Monday, July 25, 2011

Swimming, swimming, in the swimming pool!

Like I've said before, it's been hot here in Michigan and I've been trying to find ways to keep Autumn entertained while inside. However, it's starting to not be so hot outside anymore. So we filled up Autumn's pool. I didn't want her hanging out in the sun (I didn't feel like putting sunscreen on her at the moment), although, being in the sun might have been a better idea. Poor girl was shivering so much and her lips turned purple. We had to force her out of the pool! Haha. She did enjoy herself thoroughly and especially since daddy was in the pool with her!!! I'm so glad I grabbed my camera because I sure did get some special moments between those two. Autumn's favorite part about the pool with daddy? Sliding down his legs like a slide. You'll see that in one of the pictures. She kept doing it over and over again. Definitely need to get her a slide soon.










Friday, July 22, 2011

Coloring

I've been trying to come up with creative ideas to keep Autumn entertained during the day (since it's been too hot outside). One thing that never gets old... coloring. Even I love to color! Now, I haven't been able to finish any page that I start because Autumn takes it over, but that's just the fun of it :-)

One thing that I've been enjoying when it comes to coloring is drawing shapes and having Autumn recognize them. She already knows triangles, circles, squares and even a hexagon (thanks to my mom, hehe). I started working on numbers, she knows what they are but doesn't know which is which yet. But just the fact that I even draw a number and she knows what it could be is awesome. Thinking about making some flash cards and working on letters with her as well.

I also found a book (not sure where I got it from) with 365 ways to keep your toddler busy (The Busy Book). Definitely going to be opening that up today!






Libby is starting to look better.

This is what Lou thinks about coloring.

Libby is curious with what Autumn's doing.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

The countdown begins...

Had my last "monthly" OB appointment today. Now I start going every 2 weeks until September. Ugh, that's just going to make these next couple of months fly by that much faster :-/ I feel so unprepared for Kaelyn's arrival. I know I have 9 weeks left (give or take) but it feels like there's not enough time. Sigh. I just wish I could snap my fingers and her room would be ready. That's all.

Today's appointment was definitely a little more exciting than other appointments. This is the first time that my uterus wasn't measuring like it's "supposed" to be. I was measuring at 29 inches (or weeks) when I'm actually 31. My doctor said that they usually like you to be within a couple of inches; but if that doesn't change by my next appointment, then she's going to order an ultra sound to make sure that everything's ok in there. Goodness :-P

My doctor also took a look over the rest of my charts just to see what else was in there and she noticed the notes about my Mitral Valve Prolapse (or MVP). For those of you who don't know what this is, feel free to check out this website to kind of get some background information on it. But basically this is important because I had to have antibiotics while I was in labor (just before delivery) and anytime I go to the dentist or surgery. Well, apparently my doctor's think that things have changed and that they don't require that anymore. And since it's been almost 10 years since my last appointment with the cardiologist, she figured that I should have it checked out and see what the recommendations are for the remainder of my pregnancy (and future ones). So now I have to go to the cardiologist in a couple of weeks. I know I still have MVP, I can feel it often. I'm just curious if they're gonna make me have antibiotics still or not...

Everything else is looking good. I got recommended to take Tums twice a day to help with my Restless Leg Syndrome (which is worse this pregnancy) and that doesn't bother me any because I have horrible heartburn as well. Oh the things we go through to have beautiful children :-) Enjoy my survery!

How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Gained only 17 lbs so far. Woo hoo!
Maternity clothes? Is there anything else to wear? :-P
Stretch marks? Getting new ones... Around my previous belly button piercing... Now why did I get that again?!
Sleep: I'm definitely sleeping better this pregnancy (thanks to our tempurpedic bed), I am starting to wake up to use the bathroom more often though... Sigh.
Best moment this week: I always enjoy watching Kaelyn move. She's crazy in there!
Movement: Anytime I sit down, even for mere minutes, she's moving. Which is definitely reassuring to me. However, sometimes a little uncomfortable (tap dancing on my bladder).
Food cravings: Cool Ranch Doritos!
Gender: It's a girl!!!
Labor Signs: N/A
Belly Button in or out? Yup, it's an outie.
What I miss: Being able to fall asleep right away. My restless leg syndrome is worse this pregnancy :-(
What I am looking forward to: Finishing Kaelyn's room!!!
Weekly Wisdom: God is in control. I have to put my faith in this pregnancy in Him and trust that it's in His will.
Milestones: Reached the single digits for how many weeks are left in this pregnancy. Yikes!
Realization of the week: My next appointment is in August... I'm due in September... I NEED TO FINISH KAELYN'S ROOM!!!!!!! :-P

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Rain Rain, Go Away

I am so blessed to have a grandmother that lives close by. Or should I say that I moved close to my grandmother. Hehe. She's so incredibly helpful when it comes to watching Autumn. She absolutely enjoys having Autumn around and always tells Autumn to come back again soon (whenever we leave).

