32 weeks

I feel like we are entering the home stretch...only 8 more weeks to go, 50 some days before our due date. It seems incredible to me that something we have known about for so many months is finally going to arrive.

On Friday, after waking at 4am unable to sleep I headed out to brave the crowds and do some "Day After Thanksgiving" doorbusting. I ended up at the Target parking lot at about 5:15 and realized there was a line already forming. At 5:30 I thought "what the heck" and decided to brave the cold and stand in line as well...not knowing what deals were even being offered. I was just sleepless, bored and knew I had some hours to pass before my doctor appointment at 8am. It was my first "Day After" shopping experience, and I laughed to myself as I realized it took pregnancy induced insomnia to get me to give it a try. I have to admit it was pretty fun! And I did score a deal or 2 on some items that were on my list.

My 32 week appointment was pretty uneventful. The baby is doing well - it's heartrate was 152bpm, and it has turned into the head-down position. I am not sure if at this point it will stay that way - I assume it will. I remember Anna did not turn until 36 weeks, so this was a pleasant surprise. Outside of that, there are no other signs of pre-term labor - the baby is content and growing as he or she should.

As my doctor asked me questions about how our preparations were coming at home, what type of help I would have after the baby is born, and then handed me information about the hospital and all the phone numbers I would need when going into labor it really hit home that we are indeed in the home stretch.

I will see my doctor again at 34 and 36 weeks and then every week thereafter until the baby arrives. We will host our "baby contest" after one of my next few appointments. Start thinking about what your guess for gender, due date and size are....we'll provide as much information as we can. :) As for now, we are enjoying time with Anna and getting the little things ready for our new little one to arrive.

cookies anna style

We've been making cookies fairly often around this house...they seem to disappear quite quickly. Anna's favorite part in making them is "helping" wash the dishes. Yesterday she walked in after going on a walk outside with daddy and decided she wanted to "make cookies" in the sink with the dirty dishes. Here's her version of how it's done...


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a happy thanksgiving

We had a wonderful, relaxing and filling Thanksgiving this year. We spent the day at Grandma Mary's house along with Uncle Matt, Uncle Patrick & Auntie Tanya. Anna entertained all of us by "going fishing", and convinced everyone around her to "play with her".

After gobbling up a delicious meal, the men in the house got a little nutty - showing off their gansta faces and kidnapping my camera to take several pics of themselves. Little did they realize that I can seek revenge by posting those pics for all to see! You're welcome dear brothers & husband.

What a great Thanksgiving...we have much to be thankful for this year. We hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!

giving thanks at age 2

This Thanksgiving Anna is thankful for...
The sun, daddy, milk, sunshine, toys, playtime, mommy, Anna, blueberries, that Papa's ok, her new piano, Grandma Mary, baby Moses, people, Jesus, her friends, God, Uncle Patrick & Auntie Tanya, Granka & Grandma Penny, Nana, Papa, Uncle Nate & Kiah, sausage, balloons, snow, her room, Uncle Matt, Miss Diane, her toy bus

big city

Yesterday Anna and I spent the morning at a new indoor play place that opened up near our home. Modeled after the "city" room at the Children's Museum, this place is geared for imaginative play. It is set up with a firetruck, a fire alarm (that works) and fire that you get to put out, a grocery store, a post office, a car service area, a gas station, chalkboard walls and more.

We arrived the moment the doors opened, and were the first. Anna and I walked around and played with everything and soon there were more children there. Anna immediately found an older boy to latch on to and promptly asked him "What is your name? My name is Anna!", and they were fast friends. They took turns setting off the fire alarm and putting out the fire 100 times over.

At first I was nervous that Anna wouldn't have as much fun after she had tried everything once. But, I need not worry, as she had a blast and didn't want to leave 2.5 hours later when it was time to go for lunch. I have a feeling we'll be back this winter!

rewards

Last week Anna and I made a trip to Target for her to pick out her toy. She completed her potty training sticker chart and was ready to reap her reward. We strolled down every aisle, Anna commenting on the things that caught her eye. As we walked by this little keyboard, she stopped and nearly jumped out of the cart. "I want that mommy!". I showed it to her and then told her to keep it in mind and that we would see if there was anything else she wanted more. After we had perused every aisle, Anna declared that it was the piano that she wanted and I agreed. It was under $15 and it's an instrument afterall!

Since then Anna can be found composing music with her baby Katherine, or singing loudly as she "plays" Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and other medleys. Sweet rewards!

