Super Sleeper!

Bye-bye to MJ's crib!  Well, it's still his old crib, but it just transforms into a toddler bed.  We'd been debating a bit if we should try this transition or not, but MJ is such an amazing sleeper when he's in his crib that we really hated to even mess with it a bit.  I was kind of under the philosophy that if they're not trying to climb out, and if they're sleeping well, leave well enough alone.  BUT MJ has never been a good Pack n' Play sleeper really.  He just doesn't seem too fond of them and we knew we had about 3 weeks of traveling coming up and thought that if we could possibly get him used to more of a "big boy" bed, traveling might be a bit easier sleep wise.  We figured we'd give it a shot and if it didn't work yet, no huge loss. 

This pic was taken right before bedtime on MJ's first night in his big boy bed.  He was super excited as daddy was transitioning his bed.  I even bought him a Cars blanket hoping it might be something new and exciting to look forward to and motivate with him.  Funny thing is though that prior to this he wanted NOTHING in his crib except his little Cuddle Bear.  If you even thought about putting a blanket or stuffed animal in, he would immediately cry and throw it out.  Somehow changing to a big boy bed though suddenly changed his mind and he wanted Elmo and his baseball blanket along with the new Cars blanket and Cuddle Bear.  Too funny! 

Night time went pretty well.  He was a good sleeper without either of us having to stay in the room or take him back to bed over and over.  The only negative was that he began waking earlier.  I think he probably use to wake up early but then just lay in his bed perfectly quiet and doze off and on.  Once he could get up though, I think he got out of bed the moment he woke and then went and opened his door and cried for us.  He went from sleeping (or being in his crib at least) until 8 or 9 AM to waking up and crying for us at his door at 6:30 or 7:00!  Yes, I know it's not all that early compared to most toddlers probably, but it was a shock for my spoiled internal alarm clock.  Nap time was a different story and pretty much stunk for a few days.  On Day 2 he took a great nap, but otherwise on all other days he got of bed over and over and over and over.  Before we could even be down the steps he'd be at his door crying his little head off.  He even figured out how to knock the baby gate down.  We tried sitting in his room until he fell asleep, but it didn't work.  After a few days of no nap and waking in the morning super early, he was a crabby fussy mess and we were tired and less patient!

 Just when we were discussing throwing in the towel and just trying it again another time, a magic switch went off.  Maybe it was just that consistency and determination paid off, or perhaps MJ realized he didn't need to be scared.  Who knows!  Whatever it was, we were so grateful for!  MJ suddenly began napping better and only needed 1 reminder at most usually to get back into bed.  Night times continued to go smoothly but rather than waking and crying for us at the door, he started sleeping a tad bit later (7:30ish) and then just opening his door and calling for us or playing in his room for a bit.  Much better than screaming crying! I hate to jinx it, but I think it's almost safe to say we have successfully transitioned.  Minus a few really rough days of naptime, overall I would say it went quite well! 

We just hit the road to begin our 3.5 week travels.  GiGi and PopPop purchased a crib that transitions to a toddler bed and so far we're on night two and he's sleeping wonderfully and even napped in it today, too which is much better than our last couple visits when he was in the Pack n Play.  I hope he keeps it up so he can be a happy little guy and enjoy this trip.  Then we'll be off to FL where he'll have a twin bed, so hopefully that will go okay as well.  Fingers crossed!! 

Hear the Beat!

I had my 16 week check up today, although I'm not technically 16 weeks until tomorrow, and heard the sweetest little sound once again.  Baby Keyes little heart was beating away at 150 bpm today.  I even was able to record it on a little recorder that we'll have put into a Build-a-Bear.  We made one of these with MJ, and I just loved listening to it throughout my pregnancy and now MJ has it in his room. 

