{Hannah}: 38 weeks!

We are getting SO CLOSE to meeting Hannah! I could say that I am worn out, exhausted, not sleeping, and in pain, and that wouldn't really cover it. Pregnancy is no joke. I'm just trying to keep an attitude of gratitude: thankful that she's healthy, active, and that so far this pregnancy has been good for her. I'm thankful we live in a country where I can assume that she and I will be taken care of with the best medical technology available if something does go awry!

We went to another gorgeous wedding this weekend - this time it was for Austin's step-sister, Chelsea, and her new hubs, Evan. It was wonderful and beautiful, and an excuse to pull Austin's nose out of his books!

We also celebrated Austin's 29th birthday with family (you can start sending in 30th birthday celebration suggestions now, I'm already working on it!!).

He joked that he didn't want to have to share his birthday with Hannah, and now we won't have to worry about that since it's already passed!

In all, it's been a good week, but I am completely worn out. Exhausted.

This week, Hannah is the size of a ukulele... Preferably a pink one. ;)

How far along? 38 WEEKS AND THREE DAYS!!!!!!! Just four more days til we are full-term. WHOO HOOOOO!

Maternity clothes? 90%, and breaking out some flowy fall tunics that's aren't maternity

Stretch marks? Nothing new
Sleep: not getting much. You come anytime, Hannah. Nothing will change. 

Miss anything? Bending, sitting and sitting up normally!
Movement: sometimes vigorous, usually just slight movements.
Food cravings: anything I didn't cook.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not lately.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: Now dilated to 3 cm, and 50% effaced. Doctor said, "see you in a week - if you make it that long." We all know that doesn't mean I'll have a baby before next week... But I won't complain!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Exhausted, so probably moody.
Looking forward to: HANNAH'S BIRTH! Anytime you want, baby girl.
Prayers this week:

For Austin: that he would be able to focus and remember the principles he is re-learning. It's a struggle for him to be away from us to study so much - I know that the pictures I send him of what Ethan and I are up to sometimes make it harder for him to continue studying. I'm proud of him for persevering, I'm prayerful that he would pass his test so we don't have to endure this mess with TWO kiddos in the spring. 

For me: I had a major anxiety attack this week when I couldn't get Hannah to move during one of the times I'm supposed to check her movement (one of the times that she usually chooses to move). Pray against that kind of anxiety an that I would TRULY cast my cares upon the Lord, both now with her in my belly and when she arrives. (Yes, she moved - after I called my parents AND my doctor). I could also use a little motivation and energy. On Friday I attempted to boycott all house work, but it didn't work. So finding some form of rest when caring for a 2 year old solo would be good, too.

For Hannah: for her health in the womb, through delivery and postpartum (and mine, too!), and that she would be a little girl who is passion all for Jesus.

For Ethan: he's getting to be more clingy, so our prayer is that he would adjust well to Hannah's arrival, and love his little sister well.

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 37 weeks!!

We spent most of this week fighting off a cold. I hate colds. They're obnoxious, and Ethan seems to get them an awful lot. He's mostly fine, but he sure is oozing some snot, and he sounds pretty congested. I try to be cognizant about spreading it around, so this week we have avoided MDO and small group, where he would be in close contact with lots of other kiddos. It sure can make you stir-crazy!

Hannah, we have made it a long way together! I'm getting more excited to meet you as I get more and more exhausted by pregnancy. (Add cramps to the list of things keeping me awake at night.)

Right now, Hannah is considered "early term". 37 weeks used to be considered full-term, but sometime in late 2013, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed this to 39 weeks (Ethan was born at 39+1). Research shows that babies born at 37 weeks have more of a risk of complications, such as difficulty breathing, than those born just two weeks later. (More info: http://m.acog.org/About-ACOG/News-Room/News-Releases/2013/Ob-Gyns-Redefine-Meaning-of-Term-Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=true.) For this reason, as "done" as I feel, and as exhausted as I am, I really want Hannah to hang out for two more weeks! (And then she can come!)

Hannah is currently the size of a tackle box (that one's for you, dad!), 19.75" long and weighs around 7 lbs.

