10 weeks to go and our 3D Ultrasound

Well, I am officially 30 weeks pregnant and should be meeting our daughter within the next two months sometime.I can't believe how fast this pregnancy has flown by! I think they next two months will drag though, because we are so eager to meet her and see what she looks like, and how much she weighs, and when her birthday is going to be. We've got the name narrowed down to about two or three choices, but we're not telling! We probably won't decide until she gets here anyway. We didn't pick Alex's middle name until we saw him, and then we just knew. This pregnancy hasn't been much different from my first, despite that fact that we are having a different gender this time. I have had more back problems, more heartburn, less nausea,more cravings, and I feel like she is more active than he was. We had a 3D ultrasound done on Saturday at a place called Precious Previews in Bel Air, and it was really cool. We actually are getting a good deal out of the whole thing, because the tech could only get profile shots, so she's having us back free of charge this Saturday. I'll post some of the ones she was able to get though. She was able to tell us that it is for sure a baby girl--no doubt about it. We saw it in 3D! LOL. That gives some relief, so we know everything we've done to prepare for a girl wasn't in vain. She was also able t tell us the baby weighs almost 3 lbs. now, has a lot of hair and is already head down. To see features on the baby;s face was just amazing.We could see her opening and closing her eyes, and moving her tonuge around actually licking the placenta (gross I know, but the tech told us it's really common). I'll post some of the pics she was able to get. I also post some new pics of Alex. He's getting so big, so fast! He's almost 19 mnths old. We had his 18 month photos taken at JCPenny two weeks ago, and he looks like such a big boy in them. He's really into sport like activities now. He loves to throw and kick any ball that is in sight and the boy has a pretty good arm! He also is starting to love matchbox cars! He runs them all over the house and crashes them into each other. It;s to funny. He's talking a lot more, but saving it for us only! LOL. He doesn'treally talk much around others, but he's non-stop at home. He can say "Baby" reallyclearly now and says "choo choo" every time he sees a train. He also repeats pretty much nything we say to him. Tonight whle we were changing him, we said "love you" and he said it right back to us. It was the sweetest thing. He still loves animals too,and we have been thnking about maybe taking him to the zoo soon before the weather turns cold. We'll see. We just know he'll be a great big brother, even if it takes some time for him to adjust to the concept!

This was the closest we got to getting a full shot of her face--I do think she looks like she has Alex's nose here.

One of Alex's 18 Month shots from JCPenny--I think he looks more like Abe here for once! LOL.

Alex in my classroom on back to school night--he found and orange on my shelf and was throwing it around like a ball

Playing around with Daddy

Ready for purple Friday--go Ravens!

Love that smile!

 

Maligayang Bati (Happy Birthday) Abe and Daddy!

Yesterday we celebrated Abe's 27th birthday! Maligayang Bati means "Happy Birthday" in Tagolog, and we're both trying to learn some, so we can teach Alex. The day didn't get off to a great start. We spent a few hours the night before at an emergency care place with Alex. He felt really warm Monday night, so I took his temperature, and it was 103.8! So we called his pediatrician, and she told us to take him in and have him checked just in case. They did a strep test, flu test and took a chest x-ray just to make sure, and found nothing wrong except for a red throat and swollen tonsils. So, they said he has tonsillitis and told us to give him tylenol for the fever and keep him home two days. He seems to be feeling a lot better today, despite the fact that he isn't sleeping too well these days. That's been quite a shock for us, since he slept so well from 2-9 months. 10 months has been difficult in the sleep department! I can't believe he'll be 11 months old tomorrow! So, anyway back to Abe's b-day---Abe stayed with him yesterday and when I came home form work, I brought an oreo pie with candles and we (well I) sang to him. Then he opened his gifts from Alex and I. I got him a remote control helicopter (that's what he wanted!) and a new spring jacket. Alex got him a bag of chocolates. Then, we went to Chick-Fil-A for dinner! It was Abe's choice. We also called to wish our nephew, Matthew, a happy 3rd birthday as he celebrates his the same day as Abe. So all in all I think he had a nice 27th birthday. Some pictures from our visit home this weekend and the last few days follow. Enjoy!

 

                                                      Alex is very messily eating his raviolis!

Alex sleeping on the way home

Abe blowing out his candles

Alex with his hair slicked over

Alex and his wild hair!

Playing with his exersaucer

 My grandma is in Florida visiting my aunt Nancy right now, and Nancy sent us this picture. Just thought I'd post it, so all of us back here in cold Maryland, can dream about palm trees...

