Costume Shopping

Saturday my mom and I took Zach and Kaitlyn to buy their costumes. Kaitlyn was stuck with some pumpkin pj's because she is too little for pretty much anything else. Zachary picked out a Spiderman costume. He saw the spiderman candy bucket in the front of the store and he couldn't think of anything else. I showed him a bunch of different costumes but he was set on Spiderman.

I didn't think he would like anything with a mask but he loved the masks. He wanted to try on every mask in the store. I have a couple of great pics of him and my mom trying on the masks in the store. He also loved this big snake that wrapped around his neck. I was so surprised he knew exactly what to do with it.

Saturday night we went to Movies in the Park to see Surf's Up with Zach and Kaitlyn. Zach had a really good time. It was a little cool and windy so I kept covering Kaitlyn's car seat with a blanket and the canopy. Zach didn't like that he couldn't see her though and he kept trying to uncover her. It was very cute. We had a good time on our first two children outing.

Pictures

I've updated the pictures on our photo gallery. I'm trying to be good but...we'll see how long it lasts.
pics

Comparison

Kaitlyn

Zachary

Mommy Heaven

So I've been in mommy heaven these past ten days. I love being home with my kids. I mean sure I haven't got more than an hour or two of sleep at a time but other than that everything is perfect! Zach is fantastic with Kaitlyn. He constantly is giving her kisses and patting her. He wants her in his room while I read to him at naptime and bedtime. It is funny because I was so worried about keeping her out of his room so he felt that was "our time" and he wants me to bring her in there. Who knew!

Our first day home, I was so worried. Zach was swinging his golf club around Kaitlyn's car seat and I told him to be careful around her. He looked at me with this horrified look and ran into his room. I went into his room and I just started crying. How was my little man ever going to be ok with this. He looked at me and patted my face and said don't cry mommy. That was the end of that. He's been fine ever since.

Kaitlyn is doing really well. She had her first Dr.'s appt. last Friday. She weighed 7lbs when we left the hospital and she weighed 7lbs then. I'm not sure about her length because oddly the nurse said they don't stretch the babies legs to get the length so she was actually 1 1/2 inches shorter than in the hospital. Kinda weird but whatever???? She has another appt. tomorrow.

She is doing really well eating. I could almost set a clock by her feeding schedule. She eats every two hours exactly. She is extremely strong. She can already lift her head. Zach had a big noggin' so it took him awhile to do this. Lucky for Zach he grew into his head though.

We've taken a walk to the playground with Zach and Kaitlyn the past two nights. She seems to like the bounce of the ride and she sleeps really well. Zach loves any chance to get outside and run around. The weather has been really nice. There has been a nice breeze. Is it finally Fall???

We are taking our first family outing with both kids Saturday. They are showing Surf Up's at the park on Saturday night so we're going to go and have a picnic. Hopefully it will be successful. I'll have to start getting ready 3 hrs in advance. I haven't gotten the hang of leaving the house yet. After reading all of my friends blogs it seems this isn't really something you can get better at though especially with a 2 hour feeding schedule.

I did have a successful mommy moment today. Zach, Kaitlyn and I all took a nap together today in Zach's room. I actually managed to get them both to nap at the same time.

Zach meets Kailtyn

It is now day three of being a mommy of two. It is amazing! Yesterday went really well. All of the nurses at the hospital have been very nice. They have left Kaitlyn in the room with me the entire time. It is like being home. The nurses only come in and check her vitals but other than that you are on your own unless you ask for help. I like that this forces you to do everything but you know you have a backup just in case. I definitely feel more like a "mommy" this time. The diaper changes obviously weren't a problem. It only took a couple of hours to switch right back into infant mode. Nursing is going really well this time also. She is like a pro. I guess all of us 2nd timers have had an easier go with that this time.

My in-laws brought Zach up to the hospital yesterday morning. He was freaked out with me here I think. He wouldn't even look at Kaitlyn. He just wanted to lay on the bed with me. They left for lunch and brought him back around dinner time and he was much better. He wanted to give her a kiss but she was a little fussy at the time. We'll have to work on that :-) He still wasn't so sure about her but I think it will be better once we get home and he has me at home. He was upset that I wasn't going with them yesterday.

