Redemption

Okay, so I feel as though I needed to "prove" I don't look a hot mess all the time like I did in the picture I posted of myself, my Mom, my Mam-Maw and Preslei in the blog post titled, "Christmas 2011 in pictures".  I've always been like uber weird about appearances and I swear, when I saw how skank I looked in that picture, I was like, "Oh my gosh, Amanda....take some effort and do your dang hair every morning!!!" 

So, see, I don't always look skankified......not saying I look like Miss Hottie either but you get what I'm saying.

(Yep, I totally did the "white girl Facebook picture" and took a self pic in my office)

24 weeks

24 WEEKS

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 24 weeks.

Size of baby: 12 inches, just over a pound and the size of an ear of corn. (I am using a different picture reference from here on out.)

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes: They're a necessity these days.

Belly Button: Creeping on out there, lol. This is probably TMI but I think the inside of your belly button is so soft! Hahaha….gross, I know..but it is!

Movement: Morning, noon and night and it never gets old.

Sleep: This has been an awesome week for sleep! Like, to the point I can’t even hear the THREE (yes, three) alarm clocks going off in the mornings.

Symptoms: Let me just say, yep, I am about to start complaining and no, that doesn’t make me not grateful. Heck, if anything, I think women that have struggled to get pregnant have more of a “right” to complain!!! I say this because I read a post on Facebook a few weeks ago that basically said pregnant people and people with kids need to think twice about complaining because there are people out there that would love to be in our shoes. Correct, yes, but just because I complain doesn’t make me ungrateful. So anyways, I’m still having really bad aches and pains. If I take it really easy, I’m fine but I can’t sit down in a hard chair for long or walk around for long. This girl has been SUPER lazy lately but we had our little office Christmas party at my boss’ house on Tuesday night and we sat at the dinner table for a solid 2 hours and I couldn’t go to work the next day because the pain and pressure was unbearable. I slept the entire day on Wednesday. Since resting all day and laying down and not having any more added pressure down there, I’ve been a LOT better.

What I miss: Nothing at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be pregnant again.

What I'm looking forward to: Meeting our new housekeeper on Monday! I’m SO excited! I’ve had two since Keith and I married but they didn’t last. One decided to get a “real job” (her words, not mine, LOL) and the other wasn’t very dependable. Growing up, my Mom always had someone come twice a month and that’s what I want. Plus, I just physically can’t clean like I want and it is driving me bananas. I just don’t think it is fair for Keith to do EVERYTHING around the house since I can’t do it. He already cooks (his choice), cleans the outside, he’s been giving Preslei her baths for me since it’s easier for him and I just don’t want him to have to clean the house too.

Questions/Concerns: Still concerned about how much longer I’m going to be able to work full time. When I came to work on Wednesday and had to tell my boss I had to go home because I was hurting, I started to cry. I feel like I’m getting defeated and I don’t like that. I never give up, ever. But, I have to listen to my body and do what is in the best interest of me and Annalise. He was SO supportive and said he will work with me any way he can and if that means that I have to go to part time, that’s what we’ll do. Now, I don’t like part time hours because that means I don’t get paid my full 40 hr check but, like I told him, we will cross that bridge when I get there and I’ll only do it unless it’s a necessity. Thankfully, I have an amazing boss that understands and is like family.

Cravings: Still nothing really except I’m back to wanting to eat Subway at lunch. I am getting tired of nasty greasy food.

Best moment this week: Definitely Christmas. Spending time with the ones you love is amazing. I love that Preslei knows the real reason we celebrate Christmas and to hear her tell people the story of the three wise men and how they followed the star to find baby Jesus melts my heart. Oh here’s a funny Preslei story for y’all……last night I was walking down the hallway and I noticed a big blue line going down vertically on my wall. I looked at Preslei and said, “Preslei, what in the world were you thinking?! You know you aren’t allowed to act like that.” She replied, “But Mommy, I was just seeing how tall I am. Annalise is the pink line and I’m the blue line.” I looked again and there is a small pink line. I couldn’t help but laugh and say “awww” at the same time. I mean, seriously, how can you get on to them for that?!?! Looks like we’ll be doing some touch up paint work in the near future. Bless her.

Christmas 2011 in pictures

Disclaimer:  I'm a HORRIBLE picture taker.  I seriously need to get better at this.  It wasn't until last night that I realized I didn't get a single picture of me, Keith and Preslei together on Christmas.  We rarely get family pictures and I really really need to start remembering to take more pictures together!  Hopefully now that Keith got me a new camera for Christmas, I'll use it!

