11/22/11: Thanksgiving Feast

Today was Morgan's Thanksgiving Feast at Preschool.  She was allowed to invite two guests which included myself and Grandma Kay. It was a breakfast feast and minus Morgan spilling her orange juice everything went smoothly.  There was lots of yummy breakfast food and we got to see some of the crafts Morgan made for Thanksgiving. A great to spend a morning with one of my favorite girls!

11/21/11: 36 Weeks 6 Days!

How far along? 37 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: 31 lbs.  

Maternity clothes? It's hard to even find T-shirts these days that cover everything...oy.

Stretch marks? Same.

Sleep: I'm apparently going for a record number of times one uses the bathroom overnight. This week I hit 4 times!

Best moment this week:  Some time off to maybe relax?

Food cravings:  Turkey and mashed taters!  Who isn't craving that this week!?!

Labor Signs: 40% effaced and a fingertip dilated... more progress than was made with either girl until hours into labor

Belly Button in or out? In but dangerously close to out.

Movement:  You would think someone who is squished in someone's uterus wouldn't have a lot of room to ninja kick from the top of your stomach to your pelvis.  You would be wrong.

What I miss:  Non-swelled appendages.

What I am looking forward to:  Some good food this week!  Yummers!

Weekly WTF:  Full term and Thanksgiving already.  This pregnancy has really flown.

Nesting madness: Just some Christmas decorating these days!

Weekly Wisdom: Note to baby..you are free to make your appearance as of the 27th.

Milestones: Full-term!

11/20/11: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I decided to get a jump on the Christmas trees this year and put the ones up in the girls room. Morgan was dying to put it up and help decorate so we figured what the heck.  We have a total of 5 full sized Christmas trees that go up every year in our house.  One in each bedroom, the living room, and the basement.  Since Morgan and Rylee share a room, they also get to share the wonderful purple tree!  The blue tree is all ready for baby Tenley to come home to. Now if we could just keep Rylee (and Mackenzie) from ripping off ornaments we would be set!

11/19/11: November Birthdays!

Today we celebrated the Corey and Greg's birthdays with some Rocknes and cake.  The Big 2-4 and the Big 2-8.  The day started out with me having to run a ton of errands to get ready for Thanksgiving and this baby's impending arrival. After that I made a trip up to Pat Catan's in Strongsville to do some wedding dress shopping with Kelly. I got there a little late but I was there for the important part, she bought her dress!  If I could share it I would but you'll have to wait until next August, but it looks great on her!

After our busy day we all came back to our house for some good old fashioned birthday celebrating! The girls love it when everyone comes over and they especially love when there is cake involved. 

Happy Birthday Corey and Greg!

11/18/11: Another Pinterest Project!

Morgan's school papers are taking on a life of their own.  They are everywhere.  I had them in our family binder for a while but that thing is so full I can't spare the extra room.  I happen to find this project on Pinterest but I also follow her blog: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com. This blog makes me want to clean and organize the smallest of spaces.

One of her posts was about organizing kids school papers.  She offered some awesome free printables to go along with it. She set it up for K-12 but I also wanted to add some extra folders for Pre-K and younger. I bought myself these awesome file boxes with some hanging and tabbed folders for inside.  I just started and still need to print out some things but I imagine when I'm done it will be pretty spiffy!

Hooray for all things organization!

11/17/11: Yankee Candles are here!

One of Morgan's fundraisers was for Yankee Candle and the order came in today!  I bought one of the tart warmer things with a bunch of holiday smelling tarts. I love this thing already!  It doesn't take up a lot of space, lasts a long time, and makes the house smell great! During the fall when it's wet the dogs can get that nasty wet dog smell and it tends to take over wherever they go.  This totally eliminates that!  I can't wait to try out the other scents!

On an up note for my stomach, cookie dough comes in tomorrow! Yum!

11/16/11: Morgan's first school picture

I mean seriously?  How cute is she?  She's all grown up!

11/15/11: 36 Weeks!

How far along? 36 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs.  

Maternity clothes? Over it.

Stretch marks? I can't even see all of my stomach anymore..who knows?

Sleep: When I get it, it's great.  Problem is, I seem to have less time and need more of it these days.

Best moment this week: My U/S. Although she's so far down I couldn't see her face, it was so neat to see how big she's gotten since September

Food cravings:  Blizzards!

Labor Signs: Lots of tightening, hardening these days where it becomes hard to breath through. Still head down and super low.  <---- Pretty much the same.

Belly Button in or out? In

Movement:  It hurts at times...we are officially out of room.

What I miss:  Naps.

What I am looking forward to:  Some time off next week, which I like to think will be relaxing, but I know   myself better than that.

