Easter

My how the time flies. This is Jenna's second Easter, and the first we had a blast, but she was too young for an egg hunt. This year, however, the Easter Bunny stopped by for a visit. We talked him up, and she was SO excited every time we mentioned his name. (I've decided it's a male bunny, don't ask me why). When we put her to sleep the night before, we told her the Easter Bunny was going to stop by the house, hide some eggs and bring her a basket of goodies.


And so he visited....
First Egg! Weeee!

There's MORE!?

Checkin out her loot...

Play with the breakable eggs, or the toys? Hmmm......

I didn't like either of those, I'll stick with this box. (sigh) Doesn't she look like she could be 8 here!? Except for the diaper box, I know... but STILL! How did she get to be so big!?

Holy cow, she's adorable.

So excited to be singing along in her Easter best.

Hmmmm.... Bread?

BREAD! When do we eat, Ma!?

I guess it's good based on her face.... or she's trying to say cheese while eating the 'bread'.

::sigh:: time really does fly by when you're not looking.

How is it possible that she'll be TWO in a few short months?

Too long, it's been too long

It's been way too long since I've posted. I've been enjoying my time with Jenna lately. This is a fun age in that she's running around, talking up a storm, can (and has) said "I lub you" with kisses and is just all around awesome. She's also throwing temper tantrums, but I'll ignore that for this gooey post.

We're in full swing this holiday season. We went to visit Santa and although she says his name and points out every stuffed Santa, Santa cartoon, etc. When we went to go visit him this year, she watched in amazement as the other kids were talking to him, telling him what they wanted for Christmas. When it was her turn, I picked her up and we headed his way.

Once we were standing next to him I asked her "Do you want to see Santa?" She replied with feverish head shaking and "No, no, NO!!" So I asked the next logical question... "Do you want to sit on his lap?" at this point, she's scrambling up my arm like a baby monkey trying to crawl on her Mom's back.

Santa suggested a photo with Mom and baby. I looked over at Nick and said "How about a FAMILY photo" (shooting daggers). Nick came and sat on Santa's right knee, I sat on his left knee (how long has it been since I've sat on Santa's lap!?) and I held Jenna to my left side... as far from the fat jolly man as possible.

We snapped a few photos and I didn't like them... I wanted to mimick last year's photo. So, I asked Santa if we could try again. He said OK and I put the munchkin on his lap. Her eyes were filled with terror and she was signing "All Done" over and over and over... also saying "No" and shaking her head back and forth. BUT Mama got her photo.... :)

Lately we've taken to driving around to look at Christmas lights. It doesn't matter if there is a single strand on the gutters or if there's a full display with reindeer and blow up snow globes... the same reaction comes from the back seat each time we pass by a lit house. "Wow, wow, WOW!!" the second that it's out of her sight this can be heard "More, please... more, PLEASE" I haven't been able to figure out how to tell her that we'll get to the next house ASAP.

She also loves the tree (when the lights are off, we tell her it's sleeping... she makes the shhhh face as to not disturb the tree). The red balled ornaments she would point out and say "Apple" and I kindly remind her that they're not apples, but they're ornaments. To which she replies with 'orddednts' (or something similar... it's hard to type out toddler speak). She also enjoys pointing out each person's stocking.

Possesion is really big to her right now. When we explain that she can't have Mommy's coffee... she points and says "Mommy's" then turns to Nicks and says "Daddy's"... same with pretty much all beverages and anything else she's not supposed to have (we tell her it's ours as to avoid her throwing fits to get it... ours = off limits... it's working, sort of).

Ahhh, she's fun. I love her. Can we keep her like this forever?

The P family annual tree trip!

Last year, the P family was nice enough to bring us down a Christmas tree from their annual trip up to the mountains to cut down a tree. Last year, we traded them for a raspberry teething paci (tree for a paci, fair trade, right!?) This year, we decided to join in the fun.

So we gathered all the cold weather gear we could find (including Jenna's awesome snowsuit sent out from New Jersey courtesy of Nana) and picked up some super cute rain boots for Jenna. We bought the next size up to hopefully last her the season. That proved to be a bit of a mistake. As we hiked through the snow (while I carried her) I would hear 'uh oh, uh oh, uh oh!' I looked down... Jenna was wearing one boot... turn around and 3 feet behind us was the other hello kitty boot on the ground... pick it up, put it on start walking again... repeat. Over and over and over. Meh, at least they're cute!

We found our tree pretty quickly, and returned to replace her boot once again ;)
Here we are with the Christmas tree of 2009. Isn't it purdy!? Yeah, I love it. Too bad it was WAY too tall for our little ceilings. Maybe next year we'll be in a house with vaulted ceilings!? Maybe?

