J-Man, the big boy.

My firstborn is trying so hard to grow up as fast as he can, without my persmission of course.  He has started preferring the drop off at his school vs me walking him in.  He doesn't mind that on Mondays and Thursdays (the days he says he has '2 services' - which is just after-school care) - on these days he has to take his backpack, lunchbox AND his napmat.  He doesn't mind one bit.  He practically jumps out of my car at the drop off line and runs in the building.  I'm lucky to get a smooch before he goes barreling into the building ready to see everyone he just saw the day before.  Jackson has done AMAZING so far in preschool.  They are color coded based on their behaviors, and <knock on wood> he's only been on green, purple or pink - which are the "good" colors.  If he's on pink or purple, he gets a treat because it means he's made good decisions that day.   So far, he's been on pink every day but one and that was green - which means just a "good day."  I'm really proud of him!  He loves going to school so much, and I'm so grateful for that!  I love my "big" boy so much!!

14 Weeks!

Week 14

• Baby's Sex: ???
  
• Baby is as big as: Naval Orange!!
• At last measurement: Baby is measuring 6 days ahead, approx 4 inches long.
• Cravings this week: Steak Taco Salad (i think i had it 3-4 times this week!), OJ, Oatmeal
• What's different this week than last week: I feel enormous.
• Weight Gain: 9 pounds total (ugh - guess you can tell i'm feeling better!)
• Weeks to go: 26 weeks
• Next Appt: October 15
• Big Brothers: Ethan has really had a whiny week... crying a lot and wanting to be held constantly.  I'm glad the doc gave me the green light to hold him because I feel like i already have a newborn as much as I have to hold him these days.  J, however, has had a great week and been very very good and helpful.
• Notes: My endocrinologist called me last week to tell me that my thyroid levels were off - my TSH number was too high, so he increased my dosage of Synthroid again.  It's not a huge surprise considering when you're pregnant, they can creep back up but since my numbers stayed good with my whole pregnancy with Ethan, I was hoping they would do that again.  But again, this pregnancy is so much different that the previous two.  So that would explain my extreme exhaustion all day long... Hopefully getting that leveled will give me this "burst" of energy I keep reading that I'm supposed to be getting right now! Lastly, I never knew what a toll it takes on your body not working out in several weeks (like 20 or so!).... but since I've been doing my Tuesday Aerobics class, I'm feeling the muscle soreness in a big way!  This is the first time with all three pregnancies that I've worked out at all in my 2nd trimester, so I'm proud of myself so far!

Crafty Boy

My friend Jenny told me about this awesome website called Kiwi Crate that sends monthly art projects that you do with your kids.  It didn't take long for me to sign up!  It is awesome!  Jackson loves that we have something to do while Ethan naps - "just for us."  I love watching my boy learn to be creative and it sparks such great learning-type conversations.  I'm so glad we started doing this together!

Ethan's 1st Night in Toddler Bed...

Well, it was bound to happen.  I honestly wanted to make September the month to potty train Ethan instead of move to the toddler bed, but both Ryan and I agreed that Ethan needs to wait a bit longer to start potty training.  Why?  Because bribes do not work with this child.  There is no amount of candy or toys or anything that will convince him to do something or eat something he doesn't want.  He's completely opposite of his brother in that way.  So I know it sounds goofy but we're slowly trying to teach him to be bribed so that we can encourage the potty training in the same way that worked for Jackson (m&m's!!).  Since Baby Stearle (Ryan calls it Pistachio) is coming in March and I don't want to make too many changes to Ethan at once, so we decided to go ahead and make this change this month and we'll do potty training after Christmas.  It was a sad, sad day for me.  If you know me well, you know I love my sleep.  I was picturing him up crying, screaming etc and I couldn't stand that thought!  He's such a great sleeper already so I didn't want to mess that up!  <Note:  When we moved Jackson to the "big boy bed," which was a mattress on the floor for a few weeks, I was at a Bunco night and Ryan did it... because my anxiety was so high about it - and this was no different. Also, Jackson moved to the big boy bed at 22 mos while Ethan is currently 26 mos. > So Ryan was the one who put him to bed and what can I say... Ryan has the touch!  Ethan slept great and didn't get out of bed and didn't have any issues!  He didn't even cry when he left him.. He was a trooper!  I wish I could say I was... but it wasn't til I woke up this morning that I realized what Ryan had been saying "it was no big deal!"  Woohoo for Ethan!!

