Baby #2 Update- 32 Weeks

How far along:  32-33 weeks (I measure 6 days ahead of my due date, etc)

Due Date: (officially) March 1, 2020

Baby's Size: According to my apps a squash or a honeydew. At my ultrasound in December she weighed about 3 lbs 6 oz!

Total weight gain/loss: Like 30 lbs?

Maternity clothes: Pretty much exclusively except for pj's and large sweaters, etc.

Stretch marks: I don't thiiink any new ones.

Sleep: Meh there are good nights and bad nights, I'm usually so exhausted though that when I'm able to sleep I do.

Best moment of this week: It wasn't this week but my favorite moment from the last month was getting to see the ultrasound with my brother and sister-in-law and watch her just pursing and pouting her lips and stretching and being so so cute. This week's best moment is starting to see her nursery come together!

Miss anything: Being able to eat normally-started getting the acid reflux/heartburn if I'm not careful about eating too much in one sitting. And my hips not hurting.

Movement: I love feeling and watching her stretch and nudge and push against my hand. One of my favorite parts of pregnancy for sure!

Food cravings: Meh, still not a cravings person.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: I am very big lol.

Gender: Girl!

Labor signs: No-hopefully at least not for another month or so!

Belly button in or out: Technically still somewhat in.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Still really overwhelmed but mostly happy.

Looking forward to: Hopefully getting everything ready so I can just chill and wait for her to get here lol. Also seeing her nursery completely done!

Here is my 32 Week update with James!

Something Saturdays (1/4/20)

Finally recovering from the insanity of the holidays! I worked all weekend and then worked on stuff at home during the week-I also got a new phone (woo/blech lol). Wednesday we had breakfast with Michael's dad and stepmom and brother and sister-in-law and then drove to Youngstown during James' nap to spend the rest of New Year's day with Michael's mom's family. It was very fun and very crazy. Thursday some of Michael's aunts and his one cousin who is 8 months older than James (his mom is the oldest of 11 and the toddler's mom is the youngest of the 11 lol) were at his mom's house so we hung out there for a bit too and visited. I'm not working this weekend so looking forward to getting lots done (including James transitioning out of his crib to his big boy bed tonight! EEE wish me luck).

Posts from this week 

Best of 2019 on Instagram

Recipes from the blog that I've made lately
Slow Cooker Amish-style Shredded Beef

Perfect Roasted Carrots

Best of 2019 on Instagram

Here we go, it's time for a new year (and a new decade): welcome to the 2020's!

2019 was a very very busy year full of running around with the most fun toddler ever and growing a sweet new little sister for him. 2020 is looking to be another great one.

 There was a lot of snow.

 And a good amount of brunches at Twisted Citrus.

 Lots of trips to the park.

 Someone discovered a love of ice cream.

 There was Easter.

 And Mother's Day.

 And farmer's markets.

 And the zoo!

 We vacationed at Conneaut Lake with Michael's family.

 And found out we're getting another little nugget!

 James was the cutest Halloween turtle.

 And the best helper.

 I turned 30 and ate delicious things to celebrate.

And we had a merry merry Christmas.

And now it's time to face 2020!

Something Saturdays-on Sunday (12/29/19)

Happy last weekend of the decade! It has been a super busy and super wonderful couple of weeks!

