Today I am 36 weeks pregnant. Today I had the same appointment I did at 36 weeks with Asher. Today I received the same results as with Asher and then some. They say "every pregnancy is different". This one started out very different, but looks like it may end the same way.

At 36 weeks almost 2 years ago I measured small at a check up appointment. They then sent me for an ultrasound which concluded that I had lost a significant amount of amniotic fluid. I was admitted and did not leave until Asher was born the next day. I was induced at 36 weeks and gave birth to a 6lb 6oz little boy. We were very fortunate and Asher avoided the NICU. 

Last Thursday at my check up I learned that I was 3CM dilated and I yet again measured small. Today was my follow up ultrasound to check the growth and the doctors concerns. Today I was told I am losing amniotic fluid again. This time the amount was not as significant as with Asher, but they are monitoring it very closely because I am right on the border. Today I also found out that I have "old placenta" as they call it. My placenta as a lot of calcification and it is too early for it to be looking like that. Today I expressed my concerns of decreased fetal movement over the past week. I can literally go hours without her moving. I was told I should feel something at least 10 times and hour. 

So what does this all mean? The concerns with all of this are that she is at risk for being a stillborn, the placenta is not providing the correct nutrients for her to grow, I could go into preterm labor, and the placenta could stop providing oxygen to her. 

With all of that being said I am very scared. I have trust in my doctors and have multiple appointments this week to make sure little miss is doing okay. Adam and I are forming a game plan and trying to prepare for the unexpected. Our bags are packed and everything is ready.

Prayers would be greatly appreciated that Aubriella is okay and that she will continue to grow! I should have an update by Thursday this week!

I have not been able to post a new blog post in awhile due to how crazy life has been! Hoping to soon accomplish a new post for everyone to enjoy.

Step one was to redo Asher's closet and make room for the baby's things. It was a total success and really helped ease my anxiety. Step 2 was to get Asher's big boy bed set up and to move all the furniture around. I am so happy with how their room has turned out. Asher has already made the transition into his big boy bed! He took to it so well and is actually sleeping better in it.

For those who don't know the story I'll quickly fill you in! This pregnancy was not planned. It was a huge shock to us and we had planned that Asher would be an only child. Our home was a complete renovation home. When we bought it, it had 4 bedrooms. 3 bedrooms upstairs and 1 off the living room downstairs. Well Adam and I decided we wanted a bigger master bedroom and knocked down a wall combining 2 rooms to make 1. So that only leave 2 bedrooms up stairs and 1 downstairs off the living room. Our son is only 22 months old and I do not feel comfortable at all with him being down there all my himself.

Originally when we found out I was pregnant we were configuring of how to put the wall back up. We actually decided not to put the wall back up and that we could make it work with the kids sharing. Asher's bedroom is on the smaller side and I was convinced that it would not be possible. But we made it work and I am really happy with the outcome! Eventually once one of them is old enough and asks they will be able to have their own room!

Since our bedroom is so big we were able to move the rocking chair and dresser/changing table into our bedroom. Which will be great when we are up in the middle of the night with her and wont have to disturb Asher.

Before:
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After:

You can check out the full closet reno here:

As a first time mom 2 years ago, cooking dinner was the last thing on my mind. We ordered out a lot and sometimes had cereal for dinner. The first week or so family members and friends made us some meals. It was very nice and extremely helpful! This time around I knew things had to be different. 

About 3 months ago I took a whole day and made about 10 crock-pot meals and put them in the freezer. I would pull them out as needed and it was super helpful with my husband and I's busy work schedules. 

I was pretty impressed with myself! I took a whole day and had my 22 month old son home with me while accomplishing 20 freezer meals for once the baby arrives. I am obsessed with PeaPod. If you are not familiar, it is through Giant and is a service where you can order your groceries online, select a date and time, and have your groceries delivered! That is how I got all of these ingredients to my house!

I wrote instructions on everything so either myself or my husband can prepare dinner. By preparing I mean placing in the crock pot or in the oven. How simple is that!

