Maternity Leave!

Yesterday was my first day of maternity leave. Yeah! I was so happy to actually have my last day of work on Wed to clean everything up and give my co-workers everything they need to tend to my clients. I didn't have that opportunity last time because the boys put me into pre-term labor before I was done work. I left the office on Wed feeling good about it. Yesterday was my first day off. The boys did go to day care and I spent all day doing things in the house that I've been putting off....cleaned out the boys closet and dresser, started to pack my suitcase for the hospital, washed some of the baby's clothes, and made a list of things I still have to buy. I also had a conversation with Nugget and asked her to give me until at least Valentine's Day. I'd like to get some rest time in before she arrives. Since she is our last kid I know that I'll never be able to experience the restful time again. Let's hope she was listening to me!

Boys 2 1/2 yr check-up

Earlier this month the boys had their 2 1/2 year check up. The Dr. said they boys are doing great and said that he was very happy with their development. Evan weighed 30 lbs and was 37 inches. Gavin was 29 lbs and 36.5 inches. They are about the 50 percentile for weight and 77 percentile for height. No needles at that visit so the boys were very happy. He said we can bring them to the dentist soon if we'd like. Brian and I were very proud of them...they were so brave. Our babies are growing up.

Week 35

Stay snug inside Nugget

At this point in my last pregnancy, the boys were already a week old. I'm not sure how to think about it. On one hand I'm not ready yet...still much prepping to do (home & work stuff) and I'm not sure I'm ready for the craziness of when I go into labor and the logistics of it all. However, on the other hand, I just want to feel like myself again. I want to be able to bend down to pick things up, I want to drink coffee & wine, and I want to be able to roll over in bed with ease. I'm excited that she's doing well and the longer she stays inside me the less chance we will have to spend time in the NICU. Although it was a very good experience last time, we have the boys at home now. I don't want to feel like I'm cheating the boys nor Nugget of any time when we are with one or the other. So, stay inside Nugget! Stay there for at least 4 more weeks.

Week 34

Week 33

"Shh Momma"

Last night at dinner Evan was "on the phone" (his hand was up to his ear) and he was having a pretty important conversation. I know this because he stamped his foot and put his finger up to his mouth to say "shh momma!" Gee, can you tell what Brian and I may do when we are on the phone?

Week 32

Just like Momma

The other day Gavin asked me to put his Robin mask (from Halloween) around his waist.  I was really confused until I realized he was copying me.  I've been wearing a pregnancy belt, to help hold up my belly, and apparently he wanted to act like me.  It was hysterical!  He wore it all day.  

New Years Eve

New Years Eve we went to the Millers house. There were about 5 families there, with 9 kids - 4 of which were 2 year olds. ALL the kids stayed up until the ball dropped. We were shocked! They all played in the basement the whole night while the adults hung out upstairs. It was a great time. Brian got to spend time with some of his fraternity brothers that he hasn't seen in years. All the wives were great - we had a nice time hanging out. Evan and Gavin had such a fun time with their friends. As soon as the ball dropped we went home because I knew it'd be hard to get them to bed. It was a struggle to get them to bed but they did eventually fall asleep and managed to sleep in a bit the next day.

Disney on Ice and G Pop's bday dinner

On Dad's birthday we all went to see Disney on Ice. It was great! Brian and I totally understand the saying now of "experiencing things through your kids eyes." The boys were very quiet at first and just stared at the ice but eventually they were dancing/wiggling in their seat and clapping their hands. I don't know how Livi and Char reacted because they were sitting at the other end of the isle from us...but I do know they enjoyed it because we talked about it at dinner after. After the show we went to dinner to celebrate Dad's bday. We had a great Italian dinner and cake after. Happy Birthday Dad! We all love you....forever and ever!

Dr. appt with my Mom & Dad

Last week I had a high risk Dr. appt and my parents came with me to see Nugget. It was awesome! We saw her stretching her arms out and putting her lower lip out as if she was pouting. She was probably annoyed with the ultra sound tech for pushing her all around....Nugget was laying in a position that was difficult for the tech to get good shots so she was moving her around to get what she needed. The tech zoomed in on her heart and we got to see the 4 chambers of her heart beating. She told us that Nugget is a good "practice breather." We were excited to hear that! Nugget is approximately 3.7 lbs and the Dr. said doing very well. She scored high on the 4 tests they did that day. I jokingly said "wow, she's getting graded already?" The Dr. said that everything looks good but due to my "maturity" (every Dr. has their own way of telling me that I'm over 35) he will recommend that I do some non-stress tests. I had plenty of them with the boys so I'm not concerned. He told me that I have completed my visits with the high risk Dr.'s. Woo hoo! Even though its exciting to hear that it's also scarey because I feel like I need their second set of eyes on me. My parents were so excited to be there and I was so excited to share the experience with them. My Mom held my hand and giggled, with some tears, while watching Nugget on the screen. At first my Dad was quiet but then did start asking questions. He did his normal "wow, wow." Which I know means he's getting emotional - in his own way. I really enjoyed having them there and it's a time that I'll cherish always.

Playing with new Christmas toys

Christmas morning

Christmas morning was awesome! Brian and I were so excited to watch the boys open their gifts but we did want to feed them a healthy breakfast since the day before they only ate chips and cookies. Luckily they are young enough to not totally understand the Santa came so we steered them away from the tree and into the kitchen. After an egg breakfast we showed them the presents under the tree. They were soo excited! Just like the night before, they wanted to play with each gift as they opened it so this of course made for a longer time opening presents. But we didn't care...we had all the time in the world. Gavin made sure to put all his new gifts into a pile and got upset if Evan got close to it....who does this sound like?...Gavin is like me way too much. Evan, as usual, would go over to Gavin's pile and claim things as his own. This of course lead to a bunch of tears and us reasoning with the boys. But it's all "par for the course." Brian and I also talked about how next Christmas our little girl will be here and we day dreamed about next Christmas morning. After the gifts were opened sat back and observed the boys playing with all their new tools. They love to "fix things!" I think they fixed all our furniture and door jams in the house. Later in the day Rob came over to spend Christmas afternoon with us. They boys had so much fun playing with Uncle Rob. We had a nice turkey dinner and great family time.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was sooo much fun! Evan and Gavin totally understand presents now! Which was fun but also challengeing for Brian and I as we had to police them from opening other peoples gifts. We went to Mom & Dad's in the afternoon with our siblings and they spoiled us all, as usual. The room was FILLED with gifts! We ate munchies and took turns with all our gifts. The boys wanted to play with each toy right after they opened them. Livi and Char were so patient with the boys when they were getting too close to their gifts and almost opening them. The girls are getting so big/mature now. They got mostly clothes, which is always a sign that kids are growing up. :( But they did get a real cash register to play store and a "boom box" for their iTouch. The boys got all kinds of tools and anything related to the movie Cars. They were super excited and ran around Mom & Dad's house with all their new toys. The "adult kids" made out really well also! We got boots, coats, house stuff, clothes, stratch off lottery tickets, and our favorite Coffee Talk gift cards for the summer in SH. All the kids chipped in to get Mom and Dad new dishes for their new house and a gift card to go out to dinner. We had such a great time! After we were done with the festivities we packed up and went to Grandmom's house. The boys were so excited and were running around and around her house. Ugh! It was tough for Brian and I but we just chalked it up to lots of sugar and the experience of learning about Christmas. We did our pollyanna exchanges and hung with the family. On the way home Evan fell right to sleep but Gavin stayed up the whole ride home to look at the xmas lights. When we got home we told them that the faster they went to sleep the faster Santa would get there. (always worked for me as a kid.)