{Prego with Jack} 37 Weeks, Full Term & Almost There!

March 14, 2014 / jesyisms / 4 Comments

Where has the time gone? Many people have said to me that my pregnancy has gone fast for them but honestly it has gone fast for me too. As many of you know, I love being pregnant, I honestly, truly, cross my heart, DO! Some women think I’m crazy (a-duh) but I find the whole thing to be so miraculous and fun all at the same time. Buuuuuuuuuut, this time I’m starting my 37th week with a sinus infection and now I’m beginning to feel all miserable. I’m still trying to keep the whole “silver-lining” mentality as I am truly blessed with a healthy pregnancy and easy 9 months, not many can say the same thing. Here is my 37th week update and some cute pictures with Abbey of course! {UPDATE – sinus infection was gone after 2 days and I’m back to my happy prego self}

{How far along?} 37 Weeks and 4 days, just 1.5 weeks and some hours until delivery!

{Total weight gain} No comment, haha!

{How big is baby?} When Abbey was 37 weeks she was already “measuring” around 7 lbs, my ultrasound with Jack was Monday and HE is also measuring at 7 pounds right now and has CHUBBY cheeks!! Dr. Caligaris asked me to clarify which cheeks were chubby when I was giving him the update about the ultrasound, love that man and his sense of humor.

{Maternity clothes?} YES, and I’m wearing the same thing over and over and over again. I’m considering coming to work with my super comfy yoga pants at this point. Sorry USDP!

{Sleep?} I’m starting to toss and turn but for the most part I’m still getting really good sleep. Had a massage and pedicure last weekend and I think I was snoring during the massage, I just LOVE how they stack all the pillows and now I need like 6 pillows in my own bed.

{Best moment this week?} OH wow, so many fun things have happened this past week. Abbey came to my last doctor appointment and was super cute pretending to be the doctor listening to my heartbeat with nurse Amy (who we love). Ab was also alllllll over the pictures of all the cute babies at the doctor office and it was “Aww cooooot” “BABIES!!!” the whole time.

Another fun moment was seeing Jack again at the last ultrasound – seeing his chubby cheeks was so cute. It scared me a bit that the tech said she couldn’t find his “wee-wee” at first but whew, it was found, haha.

{Movement?} Jack moves around so much! I was in a company meeting and all of a sudden my belly just went bananas. Some of the guys suggested that there was an alien in there but I absolutely love how active he is and how much he kicks and moves. During the ultrasound I was informed that Jack was head down and curled up like a ball but he stretched out and his foot was in my left side, ahhhhh so excited to meet my sweet boy!

{Food cravings?} I recently made George go get a DQ oreo blizzard – PERIOD!

{Labor signs?} None!

{Heart Burn} None!

{Belly button in or out?} Still in, I really am surprised by this. I would have thought by now that bad boy would have popped out.

{What I miss} Watching all the runners get ready for the Flying Pig has given me a big itch to want to run. Yea, that’s not happening but I would still want to. Maybe next year 🙂

{What I’m looking forward to} DELIVERY day and meeting my baby boy!

{Milestone} I am keeping up at work, I’m in the midst of packing up our house and we bought the house of dreams where we will raise our family. The next chapter of The Herron Nest is about to begin. So many transitions for the family but I’m excited for it all!

{Prego with Jack} 32 Weeks, There’s the Panic Button Again!

February 1, 2014February 3, 2014 / jesyisms / 4 Comments

I just got done reading my 32 Week post when I was pregnant with Abbey and I was clearly in a panic mode. I want to say that it is different this time around but no, it is the same! Here I am at 32 weeks pregnant with Jack and we have decided to re-list our house, who does that? Um, yea, that would be me! I haven’t felt the same “nesting” symptoms like I did with Abbey, ahem gutting our only bathroom, instead I have been into organizing and re-organizing clothes for Jack that I have received from family/friends (thank you) into various tubs. Pulling out the Newborn and 0-3 month sizes only so that our house isn’t in a state of madness for the days we have showings. I’m trying to only think positive vibes for our house to sell quickly so that maybe, JUST MAYBE, we can be in a new house right around the arrival of Jack Edward Herron.

