Survey, a Belly Picture, and the Nursery!

How far along? 24weeks and 5 days

What have you bought for your baby? I've bought a couple of outfits at a consignment store, plus all the stuff we needed to do the room.

Total weight gain/loss? Approximately a 6lb gain.

How are the maternity clothes? I'm in pants ans shirts full time now. Pretty much everything else doesn't accommodate my huge tummy anymore.

Stretch marks?  I still haven't noticed any new ones yet, although it might be hard when I have so many from before

Hows the sleep? It was pretty good until this past week. I'm having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep now.

Best moment this week? Getting the nursery done!

Movement? Oh my goodness, this little guy is going to be some kind of athlete or something. He just goes and goes and goes!

Type of delivery your planning on? Still planning to go med-free! Been trying to read up on pain managment so I can better cope this time. I just hope to avoid the endless back labor this time around!

Biggest change in your body besides belly? My rear is getting even bigger. I didn't know that was possible!

Food cravings? Ice cream.

Sex of baby? It's a boy!!!!

Labor signs? None. Thank God! Baby better be staying put for awhile!

Belly button, in or out? In, for now, but probably not much longer.

What are you missing? Wine. I'm always missing my wine. I don't realize how much of a wino I really am until I'm pregnant/breastfeeding. I'm also missing sleep, and being able to get up from a seated position without grunting!

What are you looking forward to? Appointment on the 31st.

Other updates? How about a bump shot, and some pictures of the nursery?!

Took this today, 24 weeks and 5 days!

baby boys room!

All ready for furniture!

Shoes

Shoes have become my arch nemesis. Bug has decided she doesn't like loathes shoes. The second we're in the car she's kicking her shoes off, the second she's in the cart at the store she's kicking them off. They are never on her feet. Ever. It doesn't even matter what shoes they are, she despises them all. It's the most aggravating thing in the whole world, and yet I know she gets it from me. I can't stand having my shoes on either. I have accepted the fact that my kid is always going to be the shoeless wonder. So if it's the middle of the winter and you see my daughter with no shoes.... don't judge, there's nothing I can do with her!

My Breastfeeding Journey

This post has been a long time in the making. It's going to be a bit personal and be prepared for words like nipples! I never realized how I felt about my breastfeeding journey with Bug until these words started flowing, it's long and it's heartfelt. I hope you enjoy. 

The first time I remember seeing someone breastfeed was when I was about thirteen. I was at some kind of shower with my mom (baby or bridal I don't remember), and my Aunt was breastfeeding my little cousin. I remember being really curious about what was going on under the blanket but was too shy to even ask my mom. After that I don't really remember seeing anyone nurse again until I was in college and my childhood best friend nursed her children. That's when I started thinking that when I had children I wanted to nurse them. When I became pregnant with Bug my sister-in-law had just given birth to her son and was nursing him. I had many conversations with her about it and she was open enough with me that she didn't cover up when she nursed him and I could observe what it was all about.

While I was pregnant I read several books on breastfeeding and read everything I could find on the Internet. I was nervous but confident that I wanted to nurse Bug as long as I could. The night she was born I had no idea what to do, but thankfully my sis-in-law was there to guide me through. She jumped right in, grabbed my breast and showed me how to hold it and bring Bug right to it. She latched right away and our nursing journey began.

After a few days at home and some more help from my sis-in-law and others I started feeling a bit defeated. I was in excruciating pain and my poor nipples weren't getting any relief no matter what I tried. At Bugs one week check-up I spoke to a lactation consultant who confirmed what I had already thought, Bug had a "tongue tie". After a quick five minute procedure in her pediatricians office to have her tongue snipped, things changed almost immediately for us.

Our breastfeeding journey continued for 15 months when Bug weaned herself, first from daytime feedings and then bedtime. Now that's not to say there wasn't ups and downs. There were times Bug would go through nursing strikes, my nipples would get chapped and crack and there were those nights where she cluster fed for hours on end and I thought she'd never stop. Looking back now as I'm preparing to do it all over again with our next little man, I know without a doubt I cannot wait to do it all over again. I got to have moments with my daughter no one else got to have. I got to snuggle with her late at night when the rest of the house was sleeping, of course there were times I hated that part! I still wouldn't have traded any of it for a minute, it was worth all the hard times.

I never thought that I would become a breastfeeding advocate, but here I am. I'm never going to be someone who says "formula is evil" and every one MUST breastfeed, but I want to help those who are looking for more information or have questions. Breastfeeding saved us money, allowed Bug and I an extra special bond, and I could do it virtually anytime and anywhere. I never had to worry about having enough bottles or mixing formula, or forgetting her food because it was always attached to me. The one regret I do have is that I felt I had to "hide" when I fed Bug. There were times I felt I needed to go in the other room at family functions and other events. I always nursed with a blanket or cover, and I never felt the need to let my breasts hang out where anyone would see them, so I don't know why I felt I had to hide away in silence. I just felt like I had to do it in private for others, and I didn't. I'm sure I won't be so nervous about it this time around. Be prepared family, no more hiding away in a bedroom every time baby needs to eat for this girl!

