Sandy

As I'm sure y'all are aware, we are bracing ourselves for a little yucky weather in these parts. So far we've had some wind and rain but that's about it.

Josh had to leave for Vermont about an hour ago. Gone again. This is definitely hard to get used to. But, we can do anything!!

We had a good time in Maine, albeit a short trip. We definitely bought out LL Bean and it was fuuuuuuun.

We took a little trip to the coast so josh and Julia could see what it looks like in Maine. All in all it was a good weekend.

I'm heading to my new OB in the morning (hopefully) so I will definitely update on what that's like. I'm kind of excited to see a midwife. Little side note: I actually wanted to be a midwife as a teenager. Oh how life changes!

I hope everyone is doing well. If you're in the path of Sandy, please be safe!

I'm on my phone so I'm going to picture dump from our trip this weekend.

ME or bust

I am currently sitting at Logan airport in Boston waiting for Josh's plane to land. He's finally home!!!!! Considering this storm everyone is talking about, he may be leaving again to help with clean up. We shall see.

We are leaving the airport and heading to Freeport Maine to do a little (lot) shopping at LL Bean. I'm very excited!!!! I've been before but it's been many, many years.

I had a follow up ultrasound this morning and all looks perfect with Dos. I'm feeling almost healed from that abscess. Seriously y'all it was so the most painful thing I've ever experienced.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!! I'm going to try to update tomorrow with pictures but we shall see.

Until then, check out my little twinkies. That would be Oliver on the left and CeCe on the right.

Humpday Randoms

Yep I let that abscess go and I spent about an hour in a breast surgeons office having it drained. Very fun times. She was so awesome and she gave me the names of obs in the area. Needless to say, I'm finding a new doctor considering her staff told me she was too busy to see me and I should just go to the er. From a doctor. Who knows I'm 25 weeks pregnant.

I got Oliver from his nap this morning and he was standing in his crib. Silly baby.

Only two more days until I pick up joshy from the airport in Boston on Friday at 8:30. I. Can't. Wait!!!!!

Any suggestions for relieving back problems while pregnant?

Have I mentioned how much different this pregnancy is?? I swear she's trying to kill me.

We normally watch Once Upon a Time and I'm kind of hating it this season.

I really wish I had gotten a mini van. Getting Oliver in and out of a Sorento is a tad difficult. Not to mention the lack of room.

Suggestions on disciplining a child? When do I start? How forcefully?

Guess that's about all that's happening around these parts today. Oliver starts daycare tomorrow and I'm excited. Well excited and nervous too. Hopefully he's a good boy!!!!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far.

Monday, Monday

Little man is really giving me a run for my money lately. He's been good, just allllllll over the place. He's started really pulling up on things which is fun. Well except when he falls in the bathtub. Yeah, that was fun.

Okay this pregnancy has been rough. I keep getting these damn abscesses under my breasts and each one is more painful than the last. I'm sorry for the tmi. Am I the only person who has experienced this???? I may have to break down and call my OB tomorrow. I've had three of them now and the idea of having to go in and have it drained sounds about as appealing as getting Dos out with no meds.

I hope everyone has had a good day so far. We are patiently waiting for Josh to get home then we are heading to Maine for a little LL Bean trip. Oliver starts daycare on Thursday and they are taking his school pictures on Monday. Seriously I cannot wait!!!!!

It's late and I should be asleep. Instead I'm laying here in pain, watching House. Until tomorrow my friends!

25 Weeks

How far along? 25 weeks

Baby's size? Cauliflower 

Weight gain?  Gained one pound since 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? Fatty.  Total fatty

Stretch marks? I've gained and lost weight so much throughout my lifetime so I've had stretch marks since high school. Yay me

Belly Button in or out? Should stay an inny like last time

Sleeping? It's terrible lately.  Up every two hours and then can't fall back asleep again

Foods I'm loving? Pizza.  Sweets (so not like me).  Doritos.  Funions.

Foods I'm hating?  Nothing lately

Movement?  Kicks, punches, rolls galore

Best moment this week? She just out of the blue will kick or punch

Symptoms? Still feeling large and in charge

Gender? GIRL

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being tired all the time.  Being able to play with Oliver without straining

What I'm looking forward to? My next ultrasound on October 26th (the day Josh comes home!!!)

