Nesting and Crafting

Well, there has been some major nesting going on in our apartment the last week. As a result, I'm pretty tired, but then, I can't remember the last time I didn't feel at least a little tired.

In case you hadn't heard (from Facebook), I was instructed to go to the hospital last Monday after having the same symptoms I had a month ago (cramping and contractions, etc. --no blood or anything though) to get checked up on. Thank goodness this time I didn't have to get a shot of morphine in the butt...that is a painful shot I am sorry to tell those of you who ever have to have one. It burns and makes your muscles sort of seize up. Anyway, that didn't happen and I didn't even have to be put on an IV--I tested negative for dehydration and the fetal fibronectin test (which determines likelihood of going into labor in the next few weeks), so they decided I must have a stomach flu and sent me home with Zofran to help with the nausea. Family members took Tenley and Dalin left for work, so I got several hours of sleep home alone and I felt surprisingly good when I woke up. We decided it must have been some 24 hour flu.

Doctor's office selfie

32 weeks

Then on Tuesday, Tenley and I were home all day and I guess the nesting really kicked in or something because I did a LOT of work in Tenley's room. Way more than I usually have the energy to do. I completely sorted her clothing and refolded the things she still fits into (which is quite a lot...she even has some 9 month clothing she fits in easily). Anything too small, I added to the baby girl clothes' containers with her 0-6 and 6-9 month clothing that we are keeping in case we have another girl (only favorites get kept, which is admittedly a lot). I also moved those clothes from bins to vacuum-seal bags since it's unlikely we'll be using them for a while--and especially not before we move.

Then I put away some of Tenley's old baby blankets (keeping her favorites out) and other baby girl items. I pulled the baby boy blankets forward on the shelves, and even pulled out the bassinet attachment for the pack 'n play and set it up most of the way. I also tossed the boyish set of sheets in the laundry bin to be freshly washed. Then, while I was at it, I went through Tenley's socks and headbands, sorting them (the best I could) into sizes to be put away. I finished the room by putting Tenley's toys and stuffed animals into bins (which I realize will only last a few days, but it looked nice for the present moment).

It was a big effort but I feel much better about everything and her room looks great!

Before...

After.

Our son will be at a serious disadvantage moving into his sister's room

Since we do not know exactly when or where we are moving, I have been gradually packing away our things, little by little so when the day arrives, there (hopefully) won't be quite so much to do! I am a little obsessed with the idea of getting out of Utah (even though I really do love my ward and friends around here--I just love the idea of not living at Wymount (and one day having a dishwasher and washer and dryer in our home) a lot, too...). Plus there's a 74% chance we'll be moving closer to the ocean (which I'm also a little obsessed with) and I cannot even wait for that. I am such a beach bum. I didn't even realize how much until I moved away for college.

Anyway, so apart from all the intense organization that is happening around here, I've also been doing a lot of Christmas preparations. I can't go into too much detail right now unfortunately because my moms read my blog and it's mainly their gifts I've been working on, but next week I'll show you if you are interested. If you are my friend on Facebook, you might have seen the painting I did for my dad. I blocked my mom from being able to see it so she'd be surprised, too.

The gift for my mother-in-law was my focus for today. It is looking really cute, I think! I wish I could talk about it more, but it's 100% homemade (I mean, besides materials obviously) and I have had so much fun working on it!

I really need to send out my Christmas gifts to New Hampshire (especially since the post office is crazy around this time--at least based on my experience in previous years) like tomorrow so they will make it in time. That means that tonight (or tomorrow morning) I've got to get a gift for my Nana worked out. I have been planning it mentally for a while and it shouldn't take too long to paint but it's a matter of finding the time between playing with/picking up after Miss Tenley.

Other random things:

Target was a madhouse today. It was literally more busy than it was on Thanksgiving night when Dalin and I got Tenley's new car seat. There were some sales, but nothing out of the ordinary. I guess everyone just realized over the weekend that Christmas is fast approaching!

I went to Costco with Tenley and we seriously just ate tons of samples and took our sweet time (though that part was not optional for me--I'm incredibly slow. I blame being 122 lbs and feeling like a penguin as I waddle around pushing the monstrous Costco carts). Then when we got home, two wonderful guys in my ward helped me carry the groceries in the apartment. I was so grateful for them. I seriously have strained myself way too much lately and I know it's not good. Lifting Tenley is seriously workout enough for a small person like me (well, height-wise I'm small anyway). I am a little concerned by my tendency to overdo things. It's hard though when you're used to being capable of certain things to relinquish those jobs and let other people help you! I like to do things myself but I know I need to be careful because lifting too much can lead to placental abruption (detachment) which is seriously scary and I've already had enough cramping and little scares this pregnancy.

