16 WEEKS

I had my 16 week prenatal appointment today, and everything seems to be going well.
Nice strong, fast heartbeat, and I'm in pretty good general health.

I was excited to be able to book my '20 week' ultrasound, which will be on April 29th... I'll be just over 19 weeks by then. I'm SUPER excited to know what we're having.

I think it's a girl.. Jake thinks it's another boy.
This time around, I am less phased by what we get... i'd be equally happy with either... a brother for Luke would be awesome, and a little princess for me would be super exciting... so I'm gonna be smiles either way, as long as he/she is healthy.

I've also in the last few days, started to feel 'rolling flutters' of movement in my lower tummy... It's exciting to feel the baby so early this time... it was still a few more weeks until I felt Luke. In no time at all, I'll be feeling full fledged kicks, and that oh so unpleasant boney butt in my rib cage. LOL.

In other news, Luke has learned to say, 'NO'... not my favourite word, but it's been so fun to have him actually verbally responding to things or protesting with words... I'm sure the novelty of 'NO' will wear off quickly though. LOL

Yesterday I had a funny moment with him.
He took my hand and pulled me to the kitchen, and pointed to the fruit snacks (fruit gummies).
I opened a bag, but before handing them over to him, I bent down to his level and asked him,
"Can you say Fruit Snacks?"
He just looked at me, and very matter of factly said, "no"

LOL... well then, that's settled...
And so he went on just to eat his fruit snacks.
May not seem so funny to you, but considering I've gone for almost 2 years with a child that uses no verbal communication, it was a sweet, and funny moment for me.

And that's all our news for now.

SATURDAY MORNING CHORES

Luke is at the age right now, where he likes to 'help' with everything...
He particularly LOVES to be outside, helping in the yard.

I hope his enthusiasm for 'work' lasts a while. LOL... 

A SUCCESSFUL FIRST NIGHT

Last night was the first official night we tried Luke in his big bed. We had put him there a couple days ago, but just to see what he'd do, not really planning on insisting that he sleep there.
Last night, we tucked him in, and said prayers with him like we usually do, and then left the room and closed the door. After a few minutes, Luke came out of the room, without a word, holding his snuggle monkey, sippy cup, pacifier and night light (all things that he associates with bedtime). I took him back into the room, explained again that this is his new bed, and tucked him back in. By the 3rd time, he was pointing to the bed each time I explained that this is his new bed, and he seemed to start showing some more understanding. After about 20 minutes and 4 escape attempts, he was fast asleep in his big boy bed... and all without any fussing or crying. What a big boy.

He woke up and walked out again one more time a little later in the night while we were watching a movie, but also without fuss, allowed me to tuck him back in again.

I slept with one eye and one ear open all night, hoping he'd be ok... my baby is growing up so fast.
At 7am, he woke up, and instantly hopped out of bed, grabbed his 'bedtime goodies' and came to our room to jump all over us. I was so proud of him for how good his first night went, though it wasn't as fun having him in our room right after waking up. LOL.. usually we leave him in his crib for another 20-30 minutes or so, while we slowly wake up... I guess we can't have it all.

I'm so happy that he's showing such good signs of transitioning well, but at the same time my heart is aching just a little bit, that my baby is growing up so fast. I'm feeling like such a proud mommy today.

THE BIG BOY ROOM

 Jake laughs at me often, because I am a super 'ahead of time' planner.
I started shopping for furniture and linens etc for Lukes big boy room about 8 or 9 months ago... long before we were even trying for another baby. LOL... but, as a result, Luke has a really cute new room, that we were able to slowly pay for over many many months, so it didn't kill our budget.

We bought the furniture first (2nd hand), then the linen (on clearance), then the wall decor (ebay), and I painted the 3 canvases myself, and then finally, we bought his bed... so it was a slow progress, but it all worked out great in the end, and I'm really happy with the results.

A GOOD MARCH WEEK

It's been a week of 'milestones' and great weather

I've had a birthday, and officially entered the later half of my twenties...
26... Does that make me old yet? LOL

To Celebrate, we had a yummy family brunch at IHOP on Saturday morning, and then on Tuesday (my actual birthday) I had a picnic lunch/play date with my friend Tricia and Lukes little buddy, Adam.... the weather was GORGEOUS, and so perfect.
For dinner, Jake and I did burgers on the grill, and went to Dairy Queen for dessert.

It was just a regular weekday, but such a fun day, and then my birthday ended with news of the birth of my friends little girl, Ava Lynn Holloman.... she picked a GREAT day to be born on. Happy birthday to me and Ava.

The other 'milestone' reached this week, is that today, I am 14 weeks... that means I am OFFICIALLY into the 2nd trimester and HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to be leaving the first trimester behind me. I haven't been on medication since the weekend, and it seems that my nausea and sickness is REALLY easing up earlier this time round, which I am SOOOO excited about.

So, no world phenomenons or big miracles this week... I just got a year older, the sun is shining a little warmer, and my belly is getting a little bigger... but it's been a GOOD week, and I'm happy about that :)

12 WEEKS

I'm 12 weeks today.
This morning I had my prenatal appointment, and finally got to hear my little parasites heart beat.
Everything seems to be going as it should, with a strong heartbeat in the 160's range. (Old wives tales say a high heart beat like that means it's a girl... who knows. LOL)

I'm still feeling REALLY yuck, and I'm throwing up more than I wish I was. I'm on medication that makes me feel almost as yuck too... I am groggy and drugged on the medication, and sick and vomiting without it... so everyday I just have to 'pick my poison'

I've lost 2lbs since my last appointment, but that's not too much so I'll catch it up when the sickness finally ends.

So all in all, everything is going as it should, but I'm one miserable mommy... I look forward to the coming months when the yucky part is over. Hopefully this little parasite cuts me some slack before 28 weeks which is when Luke finally decided to give me a break with the nausea.

We're excited though about the prospect of another baby joining our family.
So, for now I'm just trying to suck it up and tough it out.

Jake has been my Knight in shining armour... he has picked up all my slack and kept things at home running smoothly. I'm so grateful for all of his help and dedication. I'd be a total wreck right now if he weren't here to pick up where I'm lacking.
What a lucky girl I am :)