28 weeks = 7 months!

How Far Along: 28 weeks! 7 months:)

Size of baby: By this week, my baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels.(thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. *cool!* (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 15ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep. I can still manage some baby doll tops and sport shorts but mainly maternity.

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Yep! He's a mover!

Sleep: It's harder to fall asleep but I sure do love once I fall asleep!

What I miss: Not a whole lot! Sometimes I miss caffeine but other days I don't even think about it:)

Cravings: Water in this HOT weather (hooray for summer!); fresh fruit; good corn on the cob

Symptoms: My growing belly;) My moans when I get up and down off the floor...

Best Moment This Week: Today was the best and worst....I took my 3 hour glucose tolerance test this morning (worst moment of the week) and I got my results this afternoon....I PASSED! With flying colors too! (BEST moment of the week!) wahoo!

What I'm Looking Forward To: NOT having to retest for gestational diabetes (I had to retest my 3 hour test with Judah because I 'barely' passed..then I failed the 2nd one) I TOTALLY passed this one so I officially don't have it! I chalk it up to me working out so much with this pregnancy:) I'm at the gym 3 times a week for an hour and I think it's paying off - I've heard that consistent exercise can help with GD!

1 year later

As I sit here on the couch - my feet propped up - browsing blogs and facebook it dawned on me what the date it today....JUNE 27th. Not a big deal to many - but it's a date that I will forever remember. It's the date that God called my precious unborn baby home one-year ago.

I learned a lot in that year. I learned that not everything goes according to my plan; I learned to mourn; I learned to be patient; I learned to trust and I learned to be content in my current situations.

One year later I sit here on the couch and praise God for His perfect plan and timing - I praise God for the little baby boy I feel dancing in me as I type! I praise God for teaching me all the tough lessons I needed to learn. I praise God that HE is in control of all things and not me...now that would be a mess:)

A major lesson I learned through the whole miscarriage is to be CONTENT. To be content in every situation; being pregnant or not - having a job or not - having well behaved children or not - and on and on!

I mentioned a long time ago the newest tattoo I got (last August) and it was inspired by the overwhelming theme of being content that I learned last summer.

It's the Greek word for 'content' from Philippians 4:11

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

One year later. One year stronger. One year wiser. Thank you God!

Lord willing next June 27th we'll have 3 little boys running around ages 5, 3.5 and 9 months!

27 weeks!

How Far Along: 27 weeks!

Size of baby: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: He's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing his eyes, and perhaps even sucking his fingers. (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 13-14ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Maternity bottoms for sure; mostly maternity tops but I can still pull off empire waist and baby doll tops in regular sizes:)

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Yep! He goes crazy! He kicked my midwife at my appointment today:)

Sleep: Lovin' it. Sometimes it's hard to fall asleep but once I'm out I'm good:) I'm starting to hit the phase of waking up in the middle of the night having to pee SO bad! BUT that means I'm getting closer to the end:)

What I miss: Not a whole lot! Maybe getting up and down off the floor with ease?

Cravings: We got a grill a few weeks ago and I have been LOVING myself some grilled meat! Mmm. We had grilled BBQ pork chops tonight...YUM! Still guzzling LOTS of water - pop just doesn't sound good any more.

Symptoms: My growing belly;) Random bulges in my tummy moving...aka: the babe dancing!

Best Moment This Week: I had my midwife appointment today and my midwife walked in and said "you are seriously the cutest pregnant lady ever - and I see a lot of pregnant ladies!" awwwhh. way to make a prego smile! It's a sure-fire way to cheer a pregnant mama up!

What I'm Looking Forward To: I want to say more days at the beach but I looked at the weather and we have a cold spell coming...in late June? what? Hopefully it won't last long - I'm not really in the mood for low 60's right now - I want to sit at the beach and watch my belly move (he dances in the sun - seriously!) and watch my kiddos play!

p.s. remember how I said I had my 2nd 1 hour glucose test today? yeah I did. and I failed it. bummer. I kinda figured I would...moving on to the 3 hr test and maybe I'll pass that one!

