Adam- 20 Months

Dear Adam,

You are growing so fast and quickly turning into quite the little "man".  You are an amazing little boy and I am so proud of the person you are growing up to be.

Throughout the past couple months, you have developed a great deal, especially in the language department!  Some of the new words you are saying are:

tink so (I don't think so)
momo (lawn mower)
you wispher bye bye whenever we are in a room and you try to close the door
GO is a new favorite of yours
tik a tik a tik a (tickle tickle tickle)
dity (dirty)
bab y
cracker (you say this clear as day)
cookie
nack (snack)
mo (more)
psss (please)
and even more that I can't remember right now.

You started sleeping in your big boy bed on your 19th month birthday and it went so very smooth! You didn't even bat an eye.  You are waking up a bit earlier and wanting daddy or mamma to cuddle with you in your bed all of the time, but we try to refrain from doing so every night.  You go to bed at 7:30 now and wake up at about 6:00 with one nap around noon for about 1.5 hours.  You sit in your bed and yell MAMA until I come in to get you.

You love to play outside and watch Toy Story 3.  It's your favorite movie.  Tractors, cars, motorcycles and boats are still at the top of your list for most favorite things. 

You've become quite the picky eater in the last couple months which frustrates your mama!  Some days you will eat anything we put in front of you, other days we have to bribe you to eat even one bite... right now we can bribe you with fruit, which is pretty nice. So for every bite of chicken you take, you get a grape.  So, I suppose you're favorite food could be worse than fruit.

You're wearing size 12-18 month pants, but they are still too big in the waste so we had to get you a belt.  12 month are too short, thank goodness! 

You are a growing boy and I love you more than words can express.  I am so blessed that God put you into my life, because now I don't know what I would do without you!

I love you sweet boy, now and forever.

Mama

Boy or Girl Baby numero Dos

Because we find out today; I want to see just how accurate these old Wives tales are!!

Hubby and I are guessing both:

Girl for hubby; boy for me

If the heart rate is under 140 you'll have a boy.
This gives us a girl. The heart rate has 168 and 155.

If you are carrying all your weight out front its a girl, if your weight is around your hips and bottom it's a boy.
Girl, as far as I can tell.  What do you think?

If your bump is low it's a boy if your bump is up higher it's a girl.
I think I’m carrying higher than I did with Adam… So, girl

If the baby is very active it's a boy.
Hmm I’m still not sure everytime I feel movement in there, so baby isn’t extremely active. Not very active = Girl

If you're craving sweets it's a girl, if you're craving salt you're having a boy.
  Salty = Boy
 
If daddy is gaining weight along with mommy it's a girl.
Ha, maybe a little!  =Girl.

When picking up a single key, if she picks it up from the thin end, it's a girl. If she picks up the key from the base it's a boy.
Just because I know me, I’d have to say that I would pick it up with the base end because it’s the bigger end. So we’ll go with Boy

If your face is colored in acne you're having a girl. If you have clear beautiful skin you'll have a boy
  Acne = Girl 

Do you sleep on your right or your  left side? Right you're having a girl, left you're having a boy.
I like to sleep more on my right side this time around, So,  Girl.

If you are puking all the time you'll have a girl.
  Much worse than last time! = Girl

If your hands are dry you'll have a boy, if they are soft you'll have a girl.
I don’t know… dry?  = boy

If you're drinking lots of orange juice and other citrus you're having a girl.

I’m sticking mostly to water and milk. = Boy

If you feel graceful during pregnancy you're having a girl, but if you feel clumsy you'll be having a boy.

I use to be a lot more graceful than I am now.  Clumsy= Boy

If you gain weight in your face you're having a girl.

I hope not... We'll go with boy
 
If you are especially moody you'll be having a girl.
Maybe more than last pregnancy= Girl

The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is an even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!

2012 + 27 = 2037 = Boy

Pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a "V" or "branches" in the white part you'll have a girl.
This is so weird. But alas I did it.  = Girl

If you are the first born child, you will have what your mom had but starting with her second child. If you are the middle child, you will have what she had but starting with the third. If you are the last child you will have what your mother had in the exact order.

I am the last child and my brother is the first (there’s only 2 of us) = Girl

If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy. If you eat the middle of the loaf, it’s a girl.
Gross, who actually eats the ends?  = Girl

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.
The results are Girl

You are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.
I have no clue, but some say that I look cute, so we’ll go with that, it makes me feel better. = Boy

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.
I’ve had dreams that it’s a boy, so I guess it’s a girl then?

When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up.

Palms up= girl.
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.
Hmm I guess we’ll find out soon if I’m in the 71%, but I think we’re having a Boy

When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy
I wouldn’t say that I crave meat and cheese, but I probably have it everyday…. So boy

Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.
They have stayed the same and have always been cold. =  Girl.

