Happy Valentines Day!

I have ALWAYS liked Valentines Day. Even as a child! My mom would always do a little something special for every holiday. So, I will continue this tradition with my family. I will always make cards, and give small thoughtful gifts to the ones I love. That's what my mom did, and I always looked forward to the goodies, and it's what my children will look forward to as well... and of course I do something special for my husband as well.

Today/Tonight will be a mellow night at home, and then Grant is setting something special up for Saturday night. Date night. :)

Make sure you tell your loved ones that you love them. Tomorrow is not promised. Happy Valentines Day friends!

Look at where Jake was just last year. What a difference a year makes. How fast they grow! Maybe by St. Patricks Day we will have our second son!? EXCITED!!

34 weeks - Doctor Blogging.

Today, I went to my every 2 week appointment. Everything looks good. Blood pressure is good, I haven't become swollen yet, and overall feeling pretty good. The downside of pregnancy for me is definitely the heartburn. I have it pretty much all day. I refuse to take anything but Tums. I only have a few weeks left, right? I've made it this far... I can do it! ;)

My belly is starting to feel really heavy, and I starting to actually sit and rest here and there through out the day. I'm not a napper, but I took my first nap during this pregnancy this week. Yesterday, Jake took a 2 1/2 hour nap, and for about 45 minutes after I cleaned the house and got cleaned up, I shut my eyes. It was so nice! I was so refreshed when I woke up. Jake's naps are from about 11/11:30am to about 1:30/2pm. So, I manage to get lots done during that time. I can accomplish most things when he's awake, but I like to spend that time with him instead of cleaning or prepping for other things. I think going forward I will take some of that time to sit and rest.

My doctor checked to see if I was dilated or effaced today. I was complaining a little about the pressure so she wanted to check it out. Sure enough I'm about 20/30% effaced. No dilation. Head is really low, in fact she could actually feel his head! This is still VERY early. My pregnancy with Jake was the same way. If I continue to progress the chances of a successful VBAC are much greater! They don't induce and they rarely let you go past your due date. I went into labor at 38.6 weeks with Jake... The day before my c section. :)

In 2 weeks I go to see the Ultrasound Tech that specializes in the babies measurements. We need to start monitoring how big he is or how big he is getting. Today I was back to 34 weeks pregnant. 2 weeks ago I was measuring 2 weeks ahead. So, this will be the most accurate way of finding out. The next day I will see my regular doctor to go over the size and do my 36 week check up. After that... I go weekly! 

CRUNCH TIME! I can't believe I've made it to the home stretch. I'm so thankful for all of my good friends, and family that have supported, and encouraged me during these times. Grant has been amazing, and I'm so happy to have a husband that is so hands on. Jake has been the most wonderful little man loving on me and making me smile all day long. Seeing his smile and his laughter makes me want more of these blessings! I'm so happy and fortunate to be able to add another family member to this growing family Grant and I are creating.

Here is what I'm looking like these days:

Backyard fun with Daddy!

It's been such a beautiful day out! When Grant got home from work today, we went outside and played with Jake. Jake loves to play on the slide. I unfortunately can't pick him up high enough to put on the slide anymore. It was so fun to goof around and play outside with the music on.

I just wanted to share a little video from today. Jake went down the slide and landed on his feet! It was really cool... if I do say so myself! My big boy! I can't wait until our next little man joins us with our family fun!

Tonight Grant and I are going on a date. Much needed dinner and alone time. I'm excited. :)

Have a great weekend!

Nesting Phase?

It's hard to tell if I'm nesting or if it's just the neat freak in me moving things around? Anyhoo, I decided to make a list of things I want to get done before the baby is born.

1. Finally turn my blog into Jake's baby book (from pregnancy to his 12 month birthday). I will make the decision tonight on which website to guide me. Any suggestions on finished products, leave a comment.
2. I want to learn how to sew. I mean seriously, how hard can it be? I want to make my own burp clothes, blankets, etc. Guess I need to start with a sewing machine. Might have to turn to my friend Terra to make baby #2 his things until I can figure this one out. ;)
3. Finish making Baby #2's nursery mobile. I decided to make it out of tissue poms and paper lanterns.
4. Wash all of baby #2's things. Probably start this when I'm 36 weeks. (in 3 weeks).
5. Pack my bag like I'm having a c section... just in case. Probably at 36 weeks.
6. Have big brother/little brother shirts made.
7. Fully put together Baby #2's room. Currently waiting on his bedding and mattress.
8. Finalize my mother's flight. Going to book her like I'm having a c section for March 18th... see what happens, I can always change it.
9. Start baby #2's baby book. Just like I did with Jake. Then all I had to do is place articles and pictures on it.
10. Get a new bassinet. I love the one from Pottery Barn.

