Posts
Sorry we are MIA from the blog. We are all soaking in lots of baby snuggles!
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Friday, September 4, 2015
40 Weeks Pregnant: BENNETT'S HERE!
How far along: BENNETT IS HERE!...Due September 3rd...BORN SEPTEMBER 1ST
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Gained 20.5 lb...still up 8.5lbs.
Exercise: I'm off (officially) for the next 6 weeks. But I will ease back in with walks and possibly light jogs before the 6 week mark. Funny and fitting: my water broke in my HIIT class at the gym Monday evening! (more on the birth story in the next few days)
Maternity clothes: Packed up and put away!
Miss anything: I love seeing his sweet face and snuggling him...but I do miss having him inside of me and feeling his little movements and kicks.
Movement: He often all of a sudden kicks his little legs out just like I felt him always doing on my right side in my belly. I LOVE seeing what I felt for so many months.
Have you started to show: I've started to deflate!
Stretch marks: I think I have some new ones on my hips and such, but it's tough to really tell with what was there.
Belly button in or out: Back in!
Wedding rings on or off: On, when I actually wear them! I take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and between my mommy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: I'm sleeping as much as I can. But right now just trying to soak in snuggles, even if they happen in the night...reminding myself they won't last forever.
Labor signs: Oh boy! As I've always said, I love labor and delivery. His labor and delivery were quick! I will share the whole story in the next few days!
Best moment of this week: Finally holding our little boy in my arms and seeing him in the arms of his Daddy and sister. It was a long, trying, faith-stretching road to add this little guy to our family. But every canceled cycle, failed cycle, and miscarriage were all part of our journey to him. God's plan for our family was this little boy...and if anything was different, he would not be in my arms right now. I am so thankful for God's plan playing out instead of my own. Bennett means "blessed"...and man is that fitting!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
39 Weeks Pregnant!
How far along: 39 weeks pregnant...Due September 3rd!
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Up 20.5 lb.
Exercise: For the last few weeks my workout routine has been the same. I do my HIIT class 3 days a week and then the other 2 days I walk. I am definitely slowing down. I can feel my extra weight I'm carrying in a lot of the leg exercises, and my belly is starting to get in the way. But I've decided that I'll just keep it up and deal with it...after all, I will have 6 weeks off soon!
Maternity clothes: I mainly live in workout clothes, dresses, and the pair of normal shorts I bought a couple sizes up. I did buy a black, maternity dress last week that is SO comfy, so that's been a go-to as well.
Miss anything: Being able to jump in my HIIT class and not fear that I may pee myself...an empty bladder is a MUST and usually requires a mid-class potty break to be safe. How's that for TMI?
Movement: All the time...I absolutely love it. He's been even more active the last couple weeks. I'm definitely ready to see his sweet face, but I am trying to just enjoy every last nudge and kick.
Have you started to show: I'm the most pregnant I've ever been (Mckenna came 8 days ago), and my belly shows it. But I love it!
Stretch marks: This is a tricky one. I never got stretch marks on my belly with Mckenna. But ever since puberty I've had stretch marks on my thighs, tush, and hips. They are very fine and you only really see them when the light hits them right. So there's a good chance that I got more with Mckenna, I just have no idea. My guess is I may be getting more as we speak, I just can't see them in comparison to what is already there!
Belly button in or out: It's an innie-outie. Sometimes it's out, sometimes it's in...depending on where he's positioned. But more often than not, it's flush with the rest of my belly.
Wedding rings on or off: On, when I actually wear them! I take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and between my mommy brain and pregnancy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty well. Just up a couple times to pee and then back out like a light. I've also been sneaking in a mid-day nap several days this week, and it's GLORIOUS.
Labor signs: I've had about every sign under the sun over the last few weeks. He's crazy low, my mucus plug is gone, I've had my bloody show, I'm having a ton of braxton hicks, I've had some bouts of false labor, you name it. But he's still hanging out in there. Today my midwife checked me for the first time and said he's very low (she actually exclaimed it, ha!), my cervix is very soft, I'm 80% effaced and 1.5cm dilated. But as we all know, I could walk around like that for 2 more weeks. That said, for some reason the midwife believes he will be here this weekend...we will see if she is right!
