August Goals

Alright so here I am to give an account for my July goals and to write out my August goals. I think I will give myself a B- for accomplishing my July goals. Considering I still am trying to figure out this 2 kid thing, I will count that as a win.

Here's a recap and update on my July goals:

1) Read 2 leisure books. Done! I read The Heir by Kiera Cass which I loved. It's the 4th book in The Selection series. I've enjoyed the books and are easy reads. I also read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. HATED IT. Just don't even get me started on that book. It was just awful.

2) Start/finish E's 1 year book. So I started it but haven't finished it. OH well.

3) Catch up on the blog. I did pretty good with this. I just need to finish up  my one month and 2 month posts for J. I have what I want to say I just haven't put it up on the blog. I plan on doing that this week.

4) Blog 3 other times. I did 2/3 times. I think that is pretty good!

5) Book place for E's party! Done! We are having it at a splash park!

6) Start planning for E's party. Done! She has picked out the theme (Cinderella) and I have picked up some things for little crafts. It won't be as crafty as my other parties just because it's at a splash park but I do have ideas and plan on finishing up the crafts this weekend and plan the menu next week!

Now for my August goals:

1. Choose curriculum for preschool and plan first lessons. I'm really excited about this. I don't want to send my daughter to preschool. I know I can teach her the basics and I want this time with her at home. Plus, I plan on homeschooling as well and I want to see if this is doable.

2. Begin decorating guest bathroom. I have some cute ideas to make this a bathroom for the kids but also for guests. It will be slow in progress but I at least want to start it this month.

3. Read 2 leisure books.

4. Finish planning E's birthday party. 

5. Try 2 new recipes. I love to cook and need some new recipes for dinner. It's time when I don't want to cook our regulars because I'm tired of them.

6. Organize toys better.  E will be getting new toys for her birthday and now J needs an area to put toys that he will be playing with as he gets older. I just want to have them better organized in the living room and put toys up that aren't being played with for rotation purposes.

7. Blog at least 4 times.  I think this is pretty doable and it's starting to get easier to find time to blog.

What's Up Wednesday

Happy Hump Day! I'm linking up with Shay, Sheaffer, and Mel for What's Up Wednesday today!

1. What we're eating this week...

We are eating Mix and Match Mama's Turkey Spinach Lasagna. So easy to make and delicious too. I even made a couple of these as freezer meals before Judah was born. They tasted great even from being frozen as well.


2. What I'm reminiscing about....

10 years ago I was coming home from studying abroad in Spain and we made a stop in London on the way home. I knew I loved London before I went there because HISTORY but once I was there, I was smitten. My love affair with England/London had begun. Oh to be back across the pond today...

3. What I'm loving..

That the Kate Spade multi glitter stud earrings are going to be coming to me in the mail really soon. When Sheaffer announced on Facebook last week that these earrings were back in stock, I jumped on it. I can't wait to get them!

4. What we've been up to...

We just got back from a week vacation in Denver visiting family and relaxing in the cooler weather. I'm kind of sad to be back in the sweltering heat of DFW. Give me the mountains any day.







5. What I'm dreading...

Nothing really. I'll keep it that way =). 

6. What I'm working on...

This little girl has a birthday party coming up in a couple of weeks. She decided she wanted a Cinderella party, and I finally decided on invitations today. Nothing like waiting to the last minute, right? I've been scouring Pinterest for cute decoration ideas, and I'm going to get started on them this weekend.

7. What I'm excited about..

The month of August..Lots of fun things happening and big celebrations in our family happen next month. I can't wait.

8. What I'm watching/reading..

I just finished reading Go Set a Watchmen by Harper Lee. It. Was. Awful. If you haven't read it yet, just don't. Live in the bubble that Atticus is a great person. Mine has officially been burst.

9. What I'm listening to...

My daughter loves the music from Teen Beach 2. I let her watch some of the dance numbers from the movie, and she loves it. This music has been on repeat on our house. She loves a good musical - I've done something right.

