“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” ~Gilda Radner

Le sigh. Last 2 weeks have been a bit blurry for me, and I’m over a week behind on my posts. Sowwy!  Aaaand I’m gonna really try and not be a Debbie Downer in this entry, but I also want to be honest about how it’s been. Welp, Rob went on his annual Man Trip to Milwaukee & Chicago and left me by my lonesome! Haha jk, it was a well-deserved trip, as he has been working his ass off at work and at home too.  Nonetheless, no job and no school (which I am thankful for) does leave a girl a little bored and lonely.  I didn’t really have the motivation to make plans, so I am thankful for the people in my life that took the time to make sure I was doing okay and spent some time with me.  I’m usually pretty independent, but my options have been limited lately due to this ridiculous heat impairing me.  Yes, the swelling has come full force.  I can’t even be outside for more than 5-10 minutes without my hands swelling/falling asleep and my feet and ankles swelling. Not to mention having very little energy.  It’s crazzzyy! But, expected during the home stretch of this pregnancy.
Rob came home and had to dive right into “end of the month” mode, which can also leave me bored & lonely (love you babe).  Honestly though, this man has really done what it takes to provide and I’m so proud of him. As most of you already know, last Tuesday was an awful day.  Our sweet Roxy passed away.  She had been feeling sick on and off for a few weeks (which isn’t really abnormal, since she has always been sick on & off since we rescued her 4 years ago).  I think she was waiting for Rob to come home.  Needless to say, her breathing issues caught up with her and she passed quickly (and I hope, painlessly). 

Probably top 3 of the most traumatic things I’ve ever been through, but I really am glad that we could be right by her side.  So many mixed emotions, and so many “what-ifs” have crossed both our minds.  I just can’t believe she is gone, I miss her.  Just everyday routines have made me really miss her. Finding her fur on my clothes (she drove me nuts when she rubbed her body on our clean clothes in the closet) to locking doors because she knew how to open them.  I never thought it would be this hard to lose a pet.  Sure, I’ve lost family pets….but, this cut us really deep.  Our dogs are our furkids! Ok, let’s pep it up.  The comforting notion is that she is no longer suffering, because let me tell you; this pup could never catch a break.  She was always still so happy, considering.  We saved her from being euthanized at a puppy mill, and gave her 4 years she otherwise would have never had. She is now in doggy heaven with a new set of lungs frolicking in the meadows and cuddling with our 2 angel babies and other loved ones.  This thought makes me smile.
Life is quite funny sometimes.  A day after we lost Roxy, this adorable teacup Chihuahua made his way into our yard.  He snuck in through the decorative part of the block fence, at the bottom. Of course I didn't realize this until he spent the day with Riley and I and escaped! I think Roxy sent him to lift our spirits, because he sure acts like her (follows me around everywhere, loves his ears scratched, demands all of your attention, and loves to snuggle).  He has an unregistered chip and we haven't heard back from the rescue group that adopted him out. We were so bummed he escaped, until 4 days later he came back at 1am and scratched on our back door (that leads to the master) This little dude is a riot!  I need to put up flyers in addition to a Craig's list ad Rob put up to find his owners.  I don't wanna take someone's pet, but he has shown up twice! I think it's meant to be for him to join our family.  He is older and potty trained, and already acts like he has lived here his whole life. And he totally thinks I'm his mama bear, just sayin! This picture shows the cute little dude and the vast difference in size between him & Riley.
Mmk, soooo…we are less than 2 weeks away from being “full term”. Holy.crap.Shit.just.got.real.  Hahaha. I just can’t believe we are so close to meeting our precious Sofia!  Besides a few select items we would like to get, we are ready. Finally scheduled a hospital tour for next week, bought our stroller and car seat (jogger stroller, woo!), and got myself a cute overnight bag to pack (the brand is Roxy. So fitting).  Jody is putting together a betting pool to guess 1. Date & Time 2. Weight & Length.  I’m curious as to when she will be ready to make her entrance.  Maybe end of September? Who knows!

I’m probably more ready than Rob, because being pregnant is not easy towards the end (for me, pretty much for the majority of it)  All the moms forget that part, and that’s why I have this blog! It’s true what they say; the 2^nd trimester is/was the best.  What I’ve learned, though, is that each pregnancy is different.  Gotta take all the information, advice, and suggestions with a grain of salt and make sure you try and have a smile on your face.  Enjoy the ride, even if it gets bumpy.  Or in my case, gives you 94 days of vertigo and nausea! I shudder at the thought, haha.  Here are this weeks preggers stats:

How far along: 35 weeks 2 days
Baby is the size of a: honeydew melon (18 in & 5.25 lbs)
Total weight gain: 42 lbs
Maternity clothes: non-maternity comfy skirts and comfy tank tops. or naked (my preference! haha)
Stretch marks? Just a few, which is a pleasant surprise
Sleep: ehh, starting to get uncomfortable (potty breaks, carpal tunnel and pelvic pressure)
Best moment this week: OB appt-hearing baby’s heart beat is always wonderful aaaand rob coming home from the man trip.
Miss Anything? having energy, this baby has been growing lots in the last 2-3 weeks. sooo.tirrred.
Movement: Yup! Poor babe is trying to find room to stretch out. Oh, and daily hiccups.
Food cravings: Pizza (duh) Nature Valley Granola Bars. Anything sweet. My appetite (sweet tooth) is insatiable lately. Eek!
Anything making you queasy or sick: nothing different. been popping more tums lately
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: Nope. Still need a few weeks of cookin’ time!
Symptoms: the usual: back aches, arm/leg cramps, pelvic pressure(ow!), carpal tunnel, a little tummy ickiness, burps and fatigue. aaand finally the swelling has come. like, for reals this time. haha
Belly Button in or out? Kinda flat, sometimes pops out depending on how I’m sitting
Wedding rings on or off? Off. My poor sausage fingers.
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy, of course. more emotional lately, but it’s probably because I miss my roxy girl
Looking forward to: Ultrasound next week sometime, I just love seeing her sweet face and am curious about how big she is and keeping my fingers crossed that she is head down (fairly confident based on her hiccups)
For shits & gigs, here is my pic from last week:
As you can see, I'm running out of clothes to wear! I kinda refuse to buy anymore and could care less if my belly peeks out at the bottom. Haha.  I love using the excuse of being pregnant to get away with stuff.  Lately, I've been saying "Who's gonna argue with a pregnant lady?!" Or "Can't judge a pregnant lady!" Haha, I think Rob has to bite his tongue a little.
Mmk, time to do something with my life today. Make some juice and do a little bit of housework. So. tired. Blah


 Until next week,

Baby Mama Lex


P.S.  I wanted to take a moment of silence to honor one of the most extraordinary women I've had the pleasure of knowing.  Joyce Anne Ware Longfellow aka Grandma Lolly.  I will always remember how welcome she made me feel, including me as if I was her own grandchild.  She has touched and inspired so many lives, it is unbelievable.  She truly exemplified the meaning of living life to it's fullest, with love and happiness. She was an entrepreneur, a dreamer, a do-er, and most of all; all about her family.  I feel honored to have known her for the last 12-13 years.  My heart goes out to her close family and friends, and I continue to pray for all those that grieve and miss her divine soul.  Thank you for making this world a more beautiful place.