Friday, August 24, 2012

Life Update...The Uneventful Edition

Things have been pretty slow around here lately, which is a good thing. Chris' friend (and best man) visited us last weekend from Seattle. I think we may have disappointed him a bit in "everything Texan" department, but I am pretty sure he enjoyed the visit none the less.

I am 10 (going on 11) weeks pregnant now and I feel good most of the time. The evenings are the worst. I feel a little nauseous, but it feel more like my gag reflex is incredibly sensitive. It's hard to describe really; but every evening, about an hour after eating dinner, anything could make gag. Seriously, just thinking about gagging could make me run to the couch and cover my mouth. A few nights ago, Chris decided to eat a banana in bed (I don't know why) and that was disgusting to me. Even reading to Lorelai before bed makes me uneasy...too many words at once could set me off. It's an interesting and annoying symptom I hope to conquer soon. I am thankful for the few and manageable symptoms; the gagging and the fatigue are my only issues. I can't wear any sort of form-fitting clothes now without being incredibly uncomfortable. It is true what they say, so show a lot faster after your first...at least for me. Maternity clothes are still way too big so I am in a weird limbo with my wardrobe. I do look forward to jeans, jackets, and hoodies this fall and winter. With Lorelai, it was warm outside the entire time I was pregnant. March-November. Even the ride home from the hospital was warm...on December 3rd. Sweating in pants that reach up to your bra is the most unpleasant daily routine. I do wish for a break this fall and winter this time around.

Lorelai is talking more, though I am pretty sure I can decode her words the best...and even then I don't know what she is trying to say two thirds of the time. The main words are: blue, juice, oh no, teeth, no, "Be" (Pheobe), bye, "low" (hello), Mom, "nana" (banana), Dad, "Ma" (Grandma), "Nuh" (Hannah), purple, please, dog, "key" (kitty), baby, "chu" (thank you), peepee, rain, pew, "pup pup" (puppy), pink, feet, waffle, "me" (lamby). There are more, but you get the idea.
She is still the pickiest eater ever. Chicken nuggets (NOT tenders, strips, or grilled chicken, JUST nuggets), fries, yogurt (one of her healthier picks), bananas (only fresh fruit she'll eat), toaster waffles, popcorn, quesdillas, pancakes, cookies, refried beans, peanut butter, cheese, and bread. She'll try most snack foods, but the kid will not try mac n' cheese, watermelon, apple sauce, corn, pasta, mashed potatoes, ground beef, and well...anything really. I will force her out of this if she doesn't grow out of it...but I need her to understand the concept of "eat this or _insert threat here_." She does drink milk well and I have a pedialyte-like drink for her along with vitamin cereal bars she takes pretty well. But I look forward to the day when I have I don't have to make separate dinners or worry about "what the heck is she going to eat?!" when we go anywhere.

Phoebe is Phoebe. She has regressed on her potty-training lately. That's annoying and weird. I kind of blame myself. I don't let her out the 25 times a day she wants because of the heat, mosquitoes, and her allergies. I still give her plenty of opportunities, but she does not do well in time-management apparently. :P

Chris is well, things at his job are going pretty smooth for the most part and he has some exciting opportunities coming up; so think good thoughts for him :)

The house projects have slowed down since we tackled the bathroom (which we love). I believe they will ramp back up after Christmas/New Year's when we move Lorelai out of the nursery and have to rearrange some of our junk. ;)

So that's life as of late. We have a family wedding coming up soon, which we are looking forward to; along with "Noni's" birthday. Then we have my favorite time, FALL...which includes cool weather, Halloween, and Lorelai's 2nd birthday. I can hardly wait.

Until next time!


M.LEWIS

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The Master Bathroom Reveal

I could go step by step and explain everything I did, all the little hiccups, all the extra work...but who wants to read that when you can post a couple of pictures? That, and I am tired, and do not feel like writing too much. ;)

Here is our new master bathroom. (Minus the over-the-toilet cabinet and new towels.)

