BabyP3 Update: 15 Weeks

Clearly I have no been as good with my baby updates this time around as I was with either of the boys, but I've got 2 busy little boys to entertain all day. I'm sure little brother or sister will understand!

How far along: 15 weeks...second trimester...yay!!
Gender: Jury is out until the beginning of September
Baby's heartbeat: we haven't heard it yet. Can't wait to hear that sweet sound
Weight gain: 5lbs at most. All food is disgusting to me currently.
Maternity clothes: I am wearing both maternity and non maternity shorts and non maternity shirts
Stretch marks: No new ones yet but it's early days
Belly button in or out: In
Sleep: Thanks to my pregnancy pillow I'm sleeping well
Best moment this week: feeling the little movements of babyp3
Miss anything: enjoying food. I eat because I have to.

Movement: feeling little flutters every other day or so

Cravings: zucchini bread

Queasy or sick: Nauseous ALL the time!!

Looking forward to: Our appointment on Monday and hearing the heartbeat for the first time

Baby P 3: 9 Weeks

We are so beyond thankful that our family is growing and that we get to welcome our third child in the new year.

While we got pregnant without any hiccups with Chase and Asher, that was not the case this time around. After we started to try for this baby nearly a year ago, I realized I wasn't ovulating as I should be so off to the doctors we went. I did 3 cycles of clomid through my regular OBGYN and no result. Both James and I felt defeated. Yes we had 2 healthy and beautiful boys and we know that is more than some people have and we thank God for them every day, but we couldn't help but feel a piece of our family was still missing.
We got transferred to a fertility clinic. Yes a fertility clinic, after having two kids naturally, seemed bizarre to us. The staff at Mainline Fertility are absolutely amazing. They have been nothing short of compassionate, kind and supportive. I went through a battery of tests and procedures to find out what was going on. They were not pleasant and I questioned if it was worth it. Maybe we should just stop and be satisfied with the children we have? Yet we continued on, and prayed and prayed. Then one Saturday evening in April I took a test on a whim and got a positive! Neither of us could believe it. We were overjoyed and starting envisioning this third little baby. A few days later, I had blood drawn to confirm the pregnancy and in 2 seconds our daydreams of this third baby were gone. I had experienced a chemical pregnancy. Both James and I were shocked and disappointed to say the least. How could this have happened? We let ourselves be upset for a day or two and then picked ourselves up and moved onward. Back in college two wonderful people told me a verse that I have since clung to Romans 5: 3-4.
We had one more round of clomid to do and then we had to choose another method. Before we started this process we had already discussed IUI and IVF and we had both agreed that wasn't a road we wanted to go down. The fourth round of clomid, I went into with zero expectations and told the doctor that James and I would discuss the other medicines that were offered and we would be in touch. Thank goodness we didn't give up as our prayers were answered on that 4th round of clomid! BabyP3 had arrived.

Getting to see our child's heartbeat today, and see it's spine and arms and legs is nothing short of amazing and nothing we take for granted. We love this little one so much already its indescribable. The boys too. Chase has been asking for a baby and I'm so thankful we get to give him another sibling, Asher too. Chase asks everyday if the baby is growing and gets so excited when I tell him I'm going to the doctor and will be home with a photo of his brother or sister. If it's up to Chase it is his brother. A girl would be helpful though as it will be battle royale over names if its a boy ;) Time will tell.

A lot of people have already asked if we are 'trying for our daughter'. While both James and I would love to experience having a daughter, we would be equally as happy with another boy. We didn't want a third to try for a specific gender, we just felt 3 children rounded out our family.

So far the pregnancy has been just like the other two in that I have bad morning sickness again but with the help of meds is manageable. Either way I will take it, as it is a reminder of the life developing in there. This past week has been a bit rough as I got hit hard with a stomach bug and upper respiratory bug. I've never had to call in reinforcements for the boys before but it was needed this past week. Mama didn't/couldn't get out of bed for 3 days. It takes a village sometimes with kids and we are thankful for ours. Mom Mom and Pop Berry came to the rescue and took over boys and house duty and did an amazing job.

Today was my last appointment with the fertility specialist and I will now be seeing my OB again. Some may wonder why I would share something so personal. For one my blog is a place I journal important things. Even though this journey has ben hard it is something I don't want to forget as it strengthened our faith and our love for this baby. Second, somebody else may be experiencing something similar and if I can give them some hope, then why not.

It seems such a ways until we get to meet he or she in January but I know with a fun filled summer and a fall full of birthdays and holidays that day will soon be here. In the meantime I am soaking up every little bit of being pregnant.

Asher James: Eighteen Months

 

 

Stats: Oh my little tank is, still, well a tank lol. It is amazing how close in size he is to Chase. At his 18 month check up he weighed 26lbs 12oz (61%) and 34 inches tall (91%). He is in size 2t clothing put will probably switch to 3t before his 2nd birthday.

