November 20, 2012

project 366 {week 44}

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I think jumping off stuff could possibly be Ryann's absolute favorite thing right now.  Makes my heart skip a beat almost every time, but thankfully she asks me most of the time if she can jump off this or that.  We tried for a long time to keep her from jumping off the furniture in the house, but she spent way too much time in timeout, and we spent way too much time irritated.  So I caved.  The good news is it burns a lot of energy...

project 366 {week 43}

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Whew.  I'm playing some serious catch up on editing.  Hopefully I can make myself knock out a few weeks over the next several days, because if I get any more behind I'll never do it.  I've also been really bad about taking pictures the last week or so.  I think I missed two or three days.  How terrible is that??  Mostly because I'm so close to the end of the project...

Carving pumpkins with Ryann was hilarious.  Because it turned into me carving pumpkins while she ran off to play with papa.  She got one teeny tiny bit of goo on her finger, and in the most straight forward voice said, "Wipe my finger, please."  And that was that.  She was done.  She did think my final product was pretty awesome though.

And I guess Christopher and Ryann watched some people playing tennis at the park one day.  Ryann thought it was pretty cool or something, and Christopher can't resist buying her toys sometimes, so two days later Ryann had a tennis racket.  She has no skill, but trying to hit those little balls sure makes her happy.

November 19, 2012

one day at a time.

After last week's attempt at running, I surprisingly had no pain the next few days.  When talking to the nurse practictioner (I didn't get to see my actual doc this time) and asking her opinion on whether or not I needed to be done running, she simply said, "If it hurts, don't do it.  If it isn't bothering you, go for it.  Just go one day at a time."  I took that advice to heart.  And by this past Friday after three days on the elliptical I was already getting antsy to try jogging again.

This time I didn't try and see how far I could make it.  Instead, I planned on walking .35 miles and jogging .15 miles.  Hoping to hit a total of 3 miles for my workout.  So overall I would be barely running a mile.  But it still sort of felt like a run, you know?  I'm happy to report I survived without any hip pain.  Score!  Now to just not get too excited and try to do too much.  My plan is to still mostly just walk and use the elliptical, but if I'm feeling crazy I might throw in a bit of jogging here and there.  Just listening to my body and going one day at a time.

I'm also proud to report that two of my workouts this past week included strength training.  Woot woot!  One morning last week when I knew I wouldn't make it to the gym, I actually got my butt out of bed early enough to hang out with Jillian and her 30 Day Shred.  And on Saturday I finally got myself to the 50/50 fitness class for only I think the second time this pregnancy.  That was tough.  But having a few sore muscles and knowing I actually did some strength training made it worth it.

Thanks to some sort of scheduling miracle, Christopher has this entire week off.  Between that and Thanksgiving I'm sure my workouts will be a little harder to convince myself to do.  But I'm hoping to squeeze in at least one strength session.  It really did feel great to actually use my muscles.

How was your week workout wise?

 

Link up your health and fitness related posts below!  And I apologize to those of you who had difficulty linking up last week.  I have no idea why that happens, nor do I have a clue how to fix it.  Hopefully this week is better.

November 16, 2012

twenty-six weeks

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written November 15th

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, which included the dreaded glucose tolerance test.  I knew I was in for it when I was starving at 6:45am, and my draw wasn't until 9:35am.  But I survived.  The drink went down ok, and I was feeling fine.  Right until about 10 minutes before the draw.  I started to get a little clammy and really though I was going to puke.  Which of course would mean having to redo the test.  But after they drew the blood and I was able to eat I was much much better.  Even though I was apparently still pretty pale, according to the nurse and doctor anyway.

Also?  FOUR people commented on how cold I was.  It was such an odd thing.  The first nurse in the lab that I handed my insurance card to told me my hands were freezing.  The girl that drew my blood asked me why I was so cold and if it was chilly in the room.  The OB nurse mentioned something about it, and then the doc said she was going to warn me her hands were cold, but that I was chillier than she was.  Sorry people, apparently I'm cold blooded or something.  I have no idea.  Maybe it is because it is getting close to winter?  Who knows.  Whatever.

Anyway, I passed the glucose test, so that is great.  My office likes whatever number they test to be under 135, and mine was 103, so no worries there.  Some other number is supposed to be above 32% and mine was 36%, but I can't remember what the heck they were testing.  Blood pressure was perfect at 120/67, which is a relief because I've had a several more 'seeing sparkles' episodes over the last few weeks.  Of course we will keep an eye on it, but she wasn't concerned yet.  Basically she said everything looked perfect.  Go me.  She did measure my belly at 28cm (which = 28 weeks I think), but didn't really say anything about it.  Of course I'm sure that means I'm having a monster baby this time around, but I'm trying to remind myself that I measured big with Ryann and she was tiny.  Not to mention there is always room for human error, right?

