13.5 Weeks

Size of Baby: According to thebump.com, whipper-snapper is the size of that delicious looking peach right there.  Although, he doesn't weigh any where near that, I bet.

Total Weight Gain:  The Aguado Flu has taken me down to -10 lb, pre-pregnancy weight.  I am not complaining.  Well, I didn't love having the flu...but I'm still not complaining.

Maternity Clothes:  I'm wearing them off and on.  Right now I'm wearing regular pants.  I don't even have any maternity Sunday clothes...I better dig them out.

Gender:  I still say boy, and Brett and the kids and I have decided on a name for a boy, which is a good sign.  Right?  Right.  Although, I maintain that I would not be sad, AT ALL, to have another girl.  Our girls are just so beautiful.

Movement:  I've definitely felt little pencil-tip-sized pokes.

Sleep:  Sleeping great.  No pregnancy interference this past week.  Just flu interference.

What I Miss:  Nothing.

Cravings:  This week, I'm lucky to crave anything.  I've had very little appetite.  Today I craved Subway, and it was as delicious as I imagined it would be.

Symptoms:  My joints are a little achy, but that's about it!

Best Moment of the Week:  Not dying at the hospital.  Oh man, it was the worst flu EVER.

What I'm Looking Forward To: Our appointment this month.  We'll probably set the date for the ultrasound!!  Woo hoo!!  I love having a date to look forward to.  I'm also looking forward to my friend getting her ultrasound.

This Weeks Thoughts:  I keep forgetting I'm pregnant, still.  I feel bad, so I am still trying to take sometime to reconnect with the baby.  I know it will be better once we see it on the ultrasound again and when I feel a little more steady kicking and wiggling.

Sibling Rivalry:  The kids had fun deciding on names with us.  My visiting teachers came over today and brought their children.  Chloe is not used to other kids around her age.  It was funny watching her watch them play with her things.  She wasn't sure what to do.  I think it's great practice.  I'm worried she's going to be an...interesting older sister =)

How I Say "I Love You"][

The bathroom has been completely and entirely sanitized.  I feel like I should put a little paper stripe across the toilet like they do in hotels: "SANITIZED".

Awww.  I feel much better.  I wish SOMEONE WHO WON'T BE MENTIONED-BRETT, could have cleaned it for me while I was in the throws.  At least he now has a clean toilet to puke in.

I'm thoughtful like that.  On Valentines Day, no less.  Extra credit!

No, somehow, I have to figure out how to delouse the rest of the house.  Seriously, don't they make Lysol bombs?

On a side note, we figured out why the water from our fridge keeps leaking.  It's a little problem named Chloe.  I need to invest in some Samsonite child proof locks.

Hope every has a great, puke-free Valentines Day!

12 *cough* Weeks *Hack* *Snort*

Well we made it folks.  The second trimester is just days away.  Here we go!

Size of Baby: According to thebump.com, my baby is the size of a delicious plum.  Mmmm, plum.

Total Weight Gain: Down an additional 2 pounds, total of 6 pounds lost.  It's been a rough couple days.

Maternity Clothes:  I did buy some cute-on-the-rack maternity capris pants...yeah, that about says it all.  They, of course, slide off my butt and wrap tight around my legs.  How does this happen?

Gender:  I still have hives so I still say BBBBOY!  And congratulations to my friend Jessica who is having a boy!

Movement:  We have lift off!  This week I felt hiccups.  Little tiny, itty bitty, light hiccups.  They lasted about 10 seconds and I cried.  I needed that.

Sleep: Does not exist.  But that's Brett's fault.  He had to up and go to Texas, like the traitor he is!

What I Miss:  Sleep.  See above.

Cravings:  I've had zero appetite the past few days thanks to this fabulous cold I'm sporting.  It's all the rage.

Symptoms: Forgetfulness.  Wait, what we were talking about?

Best Moment of the Week:  The hiccups, for sure.  Definitely put a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Brett coming home on Friday.  I'm so hormonal and emotional (and sick).  I just need my boogy bear to come home and take care of me.

This Weeks Thoughts:  I actually forgot I was pregnant a few times this week.  In the middle of the night I went into the medicine cabinet and grabbed the ibuprofen (my back was killing me) and then as I was searching for the water, I realized, "Wait.  Dur.  You're knocked up!"  Being sick and having sickies to take care of has definitely taken my  mind from my little fetus.  I feel bad, but what can you do?  So I'm taking a few minutes out of each day to "reconnect" with fetus #4 and remind it and me, that, unfortunately, it's the bottom of the totem pole right now.  In a few months, it'll be at the very top.  That's just how it goes.

