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. 

Upside Down

Not sure what exactly I need to do to feel like my life is right side up again.  Since my last post things have been busy to say the least. 

Our townhouse is no longer ours.  We managed to get everything packed and out by last Monday.  Thanks to a ton of help from family and friends it went pretty smoothly.  As much planning as I did though, it didn't go exactly as I imagined but do things ever go that way?  I had all the boxes marked as either storage or Nans.  If they went to storage they are either in a storage unit, in my in laws garage, or in Zach's grandmothers garage.  As far as what is in what spot, I have no freaking clue.  At one point I thought there was no way everything would fit but the guys did some excellent packing, the garages are stuffed to the roof, and the doors close!  Success!  I'm slowly realizing everything I thought I needed and marked Nans wasn't really everything.  Me being pretty organized and anal is having a slight breakdown every time I can't find things.  But eventually (in 5-6 weeks to be exact!) it'll all go to our NEW HOUSE!

That's right folks, in the chaos that was the big move we also found a house, put in an offer, got a counteroffer, responded with our original offer (it was a damn good offer in our eyes) and got the house!  WOOOO!  All of this happened on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of last week - the same Saturday that we were moving all of our belongings to the various storage spaces and my life was strewn all over Lancaster.  So it helped make the day a bit better, but no less stressful.  Everything worked out in the end though and I'm one happy girl. 

Our settlement is currently set for December 15th so we'll be in our own new home for Christmas!  That means a Christmas tree, Christmas breakfast as a family, presents at our house, and maybe if I'm really on top of things, baking Christmas cookies in my new kitchen!  Until then Nan is letting us live with her and practically take over her house for a month and a half.  Which is pretty awesome because we came with tons of stuff and have turned her house upside down. 

Everyone is adjusting fairly well to the move - Luke doesn't seem to care at all, the cats struggled the most.  Luke had a few restless nights but all in all he's acting like hes right back at home.  Knuckles is almost adjusted and is getting his nose into everything and Scooter hides under the bed most of the day.  As soon as they adjust it'll be time to shove them, literally, back in the carriers and head to the new house.  Wish us luck with that. 

Pumpkins!

On the hayride out to the pumpkin patch.

Looking for the perfect one.

I found it!

The one.

Waiting for the hayride back.

Luke and his pumpkin!

After finding out he could play with the hay.