The Nursery

We chose not to do up a whole nursery this time around. Technically we have a 3rd bedroom in the house we're in, but we're not going to be here past the end of the year AND the 3rd bedroom is really more of an office space that they stuck a closet into so they could call it a bedroom. It's at the front of the house, where the other two bedrooms are at the back and I wouldn't put either of my kids up there by themselves.
Sooo... we decided to just convert a little corner of our bedroom into a space for Zachary. I'm pretty pleased with the result and since he doesn't really need his own space for awhile anyway... it kind of works out!


I didn't want to spend a lot of money on decorating, but I DID want to do something a little special for him. I'm pretty proud of how it came together, but I couldn't have gotten it all down without my mom and my husband helping considering I didn't start this process until about 4-6 weeks before I due!


Remember this lovely dresser I picked up for $10?? Thanks to my Aunt Sharon for finding it for me.

Well, my husband sanded and painted it for me. Then I decided to use it as a changing table also because of the little lip at the back. Works great!

I planned to buy some metal knobs to replace the ones that were on it. I wanted some in the shape of an acorn, but once I started looking I discovered that they cost about $11 a piece! That would have cost me more than $60 to put knobs on my $10 dresser.

Sooo... thanks to my talented mom, I have adorable painted acorn knobs now. She got some wooden knobs at the home improvement store and painted them for me.

Next, thanks to my Aunt Sharon AGAIN (she hits lots of garage sales), I got a cheap glider rocking chair with a ottoman! With Malachi, I just had a wooden rocker that didn't quite fit me and I said that if I had another, I wanted a glider, so I was pretty excited about this. It was pretty dirty and the cushion covers were kinda yucky and worn, so thanks to my mom AGAIN, they got slip covered in a nice chocolate brown velour. Arm covers are still coming...

And lastly, I ordered some cute wall art from a shop on Etsy and hung it above the dresser. I bought some frames and mats at Michaels on clearance or with coupons and I took my color scheme from the pictures and I think it turned out pretty cute.

The RESULT

It's pretty simple, but sweet and nice.

Oh... and lastly.... a picture of my cute little one. =)

Introducing.....

The newest member of our family!

Zachary Shaun 

June 26 at 8:10 am

8lbs 14oz      20 inches

We are home and everyone is doing great.

I'm recovering very well from my C-Section... much quicker than last time. They had me up and walking around the same day! 

Zachary is perfect, of course. And Malachi loves his little brother lots and lots. =)

Big Brother

I should still be in the hospital, but I thought I'd do a special Big Brother post. =)


Here we are the day my Malachi was born:

And here he is the day we went home from the hospital:

Well, this little baby is the Big Brother! I'm sure my mom will have some pictures on her blog Life Unraveled by now - so head on over there and check them out! Unless, of course, she's so busy with this Big Brother that she hasn't had time to post any. =)

So... I saw something on Pinterest that I thought was a great idea... a gift bag for the older sibling! This was the inspiration:

Source: ducksinarowblog.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Although I couldn't find a tote bag cheap enough, so I finally just pulled out an old gift bag from my stash:

Then I headed to the Dollar Store and picked up some stuff that he could do in the hospital room when he came visiting. Because it's summer, there are lots of little things like bubbles and water/sand toys out there in those $1 bins at Target, but I figured it was better to give him stuff he could play with while he was with us.

I picked up a coloring book and crayons, some "grow and animal" things, a set of binoculars because he's always pretending he has some and a dinosaur. I had also ordered him a special "big brother malachi" T-shirt from ZoeysAttic on etsy.

I'm hoping this is a hit and keeps him busy while he's with us (instead of getting into everything he shouldn't be!). Also that he knows we didn't forget about him.

Pregnancy Wrap-Up

Here I am at 40 weeks! By the time this posts, our new little guy will be here! Hooray!


