--JTS--

Travis and I were discussing last night the fact that, in just 8 more weeks (54 days actually), we will be meeting our son.  When I threw out the number of days, Travis looked at me like, “Really?  Only that many more days?”  Funny how fast time flies.  I’m so BEYOND excited to welcome a little BOY into our lives!  I can’t wait to see how Marley reacts to meeting her baby brother.  And I can’t wait to just smother him with kisses!  It will be a great day, no doubt!!

Although we have not prepared as far in advance as we did with Marley, we’re getting there.  This coming weekend will be devoted to the nursery.  The bedding/décor/paint colors/furniture is all picked out and purchased (for the most part), and now it is just a matter of getting the room cleared out of “spare bedroom furniture”.  Travis is installing all new crown molding and trim in the room, along with a chair rail and new closet doors.  He likes to stay up late to work on household projects, and since I’m really not of too much help (and Marley’s bedroom is right across the hall), we are going to head to my mom’s house for the weekend.  I’m excited to see how everything looks on Sunday when I return!

Baby name…yet another item to check off our list of things to do.  We had 1 boy name and 1 girl name picked out when we got pregnant with Marley.  One would think this name choice would be easy, it was anything but.  I ruled out our original boy name, agonized over lists of new possibilities, and we (or I) couldn’t commit to ANYTHING.  But, while we were on our trip to Ely last weekend, I was writing out names on paper and just looking at them………and then it dawned on me.  The boy name we had picked out before Marley was born, which also happened to be Trav’s #1 name, just kept jumping out.  To make a long story short, I made this whole process way more difficult than it needed to be.  The name just fits and when I see it or say it, I smile, so I feel like it’s the one!

JAX THOMAS 

Jax--we always loved this as a nickname for Jackson, but knew we could never use the name Jackson for one of our kids.  Jackson Severson?!  Too many -son- sounds!

Thomas--after Trav's dad, Thomas Severson.

This past weekend, while Travis was up north working, I drove to Faribault and spent some time with my sister.  Travis and I were supposed to have a family photo session with Casey V Photography on Sunday, but since he was going to be working out of town, I had to cancel.  I was BUMMED!  However, my sister snapped a few photos of Marley and I while we were out on a walk in the Nature Center.  She has a NICE camera and has taken an interest in learning more about photography……..and she’s taken REALLY GREAT photos of her kiddos.  Anyway, she’s working on the photos now and hopefully we’ll have something cute to use in baby boy’s room.  Thank you, sissy! 

And on a random note……Marley LOVES sleepovers with her cousins.  Staying up late, dance parties with Uncle Andy while doing some afternoon cleaning, TREATS, cuddling in Ava’s bed in the morning!  They are all so cute together!  Ky keeps asking when his little buddy is going to come out and be able to play with him.  Poor guy needs a boy in the family……….soon, Kyan.  Very soon!!

My last doctor appointment (on Friday) went very well.  Baby’s heartbeat was 132 beats per minute and he’s very active.  This is the start of my twice monthly doctor visits, and in November I’ll be going every week.  So.  Many.  Doctor.  Appointments.  Ugh!!  And I’ve added a weekly chiropractor appointment to my list of to-do’s (to help with my lower back pain), which has been oh-so-nice, but it’s just hard to manage it all.  One more thing to do. 

Here I am at 31 weeks (taken on our hiking trip to Ely over my birthday weekend):

And here are 2 of my favorite little lady, sporting her newest obsession.....Missoni rainboots.  She won't take them off!

Monday, Monday...

Hip, hip, hooray for short work weeks!  That is how I feel on this, otherwise sunny, fall Monday morning.  Nothing wrong with today, but I hate Mondays.  And even more than Mondays, I hate Sunday nights…because it’s just a quarter of a day that you spend DREADING the coming morning.  For me, anyway!  The flurry of activity that makes up Sundays in our house; cleaning, cooking, LAUNDRY, grocery shopping………it always leaves me feeling exhausted.  I’m sure I’m not the only person that feels this way, so I’ll quit complaining!