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.
I didn’t have headaches in the beginning, but when 2^nd trimester hit, BAM so did the headaches.  They have gotten better though.  Still, headaches = Boy

It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby.

We have no trouble coming up with girl names.  = Girl.

And now, for the tally.

Girl = 18
Boy = 12

Well, if these are right, we'll be having a girl.  We shall see! :-) I'll be back in later today to reveal, or maybe tomorrow. You``

18 Weeks Baby numero dos

How far along: 18 Weeks on June 29th

Size of baby: The Bump says that baby is the size of a Sweet Potato average size is 5.6 inches and 6.7 oz.

Weight Gain: +2lbs so far... Compared to pregnancy with Adam at + 4.5

Boy or Girl: We have to wait another 2+ weeks to find out!

Symptoms: Still really tired these days, but maybe that's because I'm also taking care of a 18 month toddler

Exercise: Trying to exercise at least 3x per week. Sticking to Jazzercise for now

Clothes: Mostly regular, some maternity

Cravings/Aversions: Salty foods seem to be my go to maternity food.

Movement: Once in awhile I'm feeling little flutters here and there, but nothing consistent.

Worries: None right now.

Milestones:  Feeling what I think are baby kicks for the first time this pregnancy!

Best moment of the week: This doesn't have to do with pregnancy but having Adam sign I love you to me out of the blue, I cannot wait until he can say it!

Adam 18 months

Dear Adam,

You are now 18 Months old!  Where has the time gone??  I cannot believe we have a 1.5 year old.  You turned 18 months on June 23rd, mama's just a bit behind in writing this.  Let's get down to the basics.

You are definitely developing your personality daily.  You are very strong willed and determined.  Sometimes you get angry if things don't work for you right away, but then you'll ask for help and be happy as a clam.  I'm amazed by how much you pick up by just watching your Daddy and me.  You are simply amazing, my child.

You're not putting words together yet, but you're figuring out your own way to say what you want.  Here are a list of some of the words you are saying:
Words:
Mama
Dada
Nana (for both my mom and bananas)
Papa
Bubba (for uncle brandon)
Nat (for Aunt Natalie)
yes
No
Tractor
Ball
Stars
Book
Turtle
Fish
Cheese
Ba ba (not sure why but this means help)
Hi
bye bye
GoGo (for Motorcycles and bikes)
Beah (Bear)
Bug

Signs you are using:
All done
More
Hurt
Thank you
Please
 I Love you

These are the sounds you are making:
Cow
Horse
Rocket
Car
Elephant
Tiger
Monkey
Ick (for the garbage and for bugs)

You signed I love you for the first time yesterday and it MELTED MY HEART!  I loved it, it was soooo adorable.  You're eating like a champ most days, but some days will not touch most things.  You HATE mac & cheese and anything with spiral noodles.  You're favorite food is still fruit and you will eat it whenever wherever.

You love to play outside and would be outside all day everyday if I let you.  The pool is your new favorite, and you HATE to leave.

A spitting image of your Daddy, some people say you do resemble me.  You got your blue eyes from your Daddy but the deep inset and size of them comes from your mama, just ask Daddy, he will say so. :-)

You are very good at throwing fits when you don't get your way, but we're working on patience (which is a hard thing for someone your age).  Sometimes you stress your mama out, but I always love you, no matter what.


You are ALL boy, you love all things with wheels and motors and will make a car sound whenever you see them.

You're climbing on everything, chairs, your high chair, even trying to scale the cabinets.  You're fearless, but you still get hurt when you fall.  I sneak in and peak at you every night before I go to bed and each night you seem to have grown more than I thought possible.

YOU LOVE to give kisses and hugs to everyone and everything.  Even when there is a bear in a book, you will lay your head down to give him a hug.  You try to hug your puppy and kitties, but they don't really care too much for that.

I love you my sweet sweet boy.    And I am excited to see the kind of person you are growing up to be!

With love, always,

Mama

Catching up!

Well, I suppose it's time to share some news with you.  Thats if anyone ever reads this little ol blog if mine anymore. I know I've been gone for a very long time, sorry, life just sort of took over.

I'm currently 16 weeks pregnant with baby #2! Will be 17 weeks on friday june 22nd! We are due nov. 30th! Yikes. I'm sort of ready and not ready for another all at the same time.  Good thing we stool have 5 months to go. :) we are so very excited and thankful!

This pregnancy has been so different from the last. I was so very sick this time around.... From weeks 5-12 I got sick about every hour. Not fun. Things ar so much better now. I'm up +1 lb so far, but this baby likes mama to eat, so I'm sure that will quickly change.

Adam is growing and his personality is sure shining through. More on him to come in another post. Boy is now 18 months old! Holy cow!

