Father's Day Fun

Yesterday was Father's Day and it worked out perfectly since Patrick had the day off.  Originally we had no plans to do anything, however, at the last minute we decided to go down to the beach to eat lunch and play mini golf.  The kids were pretty excited about this.  Surely, Emma had no idea what we were talking about, but Aiden was excited so she was too.

Ugh, I am not a fan of myself in this picture, but it's super cute of Aiden so I'll suck it up and blame the pregnancy

Two things I discovered while playing golf this time around...#1. Never expect to keep score while playing with kids.  Aiden was determined to just keep swinging until his ball went in the hole. Then Emma would run and pick up our balls before they got into the hole. And #2. Trying to play mini golf with an 8 month pregnant belly isn't as easy as it looks.  At least we'll blame why I took so many tries to get it in on the big belly anyway! :-)

Here are some of my favorite pictures while we were there:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And because they were too stinkin cute to not show...

I love family days!

Happy Father's Day!

I want to wish my husband a very Happy Father's Day!!

You are the best daddy in the whole world and we love you very much!!!

Baby #3 - 33 Weeks!

How are we to this point already!? Only about 7 weeks to go until we find out if this is a little man or little misses that will be joining our family.  I can't wait!! We were able to finally get some things done around here on Patrick's day off to start preparing for this little one.  The changing table and crib are finally in the "multipurpose room" as Patrick has now named it.  I still need to make the bed and hang the decal stickers on the walls, but figure I've got a little time...ahem, slacker!  Patrick also drug the kids tubs of clothing out of the attic and I went through them.  Turns out we have about 2 outfits from them that could go either boy or girl.  The rest are all gender specific.  Looks like I'm doing lots and lots of laundry at some point to get them all clean and then once we get home and know what this little one is, I'll take them out of their tubs and put them in the dresser and closet. 

How Far Along: 33 weeks

Total Weight Gain: + 26 And this is sure to go up again being we had tons of cake and ice cream left over from Aiden's birthday and Kelly was so nice to leave all her brownie/cupcake/cookie dough deliciousness here...I will hate you the next time I get on that scale!!

Sleep: Sleep is all over the place. Some nights it takes me forever to fall asleep, then last night Patrick told me I was out in less than 10 seconds.  I usually sleep pretty well...unless Emma feels the need to come visit us.

Best Moment This Week:  Finally getting the crib and changing table moved into the "nursery"

Movement: He or she is a mover and a shaker, especially after I eat!

Gender:  We'll find out in July/August!

Labor Signs: Braxton hicks every once and again, 

Belly Button: Still in, but starting to flatten out

Cravings: Fatness. Always. Duh! See weight gain up above? You don't gain that much from eating grapes and salad!!

Wedding Rings On or Off: On, but starting to get a little snug

What I Miss:  Being able to handle the heat better

What I am Looking Forward to:  The bbq my family is having for us is soon!!

How Big is Baby:  About 17 inches and a little over 4 lbs

Next Appt: Doctor Visit - June 19th

Aiden's 5 Year Doctor Visit

Monday morning we had to take Aiden to the doctor for his 5 year well visit.  I have been dreading this visit since the last time we were there and they informed me that the 5 yr visit was tough because it came with shots, lots of shots.

Patrick and I went back and forth over and over...should we tell him they're coming, or let it be a surprise and blame it on the doctor and nurse?  In the end we decided that it was probably best to not tell him that the shots were coming.  If he knew, most likely, we would not be able to get him back to the examination room and this is our child we're talking about so he'd have major anxiety leading up to that day.

Overall he did an awesome job! He passed his hearing test and his vision test was 20/30 on both sides.  He's getting big and strong, just like we knew he was!

Weight: 49 lbs (91st percentile)
Height: 45.08 inches (90th percentile)
Height to Weight ratio: 86th percentile

Our big, brave boy

And as for those darn shots...thank goodness one of them was combined so he ended up having to get 3 instead of 4.  He kept asking if we could leave after the doctor went out of the room so I did tell him that I thought he had to get at least one shot and we were waiting for the nurse to come in.  He started to panic.  Oops! See, we made the right decision in not telling him ahead of time.  We got him to calm down and he took the first one pretty well.  The second one must have hurt because that's when things got tough. Luckily she got the third one done quickly and we were all set.  It took Aiden a few minutes to pull himself together after those shots, but thankfully Aunt Kelly had taken the kids up to the mall and our doctor is very close to the mall.  I promised Aiden that when he was ready we'd meet Hunter (and everyone else, but to Aiden, Hunter is all that counts) for lunch.  That was all it took, he wiped the tears away and off we went!

And who can go to the mall for lunch without a little shopping?!  Hunter had gotten some really cool looking shoes so of course Aiden needed to have a pair too!

Since Emma was along for the ride she got to pick out some pretty new sunglasses while we were out shopping too.

