And we're back! Introducing our little addition...

After having Carmen it took me a while to get back to knitting, blogging, and the things I do for fun.  I was hoping that this time after having Maria, it wouldn't take me so long to get back but boy was I mistaken!  Having a toddler and a newborn keeps you busy...but I'll get to that soon enough.  The past 3 month hiatus from the blog has been full of things I have wanted to share with my readers but I just haven't had a chance to write it all down.  I have written many posts in my head and hope to be able to get most of it out on here soon.  Bare with me as I find a way to organize my thoughts and posts into something semi-coherent!

My main trouble with coming back was where do I start?  I've sat down to write several times and I just end up with a blank page, time passing, and ending up frustrated.  So much I want to share but no real plan...so first thing first a plan!  I've started to work on organizing my weekly posts so that I have a plan for the week and set goals.  I am not going to share it all with you now but just look for that soon!  Next was what should be my first post?  After some thought, I figured let's start with pictures!!  So I'm going to post 3 picture heavy posts to get all the cuteness I have locked up in my iPhone onto the blog to share with you in pictures our life the last 3 months.  Then we'll get back to words.

And so it' begins...since I'm sure most of you, who aren't friends with me on Facebook or follow me on instagram or twitter, are eager to meet the new addition to the Barknknit family...we are going to start with pictures of our newest member!

Welcome Miss Maria Anne!  She arrived at 5:50 am on March 26th and weighed 7lbs 11oz.  She is so precious and such a cuddle bug! You'll hear more about her birth and her in future posts but she is growing fast!! Much faster than I can keep track of!

Our first picture with Maria!

more pictures...

All I can say is I can't get enough of her! Hope you enjoyed these pictures! Happy Blogging!!!

I challenge you to pick a favorite picture of Maria from her first 3 months?  I know I can't!  There are too many great ones!

Baby Bump: 32 week Update!

Week: 32 weeks and 2 days
Weight gain: 40 lbs so far...so...if you are keeping track that's 4 lbs in 2 weeks...guess she had another growth spurt!
Baby's sex: Another Team PINK!

Baby's name: The name has been decided but Special K wants to wait until the birth to announce this time.
Sleep: oh sleep...how I miss being able to go to sleep and sleep all night.  Lately my trouble has been having to wake up to roll over and can I tell you the pains I feel while rolling over are enough to wake the dead!  I try not to make any sounds when I roll over and wake up Special K but sometimes it happens. :(  I've been going to be earlier to make up for the waking up in the middle of the night...that seems to help but I'm still exhausted!!
Movements: Still lots of movements! I can tell they are different now that she is losing more of her room in there but she is still moving a ton!  Love it all!
Labor Signs:  None.
Maternity Clothes: I've been all about comfort!  Still loving the Blanqi support tank! I still wear a couple non-maternity t-shirts and I've started to wear some of SK's t-shirts because they are comfy and cover the belly.
Big Sister Carmen: She is doing great!!  I hope she stays healthy like she has been!  She's been so silly lately and learning new things EVERY day!  She's been reading, singing, kissing, and hugging the baby still and it's so adorable! Love how good she is with her dolls and really hope that she is as great with her baby sister.

Past couple weeks: As I mentioned 2 weeks ago...even though I was having aches, pains, and such I was still feeling overall ok...now I'm counting down.  Exhaustion has hit and it's been a struggle staying awake throughout the day.  I'm just getting closer and closer to being done.  I'm focusing my thoughts on the prize here but I'm pretty ready to be done with being pregnant.  I know I have at least 6-8 weeks left but I have a feeling it's not going to be a super easy road.

