St Patty's, Dinner, and bouncing on the ball!

We had a great start to our week! One of the benefits of working for your dad is that you have a very overprotective boss. One who isn't ok with his 38+ week pregnant daughter being alone at the office. Everyone was out on a job site yesterday so I spent the morning working from home with my sweet girl.


Don't be fooled by her willing, cute smile! I was holding a box of sno-caps in her face. Yes, I bribe my child with candy to get her to take a picture. Isn't she cute, though?

Working from home for a few hours made me optimistic about my maternity leave. I have been leaning towards keeping Kendall home with me once Adley is here. Call me crazy, but I just don't know if I could handle school drop offs everyday. I might test it out the first week with her going 2-3 days. It would be nice to have some one-on-one time with Adley and for Kendall to have some consistency during this time. We will just see. I need to learn that I can't plan everything and just take these days in stride. Can you tell I'm convincing myself?

We met Tara and Caleb for dinner. Kendall and Caleb are the sweetest friends. I cried when we left them because I just cannot get over how quickly they have grown up. And I'm a pregnant hormonal mess these days. They are just such sweet buddies and they love each other so much!


Daddy had a late baseball game so K and I bounced on our stability balls, played board games, and watched the premiere of Dancing with the Stars. I might watch this season this time around. I love the figure skaters, the snowboarder, and Candace Cameron Bure.


I plan on bouncing on my ball again tonight. It made me kind of crampy and my hips kind of hurt afterwards but it feels so good. Why have I not tried this thing sooner?

Also, I preordered Frozen and it has already been delivered! I'm going to take K to pick out some movie candy and then we will have a movie night after dinner tonight. :) I wonder if she will pick out sno-caps?

36 Weeks, Date Night, and Wacky Weather!

Greetings! Happy Monday! This week could be the last week I’m pregnant! Fingers crossed! We are so ready to meet Miss Adley!

My mom and Kendall accompanied me to my 38 week OB appointment. I had a growth ultrasound scheduled and they were both able to check out Adley with me!

Here we are waiting in the ultrasound waiting area.

My mom sent me this picture of K while they were waiting for me to be done with my doctor. :)

Miss Adley is doing great! She is measuring 8 pounds and looks healthy! She is sunny side up (posterior) and head down. The tech let us see Adley in 3d and ti was so cool. Adley is all smashed against my uterus but I love her chubby cheeks and look at those lips. I have a feeling little sis is going to resemble her big sister! We asked if she could tell if she had any hair, but Adley was too far down in my pelvis to see hair follicles.

   

We discussed induction and think that might be the way we go. So as it stands I won’t be pregnant until my due date, unless Adley makes her appearance sooner!

Friday night, Chris and I went on our last date before baby #2. My mom snapped this blurry photo before we left. Here we are with Adley. :)

We didn’t do anything to crazy. We had dinner at Olive Garden, did a little last minute shopping at Target, and I got a chocolate milkshake on the way home. Ha! We contemplated a movie, but its hard to enjoy those these days when you pee every 5 minutes!

Saturday we had BEAUTIFUL weather! We went to lunch as a family and then came home and chilled out. Chris’s team had their first baseball game (and they won!) but we didn’t go.

I’m loving this picture of Kendall jumping!

 

My mom took me out for mani/pedi that afternoon and it was so wonderful! I did something fun with my nails!

Sunday was another lazy day. We spent the morning in bed as a family. I made homemade donuts and we caught up on the news (WHERE is that PLANE?), My Little Pony, and powerpoints. Ha!

 

We went out to lunch and did some family grocery shopping. I am LOVING having my husband accompany me to the grocery! Later that night, we had a repeat of our morning. Chris doing school work, watching more missing plane coverage, and we created Ponyville and played princesses on the ottoman.

 

Oh, and it snowed. What’s the deal with this weather? It was seriously 70 degrees and sunny on Saturday and then snowing Sunday afternoon. Over it!

I’m ready for spring and this baby girl to make her appearance!

This and that and the END!