I am SO glad that visit is over with and that it went better than we expected! Shew!!

The End of a Soccer Career

Two Saturday's ago was Aiden's last soccer game of the season.  To be honest, he has been counting down to that day.  He really likes soccer and is pretty good at it, however, that's when we're home playing here.  Out there on the field, with a team?  He hates it.  He hates the fact that people are watching him. Even if no one but us is really paying attention to him, he feels like they are watching him and that makes him stay as far away from the ball as possible.

He told me that after this game, he is done soccer forever.  I told him I'll be sad to not watch him play anymore, but I don't want him to do it if it makes him that uncomfortable so I guess Aiden will be hanging up his cleats.  I'll, of course, ask him if he wants to play again when it's time to sign up for fall season, but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed.  Emma seems to like it so maybe she'll play in the little, little tikes league when she can.

Here are some pictures from Aiden's last game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team huddle after the game...Aiden wants his patch!

Aiden getting his last patch of the season

We may not have won many games this season, but Aiden got his snacks and patches and that's all that mattered to him! :-)

Baby #3 - 32 Weeks/Appt Info

Tuesday morning, bright and early at 7:20, I had my latest prenatal appointment.  I scheduled it so early because the last time I was in and out by 8 and this time I had to stop off at Walmart to get all the food and supplies we need for Aiden's birthday party this weekend.  That was my plan, but my children like to change plans and be difficult.

Everything was measuring fine and my blood pressure was great! Actually lower than it usually is because mine can get higher toward the end of my pregnancies.  She went to listen to the heart rate and it was pretty high, like 170.  Normally when I go in it's been in the 140's, 150's.  The baby was moving around so she just said she must have caught him or her in between a rest cycle because they were pretty excited.  She didn't seem alarmed but said she wanted to get a baseline of the heart rate just to be safe so she was gonna hook me up to the NST machine. (Non-stress test, I'm assuming?) Fine by me.  The nurse comes in and says she's gonna hook me up and then it's nap time.  I must have had a look on my face because she tells me that I'm gonna be on it for 20 minutes.  Great! And I didn't even bring my book because last time I was out so fast! Like I said, just like one of ours to foil plans, but timing would still be okay because I'd be done by 8 and still had until 10 before Patrick had to leave for work.

The baby was dance partying USA up in there the whole time I was on the monitor.  I could see my belly just moving in waves because he/she would not stay still.  His/her heart rate came down and was running right around 150, going a little higher or lower here or there.  The nurse even told me that she could hear the baby moving around so much when she'd walk past in the hallway.  I thought she had that machine turned up extra loud. Everyone in the office got to hear this little one being crazy!

Dr. Chou came back in and said, just like she expected they got their baseline and everything was fine, but that she needed the heart rate to spike at least twice to 165 or higher and then come back down before I could be done or she'd have to send me for a biophysical which she didn't want to have to do.  I stayed on the NST machine for a little bit longer and she asked if she could buzz me.  Um, sure? So she took this little massager looking thing and buzz my belly twice. Well that got this baby going and must have scared him or her to death because she got her spikes! The heart rate went up to 165-170 and he/she was squirming all over the place again.  Great! Right? Well then it didn't want to come back down as fast as she wanted so I ended up getting sent to the hospital for an ultrasound afterall, which works for me because I would get an extra peek at this cutie.

I called Patrick to tell him not to stress {Patrick? Not stress? Right....;-)} but this was what was going on.  He said he was gonna call my grandmother to sit with the kids and he'd be up as soon as he could.  He said Mom-mom came flying up like she was on 21 Jumpstreet.  Hahahahaha I can just picture that.  Apparently, he didn't give off the vibe that everything was cool so she was freaking out to get here as fast as she could.  (Good to know for when the real deal happens!)  They did get started before he got there but luckily she was still looking at the baby when he got there so he got to see him or her too.

I had never had a biophysical done and apparently they look for a few different things, like 3 big movements, 3 little flex movements, 30 second duration of lung "breathing", and then measuring the fluid around the baby.  When she was finished we had to wait for them to call the dr and for her to give the okay for us to leave.  About 10 minutes later we were cleared to go home, that everything was fine.  Shew!

If you know our children, this one already acts just like them, hard headed, stubborn, gonna do just what they want to do.

And?  He or she looked perfect! They are head down now and I got to see that perfect little face, moving his or her lips in and out.  Sigh...  Makes me so excited to meet them, but not for at least several more weeks!

How Far Along: 32 weeks

Total Weight Gain: + 26 Yup, I'm about done with this again...

Sleep: I'm getting to the point where I'm tired again.  I even had to take a nap the other day when Emma did. These last few weeks might be tough!

Best Moment This Week:  Seeing baby boy or girl and knowing he/she is okay and head down now!

Movement: Oh yes! I swear that sometimes he/she is trying to claw or kick their way out!

Gender:  We'll find out in July/August!

