my ribs but loving all her movement and ninja kicks.

Feeling: ridiculously excited that Season 5 of Game of Thrones premieres tonight.

Snacking: a lot.

Coveting: sibling Halloween costume ideas.  However ridiculously early it may be.

Wishing: August air fare to St. Louis wasn't as ridiculously expensive as it is.  Not cool.

Helping: myself to all the foot and back rubs I can pry out of my hubby's hands.

Hearing: this and always feeling appreciative of Grey's Anatomy's music selections. 

And because I can't not post a picture of my pride and joy.

Take Luck,

LP

32 Weeks

At 32 weeks, The Bump compares baby's size to that of a squash.  That feels pretty accurate because this baby is certainly squashing my bladder.  Maybe that's why I go pee 72 times a day.

I'm sure you are dying to know what else is going on in my pregnancy, so I'll tell you.

I saw my OB Monday morning and all was measuring and sounding well in there.  I swear, there is nothing like hearing that little heart beat on the doppler.  My doctor assured me that she isn't concerned about the baby's breech position right now, and that I shouldn't be worried about it either.

Speaking of frequent urination, I have started using the inconvenience as an escape tactic for when a particularly long-winded co-worker sits down to talk to me.  Oh, you want to talk to me about your brother-in-law's drinking problem?  Darn, I have to go to the bathroom.  Yes, again.

I normally can exercise some amount of self control when it comes to sweets (let's be honest, exercising self control is about the only exercise I've been getting lately), but one day last week I made a special trip to a candy bowl on my floor.  I picked out a mini M&M and a mini Milky Way.  A crotchety, male co-worker said to me, "Are you sure you need both pieces?"  There were other people around so I laughed and said, "Don't judge me, Bill."  What I really wanted to say was, "Eff you, Bill," and eat the Milky Way in one bite right in front of his face.  And maybe throw the wrapper at him.

As the belly grows (and grows), the awkward belly touching is becoming more and more frequent.  I swear, if I even see one particular co-worker, even across the building/hallway, she will walk to me with her hands outstretched for a feel ski.  She's like a pregnant belly tractor beam and sucks me right in.

In the last few weeks Ryan and I started actually crunching the numbers for putting two kids in child care.  Let's just say I have thrown up in my mouth and had some heart palpitations about it more than once.  It is what it is.

The fact that my gas episodes haven't have killed Ryan is a frigging miracle.  Too much, I know, but honestly people.  

Finally, while I have remained pretty even keeled emotionally throughout the pregnancy thus far, I really lose it when watching television shows or movies that are even remotely sad or emotional.  Watching Grey's Anatomy?  I'm pretty sure I've cried at least once during each and every episode this season.  The Glee series finale?  Total basket case for the final 15 minutes.  And finally, like a complete idiot, I watched the last 30 minutes of Eight Below and ugly cried to the point that Camden was staring at me like, "What the hell, lady?"

This pregnancy is going by so fast.  It's exciting and terrifying all at the same time.  My friend, Alex, just had her baby (a girl!) yesterday, and I'm telling ya - as more of my friends and family have their babies, the more real it all feels.

Feeling all the feels, for sure.

Take Luck,

LP  

Easter 2015

Thanks to a 4:15am wake up call from one little big-boy-bed-fleeing bunny, our Easter Sunday was a very slow and quiet one.  After I escorted him back to bed, he did fall back asleep until 5:50am, which as sad as it is to admit, made me really happy and even prompted me to say, "Good job, buddy!  Yes, we can go downstairs."

Even though I know it's silly, I had a lot of fun picking out little things for the (ahem) Easter Bunny to put in Cam's basket.  Nothing crazy of course, but in his basket was a new Thomas & Friends train (Henry), a Bubble Guppies coloring book, jumbo crayons, bubbles, fruit snacks, and a small bag of M&Ms (that I am hoping to later use as bribery).  Cam really only cared about the new train, and couldn't have cared less about any of the other little goodies.  I may or many not have eaten his fruit snacks.

The Easter Bunny also brought Ryan this book and a sugar-coma inducing amount of candy.

We had planned on attending church service and an Easter egg hunt, but not only was early-rising-Hammy in no shape to have a late nap - this mommy was dog-tired and completely content on staying in her jammies and doing absolutely nothing.  I mean, totally getting some things done around the house. 

Ry and I hid plastic Easter eggs around our main floor and let Cam loose on the hunt.  I was so excited to see him get excited by each and every egg he found (especially the one's with two jellybeans inside) and proud that he made such big strides in his egg hunting abilities since last year.

After Cam's lengthy and much needed nap, Ryan offered to do the grocery shopping and I did not turn him down.  Happy Easter to me!

Depending on who in the house you asked, Sunday was either "Easter" or "MLB Opening Night."  I'll give you a second to figure that one out. Ryan was pumped to be able to wearing "matching" Cardinals jerseys with his best little buddy.

My parents came over for Easter/Opening Night dinner and I took the opportunity to get a not-our-Sunday-best family photo.  It may not be our Sunday best, but at least we got out of our jammies.

The smiles on both Cam and Ryan's face just slay me.  I sure do love those boys and feel very lucky to call them mine.

Take Luck,
LP

The Easter Bunny

For tradition's sake, I decided to inflict torture on my sweet child again and we went to see the Easter Bunny yesterday.

I can't believe I didn't dedicate an entire post to last year's visit given the gem of a picture we came home with.

Anyway, I picked Hammy up from daycare, changed him out of his play clothes and into somewhat respectable clothes, and we met my mom at the mall.  There were a few families in line ahead of us, and there was only one employee taking photos and collecting payment, so it was moving rather slow.  I figured it would be ok to wait a little while, so he could watch the creepy bunny interact with other kids before it was our turn.  

We stood there, Camden waving and saying "hi" to the bunny, and telling me and Grammy what he wanted in his Easter basket.  For the record, he wants "trains, cars, bubbles, and coloring."  Not necessarily coloring books or crayons.  Just coloring.  Every so often we would ask him if he was excited and ready to sit with the Easter Bunny and he would initially nod yes, but then quickly shake his head no.

Our turn was up and much like his experience at meeting Pluto at Disneyland, he turned into Catatonic Camden and I knew we were in trouble.  I tried sitting with him to get him to stop ugly crying, but it was no use.

I really can't say that I blame the poor kid.  The bunny is super creepy.

Does it make me a bad person/parent that I was pretty confident he would react the way he did, yet I still took him?  Maybe, don't answer that.  I was comforted that he was fine once he was off the perch and wanted to see his picture.  My mom and I praised him and then got him a free spoonful of vanilla ice cream from Baskin Robbins (even though he requested "pancake" when asked what flavor he wanted).

Let's compare this year's photo with last year's.  Because honestly, who doesn't love a good comparison photo?  

I'd say he was slightly less terrified this year and fell more into the betrayal ("I thought you loved me?!") category.

It's hard to believe that next year we have the potential for two crying kids on the Easter Bunny.

Take Luck,

LP