Merry Christmas Eve

We continued the tradition of doughnuts on Christmas Eve morning!

36 Weeks

I can't believe I am in the final month of this pregnancy.  Time seems to have flown by, and ready or not, this baby is coming soon!  I had my 36 week check-up on Tuesday, in which the doctor also wanted me to get an ultrasound.  We got one picture from the ultrasound; but honestly, it's not even worth posting.  Makayla is so squished in there that you just can't see much of her at this point.  All of the measurements from the ultrasound looked good, and they are predicting her to be around 6.5 lbs right now.  The doctor guessed she would be around 8 lbs if she arrived near her due date.  While she probably still won't be a "small" baby at birth, it is nice to know that we can expect someone a little smaller than Joshua.  By next Wednesday, Makayla will officially be considered full-term.  It's still an odd-feeling to know that we will have another little one SOON.  I guess it just kind of snuck up on me this time around.  My next appointment will be at 38 weeks, so I'll update then if I have more news.

Makayla, 36 weeks

Joshua, 36 weeks

Makayla, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36 weeks

Embracing the Walker

Months ago, we made predictions as to when Joshua would start walking.  All signs pointed to the fact that it would be awhile as he just did not want to be on his feet.  15 months came and went, and Joshua was still collapsing when we would try and walk with him.  We started to look for a walker to get him going, and a generous family friend bought Joshua one as a Christmas gift (thanks Sarah!).  At first, he would collapse and whine when we would stand him in front of the walker, but slowly he started to warm up to it.  Over the past few days, we would help him along as he cruised around the house.  Tonight, he flew solo and walked back and forth to Andrew and me with the help of the walker.  It even got to the point where he was upset if we stopped.  Hopefully, his first real steps are just around the corner!

Doctors, doctors, and more doctors...

If I could sum up the last couple of weeks into one word, it would be "doctors."  I'm pretty sure Joshua is at his wits end with people looking at him, and prodding him.  Even a simple listen of his heart with a stethoscope gets him so worked up that he throws up.  I'm already dreading his 15 month well-visit next Friday.  On top of the pre-op appointments, Joshua acquired a viral bug after his procedure, which sent us back to the doctor.  We will probably never know what it was for sure, but one theory is that he experienced a reaction to his antibiotic eye drops.  While all of the doctor stuff has been tough, Andrew and I are praising God for how well Joshua's eye looks following the insertion of the tube into his eye duct.  I haven't had to clean or wipe his eye once since the procedure, and for those of you that have spent any time around our little man, you know that's a miracle in itself.  The difference before and after the procedure is night and day.  While it was no fun putting him through another procedure, we are thrilled with the results, and pray it continues once the tube is removed.  I snapped a few pictures of our boy, with his heart-melting blue eyes (this is the first time I haven't had to Photoshop the eye goop from his eye!)...

In other "doctor" news, my OB appointments are starting to pick up, which means Makayla's arrival is getting closer.  Part of me wants her to stay in there for awhile longer, but the other part of me is ready to be done with the physical aspects of pregnancy.  You forget a lot from one pregnancy to another (which is probably a good thing), so I can't remember how these pregnancy symptoms compare to the first time around.  The hardest part right now is that Makayla is cramming herself into one side of my stomach, which causes a sharp, shooting pain.  Add that to the indigestion, and it's quite uncomfortable.  I'm trying to stay optimistic because I know some women have a much harder time with their pregnancies.  I am very thankful that other than these few things, the baby and I are healthy and progressing normally.  The doctor has ordered an ultrasound for Tuesday, December 20th to see how big Makayla is.  Since Joshua was a big baby (9 lbs, 2 oz), my doctor has been keeping a more watchful eye on the size of Makayla.  I'm not sure how things would change if she was measuring big because my doctor wouldn't want to induce just for that reason.  I guess the doctors and I would at least have a heads up going into the delivery that she was big, and we could plan accordingly.  Let's just say that I'm definitely open to having an epidural this time around ; )  I will get an update out after the ultrasound and appointment, and maybe even have a few pictures of our little girl to show off.

In other Makayla news, the nursery is progressing.  The paint is up, we have her furniture, and we're starting to add some design to the room.  We put up a wall decal above her crib, and I love how it looks with her bedding.  I can't wait to work on some of the other ideas that I have for the room.  I will continue to post pictures as we add more...

Eye Procedure

There's nothing like waking up to a half foot of snow on the morning of your son's eye procedure!  Luckily, the heart of the city was much clearer than around our home, so we made it to the hospital safely.  The procedure was quick, and Joshua did great.  His poor eye is a little swollen and irritated, but beyond that, he is playing with his toys and books as usual.  Below is a picture of him in his little scrubs.  The picture was taken before the procedure, so that's why he's somewhat happy.  Let's just say waking up from anesthesia was harder on the little guy.  Thanks for your prayers; we really appreciate you all keeping us in your thoughts!

Blocked Tear Duct Update

Many of you are aware of Joshua's blocked tear duct that he has had since birth.  We were hoping a simple in-office eye probe would resolve the problem, but two eye probes later, and his poor eye duct is still blocked.  Since the in-office procedures haven't provided a solution, we are moving on to the next step.  Unfortunately, the next step involves Joshua going under anesthesia, so that the doctor can insert a tiny tube into the duct.  The tube will not drain the tears, but rather train the duct to stay open.  After four months, the doctor will then remove the tube in his office.  The procedure is scheduled for Monday morning at 6:30am, and should take no more than 15 minutes.  Please keep our little guy in your prayers as he undergoes this procedure.  I think he's a little sick of doctors at this point, so he can get quite worked up.  I will send out another update on Monday to let you know how everything went.  Thanks, in advance, for your prayers.   