Sibling Rivalry:  My kids have been pretty good.  Chloe is sick and SUPER clingy, which *sigh* I really love.  Today she sat on my stomach for a good two hours.  She didn't want to leave me.  It was nice.  I didn't have the heart to tell her she was squishing her little brother or sister.  And my gut.

Is It Naptime Yet?

Last night went as expected: I couldn't sleep.

I finally dozed off around midnight, which isn't so bad.

But then I was suddenly awaken at 3 AM by what sounded like a mirror shattering.

It was loud and terrifying.

And it was only a dream.

But of course, I couldn't go back to sleep.

For some reason, when I'm suddenly awakened, I see spiders everywhere.  It just lasts a few seconds, but it's enough to get my heart pounding.  Brett hates this, because I usually scream.  What?  It's terrifying to wake up to spiders crawling all over you.

Last night it wasn't spiders.  It was a scorpion.  After I saw a brief glance, I could swear it was real.  I turned on the lights.  I searched the blankets.  I searched the closet.  I searched my shoes.  I looked in the garbage can in the bathroom.

All of this was enough to keep me wide awake for a good two hours.  Every sound I heard was a scorpion scudding into bed with me.  Every hairy leg scratch against the sheets was IT'S hairy leg, not mine.  It was not restful.

And then Cohen came in around 6:30 due to a nightmare of his own.  I could really sympathize, so he got to sleep in bed with me.

Pretty sure he has restless leg syndrome.

So today I am counting down the minutes to 11 when I know Chloe will start walking around like a drunk sailor on a ship a midst a hurricane.  It's cute.  19 more minutes...

Confessions of a Housewife from 1955/2012: A Revival

The good wife's guide
'55*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
'12*Dinner is left over macaroni and cheese from lunch, which has probably been thrown on the floor by the kids by now. If you want something more, you'll have to cook it yourself, I'm going to the gym.

'55*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
'12*I've just been with two sticky, screaming, hyper children all day. 15 minutes to rest would be like an oasis in the middle of the salt flats. Not to mention the only bows around here go in the baby's hair, and she's probably thrown them in the toilet by now.

'55*Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
'12*Give me a bottle of congac and we'll talk.

'55*Clear away clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.
'12*He's lucky to make it through the door at the end of the day. If the kids are on bored, then maybe there wont be a giant train track built right in front of the front door when he comes home.

Stay tuned...

Missing My Man

My husband is gone.

Abandoned me with a bad back and three and a half children.

It's 7:35.  The kids are in bed.  We made Valentine hearts.  They're taped all over our windows and I adore them.  But I'm still completely alone.

My first instinct is: to eat.

But since I don't want to be a fatty fatty fat fat, I resort to my second and third instincts:

Watch TV and surf the interwebs.

Thank you Netflix.  Thank you handy laptop.

And tonight when I crawl into our empty, cold bed, I'll stretch out and pretend I love it.  But I really, really hate it when he's gone.

11 Weeks: Practically There!

Size of Baby:  According to thebump.com, our little baby is the size of a lime.

Total Weight Gain:  I am down 4 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight.  Don't you love how I post this and NOT any weight gain I may have had.  Ha!  But yes, I get really sick in the afternoon and at night.  Like...REALLY sick.

Maternity Clothes:  I bought a shirt from Target.  I'm wearing it now.  But I'm back to my regular pants.  They're still snug, for sure, but I'm noticing my uterus is super high.  The next maternity thing I'm buying though: a bra.  I cannot believe these melons!

Gender: I'm still saying boy.

Movement:  I'm still having those "uterus jumps" even though a friend told me she feels her babies around 11 weeks.  I was like "whaaaa?!"  Now I'm wondering...is my  little lime dancing around in there?  For now, I'll say I can't feel anything, but I'm having fun poking and prodding it anyway.  It's how I play with my fetus.  I'm weird.

Sleep:  Benadryl and Zofran are still keeping me asleep, and I'm feeling rested and "rar rar rarring" to go in the morning (name that movie).  Finally getting some energy back in the mornings!  Yay!

What I Miss:  I miss my esophagus as I'm sure it has been burned away by vomit.  I miss NOT having acid reflux.  I miss keeping my food in me.  I miss solid foods for dinner.  But it won't be long.

Cravings:  Oregano's meatballs.  The greatest meatballs in the world.  Amen.  Brett kindly took me there after our appointment today.  Good man.

