9 day update

I keep wanting to make updates and keep losing track of my days. So a random 9 day update. 

Elissa is doing great. She's a pretty happy girl 95% of the day. Currently she is nursing every 1.5-2 hours. Cluster feeds in the evening then sleeps pretty good waking 1-2 times a night. She doesn't cry much. Hates a really poopy diaper but small poops and pee she doesn't care about. She will tell you when she's hungry. She will ask to nurse just to go to sleep but I'm ok with that. He is kind of hard to burp and it can take quite awhile. If she doesn't burp she will wake mad needing to burp. She rarely spits up at this point and when she doesn't it's not much. Nothing like Leiland. 

Little miss has had a few poopsplosion diapers. I think she needs bigger than the newborn Huggies. She fills them a bit too quickly. She's wearing newborn clothes just fine with several being kinda baggy. I can't wait to see how big she is tomorrow. 

Born at 8 pounds 8 oz

Left hospital at 8 pounds 6 oz

2 days old 8 pounds 2 oz 

We go in the morning to check her weight. 

Breastfeeding is going pretty well. I'm engorged and leaking but not as bad as I was. She sometimes latches too shallow and it hurts. I can't get her top lip to flange. I asked several at the hospital and I'll mention again tomorrow but I think her lip tie may need to have it fixed. They said it was flexible but I'm not sure since she can't get her lip right. 

The boys are adjusting great. Owen wants to hold her all the time. He loves petting her, holding her, kissing her, and sitting beside me when we nurse. Leiland loves holding her too. If he walks past her he will touch her as he goes past. Loves just checking in on her. They really are great big brothers. 

Oh and she lost the umbilical cord stump at a week. It was dangling by a string the last few days and finally came off in her jammies. 

That's all I can think of at the moment. 

4 month update

So we missed 3 months, oops. I will make a bigger update, but we moved.

So yesterday was Owen's 4 month appt a few days early.
14 pounds 4 oz
25" long
head was 17"
3-6m clothes (just starting 9m onsies for length)
Size 3 diapers (just moved up this week)

So he is growing good. We upped his zantac prescription to 1.5ml based on his weight. He was starting to show some more signs of reflux getting worse, but I knew it was likely we just needed to revamp his prescription.

So things have been crazy so I will try to remember things and make it pretty quick.

Owen rolls, Front to back and back to belly. I think he forgot he could roll belly to back though. He likes playing on the floor and being under his toys not he activity mat. Because he can roll he has a habit of doing it the second you lay him down. He rolled back to belly July 12th for the first time. Just needed a few days of being able to try once we moved into this apartment. June 11 was the first time he rolled belly to back.

Now we have crazy belly laughs. First laugh was 25 June - eek.

Owen has fallen into being a great little napper. His schedule right now is waking around 730, up till 9sih and down for a nap till about 11-12. He gets up and then goes back down usually between 2-3. He will sleep till 4-530 usually then up till bedtime around 7-830 depending on the day. He rarely nurses to sleep. Although he doesn't usually use the pacifier anymore he will use it when I hold him to get him to sleep. I put it in and turn him in like he's nursing (to hold the pacifier in place) and he falls asleep usually within a few minutes. I just pat on his little bottom. Lately he nurses every 3-4 hours. Usually right on at 3 hours. At night he sleeps only waking 1 time is the norm. Last week there were a few nights of 3-4 wakings.

Owen is in the crib now for naps and bedtime. He is just too squirmy to keep in the bed anymore. The boys are sharing a room and so far it hasn't been as issue with Owen waking Leiland or Leiland waking Owen. I lay him on his back or side and he usually instantly rolls to his tummy. It took two days once he learned to do it for him to not freak about it. He didn't used to prefer being on his tummy but now he does like that for sleeping.

He doesn't take the pacifier much anymore because now he much prefers his fingers. He favors his right hand and his middle and ring finger. He has started sucking his thumb all the way to having the whole fist in his mouth. Its adorable and I love that he can soothe himself.

Like Leiland, he HATES the car. He is SO happy and easy going until you get in the farm its miserable. There could be worse things, but its gotten to the point that I avoid going anywhere I have to drive more then 10 minutes because its seriously miserable. He even begun a new cry that just tugs at me and makes me start to cry. He also no longer wants to go in the ergo unless he's going to sleep. If he isn't tired he just cries in it. I don't think he likes how constricted he feels. He wants to kick and move and I guess it doesn't give him that freedom he wants. Hopefully he grows to like it.

