Insomnia....

WARNING!  This post may be hard to follow seeing as I have only had 3-4 hours of sleep.

I might have been up since 3:00am (it's now 4:30am)....  I might have a load of laundry in the washer, a cup of coffee in my hand.  I might be sitting in my living room with the Christmas tree lights on watching Christmas movies and enjoying the peace and quiet.  Not too shabby :)  This part of pregnancy I do NOT love.   I remember it all to well from when I was pregnant with Hudson.  At least it's the Holiday Season and there are plenty of good TV shows on and things to do.

Part of me is also extremely excited because today is our "Christmas Eve Celebration"!  That could be part of the insomnia.

.....Hold that thought about the peace and quiet!  Hud is up......

OK, back to our "Christmas Eve"!  I have been planning the next 24 hours for literally months!  Back in september I started making the necessary phone calls and arrangements so that it is SUPER SPECIAL!  As soon as Steve gets off work it's go time!  I'm making a yummy dinner followed by ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.  There will be hot chocolate, movies, playing, and leaving milk and cookies out for Santa!  After Hud goes to sleep, Steve and I have some work to do....Tomorrow, I have a special breakfast planned followed by opening "Santa's" presents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We will get to relax for a little while, just the three of us, and watch Christmas movies before visiting with extended family.

There are still a few things that need to get done/happen before 5:00pm.  There is laundry to finish, food to prepare, gifts to wrap (I thought I was done, but things changed), and a house to clean.  I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How long do you think this energy is going to last before I crash?!?!?! We will see.....

27 week doctor appointment and glucose test

After reading back at how traumatic this particular appointment was with Hudson I was really dreading it this time around.  Why is it you LOVE going to the doctor the first half of your pregnancy, then the second half it just stresses you out?!?!  Anyway, my appointment was at 8:50 this morning and I had to fast sense midnight.  I am so thankful Steve was able to stay home and watch Hud.  I can't imagine trying to haul a two year old to an appointment that involved lab work and an hour wait....

Everything went smoothly.  The glucose drink that everyone talks about really wasn't that bad.  With Hud I think I had the orange one that tasted like flat orange crush.  This time I had the clear one that tasted like flat sprite.  I didn't bother me then and it didn't bother me this time.  No big deal.  :) Having it cold really makes a big difference though.

When I saw the doctor, she said that Alexis is measuring perfectly and right on track.  She had a nice strong heartbeat and you could hear her hiccuping on the doppler.  haha  It was really funny.  My blood pressure was good at 105/54 and she said my weight looked good this time!  haha  Thank Goodness!

As I was checking out the lady behind the desk informed me that we needed to go ahead and schedule THE REST OF MY APPOINTMENTS!!!  WHAT?!?!?!  Starting now I go every two weeks, then in February every week.  Somehow making those appointments made this whole baby thing seem so much more real and not so far away!  Ahhhhhhh  mini freak out!

Now I just wait for the phone call telling me the results of the glucose test.  Until then, I plan on enjoying a nice peppermint mocha from Starbucks or Panera and watching Christmas Movies.  I know, I know caffeine is the devil.... blah blah blah.  My doctor told me one a day is just fine and with a two year old running around I don't think I could live without it!   IT KEEPS ME SANE!

All is well, life is good!

Alexis is 27 weeks today!

At 27 weeks Alexis is doing great!  She is always moving and kicking!  Alexis is about 2 lbs and 14.5 inches long (the size of a head of cauliflower).   She can open and close her eyes and suck her fingers (and toes).  It is amazing how much I love this little girl already!

At 27 weeks getting a good night sleep is getting more and more difficult.  I am having a lot more leg cramps and my hips are hurting so I'm having to change positions frequently.  Other than that I'm feeling great.  I have energy and am accomplishing a lot every day.  Thursday is my doctor appointment and dreaded glucose test.  Hopefully I haven't put on as much weight this month and don't have to worry about gestational diabetes.  blah  That would really suck, especially at Christmas! :)

To celebrate her 27 week milestone we went and had a 3D/4D ultrasound.  I feel a little guilty we didn't do this with Hudson, but I justified it because we spent more on Hud's furniture and I kept up better with his weekly progress.....  haha  Anyway, it was really cool to get a glimpse of what Alexis looks like!

