long time...

I was just looking at this blog and realized that I haven't added pictues in a long while...I'm lame.  I'm fairly sure all my readers are on FB, so you've hopefull seen some pics, but I wanted to put a few on here too....In hopes of loading more soon....from my shower, for emmaus' 18months and a look at the belly....36 weeks and counting.  This picture was from a few weeks ago...I think week 33....not sure, I definitely took more pics the first time...partially cause jake was willing to take them.  I burned him out last time.

(This is at Silver Lake up by Brighton ski resort.)

This was a pic of me and my daddy from when I went up to the canyon with Oasis...again, this was in late July...so I was just about 34 weeks.  We both look a little puffy in this picture, I think it was early, and the altitude...at least, i hope so..haha

This was from our trip to Minneapolis.  This was the following Sunday, I think.  This would have been week:  28, I think.  Gma and Gpa U watched Emmaus and let Jake and I take a walk/hike on our own at Taylors Falls.  It's on the border of WI and MN.  It was a pretty place to walk around.  It was the first time in awhile that it's just been the 2 of us. Very theraputic.

I"ll get more loaded on here soon.  I realized I used to write blogs more often, more clever, and more...fun.  I'll see if I can start that again.  It's fun to go back and reread stuff....

If you are still out there...thanks for reading.

 

18 months today!

I've shared a few of these things on Facebook, but I wanted to post it here too.

Emmaus is freaking awesome.  I know I'm biased, but some of the things he does, I just don't expect....examples to follow:

We're watching Shrek the other night (the new one)....something funny happens on the show (can't remember the details...I'll have to ask jake...)  Neither jake or I laugh....but there's emmaus sitting up front just giggling away....such a good sense of humor he has.   (of course his laugh made us laugh...)

Sunday night we were at a friends house for Bible study and it was getting a little late...emmaus walks over to where his pack and play is sitting...starts dragging it towards us so we'll set it up for him.  We get him into the back room and set it up...he lays down without a peep.  (Jake used to ask to go to bed when he was 2 (he'd already given up naps according to the stories I've heard...like father like son.)

Mamma sneezes, emmaus says bless you.

Emmaus sees someone drinking something in one of his books.  He says/signs drink.  Jake and I try to remember where his Camelbak is....so we tell emmaus..."it's in the side pocket of your diaper bag.....in your room."  a few minutes later he comes back holding his camelbak.

A few weeks ago, mommy (I) was laying down on the couch and jake had just finished making dinner.  I asked Emmaus to help me up.  I reached out my hand and asked him said "pull."  he wasn't sure what to do so I said "back up" and I grunted ...so he knew he was supposed to ..pull.  It worked, he pulled me up...and we ate dinner together.  So NOW, whenever I am sitting on the couch, laying in bed, or sitting on the floor and emmaus wants me to get up and go ....he grabs my hand and says "pull" and grunts....you can't say no to that!

We finished a walk last week or so ago...I helped show Emmaus how to take his shoes and socks off...he giggled..it was cute. So then I aked him to put his shoes away...off he goes to the shoe rack at the front door.  Then I ask him to put his socks in the dirty basket in his room....he leaves the room....and comes back without them.  I asked jake to go check his room....low and behold (what does that really mean anyway..) he had put his smelly sweaty socks in his dirty laundry bin. 

Those are all the cute stories I can think of right now...

Interesting enough...Jake made stirfry last week...with my suggestion of adding noodles instead of rice...success.  Emmaus loves them...we had zucc, squash, brocc, red peppers and chicken in there.  Emmaus ate the veggies and the noodles, but didn't want the chicken.  Even after giving him more left overs, he kept picking out the chicken...no worries because he gets plenty of protein, just kind of weird I thought...oh, and did I mention he LOVES edamame, and our zucc soup...

He's tall, and is talking a lot...Jake and I look at eachother sometimes trying to figure out what he's saying...I hate asking emmaus to repeat himself, or clarify, I don't want him second guessing himself, but some of the stuff he says ..I have NO idea what he's saying.  We're trying to couple words with signs as much as possible, but sometimes that's just not possible. 