The appointment was pretty quick and painless.  Everything seemed to be a-okay and at our next appointment is when they'll do the detailed 20 week ultrasound where they check for any abnormalities, and we can also find out the gender if we choose.  I'm pretty sure we're going to find out...not so sure if we're going to share it or keep it to ourselves.  Still some thinking to do on that one.  ;)  The doctor didn't seem all too concerned about my chest pain/vomiting attacks.  He suggested adding a liquid antacid to my already daily Prilosec.  The problem is that I really have no warning whatsoever when it strikes, so I'm not so sure that it's going to help, but we'll see.  I am just PRAYING that it doesn't continue throughout the whole pregnancy! 

Just when I was feeling so excited and glowing from my appointment, I received a phone call at home that totally caught me off guard.  When I answered the phone, the woman identified herself as a DHS worker.  I was honestly clueless what it was about until she began to further explain.  She was calling to offer us a foster placement!!!  Apparently they hadn't gotten the memo that we were on "hold" due to the pregnancy.  We received our official license in the mail a couple weeks ago and were already being asked to take a placement.  I stopped her before she gave any of the details and she wished us well.  Then the waterworks hit!  I can not believe how emotional I got.  I hadn't even taken the time to stop and consider how that phone call would feel.  I had spent quite a long time daydreaming of what that phone call would feel like...the day when we'd suddenly have a second, or second and third child, that could possibly be a forever child.  Words don't really seem to explain what a strange feeling it was to say "no" and then wonder what I just said no to.  Don't get me wrong, I am of course extremely happy to be pregnant and wouldn't change this for the world, but it's just an emotional thing...and I'm sure the hormones don't help!  Lots of friends have asked us what happened with the whole foster situation.  We had decided that it was something we were still interested in but just didn't feel like it was something we wanted to do right now any longer, but we'd like to consider it again in a year or two.  After going through all the process of becoming licensed...from home studies, to the wonderful letters so many friends and family wrote for us, to all the classes, -it's a lot of time and dedication to just walk away from.  If we simply are put on "hold" we would have 1-2 years and then could apply for them to let us back in without having to retake any classes or we can stay active by providing respite care.  We have decided to go ahead and do respite care.  We only have to do it 2-3 times a year to stay active and that way if/when we're ready to foster, we'll be all set and up to date.  Hopefully we're up for this, and we think we are, but I'm sure it will have it's tough moments.  We'll obviously take a break for awhile when our baby is born in December, but we're hoping we can help some families out before and after then.

My prayers are for our wonderful little miracle to continue growing and thriving with wonderful healthy results next month, and also for God to guide us and use our hearts to serve children in need through respite. 

A Day in the Life of MJ

A couple little videos to show MJ at work, and especially for Uncle Jeff and Mindy who requested more video!  :) 

I feel like MJ is going through one of those phases where he's changing daily.  He's saying new things each day and putting more and more words together to attempt to form complete thoughts.  He likes to identify everything by color-especially his cars of course, and his food too.  He only says a few colors by name, but he can identify them all correctly now when asked to do so.  He likes to match things that correspond like a red car with a red bead and a red bracelet.  It's cute to watch him at work and just see his mind thinking it all through.  He's also grasping the concept of all his basic shapes although he doesn't say any of those yet.  When we ask him to identify them with his puzzle though he's able to do it. 

He's also begun identifying some of his letters.  He knows T, B, Z, and O.  It's not something we practice all that much, so I'm surprised he's picked them up already but he has foam letters we play with in the bathtub as well as a Leap Frog Fridge Phonics, and I guess between the two of those, it's paid off a bit.  I must admit, I think he learns a lot from watching Dora too.  It's his favorite show by far, and he usually gets to watch it once a day.  Sometimes when I really pay attention, I'm amazed at all the little skills that are thrown in there. 

He likes to count a little bit too although he only says the numbers "one" and "two" he likes to point to things one at a time while you count them aloud.  It's pretty funny though because when he has a group of things like cars or blocks, he says "2 cars, etc."  If it's more than one, he calls it two no matter how many it really is.  I also find it interesting that he holds up a 1 (index finger) on each hand to represent 2 rather than 2 fingers on the same hand. 