Sleep: Still doing well with his sleep, usually averages 12 to 13 hours at night and a 2 hour nap during the day if we are home. If we are out and about for the day he will snooze in the car when he can. I still have to rock him to sleep for his nap but not for bedtime. He has adjusted to Chase being in his room really well.

Social: I still haven't put Asher in any class setting or found a storytime that works with our schedule but he really come out of his shell and loves being around other kids. He loves when Chase's friends come over to play and joins right in along side of them. He and his little friend Isabelle having realized they can play together so it's cute seeing that friendship develop, though he adores her big sister Madison. He still has a hard time being dropped off in childwatch at the Y or Sunday School at church but we rarely get called to come get him before we are done with our workout or service. Once he turns 2 I do plan on signing him up for swimming and would love to find somewhere that does a sports class for his age as he is all about basketball, baseball, and soccer.

Diet: He has a love/hate relationship with food. One day he will eat anything I put in front of him and the next day will barely have a bite of anything. It used to stress me out but I've come to realize this is just the way he is and hopefully he grows out of it. On the days he wants to eat there really isn't much he won't eat.

Skills/Milestones: Asher runs, and runs and runs. He is trying ever so hard to jump and loves to dance with his brother. He can throw ball clear across the room and catch equally as well. He is climbing on or over anything. He will sit for a while building legos, taking them apart and then building them again. He is also quite handy with puzzles. My boys love to talk. Asher's speech is def above average. If you ask him to say something he will normally repeat it, some of his latest words as pessss (please), I-pop (ice pop), mik (milk), cup, soccer ball, basketball, Chase, Pop B, Mom-Mom. 

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Chase, trains, throwing and kicking a ball, dance parties, legos, animals

 

Our Asher is such a little monkey, and he knows it. He also knows all he has to do is flash his cute smile and get away with whatever he just did. He is full of energy, loves to be loud and gives the best hugs and kisses. He is a true boy in that he loves to be outside, picking up sticks, kicking a ball around and getting dirty. This little squishy handful makes me want to have a bunch more babies (until I realize how exhausting that would be).

Chase Patrick: 3.5 years



Stats: I don't have any official stats as he doesn't get a checkup until his 4th birthday but if I had to guess I'd say he's around 40 inches tall and just under 30lbs. He is a rake!

Sleep: Chase has always been an amazing sleeper, until the new year hit. All of a sudden he was in our room every night, and me being half asleep let him climb into our bed and there he would sleep. Even though I knew I had to break the habit, I did enjoy the snuggles. After about a month of this going on we decided to move him into Asher's room. We thought maybe he didn't want to be alone, and that seems to have been the case. They have been sharing a room for just over a month now and with the exception of a couple of nights he hasn't come into our room until morning.

Social: Chase has really flourished in this area since he turned 3. He thoroughly enjoys pre-school; he loves his teacher Miss Donna and has made friends there also. He goes into Sunday School at church with no issues and have been involved in a sports class and swimming class. Though he is still a little reserved you can really start to see his confidence in himself building.

Diet: nothing new to report here, still loves food and all food! Never stops eating, ever. In fact he loves going to Costco just for the samples lol.

Skills/Milestones: He is finally jumping on his own, he's our cautious kid for sure, but he is so proud that he has finally mastered it. We have started up with swim class again and while it is his last parent/child class he has been swimming around the pool with out me by his side. He also learned how to get into the pool on his own. I can't wait for this summer when we live at the pool .
He know the alphabet and has started to learn how to write. He can count to 13 and hold up the appropriate amount of fingers. He has also started to show some interest in addition and subtraction.
He has been fully potty trained since October time. He can dress and undress himself as well as put on his own shoes, sometimes they do end up on the wrong feet though.

Favorites: Mummy, Daddy, Asher, grandparents, Lightening McQueen, Thomas, trains in general, airplanes, playing with playdoh, running around, dance parties, singing, building things with Legos.

 

I'm not going to lie some days are so tough with a three and a half year old. The tantrums and attitude can get ugly but overall we have a wonderful, kind, funny and loving boy that has a heart to serve others. He is curious about everything around him and asks a million questions everyday; it is clear he loves to learn and want's to know how everything works. He loves his little brother and is the first person to calm down Asher if he is upset, or wants to make him feel better if he is sick. I am so unbelievably proud of this little boy that is ours. Most of the time I forget that he is only 3.5 years old as he does act older than that 90% of the time.

 

 

What a Hoppy Easter

Hands down my favorite Easter yet. I'm sure I said that last year but with each year that passes each holiday gets better and better.