It was so cute watching Alexis move and wiggle on the ultrasound.  She was all scrunched up and looked like a pretzel!  Her hands and feet were up by her face almost the whole time.  She even had her toes in her mouth a few times!  haha  We got to see her open and close her mouth and stick her tongue out!  How amazing is technology these days!?!?!  We (Steve, Hud, and I) loved this whole experience and are so glad we got to see our little girl.  The next few months need to go by fast.  I can't wait to kiss and hold this little cutie pie!

WE LOVE YOU ALEXIS GRACE!

Sweating The Small Stuff

As a 28 year old, I have learned over the years that not every decision, unkind word, less than perfect situation... is a BIG DEAL.  Not everything is life or death.  However, during pregnancy EVERY SINGLE THING seems to be extremely important (even though in the back of my mind I know it isn't). I want everything to be perfect and when things don't go as I need them too, it sometimes feels like my word is spiraling out of control....  Here are some examples:

• If Steve is having a bad day and comes home and is short with me, instead of letting it go, I get it in my head that this attitude will somehow snowball into an emotionally abusive situation down the road if I don't put an end to it right then an there.  AND lets be honest, when you are having a bad day, the last thing you want is a pregnant lady all up in your face telling you how on top of everything you are being a mean husband.   I need to get over this.  My wonderful husband isn't going to turn into an abusive ass and ruin our whole marriage just because one day he makes a sarcastic comment....  
• If the baby's room isn't 100% finished months before she gets here, it's going to be alright!  She won't even be sleeping in there for a long time after she is born anyway.  Why am I getting so bent out of shape about getting everything perfect?!?!  Alexis is a loved little girl and won't care that I didn't have her bedding finished in December (even though she isn't due until March).  The thought of everything I still need/want to do literally makes me start to hyperventilate...
• If we don't watch hundreds of Christmas movies, bake lots of cookies, and have hours of good quality family time every single night, it will be ok!  I want our last Christmas as a family of 3 to be perfect.  I want to start traditions with Hudson that we will continue for many years.  I want every night to be filled with hot chocolate and family cuddle time.  We aren't bad parents, just because we let Hudson play on the floor with his toys while we get housework done or exercise, but right now it sure feels that way.
• If Steve wants to read one book instead of three to Hudson before bed, it doesn't mean he doesn't love his son.  Steve isn't trying to get out of spending quality time with him.  IT IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT.  Why am I blowing everything way out of proportion?!?!
• If there are dishes in the sink or the laundry is still in the dryer (round three) it doesn't mean that we will be on the tv show hoarders two seasons from now or that Child Protective Services will show up at our front door demanding to know why our son is still in his PJ's at 3:00pm.   We will not find hundreds of stray cats roaming our home and be living in filth just because I found leftovers from a week ago in the back of our fridge.  TIME TO CHILL OUT!
• If I don't make our bed every single day, does it mean I won't teach my children to be disciplined and hard working people?  Does it mean I am a lazy failure at life and as a mom?  No, my children will not become lazy selfish brats down the road just because I don't set the table every night.  

Those are just a few examples of things that have been sending me off the deep end lately....  I think by nature I am a type A personality anyway, but it is just magnified by a thousand with all these pregnancy hormones pulsing through me!  Ugh  My parents and grandparents were so good at the parenting stuff (at least I think so)...  Sometimes it is just so hard to keep up.  I see other parents with kids Hudson's age and it is impossible not to compare... 

I need to keep reminding myself that when I'm not pregnant, I think the life we have created and the family dynamics we have are pretty perfect.  Life is good.  We are good.  My unmade bed, it's good too.  :)  I just wish I weren't so hard on myself and everyone else for that matter when I am pregnant.  I need to learn not to sweat the small stuff and remember that most things fall under the small stuff category.  Not everything is a big deal.  It's ok to relax and just "roll with it"

Hopefully Hudson and Alexis get more of a balance between Steve's laid-back personality and my more ridged one.  :)  

Holiday Playdate!

