Baby Boy - 30 Weeks!

• How Far Along: 30 weeks!
• Size of the Baby: About the size of a head of lettuce? 18 inches and over 3 pounds!
• Total Weight Gain: 18 pounds
• Maternity Clothes: Seriously? Look at that stomach. What else would cover that?!?
• Gender: Boy!
• Movement: ALL THE TIME! He is moving like crazy. Poking. Jabbing. No hiccups yet!
• What I Miss: This week? Wine. I think that's about it.
• Sleep: Hit or miss. Some nights I sleep really well and never wake up, and other nights I feel like I'm awake every hour. It's worse on the nights when I have to work the next day!
• Symptoms: I have a big belly. I have a baby that moves. I'm tired. I'm slow. I lose breath easily.
• Best Moment of the Week: Reese's birthday was awesome. We got to schedule an official due date - November 5! We've had a lot of fun on Brian's days off. Wyatt pooped in the potty. All good times!
• What I am Looking Forward to: Wyatt's school is Open House is TONIGHT! I am going to be in full breakdown mode next Tuesday for sure. We have a 30 week appointment on Thursday and hearing the heartbeat is always exciting!
  

2 Year Well Baby Check Up. And Other Big News.

Reese went for her two year well baby check up today. I guess it's more of a well child check up now. But anyway, here are her stats:

Height: 35 inches (80th percentile)

Weight: 29 pounds (78th percentile)

The doctor told us today that based on the projections (which are not as "reliable" for girls as they are for boys) she'll end up at 5 feet 10 inches. Basically, she will tower over me. And the projections for Wyatt at his last check up were at least 5'10" as well. Brian told Wyatt he needs to start eating his vegetables so his sister can't beat him up.

She has gotten so big now! She is really talking up a storm, using complete phrases, and it is so fun to listen to the kids have conversations in the car. Today they were in the backseat just having a normal conversation (although at some point it turned to a talk about hitting).

And in other big news, in case you're wondering why this little boy is sooooo happy....

It's because he finally pooped in the potty today! Brian ran a "boot camp" of sorts today that just clicked. We've slowly worked him towards going in the potty for the last few weeks. We started with asking him to go to the bathroom if he needed to go in his pants. After about 2 weeks of that we asked to him to go in his pants, but to sit down on the potty and do it. Finally today (a week before schools starts), Brian just followed up all day. And made him walk around with no pants on (we knew he wasn't just going to go on the floor). It worked! He knew when he had to do it, and ran to the bathroom. This picture is just of him after he got his new toy for finally accomplishing this feat! You should have seen him after he went. I won't be sharing the picture we took of him posing next to his poop though. I'll save that for just us :).

We'll spend the next few days following through with this, making sure it becomes routine. Then I really want to start potty training Reese. I think that after she sees Wyatt going all the time she might jump on board. Plus you know, she's more mature. She probably doesn't take pictures of poop. Or call it poop.

Busch Gardens...Like A Week Later

We went back to Busch Gardens last Monday. The kids just have such a good time, and we can usually get in and out without spending a ton of money (except drinks. We are some drinking fools in this family). I usually pack snacks for the kids and then we just stop on the way home for something if we need to.

We got there later than we planned and Sesame Place was not enjoyable. We literally stayed for about a half an hour before we moved on. I'm not sure why we've never put Reese on these planes before since Wyatt loves them, but we let her have a turn this time. And...she LOVED it.

Wyatt did a great job "piloting" the plane.
"Look at me, Daddy! Look at meeeeee!"

This is what happens when you ask two kids to look at you and say cheese at the same time. I bet we'll get TONS of good pictures of the three of them.

I can't hold hands. I'm busy pushing the empty stroller.

They are really cute though!

Posing by the fountain

Hopefully it will cool down earlier this year and I can really enjoy myself. Not likely, but I can hope! The kids are really having a fabulous time now, and it does get less crowded and much more enjoyable when fall hits.

