Bumpdate - 32 Weeks with Baby #3

Another bumpdate already!?  Didn't I just do one!?  We are getting so close to the finish line, but I need every second on the next 8 weeks to get ready for this little guy.  This loved little guy who has no confirmed first name, a tentative middle name, but a definite last name (at least we've got one out of three!)

How Far Along: 32 weeks
Total Weight Gain (so far): 18 lbs

Sleeping: still can't complain!  middle-of-the-night heartburn is starting up so I switch to a propped position many nights. I find myself waking up earlier than normal (like 630), which has been a great start to my day.

Eating: less than I was - I'm just not super hungry and everything gives me heartburn.
Craving: ice cream, which doesn't give me heartburn (woo hoo!)
Wearing: all maternity and starting to fold up several pairs of shorts and shirts that are simply too small for this big belly.
Feeling: pretty good!  normal aches and pains, my body is tired, but when people say "are you just so done" I can honestly say that I've not hit that point yet.
Loving: the Country Club pool down the street. I spend a lot of time just lounging and playing with the kids because it's the only place I feel cool, weightless, and painless.
Missing: eating without heartburn.
Dealing With: the conundrum of whether or not I should invest in another Upsie Belly band this late in my last pregnancy.  I've had one since JB, but, with this pregnancy, I wear it every waking moment of the day. It's the only thing that keeps my pelvis from aching AND keeps the Braxton Hicks at bay. It works, but the Velcro is almost shot and requires a lot of adjustment.  And it's stretched in one area and digs into my skin.  James is like "seriously, BUY ANOTHER ONE ALREADY", but it's not cheap and, really, just 6-8 more weeks, right!?

Best Moment(s) of the Month: 4D ultrasound with the little guy (more to come on that) with JB joining us to see him.  His reactions were so special!
Worst Moment of the Month: had to take the 3 hour glucose because - shocking - I failed my 1 hour!  That is just never fun...

Looking Forward To: starting on the nursery next week while my mom is here! Starting every-2-week appointments (I love the reassurance). Cooler temps. (I may need to wait until after the baby for this one..)

Mama got a Sweet New Ride!

I absolutely love my station wagon but I don't get to drive it much during the week because our nanny uses it to shuttle the kids.  This leaves me driving the Big Green Beast waaaaaaay more often than I'd like. That Dodge Ram 4X4 truck was an older, massive hoss when my dad used it way back when as a farm truck, and now James is the proud owner (and shows no interest in giving it up any time soon). He likes to take it hunting and fishing and for "guy stuff", so it's routinely dusty and full of camoflouge and pork skin packages.  And the A/C is sketchy, the engine is so loud I can't take conference calls while in it, and it literally requires every ounce of my strength to steer it. I get to drive it manhandle it around town when I go get lunch, go to appointments or meetings, or get a mani on Friday afternoons.  I try not to complain (too much).  :)

I had briefly mentioned to James that perhaps I need to find an older, simple little run around car that I can better manage.  I didn't take it too seriously, and obviously didn't expect anything soon.

Then my sweet husband drove home last night and surprised me WITH THIS!!!

AAAAAAAAAAH, are you kidding me!? I get to drive this around town!?!?  I've never been surprised with a car, I've never had a convertible, and I've never felt more spoiled.  I'm glad he went with the element of surprise because I never would have agreed that I needed it. But, now that it's mine, I'm SOOOOOO excited.

(It's also going to make the shift to a minivan a little easier if and when that must happen to accommodate three littles.)

A big thank you to my honey - you're so good to me!!!!

Friends and Family Weekend!

The kids and I headed to Atlanta on Thursday night to meet up with James, who is in between back-to-back trips, flying in and out of the Atlanta airport.  (He's been gone most of July, and we miss him!!)  M also had a specialist appointment to talk about her "slow GI tract", and we got helpful, reassuring news.  YEA.

By Friday afternoon we were ready to enjoy the weekend and forget about work and stress and all those little distractions that take away from family time.  Maryn and I made a Whole Foods run,  the four of us enjoyed cookies in the afternoon at The Cookie Studio by our condo, and then us parents had a kids-free dinner date. (James and I did not document, because we never do).

$75 in those two small bags. #wholefoods=wholepaycheck

Saturday and Sunday we visited so many friends and family.  I did document all that cuteness.