He cracks himself up and also shows his frustration when he's unhappy.  He still does pretty well on the go and enjoys trying new things, but is definitely not easy to take shopping any longer.  He does NOT want to be in a cart, unless maybe we're lucky enough to snag the car shopping cart, and much prefers to walk on his own.  Luckily he still loves to ride in his stroller and also loves going for walks where he can just walk alongside one of us. 

I just love seeing him learn new things on a daily basis.  I think sometimes because he doesn't express things verbally, I underestimate just how much he knows and comprehends.  Sometimes I'll notice that I say something to Mat and then MJ makes a little comment back that's completely on topic.  It just shows that little ears are always listening, really! 

Another new developement is the transition from his crib to his toddler bed but that's a whole other post!  :)

A Favorite Place

One last thing we did while GiGi was in town (actually it was Mat's ploy to try to convince her to stay one more day) was visit the Madison Children's Museum.  This is definitely one of our faves.  It's just the right size and has so many wonderful things for MJ to explore.  It's so well planned out and developed; I can't say enough good things about it!  If it were closer, it would be somewhere we had a season pass to so we could go much more often. 

 This is probably MJ's favorite, because it involves cars of course!  The day we visited he had this table almost all to himself.  Little spots in the middle where they can pop through and reach all the roads, trains, cars, they can imagine!  I told Mat we need this at home but he just laughed at me.  :)

 The awesome rooftop deck is one thing we missed out on last time we visited because it was still winter time.  It was beautiful.  Lots of pretty flowers, even greens you could pick and munch on, chickens, birds, rain barrels, sandbox, hula hoops, etc.  So neat!

 A quick snuggle with mommy on the rooftop deck.

 A little hula hoop action with GiGi.  I was nice to GiGi and didn't post any of her attempting to hula hoop.  Quite fun!

 MJ checking out the little baby chicks. 

One of his other favories, the water area!  He gets himself soaked, despite the clever little aprons, but it's so worth it!  This time I was prepared with a change of clothes.  He is so serious as he fills all the little container and then dumps them out over and over. 

And then he got a little silly.  Love this picture (courtesy of Gigi)...pure joy and excitement.  I think shortly after this is when he started throwing water on me and then we decided it was time to go.  :)

First Movie!!!

Going to the movies is one of our favorite things ever, so we've been anxiously awaiting the time when MJ would be old enough to attempt his first movie.  As much as Mat looks forward to sharing baseball games with MJ as he grows into a little boy, I think I look equally forward to going to movies with him and snuggling with my little boy (well, as long as he'll allow me anyways). 

As most know, MJ is in love with all things car related.  My brother bought him a pair of Cars (the Disney theme) crocs and that seemed to start a fetish with the whole Cars franchise.  We bought him the Cars movie for his Easter basket, he has about every single car that's part of the series, and he's hooked!  If you let him choose what to play with, he will choose cars all.day.long!!! 

We were so excited to hear that Cars 2 would be coming out this summer right around the time we thought MJ was ready to give the movies a go!  GiGi was in town visiting and was able to come along also. 

He was like a kid in a candy store as we walked in, just looking around and taking it all in.  Isn't he so cute walking along with his own little kid snack pack.  He at the fruit snacks, mama ate the popcorn.  Win, win, right?!  He was way too enthralled to be bothered with food and drink!!!

 This was the Cars2 scene set up directly outside of the movie.  I think he could have been quite content to just stand and point at it all day.  So much to take in for a little pair of eyes!!

The good news is that MJ did wonderful.  He sat still during the whole movie.  He was a bit scared in the beginning during all the previews and wrapped his little arms around my neck for the first 10 or so minutes, but then he settled in and spent times just sitting on each of our laps as still as could be.  Unfortunately, we were quite disappointed with the movie.  It was extremely different than the first one and way too violent for a G rated animated movie.  I think it was good that he's almost too little to really grasp it, rather than maybe a 4 year old that might understand it more and be scared.  He was just excited to see all his Cars characters on the big screen. 

