37 weeks

Gosh I just looked back at my 36 week update from when I was pregnant with Harlie and I really am carrying so similarly. It's kinda trippy looking back.  Seems so long ago, but the memories are so clear. 

How far along are you?: 37 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: 30 pounds

How big is the baby?: Almost 6 1/3 lbs and 19 inches long.

Maternity clothes: Glad to almost be out of them!!!

Stretch marks?: No, but super itchy belly!

Sleep: I've noticed a pattern the last few nights. I'll wake up to go pee about 4 times before 1:00am and then twice again before I magically wake-up 2 minutes before my alarm goes off at 6.

Best moment this week: My super intimate and totally awesome baby shower that Autumn threw for me with the help of Melanie and Keri.  So much love and laughter in that room...All of these women are the best friends and mamas a girl could ask for. I'm so so lucky to have them in my life.

Movement: Way active today!!! She had slowed down a little earlier this week, but has been goin' gangbusters all day.

Food cravings: Fruit and cake

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: Well....at my 37 week appointment I measured 2-3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. For comparison's sake, at 37 weeks with Harlie I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced, and had her one week later. My Braxton Hicks contractions have been off the hook today and I've been having some cramping.  My body feels like it's getting ready, but I'd still like more time!

Belly button in or out: Innie for life.

What I'm looking forward to: Tomorrow, which is my last day of work before maternity leave...will be so nice not to have work on my mind as well as everything else!

This girl is my lifesaver...always there for me with a solution and a "snacky" when I need them most. She is the yin to my yang, and I love her so.

Autumn's beautiful home showcases Mel's thoughtful and absolutely perfect decorations, which made me freakin' cry.

Mel, the third twin sister or "thwista". She just gets me...the good the bad and everything in between. That we get to have baby girls together is one of the biggest blessings in my life.

My big sis who's been my protector and my advocate, my playmate and confidante, my accomplice and sounding board, really just my everything...I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world to be able to walk through life with her...womb to tomb, baby!

The best Mama's ever!  I seriously struck gold in this department. And both are the most caring grandmothers to my children which makes my heart sing. I know what it's like to have an amazing grandmother, and I'm so happy that Austin and my girls will be just as fortunate.

Da girls!

36 Weeks

How far along are you?: 36 weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain: 29 pounds

How big is the baby?: Almost 6 lbs and 18.5 inches long - wow

Maternity clothes: I wish I could live in yoga pants and tank tops.

Stretch marks?: Nope

Sleep: I want to say I'm sleeping a teensy bit better...still up a gazillion times a night to pee but the insomnia has subsided a bit the last few days.

Best moment this week: Scott and I took Harlie to Target so she could pick out a toy and outfit for her little sister. That was pretty fun. Here's a look at what she picked:

Movement: Still very active...super alien belly.

Food cravings: Grapefruit Juice

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: I think she's dropped because I can feel the weight of her down really low and my belly looks different. It's not as high and sticks out more. This has helped my heartburn too.  Also at my 36 weeks appointment my doc did a cervical check and I'm dilated to a "wiggly 1 cm" or 1.5cms.  My cervix is still nice and long though so I think I still have at least a couple weeks to go, but hoping for 3!  We have made progress on our baby to do list (rearranged furniture in bedroom to make room for pack and play, cleaned car seat cover, bought snacks, gas up truck...) but this weekend we need to pack our bags, get carseat in truck, clean the house, wash 0-3 month clothes, buy baby toiletries/medicine, and make a plan for Harlie and Austin.

Belly button in or out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Being ready!!!! So I can relax and enjoy the last few days with Harlie before little sister comes and let the excitement take over. I cannot wait to see what Ashlynne looks like, just cant wait to meet her!

Looking down...

 

35 Weeks

How far along are you?: 35 Weeks, 1 day

Total weight gain: 27 pounds

How big is the baby?: 5 1/4 lbs and 18 inches long - just about baby size...OMG!