Here's the boys reaction to Ethan's new sleeping arrangement!

13 Weeks!

This is the first week of my second trimester!  I'd like to say that trimester went by quickly, but that would be a huge lie!  It's been the hardest first trimester out of the three I've had...but I think I'm over the hurdles now and am starting to feel much more like myself now!  I thought I'd take after my friend Connie and put a weekly update on here with the same basic things just to see how it changes week after week.  Since this is most likely to be my last pregnancy, I want to really try to enjoy it as much as possible!

Week 13

• Baby's Sex: ???
  
• Baby is as big as: Lemon!
• At last measurement: Baby is measuring 6 days ahead, approx 4 inches long.
• Cravings this week: Einstein Bros bagel sandwiches, eggs, orange juice
• What's different this week than last week: Not feeling as nauseous, getting to workout!
• Weight Gain: 7 pounds total
• Weeks to go: 27 weeks
• Next Appt: October 15
• Big Brothers: Jackson has been praying for the "baby in mommy's belly."  And lately Ethan will say "Baby in Mommy's Belly" and proceed to point to his belly.  :)  Jackson told me the other day that he thinks the baby is growing cuz "your belly is getting really REALLY big."  hahaha!
• Notes:  We are going to move Ethan to a toddler bed this week in hopes of both boys sharing a room and then being able to use the same crib for this baby as we did with Jackson and Ethan.  I'm praying this goes well.  I've had a sore throat all week long with an annoying cough... also hoping this goes away soon!  

Big Brother Creates, Little Brother Destroys.

It's just a normal thing now for Jackson.  Right at a time when his creativity is peaking, his little brother takes delight in destroying anything Jackson builds.  Here's a perfect example.

Jackson decided his fire truck needed a garage to be kept in.  

So he got to work building one..

 Ethan, never straying too far from Bubba, plays with his identical fire truck all around Jackson while he built said garage.

 Almost finished with the garage...

 WhaaaaLaaa!  It's complete! 

 

And Ethan knocks it down about 5 seconds later... If only this picture could also show Ethan's HUGE smile.. he was quite proud of his handiwork... As the oldest in my family, I can relate to this frustration.  So I try to empathize with J while calmly scolding Ethan to not touch Bubba's creations... all while smiling to myself thinking about how my life will always be so entertaining with these two boys.  :-)

Ethan's Favorite Pastime.

And he's SO serious about it too. There's a good reason we still call him the Bossy Bookworm.  He's bossy about YOU reading him books. All the time.  ALL.  

... 

At least he's feeling better!  :)

12 weeks and MORE good news!

Well, last Friday, we finally hit the 12 week mark.  I feel very very pregnant at this point - definitely showing much faster than with either of the previous pregnancies.  So many differences - I have been very nauseous this time around.  I had my return appointment/ultrasound scheduled for Friday also so the doctor could check out the blood pocket again and make sure the baby was ok.  To my happy surprise, the doctor confirmed that the blood pocket has completely dissolved and the baby was doing great!  Baby's heartbeat is 164 and measuring 12 wks, 6 days (so 6 days ahead).  We got to see baby's arms and legs as it was kicking and squirming around!  It was wonderful!  I was so glad Ryan got to see this time.  Doc wants to do a 16 wk ultrasound too - so in 4 more weeks, we get to see our baby again... and maybe find out if we're celebrating pink or blue! 

My sick baby boy...