This week we have a lot coming up. Reese and Wyatt both have check ups at the pediatrician's office today, and I'm hoping to squeeze in a haircut for him. We have Open House at Wyatt's school tomorrow night, which I am really excited about. I'm anxious to see how he reacts in the classroom and to the whole idea of starting school. And then he actually has to start school and I don't even know how he's going to do on the first day! We are practicing his new routine this week in terms of bed times and getting ready for school each day and we're planning on a practice run or two. Let's just say that the drop off is going to be Daddy's responsibility and he's not exactly known for his ability to get out the door on time (I kid, I kid. Kind of.)

We have a 30 week appointment for the Goomeister this week as well, and now we're in the final countdown. Less than 10 weeks until the Baby Boy joins the family. Yikes! I am soooo looking forward to cuddling my new little guy and watching Wyatt and Reese take care of him!

A Little More Birthday

We went to Red Robin for dinner on Reese's birthday with Mimi and Baba. The kids pretty much beg to go there at least once a week, and it is obviously our first choice for birthday celebrations.

Reese anxiously waiting for her pizza.

We went back home for cupcakes and a few more presents. Reese did a great job blowing out the candles pretty much all by herself (with a little help from her big brother).

She then decided that she would "help" Daddy put her new Cozy Coupe together.
Brian was finally able to finish after the kids went to bed. It was waiting for Reese when she woke up in the morning (except, you know, Wyatt was up first and started playing with it).

And then Reese woke up and got to play with it and LOVED it. And Wyatt loves climbing on it.

Her birthday party is in two weeks, on the 11th. We ordered her Ariel party supplies this week, and she is super excited to have a Little Mermaid party with all her friends.

August 25th at 10:07 AM!!!

Here is Reese at 10:07 AM on her birthday - officially 2! She was the cutest thing on her birthday - every time we said, "Happy Birthday Reesie!," she would respond, "Happy Birthday Mommy (or Daddy, or Wyatt)!"

I have never seen a two year old (including her big brother) embrace their birthday like she did. She asked about her birthday all day. If you asked her how old she was now, she would shout "TWO!," and show us two fingers.

She opened her presents as soon as she woke up, and then we just took our time getting ready for the day and playing. If you want to check out pictures of her at 10:07 the day she was born they're here (I know, the hyperlink isn't a different color), and last year's pictures are here. I can't believe how big she has gotten! Brian and I (thankfully) haven't done a whole lot of dwelling on the NICU experience or where her health was two years ago compared to now (she was still on the vent on the 27th and we were still in the hospital with her). We are just so happy that we have a healthy, happy, extremely talkative little girl. And the talkative part is just about the only thing she gets from me!

Anyway, here she is at the moment she officially turned two (my apologies. The lighting was not so good at 10:07)!

Reesie and her new Belle

Cheesing it big time with Daddy

Not that interested in sitting with Mommy. Seriously. She is so not a fan of me now.

When I asked Reese what kind of cupcakes she wanted she said, "purple." OMG. I thought mixing blue and red food coloring into the frosting would work. Not quite so easy. In fact, making the cupcakes and the frosting from scratch was easier than making the frosting purple. But she LOVED them. Especially the frosting!

Two Years Ago Today

Two Years ago right now Brian and I were taking Wyatt out for ice cream on his last night as an only child. I was packing bags and getting the three of us ready for trips to the hospital and grandparents' homes for a stay. Brian and I were having a last minute discussion about Reese's middle name while I filled little favor bags with Reese's Pieces. I was looking forward to the arrival of our new baby girl.

I had no idea what was going to happen the next day
.

The day Reese was born was the most wonderful, horrible, emotional, terrifying, stressful day I have ever lived. And thinking about that day, even now when I have a perfectly healthy almost 2 year old girl running around, brings all of that back up. It probably always will. I'm scared of Baby Boy's birth, even though I just keep telling myself that it was all a fluke with Reese. But tomorrow I took the day off and we'll have lots of fun to celebrate Reese's second birthday. Because even though that day means crazy emotions for Brian and I, it will always be the day our little girl was born, and that is something to celebrate!

