So close now

I've now completed week 37 of this pregnancy and have, quite possibly, spent all of my remaining energy reserves for the next decade. I am so big and so uncomfortable that my lumbering about all day, while incredibly amusing (perhaps slightly disturbing?) to watch, is very draining. Much like the beginning of the pregnancy, which was not incredibly kind to me, we've had a few late-pregnancy hiccups here and there but overall, we seem to be healthy and on track. It just goes to show you that no 2 pregnancies are alike...this has been completely different than the uneventful 39 weeks carrying Owen. Perhaps that means we will be in for a child with a completely different temperament as well. Think it's too late to put in a request for "mellow?"

Owen seems mostly excited about the prospect of Baby Brother although I believe he is anticipating another child his age and size. As he talks about the things they might do together, I expect a little disappointment once he meets his tiny sibling. As long as mild disappointment and irritation doesn't lead to all-out war, we'll be fine.

As is the norm around this blog these days, I have so many updates to share and just can't seem to find the time to do it. For those of you who haven't seen Owen in awhile, you would certainly be surprised by how much he's grown up. And for those who've known me well over the years, you would also be surprised at how another human being could possibly talk more than me. Oh, the talking...it's incessant. However, even with all the...ahem...challenges, he is still the greatest thing I could ever imagine and I have a hard time wrapping my brain around splitting my attention with another child. For now, Owen remains my world.

While it goes against my better judgment to share photos that clearly reveal just how beastly I have become, I have been convinced to post some photos from our recent maternity session. After all, I am what I am...this is me at 36.5 weeks with Baby #2. Not as glamorous as I might like, but it's real...the bigness, the love, the new life that waits to greet us.



















































































































A giant, belly-sized thank you goes out to Elizabeth and her magic of EBS Photography. Thanks for being so wonderful to work with and for loving on my family so much.

30 weeks

Bigger and bigger we grow...

The big screen is a big hit

Yesterday afternoon, I made a last-minute decision to try taking Owen to the movies. I had recently finished a discussion with some friends about whether or not our kids were ready for a theater-going experience and I had just about decided that I should probably wait a bit longer to give it a shot. However, on a whim, I decided we should go...a little mommy-son date at the movies. He had, afterall, woken from his nap in a good mood and declared " Mommy, I did a gweat job at wunch" (referring to our playgroup's masochistic display of taking all the really wound-up, post-playtime kids to an impromptu lunch at a busy pizza joint). And yes, he really had done a pretty great job at lunch. So, off we went to test fate at the movies. I almost backed out when I looked up the Charlotte's Web listing and learned that it was nearly 2 hours long! Ackk! Well, I thought we could give it a shot for the first hour or so.

I showed him the trailer for the movie on the computer and asked if he wanted to see that on a big, big screen at the movies. "Oh yeah, mommy!" I explained that we would have to be quiet and sit in our seats while watching. "Oh yeah, mommy!" Okay then, what more could I do to prepare?




















He was really excited by all the surroundings and I was afraid he would think the lobby of the theater was the main attraction. He wanted to be in charge of our tickets and immediately found the refreshment counter where we bought a popcorn and ICEE to share.



















We walked into our theater just as the lights were dimming and the previews were already underway. He led us nearly to the top of the stadium seating, picked our spots himself and crawled up into the seat with a big grin on his face. I sat down next to him and spent a minute or so readying all our stuff in case we needed to make a quick exit.

Well, it was a HUGE successs! Owen was so, so great for the entire time…almost 2 hours! He was so excited and just sat next to me, totally engrossed in the movie the entire time. We shared the bag of popcorn and the ICEE and had a fabulous little date. He laughed and giggled and appropriately commented on various scenes. He sat in that seat for all but the last 15 minutes when he stood for about 10 minutes and then walked down the steps and sat in the front row by himself for the last 5 or so minutes. I was amazed. I was also just a tad bit sore since I had to contort my pregnant self for the duration of the movie. Owen's little body just wasn't heavy enough to hold down the seat when he sat all the way back and his legs would fold into his chest whenever I let go of the seat edge!


Today, he's still talking about the pig and the spider and the BIG movie called "Shaw-its web."



















