25 weeks!

This week we are 25 weeks... 15 to go (wow, that doesn't seem like very many left!)

Mk's playing me a song in our weekly picture!

How big is baby? Khloe is about 13 1/2 inches long and 1.5 lb- the size of a rutabaga!

Weigh gain/loss? Up 18lb

Sleep: Sleeping great, but definitely getting more uncomfortble when going to sleep. Gonna start to have to steal some of Mike's pillows soon for extra support!

Movement: Khloe is still very active. She moves the most at night after dinner and while I'm trying to go to sleep. She's starting doing the strong kicks that you can see from the outside a lot which I love!

Symptoms: Heartburn, braxton hicks contractions, random back/knee/hip pain, mood swings (just ask my hubs about him... he's the brunt of them!)
Food Cravings: Still eating that yummy salad from last week every day (usually at lunch!), mac and cheese, grilled turkey and cheese, watermelon and grapes.

Gender: Miss Khloe Margaret is a girl!

Look how cute this onesie is! A sweet friend from church made it for me. You should check out her etsy store! http://www.etsy.com/shop/jacksandroxanne

What I miss? Still can't wait to have a margarita again! I'm missing having the energy and stamina to work out like I used to, but I'm taking it as a sign that I don't need to push my body.
What I'm looking forward to? It's getting cooler here!!! Have I mentioned before that I love fall/winter weather? I got to wear my boots for the first time this week and it was wonderful! Also excited about the month of October, we've got some fun things planned including a babymoon, camping trip (should be an adventure at 30 weeks preggo!) and a fun preggo Halloween costume! I also have some fabric on its way to my house that will be used to recover our glider cushions... K's room is coming together nicely! Can't wait to see it all put together!  

Had to take a pic and send it to a friend to see if I could pull it off... :)

Big sister: Has had a rough week... she was bored out of her mind when mommy was laid up on the couch last weekend. Then, she got a stomach bug on monday night and then today got diagnosed with a staph infection from a bug bite! But, I do think she's starting to understand the baby in the belly thing more. I was talking to her today about one of her friends who is going to be a big sister and Mk said "my sister in mama's belly!" :) Make my heart melt MK!

Big sister and mama cuddling! My belly looks HUGE here! :)

Dr. Appt notes: We had our post L&D bleeding adventure appointment with Dr. C on Monday and it went great. We heard K's heartbeat and she measured my belly (still measuring two weeks ahead) and talked to us about what could have caused the bleeding. We still don't have a whole lot of definitive answers, except that all of the scary things like placental abruption have been ruled out by the ultrasound they did at the hospital. We were just told to take it easy and stay on pelvic rest until our next appointment (sorry Mikey!). We go back in two weeks for our 7 month appointment and she's going to still do the ultrasound she scheduled at our last appointment to check for fibriods or any other issues with my uterus. I can't wait to see precious Khloe again! I'm not looking forward to the glucose test...it made me almost pass out and throw up last time :(. But seeing K will be worth it!

 

Thanks everyone for your prayers this past week! You are wonderful and your prayers were felt. This whole pregnancy the Lord has reminded me that Khloe is not mine, she's the Lords and He is giving me her for a time to steward... whether that is a couple weeks, a couple months or many many years I am going to be so thankful for the blessing, hold her (and MK) lightly and take my job as their steward seriously. I trust that He has Maddie and Khloe's future in His hands... and they are faithful, loving and trustworthy hands!

 

Love y'all,

Katy

Resting...

If you read our 24 week update, you'll know that I was on bed rest this weekend until I can get into my doctor's office tomorrow afternoon. It was both wonderful and aweful at the same time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good lazy pj day, but three in a row... I was going stir crazy by day 2!

Mk feeding Khloe some animal crackers!

Friday was lots of sleeping from a super late night/ early morning in the hospital followed by an afternoon on the couch watching movies with MK. A sweet friend brought me lunch (delicious leek and potato soup... perfect for the "chilly" 70 degree day!) and a casserole for dinner. I was totally overwhelmed by everyone's well wishes and offers to help bring meals and watch Mk.

Saturday I had to get out of the house, so we took a car ride to a friend's garage sale and Lowes... I stayed in the car, but it was nice to get out of the house. It was a gorgeous day on Saturday so we sat outside and watched MK play in her sand box. We watched some college football and cuddled as a family on the couch in the afternoon and it was wonderful... the perfect fall day!



Watching church on TV! MK loved dancing to the worship music.

This morning we watched church on TV (you can live stream the service at Watermark.org). This was our first time live streaming church on Sunday morning and it was awesome. We totally felt like we were there, except we were on our comfy couch in our pjs! After church I made our shopping/meal list for this week and we ventured out to Target. I got a wheelchair from customer service and Mike pushed me and MK while I pushed our cart! We got some funny looks, but in my book it was less embarassing than riding in a motorized wheelchair cart (although Mike was pushing me to use it!). After our Target adventure, I stayed on the couch the rest of the day and we watched the Lorax with MK and some pro-football.