This week, Travis and I both have Friday off!  We’ve planned a mini get-away before baby arrives……please, save your laughter.  This ain’t no FANCY BABYMOON or anything!  Trust me, as much as I’d love to head to some tropical locale, lay on the beach, soak up the rays (I’m salivating at the thought)……I’d much rather do all of the above when I’m not looking like a pale beached whale.  I mean, really, how fun can it be to go on an all-inclusive vacation when all you have to look forward to is sipping ice water in your tankini and BEDTIME?!  No thanks!  I’ll save my money for a glorious trip next year, just me and the hubs, when I can actually reach my legs well enough to shave them!!  Soooooooo, our destination is Ely!  A return to where we got engaged, a bit of hiking and sight-seeing, relaxing, sleeping in (that’s about 8:30am for me) and even sillier, a trip to the local movie theater!  Sad, but true, we have not been to the theater to see a movie since before Marley was born.  I’m telling you, it really is the SMALL joys that get me excited these days!  Hehe!  I think Travis is just looking forward to the fact that I’ll be forced to make it through the entire movie, vs. pulling my usual routine, asleep 30 minutes in, whenever we watch movies at home!  In any case, the trip is going to be just what we need……I love doing outdoorsy things, and the fall colors should be beautiful!  It will be nice to get some fresh air and have a chance to hang out with Travis!  Life has been crazy-busy lately and it’s time to slow down!

Other quick updates……I DID pass my 3 hour glucose test!  And Marley had a blast in her new swimming class at the YMCA on Saturday!  She was all giggles in the pool with Travis and the other kiddos!

Happy Monday!  Here’s to hoping your week zooms by!!

Updates

Last Thursday, I treated myself to an hour long massage at Blooma and it was just what I needed!  The lower back pain I’ve been experiencing has been significantly better, and I actually learned a lot about what could be causing it in my massage session.  I floated out of there with some tips/tricks for easing the pain at home and during the workday and hopefully things will improve!  Fingers crossed!

On that note.......Blooma………ahhhhh-mazing!  Just love that place!  A cute little yoga studio, specializing in prenatal yoga, childbirth education, massage/acupuncture…it’s heavenly!  If I could get to a yoga class EVERYDAY, I gladly would!  And there is something about all of the women that work there…this great energy and peacefulness just oozes out of that place!  Not to mention it’s fun being surrounded by a bunch of pregnant mamas with cute, big ol’ bellies!  Anyhoo…..it’s one of my favorite things lately!  I’ve been trying to get there for class once a week, but it’s not always easy having a little one at home.  Thankfully, they also have a Blooma Yoga DVD, which is (almost) equally as relaxing as being in their studio.  Definitely a MUST for all pregnant mamas!

I also had my doctor appointment on Thursday, which included my glucose screen.  The nurse called me on Monday to request that I come in for the 3 hour test (which I had today)...not good!  During the appointment, the doctor asked me if baby’s daddy is tall, because she said I have a LONG baby in there!  As if I haven’t already felt him filling up my belly.  I have no idea where he will continue to grow!  As we speak, he is pummeling my left rib cage with hard kicks, the kind that take your breath away for a second.  Thanks little buddy!  He is HEAD DOWN and I know he can still flip and turn, but I really hope he settles into the head down position and stays there, unlike his big sis!  Still on a mission to have a VBAC and that head down position is going to be essential to making that happen!  And thankfully, everything else continues to go well in pregnancy land.  I still can’t believe how close it is…….about 10 short more weeks!  Yikes!

The most exciting news……our basement remodel is officially underway.  The basement is completely cleared out of all junk (we did some major purging), and the first load of lumber was delivered Friday so that Travis can start framing.  He put in all new glass block windows last week and completely gutted the bathroom down there, so we are on our way!!  I cannot wait to have all of that new space to “live in”!!  Finally, I will have an actual laundry/utility room, a big ol’ family room for all of us to hang out in, a kids play room (yay……so excited to decorate this space), and Trav will have his theater!  All but the theater are slated to be complete by the end of November, when baby arrives!  The theater and the stadium-style seating that Travis has envisioned will take a bit more time and planning and he wants it to be perfect………he even bought one of those marquee signs off of Craigslist (with the flashing light bulbs all around it) that he plans to hang a customized “Severson’s Theater” poster in.  You can actually have those made, trust me, he’s done a lot of research on this!!  Ha!

Needless to say, between the remodel and getting the nursery all squared away (and the other little projects that are on my to-do list), our house is going to be hectic!  My twice a month doctor appointments start at the end of this month, and this weekend already our Miss Mars starts her second round of swimming lessons at the Southdale YMCA.  We’re stretching ourselves a little thin these last few months, but such is life with kiddos, right?!  In just a short time, I will be soaking up some serious baby love from my little man and preparing for the holidays!  CAN’T.  WAIT!!

A couple of my favorite photos from our trip up north over Labor Day...

And a bunch of photos captured in the car, Marley is the Queen of 100 silly faces...

Adios Summer!