Landon wasn't digging the sled. I think he was playing along, but just wasn't excited about it. He liked being there, but preferred to be held.

Jenna, on the other hand... once she discovered the sled... it was all over. If we picked her up, she was ANGRY! Put me down people! Don't you know there's a sled and snow to play in!?

Can you say 'love'!?

We picked her up yet again for a quick photo op. See the displeasure on her face!? WHY AM I NOT DOWN ON THE GROUND!?

Stomping around in the snow...

The P family dogs came along for some fun, too!

Someone pull this!

Yep, Landon wasn't into it... They really are opposite in their mannerisms.

Sally brought along the best chili ever! Perfect on such a cold day!

More sled action. I know you're shocked.

She figured if she just laid down then she wouldn't have to maneuver in that 'can't put my arms down' snowsuit and she could just enjoy the ride.

LOTS of trees!

Ours is loaded up and ready go 4 wheelin once again! This is the first time the 4Runner's been on fresh snow. We had a blast 4 wheeling :)

The P family with their tree! (They have vaulted ceilings, can you tell!?)

The night before the trip I went to get gas at 9:30 pm. When I got in the car to go, the driver's side headlight was out. With no auto parts stores open at that time of night, I just filled up and we were on our way the next day. We let the caravan know our issue and they kept an eye out for our one eye on the drive up. On the drive back down to the bay, we stopped in Auburn for gas. As we were leaving the gas station, we noticed the other light was out. It was 6pm, in November, pitch black out with NO headlights! We pulled over with the group, looked up the nearest Target and headed that direction with our high beams on blinding only one party of our caravan. On our way, we saw an open Kragen Auto Parts, on a Sunday evening, at 6:30 pm in Auburn. A quick u-turn and stop and we were on the road again.

The trip was beyond fun. It was a suuuper long day, Jenna barely napped at all (30 minutes there, 30 minutes after loading up and 30 minutes before getting home. We left our house at 7am and didn't get home until 9 at night.

I think it's pretty safe to say that we'll be adding this tradition to our agenda next year for sure!

My head is spinning

So, over the last 3 weeks or so, I've realized such a change in Jenna. She's really a little person, displaying her wants, her needs, her desires. She's throwing less tantrums because she's really able to express herself now.

I can *talk* to my child now. She can converse back with us. She says so many words every time I try to write them down, I miss A LOT. She sings 'take me out to the ball game' with us. I'm going to try to list a number of the words she's saying but I know this list will not be all the words. I.just.can't.keep.up!

Tree, apple, light, more, please, up, down, Pop, Poppy, Mama, Daddy, Mom, Dad, Daddy, bath, potty, broccoli, cheese, sock, shoes, zapatos, boca, eye, nose, head, cabesa, mesa, Noble, bye, hi, go, Ohhhh Doctor!!! (phrase used when the Yanks hit a home run), kisses... the list goes on and on. She repeats new words daily and frankly, I don't know what to do with such a verbal child! Oh, I left out the word 'crap' which she's repeated but not used in context... much better than some of the other words that came out of our mouths during the 49ers game the other day.
We went to the pumpkin farm a few weekends ago. We had a blast. Jenna loved pushing the pumpkins over then trying to pick them up...

She's so big, so independent, such a toddler. I *love* this age. I love that she's striking out on her own every chance she's got.

Although I can't say I'm surprised. The girl has always been opinionated. Need I remind you that she likes to make a statement?

Seriously... look at this kid. So different than 6 months ago. When they say 'this too, shall pass' they're not kidding. The blink of an eye yields a different child entirely. And yet, she's not all that different. She still makes us aware of her wants, her needs, her desires... rather forcefully. But now I'm able to encourage her to phrase things instead of just balling or screaming. Crazy cool is what it is. Crazy cool.

Jenna is just shy of 16 months and blowing my mind.

Apparently green poop is normal.

I've made about 5 calls to the advice nurses in the last 48 hours. Most are about me, as I've somehow gotten a bladder infection of e-coli (why they told me that, I don't know). Apparently, it's common.... funny, I thought it was toxic... whatever. It will be interesting once I start antibiotics as most (girls) know with antibiotics there is a chance you can get a yeast infection. AND, what is "thrush"? A yeast infection.

Anyway, after recognizing that my 'period' that I got earlier in the week was yielding some TERRIBLE cramps I finally woke up at a 3am feeding and realized it probably wasn't 'cramps' after all. I called the advice nurse and she said I probably had a UTI. A few more calls and a culture later, I have a bladder infection. Fantastic.