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow and today is the first day where I am over being pregnant. It's hard for me to get out of bed to pee 5 times a night, my boots didn't fit this morning, and I'm feeling puffy all over.

However, I am soaking up these last moments of Adley in utero. I love feeling her move all day and I have loved being pregnant this time around. I truly feel (if I can convince Chris) that this will not be my last pregnancy. I could do this again. The second time has felt easier than the first time in many ways. 

A few things... 

I finally got a diaper bag for my sweet girl! Ordered here. 

Beware of this bare belly shot! But I think I have dropped. I'm also almost an outie at the moment and I have a few new stretch marks aka love marks.

I was craving Waffle House last week so Kendall and I went one morning before school/work. It was the sweetest time. She kept telling me how much she loved me and how fun it was. Tears!

I bought a matching/shirt onesie for K & A. It came with bows. Ordered here. 

And I completed my last crafting project before baby's arrival. These are going to be UK dresses. I need to get iron on letters or have my sister embroider them. 

My mom sent me this and I had to laugh. I need to watch the matching outfits I guess! Ha!

Pregnancy Take Two: Packing the Hospital Bag

With Kendall, I had our bags packed and carseat installed before 35 weeks. See my hospital bag post here. 

This time around ? I just packed them at almost 37 weeks. And the carseat is not installed. In my defense, it's been very cold and the backseat needs to be vacuumed because it's like a goldfish and lucky charms graveyard at the moment. So hopefully we will clean the car out and install both seats this weekend with the promise of warmer temps!

Back to the bags... I did a little research this time around. Because I've never had a baby before. No, because I just forgot.

I remember with Kendall I packed too much for me and ended up wearing the hospital gown most of the time. I didn't want to get my nice things ruined. Plus the hospital has every thing you need to care for you (the momma) after birth.

If I remember correctly, they had everything I needed for Kendall too. I even kept her in the little white top most of the time because it was easier for her to be handled that way.

So I looked up a few lists on Pinterest and made this list.

Personal items are sitting in a bag on my bathroom vanity to be grabbed quickly if need be. And my body pillow is a necessity. Ha!
I have my bag, diaper bag, Kendall's Big Sister bag, and the camera bag all sitting with the Boppy in the crib ready to go.

How did you pack for the hospital the second time around?

Pregnancy Take Two: Comparing Baby Photos

During your first pregnancy you compare photos of you and your husband. See my post here. During your subsequent pregnancies... you look at your first babies pictures ALL the time!

So for fun... here are some good ones of my firstborn, the one and only, Miss Kendall Grace!

Our first family photo

Kendall's internet debut photo! I swear she still looks like this when she sleeps. 

Oh I love this one! I'm bringing this headband for Adley to sport too. 

Snuggles!

Happy girl! 

Will Adley have dark hair? Will she have a lot of hair? Will she look more like Chris? Or me? Or Kendall? I cannot wait to meet this little bundle!

Pregnancy Take Two: Weight Gain

Inspired by this post from my first pregnancy.

I am happy to report that I have gained less with this pregnancy than I did with my first. I won't sit here and tell you that whilst being pregnant I don't dislike my body. I've had my share of lows in the getting dressed department this time around too.

However, I really feel different about the whole process because I know I will lose the weight. More importantly, I look at Kendall and see what I get out of the whole process and it does not matter.

The stretch marks will fade. I will wear normal clothes again. I will like getting on the scale one day. I will enjoy working out and eating better and see changes in my body.

BUT I carried a baby. I brought a life into this world. I have battle scars to prove it. There are women out there who would kill to be in my position, so complaining about feeling fat just doesn't appeal to me.

However, I do laugh about it more this time around.

The pregnant farts that you just can't control. Worrying if you will make it to the bathroom in time. Having your three your old help you take your boots off. Hearing yourself breathe loud and your husband complain about your snoring. Heck, I even have a belly bump dance.

It's funny this time around. I have embraced my changing body and I cannot wait to get my PRIZE!

 

35/35

Today I am 35 weeks pregnant with 35 days to go until my March 27 due date.

