Louisiana 4Lyfe

So we're living in Louisiana now. That's weird. But also cool. I've always been fascinated/obsessed with the South and now I'm getting my first taste of it! Dez was such a champ on the plane ride and made the travel pretty easy for me. My dad and Colby are rockstars for driving our crap 24 hours.

I love the "y'alls", smell of the humid air (glorious), and what I've had of Cajun food so far!

It's HOT here for sure, but it's good knowing it will only get cooler from here. Until next summer of course. I can't wait for a warm (or at least non-cold/snowy) winter. The past few days have had the biggest, craziest thunderstorms!

I also got to put my years of jr. high French to use when a guy at the grocery store asked if we had a little boy or little girl in French. At first I didn't think he was talking to us and if I was I was just caught so off guard because he said it like he assumed everyone just spoke/understood French (maybe everybody does?). Colby was looking really confused and it was cool that I was able to answer back and I knew what he said! Not that it was the most complicated question, but it was awesome that my language skill came in handy for once! It's also cool that so many street names and restaurants are French. Such a different culture! I love it.

Saying goodbye to Grandma Teri at the airport. Our families rock.

Freddys' in Houston! I haven't had this taste of heaven in two years and it's so good I want to cry.

THE CUSTARD OH MY GOSH IT'S SO GOOD.

First taste of Cajun food! It's a good thing we aren't rich. We'd be so fat.

Sunday nap with Grandpa.

He's too yummy.

Exploring the university! Just your everyday campus swamp.

We love Grandpa Jason!

We got spoiled rotten while my dad was out here hanging out with us for a few days and we hated to see him go!

One Month

Tonight Dez went to sleep at a decent human hour (2 am), so naturally here it is almost 4 in the morning and I'm still wide awake. I don't know. At this point I'm just waiting for him to wake up again soon unless this is the time he decides to sleep for a long stretch. It's like he knows! I might as well do something besides lie in bed...

A few days ago marked a month for Dez! It's gone by fast and slow at the same time. I'm trying to enjoy every moment I have and just can't believe how much he's already changed and grown. *Lighting is on point and his diaper is bigger than he is.*

Loves: EATING. It's crazy to me to think about how much time out of each day is spent feeding this bottomless pit.

Laughing/smiling in his sleep. I love when I catch him in the act! He's also smiling a lot more while awake, especially when he first wakes up "for the day" around noon or 1.

Pulling his hair. Well, he actually should hate it but he won't stop doing it! Every time I hear the scream I know exactly what he's doing and have to run and pry his death grip off that hair.

Being on his tummy, hanging out in his swing, and getting bounced up and down.

Hates: I really can't think of much he hates. He used to hate baths but now he's indifferent to them. He just didn't like being cold but we've gotten better at keeping him warm and getting him in a towel quick.

All in all he's such a happy baby and rarely cries. His normal cry is more of a whimper, even when he's hungry! It's pretty awesome.

Mostly I feel like he's too big to only be a month old! What is happening?! But we're loving being parents and can't wait for what's to come!

Please Pass the Mom Jeans

So I'm a mom. That's weird. I still can't believe it sometimes! I mean, the guy at the salon last week thought I was 17. Sooo...clearly I'm not old enough for this. Just when I thought I was starting to grow out of my teenager look too! But then another girl in her 20s I was talking to at Art City Donuts (post baby healthy eating is going great btw) was shocked I was only 23. I guess holding your baby adds 6+ years. Who knew?

Things have obviously changed a lot, but there are a few things that stand out:

My new bedtime is right around 4 or 5 am since Dez is ALWAYS wide awake the entire time and wanting to eat every half hour from midnight to 4ish. Is this my reward for being such a night owl my whole life? I'll take it.

I curse any day I have to be anywhere/do anything/look halfway decent before 1 pm (okay 2). Staying in bed that long is the only way I get 5 or 6 hours of sleep (this kid eats often and for a looong time).

My brain is all over the place and much worse than any pregnancy brain. The only example I can think of at the moment though (my point exactly) is the other day when I was looking something up on my phone and then I needed to look at a calendar so I put down my phone and was running all over the house looking for...my phone's calendar. I frantically asked Colby if he'd seen my phone anywhere, and luckily he was sitting right next to me when I put it down to look for it. Eeesh.