Milestones: We are almost at viability.  I know it would be a long haul but each week that passes I breathe a little easier

Emotions: Not good this week.  I cried in the car on the way home from getting an oil change today.  I want to love Massachusetts, I really do.  So far?  Not so much

Friday's Letters

Last Friday until Joshy comes back from Missouri.  I've missed my sweet honey so much.

 

Dear Gamecocks: Tomorrow is a huge day.  Would you mind not letting us down?  All this hype is a new thing for a Gamecock fan and I'm kind of loving it.

Dear Oliver:  You're still in to everything.  Time for baby jail.

Dear Stepdad:  I'm mad at you.  You ended up in the ER on Wednesday night because of your own stupidity.  I don't feel sorry for you.  You had a seizure because you're an idiot.  Put your big boy underpants on and start taking your meds again.

Dear new daycare:  I am so apprehensive about sending Oliver.  Please go easy on me on Thursday and Friday.  Daycares here scare me.

Dear hormones:  Help me out a little, please?  Today was not a good day and I'm really questioning moving here.  Full on meltdown today.

I got a new do yesterday.  Still trying to decide if I like it.

Well that's about it.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Humpday Randoms

You know what sucks? Seizures.

You know what sucks more?? A stepdad who won't take his seizure meds so he has them at a moments notice. Stubborn ass. I'm sitting in the er waiting room as I type this.

We bought Oliver his first pair of shoes today. I had to bite my cheeks and choke back tears for some reason. I feel like shoes just solidify that he's almost a little boy. Seriously, they look so cute on him.

Josh is gone for training until the 26th. I'm really starting to miss him. He left last Monday and I'm definitely wanting my husband home.

Am I just fatter or is being pregnant the second time very different than the first??

What should I be when I grow up?

Oliver is going to daycare twice a week starting next week. Judge me if you must. He needs friends to play with. For reals.

I've heard so many things about the movie Argo. Anybody seen it yet?

Would it be crazy to do two Halloween costumes for Oliver?

I hope everyone is having a good week so far!!!

10 Months

Can you believe it???  My Oliver is 10 months old today?!?!?  Time really does fly, huh? 

He's done quite a few fun things over the past few days:

Shake his head "no, no, no"
Pulling himself up
Going from a crawl to a sitting position
Sitting on his knees
Clapping

He's a complete joy for the most part.  My heart swells whenever he does something cute or imitates us in some way.  Don't get me wrong, chasing him around while he army crawls somewhere can be completely exhausting but the fun times are starting to outweigh the not so fun times.

My sweet Oliver:

We love you beyond the moon and back.  No one will ever be able to compare to you.  You are such a little boy who loves anything with wheels and getting messy and I LOVE that about you.  I love that your face lights up when you see me if I've been gone for a while.  I love that everyone stops me wherever we go, commenting on what an adorable baby you are (duh, you are).  You jabber up a storm now and I spend all day wondering exactly what you're saying to me. 

As we draw closer and closer to the arrival of your baby sister, I hope you never forget that you are my first baby and I will always love you.  You made me a mommy.  Thank you for the 10 months you've been on this planet and here's to countless years more.  Please always stay my sweet boy at heart.  I love you forever and always. 

Temper like his mommy.  What do you mean I can't play with your phone??

Happy 10 Month birthday my sweet Oliver.  You are the light of my life and the happiness in my soul.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

I believe I have touched on this subject briefly but I have been in close proximity with pregnancy loss so today, October 15th, I want to briefly pause and recognize all the babies, infants and their families who have been lost. 

When I was 10, I had the joy of finding out that I was finally going to be a big sister.  I went to all my mom's appointments with her, fantasized about what it would be like to be a big sister and waited for the moment when I would finally have a sibling to play with. 

My mom was due on November 8, 1988 and plans were put in place for my sister Veronica's arrival.  My family and extended family took a beach trip to Litchfield, South Carolina in July of that year and I stayed behind with my grandparents for a second week of fun while my parents went back to Columbia to work.  It was only when my dad met my grandparents that I learned something terrible had happened and my sister had not made it.  Come to find out, my mom's cervix could not withstand the pressure of carrying a child and my sister died at 24 weeks: which, coincidentally, is around the gestation of where I am right now.  To say I breathe a sigh of relief while pregnant when I make it to 25 weeks is absolutely an understatement.   

