marching to their own beat

As much as she drives me insane at times, I really do love this little face.  And as upset as I get, there are moments throughout the day that she literally makes me laugh. out. loud.

Aside from turning out to be such a cute picture above, below is the whole picture (and the real reason I was in hysterics).

I mean.. really?  And she was fully under the sheet for at least five minutes before she even attempted to get out.  Sometimes the girl just wants to be alone.

James = Kenny from South Park.  No, I don't watch the show, but for some reason that's immediately what came to mind.  Not to mention the fact that my mom couldn't find his gloves, so instead she just put a pair of green socks on his hands.  Great improvising, CC.  :)

Why there's a 'snow storm' on the second day of spring doesn't make sense to me, but hopefully it was the last horrah! before our warm weather rolls through (just in time for our baby shower!)

Mike sent this to me... coming in strong at #4.  I couldn't be more proud.

messages of love

'Nanny' (James' version of Smalls) bought James a doodler, and when he asked me to write on it ('Kate (in his Irish accent), draw'), I decided to write a little message to send to Mike in Cali.

(side note: no, my mom doesn't have OCD or keep plastic on her couches, she is currently using sheets during the day to cover her new couches in order to discourage the dogs from jumping up on them & yes Harley, my brother's dog, does have OCD/separation anxiety and won't let James out of her sight for even a second).

And this is what we got in response...

B took a selfie and included a hidden message on the whiteboard.  

I know it doesn't seem like much, but to me it meant the world.  I know how busy he is working (7:30 AM - midnight plus full days Saturday and Sunday), so the fact that he took a moment to respond with such a cute message really touched me.  I love this man and can not wait for him to be home permanently!! 

my babes

I know it's not nice, but sometimes I refer to Cali has a bully-- case in point.

She is fighting sleep, but yet doesn't want any of the other dogs to get their paws on the antler that she loves so much.

James is my entertainment during the day.  He is turning more and more into a little man every day.

top left: he was just lounging, watching Mickey Mouse on TV.

right: we took Smalls to the chiropractor and got to play with the Fisher Price Doodle they had (Smalls is currently searching Target to find him one so he can practice his drawing and writing skills)

bottom left: James picked out a shitzu sticker to take with him when we left.  He would look at the sticker and say the name of the Kessler's one shitzu -- Schatzi. 

Fenner's has her moments of quirkiness... especially when it involves sleep.

My two love bugs.  Cali is quickly outgrowing her big sister -- no surprise there.

33.5 weeks

Monday we went to the doctor for our 32 week check up.  At our 30 week appointment I measured a little small (according to the tape measure) so I requested a sonogram to make Mike and I at ease.  I mean how do you go from having a baby in the 98% to 79% to measuring under?

And the results are in from the ultrasound and...

surprise, surprise, I'm measuring at 33.5 weeks instead of 32 (so about a week ahead of predicted schedule!)  Therefore, our new 'unofficial' due date is May 1.  I don't know why, but to me May 1 sounds so much closer than May 11.  Upon first hearing this news, my initial two reactions were scared (because he's exiting sooner then we thought) and excited because that means we could potentially meet him earlier!  I am very realistic that he may still come at May 11, but it's still crazy to think that he could be showing up sooner then we excepted!

When Mike took this we assumed it was the 32 week mark, but apparently it's 33 weeks.  Don't be shy, check out that flat ass. ;)

How far along? 33.5 Weeks

Total weight gain: ~20 pounds

Maternity clothes? regular clothes (still some size small that I've had and some newly purchased mediums) -- the belly band is my life now (I have started to mix in some maternity work out tank tops for the gym)  *still the same*
Stretch marks? no
Sleep: i've started to get up at least once during the night to pee and i'm always getting up to switch sleeping positions
Best moment this week: being told that my babe is healthy.  second favorite - while at the ultrasound the technician had to lower my head, while I was laying down, so that Declyn would tilt his head back and she could get the measurements he needed.  literally the second that she did this Declyn looked at the screen and started shaking his head (as if to tell us -- I don't think so).  someone is already taking after his daddy... (and maybe me).
Miss Anything? my hubs and the chance to drink soda over water whenever I want. also, sushi wasn't looking too shabby the other day.
Movement: his favorite movement is the bottom left of my belly, which I learned this week are his hands.  sometimes the jabs are so intense I have to turn over so that I can fall asleep.
Food cravings: cupcakes & Red Robin... quite the combo.
Anything making you queasy or sick: *still good to go!*
Gender: a tiny mister 
Labor Signs: no Braxton Hicks this week (knock on wood) but I do feel round ligament pains and the tightening of my uterus while working out sometimes -- it feels like it just drops.
Symptoms: ...nothing has changed and in fact the heartburn has gotten a little better.
Belly Button in or out? you can definitely see it through a tight shirt, although it's not considered an 'outie'
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: for the most part it'd say happy, although Mike being gone and the dogs acting up (aka Cali peeing in the house and not listening) can make me a little moody