Best moment of this week: As of today Baby N is officially back home. This may be one of the best moments of the year..not just the week. We couldn't be more thrilled for her and her mom and dad. This is the story you hope for as a foster parent. Her family walked this phase in their lives well. They deserve to have her home with them, and we are just happy we could be a part of Baby N's life when she needed us. Some of your kids need you til their 18. Some need you til their 25. She only needed us until she was 8 months, and now we set her free to need her mom and dad!
Friday, August 21, 2015
Photo Dump Friday
This little chef makes all sorts of creations. I think this time she was making paper and doll clothes soup.
When we first wake up, we watch cartoons or YouTube videos...even Baby N gets in on the action.
Mckenna wore this to Target one day. Those are Easter Bunny ears, a Doc McStuffins' dress up shirt, a red tutu and american flag flip flops. Yup!
I bought this pajama shirt for the mere fact that it felt like it would be fitting soon. Literally, that's the only reason.
You probably can't see him under this blanket...but Ronnie slept on the couch after a little bleed a couple weeks ago (because he can lay more upright)...and well, I took this picture because he kind of looked like he could be a hobo sleeping under a bridge.
We used to eat these when I lived in Singapore. I got so excited when I found them at World Market that I bought them and sent this picture to my entire family.
Princess and Butterfly dragged little sis around on a blanket for a solid 20 minutes. All you could hear were little girl giggles and screams. These three buddies sure love each other.
Snuggled up working to get smiles and giggles.
Cousin lovin'
Friday, August 14, 2015
37 Weeks Pregnant!
How far along: 37 weeks pregnant...Due September 3rd!
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Up 20 lb.
Exercise: For the last few weeks my workout routine has been the same. I
do my HIIT class 3 days a week and then the other 2 days I walk. I am definitely slowing down. I can feel my extra weight I'm carrying in a lot of the leg exercises,
and my belly is starting to get in the way. But I've decided that I'll just
keep it up and deal with it...after all, I will have 6 weeks off soon!
Maternity clothes: I mainly live in workout clothes, dresses, and
the pair of normal shorts I bought a couple sizes up. I did buy a black,
maternity dress last week that is SO comfy, so that's been a go-to as well.
Miss anything: Being able to snuggle Mckenna without my belly in the way...although she loves snuggling and having "her boy" kick her!
Movement: All the time...I absolutely love it. I could sit and watch/feel
it forever. A lot of the day I can see his little feet sticking out on my right
side. I adore it!
Have you started to
show: I think I'm getting bigger by the
day! I love it.
Stretch marks: This is a tricky one. I never got stretch marks on my belly with
Mckenna. But ever since puberty I've had stretch marks on my thighs, tush, and
hips. They are very fine and you only really see them when the light hits them
right. So there's a good chance that I got more with Mckenna, I just have no
idea. My guess is I may be getting more as we speak, I just can't see them in
comparison to what is already there!
Belly button in or
out: It's an innie-outie. Sometimes it's
out, sometimes it's in...depending on where he's positioned. But more often
than not, it's flush with the rest of my belly.
Wedding rings on or
off: On, when I actually wear them! I
take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and between my mommy brain
and pregnancy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: Up until two nights ago, I was sleeping like a rock for several nights. Two nights ago and last night I've been up in the night and unable to get back to sleep. Two nights ago I was so hungry that I ate two plates of pizza pockets and watched a movie (yeah, you read that right). Last night I woke up and was very nauseous and had abdominal cramping, so I laid in the tub until it went away.
Labor signs: I've
continued to lose pieces of my mucus plug and have a lot of braxton hicks. A few nights ago I had Braxton Hicks every 2 minutes for a couple hours. Last night it was crazy cramping like I needed to use the bathroom. My midwife yesterday said he's incredibly low (lower than she usually feels). My guess is that the end is drawing near, but "near" may be relative!
Best moment of this week: This week I have been trying to soak up every last moment as a family of 3...take little mental snap shots. I've snuggled Mckenna in bed and watched her sleep. I've also been trying to soak up every kick, wiggle and shift baby boy has made in my belly. I love being pregnant and know that this is likely our last pregnancy, so I'm trying to take it all in.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Winding Down
We picked Baby N up from the NICU at 3.5 weeks old. She was TINY when she was born (3lb3oz) and came to us at 4lb4oz. She was a sweet little thing from the start, but was a bit fussy. Thankfully, that soon passed and she blossomed into the most laid back, happy, joyful baby anyone could ask for. She is one of those kids that is content to just hang out, but she isn't a wet blanket either. She's full of personality and works to get your attention through delightful squeals, grunts and smiles. She may be one of the sweetest babies I've ever met.
