20 Weeks & 1 week before Xmas!

We are half way there and I couldn't be happier!  Although it feels as though I'm much farther along in my pregnancy, I swear I find myself waddling around at times already!!!  Not to mention I feel so much bigger than I am.  Maybe it's all of the holiday sweets that I seem to find myself surrounded with all of the time.  Or the jar of peanut butter (CRACK) M&Ms that is within arms reach of the couch.  Had my doctor's appointment this week and the heartbeat is great and nothing really to report other than we have a perfectly healthy baby girl on our hands :)  It wasn't a sonogram appointment so nothing super exciting to report.  Jack was with me of course which always makes things interesting.  Somehow we found ourselves (actually he lead himself) in the office kitchen which the doctor didn't hesitate to offer him a holiday cookie.  He is so fast and is not shy, I turn my back to grab my bag and he's off visiting the ladies in the office.  Thankfully they are all very sweet and know him pretty well since he accompanies me to pretty much all visits. 

This Week's TOP 5:

1. I had a blood test done this past week and was very grateful to hear that everything came back perfectly normal and our baby is perfectly healthy.  
2. I'm feeling her kick WAY more and throughout the day, which I love.  It's still like a little surprise each time it happens, and makes me smile.  Although Johnny hasn't been able to feel it yet, every time he tries she stops moving.  Jack used to do the same thing.
3. Happy to report that twice so far this week I've worn and entire non-maternity outfit!  It always surprises me when I'm able to still pull that off.  We had our holiday staff party the other night and I broke out the belly band and fit into my skinny cords and a top that was a size small but a very big small so I'd never worn it, though I love it, because it was always a little too big....hello new maternity top!!  I also just bought a pair of leggings (size small) that I thought were cute and if they didn't fit now then I know I'll def wear once I'm no longer pregnant.  I got lucky, they fit right now and I love them!!! 
4. I know this is unrelated but I am very relieved and happy to be 99% DONE Christmas shopping......I have to print some pics and get a GC but I'm doing that all online so that shouldn't add too much stress to my life LOL
5. Starting to have baby names on my mind more and more.  fun fun fun!!!

19 Weeks

I've been a little lacking lately with blog posts but ever since Thanksgiving I swear time has really flown by and we've all been really busy in the Kong house!  I started to write my 17 week post 3 times and got distracted each time and then lost everything.  

So though things are still off the walls hectic around here in preparation for Christmas, the business, Santa party, etc.... I'm taking a break to blog between baking cookies while Jack is sleeping.  So let's see a recap of the past couple weeks.....
I stopped feeling the baby move really, and can could count on one hand how many times I had felt her originally a few weeks back.  Maybe I just wasn't noticing it when it happened or something (and it was pretty early still) because I am now feeling her a lot more often.  Just like Jack was she is most active at night.  Which I enjoy because I lay in bed at night and wait for her little kicks and punches as I fall asleep.  Christmas really snuck up on me this year.  I'm convinced it's because Thanksgiving was so late.  I didn't even get Christmas cards out this year.  I thought about it last week when I received our first couple and couldn't even find the time or energy to sit down and get them ordered.  I've been so tired in the evenings lately that I've been pretty much going to bed when Jack does....or shortly afterwards. 

Christmas shopping is never going to end I swear, just when I think I'm well on my way to being done I keep remembering more people that I need to buy for!  I hate dealing with the crowds so have been trying to go out during the week but I think everyone is thinking the same thing as me because somehow EVERYONE is out and about ALL of the time!!!!  I guess that's what happens a week before Christmas in the shopping world. 

So besides all of my gripes, decorating and getting ready for the holiday has actually been really fun, especially with Jack this year.  He is so stinkin adorable it makes me so full of love for that kid.  Everything is still so new and that means its SUPER exciting to him.  Decorating the tree has been a challenge for sure.  The lights were exciting to begin with, and I had to throw away like 5 strands because I'm pretty sure dragging them around the house and making random piles here and there and everywhere took its toll on them LOL.  He was just fascinated....then we strung them on the tree and turned them on!!!!  Boy if that didn't blow his mind!  I think the actual ornaments though were even more exciting, he quickly learned that they come off of the tree as easily as Mommy puts them on!  So up until last week our tree was only decorated with ornaments on the top half.  Then I realized that if I let him stick them in the tree all on his own and got excited about what he did with lots of "good jobs" that he will leave them there for a while.  So a few broken ornaments, a LOT of pine needles, and lots and lots of "NO NO NO's" to Jack, I'd say our house is as decorated as it's going to get this year!  

