Silver Lake/Hot as a Preggo Mother!

35 weeks and 5 days pregnant. 92 degrees. Cottage on the lake with no AC. A toddler who doesn't listen, and is cranky from the heat. Sand caked to everyone because all one could do is sit in the water. No one really wanting to eat cuz we all felt so gross. Dex only drank juice and milk, he barely touched any food. (besides a sucker, of course). Derrick sleeping on the couch dying of heat. Dex and I on a full size bed together, but he was of course taking up the whole bed, while I was in pain because I couldn't move around with him attached to my body, and my hips were inflamed. Also, my child is obsessed with blankets, and doesn't understand they make you hot...so I kept trying to pull his blanket off him, and he would cry..even though he was dripping sweat.
Me, sleeping with a bag of ice, like you would a stuffed animal. Me, waking up hugging a bag of water, lol. Finally put a fan in front of every room, cuz we borrowed two from our fam down the lake. Fans helped a little, but still felt yucky. Derricks parents were in the other room, also feeling yucky. Chelsea was in the loft, also dying of the heat.

In all the years we have gone to the cottage, it has NEVER been like this. We always bring a sweatshirt and jeans for night time, cuz it always gets way cool out. This week, we were all trying to wear as little as possible.

One funny incident was when Chelsea was trying to text everyone at 2am. The loft is above the garage outside of the main cottage. It looks like a little mini 70's apartment. She wanted to get out and come inside to go to the bathroom, but there were raccoon's trying to attack her on the stairs, and they were hissing at her! I didn't know until the next day. Luckily Steve got the text and went out there to scare them off. I was pretty bummed I didn't get to witness any of it. The texts in the morning were pretty funny, though. "help! animals are trying to get me!"

It was great seeing the family at least. Dex loves hanging with his 6 cousins, and it's a great thing for Derrick and I to have them all as little babysitters. They just take him and go play. The other cool thing is Dex being able to watch them swim with no fear, and to play in the water, and jump in. Dex was such a daredevil this trip. He was going into the deep deep water, and wanting to be by them. We put on his little life jacket, and we went in the deep parts, and he wanted to swim back and forth to each of us. It was so cute! He still despises water in his eyes, but so do I...You will rarely see me ever go under water. We both must have really sensitive eyes. He will most likely get better with this, but for now, it's ok.

As for me, the water helped my body a lot. It was very comfortable floating around the water all day every day. It's the night time that screwed my hips up all over again...

I ended up spending one day at Aunt Martha and Uncle Mikes house, cuz they told me to come over and relax in the AC. I ended up staying there until around 5pm, and I had slept a few hours there as well. It was heavenly. Derrick and I also took a few air conditioned drives around the lake, so Dex could also cool off. Each time, he passed out completely.

At one point, Derrick was playing games on his laptop with one fan in front of him, I was on my IPAD reading a book, with a fan in front of me, and Chels was on my kindle with a fan in front of her. We thought we looked pretty whiny....considering people are in much worse circumstances, and here we are with all our electronic devices and personal fans......We looked like such babies with the heat, but seriously...it was pretty bad!

Anyway, onto the pregnancy. Not much to report, just the waiting game! I am staying put until this baby comes. I shall clean and organize the house some more, and I will pack my overnight bag this week. Then I shall stare at the wall until contractions start. I may be staring at the wall for a few weeks. Someone come by and entertain me...cuz I'm not leaving the AC...unless it is to Spoonlickers...or work.

34 weeks and completely ready.

Pregnancy. It's the most amazing thing ever, and some people handle it like a charm. I am not one of them, obviously. I am so ready to meet this little girl I can hardly contain myself. I want this baby OUT. I was not this antsy with Dexter. I am just so ready to not be pregnant again, and that doesn't mean I am not grateful, it just means, I am ready to just be comfortable again. This week has been my worst for being antsy, hormonal, upset, not knowing what to do to pass time...The only thing that kept me sane was my little sis Chelsea taking me out to dinner, and my two bf's Laurie and Lauren hanging out at Melting Pot..

We have been trying to keep busy and have fun outings, but I just can't keep my brain from being psycho. I am very blessed with my little family, and just can't wait to have it complete.

This is going to be the slowest month on earth, and I know once the baby comes I will be kicking myself from all that lack of sleep...but at least we would be moving forward!

