Surviving This Pregnancy

Since we knew this would be my last pregnancy, I tried to make a concious attempt to soak up and enjoy every minute of this pregnancy. It truly is a miracle that isn't a guarentee. I am thankful to God for my two healthy children and the one growing in me.

....however....it is hot. And I am big and am getting pretty uncomfortable. Luckily, we are in the final stretch!

So I have invested in a few new products that have helped me this go around!

La Croix and OJ

I have craved La Croix with a splash of orange juice. I normally don't even like orange juice! It just tastes so cold and fizzy. Plus is gets Squeak moving around, which eases some of my obsessive panic and worry or shim's well-being.

Burt's Bees Mama Bee Belly Butter

I was lucky in the last two pregnancies to not really have any stretch marks (despite the many, many poiunds I gained), and the ones that appeared, quickly went away after baby. I love this stuff, and I like to think it is preventing them (or at least keeping them at minimum!) It keeps my skin smooth and soft and doesn't have a weird smell to it either.

Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar

Ugh, pregnancy acne. It is the worst! And you have to be super careful about what products you use. This is safe to use on your face and body, and it actually works. My skin cleared up as soon as I started using it. I use it twice a day, and the bar still looks barely used, so I am glad it will last me a while. Thanks to my sister for introducing this to me!

Leacho Snoogle Total Body Pillow

True Life: I cried when I got this. Back pain is a common pregnancy symptom, but this time around it has been unbearable at times. I had gotten by just fine with my first two pregnancies without a pregnancy pillow, and felt silly about getting one when I had just over two months to go. However, after tossing and turning every night, Brooks just ordered me this. It is life changing people! I use it in bed and when I am on the couch. It has helped my back pain so much.

Mamie Vaughn Maternity Support Belt

Is this hot or what!? After I had Gaines, I found out I had Diastasis Recti. Once I learned more about it, I worked our carefully to not make it worse and hoped over time it would correct itself somewhat. My fear is this pregnancy has split those muscles wide open again. This belt helps hold more up and in place (like a first pregnancy.) It also provides some back support. I don't wear it all the time, because it can be uncomforatble after a while and is HOT! However, I am glad I have it.

Squeak Update and Random Pictures of Cheeks and Peepers

10 days until Baby Squeak! I can't believe it. This pregnancy has flown by, especially since school has started.

• This has been my healthiest pregnancy. No problems with the baby, so I haven't had an ultrasound in 18 weeks!
• Heartbeat has been in the 150s-160s
• This Thursday is my last appointment
• October 6 is penciled in as Squeak's birthday
• With Woody, I never really had Braxton Hicks. With #3, they started at like 26 weeks! Every night they get very consistent. In the past week, they will hit, and I will contract every 3-5 minutes! It only lasts about an hour or so though. I can walk and talk through them, so I feel like they aren't the real thing. Also, at 36 weeks, I wasn't dilated at all, so I feel like I am safe.
• The nursery is done! Well, almost. My sister is making the crib sheet, so I will take pictures once that is here.
• We still don't know the gender! At first, I thought it was a girl because I literally threw up every single day my first trimester. I wasn't really that sick with Gaines, and especially not sick with Woody. But now I feel like I am carrying this baby like a boy (although my belly is smaller than when I had Gaines.) I am just excited to meet the little guy/girl who has been growing in my belly!
• I think Woody gets it. He talks about how a baby is going to live with us, and he calls the baby Squeak. He prays for Squeak at night. Gaines has somewhat of an idea. I think because he is copying Woody. He loves to play in Squeak's room and try out every single pacifier. I know when Squeak comes home, their worlds will be rocked, but hopefully we can settle into our new normal soon!

Momma Update

• This year, I am co-chairing MOPS at our church. This ministry has been such a blessing to me. I have met so many wonderful friends in the past two years and leave the meetings with a rejuvination. I am taking October off, but hopefully can jump back in the first of November. Luckily, the chair of MOPS, is a total rockstar and super organized. I hope I can do half as good of a job as her next year!

 We have been cheering on Bama! #1!!

