nursery

What was our "office" is being transformed into a nursery for G-unit. (My sister and brother in law have named him this since we aren't quite announcing his name just yet.)

Over the weekend we had the carpet cleaned in E's room and the "office". Since we had to move the furniture out, and by "we" - I mean Paul, it was a perfect time to get things going in the nursery.

We were able to reassemble to crib, I washed the bedding, and we set up the rocking chair again. E had a blast jumping around in G-unit's crib (which used to be his). When I asked whose crib it was, E pointed to himself. Then I reworded my question, as any good teacher would do. I asked where he slept. E pointed to his bedroom. Then I asked who was going to sleep in the crib. E pointed to my belly. Ah-ha! Smart child!

I've also purchased some things to get the decor going. I bought some canvas and plan on painting the letters for his name. We'll see how that goes!

Father's Day

Technically, Father's Day was just over a week ago. I never posted anything about it, so I guess I should.

We had a great day. I got up with E and let Paul sleep a bit, although I'm not sure he actually did. Then, we went in and surprised him with presents in bed. He received a picture frame painted by E and a poem that E decorated at school. After getting ready, we went to meet Paul's dad for breakfast with his sister and two kids.

One of the things that I love about my husband is that he can't sit still. There are always projects that he wants to tackle around the house. Such was the case on Father's Day. Instead of lounging around, he wanted to paint the door to our bedroom and garage because they were "dinged up".

I asked Paul if we could make a quick stop before going to my folks' house. I directed him to the local Baskin Robbins and picked up his ice cream cake. :-) We then went to my parents' house to have dinner, which included hamburgers and hamburger cupcakes that my sister and I made.

Although it wasn't super exciting, I'm glad that I was able to spend Father's Day with my husband and our fathers.

I must also add, that my husband goes beyond being a good dad. He's INCREDIBLE. Here are a few reasons why:

-He gets up every morning when E does without complaining. We are trying to keep him from nursing first thing and Paul does it willingly each day.

-He gets up in the middle of the night when E wakes up crying and sometimes I don't even know it.

-The minute he walks in the door, his attention goes to our son whom is incredibly eager to play with his Dada.

-He drives us around everywhere!

-He gets E in and out of the car, carries him and walks with him when we are out and about so I don't have to.

-Looks out for his family without any hesitation

-Gets so happy when he feels G-unit moving.

-Smiled really big when we decided on a name for G-unit.

-Does things around the house without being asked, especially when it comes to E. (Like changing poo diapers.)

Happy Father's Day!

music and more

E figured out how to put his sunglasses on. He never wears them, so I'm glad he's figured it out!



Enjoying his musical birthday card...

a good day

Some days with children can be exhausting in a bad way (like last Friday). Other days are exhausting in a good way, like today. E and I had a FANTASTIC day together!

We started off the morning by eating breakfast together with Daddy before he went to work.

Then we went to the library for story time and arrived just as the it opened. E and I got our "ticket" and went to look for books, but he decided to play with the puzzles instead. Story time doesn't begin until 9:30, so at about 9:20, he was getting rather anxious. He would point to the door, start clapping his hands, moving back and forth as though he were dancing, and whine because he wanted to go in so badly.

As soon as he saw that he door opened, he bolted off of my lap and ran into the room. E found us a place to sit and quickly picked up the shakers to make some noise. We had so much fun singing songs together like Milkshake and Skinnamarink. He completely knows the routine and is SO comfortable there. When the instructor, Beth, pulled out the parachute, all the kids were sitting in their parent's laps. E jumps up and runs over to her to grab a hold of it. It made me laugh out loud! He was up and about when the bubbles made an appearance and quickly went to get the toys when Beth brought those out too.

After he helped clean up, Beth said she had stickers for the kids. When E heard this, he ran up (away from me) towards her. He waited patiently for his sticker and had a big smile on his face when he put it on his shirt. (I was so impressed at how comfortable he was to be away from me. It eased my nerves about his uneasiness around others.) Once he had his sticker, he walked away from Beth and couldn't find me mixed in with the other parents. Instead of crying, he just looked around and called "Mama? Mama?" I would call his name back and he finally saw me. He ran over with a big smile. (Such a relief!)

