thankful

I'm thankful for my husband, and my son, and this tiny baby whom refuses to come out of me.

I'm thankful for our home.

I'm thankful for my job and all of the rewards that come with it.

I'm thankful for our family who help us when we need it.

I'm thankful for living.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

so this just happened...

We'll see what Eric says when he gets home. 

Muah ha ha. Or, is it ho ho ho?

number 2 [week 38]

Symptoms: My belly looks so low. I tried to pose for my belly picture in a way that it would be noticeable, but it's not as clear in a photo when covered. My energy level spiked a bit at the end of the week after a few days of sluggishness at the beginning. Everything else is pretty much the same; I'm still pregnant. I'm officially the most pregnant that I've ever been!

Cravings: Tacos! I've had them 4 times this week. Thankfully they're low in carbs!

Aversions: Nada. This mama's been hangry.

Missing: My hunger has led me to recent daydreaming about all the things I'm going to eat once this kiddo is out: Subway's Cold Cut Combo, sushi, corndogs, and Olive Garden are at the top of the list.

Mood: More and more irritable the longer I remain pregnant. I'm way over it at this point.

Sleep: It's back and forth. Cramps haven't been prevalent, but insomnia wrecked my Saturday night. My wonderful husband let me take a nap the next day. Oh, how I wish I could sleep on my tummy or on my back.

Dreams: I finally had a dream related to my pregnancy! Of course I can't remember the details, but it was cool to dream about something realistic. I do recall that I was this far along and not in labor... VERY realistic, eh?

Movement: Wesley continues to wiggle about his womb. I wish he'd wiggle his way on out of it!

Best Moment: Simon knows that we are waiting on Wesley's arrival, and he continues to be supportive and excited. While tucking him in the other night and struggling to bend down to hug him, Simon offered to sit up to reach me and I thanked him and assured him that his brother would be coming out of my tummy soon and then I wouldn't have trouble bending over anymore. Simon lit up with happiness, and then asked me how Wesley would be coming out of my belly. I decided to answer honestly but briefly and simply said that I'll have to push him out. Simon looked at me with worry and asked, "Does that mean my brother will break your belly?" Smiling out of awe and hilarity, I reassured him that Wesley would not break my belly and sidestepped further questions of how exactly Wesley would be coming out by telling Simon we'd talk more in the morning. I'm just amazed by his little mind and never want to forget the wonder and intrigue Simon experienced while waiting for his brother to come.

Pregnancy Purchases: I found a new nursing bra at Motherhood Maternity while at the mall with Simon, Jen, and Bliss yesterday. I spent more than I wanted, but I really needed a new one in my correct size which is hard to find.

Other News: Over the weekend Eric and I organized our garage storage room and cleared out over half a dozen boxes of junk that mostly went to Goodwill or in the garbage. Today I prepped the house for Thanksgiving with lots of cleaning, dishes, laundry, and reorganization of the kitchen. Clearly nesting is back in full force, but I am beginning to run out of things to do. My head and my heart are ready for this baby, I wish my body would hurry and catch up.

Looking Forward To: Thanksgiving dinner. Grocery shopping is done, and our plans are set for Thursday. We'll see if everything goes according to schedule!

9 random facts about me

I once was bored, suffering from insomnia, and accidentally liked a post similar to this on Facebook and was assigned a number to complete my own post. I'm finally blogging this now to get it out of my Drafts listing and knock out today's NaBloPoMo post.

9 random facts about me:

1. I can eat an entire full-size bag of microwave popcorn by myself because it is my favorite food. I could probably eat two, but I've never allowed myself that much gluttony.
2. I've been self-conscious about my body since I hit puberty, which happened early. I know this is completely normal for women, but I feel like my list is miles long.
3. I wish I were more artistic or crafty, but I feel like I make up for it with my organizational skills. My mommy side has been attempting more "farts and crafts" as of late. Yes, that says farts. My crafts have less skill of art and more skill of fart.
4. I've been known among my oldest friends to have the best memory, but it's been shot since my first pregnancy and has potentially gotten worse.
5. I never thought I'd be the type of parent who'd be such an advocate for breastfeeding, co-sleeping, baby wearing, cloth diapering, and some other hippie mumbo jumbo, but I am... and I am proud of it.
6. ^ I will talk about pregnancy or breastfeeding with anyone. ANYONE. Watch out.
7. I wish we had closer relationships with our immediate families.
8. I was in high school when I finally got why it's called Men's Wearhouse instead of Men's Warehouse. So embarrassing.
9. It was difficult for me to admit, but I think that I struggled with postpartum depression after having Simon. I wonder how my experience will be different with Wesley and if I will have similar feelings. It's important to talk about, although far too many women never do.

