Growing Kids and Growing Baby Bump Last Few Days of 2nd Trimester

Dear Nathan and Hannah, 

This post is going to cover the parts of the past 2 weeks when I was with you. I went to Baton Rouge for 5 days for a training with the National Math and Science Initiative and while I was gone, Auntie Momo came over and played with you guys. 

From what I heard, you guys absolutely loved making things with the shrinky dink paper and loved going to the pool. I received a report from Daddy telling me that you both did a great job eating at dinner and not only did you both eat a lot, you ate pretty quickly too. 

Hannah, you are definitely growing up to be a girl now. No longer are you a little toddler. You are getting to be quite coordinated in both fine and gross motor skills. 

You are able to pump yourself on a swing.

You are able to climb fearlessly up tall ladders. (And jump down from high places too)

You know the purpose and function of screwdrivers.

But with all this growing up also comes sass, blatantly saying "No, I don't want to do that!" and full blown tantrums where you loudly exclaim, "I wanna ____ , right, now!"

I find myself losing my temper with you a lot these days and have to remind myself that you are 2 years younger than Nathan and I can't expect you to behave as maturely as he is. You've also regressed on potty training, having several accidents a day. Again, I need to remind myself that Nathan didn't become fully potty trained until 3.5, almost 4 years old.

With the weather heating up, and my pregnancy hormones starting to kick in full force, we've been spending more time inside. One day we made monster boogers.

And another day, while I was cooking, you guys were just going nuts. I quickly improvised, handed you each a pair of scissors (very exciting for Hannah) and let you guys create your own dinner plates. I had about 30 minutes to cook in peace.

Auntie Momo came down on Saturday and we went on a sister date to watch my friends who made the premier league play roller derby. Auntie Momo may even play some day.

The next morning, I flew to Baton Rouge. During the day, I trained middle school teachers on science curriculum and helped them brush up on their content. The first day was rough because the teachers felt very overwhelmed with the math that I was having them do. The next day, I went back to basics and started from square 1. By day 4, the teachers were tutoring high school teachers using the math skills that they had learned to analyze data! I have not felt that sort of rewarding feeling in a long time. I'm very glad that I continue to work with NMSI, because each summer I am reminded that I really do love to teach.

As a bonus, I also got to try a bunch of yummy oysters, cooked in different ways. Baked, Grilled, Fried...

This is a sampler plate of all the different oysters this particular restaurant had to offer. Probably my favorite meal at Baton Rouge.

I also got to go on the trip with one of my very good friends who also happens to be due around the same time I am. We explored the city for awhile after dinner until our bladders told us that we needed to go find a potty.

I also had my fair share of beignets and other yummy desserts.

I got back late on Thursday night and on Friday, we had our monthly service family night at church. You two did a great job with opening packages and along with your friends did a great job with packing up 35 gift bags filled with picture frames, a onsie, and little baby items for TruCare Austin.

Afterwards, we had a little talk about what we did and how our presents will bless others. I could tell that most of the kids had this "I'm proud of myself" look on your faces. It was too precious.

This week is another busy week for Nathan, as you get to attend our church's VBS program. Each day, you come home excited about the snack, the craft that you made, and you usually are unable to recall the bible story that was covered for that day...which is very untypical for you, since you are usually able to retell details from a story very well.

While Nathan is at VBS, Hannah, you and I run errands, I've gone to the gym a few times, and we even had a playdate with another little sister whose brother is also at VBS.

As far as the pregnancy goes, I have a feeling that I've reach the tip of the iceberg. I am probably the most comfortable that I'm going to be and that from this point, it all goes downhill. My tummy is getting larger and it seems like this past week it has expanded significantly. I am feeling baby girl kick a lot, especially at night when I am trying to fall asleep.

After my weight lifting day, I usually get sciatica pain the next day, which really only lasts for a day and then goes away. Not sure why that happens, but for the past 3 weights day, which I am taking it really easy and using light weights, I've been experiencing the pain.

Today in Zumba, I felt less mobile because it felt like baby girl's head was stuck in my pelvic region and I didn't want to salsa too freely because it just felt very weird. I slowed things down a bit and did most of the moves in half time.

