37 Weeks

Hooray! We have another full-term baby! Last Thursday's doctor appointment was uneventful (in a good way) and baby's heartbeat was 125 beats per minute. I am feeling lots of pelvic pressure, stretching ligaments, and general shortness of breath, but am hanging in there otherwise. In a couple days I will be 38 weeks (Lucas was born at nearly exactly 38 weeks,) it will be interesting if baby boy #3 makes it the longest. Time will tell!

Compare: 37 weeks with Christian (Just for fun!)
37 weeks with Lucas

Lucas is 21 Months

Big Bro is usually always good about sharing. Here C is sharing fruit snacks with Lu Bug.

Lucas loves his little husky pup souvenir from Nana and Papa's Alaskan cruise. He is always giving him kisses on his black nose.

Always the good eater.

Lucas is such a fun little guy. Nearly always smiling and good-natured. He has really grown and changed in these past few summer months. Walking and now so chatty! He is learning words everyday, just some of his recent vocabulary includes: ON and OFF (he is into fans and lights,) up, outside, snack, "guck" (truck), doggie, cheese, book, all done, teeth, baby, nana, "baba" (papa,) mommy, and daddy. He is also doing well at mimicking words and sounds and attempts to repeat almost everything we say. He is looking and acting more like a big boy instead of a baby these days, which is crazy to think because it won't be long until he is a big brother, and then he will certainly be a big boy! Lucas is a little adventurer. He is always brave on the slides at the park, and has no fear of wandering off or being independent. He loves Sunday school at church and is always good about entering the classroom and is ready to play! Lucas also loves to dance! As soon as he hears music he will begin spinning around in circles or will shake his head back and forth. One of my favorite things as of late is watching Steve and the boys interact together. If Christian receives some sort of treatment, Lucas is sure to want it too. It is especially fun watching Christian and Lucas "wrestle" together (of course, it is all innocent and fun for now.) We are looking forward to whatever these next three months have in store before we have officially have a 2 year old in the house again!

36 Weeks

Somehow it is already past mid-September. And I am already 36 weeks along in pregnancy #3! I always find it hard to believe that I had Christian at 36.5 weeks much to our surprise. We are hoping baby #3 will hold out until at least 38 weeks like Lucas. At Wednesday's OB appointment the baby's heartbeat was 135 beats per minute. He is in the correct position with his head down, and everything is looking healthy. Last weekend I experienced quite a bit of pelvic pressure. Looks like this little guy is making his way down for a delivery in the next few weeks. I am currently 25% effaced and 1 cm dilated. I can't believe that in less than a month we will be a family of 5!!

Compare: 36 Weeks with Christian (The day I delivered! And the same shirt- I didn't want to buy maternity clothes this pregnancy.)

36 Weeks with Lucas

Christian is Four

Christian is 4! And so big! Hard to believe, how fast the past year has gone and how much Christian has grown and changed in the year. Christian is sweet, affectionate, strong-willed (it's true), and independent.

What C man is up to these days:

Likes:

• LEGOS and building
• His drink (still true- this boy drinks, and drinks, and drinks. We never have to worry about him being dehydrated.)
• Stuffed animals (his favorites are currently his husky pup from Nana and Papa's Alaskan cruise, a teddy bear from Papa when C was born, and a brown and white "Jelly Cat" dog from my Aunt Deanne)
• Art projects: coloring, play dough, chalk. He has also taken interest in learning how to write his name recently.
• Clothes. Ever since I had Lucas (Daddy let him pick out his clothes while I was in the hospital,) Christian has been choosing his clothes and getting dressed on his own. For the most part his clothing combinations look okay now, but there are always a few days that he mixes stripes with plaids, etc. At first I really cared, now I have learned to just let it go.
• Riding the cool "Strider" balance bike our neighbors lent us
• Reading and going to the library, recent favorite: Dr. Seuss' "Yertle the Turtle"
• Any type of outing, he especially enjoys going to the park
• Playing ball (he has a great arm! Much better than Mommy.)
• Playing and wrestling with Lucas
• Pretend play, playing hide-n-seek ("Mommy, come find me in my closet.")
• School, learning, and playing with friends

Dislikes:

• Salad (which to him is anything green)
• The few occasions when we don't understand what he is trying to say. He becomes very frustrated.

Much to mommy's despair, Christian gave up his afternoon nap about two months ago. He still has a quiet time, but it is definitely harder to get some things done during this time. It sure was nice when both boys napped from 2-5 pm! On the plus side, Christian falls asleep at night within minutes of settling into bed.

At Christian's 4 year/back to school check up (in August) he weighed 38 pounds (70th percentile) and was 40.5 inches tall (58th percentile for boys his age.)

For Christian's Birthday on the 17th, Christian attended preschool where they had a little cupcake celebration. In the afternoon my parents came up to Fort Collins (Steve had his evening class- boo!) and my dad played with Christian and his new "Dusty" airplane toy for.ever. (C also received his very own golf club, glove, and practice golf balls from Papa.) It was really nice to see them enjoying each other's company. After Lucas woke from his nap we went to Red Robin and enjoyed dinner and a surprise "Happy Birthday" song, Red Robin-style. All in all it was a special day for our wonderful 4 year old!

Christian on his BIRTH-day 4 years ago!

Christian's 4 Year Old Survery

1. What is your name? Christian

2. How old are you? Four

3. What is your favorite color? Red (it changed every time I asked)

4. Who is your best friend? Mommy and Daddy and Lucas

5. What is your favorite animal? Zebra

6. What is your favorite drink? Orange (Juice)

7. What do you want to be when you grow up? (no reply)

8. What is your favorite movie? Cars, Monsters Inc.

9. What makes you happy? Mommy is my best friend

10. What makes you sad? When Mommy yells at me (Hey, were being real here)

11. What is your favorite shirt? Buzz Lightyear shirt, "Best Bro Ever" shirt

12. What is your favorite toy? Sulley and Legos

13. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon (This is news to me)

14. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

15. What is your favorite song? Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

16. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with sticks, (bike) ride to the park, make a snowman with my Daddy, because Daddy is my best friend.

17. What is your favorite book? The one about dinosaurs 

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal 

19. What is your favorite snack? Fruit snacks

20. What is your favorite game? Mommy's iPad

Christian's 3 year old survey.

Christian's 4th Birthday Party

This past weekend we celebrated Christian's 4th Birthday early (his birthday is on the 17th) with a party at Spring Canyon Park, an awesome park up the street from us. Our families drove up to Fort Collins to celebrate this very special boy. We had pizza, veggies, fruit salad, blue funfetti ocean cupcakes, and shark cookies (Christian's choosing.) Of course, the kids couldn't have cared less about the food and instead wanted to play on the super cool playgrounds. Thank you to all who made Christian's birthday so special (he insists that he is now 4- he thinks it was his actual birthday.)

Mama's Helpers

Christian has always been a good little helper. Lately he has taken interest in folding and putting away his clothes and apparently swaddling his stuffed "Nala" lion cub. (He is preparing for his new little brother.)

Lucas helps by putting clothes in the washing machine and dryer, but they usually don't stay in there too long before he pulls them out again.