A Letter to my {Baby} Boy

Yesterday we went and bought a mattress for Trice's big boy bed. My friend was kind enough to sell us her son's twin bed at a super cheap price. Of course it was an emotional event for me... it's so beautiful to watch your child grow. You have so many dreams for them and you wonder how God will use them. However, it's very hard to "let go" and let them grow. You want them to be tiny forever and you want them to stay just the way they are... and when they are soon becoming a big brother? Well, that's when it's really, really a tear jerker.

Dear baby boy,

The days are going by so quickly. You grow and grow and keep telling me you're going to get bigger and bigger and won't snuggle me anymore. It breaks my heart.

I know that this baby is going to change your whole world. Trust me, I know. You've been the cneter of our universe since you stubbornly entered the world 2.5 years ago. We have poured our hearts into raising you and loving you. I promise you that won't change. 

But we might be a little bit busier. Mommy might not be able to play every single time you ask. Sometimes I might need to feed your sister or comfort her. But I will hurry back to you as soon as I can. I will hold you while I feed her. I will even let you watch Curious George every now and then to make up for it. 

I keep reflecting on the time we've had.. just the two of us.

Did I play enough? Did I ignore housework? Could I have paid a little more attention? Should I have napped with you more often? Rocked you to sleep a few more times?

I am certain there will be many more wonderful moments in our life together ... right now I keep staring at you sleeping and wondering how we will grow and change together. You are getting so big. So independent. You are testing your boundaries. Discovering who you are. Discovering what the world is all about. Just don't ever forget that you made me a mommy, and you'll always have a special place in our hearts. You are becoming a big brother -- but to me, you'll always be my yogurt chowing, dinosaur adventuring, Cyclone loving, fire fighting little baby boy. 

I love you to the moon and back, Trice. 

We bought him a new mattress and he slept on the floor.. toddlers.

Eliana: Week {One}

Crazy to think Eliana has been kicking it with us for a week now (well, almost 2 now..). I'm HOPING to keep up on my blog a little better with child number 2. In all honesty, it probably won't happen.. but hey, I'll occassionally post an update.. like every 6 months if you're lucky. 

**Birth story coming VERY soon. It's a little more exhausting to write!**

Weight: 6lbs 10 oz when we left hospital

Length: 20 inches

Likes: Sleeping, Snuggles with mommy and daddy, 

Dislikes: Not really anything!! Pretty happy-go-lucky kind of gal.

Sleep Patterns: She mostly just sleeps ALL the time..we get excited when we get quick peeks of her eyeballs! I know this will soon change, so we are enjoying it while we can. She actually slept all night the second night in the hospital. I tried to wake her to eat, of course, but she was exhausted from getting birthed. The first couple nights at home she slept soundly, and then on the 3rd night she reminded us that she is a newborn.

Feeding Patterns: She's brand new - so she eats when she wants! I've been having to wake her every 3-4 hours to eat .. and to relieve my pain!

Exciting Events this week: Well, she was born! Went home from the hospital.

Trice's Thoughts: Eliana is "his baby." He loves to hold her and give her kisses. He's very protective of her if anyone else is holding her. He's struggling with boundaries/listening to mommy and daddy, but we expected that.

How I'm feeling: Absolutely amazing. Just still on cloud 9 from having this sweet baby girl. I'm a little sore (as to be expected), but feel incredible compared to after Trice's birth. 

{Trice} : On Becoming a Big Brother!

Thoughts on becoming a big brother ... 

Everyone keeps talking about this thing called a "baby." 

I don't really know what that is, but I know it's living inside my mommy's belly. She doesn't really have a lap for me to sit on anymore. Sometimes she runs out of breath and can't carry me.. I'm glad I don't have a baby in my belly because I need my breath to play. These people keep asking and asking me if I'm having a baby brother or sister. I don't know if this baby is a boy or a girl, because I'm pretty sure it's actually a dinosaur. Why won't they ask me about something I care about instead - like what I'm having for snack.

And what's all this stuff -- everywhere I turn I see another thing for baby. A swing? A bouncy chair? Bottles? A bottle drying rack? MORE DIAPERS? Will there be room for my toys if we put one more contraption in this living  room? I'm pretty sure I just saw mom sneak another toy into the goodwill pile.

And don't even get me started on my bed ... you see, it's pretty comfy. I've "slept" (funny because we all know I do NOT sleep) in it since I was just a newbie in this world. It's where my mommy and daddy have rubbed my back, sang to me, cried over me after I've refused to go to bed for the 1,000th time. We sit against it when we read our books and say our prayers. And now word on the street is I'm getting some new "special" big boy bed and  some person/thing called a "baby" is going to relocate to my room eventually and sleep in MY bed I've had since birth. Seems like a sketchy deal to me.

I mean .. all things considered, I'll probably like the kid eventually. I'll be sure to smother him or her with kisses and the occasional pinch when mom isn't looking. I'll even offer to "help" mom .. which we all know really means just make things more difficult, but I'm sure I'll rack up a lot of "You are such a great big brother" compliments in the process. If, for some reason, they fail to notice these good deeds, I'll just be sure to get their attention by saying "words we don't say in this house" or chewing on my hot wheels cars .. that'll get 'em. 

I suppose it won't be SO bad. I mean, at least while papa is here. All the other times might not be that fun. But I know he won't pay any attention to that silly object that can't walk, talk, play basketball, or eat pizza. BORING. So as far as I'm concerned, I should probably just go live with papa. Hey, now that's an idea I can get on board with. 

As for this whole baby thing, let's just get it over with already. A guy can only hear about something before so long before he starts wondering if everyone is making it up. Maybe mommy really did just eat a few too many pieces of cake .. or maybe she swallowed a watermelon seed.. 

