23 weeks and counting...

We are up to our eyeballs in projects here, with James's second birthday coming up and my prepping the nursery for a little girl in September. So far I've re-covered the car seat, made a blanket, set up the crib, made some art for the wall, organized all the clothes, and organized all the newborn gear. I've also pretty much planned James's party, which will have a Ratatouille theme since it is his favorite movie. Just thinking about all this has made me tired!

Tonight at dinner we were enjoying our Memorial day burgers when James pointed into the living room and made the sign for "spider." Sure enough, there was a giant spider hanging down in the middle of the living room! I was impressed at this new skill and I firmly believe this is a gift the Lord gave this arachnophobic mom! James was so excited about it and I almost felt bad when I told him daddy made the spider go bye bye. Almost.
I'm attaching some pics of the cars eat (before and after), and a few of James being mommy's helper. He's very good at putting his clothes in the hamper and getting me basic things from another room.

James is 23 months old!! and "falling over"

I missed it again, but James turned 23 months old on the 19th. I can't believe he is almost 2, it's crazy how fast the time has flown. James just started doing something today I've never seen him do. We've been playing with blocks and things, stacking up objects and then knocking them over. I always make a falling noise followed by a crash sound. So, today, while sitting at the table, James leaned over in his chair and made the same sound for falling that I do followed by a "crash" sound! And then he did it all day long, sometimes (unfortunately) while diving head-first off the ottoman (we had a talk about how that's not safe). While reading our goodnight books tonight, he kept pointing to a harp in the book that was falling off a pedestal... it took me a minute to realize he was doing the falling noises and actions again! He was trying to tell me, "Look mom, that harp is falling over!" It brought tears to my eyes because it made me realize he is making those connections and trying to communicate them even if he doesn't speak in English. A lot of people I've talked to with late talkers say their kiddos use sounds for a long time before using words. I think that is what James does, he just prefers sounds and signing over talking. All of that was the high point of the day. James is sick, I am sick, and Eliot is getting sick... James is not sleeping well because he is sick, which makes my almost-non-existent sleep even more non-existent. Naptime didn't really happen today, and there was a lot of crying and frustration to go around. I'm praying for a better day tomorrow. A few pictures of my sweet 23-month-old boy: Watering the garden Going on a trip! Mother's Day at Grandpa's house New haircut!

20 weeks!

As of Tuesday, I am officially 20 weeks and halfway through my pregnancy! Woohooo! I thought the occasion called for another bump pic (I haven't been very good at taking these this time, sorry... busy!). Here is the bump progression from 4 weeks to 14 to 20... Blogger is being stupid recently with my pics and not aligning them properly so it is what it is. :-( And now I am realizing why many of my clothes don't fit anymore. Some women seem to stay stick thin in pregnancy with just a cute little bump, but noooo, I have to balloon up everywhere despite exercising. Oh well... at least it's temporary!

Our little girl...

I finally got picasa to cooperate with me so I could post some ultrasound pics... and here they are! Little hand giving a "thumbs up" Footprint Profile 3D image (looks so weird because of the amniotic fluid... and she's super skeletal right now) Profile with hands Yawning Post-yawn with her hand near her face It was quite amazing to see her moving around and feeling her kick the same time I watched it happen on the screen. This technology certainly is a gift from our Creator! In other news, James is growing sooo fast... he's gained a few inches and he looks more boy-like than baby-like. He's very inquisitive and into everything... he never stops! He also picks up new signing words pretty much the first time I show them to him... his newest ones are strawberry, grapes, and rain. Today he helped us out in the yard prepping the beds for the spring planting of our garden. He did a great job moving the soaker hoses we had put in place, and then trampling the seedlings. But he wants to help... he picked up tiny pieces of dirt from our wheelbarrow and threw them in the pots we were prepping for some container watermelons. He's just so darn cute. I am loving my boy, that he understand what I say and I can get the gist of what he's trying to say even if he doesn't really say the words. He never fails to make me smile. :-)