26 and 27 Weeks

Dear Peanut,
My sweet love, sorry I am writing to you two weeks late.  However I due have a wonderful excuse...your daddy is HOME!!!!!!  After getting out of the hospital, he called to say his replacement showed up early and he would be home a week early.  I did really well not getting overly excited but it was truly the best news ever.  Daddy arrived home on the 7th.  Since his arrival we have bought your brother his new bedroom furniture, bought a new SUV (our wonderful Sorento just wasn't going to be big enough once you arrive), slowly but surely rearranging the rooms and playroom, and best of all just being a family again.  All we need is you but please wait till December!

As for my recovery from the UTI and Kidney Infection, I am all healed.  The day after daddy came home I had my follow appointment with the Dr.  Best part, besides being cleared, was your daddy finally able to see you!!  The Dr. did the ultrasound which resulted in a very in depth ultra sound.  We were educated on all your heart valves, brain stem, spinal fluid, spinal cord, my kidneys, etc.  By all medical purposes you have been given a clean bill of health with a small warning.  You might end up being a big baby!! Your brother was born at 8lbs 6oz and the Dr. predicted you will at least meet that.  Of course this is just a prediction but your dad and I just giggled. 

You are already making your daddy laugh.  He can't get over how fast I run to the bathroom to pee because of the wonderful gymnastic moves you practice on my bladder.  Nor can he get over how strong your gymnastics moves are.  Whether it is the Dr feeling my tummy or daddy you really like to let us know you are in there and doing just fine.  But oh sweet boy, my bladder could use a break....just saying! 

I probably won't be able to write you this coming Sunday for we are going to go explore Charleston, SC.  Which means I will hopefully get to eat some yummy crab cakes I have been craving lately.  I do promise not to be two weeks in writing to you either though!!

With All My Love,
Mom

Pregnancy Highlights

Size of Baby -

This week, you should weigh almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower....food references make me giggle and have a better idea on how big/small you are).  You are also about 14 1/2 inches long with legs extended.

Weight Gain/Loss -

Being sick did not help for I have lost another 5lbs.

Maternity Clothes -

We had a tease of Fall weather temps this past weekend and made me realize I need to go shopping.  A fabulous friend mailed me maternity clothes which have been a huge help!!

Gender -

Our fabulous boy

Nursery -

-Your room is being done in Vintage Airplane Theme.  Super excited to decorate and even have a few items already for your room.  Will share when room is complete.

-Your brother is also getting a new room.  We are doing his room in Vintage feel as well.  However it will be decorated with Vintage Trains.

Movement -

You can't make up your mind if you want to dance like Elvis or have future plans to win a Gold metal in gymnastics.  As much as my bladder would love a break, it is amazing to feel you.

Sleep -

I get about 2-3 solid hours of sleep when I first go to bed but then after that it is hit and miss.  Your dad says I have developed hyper sensitive hearing because I wake up at the smallest sounds. 

Cravings -

Chocolate Cake, still Crab Cakes, and Steak.....did go out to eat for the steak and it was fabulous!!!

Symptoms -

Thankful nothing serious.  Just frequent heartburn again.

Best Moment this week -

-Your daddy's return!!!

-Your daddy finally able to attend a Dr appt and seeing you for the 1st time!

This Week's Activity -

Finish rearranging the Playroom, your room, and your brother's room.  Then mini vacation to Charleston, SC.

Love the look on your brother's face just watching daddy talk.

True unedited picture of your mom....

happy tears washed away all make up!

My Face

It is no secret that I have some of the oiliest skin on the planet!!  It is hereditary.  Along with the oily skin I also deal with acne.  Not the Proactive photo enhanced (IMO they are enhanced) red bump acne but just normal acne.  I really hate it and wish I had clear skin or clear enough, even tone skin, that I could go without make up. 

I have tried every over the counter face wash, lotion, etc and nothing seems to work.  One morning I woke up and decided that I had enough.  I know I will always battle acne and oily skin.  However I don't want to spend my money on products that are not or do not work.  I went to the mall with my aunt and grandma, sat my butt down at the Estee Lauder counter, and asked for help.  Looking back I must have looked ragged because the lady did a full on make-over treatment and I left with a bag full of goodies. 

Here are some of the things I am currently using to help fight the acne, oil, pores, and reddness.  I have been using these products for about 3ish weeks now.  With the face wand, about three days.  Products listed with ** are next on my list to buy.

Treatment for Oil, Acne, Pores, Reddness, and Tired Eyes -
#1 - Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher
#2 - Idealist Even Skintone Illuminator
#3 - Idealist Cooling Eye Illuminator **When I was getting my make over at the counter, my dark circles lessened with this treatment.  However they were sold out so it is next on my list to buy.  Have three friends who swear by this!!
#4 - Sparkling Clean Mattifying Oil-Control Lotion
#5 - Sparkling Clean Purifying Mud Foam Cleanser
#6 - Oil Absorbing Rice Paper Tissues with Rice Powder By far the best oil blotters I have ever used!!

Face Wand -
#1 - Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System When I was at the Estee Lauder counter, the Rep used another machine on my face.  I saw immediate results using the wand to wash my face vs. hand/wash cloth.  However the wand she used was almost 200 dollars and I knew could not afford it at the time.  Past few weeks reading my magazines, I have seen articles and reviews for the Oil of Olay Face Wand.  Well for $30 I decided to give it a try.....I am very pleased with it as well.  It has two speeds and comes with a replaceable head.  It is water proof for the shower.  As of now it does not have special heads to use like the $200 face wand does but for $30 it works great!!

Yes I know some of you or maybe all of you are seeing the $$ for some of these products.  I felt that way to when I went to swipe my Debit Card.  Not everyone can afford this.  But I am turning 30 in 2ish months and just tired of seeing my face looking like a hormonal 13 year old.  So I budget to afford these products.  One thing I can say about the products listed above, it only takes a pump or squeeze to lather or cover my whole face and neck.  It is has been 3ish weeks and all of the bottles look like they have barely been touched.  This is fabulous because I know I won't be buying these products monthly!

My next mission is to find a nice foundation.  Please comment if you use products that you swear by and would like to share with me and fellow readers. 

    **I am NOT getting paid to share these products with you nor do these companies have the slightest idea who I am.**

25 Weeks

Dear Peanut,
Well this has been one emotional week.  To make a very long and painful story short, I will say this - I had my very furst UTI and Kidney Infection.  These two issues took me to the ER twice and then landed me in the hospital.  First time ever being admitted (hospital visit delivering your brother doesn't count) and I was scared.  After 9 bags of IV Fluids and Antibiotics, I am home now.  I am on a week's worth of oral antibiotics and Tylenol 3 for pain.  I go back this coming week for more blood work, another ultrasound of kidneys, and hopfully be given a clean bill of health.   

The time spent in the hospital had me wishing we were closer to family because I really could have used my mom.  Wishing your dad was not deployed but understood this sometimes happens.  Even with the wanting of my mom and your dad, I also found myself thankful for my military family.  Thankful that I can call them up at 2am to take me to the ER or 3am the very next morning and ask them to watch your brother because I am being admitted.  So as scary as this week has been (how I pray you and I never go through this again) I am thankful.  I was shown this week that not only do you have two parents and a brother who love you dearly , but you also have a military family that love you like you are on of their own.  Life in the military may not always be easy son, but I promise you will never be alone!  That was made very clear to your momma this week.  107ish days to go till we get to meet you!!

With All My Love,
Mom

Pregnancy Highlights

Size of Baby -

Head to heels, you should measure about 13 1/2 inches. Weight, about a pound and a half.

Weight Gain/Loss -

I think maybe a few pounds in belly area.  Jeans are still loose in legs but getting tight in belly.

Maternity Clothes -

I think my regular jeans are about to be put on the shelf.  Unless I remember to buy a belly band!

Gender -

Our fabulous boy

Movement -

You have dance moves that Elvis would be jealous of! You are still most active at night and love to have dance parties on my bladder.  Love feeling you move but maybe we could move off my bladder ;)

Sleep -

This week has been really bad for sleep.  However I am trying to nap more.

Cravings -

This week nothing bad or crazy.  Just steak and crab cakes! HA!

Symptoms -

My very first UTI and Kidney Infection.  The pain that comes with a UTI and Kidney Infection are truly indescribable.   My heart goes out to women who experience UTIs and Kidney issues often!

Best Moment this week -

-1st was watching the Nurses and Dr's laugh over how powerful you already are.  Your kicks, punches, etc are so strong that they had to sit in the room and hold down the stress test paddles onto my stomach.  For even the straps were not holding them in place.  One Dr. was surprised when he laid his hand on my belly to check for pain and you kicked his hand off.
-2nd is getting the message from your dad that he will be home soon.  Can't say the date but Peanut "soon" is amazing!

This Week's Activity -

All online shopping and bedroom furniture has stopped in order to get the house ready for daddy's arrival!!!  Your brother and I thought we still had about 2 weeks left till daddy returned home.  However "soon" has us scrambling to clean, stock fridge, and few "Welcome Home" decorations.