Baby #2 Bumpdate: Week 39

How far along: Week 39 

Maternity clothes: Majority of all maternity but still sneaking some non-maternity items into the wardrobe

Stretch marks: Same.

Sleep: Same. I’m up to pee multiple times a night and wake up tossing and turning hourly if not more having to move from one side to the other because of numbness everywhere and because I’m just straight out uncomfortable.  I typically end up by morning propping up pillows to sleep on my back. 

Weight: Around a total of +33 lbs 

Exercise: Same. Trying to keep up our walk breaks at work while the weather is still reasonably descent but this week we've had more days with rain, wind or just plain chilly days than not. 

A bit tired looking with an early morning photo :/

Baby Update:  This week baby girl’s heart rate was in the 130’s, first time it has been out of the 150’s in a very long time. Still head down facing inwards with her back out, her butt right below my ribs and her legs toward the left. Baking away in there!

Best Moment(s) this Week: Saturday we made it out to Boo at the Zoo, even thought the weather was a bit windy and cold we still had a good time. Wednesday we went to Dave’s parents church for our 3^rd Annual Trunk-or-Treat. His buddy Violet came again this year too and they had lots of fun. Thursday and today MJ is dressing up at daycare for their Halloween party, which he is really excited about.  

Miss Anything: Sleep. Sleeping comfortably. Being able to bend over. Putting on socks and actual shoes in a reasonable amount of time or without feeling like my belly is going to pop like a zit.

Movement:  Movements seem to be slowing down a bit but when she does move she makes it known with appendages practically coming out my body. Also she gets occasional hiccups. 

Food cravings: Still grape slushy’s

Anything making you queasy or sick: None thankfully.

Gender:  GIRL

Big Brother: Not much is new on the baby prep list since we’re basically all ready and just waiting so this past week has been pretty quiet on the big brother front. He still will occasionally hug or kiss my belly at bedtime without being asked if he wants to. He likes to go into her room to play with her baby toys or bring in some of his own toys. He stays pretty entertained by himself in there.  I brought up my exercise ball from the basement to start using to relieve back pain and help baby work her way down to position and of course Madden has stolen it as seen in the above picture! He loves sitting on it and playing with. It is one of his "tigers" in the circus that he as to put in the cage. We’ve also been talking a lot about how baby sister will be here very soon but it’s hard since we just don’t know when that is to help get him prepared for that. 

Labor Signs: Not much on the contraction front since that last episode a week ago last Saturday. Monday night I started to have some which started in the evening after dinner till about 4:00am but they were pretty far apart and only got mildly uncomfortable. I was able to sleep though most of them and either woke up slightly to feel them but immediately back to sleep or woke up for a short period of time in which I also had to pee. I did have some more contractions last night but they were short lived and gone by bedtime. I’ve also had some cramping on and off most days but nothing else going on. Just my body preparing for labor and loving psyching me out!  

Symptoms: Contractions. Cramping. Sciatic back/leg pain. And growing belly.  

Belly Button in or out: Outtie

Sneak Peek of the Princess Bey's Room

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: Starting to get a little impatient thanks to big brother for getting our hopes up of an early arrival. With the extra time and waiting she’s given us I’ve thought about labor a lot more this time around and have been making myself more and more nervous about it. I know I’ve done it once before but every labor and baby is different, clearly. Not knowing when or how it will start or how long it will last, night or day, leaking/breaking water or not, long or short labor, etc, etc. Ahhh ALL the Thoughts!

Looking forward to:  Today we are having a potluck at work with soups, appetizers and desserts. So I'm definitely looking forward to that! Tomorrow afternoon is the Halloween Parade downtown that we have never been to since it’s usually during the work week so we are excited to go to our 1^st Halloween parade. Then we have Trick-or-Treating and will be going over to Jordan and Steph’s so MJ can go with his cousins again this year. After that we don’t have any more plans or events (aside from my birthday and parents anniversary) so Princess Beyonce will have the green light to arrive any time after Saturday evening! Come on little lady!! 

Halloween Treat Time

This year for Madden's Halloween party at daycare we decided to make some Halloween Puppy Chow aka Muddy Buddies from the back of the Chex Cereal box. We're cheaters!

The candy snatcher: Two for me, one for my daycare buddies.

Chex Muddy Buddies Recipe

• 9 cups Rice or Corn Chex
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar (I always add a little extra to make sure its all nicely covered)

1. In a large bowl measure and pour in cereal then set aside. 
2. In a microwavable bowl combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter, then microwave uncovered for 1 minute. Stir then microwave an additional 30 seconds or so as needed until melted and smooth. Add in vanilla and stir. Pout mixture over cereal and stir until all cereal is evenly coated.
3. Pour coated cereal into a large resealable plastic bag, add powdered sugar, seal and shake, shake, shake until covered. Spread onto a large cookie sheet to cool.  

*To make this recipe more "Halloweenie" we added candy pumpkins and the Autumn Harvest themed M&M's but any Halloween candies could be added or substituted. 

My cute little kitchen helper. 

