Talking to the Belly

Meghan has liked to talk to the baby for a long time.  

She likes to pretend the belly button is a microphone.

 It's been more recent that Evan likes to talk to the baby, imitating Meghan, I'm sure.  He mostly just forces his face into my belly though, with minimal words.

Big Belly

Meghan has been very proud of her giant belly drawings of me.  She has also drawn a picture where the belly took up the whole doodler board, with just a tiny head on top.   She mentioned something about waddling like a penguin when she drew that picture.  What a funny girl. 

Below, you can see Meghan's giant belly.  Evan also enjoys showing off his big belly, too.

No baby yet.  I'm hopeful that the baby will not be a full week late like Meghan and Evan.  We've narrowed down the baby names to one boy and two girls' names...but no middle names yet.  We have childcare lined up and some bags packed.  That's about as ready as we'll be. 

Three Weeks to Go?

Well, today I had my 37 week appointment with my doctor.  Not that anything is truly new, but there is suspicion that I have "dropped."  My doctor said I was measuring smaller than last week and asked if I thought if I may have dropped.  Last night, during one of my visits to the bathroom, I felt like I was carrying differently.

When your torso is as short as mine, I don't know if there is a distinct viewing difference.  Also, I can't say that breathing is that much easier...but once again, my torso is short, and I don't know if the baby dropping can make a difference.

FYI, my labor with Evan was quite a bit longer than they suspected upon my arrival because he took hours and hours to drop...after I went into labor.

Tonight I finally packed my hospital bag.  

Now do you think we can narrow down some baby names?

Meghan's Perspective

Meghan asked to take some pictures with our camera.

 She did a cute job capturing us.

 Then she needed to be in the picture, too.

I believe that is a look of adoration for her daddy.

I believe I was 33 weeks pregnant in those pictures. We're up to 35 now.  This may be my third pregnancy, but I have never been more aware of how much time is left...nor how L.O.N.G. of a pregnancy it has been.  (I fully expected to be late with M and E....and was a full week late.  I cannot imagine another 6 weeks...)

Any guesses as to when this baby will actually arrive?  Due 10/20...far away!  

Big Baby

On Friday, I had my 34 week doctor appointment.  The doctor was concerned that I was measuring big.  At 34 weeks I was measuring 37, which is outside of the "normal" area.

This was a concern since it could mean a big baby or extra fluid...or maybe something else.  I couldn't have an ultrasound that day, but scheduled it for Wednesday.  Well, apparently the waiting was not worth it for me because today I decided it would be worth it to take TWO children with me for an ultrasound.

All is normal and well, thankfully.  However, the baby is measuring large.  At 34 weeks, this baby is 5 pounds, 6 ounces.  Apparently, average is 4 pounds, 12 ounces.  The ultrasound technician gave both of the children their own picture of the baby, which they LOVED.

FYI, Meghan was just 7 pounds, 5 ounces.  Evan was 8 pounds, 5 ounces.  I'm hoping to not have a nine pounder...I'm not particularly large...not even an inch over 5 foot...not that anyone hopes for that.

With the stress of my mom, I'm glad to know that all is well with the baby.  Please do keep Mom and the family in your prayers.

I Think This Is So Funny (Pregnancy Update)

 On the first day of preschool, Meghan wanted to take pictures of me.  They make me laugh.  Really, do I look like this?  I don't think so!  It's not what the mirror reflects!

That's me...and the baby at 32 weeks, 5 days (unedited).  I'm certain that Meghan's low angle and the tilt of the camera make me look at least a bit bigger than I am.  From my-angle-looking-down I look small-ish.  Who can you believe?  The other night when I got up from the table to get dessert, Evan commented on my size being big.  But he's just two.  You probably shouldn't ask Derek his opinion.  It may conflict with mine.

