February 1 . . . already!?!

Where has this month gone!?!  Oh my goodness!  I can't believe that the last post I wrote was about when I took Brandon to see Frozen, and that was our last day of Christmas break!  I can't believe it's already February, and that January just flew by!

Brandon got sick, A LOT, during the month of January.  The week before Martin Luther King Jr weekend Brandon came home sick from school.  They called me before my school day was over, and I went to pick him up.  He had a fever of 102!!  I took him to the doctor that afternoon and we found out he had an ear infection!!!  AHHH!!  My poor baby!!

My mom took both kids home with her on Wednesday so that way my dad could help her with the kids.  As soon as my mom left with the kids I got sick!!  I woke up Friday morning not feeling well at all!!  Saturday morning when I woke up for us to go up to my parent's house I couldn't talk.  I didn't have a voice all weekend, and all long weekend at that!!  My voice finally came back Monday afternoon!  It was so hard to talk with Brandon that weekend, but he took it in strides!

Brandon was able to go back to school all week the next week, and I was feeling better too.  It was so nice to finally feeling good, and having him feeling well.  It was too bad that it didn't last too long though!  This past week Brandon came from school on Tuesday and he wasn't feeling well again!!  He wanted to stay in my lap all night Tuesday night.  He sat on my lap to eat what little dinner he did, and then right after shower time he was back in my lap to watch toons.

My mom was here this past week so she kept him home for the rest of the week.  He started to feel better near the end of the week, but he still has his awful cough!  I'm hoping it goes away soon becuase it keeps him up at night.  He tosses and turns at night and wakes up a sweaty mess too.  I feel so bad for him, and hope that he starts to feel 100% again real soon!

This weekend we have been blessed to spend some special time with Tyler's sister Megan, and her family.  They flew in Thursday night, and were able to come over to the house and see the kids and Tyler.  I was out at a play seeing a student preform in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!!  It was such a cute play, and I was excited to be there to support her!

Yesterday afternoon and today we were able to go over to Tyler's parents house to hang out with family all day.  We had a great day watching the girls play together, or side by side I should say!  Brandon had a great day being able to run around outside and play with Papa too!

We are excited to go back and spend tomorrow morning with Tyler's family again and hopefully get some great family pictures!

Family of Four . . . 3 weeks

New things about Brandon:  He is loving playing with his cars, and has tried sleeping in his big boy bed this week!   We started the process Sunday night, and while it hasn't been the easiest transition, it hasn't been horrible.  There has only been one night this week that he has made it through the whole night.  That night he decided he wanted to wake us all up at 5:30 too.  There are pros and cons to having him in a big boy bed, without a gate on his door, that is for sure.  We need to go and find a gate soon, so that way he can stay in his room.  He won't take a nap in there yet though, so we need to work on that too.  Brandon was able to spend the weekend at grandma and grandpa's time share, spending a lot of time at the pool!  He loved this!  I wish I could go swimming with him, because then we could be out in the backyard every day!  It would be great exercise for me, plus it would wear him out!

Playing in the pool with grandma 

Shopping with mommy and grandma at Old Navy

New things about Natalie:  She is doing great!  We are back to waking up every three hours at night to eat.  I try and make sure that I get her up every three hours during the day as well, so then hopefully she will last longer at night.  We are almost out of newborn diapers, so we are going to try to transition into 1s.  I can't believe we are moving out of newborns already, but I really don't want to go buy a bunch more.  Here's hoping that the size ones aren't too big, and if they are, then off to the store we go!

Sleeping on our tummy in our pack and play

Thanks for the shirt Aunt Megan!

New things about Tyler:  He has had a rough couple of nights with Natalie getting up every three hours.  He has had some late days at work too, as he is trying to get everything done since our school year ends in two weeks!  He is looking forward to being able to sleep next week when the kids and I are up in Prescott.

New things about Cassandra:  We have been trying to get out and do one thing a day this week.  We have been successful two days this week.  We were able to get out and do some returns at Kohls, and check out Old Navy one day.  Then another day we ran to the mall to return stuff to Macy's, check out the dollar tree for work, and went out to lunch.  We wanted to take Brandon to the park too, but the one I drove to didn't have a play structure, just grass!  I am on the hunt for new shorts, and I think that I found some I like at New York and Company.  I didn't try them on though, so I may be on the watch for a good coupon and go in and see how they look.  They also had some pants I really liked, but once again, we live in Arizona, so I don't know how many pairs of work pants I need.