Labor Signs: Getting some braxton hicks every once and again.

Belly Button: Still in, but starting to flatten out

Cravings: Fatness. Always.

Wedding Rings On or Off: On

What I Miss:  Being able to do things without getting worn out so quickly

What I am Looking Forward to:  Aiden's party tomorrow

How Big is Baby:  About 16.7 inches and about 3.75 lbs

Next Appt: Doctor Visit - June 19th

Happy 5th Birthday to my boy!! {Tear}

Dear Aiden,

I cannot believe that you are turning 5 today!! It doesn't seem at all possible! I remember it like it was yesterday sitting in my classroom with my water breaking and you barely letting me get to the hospital on time before you made your arrival.

You came into this world quickly and still have that personality to this day.  If you want to do something, you are determined to do it that minute and don't want to hear us tell you any different!  You are very independent and very head strong!!  I sometimes forget just how big you've gotten and that you don't need my help as much.  You are quick to remind me that you can do it yourself now.  I hope that as you get even bigger, you'll just allow me to pretend that you need me sometimes here and there. :-)  The other day we were counting down until how many days were until your birthday and I made a sad face when I answered 5 or 7.  You turned around and looked at me and said, "What? You don't want me to turn 5? You want me to stay 4 forever?"  I told you that I did. That I want you to stay little forever.  You just turned around, back to your cartoon and said, "Well, I can't stay 4 forever, I have to grow up."  Later you did add that you wish you could stay 4 too.  I know you have to grow up, but I really just wish you didn't have to do it so fast!!

You are still big time into Mario and just about everything you play leads somehow into Mario.  You also love building guns out of your blocks and fight the zombies with them.  You just finished playing your second season of soccer.  It's still really hard for you to come out of your shell when people you don't know very well are around.  For that reason, you told us that when it's over you'll never play again. :-) But you were so cute trying!

You are the best big brother to Emma and you'll do just about anything she wants you to.  At times you two do get into it because you are both quite stubborn and you know exactly what buttons to push, but I love watching the two of you play together when you're both being nice.


5 years...shew...it almost brings me to tears of how fast it's going! I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I love you, Bubby!

Love,
Mommy

WW: My Little Princesses

My aunt gave Emma some money for her birthday and told me that it was to be used for something fun.  I could pick what it was, but it had to be for fun, no clothes allowed.

Emma has always been pretty girly, liking to play with necklaces, rings, shoes, purses, etc so I thought dress up clothes would be a great idea.  While we were out shopping one day I saw a set of princess dresses and I thought they would be perfect!  She loves them! And not only does she love them, but Aiden loves them too.  He really is the best big brother!  I hope these pictures don't cost us too much in therapy some day. :-)

 

 

 

And the best part is that now Emma doesn't even go for the Cinderella outfit because she knows that Aiden loves blue and that's the one that he'll wanna wear.  :-)

Some of my Favorite Pictures

You can probably tell that I have gotten extremely lazy.  I'm getting to that point in this pregnancy where if I don't have to do too much, I won't, and that includes sitting down and writing my blog.  That plus Fifth's Disease has been running through our house and Emma doesn't let you get much done if she's not feeling well.

Before all these lovely things happened we had a few beautiful days outside.  And no, I do not consider those days were it was near 100 degrees as beautiful so we're talking even before that.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from those days:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just love Emma's face in that sequence of pictures there at the end.  Her and Aiden were starting at the garage and then running as fast as they could while pushing their toy. Clearly Emma thought this was the funniest thing ever. :-)

Baby #3 - 31 Weeks

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Total Weight Gain: + 23

Sleep: Sleep is wonderful!! I have definitely gotten to the stage again where I am feeling tired all the time.  I don't wanna get out of bed and then I swear I could lay down and take a nap at any given time. Too bad Aiden and Emma don't allow that to happen!

Best Moment This Week:  Ugh, let's hope the best is yet to come this week.  Both kids have been running a fever. Aiden's is finally gone, but Emma's is still scary.  I'm over it!

Movement: Lots of punching and kicking going on. And I'm thinking that occasionally I feel it higher now, so maybe the little guy or girl finally flipped the right way!

Gender:  We'll find out in July/August!

Labor Signs: Getting some braxton hicks every once and again. I think just sometimes I'm overdoing it

Belly Button: Still in, but starting to flatten out

Cravings: Fatness

Wedding Rings On or Off: On

What I Miss:  Being able to wear some of the cute little sun dresses that I see when I'm out shopping :-(

What I am Looking Forward to:  Aiden's birthday coming up and we may be taking them up to the Please Touch Museum on his actual birthday.  I've never been and I'm pretty excited about it!!

How Big is Baby:  Over 16 inches and about 3.3 lbs

Next Appt: Doctor Visit - June 5th

Don't mind my super tiny shirt, it's okay because I don't have plans to leave the house today.  :-)