Here I Am!

Yes, I have been HORRIBLE at blogging lately. I've been putting bits and pieces on Facebook of what I have been up to, but I finally am going to put a bit on here since this whole baby #2 thing is going by so quickly! 34 and a half weeks along which means she is almost here!!!

So here is a few tid bits of what is going on:

1) Caden is a toddler. Yes, all traces of baby are officially gone...except the pacifier. :) He still gets that when he's in his crib (bedtime, naptime). We have bought his toddler bed, and are trying to figure out when to transition him to the big boy bed as well as get him off the paci. Not sure if it will be any time super soon since he will be getting a BIG change in the form of a sister here pretty soon. This kid isn't so big on change---it takes him a couple days to adjust. While that might not be huge in the scheme of things, for a kid who is pretty easy going and mellow, its quite a contrast for us to see him freak out over change (ok and some times really funny. Like when I took the bumper off his crib and stuck a pillow in there to help get him used the idea of something different/a bed. He walked into his room, pointed at the crib (obviously noticing something was different), and yelled "Noooo! Nooooo!" Then proceeded to rip the pillow out of the crib. Then when we tried to put it back in for bed time, he stood up crying for 10 minutes while trying to throw the pillow out.) All that to say, we are trying to be aware of how much change we throw at this kid at a time, but do know that over all, he really will be ok and we just might have some seasons of tears and less sleep.
2) This pregnancy has flown by. Now that I am in my last weeks, it feels like its slowing down a bit--mostly because I am noticing more discomfort and feel almost ready for her to come! But it feels like it was just summer, and then BAM its February! I am curious to see if baby girl will come early, or want to stay longer at hotel-de-mama like her brother did (41 weeks). Oh, and speaking of her, yes we have a name. We are keeping it a surprise this time, which has been fun. And sort of kills me at the same time. I like hearing what people have to say (until someone says something negative, right?) especially friends. But I think some friends out there have a strong inkling since we've talked baby names for years together. Yep, you guessed it girls--Apple. KIDDING!
3) Work has been pretty crazy and tiring lately. I am spending most of my time trying to prepare for me being gone on maternity leave, downloading my brain and passing off things before I go. I am only taking off less than 2 weeks before my due date, and am starting to really look forward to that day right about now. March 8th is my last day, and at this point I would probably be ok with her coming before then! I would just prefer after February 27th--which is Caden's 2nd birthday party. Yes, I am throwing a 2nd birthday party for Caden while 9 months preggos. I really wanted to have one more "only child" party for him, and am celebrating with family and some of his little friends to a local park with a bounce house. I am looking forward to it, and know Caden will have a blast, since he loves parks and bounce houses. But Baby E, please don't come until March. Be nice to mama.
4)Jon and I have been trying to squeeze in some dates as much as we can since we know it might be a while until that happens again. Dinner here, a movie there...even just running errands the 2 of us. We are so grateful for family close by who love hanging with Caden so we can do this. And Caden LOVES his time with them. We find him waving, blowing us kisses and literally pushing us out the door when we leave him at family's house. What a blessing.
5)Etsy. My new love, my new obsession. I have had to exercise SO much self control when it comes to this place. My friends Kristen and Bethany exposed me to this wonderful website, and in having a baby girl, it would be easy to shop all day long and buy everything cute, homemade and adorable. But I have limited myself to a few purchases: a cute onesie with a pink owl, a car seat cover and letters for the kids room. I am using Caden's same infant car seat, but his cover was very grey and boy, so was looking everywhere for a cute car seat cover. I finally found a lady who would make a custom one to fit for about $40 (a lot cheaper than buying a new car seat, and I get to pick the fabric). I wish I had sewing ska-zills to do it myself and/or the time, but I don't. So I had it made and I love it!
The letters for the kids room as the first letter of their names (C and...sorry, I'm not gonna slip up that easy) :) and a woman painted them to match the decor of their room. Its hard to explain and I might post a pic later after she's born, cuz they are so cute. But all that to say: I HEART ETSY!

Ok that's all for now...I'm exhausted. :) Time for some girl scout cookies and to catch up on some tivo. (i.e. fall asleep in front of the tv and be in bed by 10.) Oh the exciting life of a preggers.