Third Trimester time!

Well I am officially in the third trimester! I am about 28 weeks right now. I can't believe it is already here, but at the same time the days are really starting to get uncomfortable and slow. This little guy is very active and he throws me punches and kicks all throughout the night. Grant was never this active, so I am a little weary about what the future may hold. My placenta is posterior, so I was told that this is why I feel so much more movement than usual- no padding between me and baby. I think I am carrying bigger- but I am sure everyone feels that same way each pregnancy. At my last appointment my midwife commented on how I had a big growth spurt from the last appointment. That is not always something you want to hear when you already feel huge :) I have gained about 28 pounds exactly- which is funny because that is how many weeks I am. I am suppose to gain about a pound a week over the next 2 months- so we'll see what the scale decides! Little guy is head down right now, but he still has time to twirl around. Grant went head down about this time and stayed that way until delivery. I don't mind it too much, just lots of low pressure. I have tons of strong braxton hicks contractions all the time- so much for my irritable uterus. Lots of fun! We still haven't come up with a name, so John and I need to get on the ball when it comes to that. We were so sure with Grant, and this time it is much harder for us to find a name that we like. My official due date is Dec 20th. Grant's bday is the 16th, but his due date was the 28th. Who knows when little guy #2 will decide to appear. That is the latest on the bun in the oven!

cuddling with mom

He still loves cuddling with me when he wakes up, even though in this picture my stomach was killing!!!! He is way to heavy to be laying all his weight on me- but sometimes I just can't resist :)

My blanket baby...

Just last week John and I were talking about how we were glad Grant had never been a "blankie" baby. I said that phase is long gone and we lucked out because he never carried around a dirty blanket thru the house etc, etc. Well a few days ago Grant started wanting to take one of his blankets out of the crib after his afternoon nap. At first it didn't phase me. Then he started wanting it in the morning, afternoon, and evenings while he was playing in the house. Now he cries if I try to sneak it back into the crib when he is distracted for a minute or 2. So what is this???? Can toddlers become blanket babies overnight??? I thought he was too old for this, but I guess I am way wrong!

My mom's theory is that he knows the next baby is coming soon. I have started to do less and less with him as my belly gets huge and I can't physically always run to his rescue. Who knows... it is just really funny that this happened a week after John and I had talked about it not happening! P.S don't mind the chocolate all over his face... it isn't dirt!

What happens when John babysits....

I have been trying to go walk at the local gym every other day for about 30 minutes. It is still too hot to walk outside in Florida. John agreed to watch Grant for me on Saturday before he needed to study. When I got home I was looking at pictures on the camera and I found these- I asked John if he had taken any pictures while I was gone. He said- oh yeah- I took pictures of Grant eating some cheese... hmmm that is with a pen, not a fork. He said it was the funniest thing to watch him stab the cheese with the pen and then stuff it in his mouth. I am glad Grant gets quality time with Dad when I am not around, because I am sure I would have had him eat a little differently!

more boring pictures-

I need to take more pictures of us doing cool things outside. It is still so hot and my belly is getting really big. John is so busy commuting and studying on the weekends, that we don't have very much outside play time with him. It is usually just me and little guy going on the property playing with the baby goats, horses, piles of dirt, golf carts, and whatever other little adventure we can come up with. I am going to try to take my camera along next time. No promises!

Grant's buzz cut...

I just love buzz cuts for some reason. Maybe it is because it makes my growing little guy look like a baby still :) I have attachment issues with my little stinker. Of course I want to him to stay the adorable little guy that I love :) They grow so fast!

Grant and Dad working

Grant is like any toddler boy. He loves tractors, airplanes, dump trucks, and of course lawn mowers. So this is more like a joy ride for Grant than work. We have a back yard that is hard to keep up with during this late rainy season. It is very nice to have a yard, even though it is more work~

Busy around here...

We have been busy lately. Grant and I went to Orlando for a few days while John had a mini-reunion with some family members in Michigan. We had a great time with Grammy just hanging around the house all day taking it easy. John had a blast in Michigan, but he came home a little sick. He has been under the weather the last week, so things have been crazy. I forgot what it is like to take care of a baby, a sick husband, and of course a miserable pregnant momma that can barely walk... (I hurt my ankle somehow along the way). It has not been fun, but hopefully it will be over soon. John is the life force around this house, so when he is down- everyone is down. No pictures for now- I haven't even taken any since we have moved. I need to bust it out sometime soon!

Nourishing herbs for pregnancy...

My first little stinker was a colicky baby and I had a lot of random things go wrong during my pregnancy. This time around I am educated and more aware of how to take care of my body during pregnancy to avoid little complications and colicky babies. I have read countless books on nourishing herbs during pregnancy and afterwards. Here is a list of the herbs I am taking during this pregnancy. I have not started the teas because it is too hot in Florida, maybe when it cools off. I take these herbs in capsule form for now. These are very safe and healthy for pregnant women. They are full of vitamins and minerals.

1. Alfalfa leaf- vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, D, E and K, antifungal, nourish the liver, activate the kidneys, suppress inflammation, address digestive disorders, and balance blood sugar. I will cut back on this herb a few weeks before delivery because it increases milk supply- which I do not need in the beginning :)

2. Nettle-one of the most nutritious herbs, great for people who ordinarily don't absorb nutrients very well (like me), blood builder (anemics), calcium, iron, mangnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, zinc, copper, chlorophyll, fatty acids, folate, Vit K, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, and E. Affinity for kidneys (kidney stones), natural antihistamine, may improve hay fever, allergic asthma, and other allergic conditions.

3. oat-straw-proteins, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that nourish the nerves, support the metabolism of fats, and uplift the spirit. Take oats after birth to increase milk production.

4. Kelp- Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Iodine, Vit B1, B2, B12, Vit K

5. Red raspberry leaf-I started this herb slowly. I started after my first trimester. Tones the uterus, and prevents hemorrhaging during birth. Full of calcium, phosphorus, Vit A, B1, Vit E. Given during childbirth to strengthen and speed delivery. Given after childbirth to bring on the milk and make it richer.

I had 4 kidney stones at 20 weeks pregnant last time. So far- no kidney stones. We will see if this keeps! Hopefully :)

Throughout the beginning of this pregnancy my hair kept falling out- not lots, but more than it should. My last pregnancy this did not happen. I knew I was lacking some Vitamin. Each time I had my hair done the hairstylist would comment on how I should be taking more vitamins to prevent this. Nothing worked. I started taking the nettles and a few days later I had no hair falling out. Unbelievable. I guess my body was not absorbing something properly. Just a few of my experiences so far.

Disclaimer- Always check with your healthcare provider. I never take high doses of any herb - all in moderation. :)

Here is the news....

I know most people won't call John to find out our little news, so I will just share it here. What would we do without blogs?

John received a call yesterday from the hiring partner at the law firm he worked for the last 2 summers. We had very low expectations due to the economy and hiring freezes. So we were pleasantly surprised when the hiring partner extended John a full time position starting Sept 2010. This is a huge deal...to us of course!!!! All of John's long hours and hard work paid off. He will take the Florida bar exam next July and then start by Sept 1. Tampa here we come. I never really thought I would be moving back to my home town, but we are excited! We are very grateful for this blessing in our lives. It is nice to get a break every now and then!