I visited the chiro last week and he couldn't really adjust me much, he did recommend getting prenatal massages for my overworked muscles through his office every week the remainder of my pregnancy which is COVERED under my insurance!  He said I could start with 2 so naturally this week I had my first one on Monday and scheduled one for Friday too!! The first one was amazing and while it helped my hips and legs feel SO much better...it couldn't take all the pains away.  It did help enough that I'm all for going twice a week for this week and next week and then I'll go once a week until I deliver!  The lady was great and helpful!  Gave me some things that Special K can do too!
Doctor's Visit: Today's apt was with one of the doctor's I usually say is my least favorite BUT today I really liked her.  She was nicer than she's been in a while.  She also said some supportive things this time and not the usually comments that come out of her. :)  She asked me how I was doing and pretty much said that all looks good and that my pains are normal...which all the doctors have said but I still mention them because they are there.   I had a little scare with really low blood pressure last week but she said that is ok and that it's nothing to be concerned about.  My blood pressure was normal today and she said I've run low a couple times but nothing too low.  She said if I start feeling faint then they need to know but otherwise not to worry.  She also said my iron levels were great, which surprised me since I've been so exhausted.
When she measured my belly, it's measuring 34 weeks!  She said that it's fine to measure a couple weeks bigger or smaller but if the measurement increases then they will want to do an ultrasound to guess weight.  CGR always measured about a week smaller and she was 7lbs 4 oz when born 2 days late...so the doctor said be prepared for this baby to be bigger.  The doctor and I both agreed the ultrasound guess weight wouldn't change my plan to wait until I'm in labor and try to go natural like I planned last time.  I'm open to the epidural(which I got after 14 hrs of labor with CGR and no progression past 3cm in that time) but I don't plan to have it unless I feel I need it then.  While she's not my favorite doctor, she knows that I don't want to be induced and will only ok being induced if it's medically necessary or if I'm still not in labor 10 days after my due date.
That being said...I do plan to start doing everything in my power to naturally encourage this baby to come out starting March 23rd!   My sisters will all be off work/school that following week on spring break and I think it's a great time for this girl to join the family!  Now...last time I swore CGR would be early since I had braxton hicks for over a month before she was born...but that girl held on!  So, I won't really be surprised if it's April 9th and I'm still pregnant.  Like everyone says, it's all in this baby's hands and only God knows when this baby is to be born...hope they are both listening!
Next Doctor's Visit: Feb 27th is the next OB apt.  Massage apts have been scheduled for Feb 15th, 18th, and 22nd. :)
Looking forward to: The massages!!  Oh they are so fantabulous!  I'm also looking forward to getting closer to my due date.  I've been trying not to rush the last weeks of Carmen being an only child but I often ponder what it will actually be like when the new baby is in our lives.
Todos: Same as 2 weeks ago...since nothing got done! Sort through Carmen's current drawers and remove any clothes she no longer fits into. BIG things that have to be done soon are to find and clean the cover on the co-sleeper/pack-n-play and the carseat.  Look into getting a rock n play sleeper and a Baby K'tan.
Overall, I'm still feeling good.  Getting more and more ready to have a baby in our lives and not be pregnant but I'll make it there.  Just need to take it one day at a time and focus on the end goal. :)

I posted the following picture on Facebook 2 weeks ago but I wanted to post here too...this is a comparison of my 2 pregnancies.  The left is CGR at 30 weeks and the right is Baby Rush #2 at 30 weeks...I can't get over how different they are!

Thanks for reading another baby bump update!!

Happy Wednesday!  

Anyone have any guesses on my delivery date?  I've given you as much info as I know...we can start putting out our guesses now. :)

Baby Bump: 28 week update!

Week: 28 weeks 2 days
Weight gain: 33 lbs so far...this girl is growing!!
Baby's sex: Another Team PINK!
Baby's name: The name has been decided but Special K wants to wait until the birth to announce this time.
Sleep: This has been touch and go.  I still need to update you all on the crazy that happened last week but let's just say for over a week no one in the house slept through the night completely.  Two nights ago was the first time we could and I kept waking up anyway.  Hoping to get more comfortable again and be able to sleep but with the way this little girl is growing...I'm not going to hold my breath!
Movements: She moves all the time!  She's starting to lose a lot of her extra room so I can feel that the kicks are different but she is competing with her sister for the prize of best soccer player in womb! :)
Labor Signs:  None.
Maternity Clothes: I've been all about comfort!  Still loving the Blanqi support tank and sporting the work out pants but it's comfy and that's all that matters to me!