This was supposed to be comical, but got pretty deep at 2:00 in the morning. I'll have to attempt another one when I'm not feeling so much angst! (Again, another joke.)

it's beginning to get closer to Christmas

Wesley's stocking is officially en route to our house, and today I purchased his First Christmas ornament for our tree. It amazes me how on top of things I am with this child, especially since I didn't even purchase Simon's First Christmas ornament until after his first Christmas (but don't tell him that).

I had it all planned out that we'd put up our Christmas tree last Friday evening, specifically because it was the kick-off of my Thanksgiving break. Then when the time came, it felt way too early for a Christmas tree. Eric even agreed, which wasn't much of a shock at all.

Now it's Monday night, I'm officially on break, and I'm still pregnant. I'm kind of feeling ready to put up the tree now, but just the tree and the lights for the time being. Eric looked at me like I'm crazy, and I assured him that I'm not exactly asking him to pull the box out of the garage... yet. I just feel like I should be doing anything and everything productive around here until this kid comes out!

We'll see how far I make it... which will make a debut in this house first: Wesley or our Christmas tree? Taking bets now (probably best to put them on the stupid tree).

I decided

Remember my great stocking debate?

I settled on the polar bear one!

Of course when I asked Eric for his opinion he voted for the penguin one, and then immediately looked at me and said he felt like he picked the wrong one.

Like I said before, I don't think I could stand another mismatched stocking. I'm even considering replacing Eric's and my stockings with ones that go with the Woodland Collection by Pottery Barn. Do I dare? And, do I buy an extra for a future child just in case?

Seriously getting ahead of myself over here. I need help. Or to give birth.

number 2 [week 37]

Symptoms: Still pregnant over here! My contractions continue to be next to nonexistent. Heartburn is still prevalent in the morning, except for when I substitute my regular fried egg muffin with cheese for a small bowl of Pumpkin Cheerios. I've noticed that my hands and feet have hardly been swollen at all throughout this entire pregnancy, which is such a difference from when I carried Simon. I don't think I'll have to take off my wedding ring this time around!

Cravings: My sweet tooth is still in full force.

Aversions: Honestly, nothing, I want to eat everything, even the stuff I can't have.

Missing: Comfortable sleep, which has just become a cruel joke at this point.

Mood: Up and down. I keep thinking that this baby is coming any day now, and yet here he still gestates. My positivity toward claiming that Boyfriend will come early has turned into negativity in believing that this kiddo is staying in utero until college.

Sleep: As mentioned above, it's not been so great. Restless leg syndrome is back, and foot cramps have returned two nights in a row after an approximate two-week hiatus. Everything is just so uncomfortable. Insomnia has been an issue, too.

Dreams: I'm daydreaming about going into labor everyday, that's for dang sure!

Movement: Wesley's frequency in movements are less, which is completely normal as he is following longer patterns of sleep and less waking time. When he is awake I'm rattled by either his super strong hiccups or his super strong, stretching kicks and rolls that leap in all different directions. He also sometimes feels sideways, which makes no sense, and it's expectantly uncomfortable. I'm reminding myself through the discomfort that all movement is good movement.

Best Moment: Jen and I got "prego pampered" last weekend. We met for a belly date for manicures and pedicures. It felt wonderful doing something special and relaxing for myself while hanging out with Jen. She is due with her fourth--a second girl--about a week before me, so we'll see whose baby makes an appearance first!

Baby Buys: I found curtains for Wesley's room, and now the nursery is officially complete. I can't stop walking in there to enjoy the sight! Photos to come soon.

Other News: My official 38-week prenatal appointment was on Tuesday. I wasn't super excited having to be there, but Eric and I were eager to find out what kind of progress I'd made in the last two weeks. My doctor's exam found that I am dilated 3 cm, effaced 70%, and carrying an approximate 7 lb. bundle of joy. She was surprised that my contractions have slowed down so much, but assured me that it won't be too much longer (because ya know, he HAS TO come out). Even though I've experienced so little swelling, my doctor suggested that I take off my toe ring to avoid the possibility of needing it cut off due to potential swelling in my feet during active labor. I'd forgotten all about my toe ring since it hasn't caused me any discomfort thus far, but with Eric's reminder I obediently took it off that night just to be safe.

Looking Forward To: Do I have to say it? MEETING WESLEY! I'm so ready for you, darling. Please, just come on out to meet us.