10. What I'm wearing....

I just ordered some maxi dresses from Target during one of their sales. They are super cute and bonus: nursing friendly! I'm excited because they will transition great into the fall with a cute jean jacket as well.

11. What I'm doing this weekend...

Nothing major planned. I know a certain little one who would be happy playing in the backyard pool all weekend. We may just make that happen.

12. What I'm looking forward to next month...

Celebrating 8 years with this guy and 

celebrating this little girl turning 3! How did that happen? 

13. What else is new...

Well, today I go to my post op appointment with my surgeon for my surgery 2 weeks ago. Oh wait, you didn't know? I had an emergency surgery to remove my appendix. Two weeks ago on a Thursday, I woke up to feed Judah at one in the morning and noticed that my stomach was hurting. I didn't think anything of it until I woke up again at 5 to feed him and the pain was still there. I thought I was coming down with the stomach bug. However by noon that day no other symptoms had shown up except the ever increasing pain underneath my belly button. I called Jason to come home from work later that afternoon and we went to the urgent care. They proceeded to check me out and said I needed to go the ER. Several hours and a CT scan later, the doctor came in and said you have an appendicitis, you are having surgery tonight. Just what a mother with a 7 week old and a 2 year old wants to hear!! The surgery went fine and I'm feeling much better. I'm also happy to say that J was just fine with our little glitch in our breastfeeding journey. I had plenty of pumped milk, and he took the bottles like a champ but is now happily back to nursing from his momma.

14. What will you miss most about summer? 

Honestly, my kids are so small that the summer is the same as every other season. I am not a fan of hot temperatures so I won't be missing that at all.

Judah's birth story!!

It's official. Our little boy's name is J. It took us a long time to settle on a name for him but we love the meaning behind his name. Just a wonderful story of redemption and God's plan from the beginning. If you know our history of infertility and miscarriage, then you will understand why redemption and trusting in God's plan is so important to us. We never wanted to walk this road but I see God's beautiful redemption and grace woven into our story. We are so thankful for this precious gift. Our firstborn son this side of heaven. Onward to his birth...

J decided to not make his appearance earlier than his induction date so early on May 27, we gave kisses to E, left her with my mom who was staying with us, and drove to the hospital 45 minutes away. We arrived at the hospital a little after 7:30 in the morning. We got settled in and they started the Pitocin at about 9:00a.m. The contractions weren't really bad all morning long. I entertained myself by watching the Today Show and HGTV and phone calls and pictures from my mom about E. I sat on the birthing ball and walked around as much as the monitor belt would let me. At 12:30, my doctor came in to break my water to possibly help my labor progress as it hadn't done much all morning. Having my water broke was definitely a weird sensation considering that it broke spontaneously last time. The contractions did start to intensify after my water broke but I still could tolerate them. I was really wanting to try to get to a 3 or 4 before getting an epidural because I wanted to be in active labor. At that point I was only dilated to a 1 1/2. 

My contractions continued to intensify for the next couple of hours, and I was having to really breath and moan through them. We had bought a TENS unit before coming to the hospital to help with pain and I started using it with some relief. By about 4:30 -5, I was in a lot of pain and was really hoping I was dilated more. My doctor came in a little after 5 to check me and said that I was at a 3 1/2 and 60% effaced so I could get my epidural. Words I was so excited to hear. My wonderful nurse called for the doctor to give me an epidural. It seemed like an eternity (I'm sure it was probably like 5 minutes) but the doctor gave me my epidural at about 5:30 and I started feeling better. Right after I got the epidural and was being laid down in bed, my nurse checked me and I was at a 4 1/2. I had planned on taking a little short nap once my epidural finally took effect since I had been up way early and I was getting kind of tired. 