Baby N's mom and dad have been present and willing to do whatever they needed from the start. They never missed visits, they followed their case plan, and most of all, they continued to love their daughter throughout the whole journey.
Initially Baby N and her parents had 2 visits a week, each for 2 hours. Then it was 1 visit a week for 4 hours. Which then became 1 visit a week for 5 hours. After that Baby N got to have overnight visits with mom and dad. Currently, Baby N is in the middle of a 5 day visit with mom in dad in preparation of heading home, for good.
We could not be more thrilled for Baby N and her sweet family. Time and time again we are asked how we can say goodbye to someone who has lived in our home for 8 months; a sweet baby that became part of our family. The answer is simple: because we have been called to. God didn't call us to be her mom and dad. Baby N has a loving set of parents that just needed our help for a time. This may not be the case for all of our placements, but with Baby N, it was very clear from the start that God had only called our family to be her family for a time...not forever. We will indeed miss her more than we probably even know right now. She has taught our family a lot. She helped us learn more about the foster care system. She taught us to be parents to two children. She taught Mckenna how to be a big sister. And she will soon teach us how to love and let go for the good of others.
As Baby N heads home permanently in the next week or two, please join us in praying for Baby N, her parents and our family as we all transition into our new lives!
Thursday, August 6, 2015
36 Weeks Pregnant!
How far along: 36 weeks pregnant...Due September 3rd!
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Up 19.5 lb (Not sure if I'm losing some water weight as labor nears, or if it's a fluke, but I'll take it)
Exercise: For the last few weeks my workout routine has been the same. I do my HIIT class 3-4 days a week and then the other 2 days I walk 4 miles in the morning and another 3 miles in the afternoon. I am definitely slowing down some. I can feel my extra weight I'm carrying in a lot of the leg exercises, and my belly is starting to get in the way. But I've decided that I'll just keep it up and deal with it...after all, I will have 6 weeks off soon!
Maternity clothes: I mainly live in workout clothes, dresses, and the pair of normal shorts I bought a couple sizes up. I did buy a black, maternity dress last week that is SO comfy, so that's been a go to as well.
Miss anything: My body being able to do anything I want in my class at the gym...and with some level of grace. For example, I still do burpees, but at this point it looks, well, very unattractive!
Movement: All the time...I absolutely love it. I could sit and watch/feel it forever. A lot of the day I can see his little feet sticking out on my right side. I adore it! Yesterday he decided to strum my ribs like a guitar with his feet. It's not always comfortable, but it's always beautiful!
Have you started to show: I think I'm getting bigger by the day!
Stretch marks: This is a tricky one. I never got stretch marks on my belly with Mckenna. But ever since puberty I've had stretch marks on my thighs, tush, and hips. They are very fine and you only really see them when the light hits them right. So there's a good chance that I got more with Mckenna, I just have no idea. My guess is I may be getting more as we speak, I just can't see them in comparison to what is already there!
Belly button in or out: It's out...kind of. Sometimes it's out, sometimes it's in...depending on where he's positioned. But more often than not, it's flush with the rest of my belly.
Wedding rings on or off: On, when I actually wear them! I take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and between my mommy brain and pregnancy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: Sleep is starting to get a little worse. I think I tweaked my back at the gym on Friday morning (see "exercise" above...grace isn't my middle name these days), and ever since then it will wake me up a few times in the night.
Labor signs: This is tough to say. I've continued to lose pieces of my mucus plug, and to have a lot of braxton hicks. Last night I was thinking maybe he was thinking about making his entrance as I was having very strong braxton hicks, that I could feel radiating from my lower belly to my back, every 1-6 minutes for several hours...paired with nausea. I laid in the tub and in bed and they just didn't let up...until they did around 11PM.
Best moment of this week: The best moment of the week was getting our family pictures done. We did them at home, pretty relaxed, and had a friend do them. She is so ridiculously talented and fun to hang out with, so it was an enjoyable time documenting this time in our lives.
Monday, August 3, 2015
35 Weeks Pregnant!
How far along: 35 weeks pregnant (in this picture...I'm actually posting this 35.5 weeks)...Due September 3rd!
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Up 20 lb.