My brother and sister-in-law came into town the Thursday before Christmas. It had been 2 years since I'd seen Josh and 3 years since I'd seen Jill (she'd never physically met James!) and the second they got to my house from the airport we got back in the car for an ultrasound appointment I had! It was so fun having them with us and seeing baby girl moving and being cute (she was doing a lot of stretching again and also lip pursing/pouting. At one point her foot was by her face and it looked like she may have been trying to suck it lol). Friday night we had dinner with them and my dad's side of the family, then after James went to bed Josh and Jill came over and hung out for a bit. Saturday I had to work but then we hung out at my mom's for a bit and Sunday I also had to work but my mom's family's Christmas party was that day and-even though we couldn't make it in between work and James' bedtime-I went to an after party game night after James went to bed. Monday my mom and Josh and Jill came over to hang out for a bit before James' nap (because I then had to work again after). Tuesday was Christmas Eve! I picked up Josh and Jill from my mom's and we picked up brunch on the way to my house. Then we played a board game while James napped and after nap we made cut out cookies, my mom picked up dinner and came over after work, we had hot chocolate/hot cocoa (hot chocolate for me, hot cocoa for everyone else), and watched Muppet Family Christmas. After my mom and siblings left we had James open a present of Christmas pj's and we put out the milk and cookies for Santa. Christmas arrived and I had a very excited toddler on my hands. We opened presents (and boy he has become a pro at ripping wrapping paper) and then played for a little bit before my mom and Josh and Jill came over for breakfast and presents. I made Baker Bettie's overnight cinnamon rolls plus bacon (and my mom brought hash browns) and then we all enjoyed our time together. Michael's mom came for a bit too and James opened more presents. Then naptime came and everyone left (and we said our big goodbyes to Josh and Jill since their flight left that evening). I made some turkey and cheese sliders, applesauce, and mashed potatoes for our Christmas dinner and then Michael's dad and stepmom came over for...more presents lol. James was so incredibly stoked on the entire day (he honestly almost didn't fall asleep for his nap, it was dicey). The next day Michael was supposed to go back to work but then James looked at him and said "Daddy play with James?" and he decided to work from home. Little guy was clearly exhausted because he slept in that day and then took a long nap too. Since then we've just been doing more visiting with various out of town relatives and now Michael's brother and sister-in-law are here too. James and I got brunch with them and some of their cousins and we might be having dinner with them and Michael's mom and sister tomorrow. So yes lots lots lots going on but so much fun!

And also now cracking down on pre-baby prep! AH!

Recipes from the blog that I've made lately
Extra Flaky Biscuits

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

Creamy Chicken and Biscuits 

 

{No Spread, No Chill} Vanilla Cutout Cookies

Recent links bookmarked (visit my Pinterest for more)

Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate (How Sweet Eats)

Movies/TV Talk (assume there'll be spoilers)
The Witcher-Ok I'm only 1 episode in and Michael is significantly more into it than me but I like it? I'm intrigued for sure. And I love Henry Cavill.

Instagram Lately 

Something Saturdays (12/14/19)

WOO.

It has been crazy. Thanksgiving happened (and was fun, although James ate like 2 rolls and apple pie and that's it lol). Then it was just crazy time getting ready for his birthday! His birthday party was last weekend and it went perfectly (I'm actually planning on sharing a post about his party!) Then Michael was home Monday and Tuesday (his actual 2nd birthday) and we ate lots of yummy food, decorated for Christmas, and on Tuesday went to go see Santa which was magical. James was starstruck, it was so sweet. So now we're just doing more getting stuff done and preparing for next week: my brother and sister-in-law come into town (YAY!) I haven't seen my brother in 2 years and my sister-in-law in 3 years so I can't wait to spend a ton of time with them and then it will be Christmas so yeahhh the business just keeps on going!

Posts from this week 

Baby #2 Update-28 Weeks

Recipes from the blog that I've made lately

Perfect All-Butter Pie Crust

Just Chicken Pot Pie

Garlic Butter Chicken

Creamy Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

Recent links bookmarked (visit my Pinterest for more)

Best Breakfast Pancakes (Once Upon a Chef) - we actually made these together on James' birthday!

Movies/TV Talk (assume there'll be spoilers)
The Good Place-FINALLY caught up with where we're at in the current season and I just wanted to say this show is amazing and I love it. That is all.

Instagram Lately 

Baby #2 Update- 28 Weeks

How far along:  28-29 weeks (I measure 6 days ahead of my due date, blah blah blah)

Due Date: (officially) March 1, 2020

Baby's Size: According to my apps an eggplant or winter squash (or a puppy...)

Total weight gain/loss: Mmmm not 100% sure....20-25 lbs?

Maternity clothes: Mostly with some larger or flowier non maternity clothes.

Stretch marks: No new ones yet.

Sleep: Not good but it's not pregnancy related lol-I've been going to bed too late because we've been crazy busy after James goes to bed and he's still getting up early (not as bad as he was though).

Best moment of this week: James birthday stuff and also there have been a couple times where Michael sang to her and she always very visibly moves to the side of my stomach he's on. It's super cute. Oh! And we bought our first little girl clothes so I'm excited to get those.

Miss anything: Not being sore and out of breath probably lol.

Movement: She's really started moving more lately! I'd say she's still fairly chill compared to James but I can see her movements and feel her pretty frequently now.