We started the day with the boys opening their Easter baskets; they were so excited to come downstairs and see what the Easter bunny had left for them. We quickly got ready and headed to church. I love our church on any given Sunday but the always go a level bigger and better on the holidays. The praise and worship is amazing and I can't say enough good things about the Pastor, and Chase came bounding out of Sunday school to show us his Jesus popping up out of the tomb, that he had made.

A few weeks before Easter, I declared I am not cooking this holiday. Thanksgiving and Christmas, I'm all for it, but Easter, it's just too hectic with going to church in the morning and I want one holiday where I can just sit back and enjoy. Instead of eating at home we went to a brunch buffet at one of our favorite restaurants and I'm so glad we made that decision. The food was delicious, there was no food prep or cleanup afterwards and I got to enjoy all the company around me. I'm saying it here, we are going out for ever Easter here on out!!!

After brunch we headed to my parents house for birthday cake for Bill and an egg hunt for the boys. We could do an egg hunt for the boys every day and I don't think it would loose it's appeal at all. Chase is a master hunter now. He has asked a lot of questions about the Easter bunny this year; "what color is the bunny?' "Is he a small bunny?" "How did the Easter bunny get in the house?" (We decided Cisco let him in) "How did the Easter bunny climb up into the tree to leave an egg there?" He is an inquisitive one. Instead of collecting a lot of eggs, Asher prefers to find one egg, open it and eat the contents immediately. I can't say I blame him, chocolate carrots are hard to resist.

Mom Mom and Pop Berry got the boys kites for Easter and my parents backyard is perfect for kit flying. Even when there is not a lick of wind around you can guarantee there is a gale at their house. Both boys loved watching the kites flying around and Chase even flew his for a while.



                                    

 

 

By the end of the day the boys has come down from their sugar high (it wasn't pretty) and were completely exhausted from all the fun they had.

Egg Hunting 2016

I'm so glad we have such a wonderful group of friends to share fun events with. With Easter being next week, it was time for our annual Easter egg hunt!

This year it was an all boy event (not including Lila as she was on the sidelines this year) and all 10 of them had so much fun. While the Dad's were out hiding the eggs they were all at the door banging to go out. I love planning events like that as seeing their excitement is the best. Asher got to participate in his first egg hunt with the help of Daddy. He was very pleased to find there was chocolate inside the eggs he had found.

Once the hunt was over we spent the rest of the day sipping on mimosas and beer, watching the boys run around like maniacs but play ever so nicely together, snack on some yummy food and enjoy the company around us.

I think everyone was a tad sad to break the fun up....but it will be summer soon and that means lots of bbqs with these friends of ours.

A Whole Lot of Love (Valentines Recap)

Hands down my favorite Valentines Day to date. James and I got to sneak away for a little day date, wine was plentiful and we got to the end the day as a family.

While some day Valentine's Day is a hallmark holiday I think it's still fun to take the time out to show those we love how special they are and mean to us. And we have kids so that's reason right there to celebrate.

We kicked off the day with donuts and spending the morning lounging in our pjs. With how busy our schedule is it's always nice when we start the day slowly and enjoying each others company. At lunch time James and I took a few hours to take part in the Berks County wine and chocolate trail. Whenever we go out its usually to a dinner and a movie so it was nice to get out and do something we don't usually do. We got to try 4 out of the 10 participating wineries. We would have made it to a few more but Long Trout sucked us in and we sampled a few, or many of their wines. All of their wine was so good and we loved the atmosphere, we will certainly be going back there. Besides getting to drink wine, the best part of the day was getting to just hangout the two of us. Don't get me wrong I love our little boys something fierce but it's a tad difficult to have one conversation without being interrupted these days. We took our time at each winery, not having to worry about snacks and potty breaks. It was delightful. I am planning more day dates for our future. We also came back with bottles of wine so that's always a win.

 

 The boys were so happy to see us when we got home (they do adore their babysitter Ally) and I do have to say I missed them, especially with Asher being sick, I was happy to be home snuggling with him. I made fondue for all of us to have for dinner. Nothing fancy, (cheddar cheese, cider, garlic and wocestershire sauce)  with apples, carrots, tomatoes and bread for dipping, but sooo delicious. It seems to be our tradition for Valentines Day and I am ok with that.

There really is so much love in our house. I love my husband even more than they day I married him and I know I will love him even more down the road. We aren't an overly romantic couple but he works hard for us, takes out the trash (a chore I hate), encourages a day drink if it's been a stressful day and surprises me with Cadbury crème eggs. For all those little every day but mean the most moments, I love him. I love my two boys more than I could ever explain. Until you've had kids you just can't grasp this kind of love. They are my world. I am so thankful that I was chose to be their Mum and beyond blessed that I get to be in their company everyday. Watching the love between the two of them is my absolute favorite thing ever. Asher looks up to Chase for everything and Chase wants to take care of Asher all day long. It's a beautiful thing.