Saturday, September 29, 2012

John Paul: 29 Weeks...



How far along? 29 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? 17 pounds

Maternity clothes? Still have a few that aren't, but for the most part, yes!

Sleep? Once he quits moving when I lay down, sleep is pretty good.  And, I only wake up about once/night at this point.

Movement? I feel the little guy the most at night.

Food cravings/aversions? Nothing new...just getting fuller faster...thank goodness :)

Gender? Boy

Labor signs? Just a few BH contractions here and there.

What others are saying: Nothing new this week.*
*This was typed BEFORE I went to the grocery store today.  Here is the conversation at the check-out:
Bagger: "You're about to hatch, aren't you?"
Me: "Well, actually, I have a little over two months left."
Checker: "Are you kidding, she gets HUGE!  You'll know.  She gets SO big (using arm motions and all).
Thanks :)

What I miss: Oh, just bending over/down as easily, but I'm still feeling great and am able to do quite a bit which I am thankful for.

What I am looking forward to: December :)

Milestones: Sometimes I think 10 weeks seems so far away, and others I kind of go into panic mode, haha.  I've made about 5-6 freezer meals this week, gotten the nursery basically ready, ordered a few new onesies for the little guy and am thinking about installing the carseat soon.  Beyond that, I just am getting a few to-do lists written and the baby book started.  Also, I'm slowly getting Christmas presents ordered and ready to go so we can enjoy December when JohnPaul arrives.  Things are good :)

Friday, September 28, 2012

QOTW: 9/28/12

Peter has sucked on his two middle fingers since he was tiny...I didn't want to miss getting a memory of it...


Carter helps me haul things in his tractor.  He is great help and loves to "drive really faster."
 
 
We have a hardware store in town called Isaacs...it's more like a general store.  We were in the car driving over to PaPa and Elley's the other day and Carter said, "Hey Mommy, where did Elley come from?"  He likes to answer his own questions, so he quickly followed up with, "Oh, I know!  Isaacs!"  Funny kid.

Carter and Peter got an amazing swing set from both sets of grandparents for Christmas this year.  We put it up already though :)  The other day, the boys and I were outside and Carter asked if I wanted to swing.  Yes, I did.  He then said, "Ok, Mommy, you go swing.  I will 'tent' to Peter."  Ha, I never say that!

"Mommy, pray for Kyle (my cousin).  We need to pray for Kyle.  He is a good, good man."  It's neat to me how kids get ideas of just who needs their prayers at any given point. 

My parents are getting a few things done to their home.  One of the men working there is named Adam.  Carter really enjoys talking to all of them.  After he finished talking, he excitedly said to me, "Mommy, I talked to Adam and Eve!"

When Carter got in trouble this week he quickly said, "I need to go to RoRo's house.  I NEED to go to RoRo's."  Too bad she lives in Chicago, buddy.

As Jeremy was leaving for work one morning this week, Carter went through this series of yells to him on his way out the door...
"I love you Daddy!"
"God bless you Daddy!"
"Be safe Daddy!"
"Please come back Daddy!"
I think it's safe to say this boy is enamored with his Daddy :)

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Your Christmas Traditions?



So, I've been thinking about Christmas a lot.  A lot.  And, as our boys get older, I want them to know that as secular as Christmas can become, we truly celebrate it for One Reason.

In thinking about that, I want to try and set the stage for future years.  I tend to get bogged down in getting everyone the "perfect" gift, making sure it costs enough (crazy, I know), trying to do as much for others as they do for me, etc...and all it leaves me with is anxiety.  I never feel like I do enough, like the gift is special enough, like the wrapping is good enough, and then I just worry and would rather not see the receiver open it.  Have I lost my mind???

With all that said, I read a host of blogs last year outlining what others do to celebrate Christmas...3 gifts for each child representing the 3 gifts Jesus received from the Magi, no Santa gifts, only Santa gifts, stockings or no stockings, celebrations of St. Nicholas Day, and the list goes on.