Weekly WTF:  My baby is 6lbs 8oz already according to U/S.  This really isn't WTF  for me since I have big  babies but it's still amazing to hear. Measuring around 9 days ahead.

Nesting madness: Not getting as much done since officially being back at work.

Weekly Wisdom: Holiday babies really keep you busy.

Milestones: Another uneventful OB appt.  Less than a month to go now!

11/14/11: Droid Razr

A few days ago I made the leap further into the smartphone world. I upgraded my original Motorola Droid for the new Droid. But it's not just any Droid, its the Motorola Droid Razr. 

It was a tough decision for me. I am an Android fanatic, and I wanted the newest and greatest phone available. I had three options to chose from, the Razr, a remake of the older flip phone Motorola Razr from years back, the HTC ReZound, which features beats by Dre audio software, or the Galaxy Nexus, which packed the newest Android operating system code named Ice Cream Sandwich.

While each phone had relatively the same features, 1.2-1.5Ghz dual core processor, 1GB on board memory, 4+ inch HD screens, I ultimately choice the Droid Razr for a few reasons. The first was of its design. I mean, the thing is thinner than a pencil (check out the video below). It also is made by Motorola, who, some of you may have heard, has been bought by Google.  This means that any smartphone out there that would get the quickest upgrades would be a Motorola phone, since Google owns both Android and Moto now. Check out the video. If you are interested in a new phone, this phone rocks!

11/13/11: Sleeping Beauties

After this I swear I will try to cut back on the sleeping pics but this was too cute not to post.  All spooned up with each other. This is purely coincidence because while they love each other and all, I don't think they love each other this much...at least them don't seem to ever want to be that close while awake.

This morning Morgan and I got to go to my friend Erin's baby shower. First let me say, a shower brunch is a genius idea. If I ever have to plan a shower again, it will be a brunch. Erin is due with TWIN girls not too long after me. God Bless her and Danny. While I have absolutely no advice on the twin front, I wish the two of them  and those girls lots happy and healthy days ahead!  Can't wait to meet them!

11/12/11: Toys, who needs em?

The girls decided to entertain themselves by emptying everything out of the toy bin and jumping inside. Why do I even buy them toys anymore?  This is clearly all they need to keep occupied for hours.

Rylee apparently had too much to eat that night.

In other news, my little brother is 24 today!  Happy Birthday Corey!  More to come on that front when we do our family celebration.

11/11/11: A fun day for numbers people!

They are awesomely cute when they are sleeping.  Mind you though the two hours previous to this involved jumping on the bed, hitting each other, and basic horsing around and giggling.  It's amazing these kids aren't more tired during the day.

Today would have been the only acceptable day to have the baby weeks early.  What a cool birth date that would have been. I guess my next hope for super cool date is 12-12-11.  That way when its time to celebrate her 1st birthday it will be on 12-12-12.  If I'm being honest I'm hoping to go before then but probably won't. Perhaps she will just come on 11-27 and follow the 27th trend of the girls in our family. We will find out soon!

11/10/11: My Preschooler

Morgan and I were taking turns taking pictures of each other. These were some of her favorite poses. All of a sudden she looks so big. I'm still in shock some days that I have a preschooler.

11/9/11: 35 Weeks!

Dirty Mirror? Clean it up!

How far along? 35 weeks 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: 29 lbs.  

Maternity clothes? Even these are few and far between these days. Especially work clothes.

Stretch marks? I like to delude myself that I haven't gained any new ones, fact is I won't be able to really tell until after  I deliver.  I thought I was free and clear with the other two as well.

Sleep: I will say that this is the first week that I've gotten actually physically uncomfortable in certain positions.  For the most part it's good!  

Best moment this week: Hanging up all of Tenley's clothes and getting her room ready now that Rylee has moved in with Morgan.

Food cravings:  Junk...its not really a craving anymore, I'm just lazy.

Labor Signs: Lots of tightening, hardening these days where it becomes hard to breath through. Still head down and super low.

Belly Button in or out? In

Movement: It's not really a kick or jab as much of a rolling across my stomach.

What I miss:  Walking without the waddle.

What I am looking forward to:  Turkey and Mashed Potatoes in a few weeks!!!

Weekly WTF: Uhh..non PG related but is Thanksgiving really in two weeks!?

Nesting madness: Trying to finish up some last minute projects before baby time!

Weekly Wisdom:  I have nothing but snark these days....I'll keep it to myself.

Milestones: I went this whole week without seeing the doctor!! I feel like I see her too much these days.

