Still Pregnant. . .

I'm still pregnant. . .hence no new updates. Its okay since I was able to make it through Isaac's wedding last night (which Nate was in) and am still planning on working through next week if Peyton doesn't come earlier!

Reflecting back on this pregnancy versus my pregnancy with Parker brings up very significant differences such as:
-I gained 45 pounds with Parker and maybe 30 pounds this time around.
-I had major swelling and high blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy with Parker and none really to speak of this time (except for a day or two of mild swelling, and my blood pressure has stayed really low)
-I craved McDonalds and anything spicy (like jalapenos) with Parker. This time I can't handle spicy food due to horrific acid reflux! Its so bad this time that I can only sleep on my left side all night long, regardless of when I have last eaten, and have to pop antacids all day! Ugh...
-I was forced to stop working/be on mild best rest three weeks before my due date with Parker, and am still going strong and plan on working another week with 12 days to my due date with Peyton.
-Nate thinks I have complained more this time around, but in realty is has been such an easier pregnancy. The main difference being that I am tired and can't just lounge and do nothing like I could with Parker. I am still carrying Parker around at this stage and he weighs nearly 43 pounds!
-No stretch marks either time!

The 38th Week

The 38th week. . .

I was 1 cm and 50% effaced at my 37 week appointment last week. I experienced a lot of cramping and back pain and a couple rounds of Braxton Hicks contractions. My next appointment is Tuesday, so we're hoping for some progress by then!

Nate thinks she could come on our anniversary(July 20th), and interestingly I am having more contractions today.

We'll post an update when we go to the hospital-whenever that may be!

My new diaper bag!

http://www.childhoodbliss.com/zoom.cfm?id=2133

Computer, Contractions and Cold Play!

-We finally got our computer back after 6 or 7 weeks and two trips up to HP. Woohoo!

-I started having pretty strong Braxton Hicks contractions on Wednesday evening. I never had them with Parker! Maybe Peyton will be early?! We are hoping that this is a good sign that my uterus is working like it should so I can have a successful VBAC.

-We are going to the Cold Play concert tonight with friends! Should be amazing. . . .

Updates

Wow-its been over two months since we've blogged! Our computer has been out of commission so we haven't had much access to internet and blogging.

Here is a brief run-down of the last few months and what we've been up to:

1. I, Jess, am now 8 months pregnant. Hard to believe that Peyton will be joining us in no time. I haven't had nearly the weight gain that I had with Parker, but my belly is certainly looks ready to explode. I'm starting to get the comments that I'd rather not hear. I'm fine with our little one arriving a bit early, but not too soon!

2. We've managed to get Parker's new big boy room ready and him adjusted into a twin bed without any trouble at all. He loves his new room and was so excited to move into it that it made the transition super easy. Peyton's room is painted and we have everything ready to go aside from hanging the curtains and artwork etc. Thats okay because she'll be sleeping in her bassinet and moses basket for the first couple of months anyhow!

3. Nate and I spent 6 days in Arizona, without Parker, back in May. Unfortunately it rained most of our trip, but it was good to get away as it will be awhile before are able to do that again!
4. We've had some fun weekends, including my baby shower with out-of-town family here for the occasion, Joe's high school graduation, a day at Cannon Beach, a wedding, and pretty much packed weekends for the next three weeks/until Peyton is due that include a Cold Play Concert, Isaac's wedding (Nate's best friend), my 10 year high school reunion, and our 6th wedding anniversary.

I'll post pics of the kids' new rooms and my belly later this week!

Family Photo Preview

Sunday in the Pearl (and other updates)

First of all, I have been soooo bad at blogging lately! We realized that we have hardly been taking any pictures of Parker over the past few months. However, the sunshine seemed to turn that around. We spent Sunday afternoon exploring one of our favorite Portland places in sunny weather-the Pearl! We got our favorite bubble tea drinks from the Tea Zone (which Parker also loves), played in the fountain for awhile, took a long exploration/walk through the Pearl streets and into the Tanner Springs park, where Parker loved the stream and bridge. It was a glorious afternoon! Its seriously amazing what an affect the sunshine has on Portlanders, including ourselves!!

In other news, I am almost 23 weeks pregnant, but I look and feel further along! Its hard to believe that Peyton will be here in just a few months, but also hard to fathom how I have months to go when I am already so huge! People thought I was big with Parker, but I am already larger at this same stage with Peyton! I've been working at State Farm with Nate for just over 2 months now, and have been enjoying every minute of it. Its challenging, fun, and always different, which is exactly what I need. I am working 4 days a week, which is perfect as I get an extra day each week to spend time with P.

Parker has loved going to Gigi's while mommy and daddy work, where recently he spends two days with my best friend from middle/high school's little baby girl. Its great practice for him! The other day he was talking about the baby in my belly and I reminded him that its his little sister. He then said that he wants to be a sister too:)

Parker is 90% toilet trained. He has been fully potty trained for about 2 month (all we had to do was stop using pull-ups and he started going on the toilet every time vs a few months ago it was inconsistent). #2 is what we are still working on. He has moments where he has no problem going, but other times where he totally does not want to poop on the pot. We're getting there, and are just grateful that he is almost completely trained at not even 2 1/2 as a boy! I was having horrible thoughts of it taking forever, as I've heard boys can be more difficult, but overall he has proved us wrong. He even has many dry nights where he holds it until morning!

He is talking up a storm. His favorite things is to pretend/use his imagination to come up with some of the most hillarious scenarios. Monsters, dinosaurs, bears, bugs. . .its neverending. Each day he makes up crack up with the funny things he says and does. The other day he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I love you; you're my little boy". (He sometimes mixes up "you" and "me")

Nate is focused on work, as always. He doesn't give himself much time to do other things, but got to go to 6 of the NCAA basketball tournament games here in Portland a few weekends ago with Michael and just celebrated his 29th birthday. He was very happy to learn the great news of little Peyton on his birthday. He hopes to get a daddy's girl since I have my mommy's boy;)

We're excited to head to Arizona in May (just the two of us) to get a little R&R in before Peyton's arrival. Sadly, Grammy and Boomps won't be there anymore, but we are looking forward to the peace and warm weather!

We'll be better about regular blogging and pictures now that the weather is improving and we'll be out more. Until then. . .