35 weeks

 

Derek gone= horrible self timer pic.  But I got one in!

 

 

 

How far along: 35 weeks (7/22/14)

Size of baby: Over 18 inches (kind of doubt it) and 5 1/4 pounds. About the size of a honeydew melon. 

Feeling: Friday morning was a little rough. I kept getting super hot and really weak. I had some contractions off and on but back to normal by afternoon. It was enough to get my butt in gear and get a lot done for the baby this past weekend. 

Weight gain: 21.5 pounds. My Ob was gone last week so I saw a different doctor but he said baby was measuring right at 35 weeks so the lack of weight gain wasn't anything to worry about. He said a lot of woman will plateau in weight towards the end so all is good. That was Wednesday and Monday I was up 2 more pounds so we're all good.

Gender: BOY!! Brooks Anthony. 

Cravings: Got my club crackers again at the store. And lots of fruit. 

Best moment this week: I was checking things off my list left and right this weekend. His dresser is put together with little tiny clothes washed inside, put together rock n play, pack n play is ready to go in our room, got my travel size bathroom things for hospital, a pajama set for hospital, got him a few outfits and ordered his coming home outfit. Collins seems to be understanding more that baby is coming and she'll point to his car seat when we talk about it. She loves his room and all the baby gear we've been getting out. 

Movement:  Can't miss em. My stomach literally bulges as he sticks his butt up or does who knows what. Feeling some movement down south so wondering if he's dropped. Doesn't look like it but feels like it! 

Sleep: either up for a good hour in the middle of the night or up for the day around 6:30. Losing energy and tired by 7pm. Even with a nap! Looking forward to not having to wake up and shift pillows around every time I move at night. I'll enjoy this crappy sleep while I can though. I know it's gonna be worse when he comes. 

Maternity clothes: Everything is getting snug and I'm too close to the end to buy new clothes. I'll just keep yanking my shirts down and wearing my comfy clothes. 

Milestones:  Because he is snug in there, he isn't likely to be doing dramatic somersaults.  The amount of movement should remain the same though.  His kidneys are fully developed and his liver can process some waste products.  Basic physical development is now mostly complete and  his main job over the next few weeks is to put on weight.

20 months

My cute little spitfire,

I am in total denial that you are nearing the age of two and that this is the last month of you being our "baby." I have kept it together but this month is going to be an emotional one for your mama (and now I am crying). You have made these past 20 months the absolute best months of our lives.

Coming in at a whopping 24 pounds and some inches tall.  You've packed on the pounds this month but I don't think you've gotten taller. You still seem so small to me but you have a personality to make up for it. Always wanting the attention and you get a rise when people laugh at you. You've started to do this old lady walk where you hunch over and it cracks me up. The more I laugh, the more you do it.   We try not to laugh when you do something you shouldn't (like throw your napkin across the table at daddy) but everything you do is so damn cute, it's hard not too. Still wearing 12-18 month clothes, size 4 diaper and a size 5 shoe but I think we need to get some 6's.

 

Your still a pretty good eater and a great sleeper.  You will now accept hot dogs and we are working on sandwiches.  Those 2 foods alone make lunch so much easier. You've learned to set your plate next to the sink when your done eating thanks to watching cousin Aiden do it.  You can hardly reach to get it up there but get super pissed if I try and help.  Your still loving your big girl bed and cuddle up to your pillow around 8pm and we don't hear a peep from you until at least 7:15am.  I can guarantee that the word eat will come out of your mouth in less then 5 min. of you being awake. So demanding first thing in the morning.  Naps are about 1.5-2 hours.

You are finally picking up on your vocabulary.  Other people have a hard time knowing what your saying but I can usually figure it out.  Most words start with an N so if people know that much, it's a little easier.  Nat=cat, neys=keys, neyes=eyes, nayney=baby.   I've heard you say on numerous occasions "weh (where) zozo at?" and when I asked you were Elsie was, you said "side" (outside). The way you say Zozo for Zoe is the cutest.   You've also said nose, dodie (doggy) and I'm sure a few others I'm forgetting. Huh? is becoming less heard and "wa that?" is replacing it. Your always asking what things are but I know your just learning about the world so I don't mind answering it all day long.

We really need to get you in for your first haircut.  Your rocking a pretty sweet mullet AND rat tail.  The back of your hair is curly though so their not too noticeable unless your hair is wet.  I just don't want to not be able to do your piggytails! You LOVE getting your hair done.  I plop you on the counter and let you play in the water and brush your teeth while I do it.  No outfit is complete without a bow and you'll make sure of it.  The bow usually gets pulled out at home but you know it has to stay in when we're in public. 

Your molars are finally coming in! 3 have popped through giving you a total of 11 teeth now.  I think your still behind on the teeth department but that makes me feel better about not having your weaned from your binky at bedtime or naptime yet.  Soon, it's going to happen soon!

You "count" 1-2-3 but it's more just sounds then actual words.  You "count" before you jump into the pool and when your playing hide and seek.  You'll either squint your eyes closed or hide your eyes when your counting at hide and seek but your not all that great at actually hiding or seeking.  It's pretty comical to watch though.

I think you have gills cause you are such a fish in the water. There's no such thing as too deep to you and you will just keep walking until you go completely under.  You can almost go under water on your own. You'll stand and squat down and get your mouth and nose under but not quite your eyes.  You lean your head back to get your hair wet in the pool and love floating on your back. Especially when you have a floatie on and can do it yourself. You've learned how to support yourself in a puddle jumper and swam across the pool completely on your own with one on.  I know someone who isn't going to be happy when summer is over and we can no longer go swimming. 

