UPDATE on 32 Weeks

Well, I just got back from the doctor so I thought I would post an update. My new total weight gain is 20lbs. This is AWESOME compared to my last pregnancy. (I felt so good about this I stopped and got a McDonald's cheeseburger on the way home HA!) My iron is higher than it was at my low point, but they would still like it higher. Blood pressure and all other numbers look perfect.

Now, here's the kicker. Although I am currently 32 weeks pregnant, my belly is measuring 36 weeks. For all of you who have never been pregnant that is a HUGE difference. Most normal pregnancies last 40 weeks. Doctors like you to make it to at least 38 weeks. Since Sutton is measuring so large I am scheduled for an ultrasound tomorrow afternoon. What does this mean? I have NO idea. This is reason number 193847 that Brett should come to the doctor with me. He asks all these questions when I call him.

I am guessing I might have some sort of update for you guys tomorrow! I am very excited to see my little guy tomorrow. I want a double check between the legs too!

31 and 32 Weeks

"Sutton, are you in there?"

Look at me posting a picture! Here I am, large and in charge! I'm feeling that way too. Moving around is getting harder every week as I grow. It's almost comical to see me try to roll over and get out of bed. I've also had to be careful cooking. I'm spilling a lot more and even noticed I got a little too close to the stove cooking dinner tonight!

Surprisingly, I am sleeping ok. In fact, I feel tired a lot and have been napping more these past few weeks. My energy level is low, but my mental project list is HUGE. I have a lot of things I need/want to accomplish before Sutton comes. It's all making me pretty cranky which I hate. Poor Brett and Moses, my patience level is extremely low.

I have been feeling a lot of contractions lately. I really have to be careful and remember to eat and drink at appropriate times to ward them off. A few times I've been a little concerned, but they always stop. I'm also still stretching out and having the ligament pains to go with them. I find this so crazy since I got them early in my pregnancy last time.

Back problems are really starting up too. My body shape just doesn't hold up as well! Moses has really started to realize that I'm a lot slower and I can't do somethings like I used to. In some respects he has become more helpful. Getting things for me, climbing into his car seat, and standing in the grocery cart so I can get him out. BUT, boy does he use it to his advantage when he doesn't want to do something. He'll run away and go limp before nap time so I have to support all 30lbs of him!

Sutton's still a little belly acrobat! I notice he gets the hiccups a lot too. He's usually busiest right before dinner and before bed time. If I wake up in the middle of the night he will usually be doing a little dance then too.

I realize this post is a little, ok well, a lot whiney. I'm not one of those super duper happy pregnant women. I love feeling Sutton kick and seeing my stomach move, but that is about it for me. I have to take medication twice a day, I've been in pain, and it's a ton harder to do with a two year old. I've also been waiting for two and half weeks for the doctor's office to call me back regarding my c-section date. I'm a few days from going Terms of Endearment on someone there!

I think I will be in a lot better mood when I have my date! I have so much going on between now and then so I'm sure the time will start to fly by.

Who will He Be?

Brett and I have been talking a lot about what Sutton might look like. Here are two of our baby pictures. I think you can figure out who is who! I just wonder if he is going to take after Moses in looks and behavior. We will find out soon!

Blast From the Past!

Me, Renee, and Erin circa 2007

Found this today in my files. Can't wait to see these girls in a few weeks!

Consignment Sales!

It's that time of year again! Time for consignment sale shopping!! I've been purposefully putting off buying anything for the new baby until after I hit up all my major sales. I realize a lot of people that read my blog are pregnant or are thinking about shopping these sales (or even selling their stuff) for the first time, so I thought I'd give my top tips for buying and selling!

Buying:

- Make a list!! Know what you really need to come away with. How many shorts, shirts, shoes, dress clothes etc. What gear you want and need or toys you would really like to have.

- Make a budget!!! I usually carry cash with me to make myself stick to it.

- Bring something to put your stuff in. In the past I've carried a hamper and even Moses' wagon. That way you can put a lot of stuff in it and not have to hold on to it constantly.

- If this is a big sale, and you plan on doing some serious buying, get there early. I can't tell you how much my husband teases me for this. He however does not complain when he sees what all I've bought! The really good stuff can go fast. Especially the big ticket items. If you want the baby swing that looks brand new for nearly nothing, be one of the first in the door.

- Be patient. And be willing to not be upset if someone gets something you want or if they just don't have it.

- Be nice. Help each other out. Talk to people in line and if you find something they are looking for grab it for them. They are more than likely to do the same for you.

- Sort. Find somewhere way out of the way and go through what you picked up. This will make checking out much easier and make you accountable to your budget.

- Bring a friend. Or better yet a mom, mother-in-law or sister. The more hands the better.

- For the sake of others and yourself LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME!!

Selling

- Plan ahead. It usually takes a long time to go through all the stuff you want to sell and then tag it. Don't wait till the last minute.

