It's a Boy!!

I had my ultrasound on Friday morning and we found out that we are having a boy! We were surprised because we were thinking it was going to be a girl since this pregnancy was so different from the last one. I'm excited to have 2 little boys though. Ayden is such a sweetie and loves to cuddle and give hugs. I hope his little brother is the same way.The little guy wasn't very cooperative though so we have to go back in 4 weeks for another ultrasound. He was laying with his back and butt facing out so we got a good view of his spine and of his butt, and the back of his head. The ultrasound tech couldn't get a good look at his heart so lucky for me I get to do it again:)
What she did see looked great though and I'm right at the 20 week mark where I should be. The ultrasound pictures weren't as good as the ones we had in Maryland with Ayden. We had lots of 3D and 4D images. I was kind of disappointed and am thinking about heading to an ultrasound place in Des Moines so we can get a better look.

Afterwards, Joel took me out for lunch and I went shopping for baby clothes! Since Ayden was born in the summer most of his clothes won't work for this little guy so I still got to shop:) I also plan on making a nursing cover, some blankets, and a few fleece blankets sometime soon after I get to the fabric store. I went through Ayden's newborn clothes and picked out what would fit right away and mostly got the nursery put together except for hanging up some pictures. Now the hard part is deciding on a name. Joel doesn't really like any of the ones that I like, and the one that he likes (that I actually mentioned a few months ago) I like, but I'm not in love with it. Maybe it will grow on me. Deciding on Ayden's name was easy because we both loved it a few years before he was born when we were watching season 4 of Sex and the City. Back then we had never heard it before, and now it's pretty common. So the name search continues....

Ayden's New Big Boy Bed!

We got Ayden a twin bed set a few weeks ago and moved the crib out of his room. We wanted to get him adjusted to his own bed well before the baby gets here because I'm sure it will be a big enough adjustment having a new little brother or sister, and I don't want him to think the baby is taking his crib along with attention and some of his other things. The first night was really rough and I thought we had made a huge mistake moving him into a twin bed. I was hoping the rail on the bed would deter him from trying to get out, but it didn't. I didn't sleep very well because I kept listening for him getting out of his room. We found him twice in the living room playing with his toys and Bailey. We ended up getting an extra baby gate from the basement and putting it on his door frame in the middle of the night which at least kept him in his room. After a few rough night and naps he is doing much better and sleeps all night. It seems to take him a little longer to get to sleep at times, but he doesn't get out until morning or after he wakes up from his nap. He does seem to wake up earlier in the morning than he did in his crib though. One night around 10:30 we heard a thump from Ayden's room and went to check on him. We found his door open and he was passed out dead asleep in the doorway. We laughed so hard especially since we always joke what a light sleeper he is and the only place he will ever sleep is his crib.

Ayden's new obsession is using the Swiffer to mop the floor. I guess he's seen me do it a few too many times. He even does the sound effects :)

Last weekend was a busy weekend. We took Ayden to Center Grove Orchard since we have never been and had heard lots of great things about it. We went on a hayride (which Ayden loved) and got dropped off at a corn maze. It was muddy and a little more difficult than we expected it to be, but we eventually made it out. They had lots of animals there, a corn pool, a jumping pillow, and Ayden's favorite, the huge slide that you could slide down on a sled. He and Joel did that many times. Ayden also got to ride on some pedal tractors. It was a cold day, but we had a lot of fun and plan on going again next year! Oh, and their fudge is AMAZING!




After Ayden's nap when we got home from the orchard I took Ayden and headed to Independence where my parents live. My high school friends were planning a get-together (just the girls and kiddos) at my parent's house on Sunday. It was so much fun catching up with everyone and the kids got to play with each other. They are all about the same age and a lot of us are pregnant with our second. Ayden and I stayed until Monday morning and Ayden got lots of tractor and gator rides, and even got to ride in the combine and watch my dad combine corn. He LOVES anything to do with tractors and loves going to my parent's farm and seeing all the tractors and machinery. They don't have animals there anymore, but he doesn't seem to mind.



