17 weeks with #2

How far along? 17+
How big is baby?Average size: 5.1 inches, 5.9 oz. An onion!  Good thing Baby F doesn't smell like one!

What is baby doing this week? thebump.com says that Baby F's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

What is going on in mama? Babyzone.com says that daily, your body's changing inside and out to accommodate your baby-to-be. As your skin stretches, your breasts and abdomen may become itchy. Your baby bump will begin to change your posture so that your back may ache.(Good thing I get adjusted every other day!!!)
 Inside your body, your stomach is getting more cramped, sometimes leading to heartburn, indigestion, and flatulence. You may also notice mood swings as pregnancy hormones continue to play with your emotions.


Symptoms: Flatulence is a big one!  Sheesh!

Total weight gain: N/A

Exercise: I have stopped getting up at 3:30am on work days.  Not because I can't, but because my body needs the sleep instead.  I am using weights/bands 4 times a week and trying to get in 15-20 miles of running.

Maternity clothes: I am wearing dresses to work and lounge clothes at home.

Sleep: Weird and crazy dreams, but sleeping ok!

Best Interesting moment last week: A patient of the office who JUST noticed I was pregnant yesterday, asked when I was due and then proceeded to ask if I was having twins!!  Um.....

Movement: Some times I think it is a flutter, but could be gas! I felt Ava's flutters for sure at 18 weeks, so it could be very soon!

Cravings: None really besides healthy foods. My GIGANTIC appetite has slowed a bit.

 Belly Button in or out: Still in! Although, getting more shallow.

What I miss: The only thing I miss is being able to work out balls to the wall and feel great after a good sweaty, exhausting workout.

What I am looking forward to: Our church consignment sale this weekend, to buy cheap baby things.  Neutral of course until next week!

Milestones: None that I know this week.

How is daddy? Very supportive in my emotional breakdowns.

We find out the sex March 7th!!  1 week from today!!!!!

16 weeks update(week late)

How far along?16


How big is baby? Avocado.  Our little guacamole is 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces.

What is baby doing this week? According to Baby Center, get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length.  His/her legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. (And if this is your first baby, don't be too impatient — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so.) The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.


Symptoms:""Growing pains" or Round ligament pain has been pretty consistent.


Total weight gain: N/A!!

Exercise: Still able to run 30 miles a week, but I am no longer worrying about time frame and just doing what my body needs.
Doing weights and exercise bands about 4 days per week also.

Maternity clothes: No turning back!

Sleep: Good nights and tossing and turning nights.  Although, I've been waking up feeling like I've been hit by a train.

Best moment last week: We needed to move our Gender ultrasound to later in the day, so it would be easier for Clint to leave the job site.  We got it moved 5 days sooner!  March 7th!

Movement:  No, but I am anticipating the "flutters" that should be coming any time.

Food cravings: Still salads with light ranch, croutons, and cheese.

What I miss: Not getting our of breathe so easy some times!

What I am looking forward to:  Buying more maternity pants! And feeling the "flutters".
Milestones: Having to retire jeans.

How is daddy? The best husband and daddy in my world!

Mid week happenings

Hey there!! I took some time off from blogging for no other reason than laziness! Just to be honest! I did post belly pictures on Tuesday  here if you want to go see!

Tuesday, I got up and ran an easy 6 miles before getting ready for the busy day ahead!

First up, check up for little Bear.

Waiting in the waiting room!  Good thing we didn't have to wait long because my bladder needed relief.

Ava watching me get my blood pressure checked.

Everything went great.  Pretty good weight gain, but my doc knows I'm running a lot and eating healthy. Little Bear is putting on the pounds on his/her mama!

We made the gender ultrasound for March 12th at 19 weeks!!

Next up!

Yep, Trader Joe's. My awesome bosses gave us a $50 gift card for Christmas and I couldn't wait until we were out of protein for me to stock up! I put that gift card to great use with chicken, ground turkey, turkey bacon, pork chops, frozen waffles, Zbars for Ava, and some probitics!

Ava was so excited to get stickers from the check out lady!

Next stop, Aldi!

If you don't have one around you, you are missing out!!

