Baby Belly: 26 Weeks

Only 14 weeks to go! (As i write this late, only 13.5 weeks)

Weight Gain:16 lbs

Craving: Most items in the food category. Idealy salty. French fries and a cheeseburger? YES PEASE.

I am finally able to wear all of my maternity pants (although pulling them up constantly) And i'm loving the extreme comfort. My belly feels huge at this point, and i can feel baby all smooshed up under my ribs already. Last night i could only lay down, it was the only position that felt like there was enough room for baby girl and i to coexist. I don't remember feeling so huge and crowded this "early" on with J-Man, but you always forget the discomforts of pregnancy. Back pain has been mostly at bay the last couple of weeks, thankfully i haven't needed assistance in getting out of bed. I picked up a bassinet for the baby this week (we had a lower to the ground one for Jackson, this time i wanted a high up one, to keep him out of the baby's bidness). Although the cat seems to think it is his new bed (no worries about the cat trying to sleep with the baby, Jackson has instilled a fear of children in him!) We have one more ultrasound in 2 weeks to check the position of the placenta, and i am so excited. One more peek at this little lady! Monday starts the third trimester, the home stretch. I'm in no rush though, enjoying one on one time with my little man, before our family become a foursome.

Happy New Year!

A Wish for My Babies

My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to,
Your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small,
You never need to carry more than you can hold,
And while you're out there getting where you're getting to,
I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too.


                                                                                                   -Rascal Flatts




                        

Jackson: 22 Months

I don't know that I ever imagined Jackson at this age. I thought he would be my baby forever. And here he is, almost 2, and growing like a weed.

Well sort of. He is not a tall boy, but boy is he built like a little linebacker.
Jackson is 30 lbs and I don't know how tall. He is wearing 2t shirts and 24 month pants. Although, it's more for the waist, and we have to roll them up.

He loves to eat: Oatmeal, toast, crackers, chicken, pork chops, sweet potato, waffles, french toast, apples , broccoli (sometimes) , grilled cheese and of course cookies!

He is saying more and more words each day. Some of the newer ones are waffle, apple (appo), hockey, door, moon (moo), please (pease), Santa, cookie, guitar (tar), game (gay), show, love you (vuv eee) and probably many more. It almost killed me the first time he said I love you.

He has been sleeping in his big boy bed for almost two months, and has retired the soother. His sleep habits definitely took a hit at first, but he is getting back on track. I honestly don't mind, since we were rid of the soother so easily. He sleeps from about 8pm -6:30 or 7am. Sometimes waking at night to be tucked back in (he doesn't even get out of bed) I am grateful we allowed him to have a soother, instead of "finding his thumb".

He is definitely on his way to big boy hood, and is going to be a great big brother before too long.

Christmas!

We've been decking the halls, watching Christmas movies, going to parades, and reading Jackson books about Christmas. The Christmas spirit is upon us. I always used to think people were crazy to stray decorating before December. Things are so different when you have children of your own. I just want to make Christmas a special and magical time for him. It is hard to remember to take pictures of everything we do, because I am more concious of being present in the moment. Living it instead of documenting it.

I can't wait for the first snowfall. Jackson will so enjoy the snow this year. He is a boy that loves to play outside, we try and go to the park every day that I am home with him. But with the warm weather we've had here it's been a rainy mess. So, we've been filling our days with crafting, decorating and baking yummy cookies.

It is the perfect time of year to be preggo.

The Best Christmas Present

This video brings tears to my eyes. 

These sweet girls are in the process of being adopted out of the foster care system. 

Click the link to watch the video of them picking out their first Christmas tree together, as a family, on Jen and Chris' blog.

I already have everything i want this Christmas, Marcus, Jackson, and this sweet baby girl in my tummy. 

Awesome Sauce, Literally.