Reese's First Second Birthday Party

Pretty much all of my family was in town this weekend, so my parents threw a co-birthday party for Katie and Reese. Katie turned 16 on Sunday and Reese's second birthday is this Wednesday, so it made sense to celebrate together. Plus Brian and I have been so busy this month that we haven't even set a date for her actual party. Seriously, before I realized it, it was August 20th and I was wondering where August went.

Reese spent the entire day talking about Katie's birthday party. Once we got there and she saw her cake it finally set in that it was her birthday too.
Her Ariel cupcake cake.

Blowing out her candles with some assistance from Wyatt.

Wyatt was showing us how you ride Reese's birthday present from Katie - a princess bike. She also got a power wheels Jeep from my parents so she's pretty mobile now. I think the only thing she's missing is a Crazy Coupe!

The kids hopped in the back seat of Katie's birthday present - a 1998 Ford Explorer. Brian told them not to get too comfortable because that's a ride they won't be taking for another 20 years! Ha!

Wyatt spent a lot of time with his Uncle Marc at the party. My brother played baseball with him, took him out on the swings, and played with him all night. And then he gave him the entire jug of V-8 to drink with a straw. At 8:00 at night! Wyatt woke up at 2:30 to go to the bathroom! He actually also slept in until 6:45 the next day so it didn't work out too badly for us.

Reese had a great time at her first second birthday party. I took the day off on Wednesday so I'll be home with her all day. I don't know what we're doing yet (although my gut says Pottery Barn will call tomorrow and say that the entertainment center will be delivered that day). I know that I'm making her cupcakes (purple ones) and that we will probably go to Red Robin for dinner. I'm not sure if we're taking a trip to the NICU like we did last year or not. It depends on how the day goes! I can't believe my baby will be 2 on Wednesday!

Guess Who's Coming to Lunch

I took this picture at Audrey's birthday party last weekend. The kids cracked me up the way they were sitting around the table "talking." It almost looks like the boys are actually in the midst of a serious conversation by their expressions. Wyatt is the oldest of the group by two weeks, and then they go across the table and around in birth order back to Natalie next to Wyatt. Audrey is of course sitting at the head of table. Reese and Natalie were pretty busy eating while the boys all kind of picked at their food until it was time to go play.

Our Zoo Tour Guide

The Zoo

I know I've been a bad blogger. Yesterday my brother called and asked me if I had the kids locked in a closet because I haven't been blogging about them. He didn't answer my question about whether or not he'll have a blog when my baby niece or nephew comes in February though :)!

Anyway, last weekend was jam packed for us. We had Colin's birthday Saturday, Audrey's birthday Sunday and a To Do List a mile long! After Audrey's party we planned on going to Busch Gardens, but there was a 6 and a half mile back up at the tunnel, so we turned around and went to the zoo instead!

The kids had a lot of fun, but it was REALLY hot. I felt like I was on fire! I can't even remember what it was like to be 9 months pregnant with Reese in August, but I guess that's the beauty of pregnancy. Once you have your baby you completely forget how miserable and uncomfortable you were at times during the pregnancy!

Wyatt spent most of the trip walking with Daddy and telling us where we were going next. They were both really excited to see the animals, and Wyatt kept telling Reese what each animal was and what they say. During the time that Reese was out walking, he grabbed her hand and Brian, Reese and Wyatt all walked together to see the geese.

Laughing girl!

I am going to post the video I took of this later, but Wyatt went through the entire map and told us where we had been and where we still needed to go. He was so funny!

This was his own pose!

We stopped at Wendy's to get something to drink after the zoo and Wyatt asked for a vanilla frosty. He hadn't had any sleep all day, so he was pretty tired. This is how he fell asleep. He did manage to finish the frosty before he passed out!

