Beyond Thankful

I don't know whether I am just getting more hormonal or if everyone is just being extra special right now, but I've been wanting to cry for the past two days. Okay, part of it could be that Allen went back to work, BUT, ever since then, everyone has been offering to help get us packed up, has been extra sweet, and I just feel so special right now. It doesn't help that I found this on my facebook when I logged in this morning.... made me cry, as I kept reading it over, and over, and over again.

This is my favorite pic it's the first thing I see when I open my phone those two girls and the one on the way are what get me through this long days out here and that smile on Hayleigh's face makes it all worth it. I love you guys

 — with Ashley Travous McCann.

I realize that I'm hormonal right now, but, I don't get stuff happening like this everyday. My mom has even come back around, is back to "normal" I guess. Nothing has been said about what happened, but that is the way she works. I am just soo blessed to have all of the help and support from everyone. I really do mean that. It makes me cry thinking about leaving all of these people behind- but I know they will all be there for me and for our family no matter how far away we are from them. In tough times, you find out who your friends are, and I am soo lucky to have all of you by my side through this~ I love every one of you! Just saying Thank You will never be good enough, and no amount of money could ever repay you for your support, friendship, or kindness you have shown us. We will miss you all~

14 days and counting....

Today marks 14 days and counting from which I HAVE to have the whole house packed and ready to go. It is funny, I sit here and look around the house and laugh at that.


I'm excited, and scared about moving- 2 weeks is all we have left living in Illinois. That will go by in a blink of an eye. Hayleigh has just been looking at the boxes, trying to get into them to get stuff out. I kind of have them strung out everywhere, since I'm not stacking them up- lifting and moving them anymore than I have to. So, pretty much where I pack them is generally where they are staying until they get moved by someone else.


Today, I went ahead and paid up our rent for May and put the last part of our deposit down, so we only have to worry about renting the moving truck- we already have one reserved, and paying for gas to get out there. Along with that, we now have all of the utilities set up for when we move out there ready to go, Allen helped me with that when he was home this past week.


Other than the whole moving deal going on right now, I think I am finally about done fighting my sinus infection that I've had for the past 3 weeks. I feel great, I can pretty much eat anything I want- except spaghetti sauce, and can sleep pretty good right now.


Allen was home this past week to visit, and it went by entirely way too fast. I had to take him back to St Louis Airport, yesterday afternoon, for him to return back to work. He will work for two weeks, then hopefully come back to help us move. Throughout the week we spent time mainly trying to get everything set up and ready out in Fruita, and just spending time together. We went almost 8 weeks without seeing each other, and I think that is just about the max that I can take away from him. We also got to spend some time with a few of our friends while he was here, and it is just heartbreaking, seeing the sadness in everyone's eyes, even though they all try to hide it with a smile. I'm just relieved that most people "get it". Some have tried making this a burden to us, putting us through a guilt trip. What they do not realize, is that this is just as hard on us, if not harder, than it is for them. Not only are we moving away from where we both grew up with, and all of our friends and family live, but it is pretty much all we have known for the past 29 years. I am trying to get doctors lined up- and fast for when we get out there, because by the time we finally do get out there, I will already be 13 weeks along, and searching for the doctor I want to deliver our baby. Besides the OB doctor, we still have to find a Pediatrician, Dentist, Dermatologist, and a general Family Doctor. That's A LOT! Allen's been trying to get references from his co-workers on doctors to see, but most of the doctors are men, and I am just not very comfortable with a male doctor. I don't know why- maybe it's because I've had all female doctors all of my life, and I am just really comfortable with women more so than men. I'm not stressing myself out over all of this- we still have plenty of time, and I know we will find someone, even if it means going through 10 doctors before finding the right one. I just want this next experience having a baby to be just as good as it was with Hayleigh- everyone calm, collected, and comfortable. I just don't want a bunch of surprises, or things happening to me or us for that matter that result in a labor and delivery that I think back to with bad memories.


