Imperfection

I'm not perfect, and I've never claimed to be. My house isn't spotless -- the kids and our schedule keep me too busy; I don't always make the best dinner -- I'm tired at the end of the day; I'm not always the best wife or mother. But one thing I don't need is any of this pointed out to me.

Lauren's 15 months!

Wow... 15 months already! Lauren is growing so quickly. She had her routine checkup today, and the doctor said she looks wonderful. She measured 32.25" (95th%) and 24 lbs 10 oz (75th%). She got three vaccines -- Hep A, Varivax (chicken pox), and MMR -- and did very well both during and after. Developmentally she is around 22 months. She is doing so much these days, most recently learning to climb! In the pic above, she got herself on top of the toy box. I've also walked in to find her on the coffee table, which we're trying to teach is a no-no. So hard to do while not discouraging her to do new things! Another new thing is singing -- she will sing "Row Your Boat", and now I'm working on "Twinkle Twinkle".

Lauren and Carter play so well together, for the most part. They both like to pick on each other -- especially Lauren tackling Carter. She's also become quite the talker. While she knows a lot of words, for the most part she's still just gibbering. She'll also nod her head at you, usually at appropriate times. Like at breakfast the other day I asked her if she wanted more cereal and she shook her head yes. :) Some words she knows and uses are mama, dada, Carter, Lauren, Orion, juice, wow, book, ball, this, here, up, bath, no, dog, cheese (taking picture). She also recognizes hungry, nap, change diaper, eat, drink, jump, phone, and many more.

We're in the process of learning body parts and so far she knows head/hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, belly, toes. I think she knows a few more, but these are the ones she's consistent with. We're also working on animals and their sounds. She knows dog, elephant, and owl. I'm hoping to start doing other things with her, like shapes and colors, now that I'll have a little more one-on-one time some mornings while Carter's at school. I have no high expectations, we just like introducing things and letting her pick them up. It was the same way with Carter, and he's doing wonderfully.

Lauren is a great eater, hardly picky at all. She eats very well with a fork, and can use a spoon for thicker foods like mashed potatoes. Her fingers are still her main "utensils", but that's to be expected. She also loves her milk! She's also become a skilled runner -- no, not walker anymore! Lauren also tries to jump while standing and will do a somersault.

Many, many teeth are on their way in! She's had her front eight teeth since nine months, and now four more front teeth (the cuspids) and one molar have already broke through. The other molars aren't much further behind! Luckily, this hasn't caused a lot of pain for her -- at least not noticeably -- thank goodness!

I could probably go on and on about what Lauren is up to these days, but that's a pretty good summary. She's just a happy little girl, always smiling or giggling. Especially when she wants your attention. ;) I'll try and blog more often about the kids so you can learn even more about what they're doing.

How does this happen?

Every time I feel like I'm catching up, so many more things pop up that need to be done (or something else that holds me back). Is it ever going to be possible to just stay in the present, or will I forever be playing catch up? Ugh...

A Busy Day!

We had a busy day around here! Carter started preschool this morning, Lauren had her 15-month checkup this afternoon, and Matt left for a hiking/camping trip in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park this evening. When I have a little more time, I'll post more detailed blogs about the first two events. :)

Pictures

We had some professional pictures taken this past Sunday afternoon. The photographer is a mom in my moms' group, and is in the process of building her portfolio. Because of this, we got a free session! When all the photos are ready I'll get a CD of them to share, but for now she posted a few "sneak peeks" on her blog. You can check them out here. There are also some other kids from my group on there -- Carsten, Sam, Roman & Adrian. I can't wait to see the rest!

A Child's View

This was in the "baby bloopers" section of my magazine...

"My 3-year old son, Tyler, and I were reading a book about knights and castles. The story mentioned servants, and Tyler asked me what a servant was. When I explained he said, 'Oh, like you are my servant?' "

Too funny! I wonder how the mom responded?

Expert Parenting Advice

So I was reading this article in Parents magazine that asked certain professions (doctors, babysitters, preschool teachers, etc.) what advice they would never tell a parent to their face. I loved the answer the parenting expert gave:

"Becoming a parent is like contracting a debilitating disease. Imagine a disease where you couldn't sleep, you couldn't have sex, you couldn't travel, you had aches and pains all the time. Now, this doesn't mean you don't love your kids. In fact, the more you love them, the harder it is. Nobody tells you what the pull of loving your kids will do to the rest of your life..."

You can read the entire article here.

Yay for Target

In these times where prices of everything seem to be going up (except for houses, thanks to another issue), I am so thankful that our Target has a partial grocery store in it. They sell a gallon of milk for less than $3, while everywhere else sells it for more than $4/gallon (even Walmart, at $4.04!). This is great for us, as we drink two gallons of milk in six-seven days. Now if only we could find a gas station to go against the grain... ;)

Nikki's Dr Appt

• Appointment Time: 10:15am
• Arrival Time: 10:15am (no, I don't get there too early... 2 kids+waiting room=not a lot of fun!)
• Time called back to room: 11:00am
• Time dr came into room: 11:25am

A little ridiculous? Yeah, we thought so too! I've never had to wait like this at my doctors' office! The kids were so rowdy by the time we got called back. They just got worse inside the smaller exam room, because of a lack of toys and freedom. It was seriously a five minute appt!