So, they said "Keep drinking liquids, flush it out, cranberry juice is good". If there's one thing I'm good at, it's overkill. I went out and bought 2 half gallons of cranberry juice and throughout yesterday, I drank one entire bottle. (they can't say I'm not taking in enough liquids!)

This morning, I went to change Jenna and low and behold: Green Poop. Seriously. I'm talking simple green color (though Nick begs to differ, he said it's clearly wheat grass in color). Either way, there wasn't a hint of her normal mustard yellow stuff in sight. (This is where I apologize to my dear childless friends, as I'm sorry for having you get this far if you didn't ignore the post based on the title alone).

In any case... holy cow. This has been one helluva adventure! Any bets on what we have coming up next?

Good things

I wanted to do a postive post, since it's been a bit since I've done one. Positive things: baby's moving around a lot! So much so that I don't even really remember her not moving around...or, I should say, I don't know how I'll cope without her wiggling around and reminding me of her :)
Then again, I guess that's what pictures are for, once she's here!

My back has been pretty good. It wasn't so happy for awhile, and now I can tell when I'm in a bad position, I can just take over the big couch and lay on my side and it's much better. I'm tolerating sitting for long periods without pain and although I'm slower to walk, I can still get up and around relatively easy. However, I have to keep in mind with parking that I can't park too close because the door opening is no longer the problem with fitting in a parking spot, it's now my belly to butt width that makes the difference.

A friend of mine gave birth this past weekend. Seeing her baby's pictures made my heart swoon for her and her family. I still can't quite comprehend that I'll be in the same situation in a few short weeks. And, I can't wait.

This weekend I'm going to a baby shower for another friend (Friend due in April, May and then there's me). I'm excited to see her and her progress along with getting togeher with a bunch of other girls. Also this weekend, I'll be meeting up with a couple of other friends I haven't seen for quite some time. One moved to Oregon and the other is just rounding out her first trimester. I'm really looking forward to it.

Oh, I got a raise this week. I'm super excited and proud. Nick and I are going out to dinner to celebrate (as to where? I don't know yet... I haven't decided).

We got a lot of yard work done last weekend. It was good to get out in the sun and trim up bushes and generally 'polish' the back yard. It's one of my favorite parts of the house we're renting, so it will be good to take advantage in the upcoming weekends of a pretty yard.

I'm pleased that I'm feeling better and better and I can read my body enough to understand when I need to lay down, when I need a snack, etc.

I got a pedicure yesterday, my toes look pretty in pink :)

I get to go shopping for all the fun May events coming up. I have 2 showers, 2 weddings and Mother's Day to dress up for (I *think* both Nick and I's Mom's will be in the area for M-day)!

OK, that's all I have for now. I'll make sure to add more later.

Warm, gooey feelings

Nick has been so good, SO good throughout this pregnancy thus far. We've been together a long, long time (10 years by the time our little one is born) and I've never loved him more. He's been taking a much larger role in taking care of the hosue (without asking!) and ensuring I'm comfortable, running for water, helping me off the couch and so much more. We've had a couple discussions about it, we've always loved each other, but since the pregnancy has begun, we have a more 'deep' relationship. It's really difficult to explain, but this is a new bond we've never had before. I can only imagine how that will change (for the better) with our little girl in our arms.

Speaking of our little girl, I'm starting to feel more and more movements. It's hard, as soon as I feel her wiggling around, I want to put my hand on my belly and encourage it, but, since I feel the movement through the sensors in my skin, me touching the belly overrides the sensation from inside. So, when I feel her squirming, I just have to sit back and enjoy. It's an odd sensation, and it continues to make her all that much more 'real'.

Last week, the stranger comments started. And once someone said something, EVERYONE has noticed. It's a good thing, I enjoy it. However, I'm back to that "Do I have to squeal when they ask me about the baby?" question. I was at the grocery store and the clerk said "OOHHH!!!!! It's a BABY!!" I chuckled along with Nick's mom and my sister-in-law. The poor clerk said "Was that a bad thing? To say?" (poor woman). No, we're just laughing because I was sneaking a bit of chocolate on the conveyer belt for my craving and Nick's mom would have rather bought it for me.... She then coined the term "chocolatey-evil" for my sarcastic tone and mood... It's been a joke ever since... Anyway, off track as usual. Ackowledging the belly is good, I just don't have the energy to jump up and down everytime someone congratulates me.

21 weeks, even

1st tri end in sight... but not here yet!

