31 Weeks and Updates

Hard to believe in just 9 weeks (or hopefully less) our little guy will be here! Since I forgot to do my list last time, here's a pic at 30 weeks and update below. 
 

How far along: 31 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 14 pounds

Maternity clothes: This question will be removed next time :)

Sleep: Was sleeping pretty good but am now back to being uncomfortable. Sciatica is really bothering me this time and I get shooting pains down my right hip/leg all night. Not to mention if I stay in one position for too long, my leg goes completely numb :( So I am barely sleeping 4-5 hours a night with waking up every 30-45mins to move around. Guess I am preparing for baby boy!

Best moment this week: Going to see Santa with Owen...well talking to him from the second level of the mall :) Santa was gonig on break and Owen was scared to get too close so we went to the next level and talked to him :)  He "asked" Santa for a Choo Choo Train and we had the Polar Express train set up around our tree when we got back from seeing Santa. I think he really understood that Santa brought it to him. He loves his train but is now asking Santa for a red car he can drive...ha! Luckily he is getting one from Gaga and Pop Pop. This pic sums it up :)

Worst moment this week: Sciatic Nerve pain...if you have never felt this it's impossible to describe. Baby boy must be one big little guy to put this much pressure on my nerve that my hip is constantly in pain and my right leg is numb :( Hoping he moves to left side more in the next week.

Movement: ALL DAY, kicks and rolling. I just know I am bruised inside from this baby. He does not stop moving. You can see the huge kicks and rolls and yesterday a lady in the elevator looked at me and said I looked like I had an alien in there with the way he is moving. I never had this much movement with Owen, again this must be a big baby!

Food cravings: Candy but for food, I am not hungry at all lately.

Labor Signs: Nope, feeling pretty good!

Weekly Wisdom: Not to take things for granted and embrace every day blessings.

Looking forward to next week: OFF for the next 2 weeks for the holidays!!! 3D/4D Ultrasound this weekend with the Grandma's and then heading to PA for Christmas! I cannot wait to see O's face when he sees all the presents :)

Updates for the Frederick's:

Not much new going on with Owen, he is being so sweet lately and hasn't had too many terrible two fits lately. He's VERY into using his manors right now which is to sweet...

Sneeze and he says "Bless you Mommy"

Cough and he asks "You are ok, Mommy?"

Bumps into you in the slightest, "Sorry Mommy"

A little too rough around my belly, "Sorry Mommy, Sorry Stinker, Owen be more careful for Stinker"

Constantly saying "I love Mommy, I love Daddy, I love Sadie and I love Stinker"

Always asking questions and when we answer him, "Oh ok Mommy, thank you"

He LOVES saying Thank You and tells everyone he sees that does anything him, "Thank You"

Loving my sweet little guy! And especially now since he's being such a good boy. We tell him that Santa is watching him so maybe that's why he is being so nice :)

Updates for us...the whole Frederick family has colds :( Luckily Owen is almost over his but he gave it to me and Chris and we are both feeling pretty miserable. Even Sadie was sneezing this morning.

And....

We got a new car! We needed more room for our family of 5 (including Sadie). Our Ford Edge was cramped already with just the 4 of us and the thought of adding another baby in there was stressing us out. We are NOT Minivan people, sorry hope I haven't offended anyone but neither of us could ever picture ourselves driving a minivan. So we headed out to look for a larger SUV but one that wasn't too large and in our price range.

I sent Chris to GMC at lunch one day to check out the Acadia and he came back to report that not only were they a little out of our price range for what we wanted/needed but that they came basic or fully loaded so it was pretty much out. But while Chris was there the sales guy showed him a Chevy Traverse which is very similar to the Acadia, inside is exactly the same but the outside is just a bit different. Well, they had one 2011 model left over, fully loaded even the color (diamond pearl white) that we wanted and they wanted to make us a deal on it...a great deal! But we still wanted to check out the Ford Explorer since it's comparable in size and price. Found that that the Explorer was not for us, the second row is a bench seat and well with 2 car seats, the only way to get to the third row was to climb over or to go in through the back. Yeah, not ok. So that was out.

