Motherhood Maternity Laugh Up

Well, this happened a month ago but I must have skipped posting it for some reason. Must be that pregnancy "forgetfulness" I have developed.

Kale and I went to Motherhood Maternity. We really had way too much fun. I was basically at that needing to buy maternity clothes but not feeling ready to yet stage. The inevitable had arrived and I must shop now. Kale went with me and became my maternity fashion consultant. He actually picked out all of my maternity clothes for me. I thought it was sweet that a man could actually make me look decent!

While in the dressing room, Kale found the "fake" baby bump. I was trying on a dress and he slipped this underneath it for me. Immediately we looked at each other and just started cracking up! We were laughing so hard I had to tell him to stop! I'm going to pee myself!!

Here is what for some dumb reason was so funny:

Kale's first attempt to position this "fake" bump

Success is too funny!

I think he was laughing because he actually thought it was funny. I was laughing because he was laughing and I secretly wanted to tell him I really am going to look like this by month 9 so keep laughing babe!!

My Papaya - 22 Weeks

22 Weeks and 4 Days with Ladybug

Ladybug Update:

Well little miss thing is getting big! She is  throwing me some very noticeable kicks that daddy can now see. It doesn't hurt but sometimes she shocks me. I will just be laying in bed with Kale and she will kick really hard. I always jump and Kale laughs at me. 

I haven't seen my Doctor since the last update but our Ladybug is doing good. She seems to (obviously) be very strong and it good health. I pray she is developing properly. The last time I saw the Doctor, Ladybug had a full anatomy performed by ultrasound. She passed with flying colors.

We also had a Sequential Screen Performed. I went through some testing during my first trimester and will get the second part performed on Friday Aug 4th. A Sequential Screen tests baby for Down Syndrome (mental and physical abnormalities), Trisomy 18 (serious mental retardation and physical deformities including heart defects) and Open Neural Tube Defects (this tube eventually develops to become babies brain and spinal cord). So far on Screening Part one, Ladybug has passed these tests.


Mommy Update:

I have gained 13 pounds. WoW. I have half of my pregnancy left and have gained almost half of my weight already. I guess it's o.k. I am glad this isn't another Tyler pregnancy. At this point I had already gained 30 pounds! Which reminds me, I found my 5 month pregnancy photos from Pregnancy 1 and 2. I really need to do a side by side.

I am doing o.k. I say o.k. because baby has taken over my abdomen. For the longest time she was just burrowed in between my pelvis and belly button. I was wondering when this explosion was going to happen. She has now become larger (as if I didn't expect this to happen ) and some changes have occurred :

I can't breathe!! Help me I need oxygen! I usually can sit at a 90 degree angle but there are a lot of times during my day when I really have to lounge and lean back to be able to breathe.

I ALMOST can't bend over. I have to do the plie squat these days when I drop something. The other day I dropped something on the floor of my kitchen. I was so tired from working a 12 hour shift. I just stood there staring as if I was a magician and the object was going to fly up from the floor into my hand. Kale laughed and picked it up for me. What a lifesaver!

A picture to show you how hard it might be to bend over when you can barely see your own feet:

I can't sleep!! I can sleep but man do I really toss and turn to get there. I have all the pillows in the house on my side of the bed. Just a few nights ago I stole Kale's pillow. It was late and he really wanted to get some rest. I couldn't help it. I was laying on my side with a pillow between my legs. UGH! This one is too flat. So I tried another. UGH! This one is too thick! So I tried another. I went through about 5 pillows before I found the right one. And once I did, I was passed out !!! I really need one of those boppy pillows for preggo women! It's so next on my list of things to buy for this pregnancy.

Eating isn't the same. I am always hungry as usual but I can't eat very much. I mean to eat an egg sandwich - I feel like Ive eaten five! I get so full so fast then 10 minutes later I am starving. It puts a whole new meaning to "snacking" all day long.

MEN LOOK AWAY NOW!

