Motherhood

12 Weeks

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Last week, my bump turned twelve weeks old. It's mostly bloat and ice cream at this point and the waist band of my pants still buttons. However it is quite uncomfortable and I find myself letting that top button take some time off.

I did a bumpity bump update with Emma so I am determined to do it again with this little bebe every four weeks or so. We had an ultrasound on Tuesday and little stretch-a-lot is doing well in there, all snuggled up and kicking my innards. While Emma was always so curled up that we could barely get images, this one has taken to lounging around in the fluids. The bebe is already perfecting his/her lounging position for when summer comes.

I am itching (literally and figuratively) for these first trimester symptoms to peace out. They hit me hard. Like punch me in the mouth/stomach/throat/eyeball hard. Like, yay you're knocked up! Now here are a truckload of unpleasant (HORRIBLE) symptoms that make you want to rip your hair out and crawl under the covers for LIFE.

I suppose I will never have an easy going first trimester. Oh well. Instead I'm stuck with these classic signs and symptoms.

Surprise, yay!
Happy.
Sick already?
So tired.
Fell asleep standing up. Again.
I miss sushi.
Everything smells.
Food sucks.
But I want all the food.
Coffee, gag.
Bump?? No wait, just bloat.
Pass the cereal.
Pinterest.
Was it like this last time?
Oh I remember this one.
Shall we nap?
Woah, weird dream.
Couch potato.
Gag. Gross. 
Moody.
Excitement.
Sweaty.
Joy. Purest joy.

Good times.

12/13 weeks
How far along: 12 weeks (photos) and 13 weeks now. 
Total weight gain: no weight gained and none lost either.
Maternity clothes: I pulled out all my maternity clothes from last time and I'm just wearing the t-shirts. Only because they are comfy. And I'm all about the leggings right now. 
Stretch marks: No new ones.
Sleep: Crazy weird dreams. W E I R D. 
Miss anything: Not throwing up every night. But hopefully that will be over soon.  
Movement: Nothing that I can feel but a ton in the ultrasounds.
Food cravings: Ice cream, water, anything pickled.
Aversions: Brushing my teeth is gag worthy and I cannot stand the smell of beer breath.
Sex: I have a strong feeling about this but I'm not telling yet.
Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, heartburn, headaches, tiny pimples in my hairline, crankiness, anxiety. 
Belly button: Still an innie.
Wedding rings: Still on and kind of loose.
Happy or moody: Pretty moody and cranky this time around. Maybe it's all the vomiting. 
Looking forward to: A lessening of first trimester symptoms and feeling flutters and movement.

 

We're expecting

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Alternative titles: Oops we did it again, Emma is going to be a big sister, Emma better figure out potty training ASAP because I do not want two kids in diapers, Looking forward to eating all the food, etc. 

Yay! Our family is growing! Paul and I are expecting our second bundle of joy and we are over the moon, all bunches of happy. I am just about to leave the first trimester in the coming week and I hope that these pesky (horrible, death, I hate you) symptoms ease up. Not that I don't love the glow of my post-vomit face, but I think I'd like to move on from that.

I found out in the beginning of December and surprised Paul with a little gift. 

We are already so in love with this precious babe.

God is good. 

 

Kitchen helper

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First post of two-thousand sixteen! WHAT.

I purposely did not do a resolutions post or a big here are my goals for 2016 announcement this year. This is mostly because I wanted to put my thoughts into action and commit to my main goal this year. (I guess I am announcing my goal for this year. Um, moving on.)

This year my goal is simple: Stay Present. 

Present with my thoughts. Present with my intentions. And present with my family. I am putting this into action in various ways and maybe I'll be more specific about it later. But then again, maybe not. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you would know how much Emma loves to cook and clean. Mostly, she just loves being around me and doing what I am doing. The other day I was making calzones and Emma just had to be in on the action. She handed me ingredients and helped me with every step of cooking. It melted my heart. 

Patiently awaiting the fruits of her labor.

Now for your viewing pleasure, here is a little video of Emma's kale help.

I hope she always wants to help us around the house. 

Happy Monday!

Ten things I've learned about my toddler

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While I am by no means an expert in motherhood (always learnin'), I have observed a few things about toddlers in my time as a mother, more specifically, my toddler. Emma turns 20 months old this month and here are ten things I've learned so far.

My toddler...

Never forgets
Remember that one time I let her walk around Trader Joe's outside the cart on a random Tuesday morning where there were only a few shoppers? Well she does. And now she must walk around at each trip, including the dreaded post-church Sunday rush to Trader Joe's when people play bumper carts and glare at the wandering toddler when she pulls things off the shelves.

Imitates everything we do
I sometimes forget that her little eyes follow me every where we go. I am amazed at some of the things she tries to do once she sees her mom or dad do them. Currently she likes to get ready with me and "puts on" face moisturizer and "swipes on" mascara. It's adorable. 

Will bite your fingers if you don't remove them fast enough
I will be feeding her a little of this or that and I've had a few chomps on my fingers that really hurt. I must remember to move faster.

Is hilarious
This girl cracks me up. I've been known to roll on the floor laughing after something she does. I know she enjoys watching us laugh and continues doing whatever it was that makes us laugh. The hard part is when she does something she shouldn't do but it's still funny so we have to stifle our laugher so she doesn't keep doing it. 

Will do the exact opposite of what is asked
If I want her to stop climbing on the chair, I better not ask her to stop climbing on the chair. The second I tell her "no" she will continue doing the forbidden activity until something else distracts her. Oy vey.

Will eventually fall asleep
She sometimes fights her nap, fights bed time, fights her own bed - but she eventually falls asleep after she's tired herself out from screaming and that hope is the only thing that gets me through it. 

Loves being outside
Emma loves to go outside. She loves her walks and the park. But she also just loves getting out of the house, even if that only means going to Panera for a lunch date. This girl likes her change of scenery. 

Is a shadow
This girl just wants her mama. She wants to cook with me, she wants to hang on to my legs, she wants to be in the room with me while I work out, she is my little shadow. Sometimes I crave some alone time, but for now, I will just have to let her tag along. 

Is her own person
Even with the imitating and the shadowing, she is still her own little person. She is an observer, she is independent, and she is nurturing. She has her own personality and I love watching it develop.

Is the sweetest
She is a sweet heart. Her hugs melt me, her smiles light up the room, her tiny voice fills my heart with joy. 

This is what I know. But I'm sure this entire list will change by tomorrow. ;]