32 weeks

This image is for all those who have been harassing me to post belly pictures. :) Any flattering sucking in won't help at this point!

box fun

Who needs toys when you can have an empty box?!

outer space

After lunch Tyler climbed under the kitchen table to play. He was making noises and holding his cars up in the air. We asked what he was doing and without hesitating he said, "I'm in the Milky Way!" Then he continued to zoom his cars through "space."

penis (part one)

Tyler saw Daddy going the bathroom and asked, "What's that?" Daddy explained that it was a penis and that Tyler had one too. "Oh," he responded.

meeting Chase

Tyler has a new buddy, Chase, who was born Feb. 5. Isn't he so cute? This was Chase's first interaction with another little one and an opportunity for the moms and dads to see how Tyler was going to react to the new baby. It was somewhat anticlimactic since Tyler didn't seem to get overly excited about the baby. Even when Tyler's Mommy held Chase! It will interesting to see how he responds to Jenna -- especially when he realizes that she is staying!

almost 32 weeks

At my checkup today we got to see Jenna. The doctor wanted to check her position. She's breech right now (just like Tyler was)! But the doctor still says it is early and she could move many times over before birth.

Maddy

First there was Bennifer, then there was Brangelina. Now there is Maddy: Tyler's term for Mommy and Daddy.

pregnant mom

Adults ask me how I'm feeling. Alex refuses to let me carry anything remotely bulky or heavy. But Tyler doesn't seem concerned with the my physical limitations. We headed to the playground today to enjoy the first really warm day in recent weeks. Once there he couldn't understand why I didn't want to crawl into the "tunnel" (under the playground equipment) with him. He can run underneath upright and can't fathom why I am leery of crouching over while carrying an 8-month pregnant small volleyball shaped stomach around with me. But he did talk me into going down the slide a handful of times. That must of looked ridiculous to passersby! But we had a good time and then jogged home. (Tyler doesn't really walk anywhere. Everything is high speed!) Later in the evening I noticed that my ankles were a bit puffy - poor pregnant mom.

debate

Rolling up behind my daycare provider's truck as we arrived, Tyler started pointing and kept saying something that sounded at first like truck. I said oh yes that is Debbie's truck. He corrected me no duck, duck! Baffled for a few moments I told him I didn't know to what he was referring. Then he clarified that ON Debbie's truck window were some ducks. Huh? Taking a closer look I saw some mini Maryland Terps on a sticker in her back window. I corrected him and said they were turtles. "No mommy, ducks!" We debated back and forth a few times when we decided it was best to take a closer look to settle the argument. Sure enough mommy was right. And somehow turtles are much more exciting than ducks and Tyler was sure to let Ms. Debbie know that she had TURTLES on her back window!

who's coming?

Preparing Tyler for the weekend when Aunt Joy was going to come to babysit, I asked him "Who's coming this weekend?" Tyler smiled and yelled, "Jenna!" 9 more weeks and he will be right!

mister independent

Tyler's new thing is to help us do any and everything. Correction: Tyler's new thing is to take control of a task no matter how difficult. Two weeks ago he wanted to hang the curtains in Jenna's room. I told him that he could help daddy and me, but that wasn't cutting it. He said, "No mommy and daddy. Me do it!" ME DO IT is now more recognized in our house than the famous Nike slogan. He also wants to sweep the floor with a full-size broom, feed himself with a spoon, get his own tissue, take off his own shoes, and turn on and off all lights. Mister independent.

And with all of these big boy activities and observations of adults come many questions: "What's dat?, What's da matta?, Why cuz?"

your turn

Tyler is big into sharing. He likes to share a granola bar with me but he quarterbacks the entire event. "Your turn! My turn! You go! Me now!"

jenna's room in progress

We did the bulk of the work setting up Jenna's room this past weekend. We painted a third coat of pink when I didn't like the original hue. We cut the paint in half with white and did a final layer that finally satisfied me. (Thanks to Alex for not even groaning about the extra work.) We were able to keep the same bumper and bed skirt from Tyler's nursery - just added new sheets to the mix. Also added new curtains and a new toy storage. Now I just have to create all the artwork for the walls and shift the last of Tyler's clothes to his room. See photos of her room still in progress:



After his bath, Tyler uses what will soon be Jenna's changing table.

showman

Like father, like son.

missing Grampy

A kids magazine about baby animals showed up in our mailbox. Apparently, Grampy had ordered a subscription to the magazine as part of Tyler's Christmas gift and the first issue just arrived. I told Tyler that he had a present from Grampy and Tyler started to clap and cheer, "Grampy, Grampy, Grampy! Grampy coming?" Ouch. Then for the next two days he identified everyone in photos as Grampy even when there was absolutely no resemblance. So we spent some time looking at photos and video of Grampy and that seemed to ease his mind.

