25 Weeks

I made it to 6 months (last week)! Seriously I wondered if this pregnancy was going to drag on forever but now it's FLYING by.  Summer is OVER and before I know it Fall will have set in.   I am fully

prepared to gain all my weight on all things pumpkin.

 

 

How far along: 25 Weeks

Baby's size: Rutabaga (Which is weird because last week he was the size of an ear of corn.  Surely he's not getting shorter?)

via

Sleep: I lay awake EVERY night because my brain cannot shut down. Still taking some Tylenol PM to help.

Maternity Clothes: I broke down and ordered some things from Old Navy and Gap because they were having a 30% off your online order SALE this week.  A few pair of jeans, some basic T's and a few of those open cardigans I love.  I selected the UPS Ground option because it was FREE but from tracking it seems I may have a baby before the clothes come!

 

Food cravings:  I have never drank Sweet Tea and twice in the past couple of weeks I've had to have one.  Just a little one don't worry. And I never finish it.  Oh and Cheese. I could eat a block of sharp cheddar.  Like peel back the wrapper and hold it in hand and eat it.

Food aversions: Again not food but Diet Pepsi/Coke.  Which is weird because I usually live off of it but it's tasting so funny these days.  Water has been my steady friend. 

Symptoms I have: Heartburn has been better (I just jinxed it). My back has been hurting. I had a facial the other day and I felt like such an old lady afterwards. I wanted to walk hunched over. 

Doing some weird stretches to work on that and more walking. 

Doctor’s Appointment: If I looked at my calendar I could tell you. The week of Sept 11 is sticking out in my head for some reason.  I just love to hear his heartbeat.

Movement: I don't know what's going on in there but little man is a party animal.  He is crazy in the morning and at night when I relax in bed.  If he is on my left side and Adam talks to him he moves over to my right.  It is so cute. I took some video of him having hiccups in my belly but it's prob a little boring for you all to watch. 

Belly Button: It's streeeeeetching.  And it's off center.   

Gender: Sweet Baby Boy!

What I’m looking forward to: Meeting him! So many girls have had cute babies in the past couple of weeks and it's making me so excited! I think I finally decided on a paint color and bedding for the nursery.  We will probably start work on that next month.  We would like it done before the holidays so we can just enjoy that season with Aidan.

What I miss: Sushi.  Sleeping on my stomach.  Deli meat.  My energy. Yesterday I didn't get out of my PJ's until 2PM.  Embarrassing. 

 

 

 

TK

I have to say I am so excited that I made the decision to keep Aidan for another year of pre school.  He was right on the fence for age so I thought I would keep him at half days another year.  Once they go to real school, you never get them back.  I keep saying that over and over in my head.  Monday when I was seeing all the pics of kids heading off to their first day of school I was so glad to have Aidan home with me.  Still not feeling 100% and wanting to snuggle.  He doesn't start back until next week and I am loving the idea of him being off during Christmas break to get in some good bonding time with his brand new baby brother.  And right about when the excitement of having two kids in the house full time wears off he'll be gone for half the day but I couldn't deal with him being gone all day.  Not just yet. 

All that to say, we have been purging, cleaning, doing a little remodeling and getting ready for baby but more importantly to be back on a schedule with school starting. So this week I am balls to the wall busy getting this place back in order by Friday so I can spend the weekend doting on my boy and planning his lunches for the next few weeks.  As much as I have loved this summer break, I have to admit I'm looking forward to a change.

But I will miss our lazy summer mornings in bed...

He Has a Name...

We went back and forth with middle names for a few weeks but I'm excited to announce our little man has a name.  Let the monogramming begin. ; )

And where did this name come from??

Well both are family names.  Adam is easy to figure out.

Kellan is one of my cousin's names and I have always loved it.  We knew we wanted something Irish like Aidan's name and loved Kellan the most.  It means "slender" or "powerful".  The only other option for a middle name as Lee which is Adam's middle name.  I have to say we were pretty sure of this name from the beginning but were tossing around 4 or 5 names for a girl. Having a boy made the decision so much easier.

Am I the only person in the planet that mock yells at their unborn child to decide if they love their name or not?  I've been walking around screeching KELLAN ADAM for weeks now.  Good news, I still love it!

 

 

To remember down the road...Aidan wanted to name him William Aidan, Leal (his interpretation of Lee) or Jack. 

29

I turned 29 on the 4th. 

I really tried to pretend like this birthday was not happening.

A few of my girlfriends wanted to go out and I made up every excuse not to.  I really was busy.

When Adam made such a big deal about being in his last year of his twenties (almost two yrs ago now) I laughed at him.

But now I kinda get it. 

I always remember being excited to turn 16, 18, 21! 25 even.  But this year was a tough one.  Next year I'll be the big 3-0!

