Oh yeah! I'm pregnant....

Today marks the first day of the last trimester in this pregnancy, which could very well be my last pregnancy. And so comes the realization that it has really flown by (so far) with a much different feeling and without any sort of record keeping aside from a couple belly pics. Obviously the first pregnancy was full of anticipation with all the excitement of the unknown.

I read ahead in every pregnancy book I had, was well aware of exactly what was developing when, how i felt and why, and kept a consistent log in my cute little pregnancy journal. Updates were made monthly if not weekly of belly pics, of measurements, and of items i had fully researched on the baby registry. I even had a decently narrowed down list of names (okay, 3 good ones that went to L&D with me).

But now?? Well, it wasn't until month 4 that I realized I should get a shot of the growing belly, I've condensed my pregnancy reading to just the free magazine I got at orientation, the name list is a whole other issue I am sure to blog about soon. And while there has been plenty of online 'window shopping' there will be no fun baby purchases until there is a house to put it in. And so the real reason why I feel a little preoccupied instead of really enjoying this pregnancy: the stress of moving!

While I am excited to bring home a new little bundle of baby boy joy, unfortunately the anxiety of pregnancy, and labor, and nursing, and keeping up with a 2 year-old has just been increased by the fact that just hours from now we will be packing up our little but very full house, loading it on a truck to Texas, and live out of our suitcases for the next 2 months before even making the 2 car, 13hr, (+ 34 week prego bladder + active 2 year old) trip to San Antonio. Sure, I will have a couple good weeks to get everything settled again IF we can find a house super quick, and IF settled meant not living out of boxes instead of the clean, OCD organized, and somewhat cozy home It usually means. So while there is much baby anticipation -its all going by a little too fast and the big unkown this time isn't how my life will change once I bring a newborn home, but rather where will I bring a newborn home? .... and it better not be in the TLF! *



Yet, on a positive note I am blessed to have had a healthy, otherwise easy pregnancy, a husband with a good job, and a pretty easy going little boy who is going to be a great big brother. Having the house packed up and cleaned, keys to renters, and cars loaded should at least mark some things off the big fat to-do list and allow for time to enjoy the rest of our stay in Florida (as long as most of it is done at the pool). Hopefully the lack of to-do lists, some new toys, and Paternal leave will make this big move and new brother at the same time thing a little easier on Luke. Although he is excited for our visit to Grandmas house, I don't think he realizes that we are packing all our stuff up and not coming back to our own. Again, as long as there is a pool we should be okay.

So, finally for Prego stats:

Date: July 31, 2010 -
Age: 27 weeks
Wieght: +12.5 lbs (me)
Name: Baby Brother
Baby's Mood: Bringing on Braxton Hicks

Mom's Mood: Now I feel pregnant, and hungry.

Loves: - You are getting bigger! The big baby in my belly movements bring me love everytime.

-Actually looking pregnant, no longer an "is she. or....?"
-Calling you 'brother', I am really looking forward to raising brothers, and learning all the ways you and your big brother are the same and all the ways you are different.
-Looking at newborn clothes again, and all the other little tiny things that bring back memories of sweet babyland.
- That all those bins and bins of stuff I saved will get used again.
-Planning your nursery, even if it is just in my head and mostly Luke's baby stuff.

Complaints: Still very low blood pressure+insomnia = super tired.
-Baby, i am glad your growing but you are starting to take over the space meant for my stomach, and I am SO hungry.
-Its just too damn hot in Florida.

Insomnia

Ok, so I am one of those people who actually like being pregnant -for several beautiful miraculous reasons, lucky I know. BUT, one of my few complaints is the evil lurkings of insomnia. I mean really, taking away a naturally fatigued pregnant women's ability to sleep for no reason is evil. I am not a great sleeper to begin with, but I at least deserve to catch up on a few good nights worth of sleep BEFORE it becomes just another thing that you have to manuever physically EVERY time you have to switch sides (already annoying if you are a tummy sleeper, right), or feel that unsatisfying kick of restless leg syndrome, and not to mention having to empty a bladder that you just fully emptied 2 x that night already! I mean come on! We all know that sleep will be a far and distant thing of the past once that little bundle of needs is here (at least for the first 3 months, please God not 8 this time! pretty please.) I have had plenty of experience in the lack of sleep department, I know how it works, I don't need these early lessons now! I have at least 12 weeks left, let me get some sleep!

Now I know my ABC's

{Click to Play}
Luke is learning to recognize letters, I had been randomly teaching him letters here and there where appropriate and had never really tried to get him to sing the song. We've never even heard him try until a couple days ago (see video). Andy and I sang it together at the breakfast table, next thing we know Luke literally sang it all the way through. Needless to say we were shocked, excited, and proud- we asked him all day to sing it over and over.... he knows it!

Where have I been?!

Well, You would think that with the lack of blogging there just hasn't been any Williams to watch, but no, I have just been slacking. And Geez, so much has happened in the last six months and yet no blogging, not one single post. It all started with the fatigue and morning/day/night sickness that put me behind (really, I had nothing for even the computer) and as time went by more things happened and I just didn't know where to start.
So in attempt to catch up to now JULY! Here are the highlights:

MARCH: We made a trip to Vegas for a visit with dear friends and a chance to get to see the fast growing kiddos. Lots of fun sans alcohol, because the 2nd day there I discover I'm PREGNANT !
APRIL: We celebrated LUKE turning TWO with a Thomas Train party with his friends, and a trip to St. Petersburg and Busch Gardens with family. We are blessed everyday with the childhood joys of a growing boy: trains, cars, every kind of truck, baseball, playground play, chase, hide n' seek, and the curiousity for more and more.
MAY: Andy gets an Assignment: PilotInstrucorTraining IP in San Antonio, to start October 6. Sadly, we attend Tyndall's last F-15 students graduation.

