Baby Wisely #2: Week 29

How far along? 29 weeks Acorn squash!

Best moment this week: Gearing up for the holidays, making cookies with my sister and grandma, and general Christmas happiness! (Technically, Christmas falls under week 30-- so more to come there!)

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? Having an insatiable urge to clean and nest, but running out of energy about 20 minutes in. (Body does a pretty good job of telling me 'no'-- back pain, braxton hicks contractions--SIT DOWN it says!)

Movement: Our litter kickeroo! She is having way too much fun in there. She's pretty consistently up in the early morning, and starts kicking around pretty hard at about 9pm or so.

Food cravings:  Milk and veggies! (Which is unfortunate, because still this week I am surrounded by sweets and junk food!) 

Anything sounding disgusting? Nope! 

Sleep? Still sleeping super hard, although feeling more whale-like. 

Clothing situation? Super stoked that I'm still supported in my maternity wardrobe. Although it's a bit concerning that a lot of my maternity t-shirts are already getting too short... (and here's a first-- have to keep an eye out so my boobs don't get too overwhelming. This is a wonderfully terrible problem to have with a small-boobied person like me!)

I'm generally feeling: Pretty dang happy, and pretty ready for Christmas to be all set (again, posting this retrospectively out of the holiday craziness). It's a lot of work trying to plan Christmas, that's for sure! (THANKS MOM AND DAD for you doing this for us every year forever and ever!!)

Notable sibling moments: Poor Norah has been under the weather this week. I spent the 23rd at home with her on the couch snuggling. She's got a horrible cough and a fever. Poor bean!! (That awful cough is hanging on something fierce, too.) 

Looking forward to: Relaxing a bit! Bryan is getting super motivated now that the holidays are over to get all of his collectibles packed up (which makes me super happy! He's been a champ considering nearly all of his possessions are going to live in the garage or attic. Great job, dad!)

Baby Wisely #2: Week 28

How far along? 28 (Chinese cabbage? I feel like I need to expand my produce horizons. Plus, now all of my apps are crossing their lines as to how big baby actually is-- eggplant? Chinese cabbage? Rutabega?)

Best moment this week: Enjoying the cookie and food filled happiness that is the holiday season!

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? Not realizing how wide you are, until you are trying to decorate your department Christmas tree and accidentally keep hitting people with your baby.

Movement: Definitely enjoyed watching the new Star Wars as much as I did :) (We sat in the Lakewood 12, so Bryan got to have his hand on my belly most of the time-- she was having a grand ol' time in there during the action scenes!)

Food cravings:  Milk! Still milk!  

Anything sounding disgusting? Nope! 

Sleep? Sleeping really well (read: no potty breaks) but getting increasingly more difficult to turn over.

Clothing situation? Throughout this weekly photo thing, I'm taking it as a personal challenge to see it I can piece together 40 outfits. Sweet! (Plus... I still have two pairs of pajama pants that fit, so I consider that a win.)

I'm generally feeling: A bit overwhelmed, trying to both get ready for Christmas and nest (clean the house, rearrange and tackle two girls rooms at once). I'm pretty sure I'm going to forget something pretty serious Christmas thing.

Notable sibling moments: Norah now regularly concerned for Sprout's well-being. "Is baby Sprout happy? Does she want some noodles? I love baby Sprout." SWOON.  

Looking forward to: Enjoying this week before Christmas! Cookies and milk, ahoy! (But, I can really do without the cookies... more milk, please??)

Baby Sprout #2: Week 27

How far along? 27, again, what the heck is a rutabaga? 

Best moment this week: Enjoying the huge surge of energy I've had this week! 

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? The hilariousness of not knowing you're covered with flour (or any other dusty thing) until someone else sees you. This week I accidentally made a chalk board belly print on my tum.... Bryan had a good laugh.

Movement: My lil' octopus soccer player.

Food cravings:  Milk! 

Anything sounding disgusting? Nope! (Man, what a boring foodie week!)

Sleep? Sleep is good! Sleeping hard. Been gearing up for the holidays, which has been keeping us busy-- and crashing promptly.

Clothing situation?  I'm really starting to resent having to wear pants. It's rough when even leggings are uncomfortable (sometimes you just want to let your tum air out, you know?)

