Kimba

Thursday Bump Day: Week 19

So! Lots has happened in my life lately, non-pregnancy related, which has made the last few weeks completely fly by. I'm one week away from halfway done! HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN!?!?

Regardless, here I am. I have a noticeable bump and my non-pregnancy wardrobe is starting to dwindle. The other day I went out a bought a giant comfortable bra (I sort of called it a Grandma bra....no offense, Grandma!), no wires.....completely off the sexy chart. Which, truth be told, I probably left ages ago. 

I had my first crazy pregnancy dream two nights ago!  A real freaky one. I was at the doctors having an ultrasound and the baby was all blue and illuminated, sort of like there was an LED light in there, and it was FREAKING out. Laughing manically, sticking it's tongue out (which was sorta pointy) and rolling all over the place. I thought well, she has Caleb's personality too! And then they had me drink this chocolate shake as I watched as the baby immediately started eating some from this straw that was in there, and it was still chocolatley. I remember thinking well, that does it for me and Diet Coke the rest of the pregnancy! 

Then the doctor came in, and he happened to be Elder Holland, a general authority in my church, and he had bionic legs. Suddenly Wyatt was there and acting up, and managed to get one of his bionic legs off him, and I had to help him put it back on. 

The end. Super freakin' what-the-heck-was-that dream. 

This morning I had my first (of this pregnancy) leg cramp. I could swear I had them way earlier last time, so I naively thought I was in the clear. It's been awhile since I've had one, so in my agonizing pain I couldn't remember how to move my leg to get rid of it. I'm still not sure. Do you point your toes? Flex them? One of them makes it worse and one makes it go away and I can never remember when I need it. 

This last Sunday was my first in our new ward and so of course I had the opportunity to tell people over and over about our family, meaning I said the phrase, "We have one 3 year old boy and one on the way" about a million times. Which is just weird, people! A whole 'nother child that could look exactly like or absolutely different than Wyatt. Which is hard to imagine, you know? 

Cause it's a girl. Remember? Cause I almost keep forgetting. I went from wondering how on Earth I was going to do a boy, to not being able to imagine how to NOT do a boy. I spent an hour or so the other night browsing crib sets for girls, and could instantly pick out the boy designs I liked and would get, but couldn't decide on any for a girl. Too pink, too flowery, not sweet enough. A girl! That will need her hair actually done every day, and will require tights! Ruffled bums! Hair bows! 

The other day Caleb brought up my girly box, and we found things I'd put in there that I'd forgotten all about. I can't believe a little girl is going to fill them soon. 

(Last weeks...took a pic but forgot to post!)

And this weeks...

I don't think I see any difference....but it feels like there's one! 

Perks

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm back. Quite a long absence, even for lately, and I have to tell you for a long time I completely forgot about this here blog. I was so engrossed in moving in, unpacking and finding spots for everything, the last possible thing on my mind was little things like the internet, (except for my phone) and TV and like, the outside world. I holed up in this house for days, Wyatt watching way too many Caillou episodes (holy crap do I hate Caillou) and nearly going berserk cooped up in this place. 

Most of the major gotta-have-it stuff is put away, so for the last few days I've stalled, done next to nothing regarding unpacking the small items. Don't even get me started on decorating, Caleb's breathing down my neck trying to get me to let him hang pictures, but I just can't do it. Pictures on the walls, for me, are the very last items. I've got to know what the room is supposed to look and feel like before I can adorn the walls. The only item we've hung is Wyatt's car picture, but that's because I knew exactly where I wanted to put it eons ago. The rest of the house? No idea. 

The closing process was a nightmare. We were actually moved in and living in the house for DAYS before we closed, and we only closed because we threatened to sue them. That's how bad it got people, and come closing time we told the mortgage company (mainly the loan officer from hell) not to attend. We just simply didn't want her there. Too many things gone wrong, too many itsy bitsy (read: HUGE) items she forgot to mention / completely told us the opposite, too many unreturned phone calls and just plain lies. The mortage company gives you a welcoming gift at closing, a Scentsy candle that I gave to my sister because there was no way in the world I was going to keep it, and along with it she included a note that said, "Sorry things didn't go as smoothly as planned...". The understatement of the world. 

But no matter, it's behind us (except for a few large items currently weighing our pocketbooks and my nerves down) and we're in and can forget they exist. (Mortgage companies sell your mortgage to a bank almost immediately. Hence the reason they seemed to care less about like, customer service.) 

