Day Sixteen

It has been several days since I have posted...and no I haven't gone into labor!  haha.  I haven't even had a real contraction (or anything I would consider to be real anyway).  So unless my water randomly breaks, it looks like we will be going in on our scheduled day of April 6th.  Before that though we have several fun things planned...General Conference (with cinnamon rolls as our treat), a little pot luck/last hoorah with a couple of friends and then having my mom fly in!  We are really looking forward to her being here.

Today when I went to the commissary to get some groceries...the gal who bagged for me told me that I looked like I was having another boy.   Now I am worried she has some sort of sixth sense!  haha I sure hope this little girl doesn't come out a boy, it would sure put a twist in all of my attempted planning!  Keep checking back though, I am sure Andy will be diligent in posting pictures as soon as he can.

Now onto the challenge...

Day Sixteen:  A fond childhood memory
I have many fond childhood memories.  Going camping, visiting Heise with my cousins, family reunions, spending the night in a motor home my uncle would bring home from work...or sleeping on my grandma's deck during summer.  Sitting up at night with my girl cousins talking about what our grown up lives were going to be like...down to the last detail.  Recording my voice (like a radio personality) onto cassette tapes, listening to the Beach Boys Kokomo song and singing at the top of my lungs.  Memorizing Wilson Phillips Hold On, and dancing with my cousins.  Preforming plays for family members and charging them to attend.  Forming the Holiday's dancing/lip syncing group with my brother (yes Nate) and some of my cousins.  We would preform at all the holiday gatherings (hence the name Holiday's) - we even lip synced to a song once that had a swear word in it, haha oh mercy ....and the list goes ON and ON.   I love remembering these times in my life.

One of my favorite memories was going to Bear Lake every summer with my mom's family.  We had such a wonderful time.  I remember being SO afraid of going on the boat...and then finally being convinced to ride the banana boat with my cousins.  I told them to go really slow, but every time I said slower they went just a little faster!  I was so freaked out, but when I look back now...I remember it being a lot of fun!

I wish sometimes that I could go back and relive those moments...not even as myself necessarily, but just to watch myself.  To remember what kind of kid I was, or how I have changed.  I will always cherish those moments spent with my family.  The one thing I realize about these memories is that none of them were expensive, or cost a lot.  They didn't involve material things and yet the still stick out in my mind.   I hope when my children are grown that their fondest memories will be of times we spent with family.  That is definitely the case, and the memories continue.

A Little Noah Time and Almost Baby Time

Well my friends, we are down to 13 days until baby time.  13 Days!  That's nothing.  The list of 'things to do' in my head continues to get longer as my time gets shorter!  I can hardly believe it.

I feel like I have been extremely lazy when it has come to getting things ready for this baby.  Is that normal?  With Noah, I tried to have everything ready months in advance.  That has not been the case this time around.  I think part of it is because I know we will be moving...so all the effort will be short lived.  On the other had, I am not sure I have had much motivation...which is really odd for me.  Either way, we have the necessities ready - and because of so many generous friends and family, I think we will be prepared enough.   I have all her clothes washed, blankets washed, car seat ready and bed (almost) ready.  Since we will be moving a mere 2 1/2 weeks after she is born, there isn't a lot I can do.  One thing I was short on though, were burp cloths.  Everyone knows that the old school cloth diapers make the best burp cloths...so I decided to add a little girly touch to them...you know - to make them cute.

I even made a few for a girl in Andy's class, who is having a baby boy a few weeks after us...

I LOVE how they turned out, not to mention how simple they were to do.  If you want to try some for yourself, here is a great tutorial to give you a little guidance.  

I am really curious to see how Noah adjusts to having a new little person around.  Part of me thinks he will do amazing, and another part wonders how he will do with sharing the spotlight.  All in all, I think it will be really great for him.  I almost think it will be more difficult for me.  I am so excited to welcome this new baby girl to our family, but worry about leaving Noah out.  I hope to make a special effort to involve him and spend one on one time with him.  It will be an adjustment for all of us (a good adjustment, of course).

I have also contemplated trying to wean Noah from his pacifier.  I try REALLY hard not to give it to him unless he needs it, but there are those moments where he just wants it.  Usually he only gets it when we are at home (nap time, bed time etc.) or if we are out and he is especially tired.  He loves his 'bink' though, and I worry that if I try to wean him now, he will try to steal the baby's...not to mention he uses them to give us some pretty awesome entertainment!  Exhibit A.

Any thoughts or suggestions??!

Lastly, we are on about week 2 of sneaking veggies into Noah's smoothies!  I am really happy that 1) he hasn't noticed and 2) he is getting a little extra vitamins in his diet (you know, the non gummy form).  We both look forward to our daily smoothie...as you can obviously tell....