We went back to Chevy with Chris just telling them we were in the Tyson's area and he wanted his wife to see the car. Well, long story short Owen and I left Chris there and went home for lunch and nap and he bought the car! It was perfect, second row bucket seats with a middle aisle to get to the third row, leather, perfect color, DVD player, Navigation and a few extra things that we didn't even need. Great deal since it was a left over, we couldn't pass it up. Chris did some super deal working and was able to get the payments to the same as our Edge and they even gave us more money for our Ford than we owed...big plus! I was so proud of him, usually the deal working is left to me.  But he did it, I must be rubbing off on him :)

Now for the frustrating part. We bought it with Bluetooth and well, it didn't have it. Such a small feature but a very important one to Chris who does a lot of business calls from the car and just for us in general for safety for our family while driving. So Chris went to Chevy thinking they could easily install it. Picked up the car in the afternoon to find a cheap device installed with a microphone...it looked so bad on our brand new beautiful car. We found out that installing Bluetooth wasn't simple and couldn't be done. Chris was upset but finally told them just to take the other device out, it looked awful. He talked to the sales guy and decided to leave his car again and let them see what they could do. Later that day he got a call from the General Manager saying they couldn't do anything BUT that they were looking for a new 2012 just like the one we bought and would ship it in for us and they would eat the cost for the new car. We just knew this wasn't going to go as smooth as they were making it, but we were wrong. Car came in yesterday fully loaded just like the one we had before with a few more features that we didn't have before. And Chris got there and they had all the paperwork set, he just signed and drove home. Just like that! And they offered him the maintenance package for 1/3 of the price for 4 years, so we are getting it for less than $10 a month and it covers everything from oil changes to maintenance work. There is one difference with the body although I can't figure it out :) I think there is a bottom panel that is grey on the new one and the first one was all white. But again, I can't figure it out for the life of me. But we love the car and are so happy that Chris stumbled in and found it AND that they had such great customer service that they made things right when it didn't have Bluetooth and we bought it thinking it did.

Highly suggest anyone in the DC/VA area that needs a new car to go to Koon's in Tyson's :) Amazing service!! Here's a stock photo of our car and I will post a few pics this weekend. Owen loves it, he sits up high and loves the DVD player. It's a lot bigger and has a better picture than our portable one :) He always wants to ride in Daddy's car now :)

What else, I mentioned the 3D/4D scan.  Owen is going with us and I hope it will make him understand more that there is a real baby in Mommy's belly.  He seems to get it and talks about how he loves him and how he is going to share his toys with him when he "Comes Out Mommy's Belly Button...ha" but I think by him seeing a baby moving on the screen, it may help him understand more.  And I am dying to see what he looks like.  Owen's 3D scan was just like looking at his newborn picuture.  Crazy how much you can see at this point. 

So that's about it for us.  We have just been hanging low with colds and wrapping presents and getting ready for the holidays :) 
I will end the post with our holiday card for this year, we used a new company and they turned out AMAZING!  And were very inexpensive :)  http://www.simplytoimpress.com/ Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season!!

29 Weeks!

I can hardly believe that I am 29 weeks pregnant already...where has the time gone?  I am doing well, feeling good and getting LARGE!  I feel like I am so much bigger with this pregnancy, which I know is normal but still, did I mention that I am LARGE!  If this baby doesn't weigh 9+ pounds, I will be surprised.  He kicks, rolls and jabbs me all day long, day and night.  And if I eat any type of sugar, forget it, I have to lay down immediately and brace myself for the 10+ minutes of strong kicks :)  I love it but I really think I am bruised inside from all the movement.  This little guy hasn't given me one minute of, "OMG I haven't felt him move" the usual freak outs that I had with Owen.  But again, I guess it's because it's my second pregnancy and well, everything in the stomach area is already stretch and used to having a baby :) 

I go to the doctor tomorrow so will do my list when I find out how we are doing.  But if my scales are correct, which I think they are I am up to gaining 12 pounds so far.  Thanks to Turkey Day for adding those extra 2 pounds on pretty quickly :)  It was totally worth!

