29 weeks pregnant with Presley, 30 weeks pregnant with Molly, and 30 weeks pregnant with Crosby
Things on the pregnancy front have still been great lately. Though I'm a few weeks into my third trimester I haven't hit the disparity point yet where you're just ready to be done! I feel pretty huge but honestly not horribly so yet. Sleep is weird lately but I'm still able to get a decent amount. (For example, I've been sleeping upright a lot as well as sleeping with my lamp on... both very weird for me.) My energy is still hanging in there. It's super hot outside but thankfully that hasn't been awful... we just haven't spent a whole lot of time outside this summer. I'm dreading the tail end of a pregnancy where you feel like you lack the ability to move comfortably because this time around I've got two little ones to chase around as well.
This is how I REALLY feel when taking these pictures, sometimes.
All that considered, I do feel like I've been pregnant forever this time around. I suppose that goes with the territory of finding out you're pregnant before you miss your period. I'm also very ready to meet Crosby!!!! I know the girls' excitement is especially influencing me to feel this way. The thing I can't wait for is for the girls to come visit us in the hospital and to see them meet Crosby for the first time. My heart is bursting just thinking about it!!!! And maybe even more than that I can't wait to see Tony be one of the first people to ever hold Crosby and to have that special small amount of time where it's just Tony, Crosby, and me. I've already decided that once I hit the 37 week mark I am going to start making eggplant parmesanat least once a week in hopes that the tall tale that it'll help induce labor is rooted in truth.
One of my recent cravings is the Reese's blizzard from Dairy Queen. I can't even tell you the last time we've been to DQ or even the last time I wanted to go there before now! I had a mini Reese's blizzard this weekend and it was exactly everything I dreamed it would be!! It's also pretty awesome to feel just a tiny bit closer to my dad through this somewhat bizarre craving, seeing as he worked for the DQ company for something like 20 years.
In other news... Tony and I went bowling (I'm pretty sure for the first time SINCE BECOMING PARENTS) with some friends last week and had a blast. I forgot how much of a challenge bowling is! I bowled a 100 so I felt pretty accomplished there and I also got to know two of Tony's coworkers' significant others which was so nice! He always seems to work with some of the best people. And I'm absolutely looking forward to going again. We went to the same bowling alley we used to go to just about every weekend when we were younger.
...and no. I don't think I'll ever be able to stop the reminiscing!
And before that we got to meet sweet baby Carter! Our cousins Shelby & Cory brought him into the world just a few weeks ago. Crosby & Carter will both share the same middle name (which makes sense as it's a family middle name) and they'll be about 2.5 months apart in age! It'll be really awesome to see how both boys are as they grow.
Over the weekend we made a short trip to Nashville to celebrate Anne Marie's 4th birthday. We celebrated at McAlister's and the Discovery Center but I think the kids had the most fun just hanging out at the Carrico house.
The two smallest girls
It is surprisingly difficult to orchestrate a photo like this considering they're all on different schedules (eating, sleeping, potty breaks, etc.) and not to mention they're busy bodies going in all directions!
The two biggest girls
So incredibly sweet seeing this
Goodbye hugging turned to wrestling
It was a lot of fun but it was all jam-packed into a day and a half. It's great to live close enough to be able to do this one a semi-regular basis and I know no one enjoys it as much as the kids do. As hectic as I always think it'll be to get together with so many little kids, it went really smoothly and we all really did have a great time. Not to mention, every time we visit the Carrico's we get some super yummy meals!!!
It also seems like the only time we'll successfully get a family photo anymore these days is when we're all four in the van.
Um, have I mentioned lately how much we love and appreciate this van?!
And I couldn't finish this blog without including a picture from Molly's most recent mess - which was her getting into my mascara and putting it on her face!
That is a face I can't be mad at right there! Hope everybody has a happy week!!!
Here we are! A short few weeks away from no longer having an infant in the house... BITTERSWEET!!!
Tooth count: Eight... four up and four down.
Favorites: She love love loves green beans right now. And pouches! (Baby food in the little squeeze pouches.)
The way she downs those things you would assume we never feed her!!!
And aside from baby food & table food it's still all breastmilk and
water.
Mol Mol loves to wear hats! And she does really well at keeping bows on most of the time, too. Oh and she loves to see herself on my phone!!
Milestones & stuff: She is pulling/pushing herself up into an almost standing position lately. You can tell she really wants to walk but isn't quite ready yet.
She's also sitting up... but unconventionally. She sits in a "W" position... which we are trying to correct but it's really difficult when that's all she wants to do!
