March Madness!

We are going to be having a March baby this year - April is just not going to work out after all. 

Bry and I went to the Perinatologist appointment on Tuesday morning and left with a whole new baby arrival plan. As my doctor feared, baby girl isn't growing as they would like. She is at least 3 weeks behind and looks to have some nutritional/placenta troubles. Because I was already 34 weeks along at this appointment it makes seeing all of baby's anatomy in the womb much harder, so the doctor wasn't able to get as thorough of a look at everything as she would have liked. There are a few other potential problems that need to be watched for and will be tested/examined for once baby girl is born. 

Usher in the next few weeks. I will be going in for doppler, nonstress test, and amniotic fluid testing twice a week moving forward - on top of other normal doctor visits. As long as this monitoring doesn't produce any changes in the readings or show any distress we are planning on being induced at 37 weeks - if something were to pop up before then they will have me deliver earlier. We are still  up in the air about whether I will deliver at my normally planned hospital with my OBGYN, or deliver at the IMC hospital where the specialists and NICU are available. Hopefully that will be decided in the next couple of weeks, as I am willing this pregnancy to the 37th week. 

I guess we are going to be 2 for 2 when it comes to tiny babies. And that is OK with me, as long as this little girl is well in everything else. There tends to be the 2 sided coin in these situations - either baby is completely fine with no negative side effects or we could run into a few different icky things. I am feeling pretty confident that this little one is going to be just fine. She is as active as ever and looks to be doing great, given the circumstances. I feel like once she is born we can breathe a sigh of relief. 

The stress at this point is the worry that naturally comes with anything like this. Already being so emotional these days I am keeping it together just barely.  I am also slightly overwhelmed at balancing these appointments, prepping for baby's arrival, caring for Ellinor and still trying to keep it easy - I've been told to delegate everything possible and focus on resting only. Which is much harder to do with a toddler, a busy working husband, and lots of to-do list items staring me in the face. Thank goodness for a dear friend who is willing to babysit Ellinor for me - Sherlyn you are amazing!! Also, my mom is going to come into town on March 9th! I cannot wait for her arrival. I have been blessed with an amazing support system - my mother-in-law was willing to drive out for a few days and then come back a few weeks later after baby was born, just so she could help out this week. I appreciate the help that I am given.

I was washing and folding baby clothes yesterday (Ellinor is such a great helper - she wanted to put each piece of clothing in the washer and dryer herself) and got really excited all of the sudden. I have been so busy with life and anxious about changes that I haven't really let myself dwell on the fact that I have another daughter arriving shortly. It will be so wonderful to finally meet her. Last night I was talking to Bryan about being a little sad that I only have a couple of weeks left with just Ellinor and I. He understood but reminded me that once this baby girl is here it will all feel so natural and meant to be - like she was here the whole time. Just as it felt when we brought Ellinor into this world. And I know it will. 

On a lighter note - our kitchen remodel starts this weekend. Too funny - we finally order the counters, buy the tile for the new backsplash, etc. and then our due date gets moved up. It always works out like that. ;) Bryan will be moving cabinets and tearing out the old backsplash this weekend in preparation for counter installation next Tuesday. I am so excited! Just hoping this little girl stays put until it's all done. :)

I never posted about Ellinor's actual 2nd birthday. It was really low-key this year with everything else going on, so I feel like a slightly lame mother. We took Ellinor for her big girl pictures, out shopping to pick out her birthday present, and had a dinner/cake for her on Sunday. Aunt Becca and soon-to-be Uncle Nick came down to sing to her and they brought her a present as well. Ellinor sure does love opening presents - she even thinks the mail is exciting to open and Bry has to immediately relinquish it to her when he comes home. Too funny. She LOVED blowing out her candle. I had to keep moving the cake further away from her while we sang 'Happy Birthday' so that the poor flame would last to the end of the song. Though low-key I know Ellinor had a good time - she just loves getting attention from her favorite people and she got to eat cake with her hands. Who wouldn't have a good time doing that?! :) 

We are blessed! We are grateful for our amazing life! And we are looking forward to meeting our newest addition shortly!