Exercise: For the last few weeks my workout routine has been the same. I do my HIIT class 3-4 days a week and then the other 2 days I walk 4 miles in the morning and another 3 miles in the afternoon.
Maternity clothes: I mainly live in workout clothes, dresses, and the pair of normal shorts I bought a couple sizes up. I did buy a black, maternity dress last week that is SO comfy, so that's been a go to as well.
Miss anything: Just some of my wardrobe. I'm a bit limited these days, but that's ok!
Movement: All the time...I absolutely love it. I could sit and watch/feel it forever. A lot of the day I can see his little feet sticking out on my right side. I adore it!
Have you started to show: You betcha!
Stretch marks: This is a tricky one. I never got stretch marks on my belly with Mckenna. But ever since puberty I've had stretch marks on my thighs, tush, and hips. They are very fine and you only really see them when the light hits them right. So there's a good chance that I got more with Mckenna, I just have no idea. My guess is I may be getting more as we speak, I just can't see them in comparison to what is already there!
Belly button in or out: It's out...kind of. Sometimes it's out, sometimes it's in...depending on where he's positioned. But more often than not, it's flush with my belly.
Wedding rings on or off: On, when I actually wear them! I take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and with my baby brain and pregnancy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: I’ve felt more tired lately. But really...what mom isn't?!
Labor signs: I've had a couple end of pregnant signs, but none that are associated with labor happening any day. I have been losing my mucus plug (sorry if you're reading this over breakfast...GAG!) in pieces since last Wednesday afternoon. Also, my Braxton Hicks contractions have picked up. On Friday afternoon/evening, I had them every 2-7 minutes for several hours. Since then I've had them A LOT...a majority of the day I have probably 10 an hour...it seems like my belly is contracting more than it's not.
Best moment of this week: The best moment of the week was celebrating my mom's birthday. God has blessed me with a mom that should be the envy of mom's everywhere. She's a wonderful mom, wife, daughter and friend. She has taught me what it looks like to be a strong woman with a loving and compassionate twist. She is Martha Stewart and Bob Villa mixed with Mary Poppins and Mother Teresa.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Weekend Camping
Here are some pictures!
Mckenna went to be first and requested to sleep on our blow up mattress, in my sleeping bag. So when I went to bed, instead of waking her, I climbed in her alligator-shaped sleeping bag, on her toddler cot. I lasted about half the night until I decided to squeeze onto the air mattress with Ronnie and Mckenna...momma is short, but at 34 weeks pregnant, I can only handle a toddler cot for so long!
Enjoying the fire...moses over there was looking for a sea to part.
Vogue, vogue, vogue, vogue....
My parents' dog feel like a real animal out there!
Family shot...Baby N was there too, but was napping.
Goof ball all ready to go for a ride
Fired up!
She felt so big getting to just sit in a seat with a seatbelt.
Stopping on the ride to pick raspberries
More raspberries!
Happy to share...
Clearly there was only a short period of time that I remembered to take pictures! But I hope you enjoyed the 20 minute window into the trip! Ha!
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Mckenna's First Day of School
This is Mckenna's creepy picture smile right now. Despite our best efforts of telling her "no, don't do the creepy smile" it is still pretty much all we get! But it's too awesome not to document so it's committed to memory!
Our goofball. God bless her sweet teacher, Mrs. Bri!
With Daddy!
With Daddy and her picture smile!
With Mommy and her picture smile!
With Mommy sans smile!
Best friends! Another school year together!
They really love each other
She even sports the smile with friends ;-)
I mean could they be any cuter together?
Mckenna had a great first day...apart from going to the bathroom a lot! Apparently she has her mom's anxious stomach and her dad's desire to skip class ;-)
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
A Workout You'll Love to Hate
Warm Up - 1 minute of each of the following-
Inchworm push up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTEE53zojs
Jumping Jacks
Plank Jacks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR9nHQXCZMo
Side Plank (left)
Side Plank (right)
Walking Lunges
Workout - 20 reps of each exercise (where listed, note how they are to be counted)
In between each exercise, you do 5 burpees
#1 - Jump Squats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUl1Ttx8b98
#2 - Frog Jumps (forward and back is counted "one") - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvTeWVyJKNE
#3 - Mountain Climbers (20 each leg)
#4 - Jumping Lunges (20 each leg) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Iug7eC0dk
#5 - Russian twists (20 each side) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DYuSXvpu0g
#6 - 180 degree jump squats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iznLhDgjZYk
#7 - Push up jacks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJt7sgaXc2I
#8 - High Knees (20 each leg)
#9 - Alternating Kettlebell Should Press (20 each arm)
#10 - Kettlebell swings
#11 - Low Jacks (Legs out and back in counted "one")- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7bmYCtTSm8
#12 - Around the world planks (arm, arm, leg, leg counted "one") - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJTo4kva-io
#13 - Side jumps (jump right, jump left counted "one") - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIKBH4hvL6A
#14 - Plank ups (20 leading with the right arm, 20 leading with the left arm) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNpUl2okLVk
There you have it. So it goes, numbered exercise, 5 burpees, numbered exercise, 5 burpees, etc. Power through all of them as fast as you can, and call it a day!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
