Spring Break

Another Spring Break is in the books, and though I've spent prior Spring Breaks in Cancun, the Bahamas, Chicago, Vegas, San Francisco, and San Diego, I must admit, this one {in Olathe} was one of my favorites!  I am so thankful for the extra time I got to spend with Brantley...his last break as an only child and my last break as a mom of one.  I'm also thankful (very thankful) for the spring-like weather.  It gave us the opportunity to enjoy some much needed time outside and made Spring Break actually feel like it for the first time in a couple of years!

Among our favorite Spring Break activities:

• Lunch(es) on our deck
• Doughnuts on St. Paddy's Day morning
• A trip to the dog park
• A trip to the neighborhood park
• Lots of time in our backyard
• A trip to Rainbow Play Systems
• Orange Leaf
• Garage saling
• A trip to the mall (and first carousel ride)
• And just some sweet mommy-son moments at home

And as always, I have an abundance of photos to share from our fantastic SB2014.

It's always bittersweet to return to school after a break, especially one as great as this.  But now that Spring Break is a thing of the past, the baby countdown is officially on!  20 school days (or less) and counting...

{The Little Things} || Manners

Like any other mom, I want my children to grow up having learned decent manners.  I feel like between what we teach Brantley at home and what he learns at daycare, he's well on his way with his multiple "peas" (please) and "thoo toos" (thank yous) each day.  But this one takes the cake.  In no way can I take credit for teaching him this.  It was all Miss Stephanie at daycare.  Just one of the many reasons I love our daycare!

Bumpdate: Week 35

I absolutely cannot believe I'm five short weeks away from my due date!  Though we're as ready for Baby as can be, I feel like the time is just ticking and the countdown is truly on!  Having been through (and survived) labor and delivery once before, I've been the least bit nervous about that whole process this time around (and more nervous about life with two kids), but the nerves are growing as my due date gets closer.  The pain, the IVs, the pain, the potential problems, the pain, the unknown...I'd be lying if I said I still wasn't worried! 

I had an appointment yesterday - the last appointment at 2-week intervals and now I start going weekly!  Fortunately (or unfortunately...I can't quite decide), I haven't progressed any down there and was zero centimeters dilated.  Not surprising because I haven't noticed many contractions.  (At 35.5 weeks with Brantley, I was already one centimeter.)  Like I said last week though, I'd like Baby to stay put until I get through the next four weeks of school, so maybe it's good my cervix is still closed.

I'm feeling good other than horrible headaches and acid reflux.  Today was actually the first day in about a week that I was completely sans headache.  I don't know that they were pregnancy related headaches, but being pregnant sure makes them worse when it means no ibuprofen.  The acid reflux is also in full force each evening and often wakes me up overnight due to the awful burning/tingling in the throat.

How Far Along: 35 weeks

Size of Baby: ~18+ inches, 5 1/4 pounds; the size of a honeydew melon

Gender: BOY

Weight Gain: 28-29 pounds.  Anything beyond this is uncharted territory for me...yikes!  Keeping my fingers crossed to gain less than 35 total, though still eating cookies and ice cream in the meantime. :)

Food Cravings: None

Food Aversions: None

Movement: A lot of pressure as he pushes his body parts outwards against my belly.  I felt him hiccup for the first time last Wednesday, at 34 weeks & 1 day.  And now I've noticed him hiccuping about once per night ever since.  I also woke up last Thursday to the sorest, most-bruised ribs of my life.  I seriously felt like I had been through an awful fight.  Which was weird because I didn't ever notice the baby kicking my ribs or movement that was anything out of the ordinary.  Thankfully, they've healed and I feel back to normal, but that was definitely the sorest I've felt throughout both of my pregnancies!

Sleep: Not great, but not bad either.  Most of my complaints are due to acid reflux.

Clothing: Still loving my spring maternity wardrobe!

Other Pregnancy Symptoms: Acid reflux, a few more Charlie-horse type leg cramps, minimal swelling (rings are still on!), sore feet that constitute foot rubs from the hubs every couple of days.  :)
  
What I Miss: My regular clothes and an ice-cold beer on our deck, especially since we've been grilling out!

Best Moment: Spring Break this week!!!!  And I had a pedi last Friday, which was pretty great, too.  I told her I was 34 weeks pregnant, which I think earned me a few extra minutes on the foot rub!

Looking Forward To: My last month of pregnancy #2.

Here's my bump!  I feel as if it's more pointy this time??

