Birthday Girls

Today is my 29th birthday. Last year in my 20's...so I plan to make the most of this year! :)

March 15th ("The Ides of March") was always a BIG HOLIDAY growing up because my sister and I share the same birthday, exactly four years apart (before the days of scheduled induction dates and c-sections). We always thought it was super cool to share our special day.

She loved me right away! 1987:

Opening presents together: 1989

(I think CJ looks so much like his Aunt as a little kid, look at this pic!)

Shared birthday cake: 1992

We were so excited to get a Beanie Baby & Titanic CD: 1998

Another Beanie Baby (noticing a theme? ;)) & Makeup after my track meet: 1999

Birthday dinner at Outback: 2004

Birthday Reunion in San Fran (met halfway between Hawaii & SC): 2007

Receiving a sister for my birthday in 1987 has truly been a gift in my life. Happy 25th (Quarter Life) Birthday little sis! I look forward to many more years of memories, and many more shared birthdays!

Before I became a mom, I was ALL about my birthday. Birthday month, birthday week...I would let everyone know it! Singing "Happy Happy Birthday, it is my special day..." Now, it's just not as important to me. I'm actually planning on spending my "birthday money" to buy the crib mattress and a few other small things we need for Baby Girl. And I honestly could not be more excited about that shopping trip!!! :) JT is taking me on a date tonight to celebrate, and I'm super excited about that too!

The Promotion That Isn't

Only in the military can you get promoted to the job of boss and not get a raise. HA HA.

I have to brag (just a little!) on my awesome husband! JT has been working so hard since we got stationed at MCAS Miramar in July. He's been doing a lot of extra "collateral duties" in addition to his normal responsibilities of patient care. One of the special things he does is drive approximately 1 hr away once a week to Camp Pendleton to oversee and teach the AGD residents. JT has been doing such a great job, and must have made a good impression on the "higher ups".

I mentioned last week that JT was "acting clinic branch director" while his boss was out. On Monday the Command Ex. O. (highest boss of the whole command) came down to meet with JT and named him the Clinic Branch Director or OIC (Officer in Charge). In military terms, JT didn't get a "promotion" because he is still the same rank: O4 (Lieutenant Commander), but I'm almost just as excited for him in his new position! (I'd be even more excited if there was more money! ;)) Way to go honey!! CJ and I are proud of you and love you!!

Pregnancy Comparison

This pregnancy with Baby Girl is TOTALLY different than my pregnancy was with CJ! I thought I would do a comparison...

CJ: 2009-2010	Baby Girl: 2011-2012
• Slight nausea. Snacked on ginger snaps and preggie pops. Never threw up.	• Morning SICKNESS! Throwing up in mornings, lack of appetite lasted entire 1st trimester, part of 2nd.
• Heartburn	• Acid Reflux
• Regular bowel movements (TMI, but true)	• Constipated!
• Gained a LOT of weight! (38 lbs by week 30) (50 lbs total)	• Gained a little weight (20 lbs by week 30)
• Boobs: sore and grew a LOT (went through multiple bra sizes)	• Boobs have not changed at ALL (still in pre-preg bra)
• No headaches	• Chronic Headaches!!
• Linea Negra on my belly	• No Linea Negra on my belly (yet anyhow!)
• Bad Acne the entire pregnancy	• Acne cleared after first trimester
• Baby had a defined schedule, and I felt him moving regularly	• Baby moves ALL the TIME!
• Felt no contractions until induction	• Braxton Hicks contractions frequently
• Overall felt “good” "Easy" pregnancy.	• Overall feel TIRED! Tougher pregnancy.

Probably the biggest difference in the weight gains (Besides having BAD morning sickness this time) and part of the reason for feeling so tired is in my occupations. During my pregnancy with CJ, I worked full time. I sat at a desk for at least 8 hours a day (sometimes longer!) and just snacked and ate. HA HA. This time around, I am a Stay-at-Home Mom chasing CJ around approximately 10 hours a day. So I'm burning a lot more energy and not snacking nearly as much as I probably should be. CJ was born at 41 weeks, and I genuinely enjoyed his pregnancy for the most part. I was ready the last couple of weeks for him to move out. But this pregnancy has really been wearing on my body, so as soon as we are full term on April 28th (not counting down or anything) she is MORE than welcome to come!!!!!

30 weeks

How far along: 30 weeks (75%!!!)

Size of baby: 15.7 inches long, 3 lb, 3 oz. About the size of a head of cabbage.

Gender: Baby girl

Total weight gain: + 20 lbs (didn't gain any weight this week thanks to that stomach virus)

Maternity clothes: Barely changed out of pj's this week...

Symptoms: Hard to distinguish which symptoms are due to pregnancy, and which were related to my virus. Headache, backache, nausea.

Sleep: Approximately 7 hours a night, with 4 trips to the potty.

Food cravings: None at all, I didn't really want food this week.

Movement: This week was the first time I've felt her have the hiccups! :) Twice a day sometimes!

Best moment this week: A good checkup at the Dr. I'm not anemic, and I don't have gestational diabetes, and her heart-rate was strong! 142 bmp

What I miss: Feeling good. :(

What I'm looking forward to: Feeling good.