I thought I'd do one last wrap-up of my pregnancy thoughts and stats. =)
Stats:
Weight Gain:
149lbs - which brings the grand total of weight gained to 24lbs! Whoohoo! Way better than the 40lbs that I gained with Malachi by the end! I actually lost 2lbs this week, although I have NO idea how that happened considering how much I ate. =)
Baby Size:
They are saying I'm measuring "right on" whatever that means. Malachi was two weeks ahead of schedule and 8 eights late and he was 8lbs 13oz. I'm very curious to see what "on-time" and "average" end up being. =)
Pregnancy Annoyances:
Cankles have finally arrived. I had to take my engagement ring off the other day because it was cutting of my circulation.... it's back on now, but I'm definitely getting some swelling here and there. I feel like I'm a lot more stiff and sore in my hips this pregnancy... I don't know if that's just because I don't remember or because I'm old now! Sleep is still terrible and my poor tummy is still stretching and itching like crazy.


Final Thoughts:
*I have decided I am not one of those women who "love being pregnant". Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with those people. I have fairly good pregnancies and I don't love it. It's awkward and fairly inconvenient I think.
*I'm getting a lot of questions like, "oh, you're having another boy! Are you going to try for a girl?" Honestly, I don't know. It would be nice to have a girl, I suppose, but I want to see how I handle two first. And... I'm feeling like I really will probably wait another 2-3 years again because I'm liking the age span. By then I'll be 33 and my husband will be 37, sooooo.... again.... I don't know.
*I think it is more scary the second time having a baby. I'm sitting here tonight thinking of what tomorrow is going to bring and how this time I actually kind of KNOW what I'm getting myself into. I know what the recovery of a C-Section entails. I know what a newborn is like. AND I know what my current child is like... only without the complications of a second one! Makes me nervous just sitting here thinking about it all!

Tomorrow is Baby Day!

I almost can't believe it!
Tomorrow morning I will be arriving at the hospital at 5:30 am (UGH) and my C-Section is scheduled for 7:30 am. Which means by this time tomorrow our new baby boy will be with us!
I'm not sure I'm quite ready!!


Today was my last doctor's appt, where I was able to pick up all my prescriptions for when I come home (I vaguely remember having to leave the hospital last time and then go half-drugged to the pharmacy for those same prescriptions).
I have my bag (mostly) packed for the morning
After all the baby hats I've made for the many, many baby showers I've attended already this spring/summer, I FINALLY last night at work finished up TWO hats for my own baby!

Hat with Pom Pom
Newborn Size   100% Acrylic

(this one turned out a little bit weird shaped... he might need another one. =)

Rolled Brim Colorblock Hat 0-6 Months
Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Yarn - 75% Pima Cotton 25% Acrylic
Colors: Marlin and Whisker

Sooo... I will not be blogging for probably at least a week unless I get motivated to schedule a couple posts! I am excited and nervous about this new journey we're starting on. Mostly I can't believe it's here already - yikes!

And last by not least... it's the end of an era. The last day that it's just me and my Little Guy - soon-to-be big brother!

Nearing the End

I haven't been very inspired to post the last few days. I am getting down to the last few days of this pregnancy and I have to admit - I'm tired, stiff and sore. I've whittled down my to-do list pretty well, but I have definitely felt the effects of it on my hips and back the last few days. I feel like a pretty sucky mommy at the moment because Malachi wants me to go for walks and play on the floor and I just don't have the energy - or the patience for any misbehavior either.


I have finished up four more freezer meals - which brings my total to 18! That's not counting my 10 breakfast burritos. I did my last grocery shopping trip and stocked up on milk and bread in the freezer... hopefully those extra staples last us until I've recovered enough for another shopping trip after surgery (not that my husband is not capable of buying milk or bread... but it could be dangerous to send him to the store ALONE for groceries. Never know what he may come back with!)


I finally pulled down my breast pump and had my husband un-earth all the accessories out of a box that was still in the garage from moving. I put everything in the sink to soak and cleaned and disinfected everything - about time! I was actually making myself a little nervous that something would happen and I'd end up in the hospital before finding all the pieces!


