To Vada Belle, on your second birthday

My little firecracker. You are a walking force of attitude, humor, and facial expressions. People comment often on how much personality you have without ever having met you or spoken to you. They have no idea. You are more determined than most 30 year olds and have the most independence that far surpasses your two years. On the flip side, you make everyone who knows you crack up with your sarcastic facial expressions and general goofiness. Daddy and I think you may perform on SNL one day, a deadly combination of humor, beauty, and don't mess with me attitude. As hard as it is to parent you some days, I know that one day in the future these will be a blessing as no one will be able to persuade you away from what you want. You have become a total Daddy's girl despite your ability to make him more frustrated than anyone else can. You wake up in the night calling for him and ask every single morning where he is on days he works.
You love to share food, but not toys. You are the best mommy to all of your babies which are by far your favorite play thing. You love to wear rain boots, and not much else, and can go from fully clothed to naked faster than I can turn around. You are potty trained, but don't like to tell us when you go, asking us to leave you alone and saying you can do it yourself. Your absolute favorite food is ice cream with cherry tomatoes a close second.  You have already started stringing together letters of the alphabet and singing the words to Jesus Loves Me. You and Lucy are beyond close and just this morning you woke up and climbed in bed with her before coming to look for me. I know becoming a big sister in a few weeks will be a big adjustment for you but I am fully confident you will embrace it fully. You already talk to your baby sister and give her kisses and try to feed her through my belly button. You ask me if she's kicking and reserve toys you know she will like to play with.
Your vocabulary is absolutely insane for your age and you interact with people like you are twice the age you are. I think that is why Daddy and I didn't have such a hard time with you turning two because you already act far older. We are not pushing you to grow up though because the rare times you do sit still you are such a loving little thing. I still get to rock you to sleep for naps but bed time is reserved for daddy and you always like to point out the book that you and daddy read the night before.
You are such a joy in our lives, Vada Belle, and we consider it an honor to be your parents. Watching you everyday, there is never a dull moment and we live for the next laugh or display of attitude. You are going to conquer the world, and we will be there with you, just trying to keep you clothed.

34 Weeks

I was trying to come up with a clever title for this post but nothing worked. Yes, I have already completed 34 weeks of this pregnancy and only have 6ish more to go. But seriously, SIX MORE! I am convinced this little woman will be late but also have in the back of my mind that both Lucy and Vada came early so maybe I don't have another six full weeks. We are in full blown pregnancy symptom mode over here. Horrendous heartburn for the first time ever, waddling when I walk, rib pain, hip pain, pressure, exhaustion, clothes fitting one day and not the next, etc. It is so easy to get down on myself and what little I can accomplish anymore but I still feel absolutely blessed to be carrying another little girl. This little lady gets the hiccups several times a day, stretches those limbs out on both sides of my belly at once, and I am pretty sure is packing on the pounds rather quickly. James and I both feel like we can really feel a little body instead of just movement. I still love feeling her move around and I can't help but picture the way things will be as a family of 5. I have a few things left to do before her arrival, wash the car seat, assemble the swing, pack our bag, but I am holding off until September so I feel like we still have things to do besides wait. Lucy is already giving people instructions on what is acceptable around the baby and has told me where she will go when the time comes to deliver. Vada has really started showing more interest and will kiss my belly and say hi baby, as well as try to feed her things through my belly button. Baby girl has no idea what she is in for... more attention, love, touching, and general lack of personal space that any baby has ever seen. And I cannot wait for it all.

The Big 3-0

There are baby girl and I right at the 30 week mark. In the background, a ready and waiting crib. In the past few weeks, we have gotten a lot of things checked off the "before baby" list. Big things like move Vada to a big girl bed, check! Rearrange the upstairs to make room for the crib and dresser, check! Potty train Vada, check! The last big amazon order came in last week to finish off the changing pad, crib, and bath tub. Her clothes are washed, folded, and put away. And now we wait.

I don't think anyone is as anxious for Miss Hunter's arrival than Lucy. She asks every, single day if the baby is going to come out today. Last week she said, "It takes so long. I don't want to wait anymore." Yes, I hear you Lu. Vada has finally started making some acknowledgements of the baby and will lay down and kiss my belly throughout the day. Thankfully, baby and I are both healthy and growing and got the news last week that she is head down and in proper positioning for her eventual exit. Although the third trimester has brought with it total exhaustion, I am happy to say that in general I feel pretty good. At this point with Vada I was making weekly chiropractor visits and not exercising at all. This time around, no chiropractor and up until a week ago, was still practicing pilates. The contractions rage on daily and her movements are getting more and more frequent and strong, to put it nicely. She has a fairly predictable schedule of being awake when the girls are sleeping, usually at nap time and always after they are in bed.

