17-21 Week Recap

So it's been a while, this you know. But let's get right to this recap!

17 Weeks

I don't have any pictures of weeks 18-20. But I have definitely popped, and I didn't even realize it at first. I was talking to a friend and said how I felt like I was in the awkward "is she fat or pregnant?" stage. And she very bluntly said "No, you LOOK pregnant." And she was so right. 

We are planning on delivering here in our city in East Asia. A few foreigners have already had babies here and have had pretty good experiences. I met the doctor today-he is a local, but has practiced in the States and has great english. There are definitely a few cultural differences.though.  First, the average stay after a c-section (which is what I'll have) is 6-7 days. I've already asked if I could leave before then, and he said it was okay. Another is the swimming they offer the baby just a few days after birth. We saw a newborn today "swimming." Daniel said he would let our baby do it, but I'm going to go with no on this one. 

It looks like this, except picture a newborn. 

Here are the Stats:

How Far Along: 21 weeks

Size of Baby: 11 inches long, almost a pound!

Weight Gain: I think maybe 10 pounds. I'm not too sure. 

Gender: It's a BOY!!!!! We had an early ultrasound at 16 weeks in the States, and they were 75% sure. We had one at 19 weeks here, and they definitely see a boy!

Movement: Every day at this point. I can feel him getting stronger with his movements!

Sleep: Now it's not too bad. Our first few weeks here I was pretty uncomfortable most nights. But we are on a regular mattress now, and things are much better!

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I still wear some of my t shirts and regular shirts, but the maternity shirts are starting to fit better over the bump. 

Symptoms: Some back and hip pain that comes and goes, and I can tell my appetite is increasing

Aversions: Nothing really. 

Cravings: Sweets mostly, and also Nature Valley's Salted Caramel Nut Protein Bar. I bought a box randomly to bring here and I'm saving my last one for a very special day. But I think about eating it a lot. 

What I Miss: Not too much. 

Best Moment of the Week: Having the ultrasound last week and confirming we're having a boy! We have a name picked out that I'll share soon!

What I'm looking Forward to: Getting his nursery ready. It's a complete mess right now from the move, and I don't have anything picked out yet. But I'm excited for whenever it does comes together. 

That's me and Baby Boy at 21 weeks!

Paige at 18 Months

The last post for Paige was at 15 months. I can't believe how much she has changed in the last 3 months! I'm going to be honest....the first year with Paige was pretty easy. I know not everyone loves the baby stage, but for me I absolutely loved it! I would say 12-17 months was pretty hard-just the new stage of discipline, learning boundaries, figuring out food and new schedules....it was hard for me. But now that Paige is actually 19 months, I am LOVING this stage! I can't believe how quickly she learns something, how fast she repeats new words, or how cute to see her play mama with her little baby dolls.

She has really gotten into pretend play lately-tea parties, rocking and feeding her babies, and imitating me around the house.

Paige had her first trip to the beach this past month. She was a big fan-she loved playing in the water and with the sand.

She also spent a lot of time in the car these past few months. She's a pretty great car traveler!

18 Month Stats:

Weight: 23 lbs, 13 ounces 50% (these are actually 19 month stats)

Height: 32 inches, 50%

Size Diaper: Disposables-4, Cloth-Medium. And I am now making my own wipes-I just use papertowels, hot water and a tablespoon of coconut oil. I've been doing this the past few months, and she hasn't had a single rash since!!

Size Clothes: 18-24 months, a few 2T shirts

Size Shoes: 4-4 1/2

Teeth: 15!!!!! She's about to get her 16th tooth! The girl has a mouthful!

Words: I can't even count how many. She repeats almost anything we say. They did teach her how to sign "more" at her school she was in. But she signs "more" and says please together anytime she wants something. It's pretty cute. I will say that life is MUCH easier when your child can understand most of what you say and is able to communicate back to you.

Sleep: Still sleeps about 7:30-7, sometimes less, sometimes more. She takes one afternoon nap from about 1-3. Sometimes she will take a morning nap, but then her afternoon nap is really late. 

Food: She's on all table food. She can use a fork and spoon pretty well, but still will use her hands depending on what we're eating. We still alternate eggs/toast and oatmeal for breakfast. She gets milk at all her meals, and sometimes a little before bedtime. She had chocolate milk for the first time this past week. I figured since she won't be drinking it in East Asia, she could handle a little treat. We still don't give her juice or much sweets. She's a good eater and eating more veggies, which makes this mama happy. 

Paige had some great cousin time these past few weeks. It's fun to watch them all play together and give each other kisses. 

Paige has even had a little TV time lately-which I'm still completely against, but at the same time, trying to get ready to head back to East Asia long term...mama needs help, ha!

Twins!

That's Paige at 18 (really 19) months!

15/16 Week Recap

So I know everyone is busy. But I'm totally using that as my excuse right now for being MIA. We leave the country in less than 4 days and I just finished packing 8 suitcases. I'm exhausted!! I'll try to do a separate post to update ya'll on life. So I'm actually 17 weeks now, but I'm really going to try to post at least once more before we head out.

15 Weeks

16 Weeks

Here are the stats:

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of Baby:Avocado

Weight Gain: 7 lbs

Gender: So we might know!! I had an ultra sound right at 16 weeks, and the doctor was 75% sure of the gender! I'm going to wait to announce it till we have the 20 week ultrasound.  

Movement: Some. It's not a lot yet, but I think as the baby gets bigger I'll feel a lot more. 