I also got the car seats re-arranged and installed in my car! I'm not quite sure how this is all going to work with the car seats. My 3-year-old can obviously get into his car seat on his own, but needs help being buckled in.... and sometimes he just doesn't WANT to get in. Now he's going to be on the other side of the backseat.... not very accessible unless I go around to the passenger side of the car.... I guess we'll see what happens.


Today is my last day of work, tomorrow is my last doctor's appointment and then Tuesday morning baby will be here! I'm excited and nervous at the same time! =)

7 Days to Go!

I have the official word finally. My C-Section is scheduled for June 26th! Soooo... that means I have 7 days or less before this baby is here! Still so much to do!


Almost 39 Week Stats
Weight Gain: 
After 4 weeks of holding steady at 147lbs, I gained 4lbs this week! Still only puts my total weight gain at 26lbs though, so I really can't complain at all. With Malachi I was up to 35lbs by this time and by the time I actually went into labor (8 days overdue) I was at 40. Hooray for less baby weight to lose this time around!
Baby Size? 
Measuring right at 39 weeks according to the doctor. Also different than my last pregnancy, where he was measuring 2 weeks ahead.
Pregnancy Annoyances:
I hate sleeping. Not really sleeping... more the waking up in pain in the middle of the night. I've taken to sleeping with some Tylenol next to the bed so that at 4am I can take it and get some more restful sleep. Seriously.....
With all this talk of weighing less and the baby being smaller, you'd think my skin would be less stretched than last time around.... apparently not the case. I've gained some new lovely red stretch marks this time around and my stomach is so itchy! Grrr....
I have definitely slowed down. Malachi and I have been going on walks for months, but last week we went to the park for a usual walk and I had to stop and sit for a little bit.... I'm ready to go back to my normal self!


Accomplished this week:
Found the small cloth diapers and washed them.
My aunt found me a new glider rocker secondhand and I got it all washed up. My mom is going to make me some new covers for the cushions.
Got both infant car seats located, washed and reassembled... still not in the car though...
Also found the flannel receiving blankets and some other odds and ends and got them washed up.
Completed a new knitted hat for the baby... the only thing I've made him so far!


Need to do:
I have a couple freezer meals I need to assemble
Get down the breast pump and make sure its cleaned up and ready to go
Buy a new diaper pail
Finish up the dresser - it's sanded and just needs paint
Put up my nursery art on the wall (although it IS framed now!)
Finish packing my bag for the hospital
Install the car seat!

2 Weeks Left

Car Seat:
Disassembled, Washed (scrubbed, soaked, etc), Re-Assembled - check!
Installed in car - on the To-Do list


Bags Packed:
Malachi's bag for staying at Grandma's for a couple nights - check!
Mommy's bag for the hospital - in progress


Baby's Nursery/Corner/Place to Sleep:
Dresser sanded and drawer repaired - check!
Dresser painted - on the To-Do List
Knobs for dresser - on Grandma's To-Do List =)
Bassinet assembled - check!
Wall Decor framed and installed - on the To-Do List
Baby clothes washed and sorted - check!


Misc:
Baby toys found and washed - check!
Baby newborn hat knitted - check!
Find small cloth diapers - on the To-Do List
Buy a new diaper pail for cloth diapers - on the To-Do List


I feel like I haven't gotten to far on preparing for this baby... but I guess I'm not doing too bad! There's still some stuff left on my list (I'm sure I'll remember more....) but I'm making progress!

36 Weeks-More Baby Prep

I had my 36 week appointment today! Attempting to reschedule my C-Section a few days closer to my due date to allow me to work through the weekend and signed my paperwork for a VBAC just in case. I am really feeling like I'm going to make it to my C-Section date without going into labor first, but I figured I better be prepared regardless.

