Pregnancy (Round #2)

Okay guys...let's face it. I've been pregnant for like two years straight, take a couple months. But I am OVER it. I can't complain too much because yes, we planned this pregnancy but DAMN I miss my normal body & how about a glass of wine every now and then? 

Now look, in all seriousness I know it's such a blessing to be pregnant and I'm so thankful but I think it's bull that I'm expected to love pregnancy. Because I don't. It does things to my body that I hate. And besides that precious girl kicking inside of me, there is nothing beautiful about pregnancy. 

There are some similarities between this pregnancy and my last but the differences are substantial. This pregnancy is far worse & a lot harder on my body, mind, and emotions. So as I was going through Pinterest I found myself on the pregnancy ecards & figured I would share some I found. Oh baby Layla, how I can't wait until you arrive!   

10 Months?!

So Stassi has turned 10 months and I'm over here like 10 months already?? You guys realize that's only two months away from a YEAR old right? I. Can't. Even. And I almost always can ;)

Stassi is seriously unique and so special. She just goes to the beat of her own drum. She has an opinion on everything and she's not quiet about it either. She will let you know whether she likes something or not, wants something or not, and whether she wants to be left alone or not. She is really such a sweet girl, but she is also very feisty. But I already admire her. Her personality will grow and change in different ways as she gets older, but her ability to do what she wants at the age of 10 months is priceless and I'm not going to lie...a liiiittle frustrating too. 

So what does Stassi do at 10 months?

-She has taken her very first steps! We are working on her confidence because she walks so well, but she has taken about 8 steps in a row so far. 

-She stands VERY well on her own. 

-Stassi has learned how to say Dodger (full on) so now she calls everything and everyone Dodger.  

-Stassi has seen us tell the dogs to "go" lay down or "go" outside so she now points her finger at them and says "go" BUT she also does it to people in the store and restaurants lol

-Stassi can say hi, hey, mama, mom, dada, dad, nana (grandma), jijah (elijah), Dodger, go, baba (bottle), Stassi (when she feels like cooperating), ish (fish), sh (as in be quiet), yes, ya, and no

-She is starting to learn that when she doesn't want something, she shakes her head no. Before it was just something to do, but now she's getting the meaning. 

-When she doesn't want her bottle anymore, she just tosses it to the side - drives me nuts lol

-Stassi likes to be chased. She will crawl somewhere she knows she shouldn't be and then wait for someone to come get her and when they walk towards her she takes off crawling really fast, laughing or smiling. 

-She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse SO much. 

-She loves music. Daddy plays her music all the time and she just dances and smiles. Girl has moves! 

-She loves children. Any age. When she sees them she just smiles and waves. 

-Stassi went into the nursery for the very first time at church this month and she LOVED it and did SO well. 

-When you pick her up to give her hugs, she pats your back just like you do to her. I love that. 

-She actually gives real hugs now. Sometimes she'll want to be picked up just for a hug. 

-She gives great kisses but also picks and chooses when to do so lol

-Stassi can definitely sense Layla inside of me and always wants to be near me or on me. 

-She loves food. All kinds of food and wants to try anything we eat! Of course we have to limit her, but I love that she's willing to try new things. 

-Stassi has started to CLIMB things. Yikes. 

-She has finally started clapping and does it for almost anything 

Stassi is so vibrant and I am so excited and also sad to see her grow up. Mommy emotions are so confusing sometimes lol but I am so proud to have this little 10 month old in my life and I'm so proud to be her mommy. 

The life of a wife & mom.

Honestly, being a wife AND a mom can have its challenging moments. It's not always easy having to be a wife who is "on" for her husband but also being a mom who is present for her child. 

There's nothing I love more in life than sharing my life and myself with my husband and my daughter. I LOVE being a wife & a mommy. I haven't found anything in this world that gives me more satisfaction. Parties? Not even on my mind. Dinners? Sure, as long as they're invited. Girlfriend dates? Yeah, sometimes. Work? 13 hours a day I have to be away from them! I just love my family and don't ever really find myself wanting to be away from them. 

But let me tell you, it can get exhausting having to keep up with everything. Husband needs his work clothes washed? Okay let me throw in a load of laundry. The bottles are ALL dirty again?! Okay, guess I have to spend a good 30 minutes washing them and the other dishes that seem to pile up sometimes. Stassi, how much can you pee? Time to change the diaper again. The dogs are out of water? Didn't they just have a full bowl? Oh and now they're hungry too? Oh honey, we're almost out of dog food. We need to go to the store to get some more. What else are we out of? What do we want for lunches and dinners? The trash needs to be taken out. Stassi, don't cry...here are some puffs...want me to put on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse? Stassi needs to be dressed...where are her socks? Why can't I find the matching sock to any pair we have? Looks like it's time for dinner...what should we cook? Maybe I will just order something...

These scenarios happen all the time and it does not stop there. 

I'm not complaining. I'm really not. Life is hectic. Especially with a baby. And one on the way. I get tired more quickly and my patience runs thin most of the time. I'm tired of having a belly that doesn't let me bend over without losing my breath and I'm tired of all the pains my body is experiencing every time I am trying to do something. My husband and I don't always see eye to eye, and our daughter sometimes has meltdowns for what I would consider, no reason. 

