31 Weeks!

How Far Along:  We are 31 weeks (well actually 32 weeks tomorrow).  How in the world did we get here so fast?  We are now in the single digit countdown until Carter is here!  8 weeks left as of tomorrow.  WOW!

Size of Baby:  As of 32 weeks Carter should weigh around 3 and 3/4 pounds and is around 16.7 inches long.  I think it's funny that they say he is about 16.7...strange number.

Maternity Clothes:   Yes of course...

Gender:  Boy!!!  Baby Carter.

Movement:  Yes and I think he is starting to run out of room and getting a little snug in there.  I'm getting the feet in the side and under the ribs.  Sometimes it can be a little painful.  Garrett was with me during one of Carter's big movements that hurt and he pointed to my belly and said "Don't do that Carter!!!".

 

Sleep:  Doing pretty good.  Trying to take advantage while I can before I get to the very uncomfortable stage of pregnancy and it is even hard to sleep.  I still wake a few times, but seem to be able to fall back pretty easily.  I am most exhausted though first thing in the morning and then the late afternoon.  We wake up around 6:30 (thanks to Garrett...shew) and I could take a nap around 8:30am.  Ha!  I have had a few nights where I fall asleep on the sofa around 7pm and get a little catnap. 

What I miss:  My legs.  I feel like they have gotten HUGE.  I also am just ready for my body to be back to "normal".  Don't get me wrong, I love the belly.  I love the movement.  this is more than likely our last pregnancy so I am trying to soak it all in.

What I'm looking forward to:  We have pretty much put the nursery together.  The crib is up and bedding is in it, the room is painted.  The clothes have been washed and put away.  Josh did the majority of all this and I have joked with a friend that he is nesting.  Ha.  For those of y'all that don't know Josh very well he is OCD when it comes to cleanliness and I am NOT!  He did not know what he was getting into when he married me.  I've gotten a lot better, but still he is always cleaning.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I really am not having any problems now which is great!  I am really trying to eat healthier starting this week.  We have had Holiday's, followed by tons of company lunches, followed by SNOW.  I am sooo weak and have avoided the talk with my midwife about weight gain.  I feel like the talk is coming though.  We will see.  We went shopping this weekend and I have lots of fruits and veges and healthy options.  Now I just need to stick to it!

Symptoms:  I am starting to waddle a little bit.  Still out of breath if I get going too fast.  I have a feeling that tying my shoes are going to start becoming difficult.  I can still wear my wedding bands and my Meredith class ring.  I am so excited about that.  There were some days pre pregnancy that I would not be able to wear my Meredith ring and I honestly didn't think I would be able to wear it this long.  I don't think I will be able to wear it the entire time, but my wedding bands I think I should be able to wear.

I am also sore by the end of the day if it is a busy day.  All over sore.

Workouts:  Workouts are pretty good.  I've mainly stuck to the stationary bike.  Going to attempt the elliptical this week and see how it goes.  This past week we had a lot of snow and so I wasn't able to go and workout at the gym.  We did however go for a LONG walk and played in the snow for about 2 hours and holy cow I was exhausted!  that was NO JOKE.   

 

Best moment this past week:  It was seeing Garrett practice being a big brother with a fake baby at the hospital.  Bless him he is honestly the most excited person I have ever seen about a baby coming.  I pray that this excitement continues!  I will post some pictures from the hospital. 

 

Here is our 31 week photo.  Excuse again the scary faces.  Garrett is not ready for us to erase them yet.  Lovely.  I hadn't looked at these pictures yet and GOOD GRACIOUS look at that belly!  Whoa.  My goodness it is growing like crazy.  Garrett even looked at me one day and said "Carter is really getting big mommy".  ha!

 

 

Here are pictures from the hospital class on being a big brother.  He had so much fun but talked through the entire class.  Gracious he is just like me and talks all the time.  Ha! 

 

Um is this what Carter is going to look like? 

 

I think I have this!  (mommy is secretly thinking "don't forget to hold his head!!")

 

Learning to wrap up like a burrito or as Garrett said "I'm wrapping him up like a moo moo".

That's how you know you have gone to Moe's one too many times for a kids meal!  ha

 

He had a BLAST! 

 

This is a video from the class.

 

 

29 Weeks!!

How Far Along:  We are 29 weeks, 3 Days.  Hello THIRD TRIMESTER!!  Seriously this is FLYING by this time.  We have less than 3 months left.  OMG!

Size of Baby:  Well we had an ultrasound and Carter is about 2.5 pounds which is right on track.  The book says he's around 15 inches long.

Maternity Clothes:   Yes of course...

Gender:  Boy!!!  Baby Carter.

