35 Weeks!

Happy New Year! This is a day early because tomorrow night I'll be celebrating, Friday I will most likely be working on the kitchen with Eric and I have shit to do on top of all of that!

Random Thoughts from This Week: I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas break. I love it because I have time to myself. I hate it because my kiddos are restless and are in a different routine because I'm in a different routine and it screws everything up. But damnit, I want that ten extra minutes of sleep!
Maternity clothes? Yes, and this week it has been nothing but yoga pants and shirts.
Weight gain? Yep, sitting at a glorious 190. Every time I eat something, I think, "I'm going to have to lose this weight." At this point, I think I was only 175 with Catherine, if that. Also, I am pretty sure when I gave birth to Catherine, I was at 182. Sooo... go me.
Stretch marks? Nope!
Best moment this week? Physical. Therapy. Oh my God! It was amazing! She showed me all the reasons I am in pain, and then showed me how I can actually combat that pain. I actually thought I might be able to skip out of my appointment. Then I had an hour-long prenatal massage, and I feel awesome. I didn't realize how much pain I was in until I wasn't in that much pain anymore! Another "best" moment this week is that we actually started in on the kitchen. And we started with a bang. It's been pretty crazy, but somehow, it's actually still functional. Sure, we don't have a floor and are just walking on the sub floor, which is dusty. Sure, we don't have a counter top, but in all reality, we didn't really have much to begin with, so we're not really losing much. It's been a good time, but we hit a snafu today, so hopefully we can get past it quickly!
Worst moment this week? James has been naughty naughty naughty and tonight, I bribed him with a New Year's Eve party if he stays in his room after bedtime. He has made a habit of getting out of bed for one thing or another, which seems to be the norm every couple of months.
Movement? Oh my, yes. The other night, you stuck your knee out and moved allll the way across my belly, making my belly button pop out! It was crazy to watch, and certainly alien-like, but still very cool.
Anything make you queasy or sick? Because the stove is unhooked and Eric took down the microwave to put up a cabinet, I had to be really inventive when cooking dinner last night. We had grilled cheese sandwiches, and they are so good, I had too many and felt like hell. So yes, I was definitely queasy after that bout.
Looking forward to: I get to have physical therapy TWICE A WEEK. I am so damn excited, I can hardly contain myself. I can't believe how much better I felt! Here's to a few more days of break, and week 35!

34 Weeks!

Merry Christmas!!!


Random Thoughts from This Week: I know that in the grand scheme of things, Christmas is about Jesus, not presents. But I fucking won in the parenting department with the presents I got the kids. Especially with James' bunk bed. Super awesome!
Maternity clothes? Yep! Especially for our photos at Christmas, the staples came out. Boots, leggings, dress, scarf.
Weight gain? Probably. All I've done is eat, and it's awesome. On the news today, they said the average American will gain 6 pounds between now and New Years Eve. I bet I will gain more. ;)
Stretch marks? Negative, ghost rider. Which is surprising, because the way this kid stretches out is insane.
Best moment this week? Definitely being together with family for Christmas. It was really fun, and for the first time in several years, Eric's family Christmas was enjoyable. It was enjoyable when we first got together, but after things went downhill with his parents, it got really awkward. Finally, they are at an amicable place where we can actually have fun. It was awesome.
Worst moment this week? I am in so much pain, it's unreal. It doesn't matter if I'm walking, sitting down, sleeping, whatever I'm doing, I'm in pain. In the past week, I have not once woken up feeling great. I have a feeling this will be the norm in this pregnancy until I give birth.
Miss anything? This week, definitely my dad.
Movement? OMG, yes, my child, how you love to move. You don't really kick anymore, you just sloooowly shift around. You especially like to stick your knees out at my belly button, which hurts. I usually have to push back so you'll stop. It's very painful. Add that to the pain that I'm already feeling, and I just want to lay down on the bed and cry!
Anything make you queasy or sick? If Christmas cookies made me queasy or sick, I would be incredible sad.

Looking forward to: This coming week have a snowstorm coming (wahoo!), I have Catherine's 18 month appointment (just after she has turned 19 months and after missing her 15 month - parenting win!), I have my first physical therapy appointment (THANK YOU JESUS), I have an hour-long prenatal massage (YESSSSS) and Eric will be tearing apart our kitchen (half excited, half dreading it...). Not to mention, our kids are in daycare ALL WEEK until Thursday. Whoopee!! Usually, she takes time off for the holidays, for which we still have to pay (ugh, but that's the way it goes), but this year because of the way the holidays fall, she is staying open. I can't wait to have all this time to myself and help Eric out on the kitchen... as much as I can, I suppose!