Lastly Owen is doing great holding onto his toys and chewing EVERYTHING. He loves fingers, toys, necklaces, and whatever he can get his little hands on. He won't play with them when on his tummy but loves them on his back.

Picture time.....
26 June

3 Months old

4th of July

37 week update

Weight 195
BP 123/80 something if I remember right

My brain no longer works these days. Yesterday I had my NST and OB appt. NST looked good and OB went well. I was checked last Thursday and she said 1cm. Yesterday he said the outside is a fingertip/ 1cm dilated but inside its closed, and that I'm 50% effaced. Honestly I was hoping to be a little more dilated at this point. With Leiland I was 3cm by now. Also on Monday I noticed I could see my cervix from the vaginal opening - WEIRD. The only thing I could find online was that its the starting stages of a prolapsed uterus. When my dr checked he said no that my uterus and cervix are just really low from the baby. So thats good news.

I've been cleaning like crazy this week (Tim is out of town) and think I overdid it on Wednesday. I was having a lot of sharp pains low in my uterus and in my back. Then a few lingered to yesterday morning. Dr said they aren't contractions though. SO just need to not do AS much (yeah right). Tim gets home today and Im so excited. I hated him being gone so close to my due date. It was only a week and he was only 8 hours away, but still. He gets home tonight and we are both ready to have him back.

I've still been struggling with food now appealing to me. Wednesday we got pizza and I only ate one piece and struggled to eat that much. My favorite meal right now is seasoned chicken breasts and chicken rice. This rice but Chicken flavor not creamy chicken. I usually cook two breasts at a time and put half the rice and one chicken breast in the fridge for another day. I can't get enough of it. Nothing else is appealing and surprisingly I have a really hard time eating when nothing sounds good.

I still feel huge and well don't expect that to change anytime soon lol. I pee non stop. According to the dr the baby is low, and I think thats why. I seriously could go pee every 10 minutes. And I have to lift my belly and move around to make sure I get out the most possible at once while going to the potty. With that, WHY do you get the tiniest little cup to pee in at the dr? Seriously I can't see what I am doing down there, let alone see which direction pee is going (it likes to change direction mid pee). I have to catch it which usually includes getting SOME on me and yesterday included some getting on my pants (awesome). They really do need a better way to collect pregnant women's pee. Thats just a cruel joke. Geez its hard enough to write my name on the tiny cup.

I have been sleeping alight. Leiland is still waking up, but I've opened his door at night and when he wakes up crying I call to him to come in my room, and he does. He walks in and climbs in our bed happily. This helps me go back to sleep easier. But it also means I'm not getting up to pee at night, so I REALLY have to go when I wake up.

I've been watching closely and I still don't see any new stretch marks. I suppose thats good. I use lotion when I feel dry but its not every day or even every shower. Shaving is really hard, even shaving my thighs is tough. I struggle to put on socks as well. I either chance falling over or can't breath when I lift a foot up. When I sit at the kitchen table I have to keep my legs open now to make room for my belly to fall between or I can't breath and it hurts. My belly hits the steering wheel now when I drive, and I can't reach to put the GPS on without smashing my stomach. Definitely feeling huge these days lol. I think one of my favorites is Leiland will run to hug me and bounce off my belly. He thinks its funny, but it actually hurts a little.

So yes, 37 weeks. Only 3 more weeks till he is "due". I used to think this guy would come earlier but lack of dilation is making me think he is in no hurry to get here. Next week Tim's mom gets here, and at that point I am ready for baby to come. Everyone keeps telling me to relax but I really want this house clean so I can feel ready for him when he does come. I still also want to cook and freeze some meals before he comes. Also do some sewing. So much to do still. Some days I am NOT READY for him to come, but others I just feel like I want him. NOW! So unsure lol.

Yesterday I installed his car seat - thats was a big deal. A little bummed it doesn't fit beside Leilands seat though. So he is on the opposite side of the car as me. I may switch the boys and have baby behind me, but we will see, not sure yet. Now I just need to pack the hospital bag. Still need to make the hat for little man coming home. Better get moving lol.

22 week update

Weight - 184

Feeling pretty good. Getting over a cold I've had for over a week now. I am sick of coughing fits and blowing my nose. I am best to be sitting on the toilet when either happens because well - I tend to pee a little. It's getting worse and worse as the cold goes on. Embarrassing yes but still true. Because I have been sick I haven't had a big appetite other than soup and popsicles. Also eating lots of hard candies for my throat and cough.

