Sweet Emma

I was just thinking about how I haven't written much about my Emma in ages. How is that even possible? She is my life! Denny's mom kept her overnight for us earlier this month and it seemed like the longest night of my life. I just wanted her back! Ha!

Talking
She is talking in full sentences and often says phrases that we don't say regularly ... I think that just shows us that she picks things up quickly. She also will sing parts of songs with us. I try to sing silly songs I remember from childhood, but Denny told me that she will also sing Incubus songs with him.

Potty training
She will still go on the potty, but her excitement is not there anymore. I am hoping to dedicate this weekend to encouraging her more. I certainly don't want to push her, but I think she is ready. I'm looking for the right time to give her the encouragement she needs without pushing her too soon.

Puzzles and books
She loves puzzles! She only has two wooden ones and they aren't challenging in the least anymore. We will probably be purchasing a few for Christmas. As far as books go, she is letting me read her longer books like Berenstein Bears ... we both love it! Her favorite book right now is "Dora's Perfect Pumpkin." She knows parts of the story and loves to say it with me. It's so much fun to read to her ... my favorite part of the day is laying in bed with her at night and reading.

Pretend
For a long time, Emma has loved playing with her dolls and her food, kitchen, etc. Last night, she told us she was a puppy. She crawled around, asked us for bones and all. Again, I have no idea where she picked it up, but it was so adorable.

On becoming a big sister
I think Emma is going to be such a great sister. Last night she was sitting next to me on the couch and she kept kissing and "face hugging" my belly and saying, "baby brother." I'm sure there might be some jealously issues and whatnot, but she is such an affectionate little girl and I just know she will do great.

Helping
This little lady loves to help with dishes and wiping down counters, tables, etc. It is so adorable. I really hope this continues into her older years. A little help now and then would be amazing!

I'm sure there is more I should document, but I can't think of more right now.

Weekend plans

Our weekends are usually quite packed. I often get together with my sister or try to catch up on cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. This weekend my sister is out of town and part of the house is halfway clean. Denny and I found ourselves wondering what we would do. He will probably try to go hunting weather-permitting, but he came up with a great plan this morning that I hope to add to: let's make a turkey! Love it!

Other tasks I would like to accomplish:

• Carve a pumpkin with Emma
• Make an apple pie from scratch
• Build a fort with Emma
• Encourage her to use the potty more
• Start organizing the house for Thanksgiving company and baby boy

I have to admit that this might not sound like a lot of fun, but I am super excited for this weekend! The best part--I can choose to do all or none of it ... these are just some options. I'm really looking forward to a relaxing weekend with our cozy little family!

22 weeks

I have been meaning to update this blog for so long. My pregnancy is going well even though I have been having these unrealistic nightmares about having complications for some reason. With that said, I am thankful for each day, which is never a bad thing! Today I am 22 weeks pregnant and truly feeling pretty good. Of course, I am writing this post at 3:19 a.m. because I can't sleep right now, but I haven't had a ton of these nights, so I am just rolling with it. I got some homework done and at least I am being productive even if it's not by getting my much-needed sleep.

On to the exciting stuff! I had an ultrasound on Oct. 7. And we found out that my instincts were dead on again - we're having a BOY! I am so excited, but I honestly can't imagine that my excitement would have been any different had I found out it was a girl. I think I'm just happy that I get to know a little more about this sweet little baby who is squirming around in my stomach.

At the ultrasound, the baby kept moving his arm up and down, so we would see it move in and out of the picture. It was so amazing! Everything checked out fine with my appointment as well. The midwife actually told me to take half a Tylenol PM if I can't sleep ... the problem is that I never remember to actually pick up the pills when I am at the store ... I only remember in the wee hours of night. Oh well! I will actually write in on my next shopping list ... if I remember!

Everyone has two questions for us: What are we naming this baby and will we be done after this one. The first I expected, the second question is totally throwing me off. I have no idea! I haven't even delivered this baby and people actually expect me to have my mind made up about whether or not we will have another. That's just crazy! Ha!

As for the name, Denny likes Colt ... I'm not sold on the name, but he did let me name Emma. A part of me just wants to say, you can name this baby - your turn. The thought of making this difficult decision is making me nervous ... so mostly, I try not to think of it!

Okay, that's all I think of right now. I will try to be better about documetning this pregnancy and my life! This is my 20 week belly picture.

Not complaining

I'm totally not complaining, but if I was, it would be about the crazy cramps I have been having for the past 18 hours or so ... and probably about my sleeping issues, too. Good thing I'm not complaining! :)

It's funny to me because I just don't remember having these issues before, and even though my midwife told me there would be pains that would be much different this time around, I am getting a little freaked out. Luckily, I read a little online and it sounds like round-ligament pain, which is really common at this stage. Huge sigh of relief!

Two days from now, Denny and I will get to see this little baby! I am really getting excited!! I keep thinking boy for sure ... I hope I'm right, but if not, I know I will love having another girl!! I'm also mostly hoping for a healthy baby.

I need to take a belly shot ... tomorrow I will be 19 weeks, and I haven't taken a single photo. It probably has something to do with the fact that I feel huge (even though I know I'm really not ... not yet anyway), and I find it really hard to get dressed in the morning because it seems like the clothes that fit me correctly are very limited right now. I'm at that weird in-between belly phase. I know it will pass soon and I really will be big. Good thing I don't have anything to complain about this morning!

Pregnancy induced insomnia

It's 3:36 a.m. and I am wide awake ... this is just the second night it has happened so far, but I am so fearful that it will continue. For some reason, if wake up to use the bathroom, I can't go back to sleep. I never had this problem when I was pregnant with Emma. I really hate it! I highly value my sleep.

I decided to get up and come into the living room rather than tossing in bed until my alarm goes off in a few hours. At least I will feel a little accomplished by blogging and checking email and reading some for my class.

This is a pretty exciting week in this pregnancy. We are looking forward to the ultrasound on Friday afternoon. I am so excited to see the baby, and, if I'm being honest, I'm a little anxious to find out if the baby is doing well. I haven't had any complications, so I am prayerfully hoping for a healthy report, but I think it's normal to have some anxiety until I know for sure.

Now I'm going to rest my eyes and see if I can dose off for a little while ... come on sleep!