{How far along?} 32 Weeks

{Total weight gain} I am feeling defeated in this category right now. I did soooo great about watching what I ate, making sure I wasn’t gaining too much and I feel like the wheels have literally flung off the train recently. George has been so sweet in this department. He tells me I’m “cute pregnant” and reminds me when I say I’m fat that I’m not and that I’m pregnant. I’m trying to not stress about my weight gain and to just enjoy these last few months of pregnancy knowing that I have the tools to get this weight back off!

{How big is baby?} According to the interwebs, Jack should be almost 4 pounds and Dr. Caligaris said that my belly was measuring perfect this time around. With Ab I was measuring two weeks later and just all-around much bigger. I’m wondering how big Jack will be at birth!

{Maternity clothes?} YES! I just requested ordered a few things off OldNavy.com with my rewards to help get me through these last 2 months. It is sooooo cold and I’m just wearing the same things over and over and over.

{Sleep?} Do I really have to sleep on my left side ALL. THE. TIME? I swear, I’m getting ear cramps on my left ear. I tell this to George and he thinks I’m friggin bonkers but it is true! I’ll wake up and my ear has the worst cramp.

{Best moment this week?} There are so many great moments while being pregnant with Jack. Abbey is a huge contributor to these moments because she is so interested and interactive with him/my belly. Another fun moment was my awesome company and co-workers throwing George, Abbey, Jack and I a baby shower. Could they seriously get any better?

{Movement?} OH yes!

{Food cravings?} Nothing really to report here except for the best adult grilled cheese and tomato soup combo ever! Thank you Panera! The worst about this craving (besides the fact that it is terrible for you) is that George absolutely HATES Panera, talk about a conundrum.

{Labor signs?} Occasional braxton hicks, I think?

{Heart Burn} You know, this was actually a big problem a few weeks ago but right now I’m sitting pretty in this department. Who am I kidding anyways, my Abbey girl was damn near bald until she was 18 months old. Know chance that Jack has that much hair when he is born.

{Belly button in or out?} In….barely! Each week I’m losing my “innie” belly button. (That was my update with Abbey and it is true with Jack)

{What I miss} Warm weather but that has nothing to do with my pregnancy. I just hope in April that I’ll be taking walks with my two babies in some nice spring weather.

{What I’m looking forward to} Just like with my pregnancy with Abbey, I’m excited to see Jack for our 36 week ultrasound. Just a few more weeks!

{Milestone} Not sure if these are milestones or just flat out dumb things to do while I’m hugely prego but we will be taking Abbey to DisneyLive in February, George is taking me to Wicked in early March and we are taking Abbey to the circus in mid-March. OH my lawd! I should get a shirt that says, “WIDE LOAD” or “PEES A LOT” because I’m sure I’ll be up a lot during these performances. But that is one thing I have learned with being pregnant with a toddler at home, life does NOT stop!

Here is my “comparison” picture of being pregnant with Abbey at 32 weeks and being pregnant with Jack at 32 weeks. These pictures never cease to amaze me and it just reinforces my thankfulness of getting healthy (the healthiest I’ve been in a loooooong time) before the start of my pregnancy. No wonder Dr. Caligaris kept saying I measured farther along with Abbey and I’m measuring on-time, on-schedule with Jack. My belly with Ab was HUGE (and so were my boobs, WOWZA!

{Prego with Jack} 28 weeks and some change

January 13, 2014 / jesyisms / 9 Comments

This post was intended to go out before I started my 29th week of pregnancy, guess what? Right, that didn’t happen and now I’m on my 29th week. Either way, most of the update is still valid and fun to read nonetheless.

If you couldn’t tell, I’m 28 weeks with Abbey on the left and 28 weeks and a few days pregnant with Jack on the right. As much as I feel HUMONGO with Jack right now I still feel pretty great.

{How far along?} 28 Weeks and 5 days (or so)

{Total weight gain} I have actually gained quite a bit of weight with this pregnancy, I think I have gained over 20 pounds and I’m inching close to 30. Damn, it is seriously in my belly and thighs!

{How big is baby?} Jack should be about 2.5 lbs and around 16 inches in length. Here are some 3D images of our little photogenic baby boy from our Becoming Mom Spa ultrasound (love that hubby and Abbey for getting this for me).

{Maternity clothes?} YES! I have been in a buying frenzy with new maternity clothes this time around. For some reason, everything looks cute and I love the whole black tights with loose fitting shirt and boots look. Totally rocking the bump!

{Sleep?} I’m doing okay, I have a few nights where sleep is more tossing and turning than others. I think I’m due for a pre-delivery massage at BecomingMom Spa. Yep, I’m doing it!

