My bruise

So I have been getting some concerned questions about my fall. Honestly I am fine. I do have this fabulous bruise to show just how hard I did fall. I don't bruise easily, but I guess this is a tender spot - this is 4 days post fall. (My arm looks awkward here...but the bruise is under my arm - so luckily the average joe can't see the bruise unless I lift my arms - which isn't something I tend to do very often anyway.)

How old are you?

Geez. Today I was talking to my neighbor and during conversation she asked me how old I was. I told her I was 29. I said it with such confidence.

I am 28...I will be 29 later this year. Geez...where is my brain? Besides, what is your name, how old are you is one of the easiest questions!!! Who gets that wrong?

Pregnancy brain has really set in. Watch out world.

Down the stairs...

Ugh. Today I was holding Logan while walking down the stairs. I must have got my foot caught on my sweatpants (yes, I am wearing them in July...it was a whopping 69 degrees today)....and I slipped and fell on my butt and slid down about 3-4 stairs. Thanks goodness we have a landing...I would've kept going I'm sure. After all was said and done Logan did start crying, but I think that had more to do with the fact that I kind of screamed on the way down and was crying afterwards because I wasn't sure if he was hurt...and I knew I was.

He is okay. I think I clutched onto him pretty tightly so he wouldn't fly out of my arms. I have a bruise on my bum and on my arm - I think I hit the stairs with it at some point after I clutched Logan closer to me. Oy.

I blame the cool weather - had it been warmer outside, I would have been wearing shorts!

Baby #2 - Update

Just think in 2 short months, Baby #2 will have a name....or at least a gender!

I had my 11 week appointment today. Logan came with me and did great. He oo'd and ah'd the nursing staff with his handsome baby blues...

Mainly at these visits they ask if you have any questions and really the main thing for both the doc and the mommy-to-be is 'let's hear the heartbeat'.

Seeing as how I am only 11 weeks along and the baby is not only small (just over an inch long), but is still low in my belly, it can sometimes be hard to find right away. Today it was about 4 minutes of hard to find. John later asked if I was nervous during this time. And really, I wasn't. Of course there is always a glimmer of fear in a mom-to-be, but I knew that the baby was low and small, so I wasn't expecting an immediate find. Plus, the day before I had a horrible nauseous day, so while it is a gross feeling, I find it reassuring that I am still in fact pregnant. :)

The doctor would find the heartbeat and very quickly lose it. All the while, Logan was sitting in his umbrella stroller as silent and smiley as can be. Of course, when the doctor finally got the heartbeat for more than a second, Logan started babbling and calling 'Mom' ( did I ever post that he says Mom very clearly? That has been since he was about 6.5-7 months old....). I felt bad asking Logan to 'sh', but I was trying to bask in the sweet sound for a quick moment...and John had asked me to record the heartbeat so he could hear it (since he comes to the ultrasound appointments, but not the ones inbetween). I asked how fast it was and she said 170 beats per minute! Wow - that is faster than Logan's ever was....or at least, I believe so. I looked back on my blog around the same week and would you believe of all the items I document, I did not record the beats per minute at that visit?? It was the visit where we had an ultrasound, so I think we were just glad to see the heartbeat, then thrilled to see the baby.

The doctor also mentioned (for this baby) that the baby is sitting high on the uterus. So I know that every pregnancy is different, regardless of gender or person....but for a small moment I will think that this baby could be a girl....faster heartbeat and sitting high....I'm just saying. I honestly would be very happy with either a boy or girl, so it doesn't matter.

Anywho, a very strong heartbeat leads to a very relieved mother. My next appointment is August 13th (4 weeks from today) and it will be about the same - How are you feeling? Let's hear the heartbeat. However, the appointment after that will be a super exciting one - the ultrasound. Let's hope that this baby will be as cooperative as Logan was during his u/s!