Obviously it is a fun place!!

Supper was homemade pizza bites and salads! Loving salads with light ranch and croutons these days!

My morning snack yesterday, courtesy of my awesome husband. He makes a blender full every day before he heads to work!  Honestly, it takes him 5 minutes,but if he didn't do it, then I wouldn't have them.

I'm getting plenty of good fruits in veggies for me and little Bear.

Today, Thursday, I got up and ran another easy 6 miles before we headed out to clean the office.  Ava fell asleep on the way home, so housework took a backseat while I held her and read some on my Kindle.  Not passing up an opportunity like that! No siree!!

We were meeting Clint's dad for supper and meeting Clint after work before.

Bath time.

Think she has enought toys?

Target

And my fave Panera Bread!!

Have a great Friday!!

See ya soon!

Carwash to a turkey

Monday, Monday!  My alarm went off this morning and I had no idea I went back to sleep until Clint's alarm went off an hour later.  I missed my chance to run, but I did probably need a day off from it.  I did get my 3000 club workout in, 70 pushups, 50 burpees, 2x25 hydrants and 2x20 donkey kicks. 

This weekend was very relaxing and great with Clint and Ava.  Saturday I got up and ran 7 miles and then we had breakfast and headed to the grocery store for a few things.
We desperately needed to run the Murano through the carwash!  It is white, but it was on the verge of being a gray vehicle.

Not so sure about this, mama!

You could visual see the water turn a yucky brown color. 

This was past due!

The rest of Saturday, we lounged around for a bit and then I got to straightening the house. 

I got up Sunday morning and had an easy 4 mile run before doing some prep work for lunch and getting ready for church.

Each Sunday after church, my family rotates house to eat lunch and this Sunday was our turn.

We had bought an extra turkey around Thanksgiving because they are ridiculously cheap.  We put it in the deep freezer for a rainy day. 

Yesterday for lunch was the perfect time!

With the turkey, Clint and I made dressing, Annie's mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and for dessert was

Trisha Yearwood's

Easy Peach Cobbler

This was a keeper!  I will double the recipe next time, but it was just enough to satisfiy the family without any leftovers for my pregnant self to nibble on!

The rest of Sunday involved laying around, reading, watching the Green Lantern and eating leftovers for supper. 

I hope y'alls weekend was great!

See ya soon!

Cleaning and Balloon game

Hey there y'all!!  Yesterday was a good day for us!  I got up and had my coffee and a piece of toast and let that settle before I hopped on the treadmill.  I knocked out 8.25 miles(6 pee breaks interspersed! Thank God for a treadmill!) I did my 3000 club exercises of 60 pushups, 60 burpees(these are getting harder, not easier) and 200 crunches.

Ava woke up and I got her breakfast and settled while I started cleaning the house some.  A little bit later, I NEEDED a shower, so I took one and then ran Ava some bath water and then I folded some laundry while I watched her.

I cleaned the house, played with Ava, cleaned the house, played with Ava!  We only had to run one errand yesterday to pick up Pekka some dog food and then we were right back home. 

When Clint and Ava decorated the house for my birthday last week, we still have balloons around the house.  Let me tell ya, I don't care how old you are, but when there is a balloon being knocked around the room, you HAVE to hit it and try to keep it off the floor!  We had SO much fun playing "balloon" yesterday between cleaning the house. 

I had put one of the balloons up while Pekka was in the house for a bit because, well he attacks them and they pop! 

Ava tried to reach it, but couldn't and then she looked at me and said, "I'll use my seat!" I had to document this!

Seat is in place.

Ava is in place to reach up to get it.

Almost got it.

SUCCESS!!!

Clint got home and since the house was clean by then I could lounge on the couch with my favorite people!

Yogurt snack time for this girl!

Supper was one of my FAVORITES!

Homemade Hamburger Helper from Kristin over at Iowa Girl Eats.
You will NEVER use the box again!!!  Believe me!!!

Well, time to get to working!

See ya soon!

Hockey and last of the birthday!

Another week y'all!  I know some are off work today and some aren't.  I am not.  We are working today.  It is totally ok with me, because I only work at my job three days a week anyway!

