My head is spinning

So, over the last 3 weeks or so, I've realized such a change in Jenna. She's really a little person, displaying her wants, her needs, her desires. She's throwing less tantrums because she's really able to express herself now.

I can *talk* to my child now. She can converse back with us. She says so many words every time I try to write them down, I miss A LOT. She sings 'take me out to the ball game' with us. I'm going to try to list a number of the words she's saying but I know this list will not be all the words. I.just.can't.keep.up!

Tree, apple, light, more, please, up, down, Pop, Poppy, Mama, Daddy, Mom, Dad, Daddy, bath, potty, broccoli, cheese, sock, shoes, zapatos, boca, eye, nose, head, cabesa, mesa, Noble, bye, hi, go, Ohhhh Doctor!!! (phrase used when the Yanks hit a home run), kisses... the list goes on and on. She repeats new words daily and frankly, I don't know what to do with such a verbal child! Oh, I left out the word 'crap' which she's repeated but not used in context... much better than some of the other words that came out of our mouths during the 49ers game the other day.
We went to the pumpkin farm a few weekends ago. We had a blast. Jenna loved pushing the pumpkins over then trying to pick them up...

She's so big, so independent, such a toddler. I *love* this age. I love that she's striking out on her own every chance she's got.

Although I can't say I'm surprised. The girl has always been opinionated. Need I remind you that she likes to make a statement?

Seriously... look at this kid. So different than 6 months ago. When they say 'this too, shall pass' they're not kidding. The blink of an eye yields a different child entirely. And yet, she's not all that different. She still makes us aware of her wants, her needs, her desires... rather forcefully. But now I'm able to encourage her to phrase things instead of just balling or screaming. Crazy cool is what it is. Crazy cool.

Jenna is just shy of 16 months and blowing my mind.

Update on me

I'm having issues with my photo-sharing website (slow to load, apparently I'm not the only one that decided to order prints from 'last year' on my day off) and I thought I'd do a different update. 

So, I've hit a major milestone and I realized I haven't updated my stats since after giving birth. I'm super proud of myself. 

I'm back to below my pre-pg weight! I'm currently back in most of my pre-pregnancy clothing, I weigh less than before I got pregnant and I'm still nursing. Since having Jenna, my diet has drastically changed. I've never been one to "diet" because I just enjoy 'real' food too much. I try to avoid margarine, artificial sweeteners and the like. Anyway, since having Jenna and looking at both Nick and I's family histories (diabetes and heart disease) I wanted to start eating more appropriately as a family. So, nutritious home cooked meals more frequently. 

I knew it would be a challenge especially going back to work. BUT because I go feed Jenna at lunch, I really can't go out for lunch anymore. That means I have to prep something ahead of time and if I'm going to do that, it makes it easier to be healthy because I have to pre-plan to make it happen (I, for one, don't pre-plan to have 'comfort food'... that's a craving that pops up and I used to give in to at lunch ALL THE TIME). 

Speaking of pre-planning... I now have to grocery shop only once a week. Because it's much more difficult with Jenna, I plan our meals out for the week, write out a list and tackle it all in one day. No more running to the store for one meal. This helps out both for our food choices (again, I don't pre-plan food that's unhealthy) and our wallets. When I used to run to the store for one meal, I would somehow spend $30 on that ONE meal only to have a bunch of the rest of the food spoil. Now, I plan ahead, and use leftovers either for another meal or for lunch the next day. 

Does all this mean this system is "perfect" for me all the time? No. There is no such thing as perfect. I learned once I stopped striving for that not only was I happier, but more forgiving to myself. I buffer in about one meal a week to 'eat out'. That tends to be pizza, Los Panchos or something else easy to grab and yummy to eat. 

So, all in all, 6 months after Jenna arrived, my body is finally feeling back to "normal". I'm back in my clothes, I don't have digestive issues anymore (I thought they'd never go away!) and I'm feeling good. My only remaining issue is my bra size only comes in $70 bras. That, I hope will resolve itself in about 6 months when we stop nursing... but until then... 

Belly pics!