Update on Baby #2

I am almost officially 11 weeks along (Thursday). Time is flying with this pregnancy so far...just like it did with Logan. Sure this time, Logan is helping to pass the time along. :)

I am nauseated, however not as bad as last time. Ever since Logan has learned to stand in his crib, I find it is affecting me a bit more. Why, you ask? Because....since he can stand, he is waking up easier....and therefore wakes up earlier in the morning. He used to sleep until 8:30 or even 9:30. Lately it has been 7:30. So sleeping in definitely helps. Not 'having' to go anywhere is also good. I find on days that I have to go somewhere I get sick. Maybe my mind knows I have to get ready and move around....who knows. But like I said, all in all, it is not as bad. Sometimes it seems that it is every other day. :)

I crave cheese....John has caught me just chewing on a block of cheese. I also need to have my meat. This is very similar to Logan. Last time I craved milk and this time....not as much. I think I craved milk more because for so may years I couldn't drink it due to Chron's disease. I find that if I have a restaurant or particular food in mind, I need to have it. This is similar with Logan, but I am noticing it a lot more. Today I was closer to Portillo's (for those of you not in the Chicagoland area....they have the best Italian Beef sandwiches)....so I had to have it...along with cheese fries. Unfortunately one of the things I need to have when I am driving is french fries. Normally I don't eat them a lot...so of course this is an unhealthy 'new' bad habit. But, I don't have them a lot or every day...and I hope that after this morning sickness is over I won't feel the need to have to have them.

I have my doctor appointment on Thursday, so I will update more then. I can't wait to hear the baby's heartbeat again. :) At that time I will have John take a picture of my belly. I did not get one at the very beginning. At the time I got pregnant I was still +13 pounds from my pre-Logan weight....so my stomach was not as flat as it was before....but there is definitely a difference in my stomach now than when I found out. Instead of pulling out my summer clothes, I just pulled out my maternity clothes (which I love that wardrobe the best!).

Until Thursday.....

Logan and Buddy

Logan admires Buddy

It's a dual for the bone.  Buddy wins after teasing Logan with it for awhile.....oh, dog....

And a dual for the ball...Buddy wins...

I can crawl!!!!

On Monday night of the 6th Logan crawled!  He had been scooting on his stomach a lot, but finally moved his hands, then knees.  I showed him the day prior how to smack his hands on the ground....so now he was all about it.

The rest of the week he has been doing great.  Every so often he flops on his stomach, but for the most part he is a crawling boy!

However.....the things he crawls for are things he cannot have.  For example...Buddy's bone....or Buddy's ball.  He sees Buddy putting these things in his mouth and just thinks he should do the same.  I am trying to not say 'no' so much.  As soon as I say his name, he looks over at me then stops....then tries again...and repeat.  The worst part is Buddy will drop his bone or ball right in front of Logan - as if to share...then when I say 'Logan, Buddy' Buddy will take it away as if to say 'oh, we've been caught'.  I want to tell Buddy that he is older and needs to set an example, but then I clearly remember that he is just a dog and has no idea what I'm saying.  :)

This weekend we will purchase a gate for the top of the stairs....and outlet covers.  Let the fun begin!

And for my next trick....

This is what I saw on our video monitor....needless to say that night we lowered the crib.

Other 4th of July Pics

Parade

It was all a little exhausting...

Hanging by the Lake.  We put lake water in the baby pool so the kids could splash around.

Exhausted....again...

And again...

Boat Pics and Fireworks

Getting ready for fireworks - John is helping Logan get on his lifevest.

Asleep after the fireworks...

The Lift (From the cabin to the lake it is a very steep climb on man-made wooden stairs, so they installed a lift that takes you up and down - much easier, especially when carrying a baby).

John and Logan on the boat (it is docked).

Buddy the Waterdog

Buddy just swam out to get his frisbee...

Turned around and making his way back...

Making his beautiful exit from the water...

Then he took his place in the shaking area to get the excess water off!

He repeated this process...many, many, many times.  He was great entertainment for all of us!

Logan's 1st 4th of July

At the very last minute, Wednesday the 1st we decided to join one of our friends and his family up their their families log cabin in upper (Northwoods) Wisconsin - close to Lake Superior.  After I packed like a madwoman on Thursday while John was at work, we drove up 8 hours to our destination.  Buddy was invited as well - which was a huge reason we were able to go so last minute.  So there were 3 kids under the age of 2 and a dog.  :)

Friday evening we took their boat out on the lake to watch a huge fireworks display another family  puts on every year - there were over 100 boats chillin in the lake ready for the fireworks.  We brought Buddy with us on the boat as well - hindsight, he probably could've stayed back.  There were several quarter sticks that went off and were very loud and startled him - John was in charge of keeping him calm.  I was in charge of Logan - who was in his lifevest and all snuggly and loved every second of the fireworks (like his mom).  There were several platforms shooting off fireworks - including one behind us.  Every so often the one behind us shot off and Logan's head would turn to see those pretty colors....it was cute.  He was very calm throughout all the noise.  When the quarter sticks would go off, he would kick his legs as if to say it kind of scared him, but not enough to cry.  :)