I'm generally feeling: Very excited! Starting to really kick in that she's in there. It's easier to try and level with your little sprout when you can feel her interacting with your day. (She kicks Norah when I put her down to sleep, kicks Bryan when we lay next to each other, and keeps meetings at work pretty dang fun :)

Notable sibling moments: Had another great week of general interest from Norah! Which is still super heartwarming. Logging these moments for when they possibly don't go so good!

Looking forward to: Continuing to fix up Norah's big girl room!

Baby Wisely #2: Week 26

How far along? 26 weeks, our eggplant baby!

Best moment this week: Having Norah really warm up the idea of having a sister. We've had a few squishy moments of her talking to my belly, attempting to feed it (weird, but I'll take it), and telling us how happy she is to get to play lava monster with baby Sprout one day. (Far difference from a few weeks ago, of BABY IS NOT SHARING. BABY DOES NOT GET TO PLAY.) 

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? That never ending, and never really satisfying, tinkle-fest. I feel like I have to pee all day, but when the time comes to go... hardly anything happens. Have I forewarned TMI? Well, TMI! (Personal blog, welcome! Ha!)

Movement: This week, I feel like she will focus in on certain body parts, and go to town poking the crap out of them to her liking. Today it was my right hip. She'd kick up and down and all around it, like, 'Heeeeeeey! What's this! This is cool!"

Food cravings:  Nothing crazy-nuts. Kind of wish I had developed a really cool one by now. You know, potato chips and toothpaste type stuff. Ah, well. 

Anything sounding disgusting? Not necessarily

Sleep? Sleep is good, but I had a hard time recovering from my vacation last week-- it's certainly a 'sleepy at my desk, caffeine would certainly help me on a normal occasion' type of week! 

Clothing situation?  So much happier after the generosity of my buddies! Woot!

I'm generally feeling: Pretty darn perky this week!

Notable sibling moments: Reiterating-- Norah, just might possibly, be excited on having a sibling! (Don't quote me on that :)

Looking forward to: Enjoying the holidays, and taking it easy for a little while! 

Baby Wisely #2: Week 25

How far along? 25 weeks, somewhere around two pounds

Best moment this week: Having the whole week off to relax and enjoy our time off with family and friends! My mom got to feel her kick for the first time on Thanksgiving, which was awesome. 

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? Disappearing and reappearing sciatica. Thought this was going to be a doozy for a few days, then quickly tapered off. Dear baby: whatever you were laying on, let's not do that again, okay? 

Movement: Definite appendages! It's really strange how differently both the girls have felt, especially based on their positioning. (All fall under the terms of, 'still the craziest and most amazing feeling in the entire world.') 

Food cravings:  Losing most of my appetite this week. Being home, I don't eat as much-- (there's not candy bowls and potlucks at every corner) but I've been generally full. Although.... pretty sure we've gone through three gallons of milk in the past week. (Who, me??)

Anything sounding disgusting? Nope! Happily alright with the world!

Sleep? Much better! Norah has been sleeping in until around 9:30 all week too, which is letting us both catch up. 

Clothing situation?  Such a happy surprise this week-- another buddy lent me a huge stash of her prego clothes, which should last me the rest of my time! (Thanks Meghan!!) 

I'm generally feeling: Very happy and excited-- although starting to feel the first tinglings of overwhelmment. That back room (and Norah's future big girl room) is getting messier rather than cleaner... I'm convinced stuff multiplies when you're not looking.)

Notable sibling moments: Again with the sibling potty training success!! Officially the only accidents (even little ones) are a past memory, and she's starting to tell us when she's wearing both pants and underpants. Huzzah! (I know this is a late post and I'm writing from 'week 26...' but today we had our first 'not at home, dry the whole outting, and went to the bathroom in a public restroom without a tiny potty' moment... hooray TMI posts of TINKLE HAPPINESS. YES.)

Looking forward to: Taking it easy and relaxing for a few more days before heading back to work (although I love my job, which is nice-- I'm certainly enjoying the sleep!!) Looking forward to some snuggles, binge-watching Jessica Jones and late night pumpkin pie. YES.

Baby Wisely #2: Week 24

How far along? 24 weeks, our little (little?!) cantaloupe!

