22 weeks, Purging, Swimming, & Father's Day!

How far along: 22 weeks

At 11 inches and almost 1 pound (about the size of a spaghetti squash), your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. 

If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily. www.babycenter.com

(Spaghetti squash?? Really? Where do they come up with this stuff?)

Total Weight Gain: Still sitting at about 12 pounds, but the weight is definitely starting to be distributed differently.  Gym time has started back in full swing, which is useful for maintaining the weight at a 'less-than-crazy' amount!

Maternity Clothes: See above!  The rubber band trick around my pant buttons and the belly band are rather convenient right now!

Stretch Marks: still good

Sleep: You'd think since it was summer, I would be getting plenty of sleep, BUT I have been busier than ever!  This is definitely a good busy though.  Last week, I started deep cleaning/organizing/rearranging/purging all the bedrooms and closets.  I have officially finished with the back part of the house (bedrooms) and have created a nice big garage sale pile for this weekend! On Saturday, Mike and I cleaned out the attic and garage and Matt & Cecily came over and claimed a lot of Grace's old things-which is great! Check out the progress--> 

BEFORE

My closet

Bedroom

 

Garage

Garage

 

Future Nursery- No After picture yet!

part 1 of garage sale pile

part 2- accepting help from volunteers who love to price and hang up things!

AFTER

Mike and my closets...and the beginnings of baby Clark's closet!

Grace's closets. That hanging organizer was only $5 at Wal-Mart!

Our bedroom- much better!

Garage

Garage- pile in the back is part of garage sale!

 

Best moment of this week: This week has been very eventful!  Starting Monday, I gave myself a goal for what had to be cleaned out and stuck to the plan pretty well!  I also started back to the gym on Monday, which actually feels really great!  Like I said before, I have officially ruled out running- just because I'm a big weenie, and well...I don't want to. BUT--my plan is to stick to my CrossFit warm-up and do it at the beginning of every workout.  It takes me about 20 minutes and is legit.  Fortunately, I can still do everything in the warm-up-including pull ups-whoo hoo! Throughout the week, I did a combination of work outs.  One day, I would do 30-40 minutes of cardio (after warm-up).  I do the stair climber (my favorite), elliptical, row machine and/or stationary bike.  On another day, I do a class of some sort.  I've done spin class and pilates.  Hopefully, I stick to it pretty good because it definitely helps with my energy level.  Here's a look at my altered version of the CrossFit warm-up if you're interested.  (I adjust it to my fitness level, but this is what it looks like NOW):

3 ROUNDS

8 extended lunges (both legs)

15 dips 

15 overhead squats (with either weighted bar or medicine ball overhead)

15 push ups

15 V-ups (or other ab exercise of your choice)

15 weighted back extensions

5 pull ups

DO WORK!

Mom came into town on Thursday so she could go to Grace's gymnastics Thursday night and swim lessons on Friday morning.  I have a thought I'd like to share about these two events- I officially hate balls!  As I've mentioned before, Grace has a minor obsession (to say the least) with them and they have been ruining everything lately.  Let me explain.  When we went to gymnastics on Thursday night, the older class was having a beach ball fight- well, this was basically cruel and unusual punishment for Grace.  She refused to do any of those 'lame' warm-up activities and continued to throw herself a grade-A fit while continuously yelling 'Ball! Ball!'  It was ridiculous.  Luckily, this only lasted for about 10 minutes, and we were able to continue with class.  Here are some fun pics!

Watching the beach ball fight :(

Working on those pullovers!

toes up!

Hi Mommy!  1-2-3 DROP!

Weeelllllll....that's not all.  Friday morning was Grace's first swimming lesson, and let me preface by saying she overall did awesome!  She was excited and more than willing to do everything the instructor wanted.  She did really well at all the exercises and loved all the songs.  HOWEVER, when we first got in the water- guess what they gave the children to play with.  You guessed it.  Balls.  Well, Grace had a death grip on a yellow ball and refused to let go of it the entire lesson.  Now, I understand that I could've just ripped off the band-aid and taken it away, but at that point I wasn't prepared for the fit to come and luckily she could do the majority of the exercises with it.  It became a problem at one point when we were practicing falling in the water off the edge of the pool and practicing crawling out- because you need both hands to be able to grab the wall and get out.  It actually worked out pretty well though, because I took the ball away and rolled it toward the wall.  Then, I pulled Grace in the water and -to put it mildly- she was the fastest kid to pull herself out of the pool!  She had a ball to rescue! Having to leave the ball behind at the end of the lesson was a hard fight, but next time we're just going to steer clear of any and all round objects!  Here's a look at the lesson- notice the yellow object in just about every picture! (Check out my youtube link for some videos of the lesson- as well as gymnastics)

Can't wait!!

 

Fearless! Crawled up there by herself and jumped right in!

I have to rescue my ball from the cow!

Wait...there's more!

