20 lbs, yes twenty.

So I've officially hit the 20 lb benchmark. I was doing great, but all of a sudden the water weight starting packing on quickly. This is what happened last time- the last 10 weeks I gained 40 lbs- yes 40 LBS!!!! So I'm starting to watch my sodium and pray for the best.

All of the Thanksgiving food didn't help, but what a wonderful week. Most of our family (minus Jules) was in town, and LJ got lots of lovin' from extended family. Currently LJ is cutting 6 teeth, has a cold, and I think is experiencing growing pains. We're managing with a bit of Motrin and Dallergy. I'll be a happy Mama when this teeth cutting business is over.

We had his 1 1/2 year appt. last week. We found out we're done with shots till he's 5- awesome!! He weighed in at 30 lbs, 33 1/2 inches tall, and still has a huge head. He seems to be thinning out and catches on to a few new words a day. He's able to understand us quite a bit better, which is making everyday a little more interesting.

About 3 more months left of this pregnancy-- thanks for keeping up in your prayers!!

Me at 24 weeks

ok ok ok... minus the belly. I'll be sure to post one soon :)

Our Little Man

LJ is turning into such a little man!! I can honestly say I count him as one of my best friends. It's amazing how I feel I know what he's talking about by his little actions or attempts at words.



He turned 1 1/2 this week- time flies. We attend Waffle House about every Sunday morn, and this morn the girls there couldn't believe how old he looked this morning at breakfast. LJ's been going since he was a baby- the hash browns are a staple for this young lad!


Being in the dental hygiene field, I'm so proud to say he brushes his teeth about 4-5 times a day. He's obsessed- he would do it all day long if he could. He has 6 toothbrushes- two at every sink and if he even comes near a sink, he has to brush them. He's actually getting in 4 to 6 teeth right now. It's been a bit draining.

We started swim lessons last week at the YMCA- they've been a blast! At first he's a little skeptical, but by the end of class he's blowing bubbles and putting his head back in the water. It's wonderful to have this on Wednesday nights, so Big Joey gets to come. It's a great winter getaway. The worst part about it is trying to dress a crazy toddler and myself on wet locker room floors- eek! We're learning so much though- this week we learned how to fall in the water from sitting on the ledge and flip over on his back. Our teacher also got the balls out this week. Once a ball or a basketball goal gets pulled out, we completely lose LJ. For the rest of class, we took shots at the bball goal. That is exactly how he is at Gymboree. We pay all of this money, and once he sees a ball and a goal he's tunnel visioned on basketball drills for the next hour.

He actually won't go anywhere without a ball, and yes, we have full size balls at our house. We're asking Santa for mini balls though. However, I do think using bigger balls will help LJ's athleticism and ball handling skills. We also have a baby medicine ball :) It never hurts to start early!!!

And yes, those are Christmas PJ's. Just getting in the Christmas spirit!!!

If it weren't for my husband, we'd have the lights up, the cookies bakin', and the tree a glowin'. Big Joey thinks there's a rule about celebrating Christmas too early. He always says once we have enough kids, he's going to dress them up at pilgrims and Indians and go to the mall to march around Santa holding signs that say, "What about us?!!" He's crazy- Thanksgiving is so late this year, I feel like we're going to have such a short period to get LJ in the Christmas spirit. We did, however, finish LJ's Christmas shopping this weekend- ahhh, I'm so excited!!!!!!!

OH MAN- I cannot finish this blog without commenting on the fact that everything is all about "Grandpa, Grandpa, Grandpa!!" LJ is obsessed with both of his Grandpas-

O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D.

When he sees a phone, he wants to call Grandpa. He'll only get in the car if we say we're going to Grandpa's. When football or basketball come on the TV, he talks about Grandpa. If we even go by any landmark that resembles anything of either Grandpas' homes, he yells "Grandpa!!"

It's hilarious, and oh sooo cute! I've actually started using this to my advantage though. Grandpa came to swim lessons this week, Grandpa came to our 1 1/2 year pictures this week, and we went over to Grandpa's tonight just to eat a hamburger with him because LJ wasn't interested in eating at home with me.

We're so lucky to have both of LJ's Grandpas. Thanks Dads for all you do!! Love you!!!

I have to apologize for the format of this post. I don't know what happened, but I'm not staying up a minute longer to fix it. Night!

Stats

I have a good friend from high school, Cristin Serio, and I keep a close eye on her blog. She has a great way of posting her prego stats so I thought I'd give it a try!!


This week's Stats:

How far along: 24weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 14 lbs.

Maternity clothes: I love my new Citizens of Humanity Maternity jeans from Nordstrom

Sleep: I can't make it past 9pm, then I get up at 11:30, 2:30, and 5:30 for a bathroom break. Sometimes we get lucky and get to sleep in till 7am! Welcome to parenthood!!

Best moment this week: Little Joey did great at swim lessons and he's starting to really pick up the dance moves. I'm starting to feel a little more energized-- or maybe I'm just learning how to suck it up from being nauseous 24/7.

Movement: Finally!! I felt LJ kick at 18, but I haven't felt Ray until earlier this week. They are very slight, but happy to feel him jiggle around in there. Had a doctor's appt this week- good heartbeat. Next visit we do the diabetes screening, and then we're going to the OB every 2 weeks!! SCARY!


Food cravings: pineapple and berries!! Is it sad that I can't wait to have this baby because the hospital food is AMAZING??!!!


Labor signs: occasional cramping, but just when I don't drink enough water


Wedding rings: I had a hard time getting it on this morning- I think I had too much sodium yesterday.


Do I really need to post pictures of myself?? I did this last time, but this go-round I'm not feeling too stellar.

Investments

No, I'm not talking about the stock market. My husband has a good handle on that category for us. I'm talking about all the money I spent on clothes and toys for Little Joey. I always told my husband it was an investment, and IT WAS!!!

WE'RE HAVING A BOY!!!

We're so thrilled. Sadly, I was praying for a boy. I wanted to have a boys' room, and I honestly didn't know what we were going to do with all of these tupperware bins of clothes and toys. Our house is lovely, but I'm not a big fan of having to put everything up in our attic when I don't know for sure what exactly is lurking up there.

I wanted to post pictures of the ultrasound, but I haven't made it over to Sam's Club to do some scanning. We're almost 23 weeks along- still due March 12, which I might add is PERFECT TIMING for March Madness!!!!!!!! We're thinking this weekend is going to fall nicely on the Big Ten Tournament weekend and I'll be on my maternity leave during all of the day games throughout March. I know, I know... I'm not going to have any time to watch games, but I'll settle for NCAA basketball tournament games as background noise.

As for names... we've decided on Raymond after my dad's dad. We'll call him Ray. We have about 4 months left. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. I've still been pretty sick, but hanging in there.

Now, I'm off to buy some more Pee Pee TeePees.