Catch Up & Sniffles

It's been awhile since I have posted.  My computer is still in a funk.  Unfortunately, this will be a picture free post.  I have taken some of the cutest pictures this past month too!  Guess I will give you all an overload soon!

Brady turned 2 months old on October 30.  He had the dreaded shots.  Of course he screamed and it broke my heart.  All he did after his shots was sleep.  Ever since he has had his shots, he hasn't been sleeping good at night.  He has the periods where he will sleep for 30 minutes and then wake up screaming his head off for 2 hours.  I'm hoping that this will get better soon!  He's also got a really bad cold right now and he is so stopped up!  I've been sucking snot out of his nose for the past few days.  His appetite has been crappy.  He'll only take about 2 ounces at every feeding.  I took him to the doctor this morning, and they said just a bad cold.  Hopefully he will be better soon!

If all goes well, we will probably be moving in less than a month.  This will probably be very stressful because of the holidays. 

Lilly is still doing wonderful in kindergarten.  We had a parent-teacher conference a couple of weeks ago and her teacher couldn't stop boasting about her.  We are so very proud of her.  She always wants to come home and do her homework first thing.  That might last the first few years of school. ;)  I was the same way about kindergarten, but of course as soon as the 'real' homework came along, I dreaded it.  Lilly has also been wanting to help out more with Brady.  This makes me happy.  I know it has been a hard transition for her to have another sibling around.

I'm not sure what we're planning on doing about Christmas.  I know Brady will get a few things and Lilly, of course, will get a lot too.  I know Brady is too little to understand it, but I still want him to have a good Christmas.  And I'm sure both of our babies will have a wonderful Christmas. 

I keep wanting to use all of my ideas on Pinterest, but I haven't.  I hope I will get around to it one of these days.  I have so many recipes I would like to try, but both Brad and Lilly are so picky!  I, on the other hand, will eat just about anything!  I have so many organization ideas I would like to do to get organized.  I might wait on that until we move. 

I've lost 30lbs of baby weight.  I still want to lose about 30 more.  I gained 50 throughout my pregnancy.  I feel so uncomfortable with myself.  I'm trying to get out of this baby funk I'm in.  Some days I will just be in a blah mood and sometimes it's really hard to get out of.

I hate to say it, but I'm ready to go back to work.  Don't get me wrong.. I LOVE staying at home with Lilly and Brady, but for my sanity.. I need to go back to work. 

I feel like I have just rambled on and on.. Hopefully I can get some pictures posted soon!

Still Around

I haven't disappeared.  I'm currently having computer difficulty.  The power cord on my laptop died, and I'm having to order another one!  I will be back up and running soon!  I hope sooner than later.. I have lots of pictures I need to get updated!

Refreshed..

I don't want to jinx anything.. BUT the past two nights Brady has slept through the night!  We have been on working on a nighttime routine ever since he's been home from the hospital.

I usually start getting him ready for bed around 10.  We have bath time every night.  Even if it's just lounging in the tub!

After bath, I get him dried off and get his pajamas on.  

Depending on what time he ate last, he will have a bedtime bottle.  Then, I lay him down in his rock n play.  I give him his binky and his blanket and he's out.  BUT there are a few things he likes at bedtime.  He LOVES to have his seahorse on and his sleep sheep.

I don't know what we would do without these two things!  They have been wonderful!  I highly recommend BOTH!

I have known about PraiseBaby and it is wonderful!  Brady will fall asleep to it and sleep so peaceful.  At least, I think so anyway.  I've just recently discovered ROCKABYE BABY.  I LOVE the Coldplay one!  You should go check both of those out! :)

Last, but not least.. I leave you with this precious face..

Sleep? What's that?

First off, look at this sweet face...

It's been a little crazy in this house!  Before today, I think I had a total of 6 hours of sleep in two days!  I think B has been going through a growth spurt!  He would fall asleep only in my arms and when I would go to lay him down he would wake right back up!  I'm crossing my fingers that this growth spurt is ending!