It's hilarious to me that I didn't even want to be married before 30 let alone have any kids.  Here we are going on 5 years of marriage and pregnant with baby number 2.  So much for my "plans".  God's were bigger and better.

It's just that I think 30 will be different.  It won't feel so weird spending our Saturday mornings on the sidelines of the soccer field and I'll probably stop laughing with my girlfriends about how different we were five years ago, three years ago, last year because we've all just settled in to being in our thirties and raising our families.  And that's alright because this is what life is all about.  There really is so much fun to be had looking across the car at your husband with your kids piled safely in the back seat. 

I'm thrilled to get to grow old with my best friend and I know there are years of more kids and huge milestones in front of us but once in a while it has to be OK to just want to stay 29 forever.

It's All Coming Back

I've made the comment a few times that being pregnant this round feels like being pregnant for the first time again.

This pregnancy is one thousand times different than Aidan's. The morning sickness, the exhaustion, the need to spend every waking moment holding Aidan for our last few months alone together.
 
I was feeling so out of the loop with all the new stuff they have come out with since Aidan was born!

Turns out none of it is really anything we have to have.

A few weekends ago,  I spent a good amount of time with Adam in baby stores deciding what we wanted/needed for our new little man and before I knew it, I felt back in the swing of things.

I've un boxed all of Aidan's baby things to get them cleaned up and I'm slowly starting to feel like the veteran mom that my Dr keeps telling me I am.

It's really hard to envision how things are going to be when the newest Harvey arrives and of course we are in for some huge change BUT...

I've (we) done a really good job with Aidan.  Bring it on baby boy number 2.

Bumbo Recall

via an email I recieved from the bump.com.  I don't have a Bumbo but I think pretty much everyone I know does so this is important information!

 

Recall Alert! Bumbo Baby Seats

Photo Credit: CPSC / The Bump

By: Leah Rocketto

This morning, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Bumbo International Trust voluntarily recalled 4 million of its Bumbo Baby Seats. The recall comes after a series of reports of babies falling from the seat when placed on an elevated surface.
Since 2007, there have been over 50 reports of injuries involving the seat, which include skull fractures, minor head injuries, as well as bumps and bruises. The recalled seat was sold at Sears, Target, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, USA Babies, and Walmart, from August 2003 through August 2012 for between $30 and $50.
If you think you may have a recalled Bumbo Baby Seat, check the bottom of the seat for the follow words: ”Manufactured by Bumbo South Africa Material: Polyurethane World Patent No. PCT: ZA/1999/00030.”
Do you own this seat? Stop using it immediately and contact Bumbo for a free repair kit which will include a restraint belt and installation instructions. You can order the kit by calling or calling (866) 898-4999 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday and between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. CT on Friday. You can also visit the website at Order the free repair kit by visiting www.recall.BumboUSA.com. Do not return the Bumbo seat to retailers as they will not be able to provide the repair kit.

We're On The Mend...

Is anyone else tired of the "Aidan is sick" song?  We're getting there. Not because I would rather do anything in this world than take care of that child but because it's time for him to get a break and be able to enjoy the rest of his summer.

After Adam and I returned from my home town (area) of Boston, MA this week we thought things were looking up.  He had stayed with my parents for the two nights we were gone and although my Mom said he did cough quite a bit, his coloring was back and he was in great spirits. 

Sunday night was hell.  He threw up all. night. long.  I seriously can't remember a time I've felt more helpless (maybe the time he barely broke his arm and was screaming while the Dr tried to set it).  He was having awful coughing fits then getting sick. Crying the whole time. We were trying to get some breathing treatments done but nothing was giving him relief. 

Adam and I switched getting little breaks of sleep in our bed and then laying with him in his bed.  He was wheezing so hard and he was breathing so fast.  I was just dying for the sun to come up so I could call my pediatrician.  And when it did. I did. 

I knew we were in for a trip to the ER.  Adam went in to work for a couple of hours and then met us at the hospital.  I was so excited to finally get a chest Xray, see the progress we had made if any on his pneumonia and get this kid fixed up. 

We finally got some good news. Aidan's pneumonia had been upgraded (hey I'll take it!) to a Bronchitis and they were going to pump him for of steroids to help with the swelling in his chest.  We thought we may be in for an overnight stay but I got a pat on the back for how hydrated he was despite his condition.  So we avoided IV fluids which was what I wanted to hear.  We hung out for hours.  Ate Popsicles, listened to his breathing, repeat, took some meds, made him rest, repeat and then we got the go ahead to head home. 

Today we are on day three of steroids and still going strong with breathing treatments and he seems so much better. I think we are finally going to get to see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

Truly a Daddy's Boy

Watching some TV waiting on his Xray



After a double dose of steroids...looking much better and a little jacked up.