This weekend was Father's Day, and it couldn't have been more beautiful outside! Mike met his dad, brothers, & nephew at Lake Lewisville Sunday morning to do a little fishing.  He left around 5 am- so he says- I don't remember a thing!  Landon came down (Whitney had to work) and went to church with Grace and I.  We've been doing a 1 John study about how to reflect on if you're an authentic believer/Christian...very interesting!  After church, we met up with Mike and headed to Fort Worth to meet mom and dad for lunch/ hat shopping.  We had lunch at Esperanzas- Mexican restaurant across from Joe T. Garcia's.  It was great, and I was pumped because they had some Tres Leches cake...Yum!

After lunch, we headed to the Stockyards to get Dad a new Cowboy hat for Father's Day.  A little birdie told us that was what he wanted!  It was actually a lot cheaper than I was expecting, so the least I could do was treat everyone to cobbler from Cooper's before we went home!  Before heading home, we stopped off at grandparent's #2.  I was super jealous because everyone was swimming and enjoying the pool when we got there.  We had just been walking around outside for a few hours, and I was more than tempted to just jump in with all my clothes on!  At least Grace had a swimsuit and could get a little swim practice in! ;)

Happy Father's Day from our little Ranger-ette!

We were tempted to buy these red, little cowboy boots! She loved clickety clacking all over the store in them!

Grace and I are SOOO blessed to be surrounded by amazing father figures that love us so much!  I don't know what we would do without them!  BTW...Dad and I are planning a repeat of the top picture for little Clark!

Miss Anything? Feeling pretty good right now.  I miss walking without a waddle.

Movement: Crazy mover- all the time.  This is a pleasant change from pregnancy number one. (I say that now anyway.) Grace was so chill; I almost never felt her move.  Clark is all over the place! Maybe it's because I'm all nice and stretched out from the first one, so he has plenty of room.  Who knows!

Food Craving: sweet sweet sweet.  I was very happy to fulfill my cobbler craving!

Anything making you queasy or sick?  I've made it a #1 priority when I wake up in the morning to take my heartburn meds!  If I don't, my day is ruined!  I get heartburn from bread and water these days!

Gender Prediction: Might as well delete this one ;)

Labor Signs: nope

Symptoms: Nothing new really.  Just a constantly growing/moving belly.  My lower back remains sore, and this is a different symptom from pregnancy #1- gonna have to get used to it!

Belly button in or out? Out.  (insert crying face) Is it wrong to put some duct tape or something over it so it doesn't poke out my shirt??

Wedding rings on or off?  wedding band only--thinking about just leaving it on permanently.  It's the getting on and off part that's difficult.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm definitely overall happy, but have been noticing some moodiness.  I cry at the drop of a hat.  I watched a music video this morning and was bawling like a baby.  I'm not a huge crier, so this is foreign for me!  I have been feeling more sensitive too.  Like I said earlier, I was very upset on Sunday when I couldn't go swimming.  I was very pouty- not attractive!  I've thought about telling Mike to point it out for me, but for his safety I decided against it.

Looking forward to: I have a maternity massage and facial tomorrow-thanks to my awesome husband!  I'm not looking forward to, but looking forward to it BEING OVER--> the garage sale on Saturday!  All this crap will be out of my house, and hopefully we'll have a little money to show for it!

A little something extra!

Grace has two little things that she does now that are just the cutest things ever! Just when you think she can't get any cuter! ;)  At night, when I put her to bed I always tell her I love her and then I ask her who else loves her?  Her response is always Jeeeeee - sus!  I don't even know where she got that from, but one night I just randomly asked her that (expecting she would say Daddy or something), and that was her response.  Now, it's a nightly thing.  Maybe she got it from 'Jesus Loves Me'?

Another thing she does (and this will not translate into words- I'm working on capturing a video) is that the littlest things crack her up.  She'll put both her hands over her mouth and laugh like crazy.  Again, don't know where she picked that up, but it definitely shows off her cute little personality and ultimate girly-ness!   

On another note, I am very proud of my hard work and determination with accomplishing her first set of french braids!  I've discovered that Spongebob fruit snacks are the magic to getting her to sit still. (for a little bit anyway!)

Also, the dogs have been ultra clingy to me (more than usual) lately.  I'm convinced they're either trying to protect my pregnant little belly OR keep Clark in my belly as long as possible!  BTW...Grace & Daisy are super sweet right now. The other night, Grace took all of her stuffed babies off her bed and they all gave Daisy a kiss on the nose.  I think Daisy was highly confused, but she laid there and took it.  Here's a pic where Grace covered up Daisy and used her as a pillow.  I think Daisy likes it, what about you?

Grace, Daisy, & her bankets!

 

Now what?

How Far Along?? 21 weeks

Bigger every day!  Ugh!

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — about the size of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.
(Hard to imagine a baby as a carrot??)

Gender Reveal  Family Dinner!

