Megan's Baby Shower

I am SO far behind on blogging but I promise I have good excuses!  I'm going to try to get caught up so these next few posts will be short & sweet.

We celebrated the upcoming arrival of baby Forshee in March.  My cousin Megan and I are only 6 months apart so we grew up very close and that makes it even more exciting that our baby girls will be super close in age, too!  

She got tons of great gifts and I even saw a few "must haves" that I'll have to buy now, too!

Megan's sis-in-law Stephanie, her daughter Kate, Kinley, and me.

Treat tables!

We made sure to get a baby bump picture before I left and I just about died when I saw it!  Woooow, I was ready to pop!  And Megan just looks super cute!

We can't wait to meet her little peanut!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 38

I've officially made it - I'm ready to pop.  I get sympathy looks, questions about when I'm due, and I must remember to start every phone call with "no I'm not in labor."  This is the home stretch but life has only gotten crazier during the past few weeks.  Now I'm hoping that baby will choose to come closer to my due date!



I had my 38 week appointment this morning and I'm still 50% effaced and a little over 1cm dilated but not enough to call me 2.  Boo!  It's time that I start walking again!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 38 weeks

Size of baby: 19.5 inches & 6.5-7 pounds, the size of a pumpkin!

Total weight gain/loss: 30ish pounds.

Maternity clothes: It's sad when your maternity clothes start getting too small...

Gender: It's a GIRL! I think we've agreed on a name but still finalizing the spelling.

Movement: She's running out of room in there so her movement has slowed down a little but she's still pretty active.

Sleep: Sleeping like a rock with minimal hip pain & acid reflux, yay!

What I miss: Being comfortable.

Cravings:  Sub sandwiches & sweets.

Symptoms: Lots of pelvic pressure/pain and occassional contractions but nothing consistent.
 

Memorable moment for the week: Two friends had their baby girls last week so that means I should be next!  It's all finally becoming real!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 36

Well we've made it to 36 weeks, only 1 month to go!  I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday and I was so excited to see if there was any progress.  My doctor was in surgery at the hospital so I saw a new doctor and she confirmed that baby girl is head down, I'm 50% effaced, & a little over 1cm dilated!  That's all I was hoping for - a little progress.

 

I think I was just about the same at 36 weeks with Kinley so maybe that means baby #2 will come a little sooner?!  I won't hold my breath...  BUT the doctor did say "I don't think you'll see your due date" as she breezed out of the room.  I really hope she's right because I am more than ready to meet this baby!  Our house may not be ready but I sure am!

 

I started getting nervous about labor & delivery this week so I'm planning to open up my binder from our classes that we took less than 2 years ago.  It's amazing how much I feel like I've forgotten.

Kinley turned 18 months old Tuesday morning so I really wanted to get a few pictures of her by herself, too, but this was hard enough to capture.  She thinks she's the new photographer and loves taking pictures on our phones.

3/19/2013

And to compare...

8/30/2011

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 36 weeks
 

Size of baby: 18.5 inches & 6 pounds, the size of a melon.
 

Total weight gain/loss: 25+ pounds.
 

Maternity clothes: Love.them. But I'm very excited to buy non-maternity spring & summer clothes!
 

Gender: It's a GIRL! I think we're getting close on a name!

Movement: There is always a knee, foot, or booty sticking out when she's awake.  Some nights she even keeps me up!

Sleep: Pretty normal this week but I've also been exhausted.

 

What I miss: Doing anything with ease. I'm finally at the really uncomfortable stage of pregnancy.  Also, having a flat(ish) stomach, I can't wait until I can see my toes again!

Cravings:  Unhealthy food.  My eating habits are going to have to do a 180 after baby is born!

Symptoms: Occasional low back pain and pelvic pressure.  I think my acid reflux problem is finally gone since I haven't taken my nightly Tums lately, ha!
 

Memorable moment for the week:  Shopping for "the girls" and buying matching outfits.  Yep, I'm going to be that mom!  (Sorry I'm not sorry...)  :)

Finishing out February

I don't know about you, but I am SO ready for Spring!  We're already 12 days into March so it's time for a February recap!

 

Kinley got to try Taste of Thai for the first time - she wasn't a fan so she had a fruit pouch.  This was our go-to place when school got out early so I'm sure Kinley will learn to love it, too!

