{14 weeks}

(found online while searching "14 week old fetus")

I am still getting really bad migraines, but I knew that would be par for the course since I get them with every pregnancy but this go around they seem really intense (at least when they hit - and boy do they hit hard). My hips are becoming more and more sore - which I knew would happen too.

My nausea is getting better but smells still set off my gag reflex and if I gag too much I end up running to the nearest bathroom. My boobs are still sore, (not as much but still sore), and they are growing bigger and bigger it seems.

My uterus is growing and is about the middle of my belly button now. I am in my maternity pants 24/7 now because my regular jeans are just not fitting at all (if they were elastic waisted and didn't have a zipper I might be able to get away with it for a bit longer ;o) ).  I am getting to the point where one of my pairs of sweats are not comfortable anymore because of how tight the waist is - the only sweats that fit me are the ones that were too big for me.

I am finding that I am going to have to break down and buy some maternity undies due to all mine are not fitting right and are becoming uncomfortable...*sigh* I never had to with the other pregnancies so it's kind of a sad moment for me...

I did get all the things off my "BIG PURCHASE" list, now I just need to work on the small stuff. I am so glad I know what I will need and know what won't work or be used. That makes my life so much easier!

Everything I bought used. I know I said I wouldn't buy the stroller or carseat used but I found a great deal on one and had it checked out and it's perfect and exactly what I wanted and for a third of what it would cost me to buy them new.

BIG PURCHASE LIST

* Crib (bought used off of craigslist)

* Changing Dresser ( bought used off of craigslist)

* Stroller/carseat combo (bought used off of craigslist)

* Pack n' Play (bought used from "Other Mothers")

* Rocking chair (bought off of craigslist)

SMALL STUFF LIST

* Onsie's in neutral colors (long and short sleeve in 0-3 & 3-6 months)
* Burp Rags (I can make them if I get a sewing machine)
* Wipes (Kirkland brand is the best!)
* Gift cards for Diapers (because I won't know what I will need after my newborn & size one are all gone)
* carseat cover (because jellybean is coming in the fall)
* crib & playpen sheets
* sleepers & sleepsac's (will keep jellybean warm)
* baby bath tub
* swaddle wrap (because I can't ever get it right and these are idiot proof)
* Nursing Cover (for when we go on outings)
* Nursing pillow
* Baby blankets (because you can never have enough)

Really it's not that big of a list and I know I will have it all gotten for when jellybean comes - I mean I have a little over 6 months to get it all done. I realize we are saving up for buying a house too but if I work on getting one or two items a month this list will be knocked out and there will be no worries, (I hope). 

Anywho, that's what's going on with me & my pregnancy journey - well this far anyways, I still have a long ways to go!

The  following was taken from "I am Pregnant":

"You are now in your second trimester! Your baby's crown to rump length is 3.2 to 4.5 inches long and he weighs approximately 1 ounce now. Your baby is about the size of the average fist.

Now that you are into your second trimester, you may be starting the best part of your pregnancy. You will probably start to feel more energetic and you may get the `pregnancy glow`. Your uterus is beginning to swell week by week and you can follow its progress by locating the top of the uterus. The position of the top of the uterus will continue to gradually move up your abdomen, from beneath the pubic line to above your navel. Maternity clothes are probably necessary now. You might also experience hemorrhoids, which are painful dilated blood vessels around or inside the anus. 


At this time, your baby's face is becoming more developed. The cheeks and bridge of the nose appear and the ears move from the sides of his neck to much higher on his head. The eyes continue to come closer together. A big development from this week onward is the development of lanugo. Lanugo is the fine hair that grows over almost your entire baby. The hairs grow in whirled patterns that follow the grain of his skin. These patterns later give way to your baby's fingerprints. The lanugo will be shed before birth and replaced by thicker, coarser hairs. Your baby's thyroid gland has matured and starts to produce hormones. If your baby is a boy, the prostate will appear and in baby girls the ovaries descend from the abdomen into the pelvis. 


