36 weeks with Owen

How far along?  36 weeks. 9 months pregnant. Cannot believe I'm this close to the end!!! It has gone SO fast; way faster than the first time around. I feel like overall this has been SUCH an exhausting pregnancy that I've wished it would just hurry up even more. But, as our 3 month house remodel comes to a close and Graham becomes more independent, I have had more energy. Finally. I've been savoring these last sweet moments where it's just me and Graham, but also cannot WAIT for little Owen to get here and start a whole new family dynamic. 

Total weight gain? Gained 26 pounds. More than with Graham, but still in the recommended healthy range, so I'm happy with it.

Maternity clothes? Really tired of wearing the same few outfits that fit. Can't wait to get back into normal clothes.

Sleep? Pretty much every night is just miserable at this point. I toss and turn all night, unable to get comfortable, not to mention how often I have to get up to pee. :( At least soon when I'm getting up all the time at night I'll get some sweet baby snuggles!

Best moment this week? House remodel coming to a close. Allison's shower. Time with family. Father's Day. Splash pad with Graham. Hearing everything looks good with little O! Also, just so many of my good friends are pregnant!

Miss anything? Same as before...

Movement? Owen sure is an active little guy. My belly jumps around all the time from his kicks and wiggles. So funny to watch!

Food cravings? Andrew bought me some Pop-Tarts the other day and I devoured them... But he was out buying gluten free stuff for his camping trip, so he got me the healthy kind. Now I want a box of the sugary-bad-for-you-stuff really bad. :/ Also, pineapples, strawberries, and kiwi. 

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.

Have you started to show yet? Oh yeah. Everyone I see has a comment or question about my baby coming! The best lately came from a little 5 ish year old girl at the ice cream place, "How is your baby going to get out of there??" Hahahahaha. I didn't want to traumatize the poor kid, so I told her to ask her mom.

Labor signs? I haven't had any more scary times of intense contractions like last month. But I do have contractions a LOT. And just in the last few days have they started to get uncomfortable. Not painful like I'm going into labor, but not just the normal tightening of Braxton-Hicks either. I remember I had a couple weeks of this with Graham. Hoping that means we're a couple weeks out from Owen! Once I hit 37 weeks and it's safe for Owen to come on out, I will be doing everything possible to naturally encourage him to come on!

Symptoms: Contractions. All the time.

Belly button in or out? Out. Ew.

Wedding ring on or off? On. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Moody about the remodel. Happy about the baby!

Name possibilities? Owen.

Looking forward to? Getting Owen's room set up. Getting this show on the road!

Can't wait to be snuggling both my boys!!

Baby Daddy Thoughts on Baby #2!!

Thoughts from the Baby Daddy!

I did this with Andrew when I was preggo with Graham and loved hearing Andrew's perspective on my pregnancy, fatherhood, etc. So I had to do it again. Here's his take this time around with Owen...

Right after we found out Owen was in my belly!!!!!

(Jaye) What's been the best part of this pregnancy?
(Andrew) The anticipation of having another little boy! I like envisioning what it will look like having two boys so close in age... Thinking about years future with them--camping, hiking, wrestling, playing with trucks and dirt. Watching the boys together... It's fun to think about.

What's been the worst part of this pregnancy?
Trying to remodel the house while my wife is pregnant. Watching Jaye being exhausted.

What are some of your favorite memories over the last 9 months?
My favorite mental picture is seeing Jaye holding Graham with her baby bump, thinking, "That's my family!" It makes me excited. Watching Graham come over and pat Jaye's belly when we say "baby."  Thinking about Owen's name and what we want to pray into his life.

What's been the most surprising thing about this pregnancy?
How fast it's gone! It seems like we just talked about getting pregnant and here we are 9 months later. Also how my anxiety has changed. I used to be nervous about having/ caring for a child at all when Jaye was pregnant with Graham. Now I'm nervous about managing a home. Not so much, "How will I keep an infant alive?" but now, "How will I keep sanity/ peace in my house, especially on days that are rough for my wife and kids?"

Are you nervous about labor this time?
Not as much this time, since I know more what to expect. I think on the day Jaye goes into labor, I'll get anxious about things that could go wrong. But now I just expect them to go right since they did with Graham.

What are you nervous about being a dad of 2 kids?
Graham being loved enough when all the attention goes to  Owen at first. Thinking how to love Graham and minister to him, while making special memories with Owen....How to balance my fathering time.

What are you most excited about being a dad of 2 kids?
Just thinking about what the years ahead will hold with 2 boys. Just picturing all the things I'll get to do with my 2 boys.

What kind of dad will you be to 2 boys?
The need for a wrestling ring increases with 2 sons. I'll probably go to referee school. Probably pick up mixed martial arts training. Breakfast, time with God, and wrestling matches will be a daily routine.

How will you get through the sleepless nights the first few months?

Ambien. Or Jack Daniels. (Ha.)

What has Jaye missed the most during this pregnancy?