Since then we haven't made another sticker chart. She is going strong on the potty, and consistently wearing her big girl undies - even for long outings during the day. Pull-ups are saved for naps and nighttime. For now it doesn't seem we need to use incentives anymore for this...we may start a sticker chart to promote some other behaviors, but we'll see!

on driving

In the car this morning, as we were talking about hospitals and doctors:

Me: "Anna, in a few months mommy will go to the hospital and that's where Dr. B will take out the baby! You and daddy can come and visit me while I am there and see the baby"

Anna: "Yeah mommy! And I will drive! I will sit der (pointing to my seat) and I will drive to the hospital"

Me: "Hmmm, well, you can drive when you are 16 - so daddy will drive you to the hospital to come and see me, okay?"

Anna: "OK, when I am 16 I will drive and I will sit der (pointing to my seat again) and daddy will sit der (pointing to the passenger seat) and I will come visit you in the hospital. When I am 16 and I can drive."

sticker charts and more

Thank you to friends and family for your advice re: potty training! I appreciate the comments, the phone calls and emails with suggestions as to how to continue with training and what to expect!

Last Wednesday morning after Anna went on the potty I simply told her that the M&M's were all gone. I told her that she had done such a good job that we ran out, and instead she could pick out a sticker from her art drawer. She proudly displayed one on her shirt without protest and as she ate her breakfast I quickly drew up a sticker chart.

Since then we have awarded stickers as my friend Andrea suggested, and when Anna fills up all 50 squares she has been told that we can go to the store and she can pick out a toy or game or book of her choice (with a $ limit of course!). In over a week we have had only 1 true accident. The rest of the time she has spent in her new underwear and she still gets excited to tell me (and everyone else around her) that she went on the "big girl potty". We even have made multiple long outings away from home in just regular underwear without issue.

As you can see...the sticker chart is filling up!

My thought is to fill this one & then make one more with at least twice as many squares, with a similar incentive. Once that one is complete it will have been a few months of no diapers and we can move away from the charts. Per your advice, we will not tackle naps or nighttime for awhile. I think Anna is one that has no control while she sleeps and therefore it's not worth the attempt. We simply encourage her to use the bathroom before nap and before bed, and upon waking and leave it at that. There are times she is dry when she wakes from her nap, but nothing is consistent quite yet.

All in all, I think things are going quite well!

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And then there is baby Moses. I must say that I apologize in advance to this dear, sweet baby if it is a girl because it has been referred to as a he and as Moses for so many months now I cannot stray! Rest assured though, that will not be it's real name!

After a fun and active weekend, baby Moses gave me a bit of trouble yesterday. Nothing serious, but uncomfortable enough that I called and they requested that I come in to be seen. Baby has been very active - legs and arms flailing all over the place, each kick and jab getting stronger with the passing days. I was able to hear it's heartbeat - the loudest and strongest I have heard it yet...beating at 147bpm.

Each time I go in they measure my uterus to get a sense for the size of the baby. Typically you should measure the same number of centimeters as the number of weeks you are. When I was in for my last appointment I measured right at 28 cm, and I was just about 28 weeks. This time I measured 31 cm, about a week ahead of where I am. I figured this might be the case and that the added pressure and discomfort I am feeling is likely due to a growth spurt. I anticipate that when I return in 2 more weeks I will be right back on track again.

Everything looked good, I was just told to try to lay down and get my feet up when I can throughout the day - not an easy feat when chasing after a 2 year old - and that walking on the treadmill probably should be postponed. So, I have invested in a new book to keep me occupied during her naps and will force myself to rest a bit more.

My next appt is the day after Thanksgiving - at which time we will host our baby contest! A real contest, with a real prize! Stay tuned...

celebrations

This past weekend was filled with celebration. We started the weekend early with a Thanksgiving / Christmas dinner at my dad and Penny's home - filled with family, good food, conversation and more. Because it is year-end for my dad at work, and because they will return home again in early Feb for Patrick & Tanya's wedding and the birth of baby Moses - we had to do our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrating early this year. Anna thoroughly enjoyed playing with Katelyn, Ava and baby Amanda - she wore herself out so much that she actually slept in the car the entire way home (a rarity for her!). We enjoyed spending time with everyone, and wish the visit could have been longer. Fortunately February is not too far away...

We also celebrated Patrick & Tanya's upcoming wedding with a bridal shower for Tanya. Our home was filled with relatives from all sides of the families, and was a fun event! It was so great to meet Tanya's wonderful family and to talk about the wedding that will be here before we know it! Tanya was so gracious to let the flower girls and her younger sisters help her open all of her gifts. I think the little girls had a lot of fun too!