Tenley opened her Christmas gifts which I had wrapped and in a bag ready to go for when we leave for Idaho next week. I had them somewhat out of her reach (on the upper part of the couch) but she still got them while I was working on a Christmas gift in another room. I was kind of mad (and bummed because she saw them even though she's one and probably has already forgotten) but she had a big fat smile on her face so I didn't stay mad long. I did move the presents to a better hiding place though. (I plan on just re-wrapping them in Idaho in case it happens again).

As far as the toddler bed goes (since a few people have asked), it's great! Tenley is very used to her bed thankfully and she stays in it most of the night. Some nights she still gets up around 3 or 5 in the morning and comes to the gate we put up to separate her from our room saying, "Mama" but I just tell her I love her and to go back to bed and lay down and she does, whining all the way (I can always hear her flop back down on her bed). She's pretty good though. When she gets up around 6am, I let her come in our bed for the next 2-3 hours and she gets a bottle of milk (if I don't give her milk, she just says, "Mom! Mo'? Mo'?" ("more") a million times).

Little chubby girl on her bed (she only looks chubby when she's sitting down though;)

On the other hand, I am sleeping like crap the last week and a half. My body is just so dang heavy and my back kills me at night as I suffocate under the weight of my belly. So sleeping sucks, even with my zillions of pillows surrounding me, but I suspect that Dalin may or may not have gotten me a full body pillow for Christmas which is literally the only thing I can think of that I want (besides to go to San Diego or somewhere warm;). I didn't ask for anything for Christmas because I don't really want anything (or need it) other than to do things as a family. And plus I would rather save money (yeah, I'm boring, but we're having a baby and those guys cost a lot!).

My little snuggler.

My Florida cousins Brandon and Nathan (and their parents!) are here in Utah! We visited them at their place in Park City yesterday and had a wonderful time catching up with them. We ate haystacks (SO good) for dinner, played Boggle, and did lots of talking. I was just so happy to be around family! I've missed them so much! We're hoping to see more of them (in between all their skiing!) this week before I sneak back with them to they return to Florida.

Blurry, but I had to show how cute Tenley was reading with Mary. She loves her new pop-up book!

Well this is a ridiculously long post, but hopefully it makes up for my lack of writing recently. Also, someone suggested that I write a post about gift ideas for one-year olds so hopefully I can do that in the next few days and someone else suggested I write more posts on pregnancy so that'll probably happen, too.

Lots of love to all of you!

P.S. I'm 32 1/2 weeks! 7 weeks left! What?!?

I'm So Pregnant.

Have you seen that funny Youtube video: "I'm So Pregnant"? It's pretty silly and some people think the mom tries too hard to be funny, but I definitely think it is more funny when you're actually pregnant and those things are happening to you (like nearly peeing yourself...even just a little bit--having a baby has basically rendered my muscle control in certain places completely useless). 

Anyway, I saw it one time when I was pregnant with Tenley and that song is stuck in my head lately mostly because every time I look in the mirror I think: "Dang. I'm so pregnant." And yet I still have (potentially) about 8-9 weeks to go! It's difficult to remember if I was this big at this point with Tenley. I'll have to compare my end weight once I get there. With Tenley, I was 136 lbs at my heaviest. I'm about 15 lbs behind right now, but there's definitely time for that to change! 

I can't believe we meet this little guy in less than two months! Ahh! I don't know how to be a mom to a boy! (I'm sure I'll figure it out quick though and thankfully having two brothers and mostly male cousins and friends growing up should have provided me with a little insight--at least, you'd think).

Mostly though, I can't wait to see his features and learn his personality and how he differs from Tenley. I also can't wait until Dalin and Tenley can finally get to know him. I feel like he's going to be a little more tender than his sister (he kicks quite often but he isn't (at least, not yet) the thrashing kicker that his sister was). But then, Tenley was the most mellow newborn ever and now she's an independent and strong-willed little stinker (whom we love more than I could possibly say) so who knows?

