25 Weeks

I haven't posted much about this pregnancy...in fact, I haven't blogged about much of anything lately. My lazy genes have taken over, I'm actually surprised I have enough drive to override my lack of energy in order to keep my house clean. But, I thought I'd take this opportunity (since I'm home sick from church..stupid cold season!!) to blog a little about this pregnancy...try to get up to date.
So, I've got about 3 months left (I'll be delivering -hopefully- a week early since I have to have c-sections with all my kids), and I like to tell people that instead of saying I'm 25 weeks, because 25 weeks doesn't sound as far along (to me) as only having 3 months left. I'm getting really excited and have been working to get our tiny house in order and things moved around and ready for the baby. I know if I wait too long, I'll lose my ability to do anything based on the fact that I'll be bigger than the Titanic. Therefore, if I want things done my way, I better do them within the next two months. Luckily, this time around, I don't have to paint the baby's room...we're going to hire some of the Young Men from our ward to come paint it for us...Mike doesn't want to paint it either..we have way too many painting jobs in this house still left to do. Since we only have 3 bedrooms, and Mike refuses to entertain the idea of putting both kids in the same room, we're moving Mike's computer stuff into our closet (thankfully we have a walk-in closet with just enough room to fit him and his stuff in there along with all our clothes and other crap). I feel bad so bad for him, but sadly this is our only option for now. He's a good boy. I never realized how much stuff we have and how little space we have until I started this project of getting ready for this baby. I'm starting to throw/give stuff away, and am learning to maximize ALL empty space.  Mike's actually kept me from getting rid of a lot more than I was willing to. I think once we get to cleaning out the garage, we're going to end up with a lot more space (hooray!). Anyways, I'm afraid it's going to take me the full 3 months to get everything all ready, so luckily I still have 3 months to do it all.
Our little guy is quite the ninja, I love it. I don't know much about his development because I went so long between doctor's visits due to Mike switching jobs & insurances, and therefore I had to get a new doctor and wait for an open appt. I've been to my new doctor once (5 weeks ago) and have another appt tomorrow and am hoping to learn more about how my little guy is doing and where he is in his progress personally. I haven't had an official ultrasound since I was 7 1/2 weeks along, so I don't know how fast he's growing, how big he is, how well everything is developing, stuff like that, and it makes me anxious. I want to know how he's doing. That's why I'm so thankful he's so active, it gives me a large element of relief to feel him move so much and know that he's at least alive and well. I really am hoping tomorrow I can learn more, but I'm not going to hold my breath..I'm going to count on not having an ultrasound for a few more weeks, that way I don't get too disappointed if I leave there tomorrow without one. I like my new doctor, he's great! He was very personable and gave me all the time I wanted with him. He made sure he answered all my questions and he NEVER made me feel rushed or silly about my concerns or decisions. His wait time is like 30-40 minutes, but I have to say, it's so very worth it! Plus, his office is right behind the hospital I want to deliver at (Summerlin) and very close to Mike's work, so if Mike needs to go in while I'm in the hospital he won't be too far away. I'm so glad I chose him as my doctor, and am thankful for the friend who recommended him to me!
Going back to my ninja...we decided to name him Daniel. Mike chose this name -after his best friend since childhood-, and I definitely approve. I've finally decided on a middle name, but I think I'm going to keep that secret until after we have him, just in case, for some reason, I flip-flop and change my mind on the middle name.  Anyways, like I said before, he's quite the ball of energy and strength (although he's not quite as energetic as Diana was) and his powerful kicks can be seen perfectly clear from the outside...it's been like that for weeks already. He gets either jealous or annoyed when Diana sits on my lap and/or leans against my stomach and will kick her over and over again (REALLY hard, too) until I move her. But, when I want Daddy to feel him kick, he freezes up and won't move again until Daddy has moved away. I mean, all I've got to say is "Mike" and the little man will freeze up, mid kick. Like I said, Ninja. I don't know if this means he does or doesn't like his Daddy, but Mike's convinced he's just a soothing agent to his son. Yes, that's it Mike. You're so soothing that the mear mention of your name puts him in a zen-like state. :) Mike's convinced that this boy with love him more than me, just like Diana does, but I'm saying he's going to be a Momma's boy and love me more. He better be!
We've been trying to prepare Diana for her brother on the way and we taught her months ago that there's a baby in Mommy's tummy, so now she'll walk up to me at random times, point to my round tummy and say "BABY!" and give it a big, sweet kiss. I'm hoping there won't be jealousy issues with her and him. There never were between me and my 10 other siblings whenever a new one is born, so I think it is possible to keep a kid from getting jealous, the real question is HOW. Diana will be an awesome big sister..she's very affectionate and loving, and she NEEDS a friend. I know Daniel will be the best thing for her.
I'm so excited to be adding another baby to our little clan. At first I was so nervous (though VERY happy) and didn't know how I was going to do it, but as time gets closer, I get more confident and excited. Unfortunately, I already feel like I've blown up like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon, and have already cried about my weight many times. See, I gained 48 pounds while pregnant with Diana, and I started out that time at 133 pounds, so by the end, I was (yep, you guessed it) 181 pounds. I was and am so mortified by that that I can't look back at pictures of myself...I can't believe I got so big, it was traumatizing. Thankfully I lost all my baby weight, and more, and got down to 106 lbs, before gaining back 10 pounds before I got pregnant again. So, this time I only started out @ 116, so even if by some evil twist of fate I manage to gain 48 pounds again, I'll still be 17 lbs lighter than I was last time. I'm PRAYING I don't gain that much (My goal is between 35-40 lbs max), but I'm slowly seeing that goal slip through my fingers, as I have gained - I think - about 20-21 lbs already. Again, now you see why I've cried about my weight many times already, and I've actually been a LOT better about counting my calories and watching what I've been eating this time as opposed to last time...and yet, still gaining weight like it's in style. AND, I've still got a ways to go. Oy.
I know these next 3 months will go by so slowly, as they did when I was waiting for Diana to arrive, because I'm so anxious to hold this little guy in my arms and shower him with love and kisses. But, I know the wait will be worth it, and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be a mom, not only to Diana, but soon to this handsome little man, too.

(I'll post a belly pic soon... hopefully)