This morning I hosted a Holiday Playdate for Hudson and his friends (and mommies).  It was so fun!!!!  There were 9 kiddos that came over to play and eat yummy food.  Hudson was so excited to have so many friends at our house he was literally running around the house squealing and yelling "come on friends".  Seeing him so happy was the sweetest thing ever.  It made all the time I spent cleaning and cooking to get ready and clean up after completely worth it!

Patrick, Hudson,Violet, Bailey, Meredith, Felicity Ann, Levi, David, & Carter

I made really good hot chocolate (found the recipe on pinterest), sausage egg and cheese casserole, cookies, reindeer food, and put out cheese and crackers, fruit, and lots of hot chocolate toppings.  :)

Hot Chocolate

• 6 cups of milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Mix everything together in a pot on the stove or crockpot and heat siring constantly.  YUMMMMM

Anyway, all the kids had a blast playing.  It is so crazy how they have changed so much.  They interact so much more than they did before.  

Everyone cleared out by 1:00pm and Hudson passed out.  I'm hoping he sleeps for a few hours.  It only took about an hour to clean up after everyone left.  I'm so glad everyone could come over today.  All of us mommies agreed that it was much needed get together, not only for the kids but for us as well.    We will need to do this more often.  :)

Sorry Alexis....26 weeks

Honestly I forget I'm pregnant half the time (as to why I haven't been doing weekly pregnancy updates)....  This pregnancy is just going so fast and the only times I remember I'm pregnant are when I get dressed and realize my clothes don't fit, when I'm sleeping at night (leg cramps, getting up to pee every two seconds, hip pain....), AND when Alexis moves.  All in all, this pregnancy is great though.  I have worried a lot less, slept more (and better) at night, and really enjoyed this go round.  Steve and I (and Hud) are really excited about Alexis and can't wait for her to get here and join our family!

One thing that has been on my mind is SIDS.  I remember when Hudson was born I was totally and completely terrified that he would stop breathing.  I would literally stay up and watch him day and night.  Looking back I should have slept when he slept, but I was just so freaked out that something would happen while I was asleep (and was so tired I couldn't guarantee I would be able to wake up).  As a first time parent I thought that all my fears would disappear once I had my little baby out and in my arms.  I thought that when Hudson was born and I could touch and care for him everything would be fine....  Birth brought on a whole new set of worries and fears that I never anticipated.

I have been doing some research on baby breathing and movement monitors for Alexis.  They vibrate and attempt to rouse the baby if it can't detect the baby breathing, then sounds an alarm to alert you.  I cant say for sure, but if we had this for Hudson when he was born I think/hope I would have been able to sleep (and maybe not have been the crazy hormonal sleep deprived mess that I was).  Anyway, I am still doing some research, but we may be purchasing this monitor to help give us peace of mind.

In other news, yesterday I scheduled a 3D/4D ultrasound!  We didn't do that with Hudson and part of me feels guilty for doing it for Alexis, but I have rationalized it that Alexis is more than likely our last baby AND we spent a lot more on furniture and gear with Hudson....  hehe I am so excited to see what our little girl looks like!  I will be 27 weeks.  Monday can't come fast enough!

At 26 weeks Alexis is just over 1 1/2 lbs.  She can see light and hear things outside my body!  How cool is that?!?!  I love feeling her kick.  She is most active at night and feeling her kick is such a great way to end the day.  Like I mentioned earlier, there have been no issues this pregnancy and I couldn't be happier.  If this pregnancy is any indicator of what  Alexis's personality will be like, we will be smooth sailing with an easy baby!  Check back a few months from now and we'll talk.  hehe  After Christmas I plan on finishing up both Alexis's room and Hudson's room.  There isn't too much left to do, it just needs to get done.

We are so thankful for our healthy little boy and growing baby girl!  Life couldn't get much better.

Waiting on a man...

...A repair man that is!

