16 weeks!

For Dan and I, this pregnancy feels like it’s flying by.  I just keep thinking, thanksgiving I’ll be nearly 17 weeks, we’ll be finding out the sex in a few more and by the time Christmas is over we are left with 4 short months until the babe is here.  It is pure excitement – the boys are getting more and more into it as the days go on and the arrival of this baby is much-anticipated.

Dan snapped some super last-minute pictures when I remembered what today’s post was to be.  No shower, hair 3 days old, kids in random pj’s … one hot mess but just an honest look at what our nights look like!

I thought it would be so fun at this point to answer the same questions over a period of time at certain weeks when I post, just to remember what’s going on.  So, here we go!

cravings: this is a tough one.  Not because I am not craving anything, but really there is a lot that sounds good.  I know what they say, craving sweets you’re having a girl, salty it’s a boy.  Oh whatever.  I am all over the freaking board – but the things I cannot get enough of.  TUNA – girl, limiting myself to one tuna sandwich a week with pickles is a real struggle but when I have it my pregnancy taste buds are in heaven.  EGG SALAD – as of late, I eat an egg salad sandwich every single week day.  And SOUR candies – which is hysterical b/c I am a chocolate girl all the way.  But I have dived face first into the kids candy for sour patch kids, sour gummy worms, skittles… I never want real desert, just a candy kick.

weight gain: such an awkward and stupid question, but I’ll go right along with the game.  4 weeks ago it was zero pounds, I had the stomach flu to thank for that one.  My appointment is tomorrow and I am hoping I catch up.  With the boys by 16 weeks I was up 10 or so pounds.  So, we shall see.  The weight will come, and that’s okay with me.  These hips won’t lie.

comments: I’ve heard a lot of “wow momma, look at that belly!” obviously because I am showing a ton already.  And ” are you finding out the sex??” It’s fun to know we’re not the only ones itching to know what the baby is 🙂

fears: oh well isn’t this question a debbie downer.  The obvious.  Wanting the baby to be healthy, not just as a baby but as a kid, adult etc.  The normal mommy worry about wanting the best for our little ones.  It’s exhausting right?

mood: goofy, tired, sentimental, happy, sappy.  I have to admit this past month, especially with every brody is going through has taken a toll on us all.  But, we’re staying positive.  Keeping the fun alive, trying to keep our patience strong and just focusing all of our energy on keeping the boys healthy and happy.  So, I guess I feel proud more than anything that I’ve kept my cool + feel very grounded through all of this chaos on top of being pregnant.

sleep: tossing and turning all night.  Not because I am uncomfortable, I know the day will come.  But the kids have been sick and in and out of our bed.  Or I’m up helping them in the bathrooms.  I catch myself a ton laying on my back (which they say is bad) so I am constantly waking up and adjusting my position.

surprising me: two things.  these early flutters I feel, which is so heartwarming and exciting and reassuring all wrapped into one.  i adore it.   I know my boys are sweet, but my gosh they talk to the baby, kiss my belly and check my “app” on my phone that tracks the baby’s growth all day long.  I knew they’d be excited, but now that they’re older – it’s super sweet to see just how “big” of brothers they will have a role in being.

looking forward to: baby kicks! the nausea stopping.  finding out if it’s a boy or girl!

what’s grossing me out: random things.  if I assume a food isn’t cooked properly, or if someone else made it I suddenly will not want it if I second guess the ingredients.

random thoughts: things I do not want to forget.  brody waking up (because of my pregnancy app) and saying to my belly “good morning baby orange!” and then “the baby is 16 weeks mom!”  dan is on a roll wanting to tackle so many house projects before the baby is, and he is SO into the holidays.  it is SO nice to have a hubs that feels just as nostalgic as I do about this pregnancy.

This big brother is just over the moon about the baby.   And I know I look awful, please don’t remind me. To be totally honest I am shocked I don’t look worse.  We’ve been thrown through the ringer this past month and still feeling sick on top of it.  Someday during this pregnancy I’ll feel more together … right?

Owen loves patting my belly, and talking away about if he’ll get his “wittle sister cherry”

Celebrating the good, helping to heal the bad, we Thome’s are just trucking along, taking it all day by day and just so grateful the love and excitement this little one has already brought into our world.