Wyatt has adjusted pretty well, largely in part because he absolutely loves his "big boy bed" and room. Even though he tells me all the time that he wants to go back to grandma's house, he wants to make sure he can still sleep in his bed. I think we all miss being there, mostly because of the company. I don't think if affected Caleb as much, but both Wyatt and I got used to having other people around during the day, people for Wyatt to play with (he misses his Emmy and Rockband!) and cajole candy and snacks out of (though that's not the only reason he misses his Grandma), and people for me to chat with, really. It was nice having company. My mom and I shared meal duty and helped each other out anyway, nevermind the built in babysitters and help for both of us. Caleb and I could put Wyatt down for the evening and go see a movie, and my parents could go out of town and not have to worry about the hassle of switching car pools around and making sure Emily had rides to places and someone to wake her up. 

Not that we're far away and haven't seen them, it's just taking some getting used to is all, adjusting back to our lives. 

Something that doesn't take getting used to? At least in the negative sense? Parking in the garage. That will always be awesome. 

Book Review: The Underside of Joy

I recently devoured The Underside of Joy, by Sere Prince Halverson. I've been trying to pinpoint why exactly I read this book so quickly, maybe because it was the first fiction book I'd picked up in a while? Maybe it was just time to read a good book? Because it takes place in Northern California where we just moved from (and still miss)? 

It's not exactly the type of book I'd read, it's about what happens with your world suddenly turns upside down. Her husband is suddenly killed (it's on the back of the book, so I feel okay sharing that tidbit) and she's left to care for her stepchildren, ones she's basically raised since birth and loves as her own, their own mother having abandoned them. Or so she's been told. 

I don't have any personal experience with stepmoms or stepchildren, but because the author is both herself, I feel like this gives the book much more depth - she writes in a way that you can understand, you can comprehend what that might be like. It was devastating to read, to see bits of what it would be like to lose your husband (or wife, respectively) and inspiring to see how she came to cope with that, and with all the other things that were thrown into the mix during it all. 

It made me wonder what would happen to us, to Wyatt, if anything were to happen to either or both of us. We're young, and I've naively not touched any of the will / custody issues, for many stupid / bury-my-head-in-the-sand reasons. Obviously that does us no good. I think the only thing we've got covered is Caleb's life insurance, but that hardly solves half the issues that would arise in such an occasion. 

Basically, Caleb and I need to sit down and figure this stuff out. And thank our lucky stars every day that we wake up and don't have to deal with it yet. 

Check out the book here! 

George was curious...

Wyatt has a favorite book, Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory, and it's been his favorite for a looooong time. He used to make me check it out at the library in San Jose all the time and it was the only book he wanted to read all week, both nap time and bed time, and it got so bad I'd attempt to hide it behind other books at the library when we'd venture back, just so we could go an entire week without reading it again. 

I know, slightly selfish, but variety! Right?! Expanding his horizons! 

Well, for Christmas we got him a big box set of Curious George books, and of course it became his favorite once again. And now he insists on reading it to us. 

I have a video of me reading to my parents several books word for word at his age, but they were much smaller. Have you seen Curious George books? Rather wordy, but he has much of it memorized. We're just a little bit proud of him. 

And yeah, it still blows my mind that I have a kid old enough to memorize books. 

Book Review: Why Women Need Fat

Do you like bacon? Sure, we all do. Do you want a diet that includes bacon and butter and sugar and carbs and dairy and meat? 

Sign me up, right?! 

Except this isn't a diet, in fact, Doctors William Lassek & Steven Gaulin argue in their book Why Women Need Fat, that dieting is partly the cause for why American women on average weigh 20 pounds more than their mothers and grandmothers did when they were the same age. 

Everything about this book made sense to me, the whys, the hows, and the ways to fix it. Maybe it's because I've already heard bits and pieces of their argument from reading Omnivore's Dilemma and watching Food Inc., but it was all very logical. No crazy claims, no all-liquid solutions. Just plain 'ole common sense with I-can-definitely-do-that ways to get yourself back to your healthy weight. 

I highly reccomend you check this book out, and guess what? I'm going to go so far as to venture this ain't just for women. Go check it out, and definitely pick it up! 

I am a reviewer for Blogher's Book Club and have been compensated, however, all words and opinions are mine and honest!

Drumroll please..........

Well, these boys were right. Wyatt's gettin' a little sister!

We'd been telling Wyatt how the visit would go, how the doctor would use a special camera to see the baby, so of course that meant Cabe and Wyatt had to turn it into a song. Thus, he's been singing "Jelly on my belly!" all day long. 

