Lots of Pictures Coming Your Way!!!

It has been over 2 weeks since I have posted any new pictures since I haven't been able to download my camera on my laptop, but I have some great news...we finally got our internet connection moved and desktop computer set back up so I am able to download my camera and post some pictures on this blog!!! I have so many pictures to share but it is already nearing midnight and I am way too tired to stay up any longer, so you guys are only going to get this one post before I head off to bed. Check back tomorrow for a ton of new stuff, but until then enjoy these pics of Tristan gobbling down some spaghetti!

Taste-testing

Deciding whether he likes Mommy's cooking

Had to try another bite, just to get a good taste

What are you looking at...I'm making a decision

The verdict is in...he likes it

What, you're surprised I like something?

I'll show you, look, I love it!

Yay, another bite

He's even eating the pieces off his bib

Found another piece

Decided to slurp it up

Nope, took it back out to play with it a little longer

A False Alarm

As of now, still no baby, but I definitely thought otherwise Saturday morning. At about 6:30 that morning I woke up to a nice big wet spot in our bed and was sure that my water had broke. I wasn't having any contractions, but didn't think that was too weird because I didn't start getting contractions until after my water broke with Tristan. So, I called the on-call doctor to see what we should do.

Naturally, this all had to happen on a Saturday, so I couldn't just call my regular doctor and run to her office for a quick check...nope, the on-call wanted me to go to the hospital since I was already 4 cm dilated, even though I wasn't leaking any more fluid. Although I did think it was a little odd that I wasn't leaking any fluid, I wasn't sure what else that spot all that liquid could have been...and I know I didn't pee on myself!!!!!

I proceeded to get myself ready, pack a bag for Tristan to go over to Victor's moms and called my mom so that she could come with me and Victor could go to work (with the intention of coming to the hospital if my water in fact had broke). About 2 hours after waking up to the lovely wet spot, we were finally ready to head out the door and still no contractions or signs of labor. I felt absolutely normal, except for some nervous jitters and some major anxiety...I kept thinking that we weren't ready for Parker to be here just yet, we just had way too much to finish up in the house. I just needed one more week.

We got Tristan dropped off at Mildred's house and went over to the hospital where I was checked into the labor and delivery unit...I even had to ride in the wheelchair! After getting into a very ugly hospital gown (why can't they make them a little prettier?), the nurse strapped a heartbeat monitor on my tummy to monitor Parker's heartbeat and proceeded to input all my medical info in their computer. During this time she was waiting to see if I leaked any more fluid so that she could test to see if it was amniotic fluid. After about 30 to 45 minutes, she did a test and turns out my water didn't break afterall. I had some weird random gush of fluid, and no, I still don't think I peed on myself...I know what pee smells like, and I will just leave it at that!

So, I was released and told to make sure to go to my next doctor's appointment on Tuesday. Like I wouldn't go, right? Maybe when I see the doctor tomorrow she will have a better explanation about the fluid and some news about Parker's expected arrival date.

The one positive about our little false alarm is it really made Victor and I get in gear to get our house back to normal, some of which was out of our control until after tomorrow, but we are working really hard to get everything finished. I will post more about that tomorrow, along with a lot of new pictures since hopefully I will be working from our desktop computer by then.

Fun Without Pictures

I still can't download pictures on my laptop...for some reason my laptop just will not recognize my camera no matter what I do. I have a lot of posts that I will hopefully get up soon with some great pictures, but you'll just have to wait a bit longer. In the mean time I thought it would be fun to post another poll, so, check it out the left hand margin and cast your vote.

No baby yet!

Parker is still living happily in my tummy at this point! I went in for my 37 week appointment yesterday and found out I am still 3 to 4 centimeters dilated, but now 85% effaced and at a -1 to 0 station, so we are progressing right along. My doctor estimates I have about 7 to 10 days before the big baby debut, but I would really like about 14 days, putting me at 39 weeks. Well at least what I keep telling everyone when they ask if I'm ready is that physically I would be ready now, but mentally I need about 2 weeks so I feel that we have everything prepared.

Our house is still a disaster from reorganzing and rearraning furniture and we are not finished yet. I would really like to get everything back in order and Parker's nursery finished...I promise I will be posting some new pictures of the nursery as soon as I get my camera downloaded!

So, please cross your fingers for me and my sanity that we can hold out another 2 weeks!!!

New Posts Coming Soon!!!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will hopefully be able to post some new stuff tonight when we get our computer set back up. I am using my laptop right now and don't have Adobe Photoshop loaded on it to download my pictures from my camera. Stay tuned to see some really cute pics of Tristan (of course!), Parker's nursery in progress and my baby shower.