Today I had my grandma watch Autumn while I took our kitties to the vet (follow up appointment and first round of shots). After picking Autumn up from my grandma's she starting saying "chugga chugga, choo choo!" So I asked her if it was a train and she said "from Dora" Hehe. Autumn absolutely loves Dora :-) Then later at lunch time Autumn starting singing "eain rain, go away", then I would say "xome again some other day" and she shouted "YAY!". Haha. So I had to call my grandma to see what was going on at her house this morning... Apparently, the episode of Dora that Autumn watched was about trains and then Sesame Street was about a rain cloud inside the house. Haha, I love it. My grandma was shocked that Autumn was even paying attention and caught on to something like that. She's so smart.

It's been hot here in Michigan. I am so incredibly grateful for my handy husband who fixed our air conditioner last week. I would definitely be spending the week at my parent's if we didn't have air. However, Autumn was getting a little anxious and naughty being cooped up inside a lot lately. So after dinner we went outside to water the flowers. Autumn immediately found the large mound of dirt we have in our yard and started playing in it. Not a big deal, until she ran into the water I was using. Mud everywhere! She wasn't a fan (I have a girly girl on my hands here) and asked me to wash her off. We then spent the next half hour running around the yard and getting Autumn wet with the hose. She loved it! I wish I could have taken pictures. However, Jordan is in Pennsylvania for the week and I wasn't about to use my camera and the hose at the same time :-P So just imagine Autumn, diaper only, soaking wet and muddy while finding all the dirt spots she can and attempting to put it on mommy. (PS - Autumn passed out in bed at 7:30. Hasn't moved an inch since...)

One stage that I haven't been looking forward to is the "Terrible Twos". We officially have begun that stage in Autumn's life. There's been times where it's definitely entertaining to watch Autumn act the way she does. Mostly because it's how I act sometimes. Other times I just want to put an ad on craigslist for "Free Cranky Child" (totally kidding). It hits her the hardest when she's tired or when it involves the kitties. She just wants to love them, a little too much. She is getting better and I find that I'm telling her less and less to be careful around them. Expect... when she's tired. I pray that this stage doesn't last long, even though I do understand why they go through it. It's just been hard since Jordan won't be home til Friday evening or Saturday afternoon. I'm definitely grateful for a husband who is willing to help me out with Autumn in the evening and give me time to breathe. I am definitely not cut out to be a single mom :-)

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Are we crazy?

Yes, we probably are crazy! But that's what makes life interesting :-) Jordan and I agreed that we weren't going to get another dog. A difficult decision, but we're happy with it. What does that say about cats?

Jordan and I aren't HUGE cat fans, but we do like them (me more than Jordan). Jordan's grown up with cats and I had 1 that I had to give away (she didn't agree with my parent's dog when I moved back home). One of my best friends (Jen) ended up getting 2 kitties as "outdoor" cats to help with their snake problem (she lives in Myrtle Beach). Jordan and I have been following her kitty journey, somewhat interested, and intrigued. Jordan, however, was fascinated with their kitty "observation area" that Jen's husband, Cavan, ended up building for them (check out her blog here to see what Cavan built). Did that mean he asked for us to have kittens? No. He just liked what Cavan did to their house :-)

A couple of days later a friend of mine texted me and said that someone had dropped off a box of 4 kittens and was curious if I knew anybody that wanted one. I figured, why not ask Jordan, just see what he says. I was a little surprised by his response... He asked what they looked like... He then looked at the picture I was given and said "I like the one on the left." Haha. I told him 1) if we get a kitten, I absolutely cannot change the liter box (he agreed) and 2) if we get one kitten, we're getting two. So they have each other to play with. He again, agreed. He said that kittens/cats are easier to take care of than dogs and he didn't mind having his own.

Again, Jordan grew up with cats, but they were never really "his" cats. The cats always seemed to attach themselves to Jordan's mom and ended up hating him in the end. I'm hoping that it'll be a different situation here, since I'm not a "cat whisperer" like Jordan's mom is. Hehe.