 

I had President's Day off work so Kinley & I visited daddy that afternoon.  She loved helping on his computer and picking out our dream boat!

"Pllllleease daddy, I really like this one..." <Insert puppy dog eyes>   It was snowy one morning so my super amazing sis-in-law came out to get Kinley so I didn't risk falling.  Kinley kept saying "walk, walk" so Sue let her walk to the house like a big girl.  She looks SO big - makes me want to cry!  (I may have let a tear slip as I drove away but seriously, I can't believe I have a toddler!)   We got the new crib & double stroller a few weeks ago and Kinley loved playing in it!  She is really into buckles now but I'll save that for her 18 month post. Wait, another baby goes in this side??   Molly, one of my best friends from Junior High/High School (maybe Middle school), is expecting her first baby in April but I had to miss her shower because of work.  I dropped off her gift Sunday morning on the way to the office and we had to get a belly pic! What's really crazy is that two of our other neighborhood friends from back in the day are also expecting girls in the next few months! Who would have ever thought that 4 of us would all be having baby girls within a few months of each other when we were riding bikes years ago!   February wasn't very eventful but I'm pretty sure our calendar will be filling up quickly as April approaches!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 34

Holy moly.  We have less than 6 weeks until we meet little sister!  I've crossed a few things off my to do list but for every one that I accomplish, I add three more.  That's kind of a problem.

 

Believe it or not, I'm really not too stressed about it.  I think I've had to adopt that attitude or I would be in the psych ward - I'm choosing to go with the flow.  I also know that baby #2 will be in our room for the first few months so Kinley's new room and the nursery don't really have to be complete in 6 weeks.

 

I had been sleeping pretty well but a few days ago I decided to dwell on something that doesn't really matter...Kinley needs a swing set!  Yes, it hit me one night at 3am that we'll be spending a lot of time at home from April through June and we need to have something to do outside.  It was important enough that I had to tell Scott when he rolled over, even though he claims that I woke him up!  ;)  I laughed about it the next morning but you better believe that my "possible to do list" got a little longer.

 

Other than that, I've been feeling pretty good.  I'm definitely having more pain than I did with Kinley so maybe things are progressing?!

 

I had my 34 week appointment on Tuesday and everything looks great.  After my next appointment in 2 weeks, I'll start going every week.  It doesn't seem real that we are that far along already!  Crossing my fingers for a little progress!

 

We got a few pictures this morning & I LOVE them because Kinley is showing us where the baby is, what a sweet big sis.  (I'm also so annoyed that I didn't get my camera out so we just have some crappy phone pics).

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How far along: 34 weeks

Size of baby: 17.7 inches & 4.7 pounds, the size of a butternut squash.

Total weight gain/loss:  20+ pounds.

Maternity clothes: Love.them. But I'm very excited to buy non-maternity spring & summer clothes!

Gender: It's a GIRL! Who may or may not have a name...it depends on the day.

Movement: She moves like crazy!  All of those flips make me lose my breath and sometimes stop me in my tracks.

Sleep: As good as I can hope for with some hip pain.

What I miss:  Doing anyting with ease.  I'm finally at the really uncomfortable stage of pregnancy.

Cravings:  Thai food, lunch meat sandwiches, and pickles.

Symptoms: Lots of pressure pushing down since she's dropping.  I also have what I like to call "LC" which I didn't get until 36 weeks plus with Kinley - ouch!  I think my ankles are looking slightly swollen, too.

Memorable moment for the week:  Going to the doctor and hearing little one's heartbeat.  Also, setting up my remaining 5 appointments - hopefully I won't be at the appointment on April 16!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 32

Another 3 weeks has flown by since my last bump watch post, whoops!  We've stayed busy working and running around after Kinley.

I've come to the realization that I'm SO ready to not be pregnant anymore but I'm also NOT ready to have a newborn yet.  Hhmm...I'm not sure it can work that way so I'll take being pregnant for a few more weeks if it gives us a healthy baby.
 

I finally started a to-do list of things we need to order and complete in the next few weeks and it's slightly overwhelming to say the least.  I'm the queen of procrastination so it's about time that I kick it into full gear!  Afterall, the baby could come early.  She won't, but we need to be ready just in case!

Pregnancy
Highlights:
 

How far along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: 16.7 inches & 3.75 pounds

Total weight gain/loss: I don't like this question so I'll say 20+ pounds.