Weight:  136

Weight lost:  I gained a pound and a half this week.  I knew this was going to happen as the baby weight disappeared, and I continued to eat what I wanted without working out.  I need to start watching what I eat a lot more, and making sure that I am not snacking on just carbs or sugars.  I need to start working the veggies into my diet more, and cutting back on the carbs.  I am going to slowly start working out too, hopefully getting out to walk next week while we are up in Prescott will get me going.  I am not really supposed to do much for another three weeks though, so we'll see how active I can get without hurting myself.

Sleeping!

Our sweet baby girl must have been super tired from her photo shoot yesterday. She only got up once to eat last night, at 2:30, and she is just now waking up this morning at 7:15! Thank you Christina, you were right!!

Friday Five

What a week it has been!

1.  We are so excited to be home, and that we were all able to spend the week together as a family!

Brandon loves checking on his sissy!

2.  I have been a reading machine!  It is so nice having the Overdrive Ap on my iPhone, and it makes night time reading so easy when I am feeding Princess!  This week I have been reading Insurgent, which is the sequel to Divergent.  If you like dystopias, and young adult fiction, you should check it out!

3.  We are so excited for our newborn photo shoot with Patchwork Photography tomorrow!!

4.  We picked up a set of mini DVD players for the car at Target today!  They were on sale at Target for half the price as what they were at Best Buy.  Excited to be able to use these this summer for our crazy road trip to Nebraska and Indiana!

5.  Best Buy has their $5 coupon deal right now.  So, you take in any DVD you have, and they give you a coupon for $5 towards a Blu-Ray that costs $9.99 or more.  We have now traded in 15 DVDs, and were able to upgrade them to Blu-Ray.  The only down part is that you can only do 5 DVDs a day.  Our collection continues to grow!

Family of four . . . 1 week

New things about Brandon:  Our big kid is loving being a big brother!  He comes over to give Natalie a kiss all the time!!  He is understanding so much too! This morning I asked him to go get sissy's blanket for me because the air kicked on, and I didn't want her to get cold.  He went into the other room, grabbed her blanket out of the pack and play, and brought it to me!  He is having a hard time understanding why he can't have her bottles, and pacifiers, but it is getting better.  He is doing okay with the fact that I can't pick him up either, and daddy is spending a lot of extra one on one time with him.  We finally got him in to get a hair cut too!!  Man oh man did he need one!!  So thankful that he was able to get it cut before we take our family pictures on Saturday!!

Before our hair cut

After our hair cut

Hanging out with Daddy!!

New things about Natalie:  She loves to eat!  All the time!  At least at night, she loves to eat all the time.  During the time she has mastered the sleeping for two to three hours at a time thing.  At night, she likes to eat about every hour and a half.  Needless to say, Tyler and I have both been taking naps during the day.  Natalie is growing too!  When we went to the doctor on Tuesday she had already gained back 3 ounces since Saturday morning.  This just proves how much she loves to eat!

1 week old!

New things about Daddy:  Daddy went to the Minute Clinic yesterday, thank you CVS, and we found out that he has a sinus infection.  A few weeks ago we found out my mom and I both had ear infections, and Tyler just didn't ever make it into the doctor.  Thankfully he took this week off to be home with the kids and I, so he was able to finally go in.  He is starting to feel much better, but pulling a backyard full of weeds yesterday wasn't helping him too much.

New things about Mommy: I am recovering pretty well.  When we came home on Saturday it was really HARD!!  I felt bad for our friends who came over to visit, as I fell asleep on the couch while they were here!  Since then I have been doing things slowly but surely around the house.  Trying not to do too much, but still trying to get some things done.

Weight:  140.4 lbs

Weight lost:  I stopped weighing myself at home a long time ago, but I'm pretty sure last Monday when I went in to the doctor, so April 22,  was 154 on their scale.  I will be interested to see what they say I am next week!

April 25, right before I went to the hospital

May 2, 140.4 lbs

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

It is amazing how fast life can change, and what a difference a day can make!  We are so happy to be home, and enjoying our time growing and learning as a family of four.  People keep asking how we are adjusting to being a family of four now.  I don't know how much we've noticed a difference between being a family of four, and just having a little one home again.  We are getting use to the nights of not sleeping, and Brandon is starting to adjust to what life will look like for him now.  I think the hardest part for him has been that mommy can't pick him up or get on the floor and play with him.

Hospital

I always forget how uncomfortable the hospital truly is. Hence the reason Friday night I asked my nurse what the chances were we would get to go home on Saturday. She kind of looked at me like I was crazy, but said it really depended on what the pediatrician said. Natalie was born with a lot of bruising which can turn to jaundice, so she may make us stay another day.

Really, it also depended on what my doctor said too, but I figured I could work that one out. Really resting at home is the same as at the hospital, right?

So Saturday morning Tyler and I got up around 6 and we both went ahead and took our showers. I feel so much better after I take a shower.

