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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Week 28


70% Complete!! So my appointments went from every 4 weeks to 3 weeks. I still can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is passing.

How far along:28 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?:
According to the APP, I'm Expecting: Started the Week 28 as the size of a Iceburg Lettuce
and is about to be a Butternut Squash.

Weight gain?:
None this week, 25 total


Stretch marks?:
Only the Linea nigra
, though my veins on the side of my stomach are extremely blue and visible!


Sleep?:
Sleeping better than last week, thanks to Aidan figuring out that he doesn't need to be up at 4am.
  Although, I have to adjust the thermostat to cooler temperatures because if we are near 70 degrees F, I wake up sweating.

Best moment?: A good friend of mine that I have known since high school was in town this weekend to celebrate her nieces and brother's birthdays.  I always enjoy hanging out at her family's house...always so welcoming.  Of course, Aidan loved their pool.


We also met the closing attorney (on our turf) to finalize the construction loan paperwork.  Full speed ahead on the housing stuff!


Worst moment?: Nothing this week that I can think of...that's good, right?!

Food cravings?: FISH! SHRIMP! Seafood

Symptoms?:  Round Ligament Pain

Exercise?:
I walked 3+ miles and was at the gym lifting weights 3 days last week.

Movement?: Lots of movement, sometimes painful kicks or punches.  I can count on Owen being active right at my weekday bedtime.  I keep hoping that Aidan can feel him, but it seems Aidan won't sit still long enough to wait for Owen to kick.

Belly button?:
Still the partial outie.

What I miss?: Being able to run.  The round ligament pain definitely prevents me from doing so, but there are days that Aidan doesn't cooperate with getting in the vehicle.  He'll play a game of chase, and I know if I was pregnant, I could easily catch him.  He thinks he's soooooo funny.

Labor signs?
:None

TMI: My increased fiber and magnesium intake has returned me to regular...as much as a pregnant woman can be.  Let's hope I don't have to tweak the routine anymore, and what I am taking will keep working.

What I'm looking forward to?:
A loooooong weekend.  Aidan's day care is closed for the week of July Forth, so I am taking off Wednesday, and Thursday is a holiday.  So I will have 5 days off...all with Aidan.  Let's hope I can survive the long weekend.

I didn't do much with the nursery this past weekend as I planned, so hopefully Aidan will let me do some preparations over the long weekend.

Bump Progression Week 25 to 28

 
Week 25                  Week 26                  Week 27
 

Monday, June 24, 2013

Week 27

HELLLLLLOOOO Third Trimester! Where did you come from?!  Time is flying by, and as I write this, I realize I have to take my 70% loading pic tomorrow.  Seems crazy.  It feels like there is so much to do when it comes to being prepared for Owen's arrival...most of it involves getting boxes out of the attic.  I have a friend who just had her second baby 4 weeks early, and it made me realize that I probably need to be more prepared.  What if I was faced with the same situation?!

How far along:27 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?:
According to the APP, I'm Expecting: Started the Week 27 as the size of a Cauliflower
and is about to be a Iceburg Lettuce.

Weight gain?: 1
this week, 25 total. 


Stretch marks?:
Only the Linea nigra 



Sleep?:
Sleep this week has been awful!  Aidan has been waking early (like 4 am sometimes) and needs help going back to sleep and then is up at 6 am.  But pregnancy hasn't affected my sleep.  Still stomach sleeping as long as Owen lets me.




There's proof I need more sleep:

1. While filling Aidan's pool, I kept wondering why it was taking so long for the water level to rise...until I realized the plug wasn't in.
2. While ordering lunch at a Mexican restuarant where I already say the appetizers menu on the board when waiting to be seated, I ordered something called dirty queso and was disappointed it wasn't a quesadilla when it came out. Um, duh Diana.
3. There was one other moment that occurred, but due to sleep deprivation, I seem to have forgotten the moment.

Best moment?: Visiting with my grandparents in Tybee Island, GA! Memaw celebrated her 73rd birthday, and the weather was fantastic especially for a summer, Southern day.  





