Homebound projects

So here is an update on some of my projects I have decided need to be done while I am home on bedrest...

Our dishwasher recently went out-- amongst so many other things in our home-- and we decided to start slowly making the switch to updated appliances, starting with the dishwasher but it didn't match our current gold knobs (not to mention our other appliances, but that is okay). We went out and found some really cool silver knobs to replace the gold and I started to put them up but then found out they were a cm too big when you use the backplate. Joe absolutely loves them (as do I) and said that you can't really tell. Being the perfectionist I am I wasn't so sure... but we decided to just go with it and take the backplate off if it really starts to bug me or if someone else notices (don't any of you say anything if you come to my house)! So I wouldn't change my mind (as I do so often) Joe stayed up last night and finished putting the knobs on the cabinets to surprise me! So one of my projects was completed-- although not by me! :)

And another project complete- putting together the bassinet. The approaching arrival of our little one is becoming more and more real!

BBQ with family

This past weekend Joe's cousin Nomi came down from Canada to visit. Joe had not seen his cousin in years and I was excited to meet him as well. We met up for dinner with the family Sunday at Joe's parents and then on Tuesday at the home of one of Joe's other cousins. Family is such a wonderful thing!

Look at this cutie-- Nomi helping Safa with his "armor".
Cousins Safa and Marwa
Joe "teaching" his brother and cousin the tricks of being a master griller.
Adam and his Scooby from cousin Nomi.
2nd dinner with the family...

Adam dancing

Adam and his uncle
This is fun!
Does Marwa have something in his teeth?

PIH

Pregnancy induced hypertension... that's what is keeping me in the bed for the remainder of the pregnancy. All the blood work has come back okay and I haven't developed full blown preeclampsia yet (which is what I ended up having with Adam at the very end of his pregnancy). So I am doing well-- I just have some high blood pressure, edema (swelling) and I am gaining TONS of weight each week (around 3-4 pounds a week). A lot of it may just be because its the summer- but we are keeping an eye on it and I am now off from work and (trying to) relax from home. I have been trying to keep my mom's advice in mind:

1) There is nothing I can't do for a month. Especially when it means the safety of my child.
2) God does not give us any obstacles we can't handle.
3) Perhaps this is God's way of telling me to SLOW DOWN.
4) God does indeed have a plan and I need to trust in Him.

I have actually decided that this might not be so bad after all. This will perhaps be the last time for a long while that I will be able to enjoy some quiet time at home by myself. I have decided that there are a few house projects that I could work on... my home office files could use some cleaning out, I need to put the new knobs on our kitchen cabinets, and then of course I plan to put the bassinet back together for the arrival of our little angel. And I was thinking I might try to pick up a hobby/ craft project. Who thinks I would be good at needle pointing?!? Yea... probably not... I will leave that craft to my mom who is the best at it and perhaps find something else!

And the best way to spend my time... blogging of course! I am sure you will see many new entries in the weeks to come! :)

Corndog

There is nothing like some Sonic food--YUM!!

Thrill Seeker

Tales of a a theme park visit....

My company has their annual picnic each July. This year it was at a theme park near our home. Yes, I am still supposed to be on bedrest... but since we had already bought our tickets and I could NOT miss my little one's first adventure to a theme park... I promised to take it easy and rest a lot (Joe even threatened to put me in a wheel chair if I did not behave). You will be glad to know that I did well-- Joe walked around and took Adam to all the rides while I rested on benches and took pictures. Although we went later in the day and did not get to do too much, I was so glad that we went. Adam (the only one who really got to do much of anything) had a blast and was absolutely adorable. He is indeed our little thrill seeker...

The day started with the company picnic. We actually did not make it in time for the actual picnic with everyone, but did get in for some good eats. Adam was excited that they had his favorite chips-- Cheetos.


After a quick bite to eat Joe went on a quick ride, while Adam and I rested and decided what to do. We decided to head over to Kidville to see what rides Adam could go on. The first ride was some little Jeeps. Being the first ride we weren't sure how Adam would react. Joe went and put him in the little car and then walked away. I was afraid Adam might try to get out once the ride started going, but was comforted by the fact that I could see him and easily jump over the fence and get him if need be. This is how he reacted though...

He is always very concerned about buckling up...

He thought he needed to drive with both wheels!
And he was ALL SMILES about his first theme park ride!
Next Adam went on some swings. They were kind of slow and boring.

Next we tried to go on a little roller coaster but after waiting in line for quite awhile, he ended up being too short to ride. He was quite upset and confused about why he wasn't able to go on.

