Update

Last weekend was fun filled with a celebration for the baby, a PapaHugs concert, having Camryn Saturday and over night, going to the city for Meredith Maier's bday, and having friends over for dinner Sunday evening. Pictures will be posted soon. Here is an update on everyone at the moment...

Haley: She is officially into the "why?" phase of life. After several rounds the other evening, I said "why do you think?" and she responded, "I want you to tell me Mommy." Backfired. She loves playing monster and making monster faces. She loves to pretend and tell you your part. She loves her princess shoes. Everything is "so." "That is so yum." "This is so beautiful." "This feels so good." She even held Josh's hand and said "Daddy, we are so married."
The other night she had gone to bed and started to call out "Mom, Mommy, Mama...Mommy Marie Russell!" We were dying.

Baby: Big, moving all over. Can feel him/her moving in several places at one time. Currently pressing into my ribs and I am loving it. Can always find a body part to poke at. We set the date at our next appt on the 19th ( a week and a 1/2 away from finding out when this peanut is going to enter the world).

Josh: Working, playing tennis, playing basketball, rough housing with Haley. found out that he can use his sick time for paternity leave. This is good...he has about 300 hours! Trying to figure out how the summer will look schedule wise. Talks to the baby and tells him/her to be nice to Mommy. I can tell he thinks it's a boy because he will poke and push. With Haley I always got a "leave her alone!" when I poked around.

Me (Jen): I feel great! I am at that point where I can FEEL that I am pregnant. Less lung capacity, can't reach certain things because belly gets in the way, needing to pee with every step I take. Tomorrow is the last day with the kids. Next week I am at a conference and officially on leave the following week. I had started to feel a bit fearful of the whole c-section process again, but that is all gone and my focus has shifted. I just want a healthy baby. There are things that happen around us that make us put things in perspective. Healthy, safe and sound please!!!

Weekend Away

We had a wonderful family weekend last weekend. The 3 and 1/2 of us headed up to Camp Connell. The McNulty family graciously gave us their cabin for the weekend. It was so much fun! We got in Friday night a little after 11 and hit the sack.


Saturday we went on a hike at Big Trees State Park, went into Murphys for lunch, ice cream and play time at the park with the river. Haley LOVED the hike and rolling up her pants to play in the river.


We stopped at the grocery store on the way back and picked up snacks for dinner. It was such a relaxing, fun time. We soaked in the weekend as we know that life will be changing soon. We know how important it is to cherish and appreciate these times. Thank you McNulty family!

"What's 'It' "?

So I picked up Haley from daycare the other day and as she got in my car, the Marvin Gaye song "Let's Get It On" came on. Here is our interaction:

Haley: "Daddy, what's this song?"

Josh: "It's called Let's Get It On."

Haley: "Let's get what on?"

Josh: "It"

Haley: "What's it?"

Josh: "How about we listen to something else..."

I am DEFINITELY not ready to have that conversation yet.

B-I-G

We had another ultrasound yesterday because my Dr. said I am measuring big. Well, there is a reason. After taking all measurements, the baby is about 5 and 1/2 lbs and is in the 94th percentile for size. We hear the that the baby either doubles in size from here to birth or adds 1/2 lb a week. That would make this baby between 9-11 lbs! These things can be off by a pound either way. Josh asked to make sure there were not 2 in there. :)
The ultrasound was amazing. We actually saw the baby's face! It was like a photograph. We went back to it several times. Round chubby cheeks, Haley's nose, the lips, eyes. So cool! We saw and heard the heartbeat and also saw and heard the blood flow through the umbilical cord. Truly incredible! Heart rate is 131. Normal resting rate is between 120-160. Some say a slower heartbeat is boy and faster is girl...a boy in there?
We saw his/her big round belly, legs, hands, feet (look a little big like Dad's). The tech said the baby had nice long legs...umm...not from my stumps!
Needless to say it was a wonderful appointment. When we meet with the Dr. we'll go over all of it and see what it all means for birthday, etc.

Quote of the Night

I walked into Haley's room to find her with her finger up her nose. I said, "Haley, do you need a tissue?"
She replied, " No thanks mom. I am just trying to get a boog that is hard to reach because it is up to the top of my head."

Spring Break

Loved our week off together. We visited a couple of preschools (Haley has been asking to start at school) met friends for lunch, dinner, swimming, beach, play. we had a family day at Great America. We had a birthday party and Passover. The time was so great. I have 4 more weeks of work (but only 3 with the kids. The 4th I will be at a conference in Sacramento). I cannot believe how soon it is all coming! Josh and I FINALLY started to work in the baby's room. Yikes! We've done nothing and now we are creating a disaster by trying to get started.

32 Weeks

Here is an update on Baby. Today I had my 32 week appt. I will be going in every 2 weeks from here on out to keep a watch on everything since I had pre eclampsia with Haley. Blood pressure, protein, etc are all great! The plan is to stay that way. I will have another ultrasound because today my Dr said baby is measuring big...what every woman wants to hear...that she's bigger than she should be. Just kidding. I know it's just my belly, not my whole self! This ultrasound will help determine the birthday.
I have felt so great this pregnancy. People have asked about differences. I can't really think of that many. The first trimester was different. Not sick or nauseous at all this time. I have this pain in my left inner thigh that feels like I worked out hard...not there with Haley. The only other difference I can tell is how much this baby moves. I almost woke Josh up this morning because it looked like the baby was going to jump out of my belly! I do love being pregnant. I did with Haley too. The most feminine I have ever felt and totally miraculous every day.
We are all getting very excited and anxious. Looking forward to meeting this little person. Ok, I better stop before I include one more sentence fragment.