32 Weeks Pregnant!
How far along: 32 weeks pregnant...Due September 3rd!
Gender: Baby BOY!!
Total weight gain: Up 18 lb.
Exercise: I've been totally cleared to exercise normally. So on my vacation my mom and I did 5 or so miles a day, we would run 4 and walk 1. We would also walk 2 miles for coffee in the mornings. Now that I'm home I'm back into our class that we adore so much. I did it Monday and twice yesterday! On the off days, I run/walk and do some weights.
Maternity clothes: I mainly live in workout clothes, dresses, and
the pair of normal shorts I bought a couple sizes up. But a friend of mine
gave me some of her maternity clothes a few weeks back, so I have worn a couple of those pairs of shorts/pants.
Miss anything: Sleeping on my stomach. I can cheat it a bit and lay on my
stomach with half of me on a pillow, but it just isn’t the same.
Movement: This last week it's like he has grown or is running out of space because my belly is started to do all those crazy contortions with his movements. I absolutely love it. I could sit and watch/feel it forever.
Have you started to
show: You betcha!
Stretch marks: This is a tricky one. I never got stretch marks on my belly with
Mckenna. But ever since puberty I've had stretch marks on my thighs, tush, and
hips. They are very fine and you only really see them when the light hits them
right. So there's a good chance that I got more with Mckenna, I just have no
idea. My guess is I may be getting more as we speak, I just can't see them in
comparison to what is already there!
Belly button in or
out: It's in...but out. It's sticking out, but still inside of the goiter that is my belly button...if that makes any sense.
Wedding rings on or
off: On, when I actually wear them! I
take them off for exercise, showers, and sleeping...and with my baby brain and
pregnancy brain, I often forget to put them back on!
Sleep: I’ve felt more tired lately. I’m not sure if it’s
the early mornings starting at 4:50AM paired with Baby N still getting up once
in the night to eat, or just from being pregnant…maybe both. But the last several nights I've been crashing by 9ish!
Labor signs: No labor signs, but my Braxton Hicks contractions are
legit. I get them when my bladder is full, during exercise, when he's really
active, and for no reason at all...so really, I just get them all the
time.
Best moment of this week: I started diving into the nursery. Baby N is in there now, so I waited as long as possible. But it's about time to get started, so I did. Seeing some boy stuff in there makes it feel real, and holy moly, are we excited!! The color scheme has been decided...taadaaa:
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
A Fun Week Away
We took a redeye there...everyone slept as much as possible
Seriously sleeping kiddos are so sweet!
I mean really!
When I say everyone slept, I mean everyone!
Except Chrissy...she was afraid she would drop Briella!
Out!
Playing and snacking
Ate at a place we've been coming to for YEARS. The banana split is out of this world!
We saw a magic show...Mckenna has never been so focused for that long, ever!
Morning walks for coffee were my favorite part!
Because I haven't posted a belly pic...baby boy was there too! 31 weeks!
Keni got her face painted and felt like a million bucks
My mom's brother, Brad, came too. Trips are always better with him around!
We got Dunkin...it takes a lot of Dunkin to feed that many people!
Turns out Briella likes the noise of Ronnie's treatments as much as most kiddos...Ronnie finished and decided to keep the noise going by draping the hoses next to her!
Family corn hole tournament ended in a victory for Mckenna...seriously?!
I got to snuggle this little bug a lot!
Her daddy did lots of snuggling too!
A trip to the bandstand was full of fun and reminiscing all the years of bad music but good company
The last shot from the trip...bags packed at 6AM and headed out the door!
There is nothing that brings me more joy than family vacations!
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