Walker - 20 months

October has been another wonderful month for us.  We did many new and fun things and you continue to surprise us daily with how smart you are.  Our fall schedule is working out really great.  You go to Mom's Day Out on Monday's and Thursday's while I see clients, and then Tuesday's when I have bible study, and Wednesday's when I volunteer at the church.  That leaves Friday's for our all day hang out.  However, most Friday's you grab your backpack and tell me you want to go play.  I love that you love going to "school."  You have learned so much there and the social time, even it is just 2 hours, is perfect for you.  I do my best to entertain you and stimulate with new things, but it is not the same as being around other kids. 

We had your 18th month check up this month...even though you were 20 months...I'm a little behind.  You are 75% in weight (30lbs), 40% in height, and 98% in head size (you can blame your dad for that one).  Your teeth have really come in and I think you are almost finished for a little bit.  I have been praying that they all come before the baby ;)  You did pretty great with teething.  The only reason we really knew you weren't feeling well is because you would get congested and not sleep well at night.  Typically you sleep 7:30-8ish, but after the time change you are waking up at 7:30. 

You are not interested or clued into the fact that I am pregnant.  We try and talk about the new baby, and even bought you a big brother book, but you don't like it.  You are however, very protective of my belly.  Only you and dad are allowed to touch it.  I get a big kick out of this,  Unfortunately, I am back to being pretty tired by late afternoon since I hit the third trimester.  It makes it hard to keep up with you and play games. 

You are also talking much more this month.  You learned and said your first bible memory verse!  It is so cute!!  We were driving in the car and I hear you going "made  me" and using your signs.  Then I started to help you and we would say, "God made me" and you would clap.  You also like to sign with Jesus Loves Me.  You can start signing the beginning of the alphabet and are really trying to count to ten, but usually end up saying 2, 3, 8, 9, 9.  I love that you are interested in learning so much.  You know all of the alphabet letters now and try to write them, but it is just scribbles :)




You can get into everything now.  I found you trying to eat wrapped candy.

Bath time is still a highlight of the day

You have become obsessed with football.  We don't have the tv on much, but if we do it is football or elmo.  You like to go grab your football, run around, and then fall to the floor like you were tackled.  It is hilarious.

You loved the petting zoo at the corn maze.  I was nervous to take you, but you were very gentle and sweet with the animals.

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Pa went with us to the corn maze and you loved having him there to hold you up high.

You asked to go for a walk in our new double stroller.  I felt kinda strange just having one baby in it, but it was good practice for both of us I guess.

Your first bowl of cereal with milk.  I would say you were a little excited

Worn out from playing at school.

Pa Pa took you to Toyland First Friday on the square.  There were a ton of people but you had a fun time.



You got to pick out your own pumpkins and thought that was pretty great.

 

I can't wait to see you as a big brother. I know you will be great and try to teach the new baby so many new things. I know things will change a lot and our schedule won't get to be as structured, but I am praying that I will know how to give you what you need. You are my only focus the majority of the time, and we are both going to have to adjust to changes. But until then, it is just you and me...well, I guess dad too :)

 

 

Pregnancy the 2nd time around

New baby on the left and Walker's ultrasound pic on the right

I figured it was about time to do a post about this pregnancy. I don't want this baby to already feel cheated since I did a lot of posts while pregnant with Walker :) Also, it is a great way for me to remember...sorry for the lack of pictures...

I am already 22+ weeks. Things have been the same this time around, only they happen much much earlier. I feel like I look 8 months pregnant because I got my Prego belly so much faster. I have had to invest more in maternity type clothes this time. With Walker, I don't think I had much of a belly until the 6 or 7th month. I am not complaining though, because it is kinda nice that people can tell I am pregnant. I have a visible excuse to sit down a lot or to be tired :)

The first trimester was pretty smooth. I had some nausea at the beginning, which is what prompted the pregnancy test, but after the progesterone supplements started that seemed to go away. However, I struggled with migraines. I had one that was 4 days long and ended up going to the ER to get fluids to re-hydrate me. The dr. put me on a vitamin regimen of Riboflavin and Magnesium, which worked wonders, and I haven't had a bad migraine since. I also ended up getting strep throat for the first time ever. This was kinda crazy because I was convinced it was something pregnancy related. I thought maybe I had pulled a muscle in my back holding walker which was why I was achy...or I had a UTI...or bladder infection that could explain the fever, but all the tests came back totally normal. Then, Marcus wondered about strep, and sure enough that was it. I felt so much by the second day of antibiotics.