The pediatrician came in around 7:30 and told us Natalie looked great, hadn't lost too much weight, and she could go home. We kind of did a happy dance around my room then. Now all we had to do was wait.

Thankfully we didn't have to wait very long, and watching a movie on the hospital TV helped the time to go quickly. My doctor said I could go home so then we were really on our way!!

We packed all of our stuff up, or I should say, Tyler packed all our stuff up, and we were on our way home!!

It felt so nice to be able to come home, but I'm sure I should have stayed another day. When I got home I took some more Motrin, ate a little, and then took a long nap. Followed by dinner, and another nap. Followed by walking Natalie around the living room, and then going to bed.

Either way, we are so grateful to be home!!

Hospital

We're just hanging out at the hospital today!! Waiting to hear if we get to have a baby today!!

38 weeks . . .

Date:  April 20

How far along:  38 weeks

Maternity Clothes:  All the time!  Love them.  I have started to go through them to send them to Nicole!

Sleep:  Better this week, now that I am feeling better.

Stretch Marks:  Of course

Best Moment of the Week:  We were able to take Brandon to the park twice this week to play!  That was a lot of fun!  We also took Brandon to the zoo today!!

Miss anything:  Being able to eat whatever I want and not worrying about it!

Movement:  Not as much, since she is running out of room. She likes to kick her feet up into my ribs though, and that kind of hurts.

Food Cravings:  Not really

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not this week

Have you started to show yet:  Oh, yes

Gender:  Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  During monitoring on Thursday I thought I was having contractions, but they told me no.  My uterus was just doing weird stuff.  This baby girl is ready!

Belly Button in or out?:  Flat

Ring on or off?:  Off

Happy or moody?:  Depends who you ask.  :)

Looking forward to:  My last day of work is going to be Wednesday! I am looking forward to a day of rest on Thursday and Friday!

Thoughtful Tuesday

My kid needs a haircut!!

37 weeks . . .

Date:  April 13

How far along:  37 weeks!!  (Didn't make it this far last time!)

Weight gain:  Nothing in the past week.  This baby is going to be tiny!

Maternity Clothes:  Yes, and yes!  Thank you for stretchy material!

Sleep:  Not so much this week.  I got sick, so it has been hard to come by.

Stretch Marks:  Of course

Best moment of the week:  Talking to Brandon last night, and him getting up to kiss the computer!!  We celebrated Tyler's birthday on Thursday too, and that was fun to hang out with all of our friends!  Tyler's class had a birthday party / baby shower for him on Thursday too, so we got lots of great goodies for Natalie!!  Can't wait to put her in all of these adorable outfits we keep getting!

Miss Anything:  A drink . . .  a nice cold drink!

Movement:  ALL THE TIME!!  This girl is ready to come out!

Food Cravings:  Just something cold and delicious

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not really, but I didn't eat much this week.

Have you started to show yet:  Yes, but I am still not as big as I was with Brandon

Gender:  Girl!!  Check out all of this pink stuff to prove it!!

Thank you Jon and Nicole for our gifts!!

Labor Signs:  I thought I was having contractions this week, even while I was being monitored, but they didn't say anything about it.  Dr. didn't check me on Thursday to see if I was dilated or anything either.

Belly button in or out:  Flat

Wedding rings on or off:  Off

Happy or moody:  Sick and tired  :(

Looking forward to:  Seeing Beauty and the Beast today with the hubby and my parents.  We bought these tickets last summer, and we're glad that we get to go!!  Natalie can come after the show according to my mom!

Friday Five

1.  Our new pinterest recipe this week I made for my bible study group Monday night, and we all loved it!!

Delicious recipe and photo credit

2.  I love, love, LOVE our maternity photos!!  Big shout out to Georgia, who is amazing!!  She is still in high school and this is her work!  I can't wait to see what she does as she continues to grow!

Inspiration found on Pinterest

3.  I have had an off week, and have been feeling crummy since Wednesday.  Went to a doctor today, and found out I have an outer ear infection, IN BOTH EARS!!  At least I got some antibiotics to help take care of it.

4.  Our hospital bag is packed, and we are ready for this bundle of joy to come home and stay!!  Mommy is getting tired of her being inside.  Really, just tired of not feeling well, and ready to meet my Natalie Grace!!

5.  We went to the pizza farm on a field trip yesterday, and the kids had a blast!!  Everyone should check it out in the fall, when they are open to the public for pumpkins and such!!

Check this place out!!

Maternity Photos

We are so thankful to have such an awesome photographer!  Georgia took our Christmas pictures, so I asked her to take our maternity pictures too!  I am so happy with how they turned out, and I can't wait to put some up around our home!!

Hope you all enjoy them as well!