Looking forward to: another girl's weekend & seeing some of my good friends/sorority sisters at brunch on Saturday

I was looking on Facebook and someone made cupcakes and immediately I had to run to the store and buy some to make.  I thought it was appropriate to make them green in honor of St. Patrick's Day and to spell out the number 8 in honor of our baby boy's progress in my belly.

This was a joke.  I legit thought I was in the wrong building when they sent me to get my ultrasound.  I was led back to a dressing room where I was told "only keep on your bra and socks underneath the gown."  Apparently this is so the gel doesn't get all over you (which with all my past ultrasounds I've never had this issue).  The best part was me frantically searching for my dressing room after the ultrasound, while still wearing the robe.  I had no idea where I was, where my clothes were... it was a mess.  However, I wasn't the only lost soul roaming the halls -- this older woman needed help finding her way back to the lobby to exit the building.  It definitely made me feel a little better that I wasn't the only one so confused by the layout.

Declyn is measuring normal in all aspects of his body except for his head (no surprise there)... his head is a little larger then the 33.5 mark.  He does, however, weigh 4.9 lbs.  It's insane to think that I could deliver now and have almost a 5 lb baby.

Another interesting fact - my cervix is measuring at 2.5cm (3 cm is what it needs to be at full term, week 36) and he is already laying in position to exit the womb -- his head and arms are on the bottom left of my belly, his butt is bottom right and his feet are top right.  It doesn't sound comfortable to me, but apparently that's how he's supposed to be. The technician told me that soon he'll run out of room (again, normal) and his feet will touch his head... doesn't sound fun.

sick... blah

Laying in bed Monday night, watching The Bachelor, I started to feel not so great.  My back hurt, I was cold/hot, and I just couldn't get comfortable.  As the night progressed, so did my symptoms.

In a nutshell: around 4 AM I woke up with a dry mouth, stopped at the bathroom on the way back to make my stomach feel better and was back in bed for less than 30 seconds before I had to run to the other bathroom where I proceeded to projectile vomit.  As I told my mom, I haven't thrown up sober since probably elementary school days. #truth

Called the doctor the next morning (after waking up every hour) and she said exactly what I figured -- I had the bug that was going around that lasted 24-36 hours.  As long as I was keeping fluids down (to avoid contractions) I wouldn't have to go see my OBGYN.  I did end up calling her at night, though, because I was feeling more back pain and an uncomfortable feeling on my chest.  I think it was just a gas pocket but hey, better to be safe then sorry.

Mom got me two amazing treats at the store -- italian ice and People magazine.

My beautiful husband had these delivered after I woke up from one of my naps.  The card was the cutest part -- "Miss you, love you, wish I was home."  Despite being across the coast, he still finds a small way to make me feel better.

30 weeks

Yup, there I am, rocking it out as a little girl.  You don't have to tell me twice -- I've got moves like Jagger.

A nice little sneak peak into my baby showers.  This really worked in my favor since everything is being kept a secret from me.  Either way, it was a sweet tribute. 

