34-35 weeks

This is me at 34 weeks

And this is 35 weeks. I swear I have grown in the last week and now I am getting to that very uncomfortable stage. I was looking back at pictures from when I was pregnant with James and I think I was about this big at 40 weeks with him!

At my 34 week appointment, I was measuring at 37 weeks. I have been diagnosed with Polyhydramnios, which is too much amniotic fluid. My doc caught it during the 32 week ultra sound and it was just borderline high at that time. It measured 22cm and so she had me start fetal monitoring. I was suppose to just go a couple of times, but it turns out my levels are going up, so now I go twice a week. The measure Davis' heart rate and then do an ultrasound to measure the fluids. When I was measuring at 37 weeks, my fluid was measuring around 29cm. The doc then sent me to a place that does high intensity ultrasounds to get a more accurate reading. When I went in yesterday, my fluid was measuring 33cm. The nice thing is they double checked Davis and he is just perfect. There is nothing wrong with him that would be causing the fluid to be high. The specialist said that many times high fluid is unexplained and there is really nothing I can do at this point. She said to continue with what I am doing, keeping my blood sugar in check and still exercising. I am just going to be more uncomfortable with this pregnancy. I see my doctor in a week and I will see what she says. I know there is a chance that my water will break early, but I am hoping since my c-section is scheduled a week early that I can at least make it to that date. If not... I am praying to make it to 38 weeks. I just want him to "cook" as long as possible. He is measuring about 5lbs 20 oz right now and his growth looks right on for where I am at in the pregnancy. Between the monitoring, the regular doc appts, the diabetes classes and a few other ailments... I feel like doctor appts fill up a large part of my week! The monitoring is nice because I know they are keeping a good eye on everything and I get to see him on a weekly basis :) Luckily I am pretty much done teaching at this point. I am so grateful to family and friends who have helped me with child care with James while I go to these appts. There is no way I could do it with out help! 

That is the update for now. We have a lot to do before this little guy joins our family. I hope I can get it all done in the next couple of weeks so I can feel ready!

19 Months

This handsome little man is getting so big! It is amazing to watch him grow and how his little mind works. In the past few weeks he has been picking up on new words every day! He doesn't always use the words over and over, but he will repeat a lot of the things that we say. I thought his speech was delayed... but the pediatrician says he is right on. 

He has gotten 4 molars in the last month and a half and that has been fun for all of us! At least we figured out why he has been cranky. I went to Vegas for work and was gone 4 days. Since I got back I have noticed a major increase in tantrums! I don't know if he was mad I was gone so long, if it is the teeth thing, if he is sensing his life is about to get rocked by a new baby or if it is just the age. But it really is not fun trying to pin a screaming toddler into his car seat while you are 8 months prego, or carrying him out screaming from a place he doesn't want to leave. But I guess it is easier now than it will be when I am carrying an infant around too!

On the upside... he has really started to love to help mommy. He helped me "fold" the laundry today, clean the floor and loves throwing things away. 

He has been doing awesome at his swim lessons! He loves going and the instructors always say that they have never seen a kid so happy to be in the water. It wasn't always this way. About lessons 4-7 he screamed every time they tried to get him to float on his back. Now he floats and then swims to the side or the instructor. It is so fun to watch him accomplish the goals they set for him. While I was in Vegas, he spent a day at Nana and Bop's and went swimming with Bop and cousin Tanner. I guess he randomly just started floating on his back like they have taught him! My parents said he floated like that for over 2 minutes! Good to know those lessons are working for when he is not with an instructor.

Everyday is an adventure with this kid. He brings Haws and I so much joy, even on the hard days, he does something to remind us just how lucky we are to have him.

Utah Trip for Twins Blessing

James and I headed for Utah this past weekend to visit The Hathaway's and see the twins get blessed. Haws wasn't able to come and we missed him a ton! I will never fly 8 months pregnant with a 18 month old again. My lap just isn't big enough for my baby and a "lap child". James was so good though. On both flights people were telling me how good he was. He got a little antsy, but I was able to keep him entertained for the most part. My parents, John and Brooke, the kids and my Grandma all traveled up for the event. We were able to stay at Dana's newly built, beautiful home with Johnny and his family. There was a house full of kids and non-stop action. I was pretty worn out by the end of each day and got to enjoy a few relaxing soaks in Dana's big bath tub. It was so fun though. We had a full day of snow on Sat and we took the kids to the children's museum in Salt Lake. The rest of the weekend was actually nice. I loved being in the cold weather which seemed more appropriate for January than the 80 degrees we have been having here at home.

The 3 baby boy cousins:

Tate, Hunter and Porter

 The Hathaway Clan. 

 They blessed the twins at home because their ward is so big and there is not time for it! I thought having the blessing in the home was so special and it was neat to hear what was said for each individual boy. They are both so special.

 Sweet Hunter. He is the best baby.

Hunter was casting a spell on us while he was sleeping.

He always manages to find these cars where ever he goes. Playing at Discovery Childrens Museum.

 Grubbing after the blessing. There was so much food!

 Piggy back time. These two had a blast together and I know James misses his cousins now that we are home. Caroline did teach him a new word.... "mine!". Thanks Caroline :)

 Little buddies.

Christmas Day

Christmas was so fun with James this year! Santa brought him a firetruck, a tool bench and a stocking full of goodies. He was so excited and loved his truck! He also wanted to spend the morning playing on his new slide that his cousins gave him.  

The slinky was a big hit too.

Traditional German Pancakes for breakfast. This year he got to enjoy them!

And so did dad :)

Christmas aftermath.