This pregnancy, like the others, have been healthy and uneventful.  Recently I could no longer control my heartburn with my diet and Tums.  BUT I was able to hold out for so long before taking something stronger!  I'm so thankful!  It is necessary for me to snack or my blood sugar drops.  For the past week or two if I have waited too long I've gotten shaky.  I'm to the point where I am quite uncomfortable and bending down is not easy.  My slow movements are rather amusing at times, even to me.

This past weekend we (meaning Derek and his brother Brandon) moved some furniture (giant desk, queen bed, elliptical) out of the spare bedroom, but there is still much to do for and remove from that room and the baby in general.  We do have diapers for the little one, so we have something prepared!  I also bought a couple of bottles (knowing that I don't like Avent for full-time bottle users having used them twice).  No names have been discussed nor bedding or clothing washed.  No arrangements have been made for Meghan and Evan.  I guess we're hoping to be able to use all of our 50 days until baby's arrival!

A Few More Pictures

We had lots of fun throughout our visit with the grandparents.  We often use the blog to revisit the fun...so here are a few more pictures.

We went to the Discovery Center again.  Evan probably spent no less than an hour in this room, with this train set.

 Meghan's interests there varied, but she did sing the entire song of "Jesus Loves Me" on stage.  She likes attention, in case you didn't know.

We took a break together from playing in the book nook for a snack and story.  

  One of Meghan's highlights was the treasure hunt, complete with maps.  It was so popular that we had a second treasure hunt.

 Lots of time was spent on Grandma and Grandpa's porch and in their yard, just playing the way children should.  Here they were blowing bubbles into the watering can to make music.

 At church there were parrots.  Meghan was brave and held one for a minute or two.

Oh, did you know that colored bubbles turn your hands funny colors?  Now you do!

I was fully prepared to say that my tummy isn't that big, but in both of those photos I guess it might be a bit big.  No wonder the kids' dentist felt comfortable asking me when I was due when I was seated...I looked like that!  It's just been in the past week that I've become extremely uncomfortable though.  At least I'm sleeping at night more often than not...for now.  Only two months to go. 

Old Friends

I have been blessed recently.  Two weekends in a row I got to see old friends for the first time in years.

Last weekend I got to see my very good friend, Leila.  We taught together at a great Christian school in State College (home of Penn State...back when Derek was a student there).  We have seen each other just a few times since Derek and I married.  Her husband threw a surprise birthday party for her, and it was fabulous to catch up with her!

Today my friend Ann came to visit.  We have known each other since kindergarten, though we didn't become friends until junior or senior high.  (For us, the years from 7th-12th grade blend together since it was all "high school" to us.)  It's wonderful to catch up and visit in person.  We aren't always the best at staying in touch, yet we often think of one another.  Ann currently lives in New Orleans (and has for years).  We think it was 2007 the last time we visited.

Meghan took the above picture of Ann and me.  (She actually took three, but this was the least blurry.)  I believe she had us say "macaroni dinosaur" to make us laugh and smile.  It worked.  I have no idea who taught Meghan that!

(And I have to say my belly is looking quite small from that vantage point!  Be assured that it is quite a bit larger than it appears.  To see me a month ago looking larger than above, you can see a picture here.  Derek isn't good at taking pictures in case you haven't noticed, but we live.)

Next week I should be seeing another friend years ago...Kim.  She just had a baby (on my birthday!), too!  I really appreciate the friends, new and old, that God has blessed me with!

The Little Pear

We were on our way home from Derek's softball game.  (He had a hit every at-bat, by the way...they didn't win though.)  Meghan asked if we could return to New York City.  (Uh, no time soon.)  Then she reminded us that it's called The Big Apple.

Shortly after, totally on her own, Meghan named our small town (population around 5,000, though we don't live in town) The Little Pear.  How clever!  Then she and Evan spent the next ten minutes saying how we were "close to The Little Pear" and "let's go to The Little Pear" and whatever else they could imagine.

If only all of her jokes were so easily understood...or clever...or funny.