For the most part, everything has been going pretty smooth. I have been taking everything easy, and not over doing anything. I don't want this pregnancy to be too good to be true and lose it all.  After all, I am only 10 weeks, and I think I will feel much better in a few weeks, when we get well into that second trimester. As far as this pregnancy has been going- it has been a really easy one- no aches or pains yet in my hips or back, like what I had when I was pregnant with Hayleigh. I have more energy this time too- I think it is due to having to have the energy to take care of Hayleigh. I know I just cannot lay around all of the time- we have to eat a real dinner, lunch, and breakfast EVERYDAY. We have been staying as active as possible- playing,  and going for walks with me pulling Hayleigh in her wagon. As far as food cravings for now, it is FRENCH FRIES. YUMMM! Just saying that makes my mouth water for them! I crave fruit too- but not near as much as I had when I was pregnant with Hayleigh. I really do not want to crave those silly fries, but, try telling your stomach that when fries are anywhere near. Allen thinks that my craving potatoes is really funny- his mom craved them too when she was pregnant with him. During one of our trips through McDonald's this last week, I caught myself growling while eating them, and Allen looking at me like I was a rabid dog ready to bite his arm off if he got anywhere near my precious fries. I am really afraid of what I am going to look like at the end of this pregnancy if I crave nothing but potatoes...I'm already popped out a tad in the front, and blow up like a balloon after eating. At least I can now suck my belly out, and not be too ashamed. This past week, I also busted some maternity clothes out of retirement- mostly to fit my new bust size, since my other shirts look awful with the new size, and I just need a little more belly room too. My favorite clothes have been my yoga pants/leggings paired with a maternity or loose fitting shirt. The comfy look~

me 10wks first thing in the morning- that is why I don't look so chipper yet...

Anyway, I'll post more pictures from this past week up later- I need to get packing and pronto! 

9wks and Comparing Pregnancies

Tomorrow is 9wks for baby #2. While this pregnancy has been easier in some ways as of now, I can truthfully say that when I am pregnant, I am a big ole hot mess of snot the first trimester. Both this pregnancy and when I was pregnant with Hayleigh, I struggled with being congested 24/7 until after the first trimester. At least this time around, I am better prepared! With Hayleigh, I gagged and threw up every night when I would be congested, trying to cough it up. This time, I guess my body has learned how not to throw up, or else my stomach is a little bit more prepared.


I went to the hospital over the weekend with a broken tooth, causing an infection/pain in my jaw, and my congestion had gotten soo bad that I have been having to apply hot compressions daily, just to clear my nose up half way. When I saw green snot, and had the pain start in from my tooth, I knew I could not try to put it off anymore. It was not doing me or the baby any good to be tough. So, I went in, and got checked out. They went ahead and prescribed me a zpack antibiotic- safe for me to take while being pregnant. The doctor said that should take care of my tooth as well, buying me a couple of weeks to get the infection gone before we move, and to give me a chance to find a dentist and an ob as soon as we get moved. 


In the other ways of being better prepared... I am sick of coughing soo hard that it makes me pee my pants! SICK OF IT! I know TMI... Ohh well, get over it I guess. Anyway, I finally went out and got me a pack of depends pads to cure peeing my pants, and picked up some more Sudafed 24hr dose. Sudafed seems to be the only thing I can take besides Benadryl, and works 100% better than Benadryl, without knocking me out. So, other than being congested, and a little dizzy from my sinuses draining, I've felt great....a little tired, but great. I'm not had as much nausea with this pregnancy, but I think that is due from me learning to snack A LOT. I think throughout the day, I take care of Hayleigh, camped out in my bedroom, rest, eat, pee, eat,blow my nose, drink iced water, eat, enjoy a quite bath after Hayleigh is asleep, eat, then sleep, and repeat. And Bras, yes bras..... I know my boobs are far bigger than they were when I was pregnant and after I had Hayleigh. OMG! I feel like I have soccer balls for boobs this time. I've already had to go up 2 bra sizes! TWO!!! gesh! Maybe this time I can actually produce milk like a factory, instead of trying everything possible to try to produce any. I had better as big as these things have gotten! Needless to say, I can no longer go into a store and just buy a bra by the size it is on the rack without trying it on first.... I learned that the hard way after getting home, and not even being close to getting the sucker on! So, after 2 bra exchanges, I now try EVERYTHING on. 


As far as things I have not been prepared for.... GAS. Yes, gas. The first night I started my zpack, I had to take two to kick start it off. That night, I woke up out of a dead sleep with an incredible pain in my abdomen. I knew I was not having problems with the baby, but could feel this pain moving- a lot like a really hard contraction- from what I remembered being in labor with Hayleigh. The pain moved all the way down to my bottom, and I found myself getting sick over the pain, and running to the bathroom. Let's just say that any problems I have had of almost being constipated, are completely cured now. My first thought through all of the pain was relating it to being in labor, and thinking to myself, I don't care about being tough this next time I'm in labor- I'm getting an epidural! 