So it was off to some more little cars. He had a friend join him on this one. He kept trying to steal his friend's steering wheel (of course!)
This one I was REALLY concerned about! All the others Adam was just a few feet away. On these corvettes... Adam was put in and then the car went on this track out into the woods... where we couldn't even see him! I really didn't know how he would handle it... but he got right in and drove away and was upset when he had to get off. I didn't get a very good picture becuase (as I said) you can't really see him. But the little blue Corvette off in the distance behind the house-- that's Adam! :)
Next it was a rocking boat thing. I told Joe to put Adam up front where the boat doesn't rock up high, but lo and behold he ends up in the very back. He was the smallest kid on most the rides. He could barely reach the bar.
He was all smiles on this as well until the older kids started screaming and then he became a little concerned.
The Jetson space jets were much more tame.
And the planes were tons of fun as well!
Adam wasn't quite strong enough to pull the handle and make his plane go up, but I am sure he will figure it out next year.
This one CRACKS me up! These were similar to the Corvettes. They were Jeeps that go around on a track. The funny thing about these though is that Adam can't even really see over the steering wheel. Here he is in his yellow Jeep off in the distance.
And right before he had to get out.
After all those rides. It was time for a nap. Adam took a long nap while I rested and had some lunch. Joe went to try to get in some "adult" rides, but ended up waiting in line for 2 hours for just one 2 minute ride.
The only ride I could really do (and one I was actually looking forward to) is relaxing as I floated around the lazy river. This is as close a photo as you are going to get of my big fat self, so enjoy!

Next Joe went on one more "Daddy ride"-- a ride where you go several stories in the air and then free fall drop within seconds. He said it was pretty scary and kept his eyes closed! HA!

Of course we had to get in a carousel ride! This was my second and final ride! Adam kept saying WHOA WHOA WHOA every time the horse went up and down.

The flying eagles was a great ride! I really can't believe they let Adam on this one. You can't really see him becuase he is on the other side of Joe, but he had a blast on this. It goes pretty high in the air and slings around rather fast. Right before they got on Adam was pushing the little girl in front of him almost as if he knew that if she would hurry up and get on the ride then he was next and could get on the ride too. He practically drug Joe through the gate and to the ride.
I couldn't get a very good picture of the two of them when the ride really started to get going becuase it is quite quick and high. YIKES! You can just barely see Adam's head in this picture. Joe said Adam buried his head into him when the ride started to pick up speed, but then when he got used to it and it started to slow down... he was clapping! And then when Joe took him off and tried to walk him out-- he started throwing a fit and crying... trying to walk back and get back on! :)
The final ride was the antique cars. No theme park visit is complete without such!
All in all it was a GREAT day and one that will remain in my memory forever! I am so proud of my little thrill seeker and can't wait to see what he will do next.

Daytime TV and Little Air Conditioning

It's Wednesday... I am running out of shows taped on my DVR and the air conditioner isn't working quite right. My oh my! What do I do now?!?

Becoming a Big Boy

Yesterday Adam moved up to the toddler room at his daycare. We have been waiting for this day for awhile! He was one of the youngest in the little group of kids that he has hung out with since he started at the school. So, all the others had since moved on and he was beginning to act up a bit in the older infant room. He has been ever so nice and helpful with the little ones in his old classroom (i.e makes sure they are buckled in their high chairs, gives them their pacifiers they drop, etc.) but it has become obvious that he was getting a little restless.

We were very excited that he was moving up to the toddler room where the kids are closer to his age and they do more sensory activities (painting, sand play, water play, etc.). In his new classroom they also have miniature tables and chairs instead of highchairs-- they all sit together around the table for crafts and meals. So cute! There is also a sink that is their height and they just installed a "potty" for them as well. Yup- it's potty training time soon! YEA! Hopefully Adam will catch on quickly and we won't have to have two in diapers for too long.

To celebrate the move to the "big boy" classroom we bought Adam this cute little back pack this weekend. He is always wanting to carry his diaper bag but it is much too big and we really don't have too much to take back and forth to his school for him anymore. So here he is with his new "big boy back pack". I often wish I knew what was going on in his little head. He seemed so proud to walk in with his new back pack while all the kids surrounded him trying to find out what he had. Simple things are so precious!

The backpack is almost as big as Adam.

Gotta love that sweet smile and sparkling eyes.Putting his sippy cup in his new Mickey backpack.
Walking into school with Daddy.
A thoughtful pose. :)

Necessary Bedrest Boredom

I had another doctor appointment last Thursday. My sonogram, as I said, came back okay although the baby is a good size and I am on the higher side (85%) of normal for fluid-- so these two things are making me measure a few weeks ahead. I also did some bloodwork which all came back normal. However, I have some edema- i.e. swelling (most likely just from the high heat of the summer months) and my blood pressure is running a little high. So... I was sent for more blood tests and put on bed rest for a week. At the end of my pregnancy with Adam I developed preeclampsia. Normally it is just in the first pregnancy that this is an issue, but as I am having high blood pressure and excessive weight gain a lot earlier... they are just keeping an eye on it. Everything is still going well- it was just decided that I need some R&R for a week. So here I sit-- and if you know me... I am not very good about sitting still! But when you become a parent your life changes... I would do anything for the sake of my children. Sitting on the couch for a week is such a small sacrific (and I am doing my best to try to enjoy some quiet time at home with just me and my little blessing to be).