Beef Enchiladas:
Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 jar of Chi-Chi's Queso
• 10 oz can of red enchilada sauce
• 2 cups of shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Brown beef in pan over medium heat
2. Once beef is brown add all other remaining ingredients and stir
3. Remove from heat once all is melted/ incorporated
4. Place in a casserole pan and let cool
5. Once cooled add lid and place in freezer
6. When ready to serve, let dish thaw in the fridge, wrap meat in flour tortillas, place in crock-pot & add shredded cheddar to the top, cook on low for 2 hours

Chicken & Dumplings:
Ingredients:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• salt & pepper
• 2 cans cream of chicken
• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 can water
• biscuit dough

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a gallon bag EXCEPT the biscuit dough.
2. Place in freezer
3. When ready to eat, thaw in fridge overnight, place in crock-pot for 6 hours on low, shred chicken, add small pieces of biscuit dough and cook for 30 more minutes.

Pot Roast w/Veggies:
Ingredients:

• Baby carrots
• Potatoes
• 1 packet McCormick pot roast seasoning
• 2 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 cup water
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients EXCEPT the water in a gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to serve thaw in fridge overnight, Place in crock-pot and add water, cook on low for 6-8 hours

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham: (This made 2 meals)
Ingredients:

• 12 potatoes cut into round slices
• 2 cans cream of potato
• 2 cans water
• 2 ham steaks
• 8 oz shredded cheddar
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place in crock-pot for 8 hours on low

Swedish Meatballs:
Ingredients:

• Frozen meatballs ( or you can make your own)
• 1 can cream of mushroom
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• salt & pepper
• 1 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to serve. thaw in fridge overnight, place in crock pot for 4 to 6 hours on low, add sour cream 30 mins prior to serving
4. Serve over egg noodles

Sweet and Sour Meatballs: (this made 2 meals)
Ingredients:

• Frozen meatballs
• 1/2 cup apricot preserves
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup Catalina dressing
• 2 TBSP soy sauce
• 3/4 tsp ground ginger
• 3/4 garlic powder
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. ​Place all ingredients in gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to sever, thaw in fridge overnight, place in crock-pot on low for 4 to 6 hours.
4. Serve with rice or egg noddles

Potato Soup:
Ingredients:

• 1 bag diced hash browns ( I used real potatoes cut up this time just because I forgot to grab these at the store)
• 32 oz chicken broth
• 1 can cream of chicken
• Bacon
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Cook your bacon
2. Place all ingredients EXCEPT cream cheese & cheddar in a gallon bag
3. Freeze
4. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place in crock-pot on low for 4 to 6 hours, add cream cheese and cheddar 30 mins before ready to eat

Chicken Soup:
Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 1 TBSP chicken bouillon
• 2 chicken breasts
• carrots
• celery
• onion
• fettuccine noodles

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients EXCEPT water and noodles in a gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place in a pot on the stove, add water and noodles, boil until chicken is cooked, shred chicken, boil until noodles and soft

White Chicken Chili:
Ingredients:

• 2 lbs chicken 
• 1 onion
• 3 TBSP minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 15 oz Northern beans
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 can cream of chicken
• 1 cup sour cream
• Shredded Monterrey jack cheese

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients EXCEPT sour cream and cheese in a gallon bag
2. Freeze
3. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place in crockpot on low for 6 to 8 hours, add sour cream and cheese 30 mins before serving
4. Serve with bread

Beef BBQ:
Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can of sloppy Joe mix

Directions:

1. Brown burger on stove
2. Add sloppy Joe mix
3. Place into foil pan and let cool
4. Once cooled secure lid
5. Freeze
6. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, Heat meat in microwave
7. Serve on burger buns

Bacon Chicken Alfredo Pasta:
Ingredients:

• Bacon
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 box of penne pasta
• 1 jar of Alfredo sauce

Directions:

1. Cook chicken and shred
2. Cook bacon
3. Cook noodles
4. Combine all ingredients and place in a foil pan
5. Let cool
6. Freeze
7. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place foil pan in oven 350 degrees for 40 mins

Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas:
Ingredients:

• 3 chicken breast
• 10 oz red enchiladas sauce
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheddar

Directions:

1. Cook chicken
2. Shred chicken
3. Combine all ingredients
4. Place in foil pan
5. Freeze
6. When ready to serve, thaw in fridge overnight, place chicken mixture in flour tortillas, roll up, place in casserole dish, top with enchilada sauce & more cheddar
7. Bake 350 degrees for 20 mins

Pancakes:
Ingredients:

