Hello Belly

Here's my first belly shot, finally. 

Baby T #2 had a nice strong heartbeat yesterday at my monthly appointment.  I also scheduled our next ultrasound in 2 weeks, the same day we settle on our new home!   My excitement for December 14th is almost unbearable......oh.my.goodness. hurry up already!!! 

Oh Christmas Card, Oh Christmas Card

Yesterday Zach took a ton of pictures in hopes of finding the perfect one for our Christmas card this year.  Luke is completely uninterested in sitting or even standing still.  We did get some pretty entertaining shots though.

I said give Santa a hug, he pushed him as far away as possible.

And he's gone, the Santa's look good though.

He started dancing because cookies appeared.

Yummy.

A forced hug.

He found a school bus, completely distracted.

 And a few good ones also!

Choo Choo Trains

Luke LOVES trains.  My current competition - Tommy Choo Choo.

He would watch that show all day long if we let him.  I don't really get it, it's actually pretty boring to watch and the old ones are just actual model trains moving around with George Carlin narrating and doing every voice of the trains.  And even though they all look almost the same, they all have different names and do different jobs as part of the "Very Useful Crew"  Craziness people, craziness.

Anyway, my aunt told me about this train room set up at my grandmothers retirement village.  There are two full rooms of model trains galore and cars running all over the place.  I'm not a huge train fanatic but it was really neat.  Zach, Luke, and I met my aunt and grandmother there Saturday for a little look thinking Luke would be in 7th heaven with all the choo choos.  I think he was so overwhelmed by the amount of trains going here and there that this is the face we got the entire time. 

They even had a Tommy Choo Choo going round and round and one of the men talking as Thomas to all of the kids.  Luke was in shock and didn't say a word.  I thought he'd be all about it but I think he was just trying to soak it all in.  After we spent about 30 minutes watching the trains we went into a third room and they had a Thomas engine the kids could sit on and take pictures.  Oh. My. Word.  A real life size Tommy Choo Choo....no way!  However, Luke was still in shock I guess and wouldn't sit on Tommy at all. 

So at this point I was thinking he wasn't really into to it, until we tried to leave and a meltdown ensued.  So apparently he loved it and just didn't know how to react.  Luckily I travel with at least 2 trains at all times and Percy and James came to the rescue.  Along with the fascination of riding in an elevator. 

Once we went back up to my grandmothers apartment Luke was back to himself and had really good time just hanging out. 

Oh yeah, we also tried to see Santa while we there....not thinking we are going to get our picture with him this year.  This was as close as Luke would get.  He was like bubblegum on my shoe. 

Maybe next year!

17 Weeks

My first real pregnancy post now that the cat (and stomach) are out of the bag.

How far along: 17 weeks

Total weight gain: about 8 pounds so far

How much does baby weigh: This week the baby is about the size of an onion and a whopping 5 1/2 ounces. 

Maternity clothes:  I haven't buttoned a pair of pants in about 2 weeks.  I'm using the bella band most days but am thinking of breaking out the maternity pants this week.  Maternity tops are still a bit too big but my normal ones aren't looking too hot right now.  I'm all about big flowy sweaters right about now.

Stretch marks:  nothing yet. I'm gaining weight all different this time though.  I really thought at the start it was going to be another boy but now that I'm carrying the weight differently already I'm questioning if it is a girl.  I also started this pregnancy with a different shape so that could be the culprit as well ;)

Sleep:  I have been sleeping okay.  To be honest, until I'm back in my normal bed (3 more weeks!) I don't think I will sleep great.  So I can't blame it all on pregnancy.  Luke is still getting up during the night about 3-4 nights a week also, so I can't say sleep is ever good around here - pregnant or not.

Best moment this week:  Asking Luke what's in mommys belly and him responding "baby!" and giving his new sibling little "love pats" on my belly.

Movement:  I could be crazy but I'm pretty sure I can feel the baby move every so often.  It's very subtle but there.

Food cravings:  I'm just hungry all of the time right now.  I eat a lot of cereal and yogurt.

Belly button in or out: still an innie and don't expect a change, never popped with Luke

What I miss: sleeping comfortably on my stomach

What I'm looking forward to: my next appointment is Tuesday and we'll schedule our big ultrasound then

Milestone: no nausea for over 2 weeks now, woot!

Thoughts:  I can't wait to get settled in the new house so I can actually focus more on this baby and preparing for his/her arrival.  Life is nuts right now and these first 17 weeks have actually flown by. 

Big Brother

Luke is going to be one in May!  I'm 15 weeks and due May 5th.  Well it was May 5th, then May 7th, then the 5th, then maybe the 7th.  I like the 5th so I'm sticking with it.  Baby T #2 has made this quite the pregnancy so far.  I was sick with Luke but not like this.  It probably didn't help that I was selling my house, looking for a new one, packing, working, and taking care of a toddler.  Last time I was pregnant everything was so simple, the only thing I did have to think about what the pregnancy.  Not quite the same this time.  I feel like things are moving really fast and I'm hoping it slows down at some point so I can enjoy it.  (This should be the last one folks.)  Now that I'm out of the first trimester (happy dance, happy dance) I'm starting to feel like my old self again.  This is when the fun begins, starting to have a bump, feeling the baby, our next ultrasound.  I just can't wait!  We've started to tell Luke there is a baby in mommys belly - he has no clue what that means but likes to put his hands on my stomach and say 'baby baby'.  Let's hope thats a good sign :) 

As for our big brother photo shoot.  Let's just say it took a while to get that awesome shot up top.  Here were some of the others...

And I have zero belly shots up to this point, I need to get on that.  Yay for #2!

Magic Powers?

You mean once you become a parent you aren't magically protected from crazy sickness?  Because its straight up impossible to be a mom and have the flu.  Impossible. 

This weekend was the first time I was really sick in years, like really sick.  At one point Zach told me I must be dying because the cats were sitting all around me as I was a useless blob on the sofa.  Animals can sense those things you know.  Fortunately he was wrong.  I'm still alive, not back to normal, but alive. 

Luke didn't seemed phased that mommy looked like, sounded like, and acted like crud this weekend.  I was still his same old mommy - kids are awesome in that respect.  But I had to stay away, didn't have the energy to play, and just felt awful like I was neglecting him.  The last thing I would want was him to get it too. 

So someone out there, work on these magic powers please.  You're the best, thanks.

Trick or Treat!

Better late than never, right?   Here's a few shots of our little blue monster on his first trick or treat.

On our way out for his first trick or treat.

"Um Mom, lets go already - no time for pictures."

And we're off!

After getting a few pieces of candy he realized this was a good deal.

So proud. We went to 10-11 houses and he was ready for more.

And after we got home he thoroughly enjoyed a Twix bar.