Next appointment is in two weeks so I can get a rhogam injection.  I'm not quite sure what is more awkward, your toddler watching you pee in a cup (she still hasn't asked about it, just gives me the weirdest looks) or getting an injection in your butt.  We shall see!

how far along:  26 weeks (compare to 26 weeks with Ryann)

size of babyaccording to the bump a head of lettuce, between 13.6-14.8 inches long and weighing somewhere between 1.5-2.5 pounds. Baby girl's eyes are forming and will soon open.  She is also taking practice breaths of amniotic fluid and starting to build up her immune system by absorbing my antibodies.  Hopefully I've got some good ones!

weight gain:  13.2 pounds.   I ended up gaining 2.6 pounds in the last two weeks.  Whoops.  I suppose that is only an average of just over a pound.  To make myself feel a little better about the weight gain, I'm reminding myself that I still weigh less than I did when I got pregnant with Ryann, even now at 26 weeks into this pregnancy.  Not but much, but I'll hold onto every little bit thank you very much :o).

maternity clothes:  Most of the time, yes.

symptoms:  More than likely?  Some torn abdominal muscles.  Thank you very much wee one for stretching those out.  I've had a localized spot of pain on my belly for the last several days.  Nothing that makes me double over, but a burning pulsing pain that will just hang out for a while.  When starting to mention it to the doctor, she was able to finish my symptoms for me, and suggested is was some overstretched or torn muscles.  Yay.  Beyond that just plain uncomfortableness in my pelvis and belly, and stupid hormonal mood swings.

exercise: Five workouts this week.  I logged 6.8 miles walking, 8.1 miles on the elliptical and one session with Jillian and the 30 Day Shred.  That last bit?  Tough.  It has been a while since I've done any strength training and my chest is a wee bit sore from the push-ups.  But a good sore.

cravings/aversions: I'm craving sweets, Mexican and chicken salad sandwiches (wtf?).  Keep me away from olives and regular old pizza.  A specialty pizza with some sort of white or pesto sauce is ok, but no red sauce.

movement:  A fair amount.  I think she must have changed positions, because it isn't quite as crazy as it had been, but she gets around :o).  The other night Ryann snuggled up to me on the couch and had her arm resting on my belly.  Baby Sister was rolling and kicking it like crazy.  Ryann kept looking at me like dude, quit poking me.  I had to convince her it wasn't me, but I don't think she was buying it.

sleep:  The insomnia is really starting to set in.  I'm exhausted, but pretty much after six hours of sleep my body just won't do it anymore.  No matter how much I protest and lay there with my eyes clothes.  Thankfully I'm sleeping pretty solidly for those six hours, so I guess I'll take it.

gender: Girl.

looking forward to: Painting the nursery, fondue with friends and the holidays.

worries:  I'm a little worried that this little girl is actually a boy and the tech was wrong.  I don't know why I can't picture us with two girls.  It is boggling my mind.

what's different this time:  Meh.  The only thing I can gather right now is that I am still sleeping in my own t-shirts as opposed to last time.  Lame.  Also, pretty darn sure we had named Ryann by now.  We will eventually pick a name, right?

milestones:  less than 100 days until my due date!  Also, not really sure it is a 'milestone', but I felt Baby Sister get the hiccups for the first time over the last week.  Ryann had them all the time, I'll be interested to see if this little girl follows suit.

best moment this week:  Passing the glucose tolerance test.  Bring on the Christmas cookies!  Also having lots of lunch and dinner dates with friends and family.  I love my friends and family, they make me so happy.

sara olsen designs - giveaway winner

Sorry ladies.  I really wanted to post the winner in the morning, but my internet was being a big old brat and driving me up the wall.  But here you go!  The winner of the Sara Olsen Design's giveaway is...

SARAH!  Lucky commenter number seven.

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Congrats Sarah.  Make sure to leave me your e-mail, and I will get you in touch with Sara.  For all of you wishing you'd won, don't forget you can still get 15% off your order.  Use the code DOMESTICWANNABE15 at checkout through the 18th.  You can visit her shop here.

November 15, 2012

this and that

I'm feeling like rambling today.  You're welcome.

::  We're painting Baby Sister's nursery this weekend (if anyone has great tips or links to a great post for painting stripes, send it my way!).  I'm so excited to get started on her room.  Of course most of the stuff I'm swooning over is expensive... like this beautiful glider, that doesn't even come in a color I like but I can't let go of, or some of the Caitlin Wilson fabrics.  I'm also obsessed with the Hemnes dresser from Ikea, but Ikea isn't coming to Kansas City until 2014, and shipping the $300 dresser costs $350...  Lame.  But none the less, I actually have ideas and we are actually going to get started and I'm so excited!  I'd be even more excited if Baby Sister had a name...