Goodbye to Summer…though this year, I can’t say that I’m sad to see it end.  We were so busy that we barely had a chance to enjoy all that is good about the summer months…the warm weather, long weekends at the lake, lazy Sundays spent at the pool.  Travis spent the last few months working VERY long days, and nights, and weekends…..you get the point.  As for me, I’ve been so exhausted…working full-time, being pregnant, chasing after a toddler in any of my spare time (while said hubby works).  This summer has been a whirlwind, but not one that was jam packed with fun, summer stuff.  And I definitely FEEL for single momma’s.  You know, when your better half is away, you kind of get a taste of what it would be like, raising kids on your own, holding down the “fort”, so to speak…it’s not easy!! 

In sight is a pleasant end to August, a long weekend at the cabin!  The weather looks as though it will be cool, but it makes me happy to think there might be the possibility of a late night bon-fire, sweatshirts, and s’mores!  Yum!!  Fall is one of my favorite times of the year and I’m welcoming it, along with the return of my husband, with open arms :)

On Tuesday night we ventured out to the great Minnesota Get-Together!  Love the State Fair……I grew up going to the Fair every year as a kid, and this will be our 8^th year of going together as a couple.  I’ve mentioned this before, but I drag Travis into the photo booth every year.  It’s fun to see the 7 strips of photo booth pics and all the changes that have happened in those 7 years.  A few years ago I was flashing an engagement ring, then a baby bump, and last year, Marley made her debut in her first set of pictures!  The booth was cozier than ever this year, with the 3 of us + my bump…….and next year, well, we’ll be that family of 4 packing into that darn photo booth!  Can’t wait!!

Aside from the 1 hour drive to the fair (ugh…traffic is the death of me), we had a blast!  We trooped through the fairgrounds for about 3 hours in the misty rain.  Bonus to the rain and colder temps were light crowds!  The buildings were all pretty empty and the lines at the food stands were non-existent.  We made our usual stops…Cotton Candy, Salted Nut Rolls (you CANNOT leave the fair without one of these), Mini Donuts, and Sweet Martha’s!  Something about this pregnancy has me craving chocolate chip cookies like a mad woman, and I’m not normally a fan!!  Marley couldn’t keep her hands out of the cookie bucket either!  Just like her daddy! 

We also shared a turkey sandwich (delish) and mac-n-cheese bites, which were Marley’s favorites, well…aside from the glass of chocolate milk she chugged at the milk stand!  She is just so much fun………doing her “hands in the air” dance as we passed booths with loud music, whipping her glow sticks around like she was at a rave (and trying to stick them up her nose), petting the baby piggies in the Miracle of Birth building.  And she’s such a social butterfly, waving and saying hi to EVERYONE, which is kind of embarrassing at a place like the State Fair where there are strangers everywhere for her to wave at!

Can’t believe that in 12 short weeks we’ll be meeting this little dude!!  Lots to do to prepare for his arrival...and we need to name him (most importantly)!  Picking names is SO HARD!!  We have a short list of names we love, but haven't committed to anything quite yet!  Time will tell!!

 

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!

Silly Miss Mars!!

This girl just cracks me up...she is so so silly and she knows it!  Though she has lots of "words" and knows how to talk, she was on a kick last night of just making silly sounds!  Just jabbering!  The jabbering lasted 30 minutes into bedtime, when I could STILL hear her talking to all the stuffed animal friends in her crib.  

**And in case any of you notice.......the M in the bathtub is really a W (can't find that M), but she likes to pick it out and make the "mmmmmmmm" sound!  We're working on letter recognition :)

Tick, Tock.......Blah!

Creeping, slowly, towards the third trimester…and it has sunk in.  I’m pregnant and time is certainly not on my side.  I feel my due date knocking on the door, looming over me and causing anxiety because I just know I won’t have enough time to get everything done that I want to before this little guy decides to make his appearance.  I’ve now made a “master list” for Travis, pointing out all the things that we need to accomplish in the next 4 months (or less)………knowing his go-getter/motivated personality, he’ll make sure it all happens, even if that means he has to give me a kick in the butt to get motivated with him!!  I’m more of “mentally nesting”….making lists, worrying, thinking of things that I need to do, but having a hard time doing them because I feel so blah these days. 

Aside from the enormous list of to-do’s, all is well in pregnant land.  We’ve had a handful of ultrasounds over the last few weeks and baby measuring a bit ahead of schedule.  According to his weight and various body measurements, he’s about 1 week and 4 days further along than we thought.  She did adjust my due date to November 26^th and aside from that, they are just keeping track of the little guy and his weight.  Marley weighed a solid 7lb 14oz at 39 weeks, when I had my c-section with her.  Maybe I’m in for an early delivery or a big boy!