{Best moment this week?} With Abbey around, this pregnancy is so enjoyable from her point of view. We talked about sharing mommy and daddy and Ab didn’t want to have any part in sharing her daddy with Jack. “That’s my daddy!” Okay then, we’ll have to work on that a bit. I also love that Ab will look in my belly button and say that she can see him. She also has one of the 3D ultrasound pictures framed in her bedroom and she talks to him. Adorable!

{Movement?} I love these posts and doing comparisons with my pregnancy with Abbey is so much fun. This is what I had for 28 weeks with Ab: “LOTS! She is still a night owl and likes to move around during the 9-10:30 time. She does move some during the day and normally mid-morning she is pretty active. I’m wondering how many naps this little girl is taking everyday and sort of wishing I could take them with her.”

This is pretty true with Jack too! He is so active at night, it ping-pongs around but mostly stays in my lower right part of my belly and is VERY low so he just about makes me pee myself at least one time a day.

{Food cravings?} I love BREAKFAST!!! No super duper cravings right now but I do love to eat so I need to watch that!

{Labor signs?} Well… I think I was having a braxton hick over the weekend. George said he is going to rat me out to Dr. Caligaris, I think it was nothing.

{Belly button in or out?} In….barely!

{What I miss} What the hell is wrong with me, I miss B E E R!!!!

{What I’m looking forward to} I just had a freak out moment where I remembered a few things that we need to get for Jack so I’m looking forward to some SHOPPING!

{Milestone} I’m still working out, staying active and enjoying every second of this blessing.

A couple final thoughts:

1. I put together a Pinterest board “Baby/Toddler Products We Love” for a few 1st-time mommy friends. Thought I would share in case anyone wants to send it off as reference.

2. Take a minute to pray for baby Conner who gained his wings late Friday night while snuggling in the arms of his mommy and daddy. Conner was just 15 months old and had survived so much as a baby born with CHARGE syndrome. Babies are a blessing and when they are 100% healthy it is an absolute miracle. Prayers and love to Nikki and Josh as they mourn their baby boy.

{Prego with Jack} 22 Weeks Update

November 25, 2013 / jesyisms / 2 Comments

Have to say that before I post any pregnancy update with Jack I typically go back to a similar week that I was pregnant with Abbey to read up, compare and to simply remember. It is so disappointing though at how few updates I’m doing with this pregnancy than what I did with Abbey. I guess I should give myself some slack considering I now have a 2-year old running around the house this time.

One thing I couldn’t help but to notice was the way I looked while prego with Abbey compared to how I look with Jack. I am obviously in a better state of health this time (especially with my weight) but geez! It is almost painful to look at the pictures, I look so uncomfortable. I can’t even tell you how much more active I am during this pregnancy (again, thanks to Ab). Since our basement is pretty empty I’m typically running around with George chasing Abbey, running around playing her new favorite game “duck – duck – goose” and I even walked to downtown Sharonville yesterday heading to the bank. YES – I am much more active for sure!

{Belly Updates}

{How far along?} 22 Weeks 1 day

{Total weight gain} Not really sure at this point because I have stopped keeping a close watch on my weight gain. I’m hoping this doesn’t come back and bite me in the ass later!

{How big is baby?} Abbey was about 13 ounces (+/-) at this time and I can’t remember exactly from Jack’s ultrasound but I thought he was about 8 ounces at the time. I wonder if he will be smaller than Ab when she was born.

{Maternity clothes?} OH hell yes and I love them!

{Sleep?} Sleeping pretty good! I’m a lucky momma that Ab sleeps in till about 8:30 on weekends (don’t hate me).

{Best moment this week?} I think it would have to be when Abbey snuggled in bed with us this morning (8:30) and said good morning to Jack, tickled him via my belly button, shared her binky with him via my belly button then laid her head down on my tummy to snuggle with her baby brother. HEART MELTER!!

{Movement?} I’ve been feeling Jack move quite a bit lately. I tried to have George feel him twice but the little bugger was not cooperative. I really felt a strong kick today which always shocks me but is so very cool when it happens.

{Food cravings?} Just recently I’m craving sweet potatoes – timely with Thanksgiving next week.

{Labor signs?} Nope!

{Belly button in or out?} In

{What I miss} Not going to lie about this one, I.WANT.A.COLD.BEER!!!!