Maternity clothes: Love.them.  But I'm very excited to buy non-maternity spring & summer clothes!

Gender: It's a GIRL!  Who will remain nameless since we absolutely cannot decide on a name.

Movement: She's a mover & shaker!

Sleep:  As good as I can hope for with some hip pain.

What I miss:  Picking up Kinley with ease.  She is such a cuddle bug so I still hoist her on my hip & cart her around like a sack of potatoes...a 21 pound sack of potatoes!

 

Cravings:  Mexican & diet coke.

 

Symptoms: I sound like such a whiner but I've had a lot more aches & pains this pregnancy.  I'm still having major pains in my low back, near my tailbone.  It feels like my back needs to pop and it will just randomly go away so I have no idea what to do to fix it.  Last night I had a tearing/burning pain at the top of my stomach like my ab muscles were ripping apart.  Pleasant.I know.  Just keepin' it real here in blogland. :) 

Memorable moment for the week:  My memory is officially gone so I'm drawing a blank on this one...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I've been excited for Valentine's Day this year!  Not so much for the cards, candy, and flowers but to dress Kinley in all of her pink & red!

We started wearing our Valentine's finest last week...

I really need to start getting out my big camera instead of using all Instagram pictures...

Shirt, hair clip

I bought her onesie & elephant clip on Etsy. 

Side note - I would not recommend the shop that made her onesie, it wasn't very well made BUT Geneva Diva makes the cutest/cheapest hair clips & bows and hosts fun giveaways/contests on Facebook so I totally recommend them!  And no, I was not reimbursed - free advertising if you make good stuff! :)

Anyway, I was also determined to make a front door decoration that I saw on Pinterest.  Instead of reinventing the wheel and giving another step by step tutorial, I'll link to the one I used.  It was really simple but a little time consuming.

I changed it up a little based on what I could find at Michaels & Joann Fabrics.  The only paper mache letters were really small so found a big piece of styrofoam and traced my own letters onto it to cut out.  I also used felt instead of t-shirts & straight pins instead of hot glue.

I think I cut out 100 pink circles & 100 red circles so I did one set each night and then it took me under an hour to pin it all to the Styrofoam last weekend.

I was pretty happy with how it turned out and now I have a Valentine's decoration to use every year!

We had to get pictures this morning before we left the house!  Daddy's 3 girls on Valentine's Day.

This little sweetheart decided to get up at 5:30 and didn't really go back to sleep so pictures were a little difficult.  But lets talk about this face.  Yes, Kinley, you get whatever you want with those puppy dog eyes!

Then I asked her if she wanted to send a picture to Grandma and she perked right up with a pose and everything!  And for the record, she hated her skirt this morning and kept saying, off, off!  I'm a mean mommy & made her wear it to Aunt Sue's.  :)  Then I got a text from Sue at 8:17 saying that her skirt was already off and she gave a big "aaaah."

Love my little Valentine!

 

Later in the day I decided to compare her Valentine's Day picture from last year.  What a difference 1 year makes, wow.

And I got the best surprise of all when Sue brought Kinley up to my office for a visit and they brought me a Valentine & candy!  SO lucky to have an amazing sis-in-law/auntie-sitter for K.

Bump Watch 2013: Week 29

We have had some crazy weather this week but that's no surprise for Illinois!  It was going to be in the 60's on Monday so I decided to dress Kinley & myself in Spring colors.  I thought we looked like Easter eggs!  Kinley & Aunt Sue even took Uncle RoRo out on a walk to enjoy the gorgeous weather.  Unfortunately, in true Illinois form, a cold front swept through and we're in the single digits today.  Bitter.Cold.  I'm so ready for Spring!

Now that I've re-read that, I'm a major weather dork.  Maybe I should become a weather girl?!  haha.  I blame my dad's weather obsession.  :)

Anyway, since we got an impromptu belly pick, I thought I'd add a weekly baby bump post (minus the chalkboard).

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: 15.3 inches & 2.5 pounds

Total weight gain/loss:  20 pounds

Maternity clothes: Pretty much all maternity
wear now since it's so comfortable!  Still loving my skinny colored denim!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!

Movement: I think we have a little gymnast in
there!

Sleep:  Kinley has been sleeping really well this week, praise the lord!  I've been sleeping pretty well, too.