The last couple days I've been making so more freezer meals for after baby comes. I'm feeling a little more prepared than I was.... 
Sunday I made up two Honey Pork Chops. Those were super easy - just throw a bunch of ingredients in a bag, add the pork chops and freeze. Easy! I got the recipe from this book that I bought awhile ago:

Yesterday I made three Layered Enchilada Casseroles. I bought enough to make two and then when I actually went to make it - I got three! Bonus! I think it was because I was using some leftover pie pans from Malachi's Cowboy Birthday Party, instead of 8x8 dishes, but I am happy with the result.

Today, I made up a bunch of Breakfast Burritos - also taken from Don't Panic - Dinner's in the Freezer. I had some uneven ingrediants left over at the end and I ate one - pretty good!

I also downloaded this nifty Freezer Contents List from momsbudget.com. It's a free download and hopefully it will help me remember what I've made and have lurking out in the freezer!

More Malachi Moments

Like this super flattering, blurry picture of my pregnant belly?? Well, that is courtesy of my wonderful son, Malachi, who got a hold of my camera while I was trying to take pictures of flowers for my Etsy Shop. I debated even posting this picture because it's so awful... but the story is something I'd like to remember, so I decided to post it anyway. =)

Okay, now on to the cute story part!

As I said, I was taking pictures and Malachi was "helping" me and taking random pictures. Then, he was like, "I take a picture your baby." and I was busy, so I really didn't care what he was taking pictures of. Then I heard him say, "Smile, baby!" and took the lovely picture above. My heart melted a little bit - I thought that was so sweet that he wanted to take a picture of the baby! I hope he's this into the baby after he's actually here!

Another Project Finished!

It just seems like everywhere you go these days there are pregnant women! It's like an epidemic! Well, I had a request for one of my super cute Candy Corn Hats and actually got it finished! Whoohoo! Another baby gift completed!

Candy Corn Hat 0-6 months

Knit Picks Swish DK Yarn - Superwash Merino Wool

Colors: Semolina, Orange & White

I used to sell these cuties in my etsy shop, but I get my yarn from KnitPicks and they have since discontinued that perfect yellow color....so unless I want to re-vamp my whole hat and choose new yarns, only family and friends will be receiving these (luckily I stocked up on some extra skeins of yellow before they were gone)!

I finally started on my FIRST baby project for my own little one today! Only about 3 weeks to go until my currently scheduled C-Section! I have a few projects I'd like to have done by then...... =)

Preparing for Baby...

If you've been reading my pregnancy posts, you may have realized I've not been very proactive about getting ready for this baby. =)

A couple weeks ago I actually started kind of mentally freaking out about it when I realized I only had about 6 weeks to go and had done absolutely NOTHING. 

Well, I've been attempting to remedy that situation... call it nesting or whatever, but I could probably handle it if baby decided to come ... although... a few more weeks would be most helpful!

Saturday I had the house to myself. Malachi was at my parents and my husband was hunting.... I planned on a fairly lazy day before I had to head off to work, but I was productive also!
First I spent some time browsing on Etsy and Pinterest - that's productive, right?

Then I made up 4 Crock-Pot Freezer Meals! I had never thought of such an ingenuous idea before Pinterest! I love my Crock-Pot... and I love freezer meals... but I'd never thought of combining the two! 

2 Teriyaki Chicken

2 Lazy Day Stew

Follow this link to a blog with more Crock-Pot freezer meals...

or check out my Pinterest board Dinners DONE! for more ideas.

Also, this weekend, I picked up a new dresser for $10. It needs some TLC and a new paint job, but I think it will work perfect for the baby's area. We are not decorating a nursery for this baby. Mostly because we probably won't be in this house long enough to make it worth it... so I've decided to just convert a corner of our bedroom into a nursery space. We're not even setting up the crib, but I'm going to have a glider, dresser and probably a little art on the walls. I'm thinking I can use this dresser as a changing table too, and not have to drag out Malachi's big one from the closet....