I forgot to take a picture before Austin left, so we squeezed this one in - jammies again!!

How far along? 37 WEEKS (and 2 days)!!! Just under 2 more til we are full-term. 

Maternity clothes? Mostly
Stretch marks? No new ones
Sleep: mostly awful, occasionally ok!

Miss anything? Sleep
Movement: lots, when she wants to!
Food cravings: anything easy!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Nothing too bad since they changed my heartburn regimen for the 3rd time.
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: I'm still just dilated to 2 cm, and 50% effaced - no further progress this week.
Belly Button in or out? In, and I think it'll stay that way.
Wedding rings on or off? On, no swelling
Happy or Moody most of the time? Just tired!
Looking forward to: Austin & Sarah's birthdays, and a family wedding this weekend!Prayers this week: praying that the end of this pregnancy would be healthy and as smooth as it can be, as well as the delivery! We will meet our girl SO soon!

xo,

Elizabeth

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{Hannah}: 36 weeks

This weekend, we went to Dallas briefly to visit one of Austin's best friends from college, and see my childhood bestie get married! I DO NOT recommend being the driver for a 3.5 hour road trip at 36 weeks pregnant (I did it so Austin could study). However, we made it there and back safely and Hannah stayed put, which was awesome :)

I'm SO glad I convinced Austin to try the bow tie. He pulls it off so well!

This week, Hannah is the size of a Cabbage Patch Doll, is about 19.25", and weighs 6 lbs 7 oz according to her ultrasound from today!

Hannah is perfectly positioned for birth, her organs look great, her weight is great - rejoicing that everything looks good with her.

How far along? 36 WEEKS!!! 3 more til we are full-term. 

Maternity clothes? 90% of the time. The shirt I'm in above is actually not maternity but it is forgiving, to say the least.
Stretch marks? No more new ones... yet.
Sleep: Terrible. Toss, turn, hydrate, bathroom, repeat.

Miss anything? SLEEP!! And more than one cup of coffee per day. Ugh. If I can't have one, can I have the other?!
Movement: still a good amount, but I can tell space is getting tighter.
Food cravings: food I don't have to cook. I'm getting lazy.
Anything making you queasy or sick? The addition of Zantac to my Nexium seems to be helping (hooray)! But I still need Tums close by.
Gender: Girl!!
Labor Signs: I'm dilated to 2 cm, and 50% effaced!
Belly Button in or out? In, and I'm wondering if Hannah will make it pop out (Ethan couldn't)
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Long car rides, when pregnant and driving, make me moody. Otherwise I'm just tired.
Looking forward to: our nephew's 3rd birthday party this weekend, Ethan seeing Unca Macka (Matt) this week sometime, and Austin's step-sister's wedding next weekend!
Prayers this week: I felt like I had really started to accept the idea that Hannah could be late (I was in total denial for a while because of the misery with the constant heartburn issues). And then this weekend wore. me. out. So praying again that I would be patient. Also praying for a healthy baby girl and a safe, easy delivery! She will be here before we know it either way.

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 35 weeks

This week I doubled the number of belly touches for this pregnancy (3 more in one week!) and I think it was disappointing for those people since she didn't move much - she really only moves during nap time and in the evenings. It's my consistent sit-and-rest times of each day, so it's her habit. It'll be interesting to see how that transitions outside of the womb!

I also got to reflect on what an amazing dad and husband Austin is, especially on Ethan's birthday. I am seriously tearing up! I don't thank him enough and I couldn't ever thank God enough for him. This man is a rock. He works HARD, often going in to work before daybreak so he can be home with us in the evenings. Some evenings, he comes home for dinner or bath time (he does bath time almost every night!!) and then goes back to work. He's also managing to study for his PE, so if he's not working, he's studying. And yes, this all means a really stressful season of life for all of us, but Austin has always sacrificed for us - even if he loses out on a lot of sleep. He got up at 4 am on Ethan's birthday so he could work before Ethan woke up for breakfast and get to spend the morning with us. He's loving us sacrificially as Christ loved us and is providing for us and leading us as he is called to. And let's be real: I DO get caught up in the stress of having a very busy husband (happened today! Sorry Austin...), but in the grand scheme of things, I'm so thankful that he has worked so hard for us and makes sure he is here when it matters most.