Let's update ya on the weekend happenings.  It was a busy one! 
I got up Saturday morning and ran 8 miles and then did my 3000 club exercises.
We slowly got ready and had breakfast and then headed off for family grocery shopping.  We made it 2 weeks without shopping and I was proud of us for that.  Talk about having to be creative for meals!

We restocked the fridge and pantry for $135 and were under budget! Whoohoo!

We came home and took a little siesta before the rest of our busy day.

My bosses gave us a gift card to Cantina Laredo like 6 months ago, so we decided to cash it in!

The food was really good!!!! 

We started off with chips and salsa and table side guacamole!

So good!

I ordered 2 cheese, spinach and mushroom enchiladas and Clint had Carne Asada.  Ava of course, picked from our plates.

Waiting on the check, they were putting a puzzle together!

Love these two peas in a pod!

We parked across the river to walk across the bridge to the arena for
OPENING HOCKEY night!!  They have been on a lockout and the season started on Saturday night.

Hockey time in Nashville or Smashville during hockey season!

First Intermission picture!

Second intermission picture!

They lost in a shootout, but we are just glad they are back playing!

Sunday, I got up and did an easy 4 miles and then my 3000 club exercises.

I made a French toast casserole for our Sunday school class.  I didn't try any because we had to substitute teach for Ava's 2 year old class, but everyone said it was great.  There was only one little corner piece left, so it must've been tasty.

We went to lunch at my parent's to celebrate my birthday with my extended family!  We had hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings! So good!

Ava was mesmerized by all of the candles!

We literally lounged the rest of the day.

Great weekend in my opinion!!

Talk to ya soon!!!

31 years

Happy Friday!

I started my day off right by getting up and running a good 3 miles and then doing my 3000 club exercises:

40 pushups, 40 burpees, 150 crunches. 

Breakfast was oats, 2 egg whites and a tablespoon of natural peanut butter that I took to the office!

Yesterday was my 31st Birthday and I couldn't have planned it better!!

Let me back up to Wednesday night though.

While I was at work, Clint and Ava were busy bees. 

I walked up the stairs leading to the house in the garage and saw signs made and taped up by the door!

Aww so sweet!

I walked in and was welcomed to

A "Happy Birthday" sign,

pink and zebra balloons and streamers.

I was so surprised!!

Then I look at the table and they had made quiche, breakfast casserole AND a Lemon Chess pie!

I was overwhelmed!!!  It was the best surprise!!!

Yesterday morning, I got up after Clint left for work and went to go make coffee.

He had scattered sweet notes and words of affirmation ALL over the house!!

Best husband ever!

I had my coffee and started some laundry, cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen (that doesn't stop even if it is your birthday!).

Ava woke up around that time, so I got her settled with some leftover casserole and Cinderella and then I went to get on the treadmill. 

Only to find a new workout band and another note from Clint.

After I finished, I just kind of sat and took it all in. 

I turned 31 years old, am 11.5 weeks pregnant, and ran 8 miles with an 8:54min mile average. 

I was pretty dog-gone proud of myself!!

I showered and ate a late breakfast and then we played with dolls and I combed and braided Rapunzel's hair.  I loved every minute of playing dolls with Ava!

We got ready and headed to visit my parents before we were to go meet Clint when he got off of work.

I RARELY buy donuts. Like EVER!  I love them, don't get me wrong and there are NONE better than Krispy Kreme. 

Well my mom got me a dozen Chocolate covered Creme filled ones for my birthday!  If you have  Krispy Kreme close, you should go soon and try those OR get one right off the line!!

We met Clint and headed to Opry Mills mall, so I could shop!  Hello, talk about fun!!!

Old Nacy had this cute picnic table the kids could color on, so we had to leave our mark!

I got some good stuff at a few stores and then we saw it.....

The Carousel!

Me nor Ava have ever ridden one so we HAD to do it today!

Ava LOVED it!!!  She even got a horse stamp after and kept staring at it on her hand!

We went to a couple more stores and then I was starving!!

Good thing the restaurant we were going to was in the mall!

Great Mexican food without the greasy plate!