Yes I am going to talk about my boobs! They are HUGE! I knew this was going to happen being that I have had two pregnancies already and it happened with them! They HURT!!! They are heavy and huge. Did I mention that they are HUGE! I have spent a ton of money on some pretty handy dandy sports bras to help me carry these crazy things around! And the sad part, they are going to get even bigger when I start breastfeeding! Oh why oh why was I blessed with large breasts before pregnancy? Owell, I suppose after I am done breastfeeding Ladybug they will be normal and manageable again.

I'm cranky! I thought I was hormonal and cranky during my first trimester HAH! I am a little on edge. I've noticed however that I am only on edge after working a 12 hour shift. Kale is all about talking and so am I. I guess I now know how it feels to be totally exhausted after working all darn day and really not wanting to talk very much. I should take this into consideration after Kale gets home from work and I want to literally talk his ear off.

I have officially began doing the pregnant waddle! Yes! I know! The waddle that looks like a very uncomfortable pregnant lady just wanting to get from point A to point B. It's actually kinda funny when I catch myself doing this. It's not extreme yet but I'm sure it will be soon.

I have to pee all the time. I know this is normal but seriously! It's crazy! I probably have spent more money on toilet paper than maternity clothes!!

My skin is doing o.k. I am talking about breakouts. A few months back I got fed up with a zit here and a zit there. I had my first paycheck in hand and decided to take myself to Clinique. I sat down and explained very calmly what had been going on. The nice "clinique" lady washed my face, used this awesome refreshing toner, and put moisturizer on my face. Then she gave me a mini makeover using some not-so-cheap makeup. I looked in mirror, called the hubby for approval and made the deal. I spent some cash but it was well worth it. I now have a little collection of clinique products that have been keeping my skin clear during this pregnancy. Hallelujah!

This is definitely another Colten pregnancy. I haven't really gotten bigger anywhere but my belly. Ladybug doesn't weigh 13 pounds but the weight so far has been proportional to where I can honestly say this time  it didn't all go to my rear end! I can still fit into all of my old shorts, jeans, and capris - I just can't button them. I am hoping that this will stay the same during this pregnancy. I won't have to work so hard getting all the weight off.

Cocoa Butter has now become my best friend. I feared stretch marks with Colten. I didn't get any. Then I feared stretch marks with Tyler. I got three. Two on one hip and one on the other. Both Pregnancy 1 and Pregnancy 2 I didn't get any on my belly. So I have again started lathering on the cocoa butter in high hopes I won't get any stretch marks with Ladybug. I don't think it's in my genes to get these but you never know.

We have had to "hide the preggo" to let the dogs out. Marley has almost knocked me over twice already. I don't really have the greatest balance in the world these days and letting Marley out of his kennel to go outside is dangerous! He is so big and fast. He runs into my legs and I scream like a girl! I am a girl! But on a serious note Kale usually lets me know now before he lets Marley barrel through the house to run outside.

Daddy Update:

Kale seems to be very affected by this pregnancy. In a lot of good ways. He has always been a great father to both my boys but he has recently been defining his skills.

He has become more of a housewife than me which hurts to say but its true. He does so much cleaning and cooking. He offers constantly to pick Tyler up from daycare. He is always asking if there is anything I would like him to do. I usually always tell him to relax. He works too hard sometimes.

He has started doing a lot of researching of different "Family Talk" books and CD's. He has made a few purchases : The Father Connection and The New Strong Willed Child. He has some more that he is looking at purchasing: Raising a Daughter and What a Difference a Daddy Makes. I think it's sweet that he is educating himself and in a christian fashion. These books and CD's are all christian based.

He gives my belly LOTS of attention. Each morning before we were pregnant, Kale wouldn't leave the house for work without giving me a kiss on the cheek and telling me he loves me. He now kisses my belly too and tells my bump, "I love you Ladybug". It's the sweetest thing ever!

I know I have said this a million times but Kale is going to make such a sweet and awesome new daddy to our Ladybug. I am thankful for him in every way and thank the Lord above for sending Kale my way!

