31 Weeks

This week has been completely crazy. Zach started a new job, poor Koda has an ear infection, Koda and I both had doctor appointments, and we are still trying to get settled in from the move back to the states. We won't even be getting our car or household goods back until the late May/early June time frame which completely freaks me out because we have nothing for Levi until they arrive- which is in less than 9 weeks! EEEK!! I'm sure everything will turn out fine but it is making me nervous to say the least. Another thing making this week crazy- the weather! It's mid April in Texas and it's getting down into the 40's?! I was born and raised here and I am positive that this has never happened. Where is my summer heat?

How far along? 32 weeks

Total weight gain: 20 lbs

Maternity clothes? jeans and tops. I had to finally give up trying to squeeze into my regular t-shirts. Way too big for that now!  

Stretch Marks? Two very tiny ones from after Koda's birth have reappeared.

Sleep: Until last night, miserable. Coughing, not being able to breathe out of my nose, usual 'cold' stuff kept me awake but I was feeling better yesterday and I slept like a rock.

Best moment this week: Seeing Levi on ultrasound. The first thing he did was stick out his tongue! He's already just like his daddy and brother...heaven help me! ;)

Miss Anything? Oddly enough, I've been missing being able to work out really hard core. So strange because I hate hate hate working out when I'm not pregnant.

 Movement? Tons! Lots of pushing/shoving going on in there. 

Food cravings?: Some days I crave super healthy food and then the next day I crave fried/fast food. Weird!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not lately.

Gender: Boy.

Labor Signs: Other than very slight pressure from him being head down, no.

Symptoms: Swollen legs, fatigue, touchy temper.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? Off. I break out if I get even the slightest amount of water under it so I usually just keep it off.

Mood: I go from being in a great mood to being short tempered. I never really had mood swings with Dakota, so this is weird for me. I really don't like it. My poor husband is so patient with me though, thank God.

Getting ready for Baby #2

When I first found out that we were expecting our second baby, I thought we already had everything we needed for his arrival. Then, I actually did a mental checklist and realized there were quite a few things that we didn't have or that we had gotten rid of that we would need.

1.Double Stroller

2.Carseat

3.We needed to figure out the sleeping situation. Would we need another crib? Should we transition Dakota to a toddler bed and use his crib for Levi? (We decided to transition Koda to a big boy bed)

4.Breastpump. The one I had with Koda didn't work well.

And of course there were a few things that I had discovered since Koda was a baby that I would want this time around.

Here's some of my wishlist items. Things that we don't necessarily need but will most likely pick up to make our lives a little easier.
Evenflo Symphony Convertible Car seat- This is Dakota's current car seat and we love it so much that we decided to just go with it from the beginning this time. It comes with an infant insert which is perfect. We still have Dakota's infant car seat to use for trips to the store and things like that. Friendly reminder-NEVER put your infant car seat on top of a shopping cart! There is NO proper way to do it. Always put it INSIDE the basket. ALWAYS.
Dex Daydreamer- This is kind of like the Nap Nanny which was discontinued. I guess this one is 'safer'. Although, as far as I could tell, the Nap Nanny wasn't dangerous as long as you used it correctly. Who knows...I'm just glad there's something similar available.
4moms Mamaroo- This baby is amazing. It's different from a typical baby 'swing' because it simulates the motion that the mother makes while the baby is in the womb. It has a swaying motion as opposed to a swinging motion. You can also plug your Ipod directly into it and it will play your playlist. I've seen it in person and was pretty impressed and after reading the reviews on it, my husband and I were both completely sold. Besides, the swing we had with Koda lost pieces during our many moves so.....it's kind of like I HAVE to get it, right?
Snuza Halo or Hero- This is for my comfort and peace of mind. When Dakota was newborn I would constantly lean over during the night to check if he was breathing, meaning between that and feedings, I got absolutely no sleep. This doodad eliminates the need for me to check his breathing myself because it does it for me. You clip it on your baby's diaper and it monitors the movements they make from breathing. If it stops for longer than a few seconds, it alerts you. I read the reviews on this and they were all positive and have saved more than a few lives.
Woombie- A swaddler the hugs your baby tighter than a typical swaddle so that it feels more womblike.

If you're looking to save money, check your area for consignment sales. They have brand new/gently used items at HUGE discounts. I went to one recently and was able to pick up a double stroller, a brand new, completely unopened breast pump, and a few other things for both of my boys.
 What items did you realize you would need or need more of when you were expecting another baby? I hope there's not something super obvious that I'm completely spacing on!


Returning to blogging & Baby DQ #2

Yes, I'm still alive. I took a break from blogging but I think I'm ready to get back at it. I will for sure have plenty to write about because...Surprise! We are expecting Baby DQ #2! My due date is June 15- Father's Day! We are having another little man and his name is Levi Wyatt. Dakota loves to kiss my belly and hug it and say 'awwww'.

Speaking of Koda...he is so crazy big and so so smart! He amazes me every day with how much he is learning and growing. His vocabulary expands each and every day and his personality keeps growing. He is absolutely hilarious and super adorable, and believe me, he knows it. I truly cannot believe he is already almost a year and a half! Where has all the time gone?

Along with getting ready to welcome a new baby, we are also making some other big changes. We have moved back home from Germany and are transitioning out of 'the military lifestyle' and back into civilian life. That means finding a new home which I am super excited about. I can't wait to get into a new house and start decorating and making it into our home. We've never really been able to settle in and decorate and everything because every time we got to a new place, we would move very shortly after so there was really no point. Hopefully now we will be somewhere more permanent and actually be able to make it our own. When we do start decorating and all of that, I will be sharing pictures and projects on here so you all can follow along.

Keep an eye out for posts on preparing for Baby #2, Summer Style for the littles, and Cloth Diapering.