So now that the word is out, I figure I should make the official blog post. We're expecting Baby #2 in December! My actual due date is Christmas, believe it or not, but since we use NFP and I know dates of everything...my prediction is December 30th. In any case, the timing for us is exactly what we wanted. My company has a Holiday Shutdown from Dec. 24th - Jan. 3rd and Bill has Winter Break. This means I won't be working on my due date, like I was with Justin (miserable!), and Bill will be home to help me out. However, I'm sure as the baby grows up he/she won't appreciate having a birthday around the holidays. Maybe we'll celebrate the half birthday in July, so we can split up the presents. We're still trying to figure out a good code name for this one. Justin was "Minkus" from "Boy Meets World", a show we watched growing up. Maybe this one could be "Topanga"? Or maybe that's too girly.
I've been amazed at how much quicker I started showing this time around. Yep, I'm already working on quite the gut, even though I've only gained 2 lbs. in this 1st trimester. Guess Justin did a number on my stomach muscles. :-) I've also been a lot sicker, but that's fine. It's a "nice" reminder of the baby's presence. Justin has also noticed my growing belly and is constantly trying to lift up my shirt to touch my belly button. This doesn't go over so well in church. I am slightly concerned about how he will react to a sibling. I think he'll be incredibly jealous, but this will be good for him. I know how much he loves playing with the other kids at daycare, so I'm hoping he'll adjust well and enjoy the built-in playmate once the baby becomes interactive.
In any case, we're super excited and I know this pregnancy will go by MUCH faster now that I'm busy/distracted with my highly energetic toddler.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
It's Possible!
I've been meaning to get this post together for a couple months now, but life's been busy. Basically, I wanted to offer support to all other moms/future moms out there who will be working but want to breastfeed their babies. It is possible!!! I was able to nurse Justin for 13.5 months...no formula. Yes, it was a lot of work, yes my supply was in constant flux, and yes I had no idea what I was getting into. However, it was soooo worth it! If you ever need advice or just an ally to complain to, I'm here for you. :-) I've been there. I've had to leave important meetings early for "medical reasons" to go pump because I was in so much pain. I've made grown men blush when they would stop me in the hallway carrying my pump asking why women carry such large purses. I've had fights with TSA agents that were telling me I couldn't bring my breastmilk on an airplane without my baby present. And I've found out through lactation consultants, friends, co-workers, the internet, etc. what to do when I run into the various problems that arise.
I fully believe this will make a lasting difference in Justin's life. He will hopefully have less allergies, be less prone to weight problems, etc. Plus, as a working mom I always feel guilty that I'm not doing enough for him. I felt like nursing him was the one thing I had control over (of course supply was a different issue), and was glad to be able to do it. I really missed it when we stopped! But, I definitely don't miss the pumping. :-)
I fully believe this will make a lasting difference in Justin's life. He will hopefully have less allergies, be less prone to weight problems, etc. Plus, as a working mom I always feel guilty that I'm not doing enough for him. I felt like nursing him was the one thing I had control over (of course supply was a different issue), and was glad to be able to do it. I really missed it when we stopped! But, I definitely don't miss the pumping. :-)
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Baby Talk
It's so fun to watch Justin's knowledge of the world around him, and thus his vocabulary, grow. Here are his current words in their order of appearance.
1. Da Da/ Daddy
2. Hi (Justin loves waking Daddy up in the morning by swatting him and saying "HI, da-da, HI!!")
3. Uh-Oh (This started out as an "I accidentally dropped something" and has turned into an intentional throwing of things on the ground just for the opportunity to yell "uh-oh!". It was also funny when he first started using this word, since the emphasis was on the wrong syllable. Now he's got it right.)
4. Ma-Ma
5. Pretty (This started over Christmas when we would point to the Christmas lights calling them pretty. Now he points to anything that glows or is shiny and says "pretty." Bill is trying to get him to point at ladies instead. :-) )
6. Bye (Justin embarrassed a lady trying to sneak out of church early the other day. He softly said "bye" to her as she was slipping on her coat, and when she didn't say "bye" back he shouted it so the whole church could hear. Hilarious!)
7. Da (All animals right now are "da's")
8. Ba ("bath")
9. Buddy (Justin has started saying "Hi Buddy!" to Bill. SOOOOO adorable!)
10. Buh ("book")
11. Baw ("ball")
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 21st
So I'm a day late, but that is unfortunately because I didn't get home from work until super late last night and went straight to bed. But, yesterday was Justin's 1st birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART! Here is my prayer for you:
May you always know the depths to which you are loved.
May you see the dignity and worth in all human beings.
May you love the Lord your God with all that is in you, and follow Him all the days of your life.
May you be genuine, generous, compassionate, empathetic, gracious, and wise.
May you be blessed with good health and many, many days.
May you grow through all suffering, keeping things in perspective and giving thanks for what is good.
May you always light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.
And, may you always remember that the God who knit you together in my womb continues to DELIGHT in you!