Well, that's all I can think of as of now. Since these boys will be close in age, I'm able to utilize some of the same things... this makes life so much easier! A great thing having kids close in age. ;)

I'll be updating this list.

17 months old.

Jake's almost a year and a half! He's my big boy now. I miss those babies stages. Actually, every stage has truly been great. I love seeing this little guy grow, and I do have a hard time seeing him grow up. He's so amazing to me. I have been lucky enough to be home with him everyday and see him grow from a baby to a toddler. And soon I'll get to see Jake be the best big brother to his little brother.

He's so funny. He's a little character. A few things this little guy is up is:

1. If I say, "no, no, no", Jake will respond with a big smile (and pointing his finger like me), "nah, nah, nah".

2. He LOVES his puzzles. He figures them out so quickly. Then depending what kind of puzzle it is he'll point to things and say there names. For example, he has a car/truck puzzle, so he's constantly pointing and saying car!

3. He has 10 teeth that I can see. He hasn't cried much or complained about teething. I haven't given him any kind of medicine for teething either.

4. We are moving away from the bottle. In the morning he likes his "baba", so we are working on just sippy cups. 

5. He loves "wa wa (water)! He likes juice too, but I rarely give it to him (probably a few times a week). I mainly give him water, and milk.

6. He's still in size 5 diapers. 

7. He wears 3T clothing.

8. His shoe size is a 7.

9. He's napping mainly once a day. Around 11am until about 12:30/1pm. He's not much of a napper. He does sleep from 7pm until 6:30/7am.

10. He loves to run outside, play with the dog, play basketball, and he even likes to color. 

11. His favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grilled cheese, potato pie (or Shepard's pie),  any kind of rice, peas, chicken, turkey meatloaf, etc. He's a pretty good eater.

12. He drinks water, milk, apple juice, orange juice, and a little cranberry.

13. One of my favorite things he does (and he has for awhile now), is if he does something good he'll say, "DID IT" super loud! And he'll either clap for himself or put his arms in the air! 

Those are just a few things. Thought I should maintain my blogging for reference with baby #2. Hope you all have a good day!

What's in my tummy?

I'm not 100% sure what Jake makes of my tummy. He doesn't even notice it really. Lately, we've been talking about it a lot. I say, "Jake, look at mommy's tummy, there's a baby in there", and then he rubs it. So sweet. Today, I said, "Jake, there's a baby in my tummy", he walked over to me, climbed in my lap, and hugged it. Then he gave me a kiss! I know... cuteness.

I had my cell phone right next to me, so I was able to capture the moment. He is such a sweet little one. He'll either be 17 or 18 months old depending on when the baby is born. I just feel so lucky to be having another little boy. Jake makes me so happy, and I know that this new little munchkin is going to make me over the moon too. It's going to be so cool seeing these boys grow up together! Playing sports, getting into things, growing bigger than me, accomplishing so much, and spoiling their mommy. ;) Also, seeing them play with all their boy cousins is going to be neat too (3 other boys, plus my 2!). Total of 5 Stones/Badanes!

Here is another picture of Jake rubbing my tummy. :) 

LIFE IS GOOD.

33rd week update.

HEARTBURN! That is the only down fall with pregnancy for me. I have it in the morning, afternoon, and at night. I take the max on the Tums... Smoothly Tums is what I prefer! ;) Other than that, pregnancy is relatively easy.

It's funny when I think how different things were with Jake verses baby #2. With Jake I could nap, relax, exercise when I wanted to, run errands, etc. With this little munchkin, I'm on the go! Chasing and playing with Jake, and keeping up with everything else. This pregnancy seems to have flown by. I love being pregnant. It's just easier when you don't have a 16 month old in tow. We might have one more little one (if we are fortunate enough), but I will wait until Jake is in school. I can't have 3 in diapers! Can you imagine?

This morning has been amazing. Grant and I usually attend Saddleback Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, but with the 1 hour drive (each way), and Jake, we haven't been attending regularly. We'll watch the service live on our computer though. Today, Grant got up and said... we are going to church. We're going to SeaCoast Grace (were we got baptized), and Jake will go into the kiddie program for an hour. I started to protest, and then I realized... It was time. We need to get back on track. Jake is 16 months, and we have another little one almost here. SeaCoast Grace is close and we should go.

Jake hit the door and went straight in.... didn't even look back for us (or me for that matter)! We went in for the service and I felt awesome! The music and the message where just what I needed today. I'm so thankful that Grant made that decision. I'm so thankful for my life, my family, and for Jesus. Life is so good... And taking communion was amazing. I started getting teary eyed. Thankful for God giving us his only son, and for the path of forgiveness and everlasting life. The most amazing gift. I'm proud to be a Christian woman, and can't wait for Jake to really start understanding how fortunate we are.

Jake got home and is napping (hence my blogging), and when he gets up we are going to go to lunch, the park, and then come home and paint and play in the backyard.

Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!