So there you have it, my breastfeeding journey. Maybe it will open up a conversation for someone else, maybe it will inspire someone to breastfeed, or maybe it just gives you a little more insight into who I am. Any way, I'm so happy I wrote it, it brought back lots of memories!

No TV Day!

Today S made a declaration that today be a "no TV day". I was shocked. Usually he is such a TV addict, but we've been talking about how often Bug has wanted to watch movies lately and really felt we might be letting it become a problem.

So all day today there has been no TV, movies or Netflix allowed in our house, and it's been wonderful! Today was one of those days where S "took off" a few hours from chores and spent time with us. We made a late breakfast after he got in from the barn and ate together at the kitchen table, played blocks together on the floor and daddy and Bug played a few of her learning games on the Kindle together. We really have to do this more often!

As for Bug's TV time, I think there's going to be some new rules set. When S gets in from he barn tonight he and I will discuss it and come up with what we feel are reasonable amounts of TV/movie time for her to have in a day.

2012 in Review

I thought it might be fun to run down some of the biggest moments of 2012 from the blog!

January 13, 2012 - Kaylee stops breastfeeding during the day on her own!
No Breastfeeding

February 7, 2012 - We Busted Out the Blue for Andrew. Showing our support from across the country for my cousin who is battling cancer.
Blue for Andrew

February 15, 2012 - I make my first batch of DIY laundry detergent! It's been almost a year and I've only had to make 3 batches! Love this stuff still!
DIY Laundry Detergent

April 9, 2012 - Easter. We get to celebrate with both sides of our family!
He Has Risen!

June 16, 2012 - Mommy and Bug do our first big sensory craft together, Cloud Dough!
Cloud Dough

July 5, 2012 - To try to beat the heat we decide to try painting with ice!
Painting with Ice

September 14, 2012 - We announce our big news that Bug is going to be a big sister!
Big News!

December 27, 2012 - Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

Some big events that aren't on here.

• We took our first zoo trip in September to Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester NY.
• We grew a huge garden this summer, and still have a freezer packed full of veggies!
• S and I celebrated 3 years of marriage!
• In October we lost S's dad to cancer. 
• Bug turned 2, mommy turned 26 and daddy turned 32 this year!

It's A.....

BOY!! 

We're having a boy!

We had our anatomy scan done on Friday. Baby boy is measuring approximately 1lb and 3oz, and had a heart rate of 145bpm. Big sister was there with us and got to see her little brother kicking around. When daddy told her it was a boy she said "No, girl". Daddy told her again that it was a boy, she was going to have a brother and her response was "Ughh!" Haha! The technician told her she was going to say that a lot when it comes to her little brother! We are over the moon excited!

3d image of our little guys face! Mommy thinks he looks like his daddy already!

This one made me giggle because it looks like he's flexing his muscles!

We announced our fantastic news to S's family on Sunday. I wanted to come up with something fun to tell them, other than the traditional gender reveal cake or simply saying "It's a boy"! So I hopped on Pinterest and found a way to make your own scratch off lotto cards and made these using some examples from around the internet.

Happy New Year! & Survey

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2013 everyone! I have decided to forego a resolution this year and just make a sweeping statement that I have faith that this year will be better than last! We're expecting a baby this year, how can it not be wonderful?!

How far along? 21weeks and 4 days

What have you bought for your baby? Still nothing, but now that we know the sex I can start anytime! (Check back later for that post!)

Total weight gain/loss? Not sure, I have an appointment on Thursday!

How are the maternity clothes? Same as last month. I'm in maternity pants full time now, I have some shirts but I am still able to fit into a lot of my pre-pregnancy shirts. Especially those from before I lost some of my weight.

Stretch marks? Oh I've got plenty of those from last time, I haven't noticed any new ones yet.

Hows the sleep? Not too bad. My biggest complaint is the sore hips I have every morning from sleeping on my sides.

Best moment this week? We found out the baby's sex last Friday!!

Movement? LIKE CRAZY! Baby is all over the place. No one but me has been able to feel outside movement yet, but I don't think it will be long!

Type of delivery your planning on? My delivery with Bug was natural so as long as all goes well, this one will be too.

Biggest change in your body besides belly? Still my acne! Ugh!

Food cravings? Haven't really had many lately I guess.

Sex of baby? We know... check back later for an update on that one!

Labor signs? None. Thank God! Baby better be staying put for awhile!

Belly button, in or out? In, for now, but it's certainly moving out!

What are you missing? Wine. I'm always missing my wine. I don't realize how much of a wino I really am until I'm pregnant/breastfeeding.

What are you looking forward to? Appointment on Thursday!

Other updates? None.