Introducing our newest family member...

No name but it's huge

#2, 29 Weeks

How far along? 29 weeks
Best moment this week? Had an appointment on Tuesday. Everything looked good. I had commented to Derek that I felt larger this time than with Maya at the same time. Sure enough, I was measuring about 3 weeks ahead. That could mean she's large or sitting funny or have more fluid or could just be because my muscles have done this before. I'm curious to see how big she will be.
Movement? She's pretty active. She is kicking as I type. She has slow days and those always concern me. I usually do an unofficial kick count on those days and she has no trouble passing. My doctor said it's usually because they are turned funny and then you just can't feel it as well. On Tuesday, she kept squirming around and kicking the doppler when we were listening to her heart beat. The doc commented that she was active. A couple of weeks ago, Maya was sitting in my lap and #2 kept kicking her. I asked Maya if she could feel it and she could.
Food cravings? Nothing really. My mouth is generally so dry that I'm drinking water, crunching ice or chewing gum (only the cinnamon kind) all the time.
What I love? Watching my belly wiggle from the outside.

What I miss? Chocolate. The halloween leftovers are still around taunting me.
What I'm looking forward to? 30 weeks. It's not a milestone exactly but it just seems different than the 20s. Hard to believe that if she comes as early as her sister should could be here in less than 10 weeks. Guess we should look at names. I have an appointment in a couple of weeks. Down to every three weeks rather than four for the next few appointments. Then I think it goes to every other week for a while.
Also, not pregnancy related but I'm looking forward to Christmas this year. We put up our tree this weekend and Maya is super excited. She's been asking every day if it's Christmas yet. Although we will miss being with family this year, I think Maya is at a great age to enjoy everything and it should be fun.
Milestones? I the last few weeks I've had several strangers ask me when I'm due. I guess that means I look pregnant enough for them to feel confident asking.

I've been having a lot of braxton hicks contractions the last few days. I started having them way early this time, around 16 weeks. But they weren't that frequent. It seems like with Maya I had them more regularly in the early 30s weeks. Not really a concern, just a nuisance.

Out of the mouths of toddlers

Maya likes to make up words right now. She say it a few times then will ask "do you know what (made-up word) means?" She then defines the word. It's pretty entertaining. Sometimes she will do something similar for actual words. One day Maya asked me "mom, do you know what problem means?" I replied "what does it mean?" She answered "it means you have a baby in your tummy." Me: "I think you mean pregnant."

One day, Maya and I were talking about how she started as a baby and was growing bigger and bigger and one day she would be an adult. She got really excited and said "then I can cut my own fingernails." So now you know the best part of being an adult.

Maya is frequently asking about baby sister and specifically if she's growing. I usually reply something like yes she's growing bigger until she's big enough to come out of my tummy. A few days ago we were discussing this and Maya says "then she'll pop right out of there" pointing to my cleavage. Uh, yeah, something like that.

In other news, Maya has finally cut her last two second molars. Now if we can keep her healthy and get her adjusted to the time change we might actually get some sleep before starting over in February. Well might have to figure out a solution to the middle of the night potty trips and false alarms. I think someone she will hear me get up and go. Then dreams/thinks she tinkled in her panties. She's only had one actual accident since we went diaper free twoish months ago so I guess I can't really complain to much. Besides Derek usually gets up with her these days.

Pumpkin Patch/Happy Halloween

On October 19th we went to the pumpkin patch. Maya loved it this year. Gem mining, petting zoo, spinning pumpkin ride, tractor ride, cotton candy, she enjoyed it all.

On the 22nd, she tried on her costume to make sure it fit and I snapped some pictures as she hopped around the yard.

On the 24th we went to a Halloween party at Derek's work. They had a lot of arts/craft things for the kids, which Maya really enjoyed. Add in a bus ride, cookies, snacks, and candy and she was a happy kangaroo. Although there were a ton of people there, I think we all had fun.

On the 26th we painted pumpkins. I need to get some photos of the finished pumpkins.

On Halloween, we took Maya trick-or-treating in our neighborhood this year. She remembered going last year with friends and her pumpkin bag. She wanted both again this year but she settled for just the pumpkin bag. It's crazy how much she remembers. Maya got too much candy just from our street. A number of our neighbors had Halloween lights and decorations. Maya loved the lights but was scared of anything that moved or made noise. On guy jumped out and said boo when he opened the spot. When he saw us he apologized, said he thought she was an older kid. But Maya surprising thought it was hilarious. She still talks about it. She decided she was done trick or treating when someone has a doormat that screamed when you stepped on it.

