Braxton Hicks...

Rough day today - started pulling stuff out to put away Christmas stuff and start cleaning up and reorganizing stuff for babe (13 weeks and 5 days until my guess date!). We're just getting some extra Ikea shelves, moving our room around, etc....but I like to get a head start on it since life is so busy and January is (sigh) nuts. You know me - type A and OCD...so I want all the Christmas stuff long gone so that I can set up for babe. I know it's too early to wash things, but the thought has most certainly crossed my mind!!!

Anyways. I lifted nothing heavy and just brought the bins up from downstairs...but apparently babe didn't like that idea. I started getting really bad braxton hicks, combined with...flu-like symptoms...we'll just keep it PG on here - anyways. Called the midwife and since I was at risk of getting dehydrated and the BH were getting pretty terrible, I was told to try and lie down for the rest of the day. Right.

But I did.  Forceful rest is hard, especially when there's a 3 year old to chase after and care for. Bed rest would have been much appreciated the first time round when I could truly lie there ;) I'm feeling mostly better now and am going to attempt to head to bed pretty quick.

But since I didn't accomplish what I wanted to today - I feel the need to make a list of things I need to get done before Tuesday :) Slowly...I promise.

• Christmas stuff away - the village is down and put away, the stickers are put away and the glass cleaned (actually Alexys fully did that for me), and the ornaments are all down and put away. The tree is disassembled, but not smushed down how the leaves need to be. Jordon will put this all downstairs for me tomorrow after work - that's the hope anyways! 
• Work; I'm actually doing well this week, but now I've skipped today...so hopefully I'll catch up. Jord is off Saturday/Sunday so that helps. Trying to get a nice big paycheque these next few times to make some bigger payments on some things. 
• Call bank and make appointment for new year - we've decided to get a consolidated loan and pay the rest of our debt off even sooner than planned. We're cancelling all our credit cards and just taking out one no-fee "emergency/gas" credit card. We're kinda spread between 3 banks right now and that is stressing me out. So yes. Call the bank. 
• Vacuum the main area (a given perhaps because I took the tree down LOL). Move play kitchen to where I want it and vacuum out where Ikea shelves will go. 
• Get Jord to rearrange our bedroom so I can set up where the playpen will go and I can hang all the pretty pictures on our walls. Need to find bedding online to order too.  It will make me very happy to have my new room all set up pretty :) 

And I think that's it. Not too much, just enough to make me feel organized and clean and prepared. Like I said January is busier than I would have liked.

I have a dentist appointment next week, a synchro competition next weekend (don't worry, we sit allllll day :D), a synchro get together I'm somehow planning, and of course school, dance, and skating.

Oh well - Alexys does much better on a busy routine I've learned...and I think I do too. She's been a grump and totally off schedule the past 2 weeks. Too much stimulation and nothing and randomness. Neither of us like it.

Alright. Off to bed. For more rest :)
kortney elise xoxo

25 Weeks

In this picture I was 25 weeks and 1 day!

How far along: 25 weeks and 1 day (when I wrote this...I'm posting it at 25 weeks and 5 days, oops...thought I'd better quickly post it so I don't forget - also took a picture at 25 weeks and 1 day, but haven't uploaded it yet either - what a busy week!).

Size of baby: A bigger eggplant? 9.2 inches.

Total weight gain/loss: Up 2 pounds total now (well from my starting weight...I dropped remember? I just like to say 2 pounds, sounds better to me :D). 

Maternity clothes:  So once you answer this question yes, do I really need to answer it every week?

Movement:  Pretty sure it somersaulted and dive-bombed into my pelvic floor last night so that it's head down. I can't confirm, but it definitely did a somersault. The movements have also felt quite a bit different today and I can feel them up higher. I'm thinking it's been hanging out below my placenta and now it's kicking into my placenta and is a bit more dulled.

