This is exactly how I feel knowing that I no longer need to work anymore!!!
On Wednesday night, I worked my very last day of work~ saying I am excited is an understatement. I am now officially "retired" and it feels great.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
26 Weeks Pregnant!
I am 6 months along- can you believe it?! Only 3 more to go and baby Owen will be here in our arms instead of in my tummy. Hey and check it out- I am down to the double digits- only 95 days left!!
This is day number 185 and you're 26 weeks pregnant!
You have 95 days or 14 weeks left, and are
66.1% of the way there.
66.1% of the way there.
Baby's age since conception is 171 days or 24 weeks.
You are due on 11/13/2010.
You are due on 11/13/2010.
How your baby's growing:
The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber or eggplant) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.
Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The Kelly Miller Circus
On Monday, Jackson and I had a whirlwind of a trip up to Kelley's Island with Auntie Bon Bon and the girls to see the Kelly Miller Circus. They come every year to the little Island and put on a terrific show. Aside from it being (almost) unbearably hot, it was a great time!
We had to leave earlier then the Stenger's so Jackson and I got to walk onto the ferry boat this morning. He was overflowing with excitement! For a kid that usually hates to have his picture taken, kept telling me "OK Mommy, take a picture of me doing this!"
Sophie went on the shortest camel ride known to mankind. But it was good enough for her, thank goodness for 3 year old attention spans!
Jackson got a special prize- an awesome tiger that lights up. He looooves this thing!
I was in the middle of getting into the pose, so I am mid-movement. Oh well. All the kids were actually looking at the camera!
The Girls (Jackson refused to look at the camera, the stinker)
This circus actually had elephants, and tigers, camels and horses!
Silly Anna!
The little ones were soooooooo tired after such a big day. They passed out while watching Sleeping Beauty. Such cuties.
me and my Little Man
Jackson is being a tiger like at the circus. Rooooaarr!!!
Is he handsome or what?!
This was a great trip, if only a little too short! Can't wait to go back!
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Akron Zoo
Last Thursday Jackson and I went to the Akron Zoo with Anna, Sophie and Auntie Bon Bon. The Stengers have never been there before and we hadn't been there since last year so it was pretty much new for everyone.
This is a GREAT little zoo, so if you have never been there, please go! It only takes about 2 hours to work your way through the whole thing and the best part- NO CONSTRUCTION! (Although I doubt Jackson would agree with that statement. He likes the construction as much as the animals. haha. But as for me, it makes for a much more relaxing visit, not needing to worry about detours and stuff.
The zoo is designed in a very forest-like way. You wander through the woods happening upon each animal. It is very beautiful and SO tranquil. I think it only reached 82 degrees, and along with the nice breeze and the shade from all the tress it was an absolute perfect day for a trip to the zoo.
This is a GREAT little zoo, so if you have never been there, please go! It only takes about 2 hours to work your way through the whole thing and the best part- NO CONSTRUCTION! (Although I doubt Jackson would agree with that statement. He likes the construction as much as the animals. haha. But as for me, it makes for a much more relaxing visit, not needing to worry about detours and stuff.
There is an amazing jellyfish exhibit which is worth going to see if nothing else. The top picture, Anna is pointing to these guys that were as big as a dime! I didn't know jellyfish could be to tiny! The picture right below were some of our favorites. they were super fast and really silly looking in how they moved. Everyone got a kick out of them. I am sorry that my pictures of the jellyfish didn't come out better, but you need to go see them yourself anyways. So beautiful!
The zoo is designed in a very forest-like way. You wander through the woods happening upon each animal. It is very beautiful and SO tranquil. I think it only reached 82 degrees, and along with the nice breeze and the shade from all the tress it was an absolute perfect day for a trip to the zoo.
One thing I love best about this zoo (aside from my Cleveland Zoo Pass working here too!) is how the animals are super close to you. They are all behind plexiglass, so you can literally get nose to nose with the tigers, bears, penguins (all our favorites!) etc. Makes you see the animals in a whole new way.