Best moment this week: Having it really hit me that we will be meeting our new gal in a few short months! It's been a hormonal past few weeks, and finally this week I wrangled a bit of the pregnancy brain and really stewed in the fact that this is happening! (Despite being a bit nervous about Norah meeting Sprout!) 

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week? Again with the supreme tiredness! I'll go through bouts of crazed, ADD-style energy-- very quickly followed by a puppy nap.  

Movement: I now know what it feels like to be drop kicked in the bladder. It's an odd feeling, I'm telling you.(Norah showed me how it felt to be punched in the lung... thanks, kids!) 

Food cravings:  Really just eating everything in sight. :/

Anything sounding disgusting? Narrowing down my coffee aversion to only the creamer... coffee with half and half sounds good now, slowly figuring things out! (I really hate being a picky eater. Not a normal thing for me.)

Sleep? Reaching the week of the, 'how many times are you up to pee per night this week?' the answer is one. One time a night so far.

Clothing situation?  Very, very neutral. Goodness it's funny to realize your entire wardrobe consists of black, gray, and ivories. I'm not ashamed! 

I'm generally feeling: Still yawning as I post this; (any time I post on Thursday rather than a Wednesday... it means I've fallen asleep on the couch and there's no waking me.)

Notable sibling moments: Proud of our gal! Moved up to--wait for it-- our first big girl underpants. Hello Kitty, in fact! Attempting to layer on one bit at a time over the nakedness that is the potty training success so far... she's been doing very well! 

Looking forward to: Getting out back room cleaned out! It's a bit odd having to find a place for all of our remaining things, but also exciting to have a place to start stashing baby things, and to have a larger place for Norah's bigger toys. We have a week vacation now--woohoo!-- over Thanksgiving, which we are all super stoked about. Sleeping ahoy!!

Baby Wisely #2: Week 23

How far along? 23 weeks

Best moment this week:  Having my big ol' belly meet Kelly's baby Moe-- Fingers crossed they are the best of friends growing up!

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week?  A mix of being so sleepy by 6pm I'm little more than a basket of yawns, and my nose deciding it's not going to be stuffed, just not working at all. 

Movement: So much lower than Norah! I'm not sure if it's because she's where she should be, or the fact that my body is pretty much stretched out where it should be already-- but everything feels so low! All sorts of below waistband kicks. Makes it super awkward for people to feel. "Can I feel her kick?" Um... not quite yet.

Food cravings:  No specific cravings this week!

Anything sounding disgusting? Still coffee... 

Sleep? Sleeping wonderfully at night, but then again, still sleeping wonderfully during the day and every other time I'm unable to stay awake... (the change in light really affected me this year I think, plus working 10 hour days must be much more exhausting than I thought...)

Clothing situation?  Full of sweaters and maternity loveliness. 

I'm generally feeling: So. Dang. Tired!! Is it time for bed yet? I might go nap on husband. Poor guy. Even if he'd like to do things... he can't, because prego-wife is snoozing all over him on the couch.

Notable sibling moments: Meeting Moe this weekend was a bit of a challenge. I can tell it's going to be strange for her meeting baby Sprout for the first time. It seems that after a period of time she's a bit cooler with things... here's hoping all this cuddling with newborns before our baby arrives will be great practice!

Looking forward to: Not feeling so dang sleepy! 

Baby Wisely #2: 22 Weeks

How far along? 22 weeks

Best moment this week:  Having a great Halloween weekend with my family! (Princess Norah and fellow Ewok husband)

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week?  Incredible amounts of sleepiness. Do pregnant women hibernate in the winter time?!

Movement: Getting more dropkicks than last week. What are you up to in there little sprout?

Food cravings:  Nothing really this week... then big cheez-its. My boss was wonderful and threw us a junk food party; six bags of chips and cheez-its later we were all in a wonderful sodium coma of happiness.

Anything sounding disgusting? The usual suspects (officially listed: coffee, mexican food, black olives. What the heck??)

Sleep?  Nap, wake, sleep, wake up too darn early. But sleeping great!

Clothing situation?  Realizing the winter is going to bring many more pants. Pants are a super hindrance; and dresses make you look like a tented beach ball smuggling type, so I try to wear pants/shirts every once in awhile to show that I'm actually carrying.... 

