The Bump Update- 23 Weeks

These updates are running about a week behind but, alas, so am I.  The bump pictured here is 23 weeks.

My care is about the same, going less frequently for IV fluids is causing my blood pressure to dip quite a bit.  I normally carry very low blood pressure even while not pregnant but lately it's been hovering around 70/45. Not much can be done about this, it's certainly a better problem to have than high blood pressure so I'm not complaining.  I've upped the sodium in my diet and I'm trying to stay fairly active for as long as my hips permit.  Aside from the "floating" spots occasionally in my vision, the biggest hurdle has been fighting the energy slumps it can cause.  I have a midwife appointment this Friday and I have a feeling coming back in for more frequent IV therapy may be brought up in order to counter the low blood pressure symptoms, so we'll see.  Otherwise, I'm carrying the same as I did with Isabelle, basketball style which later turns into beach ball style!  My belly button is barely there.  When I was pregnant with Isabelle I had a co worker who called it my "headlight" so once it finally pops it's pretty apparent to everyone.  This pregnancy is varying from Isabelle's in that Fiona is head up still so a lot of her big movements are very low and sometimes can't be felt on the outside because they are happening in my pelvis.

My other growing baby toddler *sniffle* has officially graduated to 4t sized clothing.  Isabelle and I spent an entire day this week cleaning out her dresser drawers and closet of all the 2t clothing to make room for the brand new 4t wardrobe taking it's place.  What can I say, we grow 'em big!  We take her to the local kid's castle and I understand the fear other parent's have letting their small 2 year old play with our very sturdy 2 year old.  Bless her heart, she wants playmates but her size leaves other parents afraid she'll mow their kids over (never intentionally).  Thankfully my best friend has a son 3 weeks younger than Isabelle but he's also a rather large 2 year old and built even more hardy than our girl, so those play dates are perfect.

Daddy has been working so hard on the house trying to finish up some projects before our "true" winter hits and Fiona arrives.  The downstairs is almost done and looks like it belongs to a completely different house.  The girl's bedrooms are also getting makeovers and the goal this weekend is to make a dent there.  My next post will probably be the grand update on all of these household changes. Stay tuned.

Our Weekend Together: Pumpkin Patches and Street Fairs

Fiona had a cozy wiggly weekend, we did lots of walking and I felt quiet a few flips (which is great because she was head up at our last ultrasound). 22 weeks and 5 days in this picture.

October is a time of pumpkin picking, decorating, and street fairs!  My personal favorite being the street fairs.  It felt a bit odd this year not having a booth but it was so nice to just stroll and actually shop.  The weather today was divine, 72 degrees and breezy. (Made all of the walking waddling a lot more enjoyable).  Tomorrow we'll be enjoying yet another craft fair, weather permitting.

Baby punkins were her favorite.  Anything "baby" seems to be the winning ticket these days.

We have been renovating in an attempt to get some projects done before winter and Fiona's arrival.  And if you're not familiar with renovating your home, when you start working on one room the construction mess trickles into other areas of the house.  We are currently at a stand still as we wait for new window treatments to arrive and to finish all of the trim work painting.  Because of the halted status of the house we are definitely making an effort to escape the chaos.

Wishing you a blessed weekend with loved ones!

Holy Moly It's October! [20 and 21 weeks]

It's really hitting home today, we woke up and the house is still dark and any trace of early summer mornings are gone.  The windows in this old house are allowing the damp fall air to radiate through the glass, it's raining and cold outside.  I'm extremely sore but Isabelle is up and ready to get started on breakfast.  We shuffle downstairs.  Daddy remembered to start the heat before he left for work this morning and it instantly feels toasty when we round the corner, I send him a mental thank you.  Isabelle asks for oatmeal and in the kitchen she notices the floor is cool to her feet.  I see a can of pumpkin and I'm already pulling the ingredients from the cupboards to make pumpkin pie.  After I wake up a little bit this will be a fun project for us.  I pour my large morning glass of cold milk (I've never liked coffee), grab her now warm bowl of oatmeal and she's racing me to the couch.  We sit together and she asks for "covers" and snuggles in close to eat.

Well, hello October.  It's fall.  And as this always growing toddler reminds me daily, time isn't slowing down for us.  The nudging girl in my belly is growing at what seems like a quick pace as well.  Yesterday marked 22 weeks and it really is just rolling along.