Here are the rest of the pics from 19 weeks-22 weeks with ladybug:

random pic: 19 weeks

20 weeks

22 Weeks

I seriously got big fast!!

More to come! Love The Shank Family

Tyler's Last Days as a Preschooler

Tyler starts Kindergarten on August 4!! Yay Tyler. Along with "not being the baby anymore" he has a lot of growing up to do. One thing daddy and I are looking for on the Internet are age appropriate chores for a 5 year old!

I really can't wait to find the right list and put Tyler to work. He will of course earn money for his piggy bank and bank account BUT it will be harder than ever for Tyler to make this transition.

Over this last weekend, daddy wanted to test some of Tyler's kindergarten skills. He asked Tyler to count to twenty. Tyler counted ONE, TWO, THREE, and so on until he reached twenty. But he skipped thirteen! Every time daddy would ask Tyler to count to twenty, Tyler would skip thirteen.

So daddy made Tyler write and say thirteen for two days. At the end of this long mind-boggling weekend, Tyler was asked again to count to twenty. Well he did it. I got a call from Kale while I was at work today with the exciting news. Daddy made a deal with Tyler that if he (at any point during this two days) could count to twenty without skipping thirteen that he would take him to Mickey D's for a treat.

Here is the evidence supporting this triumphant day for Mr. Tyler Shank (and daddy too!!!)

Tyler's Adoption Update:

Most of you already know that Kale is adopting my (our) youngest son Tyler as his own. We have been playing a very long waiting game with this whole deal. The paperwork came a week ago for Kale and I to fill out together. It was the new Birth Certificate paperwork. YAY! This means we only have a few more steps and Tyler will officially be Tyler James Shank. Right now we are patiently waiting on a court date. When we go to court, the judge will address many questions with Kale and I and of course our attorney too. We have already been sent the adoption approval, the release for adoption signed by the biological father and the passed home study visit. So we patiently wait and wait and wait.

Kale becomes very anxious from time to time wanting me to constantly call our attorney and get updates. I always tell him that time is a factor in this adoption. But Kale, being the father of Tyler in every way, everyday, is getting to the point where he just wants to be able to legally sign Tyler as Tyler Shank.

As a mom, it's probably one of the most wonderful feelings in the world to be able to feel what I am feeling right now. A man who steps in for two children that aren't his own and taking on all the challenges of becoming a father. It was hard for Kale at first. There were a lot of ups and downs for both of us. Me recovering from my drug addiction and learning to be a mom again and at the same exact time, Kale stepping in the picture and becoming a father practically overnight.

Kale has done well and Tyler sure does call him daddy. It overwhelms me still when I hear my little one calling Kale daddy. It's the sweetest thing I hear all day long. "Daddy, what are you doing"? And Kale will reply in that soft gentle fatherly tone. I absolutely couldn't be happier knowing that the Lord sent Kale to us.

I thank the Lord above for everything he has provided for our family!

And of course a picture for this post is much needed. I came home to find my boys getting lots of one-on-one time and passing out doing so!! (this pic is about 8 months old but still - worth the captured moment)

How sweet is this!!

#22 - (Necessities List Update) - A Glider Rocker on a Budget!

 Again on the necessities list we have the glider rocker. I really want a glider rocker for Ladybug. It will help a lot! BUT one small little problem. With ALL the things we have to purchase for Ladybugs arrival, I haven't been able to find an "affordable" glider rocker in white wood. The ones I was able to find online were anywhere between $215.00 and $400.00.

Ladybugs Furniture is all white wood. Seriously, I didn't think it would be this hard to find a glider rocker in white wood but it was. Kale got smart and did a craigslist search for glider rocker. The search results yielded 4 different gliders. The last one we viewed was in-deed a WHITE WOOD GLIDER ROCKER!! It was ugly and the fabric is terrible BUT with a little TLC and a makeover, I could buy this rocker and recover it making it perfect for ladybugs room!

