Our Baby

We went for our BIG ultrasound today. She didn't say that anything was wrong, so we're assuming all looks okay. She said the baby is measuring 18 weeks 6 days and was a little over half a pound. The heartrate was 139. At my 11 week ultrasound, it was 172. The first time, the baby was very active, today, she had to jiggle my belly a few times, so maybe Baby was sleeping...I don't know! I just thought I'd throw that out there in case someone liked to think they could guess the gender by the heartrate!

I didn't think these pictures were a great as I remember Paul David's being, but she was more informative than other technicians I've had in the past. The other one didn't say much unless you asked a question. Today, she told me about every part she looked at!

I got back next Friday to see my doctor, and she'll probably talk more about it.

These first two (above and below) are of the face. The baby looks more like an alien. The face is on the right side of the screen. You can really see the eye sockets and the brain. Also, on the one above, you can see that black spot in the abdomen...that's the heart!

A Foot Picture:

We had a foot picture with Paul David, too, but his were HUGE on the screen. He was also about 3 weeks older.

Legs:

You can really see the leg bone and the knee in that one. These things are just cool!

That was it! Then we went to the zoo...busy day!
I'll probably post those pictures this weekend, but it was fun!

Photos

In the last couple of years, I've gotten really into taking more and more pictures. I always took a lot of pictures, even with my first 35 mm that Mama gave me one year. I always had an extra roll of film in my purse. Well, today, with digital cameras, it's just too easy for me to take 50 in a day. I know that sounds incredibly high, but it costs me nothing (until I want a hard copy of them). I think I've become known as the picture queen in parts of my family. I'm not sure if they're all making fun or not, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

This post is why I take the pictures I take: The Importance of Snapshots

This girl is a Photographer...she took Paul David's school pictures. I found her blog when she had his proofs up on her site, so I occasionally go back and what's on it. That post 1) made me cry (but it really doesn't take much these days) and 2) made me realize that my pictures don't have to be photographer quality...they just have to tell the story.

That's why I love taking pictures, they tell my story! I love that she says to go out and take pictures, no matter what kind of camera you have, take pictures of your life!

For some reason, I just felt the need to share this...

Playdates Are FUN!

Paul David had a playdate with his friend William today. We had fun at their house, then headed to the park to RUN! The boys are almost a year apart, but they play really well together!

We caught a glimpse of Paul David's big brother LOVE coming out today. William was playing with the trash can, and Paul David started going toward him saying, "No, Baby. That's the trash!" Then, he came to me like he was going to tell me! Already starting the tattle telling! Mia and I were laughing...he's already practicing!

We had fun today, Mia and William! Thanks a bunch for having us over!

I LOVE...

pictures of Paul David sleeping!

Paul went in to check on him as we were going to bed last night, and he came back for the video camera. I knew I'd need the still camera, too!

It reminded me of April's post with Preston and Kendall asleep.

So sweet! Seeing him sleeping always reminds me of this quote I have in my scrapbooking stuff. It goes something like this:

There never was a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him asleep.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

That's not so much true now, but boy was it ever in the first 4 months of his life! Now, I kind of miss him when he's asleep!

Oh, MY...

I'm pretty sure that I just now felt the baby. I thought I'd been feeling something the last couple of days, but I'm positive, this was the baby. It was a couple of taps on my right side. Aww, I'm so excited! With Paul David, I was past 20 weeks (not sure exactly, but I do know that it was May 17th...the night before Lily was born.) Anyway, I'm only 18 weeks, so I guess it's true that I was probably feeling them (oh, there it was again...but a whole lot...oh, no, another active one:) for awhile, but didn't know what it was. Oh, this is fun!

OK, Jessica asked for a pregnancy picture. Here is the last one I took which was on the 2nd, and I was 17 weeks.

Not much to see! Since I had lost some weight, most of my clothes were loose before and now they're getting more uncomfortable. Also, most of my clothes have one of my favorite things in them...elastic. Therefore, I don't really look pregnant unless you see me in my nightgown, but there's no way I'll be taking a pregnancy picture in that!

Yes, those are my new Croc Flip Flops that I got for Christmas...I LOVE them! I got another cute, cute pair of shoes, too that I'm sure will be in another picture soon. Unfortunately, I've decided to wear my tennis shoes more to see if that helps my back. I got these cute shoes and now I'll have to wait to wear them...bummer!

Another "Just Because I Know You're Wondering" Post

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
My favorite thing about Paul David's toddler bed is that I can lean down and give his sleeping face a sweet kiss every night now...awww!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
My tummy is finally getting hard proving that it is actually a baby that's making my pants get tighter and not the Totino's Pizzas, Doritoes, noodles and all the other greasy, non-nutritious food that I want to eat so much!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
My husband left me the sweetest note yesterday before he left to go out of town. He left it under my computer mouse because he knew that's one of the first places I'd go and find it. I may have never found it if he'd put it by the broom or toilet brushes...yeah, the computer mouse was probably a good choice.

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
The Biggest Loser started again last night, and when they said that it was going to be the "biggest" show ever, the were not lying. Those poor people. Between that and watching Dr. Oz on Oprah, I've decided that I have to start eating better again. This pregnancy thing has really thrown a kink in me eating right.

