It Will Be Nice....

....when I can sneeze again withOUT wetting my pants.

Pregnancy is so attractive.

Sleeeeep Update

So I'm writing this post at 4 a.m....and I've been up since about 2. So all is not well on the sleep front. But, there is 1 shining light of hope for me still. It is called am.bien. At my check up last week I was telling my OB of my sleep woes. She told me am.bien is safe for pregnancy and she wants me to be sleeping. She suggested taking 5mg at first, then upping to 10 if that doesn't work. She also said to not take it every night if I can help it.

So in the last week, I've done an every 3rd night rotation. Every 3rd night I pop a pill and have glorious sleep. The other 2 nights....well, they are hit or miss. Some are ok, with at least enough sleep to stay sane. Others are like tonight. Here's what it looks like thus far.

• 9 p.m. - Head upstairs to start process of getting in bed/going to sleep
• 9:30 - husband falls asleep, so I turn off the tv (he gets up at 4:30 so he's often first to pass out - and he requires tv to sleep to....so I'm nice and oblige)
• 10:00 - I doze off for first time
• 12 a.m. - up for first pee
• 12:30 - wake up again, try to get comfortable, go back to sleep
• 1 a.m. - up for 2nd pee
• 1:30 - wake up again - try to get comfortable, go back to sleep

• 2 a.m. - up for 3rd pee - so annoying!
• 2:45 a.m. - been wide awake since 2, so get out of bed, head downstairs. I make hubs coffee for a.m. and pack his lunch (since i forgot last night), snack on a pop tart and a small glass of milk. Facebook chat with my sister who happens to be up with her son. Read some emails and blogs, watch Enews.
• 4 a.m. - Write a blog post about my sleep woes

• 4:30 a.m. - My plan is to head back up to bed once David's alarm goes off. Once he's out of bed I can toss and turn and sprawl and hopefully get comfortable enough to get a couple more hours in before G wakes up.

Phew! This kinda helped. Just writing all that drama out is making me sleepy!

I seriously am excited about a newborn and the middle of the night feedings. Cause if I'm going to be up anyway, I just assume have something to do!

Question though, if you were me would you take the am.bien every other day? instead of every 3rd? Or tough it out? I just don't know what to do! I know the doc said it's safe, I just really, really hate to take something if I don't need to.

Sleeeeeeep

Let's just say sleep hasn't been the greatest lately. There are a couple of hurdles in my way.

1 - My ever expanding belly. Duh. This is my greatest obstacle. Sleeping on my stomach isn't an option, cause it's just not possible. Sleeping on my back isn't an option because the docs say not to. Sleeping on my side is what remains, and I've never been a side sleeper. I have a pregnancy boppy pillow to cuddle with, and some nights that helps, some nights it doesn't.

2 - Anxiety. It's funny cause most of the time I don't feel like I'm nervous or anxious about adding number 2. That is until it's time to sleep. There are some nights where I just can't quite get all the way to sleep. I am almost drifted off, then I wake myself up with a moment of panic where I have to catch my breath. It's really hard to explain. And it's not nearly as dramatic as it sounds. Some nights I just can't shut the brain down.

3 - Restless Leg Syndrome? I read somewhere that 25% of preggos develop RLS during pregnancy. I have a general antsyness at sleepytime right now. I fidget and move and move some more and can't settle enough to sleep. Could it be RLS? And if it is, it's not like I can take anything while pregnant. So what can I do about it?

Needless to say I'm tired. Tired of waking up at 3:45 or 4:30 a.m. for the day because let's face it, no more sleep is happening for me. Tired of not being able to fall asleep at night because I'm having mild freak outs. There is only so much early morning tivo watching and computer surfing I can take.

Any suggestions out there? Sleep remedies? Calming techniques? Help an exhausted sister out.

Wondering What My Balance Is

I work full time. Most of the time I love it, other times I dream of being a stay at home mom. Then there are times like last week when I was stuck in the house for a week with the G-man because he picked up hand/foot/mouth disease. And I realize, I may not quite be wired for the full time staying home thing. I have never been so excited to go back to work as I was this past Tuesday when we were past the contagious phase. But then by Wednesday afternoon when Grayson learned to climb out of his pack n play at my mom's house (she watches him 1 day a week) and wouldn't nap, I just wanted to not have to worry about work and put G and his needs first. I wonder if there is any way to feel like I'm doing the 100% total right thing for me and our growing family.