The baby's ultrasound is next Friday the 30th. We're really looking forward to it. Last week I was hungry all the time, but this week nothing sounds that great and I don't have much of an appetite. So different from Ayden. I ate all the time when I was pregnant with him and had lots of cravings. I also found an H1N1 vaccine for myself and Ayden. I guess I called the right place at the right time because there were only a few left and they have been really hard to find. I feel a little less stressed now that I have gotten it. I also have been more tired this week and not as motivated to work out. I must go walk on the treadmill tonight though since I haven't walked since Monday!

17 1/2 weeks pregnant!

Weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's and Thomas the Train

A few weekends ago I dropped Ayden off at my parent's for the day so that I could go shopping with a friend. He loves going there because he gets so many rides on the tractor and the gator. The whole way there in the car he kept pointing at farms along the way and asking "Baba-Doo-doo?" (That's what he has called grandpa and grandma since he started talking). I don't even think he realized I wasn't there because he was having so much fun. My parents and sister took pictures and he loved checking out the corn and beans. He also loves to run up the lane. In one picture they took, both of his feet were off of the ground.






Last weekend we took Ayden to A Day Out With Thomas and we rode on Thomas the Train. They also had a petting zoo there and a huge tent with lots of train activity tables for the kids to play with. Ayden really liked the train ride, but my one complaint is that the train went so slow. I think he would have liked it even more if it went faster than 5 miles per hour. He got his picture taken with Thomas, a conductor, and Sir Topham Hatt. He loved playing with the train tables and cried when it was time to go home and take a nap. I think we will have to look into getting one for him for Christmas.







I had my 16 week appointment on Friday and everything went well. Blood tests were normal, blood pressure and weight was good, and baby's heart rate was 145. On Friday, October, 30th I get to have the ultrasound. We're sooo excited. I want to know baby's gender so I can start shopping. Joel and I both assume it's a girl because this pregnancy has been so different from the last, but I also know that all pregnancies can be different so we will see! As long as he or she is healthy is all that matters. I would love a girl because I do want at least one girl, and shopping for clothes for them is so much fun, but I think it would also be neat for Ayden to have a little brother and have a playmate to get to do all the boy things with. I'm so used to playing with trucks and tractors that I'm not sure I would know what to do with a little girl. I'm sure it will be a long 3 1/2 weeks. It always seems that way when you are really looking forward to something. My recent cravings have been almost anything spicy, and almonds with chocolate. Heartburn has also started to kick in, which I remember very well from being pregnant last time. Maybe baby with have tons of blond hair just like him :)

Night-Night

Ayden's new bedtime ritual is lining up his stuffed animals in front of his bed so they can go night-night too. Then he lays down next to them and pretends to go to sleep too, and makes snoring sounds. Sometimes he even gives them kisses goodnight or lays down with them and reads a book. One night before bed we asked Ayden where the baby was and he lifted up my shirt and patted my belly. He then went over to Joel and lifted up Joel's shirt and patted his belly too. It was hilarious. Joel thought it was funny the first time it happened, but when Ayden did it again Joel said he needed to go on a diet:) Ayden will sometimes even say "night-night" to the baby or give it a kiss. He's going to be such a good big brother.

 

 

 

I took Ayden to the park one morning last week and it was one we have never been to. He got bored with the little kid slides quickly and went on the big kid slides instead. He climbed up into this fort-like thing and went down all by himself. I was slightly nervous because he had to climb up so high and I wasn't able to help him, but he has no fear at all. He had fun and it was nice to get to the park while the weather is still nice.

 

 

 

 

I felt Baby F move for the first time yesterday (I think). It felt a lot like when Ayden first started to move. It was exciting! Hard to believe I still have 25 weeks to go! I'm not feeling sick all the time like I did the first 6-12 weeks. I'm not as hungry as I was when I was pregnant with Ayden though. I seriously ate everything in site. I still don't have much of an appetite at times, but it's better than it was. This weekend I had cravings for mashed potatoes and gravy and Chili's Skillet queso with chips. It was sooo good. I also am still more tired than normal, but I don't require a nap every day anymore. Looking forward to my next dr. appt. a week from Friday.

