Midweek Randoms

• More naps please!

• Also, more treats please! =) My dog agrees.

• The glimpses of 70-something-degree weather has me excited for fall. I really need to get out and walk but the high temps are making it a "no thank you". 

• Speaking of not walking, people sure aren't shy about calling a pregnant lady huge are they? I don't mind when it's just in reference to my belly... that's totally something to be proud of. =) BUT - when in reference to my overall physique... well... duh... I don't need to be informed of what I can see in the mirror each day. ha! =) It's funny to me more than anything. No senese in getting bent out of shape about it... I'm already out of shape. Bahaha. 

• Like I mentioned Monday, last week was a total bear. I was exhausted, in pain, and just felt downright awful most the time. One night we were trying to clean up the house and Dac ended up having to finish the vacuuming for me. I just couldn't do it anymore. How lame is that!? Here's a look at my swollen feet another night. (why oh why do I feel the need to share these things?) That right one is a looker, no? And this was after having them propped up a while. 

• It's the start of school and that makes for lots of office craziness and crankiness. Oy.

• For once, we haven't been watching much tv at home - especially since the OIympics are over. Instead, we've been "nesting" I guess. Dac has been working on fixing our basement door, re-building our hall closet and nursery closet, and refinishing the hallway closet and nursery floors. The hallway closet looks great so far. We'd both prefer a darker stain on the floor but decided to go with ease and quickness and keep them natural. I'm super excited for them to be done so we can start setting things up and getting organized. =) I've been cleaning up after him, stocking up on supplies to make freezer meals, and other random organizing tasks. It's getting real up in there ya'll. Other big projects include possibly re-doing the other wood floors, putting doors on our office and re-organizing it to include a space for guests. As much as I'd like our bathroom project to be complete pre-baby, I'm just not sure it's possible at this point. Makes me super sad and frustrated but I'm coming to terms with it.

• I got to spend the day in Wichita with my mom Saturday. We went and registered at Babies-R-Us and Target so that was fun. =) We don't get to hang out too often and I for one enjoyed it! 

• Sunday, we went to church (gasp) and stayed for a lunch/meeting after. It was all about the positives and challenges of our church and where we'd like to see it be in the future. This is something Dac and I talk a lot about. We both grew up in this church and have a lot of love, respect, and nostalgia for it and especially for the people there but we also have a pretty good idea what we want in a church, we've both experienced it in other places, and I'm not sure if our church will/can ever really provide that. So the question is... when do you give it your all to create what you want and when do you accept that it's not the right place and move on? It's so tough.

• We have, once again, been spending more money than we can afford. SO - after a quick breakdown/panic attack, we sat down, re-visited our income and expenses and vowed to cut way the heck back this month. That, unfortunately, means not as much eating out, movies, and other fun stuff and unnecessary purchases (which isn't really our problem, it's mostly the eating out, etc...). Even our grocery bill has been a little out of sorts which is funny considering the eating out I just mentioned. Sigh... how did this happen? We used to be so good?! After that trauma we ate Ramen. It made me feel a little better. ha!

• I love donuts. I love donuts and Reeses and brownies and double dip cones and more donuts. =) And zebra cakes. Don't judge.

• Why is it so hard to find a rocker/recliner that is JUST right? It shouldn't be so hard.

• Here's me photo-bombin' the work place (or at least the office bathroom) yesterday. =)

• So far this week has been a little better. I'm still fighting the tired's (hoping it's more of a phase) and all but I've been able to be productive and I just feel better about things overall. =) 

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 24: Wow. I can’t believe we’re here already. We’ve made it to the point of viability. Don’t get any ideas though... you’d better just stay put. The odds still aren’t quite good enough for my liking. I think now that your dad has felt you move, it’s become a bit more real for him. He thought it might be fun to play some dub step music during my weekly photo session to see if you liked that. We had a little dance party but you didn’t seem too interested. ha! =) We will definitely be working to make sure you know and love lots of music styles. As I type this you’re listening to Matchbox Twenty circa 1996. Total classic! We’ve had a few more jam sessions and he has even read a book to you. =)

Highlights

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: Cantaloupe

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Even my maternity dress pants are on the tight side now. Sigh. Time for a replacement I guess. Still not totally sure on the amount gained. I am officially heavier than my husband though. Applause! 

Maternity Clothes: See above. Ha!

Gender: It's a surprise!