Hannah is currently the size of a kid's backpack (pictured is the one Ethan uses, preschool size). Hannah is supposedly around 18 inches and 5.5 lbs!

{We will get an official weight next Monday, 10/5. Blog posts will start being posted on Mondays as I visit my doctor every Monday from here on out, so no post this Sat!}

I was "sprinkled" today by a few of my friends and it was lovely! Hannah is going to be a really well-dressed little girl.

Everyone from the sprinkle {except Lauren}!

Here's Lauren! ;)

{And, yes, I did request that we wear big hats. I had a blast making mine!}

How far along? 35 weeks! 8 months! Almost done! Hooray!!!!

Maternity clothes? Yes.
Stretch marks? The ones from my pregnancy with Ethan have finally reappeared. Hoping my cream keeps them from getting huge.
Sleep: I don't think I'll see good sleep for a long, long time. 
Miss anything? Not feeling dehydrated all the time. I usually feel like I could drink water for days straight and still be thirsty.
Movement: She flipped herself head-up this week and freaked me out a little. She was back down the next day. Hopefully she stays that way -- she's running out of room and it'll be harder to flip herself back soon.
Food cravings: ugh. No thanks
Anything making you queasy or sick? Yep, heartburn/indigestion/reflux. But my dr suggested adding Zantac at dinner (to the Nexium I'm already on) to help with evening heartburn issues. We will see if this works!!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None, but the Braxton-Hicks contractions are getting to be more frequent
Belly Button in or out? In, but REALLY flattening.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Sleepy.
Looking forward to: A WEDDING for my childhood best friend next weekend, and then our last ultrasound for Hannah!!
Prayers this week: I just want to enjoy these last few weeks and maybe not look forward to the end quite as much as I am now, so really praying that these meds work or I'm just healed completely! My doctor adjusted my medicine for my heartburn, so hopefully the new regimen works!

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 34 weeks | {Ethan} 2nd Birthday Party

We had Ethan's birthday party this morning and it was a blast to have a house full of family & friends!

There were lots of tears and pouty faces today. Ethan really wanted to take his new trains EVERYWHERE. He loved all of his (many!) new toys... We may be a skipping gifts at Christmas this year as a result of the outpouring of presents today! There's no question - he is VERY well loved.

Now for miss Hannah!

I'm experiencing heartburn/reflux issues again. If waking up for the restroom or for water doesn't keep me up (sometimes for hours at a time), then reflux keeps me from going to sleep. Or both. I already have heartburn/reflux issues in pregnancy, but it is worsened by my iron supplement. I can't really stop taking that prescription, and we haven't found a prescription heartburn med that is safe for pregnancy AND helps me overcome my symptoms.

Y'all, I am tired. I know my sleep won't get better with a newborn, but I feel like having a little girl in my arms will at least feel more rewarding than this does. I cannot WAIT for the end of October to roll around. I'm not even going to think about her being late at this point.

How far along? 34 weeks! ~6 to go...
Maternity clothes? Yes.
Stretch marks? Hopefully nothing new, I'm out of my lotion and haven't gotten more yet!
Sleep: What is that?
Miss anything? Sleep.
Movement: Getting restricted! She occasionally rolls from the left to the right, and I feel smaller kicks and flutters.
Food cravings: something savory...
Anything making you queasy or sick? Everything. A glass of OJ before bed kept me up last night.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None, but the Braxton-Hicks contractions are getting to be more frequent
Belly Button in or out? In,but flattening. We may see it pop out this time!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Sleepy.
Looking forward to: Doctor appointments for Hannah & Ethan on Thursday! It's Ethan's actual birthday, but I think the most celebrating we might do is to go to dinner out somewhere.
Prayers this week: Just a little relief from these symptoms would be excellent. I am really looking forward to having some input from my doctor when I see her!

xo,
Elizabeth

{edit} I forgot! Hannah is about the size of a basketball hoop this week, and weighs around 5.5 lbs.