My inspiration

Before
Before
After




After































After

New light fixture

New shelves
New tile
New mirrors


New faucets

So...tada! We love it. :D


M.LEWIS

Friday, August 10, 2012

The Lewis Lifestyle Grows

In case anyone missed the big news, I am pregnant with baby #2! I have been slacking off on my blogging due to this. My first pregnancy was different; a lot of nausea, but this time I have only experienced about 2 weeks of true "morning sickness." Now, that's not to say that things could change, but for now I am enjoying not feeling so pukey. I am incredibly tired though. There are days when I count down to 2pm (LEL's nap time) so I can lay down...then I can hardly wait for 10pm, my bedtime. Once I sleep, I am still fatigued and sluggish. It is rather frustrating really. I hate being so...lazy? I know it's not exactly laziness, it's my body growing a person, but still...I like getting things done, getting things clean, organized; and when I am so exhausted, very little gets done.

I am reworking my brain for being pregnant again. What I should and should not eat, which clothes will work for me (longer than a couple weeks), and why I can't do the same things I did before. I also have grasp the concept of having two kids. Don't misunderstand me for a second, I am beyond thrilled about this little kiddo, I am just so set in my schedule now...and I have to be prepared to throw all of it out the window. In case you don't know me well, I love my schedules, my planning, my preparation. I work well knowing what to expect, knowing I have a plan A and a plan B to help get through the day's events. I will need to reevaluate my schedule and adapt...and so will Lorelai. I know it won't be that difficult once the baby comes, it's just me thinking about how life will change.
I know Lorelai will adore a sibling. She has been pointing out babies where ever we go. She holds her dollies and gives them pats on the back and a bottle to drink. She even kisses them. I know as #2 gets bigger, she will love a playmate-boy or girl. I am very much looking forward to watching them bond. :) I also get to get out all my tiny baby stuff again! The little socks and outfits (at least some of them). The cradle, the bottles, the carseat...all so special. This means moving LEL to the short-lived guest room, and making over the nursery for the new little one. I look forward to all of this! I also want to make LEL's new room so cute and comfy for her. I want her to want to be in her new room, I don't want to make her feel displaced. As is, I am not looking forward to her being across the house instead of next door.
In case you were wondering while reading all of this, this baby wasn't exactly planned, but in a way it certainly was. Let me explain...

For awhile now (since about March) I have thought about a second baby. I have always been able to talk myself out of it though. "Lorelai is still young; the house still needs some work; Chris' job is a little unsettled; etc." And so, I would tuck the idea back in my brain and go about life. The idea would pop up every few weeks, and yes, I would find reasons to tell myself "not yet." Then, about 6 weeks ago I had this overwhelming feeling to have another baby. I was even standing by my calendar counting days thinking "Oh good, there is still time this month!" This feeling ballooned up over night...it was a little crazy. I texted Chris about the idea and once he got home we talked for 2 mins and agreed "let's start trying."
I was excited. I bought a pregnancy test way too early, just to see if maybe I was pregnant. You can imagine my surprise when it was positive. "That was easy" Chris responded. "That was easy...too easy" I thought. I then did what I do best, crack open the laptop and did some research. To my amazement it takes at least 2 weeks for your hormone levels to change enough for a home pregnancy test to register a positive result. I looked at my calendar again. I thought back over the past few weeks, and would you believe that I had been pregnant for about 4 weeks already and didn't even know it? I suppose my overwhelming reaction to have a baby "right now" was my body's way of saying "HEY! You are already having one!"
My first thought after discovering this was "Good thing we both agreed to start trying." ;) Life is funny sometimes; life knows what you need, and you get incredibly lucky sometimes. We are blessed for sure.

I am pretty positive I will ramble on about pregnancy and babies off and on for months to come, so for now I will take a breather. Thank you all for the congratulations and well wishes, they are very much appreciated!







M.LEWIS