Maya started getting a little snotty on Halloween. Seemed to be just another cold, her fourth for the season so we didn't think took much of it. On Saturday she woke up in a bad mood then puked at breakfast from all the drainage. She also starred wheezing so we started back on the nebulizer. Sunday I woke up feeling a lot of pelvic pressure. A call to the on call ob and a visit to the clinic to test for a uti followed. It was a great way to spend our first free weekend in a month. Monday I woke up to more classic uti symptoms but had trouble getting drugs from the doctor since my urine culture wasn't showing anything yet. It actually never showed anything but I've had enough uti's to know one and the antibiotic helped. Hopefully my doctor doesn't think I'm crazy.

Now that we are all feeling better, we've been enjoying the lovely weather. We went to a park at least 3 times last week. And I've tried to be better at taking walks. I never thought I'd say that I miss jogging but I do. Maya has been anxiously waiting for there to be enough leaves in our yard to jump in. Yesterday there finally was. But then they came to mow and raked them all up. Fortunately, I anticipated that that might happen so we played in them before lunch/nap.

We have started a very informal preschool co-op with two other moms/toddlers. We are going through the alphabet, taking turns hosting/teaching. Yesterday was the letter c at our house. Maya was super exited for her friends to come to her house and play. We made cut out cookies (really they were more like graham crackers) with lots of sprinkles and then played in c themed sensory bins (really just a cake pan filled corn meal and popcorn with a coin, chocolate candy bar, car, cup, candle, and chocolate coin hidden inside.). The girls loved it. It was a little messy but worth it.

#2, 26 weeks

How far along? 26 weeks
Best moment this week? Passed my glucose tolerance test. They require everyone to take the two hour one. Unfortunately, I only have one good vein for three pokes. Great way to spend a Saturday morning. At least they had Wi-Fi. I would say bring on the Halloween candy but chocolate gives me killer heartburn. Maybe it's for the best given all the candy we have in the house.
Movement? Some days she's crazy. Some days she's calm. Calm enough to start my worrying. She does get moving with sugar.
Food cravings? Still like salad and broccoli slaw. Also looking forward to Thanksgiving.
What I love? Feeling her move. 

What I miss? Drinking coffee whenever I want. Too much or too early in the day makes me nauseous all day.
What I'm looking forward to?  27 weeks on Sunday, making it to the third trimester.
Milestones? Nothing this week.

Maya was concerned when I put on this sweater. She told Derek it's too small or something to that effect.

Not too terrible twos

Maya definitely has her moments of what we call acting like a two year old. Her favorite phrase right now is "but I want/don't want" x. Meltdowns occur for often trivial reasons; her piece of cake fell over, her snack broke, we arrived home before the song playing ended, someone was touching something she wanted to play with, etc. But usually as long as she's well fed and rested she's a real joy. She's really into music, singing, dress up, drawing, coloring, cutting, gluing, legos, fp little people, helping me. I'm amazed at her drawing and coloring skills. She can draw little circle people complete with eyes, noses, mouths, and legs. And when she wants to she does an impressive job of coloring mostly within the lines. She's also handy with a pair of scissors. Today we did a little practice writing M and A. I'm not really sure what's normal for a 2 year old as far as gross and fine motor skills go but I am impressed.

Maya funny: We were going through Maya's baby clothes and she came across a pair of booties. She asked me what they were. I replied, "booties." She gave me a strange look, paused, and said "for your boobs? boobies?" 

#2, 23 weeks

How far along? 23 weeks
Best moment this week? So not from this week, but right after my last post (20 wks and 1 day) Derek was able to feel a kick from the outside.
Movement? She's getting stronger and I'm definitely feeling her more.
Food cravings? Nothing really.
What I love? Hearing Maya talk about her baby sister. One morning she woke up and came in to give me a hug and kiss then gave my belly one too for baby sister.
What I miss? Nothing really.
What I'm looking forward to?  24 weeks on Sunday. OB appointment on Tuesday.
Milestones? Nothing this week.