• 2 cups bisquick
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sugar

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together
2. Pour onto skillet, fill when one side is golden brown
3. Let cool
4. Place in freezer bag
5. Freeze
6. Pull out as needed, heat in microwave for 30 seconds or until not frozen

Tuscan Chicken Pasta:
Ingredients:

• chicken
• 1 box of bow tie noodles
• minced garlic
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 8 oz jar sun dried tomatoes
• 2 cups milk
• 8 oz Parmesan cheese
• salt & pepper
• 4 TBSP butter

Directions:

1. Cook chicken and chop or shred
2. Melt butter over medium heat, add garlic
3. Add cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, and milk
4. Keep stirring until all combined, all sun dried tomatoes
5. Cook pasta according to box
6. Combine chicken, pasta and sauce.
7. Pour into a foil pan and let cool
8. Freeze
9. When ready to serve thaw in fridge over night, Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 40 mins.

Cheesy Baked Ziti:
Ingredients:

• Ziti Pasta
• 1 lb ground beef
• onion
• jar of spaghetti sauce
• 1 cup sour cream
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to box
2. Brown ground beef; add onion; once browned add spaghetti sauce
3. In foil pan layer half the pasta, 1 1/2 cup sauce, sour cream, other half of pasta, sauce, mozzarella & Parmesan. Let cool
4. Freeze
5. When ready to serve thaw in fridge over night, bake at 350 degrees for 40 mins

Lasagna Roll ups:
Ingredients:

• Lasagna noodles
• onion
• garlic
• ground beef
• spaghetti sauce
• salt and pepper
• 2 eggs
• 30 oz ricotta
• 8oz parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package
2. brown ground beef; add onion & garlic; add sauce
3. Combine eggs, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper
4. Assembly: put some sauce mixture on the bottom of foil pan, spread about 3 TBSP of cheese mixture onto lasagna noodle and roll up. Place in foil pan and continue process until one layer is complete. Top with sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan.
5. Freeze
6. When ready to serve thaw in fridge over night, bake covered with foil at 350 degrees for 40 mins

Breakfast sandwiches:
Ingredients:

• 10 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• salt & pepper
• bacon
• sausage
• Velveeta slices
• shredded cheddar
• English muffins

Directions:

1. Combine eggs, milk and salt & pepper.
2. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan
3. Cook bacon
4. Add bacon and sausage to pan. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar
5. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 mins
6. Once baked start assembling. Open your English muffin, add a slice of cheese and a square of egg. Wrap the sandwich in a damp paper towel, then wrap in wax paper, then store in a plastic baggie.
7. Freeze
8. Put out as needed and place in fridge to thaw. Heat in microwave for 35 seconds.

Cheesy Chicken Rice Casserole:
Ingredients:

• 1 box rice a roni
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 can cream of chicken
• salt & pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• chicken ( for this one I used a rotisserie chicken and picked it apart)

Directions:

1. Cook chicken is not using a rotisserie chicken
2. Cook rice according to box
3. Combine sour cream, soup, salt & pepper 
4. Combine chicken and rice with sour cream mixture. Add 1 cup shredded cheddar
5. Place in a foil pan and top with remaining shredded cheddar
6. Freeze
7. When ready to serve thaw in fridge over night, Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 40 mins

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Not all meals are pictured!

Amber Petersheim is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

It appears Asher is teething again. He is a super picky eater to begin with. It is even worse when his little mouth is hurting. 2 things I can always get my child to eat. Yogurt & Fruit. 

Asher stopped taking interest in the other squeeze pouches I used to make him. I couldn't figure out why. He used to love them! I used Kiinde brand. Finally it dawned on me, the top wasnt the same as the store bought squeeze pouches. 

Randomly out of the blue one of my best friends had texted me asking if I had bought the Infantino squeeze station yet. I hadn't but have been wanting to try it. 3 days later there was an Amazon package at my front door. There is was! My squeeze station! All thanks to one of my best friends.

Needless to say I have had huge success! Not only does Asher love these squeeze pouches because they are like the store bought ones, but I absolutely love my squeeze station! So easy to use and I feel like it makes the whole process of making these so much quicker! I highly recommend it. They also have a spoon attachment that I cant wait to use!
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Smoothie Squeeze Pouches

Peanut Butter Banana: ( Asher's favorite)

• 2 bananas
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup milk

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in the blender
2. Blend until smooth

Vanilla Pear:

• 2 pears
• 1 banana
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Peel and decore the pears
2. Boil pears on the stove until tender
3. Place all ingredients in the blender
4. Blend until smooth

I made about 25 of these. I place them all in the freezer and pull out as needed! Also with them being frozen I can take them in the diaper bag and they will defrost throughout the day and are typically defrosted enough when Asher is ready for one!

