Michael

Yesterday we discovered Ben has an imaginary friend, named Michael. I think it's pretty stinkin' cute personally. (I had one when I was little named Sarah.) He's got a place-mat I bought him at IKEA to use just for play dough, and on the back it's reflective like a mirror. And I guess that is where he discovered Michael, and that's the only place he can see him too. I have learned a little each day about Michael... he apparently is from next to DJ's (my sister) house in Chicago. And he has a red shirt, red pants and pink hair. And his daddy has rainbow hair. I can't wait to find out more about Michael. :) I love this stage of imagination!

Every day, I am baffled at how much my little guy is growing and at times it kind of makes me sad... but it's also exciting to see him turn in to a boy... well I mean he's always been a boy, but you get what I mean. A big kid. I just love him to pieces.

Pregnancy #2

I promised myself that I wouldn't post a lot about the pregnancy this time, because it's kind of boring. I did that enough when I was pregnant with Ben. But, I figure SOME is okay. Otherwise this little guy might feel gypped. Plus, I don't remember anything anymore so why not.
I'll be 37 weeks Wednesday... which brings me to "full term". We're hoping, and praying, and crossing our fingers that he'll make it to AT LEAST 39 weeks. BUT, honestly... I'm not sure if he will. The doc seems to think that he's going to need to take him before then. I had some contraction activity but nothing abnormal. It's not like labor contractions, but definitely not braxton hicks. I've had those too, but this is different. I called the nurse at the doc's office last Friday because I was so uncomfortable and it had lasted quite some time. Turns out I was probably just dehydrated because I drank a boat load of water, and when I got home took a bath and Tylenol and seemed to feel a lot better. My wonderful man surprised me and left his work (Early) the same time I did and didn't even tell me and surprised me when we both got home about the same time as each other. He wanted to make sure I was okay and to take care of me. :-) He also took care of and paid attention to Ben while I bathed.  I didn't have them again until Sunday night... it starts in my back and works around my sides. I didn't feel contractions like this with Ben because I was induced. I'm not really sure why I keep having them though, other than I guess my body is ready to get going.
This little boy is VERY active. I remember Ben being active... but I feel like he's either bigger or closer to the surface or just more wiggly than Ben was. What IS similar is his little tush sticks right out just like Ben's did, only Ben hung out on my right side and this guy hangs out on the left. I guess he didn't want a "used" space. hehe I just get the feeling sometimes he wants to get out.
I have some blood pressure concerns, again. Had them with Ben too. I had to take a couple tests to see if I had preeclampsia but don't apparently. I went to the doc on Friday for my 36 week appointment and he told me my liver enzyme levels were slightly elevated. I guess "normal" is 40 and mine were at 43 the first time and 41 the second. Which is fine- except for that most people's are in the 30's. So he's a little concerned... but my blood pressure looks fine. He just thinks something is going to act up soon. So he said he probably wants to induce in 2 weeks or on Good Friday... I need to clarify that with him because Good Friday is in 3 weeks. I'd prefer that day because that's the day after my parents will be here. I was really hoping I wouldn't have to be induced again this time- but I guess it comes down to mine and Little Baby's health. I'm having a blessing tonight to just be sure that we'll both be okay.
So... being pregnant is just about over, it's gone by quite quick but also very slow- especially now. I'm so super uncomfortable and ready to meet this little person. I can't wait to see how he contributes to our family and what he looks like and how he and Ben will be together. It's going to be weird having an infant in the house again- especially with a pretty self-sufficient 4 year old around. We've got just about everything ready. Just need to wash bottles.
My coworkers are super sweet and threw me a surprise baby shower... was not expecting one at all. We didn't really need one because we really have everything we need. But they still managed to get us a sit and stand stroller which will be handy and some diapers and other fun little things. It was so sweet and I'm so glad I made it to this shower this time! (I was in the hospital the day they threw me my shower for Ben!)
My mom and dad arrive on April 5th, so I'm hoping we can hang on until then We have an ultrasound Tuesday and will know a little more then I guess!

