February 2016

We a February photo dump is a little late, but here we are, better late than never!  We did a lot of baking and painting since it was so cold outside.  My girl loves to bake though, so she didn't complain at all.

Charlee LOVES donuts, and one of our magazines had donut recipes, so of course we had to try it out!

so yummy!

She was so excited that her donut made a C after she ate some.

We've been practicing our letters a lot. Charlee likes to make her letters and she's getting really good at letter sounds!

We also got to go to the zoo with our friends!

These girls loved watching the seals swim

Charlee loves to spell her name and match her shapes in her busy book.

Playing with her Maddie and Lucy puppets.

Our budding artist in her element.

Practicing counting and matching number sticks.

Matching colors on a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom tree!

We added new hands to our "high five" wall in the kitchen this month.  Charlee practices counting

playing with her dogs on the deck.

Visiting the zoo again with her BFF

watching the lion at the zoo. 

Making soup

This girl loves the swings

More zoo time!  The polar bear is always swimming

Working out with mommy

More painting!

Charlee loves to do puzzles!  She is getting pretty good at them.

All of her Spanish classes at the Radish and us practicing at home are paying off.  She loves counting in Spanish.

35 Weeks Baby #2

April 24, 2016

How far along? 35 weeks, 35 DAYS to go (as of April 24)
Stretch marks? baby sister is giving me quite a few, let's not talk about the varicose veins on my calf!
Sleep: oh I so with I could sleep at night!  I feel like I am up all the time.
Exercise: BarreAmped 2x a week, lots of walking with the dogs.
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): Charlee asks every day if baby sister is coming out.  She is so excited for her little sister to come and can't wait to help with her.
Movement: This kid never stops moving.  Seriously all the time.  And I don't see how it's possible that she can keep rolling, but she does.
Food cravings: not much
Anything making you queasy or sick:not really
 Have you started to show yet: "woah, mommy, BIG belly" as Charlee would say
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs:more Braxton Hicks
Symptoms: hip pain and pelvic pain, getting out of breath much easier, swollen feet.
Belly Button in or out? in-ish
Wedding rings on or off? off
Happy or Moody most of the time:Although I'm still uncomfortable, the pain hasn't been as bad as past weeks, so it's making this a little more bearable.  I feel like I can function again.  Charlee has been getting very excited about baby coming, so that makes me more excited and happy.  Although I'm starting to freak out more because we just aren't ready. 


Dear baby sister,

Oh child, you are already my sassy one.  I thought your big sister had some sass, but you are always moving and grooving and if you don't like something, you let me know. 

Although we are so excited for you to join us in a month, we're not ready for you to come yet.  We still have a lot to get done and mommy needs to wrap her head around how she is going to handle two kiddos.  We have been expecting you to come on your due date or later (like your sister), but I just feel like you are going to throw us for a loop and come early because we aren't ready for you. 

Your big sister can't wait for you to come so she can take care of you, play with you, show you how to crawl, and walk.  She asks if you are coming out every day.  (I think she's also over this pregnancy.  It feels like I have been pregnant forever).

Keep growing, little girl!

Love,
your mommy

34 Weeks Baby #2

April 17, 2016

How far along? 34 weeks
Stretch marks? found some new ones this week.  This kid is just moving too much and stretching the belly
Sleep: I didn't think sleep could get any worse, but it has.  I have been in so much pain this week that I can barely sleep at all.
Exercise: We got in a few long walks this week, but I usually pay for it later when my hips and pelvis are killing me
Best moment this week (or the past few weeks): Charlee got to feel baby sister kick!  She thought it was so cool
Movement: This child doesn't stop moving.  Seriously, all the time. 
Food cravings: Nothing really.  Nothing ever sounds good, but I still manage to eat my fair share of calories and then some
Anything making you queasy or sick:not really
 Have you started to show yet: Oh this belly is so big.  People have commented that it looks like I'm going to POP.  Thanks...
Gender: baby sister!
Labor Signs: A lot of Braxton Hicks lately
Symptoms:the hip and pelvis pain is out of control.  I can barely walk most nights, it hurts so bad. Swollen feet and heartburn.  At night it feels as though my abs (what's left of them) are literally ripping apart.  I can't bend over or lift anything because it hurts so bad.
Belly Button in or out? in
Wedding rings on or off?officially off. My fingers started to swell because of the warmer weather, so I took my ring off because I don't want to have to cut it off later
Happy or Moody most of the time:
This past week has been really rough for me.  I'm trying to enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy and our last 6 weeks as a family of 3, but I feel so large and everything hurts.  My self esteem is at an all time low right now because none of my clothes fit and I'm just so big. I'm starting to gain weight in places that I didn't with Charlee (hello arms) and that is really depressing me.  I'm having a harder time moving around and keep up with Charlee or even picking her up when I need to.

Dear baby sister,

Oh my goodness, you are sassy.  I thought Charlee was a sassy girl, but you definitely have her beat.  You are always on the move and not a fan when your sister sits on my lap or when I hold her.  You are constantly kicking.

I wish I could say that we are ready for you to come, but we're not, we're so not. I wanted Charlee to come early when I was pregnant with her, but we have been in the mindset that you will come after your due date and if you come early, I think we will be in for a very rude awakening.  I'm just not ready.  I wish I could focus more time and energy on you.  I wish I could have everything planned out and all of your little clothes and diapers washed, your room completely set up, and everything off of your "registry" bought and in its proper place, but I just don't think that's going to happen.  I'm sorry that you are already getting the second child shaft. You are so very loved, but just not prepared for quite yet.

You must know that I'm writing about you at the moment because you are flipping out.  As long as you stay head down (or if you're transverse, flip to head down) then kick and punch all you want.

Love you,
your mommy