Construction ~ Week 25

This week shutters were finished!

The upstairs heating/air unit was put in.

Drywall was delivered and laid out in each room.

The next two things have been done for awhile, but I hadn't taken any pictures.  This is some of the massive duct work upstairs.

Recessed lighting is in place.

We are trying really hard to finish up our cabinet selection, and it very well may kill me.  This week I also have to choose carpet and tile, a fireplace insert, meet with our contractor, and figure out a mantle.  When I'm ready to pull my hair out, I try to imagine the holidays next year when we're all settled in.

Arriving in Your Mailbox

Merry Christmas blog friends!

Week in Review ~ 12/3

Here are a few quick highlights from our week.

We went to church Sunday morning and our class was putting up the tree in the fellowship hall.  I left before it was done to keep the nursery during preaching.  We were late getting out of church and even later getting home because we tried to get some lunch.  It took Avery a long time to get to sleep, which seems to be the norm if we stay late at church.

I had my 24 week check-up on Wednesday.

By Thursday I was getting concerned with Avery's cough and congestion, so I took her in after school.  Her right ear was infected and there was fluid on her left.  No surprises there.  We're doing one more round of antibiotics and then we're off to the ENT again.  Our pediatrician said that the cough should clear as her ears did.  Coughs for Avery are so frustrating to me since there is nothing over-the-counter to give.  We do the Vicks plugs and also bought a humidifier to help.

We thought our Christmas parade was Friday night but found out it had been moved.  Sam's bedding arrived and my FIL saw it on our porch and took it to Ned at work, so Avery and I went by to pick that up.  We went to dinner at Applebee's and then rode to look at some Christmas lights.

Ned hunted Saturday morning and Avery and I hung around the house in hopes of getting her cough better.  Ned got home before lunch so we ate together.  It took Avery so long to fall asleep again.  I did most of her Christmas shopping online and then went to a Pampered Chef party.  I tend to get in trouble at those because everything looks so useful.  I do have a lot of their products from having a few catalog shows, and they do hold up well.  It was good to get out, socialize, and eat some good food.  One recipe, Clubhouse Chicken Squares, were so tasty that I picked up the ingredients when I went to get groceries after the party.  Walmart was a zoo and I was later getting home than I expected.  Avery had taken a very long nap for Ned and was happy to see me.  She's also happy to help unpack groceries, and as usual, we found several items in her kitchen instead of mine.

House progress from the week is here.

Construction ~ Week 24

I had to laugh last week when I realized that baby Sam and the house were the same amount of weeks along :)

Here are a few highlights from the week:

They stuck some shutters on Friday afternoon without us realizing.  I was a happy girl seeing them yesterday afternoon.  No, they aren't done.

The inside of the house was insulated except in areas where it will be blown in.

The drywall was delayed because of rain but should be here at the beginning of the week.  Heating and air possibly finished with the exception of putting in the units, thermostats, etc.

I really feel the need for a wreath on the front door but Ned has discouraged that thought.  Next year!

Legendary Santa with a Side of Tears

We left bright and early this morning to visit the Legendary Santa in Richmond.  Lolli, Poppa, and Mimi tagged along so we had quite a car full.  We got there a little before 9:30, and the grandparents got in line while Ned and I changed Avery into her dress.  I was a little dismayed at the amount of cars in the parking lot and then the amount of people in line.  But, waiting is tradition with this Santa, and time always passes quickly when you people watch.  Avery requested we take her stroller and hardly made a peep for a long time as she sat and watched.
Last night, in preparation for the big day, we watched Avery's 2 Santa visits on DVD.  She could see how Santa looked, what the set-up was, and that she sat by herself with him.  She was ready...she was going to sit in his lap, tell him she wanted a Gator, and give him a kiss.  The enthusiasm continued as we waited in line.

They let groups in a few at a time to the actual Santa Land.  We caught the tail end of the line and got to see him coming down the chimney.  Santa takes breaks through the day to feed his reindeer and you hear the jingle bells before he appears.  See his feet dangling?

