Sunday, December 27, 2009

Halfway Mark



I had to post a picture just to prove I don't look as awful as in the video below. Boy do I wish I had worn something a bit better for the camera, but at least I wore a bra! Today I am 20 weeks pregnant which means I am at the halfway mark...actually, probably a little further than that if this one goes anything at all like with Nicolaus.


How far along: 20 weeks

Total weight gain: 8 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes and love them...I have found some great deals at Ross and Gabes.

Stretch marks: None thank God

Sleep: OK--getting up to pee about twice a night and reflux is rearing its nasty head

Movement: Some...much less movement than I had with Nicolaus at this same point

Food cravings/aversions: Sweet pickles instead of dill and lost of fruit. No aversions really

Gender: Girl! My guess was right!

Belly Button in or out: Still in

What I miss: Spicy tuna sushi

What I am looking forward to: Buying girlie things

Milestones: The Big Ultrasound was excellent. All the right organs and everything is right on track growth wise. Finding out she's a girl!

Nicolaus' reaction: He keeps lifting my shirt up to look at my belly. I think it is because he is fascinated with my moles.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas

We hope all our family and friends have a Merry Christmas! We have been so blessed this year watching Nicolaus grow, John getting a new job and discovering we will soon be a family of four. We could not have made it through without all your prayers and support. Thank you!

Monday, December 21, 2009

SNOW!

We really got hit with the snow this year! By the time it all finished we ended up getting between 24 and 30 inches. It was too deep for Nicolaus to go out and play in, especially since we don't have a snowsuit for him yet, but he sure did like watching the snow and watching his Daddy help dig out the neighborhood. We finally did venture out on Sunday to the grocery store and a huge hawk paid us a visit too. Hope everyone is staying safe and warm!




Friday, December 11, 2009

13 Months


* 22 lbs 31 inches tall
* 4 teeth
* Has taken about 10 total steps on his own
* Down to one nursing session a day
* Drinks 16 oz of milk plus at least 8 oz of water a day
* Waves hello and bye-bye without prompting
* Any ball of any kind is his favorite toy
* "Da-Da" is his favorite thing to say
* Has learned Some, Yum, Nana (for banana) and how to cluck like a chicken
* Thinks all trucks are Tra Truh (the trash truck)
* Blows on his food
* Gives tons of hugs and kisses
* Is growing up way too fast!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

A Winter Hat For Nicolaus

I finally knit something for Nicolaus. The last item I completed before this was his baby blanket and hat which I finished just prior to him being born. I am so happy with how it turned out...it will look great with the coat his Great-grandma Lam gave him. It could stand to be a bit longer, but that is just because my son's head is huge. Wonder where he gets that from?

Once I started the hat, I had it finished in no time and remembered how much I enjoy the craft. So, I am hoping to cast on a bunch of projects in the next few months...some for me, some for new baby. I never have even knit myself something! I always give my handiwork away.









Saturday, December 5, 2009

First Steps

Nicolaus took 2 steps toward Mommy last night at Nanny and Poppi's house! We were so proud...yet scared of what is surely soon to come!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! In addition to having so much to be thankful for, we were able to spend the holiday with our Tennessee family whom we seldom see because we are separated by so many miles. Nicolaus finally got to meet his Great Grandma and Grandpa Lam and had such a special time with them. He also met Santa for the first time! There were no tears, but he wasn't quite sure what to think and was one tuckered out little man when we got home that night. We hope all our family and friends had a blessed Thanksgiving too!


Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Let's Party!

Nicolaus' FirstBbirthady party was a success! It was just the right amount of people both for him and for mommy. The farm themed cake and cupcakes were a hit...especially with the birthday boy. Nicolaus loved it when everyone serenaded him with Happy Birthday and at first, of course, was more interested in the wrapping paper and balloons than any of the gifts. But he recieved some great presents with which he is already having loads of fun. Thank you family and friends for sharing this special day with us! We wish we could have spent more time visiting with everyone. Oh, and if you are wondering where John is...he was the one taking all the pictures!





Saturday, November 14, 2009

"My First Haircut"

"Mommy and Daddy took me to a place with bright colored walls, cool music and strange looking chairs. I had been there before with Mommy, but this time I had to sit in the funny chair with Daddy and wear a long thing that covered my arms. Our cousin Tara came at me with sharp pointy things and started to cut my hair off! At first I didn't like it and we needed to take a break, but after both Mommy and Daddy got their hair cut Tara tried again and I was a big boy and let her finish. When we were done, I got a certificate and Mommy took my hair home in an envelope. Mommy and Daddy say I look like a big boy now...I'm just glad my hair doesn't tickle my ears any more!"



Wednesday, November 11, 2009

1 Year Old!

Happy Birthday to My Little Man!


