Sauce-a-Palooza 2012

That's right, it's canning time!

Michelle's 27 week pregnancy survey

Pregnancy Survey- 27 Weeks

 Jen's sister Michelle here again for a pregnancy update!

How Far Along: 27 Weeks- almost in the 3rd trimester!

Size of baby: This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now.

  

Total Weight Gain: 17 pounds

What I miss: still cold turkey deli meat and hot dogs

  

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well with the bathroom breaks

Symptoms: Just some lower sciatic back pain. It gets worse if I lift anything (not really that heavy either). 

Cravings: No "have to haves" but still thoroughly enjoying desserts. Going through a box of m&m cookies now

Gender- BABY GIRL Hadley Emilia 

Movement: She moves pretty good at night time, some days more than others- such a neat feeling

Maternity Clothes: I can't remember what I said last time, but I'm definitely doing the maternity up. Loving the shorts since I'm roasting down here.

These were actually taken at the end of week 25

Milestones:  I finally had my first appointment here at my new place (a military treatment facility).... I will definitely have to adjust from where I came from (I absolutely loved my civilian doctor in Abilene and the whole office staff so I was spoiled). The "person", I really am not sure if she was a midwife or what, but she wasn't a doctor, I saw was pretty fast and not overly friendly. It's also a teaching hospital/office so the student did my heart beat check (baby's heart rate 150) and measured me. It was done quick and that was that. I needed my glucose test done and rhogam shot (b/c my blood type is A - and my husband's is a positive). They sent me to the lab to get the pre-work done for the shot and then do my glucose stuff. Luckily I was able to eat a little bit and the 1 hour glucose test is a piece of cake compared to the 3 hour one I had to do before. After all that, I was sent "up" to the blood bank to get my actual rhogam shot/results. Well I ask several people, who nicely direct me, to the 4th floor where I just wonder aimlessly. I stop at this window that talks about blood to ask where the heck I need to go. The person behind there goes, "we've been expecting you". I was like are you sure?! Turns out, yup I had landed in the right spot? They handed me the shot and I was to take it back to my OB office and have a nurse give it to me. Long story short, I had that administered, but man they make you work for all these things. Fingers crossed I pass my glucose test!

I also signed up for a child birth class and breast feeding class for next month. Things are going by so fast! 

James had his first flight in the T-6 (his new plane he'll be an instructor for) and is doing very well, so far so good! He seems to be enjoying his training here. 

James with his buddy Max

What I'm looking forward to: I would be back at school for teacher work week and I'm missing it! However, I'm taking a 2 week vacay (which I coudn't have done if I was working). I know you're asking, a vacation from what? yeah seriously, nothing :) I get to see my mom, sister, and baby Max soon! Then, we'll travel to NY to see grandma, dad, and lots more family/friends! My shower is up there on "labor" day get it?!?! I'm so excited for my shower, I can't believe I finally get to have one for ME! After attending/throwing over dozens, everyone will be celebrating baby girl Hadley! I can't wait to see everyone and I keep registry stalking (ok Jen I will stopppppppppp). I'm looking forward to donuts, pizza, and Wegmans, also!

Look how cute my shower invites are! Thanks so much Mom, Jen, and Aunt Kathy!

Max is 6 Months Old

Max turned 6 months on August 9th. I am a bit behind in posting, but didn't want you to miss out on seeing Max for his official 6 month photo shoot. 

 Stats- Weight: 16 lbs 2 oz (22%) Height: 26" (31%)  Head Circumference: 17 1/2" (48%)

 Personality- He is such a smiley little thing. He loves smiling and it doesn't take much to get one out of him. He gets noticed at every store we go to. He flirts with everyone and will smile and charm them. I have almost sent him home with a few people.

 He is always "talking" and making sounds to let you know he is around. He has lost his voice a few times from screaming (happy screams).

