October Already

TIME FLIES!
Halloween is coming... too many costume choices.  How do I just choose one?!?!?
What about just one for the kids?  Well, Brian is set.  Now on to Adam.

Dishwasher is DEAD.  Sent out for parts to fix it.
Today, clothes washer just DIED.  Totally dead after apparently limping along for a long time.  Sad. Expensive.
Good thing we had no travel plans as we cannot afford them anyway. All our money went to baby, house and broken things in the house this year.  That freezer chest on my wishlist and new Suburban to replace our Suzuki that is in need of repair are now going to stay in my dreams for the foreseeable future.  Ah, hoping that is the lot for this year.  Really, we're still paying for the hospital bills, on top of the new ones that are scheduled right now.

LOVE the Fall.  In denial that winter's coming, but the colors outside our window are GORGEOUS.  SO happy to be staring at color and pretty foliage throughout the year.  Glad to have roads for walks, trails for hiking, hills for sledding... the list goes on.  Happy with the house, but the move continues.  I know I'll feel settled in time, but it will be months before a routine of any kind emerges.

Need to go to the property this week as the weather will be nice and it will just get colder from here on out.  Miss going to play, but we did not get the heat of the summer this year anyway.  Hope next summer is a swimming summer.  Two running around boys then.  Sweet.  Look forward to Christmas just for the looks on their faces.  Eeeee

Perspective

  I have been thinking about what daily life is like and what I want to spend my days doing as life is short.  I am trying to keep everything in perspective as these large life changes happening all at once makes it difficult for me to catch my breath and to enjoy the ride.  Moving and having a new baby while life goes on for my husband and first born.  I still cannot believe I am an adult, married, with 2 kids and a new home that is the most I could want in life.  I am so thrilled, I need to relax and enjoy the spoils that my husband and this life have provided.
I am impatient to be done moving, to have the house if full working order and to lose the baby weight, all, like, yesterday.  However, these things do not happen overnight.  Some things do happen overnight, like my baby's face changes, he decides he can roll over on command and yell mama when he wants me.  Also, getting relief from pain seeing the acupuncturist and chiropractor can happen over night too. I am very thankful for that fact.  I am ready to keep going and get to the fun stuff like holidays, making traditions and having adventures with my family.  I am excited to share our home with family and friends.  I hope my family can come and visit now that we have more room to share.
Not a particularly warm summer and definitely short, but I do like fall.  I hope the weather holds out as long as possible.  Last winter was so long that I really have no desire to see it come so quickly.  I do foresee sledding and kid winter fun in our future.  Looking forward to putting a Christmas tree in our new house.  Sweet.  Time for more housework, then bed.  All things will come in time.  We will settle in and sell the other house and my weight will return to normal.  All in good time.  Sweet dreams all.

New House

I have moved many times in my life.  I have not really felt like home many times, however.  Sometimes you move into a house and it feels like you are still a guest and it is never really home.  You know it's temporary and that you will be moving again, possibly soon.  When a place feels like home it just fits and feels natural from the beginning.  Our home we are moving from felt right in that the home gave me a positive vibe and was meant for me to live there for some reason.  This house, though we are not fully moved into it yet, already feels like a natural fit.  It feels like we have been living here for a long time already.  The sights are familiar and almost deja vu for the living room.  I feel like years spent here will be like home.

I want to make this place for our family, but I realize we can count our living here by the days, just as we can on our youngest's life so far.  It feels like Brian's been around for a long time, but it has not even been 3 months yet.  He is an old soul for sure.  Definitely meant to be mine and in my life.  Both boys will be strapping men when they are grown and I can already see the different personalities coming out.  I am excited to see them grow, but I know how precious this time is moving into a new home and to have a new baby.

I have been thinking about how my time will be best spent and it is with my family and not wondering about how other people fit into our family life.  Whatever the natural fit is for other people in our lives will just happen.  I am excited to move on to a "normal" routine in this house and want this long, drawn out move to be over.  I want to get on to enjoying the yard, house and neighborhood.  Love taking walks already.  Good for me hills and places to stop and play along the way.  Summer is a wasting.  Time to enjoy!!!