This is NOT a sponsored post.  I just love to share with you guys the things I am using, or have stumbled upon and have had an amazing experience with.  This service is one to talk about! I made a promise to myself MONTHS ago that I would do a better job budgeting.  Between groceries, toiletries, extras, family gatherings … the money was just going going going.  My main squeeze works to hard to not have me giving our budget a bit more effort so I decided to really strap on the money belt and figure it all out.

Top three things I was doing wrong.

1.  Going to the stores multiple, I mean multiple times a week.  It never fails you guys. I forget something.  I go shopping with the kids, no need to explain there.  Or things come up and I am left scrambling to put together dinner and sides for a group.

2. Not gathering a collective list.  When I would run out of something, I would run out and grab it.  There was zero planning involved – ever.

3.  NOT buying in bulk.  I know what you’re thinking, sometimes buying in bulk seems like a waste – but we go through snacks and toiletries like they’re going out of style.  Our cupboard is filled and emptied weekly and it is exhausting and expensive to keep up with it.

Have you ever sat down and REALLY calculated what you spend at the stores each month? It will leave you nauseas.  The other month I dropped $1,200 at Target alone.  And zero of that was home decor or clothes or anything really worth while.  Purely snacks, toiletries, odds and ends.  Not to forget about groceries on top of that cost… so probably an upward of $2,200 monthly.  Eek.

I had to start breaking it down.  Taking the time to figure out what we use and how often we need it.   This required a lot of brain power that I have to admit, at 15 weeks pregnant my brain is pretty zapped of energy!

This is what I broke it down too.  Let me start to explain a few things first, I cook a lot.  From scratch and run through products fairly quickly.  Brody now being a big first grader is allowed 2 snacks a day on top of his lunch so buying those “12” packs of snacks for $6 were ripped through in 5 days between the boys.

I turned to BOXED to help me get through most of the snacks, juice boxes, cleaning supplies and random bits to put my multiple shopping trips to an end and keep our pockets full.

A genius bulk supply website, that offers an amazing variety from cleaners, food, beauty to baby.  Shipping is free when your order is $50 and it arrives so swiftly (1-3 days) your head will spin! This site requires ZERO membership fee so it just can’t be beat.  And while I understand that it does not include fresh produce, I love the fact that buying GROCERIES is all I need to focus on now with a few side pieces they do not carry.

I ordered a stock pile of snacks to last us the next few months, along with juiceboxes + a bulk size bag of ground coffee.  I was squealing as I opened up the boxes of goodies with the kids,they were just as excited as I was and I was thrilled to know I did not have to go to Target (as much as I love you.) to keep grabbing stuff all winter long (I despise driving in snow)

These are all of the goodies I grabbed, and I cannot tell you enough how relieved I am that I have a stocked pantry full of all of the munchies the boys like to go for.

All of these snacks and treats for $163  This is where I was OH SO pleased.  $163, delivered to my house for free within 3 days and on top of that, there is no way I could run to target and buy the non bulk items in multiples to even come close to that low price!

They are doing some pretty amazing coupon codes right now too, spend $150 get $25 off and a few more!

If you use our referral code you get an additional $10

USE OUR CODE :: G5UNH 

Let me know how you guys like it! I’m currently building my cart full of cleaning supplies and beauty stuff for the next order.  Goodbye having to go to 15 stores to pick up what I need …

HELLO, boxed! 

Mario + Luigi would like to start this blog post off by apologizing for the crickets around here.  Owen, Dad, and Mom all got swept with the stomach flu on different days and we’ve spent much of the past two weeks in bed and last week recovering and sanitizing our house head to toe.  Now we are feeling 100% better and flu free and ready to share with you our bump update!

Goodbye first trimester, hello second! I have to say, making it through 3-13 weeks was quite a doozy with this baby.  My morning/all day sickness is still riding high, but has taken a notch off the nausea for me these past few days.  That first trimester was so insane, I felt like I was on a fishing boat the entire day, finding bits of relief at night where I could finally attempt to enjoy a meal.