I do have a dream situation with my job. I have full time child care on site...with people I trust. I can go visit him whenever I want. I get to eat lunch with him every day. And, the price point is way affordable compared to full-time child care centers. When Sawyer arrives, he will be in this child care as well. I guess you could say it's really the best of both worlds. But there are still days where I feel like I only get 30 minutes of quality time with G. We get up, and bond a little in the morning before things get busy and we have to get out the door. I drop him off for the morning, pick him up at noon and have lunch with him, drop him back off for the afternoon, then pick him up when work is over. Once we get home, I cook dinner - not much attention being able to be given to him during this time. We eat as a family, then daddy does bath time and he goes to bed. There are nights I wonder if I cuddled him enough, loved him enough, played with him enough. If I gave him my best at all - or if that went to a million different other tasks instead.

Not complaining here. Just pondering. And wondering how I will feel once Sawyer arrives and my love, time and affection and spread even more thin. I'm familiar with mommy guilt and sure don't like living there. I guess I'm just wondering what my perfect balance is. Do I keep working full time? Cut to part time? Bite the bullet and take a sabbatical for a year or two? (Choice C here is quite unrealistic financially). I guess I won't really know what's best for our family until S arrives in July. But for now, I'm wondering.

Less than 10 weeks to go! Well...hopefully more like 8. I'm ready. And then again I'm not. :-)

Today...

I am 26 weeks along...

I have 98 days to go (woohoo! broke into the double digits!)...

I have already peed 37 times (ok...slight embellishment)....

I am 30 pounds up. Ugh....

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and am more excited than ever to meet Sawyer!

Friday Night Leftovers

It's time again for Friday Night Leftovers! Want to play? Go see Danifried to see how.

1 - Well, let's just file this one under the "that's new" department. Today I sneezed, causing me to lose bladder control for a brief and not so glorious moment. Oh the joys and sexiness of pregnancy the 2nd time of around when the baby sits low on the bladder. It's not even like I had to pee bad when the sneeze occurred. This could get interesting.

2 - Still fighting insomnia here and there. Yep....it's 4:39 a.m. as I write this post. This has got to stop. So I guess this is more "Friday Wee Hours of the Morning Leftovers" than Friday night. Oh well. Still fun.

3 - Easter!!!! I LOVE easter. Today I will attend a Good Friday service, tomorrow we have an Easter Egg Hunt with Grayson and then on Sunday we will head to church for great services at www.LoudOnPurpose.com. If church isn't a normal part of your Easter routine, this year could always be the one to give it a try. Church doesn't have to be boring....mine sure isn't. Hope you can find one near you that fits your family.

4 - Speaking of Easter, last year I found it hard to find a basket for Grayson that wasn't all girly and what not. So I went to etsy.com and found this. I love it and highly recommend. A little late for ordering this year, but a good purchase for next. You can get yours here. She sells out some, but always restocks. And yes, Sawyer will be getting his special order soon.

5 - This week I had my 24 week appt. This one actually deserves it's very own post because we are now at viability stage people!! It's so comforting to know that if something were to happen that Sawyer has a fighting chance of making it outside my womb. And it only gets better from here!

6 - Grayson and I head down to Florida this week with my parents. We'll be visiting my grandma and some other family and just be chilaxin. Really looking forward to the downtime and the sun! While we're away, Sawyer's room will be painted and assembled. Really looking forward to coming home to see that and starting to get everything in order. Once it's done a video tour will follow.

7 - Tonight is date night!! Nothing spectacular planned, but excited about getting out with my husband as always. As an added perk, the weather is gorgeous here today, so I'm sure we'll head to an outdoor town center area for our dinner this evening. And of course there will be a movie....just not sure which one yet.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tipping the Scales

It's official. I weigh more than my husband. I really just hate that. And as I continue to soar upwards, and he stays the same or worse, loses - it will be at least August - if not October - before the scales tip back in a favorable position for me. Not cool. Not cool at all.