Aside from my bitching, things are going so great at the salon. I am so happy with everyone their and how successful my stylists have been. They are the backbone to The Hair Co., and I couldn't be happier. It's a place I have a hard time leaving to come home now. I wish I could be there more, but it's not in the cards just yet. I will slowly add more hours when I can. It's a comfortable, safe haven for me, and I miss my girls when I am not there. They are like family.

Our clients couldn't be happier either. They have noticed what a great team we are, and they thrive on it, too.   I have no worries about leaving my clients in their capable hands. My stylists have been so attentive and they even watched me with all my clients to make sure they knew exactly what to do.

4-6 more weeks...I better get my overnight bag packed. Maybe that will keep me busy. I packed pretty great last time, but I think I will include some munchies for Derrick this time. Ya never know what time you will go into labor..and a hungry man under stress is no good..........................

Wook at dis, Momma!

Dexter is a riot. He usually picks a new slogan for the week, and we just LOVE IT. Up at the cottage, Chels and I were laughing the whole time. Every 5 minutes it was, "Wook at dis! Wook at dat one, Momma! Wook at that Jeep! Wook it boat! I go on boat? Mmm hmm! I ride that jeep? Oh, that not Dadas Jeep? I ride dat one? No? That not Dada Jeep. Kai ride Dadas jeep? Red jeep? Wook a bird! Wook chelchee, big water! Then we asked him to say, "La". He says, "Ya". Why are some L's W, and some Y? It was pretty funny. For instance, "I Yuv you!"

Another phrase over the weekend, "No Papa throw Detder in the lake" (Whenever Dexter got a little feisty, Grampa would tell him he would throw him in the lake, this got Dexter to obey us sometimes at least. lol) Dexter also got really excited when Grandma put Crystal Light in his cup. He walked around to everyone at the cottage saying, "I got Crystal Light!!" "Wook, I got Crystal Light!" I'm sure everyone was super excited for him...He acted like he won the lotto, lol. Another funny line was us asking him, "Dexter, what noise does Great Gamma make?" Dexter would reply, (not sure how to type an open mouth snore noise) something like "Hunhhh, huhhhha" He woke up one morning around 4am, looked at me, and says "Momma, what dat?" I was like, "That is Great Gramma sleeping"..So he started mimicking her at 4am, and I couldn't stop laughing. In the morning he told everyone what he heard. We all were cracking up. So I started asking him what everyone else sounded like. I said, "What does momma sound like?" He said, "Sit dowwwn nowww!". He really said this. Stop laughing. I hate you all.

Our little guy is a talking machine, and he is also not aware of "stranger, danger". He will go off with anyone, talk to anyone, play with anyone...he just "likes to party". We were in McDonalds, and I was watching him play on the play area...and I look over again, and he grabs some kids daddys hand and starts walking him around the place talking to him. The dad was about my age, and looked at me sorta laughing, but at least appeasing Dexter. I was like, not again. He loves dad guys. If we go to a park, he finds any dad-ish guy and has to talk to him about cars and airplanes, and show him his toy cars, etc...Everyone is usually nice, but I'm not sure how to explain that not everyone wants to hear his stories on what his toy car or choo choo does. Or the difference between a monster truck and a race car. Or his helicopter verses his spinny helicopter.

Going to the grocery store Dex has the same chatterbox issue. Every person we pass he must start a conversation. He says hi to everyone, or he will show people what we have in our cart. For instance, I will be pushing him in the cart, and he will shout to someone, "I got apples!". Or, "Wook! I got fruity snacks!" People usually laugh, and I just shake my head and watch my adorable son make people smile. The check out ladies love him because he has to help put everything on the belt. He tells them, "We pay pay now?" They say, "yup, it's time to pay pay". He is the only part about grocery shopping that is fun.

Back to the cottage. Dexters obsession with Jeeps. We will have to get him a jeep power wheel soon, so he can be cool like daddy. Derrick took Dex out on the dunes for the very first time this past weekend. I wish I coulda gone, but it's not safe to go up with all the bumps, and my bump. This year Dex was big enough, and I couldn't wait to hear how he liked it. Derrick got back and all I heard was Dexter crying and saying, "One more jeep, dada!? ONE MORE!" He wanted to go back on the dunes. ASAP. lol. I think he liked it. He calmed down once I asked him to tell me about it. He said, "BIG sand dunes! Bumpy! Too fast! I said dada, no fast!"  I guess Daddy tried to go a little too quickly on the dunes, and Dex was like..I'm cool, but not that cool, yet.