We had our 12 ultrasound last week, and it never gets old you guys! Although it’s been nearly 5 years since my last pregnancy – the excitement and relief of seeing a healthy baby on the screen rushed back all of those amazing feelings of pride and joy.   The little one is right on track, leaving mommy feeling boat sick all darn day still and a bump that can no longer be hidden 🙂

Some can’t believe how much I am showing at just 13 weeks, I am not surprised at all.  My doctor said I was measuring right on time, and in fact, wanted me to work on gaining a few pounds since I haven’t gained one and infact lost a few from the flu (thanks a lot.)  Some women feel bashful about their weight/baby bump – embarrassed about the size or how quickly they are showing.  I could not care less … not a bit! Were growing a baby here ladies, give yourself some credit! Whether you boast how you gained only 20lb, or feel timid because you stopped counting at 50 – who the hell cares.  Be proud of what you are doing, take care of yourself, don’t go take “eating for two” too seriously and you will be just fine.

I gained over 40 lbs with each of the boys, Brody was 8.6lbs at birth, and Owen who was induced a week early was 7.7lbs.  So, I know for my barely 5 foot 1 frame I carry big babies.  I know my body will do what it needs to do, stretch marks included (oh thanks ) and it is so worth it all in the end when your holding that sweet babe.  I wish women weren’t so judgey with this crap — the game of comparison if you will.  Enjoy your pregnancy, while at times it may seem like it is creeping by at snails paste, it is a sheer phenomenon what your bod is doing!

Here are a few shots of the 12 week ultrasound.  This little one was squirming and turning all around – both boys were super active so I am super excited to be feeling those kicks and jabs in a few months.   It was amazing to see the tiny legs and feet already (ah!) – it left Dan and I feeling very grateful to be given another shot at having another baby.

I made Dan take a picture of me in the morning, because by night this belly of mine looks a bit bigger and I didn’t want to startle any of you   HA.

We are finding out the sex this time around – we’ve given away nearly 100% of all of our baby gear and clothes to friends and family over the year.  But, we are super excited to stroll out and buy a fresh set of necessities.

Brody’s guess? BOY – he wants a boy named Billy.

Owen’s guess? GIRL – he wants a girl named Cherry.

Dan and I could care less if it is a boy or a girl, sure, I have my gut feeling as to what this little babe may be.  But, at the end of the day, a healthy happy baby is all we pray for.  Another little man in our house would be a wild fun ride, and if it’s a girl, we’ll have a new experience learning the ropes to a little lady.

We will be sure to keep you guys updated on the ever-growing bump and the gender reveal we are holding out until Christmas time!

What’s your guess on baby #3 ?!  BOY or GIRL  ….. Leave it in the comments below

I wrote this little diddy nearly 6 weeks ago, just wanting to start jotting down thoughts about this pregnancy.  The pictures are oldies, but goodies. 

At this point the secret it out to you all – BUT I just had to start writing down my feelings and what I am going through this pregnancy, because seriously, it is a whirl wind of emotions that I never want to forget.

Fellow mama’s have heard it before, “Oh, you’ll forget about the pain the second that baby is born” “Everything melts away” And it is true, well, 50% true.  But I find myself trying to pin point certain milestones in the boys pregnancies and my memory tank is on low … like, complete low.  Which bums me out that I did not journal their pregnancies, nor take any belly shots.  So this sweet amazing gift will be documented the whole way through and I sure hope that doesn’t bore you a bit.

It will be my memory catalog for years to come 🙂

I sit here, 6 weeks pregnant counting my lucky stars that we will hopefully make it past the point of miscarriage like we did our last pregnancy.  I am just simply aching for that first ultrasound, to see a healthy baby, a superb heart beat and be given that boost of confidence that I need oh so badly right now.  Our family has no idea … which is SO difficult.  It is almost stressful not saying anything just yet, simply because I wear my heart on my sleeve and tell everyone, everything.

Let’s take you back to the start of this all ….

