How many pictures does a pre-born baby need?

Here we go again... only 3 official weeks to go and another ultrasound scheduled. This baby is going to have a full photo album before he/she takes his/her first breath! This time the reason for the ultrasound is that the baby (or rather my uterus) is measuring small for gestational age. The midwife wasn't overly concern because she could tell that the baby's head is pretty low, the heartrate is strong, and the baby has enough fluid to be very active (believe me... I know!). But, they want to be sure, so here we go again.

Can we make it through another ultrasound without finding out if Baby Grover is a boy or a girl? Hope so!

Contractions? Already?

No, no, no I'm not in labor. At least I don't think I am:-). However last night I was awaken on 2 separate occasion with a very strong and painful contraction. I mean, it woke me up from what I thought was a deep sleep. It really is true... you don't remember pain (of labor or anything really) until it happens again. Ouch!

Can someone tell me where summer is? We are looking at another day of rain today. Poor Hannah (and poor mommy)! We had tentative plans to connect with a friend, but that fell through. We had another opportunity to go to another friends house for a playdate, but today was a no car day. SO, what did we do? Waited until the rain died down some (it was still extremely windy and a bit misty) and then walked to McDonalds (or as Hannah says "Old McDonalds") for lunch. Is that a sign of desperation or what?!?! Daryl said we survive the New England winters in anticipation of a fabulous summer and then we get rain:-(. On a positive note, the temperature has been perfect for this momma to be.

SO, if you have some sunshine to send (without the extreme heat, please), I would be so grateful to receive it!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Can ice cream be enjoyed any more than this?!?!
Waiting to head to the beach!

One month and counting

I had every intention of documenting this pregnancy in pictures, especially since I only got 2 pictures during my pregnancy with Hannah. But alas, it really is true, the second child doesn't get the camera time the first one does. I did manage to take this one at our 1 month until due date mark. Of course, there are no guarantees that the due date means anything more than a slight possibility, but its all we got. The time feels like it is picking up faster and faster. I don't even have my list together of what I would like to have done before this baby is born. I guess that is probably a reflection of what I will actually get done before the baby is born. Oh well, I'm taking each day as it comes.
This morning Hannah wanted to wear my sandals to church. She actually did a good job of walking around the house without falling. It was very cute. And yes, mommy got a hold of another pair of scissors. Her bangs are a bit short, but she can see again!Hannah was all curled up with her Winnie the Pooh friends. I think at one point she even had a book that she was reading to Tigger. I love seeing her share her love of reading with her friends.

Naps do happen sporadically. I think I took this picture to remind myself what it is like when she does sleep. Thank goodness she is a good sleeper at night. So although we might have some grumpiness going into the evening when she doesn't nap, we do get a solid night of sleep out of her. So, kind of a random post, but that's life at the Olsons right now!

Slowing Down

I think it is really true that you forget the journey from one pregnancy to the next. I really don't remember slowing down this much in the weeks leading up to Hannah's birth. In fact, I distinctly remember planning (and executing with help) a big conference 2 days before my due date. Where is that Dana?

Well, that Dana never had a busy 2 year old. This Dana does and is feeling the extra weight. Today I went with a friend to the beach. It isn't easy pushing a stroller across the sand with all the beach paraphernalia that for some reason we think it is necessary to bring. Add to that simple fact a 20 lb beach ball around your middle and you truly get a work out!

As we were walking back to the car, I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn't a race and that I could go as slowly as I needed. When we got back to our house, I just wanted to sit in the car for a while and not move. If the kids would have fallen asleep on the way home, I think I might have been tempted to do that.

It was SO GOOD getting out though. We went at low tide, so Hannah was able to play in the tidal stream at a perfect depth. She loved splashing through the water, looking for crabs (I don't know what she would have done if she found one), and digging through the sand. There was just one slightly scary moment for mommy... Hannah stepped off a sand bar into a slightly deeper pool, went under the water and started floating downstream. I grabbed her probably in less time than it takes to type the sentence and she came up saying "I went under the water!" Mommy's heart soon returned to normal beating and Hannah quicker than that returned to splashing in the water. Oh, thank goodness for my little water bug, and the fact that this pregnant mom's reaction time isn't as slow as it feels.

So, we spent another day enjoying the fact that God has placed us in this beautiful beach town for now.

Yes, we have a 2 year old!

Last time we went to the library, Hannah found a book that is SO appropriate for where we are right now... "A Thousand Times No." The basic premise, Noah doesn't want to do what his mom is asking of him and tells her so in many, many, many, many different ways. Lately, Daryl and I feel the same way about Hannah. It seems like the first word out of her mouth is "no." It doesn't matter what we are asking of her, that is almost an automatic response. Daryl was talking to a woman on Friday who has grown children. She told him that when she was going through these stages with her kids, she read a book that said "the only cure for a 2 to 4.5 year old is 5." Oh boy! What are we in for?

This afternoon felt like another no nap day for Hannah, until I went into her room and laid down with her on her bed. She sang in my arms for about 3 minutes (a very sweet moment) and then fell sound asleep. (I think these moments help to make up for the other ones!) When I went in to wake her up an hour and a half later, she was completely out of sorts. It didn't matter what Daryl and I did or didn't do, she was melting down! Finally, we got her settled enough to eat supper and then went out on the porch to play before bath and bedtime (although she insisted she didn't want to play on the porch). She was a different person and played very nicely out there until it was time to come in. Ahhhh!

These final weeks of pregnancy have been tough. I haven't slept well for over a week now with last night being the worst (I think I was up until after 2:30). If the acid reflux isn't keeping me up, it is simply insomnia. The lights go out and I am wide awake. I'm starting to dread my own bedtime. Tonight, I'm up (obviously) and baby Grover is either tap dancing on my ribs and punching my cervix or tap dancing on my cervix and punching my ribs. Go to sleep, little one! You really don't want to meet a sleep deprived mama in 5 weeks. She is a much nicer person when she gets sleep.

Just a Teaser... and more

We said goodbye to our family this morning... very sad. Hannah is doing ok now, but it wasn't much fun seeing her tears as the van pulled away. We love you guys! Have a safe trip.

There are more pictures coming, but I wanted to post a teaser picture and video. We spent the 4th of July afternoon and evening in Salem where they had a great concert and a fireworks display. Hannah is still asking to go back to Salem to hear the music and see the fireworks.

The cousins strike a pose!
And who thought it was a good idea to give away RECORDERS to children (and some daddies)!?!?! Thanks Target...! (The kids... and daddies... had a really good time with them.)

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I didn't know if I would have time to do it today, but I did... check out our Picasa page for pictures of our weekend.

Yesterday we went to church together, ate lunch, and then laid down for naps (much needed!). After naps, we went to a small local beach so the girls could pick up treasures... sea glass, shells, pottery... all kinds of stuff. We had pizza and then spent the evening hanging out together. Danelle played the guitar for a while and we all sang. The cousins played with play dough and before we knew it... bedtime!

The Olson's headed out this morning around 9:00. It was too short of a visit, but we had a lot of fun.