Big Sister Carmen: She had a bit of a scare last week that I'll talk about in another post...but she is doing well.  She's not a huge fan of feeling the baby kick but she does like to hug, kiss, sing, and talk to the baby.  She even read the baby a book the other night. 
Past couple weeks: Life has been crazy but it's been good too.  I finally found the newborn-3 month box and did our first newborn laundry!  They are so tiny and cute!  I am waiting on the 3 month clothes because I'm not sure where her clothes are going to go yet so I don't want to do them quite yet.  The kids(...yes...I said kids..so crazy...)are going to share a room eventually but the baby will be in our room for the first couple months.  I've been thinking about setting up a diaper/clothes changing area for the new baby that is either in our room or the living room.  That way at night when she needs changing I don't need to go into disturb Carmen.  We haven't put the twin bed in her room yet but that is on the list of things to do soon.  As soon as we get that in there, then we'll know more about what other furniture will fit and figure out where we want it to go.  My friend has offered her small diaper changing table since with Carmen we just used a dresser with a contour changing pad on it and while I was hesitant at first I realized it would be a great idea to have that in our room or in the living room for changes.  Thankfully with the new house we have room! :) I'll try to take a picture of the before and after but we haven't really decorated things fully yet since we knew that her room would change with the new baby's stuff.

Pictures comparing the growth in 2 weeks....WOW!

Doctor's Visit: The doctor's visit today went well...sort of.  I had my glucose test that now I just have to wait for the test results but they sort of forgot about me.  I ended up waiting a long time and then I was going to be late getting back for a call so then they rushed me through.  I had stuff I wanted to discuss with the doctor more but I guess since we start 2 week apts now I'll be back there soon.  Nothing was really urgent.  Baby is doing well with a strong heartbeat and my vitals were great.  Blood pressure was perfect and weight gain while still going at an alarming rate for me...doesn't seem to alert anyone. :)
Next Doctor's Visit: 2 weeks!!  Feb 1st.
Looking forward to: Getting the results from the glucose test.  I hate wondering if I'm gestational diabetic...it's so nerve wracking.  I wasn't last pregnancy and I don't think I will be this one either but you never know. 
Todos: Sort through Carmen's current drawers and remove any clothes she no longer fits into.  Move twin bed into her room and rearrange furniture.  Figure out the diaper changing station I was talking about and find and clean the cover on the co-sleeper/pack-n-play.  Look into getting a rock n play sleeper.

Overall, I'm still in a little shock we have arrived at the third trimester already.  I'm SO glad we are that far along because I seriously feel like she is growing so fast and taking over my whole torso and pushing anything she needs to aside...especially my lungs!  I'm also very glad we have time before she'll be here.  We are getting things organized to God willing close on our house at the end of next month and then we'll need to prepare for her arrival shortly there after.  It's a lot going on but we've had time to plan for all of it thankfully.  Just hoping that baby girl can stay put and keep cooking until we are ready for her.  My knitting mojo is still going great and I managed to spin some last night with no pain!  YAY!  So...overall...this preggo is doing good this week.

Thanks for reading another baby bump update!!

Happy Wednesday!

Baby Bump: 23 week update!

Week: 23 weeks and 3 days!! (picture was taken at exactly 23 weeks.)
Weight gain: 15+ lbs! Still haven't weighed myself...
Baby's sex: Another Team PINK!
Baby's name: We have a name that we both love but are trying to make sure it's the best one. :)  We actually had a name compete with our favorite name for a second but then we are back to our favorite again.  Once it's solid, we'll announce or we might just wait until delivery...I'm not good at keeping things like that secret so we'll see.
Sleep: I've manage to make it to bed early a couple times, which has really helped.  I've also been walking the pups in the morning and I think that has been helping me sleep more sound when I do fall asleep.  I'm still tired but not nearly as tired as I had been. YAY!
Movements: This baby likes to move a lot!  I love it!  The little kicks, punches, and rolls are so fun to feel!  It's also been great to share her movement with more people!  Grandpa got to feel her before he left!
Labor Signs:  None.

