22-24 Week Recap and Name Reveal

I feel like it's been a big 3 weeks for our little boy! I am feeling him move all the time, and it's so strong I can feel specific parts of his body-not sure if it's an arm or a leg, but he pokes out a lot and lets me know he is in there!

24 Weeks

Here is 24 weeks with Paige:

I'm pretty sure baby boy had a growth spurt during week 23-I was hungry all the time and really felt like I grew overnight. My appetite comes and goes, there's times where I am starving and then times where food just doesn't sound that great. I think I feel less hungry when he's sitting higher up and making me uncomfortable, ha!

Before we get to the stats, here is our little boy's name:

Joshua O'Dell

When I was pregnant with Paige, before we knew she was a girl, we had decided that for our boys middle name, we wanted to use O'dell after Daniel's grandfather, who was James O'Dell, but went by O'Dell. Daniel lost his grandpa not too long ago. We are so thankful that we already knew we were having a boy and were able to tell him that our little boy would carry on his name. Paige's middle name is Olivia, and I really like that our children will both have O middle names.

We didn't have anything picked our for the first name, so after throwing several around we realized that we both really liked the name Joshua, which means God Is Salvation. 

We keep asking Paige where Baby Joshua is and she always points to her belly. She also calls him Baby Joshie, which is pretty darn cute. 

We also had a 4D ultrasound last week:

He has Daniel's nose!

Here are the stats for week 24:

How Far Along: 24 Weeks (almost 25)

Size of Baby: Ear of Corn-about 1 1/2 lbs, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was bigger!

Weight Gain: Maybe 14-15 lbs? 

Gender: Boy-Joshua O'Dell

Movement: YES! I'll have a day where he doesn't do too much, but for the most part he is wiggling and kicking a lot

Sleep: It's not too bad actually. I still wake up tired and have had some back and hip pain, but nothing like what I had with Paige

Maternity Clothes: All pants and most shirts. I still wear my regular t shirts though. 

Symptoms: A little heartburn, increased appetite and just feeling "heavy"

Aversions: Not really anything

Cravings; Sweets, coffee, and I'm dying for a huge gooey cinnamon roll!

What I miss: Not much, maybe sleeping on my back and stomach

What I'm Looking Forward to:  Not sure....my mom is bringing the nursery stuff when she comes in February so there really isn't much for me to do right now. I guess just continuing to have a healthy pregnancy and feel my little one move!

Best Moment of the Week: Daniel and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary yesterday! We went out for dinner and a movie and had the best time!

Change is a knockin'

We've been here in East Asia for over a month. We've been in our apartment a few weeks and it's mostly set up. We are using the nursery as storage right now for anything we just haven't found a place for yet. I also haven't hung anything on the walls yet....but it feels like home and we like it!

Paige has adjusted very well! She LOVES all the local food and I've been going through stain remover for all the oil on her clothes like crazy!

And she loves noodles! There have been a few times that she out-eats me! 

Paige is doing great at learning her manners at home too.

One of the adjustments here is learning a new schedule. Most mornings after breakfast, Paige does blanket time for 20-30 minutes while I check email and do some computer work. She does really well at blanket time! We've also started room time, which is not going as well. She doesn't really like it, but I'm determined to make it work! 

Paige has started 'helping' me in the kitchen too. We made poppy seed bread last week and granola bars today. I love this face!

This week was also a big transition for Paige and us! We took the side off of her crib and she's in a real toddler bed right now! We want to give her plenty of time to get used to the toddler bed before going to her new big girl bed (which will be a daybed) before the baby comes. She has done 3 naps and 2 nights in her bed already and did great!

So far she lays down and goes right to sleep! She did fall out of bed once (I actually watched it on the monitor), but I have my body pillow on the floor, so she just rolled off and got right back in bed. The absolute CUTEST thing is that when she gets up from her nap or in the morning, she goes to her bedroom door (which is closed and she can't yet open) and knocks. She just knocks and waits for us to come get her. I don't know why she knocks instead of just calling out for us, but it's so dang cute! 

I was so worried that Paige would get out of bed and not go to sleep that it never occurred to me that she might start getting out of bed early! She's been sleeping till about 7:30-7:40, and the last couple of mornings she was up at 7:15, so not too bad. 

Last weekend we went to a fall festival that some other foreign friends hosted. I LOVE Halloween! and I'm competitive...and I might have taken it a little too far with some of the candy games. Oh well, at least Paige looked so adorable in her Packer cheerleading outfit!!! 

We tried to make it a family theme!

We had a picnic lunch....

and a parade!

That is some of our life here in Asia....stay tuned for pregnancy update week 23!

Pumpkins and Parties

This post is about our last week in the States before heading here to Asia. We drove back to my parents house on Friday night, and then my sister (who flew up the day before) and I gave my mom a surprise 60th birthday party that Saturday.

She actually had no idea and was genuinely surprised!! 

Sarah's little girl and Paige are close in age, so we got matching outfits and Daniel took some pictures of us girls before church.

It was hard to get the girls to look at the camera at the same time-but I still love how they turned out!

My parents picked out the girls' outfits-they are adorable!

Love my sister!

Daniel's parents came up our last weekend, and we went to a pumpkin patch where you could pick apples, pumpkins, ride rides, and feed animals. It was basically a mini heaven for Paige. 

I love my little apple picker! I die over those pigtails!

Paige has no fear of animals! Petting zoos are really the jackpot.

We were never really sure what this animal was.

Paige rode the pony and we rode the swings. I thought the swings would be nice and mild-I was shocked at how fast we went! We had so much fun picking apples, playing with the pumpkins, and spending time with family. I loved every minute at the pumpkin patch-I know it will be a while before we get to go to another one!

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.