Food cravings: Yeah I just don't really have cravings I feel like.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: I'm large lol.

Gender: Girlyyyy

Labor signs: No!

Belly button in or out: In mostly but there's a little bit of trying to poke out in the middle

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: I'm overwhelmed by how much there is to do but I wouldn't say I'm moody! Still mostly happy.

Looking forward to: Christmas! Then getting more stuff for her and hopefully getting all prepared so it doesn't stress me out ha.

Here is my 28 Week update with James!

Something Saturdays (11/23/19)

Just been a crazy couple weeks of life, getting things done, enjoying the cute James, etc. BUT I did have my 30th birthday and it was pretty wonderful. Michael took the day off work and we went to the McKinley museum (which neither of us have been to since we were kids and James hadn't gone to yet) and that was super fun. Michael also got me the most delicious chocolate peanut butter cake, chocolate peanut butter pie, and chocolate caramel tart from Studio Bakery. Then Michael made dinner (which was extra special because he never does that-largely because he doesn't know how) AND maybe even better...cleaned everything up. Then after James went to sleep Michael's mom came over to stay here while we went to get dessert at a local restaurant. It was so much fun and I loved it. 

ALSO-if you're looking for some recipes to make this Thanksgiving check out these round ups I've posted: 
Thanksgiving Recipes 
Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes Round Up

Baby #2 Update-24/25 Weeks

How far along:  Well now 25-26 weeks (complicated because I measure 6 days ahead of my due date and they only move the due date if I'm 7 days or more off)-I meant to post this last week but, ha!

Due Date: (officially) March 1, 2020

Baby's Size: According to my apps a cauliflower or papaya (or a bunny or a chocolate cake...)

Total weight gain/loss: Around 20ish lbs gained (which kind of blew me away because my weight gain has like doubled in the last month--I'm trying to remember, though, that I started out like 15-20 lbs. heavier when I was pregnant with James so it's ok if I gain a bit more).

Maternity clothes: Mostly with some larger or flowier non maternity clothes.

Stretch marks: No new ones yet.

Sleep: I had one rough night where I had a bunch of round ligament pain that kept me up from 2:30am and James has been going through some sleep stuff but otherwise mostly ok. I did just have to switch from sleeping on my belly though which is always a bummer for me.

Best moment of this week: Generally feeling her move, she's moving a lot more lately, and I had a great 30th birthday on Wednesday!

Miss anything: Hmm...honestly pregnancy wise things have been good lately. Not really?

Movement: Yepp! She is still definitely less active than her brother but she gives me some good kicks and nudges occasionally-especially if daddy puts his hand on my belly or if she hears James being loud.

Food cravings: If anything sweets but honestly that's kind of just me lol.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: Oh yes. Got my pregnancy referenced by a stranger in public for the first time this pregnancy which is always an indicator that the bigness has hit.

Gender: Girl <3

Labor signs: No!

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Mostly happy! Honestly just so distracted and overwhelmed by all there is to do.

Looking forward to: Getting some stuff for her nursery and her and starting to really rev up for her arrival-probably after the holidays that will kick into high gear!

James' pregnancy update from 25 weeks!

Something Saturdays (11/9/19)

Hiiiii.
Let me break my life down for you.

It's my birthday next week (I turn 30!)
Then Thanksgiving happens.
James' birthday and birthday party are the 2nd week in December.
Then ya know...Christmas.
I have a variety of doctors appointments due to the whole pregnancy thang.
Baby is coming end of February and there's tons of prep involved therein.

SOOOOOO it's insanity.

But life is good. We're enjoying each other and our time as a family of 3. Last Sunday we didn't do much of anything, we just spent time together (James was blissful-he kept making us sit on either side of him and then cuddling against one of us and then leaning the other way and cuddling the other one). James and I have been baking together some and it's been so nice. We made cookies this last week and love love loved it (also HIGHLY recommend Cook Nourish Bliss' Flourless Pb S'mores Cookies) Michael took a half day off from work on Thursday and James was so happy (and showed his appreciation by eating 90% of his burger at dinner lolol). So yeah...life is good. Busy and good.

