it's a girl!

We are finally ready to share our news. 64% of you were right. Tyler will have a baby sister around May 17.

post presents

After opening gifts, we headed to the playground and skate park. Tyler insisted that we let him go skateboarding. Not just yet!

happy birthday daddy and another Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Reifins, Ordways and Williamses. We even had a visit from Santa. Tyler wasn't interested in sitting on his lap but would manage to run up and snatch a Ho Ho gift when his name was called.

Tyler made out like a bandit. Big Aquadoodles, cars and trucks, oh my! We're not sure how we are going to cart everything home on the plane!

After dinner the younger folks headed to the street of lights. This is a street in Granny and Gramps's neighborhood where everyone lights up their houses in overboard fashion. We are talking mechanical santas in sleighs on the roof and lit arches over the sidewalk. It is pretty crazy and very exciting for Tyler!

We also sang Happy Birthday to Daddy.

choo choo village

Granny has all the right gadgets for a two year old. She set up a whole train village just at Tyler's height. Lights, moving train, mini trees. Tyler has been in Heaven!

Tyler's first flight

Tyler sat by the window and was most impressed with the view while we were on the ground and the airport vehicles were whizzing by. He got really nervous when the plane took off and did those little hiccup like drops. His body was cradled under my arm and his hand was clinging to my arm.

But Dad had planned wisely and brought some lollipops. After three of those, Tyler realized that flying was no big deal.

untraditional Christmas

We were originally scheduled to fly out this afternoon for FL to visit Alex's family. We had all but decided it wasn't a good idea given my dad's health. But after seeing him make a positive upswing, we decided at the last minute to still go to FL but for a shorter stay. We raced to change the return flight and pack. And we had a 30 minute gift opening session. Then it was off to the airport. Zoom, zoom.

Christmas Eve madness

After leading all of the carol singing, Grampy was whipped so we kicked ourselves out and headed to the Campbell house. We opened gifts and Tyler was most impressed with his rocket ship from Auntie Deb and family.

Uncle Brian and Auntie Teresa and Dev all made it around 11:30 pm. Yes, Tyler was still awake. I'm really not sure how but he was still racing around the house despite the late hour. We finally got him in bed at 12:30!

high fives for grampy

We spent Christmas Eve at the hospital with Grampy. Earlier that day he was moved out of the ICU so we were all able to cram into his new room in 13East. [We being all of the Joneses (Jo, Dylan and his girlfriend Christine), all of the Campbells (Megan, Alex and Tyler) and all of the Kriskos (Deb, Hugh, Perrin and Andrew); needless to say it was a full house!]

We sang Christmas carols and told stories. And I got to share the news of the new baby's gender with my family. About 50% of them were right. (Are you getting annoyed yet at how I'm stringing you along?)

Tyler was so great despite being up past his bedtime. He gave Grampy high fives and blew more kisses his way. He also managed to correctly say "Grampy" a few times.

clothes for panda

We showed Tyler a baby's outfit this evening, one of those tiny onesies. We asked him who was going to wear it and he smiled and said, "Panda!" Panda is his favorite stuffed animal!

shared the news with my daddy

With my Dad being in such a precarious condition, I just had to share the news about the new baby's gender with him right away. His response, "Outstanding!"

daisy baby

We asked Tyler today if he thought the baby was going to be a girl or boy. He answered, "girl." When we asked again moments later he said the baby was going to be a Daisy (our dog).

We'll know the sex for sure later today. However, we've not shared with family that we will know so that we can surprise them during the holidays.

visiting grampy

Tyler, Alex and I went to see Grampy in the hospital again. Grampy is having a really rough go of it. But luckily Tyler was there to brighten Grampy's spirits. Tyler sat on the window ledge and called for Grampy ("Ampy, Ampy!") and pointed out the cool cars many stories below. Grampy sang "Hooray for Tyler!" and copied all the car and ambulance noises Tyler made. As we left Tyler said bye to Ampy and blew him kisses.

belly shot - 18weeks 3days

devastating news

Yesterday my dad called to let me know that he has pancreatic cancer. It seems each pregnancy of mine has led to a cancer diagnosis of one of my parents. I was seven months pregnant with Tyler when my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and this time I'm five months pregnant with our second child. (Follow my parents' progress by reading their blogs: for Jo and Lloyd.)

