A quick update...

Just a quick medical update from our dr.'s appt this morning! My blood pressure was normal and no signs of pre-eclampsia, which is great. My iron levels were fantastic so no supplements needed. No real swelling which is amazing! I'm only up 25lbs for the pregnancy (although when I weighed myself at home a few days ago, I was 2 lbs heavier?) which is pretty good. Little spanky was right on growth target and had a great heartrate too. Yay! I go back in three weeks (should be two, but they were booked, don't get me started...) and I also have an ultrasound on the 12th of Sept to check on the baby's size (standard procedure because of the GD). Fingers crossed that things continue this smoothly!

For Fin at 20 Months

My Dearest Fin,

Wow, what a few months will do! I can't even believe how far you've come lately! You are talking up a storm - you are almost never quiet anymore. You have mastered sentences and have no problem asking for what you want and telling Mommy and Daddy what you DON'T want. You're excellent with please and thank-you and you never forget to say bless you when someone sneezes. Over the past few days you've even got down excuse me and sorry - and you use them as needed :) Much to Mommy and Daddy's amazement, you've also managed to learn your colors! Orange and blue are your favorites and yellow and green still give you some trouble, but you'll have them all down in no time. I think the new development that makes me the most happy is that you tell me you love me. The other day, we were snuggling for a nap and you rubbed my shoulder and said "Oh Mommy, I love you." Wow. Sweeter words were never heard!

I should probably tell you what some of your favorite things are right now. When Turbo and Gran visited a few weeks ago, Turbo bought you a little bunny and you LOVE it. It goes almost everywhere with us. Which reminds me, you also learned big and little! Your favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Blues Clues and Little Einsteins. You also still enjoy Sesame Street and Wonder Pets and a little Go Diego, Go too. You talk back to the TV (I'm listening to you do it now) which cracks me up. Your favorite books are The Hungry Caterpillar, I Love you Stinky Face and Hop on Pop. There are tons of others you like too and we're reading just about every day. You're eating some baby food veggies now, but I always give them to you with fruit. I'm glad you're tolerating those since you need to get some veggies and the real thing is just not happening! As for fruits, you'll eat anything, but you love grapes and bananas.

We're not going to the park much these days - it's been over 100 for a while now and the slide would burn us up - but we're getting to the pool almost daily. You've finally adjusted to being slathered with sunscreen which is a relief since it was becoming such a struggle to get you covered. You're kicking up a storm and I'm hopeful we'll have some real swimming by next summer! Other than that we spend our days in playdates or MyGym or doing things around the house and running errands. We have "school" once a week with your little friends and the Mommies take turns planning very short "lessons" so you're getting your first taste of preschool. You're still taking one nap a day - around noon - and I still try and sneak a nap for myself in there as well. It makes me sad to think that once Spanky arrives I'll have to surrender that luxury.

Speaking of Spanky, he's kicking like a wildman and you seem eager to meet him. You talk to him throughout the day and whenever you see an ultrasound picture you scream "Spanky, Spanky!". I hope that you're as positive when he finally does arrive!

Ok, I'm off to get your snack ready. I love you and I'm so proud of you!

Mom

Reality Check...

I'm on a message board for mom's due in October. And just this week, I was feeling like October is creeping up on us faster and faster every day (nevermind that I think this babe will arrive in September anyway). So today I got quite the wakeup call.

The first baby on our October board has arrived and is thriving.

I'm both terrified and relieved. I'm sure I have a good amount of time before Spanky joins us, but at the same time it's so nice to feel like he could arrive now and do just fine.

In other news, I'm doing well. No swelling of note yet, still wearing my rings and my feet haven't even had a bad day so far - which puts me WAY ahead of where I was with Fin as I had been without my wedding rings for months already by this time with him. That's a big relief. I'm definitely feeling the lag of the third trimester set in (I can't WAIT for naptime with Fin!) and Spanky is taking up more and more space. He's also moving like a maniac and everyone can see through my clothes now. It has me a little worried that he's going to be larger since I can't remember Fin doing that this soon. Other than that, nothing new to report! I'm sure I'll have plenty to complain about in the coming weeks though!

New Cages!

The Chinchillas finally got their new cages!! Brooks has become quite the craftsman - as you can see. We went a tad dark with the stain, but it still looks fantastic. No more sheets for these babies!
Hammie and Boo, enjoying their new surroundings.


Willa, hiding :)

Brooks' New ManSpa!

We continue our quest for whole house remodel with Brooks' Bathroom
I present before...I could explain the decor, but I just don't have the energy to type that much, just use your imagination and toss in a few drinks.





















A work in progress. The color is called "Clouded Vision" and is acually a little darker and greyer than the camera captures.



























Note the artwork behind the mirror. We added Fin's initals to be sure we all left our mark.



























And Tadaa! New paint, fixtures, and accessories make a ManSpa!