26 weeks

How Far Along: 26 weeks! (well, yesterday...I lost track of time:)

Size of baby: He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 12ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Maternity bottoms for sure; mostly maternity tops but I can still pull off empire waist and baby doll tops in regular sizes:)

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Yep! He loves to kick Judah when he sits in my lap:)

Sleep: It's a little harder to get comfortable at night but once I fall asleep it's so nice:) Still loving my naps most days - Ethan will ask me why I'm not sleeping during rest time if I have to do other stuff (aka: make a grocery list or clean!)

What I miss: Sleeping on my tummy and back...I find myself waking up in the night on my back and I FREAK out! I turn over to my side and go back to sleep:) I do love the feeling on laying on your stomach a few days after giving birth...feels so good!

Cravings: I saw a commercial for cheesecake with berries on top...MMmmm that looks good!! I'm still drinking LOTS of water and can't seem to get enough!

Symptoms: My growing belly;)

Best Moment This Week: Laying in bed last night trying to remember how far along I was (hey, I have 2 crazy kids - it's easy to lose track of it!) and realize that I was 26 weeks yesterday! I'm sad that it's going by so fast but super excited to meet the little guy!

What I'm Looking Forward To: I have my midwife appointment next week and get (aka: HAVE) to retake my glucose tolerance test. They tested me early a few weeks back since I had GD with Judah and I passed that one...now this is the 'normal' time to test and I'm hoping I'll pass again! I'm not looking forward to actually drinking the nasty stuff but AM looking forward to getting the (hopefully positive) results!

Super Family!

For the past few weeks, maybe even month, Ethan has given all 'super hero' names and calls us by them 70% of the time! He calls us the 'super hero rescue team family' - imagine that mouth-full coming out of a 4-year old's mouth:) Serious cuteness.

Here's our secret identities according to Ethan (and Judah knows them all too!)

Daddy: SUPER MAN

Mommy: SUPER GIRL

Ethan: BATMAN

Judah: SUPER PUPPY

Baby Bro in Mama: IRON MAN (but according to Ethan; he's not Iron Man until he comes out and grows up...right now he's Iron BABY)

Watch out bad guys - the Super Hero Rescue Team Family is onto you!

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful son, Ethan! It's hard to believe that it's been FOUR years since I pushed that little man out:)

We have a standing playdate every Thursday with some of Ethan's friends and since today was Ethan's big day we brought cookies for everyone! It was sooo cute to hear his little friends sing "happy birthday" to him - he was sung to 3 different times! Adorable.

After our playdate we came home for lunch - Ethan really enjoyed last night's dinner so he requested leftovers for lunch (made it easy on me!)The afternoon was pretty normal: rest time then play time. Once dad came home the boys went out and grilled up the meat for our birthday dinner! *Judah is out there...just not sitting by the grill*Ethan requested the entire menu for tonight (and thankfully I had everything on hand for it!) - we had: Grilled Chicken, Rice, Brussels Sprouts and Corn! *I LOVE that my FOUR year old requested that! I was thinking he would say 'pizza' or 'burgers' but no....Brussels Sprouts!**Don't mind his mouth full of Brussels Sprouts - he couldn't wait till after the picture! He pops those things like candy!!*

After dinner we gave Ethan his gift from us; Judah came with me to Target last night and helped me pick out Ethan's gift. We decided on a fishing game and an auto-bubble maker!He was very excited about both of them!For dessert Ethan made a specific request for chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting....strange because he normally doesn't like 'cake' type things. I made it anyways:)
We serenaded him and he blew out his FOUR candles:)
He actually ate over HALF of the cupcake! I guess when you turn four you try new things!

What a fun day for my fun little man!

Ethan had a party last weekend and another one this weekend - I'll post pictures from both soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN! I LOVE YOU DEAR!

25 weeks!

How Far Along: 25 weeks!

