Harper's Baby Shower

On Saturday my mom threw a beautiful shower for Harper and I. There are no words to express how truly thankful I am for all of my friends and family. Even though I am not able to see everyone as often as I would like, every time I do get time with them, it feels like we pick up right where we left off. Thanks to each and every one of you who have always been there for me and my family. You mean the world to me.

Sicky Poo

Today was not a fun day for little man. He was sick all day with the flu. No fever, but was throwing up and very lethargic. After the doctor, we cuddled all day while watching cartoons, and he proceeded to puke on me numerous times. The poor thing was so miserable, but by this evening, he was eating again. We will keep our fingers crossed that he will be better in the morning.


Bless his heart, after the first time he puked, he looked up at me and said "Oh, man." Talk about tugging on your heart strings.

New Words

I have to post these so I can look back. Here are the latest and greatest from the Little Lemon.

Before bed. Aiden where's your binkie?: "Bee Bee?"

Aiden, time to eat dinner. What should we watch?: "Wub Wub?" (translation: Wow, Wow, Wubsy) Yes, I let him watch TV during dinner. This is one thing I told myself I would never do. Ha! If I had a quarter for every time I said that!

If he drops a toy, if I take my cell phone from him, or he turns the TV off by accident with the remote: "Oh man!"

Aiden, you have a poop? OR You wanna brush your teeth? "Oh yeah!"

What does the dragon say? "Rahhh!" Puppy?: "Ruff!" Birdie?: "Teet!"

Aiden, (you have to sing this part) 'Who lives in a pineapple, under the sea?': "Bob Bob!" (translation - Sponge Bob)

Every night when dad gets home, or first thing in the morning when he sees him: (in a very high pitch, like he hasn't seen him in days) "HIIII DAT!!"

Bikini Season!

It finally stopped raining, and the weather was gorgeous this weekend! It feels like summer actually is going to get here after all. Jeff had to work on Saturday, so The Boss and I decided to get out of the house and do some shopping (his idea, not mine). Among other things, we found Harper's first bikini. Hey if I can't wear one this summer, at least someone can.

TWENTY-NINE WEEKS

Well, the torpedo belly has started to form. I know this for 2 reasons. One, is the picture above, and two, is because my husband follows me around the house making torpedo noises. You see him with black eyes, you now know why.


I am carrying so much wider this time, which is easier to see from the front angle.

-How far along? 29 weeks.

-How big is baby? 3 pounds, and about 15 inches long.

-Weight gain: 15 lbs.

-Stretch marks? No, but I had a dream I got them on my face.

-Sleep? I'm sorry, I've forgotten what that word means.
::runs for the dictionary::

-Best moment this week? when Aiden lifts up my shirt and lays his head on my belly. He does this daily. I don't know if he knows, or really understands, but it's so lovely.

-Movement? TONS

-Food cravings? none - one of the best parts of pregnancy and I am being deprived of it.

-Gender? GIRL.

-Labor signs? nope.

-What I miss? getting out of bed without the excruciating neck pain.

-What I am looking forward to? going to Arizona weekend after next.

With my doctor's approval, I have made the decision to start seeing a Chiropractor. This, along with Tylenol and icing my neck about 5 times per day, has given me some relief which I am grateful for. I really like the Chiropractor that I have been going to. When he cracked my neck this last time his immediate response was "UNBELIEVABLE!". I didn't ask him to elaborate on what this comment meant, but instead just lay there and let him continue to adjust my back, neck and hips. It did make me silently chuckle though.

The only downfall to this is that our insurance does not cover Chiropractic care, so it is all out of pocket. This is even more reason why I need to heal fast. Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions via email on what has worked for them. I am looking forward to posting the news that I am back to normal. Whatever that is....(wink, wink).

Go Devils!

Thanks Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Paula!


...and here is Miss Harpers.

Furniture...CHECK!

Realizing that we really only have about 10 more weeks left, and Harper's nursery only has paint, we decided to take the next step and order the furniture.


Once this arrives, I can start contemplating rugs, lighting, and other random decor.

Pain In The Neck

I would like to apologize in advance for my lack of blog enthusiasm lately, and possibly in the near future. I have been battling a severely sore neck for the past 2 weeks or so. I wish I could tell you what happened, but nothing really did. I woke up one morning and it was very stiff, from there it pretty much progressed into a lot of nerve pain and inflammation. Most mornings it is a challenge to do much of anything with my right arm. I have tried Tylenol, heating pad, ice pack, massages, stretching, hot showers, changing sleeping positions (ha, like there are many options at this point) - literally, I have tried everything. Let me also tell you that I am no wuss, but this HURTS. Like tear-inducing hurts.