Sleep. Being a normal size. Being able to be close to me or Graham, without the big belly in the way. Energy. Turkey.

What has Jaye most needed to hear in this pregnancy?

That she's beautiful and not fat, but pregnant. Those are different. She's valued, that this is a special and unique time to cherish, and it'll be over soon.

Is Jaye the stereotypical preggo woman this time around?
No. I've yet to see her crave pickles and ice cream. Not that many emotional breakdowns... Hard to tell if the ones she did have were from pregnancy or the house remodel.

Has Jaye had any crazy preggo hormone moments this time?

We have been remodeling our house for the last 3 months. Our fridge was in the dining room instead of the kitchen most of that time, so you had to walk through the living room to get back and forth. As I moved the fridge back into the kitchen, she cried tears of happiness. But I don't think that was a pregnancy moment. I think it was a house remodel moment... So, no.

How did you feel when Jaye told you she was preggo?

Excited. Thankful.

How did you feel when you first felt Owen kick?

Excited! I felt more part of the pregnancy at that point... Prior to this, it's like Jaye's experiencing the pregnancy alone, with me just being a spectator. Once I could feel him kicking, I felt like I was right there with him too.

What baby chores will you help with? 
Basic provision. Shelter, financial stability for food, a free education at Ivy Tech.

What baby chores will you dread?
Changing poopy diapers. Soothing screaming babies... And I do mean babies, because we will have two. Supervising without Jaye at any point.

What's your favorite baby item you've received/ bought?
Double stroller. Bike trailer to pull both boys behind me on my bike. Excited about going on bike rides with them both.

How do you think life will change once we have another baby?
I'll be more tired. I'll have to die to some of my introverted tendancies. There will be a lot more farting jokes. There will be a lot more laughter... Some crying, mostly laughter. My sword fighting skills will increase, because every little boy should know how to sword fight.

What do you think Owen will look like?
Tom Sellek's mustache.

What do you hope little Owen is like in general?
Strong. Humble. Compassionate. Loving. Fun.

What are you most looking forward to once Owen is born?

Wrestling matches.

32 Weeks with Owen!

How far along?  32 weeks. Cannot BELIEVE I'm 8 months preggo! I feel super overwhelmed when I think about how much I have left to do before this baby comes.  I measured 2 weeks behind with Graham almost the whole time, but this time I have been measuring two weeks ahead! Ha. My doctor told me at my last appointment that she thought this baby was going to be bigger than Graham at birth. He was only 6 lbs, 15 oz, so that wouldn't be hard... But I'm really hoping that Owen doesn't follow in his Daddy's birth weight footsteps, who weighed almost 9 lbs. Eek.

Total weight gain? Gained 22 pounds. Too many desserts. :/

Maternity clothes? Running out of normal clothes that fit comfortably. Living in yoga capris and maternity tanks.

Sleep? No.good.

Best moment this week? This is a reoccurring thing, not necessarily this week specific, but I REALLY love it when Andrew puts his face to my belly and talks to Owen. Melt.my.heart. I also have been scoring big at yard sales/ Goodwill's 1/2 off for little Owen's wardrobe. Since he'll be born in the opposite season as Graham was, we're having to start from scratch for most of his clothes. All of Graham's newborn sized clothes were fleece footed pj type, but I'm pretty sure Owen will be living in short sleeved onesies for a while. Anyway it's so fun to build his little itsy bitsy wardrobe, especially for cheap!! Also, Mother's Day was pretty sweet. Andrew was helping with the new church building almost all day long, but then he cooked dinner for us and started a Mother's Day journal for our kiddos to write notes/ draw pic's/ etc for me over the years. I saw on Pinterest as a way to keep all Mother's Day cards together over the years, and I loved the idea! Andrew translated for Graham and Owen, for what they should say to me this year. :) Oh, and I had a sweet "Mother's Retreat" time, just a couple hours at a coffee shop to reflect on the beauty and blessing of motherhood and pray for this baby on the way. So refreshing to my heart and so thankful for Andrew having some boy time with Graham so I could do it!

Graham's handprints and "note" to me for Mother's Day :)

Owen's pic and "note" to me in my Mother's Day journal. Thanks hubba!

Miss anything? Same... Being able to hug Andrew really close. Fitting into clothes well. Sleep. And Andrew's turkey sandwiches always look so yummy.

Movement? This kid is strong. I feel like he's wrestling my insides sometimes.

Food cravings? Sweets and fruit.... especially ice cream, strawberries, pineapples... and Pop Tarts (I haven't given in yet to those but I'm losing willpower).

Anything making you queasy or sick? Nope.

Have you started to show yet? Ummmmm.... that would be a yes. The Trader Joe's sample lady who is so sweet and LOVES seeing Graham every week commented today that I'd grown since last Monday. I don't understand how my belly is just going to keep stretching even more. In the last few days, I've noticed strangers don't ask me anymore, "When is your due date?", but instead, "Is your baby coming soon?" HA!