Enjoying our friend, Blake's, birthday party

Later, we went for a walk. If you want a good picture of Woody, don't tell him to say cheese. You will get this face. #framer

Gaines consumed his body weight in chocolate on Saturday

New carseats! I am attempting to just have the kids sit three across as opposed to getting a minivan, so we bought the Diono RXT seats for the boys since they are a lot more narrow. I needed to sit the boys close to the passenger side to make carpool easier. Woody got middle because I trust him next to the baby more than Gaines. (Sorry, bud.) I don't know why, but they were so excited, so we took a test ride after Brooks installed them. And when they decided to hold hands? Melt my heart! (Don't mind Gaines's outfit. He was so mad about what I made him wear to church, and the only way to get him out the door was to promise he could wear that T-shirt when we got home.)

Carpool this AM. Gaines gets so sad on days that he doesn't get to go. He kept wanting to hold Woody's hand (so Woody wouldn't leave.) Woody was ready to get out of the car!

First Day of School

Not only was this a big year because Gaines was starting school, but I decided to put them in a new school that is closer to our house. We have loved having Woody at Peachtree, but it is far from our house. I just didn't want to fight the traffic five days a week. Not only is their new school closer, but Woody was able to get in the four day a week program (as opposed to five.) I like having one day where we can stay in our PJs a little longer!

Fuuny Story:: Gaines was so mad about his "shorts." I love bubble shorts, but he wanted big boy shorts like Woody. He kept trying to pull them down to his knees. Sorry buddy!

Look how Woody has grown!

After a summer of endless snacks, they were so hungry when they got home! They both cleared their plates and asked for more!

The school wants you to use carpool, so I wasn't able to speak with their teachers. Gaines's teacher called me and said he did really well on his first day. He played well with others and didn't hit or bite anyone! However, she said by the end of the day, he was over it. He wanted her to hold him and he kept trying to go to sleep. He took a long nap on the first day.

Woody's teachers posted these pictures on his class website.

So sweaty after playground!

Also, the face you get now if you ask him to smile. What a natural!

He talks about the Science Station a lot. He says it is his favorite.

I feel like he has been doing really well with the new routine. He is always happy to go to school and happy when I pick him up. I am proud of him for dealing with the change. Last Tuesday was his first "tough" day. One of his teachers brought him to my car during carpool and said there were some tears thoughout the day. He hadn't slept well the night before, so on the way home I asked him if he wanted to talk about it now or later, and he said, "Later." That afternoon, he told me his friends picked up his puzzle before he was ready and some "big kids" (I guess the 5/6 year olds?) came to the playground and made him feel scared and he fell of the swing. He is so innocent and part of me wanted to laugh about what made him cry. It is a constant balance between wanting him to mature and not cry over the small stuff and wanting him to stay so sweet and tender hearted. 

He told me Wednesday that he cried at school again. His teachers are so sweet, and emailed me about what happened. Again, very minor things, so I don't know why he is getting upset. Brooks and I are meeting with them next week about how we can best support Woody. Thankfully, yesterday he happily told me that he didn't cry.

I hope they both have great years. I have prayed so much about this change and their teachers. I just want them to be happy, but I know in the end, it is my job to help them grown into kind, well-rounded children. That means there are some times where they won't be happy. I try to tell them everyday that when they are scared, upset, or mad, they can always talk to Jesus and He understands. They probably have no clue what I am talking about, but maybe it will set in and they won't be like their momma and have to wait way too many years before they figure that out (even though my parents did a fabulous job teaching me!)

Gaines- 30 Months

Little Peepers "turned" 30 months on the 7th. It makes me laugh to say 30 months, because if anything is going to describe him, it is the word two! Here are 30 things that make Gaines Alton the wonderful creature he is! (Here is Woody's 30 month facts.)

1. He is all boy. He loves balls, trucks, and breaking things.

2. He sleeps with two lovies. They were both given by my friend, Alli, when the boys were born. His favorite is teachnically Woody's, but Woody lets him have it. He calls them his NaNas. (This is only somewhat confusing because he also loves his Nana (my mom) and ba"nanas."

3. He likes to sing...but what is he singing!?!? If music is playing, he hums along happily.

4. Thinks he is the authority on everything. Mr. Bossy Pants. His favorite person to boss around? Woody.

5. Yet, he adores Woody. Their friendship is the sweetest thing. Don't get me wrong, there are A LOT of fights, but they really look out for each other.

