April 28, 2008

The Promised David Update:

This kid is a riot. He has become a sponge, so it's more important now than ever to watch what we say around him. Here are some examples of new things he's learned:

1. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard my little angle yelling down the hallway at my parents house "Pam, hey Pam". He had heard the other... loud... members of my family use that name, and I guess he was trying to get my attention. When I told him "No, I am Mommy" he just laughed and said "Pam". I have to admit it was a little funny!

2. He learned his first curse word when Daddy was changing his poopy diaper and said "Damn!" He, of course, repeated what Daddy said, which in turn made Daddy laugh. So David said it again, so Daddy laughed harder, and so on. Thankfully he hasn't said it again...let's hope it was just a fluke.

He had a great visit with family during our week in NH, and the Doc and I got a much needed break. Our first weekend he had a sleepover with his big cousin Scottie, and then the second weekend he spent the night with his Omi down on the Cape to visit his great Aunt and Uncle. I look forward to having these breaks more often once we relocate back to Boston!



David also got his first "real" haircut - not the butcher job his parents did around Christmas. We thought he might not like it but he was really good throughout...in fact he was so curious we had to give him his own comb so he could help.



We also spent a couple days at this great outdoor playground by the Kingston Fairgrounds. He loved the swing and the see-saw the best.



He is completely independent and does not like to be "tied" down. It makes going out now much more of challenge. It's especially become harder to go out to eat. After about 5 minutes in highchair he looks at us and says "All done, get down". He also does not like to be in the stroller or shopping car when we go to stores. We caved and bought a cute little Bear harness so that he can walk without running away from us. He is very fast and doesn't like to hold our hands. I like it because I don't have to slouch over to try and make him hold my hand.
It's amazing how much he learns and how much he remembers - he even likes to sing us his ABC's and dance to the music. I am most impressed by his pitch! We may have a future singer just like his Mommy!

April 27, 2008

35 Weeks Already?!

I am now 35 weeks and feeling pretty good. I would feel amazing if it were not for this nasty cold I have had for the last two weeks. The worst part has been the cough. Coughing with an almost full term baby in your belly is quite interesting.

I am also happy to report that there are still no kankles. At this point I would be surprised to see them (knock on wood). I have also had very little heart burn. At this stage with David I was eating Tums like they were M&M's. Probably the best part of all is my weight control this time around.

I have been told that I am bigger than last time but I think that is because people are seeing more belly instead of a belly, booty, bloated face and thunda thighs! It seems like my belly is bigger this time because that is all you really see!

My total weight gain to date is 22lbs. I slipped up a little while we in NH. I blame my MIL for the ice cream place she introduced to us that has a yummy pistachio flavored soft serve. Ice cream has always been my pregnancy weakness. Now that we're back home and cooking our meals I should be able to stick to the pound a week that is recommended by the doctors.

It's been funny to go back and compare my pictures from last time and see the difference. We noticed that it's most noticable in my feet and face. I was impressed by just how bad my kankles were.

Kankles with David - GROSS!


No Kankles with Shaun!


This is my 36 week picture with David. Look how bloated and gross I was...The Doc and I agreed it's not my best look!


Still hard to believe the end is near. Part of me wants this to be over but then I get my reality check and realize that Shaun is much easier to care for right were he is! I just can't help but feel that he is going to make an early arrival. Any guesses?

April 26, 2008

The Ball is Rolling....

So I know it's been a week since we were in NH but things have been up in the air and I wanted to wait until the ball was really rolling before posting about our trip. There are lots of good things to report!

First (and still keeping our fingers crossed on this one) we accepted an offer on our house. In the real estate world that means we are now "under agreement". They had their home inspection and termite inspection and we are now just waiting for the official report, but it sounds like it went pretty well. We got word on one of the items that our hot water heater was leaking. It was over 15 years old and so we just had it replaced. Hopefully the rest of the items are as easy (but cheaper) to take care of. Again this is all still up in the air, but things are moving forward which is nice.

Second is we found (in my opinion) the perfect place to live. It's in Revere right near the water. The doc says it would be even more perfect if it wasn't in Revere. We have a pretty decent view of Boston from our front window. We just sent the lease, first and last months rent and the security deposit via FedEx today. I am so excited about this place. I seriously fell in love the second I walked in and smelled the fresh paint, newly waxed floors and soaked in the beautiful sunlight that fills the house in the late afternoon.

It is a duplex with a one car garage and small driveway. Our side is the one on the right.



Inside on the second floor is the open kitchen/living room area. The kitchen is gorgeous. I even like the black appliances. I have always been partial to chrome but I may have to reconsider as I can't get over how nice the black looks in this space. On this floor there is also a half bath, closet space for coats and shoes, the doorway to the small patio (similar to the one we have here in Philly) and a sliding glass doors open up to the front where we could also put a couple chairs for relaxing after a long day. There is also one of those faux fireplaces that could be nice for some ambiance in the winter!





That brings us to the third floor where there is the 3 bedrooms, the full bath, stackable washer & dryer that is stored in a closet space so it's not seen when not in use. The master bedroom even has a bathroom that has a stall shower. Not that we needed 2.5 baths but hey...why not, right!


I can't believe that in less than two months we'll be home! We have already done the standard research of the area that will be our home for the next four years - you know, nearest Dunks, Chinese, and Target! I am happy to say that all three are within a mile of our new place!

All in all it was a very productive week for us. I have some pictures of David's week in NH that I promise to post later. But for now keep your fingers crossed for us as nothing is set in stone yet!

April 7, 2008

David's Obsession with...ELMO:

For the most part I never put on kids shows for David - mostly for my own sanity. About a couple months ago we started putting on Sesame Street for David while he was eating his breakfast. By the time we turn on the TV the Elmo's World segment begins. Now he recognizes Elmo everywhere - on billboards, in the store...he can't get enough!

The Easter Bunny brought David an Elmo's World DVD and I wish I were kidding when I say that I have seriously watched that DVD a hundred times. Anytime we're home and have the TV on he will hands the remote and say "Elmo". I even bought him a little stuffed Elmo doll which he can't go anywhere without including his spring pictures.

Here are David's latest pictures we had done two weeks ago at JC Penny:


April 4, 2008

Wanna See a Beached Whale?

OK so I am not really a beached whale but I sure feel like it sometimes! Tomorrow I will be 32 weeks. That means I have 8 weeks to go and I still can't wrap my head around it!

At this point my total weight gain has been 20lbs. With David my total weight gain was 50lbs. That would mean that I would need to put on 30lbs in 8 weeks and I won't let myself do that!!

Even though I have been better about my weight gain this time around I feel much more uncomfortable. It must be the way Shaun is positioned. I have been having episodes of shortness of breath and more back pain this time around - two things that never happened with David. Another difference (so far anyway) this time is that I don't have the massive kankles I had with David at this point. Although I think I would rather the kankles than the lower back pain...I don't know....

Anyway this is what a beached whale looks like at 31 weeks 6 days pregnant!