The Merfett

NewMerfbaby is a Lunch Box

April 23, 2015 The Merfett

NewMerfbaby is 26 weeks!

About 14 inches long and 15 weeks to go!

How I’m Feeling: Sleepy. I fell asleep on the couch yesterday while Riley was snuggling with me watching Curious George. I’ve also had an annoying headache on the right side of my forehead for a few days. Pretty good besides that. I feel like I’m so much more active that I was pregnant with Riley – mostly because I’m doing things with him, or constant picking things up/cleaning/laundry. Normal everyday stuff is tiring when you’re hauling around 30lb toddler and a big o’ belly.

Belly/Weight: Getting up from the couch is starting to be a challenge. Riley’s running out of room on my lap too – but he doesn’t seem to notice and just pushes his way in anyway, ha.

Life Changes: My coordination has been a mess lately. I’ve been running into stuff all over the house. Mostly furniture and walls. Bye-bye balance.

Movement: He’s much stronger and getting active for longer periods of time. At my Glucose test this morning he was bouncing all over the place. Sugar!

Sleep: Still sleeping well – but I stayed up too late a few times this week. Riley’s up around 7:00am, so I’m thankful for that.

Cravings: Kelly sent me a Buzzfeed article about In N Out, so of course I want that for lunch today :)

Exercise: Still working out! Going to really try to make it to some Yoga Classes for these last few weeks. I started really enjoying Yoga around this time when I was bigger with Riley. The stretching is so nice. Riley and I are planning to take a Toddler + Me Yoga class next week.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Lots of kicking and movement in the evenings reminds me to really slow down and think about this baby. I also read this article – so that got me all excited for future family camping and hiking trips. We did #6 on the list with Riley over Christmas and it was a blast.

On My Mind: Starting to refocus my mind on life with a newborn. I know what it was like with Riley – so I’m excited for snuggles and portability, and napping on the go. Thinking more about labor, and recovery too. Wondering how labor will go this time around. Still need to pick up some items for NewMerfbaby….changing pad, wipe warmer, diaper pail. I doubt Riley will be fully potty trained by July – but who knows, maybe he’ll surprise me? We haven’t been pushing it – since my only goal was to have him in his Big Brother room and that’s been a success!

Family

NewMerfbaby is a Boot!

April 15, 2015 The Merfett

NewMerfbaby is 25 weeks!

About the length of a 13″ boot. Kickin’

How I’m Feeling: Pregnant. I’m much bigger at this point that I was with Riley – which seems obvious but also insane. I’m still pretty comfortable, but since my belly is getting bigger it’s hard for Riley to sit on my lap.

Belly/Weight: Belly button is outta control. Even Riley isn’t sure about it. He keeps poking at it to make it go back. Finally he just gives up and pulls my shirt down, like ‘good luck with that Mommy.’ I got some stretch mark lotion since my stomach’s been super itchy so that helps.

Life Changes: The weather’s been so nice lately I haven’t been bitter about living in the Valley. It’s almost too good to be true – like real Spring! It’s coming to an end this week and getting hotter, but it was nice while it lasted.

Movement: Kick and punch! I’m starting to feel him push out too – which is always creepy. But I’m glad that he’s more active throughout the day. When I’m busy I forget and wonder when the last time I felt him move was…now it’s more constant and noticeable so I pay attention more.

Sleep: Last week was harder, but today we turned a corner and I finally felt rested!

Cravings: Milk shake! Mmmmm. Soft serve ice cream :)

Exercise: Back on track – and feeling sore today! My trainer is also pregnant and she’s so great about building my workouts to include lots of pelvic and lower muscle exercises. I feel like I’ll be much for fit going into labor this time around.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Riley and I went to a MOMS Club potluck dinner tonight and I got to talk to a lot of other Moms. A few that are pregnant now, and some that have 2 boys, and one that has an 11 week old. I never thought I would need Mom friends – but it’s important.

On My Mind: It took a full week – but I think we’ve turned the corner on Riley’s big brother room transition. At first he was afraid, new room and new bed. So I would sit with him until he fell asleep. Then it quickly became a game of pop-up to see if Mom’s still looking. A few times I would leave the room and close the door, and he would cry and protest. But it shifted from being fearful cries – to cries of protest and not wanting to go to sleep. Which is fine, I was used to that in his crib. Sometimes he would fuss for a few min and then settle down. He was sleeping until 7am the first few days in the new room, and napping for crap and teething so he was a mess. Then he started waking up earlier and earlier – 5:30am um, no. And still only napping for an hour at a time. He turned a corner today and slept later and took a solid nap – he’s like a different kid when he has sleep! I am too, ha! Thankful that the transition is well on it’s way and going smoothly. I’m glad we’re going through it now, so when the baby arrives he’ll be settled. I know he could regress and I sort of expect that, but at least we won’t have to be forcing a big change on him in addition to the baby.

Family

NewMerfbaby the Ear of Corn

April 8, 2015 The Merfett

NewMerfbaby is 24 weeks!

The length of an ear of corn! I had to go with Corn on the cob this week – it’s one of Riley’s favorite foods :)

How I’m Feeling: More round ligament pain on my right side. My Chiropractor worked on it and gave me an exercise to help strengthen my pelvis since every time I’ve seen her that’s been out. I’m more winded when I have to go up and down the stairs multiple times in a row, but I’m felling pretty good otherwise. Just getting more pregnant :)

Belly/Weight: 19lbs gained so far. Last time at this point I was at 18, ha! Belly is out and round. I catch it out of the corner of my eye sometimes – and I can’t believe I look pregnant, duh.

Life Changes: Funny – this was the point when I was pregnant with Riley that I added in Poultry because I couldn’t keep up with the protein required. After eating only fish for years I’m all-in on the meat now. This baby wants Red Meat – which is something I’ve had never enjoyed the taste of!

Movement: Kicks that make me go “oof!” I forgot how jabby they are for a while. Until he runs out of room and is just pushing his way around in there.

Sleep: Going pretty well – I could use some afternoon naps this week, but I’ve been busy getting things done during naptime.

Cravings: Frozen Yogurt. We ran an errand to the mall on Monday night (new MacBook Pro, welcome to the family) and I really wanted some fro-yo, so we stopped and grabbed some on the way home.

Exercise: Had to cut my workout short this morning, Riley woke up with I had about 20 min left. He chilled and ate his snack and watched a cartoon for a few min – but it didn’t last long.

Favorite Pregnancy Moment this week: Talking more about our future as a family of 4. It’s crazy and exciting to think that our family will include one more person in a few months. I feel like this pregnancy is going so quickly, and soon we’ll have another baby boy in this house!

On My Mind: Riley. He spent his first night in his “big brother” room last night in the new bed and did really well! Took him a little while to calm down and relax but after rubbing his back and sitting with him he fell asleep and woke up at 7am today! He took both his (very short) naps in there today too and did better going down each time. Tonight I laid him down and sat on the end of the bed until he fell asleep. I think over the next few days I can probably start working my way further and further away. To top it off I think he’s getting his “second molars” so that’s a bummer. He was cranky and chewing on his hand yesterday – and same today. I thought there was no way, he already has all of his teeth, except his 2 year old molars….oh, wait. I looked it up, and those start coming in between 20 – 30 months. Who just turned 20 months?! My little Textbook Baby…right on schedule. Explains the weak naps :(