BUT with all that being said, I would not trade my life for anything. I literally LOVE being a wife to my husband and a mommy to my daughter. And being the host (I mean mom) to my daughter inside of me ;) They make my life so complete. They make me so happy. They make me smile and laugh. I feel safe and protected. And I am so very thankful for the life I have been given. 

My little Layla

Hey baby girl,

I'm 7 months pregnant and cannot wait for you to get here. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little nervous. I know how to be a mom, but I've never been a mom of TWO under TWO! That thought to me is crazy. But I am so looking forward to you. 

I remember bringing your sweet sister home and being able to experience all these new things for the first time, and although I won't be experiencing diapers, formula, and being a mommy for the very first time...I will be experiencing all your personal firsts. Your first smile. Your first laugh. The first time you grab my finger. The first time you hold your head up, sit up on your own, crawl, and stand. I'm so excited for those firsts with you. 

I am a little nervous for the delivery. What if I don't have enough time to get the epidural? I know that regardless, I'll get through it but it's a little nerve racking not knowing what's going to happen. 

You & your sister are already so similar yet so different. For example, when daddy tries to feel you kick, you stop kicking JUST like your sister would do. But your sister didn't wanna let me keep any food down where as you aren't so picky and let me eat pretty much anything without throwing it up. 

I am praying you two become closer than close because one day, your sister will be all you have. I pray you two are the best of friends who want to do so much together, but I also hope that you two have separate likes and dislikes than each other. I'm so thrilled to see the little people you become. 

I'm so excited for the first time I get to see you, hold you, smell you, and kiss you. The first time I get to feed you, change you, dress you, and take you home. I can't wait to put you in your mamaroo and watch you sleep for hours. I can't wait to watch your facial expressions. I can't wait to hear the type of cry you'll have and all the little noises that will come along with it. I can't wait to see if you like baths and if you like being naked or clothed. I can't wait to learn all about you and your little personality as it develops every day. I can't wait to see if you'll cry a lot or be more silent. I just can't wait. Only a few more months baby girl and then Daddy and I will have another perfect beautiful baby girl. 

I love you forever,

Mommy 

& Stassi is 9 months

I'm sorry, but have you seen my child? Not only did she just turn 9 months but she looks so much older. As her doctor says "she's a big girl" and not meaning fat. She's tall for her age. Everyone thinks she's a year already & I'm like wooooah. Slow your roll. In my mind, she's still an itty bitty baby. BUT she's definitely not. She's growing like a weed. 

Stassi at 9 months:

-Pretty much has no stranger danger. I don't like this but I have to admit she's so cute. I'm hoping eventually she'll learn that not everyone is nice and she won't try to have everyone hold her lol

-Stassi waves at everyone. We walked into her 9 month checkup and she immediately made friends by waving at all the ladies at the desk. 

-Stassi weighs 19 pounds 8 ounces. And her head is no longer SUPER big, just slightly big ;)

-Stassi says hi, hey, dog, mom, momma, dad, dadda, nana (grandma), jijah (elijah), baba (bottle), tass (stassi), dodge (dodger) 

-Stassi is starting to throw tantrums and fits. She's a great girl but when she doesn't get her way sometimes she screams or cries...were working on that. 

-Stassi is FINALLY getting the hang of the sippy cup. 

-Stassi had scrambled eggs with cheese for this first time this month and LOVES them

-She says "mmmmm" every time we give her something to eat other than baby food or her bottle

-She eats bread, pasta, rice, eggs, mashed potatoes, Mac n cheese, some meats, yogurt, and constantly trying new things here and there. 

-Homegirl LOVES her food as you can tell. 

-She walks SO well when she hangs onto someone's hand or sturdy object, but hasn't gained the confidence to REALLY try on her own. 

-She crawls like a spider monkey...literally she's so fast. 

-She loves sucking and biting her feet...whatever floats her boat I guess. 

-She hates getting dressed. She'd rather be naked. 

-But she LOVES brushing her teeth. 

-She loves the shower. Daddy gives her the best showers and she just cuddles him

- We co-sleep with her for right now & she is a cuddled. She HAS to be hugging/touching one of us unless she's just too tired to care

-She dances to alllll music. She has her favorite commercials but she bops up and down and raiser her hands in the air and sings along. 

-She loves her Disney channel but will also watch sports and the boring news with daddy 

-She loves her dogs. I'm trying to teach her "nice puppy" by rubbing their head and backs nicely. But she thinks she's being nice when she pulls their ears and tails, and pokes their eyes. Not to mention she bit Dodgers head. But hey, we're working on it. 

-Shes definitely both momma's and daddy's girl. It depends on her mood of who she wants more. 

-She shakes her head YES finally. She was only saying no for awhile but finally she says yes lol 

She's growing so much literally every single day. She's doing new things all the time. She's such a smiley happy baby which brings so much joy to our lives. We just couldn't be happier. 

Slow down baby girl, you don't have to grow up all at once. Mommy and daddy love you.