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
Speaking of Dr. Oz...I took the Real Age Test to see what my real age would be based on my health. I was excited that it was 30 since I'm 33! I only fudged on 2 things...how many fruits and vegetables I eat a day. I put in what I'm going to START eating today...or as soon as all the Doritoes are gone!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
Paul called about 20 minutes ago to tell me that our new camcorder might be delivered today. About 10 minutes ago, our new camcorder was delivered...how weird is that!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
I finally remembered to use my Recycle Bags when I went to Kroger the other day. I have a ton now thanks to my in-laws who used them for our gift bags instead of traditional ones this Christmas! Yay for them and the environment!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
While at Kroger, I bought the "Value Pack" of bananas (you know the ones that are ready to eat or cook that day). I got 13 bananas for 99 cents. Whoa! So, I was going to make some banana bread and freeze it, but my little monkey keeps eating them. I think I have 6 left...okay, monkey has had some help from Mommy Monkey...trying to eat those fruits!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
Only 1 more week until I can use my Gymbucks at Gymboree. Yes, I got suckered in to buy "some" stuff online from there before Christmas. I was lured in by the 25% off EVERYTHING, plus use your 20% off coupon. I got some pretty good deals, but we all know that Paul David really doesn't neet any more clothes (Gymboree doesn't sell UT Jerseys)! I'm sure I can find something next week, though....if you make me:)

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
We're getting a new fence behind our house this week thanks to Ike and the Community Association!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
If you leave a comment on my Project 365 blog, it won't show up for awhile. I have it set to send the comments to me, then I post them. I was afraid that I wouldn't check that blog very often for comments, and that way I make sure I read them all...all 2 of them I've gotten so far!

Just Because I Know You're Wondering...
I'll finish up this post now. Sorry for not having any pictures. Maybe next time.

The Night...

We put Paul David to bed as normal last night, and I told him a couple of times to stay in his bed. It's night night time. I thought for sure we'd have a couple of escape attempts, but I went to check twice within 15 minutes of putting him down, and he was just laying there. I finally decided to just let him be, and when we went to lay down about an hour later, we found this:

Notice the sippy cup...sitting up so nicely squeezed in beside him. I've found that this is the best way to get water in him...let him go to bed or nap with a sippy of water.

As far as we know, he stayed in bed all night. We had his door propped open and our door wide open, but we never heard a peep out of him. He did fall asleep in the stroller while we were walking this morning (which hasn't happened since he was like 5 months old), so that leads me to believe that someone didn't sleep as much as I thought...or he's getting sick, but I don't won't to think that!

Toddler Bed

We decided that today was the day that we were going to try Paul David in his toddler bed.
AAAHHHH!

Our plan was to first take off the front of the crib and add the little side rails. He'll sleep this way for awhile. Our goal is to get him sleeping in the daybed in the same room before the baby needs the crib.

So, this morning Paul started the conversion...with a little help from Paul David:

Was he really helping though? I heard all this laughing and giggling coming from his room and found this:

The child goes nuts when someone is laying on the floor or couch!

So, then he was trying to get on Paul's shoulders. Paul decided just to put him up there and we got this:

GET ME DOWN!!!!!

He finally got to pretend to go night night:

The real test was nap time this afternoon. We started around 1:00, which is an hour earlier than he usually naps. As soon as we shut the door, we could hear and see the doorknob turning. He swings open the door and says, "There you are!" I just had to turn around and laugh! Paul had to take over and put him back. That only happened twice before we put the doorknob cover on the inside of the door to keep him from opening it.

We stood outside the door and listened awhile. When we thought we heard him up, we'd go in and put him back in the bed and say, "It's night night time." I would say that we only had to do that 4 or 5 times. I went back in around 1:30, and he was laying awake in the bed. Then I went back at 2:00, and I think I woke him up that. He was in bed and awake, but seemed groggy.

Finally, at 2:30, I went in and took this picture:

I also left the door cracked so that he could get out when he wakes up. The dog on the left and the train are additions to the bed since nap time, so somewhere along the way he grabbed those! So sweet, and check it out, he's in the middle of the bed...not the far side by the door. It will be interesting to see if this is the norm or not!

I'm saying that this was a success. I was quite worried, and Paul even said, "Maybe this was a mistake!" I think it will be fine though, it's just sad to watch yet another milestone for our baby!

Project 365

I've started a separate blog to add my Project 365 pictures to so that I will remember which ones I've picked. Here's the link Candice's Project 365. I probably won't add to it each and every day, but I plan to keep it up so that I'll remember what I want to journal about each photo when I get it into my album.

Feel free to add it to your favorites and check it out every once and awhile. I've also added it to my sidebar under Friends and Family. Comments are always welcome...just click on the word comments after the post, write your comment, and sign in or click anonymous (just make sure you sign your comment).

I'm having fun trying to take a picture each day...which usually leads to a lot more than one a day. I'm sure I'll exceed my 2008 number of photos (11,500) easily! Yes, almost 12,000 pictures in my 2008 folder...it's CRAZY I know! That's also pictures my mom and in-laws took, too, but still it's insane!

Training Him Early...

For the past couple of weeks, Paul David's been helping me unload the silverware from the dishwasher. It is so helpful (I don't have to bend over 20 times to get it) and sweet ( I call out, "Paul David, will you help me unload the silverware?" and he always replies, "Okay, Mommy!") I'm sure it won't last forever, but for now, I'm LOVING it!




Of course, here's what the drawer looks like when he's done...but I don't care in the least! I'm not sure anyone will want to use our silverware now since they've seen his hands all over it:)

I FINALLY went and picked up Paul David's tile for this year! I love it!

I tried to paint the tile blue and then do his footprint in white, but my friend who owns the place said that she was afraid it wouldn't look so good. She said they always do snowmen in blue, and I'm so glad that she suggested it...it turned out great!

All our Christmas decorations are put away, and I think Paul David is really going to miss it. Last night, he was looking inside some of the boxes I had packed and was saying, "Bye, Bye Ho Ho!" Everything Christmas is still Ho Ho! We're already thinking that he's going to have the best time next year when we get it all back out! I can't wait!