However, J had other plans. My contractions intensified (although I couldn't feel them thank goodness) and I kept progressing quickly. Every 20 minutes or so my nurse would check me and I would be another centimeter dilated. By about 8 cm, J's heart rate would decelerate with each contraction but it would go back up afterwards. It made me so nervous because I could hear it but they assured me that it was ok because it went back up. They told me the cord was probably being compressed somewhere during a contraction. By 7:30, I was at a full 10! In 2 hours, I had dilated 7 cm! Crazy. I could feel J's head and needed to push but I couldn't because my doctor wasn't there yet. He was definitely crowning and you could see his head (or so I was told). I was ready to push because I wanted him out because the heart rate deceleration was making me anxious.  My doctor got there pretty quickly and started putting her gloves on and when my next contraction came, she told me to push. Two contractions of pushes and our little boy was out!! He was ready! He had the cord wrapped around his neck twice but there was no problems. They put him quickly on me for a few minutes and I got to meet our sweet little boy. 

They took him to weigh him and get his Apgar scores and then they brought him back to me and Jason, me and J got acquainted with each other. He was such a beautiful baby. I was smitten from the start. I was starving since I couldn't eat while in labor (Stupidest rule ever by the way) so since Jason's dad was in the waiting room waiting for J to be born, he went and got me a milk shake from Sonic (strawberry cheesecake to be exact) and got Jason and me Raising Cane's for dinner. We stayed in the labor room until about 10:15 ish and then they sent us down to our recovery room. It was so late that Jason's dad and family just decided to go back to the hotel and see J the next day. Jason and I went to bed soon after that with our sweet little boy next to us.

*Blogger isn't letting me upload pictures right now - lame!*

35-38 weeks!

Ok so this is WAAYYYYY over due but I'm just doing it so I can come back later to make my pregnancy book. Feel free to skim over it.

How far long: 35 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  Of course!

Sleep: I still wake up every couple of hours to switch sides because of hip pain. I'm really tired by the end of the day so I fall asleep really fast when my head hits my pillow. 

Best moment of the week:  I started my weekly appointments this week. Crazy that it has gone by so fast! 

Movement: Most definitely. There really isn't an hour that goes by that I don't feel some movement. 

Food cravings:  I really wanted strawberries again but all the organic strawberries have gone missing from the store!! So now I want them even more =) I love chocolate almond milk every morning.  

What I miss: Nothing. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Less than a month before we meet our little boy! 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen feet and swollen hands. I can't even wear the replacement ring anymore. Acne has been a problem this whole pregnancy but major flare ups have happened this week.  Heartburn is my enemy that won't go away =). 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat.

How far long: 36 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  Oh yes. Thank God for stretchy pants. 

Sleep: Same as last week. I wake up at least twice a night to use the bathroom now too. 

Best moment of the week:  We had a little family day at a wild life reserve about an hour and half away from home. It was the last family day we will have as a family of 3. The next time we do something together, this little one will be with us!! So exciting!!

Movement: Oh all the time. 

Food cravings: I got strawberries this week!!!! I may have bought two packages at once because I was so excited the organic ones were back in stock. They were delicious and my craving was satisfied.  

What I miss: Maybe not feeling out of breath with the most easiest of tasks or putting my shoes on with ease. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting this little boy soon. Only a few more weeks! 

Pregnancy Symptoms: I basically only feel comfortable in flip flops right now. I can wear other shoes but they are just so uncomfortable. Acne, heartburn, you evil things you. 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat.

 How far long: 37 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  Yes. I am now at the point in pregnancy where I wear Jason's t-shirts to bed or to lounge in at home as my t-shirts are getting more difficult to go over the belly. 

Sleep: I've slept pretty decently the past week, thank goodness. I still get up to go to the bathroom or switch sides but quickly go back to sleep. 

Best moment of the week:  We had to go to labor and delivery this week. I went to my doctor appointment this week and mentioned that his movement had decreased a bit in the last 24 hours so my doctor gave me a non stress test in the office. She saw some heart deceleration and wanted to make sure he was ok so she sent me up to the L&D. I got to be put on a monitor and have an ultrasound done. Everything is fine with him and we got to see that he has moved head down again!!! Yay, all my lying upside down has paid off..haha. He refused to show his face the whole time during the ultrasound. Typical boy. Side note: Thank goodness I brought E's lunch with me since we were planning on going somewhere afterwards otherwise I would have had a cranky toddler. 