Ellinor Update

Ellinor is 2 this Sunday!! I really cannot believe that we've had this little blessing in our lives for 2 years already. We are always told how fast life goes by but I don't think I believed it until recently. Ellinor continues to be the most precious, feisty, and loving addition to our family. She truly keeps us running in circles and stretching - and we love every minute of it.

Ellinor had her 2 year old check up today with Dr. Liddle, so I thought I would do an update post on her current stage.

* Ellinor weighs a whopping 23 pounds (7% on the charts) and is 33 inches tall. This was the biggest jump into the growth charts she has had in her short life, so yahoo!

* This girl is the pickiest eater I have ever come across - it is a constant struggle to get some healthy nutrition into her. But we continue to fight the battle and I'm sure she will grow out of this stage eventually.

* "Winnie The Pooh," "Toy Story," and "Monster's Inc." are current favorite movies. She gets incredibly animated during the rescue scene of the great huffalump adventure and she loves to act out Buzz Lightyear's "To Infinity and Beyond...." Bryan bought her a little stuffed Sully toy that she proudly displays on her bookcase in her room - she rotates between wanting to cuddle with him and not wanting him anywhere near her bed. LOL.

* Ellinor is in absolute love with her daddy. She cannot contain her excitement when he comes home from work and they usually spend the evenings hanging out with each other - after all, Dad gives piggy-back rides and has fun, loud tools to play with. Mom can't touch that kind of coolness. ;)

* She continues to love dancing and now will choose various stuffed animals and babies to dance with her. We are really enjoying watching her get into that imaginative play as she interacts with her toys, talks on her phones, and builds things.

* Our daughter loves to color - she will choose a pen over crayons any day, but is happy with both. She has yet to discover drawing on the walls but I have to watch our books closely.

* We listen to the Disney Channel on Pandora pretty much daily. I have to hide the ipad from her so that she will play instead of watch movies and surf the screens. And anything techy within her grasp is quickly absconded with.

* Bath time continues to be her favorite activity. Given the option she would never get out of the water. We are definitely going to need to look into some swim lessons/classes for her this summer.

* Ellinor is an absolute joy! She loves most anybody around and is a pretty social little girl. I love hearing her yell 'Mommy' when she wants to play or needs my attention and the random squeeze hugs she doles out.

Basically, Bryan and I are in love with our little girl. We couldn't be happier with her and look forward to continue watching her grow. We are excited to bring her little sister home and we just know she will be wonderful with the baby. Big changes and adventures are hurriedly coming our way!

Counters and Teeth

New countertops! Yep - it's finally happening. Bry and I ordered our new countertops tonight along with a new sink and faucet. We have to pick out the backsplash next. We once loved the idea of the glass mosaic tiles, but have since decided it will look too busy with the counters we chose. I think we will end up going with a simple, yet beautiful, subway tile. Hopefully by the end of this upcoming summer the cabinets are repainted, new floors installed and island complete. So excited to finally be moving forward on our kitchen renovation - yays for steps in the right direction!

Also - 7 weeks left of pregnancy. Woohoo! As anxious as I am about the changes this little baby is bringing (and boy, I'm anxious) I am getting excited to move past the pregnant stage. I do love certain aspects of pregnancy - I can feel confident even with an ever-expanding tummy ;), I have that ultimate connection with this growing baby, and the anticipation is exciting. But I'm also ready to start getting back to my old self. Or, as close to my old self as I can get between utter exhaustion and caring for 2 babes. Haha.