Among other things, I've become more emotional over things, which was to be expected. I'm a little bit more moodier, but I've also got a lot more on my plate this time than when I did when I was pregnant with Hayleigh. Sure, my grass looks like it is a foot tall- probably is, my house is a disaster- there are boxes everywhere, but, I am taking care of Hayleigh, me and the baby foremost. Those things can wait for now. I would rather have a healthy and happy family, than a clean house, and freshly mowed perfectly stripped yard, and be miserable. 


Other happenings.... let's see, Allen is coming home to visit for a week on this Sunday night!!!! It is very weird that he has been gone 99% of my pregnancy so far. I know it really bothers him, because it bothers me. I wish he could have been here when we found out we were expecting. But, things don't work out like we want them to. I also go back to work tomorrow, and Friday for my last two days of work. 5am is not looking too great to me right now, considering I've been lying in bed until 10-10:30 the past week, trying to let my body rest all I can to help fight this sinus infection off, and grow a healthy baby at the same time. 


I am getting anxious about moving. I just want to kind of get it done and over with. I hate being in limbo, and would just like to be over this sinus crap already, and enjoying being outside playing with Hayleigh as much as I can. 


Hayleigh had her last wellness check up on Monday, here in Olney. Of course, I got the third degree about vaccinations, and about Hayleigh still drinking milk out of a bottle. It doesn't really bother me anymore. I feel like I know my child more than the doctors do as far as her eating habits go. She will not drink milk out of a sippy. We tried cold turkey, but she does not like milk in general- I never have really either, so I am not pushing the issue until she turns two, and then I will just supplement a different way- pedisure, or something else. I know I will definitely be getting Allen and Hayleigh vaccinated against whooping cough before this baby comes, along with any family that will be visiting after the baby is born, and I will have to wait until after I have the baby to receive the vaccination. The baby will be born in the winter months, and that is just one thing I worry about- colds, and sickness. As far as vaccinations go, we will probably still stick with the two and talking for the most part. From what we have researched, I would rather wait a bit, before starting vaccinations- it is what we are comfortable with, and may not agree with or work with what others believe. 


Anyway, we are all doing good for the most part, just getting anxious to see Allen, and anxious about the big move as well. 


Baby #2 developments for the week: 

How your baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

8wk Ultrasound and Baby #2

So, Thursday, I went with one of my good friends to get my first ultrasound done for this new baby- to get to see and hear a heartbeat, and make sure that the baby was growing and thriving. I always think I will cry going to things like this, but I never seem to. I guess I'm just too happy. Everything went very well, except for the receptionist at the front counter in admissions. She knows my mom, and does not apparently know what is now going on between my mom and I, but brought it upon herself to try to make me feel like a pile of crap. She sees  me and tells me that I know I am killing my mother..... REALLY??? I do not know why people have to get themselves involved in other people's business. It really just bummed me out after the ultrasound what she had said and knowing that I was there to get something done. The more I sit and think about it, the more I want to call the hospital and talk to someone there about what happened. That lady may not know what I was there to do, but intentionally tried to ruin my day. I guess I am just the most upset over that it did not ruin the ultrasound, but it did ruin the rest of my evening, because I let what she said get to me. It was a special day for me, and she ruined most of it. I am fine now, but still planning on doing something about what was said- someone should know what she is doing at her desk when she is bored and not busy. Anyway, here is the video of part of the ultrasound. We didn't find it necessary to keep recording my ovaries after the tech finished checking out the baby.

Wordless Wednesday- 8wks!!!!

Tomorrow, I will be 8wks along with Baby #2! Tomorrow is a big day! Hopefully we will get to see the baby moving around and waving, and hear the heartbeat. I cannot wait! That must explain why I cannot sleep anymore! I am soo happy that I am off of work for this week and most of next just for that. Today has been pretty hectic. Missy and Toby got out of our fence, and ran two houses down before I finally found them. I looked all over our house, our backyard, and our neighbor's yard, before walking down our road to get our mail, all while yelling their names. I finally found them running to me, covered in stink mud! eggghhhh! the smell was awful!!!! They are now on total lock down for the rest of the night- just allowed out for potty breaks and food and water. After all of that, Hayleigh decided to throw a tantrum before her nap- sigh... never a dull moment in our household anymore! I wouldn't trade it for anything- but the dogs running off- that has got to stop. I was afraid I was going to find them on the road run over- I always expect the worst. Anyway, busy, busy day! Well, in celebration of  tomorrow, I figured I would start posting these updates now- after all, I did the same for Hayleigh. So, Baby M #2 - your developments for this week:
How your baby's growing:

New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.