19 Weeks and Happy Halloween

18

Rich and I tried six times to take this photo.

I don't think it shows how much BittyWee has grown in the last two weeks (which is a LOT) as well as it could, but I give up. Here's hoping for next week.

In week 18 I'm feeling pretty good. I still tire very easily, but my energy has returned for the most part and so has my appetite. I find myself feeling hungry more frequently than even last week and not being very picky about what I eat.

My latest craving? Whoppers. (The malted milk kind, not the hamburger kind.)

Potty Training 101

Lesson #1: The potty chair goes on the toilet.

I sincerely doubt that SJ is the first child to do this, but that doesn't make it any less hilarious.

Now, where are those disinfectant wipes...?

Parenting Test, Level Two

While Sophia was decorating herself tonight, Shirley Jean decorated the wall.

Then she learned how to scrub the wall.

It's hard to tell, but she is very sad...on the inside.

Scrub, scrub, scrub!

Cowgirl

Dear Shirley Jean,

Please stop:

-Running away from Mama

-Hiding from Mama

-Climbing on Mama

-Clutching whatever "no-no" item you're not supposed to be clutching with a death grip

-Saying "Toot!" at the appropriate times

-Hitting

Let's have more:

-Reading quietly

-Picking up your toys

-Hugs

-Kisses

-Hide & Seek chases

-Sleeping in

-Whispering

I love you very much,
Mama

Cheese!

Smurf Cursing

Many of you who know me know I don't always have the cleanest mouth. Well, in the last few months, I've really tried to clean up my act since Shirley Jean is paying attention.

Imagine my surprise the other night when the Twins wouldn't. take. Joe. Nathan. out. of. the. game. and I said, "Oh my gosh!" in exasperation and Shirley instantly repeated it. And hasn't stopped.

At any moment, I may hear, "OH, GAH!" screaming from her mouth.

Now, I don't hold a lot of language sacred, but taking the Lord's name in vain is NOT something we do at our house (the argument could be made that "gosh" is indeed taking the Lord's name, but to you I say, "Pish posh."), though that's EXACTLY what it sounds like my little white trash bambino is saying.

So...if you hear her saying it, please don't judge (too much).

I took this photo myself.

Things are definitely showing a lot faster this time!

For comparison's sake, here is a photo of me from last time at 22 weeks.

Click to enlarge.

16 Weeks = 4 months!

In the last couple of weeks or so, socks have become necessary at our house (and I'm guessing yours) again. Can I just say, socks for a toddler are a p.a.i.n.??

Since I haven't put a pair of socks on Shirley Jean since May, there were many, many pairs in her drawer that were far too small. Many of them were from when she was first born. So, yesterday while packing to come to Wausau I decided to pull out all the socks she can't wear anymore. For some reason seeing the evidence that her feet were at one time THAT tiny was very sad. At least I know I'll get to pull them out again in 5 short months.

That's right! I turned 16 weeks yesterday. Can you believe how fast this pregnancy has gone so far? I have found that If I take my prenatal vitamin during the day instead of at night like I used to while pregnant with Shirley, I have a lot more energy during the day and it doesn't make me sick like it did with SJ. This pregnancy is so different, I feel sometimes like I'm doing it for the first time!

Here's what BabyCenter.com has to say about BittyWee this week:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.

I'm hoping that as BittyWee's heart continues to pump more and more blood on its own that my own heart will SETTLE. DOWN. I get out of breath so easily and my heart beats like crazy trying to deal with all the extra blood I'm carrying around. I mean, I'm doing everything for this kiddo...perhaps s/he can do a little work for mommy?

Click on the image to visit the website.

Long post. Sorry guys. I dislike long posts.

A good week for Minnesota sports!

SMILE!!!

15 Week Check Up

I had my fifteen-week check up today.
BittyWee's heartrate was 160bpm.
My blood pressure was good (I don't remember what it was).
I've gained two pounds.
Good overall.
:)

Elmo Loves...

...Loin Cloth!