Speaking of deliveries, I did switch OB’s this time around.  I had nightmares after Marley was born about having to have another c-section.  It wasn’t so much that I had a BAD experience.  Looking back, I just felt that I was a bit naïve with my first pregnancy…not doing my research in advance of my c-section and trusting too much in what my doctors were telling me.  Truth is, the only reason why I needed to have a c-section was because Marley was breech and my doctor convinced me that trying the external version procedure (where they attempt to turn her) could result in injury to the baby and a possible emergency delivery…via c-section no less (which poses more risk than one that is scheduled).  So…I waited and waited for Marley to flip, and she never did.  Girl has a mind of her own, still to this day!  I don’t think that delivering via c-section is a cop-out in any way, shape, or form.  The recovery is tough and it is a painful surgery, followed by a painful few days at home.  Either way you look at it, you are bringing a beautiful baby into the world!  BUT……I WANT THIS DELIVERY TO BE DIFFERENT!! 

To make a long story short, I just WANT to birth my baby the way nature intended me to (or at least give it a try).  Is that so bad?!  Fairview Southdale (which is where I had Marley) and the group of OB’s that I was seeing WILL NOT allow women to have or attempt a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section).  Too much red-tape and potential liability in the way.  And so that is why I switched.  I have a new and amazing doctor at Park Nicollet in Shakopee.  She has helped to educate and encourage me on what having a VBAC is all about……….that it IS POSSIBLE and that I can do it if I want to!!  She pointed out that I am one of the BEST candidates for having a successful VBAC due to my age, health, and reason for having my first c-section.  I have faith that my body can do the job it was made to do and this time, instead of laying cold on an operating table while my hubby was off cuddling with Marley and the doctors chatted about the upcoming Vikings/Packers game (seriously), I will be able to (if all goes well) snuggle up with my new little guy immediately.  Not to mention, I WILL NOT miss those darn compression boots and the grogginess of anesthesia/pain meds!  I barely remember having visitors the day Miss Marley was born!  So………wish me luck!  

In other news...loving this weather, loving Marley's new found vocabulary (which is just exploding), and REALLY looking forward to a mini get-away with Trav in late September.  We're heading to Ely over my birthday weekend......staying in a cabin, relaxing, hiking (well, as much as you CAN hike at 31 weeks pregnant), sleeping in!  Marley will be at Grandma K's house at the lake!  Can't wait!!!  It's kind of fun to be returning to Ely...the place where Travis proposed to me 3 years ago on September 8th!  We were at Ludlow's Resort on Lake Vermilion.  Married shortly thereafter, in December 2008, and Marley arrived the following January 2010!  And the rest is history..........!!

Here's that little miss that I just love more than anything in this world........couldn't you just squeeze her?!

 

Oh, What a Weekend!!

We were planning on heading north for the weekend, to get away from Trav's never-ending line-up of side jobs, and to relax with the family.....but as it turned out, he had to meet an inspector at a job site late Friday and we decided to just stay put.  Sometimes packing up and trying to get to the cabin ends up being far less relaxing than if we were to just stay home.  The weekend seems to pass too quickly, and then we're back on the road again, trying to squeeze 2 days worth of cleaning and prepping for the week into a few hours on Sunday night. 

As much as we missed getting to do some boating, enjoying the heat lakeside, and seeing family, we were long over-due for a family weekend of our own!  And fun we did have!!  

Pizza and a swim in the backyard pool on Friday!

A trip to Toys R' Us on Saturday to get Marley her big girl potty, a little basket ball hoop (girl can play ball), and some dinner at LeAnn Chin...plus a walk around Centennial Lakes park.

Sunday morning was spent exploring the zoo, followed by lunch at Noodles!  Travis took a nap with Marley and I headed to yoga at Blooma...ahhhh!  We ended our day with yardwork (it's not all fun and games)...Marley helped me pick up sticks, though she kept taking off on me and running up to our neighbors sliding glass door and knocking on it!  Ha!  And we topped it all off with an hour of playtime in the sprinkler!  I felt like such a kid!!!

What weekend would be complete without an OOOPS?!  Pretty sure Marley is going to have her first black eye, thanks to bumping her head on a table in our living room!  I'm sure it won't be the first time...

And can't leave out baby brother.......little guy is active and on the move ALWAYS!  These are the worst pics, but I'm bad at taking belly pictures this time around.  Travis snapped one and made me laugh right as he took it......something about "suck in" or was it "stick your chest out"...either way, ugh!  Here I am @ 23 weeks.

What a weekend!!  They don't happen like that too often in our house as everyone is SO busy!  Travis especially!  It was good for him to have a solid weekend with Mars.  He's been working such long days, sometimes getting home after 11pm, and he broke my heart the other day when he told me that he goes into her room at night and shines the light from his phone on her so that he can see her, because he misses her so much!  Awww....so sad!  

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!