I had my first weekly appointment and internal check on Tuesday. I am 1cm and 50% effaced. Doctor said I was measuring big, not huge, but big. More like 36 ish weeks. So she offered me an ultrasound which I have scheduled for 38 weeks and she discussed induction possibilities.

I'll be honest, as much as it excites me, it freaks me out too. I was induced with Kendall. You can read her birth story HERE. It was a great experience. I have nothing to compare it too, but I wonder how it would have gone if I had gone into labor on my own. No decision has to be made yet so I'm just going to let time and Adley do their thing!

For fun, here is a little survey!

How far along?: 35 weeks
How big is your baby? BIG! Baby center says 5 1/4 lbs, I'm thinking 6
Total weight gain?: 28 lbs according to my chart
Sex: Sweet Baby GIRL!
Maternity clothes: All the time! Some are getting too small and my belly hangs out. I switch to yoga pants and a tank or one of Chris's tshirts when I walk through the door!
Stretch marks:  Yes. Most are from last time and they are all very faint and limited to my belly.
Sleep: What's that? I toss and turn all night. And my 3 year old thinks shes a newborn right now.
Best moment this week: Too many to count! Great appointment for Adley and fun times with big sister looking through her old baby gear and pictures.
Movement: All the time! It's getting very limited because she is running out of room.
Food cravings: Little Caesar's Pepperoni  Cheese Bread, Pepsi, and Easter white chocolate M&Ms... so healthy I know
Labor signs: Braxton Hicks and a lot of pressure. 1 cm, 50% effaced and Adley is head down!
Belly button in or out: in
What I miss: getting up from a seated position quickly, holding Kendall more, and sleep
What I'm looking forward to: Going shopping for a few to do list items this weekend and my next appointment!

And here is a comparison shot! 35 weeks with Kendall in September 2010 and today at 35 weeks with Adley!

Oh and if you noticed we chose a middle name for Adley, your check is in the mail. No it's not! Ha! ;)
 

Kendall's BIG Sister Class

Ladies and Gents, we have an EXCITED BIG SISTER on our hands! This past Tuesday evening we took Kendall to her own special class at the hospital. It was called New Baby in the Family and was geared towards 3 and 4 year old siblings. And it was perfect!

I had mentioned to her in the weeks leading up she would be going to a special class but it never really registered until Monday night. During our bedtime routine (cough struggle cough) I told her that after school on Tuesday we would go to her special big sister class and then get milkshakes. Obvs, the milkshakes were a bribe to get her to sleep, but you can bet she remembered that part the next morning. 

On Tuesday, she was SO excited! She woke up talking about her Big Sister Class and us going to get milkshakes. She even told her school teacher her plans!

I knew she was excited because she actually posed for a picture! This is Kendall in her "Awesome BIG Sister" top before we left the house!

Here she is hanging out in the hospital hallway waiting for Daddy to meet us there! I had taken a few pictures on my nice camera, but when I saw all the kids I figured I should stick with my phone so the flash didn't cause any attention!

Kendall was the only girl. All of the kiddos (except one unknown) are expecting baby sisters. The nurse gathered them on the floor and spoke to each child about their sibling for a brief minute. Kendall was so excited and so were the other boys!

She let every kid pick something out of the diaper bag and then she talked about what it was and how it would be used. She let each child demonstrate using the item. Here is Kendall practicing her bottle feeding skills with the model baby.

And here she is practicing the right way to hold a baby by supporting the head and body. Kendall was so cute and kept edging towards the teacher with each item. I can just imagine her thoughts about the items because she has so many baby  doll toys. 

I love that Kendall was the model for the newborn tee shirt! Ha!

And here is the only picture I got of Kendall and I. (Fail!) This was during the Sibling Silly Movie. Kendall found the graham cracker snacks being served during this time. Ha!

After the movie and before our tour, each child was awarded a BIG sister/brother certificate and sticker. 

SO PROUD!

It was fun touring the hospital with Kendall. The nurse told the kids that she needed to be the line leader. Kendall was right behind her the whole time. Ha! I was so happy when we got to the nursery because Kendall got to see real newborns. 

