{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

{Ethan}: 23 months old!

23 months with Ethan! One more to go until this little man turns two!

We noticed recently that when Ethan colors, he aims for the objects in the picture, which impressed us. He's still a scribbler, but he gets the concept.

Things he loves right now are minions (which he calls nini or nini-ga, no idea why he adds the 'ga'), Thomas the tank engine, and Sesame Street (specifically Elmo and Cookie Monster). That's kind of been the theme for a while, but you'll see it manifested in the pictures this month :)

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}: the nursery!

This video explains about how I feel about being done with Hannah's nursery:

Maybe not that dramatic, but still really exciting!

{credit}

bowtie frame made with MOPS group

'bonjour bebe' sign is a chalkboard from Kirkland's

L-O-V-E letters came unpainted from Hobby Lobby

burlap clip frame is from TJ Maxx

small white metal frame is from Marshalls

white blanket was mine as a baby

white pillow cover was made with leftover fabric from Hannah's bed skirt

nursing tote (in side table) was a shower tote in the Target dollar section ($3)

knobs from Hobby Lobby

lamp & shade from Target a few years ago

vase & flower from TJ Maxx

side table from Marshalls, repainted with Anne Sloane 'Old White'

knob from Hobby Lobby

blanket is minky with ruffles on one side, and a thicker cotton top

bumpers have horizontal (light) stripes

sheets from IKEA

crib skirt material came with the ruffles

{all but the sheets were hand-made by my mom}

the canopy was $11 (mosquito net) on Amazon,

and I added the ruffled burlap with a hot glue gun

Austin cut the boards from a pallet, and I secured them by

screwing each plank to a smaller plank.

lettering is just done with a sharpie!

Clearly very excited. Under 11 weeks until our due date, Hannah girl!

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.