11/8/13:
Dear Baby,
We are a fourth of the way there! Getting so close to the end of the dreaded first trimester and time to tell the world of your existence. Still not feeling great, but honestly starting to feel better already! (A big change from your sister where a threw up til week 24... hoping this is a good sign.) We've had 3 ultrasounds now, and the last two we've been able to see/hear your heartbeat, which is one of my favorite parts of pregnancy. I can't wait until you're big enough to use my stethoscope to listen in. I feel like I'm already starting to show a little (partially from the bloating thanks to supplemental progesterone and pregnancy itself, but also probably your expanding home.) I can't believe how much different my second pregnancy is - I assume this means you will be different, too, as most siblings are. No major feelings one way or another as far as your gender, but anxious to find out already. The last ultrasound (at about 9 weeks) was a fun one - you're looking more like a little baby already (or more accurately a gummy bear) and wiggled around for me to see. Very comforting for a nervous mama. This week we've officially told most of our family and a few close friends, which is starting to make it feel more real. Everyone is thrilled to meet you. "Uncle" Jeff and Derek's prediction is that you will come during the Indy 500 around Memorial Day and it will be an even better story than Daddy being at Moe & Johnny's when my water broke with Annalyn (even though Daddy's never gone to the 500 with them, they are still hopeful!). I don't know about that, but feel free to come a little early like big sis - it sure made for an easier delivery.
This pregnancy is so much different than the first. For one, I feel pretty darn good during the day (as long as I eat constantly) but awful as soon as night sets in. I'm sleeping great (partially due to the Diclegis for nausea which contains doxylamine, an antihistamine similar to Benadryl). Daddy's hoping this means you're a boy, but I just can't decide. Most people that know me are saying boy, but we have some girl votes, too. We will find out soon enough I suppose. Just keep growing and developing and becoming the amazing little person we look forward to meeting next spring and we will be happy, proud parents. It's funny how much I've connected with you already. I talk to you in the car, I dream about you and what you'll be like (in between the hilarious and slightly embarrassing dreams about eating filet mignon, mostly because it's near impossible to cook one well done and I know this). Not too many cravings yet, but more like I try something that works and stick with it for awhile until it "doesn't work." For a couple weeks it was Jimmy John's BLTs, yesterday it was Thai sweet and sour chicken, the last week it was Lean Cuisine frozen paninis. Good thing I work in a grocery store with lots of options!
Much the same as with Annalyn, I LOVE being pregnant. Despite the nausea, constipation, exhaustion, emotional craziness, etc., I've never felt better about myself. The sense of purpose, the realization of the amazing miracle happening inside me, the anticipation of getting to meet you and becoming a family of 4 - all of it thrills me. Daddy says he can't wait until my belly is huge and he can feel you move. That's what really makes it real for him. In the meantime, Daddy is my saving grace. I can't believe how much he's picked up the slack around the house while I've been sick. Please thank him for that someday when you're old enough to understand.
Big Sis calls you "tummy baby" and loves to hug, kiss, and pat-pat my belly. I can tell my belly's getting bigger because as soon as I take my coat off after work, she points and runs over to greet "tummy baby." We're hoping this is a good sign and that she'll be excited to embrace her new role as Big Sister.
I guess that's really all I have to report for now. Love you like crazy, little bean.
Love,
Mama
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Dear Baby: Week 6/7
10/10/13:
Dear Baby,
Although I won't be posting this for awhile, I figured today was the perfect day to start writing to you. This afternoon I have my first OB appointment and ultrasound. I'm a crazy hormonal mix of excited, nervous, nauseous (oh so nauseous! Thanks for that...), and anxious as I sit on the couch eating salty potato chips (don't judge, if it keeps me from hurling all morning and being dehydrated, it's better than nothing). Your big sister is still sleeping and I'm just daydreaming about what I'll get to see this afternoon. After a spotting scare last week, I still have my reservations about getting too excited, but at the same time, I can't help but hope. With full blown nausea starting this week (over a week earlier than it did with Annalyn), I'm actually hopeful that all is well. Between you and me, I actually have a strange feeling that you might be twins (yikes!), but only time will tell. Your dad doesn't get to come to the appointment today because it's the last day of his semester at school. We are both bummed, but he's made me promise to text him updates constantly. We are both so excited for you. Well, your big sis is waking up, so this letter will have to be a quick one. Hoping to see you later, little heartbeat and all. Love you already sweet baby.
