Everyone needs a lazy day..

I've been a little MIA from blogging for a few days and I have so much I want to post but honestly, today, that's not going to happen. Why? Because today, I want to be lazy. I don't want to go anywhere and not necessarily do anything except play with my babies of course. Today will consist of cleaning (minimal), coloring, watching a little cartoons, reading kid books, eating, resting from an intense workout from yesterday and finishing up some arts and crafts I've been meaning to get done. Sounds like a good day to me. Tomorrow, I'll get back on track. I'll make sure I have a more interesting post prepared..a recap of our wonderful weekend in San Francisco! Tomorrow, I'll resume with my workout activities. We'll go to the park and maybe stop by the craft store, because this momma can never have too many projects going on at one time! So until then..I'll be resuming my lazy status. See you tomorrow :)

Potty training attempt

My handsome little man in his "super cool" Wall-E undies!

Lately, I've heard all sorts of tricks and ways to potty train. I decided one day last week that I would try. After all, I am home on leave and Nicolas has shown some sort of interest. 

The day went like this. 

When he woke up I explained to him as I was taking off his bedtime diaper, that he would be sitting on the potty today. 

I got out his "Cars" underwear hoping that he would find them cool enough not to want to "ruin" them. 

I brought his potty out into the living room so he could watch his morning cartoons while sitting on his new "throne."

He sat for about 30 minutes..nothing.

I got him up, put his underwear on and fed him breakfast.

Sat him on the potty again for another 20-30 minutes...nothing.

Put his underwear back on and gave Raegan a quick bath. When I came back in the living room, there was wet spots right in front of the potty. (I didn't get upset, he did make it near where he was supposed to)

ALL OF A SUDDEN...

The next two times I sat him down..angels sang..actually it was his potty's little jingle. Anyway, he went and I felt like I had accomplished the inevitable! I DID IT! And if anyone else witnessed the excitement I let out, they would have thought I was crazy. Nicolas just laughed at his silly momma.

I let him get up without putting undies (second pair since he had an accident in the first pair) on him so it would be an easy sit without taking them off again. (By this time I set my alarm on my phone to go off every 20 minutes so I knew when to put him back on his potty) Just as I checked to see how many minutes he had left to play, 5 minutes left, I look up to see what Nicolas is hysterically laughing at, and I see a long stream of pee fly through the air right in front of him. By the time I yelled "waaaaaait," he was finished. He let out a quick "ohh noo" and that was all it took for me to realize that he probably isn't ready. 

He's 22 months old and I just don't think he understands the concept. I never wanted it to be stressful and overwhelming for neither me or him. I want it to be during a time where we could communicate back and forth throughout the whole learning process. I want it to be somewhat fun. I want to use stickers and candy and a prize chart. (That's the elementary school teacher in me talking)

After a while I caught him parking is cars along the back side of his potty. 

Why yes son, that is exactly what we use the potty for. To park our toy cars along the back.

Mommyhood lately (my daily routine)

Oh hello. Remember me? I've been a little lazy when it comes to blogging. I'll try to be more diligent.

Me- Well as you already know I had a C-section with my newest baby. Yesterday was the first day I went through without regular doses of medicine. (I only really needed it twice) Which means I'm that much closer to being completely healed. YAY! If you were to give me the option, for any future children we may decide to have, I would choose a C- section HANDS DOWN! The recovery time (from my experience) was way more tolerable the second time around. I think the fact that I could mentally prepare ahead of time really gave me piece of mind.

After I had Raegan, my husband was only able to be with me the rest of that week when she was born. The following Monday he had to go back to work, which meant I was all alone. It was me and TWO babies. What ever was I going to do all by myself?

My current routine goes as such:
7-8am
Ryan leaves for work
wake up and feed Raegan (change diaper) she goes back to sleep
Get Nicolas out of bed (change diaper)
Nicolas eats his breakfast

9-10am
Let Nicolas watch a little morning cartoons
I eat breakfast
I get time to do my morning bathroom routine

10-11am
Feed Raegan again (change diaper) she goes back to sleep (sometimes she'll stay up and look around)
Nicolas gets his snack
I usually get time to clean and tidy up a little

11-12pm
Still tidying up (laundry, washing dishes, cleaning bathroom) if those things need to be done
Play with Nicolas
I'll get Nicolas his lunch (sometimes he won't eat all or any of it until after his nap)

12:30- 1pm
Nicolas goes down for a nap (change diaper)
Feed Raegan (change diaper)

1-4pm
(Nicolas is napping)
I eat my lunch and catch up on my shows
Do anything I want or need to do that I really can't with Nicolas running around crazy (like crafts and whatnot)
Somewhere in this span of time I feed Raegan again and change her diaper of course (never ending I swear!)