He talks to the crowd, talks about the reindeer and what he'll do Christmas night.  I was just on cloud nine because it's the same speech that I heard after he came down the chimney.  Sadly, we didn't catch this part on video.

Then Santa sits and makes himself pretty.  He combs his beard and hair and tells himself how great he looks.

Avery (and Mama) were in awe.

(This picture was very dark and has a lot of noise now that I brightened it.  Ned was a great photographer in the poor light.)

We noticed Avery starting to get a little upset before he came down the chimney, but she recovered.  We distracted her with iPhone apps when other kids cried so she wouldn't think you do that for Santa.  My dad and I hopped out of line to take pictures and video, and Avery was smiling and getting excited about Santa's boots.  I still had a feeling it may not be our most magical  moment.

I was right.  She talked to the Snow Queen and remained ready, until Daddy actually put her down.

Even Santa looks concerned.

I took the above pictures very quickly and did not make her sit for an eternity as it appears.  Ned went to get her and she did manage a teary smile and wave for Santa.  Then she fell apart again when she saw me. This is the picture that they took.

It's still a memory!  My photo with the Legendary Santa just before I turned two looks a lot like this.  We regrouped and got a family picture.  I'm never in pictures anymore because I shoot in Manual and no one knows how to.  Poppa did pretty well with the focus in this one.  We also got our new book about this Santa and our 75th anniversary ornament.

Our total time today was about 2 hours.  We had short wait last year but a fairly good wait the first year.  I went each year from birth to my senior year, Ned went, and my dad went.  Waiting in line doesn't matter when it's tradition.

Even though we were approaching lunch time, I honored my promise of lunch at Bass Pro Shops.  We found a full parking lot and long wait there too.  It's times like that when I start to feel my Kate Gosselin come out.  Everyone is hungry, we're approaching nap time, and I'm trying to maneuver through a store full of outdoor things and "outdoorsy" people (my husband and father included).  Our wait ended up being only 30 minutes compared to over an hour like they had said.  It was still 1:45 before we were leaving.  Avery very tired, took awhile to fall asleep, then had nap cut short by her cough.  She woke up in greats spirits though.  Not ready to go see Santa again but still talking about his chimney.

It was a special day and we're ready to do it again next year.  Avery thinks Sam will cry too.

24 Weeks

I thought it was time, or past time, to do a little pregnancy update. I'll use the prompts that many people use for weekly posts and also add what's been going on recently. And no, there is no picture. I got home from my appointment today, and it was dark (bad lighting) and I had a little girl ready to eat pizza. By the time things settled down again, Ned had to go to a wreck. Since I'm not sure if I've been in a picture since July, I'll work on one over the next few days.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of Baby: Baby Center says a little over a pound and almost a foot long.  He was measuring over a pound according to the 20 week ultrasound, though.

Total Weight Gain:  In the last 4 weeks I gained 6 pounds...hello three Thanksgivings!  That brings my total for this pregnancy to about 11 or 12 pounds.  I didn't show any gain at my last appointment due to the stomach virus.

Maternity Clothes:  Very few regular shirts or sweaters still fit.  I can still wear most of my regular pants with the help of the band I picked up a few weeks ago.  I have a few pair of pants and jeans from when I was pregnant with Avery, and I'm wearing those too.  I just ordered my first maternity pants for this pregnancy.  Most of my tops and sweaters are maternity with the exception of a few more flowy tops I bought in Loft in the fall.  I like to buy regular things when I can because I think I'll wear it when I'm not pregnant, but that didn't happen after Avery.
 
Movement: We have another mover on our hands.  I started feeling movement around 15 or 16 weeks.  It's pretty consistent and getting stronger.

Gender:  It's a boy!  His name is Samuel Vincent, and we'll call him Sam.