Baby has been moving a whole lot more and stronger lately. He also has the hiccups every so often which I don't recall ever feeling with Leiland. My belly is definitely growing, belly button becoming more shallow, and I am getting a few red spots leading to new stretch marks. I don't mind though, I have plenty already so why not add some more.

I have been sleeping ok this week and been exhausted from all I have left to get done. Tim gets home in 2 weeks and I have so much left to do.

I have listened to the HB a few times lately, and Leiland loves it so much he now brings me the doppler to listen to brother. Its the cutest thing ever. He has a new boy baby doll as well which he loves so much. He also likes to hug and kiss my belly/ his brother. Its really cute. If I am rubbing my belly he comes over and rubs too.

Its really starting to cool off here finally and I broke down and turned the heat on downstairs today. I find I don't really like my maternity clothes a whole lot lately, so I am living in my black comfy pants, sweats, or jammies. Not sure what I will do for a winter coat this winter either.

It's crazy to me that I am 22 weeks. I feel like I have forever to go but at the same time I can't believe I am already this far already. The baby is about the size of a papaya (10.9" from head to heel).

Cravings lately have been limited to chicken noodle soup, salty foods, carrots and ranch, and fruit smoothies. Today I made some pretty awesome sweet potatoes that were incredible so I just might need to make some more. Potatoes and fruit as the most consistent cravings I have had this pregnancy. Sweets are not hitting the spot either. Leiland still craves pizza - its a food group to that kid.

21 week update

21 weeks today. I was a little nervous coming into this week just because 21 weeks was when Ruth was born. I still don't feel him move a lot and still worry about him here and there. It will pass but for now we move forward.

 Weight - 183.6 - up 3.6 pounds this pregnancy.

 I feel good. I have still been getting heartburn and nausea that make it nearly impossible to eat. I've taken tums a few times and sometimes the help others not at all. I try to eat but food just never sounds good. I don't want to cook because I end up throwing so much away because I just can't eat it. Even a lot of cereals don't sound good. Apples are pretty good to me though, they always hit the spot. And salty chips.

 I am to the point that I get winded easily already. Going up the stairs or talking while doing too much. Its too early for this, I have a LONG way to go still. I don't feel like my stomach is getting big. I just feel fat most days. Compared to Leilands pregnancy I don't think I am any bigger than I was with him. If anything I am smaller.

 I have started nesting. All I want is the house to be clean and organized. I wish I had the energy to match the desire. Leiland is moving to the spare room and I am almost done getting his stuff moved over. The baby has his NB and 3m clothes hanging in what will become his room.

 According to the app on my phone the baby is the size of a carrot. About 10.5" from head to heel. That seems so big.

 I really don't have anything to report this week. Not much happening.

2 1/2 Year Update for Leiland

Holy cow, he is already 2 1/2? Before I know it he will be 3.
27.8 pounds, 35 1/2 inches. Wearing 2T (not 24m - too small) and a lot of 3T shirts and some 3T pants (carters knit)

Right this minute, he is teething like crazy. The first two year molar (top left)has broke skin on one side and is almost through on the other. The bottom two are showing progress and I can feel the outside edge pushing close. But basically he is miserable 85% of the time.

He is napping great but nighttime has been a little rough. He wakes once every night and has since July when Tim deployed. Right now I am not fighting it, but shortly after Tim is home, I will do my best to get him staying in bed at night. He needs the uninterrupted sleep as much as I do. As far as going to bed though he is doing pretty good. At naps if he doesn't feel ready to sleep he is allowed to have his friends that are in his bed and then a couple books to read. He stays in bed reading till he is ready to sleep.

He won't let me read him many books these days. Once I start he wants to take it away and read himself. So I don't push it too much. He does like the little critter books but will not sit through more then a few pages of anything Dr Seuss.

I won't make a list of all his words like I once did, I could spend days and still miss words. He talks like crazy. New phrases though are things like
"Follow that train!"
"Oops, I forgot"
"I want my mommy"
"Don't leave me mommy"

He will repeat most things you tell him to say, is really good with his Please, Thank You, You're Welcome, and is beginning to be better using Excuse me, and Bless you. He says sorry but still needs help knowing when its needed. When he gets in trouble for doing something he knows he needs to say "Sorry for ____" but if he accidentally bonks me in the head, he doesn't always know he needs to apologize. Overall he is a very sweet and loving little boy, but he is also getting his own little mind. He tests limits, is too rough with the animals still, and doesn't usually like using listening ears. But he is 2, we are working on it.

