14 Week Pregnancy/Brady 22 Month Update

Pregnancy Highlights:




How Far Along: 14 weeks!
Size of baby: A lemon! Baby is about 1.5 oz and is starting to suck his/her thumb and wiggle toes :)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: I gained 1.5 lbs this month, totaling in about 4 lbs.
Maternity Clothes: No. LOVING sundresses, though.
Gender: SURPRISE! We scheduled our "big'' ultrasound for July 22nd, but we are waiting to find out the sex! The baby's heartbeat was in the 150's at the last dr's appt, so we will see if the Old Wives' Tale is true or not for this baby!
Movement: Definitely feeling flutters from the inside now!
Sleep: Still sleepy, but not as bad. Brady is finally allowing me to stay in bed for a little while if I get him set up on the couch with Nick Jr and a cup of milk.
What I miss: Casual drinking at home w Ry, having energy!
Cravings: Cinnamon toast crunch, anything cherry flavored (slushies, shirley temples), pink lemonade, spicy food, soda (which I never ever drink!!!) I have also had an aversion to coffee lately which is STRANGE.
Symptoms: Getting bigger (I can tell), being sleepy, moodiness, crazy cravings!





Brady- you are 22 months old!!!!



In two short months you will turn TWO! Where is the time going? My baby is blossoming in front of me! I am starting to plan your 2nd Birthday---Sesame Street! I know it's 2 months away but I LOVE planning parties, especially for you.

You weigh 33 lbs and wear a size 5 diaper. You wear a size 2T in most clothes and a size 6 shoe.



You are talk, talk, talking up a storm and can count from 1-5. Favorite words/phrases: "Mama's Sleepin'," "Ready-set-go," "loouie loo no barking!," "Brady's tired," "Ride in Ryguys cuck (read: truck)," "no whining," "love you MORE," and of course the now INFAMOUS "chocolate milk (read: f@*king milk!!!)"



You are loving the summer and warm weather! Especially the beach...you grab the cooler and walk around saying "beach, beach, beach" whenever we talk about it. You LOVE wearing your flip flops, and also stealing other kids toys/beach chairs. You aren't afraid of the water anymore, which is nice, although you do say "water too cold" if it's too freezing on your tootsies.

You love going for rides and know ALL of our cars! If we are out and about and see a black Mercedes, it's always "Bubba's car!" You are always excited to go in "Brady's seat," especially when I put your juice cup in one cup-holder and gold fish ("fishies") in the other cup-holder. I passed a car on the highway last week, and you told me "Mama-drive FAST!" You are picking up on everything!!!



Generally you are still a great eater, but if you are busy playing with anything, or anyone, it is NOT happening. Favorite foods are: chicken, potatoes, bananas, watermelon, oatmeal, eggs, yogurt shakes, mac n cheez...and you have a new thing for juice boxes, drinkable yogurt, and bottled water.



You are getting much more independent, which is exciting and at the same time very scary. I have to do the mum-tease to you where I say "BYE BRADY!" and pretend to walk a way to get you to hold my hand in certain situations. You LOVE going up and down the stairs and ALWAYS ask for spoons or forks when you eat. "BRADY, HOLD IT!" Our newest phrase...You play well with kids you know (Day Day, Kass, Ayden, Landon) and can sometimes be a little hesitant when you meet new people. You are NOT shy, but very cautious. As soon as you warm up to people, you are best friends. As much as you are an independent boy now, you still want me to ALWAYS be around to play with you! God forbid I want to-gasp-shower?! This is one of the many reasons I am excited that you will have a sibling so close in age! Instant playmate.





You still let me hold your hand, and I hope you let me do that forever. You are a mama's boy. I love watching you interact with the people I love and you truly love them as much as I do. You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of your Grandparents, including Don Don and Mellon. You always have a blast with "Auntie" as well as all the other Aunties (Ashleigh, Jenna, Corrie, Krys, Allison) and the relationship you have with your Ry Guy (Yes, you say "Ry Guy" and not "Guy Guy" now) makes my heart melt. I am so happy I get to spend almost everyday and waking moment with you, because I know this time is short and sweet. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time (you only let me hold you when you're sleepy now!) and keep you a baby forever, but I know the best is yet to come. I feel so honored and blessed to be your Mommy.



LOVE YOU MORE.

Recital Weekend & Father's Day!

This weekend was insanely busy at our house! Not only was it Father's Day weekend, but also Recital Weekend! I have been taking an Alumni dance class at my old studio (Manomet School of Dance) since October, and we performed in the two day shows of the recital on Saturday & Sunday. I am definitely NOT as flexible as I used to be, AND have a growing 14 week baby belly, but it was still wonderful to be performing with the girls who made such an impact on my life growing up again. I got to dance with my favorite teachers and former classmates, and some of my best friends. I will miss our Tuesday nights together. I hope this happens again next year---although I will be in my THIRD TRIMESTER in the fall, I would still try to break it down. :)

It was also my little sister, Sam's, LAST recital ever! So bittersweet. She has been dancing there since she was 3 and is going off to college in the Fall. I have watched her go from a Little Sunshine Kid who wouldn't even get on the stage, to a flexible cheetah girl, to a competition dancer, and then student helper. I'm proud of her for sticking to something for so long---15 years! That's a commitment. I am so happy to be part of the MSOD family, and it's always reassuring that you can always come "home" there. The last Runnels' girl is done with her dancing days now---unless of course this lil' bean is a GIRL. She will basically come out wearing a hot pink tutu!!!

