Halloween

It was rainy and icky tonight but it wasn't too cold and at least there was no snow, so it could have been worse.  We met up with friends and went trick-or-treating in the set of residential streets around the corner. 

Holidays are very good at reminding me how much Nicholas is growing up because things that sneak up on you gradually throughout the year become much more obvious when contrasted with a whole year before.  This year Nicholas didn't even need us to go up to houses with him--he was not only capable of doing it himself, but brave enough to do so.

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

Next mission: gradually sneak candy out of his bowl so that it disappears much more quickly.  He has also already offered to share with us, so we may have to take him up on it.

And here is video of Nicholas singing the theme song from Dinosaur Train (which he has watched religiously since we started this costume): https://picasaweb.google.com/103033220833760597415/2013October?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite#5941090726451563010

Happy Halloween!

Something To Remember

I want to always remember how excited Nicholas was to feel his baby sister moving and how his standard position when he curled up next to me was to put one hand on my belly.

From 2013 October

Pumpkin Carving

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

Lessons From a Big Brother

Nicholas and I were playing a game over the weekend and I gasped a little with some of the baby's movements.  Nicholas was of course worried and I reassured him that his sister was just kicking me a little too hard.

And so Nicholas came over, put his hand on my belly and said, "Baby sister, don't hurt Mommy.  She loves us very much."

Melt my heart.

Halloween Part I

On Friday they had trick or treating on Main Street in our town and we decided to take Nicholas this year.  Nicholas loved it and amazed me with how much braver he has gotten.  Joe and I were not as thrilled.  It was SO crowded and overwhelming.  I really don't know where everyone came from--this is not a big town.  But he got to go into the barber to show the woman who cuts his hair his costume and she had a special treat for him, so that was sweet.

Also, that means I have pictures of Nicholas' completed costume.  Now that I've seen the pictures, the front is pretty boring, with all the interesting stuff on the back.  But that is true to how Buddy looks, so I don't think I'll make any changes before Thursday.

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

From 2013 October

Another parent even recognized that he was Buddy rather than a generic dinosaur!  For those of you who don't watch Dinosaur Train on a regular basis, here is a picture of Buddy for comparison:

Full Term

Yesterday I was considered full term for this pregnancy, but now I'm not. 

Nothing has actually changed with the pregnancy, but as of today they changed the definition and timeline.  The changes actually make complete sense, but I am just amused by the fact that they made the change when I was in the 2 week period whose name changed.

Link to an article explaining the change

Cashews are bigger than Peanuts

This little girl feels massive to me right now, so newborn diapers look shockingly small.  I know it is hard to tell in this picture, but they are itsy bitsy.  Will she really be that tiny?  And, if so, why in the world am I so big?!

From 2013 October

Speaking of size, we had an ultrasound today and she is measuring a tad on the big size.  They estimate that at this moment (37 weeks) she is already 7 lbs 4 oz (something like 68th percentile).  Now, those measurements are +/- a pound, so it doesn't actually mean anything definitive.  But the rule of thumb is that they gain about a half pound a week in these last weeks, so that would mean that on her due date she should be just shy of 9 pounds, again +/- a pound.  For comparison, Nicholas was 8 lbs 6oz at 4 days late. 

But, more importantly, she is doing really well.  All the organs seem to be working properly, she is practicing "breathing" and drinking, her heart rate is good, etc.  The doctor is estimating that she will be within a few days of her due date on one side or the other and sees no reason for worry.  Let's hope everything goes as smoothly as he expects it to.  If his estimates are correct, 2-3 more weeks until we meet her!