Sleep: Oh ugh. This is the part of pregnancy I dread. Where you body prepares you for a newborn. Also Alexys has decided to go through a sleep regression where she insists on being in my bed. But she's a bed hog so I leave and go in hers. Or on the couch. Either or makes for a rougher night. It has nothing to do with me physically. Just how it goes 'round this time.

Cravings: Nope. Not really. I've been eating a lot of frozen cranberries...but that's because they're in season. I have 5 bags in my freezer. I also really wanted to try this Hawaiian BBQ sauce from Target I saw on Pinterest that looked delicious. It was disgusting. How disappointing.

Symptoms: I'm not feeling good while I'm typing this. Not even a little bit good. So I probably shouldn't type anything, but I will. It's my blog and I'll whine if I want. I woke up with a sore throat, cold, and sore back and hips and shoulders from a bad sleep. Plus my eyes are all burning. And I'm grumpy and tired. Really tired. And I'm big and waddly. Hmph.

Best moment of the week: I changed this one today (at 25 weeks and 5 days) - of course it was Christmas morning with my family today :) So strange that next year I'll have an 8-month old to share in our Christmas morning with too. Bub was kicking away as Alexys opened presents this morning. Can't wait till you're here, little one xoxo

Struggles

There have been some struggles lately, amidst the blessings (of course - when isn't there?).

One I'm leaving to share - I've had a post pending for a bit now, but it's a rambling of thoughts, ideas, etc. I'm going to wait until after Alexys' doctor's appointment tomorrow to share that one - it's nothing intense or scary, just something we're dealing with...something I'm having a hard time dealing with.

I've also noticed anxiety creeping back a little lately - it's been fairly controlled the last few months and I've coped quite well. I'm hoping this 2 week break of nothing-ness will help get things under control, but I know there are a few things that are contributing to it.

I really like my job, you see, and I constantly struggle between wanting to work more and doing well, with just wanting to be with Alexys all day. I guess that's fair and I'd bet most moms struggle between this...except it's not really a struggle to me. I don't want to be both. I don't want a career and to stay home. I want one or the other. And it's causing anxiety.

Me not working isn't an option for us so I chose something that I could do from home to support us. It pays well - when I can dedicate time to my job. I'm SO glad that I can be home with Alexys during the day.

But here's the problem...being a work at home mom is not being a stay at home mom. Especially while pregnant. Because not only do I do everything a stay at home mom does (or working moms do on weekends), but then I have to go to work at night instead of relaxing.

That's causing anxiety.

Now, I'm not undercutting or pretending I have it harder.

I'm just saying what's causing anxiety.

When stay at home moms put their kids to bed at night, they watch TV or catch up on laundry or what not. When working moms put their kids to bed at night, they watch TV or catch up on laundry or what not. I don't have time for those things.

It's causing anxiety.

I am struggling with how to find a balance between being a mom, fitting in everything, and working. It's especially hard while pregnant, because while I used to be able to work late into the night, I don't have the mental capacity (even if I have the insomnia) to work much past 10:30 anymore. Jordon doesn't get home until 7 most nights and he works long stretches that make life tough for me.

I'm mostly just whining and then maybe looking for advice.

How do I find balance? I'm debating finding a daycare for Alexys once a week so that I can work and have an evening a week to myself after she's in bed. I feel like it's selfish, but also that in those 8 hours she's having fun in daycare, I could accomplish more work than I normally do all week. 8 hours of working straight would be glorious. I also don't want to pay for daycare and I'd feel so deeply hypocritical of myself because I believe so deeply in staying home with my babies.

I know this is short term. In just over 5 years, both my babies (eek!) will be in school full time and I will work in the day and life will return with some form of normalcy.

But for the next 5 years I don't want to feel this way.

End rant.

Blessed

Yesterday I was blessed.

I am blessed everyday actually - but yesterday I really felt it. Maybe God knew I needed some building up. Maybe it was my turn to get when the meter had run out. Maybe it's because I wasn't busy and had time to look for the blessings in the little things.