[don't judge the face.. these selfies aren't the easiest to take]

How far along? 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: ~16 pounds near the end of my 28 week appointment  (I don't weigh myself so unless I've gone to the doctors during this week, the weight is the same)

Maternity clothes? regular clothes (still some size small that I've had and some newly purchased mediums) -- the belly band is my life now (I have started to mix in some maternity work out tank tops for the gym)
Stretch marks? no
Sleep: heartburn is starting to introduce itself so it takes me a little longer to fall asleep some nights and the tossing and turning has continued throughout the night
Best moment this week: another healthy checkup with the doctor.  Declyn is measuring around 28/29 cm so he's measuring a little small, but the doctor's going to measure again at my next appointment on the 18th. second best moment-- Mike came home and we bought a new car!!  it's a nissan xterra and we're in love.
Miss Anything? my hubs and getting a good night's sleep (in any position it'd like).  also, it wouldn't hurt to be able to just pick something in my closet and throw it on... and have it fit.  :)
Movement: during parts of the day it's nonstop movement -- you name it, he does it: flips, kicks, pokes, flutters and some movements literally make my stomach move
Food cravings: a bagel sounded really good after our morning appointment with the doctor, so Panera it was.
Anything making you queasy or sick: still good to go!
Gender: little man
Labor Signs: we're still in the clear
Symptoms: continued from last week, plus some poking pangs in the bottom left of my stomach -- aka his current home
Belly Button in or out? it's still flat but is fighting to stay that way... we're getting close to some popage
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: I like to think I'm in a good mood these days, but Mike getting home for good will seal the deal

(was) Looking forward to (at the beginning of the week): buying an SUV

snow day

I was sitting at the kitchen island when I heard a little voice saying, "More."  I looked to my left and this is what I spotted -- James, my nephew, trying to get his tiny fingers on more crackers.

My mom is going through old memory boxes in preparation for my baby shower, and this is a gem she came across -- a book I apparently wrote in elementary school.  The pictured part is a little About the Author segment where it talks about me (apparently I liked to play soccer? news to me) and a book I had published.  Well, you can read the title yourself...

Cali's first snowfall.  The best part was she acted exactly as Fenway does in the snow-- stuffing her face in it, sniffing it and continuing to run in circles around the yard.  Both girls refused to come in when I started to get numb.  No surprise there.

29 weeks

I got this cute idea from a blog Kristen follows -- littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com

How far along? 29 Weeks

Total weight gain: ~16 pounds near the end of my 28 week appointment  

Maternity clothes? regular clothes -- the belly band is my life now (I have started to mix in some maternity work out tank tops for the gym)
Stretch marks? no
Sleep: still sleeping well, although I do wake up every now and then to switch sides and easily fall back asleep
Best moment this week: glucose test results came back and everything is looking good - Mike also recorded Declyn's heartbeat so we now have that on video
Miss Anything? my hubs and getting to lay on my back ... and if we're being honest, it'd be nice to join my friends in a cocktail at dinner
Movement: lots of movement -- mostly on the left side and towards the end of this week he has started to do what he pleases, when he pleases (meaning he's constantly moving).  I think he might be starting to run out of room...
Food cravings: sweets of any kind (no surprise there since I loved them before) - dark chocolate has been my 'go-to' these days
Anything making you queasy or sick: hmmmm ... not that I can recall
Gender: boy
Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks contractions have subsided for now, although my stomach still gets tight every now and then throughout the day
Symptoms: occasional heartburn (especially at night), 3 varicose veins (only on the left side, where he has made his humble abode), sometimes round ligament pain / a random pang here or there
Belly Button in or out? it's still flat but is fighting to stay that way
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: mood swings are in full effect, but that could be our lovely pup and all her craziness combined with dealing with commuting from the hubs Looking forward to: slumber party with my besties 

                   

My sweetheart of a Dad took time this weekend to put up another bar in the nursery closet so that I could have more room to hang his little clothes.  The new rod also allowed me to finally put out some of his gifts he has already received.  

the little things

Following a slumber party with the bif's, Kristen and I decided to spend the day at Luckett's.  This beast was set up right in front of our parking spot, so we decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

James found Pop's shoes and was more then happy to pose with them.

Thanks, Dove; I appreciate it. 

washed & ready

I decided to start washing Declyn's clothes and organize all that he has -- mostly because I'm OCD, but also so I could physically see everything that we have for him.  According to Mike, I may or may not be buying him everything I see and like.  Looking at how much he already reminds me how blessed he already is.

Cal needed to go back to the vet to get another test for giardia and out of all of the seats in Smalls car, this is what she chose... James' car seat.

The test results came back and.... she is parasites free!!  However, the doctor was taking note of her skin condition and gave her a shot of steroids, 21 pills to take 1.5 daily and an anti-fungal conditioner to put her on 1-2 times a day.  Poor babe... she's such a trooper with all of the shit she's already had to endured by the age of 6 months.