::  I had my glucose tolerance test this morning.  Man I hate that thing.  I really thought I might throw up the drink before they were going to draw my blood, but I didn't.  I survived, and I PASSED!  Thank goodness.  I'm not sure how I would have done Christmas without a GD diagnosis.

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bottoms up!

::  Before Baby Sister makes her arrival, I'm planning to upgrade my camera body and maybe get a new lens.  I've been rocking my Canon Rebel XSi for over four years now, and even though it is still a good camera, the ISO just can't do it for me.  I need some better capabilities.  My dilemma... do I shoot for the Canon 60D or snag the Canon Rebel T4i?  It seems sort of silly to go from a rebel to a rebel, but I've heard decent things about the T4i.  If anyone has any input on that subject I'd love to hear it.

I'm also looking into a new lens.  I love my 50mm, but it just isn't great for indoor shots on a crop sensor.  There are three grabbing my attention, the Canon EF 28mm f/1.8, the Canon EF 35mm f/2 and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4.  Can anyone out there weigh in on any of those lenses for me?  :o)  What would I do without my readers...

::  Over the summer we had our foundation repaired, because the center of our house had dropped over an inch, leaving space between our floor and our baseboard and a million cracks throughout our house.  A few weeks ago we had all the cracks in the drywall repaired, and finally last week all the walls were repainted.  Our house has been a chaotic messy disaster for four weeks, but everything has now been put pack in place and cleaned and I feel like I can breathe again.  The best part of the whole situation?  We had the contractor revamp my closet, aka my office, in the family room.  I'm in love...

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The space is so much more functional than before.  I'm pretty sure I have some disaterous before photos somewhere, but I'll have to do some digging.  Now I just need to figure out how the heck I'm going to organize it so it stays looking this pretty.

::  I really, REALLY need to start working on our holiday cards and doing some Christmas shopping.  I feel like it is really far away.  But, um, it's not.  Eek!  Good news?  All Ryann wants is some new sight word videos.  Easy to please, I'll take it.

::  Ryann has been exceptionally cute the last few days.  Like super sweet and funny and I actually almost can't get enough of her.  Almost.  But she has gotten TERRIBLE about being at restaurants.  She does not like it.  Complains she wants to go home the whole time and basically I swear tries to make the experience miserable for everyone.  It sucks.  Because I like going out to eat and seeing friends.  She'll also almost never eat what we order her.  Most of the time I bring her food, but the other day she freaking refused Minne Mouse pancakes.  What gives?  Oy.  At least she is cute.

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::  Happy Thursday.  Make sure you don't forget about the giveaway!  It ends tonight.    

November 14, 2012

a day in the life - melissa

Good morning!  I'm feeling like super woman today seeing as I've already done a load of laundry and gotten in a workout before 6:30am.  I'm hoping to squeeze in a shower right after I push publish on this post before the little miss wakes up.  Might be pushing it...  Anyway, make sure you don't forget about the Sara Olsen Design's Giveaway!  You have until Thursday night to enter.

Today you get to have a peek into Melissa's life.  I hope you enjoy!

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Hi Friends new and old!  I have always wanted to write a post in reference to a day in the life and when I saw that Ashley was doing guests posts on her blog I had to sign up!  I was hoping to do one of these posts early on in the year so I could get practice, but well that didn't happen.  It is funny how life gets so busy... from the moment my body leaves the bed each morning I do not stop until bed time.  Even than I am sitting in bed usually doing something on my iPhone.  Okay back to my introduction, hi my name is Melissa I am a wife to Chad, a mommy to two beautiful blue eyed boys Grayson who is 2 1/2 years old and Crew who is 8 months old.  I am a full time working mommy who works in the vendor community calling on the Walmart and Sam's Club account. 

Now after that wordy and lengthy introduction will you join me on a day in the life of Melissa on a somewhat typical Wednesday.

On this particular Wednesday I was UP TWICE with Crew in the EARLY hours, first at 11PM on Tuesday, but I was not back in bed until 12:30AM.  Than I was up again at 2AM.  I don't have pictures to account for this, but trust me I was up spending quality time with just Crew.  Crew is my baby that doesn't like to sleep.  He would rather see his mommy... 