Have ball; will travel...

Joshua's security blanket/toy is a little basketball that always has to be nearby.  He has developed a talent in which he crawls and plays with his toys while holding his ball in between his legs...

Week 32

Wednesday marked week 32 of Makayla's pregnancy.  Below is the latest belly bump pic, as well as a pic of 32 weeks with Joshua.  

Makayla, 32 weeks

Joshua, 32 weeks

Makayla

12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 weeks

Happy Thanksgiving

Let's just say Joshua is a fan of Thanksgiving dinner...

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends and family.  We have so much to be thankful for.  Our prayer is that this day would cause each of us to look upon and glorify God, the giver of every good  and perfect gift.

New Photos

Ok, so most of you know I've been studying for the PE for the past few months, and unfortunately this means I've done a bad job importing all the new pictures we've taken during that time.  Well, today your patience has paid off.  There are 6 new album links to the bottom right with about 550 pictures total.  Enjoy!

Happy Halloween

Our little Sea Otter...

A couple of nights ago, Andrew and I carved pumpkins...

Alvin and the Hip Old Man

Pumpkins

I took Joshua to a nearby Pumpkin Patch.  While it was something fun to do, I think he'll have more fun next year when he can actually walk and interact with everything a little more.  And, maybe, he won't want to eat all the corn kernels, leaves, and hay next year...

Another month gone by...

I can't believe another month has flown by!  This is by far our most favorite time of the year.  So, in honor of our excitement, I give you the top 10 reasons our family loves Fall (in no particular order):

1.  Balloon Fiesta - if you haven't seen it, put it on your bucket list and get out here for a visit!
2.  Cooler temperatures - there's snow on the mountains : )
3.  Changing leaves - the trees that line the Rio Grande river are beautiful right now
4.  All things pumpkin - okay, I probably love pumpkin a little more than Andrew, so I'll claim this one
5.  Football - Andrew's 49ers are having a great year so far, while my Colts are, well...about as good as the Lobo football team.  Two words: Andrew Luck.
6.  UNM Basketball - The season starts next week!  We're trying to teach Joshua the Lobo cheer: "Everyone's a Lobo, woof, woof, woof..."
7.  The nearness of Thanksgiving and Christmas - enough said.
8.  Fall = baking - as if pregnancy wasn't enough to make me want to bake
9.  Paid holidays for Andrew
10.  Being that much closer to meeting our little girl...

Speaking of Makayla, our little girl is 28 weeks old!  She definitely has a sleep schedule in place, but is a little ninja when she is awake.  She is already following in her brother's footsteps, as she loves to push herself up against my ribs just like Joshua did (ouch!).  It's amazing how much faster this pregnancy has gone by.  Having a one-year-old keeps you on your toes, and provides a lot of distraction.  Below is the 28 week picture, as well as Joshua's 28 week picture.  It seems like Makayla is sitting a little higher than Joshua did at this point.  I also included the collage of pictures to see the progress.

Makayla - 28 weeks

Joshua - 28 weeks

Makayla's Progress

Bubbles

While Joshua was taking his bath yesterday, I took the opportunity to mess around with our camera.  I am definitely a novice when it comes to picture taking, so most of my pictures are done with the auto settings.  Here are a few of the pictures I took as I tried to get out of the "auto" box...

It's Peanut Butter Jelly time...

Joshua had his first Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich today, and I think it's safe to say that he LOVED it!!!

Before the bib...what was I thinking!?

Hmmm...this is pretty good

Nothin' like washing a PBJ down with some milk

Happy kid!

Since this was Joshua's first PBJ experience, I had to introduce him to the Peanut Butter Jelly Time song...

Daddy's Good Luck Charm

When Joshua was born, the San Francisco Giants won the World Series a month later.  Andrew's hoping his little good luck charm will prove to be lucky once again this NFL season.  So far, the previously bad 49ers, are 5-1.  Coincidence???...we think not : )

Daddy's Home

One of my most favorite parts of the day is when Andrew gets home from work.  This isn't because I love having another pair of hands for parenting (which I do), or even because he's the love of my life (which he definitely is!).  The reason I love Andrew's homecoming from work is because it is SO adorable to watch Joshua's reaction when he hears that daddy's home...

Toddlers are like dogs...

Another way toddlers are like dogs...

Balloon Fiesta

Another year at the Balloon Fiesta...

4:00 AM...really, Mom?!

24 Weeks

Today, marks 24 weeks in the pregnancy.  Makayla is getting bigger, stronger, and moving a lot!  Unlike her mama, she is a night owl, coming alive after 9:00pm.  Her movements finally got strong enough to where Andrew could see and feel them.  That is such a special moment to be able to share with him : )  My next doctor's appointment isn't until next week, so I don't have much else to report on.  The 24 week baby bump picture is below, as well as the 24 week picture from Joshua's pregnancy if you're interested in seeing the differences (if there are any?).  I also included the collage of pictures thus far, so that you can see the progress.

Makayla - 24 weeks                                            

                      

Joshua - 24 weeks