Here's to 6 weeks left! 

33 Weeks!

Random Thoughts from This Week: Holy. Shit.
Maternity clothes? Yes, and I am squeezing into all of them. Luckily, it's finally cold enough for the staples: dress, leggings, boots. Add a scarf, and it looks like I tried. My biggest issue so far has been *gasp* the boobs. Holy. Hell. Where did these things come from? Why have they not gotten this big before? You can tell I've gained some weight here and there (face, as always!), but if you look at the boob comparison from pregnancy to pregnancy, this time, they are HUGE. I finally broke down and bought bigger nursing bras to give the girls some room because they were getting out of control! I have only ever been this size once, and it was when I was breastfeeding Catherine. Incredible!
Weight gain? Yes, believe it or not. Although I'm only up 20 pounds from the weight I was when I got pregnant, not to mention I was wearing boots, heavy pants and a bunch of shit at the doctors office, I am definitely as heavy as I was with James at this point. Which isn't fun. It was so nice to lose the weight so quickly with Catherine, and it was so hard with James.I am guessing that after multiple pregnancies, given my age, it will, again, be difficult to lose weight. Hopefully, not too difficult!
Stretch marks? Nope. I just might actually be one of the lucky ones.
Best moment this week? Umm... I had my concert on Monday night. Even though I wasn't happy with the end product, I spent most of it hobbling around because I was in so much pain, and at one point, I contemplated stepping outside because I was so nauseous, it's OVER. That means I don't have anything major going on until this baby comes. Thank God. Also, I was referred for physical therapy from the doctor, since she said my pain is just going to get worse as baby gets bigger. So I have my first appointment on the 30th, and I can't wait. I am so ready to have this baby and NOT be in pain anymore! Then, I had my second pregnancy massage, and it was glorious. Since I won't be having one next week, I scheduled an HOUR massage for Christmas Break. Can't wait! Already, I am dreaming of Gregorian Chant, aromatherapy candles and laying on my stomach. Cannot. Wait. 
Worst moment this week? Eric has been gone a lot this week already, and will be gone again tomorrow morning. Which leaves a very pregnant me trying to entertain two small children. I am thrilled that James is really into a couple of apps on his tablet and puzzles (OH MY GOD, PUZZLES...), and that Catherine is really finding her purse to be fascinating, but it is difficult to try and get down on their level and play with them. While I was hanging out on the floor (oh lord, the pain in getting up from that!) I had a bit of mommy guilt, much like I did when I was pregnant with Catherine. Soon, these two aren't going to be my one and only's. And even though we are simply adding to the brood, and I have been through this before, it is still the last time I will ever have just two kids. Pretty nuts...
Miss anything? Walking normally. I am officially starting to waddle.
Movement? It has started to slow down dramatically. Lots of pushing and squirming, not so much kicking jabbing. Which tells me it's getting tight in there!
Food cravings? Chips and dip. Right now, in fact. And Honeycrisp Apples. Oh my, how I love Honeycrisp Apples!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Not really anything in particular, I have just been feeling sick in general. I am guessing third trimester nausea is starting to make an appearance, which is always fun. At least I don't have to pretend that I've not sick, like we normally do for the first trimester!

What pissed you off this week? Mmm, nothing really. It's been a pretty normal week.

Here's to week 34!!!! 

32 Weeks!

Random Thoughts from This Week: Ready to not have to bend over at an awkward angle in front of my students anymore........
Maternity clothes? Yes, and they are starting to get too small. How's that for self-esteem?
Weight gain? Probably - we will find out on Tuesday!
Stretch marks? Nope, and I'm hoping to get to the mall this weekend for a little Bath and Body Works lotion!
Best moment this week? It's been a rough week, but maybe today when my Select Choir sang at the Senior Citizens Dinner and was AWESOME. Not to mention today I had my first (of many) prenatal massages. I felt AWESOME afterward! She pinpointed all the spots that I have been complaining about, including my sciatic nerve, and it was amazing. I seriously felt like I was 22 weeks instead of 32!!!! Also, the fact that we have a decent bathtub that I can soak in every night is glorious. And I do soak in it every night. It's amazing. I just wish I could make it blazing hot like I enjoy, but alas, I have to make sure Baby Engels is safe (hence, no pregnant women in hot tubs)!
Worst moment this week? I have been very sore, and very tired. It has made dealing with our kids a bit of a handful. James has also been extra naughty and extra whiney and it has made for some long nights for this family of four. Eric and I have been strung out.
Miss anything? I desperately miss being able to haul myself off the couch faster. I also miss not having to plea every time I bend over, which makes balance very difficult. 
Movement? Right now, he is boot scooting. I can tell it's getting much tighter in there! 
Food cravings? Honeycrisp apples are in season right now, and it's awesome. I have been munching on one of those for breakfast every morning, and they are glorious!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Nope. I pretty much dealt with the majority of that last week with the flu. I am fully functioning this week.