I am enjoying being able to be a SAHM to Lilly bug and my little bit.  I know eventually I will be going back to work.  There are a few things that have to happen before I go back to work.  We are in the process of trying to get this whole move thing started.

I'm still trying to get the hang of some kind of routine with the babes.  I've already got my routine down pat with Lilly.  If only I could get that way with B.

Lilly has been doing wonderful in kindergarten!  Brad and I both are feeling awful of moving Lilly to a different school in the middle of the school year.  She LOVES her school and she LOVES her class.  I am worried that it will be a hard thing to adjust to.  She also has a wonderful teacher.  I just hope that she can adjust this great to her new school.  I know it's going to take some time getting used to being the new kid in school.  She is such a social butterfly, so we are definitely not worried about her making new friends!

trying on my shoes!

What's this crappy photo resolution you speak of in all of my pictures?  I cannot for the life of me find my camera charger.  I'm adding that on my list of things to do!  I haven't been able to find it since I've been home from the hospital.  Ugh.

This post was totally random, I know.. 

 

1 month

My sweet boy turned one month old on Friday!  It's been so hard to get back into the groove of things.  As we speak, I'm typing with one hand and holding a sleeping baby in the other!

Stats:

Weight:  9lbs, 7oz (big boy!!)

Height:  21 3/4 inches

Head:  14 inches

Diaper size:  He's still in size 1 (Pampers swaddlers)

Feedings:  I had to make the big decision on whether to stop breastfeeding and formula feed.  When he was 2-3 weeks old after each feeding he would scream bloody murder. I'm not really sure what the problem was.  I just couldn't stand to see him in pain and so upset.  I tried formula and he was happy as a clam.  He is currently on a soy based formula.  He eats 4-5oz every 3 hours.

Sleeping:  Sleep is hit or miss at night.  He can have a good night and then the next could be an awful night.  He sleeps in his Rock n Play in our bedroom. His naps are slowly dwindling down to one a day.  

What he LOVES:  He loves bath time, loves to lay on his playmat, loves snuggling in mommy or daddy's arms.  He's starting to mimic our faces.  He loves tummy time!  He was rolling over from his stomach to his back when he was not even 2 weeks old!  This is crazy I know, but I have the video to prove that he can do it!  He loves his swing!  He's still not really a fan of his bouncer, but I'm hoping that will change.  Trips to the grocery store are not his favorite.  He loves his soothe and glow seahorse, as well as his sleep sheep!  Anything that soothes him to sleep, he LOVES! 

of course I dressed him in his gamecock gear (this was brad's from when he was a baby) for the SC/Auburn game and we just HAD to lose!

 

Hopefully I can get into some kind of routine so I can blog everyday!  Anyone have any advice for routines with a 1 month old and a kindergartener?  It's just me and the kids during the day.  Brad has taken a new job in a different state.. It's only an hour and a half drive.  But he does the drive every day (Monday-Friday).  We will be moving within the next month or so.  We have a busy schedule ahead of us!  

Guess who.. ?

Guess who is already... 

2 WEEKS OLD?? 

 *after my first bath*

I cannot believe it's already been two weeks since my sweet boy has been born!  It's actually almost three weeks because I've waited until the last minute to post!  It's been a crazy two weeks trying to get used to having a newborn around.  All in all, it's been a good experience.  I just need him to start sleeping better at night!

Stats:

Weight: 7lbs, 7oz (30th percentile)

Length:  20" (50th percentile)

Head:  13 3/4 (20th percentile)

Diaper size:  Was still in newborn diapers up until yesterday.  We decided to move him up to a size 1 because he kept leaking out of all of the newborn diapers!

Feedings:  I nurse usually during the day, and I pump for nighttime.  He usually eats about 3.5oz every 3 hours.  He's getting to be a little chunk!

Sleeping:  He sleeps okay.  He's usually up on the dot when it's time for him to eat.  Hopefully in the next few weeks we can establish some kind of routine with him.

His umbilical cord FINALLY came off the other night so he got to have his first bath!  He's a little wiggle worm so we had to be extra careful with him in the tub!  He did enjoy it though!

