Day Ten with the Kiddos

Berta got the boys to school this morning and brought Nesia to the house.  I had my appointment with Dr. Mac early this morning and am so tired!  Nesia was exhausted when she got to the house, but we still snacked and played in the floor.  Well, she plays in the floor and I direct from my chair.  I'm always afraid that I won't be able to get up without help!

She was very tired and didn't fight when I sat her in the pack-and-play to rest.  She just sat in there for a little bit and went to sleep.

Liz came over to work on table centerpieces for my upcoming baby shower.

When Sia woke up, she did not understand why she couldn't eat the jelly beans.  She was less than thrilled and was not happy with us!  She kept wanting Liz to hold her thinking that she's get some candy that way.  Once Liz left to get H from mother's day out, we made us a sandwich. 

I sat down in the floor with her and we had a picnic in the living room.  Funny story... I had stacked my sandwich on my plate and actually accused the baby of taking part of my lunch and  hiding it.  It was too funny.  I was on the phone with Sheri searching for my missing sandwich that was actually right in front of me.  It was one of those moments where you just had to be there!

Soon enough it was time to load up and go get the boys from school.  Sia fell asleep right before we got to the middle school.  She didn't get a good afternoon nap in before the boys were loud in the car and woke her up.  We got to church to help with dinner and I had lots of help watching her.

Once the boys were out of their classes we headed home to The Farm.  We put Nesia in her pack and play and she finally fell asleep.  We all set up talking while they alternated getting their showers.  They think I'm hilarious now.  I'll keep our topic of conversation private for the embarassment it would cause all of us!  It was nice to have a quiet and fun night once we were home. 

April 17th Appointment

Great appointment with Dr. Mac today!

I am super happy to report that Miss Elliana is HEAD DOWN!  

She was in a breech position at our last appointment and I had a feeling that she had moved in the past few days.  We had/have plenty of time still, but I'm so happy that she's in her delivery position!  No wonder I've been going to the potty more frequently.  (Nesia enjoys it because she likes to flush the potty!)  My blood pressure was good and both the nurse and Dr. Mac are happy with my weight gain.  I mentioned the increasing pain from carpal tunnel syndrome and he told me that it would only get worse until the end of the pregnancy.  I may invest in a brace to wear on my right hand throughout the day since it hurts the worst.  Buckling Nesia in her car seat is painful and I can barely chop/cut anything.

Dr. Mac looked at my belly and legs and said that I'm swollen but it's nothing to worry about.  He doesn't feel I'm at risk for preeclampsia so that was great!  My fundal height was 35 weeks which is perfect because I'm 34 weeks 4 days today.

I had written down questions to ask the doctor, but most of them had to do with Elliana not turning so I felt there was no need to worry about that for now.  He felt comfortable scheduling my next appointment for 2 weeks out.  We had originally planned on weekly appointments from here, but I'm glad that we're not there yet.  It makes me feel like I still have more "time."  My next appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1.  From then I will be seen weekly and "checked" as well.  He will do my Group B Strep Test at the next appointment too.

I can't believe we're almost a month away from our due date now!

God is Good

Day Nine with the Kiddos

I barely slept last night!  My anxiety level was through the roof and I couldn't rest.

I got up out of bed around 5 am and started picking up all of my stuff.  The boys got up at normal time, got ready, and all piled into the van.  Paul fell asleep on the ride to school and the others were pretty quiet.  Nesia was not happy to be up so early!  Luke did apologize about me having to drive them to school and that helped me feel much better.

After dropping the boys off, Nesia and I drove back to my house.

We had some breakfast and played until it was naptime.  She kept fighting sleep because she was so tired.  I ended up putting her in the bed with me and she fell right asleep.  We both needed a quick nap!  We then got ready to meet Liz and H at Chick-fil-A for some lunch and playdate. 

Sia went up to the top of the play place this time but never came down the slide.  She let me know when she was ready to come home because she started crying when she couldn't figure out how to come down.  She passed out in the car on the way home!  She slept for almost three hours!  CourtCourt was super excited because I got to sleep too.

Nesia loves to help with the laundry!

Silas had another baseball game, so Tim picked up the boys to take care of dinner and that.  I had washed all of Silas's baseball stuff and packed it up at my house, but I had forgotten his red belt.  I felt so terrible!  These pregnancy hormones are crazy and I was crying because he was upset.

