Okay, as I type this, I am 37 weeks pregnant with baby #4...I am so over this pregnancy.  I go to the doctor once a week now and I was already measuring 1cm dilated last week.  I hope there is some progress this week when I go.  I need to start getting out and walking...

Here are my stats from last week - 36 weeks:

Weight: +22 lbs

BP: 101/72 (which is a little high for me)

Baby's HR: 138

Everything is on track for me to have another induction the week of January 17th...at least that is what I am planning.

The holidays were CRAZY!!! We didn't leave the state of Maryland, but managed to travel all over or so it felt.  I felt terrible the whole time and eventually went to the doctor on Monday, the 26th.  Upper respiratory infection - awesome!  Elli then came down with something the week after Christmas - just a virus...

I am now in organizing and simplifying mode - getting rid of all my tupperware (especially the ones with mismatched lids - there is nothing more annoying to me).  I got new pots and pans for Christmas so I am recycling my old ones...I hope you can recycle them - they are in the yellow bins...we'll see if they take it later this week...

Christmas decorations, tree, etc came down after our last Christmas celebration on the 27th, then I got a bug up my butt to sort and organize the kids toys.  We have too much crap.  I need to donate 50% of what we have...it is so hard though...maybe this will be a spring cleaning effort.  

My goals for this new year start with financial stuff - get my financial house in order and get rid of my one credit card...it is annoying that I carry a balance and I really need to get serious about getting rid of it.  I have been following a lot of money saving mom blogs, and hopefully they will give me a jump start and motivation to follow through.  It will be tough for the 6 weeks where I am not working...and our maternity leave plan SUCKS...it isn't a maternity leave plan, it is short term disability and it is just crap.  I love my company (well, I love the people that I work with) but the benefits are not that awesome when it comes to maternity leave...I will keep harping on the President until he fires me or until he retires...

Packing my bag for the hospital - this has been quite a challenge for me.  I think because I am just lazy right now and I keep putting it off because I know that I will probably have to be induced and it will be a night before I am scheduled to have the baby.  The problem is that with my last pregnancies it was always hot out, so I didn't need to really bring anything EXTRA.  This time it will be freezing out and I just feel a little unprepared.  Oh well, my strategy is LESS is MORE.  As long as I can take the laptop and get a connection at the hospital, all will be fine.  I will only be there for a day or two...

I installed the car seat this morning, after washing everything so it smells wonderful!  It will be weird to have 4 car seats in our suburban.  We will no longer be able to take the camry anywhere - for emergency cases, we were able to fit 3 car seats in the camry by slamming the doors shut, but not anymore...no room for 4!

Jake started his new "structured" playgroup this morning.  It is a one-on-one intense learning environment.  He cried the almost the whole time he was there.  The poor guy, in the past month, he has been to a neurologist, he has seen a sensory specialist, Thursday he is having his hearing checked, and we are still waiting on confirmation back from Kennedy Krieger to see if they will schedule us an appointment at their Center for Autism Related Disorders.  The structured playgroup is a free program offered by our county infants and toddlers program.  I love the county program and have been very satisfied with them so far.  Jake is 27 months old and not talking.  He babbles, but he doesn't say "Mama" or "Dada" or "Baby" - none of the words he is "supposed" to be able to say around the 12-15 month range.  So, he will go 3 days a week for 90 minutes each day to be seen by an Occupational Therapist, a Speech Pathologist and a Sensory Specialist.  We have been doing a lot with the sensory "diet" and he seems to be comprehending things more now, but not vocalizing anything...so, I hope this playgroup helps him.  They thought he might be on the Autism Spectrum, and they might still think this.  But, I had him evaluated by Dr. Marc Disabella from Children's Hospital and he said he thinks he just has a developmental speech delay.  More to follow on his progress later.  He is such a sweet boy.

Hank is just as lovey as ever.  He does this "thing" where he kisses my whole face.  He kisses my eyes, both of my cheeks, my chin, my forehead, my nose, and my lips and he is just so freaking adorable.  It just melts my heart.  I hope he always does this to me.  He also tells everyone all the time that he loves them...could there be anything more sweet???

Elli is also doing extremely well.  She was very interested in where Santa lives and why we celebrate Christmas and how old is Jesus?  She is so cute and in this questioning sort of phase right now.  She is also goofy as ever.  