Movement:  Yes and there has been lots of rolling going on.  I LOVE IT!!!  The other night I had some nilla wafers dipped in buttercream icing.  Well I think that amount of sugar pushed Carter over the edge.  Good gracious he went NUTS!  My stomach was just bouncing all over the place.  It felt crazy!!

 

Sleep:  Still going pretty good.  I still tend to wake up around 5am and my mind starts wondering and I don't think I go back to sleep.  SO I wake up exhausted.  Luckily a Diet soda is waiting for me at work and seems to give me the energy I need.

What I miss:  Running.  Deli Meat.  Not getting out of breath from walking up the stairs.  Nothing major or nothing that can't wait for a few more months.

What I'm looking forward to:  We have scheduled a Big Brother class for Garrett at the Hospital.  I can not wait!  He is so beyond excited about being a big brother.  We've told him that he's going to be an amazing big brother and he just beams.  He talks all the time about Carter and all he's going to do with him.  It is just so heart warming.  God is amazing.  Also looking forward to going to my appointments every two weeks.  I love getting to hear the heart beat :-)

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I really am not having any problems now which is great!

Symptoms:  Feeling pretty good.  I am having some back and side pain.  Nothing too bad. 

Workouts:  Workouts are FINALLY going better.  We had an appointment last Wednesday and I almost passed out during our Ultrasound.  Pregnant women can't lay on their back long and some have issues if they lay too long.  Apparently I'm one of the few.  We were laying there looking at sweet Carter and I started getting hot...REALLY hot.  Then the sweat started and I finally said "Um I think I'm having a really bad hot flash".  Well everything stopped then and she asked if I was going to get sick.  I said possibly??  Well they made me roll over to my left side and within a matter of a minute I felt like normal again.  I explained that this is the same way I feel when I workout and my heart rate jumps.  So she said that standing straight up can also make you feel that way.  She suggested that I ride the bike or elliptical.  So I've tried the bike and have had NO PROBLEMS.  Praise!  Will try the elliptical next week. 

 

Best moment this past week:  It had to be having our ultrasound and seeing that sweet baby.  With Garrett we only had the gender reveal ultrasound.  With Carter this is our second and then when I'm 34 weeks we will have another one through ECU.  The study I'm doing does one for free.  Can't wait!  We also started on the nursery and started washing baby clothes.  I honestly can't believe that we are this close to baby Carter coming!  YIKES.  Very exciting!

 

Here is our 29 week photo.  We were in a hurry so we didn't have time to erase the 27 or the heads that Garrett drew that he said were Josh and myself.  So please excuse them!  I did my best to turn the 7 into a 9!

 

 

27 Weeks...and we have a NAME for baby Dail!

How Far Along:  We are 27 weeks and 3 Days along. 

Size of Baby:  The baby weighs 2 pounds and 14.5 inches.  Baby is about the size of a cauliflower head.

Maternity Clothes:   Yes of course...

Gender:  Boy and we FINALLY have a name!  Well a first name anyway.  Carter is the name we have chosen for Baby Dail.  Garrett was named after Josh's Dad Gary.  We came up with Carter on our own, but my dads name is Carl, so Carter is following suit with the "Car".

Movement:  Yes and Josh is able to feel him more now.  Garrett has also been able to feel him which is fun to watch. 

Sleep:  Still is touch and go.  Knock on wood, it's been a bit better.  I still don't get a full nights sleep, but finally feel more rested.  I got sick before Christmas and hit a wall...hard!  I was an emotional basket case and so exhausted I couldn't see straight.  I had to get things prepared for Christmas, birthday's (Josh and Garrett) and I had a lot to do at my office.  My mom convinced me to take a day off when I got sick.  I didn't want to use that time, because it is part of my maternity leave, but am so THANKFUL that I did.  The gym has also been closed for about two weeks.  Honestly it came at a great time.  I am finally feeling rested.   

What I miss:  Picking Garrett up and deli meat... I also missed Champaign at New Years!  It is totally worth it not to have any and wait a year...Plus we can have some once Carter arrives!!!

What I'm looking forward to:  We have an ultrasound next Wednesday.  So excited to see Carter.  Hopefully I will be measuring normal (I'm currently measuring 3 weeks ahead of schedule) and things will go smoothly.  We also have to come up with a nursery theme this month.  I'd like to have something in place by the end of January.  February will be here before we know it and then Carter will be here...OMG...

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I really am not having any problems now which is great, but the weight gain not so much.  I put on quite a bit over the holidays!  I don't look forward to hearing about it at my next appointment.