What pissed you off this week? My y'all come sing choir has been incredibly talkative, so I channeled my inner bitch, and let them have it. If they talk out of turn, they have to sing their part for me by themselves on the spot. If they continue, they go to the library to write a paper. Every time after that, they add one page to the paper. Needless to say, they have been awesome. I am very excited to work with them this week since they sucked all last week adn when I came back from having the flu on Monday. Just a lot of kids who don't know how to work hard.

So here's to Week 33, which is making me nervous... We have a kitchen that we have yet to order cabinets for, lay flooring for etc. Although I have to hand it to Eric, he is cleaning and organizing the garage so he has a place to assemble the cabinets. We are going with Ready to Assemble cabinets as they are very inexpensive, but higher quality. Not to mention, we don't need any custom cabinets, so that will keep the cost down too. I am always so surprised at what people pay for things. Our neighbors got their cabinets "re-faced," meaning some people came in and sprayed them down with white paint, and they really don't look that good. We have done our research, Eric is a smart contractor, and it really is the best option for us right now. He will also be able to store and assemble them as we install them, which will mean that my kitchen won't be completely demolished and then rebuilt over time. Instead, we will demolish slowly.

The bathroom is almost completely done. We just need to cut the mirrors to size (again, my hubby's a contractor, so he got perfectly good mirrors out of a remodel he was doing and thought, "I should put those back in case we need them as mirrors are expensive." Smart guy, I tell ya!) and get vanity lights. I thought that would do it, but Eric thinks our toilet is leaking. He put some sawdust down and yep, just the slightest bit of water. He thinks it's the way he positioned the toilet. I think we have a crack somewhere in the bowl and need to return it as soon as possible. Just what I wanted to deal with at 8 months pregnant.

I read an article the other night about deciding (who decided this one??) to have the third kid. One of them said DO NOT have a third kid if you are thinking of doing any remodeling in the next 5 years. Ummmmm, we are completely ignoring that one. Remodel is about the only thing we know. But here we are, with almost 100% equity in our home (thank you assessment and property value increases...). Not a whole lot of people can say that... unless they can say their parents gave them a ton of money for a down payment. Haha. But honestly, that's huge. And our house genuinely looks nice. What I cannot understand is that we have a house that is 1500 square feet, with a 700 square foot (finished portion) basement, and a 400 square foot deck. We have acquaintances that just bought an 1800 square foot house, basement UNFINISHED and about 800 square feet, for $280,000!!! What the hell??? Why on earth would you do that? Do they have a three-stall garage? Yes. But they are only on a quarter-acre of land, like we are. And yet, they paid more than double we did? I'm telling you, foreclosures are where it's at. It's a lot of work, but in the end, when we go to sell this puppy, we will have a ton of money for a much bigger house, and we will still be able to live comfortably. You could say I'm pretty proud of that!

But, of course, I digress. Bottom line: we are almost done with our remodels. The question is, will we be done by the time Baby E3 gets here??? We shall see!

Onward!

31 Weeks!

Random Thoughts from This Week: Last week, I was thanking God for not getting the flu. This week, I am thanking God that I lived through the flu.
Maternity clothes? Yes, yes and yes. I have taken a few out that were too big in the beginning, as they fit me now. Why not, right? 
Weight gain? Considering how much I have thrown up in the past 24 hours, I'm guessing there is not a whole lot of weight gain there...
Stretch marks? Negative. I wonder if I'm just one of those people who are lucky and don't get them. Although I have been spreading lotion on!
Best moment this week? We put up our Christmas tree on Sunday, AFTER we laid our new floor in our dining room. Hallelujah! James was hilarious and kept taking ornaments to Eric to put on the tree. He would run to the tree and give Eric the ornament and then say, "Merry Christmas!" or something to that extent. It was adorable. 
Worst moment this week? The flu. Holy hell.
Miss anything? Feeling normal. I am so tired, I think I strained a muscle in my stomach from puking, I can't seem to get comfortable in bed anymore, and I feel like a cow most days. I can't wait for post-baby!
Movement? A ton, despite all the puking I did last night. You were still boot scooting away!
Food cravings? Not right now!
Anything make you queasy or sick? Just the sight of food last night sent me to the bathroom. So yes, right now, everything except for the crackers and apple I have choked down.

What pissed you off this week? Not much! Surprisingly...

Here's to week 32! Can't believe how close we're getting!