Sesame Street Characters

Gus is just a little obsessed with Elmo and the gang.

A Ways From Counting

So Gus is a ways from counting, he can go to three, maybe, MAYBE, 5 on a good day, but here he is tired of mommy working with him and being silly. He likes to count his fingers when he tries to do it.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Gus likes to sing songs. Here is an attempt at Twinkle Little Star, which he gets mixed up with his ABCs (since they have the same melody and we have been working with both) and he likes to throw in his own words now and then. He adds 'cookie' -his favorite word- into this version.

So I Lied...

Having a snack this week one night before supper.

Gus has been really into his baby doll lately, or any other doll he can use as a baby. He likes to pretend to wipe and change his dolls. It is pretty cute.

Gus playing in the living room the other night. He is totally into this cheesy, posed smile whenever he sees me grab the camera. Such a ham! He is wearing a new outfit from his daycare provider, Sandie, who saw a bunch of clothes on sale and picked some up for Gus. Thanks- you are so thoughtful! Gus continues to love Sandie's house, and has a lot of fun there.

Tonight after daycare, mommy and Gus colored some pictures before supper.

A few posts ago I wrote that I had made my last trip to Iowa... So I lied... Last weekend we ventured to Des Moines to visit a friend and attend her 30th Birthday Party. Since all of Josh's high school friends were going to be there, we also had to go. That REALLY was my last trip back to Iowa though before baby comes- as I am almost 34 weeks, and 37 weeks is considered full term.

While we were at the party our friend Rachel Smith watched Gus for us, which was SO KIND of her- especially since she has a little guy about the same age as Gus! Boy did she have her hands full- I would have loved to be a fly on her wall... If you want to check out pictures of her son Kamden and Gus, check out her blog.

32 Week Doctor Appointment

Yesterday afternoon I went to my 32 week appointment. Everything looks great thus far. Baby girl is growing and has a strong heartbeat. No concerns at this point. I, personally, am not feeling as well as I had been over the last few months, but that comes with nearing the end of the pregnancy. I am just getting more and more uncomfortable, starting to swell a little, not sleeping well, feeling lots of Braxton Hicks contractions, and just feel exhausted all the time. But, I am very excited for this precious little gift that will be arriving in 7 weeks. She will be worth all the discomfort. Last night Josh and I could feel her little hand or foot trying to poke out of my tummy, it was so neat. We would push in on her little limb and she would push back. Amazing that we can now both experience her movements so intimately.

Free Purse Give-Away

So, a blogger that we follow highlighted this free purse give-away opportunity. Go to the following link to find out how you can enter yourself into the drawing. Free purse, why not?

http://www.threesixtybags.com/

Colds and the cold

Gus checking out the bouncer/vibrator. He knows it is for baby, but still tries to claim it as his own.

Last night we had chili for supper, to try to stay warm in all this cool weather. Gus had a few bites, but especially liked to copy daddy and dip crackers into it.

This weekend Gus had a cold. He has been pretty irritable and not always easy to manage. It seems that he is starting to feel better today, but this cold has been dragging him down for almost a week. Bad news, mommy and daddy now have a touch of it as well. I have had a nonstop headache for three days and feel really congested. Not fun, as I am starting to feel pretty uncomfortable as baby gets bigger and bigger in my tummy. There just seems to be no more room for this little girl- and I still have 7 weeks to go! Ugh.

Last Trip to Iowa for Awhile

Here is me last week, at 30 weeks pregnant. Thought it was time for a belly picture update.

This past weekend Gus and I went back to Iowa. I wanted to go one last time before baby girl arrives in April to pick up infant stuff from my mom and sister. After this, I won't travel back to Iowa, as I don't want to be too far away from my hospital in case something happens.

Parker, so cute! He is getting so old. He jabbers and crawls everywhere.

At the Pizza Ranch for Valentine's Day. Yummy!

Brandi Jones, a friend of mine from Rockford, gave Gus some cool toys! Thanks! (And thanks for all the baby stuff too- and the frame for me! You are so thoughtful- and it was so nice to see you!)

Our Valentine's Day party!

Kenny and Gus had so much fun playing together.

Doctor Update

Yesterday I went to my first "2 week" appointment (30 week appointment). It went very well. In addition to checking my blood pressure (normal), measuring my fundus (31 weeks), weighing me (hit the 150 lbs. mark- yikes! I got up into 180's with Gus, so lets cross our fingers that doesn't happen again!!!) and listening for the heartbeat (140s), the doctor checked to see how the baby was positioned. Right now, baby girl is head down, which is why I am feeling her near my pelvis and hips already. She wasn't very far down yet though- which is good. Overall, I am feeling well and baby is good too. A few Braxton Hicks now and then. I do have tailbone pain on days that I walk at the YMCA (only 3 times a week, so I can handle it at this point). I am not really swollen much yet, but I do have heartburn off and on. Sometimes the indigestion is just uncomfortable, and sometimes I it makes me vomit several times a day, but other than that, I can't complain too much. It could always be worse! Sorry for all the info, but I want to document it for baby girl to read someday :)

Busy Weekend

Gus and daddy playing a dangerous, but fun, game on the recliner in the basement.

On Saturday morning I took Gus to Monkey Bizness, an indoor entertainment play area for kids of all ages. While we were waiting for my friend Amy and her two kids to join us, we walked around the pet store in the mall. Gus loved the fish- and the tanks were low so he could easily see inside them.

Although I forgot to take pictures of Monkey Bizness, we did get some of the kids at Applebees afterward.

Kaylyn and Gus going in for a hug.

Caleb (9 mo), Kaylyn (2 1/2 yr) and Gus (21 mo).

A very happy Caleb.

On Sunday morning, Josh and I took Gus to the YMCA to swim and play basketball. To our surprise, and enjoyment, Gus did really well in the water! We are trying to get him ready for when his cousins all come down in a month to go to an indoor water park here in KC.

Eating lunch on Sunday.

Silly daddy!

On Sunday night we went to a 2nd birthday party/Superbowl party. A friend of Josh's, Wes, has a little boy a few months older than Gus who turned two. Here the boys are playing together. They had so much fun! Ironically, Bri, Wes's wife, is having a baby one week after we are, so our kids will all be about the same age.

This weekend Josh and I had the realization that we are having a baby in a few months. Yes, I know- you would think that it would be obvious... We have done NOTHING to get ready for this little gal joining our family in April. So, we have officially gone into getting-ready-for-baby mode. After much contemplation, we decided to move Gus into the spare room. This afternoon, we moved all of his stuff, so that we can start to get the nursery ready. We will still have Gus sleep in his crib for awhile, but soon he will move into a full bed, mattresses on the floor so it isn't too scary for him (or us!).

Checking out his new room.

In the nursery (his old room)- confused and wondering what happened to all his stuff!