Maybe it actually started Friday.

I cancelled our picture plans Friday. Alexys was exhausted and me too. We stayed home, organized the house, and took some time out. I still had a test day to judge so off I went while Lex spent time with my brother.

A coach came and thanked me at test day - for being fair, honest, and providing real useful feedback to the skaters. I'm not sure you know this, but often being a judge is thankless - accused of cheating or sneered at or whatever. It was nice to just be thanked.

Saturday Jord worked and so Lex and I stayed home. I went grocery shopping once Jord got home. I was dreading the busyness of shopping the Saturday before Christmas Eve, but it had to be done.

Somehow I managed to go during the Canucks game. It wasn't intentional, but it was great. I could have parked 2 spots from the door - but didn't since I am able to walk.

I got a "free" buggy. And gave it to someone else after (I didn't take their loonie).

My 1-hr photos took 4 minutes :D

I got stocking stuffers for Lex on sale - teeny My Little Ponies!

I did pick the long line because of the lack of common sense of people, but got a sweet, quick cashier. I smiled at her.

We didn't go to a Christmas party we were supposed to. Alexys was irritable and had a bit of a fever. Jord was grumpy. We stayed home and spent time as a family.

Lex slept until after 8 this morning.

A friend offered to bring me milk in the afternoon when I didn't have any and didn't want to drag Lex out.

I got a $200 referral cheque from my MT school, I didn't even know was on the way...it even qualified under their bonus program of $100/person - normally it was only $50/person, but it happened at just the right time that it qualifed!

We didn't have juice either (hence the shopping) - so Dad came and brought us some.

I got a sweet text message from a friend that further made me feel appreciated and loved.

Taking time to notice the little blessings really fills you up.

Thanks for yesterday Jesus...and sorry we forgot today is Sunday and got up too late for church ;)

kortney elise xoxo

24 Weeks

Photo taken at exactly 24 weeks :)

How far along: 24 weeks and 4 days

Size of baby: 9 inches (head to rump - stretched out it's longer) - size of an eggplant.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm now officially at my starting weight (after all the weight loss). I'd be more than thrilled if I only gained a pound a week for the next 16 weeks or so :D

Maternity clothes:  Yep...although I am still in my pre-maternity jeans with a belly band mostly comfortably. And I can still do them up because I accidentally did the other night. It's not comfortable, but I can do it :)

Movement:  This child is beating me from the inside out. Literally. It's had the hiccups a couple times. And Jordon, my mom, and Leah have all felt it from the outside. It kicked through the entire Nutcracker the other night (as in at the ballet) and through all the test days of dance music at the rink.

Sleep: I've had my first couple nights of pregnancy awake-ness. You know when you can't sleep or you wake up and are just awake. My body is kicking into preparedness for when babe comes. Every time I find myself I wake I find myself excited to be awake in a few months nursing my babe! I still sleep half on my tummy and half on my side quite comfortably and don't like or use any extra pillows, etc.

Cravings: Actually...none! I really can't think of anything I've craved at all this past week. I really wanted cranberries when I saw them at the store, but that wasn't a craving so much as they were on sale and I like cranberries :)

Symptoms: It's actually an okay portion of pregnancy...I'm a bit tired and my back is sore and still spasmy - but nothing major. It hurts right now cuz I'm typing this in between work and it hurts sitting like this for long periods of time. My hair is definitely growing in straight and that's annoying. I have great nails and long leg hair (also a symptom of not shaving cuz it's winter :D :D :D). My belly button has half popped out which is weird because my belly is no where near as big. I've been a bit hungrier lately too - nothing like how I was with Lex, but hungrier.