At my most recent pre-natal appointment I brought it up to my doctor and he chalked it up to being pregnant and explained how the hormones effect your muscles, and ligaments. I think I gave him a blank stare like, "OK great, so what now?" I have since then seen a physical therapist. She checked me out and told me that everything that she would normally do, she can't since I am pregnant. Anti-Inflammatorys - NO, Electric Muscle Stimulation - NO, Traction - NO. She was feeling around my spine and kept making noises like "oh", "yep", "hmmmm.." Out of frustration, I finally said "OK, can you stop making those noises, and tell me what options I do have?" She kindly advised that I can stretch, watch my posture, and ice. So yeah, I'm thrilled to say the least and my attitude often sucks.

First Real Egg Hunt

Our community puts on a huge Easter Egg hunt for the kids each year. Last year, Aiden was so little, he could barely pick up an egg. This year he really got the hang of it. It was a little chilly, and Aiden is currently cutting about 3 molars so it was a little bit of a rough day. Looking back through the pictures, it doesn't really look like he had fun, but I swear he did!











I have video that I will post this evening. Oh, and I promise I didn't MAKE him carry his own basket - he insisted. Note to self: get the poor thing a smaller basket next year.

Aiden wants....

....to wish you all very a Happy Easter weekend!

And yes, he now insists, this hat is part of his daily wardrobe.

Two Wonderful Years

I love you Mr. Lemon. Happy Anniversary.












Here's to many, many, more.

Santa Cruz

On Friday morning before work, Jeff informed me that today he would be taking me on a lunch date. Around 1:00 pm, I met him at our normal lunch date spot. Shortly after we sat down, he passed a card across the table for me to read. In the card he had written a lovely note, including the following details:

* I would not be returning to work that day (he had made arrangements with my boss)
* We would be spending the weekend in Santa Cruz
* Aiden was taken care of
* We would leave as soon as I had my bag packed
* Happy 2nd Anniversary!!

I cried. You see, I had had a minor melt down in my closet that morning (pregnancy related I'm sure) and this was just what I needed.

The weekend couldn't have been better. We didn't look at a watch the whole time. On Friday when we got there, we checked into our hotel (2 blocks from the beach) and walked dowtown for dinner. Then on Saturday, we slept in, walked downtown for coffee, ate lunch on the boardwalk, walked on the beach, did some shopping, and then had dinner that night. Sunday, we really slept in (9 a.m.), I ate breakfast Cheetos in bed while watching TV (pregnancy thing), checked out of the hotel and drove up the coast to Half Moon Bay, where we ate lunch in the harbor. We were home by 4:00 to spend some time with Aiden before another work week was here. It was heaven....

I haven't felt that relaxed in a long time. Thanks babe you are wonderful.

sixteen and a half months

Dear Aiden,

Where has the time gone?! Before I know it, you will have already been with us for a year and a half! This weekend I will start going through all of your baby clothes to see what we can use for your little sister. It's hard to believe that you can no longer fit into the newborn clothes that were HUGE on you when we brought you home from the hospital. You are going to be such a good big brother. You are a funny boy - last night when we were playing with your stuffed puppy; giving kisses and rocking him, the minute I started singing "rock-a-bye-baby" to him, you immediately grabbed him, threw him on the floor, jumped into my arms and laid your head on my shoulder. You need to know you will always be my little man and my special gift from God. Your huge blue eyes are always full of joy.  You are a complete attention monger, yet set in your ways…you are the best and worst of your daddy and I combined, but somehow in you, it becomes perfection.

I love that you and daddy got to bond while I was out of town last weekend. Just watching your blossoming relationship makes my heart so happy. I listened to you guys making each other laugh this morning during your normal routine of making Eggos in the kitchen. Aiden, I hope you know what an incredible father that you have, and I pray that you mold your own life after the example that he sets.

P.S. I love this photo of you smiling in the sun. You normally always try to give me your serious "camera face" when I am taking pictures.

I love you with all my heart,

Mama

Double Digits.

So, per my due date, I only have 99 more days left.....technically however, since I will be having another c-section, it will really be more like 92 days. Most would celebrate this "short" distance, but as of late, the front part of my pelvis has really started to feel like it wants to crack. Oh, and with the uncontrollable heartburn, the perpetually stiff upper back, the dropping foot arches and some serious trouble sleeping....I'm amazing, really (and those are only symptoms I feel comfortable telling you about). Oh, and Jeff is especially thrilled that the snoring has commenced once again.

Doesn't really make those 92 days go by fast enough. I'll admit, I never understood (and kind of judged) when some women complained so much about the "typical" pregnancy pains UNTIL I was experiencing all of these in addition to a very active toddler. I don't like to complain, but I'm going to complain now, knowing all this will never even cross my mind again once she is here. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my life, but I need a nap and some patience.

Happy Tuesday!