Me and Bonnie entertaining ourselves while the kids were riding the train :)
Pretty Anna
Auntie Bon Bon and Sophie showing their best smiles
Jackson was loving these little animals that looked like a cross between an otter and a raccoon. They were super playful and made all the kids laugh at their antics.
The kids get to actually go into a display to search for turtles and see with it is like for people to look at them like animals at the zoo.
In the back part of the zoo there are the most beautiful gardens with paths that weave around like a maze. The kids loved running through them and seeing what was hiding at every turn.
After the zoo, Anna came over to our house for a sleepover party. It was such a fun night filled with perogies for dinner and a trip to Borders. And the next day Jackson, Anna and I went to the library, playground and then McDonalds for lunch. Anna is growing up into such a little lady. I had a wonderful time spending so much one on one time with her. I feel like I don't get to do that enough. Jackson liked that he didn't have to share his "Most Special" with anyone else. It was a nice treat for everyone. Next time it will be Sophie's turn!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
I Get to Join the Ranks of Mimi and Papa!
So last night while eating dinner, Scott said he had an announcement to make. A very important one, so we all needed to listen. When I go into work on Wednesday, I am to give my two weeks notice- I don't have to work anymore!
Hallelujah!!!
I had been only doing two nights a week, and then most recently I dropped down to one, working me down to nothing at all. But I didn't expect it to happen until closer to Owen's birth, maybe sometime in the end of September or October. But here it is- two nights left and I am done. Jackson got this silent grin on his face, and you could tell he was thinking about something. "Retired" he whispered. We both got a huge grin on our faces and Scott said "Yes Jackson, just like Mimi and Papa, Mommy will be retired and not have to work anymore. Do you think you will like that Big Guy?" His smile stretched from ear to ear and said a big, loud "YES!"
So who would have thunk it. Only 31 years old, and already retired. Now I get to live the Good Life. *grin*
Who am I kidding, my life has always been good.
Who am I kidding, my life has always been good.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
23 week Doctor's Appointment
I had my monthly Owen check up today, so I brought my favorite big Brother along with me so he could hear his little brother's heartbeat again. Oh how excited he got when he heard it! He immediately jumped right off of his chair and came next to me on the doctor's table with a huge grin across his face. It was awesome. I love that I can bring Jackson to these appointments. It really connects him to his little brother in a whole new way. Plus he is such a good boy! He sits so nice, eating his animal crackers and never interrupts the nurses or the doctor when they are talking. He is even answering them now when they talk to him (our sweet shy boy!) He loves looking at the bulletin boards they have in the hallways full of pictures of the babies delivered by their doctor's; always asking if Owen will be there when he is born. He did tell me today though that he doesn't want to ever have to go pee-pee in a cup. "Mommy, I really don't want to!" Made me smile. Oh the things that bother them....
Owen's heartbeat was fast and strong at 147, right where it has been pretty much throughout the pregnancy. This was so cool- as soon as the nurse found Owen's heartbeat he must not have liked the pressure she was putting on him with the doppler so he pushed right back. She could feel him moving and pushing her hand away the whole time. Baby Owen is getting so strong! With each of her pushes he was doing two right back at her, you could just imagine him saying "Hey! Cut that out already!"
We got the results to all of my tests, and everything is perfect and normal, so that is a relief. I go back in about two weeks for my glucose intolerance test where I get to drink that flat orange pop again. I am not worried, I didn't have any issues with gestational diabetes with Jackson, so I will probably be fine again this time. But we shall see. Fingers crossed. Other then that, pretty quick appointment. I go back in 4 weeks on August 19th for our next one.
Goodness, this pregnancy is moving so fast. I can hardly believe it. Next week is an important milestone for Owen. If something were to happen and I were go into labor, he would be able to survive outside of the womb! It is always somewhat of a relief hitting this point in pregnancy.
Littlest Man is now about as long as an ear of corn *grin*
Owen's heartbeat was fast and strong at 147, right where it has been pretty much throughout the pregnancy. This was so cool- as soon as the nurse found Owen's heartbeat he must not have liked the pressure she was putting on him with the doppler so he pushed right back. She could feel him moving and pushing her hand away the whole time. Baby Owen is getting so strong! With each of her pushes he was doing two right back at her, you could just imagine him saying "Hey! Cut that out already!"