It was a fun weekend...filled with activity and time with loved ones. The next several months will be filled with more fun events, and we are looking forward to every one!

mealtime prayer

Before meals together as a family, the 3 of us say the same prayer together. We began doing this several months ago as we realized it was something missing and something that we wanted to do as a family moving forward. We settled on the prayer that Steve grew up saying, and one that I was familiar with but did not say at our family table.

After hearing the prayer several times, Anna told us she wanted to say a prayer. She then opened her mouth and a lot of non-words spilled out, with an Amen at the end. We thought it was cute that she was imitating this and thought perhaps she didn't hear the words. Each night she would say the same prayer - with the exact same non-words. Finally we figured out that what she hears is the rhythm of the prayer and to her, it goes like this:



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If I say the prayer quietly I hear the rhythm she does. Do you?

Come Lord Jesus, be our guest
Let this food to us be blest
Amen

Anna's: Ter meed er peter, peter
Essey bessey

sous chef

One of Anna's favorite new past-times is to help me in the kitchen. Earlier in the week on a dreary rainy day, I decided to have her help me make chocolate chip cookies with a new recipe I had received from a friend. She was entranced by our Kitchen Aid mixer (man, I love that mixer!) as it kept spinning while we added one ingredient after another. Of course when she asked to "try" a chocolate chip, I obliged and that made her afternoon.


As the cookies were baking, Anna asked if she could help wash the dishes. I filled the sink with water and soap and a few of the rinsed off dishes and put her to work play. She happily scrubbed the dishes, the sink, and poured and scooped water for a long time as we waited for our treats to cook and cool.

Later this week when Anna awoke I was in the midst of peeling apples for an apple pie. She asked if she could assist and I gladly obliged. Up came the chair next to the counter and she stared at the mound of sliced apples in the bowl with hungry eyes. "Anna, would you like an apple?" I asked her. "Yes please!" as her fingers quickly grabbed 2 from the top of the pile. Later as we added the sugar, cinnamon and other goodies she grabbed an apple from the top of the pile yet again - this time before I had a chance to mix the ingredients. A mouthful of sugar on top of the apple apparently was better than just an apple plain. "Mommy, this is really good" she exclaimed!

These are some of my favorite times...we talk as we cook - about our day, how we make things, where ingredients come from, what they smell, feel and taste like, anything that comes to mind. While sampling one of her cookies we were talking about the baby that is to come in a few months and Anna exclaimed "I will hold baby Moses, and rock him to sleep and ... and...and...teach him to each cookies! I love cookies, Mommy!"

So does Mommy Anna. And I sure love you.

going strong...but calling on the experts

I am sure after so many posts on potty training you are all on pins and needles as to how Anna is doing. HA! Riiiiight! So, here is your update: Anna is doing great! We have had a total of 1 accident in over 4 days, and Anna has transitioned to wearing regular underwear when we are home and on short outings. Yesterday was her first morning in her Elmo underwear and it was a little different for her. She let me know when she had to go potty, but she didn't tell me quite fast enough to get to the bathroom before things began. Fortunately it wasn't much, and she learned very quickly! Since then she made it with no pull-up through the entire afternoon / evening yesterday (including an outing to Target!) and again this morning - allowing herself ample time. I would say we are doing quite well and while it is still early and there will likely be setbacks on the horizon...we forge ahead!

So now I am calling on all of you experts - i.e. anyone who has made it through potty training - for your assistance. We tried various incentives with Anna and found that M&M's seem to work the best for her. She rarely gets candy, so this is a real treat for her! Our system is to reward her with 1 M&M each time she goes #1, and 2 M&Ms for well, you know. This has worked well...but now that she is going every time on the potty this is getting to be more M&Ms than I would like for her to have in a day. Often in the afternoon I can substitute a sticker for an M&M - but this doesn't always work. I have been hesitant to put my foot down and say "no more M&Ms" because it's only been 1 week and I don't want things to slide backwards.

My thought is to wait another week or 2 and then start rewarding for a whole day with no accidents, then a few days, then a week. But I am not sure when the appropriate time is to make this transition...any thoughts? Any idea how I explain this to her? Any other suggestions?

I also wonder when and how you do nap/nighttime training. At the moment Anna cannot turn the doorknob to exit her room so I am not sure it's fair to expect her to get up and wait for us to come and get her to go to the bathroom. I also have no idea if this is something she would even know she is doing in her sleep?

