national harbor

We decided to take a mini vacation and go to National Harbor. It's a new favorite place of mine. It's like a little city. We wanted to take Blake to see ICE at the Gaylord Convention Center. Our friends Orlando and Saida came with us and we had a fun time.

It was pretty cold, so this is how Bash stayed while we were out. Everyone thought he was so cute as evidenced by all the "Awww!"s we got walking around. But the sun was shining. And after being in 0 degrees for ICE, 40 degrees was WARM!





Orlando and Saida:

Blake got to ride the train. He REALLY wanted to be in the front, but someone grabbed that spot fast.

Pool time. I forgot my suit, or I would have gotten in with Bash.

The Christmas tree at night!

Some of the ICE sculptures. They were pretty amazing. And they had am ice slide that everyone went down on. It was FAST!

Other than me not having a jacket and going into 0 degrees with ballet flats and no socks and both Blake and I being sick, we had a great weekend.

They gave out these heavy blue parkas to wear, and yes, we took Bash in there. He was bundled and asleep and he had a parka covering him up.

blake

He is such a character lately. He always loved the CARS movie, he has TONS of the cars. Adam took him to see CARS 2 in the theater and Stephanie at daycare has it and he has been watching it. He's been watching the first one at home.
Since it was a such a nice day today, we went to the park across the street from our house. Blake was running around and playing on the slides. Then he comes over to me for a "pit stop". He wanted me to change his tires. So I made the sounds and changed his tires and filled him up with gas. And he was off running around, doing laps. He even drifted around the corners! I love this kid!

3 months old

The little bub is 3 months old. He is such a cutie, even after I've had 2 hours of sleep and he's up at 0530 smiling at me. It's hard to resist his smiles!

These faces crack me up!

Last check up he was 40% height and 50% for weight. I think all his weight is in those cute chubby cheeks.

Blake is doing good. He's potty trained now. He does a great job. He's back into CARS again. I can't wait to give him CARS 2 for Christmas.

what we did today

Blake had been asking to go to the Temple. It was a nice day today so I took my mom and Blake up there to walk around.


Talking to the Sister Missionary, I didn't catch her name, the tag was behind her hair. He told her that Jesus was his best friend.

Blake likes this picture showing his belly.

He started sitting down because I was sitting and laying down to get the Temple in the background. I didn't get it all because he was moving too fast...

grandma's visit

My mom with my boys.

on a kick!

Since being on maternity leave, I have been cookin'! It's nice because I've been able to try new things. One of the things I've tried and have fallen in love with is "Artisan bread in 5 minutes a day". It is unbelievably easy and SO good. The best part is the method, I can have homemade bread every day! There are only 4 ingredients and I have the recipe memorized already. I have more experimenting to do. If you haven't tried it, here is the recipe:
http://www.foodess.com/2009/03/artisan-bread-in-five-minutes/
This site gives you lots of ideas to try:
http://www.artisanbreadinfive.com/



I had been wanting to make these doughnuts since before Bash was born. I finally got around to it. They are like Krispy Creme doughnuts!

I let Blake have the leftover dough and he had a blast!

So tasty!

Here's the recipe link if you want to make them.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/crispy-and-creamy-doughnuts/detail.aspx

Just make sure you have plenty of people to eat them, because they are so good, you don't want to eat just one!

bash

This is Bash at 5 weeks. His face has filled out. I love his furrowed brow.

Blake has been really good with him. He's careful. He only tells me sometimes to put Bash down so I can play with him, but he's not mean about it. We were driving in the car and Bash started to cry. Blake put his hand on his infant carrier and had a concerned look on his face. We are hoping he is going to be an awesome big brother.

labor day and a blessing

Adam and I decided to have Sebastian blessed on Labor Day weekend because it would make it easier for our friends to come. Of course I didn't even think about taking a picture of Bash or our family that day... so no pictures.
We invited our friends the Carter's and the Vawdrey's up. They each have 3 kids, so it was a little crazy in our house for a few days. Luckily though, they all played really well with each other and there was only minimal fighting over toys and sharing.
We didn't get out and do much, but we all enjoyed spending time together. It was a great weekend. We were glad they could come visit.

Maylin and Nathan

This picture is blurry, but I love it because you can tell he's having a blast running around.

We noticed these 2 had the same outfit. Owen is 4.5 months here and Bash is 3 weeks.


This is just cute!

Catherine reading "Hero of the rails" to Blake, Seth and Luke.

hurricane irene

I let Blake out for a few minutes before it got too bad. It was just rainy and a little windy at this point. He had a blast and he got to get out of the house for a few minutes that day.