Best moment of the week: I got my results from my ultrasound since I last posted - all is well - I do have an anterior placenta again (like I did with Lex) - but this babe, I think, is much lower than the placenta and kicking under it (I don't know if that's possible, it's what I assume). My fibroid they were monitoring is fine and out of the way - I do have to have a followup ultrasound at 30 weeks to check on it. I also got to hear babe's heartbeat at my midwife appointment (149 if you're keeping track - Lex always hovered around 150 too just for the record). The best moment of the week outside pregnancy? It's over :D And now this family is focusing on Jesus and the Christmas season.

Silent Night

Tonight this song speaks wonders to me - actually it speaks wonders to me all Christmas season long. I think it's my favourite Christmas song ever. I hope and pray this is next week. I hope and pray for this week to be over.

Let me tell you about my week in pictures - why my work shift is starting at 9:45 at night *yawn*

Last Night's Stream of Consciousness

I wrote this last night, but thought I'd post it now - enjoy where my mind wandered :)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I seriously kicked today in the butt.

Today, I was supermom...even if I didn't need to be. I gave when I had nothing else to give - even if it took Starbucks and a small glass of wine (and go ahead and judge - my midwife said it's fine to have a small glass now and then...and so did my Nonna!).

My back hurts climbing into bed - I am still pretty small physically and I forget that I'm 6 months pregnant.

My schedule/calendar says 2 weeks (plus this one to finish) until I'm in my 3rd trimester. How did that happen?

I didn't nap today. It took a lot, but I'm proud I pushed through. Tomorrow is a quieter day - just ballet for Alexys - and a few errands to run. I'll try not to nap again.

I'm reading a book called Birthing From Within and I love it. It's a bit more artsy than I am...but that's okay.

I made 8 dozen gingerbread men today and decorated 6 dozen. Some are gifts, some are for Alexys' class party, and some are in the freezer now.

I didn't make supper tonight. Jord had Subway...I had a homemade sandwich. Alexys ate some - it's the first sandwich she's ever really eaten.

Baby's foot is visibly sticking out my tummy right now. I think it's sleeping cuz it's not moving. It kinda hurts.

I've now been pregnant as long as I knew I was pregnant with Alexys (24 weeks :D).

I think Alexys may be the donkey in her Christmas play at school. Realistically I didn't think she could have a speaking part - she won't stand up there yet or remember lines - but she was walking around the house today saying "eeeee haw" after school. I don't think I've ever taught her what a donkey says. Thursday may be epic.

kortney elise xoxo

If I Don't Make a To-Do List...

...I'll go crazy. For real. And I'm half cheating and copied and pasted from my previous list, but that's life. Time is ticking. Christmas is coming :) And seriously...you don't even have to read this. I just needed to put it down somewhere I wouldn't lose it.

Tuesday:
-Preschool until 11:30 am (I remembered show and tell!)
-Canskate at 4:30 pm.
-Bake treats for Alexys' party day x2 (rice krispies for goodie bags and gingerbread men for class).
-Bake treats for Alexys' skating teachers - do up packages for gifts for today.

Wednesday:
-Cancelled trip to Stanley Park - couldn't take the stress - will rebook for next week.
-Ballet at 4:30pm.
-Bring teacher's gift.
-Don't forget to go pay December fees and costume fee.
-Decorate above mentioned cookies and package rice krispies for Alexys' birthday handout.
-Make labels and tie pretty bows for said rice krispies. Find chocolates to add. Actually do this today (Tuesday). The chocolates I mean.
-Find Christmas trays for party day. Present appropriately.

Thursday:
-Bring teacher's mini gifts (thankfully class is doing a big gift - just had to give $$$ wahoo!).
-Don't forget cookies and rice krispie treats.
-Party Day at preschool - 9-11:30am - Plan to stay for a while cuz it's party day.
-Canskate Christmas party at 3:30-5:30pm.
-Bible Study 7pm - perhaps bring appy (there are so many Christmas ones I want to try on pinterest, sigh).
-Skip LMSSC Christmas party because I'm going to Bible Study instead :D

Friday:
-Photos at Sears at 11am - be there at 10:45 - going to reattempt Santa photos, too. I don't promise I won't drink by this point :) Baby 2 will understand. I know it...it may even appreciate it :D
-Test Day at 3:15 at White Rock - Antonio is going to babysit. I've reminded him twice. Note to self - remind him everyday this week.
-Get home approximately 7pm. Fall into bed and collapse.