Symptoms:  Feeling bigger and getting out of breath a lot easier. I actually burned my belly on the stove this week.  BLESS.  I was cooking rice on the stove and was reaching above the stove to get something and forgot my belly is bigger than normal...next thing I knew I felt a strong burning sensation.  The dang pot got me.  Luckily no blister or anything.  Learning to be more careful!

Workouts:  Workouts have been put on hold because the gym I go to has been closed since before Christmas.  I think it's been nice to have a break (minus the weight gain).  I have to be honest that I am a bit nervous about starting back tomorrow.  I pray my heart rate stays normal and doesn't sky rocket!  Any prayers would be great!
 
Best moment this past week:  I think honestly catching up on sleep and rest.  I took off an extra day at Christmas as well to be able to be at home for Josh's and Garrett's birthdays.  It was awesome.  Today was New Years and we had today off too.  Josh surprised me last night with flowers and it was just what I needed.  He is truly doing such a good job of handling me.  It's a tough job...these hormones are no joke.  Josh and Garrett both have a cold and we had a pajama day until around 3:00.  We went shopping a little and came home and I cooked New Years Dinner.  We had pork chops, mac and cheese, black eyed peas and asparagus!  SO YUMMY.  Now eating right starts back tomorrow...shew.

This picture isn't the best, but we are all pooped and it's the best we could get :-)

25 weeks...

How Far Along:  Well this is way overdue!  I was supposed to do this last week.  Today I am 25 weeks and 1 day. 

Size of Baby:  The baby weighs 1.5 pounds and 13.5 inches.  I actually had my 24 week appointment last week and when she measured me I am measuring 27 weeks.  Shew!

Maternity Clothes:   Yes of course...no turning back.  I'm actually to the point where it is inappropriate to wear my bathrobe outside of in front of Josh and Garrett...ha!  no more going to start the car with my bathrobe on.  Don't want to scare the neighbors.

Gender:  Boy and still no name...coming soon.

Movement:  Yes :-) He had slowed down for a little bit, but I honestly think it's because I was going 150 mph and didn't take the time to relax and feel him.

Sleep:  Still is awful!  Oh man.  I am sick right now and thought that I would finally get some good sleep...nope!  I lay down and sleep until around 2am and then am up and don't really fall back asleep.  I feel like a zombie.  I'm hoping that this will turn around and I can get some sleep soon.   

What I miss:  Picking Garrett up and deli meat... 

What I'm looking forward to:  Christmas.  Garrett is SO EXCITED.  Oh my goodness I can't wait to see him Christmas morning!  Josh and Garrett got me a gift about 2 weeks ago and he is BUSTING at the seems to tell me what it is.  If we make it to Christmas it will be a miracle.  I also am ready to see if I failed my glucose test.  I guess I will find out this week.  I have a feeling I did.  then the three hour test comes...boo!

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I am actually able to eat more finally.  this could be a good or a bad thing...

Symptoms:  Feeling bigger and getting out of breath a lot easier.  That could also be me being sick too, but it doesn't take much.  Also very emotional/hormonal.  I've been burning the candle at both ends and it finally caught up with me.  It is hard to slow down sometimes...

Workouts:  Workouts were not good again.  I'm still having a really hard time controlling my heart rate.  I'm hoping that it is just hydration and electrolytes but it is hard to have run a half marathon in March and not be able to walk at a brisk pace now.  I canceled my workouts for this week and they are closed next week.  so maybe taking off a few weeks and catching up on rest will help too?
 
Best moment this past week:  I felt the baby roll over in my belly today I think...ha!  also I LOVE my midwife Monica.  Last go round I had a huge problem with weight.  At my last appointment I was ready to defend my weight and she told me that I looked great!  She said I looked fit and pregnant, not fat!  I could have just took her home with me!  Now I just need to be careful with the food and no workouts because I will easily gain! 

22 Weeks

How Far Along:  Tomorrow we will be 23 weeks.  This blog post is late due to Thanksgiving and exhaustion.  I was actually going to put it off a few more days but then figured if I did that it would be time for the 24 week post.  It's getting more and more real that December is going to fly by and then we will be into 2014 and the baby will be here.  wow...

Size of Baby:  The baby weighs 1 pound!  He is the size of a spaghetti squash and is around 11 inches long. 

Maternity Clothes:   Yes and I'm in love with yoga pants and leggings.  I'm still not 100% confident in the way that the leggings look, but they are SO comfortable!  Oh my goodness.  I wish I could wear the yoga pants daily.  When pregnant with Garrett I was able to wear dresses and skirts because it was hot most of the time with him.  Not so much this time without pantyhose.  I don't know many that like to wear pantyhose...blah. 