Super Yummy Easy Nacho Dip Recipe

• 3 T. butter
• 2 T. corn starch
• 1 C. milk
• 2 oz. cream cheese, cubed
• 2 C. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2-4 T. hot Salsa (However hot you like it)
• Chili Powder (to taste)
• 
  
• • In a small saucepan over low-med heat, melt butter and stir in corn starch.
  • Pour in the milk, add cream cheese, and continue to stir until mixture is fully blended.
  • While stirring mix in cheddar cheese, salsa, and chili powder.
  • Continue to stir until cheese has melted and all ingredients are well blended.
  • I messed around a bit, and added a bit more milk, mine came out too thick.  This made a large bowl, enough for a party probably, but Marcus and i had no problem polishing it off all on our own ; )

Baby Belly:20 Weeks

It feels like it is going by way to fast this time. I want time to stand still for a few months. Although i can't wait to meet this baby girl (in case you don't follow me on facebook, it's a girl!), passing time also means that Jackson gets older. Boy does that make my heart ache. I can't wait to see him love his little sister, and for her, to adore her big brother.
Now to the good stuff. My big ole' belly. Boy is it growing fast! My belly button has already popped halfway out!

Baby girl, you have momma craving random foods something fierce (as i eat  my third piece of pb on toast) I am craving salt & vinegar chips, pb on toast (obvi), canned peaches, cheeddar cheese on rice cakes, fruit juice w/ club soda, and bacon cheeseburgers. 
You are moving and kicking like crazy, often contorting my belly into crazy shapes. Your daddy has even been feeling you move for the past two weeks.
This week you are the size of a cantaloupe! 6.5" crown to rump (10 inches total), and 10.5ozs (although at your ultrasound two weeks ago you were 8ozs so you are probably a little bigger)          
I can't believe that i will be meeting this little lady in 4.5 months. There's that darn time thing again.

Mamas Underpants

Someone got into mamas underwear, bathing suits and bras. This will be wonderful to show his girlfriends when he gets older.

And yes, he put them all on his neck. Although he couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with the strapless bra. He just said "Uh oh!"

Refusing to Walk

There has been a lot I this lately. Ahhh tantrums, how I loathe thee. You'd never know he was having one a second before I snapped this.

A Poem For Busy Mothers

A little perspective is always good. I can't believe my "baby" will be 2 in less than three months. Snuggle your babies close today, play a little longer, let them stay up a little later...

"My hands were busy through the day,
I didn’t have much time to play.
The little games you asked me to,
I didn’t have much time to do.

I’d wash your clothes and sew and cook,
And when you brought your picture book,
And ask me please to share your fun,
I’d say: “A little later, son.”

I’d tuck you in all safe at night
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tiptoe softly to the door…
I wish I’d stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the years rush past…
A little boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side,
His precious secrets to confide.

The picture books are put away,
There are no longer games to play,
No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear…
That all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill,
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to

— Author Unknown

Getting Ready For Bed

This is how we brush our teeth, catch a few minutes of Max and Ruby and read stories before night night.

I skipped a picture of the fit he threw when momma gave his teeth a real brushing.

Forewarning, you may die from the cute that is him brushing his teeth.

Jackson's Recorder

Baby Henderson Heartbeat-18 Weeks

This is How a Little Boy Eats

A picky eater we have. There aren't a lot of things he really likes to eat. What he does love? Eating my food, off of my plate, with my fork. Of course mommy gets stuck eating the left over pancake bits with a baby fork. This method has actually gotten him to eat things like broccoli and a hamburger. Madness! This boy has never really eaten red meat, and green vegetables (ha!) If it gets him to try new foods (well ANY foods really) then i'll keep letting him eat my food, off of my plate. Kid, if you ever doubt my love, i hope you look back at this, and remember, your momma sacrificed her chocolate chip pancakes (no small feat for a pregnant lady!)

Baby Belly: 17 Weeks

This week you are the size of an onion. About 5" long crown to rump (9" long in total). This week you are starting to fatten up, and your eyes are becoming sensitive to light.
You are finally big enough for me to feel you jumping around in my tummy, I relish every kick and poke. In just one week we will find out if you are a boy or a girl, an we just can't wait!
Right now you make mommy crave bacon cheeseburgers and fruit/juice, and I have been indulging!

Only 23 more weeks (we are nearing halfway!) Grow baby grow!

Fibre Bed/Pillow Top

Marcus has been wanting a feather bed or a pillow top for our mattress for a while. After some research we decided that a memory foam topper was out, they seem to make you hot, which would be annoying in summer. Feather top was also out for me, because I just know I would be able to feel the feathers. Unfortunately non of the feather tops in our price range were available with down filling, which would have been a good option. So we settled on a fiber bed, which is basically like a reallllly puffy comforter that you sleep on, and half of the price of a good feather top. Also, they were 40% off at Sears, so it was a steal. After a week of sleeping on it i can say that this is the comfiest thing ever! Seriously I can't imagine not having it. It is very hard to get out of bed now. I will add that it does need to be fluffed when the sheets are changed, but that is to be expected. It is a great inexpensive way to add softness to a firm mattress if you need to, or to give some new life to an old mattress that you aren't quite ready to replace yet.