The second trimester has been great. I eat all the time. I'm not exaggerating. I very rarely feel full. This is fun at the time, but then when I get weighed at the doctor...not so fun. Luckily, my doctor is not concerned and I did have a few pounds to make up for since I was underweight starting out. I gained 39lbs with Walker, so I am guessing I will be a little over that with this one...but hopefully not too much. I have some days where I feel tired, but overall I feel good and will work/play until my sciatic nerve starts to feel sore. Then, I usually go sit down and read or work on the computer.

I was pretty extreme last pregnancy with what I ate. However, this time I am a little more flexible. I partly blame this on the fact that I am at home or out and about around tempting things rather than in an office all day. I still stay away from caffeine, but have had more sweets with this one. Last time I had a Saturday Splurge Day, where I would allow myself a pack of skittles or something. This time, I probably have something sweet every day or every other day. I am also eating a lot of red meat, apples, and veggies...surely it all balances out right :)

The nursery is planned, but has not made much progress. This pregnancy was also a surprise (and huge blessing), but has caught us off guard space wise. We have way too much stuff to have two rooms devoted to babies. We are trying to figure out where to put our guestroom/office things...hopefully we know by February.

When we went for the 20 week ultrasound everything looked healthy. The baby is measuring about 6 days big and 15oz. It is looking like they are following in their brother's footsteps. The plan for right now is to do a scheduled c-section like we did with Walker. The date is going to be somewhere around Jan 30-Feb 4. And no, we don't know if the baby is a boy or girl...and yes, I know that drives you crazy and you can't understand how we do it...but honestly, it is so easy and so much fun. It means less fussing over details for me, less spending money on things that aren't necessities, and fewer expectations on what life will be like. I think the only challenging part is coming up with two names. It is also totally worth it when the whole family is at the hospital and gets to hear at once "it's a ____."

I am trying to think what else...I have not tried to explain to Walker the idea of a baby in mommy's belly. I think that for right now it is a little too abstract, but maybe as he gets a little older and we get a little closer. He still refers to himself as the baby.

Oh, I felt the baby at 16 weeks 3 days, and Marcus did at 17 weeks. This baby moves more consistently than Walker did, but not for as long periods of time. It also slept through the entire ultrasound, which was kind of a bummer because I wanted to see him/her in action.

As unexpected as this all has been, it has been wonderful and we can definitely see God's timing and hand in it all. Our prayers are for a healthy baby and that God would prepare us during this pregnancy to be ready to become a family of four.

19 months old

You are now closer to two years old than one...I would rather deny that fact, but it is very obvious that you are growing up and wanting your own independence.  Here is a list of the new things that happened this last month:

-started a new schedule for the fall. You go to mom's day out on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-2. Then on Tuesdays, you go to the same place from 9:30-11:30 while I have bible study. On Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 I volunteer at the church, so you are again in the same room. You really love that classroom and your teachers. I think it provides such great structure and stability for you to be in the same room each morning. You walk right in and most of the time don't want to leave right away when I come and get you. On Wednesday evenings, you stay with Amy and baby Addy. I think this is really good for you too because you are getting exposed to a having a smaller baby around and how to be gentle. Hopefully, this will prepare you some for our new baby.

You get stamps at Mom's Day Out when you do well at music.  You told everyone you saw that this was your dadda.  It cracked me up.

On tuesdays and wednesdays, you often fall asleep on the way home and then take a nap.

-you have really gotten into doing art work.  You like to pretend to draw dadda and different letters.  You love paint!  Luckily, I have gotten over messes because of my job, so you pretty much have free rein and end up a total mess daily. 

I created a sand tray for you...the only color sand walmart had was pink ;)

-we had 7 abandoned kittens at our house for a week.   I didn't let you play with them much, but you would try and sneak in and play with them.  You were surprisingly gentle with them and so sweet.

-the weather cooled off this month, which meant you could be outside.  I have to keep the doors locked because you will head straight outside first thing in the morning until you go to bed at night.  I am very thankful for the play set outside.  You love to go up the ladder and slide, over and over again. 

-you went to your first jr. high football game.  You would have thought it was the best day of your life.  You danced around, flirted with cheerleaders (tried looking up their skirts...yikes), played with your cousin Brianna (you call her "Bree"), and cheered on your cousin Hunter. 

