9 Months-Punkin

I'm having a hard time believing that my baby is nine months!  I must admit that I'm loving it.  I love that I can put her own and she'll (sometimes) play on her own or with her sister. Don't get me wrong, I love the newborn phase and the snuggles.  But six months and on is really my favorite. I love to see their personalities develop and interact with them.

County Fair Fun 2015

The end of August means fair time where we live!  We decided to go when it was cheap, so that meant Friday morning before one cause we (the adults) could get in for a dollar.  We planned to get there when it opened and then leave in time for The Man to go to work.  The plan mostly worked, except we got there about a half hour after it opened.  I don't think that's too bad and we had time to do almost everything we wanted (I didn't get to visit the vendors but oh well.) I love it when a plan works out!

Summer 2015 Photo Shoot

A local photographer was having a summer sale on sessions back in June so we decided to get some shots done of the girls.  I was a little nervous as we headed to the session as it was bedtime for Punkin an I was afraid she was going to be in meltdown mode. We managed to get a few shots before the meltdown started and even while it was happening some super cute photos got taken.  I'm so glad we did this.  We just love the photos!

Here are just a few of my favorites from the SIXTY photos we got:

Hey, How Ya Doin?

So it's been what, almost three months since I last posted? I've missed this space and sharing about life and the girls.  I think about posting a lot and even write posts in my head and think about what photos to put with it. Then I sit down and I got nothing.  All the words leave and I can't think of what to write. My brain is exhausted and I don't have the energy to write. And then having to find photos and watermarking the photos.  It's just too much for me right now.

I knew having two kids would be harder than one, and it is. It's stretched me and grown me in ways I never imagined.  And while it's hard, I'm enjoying it.  I'm finding that it's often the things that are challenging that the things worth doing.

So, in a nutshell:

Punkin Four Months

I wrote this back when Punkin was four months.  Even though she’s now six months I’m doing to publish it anyway, so we’ll have it to look back on. Some day I might even share her 3 month photos!

Punkin Two Months

Time just keeps rolling on. Punkin’s growing and getting bigger.  I have to admit that I’m writing this post as Punkin closes in on four months and her second month of life is a little fuzzy.  I blame sleep deprivation.  I’m not going to lie, it was rough.  It’s been harder with number two as I can’t sleep when she sleeps cause I have a Munchkin to chase after.  And when Punkin is down Munchkin wants and needs Mama time.  I’m more than happy to give it to her but it left me exhausted.  I would fall asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Punkin One Month

I’m behind on Punkin’s monthly updates. Time flies so fast, especially when you’re sleep deprived.

Punkin’s Birth Story

I knew Munchkin’s birth was traumatic for me but it wasn’t until Punkin was born that I truly realized how traumatic is was. In many ways, Punkin’s birth was healing for me, in ways I didn’t know I needed. I LOVED the hospital that we picked for deliver Punkin. We will be going back to have our next kiddo (if we’re blessed with another one!) It was perfect for us. The doctors, nurses and other staff that we interacted with are professional and friendly and they really care about you. They did whatever they could to help us.  Three months later and I still miss my 3am sandwiches!

39 Weeks…I Can See The Light!

It was starting to feel like 39 weeks would never get here.  Finally, finally, it’s here! Due to having GD, Punkin will be born this week. My repeat c-section (RCS) has been scheduled but if I go into labor before hand, well, we’ll just let her come that way too. It’s actually kind of nice having a hard end date for this pregnancy. I’m feeling a little impatient though.  I can’t wait to meet this little lady and love on her and get newborn snuggles. I’m kinda giddy thinking about it.

Punkin’s Birth Plan

I had a birth plan with Munchkin that was two pages long. I put a lot of thought and time into it. I feel like most of it got thrown out the window but in reality, a good portion of it was followed. I think the most valuable aspect of the birth plan was making it because it made me really think about what I wanted (or what I thought I wanted.)  I never shared it on the blog and it’s currently resting in the bowels of a computer that no longer turns on, waiting to be retrieved from the hard drive by some expert who can also save my photos.  I wasn’t going to do a birth plan this time around, as I already know what I want and have thought things through plenty in the two years since I had Munchkin.  However, I’ve been encouraged by my OB to have one. She and the others who will be at the birth can’t read my mind so I guess it will help them to know what I’d like.  The Man knows and will fight for what I want if need be but it’s good to have it in writing too. 

The To-Do List {38 Weeks}

So a couple of weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to make a to-do list of all the things I needed/wanted to do before Punkin arrives.  I kept thinking of things (usually when I was in the shower) and then forgetting.  Not sure if it’s Mommy brain or Pregnancy brain or a mix of both.  The list wasn’t as long as I was expecting.  I remember having a HUGE list with Munchkin…it must be because it’s the second kiddo. Getting ready for Punkin has been so different from Munchkin!  I wrote most of this list back when I was 33/34 weeks.  You can see how much I’ve gotten done.  Since I’m now 38 weeks, I should probably get moving on this list, right?!?!