Anyway, this is a long overdue update...

Did I say that I am DONE with this pregnancy???  Who knows maybe I will go into labor naturally???  Ha!!!

32 weeks

It has been a very busy December already!
I had my 32 week appointment last week, here are my stats!
+21 pounds
86/55
baby HR: 155 - she had the hiccups when the doctor did the heartbeat.

We had our first annual Gillespie Girls cookie making party on Sunday.  It was such a great idea and so much fun to get together with the relatives before Christmas (even if it was only the girls). 

Then my week got off to a pretty rough start.  Jake started throwing up everywhere Monday afternoon.  I was helping sort the Mickman's fundraiser products and as we were about to leave, he started throwing up all over himself.  Poor baby...
Well it is Wednesday and I still had to take him back to the doctor this morning.  Ugh, I guess it is that time of year.  Luckily, his fever finally went down today and he is acting a little more like himself and not just a walking zombie.  I was worried last night when he wouldn't do anything but lie on the floor with his eyes open - very scary.

Army-Navy is this weekend and I really don't know if I feel like going.  I have organized a limo bus and have a TON of food to prepare, but I might just send Daniel with the food...I don't know...

Anyway, that is it for right now...I know, short posts as of late.

I have a lot of stuff going on with Jake right now and the first is his neurologist appointment on Friday.  Luckily, someone canceled so we don't have to wait until February to see the doctor from Children's hospital.

Finally, the last trimester of my last pregnancy:)

I have said it before - I am not very good at being pregnant.  I complain, whine, I'm exhausted, I sometimes pee my pants, I have a few beers every now and then, eat tuna tartar (rarely, but it is oh so good when I treat myself), drink 2-3 cups of coffee daily, pick up my kids (older two are 40 pounds and youngest is 25 pounds), climb on counters, try and do too much, etc...

I am starting to feel the pain.  I feel like I am in an 80-year-old person's body.  My body doesn't like being pregnant.  I am also impatient.  I can't wait to meet Miss Emma.

After losing 40 pounds last year, I don't think that my body likes to be overweight.  I can feel my back starting to ache and my hips starting to widen.  I don't do yoga or exercise (unless you count laundry and cleaning).  I am just miserable and I know it is the home stretch, but...ugh.

See, I'm just whining and complaining...

But, there is something about this that is sad to me.  (This is just the horomones talking, I'm sure).  But, I don't think it has hit me that this will be my last pregnancy.  Which means, I am getting older.  I still consider myself to be a young mom...not compared to some of the women that we were walking around with on Halloween last night.  They were these little petite, trendy young mom's (probably not yet 30).  Can you hear the jealousy in my typing???  Ha!  They each only had one son...if I had had Hank first, he might have been an only child...ha!  I say that jokingly - until I co-op at my daughter's school and some of the boys are so sweet, but there are a couple who just march to the beat of their own drum.  Luckily, co-oping only lasts for 2+ hours.

Anyway, Thursday is my 28 week appointment, and I have to drink the Glucose...ugh.  I have probably packed on the weight now and am probably close to the 20 pound mark (if not over).  I just feel so heavy.  I need to cut back on the McDonald's and the chips, cookies and crap.  I need to focus on not putting a bunch of weight on now, so I don't have SO much to lose later.  Oh, and the holidays are coming up.

Did I mention that we are going to NC for Thanksgiving???  This trip is probably one that I dread.  It is 8 hours (at least) in the car.  I will probably have to pee a million times, the kids will be on different potty schedules than me and I am sure it will drive the old hubby crazy.  And, the kids totally get off schedule.  They stay up too late, get up too early and it makes me absolutely miserable.  I am hoping that DH will get us a hotel room.  My in-laws (god knows I love them) have a 3 bedroom house, and we have a total of 13 people to squeeze into the house.  My MIL needs some serious help cleaning and I doubt that she gets any help from my FILor BIL.  She should just hire a company (I have actually offered a few times, but she doesn't trust anyone...)The food is not healthy, and they don't let women and children eat first (which is kind of crazy since they are southern and supposed to be known for manners), and one time I came out of the back bedroom from nursing, and there was no food left.  That is unheard of in my family.  And the attitude was "well next time you will learn...which I find appauling and sad."  Watching some of my husband's relatives eat makes me a little sick to my stomach.  One person in particular just shovels food into his mouth like he is in a contest to see how fast he can eat and he stacks his plate.  He doesn't talk, he just shovels...and I get sick to my stomach watching it...but it's like a car wreck...Ew! 

