Pregnancy update!

This pregnancy has been night and day compared my first one. I've gained about 16 pounds versus the seventy-something I did with Jake. I wonder if it is because I know better than to eat a whole pan of brownies using the baby as an excuse. I think I realized, as maybe a lot of moms do with their second one, that I am not the first girl to ever be pregnant, the eating for two thing is a myth, and chasing after a three-year-old burns calories.
I am already noticing differences between this one and my first. Jake never, ever moved. This guy must be learning to tango or something. Seriously kid, the 2 am Tae-bo sessions are getting a little tiresome.
Another difference? With Jake, by 33 weeks, the nursery totally ready, all the layette clothes washed and put away, and my hospital bag was packed and waiting by the door. This one? Zero for zero folks.
So maybe I should stop blogging and start packing, or washing, or some sort of nesting activity of some sort. Wish me luck!

Normal???

I know I posted this on Facebook, but I wanted to post it here too. This is a "making-sure-my-kid-is-normal" question: Jake spends a good deal of his time at home either pretending he is an animal or playing with his make-believe pets. If he's not doing either of those, he is making his cars talk to each other. I'm worried it is a sign that he is either lonely or bored. Anyone have a three-year-old who does any of the above?

TRYING...

Ok. I've decided I need to build up some enthusiasm about this new baby coming. I think I am focusing far too much on the work that it will be and not enough on...well...what else are they when they are brand new? Cute I guess, but that only goes so far when you already working every second you are not playing with the first kid.
I digress.
So, to build up some enthusiasm, I have started to look around at what I want to get for this baby. Since it is a boy, the clothes, toys, bedding, crib, etc are all essentially free this time around. I am looking for some fun things to get.
Anyone out there have some fun suggestions of things you LOVE as a mom that I should not be without?
This is my first thought. How cute is the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag????

30...sigh...

30.
Wow. Really?
I have to do this too?
I’ve decided instead of dread the inevitable, I would look back on my 30 years and figure out the 30 biggest things that I am proud of or have made me who I am. Some of these are dumb, some sad, and some even kind of silly, but it’s all me. Here we go!

1. I’ve lived in a different country- Everyone should do this once. It doesn’t matter where, or for how long, but everyone should do this once in their lives.
2. I got in to my number 1 choice for college- BYU- Loved every freaking minute of it
3. I graduated from said college in a major that I love and actually use to this day.
4. I had a child. My son is beautiful and amazing and he is mine. He is the very best part of me and he is definitely more than the sum of his parts.
5. I married WAY above me. My husband is awesome. Driven, righteous, my absolute better half. I think he knows it too...
6. I’ve lost a pregnancy.
7. I got a Masters degree. When I graduated from BYU, I saw a guy graduating with us who was wearing a hood with his gown. I wanted one. I got one.
8. I’ve been to Europe. I didn’t go for very long and I only went to Italy, but traveling is one of the best gifts I have given to myself.
9. I’ve lost a parent. Kurt’s father passed away right before we got married. The tragedy brought me closer together with his family and with him and made me very grateful that I believe that we can be an eternal family again someday.
10. I’ve never smoked, taken drugs, or had a drink of alcohol.
11. I was a cheerleader. I know that sounds extremely shallow, but I met some of my most wonderful friends because of it. And...it was a heck of a lot of fun.
12. I’ve taught in an inner-city school. It scared the living daylights out of me. It was extremely dangerous at times. I was only 21 and I had absolutely NO business being there. But, I truly hope that I had some sort of influence on those kids.
13. I single-handedly put my husband through his post-graduate school. Being able to earn a good living and take care of my family gives me a lot of self-confidence.
14. I have an extremely cool job.
15. My job lets me be a stay-at-home mom. Jake is never rushed out the door to daycare. I’ve never had to call in sick because he was sick. This is one of the biggest blessings of my entire life.
16. I’ve hiked to the top of a Mayan pyramid.
17. I’m about to have a second child.
18. I can decorate cakes. I am not artistic, not even a little bit, but I decided that I would figure out how to do one artistic thing in my life. Cake decorating turned out to be it. At last count, I’ve made four wedding cakes.
19. I went on pointe. Anyone who knows anything about ballet or dancing knows that this is a big deal. It is also an accomplishment because I was 28 when I got my first pair of pointe shoes.
20. I’ve had my heart broken.
21. I’ve broken a heart.
22. I got a varsity letter all four years of high school.
23. I’ve hitch-hiked.
24. I’m Mormon. I know that sounds trite, but it is caught up in everything about who I am.
25. I’m literally stupid when it comes to navigation, math or anything having to do with that part of my brain. I used to hide my failed math tests from my parents. This is why I am a history teacher.
26. I’ve stood in front of dozens of Tongan kids who didn’t speak English and tried to teach them all about the wide world they would most likely never get to see. But they definitely taught me more.
27. I worked a job that I was terrible at and that I disliked greatly for four very long years to put my husband through school. The lesson here? He owes me big.
28. I have a weak immune system. It’s lead to bells palsy, shingles and 3,000 bouts with the colds and the flu. I take my health very seriously.
29. I’m still not quite sure what I want to be when I grow up.
30. This one I am keeping to myself just yet. It is definitely something I am proud of. Maybe someday I’ll be ready to share it with everyone.

