Memorial Weekend Fun!

We love summer!

Here's a recap of our Memorial Weekend in photos. We had such a GREAT and FUN weekend! PERFECT weather. I think the pools are open now...that only means one thing: SWIMMING!!!!!!!!!! Have I mentioned that WE LOVE SUMMER??

Excavator in ACTION! 

Kicked off the long weekend with wagon stroll!

Ran around Lake Calhoun with Aunt Kelly! Then played at the parks! Jackson is excited to meet his cousin in December!!!!!

Major craving for SUN tea. I boiled first...yeah, yeah...defeats purpose but still gave it some sun!!!

BOO-YAH!!! A CRANE!!!!!! YESSSSS!

While dad shopped for a weed whacker and water softener we tested out ALL the tractors. ALL OF THEM. TOTAL boy. TOTAL! 

More construction equipment! It's EVERYWHERE in Minnesota!

Walking up the steps with dad!

Lots of time at the park!

Like the tape on my jersey? I was helping mom pack:) 

Coming to kick the ball, mom!

SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!

Kept on running!

Ohhh! What's this?

Must touch everything!

Loved blowing on these!

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Powering Through - 19 Weeks

19 Weeks

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. The hair on her scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

Oops. I skipped right over week 18! All is good here. We had an amazing Memorial Weekend due to some AWESOME weather and all those soldiers who continue to fight for our freedom and allow us to have weekends like these! THANK YOU!

The left side of stomach is always sore! I remember with Jackson it was my right side. It’s just a constant nagging pain, like there is a big knot needing to be rubbed out. I’ve also had trouble sleeping. I know the main reason is because we’re in the middle of moving and my brain won’t shut off. I’m up at 4…thinking, thinking, thinking!

Me at 18 weeks. Ummm...I look exhausted. Yes? 

We hired movers. I am VERY excited about this. It was TOO hard trying to round up friends and work with their crazy schedules with everything else I’m trying to manage. I started but already lost track of two friends, let alone any more than that. My gut told me to hire movers. Yes, more money, but I’m all about convenience right now. Trying to simplify. The less stress the better for me right now.

We also purchased a bunch of stuff this weekend – weed whacker, water softener, couches, kitchen table, BIG BOY BED, and patio furniture. The thing with me and Karl is we DO NOT SPEND. We SAVE. And I guess we’ve been saving for THIS. So we’re spending now. Ufdah. SCARY. Exciting too, but still scary.

When there was a down moment this weekend, I was in one of our many closets pulling things out and packing them in boxes or donating them. I separated all Jackson’s toys and found all the baby toys! I was even able to get Karl to go through his clothes. We have ONE garbage bag full of clothes he’s willing to donate. YAY! PROGRESS. This is a BIG step for him! This was between Jackson stealing the scissors, spilling my water all over and stubbing his toe and falling off the couch. It is something hard packing with a little guy around, but I also want him to know what’s going on. Before we start prayers, he’s always like “Pray. New HOUSE! Big bed. Choo-choo train.” So then we pray for all those things.

I'm very nervous about the transition into the new house. I'm starting to already miss the easy access to five parks by our current house. And how nice it is just to walk across the street to pick up Chipotle or a tasty treat from Dairy Queen... 

The plan is to pack one box a night until we move and work a little harder on the weekends. We're going to round up a friend on the day we are able to move in and fill his truck and trailer with what we have now in the garage. Then Karl and I are taking some time off work to CLEAN to prepare for the rest of the goods coming.

I made sure to find lots of time to play with Jackson too. We spent a lot of time running outside and playing soccer and going down slides and pulling his wagon and checking out all the construction equipment. Only two ticks on dad this weekend. YUCK!!!!!!! 

Jackson is ONE busy dude. I am VERY VERY VERY exhausted and am wondering when my body will give out? For real. I just can’t think about being pregnant because things start to hurt. I just pretend I’m energetic ol’ Christie, spry as ever. But I am FORCING myself to take a break during his nap time. I HAVE TO. For baby. I can’t have this baby coming early!!! I want healthy!

Otherwise, yes, still have the red rash on my face. Still craving peaches and all those summer fruits. YUM! YUM! YUM. I’m obsessing over asparagus cooked in olive oil and garlic and a lemon rind and lemon juice. I top on my salads. I had a huge craving for cookies yesterday so Googled “Easy Cookies”. Ended up making one with 4 ingredients. And I threw in a banana for good measure. Turned out SO good and HIT THE SPOT! Also, the top of my list is PUNCH Pizza. MUST go there soon. And same with a seafood restaurant.

LOVE this salad!!! I crave it!

Also COMPLETED Jackson’s Shutterfly Photo Album Age 1 to 2! I sent a copy to both grandparents. They are treasuring. Feels SO good to be done with that.

