2nd Trimester Must Haves

I honestly cannot believe that it is the end of my 2nd Trimester! 

Here are a few things that have helped me make this amazing time more comfortable.

1. With my ever growing belly, and the discomfort of stretching skin I have fallen head over heels for Bump Oil! It keeps my skin soft and provides immediate relive with my skin gets itchy. I also like their Body scrub and Tummy butter!

2. Reading about babies and pregnancy is something most pregnant woman can’t help doing, but I have honestly had a hard time not reading too much. With all the books warning you of what can go wrong I can get stressed. Then my sister in law gave me Belly Laughs. It is perfect for putting pregnancy worries into perspective, and you can't help but laugh out loud while reading it.

3. Before pregnancy I struggled to get the 40 grams of protein per day I needed, and during pregnancy that number increases to 70 grams of protein daily. That’s a lot of protein to consume! I craved meat so much in my 1st trimester I wasn't worried about it, but I have fallen back into being a snacker and am craving more fruits and veggies during my second trimester. That being said I have found the BEST protein bars in the world! They have tons of flavors, but the Chocolate Chip cookie dough is my all-time favorite. I have it with fruit and yogurt, and it makes for a very happy mommy and baby!

4. Maternity Long Tanks are the best! Sara got me a few to cheer me when I was having a bad day, and I talked about how comfortable they are Mike ordered me 5 different colors for Mother's Day. You can find them at Target, and there is a lot colors to choose from. They have a little bit of spandex in them so they stretch over your growing baby bump, and should last all the way through your pregnancy.

5. I would say the one thing that has been the same about this pregnancy to my last is Heartburn, and it has been the only constant problem I have had in my 2nd Trimester. The best thing my midwife has ever recommended is Zantac. It works so much better than Tums, and lasts all day!

6. Mike surprised me with a Snoggle Pillow in January, but it wasn't until my 2nd Trimester that I fell in love with it! It makes getting comfortable at night (when you are shaped like a Pear with legs) so much easier!!

A fun 3 day weekend to end my 2nd trimester!

 We got Kade back this weekend, so it was time to celebrate his birthday in style. We spent Saturday from open to close at Roaring Springs with friends!
It was a great day to go, because there was no crowd which meant the kids could go on all the rides over and over again with no line! Baby and I were mostly excited for the snow cone shack :)

After the water park we went back home for pizza, rainbow cake, ice cream, and presents! 

Kade got a new bright green bike and helmet! 

Sunday after church we went to settlers park for lunch with Grandma Sue and Auntie Mandi!

 Then we headed to Auntie Grace's Graduation party at my parent's house where the kids had fun roasting marshmallows and playing in the fire! 

Congrat and Happy Birthday little sis we are proud of you! 

Today we had a relaxing morning at home, and talked to the kids about why we celebrate Memorial Day! This evening Kade is having dinner with his grandma to celebrate his birthday with her seeing he doesn't get to spend the day with her like Jenna does every Monday this summer while Mike, Jenna and I finished our registry at Target and got the baby a snow cone :) 

Here is the link to our Target Registry 

Now I am watching Mike and Jenna do their nightly summer basketball drills, and loving this sunshine!

I want to take a moment to thank all who have served our country and sacrificed at all, so that I could have fun times in a Free Christian County with family! 

Thank you!  

Gender Reveal Party

Finding out that my sweet little man is a boy was such an exciting time!

Here is some of the highlights!

Invites 

We got them from
Lucy ReigningParties'

 
 


We had a few different activities going on before the cake was cut!
We had leave a message on a diaper... we have a whole box full of funny and sweet messages from friends for those midnight changings!

There was birthday cards for Baby Reece, so that all of our friends could send him birthday wishes even if they are not at each of his Birthdays!

There was a diaper raffle for everyone who brought diapers! Thank you to everyone who did we officially have enough diapers to last for at least a year!  

