Happy 4th!

Some pictures from a 4th of July party we went to last night. Thanks for having us Chad and Chele! It was great to see everyone again! Did I mention I have been hungry lately? Last night I ate a cheeseburger, hot dog, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, 2 large helpings of mandarin orange jello fluff and 3 glasses of strawberry lemonade. And I had room for ice-cream when we got home!

33 Weeks

Saturday was 33 weeks and Monday I had a doctors appointment. I gained 4 pounds in two weeks. Whoops. But I am so hungry all the time! Total weight gain 16-17 lbs, not exactly sure. Blood pressure was awesome as usual, baby's heart rate was strong and healthy and she was measuring on schedule again. My doctor estimated her at 7 lbs 4 oz when she is born because of my weight gain and belly size but I told her I was small with Pete too and he was over 8 lbs. She recommended Rolaids and Pepcid for my heartburn and leg cramps and sent me on my way. In two weeks we check my cervix for dilation and downward movement. Crazy huh?

Pete in his pool and Serra drinking the water from the hose. Hope the weather warms up soon so we can play outside again. Pete eating applesauce by himself. Can you say messy? Sleeping. Yes, this picture woke him up but that is why I took it. We were late for lunch with a friend and he decided to take a 2 hour and 15 min nap. About 45 minutes longer than usual. Pete's new place to read books, on top of the coffee table. Starting Pete on Starbucks early. Don't worry it was decaf and non fat but full of sugar I am sure. I was carrying him, my purse and my cup in from the car and he took it out of my hands and took a few sips of the leftovers in the bottom. Picture of Pete at the Children's Museum. He is such a cute boy.
Pete, Katie and the dogs this morning.
Love, AM

Pete Walking

Pete really took to walking while we were camping last weekend and the weekend before. He walks all over the place now. These videos were taken in my in-laws camper one morning. He has improved drastically since then. Today he has walked more than crawled and can carry things at the same time. He walks from one part of the house to the other without falling and loves to walk straight into the dog bed and fall into it. I will try to get video of his new skills but for now this is what I have and I know my dad has been wanting to see some video of it. Enjoy.


More walking. This time in the play area at the mall. Love how he smiles and laughs every time he walks.

Pete Feeding Himself Blueberries

33 Weeks

33 weeks today! Feeling big and uncomfortable. Feeling excited and blessed. Doctor's appointment on Monday, will update more then.

Newest thoughts...

Is Jamie really the name?
How big is she? She feels pretty big!

Camping

You could say I was a little nervous to go camping this past weekend with my in-laws, 12 year old step daughter, 14 month old toddler and 8 months pregnant but it actually went pretty well. The first night was rough. We had a huge storm that kept me up all night and I hadn't slept well the night before either. I had spent a few days packing and getting everything ready in the house for showings and camper for our trip so I was already exhausted. We had a lot of showings last week and had to keep the house clean and picked up and it was hard on me and my body. But we went camping and had a great time with family and enjoying the outdoors. Here are some pictures.

Us with Uncle Bob and Aunt Edna.P. and my kids. The fishing was great! 15 Walleye that day.Father's Day 2009. Going on a walk down to Lake Huron.Boat ride with the boy.Last family picture with our camper before we handed it down to the next family (sold it).We don't plan on camping again for a couple years. If we do we will rent a camper and go once next year maybe. Someday we plan on upgrading to a motor home and look forward to camping with our older children. It was a fun weekend though. It was great to see family, great to see Pete and Katie having a good time and I am glad P. got to fish a lot. It was a perfect way to spend Father's Day and as tiring as it was I think I did pretty well. I could have been more comfortable but overall the belly and I made it and have some great memories to show for it.

We sold our house last Friday. Next step, find a house to rent by mid July. I look forward to moving into a house that fits our growing family and our needs for this next stage in our life. I don't look forward to packing. Energy is at an all time low these days. Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for our future.