So Thanksgiving was wonderful!  We went to Gaga and Pop Pop's for a relaxing weekend and some yummy food.  I was so thankful not to have to cook and entertain at our house.  Just not something a 29 week prego girl wants to do.  We had a nice time and Owen had a blast too.  We helped Gaga decorate her tree and Owen had a playdate with triplets his age.  He still talks about Ryan and his red car.  Which is funny because he is getting a red electric car for Christmas (Shhhh!!).  Owen did well, slept pretty good, well other than nap time on Wednesday after traveling.  For the first time in 28 months he didn't nap!  We were scared about the night would go but all was ok.  O got cranky around 6pm then crashed by 6:45pm.  We loved the early bedtime! But the rest of the trip was great.

Well that's about it for us.  We are done shopping, Christmas cards mailed, tree and decorations up and we are just enjoying relaxing and watching Christmas movies :)  Polar Express, of course!  OWEN is obsessed!  This weekend we are going to have pictures taken, trip to Frying Pan Farm for their Holiday celebration and then just relaxing.  May fit in a visit with Santa, if Owen is up to it.  He has been terrified of Santa so far.  Says he is nice and is bringing him a Cho Cho Train but is scared to be around him.  So we will see how that goes.  Ok, so much for the relaxing weekend...looks like we are busy...ha!  Tis the season :)

Family Pictures

We had our wonderful photographer come out one morning to take pics of Owen at 2 Years Old and a few Family ones while I was pregnant (24-25 weeks).  They turned out great!  Here's a few of our favorite ones.

Night Time Routine

I am writing this so I can look back at these sweet moments with my little guy.  Our night time routine has always been somewhat of a similar pattern with bath, cuddle time, books, then bed.  But as I am getting larger with baby #2 and with the thought of having a newborn soon, I know these sweet moments will have to change.  And my little guy is becoming a big boy now so it's about time we change things up a little...as sad as it makes me. 

After bath Owen and I sit in our rocker, talk about his day and then read books.  We have read the same two books for the past year and we never change things up.  Owen knows all the words to them, I Love You Goodnight and Goodnight Moon and says them along with me.  We usually read them with the dim light from outside but with the time change, I have been reading them in the dark...well more like just saying the words since I too have them memorized :)  After we read our books, Owen lays back in my arms, like a sweet baby and cuddles into me.  I tell him it's night-night time and to close his eyes and relax.  He then says, "Mommy, hold hands" and we rock for a few minutes, holding hands and cuddling.  If he's not too sleepy he usually reaches up and says, "Mommy, kiss...love you" and holds my face and gives me a big kiss.  We then say his prayers and tuck him in for the night.  These are the sweetest moments in my day and I will always cherish them. 

But now as my little guy is growing up, I know he no longer needs me to rock him.  He goes to bed great, on his own but I am not ready to part with our routine.  He is still my baby, my first and will always hold that special part in my heart.  But as my belly grows, it's getting more difficult to cuddle him so I know soon we will need to do more "big boy" things at night.  This will be a sad day for me but happy knowing my little guy has become so independent. 

So I leave this post with a pic of Baby Boy #2...first belly shot at 26 weeks.  Hope to do better with taking pics throughout this pregnancy.

Halloween...A little late!

Enjoy the pics from our night of "Trick-a-treating" as Owen calls it :)

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AatGLFszYuWHT

26 Weeks

How far along: Almost 26 weeks


Total weight gain/loss: 10 pounds...YIKES!  Creeping up on me :)

Maternity clothes: Yes...I am deleting this dumb question! Not like I am going to get smaller and stop wearing them :)

Sleep: Finally sleeping through the night without getting up, well maybe just once but so much better.

Best moment this week: Deciding on baby boy's name and starting to monogram like crazy :)

Worst moment this week: Back pain!  Thank goodness for prenatal yoga! Looking forward to class tonight!


Movement: ALL DAY, kicks and rolling.   I was told that since my placenta was in front that I wouldn't feel as much but guess having a baby that's measuring almost 2 weeks bigger is causing me to feel everything.
Food cravings: Ice Cream and it's going to be the death of me this pregnancy. 