And there was photo booth props, so that we could have funny pictures of everyone with their vote! Thank you to Grace for taking pictures :)

There was a candy bar full of pink and blue treat and yummy muffins and pretty cupcakes to go with our theme!

To Drink we had Pink and blue bottled sodas... I personally love peach soda now!

 

The Big Reveal was cutting into our cake to see what color the filling was. Up until the party Mike claimed to not have a preference, but his reaction was so I WANTED A BOY it was priceless! I was so overwhelmed with emotions to finally know I couldn't not cry! It was so perfect and we are so very happy that we stay up late laying there trying to name him... ya know cause we don't still have 3 months ;)

 

Thank you again to everyone who came and to everyone who is excited with us!



Big Sister and "Her Baby"

Jenna is definitly becoming a big sister, and we are learning the ups and downs even before "her baby" (which is what she has decided we all call baby Reece) is here!
Jenna has always been the baby since she was a baby. It was just me and her up until Mike and I met when she was 2 when she became daddy's girl, and Kade's little sister. She has been the only grandchild living near my family up until last month, so every holiday and get together she is the center of attention. Needless to say the world has revolved around her for 7 years... and she is learning all of a sudden that is changing. Mommy can't carry her everywhere, on Easter the baby got just as many gifts as her, and now we are making plans that include having to think about a new baby.
She has asked a lot about her role in all this, but as much as I feared her not liking the change she seems to be excited for the new responsibility. She likes that she will get to take care of the baby, and like that she will have a sibling that is with her all year around... we will see how she feels when the baby is 4 and following her around lol

Her latest thing is that she is   wanting to know how the baby feels, what the baby wants to eat, and what she can do for the baby. She will get me food in the morning if she gets downstairs before me, reminds me I have to take the baby's vitamins, and will ask what the baby wants for dinner.... I no longer have an opinion ;)
She loves sitting on my lap and cuddling more than she ever have, so that the baby will kick her. And she likes to read the baby bump books, so that "her baby" is smart when born!
She gets so mad if I call the baby he when referring to it ..."if it is a girl she will be so sad mom"! She says she wants a girl, but thinks it's a boy. She hopes it looks like her!
I know that we will go through ups and downs as they get older and she moves into the role of big sister, but I am truly in love with how excited she is too meet "her baby"!
I have been looking for ways to make the birth and days in the hospital extra special for my sweet girl, so any ideas would be much appreciated!

Well we are almost to May which means getting to see daddy, but until then me and his babies are enjoying this bonding time! We have been so well taken care of, and the guys from Mike's shop are my new heroes (Thank you Sean, Jake, Rich, and Jones)!
 I am loving my 2nd trimester and how active baby Reece is!
The Nursery is coming together (pics to come) and Gender Reveal Party invites go out this weekend (thanks to the amazing Jammie)!
Tonight Sara is taking me on a date to get maternity massages... so excited!
 

Holy Pregnancy Dreams Batman!

So I don't know if anyone else has experienced the "excitement" of pregnancy dreams, but wow they are a trip! 

I don't remember this with Jenna at all!

There is not a night that goes by that I don't have some kind of crazy dream. Each day I go to work and tell my friends about my management staff being the Jedi council with my favorite sup Korn being Yoda, my friend Jennifer (who doesn't want kids) having a baby instead of me, and then there was my latest dream... it's a recurring nightmare actually! 

I saw this pig fish picture on Facebook one night, and that is what I am blaming! Add a pig fish to Mike teasing me that we will have a curly red head baby and my fear of spiders... THIS IS WHAT YOU GET! Dream Jacqui giving birth to a Spider pig fish with red hair! Every time people see it they go on and on about how cute it is, and I am the only one who is completely terrified/disgusted!! I made my friends laugh so much they wanted to see a picture of the ugly little guy, so I attempted to replicate my dream... here you go ;)

Now please pray that God make my little he or she a perfectly normal human baby!! 

Bump Update 6- 18 Weeks

How far along? 18 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: I will get weighed again next week, so no idea until then. 