Belly Button:  I feel like it's so far out there that it's trying to escape my body!  It's a running joke in my family and a lot of people mention it.  I get that it looks like an alien trying to get out but there is nothing I can do about it. :)
Maternity Clothes: Same as last week...all maternity with some non-maternity tanks thrown in.  Been sporting the sweatpants a lot lately because I just am so uncomfortable if I don't!
Big Sister Carmen: She loves to give the baby big squeezey hugs before bed!
This past week: My belly is growing at a very fast rate!  I can tell I've reached that stage in pregnancy when my belly is just going to grow in leaps and bounds!  Several people have mentioned that they felt like I just popped one day...umm..your telling me?  I've had more lovely pregnancy symptoms lately and when I called the nurse she assured me that it's all normal.  She reminded me that every pregnancy is different and while I was able to walk every day during Carmen's that I may need to slow my walking down to a slow walk for less than 30 mins a day with this one.  I've had a lot more aches and pains recently and I know that I just need to rest my body.  I forget that even at rest my body is doing more than normal.
Next Doctor's Visit: Next apt is Dec 18th.  I had to reschedule this because of a training at work...it went from seeing one of the other OBs to seeing my least favorite again.  Please please PLEASE start praying now that I go into labor and deliver when my ABSOLUTE favorite doctor, Dr. T is on call!  She delivered Carmen and I really really really hope she delivers this next baby too.  She is the most like a midwife you will get in an OB and she was so great at supporting my birth plan and even questioning me when I decided to change it!  She is down as my primary so if for some reason I have to be induced this time than they would schedule on a day with her.  Also pray I don't have to be induced!!  Thank you in advance for those praying!! :)

Looking forward to: meeting this little girl but I'm very willing to wait until she is good and ready.  I had told myself after last pregnancy that in my mind I would make our due date a week later so that I wasn't like I was with Carmen those last couple days after her due date.  I just wanted her OUT!  With this one measuring ahead of schedule though, I'm having a hard time convincing my brain that I'll still be pregnant April 9th.  I'll be happy if we make it past April 1st and ecstatic if we at least make it past March 25th.  I might be singing a different tune when I'm so big and uncomfortable I can't stand it but for now...in my mind my goal is March 25th.

Overall, I'm enjoying being pregnant through the holiday season and so ready for some time off!  Last year, I was able to take 3 days off and get 11 days total off but with having very little vacation time left I'm only able to take one day.  I will have a 4 day weekend and then work 2 days and then a 5 day weekend...so I can't really complain. :)  Tis the season!

Thanks for reading another baby bump update!!

Happy Thursday!

PS...Don't forget to enter the Giveaway, which ends tomorrow! 

Baby Bump: 20 week update!! Half way point!

Week: 20 weeks!!  Half way point!
Weight gain: 15+ lbs!  How did this happen so fast! I'm pretty sure the scale at the doctors was off last Friday...but I also feel like I have been gaining weight faster so I guess it makes sense.
Baby's sex: My guess was TOTALLY wrong!  We are having another GIRL!!! I'm SO excited that Carmen is going to have a sister.  Daddy is a little disappointed that he's not getting his boy but with 2 daddy's girls I think he'll be fine!

Baby's name: Announcing the name once we commit to one.  We have a top name which hasn't changed in weeks but we are playing with others to see if it's really it.  I love the name that we're thinking about though and can't wait to share!
Sleep: Carmen has been sick for the last week so she has been the primary reason for my interrupted sleep.  She finally is feeling better and I have been sleeping great! I think the combination of being just so tired and the cooler weather has done wonders for getting some deep sleep!

Movements:I have been feeling the baby every day!  I love it!  Whenever I think I haven't felt her in a while, I'll wait and if I still don't feel her I drink some cold water and she perks right up.  I'm sure it's a little mean but it's just nice to get that little reminder that she's in there and doing good.
Labor Signs:  No real labor signs yet...TOO early!  BUT I have already started getting braxton hicks contractions.  I had them last time starting at 34 or 35 weeks and they were every day all day and even time-able most the day.  Thankfully, so far they have been random and one day I'll have them and then I won't have them for a couple days.
Maternity Clothes:  Still wearing my work out pants when I can but with the chill in the air, I've had to resort to the one pair of maternity jeans I have or my regular jeans with the belly belt thingy.  Also most the tops are either my longer regular tops or maternity tops now.