Lilly has adjusted very well to her brother being home.  She loves to be a big helper!  She is still doing wonderful in school!  

Happy Friday! :)

Our Sweet Boy...

 

Bradford Russell, II "Brady" was born on Tuesday, August 30 via c-section.  He was 7lbs, 4oz and 19 inches long.  He is so perfect in every single way.  The c-section went great.  His weight dropped down to 6lbs, 11oz. When we left the hospital his weight was 6lbs, 12 oz.  The only complications we ran into was that Brady had jaundice.  His levels spiked up on the third day we were in the hospital.  He had to be under the bili lamp and this broke my heart.  He HATED it.  We were sent home Friday with a bili blanket for home.  We had to follow up with the doctor this past Sunday.  Not only did his levels drop, he was back up to 7lbs.  So, that made for a very happy mommy and daddy!

We are all adjusting very well at home.  Lilly loves helping me out with her brother and she is such a big help!  I think my hormones have calmed down just a wee bit, which is a very good thing.  I haven't really had much of an appetite since I've been home from the hospital.

Brady is eating about 3.5oz every 3 hours.  He is just now getting to where he is keeping his eyes open when he is awake.  He loves to look around!  Tomorrow is his 1 week check up and we are very anxious to see how much he has grown since we've been home!

These 9 Months are Over?!

I have officially carried a baby full term.  It's kind of bittersweet now that it's all coming to an end.  I have to admit, pregnancy hasn't been my favorite.  I've had a hard time adjusting to these changes.  I'm very thankful that I was able to carry a child to full term.  I've always been told that you will either LOVE being pregnant or you will HATE it. I haven't totally hated it.  I just don't think I expected my hormones to be this bad.  Who knew that one could go from being totally happy one minute to crying the next.

First Trimester

I took my pregnancy test on January 6, 2011.  I had a hunch that I was pregnant.  Little did I know, as soon as I peed on that stick.. the positive sign showed right up.  My little peanut was with me all during the month of December.  I just didn't even know it.  Morning sickness reared its ugly little head about a week after I found out I was pregnant.  I wasn't one of those that had it every morning during the first trimester.  Yes, there were some things I found I couldn't eat.  I still cannot eat them to this day.  I remember eating and sucking on starbursts, airheads, and sour candy.  Those are the only things that would take my nausea away.  

We told Lilly that she was going to have a brother or sister about a month after I found out I was pregnant.  We wanted to wait until the right time.  I had no idea how she was going to take it.  She was very surprised about it and wanted to know every little detail.  I didn't really know how and when to tell my co-workers at the time I was pregnant.

We had our first ultrasound on January 28, because of a fall that happened while I was working.  I can't believe how tiny he looked.  The ultrasound tech said he looked like a little gummy bear.  This is where we got that name from.

Second Trimester

My love for food was starting to begin.  During this stage in the game, we found out that our sweet little gummy bear was a little boy.  The name game began.  It took us forever to find the perfect name.  In all reality, Lilly was the one to come up with the name Brady.  He will have the same name as his daddy, but he will be called Brady.  

During my second trimester, I honestly didn't have a lot of symptoms.  About a month into my second trimester, we made the decision to keep Lilly at home and for me not to work.  We saved money by not having her in daycare, which is always a plus. But then again, there was that feeling of having her away from her friends.  All in all she adjusted pretty well to staying at home and we felt like that was the best decision.

I think this was the best trimester of my pregnancy.  I first felt him kick, flutter, and have the hiccups.  Being able to feel your baby move like that is the best feeling in the world.

Third Trimester

This has been the most eventful trimester yet.  I slowed down sooooo much.  I couldn't bend over or walk up the steps without getting winded.  The summer heat didn't really help out either.  I think this was the hottest summer that I have ever been through. And it would be the summer that I was pregnant!  Fatigue set in sooo bad.  I cannot express how tired I have felt over the past 2 months.  