This was the perfect evening for Kendall and our family. I am so excited for Kendall to enter this new role and I cannot wait for the day Adley arrives. We are so blessed! I will treasure this class and evening with Kendall forever!

And yes we got milkshakes after the class! 

Pregnancy Take Two: Connecting with Baby

I wanted to sit down and write about some pregnancy thoughts I'm having the second time around. I am so blessed to be having a second baby and a healthy, problem-free pregnancy. I really enjoy being pregnant and could see myself doing this again. I will let you know if that changes after the baby is born. Ha!

One of the things I LOVE about keeping this blog is I can look back on so many things in my life. I documented my entire pregnancy with Kendall and I have enjoyed comparing the two. I thought it would be fun to reference some of those posts and compare to how I am feeling now. This may take me a few days but I will be so happy I took the time to do this.

Let's start with the sappy...
Somewhere around the end of the second trimester I wrote THIS POST about a mother's love and a pregnancy dream I had.

I don't think you can prepare for the emotions you experience while pregnant and when you meet your baby. It's indescribable. The love I have for Kendall and Adley amazes me. It is truly a gift from God to be a mother.
With that being said, it's different the second time around. Mainly because I have a child this time while pregnant. I thought about my baby every single second while pregnant with Kendall because I had a lot more free time. Ha! This time around I have to remind myself to relax and just feel the baby. I think nesting and connecting with the baby started later because of these things.

Also, there is this guilt. In my heart, I know I will love this baby just as much as I love Kendall. I know I will feel it instantly, because I already have so much love for Adley. But, she isn't here and Kendall is. And EVERYONE keeps telling me about how much Kendall's life will change. I get this. I do. And it makes me feel guilty.

But then I quickly remind myself that I am giving Kendall the gift of a sibling. A built in best friend. A sister. And I don't feel so bad anymore. I know there will be an adjustment, but it will be great.

Adley's Nursery Reveal

If you follow me on instagram (mrsryan555) then you will know the nursery does not currently look this clean. We got all kinds of baby gear out from the garage and it is a disaster area. I will be working on organizing everything I need to have a baby this week. :)

So here is a glimpse into Adley's room. Kendall and I love spending time in this room and it has been fun planning a nursery again. Like my friend Sara said, I will spend all this time getting the room ready only for her to sleep in my room. Hopefully not 8 months like with Kendall. Honestly, who cares? Babies don't keep!

Month of Love!

Happy Day! We had a great, relaxing weekend at home and next month I"M HAVING A BABY! Crazy! Here's what we've been up to in the past few days via my phone.

Busting out the baby gear! Kendall is already a pro at putting Uno in her carseat.

She will practically be able to babysit by the time Adley arrives. I kid!

Friday night we had a little family date night! Staples and some frozen yogurt! Kendall is anti pictures these days, hence the frozen face!

We had an awesome weather day Saturday. It was 60 degrees! So naturally we spent some time on the trampoline. Chris and I cleaned out most of the garage too! Very successful day!

And Chris brought home a trophy from his 2012 hunting season. This is a big milestone in our marriage. That thing is hanging in the office and my husband is pretty excited. Considering my house is like 90% feminine and decorated how I decide, he can have that office wall. Go ahead. 

I also played around with car seat configuration in the Equinox. See again Kendall's "don't take a picture of me face!" I'm in the market to get K a new car seat. I want one of those transition to booster things. 

And we ended the evening with another family date. Penn Station subs and Lowes!

Sunday we were expected to get snow. (YUCK!) We had a super bowl party to attend. This was taken as we were dropping Kendall off at my parents. 

And this was our drive home about 5 hours later. Yikes!

We live on a big hill and Chris could not get our SUV up with the snow! SO here I am almost 8 months pregnant and walking in the snow. Thankfully I had a pair of gloves and Kendall's Hello Kitty hat in the car. Of course I took a selfie. Bahaha!

We ended up with about 4-6 inches. I'm so over this crap. Bring me SPRING!