These past couple weeks: With our trip up to WV/OH area for my DH's Papa's funeral and Carmen being sick since we've gotten back...life has been busy just surviving.  I still feel super pregnant and yet I know that I'm not even close to feeling as pregnant as I'm going to feel.  Even with the lack of sleep, overall I have been feeling pretty good.  
Doctor's Visit: We had our big anatomy ultrasound apt this past Friday!  We were all excited and I was so glad that Carmen got to join us!  The baby looks great, strong heartbeat, and is growing fast!  She is now measuring for a due date of April 1st but as the doctor said they don't change the due date ever.  She said the u/s at 8 weeks is usually the most accurate.  Carmen always measured behind her due date so the fact that this one is measuring ahead of schedule is a bit concerning for me.  Carmen is a peanut but she was born 2 days late and 7 lbs 4 oz.  I'm just hoping that this baby stays put until at least April! :)  I fully acknowledge that I may be singing a different tune come March 15th...but for now I just am hoping for April.  
Next Doctor's Visit: Next apt is Dec 19th
Overall, I'm still feeling very pregnant but I'm starting to feel that I'm definitely getting a little of the 2nd trimester boost...not nearly as much as I did last pregnancy but it's there.  I've been knitting a little but not as much as I'd like.  Finding out we are having a girl, I'm already planning some fun matching knits for the girls!  I need to finish up their blankets!  My goal is to have both of their knit blankets done before this one is born!  Need to knit like the wind!   Back to pregnancy, I am ever grateful that my baby is healthy and I'm doing well this pregnancy.  Yay for healthy babies, toddlers, daddy and mommy!

Thanks for reading another baby bump update!!

Happy Tuesday!

Thankful Fridays: health, ultrasounds, and food

Another week with no posts!  Been a crazy, busy, fast week! I promise at least a knitting post and a baby update next week before Thankful Thursday comes...since it's Thanksgiving! :)

I am Thankful ...

1. for CGR finally feeling better!!  She's not completely there but this week has been a struggle and watching her in pain just breaks my heart!  I'm so glad she's on the mend!  We had her seen today and they confirmed that her diaper rash/yeast is clearing up and that her oxygen levels are above normal which is fantastic!  We have a new ointment to try which should ease her discomfort but I am so thankful for her finally getting better!

2. for the sonogram lady, who was able to get some great shots of our baby GIRL!!  YES...we are having another girl!  I'm very excited for CGR to have a little sister!  I love having sisters and a brother too...but I love having sister and am glad that she will have one!

3. for my baby GIRL in my belly...I am thankful that you are you and that I get to feel you grow in my belly.  I have loved feeling daily kicks and reminders that you are in there growing big and strong and healthy!  Keep it up little girl!  We can't wait to meet you...but not until April! Stay put and keep growing!

4. for the power of blocking! I was so distressed over my Calligraphy Cardigan last week(was accidentally thrown in washer and dryer and shrunk while we were out of town) and so thankful that with a serious blocking session...which included an hour soak and randomly stretching the cardigan while wet and while drying...returned it back to a well fit cardigan and my daily hug!

5. for Publix.  Their chicken salad, egg salad, and baked potato salad have hit the spot on several occasions this week! 

6. for my little families' health.  I'm thankful that with all the sickness in our house that my husband has managed to stay healthy and while I did get congested I have managed to avoid getting any real sickness.  Also that our baby is healthy, measuring great, has 5 fingers, 5 toes, and is growing every day.

7. for full panel maternity jeans.  How did I not discover these last pregnancy?  My sister found some at a yard sale last weekend for $2 and I LOVE THEM!  They not only sort of hide my protruding belly button but they are SO comfortable!  I was thinking about it and I think the reason why I didn't try them last pregnancy was because I shopped for maternity clothes in the heat of the summer and I couldn't imagine ANOTHER layer on my already hot belly.

