Memorial Weekend in Arizona

 We took an extra long weekend and drove over to Arizona to visit with some of Carl's family.

 We had a nice German breakfast at Lynx Lake followed by a hike and skipping rocks into the lake

 Elena loves exploring nature.  She found a pine cone she just had to share with Grandma.

 We played in the pool and at the playground.

 Elena getting some assistance with the monkey bars.

 And some goofiness with Grandma and Grandpa.

We also were able to visit Grandma and Grandpa Newman and Grandpa Grossi (and his bird).  We love visiting everyone, just wish we lived closer so our visits could be more frequent.

Family Photos at the Presidio

Recently we had a mini-photo shoot with a local up-and-coming photographer.  We were well overdue for family pictures, so my Mother's Day present was a 20 minute session and it turned out wonderful.

Baby Update

Today we had our first of two extra ultrasounds to check in on this big boy.  Space is becoming tight in my belly but if you look closely, you can see his chin is tucked into his chest with a profile of lips and a nose and a hand above his eye.  

Today I am 27.5 weeks along, Friday will begin my 3rd trimester.  The ultrasound confirmed the findings 10 weeks ago--this is a chunky baby.  He is growing asymmetrically with average length and a 97th percentile tummy.  His weight is estimated at 3lbs 1oz, the average baby is estimated about 2lbs 8oz.  Aside from his weight, the perinatologist says he looks great.  During the ultrasound I did ask if we were really having a boy.  The previous ultra sound didn't seem so clear to me...but this one was crystal clear, we are most definitely having a boy.

This is one active baby.  I was surprised by all the movements occurring within my belly during the ultrasound since I could only feel about half of them.  There are four different types of movements measured during the ultrasound and this boy received an A+ in all categories during the test; and the test wasn't completed during his most active time.  This boy loves 6pm on, if I'm wearing a fitted cotton t-shirt, you can physically see my belly contorting and moving with his flips, stretches, punches and kicks.  

  Nearly all my weight gain (which is right on track) is in the belly, it looks like a basketball sitting in there.  As I enter the 3rd trimester I wish I felt better.  I'm still plagued by nausea / constant feeling of motion sickness, upper abdomen pain from a hernia and braxton hicks (false contractions) along my lower abdomen and of course exhaustion, acid reflux and the feeling of an overly full bladder day and night.  This pregnancy isn't as enjoyable as Elena was but I'm looking forward to meeting our little guy soon, well within the next 3 months. 

I'll have a final ultra sound / growth scan in 7 weeks.  The the doctors, Carl and I will determine how this baby will be born....naturally or by Cesarean.  Until then, we'll keep on growing :)

Happy Birthday to Carl!

 An ice cream cake was fitting this year for Carl's birthday as we experienced a heat wave.  Elena asked to place the candles on the cake.

 She was very pleased with her efforts.

 Just a little assistance in blowing out the candles for the old man ;)

Yay!  

Now can we eat the cake?  Yumm!

Swing Bliss

 Carl and I have been debating and discussing swing sets for the past two years.  Although I fell in love with a low-maintenance, no splinter wood swing set made on the East coast with sustainably harvested white cedar, the cost was just too great.  We looked at other wood swing sets, but who are we kidding we will not keep up the maintenance required.  Our wooden fence is pleading to be re stained.

 So the beautiful wooden swing set was out, the wooden swing set was out so we were left with metal.  I've been eying a specific set for a few months, it's just 3 swing spots, no slide or climbing structure but in reality our yard is too small for a climbing structure.  The weight limit is 600 pounds which means us adults can swing on it too, unlike the slightly less expensive options from TRU.

 The swing set arrived in 2 boxes last night.  After double checking all pieces were accounted for, we set to work assembling the swing set.  We finished this morning and Elena is extremely excited; she was in bliss swinging away.

 The set is tall, 10' to be exact so the swing height is a smidge high for Elena.  She can wiggle on and it will be a good height to grow into.  I can attest the seats are comfy, even for me; I've never been a fan of the belt seat but I don't mind swinging on these.  The little man likes the rocking too. The middle spot is a trapeze bar and is too high for Elena to reach, we'll need to get some extenders.

 Daddy with a push.  Elena is still learning to pump.

Just hanging out in her world of bliss!

Padres Baseball Game

 Today we went with Pop and the JDRF kids to the San Diego Padres vs Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game.  Elena was teasing me with her carrots, I tried to take a bit but she was just too quick!

 A cute mommy - daughter snuggle before going in to see batting practice.

 Mr. Alan Trammell came out to sign autographs, take pictures with the JDRF kids and give them some excellent batting tips.