{Hannah}: 33 weeks + a sick brother, again

I don't have a lot of updates for Hannah, but I do have more prayer requests {see very end}! We will go for our next checkup on Ethan's birthday: his checkup is that day, his doctor is in the same building, and I want to kill two birds with one stone since it's a bit of a commute now. After that, our 36 week ultrasound is Oct 5, and then I have weekly appointments. At that point, I will probably switch to Monday updates and post after my office visits (I know you all wait with bated breath - the posts coming two days later will be such a challenge!). I'm glad I've been so diligent with this for Hannah. She may be our last biological baby, and it's been awesome to look back and compare this pregnancy with the last one - I know I'll look back over these later, too!

Ethan, on the other hand, has decided the weekend would be a fun time to be sick - again. And, again, I'm not sure if this is just a teething issue (6 at once does some damage) or if he is viral. We have no snot, sneezing, or coughing (yet), just some gross diapers, higher temps, and lethargy. Today was full of yuck and bad smells and discomfort - as soon as I picked him up from childcare at MOPS I could smell him, and it was downhill from there. Food, pedialyte, Tylenol, and rest seem to have helped!

Pre-MOPS, in his hipster-jeans cuteness. (I didn't notice the puffy eyes at the time, but they didn't go away all day.)

Post-MOPS, during our resting time & movie marathon.

Anyway - hopefully we will have a quick recovery overnight, and a great day tomorrow!

Now for the Hannah updates! Hannah is the size of a junior tennis racquet (19") and likely around 4.5 lbs.

She feels about like a tennis racquet, too, with her feet in my ribs as I try to put shoes on/take shoes off.

How far along? 33 weeks! ~7 to go!
Maternity clothes? Yes. 
Stretch marks? Hopefully nothing new, I'm out of my lotion and haven't gotten more yet!

Sleep: We have entered the phase where I wake up every night for the bathroom, and probably don't stay asleep more than 3 hours at a time. #babyprep

Miss anything? Good sleep!
Movement: Always!!
Food cravings: was craving Greek food and got some Tzatziki and pita to try to fix that, but was still disappointed because our surburban HEB doesn't carry falafel (WHAT?!).
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not currently, unless I eat too much (easy to do, running out of room).
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Tired.
Looking forward to: Rest this weekend! Even if it is forced by an unwell kiddo. 
Prayers this week: I have been praying daily to give my anxieties to the Lord. Hannah is now head down, but she still moves around a LOT (the whole body), so that stir anxiety, even though we do still have time. And, without too much detail, I had to have a procedure done last year (after Ethan's birth, before this one) that could affect if/how I dilate and deliver, which is scary. If I think about it too much, I will start to get anxious and just have to pray some more. There are so many doubts and fears with pregnancy alone that it's easy to get caught up in the anxieties and lose sight of the beauty of it. I've been using several verses to pray over myself and meditate over to calm these fears and remember Who holds both me and this baby girl! Any additional verses you think I may not have considered would be awesome.

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 32 weeks

This week was exciting! Ethan went to MDO, I super cleaned the house while he was there, and I really feel refreshed. Weeks of pulling double-duty on the parenting front had really worn me out. I actually wanted to cook dinner! Ha!

I also struggled with my heartburn on Monday - it was so severe that I didn't sleep almost at all that night. I tried to keep my head elevated and sleep, which is just not comfortable. I tried couches, beds... Nothing helped. I figured that the iron pills were probably the culprit, as nausea and heartburn are a common side effect, and I've had small bouts with each since I started taking them, despite already being on a prescription heartburn medication. I talked with my nurse at the doctor's office and we decided to keep me on the same iron pill, as this one has the least severe GI effects (ha!!!) but to change my heartburn medication. My new one is $6/day instead of $6/bottle... Not loving that price tag, but I'm not confined to eating toast, milk and Cheerios, either. By the time Ethan came home from MDO on Wednesday, I had the new meds in my system and I was a new woman! (And sleeping at night! Yay!)