Because of this, I have grown up feeling like pregnancy and infant loss is all I will ever know.  I saw the Clomid hidden in my mom's closet, watched her cry each month when either her period would come or she would get a negative on a pregnancy test.  I will never be able to fully put into words how I felt the moment I got that positive with Oliver.  I literally could only say oh my god, oh my god, oh my god over and over again.  Same thing happened with Dos.  I have never once taken my blessings for granted because I know just how easily things can be taken away from you.  

My grief, however, is nothing compared to those in the trenches; those women who live through loss month after month or who never get the opportunity to experience what it feels like to carry a child.  I decided long ago that I would make it my purpose in life to at least stay educated and be a shoulder to lean in if I were to ever encounter someone dealing with a loss.

I debated posting the only two photos I have of my sister, Veronica, to show how things have changed regarding loss from then to the present time.  However, I don't want it to seem like I am sensationalizing or using my sister in order to draw more attention to myself.  I will say that it is because of days like today that hospitals and healthcare professionals are more aware of the devastating effect pregnancy and infant loss has on an individual or their family.  Basically, my sister was thrown on a towel, her footprints were taken and she was photographed with a blurry Polaroid camera.  The hospital workers could not even be bothered to clean the blood off of her before they took a picture of her.  She was taken out of the room in a plastic biohazard bucket and we have absolutely no idea what happened to her remains.

Today, I will remember my little sister, Veronica Glynn Jordan, who I have never met but who has been in my memory each and every day since I was 10.  I would also like to dedicate today to my friends, both in real life and bloggy, who have experienced a loss.  Your pain is in my heart each day, especially today.  I hope you find the peace and joy you deserve.  While I do not fully understand your struggles, your pain is real and I for one will never forget you or your precious little ones.

If you are so obliged, would you mind lighting a candle tonight at 7:00 p.m. and burn the candle for an hour to honor the ones who have gone before us?  These babies mean something and will never be forgotten.

Veronica's footprints

 

What we've been up to lately

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!  I'm still sick and Josh will be gone until October 26th so things have been a little difficult round these parts.  I feel like sickness and illness are hanging over this house or something.  I honestly feel no better than I did after I started taking Penicillin. 

Julia and I got out yesterday for a brief reprieve and we had a good time.  Granted, I'm even sicker now than I was before but it was worth it.  Zach Braff from Scrubs was at UMASS for a political rally so I KNEW I had to go.  Seriously, I've loved him for years.  I won't get political or anything, I promise.  We really did have a great time though.  Well, minus it being SO hot in the building and me literally almost passing out from the heat, being 6 months pregnant and being sick.

Anyway, what we've been up to...

24 Weeks

How far along? 24 weeks

Baby's size? Cantaloupe

Weight gain?  Gained one pound since 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? Fatty.  Total fatty

Stretch marks? I've gained and lost weight so much throughout my lifetime so I've had stretch marks since high school. Yay me.

Belly Button in or out? Should stay an inny like last time.

Sleeping? Up every two hours lately

Foods I'm loving? Pizza.  Mmmm, pizza

Foods I'm hating?  Nothing lately

Movement?  Everybody has gotten to feel her now.  I love watching that reaction

Best moment this week? She's really active now

Symptoms? Still feeling large and in charge

Gender? GIRL

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being tired all the time.  Being able to play with Oliver without straining

What I'm looking forward to? My next ultrasound on October 26th

Milestones: I can't believe I'm almost 6 months pregnant!

Emotions: I swear the emotions being pregnant are all over the place.  Up and down

Friday's Letters

Another Friday already?? 

 

Dear Gamecocks:  I feel like I need to just make this one a permanent letter.  You're on to Baton Rouge tomorrow to play LSU.  Make us proud again.  Gamecock nation loves you!

Dear Oliver:  You're in to everything.  I mean every damn thing.  You may only army crawl but you're very efficient.  I am officially worn out at the end of every day.

Dear Sickies:  Move along.  This is getting old.  Please don't make my baby sick next.  I may have to cut someone!

Dear Fatness:  I have to get my act together as soon as this baby comes.  I can't believe I've let myself get this fat.  Fat.  Fat.  FAT.

Dear Dos:  I know it seems late in the game but I'm really starting to warm up to the whole girl thing.  Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't want a girl I just know how this could turn out.  I don't want to mess her up.  Guess only time will tell on this one if we're good enough parents.

Dear US Jobs:   I did not get a Master's degree to be defeated by you.  I want to work for the government.  I'm making this happen. 

