Little Dreamer

Ethan has been talking a lot about his dreams lately. He loves to tell me all about them when he wakes up and the other day I had this ingenious idea to write it down! *don't ask why it took this long for me to think that up....prego brain? Still a valid reason:)*

Here's Ethan's dream from the other day word-for-word as he told me (I had to write SO fast to keep up with him! That boy has his mama's fast talkin' skills!)

Ethan's Dream:
I was a superhero - batman of course. There was three bad guys in it, they turned me into a cow! The police came with snowballs connected to their back and one snowball was coming about to crash but I got up! The girls were in something circle like. It was a half circle. There were two girls in the circle thing and there was an inside line. And there was a pig police and there was a girl police. I went flying up in the air to grab something that was a claw and the police told me they had food in their car...the police car was white. There was dirt on the ground. There was a control on the half circle and a computer on the half circle with just buttons. That's the end of my dream.
Now imagine that being told to you at 7am from a very animated/fast talking 4 year old! whew. I'm tired re-living it:) Sure the dream isn't told in a coherent story-format but I think it's pretty-stinkin' cute - what a great imagination (or dream life). It's a fun (albeit tiring) way to start the day to hear about all his dreams!

8 months!

How Far Along: 32 weeks - 8 months!

Size of baby: By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth. (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 18 pounds- I had my appointment yesterday so I actually know my weight:)

Maternity Clothes: Yep:) Maternity tops for sure; maternity bottoms when I 'go out' and regular sweats and cotton shorts for lounging (or really anything besides Church and tutoring!)

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: He's my little mover!

Sleep: I get really tired at night but it takes forever to fall asleep! I think it's hard to find a comfortable position in our bed. I'm still napping pretty much everyday on the couch (which somehow I fall asleep right away!)

What I miss: Joe, Jordan, Ty, Christie and Luke did the Warrior Dash this past weekend and I admit I missed not being able to run in it too...but a BABY is SO worth it! I'll be in it next year - watch out!

Cravings: I've been drinking a lot of Gatorade and water - trying to stay hydrated in this wonderful summer heat! Chewy cookies have been a yummy treat too:)

Symptoms: My growing belly:) My fingers are starting to swell just a little..it's getting harder and harder to remove my ring at night. I'm sooo hoping I can wear it all the way to the end though!

Best Moment This Week: I had my 32 week appointment yesterday and I brought the kids with me - side note: they did AWESOME! - it was really neat to see their reactions to hearing the heartbeat:)

What I'm Looking Forward To: We recently picked up some paint to spruce up the house a little before the baby comes - I'm totally looking forward to that! I remember spending LOTS of time in the living room late into the evening with new babies and am excited to spend it in a 'pretty' living room:)

sleeping boy

I love peeking in on my kids when they sleep:) I always go in their room every night before I go to bed and just stare at them and smile....so precious.

For the past few months I've been having to wake Judah up from his nap so he doesn't sleep too late (and then have a hard time going to bed at night). Most days I go in...rub his back...start talking to him about the rest of the day...etc... Well, today I went in and just stood and stared at my not-so-baby boy snoozing away and was in awe of how OLD he looked!

His head on his little pillow....
Laying on his side with his legs crossed...WAY TOO CUTE! He was out cold - the room was dark so my camera flash was super BRIGHT - he didn't move an inch. I could stand and watch him sleep for hours:) After about 5 minutes of staring and taking pictures I did wake him up though...

31 weeks!

**I realized that I'm wearing the same top (from working out) in my last weekly shot! opps. Can you tell I don't change my clothes after I work out on Wednesdays? I don't see why because it's so HOT I keep on sweating!**

How Far Along: 31 week! into the single digits countdown...wow!

Size of baby: This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. **yes he is!* (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 17ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep:) I've been getting by with non-mat workout shorts and just recently bought the next size up...Girls XL:) It's the way to be frugal I tell ya! They fit the same as womens size S!

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: ALL THE TIME. literally. I notice when he's NOT moving more than when he is moving:) I love it!

Sleep: I want it a lot. I have a hard time falling asleep at night and going more than a few hours without a trip to the bathroom...bummer. I'm back to my daily naps (I had like 3-4 weeks of not daily naps...I wish that had lasted longer!)