Winnie the Pooh comes out later this month, so we're already looking forward to trying a second, and probably much tamer, movie with him. 

Some Good Ole Gigi Time!

Mat had a trip planned to FL with his business group of college students late June, and Mom was looking for a time to visit, so it worked out perfectly.  She was able to keep me company, help out with MJ during my last couple days of work, and spend some good quality time with us.  Unfortunately I ended up catching MJ's nasty bug just a couple days after she arrived, so I really wasn't much fun at first.  I spent lots of time in bed while she spent lots of time with MJ.  I was so thankful to have her here.  I was worried she'd get sick as well, but luckily she stayed nice and healthy!  By the time Mat got back I was starting to feel better, and we were able to convince mom to stay a couple more days.  I was finally able to enjoy a little girl time with her, something we don't get to do all that often anymore, and we had lots of family fun with MJ and Mat, too!  Posts to come soon of MJ's first movie and our trip to the Madison Children's Museum.

Gotta love those GiGi's!  What would we do without grandparents?  MJ has been pretty good at saying GiGi (my mom) and PawPaw (Mat's dad) but has been unable to say PopPop (my dad) or MeMaw(Mat's stepmom) but just in the last week, he's really been catching on and saying all the names.  He's been saying lots more in general and trying to repeat things we say.  His verbal skills are really showing signs of improvement! 

Hellllllooooo 2nd Trimester!

Yesss, we have finally made it to the wonderful 14 week mark...the part where our chance of miscarriage reduces drastically, I finally get to stop using the dreaded progesterone (although I am so thankful for it), and look forward to more energy and less nausea!  I've been very much looking forward to this milestone if you couldn't tell! 

I made it through the first trimester...lots of nerves, quite a bit of nausea, a three pound weigh gain, but I made it and am every so grateful!  Just as I was feeling all excited and like a successful little incubator, I got terribly sick the evening that Day 14 arrived. I'd just wrapped up a wonderful visit with my mom and we were just relaxing at home that night.  I was giving MJ a bath when I started having horrible chest pains.  Not to be over dramatic, but it was seriously some of the worst pain I have ever felt.  Luckily Mat was home at the time and came and finished up with MJ and put him to bed, while I was begging God for mercy.  Then, he called the 24 hour nurse line for me.  They guessed possible heart burn and suggested a couple of meds, otherwise a trip to the ER if it didn't let up.  Uggh, it hurt!  Did I mention it hurt?!  I threw up a lot and I NEVER throw up unless I have a stomach flu or food poisoning, but I think the pain was so bad there was no stopping it.  Finally after that, I began to get some relief and it died down.  The next morning I called the doctor's office and they had me come in to check everything out.  The highlight in all of this was that they listened for a heartbeat again, and there it was beating nice and loud at 156bpm!  The doctor's best guess was heartburn as well, and since it's the 3rd time this has happened in the last month (although the other two times weren't as long lasting), I'm now taking Prilosec daily to see if that helps eliminate the problem.  I'd heard of women dealing with heartburn when pregnant, but never imagined it like that!  When I was pregnant with MJ, I remember popping the occasional Tums and thinking I had heartburn but apparently I was quite naive.  The last few days have been smooth sailing and no more attacks, so I'm hoping it stays that way! 

Little Baby Keyes is now about the size of a lemon.   By this point the little baby can now squint, frown, suck his/her thumb, and pee.  Pretty amazing!!  It's all starting to feel more real now.  I'm allowing myself to say "when we have the baby" rather than "if we have the baby", and have begun filling out a pregnancy journal like I did with MJ, so I think my fear is subsiding a bit!  I've even begun to think more about shopping and preparing for our new little one.  It is going to be such an incredibly special Christmas this year; I can't even imagine!