He specifically asked me to take this pic and send it my Dad.  He may be a Grandpa's boy as well.





Easy Meatball Recipe

It's not secret I never cook. NEVER. I did but then when our house went on the market, we packed up half our kitchen and started eating out.  Well it's become a goal of mine to start.  I said I was going to cook 15 meals in July. I didn't cook one.  August is almost half way done and it hasn't been much better.  So I figured I needed to just start.  Wouldn't it be nice if the new baby never knew about the days where we ate out all the time?  I think so.

Easy recipes are definitely where I need to start. . Adam loves spaghetti so I figured for our first meal in an eternity would be spaghetti and meat balls.  So here is an easy meatball recipe for you.  We are a small family so this only makes about 8 meatballs but you could double it up for more.

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

1/4 chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (I use Progresso)

2 diced garlic cloves (I'm not a huge garlic person so I go light on this)

1/4 of a yellow onion (I sauteed mine in a little butter first)

1 egg

1 Tbsp EVOO

Dash of garlic salt, salt and black pepper to taste

MIX IT ALL UP (with your hands).  ROLL IN TO BALLS.

Fry them in oil on the stove until they are golden brown.  One side at a time.  I drain my oil and add sauce and let them all simmer together for a little bit. 

The boys loved them! 

(uncooked obvi)





22 Week Baby Update

How far along: 22 Weeks

Baby's size: {according to my What to Expect App}

he's the size of a Spaghetti Squash.  A little over a lb.

Sleep: I take 1/2 a Tylenol PM every night or I toss and turn like crazy.  Adam thinks I'm addicted.  My Dr. says I can take more if I want.  Ha ha.

 

Maternity Clothes: I basically wear dresses every day.  I tried to throw on a pair of jeans for one of Aidans' Dr's appointments this week and they officially don't fit!!! Not a single pair.  But no "maternity" clothes yet. 

Food cravings: Veggie Sandwiches.

Food aversions: Not really in to sweets.  Ice cream makes me nauseous.

Symptoms I have: I'm starting to feel really fat.  A little pain in my butt. Most likely my sciatica is coming back.  And my belly button is off center now and driving me nuts.  Heartburn.

 

 

Doctor’s Appointment: Had one on Monday.  Measuring perfect, babies heart rate was 142, scale was broken but I think I've gained some weight. Maybe 5 lbs.  I need to do some walking this week.

Movement: Tons. For the majority of the day. Adam and my girlfriend Amanda have felt him.   His is easiest to feel around my belly button. Aidan is still dying to feel him. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

 

Belly Button: Still in but stretching!

Gender: Sweet Baby Boy!

What I’m looking forward to: This weekend away with Adam and coming home to our kitchen being remodeled.  

What I miss: Sushi.  Pinterest has led me to believe I miss cocktails but I doubt that's really true. 

Some bump pics from previous weeks that were on my phone:

Headed out for my birthday. I grew a bunch.

Aidan Update

Well to add to our already disaster of an experience with Aidan being sick...last night he had an allergic reaction to his medicine.  I don't think he knows it even happened but now we have an allergy to add to our list of things going wrong around here.  I'm not complaining I would just love some reprieve for this poor little guy. I had to run out to the pharmacy late last night in the pouring rain to get him some Benadryl and a new Rx that our pediatrician had called in.  I may have just complained about the rain.

I cannot sing our pediatricians praises enough. She has been SO wonderful.  When I was pregnant with Aidan, she was recommended by a family friend (hey LADY) and the only ped we interviewed.  She is extremely thorough and straight forward and for some people that doesn't work but that's what we love about her.  She just gives it to us straight. 

We were on an every four hour schedule with the nebulizer but now we are back to every two.  Keeping my fingers crossed that our appointment this morning is the last one until we follow up at the end of the month.  If things don't get better tonight and early tomorrow we are probably looking at a chest xray and possibly a hospital stay.  I don't even want to think about that.  

So, say a prayer for our little man if you get a minute. We're hoping for a speedy recovery from here on out.  Thanks for checking in!

He is sick...

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter or check in here once in a while, by now you know Aidan has been really sick.  Going on two weeks ago he just started not feeling well.  My pediatrician sent us over to the neighborhood Urgent Care for kids because she was packed full of appointments (and no one really thought it was that serious at that point).  After two thoroughly uneventful appointments there where Dr's told me nothing was wrong with Aidan while I cried to them that I know my child and he's never sick, and he is clearly (to me) very ill, we FINALLY got in to see our amazing pediatrician this past Friday.

