Making my list....

Don't forget to put your guess in!!!

Don't forget to put your guess in!!

The person with the closest guess to Allen's actual birth date, weight, length, time, etc..

Will get an amazing goodie!!!

Stats:

DJ - 8lbs 1oz, 21.5 inches, 5:40am (8 days late)

Reagan - 6lbs 11oz, 19 inches, 7:26pm (8 days early)

Contractions and the hospital...

All day Saturday I was having contractions but blew them off as braxton hicks. Around noon I layed down with the kids and tried to get rid of them but they started getting worse. So I decided to call Dave and let him know that I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart and to let his work know {just in case}. Around 4:30 they started to get really bad so I logged onto Contraction Master and started logging all of them in.

After about an hour I decided to call my Dr's after hours line because I was contracting every 5-6 minutes apart. My Dr told me to "get my butt in here NOW!" So I called Dave and told him what was going on. Then I called my dad to have him pick the kids and I up and just drop me off at the hospital and Dave would meet me there when he got off at 8pm.

I got up to L&D and had a gnarly contraction when I was filling out my information. The nurse then took me to my room and I had to get into the gown and try to pee in that tiny ass cup. I got in the bed and got all hooked up to the monitors. My BP was great {its never bad}, had a low grade fever and had a very hyper baby in my belly. It took her a few minutes to get the heart monitor on Allen because he kept moving around and she would lose it. She asked me all of the mandatory questions and had me sign all of the consent forms.

Then came the dreaded cervical check... {OUCH!} I was still 2cm, really soft and there was blood. The nurse said that she will see how I do for an hour and then if the contractions don't go away, I will get a dose of Terbutaline. An hour goes by and I'm having contractions about every 4-6 minutes and they are really hurting. So she comes in and gives me 1 dose of Terb and says that she will watch me for 30 minutes and if they don't stop, I get another dose. Well 30 minutes go by and she is giving me another dose. She said that she  will watch me for another 30-45 minutes and if I am still having them she will check me again and then talk to the Dr.

I'm still having bad contractions and I have to get checked again... {OUCH x2}. I'm still at a 2 but my cervix is getting a lot softer. So the good news was that the contractions were not dilating me, it was just making my cervix softer. She then leaves and talks to the Dr on call. About 20 minutes later she comes in with 1 Vistaril and 1 Nifedipine and said that if this doesn't knock out the contractions, we will then have to get a different game face on. About an hour goes by and the contractions are still rolling in. So a different game face is now put on... She told me that I am now going to get an IV for fluids and says that she will have to monitor me for 4 hours. If in the 4 hours the contractions stop, I get to go home {4am}. If they don't stop I will be admitted. So I tell Dave to just go home so my dad can go home.

My nurse comes in with 2 bags of fluids and starts the procedure. But before then, I get another cervical check {OUCH x3}... She is looking for a vein in my right arm and finally finds one, But 2 seconds later my vein blows and blood is going everywhere {I now have a gnarly bruise}. She then goes to my left arm and looks on that side.. Nothing. So she goes and gets a hot towel and wraps my arm up to hopefully get some veins to plump up. After about a minute later, she takes everything off and no veins. :( So she had to put it in my hand. I forgot how bad those hurt and they are so sensitive {another gnarly bruise}. She finally gets the fluids going and I go through one bag in 40 minutes and then get the other bag a lot slower. While I am getting my fluids, I finally get some time to sleep.

Around 3:15a she comes in and lets me know that they are sending me home! I had 3 contractions in 1 hour and we basically knocked them out. But, I have to be checked one more time {that's OUCH x4}. The contractions are not making me dilate but I am very very soft and thinning. So she tells me that if I am contracting 4-6 minutes apart for an hour, if I notice any changes and/or if I lose my mucous plug to come right in and not wait 6 hours like I did.