Sleep:  I'm sleeping pretty well.  I've gone through a few spells of waking up in the middle of the night and staying awake for awhile.  I've also gone through some weeks where I start waking up every thirty minutes or so starting around 4:30 or 5 a.m.  I'm not really able to sleep in, even when Ned and Avery allow it.  I'm not yet having to get up to go to the bathroom.

What I Miss:  I initially really missed sleeping on my back and stomach, but I guess I've gotten used to it by now.  I also miss not worrying what's in food, like what soft cheese is in a pasta salad.  I miss eating turkey sandwiches on a whim, although I have had some.  I miss a downstairs bathroom!

Cravings:  I haven't really had any consistent cravings.  One week I'm eating a ton of kettle cooked chips, and the next week it's something sweet.  It took about a week for my appetite to return after being sick, but boy did it come back.  I'm eating ridiculous amounts of food between the time I get out of school and the time I go to bed.  My worst pregnancy craving problem is that I get a food on my mind and am not satisfied until I get it.  That's a problem when it's a sandwich located 2.5 hours away on the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

Symptoms:  Praise the Lord, I'm feeling good these days.  The stomach virus took quite a toll in itself, plus it worsened the common pregnancy bathroom issues and left me with horrible indigestion/reflux.  Tums weren't cutting it as I was recovering from the virus, so I started taking Pepcid.  I was taking it twice a day and sometimes still felt bad.  Luckily, after about a week, I was able to stop.  I've only taken it twice since then.  I wasn't on death's door or anything, but still weeks later I stop and think how nice it is to feel good.  I do have some shortness of breath, especially when stairs and/or Avery are involved.  I thought I had varicose veins coming on my left leg a few weeks ago, but the spot is gone now so I'm hoping it was a bruise.  I'd also say emotions are running higher in this 2nd pregnancy.

Best Moment This Week:  There were lots!  We celebrated Thanksgiving and (mostly) decorated for Christmas.  It's so exciting to think what our family will be like this time next year.  I also ordered Sam's bedding and got him an outfit for next fall/winter (smocked ducks of course.)  Finally, Avery wanted to show Sam a combine as she rode in the car.  It's special to see her include him in things.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  I'm looking forward to good results on at my glucose screening in 4 weeks.  I don't dread the actual test, because I get to pick a meal to eat instead of drinking the drink, but I do worry about the results.  I also look forward to continuing to hear good reports for Sam and I, especially concerning my blood pressure.  It's been perfect so far which is an answer to prayer.  Finally, I'm looking forward to continuing to plan for Avery and Sam's rooms in the new house.

There's So Much to be Thankful For

You may remember that I posted about some tests Avery had done to check the calcium level in her urine.  The condition that she could have could lead to kidney stones.  Ned talked to the pediatrician today so I don't know all the details, but I did hear just what I had prayed to hear...everything is fine!

I could be the dictionary illustration for worrier, and I must say I had done pretty well over the last 2 weeks as we waited for results.  I did Google the condition once, and I did think about it, but I tried really hard to pray for things to work out for the best, whatever that was.  The holidays and other busyness in our lives probably helped keep my mind off of it.  But, I was obviously worried, because when I got Ned's text today I could have cried right there.

I don't feel like I had on my best pair of thankful pants for Thanksgiving.  Or maybe I did, they were just hidden by the other "layers" moms wear.  I was thankful, and we did have a great Thanksgiving.  I also lost my patience, felt a little stressed, a little tired.  I'm sure the various gatherings that required accommodating family members and rearranging schedules, the two-year-old with a cough and random bouts of the twos, a hunting husband, and my own agenda for what needed to be done contributed to all of that.

As we all rode somewhere over the weekend, I had Josh Groban's Christmas CD in (Ned was loving it.).  I was really able to listen to Thankful for the first time.  Just like Avery's good report today, it was a quiet reminder.  No matter who you are, we all have times where we need to breathe, find a smile, and give thanks.

Thankful

Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more

There's so much to be thankful for