As for Miss Hannah, we get to see the doctor in 3 days! We won't have our last ultrasound for another 4 weeks/two more visits, but we know she's breech (head-up, should be head-down), so we would really appreciate you keeping us in your prayers until she turns. It's pretty easy to tell where she is because she kicks my hips constantly! I've decided to have faith that she WILL turn!

Just in case you're wondering, bottoms-first births aren't pleasant. 

This week, Hannah is the size of a scooter board, and weighs around 4 lbs (probably more, we make big babies around here!).

Don't you want to go back to elementary PE now?

How far along? 32 weeks! ~8 to go!
Maternity clothes? About 85% of the time.
Stretch marks? No new ones since Ethan!
Sleep: Pretty good, as long as my heartburn is under control. 

Miss anything? Cooler temps
Movement: Always!
Food cravings: Satisfied my months-long PSL craving today. Is it just me, or are the prices going WAY up..?
Anything making you queasy or sick? Not anymore!!
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? A little more moody this week, but happy that mama got a break and got to take care of some chores this week - sans toddler.
Looking forward to: a BUSY weekend! A gender reveal, a birthday party, and a family dinner all on Saturday alone!
Prayers this week: Praying against temptation to be short-sighted and wish Hannah were here already. Homegirl needs to cook another 7+ weeks, and I can use that time to rest up! :)

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 31 weeks + a sick brother

Well, this morning started with a scream. Ethan decided it was time to wake up at 6:30 (norm is 7-8, more 8 lately). Since it was still pretty dark, I did the usual: ignore. He started screaming and got out of bed so I went upstairs and was met with the smell of vomit. Yay! Happy Saturday! Austin came up, gave him a bath, and I went to work on the laundry/making the stench go away. 

(In case you're wondering, Febreeze did nothing. My YL Purification oil is in the diffuser and that IS helping.) We took him downstairs and snuggled for about an hour before breakfast. He's had waffles and yogurt and kept that down - I was working on the assumption that the puke was a fluke and he was probably not sick this morning. We had two stinky, messy diapers since breakfast and now are waiting it out.

The last time he got super sick was Austin's birthday - almost a year ago. We had to cancel our birthday plans and take him home after he puked on his GiGi. So of course, it's fitting that we are supposed to visit with some of my dad's family today that I haven't seen in years and, he's doing this! Sigh...

This was from this morning, after the initial puke but before the the other messes. 

And this is after the other messes. 

I can say that Hannah did not enjoy this cuddle session and kicked every organ I have, making mama pretty nauseated, too.

He's now playing with cars, so there's hope for us yet! We are (maybe foolishly) hoping this was just something he ate, and not a full-on stomach bug.

This week, Hannah is the size of a foam finger (Or Cougar Paw, Go Coogs!!).

How far along? 31 weeks! ~9 to go!
Maternity clothes? Not currently, but most of the time, yes.
Stretch marks? None yet!
Sleep: Pretty good!
Miss anything? Sleep :)
Movement: Always! 
Food cravings: None right now!
Anything making you queasy or sick? A little nausea from the iron pills, as well as Hannah's shenanigans this morning. 
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time? Mostly happy, tired right now!
Looking forward to: the dozen or so celebrations we have in the next 2 months that will keep us busy as we wait for Hannah! (Birthdays, weddings, gender reveal parties, bingo night, and a pumpkin patch trip!)
Prayers this week: praying for our health currently. Hoping that this is not a bug, and if it is, that Austin and I don't catch it. 

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 30 weeks!!!

We are about 75% of the way through this pregnancy, and it is so exciting! I got to hold a 3-month-old this week and it reminded me how rusty I am with little babies - I'm pretty used to my (comparatively) independent toddler! But I'm looking forward to some baby snuggles and some bonding (and lack of sleep...) in the months to come!

My app says Hannah is the size of a motorcycle helmet, which is appropriate, since I am starting to think it looks like there is a big ol' helmet in my stomach.

Do you see it?

