Monday, February 22, 2016

Baby Lowery #2: 28 Weeks



3rd trimester.

Wowza! It just completely snuck up on me. All of a sudden here we are with 12 weeks (or less) to go until our sweet little Evie makes her arrival and we become a family of four. My planner-self is freaking out because I'm not anywhere near ready--but I did go to Rhea Lana's last weekend and I bought a BEAUTIFUL white Jenny Lind crib for a STEAL (those things retail for $400 and up, so no way could we afford one at full price) and I couldn't be more excited about it! Definitely not what I was initially planning but now I can't imagine anything different. Since Holt's crib is convertible (even though we don't have any of the parts to convert it) we plan to just take the front off and make it a toddler bed once he is ready. But no rush there! My mom and I shopped at Rhea Lana's for six hours and we were exhausted, but found some amazing deals---I got Holt completely outfitted with clothes and shoes to last into the fall, and of course we bought Evie some clothes and shoes too (some for this summer, but most for next spring and summer). It was so much fun! Now to get everything washed and organized!

The week leading up to heading to Conway for Rhea Lana's, Holt had an ear infection and started antibiotics and I got a sinus infection and had to start antibiotics. Having a sinus infection while pregnant is no fun--I couldn't sleep well because I couldn't breathe and I had headaches from all the pressure. Blah. Thankfully, we are both all better and back to ourselves.

Last Thursday, I had my glucose test (yuck) and even though I am not showing any signs of having gestational diabetes, my numbers were just a tad high. The limit they set is 135 and my number was 147. So, I have to go take the 3-hour glucose test tomorrow (Tuesday) and I'm kind of bummed about it. I cannot eat or drink anything after midnight tonight or all throughout the test tomorrow. Pray for strength and stamina for me and also for me to pass the test! Other than that, baby girl checked out great last week---heart rate was good, she's is measuring on target, and we are just trucking right along.

How far along: 28 weeks 2 days
Stretch Marks: None--yay!
Sleep: Awful while I had the sinus infection, but back to normal now!
Food cravings: Donuts. Y'all. I could eat multiple donuts on a daily basis. Yum!
Food Aversions: Not necessarily aversions to anything in particular, more just that sometimes I don't feel like eating. Especially at lunch.
Looking forward to: Getting organized and ready for Evie's arrival!



Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Baby Lowery #2: 26 Weeks


26 weeks---TWO weeks from the 3rd trimester. Freak out mode has officially commenced. This pregnancy has absolutely flown. At this point with Holt, we had his crib and dresser and bedding picked out and we had registered and had baby showers on the books. That's also when we headed to Florida for my sister's wedding (take me back!).

The good thing is, this coming weekend I'm heading to the Rhea Lana's sale in Conway--I'm hoping to find a convertible crib, possibly a dresser, maybe some bedding if I just love it, and of course looking at the clothes (for both my babies). Maybe I'll feel better after that.

This week has been a doozie. Holt got sick last week with congestion and coughing and drainage and then it turned into an ear infection. He has been on antibiotics and is thankfully on the mend now. But, now I have a pretty severe cold--which is AWFUL when you're pregnant. I can't take any meds (although I do have my oils which are a big help) and I can't breathe, so sleep is awful. Yuck.

However, last week was AWESOME. I got to cash in on my Christmas gift from my hubby and had a girl's weekend, kid-free. We went shopping, got our nails done, watched girl movies, and slept in. I told him I needed that for part of my Christmas every year. Lol

How many weeks: 26 weeks 3 days
Maternity clothes: I got to buy some new ones on my shopping spree last weekend! Not to mention the most comfortable shoes ever, even being pregnant---TOMS desert wedge. Life. Changing.
Sleep: The past few days it's been awful. I can't breathe through my nose so I have to sleep in not-so-comfortable positions (I can't sleep on my back anymore) and I wake up off and on. Ugh.
Movement: Little sister is still not as much of a mover as Holt was, but that doesn't bother me.
Food cravings: Donuts. I had to resist buying a dozen sprinkle donuts (my FAV) for $2.00 yesterday at Walmart. Ugh. The struggle is real!
Food Aversions: None right now

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Holt: 18 Months



A YEAR AND A HALF. How??? I swear he just turned a year old last week.

So far for me, the 2nd year with him has gone WAY faster than the 1st year. He's so interactive and his personality is just bursting out and he is just so FUN.