A while back (right after we moved in) Hudson locked himself in our room while I was out.  Steve panicked because we hadn't finished unpacking and there were bottles of cleaner and other unsafe things within reach.  So, being the SUPER DAD Steve is, he busted our bedroom door in.  Well, it is finally getting fixed today.  After many failed attempts to fix it ourselves (and boy did Steve do everything humanly possible) we had to hire someone to come do it.  There was just too much measuring and cutting for us to do PLUS we didn't (and still don't) have the tools.

The repair man was supposed to be here 30 minutes to an hour ago..... and he still isn't here!!!!  I have things I'd like to do today too.....  hummmm  Why do people do this?  Why tell someone you will be there at one time then either not show up at all or show up extremely late without so much as a phone call?  girrrrrr

In the meantime Hudson has been watching Mickey Mouse (his favorite) and I have been making a shopping list for Hudson's little Holiday Themed Playdate at our house later this week.  I also have some laundry going and am working on Christmas gifts.  At least I have things to do to keep me busy.

How long are you supposed to wait for this kind of stuff????  Is there a thirty minute rule for contractors?

Well, Hudson keeps shoving a book in my hand saying "read please mommy" so I think I'm going to go snuggle up with him and read.  :)  Happy beautiful snowy Tuesday!

Fun In The Snow & Santa

This weekend we were under a Winter Weather Warning.  We ended up getting some ice and snow.  It was beautiful, but it caused us to cancel some out of town plans and stay home.  To be honest, I LOVE days/weekends like this.  We spent the whole weekend doing fun Christmasy things.  I wrapped gifts, we went and looked at Christmas lights around the neighborhood (they looked even prettier covered in ice and snow), I made cookies, we watched tons of Christmas movies,  cooked a lot, played in the snow, AND Hudson got to see Santa!  Shoooo it was so fun!

I am so glad I have a creative husband!  We don't own a sled and believe it or not, our Walmart was completely out of them.  So, Steve came up with the idea of using an old laundry basket and spraying WD40 on the bottom (Christmas Vacation Flashback Anyone?).  Anyway, it worked really well and couldn't have been more perfect for Hudson!  He LOVED it!

We have a pretty steep driveway and it was the perfect "hill" to sled down.  Hud only tipped once (the first time) and after that he made it down to the bottom laughing all the way!

Look at that happy little boy!  He slid down the driveway about a hundred times!  Every time he would just squeal with delight! I would say his first time sledding was a huge success, even if it was in a laundry basket instead of a real sled.

After a while we let Sadie outside to play and she went crazy!  She ran in circles all over the yard and played.  Hudson got such a kick out of watching her run the stop and playfully growl and put her tail in the air.  She was so funny.

Steve found some icicles and showed hudson.  Hudson kept asking for the "popsicles" for the rest of the day.

Our neighborhood had a Holiday Party on sunday.  There were refreshments and the kids got to see Santa.  We had talked to Hudson about Santa and he seemed pretty excited to go see "Santa, Ho Ho Ho".  The Lodge looked so pretty and Hudson loved the cookies and punch.  He saw santa, waved, but didn't want to be left alone on his lap.  haha  Am I the only parent that thinks it's hilarious to see kids screaming and crying on Santa's lap?!?!  We tried having Hud sit on Santa's lap, but after he cried we didn't force it.  We will try again next year.  :)  I have to say, Hudson is so lucky to have a dad that wants to and enjoys playing with him.  I am so thankful that Hudson and his daddy love each other so much.  They are Best Buds.

All in all, I would say this was pretty much the most perfect weekend ever.  I enjoyed absolutely every single second.   I LOVED being with my husband and son relaxing and playing at home.  We had so much good quality family time.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  :)

Who is the adorable little boy and where is my baby?  I can't believe how much Hudson has changed from last year to this year.  I am so in love with this little stinker.  He is funny, sweet, polite, compassionate, ornery, fearless, and has a little temper.  haha  I couldn't be more thankful that God chose me to be his mom.  I am the luckiest woman on earth.

Do what I say, NOT what I do!

