DAYDREAMING IN THE NURSERY

I'm sure all pregnant momma's do this and that it's part of the nesting process, but I can sit, for an hour straight, in the nursery, daydreaming about sweet lil' Lennon. I imagine what he will look like, and feel like, and smell like. I imagine rocking him in the chair, placing him in his crib, changing his tiny little newborn diaper. I look at all of the tiny little clothes that hang in his closet and I just melt. I did this with Miles, too, and I thought maybe it was because the whole process was so new to me. But being a first time mom has nothing to do with it. I am looking forward to our second little one just as much as I did when we were expecting Miles. I love you baby Lennon!!!

IT'S BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!

The infamous rib pain that plagued me from 6 1/2 months to 8 months pregnant with Miles is back!!! Aye aye aye -- it hurts like the dickens. It seems whenever my uterus grows to a certain point that it pushes on this once broken rib and causes a dull, throbbing pain. The good news is that I now know, from past experience, that my uterus will grow beyond it and the pain will subside. Now I just have to buckle down for a not so fun month and half!!!

I'LL BE HONEST...

I miss the "easy pregnancy" that this was turning out to be. This past week has been plagued with aches and pain and cramping. My whole middle section feels like one big compressed nerve. My back aches and aches and it radiates down into my legs. I've been getting leg cramps lately and my "southern" girl parts are feeling "crampy" as well. What gives? Suddenly, I feel -- PREGNANT!!!! Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! ;0)

AN ACCOUNT OF MY PREGNANCY CRAVINGS THUS FAR!!!

As I sit here and slurp down yummy spoonful after yummy spoonful of tomato soup (for breakfast), I am reminded of all the silly and not so silly cravings I have had with this pregnancy so far!!! By far, the strongest and longest craving I have had is for tomato soup. The weird part is that I only want it for breakfast. I swear it tastes different at any other time of day. And by golly -- Trader Joe's has the best carton of tomato soup on the planet. It's so creamy and so tomato-ey and I love to sprinkle basil in while it warms!!! YUMMY!!! Let's see -- what else is on this list. As far as silly is concerned, I have sent to Jason to the store for pickles and Chocolate Special K. I did not eat them together, but back to back. Oh and I should mention that it wasn't the pickles I was interested in, but rather the JUICE!!! YUMMY!!! I have, of course, blogged about the Italian style sub sandwiches and Pumpkin Spice Steamers. There was the few weeks in the first trimester where I wanted nothing and I mean NOTHING but Cottage Cheese. And there were the few weeks after that where I wanted nothing but Trader Joe's Chicken Tenders. Lately, my cravings have really mellowed out and I am only experiencing the tomato soup jones. Although, last week I got a hold of a bag of raw sugar snap peas in the pod and devoured the whole thing. I purchased another bag the next day and -- oops -- ate it all too. So I guess that was sort of craving -- or at least I now know how much I love sugar snap peas. As far as beverages are concerned -- we all know that I am a HUGE green tea fanatic -- and pregnancy puts a little damper on my love for it -- so I have been cheating and drinking tons of half water, half iced green tea. Since green tea has about 5% of the caffeine that coffee has I figure I'm totally safe consumming mostly watered down versions of it. I can't help myself -- I LOVE Trader Joe's Iced Blueberry Green Tea!!! Oh -- and of course water. That one was for my midwife!!! ;0)

25 WEEKS PREGNANT - OUR LITTLE RUTABAGA

How your baby's growing:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture.

LENNON WYATT KOITER - 25 WEEK ULTRASOUND

Here he is!!! Look at that adorable little Miles clone!!! We were all stunned at how alike our two boys look -- especially when you compare Miles' 24 week scan!!! Lennon looks yummy and perfect all snuggled up in his momma cocoon and, although he was a very sleepy boy, obliged us by giving us a few super sweet face shots. We saw him smiling, yawning, sucking on his lower lip, and even trying to open his eyes. He moved some and kicked. We also got another peek at his boy parts which are looking like they are all in order. Lennon has definitely got long toes like the rest of us. They were shockingly long, in fact!!! We'll see if he fits into those newborn socks when he's born. We got a full diagnostic and everything is looking and sounding perfect. Lennon weighs about 1 lb. 13 oz., and is measuring a few days ahead of schedule at 25 weeks 3 days. The bummer news is that Lennon is Transverse Breech -- which is very rare and occurs in only 1 of 2,500 births -- but we still have about 7 weeks for him turn on his own. If he doesn't, there are some techniques we can try or our Midwife will have to perform an inversion. An inversion is a technique for relaxing the lower uteran ligaments which will help turn the baby. There are also a few techniques that can be performed by a chiropractor or OB if necessary. We're confidant that it won't get to that. We plan on doing everything we can to help little Lennon turn to the correct position. It is our goal to have another unmedicated, vaginal, home birth. The thought of a c-section is terrifying to me, but if the result is a safe and healthy Lennon, then so be it!!! All we really want is to hold that adorable bundle of boy in our arms. How freaking cute is he????

OUR 25 WEEK ULTRASOUND

I GOT A SUPPORT BELT

So I made the leap and bought a maternity support belt. I got the one pictured from Motherhood Maternity. I know -- it's totally hideous and you can definitly see it through your clothes, but all vanity aside, it felt amazing. I could not believe the difference once I put this on. The lady at the store said that this was the best one in terms of support and feel, but that it wasn't the greatest in the looks department. Uh -- totally. The only bummer is that they didn't have any smalls left and I had to have them drop ship one to my house from the warehouse. So, I won't be able to enjoy it until next week some time. I really can't wait. My back is really starting to ache. By the way -- I am so sold on this support garment thing now that I am even looking into compression pantyhose to help minimize swelling and what not. LOL. I feel like I don't know myself anymore!!!!

