Baby #2's Due Date - TODAY

As my blog post title says, today is my due date with Baby #2. So far...nothing! I'm still at home and I'm feeling great.

I must confess I did have some nauseousness yesterday morning followed by regularly spaced 15 minute cramps that then drifted to 20 minute apart cramps by mid-day, followed by intermittant/almost non-existant cramps by the end of the day. (A bit of a bummer for all of us, but obviously it wasn't his time yet!) The ensuing possibility of real labor happening was enough for my Mom to make the 3-1/2 hour drive to our place. She'll be staying with us through birth and for the first full week after the little guy's arrival. What a blessing! Jay is loving the extra one-on-one time with Grandma.

I sure enjoyed and soaked up the terrific family time and the beautiful weather we experienced today in the Seattle area. I walked quite a bit today while out and about doing errands at IKEA, Target, Home Depot and we ended the evening with a nice family walk to the park after dinner.

So, the question of the day and week...when will this little guy decide to make his arrival? Only God knows and I'm just fine with that. I'll be seeing my doctor on Tuesday, June 8 for my weekly check-up, so it'll be interesting to see if I see him there or at the hospital before then. As I've been looking at the calendar, a 6-8-10 birthday would be kinda cool to have, don't you think? Ha!

I'm not super uncomfortable and really, when you think about it, it is much easier to care for a newborn INSIDE than it is for the first few weeks and months following their delivery, so as far as I'm concerned, he can continue to stay cozy, well fed, and cared for a little while longer as long as he and I are doing fine and are healthy.

Hopefully the next blog post I make in the next week or so will be news and pictures of the little guy. Stay tuned!!

Jay's 2 Year Well Check

Today was Jay's 2 year check-up at the pediatrician's office. Here are his latest stats.

Today's Weight: 25.6 lbs. (10th-25th percentile) - he has always been a lightweight

Today's Length/Height: About 35-1/2 inches (75th percentile)

Today's BMI (Body Mass Index): 14.2

Jay sure took this Mom by surprise last night. The boy turns 2 and it seems he literally "grew up" overnight on me! He woke up at 3:00 a.m. and didn't want to go back to sleep. His diaper was fine, he had his favorite toys with him in the crib, I explained to him it was still "night night" and tried to get him to lay back down to tuck him in, etc. He eventually obeyed, but then he'd wake up 15 minutes later and I have to get back up and start over again. Finally I'd "had it" when the clock said 4:30 a.m. He kept pointing and insisting I sit or lay down in his room on the recently set-up twin over full bunk bed next to the crib. I explained for a third or fourth time (I remind you - in the middle of the night!) that the bed isn't Mommy's bed, that it was Jay's "big boy" bed. And then a lightbulb went off for me and I asked, "Do you want to sleep in your big boy bed?" He respectfully nodded yes to me and his whole body language told me, "You finally got it, Mom." So without hesitation and without a word, I picked him up out of his crib, pulled back the covers, and tucked him into the bed. I left the room and there was no fuss. I was in SHOCK. I stayed awake in my bed expecting a fuss or cry at any moment. At 5:00 a.m. I got out of bed because I was just so CURIOUS and sure enough, he was fast asleep. I promptly went back to bed and I know I quickly fell asleep. At 7:30 a.m. I heard Jay stirring and found that he had gotten out of bed on his own and was out happily playing in the living room with his new birthday gifts. What a turkey!!

Jay's Development Progress:

• Runs! Also walks up and down stairs holding rail or a hand.
• Scribbles with a crayon, creates "pictures" and shows them to you by saying, "Ta da!"
• Kicks and throws a ball willingly - enjoys playing "with" someone else.
• Shares his toys with other kids - brings them toys he thinks they'd enjoy playing with, etc.
• Enjoys rough-house playing (with Daddy since Mommy really can't do that being so pregnant)
• Enjoys "helping" around the house
• Sings
• Dances
• Loves to look at pictures and photos and points asking, "Who/what's dat?"
• Enjoys going through tunnels when we're out and about (Interstate 90 has some good ones on the way into Seattle)
• Loves all the typical "boy" things - trucks, cars, trains, tractors, buses, fire engines
• Likes stickers and enjoys placing them on Mom/Dad approved items
• Gives terrific hugs and kisses
• Enjoys going to bed with at least one book and several toy train cars

2 Years Old

Hard to believe, but two years ago today I was at the hospital and gave birth to this terrific boy!

I purposely did not plan a party this year not knowing when Baby Boy #2 will be making his arrival. Perhaps a lame excuse, but it is a valid excuse none-the-less, right?

At 10 a.m. this morning I had my 39-1/2 week check-up with my labor and delivery doctor. I'm progressing along just fine, but from indications the doctor's best guess is that I probably wouldn't deliver baby brother today. It is nearly 8 p.m. and so far he is right! It really could happen any time now. The day he'll arrive is anyone's guess. The doctor suggested I make my 40 week check-up appointment early next week, so I'll visit him again next Tuesday morning, June 8. That is, if I don't go into labor and delivery before then. Because it was Jay's birthday today the nurse gave Jay his choice of TWO stickers. Pretty cool!

I asked Jay after he woke up from his afternoon nap if he wanted Mommy to make cupcakes. Of course he enthusiastically said, "Yes!" I gave him a choice of yellow cake, chocolate cake, or devil's food (the three cake mixes I had in my pantry) and he quickly pointed to the chocolate one and helped me mix up the batter.

After Jay finished his dinner, Daddy got home from work, and after a fun phone call from family in Texas, I put two candles in a cupcake and Matt and I sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Here is a photo of him in the midst of us singing to him.
Here is a video snippet following Jay blowing out his candles.

And another video of us trying to get Jay to take his first bites of the cupcake...

The results when he was "all done" with his dessert.
Following dessert he opened up a few gifts from family and friends. The first is a video of him opening his gift from Aunt Traci, Uncle Keith, and cousins Samantha and Sydney.

Here is part one of opening his gift from Uncle Scott and Aunt Mandy.

Here is part two of opening his gift from Scott and Mandy.

And lastly here is a series of photos as he opened up his Fisher Price Doodle Pro gift from our friends Nathan and Katie. We gave the same/similar gift to their 2 year old daughter Audrey a couple weeks ago. It was such a hit they returned the favor of the great gift. Perhaps Jay will slow down on needing blank paper and his crayons for a little while now that he can use this gift.

More birthday gifts are to follow from family in the coming days (when much of the family plans to come for baby brother's arrival). I'm thankful we can spread out the birthday gifts, giving him more time to focus in on a few at a time.

Thanks for all the terrific gifts today! Although low-key, Jay had a terrific birthday today.

Baby #2 - 38 (almost 39) weeks

Well, here I am - almost 39 weeks along with Baby #2! It has been a little while since I posted a "pregnant" picture and since I went to the doctor this morning for my (now) weekly check-up, I decided it was as good of day as any to take a picture of how big Baby #2 is getting to be!

Everything is great - my blood pressure is good, my weight gain is terrific (24 lbs - they like most Moms to gain between 25-35 lbs), my water retention is minimal (MUCH LESS, thank goodness, compared to my pregnancy with Jay), I have occasional contractions, but they aren't regular (just my body getting ready), and I'm sleeping great, too - although getting up about 4 times a night to piddle is a bit annoying. Most days I usually take a nap in the afternoon somewhere in the midst of Jay's afternoon nap. I'm trying to keep my "sleep bank" full so I'm not deprived when it comes to "game time." The only downer is that I have Group B this time, which isn't too big of a deal. I'll just get hooked up to an IV and will receive some antibiotic at the hospital during labor to help prevent Baby #2 from getting it when I deliver him.

Matt and I are both hoping for a JUNE baby. I'd rather not put family on the busy roads this Memorial Day weekend. My due date is June 5, but we're secretly hoping that this little guy might decide to arrive on Jay's birthday (June 2) so they'd be exactly two years apart. My Grandma did it - giving birth to my dad exactly three years to the day of when she had given birth to his older brother (my uncle Dale). So here's to hoping...

God's timing is perfect, and that is what we desire most of all. Please join us in praying for a smooth labor and delivery and a healthy baby boy in the next week or so. We'll keep you all posted regarding his arrival!

Just Because...

What a blessed woman I am! Matt came home with this beautiful bouquet of 18 red and white roses last night, purchased "just because..."

I sure love you, Matt! I am so honored to be married to you.

Another Bridal Shower for Sis

Last Thursday, May 20, Jay and I attended a bridal shower for Molly hosted by her former teacher co-workers. The hostess went ALL OUT and really took off on the Scottish theme. Scotch oranges, potatoes with scotch and steel-cut oats, followed by dessert which was angel food cake with a butter"scotch" pudding and whipped cream filling. Door prizes included shortbread cookies, argyle socks, etc.

Opening her first gift...
What every cook desires - really great cookie sheet pans!

She received a GORGEOUS Tiffany (& Co.) vase (notice the authentic Tiffany's box)

And more terrific kitchen supplies!

We were all envious of this triple tiered cake stand...they can be separate or stacked together like the picture on the box.

The hostess set a beautiful table for dessert and tea.

And at each place she printed out different Scottish quotes. Molly's quote came from the musical "Brigadoon."


Jay even had a place set at the table for him including a small plate, small fork, small spoon, and small glass. As you can see he thought Elmo and Cookie Monster should join in the party, too.
It was another lovely bridal shower indeed! Molly enjoyed her fourth and final bridal shower this past Saturday, May 22. Now she can focus on all the "end of school year" tasks related to her job and accomplishing the last details leading up to her wedding in early July.

2nd Birthday Parties

Saturday, May 15 and Saturday May 22 we attended 2nd birthday parties of two of Jay's girl friends.

The first party involved:
A puppet show at the local library

Below: The birthday girl, Sarah, her Mom Anastacia (due with baby boy #2) and the puppeteer.

Which was followed by lunch and fun back at their home. Below here are several photos of us trying to get a good one of all the 2 year old friends. For some reason Jay lost it for the photo montage and was just fine once the posing was finished. It made for some really funny photos.

Audrey's 2nd birthday party happened this past Saturday. It was a fun and lovely party. The minute we walked in their door Jay saw Audrey playing with her new tea set from her Uncle Luke and Jay didn't miss a beat and joined right in, pretend pouring tea and having Audrey take pretend sips out of the tea cups.

Here is Audrey posing for pictures with her personal 2nd birthday cake.

Audrey with her Grandma Marty, her first cousin, and another girl friend.

Jay enjoyed playing with Declan who is 8 months old.

Watching Audrey open her gifts was probably my most favorite part of the party. She is just so much more verbal than Jay being just 2 weeks older than him. When opening her first gift of clothes she remarked, "Pretty! Audrey wear now."

As you can guess from the above photo, Jay was right there in the midst of opening all her gifts and played with each one along with Audrey. He had a great time (and so did I).

Below was the result of the car ride home...one tuckered out guy.