Saturday:
-Jackie's Christmas party in evening - make appy and wrap Eilidh's Christmas present.
-Jordon works, I believe - find someone to entertain Lex during the day so as to be able to actually work.

Sunday:
-Church...making good personal progress here - post to come another day - but I have actually made it 2 of the past 4 Sundays. Which is more than the past 2 years combined. Let's continue this pattern, yes!!!

Let's add work on every single day.

And next week? Here's my list:
-Monday at 11:30am - Alexys' 3-year-old well check-up at the doctor's office.
-Wrap presents.
-Make a gingerbread house.
-Go to Stanley Park.

The end. I'm really looking forward to celebrating the real reason for Christmas next week and focusing on that. This week can be over any time now :)

kortney elise xoxo

Alexys May is 3!!!

Somehow, some way...my baby turned 3 today.

I'm not sure how 3 years flew past quite so fast - I literally still remember giving birth, spit up, poop up the back, her hitting all her milestones, her first word, her first time sleeping through the night (oh wait, that was August :D)...I'm not really sure how or why time flew so fast. But it has and here I am...with a 3 year old.

Jordon and I had a discussion this morning - we simply find it a miracle that we haven't killed her yet. Intentionally or otherwise. I kill plants just by looking at them, so the fact that I've kept another person groomed, fed, and nourished...as well as entertained, kicking, and happy...for 3 years, is beyond belief to me.

So Miss Alexys May? What does life look like for you at 3? Let's see.

You weigh 35 pounds and are approximately 3 feet, 5 inches. You've only gotten taller in the last 6 months and I don't think you've gained a pound. You're in size 4 clothes almost exclusively - the odd 3 or 5 fits, but for some reason, at this point, everything caught up and you're in a 4T.  Your shoes are a 9 or 10, though if possible a 9.5 fits best. You've finally let me put a hat on you a time or two and when given the choice, you nearly always pick a dress. Or your puppy shirt - that's a close second.

Your life is busy and that's how you thrive. You have preschool twice a week, skating once a week, and ballet once a week. I don't suppose it's over the top busy, but for a 3 year old, you're kept entertained. If I ask you which activity you'd like to do, you choose school almost without question. I'm not sure your favourite part of school, but from the watching sessions we've had and my sneak peaks, I'd say song time and playing in the gym. You love skating "like mommy" and can even do it all by yourself now. At ballet, you're learning how to skip and point your toes in first position. You'll have your first skating show in March and your first ballet show in June.

It's true what they say - some kids really don't talk much until you're 3. And that about sums you up. Unless you had something clear, coherent, and intelligent to say, you didn't say much. I can almost say you're never quiet now, but not quite. My favourite phrases lately that you used regularly are:
Oh my gosh.
What's going on here?
What are you doing?
...and the conversations that your princesses have with each other - I think that's my favourite. They have full on conversations that reflect the world around you...it's like a stream of your consciousness and I love it.

You can count to 13 (which sounds like "poutine") and then you repeat "poutine" over and over...and then after a few minutes say 20! You sometimes skip 6 or 7, but never both and sometimes neither. You've got your whole alphabet pretty much down pat, but I think you've really just memorized the tune. You're learning all your colours and shapes at preschool and I think have most of them down now. Sometimes you mix up red and green. You even know an ellipse and octagon! You love to sing more than anything and memorize songs like no other - obviously right now it's Christmas songs and your favourites are "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" and "Jingle Bells." You love your preschool songs...well, most of them...and any single princess song ever written. And yes, you know all the words.