Speaking of Tenley, I always find it hilarious when church leaders or family members tell us what an angel she is. One Sunday, we were informed that she was the easiest one in nursery and the only child who stayed seated when she was supposed to (you can't imagine my surprise when I heard this--she's usually super active--I thought they might have been thinking of the wrong kid but someone else paid us the same compliment). Whenever we have a family member babysit her, they tell us how perfect she was and that she didn't cry even once (this is always a relief to hear but I can honestly tell you that is not the case when it's just her and I at home!). I mean, she totally is a wonderful and incredibly fun little girl--but she definitely has a strong personality and she's not afraid to show it around mom and dad. 

Of course tonight, at the ward Christmas party, she was having a very difficult time (mainly, I think, because we skipped nap time today...which I always regret doing, yet it still happens) and so she was super wiggly and cranky--even more so than usual. I think it was also hard because she saw other kids running around the Wilk ballroom where the party was held, and I wouldn't let her do the same because I was trying to get her to eat (which she has not been good about lately...she's a grazer). Still, while we were there, I had about four or five people make the comment that Tenley is such an angel in nursery and that she is so cute and sweet. I love to hear that, but since I personally was having a difficult time with her at the present moment, all I could do was kind of laugh and say, "Yes, she's very well-behaved for everyone else..." Then I would add that she still is pretty easy for me as far as kids go, she just has her moments (don't we all...). Thankfully, they all knew what I meant. I really am lucky to have such an overall happy and loving little girl (she absolutely loves hugging and kissing babies and children--she does it so frequently that other little children will push her away because they grow tired of her trying to kiss them, haha). 

Anyway, I just can't help but wonder how her brother will be in comparison. I really just hope that he is healthy and that he becomes best friends with Tenley. And that she doesn't torture him, because I could see him getting whacked on the head pretty frequently. If we survive the first three months, I'm sure they'll be the best of friends. I just hope that my recovery is as quick and smooth as it was with Tenley! And that breastfeeding isn't challenging (because I've been told that it can vary from kid to kid). Regardless though, I know it will work out somehow and be great, even if I have to become a hermit for the first half of spring. 

How different (or similar) were your first two kids? Did you make any major changes with child #2? (For example, I'm pretty sure we'll still half co-sleep with this little guy for the sake of convenience when nursing him but now that Tenley is completely out of our bed, I'm a little more than slightly tempted to keep all the babies out of our room (I really miss having space to spread out at night...). But we'll have to see how he is, I think). 

(By the way, I'm 31 weeks pregnant and feeling good...I just get tired quite easily--having an active toddler is no joke when you're like 8 months pregnant--and my back hates letting me sleep comfortably, and my bladder loves making me pee way too frequently, but other than that, I am great. I can't wait for Christmas and I'm simply very happy with where I'm at. 

Hoping you're all feeling a little lighter on your feet than I am at the moment! 

(Oh--and here is that video I mentioned at the top for you to check out if you feel so inclined. Remember it's dumb, but if you're pregnant you might appreciate it a little bit:P )

Fall Photos...I guess winter can officially come now

Guess what, guys? Fall isn't over until December 21st (which is really my way of justifying these fall photos from Nebo Loop that are about to follow). We went about a month and a half ago in October--finally visiting at the right time to see the colorfulness. I would not go in September or November if you want to see the good leaves (like we did in years past).

Anyway, we went for a family picnic and had a lot of fun enjoying the natural beauty around us. So prepare for photo overload. I'll try not to bore you with my commentary on Tenley's adorableness. Also, I guess I would have been about 23 weeks pregnant or so in these pictures. I can't remember exactly.

She loves that pita.

It was a little bright for her.

Daddy's sunglasses. Not for wearing of course.

She looks so big here! Eating a pita by herself...sheesh, last year she was a newborn.

I just love her little profile. And her eyelashes. And everything about her.

Ready for a smooch

She loves her dad:)

More kisses!

She's one happy girl.

 

My baby #2 belly. I love it at this size.

Overjoyed for our BOY!!  

And overjoyed that I get to be the mama of this girl. 

Alright, just one last belly pic... 

Our family photo haha! We are not so good at taking them selfie-style. 

And one more with Ten's silly lips.

Now for some natural beauty (taken as we left Nebo Loop...very pretty!)

Well, happy fall y'all! (Just kidding...I know we're all ready for Christmas decorations at this point, but I sort of forgot about these pics and some are really cute so I had to share before they became really old news).

Let me know how that Christmas decorating is coming! Ours is trickling in slowly this year.