The next few weeks will be really busy, but we will have a lot to blog about! Reese turns 2 on Wednesday, her well child check up is next week, Wyatt has his open house at school next week, and then he starts school and soccer! On top of that we still have lots of appointments for baby Gooey since I now go every two weeks! And there's only 11 weeks until he's here.

I'm really looking forward to the next few months! I love fall. Brian will be home a lot more and our anniversary is next month. New fall clothes come out. The smell of pumpkin and spices fills my house as soon as September hits. Trips to the pumpkin patch. And after all that we get to meet out baby boy! Yay!

Where Has the Time Gone?

Seriously. I'm a bad blogger. But in my defense, I'm 28 (almost 29) weeks pregnant, my husband works all the time, I'm shuttling back and forth to get him every night, and oh yeah, I have an almost 2 year old and a 3 and half year old. Yeah. So I have a few posts to write and I'll be back to my blogging ways.

Baby Boy: 27 Weeks!

• How far along: 27 weeks!
• Size of the baby: He's the size of the cauliflower, about 16 inches and 2.5 pounds
• Total weight gain: 15 pounds
• Maternity clothes: I found a dress for my reunion that I didn't hate. I guess that's a good thing?
• Gender: Yeah, he's still a boy!
• Movement: is constant. He's apparently pretty happy with the amount of space he has to move around.
• What I Miss: Walking like a normal person. I am in full waddle right now. Seriously. Oh and I love my flip flops in the summer, but I'm pretty sure that they're the only thing my feet will fit into this fall.
• Sleep: The third trimester hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday, but it was really hot and we spent the morning at the reunion picnic. I'm basically tired from the time I was up until about noon. Then I sometimes get to nap with the kids. Today I didn't and I'm really tired.
• Symptoms: Hip pain, exhaustion, getting full after like 3 bites of food. Nesting. Brian and I spent all of naptime today unpacking the room over the garage. We made a lot of yard sale piles (mainly books. Who keeps their college textbooks for fun? We do.). We also discovered a need for more bookshelves. Fun.
• Best Moment of the Week: Lots! My reunion and catching up with old friends was great. Wyatt and Reese raising their hands at the right time when I ask them who's the oldest, who's the youngest, and who's right in the middle is awesome. They point to my stomach when I ask who the youngest is. Too cute! I feel like we might finally be making some headway in the potty training issue with Wyatt.
• What I am Looking Forward to: Naming this baby. Buying matching Mommy/Baby pajamas for the hospital from Old Navy (yeah, seriously we're going to match). Our entertainment center and front door organizational systems' arrival. Brian decided to us the furniture I've been coveting from Pottery Barn and I am soooo excited for it to come! It's not supposed to ship until the end of the month, but I am planning where things are going and what we're going to do with everything. We have a lot of birthdays coming up (this weekend we have two parties) in August and it ends with Reese turning two! Also, at my next appointment we SHOULD be able to schedule Gooey's due date! Brian and I have to talk about the pros and cons of delivering him at 39 weeks (I can't go through the NICU experience again), and then schedule at our next appointment on the 19th!
  

10 years? Seriously?

This weekend was my 10 year high school reunion. Crazy. In a lot of ways it feels like 10 years, but it also didn't when I was in the midst of conversations that seemed completely...not awkward. Anyway, last night we had the big semi-formal affair at the Westin. I freaking love that place and its alfredo sauce. Delicious.

The most surprising thing to me was how many people I didn't know! I looked at the list of attendees a few weeks ago and thought I knew pretty much everyone going. And then I got there and didn't know as many as I thought. I knew a lot of people, but not everyone. That made it awkward. Like three people came to talk to me, and I had no idea who they were. I would turn to my friend when they left and we would just shrug. Awkwardness. Fortunately for me, a lot of my classmates were there. And when I say classmates, I mean people that I had every single class with. Because I was IB, I went through all 4 years with a pool of about 60-100 (it was closer to 100 freshman year and closer to 60 senior year) kids in my classes, which meant we had the same kids in our classes all the time. It made it easy at the beginning of the school year and during discussions (which there were a lot of) because we always knew who would talk and we never really had to get to know each other! I was also pretty "involved" so I knew a lot of kids outside the IB program too, and was able to catch up with everyone.