He loves the cottage, end of story.

28 weeks later(not to be confused with 28 days later)

28 weeks!! We made it!! What a fabulous number! Now I have to be patient, and cook this little girl a lot longer yet....such suspense!

Things are going a lot better this past week with my hips. Maybe they got all their stretching over with. Now I feel baby up in my rib cage. I always feel like a foot is stuck in my upper right rib. Who knows, I am not sure...could just be my fat getting caught in my ribs. Either or it helps to change position to fix that scenario. I still sleep pretty good, so that is nice.

 I feel Wrenly kick most at night still, but she makes her presence known more often. She moves around when I have any Chai Latte's or a Coke. I endulge in one of these once or twice a week. I had a coke the other day and it was SO DIVINE. I am not a pop drinker, since I am a juice-a-holic...but every now and then, a COKE from a fountain! OMG. I down milk like it's going outta style because of my fabulous heartburn. I subconsciously think milk will help, but it never does, and I always end up going for the bottle of  antacids.

Dex felt the baby move yesterday and took his hand away quick. I guess the men in the fam think it's too creepy. They are dumb.

I have been more than antsy with this pregnancy, and have had to read books on my kindle to get through my boredom of waiting/brain over thinking what is to come. Do not judge me on the awesome mixture of material I have been reading during this pregnancy....lol. Here is a list from the past 7 months:
                                                           -Game of Thrones/A Clash of Kings
                                                          -Game of Thrones/A Storm of Swords
                                                          -Game of Thrones/A Dance with Dragons
                                                          -Game of Thrones/A Feast for Crows
                                                           -50 Shades Darker
                                                           -50 Shades Freed
                                                           -50 Shades of Grey
                                                            -Beautiful Disaster
                                                            -On the Island
                                                            -Forsaken
                                                            -Vindicated
                                                            -Afterlife:A Fall of Angels
                                                             -The Descendants
                                                             -Branded
                                                             -City of Ashes
                                                             -City of Glass
                                                              -The Host
                                                              -Midnight Sun
                                                              -Hunger Games Trilogy
Game of Thrones alone has proved to be the most challenging dang books to get through...that did not help my antsyness......nevertheless, there is a 6th book coming out that might clear some things up a bit...we will see. Stupid author better get back on track.

Feel free to read any of these books...They aren't all that great, but they are quick reads that take your mind off of whatever, for a bit.

News on Dexter: He can count to 15, but lots of times he likes to be silly and say "1, 2, 7, 9, 11!" He knows I will roll my eyes, and tell him to say it the right way....so eventually he will cave, he just likes to not listen to me. He knows his alphabet, and can sing the normal kid songs, like twinkle twinkle, and itsy bitsy spider.....and he knows "you are my sunshine"........"wheels on the bus"...etc....He likes to hold my hand when we walk, and if I just give him one finger to hold, he says "five momma!" because he wants my whole hand. When we are in a parking lot he knows to look out for cars, he usually says, "momma car coming!" So he is getting the gist of that. His latest thing he says is "what's that?!" He wants to know what everything is. He actually is saying sentences now that sound more adult-ish. Instead of just shouting "cookie!" It's more like, "please can I have cookie??" (can I, usually sounds like kai)

He is doing/learning so much lately it's hard to keep track, and keep up! We went to the Gathering Place today (breakfast place) and I was ordering food for Dexter, and he looked at the waitress before she left and yelled, "apples!"...It was just really funny and took us all off guard, because I forgot my son was a little human and could order what he wanted, not what I thought he wanted. He likes to speak for himself, so I am learning that now he can! One of his other favorite things is going grocery shopping with me..( i still loathe that, but it's fun taking him). He loves to put all the food on the conveyor belt, and he likes to make sure the check out lady sees him helping mommy. He knows you have to pay the lady before you can take the items, so it's neat to see his little brain connect these things.

