Baby #2 Update

Pregnancy #2 Week 15 and 16 Update

Here is what baby Brooks #2 is up to this week

• Baby Brooks #2 is about the size of an orange at 15 weeks and the size of an avocado at 16 weeks
• He/she weights 3-5oz and is 4-5in in length at this time
• He/she can wiggle his/her fingers and toes and is capable of making a few facial expressions
• Can make breathing movements in preparation for life outside the womb
• His/her ears have migrated to the sides of his/her head and his/her eyes are moving to the front of his/her face.

What is going on with me: 

Tired tired tired. I am sure having a toddler to attend to is playing quite the role in this. We were having some struggles with her sleeping, I know surprise surprise, so that was kicking my butt. I have still been dry heaving almost every morning but it is mostly due to me not eating fast enough after I get up. It is so hard for me to eat in the morning and takes me a little bit to actually want to eat and then by that time I have already thrown up. Hopefully it will pass soon. I am almost 16 weeks.

How far along: almost 16 weeks 

Total weight gain: Nothing as of my last appointment 3 weeks ago. I will update after my appointment next week. I am sure there has been some weight gain by now. 

Sleep: Sleep hasn’t been too horrible. Besides getting up 3-4 times to pee and Kinley waking up and ending up in our bed I can’t complain. When I was pregnant with Kinley I had horrible insomnia! It was so awful every night! So in reality this is better. After I had her I started reading before bed and I think that has really helped me relax my mind and help me fall asleep. Fingers crossed the past few nights she seems to be doing better so maybe she is finally adjusting and we are getting back on track. I have always been a side sleeper with somewhat being on my tummy. I am still able to sleep like that though I see me moving towards fully being on my side soon. 

Best Moment of the week: Getting my hair cut. It has been WAY too long since I have gotten it done. It feels so much better. It is such a great feeling to get a hair cut. I really need to go more consistently but I really just don't have the time and schedule other things. 

Miss Anything: Once in a while I miss wine but really with being sick all the time I don't miss it that much. It is a little weird to say but I am actually enjoying being pregnant this time....so far that is. So other than I am not missing anything.

Movement: I haven't felt anything yet but am really hoping I get to feel this little one soon. 

Cravings: Honestly nothing. I am still having a hard time eating anything. Some days are easier than others but for the most part food just sounds awful, but if I don't eat I get really sick. So much fun. 

Gender: I keep going back and forth. It is strange because I was 99% certain with Kinley and I was correct. We should find out soon hopefully and then we will do a fun announcement. 

Symptoms: Have I said I am tired! I am starting to get a bump that might be more than bloat. It happened around this time with Kinley too. My boobs have been sore lately and I think they are growing a little. I don't remember them growing too much in the beginning with Kinley either. I definitely have been sicker this go around. 

Mood: I am pretty happy most of the time. I am definitely more emotional though. There have been many times I could have started crying when songs come on the radio or random sentimental thoughts pop in my head. 

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender and Kinley's birthday in a month. Did you read about her birthday inspirations? You can here. 

Being pregnant with a toddler is a whole new world but I am really enjoying it. She keeps me up and moving and I think that really helps. I really need to add in some exercise but I just haven't been able to find the time. Maybe some day, plus I am soaking up all the snuggles with her. Working full time and still working on our new house has me very busy. Though things are coming along here. 

Mexican Stuffed Shells

I did tell you I would be back with the recipe for the Mexican Stuffed Shells. This is actually a recipe my husband created and has been such a favorite of ours. There are many ways to change it up but it is so good! If you have been reading for while you remember I ate these before going into labor with Kinley.

Mexican Stuffed Shells 

1 lb Ground Turkey seasoned with Taco Seasoning

1 Box of Shells 

1 Can of Rotel

1 Can of Refried Beans

1-2 Cans (4oz) of Diced Chilies

1 1/2 Cans of Enchilada Sauce

4 Cups of Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Brown the ground turkey, drain and season with taco seasoning. Cook the shells al dente and place on the side to cool off. Preheat oven to 350.

Drain the green chilies and drain the rotel.

In a bowl mix together the seasoned ground turkey, 2 cups of cheese, green chilies, refried beans, rotel and about 1/2 a can of enchilada sauce. You don't want it too soupy so depending on how it all mixes together you might need more or less. 

Stuff the shells with the mixture and place in a dish for baking. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Again you might need less than the remaining enchilada sauce so you don't have a soup mix. 

Place in over and bake for 30 minutes. 

Let cool for about 10 minutes before eating. Top with sour cream and enjoy. 

Weekend Highlights

We had a great weekend! I actually was off all weekend and it was amazing to spend a Saturday with the family. I was off on Friday too and Matt took the day off as well but he had to get things done on the townhouse to get ready for our renters next week. I seriously can't tell you how glad I will be when they move in and we can focus on our house. Soon soon!!!