Help

Need  help moving if this will ever get completed.  It feels like it will never end.

Love my boys!!!

21 Months Adam & 2 Months Brian

Weeee!!!

Busy Bee

No sleep for the weary.  I have been running and gunning to pack and move daily and entertaining a baby at night.  Ah, the spice of life.  There is never a good time to move or have a baby, let alone both. We have large furniture to move and we are not quite half way moved out of our house.  There do not seem to be enough hours in the day.  The moving part is not the difficulty, it is the packing part that makes this process slow.  Baby holders are so much appreciated these days.  Brian needs to feel the love and it does take a village.  Poor over tired, under fed Adam.  He is such a growing boy who just wants to play hard, eat hearty and to sleep hard.  This transition is difficult for him, but happily it will not last forever and we will be back in the swing of a schedule again.  He has been such a trooper.

Brian is 2 months old already!  He is growing and getting more active and smart every day.  It is amazing to see the process in fast forward compared to the first baby.  He is his own man and to sit back and see the differences in these boys is amazing.  I love Adam, but the love I have for Brian is different and geared specially for each child.  It will be fun once they can play together.  It was like Brian was born to be Adam's playmate.  He already loves watching him no matter what he is doing and Adam already rough-houses with him.  Love it.  Brian is figuring out how to self soothe and to sleep on his back.  Oh, I cannot wait until he learns those skills and sleeps like more of a champ than he already is.  Wonderful.  Bed time, more moving going on later today.  Loving the new house.  I so look forward to the first night we get to sleep in it.  Maybe this weekend :)

Sick Babies

Sick babies make me sad.  I really try to avoid illness or to keep it at a minimum, but it seems we cannot dodge the big bullets sometimes.  The fever, throwing up, sneezing, coughing, sinus drainage and just all around not feeling good.  Poor things both sick at the same time makes the day to day activities on hold.  I am glad I have not overscheduled the next couple of weeks, but some things still have to be done.  Let's hope we can make it to my doctor appointment tomorrow, unscathed.  No guarantees.  I have no fear of canceling because life happens and it will keep going despite canceling an appointment.  Loving watching these boys grow up.  Baby number 2 seems to be growing up exponentially faster than baby number 1 did.  Strange how it is all in fast forward.  Hope we get some sun tomorrow.  I do not feel like toting both kids in a thunderstorm.  Thank you.  G'night

Adam 20 Months old

Looks like a selfie LOL

4th of July

What a good decision to stay local for this 4th of July. Having such a little baby made wanting to stay up late or outside with the bugs for fireworks undesirable.  It was also good we came home early to put the tired boys in bed without having to be careful of the traffic and inebriated people. I will be sleeping in 30 minutes! So excited. Be safe and see all the family I missed this year, next year hopefully.

Easier Days

I do not know if it is because I am more laid back the second time around or if it is just his personality, but baby number two is such a great sleeper and is so much easier. I still have to get up to feed him every couple of hours or so, but diaper changes are only right before feedings at night. Word to all those moms with baby #2: it will be different than baby #1 and you will have learned more than you know from baby #1.  I am still dealing with after baby side effects, but I am so happy to have him!  Today is the first day I can comfortably bend down and pick something off of the floor.  I am excited to be able to move freely and to get my body back!  Freedom!!

Baby #2

 I really could not fathom what it would be like to have a second baby.  My first baby was so precious and I stressed over every little thing to try and do right by him.  I really tried to be present and enjoy every second of baby time, but now looking back I really did not get to appreciate it properly because I was such a tired zombie for 14 months.  I felt overwhelmed and wondered consistently what to do and what was next.  I really could not tell how I would love a new baby as I love my first baby so all consumingly.