Good news! I passed my glucose tolerance test. At my last prenatal visit, the midwife told me to eat a normal amount of carbs the day before the test because eating a low carb diet can cause one to have a false positive. Well, after my experience with Hannah's pregnancy, I didn't want to have to go through all of that again (I was convinced that I was misdiagnosed) so I had all the sweets and carbs on my trip. Beignets, fried foods, sugar in my coffee, and I even enjoyed dessert at every meal. On Monday they called me with the results and I passed with flying colors. So, if you normally eat a pretty low sugar/carb diet, I'd try eating more carbs and sugar a few days before. If you end up being diagnosed, they you probably have GD, but if not, you have saved yourself from a lot of unnecessary finger pricks and carb counting.

My iron levels are a bit on the low side, not terribly low, but low enough for the midwives to suggest that I take additional supplements (on top of my prenatal vitamins) to increase my iron levels. My level was at 10.9 and the cutoff was at 11, so I'm just going to try to increase my uptake of heme-rich foods since minerals from real food are absorbed more readily than stuff from a pill. In a few weeks, they'll draw my blood again, and we'll see if I need to take additional supplements.

27.5 Weeks

24 Weeks

Well, that's about it for the week. Next week we have 4th of July and then Hannah will start swim lessons with Ms. Cathy. 

Until next week, 

Love, 

Mommy (Who prefers her kids to follow directions the first time..ahem, Hannah). 

Mommy and Daughter Time

Dear Nathan, 

I have a question for you. Do you miss Hannah when you are at camp? I also have to tell you something. Hannah misses you when you are at camp. 

It seems like recently, Nathan, you have these 2 concepts: asking questions vs. telling us something, mixed up. Often you ask us if you can ask us a question and then you tell us a fact, and then vice-a-versa. 

And Hannah, you are getting better at counting in English. 1, 2, 3, 4... not 1, 2, 3, 7. 

This week Nathan has camp at the wildflower center, so in the mornings Hannah, you and I, we've had some time to ourselves. On Monday, I had a bunch of appointments to get to and then we went to the gym. 3 hours is not a lot of time to get stuff done. On Tuesday, I asked you what you wanted to do, and you told me you wanted to go play at the playground. So, we packed up some sand toys and played at the sand box for almost an hour and then the swings. 

Making a Birthday Cake (See the 2 candles?)

 We started out playing construction trucks and it is so interesting how Nathan role plays with the car, making car noises and scoops up sand like it's a construction site. You started to push and scoop up the sand, but then after a few moments started to use the trucks like cooking tools to make a cake.

Nathan, you started a week long half day camp at the wildflower center. The topic of the week is habitats. You really enjoy the camp and your favorite parts of the day are the games. You tell me that you don't have a least favorite part, so that's a good sign that you are really enjoying yourself. 

 This was taken on day one at drop off. Hannah wanted to bring along baby Goldilocks, purse, and sunglasses.

 Today, we went went with friends to Austin Symphony's children's art and music day at the park. Both of your big brothers are at the camp, so we took one morning to just have some girl time. Unfortunately, the headline act, Joe McDermott did not show up, but we still had a fun time doing other stuff.

 Last week Hannah, you wanted to get your face painted, so today, we stood in line and you got a purple and yellow butterfly painted on your face.

 For a person who used to do face painting on little kids, you did a great job staying still for the artist. You squirmed a few times when the brush was a bit tickly, but overall, you followed directions and stayed still.

 We also got a chance to make jellyfish crafts. Tomorrow Daddy will drop Nathan off at camp and we will get to stay home and do crafts. This was something else that you wanted to do during our morning girl time.

 Everyday when we pick up or drop off Nathan, Hannah looks forward to seeing if the turtles are out at the pond. There's just so much interesting things to see there: dragonflies of various colors, fishes, turtles, and even beautiful water lilies. You two always want to see frogs jumping Aaon the lily pads and every day you are disappointed when you don't find any.