We went to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis to visit Grampy and kept our fingers crossed that they would let Tyler visit. We were in luck! Tyler was initially intimidated by all of the visitors present to see Grampy, but he warmed up. He was finally ready to share hugs and high fives with Grampy.

simon's birthday party

Despite receiving awful news, our family mustered up to attend Simon's 2nd birthday party. Tyler was so excited to play with one of his best buds, Simon, we couldn't say no. Tyler really enjoyed himself and ate like he hadn't in days!

out of this world

Tyler loves his big boy bed with its solar system bedding.

December checkup

Alex and I saw the doctor this morning to check up on Baby #2's progress. My uterus and our baby are just the right size for this stage and the heartbeat is steady in the 160s. The good news is that I've not gained as much at this stage as I had at the same stage when I was pregnant with Tyler (but am still gaining at a normal rate). In fact, at 17 weeks I still do not weigh as much as I did when I got pregnant with Tyler. Bad news: I have to purchase a new maternity wardrobe because my pants from last time are much too large.

imaginary play

Tyler is so creative! He concocts little scenarios and acts them out talking to, and about, his toys and even his food sometimes.

singer

In recent weeks Tyler has started singing to himself as he plays. I'm not sure what tune it is, but it is so sweet to listen to!

the holidays are here!

Each night Tyler and I drive home from daycare, we've been taking our time to enjoy the Christmas lights on our route. Tyler was really impressed by the house that had an inflatable Santa on a motorcycle.

Now it was our turn! We picked out a tree, hung stockings, hung the wreaths in our front windows, and put up lights in our big cherry tree in the front yard. Tyler really enjoyed putting the ornaments on our inside tree, which we decided to put in the family room. We were all in great spirits until Mommy and Daddy had to explain that the "cool car" ornament wasn't a toy and should stay on the tree. This was an unpopular decision!!

play it again

Driving to the store this morning, our family was listening to Alex's iPod through the car stereo. All of a sudden Tyler was screaming "AGAIN! AGAIN!" We finally figured out that he was referring to the song. We skipped back and listened to "Lolli Lolli," by Three Six Mafia for a second time. In a few minutes as the song ended Tyler jumped in again "AGAIN! AGAIN!" And as we listened to this song several times in a row, Tyler rocked out.

belly shot - 16 weeks 6 days

Babies on the brain (and in the belly). I attended Jamie's baby shower for her little boy due in February.

manners

Upon occasion, unbeknownst to her, Daisy plants herself on top of one of Tyler's blankets or in the middle of an imaginary raceway for Tyler's cars. Tyler has such good manners that he says "scuse me Daisy," and then gently nudges her out of the way. And when he accidentally bops her with a toy he quickly makes amends with a "Sorry!" And if the offense is particularly bad, he'll add a hug and kiss. My little gentleman.

solar system bed

I've been eye-ing a particular bedding set for Tyler for over a year now. Unfortunately it has never gone on sale. Now that Tyler is happy sleeping in his new big boy bed, it's about time that he has the proper bedding. So we bit the bullet and got the bedding. When it arrived I spread the quilt on the floor of the living room and Tyler ran in circles on it. He even quickly picked up the names of several of the planets.

He was having so much hyper fun running around on it and driving his trucks along the circular patterns on it, that when I suggested that we walk Daisy, without skipping a beat, he said "Bye Daddy!" Guess the fun just couldn't be interrupted.

home from daycare

Tyler had a little bout of diarrhea and then toss his cookies at daycare. With Alex on the road I had to skip out of work and bring Tyler home to rest. Yeah, right! This boy may have had a little stomach bug, but it sure wasn't affecting his energy level. We played all afternoon and then he napped for 4.5 hours. He woke up feeling great and the bug seemed to have passed quickly, thankfully.

comparing pregnancies

I can't help but compare this pregnancy to when I was pregnant with Tyler. Both times I've been blessed with no morning sickness. With Tyler, I had a few instances where I'd be a bit nauseous when I'd lie down at night so I needed to keep a granola bar on my nightstand; no need at all this time.

With both my miscarriage and with Tyler I had breast hypersensitivity; this time it was very different with more of a tenderness.