"W" sitter
Molly falls over and bumps her head DAILY. I do not remember this happening so much with Presley. If you know me (as a parent) then you might know I HATE to see my kids hurt. So I'm learning to tolerate it better or not freak out as much when it happens. Another time when I literally thank God for breastfeeding... boobs solve everything!
She's getting really good at clapping. Whenever we say, "Yaaay!" over something, she will join in and clap!
Molly is a little growler and it will never get old to me! So so cute.
Still fits into size 3 diapers but we have a couple boxes of size 4 so that's what she's been wearing lately. Also still fits into most of her 9 month clothes but we've mostly got her in 12 month clothes.
Oh and as if I really have to say it, but Molly adores Presley. And the feeling is completely mutual. They're so good to each other. Presley is protective of Molly... Molly was chewing on a spare outlet cover we have and since Presley associates the little covers with outlets, she said, "Molly! No ma'am! That's dangerous!" It makes me so happy that Presley looks out for her and cares about her wellbeing! And Presley is so proud of Mol. If we're out and about and someone starts talking to Presley, Presley will tell them, "Yeah... and this is my sister, Molly." :) When we go up to work to visit Tony she will remind him, "Kiss Molly, too" before we leave. She's just hilarious and such a sweet girl. I hope Molly knows how special and loved she is and likewise that she has a very special big sister.
Molly had the first taste of a doughnut the other day. It was a plain cake doughnut so we're taking little baby steps... but she liked it. I don't like my kids to have very many sweets - but everybody deserves a treat in moderation. I just really don't want my kids to want nothing but sugar when there are healthy alternatives to give them while they're so young. (Example: Kids get just as excited about fresh strawberries as they do a cupcake!) Ever since having gestational diabetes and my experiences at that time & education about nutrition... it's very hard to ignore doing the right things for my kids' bodies as much as possible.
Breastfeeding: It's going well. She definitely prefers my left boob to my right and sometimes she doesn't want to nurse on that side at all! So if you think my boobs look a little lopsided these days... they probably are! ;) I still would love to breastfeed her up until her 2nd birthday, but we'll see how far we get with it. I'm so happy the first year mark is right around the corner! It would be a lot more challenging without Tony's support to keep me going. Molly's been getting up frequently throughout the night (growth spurt? teething? who knows...) and he will go get her across the house for me when I am feeling 99% zombie. (Thank goodness for side-lying breastfeeding!) He fills up my big water cup whenever he notices it's low, if I need to breastfeed in the car he'll make sure and park it somewhere private, and he changes as many diapers as he can while he's home so I don't get burnt out! I'm thankful for his companionship and his partnership. {Reasons #7-12 I love my Husband}
In other news...
Amanda, Anne Marie & Matthew were here for a visit a few weekends ago and while our original plans didn't pan out, we end up having fun no matter what!
A couple days before our visitors came in town, Tony and I saw Dave Matthew's Band play in Southaven, Mississippi for our anniversary! It was such an incredible show. As if I didn'tl ove their music enough already... this concert sure made me a believer! It was a first for both Tony & I to see them in concert and such a fun way to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. We followed it up with a late late night trip to Waffle House before heading back home. I love having fun with him! The night just reminded me of all the magic in our relationship and how much we have to look forward to the rest of our life together.
Finishing with Grey Street was just PERFECT if you ask me!
My favorite twin-cousin just had her baby girl, Emalynn and she is so precious. The live a hefty 9+ hours away so we haven't gotten to hold her yet (dying inside!!!!!!!!!) but I know she's getting plenty of lovin' from her sweetie pie little family. Breanne's kids love me so much... Emory, for instance, was born the day before my birthday and now Emalynn chose to make her grand entrance the day after my anniversary!
I need to be holding this kid while drinking some coffee with my cousin, STAT.
And it was just Grandmommy's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SELENA!!! We got tacos (Maria's Cantina is soooo delicious!!!) and birthday ice cream and had so much fun hanging with Grandmommy and Papa for the afternoon!!!
Next it'll be Tony's birthday followed up by Molly's birthday & baptism and then Anne Marie's 3rd birthday! Hopefully we'll be able to get to Nashville again soon to have some cousin strawberry picking fun and maybe get to the zoo, too! I'm so excited for the summer. Hope everyone is having a stellar 2nd half of 2015!!!
Molly baby. I love you and your silly growls, your funny faces, and your big-ole-loving heart. I'm so lucky to be your mommy and I promise to never forget that. I might lose my patience and sometimes I can be a shitty mom... but no one will ever love you the way that I do. You light up our lives! Thank you for being my girl.