Anyway, I saw the newest doctor at the practice today, Dr. Greathouse. She was nice, fairly quiet, and a beanpole! I obviously hope one of the other two delivers this baby, since I've been seeing them for so long, but Dr. Greathouse seemed fine. The other two just know my name when they come in, know my kids, and get right to it.

She measured my belly but didn't say anything so it must be fine. Asked if baby was moving enough -- he definitely is! He even kicked the doppler a couple times while we listened to the heartbeat. In the doctor's words, he sounds perfect. :)

I go back in four weeks when they'll check my glucose, check cell counts again, and listen to the baby. They also usually give a rhogam shot to mothers who are Rh negative, but since Matt is also Rh negative I get to skip this. Thanks, honey... one less thing for me!

So Close, Yet Again...

I am so tired of looking for Wii Fits! Target had them in stock a few Sundays ago. Matt gets there, and they had just sold the last one. Today Best Buy had them in stock. We're there waiting in line before they open, and they sell the last one two ahead of us. Carter was so excited all morning that we were going to get one! I was looking forward to playing it today too! All the damn people going to get one to sell on eBay, when there's those of us that really want one for ourselves. They guy at one of the stores in the mall even got rude with me this week, telling me that next time I want a game to reserve it ahead of time. I'm not paying $150 on eBay... guess we'll just keep calling all the stores until we find one in stock. :(

23 Weeks

23 weeks doesn't seem very far along, but then it does... It's more than halfway, yet still a ways to go. Which is fine with me! I'm not uncomfortable and am feeling great. I'm in no way ready for this baby yet either! I'm excited, but there's the name debate, getting our house ready, getting what few things we might need for the baby, and me just getting some "me-time" back! Speaking of getting things for the baby... something that stinks is that I have tons of plastic bins in the attic with all of Carter's clothes. You'd think we were set. Nope... Carter was a summer baby, and this one will be a winter baby. Complete opposite seasons! Some clothes will be able to carry over, I'm sure, but for the most part this little guy will have a new wardrobe.

The baby was moving before, but he's gone from moving every once in a while to making my belly bounce! Carter watched my belly the other morning while lying in bed with me, then got to feel him move. Now he's contantly putting his hands on my belly asking me if the baby is asleep or moving. So cute! What's funny is that Matt has yet to feel him move. He quiets down when Matt puts his hand there, but kicks Carter's hand. :)

Like I said, I've been feeling great. Not too tired, and hungry all the time. Still having problems with my back, but that's about it. Some mornings I get up and can hardly walk! I try to stretch it out (and need to start my yoga again) and get pity massages from Matt at times. ;) This week it said I might be experiencing some swelling, and I haven't really noticed any. I drink TONS of water, so that helps. It also said that I might be waking up hungry at night, and boy am I! I have to get up and immediately eat! I'm kind of getting tired of snacking all day and night... This week I gained 1.5 lbs, for a total of 14 overall.


(23 weeks with baby boy; 23 weeks with Lauren)

Here's what's going on with baby: "Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With his sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that he's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze him when he hears them outside the womb."

I go to the doctor on Monday for a regular check, so look for another update then!

Cartoon

Wow

Most the time I feel I can't get anything done, but on occasion I'm amazed at what I can do. Go me. :D

Lunchtime

Ugh... I'm kind of getting tired of dealing with lunch. It seems the kids and I eat the same things over and over again, and it's not the healthiest of meals. Not necessarily unhealthy, but they're things that are quick and easy to fix. I just don't want to have to take the time to make something more most the time because it's just the three of us. I think I'm just tired of being responsible for all the meals -- at the end of the day I just don't want to cook when I'm so tired! Just another ramble..

22 Weeks

This past week has flown by... just as most of the past 22 weeks has! Hard to believe I'm that far along, but other times I feel I should be further. I'm feeling very well physically, but having some back problems. It's usually when I do a lot during the day and aggravate my sciatic nerve, but this week I hurt a different muscle. It eventually all goes away though. Emotionally, it's always gruelling. Most days I'm super excited to be having a third, but I have my bad days. There was a mom with a son in Carter's swim class with two others. I didn't envy watching her chase two of them (with me only having to chase Lauren), but only thought that would be me next year... Don't get me wrong, I am happy about having a baby -- but it is a lot to deal with. I continually ask my mom how she managed three!

Baby boy has been moving like crazy the past couple days! This morning I felt him from both the inside and out, but most his movements aren't that strong from the outside. I'm excited for Matt and the kids to be able to feel him move. :D Pretty sure that will happen within the next week.

I did gain 3 pounds this week, my biggest gain to date. It only makes it a total of 12.5 lbs, so not bad overall. I am more than halfway done, so at this rate I'm good. You do get a picture this week, and I don't think I look bigger than the one two weeks ago. You can be the judge...

(22 weeks with baby boy; 22 weeks with Lauren -- I'd say pretty much the same!)

Here's what's going on with baby: "At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily."

And with Mommy: "At this point, you may find your belly becoming a hand magnet. It's perfectly okay to tell folks who touch your tummy that you'd rather they didn't. And if people are telling you that you look smaller or bigger than you should at this point, remember that each woman grows — and shows — at her own rate. What's important is that you see your practitioner for regular visits so she can make sure your baby's growth is on track."