Baking cookies has been a blast, Jack has decided he LOVES anything with sugar especially cookies and frosting!  He's now tall enough to reach things off of the counter tops which he never could before and helped himself to my baking spatula covered in cookie dough.....needless to say now I push everything back further on the counter so little hands can't reach it!!

  He had his first candy cane which he also loves and boy did I pay for it that day!  He ate the entire thing, it was my fault for giving him an entire candy cane to begin with, but he was exhausted which combined with a sugar high......you get the picture!

Using a giant container of powdered sugar to stand on....clever!

He is also now addicted to chapstick......totally our fault though because we are both constantly on the hunt for chapstick which is stashed all over the house.  Every time he sees us putting it on he puckers his little lips and makes a little sound like "mmmm", so we always dab a little on his lips and he rubs them together and makes the "yummy" sound.  I crack up every single time HA HA HA!

So all in all I'm SUPER excited for Christmas this year, we have a LOT to be thankful for and it's going to be so much fun with Jack being old enough to semi know what's going on.  He knows who Santa is and is not afraid....thankfully!!!  I was really scared about that.  We had a Santa party at our house last week and invited all of our friends with little kids to come and visit with Santa, goodies, food, drinks......good times!  I'd say it was a success, but seemed to be over so quickly since it was on a Wednesday night.  Santa had a tight schedule this year so we had to take him when we could get him.  I had Santa dust for all of the kids.  For those that don't know what Santa dust is, pretty much just glitter in cute little packages that you sprinkle on the snow on Christmas Eve so that Santa knows to stop at your house :)  I grew up receiving Santa dust each year and it was a tradition I'm definitely going to carry on with my kids.  All of the kids received a Santa cup (from Target - they seriously have the cutest stuff!!!) to take home, and a holiday coloring book that one of the moms brought for all of the kids.

  I have to say that we had a lot of babies so next year will be an absolute blast to see how they've grown and interact with Santa. 

Baby # 2 update:
Like I said earlier she is moving around a lot more and I can now say I feel her every day and at random times throughout the day....mostly at night though.  She is 10oz according to my last sonogram a few days ago.  As we were watching her on the screen the doctor started laughing and said "I just saw your baby pee", and she was right you could totally see these little bubbles shooting out and floating around.  It was pretty cute I must say ha ha. 

THIS WEEK'S TOP 5 

1. Thankful to know everything is OK and we have a healthy baby girl to look forward to.
2. Feeling her move and kick much more regular than I was before.  It's like once it starts it just gets more and more consistent.  I'd been waiting for that to happen and thankful that I'm able to feel her a lot sooner than I was Jack.....I didn't feel him until I was 22 weeks pregnant.
3. Feeling thankful for friends and family who have ha little girls and are passing ALL of their stuff to me!!! Not that I won't buy stuff on my own a well, but I have to admit that I am so "boy" orientated now that I am completely overwhelmed when looking at girl stuff!! 
4. Feeling lots of energy and trying not to get stressed out over Christmas being right around the corner.  Starting to think about the nursery but won't really dive in until after the new year most likely :)
5. Honestly I'm just looking forward to my next doctors appointment (this week) and then of course my next sonogram.

 Someone found my address stamp and this was the result!

16 Weeks - #2

16 weeks and counting!  I'm seriously the most impatient person on earth!  According to the internet little baby K is about the size of an avocado right now, and we are about to undergo a really big growth spurt!! 

This weeks Top 5:

1.  I think I may have felt the baby kick! It happened twice in one night and then a few days later I felt a little flutter.  Really can't be sure though since its not consistent at all.

2.  I wore pregnancy jeans for the first time this pregnancy....and I'm going shopping later for some more maternity clothes.  I have some from before but they are mostly for  warmer weather. 

3.  Feeling really good for the most part just tired in afternoon.  

4.  Have been having headaches which are much worse for me while I'm pregnant.  It also has to do with the weather, when it warms up I get one and then when it cools back down I get one.  Tylenol does nothing for them so I just have to suffer.....just another joy of being pregnant!

5.  Enjoying my maternity pillow at night, however with Jack in bed with us we are running out of room!!! Oh also I've received a few little girl outfits from people which was super thoughtful, and I have to say its going to take some getting used to all of the pink!! Johnny has already made me swear I wouldn't put one of those giant headbands on her with the big flowers or bows....LOL

15 weeks w/ baby girl!