4pm
Nicolas wakes up from his nap (change diaper)
I get him playing with something specific like legos, coloring, or his cars so he's super entertained
Nicolas gets a snack or a late light lunch if he didn't want it before nap time

5pm
Feed Raegan (change diaper)
I usually get a call from Ryan around this time letting me know he's on his way home from work
I get dinner started, if I haven't done so already.

5:30- 6:30pm
Nicolas is playing with daddy and watching sports with him.
I'm finishing dinner

6:30pm
We usually eat dinner close to this time

7-8pm
I clean up after dinner (put all the dishes in the sink, clean the kitchen quickly, put the leftover food away)
Feed Raegan (change diaper)
Read to Nicolas and play with him a little before bed
*this is also when we would give baths if they are in order

8-10pm (sometimes 10:30ish)
Both Ryan and I put Nicolas to bed (change diaper)
We get time to catch up on our mutually liked shows
We usually indulge in some kind of dessert (bad, I know!)
Clean up Nicolas' toys
I wash dishes and finish cleaning up the kitchen
Feed Raegan somewhere in this time frame (change diaper)

10-11pm
Finally we get ready for bed and do our regular routine

A little before midnight Raegan will have her last feeding of the night and not wake up again until 4am then from there she doesn't wake up until our routine starts all over again.  (change diaper with every feeding also)

**note** this of course doesn't include if we have to go anywhere. Which then, first thing in the morning (after breakfast) I will get Nicolas' snack and his water cup ready and check three times over my bag to make sure I have everything I need. I will hurry and get ready, get the kids ready, make sure the dog has water and a rawhide to chew while we're gone, then out the door we go. I always try to make any trips before Nicolas' nap (if they are errands) but if we are going to visit someone or do something a little more length in time, I make it after his nap so he's well rested and more likely to behave. :)

**another note** during the day I didn't include the "time-outs" or spanking threats but believe me, with a 19month old boy, they do occur. Frequently. Depending on his mood.

So that's our day (in a nutshell). It's not easy with two, but it has become more managable. I included the diaper changes in my list because it just blows my mind of how many times I change diapers throughout the day. I'm the sole diaper changer in our house because I do it at warp speed and I know that it's not something Ryan would prefer to do so I don't make him, I don't mind doing it to be honest. It's just since having another baby the changes have definitely tripled.

I'm not sure if I could handle another little person added to the mix just yet. I'm still getting used to this routine, that I'm sure will change soon enough as Raegan gets older and I go back to work.

life lately...

I feel like I haven't blogged lately..I guess it hasn't been a long stretch from my previous to last (which was what 10 minutes ago) but I feel like a lot has since then happened..

I was getting into the habit of taking Nicolas for walks around our neighborhood (which was great for getting out of the house and keeping him entertained) buuuuuuut since my appointment where I found out I was already 3cm dilated, we had to stop that for a while..at least so I can hold off until Tuesday..(I'll tell you why in a minute..)

Nicolas was even getting little tan lines from his flippies from all our walks.. sooo cute!

OK..back story.. My husband since probably the beginning of the month knew he would be leaving this weekend to work in Tahoe (2-3 hours away). He'll be back Monday either late afternoon or early evening..not sure but in the meantime I need to take it super easy. After all I do want him here for the birth! (No brainer!)

So we've been doing a lot of this..

and TONS of this..

and of course other things too like coloring and catching up on the latest Bubble Guppies :)

Mom however, once naptime hits, has been super crafty/organizing queen/ultimate preper..

Thanks to YouTube, I finally learned how to crochet a baby beanie! I have been whipping these suckers out like no one's business! I have so many ideas of how I can decorate them and maybe even sell them..we'll see though..

Goodwill find ALERT! I've been meaning to find a way to organize my jewelry in a way where I can see it because "out of sight- out of mind" and I won't think to wear any of it when I have tons!