36 Week Checkup

Lots and lots of news!!! I went in yesterday for the first of my now weekly checkups and got some surprising news...actually, a couple of surprising bits of news.

Let's start with the not so wonderful news. I gained 7 POUNDS since my last appointment 3 weeks ago and now weigh more than I did at the end of my pregnancy with Tristan, a total weight gain of 31 lovely pounds. I had the doctor check my record with Tristan and I am 9 pounds ahead of where I was at the same week with that pregnancy...this was very depressing news. What was interesting was the nurse weighed me when she first took me back and then proceeded to take my blood pressure and surprise, surprise, it was high. So, we waited a minute and took it again and it was back to normal...I guess hearing my weight really spiked my blood pressure! Funny how things can impact your body so quickly.

Anyways, on to the more interesting news. My stomach measured to 37 and at my last appointment it was 32, quite a growth...maybe that explains the weight gain, or it could be all this water I'm retaining that's making my hands look like the "man hands" woman on that one episode of Seinfeld!

So here's the biggest news of all...Parker's heartbeat was 133 and I'm dilated to 3 to 4 centimeters, 75% effaced and at a -2 station, and I'm sure all of you know exactly what that means, right? Well, even if you are a doctor it doesn't mean anything for sure other than my body is preparing to have a baby. I could stay dilated at 4 cm for the next 4 weeks and go into labor on or near my due date or we could have a baby very soon! I was dilated to 4 when my water broke with Tristan, but it was my first pregnancy and it's normal to dilate faster on subsequent pregnancies. I guess only time will tell...maybe once I do go into labor it will at least be a fast one!

My prediction at this point is we have about two more weeks and after that, it's game time!!! I go back to the doctor on Tuesday, so until then, just keep checking back!!!

Real Little Boys Wear PINK!!!

No, I am not afraid to dress Tristan in a pink shirt! I think he could be wearing a pink tutu and people would still know he's a boy...definitely no mistaking it!!!

It seems no matter where I go people tell me "wow, he is all boy, isn't he?" and I've never had anyone mistake him for a girl (I am probably jinxing myself now). A friend of mine has told me a couple of times that he just looks athletic...I know it sounds funny to say about a toddler, but I think she's right! The more I look at Tristan I can't get over how big and solid he is...his shoulders and back are superwide, he has thick legs, big arms, a size 6.5 wide foot and weighed 28 pounds last time I weighed him!

He is bigger than the kids in his playgroup who are anywhere from 2 to 6 months older than him and when I compare him to one of the other kids he just looks thick and solid! Don't get me wrong, I AM NOT saying he is overweight, because I don't think that at all, I just can't get over how thick he looks. Although, I guess I really shouldn't be all that surprised since my side of the family are all pretty much built this way, except my Mom of course, it's just funny to think this about a 17 month old! Who knows, maybe he will be a great athlete...and if that is the case, then I am glad he got his build from me and his coordination from Victor because I definitely don't have any coordination!

I look good in this pink shirt

Yeah, that's right, get a good look

Hahaha, you wish you looked this good

Stop Taking Pictures of Everything I Do!!!!

I know it seems like I document Tristan's every move and age with pictures, but what's a Mom supposed to do? It's pretty bad though when your child comes up to you after you take a picture and wants to look at the image on the camera screen...I guess he has seen me do this over and over!!!

Hahaha, look at my new hiding place

Can't a boy just play without a flashbulb going off every second?

Enough is enough Mom, I already let you take a happy picture of me in here

I'm coming out to get that camera

Give it to me!!!


In case anyone was wondering what exactly Tristan's shirt says, see the picture below...that ought to be an ego-boost for Victor!!!!

He knows he's good-looking

Monkey Love

I think I finally found something that Tristan takes after me in...he loves stuffed animals! As a kid, I had over 100 stuffed animals that all slept on the extra twin bed in my room and each had their very own special name tag. And, of course I had one sacred stuffed animal, a straw stuffed brown bear named Boo-Boo who went everywhere with me and whose body is now completely limp from the the straw being squashed by the numerous hugs I gave him.

Well, recently Tristan has really taken a liking to his stuffed animals, constantly telling them "hi" and hugging and kissing them. He is beginning to get quite excited when he spots them, especially his small brown monkey and a small white teddy bear. I can't wait for him to get old enough to name them and pick out his favorite...

Check him out below showing his monkey some affection.