4th Birthday Celebration

I know I say this every year... but every year I can't believe my kid is growing so fast. He's like a bonafied little boy now. Ben turned 4 this weekend. It's Wednesday and I'm still worn out from how eventful the weekend was! Fri night we had a line of really horrible tornadoes come through. It was pretty scary because it started where a few of our good friends live in Marietta and then it was on track to come RIGHT over our house. We said a prayer and decided because we don't have a basement we should go to Ryan's parents house mainly because they do have one and also because they seemed to be out of the path of the storm. We prayed again on the way there, that our house would stand protected as well as our loved ones and friends. We had JUST put Ben to bed and he was already about asleep when we got him up and so the poor kid was pretty tired. He had a busy day at daycare, they had a circus, so he hadn't napped and wanted to go to sleep but was also kind of freaked out by the storms. Me, Ben and Ally all sat on the couch together at Nana's and Ben fell asleep while Ally had to be RIGHT next to me. haha Luckily all was well, no one was hurt and even though the tornado literally went over our neighborhood and area, nothing was even touched. No debris in the road, no touchdown. We were so grateful for answered prayers. We would've probably been fine if we stayed home, but I was glad we thought to get over to their house quickly.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and picked Nana up and headed to the GA Aquarium. We wanted to do something with Ben that made him feel special and to have one on one time and not to have a big party. Plus I'm kind of glad we didn't anyway because it was cold and rainy that day so the aquarium was perfect for that kind of day. He had never been and I'm honestly glad because the experience I think was a lot cooler for him. He is old enough to know about all the things he was looking at or to learn about them. He didn't want to touch anything in the touching pools, but that's okay. We watched a 3D movie about fish that he liked. He kept reaching out to touch all the stuff in 3D it was cute. And then we stuck around to watch the Dolphin show, which  in my opinion was cheesy- but I LOVED the dolphins. I've always had a little tender spot in my heart for dolphins (huh mom?). I had a slight obsession with them in high school. I wanted to be a Marine Biologist until I figured out I was no good at Science! HA! But me and Nana got all emotional watching them swim and do their tricks and despite the cheesy music and lacking story line it was fun. We left after that. I was a WORN OUT pregnant lady and my poor mother in-law was apparently walking around on a broken bone spur, poor thing... we were there from about 10-4!  We did a couple of errands that night and went to bed early.

Sunday was church, Ben had been asked to say the opening prayer in Primary so we practiced all week what he would say. He was very quiet like I assumed he would be, but he did it- and I was SO proud. He also got sung Happy, Happy Birthday to him and another boy in primary and he was a happy camper! I am so proud of my dude! Can't believe how fast he has grown.

Sunday night we had friends over for spaghetti dinner and cake and ice cream. Ben got presents and to hang out with his buddies, he especially enjoys Aubrey. :) He had a very fun birthday.

OH! The best part! Saturday, his daddy surprised him with A NEW BIG BOY BIKE! I have video of how we surprised him with it and it's super cute.

I took Ben to his first Dentist appointment this week and he did GREAT! We have to work on making sure he doesn't get any cavities but he didn't cry, got his fluoride treatment and even x-rays! I was super proud of him. Later that day we went for his well child checkup and well, he's so small. I mean we all knew that right? He's 4 and will have to stay in either his current car seat he's sat in since he was ONE or we'll have to get him a booster with a back. He's in the 3rd percentile for weight right now, and 10th for height! I mean, we don't expect much- he's always been small and it's not like either of us are tall, especially me. 

But I'm so happy we had a good weekend for the dude. I hope he has good memories of it all and that he had a good time! Happy Birthday to my munchkin!

I had a moment

I often get frustrated with how many people are really just so inconsiderate and rude. It's probably partially because I'm a super hormonal pregnant lady... but this morning I had just had enough. I guess I kind of felt a little bit of despair and kind of like "I give up...". All this because of #1 traffic, which I've come to despise but it's just a necessary evil in my life. In order to get to and from work, I have to drive in traffic. Period. #2 when I got to the parking garage at work, I parked for a second before getting out to get my stuff all together to go inside. This woman who drives a pretty large SUV that I've noticed doesn't park the greatest pulled up in the spot next to me, not leaving me very much room to get out. She and I happened to be getting out of our cars at the same time and she carelessly banged her door open in to the car next to hers. Didn't pay any attention (or pretended not to) to the little space she left for me- mega preggo lady and walked on. I honestly could barely fit out of my car. It took everything I had not to go ahead and slam HER door like she did the car next to her so I could get out. For some reason that frustrated me. And I was walking in to the building said a prayer to Heavenly Father and said "I don't understand why people are SO inconsiderate of those who surround them. Why people can't respect other people's spaces and things. Why do some people think they are SO much better than others and are so careless with other people's property. They wouldn't want their property to be treated that way right? I'm so done Heavenly Father... I am so tired of people being greedy and rude." There were two younger gentlemen walking and talking with each other in front of me. A good few steps ahead. They reached the front door of the building before me and I didn't even think twice until one of them stopped after he'd gotten inside, turned around, walked back out the door and held it open for little ol' pregnant me who was going a lot slower than they were. He stood and waited for me and held the door open. I thought of just how THOUGHTFUL that was and I thanked him "very much" because at that moment the Lord gave me faith in humanity again. He answered my complaint with just that simple little selfless gesture from a random person and reminded that ALL people are NOT bad. That all people are NOT selfish and rude. It was a good reminder to me to not be so down on the world, to look at the bright side of things, to see the good in people. And even though it was a quick 4 min walk in to the building, I feel like I was taught a pretty good lesson in that time. I think with all the media and attention on a lot of negative things in the world, we forget there is also A LOT of good out there. So that's my goal to remember that, again, that all people are not bad. But that we're all God's children. And he loves ALL of us... good and bad. That is so cool.