How far along? 30 weeks! ~10 to go!
Maternity clothes? Yes!
Stretch marks? None with this pregnancy. I got a few with Ethan so I'm doubling down on the lotion this time!
Sleep: Pretty good!
Miss anything? Not much now, really enjoying Ethan's long naps and the energy I now have since I started taking iron supplements!
Movement: Always! I don't even have to think about kick counts, this girl is active.
Food cravings: Someone just mentioned French toast on TV, so, that.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Getting a little nausea and heartburn from the iron pills I'm taking, but it's only occasional so it's manageable.
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: None :)
Belly Button in or out? In!
Wedding rings on or off? On!.
Happy or Moody most of the time? Mostly happy.
Looking forward to: The end of October, when Austin's test is over! :) But seriously. I miss having spare time with him after Ethan goes to bed.
Prayers this week: I'm just thankful for Hannah this week. These Planned Parenthood videos really have the waterworks going this week for me, and I'm thankful for her life, for her health, and for the opportunity to be her mom. Yes, I'm sad for the babies who aren't being given the opportunity to be a son or daughter, but I'm hurting for the mamas who are put in situations where they think that is their best (or only) option, or who live with the burden of taking that path.

xo,
Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 29 weeks

I know this is a Hannah post, but this week has been amazing for Ethan! (Insert Kanye's 'Imma let you finish' meme here.) he has started to put more words together - forming sentences - spontaneously. I'm so impressed by him! He's said some two-word sentences for a while (all done; all gone; bye bye dada) but today he said "bye bye Daniel Tiger" and is repeating after me when prompted to add 'please' to items he is asking for ("crackers, please"). He even identified a star-shaped sticker as a "sticker star"! I have no idea where he is compared to other kids his age for vocabulary, but seeing this develop over the course of one week has been awesome. #mombragover

This is me at 28 weeks with both kiddos! (Left is Ethan, Right is Hannah)

I also found a much cooler, new way to track Hannah's growth. This week, she's the size of a Barbie convertible... And I'm about as comfortable as a woman with a Barbie convertible in her belly could be.

On Monday, I went in for my Gestational Diabetes testing, and really expected to pass. (I'm glad I re-read my blog on my pregnancy with Ethan because I totally forgot that this appointment takes so long. So I took some toys for Ethan to play with, and he handled himself really well!) I did end up "passing" that test, but I came back with an iron deficiency, which I didn't expect. I've been more tired lately, but I chalked it up to pregnancy, chasing a toddler, and watching Ethan solo more often than before (Austin is spending most evenings & weekends studying). So I was relieved to learn that there was more to it!  I'm a vegetarian, so sometimes it's easy to forget my iron (though we do eat a lot of spinach), but there are a host of other possible reasons why I'm iron-deficient. I received a prescription for iron pills, so I'm thankful that there's a solution for the problem and that the doctor found it!

How far along? 29 weeks! ~11 to go!

Maternity clothes? Yes! Or stretchy non-maternity clothes. 

Stretch marks? No new ones yet. *crossing fingers & applying lotion*

Sleep: Pretty good. Weird dreams continue!

Miss anything? Caffeine. Abundant caffeine. 

Movement: Yes!! She moves the whole belly around now!

Food cravings: Someone just mentioned French toast on TV, so, that. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Despite taking my prescription for heartburn, I had a touch of it today, which is never fun. 

Gender: Girl!

Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On! All repaired and shiny. 

Happy or Moody most of the time? Mostly happy. Is tired an option?

Looking forward to: Seeing my family this weekend!

Prayers this week: Praying that the iron pills do their job & Hannah stays healthy! Also starting to pray for things to come at the end of this pregnancy: patience for me (if she is late), for a smooth delivery (!), and praying for peace that everything will work out. Austin's (huge) test is Oct 30, Hannah is due Oct 31: as long as she doesn't come ON Oct 30 we should be ok... ;)

xo,

Elizabeth

{Hannah}: 28 weeks

The countdown is on! Y'all, 3 months feels so long right now. Having done 6, I know it'll fly by, but sometimes it feels like we still have a ways to go before we get to meet our little girl. 