I'm generally feeling: I'm pretty much quoting same as last week here: Pretty dang awesome. Other than feeling like I've done way too many crunches all the time (it feels like my abs are sore from holding my weight over this new bulge in my belly) everything is feeling pretty dang good. Well, good and sleepy that is. Can I add to this though, 'SO EXCITED. Kelly is getting induced tomorrow, and she asked me to be there!! I am over the moon!! I can't wait to meet her little man!!

Notable sibling moments: Norah is potty training awesomely!! She has mastered the 'I'm not wearing pants so I can use the bathroom whenever I have to without any accidents." Now pants are going to be the next issue. Baggy pants are in our future.

Looking forward to: Tomorrow when I get to meet baby Moe!! 

And because it will never happen again, here's an obligatory belly shot of me and buddies from the last week! First one is Kelly, next is Meghan! I'm so lucky to be prego with some of my closest friends. This is absolutely wild. 

Baby Wisely #2: Week 21

How far along? 21 weeks

Best moment this week:  Having this all be a little more real, as two of my close friends are getting ready to have their babies in a week or two! (Helped Kelly nest a bit and put together her nursery, which was a blast!)

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week?  Feeling starving all the time, then super packed full, then not caring that you are super packed full and wanting nothing more than to eat more.

Movement: Our gal is for sure a kicker! Or dancer. Or just a happy little thing. So far as I can tell, she's kickiest when I am laying down to go to sleep, or when I'm wearing pants. Seems to like kicking my waistband!

Food cravings:  Odd things this week! Today it was a mojito... or not a mojito, but even a lemon lime soda with muddled mint... that sounds awesome. 

Anything sounding disgusting? Coffee, and oddly this week, black olives sound terrible. (Green olives on the other hand, sound super tasty.) 

Sleep?  Still can hardly stay awake after I put Norah to sleep. If I'm ever late on my weekly post, it's because I've taken a three hour nap before I hit the sack. After that I sleep super well though. No crazy dreams, no tinkle stops. Just sweet, sweet sleep. 

Clothing situation?  Happily in maternity! Tried to buy a few things for myself, ended up taking most of them back. It's hard to find good things, I say. 

I'm generally feeling: Pretty dang awesome. Other than feeling like I've done way too many crunches all the time (it feels like my abs are sore from holding my weight over this new bulge in my belly) everything is feeling pretty dang good. Well, good and sleepy that is. 

Notable sibling moments: Last week was rough, this one has been amazing. (Sensing a trend here?) Most notably-- and beware, this is my personal blog, so TMI ahoy-- potty training this week!! She's been interested since 12 months (when the doc said we should start putting her on a toilet and letting her try... which immediately led to her pooping) to a few ups and downs, to now being solidly on the end of day two, with only two wet diapers (one being after yesterday's morning dropoff at Nanas, and the next being today's nap.) I am seriously stoked. The fact that this all seems to be clicking is amazing!! Fingers crossed. It would be so nice to only have one in diapers!! (And she's just so darn happy about it all! Although I can't tell if she's happier about the tinkles, not wearing pants all day, or the candied ginger she gets as a treat after making it happen... who knows!) 

Looking forward to: Again, things slowing down! So slow down already, alright??

Baby Wisely #2: Week 20

How far along? 20 weeks

Best moment this week:  Finding out our little sprout is a GIRL!!! Norah is getting a little sister!

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week?  My belly button feeling like it is moving separately from the rest of my tummy. It's been like this for awhile, but it's getting stronger and more hilarious.

Movement: She (aaaah! Love that I get to say 'she!') is getting more and more active during the day; she is especially kicky in the mornings and when I put Norah down at night. Already kicking sister!

Food cravings:  No cravings really other than the usual suspects! It was my 30th birthday on Friday, and I was so lucky to be spoiled with a ton of (amazingly Harry Potter themed) food-- one of the non-themed items that hit the spot was some prego-friendly (read: No eggs) cookie dough. YES. (Steak pie, potatoes and pumpkin pasties also hit the spot... YUM!) 