Steve, Hud, and I went to Ikea on Sunday to look for a few things.  One of the things we were looking for was bedding for Hudson's new BIG BOY room (tear).  Anyway, we were walking through the store searching and I finally found something that I really liked as far as bedding.  I got all excited only to find they were completely sold out!!!!  Ahhhhhhhhh  So we drove 2 hours to not buy what we came for!  Well, the first word out of my mouth (without thinking) was "dammit"!  I know, I know that is horrible but it just slipped out.  Well, Hudson heard that (of corse) and wouldn't you know that little stinker started yelling "dammit, dammit, dammit" as loud as he could in the middle of a crowded store.  I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor!  Steve just gave me "the look" and laughed.  BLAH

It is so amazing to me how much Hudson picks up on.  He is listening even when we don't think he is and he will repeat everything!  I guess Steve and I really need to start watching what we say and do because we have little eyes always watching and little ears always listening.  :)

O and I'm not the only one who slips up.  I'm going to point fingers now!  haha The other day Steve was on the phone and got frustrating news I guess and let a bad word slip.  Hud did the same thing, copying that one word and running around our house saying it.

We are just ignoring it, trying not to make a big deal about it because if we do, Hudson thinks it is a funny game.  So far it seems to be working.

LESSON LEARNED!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was so different.  One of the main reasons is that my sister moved out to California about 6 months ago and we didn't think we were going to be able to see her over the Holiday weekend.  That is a lot of traveling for just a day or so.  Well, through a series of unexpected (good) circumstances Jess was able to fly home to celebrate Thanksgiving with us!  Her flight got in at 5:45am Thanksgiving morning.  Mom, Dad, Steve, Hudson, and I met Jess at the airport with a big welcome home sign.  :)  I think it embarrassed her a little, but I think it also made her feel special because she was the only one there with a group of people waiting for her!  haha

We usually stay in Lexington for Thanksgiving then drive to my parents house that night, but because Jess was in town we went home for the actual day.  AND WE STAYED THERE!  We didn't make the trip up to Fort Wayne Indiana either because Jess was just in town for 24 hours and we didn't want to be in the car all day.  It was a wonderful day.  When we got home from the airport Jess, Hudson, and Steve all went back to sleep for a few hours.  Mom, Dad, and I started cooking!  hehe  Dad made his yummy homemade cinnamon rolls, I made the dinner rolls for later that day, and mom made the casseroles.  THE HOUSE SMELLED SOOOOO GOOD!  

Did I mention how nice and relaxing the day was?!?!  We got to actually watch the parade and listen to Christmas music and really enjoy each others company!  Jessica's friend who was moving out to California and going to be her new roommate, got to our house around noon and celebrated with us.  We cooked, ate, played games, watched Christmas movies....  It was a great day!  

Sadly, Jess and her friend had to leave bright and early Friday morning because they were driving, YES DRIVING back to California and had to be back by monday.  Ahhhhhhhh  So we only got to spend 24 hours with Jess, but It was such a wonderful surprise that she was even able to come home at all.  

After Jess and her friend left, mom and I took off to go shopping.  We were able to find some pretty good deals and the lines weren't that long.  It was nice getting out just the two of us.  After a few hours we met my moms friend for lunch.  When we got home Steve and my dad were itching to run out and get some "man toys".  hehe  They came home with a train set and a remote controlled helicopter.  Needless to say the rest of the night was spent putting together and playing with the new "toys".  Hudson was in heaven.  He loved playing with the train controls and watching Grandpa and Steve fly the helicopter all over the basement.  

Saturday morning we got up and headed home to drop Sadie off before driving to Steve's parent's house.  Steve's brother's family was in town and we wanted to get to see them.  We had a nice visit and ended up taking the kids to Southern Lights.  It is an outdoor drive through light display at the horse park.  The kids (Hudson and his cousins) really seemed to enjoy it.  After the lights we checked out the train display (Hud was so happy), Santa's reindeer, the petting zoo, and John and Laura rode a camel. haha  We had never been before, and had a great time.  The best part though is seeing things through kids eyes.  The excitement and newness of everything made it so much more enjoyable for us.  

We made it back home around midnight and passed out after such a fun whirlwind of a Holiday!  :)  

These were actually taken at my parents house, but they were too cute not to post!  Look at that sweet little boy in his Santa PJ's cuddling with Charlie and Sophie!

There is so much to be thankful for.