James is preparing for baby girl much like he did for the other two, by starting a huge home project. With Lucy, he began her nursery at around 34 weeks, by ripping out all the drywall in the room and starting fresh. With Vada, it was our bedroom with the same process at 30 weeks. This time, he demolished the old garage at 29 weeks and is working on beginning construction of a new one. Nesting is a funny thing.

The mom guilt is really starting to press in hard as I get larger and have less and less energy, especially in this heat. Playing outside most days is just not an option unless we do early mornings or late evenings. I am trying to keep us booked with play dates, library events, and as many chances to be in water as possible. The girls start swim lessons in two weeks and I am so excited for this opportunity for them, as well as the chance to be in a pool at least once a week! Vacation is in three weeks and we are all anxious for a week at the beach. Both girls love the beach and I am so looking forward to the simple entertainment it will provide us all. Trying to give the girls opportunities to enjoy summer and the last few weeks as a family of 4 is a huge priority these days.

I have set a few personal goals for the last ten-ish weeks of this pregnancy since most other preparations are done. I really want to enjoy this time. I think it is a blessing in disguise to be due at the end of summer so I can still do things with the girls through September without worrying about a baby being in the heat. I am trying to embrace not being able to do my hair because of hot flashes and wearing a bikini without worrying about what my stomach looks like. I always thought I would be uncomfortable wearing a bikini while hugely pregnant but pulling a one piece up over this belly is far more uncomfortable. I love when James rubs my belly and all the "interesting" questions Lucy can come up with about delivery ("can I help the midwife catch the baby when it comes out of your v_____?") I am finding joy in the little things, like finding a ring I can wear as a wedding band, a pair of shorts that actually fit, and this recipe for salted caramel ice cream.

So close, yet so far away.

Catching Up

It has been awhile since I have stopped to take stock of where our family currently is. I am missing spending quality time with friends lately and just catching up to know what is going on in their lives and sharing what is happening in ours. Plus, I always love going back and reading what the girls were doing or getting in to at certain points. So, in my mind I'm having a little date with a best friend I am missing and filling them in. Grab a cup of coffee, as for me, Talenti Salted Caramel Gelato it is.

Last weekend we had the most beautiful baby sprinkle held for our family. The outpouring of love, support and excitement over baby girl was indescribable. Not to mention all the ways the girls were included in the party and getting some new little things of their own. Obviously James and I are over the moon excited to meet our next daughter but seeing our family and closest friends share in that joy left me speechless.

Speaking of little miss, we are currently 27.5 weeks deep, into the third trimester. I honestly thought this pregnancy would fly by. It's not. The weeks are slowly creeping by and I cannot let myself think about the fact that we still have 3 more months. I think we have both hit a growth spurt in the last couple of weeks and I know feel like there is an actual baby body in my belly that does not appreciate her big sisters leaning on her. She is most active at night and likes to turn her back/bum out to make one side of my belly super hard and uncomfortable. I have been having Braxton hicks contractions every day and sometimes they stop me in my tracks to breathe through. Yet, I still look forward to going through labor and delivery again. I am having the strongest nesting needs even though we will not be doing a nursery for this little lady.

I have been on a serious no-meat kick and luckily our overflowing abundance of fresh vegetables is making preparing meals around that easy for me. It's nice to get out of the usual groove of meals and start experimenting with new foods and recipes. Last night was sweet potato, black bean burritos which were delicious in my book. That and rainbow chard fritters have been my favorite concoctions lately.

I have really started delving into the world of preschool at home for the girls. Lucy is showing a ton of interest in letters and numbers so there has been a lot of researching going on. Since she will not be attending preschool in the fall, I am putting a lot of responsibility on myself to make sure she is getting what she needs and wants from me. With baby girl due in September, I am trying to get a handle on what a daily activity/ lesson plan may look like. I am adopting a lot of Montessori principles and activities because I have seen success with those in the past with her. Vada is starting to notice color and identify animals so I will be doing some different things with her as well. The amazon wish list is filling up! Arranging swim lessons is next up on the to-do list.