He also likes to reenact anything that happens in our day. For instance, my car was "broke" today, since it wouldn't turn on. So we explain these things to him. Later in the day, his toy car was broke, so he said he needed tools to fix it. Just lots of stuff like that. The other night he was being dramatic, so Derrick said, "Are you a prima donna?" Dexter replied, "I not Donna, I Dexter"...lol

Potty Training- He totally regressed on the potty training. It wasn't cool anymore. He was almost potty trained at 18 months, and then he recently became bored with the whole thing. He did go on the potty last night to try to stall going to bed..but it isn't consistent. I'm just waiting for him to be interested again. I am gonna try the potty chart this time for something new, instead of candy.

ok byee

I'm not crazy, after all!

I keep describing my issue to people about bending over, walking up stairs, walking in general, and my hip issues...The weird clicking my bones make, the pain, etc..... Then I came across, THIS!

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

What exactly is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction? During pregnancy or birth, about one in 35 women will experience intense pelvic pain and may find it difficult to walk, climb stairs, and other movements that involve the pelvic bones. This pain is a result of separation of the symphysis pubis which is a joint in the very front part of the pelvic bone structure. There is cartilage that fills the gap in the bones. During pregnancy, hormones such as relaxin soften this cartilage allowing the pelvic bones to be more flexible for delivery. Some women, however, have too much play in the pelvis causing a large gap between the bones. This makes the symphysis pubis area extremely sensitive to touch. When does separation of the symphysis pubis occur? Some women will notice pain beginning as early as the first trimester of pregnancy while others experience this separation during the birth or even a few days postpartum. Women who have experienced SPD with previous pregnancies will not necessarily have the problem with subsequent pregnancies however, some will. How will I know if I have SPD? If you have SPD, you may notice pain in the front of the pelvis that hurts when touched. You may also feel pain in the lower abdomen, hips, inner thigh and groin areas. Marked increased pain with activities such as walking, climbing stairs, lifting your legs, or any other large movements involving the pelvis are key symptoms. You may even experience a clicking type noise with movement as well. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your caregiver for further testing. What type of testing can I expect if my doctor/midwife and I suspect SPD? The type of testing depends on when you experience the symptoms. If you are still pregnant, the likely test would be an ultrasound. Other diagnostic tools that can be used after delivery are pelvic x-rays or an MRI. Is there any treatment for SPD? The doctor may prescribe painkillers and refer you to a physiotherapist for additional help. The physiotherapist may suggest the use of TENS, Transutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation, to help with the pain. Other items such as support belts or crutches can be used as well. Additional specialists also offer potential benefits: acupuncturists, reflexologists, chiropractors, aromatherapists, osteopaths, hypnotherapists, and herbalists. Each in their own way may provide treatment options to minimize the pain of SPD. There is no way to prevent SPD from occurring; however, once the hormones cease production after pregnancy, the condition will gradually subside. If you are pregnant with SPD you should minimize large pelvic movements throughout your pregnancy. This includes swimming breaststroke, even though normally this is a great means of exercise. Choose other strokes if you are a swimmer. Try to continue to get exercise, just be sure to do exercises that will not aggravate the SPD. SO, Now I gotta just go over this with my Doc. I feel better knowing I am not insane, and why other preggos may not feel like I do........I have jacked up bones and ligaments, joy!

26 weeks and counting!

Two weeks flew by. Now my little lady has a 80-90% chance of survival if anything were to happen. How weird is that? Things are going pretty darn well.