Ah, so this weekend was great in that I had TONS of energy on Saturday, at least until 8:45pm, then I fell asleep. Sunday? Pooped. All day! Another day of laying around on the couch. I'm really, really looking forward to the so-called 2nd trimester 'burst' of energy you're supposed to get. Lemme tell you, this fatigue really puts a cramp in the holidays. Nick was so awesome yesterday, he cleaned the house, put up an evergreen wreath and just made the house look awesome. I love it. I think he was sick of looking at the stuff I was too pooped to lift a finger to move. He's been a real trooper, I'm quite impressed.

He also reminds me to do things. Apparently, this condition called "pregnancy brain" is really giving me a run for my money. I don't remember to send out thank you cards, I get tasks started, but never really finish them, and that, coupled with my short temper (thanks to those oh-so-fabulous hormones) really put me in a tizzy.

Ah, now on to the positives: I'm pregnant. I've got a pregnant gut (aka beer belly looking gut), my boobs have now increased 2 full cup sizes (this is good for Nick, not so much for me) and they're not as sore, thank goodness). Ah, my favorite: everyone knows! I've been given license to tell any and everyone about our little monkey. Thank goodness! No more hiding, slinking around. I can freely wander in baby sections with the news that I haven't gained weight because that's what happens after high school, I've gained weight because I'm growing a baby. Yay!

12w, 1d

It's official...

I've gone from a 34B to a 34C this week. I went and bought the cheapest bra possible (that fit well) at Target. I spent $11.99. Who knew bras came so cheap? Maybe I've just always been a VS (victoria's secret) girl, but I'm not about to go spend $30-50 bucks a pop for bras in this time period.

I'm also using this opportunity to list the positives at this point. Last night, my very caring husband reminded me that I need to be more positive for our bean. It's hard because I'm positive at work, and, well, when I'm outside the house, but when I come home, I just want to whine. So, I'm turning that frown upside down. Here's my positives right now:

- It's still a secret between us two.
- One week and one day to share with family! (I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that!)
- I suddenly have quite a rack! (but don't touch!)
- I get to see our little one early next week! (Whoever invented the ultrasound machine is near and dear to my heart!)
- I'm going to go get a bella band this weekend so I can march around work with my pants unbuttoned! (little do they know!)
- It's November! I love fall food and football, and football without baseball! (my husband is a sports nut and *must* watch all games.

Yay, I feel much better. Happy Friday!

Why I'm enjoying it in this stage...

So I've heard, pregnancy isn't exactally a walk in the park. That being said, I'm trying to keep my everly optomistic attitude in each and every inch of this pregnancy. I don't want to complain a lot (trust me, I'm a complainer!). So, every now and then (hopefully at least once a month, I'll try to post the "Why I'm enjoying this stage in my pregnancy" notes.

Here's the first:

1. I'm enjoying it right now, because I'm still skinny, I don't have to answer to anyone about when it's due and no one has asked to touch my belly.
2. Morning Sickness hasn't set in (Thank God!)
3. Someone told me "You're so thin" (Yay!)
4. My husband has read his required reading for the pregnancy (see back to the previous post about when I told him). And, since, he's been doing laundry, dishes and general up keep of the home. I, as usual, thank'd him profusly, and moved on. Then, last night he said: "I don't know that I can do it all"

"Um, what? What all are you doing?" I asked

"Well, when you get to the 'I can't' phase, I'll have to take care of the house on my own, and I don't think I can do it"

Aw, he's so cute. I proceeded to tell him that things will go one of two ways: 1) I'll keep helping around the house and we'll get stuff done together or, 2) Things will slip. And, honestly, that's fine. If a baby is coming within a few weeks, I have a feeling people won't turn up their noses at the pile of mail on the coffee table. Oh, and if they do f-em... They don't get to see the baby until at least a week after birth! (Wow, that could be a powerful tool, I'll try to keep it in mind!)

Here's the last reason why I'm enjoying it in this stage:
5) No one knows, STILL! Yay! We've been good! I'm pregnant, and just my husband, the bookstore b!tch and the Kaiser advice nurse know. And, well, to be honest, 2 of the 4 don't really matter. It's fantastic. Although, I spoke with my mom on the phone last weekend, and she just seemed generally bummed. I know that would have cheered her up, but I want to tell her in person! And, my dad's birthday was on Tuesday, that, too would have been a great present. But I made him settle for an alarm clock. Awesome. So, for now, it's our secret. We're going to have a baby! Yay!

My first (and not so exciting) appointment is tomorrow. Even though it's all about pee and blood, I can't wait!

4 weeks and 3 days
(or 3 weeks and 3 days, pregnancy wheel)