What I miss:  Easily rolling over in bed.  Now it's a chore filled with moans & groans.  (Scott likes to make fun of my dramatic ways).

 

Cravings:  Nothing crazy this week but Scott is complaining about my random grocery store purchases.  This time it was corn dogs & donut holes.  We totally don't need them but they sounded good and I definitely give myself a break in the eating department when I'm pregnant.

Symptoms: Some intense low back pain at times.

Memorable moment for the week:  This isn't really a "memorable moment" but something I thought I'd share.  I've been holding out on shopping for baby #2 but I couldn't resist this deal on Zulily a week ago:

I mean, seriously, a frilly dress in one of my favorite colors?!  AND the back is cut up so you can see the ruffle butt diaper cover.  I just about bought one in every color!

This is totally not a paid advertisement but check out Zulily if you haven't already, I can always find some super cute/unique things.  Some items are still a little expensive but it's always fun to look.  And if you order something, can I send you an invite/referral?  I get a little credit whenever I add people, win-win!

So that ended up being a totally random post - weather, pregnancy, and shopping!  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 28

Has it really been 4 weeks since my last Bump Watch post?!  Obviously, life has been busy but nothing too exciting.  Baby girl keeps growing and so does my belly!  I feel like I'm already huge so I looked back at my 28 picture from last time and it's not as bad as I thought.

 

Boy, do I miss being pregnant in the summer.  Have I mentioned that?  Blonde, tan, and still walking everyday.  Now I'm pale and have no desire to walk during our breaks at work...kind of blah.  Oh well, I'm so looking forward to spring already!

 

I had an appointment at 27 weeks and everything looked great.  I'm measuring slightly bigger but nothing too crazy.  Baby wanted her presence to be known when we were listening to her heartbeat and kicked right where the lady had the doppler wand.  She also decided to kick at Dr. Stone when she was measuring me.  She's an active & strong little peanut!

 

Picture morning didn't go well - Kinley wanted me to hold her and did NOT want to pose with the chalkboard.  Oh the life of a toddler...  Kinley wanted to help me decorate the chalkboard this week so I used her coloring as the background.  Kind of looks like grafitti so it's fun!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: 14.8 inches & 2.2 pounds

Total weight gain/loss:  19 pounds

Maternity clothes: Maternity pants and tops but normal dresses.

Gender: It's a GIRL! 

Movement: We might have a soccer player in there!  She rolls, kicks, and flips throughout the day and it makes me laugh every time.  Scott loves feeling her kick but Kinley hasn't been patient enough yet to feel her.

Sleep:  My hips were really hurting when I woke up for a while but the pillow between my legs seems to help.  Otherwise, sleep is...whatever.  Kinley is not the best sleeper but I'm used to it.

What I miss: Nothing major this week

Cravings: Sweets, but that's kind of normal for me.

Symptoms: I had a few issues with my lower back bothering me but it comes and goes.  Otherwise, the usual - growing belly, acid reflux, some braxton hicks.

Memorable moment for the week: 28 week doctor's appointment - hearing her heartbeat again.

In case you couldn't tell above, she was NOT happy.  My sweet little mama's girl.  :)

Bump Watch 2013: Week 23/24

I'm pretty sure that "Bump Watch" is going to become an every 2 week post since the weeks are flying by and we always forget to take a picture until it's almost the next week!

 

We spent weeks 23 & 24 getting ready for Christmas and made tons of fun memories!

 

I pulled this picture from my last bump watch posts as a reference from my 1st pregnancy to 2nd.  I hadn't compared yet but O.M.G., I need to start choosing salads over Mexican, yikes!  My abs were a lot tighter the first time around so they were good at holding everything in and I guess my belly knows what it's doing this time around (that makes me nervous)!

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

 

How far along: 24 weeks

 

Size of baby: 12 inches & between 1 & 2
pounds

 

Total weight gain/loss:  I have been avoiding the scale lately but I would guess around 13 pounds.

 

Maternity clothes: I've switched to mostly maternity and a few normal tops.

 

Gender: It's a GIRL!! 

 

Movement:  Her head was down at my last appointment and I'm getting plenty of kicks in my ribs.  Scott loves getting to feel her move, too!

 

Sleep:  Same as every other week.  The past 2 nights have been great since Kinley is healthier again.

 

What I miss:  Getting up and down off the floor with ease.  Playing with Kinley is already getting more difficult. 