We are enjoying life and taking it I've day at a time. Be back sooner than last time, I swear!

Adam- 14 Months

Adam turned 14 months on feb. 23rd. No pictures, sorry. Maybe tomorrow!

I've decided to start doing updates every two months now that we've reached the 12 month mark.

Dear Adam,

You have really developed so much in the past two months.  You're sooooooo smart, I honestly cannot believe some of the things you know how to do.  There are so many new things!

You now say mmmmmo when we ask what a cow says.
You say nanana na (nay) when we ask what a horse says.
you understand complex sentences such as: put your socks in the hamper, put your duck in the tub, sit on the step so we can put your shoes up, etc... The list goes on and on and every day I am amazed at the sentences you understand.

You can point out a cat, dog, horse, frog, duck, bird, sheep, cow and fish in books without thinking twice.

you still call most things dada, but you are saying mama much more now.
You sign more, all done and please.

Yesterday, you spilt some milk on the floor.& you went over to where we keep the towel, grabbed it down, went over put it on top of the spilt milk and wiped it up.  I couldn't believe it!

You're eating everything, still loving all fruit and anything with marinara sauce.You are picky at times which is frustrating, but we're dealing with it. You're now down to one nap.  You wake up around 5:45-6:30, nap 11:30-1ish, then go to bed at 7.  You still don't get juice at home, only at daycare.

Speaking of daycare, starting on Monday, you will be going full time. Mommy is very sad about this, but it was time she got a full time job, maybe someday I'll be able to stay home with you again, I sure hope so. I'm going to miss lounging around in our pj's for half the day, playing games together and just spending the day together.  Mommy actually cried when she got the job and they were not happy tears.

You had tubes in on Jan 17th and all went well. You started sleeping much better the first night after surgery.   You haven't had any ear infections since either.  You did go to the doctor just yesterday and weighed 21 lbs 10oz.  they said you probably had a growth spurt, I'm not sure how tall you are, but I'm hoping you grew there too!

You're running all over the place and it's hard for mama to keep up with you. You are ever changing, learning and growing and I am so proud to be your mama.

Just finished: Heaven is for Real

This book had me reading from beginning to end.  It was such an amazing story of a little boy and his brief "trip" to Heaven.  Colton Burpo surprised me by some of the things he shared with his family and at times, had me praying to God that this is how it will be when I get there.  This story is a must read as it reassures my faith in that this life is only temporary.  There is so much more to come and I am thankful to be a believer.  If you haven't read this book yet, stop and go pick it up.  You seriously won't be able to put it down until you are finished.  For the sake of not giving away the book, I'll let you decide for yourself what you thought.  Enjoy!

It's offical....

Winter is here! :-(  We've been blessed with an unseasonably warm first 1/2 of winter here in Iowa, but I just know it's going to catch up with us.  Today, Jan 12th, 2012 we got our first actual snowfall of the season.  This is extreemly rare here in the midwest to go that long without snow, but I can't say I didn't enjoy the last two days of 50+ degree weather! 

Today, you will find Adam and I curled up inside praying for more of those warm days!  Luckily, I didn't have to sub today, so it's gonna be a day filled with a warm house, warm tea and a movie.... We'll see if Adam agrees!

Happy first "real" day of winter from us in Iowa!!

Ears Ears Ears

What's that you say?  Yeah, I'm talking about ears.  My little boy's ears to be exact.  He's been so miserable these past 6ish months with ear infection after ear infection and I just can't stand to have him go through it anymore.  I felt like every time we went to the doctor, he was put on yet another antibiotic and after his 5th ear infection, I said enough is enough. 

I took him to the ENT for a consult and the doctor looked in his ears and said yup, there's fluid in there and it's a cream colored fluid which isn't good.  He sent us for a hearing test and sure enough, Adam's hearing was being harmed by that fluid.  So, with that said, doc said Adam was a good candidate for tubes and we have it scheduled for Jan 17th. 

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather not get tubes in his ears, the thought of my little baby going through surgery makes me sick to my stomach, but I suppose if it's better for him in the long run and it's better for his hearing and speech, then it's what we should do.

We tried the chiropractor, but it was a bust in the ear infection department.  I wish it would have worked, however; I am at peace with this decision.  My husband and I both agree that this is the next step for Adam and we've heard great things about how tubes have worked for so many other families.

Now I know what you're probably thinking, they don't help everyone and yes, I understand that.  But if there is a chance that it will help my little man, well then by gosh I'm going to do it.  Sometimes ear infections can lead to hearing problems, which it has for for Adam, well if it's not caught early enough, it can lead to speech problems and I definitely don't want him to have problems speaking because we neglected to find a remedy sooner.

What about your kids?  Any of them have tubes?  If so, I want to hear the good, the bad and the ulgy because I'd rather be prepared than blindsided!