Yep!! That's a bump!  Baby K is about 4 inches long (from rump to head), and about 2-2.5oz or so.  Still can't feel any movement but I'm hoping very soon since this time I know what to expect. Officially into my second trimester and I couldn't be happier! I FINALLY am not getting sick every night after dinner, I can eat normal meals.  I actually feel better when I just cook at home as upposed to going out, probably bc going out usually consists of some sort of fast food which is never easy on the stomach.  Only problem with cooking is the massive kitchen clean-up that follows.  I never have the energy so Johnny has been helping big time with that! By the time I make dinner, feed everyone, play with Jack, get him ready for bed and then actually down sleeping....any small amount if energy I had is long gone!

This weeks Top 5:

1. Officially started wearing maternity tanks under everything. They are longer which I love and work well with leggings (which I live in). Pants are all still a little big and I bought the belly band which does work, but There's no getting around it...I hate wearing jeans when pregnant unless they are maternity. They're just not comfortable.  

2.  Finally starting to see more of an increase in energy, though I def need a nap come afternoon if I can sneak one in!

3.  As you know, baby K is a little girl!! I made my first girl purchase the other day..

Seriously how adorable are these?!  Hoping they fit!

4.  I can hear the heartbeat with the at-home monitor my sister-n-law gave me!! Yesterday I was listening to it when I had to get up to let a dog outside, when I came back I found this....

He was moving it around his belly trying to be like Momma!  Could he be any sweeter??!! LOVE him to pieces. 

5.  Really just looking forward to my next doctor visit and sonogram.  

We're having a.....

 

We are happy to announce that we're having a little girl!! I think we were both shocked especially since we found out so early.  Earlier this week at my sonogram I asked the tech if she thought she might be able to take a guess at the gender, and sure enough she could tell and was pretty confident.  Thankfully Johnny was there with me so we were able to find out together.  I was shocked for sure, I really think I thought I was going to end up with all boys. Not that I wouldn't be happy with that but once I learned that I was having a girl it hit me how much I'd hoped for one some day. So I'm considering us very lucky that we are able to experience raising both! 

Now I CAN'T WAIT to start buying all of that adorable pink girly clothing I have only been able to gaze at from across the way in the boys section until now! 

Getting Jack to pose for this pic was like pulling teeth! There was too much happening and he really just wanted to play with the balloons!

Super happy the balloons were still here in the morning

14 Weeks

Terrible selfie, I know!! But this is what I'm working with seeing as Jack hasn't perfected his picture taking skills yet.

As of yesterday I am 14 weeks and BEYOND thankful to be starting the second trimester!! This pregnancy has been so different from my first.  I'm hungry ALL the time, I feel as though all I do is eat (always in the mood for Pho!!). I'm so super tired as soon as afternoon hits....I catch myself constantly checking the clock to see how long I have until Johnny gets home.  Also, for whatever reason, I get sick WAY easier with this one. I get stomach aches nearly every evening......maybe bc I'm eating too much!!!

So I've decided to do a "Top 5" facts for each week, hopefully that way I don't start repeating myself.  

This weeks Top 5:

1. Still not in maternity clothes but I did dig them all out and purchased a belly band today...if it doesn't work it's going back, I've heard mixed reviews 

2.  I did not get "that" sick around dinner time tonight....hoping that part of pregnancy is going away for good!!!

3.  Def can tell I'm getting my energy back, just wish it lasted past the morning and sometimes early afternoon

4.  Even though I'm not quite in maternity clothes yet, it's only a matter of time, I def have a bump- I feel like I just popped out this past week, NO hiding it anymore!

5.  Thinking of ways to reveal baby's gender.....we may have unexpectedly been able to find out BUT that's a whole other post! 😯 

Halloween 2013

Another Halloween come and gone, and my little monster sure did have fun!  It was really fun this year with Jack old enough to run around, help himself to candy, see his little attempts to sneak candy when I wasn't looking.  Amazing how quickly he learned that if you just bite into the package you can taste the candy inside!!  The candy bucket quickly got moved out of reach and I had to check candy for teeth marks before handing out to kids.   

He dressed as Max from "Where the Wild Things Are", and it seriously couldn't have suited him any better.  It was rainy and windy so we just went to two of our neighbors houses across the street, then just passed out candy the rest of the night at home.  At one of the houses our neighbor handed Jack a piece of candy and he took it and put it in the kid's bag that was waiting behind him....such the little helper LOL....so cute!!  Due to the weather we didn't get as many kids as expected so needless to say I'm left with a ton of left over candy again.....seriously by the end of the night I was just giving handfuls away to kids. 