8. for my daycare lady.  She is wonderful with CGR and all the other kids.  I know that CGR is well taken care of and not only does the daycare lady love her but CGR loves her too.

9. for my knitting group.  It was a nice escape this week to spend an evening around other women all knitting and enjoying each others company.

10. for my family...just because I'm not sure what I would do without them!  It takes a village!  And very excited for those out of towners to show up!!

Happy Friday!!


What are you thankful for this week?

Baby bump: 17 week update

Week: 17 weeks and 1 day! I'm not getting these out weekly but mainly because I don't feel much change week to week.  I think that will change as after starting to write this I realized I had a lot to stay. :)
Weight gain: 10ish lbs
Baby's sex: I have my guess but our ultrasound is scheduled for November 16th!!  Hopefully this baby cooperates!
Sleep: Oh how I have missed uninterrupted sleep!  I've been having a tough time with this lately.  For about a week I was waking up at 3 am every night and my body just felt like that was wake up time!  I would be up for an hour or so and then finally get to sleep but 6 am comes fast!  I tried melatonin and didn't really like how it made me feel and didn't seem to work that well.  Then I got a couple nights rest and that helped but this weekend I had a tough time.  I bought some Tylenol pm on recommendation from my doctor.  I tried one last night and it seemed to help some but still woke up a couple times throughout the night feeling uncomfortable.  It's too early for this!!

Movements: I've been feeling the baby for the last 2 weeks.  This week the movements are much more noticeable throughout the day.  It's nice to get to feel the baby in there.  I can feel some of the movements from the outside but not enough for Special K or Carmen! I am so excited for Carmen to feel them!

Maternity Clothes:  I had been wearing black comfy workout pants for the last couple weeks to work because my jeans are just so uncomfortable to sit in all day. I've only started wearing some of my maternity tops but most of my regular tops I can pull off with a long tank top underneath.  My mother in law sent me a big box of maternity clothes from my SIL's friend, which is so awesome!  Tons of cute tops, capris, shorts, workout shorts and more!  No jeans though and my old maternity ones are HUGE since I'm much thinner this pregnancy even though my belly is already bigger.  My SIL sent along a belly belt in the package and it has been great today since with the weather I wasn't able to wear workout pants and had to resort to my jeans. The belt lets you extend the button part of your jeans so that helps.  It's not as comfy as my workout pants though. :)
Package in background...hehe! Carmen is "helping" with her pasta.

These past couple weeks: I feel so pregnant already!  I've been having a lot of round ligament pain/cramps which aren't fun.  They make me very uncomfortable most the day.  I'm exhausted and had been waiting for my 2nd trimester boost I got with my first pregnancy but that isn't happening.  Between the lack of sleep and taking care of Carmen, most days I'm just waiting until I can lay down!

Doctor's Visit:  My last apt was Oct 26th and I talked to my doctor about what I've been feeling and she said it's all normal to feel this way so early.  She also said not to expect the boost this time as I'm still taking care of a toddler and working full time.  I'm not getting as much rest as I did the first time...boy is that true!  I did feel better when she grabbed my belly and moved it a bit and proved to me that the pains I've been feeling are the ligaments.  I know it's silly but that just made me feel a lot better.  I'm not worried about the cramps now...they still are uncomfortable and sometimes my belly is just sore but I'm finally feeling like I'm gaining control of my emotions...that is today...but during my apt last week I was on the verge of tears and I'm sure she noticed.  I felt like a crazy person with no control of her emotions last week!  There has been a lot of emotional things going on with family so adding my pregnancy hormones and I could cry at the drop of a hat.  I got to hear the heartbeat and the baby is doing great!!  Strong heartbeat between 140-150 and she assured me that we are doing great. :)