I must also add that when we go to places, E tends to be rather clingy and wants to be held. At the library, it was as though he owned the place. He walked around on his own and would hold my hand, guiding me around. (I'm assuming it's because my mom takes him every week!)

We headed home, had some lunch, and then E took a nap. He woke up after about an hour and fifteen minutes. When I went to get him, he asked for mommy milk. I decided to lay down with him on our bed. Turns out, we both napped for another hour and a half!

I needed to get some things at the craft store and he was so good while we were there. He helped my pick out some of the items I needed and stayed in the cart almost the whole time.

Since it's so hot out, I thought we could go for some "ice cream". We actually went to a place with frozen yogurt where all of it is either nonfat, soy, gluten free, or lactose free. E had the "original" flavor and pomegranate blueberry with blueberries. I had chocolate with Oreos. :-) We ate our frozen treats and then E asked for more when it was all gone. I told him that there wasn't anymore and he pointed to the machines where we got it. So I had to tell him that we didn't buy any more. After cleaning up our mess, we walked back to the car and E waved goodbye to the store. I think he liked it.

We had a great time at home playing and he was great during bath and bedtime.

Such a good day today! Let's see how tomorrow goes!

Just some fun videos from today:

He really wanted my phone...


He kept doing this on the tile for about 5 minutes straight. I tried to get him to do it on the rug, but refused.


My little musician...

tumble class

Last week's was cancelled, today was the first time I was able to take E. (My mom took him to his first class two weeks ago). Here is a brief summary:

We arrive
E gets a balloon
It pops two minutes later
E gets a new balloon
It pops two minutes later
E crys hysterically, we go outside to calm down
E joins the kids for stretches
I notice a big red welt on his leg, must have been from the balloon, hence the tears
E participates in the dice rolling/stretching
Lady pulls out a parachute
E plays with is, doesn't go under like other kids do
E finally tries to go under
Parents walk in a circle with parachute
E loses sight of me, more crying and hysterics
Go outside to calm down
Come back, kids are doing things on the mat
E wants nothing to do with it, holds me, says "mama" repetitively
Kids start doing somersaults, E wants to do it
We get in line, when it's his turn, he freaks
He decides that he wants to play on the bleachers
Rest of class goes to play on trampoline
E goes to play on mats
Rest of class goes to hula hoops and basketballs
E goes to trampoline
E goes to play with hula hoops and basketball
Lady calls kids for a sticker
E goes and waits patiently for a sticker (adorable to see)
E picks out a Sir Toppham Hat sticker
E walks happily to car holding my hand
Mommy emotionally drained

hormonal mess

I consider myself to be a pretty mellow pregnant lady. Today was the exception.

My parents were kind enough to take E for the night. While they were loading him up in the car my eyes became watery. Once Paul and I entered the house and sat on the couch, I lost it. The tears came streamimg and poor Paul was so good that he said "it was ok to cry". He asked if I was sad, or worried, or just hormonal.

E had such an up/down time at his tumble class, was super crabby and fussy and whiney before his nap, he slept very little at his nap, and was frustrated and fussy in the afternoon. When I tried to tell my mom about our day, my eyes would start to water. It was a tough, emotional day for the both of us.

My worries about his social development and speech really surfaced after seeing him in his tumble class. I just had to let it all out. Tears were my answer.

I can hear him try to talk, but it just doesn't come out the way it should and it makes me so sad.

we have a winner!

And baby T's name will start with a G!

measurements and speech

We had E's 2 year well check this morning. It's so great that E never really gets sick enough to need to go to the doctor. At the same time, he freaked out when they wanted to weigh him and get his height. Tears. Oh the tears! Even my eyes became watery.

Once we moved past that, he seemed to be a little better, especially once we knew he wasn't going to need any vaccines! He was still pretty shy and we are lucky that our pediatrician is good with with him. He was able to do his check up while E was sitting in my lap. They even took his blood pressure. I have never seen such a small arm cuff!

E checked out well! He weighs 28.6 pounds (62%) and is 35.5" tall (79%).