We get home around 12:15 and 12:30. At this point, Nathan has finished lunch and Hannah has had some sort of lunch and is full enough to just want to play with Nathan. I can tell that you two have missed each other because both of you giggle as you go upstairs to play nicely and I can sit down and eat lunch in peace. Ahhh.

 This weekend was pretty fun. On Saturday, we went over to one of our baby group friend's house. We celebrated their #2's 2 year old birthday. Cake, lots of playing was involved, and then the parents broke out the water balloons.

 Surprisingly, you all did not get too wet. The balloons just bounced off of you guys and burst when they hit the ground.

 On Sunday, we tried out the Umlauf sculpture garden's family day. There was a puppet show,

 And trampolines spread throughout the garden for kids to jump on.

 Luckily for Hannah, only one kid was allowed in the trampoline at a time. Usually other kids in jumpy places intimidate you. So you had the whole place to yourself, for 30 seconds.

A few days ago, we stopped by the Asian market and I picked up some tropical fruit that actually looked pretty fresh and not sitting on a boat for 3 months. I cut up an assortment and let you guys try each one. 

 Both of you liked the Rambutan (red pokey fruit) and Nathan, you think it tastes like a grape. Hannah really likes the Jack fruit, but it is too stinky for Nathan. But overall, both of you still like mangoes the best, and luckily, those we can pick up easily at HEB.

 Our garden is doing quite well. Daddy and I have tried many times throughout the years to grow our own vegetables. This is the first year we've gotten enough food for an entire meal at once. We used to get 2-3 beans, 1-2 tomatoes, or 1 squash. It doesn't hurt that you two are pretty good at reminding us to water the plants. Too bad you still don't like tomatoes or shishito peppers. Our green beans are starting to flower, so I imagine that in a few weeks, we should get some green beans, which you guys actually like.

 Hannah absolutely still loves to cook. Anytime I make any ruckus in the kitchen, I am sure to hear a quick pitter patter of little feet, followed by, "Mommy, what are you doing? Can I cook too?"

 One day this week we braved the heat and played outside for awhile. Usually we quickly take Teddy on a walk and then rush home for some cold water because it's just so hot. But we just hung out, you guys played construction trucks with the gravel on the side of the house while I did some weeding. I tried to get you guys to scoop up the weeds that were growing in the gravel bed, but that was just not fun in your book.

 Then we broke out the chalk and drew on the driveway. Hannah, you decided to make yourself into a lion. I thought that was pretty creative.

 And when Daddy came home, we had to have him lay down so we could draw a picture of him too.

We have a few more days together, than I go off to Baton Rouge for a week of work. Auntie Momo will come and play with you guys and then the following week is VBS for Nathan. We have a week break for the 4th of July and then Nathan goes back to camp and Hannah will start swim lessons with Ms. Cathy for 2 weeks. Who knew life with toddlers could be this hectic already!

Well, I look forward to more Mommy and Me time with Hannah because soon, you'll be the middle child and you know what always happens to middle children...

Oh, before I forget, I want to record this sweet memory that happened yesterday while we were walking up to pick up Nathan. Hannah sweetly grabbed my hand as we were walking, and with a proud grin on your face, you sweetly said, "Just you and me. Mommy and Hannah." Oh poor girl, you'd better savor this moment, because with your new baby sister coming, these moments will be few and far between.

On the baby front: I had a prenatal appointment on Monday. Everything looks pretty good and normal. At this point, my baby bump is as big as it was the week before Nathan was born. Crazy! What urged me to check on this was when I put on a non-maternity shirt that I was able to wear when I was pregnant with Nathan and it didn't quite cover my belly completely.

I have a gestational diabetes test scheduled the week I get back from Baton Rouge and this time the midwife told me that I should eat a normal amount of carbs the day before the test, because in the past, it has shown that if a mom eats a low carb diet the day before, it is more likely for the mom to fail the test.... interesting, right? Considering I didn't think I really had gestational diabetes with Hannah and felt that I was misdiagnosed. Anyways, we'll see how it all works out.

Baby is about 2 pounds now and with the chiropractic adjustments, I'm feeling her move a lot, especially right after I lay down in bed for the night. I tend to feel her movements in my lower abdomen, on the left side.

