Pajama Day - and other pictures

Today was pajama day at school. This was the best picture I could get of Eli as he was running ALL AROUND the house this morning pushing his block wagon. He's all boy and loves to run from Point A to Point B. Don't you wish you could wear your pj's to work every once in a while? (ps - this is one of the pj pants that I converted to shorts, not too bad eh?)

I love this picture - my two boys ready to go on a Sunday morning bike ride

Sunday afternoon lounging at the pool

Having fun in the big pool with Daddy

Daddy & Eli being silly (again) with tunnels

Happy Day

Tonight before bed, Eli declared that it had been a happy day. I would have to agree with him! 

Last night Grandma C came up to spend some time with Eli (probably her last visit with Eli as an only child), to give Tim a break since he's been taking care of me & Eli this week and to allow me to continue to rest and get better before 2.0 arrives. 

Although he went to bed later than normal last night, Eli was still up before 6am. He did not want to go back to sleep so Grandma played with him while Tim & I just lazed in the bed. At 7am, we heard a loud "Daddy, where are you?". Then it was time for everyone to be up and have breakfast. After breakfast, the play-a-polooza with Grandma started and included inside and outside play - the swingset, water table, tee ball, bubbles, trains, you name it. Eli had a blast. They also took a mid day walk. Grandma tired Eli out so much that he took a 3+ hour nap!! During all this play time, I actually did a little sewing project (notice "little") converting two of Eli's pajama pants to shorts. Then I was able to run a few errands alone while Eli napped and Grandma held down the fort. After nap, snack time and more play. We were supposed to go see Noah today for a small birthday celebration but due to Mr. Naphead, we ended up not going. We're sorry Noah and hopefully we can see you next weekend. 

Grandma is now on her way home after a great 24 hours with her Eli. Eli loves all the Grandma attention and Grandma sure loves her grandson. I was very happy that Eli was in a good mood and behaved well all day. Thanks Grandma for the help and break!! Of course, there are pictures....

Peek a boo from the Swingset treehouse

Water table play 

Tee ball - he's getting pretty good!

Reading to Grandma about the fire trucks

Acting silly

Learning to blow bubbles

The three of us

Eli and Grandma

Sick and pregnant

I think the Bill Cosby skit is actually "sick and tired" - I wish that's all it was!! I think I picked up something from Eli and it has knocked me on my butt the past few days. My fever did break about 4am today, thankfully! I actually went to the doctor this morning and she confirmed that it's something viral and that I need to rest up b/c they don't want me to deliver a baby sick (and neither do I!!). I never ever miss work for being sick but I came home at lunch yesterday and am not going in today. The only reason I made that decision is because this is about more than me. I want to get better for all my boys - the two already here and the one on the way. When Mommy's sick, it makes it harder on everyone.

Other stats from today:

• Weight - actually lost weight since last week, guess not eating will do that!
• Blood pressure - pretty good 110/62
• Lungs sounded clear so glad this is just something viral that hopefully I can beat
• Heard 2.0's heartbeat, he's still doing good in there even though I've been bouncing him around a lot with the coughing and sneezing
• Dilated 1 cm

Go back next Wednesday so we'll see if I can get myself better and then see where we are.

Happy Father's Day

"Happy Daddy's Day" was Eli's announcement when he came downstairs this morning. It was so cute and he wouldn't repeat it for me so I could catch it on video. He gave TIm a big hug and a card that he had made at school. We also gave him a digital picture frame so he can see Eli (and soon to be 2.0) at work. 

Hopefully Tim had a good day. He went mountain biking this morning while Eli & I went on a walk to the playground - he used to get much more "Tim time" so I'm sure he enjoyed it. After lunch, Eli napped and we just hung out. This afternoon, we went to the pool for a little while and enjoyed seeing our friends and neighbors Kara & Brian there with Owen & Faye. We didn't do anything super special out of the ordinary but hopefully Tim didn't mind too much. 

Happy Daddy's Day - we love you!

Big morning hug

Look what I made you Daddy!