He's started coloring and is doing a really good job with it.  I came home from work yest. and jake had taped up a canvas on the side of our desk.  Looks like they had a great time together.  Emmaus loves our shrek coloring book (I had this like 3 years ago...)  He colors on it, and keeps coloring over things, colors in over peoples faces, and loves to point out shrek and cat...sometimes fiona, but hasn't gotten that word down yet...smiles. 

He's amazing and well loved... he still kisses my belly when we say kiss sissy, or where is sister.

Less than 6 weeks ladies and gentleman, and baby U2 makes her debut...

as always, thanks for reading.

Coming down to the wire (Ladies only...)

We're 33 weeks yest.  that leaves 2 weeks till schools done, one week till shower 2 weeks till vacation/jojo's wedding, then 2 weeks at home to chill/wait.  Sounds like a funfilled 7 weeks to me.

Now's the time when I'm starting to freak out about plans for postpartum/labor and delivery logistics.  So here's my concerns/issues.  Any advice or suggestions my readers have, let me know.  I need all the reassurance I can get. 

Mike and Mary are driving in close to the due date.  Hopefully they'll be here, but never a guarantee, since they are coming in from Minneapolis.  Mom will just be getting back from Mexico/working/planning for Jojo and Sarah's reception right around the time baby U2 will be coming.  Dad will be working as well.  My other trusted Emmaus watcher has a newborn at home and her own 2 year old to worry about.  I'm not sure how to put together a list of people to look after Emmaus during labor.  I have NO idea what to expect this time around.  Last time I was in bed/walking around for a good 20 hours laboring before we got wisked away to the hospital for another 20 hours.  Jake said he'd be at home with Emmaus during the night while I am in the hospital postpartum.  I can't think of who to ask to care for my sweet boy while I'm having this baby.  I hate to rely on other people for things like this, but then I know I have a lot of people who care and love us tremendously and would jump at the chance to help us out in this emergency..since it's not a planned induction and you know how labor can start whenever it darn well pleases. 

Then theirs the postpartum stuff.  Last time I was taken care of by moms and best friends, and jes on top of the hospital staff, this time, it seems like everyone/thing is iffy and since we have Emmaus in the equation too, I'm getting nervous.  I know I'm hormonal, and I know things will work out, but I want to have a tentative plan in place, and a planb and possible c if I need to be.  This new addition to the family will be a big enough shock for him, I want Emmaus to be loved and cared for while I'm away for however long.  (hopefully the shortest amount of time possible.)

So postpartum....care:  I remember the hospital doing these make shift ice packs, disposable underwear, tucks pads some numming spray etc etc etc.  So Ladies out there with experience, what did you use for your postpartum?  What do I need to buy before these 7 weeks rush passed us?  I want to have as much in place as I can so Jake won't have to do more than he needs to.  He'll have his hands full enough as is.

My mom is coming to town about a week later, so we'll have her around for that stuff too, which will be nice, it's this immediate stuff that has my mind in a tizzy. 

As always, this is just me thinking out loud, trying to put all the puzzle pieces together.  Sigh, and breath. 

Again, any support or suggestions are much appreciated.  I'm not trying to be a spaz, but I think that's what I sound like.  Jake is trying to understand, but he's getting frustrated with me I think...as any man would/should when dealing with a crazy pregnant lady.  I'm frustrated with me too!!!

update

To all my dedicated fans out there...

Yest. started my 2 week intensive 3 credit hour creativity class at the U.  (In addition to the 3 online classes that I've ben taking since mid-May.)  I think it's going to be okay.  Initially when I read the syllabus, I was very nervous.  There's quite a bit of reading, and a project, and 2 papers and a 2 quizzes in the first week.  However, after meeting the teacher yesterday, and sitting through the first 4 hour session, I think it's going to be a fun class.  After all, part of the supplies list for the class is playdough, watercolor and construction paper. 