Anyways. Friday I took Kinley to daycare around 930 so I could go and run some errands and get some things done kids free. First stop...Starbucks! I tried the Toasted Graham Latte and it was just ok. I wasn't overly impressed with it, but I am glad I tried it. I had to go to Old Navy to exchange a pair of jeans I bought for Kinley because they were too big. I got a 2T pair but she really is in 18-24m clothes for pants. I managed to find some other cute things for her of course. It never fails. I don't think it is very often that I go into a store and walk out without something for her. I also ran to Walmart to get a few things and grab lunch for Matt and I. I need to be honest! I have eaten out SO much this pregnancy. It is the only thing that sounds good that I can stomach. If you know me we NEVER eat out so this is very interesting for us. Making my weekly meal and grocery list is almost the worst part of my week since I have been pregnant. It is so hard to find anything that sounds good. And even if I do find something after I make it I really don't want to eat it. It is bad! Though I did make chicken enchilidas and homemade spanish rice for dinner Saturday. It was pretty good, though I would add some things to make the chicken more flavorful next time.

I also got to go see my friend's new baby boy, Thomas. He is so cute and has a full head of dark hair. Good thing I am pregnant because it definitely gives me baby fever. It also brought back a lot of memories being in the hospital I delivered Kinley in. We switched hospitals for this baby so it was bittersweet.

Saturday we went to the pumpkin patch and had the best time. We got to ride a hay ride to the pumpkins and go through a field of horses and cows. It was amazing. They came right up to the trailer to eat the hay. And oh my word were those cows big!! I guess I never knew how big cows really were.

We let Kinley go into a bounce house for the first time. I was a little apprehensive with letting her go and was unsure how she would react. Well she LOVED it! She loved bouncy around and even face planting into the net a few times. I love watching her laugh and have such a great time. They also had a huge stack of hay with two slides in it. She loved the slides too but they were really fast and she almost flew off the slide. We walked through the pumpkin patch and picked a few to bring home. They also had a whole other area where there was a petting zoo and pony rides. Kinley rode her first pony and had a blast. We will definitely be visiting Taylor Farms again.

After we got home we all had lunch and I put Kinley down for a nap. She was beat, though she took a really awful nap. I was really bummed. She is still getting over being sick so she hasn't been sleeping the greatest. Matt went to go do some more work on the house and Kinley and I unpacked a few boxes. We bought her a swing set for her birthday but since the weather has been perfect we decided to put it up so she could get some use out of it before it starts getting really cold. Poor girl with her November birthday. We ate dinner our AGAIN, Chinese. I never eat Chinese food. This baby has really got me messed up! I am almost embarrassed as to how much we have eaten out lately. I hope it gets better and I can start to stomach home cooked meals again. 

Sunday we made it to the grocery store and finally hung some pictures around the house. Kinley and I spent a lot of time outside enjoying the cooler weather. I just love her serious face she always gives me every time I try to take her picture.

I also made an amazing lasagna for my friend who just had her baby. People talk about how amazing it is to have people bring you food after you bring the baby home so I thought I can definitely do that! I hope it tastes as yummy as it looks. Blogger fail....I forgot to take a picture of the yummy lasagna but be on the look out for Mexician Stuffed Shells coming to the blog soon. I can't even tell you how amazing these are!

Back to my regular work week this week. It sure was nice to enjoy a Saturday with the family. I can't believe we are more than halfway through October and Kinley will be 2 in a month! We are also going to be finding out this babies gender here soon too. I can't believe how fast time goes. I will be doing an update soon! Promise! Here is my first bump picture at 13 weeks 4 days.

Hope everyone has a good Monday.

The Big Move

We had such a crazy busy weekend moving. It is bittersweet to be sitting in our new house writing this blog post eating chocolate peanut butter ice cream. As much as I wanted to move it was really sad to me.

Matt and I started our relationship in that house. We got our first dog, got engaged, got married, and brought our daughter to that home. While we have definitely out grown our townhouse and our new house is much needed I am definitely feeling a little indifferent about the whole situation. I am sure once we are more settled I will feel better about things.

I am happy to not be going back and forth between two houses anymore. The new house needed a lot more work that we had anticipated so we have spent the last week working on things. Matt painted the entire house with just the bathrooms left. We will wait until we find out the gender of the baby until we fully finish the kids bathroom. We do still need to go back to the old house to clean up and paint. We have renters moving in on the 21st so we still have some time thankfully.

It is no joke moving while pregnant with a toddler. Thankfully I had a lot of help and didn't have to do the actually lifting of things, but putting things away in a new house is just as exhausting. They (Matt and his dad) did a lot of work yesterday while I worked so there wasn't too much to move today but the whole house needed set up. My mother in law took Kinley all day yesterday and half the day today which was a huge help. They both love being with each other so it was a win for all.