Anything sounding disgusting? Still anti-coffee, pro everything else

Gender prediction:  Poor little lady!! I was so thrown off with my symptoms being so different from Norah-- this has been the first lesson in, 'every person is different!' We are over the moon to be having another girl. Probably the easiest thing to put my finger on is the fact that we are already set with most things we need (other than making sure she has a few things that are her own to keep for the future), but the thing that warms our heart too is the fact that now they have each other. Sisters, as I can attest to, are amazing. My sister and I are a little over 3.5 years apart, and weren't really close until my college years (what can I say, she was pretty wonderful and I wanted to be her all my life!), but I tell you what-- no better gift in the world. It's like another part of my brain is in another person; she gets me. I am so excited for Norah and baby. 

Sleep?  Really, really all sorts of it! I am all over napping. And then being woken up by sweet Bryan. Then going to bed and sleeping even harder. Man. Tired this week!!

Clothing situation?  The tum is escaping many of my remaining non-maternity things; most notably sweatshirts and pajamas... maternity-only ahoy!

I'm generally feeling: Pretty optimistic this week! Can't help it. My brain has officially switched to multiple levels of girly decorated things, sisterhood and the fact that I feel like I am prepared for what this baby has for me! (I think if we were to have had a boy, my brain would be in the, 'holy crap, what the heck do I do with a boy...') Let's do this!!

Notable sibling moments: I feel like Norah is slowly checking off all of the ways to disagree with us all. First it was hitting; and (thankfully) that didn't hold up. Then it was kicking (and now no more). Now it's LOUD screaming. For no reason. Let's hope baby doesn't think Norah is just a ball of screams. Heck, let's hope that Norah doesn't think baby is just a ball of screams. Here's hoping this phase lasts relatively short too, so we can get closer to understanding feelings :)

Looking forward to: Trying not to look forward to anything!! The last bundle of months has shown me how fast time trucks by when you're not looking. I am enjoying every minute of soaking up Norah being our only child (out of the womb, that is), quiet nights and long bouts of sleep. (Also, trying to remember these things, because it's hard not to want to fast forward everything else so you can see another sweet, sweet face. Knowing how amazingly Norah has changed our world, Bryan and I are feeling incredibly squishy and blessed that we get to do this again. Nuts, I say!!)

Baby Wisely #2: Week 19

How far along? 19 weeks

Best moment this week:  The kicks are getting stronger, and I was finally able to feel them with my hand-- and Bryan was able to as well!

Confusing pregnancy symptom of the week?  Round ligament pain, as well as that, 'I've done a crap ton of crunches and am uncomfortably sore no matter how I move or stretch' thing. Again, aaaaaaaah yes, I remember this! (Honestly, it's been kind of cool. Makes it feel a bit more real!)

Movement: Our little kicker!

Food cravings:  Milk. Apples. And oddly, grapefruit juice.

Anything sounding disgusting? I stomached one cup of coffee this week... and decided I probably don't need any more for quite awhile.

Gender prediction:  Still boy--we will find out Friday, on my 30th birthday!

Sleep?  Not too bad. I really need to get to bed earlier though.Turns out, all uncomfortable couch naps do is make it harder to fall asleep. I feel like this is a self-perpetuating situation.

Clothing situation?  Finding out that since I've gained less weight so far than with Norah, the maternity clothes I have don't fit too well. Again, odd great problem to have! However, this still means I don't have a ton to wear... no one said your job while pregnant is to have a wide-stretching wardrobe.

I'm generally feeling: Pretty sore, but pretty dang happy.

Notable sibling moments: This has been the best week of Norah happiness in a long long while. Seriously. So many happy stories, smiles, and all-around good temperdness. She told me this week as well that she hopes baby sprout is her little sister, and that she will be sad if it's her brother. Ha! (This of course, is right before she told me her baby sprout is happy in her tummy... so clearly, she totally understands the situation's realness.)

Looking forward to: Friday!! Finding out if Norah is going to have a sister or brother on FRIDAY!!

Woodland Park and Schilter Farms

We had way too good of a weekend. Any time you can mix a great date night (Friday at the Melting Pot for $8... score!) with free tickets to the Woodland Park Zoo (thanks so much Aunt Patti!!) and visiting the pumpkin patch (Schilter Family Farms is the greatest) it's pretty much a win. Top that with an extremely happy toddler, and you have a pretty great time. 

(We didn't end up getting a ton of pictures, because it poured quite hard that day-- but we had a blast regardless, and nature granted us a big window of dryness in the middle! Enough to snap a few pictures of Norah playing with a penguin and parakeet.)