38 Weeks - The Final Stretch

Two more weeks! (Plus or minus two weeks...)

We are all very excited to meet this little guy. We are also enjoying our time together as a family of three.

38 Weeks - It's getting a little crowded....

Isaac has been accepting his soon-to-be big brother role very well. He likes to help re-arrange the house to make room for his brother, talk about what he will teach him, and practice diapering Buzz Lightyear.

As for me? It's true what they say that each pregnancy is different. This one has been a little harder physically (I am moving a lot slower and have more fatigue now than I remember at the end with Isaac). On the flip side, it has gone by a lot faster. With a busy job and a busy family it makes it easy to forget I'm pregnant. The preparations this time around are more about getting Isaac ready for a brother. And, it feels more personal. It's less about the public celebrations, and more about our family.

Isaac is also growing up quickly before our eyes. The last couple of mornings he has proudly woken up before me to get dressed, see Dad before he heads off to work, and make me breakfast in bed. He makes a killer yogurt and honey parfait. He started "pink reading" at preschool this week; an introduction to reading and writing. He loves it and we've started doing it at home, too.

So, in case you've been wondering, here are some questions we get asked regularly...

"When are you due?" September 10th.

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" Yes, a boy.

"How are you feeling?" Pregnant...

"Do you have a name picked out?" Yes, but we'll announce it when he's born.

"Can we have a hint about his name?" No. Unless you take Eric out to a bar. Then he'll probably slip it to you.

"Are you having another natural/non-medicated birth?" Oh hells no. Been there. Done that. I am (pretty) sure I will elect for the epidural. Then again, we'll see how things go...

"Is Isaac ready to be a big brother?" We think so. He has done a great job so far, but we all won't know what's really hit us until he is here! As always, it will be a wild ride and we're up for the adventure...

32 Weeks

29 Weeks

Hello, third trimester.

Me at 29 weeks (Just about 2.5 months to go!)

Oh, Boy!

In case you haven't heard our big news, we're expecting another boy in early September 2014! That's right, I.O. is going to have a little brother.

He was being a little face-shy, but he did give us an excellent thumbs up. While we are thrilled to be having another boy, we are stumped on what to name him. Any suggestions in the comments are welcome!

And... an obligatory belly shot. Here I am at 22 weeks (5 months). It's true what they say about the second time around. I'm showing a lot earlier than I was last time at 22 weeks (see that belly shot here).

Bellyland: 37+ Weeks

Me at 37 weeks (and 3 days) -- less than 3 weeks until my due date!

Bellyland: 36 Weeks

36 Weeks (4 weeks until my due date!)The baby, and my belly, are going through a growth spurt as the baby gains weight and prepare for the outside world. He's moving a lot these days, and you can even see his movements from the outside (kind of creepy but cool!). He especially responds to sweets and sparkling water, and to our voices.

Bellyland: 34 Weeks

34-Weeks (7.5 months) belly shot: only 6 more weeks until my due date!
I'm still holding up great, staying active, and plan on working as close to my due date as possible.
The weather in Seattle has been absolutely beautiful the last few days, and on Saturday we enjoyed the sunshine by smoking ribs & pork shoulder all day. Lodi (our dog) helped too:

Bellyland: 32+ weeks

32+ weeks (less than 2 months to go!)

Bellyland: 29 Weeks

Things in bellyland are going well. I'm 29+ weeks along (about 2.5 months until my due date!).

I've been feeling great, and the doctor says the baby is also doing well: he is normal/large in size, his heartbeat is strong & he's moving and kicking a lot these days! I've been feeling healthy and strong, with only minor backaches. I'm keeping active with daily walks with our dog, swimming laps 2-3 times a week and prenatal yoga (talk about a lot of bellies in one room!); all of these seem to help with the aches and pains, and should help minimize them as I(we) continue to grow!

Here is the latest belly shot at 29 weeks+3 days:
I've still been hearing that I'm not showing very much for being in my third trimester, but the Doc says this normal, especially considering my height. But not being huge? "I'll take it!"

We've also picked out a name for the little tyke; but we've chosen to announce it after he is born.

A little more belly: 6 months (27 weeks)

It is hard to believe that I am just about to start my third trimester! Here I am at 27 weeks (6 months):

I am still feeling great, and everything is moving along well. Cheers!

A little bit of belly: 20 weeks

Week 20 ultrasound (pregnancy mid-point) - we found out we're having a boy!

I've been slow to start showing, but finally (at week 22/23), I am starting to have more of a visible bump. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much, as I am still fitting into all of my regular clothes (for now!). Here I am at 5 months (22+ weeks):