Worst moment?: We DID NOT close on the construction loan on Friday as scheduled.  I hate to pull out my mean card and make some hefty demands of the bank.  Let's hope they follow through on their promises come Monday...ya know, since they have been so reliable.  More like consistent.  Consistently late and not proofing the paper work.

Food cravings?: Oranges and orange juice!  Folic acid is good for Owen, too!

Symptoms?:  Hah, if it weren't for my pregnancy app, I would not realize the pressure/pain that I was feeling was Round Ligament Pain, so yeah, I had that for a few weeks.  It says to exercise (but not too much), to sit (but not too much), and to stand and move around (but not too much).  Hmmm, okay, I'll work on the perfect combination.

Exercise?:
I walked 5+ miles and was at the gym lifting weights 3 days last week.

Movement?: Lots of movement, sometimes painful kicks or punches.

Belly button?:
Still the partial outie.

What I miss?: Putting on shoes without all the effort!  I have to change shoes several times a day at work, and it definitely feels like a production taking off and putting shoes on.

Labor signs?
:None

TMI: Slower digestion and adding additional iron to my diet have led to constipation. :/  So I have upped my fiber intake and continue a hire dose of magnesium in hopes that I will find a regular pattern of relief.

What I'm looking forward to?:
A weekend at home!  I've been on the go the past few weekends, and I think I'll use this coming weekend to pull stuff out of the attic.  Well, I will have AJ bring it down so I can start washing it and preparing the nursery.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Week 26

How far along:26 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?:
According to the APP, I'm Expecting: Started the Week 26 as the size of a Eggplant
and is about to be a Cauliflower.

Weight gain?: 1
this week, 24 total. 


Stretch marks?:
Only the Linea nigra 



Sleep?:
It is becoming increasingly difficult to sleep on my stomach.  I definitely need my body pillow in order to sleep on my side.

Best moment?:
Hanging out at the beach with great friends!  The weather was perfect, especially after the hot week we had, and the company was spectacular.


Father's day was also a good time.  Aidan was excited to see Papa and give daddy his cake.  We had a great dinner with my family and then went out to the property to see the house construction.  Aidan did very well at lunch, though at the end, he seemed to have ants in his pants and wanted to climb across the table.




Worst moment?: I carried Aidan a lot on Friday and some on Saturday while running errands, and my body ached!  I felt like waddling like a penguin and walking like a hunchback at the same time.

Food cravings?:
Candy corn!  Not a good craving at all, sugary, empty calories.

Symptoms?: 
Soreness.  Seriously, this second pregnancy is kicking my butt.  I can't believe last time I was playing tennis.  I don't want to pick anything up from the ground...too much effort.

Exercise?:
I walked 4+ miles and had a few body weight exercises I did, but this was a very slack week.

Movement?:
Owen kicks and punches, rolls and spins A LOT.  I feel him more consistently.

Belly button?:
Still the partial outie.

What I miss?:
It's almost summer...hot days, relaxing in the pool...with an ice cold beer.  Oh well, just a few more months.  It's all worth it.

Labor signs?
:None

TMI:
High temps this week means lots of sweating.  I hate the full panel pants, but the no panel pants/shorts seem to put too much pressure on me.  It just sucks walking at lunch and then having a sticky panel against your stomach for the rest of the day.  That's okay, I slacked off two of the four work days.

What I'm looking forward to?:
Celebrating my Memaw's 73rd birthday!

Toddler Transitions

Aidan must have known that AJ and I were working on his room, so while AJ was out of town, he decided to scare me one morning by greeting me at his bedroom door.  Aidan doesn't climb on the couch or much else, so I was shocked to find him at the door - how did he climb out of his crib?!

Anyway, he lit a fire under us, and we quickly finished transforming the office into a toddler room.  I mean, we were almost done, the room only needed a few more things - like paint, steam cleaning the carpet, a ceiling fan, and furniture organized.

We let Aidan in the room when it  was safe for a toddler on Sunday morning.  Then mom and I went to buy a mattress, a pillow and bedding.