We got the results to all of my tests, and everything is perfect and normal, so that is a relief. I go back in about two weeks for my glucose intolerance test where I get to drink that flat orange pop again. I am not worried, I didn't have any issues with gestational diabetes with Jackson, so I will probably be fine again this time. But we shall see. Fingers crossed. Other then that, pretty quick appointment. I go back in 4 weeks on August 19th for our next one.
Goodness, this pregnancy is moving so fast. I can hardly believe it. Next week is an important milestone for Owen. If something were to happen and I were go into labor, he would be able to survive outside of the womb! It is always somewhat of a relief hitting this point in pregnancy.
Littlest Man is now about as long as an ear of corn *grin*
"A mother's body remembers her babies-the folds of soft flesh, the softly furred scalp against her nose. Each child has it's own entreaties to body and soul."— Barbara Kingsolver
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
23 Weeks and Counting
This is day number 165 and you're 23 weeks pregnant! You have 115 days or 16 weeks left, and are 58.9% of the way there. Baby's age since conception is 151 days or 21 weeks. You are due on 11/13/2010.
How your baby's growing:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
Your baby now has eyes that open and close, ears that can hear, and a thumb well worth sucking. If you notice feel your baby making regular, jerky movements, don't panic - your baby has the hiccups! The hiccups are harmless for baby but can be annoying for you if they last for a long period of time.
Yesterday Jackson and I met up with my friend Heidi and her son Anthony at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. We haven't been there since last year, so it was like brand new for Jackson. He was so excited; squealing, doing his happy feet, and bouncing from one place to the next! He had a blast! He hasn't stopped talking about what his "favorite" things were- the log you can climb through, all of the silly turtles, the box of bugs (they have a working bee hive inside the center that has a tube leading to the outside so the bees can come and go as they please. It really is very cool.) But I think his favorite thing, along with many of the kids was watching the disgusting site of the vulture eating a dead fish. He loved how the vulture was standing on the fish to hold it, "It is like how we hold food in our hands, right Mommy?" He was glued to the cage, watching the bird eat his lunch. All the kids agreed that it was gross but still so cool. Another fun thing were the huge rake, watering can, bucket and the tomato with the caterpillar on top. When Jackson saw these he said "Mommy, I could fit SO MANY rocks in here!!", pointing to the giant bucket.... Always thinking of his favorite past time! It was such a fun way to spend the day, and we were both thrilled that our friends could join us in the fun.
How your baby's growing:
Turn on the radio and sway to the music. With her sense of movement well developed by now, your baby can feel you dance. And now that she's more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see her squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in her lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.
Your baby now has eyes that open and close, ears that can hear, and a thumb well worth sucking. If you notice feel your baby making regular, jerky movements, don't panic - your baby has the hiccups! The hiccups are harmless for baby but can be annoying for you if they last for a long period of time.
Jackson showing me the giant bucket....
Yesterday Jackson and I met up with my friend Heidi and her son Anthony at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center. We haven't been there since last year, so it was like brand new for Jackson. He was so excited; squealing, doing his happy feet, and bouncing from one place to the next! He had a blast! He hasn't stopped talking about what his "favorite" things were- the log you can climb through, all of the silly turtles, the box of bugs (they have a working bee hive inside the center that has a tube leading to the outside so the bees can come and go as they please. It really is very cool.) But I think his favorite thing, along with many of the kids was watching the disgusting site of the vulture eating a dead fish. He loved how the vulture was standing on the fish to hold it, "It is like how we hold food in our hands, right Mommy?" He was glued to the cage, watching the bird eat his lunch. All the kids agreed that it was gross but still so cool. Another fun thing were the huge rake, watering can, bucket and the tomato with the caterpillar on top. When Jackson saw these he said "Mommy, I could fit SO MANY rocks in here!!", pointing to the giant bucket.... Always thinking of his favorite past time! It was such a fun way to spend the day, and we were both thrilled that our friends could join us in the fun.
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