Just a little bit of the Christmas destruction at our house!

 Preslei said her favorite present this year was her gun! Score one for Daddy!

 As much as I was SO nervous about my 3 year old having a BB gun, this picture makes it all worth it. 

 Testing out her new sleeping bag Aunt Bonnie got her.  Preslei told us we have to camping now....umm, Momma doesn't do the camping thing sweetie! ;o)

 My Dad, "Pop-Pop", got both Preslei and my nephew, Caden, these little cowboy sets for them to wear when they ride their little horse toy down in Pop-Pop's barn.  I thought it was SO cute because my Dad bought them all by himself. 

 This picture CRACKS me up!

 Mam-Maw with her two great grands.  (My Mam-Maw will be 91 on January 13th and I'm SO lucky to still have her in my life.  My Mam-Maw is my HEART!)

This one is getting framed.  <3

 I love this picture of the four generations minus one thing...me! Oh my gosh, I look like CRAPOLA.  Since seeing this picture, I have been making a big effort to straighten my hair instead of letting it go curly.  You see, before I got pregnant, I got a perm (yeah, I know, I'm laughing too....) because my sister in law got one and it was actually really cute on her.  I wanted to let my hair grow out long but was too lazy to straighten it every morning so I thought "hey, a perm is a great solution!"  Wrong.  I hated it.  By the time I let a few weeks pass (everyone told me to give it time to relax.....) I got pregnant and couldn't get the brazilian blowout done to basically reverse the perm.  So, I've already warned my friend and hairdresser, as soon as I am able after having Annalise, I'm getting that dang brazilian blowout!!! And I need to get some highlights or something in my hair.  Ugh.  But, I just love the fact we are all four in the picture!

 I absolutely LOVE my child (and my nephew too!)  Can't you just tell she has such a sweet disposition about her just from photos?? I am one proud Momma!

Mam-Maw is just silly! LOL

When they weren't fighting over Caden's toys (bless his heart, he's not the best at sharing) they were having a ball pulling this tool set across the living room floor! Hey, at least there was no screaming or fighting over this toy! ;o)

This is just funny to me. 

Poor baby was EXHAUSTED on Christmas Day!

My Mom, "Nonna", got her this doll with matching PJs and I thought they looked adorable!

The were even tired the next morning after Keith got out of the deer stand! Bless them. 

23 weeks

23 WEEKS

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 23 weeks.

Size of baby: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 ounces and the size of a mango.  (This is the same as last week...I guess it will be like this for a few weeks)

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes: They're a necessity these days.

Belly Button: Creeping on out there, lol.

Movement: Morning, noon and night and it never gets old.

Sleep:  It is SO funny (not funny "haha" but funny "weird") how one week can be horrible and then the next I can sleep like a baby.  I don't know if I'm just tired and exhausted from all the holiday madness but I literally crash around 9pm and only wake up to pee (which is usually once or twice these days).

Symptoms:  Yep, I am still feeling like I'm waddling and thanks to my oh-so wonderful husband, he pointed it out for me last night.  Good one there Keith..... ;o)  The horrible pains are making their grand appearance again these past few days.  I talked to Dr. Morales about it and he got so tickled at me for describing the location of the pain as "down there, down there".  HA!

What I miss: Nothing at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be pregnant again.

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas!!!!!

Questions/Concerns:  This is a new one this week.  I knew there was something I was leaving out!  I'm really starting to get worried that I will have to go on bedrest.  Like really worried.  I'm a pretty tough cookie when it comes to sucking it up and being a "big girl" but I could seriously cry like a baby when these aches and pains "down there" start.  She is low and I know that's one reason they are as bad as they are and now my sciatic nerve is hurting.  My feet are swelling and they hurt and I'm only TWENTY THREE weeks pregnant!!! How in the world am I going to last another 16 weeks?!?! and I get NO maternity leave benefits at work and I definitely don't have short term disability insurance.  I looked into getting some Aflac a few years ago (not too long after Preslei was born to be prepared for our 2nd baby) but they said you had to have 5 employees to get short term disability and there is only me and Donna and of course, our boss.  :(  So, I'm a little freaked that we'll be eating Ramen noodles if I get put on bedrest.

Cravings:  Not much of anything this week.  For some reason, I've felt SO bloated.  Heck, we didn't even cook dinner the other night because Preslei fell asleep at 6:30 and never woke up and Keith and I decided if we got hungry, we could fend for ourselves. 

