Now that we're half-way through the year...

Let's do a quick update, shall we?!?

So much has gone on in our little household and I'm not even sure where to begin.

Painting at her birthday party

After the last entry, we celebrated Olivia's second birthday. We had a party at the Children's Museum with some friends and family members. My mom was able to visit for the week, so for Olivia's actual birthday, we had a quiet celebration at home with the 4 of us. About a month ago, Olivia also graduated to a 'big girl' bed! We took the side off of her crib, so she's sleeping in a transitional crib/toddler bed. And we are slowly introducing the idea of potty-training... we'll really focus on that in late-July, after we are done with our vacations and travel. She's growing up and is such a little girl. She's learning new words every day and picking up on so many new concepts. She likes to pick out her own clothes in the morning, pick which bowl/plate and spoon/fork she wants for meals. She is definitely not afraid to say 'no' when she doesn't like something. Her favorite things to do right now are: color, stickers, paint, puzzles, play with Little People toys, have Phil or I build a 'tunnel' (a blanket over the couch and ottoman) and go through it, play with bubble outside, go to the playground, ride in her mini coupe car and be a 'helper' with chores (we're hoping that one lasts awhile and she continues to like doing things around the house)!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

I taught two classes at SDSU for the spring semester, so mid-January-early May contained lesson planning, grading, reading and prepping for class. I'm not teaching any classes this summer, but I will teach two classes in the fall. So, after the hecticness of summer swim season, I will quickly shift gears and get going on those items. Swimming is entering the crazy zone! We officially kick off the summer meet season next weekend with our home meet! Then it's 6 more weekends of meets and then we're done. It will pass by in a blink. Especially now that I've taken on the role of head coach for the summer. The previous head coach is no longer with the team, so as of last week, I became the interim head coach for this season. It's a role that I used to do, so it's taking some time to brush off some dust, but I'm getting back into the groove of things. It's pretty overwhelming right now, but it's nothing that the other coach and I can't handle. Then lessons are also in full swing and we are half-way through our first session. I'll have three total sessions this summer, so that is also keeping me busy. Oh, and did I mention that I'm 20 weeks pregnant?!?


She loves her stuffed animals and dolls!

Yes, the biggest news in our little family is that we are expecting another kiddo! Our little boy is due October 19, so I'm hoping and praying for a full-term, healthy, wonderful baby. There is less than a 20% chance that I'll have the same problems that I did with Olivia, but my OB is monitoring me and I'm on a medication that will hopefully prevent high blood pressure this time around. So far, I'm feeling good, but this week was the first time that things started to get a little uncomfortable (the full belly feeling, lower back pain, heartburn). The first trimester went well with very few symptoms. I did get to experience my first weird craving around 7 or 8 weeks, which was a pickle slice and string cheese together. I had a few weeks of pickle love, but that has died down. And I also wanted butter... all the time. I had a lot of buttered toast, buttered popcorn and buttered noodles during the first trimester.


Almost 21 weeks!

The second trimester is moving along well. We had the 20 week ultrasound last week and found out that we are having a boy! The baby's measurements are looking great and my doc is happy with my progress of things. I will see her again in 2 weeks for another ultrasound and physical check before we leave for Mexico with my family (but no Olivia)! I haven't had any weird cravings, but it seems like once I get a food idea in my head, I have to have it. If someone talks about pizza and that sounds good at that moment, that is the only thing that I can think about until I'm able to eat it. Right now, my favorite foods are anything cheese, chips, and watermelon. So, nothing out of the ordinary for the moment.


Olivia's going to have a brother!

Olivia understands that there is a baby in mommy's belly, but doesn't grasp the concept that the baby is going to come out and be a real baby to hold. She loves passing the baby room at daycare and looking at the babies and saying what each baby is doing, but when I tell her that her baby brother will be in that room in a few months, she says 'no' and either points to my belly or dismisses the thought. The other day, my mom sent a care package for Olivia with a few summer items, but she also included two outfits for the baby. Olivia went through her items (she loves to look at clothes and say 'oh, cute!' or 'that's pretty') and then when Phil pointed out that the two smaller outfits were for her brother, she immediately responded with, 'no, that's Livi's! My clothes.' So, that whole sharing thing will be a new adventure...

I'll continue to update with progress notes for the next 19 weeks or so. And then hopefully we'll be able to report on a healthy, smooth labor and delivery as well as a healthy and strong little baby!