35 weeks

Only 5 more weeks (or less hopefully!) to go!

I am trying to get all the final things done this week to get ready. I need to wash all the clothes and blankets, buy some diapers, set up the car seat, and start packing a hospital bag. On Thursday morning, we are taking a tour of the maternity floor at South Miami Hospital and then afterward I have a doctor's appointment. The Braxton hicks contractions are happening more often and are getting stronger, things are getting harder to do (like bathing Addison), and my maternity clothes are getting tight. Really hoping for an early arrival, Audrey! 

Big Girl Bed!

With potty training has come some bedtime battles. Addison knows if she says she needs to pee or poo right when we put her in bed that we will let her try one time. Well she got so upset the other day she almost climbed out of her crib. We know she can do it so we figured it is time to try out her toddler bed (thank you Grandpa and Grandma Barber). So today after her nap, she helped daddy put it together. She is doing okay so far... she is at least staying in the bed.

 

 

Fun weekend!

We had a fun weekend with Grammy, Poppy, and Colin! We enjoyed a nice dinner and dessert at home, then Andrew and I went on a movie date! Thank you Grammy and Poppy! Today we all went in the pool to play. As always, Addison loved spending time with her family.

34 weeks

 

Today was most likely my last ultrasound...my last time to see Audrey before her birthday. She was about 4 lb 13 oz and head down ready to go! My placenta is in front which makes it hard to see her face, but here are a few pictures:

her hands were on her face and she is squashed up against my placenta (smudge on the bottom right)

Here is a very short video:

Update on potty training and life

Addison is still doing really well with potty training! This week we are trying it with her cloth training undies and more quick outings (short walks/playground). 

She recently discovered this Where's Waldo book and enjoys looking at it. We also had to make her a larger reward chart!

cute undies girl

Our new double stroller set up...intense!

I love my 25 month year old because she ...

• always wants to put lotion on my belly. Every night after her bath we put lotion on her and I guess she has seen me put it on my belly often enough now that she likes to put it on me too! It cracks me up. 
• loves to draw and write. I try to fit in a few opportunities each day for her to use some kind of writing utensil. She can write a really tall letter A and draw a smiley face (that's usually a frown). She enjoys her window markers, her dot-to-dot art markers, chalk, dry erase markers, color pencils, crayons, and paint brushes of course. 
• likes to point out who is happy and who is sad in books. She likes to say "happy" all the time now.
• is becoming an independent girl. This is really something that I love and hate. I have to rethink all my parenting choices and allow her to make some of her own choices and to let her try things before I just jump in and take care of her. For example, she wants to buckle her own high chair without any help, but sometimes she can't do it, then she calls for help. Every part of the day is filled with these little independent opportunities and I just need to remember to slow down and let them happen (messes, tantrums, and all!). When she does conquer something, like taking her own shoes off, she gets so happy about it!

This past weekend Andrew didn't have to work at all! He hasn't had a weekend like that since early February! Luckily we had nothing planned so he could relax and spend time with us. He took Addison to the pool...the first time in the pool for a few months now. He helped me take all the baby gear/clothes/toys for 0-6 months old out of Addison's closet and into our room. He even read a book for enjoyment! Our room is a mess now with everything, but organization always gets worse before it gets better. We need to buy some kind of organizational tool for everything...probably another Expedit shelf from IKEA.

Potty Training Time

This week I decided to give potty training a serious try. For the past 3 - 4 months Addison has been sitting on the potty at least twice per day and even going pee pee some of those times. Every time she goes in her diaper she tells me almost immediately. She knows how to say "pee pee", "poo", and "potty". She HATES diaper changes. The past two weeks it has been really bad too. She would kick and roll and throw a mini fit. So I decided its time to try no diapers. We bought some cloth training undies, some disposable training pants (for sleeping), and a timer. For now she has just been naked during the day, no undies. We are still using the same reward system...fill up a star with stamps to earn a present (a new book). I think I may need to stock up on books or make the star bigger though!

Here is our progress so far:

Day One: we started after her nap around 4pm.

• 5 successful #1s
• 2 accidents #1s

Day Two:

• 11 successful #1s
• 1 accident #2

Day Three so far (up till nap time):

• 7 successful #1s
• 1 successful #2 (her very first ever #2 in the potty!)
• 1 accident #1 (while playing at the water table outside...something about water makes you have to go!)

It's only been two and a half days and I'm so proud of how well she has done which is why I had to share. I'm also exhausted! So thankful for nap time. I've spent so much time in the bathroom with her...does bathroom-fever exist?! I feel like we will be stuck at home for a while. Maybe this weekend we will try an outing to the playground in our building. Not sure when we will try undies, but probably tomorrow.

her new undies we let her try on a few days ago

Today she prefers the big potty with and without the small insert. She did fall completely in today! The step stool is new and I think she likes the independence it gives her.

Meanwhile, we are getting ready for baby Audrey. Addison likes playing with the new car seat, the rock n' play (picture), and the new bathtub.

Andrew surprised us yesterday and got home early, 4 pm, and pretty much had the rest of the day off! 

Baby Madilynn

This weekend we got to meet Baby Madilynn, my new niece! She is perfect. Scotty and Amanda seem to be doing well and are doing a great job! Addison enjoyed playing with Madilynn's car seat and sleeper, she liked to watch her when other people were holding her, but got a little upset when I held her. She grabbed my shirt and pulled me toward her! Oh boy...

We also got to visit with Tiffany and Rob, Grammy and Poppy, Uncle Dave, and Great Grammy. It was a very fast trip and poor Andrew had to work the entire time, but it was worth it to see baby Madilynn!

Andrew was able to go to Delaware to watch a hearing for the case he has been working so hard on. He returns late tonight. 

Seeing baby Madilynn made me feel more than ready to meet Audrey! 8 more weeks!