I love how Noah has pretty much the same facial expression in all of these photos, and I am the one making a fool of myself.  I kept telling him to 'show your smoothie', so maybe he was trying to concentrate on one thing at a time.  Who knows, but he sure is a cutie! (Don't worry - that white stuff on his cheek is a little cream cheese from his bagel, which he had for breakfast.  It took me a few hours to wipe it off, and I have no idea why). 

Confessions of A Pregnant Woman

I am almost 35 weeks pregnant...so close, yet so far away!  Being pregnant has never been the most enjoyable time in my life.  Please don't get me wrong, I am in NO way saying that I am not grateful to be pregnant OR to be having a baby...because trust me, I am deeply grateful for both.  It's all the side effects that I am not super fond of...they are certainly worth it, yes, but enjoyable? ...Not always.

This is not a list of complaints, just a list of facts.....or in other words - confessions of a pregnant woman...

-  When I wake up in the morning my legs are their normal size...by the time I go to bed they are double.  The other night I was getting ready to go to a Young Women's activity where we had to wear Church dress.  I attempted to get my boots over my calves and failed miserably...these are boots I had worn just the day before - and they fit just perfectly. 

- Sad but true....I have been known to tinkle in my pants when I cough or sneeze. 

I have to be safe and make sure my bladder is empty at all times.  We don't want any accidents, now do we? (Don't lie, I know a lot of you have done the same!)

-Sleeping is a luxury and turning during the night is not a simple task.  

To switch sides I have to literally sit up, turn over and lay back down.  I am pretty sure I use at least 45 minutes of sleep each night turning from side to side. 

-Painting my toe nails makes me light headed.  

I suffer through it though, all for the sake of beauty.

- Every morning when I wake up my legs feel as if I had done 3 hours worth of squats the day before. 

If only I really had done some squats!

- Lifting Noah has become very difficult.

And in case you are wondering, yes - I still hold him.  

Lift with the legs, those swollen legs! 

Over all I feel really good, and am extremely grateful that I have been blessed with good health.   I feel like this baby will be smaller than Noah's whopping 9 lbs 12 oz (oh I hope, I hope)...but as long as she is healthy, it certainly doesn't matter to me! 

Here's a little comparison.  On the right is a picture of me at 34 weeks while pregnant with Noah, and on the left is me currently at 34 weeks.  Only time will tell! 

' Bebe '

It has been a beautiful day today!  There are only two things that could make it better...1) if our Volvo wasn't in the shop and I could take Noah to the park or 2) if we had grass (instead of rocks) in our front yard!   We didn't let that stop us from going outside for a little bit though.  Noah LOVES to be outside, and on days like this I can't resist!  So while I went through some things in the garage (trying to get organized for our move)....Noah took out his little car and had a grand ole' time.

When it was finally time to come in, Noah insisted on staying in the garage and playing (with the garage door closed).  Just recently when we tell him to smile he puts on a SUPER cheese face.  I can't help but laugh at how cute he looks.

While going through the garage I decided to bring in the infant car seat to get it all washed and ready for the baby.  Even with all the cushioning pulled out, Noah still sat in it...while repeating over and over , 'bebe, bebe, bebe.'   I am not sure if he thought he was the baby or if he was saying that the seat was for a baby...either way, it entertained him for a good 30 minutes. {Notice how dirty his pants are from playing in the garage!}  

 Our time is quickly speeding by here in MO.  Just over a month until the baby comes and 2 weeks later we move.  It will be hectic, which is why I am trying to get things accomplished now.  This will be our first time having the Army move us, instead of moving ourselves...and I am a little nervous about how it will all pan out.  I am grateful though, that at least this time I don't have to pack everything.  Ugh, I hate packing!

I will try and post a 34 week picture of myself soon, if I get around to it.  :)

Baby Girl...

I can't believe how quickly time is going and how Unprepared I am for this little lady to come.  Part of it is the fact that we will be moving right after she is born...but the other part (probably the bigger part) is that I have been especially lazy!   Just because I haven't put my ideas in to action yet, doesn't mean I don't have ideas.  I am SO excited to actually be able to decorate a nursery... so far this is what I've got!

First, I want to make her crib bedding...at least the bumper and skirt!  I have been searching aimlessly for the right fabric and I think I just may have found a place to start.....

Uh, hello Moda Sugar Pop!!  I love this line and already plan on purchasing a many yardage of it!  I think the colors are perfect.  Not too bright, but not too mellow (and not too traditional either).  

Paired with this beautiful piece by Maria Carluccio.  

I think I am in love....(now if I can only find a print for LESS than $100 I will be happy).

And since my little brother does vinyl...maybe one of these too....

No, I am not announcing her name...but isn't this perfect?  I love it! 

Lastly, I saw the idea for this mobile on this website and fell in love!  I will definitely include one of these too (in the correct color scheme, of course). 

I can't wait to actually put all my ideas to action.  Wish me luck, and give me suggestions if you have them....this could be dangerous! 