What I miss: With this HEAT WAVE we're having I guess I miss being able to sit outside for long periods of time and enjoy the heat; now I sit outside for long periods of time and I get braxton hicks! Ah well:) Thank goodness for kiddie pools and AC!

Cravings: Watermelon sounds delicious right now!

Symptoms: My growing belly:) Really tired. Hard to get up and down off the floor:)

Best Moment This Week: Realizing I'm into the single digit countdown! 9 weeks or less...wow! Both my boys came early so we'll see.....

What I'm Looking Forward To: I have my 32 week appointment next week - I'm looking forward to seeing how things are going! Appointments are always fun:)

Baby on the brain

My kids are starting to latch onto the idea that I have a REAL baby in me! It is adorable:) I'm sure the fact that I'm a lot rounder and that my roundness will kick them is helping...

I've been trying to remember some of the cute questions/comments that they've been asking me about their baby brother -- OF COURSE there's a TON where I say to myself "that is soooo funny! I need to write that down!" and then I don't. Fail. Here's a few that I do remember...

**I was walking in front of Ethan and he said to me:
Ethan: Mommy! The baby's sure is making your back bigger!
Me: Thanks bud:)

**Judah looking at my belly:
Judah: Mommy has baby in her tummy and my have belly in my tummy!
*gotta love the 2-yr old dialect!

**Ethan watching me take a drink of water on a VERY HOT day:
Ethan: Thanks mommy for giving the baby a drink of water - I think my baby brother was thirsty.

**It was down-pouring rain the other week and everyone had raincoats on except me (I had an umbrella)
Ethan: MOMMY! The baby doesn't have a raincoat! It's going to get all wet!

**Both Ethan and Judah are convinced that we should name the baby IRON MAN. Oh boy.

**Both boys are recently obsessed with pretending their stuffed animals are babies; they put the babies to sleep, feed them, calm them down, tell me to whisper and on and on!

I know there were other funny quotes they've said to me but of course I can't remember them...blame it on pregnancy brain? yep. That's what I'm going with:)

Ethan asked once how babies were made...oy. Come on buddy, you're only 4...give me a few years to come up with an eloquent answer! I kinda-sorta side-stepped it and said we'd talk more about it later - he hasn't brought it up since. whew. Daddy might have to tackle that one:)

All I know is that Ethan and Judah are both PUMPED for their baby brother to come!

30 weeks!

How Far Along: 30 week! wow!

Size of baby: My baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.) (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 16ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep:)

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Oh yeah! He is C.R.A.Z.Y!

Sleep: Yes please. I went to bed last night at 9:30 - I was so tired but of course I laid in bed for what seems like forever! But once I did fall into that blissful sleep it was wonderful...until I woke up at 1am to pee:)

What I miss: Piggy-backing off the last question...I sometimes miss sleeping through the night? It'll be another year till that happens again...lol!

Cravings: WATER! I ate a bunch of cucumbers today that tasted so good!

Symptoms: My growing belly:)

Best Moment This Week: Ethan proudly told the bank teller that..."the bump on my mommy's tummy has my baby brother in it!" Thanks for explaining what the bumps for bud:) And claiming the baby as "my baby brother!"

What I'm Looking Forward To: I'm just enjoying every day with this little guy - I can't think of anything in particular I'm looking forward...just loving each moment of this pregnancy!

4th of July

I'm a few days late for my 4th post but better late than never....right? right.

As of July 3rd we had no plans for the 4th. The next morning we changed that:) We invited over some family that didn't have plans either (win-win for everyone!) and we had a blast!

Ethan and I made a last minute food run to Cub and picked up some classic 4th food: hotdogs, buns, chips, watermelon, corn, etc...YUM! The joys of shopping on the 4th for the 4th is that everything was on SALE! :)My brother Jordan and my boys helping to get the corn ready - gotta love sweet corn!Joe and his brother Tom getting the grill ready - don't laugh at our little grill! I say: little house = little grill. Once we get a bigger house you better believe we'll be getting a bigger grill! I say all the grilled food tastes the same though regardless...A while after dinner we had popsicles; (I think) this was Judah's first popsicle on a stick and he was so CUTE to watch...