With Tyler, I was super tired the first trimester. I would come home from work and have enough energy to eat dinner and watch one show before going to bed early every night. This time the fatigue has been spotty. I feared how I'd be able to deal with the massive fatigue and keeping track of a toddler, especially when Alex is out of town on business. Thankfully it has been a non issue.

With Tyler I felt distinct pokes at 16.5 weeks; this time I felt the baby move at 16.5 weeks but it was much more of a gentle bumping feeling.

Last pregnancy I never experienced the belly itching that I've heard about; this time I have.

Tyler had a heart rate in the 130s/140s; this baby has been in the 160s/170s.

What has been similar? I feel happy and comfortable (so far...talk to me again when I'm 8 months!). I'm sure my ankles will balloon up again too, but it's too soon to tell this time. I've gained an appetite of a bear preparing for hibernation. I felt movement from both babies at the same time into the pregnancy, despite different styles of movement. And of course in both cases I'm super excited to meet our baby!

ho! ho! ho!

On the ride home from daycare I was telling Tyler about Santa and Christmas. He must have picked something up because during bath time Alex asked him what Santa says and Tyler immediately replied, "HO! HO! HO!"

pee pee attempt

After seeing Daddy head to the bathroom, Tyler decided he wanted to try. But with no small potty yet, he had to sit on the big toilet. Tyler wasn't so sure about that! He asked to get down and then look confused. But no rush; I was really just surprised he was interested in the first place.

master manipulator

The manipulation that a two-year-old is capable of boggles my mind. I recall my niece being a good manipulator at four, but Tyler seems to have started early. We'll catch him doing something he is not supposed to be doing. As soon as he can hear us getting really stern and on the verge of giving a time out, he pops toward us with his arms raised saying "Hi Daddy!" or "Hi Mommy!" however the case may be and asks for a kiss. Even that sweet face can't hide his hidden intentions.

building a plane

This morning Tyler pulled out his blocks and proceeded to build. I looked down and he pointed to his completed work and declared it an "airplane!" I was so impressed because it really resembled a plane with two wings.

redmons in town

The Redmons came into town for the Thanksgiving holiday. We were lucky enough to get to have dinner together twice and the mommies even managed a shopping spree. Tyler was calling Audrey Kate "Awwrie Kate," which became just "Kate" the second night which then evolved into "Teet!" Audrey Kate really tried to keep up with Tyler and she found his antics hilarious. Although her favorite was a gator ball! Did I mention how smart she is?

lineup

Alex thinks Tyler may have some of my OCD tendencies. What do you think gives him that idea?

happy birthday mommy

My family took me to lunch for my birthday to celebrate. And then two days later on the actual day, Alex gave me a beautiful necklace. Tyler was happy to model it.

big boy bed

Out of the blue, Tyler requested to take his nap in the twin bed in his future big boy room. We let him and he did it. Then at bed time Alex asked if he wanted to sleep in the crib or big boy bed. He said "bed," so again we let him. He slept from 8:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. No getting up, no calling out for us. Just complete courage to sleep in the bed with no railings and no falls. What a big boy!

dancing fool

Tyler loves to dance! He'll turn on the iPod and scream "Dance, Dance!" When Lynne came to visit, he quickly warmed up to her and then started putting the moves on her - dance moves that is.

no keys!

Mommy has pregnancy brain and keeps getting into the car before realizing she hasn't brought the car keys with her. The second or third time it happened, Alex was standing in the doorway to wave goodbye and I asked him to run back in to get the keys for us. Tyler was waiting patiently in his car seat and chimed in, "Uh oh, no keys...Daddy!" Days later while leaving again, I got into the front seat and Tyler looked at me and said "No keys?" I had actually remembered this time and when I held up the keys and jingled them Tyler squealed "YEAH!"

party

I was watching TV when a character on the show yelled, "Let's parrrty!" To my total shock, Tyler throws his hands in the air and repeats "Parrrrty!"

merry go round

As a reward for such stellar behavior at the photography studio, Tyler and I took a ride on the merry go round in the mall. Tyler was really excited but became somewhat concerned when the ride began and his horse began to move. But he stayed calm and took it all in.

model material

Tyler's 2-year portraits. The photographer was amazed that Tyler followed all of her instructions without hesitation. But what she didn't realize was that she had provided the ultimate motivation: a radio flyer car!