30 days...but who's counting

Today is April 3rd and my due date is May 3rd! I am so happy to be in the final days of this pregnancy.  I know I am the lamest blogger ever but hey the past couple of months have been rough.  There are some really cool things that have happened though.  About a month ago we took the plunge and got rid of the binkies. Gianna is 2.5 and we knew we needed to get rid of them before the baby arrived.  It was a tough couple of weeks but I am so happy we did it and this week are finally back in our routine. She is napping again, falling asleep quickly and never asks for binkies.  

Then 7 days ago we started potty training. It has gone better than I could have imagined. We have only had about 2 accidents.  I know staying dry at night will take time but I am just excited to be moving on from diapers.  I took the advice of a friend and when she would pee or poop we didn't make it a big deal. I just told her, "Thank you so much for going poop in the potty momma loves that I don't have to change your poopy diapers."

We also got a minivan in February. It is so nice to have a car that can fit both of our kids. 

 Here are some pictures that my sister took over the past couple of months. 

I have not taken pictures or written any notes down about Gigi since January.  This baby has been putting me through the ringer. 

 Gigi and cousin Zachary at the library with their masks

 31 weeks...my sister loves this picture but I think it is pretty silly

 35 weeks, trying to look as happy as possible

I am very excited to deliver this baby and look forward to having a gentle, natural, easy birth. We took 5 weeks of hypnobirthing classes which were amazing.  I thought it was going to be really weird but turns out it is simply training yourself to go into a state of deep relaxation.  If you want to see what I am talking about you can watch the following video on youtube. WARNING: it shows boobs and stuff. 

http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=oYgL0ZlHaUo 

Although this has been a tough 9 months, God has given me an amazing support system. My family has taken care of me in ways I could not have imagined. I will post again after our little baby arrives.  Can't wait to finally meet the little person who has been growing inside of me. 

Pictures

                            These are all a bunch of super random pictures from the past month. 

Our one family Christmas Picture

In December I was able to find a swingset, a slide/climbing structure and sandbox all on Craigs List. Gigi is so enjoying her new toys. 

On Christmas Eve, we sang  Happy Birthday to Jesus and Gigi got to blow out the candles

On Christmas Eve Gigi got to open her gifts from Nana and Nonno.  

Look who got a princess dress

We spent Christmas Day with my side of the family. We met at a park and had some appetizers while the kids got some time to play. Then it was back to the house for a tasty dinner,  Christmas Carols and presents. It was a super fun evening for everyone.  

Sisters, Sally, Sara and Julie

Gigi is really into helping and doing everything we do

20 week ultrasound - here is our babies foot

23 weeks- I think I have begun to turn a bit of a corner.  I have eaten some things recently that usually make me super sick and I was not in immediate pain.  I did pay for it later in the week though. The baby is super active, and is measuring about a week ahead of schedule. I have been super emotional during this pregnancy and am surprised by how my emotions always seem to be right at the surface.

Hey out there

So here is the belly at 19 weeks.  I have been so lame at taking any pregnancy pictures, so before bed I just had Frank snap one real quickly. Since this might be my last pregnancy,  I have to make sure and keep track of it. As much as I think (????) I want to have 3 kids, I really don't know if I can bear to be pregnant again.  I am so thankful that I get to have another baby but it has been really tough. Trying to figure out my food creates so much stress.  Early last week I started to feel a bit better,  but then by the weekend things went downhill. After working with my chiropractor,  we figured out that there we some nightshade vegetables sneaking into my diet.  For example,  paprika is hidden in a lot of foods. Then Frank and I had Thai food and there are some chili's used to spice it up.... Sugar was also a big culprit.  This week I removed all of those foods and things have once again calmed down.  I am so thankful that I have Dr. Shores to help me with all of this craziness.

Gianna has been especially challenging lately.  Hitting is her new thing. She gets really angry and then hits me.  I am working on nipping that in the bud,  but it has been hard. She is also quite whiney and just doing typical two year old testing.  She is trying to assert her authority,  and it's really tough.  

