31 weeks and counting...

I figured it was time to update this blog since it's been almost two months... It's been pretty crazy around here: Zach is talking up a storm, and I have been on maternity leave since December 12.

My blood pressure forced me to start leave early, and now, I am on official bed rest: partial, I guess, since I can get out of bed. Just not much more. It's been less than a week, and already I feel trapped! I definitely hope this little boy comes early. I am going to go stir crazy in the meantime!!

We had a 4D ultrasound on December 13, and while our little guy didn't give us any full face shots, we did get several profile shots. I don't know how big he is, but my guess is that he is HUGE (that's based primarily on how I feel these days). He is rolling all over the place, kicking and wiggling...much more active than Zach was!


Insomnia set in when I started my leave, so that's been fun. I was getting maybe 3-4 hours of sleep a night. I don't know if it was discomfort and a racing mind. Either way, the doctor gave me some Ambien, and I am looking forward to some real sleep now.

Zach, on the other hand, is loving having Mommy at home. He definitely knows something is up as he is more clingy than ever...which is okay with me: he is a great snuggler! We gave him a train set for Hanukkah, and I don't know if he will even notice a new little brother now. If he is not playing with his trains, he is naming all of them at random times: during dinner, at 3am if he wakes up, first thing in the morning, in the car going anywhere...you get the picture!

He is still the sweetest little boy with the best smile. He is going to be a great big brother, and I am one lucky mom!

Then and Now...an update

Well, at 24 weeks, clearly I am carrying this little guy differently from the way I did Zach (current picture on the left). But that's not the only difference. I went for my checkup today to find out that I have gained only 16 pounds (no complaints there!). And I passed my glucose test, so no gestational diabetes. BUT my blood pressure is still entirely too high considering the amount of meds I'm taking. My doctor has added another medication to my roster with the possibility of seeing a specialist. She has decided to start seeing me every two weeks, even though that normally doesn't start until around 28 weeks. I mentioned that Christmas break isn't too far away (only about 29 working days), and she said that I will be lucky to make it that long. The baby is fine and will not come before the holidays, of course, but my BP is going to require bedrest SOON. I guess I better start tying up loose ends now...and then start looking forward to being home with my boys every day for a while!

Zach goes to the pumpkin patch

During my fall break, we decided to make the most of it by taking Zach to Cedar Hill Farms in Hernando. He LOVED it! He got to pet the animals (all of which he called "moo"), watch the pigs race, sit on a train and ring the bell, and run around in the pumpkins. We were all exhausted by the end of our trip, but our mission was accomplished: great pictures!

IT'S A BOY!!!!

We went to the doctor today to find out that we are having another boy! Once again, there is no question! What is it about my boys that they want to show their business?!?! Doc said that the body scan showed that he is perfect (of course), and he already weighs 13 ounces!!! Big boy!!

I have gained 10 pounds, and my blood pressure was great...today. Doc still wants me to stay home, but I'm winning that fight right now. This little guy will probably come early (earlier than Zach), but that's okay: we already know he's perfect!! And this one, at least for a moment, did smile for the camera!


Okay, so that's the good news... The discussion on my blood pressure really was a more serious one: Doc said that I am entering "specialist range" now and that I have three options: 1) continue to feel groggy and loopy on my current meds, 2) see a specialist to get on more meds, or 3) quit work. Hmmm....since the tree we planted with dollar bills in the back yard never grew, I guess I'm going to take option #1 for now. We'll just see how it goes...

He's upwardly mobile now...

Zach has been walking for several months now, and it seems that he has taken after his father and decided to move upward...He's a climber! Last week, I found him reading on the dining room table, and just Friday night, he climbed on the coffee table. I don't know how much higher I can go with some of our "needs to be out of reach items"!!

Then and now...

Well, we are now taking weekly belly pictures so Michael can make another amazing video of my pregnancy. You just can't look at these pictures without wondering about the way I was when I was pregnant with Zach. Here are some pictures to compare. The one on the left is when I was pregnant with Zach; the right is now. (and yes, I did look much better then...that's what I get for wanting to try a new haircut in January...) Michael says he can't tell a difference...I certainly can!! I am carrying much higher, if that means anything. As of last week, I've only gained one pound...but I go back tomorrow, and I'll bet that will change!!

Zach and the Sprinkler

We took Zach to my parents' house so we could visit with the whole family. (My brother and his family were up from Houma, LA, trying to escape Gustav) With the nice weather, Zach was able to play with his cousins in the sprinkler, and as you can see from this clip, he loved it!!

Shakin' That Thang!

Well, our dancing fool is at it again! One of his new favorite movies is Alvin and the Chipmunks...and from this clip, you can see why!!! (Sorry it's so dark!)

Zachary....the Over Achiever!