Been a rough few days for my baby boy.  He's had some congestion and coughing for several weeks and then he started having trouble sleeping.. just restless but with barely any fever at all.  But the fact that he just wouldn't get better started worrying me. He was reluctant to eat and just whiny and fussy with a nasty runny nose.  Despite Ryan's reassurances to me that he was fine with just a cold, I opted to keep him home from Mother's Day Out on Thursday and instead take him to the doctor.  At the doctor, we discovered that my clingy crying little boy has an ear infection, eye infection and sinus infection.  In addition, the doctor was concerned about his breathing in one of his lungs so he wanted us to do a chest x-ray.  I walked him over to the other side of the hospital for the chest x-ray.  While we were in there, I had to strip Ethan down for the 3rd time because of course, I had chosen to put him in overalls... So that just made him mad.  So he stood there balling his eyes out in front this machine and I had to walk away because I'm pregnant... which just confused him... and upset him more... He just kept yelling for me - literally breaking my heart - while the techs, who obviously have NO experience with children, tried to get him to look up and stand still so they could get the scan.... Then he puked.  Everywhere.  Twice.  My poor, poor baby boy - It just made me so sad that he had to do that.  After the scan, I took him back over to the doc and he sank into my shoulder and fell asleep.  When the doctor finally came in, he said that Ethan doesn't have pneumonia (thank God!) but that he does have some bronchitis on top of everything else.  It was an extremely emotional day for both of us.  I cannot stand when my kids are sick.  Ethan's fever crept up and down all day after that.  His underarm temp got up to 103 but his forehead stayed around 101.  That night, he slept ok.... and woke up without fever!  Praise God!  :-)  His eye infection has moved into the 2nd eye too now and even though he is super fussy and still coughing a ton, he does seem to be feeling a bit better.... which makes mommy feel better too.  :)

Funtastic Duo!

The new thing I'm hearing a lot now is that Ethan is starting to really favor Jackson.. In fact, I've had people call him Jackson thinking it was Jackson... I think it's the buzz cut and maybe the fact that he tries to be just like his brother?  I don't really think they look as much alike as they used to - but they are such little cutie pies!! Love these stinkers!!

August Phone Dump!

First trimester nausea always means much less pictures taken - history continues to prove this for me... so I have ended up carrying my camera much less lately but I caught a few with my phone!

Jackson loving Ethan's new guitar... He said this is his "Uncle Ray Pose."

 Jackson - after having dressed himself.  Nevermind the backward shirt and mismatching shorts.  He's very proud of himself.

 Ethan and sweet Calliope at her 2nd Birthday Party... Yes, I know he's not supposed to stand on the skee ball table... He's 2, get over it.

 Can't get enough of sleeping Ethan.  He's quite particular about his blankie.  It must be touching him, satin side up.  This particular day, he chose to wrap it around his neck.  Smart boy.

 Jackson - officially a bike rider - not needing mommy's help anymore.

 Bubble boys!!

Love that smile!!!!

 What Jackson does, Ethan must do too.

 So precious.

 Jackson and "Friend Ethan" tackling Mr. Jason (their principal at school).

 Jackson and this rat bonded.  Seriously.  I was worrying he was going to ask to take it home with him because he wouldn't leave it.  The rat was following him around and trying to play with him.  It was really funny!

 My favorite little boys!!!

 Jackson built this, by himself.  Then, he came downstairs and asked me to come up and see what he built.  I bragged on him for a bit - I was really surprised - then he said "Mommy, I need you to take a picture of this and send to Grandma Carol.  She will really like it."  So I did just that.  I love seeing them building things!

 Ethan is so into Thomas the train right now, just like Jackson was.  So the other day I saw a picture of some Thomas toy that Ethan doesn't have... so I showed Jackson and said "Do you think Ethan might like this for Christmas?" Jackson says "Um, no, but I would!"  So I said "But J, you don't really like trains anymore, do you?" <totally setting him up> Jackson said "WHAT!?  YES I DO! Mommy, I like superheroes AND trains!!!"  I just laughed.... Let the trains continue...

 This huge elk was just roaming in my grandma's yard... I got close enough to get a picture and it could care less.  My grandma hates these things - they eat up her garden and she can't do a darn thing about it since they are protected by the state.  They are quite interesting creatures...

Here's to more fun in September!!!

Ethan's First Day...

It's bittersweet.  Ethan started Mother's Day Out last Thursday and it was a wonderful and sad day for me.  My big boy has moved out of the infant side and into the 2 year old toddler side and I was very blessed to have him moved into Mrs. Dawn's room - who was Jackson's beloved teacher at the very same time 2 years ago.  Ethan seemed actually very excited about going to class.  I think it's been a long summer for all of us and my boys were both ready for some socialization with friends - away from their momma.  I was ready too but a little sad as I recalled walking Jackson into the very same class when Ethan was only 1 month old.   Boy, time flies.