Maternity clothes? Saturday Sara and I went shopping for new tops, today James and Colleen brought me more, and Grace just text me that she got me a new Maxi so I have lots of new cute clothes to wear :)

Stretch marks? No, but my tummy is itchy... does that mean I am going to get them? I don't remember... so I just pour the lotion on!

Sleep: Harder to sleep the last few nights, but that is mostly due to my cuddle buddy being gone, and that we talk late at night when it is day for him. But my snoggle (large crazy shaped pillow Mike bought me in my 1st Trimester) is coming in handy to keep me laying sideways seeing apparently its bad to lay on your back at this point. Also a little minion has taken up residence in my bed as of tonight, so that should help with the cuddling :)

Best moment this week: One of the reasons that I think Mike and I are so happy when he is home is because we know how hard it is to be apart. So right now I am holding onto every moment of last week! We spent last Saturday alone walking around downtown shopping, talking, laughing, and eating! Then we spent the week getting our house ready to have a nursery, and he built our crib!! Then we spent Wednesday just us until the kids got out of school then we went to the park and played! Now I live off those moments until each time he calls again! 

Miss Anything? Right now just mostly my baby daddy! It just hit me today that he is really gone, but getting to talk to him makes it better! Other then that I realized this week I miss high heels! I love shoes and I have a ton of them, but right now I have 3 (well 4 cause I stole some of Sara's) pairs that I am comfortable in :(

Movement: Yesterday I was spending the afternoon with Sara who gave me Sunny D to drink. Apparently all the sugar in that "juice" made baby hyper, because I could feel so much! To the point where I could feel movement on the outside too!!

Food cravings: I still like seafood and have found a love for shrimp tacos, but I just have to have meat more often then I have ever had. Even my pizza has to be meat lovers... which use to make me gag! I also really like muffins and juice!  

Anything making you queasy or sick: Raw onion! Like in anything! The smell, the taste, the look... I hate them all of a sudden! I can smell them like a ninja too... no matter where they are I know! 

Labor Signs: Nothing new! 

Belly Button in or out? Still in... it actually no longer resembles a button, but more of a belly hole ;)

Wedding rings on or off? On and still too big

Happy or Moody most of the time: Sad tonight, but that is less pregnancy and more getting use to Mike being gone.... But I have been pretty happy lately otherwise. I have had lots of friend and family time the last few days to keep me busy, so I am feeling blessed! Thank you to everyone who has checked on me and made time to make me smile the last few days!! 

Looking forward to: Next week I get to see my little lovie again, and get some time with my mother in love! We decided on what the nursery will look like, so I have a project to work on! Right now I am looking forward to planning and preparing for our sweet future! 

Bump 5- Midwife appointment- 16 weeks

How far along? 16 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 4lbs and growing 

Maternity clothes? Yes... I may never wear pants other than Maternity Pants again! After my appointment today Mike and I went shopping for maternity shorts and capri pants... I want summer already!!

Stretch marks? Nothing new. I am really liking my bump gloss and hope that it helps my skin grow like it needs to as my baby grows!

Sleep: Once I get comfortable I sleep great! Dreams are crazy though... I don't remember having such vivid dreams with Jennabelle! I literally wake up every morning having to question "did that really happen"?

Best moment this week: Today we got to have our 3rd appointment with the Midwife! She says everything looks perfect, and we got to hear our little love's heartbeat 150 :) This will be Mike's last appointment for awhile so she recorded it for us! 

Miss Anything? Mike and I went to dinner with our friends last weekend and I wanted Dr. Pepper so bad, but that has gone away thankfully! My dear sister Stevie got me some yummy pregnancy tea that gives me something to drink when I don't want water.

Movement: I can definitely feel my little butterfly at random moments through the day! Usually when I am laying down I can feel it the most! 

Food cravings: Well Lobster is expensive, so I have been substituting with shrimp or other kind of fish... Do you know how good crab stuffed Mahi Mahi is? My newest addition is GF blueberry muffins!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still sensitive to smells, but nothing specific anymore. 