I also remember the first week we were home from the hospital we stayed up late watching Friends (obviously) and we were so sleep deprived we thought everything was extra hilarious and I literally could not stop laughing at every little thing. I also thought it was the funniest thing I'd ever seen when I was too weak to reach alllll the way to the coffee table to put my chapstick down and laughed hysterically when it fell on the floor instead. So there's that.

Life has changed so much and sometimes I don't even know that I can do it but we're on cloud 9! Dez is the best baby ever and we're so in love and can't stop staring at our perfect angel. It makes me sad how much he's already changed in the past 3.5 weeks. Stop it!

A few of my favorites:

The first time holding my son. Way up there among the best moments of my life.

The very best humans.

Probably the first really big smile I saw from him! He kind of even laughed too. It was awesome.

One of his most common expressions. It's hilarious.

Wearing my dad's blessing outfit for his baby blessing on July 13. We went without the bonnet though...it's not 1966 anymore amiright?!

Saying goodbye to Aunt Alisa at the MTC!

We loved having Aunt Amanda visit from Portland. It's always way too short!

Week 39 Update - Shut Your Pregnant Face

How far? 39 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: about 28 lbs

Maternity clothes? I mostly stick to my skirts and dresses. And the bra saga continues but I've basically given up. I ordered a sleep nursing bra on Amazon and the reviews made it seem like it would fit. Well it doesn't. But I'm keeping it anyway cause I'm done with this. At least it's better than all the other ones I've tried on, which still doesn't say much. My size doesn't even exist on any of the size charts sooo ... I don't even care how dramatic this sounds because WHYYY can't anyone make a nursing bra that fits me and isn't $100?! The good news is, if I ever need to start my own business I know exactly what to do!

Baby purchases: Basically everything I didn't have before, which really wasn't a whole lot. I have a few more things I'll need eventually of course but I'm at least covered for the newborn stage and then some. And it's all organized now weeeee!!!

Food cravings: No cravings, but I've noticed I can't do ice cream like I used to. I kind of feel sick after I eat it, but that doesn't really stop me...

Wedding ring on or off? On and this question is boring. Next.

 

Moods? At night I get frustrated not being able to breathe at whatnot, but other than that things are good. I take a long time to fall asleep because I'm busy squirting a gallon of saline spray up my nose and taking Sudafed. Don't mind me.

What I miss: Why do I automatically think of cookie dough whenever I see this question? You best believe I'll be making a big ol' batch by about this time next week. That will be an amazing reunion.

What else is new? I have officially started my maternity leave from work! I was going to originally work this week, right up to my due date, but the more I thought about it the more I wanted some time to get last-minute things taken care of and clean and organize everything. My mom and sister came over today and helped me clean for a while which was awesome! Me and my sister spent a good 20-30 minutes organizing my bucket of candy...don't judge. It's also been great to sleep in a little and have time to make a few freezer meals.

Looking forward to: BIRTH!! It could be any time now and I keep going back and forth between being extremely excited and having a panic attack that people will expect me to take him home and keep him alive and stuff. Our lives will change a lot but I can't wait! 

I haven't hit the "sick of and done with being pregnant" stage yet. I really don't even feel like I'm at the end based on how the end has been portrayed. I'm feeling great and I could go on for weeks! But hopefully I wont because I want to snuggle my baby boy!

Week 36 Update - Get Off My Lungs Please

                                     New chalkboard! But the OCD in me is really hating myself for it.

How far? 36 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain: about 25 lbs (I have now met my "goal"...3 weeks early. Go me.)

Maternity clothes? Obvi. I live for my skirts and dresses since it's finally gotten a little too warm for jeans on most days. I've also realized I can still wear some of my shorts with the help of the belly band (with the buttons) I have. That little invention has really redeemed itself. It probably helps that I figured out how to wear it correctly. So there's that. 

Baby purchases: I've had a few more baby showers and am so close to having everything we need! This little boy is so loved and I'm really grateful for all of our friends and family that have been so extremely thoughtful. I really means a lot! We also bought the stroller and car seat because apparently no one wants to drop hundreds on that stuff for us. :) I love it all and CAN'T WAIT to put it all to use!