Zach had to go for his 15 month check up today (thank goodness for Saturday office hours!!). We got to see Dr. Riikola, and he was very impressed with Zach's size and development. He currently weighs 29.1 lbs. and is 32.5 inches tall. But that's not the surprising part: when the good doctor asked if Zach could say any words, he was stunned to hear Zach's vast vocabulary! He admired Zach's walking skills as well. As a matter of fact, Dr. Riikola was so impressed that he told us Zach's 18-month appointment is not necessary! He said that Zach is already doing now what 18-month-olds are expected to do! We will have to go back for a flu shot, but he suggested combining his 18- and 24-month appointments and come back around 22-23 months. He said (and I quote) "you can do that when you have an exceptional child!" That definitely works for me....Baby #2 will be here by then!! (And I always knew my child was exceptional!!)

Yes, you're reading it right!!

I've added tickers to my blog...one for Zach and one for Baby #2! Michael and I knew we wanted to have another baby relatively quickly, but we had no idea things would happen so quickly this time! Regardless, we are thrilled! Baby #2 is due for arrival on February 25. So far, this pregnancy is very different from Zach's: I have been very nauseous, soreness in places that weren't sore before... Maybe that means it's a girl!!! I would love a little pink bundle, but of course, first and foremost, we just want a healthy baby. I will continue to post our progress!

Zachary and the Blueberries

Well, this has been an interesting summer of new things...Zach is walking everywhere, babbling on and on and on with some real words sprinkled here and there, like "oh boy!" "all gone!" "bye bye" and singing part of the Bob the Builder theme song...on key!! But the most interesting thing about Zach's development has been his food preferences... He won't turn down a piece of a cookie, of course, but he loves (and prefers) fruits and vegetables! Since he's past the one year mark, we've been offering him many new things, but the one he loves the most is blueberries!

We bought him a picture book at Books A Million, and it has a picture of blueberries in it. Zach constantly opens the book to that page and demands a bowl of blueberries! Once Michael told him no, and Zach threw the book at him! When I asked if he would like a bowl, this child dropped everything and RAN to the kitchen!! And the face he makes when we even say blueberries? Hilarious!

Now, there is a down side to this, of course... Since he's eating blueberries nearly every day, Zach now has an almost constant "blue booty!" I was told that it isn't permanent, and blueberries are so good for him that I should let him eat away.... And I do!!

Zach's first haircut

Baby Einstein video (for distraction): $14.99
Small pair of scissors: $4.99
Dried apple snacks: $2.99

Realizing simply with a haircut that your baby isn't a baby anymore? PRICELESS!!

Swimming Lessons

Zach has been taking swimming lessons all week, and while the first day was not fun: lots of screaming and crying, the rest of the week has been a blast. He loves being in the water and playing with the other kids in his class. He's not really "swimming," but we're trying to at least make him comfortable in the water. We have put him on the side of the pool and let him "jump" in. I know it looks like Michael is pulling him in, but he's really not. Zach just plops right in!! Hopefully next week we can get him to stand and "jump" off!

Mr. Independent

I knew that being a parent meant eventually watching my child discover his own independence and assert it with confidence. I did not, however, plan on seeing this happen at almost 13 months!! Zach has always loved bath time, and since he's walking and "talking" now, I guess he thinks that he can run his own bath water. I swear it sounds like he says, "ready!" How funny is this child????

He's at it again!

Sorry to add another post so quickly, but...

Loves Music, Loves to Dance...

In the aftermath of Zach's birthday, he is loving all of his toys. And thanks to his Texas family, he has the gift of music in one more form...and new moves to go along with it!!

There's always one guy...

Remember the jokesters in high school who sneaked into pictures or always made funny faces? Well, it appears that we have one in the making... How funny is this??


Here's a close up shot... I'm so proud!

Zach's First Birthday

We celebrated Zach's first birthday today, and it was great. He didn't cry or freak out when we sang to him: he actually danced! He got lots of great gifts and had a fantastic time with his cake!!!


And his favorite gift of all? Thomas the Train, one that he can ride!

It was a wonderful day with family and friends. I just cannot believe a year has gone by...

Our little musician...

Zach LOVES music thanks to his daddy, so I thought I would post one of his videos...(now that I know how to! Thanks, Lisa!!)

What happened to my baby?!?!

Zach is only 10 1/2 months old, and suddenly he looks like a little boy in pictures, no longer a baby! It seems that this just happened overnight!! We went to Florida for Spring Break, and Zach loved it all: the beach, the water, everything!!

But now, as I am starting to plan his first birthday party (I can't get over that either!), he looks like a toddler, a little boy... I know I keep saying this, but time truly FLIES...

9 months old and crawling!

Zach is nine months old, and I just cannot believe it!! He is 27 lbs and 29 inches long...big boy! He's crawling everywhere, pulling up on everything, clapping his hands, and waving to everyone. I won't be surprised if he is walking before his birthday! He is so curious about everything, but I have noticed the slight onset of "stranger anxiety." I knew it was bound to happen. Other than that, he's wonderful.

Happy New Year!!

I can't believe January is here already! Zach is still growing like crazy, and he is starting the year off with TWO TEETH! The first one broke through on Dec. 27, Michael's birthday, and the second one on January 3. I can see one on the top developing, so at least he'll have matching sets soon on bottom and top! He still isn't crawling yet, but it's not for lack of trying. He does like to roll everywhere, so it's just a matter of time.

I can't believe he will be a year old in only four months! Time truly does fly...