Pictures from this Week

Lunch at the park. Learning to eat with a spoon. Can we say messy? He picks stuff up with his spoon then takes it off with his other hand and puts it in his mouth. At the mall again. I used to hate these kids areas before I had kids. Now they are a lifesaver and I love watching Pete play and have fun. King of the mountain.Laughing with dad on the changing table. Children's museum with our friend Max. This was a cool new area where Pete could dig and not get dirty. A mother's dream. New doggy bed big enough for all three. Pete wearing daddy's fishing hat this morning. He loved looking at himself in the mirror and was so proud to be wearing it.

"You Don't Look Malnourished"

Ok, now I am getting really excited. Not because I am 31 weeks along. 9 more weeks is still a long time. But because our little girl turned. She has been breech since before 20 weeks and each appointment they would tell me she is still head up. Last week her head was right up under my ribs and because she feels so big already I was starting to think she wasn't going to be able to turn even if she wanted to. I was a little worried. Like I mentioned before, I can't wait for when they lay her on my tummy for the first time and if I had a c-section that wouldn't happen. But she did it! She turned. And my doc said she is probably head down for good. What a relief. What an answer to prayer and what a blessing that God always takes care of me and my babies and pregnancies. More info from my appointment. Weight 171.8. I have almost gained 13 pounds total. Not much at all but I still have 9 weeks to go. My doctor said 13 pounds is not very much for being 31 weeks along but she isn't worried because I "don't look malnourished." She laughed. I laughed but actually didn't find it that funny. No pregnant woman wants to hear that joke about how she looks. But I know I am not a skinny girl. I never have been and that's ok. I enjoy eating and do plenty of it but just don't gain a ton of weight when I am pregnant. Now that is a blessing!

My blood pressure was great. Like 126/76. My tummy measured exactly 31 cm right on for a 31 week pregnancy. Our girl's heartrate was 143. It was strong and loud. I love hearing it. Wish I had one of those machine's where you can listen to it at home. My doctor said at this point we can start counting movements. Twice a day lay down and see if you can count 10 movements and how long it takes you to feel them. I don't feel the need to do this. "Jamie" moves all the time. Morning, noon and night, she is always moving. Maybe if she slows down I will pay more attention but for now I am positive she moves enough. :)

I had a couple questions for the doctor this week. One was how do we know how big she is? I had this question because she feels so much bigger than Pete did at this stage. I can hardly breathe and as soon as I eat something I can hardly move I am so stuffed. I figured she is large but have no idea. I mean, I have only gained 13 pounds. The doctor said she is not worried she is too big but we will see in a few weeks. I also asked my schedule of appointments from here on out. I go every 2 weeks from now until 36 weeks, then I go every week for the last 4. Getting down to the wire now!

So things are going great. Looking good. Getting close and getting exciting. I felt very blessed after my appointment. I left with a feeling of thankfulness for this pregnancy, this baby and the encouraging doctors appointment.

No pictures this time. Can you believe I haven't taken any since Wednesday? What is wrong with me? And no update on Pete. Just "Jamie" for today. I love you sweet little girl.

Gardening

My boys planting flowers today.

30 Weeks!

Holy cow! 30 weeks! P. and I were talking tonight about what the next few weeks mean for us. It means we need to figure out where she is going to sleep. We need to get a bag packed for the hospital. Finalize a name, make sure we have care for Pete while we are in the hospital, and physically and mentally prepare for a second baby. How do you prepare mentally for a second baby? I admit, I am nervous.

I had a scary dream about her coming early last night. We were on vacation in Lake Tahoe with my parents and she started to come out. We couldn't find a hospital in time to stop my labor and she was born really small and under developed. When I woke up I couldn't even talk about the dream with P. I also had a dream the Lakers lost game two by like 30 points. That one was scary too. :)

What I am looking forward to most is the moment they lay her on my tummy for the first time. In some ways I am even excited about going into labor. Not about going through labor but the knowing "at the end of this" we will have our baby girl. I can't wait to see what she looks like. Will she be the blondie that our son is or will she have darker hair and skin?