I also decided on kind of a theme for this baby. We were going to do an owl/woodland theme, but owls are SO popular right now that I decided not too. Since my husband is such an outdoorsy/hunter-type though, I thought we'd keep the woodland theme and just focus on some of the other animals like the bear and deer. =) After searching what seemed like hundreds of wall art, I finally came across some that I really love from a shop on Etsy.

I'm going to take my colors from these beautiful watercolor paintings!

I also finally got Malachi's old clothes out and washed everything. Some of it took some major soaking in OxyClean to get out the yellow spit-up stains (he was the pukey-est baby ever), but it looks like we're going to be able to save most of it. =)

 My aunt picked me up that glider, so I still need a footstool and maybe cover the cushions in a cute fabric. My mom and I got an awesome deal on the Newborn Rock-and-Play Sleeper the other day at Target (this is what I'm going to use instead of the crib - hopefully until we're able to move!) Normally $65, it was marked down to $54.99 at Target, then for Memorial Day it was marked down some more to $49.00, THEN I had a coupon for $7.00 off! Total cost: $42.00! Saved: $23.00! Yay!

Sooo... we are on our way to being somewhat prepared. Today I'm going to pick up my paperwork from the doctor for my Leave of Absence at work and mailing it in (a minor fiasco that's been), so hopefully I'll be all set up for my 12 weeks of leave here pretty soon!

35 Weeks.... 5 Weeks to Go

Yikes! 5 weeks??? Where has the time gone?
My C-Section is actually currently scheduled for June 20th (although, I've just told them I was hoping to work through the 23rd... so there is a possibility that might change), which means I really only have 4 weeks left..... a slight panic sets in when I actually sit down to think about this!
Stats
Weight gain:
147lbs - which puts my total gain this pregnancy at 22lbs so far... this is amazing because I think at this same point at my last pregnancy I had gained at least 30lbs.
New Pregnancy Annoyances:
I am really starting to feel tired and irritable. I always pride myself on being an easy-going pregnant person. I have a personal theory that people who are bitchy while pregnant want to be that way all the time and just use hormones as an excuse... I don't think there's an excuse for acting that way. But... I am definitely becoming more short-tempered with Malachi. I am blaming this on my work schedule though... not being pregnant. =)
Baby size:
Baby is still measuring average.
Other thoughts:
I feel gigantic. I know I'm not - especially since I can compare myself against my last pregnancy and know that I've gained much less weight this time around... but I'm uncomfortable... and tired. Really tired. Working 4 nights a week is really taking its toll on me at the moment. I'm happy that this is my last Friday night to work and then I'll be down to only 3 nights a week until the end.


Malachi Moments

He is really sweet. We are having our difficulties right now. His behavior has been less than steller lately (also something I'd like to blame on working so much and being so tired during the day).... to the point of both of us being on the verge of tears... but he is so sweet about the baby. He randomly comes up to me and says, "I kiss the baby!" and proceeds to kiss my belly. Or he says, "I love the baby" just out of the blue. Talking to a co-worker yesterday who is due a week after me and has a daughter about the same age, I was very thankful for his sweet responses to the baby. Her daughter wants nothing to do with the thought of the new baby and I think she's very nervous about her response when it's actually here!

He felt the baby move for the first time a couple days ago. I was sitting on the couch and he was trying to sit on my lap... and all of a sudden he sits up and says, "What's that??" I said, "That's the baby kicking". To which he replied, "The baby is kicking you?" =)

Then when the movement stopped he said, "Where the baby go?" and I said he stopped moving, to which he said, "The baby sleeping now?"

Here he is with my husband. They are both sleeping after a hard battle of wills at nap time. I checked in on them when I heard loud snoring coming from the room.... they are both asleep. =)

6 weeks to go!

Mmm... well, considering my title, I should probably have a pregnancy picture today, but I really don't feel like posting one. =) Sooo... we are going to have cute Malachi pictures instead!