{The Little Things} || Rise and Shine, Brantley Boy!

One of my all-time favorite parts of my day is getting Brantley out of bed each morning. I have about fifteen precious minutes to spend with him before I have to jet off to work at 7am.  Sometimes he's already awake; other times I have to wake him.  Regardless, he's always in a good mood immediately upon waking.  And the look he gives me when I first walk into his room - priceless.  It's part confusion, part ornery, and part excitement for his day.  Such a little thing that seriously gives me the biggest smile each morning.

 

Bumpdate: Week 34

34.weeks.pregnant.

This is the week of pregnancy that I was born!  Which is crazy to me!  And definitely a bit of a wake up call!  I realize it's highly unlikely, but I could go into labor any day now!  As ready as I am to get this baby out, I'd really prefer to wait until 39.5 weeks.  Simply due to a little thing called work.  I'm a major planner and I know I won't do well if I happen to go into labor early...leaving on a whim, not having sub plans ready, not tying up all loose ends, not saying good-bye to my students...it stresses me out just thinking about it.  My last official day is already planned for April 18 and it just so happens to be a nice transition point in each of my classes.  A nice day (a Friday) for me to say good-bye and for the sub to start her long-term duty.  Let alone the fact that I don't want to take any more time away - unpaid.  Which is what happens the second time around when you don't have as many sick days built up.  I'll be paid for two weeks.  But the other three?  Not so much.  So, Baby, if you could please stay put for now, you are welcome anytime after April 18. :)

At 34 weeks pregnant, I can say we've officially decided on a name.  One week later than we did with Brantley. :)  His initials: HBS.  We haven't been as secretive with the name this time around and have mentioned it to some friends and family members.  Still, I'm not sure I'll post on here until after he's born.  When you do, you always open the door to criticism and unwanted opinions and the last thing I want to do is start doubting our decision.  Besides, an element of surprise is always nice!
 
How Far Along: 34 weeks

Size of Baby: ~18 inches, 4 3/4 pounds; the size of a cantaloupe

Gender: BOY

Weight Gain: 26-27 pounds

Food Cravings: None. 

Food Aversions: None

Movement: The same

Sleep: Okay.  I've been waking up (sometimes multiple times per night) due to horrible acid reflux in my throat. 

Clothing: Spring maternity dresses for two days in a row now!!!  And it's been amazing!  I love my spring/summer maternity clothes!  So much comfier than winter pants and long sleeves!  To those who say that being pregnant in the hot, humid summer months is miserable...you're crazy.  I much prefer it to winter!

Other Pregnancy Symptoms: Braxton Hicks - maybe once per day?  Acid reflux galore, especially overnight.  Charlie-horse type legs cramps overnight and/or in the early morning hours, shortly before getting out of bed (not every night, just a few times).  Some swelling, though nothing consistent.  (My rings still fit and I don't yet have cankles...)  Weird side aches/cramps, almost like I need to stretch.  I can tell things are getting less roomy in there.  I still feel huge and uncomfortable, especially come 7pm each day.
  
What I Miss: Everything about being not pregnant.

Differences from First Pregnancy: I remember loving every moment of my pregnancy with Brantley.  I don't remember feeling miserable like I do this time.  Or maybe that's just my memory deceiving me because Craig seems to remember it.  I'm definitely not loving being pregnant {as much} this time.  Maybe it's because I'm still working, or because I have a toddler to care for, or because I can't rest as much?  I feel so much bigger and less comfortable this time.  40 weeks can't come soon enough!

Best Moment: Three days in a row of spring/summer-like temps!  Which meant wearing my lightweight, ultra-comfy, spring maternity clothes and sandals!  And grilling out.  And going for walks.  Also, seeing the third quarter at school come to an end - my last full quarter of the school year!  It seemed so far away in October when I announced my pregnancy...

Looking Forward To: Spring Break next week.  And my last four weeks of the school year once break is over!  Hooray!

Brantley, the Starfish

In January, I had the fun idea to sign Brantley up for swim lessons.  He's always been a fan of bath time and he enjoyed his time at our neighborhood pool last summer.  Not that swim lessons for a 1 1/2 year old really teach much, but 1) we want Brantley to feel comfortable/confident in the pool as he grows up, 2) you can never start too early, and 3) I thought the lessons would give us something to look forward to in the dead of winter. 