When he was born I was numb, waiting for the other shoe to drop with complications.  I had a worse experience with the C-section and then the other complications, but the baby is so sweet, snuggly and lovable.  He is a sleeper, gas bubble maker, good diaper filler baby.  I fell in love so quickly.  The sweet, soft hair and skin is irresistible.  He has his own character and personality that holds it's own and will be his own mark.  He was not kicking in the belly in the last weeks inside me because he is such a sleeper that he would prefer to rest and grow than kick and play.  Brian is wonderful and I can be in love with multiple people and still love the others fervently too.  The feeling is nothing that I could have imagined and so great.  I can love this baby and my first baby too.  All my boys are loved and I am so thankful to have every one of them in my life.

Today was overall a good day.  We closed on our house today.  We are new home owners.  So exciting.  So much potential for this new house.  I'm so excited to get started with making tweaks to make the home our own.  I really will enjoy this home in the winter and I look forward to exploring the possibilities for the summer.  Central air conditioning will be such a perk.  A laundry room, yay!  Now on to selling our current home.  Bitter sweet, but I have moved so much in my life, change is a constant.  I really have never regretted a move.  I do not feel I will regret this one either.  The world will not end and we still have options for the future.  This will not be my last move, but it will be a move that we stick with for a while to raise our boys.  Good.

Sweet Baby 2 weeks old

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My Boys

Brian, so far, is his own personality and character with different temperament than Adam.  He's a sleeper most of the time, but he fills a great many diapers on his way to growing bigger as well.  He's strong, lifting his head from day 2, kicking wildly for diaper changes, almost rolling over when doing tummy time and becoming angry hungry.  He only cries to be picked up or fed.  He is so small and such a big presence at the same time.
Adam is warming up to him and likes to point out where he is and what he is doing.  He already said he likes Brian.  I think as long as we stick to Adam's life schedule and he stays taken care of, he will get along swimmingly with his brother.  I admit, having Tony help at this time is wonderful as I cannot drive, walk up stairs or do any lifting other than baby weight right now.  I do not know how things will go when I am on my own with these two boys and not recovered from surgery yet.  We will find out soon.  Gloomy and/or cold weather has made being inside most of the day tolerable.  I hope we do get a summer though.  This winter was particularly brutal.  What a fine day with my boys.  Time for dinner.  Sweet.

Thursday Approaches

As of right now I'm looking at a C-section on Thursday, May 30, 2013.

My knee is tweaked.  I cannot put my weight on it for standing or sitting.

I have a cold that makes me feel like I'm breathing fire with congestion, sneezing and coughing.  None of which will be good after the C-section either.

I'm tired and cannot stay asleep, waking every 1-2 hours at night for no apparent reason.

I have a sick husband and son that I cannot take care of like I usually do.

The forecast for Thursday and Friday is thunderstorms with a chance of severe thunderstorms.

We are closing on a new house in the last week of June and I have been trying to get as much done as possible before the baby comes, which everyone thinks is silly.  That I'll be up for getting all that done after having the baby.

I'm swollen and my blood pressure rose today.   Is this a sign of what is to come or is it just last minute stress?  I am grateful for the cooler weather keeping my swelling at bay.

All said and done, this ought to be quite a ride.

Now it's time to sleep.  At least as much as I can.

Thursday, May 30

Updated: May 29, 2013, 1:11am EDT

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Day May 30

71^°FHigh

T-Storms

Chance of Rain:

80%

Wind:

S at 14 mph

Humidity:

77%

UV Index:

6 - High

Sunrise:

6:04 am

Moonset:

12:28 pm

Moonphase:

Waning Gibbous

Showers and thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 71F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.

Mother's Day

What is it with holidays that people make restaurant reservations or big dinners at times that are not usual meal times?  Like scheduling to eat at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM or 8:30 PM.  These are not times that I eat on a daily basis.  I just think this tradition is strange and not one I like to subscribe to.  Sure, it won't kill me, but when the time falls on nap time it is a different story.

For Mother's Day Tony got me practically all the varieties of sweets that I like, and I like a good many of them, from Sayklly's.  Too good!  Too much sugar!  Too difficult to pass up!  Delicious.  Some of the most delicious candy I've ever had, matter of fact.  So evil of him to do this, but it is good.  Now I look forward to some good, old fashioned family time for Mother's Day.  Low key, pajama time hanging out.  The best!

18 Months old! My sweetie, sweetie

The Waiting Game

A watched pot never boils.  The waiting game can be tough, but there is always an end coming.  Whatever comes my way, I'm going to roll with the punches.  The baby has dropped and I feel intensely the pressure of that baby wanting to come out.  Some contractions yesterday and today.  Who knows what tomorrow brings.   Hope my hubby's in town when I either go into labor or am due for my appt to have this baby.  Hah, who knows?  Mother nature is in control, as usual.
Hope tomorrow is sunny for 18 month old pictures!  Today was rainy and overcast.  Good day for doctor appts, not good for pictures.  He's almost potty training himself and I'm loving it.  He's such a good communicator and is paying attention to what I'm asking him and to what is going on around him.  Love that this part is coming so soon.  Would love to have him diaper free by age 2.  We are all sick of diapers on him by now.
We bought him his first bat and ball.  Hoping tomorrow we can go try them out.  That'll be great fun (smile).

Not Pretty

The weather is sleeting and not pretty out there.  It is dicey driving, let alone walking in the slush.  Next week is looking at least in the 40s, but we got spoiled by those 70s.  Even if they were only for 2 days.

Aches and pains of the end of pregnancy are here!  Oh my, not comfortable anymore.  Really want to be able to walk normally (which will not happen for 6-8 more weeks) and to exercise normally.  The end is near.  Less than a month away and time will drag/fly by!  My big baby will be with us soon!  Ah, more fun.

Adam had a doosey of a troublesome two's day yesterday.  One of the most trying days.  For the most part because of my lack of sleep the night before, hormone changes and his defiance/pushing boundaries.  He's too smart for his own good!  We are in potty training mode and not by my pushing it. I know I have to start, it is always a little messy.  I hope it's just a little instead of alot.  We'll see.

Showings all the time until I'm busy and out of commission.  Busy busy.  I feel more energy even without the sleep.  Nesting in full swing!  Time for bed!!

Funny Boy

  Adam was picking up cans of coconut La Croix and putting them on the counter.  I would move them away from the edge once they got up there.  At one point he wanted them back, so he pointed to a can and said, "Want it." Tony gave him the can and he put it back into the box it came from.  He came back to the counter and pointed again.  This time he said, "Different."  Tony gave him another can and he returned that one to the box also. He continued to do this until all of the cans were off of the counter and returned to the box.  Tony said, "All done" and Adam said, "Indeed."  Ah, he is his momma's boy. Hah.  The things you say around kids really do get repeated.  Cute.  Indeed.

Gorgeous day out.  Big plans for baby prep and graduation celebration.  Should be great once I get some lunch into me for energy as I'm dragging right now.  Hah.  Maybe he'll nap right now.  If only.

10 Inches of Snow Coming

Loving, loving Adam loving his shoes outside.  He ran himself to sweating around the mall and outside.  Fantastic fun to be had when he can run outside on the grass and in the mud.  So much fun, he had no nap.  We are supposed to get another 10 inches of sloppy wet snow overnight and tomorrow.  I am NOT excited about this.  I am sick of walking on slick or slippery ground.  I do not want to move snow.  I do not want to wear boots or jackets anymore.  I want sunshine, water and to walk in the sand.  I hope, at least, that by the time the baby comes that these things will be possible.  We will have snow into May.  Hoping not at the end.

Nurse Jackie and Mad Men are back on.  Loving Don Draper's not talking approach.  He really uses non-verbal communication at it's best.  With the men and with the ladies.  Don't think I could stand the smoking though.  He's way more complicated than life should be, but better him than me.  I have enough on my plate.  The pregnancy swelling and low back pain won't get the best of me.

Love the look on his face.  It reminds me of someone.  Can't place it...

Cold

Having a cold on top of the third trimester aches and pains is not fun.  Cold symptoms are not anything that I want to cope with right now without being able to take medication for it.  Thank goodness for peppermint oil, Neil Med rinse, steam and heat packs.  Poor Adam is still sick so I know this will not go away any time soon.  I was told up to 3 weeks recovery!  I am hoping I will be better before the nice Spring weather shows it's head.
Happily we did not get the many inches of heavy and wet snow that was predicted for us.  The rest of the U.P. got hit.  I am glad I do not have a travel bug in me right now.  I am happy to not be driving in the mess that is Spring weather.  I am ready for the slide home until the baby comes, but all in good time, the end of May will be here soon enough.
I would love a pregnancy trainer and chef right now.  I'm certain I'll want them even more once the baby comes.  At least this time I will be more prepared for what to expect.  Just a little twist of having to entertain and take care of a toddler that, so far, has been the center to my world and his.  He will have to learn to share momma real quickly.  Time to stretch.  Ahhh....

Day By Day

Adam can now count to 20!  What a guy.  His new phrases are, "Stop it! Let go!," and " Want it!"  He is really showing his colors for what an independent and decisive guy he is growing to be.  I find it disconcerting that he is already figuring out what in this world he finds interesting or not.  He is still sick with a cold (day 8) but is just congested and runny nosed now.  No fever for 2 days.  Thankfully he is back to eating and drinking like a champ.
Being down to one nap a day makes me sad and more tired, as I was napping when he napped.  However, he now does not need the fan fare of going to sleep.  He once demanded rocking and singing for 10 minutes before he would let go and sleep.  Now I let him wear himself out and decide when and where the nap will take place.  I no longer try to accommodate his sleep regimen.  He will now fall asleep drinking or if he looks like he's leaning on furniture or toys sleepily I will pick him up and just sit down with him.  He will then be asleep in 2 minutes without any "extras." I am glad that napping comes easier to him.  He will go right to sleep if he gets into his car seat, even for a couple minutes, in the middle of the day going anywhere.  That is nice and nice to know.  No quick stops then if I have to get him in and out.  I have to plan for it, but it is worth the accommodation for him to get the nap in peacefully.
I'm fully blooming, more every day, for this baby.  We still cannot agree on names and Adam is no help.  He chose Cookie and Doughnut to be the names that he liked.  Hah.  Funny.  Really there are names I like that I would not actually consider naming by boy.  They sound good in theory, but spending the rest of your life with that name does not sound good to me.
Not excited for the 10-12 inches of heavy wet snow coming our way in then next 2 days.  I know there is an end in sight, but I am anxious to be done with it.  The storms now are just coming one after the other.  Rain/snow mix for the next 6 of 7 days!  Better than 100 degrees though!  I will live with it.  I could use sunshine though.  Ah, the sun and sleep make everything better.
The boys are sleeping so it is my turn to turn in.  I cannot stop reading The Dream Jumper book.  I am nearly done and just do not want to put it down.  Sleep is more important though.

Adam and his work bench for Easter.  Fun! 

Spring!

  Spring is here!  Full moon and 40 degrees is music to my ears.  I am so excited to get the bare walking surfaces put to use.  Right now it's a skating rink outside my back door, but once that ice melts it's game on.  Love the sound of the birds chirping.  Just hope next week's 20 degree chill will be temporary.

The countdown has hit hard and now that I know we will still be in this house for another year I am resigned to bring this new baby into this environment.  I am finally functional with Adam getting out the door, being occupied at events and appointments.  I do not know how I'm going to juggle a baby and keeping him occupied too.  He is so good when I pay attention to his needs, wants and play time.  Now that he's going to have to fend for himself for many things, I can see there will be some turmoil in the future.  He is used to being center of the universe and that just will not be the case.

I'm excited at the prospect of my sister coming to help out after the baby is born.  I hope all the stars align to make that happen.  I think she'd have a blast playing with Adam on the beach during the summer.  We'll figure out the details if all works out for a visit.

Looks to be a very busy summer!  Trying to keep business going and the deadline of the baby will be a whole different world.  At least I know I won't be packing and moving before or right after the baby is born.  He'll be a few months old before we even think about that.  Baby names have been keeping me up at night.  What will his name be?  We are in less agreement than the first time around right now.  Who knows until we see his face.  Time for Adam to get up.  The day begins...

Ah Yes More Snow

I had to move snow to get the snow bank cut down to get out the vehicle today.  Not happy about more snow.  I know there is still more snow in my future, but I am not happy about it.  Glad there are other positive occurrences today.

Adam sang the ABC song twice today without a book to guide him.  He likes to sing it when he gets his diaper changed now and likes to hear it sang to him when going to bed.  Hah.  Funny.  He can count 1-10, but he read the numbers the last 2 days as well.  He likes to count his peas especially.  He is loving his new vocabulary and is flexing his reading skills everywhere he goes.  I love him reading signs as we drive by them.  Fun.

We also set a date for the delivery of our baby boy.  Now we are trying to narrow down names and we are further apart on names this time than the first time around.  We can only agree on 2 names.  Those might be the choices when the time comes.  Only 70 days to go!  Everyday is so fast now.  Lots of nesting going on.  Excited to see it come together.

Loving the sunshine and hoping for more tomorrow as it will be a busy day.  Loving shopping for pregnancy and nursing Spring clothes.  Hoping to get to enjoy them sooner than later.  The month came in like a Lion, it is supposed to go out like a lamb.  That lamb better show up in the next week or so or it's going to be Easter dinner!  Cannot believe that Easter is next weekend!!!  Unreal.  Have not even planned anything.  No Easter candy this year.  No dying eggs.  I simply do not have the energy for it and Adam will not have the memory of it anyway.  Maybe next year it will work out.  I am sure it will.

Lizzy and Adam got to "play" together today.  They really just ran around and screamed or cried when the other got too close or took the toy they were interested in.  We will keep practicing.  They'll get the hang of it in the next few months.  It is great to see them of the same age get together.  We'll see her tomorrow too.  Yay.

Spring Dreaming!!

Adam Fun

SO ready for Spring.  More snow in the forecast for tomorrow (sad face).  I want to drive and walk without the ice and snow.  I want to see Adam run around the yard and get dirty, tired and his fill of sun.  I need some sun myself.  Meeting with the contractor for our house plans tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.  Excited for my doctor's appointment this week.  Hoping to set a delivery date.  Ok, time to brush and floss and read to Adam to get him to bed.  Ah, what a guy.  He loves his tractors, traveling and chocolate custard kisses.

And We Have A Counter

 Yesterday he completed the alpha bet all the way through correctly!  Today, while eating dinner, he started counting his peas on his own.  He counted to ten before I realized what he was doing!  Amazing!  I cannot believe he can count to ten as we have not really been working on that.  Just counting fingers and toes sometimes.  How funny what these kids pick up on and so quickly.

 What a snowy day!!!  Ugh.  Last year a week from now we had 84 degrees!  Then 76 and 40 degrees, but warm.  That is not happening this year I think.  Bummer.  At least we're not getting 90 this week like Tucson :)

Fine Day

Such a fine day!  The sun is shining, it is 38 degrees out and I got 90% of my errands done while Adam was sleeping in the vehicle.  Sweet.  I just need to have enough energy to tackle taxes tonight and Sunday I can clean to my heart's content.  Fantastic.  What a difference sleep can make.  I hope the next couple of days melt the ice shelf that was formed by the snow plow's cut back of the snow banks.  That is quite a drop when in the vehicle.

I can hear the kids playing outside like it's Springtime already!  Adam is still asleep and I can get some laundry and dinner started right now.  Happy day.

Proof of Heaven

Proof of Heaven was suppose to be a book I read before bed that changes my perspective and gives me food for thought.  I have had such a hard time getting through this, it turns out to be the perfect sleeping aid.  I cannot make it more than 10 minutes before my eyes are so heavy I have to go to sleep.  It will take me a long time to finish this book.  Not a quick read by any means.  I am not getting any insights from it yet either.  I am hoping towards the end of the book something will spark in me from its message.

Adam is reading the alpha bet more every day.  He's up to knowing: B, E, I, J, K, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, W, X, Y.  Loving that he wants to read "AB's" all the time.  I sing the ABCs to him before taking a nap and now he knows he's going to "rock" and hear "AB's." He has gone back to throwing things.  As long as they can't cause too much damage I let him play, but I have had to take away blocks, cars and Weebles as those all can do some real damage to the house and myself if he hits me.  Happily, no lack eye or broken nose on me yet.  Happy he asks for help now more and more.  It saves the frustration outbursts that could ensue if he cannot get what he wants done.

Planning is at a snails' pace for building a home.  We are not on track as to where I wanted to be, but it is what it is and I am trying to go with the flow rather than stressing over it.  I just want to find out from the bank if we can work this out and move forward.  I dream of a new home for next fall.  Nothing better than that.  I know living minimalist and not wanting more makes life easier, but I want laundry on the first floor so badly I can taste it.  Ah, we'll see.

Acupuncture saves me again.  My muscle spasms have been terrible coming up on the third trimester.  When I left my appointment I can point my toes without getting muscle spasms in my calves.  I'm even getting spasms in my triceps.  I'm going to enjoy some cardamom tea to help with muscle relaxation.  Not too much.  I do not want the muscles to relax enough to let the baby start coming.  I know the baby will be here soon and all of my symptoms will go away with a whole new set of them.  Oh the sleep of it all, it's my nap time for sure.  It is another good day for a nap as the snow is still falling outside with 20 degrees.  I fell on my knee due to the ice outside the house today on the way back from my appointment.  Not really anxious to run back out there and walk on let alone drive on the black ice.  Oh, Spring dreaming.  Not excited for time change this weekend.  Am excited for the Home Builder's Show in Marquette though.  I think we'll go on Saturday for a day trip.

Sledding Smiles

 SLEDDING!

So fun in the 41 degrees today.  I look forward to a week of good temperatures.  I am glad to be able to finally go out and play in the snow with Adam.  Just in time for Spring to come along.  We have already had spiders and that is the best sign of Spring in our house.  Glad we are over the hump and 30 days away from a good melt.  I am looking forward to no more boots and jackets.  No more ice covered walking or driving surfaces.  I am ready for some warmth and sun.  Such a sweet boy deserves some romping outside play already!

2 Weeks Until 3rd Trimester

Arghhh, what a rough couple of days.  Blizzard this week, then snow of ~40 inches in 2 days did not help, but we are going to get more snow tomorrow.  I got 2 hours sleep last night because Adam got up 6 times.  I really hope he stays asleep tonight.

I have hit the indigestion for most foods wall of pregnancy.  I can't have so many things and the types of foods that I "can" eat are ones I really shouldn't have, carbs, or should have but do not want, non-spicy veggies and fruit.  I am so tired all the time I just eat and eat for energy, but do not have energy to exercise to burn off all that eating.  I know I only have 14 weeks to go, at best, but it seems some days time goes by so fast and others it is a snails' pace.  I know I want summer in the WORST way, but I also know that means that the baby will be here sooner than I think.  There is so much to do before that happens!

I have to brush up on my cloth diapering skills, make the diaper changing station and sleeping arrangements, sort through all the bins of clothes and organize them by size again (hopefully with some help from someone or two), to dig out the car seat and base again, plan meals (which I did not do last time), clean the house thoroughly (which is an ongoing process) and get my hospital bag packed and ready to go.  I have a couple months for this, but in the meantime I want to potty train Adam, get him sleeping more regularly, earlier and without my intervention and to get him eating with a spoon and fork more proficiently.  I think everything will hit me like a mac truck in the end.  Praying for a mild, but temperate summer.  None of this 90 degree business.

Ah, I'm reading this book and I want to finish it so badly.  It's like a good movie, I don't want to leave until the end, but I want to sleep.  Too bad I cannot watch movies.  I cannot stay up that late anymore.  If I had my way I'd be in bed by 9 PM every night.  I guess I'll shoot for that in March.  Wish me luck.  Oh, the baby just kicked me.  Now he's kicking my full bladder.  Oh, this baby sure knows when to get me going in the direction I need to be.  Ah, good night moon.

Big Boy

Fifteen months old check up went great.  He is still a champ when it comes to shots.  It was just unfortunate that the appointment fell on nap time.  He still did great.  He read a book in front of the doctor and is ready for all the big boy next milestones.  These include potty training, exclusively adult food and use of cups, spoons and forks, lactose free milk and to keep running around.

I spent a half an hour last night trying to think of all the words he knows and I had to stop counting.  He knows over 200 words and over a dozen phrases.  However, he now adds multiple words and new phrases daily now so the counting is over.  He is just a big boy talker.  He can identify E, O, P and W out of the alphabet right now.  He tries to read everything.  He is high stepping and says, "Run," every time he runs into the room now.  He will also sometimes put his arms straight behind him, lean forward and look like he is flying through the air like a super hero, though he has never seen a super hero in action before.  He also roars to dinosaurs, bad guys and scary monsters or aliens.  More fun every day.

I cannot believe February is more than half way over.  This cold and snowy month has been so fast.  I am glad we do not need to celebrate Valentines day.  One less thing to stress about on a particular date. My aunt turns 101 tomorrow though.  That is something to celebrate.  So wonderful.  I hope to catch her on the phone to wish her the best.

Winter Carnival

What a good day for some Winter Carnival fun.  It's Super Heroes this year as the theme.  I plan on seeing some snow statues, swimming with friends, dinner followed by some fireworks.  The weather is as good as it gets, with the sun out no less.  I'm excited to have a fun day.  First, though, is a nap.  Adam did not let me sleep at all last night and woke at his usual time.  He's napping now, so I'm going to do the same.  Hah.  Ah, the dishes will still be there for me when I get up.  Unless someone wants to come and help out with that (wink, wink).  Ah, cheers to a good day.

Fun before we went looking at snow statues

Theme is Super Heroes

Tired boy looking at statues

Time is Flying By

Wow, 23 weeks have already passed and I only have about 17 weeks until we meet our new baby boy!  The kicking is getting more intense.  He weighs over a pound now and is getting stronger every day.  Getting more done with more sleep on the weekends, thanks to Tony.  Adam was feverish for 4 days, especially at night, but last night he slept through the night.  Wonderful break and rest that we all needed.

House planning is in full swing.  Going to a contractor on Monday to get an estimate and then we can make changes from there.  I am hoping for 3-4 meetings before we go to the bank.  So excited.  I have been pouring over sink faucets, wall color, tile, carpeting, flooring, stone, etc. etc.  I love it.

Adam is already passed the word "no," he's moved on to incorporate "nope."  Super fun to here him say, "I don't know." Fun to talk.  Today was a defiant day. Ah the independence. He counts 1, 2, 3 already. He identified O, W and P on the computer keyboard today. Love the learning.

It Is A Boy!!

Half way there!  Half way until our new baby arrives.  Ultrasound this week went well, for an hour and a half appointment.  The ultrasound tech said he was a "proud boy" and printed a picture with an arrow with the word "boy" next to it.  BOY!! So great to be definitive about the gender.  The baby was in perfect position to find out.  Yay.  Glad to know.  Gives me some peace of mind.  Adam is feeling better and we are ready to have friends over for dinner.  Now time to clean off the table.

Not loving the really cold (10 degrees without the existing wind chill).  I do prefer it, however, to the 90 and above degrees we had for the summer I was pregnant!  Really happy to be due in the early summer.  I get to enjoy baby time in the sun.

Watching the 20 inches of snow fall outside 

Loving the train set dad introduced him to