Gender:  Boy and we are narrowing down baby names.  Josh and I are complete opposites.  We had a date day this weekend and I brought our list so we could go ahead and figure it out.  He said "We still have a few months".  Well I'll give it a few more weeks but I'm ready to bond.  At least the first name!  I'm fine waiting on the middle name.

Movement:  Yes :-)  I'm loving it.  I feel him the most around 11in the afternoon and 9pm at night.  I am guilty of eating something sweet to get him really moving.  Josh was actually able to feel him move for the first time on Saturday November 30th.  Yay!!!

Sleep:  Still comes and goes.  I find my biggest problems are my hips still and tuning my brain off of the million things going through it.  I flip and flog all night to get the pressure off each side.  I still feel like I get a decent nights sleep but nothing like pre pregnancy. 

What I miss:  Picking Garrett up.  I did miss my glass (or glasses) of wine tonight while we decorated for Christmas.  I love to have wine while sitting under the tree! 

What I'm looking forward to:  The Holiday's are here!  yay! We are going to visit Santa on Tuesday and possibly Saturday.  The Christmas parade is also Saturday.  Garrett is so excited about Christmas!  His elf, Harris Teeter also came tonight.  PRAISE!!!  Hopefully he will help him find his listening ears that have been lost for a few months.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I have not been eating well and can feel it.  I'm tired a lot.  We had Thanksgiving this week and we have had way too much food.  My reflux is acting up a little.  Dairy is bothering me a little too.

Symptoms:  Nothing too new.  I am starting to get out of breath some when going up stairs.  This week I came upstairs to take this picture for this most and was breathing heavy and said give me a minute and then we will take the picture.  Garrett said "Bless your heart".  BAHAHAHAHAHAAA.  I died.

Workouts:  Workouts were not as good this week. I only had the one Monday and then didn't go the rest of the week because of Thanksgiving.  I tried going on a walk Thursday and got overheated.  It was freezing outside and I bundled up a lot.  I almost fainted and vomited.  Starting to learn my limits...I'm just not used to not going 100 miles per hour.

Best moment this past week:  Josh feeling the baby move.  Also getting all of our Christmas stuff out!  Garrett was OVER.THE.MOON. excited!  It's awesome to see the magic through your child's eyes.

20 Weeks...HALF way there! what???

How Far Along:  We are 20 weeks and 4 days.  We are half WAY there!  How did we get to be already half way done!  We still have so much to do, and we realize that it will be going fast from here (or at least until 30 weeks when it gets "harder"). The big things we have to do are come up with a name and figure out a nursery!  Luckily since it is another boy we have a lot that we will be able to use again.

Size of Baby:  The baby weighs 10.5 ounces and is the size of a banana...ha.  He is growing

Maternity Clothes:   Yes and I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I'm trying not to buy any additional clothes.  Most of my pants fit when I leave the house and then are falling off of me by the time I get home.  My tops are working pretty well. 

Gender:  Boy and I believe Garrett is preparing me for a life full of BOY.  Let's just say I hope I have enough energy. 

Movement:  Feeling more and more, but not as much as I would like.  I definitely go through stretches when I don't feel much at all during the day.  He seems to be pretty much enjoying hanging out low in my belly.  I think I feel him pretty much under my belly button.  I'm so ready to be able to see him move so Josh and Garrett can see him move too! 

Sleep:  Sleep is touch and go.  My hips are my biggest problems.  A few nights a week they ache all through the night.  It's whatever side I'm laying on.  I truly haven't gained that much weight so I don't understand where the pain is coming from.  I've read that it is somewhat common so I hope that it is gone soon.  Other than that sleep is alright. I just know it's going to get harder and harder as we go along.  Sadly I am in bed by 9:30 at night at the latest...sometimes asleep  by 8:45.  Tonight I took a 20 minute nap around 7pm.

What I miss:  Holding Garrett.  I don't pick him up because my boy is SOLID.  It makes me a little sad that by the time the baby is born he might be too old to pick up.  I will still try my best!!!  I also miss him sitting in my lap.  It's getting harder to let him get snuggled up in my lap.  I miss my body but also love the bump. 

What I'm looking forward to:  the Holiday's!  What I'm not looking forward to is getting on the scale!  I weigh myself at home and do pretty good.  But the scales at the doctor's office always are against me...ALWAYS.  ha.

Cravings/Food Aversions:  I have stayed away from red sauce items.  I may try to reintroduce them back.  maybe.  I miss them!  I have been craving Taco Bell soft tacos with extra tomatoes. This is really strange because I HATE tomatoes pre pregnancy.  I am thinking about adding it to sandwiches etc.  I still lean more towards salty vs. sweet items.  I am working on packing my lunches and breakfast and trying not to eat out as much.  We will see!