Something Saturdays (10/26/19)

Let's seeeeee....Last Saturday we got James new shoes that he enthusiastically picked out himself (from a stack of shoes we picked lol). Sunday we hung out with my mom and ate at Tlaquepaque (yum) and James was so cute and did so good! On Tuesday we visited with Michael's cousin and her new baby, Lincoln. But really James just played with their dog, Stella lol. Wednesday the weather was decent enough that I took James to the park which he was so excited about (I feel so bad that we won't be able to go at all soon because it's going to get coooold). And yeah other than that we've just been living, doing our thing. Tomorrow we have trick or treating, it'll be James' first time actually going out. So fun!

PS James helped me make cookies today and it was super impromptu so I tried out this chocolate chip cookie recipe that was quick (no chilling) and just browned the butter-because...why not. It called for melted butter anyway which 99% of the time means I'm going to brown it lol. It was pretty good! 

Something Saturdays -on a Sunday (10/20/19)

Hi hi hiiii. Life is crazy. Running around after the world's best toddler and prepping for brand new baby. It's hectic and a bit stressful but mostly pretty awesome. So yeah. <3

Posts from this week 

Baby #2 Update-20 Weeks

Recipes from the blog that I made this week

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Perfect All-Butter Pie Crust

Just Chicken Pot Pie (subbed out scallions and added in some potatoes, corn, and carrots)

Exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies

Movies/TV Talk (assume there'll be spoilers)
This Is Us-Randall is precious and SO HELP ME IF SOMETHING HAPPENS WITH KATE AND TOBY-grrrrr. Baby Jack is adorable and I refuse to allow the happiness of that baby be brought down by relationship drama.

Instagram Lately (a few highlights from this week on Instagram)

Baby #2 Update-20 Weeks

How far along: 20-21 weeks (complicated because I measure 6 days ahead of my due date and they only move the due date if I'm 7 days or more off lol)

Due Date: (officially) March 1, 2020

Baby's Size: According to my apps a banana or eggplant (one app has my official due date and the other one my more accurate one)

Total weight gain/loss: Around 10ish lbs gained.

Maternity clothes: Mostly with some larger or flowier non maternity clothes.

Stretch marks: No new ones yet.

Sleep: Mostly ok, starting to get a little more uncomfortable and changing positions through the night.

Best moment of this week: Getting much more definite movement and Michael got to feel it kick!

Miss anything: Not being achy? Mostly I'm ok!

Movement: Yes! Starting to get more and more kick-y lol.

Food cravings: Meh.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet: My bump is definitively popped, lol. My friend Amanda commented on how it's like I hit the halfway point and just went BUMP.

Gender: GIRL!!!! We're so excited! She was so cute during the ultrasound, just chill and stretching her hands up by her head.

Labor signs: Nooo.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Pretty happy still! And also still overwhelmed and stressed lol.

Looking forward to: Just getting things ready for her and feeling her grow <3

James' pregnancy update from 20/21 weeks!

Something Saturdays (10/12/19)

Hi! It's me! The blogger who never blogs anymore.

Howdy.

So yeah, stuff continues to be busy. James' potty training is going well. We found out the new baby's sex (doing a pregnancy update this week--hopefully--and I'll reveal it then!) and things are just getting real so we've been working on being more productive on getting through our to do list. So yeah just busy but life is good!

Oh and! I got a chance to check out this new cookbook from Kristen Tomlan the creator of DŌ in NY-I'm in looove.

Something Saturdays (9/21/19)

This week has been wonderful but also a LOT. We started potty training James last Saturday (using the "Oh Crap! Potty Training" method-I bought the book). Michael worked from home all week to help which was great. James is doing SO good (he's been accident free for 4 days now) and I'm crazy proud. But then the poor little guy had a high fever yesterday out of nowhere and was not himself at all. He just wanted to snuggle and sleep. So it was a good occasion for his first movie-we watched Disney's Tarzan. Luckily. after a dose of infant acetaminophen he was much better and was pretty much back to normal today. So yeah! Hopefully he's better now and hopefully potty training keeps going so well! 

Baby #2 Update-16 Weeks

How far along: 16-17 weeks (complicated because I measure 6 days ahead of my due date and they only move the due date if I'm 7 days or more off lol)

Due Date: (officially) March 1, 2020

Baby's Size: According to my apps an avocado/pomegranate

Total weight gain/loss: Not completely sure, approximately 10 lbs gained.