Here is our Craigslist STEAL for $50.00

I can't wait ( along with MANY other projects) to refashion this glider rocker for Ladybugs nursery!!

Ladybugs Room Decor - Fabric

Well after talking it over with daddy - Ladybug finally has her room decor fabric on the way. We were going to pick subtle colors for her nursery but with the walls being somewhat of a grayish tan we figured lets go all out and give her room some JAZZ! I visited Fabric.com and chose some fabric. These prints were actually on a coordinating fabric block and I just chose which ones I wanted to incorporate into Ladybugs room. Here is a small collage of the fabrics that will make up Ladybugs room:

There is lots of black, white and pink here. Kinda Scary.

Here's the breakdown of what I will be creating for my Ladybug:

1. Crib Skirt

2. Crib Bumper

3. Lamp Shades

4. Child Size Bean Bag

5. Curtains

6. Quilt

7. Recovering her Glider Rocker

8. Totes for Storage

I spent about $200.00 on fabric today. BUT...I have been viewing a lot of really nice crib bumper skirting sets with blanket/quilt and they range from $150 -$200 bucks a set! That's outrageous. At least this way we will have a whole room full of awesome fabric prints for the same cost of just one bedding set for Ladybug.

I feel I might have a LOT of sewing to do in the near future. I will have to post a pic of each item I create for Ladybug as I will be extremely proud to be able to say I did it! I have never made ANY of these items myself so this should be really fun and interesting. And thanks to a family member, if I run into any problems I can always consult her!!! I can't wait till this fabric arrives so I can get started!

Ladybugs Room Decor on a Budget: THE PLAN

I really sometimes wish I had all the money in the WORLD! To create a beautiful room for Ladybug would be so much easier but probably NO FUN! So I have put together some photos of  "Ladybug" appropriate decor I found all over the Internet (O.K. Mostly Pottery Barn Kids My Favorite Site):

Some items I plan on making myself or with the help of a crafty family member:

Wrought Iron with glass accents: Decorative Pendants

$24-$29 each PotteryBarnKids.com

I cannot make these myself but I have asked a family member to create them for me then I will add on the glass pendants.

I really like the frames behind the butterflies. I couldn't find them priced but making these sure would be fun.

The butterflies are also so adorable. I could also attempt to create these myself.

PotteryBarnKids.com  Small Butterfly $24.00 Large Butterfly $39.00

Ladybug Pick #1

Silver Leaf Oval First Year Frame

$62.00 PotteryBarnKids.com

My Awesome Find:

First Year Frame JoAnne Fabrics @ 40% off

$17.96

Ladybug Pick #2

Polka Dot Curtains from PotteryBarnKids.com in Green

$69 per panel which is about $25.84 a yard

Polka Dot Panel in Pink

My Awesome Find:

Polka Dot Fabric from JoAnn Fabrics in Green

$6.99 per yard

And in Pink!!

Price Per Yard Difference:  $18.85

Pottery Barn Kids Cost Per Panel: $69.00

My Do It Yourself Cost for each Panel: $18.67

 

Ladybug Pick #3

Small Lamp from PotteryBarnKids.com

$49.00

Large Lamp from PotteryBarnKids.com

Base: $154.00  Lamp Shade: $29.99

My Awesome Find:

Lamps that I pulled from the attic!! We bought these a little while ago and decided when we purchased new couches we would also purchase new lamps. These lamps are at my disposal.

Cost for lamp bases: FREE$$$

Self Adhesive Lamp Shades from JoAnn Fabrics

$4.99-$18.99 assorted sizes

I would simply pick out material and cover!!

Ladybug Pick # 4

Metal Clip for Curtains from PotteryBarnKids.com

$22.00 Set of 10

My Awesome Find:

Metal Clips from JoAnn Fabrics

$9.99 Set of 10

Ladybug Pick #5

Keepsake Boxes from PotteryBarnKids.com

$29.99

My Awesome Find:

Keepsake Boxes from JoAnn Fabrics

$1.99 on sale

I could cover these easily with Fabric and Fabric Glue! These would be so cute made with some of the same fabric I have chose for her room!