Preparing for Christmas

I love Christmas, all of it. I love celebrating Jesus and decorating the house and gift giving. It’s such a rich time of year and it can be crazy with everything going on.  I can handle the stress of the season if I get an early start.  I really wanted to get an early start this year as I’ll have a newborn.  Newborns are fun and can be chill but they can also be a lot of work, especially if you’re breastfeeding (and I’m planning on it.)  So starting early and being organized is even MORE of a must for me this year.

Preparing for Baby #2

When I was pregnant with Munchkin, my first child, I was researching everything.  I mean EVERYTHING…strollers, car seats, cloth diapers, carriers, high chairs.  You name it and I was looking into it.  It felt like I was making monumental decisions that would affect her for the rest of her life.  I know that if you’re a mom, you’re laughing at me and hopefully laughing along with me because you did the same thing.  I needed to look into all these things because we had NOTHING.  There was next to nothing child friendly about our house.  Over time through buying things. the generosity of hand me downs and family and friends at showers, our house slowly filled with baby items.  When you walk in our house now there is no doubt that a child lives here.  She’s left her mark on every room in the house, from her pillow on our bed, the bath toys in the tub, the sippy cups in the kitchen and the toys and books in her room and the living room.  Oh, and don’t forget the play structure in our back yard that you can’t miss when you park in our driveway. 

It’s Nice To See You, Third Trimester!

Part of me is having a hard time believing that I’m in the third trimester but most of me is thrilled!  I’m very much looking forward to holding this little girl in my arms and snuggle her.  I love that this time around it feels like it’s going by much faster. Maybe because with Munchkin there was so much to do, research and buy.  This time there’s not, plus I’m chasing Munchkin around.  It’s nice to not feel as clueless as I did the first time…or rather, I’m just feeling clueless about other stuff, like how to parent two kids!  I think I’m feeling more confident in our ability to handle a newborn as we’ve done it before (though I’m trying not to be too confident since every kid is different!)  I know that breastfeeding might not go as smoothly cause it’s a whole new relationship.  I’m thankful that I have experience and I know where to turn for help if I need it.  Plus, I still have my amazing support system. 

Snuggle That Baby

Munchkin has been extra snuggly lately (which is saying something) and one night recently as she snuggled and fell asleep in my arms, I realized how much I had missed that.  I loved it when Munchkin was a baby and would fall asleep in my arms or on my chest.  There is nothing as peaceful as watching your child sleep in your arms.  Nothing was as important as the snuggle time either.  The chores still got done eventually but the kiddo isn’t that little anymore.  I’m so glad I got those snuggles while I could!  I’m looking forward to having another little squish to cuddle.  We’re a cuddly family so we’re hoping that Punkin likes to cuddle and snuggle too.  I don’t think snuggling my kiddos will ever get old!

Bullet Point Friday

I have several posts waiting to finished up so I can publish them but my brain is fried and I have no desire to work on them right now.  It’s summer, it’s warm and it’s been a long week.  I think I can handle bullet points, so here we go:

Boy or Girl?

The Man and I are the impatient sort so we’ve decided to not wait to find out in Punkin is a boy or a girl.  We had our gender ultrasound last week and we are so excited!  I can honestly say that I’ll be happy with either a boy or a girl.  

The First Half of Pregnancy

This space has been pretty quiet because Punkin has been kickin my butt.  This first trimester has been rough, rougher than I remember with Munchkin.  I’ve debated writing this post because it’s probably going to by whiny.  I’m writing it so I can look back and it will help me remember.  I have started feeling better around twenty weeks (like with Munchkin) and I’m so thankful for that.

Getting A Positive

Getting a positive result on a home pregnancy test this time around was a lot different than with Munchkin.  Last time it came after two years of trying to conceive and a month and a half after my dad died.  I was on day thirty five of my cycle.  I was so down and positive that we were never going to have a baby.  I took the test late at night and The Man had to convince me it was positive.  The line was so faint that I didn’t want to get my hopes up.  I remember saying something along the lines of “who believes these things anyway?  It’s a $1.50 piece of plastic!”  He reminded me that millions of people use them and that they are pretty accurate.  I went to the doctor the next morning (a Thursday) and the test there was negative.  They told me to come back on Monday if my period didn’t come before then. In the meantime I ended up taking five or six more tests before I believed it.  I was crushed when I had some spotting and so relieved when the positive popped at the doctor’s on Monday when I went back.  I paid attention to every twinge, every cramp, afraid that it was something bad.  I held my breath for the entire pregnancy, afraid that we were going to lose Munchkin.  I loved every ultrasound and every time we heard the heartbeat.  Hearing the heartbeat never got old.  Never. 

Another Duck Fan {Wordless Wednesday}