Mk stretching her legs with daddy around the neighborhood!

Our Target set up... pretty sweet! :)

As far as the bleeding is concerned, it started slowing down Saturday night and has stopped as of today. I'm hoping that means that we're all cleared with bed rest, but I'm willing to do anything for the health of sweet Khloe! My dr appointment is at 2:45 tomorrow afternoon, so I'll be taking it easy again until our trip down to Baylor.

My heart is calm and peaceful and filled with gratitude that I get to carry another sweet baby girl. I loved cuddling with Mike and MK this weekend and just reflecting on how incredibly blessed I am. My heart is full! :)

Thanks for your prayers!

Love,
The Vogelaar Family

24 weeks and a trip to L&D

This week we are 24 weeks! 16 to go!!

 How big is baby? 12.5 inches and 1.25lb- the length of an ear of corn!

Weight gain/loss: Up 17lb, definitely still on track to gain 35lb (or more?) but I'm eating healthy and working out so I'm trying not to get worried about it. So many people have commented on how my belly is popping out... and boy do I feel it! :)

Sleep: Sleeping great! Definitely loving my body pillow.

Movement: Khloe is a mover and shaker... she is SO active! Mike and I had a blast the other day watching and feeling her move. I know it makes him so happy to feel/see her moving since he doesn't feel it all the time.

Symptoms: Carpal tunnel-like symptoms and hip/leg pain (seeing a chiropracter for this), heart burn if I eat something spicy or rich before going to bed or laying down, braxton hicks contractions.

Food Cravings: This salad: sweet baby lettuce (spinach, arugala and sweet lettuce), feta, target brand balsalmic roasted almonds, cranberries and Briana's creamy balsalmic dressing... it is DELICIOUS and I eat it at least once a day (no lie!). I'm still craving grilled turkey and cheese sandwhiches and fruit- especially grapes!

 

Gender: baby girl Khloe Margaret Vogelaar! (we got her gender confirmed at the hospital last night... more on that to come later).

What I miss: looking cute in clothes, not feeling huge (I know this will only get worse).

What I'm looking forward to? It's finally fall here... and by fall I mean highs in the 80s! I LOVE fall and can't wait for it to get even colder so I can wear all of my cute maternity sweaters with leggings and boots.

Milestones: We made it to 24 weeks! that means that if precious Khloe tries to come early (also see below for hospital visit), she would most likely survive with A LOT of medical care. We'd love for her to say in for at least 13-15 more weeks though... are you listening Khloe?

Big Sister: As cute and cuddly as ever! She talks about Khloe a lot- especially her heart beat (which she calls a "boom boom"). I guess she still remembers hearing it at our last doctors appointment!

 

Adventures in L&D: *Discliamer: I will be talking about ladyparts and blood...so if you're squeemish, stop reading!* So, last night I woke up with a strong braxton hicks contraction (painless tightening of the uterus that's normal at this stage in pregnancy) and had to pee. So, I use to restroom and notice a lot of blood and some quarter size blood clots. I immediately freaked, screamed for Mike who was asleep and called my doctor. Mike jumped up, ran into the bathroom, saw the blood, turned as white as a sheet and immediately passed out. I ran to get him something to eat, and his color returned as I told him "I need you to get it together right now!" My doctor called us back and told us to come to L&D. We started going down the list of people to call, and our dear friends the Davis' came to our rescue and watched MK while she slept at our house. Mike and I made the treck down to Baylor (which although only took 25 minutes seemed like an eternity) and we prayed the whole way there that the Lord would protect Khloe and myself and that He would give us peace and strength for any situation that we might face. I started having cramps/contractions on the way to the hospital- I think mostly because I was so anxious and stressed. We got to L&D a little past midnight and my doctor had called ahead so they had all of my information ready (which was so wonderful, I wasn't about to sit around and do paperwork!). We got hooked up to the fetal monitors and heard K's robust heart beat, which was SO encouraging. The resident on call did a sonogram, a biophysical profile of Khloe and an internal exam to assess the bleeding and try to find a source. Khloe looked great, and scored an 8/8 on her BPP, my amniotic fluid levels were perfect and my placenta was high, posterior and there were no signs of abruption (seperation from the wall of the uterus). The resident did see active bleeding from the cervical opening, but I wasn't dilated or effaced (the contractions weren't doing anything to make my cervix progress towards labor). Although I was still bleeding, they couldn't find the source and Khloe looked great. So, after they monitored me and K for a couple hours they sent me home on bed rest until I could see my doctor and we can try to figure out what's going on. I'm still bleeding, but it's not getting worse and I'm not having any more contractions. I've talked to my doctor and she has a packed schedule today, so since I'm stable she put me on bed rest for the weekend and I'll see her Monday. So, I'll keep yall updated... and I'll try to resist the urge to be productive (I'm not a good bed-rester, but Mike's being a HUGE help with MK and forcing me to say off my feet).