{a typical morning in the Stafford home}

Crew woke up at 5:45AM for the morning I nursed him briefly, but he was more interested in playing.  So he sat up in my bed played and I turned on cartoons for him to watch.  
I made my way to the kitchen at 6:16AM to get my pumping supplies and breakfast for myself.  I than went back to the bedroom to join Crew in my bed to pump and eat breakfast.
At  6:25AM Chad wakes up Grayson to get him ready for school and by 6:45AM they are both out the door and on their way to school.  Crew is still home with me hanging out. 
Once I completely finish pumping Crew and I move to the living room where he plays and I do some work.  Mainly I do my daily Walmart reports so they are ready for the sales team when they arrive at work for the day.  I also spent time getting Crew's bottles and clothes ready for school and making beds in the house. 
Since Crew didn't nurse well earlier he was ready for a bottle around 7:30AM.  Once his energy was restored from drinking some milk he was ready to play. 
I took this moment to jump in the shower.
At 8AM I rock Crew to sleep for his morning nap and by 8:19AM I am getting ready for the day and about 30 minutes after that I am sitting down to work again waiting for Crew to wake up from his morning nap. 
Crew takes a EXTRA long nap today, which NEVER happens and by 9:45AM he is up and we are heading to school.
I arrive at my office around 10:15AM and it starts with a conference call
At 10:55 AM my hubby sends me our final house blueprints for me to see, I love them!
I take a SHORT coffee break around NOON at my favorite coffee place in Northwest Arkansas, but than I am back to working the rest of the afternoon on spreadsheets and sales reports. 
At 4:30PM I am done with work and in the car to go and get Crew.
Shortly after picking up Crew we joined Grayson at the park with friends.  Our friends were so nice to pick up Grayson on this particular Wednesday and take him to the park.  It is not very often in November that it is nice to spend time at the park, but we do when we can.
At 5:30PM Crew and I are home together just the two of us.  I feed Crew dinner and shortly after we arrive home Grayson is home with daddy and Crew and Grayson play together shortly before it is bath time.
At 6:30 PM Crew is MORE than ready for bed.  Since he doesn't nap at school he goes to bed early! 
I finally have a few moments to eat dinner and spend time with Grayson before he is off to bed.
Grayson always goes to bed at 7:30PM after both boys are in bed I spent the evening working as this is a busy time at work for me. 
At 9:34PM I pump and work
At 10:00PM I am in bed... it only lasted until 12:30AM and Crew was up again, but it is a new day!
Thanks for following my day with me.  It was boring, but busy!  I feel BUSY all the time now with 2 BOYS, a full time job, and now we are starting to build our forever home.  It is all exciting and I wouldn't change anything that has been given to me.  We are greatly blessed and we give praise to GOD for his blessings upon us! 


Questions from Ashley:

1.  What is the most surprising thing to you about being a mom?
I think at some point everything is surprising.  I think right now in the stage I am with a 2 1/2 year old the surprising thing for me is the amount of things they learn and absorb into their tiny heads.  It amazes me everyday the amount of things Grayson remembers and the things he does from what we teach him or what he learns at school.  With Crew the things that have surprised me is every baby is different and Crew is living proof.  We didn't or haven't done anything different with Crew that we did with Grayson, however Crew is so different.  So even after having one and thinking I know what to do, there are days where I am completely at a loss on what to do.  For example Crew is not a sleeper.  We have nights where he will wake up in the middle of the night and want to stay up for HOURS.  Some days it is frustrating and other days it is funny.  I just try to tell myself that it is moments that I can spend with Crew one on one.  Being a mom has it's surprises each and every day.  It is the best reward and my favorite JOB to have.  I adore my two boys and the family that my husband and I have created. 

2.  What advice would you give to a new or soon-to-be mamas?
My advice to a new mom or a soon-to-be mama is to take ONE day at a time.  Don't worry about the small details.  Live in the moment with your baby.  The newborn stage goes by so quickly.  I know with Grayson I was so worried about routines when he was a newborn, but it quickly went out the window when he started daycare at 3 months old.  With Crew I just enjoyed every moment of the day with him when he was a newborn.  I didn't worry about schedules or breaking habits I just enjoyed every moment.  Even the moments when all he did was cry!  I would also say don't worry about getting rid of the paci, bottle, swaddles etc... it will all happen in the right time.  I worried about all of these things with Grayson and I will tell you that everything happened at the right time and it wasn't stressful at all.  The last advice I will give is when someone gives you advice listen and absorb the thoughts the person is sharing with you, but in the end do what your mommy hearts says to do.  You are the mom and you will know what is best to do for your baby. 

3.  What are your top three baby products?
My top three baby products
1.  Nap Nanny - both my boys LOVED sleeping in this from the moment we got home from the hospital
2.  Baby Monitor - I could not live without a baby monitor, if we didn't have one I would constantly go into the boys room and check on them.
3.  Wubbanub Paci - both of my boys LOVE these paci's.  They have become pals to Grayson.  He gets so excited to be reunited with them at bed time.  That is the only time he gets them.  We are hoping to get rid of them soon... no comments please.  I know it is time. 

~Thanks again for joining me on a somewhat typical day in the life of Melissa at Stafford Stories~

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Thank you for sharing your day with us Melissa!