Anyway, like I said, all I do is complain...

Oh, I have also started to see spots...and get frequent dizzy spells when I stand up.  I will ask my OB if this is something I should be worried about or not...so, 12 more weeks...but really I am hoping to be induced around the 10th-12th of January...it would be great if I actually WENT into labor this time around, maybe even in 2011 so we can capitalize on the tax year!  Here's to wishful thinking!!!

On a good note, my friend Nic just got back from Afghanistan - yeah!!!


 Well, i am tired and going to go to bed. I got a chance to talk to one of my fav people tonight. I need to work on being a better friend. Love you, KK!
Good night all!

--
Kristen

Top Mommy Blogs

So, my blog got accepted on the top mommy blogs site. I am not sure how big of a deal this is, considering there are so many sites listed. But, I was happy to just be considered. The baby center bloger contest ended recently, and to be honest (and maybe a little bit of a sore loser) I wasn't too impressed with the blogger they chose. Oh well. Anyway, this weekend has been exciting. We had a surprise birthday party on Friday, the Navy vs. ECU tailgate yesterday and today we are watching the Redskins game. Relaxing. I have put a basket together to Boo one of my friends. I am thinking about doing it tomorrow. It is such a cute idea.

Good morning!

It's Sunday...I finally went to the doctor on Friday, saw Dr. K at Harbor and she put me on an antibiotic.  I love her, wish I didn't have to drive 45 minutes to get to her.  Oh well...I talked to her about getting the IUD taken out.  Then I talked to Katie, my SIL, who is a nurse, about what BC to be on...because I am DEFINITELY not ready to get pregnant again right now.  I love the paraguard because of it's end result, but I dread getting my period every month because I am doubled over in pain, and the bleeding is out of control.  NEVER have I bled so much.  I talked to my OB and they said that is one of the side effects.  Ugh....it's been a year and I think I am DONE with it.  Also, my period lasts for 6-7 days....such a pain.
So, Katie suggested that I do the Nuva-Ring.  I have already tried pills and I can't remember to take them...I know it sounds silly, but I forget and then I'm screwed.  So, I need something that is sort of mindless.  Next time, after we have our 4th, I am getting the Mirena.  I heard that you barely get a period.  But, it has hormones and I don't know how my body will react.  Will I be more crazy than I already am?  Decisions, decisions, but, I am definitely calling this week to get my IUD out!!!  If anyone has any other suggestions, I would LOVE to hear it.  We/I are planning on trying to get pregnant in May/June....I want to have the 4th by the time I'm 35.  And then I think we are done.  We can adopt a child or sponsor a million mids, but I just don't want to be pregnant anymore...

Anyway, we had a great time yesterday at our nephew, Matthew's, 5th birthday bowling party.  The kids, Elli and Hank, love love loved to bowl.  I just wish they had the duck pins...we will have to take them again to go duck pin bowling.  We were home around 6pm and Hank and Jake went to sleep right away.  Daniel and I watched, It's Complicated with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin - it was pretty funny.  Daniel didn't complain too much but he demanded the remote after it was over:)

We are hoping to get to visit with Santa today.  We were supposed to have the Fox's over for the Redskins game, but with me being sort of sick, I didn't want to even take the chance of passing anything onto Samuel (their 5 week old baby).  So, we postponed that for another time.  We need to have more Redskins parties!!!  And, we need to have more sleepovers with friends and family....before I get pregnant again:( 

Alright, the kids have really gone all out to make a HUGE mess of the playroom and their bedrooms, so I will be putting the house back together today!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

It is the Saturday after Thanksgiving and almost all of my Christmas cards are in the mail, the tree is up and decorated, our blow-ups are up and the kids are loving them, Happy (our elf on the shelf) came last night and the kids found him this morning.  I already overheard Elli talking to him this morning....so sweet!  If you have kids and want to start a really sweet tradition, I highly recommend this....I love reading the story to my kids.  I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Set that I bought last year on Black Friday.   The kids love it and I love telling them the story of how Christmas started. 