We had cookies!

Berta came over to watch Nesia so I could go to the baseball game.  The boys won and it was nice to get out of the house to talk to other adults!  Berta took ALL of the kids back to The Farm and I got a free and quiet night at my house to sleep. 

Day Eight with the Kiddos

Tim (boys' Dad) kept all three boys last night and took them to school this morning.  It was nice to be able to spend the night at home with Brandon since he's going to be gone until Thursday.  He woke up around 3 am to get showered and ready to leave the house to drive to the Birmingham Airport.  To say that I cried after he left is an understatement.  I sobbed!  I never like it when he travels, but this time just felt so different.  After crying for about 45 minutes while watching last night's episode of MadMen I finally calmed down.  Somewhere around 5 am I fell back asleep.  My phone woke me up around 7:30 reminding me about Silas's ball game tonight.

I came out of my room and Nesia was awake just laying there in the pack-n-play.  There's no greater feeling that having two tiny arms reach up to you first thing in the morning.  It did help since I was missing Brandon again.  We got a new diaper and a cup of milk and watched the news together.  It didn't take long until she was ready to pull out ALL of the toys and start playing.  Somewhere around 9:30 am she started getting fussy.  She fought taking a nap hard, but stayed snuggled in my lap for over 30 minutes.  I laid her down in the pack-n-play and she smiled at me before going to sleep.  My level of exhaustion is high right now, but seeing that smile made it all worth it!

We played and hung out around the house all day until it was lunch time.  We met Dad at Zaxby's to get out of the house.  She calls him "Pops" and it's so cute to hear say.  She fell asleep on the way home for her afternoon nap.

Tim picked up the boys after school since Silas had a baseball game.  They all went to dinner together and headed to the ball park.  He dropped the boys off at my house once the game finished.  We loaded up in the van to head back out to The Farm. 

Sounds like a boring Monday, right?  Silas and Paul were already inside and I was trying to get my bags and Nesia inside the house.  Luke mentioned that I needed to sign a piece of paper for him.  He also told me that I needed to drive him to school in the morning.  I was very confused.  He had gotten in trouble on the bus for the third time and was suspended from riding the school bus for two days.  Seriously?!?  I didn't even know what to say.  I was so upset because that meant I would have to wake Nesia up super early to get all of the boys out the door and in the van.  Luke had known all afternoon about not being able to ride the bus and didn't tell anyone!  CourtCourt was less than pleased.

Again, Joy and her family live out on a farm.  They're on well water.  To add to our Monday night excitement....  I had requested for Paul to take a shower first before bedtime so he could help me get Sia to sleep.  Well that didn't pan out and Silas and Luke took their showers first.  When Paul went to shower, the water wasn't working!  It was already late and he tried to go outside and see what was going on, but he couldn't tell.  Poor guy had to go to bed without a shower. 

Monday was not a good day at all.  I missed Brandon terribly and it just seemed like everything was going wrong.

Baby Pool

I thought it would be fun to start a baby pool.  There are many women at church having babies (all girls), but I'm the only one having their first child.  It's even funnier that we're all due in the same week of May!  I have a feeling that they all might go into labor a little ahead of me, but my actual due date is before a few of them.

Dad still is convinced that Elliana will arrive before her due date.  I've heard the same from some others in my family as well.  I know that first time mom's often deliver closer to their due date or even after.  I just thought it would be fun to see what everyone's thinking and I could share it with baby girl when she's older!  I chose to use What's In My Belly? to host the pool because it was easy to use and FREE!

Click the link to take part in the pool!  If it doesn't link directly, you can search by our last name, Boyington, or pool number 896.

Elliana's Baby Pool

Days Six and Seven with the Kiddos

Day Six

I definitely needed a quick break from watching the kids.  If I wasn't pregnant I'm sure I would have been able to push through.

I woke up for about three hours in the middle of the night early Saturday morning and watched the season premiere of MadMen and ate a super early breakfast.  I was able to go back to sleep and woke up around 8ish.  I got on Facebook and saw my neighbor's picture of doughnuts and decided that's just what we needed for breakfast.

I commented on her picture and her little girl walked down to the house with a doughnut just for me!