THE PUJ TUB

I have been dreading the thought of having to get another giant, plastic baby tub!!! When Miles outgrew his I was so relieved to turn it over to the Children's Orchard. I could not get that thing out of the house fast enough. And here we are -- again -- faced with the fact that we need a safe place to bathe Lennon!!! Well -- I found the holy grail "tub"!!! When I saw this bad boy it was love at first sight. It literally folds and snaps into place with one hand, unfolds just as easily, fits in ANY sink (including round bathroom sinks), and is made of a soft, waterproof, temp. stabile foam (our changing pad is made from the same material). The puj tub has got me really looking forward to bathing little Lennon. Needless to say -- it's on our list. We will have this!!!

PRENATAL BELLY SUPPORT?

I didn't wear any kind of support belt or wrap when I was pregnant with Miles, but this time around I am seriously considering it. With my activity level and the fact that I am often carrying a backpack on my back and Miles slung over one hip, it's becoming obvious that I might need some extra support. I asked Jason to stand behind me last night and lift my belly -- OH MY -- the relief was outstanding!!! I figure if I could get this kind of relief all day long -- why not!!! My back could use a break. I can't imagine how uncomfortable things will get now that Mommy and Lennon are really starting to pack on the pounds!!! Now I just have to do some research and figure out which one I want to get.

CRAMPING UPDATE...

Everything appears to be fine and Renee (our Midwife) has assured me that there is nothing to worry about. She has me resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and keeping heat on the area for comfort. Miles is napping right now and I'm going to use the opportunity to get some shuteye myself. Will post more later.

UNUSUAL CRAMPING

We're trying to remain calm and collected, but around 9 o'clock last night I started getting some moderate cramping. Usually when this happens, I get off of my feet, relax, and drink tons of water. None of that seemed to work. We debated wether or not to call our midwife, but I thought that we should hold out. The cramps were very similar to menstural cramps and were continuous. There was never a break -- or rather they were'nt contraction like in nature. So Jason rubbed my lower back and put a heating pad on it and I decided to sleep it off. Well -- the pain never subsided -- although it didn't get worse either and when I woke up this morning I was still feeling some mild cramping. As of right now -- I am still experiencing it. The good news is that there is no blood and no leaking -- and I can still feel Lennon moving around like mad. Jason thinks that it's cramping from my uterus and ligaments growing and stretching and that I should experience some relief soon. I'm going to call my midwife in a few minutes here and see what she has to say. I know she's going to tell me to take it easy, and I have been (except for the cleaning the house thing), but it's really hard when sweet little Miles wants his momma to pick him up and hold him and walk him around. I know she'll also come by and check my cervix to make sure that there's no dilation -- and honestly -- that makes me cringe. I know it's what's best for baby Lennon, but God knows I hate vaginal exams. That's one of the reasons I have a midwife in the first place -- minimal exams!!! Just the way I like it. But it has to be done -- especially since it feels like the cramps are starting to ramp up. I will post an update.

NURSERY PROGRESS...

We're making a lot of progress with the nursery and having such a blast doing it. My nesting instincts are in full force and nothing feels better than diving into a Lennon related project and getting some results!!! We removed the wire shelves and filled, sanded, and repainted the holes. We also built the crib and changing table, and put the nursery bedding in. We moved some unneeded items out in order to make room for the things that we will be adding. Their will be 2 bookcases on either side of the crib and a narrow dresser where the desk lamp is. The metal etage' and desk lamp will not be in the room and we plan on adding a hanging lighting fixture to the ceiling and some small lamps on the book shelves. Of course there will also be curtains, wall art, a rug, and the mobile will be hung over the diaper changing table. We learned our lesson with Miles and the mobile and won't be putting it over the crib. It makes so much sense when you think about it -- crib=sleep -- mobile=play!!! LOLOLOL. Anyhow -- that's where we are for now and we will update again very soon.

A MOM'S BEST FRIEND!!!

I have been meaning to blog about this mommy/pregnancy friendly topic. Most women don't want gifts that involve cooking or cleaning. But not this momma!!!! NanaBee and I were getting a few things at Lowe's a couple of months back and I pointed out the Electrolux Ergorapido Ultra!!! I told her that this was my dream "vacuum"!!! I explained that it was very quiet, cordless, lightweight, 12 volts, and has a handheld piece that comes off for hard to reach places or counter tops. She was sold!!! She then GENEROUSLY purchased one for each of us!!! OMG!!!! HOw amazing. Not only is she the most awesome mom around -- but she gets my need for clean floors and appreciates it!!! She also gets my need for something that doesn't require being plugged and unplugged and lugged around from room to room. She also understands my need for something that is quiet enough to use while the babies are slumbering away. It's also so much easier on my pregnant back. I literally get the whole house vacuumed in less than 10 minutes -- and that's saying something when you have an 11oo sq. ft. house and are being chased around by baby Miles. It's so nice to have clean floors EVERYDAY -- especially when you have a little one crawling around on it (and soon to be 2 little ones). So needless to say -- THANK YOU SO MUCH MOM!!! The ergorapido is one of the best gifts I have ever received!!! ANd by the way -- she also clued me into the swiffer wet jet mop and microfiber cloths. I just wet the cloths and put them on the wet jet and my floors are cleaned in lightening speed. I don;t ever have to buy replacement cloths because I use, wash, and reuse the microfibers instead!!! That woman is brilliant!!! Anyway -- back to cleaning!!

MILES LOVES LENNON!!!

He may not know exactly what's going on with momma's belly, but he knows he loves that belly button. He was also MORE than happy to give his baby bro a smooch this morning!!! My heart melted when he snuggled up against my belly and planted one on it!!!! How we hope Miles will wanna smooch Lennon once he arrives!!!