Update on Little E

I know I don't talk much about Little E and his development and wanted to take a moment to. It may not be too long. He'll be 3 years old come April 22nd.

Since moving in December he has begun to talk a ton. We were worried about his speech back then, but recently he's been surprising us. He'll say full sentences (even a couple more than 4 words long). 

The other night he found a picture and was describing that the baby was drinking and its mommy was holding it. He does this a lot where he'll describe things in pictures. 

He's showing a lot of interest in things like raising the turkeys, fishing (even though we just put a lure on without any hooks), being outside and just acting like a kid. I really enjoy letting him outside and explore too. 

Plus, I think he's finally realizing a baby is coming. Though I don't think he knows exactly what a baby entails. He does, however, notice emotions. When a baby is crying he'll tell us the baby is sad. 

He's learning his counting and ABC's. He sings songs (though the lyrics aren't really correct). He knows most his colors. He's shown more enthusiasm with cleaning up and helping out. 

Potty training he's probably have down but we've kind of slacked with it. So he knows to go in the potty and will most of the time but he's not 100% trained. Plus he's not into pooping on the potty. I hope when Squirt comes I can really focus on getting him completely trained. Since I'll hopefully be feeling better. 

He will let us know he's poopy and then lay down to be changed. That's how I know he's definitely ready to be fully potty trained. 

And by this summer I plan to start doing some home schooling with him. Even if it's 30 minutes to an hour 5 days a week. I'll make lesson plans for the day and everything. I'm hoping to add those to this blog too. But I figure by summer I'll be adjusted to a new one and hopefully we'll be in our own place. I'd send him to preschool but the free one for low income is full and every other one costs $450 or more a month. We don't have the money for that. Plus they need to be fully potty trained, which he isn't. They won't even accept him if he's mostly trained and wearing a pull-up.

So looks like I'll be doing the next best thing and doing some homeschooling until he can go to preschool maybe.

That's about all I have to talk about. I'll try to at least do a monthly update on him from now on. 

Jalee 

Follow on Instagram: jlgclan

Week 37 update

Yesterday was my 37 week checkup at the doctor. I was excited going in, I've been having irregular contractions all week so I was positive that I had dilated more. So you can guess my shock when I'm still 2 cm dilated. So no change from last week to this week.

I was surprised, however, when I asked about an epidural (not something I want but I like to keep my options open) and he seemed for not getting one (and going into labor naturally). So that'll be nice not to be pushed into things I don't want. That was my first mistake when I had Little E. I wasn't vocal enough about what I wanted. But I also wasn't wanting to have him a month early.

Monday at my VA appointment went well. I got a call later that day from the nurse that is over all the women vets program. She was having the doctor place an order for a breast pump and nursing bras in for me. From there the company is supposed to get in contact with me so I can get one ordered and shipped. I haven't heard from them yet and I'm starting to wonder if the order was put through or something happened at the company. I guess if I hear nothing by Monday I'll make a call to the VA to see what happened. It'd just be nice to have a breast pump that's my own and not have to buy one again, especially because the one I returned to Target was a really good price that I'll never get to see again. Unless I order from Babies R Us with my completion code right now, but I can't sit on it too long.

I'd get a rental from WIC, but I'm not sure if they'd give me a manual pump (which I bought one since it was cheap anyway) or an electric pump. And I don't know if they'd give it to me right away so I can pump 2 weeks worth of milk before June.

We did receive some good news. Big E got a letter stating that he was selected for the second interview for the job he's going for. Of course it's April 8th and I was joking around that I'll go into labor that day because he'll be 3 hours away and probably won't be home till 7pm or later. But I'd rather he be down there interviewing to get a job so that we have a possibility of being on our own again. Here's to hoping that after the interview he's selected for the job. It'll take us wherever in the state, but we're fine with having to move.

Jalee

Follow me on instagram: JLGClan

37 weeks along

I'm officially 37 weeks along today. I've made it longer than I did with Little E and that makes me happy. I'll be even happier if he stays put until at least next weekend. 