Movement: Still feeling it! That's a great sign, right!? =) Sometimes it's high, sometimes low, and sometimes I can even see it. 

Sleep: Restless... some nights better than others. Back pain is continuing to make it difficult to get and stay comfy.

Symptoms: This past week has felt a lot like the first trimester... minus the nausea and plus the more recent stuff I've had. I've been exhausted and needing naps right now. I've also kissed my clear skin goodbye and said hello once again to a face full of zits. My belly button is getting shallower (and I have a deeeeep belly button). After two surgeries my belly button is pretty nasty... won't be showing that off anytime soon (not that I would have anyway, ha!) Let's see, what else... heartburn on occasion - particularly when I forget to take meds, back pain that makes me cry, restless sleep, headaches, swelling... the usual. It's been kind of a rough week all the way around. =| Here's hoping this one's better!

What I miss: I don't really miss this per se, but if we're being open and honest, I could have really gone for a drink this past week. Just a little one would have done.

Cravings: Fruit, toast with butter and jelly, candy (basically sweet stuff... shocker)

Best Moment this week: Dance party with the hubs and the Pop Tart. =) AND a date night.

What I am looking forward to: Photographing my 2nd birth story and cooler weather.

MIdweek Randoms

• I had a chiropractor appt. this morning. The back and hip pain is out of control. =( I about couldn't get off the couch last night, there's no such thing as a really comfortable position, and it hurt so bad I could have just cried. Well, I'm sure the adjustment will help in the long run but for now I just have even more pain and a ridiculous headache to boot.

• The Olympics are intense, are they not? I get way into it... even running and I hate running for crying out loud. Don't even get me started on beach volleyball... I can't keep my mouth shut and I can't sit still. =) It's a sight.

• There's this Wichita, KS commercial with lots of 20-somethings talking about how they've heard the town isn't what it used to be, etc... and that basically they're stepping up to make "their town" more amazing than ever. This one guy says "I've heard we've lost our swagger". I don't know why, but this tickles me. haha. Random.

• You may have noticed I posted about a giveaway yesterday. I wouldn't normally post those types of things but I got 10 extra entries if I shared it on my blog and I'm all about trying to win things right now. I'm determined to win some baby things. Determined. 

• The bulk of  the nursery fabric came in this week. We can now move ahead on that. =) I'm ready to see the basic things take shape so I can get to the fun decorating and organizing steps. Dac is going to work on the closet this weekend so he can get the floor varnished. That's really what everything is waiting on at this point. 

• I dove into my search for a daycare provider yesterday. I've been doing some asking around and thinking about it for months but I'm making myself really get on the ball now. I'm pretty sure this is harder than the back pain. Maybe? Why does it have to be so hard? I'd rather just stay home. 

• I went home yesterday and fell asleep after work. Slept for over an hour and a half!!! Holy moly. How did that happen?! Apparently I needed it. Geesh!

• Sunday, I went to my grandma's family's reunion. It was her, her siblings, and their families. It was a little potluck. I didn't really know most the people there but it was good to see those I did remember from being a kid and spend time with my grandparents and aunt. 

• I've been using this new body wash... Dove Visible Care. I chose the toning version (there's 3) but anyway, I like it. Dove's always been nice on my sensitive skin but this seems to make it even softer and doesn't have a strong smell at all. Is it toning? Who knows. But I'm calling it a win regardless.

• I sold some more stuff on our county's facebook buy/sell/trade page. We're hoping to sell some bigger items soon to help with our bathroom remodel. I can't say enough how  badly I want that to be done. Oh. My. Word. 

• I guess that's about it! Have a great week! =) And go USA! =)

Breastfeeding Week Giveaway

Just entered to win this giveaway over at www.simplyrealmoms.com. Thought you may be interested too! =)

It's a date

Dac and I had pictures in Wichita Saturday evening. We got up that morning and I went to breakfast with Kayla =) while Dac mowed the church yard. We left that afternoon to do some quick shopping and go out to eat before the session.

We decided to go to Wichita Brewing Company. We've been there before and loved it. Yummy pizza and they brew their own beer which is a bonus for Dac. It's a cool place and we like to support it since it's local and all. 

Anyway, turns out it was their 1-year anniversary and they had specials going on, etc... it was fun! Dac even had a guy at the next table come over and talk to him because of the beer shirt he was wearing. haha! =)

Dac got one of their new special beers while I slurped on their home-brewed rootbeer. It was delicious! =)  Dac looked away right at the last second. haha!

