27 Weeks!

27 weeks...12 weeks to go. That sounds so long and so short at the same time, doesn't it?! Let me put it this way...3 weeks until we are in the SINGLE DIGIT WEEKS. That's crazy. It's true what "they" say...every pregnancy seems to go by a little bit faster. I feel totally bittersweet about this.

Fall and, it seems, even early winter, is definitely upon us. The temperatures have dropped with no hope of climbing again, there is frost on the grass, the leaves are falling quickly and turning grey immediately...again, bittersweet. On one hand, this is a season that I love! Thanksgiving, Christmas, cozy sweaters, hot cocoa (wine, I miss you), twinkly lights, family, love. And this year, it also means that it is BABY SEASON, which I could not be more excited about. But then, on the other hand, we have colds, flu season, tiny kids in lots of uncomfortable layers, days we are forced to stay inside and play, frozen fingers and pink noses, grey footprints all throughout my house, general messes everywhere, chaos. Sigh. Let's focus on the positive, shall we?!

We have been busy this week, per usual. Tim and my mom and dad and sister were all traveling, so we found many ways to entertain ourselves.

Picked out new hats and scarves from the dollar section of Target...score!

Can you stand this kid?!

Cozied up in our jammies and (unsuccessfully) began the (long and likely slow) process of moving the girls into the same bedroom! 

Colored on tables at the donut shop!

Bounced our blues away at open gym!

Swam for ages in the ball pit (likely why she is sick today).

Helped mom build stools for the basement bar (which is part of a total bar redesign, a fifth anniversary gift from me to Tim)!

Welcomed dad home with a trip to LEGOLAND!

Pretended like we know things about Star Wars.

Rode awesome rides!

Threw legos (not approved behavior)!

Swam in lego pools...so fun!

...and acted generally adorable.

Sigh. Looks pretty great, right?! And it is. But they have also been testing me, big time. Eileen is napping, thank goodness, but also shredding books, throwing toys, occasionally bopping her sister on the head, etc. She is so sweet and so fun, but can be so rotten! Kiki is coming into her own, too, shrieking during Mass and demanding things in unintelligible language until it looks like her little head might explode. I think they can sense that there are some pretty major changes ahead. Throw in Daylight Savings Time and...well, maybe next week will be easier?!

BUMP.

You're lucky this is just a waist-up photo, because I'm getting big EVERYWHERE. I'll spare you that glorious sight.

How far along? 27 weeks!

Clothing? Leggings literally every day. Is that acceptable from here on out?

Stretch marks? Yes.

Sleep? Daylight savings time. Need I say more?

Best moment of this week? Finishing up a few work projects, CLEANING LADY CAME THIS WEEK (already back to trashed, but still, nice while it lasted), and finally did a huge grocery shopping trip today (complete with fruits and veggies, which I have not touched in weeks...terrible). And, of course, having my whole family finally come home!

Worst moment of this week? Daylight savings time. Need I say more?!?!

Miss anything? Haha I will just keep saying wine and risk sounding like a lush!

Movement? Yes, finally very regular and reliable, despite my constant motion and chasing after my big kids. Hiccups, and some very hard rib kicks. Baby is laying funny and making it impossible to sleep on my left side, also sending tingles/numbness down my right side. But I will take it in exchange for those amazing kicks.

Symptoms? Tired, sore, some mild carpal tunnel symptoms like sore/tingling arms and hands. Sciatica. Waddling. Some headaches. MAJOR NAUSEA and digestive problems in the morning, pretty reliably every day, for about an hour. But the break outs are better, for now (knock on wood)!

Food cravings? All things CARB. But forcing myself to eat some produce this week, for the sake of my scale.

Gender? Still gonna say girl, I think. 

Labor Signs? Nope.

Belly button in or out? Outie.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Mood? Hanging in there. Was very stressed this week, but feeling a little better today.

Looking forward to? THIRD TRIMESTER STARTS TOMORROW...WHAT?!?!??!

Until next time!