Here are the links to where you can purchase these exact products!

Well we have finally reached the point where it's time to pack for the hospital. With Asher I did not pack correctly at all. I had forgotten multiple things and was mislead as to what to actually pack. I read alot on pinterest and Google about what to pack, but honestly alot of those things did not seem necessary. So here's what I am taking to the hospital this time around! 

I feel really prepared this time! I hope this helps all you expecting Momma's out there! I go for comfort! 

The Hospital Bag:

• Slippers/ Moccasin's
  
  • Easiest thing to slide on and walk around the hospital in
• Flip Flops
  
  • Easy to put on and you will want these to shower in
• Yoga Pants
  
  • I packed 3 pairs. I just want to be comfortable
    
• T-Shirts
  
  • Going for comfort here. Easy to slide on
• Long sleeve shirt
  • ​I am typically a cold person so I may want this instead of a T-shirt
    
• Nursing Cami
• Socks
• Nursing Bra's
• Open front Sweater
  
  • ​​ Great to throw over your cami's or T-shirts to walk around
    
• Belly Band 
  
  • I like the support around my stomach and back
• Cell Phone Charger
• Makeup
  • ​Last time I did not think this was necessary. I had a lot of visitors and it would of been nice looking back at pictures to of had a little something on. I am only bringing foundation, mascara, and chap-stick
    

I did not pack any underwear. Where I deliver at they provide these awesome mesh panties! I use those and ask for some to take home! Super comfy! Also the hospital provides me with pads, numbing spray and a squirt bottle to wash your area after using the bathroom. Don't forget to take all these items home! You will use them! If the place your delivery does not provide mesh panties, make sure to pack granny panties. Yes, granny panties. The bigger the better. You are going to want comfort and your going to bleed a lot.

Toiletries:

• Hand wipes
• Tissues
• Q-Tips
• Toothpaste
• Toobrush
• Hair Ties
• Hair Brush
• Razor
• Deordorant
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Body Wash

I packed for Adam and I. Last time I forgot hair ties! How in the world did I forget hair ties! Also last time I tried bringing full size bottles and literally everything that was in my shower. This time I scaled it down but still have all the essentials!

Pumping Bag:

• Pump
• Tubing
• Power Cord
• Bottles
• Milk Bags
• Nipple Cream
• Breast Pads
• Nursing Cover
• Bag
• Hands Free pumping Bra

Okay, so last time I did not have a pumping bag. My milk wasn't even in at the hospital either. I had no idea how to even get a pump. The hospital did help with this process which was nice. I actually have a new pump coming for this baby! If you would like your pump before hand here's how you acquire it.

Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. They will tell you if your insurance covers a pump and will give you a phone number to call. I then called the number my insurance provided me and it was a simple process. They verified my insurance and coverage, ask a bunch of questions, and ordered my pump. Also what was nice going through them is that they have pumping supplies at a discounted price. So along with my pump coming I also have milk bags, cleaning wipes, and breast pads coming too!

The hospital will provide you with a pump to use while there. I had a horrible experience and asked 3 times for someone to show me how to use it and if I was doing it right. I ended up being frustrated and not using it the whole time in the hospital. Once I was home, I had a friend come over and she taught me all the functions of my pump!

Baby's Bag:

• A few Onsies
• Jammies
• Pacifier ( If using them)
• Going Home outfit
• Swaddle
• Burp Cloths ( my friend made me these amazing burp cloths that I am so excited to use! I had to pack them)
• Boppy Pillow
• Car Seat
• Special Blanket

The hospital will provide you with everything for the baby! From wash, lotion, diapers, receiving blankets, and pacifiers. I like to bring a few things from home for pictures and like dressing my baby in their own clothes. 

I love to be prepared and ready. Last pregnancy I went in for a check up and ended up not leaving. I was induced at 36 weeks. I thought we had a whole month still to prepare. This time around I know it is a little early but I want to be ready this time!