Jeez Louise! My itty bitty baby goose is a big two-and-a-half year old!
Presley & little cousin Annie (Summer 2014)
Annie & Presley (Christmas 2012)
Annie & Presley (Summer 2014)
I am so proud of this kiddo.
Here are some fun 2.5 year old Presley facts and stats:
*She still loves reciting her ABC's. If you ask her what a specific letter is, she can recall just about all of them. Smart as a whip!
*She loves her little sister. When we're in the car and Molly starts to cry Presley will say, "It's okay Molly-girl. We're almost there!" Never fails to make me smile. She asks to hold Molly on a daily basis and is very gentle with Molly.
*Presley has definitely upped her milk intake over the last few weeks - I think this is due to knowing Molly gets to drink milk around the clock. Presley's also hit a stage where she eats very little so I've started giving her a gummy multivitamin each morning.
*Presley is teething and is working on pushing through her bottom back molars! After those are in we only have the top back two molars and then we will {eventually} enter into the world of LOSING teeth... eeeeek!
*Daddy is still her favorite person in the entire world. And I don't blame her one bit - he is my favorite person, too!
*She is a legitimate fast runner and loves to run.
*She's just recently started to LOVE the Tinker Bell movies. (And so do I.) Loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Lilo & Stitch, Shrek, the Lorax, Tarzan and is just starting to open up to the older Disney movies (Cinderella and Little Mermaid so far).
*Such a great sleeper at both nap and bedtime. Loves her new nightlight that projects stars and the moon up on the ceiling!
*Absolutely loves her toddler bed. We'll be switching her to a twin bed here soon in the upcoming months so that Molly can have the baby mattress for her crib!
*Still peeing/pooping in diapers and neither one of us are making any effort to change that. She has no interest in using the potty - the big one or the small potty we got her.
*LOVES playing in the water. Sprinklers, pools, bath or shower time, spray grounds, puddles... you name it - she will jump right in and enjoy it.
*Is beginning to enjoy trips to Target almost as much as I do! She asks to go to Target (by name!) because she knows she will get a cookie at the bakery.
*Really loves our trips to the Memphis Zoo - which are too few and far between these days because of the heat and having a newborn. She almost always asks to see the hippos! She asks for the giraffes and elephants and usually the big cats and penguins! She really likes the fish in the aquarium, though I really wish they would expand their tiny tiny aquarium exhibit. Her favorite attraction at the Memphis Zoo is the water that sprays up like Old Faithful... she could play in the water for hours if she had the opportunity.
Presley also had her first insect sting experience this week and it was a doozy! Tony took Presley over to a family friend's house to swim yesterday and just as he went to strip her down to get her into her swim stuff he saw a wasp flitting around. Tony stomped on the bug and went to move on when he saw another one flying around and that's when the damn bugs started to swarm Tony & Presley and attack. Tony picked Presley up and jumped in the water where they didn't let up much until he swam over to the water sprayer on the pool. Tony got stung once in the leg and poor Presley was closer to all the wasps before they got in the water and she had at least 3 stings we could find - the most obvious was on her left eyelid (the other two were on her right hand and left cheek).
I was at home with Molly when they called and Tony asked me to come over there. I called my Aunt Donna & Uncle Jeff - who are pharmacists & parents - because I honestly didn't know what to do in this situation. When they didn't answer I called my little sister who is on her way to becoming a nurse. She was really very composed and I asked her what else besides children's Tylenol to give Presley, to which she straightaway answered with chidlren's Benadryl. Thankfully we had some so I swooped those things up and rushed over. Tony warned me beforehand that Presley's eye was very swollen and that it was a sad sight to see her upset - so thankfully I prepared myself for the situation on the way over.
This was at least an hour after taking the Benadryl - which seemed to help the swelling
When I got there I covered Presley's good eye and she was able to recall how many fingers I was holding up with the bad eye. My Aunt Donna & Uncle Jeff called back right after I got to Presley and they were able to help me with the dosage of the Benadryl for Presley. We headed home rather than an ER because from what we were reading online it didn't sound like we had to get a stinger out or that her life was in danger - though I wasn't 100% reassured. On the way home I called so many people - the pediatric group to leave a message for the on-call physician, my older sister & brother-in-law because I figured as camp counselors they might've dealt with something similar, a friend who is a pharmacy tech at LeBonheur, Tony's aunt and Tony's mom and I couldn't get a hold of anyone. We finally got a call back from the on-call pediatrician who was very reassuring and said we didn't have much to worry about unless her breathing became labored, she started coughing or vomiting, or if a widespread rash popped up. Presley was really a trooper through the entire thing and we got Chick-fil-A for dinner as a treat.