Please comment if you have an idea or something that worked for you. No idea is unwelcome! I know I have other mom friends who read this blog who would also be interested in your answers. :) Thanks!

in thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving nears, we are reminded of the wonderful blessings that fill our life each and every day. Since beginning our family over 2 years ago, Steve and I have had our eyes opened to the true greatness of God and the specific blessings He has shown us. I know I speak for both of us when I say that our faith and the depth of our gratitude grows with each passing day.

About a year ago I read the book "The Power of a Positive Mom" by Karol Ladd - an excellent book if you are looking for a Christian-based parenting book in my opinion. In this book it gave suggestions for making holidays special and one of them for Thanksgiving was a "gratitude" poster or tablecloth. Since then I have seen similar ideas on blogs and in Parenting magazines so I decided to adapt them to make our own Thanksgiving poster.

Anna's Thanksgiving Turkey is an opportunity for us to start each day by talking about what it is that we thank God for. We add a feather each morning from Nov 1st up to the day of Thanksgiving. So far Anna has been thankful to God for: the sun, daddy, milk, sunshine, toys, playtime, mommy, anna and blueberries. I hope to do this every year with her, as it will be fun to see how these "I am thankful for..." statements mature as she does.

I am finding that by beginning our day with these conversations, I too am reminded of the things for which I am so thankful and it helps me to begin the day on a positive note.

There are so many, many things that I am thankful for this year - and one of them is all of you, our friends and family, who read this blog and take an interest in our lives. Anna is such a blessed little girl to have so many who love her, who enjoy and actually look forward to reading about the ins and outs of her daily life. We in turn are blessed also. Thank you for reading, for commenting, for caring - it means a lot to us!

couldn't resist

Before Anna was born, I spent a lot of time making lists of the things we would need to care for a new baby. I read books about baby development, pregnancy and the birth process. My nesting took on the form of preparing the nursery, attending showers, washing clothes, and getting everything set up.

As those of you with children know, it's different the second time around. So much is already done. Most of the "unknowns" are knowns. And not knowing the gender of this baby means there is really not a whole lot for me to do in order to prepare. The nursery is ready - that happened in the first few months that we found out we were expecting again. I was just a little excited! Clothes are washed, the essentials have been dug out of storage. We are nearly ready.

With the exception of some long-sleeved onesies, I have avoided purchasing or even looking at clothing for the new baby. I know that if it is a girl there are bins of clothes waiting in the basement to be worn again. And if it is a boy as I suspect, we will need a color other than pink in his wardrobe.

Last night I gave in. I have been eyeing up this snowsuit for weeks now - thinking "maybe" and then finally rationalizing my purchase with the knowledge that it will be cold when this baby is born and he or she is going to need something warm to ride home in. Oh yes, and I had a coupon. The warm and softness of this impractically white number called to me and I couldn't resist. So much so that not only did I have to buy it, I had to share it:

Now just imagine our new little bundle of joy all cozy in there, and well, I can hardly wait! Only 11 weeks to go.

celebration dance

One day this week I snapped this photo of Anna enjoying an M&M and doing some sort of celebration dance. We have a very proud young lady roaming our halls these days. Yesterday (Friday) we celebrated one full day with no incidents in the pull-up (excluding nap & nighttime). Yes, every single time she went on the potty - even when we were not home. This was a BIG deal for her and for us! We celebrated often and Anna was overheard telling her baby doll before bed "I am so proud of you for going on the potty today!"

We are still taking things one at a time, and making a big deal out of each success. Let's hope for more days like yesterday!

day 2

The first 2 days of potty training went pretty well, all things considered. On day 1, there was only one incident when Anna went in her pull-up. Yesterday, there were 2. They were not when I expected them though! I fully expected her to have an accident when we were out an about - specifically when we were at an indoor park running around with other kids for 2 hours straight with no bathroom break. But no, in every public place she seems to let me know if she needs to go (I think this may have to do with a fascination with "flushing"). It is at home, in the late afternoon that we typically have an issue.

Oh well, we forge ahead. 90% of the time she is letting me know and going on her potty...so we'll take it! Naps and nighttime are not included of course, there is no way to deal with that one now, particularly since she cannot get out of her room without help. That will have to come later.

We'll see how the next week or so goes!

when she's ready

A few months ago we made an attempt at potty training - remember this post? It seemed to go ok for a day or two and then Anna caught a stomach bug from a waterpark and there was no way we could continue. At that time I had put it in my head that if Anna was interested come November we would give it another try the week of Thanksgiving when we didn't have any classes. And if that didn't work, we'd just wait until after the baby.