Maternity clothes: Over them already.

Stretch marks?: Not yeeeeeet. Fingers crossed.

Sleep: I am officially couch bound now as it's the only place that I can get comfortable and sleep for any period of time.

Best moment this week: Aside from all the Christmas festivities which were fun, meeting baby Everleigh was a pretty awesome moment. Can't believe Scott and I will have our own little one very soon.  I'm a leetle freaked because H was 2 weeks early and the thought of A coming in 3 weeks is freaking me out. I hope she wants to stay put just a little bit longer so we can get everything ready!

Movement: The doc confirmed that our Peanut is head down, with her back primarily positioned on my right side, making my belly lopsided.  But she still moves a lot and will swing over to the left side sometimes, but not for very long. She feels very low.

Food cravings: Orange Juice again.

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: Braxton Hicks contractions have increased this past month. Usually when I stand up from a seated position and start walking.

Belly button in or out: In

What I'm looking forward to: My mini shower in a couple weeks. Love my friends.
 

2012 Recap

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?

• Worked in Facilities
• Experienced a surprise pregnancy
• Paired Mint tea with Oreo cookies
• Sat in a car while Austin was driving

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?


• Resolutions for 2012:
• Explore ways to cope with stress that are effective and healthy. Picking fights with your husband and losing patience with your children are not these ways.  FAIL
• Find a way to include exercise into my week on a regular basis. This goal is more to improve overall health...I mean let's be real...I don't like to exercise, so anything I do isn't going to make my legs and butt stop jiggling, but if I can get my blood pumping faster and more often, that can only be good for me. FAIL
• Engage in more physical play with Harlie. I did do this, until I got pregnant.
• Read more books (aside from book club selections).  FAIL
• Make more mix CD's. I have songs suggestions for CD's in my phone, Do I get 1/2 a point for this?
• Find ways to spend more quality time with Scott. Romance on the cheap!  Any ideas? FAIL.
• Bake with YEAST!  I bought the yeast, but I have not baked with it. FAIL.
• Let go and let God.  Sounds cheesy...but dude do I need to loosen my grip and chill the eff out.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! God thinks he's funny.
• Resolutions for 2013:
• Basically see above (let's try this again, shall we?), but throw in, DON'T BECOME AN EVEN CRAZIER CRAZY PERSON.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?


• Yes! Melanie! Little E was born on December 28th and is so so precious and absolutely beautiful!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
None.


6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?

• More financial stability
• A new home
• A growing savings account (repeat from last year)
• A vacation...a real one. (repeat from last year)

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

• June 10th, Ali's birthday brunch, book club and the day I found out I was pregnant.
• September 25th. the day I started my new position as SSA.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?


• My promotion to SSA, for sure, because of the significant income boost we so desperately needed.

9. What was your biggest failure?

• Not working to improve all aspects of my life. There was NO balance.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

• Does morning sickness count?

11. What was the best thing you bought?

• My iPhone could be the best and worst thing I bought.

12. Where did most of your money go?

• Food
• Daycare
• Insurance

13. What did you get really excited about?

• Ashlynne and Harlie having a little sister.
• My new job
• Summertime trip to the Tahoe House.
• Mark and Melanie's baby girl
• Christmas Festivities, and Harlie's shared enthusiasm for the holiday.

14. What song will always remind you of 2012?

• I Won't Give Up -  Jason Mraz

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? This is a complicated question because I'm an emotional wreck. Happier one moment, but sad the next.  In general I have much more to be happy about looking toward the future.
– thinner or fatter? Ha. FATTER!  I think I'll take this question off next year though, I mean who really cares?
– richer or poorer? Richer, income wise. Poorer, savings wise.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Focusing on the positive and gaining perspective.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?