After that we went to WalMart to buy a new vacuum cleaner.  Ours had died weeks ago and we had put off purchasing a new one.

Once we were back home Brandon cut the grass and I laid out in the back yard.  It was such a beautiful day!

I can't believe I'm posting this picture but y'all have all seen my belly!

Logan likes to lay out with me.

I made us club sandwiches for lunch.  They were yummy!

Brandon working in the yard

Day Seven

On Sunday we got up and went to church like normal.  Everyone kept asking where Nesia was!  We had to stay through the second service to keep the kids in the nursery before we could grab lunch and come home.

We both napped until I had to get up to go to LIFE for Bible Study.  I picked up Nesia from her grandparents on the way home and Brandon cooked dinner.

Sia is such a good eater!  She had macaroni and cheese and chicken for dinner.  Then Uncle B spoiled her with cookies and ice cream.  

Sia was glad to see her Uncle B.  Please disregard my sad plant in the background.  It seriously needs some love and TLC!

Brandon is leaving for Las Vegas in the morning, so he was happy to get to hold her and rock her to sleep.

I joked with him about missing Sia more than me!  They rocked much longer than needed for her to go to sleep, but I know that Brandon was soaking in some extra time with her since he won't be home until late Thursday night

Day Five with the Kiddos

Day Five!

Since Berta kept all of the kids last night, I was able to get in bed early and relax.  I needed that.

I couldn't sleep in this morning because I've gotten so used to waking up to make sure the boys get up and get ready for the school bus.  The best part about this morning was getting to take a shower and brush my teeth!  I knew that it's no easy task being a stay-at-home-mom, but I was not prepared at all!  By the time Berta showed up with Nesia this morning I had already gotten cleaned up and done some housework.

Too funny!

Trying to sneak up on CourtCourt

She loves the popper!

Sia woke up early this morning so I knew that we would be scheduled for an early nap program.  Brandon needed his expense report faxed so we played for a little while and then got out of the house to take care of his stuff.  We also stopped in a new store in Calera that monograms and Sia liked all of the pretty jewelry and clothes.  She fell asleep on the way back to the house and slept until lunchtime.

For the first time this week, I decided to nap while she was napping.  I only got about 30 minutes in, but it was just what I needed!

Brandon had said earlier that he would take us on a lunch date, so we went to Zaxby's.  We had a coupon for a free kid's meal and Sia was super excited to have her own food and cup.  Since it was a "date" and Friday we let her have Sprite.  Her eyes lit up at the first sip and she kept her cup in her hand throughout lunchtime.

Watching Uncle B tear her food into bite sized pieces

She didn't spill a drop of her drink!  

Once we were home I decided that we would go outside for a bit.  It wasn't as warm today, but it felt great in the sunshine.  Nesia absolutely loves Logan and followed him all over the yard!  I also got some beautiful pictures of her in my flowerbed.

She keeps calling him Max because that's their dog's name

Logan definitely keeps her entertained!

I've been keeping up with Joy's 8-hour time difference and knew that she would be getting on her phone soon.  We chatted on Facebook for a few minutes and they we were finally able to FaceTime.  It was a little confusing for little girl, but at the end of the call, Sia kissed Mommy on the iPad screen.

I had left us just enough time to make it to the bus stop to pick up the boys.  Nesia had that tired look in her eyes and fell asleep!

Time Lapse of about 2 minutes!

I texted Paul to make sure the boys would quietly get into the van and not disturb her.  Once we got to the house she woke up but was in a good mood.  After putting away laundry and packing bags for a weekend visit with the grandparents we were ready to head to the ball park.  On a sidenote, I think it's hilarious how children never really "look" for missing items.  I cannot tell you how long we searched for Silas's baseball pants.  He was distraught and I was ready to call Brandon and send him to buy another pair.  Paul came to the rescue and found them exactly where they were supposed to be.  I tackled Silas tickling and kissing him (which totally embarassed him) telling him to put on his baseball stuff before we misplaced it again!

Silas up to bat

Sweet girl with her PawPaw

Brandon met us at the ball park and then the grandparents arrived as well.  We all watched Silas's game- which they WON 20-3.  When it was time to go I didn't know if I was sad or relieved to have a few days free from the kiddos.  Once we were home I had no idea what to do with  myself.  We both miss Nesia, especially me!  I've been with her every night with the exception of Thursday this week.  My pregnancy hormones are in overdrive and I can't believe how much I miss that little girl right now!

