Picture Dump

Since I haven't blogged in forever, I have some pictures I finally took off my camera.  Enjoy this  post of complete hodge podge.

I found these pictures from our going away party.  My friend Kelsey was kind enough to host an open house, where I never felt so loved.  We probably had 150 or so people stop by to wish us well.  We miss you all lots!

This is a good example of what I do each day--clean up after munchkins.  This time it was Reese's Puffs cereal.  It wasn't the only time I have cleaned up cereal.  I have probably swept up five or so boxes of cereal over our time here.

This is how we have spent every afternoon here--outside.  The boys love it outside, especially playing ball.  They also rode bikes, found rocks and sticks, and tried at every chance to run away.

Speaking of escaping, they figured out how to break into the garage, and one time I found them giving each other rides.  Hey, they were taking turns and cooperating.

One of my favorite Instagram photos.  I love this!

And Carter just making me laugh.

 

Finally, Tyler was the star student for the month of December.  Way to go Tyler!

28 weeks

Size of baby: Over 2 pounds.  The twins were 32 weekers, and weighed 4 pounds.  I think it's amazing that in the next 4-5 weeks the baby will double in size, and the next 4-5 weeks after that will double again.

Total Weight Gain: At my doctor's appointment 2 weeks ago, I was already at 21 pounds.  I am supposed to gain between 25 and 35, so it looks like I will be at the high end of that.  Those darn McDonald's cheeseburgers!  However, I am measuring right on with the doctor.

Maternity Clothes: Ordered some colder weather stuff online, and I think I am done shopping.  I don't have a lot, but certainly enough to get me through the next 3 months.

Gender: Boy. Still no name.  Dan and I each have several names we like, but nothing we absolutely love.  And our lists are not overlapping at all.

Movement: Still the best part of being pregnant.

Sleep: Not horrible, but I do miss sleeping on my belly.

What I miss: My wedding ring.  I couldn't take it off today, so I had to grease it up and take it off.  My fingers are only going to get bigger.

Cravings: Nothing specific.  In fact, I don't find myself starving like I have been in the past.

Symptoms: I must be in the third trimester.  I've had Braxton-Hicks, back pain, and heartburn.  Yay!

Best moment this week:  Realizing I can rest my arms on the top of my belly.


Other pregnancy news:  I get to go do my glucose screening and get a rhogam shot next week.  Lucky me.  I also finally did some preparations for this boy--I bought a coming home from the hospital outfit for him.  He doesn't need much, but I definitely wanted to get him his own special homecoming outfit.

2 months

Nothing to do with this post, but it makes me smile.

Two months ago we arrived from Houston to Utah.  I can remember the date quite easily, since we pulled in on my 35th birthday.  What a fun way to celebrate.  It has been a long two months.

I first have to say that my parents have been awesome.  They have welcomed us completely, not once making us feel like a burden, which I'm sure in many ways we are.  My mom cooks dinner for us every night.  (I offered to do half the cooking, but when she saw what my boys are like between 4 and 6, she just asked for grocery money instead.)  My twins are in LOVE with grandma and grandpa--quite often preferring one of them to their own parents.  The twins, especially Carter, love to sit on grandma or grandpa's lap when eating and share dinner with them.  Adorable and annoying all at the same time.  Grandpa makes us pancakes and waffles for breakfast.  I could keep going, but I will just say that they are patient and kind and amazing to us.

But life has been hard.  The few times in my life I have struggled with depression have centered around times when I was facing an unknown and/or loss of control.  I remember when I graduated from college, not knowing what I was going to do or how to do it, was a hard time.  And on a much smaller scale, a few years ago when we had no power after Hurricane Ike, I found myself going into the same funk--I didn't know how long my life was going to be uprooted, and I had no control over solving my problem.

So when we got to Utah two months ago, I suddenly found myself falling into that same funk.  I didn't know where we were going to be and it killed me.  Then on top of that, I was so angry at Dan.  I kept telling myself that our family could be happy anywhere, but I was bitter.  I had not wanted to move, and I resented the fact that we did for his job.  We started in on the house hunt, but it was so frustrating.  I wanted to move quickly so we could enroll Tyler in school, but things were just not working out.  We actually put offers in on 5 different houses over the course of the hunt.  And on top of it all, I can blame some of my emotional state on pregnancy hormones.

Then there is the fact that we have been in temporary housing.  It is hard to not be in your own space, especially with my boys who can be crazy.  I spend each day chasing after/entertaining/cleaning up from those crazies.  I can sum it up like this:  They've put my mom's throw pillows in the toilet, and my dad has had to take apart his playstation 3 times to remove objects they stuck inside.  (Yes, we finally moved it.) I don't feel like I have much free time, because I have been trying to watch over them more carefully than I might have to in my own home.  And yet they still do all this crazy stuff.

And I guess all that is why I haven't felt like blogging.  I have been in a funk.  And when I get this way, I don't feel like taking pictures, acting cheery, or even putting my thoughts down.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  We finally know where we are going to be, and when.  Of those 5 offers I mentioned, one has solidified.  Dealing with a short sale has taken forever, but it is done.  We are closing on October 17th.  Then we wanted a week to change some flooring and do some painting, so we are aiming to schedule the movers to get our stuff here at the end of the month.  We went back inside the house yesterday, and I still really like it.  It feels right for us.  It is a one story with a bonus room over the garage.  There are four bedrooms, and an awesome kitchen/living space.  I love the laundry room.  We will want to finish the basement soon to get a game room and guest room, but there is plenty of room in the basement for all that and more.  I do find myself thinking about decorating the new house, and where I would put holiday stuff, and it excites me. 

