Baby 3.0: 34 Weeks + So Long Summer!

34 weeks pregnant and 6 weeks to go until we meet our little man

I'm feeling: Lots of things. Lately I've actually started to feel excited about this being my last pregnancy. I'm looking forward to ditching maternity clothes forever - eventually. I'm glad that once I'm done carrying Crosby that hopefully I'll never see these numbers on the scale again. I'm ready to have my body back to myself for every single one of the perks. Obviously I plan to have a long breastfeeding journey ahead of me so my body won't really be completely mine BUT it'll be a heck of a lot closer. I'm starting to feel more sweet than bitter about this being the end of my bringing children into the world.

I'm still feeling very weird and conflicted about sending Presley to pre-k a couple days a week. (Mostly weepy.) Yet, I'm looking forward to the opportunities for her... I truly am. How is it that just over two years ago she was sitting on my last pregnant belly with me in a little diaper? And now she's ready to start her first school experience. The time has absolutely flown by right past me. I love her and I love getting to know her... I love who she is and who she has become. I love the progress we've made together and the lessons we've both learned along the way. I love her at this age and wouldn't wish to go backwards - but I don't know when I'll be ready for her to be so independent. I suppose the time for me to feel this way is right around the corner and since I'm not there yet nor have I ever been there on my parenting journey thus far I just can't comprehend what that's gonna feel like. With that said, I'm looking forward to meeting her teachers this week and seeing her classroom and a glimpse into all the things that will become part of her new routine later this week. I'm ready to get the ball rolling instead of sitting here in anticipation.

I love our lazy mornings and while we'll still have many more days like this as her program is only two days a week, I know these days are numbered.

Cravings: Cheesy potatoes! They're just so delicious. So if you're heading to our co-ed baby shower this weekend then you'll get a taste of them because I'll be bringing a big batch! I've really been liking the chicken Philly sandwich from Lenny's lately. Other than that, there's nothing specific or repetitive that comes to mind.

Baby's size: Somewhere around 18 inches and 5 pounds! Mostly from here on out it's just putting on baby fat - most of the big developments are already done.

{L to R} 34 weeks pregnant with Presley, Molly, & Crosby

High of the week: Tony having two days off in a row - finally. We met Papa and Grandmommy on Sunday to celebrate Papa's birthday a little early. We had lunch downtown and went to the Bass Pro Pyramid which was all a lot of fun. Then on Monday the four of us went to the zoo. It was a TON of walking but it really was all worth it seeing how much fun the girls had splashing in the water!

Cooling off at the end of our zoo trip in the water 

Getting very sweaty playing on the playground at the zoo

Grandmommy & Papa walking into the Pyramid with the girls 

She cracks me up! 

Low of the week: Probably when Molly slipped and smacked her head into the wall on Friday. She slammed it right into the corner of the outlet and it sounded awful. Couple that with her cries afterward and it just becomes more than I ever like to bear. I hate, hate, hate when my kids are hurting. I also hate that with head injuries you just can never be too sure right away if everything is okay or not.

Just after it happened

But as you can see she doesn't let it get her down

What I'm excited for: I'm so so super excited for our baby shower this weekend! I love celebrating the baby that is about to come into this world. I love getting together with friends and family - especially when it's for happy occasions. I'm also getting SUPER excited for the Fall. I know we don't get much of a true Autumn here in the Midsouth, but I do love what we get. I love that the pumpkin-flavored-everything things are starting to show up on the shelves in the stores!!! I've liked the heat the summer has provided but I'm looking forward to a little less heat and a little more breezes. I'm excited that we've got six weeks (hopefully less!) before we lay our eyes on Crosby and become a family of FIVE!

That's it for this week! It's hard to believe the summer really is wrapping up but the show must go on and there are plenty of things to look forward to!!! 

Tooth #3!