*After 2 weeks it is still comfy as ever, and we are both getting a better sleep because of it!*

A Cute Boy.

Jackson's new hat from his Grandma.

Fall Fun

We've been busy with fall activities! It is so much more fun this year, Jackson can do almost everything, and he enjoys it. He loved the fair, loved loved. He would have gladly gone on rides for hours. I would have loved to go on them with him, but this eggo is preggo, no rides for me. The fair is a great place for a pregnant lady, other than not being able to go on rides, that is. There is a whole lot of yummy food, all in one place. Homemade fudge, panzarollis, and deep fried cheesecake, yum in my tum. I definitely paid for it later, but it is worth it for the deliciousness.

This past weekend we also made a trip to the pumpkin farm. This is something Jackson will probably enjoy more next year. We walked a 7km corn maze, and I'm sure he wondered why the scenery was the same for an hour and a half. Then he played in a giant sandbox before we picked out our pumpkins and chowed down on candy corn. I think the sandbox may have been the highlight for him. We are  going to carve our pumpkins very soon, and I'm sure he is going to really enjoy that, it will be an outside activity, because Jackson can make a mean mess with food. Now we just have to decide on a Halloween costume for him, and we will be set for trick or treating. Gosh life is more fun with this boy!
Happy Fall!

Baby Stuff!

One of the fun parts of a new baby, is shopping for the necessities. However the second time around you usually need nothing, except for clothes if the second child is a different sex, and maybe a stroller that can accommodate two. We don't know the sex of our baby yet, but we did know that we needed a new stroller badly. The first time around we didn't do much research, which is a big no no for something you're going to be using on a daily basis. This time around I basically started researching as soon as we started trying! We wanted a stroller that;
-had inflated rubber tires that can go through anything
-could be a single or double stroller (Jackson will be 2 when baby is born so we only need a double for a year or so)
-Wasn't super long like a tandem stroller (I've heard it's like driving a bus) or super wide like a side by side (useless for shopping)

We finally found something that fit all of these criteria. The Baby Jogger City Select.

We got it in "Amethyst" (purple) at Springy's Tot Shop, in Hamilton, Ontario. I love it so far, however I can't give a real review until I test it on all terrain and with a second child. I can however say that Springy's is a fantastic baby and toddler store. Their customer service is fabulous. The owners actually drove the stroller I wanted up from their warehouse for me, while i had lunch. I can't think of any other store that would do that!

I will absolutely be back for any special items we need for baby #2!

Baby Belly: 13 Weeks

This week you are the size of a peach (3 inches head to bum) and you are forming teeth and vocal chords. I have dozens of recordings of your heart beat and listen to them daily. You make mommy very hungry (I crave krispy minis with cheese) and very very tired, but it's all worth it. In just a few short weeks we will find out if you are a girl or boy. Grow baby grow!

We're Back!

Back on blogger. I've decided to start the ole' blogger blog back up. Or rather just start writing here again. I love the ability to modify blogger more than i can with tumblr. I plan to use blogger for loner posts, product reviews, stories etc., and keep tumblr as more of a daily photo journal. I will have a link to the tumblr blog up soon, and i hope to be posting a baby belly post here soon. I loved keeping track of my last pregnancy through photos, and can't wait to start  up again. If master Jackson allows me to type for more than 5 minutes that is : )

New Bloggity Blog

I've started a new blog. At Tumblr. You can check it out here.
I've been so busy lately, with little time to get to a computer. Tumblr allows me to post from my iphone. This is way more my style. I'm still figuring it out, and have only posted photos so far. Let me know what you think. It's a bit trickier to modify the layout and visual stuff, as everything has to be done via html. Ugh. I am doing my best to figure it out. 
I'll be keeping this blog address as well, as it houses all of my older posts.
Have a fantabulous weekend y'all.

Nighty-night.

On Marriage.

What We've Been Up To

Beach. Boating. Succulents. Fresh Fruit. Lots of Legos. Table Refinishing. Blooming Lilies.

SUMMER.