My body:  ~Heartburn is in full effect. I pop antacids like they are going outta style.
                 ~The top of my ribs feel like they are butting into my breast plate.
                  ~Boobs are so big they lay on my belly, I am getting used to the lake of sweat under them.  
                  ~Ligament pain is back in full affect. This is one of those things that I have pretty bad with pregnancy. One would think after all the stretching my body has done, that this wouldn't be as bad. People just don't understand. Nothing helps this but hot baths. Exercise for sure doesn't help. Just walking around the grocery store today had me in so much pain. I came home and took a three hour nap. Luckily Dex was tired, too. How can I describe the feeling to you?? Hmmm...well it feels like someone pulling a ton of rubber bands inward from the outer part of my belly, inward toward the center. Sorta like when you pull a muscle, times ten. The issue is that any time I need to use those muscles, it kills. For instance, bending. This is the not so good part of my day. Picking up toys off the floor, or putting Dex in highchair, or getting him in and outta car. I was told I wasn't even supposed to do these things, but HELLO! I have to. I can have Dex eat at his train table, but we are trying to keep the carpet nice in case he spills anything.
                 ~Hips- this is a great combo with the round ligament pain. Mix hip pain in with that. Worse yet the awkward feeling of your hips floating around in your body, since the ligaments all loosen. It feels like you are a 100 year old, and every time you move, you hear them crack and jiggle around, as well as the shooting pain. (ironically, this is not as bad at work..i think the standing and sitting throughout the day helps, and the fact I don't have to bend down to the floor for anything) At home I am constantly picking up after Dex, and changing diapers, etc. (he has surely gotten bored of the potty at the most inconvenient time) So, work is a thumbs up right now. The only issue there is just bending at shampoo bowl, that isn't too comfy. Luckily my gals are there to help ;-)
                   ~Food~ My appetite still is not huge like it was with Dex. This is so weird, because I was looking forward to eating a ton. I mean, I still love to eat, but it isn't like last time. Sadly not much to report in this arena. Booo...(oh, in case my staff calls me out, I did eat 6 custard donuts with chocolate frosting in two days...but that was because I didn't want them to go bad!) :-P
                     ~Braxton Hicks~ I still get these pretty regularly at night, but the doc eased my mind and just said that's just when my body contracts. They are a lot stronger this pregnancy, and it does take my breath away. They also come on with almost any emotion. If I get excited about something, scared, nervous, upset, angry, giggly, or whatever, it brings on a braxton hicks, so I try to be a robot sometimes, lol.
                       ~Sleeping~ I sleep pretty well, it's just turning and laying on my hips that is not fun. Gonna try the preggo pillow this week. (thanks Clare!)
                         ~Kicking~ Wrenly (btw I grin every time I say her name, so I will be calling her by her full name more-so.) She is so apparent now! Finally!! Only took like 25 weeks! I catch myself feeling in the best mood ever, every time I feel her kick around. I get all happy, giggly, inside. THE BEST PART of being pregnant.

Preggo Comments: I know this is all so cliche...but what the heck makes peoples views of how big you are vary so vastly from each other?! I have people shocked at how big I am, and then others shocked at how small I am. Which is it people? How about, durrrrrrrr, yeah, I have a human in me..I'm gonna look different. I don't feel as huge as I was with Dex. I haven't gained as much as I did with him so far. I think I am up around 16-17 pounds, with around 3 months left.

K, gnight!

Breast feeding nazis. Not cool.

I am writing this post because a friend of mine read my blog the other day about how we choose to formula-feed. She was telling me that she was one of the only moms in her close circle of friends to choose to not breast feed, and had received such negative and hurtful comments. This just pissed me the heck off. Moms may choose whatever they wish for their own child. What gives YOU the right to tell them what they are doing is wrong? What gives YOU the right to tell another mom what YOU think they should feed their child? It's 2012, people. Formula is fine. I was not breast fed. My husband was not breast fed. Are you going to bash my mom, and mother-in-law? Neither of us have medical issues. I have seasonal allergies, my husband has none. What do you care what someone feeds a child that is not yours?(ESPECIALLY A FRIEND!? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND, AND YOU KNOW THEY ARE SMART OR THEY WOULDN'T BE YOUR FRIEND!) What gives you the right to think you are on some pedestal? Did you know that for whatever the choice, it is a private choice. It could be something a mother is upset she cannot do. Maybe the mother can not produce enough, and she feels horribly inept. Maybe she doesn't want to share that with the public. Maybe her baby couldn't latch, and it was terribly upsetting to see your child hungry. Maybe it's because a some women just don't feel comfortable with a baby on their boob. Maybe it's because they got a massive breast infection, and they don't want to endure anything near their breasts, again. For what ever the reason, who are YOU to judge her and make comments? Really?? I find this ridiculous. I say to you, you breast feeding nazis, "you may breast feed, but you are a horribly insensitive person to judge a friend who chooses to do the opposite of you". Shame on you.

http://www.violetblues.com/family-bonding/backlash-for-not-breastfeeding-your-child-287.html