I had a lot of issues with my crappy bladder and my irritated uterus.  They were causing me to have contractions countless times, which then led to countless L&D visits.  Needless to say, this hasn't been my favorite trimester. 

I'm at the end and I cannot wait to meet my sweet little boy in the morning.  Now here's to hoping I can get some sleep! 

 

T-minus.... 2 days!

I don't know if you can tell, but I'm a little bit stressed!  I feel like I have about ten thousand things to do before Tuesday gets here, but in all actuality.. I don't have a lot to do. The main thing is getting my hospital bag packed and making sure I'm not leaving anything out of Brady's bag.  

I've never been under any kind of major surgery.  Unless you count the time I had my tonsils taken out, and that was horrible (only because it was just 2 years ago).  I'm so scared about having a c-section.  I've been reassured by a lot of people that it won't be that bad.  I think the recovery process scares me more than anything.  If anyone has any words of advice, feel free to share! :)

Lilly has successfully survived her first two weeks of kindergarten!  I'm glad that this transition to "big" school hasn't been that hard.  I just hope she will continue to keep up the good work!  We're going to be under a lot of new changes here soon!  Any tips anyone can care to share about having a school age child and a newborn?  How hard is it gonna be?  I'm completely clueless when it comes to this.

Here is my latest baby bump picture.. I will take the last one before I go to the hospital on Tuesday!

I have a few ideas for more posts, hopefully I can get them out by Tuesday!!  :)

We Are So Close....

I can't believe it is almost time for our sweet lil boy to enter the world!  We have finally got everything ready for his arrival!  Except.... the hospital bag for myself and my sweet other half.  I got my diaper bag in this week that I had ordered and as soon as I got it, I packed Brady's bag!  I just couldn't help myself.  Why I can't do this for myself..??  I'll never know.

 lilly on her first day of kindergarten

Our sweet 5 year old started kindergarten on Tuesday!  My nephew started kindergarten as well.  My niece is in first grade!  I can't believe how time has flown by with my niece and nephew!  I'm so proud of them, and especially proud of Lilly for doing so great her first week!  Her teacher is amazing!  We didn't really know what to expect with her on the first day.  When we walked her on in, she sat down where her name was and was actually telling us to leave!  We are so excited that the transition has been smooth!  The only thing that has been hard is waking up so early and going to bed early.  I'm totally guilty of her sleeping til 10am during the summer!  We will are be getting used to it, especially with a little one coming soon!

I'll admit that I haven't taken any new belly pics, but supposedly Brady is the size of a....

WATERMELON??

How far along?  I am currently 37 weeks, 2 days.

Weight gain?  I'd really rather not go there, but I'll tell.. I've gained 51lbs.  Yes, you did read that right.. I started out very UNDERweight before I got pregnant.  My doctor isn't concerned because I was 5'7 and 130 pounds at my first appointment.  Soooo, hopefully I will not have a hard time losing it after Brady is born.

Symptoms?  Swelling has gone down, thank goodness.  I'm starting not to sleep at night, and sleep during the day.  I cannot get comfortable whatever I do.  I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions.  Other than those, I'm good.

Cravings?  I've been craving a lot of vegetables lately.  My sweet tooth has tapered off a little bit!

Sleep?  As I said before, my sleeping habits are crap right now.

What I miss?  Not being hormonal, sleep, sleep, and more sleep!  I actually miss being cold natured!  It's not fun being cold all the time!

Movement?  He moves ALL the time.. never slows down!! :)

We have finished the nursery, bedding came in and everything is ready!  BUT I have not taken all of the pictures yet.. I will give a sneak peek until I take the pictures!

changing table and curtain view

these decals were a PAIN!

LOVE the cocky pillow pet! :)

Happy Friday!!! ;)

Busy Little Bee!

Wow!  It's been awhile since I have posted anything!  I can't believe that I have waited so long to update!  We have had so much going on around the house.  Major home improvements have been happening!  Lilly moved into the bigger third bedroom, and then we put the nursery in her old bedroom.  Her old bedroom was painted purple.  So you can imagine.. I didn't want to use purple for the nursery!  We have painted her new room as well as the nursery!  I promise to have pictures soon!  I'm so excited about both of the rooms! 