Maternity clothes: Some but I can still wear most of my non maternity clothes too

Stretch marks: Not yet

Sleep: Depends on the day, lol. Overall it's fine.

Best moment of this week: I felt the baby move a couple weeks ago and anytime I feel it is exciting.

Miss anything: Being not constantly starving lol.

Movement: Tiny bit every now and then.

Food cravings: Not really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not in general, anymore.

Have you started to show yet: There is definitely a bump! Still very easy to hide but it's there lol.

Gender: Don't know yet!

Labor signs: Eep nope.

Belly button in or out: In.

Wedding rings on or off: On.

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy usually, sometimes I get a little more overwhelmed and emotional.

Looking forward to: Anatomy ultrasound in a few weeks and feeling baby move more!


(I think it's fun to compare to when I was pregnant with James so here was my 17 week pregnancy update with him)

Something Saturdays (9/7/19)

This week was AWESOME.

Michael was off work on Monday so we just got to spend some fun family time. Tuesday and Wednesday James and I just hung out and got some stuff done. But then THURSDAY WE WENT TO THE CLEVELAND ZOO!!! Their African Elephant enclosure is amazing (and they're my favorite animal) and they also have a cool giraffe encounter where people feed giraffes lettuce. We saw so many animals and James had so much fun. The weather was also flawless and it was a slow day so no crowds, and Michael was with us because he took the day off. It was perfect. I don't work all this weekend, either, so hopefully we'll have more fun! James is always so happy when we're all together <3

Something Saturdays (8/31/19)

Hiii. Hello. It's Labor Day weekend! I've been working the last few days but then I'm off tomorrow and Michael has Monday off so fun family time should ensue. And today was Michael's dad's birthday so we went out to dinner and had some cake and ice cream back at his house. James had an awesome time (and 4 scoops of mint chip ice cream). This past week has been super weird but great, though. Tuesday Michael worked from home so that he and James could come with me to my doctor's appointment and hear the baby's heartbeat. James was super excited to hear "baby heartbeat" and was so sweet and just grinning while we heard it. Michael also worked from home Thursday so he could be home with James when I had to go to work. So we've had lots of fun and I'm excited for this week!

Recipes from the blog that I made this week
Slow Cooker Amish-style Shredded Beef

Recent links bookmarked (visit my Pinterest for more)

No-Churn Salted Caramel S'mores Ice Cream (Yes to Yolks)

Instagram Lately (a few highlights from this week on Instagram)

Something Saturdays (8/17/19) -and an ANNOUNCEMENT

Soooo....yepp! Explains why I've gotten even worse (somehow) at blogging! Here I am, about 12ish weeks (I measure 6 days ahead of my official due date so I'm either almost 12 weeks or almost 13 weeks, depending on how you look at it lol) pregnant with kiddo #2 . We're all super excited (even James, so far).

So, in addition to trying to have fun and soak up summer and do all the normal maintenance lifey things, I'm also extra tired and nauseous. Woo! 

We have been having lots of fun, though. Last weekend was our friends Amanda and Brian's baby shower and it was so great to celebrate them and the coming arrival of their baby girl. And, thanks to the balloons, James also had a fun time. Speaking of James-regression is officially over AND like a couple days later his 2 year molars started coming in. HA HA HA. Figures lol.

Something Saturdays (8/3/19)

So I knew I was behind on my Something Saturday posts but not HOW far behind-turns out I had a draft from July 6 that I never published *sigh*. And now it's August. It's been crazy! We went on vacation mid-month with Michael's family and it was lots of fun. And otherwise...I don't know. Life, man. But it's been fun! We've been trying to enjoy summer. James is just really cute and extra affectionate lately and I think we may finally be coming out the other end of his sleep regression so-yay!

Something Saturdays (6/29/19)

Last Sunday's church picnic was really fun, James got a sweet balloon teddy bear made that he loved and he got to eat chocolate so it was a win for him. The rest of the week is something of a blur, frankly, because James has been having trouble sleeping which means I've been having trouble sleeping so I'm very tired. Oh! We did go to see Michael's cousin's daughter, Ava, who is a couple months younger than James and that was fun. And yesterday we went to brunch with my wedding planning boss, which is always fun. This weekend I have to work but hopefully I'll get some fun times with the boys and hopefully some SLEEP.