28: CA Adventures!

Along: 28 weeks- it looks like I'm smuggling a basketball under my shirt 

Size of baby:  Coconut- he/she weighs about 2.5 pounds. Baby’s bones are almost fully developed but still soft. The brain will increase 400% to 500% in weight from now until delivery- such a miracle. (PS- love bug’s head was measuring two weeks ahead at the sonogram- pretty typical of my babies- big brains!!!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20ish

Maternity Clothes: Yes- purchased a maternity swim suit top to wear while at the beach and love my new maternity shorts. I still wear a mixture of both, but I don’t know how much longer that will last.

Gender: The consensus is boy with most people we talk to or meet. Matt and I both guess boy, but we will find out come early August.   

Movement: Baby moves all the time. It's one of my top three favorite things about pregnancy. It’s such a sweet special bond that cannot be replicated, and I’m so very thankful for it. The movements are not painful yet, but it can be uncomfortable while sleeping.   

Sleep: Nothing new here- I fall into the insomnia category while pregnant and rock it like a champion.

What I miss: I couldn’t some rides at Disneyland last week. I don’t necessarily miss roller coasters- my answer is kind of misleading. I knew that I would be benched for some rides- but sitting out was a change for me. I am used to riding anything that doesn’t involve a spin motion (I have horrible motion sickness). Matt and I both like heights as far as rides, so not pregnant, we would have both done them together. I missed getting to experience it with Noah and Matt, but it will be that much sweeter when Deacon is tall enough and we can all go together! 

I should say- I did love living vicariously through Noah and Matt as they rode anything that was open. They loved it and got to share some special moments conquering rides together.   

Cravings: any type of cold crisp salad, fruit, and dessert  

Symptoms: insomnia, joint aches, poor circulation in my feet, and fatigue  

Best Moment This Week:  All things California- what a great vacation. God provides! With the boys being 3.5 & 5.5, this vacation was such a delight. We had no tears, no temper tantrums, and so much fun. We cherished our time with Matt’s mom and grandparents. The boys loved Matt’s cousins and all things Disney, beach, and pool related. They didn’t want to leave ( and neither did we). Despite lack of sleep and going 100 miles an hour each day, these boys could not get enough of the family and fun.

I’m going to do a post on our Disney experience later. It was “YES” day and one of my favorite memories to date as a parent. The boys participated in Jedi Training and it was so awesome. There is nothing like watching your boys soak up every moment of fighting Darth Vader and practicing “the force”. We spent 14 hours (that’s right, 14 hours) in that park and soaked it all up. Disneyland really is one of the happiest places on earth. What a trip!

27: Bundle of Joy

Along: 27 weeks

Size of baby:  Bunch of bananas- the cochleae have developed in baby’s ears contributing to his/her sense of hearing. Baby can control lungs and regulate body temperature.   

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 20 pounds- going strong.

Maternity Clothes: I do a mixture. I really love my two new pairs of maternity shorts. They are a game changer as we are approaching the 90 degree days.   

Gender: SURPRISE! Matt and I still think boy. Noah wants boy and Deacon now wants girl.

Movement: We had our sonogram yesterday, and all of baby’s limbs are on the right side of my body. I feel so much movement there, so it’s awesome to actually see why. Baby had his/her legs crossed just like brothers did still- talk about melting our hearts. We are already SO in love.  

Sleep: not the best. Matt bought me the sweetest box of chocolate for Mother’s day. I had a couple last night, and I’m about 100% one of them had coffee in it. I tossed and tossed and tossed and turned last night.  

What I miss: Sound sleep and high energy levels. I also have such a weak bladder this time around. It’s comical but horrible that peeing in my pants at work from sneezing/coughing has become a real fear of mine.  

Cravings: ice water, chocolate, and anything with peanut butter

Symptoms: fatigue, roller coaster emotions, insomnia, swollen feet, my limbs fall asleep way more easy (sitting Indian style, certain sleep positions).  

Best Moment This Week:  We did a girl’s camping trip on Saturday night for Ashley’s birthday. We headed out to a camp site right on the lake and enjoyed chili, s’mores, walking trails and card games. This was then followed by a spectacular Mother’s day. I told Matt I didn’t want any gifts- just not to have to cook any meals. He granted my wish and also cleaned my house! The boys were very kind and sweet. It was just a great day. I had a hard wakeup call Monday when I was back to real life. Luckily, vacation starts Wednesday! 

Deacon Update: 3.5

This sweetie of mine is 3 ½ and seriously pure joy.  I mostly write this blog as a scrapbook for me/us to look back and remember on. Here are some things that we love about our Deacon Matthew at this super FUN age.

Sense of Style- this kid loves fashion. Today, he picked out a polo, bow tie, long socks, Baylor slime hat, and basketball shoes to wear to school. He likes pants that are cozy (fleece) and loves to match Noah.  

Art abilities- He will color with me for hours. He paints daily at school and comes home with elaborate explanations as to what each illustration is about. Almost all of the paintings have the color orange because it’s his favorite.  (He’ll include yellow a lot as well, since it’s MY favorite).

Tender spirit- This kid is tough as nails (split lip with a couple tears, four stitches later and really no complaining). BUT if you look at him the wrong way or raise your voice- he gets very sad.  He does not like to get in trouble.