We are getting ready to leave the hospital. I've already been discharged but we have to wait for Kaitlyn's pediatrician to come and discharge her. He'll be here around lunch time. I can't wait to bring our new little girl home. It is amazing...I know have children!

I can't wait for you all to meet her. She is beautiful and perfect in every way. I can't believe how blessed I am. Check the gallery for more pics.

Hurray she is finally here

So I was admitted today at around 3:00. I promtly went to labor and delivery where the nurse told me that I was not having very hard contractions. She checked me and I was 3-4 cm still. The nurses didn't think I was having contractions because evidently the monitor wasn't working. I kept telling them that I was having contractions but I don't think they believed me. Then around 7:00 the new nurse (shift change) came in. I told her...I NEED DRUGS!!! Ok well just give me a minute while I do a few things, she says. At this point I was in mucho pain. Finally she checks me and she says no epidural for you...you are having this baby NOW! I hadn't seen the Dr. at this point so they have to call him. The nurse literally had to hold the baby in for 10 mintues while we waited for the Dr. Um...OUCH!

Thank goodness my mom and Joe were there because I really didn't think I was going to be able to hold her in. She was ready to get out of there. The Dr. did get there and Kaitlyn came into the world at 7:43 pm October 1. No stiches necessary. YEAH!!

She is perfect. She got a 9 on her Apgar because her hands were a little pink but other than that everything looks good. She has quite a set of lungs too.

She is absolutely beautiful! I can't believe she is finally here. She was 7lbs 3oz and 19 3/4 inches long. Exactly the same as Zach except he was 2oz lighter. She has a headful of dark hair and really long toes. I'll post more pics tomorrow.

She already is nursing great. I can't believe how easy it was this time. My family just left and Kaitlyn is sleeping. Joe's parents are going to bring Zachary here in the morning to meet his little sister. I'll post with more pics and an update.

I'm not sure if any of this was coherent...it's been a long day.

Thanks for all of the good wishes. Click here for pictures

Yeah!!!

I had my OB appointment this morning at 10:00 and my dr. scheduled me for an induction at 6 am tomorrow Oct 2nd. I was very excited about that but I think I'm going into labor now. Joe and I are on our way to the hospital. I'll keep you all posted!

The Waiting Game

I'm doing everything I can to hurry Kaitlyn up. It is funny because in my mind the absolute latest she would be here was tomorrow. I can't possibly go past my due date can, I??????

I've been vigilantly doing my prenatal yoga everyday this week. I usually only do it twice a week so I was hoping this would make her uncomfortable enough to want to get out of there. She seems perfectly happy in there though. I, on the other hand, am NOT comfortable. I don't know what she is doing in there so happily but it is putting a major damper on my circulation. I can't imagine having restless leg syndrome on a regular basis. I feel for those people. I, at least, have an end in sight (although it seems to be getting further as we speak).

Everyone keeps telling me all the "tricks". My mom just told me that it is a full moon so that triggers labor....ummm ok, am I having a baby or a werewolf????? I'll keep posting with the progress...or lack of progress.

My OB said they won't let me go more than a week past my due date so I guess I do know she'll be here in at least 8 days!!!! Whoo!!!

And the countdown continues...

So my official "due date" is Friday whatever that means. I went to my OB's office this morning before work even though my appt wasn't until 1:15 hoping that he would see me early and tell me nope you can't go to work you are going to the hospital. He did see me early but unfortunately he didn't tell me to go to the hospital. Once again he said, see you Monday.

I'm unhappily at work. HURRY UP Kaitlyn. I'm ready to meet you!!!!!!

Final blog blabber of the day

I know...I know I never blog and then when I do I go on a rampage.

I read the book the Family Tree that Angelle recommended. I really liked it but I decided it wasn't a good book to read while you are pregnant. For the past few months I have been having absolutely crazy nightmares/dreams. In one dream, I dreamt my sister had become a chain smoker. It was so vivid and real. I honestly had to ask her if we had discussed this or if it was a dream. It seemed so real. Anyway now that you all think I'm crazy let me prove it to you :-)

In the book two white parents have a black child. The past week now I've dreamt all kinds of crazy things about Kaitlyn. She has been black, asian, a boy...which considering the large amount of pink things in her closet wouldn't be such a good thing. All I really want is a healthy baby but these dreams have really been disturbing me. In one dream she came out with a cartooney like south park head. What does this mean???? Is Joe going to think I had an affair with Cartman???? I can't wait for the hormones to go back to normal and for the crazy dreams to stop. It is almost impossible to sleep as it is.