I don't know that you have a favourite colour, but you almost always pick pink and recently purple too. Your favourite snack is probably "peanut butter in the bowl" or just a "snack" which is a fruit leather. You only eat raw veggies, except for peas...but aren't really a picky eater. You prefer grazing and definitely go through up and down weeks. You are a milk-a-holic and will often even pick milk over juice. You still don't like water (sigh, just like mommy).  Your favourite princess is *probably* Snow White, but that too changes.  You'll watch pretty much any movie, but Monsters Inc and Tangled might be up there on the top...at least this week.  Your favourite toy is probably your doll house - you spend hours playing with your princesses and the furniture.

You go to bed between 9 and 10 each night and are up between 7:30 and 8. You do nap most days (a recent re-addition), but if you miss your nap, you're okay with it and aren't any more or less cranky. You do sleep through the night most nights, but sometimes come into Mommy's bed around 6:30 and we cuddle until it's time to get up. You demand I put my arm around you or you won't go back to sleep.

You have manners beyond your age, I'm sure of it. You're so polite and always use thank you, sorry, and excuse me...please sometimes still needs prompting. You also throw temper tantrums with the best of them...perhaps you could write a book on the art of tantrum throwing. It's taken a lot of patience and careful trial and error to find out what makes you tick and relax.

In the end, you're growing into a bright young girl. I still can't quite believe your 3. You are full of exuberance and life. You have never-ending energy and a lightness to life. I know you'll be a great big sister come April (even if it takes some convincing) and that as you continue to grow, you'll keep making mommy and daddy proud.

We love you sweet 3-year-old Alexys <3
kortney elise (and daddy too!)

Alexys Has a Birthday Party

Alexys doesn't turn 3 until Sunday, but we celebrated with her friends this past Monday at Go Bananas. Truly the best choice for a 3 year olds party - no pre-cleaning, no post-cleaning, fast, quick, easy, and painless. They did the food (I brought veggies and some chips&dip) and invited a bunch of kids. I made cupcakes (instead of a cake in which you have to cut) and called it a day. Alexys screamed when we left because she wanted to stay. I'd call that a success.

Fantasy Skating - Grand Prix Final

I missed posting my Cup of Russia picks. But I did them and was 199th. I probably could have done a bit better, but I didn't have the time and flew through them...much like these ones. But I'm writing them down cuz it's a smaller event...but not an easier event.

Ladies:
A) I went with Elizaveta Tuktamisheva over Mao and Carolina. Sorry kiddos - she's got nerves of steel at this point and her technical points and consistency are hard to beat. For now.

B) I went with Akiko over Alissa and Alena. Ugh. Tough choice. This is a hard event, yowsa!!

Podium:
1) Tuktamisheva
2) Mao Asada
3) Akiko Suzuki for the spoil over Carolina.

Men:
A) Patrick Chan. Because he's in Canada, he builds as the season goes on, and he's had a longer break. Daisuke will be close, but their points will be similar, me guesses, anyways. I love Jeremy, but he wont' beat these two.

B) Javier over Brezina and Hanyu. Apparently Hanyu has a sprained foot of some sort (he was actually my pick and then I switched upon reading this). Javier has some great momentum.

Podium:
1) Patrick Chan
2) Daisuke
3) Javier for the spoil over Jeremy

Pairs:
A) The Germans...with an even bigger vengence...but I see a great battle happening and coming together, if not now, then Worlds.

B) The Canadians. I know. I should have picked the Zhangs. But I don't like them, so I'm sure I'll regret it.

Podium:
1) Germans
2) Russian (V/T)
3) Russians (K/S)

Dance:
A) Oh how I hated having to pick them - but I got with Voir - they're Canadians at home. It'll be close, so it's fine.
B) Canadians again. Even if I like the Shibs and the Russians have a higher score. Someone needs to give the bridesmaids the wedding gown once in a while ;)

Podium:
1) Canadians
2) Americans
3) French

23 Weeks

23 weeks exactly. My bum is still bigger than my belly!!!