Week 29

Well into my 7th month of pregnancy, Baby Jenna moves and kicks a LOT! Tyler didn't seem to move quite as much, but he also delivered karate-chop-like blows whereas Jenna is more gentle. I've been blessed with another kind pregnancy. No sickness again. Back pain earlier and more intense than the last time, but I've so far escaped the swollen ankles that I had previously. I also had a bigger problem with breakouts just below each side of my mouth, but thankfully that has finally started to subside.

Yesterday during my last monthly doctor's appointment, I took a test. Thankfully, once again I tested negative for gestational diabetes. My upcoming appointments will be every 2-3 weeks until they adjust to weekly during the final month. It will be here before I know it!

snow day!

We've had a well below average accumulation of snow this season. That means a shortage of sledding or snowman-making opportunities. But today was different and our family took full advantage; we had over 6 inches of snow! Just enough to come up to Tyler's knees and allow Daisy to burrow underneath. "Snow, daddy! Look Mommy, snow!" Tyler would exclaim with glee.

bra wear

My little boy is so silly. Tonight after I changed into my PJs Tyler came behind me and picked up my bra from the chair and put it on his head. I immediately giggled. Seeing my amusement, Tyler started to giggle and then put the bra across his chest to outdo himself. He is such a ham!

fun attitude

For a few weeks Tyler has been quick to cry or whine and super clingy which is uncharacteristic of him. The change was so dramatic that my daycare provider noticed and discussed it with me. We attributed it to the upheaval of a kitchen remodel and the family stress he absorbed due to the passing of his grampy. And then again it crossed my mind that this was "the terrible twos!" But I'm thankful to say that our little boy has regained his fabulous attitude and has been beamingly happy this week. The difference is remarkable!

big jump

On Tyler's 2nd birthday his buddy and he pretended to jump down a step over and over. They would swing their arms and look like a jump was immenant, but ultimately just stepped down. This evening, Tyler took a big leap off of the fireplace: a real jump!

good sharer

Tyler and I split a rice krispies treat for dessert. You would think I would have to fight for each bite, but he systematically offered me a bite and said, "Your turn!" after each bite of his own. What a gentleman!

growth spurt

It seems like overnight Tyler has outgrown everything! Tyler has a couple pairs of size 7.5 shoes that just don't fit anymore. One day they seemed fine and the next I was cramming them on him. I finally broke down and let him wear his size 9 shoes that I figured he'd use in the fall! His pants are approaching highwater status despite having room to spare in the waist. And we can tell he's shot up what seems like an inch recently, so much so that others are noticing too.

unka hugh

Uncle Hugh has been staying with us for the past two weeks working on our kitchen. Tyler has taken a interest in all the tools Hugh uses and exactly what Hugh is doing. This morning at breakfast he must have called to him dozens of times, "Unka Hugh, Unka Hugh (at this point you must acknowledge Tyler or he continues forever), What ya doing?" "What's that?" "Unka Hugh, what's this?" Uncle Hugh must have been very thankful that Tyler was soon off to daycare.

Donalds

While our kitchen has been in the midst of the remodeling process (check out photos on Alex's blog: www.travelsofalex.blogspot.com), we've been eating out nearly every night. This night I planned to eat leftovers but Tyler had other ideas. As I strapped him in his carseat after picking him up from daycare, unprompted he blurted out "I want to go to Donalds!" This was the first time he had selected a restaurant so I was a bit stunned and answered with, "You want to eat at McDonalds?" Without hesitation he said, "Yes! And I want chicken and fries and chocolate milk." I couldn't say no to that although he changed his mind and selected apples rather than fries. Then he talked to Daddy on the cell on our way to McDonalds and was so proud of himself he repeated his entire order to Daddy and then continued chatting about the roads, bridges, tunnels (under the bridges) and trucks that he saw along the way.

look mom! I'm drivin'!

Tyler's favorite pastime: sitting in the driver's seat pretending to cruise down the road!

swirl find

Tyler and I love to look through his books that have items shown at the left and then we have to find the item in a complicated scene at right. While Tyler searches for the item, he has started to swirl his pointer finger around in an exaggerated circle above the page until he spots the item. Then his finger swoops down and lands on the item.

classmate

The buzz in Washington was all about where Malia and Sasha were going to go to school. The young girls in the area wanted to be classmates with the first family siblings. But Tyler is one up on all of them. When Uncle Hugh asked who went to daycare with him, Tyler responded with a few kids' names and then listed, "Obama."

happy

Tyler and I sat in my bed this morning avoiding the start of a new day. At one point Tyler started clapping his hands together saying, "Happy, happy, happy!" I asked if Tyler was happy and he immediately responded, "No, Grampy is happy." Eerie.

bye bye grampy

Tyler's Grampy lost his battle with pancreatic cancer today. Thankfully Tyler is blissfully unaware of the loss. He keeps looking at Mommy and saying, "K Mommy?" because he knows something is wrong. I tell him that it is ok and that I'm just very sad. He responds with, "Why cuz?" I tell him that Grampy went to Heaven and Mommy is very sad because she will miss him very much. Tyler gives me kisses to make me feel better.

yes sir

Tyler has begun to respond to us sometimes with a "yes sir!" Since we didn't teach him this we found it particularly amusing. Turns out Ms. Debbie responds to them in that manner and Tyler has just picked it up.

daddy at a distance

Alex headed to Illinois and then PA for business trips this week. That meant Tyler and Mommy were on their own to care for Daisy. Alex called to check in on us.

During Tyler's conversation with Alex, I put the cell phone on speaker. Tyler told Alex about some good news and Alex said how great the news was and then added, "High five!" To my amusement Tyler, holding the phone in one hand, used his other hand to slap a high five on the face of the phone.

Then as his talk with Daddy continued he put the phone on the floor. He began to sort through his basket of toys while talking. When he found his toy phone that has dead batteries, he told Alex how it was broken. Alex asked what was broken. Tyler said his phone was broken, then as if Alex could peer through the receiver Tyler held the toy up to the cell phone and said, "See!"

andrew time

My sister and family came into town to celebrate at Oma's surprise birthday party. Tyler really enjoyed playing with Andrew, who he called "Ann-ew." During the party the boys had a ball creating forts using what little furniture and toys we had in the basement. Two peas in a pod!

best friend

Driving to daycare this morning I asked Tyler who his favorite buddy at "school" is. Usually he responds with Zachary or Kingston. This time he thought about it for a few seconds and then said exuberantly, "Jenna!"

baby sister

Tyler is going to be such a great big brother. He kisses my belly goodnight. This evening he decided that he wanted to take his new rocking chair into the baby's room. I wasn't exactly sure what he was up to until he said, "Chair in Jenna's room." Although Jenna sounds more like Djenna, but it was the first time he used her name rather than "baby." I found it too cute.

tyler on the mend

Alex took Tyler to the doctor this morning after his fever returned with a vengeance last night. Turns out that he has a bacterial infection that has spread to both ears. I can't believe he wasn't miserable all weekend. Tough little guy.

He is now on Amoxicillin and it can't be easier to give him the medicine. Tyler sees the bottle and gets giddy and tells us how he wants more of this "treat!" It smells like orange creamcicle and probably tastes that way too going by Tyler's reaction.

Despite this, I'm looking forward to him completing this cycle of medicine. The first time he tried it he spit up afterward. We learned not to give it to him on an empty stomach, but getting him to eat has proved a challenge. Guess the medicine zaps his appetite so we have to nearly bribe him to eat sometimes. And the medicine or feeling bad has made my crazy happy boy somewhat cranky!

caught up

Finally!! I've filled in all the photos corresponding to older posts (going back to early December) so make sure to check them out. Katie and Meg- I hope I've satisfied your belly photo needs.

baby kicks for daddy

I felt this baby kick at the same point in the pregnancy as I did with Tyler's. However, the style of kicks has been completely different. Tyler did karate chops and would go nonstop for quite a while. This baby kicks more frequently but very gently, so it has been harder for Alex to experience it as well. This time she was uncharacteristically thumping me and Alex was able to feel it as well. The awe he showed and the prideful smile he flashed me afterward really touched me. There is just something about a man who engages parenthood and family in that way. Love sigh!

sick Tyler

While still half asleep this morning we heard an unwelcome sound through the baby monitor. Tyler was coughing. A very dry, barking cough. Sure enough he popped up earlier than usual and called for Mommy. But he was in good spirits and had no fever. All is well right? No! Midday I get a call from his daycare that he developed a fever and needed to be picked up. Alex was able to pick him up just in time for a nap. He slept soundly but still had a cough and fever upon waking up. Tyler was hurting and wasn't his usual energetic self. But after a dose of Tylenol his fever is down and he seems much more comfortable. I'm hoping another day home with Daddy tomorrow will nip this bug!

future president

We were so thrilled about the inauguration! Rather then brave the frigid cold, we celebrated with special attire.

aunt deb time

My sister Deb came into town this weekend to visit our Dad. She stayed in our guest room, but not alone! Tyler asked to go to bed along with her. Sucker! He stayed up playing with her watch and jewelry before finally crashing at 10.