Since then, I have been having contractions but they are not as strong/painful and frequent. So now I am at home just trying to relax and keep him baking for a few more weeks :)

34 weeks.... {a few hours early}

How far along: 34 weeks & 3 weeks till I am Full Term!
Total weight gain/loss: I have gained a few pounds these past few weeks. I think I am now up to 7lbs. So in actuality I'm still under my pre-preg weight by 23lbs!
Size of the baby: A Cantaloupe. Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

Sex: Boy!! Allen __?__ Smith
Maternity clothes: All of my pants/shorts are maternity. I can still get a lot of my shirts over this Big Ole Belly {but not for long}. I don't want to have to go out and buy new clothes when I have less than 6 weeks till Allen gets here, But I will be heading to Old Navy to get some of their yoga pants and velour pants ;)
Sleep: Its getting harder and harder for me to get comfortable at night. I toss and turn until I get a little comfy and then 10 minutes later I have to pee... I will be so happy when I can fully sleep on my belly and not have achy hips.
Movement: Allen loves to kick and punch all hours of the night & day. Its really weird when I can feel him turn from head down to breech.transverse. He also gets the hiccups all the time!
Food cravings: I have been craving milk and green bean casserole. {go figure}
Food aversions: I have been trying to stay away from things that will give me gnarly heartburn. So far It hasn't worked :(
Morning sickness: None of that yuckyness.
Symptoms: Lets see... My hips have been super sensitive and very achy, I have had constant heartburn for the past 72+ hours and can barely breathe because Allen is pushing my lungs up into my throat.
Labor signs: I have had constant BH/Contractions for the past 2 weeks. My belly will stay hard for 5 minutes at a time and I can barely move. Hopefully something is going on down there!
Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: I miss sleeping on my belly, having a achy free body and having ankles!
What I'm looking forward to: My next appt on 12/9 and seeing how big Allen has grown. Also see if I have dilated anymore. Also I cant wait till I have Allen in my arms!!
Milestones: Having a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby boy. I am very thankful for this!

Shutterfly, How I love ya!

I have always wanted to use Shutterfly for my pictures/cards but always ran out of time. This year I am finally able to get organized, get our pictures taken and use Shutterfly. They have a really good deal going on with bloggers! I am especially excited to use Shutterfly this year because we have a new baby coming and the kids are big enough to get great pics done!! I've never sent out christmas cards with pictures on them, just in them. So this year we will be able to show off our beautiful children!

I am loving all of the cards and am going to have the hardest time picking "the one" out, so here are a few of my favorites

So go check out their super cute Christmas Cards, Adorable Calendars and the super sweet Thank You Cards that I will be getting after baby arrives!

Bloggers get 50 FREE holiday cards from Shutterfly! So click Here and fill out the form! Its super easy!!!

Enjoy!

Black Friday Shopping!

I went out last night and got some pretty good deals!

First I went to Old Navy since they were open all day yesterday and got the kids some super cute shirts for $5. I love Old Navy's clothes!! I need to go back and get them pants and more tops!

Reagan's cute flannel tops!

I've been wanting to get DJ a run dmc shirt for a while, but I could never find any in his size till now!

And of course cute little l/s onesies for Allen! I love the monkey!


Then I went to Walmart and scoped out the area. Nothing went on sale till midnight so I went home and ate, put the kids down and relaxed a little bit. At around 10:30 I decided to head out to walmart and when I got there, people were already putting the door busters in their carts. So I went around and got everything that was on my walmart list.

The griddle Dave has been wanting :) ($9.97)

The Waffle Maker I have been wanting forever....! ($9.97)

Dave saw this in the paper and wanted me to get it if there were any left. A Mini Chopper for $2.97 :)

Also the kids pajamas! I love the 3 piece because of the Robes! {hehehe} The kids are going to look so cute in them!

DJ got Toy Story...

Reagan got Tinkerbell...

And my lovely picture frame collage :) I'm going to start putting pictures in it when the kids go down for their naps :)


All in all it was a good night.
I still have to get the kids a lot more clothes and Allen some things.

Thanksgiving Recap!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving with their family and friends!

I did the cooking at my dads house, dave played soccer and my dad kept the kids busy.. lol Here are a few pics of out thanksgiving :)

Enjoy!

33 week appt...