-you went to a razorback tailgate this month, but not the game.  You seemed to enjoy the tailgate, but I think you got a little bored since there wasn't much to do.  During the game though, you got to go to Aunt Vikki's and Brianna's house.  You had a ton of fun playing there.

-I tried to cut your hair this month to save money, but it was pretty bad...so I ended up spending money to have a professional fix it.  You refuse to sit still and it is pretty scary putting sharp objects to your head while you are fighting and screaming.  I think I will leave it to the professionals.

-you have really perfected your pouting and whining this month.  You even cover your eyes and face when you are trying to get what you want.  You sometimes throw yourself on the ground so I can't pick you up or get you to come with me.  You also like to scream when you don't get your way. 

-you are obsessed with; hitting balls with your golf clubs, football, motorcycles, trucks, books, elmo, and the alphabet. 

-your new words; football, bike (for motorcycle), scott, 'b' (for brenna), slide, and a few two word sentences. 

hanging at bikes, blues, and bbq

I love seeing your little personality and spunk come out as you are getting older.  You are independent, but at the same time love having me around.  You are understanding so much when we talk to you.  I have been giving you more chores and independence in the house.  You love to put your dirty clothes away, set the table, get your diapers, etc.  I am hoping that these things help you to feel like you are a part of our house and family.  We want you to know that you are a treasured member.  I just know you will make the best big brother.

Happy 1 1/2 Birthday

Let me just start by stating that I know it is a little much to have a one and half birthday celebration...however, that did not stop me :)  Here was my rational: 1) I am pregnant and don't need much of an excuse to eat cake, 2) Walker's birthday will only be a couple of weeks after the baby is born so it will probably be lame, and 3) I love to have our family over

Here are a little of Walker's 17th month updates:
- trip to the hospital to have a CT scan and blood work...fortunately everything is OK now
- weighs 28.5 lbs
- wearing 18 month clothes and size 5 shoes
- got your swing set put up in the back yard
- your Nahna moved back into town
- your new words: me (for mine), no (which you tell me way too much), stuck, duck, truck, slide, swing, cookie, balloon, car, airplane (sounds more like babane), apple, nahna, papa, and I am sure others that I can't think of right now.
- you still love the alphabet.  you will call out letters that you see as we are driving.  your favorites are y, o, p, g, d, r, t, c, z, x, k, a, e, b, and i.
- we are working on your colors, but most of the time all colors are blue (another word you can say)

I have been feeling really good (minus the few days I had strep throat) this month and tried hard to keep you busy and playing.  You are non-stop movement until we put you into your crib.  You crack me up because you will literally go and go, but as soon as we lay you in bed you role over and fall asleep.  You have been such a little blessing when it comes to sleep.  I can only pray that our second one will follow your lead. 

Ok, so we had a birthday party for your half birthday.  It was more of a dinner than a party.  I really restrained myself and kept it small.  We just had my mom and dad and marcus's mom and dad.  There were a lot of other people that I wanted to celebrate with, like great grandparents, but we really didn't have the table space and I didn't want it to turn into a huge thing.  Anyway, you are super obsessed with Elmo, so that was an easy theme idea.  You also love balloons (anything that is like a ball) and having your grandparents over.  Here are a few pictures:

You LOVE cream cheese on toast for breakfast

really working on using that spoon :)

bath tub finger painting when it was too hot to play outside

when i had strep throat i let you watch tv and eat on the floor because it hurt to lift you.  you loved it.

enjoying water beads with g-mama

there were like two cool days in august that we went to the park

you helped papa and dadda work on the play area outside

we had a picnic lunch outside a couple of times

upset that i told you not to hit ella with your stick

"helping" nahna move her stuff in to her new place

your day at the hospital

 

 

you have a "serious face" that cracks me up...plus, look at those cheeks!

Here are the party pics:

we created party favors/place mats using "truck painting"

my attempt at cake decorating.  it says 1 1/2...very creative, I know

your best friend

i covered up half the birthday plates with plain plates :)

the table with the place mats

you got many elmo gifts from family.  you have a small elmo that you sleep with so we got you a bigger one since you are growing too.

in your pjs and getting some awesome grandma cuddles in

 The dinner was a big success!  You had a lot of fun and I hope that it makes up for the lack of birthday that you might get here in 6 months.  We love you so much and I could not imagine our lives without you.