Apparently he had a dream about Mommy, because while still asleep he said, "Hi Mommy!"

tool man tyler

As we hung new curtains in the family room, Tyler was dying to participate. He climbed the ladder over and over. He pulled tools out of the tool bag. The curtain-hanging task took nearly twice as long, but our son enjoyed every prolonged moment.

i see you!

Tyler was playing on the floor next to my side of our bed. Alex jumped onto the floor to peer under the bed from his side. When Tyler spotted him he giggled and said, " I see you!"

where is baby sister?

As my belly grows, Tyler likes to point to where his baby sister is and gives my belly kisses. Last night as I was lying on the couch he pointed out my round belly. When I told him that the baby was in there, he pulled up my shirt as though he could see her. Tonight he pointed to my belly and said, "Baby inside body."

As I type Tyler has pointed to my belly button and told me there is a baby in there. Then he lifted Alex's shirt and pointed to his belly button and told Alex that he has a baby in there too. Alex has now decided to go on a diet.

aunt teresa time

Well, we dropped the ball and totally forgot that Tyler's daycare provider had off today. Alex could take care of him with the exception of 10:30 to 1 while he presented a web demo for work. I could come home from work anytime with the exception of 10 to noon due to a memorial service at work. We scrambled yesterday to line up someone to babysit during the mid-day time slot.

Aunt Teresa and Uncle Dev to the rescue! They came over and all three had a ball. Hide-n-seek, toys strewn about, an aunt's undivided attention: what's not to love!

huh?

Sitting in our family room I called out to Alex who was in an adjoining room. Tyler popped up and replied, "HUH?" He said it as though he was an adult which caught me off guard and caused me to start laughing. Alex and I started replicating the way he said HUH. Tyler picked up on the humor and then repeated it over and over, pausing to laugh in between.

prepping for baby

As we unearthed some baby gear, we found another use for it. In addition to the exersaucer, Tyler managed to sit in his old Bumbo seat.

driving

Tyler's top activity: pretending to drive Daddy's truck! While Alex loaded up the back of the truck with some of our boxes that we had been temporarily storing at my dad's house prior to our move, Tyler raced the truck around in his imagination. He would be perfectly content doing this for hours.

SIMON!

Tyler hung out with Simon on New Year's Eve day and couldn't seem to get enough of the fun. He begged to stay longer.

So we did a repeat playdate and again the boys had a ball. So much so that Tyler asks to play with Simon constantly. He even recognizes the road near Simon's house and asks if we can stop by to play with Simon.

21 weeks, 4 days

Belly picture!

belly shot - 21 weeks 4 days

duck and cover

I've not laughed so hard at something Tyler has done in quite awhile. Alex announced that it was bath time. Without a moment's hesitation, Tyler grabbed his Amazing Animals toy train which was sitting in front of an end table and tossed it aside like it was a throw pillow. And then in less than a second he dove under the end table like he was jumping into a foxhole and started whining, "No, no, no..." I could not help but laugh hysterically.

Alex offered to give him a treat once Tyler took a bath. Much slower, yet on his own, Tyler came out from under the table and followed Alex upstairs softly crying the entire trip. But nothing would stand in the way of getting his treat!

buttons

The buttons on Oma's jacket were so cool, Tyler just had to come across the restaurant table to see them up close. He tried to count them ... eight, nine, three ...

spanish speaker

A week ago while at UMMC visiting my dad we were using the beautiful glass elevators in the newer Weinberg wing of the hospital. Tyler was commanding the elevator doors to open, but he didn't realize that the elevator was not yet on our floor. After forcefully saying, "OPEN!" for the fourth or fifth time, Alex asked Tyler, "What if the elevator speaks Spanish." Without skipping a beat Tyler yells, "Abré!"

If you hadn't guessed, he's been watching the bilingual shows Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go nearly every evening.

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.