Speaking of watermelon, what's for snack?!

He is {RISEN}

I'm finishing up the last of Trice's Easter candy while he naps .. so I thought I'd also do something productive and tackle the Easter blog. I have a feeling my lack of time for blogging is going to turn into a complete fail pretty soon when I have even less time .. but I'm not sure anyone reads this anymore anyway? 

So here is our Easter (in picture form) .. because I need my hands to unwrap tootsie rolls. I am even being SO lazy that I am refusing to put these in chronological or any sort of order. I'll come back and edit later (just kidding.. I won't). 

P.S. We don't give Trice candy. Ever. He got maybe a total of 3 pieces this weekend and then I hid the rest .. for me to eat, of course. 

{35} Weeks

**Clearly I forgot about this week .. so it's pretty lame. It happens. Skip to week 37 if you get bored. ;) **
How far along: 35 Weeks

                                                                   Weeks to go: 5 Weeks

Baby is the size of: Honeydew Melon

Gender Prediction: Girl

Weight gain: 33 (no weight gain since last week)
Symptoms: Heartburn!

Mood: Good

Maternity clothes: Still wearing them. 

Cravings: Fruit

Aversions: None.

Sleep: The usual.

Movement: Lots 'o movement!

Labor Signs: LOTS of Braxton Hicks!

Best moment this week: Going to the waterpark with Trice! We soaked up a $5 Sunday while we still could. He LOVED it .. such a little fish!
Worst moment this week: ??

Miss anything: Just clothes fitting!

Trice's Thoughts this Week: Put his finger on my belly and then told me, "Ew.. baby just peed on my finger." Keeps giving baby toys. Will randomly yell, "COME OUT NOW, BABY!"

{34} Weeks

How far along: 34 Weeks

                                                                   Weeks to go: 6

Baby is the size of: Canteloupe (mmm.. canteloupe!)

Gender Prediction: Girl

Weight gain: ??
Symptoms: Hip pain, Heartburn. General lack of breath. Frequent bathroom trips .. mostly in the middle of the night. Some burning pain at csection incision. 

Mood: Good

Maternity clothes: How about we just don't talk about this? Remember when I was pregnant with Trice and looked so cute? Not happening this time, folks. 

Cravings: Milk, Cottage Cheese, Fresh Fruit

Aversions: None. 

Sleep: Just about as much as you can get between potty breaks, tiny feet kicking you in the face, and an early rising toddler. 

Movement: Lots 'o movement!

Labor Signs: Just braxton hicks ... nothing consistent .. luckily. 

Best moment this week: My preschool parents/coworkers/friends threw me a surprise baby shower! It was a TOTAL surprise! Actually, that morning my babysitter had texted me half an hour before I was supposed to be at work saying her daughter woke up sick and needed to go to the doctor (she knew about the shower because she was going to come and bring Trice - so she was stressing, too). After texting a few back-up people and not getting any responses, I called my boss and told her I'd just have to stay home with him today. She, of course, panicked and told me just to bring him to work with me .. I thought that was kind of odd, but I was excited! He was, too! Then as we headed out the door, one of the ladies texted me back saying she could watch him. Baby got some really awesome gifts .. and you can't ever go wrong with diapers, right?! Also, the weather was beautiful .. AND I got some really exciting news from a friend!
Worst moment this week: None I can think of!

Miss anything: Having a lap for Trice to sit on, being able to run around with him without running out of breath

Trice's Thoughts this Week: This week Trice decided baby is a boy. I heard him talking to his pretend friend in the basement and he said, "My mommy has a baby in her belly. It's probably a boy." He also told me that baby picks it's nose in my belly. He has heard me say, "I'm out of breath" too many times so now he is always saying, "I runned out of breath, mommy!"

{37} Weeks

We moved some furniture in our living room so my pictures will probably be at random from now on .. first pregnancy - would have cried. This pregnancy - just glad to have a the picture taken. :)

How far along: 37 Weeks

                                                                   Weeks to go: 3ish.

Baby is the size of: A bunch of Swiss chard (what?))

Gender Prediction: Girl

Weight gain: 34
Symptoms: Super congested -- no sinus infection -- doctor said baby coming out is the cure. I'm just a little concerned about breathing during labor since that's kind of important. Feet/ankle swelling. Hip pain. Hands/feet fall asleep easily.  I go to the bathroom approximately every 30 seconds.

Mood: Pretty good, actually. 

Maternity clothes: My belly hangs out of all of them .. so I'm just looking really awesome. I've already bagged up half of them that I'm completely over. I was excited to bust out some Spring dresses, but it turns out those don't really work either. 

Cravings: Easter candy?

Aversions: None.

Sleep: I'm awake from 3-5ish every night .. and then Trice gets up at 6. But overall, I feel like I'm sleeping better. 

Movement: A little less movement (which is normal). Sometimes after lunch I'll sit in the rocking chair just to make sure baby is still a kickin!

Labor Signs: None. Seriously - all signs of contractions have stopped.

Best moment this week: Easter -- church services, egg hunts with Trice, supper with the neighbors, a trip to the park!
Worst moment this week: Probably my mom not showing up for yet another holiday she was supposed to be coming for... 

Miss anything: Having a lap for Trice to sit on and being able to wrestle around with Trice and not be injured!

Trice's Thoughts this Week: He wants to know what DAY baby is coming out! He lays on my belly and says, "goo goo ga ga baby!" He also asks if baby prays in my belly and if it has toys and blankies. He likes to act like a baby. He also gets a little upset that there isn't much room on my lap.
Appointment Notes: Heartbeat - 151. I had high blood pressure this week so that was a little alarming but nothing to be too concerned about yet. Doctor said baby's head still has a ways to descend.