Symptoms:  My hips hurting!  My back is starting to hurt a little as well but nothing serious.  Oh and forgetfulness!  My boss calls this CRS syndrome (can't remember sh*t).  Shew it comes and goes.  In fact there was something else I wanted to add to this and I can't remember.  Hopefully it will come back to me by next post :-)

Workouts:  Workouts are going great still!  I am truly enjoying the program at ECU.  I've met some great moms that I honestly feel as though I could be friends with after this.  We are all due within 4 weeks of each other pretty much.  It is great to have multiple people to ask if they are experiencing the same things that you are.

Best moment this past week:  Garrett just being such a sweet little guy!  I swear he loves this little guy as much as we do.  He whispered to my belly the other day "Hey when you come out I have lots of toys for us to play with".  MELT.MY.HEART!  Love him!

Here is the 20 week picture!

Garrett wanted in on the picture.  I had no clue he was going to pose like this.  SO TICKLED!

Fall

I haven't done a family update in awhile.  We have had a busy but fun Fall so far.  Garrett has been FULL of energy but oh so sweet.  His heart is just so big and it makes mine so full.  He tells us constantly how much he loves us.  He has been super cuddly and I am soaking it all in.  I don't pick him up anymore since being pregnant so we snuggle!  He also hugs his baby brother and gives him kisses (hugs my belly and kisses it) and it is THE SWEETEST!  The love he has for his brother already is just awesome!!!  He also told Josh that when he gets older and marries me that Josh can still live with us, but his baby brother will have to find somewhere else to live.  hahahahaha!  I love the stuff he thinks of and thinks it is so sweet that he wants to marry me!  What a sweetie pie.
Josh told me last night that Garrett confessed to Josh that he cut his own hair while we were not in the room with him.  LUCKILY we didn't notice so he must have only cut a very little bit.  He loves arts and crafts and will start having to check in on him more often when he is so quiet playing by himself!

We went to Myrtle Beach at the beginning of Fall.  It was a great family trip, but a lot of work!  Garrett loved it and still talks about it to this day!  Here are some pictures:

Family selfie...

First put put experience...thank goodness for the plastic club or we would've been in trouble!  That boy can swing a club!

Family Picture :-) 

always has to be a little drama.  We were laughing while he was saying "It's NOT FUNNY"...ha

He could live in the sand/water

Ripley's aquarium was AMAZING!!!  Must see!

Daddy always is there to play!

Halloween just passed and man it was fun!  We don't live in a big neighborhood.  There are only a few other families with children, so we always go to his best friend Rooke's house to celebrate.  It is so much fun and there are 4 or so of his other friends that come too and they always have a great time.  I cherish the friendships he has made that have ended up being friendships that I have made with the children's parents.  Here are some Halloween pictures from 2013...

This is actually taken before Rooke's birthday party.  I was so proud he wrote his own name.  Growing up fast!

he loves to write his name and I love it too. 

two precious pumpkins

scooping out the yucky stuff

Drawing faces on the pumpkin...I dotted it and then Garrett filled it in

This year he wanted to be a Pirate!  I could just squeeze him



Group Picture of all the kids!!

Madison & Garrett.  We didn't even plan on them dressing alike!

Aren't they just precious

Rooke, Garrett's best bud!

the "doctors"

It will be sad when they are too old to ride in wagons...

Partners in crime

We had a great Halloween.  About two days later though Garrett got his first stomach bug!! We made it 4 years, 10 months without one.  I used to call him the stomach of steel.  I never have mentioned the fact that he has never had a stomach bug because I was afraid to say it out loud!  Ha.  I thought as soon as I said it, he would get it.  Luckily it was just 24 hours.  The morning it hit though Josh had to go to work.  He only works like 2 Saturday's a year and this happened to be one of the Saturday's.  We had both been up since 2 am and were just in go mode.  My parents came over to bring breakfast (we were supposed to go to a pancake breakfast that morning, but obviously that wasn't happening).  She was sweet enough to take him with her back to her house.  I was sad that I was not able to cuddle Garrett and just love on him during this time, but I knew that I did not need to get the stomach bug either since I was pregnant!  Luckily no one else got it and he was feeling better after a few days. 
The Dail's have also moved up to the 21st century with the purchase of I phones!  Josh has used a flip phone since I've known him and I don't know how I convinced him to go to a smart phone and an I phone at that!  We are truly enjoying them, but it is a learning curve!
I plan on doing some Thanksgiving day crafts with Garrett today.  I hope to do a blog on the gender reveal this week.  I am going to get the pictures today :-)