 

Love y'all,

Mike, Katy, Maddie and Khloe Vogelaar

23 weeks!

This week we are 23 weeks pregnant... 17 to go! :)

Mk is helping me color the chalk board this week!

How big is baby? Baby is 11 inches and a little over a pound- the size of a mango!
Weight gain/loss: Up 15lb... I guess I'm definitely on track to gain 35 again!

Sleep: I've been getting heartburn at night so that's been hindering sleep! Once I get to sleep though, I sleep pretty well!

Movement: K is still one very active girl! She is more active after I eat and when I'm sitting down or laying down at night. Her kicks are getting stronger and Mike and I saw her kicking the other day! :) Oh and she's also started to get hiccups! I never really remember MK getting them, so they are a new and funny sensation.

Symptoms: Heart burn is the new symptom this week- I got it after I ate mexican food... NOOOO! I am craving mexican food :(

Food cravings: Mexican, fruit, grilled turkey and cheese sandwhiches.

Gender: a girl! Khloe Margaret Vogelaar

What I miss? Being able to eat my favorite food without heartburn :(

What I'm looking forward to? Being 6 months next week! This pregnancy is going by way too fast. And I'm also looking forward to the high in the 80s this weekend, but I do have to use some self control to not put up all of my summer clothes and start wearing boots and sweaters!

Big Sister: I forgot to talk about her last week (sorry MK!)... So, at the Dr appointment last week she brought her Rapunzel doll (that she calls "punsel") and after Dr. C was done checking baby K, she listened to "Punsel's" baby in her belly and measured her belly. It was so sweet and MK LOVED it!

 

That's it for this week! :)

 

Love,

The Vogs

A work in progress nursery!

Here's K's nursery in progress! We really don't have a whole lot left to do, just putting some personal touches on it! :)

K's crib and the bird mobile that I made her today!

The guest bed in K's room!

The dresser/changing table, and curtains that I made this weekend!

A close up of the bird mobile (sorry it's kinda fuzzy!). It was an old duck and fish mobile that was in MK's room that I refurbished to match K's room!

Here's a breakdown of everything we've done for K's room and the cost! :)

Crib- Graco from Amazon (MK's old crib)

Pottery Barn bumper pad- brand new with tags on $15 on Craigslist

Sheet- $9.99 from target

Layered Ruffled crib skirt- made by me with some white linen curtains I had laying around! 

Mobile- MK's that I refurbished with scraps I had using this tutorial to make the birds.

Paint- Valspar from Lowes (used a gift card)

Bed- from my grandparents house

Bedding- was on the bed already

Tan blanket- Ikea $20

Bed skirt- Anthropology on clearance $40

Roman shades- made by me! :) Fabric and supplies from JoAnn's were $60

White linen curtains- $19 from Ikea

Curtain rod- TJ Maxx $20

Dresser- from Mk's old room

Dresser knobs- Hobby lobby ranging from $1-$2 (Got them 50% off!)

Changing pad cover- Boppy from Buy Buy Baby (used a gift card)

Frames and picture ledges- Ikea $1-$15

Crosses and other decorative items- either in the room already or from different areas in our house

 

The only other things on my "to-do" list is:

-hand made bunting to go over the crib

-More personal touches in the room (possibly some art with her name in it?)

-A coral accent pillow on the bed

-A rug- maybe chevron?

-Organizing the closet! :)

 

It's so fun to see my vision coming together! It's making this whole having another baby thing even more real!!!

Sweet Khloe- we are so excited for you to use this room! Love you precious girly.

 

Love,

The Vogs

 

 

 

 

22 weeks! :)

We are 22 weeks this week! Only 18 to go!!

Someone was sleeping for our pictures today!

 How big is baby? K is a spaghetti squash this week! 10 inches and 1lb... We've graduated to the pounds now!! YAY!

Weight gain/loss: +14lb and according to my doctor exactly where I was with MK at this point in my pregnancy, so we're both not worried about it.

Sleep: starting to get more uncomfortable at night now, but it was only a matter of time!

Movement: She's moving like crazy still- rolling, kicking and jumping around in there.

Symptoms: back pain, my feet and hands are starting to swell (good bye wedding band that's always been a size too small) and the most attractive one... I've starting peeing when I sneeze!!!! Awesome.

Food Cravings: Watermelon, grapes, grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches.

Gender: A precious baby girl! Khloe Margaret Vogelaar

What I miss: This week I miss being able to do yoga without modifications, but I'm still thankful to be able to do yoga, it makes me feel sooo good!