"It's so drippy mom!" Trying to catch the melting part:) Needless to say about half that popsicle landed in the grass! He's getting better at managing them now though - practice makes perfect!MMmmm watermelon! We ate SO much watermelon:)Me and my man:)My sister Myra stopped by a little later to join the fun too!We had the kiddie pool out for the kids (and me...) to play and cool off in; nothing says 4th of July like hot weather and water right?My baby belly:) The babe likes all the sun and food!We had lots of kids toys out (for the kids..) and of course the big boys had to play with them too! Love the enthusiasm Jordan:)

Tom brought over some little fireworks for the kids to enjoy (which turned out perfect since we didn't end up seeing the 'big' show) - the kids LOVED it! Lots of 'ooohhh' 'aaaahhh' "mommy look at that one!!!" He also brought sparklers to play with - the boys had a blast with those too! Ethan called his "fire power" :) Judah wasn't too sure what to do with his...just stare:)

The kids were up WAY past their bedtime and were having so much fun! I asked Ethan if he enjoyed his 4th of July and he gave me this: YYEEAAHHH!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday weekend!

29 weeks!

How Far Along: 29 weeks! I feel like I just did my 28 week update...time is flying!

Size of baby: My baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. (thanks, BabyCenter.com!)

Milestones: His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. (Thanks again, BabyCenter.com!)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 15-16ish pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yep. I can still manage some baby doll tops and sport shorts but mainly maternity. I've been living in my workout cotton shorts (non-maternity) in this wonderful hot weather! I should really pick up another pair...

Gender: BOY:)

Movement: Yep! He is C.R.A.Z.Y!

Sleep: It's harder to fall asleep but I sure do love once I fall asleep!

What I miss: I've been having some low back aches so perhaps I miss my non-achy back? BUT I figure my back is achy due to the growing baby in front and I'm happy about the growing baby!

Cravings: We had some delicious watermelon on the 4th and I seriously ate half the melon...Mmm. Wonderful hot summer food!

Symptoms: My growing belly;) Perhaps a little waddle? I feel like it at least!

Best Moment This Week: We had a wonderful family weekend this past week and I had a bunch of moments where I'd smile and think "next year we'll have a 3rd little guy in the mix!" LOVE IT.

What I'm Looking Forward To: I can't believe I'm already 29 weeks! I guess I'm looking forward to saying the prefix of '30' starting next week...30 seems so close to the end! I'm really trying to savor each moment of this pregnancy:)

I love summer

I really, really do! The heat, the sun and the water! Today was a wonderful picture of why I love summer....lots of heat, sun and water!

We started out the day with at the beach with lots of sand toys and a picnic lunch in hand - of course we were having TOO much fun that I forgot to take any pictures:) opps. You can picture it: Beach blanket on the green grass pulled up to the sandy beach where the kids played for hours making sandcastles....ahhh love it.

We played in the sand; went swimming; ate lunch on our blanket; played some more and decided it was time to get home for nap/rest time.

After an uneventful nap/rest time we pulled out the kiddie pool and filled 'er up! Throw a bunch of bath toys in there and it's a party:) I pulled my beach chair right up to the edge of the pool and dipped my feet in the water....perfect way to cool down! The boys had a ball!Joe pulled out our handy-dandy travel grill (small house = small grill = same wonderful grilled taste!!) and made dinner while we played....have I mentioned I love summer? I do. What a perfect picture: kids playing in the pool; mom sunning herself while watching the kids (and getting the 'occasional' splash) and dad grilling up some dinner!We ended up getting dinner on the table close to 7 and the boys gobbled up their food and had seconds and thirds! That's one way to get them to eat a lot of dinner; let them play a ton outside and eat at 7pm! The sun made me hungry too - nothing tastes better than a home-grilled meal after a day in the sun:)

After a quick bath the boys were in bed and I get to sit here and reflect on the wonderful summer day we just had....it puts a smile on my face to know that summer is nowhere near done and that we will have many more days like today - filled with heat, sun and water!

*Random side note: we ran out of sunscreen in the afternoon after I had sprayed the kids and half of myself - I tried to spray what I could onto my thighs and thought it would do the trick. HA. I now have a strange burn with non-burned SPOTS on my thighs where the sunscreen hit me with those last few sprays..hott mama I tell ya. :)