Well guys, my life has been INSANE! I seriously don’t remember a more busy summer. We’ve had so much fun though.
We’ve had a bunch of my family in town the past couple weeks and have had so much fun running around with them. My little sister left yesterday and I told myself that as soon as she left, I had to shift into baby mode 110%!
Sooooo, today I’ve been working on Project BABY!
I pulled out the bassinet, swing, bouncy seat, baby bathtub, toys, blankets and all the clothes from the basement. I’ve spent the majority of my day washing everything and getting it ready!
You can tell I’m the mother of many because I’m NOT preparing a nursery, painting walls, planning decor, finding the perfect outfits or cute bedding.
I AM making sure he has clean, soft, comfy clothes and plenty of clean, cute (albeit gently used) baby gear though.
When having a sixth child, it’s all about function and efficiency, lol! However, he WILL be very much loved, cared for and SPOILED with attention! All of my kids can hardly wait for the baby to arrive. I know I will have plenty of “helpers” for better or worse. 😉
I am due in exactly 18 days, folks. It almost seems surreal. Even though I’ve become completely incapacitated, can barely walk, breathe or move, have gained a million pounds (37 to be exact) and have a huge wiggly thing in my belly, it still doesn’t seem like we’re really going to have a baby. It’s crazy.
My emotions seem to fluctuate between excitement and anticipation (I am SO EXCITED to have another baby to love and coddle!) to stress and nervousness (how in the world am I going to be able to take care of a newborn and still keep up with my life?) to fear and inadequacy (I totally forgot how to care for a new baby!??? Have I really had 5 babies before?)
I’m sure everything will work out fine though and I’ll quickly get back into “newborn baby mode.” It will be fun.
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On Monday, I went out to dinner and shopping with my mom, sisters, daughter and nieces. We went to Gardner Village (the cutest, girliest boutique shops ever) and had a great time.
Sadly, I couldn’t buy anything for me because NOTHING FITS, but my daughter was in heaven because I bought her a bunch of Back to School things. She loved it. I’ve also decided that when I’m losing the baby weight, I want to go back to Gardner Village and buy cute things to reward myself. Sounds like fun, right?
Anyway, we took this picture of me, my mom and sisters. I look so dang giant and bloated. Sigh.
Seriously, my maternity “Skinny jeans” have become my maternity “cut off the circulation jeans.” It’s not attractive.
We also took this fun picture of the whole gang…
This picture cracks me up!!! First off, my sister’s 5 year old son was the photographer, lol. Secondly, I DID NOT plan to be the one hiding in the back, but it just worked out that way. Just before my nephew snapped the picture, my daughter and niece put their heads together and completely hid me. YAY! I thought it was the perfect “9 month pregnant” picture, lol.
On Tuesday, I went to the new Museum of Natural Curiosity (i.e. Children’s Museum) with my sister and it was amazing! I only took my 10 year old and 4 year old with me though.
My 10 year old ran around with his cousins, so I just enjoyed playing with my 4 year old. It was so nice to have some rare one-on-one time with him!
He had a ball! They even had a “Healthy Promise” booth that was so cute. They had a bunch of healthy habits you could vow to keep. I read them off to my son and he chose “Eat a Healthy Breakfast Every Morning.” We then took a picture of us with the “promise” and they emailed us the picture.
Pretty cool huh? We had a fabulous time and I can’t wait to take my other kids too!
Last weekend, we went to a wedding for our niece. We had to drive about an hour and a half each way to get there, but it was fun and a nice little “getaway.” However, my body could barely handle driving in the car that long!
It was crazy. My back and belly hurt quite a bit and my feet bloated WAY up! I took this beautiful picture when I got home…
Oh my! I don’t know if you can tell, but my feet are POURED into those shoes. I always feel like my feet become more like hooves that I shove into my shoes when I’m mega pregnant. It’s cute.
Oh, and my 4 year old was bored on the drive home, so he took some selfies…
He also wanted to take a picture of me, lol.
He was quite proud of himself. What a cutie.
Yes, we’ve been busy and have been running all over the place! However, my schedule is now pretty dead until baby arrives. I’m very happy about that because all of a sudden I SERIOUSLY can’t move anymore! It really is a chore to even walk. It’s funny….kind of.
My “workouts” consist of hoisting my body off of the couch or bed these days. I also dropped the soap when I was in the shower 4 TIMES the other day. As a pregnant lady, when I drop something, I just stare at it for a moment and ask myself, “How much do I really want/need that?” Of course, I needed the soap, so I picked it up ALL 4 times. I considered that to be my “workout” for the day.
It’s pathetic, but my reality these days. 😉 Yesterday I was wondering how I EVER ran, jumped or walked without waddling? It’s definitely something I took for granted!
I’ve still been trying to keep the diet pretty healthy though. I’ve been having oatmeal for breakfast most mornings. I love how yummy, FILLING and quick it is to make. I was so happy to have Chocolate Chip Cookie Oats in a Jar this morning. YUM!
I’ve also been having various salads for lunch a lot lately. Here are some of my creations…
They’ve tasted so good to me! These have mostly been romaine, cucumber, tomato, peppers, avocado and Feta cheese. I’ve also put leftover grilled chicken on there and it’s been so dang good!