I had a wonderful baby shower on July 31!  I couldn't have asked for a better shower!  I'm going to have to do a major picture overload on just one post!  Here is my cake that my aunts made for my shower!

Isn't it adorable?! 

We have just a few more things to get and then we will be ready for Brady!  Some of you may or may not know but I will be having a scheduled C-section on August 30!  We are 3 weeks away!! 

School will be starting here in about a week!  Miss Lilly will be in kindergarten!  Poor thing has so much going on this month!  She seems to be very excited about it all.  We will meet her teacher this week!  I'm so excited for her.  This is an exciting time for her!  I just hope the transition will be a smooth one, since she has been here all summer with me!  I'm sure she will be fine!

 Pregnancy Updates:

this picture was taken at 33 weeks

How Far Along? I am currently 35 weeks, 6 days! Almost full term!

Weight Gain?  I am so ashamed of this.. my current total weight gain is 48 lbs.  Everyone tells me it's all belly.. so I'm hoping they are telling me the truth!! :)

Symptoms?  My feet have been swelling up a storm.  I had another wonderful trip to L&D this past weekend, only to discover I have ANOTHER bladder infection!  I can't catch a break!  I get tired VERY VERY easily!  Nesting has set in as well!  Hormones are awful, as always.  I'm ready for my normal emotions to take over again!

Cravings?  Me and food have a love/hate relationship at this stage in the game.  Some days I am hungry, then some I am not.  I still love sweets though!  I'm wondering if that will stay the same after he is born!  We'll see! ;)

Sleep?  Thank goodness my sleep is decent!  I cannot and will not complain about sleeping, other than I can never get enough! :)

What I miss?  Bending over, getting up without having to lean or rely on someone to help me!, my normal emotions.. of course.  Being cold natured!  I HATE being hot!  I think this has been the absolute worst summer!! 

Movement?  He is active all the time! 

Don't worry, I will get back to my normal routine of posting! :)  

I will return.... SOON!

I promise to return soon!  We have had major major home improvements going on in the house!  I will return soon with pictures!  Countdown is on for Brady!  30 more days! 

Mother's Instinct

I think as a little girl everyone wants to grow up and be the best mom ever.  You carry your babydolls around everywhere you go.  You love to play with little babies.  It just comes natural to a girl.  I guess that's the reason why God made us.  He wanted us women to take care of and nurture little ones. 

I don't think some of you realize how much I already am a mom.  When I first met my wonderful other half, he told me he had a 4 year old daughter.  I was excited and I was nervous at the same time.  I had never dated a guy that had  child. This relationship was all so new to me. I will never forget the first day I met Lilly.  She had her little pigtails in and a huge smile on her face.  Hearing what she has been through, which is nothing to get into on my blog, it broke my heart.  It made me want to give her the world. 

As our relationship continued, I didn't realize how much of a mom figure I would be to her.  I never expected her to call me mommy, and I never will expect that of her.  It is totally her decision.  Of course having a child and having a fresh new relationship can be hard to juggle.  Brad and I got through it though... together.  I think that doing this and raising Lilly together has made our relationship stronger.  She is the light of my life and I wouldn't trade this life for anything in the world.  She brightens up my day with everything she says and everything she does.  Hearing "Lindsey, you're the greatest.."  is the best thing that I can hear.  Asking if I can be called "mommy" is even better.  I never expected my life to be the way it is right now.  Everyone who knows the situation that I have been in before knew it was awful.  I never thought I would be back to my old self.  I never thought that I would have anyone care for me as much as Lilly and as much as Brad does.  I even have another little one that will be coming soon and our family will be complete.  I know I'm not Lilly's biological mother, but I am her mother.  And always will be....

I love you baby girl! :)

So Much Catching Up To Do..!

It seems like it has been forever since I have last updated!  Let's see.. a lot has been happening lately.  We celebrated Lilly's 5th birthday on June 19!  She wanted to dress up as Tinkerbell!  And I tried to make her look as close to her as I could!