After we got everything over we had to run out and get lights. There is only a light/ceiling fan in our room. Who does that?? I really want ceiling fans in all the rooms so that will be on the hunny do list :), though we might have to hire an electrician for that.

We put our TV on the mantel because it is the most practical place for it. We aren't sure what we think yet. Maybe we just aren't use to it since we were use to it being more at eye level. What are your thoughts on a TV on the mantel? Do you get use to looking up? I think we will trial it for a few days and then if we aren't hooked on it being up there we will try it somewhere else.

We still have a lot more to put together but I am very happy with how much we got done today. This weekend I really want to get to the pumpkin patch and decorate a little. I will definitely take more pictures when the house is put together more. But for now I will leave you with a cute picture of how happy our dog is to be able to have access to our bed again. Me not so much! I might be putting a gate at our door so he can't come in at night. He is the worst to sleep with!

This is how we slept last night anyways. I am pretty sure it is going to be a rough couple nights until everyone gets adjusted in the new place. Any tips?

Hope everyone has a good Monday!

Happy 4 Years - A Walk Down Memory Lane

Our anniversary was yesterday and it was pretty uneventful, but that is ok! We are in the middle of a move so things have been pretty crazy. So maybe uneventful isn't the correct word. It was pretty jammed packed but not with all the lovey dovey anniversary mush. We did get to go out to dinner which hasn't happened for a LONG time! That was amazing!

We got married 4 years ago on the amazing beach of the Secret Harbor Resort in St. Thomas. We had the best wedding ever! I highly suggest a destination wedding to anyone! Best decision I ever made. I think about our wedding often and how unforgetable it was and how much I can't wait until we can get back to St. Thomas. It is a pretty easy trip from Virginia Beach so I am hoping it won't be too many more years until we can get back down there.

I wanted to share a brief history about Matt and I in case you are new here and would love to take a walk down memory lane with me :)

Matt and I met online - Yahoo personals to be exact. There were some entertaining conversations because I was a nanny at the time and referred to the kids often so he thought I had kids and wasn't sure he wanted to get involved with that. This was our first date over 6 years ago.

I moved in after 3 months of knowing him. I was in quite a predicament and he offered. I was scared out of my mind because I didn't think we were that serious yet. LOL! Boy was I wrong. I am pretty sure his brother hated me at first for moving in and basically kicking him out. Thankfully we have a great relationship now.

4 months after that we got our adorable puppy (Kodac) after putting Matt's Shiba Inu to sleep due to cancer. Gosh that was a hard night! RIP Riley

We got engaged in February 2011 on a gloomy day at the beach. I just thought we were taking the dog to the beach and when we were about to leave he proposed. It was the sweetest thing ever. I was so shocked! It made my love for the beach that much more.

We knew right away we wanted to do a destination wedding with my family being in Colorado and his family here. We had visited St. Thomas the year before and knew exactly where we were going to get married. Now planning a destination wedding was a little lot stressful for me. I am a planner and want to know how things are going to turn out. It was hard for me to put trust in the wedding planners and know that things were going to be perfect. Long story short it was a perfect day! Things could not have been better. We had 28 people attend. The whole trip is a memory I will never forget!

I always knew I wanted kids, Matt, he took a little convincing; but I think deep down he wanted them he was just scared. We got pregnant in March 2013 and welcomed our little monkey November 27th, 2013. The second best day of my life. She is such a blessing to our family. She is constantly keeping us on our toes. As we enter the terrible 2's, with another one on the way we couldn't be happier to embark on this journey together. You can see the announcement pictures here for Brooksie #2.

The past 4 years have been better than I could have imagined. I can't imagine life with anyone else and I am so thankful to have my best friend by my side. Here are to many more years and many more memories!

Announcement Time

It is true! Kinley is going to be a big sister! We seriously couldn't be more excited!

I had won a photo session a few months back and never saw it until about a month ago thanks to that silly OTHER folder on Facebook. But it was perfect timing and I decided it would be great to do a photo session to announce her/our big news!

Sami Roy Photography did a great job on the pictures and we can't thank her enough for capturing such a special moment for our family of 3. We are going to soak up all these moments while we can.

Today's post is going to be full of pictures...so enjoy!! I will do a pregnancy update a little later. I am going to try to take weekly photos like I did with Kinley but I am not very motivated for all the pictures this time. So we shall see. But I know that I will want to have them some day. Looks like I started with Kinley at 14 weeks so we will start somewhere around there and I will do an update. It has been pretty rough so far but I know well worth it in the end.

So for now enjoy the photo overload :

The announcement: