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