Emmaus is growing like crazy.  I need to post the pics from our recent vaca's....I literally haven't had time to even look at all of them yet.  All spare time has been allocated elsewhere.  He repeats, rather clearly, most things we say.  He's in a big boy bed.  Not drinking from his morning bottle anymore.  (Didn't even seem to notice really.)  He likes to say game/sign in and go to the toy box for us to play something together.  I love that he says game, since we are such a game family.  --that is when we have time for an actual game together.  I'm really looking forward to this semester being over and having spare time again.  Well that is until baby girl U2 shows up.  hehe.

Jake is as always amazing in supporting me while I do all of this stuff.  If anyone knows of where he can get on an ultimate frisbee team in the evening, let me know, he's been wanting something extra curricular to do, and isn't sure where or what to do.  In the meantime, he's been working on some of his short stories, web design stuff, and his music.  Last night he went down to practice some songs, I don't tell him enough, but I really love it when he plays.  Makes me happy to hear him doing something he loves and is so talented at.

Once classes are over, we have jojo and sarah's wedding in san diego end of august, and then we wait for emmaus' sister to join us. 

Until then, we'll nibble on the 6 raspberries jake's plant produced this year...good, but so few, hopefully more next year.  He's so proud of his garden, and I love that he loves it. 

Thanks for reading.

bed, work, playtime, homework....and repeat

I wanted to blog about something, but nothing really "fun" comes to mind.

With 3 online classes, my evening are packed with text books and lectures.  (After Emmaus goes to sleep.)  Jake's getting a lot of time to work on short stories, and other things that he does on his laptop....He's being really patient while I try to get this degree done.  He's amazing.

It feels a little weird only having one job...I'm enjoying the extra time to be at home with my boys and ...trying to spend time with my friends, although I don't see as many as I'd like...but you can't always get what you want...(What tv show does that song remind YOU of?)

We are 6 months along on baby U2....in the middle of week 26 right now, fast approaching the 3rd and final trimester...of what will probably be my last pregnancy...(although we aren't both on board with that yet....we'll see how things go...)

She's moving around a lot, last night I was taking a break from reading and had my hands on the belly, and...I pushed in a little, I think she completely flipped around, then she either kneed, elbowed, or something across the whole tummy....seriously freaky if you've never experienced it, and even if you have, still quite "alien."

Emmaus is amazing.  He's talking a lot....says butterfly and baby signing time pretty clear...then again maybe we are disallusioned since we are around it all the time.  He's signing a lot too, which helps him and us communicate clearer. 

He loves to go outside and he's even enjoying riding in the umbrella stroller around the block...he climbs in it and out of it himself.

When I ask him where's sister, he points to my belly.  (so sweet.)

He's been a bit defiant lately...swatting at us...not so much fun.  He's experiencing time-out quite a bit...it's just infuriating the look he gets on his face when he's swatting....like he knows he shouldn't, but...still does it...shrug...the joys of parenting.  He's a good boy, I really think this is just his age, 16 months...even though he looks like a 2 year old.  (We're going to Minneapolis soon, and we get to see his cousins...I can't wait to see them together..I hope they have a blast together.)

Emmaus had another bout with ear infections, (3rd time in 6 weeks.) We took him to the doctor at the first sign...they wanted to give us another antibiotic and eye drops.  My terri mom had come over just after the visit and mentioned taking him into a chiropractor.  You'll have to do the research yourself, but the next day I checked with the insurance, called a chiro near our house and took him in.  The guy we saw was amazing, friendly, and very familiar with toddler ear infections.  I felt very confident with our choice.  We've taken him in twice.  The infection was dramatically better at the 2nd visit.  We're going in again this friday just to confirm that he's either all better, or at least getting better.  I love alternative medicine....can be sooo much more effective sometimes. 

I have picked up my crochet hook again.  I found an adorable baby hat I wanted to make for U2....total success and oh so cute, so now i'm making a few for other friends that are expecting, and I'm making an awesome blankey for my brother and new sister (jojo and sarah are getting married in San Diego at the end of Aug...that's going to be a fun road trip...at 38 weeks pregnant...hope we get some beach time in...and sea world)

Jake took me on a date last weekend.  I got to wear my sexy dress.  (The only photo I got was from my phone, I'll have to figure out how to get it on here...)  We went to a friends dance recital...hip hop, jazz and such.  It was a lot of fun.  We grabbed sushi before hand, and after ran by my favorite Boba place...I felt spoiled....it was a great date.