Seriously, I feel like a power house (or is that called a power horse?) right now. I’m pounding through the projects and am able to make quick decisions when it comes to the house. I guess I just don’t have time to mess around. I want to give Jackson the best of me too and that means simplify and straight up LOVE LOVE LOVE. Knowing that makes me focus more.

I realized it truly is NOT about how much stuff you have. It really is about BEING TOGETHER. I honestly want to get rid of most of our stuff. I’d be happy! Says the gal who just bought new furniture…

UNTIL next week! Ummmm…that will be the HALFWAY mark. Holy crap. Let me just say the second time around goes a zillion times faster. WHOA.

Only gained .5 pounds this past week!!! I honestly don't think I sat much. I have been very lightheaded too, so I know I need to slow down a little...

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Month in Review - 25 Months

We Love Spring!

Besides Jackson turning 2 and getting our place ready for renters and moving and being pregnant, we are still fitting in time for fun!

Here's what we have been up to in no particular order!

We also had conferences with Jackson's daycare teachers. They said he's doing incredible. The only thing that he doesn't know yet is how to pedal a trike, but that will come! Otherwise, they were blown away with his potty training - he is now STANDING to pee. It's the CUTEST thing EVER. And they say he is by far the FASTEST kid in class and he never ever stops going. EVER. That's our Jackson!

Checking out the construction zone right down the street. This was pretty awesome in Jackson's eyes.

Looks a bit like daddy here...

Birthday party at Choo Choo Bob's!

Jackson was more excited about the cars that had doors that opened. Yes, we left with one! (Don't worry, I bought it)

Enjoying Pizza at Preston's 2nd bday! The last time I had Pizza Hut MAY have been in college....shhhhh.

Goofing around

Tonsil check. Yep. Still there. 

Loving the swing

My sweetheart

Moving project: Cleaning out a closet. Someone found all the winter stuff!

Look mom! I put it on myself!

What up? What up?

We really have to pack this away too?

Mark, Tot and Kacey stopped by for a visit and to celebrate Jackson's 2nd bday. He's been working on his golf swing ever since! And saying ADT! ADT! (Articulated Dump Truck). Thanks Uncle Mark!

Lots of running going on!

A MOMENT of lying still. ONLY A MOMENT.

LOVES his wagon from Papa and Grandma Cindy.

Almost looks like a REAL drink, eh? I made it myself. No alcohol. And quite tasty. Too bad Jackson wanted most of it.

My SWEET Mother's Day gift from Jackson's daycare. A very sweet poem on the other side too. 

Loves to be in control of his wagon! "No, mom! Jackson do it!" 

My Mother's Day treat! A wagon ride!!

Front row to a sweet Forklift show!

EXCAVATOR!!!!! Jackson was in PURE heaven. I LOVE how he says "EX-cavato"

The big shovel and its TEETH. Yes, we have a book on dump trucks, bulldozers, trains and garbage trucks. His favorite pages are the ones with "EX-cavatos" in them.

All he wanted was to get in the door!

My sweet boys!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this little man and this photo of us and our slanty Powalish eyes!

Morel mushroom hunting with dad. Jackson LOVED being in the woods.

Came back empty handed but still precious as ever!

Hey mom! I'm up in a tree! Look, no hands!

Welp, until next time! We might be in a new home the next time I post. WHOA!!!! Change is SOOO scary, but so good. I'm honestly just going with it all because there is SO much happening at once. Trusting God here! Wish us luck!

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Baby Moving and Feeling TIRED - 17 Weeks

17 Weeks

Have to get a post in before I hit 18 weeks tomorrow! We’re in the middle of finding renters and moving, so time is slipping away from me! What a crazy job this has been.

It is good though because I’m getting really organized. I’m separating all Jackson’s toys and pulling put the ones he definitely doesn’t need to be playing with anymore and getting those ready for baby. And I’ve also organized ALL photos and am working on his ages 1-2 photo album and getting another one ready for baby #2. And I bought two Rubbermaid file bins so I can go through all his notes and art projects and well-visit reports, etc. and file them according to dates and what not. And start one for baby #2. So yes, moving IS a REAL GOOD THING. Just doing all this makes me feel tons better. There are SO many piles of papers everywhere, so it’s nice just to purge and organize and get a handle on all of it.

And I have popped! Belly is OUT. People are noticing.

Belly at 17 weeks!

First thing, I don’t remember feeling THIS exhausted when I was pregnant with Jackson. I know I’m chasing around a VERY active toddler, but wow, I really do get wiped out. I have been sticking to working out at the gym twice a week. I also will be out walking most of the other days. Not just once either. We’re talking two or three times (more so on the weekends). I love it, but I’m usually dead tired by dinner time. I lowered my fitness level on the stair stepper by a couple (now do Cardio Plus at level 9) and I’m keeping my weights to light during weight training.