That's all for now. :-) Just wanted to lament.

Coming Attractions

I hit 20 weeks tomorrow. Halfway there! To say that time is crawling by is an understatement. Everyone said second pregnancies fly by. They lied. There are moments it feels as though time is standing still; that I've been pregnant forever already and that it is forever and ever until July 21st. So, to help myself pass the time, I've decided to set myself some other mile markers in the form of my favorite past time.

It's no secret I love movies. My water broke with Grayson at the movies, and he was out to see his first one at 2 weeks old. Now granted, since his birth I don't get to see all the movies I'd like, but for the most part we get in one a week still, which ain't bad. So, here is a list of movies I can't wait for, along with a countdown to Sawyer. I need shorter goals here than the one 20 weeks away. For some odd reason, I feel like this will help.

Alice In Wonderland
1 week (well, 4 days really) 'til movie release
20 weeks from Sawyer's due date
Why I Can't Wait: Disney film + Johnny Depp playing a trippy character - which is what he does best



Date Night
6 weeks 'til movie release
Just shy of 15 weeks from Sawyer's due date
Why I Can't Wait: Tina Fey and Steve Carrell are 2 of the funniest people on the planet. So glad they are finally teaming up.



Death at a Funeral
7 weeks 'til movie release
Just shy of 14 weeks from Sawyer's Due Date
Why I Can't Wait: I LOVED the British version and even own it. The casting in this one looks great and I can't wait to see what they do with the remake.



Sex & The City 2
13 weeks 'til movie release
Just shy of 8 weeks from Sawyer's Due Date
Why I Can't Wait: I LOVED this series. I own all the seasons, have watched every episode at least 5 times. And, it's good luck. My water broke with Grayson the day after seeing the 1st movie.



The A-Team
15 weeks 'til movie release
Just shy of 6 weeks til Sawyer's due date
Why I Can't Wait: Freeze frame the trailer at exactly 1:00. That's why I can't wait.



The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
17 1/2 weeks til movie release (Wednesday opening)
3 weeks from Sawyer's due date (wooohooo! we're getting closer!)
Why I Can't Wait: To say I'm obsessed with these books and movies doesn't cut it. I've been to midnight book releases and movie openings, and I'm sure this one is no exception. I even have plans already to host a twilight themed pampered chef party on the midnight release night!

Sigh...no trailer to show yet, but it comes out in the next week or so and I will post.

After Eclipse, I'm in the home stretch...the month of July. Here's to hoping I go 10 days early with Sawyer, like I did with Grayson!

Pregnancy Must Have #3

Now, this next must have is for a little later in pregnancy. For when the belly bulge is really out there and in the way. When, let's be honest, it's harder to keep up with some of our female grooming. We're tired, we're huge. We can't see our legs, let alone figure out the delicate balance necessary to lather up with shaving gel, shave and not fall flat on our face.

Let me introduce my pregnancy must have # 3: The Schick Intuition Razor.

This lovely little wonder tool....

"lathers, shaves and moisturizes in one easy step so there is no need for shave gel, soap or body wash. Now with 4 blades, it will leave your skin noticeably softer! It is simple to use so Trust Your Intuition® and try it!"

This little gadget can be purchased at any drugstore, grocery store and even on amazon.com. It is more expensive than your run of the mill Bic, but is a worthy investment that your significant other, and your OB, will thank you for.

It's a...

Boy!

No surprise there! We pretty much suspected so and are thrilled about it!

Grayson will have a brother to play with! This is going to be fun.

Ultrasound pics to come later, but just wanted to get the news out!

Pink or Blue?

In about 24 hours I will know if this little person growing inside is a boy or a girl! Too say I'm excited is an understatement. I am a HUGE planner, and can't wait to start making purchases that are gender specific. I have certain items I bought for Grayson that are mongrammed, and I want to get those same items for this next little one. Things like this, this and this. And, most likely in room decorating, we will do these again, like we did for G. It has been killing me to not be able to pull the trigger and start decorating.

We also have picked out a new furniture set for the little one, but if it's a girl we are thinking white finish, and if it's a boy we're thinking espresso finish.