First we visited the Murphys, one of James' oldest friends - and now our little ones are growing up close, too.  So special!

Saturday evening we got all the family (and cousins) together for Uncle Chris' birthday party. Lots of loving on little Baby Addison (and also some "love pinches"...poor gal!)

Sunday morning we spent time with JB's BFF Mac (plus our dear friends), enjoying breakfast and lots of playtime. The boys are still into "silly faces", so this was the best that I got for pictures!

We are so lucky that our move away from Atlanta didn't mean "goodbye" to all our Atlanta friends and family.  I see us putting a lot of miles on that I-16/I-75 corridor :)

Our July 4th (which didn't feel like July 4th...)

When was July 4th?  Months ago? Weeks ago?  It came by and went.  Partly because things are so busy right now, and partly because James wasn't here due to a work commitment.  We don't like to celebrate a holiday without our Daddy. So we pretended it was a regular day. :)

I realized last night as I scrolled through pictures of the kids (anyone else do this before they go to sleep every night??) that I documented our July 3/4 holiday quite well.  I had such a fun time with the kiddos, especially as I had missed them terribly with my two week trip before.

July 3rd - we started off with a picnic at the playground!  We picked up biscuits and pancakes from Lue Anne's to enjoy under the gazebo.  

This little Miss started the day off in Time Out, but she improved her attitude and behavior over the day, haha.  Getting (too) close to two. 

They wanted to swing with Mama and take Selfies.  They are so trained (even know to look at the lens!)

Enda got to go, too. I had sort of missed her.  Sort of...

After the park, we headed to the pet store so Enda could get her mani/pedi.  Who knew the petstore could provide so much entertainment!!  

The kids really, REALLY wanted a new kitty.  I told them to talk to their father... I'll let you guess what he said.

July 4th - we started with homemade waffles which makes everyone soooooo happy.  I get lots of help when we make waffles. (And by "help" I mean they boss me around and tell me "take it out, take it out, it's GREEN!!!")

I also took some time to work on the Playroom Project.  More to come, it's NEARLY finished!

After JB woke up from his nap (and while little sister kept snoozing) we got in a good game of Zingo!

Then we headed for the pool to cool off. (It was exceptionally hot.  Well, IS - I don't think it's cooled off yet!)  Instead of splitting a double popsicle (like Mama normally suggests) each child got their own (huge) red-white-blue popsicle.  HAPPY CHILDREN!!

(I'd like to note that they both own water shoes but refuse to actually wear them to the pool. They beg to wear their rain boots. Not the battle I choose to fight each day...)

After swimming we had a picnic at the pool.  I've never seen my children eat so well as after a swim.  Even carrots and apples without complaint.

And then, July 5th - after a fun two days of 1:1 time with Mama....

It's hard to go back after the holidays, y'all!  But such fun days and memories with these munchkins. Even without fireworks and parades and all that July 4th jazz.  

Bumpdate - 28 weeks with Baby #3

Last week we hit the third trimester (and I'm feeling it, haha). One more trimester to go with our last little one... equal parts happy and sad.

How Far Along: as of today, 29 weeks + 1 day
Total Weight Gain (so far): 17 lbs

Sleeping: still pretty good!  staying up too late working, then getting in bed and reading (so many good books right now).  so I can't blame the baby - it's my own fault!

Eating: pretty good. two weeks of travel meant I did a loooooooot of snacking. And I'm quick to say "instead of wine, I should get dessert".
Craving: avocado and eggs (with mayo) on toast - every single morning. And more sweets than normal.
Wearing: maternity, of course, but many maternity tops are already not fitting and people see my belly.  (Gap needs to advertise their stuff as "1st and 2nd trimester maternity only")
Feeling: starting to feel very pregnant. the days of "I feel FANTASTIC" or over, but I still feel pretty darn good, considering the belly.  Even getting in some (very low key) work outs once or twice a week.
Loving: all the kicks and rolls.  the excitement from friends and family.  anticipating the future!
Missing: a nice craft beer. Company Supply has my favorite (Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan brew out of Mississippi) back on tap.  I told them to keep it until at least October!
Dealing With: braxton hicks, charlie horses in the calves at night (OUCH!!), back pain, fatigue.  Oh, and along with everyone else in the area, dealing with terrible heat and humidity and gnats.  JB asks every day "why is it SO HOT" and I just say "because we're in middle Georgia, son, middle Georgia...."