I tend to want to do ALL traditions rather than pick just a few and the anxiety starts back up, ha!

So, I'm asking, what do you do to make the season special?  What do you do to keep the focus on Jesus?  What, for you, makes Christmas the most wonderful time of the year?


Saturday, September 22, 2012

John Paul: 28 Weeks...


How far along? 28 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? With the way these few weeks have gone, probably 42. :(   I'll know more on Monday.  Seriously, I think about 18-20.

Maternity clothes? Mostly maternity...loving the semi-Fall weather so I can pull out my boots and leggings.

Sleep? Still pretty good.  Like clockwork, at 27 weeks, I started waking up in the night.  I'm just really thankful I had a full night's sleep for so long!

Movement? He is moving a bit more...especially when I am just getting to sleep.

Food cravings/aversions? I have no discipline.  I feel like I am a binge eater with no reprieve.  Not one who binges and then starves...I just do the binge part.

Gender? Boy

Labor signs? Not a thing.  I think I may have had ONE BH contraction.

What others are saying: I am always asked how I'm feeling.

What I miss: a bit of energy, but things are still pretty good in that department.  I'm trying to get as much as I can done while I still feel well.

What I am looking forward to: everything about this new little guy being here!

Milestones: We moved some things around in the nursery in order to fit a rocker in there.  John Paul's clothes are in his drawers and closet, and progress is being made.  :)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Peter: 11 months...


Maybe because I blogged about Peter's 10 month birthday so late, it feels like this one came in a hurry. 
 
Not a lot has changed lately.  Peter went through about a week-long spell where he was a grump/seemed sad.  I hate when that happens and they have no way of communicating what is going on...just makes for a little extra Mom worry :)

Life is good for Peter, and therefore, for us. 



 Here are some stats for the month:


Weighs 25 lbs

 
Is between 29 and 30 inches long

 
Wears mostly 18 month clothing - some 24 month



Drinks about 3 bottles a day (of formula with added rice). Totaling about 22 oz. of milk and maybe 6 oz. of diluted juice here and there.


Eats any and everything!



Still on Zantac (1.4 ml/2 times a day)




Takes 2 good naps a day, ranging from 1 hour to 3.5 hours. He goes down for the night around 6:30 and typically wakes a little before seven.  When he was sick, he went back to his old room, and we haven't moved him back in with Carter yet...soon.



He is pulling up, crawling or climbing every minute he is awake.  He doesn't like to be still.


He has six teeth - four on top and two on bottom.


He still says and does the same things.  No new words this month!

He is still sweet and giggly, especially for his daddy.  He is also a sensitive one :)

What joy he brings to our lives!


He doesn't hold the sign for long, as you can see...




And...we done with pictures!

QOTW: 9/20/12

The boys are pretty funny these days.  There is never really a dull moment.  We've spent the last few days getting some formal pictures done of Peter, getting ready for weaning season, going to showers, seeing family and just enjoying Fall...my favorite time of year :)  Here's what Carter has been filling our ears with lately:
 
 
We were sitting at the table for breakfast the other morning and Peter was being silly.  Carter just smiled and shook his head saying, "Ahh, Peter is cracking me out!"

Sean is a friend of Carter's who lives in Chicago and who is really nice to Aunt RoRo.  Out of the blue the other morning Carter said, "Mommy, can Sean come play?"  He must have made quite the impression on Carter (nevermind the toy cars, lawn mower and skittles he has sent his way)!

As we were driving to my parents house a few days ago, we saw a man on the road who likes to collect everything.  He had a grocery cart full of stuff, including a matress, this particular day, and Carter asked me what it was (the entire scene).  I didn't really know what to say, nor did I have time to answer before it seemed like a light bulb went off in Carter's head, and he said, "MAYBE it's a trash truck!"  Uh oh.