Next Doctor's Visit: Next apt is Nov 16th and it's the anatomy ultrasound!  I can't wait!  Special K with be with me for the ultrasound and I just can't wait to know boy or girl!  Also can't wait to see the baby again!
Overall, I just feel so pregnant!  I just recall last pregnancy getting to the 2nd trimester and feeling so good I didn't feel pregnant anymore and then later in the 2nd trimester feeling the way I do now.  I'm already a bit concerned about back pain so I've been looking for belly support and I think I found what I want!  The BLANQI maternity underbust high performance belly support tank is a bit out of my price range but I tweeted them and they hinted that there will be a black Friday sale so hopefully the sales is within my budget because I REALLY want one!  I'm super exited that I'm feeling the baby and I think that along with getting to talk to my favorite doctor has finally gotten me a little better emotionally this pregnancy.  Thankfully becuase I was starting to think I was going crazy.  Still been focusing on positivity and prayer as they bring me comfort. :)

Thanks for reading another baby bump update!!

Happy Wednesday!

Baby Bump: craft reveal and 14 week update

First off...yes, I know back to back baby bump updates.  I have knitting stuff and other things to post so this won't happen next time. :) At least I will try.  However, I've been mentioning for sometime that I have this craft that I made for my pregnancy!  I have been wanting to share but needed to get good pictures...and now I have gotten ones so let's begin.

I got the idea from here to create a pregnancy calendar shirt.  Looking back I wish I had picked out a better shirt instead of just a large men's shirt but it's what I picked so until I can get my sister to help me sew the sleeves and fix it more...it's going to work.  We did sew in some elastic to the sides to gather it in but it was our first time doing that and didn't work out as well as I had hoped.  We got that idea from here.

At first I was going to follow the way the tutorial said for making the numbers but after some persuasion I decided to try out my sister's cricket to make the numbers!  We were able to, after lots of trial and error, figure out how to arrange the letters in the right way to fit nicely on the shirt and then we cut the freezer paper with the cricket!  I had never heard of freezer paper before but I LOVE IT!  So fun!  After getting the freezer paper all cut, I slowly peeled the freezer paper off the board for the cricket leaving all the numbers behind to create a stencil.  I then laid it onto the t-shirt and put the center parts back inside the 0,4,6,8, and 9s.  That was a painstaking task but I reminded myself how much easier this was then the tutorials suggestion of cutting out the individual numbers.

After I ironed the freezer paper onto the shirt, I painted 3 layers of the white fabric paint onto the stencil and let it dry over night.

The next day, I removed the stencil and check out how cool it came out!  I was so happy with it!

Then I started marking off the weeks I was at the time I created this shirt. :) Yes, I was only 7 weeks along when I did this shirt and you are just getting to see it now at 14 but are you really surprised after all the sickness and stuff I've been through?

I did get pictures of me in the shirt at 7 weeks, which you can see here but they weren't good enough for my t-shirt reveal!

Finally, I had my sister take some pictures of me and some with Carmen of the shirt.  They are better but we'll get there.  So...here we go...Baby bump update...yes I know this is a LONG post!

Week: 14 weeks and 1 day
Weight gain: 6+ lbs...haven't been weighed since last apt.
Baby's sex: We don't officially find out until our Nov ultrasound but I have my guess. :)
This past week: This weekend I was having some cramping, which turns out was my bodies way of saying it needs more water.  Also this pregnancy I've been super emotional.  I don't full on cry at the drop of a hat but I could!  I have teared up a couple times about things that I normally wouldn't tear up about and forget watching Grey's with dry eyes.  I've also gotten into my head a lot this pregnancy.  I felt I was pretty normal and level headed with Carmen but this time with things that have happened to others and just my overall feeling of I've been sick forever...I've let my mind run away with me.  Monday I called and talked to the OB nurse and told her that I'm having a hard time calming my brain, told her about the cramping I've been having, and about how I messed up my back on Sunday while washing Abby so I asked her what I could do about that.  She told me that I'm 14 weeks and I'm not spotting and cramping is probably due to not having enough water.  We've talked about it before since this pregnancy water just doesn't appeal to me and I have a hard time getting enough in. She also gave me some tips on helping my back.  She said that I shouldn't be concerned BUT if I wanted to I could come get the fetal heart rate checked.  I said when can I be there! :)
Doctor's Visit: My impromptu fetal heart rate check, which technically wasn't a doctor's visit and wasn't charged as such either but we'll put it here.  They said I could come in anytime before 3 so as soon as it was around my normal lunch time I headed over.  I was fully expecting to just have a nurse pull me back and use a heart rate monitor to check the fetal heart rate but much to my surprise the sonogram tech, who has been the same throughout both pregnancies, came out to get me.  She pulled me back to the u/s room and I got to see the baby! She first just found the heart beat right away!  153 beats per minute and beating strong.  Then she just looked over the baby again and I got to see the baby flip and having a grand ole time in there.  It was fun to see and as usual eased my mind so much.  We talked again about the sex and she quickly checked but we didn't look too long...but my guess is the same. She gave me a couple more pictures of the baby and this one was the best so far!