This was the only picture I got over at the Hexberg's for Christmas dinner. It was taken with my new iPhone that Haws got me!

Davis Family Christmas

Since it was our off year for Christmas with my family, we did an early Christmas celebration with the Davis clan. We missed Dana, Chase and the boys, but they headed down to New Mexico and couldn't do 2 trips with the boys.

We had dinner at my parents and Jeff. Tayna and Marcus joined us to eat. Here is the our attempt of getting picture of all the kids before we opened presents. I love how Joshua is holding James. He is such a good "oldest" cousin.

 The kids table.

 And the high chair group. Caroline wanted to be a part of both.

I love this picture of my dad with some of the grand-kids. Everyone is so happy! (I think I was doing something in the background to make them laugh. Looks like it worked)

The after-opening shot. It was total madness opening presents. It was so chaotic and fun! Nana and Bop were way too generous! We were all so tired when we got home, but "the elfs" had work to do.

James: 18.5 months

We had James' 18 month check up today and he seems to be right on track! I was a little worried that his speech was delayed, but I guess animal sounds count as words! Who knew?? He is doing a ton of gibber-jabber these days... I know it won't be long before he is telling me like it is. I guess that can wait ;) 

Here are his stats at 18.5 months

Height: 34 inches (90%)

Weight: 23.5 lbs (10%-25%)

Head: 49 cm (75%)

We are finally starting to break away from the 10% for weight, but he is still a long and lean boy.

James is so much fun and I just love him to death! He has quite the personality and is still pretty strong willed. I hear more whining than I would like to and he knows how to turn the tears on and off pretty quickly. But this boy can laugh. I love his little giggle and the strangest things get him going. He likes to hide in things like my dresser, my closet, behind the couch or shut himself into the bathroom. He can open the door handles at my parents house. Luckily we have the kind you have to twist so it will be a while before he can escape into any room in the house. He loves his trains, trucks, books, sippy and balls. We dropped his bottle completely last month and he didn't seem to care one bit. It was a lot easier than I had anticipated. He loves being outside. Sometimes he will go into our little back patio and just hang out. Walking around trying to see if he can find planes flying by. He is obsessed with the trash! I am sure I have mentioned it before, but it seems like his obsession is growing. He wants to see the trash truck when it comes to pick up the trash, he loves throwing things away... especially his diapers.  Luckily he is not pulling things out of the trash as often anymore... but if he can carry the can around he will. Someone gave us a book all about a garbage truck called "I stink" and he is in love with it. He wants to read it about 5 or more times a day. Here are some pictures that catch him in action.

We have this chef hat that he likes to pull over his face and try to walk around in.

Playing with his Thomas the trains on the door ledge.

He lines his trucks up like his trains. He sometimes gets mad because they don't stay connected like his trains do.

Loves the pantry and pulling things out and putting them away. He could spend hours in my moms pantry since it is like a little room.

Sometimes dad lets him watch the hockey highlights on the computer with him.

Our little pianist.

Attempting to jump on the little trampoline at his buddy Jay's house.

Riding the scooter. (more like standing on it)

Aunt Brooke gave him his first real hair cut. She did a great job and he was good as long as he had cookies to eat and lots of cousins to entertain him.

31 weeks

This baby is getting big! I was looking at old pictures from when I was pregnant with James and I think I was this big when I was 37 weeks! I still have almost 8 weeks to go and I am trying to imagine how big I will be at the end. As long as I can still walk around, I can handle it :)

I feel like it is time little (or big) "DQ" got a post all to himself. I am starting to feel a real connection to him despite being distracted and busy with everything else going on. He is a mover and I think it is his way of reminding me that he is here. I feel like he has a certain presence and is going to be sweet and full of energy, just like his big brother. But I guess we will see once he is actually here. For now I want to take note of the things I know for sure. He likes to kick or punch my bladder. Luckily, I had a c-section so I still have pretty good pelvic floor muscles to hold back any accidents... but it is still uncomfortable! I don't know if it is all of his moving around or if it is just because he is #2, but I am a lot more achy than I was with James. My pelvis and pubic bones sometimes hurt so bad that walking hurts. I just got a belly support band and I am hoping that will alleviate some of the pain. My belly button is poking out this time, but I don't have that line that runs down the center of my belly yet. I had it with James, but can't remember when it appeared. I guess there is still time. I had a weird infection in my right eye that I didn't even know about until I had my eyes check. About 5 appointments later... it was fine. I have been pretty healthy lately and I am grateful for that! That is about it as far as a physical update goes.

When I went into the doctor last week, we scheduled the c-section. Looks like DQ will be joining our family on March 15th. I am scheduled for 1030am, which seems perfect. I am glad we will be able to spend some time with James in the morning before we go to the hospital. I hope everything goes as planned and DQ doesn't decide to come earlier than that. It is weird to think I am just going to walk into the hospital, check in and then lay down on a table and have a baby with out even going into labor! Things are so different this time around. I am sure there will be some anticipation the night before the c-section... but it is nothing like the unknown factor of a normal birth. Since I am a planner, I guess I kind of like the idea of having it planned out.

The next couple of weeks I am going to be busy traveling to Utah to see the twins, Vegas for work and hopefully and little get away with Haws before we are home bound for a while. Those weeks are just going to fly by! Then I will be on maternity leave and getting things organized with both the baby and James. We are going to try transferring James into his new bed and I am hoping he can be adjusted before Davis is here. I know his world is about to be rocked and I just don't want it to all happen at the same time. I am sure I will be writing about how that whole thing goes. I guess that is it for now. We have an ultra sound in a couple of weeks and are excited to see if we can tell what he is going to look like!