I did think yesterday we may be headed to the hospital. After our morning going fishing we came home and I wasn't feeling right. I went to the bathroom and had some hints of labor. Plus a lot of cramping in my lower stomach and thighs. Thankfully Little E was tired so I drank a big glass of water and took a nap with him and Big E. When I woke up I was still cramping a little but not as bad. And Squirt has definitely dropped. 

At least he's in for another day. Now time for him to stay in until at least after Monday and preferably next weekend. I hope that all didn't mean he's coming in the next couple days. 

We may have gotten some good news. A family member knows someone that works for the game and fish and he had asked about Big E after the interview. It sounds like Big E got the job and they may have an area. It was nice to hear but we're also not trying to get our hopes up until we actually hear from them. Hopefully Monday. They had said at the interview that it'd be 1-2 weeks until the people who are picked would hear anything. 

So here's to hoping for some good news. 

Jalee

Again you can follow me on Instagram at: jlgclan

36 week update

Monday I signed Little E and I up for WIC. It's going to be a great help. Especially since Big E hasn't gotten anything from unemployment yet since they messed his up. Though he should get something next week finally. But while I was there Big E was at his interview. He said he overheard them talking after he came out of the room and they sounded really impressed with his essay as well as his work history. I'm hoping that's a good sign because this has been a huge stress for us. Hopefully by next Friday they send us a letter for him to have a second interview (which then they hire people from). We're keeping our fingers crossed, especially since nothing else has come up. 

My doctor appointment was Tuesday and during it he checked dilation again. It looks like I'm at 2cm dilated and 60% effaced. Squirt is also head down. So I'm up from the 1cm I was the week before. I'll still be happy if he stays in until next weekend (not this one but the once after). 

Afterwards we headed over to Big E's great geandmother's home. She had passed away last month so his grandmother was there cleaning some things out and see if anyone wanted anything or taking things she wanted. We ended up taking pictures (ones of Little E, Big E and his brother, etc that my in-laws might want), an oil lamp, a really old sewing machine (it's at least 60 years old, Big E wanted it) and some baskets. I then was putting the clothes in bags while Big E moved stuff from the house. 

Wednesday Big E had an appointment at the VA so I decided to ask them about making an appointment so I can see about their maternity care and getting lactation help (they'll give me a breastpump for free which my insurance doesn't do). I have that appointment Monday morning so I'm hoping Squirt stays till after that. We also went to target and returned the breastpump I got since I can get one and we can use the $220 it cost. I'll either end up getting the one from the VA in time or I'll just rent one for free from WIC until then. 

I started painting a couple of the baskets I'm planning to use for the boys for Easter. Though painting them isn't coming out too good. I'll have to eventually fix them one year maybe. I used extra fabric to make a liner inside. And I think I'm going to get some ribbon for it instead of painting the one band. We'll see how much that costs though. 

Today I'm just going to enjoy the nice weather and hope Squirt doesn't want to come. 

Jalee

An update for week 35

I should have done this update on Tuesday when I went to the Dr. but better late than never. 

I went to the Dr. He did the group B strep test and checked for dilation. It looks like I'm 1cm dilated. Which could mean Squirt is coming soon or that I could sit at 1cm forever. I have another appointment Tuesday so I'll see if I progressed any. 

I was also informed to stop my progesterone shot. Which is nice, I've been counting down the doses left and hated getting the shot every week. 

This week with me I've been noticing if I lay on my back I get dizzy and can feel my lungs crowded. I also wake up most of the time with my hips hurting so much. My pelvis has also been sore lately too. Almost like I over stretched. I'm also extremely tired all the time, even if I just slept. 

I finally have a WIC appointment this Monday. It'll be nice to get some help since all we have is money going out and none coming in lately (I still haven't gotten paid for drill last month either). Big E had to stop by unemployment last week because they don't ever call back and since their system is messed up (or they messed up) the first time we haven't gotten any money from that yet. And now since his case was reopened we have to wait till next week until he can claim unemployment. 

This Monday Big E also has an interview. If he passes that he'll get a second interview and then if he passes that one he'll be offered a job. Someone put in a good word for him too. But we just have to take it one step at a time. We're really hoping on this job. 