Best moment this week:  It would have to be my doctor's appointment.  Keith and Preslei both went with me and I know I say this ALL the time but I seriously have the best doctor and nurse.  Preslei wanted to see her picture again on the wall and Dana said, "Did you find all 3?" and we found them.  Dana said, "Yeah, you can tell who one of my favorites is".  Dr. Morales came in and asked me if I had any questions.  So I asked about when we could schedule the c-section since my friend, Brandi, (B4 Photography) is flying in from Dallas, TX to do our newborn pictures.  We have a tentative date of April 12, 2012! He said the hospital won't schedule it on their end until 6 weeks prior but he has it marked on his calendar.  I also asked which anethesiologist would allow an extra person in the room (I desperately want my Mom in there) and he said a name but that he'd check to make sure.  I have to call that office to specifically request that doctor and they will try to accomodate me.  :) Then, Keith said he was glad it wasn't the end of April because he will be in a skeet tournament and dang if him and Dr. Morales didn't talk about skeet and hunting the entire appointment, LOL.  It was hilarious to me.  I almost wanted to invite Dr. Morales to one of the many bird shoots/hunts Keith hosts during the year but I didn't, LOL. 

And then there was cake.....

You know, I literally just wrote this morning how I want some cake....some red velvet and a 14 layer chocolate cake.  Well, this may not be a 14 layer but it is an 8 layer and I'm totally happy with that. 

I think my boss must have been either reading my mind the past few weeks or knows the cravings of a preggo because he bought TWO cakes at the church's youth fundraiser (the other was Italian Creme and I just don't do coconut) and I wanted to scream like a little school girl when he said they are for me and my coworker!!!! Mad props go out to him.

Off to enjoy my piece of cake!!!

22 weeks

22 WEEKS

 

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 22 weeks.

Size of baby: 10.5-11.8 inches, 12.7-20.8 ounces and the size of a mango.

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes:  It's a necessity these days.

Belly Button: Creeping on out there, lol.

Movement:  Morning, noon and night and it never gets old. 

Sleep: Well hello insomnia.......I have woke up twice so far at 3:30am and not been able to go back to sleep.  I need SLEEP!

Symptoms:  I feel like I'm waddling already!!!! Seriously, I'm kinda upset about that, lol.  I'm only 22 weeks and I waddle....ugh. 

What I miss: Nothing at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be pregnant again.

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas!!!!!

Cravings: Sweets.....oh my land, give me cake and give it to me now.  You know what's sad is I haven't even eaten a piece and I'm DYING to! I want some really good red velvet cake with cream cheese icing and nuts on top and a 14 layer chocolate cake.....Mmmmm.......

Best moment this week:  My Mom being able to feel Annalise!!!! Poor Keith, I think Annalise is going to be like her big sister was.  Every time Keith puts his hand on my stomach, she stops kicking and moving.  :(

21 weeks (I'm a week late on this one)

21 WEEKS

Pregnancy Highlights

**Preface:  I am posting this exactly one week late.  Last week, Preslei and I both had the stomach virus and I was out of work for 3 days so I am just now having a chance to update my blog.  I'm also going to post week 22 after this one so I'll be current.**

How Far Along: 21 weeks. 

Size of baby: 10.5 inches, 12.7 ounces and the size of a banana.

Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)

Maternity Clothes:  They have been a blessing to me here lately.  Man, this belly is already poking out there!! My coworker, Donna, always says, "You are getting to be just baby now!".  I think it's hilarious.  At least I look pregnant now instead of just fat(ter).  I think (THINK) I may post a picture next week but man, I hate full length pictures.  I just think I need to document my belly at half way and then full term.

Belly Button: Creeping on out there, lol.

Movement:  She has been moving SO much lately.  My friend Sara and I went to Atlanta on Saturday (Dec. 3) and Sara is 3 weeks ahead of me and she was talking about Cohen moving around all day and I was like, dang, I wish Annalise would move all day and I swear, her and Cohen had some in utero conversations because that night at 10:58 (Yeah Sara, b/c you said it that night, I now remember the exact time HA!) I felt Annalise move on the outside for the first time and her movements tooks off after that.  So, thanks Baby Cohen!!! LOL

Sleep:  Not too bad that week.

Symptoms:  OH. MY. GOSH.  I seriously overdid it in Atlanta because my round ligament pains were absolutely KILLING me.  Curse my body for making those stupid pains be "down there" instead of where they should normally be!!! Any time I walk for an extended period, it kills me.  Well, imagine driving for 3 1/2 hours to Atlanta(we left at 7:30), checking into the hotel (11am), laying down for a quick minute, and then not getting back to the hotel until 10:30pm.  HOLY MOTHER.....I wanted to cry.  I was hurting so bad on Sunday that I couldn't even go to work on Monday b/c I got up in the middle of the night Sunday to pee and almost fell b/c the pain hurt so bad when I walked to the bathroom.  I called my doctor and they told me to rest, take tylenol and if needed, use heat.  (Sorry, but I'm NOT putting a heating pad between my legs, LOL). 