6. Gaines is going to school two days a week. He is only in his second week, but seems to really like it.

7. We lucked out this one, he is a great eater! Unlike his brother, he will try almost anything. Which leads me to my next one...

8. He is almost as big as Woody! He is a little shorter, but wears a 3T in pants and a 4T in tops. 

9. If he could spend all day outside, he would. He sometimes sits at the door trying to put his shoes on in hopes that someone will take him outside.

10. His favorite outdoor activities are the pool, bubbles, throwing the ball, and playing on his bike.

11. His favorite indoor activities are trains, legos, and the marble maze. He loves building things so he is constantly building new train tracks.

12. Like his brother, his vocabulary isn't extensive. He "talks" non-stop, but it is hard to sometimes understand him. He calls Brooks DaDa, I am Momma (in the sweetest, southern voice), and Woody is Ew-ie. He can say all of his grandparents names just fine, except now he calls my dad "Troll" since when we were at the beach, my dad would hide under the boardwalks so Gaines and Woody could retell The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

13. His biggest fears are also his biggest fascinations. Spiders and fire. He love to sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and talk about big spiders, but any bug totally freaks him out. He loves fire trucks , but Labor Day weekend, when Brooks fired up the grill, Gaines screamed and wouldn't stay outside. 

14. I know I am about to jinx myself saying this, but he is a wonderful napper at home. He goes down easily, even though Woody doesn't nap. He usually chooses to sleep in Woody's bed and sleeps at least 2 hours. (Some days he would sleep 4 hours if I would let him.)

15. He goes to bed easily too. He likes to climb in bed with Woody, and they will "read" for a while, and once Woody falls asleep, he usually gets in his bed. However, he is an EARLY riser...ugh. This of course wakes Woody up. Suggestions on how to keep him asleep past 5:30?

16. Now, he doesn't sleep great away from home. I usually have to lie down with him for a while. If I am not around, good luck! I think I have scarred Aunt Savanna and the grandparents. He screams for them and sticks his chubby arms under the door (thankfully, he can't open his door knob!)

17. We are working on teaching colors, numbers, and letters. He isn't too intrested in them though.

18. He is 15% potty trained. Ha! He can always force out a little pee for a skittle. And if he is really in a candy mood, he will go number 2 (because he gets two skittles!) However, he mostly does his business in his diaper. I am in no hurry right now. A lot of people warned me that he might regress when Squeak is born, so I am letting him go on his own time.

19. I am like my sister and was in no hurry to do it this summer because I love JonJons and bubbles. However, Gaines hates them. He usually tells me, "No Momma! I big boy!" It makes me sad, and I usually force him into them anyways. I told him he can dress like a big boy when Squeak gets here.

20. He likes to wear his "Alligator shoes." They are these Croc type shoes that were his cousin, Jake's. They are way too big, but I choose my battles with him!

21. Discipline is a something we struggle with. His hot temper and strong personality put him in time-out a good part of the day. It breaks my heart, becuase he cries so hard when he has to go to time-out. I usually keep him in there for two minutes, then we say a prayer asking God for forgivness and help making the right decisions, then he has to apologize to who he wronged (usually Woody.) He will go up to Woody and hug him and say, "Sorry Ew-ie," in the sweetest voice....and then we usually repeat five minutes later. What can I say, except he has taught me a lot about the God's grace to our sinful ways!

22. As much as I find myself praying to God to give me wisdom in how to parent him, I find myself laughing at Gaines even more! He is the funniest child; our family's little clown! He loves to put on a show.

23. Rocks a bowl cut. I gave up trying to part it.

24. He loves to take a shower. Since we don't have a bathtub, I found it easier to stick the boys in the shower with the handheld hose. 

25. As far as strangers, he is either super friendly or super rude. He sometimes goes up to strangers and yells "Hi! Hi! Hi!" in their face until they respond or he yells, "STOP! SHOO!" 

(Captain America and Darth Vadar. He can't decide if he is good or evil.)

26. In the morning, he loves and only wants his momma. At night, he is so over me, and cries at the window for his Dada.

27. This summer, he adored waiting for the garbage men on Thursdays. They are awesome and would always honk a bunch for him. Now he is school on Thursdays, so he misses seeing his friends.

