Double Digits

99 days to go, as of today. Probably less than that since there's no way I can carry around another 8+ lb baby. Ugh.

Snow Day :)

Perhaps Mother Nature reads my blog? The original storm that was supposed to bring snow turned into rain on Wednesday morning but then another storm appeared out of nowhere! We had a delay Wednesday morning but it started snowing later in the afternoon as we scrambled to dismiss the kids. By the time I left at 4:00 the roads were AWFUL...I drove white-knuckled to pick up Audrey, then drove way below the speed limit on the way home. I've never driven in such terrible conditions but luckily we made it home safely. I've been reading commuter nightmare stories on WTOP.com. People up north had it so bad, I just can't believe some of the horror stories! You can read a few of them yourself here.

We ended up getting around 3-4 inches here. We had a wonderful day at home...I was more than happy be with Audrey. We went outside for a little bit and made a bunch of little snowballs. She didn't want to ride on her sled or even walk around. Oh, and she ate pears for the first time today....pretty big deal :)

Luckily our teacher workday is still on for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a full day of working in my classroom. Usually we're stuck going to meetings and professional development classes. I have a long list of things to do and I'm hoping to leave tomorrow with everything checked off!


Photo courtesy of Stacy Hart Photography

Edit 1/28/10: I got to work this morning as it began snowing, only to see fellow teachers slipping and falling! I was super careful & only ended up staying for about 30 minutes, until they canceled the workday (20 minutes before everyone was supposed to arrive!) Two custodians walked me back out to my car and luckily the drive back home was fine.

Things I Don't Want to Forget, and other Monday randomness

I've got the winter blues! Part of it is hormones, I know. But I also keep aching for a snow day (I know, I know...we had one last week!) The weather keeps messing with me, giving me hopes for snow and then it misses us each and every time. It's not that I need a break, it's not that I dislike my job, it's not that I'm terribly uncomfortable...I just ache for more time with Audrey. I simply can't get enough of her. So when there's a glimmer of hope that a snow day is coming and then it gets taken away I get pretty bummed. Oh well...the 19 other kids in my life do a fine job in making it all better!

I've also been stressing about all the changes coming up. It's hitting me like a ton of bricks and I'm worrying about everything! Taking maternity leave so close to the end of the year, taking care of a newborn, toddler, and myself. I keep flashing back to those early days of sleeping on the couch, trying to pump around the clock and keep up my supply for Audrey, bottles & dishes piling up, crying for no reason (me AND her!) and just the general crapfest that was our lives for such a long time. I'm hoping I get over this rut soon...it's starting to wear me down.

Anyways, enough negative. There are a few things I am loving right now, that I never want to forget:

-How easy Audrey is...she's just amazingly happy and wonderful. Her daily routine is fantastic. I love that at the end of the day we can put her in bed and she's done. She loves going out to stores and restaurants and she is so GOOD! She wants to chat with everyone and point things out. I know this can change so I'm writing it down now and relishing these days!

-Story time! Oh, how she loves to read. We keep books all over the house. She gets a book, brings it over and sits in our laps. We read the book (she's gotten so good at filling in the blanks and talking about the pictures.) And then, oh my, this is adorable...she says, "Anudda book?" HAHA! Off she goes to get another book and it starts all over again. The look on her face as she's running over to hand me a book is priceless!

-She is eating chicken again! This is MAJOR because she hasn't eaten chciken in over 6 months. Tonight she kept asking for more.

-She pretends to "eat." When we're reading a book that has food on the page she pretends like she's scarfing it down, "Yumyumyumyum..." We were passing the bakery in Giant today and she yelled, "CAKE!" She leaned over and pretended to eat it. I laughed so hard.



I love this girl so much...makes everyday so much brighter and helps kick the winter/pregnancy blues.

Check-ups

All is well with Audrey, myself and Baby Burns. We had Audrey's 2 year check up at 9:30 this morning and the office was so busy, we were there for nearly 2 hours! She weighs 27 lbs and is 34 in inches tall. They're not at all worried about her diet...she'll eat what she likes and as long as she growing and developing (and we keep offering) there are no problems. She had blood drawn and she's slightly anemic. We'll either be giving her iron drops or giving her a vitamin with added iron. They also tested her cholesterol and apparently it's a bit high. It's hereditary, so they test all kids at age 2. Nothing to worry about, but something to keep an eye on. She only needed one shot today (Hep A.) She left all sorts of happy with a lollipop and Bugs Bunny sticker.

My dr appt was scheduled at 10:30, but we didn't get there until after 11:30...luckily they could fit me in. We waited forever and I have to say, Audrey is the best company! She's just so cheerful and talkative and so interested in everything. She listened to the baby's heartbeat and when the dr finished measuring my belly she said, "All done, Momma!" I'm apparently starting to measure big and I weighed in at 139 (total of 11 lbs gained so far.) Dr. K mentioned that we'll do a sonogram about a month before the due date and if the baby looks big (like Audrey did) he'll want to strip my membranes and get things started. I secretly said a few curse words but agreed. Maybe by the time May rolls around I'll be ready, but I am just so fine with staying pregnant for as long possible! I scheduled my next appt for Feb 21st since I'm off for the holiday (GD test.) Note to self: skip the Pop Tarts for breakfast that morning.