Sharing is hard, but he seriously loves being with friends. He gets so bored with just me.

He knows all his colors, or at least he did but now always says yellow is purple. He can identify all his ABC's but lately has no interest in playing that game anymore. It's very much on his terms, but I am pretty sure he is starting to forget them now because he won't do it. He wasn't great with numbers so I got a great game on the iPad and he learned to identify I believe 1-10 but again he won't play it anymore and is starting to forget them.

Leiland is terrible with names. We spent 2 weeks in Minnesota with Connie and her kids. He really struggled to remember their names. Sam he did alright with but Cassie was "her" and Connie was "Her mom". By about a week or so in he started using them more. I am terrible with names so I see where he gets it from.

Leiland just got to go trick or treating for the first time. He was unsure about it at first when we went to the mall, but by the time we were out that night he was a pro. He would only yell trick or treat if the door was closed. He wouldn't talk to people once they opened the door or if already outside. He's not usually shy but its becoming more and more as he gets a little older.

Some of Leilands favorite toys right now are still his train table, the slide and ball pit, cars, and his Mickey Mouse and Toy Story figures. He loves Jesse. He loves the Toy Story movies as well. Morning shows he is pretty open to watch most things but like Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, 3rd and Bird, and Bubble Guppies. He still watches Fresh Beat band but not very often.

Potty training these days is pretty nonexistent. I am trying not to push it but I really wanted him in underwear by now. But I fell like he will be in diapers till he is 6. He could care less and with the recent travels and now teething, it's just not the right time. I wanted to start really trying this week but teething is making that a bad idea. So still in diapers at this point. And thats fine.

I love my buddy, he snuggles me so much through the day, gives unprompted I love you mommy's and hugs. He makes my day and just make life so much better.




Daily Schedule as of lately (several months now)

7:30 (6-8:80)           wake up
8-8:30                      Breakfast and watch 1-2 shows
11:00-11:45             eat lunch
12-1                         Nap for 2-3 hours
5:30                         Dinner
7:45-8:15                Bedtime
12:00am - 2am       Wake and come to moms bed

15 week update

Some days I feel like this pregnancy is taking forever and others I am shocked I'm already x weeks. Today marks 15 weeks. YAY. For the most part feeling great, but the past few days getting nauseous. Both because I'm hungry, and also making it impossible to eat certain things. Today I went to eat lunch and once it was in front of me I just struggled to take a bit. I only are about half and had to force myself to eat that much. Could be worse I suppose. I still pee like a race horse. I don't know why I have to go so often and it hurts SO bad to hold it. Pretty sure people think I am nuts. At dinner last night I had to go 3 times while we had dinner in front of us. Oops. Oh well though.

So I weighed myself this morning - 178.8 so still down 1.2 pounds but slowly climbing back to my starting weight. Not worried about that at all. I think thats pretty good. I think that puts me about the same weight at this point with Leiland. Just with him I started at 170 not 180. Either way looks good at the moment.

Tomorrow is my elective gender scan. 15 weeks and 1 day. I can't wait to see for myself what this baby is. Even though I have already been given the blood results from the maternity 21 test.

Still no feeling baby move. That is the part I am most excited for this pregnancy. I have seen how active this kid is and I just can't wait to feel it for myself. I absolutely loved it with Leiland and he moved so little. This one I know will be more active.

My back has been bothering me for a few days now. A warm bath didn't help any and I don't really know how else to help it. I am going to try and get in for a massage but not sure if I can make that work. I really struggle to carry Leiland now, but he is getting better walking places and holding my hand if its not too far. We are working hard on walking and listening while going through a store. Some days I just don't' have the patience to deal with taking twice as long on a shopping trip. So he goes in the cart per my request.

I have noticed my sense of smell is definitely stronger. Lets just say my toilet is cleaned more often and the trash emptied more frequently. I just can't stand the smell of either. Oh and milk gone bad? Make me puke.

I was really constipated for a couple weeks, but it seems a little better this week. Drinking water and upping fiber gummies isn't helping ANY.

I definitely think my belly is getting bigger. Forgot again today to take a picture, so I will just take it tomorrow a day late. No big deal I suppose. I am in maternity pants now and some tops. I don't have much for short sleeves and my shirts ride up real bad, so this weekend I am headed to motherhood maternity.

Thats all I really have for now. Not too much to report. I have my OB appt Tuesday and I will update after that.