June 7- Last day of school (WHOO HOO!) and our gender reveal family dinner. Why not gender reveal- you may ask? WELL...just like with my first pregnancy, everybody seems to know exactly what I am having.  Rather frustrating for me because they seem to know more than I do- what does that say about me?  Before our doctor appointment, I was very torn with my opinion.  My pregnancy has been so similar to the first one, that I really felt like there was a strong possibility of it being a girl.  Well....I was wrong!  We have a boy heading our way! Check it out for yourself!

Pre- Reveal

Look at that sad PINK column!  That is a sympathy vote- btw!

Reveal cupcakes

Aunt Whitney & Uncle Landon- awaiting the big bite!

Loli & Pop

Uncle Matt & Aunt Cecily

Aunt Jess, cousin Clay, & Gigi

Post- Reveal!

Pops is getting his first grandson!!

Of course Gigi had a present on stand-by!

Pretty clear!

Well, now that we ALL know that it's a boy on the way- we have a lot to do.  There are definitely a lot of new things I need to get (unless we want to surround our baby boy with a bunch of pink stuff!)  I already have a general nursery idea.  I let Mike give the idea- BUT I'm going to do it my way! lol.  Sorry babe.  As far as names go..we'll probaby go with the name John Clark Bolding- and call him Clark.  I really love this name because 1.) It's my mom's maiden name and Lilly Grace is after Patsy's maiden name..so we have a theme going 2.) As a teacher, there are MANY names that are NOT an option because of a particular student- if you know what I mean- and I have NEVER had a Clark. So, at least it will be somewhat original.  3.) I think it's a good strong, sophisticated name! ;)  I know that we are the parents that will be torturing our children by calling them by their middle names.  I'm not a huge fan, but Mike likes it and he really wanted John to be the first name.  So, if he likes it and I don't really care that much- we'll go with John Clark.  Pick your battles right? :)

What are we going to do with a BOY!?!?!  Ahhh!  

The Rest of the Weekend!

Mom and Dad stayed the night on Friday, and Saturday morning I got up 5 a.m. to volunteer at the Collin County Classic Bike Rally (benefiting City House).  I've been working with City House for about the last 5 months, and I just think it is the most awesome organization.  They do such amazing things for the families in the Plano community, and I am honored to be associated with them in any way!  With that said...I was given a 'less than glamourous' volunteer position.  The bike course was 64 miles and I was assigned a corner position at mile marker 32- which means that I was at the very end of the course, directing everybody back to the beginning.  I was literally out in the middle of nowhere (in Melissa I think) pointing cyclists in the same direction- for about 5 hours.  Oh well...every little bit counts and who knows where those people might be if I wasn't there in my orange vest sticking my arm out! LOL    AND...at least I had a little bit of company throughout my shift! 

Who doesn't like a fireman- or 10?

After my volunteer shift, Mom, Grace, & I loaded up in the car and headed to Abilene.  My cousin, Blake, is getting married in July and she had a bridal shower on Sunday.  Even though we only stayed one night, it's always good to get to see Mimi and Uncle Eddie's whole bunch!  

I was a pretty big/dull/dud the majority of the weekend.  I was just waddling around looking for my next spot to post up and possibly take a nap.  I was fortunate that everybody was more than willing to play with Grace and Eddie and Anissa had an ideal recliner- perfect for napping.  

Before we drove back Sunday evening, we played outside in Mimi's front yard so Grace could expose of any extra energy!  It's always fun to see Grace playing in the same exact place that I played when I was her age (or younger)! 

Always gotta throw in a serious pose!

An air-pane!

Of course we all had to play BALL!

CCHHHEEEEEEEEESSSEE!!!

BALL!

Some Extras!

Grace was playing with the baby stroller (which I also played with when I was her age)- when she decided to get in with her baby and have us push her!  

Before we headed to the bridal shower, Grace had to have her some lunch- and this pic was just too cute to pass up! 

So...Now What??

Well, we've reached the point I've been ready for- for months!  I'm more than half way through my pregnancy, I know I'm having a little boy, & it's summer break!  I know it's just day one of summer break, but I'm already feeling a little overwhelmed thinking about all I need to do!  I'm so beyond blessed to have this time to get some major projects done and get our lives ready for a whole other baby!  So...on the to do list (for now):   

~Clean out every room (including closets, attic, & garage) in preparation for the garage sale.  

~Create a Craig's List ad and make multiple signs for the garage sale (which we've decided will probably be the morning of Saturday, June 22.) 

~Schedule Grace her first dentist appointment.  UH OH.

~Create a (much smaller & less overwhelming) baby registry.

~Turn off the Today Show, turn off the computer, get out of bed, & actually do some things on the list!

(There will be an entirely new list for July and after the garage sale-when I actually have some money- hopefully!  That will be the fun month..preparing the nursery!!)

Get ready for some before and after pictures!  Happy summer people-it's the most wonderful time of the year!

'Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'  Isaiah 40:30-31

AMEN