20 weeks

21 weeks

The status of my care and symptoms for HG are the same but an old nemesis has decided to rear it's ugly head a little earlier for this pregnancy: SPD. (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction).  Basically my pelvic joints separate and it's horribly painful.  Some poor women are bed or chair bound by this, luckily for me I just can't raise my own legs past a certain point.  With Isabelle I didn't start to have symptoms until I was closer to the third trimester, but as with most things in subsequent pregnancies, things happen a little sooner.  My pregnancy waddle depends on how my hips are feeling that day but my movements these days definitely resemble those of a penguin.  A sleep aid has been added to the regimen, and as with Isabelle, I'm doing all I can to avoid pain medication.  I've already ordered a hip support belt and I'm hoping it works wonders (I just figure if I can avoid all things caffeine, etc. it's odd to muck it up with pain pills).

Isabelle is talking to her baby sister and at night time she's added Fiona into her bed time prayers.  She's very enthusiastic about her arrival and we are really trying to nurture that.  This little growing family of ours is really starting to take hold in all of our hearts. <3

You Know You're Parenting a Toddler When:

Toddlers, such amazing little sponges that fill your home with such joy.  They are sweet, demanding, adorable, hilarious little people who's little souls are just bubbling over with their own individual personality.  Yet, they are still young enough to be completely uninhibited and also share precious moments of their literal toddler logic.

They are heart stealers, once they've got you, you're hooked.  This little girl of mine is so amazing and along with parenting her, I have picked up a few realizations about raising a toddler.  Her are just a few gems...

You know you're parenting a toddler when:

• Using the restroom with the door closed is a luxury.
• Taking a shower by yourself is just so lonely.
• You realize just how big your boobs are when your little laundry helper decides to wear your bra.  (salad bowls... literally salad bowls).
• You start to see the many purposes of household things.  Oh you think that's just  an empty paper towel roll?  Wrong, it's a telescope and now we're pirates.
• "Eww Mommy!  What's this???"  And you actually hold out your hand...
• You've cupped your hands together to catch throw up.
• I'm a napkin/tissue.  You get very used to the sly toddler coming into hug-slash-nose-wipe.
• Any two similar objects can be in love.  "Look Momma, the punkins (pumpkins) are in looove"
• Things come in three sizes: Daddy, Mommy, and Baby.
• Toddler logic dictates that if you're in love - you're married.  And if you're married - there is a Daddy, Mommy, and Baby. Obviously.
• They pick up your art of distraction.  I can see the thought process: Uh-oh.  I'm in trouble.  Quick something cute...something cute.... "Look Momma, I'm a bunny!"  complete with hops and nose wiggling.
• They inadvertently tattle on you.  At the doctor's office yesterday: The nurse dropped a jar of cotton balls, *hands on her cheeks* "Oh my goodness gracious! What a mess!"
• We're eating the same thing, but it's tastes so much better off of my plate.
• One of my favorite things:  Exaggerated accents.  She sounds like such a little southern country bumpkin, it's awesome.
• Toys have feelings.  "Mommy you stepped on Mickey! Kiss it all better"  And yes, I will kiss him and give my sincerest apology.
• Kissing boo-boos really does make it all better.
• Tea party time is sacred.
• Having full conversations with other toys or imaginary people on a play phone.
• Daddy can be a princess too.
• You always have a little helper.  The time frame you had in mind to finish the task at hand may be extended, but it's hard to resist such enthusiasm to put dishes away.

Enjoy your little people today!

It's A Girl! and HG Pregnancy Diary Update

Simmons baby #2 is a confirmed female!

Fiona Noel Simmons is perfect and healthy and slated to come into the world around February 4th!

Up until this coming week I will have received 2 liters of IV fluids twice a week, but after the ultrasound today the game plan is changing to only coming once a week!  Thanks to testing negative for key tones for a week and a half and not losing any more weight (I haven't gained any weight, which they aren't thrilled about but it's a move in the right direction that I'm not losing weight), my midwife decided I could step down on the fluid therapy.  I'll have an appointment at the beginning of the week and if I get in trouble during the week I can have an unscheduled visit to help get me caught up.

 All of my medications are staying the same, they really are helping.  Sometimes there isn't any amount of intervention that stop me from getting sick but I'm doing as well as I am because of the medication so I really can't complain.  I took the glucose test already, only this time I did the fasting blood test instead of the drink and my levels were perfect.

