28 Weeks + Memorial Day Weekend FUN!

How far along? 28 weeks on May 26 

Joseph Ellis is the size of…an EGGPLANT!

Maternity Clothes: Still keeping it going with the shorts, skirts, tank tops, and flowy, empire-waisted dresses.

Stretch Marks: My belly feels super tight right now, so yea, I'm sure new stretch marks are popping up all over.

Sleep: I think we have another round of teething upon us. RF has had a few rough nights of waking up (maybe he's helping me prepare for every 2-3 hour feedings when JE arrives). Fortunately, I've been able to soothe him back to sleep pretty quickly and get back to sleep myself, but these nights have reminded me just how different uninterrupted sleep is from interrupted sleep - even if it's the same total number of hours, it's not the same on the body.

Best Moment Last Week: RF walking on the beach for the first time. He was amazed at all the sand. He was definitely not a fan of the waves crashing along the beach, though - which is fine with me - there are jellyfish, sharks and all sorts of other critters in the water that I am terrified of, so I completely get his disinterest in the gulf water.

Movement: Full belly movement when he moves now. You can see it shift from one position to another. Crazy to watch. 

Food cravings: Yep, still just want to eat. Candy, pasta, fruit, grilled cheese sandwiches - you know, whatever I can get my hands on. 

Gender: It's a BOY! 

Labor Signs: Keeping it consistent with a few BH contractions here and there.

Belly Button – in or out? Out 

Wedding Rings – on or off? I've made the transition to my back-up titanium wedding band. My rings are officially too tight. I swell so badly during the heat of the summer + being pregnant that I knew it wasn't going to be long before they were being stored in the jewelry box until after JE's arrival. 

What I Miss: My car being clean. Superficial, I know. But I was noticing it this morning - it's a disaster. Between the books, goldfish, veggie straws, zippy cups, stroller, etc., it's crazy how messy it is. I know I'm in for it for the next few years, but sheesh, I really should do a better job of cleaning it out more often. 

What I Am Looking Forward To: RF's 18-month check up tomorrow and then my last once-a-month check-up next week. After that we will be down to every two weeks - almost there! 

Milestones: We made it to the THIRD TRIMESTER! YAY!

JE @ 28 weeks + 1 day…

Memorial Day Weekend FUN! 

We spent Saturday and Sunday at the beach with my mom and sisters and RF had a blast. I think he enjoyed the change of scenery and while it wasn't very relaxing for me (hard to relax when there's a 19-month old near the water…), I know he enjoyed every minute of it. 

Did you say "the beach", mama? YAY! 

Shopping with Aunt Hartley...

No need to strain yourself pushing me in my stroller, mama - I got this. 

Rocks, mama. Look at all these rocks...

YAY! Pool time with Aunt Hartley! 

Swimming like a fish...

A happy little boy - he loves the pool...

Beautiful blue skies on Saturday in Gulf Shores...

So much fun to fill up his bucket and then dumping the water out. Each time he lifted the bucket he would say, "heavy" in a super dramatic voice. 

And it wouldn't be a day in the life of RF without taking all of the kitchen utensils out of the drawers and cabinets at the condo...

Walking on the sand for the first time...

Heading down to the water for the first time...

And that's about as far as he got - he was not a fan of the waves and how his feet would sink into the sand after the water crashed on the shore...

Such a pretty view...

I asked him where the water was and he pointed to it. I then asked him if he wanted to go get in the water and he promptly said, "No." 

A little boy on the beach...

Eating pizza at 9AM - that's ok to do while you're on a mini-vacation, right? 

Getting ready to go on the dolphin cruise...

Dolphins! 

RF missed part of the dolphin cruise as he was super tired and napped for about an hour. Once he woke up, he was able to see a few dolphins before he noticed the vacuum cleaner on the boat. I spent the last 45 minutes of the dolphin cruise trying to distract him from attempting to play with the vacuum. 

Distracting him by letting him 'mix' the water in my cup with his pacifier - whatever it takes, sometimes - whatever it takes. 

Homemade white chicken pizza on Memorial Day...

A starfish RF found on the beach Saturday night…

Lots of fun in our future as tomorrow is my last day of work for the summer, other than a few meetings here and there. Excited to get some house projects accomplished and spend some time with my little boy. Yay for summer! 

27 Weeks + What We've Been Up To Lately...

How far along? 27 weeks on May 19 

Joseph Ellis is the size of…a RUTABAGA!

Maternity Clothes: Still sticking with dresses, skirts and tank tops.

Stretch Marks: Pretty sure some new stretch marks are popping up. I feel like JE is carrying differently from RF, so it doesn't surprise me to see a few new ones.

Sleep: Going well still. RF is rocking the sleeping in a big boy bed thing. He goes to bed about 7pm and has been sleeping until about 5:30am or so most mornings.

Best Moment Last Week: Swimming in Papa Tad and Lola's pool with RF on Sunday. We only swam for about 45 minutes because the water was a bit chilly, but that didn't stop my little boy. He loves the water. We are heading down to the beach for the first time this weekend and I cannot wait to see how RF reacts to seeing the sand and the waves.

Movement: Still letting me know he's in there and doing just fine - lots of kicks and jabs. 