We have also been concerned about his speech development for the past several months. After some serious thought and conversations, Paul and I referred E for speech therapy through AzEIP.

This afternoon was his evaluation and he did really well. He was asked to point to certain pictures, follow directions, complete puzzles, and say names of objects. I was really impressed at what he knew, especially because of how some of the questions were worded. He was able to complete a shape puzzle he had never seen before in about 30 seconds and then wondered where the missing piece was. He was asked to put some plastic pegs into a foam board too. When he did, he asked for more. The developmental specialist said that there weren't anymore and E pointed to her bag (which is where she got them from). He was asked to identify a cookie and E responded with "huh?". I had to explain that he doesn't get cookies. The same happened with an ice cream cone!

After an hour of evaluations, they let me know that E qualifies for speech therapy for motor processing. He doesn't move his jaw much when he makes sounds/words and has limited range in motion of his tongue (which could be due to his tongue-tie). All other areas of development are within typical limits. He scored quite well in receptive language too! The speech pathologist and developmental specialist also commented on how adorable and expressive he is.

Everyone kept saying to wait it out, but how long do you wait before it becomes too late? I am relieved to know that my worries/concerns were valid. I am also excited to get him started on therapy to get him talking some more. I am looking forward to helping E. I know that he has a lot he wants to say and I can't wait to hear him say it!!

E is 2!

Yesterday was your second birthday, Love. As much as I would have liked to make this post then, I was just too exhausted. I made your Daddy rub my feet because they hurt so much!

You started off your birthday by waking up around 5:30. Daddy came in to your room and changed your diaper. You were requesting Mommy Milk, so he brought you into our room where we lounged in bed for about 45 minutes. At that point, we all had to get ready to take birthday pictures with Aunt Emma. We had a quick breakfast that consisted of an organic cereal bar and milk.

Our photo shoot was on the ASU campus and lasted about an hour and a half. We took pictures in several different places. You were so exited to see some cats running around campus, play with a water fountain, and hear some construction that was happening. Aunt Emma took a lot of pictures while Daddy and I played with you. You especially loved it when Daddy would spin you around or help you climb a tree.

Instead of heading home, the three of us went to Babies 'R Us to buy your little brother's crib bedding. Unfortunately, it was a clearance item so we weren't able to get it. We then went to Buy Buy Baby and found a different one instead. While we were there, you picked out a Thomas the Train potty training seat.

Once we were home, you and Daddy decorated your potty seat with stickers and all you wanted to do was sit on it. He fed you some lunch and then it was time to go to bed for your nap, to which you were not happy about wanting to do.

While you were napping, Mommy and Daddy cleaned up the house and did various things to get ready for your birthday party. You didn't sleep too long, but maybe it's because you knew something exciting was about to happen!

Grandma and Grandpa Hopper came early to help out and set up the water slide. Our family and friends began to show up, we had some delicious food, and a fun time! You were able to go swimming with Daddy and play with some friends. I must say that you were a bit timid and needed Mama a lot at first with so many people in our house, but you warmed up after a while.

I think on of your favorite parts was when everyone sang the Happy Birthday song. As soon as you heard people sing it, your face lit up with a gigantic smile! (Good thing that Grandma Hopper had practiced singing that song to you all week long!) Mommy and Daddy helped you blow out the two candles on your cupcake. Surprisingly, you didn't eat much of it, but you wanted multiple helpings of cookies and cream ice cream!

Some of your favorite toys that we have opened so far are a moving tarantula (Aunt Emma and Uncle Jason), a pedal-less bike (Grandma & Grandpa Hopper), an electronic storybook (Grandma Marie & Grandpa Mike), and a "shake and zoom" Thomas the train (Valerie).