2 minutes

Zach has really gotten better in his negotiating skills. His new trick is "two minutes." I've always given him a little warning of when an activity is going to end. Zach we are going to go to bed in two minutes, we are leaving the beach/pool in two minutes, dinner two minutes...you get the idea. Well Zach now has decided he would like to use this technique as well. The first time he said it I almost fell off my chair laughing and of course I was more than happy to accommodate this request. He now wants to use it for everything. It is hilarious though. Mom I'll brush my teeth in two minutes. Mom we'll change my diaper in two minutes, etc.

I've also been telling him that he has to be gentle around my stomach. I guess I must use the word easy as well. Well yesterday as I was putting him in his car seat he tells me, "Mom please be easy with your tummy. Be careful, I'm heavy." Where does this kid come up with this stuff??? I love it.

My final Zachey came when he was playing ball with our dog Jade. He tells Jade, "Go Deep Jade, Go Deep". He couldn't understand why she wouldn't do it. He kept trying to run and show her how to do it but she just kept following him with the ball. It was very cute.

AMAZING!!!

I would desperately love to stay home full time with Zach and soon Kaitlyn. Joe and I are doing everything we can which right now isn't much to make this a reality. Since the housing market tanked and we pretty much bought our house at the peak we are stuck...at least for now. Well I've decided that if I have to work having a maid is the way to go. This also isn't really a financial reality right now (especially since I want to work less) but it was nice to see how the other half live.

This week I hired my mother's maid to come help clean the house before Kaitlyn gets here. When I left for work on Tuesday my house was terrible. When I came home from work Tuesday I almost cried. My house was sparkling!! I of course picked up before the maid got there so there weren't Lego's and trucks all over but she did a wonderful job. I know everyone has done the shove everything in a laundry hamper in the closet so the house "looks" clean when people cover over trick. Well I had done this and put a note on my closet door saying "DO NOT CLEAN". Evidently the maid doesn't read/speak English so she cleaned my closet anyway. She organized all of my shoes, swept, mopped and basically made my closet sparkle. It looks amazing. She also cleaned out my refrigerator. Once a week before I go to work I "clean" out the fridge. This basically involves throwing out rotten fruit or things I've forgotten about. I keep saying how I need to wipe it out, organize, blah blah blah. Well the maid did this. Everything was organized and it looked amazing. It is amazing how all of these little things can make you feel overwhelmed. I had the greatest day Tuesday! I have never felt so relaxed and relieved.

My nesting instinct has been a little overwhelmed lately by my wow it is really hard to bend over with this belly and inability to breathe instinct. By the time I get home from work and cook dinner and play with Zach and read him stories and put him to bed I have very little energy to do anything else. I really needed the extra help. I feel like I'm definitely ready for Kaitlyn now. I have a doctor's appointment Monday so I'll let you know how it goes.

Waiting...

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday. Kaitlyn is still pretty happy in there. The doctor said it wouldn't be before my next appointment so I have at least another week :-(

I'm so ready for her to be here all ready!

I've definitely been preparing for the lack of sleep. Zach has pretty much slept through the night since he was six months old with few exceptions but the past two weeks he's been waking up often. Sometimes he just lays in there and talks but I think he might be having bad dreams because other times he'll scream like a mad man. It is so weird. Hopefully it will stop before Kaitlyn gets here but from all of your posts it doesn't seem like that is the case.

In addition to Zach, it is so hard to get comfortable with a baby in your belly :-) Wah Wah poor me...sorry for the complaining. I'm at work and I'm feeling yucky so the complaining is easy!

On a good note, the nursery is finally finished and I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I'll post pictures this weekend.

Final post of the day

I had my 37 week Dr's appointment yesterday. He said everything looked good. I'm 1 1/2 centimeters so I guess it could be any day now! Hopefully it will be soon. I'm so ready!!!