She was facing forward on her side, so we got to see her face, her hands (up by her face) and even her little foot. As soon as the ultrasound started I got a pretty good idea that it was a girl, and I felt more reassurance than anything. I think I would have been shocked if it had been a boy, just because Caleb and Wyatt have been so sure, from day one, that it would be a girl. So fun.

We're super excited, what a change it will be! All things balls  and construction and baseball to tea parties and ruffles. I have no doubt however, that she'll get some wrestle time in. I think that's required when you have an older brother, especially one that loves nothing more than wrestling with Daddy. 

I just can't wait to see Caleb having his first tea party. Hopefully wearing some kind of princess crown -yes -that will be the day!

Big Day

Tomorrow, Wednesday, is our Big Day! It was originally going to be our Giant Day, where we find out what sex the baby is AND close on our home, but it's looking like that might be Thursday. But! Baby! Hello! 

This came waaaaaaaaaay faster than I could ever imagine. It felt like I'd been pregnant for eons by the time we finally went to the ultrasound last time, but this time I can't even believe we're here. I keep forgetting it's tomorrow and then remembering and freaking out again. And then not really believing it. 

Caleb and Wyatt are still convinced it's a girl. I still have no idea, but am crazy excited. I'm praying this baby is nice and cooperative like Wyatt was. No need to be shy! Momma's gotta start picking out a paint color for your new room! And bedding! And itsy bitsy outfits! 

And holy crap, a double stroller? Uuuuuuughhhhhhhhhhh...............

Speaking of itsy bitsy outfits, I've gathered a few for my girl box recently, ones I just simply couldn't pass up. I will be happy either way, but if it's a girl at least I'll know (read: Caleb will feel better) that my purchases will be put to good use. Cause I've gathered quite a few adorable items over the years. 

If it's a boy, my wallet will be all the fatter.

See you back here tomorrow with the news! 

Organizational-ness. And such.

In conjunction with my OCD / desire to be more organized this year, I happened upon these lovely little weekly planners from Artsy-Farsty Mama and of course became elated. She used hers as a weekly planner AND dinner menu, but I plan to use it only as a dinner planner (since I already have a beautiful Papersource Planner). She has 8 different colors, so if you print her file 7 times you'll have enough for the week, plus a few extra. 

Source: artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com via Jimaie on Pinterest

 

In the past I've planned my menus for the week and it helps immensely. No more 4 pm HOLY CRAP moments, where I remember that once again I need to feed my family. 

You'd think after this long I'd have it ingrained, but there's always a few days where I completely forget about dinner and then am scrambling to come up with something healthy and awesome at the last minute, which always results in some kind of frozen ravioli I have on hand and jarred pasta sauce. It's good, sure, but always obviously last minute. 

So, we cut out that crap, plus cut down on the subsequent last minute grocery store trips, which also always result in extra purchases I don't really need. Like more ice cream, another magazine, and maybe a cookie that catches my fancy on the way out. 

Each day has enough room for me to plan an entire meal, including sides, with enough space down below to write a list of ingredients needed. Or maybe some notes at the end of the week with what we liked, loved, or hated. 

My plan is to bind it, as she's done, that way I can go back and pick a meal we loved or check notes I might have added (more sauce, less salt, more curry seasoning etc) when I'm making the meal again. 

Awesome enough for you? Go check it out, the download is free. And rejoice! No more 4 pm panic attacks! 

Thursday Bump Day: Week 16

Been a few weeks, but that's okay because there's been little change until recently. 

I have an official bump. It's there in the morning and THERE in the evening. Thus, I am living in Forever 21's $10.50 jeans every single day. They're stretchy and they button, therefore they are perfect. Not the highest quality jean, but let's be honest. I'm pregnant. Buying too many clothes just seems ridiculous for such a short time. 

This week the baby is somewhere around 4 inches, the size of an avocado. My favorite! We've got fingernails and toenails and more developed limbs. All the better to punch me with, sometime in the next few weeks. I don't think I felt Wyatt move until closer to 19 or 20 weeks, but many people have said they felt their subsequent children quicker because they knew what they were looking for. We shall see. 