Labor Signs: My stomach will get rock solid randomly. My midwife said that it's normal, and just my body's early stage of getting ready for it's upcoming job

Belly Button in or out? In where it belongs!

Wedding rings on or off? On and still too big... I swelled a lot by this point with Jenna in my hands and feet, so I am feeling lucky that I have normal extremities this far :)

Happy or Moody most of the time: I have gone through a sad stage this week... probably because Mike is leaving, but my husband is the best at reminding me how blessed we are and pointing my thoughts to all the joy! He knows pictures make me happy, so we took some pregnancy pictures and that cheered me up for sure! 

Looking forward to: Getting to feel more movement, my next ultrasound (my mother in law and Jenna get to come), but mostly right now spending as much time as possible with my darling! We are spending the weeks before he leaves converting the room next to ours into a nursery... house shuffle! And we are taking a break this weekend for a little pre-deployment get away just the 2 of us!!!!

Weekend in Utah

Thing 2 and the Fuzzy Thing woke up to a Carriage bed
 full of balloons from Jenna's Valentine Daddy! 

Valentine's from Mommy to play with, and eat on our trip!

Cuddling on the couch with all 3 of my babies while
 watching a movie with Grandma and Grandpa!

Tubing with Dad and Grandpa Reece!

Playing at a Trampoline Gym and doing flips into the foam pit!

Bump 4- 2nd Trimester!!

How far along? 14 weeks 

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't been weighed since my last post. 

Maternity clothes? Yes, not because I have to all the time, but I love them :) They are comfortable, cute, and new! 

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I am still sleeping great once I fall asleep, but with my new bump growing bigger by the day getting comfortable takes longer then it should. I am still sleepy during the day, but not constantly like I felt before. 

Best moment this week: It has been a fantastic last week. It was the week of my birthday and Valentine's Day! Friday Mike took me to an appointment then to breakfast for GF french toast! For Valentine's he got me a gift certificate for someone to clean our house every other week while he is gone to help me with the deep cleaning stuff, so I can relax :) He also got me a bathtub mat I have been wanting, because I am terrified of falling in the shower while he is gone!
Then we went to Utah to see my in-laws... I will post pictures separately :)

Miss Anything? Not really... I have found a replacement for any food I would want, and haven't had a desire at all for the "bad things". Some moments I miss feeling normal, but am quickly reminded how much I adore this baby which make is so worth it!

Movement: YES!!!! Other best part of the week!!! I wasn't sure of what I felt the 1st time... it was like popcorn. But then it happened again. I was laying and bed and felt our little peanut :) Since then I feel so aware of his/her existence. Before I knew I was pregnant, but it wasn't so really real until now. I can't stop touching my belly, and wanting to talk to our baby!

Food cravings: Steak has turned to lobster... which makes me think this will be a very expensive baby! I also love Caesar salad and GF Oreos! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: I am still very very sensitive to smells

Gender prediction: I have decided I am done answering this question on here, and to all the people who ask daily. I want a baby, and I truly don't care if it is a girl or boy. There is pros and cons to both, however I just feel so at peace with whatever God has planned! With Jenna I wanted a girl so bad I could taste it, and God gave me a Daddy's little girl who loves sports! God also gave me a step son who people always think look like me, but people think Jenna looks like Mike. God custom made our family, and this baby boy or girl will fit perfectly. So, I want a baby. 

Labor Signs: Still...Way too soon for this question 

Belly Button in or out? In where it belongs!

Wedding rings on or off? On and still too big 

Happy or Moody most of the time: I have definitely had more highs and lows lately. The lows usually don't last long, but I can get irritated quickly... and then realize what I sounded like and feel so bad :/ That being said the highs are wonderful I am so excited just to talk about my baby with anyone who will listen! 

Looking forward to: My next appointment is next Monday, so that will be fun! This weekend Mike and I will get some needed alone time, and hopefully feeling my peanut more often!