• Worrying
• Nagging

18. How did you spend Christmas?

Two days before Christmas we celebrated up the hill then spent Christmas morning at home and Christmas Day at Florence's.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

Nashville

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

Cookbooks. Nigella's and Ree's.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?


Probably the songs Harlie sings/make up. They crack me up.

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

MI 4. Ha.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34. I can't really remember what I did...but maybe take-out and a movie???

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If we would have been able to buy a house....DITTO! I feel like this year is so boring because it's almost exactly like last year. Next year will be different fo sho'!

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?

Maternity chic, I mean maternity CHEAP!

26. What kept you sane?

Having Mel to commiserate with regarding all things pregnancy was a life-saver. I remember having that with Autumn, Shawna, Kaelin, Keri and Ali when I was pregnant with Harlie, and thankfully for the O'Connor miracle, I didn't have to go through it alone this time either.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.


Here are 3: You might think you know, but you have no idea. God thinks he's funny. The Universe just may have other plans for you.

Harlie's First Time at The Nutcracker

Harlie had a big big day with Nana and Blair that included The Nutcracker ballet, then a Sugar Plum Tea at the Hyatt, where she was able to meet the characters and chow down on some treats. According to Florence, Harlie cleaned her plate (of course) but what impressed Nana was that she finished her sandwiches all on her own before gobbling up the four different desserts she was served. :-)  Harlie came home bursting with smiles and a pretty souvenir to hang on the tree.

Nana putting the tiara on Harlie that Blair wore to the Nutcracker when she was a little girl.

32 Weeks

How far along are you?: 32 Weeks

Total weight gain: 25 pounds

How big is the baby?: 3 3/4 lbs. and 16.7 inches long

Maternity clothes: I really need some maternity leggings and tights, I just don't think I'll ever get around to getting some, so I have a 5 day rotation going on. Stylin' ova here.

Stretch marks?: I was marveling at just how many I got the first time around...man are they PRONOUNCED now. So attractive.

Sleep: I just came down with a cold so sleeping should be even awesomer than normal! Super sarcastic today, huh.

Best moment this week: Being able to spend most of the weekend vegging and not having to do anything I didn't want to do because Austin was with Jenny and Harlie was with Grandma and Nana nearly the whole time. Also, Indian take-out and Creeger holiday parties. Also, also, Scott crashed at Keri's on Friday night and I got the WHOLE bed to myself. YES!

Movement: This little peanut has started sucker punching my guts. Harlie never did this. I'm wondering if this might be a personality trait...Oh wait, Harlie does this now, so maybe the in-utero boxing is a sign that she's getting it out of her system now.

Food cravings: Holiday cocktails. Do they make N/A Baileys?

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: Measuring 31 weeks today at my doc appointment.

Belly button in or out: In

What I'm looking forward to: Getting over the cold!

KC photo again!

31 Weeks and The Polar Express

How far along are you?: 31 Weeks, 2 days

Total weight gain: 24 pounds

How big is the baby?: 3 lbs. and 16 inches long

Maternity clothes: Yes everything is.

Stretch marks?: I think the one I thought I saw was a false alarm. No marks yet.

Sleep: Not so good...insomnia is kicking in and sucks a big one!!!

Movement: Hiccups! And movement all the time. Everyone keep telling me how small I look, but feeling her move like crazy all day long reassures me that she's growing just fine.

Food cravings: Chocolate chip cookies! Thanks Keri.

Food aversions: None

Labor signs: None.

Belly button in or out: In

Best moment this week and what I'm looking forward to:  I'm combining these two because they are related this week. Experiencing the Polar Express train ride in Old Sac with my family was magic for me. I love Christmas. I love it so much, I want to kiss it on the mouth and make it pancakes for breakfast. And the absolute BEST thing about having children is just being in their presence when they experience new things, and find the magic in everything around them. Harlie is in love with Christmas too like most little kids are and hunting for trees, putting up decorations, pouring a glass of egg nog and seeing Santa Claus are just MORE fun with her around. It was fun with Austin too when he was little, but now that he's older, it's different of course. The smile of a small child that believes could mend any broken heart, I tell ya.  When the train pulled up to the "North Pole" and Harlie was waving at Santa through that train window, I just didn't want to be anywhere else.**

Anyway, this brings me to what I'm looking forward too, which is experiencing these first moments of awe and wonder all over again with Ashlynne. Harlie still has many years left of being a little girl and that make me happy, especially since she'll have a baby sister to pal around with. But I just cherished those first years with Harlie so much...where everything was new and the joy so pure and sweet. Getting a chance to do that twice is a huge gift and I don't take it for granted.

**And also, just as a side note...Old Sac is so lovely and charming during the holidays...in a Christmas Carol kind of way without all the sad Tiny Tim business.

Christmas Wish Lists

This was the first year that Harlie "wrote" a letter to Santa with her wish list and a promise to be good (HAHAHAHAHA......heh heh). She needed a little prompting for ideas (Me: "Any toys... books...games...you want?). But in the end the ideas were all hers and they are a little random. :-) She didn't remember any of the things she's been pining about for months (Pillow Pet Dream Lite), thanks to Saturday morning cartoons, but that's just fine, because now Mama and Daddy will get credit for those things.

Of all the things she asked for, she wants an Ariel Stuffed Animal the most, and has told Santa this twice now since she wrote the letter. I sure hope he delivers....

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Austin's list was harder to get out of him. I had asked several times for one with no luck so I finally decided to talk his language. And it worked.

Now Santa just needs to win the lottery. :-)

All About Harlie - 4th Birthday Edition

Really long disclaimer: Okay, so I attempted to record a video of Harlie answering these questions but I don't have a working camcorder and had to use my iPhone, so then it ran out of memory half way through and there are serious visual issues.  Luckily what it did record you can hear.  Also in order to ensure that Harlie would sit still for me and not get too distracted, I bribed her with a cupcake. So there's licking and chomping and full mouth talking involved. :-)

Below are all her answers...

1. What is your favorite color? Pink!
2. What is your favorite toy? Horsey
3. What is your favorite fruit? Peaches
4. What is your favorite tv show? My Little Pony
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? (Looking around kitchen - her eye spies her cupcake apron) Cherries!
6. What is your favorite thing to wear? A Dress
7. What is your favorite game? Matching Game (Memory)
8. What is your favorite thing to do with Daddy? Put up Christmas Stuff!
9. What is your favorite thing to do with Mama? Eat Dinner
10. What is your favorite song? My Sunshine
11. What is your favorite book? Pinkalicious
12. Who is your best friend? Mazzy and Maxton
13. What is your favorite cereal? Honey Nut Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Jump Rope
15. What is your favorite movie? Strawberry Shortcake
16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Horsey
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Honey Nut CHEERIOS!
19. What is your favorite stuffed animal? Bear
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A sister :-)

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Harlie,

I would also like to add that at four years old you have a few more favorites that did not get mentioned but that all who love you know have a special place in your heart. Therefore, in no particular order, you also are lovin':

Ariel (The Little Mermaid), pineapple, pootie poots, Mama's belly and your baby sis inside, squeezing Mama's hair, jumping on Daddy's belly, barging into Austin's room ("I love Austin because he has a cozy bed"), chasing after Killian, headbands, diamonds and sparkles and all that glitters, being the queen, choosing your own outfits, 100 blankets on your bed, art projects ("This is my ART mom!"), She-Ra, DragonTales, WonderPets, Firework by Katy Perry, Survivor, ice cold water, egg nog, jumping on Mama and Daddy's bed, Auntie Keri's house, sleepovers, our "neighborhood park", Tahoe House "When are we going back?!", Fancy Nancy, tea parties and helping Mama in the kitchen....

Happy Birthday Stinkerbell!

XOXO
Mama

Harlie's 4th Year