- Presentation is everything. Make items look nice. Use appropriate hangers and bags. Make sure your things are not stained,torn or broken. Most places refuse these items.

- Be realistic. I've heard SO many people complain about their stuff not selling. A quick look at the price tag and I know exactly why. Yes, your stuff is nice, but it's not making you any money hanging on the rack. Other people know the secret to being profitable at these sales is to price accordingly. Their stuff will sell before yours! You'll be a lot happier picking up a check than an armful of unsold items.

- Read the rules of the sale. Know the "dos and don'ts" and it will make things easier.

- Be on time for drop off and pick up.

- Develop a relationship with a sale. There are tons of sales. Selling at several will make you crazy. Pick one and get to know the people and the rules. It will make life easier.

- Volunteer. Until I was on the committee that put on our church's sale I had NO idea what it took to put it all together. Nothing brings a sense of appreciation like lending a hand.

To say I love these sales is an understatement! It has really become necessary in our lives to use them as our primary source of shopping for children's items. I even caught myself telling Moses last week to not drag he shoes on the cement because I paid $5 for them and his brother had to wear them too! Good luck everyone!

What's New with Moses

I've been neglectful about writing about what is going on with my little man so here is an update on Moses:

- He has gotten really good at puzzles. I mean like REAL puzzles with only a picture to go by. I'm amazed at his skills.

- His verbal skills have gotten a lot better too. I asked him last week if he was going to help me with something and his reply was, "Eventually." Is he 2 or 22?

- He's so creative. He pretends a lot more than he ever has. He makes us things in his play kitchen. He loves to make coffee, pizza, cookies and sausage biscuits. He makes the noise for the microwave and everything!

- He has taken to chewing on his lovey Rocky. Let me tell you that thing STINKS after a night of him being slobbered over.

- He loves being a helper. He will clean up his own mess or help me with house work. He loves nothing more than sitting in a big pile of warm laundry looking for his socks.

- He has started singing. He knows all the words to "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and almost all of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

- He's mostly a shower boy now. It is SO much easier to bathe a toddler that way. Brett puts him the shower with him and he loves to draw shapes on the steamy shower glass.

- He is still a pretty good eater. I am so afraid all these boys are going to eat me out of house and home! I wish he'd eat more vegetables, but with some of the stories I hear I can't complain. He does have a sweet tooth but he knows that he has to eat his lunch or dinner before he gets anything "cookie" like.

- Before he goes to bed at night he begs to "snuggle one minute" over and over again until we finally have to put him in his bed.

- Even if we put him in his bed for sleep, he falls asleep on the floor in front of the door. Every night we have to put him back in his bed where he stays until the next morning.

- That boy can snore. Oh my goodness he puts his daddy to shame. This officially makes me the only person in my family (grandparents included) that does not snore.

- He is learning so much. Shapes are still his best and colors his worst. I actually gave him a color blind test I found online. He passed! We'll keep working.

- He loves to run all over the place. He'll even run in circles! He keeps us busy!

- He is such a creature of habit. He does things a certain way every time. If something is missing or different he can spot it in a heartbeat. Whether is is Brett's hat not on, photos I've switched on the mantle, or a napkin not underneath his plate he'll be the first to speak up about what is wrong.

I'm so proud of my big boy!

30 Weeks!

Oh my goodness this keeps going by faster (but not fast enough!). I can tell a definite drop in where Sutton has been sitting. He is much lower than where he has been. When I stand up is the worst. Usually means a bathroom trip is to follow!

I can feel Sutton stretching out all over my belly. He moves all the time especially at night. In the evening, I love to watch my stomach move with all his kicks and turns. It is still so amazing to know that he is in there and growing so fast! I really can't wait to just hold him in my arms.

I have noticed that I am having some inner thigh pains. I have scoliosis so things shift a lot more in my body. I have always been told that I will have to watch my weight because of this, but with pregnancy there is no choice! Hopefully things will shift again soon and I will have some relief.

The only other thing that I've noticed a change in is my hormones. I am taking things very personally these days! I am stressed out about things I can't control and that are going to happen AFTER the baby is born. How crazed am I?

I went to the doctor last week and I have gained 16lbs and my iron levels are not where they would like them to be, but much higher than they were. At this appointment I was 29 weeks but I measured at 32 weeks. I got really excited and asked if that meant I would actually deliver sooner or that they would move my due date. HA! No way, just means a big baby!

I put in my request for the doctor I wanted to deliver and I was told that they would schedule me on April 5 or shortly there after. They are suppose to call me very soon to set a firm date. I am SOOO ready to know when. There are a lot of schedules to rearrange! I also have to figure out what in the world I am going to do with Moses as well as a "birth plan." Of course in the past few days I have heard of a few people not making it to their scheduled c-sections with second children and my inner type A is FREAKING out.

As far as preparing for Sutton, I still have a lot to do. Clothes to buy, nursery to fix, and baby necessities to ready. Just about 9 more weeks to do it all!