Symptoms:  I'm starting to get hormonal and I've developed diarrhea of the mouth.  I have a thought, I have a mouth, I make it known.  Brett HATES this part of pregnancy for me.  I sort of do, too, because I have to apologize a lot.  And the hormones, ugh, they're AWFUL!  I cried when Mrs. Pepper announced she was having another baby.  (Please know I'm talking about Blue's Clue's.)  That, at least, was a happy cry.  But I cry over dumb things, sad things.  I cry a lot over Chloe growing and talking and walking more and more.  I cry when I'm tired.  I cry when I'm hungry.  I cry when I puke.  I don't know how I haven't dehydrated myself.

Also, acid reflux, morning sickness, the gambit.  Cramping as my uterus grows and aching in my joints as they loosen.  I don't like that part all that much :/  As my joints loosen, my back gets worse.

Best Moment of the Week:  Brett and Kembry bought me flowers.  They're beautiful Lily's.  That, and this cute little story:  Kembry came into the bathroom while I was taking a bath, and she was in tears.  REAL TEARS, not the fake stuff she usually pulls out.  I asked her what was wrong, and as she was telling me (Daddy won't marry me!) Brett came in and mouthed, "I think I broke her heart."

It was so cute and sad!  So I gave daddy my ring and said it was okay if he married her.  He got down on one knee and she laughed and cried, just like any girl would when the man of her world proposed!!  It was sooooo cute!

So flower and becoming a polygamist wife: best moments of the week =)

Appointments This Week:  I had an appointment today.  It was same ol' same ol'.  I wonder if I could go every other month.  Is this possible?  It was nice hearing the babies heart beat though.  172.  So cute.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  How about what I'm NOT looking forward to.  I'm NOT looking forward to Brett's week long business trip next week.  But I am looking forward to a fun little moon light hike we're doing on Friday.  Have to get all those fun things in while I can still see the trail!

This Weeks Thoughts:  This being our fourth, I've noticed that I haven't quite bonded with the baby.  Or, rather, it hasn't really sunk in that I'm pregnant.  I feel like I've come down with a really bad flu.  Not that there's a baby in me at all.  I'm sure this has a lot to do with my time being commandeered by my three other children, moving to a new state, getting settled, etc...It's just weird that I'm not as obsessed with this pregnancy as I have been with past ones.  I'm sure, though, once I feel movement, and once we see him on ultrasound again, I'll feel a little more connected.

Sibling Rivalry:  Cohen and Kembry have still been bickering a lot, but I've come up with a new plan, and so far, it's working!  Instead of being referee to all their little spats, I just ignore them.  I can't believe how well this works.  They fight for a few minutes, and then they're best friends for twice as long.  Fight, make up, fight, make up.  I think I was just interfering with the natural order of things when I interfered before, and I'm totally ok with not being involved!

Cohen is SO EXCITED for me to have a baby.  Kembry can't wait for a little tiny baby.  And Chloe...Chloe is just cute =)  That's all she needs to be.

NO PICTURES!  Until I no longer look "fat" and start to look "pregnant".

Live on Purpose

When I was in HS, I had both member and non-member friends*.  Well, I had ONE non-member friend, really.  She was my best friend.  When I decided to join the Church, she was the only friend who really stood by me.

She had her quirks, sure.  But I loved her quirks.  She would eat mac & cheese and Mountain Dew for breakfast in front of our lockers.  She had a mouth like a sailor.  She didn't care what anyone thought, and I loved her for it.

Some** of my new friends, my "member" friends, would say things to me like, "I can't believe you're friend with her.  She swears."  Or, "Did you know that drinking caffeine is wrong?"  (Which, by the way, it isn't.)  These were MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS for crying out loud.  These were people who knew better.  They had been taught to love all our brothers and sisters, regardless of our differences.

It still blows my mind, absolutely shocks me, to know that there are ADULT members that act this way.  In HS, I would write off my friends inefficiencies with the old adage, "They're just young."   But it wasn't that.  It was their life style, their way of thinking.

When I would talk to my friend about all of this, it only soured her further toward the Church.  When we were older, and I was married, I would tell her that "The Church is perfect.  The people of the Church are not perfect."  That's why we have the Gospel, isn't it?  To learn?  To make mistakes, fall down, get back up, and try again?  Why else would we have an Atonement?  Why else would our Savior suffer through all that he suffered for us?

Sad to say my sweet friend still balks at the church.  And I meet new people all the time that are gun shy at bringing up the topic.  It does my heart good and makes me feel like I'm on the right track when, after getting to know me, they feel free to ask me questions.  Again and again.