Our little belly flopper

Swimming with Daddy

Baby Faye - this is Owen's sister (or Owen's baby as Eli calls her)

Getting Ready for Baby

It's that time - 37 weeks, 2.0 is now full term. Spent some time this weekend getting ready for his arrival. What exactly does that mean? Well, here's the photo essay....

The bottles come back out

The back seat of my truck just got full with two car seats

Crib bedding is washed and ready to go

Pack and play bassinet set up in our bedroom - this is where Eli stayed for 3 months

Bags packed (mine and Eli's) and Eli's spare car seat ready for whomever gets Eli duty

Of course, we have no idea exactly when 2.0 will arrive but we needed to get most of our things in order. Getting all the baby things out of the attic and cleaning them. I can't say I remembered everything but I did a lot and am a little more relaxed about it!

22 months

The face of our 22 month old (going on 4 years old!)

This has been an interesting week. Eli was sent home from school with a fever on Tuesday, stayed home Wednesday but went back Thursday. He seems to have a cold and we've had our fair share of crying for no reason, fussiness, lack of sleep, coughing and snot. Eli has been completely off and as a result it has thrown our whole house off (especially 9+ month pregnant Mommy!). Last night we all got a fairly decent night's sleep so we tried to have a fun day today without wearing Eli down. This morning, Eli & I went to Barnes & Noble to meet Carol & Ryan for some train time. The boys preferred running around the store so it wasn't quite as relaxing as we'd hoped but they had fun. After lunch Eli took a nap and then played with Daddy for a little bit. He was still acting tired so he took a second nap which seemed to do him some good. He wasn't nearly as fussy when he woke up. The other issue we've had this week is eating. Eli hasn't really been interested and I don't know if it is b/c of being sick or the heat - I don't really want to eat when it's hot. Nonetheless, he had some snacks and then we decided that we needed to get out of the house. We opted for no pool today to keep him from getting overtired so tonight, we did the unthinkable - we headed to the mall! Cool inside where we could walk around. We had fun going into the Lego store checking out all the cool stuff - Eli played with the Lego table and enjoyed looking at everything - and then going to Build a Bear to get Puppy Jim some new clothes. With two naps today, Eli wasn't tired at all at normal bedtime and Tim is trying to get him down now. Doubt he'll sleep late in the morning but hopefully he'll at least sleep well. 

Legos are fun Mommy

The cool wall of Legos

Daddy loves Legos too

Big Yoda

Love Puppy Jim - you can kinda see the new overalls

Anniversary Celebration - Part 1

Today was our 4 year wedding anniversary. We always talk about how it seems like we've been married much longer than that - but not in a bad way! I can't imagine life without Tim - he's such a great partner and Dad. Our wonderful plan from last year that was to become a tradition didn't happen. We want to take the day off work each year and spend it together but with 2.0 coming soon and so much going on at work, we had to change our plan for this year. Tonight we went to Outback for dinner as Part 1 of our anniversary celebration. Eli stayed home with Miss Katie and we enjoyed dinner just the two of us. Part 2 of our anniversary celebration will come in August when we go to the Kenny Chesney concert! That was our gift to each other. 

36 weeks, 3 days......

Today's picture to go with today's doctor visit. I'm 36 weeks and 3 days along. Now I start weekly visits and exams.

Today's highlights:

1) Weight gain acceptable - 2 pounds since last time (a pound a week). I'm just now at 30 pounds for the pregnancy. VERY happy about that. I was almost at 40 pounds this time with Eli!!

2) Blood pressure good at 100 / 62

3) Did hemoglobin test - 12.7 no issue with anemia (apparently 12-15 is normal)

4) Did Strep B test - we'll see how that one comes out

5) 2.0 is, and has been, head down. Got to hear his little heartbeat. I think doctor said it was in the upper 120s to lower 130s beat count.

6) Measuring about 37 weeks - just a few days early, nothing like with Eli.

7) Not dilated yet - again, with Eli I was already 2cm. Guess I'd better step up that walking!!

All in all though, it was a good appointment and they're happy with how this pregnancy has gone so far (me too!). I was surprised not to be dilated at all though because if I'm not careful and stand up too fast, I feel like he's on his way. Oh well, we'll see what they say next week. =)

Man to Man defense - no zone here

It's an interesting question we keep getting. Even though 2.0 isn't here yet, everyone wonders if we'll have a 3rd child. Tim & I are in sync when we say we're done at two kids. We prefer man to man defense (2 vs 2) instead of zone (3 vs 2). Can't be outnumbered!!

Our weekend routine

Seems like we have figured out our "summer" weekend routine around here. Mornings are spent staying busy doing something, then it's nap time, after nap off to the pool and then home for dinner. It's a very simple plan but about all we can handle these days! 

Saturday after the museum, it was lunch, nap and then to the pool. Eli had a great time pushing a big dump truck in and out of the kiddie pool. He was quite pooped out at the end of the day and slept quite well all night. Granted he was still up at 6am but not a peep until then. 

Today we started the day making homemade pancakes. Eli helped me as he loves using the "roundy round" - aka the mixer. After our nice family breakfast, Tim & Eli went on a bike ride around the lake to feed the ducks and I went on a walk of my own. It was nice to get outside and get a little exercise. A quick grocery trip and then Eli kept telling us he was sleepy. He wanted nothing to do with lunch but wanted to take a nap. We were worried about him going down for a nap with no lunch but he slept almost 3 hours and was in good trim when he got up. Then it was off the pool for more play time - we got to see his friend Owen there today and they enjoyed the water time. Home for dinner - this time Eli was starving! A little more playing and easily down for the night. 

So that's our weekend plan. Have fun wearing Eli out in the AM, take a nap and then wear him out in the PM so he sleeps well. Simple but it seems to work so far - Eli is loving all the pool time! Hope everyone else found time for some fun as well. 

BIG dump truck at the pool

Mommy's helper

"Mom, did you read the directions right?"

Water boy

Night - uh actually morning - at the Museum

This morning, Carol & I took Ryan & Eli to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. We were smart enough to get there early and it wasn't crowded at all. The boys loved running around looking at all the exhibits as well as looking at the live animals on each floor. They really seemed to love the anthropod section where they saw lots of "beetlebops" - apparently at school, they call any bug a "beetlebop". The funniest part was on the way home when Ryan fell asleep and Eli tattle-told on him. I heard "Mommy, Ry-Ry sleeping". Sure enough we turn around to look an Ryan was napping happily. Of course, 15 minutes later Eli was taking a catnap of his own! 

Checking out the turtle (and fish) in the aquarium

Ooooh, Mommy - Look!

Hiding in the big tree

The big ball

Ry-Ry, what do you think it is? 

Rrrrrrrrrr

The best-est buds in the world

Celebrating reproductive power......

The evite read:

The gods of fertility sure have been busy in the neighborhood again!

Please join me in celebrating Carrie and Evia, our very pregnant friends!

Whether you know one or both pregos, we hope you'll join the fun!

If you'd like, bring a sweet treat or adult beverage to share with everyone.

Moms-to-be want to be clear that this is not a shower!

Just time for us to celebrate their awesome reproductive power!

No gifts please - just think of something to pledge for a post baby treat!

A meal, free time, an ear to listen or an afternoon pick me up sweet!

Thanks to my neighbor and friend Amy and my friend Carol, last night some of our neighbors got together to celebrate the upcoming new additions to the neighborhood. My neighbor Carrie is due the same day as me and she's having a little girl. It was a fun night just hanging out with friends and having some yummy desserts. Time with just the girls and no kiddos around is VERY rare. Thanks ladies for planning a great night!

The dessert table with cute diaper cakes

Carrie & I

Carol & I - probably the only picture in existence of just the two of us!

Amy, Me, Carol - rub the Buddha belly

Babies, Babies, Babies

Two new babies in the past two days.....

My friend Kara welcomed Faye Julia to their family, Wednesday at 12:48pm, 7 pounds 6 ounces, 21" long. Got to meet her yesterday; Faye is beautiful and Kara looked great.

My friend Jacque welcomed Jacob Ryan to their family, yesterday at 4:33am, 6 pounds 12 ounces. I haven't met Jacob yet but the pictures are precious. Jacque was due a week before me so that reminds me that our little one's arrival is coming soon!!

Just wanted to congratulate my friends on their new arrivals. They're amazing women and amazing mothers. Now both have two kids under 2!

Weekend in review - fun at the farm

This weekend we took our last trip before 2.0 arrives - we went to visit Grandpa & Grandma C at the farm. We left Friday night at Eli's bed time hoping he'd sleep the entire way down. Didn't happen! He stayed awake until at least 9pm. We arrived around 11pm and the three of us (me, Tim, Eli) climbed into a full size bed for the night. Yes, a full size bed! Eli refuses to sleep in anything but a big boy bed now so it was the only way. It wasn't too bad except that sometimes I felt like I was clinging to the edge of the bed so as not to fall off. 

Saturday was a busy day. Eli got up and went out to explore with Grandma. He absolutely loves walking around and checking on the animals. We took his "moo moo boots" with us knowing that the grass might be wet or muddy and also not knowing if he'd go into the pasture. Well, he wasn't up too long and the moo moo boots came out. He then went in search of puddles to stomp in. Grandma & I ended up making him a puddle with a water hose and he had a blast stomping around. Then he grabbed the water hose and slung it around like a samurai warrior, laughing the entire time. Had to change his clothes and then he went exploring the pasture looking for the cows and goats with Grandma. He also saw bee houses (or whatever you call them) and horses next door. After lunch, we took a good nap before some more family (Great Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins) came over for dinner. We had a HUGE dinner. You would have thought it was Thanksgiving or something! Grandma had everyone over so we didn't have to drive all over the county to visit (Thanks Mom!). After a yummy meal and some homemade ice cream, we headed outside to explore more. It was quite the busy day and unbelievably, Eli went to bed at a fairly decent time!

Of course, that meant he was up at 5:54am - just like normal. Oh how I wanted to sleep later than that. Grandma took him to see the animals again and Tim + I lounged in bed for a bit longer. Then we got up, I made breakfast and we ate with Grandma + Grandpa before Grandpa left for church. Lots more play time and then it was time to head home. 

Eli took an early nap on the way home - only for an hour - so it made for a fairly long drive. He was quite antsy the last 45 minutes or so of the drive (and I must admit so was I! Although we enjoy going places, I ALWAYS love coming home.). We played for a bit at home and then headed to the pool to burn some of Eli's energy off. It was nice to see our friends Kara + Brian with their son Owen there. Owen + Eli had a blast playing in the kiddie pool. We also saw several of our other friends and neighbors. An hour and a half later, we headed home for dinner and down time. Eli enjoyed bath time and then went to sleep pretty easy for Daddy. 

It was quite a busy weekend but we're glad we got to see everyone. Now we'll hunker down at home, try to take care of home chores and wait for 2.0 to arrive! Hope everyone else had a great weekend as well. 

Got my "moo moo boots" on - I'm ready to go!

Stomp, stomp, stomp

Watch out for the samurai with his water sword

Running around happy as can be

Look how big Eli looks - he was playing with cars that belonged to his Uncle Jeff & Uncle Billy

Grandpa teaching Eli about gardening - good thing so we can grow some stuff next year! 

Contemplating this garden stuff

Hello Mr. Chicken

Grandpa, Daddy, Eli & Great Uncle Mike checking out the engine in Grandpa's 1967 Ford truck

"No Mom, I'm not really going to pull the chimes and try to break them"

Hanging with Grandpa - Eli has become quite the Grandpa's boy (both Grandpas!)

Grandma spoils me =)

Learning about 'Farmtown' from Uncle Billy

At the pool - Eli's new cover up. Thanks so much Kara!!