Overall we were really lucky. We only lost power for about 1.5 hours.

it's just not my thing

I'm talking about breastfeeding. The only reason I do it is because it is best for the baby. But I don't like it, and here's why:
-My nipples invert, so I have to use a nipple shield. It's a little awkward and hard to see in the middle of the night. The only good thing is that I think it makes it easier to switch to bottles.
-It's just awkward. I can't get the hang of using the cover up thingies, add on the nipple shield... so I don't like to breastfeed in public.
- It takes FOREVER to feed the baby! A bottle is just so much faster.
- My boobs and/or milk must be a sleeping pill. My babies fall asleep and don't get enough to eat and then keep screaming to be fed.

More power to all the women who like it and enjoy it!

To clarify: I am pumping during the day and breast feeding at night, which helps. My goal is to last 5-6 weeks, and then I won't feel bad when I stop. So far I've made it 3 weeks, so only 3 more!

things i love

• the little squeaks and grunts


• kicking arms and legs when he's hungry or fussy


• how he has one eye open and one closed when he's tired


• the drunk look on his face after he's eaten


• the cute "o" shape his mouth makes


• little smiles
  
  

blake

what a difference!

Having Sebastian has been SO different from having Blake. People were asking Adam and I if we were excited about him getting here... we were both anxious about having another c-section after what I went through with Blake.

So when Friday got here, I was awake an hour or so before I had to be up. We got to the hospital a few minutes early. We spent the 2 hours prior to the scheduled c-section time on the monitor, getting an IV, chatting with the nurse and laughing. Then the anesthesiologist came in right before it was time to walk to the operating room and the nerves came back. Talking with him did make me feel a little better. He was very nice, explained everything and told me what to expect. Promptly at 0730 we walked to the operating room, I got my spinal and felt it take effect right away. I don't remember feeling that with Blake. It did make my blood pressure drop and that was interesting to say the least, but I was fine in a minute or so and Adam was sitting by my head, holding my hand. By 0801, Sebastian was born! I heard him before I saw him. He cried right away. After they got him cleaned up a little, Adam went with him to the nursery.

As I was lying there waiting for them to finish, all of a sudden I was so tired. I think I was just so relieved that there was no drama and that everything went fine and Sebastian was healthy. They moved me to my room for recovery. My pain level was low, my legs were numb and I couldn't move them and that was weird. I slowly started to be able to move my legs and feet and toes over the next couple of hours. They got me out of bed after 8 hours and that was easier than the last time. I was able to get up and move around by myself that night. My blood pressure was doing well and like I said, no drama. Sebastian and I were able to go home a little more that 48 hours later.

What a difference! With Blake I was in the hospital for 8 days. 3 days of induction followed by c-section under general anesthesia, and then 4 days or so of having to stay in the hospital because my blood pressure was too high. We might just have another kid!

Sebastian is such a little guy, smaller than Blake. He is so cute and sweet and quiet. Adam and I keep looking at him when he's sleeping because he's so quiet, we want to make sure he's ok. He usually just squeaks. The only time he really cries loud is when he pees and gets his clothes wet or if he is really hungry.

Sebastian!!

This is Sebastian!
He joined us Aug 12, 8:01AM.
6lb 9oz, 19.5"
Both Mom and Sebastian are healthy, happy, and well!

a little bit of denial

SO... I wasn't really going to post this, because then it's "official" but about 6 weeks ago I had my 1 hour glucose test and failed it. Instead of making me do the 3 hour test, they just decided to say I have gestational diabetes. Is this the worst news in the world? Probably not, but it was hard for ME to take. I cried. A lot. And not just tears, but full sobbing on the floor crying. I couldn't talk about it without crying and I didn't really want to. I'm better with it now... but I'm not entirely convinced I have it (hence the title of this post)

Anyways, what that meant for me was that I had to meet with a dietitian and check my blood sugar four times a day. So even though I didn't like it and wasn't really convinced I had gestational diabetes (long story) I am a good patient and I did what I was told. I followed the diet to a "T" and checked my blood sugar like they told me to.

So far my blood sugars have been fine, they have not had the need to make me take insulin. I hadn't actually gained any weight during my pregnancy, and have since lost 9 pounds so far. The baby is measuring right where he should be, even the doctor said he wasn't very big. The upside if there is one, is that there is a "reason" to have ultrasounds done at this point and I get to see that he is doing well, his heart is beating and he's doing his practice breathing. And that is comforting. The downside is that my fingers hurt from pricking them and I'm hungry a lot. I am limited as to what I can eat and when I can eat. It's a good thing I love eggs, otherwise breakfast would be a nightmare everyday.