And it will sure be nice to get a fence up and install those locks up high on all the doors, because I am done chasing little boys down the street.

23 weeks

Size of baby: About a pound, or the size of a large mango.

Total Weight Gain: About 15 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Got a few things for the colder weather this past weekend.  Can I just say I love Gap Maternity Jeans?  They are long enough, and I was able to get two pairs since I snagged them during their half off sale.

Gender: Boy. No name.  I hope we think of one before he comes.

Movement: Just felt and saw a big roll.  He's really active right at bedtime.

Sleep: Depends on the night.  It's starting to get more uncomfortable.

What I miss: I miss going to the gym and getting a good night's rest.

Cravings: Nothing specific lately, but I sure am eating a lot.  It's rare that I eat a meal and feel completely satisfied.  I just keep wanting more.

Symptoms: Braxton-Hicks contractions.  I have been having 3-5 a day for the last week.  It's not common to have them this early, but not unheard of either.

Best moment this week:  If you ask Brady what's in mommy's tummy, he'll say "baby."  Poor boy has no idea what is going to happen to him.

I was able to get in to my OB here in Utah.  It's the same practice where I went with Tyler, so at least I had a bit of familiarity going there.  At that appointment I was measuring perfectly.  It was weird to not get an ultrasound, since I have had one at every other appointment because of the hematoma.  I had 10 appointments, all with ultrasounds, before I hit 20 weeks.  I found out I will be delivering at the same hospital as Tyler, and their policy is still to schedule c-sections at 39 weeks which is Tyler's birthday.  And one other coincidence--I moved from Texas to Utah both times I was pregnant. 

I also figured it had been quite awhile since I snapped a belly picture, so I asked my dad to do it for me on Sunday after church. 

First try:

 Ack!  That's not a belly shot, that's a butt shot.  Guess my nonstop eating is catching up to me.  Here, let's move where there are less distractions, and maybe if I put my arm here to hide my butt...

 Hmm, not much better, and does my face look fat too?  Let's try again.  Perhaps this time if I turn a little, so it's less of a profile...

I give up.  I can't pretend I am one of those ladies who only gets a little ball in the front while everything else stays tiny.  Let's face it, I am pregnant everywhere.

First day of school

I sure hope the truancy police don't show up at my door.

Tyler finally made it to his first day of second grade today.  He only missed 8 days of school.  We wanted to get a house under contract quickly, and tried several times, but discovered that when buying a short sale, banks just don't have the same sense of urgency we do.  So we finally got the unofficial word from the bank, and went ahead and enrolled him.  We hope to have the official closing date by next week, and of course I will post more later.

Here is my sweet boy.  He was a little nervous about being the new kid.  We went in this morning and met his teacher (who looks about 12!  I must be getting old) and brought her an apple.  (Of course covered in caramel and chocolate.)  He seemed good when I left, and I will find out in just a few hours how his first day went.

20 weeks

Note:  Life for the last week or so has been beyond crazy.  Moving, driving 25 hours straight (on my birthday no less), staying with my parents, trying to find a house, Dan starting his new job, and on and on.  I really hope we get settled quickly and my "regular" crazy life can resume.

20 weeks

Size of baby: 10 1/2 ounces.  About 10 inches long, if stretched from head to heel; about the size of a banana

Total Weight Gain: I was up 10 pounds at my last checkup.

Maternity Clothes: They all fit well now, nothing feels too big anymore.  And I am already getting tired of a few items.

Gender: Boy.  And having a hard time finding a name.

Movement: Everyday now.  Not all the time yet, but anytime I stop and rest, I feel him kick.  Dan has even felt a kick too.

Sleep: I am tired of waking up every night to pee.  I haven't slept all the way through the night since I was about 8 weeks.  I am just glad when I can fall back asleep.  I hate insomnia.

What I miss: I haven't felt deprived of anything lately.

Cravings: McDonald's cheeseburgers and fries are delicious!!

Symptoms: Very few lately.  I am not sick or tired.  In fact, I sometimes forget I am even pregnant.

Best moment this week:  Feeling more movement.  It was my favorite thing about pregnancy before, and I am excited to experience it again.

Our crazy summer

This summer has just been crazy.

It all started when we decided to move. 

Then I found out I was pregnant, and spent 3 months tired, queasy, and stressed over a subchorionic hemorrhage. 

I have spent all summer trying to be a good mom, but not feeling successful.  Tyler watches entirely too much television, and the twins are both adorable and completely destructive. 

When we'd been in the house just under a month, Dan told me his boss wanted him to apply for a promotion at work, that would require we move.  So I stopped trying to settle into the house until we knew anything for sure, which has left us living in an unorganized mess. 

We found out last week Dan did get the promotion, and so we are now preparing for a cross country move, and trying to do it all before school starts.  Next week we take off for Utah.  I told Dan if he was making me move, I had to be going somewhere I have some support, because by the end of the year I will have 4 children, 3 under 3. 

We also went to the doctor's on Monday, and found out we are having a boy.  I will admit to crying in the office.  And then spending the rest of the day feeling guilty==how could I feel sad over a healthy baby who I have been praying for for 8 years!

Perhaps the best word to describe these last 3 months is emotional.  So many highs and lows.  I think I have felt just about every emotion I can feel.  All I can do is try my best to enjoy the ride, right?