Next Doctor's Visit: Next apt is October 26th with the doctor who delivered Carmen and my favorite at the practice!  Looking forward to seeing her.
Overall, I'm focusing on praying more and getting my emotions in check...this coming from a hormonal pregnant women. I'm starting to feel little flutters but I'm just not fully convinced yet that it's the baby.  I look forward to when I really can feel the baby move.  Thanks for reading another update so soon!  Hoping to spread these out but since I posted so late last week...this one came pretty fast. :)

Happy Wednesday!

Baby Bump: 13 week update

I know I promised some pregnancy updates and more blog posts but I have been struggling with being sick for a month now!  It started with tonsils, then congestion(which I'm still battling), and then I got thrush!  Let's just say this past month has been...umm...how would you put it...interesting.  So, here is the long awaited update.  I still have my pregnancy craft post coming but I keep having to push it back...soon!  For now, this is the best belly pic I could get.

Week: 13 weeks and 4 days
Weight gain: 6 lbs.  I lost a lb last month while I was sick but I already gained it back in a week.
Belly button: popped out at 6 weeks!  My doctor said that I got a hernia in my belly button with Carmen and that's why it popped so early.  Fun times...makes me look further along but oh well.
Clothes: Regular clothes but I'm having to do the hair tie method of extending my jeans because they aren't comfortable when sitting down anymore.
Baby's sex: We don't officially find out until our Nov ultrasound but I have my guess. :)
This past week+: With being sick, tired, nauseated, it's been a struggling making it through the work days and getting stuff done at home.  I usually have been just praying for bedtime most days.  I just started the 2nd trimester and thankfully that's brought some relief to both the tiredness, nausea, and I'm finally feeling better.  This pregnancy has been so much different from Carmen's and has been doing a bit of kicking my butt.  Hoping the 2nd trimester goes smoother for us.
Doctor's Visit: We had our 12 week appointment and ultrasound last Thursday and it was great to see the baby and hear the heartbeat.  This baby did nothing but move and flip during the ultrasound and it was fun to see.  Looked like herm was waving at us at one point.  Herm, as well call the baby until we find out the sex, is already measuring 2 days early.  Carmen always measured small so starting to wonder how big this baby is going to be!  Herm's measurements were all great and heartbeat nice and strong.  Herm did a lot of moving and kept bumping the ultrasound thingy so it took her a while to get the heartbeat reading without a bump from the baby!  We had her try to find out the sex during the ultrasound but she kept telling us it's only a guess until Nov.  She gave us her guess but you'll all just have to wait and see. :)

Next Doctor's Visit: Next apt is October 26th with the doctor who delivered Carmen and my favorite at the practice!  Looking forward to seeing her.  I actually had my annual with her when I was pregnant but we didn't know yet as I hadn't missed my period yet and it was too early to get a positive test yet.
Overall, I'm very happy that I'm finally feeling better.  My emotions have been all over the place because of things happening with friends.  So very sad for one friend and then so very happy for another who just had her baby yesterday!  You add emotional things to pregnant hormones and well...you can all guess what happens.  I've been praying a lot and enjoying my Joyce Meyer devotional readings.  One recent one that really hit me was titled "Don't worry...Worship!"

Happy Friday!!