19 Weeks

Yesterday was the 19 week marker for this pregnancy and I am pretty happy with how things are going.  Considering the stress of all things going on and this being #4, I feel pretty good.

I have only gained 4-6 Ibs which is phenomenal for me!  I really hope I can keep this pace up because I started over-weight and with each pregnancy I have ended at a higher weight than the previous.  At this rate I have a chance at staying within range of my first pregnancy.

My pain/discomfort level increases as the day wares on, but overall it's not that bad.  I am still sleeping with a toddler in my bed and able to sleep in cramped positions without my pillow (if you sleep with a child in your bed, you may know what I mean).

We just got bunk beds for my 2 older children and they are officially sharing a room.  Last night was the first night that they slept in their new beds and I really hope it was just the excitement of the new situation.  It was a late night and an early morning this morning.  They were organizing and fighting and bugging each other for a solid hour after bed time.

The 5:15 wake up was not welcome (never is...) after being awake from 1am-3am with a sick 18 month old.  Poor little guy has an ear infection and Coxsackie (Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease).

This is also the first week of school for my daughter.  She is officially a bus riding 1st grader and she is super excited!

Can you tell it's been busy around here?  Do you blame me for not getting my blog posts in order this week?  I hope not.

On top of all of this, my husband was stung by a King Bee and ended up with a terrible infection. Two super antibiotics and tons of probiotics later he still feeling wiped out and sick, but the infection is retreating and the swelling has gone down.  I wish I had gotten a picture to show you of the initial sting and the infection when he woke up the next morning - really terrible.

So, next week is the big 20 and we will hopefully find out what we are having!

     

Back to School: Packing Lunches

School starts here on Tuesday and I am dreading packing lunches again.

I have a hard enough time making actual food for myself and dinner for everyone.

I wrote a post that is like my cheat sheet when I feel defeated.  Just a list of what my kids will eat and what I should have on hand each week.

Having it in writing always makes me feel less overwhelmed.  My list only includes one sandwich option for when my daughter is in the mood, so I strive for more creative choices.  There are also some make-ahead and breakfast in a pinch ideas!

You can find it over on Local Girl :)

A Few Good Things

I don't always like posts that tell you to travel all over the internet to find content, but I have a few things that I have written or collected recently and I think they are worth sharing, but without the redundancy of re- posting here. It's also not good for the content even though it seems counter intuitive. So...

I wrote about my switch from iPhone to the Samsung Galaxy s5

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, so I shared a little about that, plus I wrote a whole breastfeeding series on my experiences and what worked for me here on WL.

In my fourth pregnancy, I have finally found something that works in the war against "Morning" Sickness!

And today is the first day that I am free from both nausea AND my miracle cocktail.

Plus, my 6 Tips for Selling on eBay!  This is what sparked my series on streams of income (that I will conclude soon...)

Also, I have been collecting some really good stuff on Pinterest for Back to School

     

Prayers for Back to School

photo credit: Kevin (KB35)

School has already started for much of the country.  It starts here next Monday.  My baby is headed off to Kindergarten and her first days in public school.  I am soooo nervous.  I looked up some prayers for our children as they begin the new school year and I wanted to pass this on to you.

I found these prayers at relevantchildrensministry.com

A Prayer to Pray WITH Your Child for School 

Dear God, Thank you for ____________.
As he/she begins this school year, help him/her to use the talents and gifts you've given him/her to do his/her very best.
May he/she listen to his/her teachers with respect.
Help him/her be honest if he/she is ever tempted to cheat.
Help him/her to always tell the truth, be kind to everyone at school, and treat others as he/she would like to be treated.
Help him/her to make good friends and be a good friend to others.
And help him/her to remember that You’re always with him/her and that You’ll never leave his/her side.
May he/she love You and follow You with all his/her heart, soul, and strength.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

A Prayer to Pray FOR Your Child for School 

Father, Enable _______________ to stand strong in Christ.
(2 Timothy 3:10-12) Give him/her a hunger for learning.
Enable him/her to use his/her ability to think and learn.
(1 Samuel 2:10) May he/she study and work with diligence. (
Proverbs 10:4-5) I pray that he/she will develop healthy relationships with others.
(Proverbs 13:20) Show him/her how to relate to others with compassion, respect, and understanding. (Ephesians 4:32) I ask that he/she will have good relationships with the teachers and the administration and show them respect.
(Romans 13:1) I pray that Your Holy Spirit will do a powerful and gracious work in his/her heart.
(John 16:7-11) May he/she love You and follow You with all his/her heart, soul, and strength.
(Deuteronomy 6:5-6)
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. -

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Back to School: 10 School Supplies That Your Kindergartener Will Need This Year

My baby is heading off to Kindergarten this year, and while I kinda dread it, I love shopping for school supplies!  That was always the best part of going back to school for me.  That and clothes shopping, of course.  I loved breaking out the new shoes and pencils!  No doubt we will be doing our fair share of clothes shopping - she has a very specific style - but I think I will handle the supplies.  I know the school box needs to be pink ;)

This is what mine and most Kindergarteners will need this school year:

• Paper Towels
• Baby Wipes (soft pack)
• Tissues
• No.2 Pencils
• Crayons (24pk)
• Watercolor Paints (8 colors)
• Plastic Pocket Folder
• Plastic School Box (8.25" x 5.63" x 2.13")
• Fiskars 5" Blunt Scissors
• Fine Point Dry Erase Markers (4pk)

Also, did you know that many school districts offer direct ordering through the school?

You order and the supplies are delivered to your child's classroom at the start of the year.  Everything is the same as everyone else's and it takes all the guess work (and overpriced character themed stuff) out of the equation. 

Some additional supplies that you may need or want:

Backpack
Lunchbox
Hand Sanitizer

I also want to mention a post written by Julie that drives home the importance of taking school suggestions seriously.  A lot of parents feel like schools are asking too much, especially when it comes to spending money on supplies.  Julie makes some very valid points on their intentions.

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