Here she is this morning (in her Star Wars jammies) - no worse for the wear!
I still can't believe the wasp managed to sting her RIGHT at the end of her eyelid... I can't imagine what the hell would've happened had it stung her eyeball and I am so glad I really don't have to know what that looks like right now. Just another parental experience we now have under our belts!
I could go on & on about Presley at this age - but I think this will do. I can't believe she will be three in another 6 months and we'll be planning another birthday... didn't she just have one?!
Presley girl, I hope you feel how loved you are by all your friends and family and especially Mommy & Daddy. I'm glad God's plan was more brilliant than my own and I am so thankful to have you in my home and life and family and heart. I pray you will always be this sweet and special girl I've come to know over the last two and a half years while continuing to evolve into who you are meant to be. I love you so much and I always will.
So, I don't feel like doing the questions and answers this week.
I'm currently 26 weeks along in my second pregnancy - which means we've got 14 weeks (give or take) until we meet Molly!
And this week has been a VERY big week for our family for a couple reasons:
1. We moved into our first HOME this week!
2. One of my best friends (Katie) had her little boy - Hunter Joseph - very early on the morning of April Fool's Day. If my memory serves me correctly, he was 8 pounds 13 ounces.
3. And then, my sister (Amanda) went into labor and had her little boy - Matthew Alan - on her due date, which was also April Fool's Day! My nephew weighed in at 8 pounds 3 ounces on his birthday!
Anne Marie meeting her brother, Matthew!!!
4. We also bought some new furniture to furnish our new home. It won't be delivered until next week, but I am SO EXCITED.
We had SO much help from some friends and family when it came to moving - and we needed every last bit of it. It was seriously the fastest move I've ever witnessed. Most everything is still in our garage (we weren't able to move everything into the house because our carpets were getting cleaned and stretched the following morning) and we are SLOWLY moving things in.
I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed by the unpacking and moving process as well as the feeling of anxiety from all the responsibility that comes with owning a home. My Gramma Myers gave some good advice about not rushing into owning a home and now I can see why she said that! It is a lot to take in. Overall, we are all adjusting well and I think it was the right move for our family but I suppose only time will tell!
We planned on moving Presley into her toddler bed upon moving in but we have yet to get her room set up and completely childproofed - and her safety is NOT something I'm willing to gamble with - so Tony set up her crib and tonight is the first night in over 100 days she gets to sleep in a real bed... or crib! In that time she has been sleeping in her pack & play. About a month into her sleeping in the pack & play we purchased a thicker mattress for her to sleep on as well. Even still, it couldn't have been as comfortable and yet Presley handled it all like such a champ. Bedtime almost always went smoothly and she slept regularly through the night. I really do think she was excited to get into her crib tonight and bedtime went very smoothly (after the first few nights of bedtime in our new house NOT going very smoothly)!!!
Another ironic thing that happened to us since I last wrote - all three of us got a stomach virus! If you remember, Presley got a stomach bug just a few days before we moved from Illinois to Tennessee. A few days after that, I got it - literally the day before we left. And then I infected Tony a few days later on the very day he was leaving Tennessee for Illinois to move everything out of our old house. It was awful, awful timing. This time? Presley got sick at 2am on Friday - the day we closed on our house. Tony got sick Sunday - the morning we moved. And me? I got sick on Tuesday a few days later. AWFUL! I hope it is a long time before we do that again.
We're looking forward to next week - getting our new furniture, my first prenatal appointment since the beginning of December, and having a new window installed in our bedroom in addition to some rotten wood being replaced outside of that window. We are hoping to go see Amanda, John, Anne Marie & new baby Matthew sometime soon - maybe as soon as next weekend? And this weekend, lots and lots of unpacking!!!
Also, get excited, because this weekend I will be posting a fun product review and hosting my first GIVEAWAY for one awesome reader! So stay tuned!!
Like I did last year, I'd like to post 10 things that I am thankful for this year for Thanksgiving. True to form, I am a little late in putting my blessings into writing - just like last year... but better late than never! (Which is pretty much my life motto.) Being a stay at home mom. I know I am lucky to be able to stay home with Presley each day. Though it's been something I have taken for granted from time to time, I can see that in hindsight it has given the two of us the chance to create an unbreakable bond. I feel that this was especially important especially since I was experiencing the baby blues (if not post-partum depression) big time in the beginning - if we hadn't gotten this chance to work on our bond then I have no idea what our relationship would look like at this point. Just solidifies my belief in everything happening for a reason.