I also forgot how busy we are once the weather gets warmer. As soon as the sun comes up (Jackson gets up at 5:30 now) we are on the move. We’re walking to parks and trekking through grass and hills and all kinds of things. He is SUCH a boy. And he RUNS everywhere. Think Forest Gump. Not even kidding. And it’s harder now that I have to pee so much. I know this is just a phase though and I won’t feel like this forever, but I just remember last summer. I was able to run and bike and bounce from one activity to the next (granted Jackson was also FINALLY sleeping through the night too so I felt like a NEW person). And I was able to drink!!! Now, it’s like I have to dig REAL deep to find that energy. REAL DEEP. My legs felt like stove pipes on Saturday. I HAD to take a nap on Sunday.

I have NO issue gaining weight quickly too. Learned that the hard way. I have to settle down or else I’m going to be HUGE for this baby.

I have been feeling baby MOVE a lot!!!!!!! I love this. Karl felt the baby move too. A sweet moment was when Jackson woke at 5:30 and we cuddled in bed and Karl put his hand on my belly and baby was moving. They were BOTH up at the same time and it was just one of those happy moments all of us snuggled up in bed. I knew it was short-lived but I promised myself right then and there I would enjoy THAT MOMENT. It was really nice. I felt and feel extremely blessed.

Last Monday I had a weird moment where I was cooking up breakfast for all of us and got really hot. Then I saw black all around me. I broke out in a HUGE cold/hot sweat and immediately had to sit down. I felt super sick and like I was going to faint. SAME thing happened when I was pregnant with Jackson once around the same time. SO STRANGE. Poor Jackson was so worried about his mommy.

We had our doctor appointment and everything looks and sounds great. Karl filmed the baby’s heartbeat and I was hoping to have that link in this post, but it’s still on his phone. Darn!

We go in for a Level II ultrasound in June. This is to get a closer look at the baby’s heart since my family has such a history with bad hearts, and there are some genetic issues. We do not plan on finding out what we’re having. I called our insurance provider just to make sure this type of ultrasound was covered. It is!

I went in to get my skin checked at a free skin clinic this weekend. Five suspicious moles this time. Sigh. So back in to the skin doctor to get those removed. But speaking of insurance, I might wait until we meet our deductible before I get these cut off… I also want to check to see if this might be covered since it’s preventative care in a strange way. I’m being proactive NOW so these don’t turn into something worse later on.

Symptoms and Cravings

·         Still wearing normal clothes for the most part, but did buy a belly band. My pants don’t button anymore!

·         Major craving for peaches! Love my V8 and oranges and these yummy sorbet things from Costco

·         Red rash still on face

·         Lots and lots of peeing

·         To me, it seems my belly is sitting a little higher this time around

·         VERY TIRED

·         Up to 158 lbs now. YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

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Getting My Workout Groove Back - 16 Weeks

16 Weeks

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too.

Hit the Four Month mark today! Yay! I’m totally feeling more like myself. Have I mentioned the super nice weather helps? After six solid days of rain and gross weather, the sun is starting to come out and play. Thank God!

Back to the gym I go!!! LOVING IT!

I bit the bullet and added extra clubs to my gym membership. Best thing I have done. I’m so excited to get to the gym and fit my workouts in wherever I might be location wise. I feel like a new person. It’s GREAT!

I’ve been doing a quick workout over my lunch break twice a week and have noticed how my work performance has change. I have such a better attitude and am pounding out the work. I feel more creative.

My company also added an online wellness program where employees can accrue points every time we workout or do healthy things. TOTALLY AWESOME.  I blogged about it here. http://jhfoster.com/jhf-invests-in-employees-well-being-through-online-wellness-program/

My Weekly Workouts

Sunday

30 Minute Swimming Pool Time with Jackson. I might not have been swimming laps, but chasing a toddler around a pool is TOUGH WORK. Holy smokes.  I was exhausted. Pretty sure I had to take a nap after that. 

Wednesday

25 minute stair stepper cardio level 10

Thursday

30 minute weight training: lunges, arm curls, pushups, weighted stair steps, squats, crunches

Friday

Walk and park time with Jackson

Saturday

Walk and park time with Jackson

Symptoms and How I’m Feeling

• Feeling really good now that those endorphins are up and running again
• I will crave a beer or margarita or gin and tonic or glass of wine...or... The summer is going to be a tough one, but I know I can hold off and everything will be just fine. I’m just saying…some days are tougher than others.I mean, a frosty beer with a lime or lemon or orange. Oh dear. Drooling.
• I still get exhausted from time to time. Last night I couldn't keep my eyes open for one more second. I quickly kissed Karl and I was out.
• Still am FREEZING COLD
• Big rash on my face yet
• Peeing a TON during the night
• Weight: 154 now. GULP.

Our next appointment is Thursday! Can’t WAIT to hear baby’s heartbeat again!!!!

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