I don't know what I'm trying to say here.  I know that the Church is true.  And I also know that, like any faction or belief or political party out there, there are going to be those people who just believe that they're right, and everyone else is wrong.

Back to HS, on one of the last days of my Senior year, a boy who I had known since 4th grade came up to me and said, "I didn't know you were a member, Kelly!  You always smell like smoke!"

I wanted to cry.  I really liked that boy.  And I always smelled like smoke because I lived in a house with smokers.  I wanted to cry.

Do we realize, the impact we make in peoples lives?  If we are so adamant about pronouncing our religion, which we should be, then we should also realize that everything we do will be connected with that pronouncement.  Every little, teeny, tiny thing we do wrong will automatically be connected with the only perfect thing existing on this planet.

I'm not saying we should be perfect.  I'm not saying that's even possible.  What I'm suggesting is that we live on purpose.  Let every word you speak, let every move you make, happen with the thought in mind that someone is watching.  Someone is connecting it with God.  Satan is waiting and hoping that you'll mess up so that he can't plant that awful seed of doubt in the person that was watching.

Don't give him the chance.

I think about the family who brought me to the Church. I think about the grief I gave them.  I put up quite the fight.  But they didn't care.  They didn't care that I lived with smokers, that I was raised to hate Mormons.  They didn't get offended at the rude things I said.  They only loved me.  Just as the Savior asked them to do.

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that ye are my disciples, if you love one another."

*Footnote:  I just realized (thanks to Aprils comment) that I  made it sound like ALL my "member friends" in HS were this way.  That couldn't be farther from the truth.  They were only a small handful.  I had so many wonderful friends that supported me and loved me (and my quirky friend) just for who we are.  This post should have been more about their wonderful example, rather than the few who gave a poor example.

**By "some", I mean there were only a few who acted this way.  Not ALL my "member" friends acted in this way.  Far from it.  The End.

Double Digits!

Size of baby:  According to thebump.com, our baby is the size of a large prune.  This is so ironic to me.  Read on.

Total Weight Gain:  I haven't weighed myself this week.  But I wasn't sick for THREE WHOLE DAYS (it was wonderful) and I also didn't *EHEM* ya know, poop, for THREE WHOLE DAYS (and it's not been so wonderful) so I don't care what I weigh right now.

Maternity Clothes:  I felt validated when I read on babycenter.com that "you may or may not be wearing maternity clothes, but if you aren't, you may have noticed you're clothes are fitting uncomfortably tight."  That is so true.  All of the sudden everything is so snug around my waist.  I have to remind myself this is my FOURTH pregnancy and I've been stretched out, so it's totally normal to be digging through our storage unit searching for those maternity clothes.  I just haven't gotten around to it yet.  But probably by next week, I'll be wearing my favorite stretchy paints again *grin*

Gender: I'm still feeling boy.  All old wives tales point to girl, but I tend to be in the opposite of those.  For example, my uterus is really high.  I'm sick all the time.  I'm super emotional.  Normally, these signs would point to girl.  But I'm still feeling boy.

Movement:  I remember this with the last two pregnancy: the uterus jumps.  It feels like a baby kicking, but obviously it's not.  It's fun and it's gets me excited for my favorite part of pregnancy: quickening.  I love love that first little squirm.  Can't wait!

Sleep:  While my family visited over the weekend, I got great sleep.  Last night, after they left, I couldn't sleep.  It was horrible.  I want them back!!  They're my good sleep charm.

What I Miss:  Nothing really.  I'm getting a little bit more energy back and I had those wonderful three days where I wasn't horribly sick, so I think things are starting to look up!

Cravings:  MEAT!  I must need protein or human blood or something.  Not even a good ol' boiled egg is cutting it anymore.  I want a large slab of meat.  We went to Famous Daves for lunch, and I purposely ate a light sandwich before we went so I wouldn't gorge myself on meat.  It didn't work.

Symptoms:  I'm getting that achy uterus stretching.  I love it though, because I know it means little snapper is growing, and it gets me that much closer to not having to suck it in.  I've started having more headaches, but I have a fabulous medication for them.  My nausea is slowing down (minus last night and this morning) and I'm finally getting some energy back.  Yay!

Best Moment of the Week:  Seeing my dad and step-mom, step-sister and nephew.  It was so nice getting out of the house and being with family.  I loved having them over Sunday night.  We had a blast at the Zoo and it just felt like old times again.  But my most favorite part was a date night with Brett and waking up to zero kids in the house.  I think we all needed the break and we all feel rejuvenated and ready to get back to our regularly scheduled program without killing each other.  Always a good sign.