Size of baby: His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture..sweet! (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 11ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Maternity tops are definitely more comfortable so I'm favoring those:) I need to get some maternity shorts that I like - I'm having such a hard time finding maternity bottom summer-wear that fit! I've been living in my workout (non-maternity) shorts during these HOT days!

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Yep! This morning I think the little guy was trying to tunnel a way out - he kept kicking me in the same spot for a LONG time! Sorry bud, that's not the exit and you still need to cook a little more:)

Sleep: Some insomnia (not cool) but still able to nap (cool!). Once I'm asleep at night I'm good but some nights it's hard to fall asleep...

What I miss: Not a whole lot...maybe not peeing ALL the time? Oh wait - I do that even when I'm not pregnant:) So you can imagine how often I go now!

Cravings: I've been eating a lot of ice cream cake (I made a homemade ice cream cake for one of Ethan's b-day parties) and love that:) Fresh fruit has tasted delicious too! We're coming out of a major heat-wave (aka 103* yesterday!!) so anything COLD has been wonderful!

Symptoms: My growing basketball. My groans when I try to get up to fast:)

Best Moment This Week: Playing at the beach a lot this past week and not having to worry if I look pregnant or just chubby in the tummy....I KNOW I look pregnant now!

Also - Ethan was sitting next to me this morning with his arm resting on my belly - the baby kicked his arm and he looked at me like "what was that?"! It was awesome:)

What I'm Looking Forward To: SUMMER! I LOVE this warm weather (granted we have a 2-day cool down coming...but then back to summer!) - we're having a blast playing at the beach and playing at parks - summer always seems to fly by for me and when this summer is done 'flying' by it will be baby time!

hello summer!

We've missed you. Winter was long. Spring decided not to show up this year. Oh summer - we love you!

It's been BEAUTIFUL weather the past few days (sunny, hot, humid, breezy...love it!!) and today we made our first trip to the local beach as a fam:) It was wonderful. Simply wonderful:)

We left after rest time with our dinner packed and sand toys in tow. Got to the beach, found a PERFECT (seriously....perfect!) spot to park ourselves and let the kids play!This was the view from our blanket - we got a spot in the grass a few feet (maybe yards..) from the sand so Joe and I could lounge and watch the kids play!

We brought plenty of water since it was so hot and humid - the boys did a good job staying hydrated:)We played in the sand and water for a good few hours then it was dinner time - the boys ate SO well! It's amazing how their appetite grows when they've been playing hard outside...makes common sense right? Yet another reason I adore summer:)After dinner we played some more and after they were good and tired (and a little pink) we packed up and headed to Dairy Queen. There just happens to be one on the way home for the beach; what a wonderful coincidence:) After eating yummy ice cream outside at DQ we finally made it home and put some worn-out, sun-kissed kiddos to bed.

Hello summer. We love you.

6 months!

How Far Along: 24 weeks; aka 6 months!

Size of baby: As long as an ear of corn! (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: His taste buds are continuing to develop; cool! (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 10ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: shirts: mostly maternity. I just bought some (non-maternity) size L tank tops for working on in and they just barely fit over my bump! pants: maternity:)

Gender: BOY!

Movement: Yep! Baby boy likes to kick Judah when he sits in my lap - it makes me laugh:)

Sleep: Loving it:)

What I miss: Not much!

Cravings: WATER! (hello summer weather:) Watermelon, purple grapes, caramel frappichino (decaf of course...)

Symptoms: my beautiful basketball under my shirt! Lots of movement, harder to get up and down...

Best Moment This Week: We went up north to my parents boat for the long weekend and it was very relaxing:) The drive there and back went smooth (granted my bladder almost exploded a few times...ah the joys of pregnancy!). Baby boy was VERY active on the drive up and back - weird but fun! Who knows if it was the sun beating in on my belly or sitting still for that long...

What I'm Looking Forward To: Being able to say that I'm SIX months pregnant! It seems to far in - hooray! I guess I'm not looking 'forward' to this as I can say it as of today...I'm looking forward to people asking me and then responding...that works right? :)