Today

Today I am five days ( hopefully) away from meeting my second child, the one I didn't think would ever be. We think we are ready- bags are packed, car seats are ready, a plan is in place for Riley....and the dog (although I almost forgot him!) The house is clean and waiting for grandparents, in laws, and guests....oh, and a new member of the family.  Riley is ready, can't wait to meet her new baby brother, Chuck is ready (or appears to be, by the amount of nesting that man is doing-painting, steam cleaning carpets!)  Me, on the other hand?   I am swollen, tired, cranky, anxious and very impatient.....and then I feel nothing but guilt.  Guilt that I feel any of those things, guilt that a year ago, recovering from  my D & C, I would have wanted to kick anyone that complained about being pregnant.  It took 20 weeks for me to finally relax and realize that this could truly happen....and now I am so tired of it and just ready to meet him-I feel like I can't enjoy these last few days.  Pregnancy after IF and RPL is just so complicated. These feet may have something to do with it.....

38 Weeks.....yes, I know I missed a few!

How Far Along: 38 weeks
Size of baby: The size of a shrimp (love those food comparisons)

Gender: A Boy:  John Charles Koski;We'll be calling him Jack

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah! :) and even those are uncomfortable....I need a mumu.
Weight gain: 43 pounds!!!  YIKES!  The Dr. is not worried and has blamed a lot of it on the medications I am taking.  I honestly don't care-as long as we're both healthy!

Movement: all.the. time.  I love every little nudge.
Sleep: Nope.  tired by 8:30, then wide awake at some point for several hours.  I need a forklift to get out of our bed. really.
Symptoms: Heartburn, cramping, lots of braxton hicks
Cravings: carbs
Best moment this week: I took Riley to my ultrasound because she wanted to know if Jack had hair....and sure enough, he's got a head full of hair!  She insisted on taking the pictures for show and tell the next day-I love that girl!

13 Weeks

How Far Along: 13 Weeks

Size of baby: The size of a shrimp (love those food comparisons)

Gender: A Boy (85% sure) John Charles Koski

Maternity Clothes: Oh yeah! :) I've been wearing them for about 4 weeks now! 

Weight gain: 12 pounds!!!  YIKES!  The Dr. is not worried and has blamed a lot of it on the medications I am taking.  I honestly don't care-as long as we're both healthy!

Movement: Today I thought I felt some flutters, but am not certain!

Sleep: Not so great!  I wake up several times during the night, most nights I am awake for a while.  I am also having the strangest dreams.

Symptoms: Tired, Tired, Tired!  Other than that, I just feel so different then I did last time. 

Cravings: Always hungry, usually for carbs and spicy/salty food

Best moment this week: There were just so many!  Hearing the tech tell me he was a boy, telling Chuck, telling our families, and telling Riley about her baby brother are all top of the list!

 

 

So Blessed!

This has been such an exciting, overwhelming, and emotion two months for my family!  As many of you know, we've been trying to add to our family for almost 3 years.  After so much heartbreak, our dreams are finally coming true!  On July 13, 2011, I took the first of many positive pregnancy tests!  I went to the specialist and all my bloodwork looked great, so next we started the waiting game.  My first ultrasound was scheduled for August 2nd, my birthday.  It was either going to be the greatest birthday, or one I would want to forget.   I was so determined to remain calm, whatever the outcome was, but I was a bundle of nerves!  I called my mom on the way to the ultrasound and just cried and cried, so sure that this pregnancy would end like all the others did-without a heartbeat.  When the nurse called my name, I just kept running through my head Jeremiah 29 11.  Before the Dr. started, she told me that she was not expecting to see a heartbeat at this stage, just a gestational sac.  Immediately she began, and the first things out of her mouth where music to my ears "there's your baby, and that little flicker is the heartbeat!"  Our prayers had been answered-in such a big way. 

Christmas

Diamond Flurries Christmas Card

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For the love of Christmas Cards

Anyone who knows me knows that I love all things Christmas.  One of my favorite Christmas traditions is the cards.  I love, love, love the excitement those cards bring each day as I rush to the mailbox! I just love seeing my family and friends on their sweet cards, and I have a blast planning ours. We started sending out photo Christmas cards the first year we got married, using a picture from our wedding day.  The next year, we had a picture of our first baby, Tyson the Pug, on our Christmas Card.  Since Riley has been born we've used shutterfly for our cards, and I am just in love with the way they turn out each year!  I usually begin planning in October.  Shutterfly cards  http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards are easy to design, and it shows you a proof immediately.  They also offer great deals and make it quite affordable to have beautiful cards.  Since we've had Riley I've also gotten into the habit of ordering photo calendars as gifts each year.  Check out shutterfly's great cards and calendars!!   http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery .  This year I am also going to try their canvas art http://www.shutterfly.com/home-decor/canvas-wall-art .

Can't wait to see your Christmas cards this year!   Bloggers get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly. Learn more: http://bit.ly/sfly2010

November

It seems like November just snuck up on us this year!  Riley is just as sweet as ever and I am enjoying every minute with her!  Pictures to come!