Cousins!

My pretty girl

Do you remember Leah's purple house from a few months ago? Well, she still has it. The other night she started telling up about her "other dad". When we asked her, she said she likes her other dad better than Joe. But when your other dad is apparently Batman, you would probably like him better, too.


No, I haven't had the baby yet. I'm hoping today is the day but I don't have a lot of say in the matter. I went to the doctor on Wednesday and things are coming along. This time is already a lot different compared to Leah. The first time around, I didn't have any contractions or signs things were happening until I was in labor. This time - I've been having contractions for 5 weeks. Not consistent, but they've been around, some more painful than others. Often timeable then they go away. My doctor scheduled an induction for the 19th, just in case. I can't see how I would make it that long so let's hope I don't need that appointment!

What a week!

Is it possible for every week to feel longer than the week before?!? That is the cycle I'm stuck in.

Monday I went in for a regular ultrasound, my doctor had ordered one. The technician at the office is awesome, the few times I've seen her she has really made it a great experience. After she checked the baby out, she started playing around with the 3D/4D stuff, she was signed up for a class on Friday and was trying to get a feel for it. So, I basically got a free 3D ultrasound. It was pretty neat. I think the baby looks like Joe. She had some trouble getting his entire face because the placenta & umbilical cord were right next to his nose, but it was awesome to see the baby this far along.

Here he is sucking his thumb. He kept pulling his shoulder up like he was snuggled up sleeping.

Mouth & nose

Most of his face

This one is funny because I think it looks like he has an Afro, but that is his brain. The tech wanted to make sure I understood the baby does have a skull, the scan just cut through it in the picture.

That is probably the most interesting part of the week. I also started physical therapy for my hip. I have hip pain when I'm not pregnant but recently it has been a lot worse, so I thought I would give it a try again (I tried physical therapy once about 7 years ago). So far it is helping and I am glad I decided to go. The therapist said I have a lot of weakness in my hips, especially on my right side and lateral rotation causes a lot of my pain.

Leah is enjoying the warm weather this weekend. We were finally able to get the pool out today and she had fun with that, but I think the theme this summer is going to be "bugs live outside", as she points out every bug she sees. We also went to the toy store today, the first time in a while. Leah had me laughing with how many times she was saying she wanted this or that. It was a very exciting trip for her.

The new room

We are well on our way to being ready for this new baby. I've washed a lot of clothes, blankets and burp clothes now. It amazes me to look at the stack of burp clothes and know that when Leah was a baby, there were times we didn't have enough. Joe helped me hang the animals on the wall this weekend and we pulled in a few other things. I still need to get a crib skirt and new dresser pulls. Our friend is making a valance for us that I'm super excited about. I have had a hard time finding bedding that I like but in the end I went with a simple animal print.

Happy Mother's Day!

This was a great Mother's Day for me. Joe made a special breakfast, then I went shopping for the new baby while Joe took Leah out for lunch & to the park. Then Joe made egg rolls for dinner! It was great. The baby will be here soon and I am starting to feel the need to get things in place. I will have to post a few pictures once we have things pulled together a little more.

This week we took our vacation, or staycation as they call it. We couldn't decide where to go for our vacation and we weren't excited about any of the places that came to mind, so we enjoyed a few days together here at home. We went to the zoo and the Magic House, Leah really enjoyed them both. She is at such a great age. She loved doing the Build a Bear at the zoo (she made a penguin) and the shadow room & water area at the Magic House.

Leah can make the letters L, E and H. We are working on A. She has also started trying to stay in the lines when she colors. She continues to love her crafts and has been enjoying her water table outside the past few weeks. She also loves to help me with the flowers and garden. She is such a big help!

Ready for summer!

Garden 2010. Back for a second season! We enjoyed our garden so much last year that we are doing it again this year. We have changed up what we planted a little based on what we ate last year and Leah has been a great help with it all. This year we have squeezed in 1 cherry tomato, 2 big tomatoes, a green pepper, a red pepper, some peas & green beans, 2 strawberry bushes, dill, cilantro, oregano, basil, parsley and rosemary. We have a jalapeno in a separate container where it gets more sun and I also planted two dwarf blueberry bushes in big pots. I think my nesting has extended to gardening.

Rare family photo.

Roughly 7 months pregnant.

Leah has her dance recital a few weeks ago. She did so well through all the classes, I was slightly hopeful. The recital was just the last class, but they let the parents in the room. The first half the girls were in the room practicing alone, then they let us in, and out came Leah's shyness. She said her nose itched and did not dance. But for one of the youngest in the classes, I think she did well overall.

We are getting ready for the new baby. The room has been painted (thanks, Joe!) and I have an idea of how I want to decorate the room. Last weekend I pulled up Leah's baby stuff from the basement and tried to sort out the gender neutral clothes. My brother & sister in law have also lent us Cooper old clothes which we are grateful for. We are on our way, but I can't help but feel like this baby is going to sneak up on us!

Tough Choices

Life is full of tough choices. This week, it is which pictures to order from Leah's school pictures. They all turned out so well. (Sorry they are so big!)

Easter

At church on Sunday, they taught Leah about Easter in her class.

Leah: Jesus was alive!
Me: Yes, he was alive just like you & me.
(Repeat 5 times)
Leah: He was alive and then he died.
Me: Yes, and then he went to heaven.
Leah: No, then he went to a parade.

Fast forward to tonight.
Leah: Jesus was alive.
Me: Yes... just like you and me.
Leah: Then they put him in a tube!
Me: Then they put him in a tomb.
Leah: No, a tube!