On the 4th, we all attended a Pancake breakfast, then walked a few blocks to catch the parade - Logan's first parade and he loved that too!  He enjoyed waving a little American Flag (which clearly said it was Made in China.....seriously).  I took it away when he started to find it delicious.  :)  We saw many floats and clowns and firetrucks - it was great!  Then we attended a big picnic with the townsfolk.  :)  It was really nice.  After we were all fed and saw all we needed to see, we headed back to the cabin and hung out on the boat and dock for the rest of the afternoon.  

I don't know who had more fun - us, or Buddy!  Their cabin overlooks a TON of trees then goes down to the lake.  Buddy roamed and roamed and roamed.  The first day he got 3 ticks (ick!!!) but we got rid of those and he was fine the rest of the time.  Then when we went down to the lake, Buddy swam and swam and swam.  Oh he loved it.  We tried to get him to jump off the dock, but unless pushed (which we did to him twice - probably scarred him) he just went down a couple boardwalks and jumped in that way!  He retrieved frisbees, sticks, balls...you name it!

Sunday we went into town (complete with wi-fi and cell phone connection....ahhhh) and shopped in a couple little shops.  Buddy came with us there as well and was loved by many passer-by's.  He did great too; he didn't jump on a sole or over-lick them.  :)  We left on Monday (the only day I had icky morning sickness, naturally).  

We had such a great time - it was nice to get away!  :)

Crawling

The day has come...Logan is crawling! He has been scooting all over the place for the past two weeks, however on Monday night (8 months old and 1 day) he moved his hands so his knees could come forward. I had worked with him on how to move his hands over the weekend and he seemed really excited to do it. He crawled about 3 paces and then fell on his stomach.

YAY!!!!!!!!

Over the past couple days he has continuously improved. He still falls on his stomach every so often, but he is a crawlin!!! I am so excited for this phase. While crawling is 'gross' since he is on the floor so much, he is mobile and that is exciting!!

Pics from our Busy Week - Part 2

Ah, he has learned to play with the foam letters!!!

Logan visited Grandma at work!

Logan on Grandpa's belly!

Logan grabbed a peanut butter sandwich from the table and just started eating it!

Logan was having a good time talking with the baseball players!

Logan eating his first Ice Cream Cone

Logan and Grandma in the pool.

Logan getting ready to jump into Grandma's arms (or be pulled off the deck).

Melissa and her kids: Alexis (8.5), Isabella (2), Jakob (3)

Logan enjoyed some fruit. He really took to the kiwi; he ended up shoving a lot of it in his mouth (he also loves cheese...like his mom!)

We celebrated Isabella's 2nd birthday...her and Jakob enjoyed some fruit on the mini table!

Logan rode the Alligator...without his swim trunks. All hunched over, he looks like he has a gut!
Logan was so exhausted from all the swimming; he fell asleep in Grandma's arms.

TJ, a friend, Michael and Alexis riding the Alligator

Pics from our Busy Week - Part 1

Logan is working on crawling.


Alex and Brittany built several domino trails. Logan was so excited!

Logan and Grandma....he used her legs as a trampoline - he loves to jump!

Playing with cousin Brittany

Brittany modeled the backpack for us...she's so funny!

Logan and I are ready to pick strawberries - in the crazy heat!

On Logan's 1st hayride (keep in mind...Logan is on my back, you can see him peeking out).

It was a far bend down, but we got our first strawberry!!!

Not a fabulous picture of Logan, but he is checking out the basket of strawberries (we picked 2 full ones!)

He is all lotioned up and ready to go outside! The SPF spray made his hair a bit crazy!

Aunt Brittany, cousin Brittany, Alex and Logan in the pool!
Aunt Sandy and Grandma jumped in too!
Granpda...I will get your nose.....

Haha, I got it!!!

Grandpa and Logan taking a stroll!

This highchair doesn't lean back, so it is harder for Logan to hold his own bottle, so I got creative!

Fashionista Brittany and Logan

Meghan and Logan (they always take such great pictures together!!!)

It was so cute - Logan's cousins were all helping him get into the swing - I loved it!!

And then they all joined him on the swingset!

Ashley and Logan taking a dip before we left on Wednesday.