We also got 1/2 price spinach artichoke dip and cheese bread. Also delicious.

While we ate our cajun chicken ranch pizza - which I realize I didn't get a picture of - Dac sampled the watermelon ale. 

We've kind of dropped our weekly date nights - NOT COOL - but we've got to enjoy a couple this past week and it's been great! =) We had a lot of fun that day and even though I was hot and miserable while walking around, it really cooled off nicely for our session that night. =) AND he even took my the Quik Trips on the way home for a donut and a drink. Man after my own heart.

Monday Morning Pop Tart

Week 23: Oh Pop Tart... you made some VERY happy parents this week. One day I was in the bath tub and noticed my belly was lopsided. You were all balled up on the left side. =) That same day I could see you kicking. I figured it wouldn’t be long before your dad could feel it too. SO - the next evening, I’m chilling on the couch watching the Olympics and I see it again. I told your dad to come over and after a couple minutes worth of a whole lotta nothin’... you did it. You kicked several times and he felt it!!! =) We were both grinning so big! It’s so comforting (even when it’s not comfortable) to know you’re in there moving around and doing well. Before all this you and I spent some time floating in the pool at a family reunion. It was very cool and comfy... I could have gotten real used to that! =)


Crazy hair alert...

Highlights

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: Grapefruit

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Still a'gainin' and outgrowing clothes. Yes - maternity clothes. Don't judge.

Maternity Clothes: See above. Ha!

Gender: It's a surprise!

Movement: Yes! Movement I can feel AND see. =) Dac felt it for the first time this week too. So cool.

Sleep: Oh my. How do I put this nicely? Sleep is not happening quite like I'd like it to, I'm afraid. I'm having lots of back pain that is really interfering with my ability to get comfy and sleep good. I'm considering wearing one of those glamorous maternity belts during the day and going back to physical therapy. 

Symptoms: Back/hip pain. Headaches. Some swelling still. Gas ('scuse me). 

What I miss: Being able to find a comfortable position to sit/lay.

Cravings: Cheetos puffs, candy, double dip ice cream cones. oops.

Best Moment this week: Dac feeling the baby move!! =) Spending time in a pool and the weightlessness it brought me! ha!

What I am looking forward to: Nursery progress... just got some fabric in! 

Midweek Randoms

• Whew! I feel like maybe I can actually stop and catch my breath for a minute. Busy weekend followed by two days of training = playing catch up today. BUT - I'm getting there!

• I'd like to send out a special thanks to miss Charli for letting me borrow her fabulous Tinker Bell step stool. I keep it under my desk at work so I can put my feet up. It's helping a little with the swelling. =)

• My sample fabric for the nursery came in. One of the fabrics didn't work out but I'm pretty positive this one is staying. I plan to have a good family friend make the crib skirt and changing pad cover out of this. What do you think?

• I got some other fun fabric too that will probably be used on burp cloths or an extra pillow, etc... P.S - fabric can be EXPENSIVE.

• I made a trip to Dollar General today just for candy.

• Dac and I made a spontaneous trip to Rib Crib last night for some bbq. It turned out to be a nice little impromptu date night. =) Perfect after a long day.

• I've really enjoyed watching the Olympics. I think it's so fun. I wish they'd show more stuff but I get such a kick out of seeing Team USA bring in the medals. =)

• I got some cute little baby clothes in. I ordered a few things on sale from Gap and Old Navy. Got a couple gowns and a couple pairs of striped pants. I love when I'm able to find gender neutral stuff that isn't the same ol' ducks and frogs routine.

• My poor Peety pug. He broke his toenail way back Sunday. Pitiful thing was limping around and whimpering. It was pretty bad and I KNOW he was hurting. He just looked at me with his big bug eyes like "help me". Heart breaking. Dac took him to the vet Monday morning, they had to gas him up and remove the majority of the nail. That meant he got to wear a little boot for a couple days. 

• Peety totally rocked it. This was right before Dac cut it off last night... he's like a whole new dog. =) See that smile? I got worried because this morning he came hobbling up the deck to come back inside and he looked like he was in pain again. I was afraid something happened to that paw but it turns out it was just a sticker. Dr. Dac took care of that and he was running again in no time. =) Love him.

• I don't have a ton of new stuff to report.