 Aidan loves the ducks on the wall and has always wanted to pet them, so he kept going into his room and saying "duck!" and "pet".

 Of course, Aidan was allowed to have Elmo bedding.  I assumed that his love of Elmo would help encourage him to sleep in his bed and feel comfortable.

So we started the transition Sunday night.  It was a painful hour of crying, shhhhing, back rubbing, butt patting, and monitor watching.  Aidan made himself so upset in five minutes that the poor guy threw up.

It's not like we just left the room, no we kissed him goodnight, read him books, told him to go "night night", and then I stayed to rub his back and help ease him to sleep.  I should mention that he was definitely exhausted and had a poor nap, so there was no reason why he shouldn't be tired. 
 But we also couldn't afford to start a bad bedtime habit, so we knew we had to resort to letting Aidan cry it out.  It's not as easy as when he was 6 months because he screams out your name, and it burns your heart.  So when I saw Aidan start to gag himself, I ran to his room, but was too late.  I cleaned up his small mess, gave him some water, then led him to bed.  He drifted off to sleep within 15 minutes of the back/butt patting.  When I went to work the next morning, I cracked the door open so Aidan could run to AJ when he woke.  Well, poor Aidan cried in his bed at 6:30 am for daddy.  Guess he was too scared in his room.

On Monday, Aidan went back and forth between crying at the door and us comforting him.  Finally, at 9:30 PM, AJ held Aidan in his arms in the living room.  Aidan was out in seconds.  On Tuesday morning, I cracked the door open again. At 6 am, he woke up, slammed his door close and ran to AJ, asking for his hand.

On Tuesday, Aidan got sick at daycare and had to go to the doctor.  He had an ear infection and three teeth coming in, so I rocked him to sleep and put him in the toddler bed.  He woke up at 5:45 am, and he picked a great day to wake early since I had training and was going to work late.

On Wednesday, we continued our normal nightly routine and immediately left the room.  Aidan cried a little at the door, then we watched on the monitor as he crawled back into the bed.  He slept in his room until 7am, which is normal pre toddler bed transition.

Thursday was a repeat!  Woohoo.

Friday, we were out of town, but Aidan was not happy about the pack and play arrangements, so I held him until he went to sleep, and we shared a bed.  He didn't move from the spot I laid him in, which is good because I was sleeping right on the edge.

Saturday Aidan required some comforting from daddy...he would not calm down, and he also learned how to open the door knob.  He also did not nap in his room, but he did play for an hour.  I had to lock the door for him to stay in - don't worry, we have a key setting on the frame of the door.  Aidan cried at nap time for a few seconds then decided his quiet time would be spent playing and dumping toys everywhere.

Sunday - We kissed Aidan good night in his bed and left the room.  He cried for twenty seconds at the door, then crawled in his bed.  He must have grabbed an Elmo guitar because we could hear and see the lights over the monitor.  But he stayed in his bed and fell asleep.  I grabbed the guitar an hour later while he was in deep sleep so it wouldn't wake him in the middle of the night if it went off.

I think Aidan has quickly become comfortable with his room and sleeping in the toddler bed.  I do like that when he wakes, he can come running to us.  He doesn't come quietly - he slams the door and then we hear his feet slapping on the hardwood floor.

 In other transitioning news, we had to turn Aidan around in the vehicle.  I wanted to keep Aidan rear facing until he was two, but Aidan outgrew the height requirement and was teetering near the weight limit. He seemed to quickly adjust to forward facing, and now that he can see me drinking water, he asks for my cup. "Mommy, milk."  I hand him his milk, but he says "No, mommy's".  Here's my cup kid, try not to spill it everywhere. 

He has already taken several naps forward facing, so I guess he's not too distracted by what he can see or setting more upright.  I was really hesitant on the whole forward facing situation, and I'm sure I will be weary of having to move him to one of the side seats.  At least I have already read the car and car seat manuals to know what I need to do in a few months. 


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Engaging in Risky Business

Not that I have ever watched the movie, Risky Business, but as I was thinking of a blog title, I felt like it was familiar.  A quick google search confirmed my thoughts...