Lilly's Tinkerbell Shoes! :)

Her WONDERFUL cake! :)

Daddy's Girl!

Me and the Birthday Girl!

Now I haven't had a pregnancy post in quite some time!  So to catch y'all up on what's going on... 

via the bump

Due Date:  September 7, 2011.... BUT *BIG NEWS* Brady will be born on August 30!  We are having a scheduled C-Section!

 

Weeks Pregnant:  30 Weeks, 1 Day

 

Weight gain so far:  I'm usually very modest with my weight, and I HATE that I have gained soooo much!  Since my last doctors appointment on June 19, I have gained 35 pounds!  Ahhh!

 

Pregnancy Symptoms:  Well the good thing is that the swelling has gone away!  I hope that it will stay that way!  Headaches are minor at this point.  They were awful at the beginning!  Of course my raging hormones.. I'll be happy one minute and the next I'll be crying about who knows what!  You do pee more in the 3rd trimester!  hah! 

Cravings:   I LOVE SWEETS!  And I cannot get enough!  Thankfully, I did pass my 1 hour glucose test!  YAY!!!   I love eggrolls, cereal (especially the chocolate kind), water (i've been craving this a whole lot more than usual.. at least it's good!), and that's about it.  I really haven't had any specific cravings this whole pregnancy other than eating sweets!

Sleep:   Ehhh.. It's okay.. It's getting more and more uncomfortable to turn over!  I usually sleep on my right side the most.

I can't live without:  Air conditioning!  It has been soooooo hot!  

What I miss:  Bending over, my non-hormonal self, and being able to sleep through the night!  

 

What I'm looking forward to:   Meeting my sweet boy in 2 months!  And baby showers in July! :)

Milestones:  Settling into the last trimester!  YAY!

 

Best moment of this week:  Deciding on the bedding (FINALLY!) and watching him turn flips in my belly!

 

Goals for the upcoming week(s):  I would say researching pediatricians, but I've already found one!  YAY!

Movement:   He's more active at night, especially if I say on my back!  He loves to kick!

Gender:  Boy!  Bradford Russell, II "Brady"

 

Labor signs: None!  Thank goodness!  Hope it stays that way for the next 7-8 weeks!

Belly Shots: 

 

Lilly's Favorite Songs: Volume 1

Our precious 4 (going on 22) year old LOVES music.  Now I'm not talking about "ABC, 123.. You Are My Sunshine Songs.." Every single song that I have listed in this post.. she knows word for word.  Granted, if they have a bad word in them, she does not say it.  Does this make me a bad [step]mother?  I hope not.. But hey, it's still cute.. Love me or hate me for what I let my child listen to.. She mainly just likes the beat of most of the songs and slowly she started learning all of the words..

1)  Blues Traveler - Hook

2)  Katy Perry - Teenage Dream (I'm to blame for this one.. It was one of my favorites.. *facepalm*)

3)  Jim Croce - Bad Bad Leroy Brown

4)  Jim Croce - Operator

5)  Miley Cyrus - Party In the USA (This one has to be expected, right?)

 6)  Steve Miller Band - The Joker

7)  Flo Rida - Low

8)  Lady Antebellum - Need You Now

9)  The Band Perry - If I Die Young

10)  Sara Evans - A Little Bit Stronger

11)  Ke$ha - Tik Tok

There you have it people, Lilly's favorite songs.  Of course, this isn't all of them!  I'll have to save the rest for another post! ;)

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Belly Post & Latest Ultrasound...

Finally getting my latest belly pictures on here because blogger would NOT let me do it the other night!  And for some reason, I didn't upload any of my ultrasound pictures from when I had my anatomy scan... So here they are...

 

 

"the money shot..."

his little butt and his legs

mooning his mommy & daddy

my sweet Brady

Today has been very uneventful.  I have not wanted to do absolutely anything!  The most productive thing that I have done today is cook dinner!  Hoping this will change tomorrow! :)