28. I have to keep crayons hidden from him. He loves to color the floors and walls. We keep Magic Erasers in business. 

29. I can't wait to see him with Squeak. I love watching him practice being a big brother. 

30. Everyday, I am amazed and so thankful for this sweet boy. He was our little "surprise," and I am so glad God gave him to us.  

Beach Weekend 2016

Things I am terrible at:

1. Cooking
2. Keeping up with this blog

I may have accepted number 1, but I refuse to accept number 2. Two weekends ago we met my parents at their beach place. We drove down Thursday night. We got a late start because the weather was awful. Like down trees/road flooding awful. And and the fact that Atlanta rush hour is a nightmare in general. Luckily, the boys were pretty chill on the ride down (with the exception of one blow out diaper before we were out of the city.) They slept the entire way, and we were so proud of ourselves...that was until we were about 20 minutes out and they both woke up! It was around 12:20am local time (1:20 am our time) when we arrived. The facts that we were at a new place + Nana and Gran were at this new place was too much excitement. The boys never went back to sleep! Thank goodness my husband and parents are saints and took turns with me staying with the boys. 

Friday morning we hit the beach pretty early since I knew they would obviously need naps. Both boys liked going out on the stand-up paddle board...so did Brooks! The water was so clear too. In years past, we usually get about an hour on the beach before the meltdowns start. This year, everyone was relatively happy! It was actually, somewhat relaxing!

Trying to teach Woody how to stand

We headed back in to feed the boys lunch, and the plan was to put them down for naps and then Brooks and I would go out for lunch just the two of us (can I tell you how much I love grandparents!?) The boys were so tired, and my parents assured us they could easily get them down for a nap, so we headed to Hurricane Oyster in Grayton Beach.

When we came back, my poor dad was still trying to get the boys to lie down! Thankfully, we got them down to sleep in our bed and everyone took a nice nap.

When they woke up, we headed back to the beach. Woody took a little tumble and began limping. He kept saying that his toe hurt, but when I asked him to point to which toe hurt, he pointed to his ankle. For the rest of the night and next morning he had a hard time putting weight on it. I felt terrible for him, but luckily, it was just a sprain and he was okay by the next afternoon.

For dinner, we all headed out to The Hub. Not only is it super close to my parents', but very child friendly...which helps when you have a 2 and 4 year old that are hungry, one has a sprained ankle, and are up past their bedtime!

Saturday morning, my parents offered to watch the boys and Brooks and I headed over to Eden Gardens State Park to walk around and explore. It was beautiful, but there were mosquitos, and we didn't have any bug spray. We made our visit quick, but I can't wait to go back!

I love an antique brick

When we got back, we headed down to the beach. Gaines was very ready to be back, but Woody wasn't as excited. I think it was because his ankle was still hurting. He did go out with Brooks again and they got so close to some dolphins!

But he was much happier napping in Nana's arms!

That night, Brooks and I headed to one of our favorite's, Edward's in Rosemary Beach. The food was wonderful as always. Poor Brooks only had to deal with me complaing how hot, fat, and swollen I felt. 

On Sunday, we decided to go to the beach for a little bit before heading home. Both of my boys adore both sets of grandparents, and I love seeing them together. 

Nana and Gran's House has an unlimited supply of beach toys. Which is a good thing...I fear many were lost at sea.

As we headed out, we stopped at The Perfect Pig for brunch. My friend, Tippi, introduced me to this place on when we came down last August. Again, super close to my parents' place and really, really good!

I've got to give credit to the boys- they slept almost the entire way back! They do pretty good in the car to not have a working DVD player. They woke up just south of Atlanta, and were obviously hungry again. I was just ready to get out of the car, so we decided to have a sit down meal at Applebee's (our options were a tad limited.) It has been a while since I dined at an Applebee's, but now they have these tablet type things where you can play games or order food or entertain kids until they run up your bill without you noticing! Before we realized that you could buy stuff the ordered a Disney game and an order of onion rings!

See how the light is blue on top? That means you have ordered food....and now you know!

(We obviously didn't at the time)

Thank you so much Mom and Dad for not only having us, but for babysitting so much! We had a wonderful time and can't wait to be back as a family of five! (And a special thank you to my sweet SIL for watching our other children, Lucy and Winnie!)

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Squeak (32 weeks in utero), Gaines (2), Woody (4)