My Other "Children"

When I was pregnant for Aiden, I seriously neglected our dogs, Tugs and Tanner. Well, I take that back. It wasn't true neglect, but they didn't get walked as much, and I didn't groom them enough. Then we had Aiden. I still didn't groom them enough or walk them. What is going to happen when I have another baby?

(Please note: I consider dressing up my dogs silly. These were gifts, so we thought we better do it and take a picture. And of course, this is the only one I can find on my computer at the moment.)

Well, last night I groomed Tugs. This poor dog had so much hair, and it has been 90 degrees outside. I had to do it even though it sucked all the life out of me. His nails are so long, I could paint them and grown women would be jealous of how long and strong they are! Just kidding. But you get my point.

I am seriously going to have to give myself a kick in the butt---well, I can't reach, maybe Russ can, and he and I can work on giving them some grooming attention and some walking time each week. Poor little doggies. They are my first kids...and I feel I have left them on the wayside.

Lots of Things

Yesterday, I went to my ob appointment, and met my new doctor. I can officially say, "I really like him." He has a good humor, he laughs and gets excited about babies, and actually sits with you and talks with you. I never had that with my last doctor. Before, my doctor would only ocassionaly come in, with my file in his hand while reading it, and just answer the nurse's concern and be gone. This is much, much better!

I got to hear the baby's heart beat! It was wonderful!

I think I am having a pretty easy first trimester again (knock on wood), but I can't say I haven't felt great either. Last time, I would hit a wall around 2pm. My energy level is much better this time around except for the past few days. I am not having any food diversions this time, so far either. I am getting headaches like last time. Very rare heartburn like last time too. My biggest problem is my digestive system. I think my prenatal vitamins were the culprit, and I have just started only taking folic acid and a few tums for calcium. So far, things have improved a little bit. Like last time, I am going to bed by 9 or 10pm at the latest.

So, I started looking for some books on raising two children under the age of three. I found one on Amazon that was perfect- except for the price tag! It was $67.00! No joke! It must be a book that is out of print. I will see if they have it at the library because there is no way I would pay that for a book. We found some books, and I look forward to getting them. We also got Aiden a few books about becoming a big brother. It will be interesting to see how much he really understands and how he transitions.

Right now, he is so much fun but so hard too. He won't sit in the tub, and he is hitting, biting and pinching. Where do kids learn these things? Most of time when he is being rough, it is when he is so tired he doesn't know what to do with himself or when he can't communicate something. He still isn't talking except for the occasional dada and sit, but he is signing a lot more.

He is signing:
Hat
Dad
Horse
Cat
Eat
More
Milk
Signing Time
Dog
Stop
All Done
Rain

And I am sure I missing some.

My Due Date

My due date is March 12th! Aiden will have just turned two. WOW!

I have so many thoughts running through my head. I better read some books on how to manage my life with a two year old and a baby.

Oh boy!

Bun In the Oven

On Monday, July 5th, I confirmed that I am pregnant! On Tuesday, I got the call from my doctor, that I am indeed pregnant. He said the same exact thing to me this time, "You are very, very pregnant." Yesterday, July 16th, I went for my first ultrasound. Everything looks good according to the ultrasound tech, but I will find out more when I go back to my doctor. And the best news---he has found an OB that will take me on even though he isn't a high risk doctor. That doesn't sound good but really it is. This doctor has filled in for many high risk doctors, is familiar with my situation, and is happy to take me on. This is such a relief to me! I didn't want to go through all the hassles and waiting for an hour or more every two weeks at my appointments.

We are thinking the due date is around March 13th. We will see what the doctor says. But that will put Aiden and this little bean just two years and a few weeks apart! :-) I hope they become the best of friends.

And the best part of all....we are NOT finding out the sex of the baby this time either!!! It may annoy or frustrate or whatever adjective you want to use, but it really is the best surprise in the world, and I would like to have that surprise again!

Now, I need to go find my tums...I have a bit of heartburn.

Duct Tape- Cause You Just Never Know

Last weekend, Russ, Aiden, myself, and our friends Nate and Kim, went camping up in Andover, Maine. (It sounds really good when you put in the Maine accent.)

We have come away from this camping trip with my lessons, and would like to share our lessons with you.

#1. Always pack Duct Tape. As Denise said, "You never know when you might need it."