My husband's job. If it wasn't for Tony's job and the fact that he is such a hardworking, dedicated man, I wouldn't have the opportunity to stay home with Presley full time. He has gotten laid off from work in the past, but thank the Lord, that hasn't happened since becoming pregnant or bringing Presley home. We. Are. So. Blessed. He loves Presley so much, so I know what a sacrifice it is for him to wake up at the crack of dawn and leave his family each day, but we are so thankful for such an amazing man in our life.
Reliable transportation. A few months ago I was having car trouble and it got progressively worse really quickly and because it is a 1992, we figured that maybe it was time to say goodbye to my car. Thankfully, that was not the case! All that needed to be replaced was the timing belt and thanks to our trusty mechanic, it was also fixable within our budget. We had planned to buy a new family car in a year or so, but because my car was gone for a while (and Tony's civic is a two-door & not much of a family car), we decided to go ahead and buy our family car! So now I drive our Honda Fit and Tony drives our '92 Corolla to work everyday. The extra bills are a pain in the ass, but thankfully we are also making that work as well.
Presley. She has the best laugh, the
sweetest smile, and a personality that I'm in awe of. She makes me want
to be a better person every second. God knew what he was doing when he
sent Presley to us; she made our new, little family so solid - even
though at any given moment we felt like we were on shaky grounds because
we had absolutely no idea what we were doing! When we first brought
Presley home, I was almost mourning over the fact
that it would never be just the two of us (Tony and I) ever again...
mostly because
it had been just us two for so many years through dating and our
engagement. We have a greater appreciation for our alone time as
husband and wife so much more than before. Presley has given us such a
sense of
purpose - whoever said threes a crowd was certainly not talking about
our family! She is the best baby we could have ever been given.
My husband. I could never have asked for a more fun partner or a more loving father for our kids (assuming we will have more in the future). Though we continue to have our ups and downs, we work through them and love each other more through each bump in the road. Our life may not be full of glamor - usually it's full of diapers & drool, but it is full of huge smiles. And I would marry him all over again in a heartbeat.
Weekly play dates.I can NOT forget to mention the weekly play datesMegan and I have been having because they have really kept me sane and given me so much to look forward to every week! We are so blessed to have friends with girls around the same age as Presley;not only are they going to be great friends to Presley over the years, but they have already helped Presley learn new things! After each of our play dates, Presley comes home doing something new almost every time. Alli and Molly have taught her how to wave, how to use her voice, and even how to army crawl. I know she would have done these things eventually, but I kid you not, she watches these girls and imitates them like crazy! And I am so lucky to have Megan as a friend!!! I consider myself very lucky to know the Ebner/Darras family.
Friends. The friends who still want to be with me even though I've changed so much in the last year; who are truly understanding of my insatiable need to be with my family as much as I can since bringing Presley home; friends that have no problem picking up where we left off - whether it was a few days since we last talked or a few months. I really have learned that it's quality, not quantity when it comes to friends - that has never been more true than now. And dear lord, I cannot forget to mention my mom friends. I've gotten so much help along the way from various mom friends through
encouraging words, listening ears, helpful advice, hand-me-downs, and
unconditional support and love! If it takes a village to raise a child,
it certainly takes just as much if not more to condition a mama! I'd
be lost without everyone along the way - including all my fellow blog
moms.
Health.Enough said. We are happy and healthy and that is something I will never, ever forget to give thanks for.
Family. I know bragging is an unbecoming quality, but you guys, I have the best in-laws imaginable - I am SO in love with Tony's family! Though I have known and loved them for quite some time now, they continue to surprise me with how much they care about one another and the amount of love and support they give freely. I'm also so thankful for all our family members who have brought little ones into this crazy world this past year - Tony's cousin Danielle had baby boy John in May, my sister Amanda had baby girl Anne Marie in July, and my cousin Breanne had baby boy Emory this month! Presley is going to be blessed with playmates and I've already been so blessed with having these three new moms to lean on! Not to mention, my little sister Ashley has just been such a blessing in showing so much love and understanding and support to me throughout the last nine months - I can always turn to her and I am so thankful that will always stay the same. I'm also thankful for having my mom live so close to us as well as the amazing time we had with my family (plus all the amazing Asians!!!!) for Thanksgiving!
Goals. This might seem a little weird - but I am so thankful for the goals we've set for our family. I know that our plans aren't always the plans God have for us - and BOY have we learned that over the last year!!! - but I am so hopeful and excited for our future... wherever that may lead us.