Fabulous time for us both and an all-around great memory for me. (or should I say "Terrific?" Perhaps, "Radiant?")

Baby belly

I've had my fair share of recent emails and calls inquiring about Baby Stone #2 and how everything is going. Inevitably, each contact ends with a request for "belly pictures." At the rate I'm growing, I'm sure I'll be much less likely to oblige the photo request in coming months, but for now, I'll try to keep you posted.

Despite a very rough beginning, I began to feel much, much better as we headed into December. Sometime around there, I was able to discontinue all nausea medications and managed to avoid any further IV treatments or complications. The end of the second trimester was pretty kind to me overall. Now in my 3rd trimester (almost 29 weeks!), I am feeling really good most days, though Owen's activity level and desire to be CONSTANTLY moving and on the go is making for very tired and often short-fused mommy. Some days I wonder if I'll actually make it through to April with any of my sanity intact.

Here I am around 25/26 weeks...





































While I feel incredibly beast-like at the moment, I'll try to overcome it and get some new photos in the next week or so. However, that might mean I'll have to put down the chocolate...

MIA for the holidays

How far behind can one person fall?? I now have so many new photos and unfinished blog posts sitting around that I don't even know where to start. While you wouldn't know it from the complete lack of posts in December, we had a pretty eventful holiday season and I just couldn't seem to ever sit down and record it for our blog readers. (I'm sure you can all relate.) In any case, it's a new year and we're all moving forward. I'll try to be better about posting and will catch you up in pieces here and there.

Owen visited with Santa on several occasions over the Christmas season and was thrilled to see him every time. At first, he asked for a cow (yes, a cow) and then once that wish was fulfilled (Owen was a cow in his school's Christmas pageant), he began to ask for a train. The generous Jolly Old Saint Nick filled that wish on Christmas morning.

Asking for a cow...



















Being a cow...















Asking for a train...



















Enjoying his new train...















Christmas not only brought lots of new toys, books and games but also brought lots of opportunities for goodies and good friends.

We did tons of baking and candy-making...















































As well as enjoying the usual parties, playgroups and playdates (which occasionally involved bath & bedtime antics too)...























































This Christmas, Owen was able to comprehend a whole lot more than last year and was very excited on Christmas Eve about the prospect of putting out cookies and milk for Santa. He was so eager to set up the plate and, of course, wanted to do everything all by himself.









So, we couldn't help but laugh when we saw Owen's reaction on Christmas morning when he realized that Santa actually ate ALL of the cookies. Hey, I wanted one of those!

Overall, we had a fabulously busy December/early January and enjoyed having all of the grandparents (all 4 sets!) here at varying times throughout the holidays. We hope each and every one of you is enjoying a happy, healthy beginning to your 2007.

While I made no firm resolutions this year, I will make my very best effort to resume REGULAR blog updates to keep you in the know.

Happy New Year!

Lots of thanks to give

I think it goes without saying that we have SO much to be thankful for right now. There are so many wonderful, beautiful things happening in our home and in our lives and none of it goes unappreciated. Sometimes we do have to remind ourselves to stop and take it all in but no matter what, we are always thankful. A Happy Thanksgiving was indeed had in this household.

This year's turkeyfest began with a Thanksgiving Feast at Owen's preschool. What a sight! The whole preschool sits down together for a celebration of thanks and giving. Chaotic environment, sweet sentiment. I made turkey cupcakes for the occasion and I have to say I was thrilled with the end result. And they didn't taste too shabby either!











Here are a few shots from the feast. Owen enjoyed sitting with friends, Claire, Ella and Ansley (all familiar faces to our blog viewers at this point!)










































































































Here's hoping that Thanksgiving brought each of you some quality time with those you love.

It's a...

We had the 20-week ultrasound on Wednesday, 11/22, and learned that Baby Stone #2 seems to be a healthy little thing with all the pieces and parts in all the right places. As for the gender....we'll just let Owen tell you!

It's a...

If you are one of the unlucky few who can't watch our videos, or you just can't wait for the video to load, we won't leave you hanging. Click here to find out...boy or girl?? Yeah, I know it's a strange angle but with the labels our lovely sonographer typed out for you, the guess work is eliminated (we hope!).

And a couple more ultrasound pics for fun.

Bring on the fun!!