Shower Me with Your Love

Today was a wonderful day.  Today I got up, cleaned a little, got ready and went to a baby shower.  A baby shower held in my honor!  It was wonderful.  I am so grateful to have so many wonderful friends here.  I have always felt that if I am going to be so far away from family,  I am glad I am surrounded by so many wonderful friends.  I can honestly say that they make the midwest not so, well, bad.  

I had one of the young women snap some shots for me.  She did a wonderful job, but some of the pictures won't make the blog cut! ha.  I have decided that I have officially entered the 'you can tell she's pregnant because you can see it in her face' phase.  I made that up, obviously...but pretty much that just means I have a chubby face.  I have to deal with it, and that means so do you!   Regardless, these pictures don't do this party justice...but at least you can get an idea of how awesome it was.

Starting in the back, left to right

(Tina, Emi, Jenny, Emily, Ruth, Brittany, Malee, Alice, Jeni, Jenny)

(Cheyna, Ashley, Me and Adley)

Thanks ladies.  You truly made my day and I am so grateful (and especially lucky) to call you all my friends.  

Give Me an 'E' for Effort!

So...today I tried to get a little workout in.  I have been AWFUL at working out lately...here are my reasons (lame they are, but they are my reasons none the less)....

First, this little dude interrupts me SO many times that I never even break a sweat.

(don't mind my hand gesture, I can honestly say I have no idea what I was doing)

In fact, I think I get more of a workout from chasing him around then I actually get from my videos (and today's 'workout' was no exception).  

Secondly, my sciatic nerve has been KILLING me.  I mean it is wretched, awful and almost collapsing.  I have been known to crawl up the stairs on my hands and knees on occasion, because it hurts so bad (does anyone else have this issue?  I never had it with Noah)!  I hate back pain, almost as much as I hated labor pain!

And last, working out when you are pregnant is simply not fun.  I mean, I understand the benefits and I am ALL for that (healthy you, healthy baby).  I usually love to work out and I worked out about 4 times a week with Noah...but then again I had a lot more time on my hands as well.  I know women who are pregnant and have 3 kids and still find time to get in a good workout...why can't I?   Who knows really, but unless I go for a brisk walk I just find myself dreading those FIRM videos.   Anyone with me??

I have a little under two and  a half months to go.  So lets hope that I can kick it into gear once the little lady comes, once I've healed from the c-section, once we've moved, unpacked and gotten into a routine.  Once I find a gym to go to, or force myself to spend $120 on PX90.  Once I get myself some real running shoes.  Once I get a little time to myself, once I can wake myself up before 6:30am.  Once I can get a workout and a shower in before 3pm...and once I stop typing this post and actually go do it (which won't happen because it is 11pm).

So the cycle starts again tomorrow and for some reason I'm not surprised :)  Hopefully I can get a little credit for trying, at the very least!

Twenty Nine and Feelin Fine

This weekend I celebrated my 29th birthday.  Um, how in the heck did I get to 29?  I am not freaked out by being almost thirty, I am freaked out by how quickly the time went.  If you were like me - when I was a sophomore in high school, I use to look at the seniors and think to myself "wow, they are so old!  I can't imagine being a senior!"  Once I graduated I use to think that about my 20 something friends and family.  Now I am here. One year away from the big three O.   The best part about being 29 so far?  People still think I am 22.   You could attribute that to the fact that a good majority of 29 year old mormon mothers have more than one child...so how could I be any older than 22, right?  ha.  Anyway,  believe it or not, I really am twenty-nine and feelin fine!

I decided that since I am almost 28 weeks along in this pregnancy, that maybe I should actually take a picture of myself pregnant.   Is it just me or does the second baby get gypped on all that stuff?  I am not as anxious to buy clothes or set up the bassinet.  I am not as worried about the fact that I have NO pink blankets, no bedding made, no hair bows, no cute little boots.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I am SUPER excited to have a little lady...but for some reason I haven't gotten into the shopping frenzy that comes with having a baby.  Maybe it will hit me right before she comes, and then I will be sorry.

So without further ado.  Here is the latest (and pretty much only existing) pregnancy picture.  Almost 28 weeks along.

As a side note....
Andy got me this really cute bag for my birthday by Vera Bradley.  I LOVE her stuff.  You should check out her website:  www.verabradley.com

Baby GIRL Stockhoff

You read the title right.  We are expecting a baby girl.  As many of you may guess, that means I am about 19 weeks along.  I haven't necessarily been keeping it a secret, but I wasn't as eager this time around to announce the news.  Yesterday we went in for our ultrasound, and the verdict is clear (at least to the doctor it was) - we will have a baby girl joining our family at the beginning of April, and we couldn't be happier.

My exact due date is April 13th, but because we will be doing a repeat c-section, the date will be closer to around April 6th! 

We are especially happy to report that she looks perfectly healthy.  I am very grateful for the technology we have to be able to see our baby before she is even born.  I know she will be adorable!

Thanks to all of you who offered your well wishes on mine and Andy's facebook.  We are so lucky to have so many supportive friends and family!