This is what happens when you've recently been to BRU (Babies R Us) and JoAnn's fabrics and discovered the cute little iron-on's. So cute! Hey, at least it kept me at home!
My first attempt at a self belly shot.. I haven't done this since the beginning, now I know why! 
Oh, why not... here's my fully exposed belly with a really stupid expression on my face! 
And, the traditional one, to compare with the others. 

To compare to my pre-pg stats: 

Weight - Then: 130, now: 173

Bra size - Then: 34B Now: too scared to actually go get fitted properly... something larger than a DD. 

Waist - Then: 27 inches, Now: 43.5 inches. 

I really don't think it will be that much longer. Today, at the appointment, the Midwife had me lay down to measure the heart beat and she said "Oh! You're having a contraction." I told her this was mild in comparison to my normal contractions. Before the end of the appointment, I had a firmer contraction and after confirming that it didn't really hurt (though I have had a few that did!) she said "Well, at least you're body will have lots of practice!" One can only hope! 

36w,4d (almost full term!) 

New belly pic! (a little late)

Here's my most recent belly pic:

My 2 ups:

-I'm doing relatively well, I'm in stage 2 maternity clothes and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they last until the end (here's hoping!)

- I'm excited for spring and after a minor freak out as to how little time we have left, I've realized it's time to just enjoy the last few months of being a couple before becoming a family

(one more up, because I wanna)

- This morning I told Nick to watch my belly, because she was kicking around. He decided to come over and talk to the baby putting his lips right around my belly button. As he was talking to her, she kicked his lips! He was pretty shocked and excited. It was really cool to see the two of them 'interact'.

My 2 downs:

- I had to go up a couple sizes in underwear. Weird feeling.

-I miss wine. And cocktails.

(one more, because I wanna)

-I think I'm officially up 30 lbs.

What are your 2 ups and 2 downs? (obviously, add as many as you'd like)

26w, even!

I finally measured my waist!

I've been scared to measure my new waist size since becoming pg... But, I finally did... here's the current stats:

Weight: 150lbs (+20lbs.)
Waist: 35inches (originally 27)
Bra: 34DD (originally 34B)

I think that's all I can update...new pic this weekend!

Big Ultrasound!

So, we officially know the sex of our baby. However, I'm not sharing until after this weekend, as my mom reads this blog, and I don't want the suprise ruined for her. (Mom, I'm sure you're checking this to see if I've "slipped") :)



The baby's measuring a couple of days early, and it weighs in at 11 oz. It's crazy to think our baby weighs as much as a can of soda!



On other news, I finally went and was professionaly measured for my pregnant boobs. The $10 target bras weren't cutting it anymore, and were pushing on my belly, which wasn't comfortable at all. Well, $70 later and an additional size up, the 'girls' are feeling much better.

That reminds me, it's about time for all the stats I post not as much as I should...

Weight - 147 lbs.
Size: 2/4 this doesn't really change, but I'm in 'small' maternity clothing...
Bra size: 34DD

My Cup Runneth Over

Who knew boobs could grow this fast! I'm quickly out growing the C cup I purchased a few weeks ago. I think I need to shop this weekend for something to harness 'the girls'.

Here's my stats as of today:
Weight - 132.5
Bra - 32C (please don't let me upgrade!)
Waist size pre-pg - 27
Now? eh, I'm too lazy to update (I will next time... I think I'm scared of the result!)
Pant size - currently wearing my 2's and 4's unbuttoned with the bella band. Size 6's fit in the beginning of the day, but by the end of the day are either unbuttoned or swapped for sweatpants.

We've changed our plans, we'll be telling husband's brother and sister-in-law tonight. His parents will be present... it's so fun to tell the 'secret!' My brother will find out this weekend, as will my husband's grandparents and, who am I kidding, the rest of the extended family!

Pre-Pregnancy Stats

OK, so I'm using this as a journal for my pregnancy. So, I'm going to update these stats every 4 weeks (or at least that's the goal!)

At 4 weeks:
Height- 5'6" (maybe I won't update this one)
Weight - 130 lbs.
Size: 2/4
Bra size: 34B

It will be really, really interesting to see how this changes!