My appt went great! Allen is still measuring ahead and is weighing in at 5lbs 4oz. He is "HEAD DOWN & READY TO ROCK" as my Dr said. lol Dr said that if I make it to 38 weeks, he will induce me!! I will be 38 weeks day after Christmas!!! He said that since I am 2cm/soft/thinning & favorable that he will induce. Plus my fluids are getting on the lower side so he is a little concerned about that.


Dave talked to his work and his last day will be the 23rd and he will get a month off paid. But if I go into labor earlier, they will adjust everything And they have their plan of attack ready so if I have the car and my water breaks or something, he can get a loaner car and either meet me at the hospital or have a co worker drop him off. I just hope that my dad isn't hunting when I go into labor.. lol
 

Here is a glimpse of Allen's face :) He has been a mystery baby up until now! We could never get a shot of his face.


Don't forget to vote!!!

33 weeks...

How far along:
33 weeks! 49 days till my due date!
Total weight gain/loss:
5lbs... I'm slowly gaining the 30lbs I lost in the first trimester.
Size of the baby:
This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood. *Allen was measuring 4lbs 5oz at 30 weeks, So he is probably up into the 5lb mark now!*

Sex:
All BOY!!!
Maternity clothes:
I absolutely love all of my maternity clothes! I'm going to go out and get some more on BF this weekend! I live in my leggings and yoga pants!
Sleep:
It is getting harder and harder for me to sleep through the night. I'm up about 2-4x a night just using the bathroom. My hips are aching a lot more and nothing is getting rid of the pain.
Movement:
Allen moves all of the time! He likes to flip around and kick me in the ribs or nestle up on the right side of my ribs and stretch out. {that just about kills me, I always think he is going to break one of my ribs}
Food cravings:
I am loving fruits and veggies right now. I'm so excited for thanksgiving in a few days! Turkey, taters, gravy... Yum!
Food aversions:
None really. Besides the nasty Eggnog Dave has... {Barf}
Morning sickness:
Thank goodness that is gone. It usually comes back about a week or two before I deliver so I'm not looking forward to that.
Symptoms:
I have been having a lot of lower back pain and my hips are apparently mad at me. No matter how I lay, they are always hurting. My boobs are starting to really hurt also...
Labor signs:
Luckily the PTL has stopped. I'm still 2cm, soft and thinning. Hopefully I only have a few weeks left! 
Belly button in or out:
In but its starting to thin out and get flat.
What I miss:
Being able to breathe and not get winded when I walk only a few feet. Getting a full nights rest!
What I'm looking forward to:
I have my 33 week appt on Wednesday! I cant wait to see my little man again!
Milestones:
Having a healthy baby growing inside me and a great pregnancy! {minus the PTL}

Cookie Decorating

Since its a rainy day here, I thought it would be fun to make some sugar cookies and let the kids decorate them :) At first they thought you just color them like markers, so I had to show them that you have to squeeze them a little . lol

 DJ got the hang of it and just started making gel mountains... I told him he has to draw with them too lol

 They were having a lot of fun!

 Finished product!

In love with this song...

My new favorite song...

The Band Perry - If I die young

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh, uh oh

Lord make me a rainbow, I'll shine down on my mother

She'll know I'm safe with you when she stands under my colors, oh and

Life ain't always what you think it ought to be, no

Ain't even grey, but she buries her baby

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

And I'll be wearing white, when I come into your kingdom

I'm as green as the ring on my little, cold finger, I've

Never known the lovin' of a man

But it sure felt nice when he was holding my hand, there's a

Boy here in town says he'll, love my forever

Who would have thought forever could be severed by

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls

What I never did is done

A penny for my thoughts, oh no, I'll sell them for a dollar

They're worth so much more after I'm a goner

And maybe then you'll hear the words I been singin'

Funny when your dead how people start listenin'

If I die young, bury me in satin

Lay me down on a, bed of roses

Sink me in the river, at dawn

Send me away with the words of a love song

Uh oh (uh, oh)

The ballad of a dove (uh, oh)

Go with peace and love

Gather up your tears, keep 'em in your pocket

Save them for a time when your really gonna need them, oh

The sharp knife of a short life, well

I've had, just enough time

So put on your best boys and I'll wear my pearls

32 weeks...