We had a fun weekend. Here are a few pictures.

Saturday at the Festival of Arts, Downtown Grand Rapids. We sat here eating food from a mexican food vendor while Pete played in the grass and we people watched. Pete woke up from his afternoon nap and I went and got him. We sat down on the couch and he fell back to sleep. Very uncharacteristic of Pete but I cherished the quiet time with my sleeping baby. What a precious little boy. Dad and Pete played in the backyard yesterday evening. He came in looking like this. So funny. No big plans this week. More rain in the forecast for us. Most weeks we get at least 3 days of rain so it's no surprise. The mosquitoes have been better but he still gets bit once or twice every time he goes outside. P. watched him constantly tonight while he was outside and he still came in with a bite on his arm that was again swollen to the size of a golf ball. My cousin and her husband celebrate their 2 year anniversary Tues. Congrats Colin and Kaela. I have a doctors appt Friday and I can't wait to see how things are going and ask my doctor some questions about the next couple of months. More updates to come. Have a nice week all. Love...

Night Out

I went out with a friend last night without Pete. It was my first time doing something without Pete since our date night 20 days ago, besides when I sleep of course. I don't mind being with my son at all but I have to say it was nice to eat a meal without interruption and not be distracted by his needs and just concentrate on mine. And my needs apparently were to eat and talk. We went to this amazing restaurant on the river in Lowell. I had the best sandwich I have ever had and a wonderful blackberry iced tea. We walked around town a bit then got some ice cream at this little shop with a beautiful garden in back. I came home with a very full and happy tummy. My belly button hurt I had eaten so much. We had a great time catching up on what is going on in our lives and I loved talking girl stuff, not baby stuff. I was enjoying my time out so much I didn't realize it was almost tip-off time. I got home a few minutes after the Lakers game started and finished off my great night watching my team kick some butt.

Here are some pictures from my fun night out. Isnt' this a pretty garden for an ice-cream place?And of course I had to show off my big belly!

9

Abby turned 9 today. Overall she is doing really well except P. and I have noticed lately she is getting a little slow and stiff. She may not be at the top of my priority list anymore but I still love that dog, a lot. I think she is beautiful and at the end of the day we have spent 9 wonderful years together. She is a good dog. She has her moments and her very annoying bad behaviors but she is a good dog.

We didn't have any hot dogs this year so they got cheese cubes. They didn't mind. We sang happy birthday and Pete fed them their treats. Here is a picture. Happy birthday Pooper.

29 Weeks

29 weeks yesterday! Time is starting to fly by. Katie will be home in a few weeks and I expect June and July to go even faster. Can you believe it is already June? It doesn't feel like it at all, probably because the weather has been so cool here this spring. I am dying for some hot weather.

As far as I can tell our baby girl is doing well. Still moving around like crazy. She feels huge already. Sometimes I can feel a foot down by my right hip and a hand up in my left ribs at the same time. I am just guessing that's what those parts are but I am not quite sure what exactly I am feeling. In general I would say this pregnancy is harder than Pete's. The morning sickness was stronger and longer. There are more annoying symptoms such as heartburn, exhaustion and constipation and I am SO much more uncomfortable. Breathing is a constant struggle, especially after I eat. My pelvis aches and sometimes sharp pains shoot through my groin. There is a lot of pressure and I feel like I spend most of my time trying to hold her in so she doesn't fall out. My fingers are swollen so much that I had to take my rings off a few weeks ago. I had no problems with swelling with Pete. I am almost to the weight I was when I had Pete and I still have 11 weeks to go. If I gain on schedule that is another 11 pounds, if I am lucky. A lot of the clothes I wore at the end of my last pregnancy don't fit me now. It's hard to swallow. But I know it is part of being pregnant and it's more than worth it in the end. I would never chose to feel better but not be pregnant. I am not one of those women who loves being pregnant. I admit it. But that doesn't mean I don't find joy in the whole experience. I know I am blessed to be able to have children of my own and the excitement of having another child is sometimes overwhelming. I can't say yet if my pregnancy experiences will deter us from having a third baby. Some days I think there is no way I could do this again but my heart knows it only lasts so long and in the end you have this amazing creation that brings you unexplainable happiness. So, we will see.