I seriously wish I had my graduation pictures scanned in right now because it would add comedy to these photos.

Me, Brooke and Kelli. Kelli organized the event and it was awesome!

Either he's gotten taller or I've shrunk! Devon was in my French class from French 3 until I dropped French 6 senior year (sleeping in outweighed AP French Lit), and was my partner in class. His accent sucked freshman year so Madame partnered us together and it stayed that way through AP French. I'm not giving him credit for my 4 on that AP exam though.

Darcy, Devon and me! Speaking of people in all of my classes, Darcy and I had a lot together, but a particular favorite was math. Most kids probably paid attention, but we did make up. We set up our own personal Clinique counter and went to town. If you're wondering what our teacher did, the answer is nothing. I mean, he talked to us about the magic of thinking big or something, but not actual math. We had our friend Hunter for those tutorials. Don't get me started on Latin. All I can say is "The roaches will have to chill."
That's how big I am at 27 weeks! Third trimester like WHOA!

I think there's some sort of football rivalry here, but this is extreme. Darcy is a Red Sox fan and she's still one of my favorite people. For goodness sakes she was in my wedding!

Today we went to a picnic at Mt. Trashmore for everyone and their kids and that was a lot of fun. Even though it was HOT outside. Brian and the kids went and basically got to play while I chatted, but it was still fun and a great ending to an awesome time!

Reese Talking!

Brian and I always talk about "flipping" some video of Reese talking because we never want to forget the way her voice sounds now. It is too stinking cute, and when she has conversations her little voice just makes me melt. It doesn't matter if she's talking to me or Brian or having a conversation with Wyatt in the back of the car or singing "U-u-u-undo it!," she sounds so precious! So here she is today after I made her some juice!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder... or Whatever

So I haven't posted in like a week. And the reason for that is simple. The Croup. Again.

I had to rearrange my schedule last week and work Friday instead of Thursday. Since I was off of work, Reese and I dropped the boys off at the free movie and went to run errands. We dropped Wyatt's school physical form off at the Pediatrician and then went to Target. Brian called JUST as we were leaving Target to come get them. It was perfect timing. We dropped Brian off at work and I figured we had time before naps to take Wyatt to get his haircut. There were three stylists on duty at Pigtails & Crewcuts, so we were in and out in 20 minutes! Then I looked down at my phone and saw the Pediatrician's office had called to let me know that Wyatt's physical form was ready! Seriously, does a day get any better? I LOVE our Pediatrician and even though we now live 45 minutes away, I have no intention of switching. So I swung by (with both kids) and picked up the form. And I apparently lost my mind and let Wyatt touch the buttons in the elevator. Yeah. The day was going great until that moment. Perfect timing, perfect day. "What's that called when everything intersects? The Bermuda Triangle."

I know better than to let my kid touch the elevator buttons at the Pediatrician's office when there are notices about the whooping cough, I really do. But apparently I was a moron that day because he was so good getting his hair cut and walking in the doctor's office that I let him.

So we had a good day. I tucked him in and he fell right asleep. Immediately. Within 3 minutes. And then I heard the barking seal cough an hour and 30 minutes into his slumber. And before I knew it he was in bed with me coughing all night. And when he woke up in the morning he was wheezy. I felt so bad for him. He didn't understand why he's sick. Now he will say that it's because he touched the elevator buttons at Dr. Jones' office and got germs. Fortunately the doctor fit us in and got us a prescription for steroids. Awesome. He slept okay the first night. Really well the second night. And terribly the third night. And then the 'roid rage set in. He was angry and hyper yesterday and it was awful. But that was the last day of the steroids and he was feeling much better today.

And now I can start blogging about fun things again.