A few weeks ago when I went to pick up Anna from "Mom's Day Away", I was greeted at the door by a very excited little girl who couldn't wait to tell me that she had gone "poopy on the potty" at school! Her excitement carried into the next morning when she decided to use her potty a few times in exchange for M&Ms. Because I had it in my head that we were not going to start until Thanksgiving, I just didn't push things and only if Anna asked would I put her on her potty chair.

Since then, a few things have happened. 1 - Anna is very interested in the potty. She talks about it a lot. 2 - Anna lets me know the minute she has gone to the bathroom in her diaper and insists that it be changed immediately. Even if it is just the tiniest bit wet. As you can imagine, this means lots of diapers, lots of changes, lots of money. 3 - Anna has learned how to get her pants up and down (with some assistance).

Still convinced that I wasn't going to deal with this until we had a week with no activities I have largely been noting the signs and thinking - a few more weeks. And then...

This morning Anna told me she had to go potty. So, I asked "Do you want to go on the big girl potty?". "YES!" she exclaimed. Off she went. A few M&M's and a sticker later, she was a happy girl. I figured it would just be the one time today and that would be it. Apparently Anna had something else in mind.

As we left for ECFE, and Anna had used the potty one more time successfully, I told her that if she had to go at ECFE to just let me know or Miss Amy or Miss Sandy and that we would help her. I fully expected that this would not happen.

30 minutes into the class Anna told me she had to go. We rushed off to the children's bathroom in the school and Anna successfully went, again. When I was in the other room with the other mom's for our meeting, she asked Miss Amy to help her try again (this time just a try, no success, but still!).

From 7:30am until 12:30pm we had a dry diaper and multiple successes in the potty. What does this mean?! While not convenient, as we have activities every day...apparently this little one is motivated. She wants to wear her Dora underwear, eat her M&M's and stock up on stickers. While I am not ready for underwear unless we are staying home, I guess I must put my preconceived notions aside and let her direct the way. And you know...it's easier this way. I have no expectations. I have no time limit. I have patience. I will just celebrate the successes with her along the way and who knows, maybe come January we will have just one in diapers. Here's to hoping!!

good news!

I found out I passed my 2nd glucose test, so no gestational diabetes for me! YEAH! Looks like I can enjoy the goodies around the holidays afterall. :)

scary monster

Here is Anna's favorite new game: Using a mask she made in ECFE she runs around and pretends she is a "scary monster". She even had to bring her mask to her sleepover at Grandma's house this weekend to scare both Grandma and Uncle Matt. I have a feeling this game might never get old. :)



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trick or treat!

Promptly after Anna awoke from her nap, she let me know that she was ready to put her costume on and go trick or treating. I tried to explain to this eager 2 year old that trick or treating at 3pm was likely going to result in ringing the doorbells of many empty houses, but she didn't seem to care. So, we dressed her up in her Cinderella garb and took to the great outdoors, aka, the driveway. Here she posed for pictures, stuck her finger in the candle in the pumpkin (ow!), drove her car around the cul-de-sac and played with some neighbor friends as she waited for the sun to go down.

Finally, after enjoying some pizza for dinner and playing a good game of "scare daddy" (see next post), we were ready to head out.

Anna and I took to the sidewalks a little before 6pm and headed to the houses of her friends in the neighborhood. Because it would be too long of a walk for this little one to some of her friends' houses, we opted to take the wagon (definitely a good idea!). We walked and rang doorbells for about an hour, hitting at least 10 of her friends' houses. After each house, I would look back into the wagon and see something like this- checking out her loot.

Along the way we ran into many of her friends, and she indulged me by stopping to pose for a picture with her friend Kyle the cowboy:

It was at this house that Anna received a handful of suckers - her favorite treat - and after that the allure of the night was over. She just wanted to get home to eat her suckers! I tried to convince her that it could wait until tomorrow, but after a lot of walking and then more door opening and scaring at home, we let her enjoy one of her tasty treats!

It was a fun night! I know she is already looking forward to next year!

daddy time

After a fun weekend with Daddy, Anna woke up early this morning (thank you daylight savings time) and was calling for her dear daddy.

"Daddy, are you still here?" "Daddy, daddy, I need my daddy!"

Unfortunately Steve had already left for work by this time so Anna had to settle for her mommy. She cried and told me that she just really needed her daddy and can he come home now please?

It's so great to see the special bond that these two share...I hope it continues always.