The embryo`s soft cartilage is now being replaced with ` real` chalk bones. Your baby has eyebrows, but no eyelashes. Fine, light hair also begins to grow."

{Terrain}

William created a cool terrain piece for the Saturday d&d game and it's awesome! It represents a monastery built into a mountain...it's really cool and I wanted to share his work with everyone...



(a close up of the monastery built into the mountain)


(built out of a piece of wood, fish tank accessory & a little bit of plaster of paris and then painted)

{Perfect Ending}

(picture taken by B.H. as I forgot my own camera)

William, the kids and I, met a friend and his family at a local park and it was awesome! They have 2 girls about the same age as our kids and the cutest little baby boy! The girls had tons of fun with Ruth and the boys climbing all over the play structure and being pushed on the swings and all of them got dizzy while being spun on the tire swing. It was great to watch them play while I got to know their mom and her sweet little man while the guys chatted about dungeons and dragons.

The kids played so hard that by the time we were ready to go they were all pooped out and laid down in a nice little row...I know mine slept well that night & I am sure theirs did too...It was the perfect end to the perfect mother's day!

{Mothers}

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there who are seasoned, experienced and soon to be...I hope you are blessed today and all the days of your life.

I want to share a few things I have learned from a few of the Mother's in my own life who made me the Mother I am today.

My Mother taught me that every thing you do has a consequence - be it good or bad. That life can be full of life and laughter. To not sweat the little things and to always remember your family is the world that surrounds you making your circle full and complete. She taught me to cook and that it's ok not to follow the recipe to the letter - it's best to put your own spin on it. She taught me that I don't have to be perfect as long as I own up to my mistakes.

My Grandmother Myrna taught me that there is unconditional love in the world and to get out there and find it. She taught me to never give up and always get up when you fall down.  That bowling is a serious game that you don't need to take seriously. That the simple things in life bring the greatest joy. You don't have to have oodles of money to be happy as long as your surrounded by those you love. Not to let yourself rest too long or you might find your too old to do anything.

My Great-Grandmother Afton, taught me to laugh and love and find the peace that Christ can bring. She taught me the joy of family and how we all need to stick together. She taught me to make homemade noodles and how to color outside the lines. She taught me the love of gardening and the joy of the outdoors.

I also gained a love of Owls from my Great-Grandmother Bea. She also taught me that sacrifice is sometimes necessary and to always stay true to who you are.

I have learned from some of the most loving and beautiful mother's who made me the mother I am today and I hope to continue to learn from their example as I continue to push forward with my own little brood and instill in them the love and joy they can get from life, like I learned from those who taught me.

Happy Mother's day to all you wonderful mother's who make this world special and wonderful and joy to live in!! You all ROCK!!

{Guinea Pig Love}

(found on internet searching "guinea pig Heart")

We got the kids a guinea pig. One for each one of them, so now we have three new pets and they all have their own personalities. 
Alvin, (Aaron's pig), is a bit hyper and tends to act a bit like Aaron. 
Black Bo, (Sam's pig), is quiet and shy and I notice he only trills while on my shoulder - and by the way he's not black but brown with a shaggy hair do. 
Stewart, (Ruth's pig), is jittery but is so calm in Ruth's hands. 
It's really amazing how the pigs have the similar personalities to the kids. The kids have been really good with the guinea pigs & Ruth has just fallen all in love with hers. She said "You can't give away my Stewart, I love him too much" and with that these guys have found their forever home with us.
They are all boys - so no babies to worry about and even though I am the one who will have to clean out their cage every week,  I know these little guys are going to bring alot of life into our home. Mind you the cats are fascinated and both keep trying to "attack" them thru the cage bars and I do have to get after them to "stop it!" but I am sure they will just ignore them after the newness has worn off.
Below are a few snaps I took this morning of the kids with their respective "pig". Please ignore the unkempt hair and dirty faces, apparently it's all the rage right now...
(Aaron and his guinea pig "Alvin")

(Sam & his guinea pig "Black Bo")

(Ruth and her guinea pig "Stewart")