Even though these items are NOT necessities I am really hoping to save up the extra cash to execute these plans and share the end result with you!

Tyler and Colten's bedroom was also planned using mostly Pottery Barn Kids Room Ideas.

We are still working on their rooms as well and hope to finish soon (before ladybug arrives) and update that post as well!

We love you all. More to come

The Shank Family

#22 - (Necessities List Update) - Kales Craziest Find Yet

A STANDING OVATION!!!

This crazy looking nasal aspirator gets a pic all by itself. Kale and I are in Babies R Us throwing little items in our basket when all of a sudden he walks up to me with this! I am like NO! It's ugly and weird. I do not want to suck buggers from my daughters nose with this crazy thing! But Kale wins of course! Here is Kale's crazy must have for the week:

seriously dad?

#22 - (Necessities List Update) - Ladybugs First Official Outfit

#22 was Ladybugs necessities List. Within that list was picking out Ladybugs First official outfit. Here's the story!!


 I would like to share with everyone some pictures Kale and I took before we found out gender. I thought it was a boy so I stood in front of the fireplace holding up a baby boy onesie. Kale stood in front of the fireplace holding up a baby girl onesie...The winner was of course daddy with the cute little girl onesie:

Go Daddy!!! The first baby outfit for a girl winner goes to daddy.

Then we went to a BBQ at our friends house (Beth and Dan Titzer). She bought me a onesie for a little girl. I looked at her really funny and said, "Well we don't know the gender yet". She replied, "It's a girl".  I thought to myself she's crazy!

Well, the 2nd baby outfit for a girl runner up goes to Beth!

Despite the baby girl outfits listed here, this really is Ladybugs first official outfit she will wear home from the hospital.

An emotional day: Kale and I set out on a mission. The mission being Ladybugs first outfit. This outfit would be cute! She would wear this outfit home from hospital and knowing she will be born while it is cold out, we figured we might get lucky and find something. My hormones are raging and I am fed up after just about an hour of shopping. There were so many choices. We went from JCPenney to Dillard's to Macy's back to Dillard's. UGH! I'm tired already! Well, daddy sort of took over which I didn't see coming. I stormed off and headed to the food court. Maybe I was in a bad mood because I was hungry. Well just about 30 minutes later I got my snack on and headed back to Kale. He had already chosen Ladybug's first outfit. Kale looked sooo cute holding it up and smiling - what was I supposed to say? So of course we purchased it right away.

I couldn't be happier today knowing that daddy got to pick out this first outfit.

A Nervous Post by a Nervous Mom

The 2011/2012  School year is approaching quickly. Colten will be going into the 4th grade! I know. He is getting so big already. Before I know it he will be in high school and I will have a head full of grey hair. Tyler is moving onto Kindergarten. I actually didn't see this coming. Why? Because he has been my sweet little man for 5 years!


Now the time has come to grow him UP! What comes along with sending a 5 year old to kindergarten? Lots of tears, Lots of Hugs, and Lots of Responsibility!

I am so very nervous. Kale looks at things in the financial sense. He always has and always will. That is what makes him the DAD! We no longer have to pay for Preschool Daycare Costs!! WOO HOO!!

But being the MOM I am so scared of sending my cute little Tyler off to Kindergarten. Colten told me before he left to go visit his dad in Texas that it would be o.k Mom. I will take care of him. I thought how sweet. Would it be toooo much if I stalked my 5 year old at his elementary school?

Will he ride the bus? Will he know where to go? Will he get lost in the school? Will he know where the bathroom is? Will he behave? Will he get a girlfriend? AHHHHHHH!!!!

I should learn to chill out a little but how? This is devastating. With a baby on the way we have been telling Tyler,"your not the baby anymore." But he still is to me.

I will definitely keep this post close to heart and update the entire family on the new post:

"Tyler's first day of Kindergarten"!!