As we drive in to Clayton, Carter has a routine of what he always says, typically at an exact spot on our 5 minute journey:
"Watch for trains, Mommy." - as we near the track
"Watch for cars, Mommy." - as we get on the road
"We might see tractors (or cherry pickers, or crane trucks, or whatever the machine for the day might be), so KEEP YO EYES OPEN!"
As we pass said machine, "Mommy, what's yo favorite?"  "Oh, my favorite is a BULLDOZER!"

I was getting Peter dressed for the day and was talking to him saying he was going to be a big brother soon.  Carter heard everything and said, "Peter is the STINKY brother."  Nice. 

We're trying to work on Carter's manners.  Before he is allowed to leave the table after a meal he has to ask if he may be excused.  So, it usually goes something like this:
"Please may I be obtused?"
"PLEASE may I be obtused, please?"
"PLEASE MAY I BE OBTUSED, PLEASE?"
Then he quickly answers, "YES YOU MAY (nodding his head)!"

I was washing dishes a few mornings ago.  Carter came in the kitchen, turned some music on and said, "Will you dance with me mommy?"  Ahh, I couldn't think of anything better :)

We've been counting with Carter and very excitedly yesterday, he comes to find me with his great big eyes and says, "Want to count to TWO?"  That might take awhile.

Carter is a huge fan of bologna.  I made him a grilled cheese the other day to go with his soup.  He asked if it had bologna in it.  I replyed that he should bite into it to find out.  "Maybe I will just look, Mommy."  He looked.  "No bologna.  No thank you."

Carter loves for us to sing him songs.  While at the table eating dinner a few nights ago, he asked us to sing him the Easter Egg Song.  I had him repeat his request several times.  I then asked Jeremy if he knew of an Easter Egg Song.  We were looking at each other, confused, when Carter yelled, "OH!  THE EASTER EGG SONG," as if we had just remembered what he was talking about.  We never figured it out.

And a few pics...
 
 
A sneak peak of Carter's Halloween costume...


And Peter enjoying fleece season :)






Friday, September 7, 2012

QOTW: 9/7/12 (and the happenings around here)...

I REALLY need to start writing these quotes down as they happen, because I feel like I forget so many.  Here are a few from the last few days...
 
I have been frequenting our coffee shop more than I should this past week or so.  Today, I was ordering at the drive-up window and after I was finished Carter rolled his window down and said, "I need a Latte Milk, please."  They made him a very special milk with whipped cream and sprinkles.
 
Carter's high chair clips to our counter top.  He has a bad habit of standing up in it from time to time.  When he did the other day, I told him he would get a spanking if he did it again.  Immediately, he said, "Well, what if I do it on accident?"  Hmm, have to wake up early to get ahead of this one.
 
Jeremy sat down next to Carter one evening for dinner, and without even looking up from his meal, Carter says, "Hidey ho, neighbor!"
 
"MOMMY, I waked up!" - my morning wake-up call.
 
Carter went through a stage where he would take his undies off and t-t wherever he wanted during nap time.  After a few incidences, I went into my room (during a nap) and found his undies in the hallway.  I peeked in his room, and he was awake, and said, "Mommy, I t-ted!"
Me: "Where, Carter?"
Carter: "Are you going to pank me?"
Me: "Tell me where you t-ted.  I need to clean it up!"
Carter: "Well, are you going to pank me?"
Me (frustrated): "WHERE DID YOU T-T?"
Carter: "ARE YOU GOING TO PANK ME?"
Me: No.
Carter "Right der." (On the wall).  But, you can't pank me."
 
 
And here are a few pictures from our life lately...
 
An early morning for the boys...

with a little bed head...

Carter's ornery look as he decides to stomp in the water...
 
 Carter found a new use for his wheel barrow...


Peter loved it!
 

Carter showing Peter how to fix things...

Carter taking a turn in the wheel barrow...

 


Carter loves to take Peter for rides on his "Big Green Tractor"


 
Peter's first haircut (9/7/12)... 





Carter playing at his "computer" while Peter was getting his comb over chopped...

Peter and sweet Marilyn...
 
The new do!


Have a blessed weekend!