Joe has asked that I wait until after the Tennessee game on Saturday. I told him I would try but I wasn't making any promises! Geez us Gator's have to plan everything around Gator football.

Blogging rampage

I just had to share some more Zach stories this morning. He has totally been cracking me up lately. Sunday morning I hear him screaming from his room, "Ma". He does this several times before I can waddle myself in there. It takes me a few (well maybe like 10) minutes to roll myself out of bed these days. Joe actually went in there because I was getting ready to go to the shower. I hear him say over the monitor, "Ma, Come here please I need to talk to you." Umm...ok. Where does he get this stuff. He didn't have anything particular to say though.

He also told me the other night after I told him no more books, "Ok mom, I promise we'll read this one tomorrow." Ok thanks Zach, I was worried! I love how he is really expressing himself now.

He also is really thinking before he speaks. He'll say umm....and then come up with funniest things. I love this age!

His potty training isn't going great but we do have progress. Yesterday when I picked him up from school he wanted to go potty. He didn't want to use the urinal though so he decided to pee standing up in the toilet. The only problem is his part doesn't quiet reach the toilet so instead it went all down the front of the toilet and his leg. At least his is trying!! It is so hard not to laugh at these events. I told him next time we'll have to try the urinal instead and he told me I don't want pee on my leg mommy!

Thanks again

When I put the new banner up for my blog it wasn't quite ready for prime time. Nikki took one look at it and knew she had to perfect it! I thought it looked great the way it was but Nikki made it look even better. Thanks again Nikki and thanks to Erica for taking a great picture to begin with at Hive. While I'm on a role thanks to Min for making Zach have a great having fun smile in the picture!

Fantastic Shower

Thank you so much to Melissa and Nicole for throwing me a fantastic shower!! The food was terrific and the fauxmosas were great! I know everyone else liked the real mimosas! It was so much fun seeing everyone. I got so many cute clothes for Kaitlyn. I'm really excited for her to hurry up and get here now. A special thanks to Erica for being the official shower photographer. She has some great pictures posted on her gallery.

It was nice to have a girl day. Joe watched Zach so I could relax and enjoy myself. I can't believe that the next time I see everyone I will be a mother of two! Wow that is crazy!!!!

Thanks Nikki

I just had to post a big thank you to Nikki for making my blog look nice and pretty. She did such a great job with Zach's picture. Thank goodness I'm a good accountant because I wasn't blessed with the creative gene!

Zachies

I love reading all the blogs about the funny things that all of the kids say and do. We too have a name for Zach's little sayings. We call them Zachies. I'm not sure why they are so funny but it cracks me up to here the things he says. I'm going to try and be better about blogging about them when he says them because I want to be able to look back and remember them.

Yesterday when I went to put on his shorts they wouldn't button. I'm not sure the last time he wore them but it hadn't been that long. It is amazing how they seem to grow overnight. I've decided that the best way to make him grow is to buy him shoes. Inevitably every time I buy him new shoes his feet grow an inch that week. Anyway, Zach looks at me and says, "Mom my shorts are too small. I'm going to give them to the baby 'cause I'm a big boy now!" He takes them off and walks them into Kaitlyn's room and puts them in her closet. What???? Sometimes I think he is blissfully unaware of her and then this. Hopefully he'll be this good with sharing once she gets here.

Labor Day Fun

I know it is Thursday and I'm just posting about Labor Day but I'm a slacker what can I say. Zach has been going through this golfing phase. He watched some golf with his Papa T this weekend and he loves it now. I walked in the room and he told me he was watching golf balls. Ever since he's been using anything long as a golf club. When we were watching the Gator Game Saturday he was using the Gator flag as a golf club. It was very cute! He also doesn't play golf he plays golf balls which is equally cute!

So anyway Monday we decided we would take him to play mini golf at Boomers. Of course as soon as we get in the car it starts raining. We decided to go anyway but no luck! The golf was closed the entire time we were there but he had a blast anyway. The had a miniature bowling alley there. He absolutely loved that. The balls were small and the lanes were small too. He kept wanting to run down the lane after the ball. We had to keep grabbing him and telling him just the ball. I know Joe will appreciate the fact that I have included a picture of his tush for the world to see. Oh well men don't really care about that do they? He also loved the basketball game.