Well I hope everyone had a great week.  Any exciting plans for the weekend?  I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Josh!

On this date, 29 years ago, my sweet husband Joshua Nick Branham graced this world with his presence.  Sadly, I've only known him for two years of this time but they have been the best two years of my life.

Dear Josh:

I am the luckiest girl on the planet.  Hands down.  I'm so sad that you're away for training on your birthday but just know that you're on my mind and in my heart today.  Well, everyday but especially on this day.  I hope your last year in your 20s is everything you hoped it would be and more.

Oliver is such a lucky little boy to have you and we all know that Dos will be a lucky girl too.  I daydream about your relationship with her all the time and just how blessed she is to have you as her daddy.

Joshy, I love you forever and always.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday today, even if you are 1,000 miles away from us.  We all miss you and it's not the same without you here.  I can't wait to see you again!!!!!  Happy, happy, happy birthday honey beat!

Humpday Randoms

I have lost track of days lately and honestly didn't realize it was Wednesday until about an hour ago.

Here's a few things on my mind:

Step throat sucks.

Strep throat sucks even worse when you're 6 months pregnant.  Yeah, spending 4 hours in the ER because I don't have a stupid doctor here yet just made my freaking week.  Eff.

Josh is out of town for training.  This is definitely going to be a sad time for me.  I miss my sweet.

Josh and I were FaceTiming earlier and I woke up Oliver trying to let Josh see him.  That was an hour ago.  Eff again.

I am absolutely obsessed with Revenge.  I may have mentioned that already.  Seriously, why didn't I watch this show sooner??

I'm not sure why I didn't realize it sooner but it hit me HARD on Monday morning that I'm going to be a mom of two in 3 months.  The only child who wanted siblings with such desperation is about to have two children.  I really have been in denial, huh?

I kind of miss my old South Carolina life.  We had a good house set up going, albeit in a house I hated.  But, we weren't piled on top of each other and I didn't have to constantly get pissed off that something else of mine has gone missing.  Again. 

I'm so thankful I have so much help here.  For real y'all, I was SO sick on Monday.  Without my mom and Julia here, it would have been a disaster.  I couldn't even take care of myself, let alone Oliver. 

I am actually enjoying this whole Fall thing.  Minus the whole damn house being sick but that's beside the point. 

Phew, Oliver is finally back to sleep!  I hope y'all have had a great week so far. 

The sickies

Once again I guess I went Mia today, although I hope I have a good reason. Moving pretty much across the country to a new climate has taken its toll on us southerners. As a result, I got sick then Oliver then Julia now Josh. In fact, Josh and I spent three hours at the er today to find out he has strep throat. Fun times my friends, fun times.

I am taking Josh to Boston bright and early tomorrow morning for a flight to Missouri in hopes of training to become a foreman in about a month. Fingers crossed everything goes well? That's why we hung out in the er all day so we wouldn't send him off to a totally new place without making sure he was okay ahead of time.

I hope I convinced one or two of y'all to tune in and see my South Carolina Gamecocks yesterday. We are now currently rankled #3 in the entire country!!!!!! Such an exciting game and day to be a Gamecock.

Well I guess that's about all from me for today. I really hope this persistent cough and lingering yuckiness will be gone soon!!!!!!! I'll end this by showing you a pick of my favorite boys on earth. Sigh, how did I get so lucky??

23 Weeks

How far along? 23 weeks

Baby's size? Grapefruit

Weight gain?  Gained one pound since 16 weeks

Maternity clothes? I tried to put on some old jeans.  Ha ha, big mistake

Stretch marks? I've gained and lost weight so much throughout my lifetime so I've had stretch marks since high school. Yay me.

Belly Button in or out? Should stay an inny like last time.

Sleeping? Crap, just crap.  Grrrr.  I have to pee all.the.time.  Definitely wasn't like this with Oliver

Foods I'm loving? Reese's peanut butter cups

Foods I'm hating?  Not too many aversions lately (thank goodness) 

Movement?  She's decided to use my bladder as a spring board.  I'm feeling movement on the outside now too

Best moment this week? Meeting my new OB

Symptoms? I feel extremely pregnant this week for some reason

Gender? GIRL

What I miss? Sleeping on my stomach.  Not being tired all the time.  Being able to play with Oliver without straining

What I'm looking forward to? My next ultrasound on October 26th

Milestones: Josh got to feel her too

Emotions: I feel much better this week as opposed to last week