Week 17!

Hey hey hey! Here I am, a few days early again. I find it much easier to keep up with this blogging "thang" if I can fit it in whenever I have a rare free second. I just finished up two big work deadlines last week/early this week, and so, here I am! ALMOST 17 weeks and ready  for an update.

Life is busy (duh) but great (duh). It feels like fall all of the sudden, right? Which is lovely and terrifying. I am already getting excited about pumpkins, lattes, apple pies, etc... but also getting nervous about dressing my kids in multiple layers, having to actually bend over to put on shoes, trying to fit my belly into anything other than a very stretchy tank top, etc. Oh well, right? Just scored a 2-pack of Old Navy maternity leggings on clearance today so, I guess, bring it on fall.

We've had a busy week! We celebrated my little sister's birthday, went for lots of walks (having a *bit* more energy lately!), had an adventure and picnic at a nearby mill, took a few naps, and, OH YEAH, popped three teeth (Kiki only, if you weren't sure). 

Walks through town with these goofs.

Adventures at Graue Mill with Nana and the girls!

Watching the ducks.

P.S. Someone got a new haircut!

Staying up, "reading" Green Eggs and Ham!

Cowboy Kiki and her makeshift bib!

Happy birthday, Aunt Cece!

A little bit of TV time with daddy.

Yes, we've had some grumpy days too.

Fist pump for three new teeth!

I swear, she's 16 all of the sudden.

And oh yeah, this happened on our walk this morning (don't worry, Eileen didn't fall, she just used this time to do some 'push ups' like Daddy showed her how to do).

I must admit, I have been observing other moms lately...mostly moms with two littles that are sitting in a cart while they carry one strapped to their back/tummy/etc., and I have found myself thinking...three?! Nah. Can't. 

Anyone else feel that way before their third (fourth, fifth, etc.) child was born? I distinctly remember thinking about it before Kiki was born, and now life is so full and rich (not easy, but great) that I hardly remember the panicked feeling. I know we will be fine, but it is daunting. Veteran mamas, I ALWAYS love to hear advice about how you made these big life transitions easier on yourself! Or is the advice "just do it"?! Because I subscribe to that, too.

And my girls, oh my goodness, they are so exhausting and so amazing these days. Eileen is a mini teenager and never stops talking. She is so curious, so smart, so funny, and so "super silly" (her words). She sings, dances, jumps (she calls jumping a "jumper"), and generally keeps me entertained all of the time. She is not always nice to her little sister, but we're working on it. She has lovely manners and has all of her nighttime prayers memorized already (Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Glory Be). I'm awfully proud of her. She's such a great buddy.

And Kiki could not be sweeter. Honestly, when I think of her, that is the first word that comes to mind! She is quiet, smiley, and shy. She is such a mama's girl, and a terrific cuddler to boot. We are still working on walking, and while she can walk across the room whenever she feels like it, she still refuses to walk anywhere when she's not in the mood (also refuses to wear shoes...winter will be interesting). She has a mess of light brown curls and the cutest little gap between her two front teeth. I love how different my two babies are, and I love love love that I get them all to myself all day long.

...and, they are BOTH excited to meet Baby bud! Eileen greets "him" every morning (she thinks the baby is my belly button, oops) and Charlotte will crawl over and give him a kiss from time to time. So so so sweet. I can't wait to be a family of five.

Anyway, here's that BIG OLE BUMP.

I woke up this AM and after a nice few weeks of little to no weight gain, I had gained three pounds. Hello baby!

How far along? 16 weeks + 5 days!

Clothing? Not great, as evidenced above.

Stretch marks? Yep.

Sleep? Waking up every morning so sore, the way you feel when you have the flu. Sore joints, back, tummy, etc. And Eileen has been making it very hard to nap during the day lately, which I now is not owed to me by any means, but still!

Best moment of this week? More flutters, which is amazing, but I don't feel them all the time because I'm constantly moving! Hearing baby's HB at my appt. last week (152, another girl?!)!  OH, and I had a facial on Saturday which was soooo relaxing (and needed, because this baby is making me break out like CRAZY).

Worst moment of this week? I was stranded with my stroller this morning on the side of the road which was no good. Aches and pains, but manageable. All in all a great last week of "summer!"

Miss anything? Ummm yes, wine. 

Movement? Yes, pops and wiggles!

Symptoms? Slightly less exhausted (possibly due to my new diet of mostly veg/vegan?), indigestion is also slightly better (maybe due to my new probiotic), but still pretty achy (which I assume is a given from now on). But for now, I think I may have hit the clearing! Praise the Lord! Excuse me while I go take a nap, though...

Food cravings? My mom is worried this baby may turn into one giant potato chip (she has watched me put down several family sized bags of chips lately, pretty cute).

Gender? Girl?! That HB?!?!?!

Labor Signs? Nope.

Belly button in or out? Most of the way out.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Mood? Content, thankful to have some energy again.

Looking forward to? This cooler weather sure is nice. I'll take it!

That's it for now! Have a great week!