Best Moment(s) of the Month: going live with our big project after so much work!!  and coming home knowing it's my last trip away from my family this year.  then seeing this little guy during an unexpected ultrasound this past week. What a way to round out trimester #2.
Worst Moment of the Month: can't really say "the worst", but lots of Work + Stress + Pregnancy is not the best combo.  I had my glucose test last week, but it has never bothered me that much (even though I always fail the 1 hour!)

Looking Forward To: slowing down a bit (hopefully!), lots of time in the cool pool with the kiddos, and then thinking about the name and nursery. I know, I know, I say that every bumpdate...

Maryn Elizabeth - 22 Months Old!

Oh sweet girl - 2 months until 2 years!  This happened over the July 4th holiday, which is fitting since you're a little firecracker.  A FIRECRACKER.

I've taken lots of notes this month of things to remember.  Since there is no certain theme or order, let's go with bullet points for this month's update.

• Probably your brother's influence, but you now laugh when you (or someone else) burps or toots.  
• You suffer from serious FOMO (fear-of-missing-out).  If you hear the mudroom door close and a car start and you're in the house...ooooooh, so upsetting for you.  You run to the door and scream and pound on it.  Even if there are others still in the house!  Or if the car starts and you're still walking towards it this seriously offends you. I promise we'll never leave you behind, baby girl!  
• You have such a good memory and you never forget a promise.  While your brother will ask for something, be told "later", quickly forget and move on to never bring it up again (which works to my advantage, for sure), you can patiently wait and recall the promise - even hours later. Especially if it's for a cookie after supper. The second plates are cleared you remind me of the promise, getting so upset if I appear to have forgotten.
• Loud noises (bathroom hand dryers, fans, automatic flushes, fireworks, loud cars) and other things (like bugs that are crawling around you, dogs that come up to you) are all the sudden very, very frightening for you.  It breaks our hearts, and we're trying to gently expose you while acknowledging that you're terrified!  I hope it's just a phase. 

• You are still my great eater and you're loving all the seasonal veggies.  You pick tomatoes and strawberries off our vines to eat, and love Georgia peas (just like your Daddy). You can tear up a Low Country Boil.  
• You've officially outgrown your high chair and now eat at the table in your booster chair. However, if I'm around, you always (always) start in your chair and then (halfway through)  scoot your plate onto my place mat and your little body into my lap to finish your meal. I have no idea how to break you of this...
• And we finally (as of, LAST WEEK) ditched the bottle!!! Geez Louise, you are a stubborn child. But now you'll drink your milk from most all cups.  YEA!!!  

• You have lots more words.  Many of them are only recognizable by your immediate family, but we are so proud of your vocabulary and things you try to repeat.  
• We hear "weh (so and so)?" all day long. You need to know where everyone is at any given time.  Especially Bubbies, Mama, Dada, Enda, Grammy, Gran Gran, and Gia.  You take roll call frequently throughout the day.  
• You also ask a lot about the baby. You lift up my shirt (you must see the actual belly), rub my belly, and say "baby? seeping?"  You'll also hug the belly - so sweet.  You also do this to Daddy, and he doesn't appreciate it nearly as much... :)
• You ask to potty frequently throughout the day, running to the bathroom, removing your diaper, and sitting on the potty. Sometimes you're so sure of yourself I think "this is it!!"  However, you've never actually gone in the potty.  I'm in no rush to potty train you (#secondchildproblems), but we're happy to play along with this until you just figure it out one day without an ounce of effort on our parts.  Maybe?  Wishful thinking?? 

• Time Outs have started with you this month.  You actually respond quite well to them because (see above) FOMO! But we have to get this little temper of yours under control. You are something fierce when you're upset! And JB is so confused as to why you get away with blatant  disobedience, hitting and Mexican standoffs. 
• HOWEVER, you also are so loving and affectionate. When we ride the golf cart up to the pool (just the 3 of us) you will hold on to your brother like you're keeping him from falling off. (You see me doing this, so you do it, too). You also like to put your hand on people's legs and arms when they're close to you. And you give strong hugs!  I also caught you "flirting" with the male life guard and you convinced him to share his French fries with you.  Mercy, child, too soon!

You don't appreciate big brother's photo bombs...

...but you love your big brother you'll forgive him for anything!

Love you sweet girl.