A few more shower pics to come, but these are from the one my dad's side of the fam threw me. It was so cute and so much fun!! I have the best family.

Switched my mom out for my Aunt Brenda ^^^

Food cravings: I still don't get super hungry that often and don't eat a ton except for on certain occasions (such as going to a buffet...I make it work). I was randomly craving Arby's last week but never got it...I just don't know I really believe in this whole pregnancy craving thing. It's a conspiracy.

Wedding ring on or off? It still fits the same!

 

Moods? Good and awesome. I did lose my favorite pen today and I'm still extremely upset about it. But I don't know if I can blame that on the pregnancy. I would probably be as mad either way. IT WAS MY FAVORITE.

What I miss: Breeeathing. For the past month or so I've been super congested basically at all times that is always worse at night. So pair that with the fact that my lungs get completely squished when lying down and it's a pretty big struggle to fall asleep lately! I've started to fall asleep basically sitting all the way up in bed since that's the only way. I honestly think I would trade this congestion symptom for having morning sickness...the grass is always greener? And if you were wondering...Arm & Hammer Simply Saline spray is a hoax. I was really excited for it too! I definitely need to move onto the hard stuff (Benadryl?) now but have yet to do so. I have no one to blame but myself.

What else is new? I know he's been moving a lot for a while, but the past few days I really think he's been competing in the karate gymnastics finals. It's a thing. I've felt an entire leg (I'm guessing) sticking out among many fists and feet. It's the craziest thing ever and it really never gets old. Colby is still never around when the really big stuff is happening though. It's usually when I'm at work and I have to fight just sitting there and staring down at my belly to watch the show.

The top half of my belly button and the top half only is now an outie. Needless to say I'm kind of a freak show. 

And my belly measurement at the doctor's was smaller this week than it was last week. I even went after lunch! Please don't let him be shrinking...I know those measurements are pure science. 

I don't really use blankets at night and I actually want the air conditioner to be on which never happens. But I still freeze to death at work. 

Looking forward to: My last shower this weekend and making sure I have everything I need once and for all! I'm so excited to feel ready (stuff wise) and then get to cleaning/organizing/sitting on my butt and waiting for this boy!

Week 32 Update - Yep, He's a Big Baby.

How far? 32 weeks, 3 days

Total weight gain: about 21 lbs

Maternity clothes? My maternity jeans are awesome and I like them a lot better now than I did earlier on. Which makes sense I guess, even though I've heard that maternity jeans get really uncomfortable by the third trimester. Not for me yet! 

But I am officially now in denial about certain clothes not fitting me anymore. For the past couple Sundays I tried on skirts and dresses that I thought *should* have fit me and then was all shocked that I couldn't zip them up. And we tried for a good 5 minutes on the dress! It's probably just a faulty zipper if you think about it...so logically I lay back in bed and say I can't go, before finally moving on with my life and throwing on a maxi skirt I wear all the time now. I get majorly frustrated but (sort of) realize it's kind of silly to be. I mean, there is a person in there! 

Baby purchases: I had an awesome shower last weekend thrown by my lovely friends Hailey and Michelle. I got a lot of really cute clothes and I'm dying for him to wear them!

Food cravings: Not really anything! I don't get super hungry like I was expecting to, and I still can't eat too much at a time. That doesn't mean I don't push it way too often and end up regretting my choices.

Wedding ring on or off? On.

 

Moods? The pre-church meltdowns are about as bad as it gets. I feel great most of the time. 

What I miss: Being able to fall back asleep quickly if I wake up in the middle of the night. Now I wake up every morning a couple hours before I need to get up (to pee of course) but am either too distracted by the babe moving around or can't turn off my thoughts and I end up lying there awake for at least an hour. I used to be the champ at falling right back asleep!

What else is new? This past doctors' appointment we got another ultrasound to check for a low placenta. Luckily everything looks good now! And it was obviously so fun to see our baby boy again. She measured his head then looked at both of us and asked if we have big heads...apparently his head was measuring to 34 weeks and I was 31 weeks at the time. His leg measurement also kept up with the 34 week range. Unfortunately they didn't change the due date since it could just be a growth spurt. So maybe he'll come a little early...or maybe he'll just be a big boy! She also said he weighed around 4.5 pounds at the time. 