Love,
Mama
10/11/13:
Dear Baby,
Well, the ultrasound came and went but not much to report. The general consensus was that 5 weeks 6 days is just too early to see much (although that's the exact day I saw Annalyn's heartbeat for the first time). I guess you're going to be more like Daddy and do things on your own time. Might be a good thing to have one less type A personality in this house anyway. The doctor says everything looks good for being this far along and scheduled another ultrasound for next week, so hoping to see more then. As for my twin premonition, well, I wasn't exactly right. They did see what looked to be a second gestational sack, but nothing was developing in it, so looks like you're going it alone (at least til you're born and meet your big sis). Mama is in full blown morning/afternoon/night/all day long sickness which is just super. It's so much harder this time because I can't just lay in bed all day on my days off. Once again, Pizza Lunchables seem to get me through (at least today) - gross, I know but hey, it's better than hurling all day on an empty stomach. (Today was my first official puke, too. Ah, your first milestone!) Aside from that and the emotional swings (which I totally blame on Glee's tribute to Cory Monteith - again, showing my guilty pleasure/girly side), I'm doing ok. Still hopefull that all is well and you're growing as you should. I feel like the extreme nausea is a good sign right now. No strong feelings as far as your gender yet, but I really didn't with Annalyn either. My prayers are wasted on things like healthy, happy, and whole instead of blue or pink, so focusing on that. Love you like crazy.
Mama
10/17/13:
Dear Baby:
Today we were sooo excited to see your tiny heartbeat for the first time. Daddy and Annalyn came along and they got to see/hear it, too. (Not that there's much to see at just under 7 weeks, but a beating heart was music to my ears). We love you like crazy. Still super sick - looks like you're going to be more like your big sis than I thought.
Love,
Mama
Dear Baby,
Although I won't be posting this for awhile, I figured today was the perfect day to start writing to you. This afternoon I have my first OB appointment and ultrasound. I'm a crazy hormonal mix of excited, nervous, nauseous (oh so nauseous! Thanks for that...), and anxious as I sit on the couch eating salty potato chips (don't judge, if it keeps me from hurling all morning and being dehydrated, it's better than nothing). Your big sister is still sleeping and I'm just daydreaming about what I'll get to see this afternoon. After a spotting scare last week, I still have my reservations about getting too excited, but at the same time, I can't help but hope. With full blown nausea starting this week (over a week earlier than it did with Annalyn), I'm actually hopeful that all is well. Between you and me, I actually have a strange feeling that you might be twins (yikes!), but only time will tell. Your dad doesn't get to come to the appointment today because it's the last day of his semester at school. We are both bummed, but he's made me promise to text him updates constantly. We are both so excited for you. Well, your big sis is waking up, so this letter will have to be a quick one. Hoping to see you later, little heartbeat and all. Love you already sweet baby.
Love,
Mama
10/11/13:
Dear Baby,
Well, the ultrasound came and went but not much to report. The general consensus was that 5 weeks 6 days is just too early to see much (although that's the exact day I saw Annalyn's heartbeat for the first time). I guess you're going to be more like Daddy and do things on your own time. Might be a good thing to have one less type A personality in this house anyway. The doctor says everything looks good for being this far along and scheduled another ultrasound for next week, so hoping to see more then. As for my twin premonition, well, I wasn't exactly right. They did see what looked to be a second gestational sack, but nothing was developing in it, so looks like you're going it alone (at least til you're born and meet your big sis). Mama is in full blown morning/afternoon/night/all day long sickness which is just super. It's so much harder this time because I can't just lay in bed all day on my days off. Once again, Pizza Lunchables seem to get me through (at least today) - gross, I know but hey, it's better than hurling all day on an empty stomach. (Today was my first official puke, too. Ah, your first milestone!) Aside from that and the emotional swings (which I totally blame on Glee's tribute to Cory Monteith - again, showing my guilty pleasure/girly side), I'm doing ok. Still hopefull that all is well and you're growing as you should. I feel like the extreme nausea is a good sign right now. No strong feelings as far as your gender yet, but I really didn't with Annalyn either. My prayers are wasted on things like healthy, happy, and whole instead of blue or pink, so focusing on that. Love you like crazy.