{What I’m looking forward to} Honestly, I just can’t wait to meet Jack. I love saying his name and recognizing him as a real thing. I love the smell of a newborn baby so I can’t wait for that smell again.

{Milestone} Not sure if this is something to be marking as a milestone but hell, it happened. I literally peed myself while sneezing Friday night so that is cool.

It’s a BOY!

November 16, 2013 / jesyisms / 4 Comments

In case you haven’t heard (hey, I’ve been busy) it is official, we will be welcoming a baby boy into the world come late March 2014. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have learned that our baby is healthy but then to find out we will be having a boy was just icing on the cake. George, Abbey and I are all so happy. Abbey’s big sister duties have already started to sink in, now it is just a matter of time to get her to start referring to him as his name instead of “Squishy” but that will take time.

Speaking of the name, George and I have been hanging on to this name even before finding out that we were having Abbey. Some are disappointed that we won’t be going the “Luke Skywalker” route but I just couldn’t do that. Our baby boy will be named, Jack Edward Herron, after great men in our lives. The very first time we were pregnant we thought this was be such a great boy name mainly because George’s Grandpa ‘Jack’ Kiesewetter and my Grandpa Edward Ottopal. Not too mention that my great Uncle Jack whom Abbey adores and George’s Grandpa Shirley Edward Herron. Meant to be!

We had a great time finding out that we were having a boy with another very fun reveal party. Our friend, Rick, was again honored to be the responsible party who would know the sex and make sure the reveal came together. This time we made it easier on him and decided to opt out of the confetti portion, not too mention it was in my house versus the shelter in Sharonville.

There were LOTS of people that were wearing blue including George who was pretty much covered in it head to toe. I cheated and wore both colors but hey, that’s what mom’s do, we don’t pick sides.

I can’t tell everyone enough at how much we appreciate the support and love. So many friends and family were there celebrating the reveal and I know that our sweet Jack Edward will be so loved.

Had to share the box that was painted by Abbey and I for the reveal, she did a fantastic job!

Remembering Abbey’s Gender Reveal Party

November 4, 2013 / jesyisms / 2 Comments

Today is like Christmas – it is BABY REVEAL day for Baby Squishy. One of the more nerve-racking days in all of pregnancy, for me anyways. I’m praying for a healthy baby and I can’t even explain to you how anxious I am for 3:30pm. The Herron’s are set though! George has the recorder from Build-A-Bear, I’ve said a million prayers, all of our family and friends are thinking about us, my sweet Abbey Road is in good hands with her Papa Herron…now all we have to do is wait.

I’m 19 weeks pregnant now and thought it would be fun to look back at my pregnancy blog post with Abbey at 19 weeks and read up {side note: we had Abbey’s reveal party on the date that George and I had our first date and got engaged}. While searching, I came across the blog post that George wrote about our reveal party. What an awesome day! I remember the anxiety at the ultrasound, I remember asking so many questions, I remember essentially holding my breath until I heard that everything was okay. I was choking back tears just reading the post, I could literally feel all the emotions flooding back all at once. George and I felt like the luckiest parents that day and we still feel that way now. I can’t tell you how many nights we sit down to relax after putting our princess to bed and we look at each other, smile and talk about how lucky we are to have our Abbey girl. I digress….

We are both nervous about today but for different reasons, George is genuinely nervous that our house will be overrun by women and I’m still just being mama-bear wanting to see my baby with all 10 toes, 10 fingers, strong heart beat, and healthy! George also wants to see a healthy baby and I’m happy that he is balancing out my fears and nerves. I keep telling him that he doesn’t need to worry though, I truly think Squishy is a boy! We shall see, Rick will be bringing the box Abbey and I painted full of either pink or blue balloons to our house for the big reveal at 6p.

Thank you again to all of our family and friends for the support and love, we are half-way there people!

Week 16 – What’s So Revealing About a Heartbeat?

October 15, 2013 / jesyisms / 6 Comments

I’m sure many of you have heard of the many old wives tales regarding how to predict if your baby is a boy or girl. One of them is in relation to the fetal heart rate which typically falls in the “normal” range of 110 – 160. If your baby is a boy it has been known to fall in the 110 to 130’s lower average range. But if your baby is a girl than the heart rate tends to average in the 140s to 160s range. Of course there is a middle rate of 130 to 140 which is gray. What is Baby Squishy’s heart rate? As of yesterday it was 150 (oooooooh….ahhhhhhhh), girl range.