So here we are. Our family of 4 quickly turned into a family of 6. We are thoroughly enjoying our little kitties. I took them to the vet to get a checkup and they're in relatively good shape (for being drop-offs). Just a little bacteria in their eyes that will go away with antibiotics and eye drops. A little deworming and back next week for their first shots. We're not 100% sure how old they are, but the vet and I agreed to go with 9 weeks.

Autumn is doing pretty well with the kitties. She's rough on them, poor things. We constantly have to remind her not to pick them up, throw them, kick them or sit on them. Haha. But she's learning and I have to remind her less and less as the days pass on. She sure loves her kitties though!

Jade is adjusting better than we thought. She was definitely super excited when we first introduced them. Lou (our male, tiger kitty) was afraid of Jade and would hiss at her. Now he doesn't mind Jade as much. Libby (our female, calico kitty) could care less. She's definitely our curious and rambunctious one of the two.

"Lou"

"Libby"




Autumn does not like the kitties on her chair
(which is fine by me).


PS ~ Jordan already has a "cat condo" plan in his head for around our window... Hehe :-)

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Washing and Brushing

I am absolutely loving this stage of Autumn's life right now. Yes, it can be a little difficult at times. She is starting to learn that she can push our patience if she wants to. However, just the fact that's she's constantly talking. Putting long sentences together. Understanding conversations between her and myself. It's amazing!

I started encouraging Autumn's independence and control. In the morning I'll ask her what she wants to eat for breakfast and give her 2 options. She usually repeats back both of them. However, I keep repeating them back until she gets really excited about one over the other. The look in her eyes when she actually gets what she "asked" for is amazing. Makes me smile :-) I also have her "pick our her clothes" as well. Same thing, give her a couple of options and she chooses out of those what she wants to wear. She even tries to put the clothes on herself. It's hilarious to watch. She usually ends up getting frustrated and I'll show her how in the end.

Speaking of frustration. It's amazing how you really have to watch what you say around Autumn. I'm really great at not swearing around her. I cut that out when I found out I was pregnant with her. No way I wanted her to learn those words (at an early age, she's gonna find out sooner or later). However, there is one phrase that she caught onto very quickly and it cracks me up... GOOD GRIEF!!! Hahaha. I noticed that about a week ago. She was trying to put on one of her shoes, it didn't work, so she threw her shoe down and said "good grief!" I had to walk away and laugh because it was just too cute coming out of her quiet little voice. So now she says it whenever something doesn't go her way.

Autumn has also become obsessed with washing her hands. Not that I don't mind. Just starting to get a little harder for me to hold Autumn up to the sink everything we need to wash them. I don't let her wash her hands everytime. Otherwise she'd never leave the sink. I even thought about getting her a step stool for our upstairs bathroom. Again, she would never leave the sink. However, her little potty turns into a step stool, so I turned it over for her one day and let her brush her teeth and wash her hands. Guess what? She didn't want to leave the sink. I had to pull her away, crying, or our water bill would be through the roof! She had fun and I enjoy taking some cute pictures.





Put some product in Autumn's hair to "enhance" her curl :-)

Quick Note

I just realized that I never updated about the dog situation at hand. After some much consideration, Jordan and I agreed to not bring another dog into our home. As much as we would had LOVED to bring Kitara (that was her name) into our house, just the thought of another dog to feed, to pick up poop after, to retrain, gave me a head ache.

In all honestly, we're spoiled by Jade. She sits outside nicely with us in the front yard when we're working on it. I can't tell you how many times people have walked by with their dogs and were in shock that Jade wouldn't even get up or chase them. I love that we are able to do that. Jade is EXCELLENT with Autumn. I don't have to worry about her biting or knocking Autumn over. She's careful around Autumn. Doesn't bite her hand if Autumn is waving food in front of her face. Doesn't growl at Autumn if she thinks it's funny to jump on Jade's back over and over again (poor Jade, lol). Also, bringing a newborn into our home this fall does not make me nervous, what-so-ever. Not to mention that Jade's on a diet and is losing weight, so that's less dog food that I have to feed her (plus I started her on a different dog food which she actually eats less of than the Iams I was feeding her before). Also, Jade and I have been taking regular walks almost every night to help her lose weight and keep me from getting fat. Ha! Not to mention the walks are beyond, beyond excellent for my Restless Leg Syndrome.

So, in conclusion, even though we wanted Kitara, so so badly, this just isn't the time for us. We're happy with Jade and after going through 3 other dogs (that didn't end well), we're just not up for another disappointment. And Jade definitely hasn't disappointed us :)