For Hours

"It's taking for hours!" ...That's Jamey's favorite saying of MG's. I think it's pretty dang cute, too. He wanted me to make sure I included it in her blog. He says he hopes she always says it that way!

Follow Up on Ears

Back on Dec. 15 I posted about the ear infection we've been battling. Well here we are over a month later and holding out until Thursday when MG will get her 5th set of tubes and have sinus surgery while she's under anesthesia. She went back for her follow-up and still had a ton of fluid behind her right ear drum. They tested her hearing because they were so concerned. She wouldn't participate in the hearing test (refused to raise her hand when she heard a beep - or maybe she didn't hear it, who knows?!), but they were able to run another test that concluded that it's more pressure than fluid behind her ear drum - good news. Still not a good scenario, but much better than it being fluid. They X-Rayed her sinuses and said they were packed full. There's no way to clear them out other than sinus irrigation surgery. So, that's what we're doing ... Thursday. I'm dreading it. Of course I don't like my baby being put under anesthesia. Even though we've done it 4 times already, it doesn't get easier. It makes it even worse that she's older now and is going to freak out when they wheel her off from us. I'm not sure my pregnant hormones can handle that! I'm also dreading the recovery. For a nose breather who sucks her fingers, a stuffy nose for a couple weeks after surgery is the worst case side effect! Ha! I'm just praying we get any kind of sleep in the weeks following. I'm ready to see my poor girl feel better, though. That's what I keep reminding myself. Those dark circles under her eyes, that constant cough, those long nights screaming with ear pain...I'm ready for them to end. There's nothing worse than seeing your baby in pain and being able to do nothing.

17 weeks

Sweet Baby Hand

How far along? 17w 1d

Total weight gain/loss: 1 lb. I'm pretty proud of that little fact!

Maternity clothes? Jeans, YES! I'm all about comfort! Luckily, the style of shirts now allow for big bellies!

Stretch marks? No - and I dread the day I find one! I made it through baby #1 without any, I'm not sure I'll get that lucky this go-round!

Sleep: Getting so much better, finally! For the first 12 weeks I was miserable. My pregnancy pillow and the fact that I'm exhausted help!

Best moment this week: MG was poking my belly and all of a sudden I felt a tiny little foot or hand poking back from the inside! Yesterday MG layed her head on my belly and said "love you baby"! Her excitement and love for her new baby sister is the best!

Food cravings: Last night it was Oreos...at 7pm!

Gender: 99% positive it's a girl. We had an u/s at 16 weeks, but will have another one at 19 weeks so we'll know for sure-for sure!

Labor Signs: No, and I'm praying I don't have any until full term this time! I will start progesterone shots next week to hopefully keep those early labor signs far far away!

Belly Button in or out? still in - and praying it stays there!

What I miss: Nothing, really! I love being pregnant!

What I am looking forward to: Seeing my sweet little one again in a little over a week!

Weekly Wisdom: My brain is mush - I have no wisdom to share!

A Very Merry Christmas 2014

We did have a very merry Christmas. Christmases with MG have gotten more and more fun each year. But this year was definitely the best yet. She was so excited for everything. The tree, lights outside, wrapping presents, picking something out for everyone and opening her gifts. It was just so much fun. Crazy hectic, but so fun!

We had Christmas at Aunt Pat's the Saturday before. We did the normal breakfast feast and it was fabulous, as always! We didn't do gifts at all this year, which was great. MG got to play with Leigha, her favorite person ever! She threw a fit when it was time to leave and asked if we could come back the next day!

Christmas Eve Day we hung around the house, just the 3 of us. We let MG open her presents throughout the day. I love doing it that way. She takes such time with each toy and is so grateful for each one. I really love her grateful heart. She appreciates things she has/gets. I hope she always does. It's hard to believe that next year we will have a family of 4 for Christmas! There will be a little 6 month old thrown into the mix. I can't wait for it! Last minute, I found her a big roll-up Crayola drawing pad that uses the watercolors and erases. It has been her favorite from us. She's so artistic and loves that she can draw, draw, draw then erase and start over!

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents, like always. We ate way too much, laughed a lot and enjoyed our time together. It's one of my favorite nights of the year.

Christmas Morning MG woke up to her Santa gifts. We didn't go extravagant this year. She has so much already and with all the Christmases, plus her bday 5 days later, it really isn't necessary. But, you would have thought she got the whole ToysRUs store! Again, her grateful heart just gets me! Santa brought her a Frozen karaoke machine, which has been a huge hit. I'm sure the neighbors are really grateful! Ha! I think that was her favorite Santa gift.

Christmas Day we spend at my in-laws. We had a good time there, too. The kids loved opening all their gifts and getting to play hard. The big kids got to shoot their guns. Everyone was happy!

We spent the night and left the next morning for MG's bday trip. I'll post about that next. I'm just a little behind!

I have to say, we had a really great Christmas. We are truly blessed with our little family and with our big families. I love that MG knows the true reason we celebrate Christmas and can tell you the story of Mary and Joseph. She loves her nativity scenes and telling the story. I hope and pray that we do a good job of finding the balance between Santa/gifts and the true meaning. I think we've done ok so far!

Pics will have to come later, hopefully I'll remember! I haven't put them on my computer yet.