Last night I had the same dream over and over again - this because I'm woken up often by various things. I was at a dinner with Bryan and his ex-girlfriends and my teeth kept falling out. Just my bottom teeth - and in chunks at a time. It was awful. We were also out of town in Cali so I couldn't get them repaired. Weird. This morning Bryan and I looked up the dream interpretation of losing one's teeth: insecurity, big life changes, and anxiety over relationship changes were the answers. Apparently I am starting to feel a little stressed about life's developments in the next several weeks. LOL - at least my teeth aren't literally falling out. That would be awful, obviously.

Bring on the next couple of months!!

Rooms!

The nursery is coming along!!

Bryan worked very hard to finish painting the room for me and we have moved some of the furniture in. Time to work on some artwork for the walls and we will be ready - as far as decor goes, that is. :) I love it!!

Ellinor seems to believe she has 2 bedrooms now. LoL. Occasionally she will go into the nursery and want to be rocked - she has even requested to be put in the crib a few times. I oblige, as I don't want her holding a grudge against baby if I don't allow her to explore the room enough. Plus, I still LOVE rocking her and having that time together. As far as I'm concerned, Ellinor can enjoy both rooms as much as pleases. She really is fond of her new big girl room though and is getting used to the new set up. Sleeping is going smoother every night. It's crazy to see how big the changes make her appear - I'm just glad she is still small enough to cuddle close. :)

Ugh, Oy, Sigh...

Sad news to report. Migraine is still present and full of fury for me. I even called my doctor this morning - she was out of the office along with her nurses. It was all very helpful. I have a muscle relaxant/tylenol prescription waiting for me at the hospital 40 minutes away if I want it. Maybe tomorrow.

Grateful for my mom who listens so lovingly when I cry on the phone because I do not know what else to do. Grateful for a daughter who still loves me even though I have failed in the patience arena today. Grateful for my hubby who is quick to take care of everything when I need him to.

Prayers this migraine migrates on out of here by tomorrow. I'm not going to take a more extended stay very kindly.

Apart from my health, life really is outstanding. Lots of blessings to count!!

Our Day

Ellinor and I braved Walmart for some groceries today. I've been meaning to go shopping since Monday morning but have been stuck in the house with the worst migraine ever - well, at least the worst one in a couple of years. Today I woke up feeling like it was more manageable and decided I should pick up food for my family - one of those things you can't really go without. Haha.

I always get a little nervous about big grocery trips. Ellinor is either extremely well behaved or the exact opposite - and with how hard it is for me to just want to walk around the store to begin with I was in no mood for a trying toddler morning. But she did excellent! She only tried to throw the eggs out of the cart once and we made it out of the store in an hour. I was so thrilled that I let her enjoy the little car ride on our way out. She loves that thing - and if 50 cents makes her smile that big I have no problem with it (as long as she behaved well).

My super handsome husband was given a promotion at work this morning. I'm so excited for him!! Bryan works incredibly hard for us every day and I am grateful to have picked such an ambitious, talented man to marry. He really is the best - Ellinor and I adore him. So - congrats Bryan Foster!! Love you! :)

Goals for this weekend - assist Bry in finishing up the baby's room (painting). Hunt down and hang curtains for both of the girl's bedrooms. Spend some quality time with my hubs on Saturday - our first date outing in quite some time (thank you sister for babysitting!).

On the pregnancy front, there is nothing new to report as of today. I've been experiencing more Braxton Hicks loveliness and the lower back pain is such a joy - but I can't complain too much. It's all part of the process. :) Fingers crossed this migraine finally leaves town - 4 days is more than enough time to leave its' mark.

And the Lucky Number is.....

Celebrating 31 weeks today with the worst migraine I've had in years - yays! OK - complaining done. 31 weeks! Finish line is within view - both exciting and nerve wracking as heck.

My husband has been painting for me - because he is awesome like that. Pictures coming soon - when I'm not too lazy to upload them.

And our internet is back up today - we've been without it for a few days due to a random short in the phone line. I didn't realize how much I use said internet until it was gone. Grateful for modern technology, that is for sure.

Hoping for a productive day tomorrow - and more energy for my ever rambunctious toddler!