I am 37 wks 4 days now. We have the c-section scheduled for August 12, unless he decides to come early. I don't think he will. Blake didn't. I didn't have any contractions with Blake until they induced me. I have only had one contraction with this one and that was over a week ago. I guess they just like my womb!

35 weeks!

I am getting closer. I had my appt yesterday and they think I'm doing great. They are going to do an ultrasound next monday to check the fluid around the baby, his breathing, and an estimate baby weight.
I've been doing good, just tired. I think they are scheduling my c-section for August 11th in the morning. My last day working is August 9th... I am getting excited for the little one to get here now, since it's less than a month a way. I need to get my butt in gear and get everything washed, bought and ready for when he gets here.
We still don't have a name picked out, although I think I have settled on one, but now Adam is being stubborn and "won't commit". Sigh.

wore out

Yesterday we went to the pool instead of taking a nap. Blake loves the pool. Laura, Mags, Joseph, and Daniel came to swim too. Blake had so much fun, even with slightly blue lips...

Joseph and Mags came home with us. I put in a movie and went to shower. When I came back down stairs, he was passed out.

i'm 3!

We actually had a birthday party for Blake this year. After going to a friends birthday party, he was really excited for his "birthday cake" (that's what he called his birthday or party). Since he loves the water and his birthday is in June, we decided a water party would be fun. We had a pool and a sprinkler going. The weather was perfect for it, sunny and humid. We had little sandwiches, fruit, chips and "Birthday donuts" instead of birthday cake.



I think this picture of Maggie and Bradley is too funny.


The mom's hanging out in the shade.


We were laughing so hard at Lindsay Coleman spraying baby Donna with sunscreen. See how her legs shine!


Rob in Donna's towel...


Blowing out the candles...

It was a great day! Lots of friends were there to play. Blake was so excited the whole day.

week 30

It's getting closer to August!
I'm still working and doing OK, it just tires me out and I get sore from being on my feet and running around. Sometimes I have Adam massage my hip and that really helps.
I can still carry Blake and sleep on my tummy for the most part. I usually start out sleeping on my side and then wake up on my tummy.
We are still figuring out where we are going to put the baby for the first couple months. We still need to get the crib set up, the bassinet cleaned, the baby clothes and blankets washed and other random stuff together.

escape artist

Blake scared the crap out of me this morning. In retrospect, I suppose it could have been worse. Since we have a train track set up in the living room, he's been going downstairs in the morning while we are sleeping. (He wakes up between 6-6:30am) Usually he plays with his trains or just lays on the couch.
This morning he came up to my room and told me that Vegas is outside. That means the little monkey opened the door, which we tell him not to do. So I get dressed and run downstairs telling him the whole time that opening the door without mom or dad is a no, no. Luckily it was easy to get the cat. Blake was able to tell me which way she went and she was only in our neighbor's flower bed. Thank goodness, that's the worst that happened. So he got a time out and I told him he did a good job of coming to tell me. I hope this wasn't confusing for him to understand.
Now I'm not going to be able to sleep.

randomness

I have had some pictures on my camera for about a month now.
Here's Blake watching a documentary on astronauts and space travel. The PlayStation Network was down for a couple weeks and he had to watch it on my computer.


Here's Blake with a cherry tomato from our garden. I think this was the one he wanted to carry around and sleep with. I finally got him to eat it and now he eats them as soon as we pick them.

flash back

I figured I'd post some pictures of when Blake was itty bitty:

About 1 month old, after bathtime in our bathroom sink.


Napping, almost 2 months.

2 months.

25 weeks

I guess it's been a while since I posted any "baby" updates. Honestly there isn't anything new to share. I am feeling the baby move a lot, in fact while sitting here typing, he's making the rounds in my tummy.
Dr. Tilley says that my due date is staying the same and that everything was normal in the ultrasound. So I guess I'll be having my C-section a week before my due date. After last time I was a little apprehensive about doing it again, but after talking with Dr. Tilley, I am a little bit more relaxed. At least right now.
We still do not have a name picked out, I think we have one in consideration... We'll let you know when we have agreed on a name.

garden

Last year Adam and I built a 4 X 4 garden. We started it a little late and it didn't really produce like we hoped it would. This year we planted the beginning of April AND we bought some Miracle-Grow. Wow what a difference so far.

After planting:


1 month later:


The cherry tomato's already have multiple fruits growing. The parsley and mint is left over from last year. And we have a pumpkin that I found growing under one of the tomato plants. I transplanted it and hope it will grow. Last year we had a zucchini and a squash and never got one to grow. We had lots of flowers, but no zucchini or squash. I only bought one squash this year and I'm hoping the squash bugs leave it alone.