It's Wednesday.  I'm a bit tapped for this week if I am going to be honest.  Addy started on the monitor at five am this morning and I woke up realizing I was in the exact same position that I fell asleep in last night, I didn't even get up to pee. 

That being said, this summer is sweet and full of hope and life and joy.  I have been struggling, struggling in a way of "jesus, this is the fifth freaking tantrum and the clock hasn't even hit 6:30 yet" "holy hell how can I be so mad at such a small human?" and struggling physically.  Adelynn is way more physical than I bargained for and is into climbing e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

That being said.  This summer is sweet.  I am overwhelmed and probably a bit underprepared for the biggest change that will take place in the nest few months but I have a boy that is kicking me every second of every day in my belly and I have a daughter that wraps her arms around me and when I do leave and come back gets so excited she just about has a conniption fit "MOMMY!!!!" I get to end my days with my soul mate and partner.  I have a tan for the first time ever because I actually get to spend my days outside as opposed to in an office.  We have plans for fruit stands and grilled corn, pulled pork and cupcakes.  My family is coming together, we are growing and maturing and laughing and crying, usually every day. 

I struggle with a lot and I don't know a lot, but I can tell you that I can look at Jim and know that he is my soul mate.  I look at A and know that, while she is way more than I bargained for, she is mine and the greatest gift I have been given.  I look at my stomach and know that in a couple of months, for the very first time, I will set eyes on my son.  For now, this is enough.

5 Quick Things

1.  I was lucky enough to be the guest blogger on Wifessionals and Happily Ever Rushed this week.  If you get a chance stop by and check out both blogs - they are great!

2.  Whew, I am six months in to this pregnancy and having a 20 month old is no joke guys.  The screaming... so much screaming.  I am trying to stay positive, on top of things, and just make light of what I can because... holy hell - that scream.

3.  Does anyone else feel in a rut with cooking?  In summer meal planning just goes out the window, ugh who feels like cranking the oven up to 400 when it's hot and muggy outside?

4.  I just really hope this is a good weekend, I have my fingers crossed - smooth sailing in the wiggle household.

5. 

ham, that's all I have to say about this.

what i've returned to for maternity round 2.

I think the first time you are pregnant, it's such a shock and experience and honestly - your body has no idea what you are going through much less your mind so in terms of what you should buy, what you'll need to get through being pregnant, etc. it seems easiest to either buy almost nothing (the route I chose) or buy EVERYTHING MATERNITY IN SIGHT.  I was working my first time being pregnant, so using quite a few of my dresses as tunics and adding leggings and one pair of maternity black pants, I called myself set. 

This time around, I am nannying for the summer and I knew I would need to get some new things, I am not going to be chasing after 4 kids in freaking jeans in 90 degree weather, that's for sure.  I wanted to catalogue some new things that I have bought and also some of the good stuff from before that I just can't get enough of.

Aladdin Tumbler:  I got a "free" reusable liter water bottle from the hospital when I had A and used the crap out of that thing.  However, it has seen better days although I definitely still have it stashed up in my cupboard (I mean seriously a liter! Can't beat it!) this has become my go-to.  I have really sensitive teeth and have always preferred drinking from a straw as opposed to a cup.  I like this one the best because:

• it's straw has a little guard at the bottom to prevent over happy toddlers from pulling it out and running off with it
• its somewhat spill proof (water comes out through the straw but I can usually catch it before it's a disaster)
• it fits in my cup holder for when I'm driving
• dishwasher safe and sweatproof

Gap Supersoft Leggings: I used these my first pregnancy at the advice of some other mamas out there  and loved them but had a hard just time justifying the price.  Since then I have tried pretty much every brand of leggings out there and have never been truly satisfied.  I ordered a new pair and when I got these today I told my husband "the only way I can describe it is your first bite of filet mignon after eating nothing but hamburgers" BEST LEGGING hands down pregnant or not.  Yes, they are expensive for "leggings", do yourself a favor, get a coupon and get them.

