25 Weeks and Counting!

We've got another thumb sucker!!! (24 weeks)

 How are we feeling?

Between the heat and where he likes to position himself, I'm pretty uncomfortable for only being half way through!  The heat is unbearable and I look like I took a shower every time I'm out for more than 25 minutes.  He then likes to nestle pretty low and karate chop me to the point where I've gotta run to the bathroom every 10 minutes.  It doesn't matter where we are, if I'm running, it's because he's practicing his moves.  I had a short hospital overnighter due to dehydration and vertigo.  It was awful, but we both mad it through and love being back home.

What's up with the bump?

We received great news at our last appointment! We had been worried about the umbilical cord situation as it does not allow the nutrients to get to him as needed and he was measuring a week behind. At this last appointment he had caught up and was measuring on target!  We also were treated to quite the show during the ultrasound. Baby boy sure is flexible! He showed us his special skill-sucking his toes!!!

What crazy thing did we recently learn?
We recently realized how much stuff we still need for this baby!  Even though we had Eloise, we either let friends borrow or donated because 5 years a long time to wait and hold on to all that stuff. We have several friends and family members already reaching out to give us hand me downs or let us borrow bigger items for the time being, trying to keep track is overwhelming!

Subject I'm not ready to think about?

Diapers. Prices have gone up a bit since Eloise wore them and I already have had several conversations about disposal vs. cloth. My thought on this? You do you girlfriend and I'll do me-that way we're both happy.

Big Daddy's Take:

In constant prayer for my wife and son. Can't wait to meet him!

BIG sister has been training for this moment her "whole life!" 

Eloise recently turned five and said the best part about being five is that she "gets a baby brother."

20 Weeks and Counting

The best picture we could get-He didn't want to cooperate!

How are we feeling?

Mama is feeling the stretching of ligaments and belly begin!  This little guy is beginning to take up more residence which seems to cause some discomfort and lack of sleep. The nausea that was so prevalent up until two weeks ago has gone-thank GOD-and while my appetite has returned, I can't eat as much as I want due to already feeling full from this little guy. Overall, I feel pretty good!

What's up with the bump?

Little man is a sleepy ninja!  He rests and then with no warning, begins his karate moves! While Daddy and Big Sister are anxious to feel him, I'm enjoying this special time just with him-even if it hurts or sends me running to the bathroom. Little brother also gets serenaded every night and hugged or talked to multiple times a day by "Big Sissy."  He also is referred too as Little Brother because we cannot agree on a name for him! If it was up to Eloise, she would name him Chancho-which means Spanish for Pig. 

What crazy thing did we recently learn?

We found out at our 20 week appointment that we have what's called a Marginal Umbilical Cord.  This means that the umbilical cord attaches to the edge of the placenta instead of the center. The doctor has suggested that I come in every 4 weeks to check his growth and make sure he is getting the nutrients he needs.  I may also have to wear a monitor every so often. We are believing that he will catch-up and be the strong warrior we believe he is.

Subject I'm not ready to think about?
Hot weather and bedroom assignments.  We have had a few days that reached the 80's and while I usually don't turn air on until it reaches 90, I flipped that switch at 75! Then there's the bedroom issue.  Should Eloise move upstairs? Should we all move upstairs? Should they share a room? We just want everyone safe and within reach.

Big Daddy's Take:
"I have a feeling this is an actions based child.  With as much fight as we were given during the ultrasound process and how Kassie has been feeling, he's going to be a lot like his Mama!"

Mothers Day~What I Want You To Know

For some, Mother's Day is just another day or a holiday made up by the "card people" to make money. For some, it's a chance to lavish praise and gifts upon the woman who gave birth to you or for others, it's a day of mourning the mother they lost too soon or never really had. As I look back upon my life, I realize there were different stages to how I "celebrated" and there's a couple things I want you to know about Mother's Day.  In no particular order....

1.  Out of the entire year, it's one day to celebrate the woman you call mom.  Not necessarily the woman who gave birth to you, but the one who raised you. So many people have come into my life that have been adopted and this day can be hard for them because they celebrate the woman who raised them, but still want to honor the woman who gave birth and made the sacrifice to give them a better life.  The same goes for my friends who've adopted and while they are so excited to celebrate themselves, they also are thinking of the "other" woman. Mother's Day can be tricky like that.

2.  Mother's Day can be a day of mourning for those who've lost their mother too soon or those whose relationship is strained. This day can be met with hesitation and dread as they think about what this day means and they have no one to celebrate with. May I suggest we celebrate the woman who ARE in our lives and those who've taken us under their wing loving us through these difficult days?  Mother's Day can be for them too.

3. Not everyone who wants to celebrate Mother's Day can.  We want to, but infertility stands in our way or circumstances are not what we thought they would be at this point.  For the first 14 years of my marriage, I felt embarrassed, sad, shamed every time this day showed up. Shame is a multi-headed beast that rears mocking women on this day while we cry ourselves to sleep wishing we could be holding a child of our own. Mother's Day can be hard.

4. Being pregnant on Mother's Day can make one hesitant to celebrate the day.  Does pregnancy count?  Does the human in your belly make you a mother or only when it's born?  Does your baby daddy get you a gift?  Mother's day can be confusing.

5. When I celebrated Mother's Day for the first time, I didn't realize how emotional it would be! Little mama was 11 months old and slobbering kisses while waving her chubby little fingers to anyone who would look her direction. We wore matching shirts for an outdoor photo shoot. I bawled my eyes out when I was finally able to stand proudly with all the women at church when they honored us. The love bursting out of my heart for every woman in my life was overwhelming. Especially the little woman who was finally snuggled in my arms and not my dreams. My eyes were raw and red by the end of the night. Mother's Day can be emotionally exhausting.

6. No one told me the expectations that would come with this day. My husband and daughter were all I wanted to celebrate with and yet, I was to put aside my celebration to make sure we celebrated everyone else. I wanted gifts, flowers, cards, not to lift a finger, do whatever I want, I wanted it to be all about me. Who knew this day would be filled with me having to prepare everyone else's gifts, cards and experiences while driving all over town splitting our time into multiple visits? Also, my job as a mother did not stop on this day-I was still expected to get everyone ready and out the door, wash dishes, feed the dog, clean up the house, figure out what to eat, etc. etc. Mother's Day can feel selfish.

7. Dandelions, homemade creations, kisses on the cheek, last minute shopping trips, and pictures that you have no idea what they are, become some of the most special memories that will last a life time. My daughter's hand in mine, wide eyed with excitement, doing everything her little four-year old self could do to make this day a celebration of me-the "superhero" of her life. Mother's Day can be special.

No matter who you are or where you are this Mother's Day, the most important thing I want you to know is that I am thankful for you. You have influenced me in ways you will never know-even if I've known you my whole life or only a few months. Our lives were brought together for a purpose-to learn, grow, teach, to love. Know you are celebrated!