24 weeks {6 month bump}

I am just going to jump right in! This pregnancy hasn't been easy on me. With Mason I enjoyed my pregnancy to the fullest and felt good. The total opposite is true this time around. I often wonder if it's because I spend my days caring for a toddler (way different then sitting at my desk at work). Or is it because I am carrying so differently and having a girl. I know the only really logical answer is that every pregnancy is different and this time around is unlike my last.

Today marks the 6 month mark; my due date seems so far away. However, with birthday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas I know the time will fly. Today also marks a week out of the hospital. Last Friday, Matt and I were headed to Kohler Wisconsin for a wedding and 45 minutes into the trip I made him turn around and head to the doctor. Turning around was the right call because the pain only got worse and I ended up spending 48 hours in the hospital hooked up with an IV as a result of kidney stones (more painful then giving birth, just trust me on this).  Apparently, kidney stones with pregnancy is common and could continue on and off till I give birth.  Solution, tons and tons of water.  Fingers crossed this will keep hospital and kidney stone free till baby girl makes her appearance.  Even with a drama filled pregnancy it is important me for to state that we are so excited about having a new baby in the house and we feel so blessed and lucky to be having another child.

24 week stats:
- Size of an cantaloupe
- I feel baby kick but mainly when I put my feet up at the end of the day (the doctor says she is moving like crazy)
- I have an anterior placenta (placenta in front baby in back) which might be why her movements are more subtle
-Matt has had the pleasure of feeling the baby a few times
- up until our visit to the hospital I have been going to a Dailey Method Class 1-2 times a week
-Cravings, can't resist anything sweet
- we made our first nursery purchase   (Rugs USA has great sales, if you are in need of a rug)
- we think this will be our paint color of choice, a subtle pink if you will
- My 6th mouth Bump with Mase

{Mommy Love}

Wow, Mason has been sick for FOREVER (or at least that is what it feels like to us).  Thankfully our little man is slowly becoming himself again (giggling, playing, eating & running) what a relief.  His average cold/fever turned into Roseola; a virus that strikes 24 hours after the fever breaks resulting in a rash.  The past week has been spent holding Mason and watching countless hours of Dora and Bubble Guppies.  As a mom it was heartbreaking to watch Mason be so lethargic, all I wanted to do was take away his pain.  We are so thankful the end is near and that you can only get Roseola once (per the doc).

Now for some Mommy Love:
Being a mom is a 24 hour job; personally I think it is the best job I have ever had!  Being a mother comes natural to me and I am so blessed to be able to stay home with Mason everyday.  I'm so lucky and I know that.  As Mason gets older I have started carving out time for myself (something my mom has been encouraging me to do from day one) if it is heading to a workout class, grabbing drinks with friends, making crafty ornaments etc.  This past month I have done a couple of things that have made me so happy, which in turn makes everyone around me happy (happy mommy = happy baby & happy husband).

1) I purchased a monthly unlimited package at The Dailey Method! I absolutely love their classes (try one if you live near one of their studios).  I was able to get the new member package and have been able to take full advantage of it.  I've attended 15 class and still have 4 days left in my unlimited month.  Attending these classes has challenged my body, yet allowed me to clear my mind for 60 minutes.  I already feel stronger and more fit in such a sort period of time!  I'm thankful for Matt for holding down the fort while I sneak out for some "me time."

2) I had a sitter come to watch Mason during the day.  Remember how I said I love being a mom?!?!?! Well, I do and since my "job" is to stay home I didn't/don't feel like paying a babysit to watch Mason during the day is necessary.  However, Matt was out of the country for a full week and will be traveling more for work in the next couple of months.  My mom has been out of pocket (with a broken shoulder) so I  knew I was going to need a "break." Or a couple hours to run some errands.  The few hours the sitter was at home made my week!  I was able to do several different errands (aka get in and out of the car like 5 times without having to deal with the car seat) and get a workout it in.  I had totally forgotten how quickly tasks could get done.  Mase was a rock star with the sitter which only made me more happy.  The sitter was 100% worth it and I will be taking another 3 hour mommy break in the future.

So, my mom was right you need to make time for yourself.  Even with a week long sick Mase these simple time outs have made me a better mom.