Labor Signs: Nope, not even the slightest cramps or anything...yay!
Weekly Wisdom: Try and capture the sweet moments with Owen.  He is growing up so fast and learning more and more everyday.  Life passes us by so fast, love every minute of it!  And big thing for me (and Chris), remember we can't control what the future holds and to relax and figure things out as you go.  God has a plan for all of us!

Looking forward to next week: Or NOT looking forward to...Glucose test :(  Yuck, gag!  Let's hope I pass with all this ice cream consumption :)
Updates for us and Owen...
 
Owen is becoming such a big boy and it just hit us.  He comes home from school each week singing a new song.  We help him with the words but most of the time he gets the ENTIRE song on his own and is so proud of himself for singing it.  I have brought out the flip and than goodness for an awesome camera on my iphone, I have been able to record him :)  He is too sweet...well at least we think so.  His favorite songs are Twinkle, Twinkle, ABC's, Bah Bah Black Sheep, Jack and Jill went up the hill (well this is a riddle but he is so cute saying it) and several more.  He sings and sings all day and night :)
 
Halloween...forgot to post about this.  Will do so in a bit but let's just say Owen loved it and rocked his Robot costume.  He went up to every house, knocked on the door and said "Trick a Treat" and always said "Thank you" well by the end of the night he was saying "Welcome" he was tired and confused.  But we hit almost every house in the neighborhood.  Impressive for a 2 year old.  Mommy was very tired and hungry but thanks to my little guy for always picking out the recees cups, I had snacks along the way. Yes, we taught our child to look for the orange wrapper...ha!  What, he loves them too :) 
 
That's really all that's going on with us lately.  We are just loving our little guy.  He's so fun and expressive right now.  I wish I could remember to write down all his little sayings.  I'll leave you with a few of his most recent ones...
 
Playing with Sadie...Mommy, I like Sadie.  She's nice
 
Watching the Polar Express (which we do every day)...Mommy, Santa is nice.  Look at big Santa Tree.  Mommy Santa bring Owie a choo choo train for Christmas.  Chugga, Chugga, Choo Choo! 
 
Time Change....Mommy, it's dark out.  Mommy replies, yes buddy, Mommy is tired and it's almost night night time.  Owen, "Mommy needs to take a nap"
 
Everything is "Mommy, I like it...Mommy, I do it...Mommy, I ok (when falling).  Tell Owen what we are going to do or send him to do something, "Oh, ok Mommy...Owie be back"  Ask Owen a question and he always stalls and says, Ummm...then the answer.  It's fun to watch him think things out :)
 
Favorite thing to do this week, build a house.  Owen and Chris build the biggest houses with pillows and blankets.  He makes doors and plays in them all day. 
 
New show, Go, Go, Go...as Owen says.  Go Diego Go :) 
 
Owen talks non-stop about his friends at school.  His two best buddies, Quinn and Jason must play together all day b/c he is always talking about them. 
 
Well the end of this post ended up all over the place, but just had to add some cute Owen things :)

Starting the Baby Updates...better late than never :)

24 weeks!

How far along? 24 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 6 pounds

Maternity clothes? Yes, this time I popped so much sooner so I have been wearing maternity pants for 4-5 weeks and some maternity tops but mostly just bigger tops.

Sleep: Getting better now that my 3 week sinus infection is clearing up. 

Best moment this week: Owen being able to feel the baby kick :-)

Worst moment this week: Sinus Infection!!!  Started another antibiotic this week and FINALLY feeling better!

Movement: ALL DAY and I love it!!

Food cravings: Not really anything at the moment.  Guess being sick has killed my urge to eat much.

Labor Signs: No and Thank Goodness!  I remember last time around 24-25 weeks is when I was put on bedrest.  So thankful things are going better this time around!

Weekly Wisdom: Cherish these moments as a family of 3 and with my sweet boy.  Every day is not promised.  Remembering a sweet family this week as their sweet 7 year old girl lost her battle with cancer.

Looking forward to next week: 4 week check-up and hearing baby boy's heartbeat.