Labor signs? This was probably my scariest moment this pregnancy. At 31 weeks, Andrew and I went on a rare date. I was fine through the movie, but as soon as we left and started walking to the car, I had about 5 contractions pretty quickly. They were more uncomfortable than usual and came so close together, it freaked me out. They continued in the car and at the Cheesecake Factory. Andrew and I scarfed down our cheesecake and French fries (yep) and headed home as soon as we could, vowing to call the doctor if they didn't stop as soon as I laid down. She had said to call if I had more than 2 in an hour, which I was WAY past. Andrew headed to our sweet neighbors' to pick Graham up, and I went straight to bed, begging God for Owen to stay put! I felt better immediately when I laid down, and my contractions stopped quickly. Whew. I have been trying REALLY hard to take it easier since then (which is nearly impossible with a toddler of course) and avoid certain activities that I know cause contractions. I've just had normal, sporadic, non-painful contractions since then, so I'm praying that episode was just a fluke, and I will go full term. Can't wait to see what the doctor says at this week's appointment about it.

Little Owen requested French fries instead of the planned cheesecake on our date night. :)

Symptoms: Another night of Tums. Dang acid reflux. Contractions.

Belly button in or out? It's still practically all the way out. Ugh.

Wedding ring on or off? On. 

Happy or moody most of the time? Moody. First I blamed it on the insane winter... now I blame it on our house remodel. I stepped on a rusty nail the other day, Graham can't play downstairs because it is a complete danger zone, etc, etc. But Andrew is on break now and working his tail off trying to finish this thing!! I know it will be worth it in the end, but it's pretty tough now.

Tearing down the wall between our kitchen and dining room.

Name possibilities? Sweet Owen. We cannot wait to meet you!!!!!!

Looking forward to? The Bachelorette starting tonight. :) Getting Owen's room in order. Snuggling this sweet baby in my arms!!! Seeing if he looks like his big bro or has a look all of his own!

G begs for his swing every time we go outside. :)

G man at 18 months

LIttle precious.

Weight: 26 lbs, 14 oz. (50th-75th %)

Height: 32 inches (50th %)

Clothing size: 18 months.

Diaper size: Cloth... size 4 disposable.

Feeding: Biggest milestone here is learning to like scrambled eggs and oatmeal. I have been pushing both since the beginning, but he has always refused both for some reason. One day he randomly decided he liked them, which made this breakfast-fan mama so happy. He also has become a huge yogurt fan. And he knows the names of so many foods now, it's super helpful in communication. I ask him if he wants a certain food and he'll smile sooooooo big and wiggle around, he's so excited to eat it. He also loves anything that I dip my food in-- mostly hummus and marinara sauce. He begs for a dip of anything and gobbles it up. The last few months he has gotten pickier about veggies. :(

Getting every last drop of yogurt.

Showing his OCD side...
separating out his breakfast food before he eats it. :)

Sleeping: Still on one nap a day, which usually lasts about 2-3 hours; bedtime around 7:30pm.

Milestones: Dropping the paci!!!! I thought this was going to be a super hard transition, even though he really only has used it for bedtime or embarrassing meltdowns in public since he was about a year. But we NEEDED the paci in those two situations, badly. I'd planned on weaning him at 18 months, so he would have two months to get used to it before baby 2 came. Then one day around 15 months, he started balancing it on his crib rails, where it would inevitably fall off, and he would go to sleep without it. This started happening every day, so I just stopped offering it to him. And now he refuses it. Whew. Really thankful he just did it himself. And he's definitely communicating more all the time. He shakes his head yes or no when I ask him questions, he can say about 10 words, he can follow certain requests, etc. HUGE for our days!! One of his favorite words is "Hi!" and he has gotten so much friendlier! He says hi and waves to almost every person or animal we see on walks, strangers in stores, etc. I love it.

Broadway babies enjoying the swings!!

Can't get over how big he's getting!!!

Likes: He loves anything outside!!! He loves to swing in the backyard, go down the slide, go on stroller walks, just walk around outside, ride on Daddy's back on hikes. The zoo. Puzzles. Eating. DOGS. AIRPLANES. He sees literally every airplane that flies overhead... which is a LOT where we live. He stops whatever he's doing, looks and points. Totally fascinated. And still buckets. :)

Working with his neighbor buddy on a puzzle.

Swinging with Daddy!

Dislikes: Being told "no". Teething.

Adventures: Zoo. 1st Mule Day. Easter.  

What we couldn't live with out: Warm weather!!! Seriously. I've also been reading A Mother's Heart by Jean Fleming, which has been so, so helpful in my perspective on mommyhood. And while we're on the topic of books, I LOVE these two by Rachel Jankovic: Loving the LIttle Years & Fit to Burst. They're quick, easy reads full of practical help and thoughts on raising little ones.

My favorite part of parenting this age: Communicating more and more!!! And his giggles and grins totally melt my heart.

The hardest part of parenting this age: The tantrums when he doesn't get his way. :(