I had some leftover fruit some of the days (that’s why the fruit looks so wilted and haggard!) and today I made myself half of a PB and Banana sandwich. It was so tasty.
We’ve been keeping dinner very, very simple lately (I’m talkin’ quesadillas, sandwiches, frozen stuff, etc.) Yes, it’s pathetic, but quite necessary considering I can hardly move these days. The kids don’t seem to mind at all though. 😉
Oh, and I took my 37 week pregnant picture on Sunday. I’m really starting to fill out this dress!!!
Well, that’s the latest on my VERY pregnant, VERY huge, VERY tired and VERY incapacitated life right now. It’s a good life though and I’m very thankful for all I have going on right now! I hope you all have a wonderful night.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
Names??!?!?!?!?! Have you mentioned what you might name him? Did I miss this post?
Melanie says
Ya know, I haven’t mentioned names yet. I have several names that I love, but my husband doesn’t 🙁 We’re still kickin’ around a few different options. It’s so tough and I’m definitely over thinking it, lol.
Jessica says
He’ll be here before you know it! 🙂
Melanie says
Yay!!! I seriously can’t wait.
fromtrextotigress says
You’ve still been so busy although feeling tired. You’re really fit. Don’t worry, I’m sure you will get back in top shape after baby is born. You’ve been doing all the right things.
Your little guy is so cute! That floating head shot. I love it. Nice that you were able to have some girl time.
Melanie says
Thanks so much for your confidence in me! It’s so tough to imagine myself being able-bodied and somewhat fit EVER again! We’ll see how it goes, lol.
Arianna says
I’m so excited for you guys! The museum counts as working out, silly 😉 it’s awesome you guys went this last week-looks like a fun one! Enjoy the nesting mode and I’m confident you’ll ease right into the newborn phase without any issue! 🙂 happy nesting! And almost back to school!! Ahhhhh!
Melanie says
Oooo, I like your idea of the “walking around the museum workout.” That makes me feel better. 😉 I can’t believe it’s almost Back to School time too!!!
Polly - TastyFoodProject.com says
I can’t believe you are so close to your due date! That is so exciting! You also look lovely in your pregnancy pictures. 🙂
Melanie says
Thanks so much! I’m so happy to be nearing the end and seeing a “light at the end of the tunnel!”
Deborah says
Hand’s on children’s museums are so much fun! How nice that your little four-year-old got to spend the day with mommy all to himself! That will be a special memory for you both.
Two and a half weeks left till your due date!!! I’m so excited for you!
Melanie says
I really, really enjoyed my time with my son. It’s rare to get some one-on-one time and I enjoyed every second!
Cheryl says
I’m so excited for you. This is what my house looks like as well. Six more weeks for me until I deliver my sweet baby boy. I check your blog every day for a pregnancy update. 🙂 thanks for keeping us updated. I’m also excited to see the numbers on my scale go down soon. Haha
Melanie says
I’m so happy for you that you only have 6 more weeks to go! Woo hoo! I can’t wait for both of us to meet our cute baby boys….and start losing a little weight. Hallelujah!
Keri says
Aw, you’re a gorgeous prego lady 🙂 And too fun to read! You’re almost there….
Melanie says
Oh, you are so so so kind Keri. Thanks for your support!!!
Kim says
I still think you are super cute – you look awesome!!
I hope you can take plenty of time the next couple of weeks to rest and relax!! So exciting that you are only about 2 weeks (or less) from meeting your new little one!!
Melanie says
Thanks so much Kim! I seriously can’t wait to have a sweet little baby in our home again. It kind of seems surreal, but I’m definitely counting down the days!!
BackatSquare0 (@BackAtSquare0) says
I swear it seems like you just announced it yesterday and to think baby will be here soon. So exciting.
Melanie says
I know, in some ways it seems like it’s gone by very fast and in other ways it seems like I’ve been pregnant for 454898 months!!! Can’t wait to be done. 😉
The Vegan 8 says
I can imagine how incredibly tired you are…I was just soooo exhausted by that point and I didn’t have any other children like you do. You are super mom, superwoman and deserve the biggest medal EVER for being so sweet, kind hearted, beautiful and so caring! I can’t wait to see pics of your new baby! I laughed out loud at your skinny jeans comment, by the way! I remember that feeling too well.
Melanie says
Okay Brandi, you are the sweetest ever! Thanks for always being so kind. You always make me smile! Yes, I’m a super duper FREAKING tired preggo mom and I’m so looking forward to kickin’ this pregnancy to the curb. Sounds harsh, I know. 😉
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance says
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe you are due in 18 days! That is amazing!!! Time is just flying by! I know you will be a great mom and all your old instincts will kick in when the little one gets here. Seeing all of your gear reminds me of how much I still have left to do. And I swear my skinny jeans “shrink” everytime I wash them. Lol!
Melanie says
I know, I’m SO EXCITED to meet our sweet little baby! It will be fun. Even though I’ve had 5 kids before, I’m still nervous and feel like I don’t know what in the heck I’m doing though! Oh, and I know ALL ABOUT the “shrinking” jeans. 🙁