JUNE: We learn for sure that BABY # 2 is a BOY. Baby brother is Due October 30.

We Fly to Seattle, WA for my best friend Alona's wedding along with a wonderful visit with Towsley family.

Andy and I celebrate our 5 year wedding Anniversary. I turn 28!

Luke falls from a chair and gets his first set of stitches, which hopefully won't scar this handsome face. He also gets lots of new cars, kisses, and even cookies.
There it is, a six-month re-cap and a chance that I might better keep up with the cliffnotes of our lives, which seems to being flying at a faster pace these days. There is much in store for the Williams in the months to come, but lets just wait and see what tomorrow brings....

Only a Parent can Love a Toilet Tale

We purchased a Potty Chair because Luke had been showing some interest in using the big toilet, but with no real intention to start training just yet. However, Luke was so excited to get it out of the box and use it, and how could we deny that!!
Then he told me he had to 'poo-poo', and so I thought, "Sure, worth a try". It was successful!! That first time was a big moment, and even Luke was aware of that, upon finishing he Exclaimed, "I DID IT". The pride of such a big boy accomplishment is always memorable even when it involes poo. (but, I don't know which is more worrisome: that this was the highlight of my week, or that I was sure to get the whole thing on video?)
Within the next few days he had 3 successful tries on the potty.
I am sure the novelty will wear off soon for both of us and this milestone will be a long drawn out messy experience. But hey, we are off on the right foot!
Good Job Luke!

Time-Out?

Within the last week we started to use Time-outs with Luke. It has only been a handful of times, so far, but each time was for the same offense: throwing toys. Luke may be a little young still to understand the whole concept?

1. He continues to throw his toys,
2. He willing puts himself in time-out after doing so.

I am new at this, but I don't think that is how it is supposed to work?

21 months

and what a difference a year makes.... this time last year, Luke, you were just starting to crawl, use sign language, and demand to only feed yourself so each mealtime was getting messier than the last... Now, you're running, non-stop running,and dancing, but still can't manage to get any air in your jump. Although still incorporating some signs you talk, and talk, and talk, saying just about anything your prompted (or not) to. Mommy has learned to watch what she says, thank you sweetie. Learning new words everyday, you are getting good at 3 word phrases most often using: "I found them/it, its hiding, I got it, i see you, cars go fast, more food please, you try, ah that one! no, this one." Everyday you also get better at naming shapes and colors, something we've been working on for a little while now. and, to our surprise, one day you suddenly started counting to 5, and with a little more help can sometimes make it to 10. You have always been an observer, to 'take it all in', and right now you seem eager to learn, my little sponge. It is so fun and rewarding to watch your understanding of this big world slowly come together. You are a smart boy, still sweet, and oh so funny. Together we both learn new things everyday.

a new year

Its been a pretty good year, Resolutions? lets call them goals for 2010:
1. learn some amateur photography skills and use them
2. finish Lukes 1st year scrapbook before he turns 2!
3. make and finish photo/video compliation dvds
4. get my car fixed, andy's too (from an accident almost a year ago now)
5. learn to knit, and make cute knit things in case we ever live somewhere cold, ever
6. have another baby, or at least get pregnant again (god and uterus willing)
7. go to vegas!
8. learn to love cooking again
9. cutback on the coffee, at least try
10....might have to go to bed earlier too then
11.Recycle more
12.go to the gym other than just when i am paid to, before that baby i want comes along and squashes that one for another 8 months
13.become a better Kindermusik teacher
14.reach out to the friends i hold dear but distance has come between
15. Play more with Luke, Really Play,
16. shop less, save more (makes my list every year!)
17...... ok then, lets get specific: save at least half, one paycheck to checking, one to savings. got it.
17. blog more- it feels good to get it out in writing.
Bring it 2010. Lets start checking this list.

A Williams Family Christmas

We had the joy of celebrating Christmas early with Andy's parents this weekend. They made a quick trip down to visit and spoil not only Luke but us as well. Unfortunately the day they arrived was also the first day of Luke's latest sickness. I had a suspicion something was up the day before when he wasn't acting like his music loving self in Kindermusik class, but the give away was his reluctance to let go of me to join in the crazy kid play of the gym daycare, when just the day before I couldn't get him down from the jungle gym thingy to leave. I thought maybe we were just dealing with another rough teething time. Until the cough and fever came the first of only three nights of Mamaw and Papaw's short visit. The following day his fever spiked to 103.6 and we had to cut our trip to ToysRus short and instead spend the afternoon in the doctor's office. But thankfully, "its just another cold, albiet terrible sounding and green, he should be feeling better by Monday". He was definitely miserable, and couldn't care less about toys... But lo and behold, by Sunday, just in time to open some new toys, he was feeling better enough tear off the wrapping paper and explore them all with delight. Although he is still not back to his happy healthy self, and now I am feeling it too, we had a great early Williams Family Christmas and we are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate with a special visit from Mamaw and Papaw.

Here comes Santa Claus

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Here comes santa claus riding an F-15!!
Today was our Tyndall Ops Group Children's Christmas party, and Andy had the honorable duty of flying dear Old St. Nick down all the way from the north pole to visit the HUNDREDS of kids there to meet him. And i should the mention they brought along the burr cold weather with them. Well, to be honest is was only 50' or so, but by now by blood is used to nothing but hot and humid and has reached a very high freezing point. Nonetheless it felt like Christmas is coming. Joyful!
Luke had lots of fun, running around with some other kids, bouncing in the giant blow-ups, decorating cards and cookies. Oh, and watching daddy fly in santa!!