We were in the car on Friday, and Austin said for the first time that he was getting excited about having a newborn in our house again. Watching him process this was sweet: the idea that we are having another baby finally sunk in! We all know I've been getting ready for her for a while. ;) Speaking of which, the blanket my mom is making for the nursery might be done this week (!), so when that is finished, I will be able to post the full pictures of the nursery. I've also tasked her with making some gowns for thanksgiving & Christmas and I'm very excited about how cute those will be. My poor mom, I keep giving her more sewing projects!

I've been keeping myself busy with other projects (nesting?): cleaning out Ethan's closet, selling off his old clothes, washing and sterilizing baby bottles and pumps, figuring out other insurance issues... Those lovely little nagging tasks you have to attack before another baby comes!

Yep, forgot to take the picture until it was bedtime. Those are my super comfy pjs - I'm just glad Old Navy makes pj pants in a 'long'!

How far along? 28 weeks! ~12 to go!

Maternity clothes? Not my pjs :)

Stretch marks? Not yet. 

Sleep: Pretty good. Weird dreams lately!

Miss anything? The freedom to take OTC meds. 

Movement: Yes!

Food cravings: I can't think of anything, because nothing sounds very good right now. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Not sick, but food just isn't appetizing. 

Gender: Hannah Girl!

Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On, about to go back to the jeweler though - another diamond bites the dust. 

Happy or Moody most of the time? Mostly happy.

Looking forward to: Having some family in town in a few weeks! Then it's birthday & wedding season - lots to keep us busy in the next 3 months!

Prayers this week: Praying that the test I have to take in the morning for gestational diabetes comes back negative!

{Hannah}: 27 weeks & I'm packing my bags

I've been working on my packing lists for the hospital for several weeks now (surprised?), which is exciting because in about 3 months, I will actually get to use them! (Imagine me doing a little dance here.)

I'm planning on packing 3 bags, and putting them in my car in about 8 weeks (that feels far away and so close all at once). I'm making my lists now, though, because I tend to do better with these things when I have more time to think about what I do or don't want to take, what I wish I had last time, etc. 

Here's what I have so far:

My Bag

DSLR Camera

phone chargers

stretchy pants

dark pajama pants

warm socks (2 pairs)

grandma panties

comfy nursing bra

kindle

glasses

contacts case

tooth brush & paste

hair brush

straightener

hair ties

my going home outfit

nursing cardigan

shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer

mascara

Nursing Mother's Companion (book)

reed oil diffuser & YL oils (tutorial: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/02/diy-essential-oil-reed-diffuser.html)

Hannah's {Diaper} Bag

nursing pads

lanolin

medela hydrogel pads (or ask for hospital to give you some)

nursing pillow

sleep & play + hat to go home in

white onesie (for pics)

white headband (for pics)

socks

mittens

hats

swaddlepod

canvas for footprints (they will stamp it for you right after birth)

You'll notice diapers didn't make the list: hospitals give them to you. In fact, if you're like me and will meet your healthcare deductible anyway, it doesn't hurt to ask for hydrogel pads, nursing pads, lanolin, diaper rash cream... They will likely bring it!

The third bag I have to pack is Ethan's bag, with his typical overnight stuff for Grandma & Papaw's house. We plan to drop him off there on our way to the hospital, since their house is on the way. I haven't decided if we will do the sibling gift exchange yet (this is mostly for Ethan's benefit). If you have, what did you have them give each other? How else did you help get Baby 1 ready for Baby 2?

I should probably say I'm packing 4 bags because we all know that I will end up getting Austin's packed too! He did a pretty decent job with his last time so maybe he just needs to be reminded. ;)

How far along? 27 weeks! We are in the LAST trimester, folks!!

Maternity clothes? Yes! Just got a few steals at Motherhood today, actually. 

Stretch marks? No!

Sleep: mostly good as long as it's cool enough in here. It's not hot, it's just me.

Miss anything? Not taking heartburn pills daily. 

Movement: yes! You can SEE her moving!