#2. During a hail storm, always keep your kayak tied down.

#3. During a hail storm, stay in vehicle as stated in tip number 2, as you watch your kayak fall off your vehicle and take out your driver's side mirror.

#4. Pack a spare key in your pocket, so when your dog locks you out of the car during the said hail storm, you can enter your vehicle.

#5. It is not recommended to run in hail storm with shorts on. It hurts.

#6. When a nice lady offers you her pop up as refuge, take it.

#7. After the 20 minute hail storm, erect as many tarps as you possibly can.

#8. Be prepared to do laps around the campgrounds in your car. Hint- Pack many soothing CD's. And take pride as you make your tenth lap knowing that all the onlookers understand why you just keep driving around and around.

#9. HINT- Buy a mo-fo of a tent that will accomodate a pack or play or better yet, a full size crib so your 16 month old cannot figure out that when he or she walks up, he or she can roam the tent and party all night long.

#10. On the off chance that your 16 month old thinks it is 7am, but it is 1:45am and wants to get his or her day started, prepare a bottle before bed and prepare the car as a spare bedroom for a parent to sleep in as well as the mentioned 16 month old to sleep in.

#11. When scouting out a campground 6 months ahead of time, read the Farmer's Almanac. It may help when you pack.

#12. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO BATHE A CHILD IN A RUBBERMAID CONTAINTER at the coin-op showers without help. The end result is a big bruise on the head, a screaming toddler due to the cold bath and bump on head, and you will be soaked. Just bathe the kid at the site- boil some water and mix it with cool water. That is much better.

#13. Bring a dog with you so your child can chase it down the camp road, over and over and over and over and over again because the ground will be muddy and the lake will be frigid and most activities won't last very long...but dog chasing can just go on and on.

#14. When getting into a kayak for the first time in three years, have someone else hold the kayak steady, or you will surely get wet as well as have onlookers snicker and snort.

#15. When attempting to take a shower after the cold dip in the lake, prepare for teenagers chatting non-stop about how good strawberry cheesecake is and how much longer they are going to be in the shower. Example, "Are you almost done?" "I could be in here forever. Let's stay in for 5 more minutes." "Have you ever had cheesecake?" "No, but I bet it is so good." "It is really good---I love strawberry cheesecake." "Tell me what it is like."

#16. Remember the Benadryl. It comes in handy when your 16 month old is attacked by killer mosiquitos!

#17. Bring your ipod with the ifart application. You will never laugh so hard in your life, especially when the neighboring camper is dealing with hose problems to their camper. And the other neighbor is using their protable potty on the other side of it. It is sort of ironic.

#18. Bring a screen room and put it under one those many tarps. You will thank us later when you are dry and not bug bitten.

#19. Repeat reading of #18. We strongly recommend listening to it.

#20. Always go camping with friends. Because when it sucks, at least you are with them, and you can all complain together and find the joy of friendship even when you are cold, bug bitten, hailed upon and packing your wet gear.



Those are our top 20 tips. We hope you enjoy your next camping experience.

Aiden's Stats

I have been thinking a lot about Aiden lately who just turned 16 months old! Let me rephrase that- I am always thinking about Aiden but I have been thinking about a lot of little things about him.

* Aiden loves to play peek-a-boo either by lifting his bib up or by hiding behind things. He also likes to just stay hidden and have you come find him. I can't believe he is already playing hide-and-seek.

* Aiden likes to grab my pointing finger and have me act like I am being zapped. He cracks up!

* Aiden is saying so many things- with sign language! He says: all done, more, dog, signing time, hat, dad, and please.

* Aiden has more fun brushing his teeth now than he does taking a bath.

* Aiden is getting so good with his fine motor skills (minus how he still shoves food in his mouth!). You can just see him focus as he tries so hard to push a button and make something work.

* Aiden has figured out how to make himself go forward on his little car- he pushes his chest forward as he does it- hilarious!

* Aiden is freaked out by all dogs unless they are his own.

* Aiden loves his books. He will sit on the floor and flip through the pages for long stretches at a time.

* Aiden is getting really good at coming back down the stairs now.

* Aiden thinks climbing on the furniture is the best thing since sliced bread.

*And if I unplugged his humidifier in his room, he gets sick as soon as I put it away, so we have left it plugged in.

Spending Time Together

I love my family!