A Boy

So, if you don't follow us on Facebook, you are probably unaware that we found out we are having a boy today. This met with some mixed reactions. I was hoping for a girl, just for the sole fact that I have AWFUL pregnancies and if I at least have one of each, and I were done having kids, it would be ok. So this news pretty much sealed my fate for try number three. Also, Jake is an ever-loving handful, so him times two seems outright ridiculous.
So I had my short moment of disappointment- But a short moment was exactly how long it lasted, because an hour after the news, everything changed.
I was sitting at my computer working and a very strong, clear-as-day impression came to me. THIS little boy has work to do here. THIS little boy needs to come now. I didn't have that same experience with either of my other pregnancies, this was different. I just get to be the lucky one to bring him into the world.
So bows and ruffles are on hold for a while. And I couldn't be more at peace with it.

Bad Mojo

I should be excited.
But I'm kind of...not.
I'm in my 14th week of pregnancy. What that means for me is that I get to take a trip to the ultrasound place to find out whether this child is going to be wearing a whole new wardrobe or gets all of Jake's hand-me-downs.
But I haven't made the appointment. I'm just not excited.
Is it the fact that I've already had well over 20 appointments for this baby when a normal pregnant woman would only be on her second, maybe third? And this is just yet another appointment?
Is it the fact that work and taking care of this nutty two-year-old are draining the life out of me?
Is it the fact that I still for some reason, am not accepting that this baby is going to live and giving it a gender, and a name soon after, will make the possible loss that much worse?
Maybe it's all of the above.
Whatever the reason, I am truly hoping that as work calms down, I get off the hormone medication, and I stop having such a bad aversion to chocolate, I start having better baby mojo.
By next Tuesday we should know. I think that may be just the thing to kick start the excitement.

New Baby

This has been the worst 12 weeks of my life, without any type of hyperbole. The. Worst.

I've been in and out of the doctor more times than I can count for more blood draws and fetal tests than I care to remember. I've been sicker than I could ever imagine being and I've shed more tears than I thought I had in me. At the start of the pregnancy, we just couldn't stop the bleeding, so we really thought the pregnancy was lost since that was exactly what happened with my first pregnancy- the one that we lost. Somehow this little one stuck around until I could get on the right mix of hormones to keep it. My health has slowly deteriorated because I can't keep myself hydrated or nourished, but the baby is measuring just right. I conclude that that is because he/she is a CANNIBAL! And I've never been so ok with something eating me from the inside.

It's strange how the concept of suffering changes when you are doing it for someone you love. One of my sisters-in-law (one without kids) was talking to me after a bad bout of sickness asking me how I kept sane after being so sick and on bed rest. I remember thinking, for your child, you'll do anything. The suffering is nothing if it has a purpose. This has a purpose.

So, with that said, I can't wait to meet you little cannibal. I love you already and I'm so happy you're mine. But please let this be the worst thing you put me through. I am expecting an angel baby, a perfect child, and a spectacular teenager. That's not so much to ask for in exchange for nine months with my head in the toilet, is it?

Christmas 2009

So Christmas has come and gone and there are so many pictures, it would be ridiculous to try and post them all here. Most of them are on facebook though. Here are a few of them to document how big our little man is getting. He is old enough where the first question out of everyone's mouth is, "so when is number 2 baby coming?" As soon as baby number 1 goes to college, is usually my very witty retort. We are just having a grand old time here, just trying to live in the moment with our little one. No definite plans for a second.

My favorite thing he has learned over the Christmas break is to say hi to all of his favorite books when he wakes up in the morning. I can hear him from my bed saying hi to his train book, his fish book, etc. He is the cutest darn alarm clock in the world and we are lucky to have him!

Sawdust Festival and Christmas Tree Lot

We went to see Kristin's mom perform at the Sawdust Festival In Laguna Beach. Jake loved the fake snow and also the petting zoo. We also got our tree the other night. Jake loved putting ornaments on the tree and then immediately pulling them down.

Halloween and Jake's Birthday

On Halloween, Jake turned 2. We can't believe how fast the time has gone by. He is full of energy but such a joy to be around. For Halloween he was Dash from the Incredibles. Those that know him know that this was a perfect costume since he never stops running. Kurt was a good sport and was Mr. Incredible. He had a birthday party and of course had to have a train cake. He loves trains more than anything right now.

4th of July

This year, we spent the 4th on my dad's boat, which was a change for us. Normally we go to the beach. We had a barbeque and hung out until the fireworks went off. We had fun hanging out with family and friends!

First Haircut

We finally took Jake to get a haircut. Yeah he is 18 months old but the kid has no hair. As crazy as Jake is, we figured this would be a horrible experience but he surprised us all by sitting perfectly still the whole time. Maybe it was the sweet car he got to sit in or the TV but whatever it was he turned out pretty cute. Good job little Jake.

Pool Time

I know many parts of the country are still getting snow but in Southern California we got to about 90 degrees today. We decided to brake out the pool and put Jake's slide in it. He had the greatest time. It was definately hard for him to come back inside and get some clothes on.

Easter Time!

You are looking at the happiest kid in the world. It is amazing what a new Easter outfit and some candy can do! We had a wonderful time with his grandparents and cousins today.

On the news

I was on the news in San Francisco and San Diego the other day. Here is the link if you want to watch!
http://cbs5.com/video/?id=47295@kpix.dayport.com

At the Zoo

Since Kurt has Tuesdays off and I am in the house most days, we decided on a random Tuesday to take a field trip to the local zoo. There weren't many animals of which to speak but that was ok because all Jake wanted to do was run around and climb in the water. We will have to give it another few months in order for him to be more interested in the animals than in the pools.

Christmas 2008

I know this is a little late but here are a few shots from this past Christmas. We went and saw Christmas lights at a place in Santa Margarita called Candy Cane Lane. It is a street where all the houses go nuts with Christmas decorations. They had a snow machine that Jake enjoyed. Jake did ok with Santa this year. He was a little scared but we were at least able to get one picture. Hope everyone had a merry Christmas.