The Dad's came out at the end of the recital (including MINE) and danced with their daughters to the Darius Rucker song "It Won't Be Like This For Long." It was a surprise to all the moms who were asked to come and sit in the front row. So, not only am I a huge BLUBBERING MESS, but my entire family has now abandoned me in the audience to cry alone! ALLIGATOR TEARS. I was a big bunch of emotions--being pregnant of course didn't help with the hormones, but just watching my LITTLE sister all grown up dancing with my Dad, and watching my Mum watch them...I just love, love, love my family so much. We have such a unique situation and my parents have done such an amazing job staying not only civil but FRIENDS over the last ten years. I am so lucky.

Father's Day was wonderful! We sandwiched in a cookout at Ryan's Auntie Amy's house and had such a BLAST! Brady played with a little boy named Ayden who is 6 months older than he is. They had so much fun together and were such little boys---played with bubbles, the sand/water table, threw a football, refused to eat lunch, drank tons of Capri Sun, and ate yummy cookies. B got a little grumpy towards the end of the party...probably a bad idea on my part to forgo his nap. OOPS. Lesson learned. My Dad came and spent a few hours with us and it was so good to have him there. He knew a lot of the family friends at the party and seemed to have a great time. The food was so yummy (I made my Nan's Taco Salad!) and we all had fun playing in the perfect, 75 degree sun.

I got Ryan some new boat shoes (thanks Ash!) and a Polo shirt for his "first" Father's Day! Although Baby McLean is still a growing lil' bean, Ryan has stepped up in so many ways with Brady. I am so grateful that such an amazing person was brought into our lives and has chosen a role for himself that many men would be afraid to do. He kept Brady on both Saturday and Sunday nights for me (so that I could work on Sat and be with my family at Sam's last recital on Sunday). He could be out being a typical mid-20-something, but truly wants and ASKS to stay in to spend time with B one-on-one. He is so patient, kind, and caring with him, and isn't afraid to be a kid which I LOVE. The card I got him has a picture of a guy tying a little boy's shoe and it looks CREEPILY like him---so funny.

I am so in love with my family, old and new.

13 Week Update

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 13 weeks!
Size of baby: A peach! My littlest sweet peach :)
Total Weight Gain/Loss: Ugh who knows! It was 3 lbs a few weeks ago, but I definitely feel myself thickening all over!
Maternity Clothes: Not yet! Tight things are starting to feel uncomfortable and I could live in yoga pants, leggings and tunics. I HATE having to put on jeans and my black work pants.
Gender: As of right now, it's a SURPRISE until December. Everybody thinks Baby McLean is a girl!
Movement: I'm starting to feel little flutters/vibrations when I am still for a while...which is, like, never. It is so subtle but I definitely remember the feeling!
Sleep: SOOOO TIRED. At random times! I'm fine in the morning and even late late at night, but the middle of the day ruins me. The recovery time after work is brutal too, I'm always exhausted!
What I miss: Sushi and yummy summer drinks!
Cravings: Cereal, tacos, SPICY, pink lemonade, ice cream. Definitely NOT wanting fruit and grilled chix like last time.
Symptoms: Random headaches (awful!!), exhaustion, and HUGE BOOBS.

And Baby Makes Four...

Here we are! My new blog is in full force and will be used to catch the ramblings, thoughts, and joys of my life as a Mommy. I have come to realize as I've gotten older that LIFE is what happens when you're busy making plans :) This has been such a whirlwind year for Ryan and I and we finally accepted that we need to just fasten our seatbelts and enjoy this crazy and exciting ride. I could never have imagined my life so completely full and blessed but I truly feel COMPLETE now. Prince Charming came along at such an unexpected time and continues to amaze and surprise me with what love TRULY means every single day. Who would have known that "The One" was The One on the football field and basketball court while I was singing and dancing away? EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, and I truly now believe that when you know...you know.





So, as the Sister Wives say---Love is supposed to multiply, not divide. For anyone who doesn't know---SURPRISE! I am 13 weeks pregnant. We are so blessed and excited to be bringing a baby into the world and to make Brady a BIG BROTHER. I could never imagine loving a baby as much as Brady and my heart could burst thinking of the love I am going to have for both of my babies. Brady has no idea what's really going on (being only 21 months) but calls one of his stuffed animals "mama's baby." He will be such a wonderful big bro and I hope and pray they are super close. Two babies under 2.5----shhhhheeesh! I will definitely have my hands full. Thank God for such wonderful support from all around me. Did I mention how excited I am?!




My due date is December 18th...our little Santa Baby...and we are planning on waiting to find out the gender at birth! The ultimate Christmas gift! My pregnancy has been a BREEZE which is the compete opposite of what it was like while pregnant with Brady! I have felt so surprisingly "normal" this time around I was truly concerned at my last doctor's appt---and there is was for Ryan and I to hear---a strong, high heartbeat in the 160's. All is well. I was SO SO SO sick with Brady up until 4 months pregnant so I'm praying that I don't take a turn for the worst now that I'm in my second trimester. Other than the occasional headache and tiredness--I feel like me! I don't have a gut feeling yet on the gender and truly want a healthy, healthy baby and could care less about anything else. EVERYONE thinks it's a GIRL this time around! Literally, everyone. We shall see! All of the Old Wives Tales were wrong for me with Brady, so only time will tell. As my dad would say..."There's no changing it now!" Guess we will have to wait til December to know if Baby McLean will be in tutus or football helmets.




Besides being consumed with the baby news, we are also MOVING in about a month. We are moving into a house and leaving my downtown condo--more space for our growing family and a neighborhood for playing. I am leaving my beloved condo to one of my best friends, Jenna, and her adorable family. I love this place so much I wanted it to go to someone who would love it as much as we have. DO I REALLY HAVE TO PACK?! Wahhh....

I am so excited to start my blogging journey and to document my new journey as a Mom of almost two :)