 Eating: I am nursing him every 3 hours or so still and we've upped his baby food feedings to 3 times a day based on a recommendation from our pediatrician. Max LOVES baby food. He can't get enough of it. He stares at you when you eat and wonders where his is. He can barely stand me going to the freezer to get his food out because he's so excited in anticipation. So far he still loves apples, pears, peas and sweet potatoes the most. We are introducing apple/blueberries, butternut squash and a broccoli/squash mixture this month.

Sleeping: Unfortunately, it's gone from bad to worse. My child does not like to sleep through the night. He goes down to sleep around 8pm and gets up at least 3-4 times per night. Most times he just wants you to sing to him and pat him on the back (he is a side sleeper). He was doing so well because he found his thumb and was soothing himself. Now, he does not want anything to do with him thumb.  All I can say is I am SO glad I am not working. I wouldn't make it. He still naps in his swing.

 Development: He is still a very active baby. He is always moving. He started making funny faces with his mouth/tongue and nose recently. You can see it in these next few photos.

 He loves his rainforest jumper that we got him last month. He is more interested in figuring out what each play activity does than actually bounce (def. David's kid). His walker is still super fun for him. He loves standing and now does quite well sitting. You can leave him there and he will only topple a few times.

 He is an outdoorsy boy already. He loves watching the trees blow and just having wind come by. He takes deep breaths and laughs. I see camping in David's future for sure.

 We are just loving this little boy so much. He is so fun to be around. We are finally taking Max up to NY to meet the family next week. He is so excited to see everyone and his Auntie Michelle and Uncle Chris.

 Randoms: Size 2 Pampers Swaddlers

Size 6 month clothes

We gave him some puffs and he loves those of course (any food)

We also fill a sippy with a little water to wash his food down with and he LOVES water. He can't master the sippy yet, but he is open to it if I hold it. 

Mr. Blue eyes is going to be a little heart breaker when he gets older as they are def. staying

 He is def. ready to start moving on his own. You can see how frustrated he is here. He is our little drama king.

Silly little face.

Going, Going, Gone?

So I know I've been MIA lately so I thought I'd explain what's been going on. Of course Max still takes up a majority of my time (and Mom's), but we decided to try to sell our house. We put a bid on a short sale house that is much bigger that we can expand into and build out a basement apartment for Gigi to live in. We are playing the waiting game on that one (could be a few more months to hear if they've accepted the offer) so in the mean time we were pondering renting vs. selling and decided to see if we could sell it. 

Sign went up!

Before we could put the house up we did a TON of things to get the house in order. 

 New mulch and flowers

 Repainting of some walls and bookshelves

 Pressure washing the driveway and walkway

 New back door and flooring fixing

Yes, I did fix that paint 

 And fresh paint for the front door, what a big difference that really did make

Well, all the hard work has paid off... The first people to come look at the house wanted to buy it for full price (after a few back and forth negotiations)! We are paying closing costs (and realtor fees of course) for them, but we are excited about it. We hate to spend any money out of pocket, but are glad we won't have to carry 2 houses and the deal we're getting on a new house wins out.  We may be homeless for a few months (get ready Frank and Cora), but it will be worth it. Inspection is sunday so we hope all will go well and we can continue moving forward. They want us out Sept. 15.

Birthday in TX

Last week mom, Max and I boarded a plane to San Antonio, TX to visit Michelle, James and baby girl Hadley (in utero) for our birthdays. It was Max's first plane ride and let's just say the way there was better than coming home, but was a bit rough overall. We made it though and had a great time. Lots of things to share with you soon as I've been lacking in posting lately. Here are pics from our trip. We enjoyed the wonderful pool at her apt, shopping, dining out, horse races and playing with Max. He was patting baby girl Hadley on Michelle's tummy to try to get her to come out and play. Can't wait! Thanks for a fun time guys!

Visit from the Cousins!

We had a great weekend here. My cousins Karen and Heather came to visit (they just moved to NC from NY) to see little Max. Missed ya Christie, Adam, and Bill!