ALSO we decided on a middle name this week! Finally!!!

Movement: Besides that one 24 hour period, he is back to moving like his normal self. 

Food cravings:  Nothing really. 

What I miss: Wearing my wedding ring.  

What I'm looking forward to: My mom is coming in about a week to stay just in case he comes early.  

Pregnancy Symptoms: I tried to wear some gladiator sandals to a birthday party this weekend. I was sitting in a chair and wondered why my feet were hurting so bad. I looked down and my feet were so swollen that they were puffing out of the openings of the sandals! It was awful. I immediately took them off. It looks like flips flops will be my friends this last few weeks. Acne is still pretty bad too. Contractions are becoming more frequent and have been regular at times. 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat.

How far long: 38 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  All the time. 

Sleep: Pregnancy insomnia has shown up. I'll wake up in the middle of the night and my brain will just start thinking. All I want is sleep - I guess it's preparing me for what's to come - hehe. 

Best moment of the week:  We had our ultrasound to confirm he is head down and he is!! My doctor scheduled my induction for May 27 if he doesn't come on his own before then. I told my little boy he has until May 24 otherwise he must wait because his sister has a dress rehearsal on May 26 that I need to be at. I am dilated to a one which is more than I was when I started labor with E =)

Movement: He moves all the time! 

Food cravings:  No cravings but I already know what my last meal will be the night before if we make it to induction day - pizza and cheese sticks from NY Pizza down the road. So yummy! 

What I miss: My wedding rings and wearing other shoes besides flip flops.  

What I'm looking forward to:  Meeting our little boy so very soon! 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen feet and hands. Contractions are becoming regular and stronger but just don't stay consistent enough to head to the hospital. I had 10 hours of contractions that were constant and consistently about 5-8 minutes apart but never increased in strength or closeness so it was a no go =(. 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat.

July Goals

Okay okay, so I have been terrible about doing this whole blog thing. I really want to do it but I always end up having to do something else than sit at the computer and write at the end of the day. However, I really want to change that! I made it one of my goals this month along with several others.  I figured I would put it on the old blog to make myself accountable =).

1) Read 2 leisure books. I love to read and its a good way to pass the time while I'm nursing in the wee hours of the morning instead of perusing Facebook. Plus we have a very long road trip coming up in a couple of weeks so I'm sure I can get some good reading in there. I know for sure I am going to read Harper Lee's new book when it comes out. I haven't decided on the other one.

2) Start/Finish E's one year book. Yes I know my child is almost 3. Judge me all you want. I have a code for half off any photo book on shutter fly plus a $20 gift card but it has to be used by the end of the month. Wish me luck!

3) Catch up on the blog. I still need to finish the last weeks of pregnancy. Plus if you follow me on Instagram you know I've had another baby now. I really need to document so I can have it for later. This blog has been really helpful with the one year book I'm completing for E.

4) Blog 3 more times besides catch up. Got to get in the habit of updating more!

5) Book a place for E's party. I am not having it at the house this year. I think it would cause way too much stress with a new baby in the house as well.

6) Start planning E's party. Now if I could just get a little girl to commit to a theme already. She's goes back and forth between Cinderella and Tinkerbell. I may just have to decide for her but I know I will end up picking the wrong one if I do. #toddlerproblems

I'll let you know if I accomplish all these goals next month!!!

33-34 weeks!

How far long: 33 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  Yes most definitely.  

Sleep: I do get sleep but I wake up every couple of hours. I am tired in the afternoons and try to get a nap in when E is sleeping but sometimes that doesn't happen. 

Best moment of the week: We had a doctor appointment this week and everything looks great with him! He's doing well. I only have one more appointment every other week and then I go to every week. EEK! That means it's getting closer to meeting him. 

Movement: Oh yes and some of his movements especially when he pushes his head into my bladder/lower region. 