Enough rambling. Let's talk about Pete. :) My little mommy's boy became a daddy's boy this weekend. Not only did I enjoy the break but my heart has never felt so full as it did watching my boys together. Pete absolutely loves his dad. He is a happy boy with me but when his dad is around he is almost giddy. He is sillier, giggles constantly and watches whatever his dad does. This evening they sat in the backyard looking at rocks and caterpillars together. I watched them with tears in my eyes. It was one of the most precious things I had ever seen and I felt so blessed. I have a wonderful husband, who is an amazing dad and a sweet, sweet baby boy.

Here are some pictures of our week/weekend. Thanks for reading and listening. Have a wonderful week and if you pray, pray that my pregnancy gets a little more comfortable and our baby girls arrives strong and healthy.

My boys:Our future volleyball player. Me and our baby girl.Walk at Meijer Gardens today.

Haircut

I gave Pete a haircut this morning. Not too bad eh?
Before....and after.

A Very Unfortunate Allergy

So, our boy is allergic to mosquitoes. This has been an almost devastating discovery for a family that lives in MI and a mom that has barely survived a long winter indoors. The doctor's recommendations were to keep him indoors and if we go outside use repellent and long sleeves and pants. Stay indoors????? It is finally warming up (a little) and we have to stay indoors???? I have been indoors for 7 months and I am more than ready to be out of doors. Long sleeves and pants in summer???

Pete is on Benadryl to treat his current bites and I have an Epipen shot to carry around in case his reaction makes it hard for him to breathe or the swelling gets worse. We spent the weekend in West Branch, MI where the bugs weren't as bad. He wore long sleeves and pants and mom was nervous wreck that he was going to get bitten more and his symptoms would get worse. So far each bite has turned into a bright red, large itchy welt and the one on his eyelid made his eye swell shut for 2 days. Your heart breaks to see your child sick or suffering and this was a hard week for me. First to see him bothered by the bites and then to try to figure out what kind of a life we are going to have if this problem persists all summer. Guess we will cross that bridge next time we go outside. Please pray for us. Here is our poor little feller and his red, swollen eye. We had a nice little getaway in West Branch this weekend. We drove up on Sat and had a wonderful dinner at a fancy restaurant in town. We played some cards and stayed up late watching the Lakers pull out a win in Denver. Phew. Sun we had lunch at G's Pizza, my favorite place to eat when we visit. The boys put the pontoon boat into the lake and we tooled around a little bit trying to catch some fish and get some sun. Omi made a big pork roast dinner and since Pete had missed his afternoon nap we put him down early and played cards and watch some more late night basketball. It was fun to get out of town for a couple days and of course good to be home. Pete did great except for waking up early both mornings. Not early like 6am early but like 5am early. And with those late night basketball games let's just say mom and dad are quite tired. Lakers in the playoffs doesn't come around every day though.....

Pete's eye is better today. We think he had a good time at his grandparents house and seeing his family. Here are a couple of pictures from our boat ride. 28 weeks now and I am feeling pretty good. A shirt that fit last week was impossible to get into yesterday. I'm thinking this baby girl is pretty big because I am quite uncomfortable already. I have a hard time breathing most of the time. Sleeping is a challenge. Heartburn and swelling are some other fun things going on right now. But nothing serious so I am happy and plugging along. Going to get back to the game, not looking so good right now. Have a great week and pray those little annoying bugs leave our baby alone.