 

Cravings: I didn't need to crave anything, we had every sort of food imaginable at Christmas!

 

Symptoms: My back/tailbone is bothering me when I stand too long and sometimes at night.  Acid reflux has returned and I'm just worn out.  I'm not so sure that I'm going to be the happy preggo that I was at the end of summer 2011.

 

Memorable moment for the week:   Seeing Baby #2 again at my 24 week appointment!  I got another sonogram to look at baby girl's heart and everything looked great!

From the looks of this picture, Kinley is getting to be Miss Independent. I don't totally buy it, she still wants to be held all.the.time! And that's wearing on mommy!  But seriously, how can I say no to this cheeser!?!

Bump Watch 2013: Week 22

I think it's finally starting to sink in that we're going to have 2 girls.  Whenever I'm shopping, I find myself justifying purchases because it will get worn by 2 different people!  Yikes, this could be worse on the bank account than I expected.

I don't have much to report - I feel like an old pro at this point.

Now that Kinley is a walker, she doesn't want to stand still for our pictures.  I think we'll take what we can get from here on out.

Pregnancy Highlights:
 

How far along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: 11 inches & around 1 pound!
 

Total weight gain/loss:  9 pounds

Maternity clothes:  Dresses, tunics, and leggings with a few pairs of work pants with the bella band.  Normal tops.
 

Gender: It's a GIRL!! 
 

Movement: She has been tap dancing on my bladder this week since her feet are down at the moment.  Lots of wiggles!
 

Sleep: Last week was pretty rough in the sleep department but that's because Kinley was sick.  This week hasn't been as bad unless my hips are bothering me.

What I miss: I'm settling into pregnancy pretty well so I don't miss much right now.

 

Cravings: Mexican.  Must have it every week.
 

Symptoms: My growing belly and the lower back pain has already started. :(

Baby #2 is a...

GIRL!!!

 

We couldn't be more excited!  Two little girls make everything sweeter, right?  And sassier, too, I'm afraid. :)

 

With this baby we decided not to find out at our doctor appointment and wait to find out with our families.  In case you missed it, here's our gender reveal party with Kinley.  I had a plan in my head and it ended up working perfectly!  The sonographer told us to turn our heads when she was looking for the gender and then she printed out a picture and sealed it in an envelope.

 

I took the surprise back to work and 2 ladies that I work with wrapped a pink or blue outfit depending on the sonogram.  Then we had to wait 24 whole hours to open the "early Christmas gift."

 

The men of the family had already planned to go to a stag at IBYC on Wednesday night so we gathered our brothers, sisters, and parents for a quick reveal before they left.  (Once I figure out how to load the video from our video camera to YouTube, I'll post that, too).

 

Basically, there was a present inside of a present inside of a present.  What tricksters!!  But it made it fun!

 

I think this picture is pretty fitting for a first child's reaction:

 

I thought her little outfit was blog worthy so here's a picture of her playing before the big reveal.

 

She just wasn't into the excitement that evening...

 

Soon to be family of four!  I still can't believe I'm saying that!

After the guys left, all the girls (and Brayden) came to my house for pizza and relaxation time to prep for Thanksgiving the next day.  What a fun little celebration!  Now we're getting pestered non-stop about a name but that's something we will NOT budge on. :)

Bump Watch 2013: Weeks 19 & 20

These last 2 weeks absolutely flew by so I'm combining weeks 19 & 20 since they have one thing in common...we found out that we're having another girl! That has another post dedicated to our gender reveal so I'll leave it at that.

Here are some sonogram pictures from our appointment:

 

Front view of the head on the left, a little fist in the middle, and belly at the right.

Little foot

 

The it's a girl shot!

Back view of the spine all stretched out (head is at the left).

  

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 20 weeks

 

Size of baby: 6.0 inches, size of a subway sandwich

 

Total weight gain/loss: Gained 7 pounds

 

Maternity clothes: I wear some maternity bottoms and regular tops.

 

Gender: It's a GIRL!!  We were right!

Movement: Consistent flutters depending on the time of day.

 

Sleep: Don't ask.  Kinley's sleep habits have taken a turn.

 

What I miss: Shopping at Loft, Limited, Express, etc now that they all have major Christmas sales going on!

 

Cravings: Spicy and sweets.

Symptoms: My growing belly.