The biggest downside to not feeling my best and being as big as a house is that it is difficult at times (and I get yelled at) if I pick up Adam. It's hard because I know he doesn't understand so I try to get Joe to hand him to me for lots of cuddling as much as possible. On a funny note-- I'll have Adam sit next and cuddle up to me... and as soon as I do... the baby will shift and curl up on the opposite of me. It's almost as if the baby is already annoyed by Adam trying to cramp his space! I can't wait to see the two of them interact with one another. My siblings are my best friends and I hope the same for my children.

Happy Birthday Avery!

My beautiful neice was born yesterday at 4:29 PM. Joe thinks there should have been a poll because he kept saying all morning that the baby would be born after 4:00 and would be a girl. We are all just so proud and excited!! We thank God for this precious new addition to our family. Congratulations to the wonderful Mommy and Daddy! (It is still hard to believe that my little sister is a mom... but I know she is going to be the best.)

SO EXCITED!

Early this morning (1:48 AM) we got a call from my sister Ragan. We have been waiting for this call for the past few weeks... she said she was heading to the hospital to get checked out and perhaps today would be the day that our new neice or nephew would make his/ her debut. I kept the phone by me all night and this morning got a call from my mom. Ragan has indeed begun labor and it looks like we just might be celebrating a birthday by sometime this afternoon! We are so excited! I pray that all goes well and I will get to see my precious neice/ nephew soon!

Adam is all smiles today posing for the camera! He can't wait to meet his new cousin as well.

Food pics-- for Carla and Taylor

I felt kind of left out and Joe was so proud of his shish kabobs he made for dinner the other day... so I thought I would post some food pics as well. Like Eric's cake-- these kabobs took several hours for Joe to get perfect but they were very yummy and worth the wait! :)

Growing, growing, growing

We went to the doctor this past Monday and once again I tipped the scales. It seems like it makes no difference what I do or eat... my doc said that sometimes it is just the makeup of your chemistry (thanks mom!). And the nurse said that my pregnancy chemistry is just such that I will probably gain no matter what so... eat what you want and worry about it after the baby comes. I was a little upset about the weight thing but then decided-- that since it doesn't matter-- to just take the nurse's advice. So today, instead of the turkey sandwich and granola bar I have been packing for lunch... I decided to treat myself to an Arby's milkshake and roast beef sandwich. (I think I deserve it after the long week it's been... I'll try to do better tomorrow!) HA!

Further into the discussion with the doctor, he asked how I am feeling and I told him that I just felt BIG! And I meant more than just the feeling that I am gaining weight. He said that often women do when they are pregnant with their second... but then he measured me. And lo and behold-- I am measuring 3 weeks ahead of what I should be. So he scheduled me for another sonogram and some blood work to find out what was going on.

I was excited about being able to have a third sonogram and see our little one again but nervous about it at the same time. Hence the reason I didn't post anything about it until now. Yesterday we went in for the sonogram and learned that the baby is in the normal range of size but on the higher end and my fluid is in the normal range, but also on the higher end. These two things combined are what is most likely causing me to weigh and measure a few weeks ahead. The baby itself looks good! Which is all that really matters and all that I wanted to hear!

We are just a month and half or so away from the date in which we hope to welcome our angel into the world. This pregnancy has flown by and I think the reality of it is just now beginning to settle in with Joe and me. I still don't think Adam has any clue what is in store for him, but know that he is going to be a great big brother. He has become quite interested in my growing belly, especially my belly button which is beginning to stick out a little bit. When we ask him where the baby is he sticks his finger in my belly button. It's quite a humorous sight, but NO there will NOT be any pictures of it so you will just have to take my word for it! Sorry to disappoint you Kason.

I will however post a couple pictures from the sonogram as soon as I can get them uploaded. We tried for awhile to get a good picture of the baby's face but the cord was in the way, and it looked like the baby had a mustache! We did get a great one of our little one's footprint which makes me smile every time I look at it!

Folk Life Festival

A friend at work told me about a festival downtown this weekend-- it was a folk life festival that showcased (among other cultures) TEXAS! We of course had to check it out. Below are some pictures and comments from Adam...

Masks are cool... this one is really cool!

WE are HERE!

Mom thinks she is really cool with her 3D glasses. She says that we are supposed to be on Mars. I think she is just nuts.

I did NOT want to pose for this picture. They said the guy was fake, but he looked real and REALLY scary to me.

Now we are supposed to be in "Mission Control". Whatever!Another scary fake guy.YEA! A perfect job for Mom! My first merry-go-round ride.

Listening to some Texas music.I'm pooped!