Peek-a-boo and the Week in Review

I am finally getting a chance to throw some updates everybody's way! What a crazy week it's been! I'll start first with the realm of Alexanderland. Alex will be 6 months old on September 5. Hard to believe, huh? He's developing quite a little personality lately. He's very relaxed and calm, but defintely has his silly moments. His faorite thing at the moment is playing peek-a-boo. He's obsessed with playing this game. He cracks up and buries his head when Abe and I disappear. When we pop up and shout "peek-a-boo", he lifts his head up and laughs. He LOVES this game and could play it all night long. I'll post a video for everyone to witness his advanced peek-a-boo playing skills. He's also trying so hard to crawl. He can get up on his arms. He can get up on his knees. However, he can't do both at the same time very well. Hence, he's not quite got it yet. He did get up on his arms and knees  today and we thought for sure he would surprise himself and crawl, but it was a no go. Soon though, I'm sure. He can also sit propped with his hands in front of him. The doctor called "tripoding" and told us it was very important that he could do that at his age. Speaking of the doctor,Alex went on August 15. He weighed in at 17 lbs. 13 oz. and almost 26 inches long. The doctor gave him the all-clear and said he is very healthy and developing well. 75th percetile for weight, 60th percentle for length, and 50th percentile for head circumference. We were all worried that he was too big for is age, because everyone says they're shocked at how big he is, but he's actualy very normal, so we were assured at the average percentiles. He's not really talking yet, but we can't wait to see whether he says "Mama" or "Dada" first. I honestly have no idea what it will be. So now for the week in review:

Sunday, 8/24: Went to the state fair in Timonium with family. It was incredibly hot outside, but we had a great time, walking around and pushing Alex in his stroller. We ate some crab cakes, and spun the lotto wheel. I got a lovely chip clip, and Abe got some first class sunglasses with the Md lotto logo on them.

Monday, 8/25: I met all of my new students for the 08-09 schol year. I have around 140 this year. It's more than I've ever had. My largest class has around 33 students in it. HUGE! But they're waaaay better than the class of 20 gangstas I had last year. Nobody has cursed at me, threw erasers, started a fight in my room, or set the bathroom on fire yet, so it's all good for now.

Tuesday through Thursday- Business as usual at work for both of us. Business as usual at daycare for Alex.

Friday- Cleaning and Laundry all night long...If Oscar escapes one more time and makes me chase him thorugh the neighbor's yard, I may sell him to gypsies.

Saturday- Spent all day with famly, eating crabs, pizza, and other foods.

Sunday- Spent most of the day with family, eating once again. Created baptism invite in the monring for Alex and Julia's baptism. It's Sept. 27th at our church. They'll be emailed or mailed very soon. Walked around at the avenue in the evening. Stopped and used our Starbucks gift card and talked for awhile while Alex napped in his stroller. Very nice, warm evening out together, doing our favorite thing which includes lots of laziness and chilling.

Tomorrow- Planning to get Alex's 6 month pictures taken at JCPenny's. Outfit is picked out and ready to go. Can't wait! We love our pictures! 9 month pictures will be in Dec. 1 year pictures will be in March. Oh--it's all planned out...Every 3 months until he's a year, then every 6 months til he's 2, then once a year. Oh and we have a ton of great coupons!

Well that;s about it for now..I think I caught up on everything. And now for the week ahead.

Alex showing some leg

Alex with Mommy

Alex with Daddy

Family Portrait

Alex trying to "pet" Oscar

Sitting up all by himself

Me and Dylan in front of some geese

Chillin in his bathrobe

Daniel and Alex hanging out together

Julia is smiling!

The 5 Cousins--Julia (1 Month), Dylan (8), Matthew (2),Daniel (6), and Alex (5 months)

Ultimate Fitness Plan of America!!!

Okay--so my wedding dress doesn't fit! OMG..That means I need to lose some major weightage between now and August. Actually, I need to lose it between now and July 10, because that's when I go back to have my first fitting at the alterations dept. My plan is to eat very healthy, drink only water, and run everyday until I lose like 10 pounds or so. I guess it's good that I have a reason to lose the baby weight or I may not be as motivated to lose it. I know I can do it, it's just not going to be so easy! I wonder if my stomach will ever be normal again.Probably by the time it is, we'll be ready to have a second! That's usually the way it goes. LOL. Fitness plan aside, let me give everyone an Alex update. He's trying to roll over now. He hasn't quite mastered it yet, but he's trying really hard! He can make it up on his side, but then rolls back down. He's also smiling a lot and making a lot of noises. He gets his first vaccines on Friday. We're taking him to get his 3 month pictures taken afterward, so hopefully that won't be a mistake and he won't be totally fussy during his pcitures. We shall see! Okay, well here are some pictures of Alex from this weekend, when we visited my Dad, Aunt, and Grandma out in the mountains!

Such a flirty little smile!

His hair is starting to get thicker...Look at that belly! LOL.

Alex with his Pappy (My Dad)

Cabin Fever!!!

I love spending this time with Alex, but I am starting to get a little crazy wth cabin fever! It's not so bad now that it's getting warmer outside. I did take the baby to Target for a little while today and then we walked around the neighborhood. He slept the whole time of course. He usually wakes up right about the time I go to make dinner, so I'm trying to cook with one hand and hold him with the other. LOL.Being home during the day, I'm starting to realize that there's nothing on!! I am getting a little addicted to Judge Joe Brown though. He just told some lady named Sharifa that she can do better. Imagine--a lady named Sharifa doing better! The guy's name is Larmont, so you can just imagine. On a side note--Alex is really trying to roll over recently. He'll push his leg off of the side of hs bassinet to try and help himself over. He has really strong legs. He loves to stand on our laps with us holding his hands. He can also completely hold his head up too, and he's really smiling alot. He was 8 lbs. 2 oz. at his 1 month appointment, so I'm curious to see what he'll be at his 2 month appointment on May 9.

 

                              Abe with Alex and our nephew Matthew--he has his hands full here!