Oh, did anyone notice that I have less than 100 days to go before the baby's due date?  Neither did I, until this morning.  Exactly 100 days if you are counting on this baby being a full week late like Meghan and Evan.

Pinebrook 2011

Well, we just came back from our family vacation to the Poconos area of Pennsylvania.  Many families from our church go, and it's a great time to get to know others better and just relax.  We went in 2009 and 2010, too.  This was a very good year for our family.  (I suspect that next year may be a bit rough with a five year old, three year old, and a baby...but we put our deposit down for another year!)

It was a very good year despite the fact that both children didn't get the sleep or food they needed.  We had some very late nights (and I don't mean 9 o'clock as very late).  The children napped daily, although Evan tried to refuse multiple times and ended up with some short naps.  Neither ate much...so little, in fact, that we started allowing them to eat raisin bran for lunch.

Funky bed hair

 The cheesey grin didn't stop.

 We really enjoyed spending time on the "porch" outside our room.  Bubbles and bikes are the best!

 Meghan after the family game night

 Meghan claimed this bug as her pet!

 Evan didn't enjoy the pool nearly as much as Meghan, but he did like being wrapped up!

 Thursday evening Meghan finally got to go in a wagon with her friends.  The 4+ year olds ate outside up in the woods while the teens and adults went to a banquet.  The other couple below are Meghan's Sunday school teachers.  (And, yes, that is a belly photo-26 weeks.)

 We went to the snack shop late at night twice for ice cream. 

 Of course we enjoyed the children's garden again.

Meghan had removed this leg from a statue...and returned it.

 The Jeep was still there...this time Evan figured out how to lift the hood.

 Another butterfly pic, but not as nice as Derek's last year.

Last year I showed pictures of Meghan performing on stage (before she made an early exit).  This year the four year olds were up on stage, but they had not been taught the songs, just the memory verses.  When our buddy exited the stage a bit early, Meghan followed shortly after.  I can't say I blame them!

The pool was, by far, the biggest hit of the week.  Every afternoon we took the kids when it opened.  (I even took them on my own when Derek was out golfing...)  We went every night but one (and that night we intended to get the kids to bed early, but it took a while to get the ice cream).  Finally, the last night, Evan realized he does not like to swim at night and opted to just play outside while Derek and Meghan swam.  However, because of this, I missed Meghan jumping off the DIVING BOARD!  No, Meghan doesn't know how to swim, but this week she learned to jump into the water from the steps, as seen below in the video.  Derek said that she did go a bit deeper in the water than she expected, but it's still impressive.  (Well, this 35 year old has never jumped off a diving board...or even a step...so it impresses me!)

Below is a video of Evan in the pool at night.  (Sorry, it's just with my regular camera, so the quality isn't super.)  He jumped around saying, "Hop, hop, hop."  I didn't have my camera too often during the day, and when I did, apparently Evan wasn't excited about the water.

The only downfall of all the pool time is that we used it when it was open-right before nap and before bed.  Meghan swallowed enough water while swimming that we had to wash sheets a couple of times while at Pinebrook.  Oh well.  It was fun!

Meghan loved the independence of Pinebrook.  We didn't allow her to just run off, but she was able to bike to meals and class.  She also was able to play with the big kids a lot.  She loves them!  We had several big kids who really enjoyed our kids.

Though I missed a friend who couldn't be there this year, I really enjoyed time with different friend (who has a lovely blog, by the way).  I was rather surprised that we both chose to read Maud Hart Lovelace books (linked to some thoughts on the other blog) while at Pinebrook.  (I was reading Betsy Was a Junior, and she was reading Betsy's Wedding! hehe!)

Now we're home and have the whole weekend to recover!  It will be a quiet for the remainder of the summer.  I'm sure I can still finds something to share on the blog though.

Annette's Belly

Here is a picture of Annette's belly and the baby at 21 weeks.

 Below is Evan and baby.

 Below is Meghan and Baby.

I was cleaning up dinner when Evan lifted my outer shirt and hid under it.  He fit easily, and I grabbed the camera...you saw the rest.  It was the first time this has happened.  I probably should not encourage it if I want my shirts to retain their shape.

Summer Is Here

With temperatures expected near 100 degrees the next couple of days, summer is definitely here.

I've been trying to stay busy with the children since Meghan's been out of school.  So far, it's been rather easy, though I don't prefer to be so busy.  We have seen a few friends and have been enjoying the library.

Summer
I did write about our summer plans over at the other blog.  I'll just send you over there instead of repeating myself.  I should probably mention that our trip to the beach will be a day trip, and the trip to NYC will be a weekend visit with family.  I  can't wait to tell Meghan that she will see the Statue of Liberty for real!

Therapy (and Speech)
Something I have not shared is that Meghan and Evan are both officially done with speech therapy!  What a long road this has been, but we are grateful.  Meghan may need additional help in the future, but for now she is mostly understood by us and others, too.  If she does need additional help, it will likely not be until she is in school.  (We will not be using the same therapist that she saw for the past few months, nor would we recommend her.  It was not a positive experience, though I hope it was helpful to Meghan.)   Evan has a vast vocabulary now and speaks in sentences all the time.  He's still difficult to understand, at times, but overall is speaking as a 2 1/2 year old should.  He's still in physical therapy to strengthen his core muscles, but his therapist has seen great improvements, and we (including the therapist) is hoping to stop therapy fairly soon.

School
At the prompting of Meghan's school, and prayer, of course, we have decided to enroll Meghan in 3 full days of school next year.  When she was three, she attended a speech and language classroom four mornings a week.  When she was almost four she began at the regular preschool three mornings a week, but she was in the 4 year old classroom, though she actually qualified for the 3 year old classroom due to her birthday.  Knowing how smart she already was and wanting her to be around highly verbal children, we inquired about her attending the four year old program.  It was a good year.

The school had two concerns if she were to repeat the same program again next year-that she would not be challenged enough, AND that she wouldn't gain enough social time to mature more.  Meghan is a bright girl and is reading now (limited, of course).  If her birthday was six weeks before it actually is, she'd be heading to kindergarten, and we wouldn't question her readiness, because she is a quick learner and remembers everything.  We know that preschool is fully optional, and I think many kids do great hopping into kindergarten with no classroom experience, so that really wasn't the selling point for me.  She really doesn't need to learn more before kindergarten, but challenging her is a good thing.  More than that, she needs to mature.  She needs to stop crying at the drop of a hat (or the word "no").  She needs to work on sharing and obedience.  It was wisely pointed out to us (not from the school, but by an observant and thoughtful family member) how Evan could benefit from her being in a full day class.  He mimics EVERYTHING...good and bad...but continues to do the naughty things long after Meghan stops.  He is a follower, but with her being gone three days, it will give him the chance to take the lead after the baby arrives in October.  So we are hopeful that three full days of school will benefit Meghan by challenging her academically and socially, while giving Evan the chance to be the BIG brother.

Unrelated Fun
Below are some indoor soccer pictures.  Meghan came up with the idea of being a net.  They loved it.  In the last picture, the ball did get stuck between Evan's legs.  He laughed.

Pregnancy
I think it's safe to say we're halfway through the pregnancy now.  Thursday I will be 21 weeks. (40 is when the baby is due, but we can bet on 41...if we wanted to take bets).  I'm feeling well and not as tired.  Some days I nap, but not as often as before.  I am not sleeping well at night, but it isn't horrible (yet) either.  About six weeks ago, I was pretty much eating as many Tums a day as I was allowed and ready for the next step in help with heartburn.  However, I stopped eating pretzels and onion dip for my afternoon snack along with some other diet changes, and it has helped a lot.

Not that Derek doesn't care about me...he does...but he has never been one to coddle me (or anyone), even during pregnancy.  However, he has been spoiling me with some not-so-healthy snacks, just because I like them.  For Easter, we were given a couple of singles packets of Pringles.  I let him know how much I enjoyed them (while eating my portions AND his).  Since then he has bought them for me a few times.  One day I brought home Fudge Grahams from the grocery store.  We both enjoyed them.  They disappeared quickly (without the children having any).  Since then he has introduced me to the striped cookies by Keebler.  (I had never had them before.)  We are not a family that buys many snacks (except pretzels...and chips if we have company), but, boy, we are snacking now!  During my last grocery trip Keebler cookies were on sale...I bought three packages...and was excited to show Derek my naughtiness.  Don't worry.  They will last longer than a week, but they do make a great snack!

The battery in our scale stopped working several weeks ago.  Because of that, I have no idea how much weight I've gained.  I feel like my belly isn't very big though.  (Don't get me wrong, it is round with baby, it just doesn't seem big to me.)

Unrelated 
Below is the first time Meghan hugged Evan, unprompted (possibly first hug altogether).  It was two years ago today!  They were freshly bathed and happy and ready for bed!

Countdown...

Well, the ticker to the right says that October 20th is in 150 days.  That sure seems like a long time away, but we won't be ready regardless of the time given.

It's more likely to be more than 150 days anyway.  Do you think we should count on it?

Just in case you wonder what we'll be getting into, just look at these cute babies!

Meghan and Evan looked a bit alike as babies.  The top two pictures are of the children at two months of age.  The bottom two pictures are at four months.

(I actually posted this picture when Evan was a baby, but I still love it.)  Want to guess who is who?

I'll leave a note in the comments tomorrow (or so).

It's A....

BABY!


Ha!  You didn't think we changed our mind about learning the sex, did you?  Yesterday Derek and I went for a Level II ultrasound.  (It's a more intensive ultrasound than typical.  It needs a special machine to do it.  The technician also takes a lot more measurements than typical.)  The baby moved around-a lot!  I had to lie on both sides, as well as the standard back position for the technician to get the information she needed.  Even she didn't learn the sex of the baby (nor did she try though she had to measure at the hips).  

Derek referred to the baby as he throughout the ultrasound.  I believe I've heard him do that at other times, too. Derek does think it is a boy.  Meghan really wants a sister.  Evan knows we are having a baby.  I figure by August I will know what we are having based on some non-medical issues I had with Meghan that I didn't have with Evan.

Though we pray for the health of this child, we don't use the term "as long as it's healthy".  We will love this baby unconditionally...and I do believe that phrase is offensive to any family who has chosen to love a child whose health is not ideal, especially families who have a child with a medical disorder that many choose to abort.

The ultrasound looked good and showed nothing abnormal.  The baby, at 18 weeks and 1 day (as of yesterday) weighed 8 ounces, which is right on target.  The baby is measuring for the October 20 due date, but we know that our kids like the womb for an extra week.  I've gained at least 8 or 9 pounds (Derek asked if that was it!) since the beginning, at least we know that I won't gain a pound for every ounce the baby gains!

I am feeling pretty well these days.  Though I am getting carsick very easily (nothing new, but even worse than usual), the general almost-all-day-but-worse-in-the-evening nausea is pretty much gone.   The heartburn is here to stay, and started very early in this pregnancy.  Low-acid orange juice that Derek found is helpful with that.  I also have stopped having a daily snack of pretzels and Onion-Onion dip.  That has also helped.  A while back I was at my maximum number of Tums daily.  Now I have been able to cut back!

I don't think the pictures we brought home were very great, so I'm not going to bother to scan them.  We have a picture of a foot and two profile pictures, but really they aren't very clear.  Like I said, the baby was on the move.  Speaking of movement, I have been feeling movement and an occasional kick.

Soon we can add another bookworm to our family!

On a different note, we haven't done much to prepare for the baby.  Currently we drive two cars.  Something different-and bigger- is needed.  In a few weeks we intend to buy a van from my dad's friend.

Let's see.  We haven't discussed names.  We haven't cleaned the basement to make room for STUFF from the spare room.  We don't even know which child will sleep in the spare room, though we do want each child to have their own room since we do have four bedrooms.  (Meghan has requested to have the baby in her room, but that is beside the point.)  We have very few purchases to make, but there are a few items we will need to replace.

I'm not sure what other baby news there might be.  That's all I can think of.

Instant Giggles: The Bag Kite

Last week, despite Evan's not-feeling-so-great (or maybe because of it), I was determined to have some fun.

I grabbed some string and two grocery bags.  Each bag's handles were tied together to create a "kite."  After demonstrating how to make it fly (by running) the kids had their turn for some giggles!

 I found out how much faster Meghan runs than Evan.  I bet that will change soon enough though!

They ran all around the yard.  

See the stone by Evan's bag below?  (There is also a brown stone under Meghan's bag and another to the far left.)  There used to be a blueberry bush (that is the size of a small twig) there.  After running around, I went to water the bushes, and another bush was gone.  It had been completely snapped off.  Since I ran one over with the lawnmower's tire (I wasn't even mowing!) and bent/partially broke one, we now have one left.  Let me just say that the rocks were not there when I ran over the one on the left.  And we still have to wait 4-5 years for fruit.  Maybe they need a solid rock wall around them, not just a couple of stones to locate the bushes.

 Meghan wanted me to run with the bag kite, too.  Sharing the joy, you know?  She was trying to take a picture, so I stopped.  That's my belly at 17 weeks.  And no, I felt no need to crop this picture so you could get a better look.  And yes, people have been asking me for quite a while if I'm expecting though this is my only tight shirt.  

Some News to Share

Meghan has become our official spokesman.  She would like you to know our news.

And if you want to see more, here you go.  (Evan was miserably sick, so he got to have a special snack on the couch.)


However, we know not everyone wants to watch a video, even if they are so worth watching!
We're having a BABY!  
That's right.  Come October, we'll be celebrating Meghan and Evan's birthdays AND adding a new little baby to our family.

I'm sure that some of our friends and family would have loved to have heard from us personally, but we recently lost all of our email contacts, so we're hoping that someone checks the blog.

Some things you may be wondering...
~ The baby is due on October 20th.  (During the week between Meghan and Evan's birthdays.  However, they were both one full week late.)  God just worked it out that way, folks.
~ I am 12 weeks along.  Yes, we always wait a long time to share our news.  We told no one (not even the grandparents) until we told the kids a couple weeks ago.  That's just what we do.  However, we purposely waited to put it on the blog.
~ No, we won't find out the sex of the baby.  We like the anticipation.  For those who are disappointed in this, maybe you can have your own baby?!  (Said with a smile.)
~ How do I feel?  Pregnant, as expected.  Nauseous (worse in the evenings).  Heartburn.  EXHAUSTED.  I take a rest or nap time most days.  (When I was still teaching and pregnant with Meghan I would go to bed at 7:30.)
~ What did the kids think?  Well, you saw the video, right?  Meghan is what you might call excited.  (The reality is that she wants to be an only child, though.)  Evan is still fairly clueless, though he has been pretending his teddy bear is a baby a lot recently and wrapping it in his special blanket.
~ Do I look pregnant?  Um, I am guessing that people are starting to wonder, if they don't already know.  I have a serious little belly.  (Some might say big for 12 weeks.)  If I wear regular (non-maternity) shirts, I look big.  At 8 weeks along I had to put away my jeans, despite having lost some weight in the fall and winter.  Now it's just maternity pants and elastic waisted pants.
~ I'll be 35 when the baby arrives.  And boy, do I feel it with this pregnancy!  (Okay, so no one was wondering that, but I still shared it.)

Before telling the children, we read this book to the children.

As we thank God for blessing our family with this baby, we hope you will pray for the baby and praise God with us!

This week over at Live, Learn, Love we're having a celebration week with lots of giveaways for fun.  Come visit, if you are interested!