Initially, I signed up for Wednesday nights in February.  But then we got hit with that huge winter storm four weeks ago.  Because the lessons continuously start over every four weeks, our session that was snowed out was not rescheduled.  So, I asked to change our lessons from February to March instead!

So here we are!  Night one was last night.  Brantley loved splashing around in the pool with the other 18 month to three year olds - or the Starfish group as Blue Valley Rec calls them.  Together with Daddy, he spent 30 minutes floating on his tummy, floating on his back (didn't love), singing songs, wading in two feet of water, and even going down for a few dunks! 

I'm also happy to report that he was a very good student and listened every time his teacher spoke.  According to Craig, he kept repeating 'teacher' anytime they swam past her!  He sure makes his mama proud!

Night one of swim lessons = a success!  Three sessions to go until we have ourselves a Starfish graduate!

 

{The Little Things} || Literally

This week, my "Little Thing" is literally a little thing!  As I was unpacking Brantley's newborn clothes over the weekend, I came across a mini pair of jeans.  Even though he wore these just a year and a half ago, I could hardly believe how tiny they were!  Of course, I had to compare them to pair of jeans he currently wears (18-24 months) and it's mind-blowing!  A reminder of how quickly time flies - and a reminder to appreciate every day of every stage because these kiddos grow up way too fast!

Bumpdate: Week 33

The weeks seem to be flying by at warp speed!  I'm a mere seven weeks from my due date and {hopefully} having a baby NEXT month!

Call it nesting, or just call it finding things to keep me occupied while winter drags on, but I unpacked and organized all of Brantley's 0 to 12 month clothing over the weekend.  The nursery drawers are crammed full, as is the closet!  I was in awe at the size of the newborn/0-3 month items and could hardly believe Brantley was, at one time, that small!  Not gonna lie, it made me feel more excited about having a wee little, newborn around!  I also went on a minor shopping spree for Baby over the weekend...but shopping at a consignment sale...on half-price day...so I like to think in terms of how much money I saved. :)  While the seasons for Brantley and Baby #2 are close (July vs. April), I realized there's a chance Baby #2 will need some warmer weather newborn stuff.  So that's what I bought!  Well, that and some cute, summer stuff, too, that I simply couldn't pass up!

It's crazy that my school days remaining this year are limited!  5 1/2 weeks to go, which is really only like 14 of each block!  Speaking of, I've never worked past 33 weeks pregnant.  With Brantley, 33 weeks meant the start of summer break.  The thought of going into labor while at school still terrifies me.  As does going into labor early (i.e. before my sub is supposed to start).  I'm such a planner and wish I could see into the future to see how this all goes down!

I had a doctor's appointment on Monday.  It was very routine, except for having to get the TDAP (whooping cough) shot.  It didn't hurt to get, but man my arm has been super sore ever since!  According to my doctor, my belly measured very normal.  I swear I'm much bigger this time around...

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Size of Baby: ~17 inches, a little over 4 pounds; the size of a pineapple

Gender: BOY

Weight Gain: Holding steady at 25-26 pounds

Food Cravings: Nothing specific

Food Aversions: None

Movement: The same

Sleep: Experienced the worst night of sleep in a long time last Thursday.  I woke up around 2am with one of the worst headaches of my life.  I laid there for nearly two hours unable to sleep because my head was pounding so violently.  I even cried at times.  I finally caved and took Tylenol.  I fell back asleep, but felt pretty awful the following day.  (I was trying not to take Tylenol after the study was published last week linking Tylenol to ADHD in unborn children.)  I've been sleeping fine since, and I'm happy to report, the headaches have since subsided.  Thank goodness!

Clothing: Same

Other Pregnancy Symptoms: Braxton Hicks (though not as often) and daily acid reflux.  I've also been getting really hot while teaching.  Like sweat dripping-down-my-shirt hot.  And pure exhaustion by 8pm. 

What I Miss: I'm not trying to sound conceited, but I miss my old body.  I look at pictures from last summer and even pictures from the early weeks of pregnancy and I can't believe how small I was.  Pregnancy is definitely showing everywhere on me...in my stomach, face, etc.  (And I'm not a super skinny person by any means....very average in my opinion.)  I'm just feeling super huge this time around and can't wait to be back to my old self!

Best Moment: Feeling accomplished after organizing the nursery drawers and closet!  And getting some great deals on some super cute, name brand clothes at the consignment sale!

Looking Forward To: These last five weeks of my 2013-14 school year!

It's been awhile since I did a comparison picture...