Then the next day Jake got to play Ultimate in the park for a few hours, then we went to the drive-in to watch  X-men: 1st class and Pirates 4.  (Emmaus was already asleep for both of our outings, so we got some friends to basically house sit.)  It was a fabulous weekend, thanks to my hubby.  I hope he appreciates me as much as I adore and appreciate him.

Oh, and we got 6 of Jake's moles removed off his back.  The doc. didn't think there was any concern with them, but the one that was really sticking out was cut off!!! YEA.  6 down, 5 more to go....(we aren't in any hurry for them to go, but knowing it only costs a copay and it's quick and easy is nice!)

Really looking forward to our trip to Minneapolis...wedding, and camping...it's going to be a blast just to be with Jake's awesomely wonderful loving family.  (I'm not a fan...much!)

as always, thanks for reading.



  

Trash and Pee

Jake and I were in the front room talking...Emmaus walked out of the room into the kitchen, then came back in a few minutes later.  Jake and I looked at eachother, and then went into the kitchen to see what he had done.  He had had a piece of crumpled up paper in his hand when he left and when he came back it was gone.  The little smarty handsome awesome boy opened up our trash can, deposited the paper and then closed it!!!  No prompting no nothing....This kid is unstoppable...

Then today when I got home from work Jake tells me that while he was going potty Emmaus said potty...so Jake tried to put him on his little toilet trainer, but Emmaus didn't want that...so he stood up...walked over to the toilet, pounded on the lid, till Jake opened it, and Emmaus started peeing.  Obviously the little one isn't quite tall enough (yet) to reach it so it went all over the rug....but he totally did it, and wants to do it!!!  Can one teach a baby to pee standing up at such a young age?  I feel like I should get a stepping stool for him....curious what he'll do next.

Not to not mention that when we were in MO last week he mastered climbing up the rock wall and sliding down the slide...unassisted....I'll post that video on FB sometime soon.  This "baby" boy is unbelievable...and then there's his vocabulary....verbal and signing....

I could go on...but....I'll stop.

Love this boy. 

sugar and spice....

As many/all of you may have heard, We are having a baby girl in September...!!!

Jake preferred a girl this time (He really likes the name we picked out -WE AREN"T ANNOUNCING the name till birth...sorry folks.), and I think I did too...although, I would have been super happy with 2 boys...

Now we have one of each, and I can have a mini me too....(Doubtful really, she'll be taller than me by 10 like my niece alex was...slight exaggeratoin, but it will happen I'm certain.)

So I'm having a itch to go buy something girlie...but I'm trying to resist until I know of something we actually need....we'll see how long that lasts...

giggles.

I looked online yesterday for some girlier diaper covers, but unsatisfied with the selections.  I'm not sure what colors I want to focus on....Marroon so far is the only one that is standing out...maybe Cerulean blue...it's my favorite crayola color.  The purples and pinks just aren't doing it for me...and I honestly had an open mind about it.  I just don't like idea of butterflies and flowers...or hearts.  I liked stars growing up...and sort of just want to decorate with those....

We'll see what happens. 

I'm super excited about knowing she's a girl and am able to say I'm going to have a daughter.  I've already started praying for our relationship....moms and girls don't always have the best rapport...but ...with God's grace, I won't live in fear of that.  Everyday is a new day!!

SOOO looking forward to these next 4 months, labor and delivery and the whole kit and caboodle....

She moves around a lot right now...we are almost 22 weeks (Just shy of the 5 month mark.).  She's measuring a little small they said, but everything else looks perfect.  (Nothing wrong with small girls...-hehe) 

We are going to MO next week for Alex's (my niece's) Graduation.  I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone.  This will be the first time that everyone except my mom will meet Emmaus.  My Gma and Aunts are coming down too, and a cousin or too...so it's our mini reunion.  I haven't seen the family for almost 2 years now...so this is really great timing. 

So excited.

As always, thanks for reading.  More belly pics soon, hopefully....