H&M Mama Nursing Bra: I exclusively breastfed for 14 months with TWO (2!!) "regular" nursing bras (ie. not sports bras) Needless to say, I didn't really feel sexy just alternating between a patterned bra and tan bra.  I just kinda wrote it off as an unnecessary expenditure and hated all my bras and my time in them lol.  It's not.  When the ahem girls grew this time around, I knew it was time to invest in some bras but I HATE shopping in stores.  I saw a recommendation for this bra and seeing as how they are under 20 bucks I decided to try one.  They are great for the money and pretty comfortable (I mean for a bra ya know)- my only recommendation is size up (in cup and band size), at least in my experience, they seem to run a little small.

Old Navy Maternity Jersey-Stretch Tank: This is a leftover from my first pregnancy.  So comfortable, so soft, not sure why I bought any other tanks.  For the money, can't be beat.

Bath and Body Lavender Vanilla Pillow Mist: One side affect that I have is trouble sleeping/troubling dreams, etc. Like intense trouble sleeping.  One of the things that seems to help me is to have a ritual of doing the same things before sleep every night.  Spraying this on my pillows usually makes the list.  It smells divine and I do feel it at least mentally helps me relax - which is half the battle when trying to get to sleep.



So those have been my go-to's this pregnancy.  I am always curious though - what does everyone else love?

Also - I hope you all are getting ready to enjoy the weekend.  It's supposed to be gorgeous here all weekend long - I just hope my peanut is well enough to enjoy it!

wish list

although we haven't started house hunting yet (school loan problems can ya hear me!) and with the way things are looking it will probably be closer to the end of the year when we actually get to really get down to the bones of looking/buying/moving, I thought I would make a list of things I definitely WANT in our new house.  I am hoping to maybe do a somewhat regular series on our process of moving/buying/finishing things.  After 2 1/2 years renting this home - I have become very aware of some of it's ahem deficiencies.

1. a desk area.  this is crucial for me.  we have a laptop in our living room, stored under the couch and a printer balanced on top of a small filing cabinet in our eating area.  originally we thought we would make the second spare bedroom into an office, but that become our nursery when I got pregnant 3 months after we moved in...  I want a place to feel organized, store important papers, and if it happens, grow this business.  I am not big on working in bed, a couch, etc.  Even now when I write posts, I usually set up at the kitchen table or outside if it's nice to feel like I am "working."

2. a play area, this can be as small as just bedrooms big enough to house "big" toys like kitchen sets, etc. or a separate living space.   our living room right now is small.  for the square footage of the house (just under 1200) it is a little awkwardly laid out and the kitchen is a huge square with a gaping hole in the middle (WASTED SPACE).  Adelynn's toys get stacked on a small bookshelf at the bottom of the steps and while it works for now... we are going to need something larger than a 3 shelf bookshelf ala Target 7 years ago for my junior year of college.

3. privacy.  we share a driveway now (HATE IT) and face a lot of neighbors.  it's not awful, it is an older neighborhood so there is VERY mature landscaping offering nice shade and some privacy but jim and I really want some space to stretch out and not have everyone up in my business all the time.  it comes more from just wanting the option to live a private life more from like NEEDING privacy for some freaky business but I just don't want everyone to need/know when I leave the house every second of every day.  this includes a FENCABLE yard!

4. updated electrical/walls/etc.  I don't mind older homes, in fact most times I prefer the character and styling of RENOVATED older homes.  plaster walls, 2 prong outlets.... I've seen enough of you.  While we are more than willing to work on cosmetic details, we also need to be practical about the level of project we can take on.  More likely than not, we will be moving in with a 2 year old and 3 month old, and I stay home all day - having workers in day in and day out will not mesh.

5. Suitable for long term use.  We aren't really in the market for starter home at this point.  We are two kids in and are planning on more in the future.  We realistically can't "make due" with one bathroom, 3 bedrooms, etc.  Ideally we would like to find our "forever" home but at the very least will plan on staying at least 10+ years.

I know this is going to be a long haul and that we are going to have to be picky.  I am okay with that but part of me wishes we were just in the market for a cute, starter home that we were planning on flipping.  Any tips out there?  I can't wait to start but part of me is DREADING the process!