Love,
Mom(my)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Noises
From baby babbling to actual words, Justin has become quite the talker! I love listening through the door when he wakes up in the morning and talks to all his stuffed animals. Here are the real words he says:
1) Daddy - This started as "DaDa" and was lingo for Bill or anything he touched (like his computer). Now, Justin will actually point to Bill or a picture of Bill and say "Daddy". So adorable!
2) Hi - Justin LOVES to say "hi" to very nice looking ladies at church, waitresses, me when I come home from work, or anyone who comes to get him from his crib. Sometimes "hi" is followed by a wave. Or, a swat, as in when I use Justin to wake up Daddy on the weekends. He will say "Hi Daddy, Hi!" and swat Bill until he gets out of bed. Very entertaining for me!
3) Uh-Oh - On our drive home from Pennsylvania over Christmas, I taught Justin the "uh-oh" game to entertain him for an hour. Basically, the game consists of me putting something in his hands, which he immediately throws on the floor, looks to see where it landed, and looks back and me and says "Uh-OH!" Hilarious, until we got home and he decided to play the game with his dinner.
On random occasions, I will catch him saying other words (or things that resemble real words), but not with any consistancy. Some of these are "tat" for "cat" and "all done" after finishing a meal. We're also doing baby sign language with him, and the only sign he does at the appropriate time is "all done." He can't quite do the 2-handed version, but will wave his hand in front of his plate when he is finished. This has been soooo helpful, and sometimes I'm surprised by how much or little he eats before letting us know he is done.
1) Daddy - This started as "DaDa" and was lingo for Bill or anything he touched (like his computer). Now, Justin will actually point to Bill or a picture of Bill and say "Daddy". So adorable!
2) Hi - Justin LOVES to say "hi" to very nice looking ladies at church, waitresses, me when I come home from work, or anyone who comes to get him from his crib. Sometimes "hi" is followed by a wave. Or, a swat, as in when I use Justin to wake up Daddy on the weekends. He will say "Hi Daddy, Hi!" and swat Bill until he gets out of bed. Very entertaining for me!
3) Uh-Oh - On our drive home from Pennsylvania over Christmas, I taught Justin the "uh-oh" game to entertain him for an hour. Basically, the game consists of me putting something in his hands, which he immediately throws on the floor, looks to see where it landed, and looks back and me and says "Uh-OH!" Hilarious, until we got home and he decided to play the game with his dinner.
On random occasions, I will catch him saying other words (or things that resemble real words), but not with any consistancy. Some of these are "tat" for "cat" and "all done" after finishing a meal. We're also doing baby sign language with him, and the only sign he does at the appropriate time is "all done." He can't quite do the 2-handed version, but will wave his hand in front of his plate when he is finished. This has been soooo helpful, and sometimes I'm surprised by how much or little he eats before letting us know he is done.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A Few Christmas Photos
We're home from another trip out east to celebrate Christmas with my extended family. Here are a couple photos...I'll try to post some more once we finish unpacking and I find the digital camera cord!
We had a nice trip, although Justin has turned into a Stage 5 clinger. If I'm out of the room, he is completely fine being with anyone else. But, as soon as he catches a glimpse of me, he will start whining and will not be satisfied until he is back in my arms. Although it's nice to feel special, I do hope he grows out of this soon!
It was so fun to see Christmas through his little eyes. He, of course, loves Christmas trees, lights, and ripping wrapping paper. One of the funniest events was Justin getting a sheep skin from my grandparents. This was a strange family tradition that I never really understood until now. As soon as he saw it, he started cooing, petting it, and rolling all over it. Hilarious! Bill and I determined it was like cat nip for babies. :-) He also started taking a few steps...so far he can do 3 in a row. But, who knows when this will turn into full-fledged walking. He had taken a step or two when he was 9 months old, and then seemed to forget it all until he reached 11 months. :-) We hope you all enjoyed the holidays and wish you all the best in 2009!
My Dad's Parents with Justin
We were able to spend some time catching up with friends Alison and Dominic in Cleveland on the way.
Justin Learns About Hanukkah
Justin likes Daddy's new glasses.
We had a nice trip, although Justin has turned into a Stage 5 clinger. If I'm out of the room, he is completely fine being with anyone else. But, as soon as he catches a glimpse of me, he will start whining and will not be satisfied until he is back in my arms. Although it's nice to feel special, I do hope he grows out of this soon!
It was so fun to see Christmas through his little eyes. He, of course, loves Christmas trees, lights, and ripping wrapping paper. One of the funniest events was Justin getting a sheep skin from my grandparents. This was a strange family tradition that I never really understood until now. As soon as he saw it, he started cooing, petting it, and rolling all over it. Hilarious! Bill and I determined it was like cat nip for babies. :-) He also started taking a few steps...so far he can do 3 in a row. But, who knows when this will turn into full-fledged walking. He had taken a step or two when he was 9 months old, and then seemed to forget it all until he reached 11 months. :-) We hope you all enjoyed the holidays and wish you all the best in 2009!
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