Labor Day Weekend

We had a really fun weekend last weekend. We haven't gotten to do a whole lot this summer with working on the house all the time. We decided to take Ayden to Adventureland on Saturday after discovering he was now 36 inches tall and he would be able to ride quite a few rides with us. Ayden has never been on rides other than the train at the zoo or taking rides with grandpa on the gator or in the tractor. Well, he LOVED the rides. He went on a lot by himself and loved the merry-go-round, train, and any truck ride they had. We even rook him on the log ride and got pretty wet. The only ride he didn't look like he was a fan of was the tilt-a-whirl. I really wanted to take him on the raging river, but that was one of the rides I couldn't go on since I am pregnant. There were actually very few rides I could go on, but after taking Ayden on the teacups I didn't feel too well and let Joel go on the rest with him while I took pictures, :)





On Sunday morning we drove to may parent's house in Independence and they watched Ayden while we went to see a movie in the afternoon. We saw District 9 which was horrible, and I slept through part of the last half. Then that evening Joel and I drove to Cedar Rapids and had a nice dinner at Biaggi's. The food was great and it was nice to not have to hurry and eat with an antsy toddler.

Monday morning we left at 6:30 am and drove 4 hours to Shakopee, Minnesota to meet my brother and his family at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I haven't been there since I was in middle school and remembered it being a lot of fun. It was a lot of fun and we are already planning to go back next year. There are all kinds of food, rides, and attractions and everyone that works there gets into character with costumes, accents, and act like they are from that time period. There are lots of shops for those that like to go shopping. Tons of food, beer, drinks, turkey legs, etc. There were some rides for the kids, a petting zoo, elephants and camels to ride, and also ponies. Ayden was up for more rides after the day before at Adventureland. He took a ride on a huge rocking horse, and then rode on a butterfly ride that went in a circle. He loved them both. When we saw the elephants I told Joel he should take Ayden. I really wanted to go, but it was ride at your own risk and thought I would stay safe and just take pictures of Joel and Ayden. I think Ayden liked it, but he looks so serious on all the rides he goes on it is hard to tell what he is thinking. He wanted to do it again though. Maybe we can all ride on the elephant next year :) Around 2:30 Ayden started to get cranky with no nap, and was mad that we couldn't find any milk for him so we decided to call it a day and make our way back home. It was a lot of driving in one day, but a lot of fun. I think next year we will stay at my brother's house or get a hotel.

Exciting News!!

The latest news (well it's not really new news for my husband and me) is that I am pregnant! I'm due March 19, 2010. We are really excited, and I know Ayden will be a great big brother. It was a rough first trimester because I was pretty exhausted and had "all day" sickness. I even lost weight, what a great diet plan :) I'm feeling better now, but am still tired more than usual. I had a doctors appointment last week and got to hear the heartbeat for a few seconds. Baby kept moving around so didn't get to hear it for long. I'm counting down the weeks until we find out whether we are having a boy or girl. I didn't think I had a preference either way, but early into my pregnancy I had a dream that I had a boy and in my dream I started to cry. Does that mean I really want a girl? It doesn't matter as long as it is healthy. I'm hoping I can get Ayden pretty much potty-trained by the time he/she arrives. It would also be nice if we could sell our house and be moved to Ames by then, but that is asking a lot. We are going to go shopping for a big boy bed for Ayden in a few weeks. I already got him some sheets and a quilt with trucks and tractors on them. Hopefully that will make the transition easier.

We shared the news with my family by having Ayden wear a "I'm going to be a big brother shirt." Everyone noticed within seconds of seeing Ayden and his shirt what our news was. It was a fun way to tell people though :)

You Are 2!! Letter to Ayden...

Dear Ayden,

I cannot believe you are 2 years old already. Where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe that 2 years ago you were not in our lives. How things have changed since then. You are the best thing that has ever happened to your daddy and me. We love you more than you could ever imagine. I thought it would be neat to write you a letter each year on your birthday so that you can read them when you are older and find out what you liked/disliked and about your personality.

Last year at this time you were not even walking yet and could only say a few words and used a few signs. When you started walking at 13 months you took off and haven’t slowed down since. You are in love with tractors. It’s the first word out of your mouth in the mornings. You love tractor rides and riding on the lawn mower with daddy. A few months ago you started singing and you sway and move your head back and forth when you do it. You also love to cuddle with me throughout the day and with daddy when he gets home. You say “nigh nigh” and that means you want to lie down and cuddle while pretending to sleep. I’m not sure why you love this so much, but it’s really cute. You also love trucks and cars, but not nearly as much as tractors.