By now, your baby is taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.



How far along: 32 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 2lbs
Size of the baby: A large Jicama. Allen is over 4lbs 5oz and is around 17 inches long.
Sex: All Boy!
Maternity clothes: I am loving my maternity clothes. I'm going to pick some more up when I go out shopping on Black Friday!
Sleep: Ahahaha... Yeah right :(
Movement: All the time. He is a lot more active than DJ and Reagan were.
Food cravings: Nothing really...
Food aversions: Nope...
Morning sickness: Thank goodness that is over with!
Symptoms: Still my achy hips and lower back.
Labor signs: Had some more contractions earlier this week and had to get a terb shot to stop them. I think Allen is just in a hurry to meet everyone.
Belly button in or out: In
What I miss: Seeing my feet and being able to sleep through the night.
What I'm looking forward to: My next appt is day before thanksgiving!!
Milestones: Just lucky to have a healthy impatient baby boy!
Here I am at 32 weeks!

So excited for Black Friday!!!!!

I can not wait till Thanksgiving because I will be going out shopping that night!!! Toys R Us opens at 10pm on thanksgiving! I'm gonna Cook, Eat, Nap, Pack some Snacks and then I'm off!!!

Here is what I am getting at TRU:

• Little Tikes Prep n' Serve Kitchen $59.99 (orig. $99.99)
• Kitchen Accessories
• TRU Diapers $10.00 (Big Boxes)
• TRU Wipes $5.00 (Big Boxes)

Then on Friday my friend Amanda and I are going to go to Target. They open at 4am but we are going to get there a little earlier just in case the lines are extra long...

At Target I am getting:

• Tinkerbell Comforter for Reagan $18.00 (orig. $29.09)
• Toy Story Comforter for DJ $18.00 (orig. $29.09)
• Twister (game) (cousin)
• 10 pc Frame Set $12.00 (orig. $24.99)
• Stocking Stuffers for the kids
• Complete Bed Set Q/K $30.00 (orig. $44.99) (Dad)
• Black & Decker Griddle $19.00 (orig. $29.99)
• Outfits for DJ, Reagan & Allen

Then its off to Walmart:

• Tinkerbell Multi-Bin Toy Organizer $25.00
• Toy Story Multi-Bin Toy Organizer $25.00

And I think that is it.... Lets hope this doesn't put me into labor!

I think Allen is in a hurry....

To come into this world...

I had to go to L&D the other night because I was having contractions every 5-7 minutes for a few hours. I called my dad and he came over and watched the kids for us while we went. When we got there, I got hooked up to all of the monitors and was asked the usual questions. They monitored me for about an hour and I had 6 good contractions. My nurse gave me the ffn test and that came back negative, so I am safe for at least a few more weeks. She also checked me and I am at a good 2cm and my cervix is soft and thinning. Contractions were still coming so they gave me a shot of Terbutaline. I hate that shot, it gives me the shakes so bad. After about 10 minutes the contractions were dying and things were looking good. My nurse came in and said that if I didn't have any contractions for 45 minutes, she would let me go home. About 50 minutes later I was signing my discharge papers.

I have had a strong feeling this whole pregnancy that this little guy will make his appearance between 34-36 weeks. So maybe these contractions are just the beginning of something, who knows. But I'm supposed to be on some sort of bed rest but I have no idea how to do that with a 3 year old in preschool and a 2 year old. So I'm trying to take it easy....

31 weeks...

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.