 A family pic...Elena is still eating.

 After batting practice, we walked around the park.  Elena wanted to go the beach at the park...so we did and the view is much different from this side of the park.

 Hanging out with Pop.

 Elena, Pop and Carl

 Elena eating, again.  This time some bbq ribs, one of her favorites.

 I think they have the same sparkle in their eye.

Just us.

We had a great time at the game.  Elena ate nearly the entire time we were at the park and she was a bit squirmy sitting in the stands.  The game was hard to watch if you were rooting for the Padres.  The Diamondbacks were on a roll getting their guys across home plate.

Baby Update, 23.5 weeks

My mom asked to see the belly, thought everyone might be interested to see how we are progressing.  I am 23weeks, 4 days into this pregnancy and my co-workers observed that my belly just popped out last week.  In their words, I finally look pregnant.

 From the front/back I don't look pregnant especially when I wear dresses....then I turn to the side:

I'm definitely pregnant (and wearing wrinkly clothes, my comfy after work attire--don't judge).

 Here is a pic of me pregnant with Elena at about the same time in pregnancy (different color shirts but actually the same size).  My belly was a bit bigger.  You cannot tell from this picture but the belly was also wider than I am now.  Baby boy has pushed the belly out so I can feel my hip bones.

My last check-in was 1.5 weeks ago and everything is going good.  My weight gain is a bit slower than with Elena, more in line with what the doctors advise.  This is a good thing since I put on a bit too much with her.  I'm sure constantly battling the recurring head cold and weeks of nausea have helped on that front.  Chocolate and junk food just aren't appetizing, my junk food is carbs--cereal or toast.  Now that I'm feeling better I hope I can keep the cold at bay and stay healthy for the remaining 3.5 months.

Next week I take the glucose tolerance test, an 8 hour fasting, blood draw, then chug awfully sweet drink, wait 2 hours and have another blood draw.  Hopefully all will go well with this test.  In about a month I will have another ultrasound to size up this baby and maybe even have a few more photos to share. :)

Elena's 4th Birthday

 'Twas 4 years ago today, I awoke feeling a little weird.  I had no idea we would meet Elena later that evening.  It's hard to believe it has been 4 years already!

 We threw her a party, total attendance was 30--14 kids including 2 older siblings, plus parents, Pop and Lorraine and of course us.

 Elena loves balloons but is always disappointed when they deflate the next morning.  So instead of balloons, we used beach balls to decorate the fence and slider.  After a little while the balls were taken down and the kids had a blast playing with them.

 Everyone seemed to have a good time.

 The girls especially had fun with the veggie straws.

 In order from top to bottom: Elena, Ema, Lulu, Emma

 And as Elena dictated earlier this week, no party is complete without a cake.

 Carl lit the candles and as everybody inhaled to begin singing, Elena blew out her candles!  The picture above is her giggling after realizing she blew them out too soon :)

 As Carl re-lit the candles, the breeze began.  It was a very welcomed breeze but took a few matches to relight these candles.  Elena found it very difficult to wait...we're still working on patience.

 So excited to finally blow out her candles!!

 The girls are so excited to get some cake!  Left to right: Lulu, Selah, Emma and June.

 Yum!

 Ever wonder how many kids can fit in Elena's small bedroom after they have pulled out most of her toys?  Our final count was 8.  7 are accounted for above: we have Jonah, Selah, Emma, Ema, Lyla, Ryan and Lulu.

 Galit and Claire...

 and Norah :)

 Mischief makers...Elena and Lulu = trouble :)

 Another piece of cake (or rather frosting) with Grandma Lorraine.

 Loving her Pop Pop and Grandma Lorraine.

 Such a happy girl!

 Elena on her new bike!  

A big girl bike.  It's a 16" but she'll soon out grow this bike and be on to the 20" bike.  We still have a little room to raise the seat but not too much.

It didn't take her too long to master starting and stopping.  We're still working on looking ahead and steering.  She's posing in the picture above...loving her bike.

Overall we had a good day and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  Elena had one melt down and a couple cases of the grumps but enjoyed her party and having her friends over.  Next year we'll keep it a little smaller.  This year Elena asked to invite 2 friends.  With prompting she asked to have a big party--with 5 friends.  She has a couple group of friends at school so I talked her into inviting 10 friends from school.  There are 32 kids in her class, including all the part-timers.  I was surprised with the turn out, nearly everyone we invited attended.  Most other parties we have attended have invited everyone in the class but the turn out is small.  At the end of the day, Elena was right, a smaller group is more our style.  I'm glad we did this party but we'll do something a little smaller next year.