(Pinterest inspired of course) I spray painted (a long time ago) some beer bottles for my bracelets, I already had my earring holder but just no where to hang it until..I found this beauty for $4! Now I can SEE all my necklaces! LOVE IT!

One thing that I had been meaning to get done (along with baby's nursery which you can read about here. ) was to get Nicolas' swings from the garage all cleaned and dusted off.

But of course once "you know who" saw what I was doing..

Product Find!! My mom bought these disposable placemats for me Nicolas for when we go out to eat. I must say, I've only used them once but I am very pleased with them. They stick right to the table and I can just gather it all together when he's done for easy cleanup. He likes the characters too!

I know that I just got done putting together baby's little area, but since I picked out her crib bedding the other day, I cannot wait to get her side of the room all prepared for her!

Not really too fond of the owl, I mean it's cute but I like the flowers so that's why I went with it. It's exactly the color scheme I wanted to go with so I'm happy with it.

I've been feeling really pregnant these days and I guess I should..but I cannot stress enough to you how badly I will miss this baby belly of mine. I'm in no way exaggerating how much I love being pregnant..I honestly feel a million times more beautiful when I rock this bump! Can't wait to be pregnant again!

(mini) nursery

When setting up baby girl's nursery we decided to have her in our room for multiple reasons..
1. I plan on breastfeeding so it makes it easier for night feedings
2. I know she will not be sleeping through the night, therefore I don't want her to wake Nicolas (we only have a two bedroom home)
3. We have plenty of room in our master for her

I remember Nicolas sleeping through the night at around 2 months so until she reaches a schedule looks like mom and dad will have a little company.

While on maternity leave I made an effort to get her space set up immediately. I was pretty eager to get everything in order but of course it was all finalized after my shower.

Here is little miss' corner..

A closer look...

Her headbands and her toys

Blankets, momma items, diapers & etc, nb clothes

Once we get her crib all set up in her brother's room I'll share the final result. (If we haven't decided to move by then.)

6 days and counting down..

Hello baby girl,

Today I got to see you via ultra sound and hear your precious heartbeat. I am at my 39 week check point with you and as the days go by I realize I am that much closer to meeting you face to face. As predicted, you were still "right side up" which means you will be delivered by c-section. Not my first choice, but today all my nerves were set at ease. I talked to my doctor about the procedure and had her describe what would happen from the moment I check in to the second I go to recovery. There is that slim chance that I could have you before our date on the 29th due to the fact that I am already 3 cm dilated! How did that happen? I must not notice the contractions or not pay that close of attention. Either way, because you are in a breech position, I have to go to the hospital once my contractions get as close as 10 minutes. (Not your average in between time but my doctor doesn't want me to have any stressed situations that could possibly compromise your health. I totally agree.) When I told your daddy what the doctor said, he sternly told me that I need to rest more and not be such a control freak at home. Not to over exert myself with cleaning and doing other household activities. He also said I shouldn't take you and your brother on walks until after you're born. (What he doesn't realize is I am not one to just sit on my butt, ecspecially since your brother is such a rambunctious little bugger) But now that I know how important it is for me to take it easy I will try to do so. I'm glad that over the weekend I was able to get everything in order for you. (blog post to come) The only thing left for us to do is get your crib set up in your (and your brother's) room. There are some things that I still need to get for you that aren't super important but things that are a must have for me.
1. memory book
2. swaddle blanket(s)
3. crib mattress (this is a must obviously but you'll be sleeping in your bassinet for a while)
4. car seat cover (again, not super important but I want to make it girly)

I believe that is all for now precious one. Well now that this day is almost done so 5 days...


p.s. We are so excited that your Uncle Mark is in town from Hawaii for your birth. He can't wait to meet you. I just wish your Auntie Devan, Uncle Chuck and cousin's were here also. Then all our family would be here and everything would be completely perfect!

Baby Shower

Yesterday I had my baby shower...

Can I just say I loved all the PINK that swarmed my house..

(I took like a million pictures but I won't bombard you with all of them)

My color scheme was obviously pink and leopard

I plan on hanging those poms over her bassinet and crib

My best friend Alyssia who helped me! LOVE HER!

My momma and ME!

My mother-in-law and me :)

We played the game "who can dress baby the fastest?"

Clothes, clothes, and more clothes!

Me and my boy!

The only boys at the party!

My darling son!