Sleep: Eh.......I'm at the point that I need a body pillow on both sides to be comfortable, which means I need my own bed. Daniel and I are bunking up in a queen right now, so sleep is hard to come by. 

Maternity Clothes: yes, all pants.

Symptoms: My back pain is much better! But now it's acne and I'm thirsty all the time. 

Aversions: Not much

Cravings: just sweets

What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach

Best Moment of the Week: Finding out the gender and seeing our little one!!

What I'm Looking Forward to: Being in East Asia and getting settled!!

Here's a pic of little Paigers-we can't forget her! And I need to do her 15-18 month recap!

(her first time at the ocean!)

14 Week Recap

Okay, so technically I was 14 weeks last Wednesday. But we'll just go with this. I'll do my 15 week recap (which is tomorrow!) as soon as I can.

Here are the stats!

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Size of Baby: Lemon, 3 inches long

Weight Gain: 5-6 lbs

Gender: don't know yet, but we think boy

Movement: yes!! Today I'm almost certain I felt the little one moving around. I didn't feel Paige until I was almost 19 weeks. I've heard you feel it much earlier with your second, which is very true for me. I forgot how great this feeling is!!

Sleep: eh...could be better, could be worse. I'm waking up a lot.

Maternity Clothes: yep, all my pants.

Symptoms: Left side back pain...i feel this all day long. and tired. 

Aversions:  Not much.

Cravings: CHOCOLATE....I am using a lot of self control, let me tell you! I could eat chocolate or sweets all day long, if I would let myself. all.day.long.

What I Miss: Not having back pain, ha

What I'm looking forward to: I have an ultrasound next Monday, the last one we'll have in the States. I can't wait to see how big our little peanut is!

 This was taken Sunday....can you see the bump??!?!?!?!? And that's Paige playing with her babydoll in the background. Girl loves to play with my old cabbage patch doll. 

13 Week Recap

I was 13 weeks this past Wednesday! 

This pregnancy has been easier so far compared to my first. I really wasn't even that sick with Paige, mostly just nauseous weeks 8-12. But this second time around I was only nauseous the first few weeks. I have been so tired with this pregnancy!! Almost every afternoon from 2-4, I can barely keep my eyes open. All I want to do is just lay down. I have been a lot hungrier this time too. I'm trying to eat healthy, but we only have a few more weeks left in the States until we head back to East Asia. So I am enjoying american food right now!

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Size of Baby: 3 inches long, about the size of a peach

Weight Gain: 5 lbs-I know wowsers!! I didn't gain that much until I was 20 weeks with Paige!

Gender: We think boy

Movement: Not yet, but I can't wait!

Sleep: It's been okay, could be worse, could be better. I'm already using the body pillow. 

Maternity Clothes: yep, most of my pants are maternity now, no shirts yet. 

Symptoms: I'm just exhausted. 

Aversions: Nothing really.

Cravings: Ice Cream, fountain drink coke. I'm not giving into these very often, but I want to!

What I Miss: Having energy. Did i mention i'm tired?

Best Moment of the Week: Transitioning to maternity pants, i'm so much more comfortable now. 

What I'm Looking Forward To: Finding out the gender and feeling this baby move! 

We're having a BABY!

We are excited to announce baby #2 is on the way!!!! I'm a little over 12 weeks and due the first week of March!

We found out we were pregnant on June 23rd. Just like with Paige, I took a very early pregnancy test that was negative. However, after a few days Daniel and I were getting a pretty good idea that something was up. We decided I would take a test on Tuesday, but just like with Paige, I was determined to know first, so I took one Monday afternoon.  It was positive!! 

Little Paigers was sick this day, and a little confused. But now if we ask her where the baby is she points to my tummy. I'll try to do a 13 week recap this week. Again, internet is rare where we are staying, but I really want to do the weekly updates like I did with Paige.

Here are a few belly shots. Don't worry, I'm much bigger now, I've already put on several pounds!

Stay tuned for all the details coming on the 13 week recap!

Up and About

Wow! Long time no see!!! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted!

I'll just try to do a quick recap in pictures. We are traveling right now and internet is sporadic at best, so I'll try to post when I can.

Here's what we've been up to lately!

One Saturday the local library had dogs and you could come and play with them. They were really well trained and extremely good and calm around the children. Paige is in love with animals, especially dogs, so she went crazy. She had no problem getting close and playing with them.

One day I made finger paint using greek yogurt and food coloring. I would've preferred to skip the food coloring and use kool aid powder, but I didn't have any, so there ya go. 

At first Paige just painted with it, but once she figured out she could eat it she was all about it!

She was such a mess, but she had fun and it was bath night anyways!

I bought this little denim jumper dress last Christmas when it was on clearance, and it is just so cute. 

We had some family pics taken and these are a few of my faves.

Getting this cutie to smile on demand is not easy. I was really just thankful she kept the bow in. She's anti bow and barrette right now. 

We had a 2 day road trip to the northeast a few weeks ago. We will be heading back to Illinois the end of September, then finally headed back to East Asia!!!! Paige is a great car traveler, she entertains herself pretty well.

And eventually she sleeps for 30 minutes. 

We love our little travel buddy!

This morning I took her to a nearby park, and she had a lot of fun! The weather wasn't too hot, which made it really nice!

Paige is almost 18 months, I'll try to do her 15-18 month recap when I can. We won't be doing an 18 month check up so i'll just have to guess on her stats.

Okay, that's us!