*A BIG thanks to my sister for taking photos ALL day long!*

After your birthday party, Grandma & Grandpa Hopper, Aunt Emma, and Uncle Jason stayed a bit longer to help clean up. I was finally able to get you to sit down and eat a "healthy" dinner consisting of string cheese and two bites of a chicken nugget (for which you didn't quite care). While eating, Aunt Emma decided it would be a good idea to make funny faces at you. This caused you to start laughing hysterically. The fact that you were beyond tired didn't help. You laughed like I have never heard you laugh before. In fact, you laughed so hard (with food in your mouth) that you started choking, which caused you to burp, and then vomit all over. You began to cry, but within a few moments, you were laughing AGAIN! (Grandpa was able to capture all of this on video. I will be a nice Mommy and not post this online. But as your Aunt Emma said, "This may be the first time he vomits on his birthday, but it probably won't be his last! Just wait until he is 21!")

After everyone had left, we were finally able to get you ready for bed...with a struggle. You cried about everything from taking a bath to brushing your teeth. Even after Mommy put you into bed, you whimpered and whined for a while before falling asleep. I think that you were extremely overtired from the activity of the day and not sleeping well at nap time.

Although your day was hectic and long, I hope that you had fun. Mommy and Daddy were so happy to spend the day with our big boy! We love you very much!

2 year stats:

-Love to sing and dance. When you hear music that you like, you rotate your hands side to side. You also sing along to Feist's 1,2,3,4 song by singing "bah"s and "ohh"s.

-Love to go swimming with Daddy. You kick your feet, do monkey bars on the side of the pool, and jump in to Daddy.

-still love to play/chase/hug Layne

-You love to tickle people, play with my hair, and you have started to whisper "secrets" in our ears.

-You are the BEST hugger!

-When Daddy comes home, you like to be spun around and hide in your tent and have Layne try to get you.

-You play with your Thomas trains. You also love to watch Thomas on t.v. and say "huh-huh" for the sound of the train.

-You still love to have Mommy Milk.

-You kiss Mommy's belly and you like to try to push in my belly button that is popping out because I'm pregnant. When we ask you where the baby is (or your little brother), you point to my belly.

-You've started making sound effects when you fall or run into things.

-You say Mama, Dada, "wa-wa" for water, uh-oh, "dis" or "tss" for yes, and still cough for Grandpa.

-You like to sleep with a blanket curled underneath you.

-You fall asleep between 7:15 and 7:30. You wake up between 5:30 and 6:00. During the day, you take one nap ranging between an hour to sometimes two.

-You like to draw and paint.

-Favorite foods include: fruit, yogurt, milk, ham/turkey, bread, chicken sausages, cheese, mac and cheese, Goldfish, kids gummy vitamins, corn, sweet potatoes, broccoli, lettuce, spinach (with applesauce).

-You like to make funny faces by crossing your eyes or turning them upwards.

-You have no problem telling people when you don't want them to do something. You will tell Mommy to stop singing by pointing at me and shaking your head no. You will also wave "goodbye" when you want someone or something to leave/go away.

-You like to jump as though you are a kangaroo.

-You like to sit on the big toilet or your potty seat to try to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, it hasn't happened...yet.

-You spend most of your days with Grandma Hopper. She watches you when Mommy and Daddy are at work. You love to go out and about where there are other kids and you can interact, such as the library, school, children's museum, and the park.

-You get very excited when Mommy or Daddy come home. You jump and yell our names. You also shake your fist in excitement.

-You don't like trash on the floor or seeing bugs. They must be disposed of immediately.

-You like to do things that Mommy and Daddy do: wear Daddy's shoes, blow dry your hair, put on make-up, make coffee, etc.

-You have become quite independent. You want to put on your own shoes, socks, and pants. You can even zip your pajamas most of the way.

big boy bed!

I find it rather nice that E has a cousin whom is 6 months older than he because of the "hand-me-downs".

Today's hand-me-down was a toddler bed.

Paul and I have been considering whether to get a toddler bed or head straight for a twin bed. When you get one for free, it doesn't matter what it is!

We headed over to Paul's sister's house this morning and disassembled the bed to fit it into our car. After E's nap, we disassembled his crib and moved it to the baby's room. (While transitioning pieces, I heard Evan let out a cry. When I turned around, he was sprawled on his belly like a starfish and the front end piece of the crib laying flat on his back. He must have pulled it and it fell on him. Oh the tears! Not only from him, but myself as well! I scooped him up quickly and checked to make sure there weren't any marks on his little back.)