This is a super cute sweater that my mom knit for Malachi recently.

It has a hood, which he loves, and a front sweatshirt-type pocket.

Here he is modeling it... isn't he cute? =)

I have six weeks to go before the new baby is due. I'm alternately excited to not be pregnant anymore and terrified that I'm not ready for the baby to be here. I've really been uninspired to do anything for the new baby this time around. Part of that is probably because I thought we'd be moving from this house with in a month or so of having him and so I didn't plan a nursery, get out clothes or really anything. But, circumstances have changed that will allow us to stay here through the end of the year.... so now... all of a sudden I feel like I should be doing something for this baby! That somehow he's gotten the raw end of the deal because I went all out for Malachi and have literally done nothing for this baby - I haven't even knit him a new hat!


So today, I started sorting through Malachi's baby clothes to see what I have and washing it. Malachi had terrible colic and spit-up non-stop for the first 6 months, so, as I feared, all his clothes have turned a hideous yellow around the necks and down the front in the three years they've been sitting in storage. I managed to get most of it out with bleach today though, so I was happy. I also took the cover off the bouncer and washed it along with some blankets people have given us and a play mat. I felt very productive today.


I've also planned out a corner of our bedroom to set up for the new baby. We still won't be here long-term enough for me to really set up a nursery, but I want to get some wall art and set up a changing station for the baby. I have some plans to make wall art, but if all else fails, I'm loving these cute little forest creatures ...

Source: etsy.com via Elsie on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com

Sooo... we'll see what happens with that. =)


I think I was a little over-productive today though because I am very sore.... my hips are protesting and I think I'm going to go watch a movie on Netflix and knit on a washcloth that I'm giving as a baby shower gift this weekend!

33 Weeks - Delivery Decisions

7 weeks to go - both an exciting and frightening thought!


Stats
Weight gain:
144lbs - which puts my total gain this pregnancy at 19lbs so far
Cravings:
Anything that I had has now passed... I guess I'm not much of a cravings person
New Pregnancy Annoyances:
Back pain, fatigue, the fact that I have to take nasty iron pills and I'm having a hard time sleeping because of the back pain - despite my awesome pillow!
Baby size:
Unlike his older brother (who was, at this point, already measuring 2 weeks big), this baby seems to be measuring right about average. Yay for me!
Other thoughts:
If one more person in the ER tells me I look like I'm about to deliver any day, asks how many babies I'm having or any other offending sort of comment I might just hit them.... jeez... I've only gained 19lbs people!


~Malachi Moment~
Walking in the grocery store parking lot the other day, he put his little hand up on my tummy. I thought this was a little weird and asked what he was doing. To which he replied, "I hold your baby, Mom" =)


I had my latest visit with the doctor on Monday morning. Baby is growing and sounds great. I had a great conversation with the doctor about my options of Repeat Cesarean Section or a Trial of Labor/Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (TOL/VBAC).
I have made the decision to not really make a decision.

Malachi - Age 7 Months

With Malachi, I had a Cesarean because he just would not come out. He never engaged in the birth canal and after 1.5 hours of pushing, all I had to show for it was he had a round lump on top of his head. He was almost 9lbs. Cute though, wasn't he? =)


There are many, many opinions on this subject and a good number of those opinions are very strong. I do not really have a strong opinion either way. Most important to me is that everyone is healthy in the end. I've had a C-Section. It wasn't terrible, my recovery wasn't bad and my baby and I bonded just fine. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a slightly quicker recovery period this time around.
All that being said, I've decided that if I go into labor before my due date, I will attempt a Trial of Labor. Since this baby seems smaller, if feel like there may be a good chance I could succeed. BUT, I will be scheduling a Cesarean very close to my due date. I feel that going past my due date is just counter-productive to the process. My doctors seem to be very supportive of my decision and very reasonable, so I think we are all happy. =)