Food cravings: Still hungry - just still hungry. My kids are having a Cultural Exchange (AP World History way of saying class party) tomorrow and Wednesday. Really hoping I don't embarrass myself by eating more than they do. 

Gender: It's a BOY! 

Labor Signs: Feeling more BH contractions this week. Definitely feel them more on the weekends when I am doing a lot more playing, chasing, picking up RF.

Belly Button – in or out? OUT. 

Wedding Rings – on or off? Wedding band only, still. 

What I Miss: Being able to sleep on my stomach. Thank goodness for body pillows, but I sleep so much better on my stomach...

What I Am Looking Forward To: Summer - time to relax, spend time as a family of three and nest. I probably should also get JE's nursery ready…yea, I really should get on that. 

Milestones: This is the last week of the second trimester - WOW! JE will be here before we know it!

JE @ 27 weeks + 1 day. 

Look at the size of that belly, folks - it's huge! 

What We've Been Up To Lately…

Helping daddy measure sheetrock...

Playing in his pool - raking the water - because everyone rakes the water, right? 

Think he's having fun? 

Bubble time outside with daddy...

My weekend project - for meal planning + our weekly schedule. 

RF and daddy picked mama flowers...

Drawing - he LOVES to color. 

RF's 1st school photos arrived this past week. While we are not fans of posed shots, they're his first school photos - I just couldn't resist. 

26 Weeks.

How far along? 26 weeks on May 12 

Joseph Ellis is the size of…a head of LETTUCE!

Maternity Clothes: Yep. And I'm having to go out this weekend and buy some more actual maternity clothes. This belly is getting really, really big folks.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new.

Sleep: Doing well in this department still. Flip flop a few times a night to change positions, but enjoying being able to get a solid night's sleep.

Best Moment Last Week: On the way home from school the other day I asked RF who he loves. His first response was "Daddy" and his second response was "Ellis". Not sure if it was a fluke or if he actually understood me, but hey, I'll take it - it was super cute! Took a bit of prompting, but he did eventually say he loves me and his doggies.

Movement: All over the place and it's becoming more obvious about the times of the day that he is more active. I've noticed that he is crazy-moving in the early evenings (5pm-6pm) and then super early in the morning (4am-5am). We may have another early riser on our hands just like his big brother. 

Food cravings: Cravings haven't been intense this week, but I'm back to having a very intense appetite - hungry all the time. 

Gender: It's a BOY! 

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button – in or out? Pretty much an outie at this point. 

Wedding Rings – on or off? Still wedding band only. Not expecting this to change for a while with the hot weather beginning to set in. 

What I Miss: My big boy being a little boy. He is growing up so fast and is so energetic and curious and talkative. I was looking back at some photos the other day from his early months and I cannot believe how quickly time has passed. But, I absolutely love the stage he's in now (aside from the occasional temper-tantrum that he can throw). Summer is going to be fun! 

What I Am Looking Forward To: Only 7 more school days - YAY! I'm excited to get some intense cleaning, organizing, preparing for JE done in June and then relaxing in July/early August as we await JE's arrival. Also really looking forward to RF and mama outings this summer. I've already started a list of the things I want to do with him. 

Milestones: Approaching the end of trimester two. Crazy to think that we are just a few short months from JE's arrival.

JE @ 26 weeks + 1 day…

I can already tell I'm starting to swell - looking pretty rough in this photo…

25 Weeks.

How far along? 25 weeks on May 5 

Joseph Ellis is the size of…a CAULIFLOWER!

Maternity Clothes: Still relying on dresses to keep me comfortable.

Stretch Marks: Nothing new.

Sleep: Solid sleep is nice. Really, really nice. RF is still sleeping well (in his big boy bed, I might add) and I am enjoying 9-10 hours each night, too. Trying to be sure to rest as much as possible right now as I am already starting to swell and feel some more BH contractions.

Best Moment Last Week: RF kissing my belly while patting it and saying, "Ellis." He is the cutest thing and I know he will be a great big brother.

Movement: Movin', movin', movin' - I love it. 

Food cravings: Back on wanting Olive Garden. And sweets. And a coke. 

Gender: It's a BOY! 

Labor Signs: Nope. 

Belly Button – in or out? It has begun sticking out. Not a full outie just yet, but we are well on our way. 

Wedding Rings – on or off? Wedding band only. Definitely wedding band only. It's fitting fine, but I'm kind of sad that I already can't wear my engagement ring and anniversary band. 

What I Miss: A calm schedule. As the end of the school year is upon us I am having slight panic attacks with all of the goings-on. It seems that every day between now and May 23 I have something before school, during my "lunch" (20 minutes), planning block or after school. Some days I have things during all four of those times. I really hate hectic schedules. I want calmness back. Go to work, pick up my little boy and come home. Just 13 more days…just 13 more days...

What I Am Looking Forward To: Dr. appt. on Wednesday and getting to hear JE's heartbeat again. Although I also have to do my glucose test…boo. 

Milestones: Another successful road trip while pregnant with an 18-month old, three dogs and a husband. We had a great time in GA and are looking forward to our next visit.

JEH @ 25 weeks… 

Looking kind of rough - out of town all weekend + sick = one not feeling 100% mama.