Thoughtful Tuesday

At least maybe this time we'll be a little more prepared for our blessing!! I love all the pink in there!!

36 weeks . . .

Date:  April 6

How far along?  36 weeks!!

Maternity clothes:  Yes, and yes!  I am getting away with wearing some non maternity things still, such as tank tops, but all pants have to be maternity, unless they are stretchy!!

Sleep:  Hoping I get some before she comes!

Stretch Marks:  What mom doesn't have them!?

Best moment of the week:  Taking maternity pictures this morning!  Thank you Georgia!

Miss anything:  Not being so tired, and being able to get more done.  There is too much to do, and I am running out of time!

Movement:  ALL THE TIME!  Except for when they want to monitor, and then they have to zap my tummy to wake her up!

Food Cravings:  I still really want some Chinese food!

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not really, but getting tired of eating the same thing all the time.

Have you started to show yet:  Yes, but not as big as I was with Brandon.

Gender:  Baby girl!

Labor Signs:  Starting to have contractions.  Hoping I don't have these for the next three weeks!

Belly button in or out:  Flat

Wedding rings on or off:  Off

Happy or moody:  Tyler would probably say moody.  Brandon isn't feeling well again, so it makes for longer days.

Looking forward to: Road tripping to Prescott tomorrow to drop of Brandon.  Chelsea is going with me!  We are going to have a fun drive.  Also looking forward to seeing the amazing photos that Georgia took this morning!

Friday Five

1. Excited for a quiet Friday night home. Just finished watching part of The Fox and the Hound with my cuddle bug!!

2. Feeling lots of movement from miss Natalie this week. Glad she's doing well, but hoping for some progress next week!!

3. I love the public library!! Great books for school, and awesome books to borrow for my phone too! Keeps me busy while I'm being monitored.

4. My kids at school keep me entertained with their questions about Natalie. This week they asked if she was a bouncy ball or a watermelon.

5. I love my friends!! Even though we don't all live close together, and soon more are moving away, they are amazing and I don't know what I would do without them!!

Chelsea and I, Teacher's Conference in Vegas! November 2012

Nicole and I, both preggo!  December 2012 

Bree and I, enjoying our Hawaii vacation!  July 2012

Thoughtful Tuesday

Checking out Natalie's heart rate!!

35 weeks . . .

Date:  March 30

How far along?  35 weeks

March 30

Maternity clothes:  Yes, and yes please!

Sleep:  Hit or miss.

Stretch Marks?  What mom doesn't have them?

Best moment of the week:  Dying Easter Eggs with the family today!  Brandon had a lot of fun!

Miss anything:  not being uncomfortable, and being able to sleep

Movement:  ALL THE TIME!!  She is going crazy in there!  I am pretty sure that she is out of room!

Food Cravings:  I really would like some Chinese food right now.

Anything make you queasy or sick:  Not really

Have you started to show yet:  Yes

Gender:  Baby Girl Natalie

Labor Signs:  I think I started having contractions this week.  I don't know for sure, because I didn't really experience them with B.

Belly button in or out?  Still Flat

Wedding rings on or off:  Off

Happy or moody:  Tired more than anything

Looking forward to:  Seeing Natalie on Monday!  My doctor ordered monitoring twice a week now, and I get an ultra sound every Monday until she is born.  We don't really know why, but at least I'll get to see her every week!

Dr. Visit Update

Well today I went in again for my normal check up.  I start going weekly next week.  Crazy to think that in just a few short weeks Natalie will be here!  We are so excited, and yet there are so many changes that are coming.  

My doctor told me today that I have to start having monitoring twice a week now.  I will go in on Mondays and Thursdays for monitoring.  This isn't that big of a problem, since her office is right across the street.  It just means I'll get to listen to Natalie twice a week now until I meet her at the end of the month.  

She also ordered that I have an ultra sound every week now.  We have to check on growth and fluid levels?  We are a little concerned about this, just because we didn't have to do this with Brandon.  Brandon also came three weeks, and two days early though, so we only had one weekly appointment before he entered the world.  If Natalie follows Brandon, then she will be born in Tyler's birthday.  Tyler isn't too stoked about that, and really, we do have lots of things to do the weekend of his birthday, but obviously we'd love to welcome our little girl as soon as God decides she is done cooking!!

I also get to start taking a medication at bed time now.  My fasting numbers have been higher than my doctor would like.  I wish I knew how to solve that problem without medication, but I don't.  Hopefully these new pills help, and it will solve the problem.  If not, then maybe she'll consider earlier?  She had said two weeks ago she would, but wasn't on the same thought this afternoon.

Who knows what will happen, only God does, but until then, we are preparing for our precious Natalie!  We can't wait for her to get here!!