We’ve talked a TON since the miscarriage about trying again.  For a while the timing just wasn’t right.  We had other things to tend to (sick kids, moving, adjusting etc).  Suddenly, this summer it was just like the last missing puzzle piece.  Every last drop of the “talking” just fit — it was no longer a question of “should we?” it was more of the question, “when can we start!?” We had a few things to check off of our list before we were to jump on baby making train, and we were so excited and terrified to start this journey all over again.

For those who have miscarried know all to well.  The second that test turns positive, the joy, the happy tears just rush through you and your spouse.  You know the due date, you schedule your first appointment, you talk about everything you need and names that you like.  It’s a total high.  When you miscarry, lord, you realize how quickly something can just be stripped from you.  With or without warning, it is just an awful experience.  You have to let go of it all — the plans, the hopes … it just all dissipates.

I knew we were risking miscarrying again when we started trying, but I just simply had to remain optimistic.  Barely a few weeks after trying I knew all to well that something was going on.  My period was not due for an entire week, but I was SO nauseas I could hardly stand it.  I began to worry that perhaps it had something to do with my bowel obstruction (1 month earlier) but the way I was feeling, the extreme sickness and the high + low rollercoaster of emotions I was feeling …

I just had to know.

I ran to the drug store at 3:00 in the afternoon, knowing all to well you are supposed to test in the morning, your first pee.  On top of that WAIT till a missed period, at least. I felt SO foolish for wanting to pee on a stick — but I knew I needed to get it out-of-the-way because if it was not pregnancy, I needed to get to the doctors stat because my nausea was out of this world.  (Never had it like this with the boys, if it all)

I came home, dan was working on school work and the boys were playing nicely in their rooms.  I peed.  I waited not even a minute to look onto the window sill where it was sitting and see the strongest, darkest positive sign I have ever laid my eyes on! I was shaking, I wanted to scream, I would have peed myself from excitement if I hadn’t just gone 🙂

I walked into the room where Dan was and said “These stupid tests, ya know.  I feel these strong symptoms, get my hopes up and it’s still negative” Dan quickly replied, knowing it was all to early and I always get too anxious “Seriously babe, why do you even waste the money”  I ran so quickly over to his desk and slapped it done in front of him exclaiming “BECAUSE WE ARE! WERE HAVING A BABY!!!”

He looked SO stunned, so shocked, so happy all in one adorable expression.  We hugged, we kissed and did not shut up for the next hour or so talking about it all.  I could not believe I tested positive at 3 weeks – in the middle of the afternoon at that.  The boys both took 5-6 weeks to turn positive.  I was in a state of shock.  I cried, we laughed, I just wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

That after all of this time, pushing it off, all of the sadness we went through before, it was just completely meant to be.  We prayed SO hard to be blessed with another baby, and still as I type this cannot believe we have been.

Family of five watch out 🙂

Over the past 3 weeks it has definitely been a struggle … obviously, keeping my mouth shut during family parties and to friends and family is SO difficult.  But, my “morning” sickness hits me right as I open my eyes and lasts to the wee hours of the night.  Leaving me feeling like I am going to puke at any second of the day.  My boobs hurt like none other, and already growing (which Dan is thrilled).  It has been so intense these past 3 weeks already, which makes it even more real.  I’ve had bad cramping on and off, pelvic and back which just terrified me.  I was convinced some days I was just waiting to miscarry.

My OBGYN had me come in and do blood work and a urine sample to test for a UTI just incase.  Urine was fine, and my HCG in my blood work was high for 5 weeks along.  She asked if I was sure I wasn’t further along, and I was positive.  A girl does not forget the date of her last period when she happened to be wearing white pants that day.  So she did not say anything further …but I’ve looked up a few things.  High hcg can simply mean a healthy pregnancy (love it) or testing early like I did, in the afternoon, along with high hcg can mean multiples ( oh boy), or a little lady.  Honestly, we just pray for a healthy baby.  We would be stoked to add another little gentleman to our bunch just as much as a new little miss.

Either way, by the time I post it I will know what it means.

(EDIT : one baby 🙂 just rockin’ my world with morning/all day sickness)

All we ask and pray for is a healthy addition to our family … You guys, really, I feel so nostalgic just thinking about it 🙂

Just look at this big ol’ belly just a day before being induced with Owen … and Brody’s baby face …