It really is such a super easy and fast recipe and of course addicting! Now I regret not doubling the recipe for leftovers to keep at home :(  Looks like I'll just have to make a quick stop at the grocery store so we can enjoy some at home! 

I couldn't resist not posting this picture below, don't let this innocent face fool you. He's trying to hide the fact he keeps eating ALL the candy!

Baby #2 Bumpdate: Week 38

I thought since we are nearing the end I would start doing weekly updates. However this is going to be very non-impressive since it's just weekly and not much activity

How far along: Week 38 

Maternity clothes: Majority of all maternity but still sneaking some non-maternity items into the wardrobe

Stretch marks: Same, just the one on the underside of my belly.

Sleep: Same. I’m up to pee multiple times a night and wake up tossing and turning hourly if not more having to move from one side to the other because of numbness everywhere and because I’m just straight out uncomfortable.  I typically end up by morning propping up pillows to sleep on my back. 

Weight: Around a total of 30 lbs 

Exercise: Same. Trying to keep up our walk breaks at work while the weather is still reasonably descent.  

Baby Update:  This week baby girl’s heart rate was 152 and measuring right on target still. She is head down still, head right in my pelvis. She is facing backwards with her back out, her butt right below my ribs and her legs move from right side to my left throughout the day typically.  

Best Moment(s) this Week:  We made it out to the Pumpkin Patch with better than expected weather! I received LOTS and LOTS of baby girl clothes to use from Tera and Steph, it was a bit overwhelming going through everything at once but am so grateful for wonderful friends and family to reuse loads of adorable girl items AND save $$. Her closet is stocked and I think we are pretty set for the first 12 months! :)

Miss Anything: Sleep. Sleeping comfortably. Being able to bend over. Sushi…oh how all can think about lately is some spicy tuna rolls. Seasonal beer.

Movement:  Movements seem to be slowing down a bit but when she does move she makes it known with appendages practically coming out my body. Also she is getting the hiccups much more often, working on that swallowing reflex!

Food cravings: Still have grape slushy's on the brain.

Anything making you queasy or sick: None

Gender: It's A GIRL!

Big Brother: Madden is still helping prepare for baby sisters arrival. He shows off the swing and play mat to anyone who comes over and is still testing the pay mat out! He helped me install the car seat and talks about how his sister will sit there. The other day at daycare while he was going to the bathroom he told his daycare provider Rachel, "My baby sister poops more than me".

Labor Signs: Saturday night I was up will 3:30am with contractions. They were all over the place though, from 4-11 minutes apart and lasting anywhere from 45 seconds to over a minute and a half.  The majority of them were pretty uncomfortable and not able to sleep through. I made sure to drink lots of water then of course had to keep getting up to pee. They finally ended up getting further apart after 3am and then eventually stopped. Since then I've only had some Braxton Hicks and nothing else.   

Symptoms: Nasal congestion. Contractions. Leg cramps. Sciatic pain. And a belly that if getting out of control.

Belly Button in or out: Outtie

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: I've actually started feeling really good the past week or so, aside from the entire unable to sleep comfortably thing. I don't feel crazy uncomfortable during the day unless I have a full bladder and am feeling context at this stage in pregnancy. 

Looking forward to:  Taking MJ to Boo at the Zoo this weekend, Trunk or Treat at the Dexter's church again next week, and Trick-or-Treat next week. I of course don't want to miss any of these events but know MJ will be in great hands if baby girl decides to come early and have had plenty of volunteers that someone will be able to take him to any of them. And of course the anticipated arrival of Princess Beyonce!!! 

Growing Belly

To pass some time waiting for this little lady to arrive I thought I would take a look back to do a little baby bump comparison. Unfortunately it's hard to compare Baby Bump #1 to Baby Bump #2 when all your photos from #1 were never saved or backed up from your old computer that crashed. That and I didn't do a very good job at documenting my first pregnancy. I always thought it was suppose to be the opposite?!?

So this is the best we got!

Clearly at 36 weeks I think I look so much better and smaller this time around. If I remember correctly I was 15-20 pounds lighter when I got pregnant this time compared to last and at this point in my pregnancy have gained 30 lbs versus the 40 lbs I gained with MJ at 37 weeks. It's funny with that being said, how I have already gotten to the point of ready to be done so much soon this time and never felt that way the first time. 

Week by Week Baby Bump Comparison with Baby Girl

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend we finally made it out to the Pumpkin Patch! 

I was able to tear Dave away from watching football on TV for a few hours even though he thought it was too cold to go. Umm hello it's the middle of October in Iowa, what do you expect the weather to be like. It actually turned out to be an absolutely beautiful afternoon that we didn't even need coats, so take that husband! 

Madden was so excited to be going to the pumpkin patch!

He loved all the pumpkins and that there were so many different sizes, shapes and textures. The big ones were "so cool" because they were bigger than him and he could sit or climb on top of them. 

Then he found this little bitty pumpkin amidst the big ones and called it his "baby" and held it like it was an actually baby.

We continued to go to the small Buffalo Pumpkin Patch not far from our house since it has free admission and you only have to pay for the activities you want. So it's been perfect to to take MJ being so little and scared to do much anyways. The petting zoo is free and he doesn't want to feed them or barely even touch them but loves looking at them as yelling "Hi pig! Hi goat! Hi cow!", etc. He really loved when there are baby animals around.  