Lucy is turning into such a little girl lately, no more baby in her. She will get her own breakfast, dress herself, brush her teeth, and tell everyone else what to do in the meantime. Her knack for directions is uncanny and she picks up on every little detail of any situation. Her memory is insane and she will ask me things about stuff we did last year or longer with surprising detail. She could not be more excited about her baby sisters arrival and telling me what she plans to do and teach her. She is wise beyond her years and has the most joy around her friends and family that, although overwhelming at times, is contagious.

Vada is a tiny tornado. She is rough and tumble, never sits still, and moves a million miles a minute. She is talking up a storm and has no problem telling you what she needs or when she has been wronged. Mornings have been rough for her lately but after nap she is happy as can be. She is a total goofball and loves to make people laugh. She is obsessed with baby dolls and does a surprisingly good job of taking care of them. She is now dressing herself too and has been potty trained for over about two months. She still loves to be held and loved by her Mama but has become more and more of a Daddy's girl as she gets older. Every morning she asks if he is home and anytime she hears the door she screams "Daddy's home!" Seeing her interact with her smaller cousins makes me think she may not have as hard of an adjustment to being a big sister as we fear. She is only one month away from her 2nd birthday which she refuses to talk about.

 

As June draws to an end we have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks, hopefully making time pass quickly. We had an impromptu beach day last week and the whole family is itching for our beach vacation the first week of August. Counting down the days until we are a family of 5...

Me and My Girl

It finally feels real. 23 weeks deep and I am so in love with this little lady. Something in the last couple of weeks has finally clicked and I am now picturing the baby girl growing inside my belly. Her movement has really picked up which is no less amazing this time around than the first. James feels her move almost every night and Lucy got to feel a kick while I was rocking her one day. She has asked to feel it again every day since. She also comes up to me throughout the day and puts her hand on my belly and says, "I love her."
We decided on her name and I am so afraid of blurting it out when I am around our family and friends because she already seems to be THAT. Picking up an outfit here or there and choosing swings, bedding and blankets... she is on her way.
A friend of ours took some maternity photos for us last weekend. They turned out beautifully and although some will not be shared, I could not help but get tears in my eyes as I saw how this baby is changing my body. I absolutely love being pregnant, despite the swelling, discomfort, and inability to get dressed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love you little one.

 

 

This Man turns 28

Happy Birthday, you stud you

Half way to meeting our little lady

Little Miss Hunter, our third beautiful baby girl. Thanks for being so cooperative during the ultrasound. You must have really wanted to let us know who you were. You checked out perfectly and surprised no one with being a little lady. Hopefully, your low heart rate and general lack of movement mean you are taking a little more after your mama and daddy than your two older sisters. A relaxed, laid back baby would be a welcome change, sweets. So, we had a little party on your behalf with your grandparents and some of your cousins and aunt and uncle. When I really think about it, it is kind of weird to have a party about someone's lady parts. First and last my dear. I am having fun looking for some clothes for you that are not obnoxiously girly. I have about had my fill of neon pink baby clothes. We bought you a few things over the weekend and I am getting excited to see you in them. My favorite purchase, as with your sisters, was your baby blanket. I put a lot of thought into those, for some reason, so I hope you like it as much as Daddy and I do. You really are pretty easy on Mama for the most part these days. I have had to stop worrying about how little you move in there and just enjoy only being punched and climbed on from the outside for now. The midwives let me know I have an anterior placenta so that is acting like a cushion between you and my belly. You went almost two weeks only moving a handful of times that I could feel but I am trusting you are growing well. I know one thing, you are making me TIRED. Good gracious, I think you would be happy if all I did was sleep. I am sleeping plenty at night but I am dragging through every day lately. Daddy says I look out of it 90% of the time lately. The only other thing I can contribute to you is my need for spicy food, which cannot be satisfied. I don't know what to give you to turn this off but I am not even phased lately by the spiciest of foods Daddy and I can come up with. You also are demanding I eat vegetables but not much else. Bowls full of broccoli? Really? This is definitely the first time in my life I have to remember to eat enough. Your sisters are becoming more and more interested in you as my belly grows, Lucy especially. She talks to you and about you everyday and is eagerly awaiting the day you give her a good kick. Mama is feeling an immense amount of responsibility as the reality of having three little women is settling in. Trying to be the best example of what a woman, wife and mother should be is a daily challenge to me as I know you all will be watching me to learn both what to do and what not to do. From the clothes I wear to the words I choose I am constantly on observation by three of the most important people in my life. I know I am shaping you into who you will be even as you are growing in my belly and I both fear and anticipate continuing to do so as you and your sisters grow. You are loved, you are loved, you are loved little one. I will be dreaming of you until I see your precious face.