What I miss: Nothing at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be pregnant again.

What I'm looking forward to: Christmas!!!!!

Cravings: Still Mexican.  I could eat Mexican every day.

Best moment this week:  Even though it killed me physically, I had the BEST time in Atlanta. I really feel like I made the most of my time there because not only did me and Sara hang out with Stephanie and had a blast being the 3 preggos shopping but we were also able to have dinner with my best friend, Brian.  And OMG, that was the BEST food I've eaten in a LONG LONG time.  If you are ever near Atlanta, you have to go to Social Vinings in Vinings.  Maybe I was just starving but that was the best shrimp & scallops ever.  It was served on a bed of sweet corn risotto with brocolli and lemon butter sauce (I could have done without the capers) and it was heavenly.  Brian and Sara had me CRACKING up the entire night.  I was seriously crying from laughing so hard.  Brian has always loved impersonating and imitating funny youtube people and skits and low and behold, so does Sara.  They were doing Anjelah Johnson's "Nail Salon" skit and holy crap, it was just funny.  You can watch it here.  Anyways, it was just so much fun and exactly what I needed!!!

20 weeks

20 WEEKS

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 20 weeks! I cannot believe it (in the voice of that little dude on Little Einstein’s HA!) I am definitely feeling like I’m 20 weeks, well I actually feel more like I’m 30-something weeks.


Size of baby: 6.5 inches, 10.6 ounces and the size of a cantelope.


Gender/Name: It's a GIRL!!!! Annalise Claire Phillips :)


Maternity Clothes: Things are getting much tighter so I ordered some more maternity clothes earlier this week. I cannot wait for them to be delivered.


Belly Button: Still an innie but I don't think it will be an innie the whole pregnancy like it was last time.


Movement: Earlier this week, I was saying how it was on and off but it is getting more constant today. She’s been quite active today. That feeling never gets old!


Sleep: I’ve had some really good sleep the past few nights. As soon as I lay my head down, I’m out. I normally only wake up once a night and I think it’s because I’ve really tried to watch how much I drink a few hours before bedtime.


Symptoms: Crying, getting irritated at inconsiderate people (last night at the Christmas parade….I REALLY wish 1. People wouldn’t crowd my little personal space and 2. Smoking be banned or made illegal in public places).


What I miss: Nothing at all! I am so thankful and blessed to be pregnant again.


What I'm looking forward to: Going to Atlanta tomorrow night! I scored at room at the Intercontinental in Buckhead for $100. I love priceline.com! As much as I absolutely HATE leaving Preslei, it makes it ALL worth it when she comes running in my arms when I come back home. I’m also excited about Keith being able to spend some one on one quality time with her.


Cravings: Mexican. I have had a terrible morning and my emotions were getting the best of me (let’s see….my insurance company decided to DOUBLE my insurance premium for the month without sending me a notice so I had to call them and find out why (still doesn’t make sense to me but something about me adding my van to my policy during renewal time and them not collecting the right amount last month or some crap). Still ticks me off, if I owe more money, fine but send me a friggin’ notice so I am not shocked when I see I don’t have as much money in my checking account; then someone decides that my Facebook business is other people’s business (I’m going to be cleaning up the friends list soon or changing my privacy settings)) so when Donna (my coworker) wanted to go to Los Reyes for lunch, I was GAME!!! I was tired of crying all morning over stupid crap and some not so stupid crap that I wanted to scarf down some cheese dip and a chimichanga!


Best moment this week: 1. Going to the Christmas parade last night and seeing my sweet girl wave at everyone that passed on a float and get SOOOO excited to see Santa! Seeing her happy is the best feeling a Mom can have. 2. Keith killed his first deer of the season Wednesday night…yay for more meat in the freezer! 3. Finding all the pieces of furniture for Annalise’s nursery on Craigslist. I’ve decided on the “antique” look and theme so I wanted some antique pieces and I found matching dressers and a wrought iron crib!

Kelly's Korner Monogram Swap

When we had Preslei, I didn't get a lot monogrammed but now, I am LOVING the idea of having everything monogrammed for Annalise.  So, if anyone that is viewing has anything with "Annalise" or the letter "A" or initials "aPc", please email me at amandakines@hotmail.com. 

Thanks!!! :)