So many decisions out there to be completed, but alas, I've been in the waiting game. I'm so, so, SO excited about tomorrow. I imagine I won't sleep tonight.

A lot of people have asked me what I'd like to have. The answer is an 100% truthful "I really don't care". There are definite pros and cons to both.

If it's a boy:

• Simpler - I already have most the stuff
• Names - I'm more sold on our boy name than girl (I like the girl name, just not the possible nickname)
• I know how much I love my little boy and love the idea of saying "my boys"

If it's a girl:

• Yea! pink things!
• Our families would be pretty pumped - right now there is only 1 girl on each side in the grandkid department (1 out of 3 so far on David's side; 1 out of 6 so far on my side).
• A girl could be nice cause we all know girls are the ones who really take care of the parents when we are old. :-)
• And lastly, if it's a girl, there is a good chance we will hang up our having kids hat if we want to. (although it's possible we could still go for a 3rd - with another boy it's more likely we will go for number 3)

I have to admit. When they said it was a boy at my last ultrasound, I cried. And no, it wasn't tears of joy (which is what I lied and told my husband), but tears of disappointment. I really wanted not just A girl but ALL girls, like the way I grew up. I thought I wouldn't know what to do with a boy. Now on the other hand, I totally LOVE the idea of all boys.

I can't stand the waiting, but it will soon all be over. I will be sure to blog tomorrow early in the day with an update! (Our appt is at 8 a.m. EST - if I recall from last time it was about a 45 minute appt.)

To Bare the Belly, Or Not To...that is the question

When I was first pregnant, I really thought I was going to do the whole belly pic every few weeks and journal the journey through photos of my growing gut. Three miscarriages later, I just never started. I think it was a combination of not wanting to jinx things when I was pregnant with Grayson, and in all honesty, being kinda grossed out at times by my own belly and not wanting to subject others to it. :-)

So this time around, I thought about starting it early. I really did. I even have a great What to Expect app on my iphone that lets you take the pics and store them in there. But I just never started. Again, I think I was afraid things wouldn't last at first. Plus, I didn't do it for Grayson, and I wanted to be fair for my kids and all.

Then, Katie asked if I had any belly pics to share, and I decided that although I didn't yet, I'd at least do one. Now I kinda wish I'd done it with Grayson to compare. I sure feel a whole lot bigger this go around than last.

So, here I be. 17 weeks, 3 days. It's okay if you are grossed out. I am a little bit too.

Not My Normal Luck

Last Thursday, our local pea in the pod store had the grand opening of it's expanded destination maternity store. If you've never been to a destination maternity, they are glorious. They have motherhood maternity, mimi maternity, pea in the pod AND cute baby and mommy stuff all in one place. Definitely a great 1 stop shopping kind of place for us preggos.

I received a postcard in the mail saying that the first 25 people to come in on opening day would receive a 10, 25, 50, 100 or 500 gift card. I kinda liked those odds - 1 in 25 chance of $500, so I decided to go. And I recruited my sister, who loves doing things like this, to come with me. She owed me anyway - I've gone to American Idol auditions with her and lined up for Twilight crazed stuff among other things.

We arrived at about 7:40 - the store opened at 10 and we were the first ones there. It was cold out, so we waited in our car for a bit since no one else was really there. And really no one else really started to show up until a few minutes after 9. At that point we lined up outside, and I secured my #1 spot in line. My mom ended up coming and standing in line today behind us - so my odds just went up to a 3 in 25 chance of the $500 gift card (since sis and mom aren't preggo, they were gonna give to me).

When they opened the doors and let us in, I turned over my card and lo and behold, I GOT THE $500 GIFT CARD!!! AHHHHH! I was SO excited as you can imagine. And it gets better...my mom got another $50 card. So I have $550 glorious dollars to spend there.

I haven't spent it yet, cause I'm planning what I want to get, but I will soon. (Oh and btw the sis got a $10 card - but she kept it to use on nursing pads since she's still breastfeeding. I so graciously let her since I didn't need it. Ha!)

This is so NOT my normal luck. I never win anything. So this was definitely a nice change!