11/8/11: Field Trip to the Fire Station

Today was Morgan's field trip to the fire station.  Since I had to go to work Grandma Kathy was gracious enough to take Morgan and Mackenzie. Special thanks to Grandpa Ralph for watching Rylee.  Since I wasn't there I don't know all the details but here is what I do know.  They all got to try on the coat and hat. Then they got to sit in the driver's seat of the firetruck.  This I'm sure Morgan loved because she is constantly  jumping into the driver's seat of our cars.

From what I was told, a good time was had by all!

11/7/11: Mini Rapunzel

Rapunzel or member of 80's Hair Band?

You decide.

11/6/11: Chili anyone?

Paul finally got around to making his imfamous chili. He's even gracious enough to make a separate beanless batch for me. Rylee apparently was really digging it.  Not sure if any got in her mouth, but she had a good time.

Obviously this dinner was followed up with a bath.  Daddy got some glow sticks from work and let the girls have some fun in the tub.  They totally loved it!

11/5/11: Big Girl Bed, Take Two!

Take Two  = Success

Tonight was much easier. We decided to let the girls get over their colds and give it another shot when there was an extra hour of sleep involved.  They spent about an hour or so talking, playing games, and reading books.  Soon after though, I would say around 9:30, they finally both fell asleep.  Vast improvement from the last time. Plus once they fell asleep they both actually stayed asleep until the next morning!

They got up around 7 am this morning because Rylee had turned sideways and was kicking Morgan in her sleep.  In total cuteness, Morgan yelled for Daddy that they were ready to get out of bed.  He responded back and said okay come on out. Morgan then whispered to Rylee.."Come on Rylee, we can go get breakfast!"  :melts:

Let's hope the rest of the nights go as easy!

11/4/11: SE vs Ravenna

Let me start this post by apologizing to anyone who sat anywhere near us on Friday.  Holy hell.  My dad had asked Paul to help him take pictures of the SE vs Ravenna playoff game. Since my mom was going to watch I decided to go and take the girls. It didn't turn into the best time of my life.  The game itself was great.  The kids on the other hand were not.  They spent the entire game from the minute we left the car until the minute we got home, crying.  Rylee refused to sit anywhere but on my lap.  My 9 month pregnant lap.  Oxymoron much?  Morgan sobbed the entire game that she wanted Daddy.  She could see him on the field and was so upset that she couldn't be with him.  There were a few quiet moments where M&Ms were involved.

The first pic really sums up the night. Oy.

11/3/11: Halloween Hangover

Looks like someone has had enough of the Halloween festivities. Sometimes, I wish I was my dog.

11/2/11: Christmas Ale

 This, is a work of art.  That is a picture of my beer fridge in the garage. Full of my favorite beers. On the top shelf sits the only good thing to come out of PA, Yuengling. My go to beer Miller Lite sits in the middle.  Ashley introduced me to a fantastic winter beer, which is a close second to my favorite. She bought me a pack of Thirsty Dog's 12 Dogs of Christmas, which, I found out, was created by someone who was a brewmaster at Great Lakes. While I still have a few Oktoberfest on the shelf above, I have moved to that sweet, sweet nectar, Great Lakes Christmas Ale. 

While I love this beer, I must drink it in moderation.  A friend of mine knows the brew master for Great Lakes and told us that although it is listed at 7.5% alcohol, it actually is a higher, in the range of 10-12%. The reason it is listed lower is so that it can remain a beer and not a malt liquor. Take that info for what its worth. 

Now the only thing I need to do is sit down on an evening and watch Christmas Vacation. Only then will I be ready for the holiday season.

11/1/11: 34 Weeks!

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 27 lbs.  

Maternity clothes? Are starting to get super annoying.  Due to the fact that she's dropped so low, it's hard to find shirts that don't ride up on my stomach.

Stretch marks? Same couple from before.

Sleep: This nagging illness I  have is not helping in that department.  I have to either blow my nose or pee every hour.

Best moment this week: Uhh 7 days closer?

Food cravings:  I've been eating like crap. I'm hungry but can't actually think of what I want to eat so I eat junk instead.

Labor Signs: Really low, Braxton Hicks, the use.

Belly Button in or out? In

Movement: We are out of room in there. What used to be a kick is now a lot more painful.

What I miss:  My ankles. Holy swelling lately.

What I am looking forward to:  Having an outside baby.

Weekly WTF: How can 6 weeks seem so long and yet so short?

Nesting madness: I'm slowing down a little due to my size these days.

Weekly Wisdom:  I have nothing but snark these days....I'll keep it to myself.

Milestones: I'm having a baby next month!!!  (Or maybe this month, who knows!?)

*Side note*  Happy Birthday Greg!!!