We were lucky this year and had three opportunities to get some use out of our costume.  We first passed out candy at the restaurant for "Trick Or Treat on Main", an annual event that is supposed to help bring new/existing people into your business.  Jack always comes with and hangs out in his costume.  Then after Halloween we had a play date that was actually a Halloween party, so all of the kids ran around the house (not my house) dressed in their little costumes.  After that though the costume was pretty filthy including being covered in red Jello Jiggler stains......was def time to throw in the laundry and put away....OR use for play!

I'm already thinking of next year and how it's going to be SO much fun dressing TWO little ones in super cute costumes.  There are so many possibilities.....monkey & banana, mouse & cheese, Max & the Wild Thing!!!  Anyway, I've got some time :)

Here he is with my girlfriend's baby Mila, having a costume photoshoot....

SURPRISE - Little Baby Kong #2 is on the way!

We've been keeping a secret in the Kong house and it's a BIG one......little baby Kong ROUND 2 is happening!  

I'm 13 weeks as of a few days ago (almost 14 because it takes me forever these days to do any blogging) and we couldn't be happier!!  So far morning sickness has been pretty much like my first pregnancy however this time around its lasting a bit longer.  I still get sick in the evenings usually.  It just seems no matter what I eat for dinner I don't feel very well afterwards and usually until I wake up in the morning.  Mornings are great however, I have a ton more energy in the a.m. so that's when I try to be productive and get stuff done.  It wasn't always like this though, when I first found out I was pregnant I was getting sick in the morning as well but that has since subsided (thank GOD).  Overall I think I've had it pretty easy compared to other stories I've heard from other prego friends.  I'm just SO MUCH MORE tired this time around.  I know it's because I'm chasing after a 1 year old all day long this time, but seriously....momma needs some energy!!  Sooooo when Jack takes a nap so do I otherwise I'm done for the rest of the day! 

So I guess it's inevitable chalkboards are back!!  And I can't think of a better reason!! 

This is how we decided to break the news to my parents.... We had them over for dinner, had Jack dressed in this adorable t-shirt with a "message" and we took bets on how long it would take them to figure it out. I thought my mom would see the shirt and get it immediately! So needless to say the whole thing really just blew up in my face b/c neither parent noticed a thing, and after dinner I finally had to point it out!!! So lesson learned?...NO more t-shirt reaveals haha!
More  updates to come :)

First cold ever!! Summer 2013 wrap-up

I guess I should be thankful that my little guy is 13 months old and just woke up with his first cold this morning.  We've definitely been super lucky in the sick department. He's cranky, has a runny nose, a cough, and I can hear it in his chest when he breathes....poor little guy 

:(

So needless to say we are spending the day curled up under the blankets and napping as much as possible!  

I've kinda been slacking on the blog this summer, still trying to figure out where the time has gone.....here are some pics from our summer of 2013!

Hiding in the pantry!

Up to no good!

Smelling the fake flowers

Wearing mom's sunglasses around Wegmans

Now likes to stand on top of toys rather than sit!......scary!!

 

Riding the merry-go-round at Olcott

As summer is now officially over as far as I'm concerned I'm actually super excited for the Fall and all that it brings.  I'm thinking pleasant thoughts of hit apple cider, pumpkin cookies at Scripts, Fall decorating, and if course.....a Halloween costume for Jack!!! I'm ready for Fall weather to! NOT snow by any means just yet but id def welcome cooler more mild temps.  I'm itching to break out my leggings and boots, comfy sweaters, and snugly nights with my boys.  

So as far as a Jack update goes, he's got a mouth full if teeth, is running all over the place, has a crazy obsession with my little broom and dustpan AND the electric toothbrush, likes to smell the flowers wether they are real or fake, and pretty much only says "uh-oh" and "hot".  He's now taking a liking to reading books which I'm thrilled about until I've read the farm animal book for the 12th time before 9:30am! I keep all of his hard books that he won't ruin the pages (unless he chews on them) at his level so he can reach them anytime.  All other books are up a little higher for now, I just don't want him ruining all of his million books....kids got quite the collection!

We've been to the beach quite a bit this summer and each time we went Jack got more and more daring with the water.  Now as soon as his feet touch the sand he bolts right for the water, or the nearest  seagull LOL.

 Cousin Serena playing in the sand with Jack

Our first ride on a sail boat!  Right after this pic he decided that he hated the life jacket and wanted off the boat, it was really hot and probably not the best idea BUT we tried!