Daddy-kid moments

Being a daddy to a daughter really did something to this man, and goodness their relationship is something so very special.

 The saying that women can count their husband as one of their children on occasion rings absolutely true somedays around here, but truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way.  He is the fun parent after all…hence the frequented saying "I like daddy better."  I mean, how could he not be, when he does this sort of stuff with them.  No wonder sleeping during the day in an attempt to work night shift two nights a week is difficult - these 4 can be pretty crazy sometimes.

29 weeks

An exciting ultrasound this morning at 7:30am paved the way for a brilliant day.  First our girl is measuring pretty close to right on track, despite her single umbilical artery.  She is in the 48th percentile for growth - her estimated fetal weight is at 2lbs 2oz.  We will have ultrasounds every month until delivery to monitor her growth - at 32 weeks, and again at 36 weeks.  Oh, and I was right about her not being transverse in my belly anymore, she totally turned and is head down, and LOW in my pelvis apparently, with her face pointing toward my spine, hence the smaller baby bump and the waddle that Paul says I sport already - though I'll deny it.  Also, I had an issue with partial placental previa, where the placenta is attached in an unfavorable spot for a normal delivery, and that has resolved too…which means I can finally start running again after 8 weeks off, and a c-section discussion has ceased!  To celebrate I totally splurged: Hello happy feet!

Our little lady did put up a fight this morning, and resisted measurements with her crazy movements.  She hid her face from us the entire time, we only got a brief glimpse of her lips/nose in this crazy ultrasound image…her right foot, and left fist are in the upper right corner, and smooshed right under them are her lips.  She was curled up in a tiny ball.  Her heart rate was at 148bpm.  

and we have finally settled on a perfect name for her...

I put a lot of thought into names, and so it took us a while.  Each of our kids have some part of their name that ties into a running theme, which is only fitting since our love story started on the track.  Ryker means "fast strider," Kiplin's middle name is Miles, and Jovie's middle name is Reese which means "running."  And so for our sweet 2nd girl it was only fitting to find a way to do the same.

Her first name I fell in love with the meaning instantly, and the name too.  It took Paul a bit longer, but now he is sold.

The inspiration behind her middle name of Lane, was "one who runs the straight and narrow path"

I think that is a pretty strong name for a petite gal - Hartley Lane Loprinzi "a warm hearted woman who runs the straight and narrow path."

I've been thrifting lately, and scored some sweet, cheap deals at consignment/antique stores.  Aside from needing to buy a carseat/stroller and pack n' play and diapers we are pretty set for this lady.  I guess since this is our 4th time around, we are pretty well supplied with the need-to-have items, that and I am also in the mindset of less is really more.  The cuteness I scored with $1-2 dresses will assure she has some summer style when she is born in June…

This is the first time I've been able to "prepare a nursery" for a baby, and it is so much fun.  Granted I am doing so on a tight budget, I think that makes it even more special…Some little glimpses of what is happening so far….The red heart, painted by a proud, very excited, big sister.

I am waiting for her crib quilt to come in the mail, and trying to convince a certain just turned 3 year old to give up her crib for a big girl bed…until then, Little H will be crib-less - hence the reason for a pack n' play.  I think we are getting close to making that transition soon though..

So excited to meet this sweet girl!

8 weeks worth of "bump-dates"

I have 3 pregnancy journals.  The content: documentation about pregnancy, week by week with frequent belly pictures, quirky things about what I was craving, doing, thinking each week.  They were diligently updated after each OB appointment, and included things like my weight gain, baby's heart rate, fundal height…you know the details that you immediately forget once you walk out of the office.

It has been fun to look back...

• For Ryker I was obsessed with orange Slurpees from 7-eleven, no wonder I gained the most weight with him.
• For Kiplin I couldn't eat enough fruit, and I ran a minimum of 3 miles at least 4 times a week, no wonder I gained the least amount of weight with him.
• For Jovie I loved grapefruit, and Taco Bell.  I had fierce heartburn, and struggled with preterm labor starting at 32 weeks.

and for this little lady…

well, there isn't a tenderly put together book, and the only pictures consist of these cheese ball phone ones…

I could allow myself to be disappointed in the fact that I haven't put together a fancy journal, but the reality of it is this…I just can't keep up.  In the attempt to have a trail of her pregnancy, here is the past 8 weeks of belly pictures, all in one place.

28 weeks, I am pretty sure she is no longer in the transverse position, because my belly seriously shrunk overnight.  No joke, like I can wear maternity pants that were getting too tight/uncomfortable again.

 27 weeks, and getting some TLC from "RN" Jovie.  "I just checkin' out my sista" she says.

 27 weeks, alternatively titled - put on some makeup, and do your hair...

26 weeks and not much different than the 22 week picture.  Keeping it classy, taking a picture in the bathroom - hey it is the only rooms that have mirrors in our house.

 24 weeks, both of my girls, in one picture :)

 studying, exercising, and baby baking…I am superwoman.  23 weeks.

 22 week baby bump.

17 weeks, my belly seriously just popped out overnight this week.

This pregnancy I've wanted to run, but can't right now…waiting on the MD okay for that, hopefully tomorrow's ultrasound will permit a good run again.  In the mean time I've enjoyed solo, sunset walks in our neighborhood…so I can't complain much, I mean look at the views I get to take in.

I've craved green grapes, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries like crazy.  I buy them all at Costco every Friday and the ginormous containers last about 3 days max - granted I have help from 4 other bellies too.  But goodness, it is a must to have these.

I feel her move.  She seems to be a calm little spirit, which is soothing given the personality of her big brother/sister.

and Tomorrow I get to see her perfect features on ultrasound…

Bullet points for mid March

Just bullet points.  That is how I roll.

• I was budgeted from work on Friday night, the entire shift.  So I slept like a normal human at night, and enjoyed a full Saturday (the first Saturday in a long time) with my family and not sleeping.  Heaven.
• It was 67 degrees on Saturday, so we did this:

The cuteness of two siblings playing like this…I melt!

and an initially timid guy, conquered this "spiderman ladder"

 but had a face of hesitation every single time he got to the last step, as he would pick up the pace to ninja jump from the last ladder step onto the play structure platform.  I think he might be a little afraid of heights, but denied being scared when I asked him.

 This guy weasels his way up every obstacle with ninja stealth.  Seriously.

 and I realized just how petite my 3 year old gal is compared to her peers.  Sister was towered over by a toddling, newly turned 2 year old.

 but despite her size, her fierce attitude keeps everything in check.  Here she is being bossy, finger pointing and all telling me "MAMA GET ME DOWN!"  You better believe I waited for a polite "Mama, please get me down" in correct tone and mannerism before assisting the damsel in distress.

 The boys declared themselves a caterpillar, and giggled like crazy talking about it…"Hey Kip, if caterpillars made noise, what noise would they make….I wonder if caterpillars burp or fart."  You know, typical boy talk.  And how adorable is Kip in this picture...

 after running like the wild children they are, a gatorade pit stop was necessary.  Isn't he just the best daddy ever?  So stinking lucky!

 This was taken before I attempted to enter "boy only zone" and was quickly kicked out.  That Ryk and his boys rule, girls drool business.  Sheesh.

• On Sunday, it did this…because weather in KY is awesome, apparently.

• Today we celebrated in green style:  The kids made four leaf clover handprints with Ceci because she is the most awesome nanny ever.  We are always so very blessed by her!

 and I covered up my "cankles" with green striped socks and converse.  Hello pregnancy edema, stopping by a bit too early, I think.

• I took a "selfie" because I did my hair for the first time in forever.  I didn't blow up the picture though, because I have fat face.  Truth.  In fact, I might have purposefully not smiled a dimple smile to hide the pregnancy pounds I'm packing (which if you are counting, which you shouldn't be, but it is up to 18, sigh)

• I also registered for my last term of grad school, filled out my last ever FAFSA, and smiled in excitement that this grad school journey is seriously coming to an end…July 29th.  So.stinking.excited!  This girl, despite probably being the queen of C's this term, will really become an APRN.  
• And huge news…my mom and sister have plane tickets to KY.  Seriously.  Come on May 28th…can't wait to squeeze them!
• Oh, and while snuggling Ryk and doing our nightly "talk time" he held my hand.  It made me so very gushy, and after about 3 minutes, when he realized it he said "hey why am I holding a girls hand?!"  My big almost 7.5 year old kiddo.  Sheesh, how is he getting so old?
• Kip randomly says "I love you mom" several times a day now.  It is magic.  His excitement over little things in life really is amazing to be a part of.  Having kids is just something so very special.

• and when these two have days when they play like this together…mama melt moments.  Having two that are just 18 months apart might just be the funnest at this age (3 and 4.5 years old)

•  and I had a very amazing conversation about family size with my stellar husband today, after considering our options after the birth of our sweet #4.  He asked me "how do you know you are done, done with having kids."  I reply with some "well 4 kids is a perfect, even number, and we have 2 boys and 2 girls, and well it just seems right."  But he wouldn't stop there.  Instead, he comes up with some amazing, make a pregnant wife cry response..."You know that feeling when you are content, and you just know don't have any more love to give, that is when you know you should be done having kids."  And well, with three, we just aren't there yet - thank goodness given the state of my expanding belly.  Love my Mr.  So.much!
• 12 weeks, give or take 1-2, until maternity leave, and we will have a sweet, new baby girl in our arms.  I've reached the 3rd trimester with this little lady - 28 weeks.  So excited.  Hoping for good report on the ultrasound so I can resume running again - I swear at one point 8 weeks ago when I could still run, I had calf muscles.  I'll find em' again, of this I'm sure.  According to my phone app, little H should be about 2 1/4 lbs now…I will be very excited to see her estimated weight on Wednesday's ultrasound…
• and now back to studying because that I what I should be doing right now. 

Sunday mornings

This Sunday was magic.  I got off work and came home around 7:45-8:00am.  We made cinnamon rolls, and gobbled them up.  Then it was an impromptu camera blitz on the kitchen floor with these three crazies.  These three are always so very excited to see me Sunday morning.  

This morning I captured the magic of three kids who missed their mama.  Imagine this amount of cuteness piled in your smaller than usual lap.  My lap was so full this morning (baby belly and three little loves) and it was perfect.  So.very.perfect.

 There is something about the love of a child.

 And these three, they are full of love.

 Lots.

 and a bit of craziness mixed in.  A blend of snuggles and silliness was the perfect greeting from a long night at work.

 and after a conversation of about uvulas, and vessels in eyeballs, it was time for me to get a nap in so I could keep up for an afternoon of more fun.

 Because with these three crazies, it takes a lot of energy to keep up.

 So very blessed.