How far along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: 8.5 inches - an ear of corn...I also read it's like a small doll now in proportions, etc.

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't weighed myself, but considering I just ate a huge bowl of perogies with sour cream, butter, and bacon bits...we'll just wait for my midwife appointment on Thursday :D

Maternity clothes:  Mostly for comfort...but I'm still wearing my regular jeans and can do them up till about mid-afternoon - at which point I just add the belly band and we're good to go!!!

Movement:  I can't get over how different this babe is - again, will truly be shocked if it's not a boy!!! It actually kicked me so low, it felt like it kicked on the BOTTOM of my uterus. This baby is SO low in my uterus, I think, it's bizarre!

Sleep: Must sleep more. I could sleep anytime. Right now? Sounds great...I also just ate myself into a food coma. I'm just waiting for Alexys to crash. And I will be shortly behind today. I have no troubles with sleep and have even been managing to wake up once to pee in the night the past few nights, before the pain sets in.

Cravings: White sauce (alfredo sauce) on pasta...I don't even normally really like this, but it was SO yummy. Jordon made me add shrimp, which was fine...but I think I could have drank the sauce. Yum!!!

Symptoms:  Just so tiiiiiired. And I had the urge to waddle yesterday.  And my back spasm'd.  And I have terrible braxton hicks like crazy.

Best moment of the week: Alexys' 3rd birthday party...and her birthday is on Sunday. Pictures will come, but it was so nice to have Alexys play with all her friends and have a little partay. She sure got spoiled. Pregnancy related? Hmmmm...it was nice to have someone call my skinny when I feel like a blimp. And I have a midwife appointment Thursday, as I mentioned, so I always love hearing babe's heartbeat and I'll be getting ultrasound results too :)

22 Weeks

I know you might not be able to tell...but I'm carrying so much higher and different than Alexys - comparison pic to come :)

How far along: 22 weeks and 3 days. 

Size of baby: 8 inches - a papaya (apparently babe didn't grow by their measurements, LOL).

Total weight gain/loss: I apparently lost a pound this week. I'm just holding steady. I'm good with that. Seriously. Babe is clearly growing, so let's just use up the extra fat stores from last time I never got rid of ;)

Maternity clothes: Yep. And I have a feeling Santa bought me some maternity jeans (which I don't own) for Christmas. From Macy's. Which I tried on already. Thanks Santa :)

Movement: I can't get over the movement this time. Like I said - another week till I felt Alexys. And this one? It's even more psycho than she was. Great - she was nuts inside my belly. A couple days ago it kicked so hard it felt like it BIT me. Seriously. It does tend to have daytime movement more than nighttime. I hope this is a sign of things to come ;)

Sleep:  I sleep great. Still. Except. I tend to wake up about 10 minutes before Jord has to get up for work (about 6:45, I think) - and realize I haven't gone pee ALL night and am in SO much pain. Like with tears in my eyes I have to pee so bad. I'm all crampy and sore...and it hurts to pee. I'm contemplating setting an alarm to pee in the middle of the night. It's awful. And then even after I pee, it takes a while to fall back asleep at that time of day because I can hear Jord getting ready, and then I just doze off and Lex wakes up. It's fine, but not the greatest.

Cravings: Starbucks? I don't think that's a pregnancy thing though - mostly just Christmas craving :)

Symptoms: A couple mornings of morning sickness, but just a quick barf and it's gone, so that's fine. The whole in pain when you gotta pee thing. Oh, and the sneeze and pee. That's a pretty crappy symptom, LOL - moms will know what I mean. Ugh.

Best moment of the week: When my in-laws came AND when they left, LOL ;) They were great to have here and helped, cooked, cleaned, and did laundry...but our house is only so big (much too small for 4 adults and a preschooler), so some peace and quiet this morning, enjoying my coffee, listening to Christmas music - it's lovely.

Edited to add a collage pic comparing this one to Alexys at the same stage: