Terrified Rambling

I have to be honest!  I am terrified to have Charley arrive!  I really have no idea how I am going to take care of two kids.  Jackson is so trying right now and I feel like Charley is coming when his behavior is worse than it's ever been.  I know it's nothing new for toddlers but everything is fight.  He wakes up in the morning and begs for one thing for breakfast so I get it for him.  I set it at the table and he throws himself on the floor and screams "NO!" like I just served him snakes for breakfast.  What the heck!?!?!  It's so frustrating!

Poor Bryan has had to put up with a lot from me.  I am no fun to be around I know it.  I really am so lucky to have him because he does so much to help. He vacuumed and mopped the other day and does all of the physical Jackson duties when he's home on the weekends.  Thank God for him!  Jackson and I might both be dead without him.

I have to keep reminding myself that I won't be pregnant when Charley comes.  I keep picturing myself at 37 weeks pregnant, with 2 hours of sleep, wrestling a screaming toddler with a hungry baby crying in the background.  Taking out the pregnant part will at least make the wrestling easier!

I had my 37 week appointment and the doctor told me he would be surprised if I make it to my due date.  I'll spare everyone the details of my cervix but I have made some progress over the last week!  We'll see!  The one thing I do realize this time around is that no matter how hard the newborn phase is (especially combined with the toddler phase) and as long as the days seem, it all goes by so fast.



One Month

22 Months

The saying "The days are long but the years are short" couldn't be more true!

What A Day!

Last Wednesday I had plans to meet a friend and her son at a new splash park near us.  It was hot out and I was so looking forward to watching Jackson run through the water and having fun.  We decided to check it out after naptime so that morning I walked 2 miles (a big job at 36 weeks pregnant) and took Jackson to the park.  I was already so tired by the time lunch rolled around.  We came home, had lunch, and Jackson took a nap.

When he woke up, we hopped in the car and headed to the park!  We pulled in, I put my keys in the diaper bag next to me and went to get JJ out of his carseat.  His door was locked.  In the Sienna and the Rav, if you open the driver side door after all the doors are locked, it automatically unlocks the driver side door.  I was driving the Corolla though because the van is being repaired after the lady backed into it!  I wasn't worried when his door was locked.  I just went around to unlock all the doors with the driver side door.  IT WAS LOCKED TOO!!!  I had just locked my keys and my baby in a hot, turned-off car.  I went around and checked every door and started to panic.  I didn't have my phone because it was in the diaper bag too! 

Luckily there was a mom at the pavillion close by so I used her phone to call 911.  Because there was a baby in the car, they were able to help instead of waiting for AAA to arrive.  I was crying and Jackson was screaming and flailing.  He didn't understand why I wouldn't get him out of the hot car.  The saddest part is that he knew we were at a park so he kept screaming, "Mommy!  Play!"  It tore my heart into a million pieces.  It took two police officers about ten minutes to get into the car and I snatched him up as fast as I could.  He had some cold juice to cool off and calm down.  It was clear I was more traumatized by the event than he was!

After that fun ordeal, it was finally time for the splash park.  Well, he hated it.  He cried every time he got wet and mostly wanted to hang out by the gate.  I did get a few pictures but this was a close as he would get to the water!  

Jacob and Jackson hugging.

Jacob sharing his hat with Jackson.  Jackson wasn't interested.

We only stayed in the splash park about 10 minutes before the boys were begging to go play on the regular playground.  They had a great time there and perhaps we'll try the splash park another day!

I was really thinking the events of  the day might put me into labor!



34, 35, 36

I'm not sure if it's a second pregnancy or wrestling a 30 pound toddler while pregnant but this last trimester has been much harder the second time around.  I'm so torn because part of me wants her to be born so I'm not pregnant anymore, but the other part would like her to wait at least a week or two.  Jackson was induced 5 days late so I have no idea what to expect this time.  I guess what I want doesn't really matter though :)  If I have learned anything from Jackson, it's that babies and toddlers do what they please!

4D Ultrasound Pictures

Bryan got me a 4D ultrasound session for Mother's Day.  It was so fun to get another look at her before she really arrives.  It's so amazing how technology allows us to get such a clear picture of her inside me.  Wow!

We think she looks a lot like Jackson's newborn pictures.  The ultrasound technician commented on her hair and her chubby cheeks.  I was glad we got good pictures because the optimum time for these to be done is between 27 and 32 weeks.  After that, you risk the baby being too big to get a good angle and being too low to see the face.  I am 36 weeks today.  She was really cooperative though.  Good girl Charley.  Let's hope you are a sweet, content, cooperative baby.  It would be a nice change from your crazy toddler brother!

"Sometimes I like to put my toe in my eye."

Pouty face



Covering her face

Nursery Tour

THANK YOU DAD!!!  My parents were here at two different times to visit and work on the nursery. It was HOURS of work for my dad and it turned out great!  We used Ikea bookshelves to make the window unit and I ordered the crib online and my dad painted it pink.  Sanding all the spindles was no fun!  The other stuff I did with Photoshop, my Silhouette laser cutter, and lots of Ikea goodies.  We are still waiting for the recliner to come in.  I had no idea it would take 8-12 weeks for it to come in!  I hope it gets here before Charley!

22 Months

Jackson, at 22 months you:

• said your first four word combination.  Mommy asked you if you were ready to go bye bye from the park.  You said, "No no bye bye.  More more kark!"
• are getting ornery.  You like to stand in your high chair and say "nonny" which means naughty.
• just finished your most recent music class.  Your favorite parts of music are the horses and the hula hoops.  You love to roll your hoop around the room no matter what you're supposed to be doing with it at the time.
• are still confused about having a new sister.  When we ask you where your sister is, you lift your shirt and point to your belly.
• are eating better!  Your favorite foods are fruit (watermelon, strawberries, peaches, and pears, in particular), ravioli, macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese, deli ham, waffles, and yogurt.  You also love to suck applesauce and pureed fruit/veggie combos out of the pouches.
• are having a hard time with the concept of sharing.  You tell other kids to share and then take the toy you want from them and walk away.
• have a whole gang of friends in your crib.  You sleep with Scout, giraffe, lovie, Roarbert, and your blanket.  Mommy thinks that lovie and Scout are really all you need though.
• still hate getting your face wet during bath time.  You won't tilt your head back to wash the shampoo out of your hair so it goes all over your face.  You sputter and panic.
• love hanging out in Charley's room.  You especially enjoy sitting in the infant seat and bouncer.

Sweet Caroline

Here it is!  Next update on the blog will hopefully be the nursery.  I am making a few finishing touches and need to clean out all of the toys Jackson has carried in, but then it will be ready to share!  So excited  about the way it turned out!

Under Construction

In case you thought I was crazy and thought that a pink background matched the fall themed header, I'm not. :)  I switched the background but when babies don't nap, there's only so much you can do.  Hopefully I'll be able to fix the header tonight while watching Mad Men.  It seems we may have to fight over the tv though as Bryan will probably want to watch the Bulls game.  I'm excited for the new digital kit though because I wanted something pink and this one was perfect because the name of the kit is Sweet Caroline.  Just perfect as we wait for her arrival. 

Hopefully the new look will be done tonight!

31, 32, and 33

Tomorrow I will be 34 weeks!!!  Here are the shots from the last three weeks and an 8 month comparison shot.  I think I look a lot more similar at 8 months than I did at 7 months.

He Fits Right in at the Zoo!

A couple weeks ago we took a trip to Brookfield Zoo.  We have a membership so it is so fun to go for a few hours in the morning a couple times a month.  He mostly likes to run around and couldn't care less about the animals.  He was actually really interested on this particular trip. 

Watching the seals from below.

The children's zoo is by far his favorite part!  He loves the goats!

This goat loved him too.

I am so glad I had my cameral at the ready for this shot!  It's perfect!

Addison and Macy came with us.  It's crazy how big they are now!