Everyone decorated a onsie for little miss

Add caption

This day was perfect! I'm ready whenever you are little girl!

Hospital Bag

Today I decided to pack my hospital bag. Even though I have a cesarean scheduled for May 29th, she could decide to turn on her own and I could literally go into labor at any given time. Scarey stuff. The unknown that is, not having another bambino. I really couldn't remember what I brought to the hospital when I had Nicolas, so I looked online and the list I found seemed pretty accurate.

For Mom: bath towel, a few pairs of socks (because my feet are always cold), a robe, going home clothes, bag full of girly things like hair ties and headbands etc. Off to the side you can see my list of last minute items I'll need to grab before the actual day like my camera, kindle, shampoo, makeup, tooth brush and paste, you know things that I'll probably use up until the day of at home.
For baby: This all depends on how long I will be in the hospital because I think with a C-section you have to stay one or maybe two nights longer than if you were to have a natural birth. That being said I packed baby girl 6 (yes I know, pretty extreme) outfits with matching headbands. A pair of newborn size shoes (so adorable). A mini minky blanket from her Auntie. A few more "over-the-top-headbands" just because. Her going home beanie that I may or may not put on her depending on what the weather is like. Same goes for the violet blanket, crochet done by yours truley. I also packed a couple handmade burp cloths that were given to me that are just so precious. Some things I will probably add after my baby shower like some newborn socks or maybe some more headbands to choose from...haha.

May 29th

That's the day..

The day I will have my daughter..

Of course if everything goes according to this new plan..

If you didn't read what the latest is on my pregnancy you can either just scroll down or click here.

My doctor finally called me back yesterday afternoon and we discussed how she didn't feel it was a great idea to have me schedule my cesarean until June due to the fact that her feet are down and the bigger she grows the more likely she could kick and break my water. I have my next visit scheduled for May 23rd and we'll check to see if by some chance she's flipped and then we'll go from there to talk about what my precautions are for labor since she could be a little acrobat and go right back up. On the chance that she's still in a breech position, we'll keep my scheduled cesarean for the 29th. Then once the 29th comes, they'll check me that morning to see if she's made her way down. If she has, I'll be induced and if not everything will go according to the plan of surgery.

The positives of having a scheduled C-section
1. I can PLAN everything up until then.
2. No awful contractions.
3. Longer maternity leave.
4. No..umm..stitching..down there..
5. (maybe) the 6 week no sex rule won't apply
6. I can stay in the hospital longer..that means nurses waiting on me hand and foot (hopefully) ::the obvious downside to that is being away from my first baby :( but I'm sure it will be harder for me than it will be for him::

Although I really wanted to have a June baby (just like me) I realize that I need to let that go and pray that everything goes wonderfully. I'm trying to stay positive and I am looking forward to meeting my baby girl..

20 days.. the countdown begins

Pregnancy Update

Today I had my 37 week prenatal appointment. Everything went smooth in the beginning as it always does. Checked in. Gave my urine sample to check for normal protein. Called back by the M.A. BP was great (120/73) Weight..ehh ok..I'm pregnant, so not a number I like but my gain is still very good. My appointment was just to check if I had dilated any more than my last visit (last monday). My doctor came in, we chatted a bit about after care, birth control, any of my concerns, and basically just caught up from the last time I saw her. (I've been seeing her Nurse Practitioner for my last three appointments or so.) I lied down so she could measure me and check baby's heart rate. By this time princess was moving all around. Her heart rate checked in the low 200's. Not good. My doctor said she would give me a stress test after we were finished with the visit just to make sure she was alright. (My nerves started rocking) She then checks to see my labor progress and she corrected my previous reading by letting me know I was more like 1 maybe 1 1/2 cm dilated.

Then..she tells me she thinks my little sweetheart is breeched. (Legs down). She leaves the room for a quick second and is back with an ultrasound machine. Sure enough. Her head is at the top of my tummy. (OH NO! I want to cry) She again checks her heartrate and everything checks out normal. She must like doing her gymnastics in the morning.

We then talk about my options.

Option number one:: I can schedule a cesarean for when I reach term and if by chance she turns down on her own then I will just be induced to have her vaginally.