Food cravings: sometimes I crave donut holes, but we have been working out 3x a week and I really don't want to undo that. I also don't carry cash and don't need to spend $5 on donut holes (the minimum CC payment)... But the struggle is real y'all. And tasty. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Only if I forget to have 6 small meals instead of 3 normal ones.

Gender: Hannah Girl!

Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On, about to go back to the jeweler though 😕

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy, like a room without a roof!

Looking forward to: White Linen Night tonight!

Prayers this week: that Austin and I would be more regular with reading Ethan's kiddo Bibles and Bible stories at night. Last night, it was 8:45 before we realized the time and had to rush him to bed! Praying for fewer nights like that and more time teaching Ethan about the Lord. We want a better and more Christ-focused rhythm with Ethan that we can include Hannah on after she arrives!

xo,

Elizabeth

{Ethan}: 22 months | {Hannah}: 26+ weeks

I just had to tear myself away from the first baby book I've opened in preparations for Hannah's arrival. I'm soaking up this info, as this little girl is due in 3 months and 5 days! (ALMOST the 3rd trimester, y'all!!)

{Ethan}
In the 22 months since Ethan was born, it's been easy to forget the newborn phase and its demands as we adapted to the next phase of Ethan's babyhood. Looking back, the time has flown by. I imagine that I will have a two and four year old in no time. That said, it's also sort of hard to believe that we have less than two months left before he becomes a two-year-old big boy. He's hilariously adorable in smiling BIG for the camera or phone, mimicking our words, counting to three, and singing his ABCs (especially L-M-N-O-P, which is 'lalalalala'!). We also try to find hilarity in the less-than-adorable moments... you know, for sanity's sake. There's a lot of whining lately, but at least he actually says please and thank you now (and signs them!). For several months, he was saying "mo" (more) and signing "please". Glad we straightened that one out!

This weekend, we took the little man to Austin. We love to visit the Thinkery, their children's museum, and we also LOVE to visit our friends Alex and Stephany, and their two adorable sons. We met Alex & Stephany in college, and we love getting to do this phase of parenthood with them. We're just sad that 2.5 hours separate our houses! We went to Zilker park, enjoyed a COLD spring-fed pool in a heat advisory, had a picnic lunch and rode the Zilker Zephyr train. We took a ride on Grammie's golf cart, explored several parks, ate great BBQ and got to play in the dirt with friends. It's almost enough to make us wish we lived in Austin. Almost. ;)

he loves trains

when concentrating, one MUST stick out one's tongue

all fruit are apples, all colors are yellow. this is Ethan's law.

getting ready to play with water!

that tongue again

Alex, Stephany and their adorababies

Alex teaching us to feed geese

trucks and trains at dinner at the Salt Lick

cruisin in a golf cart

more trucks

album cover

we seriously love this expression.

6'7"

I'm 5'10", and Hannah is 14-15", and weighs between 1.6 and two pounds.

How far along? 26 weeks - 14 to go, ONE WEEK left in the second trimester!!!

Maternity clothes? Yes!

Stretch marks? No!

Sleep: Pretty darn good, though Ethan did wake us up last night. Thankfully, that's rare, and all the more reason to re-read these baby books and refresh my memory on how to have a good sleeper!

Miss anything? Being on vacation ;)

Movement: A lot! And I love the reminder that she's there.

Food cravings: Anything that won't make me feel bloated.

Anything making you queasy or sick? I took my heartburn pills this week, so.. no!

Gender: Girl!!

Labor Signs: None

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time? Happy, but harping on things when I'm not. Trying not to be a 'harper'.

Looking forward to: time with my mom before she goes back to work (teaching), White Linen Night this weekend, and an Astros game tomorrow!

Prayers this week: Still focusing on being quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. Sorry if that's redundant (it feels like it to me, wish I could flip a switch!) but I believe that He's working it out!

Happily hitting the hay now, friends.

xo,

Elizabeth

PS- Am I the only one who thinks the veggie/fruit comparisons don't do the baby justice? This week was zucchuni. Sorry, but a 14+" zucchini is rare, to say the least.