For the past few days, Presley has definitely been out-of-sorts.  It started Friday and I just remember telling Tony she wasn't quite acting like herself.  I didn't know exactly why I felt that way or what she was going through, but I chalked it up to her just having an off day because Lord knows - we ALL have those!  I haven't missed bedtime for Presley once in the past 7.5 months and Friday night was going to be the first time.  I was volunteering at our local zoo - Niabi Zoo - for an event called Pints for Pachyderms and was super excited about helping out the elephants while hanging out with my best friend all night.  Sounds like a win-win to me - and it really was.  I had so much fun; Betsy told me I was on a "people high" because honestly, I don't get out without my baby girl much.  After keeping pretty busy for a few hours, we got done around 8pm and got released to check out everything that was going on... which means booze & food... and I was actually looking forward to letting my hair down.

Of course, Presley had different plans for me.  Tony called and let me know he and Presley were a few minutes away from the zoo - she had refused her bottle and it was currently about 4 hours since her last feeding and she was hysterical.  Mommy to the rescue!  I nursed her in the car and then we headed home.  I was bummed but I also felt like I belonged home for bedtime anyway and was happy to be there for her.

Over the weekend, Presley was a little bit more on the fussy side than what is normal for her.  On Saturday we went to Landyn's 1st birthday party (I went to prom senior year with Landyn's daddy, Troy, and worked with Landyn's Aunt Katie at the YMCA... she was in our wedding & is one of my best friends) and she did good but like I said, just a little bit more whiny than what she normally is, and actually ended up crying nearly the whole way home.  We equated that to the fact that we were pushing it too close to her bedtime but noticed she really hadn't done that for a long time.

Landyn, Troy, & the birthday cake!

Me, Presley, and Katie!

On Sunday, Presley went to her first pumpkin patch thanks to my friend Ashley inviting us along!  It was so much fun and I'm so glad we went.  Much like the day before, Presley wasn't her normal self and the whininess was amped up a bit and coupled with a runny nose.  Someone mentioned it could be allergies and that really made sense since I've normally got allergies but thought it was weird that I wasn't having any symptoms.  Despite her fussing, I think Presley had a good time - she loves to be outdoors and enjoys seeing the sights and getting to be around different people.  Under normal circumstances I think Presley would've been in seventh heaven!

Presley, Ashley, & Presley's first pumpkin!

Giant pumpkin!

She loved it...

Just not her normal self here... but cute nonetheless!

So when Presley was acting extra clingy and ultra whiny today, I figured something must be going on.  I checked (and checked and checked...) the top of her gums and rubbed them with my finger but saw/felt nothing new.  After a few hours (on and off) of this, I decided to check out her bottom gums, even though those next teeth (aside from the two she already has on the bottom) aren't due for several months.  Low and behold, there is a little tooth on the left side of her mouth down there!  It's already through her gums and poking out quite a bit.  It is a relief to know what's going on - I just feel so bad that I didn't notice sooner.  She took a big nap this afternoon and is still sleeping now... so we will see how the rest of the day goes! 

GO COWBOYS!

Short post!

I just can NOT wait for the holidays to come around for two reasons:  Anderson Erickson EGG NOG and Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!!!!  Not to mention yummy Thanksgiving food!  I just day dream for the beautiful Midwest scenery and weather in the fall.  So for these few, simple reasons I can't wait for the summer to pass.

In addition, right after the first day of Fall, Tony and I are moving!  We're finally leaving this terrible apartment we've been in the past three years and into a small, two bed-room house!!!  It's only down the street and a few miles from where we live now, but it is definitely going to mean a great deal of change for us.  More freedom, less stress, MUCH better landlords, safer, cleaner, and just adding to our happiness level!  This is also a great chance to get rid of extra crap we don't need before the baby comes and to situate our house the way we'd like to specifically for the baby!!!  Not only that, but it will be a place that will be a new beginning and someplace special for our new family.  So, we've got thirty days to pack and clean and sort and give away before we are into our new rental house! 

In the meantime, I'll just be super excited for these new changes in our life and in our environment to take place and get ready for these changes!!!