I am measuring further along than I actually am but our due date is staying the same because we have a family history of making large babies.  (Ten pounders... yikes).

During the ultrasound (anatomy scan) Fiona measured right around one pound, the midwife and the ultrasound tech agreed that she's on par to be a healthy and large baby.  That gives my heart such peace.  Some days I can feel like I'm wasting away and it's so comforting to know that she's healthy and growing as she should.

All praise to God for this miracle.  Staying so humble knowing His hand is in all things.

"This is the child for which I was praying, and Yahweh has granted me what I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

19 weeks going to a WVU football game

19 weeks and 5 days and getting ready to head out the door to the WVU vs. JMU game.  Daddy and Muffin can both feel the baby move very well.  Our daughter's excitement about feeling the baby move was pretty hilarious, she's talking to the baby a lot now.  I'm feeling tons of movement but it's very different from what I felt for our daughter, she was a ninja in training while in the womb and this baby is more of a dancer.  I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions but nothing uncomfortable, they have started much earlier for this pregnancy.  The day this posts I'll be 20 weeks!!!  We have hit the half way mark!  Friday we have our 20 week anatomy scan and as long as this little munchkin cooperates we'll find out the gender!  I'm predicting another healthy sized babe simply because I'll feel movements under my ribs and then moments later feel some tap dancing very low. I'll do a full care update/rundown after we have our ultrasound on Friday.

On to the weekend events:

My husband grew up in West Virginia, and is a die hard WVU fan.  (If you've ever met a West Virginian, they are all die hard WVU fans and if you marry one, you'll become a fan too.  Love is a crazy thing ;-) ).  So naturally, we (all four of us) got dressed in our WVU best and went to the game against JMU at the Redskins stadium.

We stopped at Fridays for some chocolate milk and mozzarella sticks.

  

Go Mountaineers!

My sweet husband was practically beaming with pride that his family was dressed and cheering for his team.  We all had a great time, but we did learn the lesson that we need to adjust our tactics for college football games .  It was hard navigating through the rowdy intoxicated college kids.  But once seated everything was wonderful, the biggest hassle was actually getting in the stadium.  Baby girl had an awesome time, she loved that she didn't have to control the volume of her voice and really got into cheering.  She entertained an adorable elderly couple that sat in front of us, they just couldn't believe that she knew the cheers.  Corey took full credit for that.

The Not So Terrible Twos

Despite our best efforts, this bubbly smiling kid:

Isn't always smiling.  They have a very popular nickname for her age group, "the terrible twos."

I personally don't think they are terrible.  Yes, they are taxing and inconvenient for me at times but I wouldn't say she's ever been terrible.

But it's not about me.  It's about her.  Her growth in understanding and interpreting situations.  Her world of communication is broadening rapidly and it can be a  roller coaster for a youngster to try and keep up while keeping emotions in check.

I should put it out there that we are peaceful parenting enthusiasts and although this is not about peaceful parenting, I believe that it does come into play.

I know that some people look at me like I'm strange when my daughter gets frustrated at the crayon that won't fit in her pocket leading her to toss it in frustration and start to cry.  I get the odd looks because my reaction isn't to swat her bottom or her hand for throwing a crayon and I certainly won't speak to her harshly because she's crying.  Crying is permitted in this house.  I'll tell her that we shouldn't throw things but I don't bark at her.  I know she's frustrated, and it's a completely valid emotion!  She is allowed to feel frustrated, confused, etc. and being a toddler she doesn't yet have the tools to process these emotions and it comes out in what is often referred to as a tantrum.  My job is to nurture her growing personality and teach her the tools to process these very new, very big feelings, and I personally don't feel that reacting with anger or with strict militant authority is the way for me to do it.  I'll hug her while she's upset, tell her I understand she's upset and it's okay to feel that way.  Usually she'll get out a good little crying session, sometimes while snuggled on my shoulder and other times she prefers to work out her tears on her own.  Once she's calm (the amount of time that takes varies) I'll ask her to please pick up, in this scenario the crayon, and she'll pick it up and 50% of the time she'll issue an apology without any coaxing.

Now, before you think we're push overs, time outs exist in our household.  Aggression or bully behavior are not permitted in this house. Period.  When these occasions do happen we speak in a firm lower tone of voice and thus far it's an instant attention grabber.

In our house how we deal with this age is where parenting meets mothering(nurturing).  We prefer to nurture rather than "train".