Appointments This Week: No appointments this week!  Though I may be calling in for some help with  my little constipation problem.  It's driving me nuts!

What I'm Looking Forward To:  I'm just gonna say it.  Pooping.  Also, I'm wondering if my doctor will want to do an 11 week ultrasound.  I think it would be awesome to see the baby again.

This Weeks Thoughts:  I'm a bit worried about Chloe.  She's so clingy and such a mama's girl.  But I'm reassured by the fact that she'll be 2 when this one is born, and will *crosses fingers* hopefully have grown out of the clingy stage.  Although, in the mean time, I love it.

Sibling Rivalry:  The kids are still super excited.  I need their excitement.  They fuel me and get me excited. I love it!

Pictures from this Week:

9 Weeks

Size of Baby:  According to thebump.com, little snapper is the size of a disgusting green olive. 

Total Weight Gain: Thanks to morning, afternoon, early afternoon, early evening, evening and midnight sickness, and a healthy bowel movement, I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight of "fat".  I'm okay with this.  I was worried when I had gained 7 pounds out of nowhere...

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing the same ol' jeans as before.  Sometimes when I'm feeling particularly bloated, I do the whole rubber band through button hole thing.  But other than that, I'm maternity clothes free.  Still eying them, though.

Gender:  I'm not gonna lie, I'm feeling "boy".  Maybe it's all the kids talk, maybe it's just wishful thinking, I don't know.  The other night Brett kept me up until 12:30 going over boy names.  Ugh.  It's gonna be a long 7 months.

Movement:  As in "bowel" movement.  Ha, just kidding.  Nothing yet, though I'm sure it's getting a workout on my trampoline like uterus.

Sleep:  My doctor gave me Zofran for my puke-a-thons.  This makes me super sleepy.  Plus, I am for some reason allergic to this pregnancy (just like I was with Cohen, which again makes me think "boy")  I get super itchy and hivey so I've been taking benadryl as well.  These two put together is better than any sleeping medicine on the market.

What I Miss:  Energy and not feeling sick.  I think Brett would like his wife back.  And the kids may or may not want their mom back.  I'd like me back.  I keep holding onto the whole "second trimester" surge of energy.  So does my housework!

Cravings:  Today I am craving scones super bad.  The past few days it's been disgusting fatty spicy nacho's from the gas station.  I don't know what's wrong with me.  Also fruit.  I can't get enough fruit and thank heavens we live in Arizona.

Symptoms:  I could copy this straight from last week.  I'm so nauseous and so tired all the time.  I've started the fun cramping and can't cough or sneeze too hard or else my "round ligaments" will all but tear from my body.  I can't believe, at 9 weeks, this is a problem.

Best Moment of the Week:  It's a tie between sleeping all day yesterday and having Brett take care of the house and the kids OR having Chloe pull down my sweat pants while puking.  It was really funny.  Or maybe it's a three way tie, because I also loved sitting up and talking about names with Brett.  He seemed really excited for either gender.  Love that man.  OH NO WAIT!  It's a four way tie.  I'm going to have to say finding out a good friend of mine is pregnant along with me, AGAIN.  We were pregnant together with the last pregnancy.  She hasn't announced, so I won't say anything more =)

Appointments this Week:  I have an appointment with destiny.  My dad and step-mom are coming in and Brett and I are going to get away from the children, COME HELL OR HIGH WATER.  I can't wait to have some time alone with my baby daddy.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  Read above.

This Weeks Thoughts:  I'm getting anxious about all the discomforts that come later on, and I need to let go of that.  Like acid reflux.  And stretching.  And acid reflux.

Sibling Rivalry:My sister says my kids are acting out because they're reacting to the pregnancy.  They're about to react to my fist.  KIDDING!  But seriously, they have been fighting all the time, and I've had it.  I NEED MY 18 HOURS OF SLEEP PEOPLE!  So I hope this isn't them reacting to the pregnancy, because it's gonna be a looooong 7 months if it is.


Pictures From This Week: I can't find my camera, lucky you!  At times, when I'm super bloated and constipated, I look about 11 months pregnant.  But when I'm doing ok and I can still suck it in, I look as normal as ever!  Starting the next few weeks I won't be able to suck it in anymore and I'll just start having that "fat" look about me.  Oh well.  C'est la vie.  Totally worth it in the end =)