I woke up with severe pain in my ribs early this morning. It stayed around most of the morning and when I mentioned it to my dr he confirmed it was my ribs expanding. But when I mentioned that it spread to my chest and shoulder he said it was more than likely heart burn or acid reflux. Time to get some Zantac.

Audrey had a great time at dance on Saturday. New things she does: puts her hand on her hips and bends her knees up and down (as she says, "Up and Doooown"), jumping off the mat and rolling on the floor, and flamingo stands. I love taking the class with her. She's so fun to watch and she's learned so much! She also loves to sing and clearly has a new favorite song...



Hard to believe January is halfway over!

Things I Don't Want to Forget

-When I explain something to Audrey or I give her directions she now says, "Okaaaay, Mommy!"

-I sing the ABCs and stop at certain letters...she fills them in!

-I ask if she wants to feel the baby...she'll put her head against my belly and I'll push my belly out. She says, "Again?!"

-The way she says, "BIIIIIIG SISTERRRRRR!"

Snow Day...with no snow!

Over the weekend I had high hopes as I stalked the weather forecast...Not one, but TWO storms were going to come together and give us 1-3 inches of snow! But on Monday afternoon I felt like a deflated balloon when I heard that one storm moved out to sea. I was still hopeful though! I continued to follow the forecast but was sad to see that the snow totals kept dropping...and then finally it was down to just sleet and ice. We were released 2 hours early on Tuesday because it was supposed to begin in the afternoon. I was totally shocked to see that we were closed on Wednesday! I thought maybe we'd have a delay at most...but of course I'll take it!

Now we have a 3-day weekend and I'm so happy. I took a 23 week belly picture last weekend but I swear this week alone my belly has doubled in size! Last night as I lay on my side the baby was doing some serious moving. We were pretty excited :)


23 weeks

My 24 week appt is Monday, as well as Audrey's 2 year check up. Hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday weekend!

Things I Don't Want to Forget...first installment

I'm starting a new series of posts. I've been inspired by my blogger friend Shannonlea, fabulous mom to adorable twins Josh and Emma. Every Thursday she posts about things she wants to remember. I'm not committing myself to a weekly schedule, but I love the idea of taking time to write down all the things I want to remember, big or small...after all, that's what this blog is for! Here goes...

I never want to forget Audrey's newest craze....the shower! One day last week I had just stepped in. She immediately dropped the toy she was holding (the toy I purposely brought in to keep her occupied) and said, "In there?" I figured, why not? I stripped her down and she stepped right in. She loved it! I was able to shower and keep an eye on her at the same time. She really just likes to stand there and get wet (and play with the sponges!) She'll ask to be picked up and I put her right under the spray. As soon as I turn the water off she says, "More?"

I never want to forget our newest bedtime ritual...kisses through the crib slats. I kneel down and she gives me a kiss. Then she moves over to the very next slat and says, "Over here?" and we kiss again. It continues until we get all the way down to the end...then we say, "Yaaaaay!" and high-five. Perfect ending to my day? Definitely!

And for Baby Burns...I never want to forget what it feels like to watch him or her dance around in my belly. I've been feeling kicks for awhile, but to actually *see* my belly move is simply amazing. I wish I could hold that little hand (or foot!) and give it a million kisses. I love you so much, baby!

Thanks Shannon for the great idea. I'm looking forward to keeping up with these posts :)

Back to the daily grind!

What a nice break this has been...hanging out with Audrey every day, getting things done around the house, even preparing a little here and there for Baby Burns. The only downside is that we've been under the weather for most of it...stuffiness, sore throats, headaches...and poor Audrey has an eye infection. It started in her right eye and has moved to her left. The pedi gave us an ointment and it seems to be clearing it up (hopefully in time for her birthday party on Saturday!)

The Christmas decorations are put away and it was bittersweet...by the time we put them up again we'll have a 7 month old AND a 3 year old! I'm feeling great (22 weeks) but when I stand for too long or move around too much I have major pain in my lower back. Other than that pregnancy is awesome :)

We had some snow the day after Christmas. It's all gone now, but I'm really hoping for more soon, I can't get enough time with my girl!


All bundled up...her snowsuit from last year fits perfectly even though it's 12 months! Also, notice the Mickey & Minnie in her hands :)






Uncle Craig got her a sled for Christmas...she loves it so much! After I pull her through the yard she says, "Again?" LOL



I've enjoyed the break but I'm ready to get back into our routine and I can't wait to see my kids! Dance starts again- she's perfected her "princess turns" and "alligator kicks" over the break. I'm very curious to see if she actually does them in class :) We'll be busy this week preparing for her little party and getting back into a good routine. Happy New Year!