How far along: 31 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 2lbs
Size of the baby: The weight of 4 Navel Oranges. Allen is measuring in at 4lbs 5oz and is 16.5 inches long.
Sex: All Boy!
Maternity clothes: Of course!
Sleep: none at all...
Movement: All the time. He is rarely calm.
Food cravings: Nacho Cheese Doritos & Sierra Mist.
Food aversions: none right now..
Morning sickness: nope...
Symptoms: OMG where do I begin... My hips are hurting so bad I cry, My hamstrings feel like I have pulled them, Allen is constantly kicking me in my ribs and Ive been so tired.
Labor signs: Lots of Braxton Hicks and a few mild contractions.
Belly button in or out: In
What I miss: Seeing my feet and being able to sleep through the night.
What I'm looking forward to: My appt on the 24th.
Milestones: Having a healthy pregnancy so far.

10 Habits of Happy Moms...

I saw this article and really enjoyed it, So I thought I would share!
1. Find time for yourself
Happy moms know they deserve a little time to themselves. When you know you're going to have a little room to breathe later on in the day, it's easier to take on everything that's in front of you. Our formula? Take 2 hours out for yourself every 3 days.

2. Don't make a happy baby, happier!
We all do it...you see your baby's head at what you're sure is an unnatural angle snoozing in their car seat. You just know they'll be happier if their head was straight. So you move them. And they wake up. Then they scream. Or, you see them playing happily in the sand. You just know they'll be happier if they played on the slide. So you interrupt them and move them to the slide. And they're angry. And they let you know they're REALLY angry. Here's the thing, they were happy. It can be hard to do, but if your kid's not complaining, leave them be! Happy baby = Happy Mommy.

3. Embrace the mess
So your house doesn’t look like something out of a magazine. That just means it’s cozy! Your children have hands coated in dirt from the playground and faces coated in spaghetti from dinner. It’s not gross—it’s an adorable photo op! Life is about how you look at things. Next time that pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the chair for three days starts to get you down, just remember… it’s probably feng shui.

4. Make time for your friends
Your family can survive without you while you make time to see friends. You are a woman with your own identity and its imperative that you and that identity go out for some margaritas once in awhile!
5. Stop blowing yourself off
While you may be the one taking care of everyone, it doesn't mean you can't also get what you want. Help your family realize your needs are as important as theirs and when mom is happy, everyone is happy, but when mom is not....

6. Get in the zone
Take 10 minutes to do absolutely nothing but rest. Take a break from your day, close your eyes, breath in slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat several times. Think about a place you love that is relaxing, spend 10 minutes there in your mind.

7. Remember your dreams and goals
Everyday we are encouraging our children to reach their full potential. But sometimes in the midst of being a parent we forget about our own dreams and goals. The best thing you can do to encourage a child is to lead by example –happy moms hold on to their dreams and goals and don’t let go.

8. Be lighthearted
Don't be the uptight mom. Be silly and dance with your kids to their music or tv show tunes. Be romantic and pull your partner into a waltz. Dance in slippery socks in your kitchen while making dinner.

9. Bend the Rules
One of the best parts of making the rules is occasionally breaking them. Maybe it’s taking your child out of school for half a day on their birthday, or waking them up in the middle of the night to see a sky of shooting stars. Happy moms know how to turn the mundane into fun.

10. Mind your own business
Concentrate on creating your life the way you want it. Take care of you and your family. Don’t get overly concerned with what other people are doing or saying. Don’t get caught up with gossip or name calling. Stop seeking the validation of others and be confident in yourself.

30 Week Appt...

I had my 30 week appt this morning and everything is going great with Allen. He is still measuring big and is weighing in at 4lbs 5oz and is Breech. Dr said that there is still enough time for him to flip around and to not be worried, which I'm not worried unless he doesn't flip.. He said he would hate to have to give me a c/s with my last kid.. lol
Dr also said that if he is still measuring big, he might want to induce me around 38 weeks so right after Christmas. I told him that I have a feeling that he will come earlier and he said Great! lol I have gained a total of 2lbs this whole pregnancy. If Allen is still breech if and when I go into labor or start my induction, we will try a version to turn him. I want to try everything I can so I don't end up with a c-section...

My appts are getting closer and closer together! 3 weeks till my next appt!

Halloween!

The kids had a blast Trick or Treating this year and scored on candy! If I had to put a weight on the kids candy, I would say at least 3-4lbs each. Here are some pics from the kids night!

Enjoy!