This week I've been suddenly hit with all of the fun pregnancy symptoms, the sciatica, hip pain, and round ligament pain. All in the same day. On Tuesday I changed my workout routine, throwing in a bit of jogging (though yes, it STILL hurts to run!) and that may have been the culprit. That plus taking Wy to gymnastics and then to Costco. By lunchtime I was useless and we spent the rest of the day relaxing on the couch. I tried again today and it wasn't as bad, but clearly my body is all pregnancied-up. I feel like this is happening a whole lot earlier than last time, besides the fact that last time I really didn't have either of those symptoms, just the hip pain in the end when he was gigantic (okay, 6 lbs isn't gigantic, but it is when it's wedged in your hips) and facing the wrong way. When it's acting up, I actually waddle a bit which is sad because this bump isn't anywhere near the waddling stage. I might have to start taking up regular Tylenol. 

This is also the week that I should stop sleeping on my back. Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. That leaves me side and for the next little while, partial stomach. I remember one of my favorite parts of having Wyatt, besides having a little bundle of joy, was sleeping on my back again. According to my pregnancy app, I have 168 days of side sleep to go! Give or take a week or two, right? This insurance company doesn't have that two week rule that Kaiser did, thank heavens! 

Just as last time, this next week is a fun one - we get to find out what we're having next Wednesday. It seems crazy that it's already time for that, this pregnancy has just flown by. One good side effect of having a 3 year old during the holidays while building a home. Weeks just fly! 

I think we're going to be taking Wyatt to the appointment, he's so sure it's a girl I want him to be there and hear it from the doctor (or at least for us to be able to remind him what the doctor said) if it turns out we're having another boy. He's so excited about this baby, it's the first thing he includes in his prayers, and he's constantly exclaiming, as if for the first time, "Mom! Yer have a baby in yer tummy!" And then goes on to say how he's going to hold it and give it a binki. This is progress, every time our friend Tara's baby cries he tries to offer her whatever food he just ate. The other day they were helping us move our shed belongings into the garage and we were hanging out inside with the kids while the boys worked. The baby cried and Wyatt tried to climb onto the counter top to get a doughnut for the baby. It's good news to know he just loves babies, but I have these horrible images of him trying to stuff food into our newborn's mouth. Hopefully the next 6 months will give us enough time to convince him otherwise. 

Last few weeks

Some of my favorite Instagram photos from the past few weeks - 

(and yes, they're of Wyatt)

Wyatt, helping me pick out his new big boy bed

So proud of the fact that he'd done his own  hair - so was his Dad

His first viewing of The Grinch

Christmas Eve nap in the car - fueling up for an afternoon of playing with his cousins

First day as a Sunbeam in church

Slightly momentous

This year, I predict, shall go down in my personal history as one of the biggest. It may be the year the Mayans have predicted our demise, but it signifies a huge new start for this family. 

A new start, a new year. And just as the stores have anticipated and hoped for, I have a sudden strong urge to sort, file, compile, trash, give away, and organize every single thing into it's proper place. For the last six months we've been living at my parents house while we build, something that has been so wonderful and such a blessing for us, but it's hard staying in someone else's house, purely for the storage issue. While most of our belongings are in storage, for some reason we seem to be multiplying and reproducing crap around here, like rabbits. Wyatt's toys seem to have tripled (a birthday and Christmas will do that to you) and we've been slowly accumulating little things here and there for the house. And where does it all go? On chairs in our bedroom, piles in the corner, shelves in the closet, and stacks in my parents storage room. I'm feeling.....disorganized. Sloppy. Slovenly. Hoarderish - which is just not me. Because my mom and I have traded doing dinners, I've become accustomed to not having to fix dinner every night. Because the washer and dryer are downstairs, laundry takes me days because I continually forget to finish a load. We've just lost our rhythm. Understandable and expected really, when you're living with anyone, but we're ready to get back into the swing of things. 

Although, I must admit, not having to come up with dinner every night is quite lovely. 

So yes, I've fallen prey to the stacks of organizational bins, I've updated and filled out my new 2012 Papersource personal calendar, and vowed to get us back on track. To develop a good system for our family. For some reason it feels a bigger, more meaningful task now that we're talking about doing so in our very Own Home. Like, for the first time it's for real now. It's going to be my house, my rules, my system, my yard. I want a place for everything, I want well laid out storage, a place to put bills and loose papers. I want to be on top of things, doctors appointments, dentist, bills, church assignments. I want an office that Martha Stewart would be proud of. 

I suppose this is my New Year's Resolution. To get things in order. Vague enough? Just enough to fail? To succeed? I'm working toward the latter. 

So this is a slightly momentous year for us. And I didn't even touch on our family of three turning into a family of four.