Life With Two

 (Picture overload at the bottom :) )

We are one week in being on our own since my Mom left.  I have to say, its going better than I thought it would.  Vivian hasn't been as whiny and clingy...which is a very good thing.  Brian has been home since summer school ended and he's been a huge help...especially with Vivian.  That little girl sure does love her daddy!!!

I was really concerned about the mornings since Vivian is an early riser and Joanna usually wakes about the same time Vivy wakes up.  Thank goodness they've been coordinating it well.  Joanna has been waking between 4-5 am to eat, goes back down and Vivian wakes anywhere between 5-6 am.  My day starts early, but that's okay.  I actually enjoy going to bed around 8:30-9pm.  

I feel bad about poor Joanna not being held as much anymore.  I have her included when she's not napping if Vivian wants me to play with her.  She'll either hangout in portable swing, which has been great, or on her play mat.  She's turning into a go with the flow type of girl.  Guess you have to when you have another kiddo to take care of.  

I was really concerned with finding the time to cook, but that has been going great as well.  My Mom made me a calendar to write down a menu for each day for a month.  That is the way to go my friends!  She bought large drawing paper and drew out each day of the week. We'll have the same type of meals for each day.  She made several sheets for me and I'm hanging the menu on the inside of the pantry with ticky-tack.  Saturday: grill night, Sunday: a meat that we grilled the night before and sides, Monday: Crockpot dish, Tuesday: Mexican, Wednesday: One Pot meals, Thursday: Leftovers, Friday: Eat Out.  I search on Pinterest and cookbooks for simple and easy recipes.  No time for complicated and lots of ingredients meals.  I'm doing my grocery shopping on Saturday's and purchase all I need minus the meats and vegetables for later days since they spoil easily.  I'm the worst about using frozen meat, so for me, it's best to purchase weekly. 

I'm sure we will have a total mess of a day, but right now we are doing great.  I did have my first experience of taking both girls by myself to the doctor because Vivian is sick.  They both started crying at the same time.  I was wearing Joanna and Vivian wanted to be held when the Dr was looking at her.  Poor girl has a cold and ear infection.  Now Joanna is congested.  This will be the story of my like once Vivian starts preschool this fall.  

Here's to mothering two!

It's A...

GIRL!!!

We are beyond excited!  I honestly thought we were having a boy since my symptoms have been completely different than with Vivian. 

I was wrong!

Definitely going to save us on some $$$ since she's due in May and Vivian was born in June.  All of Vivian's clothes will be in season with baby girl.  The clothes will be slightly stained...oh well. Sorry kiddo.

Here's to an EXCITING New Year!!

16 Weeks

How Far along are you: 16 weeks.  My 16 week stats during 1st pregnancy.

Weight Gain:  5 lbs.  Started at 114.6, weighed in today at 119.2

Maternity Clothes: Nope, but had to use a ponytail holder around my pant button today. 

Food Cravings: Sweets, all things carb and oranges

Food Aversion:  Thankfully I no longer have trouble eating anything.  Could be a bad sign! 

How Are You Feeling:  The exhaustion is getting better.  Definitely can tell my energy is coming back.

How Are You Sleeping:  I wake up everytime B comes to bed which is anywhere between 1-2:30 am every night.  It then takes an hour or two to fall back to sleep. Not cool!

Miss Anything:  Nope.

Any Discomforts:  I had slight pain last night.  Had a scary day two Sundays ago where I had bleeding all day long.  Thought I was having a miscarriage.  Thankfully no cramping or heavy like a menstrual cycle.  Called my OB that Sunday morning to see if I needed to ho to the ER.  He told me to come in on that Monday for an ultrasound since I had neither of the above going on.    Thank the good Lord everything was fine.  Strong heartbeat of 161 and the baby was moving all around. The NP said my body is pumping so much more blood tgat a blood vessel probably just popped.  Such a HUGE relief!! 

Any Movement:  I feel little scratches here and there still.  No big movements.

Symptoms:  The occasional heart burn.  My nose bleeds have stopped.

Labor Signs:  No

Gender:  Not yet.  Find out New Year's Eve!!!

Mood:  I've been in a great mood this past week.  I think the Christmas season has put me in better spirits :)

Excited For Anything:  Christmas in a couple of weeks and of course finding out what we are having!!

Guess what....!!!

Sign from Etsy shop: sweetMEboutique

Vivian is going to be a BIG SISTER!! 

Even though I keep forgetting I'm pregnant thanks to little miss, we are beyond excited that she'll have a little brother or sister to play with.  

This pregnancy has been way different thus far.  The fatigue is relentless thanks to my toddler, I've had morning sickness bad enough to where I'm having to take Diclegis at bedtime, I found out I was pregnant earlier (6 weeks vs 10.5 weeks) and I already have a little pooch.  

When we went to Asheville the end of September, naturally I rode in the back seat with Vivian.  The entire drive, there and back, I felt car sick which has never happened.  I was so hungry the entire time, but felt blah while eating to where I was unable to finish any of my meals.  

When we got back to B's parents that Saturday, he kept telling me I should take a test.  I knew I was suppose to start my menstrual cycle (sorry for the TMI) around Oct 9th and kept thinking I would just wait another week and a half.  

On September 6th I thought I had started, but only lasted a day.  Thought that was strange.  I did take a test a couple of days later, the test was negative.  AF returned in August for the first time in over a year after I stopped exclusively pumping in June.  I thought maybe my body was trying to get back in the swing of things. 

We got home that Sunday afternoon and decided I would go ahead and purchase a test.  Went to the store after picking up dinner for my piece of mind.

I took the test, but my results were invalid.  Guess I didn't pee on the stick long enough, lol.  I decided to redo the test even though you were suppose to use a new test.  It came back positive. I sent B to the store to buy a double pack just to make sure.  Took the test again, positive.  Took the 3rd test that following morning, positive again.  

   ^^Pic above was taken the day I found out^^

I've already had to take the glucose test twice already since I had gestational diabetes with Vivian.  The day I met with the history nurse, she ordered the glucose test for me to take that morning.  You are suppose to take the test fasting, but I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast not knowing I would have to take the test.  It had been 3 hours so she said I should be fine since I didn't drink any kind of juice that morning.

My blood sugar for my 1 hour was 171.  Took the 2 hr test the following week and passed.  My fasting was 84 and my other two numbers were above 120 which I'm surprised my Dr passed me.  I'll still have to take the test when I'm 26-28 weeks for good measure.  I'm sure I'll be diagnosed again.  Thankful I wasn't diagnosed during the holidays!  

I'm so curious on how this pregnancy is going to go.  I'm sure it will go quickly...not much time to think about it, which is good.

We are beyond bless that God is providing a sibling so quickly for Vivian since it took us 6 years to get pregnant with her and one month with this one! 

She will make a GREAT big sister!!!