Happenings in the last 3 months:

*We celebrated his 2nd Thanksgiving! We trade off between families every year and this year was Daniel's family's turn! We drove up to Fayetteville for the day and feasted on lots of yummy food and Holt had a BLAST playing with some of his cousins.




*The day after Thanksgiving, we were able to take Holt to the Razorback game. It was really his second game to go to, but considering he was 3 months old the first time, this is the first one that really counted. Of course, it was raining and really cold, so we only stayed for the first half. Luckily, our seats were under an overhang so we didn't get wet, and Holt LOVED watching a football game live. Fun time making memories!


*Around the first of December, we took Holt to get his first haircut. It was past time--the poor child kept getting called a girl everywhere we went. Somewhat of a compliment I guess, but nevertheless we found someone to cut his hair. He was absolutely traumatized by the event---I'm talking heaving sobs and crocodile tears the WHOLE time. Bless his heart (and mine too). Thankfully, the girl did an amazing job and was super fast--start to finish she only took maybe 10 minutes. He looked so grown up when she was done---my baby was completely gone and replaced by a little man!

pre-haircut
during and after



*Two days before Christmas, we found out Holt's sibling is a GIRL! You can read all the details about it HERE

*We celebrated Holt's 2nd Christmas---and oh my goodness. It was probably the most exhausting week ever (thanks to being pregnant) but it was also super duper fun. Our families only live about 40 minutes apart, so we get to see EVERYONE for the holidays. I absolutely love it. Holt was more interactive this year and was able to play more with his cousins, which he thoroughly enjoyed! My photographer aunt also shot some ADORABLE photos of our little man and I am completely smitten with them.










*Right after New Year's, Daniel and I had the opportunity to go to Colorado with some of my family. My parents kept Holt for us so we didn't have to drive 15 hours with a toddler (praises) and we had a wonderful time! Daniel skied while I stayed in the condo and went exploring with my grandparents. Daniel was in his element let me tell you---he loves the mountains like I love the beach.

*After Colorado, I started Holt at Mother's Day Out at our church. He goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9AM-2PM. I am really excited for him to be in MDO, but that didn't stop me from crying after I dropped him off the first day. {Thank you pregnancy hormones.} He has done really well with the exception of naps---so far, he has only slept a maximum of 20 minutes (NOT enough). I am not sure what their routine for naps is, but Holt is the child who if there is any kind of distraction going on, he does not want to miss out, so he will force himself to stay awake. So, we are praying that he becomes adjusted enough to start taking naps there because that makes afternoons a little rough on those days.



Milestones:
*He is starting to mimic things we do---he likes to take the broom and "sweep" the floors, he throws trash away, he likes to watch and help us cook (especially stirring things), he "helps" us unload the dishwasher and transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer. He also helps pick up his toys before his nap and before bed (most days). Doing our best to teach and train him up from a young age! It is so important to us to teach our kids that they help out around the house because they are part of our family---not to mention, eventually it will be a HUGE help not to have to do everything ourselves. 

*He also talks non-stop and I feel like he picks up new words every single day. Some (I can't remember all) of the words he says: please, thank you, Daddy, Mama, Sophie (our dog), RoRo, Melly, GiGi, (aunt) Hannah, Poppa, stuck, no, yes, uh-oh, paci, snack, waffle, cheerios, Bible, nose, eyes, teeth,
and baby. He knows lots of animals and their sounds too including: dog, cat, cow, duck, rooster, fish and sheep.

*Within a span of about 2 weeks (right around Christmas of course), he got his other top 2 teeth, his other top 2 bottom, AND all 4 molars broke at least one of the corners. Considering our history with cutting teeth, I was so excited he got so many at once!

*He went down to one nap a day starting the week before Christmas (16 months). He usually wakes between 7-7:30AM and takes a nap from 11:30-1:30PM and then we put him to bed at 7PM. It's a WONDERFUL routine. 

*still in size 4 diapers (size 5 pampers baby dry at night)

*He now DREADS going to the doctor's office. He is old enough to remember shots and he starts crying once we walk back to get weighed. It absolutely breaks my heart. However he had his last shot until he is 4 years old--happy dance! Hopefully when little sister gets here and we go only for her, it will help him become more accustomed and not be so fearful.

Weight: 28 lbs 10 oz (90th percentile)
Height: 33 ¾ inches (85th percentile)