After the move, Paul put together the new "big boy" bed and E had a blast giving Dada tools and jumping on his mattress. Once it was complete, E loved climbing in, jumping around, laying down, and even made many attempts to climb out. He was unsuccessful each time and required one of us to get him out.


We were going to put his crib bumper around the toddler frame, but E wanted NOTHING to do with it. The second we tried to put the bumper in his bed, he would throw it out!

Since we moved the crib out, I also thought it would be a good time to move the rocking chair out too. When it was time for Mommy milk at bedtime, E kept pointing out of his bedroom. I couldn't understand why, until Paul whispered, "Rocker." OHHHHH! He knew the next step in our routine was to sit in the rocking chair for Mommy milk and it was in the room next door...DUH! I had to reassure him that we could still have Mommy milk on the floor and he wasn't to sure about it. (The idea sounded fine to me, until I realized that I would have to get up with a 29 week belly and an almost 29 pound child!)

I must say that my heart was racing at what a terrible night we might have with a new bed. But...he went to bed rather quickly and I'm happy about that.

belly shaking

Finally caught some good footage of baby T moving around in my belly. I was laying in bed last night and he started goings nuts in there. You can really see it around the 48 seconds mark, and it creeps me out around the 55 seconds mark.

weight gain

I'm having a difficult time dealing with weight gain this pregnancy. The thing is - I'm gaining it just fine. That's the problem.

Each time I've been to see my OB/GYN, I am about 4 pound heavier than the previous visit. In 26 weeks of pregnancy I've gained 30 pounds. With E, I gained 25 in 41 weeks. This is the heaviest I've ever been.

As I was looking at myself in the mirror today, I noticed my face is getting fuller, my chin/jaw line is disappearing, and my collar bones are no where to be found. :-(

I know that I can't diet or lose weight at this point. But I probably should have eaten that ice cream tonight either. I sure hope that nursing takes this weight back off!!

28 weeks (almost 29)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know that I'm a bit late in posting this considering I turned 28 weeks last Thursday and it's now Tuesday.

Things are moving along just fine. Baby is growing quite forcefully and so am I. There are many times where I think he's going to bust out of my belly because of how strong he is at this point. He's been jabbing me near the ribs much more lately. I think he's starting to feel squashed.

Within the past week, I have received the following comments from people:
- "Are you sure your doctor has the due date right?"
- "Do you always have big babies?"
- "Do you think you'll make it that far?"
- "Is there only one baby in there? Are you sure?"
- "Well, you're big. But not that big."
- "You're due this month, right?"
- "How many days do you have left?"

I'm generally a pretty pleasant pregnant lady, smiling and laughing it off, and I try not to complain (because I don't have much to complain about). But sometimes...GRR.

I know I'm huge. I know that I have more to go. I know that they don't mean to come off sounding rude. So I'm thankful when people say things like, "you look beautiful" or "what a cute little belly". I love those comments.

As far as baby goes, I think we may have settled on a name, but I'm not ready to say what it is just yet. We've moved the treadmill out of the office which is going to become baby's room. Now we just need to move the computers, desks, and clear the closet. As well as move E into a toddler bed, buy new furniture for his room, and move his current furniture into baby T's room. We still haven't settled on how to decorate the room either.

Too much to do in three months time. ACK!!

Anywho...here are those belly pics.

17 weeks

24 weeks

28 weeks

tb

So the last time I was pregnant and had to get the tb skin test, that little bubble they injected into my skin disappeared relatively quickly. When I had to get it again this time last Monday, I ignored what the nurse said to me because I assumed it would be the same.

I should have listened to the nurse.

After two days, the bubble area was red. And stayed red. A friend of mine told me not to worry if it wasn't blistered or swollen and that it would be gone by the end of the week. Well, come yesterday, it was still red. I called the doctor's office and they had me come in this morning.

Meanwhile, my mind is racing thinking that I have tb or that I'm going to need to get further testing. The nurse called me over, rubbed her finger against the red spot, and said, "Oh, no. You're fine. It's negative."

Phew!! What a relief!

Lesson learned: pay attention to what they tell me.