What I'm looking forward to: I've only got 6 weeks until I'm in my third trimester! I can't believe my pregnancy is going this fast. I'll see my doctor in 5 weeks for my 7 month check, my glucose tolerance test (yuck) and a growth/check the fibroid scan. I'm also so stoked for a three day weekend and the start of college football! We've blocked off Saturday as a "college football day!"  I also can't believe it's going to be September soon- football, cooler weather and pumpkins will be here soon!

Dr. Appointment notes: Today was just a blood pressure, heart rate and weight check. Dr. C also measured my belly which measured in at 25 weeks. My belly has been 3 weeks more than I am every time she's checked... maybe that means a December baby?? Fingers crossed! :)

Mk messing around at the Dr appointment!



If I knew then what I know now...

I've been thinking a lot about my pregnancy with MK this past week and what I'd do differently now that I've been a mom for 2 years. A lot of my list has to do with all of the stuff that you have to buy/register for when you're a first time mom. Those big box baby stores really make you feel like you need to have everything, and I was definitely one of those suckers! Some of these are also not baby gear related, just my mommy reflections!

Here's what I'd do differently:

1. Ditch the travel system!
I've already written a post comparing my Chicco Cortina Travel system to the Phil and Teds Dash stroller here. I wish that snap and go strollers would have been popular when I was preggo... it was a trend that came out just after I had MK and I was already pot committed with my stroller. That's what I'd go with now until I knew for sure what I wanted out of a stroller.

2. You don't need a ton of cloth bibs!
I registered for a ton and got a lot as gifts, but once I started needing them I realized that they were a terrible idea! I learned quickly that the bibs you wipe off work so much better, and if they have a little pocket in the front that's even better! My favorite (and I've tried a lot!) are these Tommy Tippee bibs.

3. Buy 0-3 month clothes and bigger.
This also could be because I had a bigger than average baby, but MK only wore newborn clothes for such a short time... we've got a huge tub of onesies she wore once! Also, people will give you clothes at baby showers (note to people going to baby showers: stick to the registry, it's so helpful to new moms... bottle liners and diapers aren't sexy gifts, but to expecting parents they so are!) so wait until after your showers to buy a lot of clothes. Also, if you can, keep the tags on them and wash when you get the baby home and figure out what sizes work best for your baby. Also- GO TO CONSIGNMENT SALES!! I was just at Divine Consign and they had a ton of barely used brand name newborn clothes for $1-2! Why pay $5-8 for a onesie they are going to wear a couple times?

4. Really research what bottle you want to use and think SIMPLE!
We got Dr. Browns just because we heard that they were the bomb and for MK they were great, but they were a pain to clean! I bet if she'd been gassy or had reflux issues we'd be singing a different song, but she was great so we had time to complain about washing bottles. The Dr. Browns have so many little parts that required little brushes! Once my milk dried up at 7 months and we were cleaning 8 bottles a day we decided that we'd had enough of the tiny parts and tried different bottles. We landed on Born Free bottles which only have a couple things to clean.

5. Don't focus so much on the "big day"
I was way too focused on what MK's birthday would look like that I didn't prepare my heart enough for being a mom and all that would entail. I wish I would have read more books, memorized some scripture and had more detailed talks about parenting with my mommy friends. It's kinda like planning a wedding, it's so easy to get caught up in the one day and not investing in the life time after the big day.

6. Plan a nursery for a big girl room.
Now that I'm planning a nursery again, I find myself thinking way more about how this nursery, that'll be used as one for less than 2 years, is going to turn into a little girls room. I'm so happy with MK's big girl room now, but I do wish I would have looked past the little baby phase when decorating her nursery. What would I have done differently: ditch the cutsie patterns and colors and used more safisticated simple bedding and fabrics that could have been used in big girl bedding. If we would have kept MK's room a nursery for K then I don't think I would feel this way... so if you're planning on making the nursery a permenant fixture in your house for all of your babys then make is as cutsie as possible!

7. Write everything down!
I blogged a little bit for the first few months of MK's pregnancy and then stopped, but I wish I would have kept a journal of how I was feeling for the rest of my pregnancy. I'd love to compare weight and how I was feeling physically and emotionally. Well, at least I'll have something to compare next time with! :)

8. Consider things outside your comfort zone.
I wish I wouldn't have turned up my nose at cloth diapers when I first heard about them! I am so jealous of my friends who got thier diaper stash as gifts at showers... talk about saving money from the start. I also wish I would have embraced the Moby wrap instead of getting intimidated at it's complexity. I'm excited to use it this time around now that I've watched this video from my favorite blog about how to actually tie it! :)

Here's my list... what's on yours moms? I love learning from other moms experiences!

Love,
K. Vog