Option number two:: I can go in tomorrow morning for a version. Where the doctor hooks me up to an IV and tries to manually (by pressing on my belly) move the baby to turn down. There are some risks by doing this. There is a small percentage that my water could break, there's a small percentage that the umbillical cord will become pressurized, a small percentage that my placenta will tear, severe cramps, heavy bleeding (pretty much there's a chance for things to go bad). All of which if they happen will cause me to have an emergency cesarean. However, if sucessful then I will deliver vaginally whenever she decides to come.

It always seems like when you're in the doctor's office you're questions and concerns leave your head. You can't think clearly when you have just been told this type of news.

What to do..what to do..

I went ahead and scheduled to check in at labor and delivery for the version and if later in the day changed my mind, I could always call and cancel. I want so badly to deliver her the way I'm supposed to. I want my body to listen to what my mind wants. I want my baby to understand and flip on her own so I don't have to go through this crazyness. I want all my fears and concerns to leave my heart and just have everything go as planned.

After talking with my husband (who would support any decision I made), my sister (who's advice I hold very dear), my mom (who brought up very great points), my mother-in-law (who consoled my concerns), and a doctor who I work with who is an ex-obstitrician (who set my mind at ease and made my decision more clear), I knew what I wanted to do.

I went ahead and canceled my version for tomorrow morning. I didn't want there to be any risk for my little one. A c-section is not on my list as it is, so to think that I could possibly have emergency surgery..NO THANK YOU! 

I emailed my doctor to call me so we can schedule my cesarean. In my message, I mentioned how I would like to schedule it as far from my due date as they would allow, to give her as much time to turn on her own as possible. I have yet to hear from her but my next appointment is on May 23 so if I don't talk to her before then, we'll discuss it at that visit.

bigger concerns:: I'M SCARED!! 

When my doctor told me that she was in a breech position I cannot even begin to explain my feelings. It's not supposed to happen like this. This is not how I planned it. I know that this isn't the end of the world but surgery scares the day lights out of me. I've delivered a baby before, I know what to expect. I know how it goes down and to think that I don't know what could happen is beyond my comfort zone.

I know that worse things could happen and I shouldn't complain. However I can get my daughter out allowing both her and I to be healthy, I'm all for it. It just is unsettling to know that when you become pregnant, you think that after 12 weeks you have the green light. Things will run smooth from here on out. What you don't think of is how you have absolutely no idea what goes on inside your belly. Scary stuff. You think your baby is in the safest place and there's no danger. But the reality of it is YOU. DON'T. KNOW.

So for now I will try to think positively. Not focus on what my future delivery could be like. I will talk to my baby girl into flipping for momma and see if that works. I WILL relax more, so I don't cause unnecessary stress to her.

I just want a happy, healthy, beautiful daughter, delivery and recovery.

Day 2 of maternity leave

WOW so I thought for sure I'd be able to update my blog everyday since I've been on leave (haha even though this is my second day, I meant to squeeze in a blog yesterday for sure). Nope.

Let me tell you what we did. Well..Monday night I was super excited that I wouldn't have to wake up at my usual early time to get ready for work so I decided to be a rebel and stay up until almost MIDNIGHT! (I know I know I'm really pushing the envelope)

Anyway on Tuesday morning Nicolas decided at 6am it was time to start the day...OH MY!

I thought against making some coffee because I had an overwhelming high on the fact that I was able to clean my house from top to bottom ALL DAY

and I did just that! It felt sooooo good!

I did make sure to take Nicolas outside to play for a bit in between my obsessive cleaning sessions.

By the time my husband came home the entire house was clean, laundry was done, and dinner was served!
I'm sure he could get used to this! (as could I)

Sooo today...

Nicolas did decide to sleep in a little longer (thank goodness..but that was only because when I woke up having to use the bathroom at 2:30am he was awake playing with the mini motorcycle he took with him to bed) 8am is when we both rolled out of bed..AHHHHHH

I needed to go to Target for a few things so we took a shower, got ready and headed out. I also stopped at Once Upon a Child to sell a few baby items that I wasn't able to sell at my mom's garage sale this past weekend. (I was just lugging them in my trunk, because I knew that if they went back in my garage they'd probably stay there for a few months before even being touched!)

playing at Once Upon a Child while I waited for my $$!

Then back to our cozy home so munchkin could take his nap because MAN was he ready for it! After he woke up we paid a trip to my Aunt's house to drop off her birthday card.

We had a great two days so far and I'm excited to see what this summer brings..(a baby obviously but I mean all our activities..)