So, I did Black Friday shopping this year again....but up here, usually I go with my SIL and MIL when we are in North Carolina.  I got up around 2:45am, hit Kohl's at 3am, Target at 4am, Walmart at 5:15am and Kmart on the way home around 6:30am.  Kmart in Edgewater was the most enjoyable experience.  No lines, no crazy people (like there were at Walmart) and I just had a great morning.

I got presents for all of my favorite little girls....they had Barbie dolls for $5...and now that Aunt Katie gave Elli her first Barbie, that is all she has been asking for:)

She also loves anything Dora related.  Someone gave Hank or Jake (I can't remember) this awesome reader for a birthday and the kids LOVE it.  I am trying to find more little books for it...

We had such a great time at my aunt and uncles on Thursday.  I made my WW stuffing and it was okay.  It seemed as if I was the only person to try it....oh well.

I feel so relaxed and not stressed since we didn't drive to NC.  I know Daniel misses the fattening food....but I don't miss the drive or the kids horrible sleeping schedules and the lack of bedrooms/beds for everyone.

Anyway, we went over to Megan and Jeremy's last night...ate so much food and provided free birth control!  We had such a good time and it was so good to see the newlyweds.

Today we are going over to Michael and Katie's, once again providing free birth control!  ha!  I'm going to make candied sweet potatoes and roasted brussel sprouts!!!

Daniel and I are going to the skins game tomorrow.  It is going to be a little chilly, but I'm super excited!!!  That's it for now!

xo,
Kristen

Almost done!

So, I am almost all done with my Christmas cards...I stayed up last night making labels to put on the back of the envelope with the address of our/my blog.  I used to do a Christmas letter and LOVE reading everyone else's...really, I love getting the Christmas cards with letters...but I think that the blog serves as a year-long letter and since I am not as diligent as I should be there aren't that many posts:)

Well it has been about 3 weeks since my last update and LOTS has been going on.  Jake has started walking....he is still my little peanut, but he is getting to be a big boy.  Hank had his 6 month evaluation with the Infants and Toddler Program (ITP).  And, Elli had her first birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  Daniel and I got away for a few days (sans kids thanks to my MIL) to Florida to see Megan Welsh and Jeremy Chayer tie the knot in Fort Lauderdale.  It was SOOOO so so so much fun!  I have LOTS of pictures, and luckily I brought my camera to piece together the nights that were a little fuzzy:)

The weight loss is going great - I hit 36 pounds and am not really TRYING to lose anymore...but would like to get down to 140, which is a few more pounds away.  I am really happy where I am now, but I am stuck on that stupid number.  ugh!  I am going to try a low fat stuffing to bring to Thanksgiving dinner....I want to try it out first here though....we'll see how that goes!  I love stuffing and I LOVE it when it cooks in the bird, but that is the fattest way to cook it:(

This year for Thanksgiving, we are staying here.  We usually make the trek down to Lumberton, NC to Daniel's parents house, but this year is my Godfather, Uncle Diz's, 60th birthday on Thanksgiving Day.  And, our family (mom's side) has strayed away from getting together on Thanksgiving because everyone is all over the place and everyone has done their own thing, so it's nice that we will all be together - even Brendan is coming into town from LA and bringing Jess!!!   I love my in-laws dearly, but wish they didn't live so far away.
When it was just Daniel and I - it was no big deal....but now it is so stressful for me and then the sleeping arrangements when we get there are not ideal and I am moody.  The kids don't sleep well because there are 3 other kids and people up at all hours.  So, it hurts me to say that my stress level is zero right now.  I can get all the Christmas decorations out and put the tree up and start decorating on Friday and Saturday.  I am pretty excited for this Holiday Season!!! 

Happy, our Elf on the Shelf, comes back on Friday and I am so excited because every year the kids understand a little more.  It also makes me a little sad that they are growing up.  Life is just too short and goes by in the blink of an eye. 

Black Friday - I'm thinking of going....but I need a plan and I need a specific list of things to get for people and a specific budget.  The townhouse is still vacant, so I need to get that rented ASAP...

Hope everyone has a good week.   I am working Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (from home).  Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

xo,
Kristen