Mama
10/17/13:
Dear Baby:
Today we were sooo excited to see your tiny heartbeat for the first time. Daddy and Annalyn came along and they got to see/hear it, too. (Not that there's much to see at just under 7 weeks, but a beating heart was music to my ears). We love you like crazy. Still super sick - looks like you're going to be more like your big sis than I thought.
Love,
Mama
Peanut Post: We've been baking!!!
Since I couldn't send out cards to everyone, I decided to scan them in so I could finally share some of these adorable pics from our baking cookies photo shoot (pictures courtesy of Golden Light Photography, matching aprons courtesy of my super talented mother-in-law). I decided to let Peanut narrate them since she tells such good stories these days...
"Mama and I have been doing lots of baking lately.
I thought we were making cookies,
but Mama says there's a bun in the oven..."
"She also stays there's a baby in her belly,
but I guess we have to wait 'til early June (due 6/6/14)
to meet my new brother or sister.
I'm sure glad cookies don't take that long to cook!
Wish you were here to share them with us."
Love,
"soon-to-be BIG sister,"
Annalyn
Monday, November 25, 2013
Last Minute Thanksgiving Menu Planning
Since I just haven't gotten around to cooking up any exciting new Thanksgiving recipes ahead of time this year, I figured I would give you a list of my favorite turkey day recipes. I did a whole series of plan ahead recipes last year, so they are just ready and waiting to be compiled! Here's how Mama does Thanksgiving:
1. The turkey: This lemon herb turkey recipe is my favorite way to roast the bird. Try it with clementine oranges for a twist on this classic.
2. Garlic mashed potatoes: For me, there's only one way to do mashed potatoes - skins on, whole garlic mashed in, sour cream, butter, and lots of lumps. Not a fan of garlic? Leave it out, the potatoes won't mind.
1. The turkey: This lemon herb turkey recipe is my favorite way to roast the bird. Try it with clementine oranges for a twist on this classic.
2. Garlic mashed potatoes: For me, there's only one way to do mashed potatoes - skins on, whole garlic mashed in, sour cream, butter, and lots of lumps. Not a fan of garlic? Leave it out, the potatoes won't mind.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Peanut Post: 21 month update
Although my blog has been on a bit of a break lately, I just have to take time and tell you about how much my little Peanut has grown up in the past few months. The pics are from my phone because the only little photo shoot I've done with you lately are your Christmas pics. I don't really have any new stats since we (luckily) haven't been to the doctor in awhile, but there are plenty of other changes. About a month or two ago, you suddenly started talking in sentences.
Monday, November 4, 2013
8 Things You Never Thought To Do With a Crabapple
Here's a fun list I've been compiling of things to do with crabapples - you know, those little cherry-sized guys that fall from the trees every Fall and inevitably end up being stepped on and smashed? Well, apparently they are edible (taste like very tart little apples) and can be made into lots of delicious creations. To be honest, we didn't get ours harvested this year, but I decided to share some of the yummy ideas I had for them anyway. Maybe next year I can try a few! Here's the links:
Hopefully these will inspire some awesome fall favorites that you can make from your own trees (or the neighbors, as long as you share the end result!). Let me know if you've had, made, or heard of any of these or any others. I'm really hoping to try cooking with crabapples one of these years!
Happy Monday!
Love, Mama
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