* 21 lbs
* Now has 3 teeth
* Sleeps through the night consistently
* Enjoys his bedtime story
* Says Dog, Da-Da, Cat, Hat, That, Ball, Bath and moos like a cow
* Eats almost all regular food --no more baby food
* Drinks some milk and is down to 3 nursing sessions a day
* Loves vienna sausages and dried cranberries (not together)
* Can climb up stairs
* Loves going on walks with mommy
* Likes to roll around and be silly on Penny's bed
* Give's Penny hugs and kisses
* Throws his hands up in the air for "Touchdown!" when he sees a football player


Saturday, November 7, 2009

We're in the 2nd Trimester!

How far along: 13 weeks

Total weight gain: + 2 lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes...just pants, and they're a little big but so much more comfy than my regular pants

Stretch marks: Not yet...I didn't get any with Nicolaus so hopefully I won't this time either

Sleep: Pretty well, but getting up to pee about twice a night

Movement: None yet

Food cravings/aversions: I've really been wanting meat this past week. I cannot drink as much coffee as I would like because it makes me very jittery

Gender guess: Girl...only because this pregnancy is completely different from the last

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Nothing really...maybe coffee

What I am looking forward to: feeling the baby move

Milestones: Hearing the heartbeat on doppler

Nicolaus' reaction: He doesn't have a clue!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Operation Wean Nicolaus - Day 8

The weaning process is going OK. He doesn't seem to miss the eliminated feeding, but he will not drink all the milk that I pour him as a replacement. It may just take some time for him to get used to the taste. John and I decided to eliminate his middle of the night feeding second. We are hoping this will help him sleep through the night as I think the only reason he wakes up is to feel the comfort of nursing. Last night was the first night and he didn't do too badly. He woke once around midnight and fell back asleep on his own after turning on his Sleepytime Seahorse. He woke again at 3:00 am, when I normally would nurse him. After 5 minutes of crying -- or should I say hysterics -- I went into his nursery, gave him his pacifier and turned on his Sleepytime Seahorse. After about 8 more minutes of crying, he fell back asleep and slept until 6:15 am. We shall see how tonight goes!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween

Nicolaus' first Halloween was very low key. We stopped by our dear friend's Jason and Allison's house early in the afternoon since we wouldn't be able to make it to their party. Allison is a HUGE Halloween fan to put it mildly and had decorated their house and it looked great. From their we went to Aunt Steph and Uncle Will's for the evening. We enjoyed cheese and crackers, meatballs, and yummy Greek pizza. Nicolaus had a fun time chasing Izzy the cat around the house. Unlike our cat Roxy, Izzy actually plays with Nicolaus by teasing him, almost letting him catch her and then running away. The hit of the evening I have to say though was August's costume. If I hadn't seen her beforehand, I would have never believed it was her under all that green makeup! Nicolaus loved being in his Monkey costume. Hopefully we can find one just as cute next year when he will actually be able to go trick-or-treating.






Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Operation Wean Nicolaus - Day 1

I have started the process of weaning Nicolaus from the breast. I have mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I love seeing our little man grow up and accomplish milestones in his life. On the other, I love the one on one time we share when nursing. But, with baby #2 on the way, it will be nice to have a break--even if only for a few months. I will be dropping one feeding each week for the next several weeks and replace that feeding with a sippy cup of milk. We started after his morning nap because I think this is the feeding that will least bother him. The hardest will be his bedtime and morning sessions. Nicolaus did fantastic with his first taste of milk. He drank nearly all 4 oz I put in his cup! He did manage to get some all over his chest too, but for a first try I thought he did great. We have some recommendations on a few different cups to try. With the ones we have, it seems the fluid either comes out too fast or too slow. We shall see about getting those this weekend. Everything I have read says to get one cup and try to stick with it, so we better choose one soon!


Thursday, October 22, 2009

Priceless

Photographer friend: $0
Beautiful day at the park: $0
Finding out there are four of us in the picture: Priceless

Nicolaus is going to be a big brother! Baby Pedersen will arrive in May!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

First Words

Yesterday Nicolaus said his very first word! What was it you ask? Dog of course! Well, it sounds more like "Dob" but he is definitely talking about Penny. Today I asked him, "Where's the dog," and he turned to Penny, said "Dob" and gave her a hug. This morning he also said Cat! Sometimes it sounds like "that" but every time it is directed at Roxy. When I was chasing him around the house this afternoon he saw her and said "That, That!" Too cute! He sooo wants to hug her and pet her just like he does Penny, but she will have none of that at all. He says "da-da" and "ma-ma" but we are not convinced he is directing it at us quite yet. The picture on the left is after our walk Monday afternoon when it was chilly outside. Notice the Penny hair all over his legs!