On the happy side,  Frank took off the 24th and 25th,  and we are so excited to be celebrating Christmas as a family.   Frank and G decorated the Christmas tree last week,  and she really enjoyed it.  All of our neighbors do lots of decorating,  so we have been having fun looking at all the lights.  

I am amazed at how deeply I love Gianna and yet how angry she can make me. The love you have for your own children is so unique.   

I have my 20 week appointment on Monday,  but we will not be finding out what we are having. Frank really wants to be surprised,  and I am okay with it. I guess I just kind of figure if this is our last child, so why not have the experience. I don't want to take that experience away from him.  

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!!!! 

Here we go again

Its been quite a while since I have posted anything of value. Most of you probably already know that I am pregnant with baby #2.  I am 12 weeks along and my due date is 5-3-11. Two weeks ago I had my first appointment and ultra sound. It was so fun seeing the baby jump around and to find out that everything is as it should be.  We are really excited to have a new baby and feel so blessed that God has allowed us to do this again.

So far this pregnancy has been extremely tough for me. My food allergies have been at an all time high and I have been really sick.  Today is one of my first good days I have had but I think it might be because I haven'tt eaten very much.   It seems the more I eat the worse off I am.  Thankfully like last time my Chiropractor has been able to help me narrow down what foods I can eat. The list is quite short and I get really tired of eating meat but I know it's worth it.

Gianna is now two and she is giving us a run for our money. The past week we have been experiencing a lot of drama from her. Thankfully we have had some good moments that help us remember why we love her so much. It's amazing how angry your own child can make you. I am really working on redirecting her, being consistent with discipline and choosing my battles.  Motherhood is so good for me. 

Here are some pictures from my nephew Cayden's 2nd Birthday party at Bates Nut Farm.

What do you want to know about me?

My good friend Corrina Castillo  did a fun question and answer blog post and I thought I would play along. I am on hold with Aetna right now so I thought what better time. Plus I am not feeling too teribbly sick so I thought I better get on it and post something on my blog.


1. What is one goal you have in the next 5 years? To get strong enough so I can run without pain




2. If you could purchase an entire outfit--head to toe--what would it be? I have no idea this is a really hard question for me. Okay so it would need to involve some type of jacket because I can never afford the cute one's, some cute shoes, a new purse and jewerly.  Outside of that??? Well, I guess a super cute and hot dress that makes me feel increadible. Okay that wasn't that hard:)


3. What country do you want to visit and why? There are so many places I want to travel. I went to Italy on a quick trip after college but my husband has never been and he is full Italian. I would love to go there together, visit family and enjoy the culture.


4. What is your favorite See's Candy?
Scotch Mallow, California Brittle and Almond squares


5. What music are you listening to most frequently right now? A Kids music CD that takes old songs and puts a new spin on them. Gianna is obsessed with most of the songs.


6. What's the last thing you did for yourself? I went and got a pedi/mani


7. What time do you wake up in the morning? 6:54 - it was so great to sleep in


8. What kind of jammies do you wear? Pregnancy bra, and a tank top. I get hot pretty easily so I don't like to wear much.


9. What is your outlet? Right now I don't have much of an outlet because I cancelled my gym membership to save money. I would say swimming laps is a great way for me to unwind, taking a walk or talking to a good friend.


If you want to do this also just let me know by posting a link to you post in the comments. Thanks for playing and for reading my responses.

Free Ergo baby Carrier

Hey Friends,

Two of my friends have Ergo baby carriers and I told myself I would get one when we are blessed with another baby. Well, there is a contest for a free Ergo carrier on this great new website http://www.heavenlyhold.com/pages/contest.htm.  Check it out and see what you think? And then if you want you can also enter the contest.

I really hope I win I would love to have one of these carrier and they are pricey:)

Crazy Hair Day!

If you think you have crazy and unmanageable hair try waking up looking like this:)