What was George’s heart rate? Off the charts because he is so nervous that the household will be over run by women managing his life. He already takes orders from Abbey and she isn’t even TWO!

Other old wives tales:

The moodier you are the more likely you are to be having a girl {George has no comment on this one but perhaps USDP employees will weigh-in?}
The more beautiful you are during pregnancy, the more more likely you are having a boy {I tend to think I can feel like I look amazing and then there are other days when I’d rather crawl into a hole because I feel like I look like a giant turd}
If you carry the baby only in the tummy and only in the front, it is more likely a boy. Contrary, if you carry the baby more round and in the hips then it is a girl. {Geez, even after losing 43 pounds, I’m carrying this baby EVERYwhere except my face}
If the dad-to-be has gained weight during pregnancy than it is a girl, if not then it is a boy {George???}
If your left breast is bigger than your right, it’s a girl. Opposite than it is a boy {No comment}
If you had smooth sailing and zero morning sickness, it is a boy. If you had morning sickness in your first 12 weeks, it is a girl {I thought I was going to die for at least 2 weeks because I was so nauseous}
If your neighbor does a prediction and he is pretty much always right and he predicts that this pregnancy is a boy {Can’t argue with Owen and his average on being right}
If your daughter says “boy giwrl” {you just smile and thank her for her input even though it really isn’t that helpful :)}

Okay, the last two aren’t old wives tales but they are cute additions! I guess we’ll just wait to find out on 11.4.13 when we have our ultrasound. As long as Baby Squishy is healthy than it really doesn’t matter to us either way! But if you want, you too can take a guess:

15 Weeks – Baby Squishy Pregnancy

October 10, 2013 / jesyisms / 3 Comments

{How far along?} 15 Weeks, 4 days

{Total weight gain} Wowzer, I forgot how tough these questions were, this one is especially tough for me. I was about 80% towards my 50 pound weight-loss goal when I found out I was pregnant. Since adding fruits, dairy, pregnancy cravings and well just being pregnant, I have gained 10 pounds since the end of July. I was having the hardest time with this gain but have FINALLY gotten over it and am completely enjoying my pregnancy.

{How big is baby?} Baby Squishy is about 3-4 ounces right now. Amazing how I’ve pooched out and gained weight for our little baby that is weighing in the same size as a naval orange.

{Maternity clothes?} OH how I missed maternity pants!! All new maternity clothes are now taking over my closet, I’ll be hitting up the consignment shops soon for more black pants and jeans.

{Sleep?} Getting good sleep but having some whacked out dreams – seriously crazy ass dreams!

{Best moment this week?} Anytime Abbey-girl says hi to Squishy or gives my belly a kiss. She unfortunately isn’t too subtle and has been known to pull my shirt up or down to get to the bump.

{Movement?} I started to really feel the tickles this past week. If you see me itching my belly, no worries it is just me thinking there is a bug crawling under my shirt, um, I mean the baby is moving.

{Food cravings?} Not really…..

{Labor signs?} NO

{Heart Burn} NO

{Belly button in or out?} IN

{What I miss} n/a

{What I’m looking forward to} Another gender reveal party!

{Milestone} We put the house up on the market today – this was a LOT of hardwork. Check out the photos and listing!

37 Weeks – Abbey is already a big, big Girl

November 10, 2011 / jesyisms / 1 Comment

{37 Weeks}

Sure, I thought my belly was a bit large but I just never thought I’d been one to carry a big, big baby. Guess what, I am! In my last post I shared how big Abbey was estimating from the ultrasound technician, but it was only an estimate and not entirely 100% bullet proof. Even after meeting with my doctor, this measurement is still only an estimate but he seems convinced that if I go full term with Abbey that she will be close to a 10 pound baby. Let’s think about some everyday items that weigh 10 pounds: 10 – 1 pound chunks of ground turkey, 1 gallon of water is 8lbs so we still need to add a few pounds to that one, almost 3 – 2liters of pop equal 10 pounds. YIKES, YIKES, YIKES! All very heavy items! I suppose my last few weeks should be dedicated to my two 5 pound weights to get used to carrying around Abbey. I have to say, I can not be more excited for the little chunky monkey to enter the world, baby rolls and all! So what if I have to take back all the newborn outfits with tags on them, more shopping, right?