Random people in public are also starting to comment on the belly now. I'm still not really used to it. The worker at Cold Stone (I go there sometimes ok?) said "is that your first?" and I stared at him for a second cause I didn't know what he was talking about. I finally caught on and then he guessed that I was due in August. So that makes me feel pretty good since I'm feeling huge lately! And luckily I've only had a few randoms touch my belly...one was a lady who worked at the Cancun airport so I'll blame that on the culture? I don't know what it is with the whole stranger belly-touching thing. Just a little weird.

Also, the belly button has been getting close to popping for weeks now but it's still holding strong as an innie (or at least even)! That will probably change by tomorrow...

Looking forward to: Family showers coming up and feeling more prepared for the big arrival! I'm also so glad I'm due in the summer, because I NEED warm weather.

Week 28 Update - What, You Don't Use Febreze as Lotion?

How far? 28 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain: about 17 lbs

Maternity clothes? I'm starting to much prefer the two maternity shirts I have. Perhaps I should buy more. I don't try to button my pants anymore, I just either use a rubber band or use a belly band. I'm alright with those but I hate adding extra bulk. And my dresses are still good, hence what I'm wearing in every picture.
Stretch marks? Nothing new going on there.

Baby purchases: We got the crib (thanks mom and dad!!) and Colby put it together yesterday! It makes the room look a lot smaller but I will deal. It's so exciting to walk past and see it in there! Can't wait until there's a baby in it!

Food cravings: Does it count that Colby has had food cravings? He's been loving the burgers lately, and since nothing really sounds bad to me I always comply. I still love carbonation and will have an occasional diet soda.

Wedding ring on or off? On.

 

Moods? I've been doing good! This doesn't necessarily have anything to do with moods, but more of pregnancy brain: the other night I got up to go to the bathroom (obviously), and my legs are always super dry at night so I put on lotion when I get up. I grabbed a bottle off the counter and sprayed it on my legs and started rubbing it in. It wasn't until I smelled a super strong scent before I realized I just sprayed Febreze all over my legs. So, I just got a washcloth and somewhat wiped it off and then got a huge squirt of soap and came thisclose to rubbing that on my legs until I realized that wasn't lotion either. I FINALLY found the lotion and went back to bed. It was quite the process.

What makes me sick: Nothing!

What I miss: Can I eat cookie dough yet?

What else is new? The day we came back from Cancun I got my first case of swollen feet and ankles! They stayed that way for a few days but luckily went back to normal after that. It didn't feel great so I'm really glad it was just because of the travel. Standing still and sitting still all day aren't the best. I had a mini panic attack thinking that was how they would be for the rest of the pregnancy.

Also, I did the glucose tolerance test this week. Is it bad how hard it was for me to eat no form of sugar until my appointment at 2? I was seriously dreading it for weeks. It was a little sad to say the least. I would have cheated and at least ate some bread, but I didn't want to risk needing the 3-hour follow up test (which I have yet to hear back about). If there's one thing I hate more than I love sugar, it's needles. On the drive to the appointment I was so excited for the drink because hellooooo SUGAR. It did not disappoint. In that moment, it was the tastiest drink ever. I would have had another one if they let me! And I'd rather drink 100 of them than get my blood drawn. And I think the little boy who did draw my blood was about 17, so there's that. And I definitely made up for my lack of sugar in the first half of the day by eating a brownie sundae when I got home and getting a Slurpee later that night. (Should I be alarmed that the mango lemonade flavor burned both mine and Colby's throats? I drank it anyway and I don't regret it.) Baby's heartbeat was at 143 bpm and he's been having a constant party in there for the past couple days which I love! 

In the past few weeks I've also started my Hypnobabies class which I am LOVING. I listen to the CDs every day and Colby reads a script to me every other day. The class is really great and interesting as well.

Also, hello third trimester!!

Looking forward to: Getting more baby things and everything coming together! 11ish weeks to go if I'm lucky. :) Also, putting what I'm learning from Hypnobabies into action!