Anyway, you have to wonder what kind of risky business we would engage in seeing how AJ works in Law Enforcement.  If you have been following the blog, you might guess the risky business is house related.  If so, you are 100% correct.

The construction loan was supposed to close by the end of May, then it was pushed out because they misspelled my name and needed me to resign documents I signed back in April, which I had volunteered to wait around in April to sign.  Then they wanted the HUD statement for our land and a letter about our farm expenses.  So we waited and were told we would close by June 7th.  Well....the underwriter is a little backed up so she couldn't process the paperwork in time. Then on June 7th we heard that they were cutting the loan amount because of the farm losses (um, this is mortgage interest and tractor depreciation, both payments are accounted for) - the loan would be for a few dollars over the contract with the builder, thus limiting any additions we might want.



But work began on the house June 3rd.  The house site was scraped to remove the top soil, then the footings were dug and placed, and finally block for the foundation was laid.  All in the first week....and work continued the second week because we are suppose to close by June 14th.
So the next week came, and the builder finished the foundation, we had the surveyor complete the foundation survey, and the builder started and completed the foundation framing.  AJ also picked up lumber from a mill near Savannah, GA, which was used for the foundation framing. Soooo....work progressed, but what about the loan? The builder needs his first draw by June 21st.  We did receive the "good to go" notice on June 14th that we could close, so we are combining the close with the first draw next Friday, June 21st.  The bank couldn't help us cut any closer of a deadline...could they?


In other news, we met with an awesome cabinet builder that beats Lowe's/Home Depot and other builders hands down - quality and price! We are extremely excited about the cabinets.  He gave us a tour inside of his house, and look at the work he does!  These are all hickory cabinets - the main cabinets are left natural while the island is stained an espresso and distressed.  I had originally wanted a deep red cherry wood cabinets, but I was worried with the kitchen being too dark and coordinating too many textures and colors in a small area.  Plus, AJ was in love with the natural hickory cabinets. 


I have also mentioned previously that AJ had picked up our interior columns and beams, but never shared a picture.  I went by the warehouse after meeting with the cabinet guy to scope them out.  They are currently plain, but we will most likely stain them to contrast against the ceiling in the living room, which will be a natural wood.


AJ came across some pecky cypress wood, and this piece below will become the mantle piece.  The cabinet guy we met can plane it and possibly cut some decorative support pieces.  It will also be left natural, but as you can see, it is a darker wood.


So what are the hiccups?

Well last time, we were waiting on the appraisal, negotiating the land from the other bank, and finalizing our bank loan.

So 2/3 of the above is complete.  The appraisal came back, and we have a current loan to value of 80%, thus no PMI!  This is GREAT news. Moreover, due to the appraisal that included the value of the land, the bank who we have a loan with for the land is releasing the 7.22 acres home site FREE AND CLEAR.  No loan attached to it...did I mention the land doubled in value since we bought it.  Talk about a return on an investment!

In order to keep the good news rolling, we need to close on the construction loan, which is scheduled. Thus, we are hoping to see the subflooring go down early this coming week and the beginning of the wall framing.  Meanwhile, AJ and I are scouring the internet for a front door we like to see if the cabinet maker can duplicate what we like within the budget.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Week 25



Let the toddler bed transition begin!  We steamed the floors, painted the walls, built the bed, and installed a ceiling fan.  Mom and I went shopping for Aidan's mattress and new (Elmo) crib sheets.  In addition, AJ's parents bought Aidan a chest of drawers, which we will receive next week, but in the mean time Aidan began his transition on Sunday.

How far along:25 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?:
According to the APP, I'm Expecting: Started the Week 24 as the size of a Zucchini
and is about to be a Eggplant.

Weight gain?: 2
this week, 23 total. 


Stretch marks?:
Only the Linea nigra 



Sleep?:
Sleep is still good despite needing the pillow and Owen kicking me on the side I attempt to sleep on.  The only time I am woken up is if one of the dogs need to be let outside.