Staying at Home

We've been "staying home" a lot more than usual the last two weeks. CJ has been doing pretty good considering. He REALLY missed JT while he was gone, and kept asking "Dada home?" Thank goodness for Skype/facetime. It got to the point where when CJ wanted to talk to JT he'd walk up to the computer and say "Dada?" HA HA.

He was SO happy when JT got home!! (So was I, ha ha) :) This week, when CJ wakes up in the morning he says: "Dada work?" And I tell him yes, that he'll be home later. Then when CJ wakes up from his "quiet time nap" (SIDE NOTE: He has napped almost every single day since converting "nap-time" to "quiet-time" last month. He must like it being HIS decision?!) he says: "Dada soon?" And I tell him yes, Dada will *HOPEFULLY* be home soon! (for BOTH of our sakes! ;))

Even though it isn't "officially" Spring yet, the weather here in San Diego has been so beautiful lately.

All the flowers in our yard are already blooming!! :)

Going outside in our backyard has provided lots of entertainment lately while chilling at home. I can sit (for the most part) and watch CJ run around and play. He helps mow the lawn!
CJ loves picking the flowers, and he loves to "walk on bricks" that border our yard. I love his silly antics...continually calling 'necklace' "glasses" no matter how many times I correct him. (I got the nursing necklace out with the baby stuff in our baby preparations, and CJ thinks it is "pretty" and loves wearing it! HA HA.) He also loves wearing his new favorite hat "Queen hat". On the move!!
Rolling in the grass.
And bubbles are a big hit right now too! But he wants "CJ do it!!!", not Mama.
This day he told me "bubbles in grass!" so he sat in the grass and blew his bubbles! :)
Even when I'm not feeling well, seeing this little boy's zest for life can always still make me smile. :)

(And since CJ hasn't had any of my *ahem* "digestive" symptoms yet, I'm hopeful (please, please!) his fevers are just due to those pesky 2 year molars that are still coming in?)

No Rest for the Weary

This isn't going to be an uplifting post, and I apologize in advance...life isn't always sunny.

I thought last week was tough! JT was in Chicago for a Dental Conference, so I was a "single mom" for 5 days to a teething toddler. Whew. That kicked my butt big time. (hence the lack of blog updates).

Then came this week...Sunday I woke up not feeling well. Nauseous, very tired and my back hurt. All of these things can also be pregnancy symptoms so I didn't really think *too* much of it. Especially when I took an anti-nausea pill and started to feel better. By the afternoon I was feeling well enough to go enjoy the GORGEOUS day, but after being up and about for about an hour, I knew it was a big mistake. I haven't really had an appetite since Sunday, and I'll spare y'all the details, but I'm having some digestive issues. Monday night I started shivering on the couch (while under two blankets) and sure enough I had a small fever. I've had ZERO energy (like even lifting CJ to change his diaper takes all my strength), and just feel horrible in general. CJ has had a fever too the last couple nights (but seems to feel fine?!), so I'm guessing he and I may have the same "bug". FUN TIMES.

JT is "acting" clinic branch director this week so he has had to work late everyday trying to catch up on paper work and take care of all those extra responsibilities. And he has had to meet with the base C.O. twice during that time, so he's had a hard week too. Despite his long days, when he gets home at 6pm, JT has been SO helpful, and dives directly into "Dada mode" and also tidies up the disaster CJ has turned the house into each day. I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband and parenting partner!

I have to admit that tonight I had a small pity party for myself. Not my finest moment, but I'm reaching my breaking point. Remember when JT had pneumonia in January? And he got to lay in bed all day and get better and be quarantined and not have to "deal with" being a parent on top of all that? It is SO hard being a stay at home mom and being sick, because there is no such thing as a "sick day". Especially, as a military family; it's really hard being on the other side of the country from family during times like this. No daycare/grandparents house for me to drop CJ off at while I try to get better. Don't get me wrong, I know how very blessed I am to have my son, and be pregnant with this little girl and to have the chance to stay home...but I'm sick (& pregnant) and I NEED a break!!! Hurry up Saturday!!!!!! (Although I sincerely hope I feel better before then!)

Okay...enough complaining. But I had to vent a little, and show that my life isn't always perfect escapades of us going to the Zoo everyday...there are hard times too.

29 weeks

How far along: 29 weeks

Size of baby: 15.2 inches long, 2 lb, 14 oz. About the size of a butternut squash.

Gender: Girl

Total weight gain: + 20 lbs (Whoa! 3lb weight gain this week!) HA HA!

Maternity clothes: Yes.

Symptoms: Very tired! Headache one day. Backache. Hip hurting. HUNGRY!

Sleep: Approximately 6 hours a night, with 4 trips to the potty.

Food cravings: Girl Scout cookies! Cadbury Cream Eggs! Fruit!

Movement: All the time!!! She is getting STRONG! Some of those kicks surprise me and are definitely "uncomfortable".

Best moment this week: JT getting home safely from Chicago, and having time together as a family again! It was a hard, long week (hence the lack of blogs) being a "single mom" to a teething toddler.

What I miss: Alcohol!

What I'm looking forward to: Checkup on Monday. I love getting to hear Baby Girl's heartbeat! :) Please pray I pass my gestational diabetes test!