Stockpiling

Lots of people ask how this pregnancy is different than last pregnancy.  So far it has been different in various ways.  But one way it has been different is that I don't have an urge to clean the kitchen everyday, or clean my house everyday for that matter.  Maybe that's because I have a  2 year old and there really is no point to clean, because it will just be dirty/cluttered 5 minutes after I'm done.  I kind of just kick things to the side or hide them in the storage ottomans.  If you know me, you know this is hard for me, but is something I'm working on.  

I really have been trying to take it easy this pregnancy given my issues with my pregnancy with Aaron.  I am trying everything to avoid bed rest this go around.  But if for some reason I end up on it, I have taken up a new hobby - stockpiling.  I want to be prepared with every day items to make things easier on us.  I even have a freezer full of meals just in case.  And if I don't have to go on BR (oh please, oh please, oh please!) then I will be happy I have a supply when I'm exhausted and the thought of putting on makeup, doing my hair, brushing my teeth and getting dressed to go run errands makes me want to cry.

The first things I started stockpiling were laundry detergents and other various household items.  Whenever something is on sale, and I have coupons, extra bucks, rewards dollars, etc. - time to stock up!

I've also been stocking up on a few baby products and various toiletry items for Bryan and I.  I need to start working on my diaper and wipe supply next.    

And the last staple to my stockpile, especially in the winter months, is various canned and dry pantry goods.  And when Meijer or any other grocery store has 10 for $10, AND you have coupons - time to stock up!  Today's trip to Meijer made me skip out of there like a schoolgirl. 

Maybe one day I'll get to build a house that has a butler's pantry off the kitchen so I can store and organize this stuff in one place.  

This is what I've been up to.  I'm no extreme couponer, but maybe one day I'll get there.  Well, not extreme because those people are nuts, but getting things at a major savings, or free, is always fun!!

Christmas Cookies

Yesterday we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Nickel's house to decorate Christmas cookies.  Of course, I took this activity very seriously.  I might not let anybody eat these beauties.

Aaron was more concerned about consuming the frosting.  But he managed to get some of his own works of art in there.  I was very proud of his creations.      

Can't wait to eat these treats on Christmas!!

Discovery Museum

We took Aaron to the Discovery Museum a couple of weekends ago.  We finally got over our fear of disease harboring play places after the hand/foot/mouth episode this past summer.  While our Children's Discovery Museum is not as awesome as The Magic House, Aaron still had a good time.

Thankful

As I'm sitting here on the couch watching Finding Nemo for the twelfth time this week, I can't help but smile and just be thankful.  Thankful for family and friends.  Thankful to have a warm home, a roof over my head, and a ton of good food in my belly - which makes me thankful for maternity pants.  Thankful for these little belly kicks.  Thankful for my family of 3, soon to be four - especially this "Memo" fanatic to my left.  He makes my heart happy every day.

21 weeks (tomorrow)

I hope you all had a very filling, both in love and food, Thanksgiving!!    

Baby Update

Had my 20 week sonogram yesterday.  The BIG sonogram.  You know, the one where they take all of the measurements and check all the things...like gender.  Yeah - I said gender.  Are you all dying to find out what we're having?!  Well, so are we.

Baby was being very sleepy and uncooperative, and just wouldn't reveal themselves to us.  At least they are modest.  I blame the turkey sandwich I ate at lunch.  Tryptophan... what was I thinking??  I may as well have just slipped it a NyQuil.  I should have drank a Mt. Dew or something before I went.  Regardless, everything looks good.  Baby is measuring within 3 days of the due date.  And things are still looking good with me.  So really that's all I can ask for.  

We were excited to do something special, and tell our families on Thanksgiving - but ya'll are just going to have to wait now.  I'm actually taking this as a sign that we aren't supposed to know the gender until the big day.  I originally didn't want to find out, but Bryan really did - so I just got it in my head that we were going to find out.  If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is?  This pregnancy has been a bit different than Aaron's, so maybe I should just keep doing things differently.  We'll see how long I can hold off!

Fun Facts:

-I'm 20 weeks (almost 21 weeks)
-The baby is about the size of a banana now
-I'm starting to feel the baby move more; it especially loves to kick or head butt my full bladder
-Speaking of full bladder, I have to use the ladies room every 20 minutes
-I'm tired
-No real cravings still, just have to eat often so I don't get sick.  If I don't eat often, I get hangry, and you don't want to meet hangry Lindsey.

Sometimes...

I iron my shirt with my hair straightener - and then I check off "multi-tasking" from my to-do list.

Does anyone else do this?

Speaking of to-do Lists, does anyone else write down things they've already done just so they can cross them off?  Wake up - check!  Eat breakfast - check! It's a great way to feel accomplishment early in the morning.

Disney Jr Live

Two weekends ago we took Aaron to see Disney Jr. Live - A Pirate and Princess Adventure.  He really enjoyed it.  Well - he really enjoyed Jake.  Sorry for the crummy pictures - indoors, bad lighting, etc.

Getting ready to start

He knelt down like this for most of the show, and refused to take off his coat the entire time

Really excited about his $12 Jake hat his dad bought him - everything there was such a good deal (insert sarcasm here)

After the show we went to the Burger Barge - where we waited way too long for our food.  This poor boy was very tuckered out and fell asleep immediately on the ride home.  

Regardless of the long wait at lunch, it was a fun adventure with Aaron.  Looking forward to more of these outings.