He was especially excited for the hay rack ride with the tractor to take us to the pumpkins. As soon as we told him it was time to do the hay rack ride and the entire time waiting in line he kept jumping up and yelling "It's going to be so fun!" It was seriously the cutest thing. This year he wanted to have his own set on the hay barrel but wanted one of us to hold his hands during the bumpy ride.

He loved hunting for the perfect pumpkin!

Although the first one he wanted was an unripened green one :)

Thankfully him and daddy found a nice runner up and we ended up bringing home. 

The perfect Pumpkin!

A perfect Fall day ended with a hay rack ride back from the patch with a beautiful golden sunset and Madden saying 'Cheeeeeeseburger' non-stop for a picture :)

Baby #2 Bumpdate: Weeks 35 - 37

We made it to 37 weeks and I am officially the most pregnant I have ever been!!
I actually started having some contractions last night at 36w6d all evening which made me wonder if she might attempt to compete with her big brother to arrive at the same time but they were not terribly painful and eventually trailed off by time I went to bed. Looks like Princess Bey is not nearly in much of a hurry as her brother was. 

How far along: Weeks 35/36/37 

Maternity clothes: Majority of all maternity but still sneaking some non-maternity items into the wardrobe

Stretch marks: Just the one on the underside of my belly, which I can’t even see because of its roundness. 

Sleep: Ugghh my body apparently hates sleep. I’m up to pee multiple times a night and wake up tossing and turning hourly if not more having to move from one side to the other because of numbness everywhere and because I’m just straight out uncomfortable.  I typically end up by morning propping up pillows to sleep on my back.  

Weight: Around a total of 30lbs+ now

Exercise: Let’s not even talk about it! Most days we at least get one walk break in at work but not everyday. My body aches, my belly feels gigantic, my lady parts may fall out at any moment, at some point I think a foot is going to literally kick through my stomach and out my side, and contractions are sporadic but all the time especially when I go for a walk and I have to pee every 5 seconds which makes it difficult to go on walks. So that’s super fun!

Big Brother/Big Sister Class....and who can resist a good nose picking photo!

Baby Update:  Baby girl’s heart rate is still right in the 150’s and measuring right on target. She is definitely gaining weight and growing in there by the growth of my belly! 

Best Moment(s) this (3) Weeks:  We’ve got to spend lots of cousin play time together these past few week which has been great. MJ went to a Big Brother class and went to his first dentist appointment with me. They counted his teeth, he watched as I got my teeth checked and cleaned, and then he got to play with the water squirter/sucker. The wonderful ladies I work with threw my co-worker and I a joint Baby Shower which was really sweet. Watching the Chicago Cubs play in the postseason playoffs and onto the National League Championship. I had my last hair appointment and pedicure this week before babe arrives. Getting all ready!

Miss Anything: Sleep. Sleeping comfortably. Being able to bend over. Sushi…oh how all can think about lately is some spicy tuna rolls. Seasonal beer.

Movement: She is still one very active little girl. I think she has dropped a bit because she is not all up in my rib cage but she does feel like she’s going to kick body parts right through me. She still loves to stretch out from my ribs down in my cervix and enjoys punching me in the crotch!    

Food cravings: Still got Tropical Sno and Whitey's grape slushy's on the brain.

Anything making you queasy or sick: None

Gender: It's A GIRL!

Big Brother: Madden attended Big Brother/Big Sister class at the hospital to get ready for his new role. He learned how to hold a newborn baby, help feed baby a bottle, change a diaper, and other ways to help out. He colored a card for his new sibling and got his picture taken which will both be put on the baby’s bassinet when he comes to visit her for the first time. He helped wrap this baby sister gift he'll bring to the hospital. He's also been a really good helper setting up and testing out the play mat and swing to make sure they are all in working order.   

Labor Signs: Contractions have continued to be daily, still sporadic but seem to be more often. During my 36 week appointment for the Strep B test I had the midwife check me since I was super curious to compare where I was with Madden at this point. My cervix is soft, 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced. This of course doesn’t necessarily mean anything but it’s nice to know that at least there is a little bit of progress.       

Symptoms: Nasal congestion. Braxton Hicks contractions. Leg cramps. Sciatic pain. And a belly that if getting out of control.

Belly Button in or out: Still half in/half out borderline 

Wedding rings on or off? On

Mood: I just started fighting a cold this week but overall feeling good. Some days I am completely ready to be done being pregnant and some days I am content. I never got to that point when pregnant with Madden but sure started feeling that way early on this time around. Starting to think more about labor/delivery is certainly making me nervous, especially just not knowing when or how it will happen or how long. I re-read Madden’s birth story earlier this week which definitely started those nerves and thoughts.

Looking forward to:  Hoping when she comes it’s during the week so we can enjoy ALL the Fall/Halloween festivities these next few weeks  like the pumpkin patch, Boo at the Zoo, Trunk or Treat, Halloween parade, and of course Trick or Treat. And of course the anticipated arrival of Princess Beyonce :)