She took us in first thing in the morning and we didn't have to wait at all.  She has praised me so many times in the past for just "knowing" my child.  She knew if almost two weeks later, I was still claiming I had a sick kid on my hands,  something had to be really wrong.  She did everything the Dr's did at Urgent Care two days before and a week before that.  Within minutes she had diagnosed him with pneumonia (huge sign, the fever that will not go away!) and Aidan was getting relief via a breathing treatment in her office in no time.  I had to step out side and collect myself after she told me what was up.  He has had this once before when he was much younger and although I truthfully thought it was whooping cough, the fact was that I knew something was seriously wrong and I finally had someone tell us I was right was such a weight off my shoulders.  There is nothing worse than having a sick child and you can't do anything for them.  We had gone days and Aidan wouldn't leave the sofa.  It was awful.

We spent a little over an hour at the Dr. covering all of our bases.  She wrote us two prescriptions and we were on our way home.  Since Friday, he's been getting breathing treatments every couple of hours and although I know the cough has to get worse before it can get better, I feel really good knowing he is on the mend.  It's been hardest at night.  He is getting very little rest from the cough and he cries when we have to wake him up to do his breathing treatment in the middle of the night.  Which of course sends me in to tears (I'm not usually this bad, I think it's the pregnancy hormones) so Adam has kindly agreed to do those.  I think Aidan is happy to have him crawl in bed with him for a while anyways. 

I will be out of town for one of my best friend's wedding's in Boston this weekend and I just could never leave if he was in the state he was in last week.  I'm thrilled he will be a week and a half in to treatment and I know my parents will take marvelous care of him. 

Clockwise:Visiting With Nana and Grandpa; quiet time on the sofa; Daddy does a treatment in the middle of the night; more lounging; self portrait of Aidan and Daddy at Nana's for Mommy's birthday.

Call Me Maybe

By now I am sure most of you have seen this adorble video from the US Swim Team. If not it's your lucky day. I'm posting it here for you! It solidifies my girl crush on Missy Franklin. She is so cute! And of course we love to see a little Ricky Barrands because he's a Charlotte boy!

For source info click on YouTube.

Cravings Galore

When I was pregnant with Aidan, I literally ate Mexican 4 or 5 nights a week. That's probably what caused me to gain almost 40 {EEEEEEK} pounds with him {and I worked out everyday can you believe it?}.

I think Adam was looking forward to having to go through that again.  My boys love their Mexican.  Any time we are trying to decide where we want to go to dinner their default is always Mexican. 

Well this time around that is not the case. 

I want VEGGIES.  Lots of them.  We have a restaurant in town that has a Veggie Greek Pita.  Basically it's just cucumber, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, olives and Greek Dressing.  They take the Feta off for me.  It's so good.  I could eat one all day everyday.  And salads.  Nothing fancy just cukes, lettuce, ONION {what gives on the onion} tomatoes {I don't even like tomatoes!} and light dressing!  My mouth is now watering. 

Once in a while I squeeze some protein in their and add chicken.  A spinach wrap loaded down with veggies and a little grilled chicken.  Again, my mouth is watering. 

Adam may or may not be loosing his patience with me requesting "rabbit food" for dinner every night.  I am married to a country boy and the man needs meat three meals a day.  We're compromising pretty well.  And by compromise I do mean, we eat at separate restaurants most nights or just prepare our own meals.  No big deal.

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My Poor Aidan

UPDATE: I took Aidan to his Dr. this morning, fever is gone, just a cold virus.  Back Friday if he's not feeling any better. 


He is so sick! Out of nowhere at the beginning of last week, he started complaining of a headache which led me to believe he had a fever and he his head was throbbing because of it.  I was right!

Sometimes he will randomly get a fever, I give him some Motrin or Tylenol and it's gone.  Never to be seen again.  So I thought that might be what we were dealing with.  He got the fever, I treated it, he got up the next morning, felt great, and I sent him to camp for the day.

Midway through the day, I got a call from camp that he again had the headache and wanted to come home. I knew he had to be feeling pretty crummy because he LOVES camp.  When I got there to get him he was laying on the floor in a corner crying.  His counselors were trying to console him but he just wanted to come home.  I called our pediatrician and she didn't have any openings so advised me to wait to come in the next morning. Wasn't happening.  I took him straight to Children's Urgent Care and they diagnosed him with a virus.  No clue as to where it came from.  They gave us some Motrin and sent us on our way.

Here we are A WEEK LATER and he is still getting the fever.  It's the weirdest thing because if I alternate his Motrin and Tylenol on a perfect schedule he feels GREAT.  But if I am a few minutes off he goes from feeling like himself to pathetic in minutes time.  He does now have a cough. 

I've gone back and forth trying to decide if I should take him back to the Dr or just ride it out.  I've always kind of trusted my instincts and treated things at home.  It's almost pointless going back to the Dr. for them to tell us he still just has a virus.  There's nothing they can do for him.  It just sucks because he is now on week 2 of missing camp which is torture for him. 

I just hate to see him not feeling well.  Breaks my heart.