Pure happiness when together

The loving gaze

First round of hugs

Second round of hugs

Smooches

More smooches

And another, always on the lips


Isn't that the cutest thing you have ever seen? I posted a few more pictures below that don't quite show off Tristan's affectionate side but were too funny not to post!

Still half-way affectionate...holding monkey while taking a drink

Forget about the monkey, this little boy is thirsty

Definitely no time for the monkey, both hands are required

Okay, really serious, not only are both hands required, but a complete head tilt too...notice where the monkey is now!

And the work has begun...

YAY, we finally got started on Parker's nursery!!! On Wednesday we decided we were going to go ahead and have wood floors put down in the nursery and that decision pretty much put us into full-speed ahead, overdrive mode...reason being that the installation is taking place on Monday!

This meant we had to paint (yes, we now decided we were also going to paint one accent wall), empty the closet out, remove all items from the dresser and nightstands, remove all pictures and shelves, remove all the furniture from the room, pull up the carpet and paint the quarter-round molding to go between the floor molding and wood! This is a pretty tall demand for us to do in a matter of a few days since Victor is at work most of the time and I am 8 months pregnant with a one year old!

Thus, we got started right away. I had one day to pick out a paint color and buy it so that Victor could start painting last night. I got it picked out and bought yesterday afternoon, but am a little worried about it...the bedding I bought for Parker is really a hard color to match and I am hoping that it all looks right once everything is finished. I chose to go with a dark green/blue color that is close to the color of one of the stripes in the bedding. I think once we have the floors down and the espresso furniture with the bedding and other decor it is going to look good, but we'll just have to wait and see!!!!

Here are a few pics of the painting progress so far. I will have more as we get all the furniture moved out, floors down and baby furniture up, so stay tuned!!

Getting ready to paint...notice the taped off and bare wall

Started to pack up the pictures and decorations

Playing a little more than painting

Okay, so maybe it could be considered a tribute to Parker

One perfectly painted wall

Parker's bumper next to the wall (color of the wall isn't exactly quite right in this image)

Family Trip to Sea World

On Sunday we headed out to Sea World for a couple of hours. The day didn't start out very pretty, humid and rainy, but by the time we made it out to Sea World the rain had subsided (unfortunately the humidity hadn't) and we were able to enjoy the activities without a big crowd.

Tristan was a big fan of the shows...clapping and cheering throughout. I just love seeing him get excited about things!!! And of course there are pictures posted below...enjoy!

Oh no, is Tristan going to be obsessed with ketchup, like his Daddy?

Tristan was not amused by the penguin

Don't worry Tristan, it's just Mommy taking a picture of you, no more penguin

Enjoying the real penguins

Apparently Tristan doesn't want anyone else to be able to see the penguins

Clapping at the dolphin show

Check out those dolphins

Tristan wondering why Mommy is taking pictures of him instead of the dolphins

Intently watching Shamu do his tricks

Pretty amazing stuff

Someone is starting to get tired

Last place to see before heading home

Yep, that's a sleepy face...time to go!

Music-Making Time!

Tristan is still so completely engrossed with music it is unbelievable. His favorite toys are those that make noise or play a song. The kid could have his own band with all the musical instrument toys he has collected: piano, xylophone, maracas, tambourine, etc.

On Mondays we go to Baby Rhyme Time at the local library where we sing songs, read short stories and have a short play time. At the beginning we sing a "hello song" to each child and Tristan is the only one in the class who gets up and dances to us mommies singing to every child! Everyone gets such a kick out of him dancing...it truly is uncontrollable for him, if he hears music he stops dead in his tracks and starts grooving.

Enjoy the pics of him and Victor making some lovely music together!!!!!

Here Daddy, you play the tambourine

No Tristan, you play the tambourine and I'll play the xylophone

Okay, no xylophone, how about the maracas?

In perfect harmony!

Did I Get You???

Okay, okay, I know I almost sent a few people into the hospital themselves with my April Fool's joke, but I just couldn't help myself!!!! Can you blame me? It was just too obvious of a joke not to post. Thanks for being such good sports and I promise the next time you read something along the lines of a baby coming it will be the real deal!!

Having a Baby!!!!!!!

WE ARE HAVING A BABY TODAY OR TOMORROW!!!!!!! That's right, my water just broke and we are heading to the hospital right now...wish us luck and stay tuned for updates!!!!

I set a record!

I posted 20 posts in the month of March, the most I have ever posted in a single month since beginning this blog in November of 2006. It will probably be the most I post in one month for a long time since I doubt I will have lots of available time once Parker arrives, so I figured I'd give my self kudos on a job well done!