Food cravings:  I really haven't had any cravings lately. I think it's so funny to see the difference between pregnancies. With E, I was hungry every couple of hours and craved things a lot and with him, I have my normal meals and then maybe a snack sometime here and there but I never feel starving. Plus not a lot of cravings because I'm scared it's going to cause heartburn. 

What I miss: Nothing. 

What I'm looking forward to:  My baby shower next weekend!

Pregnancy Symptoms: I have swollen feet if I am up too much during the day and my fingers sometimes swell too. Heartburn is still there. It's getting harder to pick things up off the floor - haha! 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat. 

How far long: 34 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes:  Yes, I'm loving my dresses especially now that it's getting warmer outside.   

Sleep: The heartburn has been making it difficult to fall asleep at night. I drink milk right before bed to calm it down and then try to fall asleep quickly so I'm not uncomfortable. I still wake up every couple of hours to switch sides because of hip pain. 

Best moment of the week:  I had my baby shower this weekend! It was so great to have people come and celebrate this little blessing we are having. I had so much fun and so thankful for all of those that came. 

Movement: Most definitely. He moves all the time! 

Food cravings:  None really. I was really wanting strawberries this week but no store has had organic strawberries in stock! I was really sad. 

What I miss: Nothing. 

What I'm looking forward to:  Our doctor's appointment this coming week. 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Swollen feet and now my hands are staying more swollen during the day that even my replacement ring (since I can't wear my wedding rings) is starting to get hard to get on and off my finger. Heartburn is really bad. I almost threw up before bed the other night because it was so bad. 

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat.

Weeks 31-32!

How far long: 31 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes: Oh yes. 

Sleep: This week was rough with sleep. I wake up every 2 hours or so because my hip that I am lying on is hurting so bad it wakes me up. So I have to switch sides and then 1-2 hours later I wake up again. 

Best moment of the week: I got my haircut this week and it was glorious. It feels good to not have so much of it since I'm starting to get hot more often. I also got to go to Canton with the old roommate from college and got some things for our little boy's room. I can't wait to hang them up. We had a doctor appointment this week as well and we got to see our little boy on the screen. He is above average for weight right now (I knew he felt big) but ultrasounds are always accurate so we will see when he gets here. 

Movement: All the time. This kid never stops moving. =) 

Food cravings: Honestly nothing. I'm just trying to think of things that won't cause heartburn. 

What I miss: I did miss better sleep this week. 

What I'm looking forward to:  We are having maternity pictures next Sunday and I'm really excited! 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Braxton hicks contractions are more frequent. I had to say goodbye to my wedding rings this week. =( They won't fit on my fingers anymore because of the swelling. This is definitely a  different symptom from my last pregnancy. Also my feet are noticeable swollen by the end of the day. Don't worry though my blood pressure looks fantastic.   

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but very very flat. 

How far long: 32 weeks!

Baby size:

Maternity clothes: Yes. I bought two dresses this week, one for my maternity pictures and one just because it was cute. Hopefully they will be good transition dresses in the summer during nursing time as well. 

Sleep: I'm still waking up every couple of hours because of my aching hips. 

Best moment of the week: We had our maternity pictures this week! I'm so excited to see them. 

Movement: Always. E was actually resting her head on my tummy one day talking to him and he kicked her right on the face. She popped right up and looked at my stomach because she was so surprised. Haha. She thought it was great though and has put her head on my tummy several times since then just to see if he will get her again. 

Food cravings: Chips and salsa and avocados

What I miss: Nothing

What I'm looking forward to:  We have another appointment next week! 

Pregnancy Symptoms: Oh the heartburn. It gets really bad at night. I even had to make shift some pillows underneath my snoogle one time this week to be elevated to sleep because I was so miserable. I refuse to take medicine just because I'd rather just suffer than put something in my body so I drink milk which helps settle it for a bit. Swelling still in my hands and feet as well.  

Stretch Marks: None

Belly button: In but flat. The other day E saw me changing and saw my belly button and freaked out. She kept looking at it saying oh no what's wrong? Haha.