Clint had the special(can't remember what it was), I had a grilled chicken salad with avocado, there were a couple of baskets of chips and some salsa in there too.  Ava picked from our plates.

We were too stuffed for dessert, plus we ate an earlier than usual supper.

Clint brought up my "birthday cake" to the bonus room. Ava had fell asleep on the way home so she was on my chest sleeping.

Perfection! 

I only ate one!  But it was the best donut ever!!

My birthday was one for the books!  I couldn't have planned it better! 

Now for the day after birthday blues, haha. Kidding!!  Nothing at ALL to be blue about!

Have a great weekend and I'll talk soon!

Shopping, shopping, shopping

Hey!

Good morning on this hump day!!

Yesterday was a good day for us!

I got up and ran 7.25 miles before Ava woke up! 

She slept until 8:15, which is SUPER late for her!

I got her breakfast and got us both ready for a day of shopping with my mama!

My birthday is tomorrow...the big 31, so I asked my mama if we could just go shop together since I wasn't sure what I wanted.  The drawback of having a birthday 3 weeks after Christmas when you get so much for Christmas!

It wasn't a draw back though!!  I got what I wanted and needed although I won't GET it until tomorrow on my birthday. 

We went to The Shoe Dept to look for some boots.

There was this really neat kid game/time consumer at The Shoe Dept and while my mama looked for her some shoes, Ava and I played on this thingy.

 

Our next stop was next door to Cato.  I love strip mall shopping

First round of bags!

My prissy daughter walking the aisle!

We headed to Kohl's last and finished up some good shopping there.  Kimber Ava's buddy for the trip got to ride in the stroller seat while she stood on the front end. 

(no toddlers were hurt in this stunt!)

The weather channels were calling for some ice and freezing rain, so we cut our trip early without LUNCH and my mom dropped us off.  I was starving when we when got home, so I made a quick lunch of tuna, chips, broccoli and mixed sour cream and salsa for a dip.

It hit the spot.

Clint got hom shortly after and we caught up on Revenge and Grey's Anatomy(so sad) from last week and then he worked out while I did my 3000 club exercises!

Supper was simple and good!

Grilled boneless pork chops

Baked sweet potato for me, regular potato for Clint

green beans

Bath time and more relaxing ended the night!

I did get up this morning and ran 3 miles and did my 3000 club exercises:

50 pushups, 35 burpees, 200 crunches

(all before 5am)!!

I feel so accomplished and proud of myself when I do that!!

Well, of to get some work done!

Have a great day and I'll see ya soon!

(p.s. My birthday is TOMORROW!!! YAY!)

Hockey and pancakes

Monday yuck!

Last week we were having unreal weather in January of temperatures in the high 60's/low 70's.

Today, it is only getting up to mid 30's! 

Talk about a slap of cold wind!! 

Our weekend was a good one!  I got up and ran 6.5 miles before breakfast and getting ready.  We had big plans! 

If you live under a rock OR don't follow NHL hockey, they finally agreed on a contract and ended the lockout!  Saturday was an open skate and the team's first unofficial "practice".

Waiting on the players to come out.

They would skate out one at a time. 

We were this close!!

After that we came home and Ava and I took a nap before we headed up to my best friend's mom's house for football and chili.

The girls ran around and played and we chatted, watched football and ate amazing chili and brats!  I love chili though!  I could eat it in winter or summer!

Sunday morning I got up and did another 6 mile run and my 3000 club:

 200 crunches, 40 burpees, 40 pushups

We got ready and headed out to church.

Another battery charging for the soul!!

It was pouring down rain, but we managed to go to Longhorn Steakhouse with my family and had a good lunch.

Since it was a rainy afternoon, we all napped!  Good stuff people!

Laundry, house cleaning and some more lounging happened before supper.

Pancakes were on the menu! 

Yum!  You can't go wrong with pancakes!!

I took this morning off of running, since I've ran 6 days in a row, but I did do my 3000 club of 125 crunches, 40 pushups and 35 burpees.  Still trudging along doing those at 11 weeks pregnant!!  Love it!!

Have a great Monday!

See ya soon!