I have drill this weekend which I'm nervous about. I had Little E at 36 weeks and that's what I'm at now. Being over 3 hours away from home at this time isn't very reassuring. Just another reason I want to get out but I can't because we need the health insurance for all of us. 

We did have a little help this week, however. We cashed in all our stocks since they don't really change and we didn't have much. We're hoping to open an IRA with it but if we need it for funds at least it'll help. Plus I just applied for pay as you earn for my student loans and was approved, since we're so low income we owe $0 a month right now. That helps so much at this time. Even though my payments weren't starting until May. It's just one less stress at the moment. 

Though I'm hoping by this time next month I'll be able to say Big E got a job and we're doing better. 

Jalee

The Hospital and Diaper Bags

I've been wanting to do this for a while. Make a list of what I put into my hospital bag and diaper bag for when Squirt comes. The first time I had Little E I definitely over packed. This time I do plan on using most of the hospital stuff, but I also packed my own things for comfort just in case I change my mind. I also packed at 30 weeks just because Little E I went into preterm labor at 28 weeks and had him at 36 weeks so I just wanted to prepare for that possibility even though I definitely don't have a feeling Squirt is coming early.

Here are my 2 bags. The diaper bag for Squirt on the left and my hospital bag on the right.

My Bags

I'll start off with what I packed for myself in my hospital bag. I just used a small "under the seat" carry-on type bag that I have. This way there isn't a huge bag to tote, and Big E can just grab that for now and leave the diaper bag in the car for later.

A Samantha Brown bag, it's not the greatest, don't purchase, but it gets the job done.

Back Pocket

1. Always infinity heavy pads

Side Pockets

 2. Nursing cover

3. 4 sets of disposable breast pads

4. Lanolin

5. 2 sets reusable breast pads

6. Flip flops

Top and Lower Front Pockets

7. Wallet and cash (for vending machine)

8. Small pouch with hair ties, bobby pins, 2 sizes of headbands, hair clip, chapstick, and lotion

9. Toothbrush and toothpaste

10. Hairbrush

11.Q-tips

12. Vaseline (for dry lips and skin if the lotion or chapstick isn't working)

13. Deodorant

14. Ponds face lotion

Inside of Bag

 15. Heading home clothes (t-shirt and pants with a small stretchy band for early pregnancy)

16. PJs for hospital stay

17. Postpartum wrap

18. Underwear (that I can throw out)

19. 1 nursing tank and 1 regular tank (cheaper and I can turn it into a nursing tank)

20. Socks

21. Nursing bras

22. Slippers

23. Gum

24. Shower supplies (face wash, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, travel body puff)

25. Night time nursing bras

You don't need things like pads, but I didn't bleed much after Little E (even the day I had him) so I was able to use a regular flow thin pad and my own underwear I brought with no problems. It was nice instead of using the thick ones from the hospital and feeling uncomfortable in them since they bothered me more than my own. Also lanolin and breast pads may be supplied by the hospital (lanolin was at my other hospital with Little E) but I bring them in case. As well as you can wear the hospital gowns the entire time, I just like to wear something when visitors come (which I'm limiting this time).

I advise limiting visitors because it's just an added stress to have people constantly coming in. That's also a reason I'm bringing a nursing cover, bras, and tank top because last time when I was trying to nurse so many people were coming in and out (not nurses or doctors) without knocking while I was half naked trying to breastfeed that it completely discouraged me (along with other things). 

Otherwise you can get away with very minimal things.

Now onto the baby's items.