You also love being outside. Last fall when you were around 15 months old you would bring me your shoes when you wanted to go outside. Now you dig my sunglasses out of their case in my purse and bring me my sunglasses or you get your sunscreen since we always put that on before going out. One day I told you we couldn’t go outside because it was raining and you opened the sunscreen and started rubbing it on your arms. You were determined to go outside. When we are outside you love to push your lawn mower or your dump truck around. We also go visit the horse, donkey, and sheep up the road before I take you jogging in the jogging stroller. You also always want to go visit daddy and Uncle Brett at the office when we are done jogging.

When you were about 6 months old I started teaching you baby sign language so that you would be able to communicate with us before you were able to talk. You only used a few signs before you turned 1 year old, but after that you learned many signs. You even made up some of your own. You made up signs for Elmo, Big Bird, help, bunny, cookie, lion, and a few other that escape me right now. You still use the first 2 signs you ever learned even though you know how to say “more” and “juice” now. You continue to say new works all the time, but the ones you say the most are : tractor, dada, mama, more, jui (juice), car, truck, baba (grandpa), nigh-nigh (night-night), bye-bye. You are so observant. You will see me do something once and know how to do it, what something is used for, or where something is at. I have caught you trying to put on my eyeliner more times than I can count, and you have an uncanny ability with directions. When you were about 18 months you could tell me on our drive to Ames where all the cows where at on the way by mooing about 1 mile before we even saw them. You also get angry when we are in Ames and we pass the street that we turn off on to take you to Kindermusik. You love Kindermusik! We have had you in art class and tumbling, but Kindermusik is your favorite. I hope you will continue to have a love for music as you get older.

You are very shy at first even with people you know really well like your grandparents. You hide your head from them at first when you see them. Your favorite food is yogurt, and I can never get you to eat any meat unless it is the ground beef in your spaghetti. You are pretty picky and hate food that has much of a texture unless you are really used to it. You won’t try new things and it’s very frustrating. You are very independent and want things done your way, but also want someone there beside you all the time too….as long as you get to be the boss. You are an awesome sleeper. You have been sleeping all night long without problems since you were 6 months old. 7 pm until about 7 am. You are an excellent napper too, but a light sleeper during nap times so it has to be quiet then. I think you have some of my OCD because you don’t like to get dirty or get anything on your hands, you close doors and cabinet doors if they are open and they shouldn’t be, and you are always lining up your trucks and tractors and get upset if anyone moves them out of the order you put them in. You love books and we keep a lot in the car for you to look at when we go on car rides. You love the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” series and others that rhyme or have tractors or trucks in them. You have such a goofy side too. You have been doing this impression that we call the Frankenstein impression since you were 9 months old. I guess you did it because we always laughed, but at the time we thought something might be wrong with you. Nope, you are just a goofy boy. You love to make us laugh and do weird and funny things all the time. You also love to copy want we do. You love taking baths and rub your hand on your stomach when you want a bath or when we mention it. You also peed in your potty for the first time on June 10th and have done it a few times since then. Hopefully we can get you potty trained soon if mommy stops being so lazy.

Around 18 months you went through a hitting and throwing stage and started throwing tantrums. We started putting you in time-outs in the corner and sometime when you get in trouble or get yelled at for doing something bad you will go and put yourself in the corner. You rarely hit now unless you are really upset, and throwing things is under control for now, but you are still a tantrum thrower. If you get upset now you start to shake. You also get upset when you are trying to tell us something and we don’t understand what you are saying. You get really frustrated then and usually have a tantrum.

I’m sure I could write a book about you and go on and on, but you will be awake from your nap soon and will want to go outside to play. I feel so lucky to be able to stay home and take care of you. I love seeing all the new things you do every day and getting so many hugs, kisses, and cuddles from my adorable little boy. I love you with all my heart and I feel like I am the luckiest mommy in the world to have such a sweet, loving, funny, and adorable little boy like you to spend each day with. I have big dreams for you and cannot wait to watch you grow and experience the world and all life has to offer. I will always love you and am looking forward to watching you grow!

Love always and forever,

Mommy


12 months old


24 months