34 Weeks and Bumpdate

How many weeks:
34 Weeks

How big is Ellie:
The size of a butternut squash

Maternity Clothes:
Before Joy left she found some of her maternity clothes before leaving on her trip and a few items fit.  Also, Tiffany found some shirts and a dress that fit as well.  It's been nice to add a few new items to my closet!

Weight Gain Alert!
161 lbs
Gained this week:  1 lb
Total weight gain:  38 lbs

Movement:
I still feel Elliana getting the hicuups after I've eaten.  She is also very active when I'm around Nesia or any other children.

Food Cravings:
Guacamole and Pink Lemonade

Food Aversions:
Not much.

My Current Eating Pattern:
Some days I'm hungry and some days I'm not.  I try to stay hydrated on the days that I don't feel like eating.

Symptoms:
fatigue, emotional, weepiness, frequent urination (especially at night), carpel tunnel syndrome, swollen and pain in hands at night, swollen feet, pregnancy brain, anxiety, nesting, acid reflux, indigestion, tender breasts, colostrum leakage, tingly hands and feet

Stretch Mark Alert!
The ones on my tushie are still there and growing.  BUT I have seen evidence of some developing on my upper stomach.  They're small, but I'm not too worried about them.  I've used all of the lotions throughout the pregnancy, but knew that my Mom had stretchmarks too (they're supposedly hereditary).

Sleep:
It's becoming more difficult to get comfortable.  My belly is big and heavy and it takes many pillows for support to sleep well.  Ellie also kicks the bed often during the night.

What do I miss:
Sleeping well.

Best moment of the week:
Getting to lay out in the back yard enjoying the beautiful weather.

Worst moment of the week:
Feeling tired and overwhelmed with the kids (but I've made it so far!)

What am I looking forward to:
Drawing near to the end of the pregnancy.

Milestones:
We're so close to the end of this pregnancy and meeting out daughter!

"Elliana is almost 5 lbs now and may be close to 20 inches in height.  Her finger nails have also most likely reached the tip of her fingers now."
from What to Expect When You're Expecting

Bumpdate

Day Four with the Kiddos

On to day four!

This tells you that I'm losing my mind and pregnancy brain is in full effect.  As I packed the car yesterday afternoon, I had EVERYTHING but my personal bag.  Brandon stayed out here last night and I realized I was missing my bag when it was time to go to bed.  With minimal tears, Brandon assured me that he would wake up early and go get my bag from home and put gas in the van.

Brandon left The Farm before the boys were up this morning.  After the boys were off on the bus, Nesia woke up.  She typically sleeps much longer so I was shocked.  Once Braherndon came back she was excited to see him.  She was attached to his hip until he had to leave to drive back home to start his work day. Much to my surprise, there were no tears.  She didn't play too long before she got sleepy and went down for a nap.  Now this is funny, but I love country music.  I don't want to sit around with the TV on all day so I usually have music playing.  Little girl has enjoyed singing and dancing with CourtCourt!  I hope Joy isn't too disappointed that I've had her youngest swaying to old country music!!

She got tired and ended up crawling into my lap for an early morning nap.  So sweet.

Of course our state was on the lookout for severe weather.  My plan was to load up and let Sia have a play date with one of the other little girls at church.  Oh well.  It took long enough, but they decided to close the school that the boys attend at noon. 

She's absolutely adorable!

Once the boys were home from school we loaded up and came to my house.

Luke and Silas played on the Xbox, Paul was glued to his phone (what's new with teenagers?), and Sia played with all of the toys we have here at my house.

My view from the recliner watching the boys play games on the Xbox

It wasn't long before Berta showed up and we all just hung out waiting for the worst of the weather to pass.

Sia fell asleep with Uncle B before heading back to The Farm

Berta took ALL of the kids back to The Farm and it was the first true break I've had since Monday.  Wow! I didn't know what to do with myself.  I took a hot shower and then we ate fast food for dinner.  By 8 pm I was in bed watching my recorded shows.  I can definitely sympathize with other stay-at-home-moms now.

I've greatly enjoyed taking care of the kids so far, but it's hard work and I'm feeling bigger and more tired each day!