I could go on and on about you. I started to do things you dislike but I really couldn't think of much.  Besides cars or trucks coming too close and being helped when you don't want it, your pretty easy going.  We're working on listening and not taking off when I ask you to come here.

 

We love you baby girl and even when the new baby comes, your still gonna be our baby.
 

34 weeks

Sometimes, a video is just as good as a pic. Here's a glimpse at this active fella:

How far along: 34 weeks (7/15/14)

Size of baby: 4 and 3/4 pounds and almost 18 inches. About the size of a cantaloupe. Collins' was 18 in. at birth so we'll see how they compare, I'm guessing they'll be very close in weight and length. 

Feeling: having Braxton hicks contractions off and on and some pressure down south too. Anxious to see when he comes. I'm counting down the weeks. I really can't complain too much because I've been feeling really good but I'm ready to bring him home! 

Weight gain: 21.5 pounds. I eat all day long so I'm a little surprised I haven't gained more. I think I'll bring it up to the doctor because I haven't gained much in the past 3 weeks and I want to be sure baby is growing. 

Gender: BOY!! Brooks Anthony. 

Cravings: chocolate, sweets and fruit. Same ole, same ole cravings. 

Best moment this week: Getting the car seat out (hasn't been installed yet) and shopping for things for the nursery. Collins is loving playing in the swing, car seat and crib so hopefully she does ok when it's Brooks' turn to use them. She knows their for him and likes putting her baby dolls in them so crossing my fingers we aren't setting ourselves up for disaster. 

Movement: Still kicking, moving and punching away.  

Sleep: Falling asleep isn't a problem but between bathroom trips and just being wide awake at 4:30am for a good hour, it could be better. I keep catching myself on my back again and am looking forward to being able to sleep on my stomach and back without depriving the baby of oxygen again. 

Maternity clothes: Everyone talks about how miserable being pregnant in the summer is but I'm liking the summer maternity clothes way more then the winter. Yeah, I get hot but I'll take tank tops and dresses over maternity jeans any day. 

Milestones:  fat layers- which will regulate body temperature after birth- are filling your baby out, making him rounder. His skin is becoming smoother then ever.  The central nervous system is maturing and lungs continue to mature as well. Babies born between 34-37 weeks who have no health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the nicu but usually do just as fine as a full term baby. 

Long family vacay

Trying to get up to date on posts so let me take you back to middle of June:

 

This year was our 6th year "camping" with my dads side of the family and we are adding family members like crazy. 3 of us were pregnant this year so you can guess what next year will look like. Baby heaven! 

We got there on Sunday and after unpacking, headed straight to the beach. The green algae warning had been lifted so we were thankful to be able to get into the lake. After only about 30 min, it started pouring. It was quite the show seeing us all scramble for chairs, towels, coolers and kids. We got back to the cabins just in time before a terenchel down pour started. We snacked until the rain stopped and then let the kids play outside while the grills were started for dinner. Some of us adults snuck away for a before dark boat ride and then made it back to tuck very tired kids into bed.  The pregnant girls headed to bed early and most of the others stayed up. 

 

 

 

 

No black out curtains make for an earlier then usual wake up call. Since our cabin was mostly still sleeping, the ones that were awake headed to the adult cabin. Cartoons and a big, yummy breakfast fueled us up and everyone started waking up and getting around for the day. We loaded up the boat and heading out onto the lake. We pulled up to a different beach from the day before and saw what we believe was the green algae we had been warned about. After trying another spot and still seeing algae, me and Collins ditched the water for lunch and naps at the cabin. The others went to the middle of the lake where the water was cleaner but being in the middle of the lake with a 1 year old who thinks she can swim and hates being held, plus a working dad, didn't seem fun to me. Some of the family was at the cabin and my cousin who is a kid at heart, ran into town for baby pools, slip n slides and a sprinkler. They were a huge hit (for the adults and kids) that afternoon and evening. It sprinkled off and on but that didn't stop the kids from having fun. Derek had to work in Wichita that day but made it back in time for the fish fry.  We had smores for dessert and everyone called it an early night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We slept a little later on our last morning and then had a big breakfast followed by packing up and heading out. We decided that 2 nights just isn't enough and hope to add another night next year. It's so nice to get away for a couple days and see family that we don't get to see but a couple times a year, some only once a year. 

 

 

 

We had so much fun as always and Collins was in heaven being outside 90% of the day, playing with cousins and eating all day long. Another Long family vacay in the books. Until next year! 

Summer so far/pic overload

*Be prepared for LOTS of pics*

 

Since cousin Aiden starts kindergarten in August, we thought it would be fun to keep him for the summer so he could have fun and not go to daycare. Collins gets SO excited during the week when I tell her he is coming over and he's the first person she asks for when she wakes up for nap. To say they have a close relationship is in understatement. She absolutely adores him and he is ssooo incredibly great with her. He's the big brother she'll never have and I am so thankful for their close relationship. Did I mention how much he entertains her and how much I can actually get done now? Win win!

Don't worry, I don't make him babysit her ALL day :) We try and do something everyday so here is a photo dump of our summer so far. 

We've spent almost everyday at the pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have had lots of play dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indoor fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some lunch dates

 

 

 

Can't wait to see what the rest of summer holds for us!