Well, that's about it for now. Until next week (which may be a delayed post)!
Love,
Mommy

Week 1 of Summer: Creating

Dear Nathan and Hannah,

Week 1 of summer vacation officially starts! It's been nice not having to prepare lunches the night before and not have to rush out to get to school on time, (although, it seems like we've been leaving for activities earlier than on school days). 

The theme of this week seems to have been creating. This week you guys got to build your own pizzas, and I was so surprised to find that Hannah's pizza turned out to be more tidy than Nathan's. Hannah, your fine motor skills are pretty well developed. You love playing with small things. 

 We also got some beads at the store earlier in the week and we've been making necklaces, lots of them!

 The weather in Austin remains mild and so we've been taking advantage of these nice mornings to go out and play. We went to one of our favorite playgrounds in town and got to swing on the giant tree swing.

 Last time we were here, Hannah was not yet big enough to reach the two ropes that the swing is attached to.

 You two played obstacle course and pretty much did everything together. It was one of those mornings where you both did such a great job taking turns, sharing, and simply were very pleasant to be around. We also found a bunch of fossils and gravel and maybe even arrowheads in the gravel. We have collected them and maybe we'll use them to build part of our fairy garden.

 You two continue to love eating fruits. Raspberries, blackberries, and mangoes are both of your favorites. Nathan likes green apples and Hannah likes "rainbow" or fuji apples.

 Our garden is thriving. We are getting quite a good yield of cherry tomatoes. Hannah you have pretty much decided that you don't like tomatoes, but Nathan will always try one after picking them from the garden. Most of the time, you end up saying that it makes your mouth tingle, but there have been a couple of times where you say that you like it.

 Yesterday we met up with some friends and went to explore the botanical garden's fairy garden exhibit. We got lots of inspiration to build our own fairy garden. So far, we've collected twigs and we've build a ladder. I think the next thing we will be building are little houses. We'll have to see what materials we can find in the greenbelt that will work.

 As we were exploring the trail, we came upon this structure and all of you could've just spent the whole morning playing in the "cave." In the end, there were lots of muddy fingernails, but you all really enjoyed the experience.

 A friend dropped off a bunch of toys for you guys. 3 boxes of duplos and an entire bag of little dolls. As you can imagine, Hannah absolutely loved playing with the little figures. You always love little things.

 We also received a bag of beach treasures (shells and sand dollars) that our friend picked up for us while on a trip to California. Nathan, you were so moved by the gesture that you wanted to go outside to look for treasures for your friend. In the end, we decided on a few of the cool fossils and crystals that we found to give.

This morning we went to one of my favorite summer events in Austin. Austin Symphony puts on a Children's Art Day every Wednesday in June. We sit by the ampitheater and watch live music performances on the other side of Waller creek for about 30 minutes. Usually every kid receives a balloon and the whole audience explodes with little spheres of happiness. Who doesn't love balloons?

 Afterwards, we go across the street to complete crafts

 and play with different instruments. It's a lot of fun.

Nathan, you've been very focused on earning money recently and you have been asking for jobs to do. So far, you've earned 3 out of 4 Transformers and you have earned $2 out of the $8.50 that you need for the last one. One way you can earn money is by keeping your undies dry over night. For the past month, we've been trying to night train you by taking you potty right before we go to bed at 11. Most nights, you wake up dry and even recently, you are waking up on your own around 6:30 to go potty and since Hannah is sleeping in the same room as you, and is a light sleeper, she ends up waking up at around 6:30, ready for the day. I know you would probably go to sleep yourself afterwards, but Hannah starts talking and you don't get to fall asleep. 

Hannah, even though you are waking up at around 6:30, you are doing a great job waiting until 7:00 to get out of bed. Usually I hear you say, "Mommy, the light is on, I can come down now!" 

As far as pregnancy goes, I am almost at 25 weeks. I feel like the bump is pretty big, but I know that most of the growth will happen in the last 3 weeks of pregnancy for me. So in the meantime, I'm enjoying nights of restful sleep and getting to eat lots of yummy food. 

We have an even more exciting week coming up so until next week,
Love,
Mommy