Clean- HE LOVES TO CLEAN! Making his bed all nice is his love language. He will ask to wash windows and wipe down tables. Thank you Montessori because his big brother surely doesn’t have these desires. Deacon is very neat and tidy.

Soccer Stud- homeboy loves to play soccer. He loves practice and games as much as his brother even though he’s on the sidelines with Matt. He is very coordinated and has a quick first step. Can’t wait when he’s four and can join in!

Flexible Eater- Deacon is at the stage where he will pretty much try everything. At a craw fish boil, he did politely decline eating what he just had held and raced outside earlier that afternoon but as far as vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.- he’s all in. At his class tea party today, he ate the herbs (mint, sage) and liked it! He requested cucumber in his lunch for school as well. Both boys also really enjoy eating seaweed much to Matt and my dismay. I buy it at Costco in bulk and they’ll snack on it like chips. YIKES!

Nervous about Darth Vader.....

That’s all for now! I’ll give Noah a six point shout out next week. Happy Weekend! 

26: BabyBump Update

Along: 26 weeks

Size of baby:  Head of lettuce- baby is working on getting immune system ready for life outside of my body- soaking up antibodies. His/her eyes are beginning to open.  

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 16-19 pounds- I don’t have any idea. I read somewhere that I should gain between 16-22 pounds at this point. I’m going to guess that’s about right.  

Maternity Clothes: I am still able to do a mixture. I was gifted some maternity tops from a co-worker who just had a baby girl. I know they will get a lot of use come summer. I have an outfit on today that fit great two weeks ago. Today, it is much tighter. It is fun to see a comparison and the change in just two weeks. 

Gender: We will all know come August. Noah has asked for me to find out on Monday (our second sonogram) because he needs to know. He said his teachers are asking and he’d like to tell them- that was the main reason for the urgency. I guess it’s safe to say that biggest brother doesn’t really dig the surprise.

Movement: Love this part of my pregnancy- feeling the baby a lot and just really reminded the miracle growing inside of me. Deacon felt baby kick on 5-10. Noah hasn’t yet, but I can’t wait until he does.

Sleep: I have a sinus infection/horrible allergies so this has been rough. I am hoping it will all clear before we take the boys on vacation next week.

What I miss: NyQuil, I’d like some strong medicine right now. With pregnancy, I’m much more limited on what I can take. I’m just trying to weather the storm.

Cravings: ice cream, cold water, barbecue with pickles

Symptoms: hip pain, fatigue, light headed, irritability, insomnia

Best Moment This Week:  Noah learned about the Holy Spirit on Sunday and has been talking constantly about the Pentecost (which is June 4^th this year). He explained to me that when we feel that thump on our heart as we are about to make a bad choice, that’s the Holy Spirit working on us. Noah told me he had felt that before and was just very excited to talk about what that meant to him and his life. All of this conversation was unprompted and completely lead by him. As a mom who prays over her kids daily, my heart was so full to see the joy and excitement in Noah’s words. Matt and I do not take shepherding his heart lightly, and as he is discovering the truth about the cross- there is simply nothing more beautiful or joyful.

25 Weeks: Third Time Around

Along: 25 weeks

Size of baby:  Head of cauliflower- measuring 13.6 inches and around 1.5 pounds. We have our next sonogram on the 15^th, which this will give us more accurate idea of size.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 15-17 pounds- really similar to both boys, so I think I’m doing OK in this department.

Maternity Clothes: I am still able to do a mixture. I find myself trying to wear out the different outfits that will be too hot or too small come summer.

Gender: Surprise. Noah thinks girl; Deacon thinks boy.

Movement: Matt felt baby kick on Sunday- April 30^th. Deacon keeps asking to feel for baby, so I’m hoping that happens here within next couple days. It just has to be at the right time because this baby definitely MOVES. W

Sleep: This week I’ve had a couple good nights and a couple bad nights. Last night I slept like a rock, but I was also very tired from taking Brusier on run. 90 pound German shepherd ain’t a joke- that buddy can PULL. I kind of wonder if I do better with exercise, I need to watch it more carefully. I have still been running 2-4 times a week and trying to do a little bit of weights/cardio videos. I was able to exercise with Noah until about week 26ish and Deacon week 33ish. With the summer, I’m not sure what I’ll be able to maintain this go around.  

What I miss: high energy levels- I feel like some days I just can’t keep up. There really is never a down/dull moment at our house between work, keeping up with house, cleaning, and playing with boys. I think I took for granted the ease of handling it all not pregnant vs. pregnant. My mental capacity to multi-task and accomplish a lot during each day has definitely lessened this trimester.

Cravings: Yogurt, Bananas, Rice. I kept having Charlie Horses during day and at night; I’ve upped my banana intake and can tell a huge difference. Potassium for the win!

Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, irritability, pregnancy brain, insomnia

Best Moment This Week:  We had two of our favorite Little Village teachers over for dinner on Monday, and I really enjoyed getting to spend time with them. There is so much joy in fellowship. They love our kids so well, and we have loved what God has done. The boys were on cloud nine with all the attention. Noah has even tried to ask one of them to a) move to Virginia with us b) marry him c) come over more often/ longer. Deacon is also pretty calm, cool, and collected for the most part. With these two people, he is all hugs, smiles, and stories. Great to see the good other people can pull out of ours kids.