JJ Cole, $50 on Amazon. I wanted something kind of cute to carry with 2 little ones

Front Zip Pockets and Big Pockets

1. Stroller straps and shoulder strap (they came with the diaper bag)

2. Binkies (AKA Pacifiers)

3. Pacifier strap

4. Hand sanitizer

Back Pockets

5. Travel baby wipes

6. 2 size 1 diapers

7. 2 newborn size diapers

8. Cloth wipes (for covering boy parts during diaper changes)

9. Changing pad

Main Compartment

10. Heavy blanket

11. Light blanket

12. 2 receiving blankets (for spit-up or whatever happens)

13. Muslin swaddle blanket

14. Wet bag (usually for cloth diapering but since we're not doing that as of yet this time I use them for dirty clothes)

15. 2 bibs (Little E constantly spit-up and I'd forever be changing him if he didn't wear a bib)

16. Winter hat

17. Gloves

18. 2 pair socks

19. 0-3 month sleeper

20. 0-3 month outfit

21. 0-3 month romper

22. Newborn sleeper

23. Newborn outfit with coat.

Same as with the hospital bag I don't need so many blankets or even hats or gloves, so they may come out depending on the weather. I'm used to weather in April in Northern NY being so cold still that you need to bundle up (and it's still snowing). So if it's warm down here I'll take them out. I'm bringing some newborn diapers because Little E was 4 weeks premature and the hospital only had size 1. You know how annoying it is to put a too big diaper that has tabs that overlap onto a newborn and try to avoid the cord stump? Not so much fun. As well as so many coming home clothes because of possible spit-up, blow outs, or size he is at the time.

Speaking of those coming home outfits, I'm really liking the dinosaur items this year so that's basically the theme. I chose to throw a romper in in case it's extremely hot (again, considering we're in the South this time and not the North).

0-3 Month Outfits

Newborn Outfits

I didn't prepare anything for Big E. If he wants to stay he can head home and grab some quick items or have his parents bring them when they come visit at the hospital and bring Little E. Otherwise he'll be going home at night to tuck Little E in because I think it may be hard for him to not have both parents all the sudden at home. We'll see how it goes.

I'll also be throwing chargers, my cameras, and maybe the iPad or kindle in there too. Last time so many people were walking in and out and wouldn't leave that I didn't have much time to myself while Little E was sleeping. This time I'm hoping I get a break to nap during the day while Squirt is and have time to relax after just having a baby.

Also, here's to 5 more weeks left. I'm so glad this pregnancy is going so well this time.

Jalee

Follow me on instagram at: JLGCLAN

Saving money on newborn pictures

With Squirt coming and Big E unable to find a job so far he finally had to claim unemployment. Although, thanks to the South, any little bit of ice closes everything down so he hasn't been able to claim the 23rd-1st (you claim the week before) so no pay from that so far. We are hoping that the game warden job comes through. Big E did pass the physical test last week, he's just waiting for the call for the first interview and hopefully passes that to make it to the second interview. Then we hope he gets the job. It's his dream job, but most importantly it's a job with income. Especially since he hasn't been offered anything beyond that and another job in the past 2.5 months.

With money going out and Squirt coming (thankfully we still have health insurance thanks to the one offered to reserve members so that's not a worry) I've been thinking of newborn pictures and maybe videos. I really want to capture the moment like I did with Little E, but we won't have the money to do so. So I pulled out my camera and video camera to charge them. Now I just have to hope they weren't damaged in the move.

Getting charged up, let's hope they work still

I pulled out the SD cards, burned all the pictures and videos to a CD so I can clear them off, and now just waiting to test them out. I hope I can do a decent job. I'm not a professional photographer, I'm more beginning amateur, but I want some cute pictures hopefully. We'll see how well I do and maybe will have a video from the day he's born. I told Big E I don't want any of me in labor, but right after he's born and those couple days after I would like some clips. I want to get photoshop photo pro x6 (I've used an earlier version and liked it but the CD didn't work anymore) but it's $50 for the download on Amazon. So I'm doing a combo of points from the credit card (which gets paid off right away) and hopefully some gift cards from Swagbucks and iRazoo. It'll probably be a while before I get $50 worth, however.

My favorite newborn picture of Little E I took, which I can't
find on a disk or SD card anywhere now

I'm excited to finally meet Squirt, but it's still almost 5 weeks away. It feels like it'll be forever but in reality it's right around the corner. I just hope something changes and we have an income coming in so we can work on getting a home for our children.

Not long until we have another little squish like this

Jalee