The Post You Have All Been Waiting For. . .

Everyone has been asking forever now for me to post a belly picture, but since I only took one my entire pregnancy with Shad I thought I might as well do one at that same time. This is me at 24 weeks with both pregnancies. I put the same shirt on for a more accurate comparison. I will let you guess which pregnancy is which.

A:B:

I am feeling massive, but baby is doing great and that is the most important thing. (repeat to self fifty times per day to try to be convincing. . .) I have been feeling really well physically although nesting hit full force somewhere around week seventeen I believe and hasn't gone away. Closets have been reorganized multiple times in one day. Under Shad's bed where the crib is being stored has been cleaned out and then put back to the same exact way it started since there is nowhere for the crib to go, and I have been doing everything to keep myself from moving furniture around that will have to be arranged to set the crib up. I recognize this is completely irrational and I am going nuts but then blame hormones. We definitely don't need a crib up for a baby that won't use it for another five months minimum. However, that storage space is just so appealing when we have so little of it. (Imagine four bikes, no garage, a single hall closet, and no closet in the third bedroom.) Just thinking about it now makes me want to move it. Fortunately, there is a two hundred pound armoire that needs to be moved or Dan might be surprised to find it done by this evening. Also thankfully, the armoire has to be moved down the hall which is tile so I won't be attempting that. If it were carpet it would probably have happened already. This same armoire with matching dresser and crib were moved by me at eight months last time, so I can't put it past myself. Once again, good thing about that tile. This last week I did crafts like crazy to channel all of this energy, but I am sure my husband and son wish I would put it towards giving them more TLC. I try to remind myself that this baby girl is going to steal enough of my attention when she is born that I really should focus on the child that needs me to be mentally attentive, but the brain just wants to keep getting things done for the baby. This week, I vow no baby related projects. It could be tough.

Shad is doing awesome with potty training and is wearing underwear at night now too. He has yet to wet the bed but I am anxiously expecting it anytime. Fortunately, the first night he went to sleep in underwear Dan didn't tell me so I was blissfully ignorant and relaxed until I took him to go potty in the morning and was surprised to find him still in underwear. Fortunately, they were dry. It seems there is a light at the end of the potty training tunnel. His birthday was last week and we had a great time but I will do a separate post for that.

My Valentines

This year I decided to continue my tradition I started last year of writing Valentines to Dan and Shad for my Valentine's Day post so. . .here goes:

Dear Shad,

Where do I start? You are such a sweet, good-natured kid and I am so very grateful for that. I especially love your enthusiasm and your imagination. Lately you have been talking about alligators and sasquatch wherever we go and it is hilarious to hear what is going on in your little mind. You also have a funny new habit of saying, "cute!" any time I get dressed or try something on. I have no idea where you picked it up since neither Dad or myself do this, but you sound exactly like my sisters and it cracks me up. Despite the fact you also think a yellow shirt looks good with blue and red plaid shorts, it is a nice pick me up for a ever-growing pregnant mom to hear she looks cute every day. You are doing so great with your potty-training, even staying dry at night despite having a diaper on, I am so proud of you. I love how quick you are to smile, laugh and give hugs and kisses, even if we have been having a rough day. You are so quick to forgive and sensitive, I hope that never changes. Despite that you are definitely all boy, and can wrestle and run around crazy with the best of them. You love to be outside and to take Solo for hikes or ride your bike. You also still loved cars and trains and watch for the train anytime we are in the car. You built great things with your blocks and I am impressed by your creativity and inventiveness, even if sometimes I can't figure out what you are trying to get me to help you build. I love you so much and I am sure you are going to make a great older brother and watch out for your little sister. We are lucky to have you in our family and hope you know how special you are!

Love,

Mom

Dear Dan,

I won't make this too personal since it is online and you are a private person. But I wanted everyone to know how much I truly love and appreciate you. The last year brought a lot of change we hadn't expected and through it all you have been the one steady thing I can always count on. Even if that meant packing up the house alone, or catching a flight with a two year old with only a few hours notice, or picking up ALL of the slack when I was sick, sad and non-productive. I can't imagine having anyone else by my side. You are an amazing Dad, you make parenting look effortless and that playing blocks would be the best thing in the world even when I know you really want to be out riding your bike or something. I also can't express enough what a hard worker you are. I wish (and you probably do too) that I had half your drive. Thank you so much for all you do and the kind, patient, supportive husband that you are. I am so grateful I get to spend not only the rest of my life, but forever with you. I would have never guessed nine years ago that we would end up in Arizona and loving it, but I am grateful for the blessings we didn't see coming.

All My Love,

MK