Best moment?: 
Work on the house began!  More details to follow soon...We met with a cabinet guy that does custom work, and we made a decision on the type of cabinets and color.  Now, let's hope he's within budget.



Worst moment?: Attempting the toddler bed transition.  It didn't go well for Aidan's nap, and at night, it took about an hour for Aidan to get sleep.  He got so upset at one point, he got sick.  He was extremely tired, and after 20 minutes of me rubbing his back, he gave in to sleep. It's not the same letting him cry it out in a bed he can get out of while he is aware of his surroundings.

Food cravings?:
Red meat, which is rare since I don't often want it. I was definitely craving a good burger and another one.

Symptoms?:
Cramps in my calves despite my extra calcium consumption.  No bloody noses this week, thank goodness.

Exercise?:
I continued to walk - 9+ miles this week. I lifted weights four times this week.

Movement?:
A lot of movement, and it is easily felt on the outside.

Belly button?:
Partial outie and somewhat flat. Aidan poked my belly button several times through out the week...he laughed when he did it.

What I miss?:
Coffee, despite me not liking it for a very long time, I would enjoy a nice cup of coffee...or red wine.  I'd take either.

Labor signs?
:None

TMI:
Nothing new this week...thank goodness, eh?

What I'm looking forward to?:
Hanging out with friends and their kids at the beach this weekend!


It didn't take long for Aidan to make a mess of his room


Elmo bedding to hopefully entice Aidan to sleep in the toddler bed


Sunday, June 2, 2013

Week 24

I am 60% loaded, and it's almost time for my appointments to start occurring every 3 weeks, then 2.  Time is flying by, and I cannot believe it is already June.  I also have the great pleasure of taking the glucose tolerance test.  Really though, the juice isn't bad, it's the fasting part that I don't like. Oh well.

How far along:24 weeks 6 days

How big is baby?:
According to the APP, I'm Expecting: Started the Week 24 as the size of a Grapefruit
and is about to be a Zucchini.

Weight gain?:
1 this week, 21 total. 


Stretch marks?:
Only the Linea nigra 




Sleep?:
Sleeping is still good and uninterrupted (by pregnancy).  I do need the body pillow from time to time, but I still sleep on my stomach, as long as Owen isn't kicking me.

Best moment?:
Taking Aidan to a big pool!  He loves the water so much, and the last time we were in a large pool, he kept trying to push me away, so I bought him a puddle jumper.  At first, he refused to put it on, but after seeing another kid wear one, he wanted his on.  He seemed to love the freedom and buoyancy he gained due to the puddle jumper.


Mom, Aidan and I also went to Charleston for the day on Saturday to attend a baby shower for my sister put on by her friends.  Aidan enjoyed painting his cousin a onesie, eating watermelon, and sucking the icing off a cupcake.  He also enjoyed running around my sister's backyard and to nearby ponds to quack at the ducks he saw.



Worst moment?:
Waking up to Aidan at his door crying "mommy."  He managed to get out of his crib.  Good thing the office is cleaned out, but the most progress we made was me taping two walls to prep for paint.  Oy, guess we need to speed things up.

Food cravings?:
Still ice cream - Chic Fil A milk shakes

Symptoms?:
Bloody noses and as my OB pointed out, the pregnancy mask on my face

Exercise?:
I continued to walk - 6+ miles this week. I lifted weights six times this week.

Movement?:
A lot of frequent movement.  I keep hoping Owen will kick while Aidan is nearby so he can feel Owen, but no such luck.

Belly button?:
Partial outie and somewhat flat.

What I miss?: 
Spring weather!  It's already hitting the 90 deg F temps, and between the pregnancy and heat, my walking pace has slowed down.  Though I walk mostly at work, so I don't push too hard - who wants to be all sweaty after lunch?!

Labor signs?
:Not yet

TMI:
Pinched hemorrhoids while walking SUCKS!  I decided I need to up my magnesium in take, and I hope this helps some.

What I'm looking forward to?:
Finishing Aidan's room enough where he can at least sleep in the toddler bed.