We had fun playing with Max, going to family pool party and eating yummy food. Max loved being passed around and loved on. We miss them already! Thanks to David's parents to hosting them at their house since we are full up on rooms around here.

Heather is leaving shortly to go teach English in South Korea for a year! 

She just returned from playing volleyball in England. Such the traveler, aren't ya jealous?

How cute are these boys?!

 Can't wait to see you guys again soon!

Michelle 24 week update

Hey again everyone! Happy August (where does the time go?) Michelle here to update you on my pregnancy! A lot has gone on since I last blogged! My baby belly has definitely popped out. We have moved to San Antonio for James' training. I have an orientation scheduled for my doctor(s) here (notice I did not say appointment). I hope I can get in very shortly after my orientation for an actual appointment.  

How Far Along: 

I am 24 weeks (and some change)

Size of baby: Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts her at just over a pound. Since she's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), she cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but her body is filling out proportionally and she'll soon start to plump up. Her brain is also growing quickly now, and her taste buds are continuing to develop. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon.

Total Weight Gain: about 14 pounds! Doctor said I'm doing great :) 

What I miss: COLD turkey lunch meat and hotdogs (it's probably because I know I'm not supposed to have it!)

Sleep: Sleeping on my sides is going ok, I really miss stomach sleeping. I have my sister's body pillow, but we're having a hard time fitting on our full bed we brought with us on the move

Symptoms: Really feeling pretty normal except my belly sticks out!

Cravings: Well my sweets craving is GONE. I really could care less about desserts. That being said, I did just buy a whole box of cookies..... but I don't HAVE to have them :) I really don't have any cravings anymore and I'm really not that hungry compared to my usual. 

Aversions: I recently did some tacos from Taco Cabana which I did enjoy..... Mexicans sounding ok now but I think I had this aversion prior to being pregnant

Gender- Baby Girl Hadley Emilia 

Movement: She is moving around more and more. She started little pokes around 20 weeks and now it's more of kicks. She really gets going when I'm watching the Olympics (gymnastics in particular) hint of the future perhaps?!? It's mainly because I feel her when I sit still or after I eat. 

Maternity Clothes: Well I'm full on in them, except for dresses. I had to buy actual maternity shorts. It's HOT here in Texas and jeans will NOT cut it. I got pretty frustrated shopping for stuff because most of it is down right UGLY. I found some great dark denim shorts at Target and another pair I got from Kohls. 

Best Moments this past week: We finished up the sale of our house and moved to San Antonio! We are settled in nicely to our new apartment and liking it so far. I am not going to post pictures of it because we are bachelor college dorm styling it. I had a better-decorated apartment when I was in college so I had to add the word bachelor. Picture rubbermaid bins as coffee tables and tray tables as end tables/night stands. The apartment itself is very nice though with great amenities. 


What I'm looking forward to: Well as a sort of last minute plan, MY MOM, SISTER, AND MAX are coming to play!! They arrive on me and my sister's birthday next week (the big 2-9 WOAH)! We're going to go take Max to Sea World and go to the pool or just HANG! 

Milestones: With the arrival of our guests next week, I'm going to be buying some baby items for Hadley! Max is going to use Hadley's car seat while he's here so I'll need to get that! This will be our first thing I buy for her! I'm also going to get her pack and play so Max can sleep in that while he's here. I've had some serious clicker remorse. We registered this past weekend and I thought we were going to go pink! After we got home, I decided I wanted to go neutral. Poor James has been dragged to multiple babies r us several times in the last week plus he's like "whatever you want".  I've changed my mind about 5 times on patterns. I think we've made our FINAL choice for the carseat/stroller and play yard. I won't post on it just yet, because a lot can happen in my brain haha. 


I'll leave you with some photos. 

week 20/21

week 20/21

week 23 (last Saturday)

week 23