36 Weeks

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. Everything is going well and measuring right on track. I think she will be smaller than Nate. I haven't gained as much weight and he was always measuring a week or two ahead. If so, it will be good to have a smaller baby! :) I'm officially in my last month! I'm anxious and excited and also very ready to be done, but then again I'm not so ready for newborn + Nate. We'll get through it but it might be a little rough at the start. A lot of people look at me and say there is no way I'm going to make it to the end. I don't think I look that big! Ha! Feel it? Yes! I am 1cm dilated but not thinned out much. I was 1cm for a month with Nate so I don't think it means much. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens!

18 Months

Although Nate is closer to turning 19 months (next week), I decided to wait until after his 18 month wellness visit to update so I could include all his stats. So I guess that's where we'll start. He's weighing in at 30 lbs 4 oz (95%) and is 35" tall (100%), which is no surprise. He is a big boy. Although I thought he would be heavier than that. He feels heavier. A lot heavier. :) His growth and development seems to be on track, even if he isn't talking a whole lot. I guess he will talk in his own time and the few words he does say (mama, dada, uh-oh, owie, please, and buh for everything else) are enough for now. The majority of the visit was to discuss his skin. What I thought was just his eczema getting worse, is not, but also hives. I can tell the difference when the doctor showed me but it's hard to tell. It all looks a lot like red splotches all over his body. It is worse in all the creases (behind knees, arms, wrists, feet, neck, etc.) and on his belly and diaper area too. I thought it was getting worse because of the heat, which the heat does have an affect on it, but since it's hives too, and not just his eczema, she is referring him to an allergist. She thinks he may have a food allergy. I was so upset to hear that. It's impossible at this point to know what food it could be because he eats everything, so hopefully the allergist will be able to help us figure it out so Nate's skin can finally clear up. He starts itching it so much that it it becomes raw and sometimes bloody. We were in Wal-Mart after his appointment and he started itching his foot. Next thing I know his foot and hands were covered in blood. I feel horrible for him and while I don't want him to have to go through allergy testing, I want to get this all figured out.

So, let's see, what about Nate? He's a silly little boy. He loves to make people laugh (doing "the Lucas" or falling down on purpose). He is very sweet. He loves his blanket and his pacifier and has an increased dependency with both these items. He used to have the paci just at nap time and bedtime, but now he requests it and of course I give in. It is much easier. Don't judge-I'm pregnant and it's hard enough! :) He loves jumping! He has really gotten into watching movies and seems to prefer this over regular cartoons on tv. I thought he would like any animated movie but he definitely has his preferences (the Toy Stories, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Astroboy are his tops) but does like some others and does not like some at all. He can show you his belly, teeth, hair, and nose, but is hit and miss and will only comply if he wants too. He pants like a dog and roars like a dinosaur (his favorite new sound to make when asked). He loves rocks. He loves picking them up and carrying them around, but recently has started throwing them--something we are working on. He seems to like carrying small things around in his hands (little animals, balls, etc.). He is a big helper and helps mommy unload the dishwasher and put away his clothes and toys (again, when he feels like complying). And of course he still loves Sammy and giving her biscuits is a treat for both of them (sometimes literally when has to taste test it before giving it to her; yummy). He does not understand that mommy is having a baby, but likes to pull up my shirt and push on my belly button. This is funny. It's even funnier when daddy joins in on the fun. We have set up the kiddie pool and hot days enjoy some water fun, which he likes, but doesn't just sit in it and play. He gets in and out and prefers the water hose to the pool, I think. And of course he is still destructive, getting in and on everything he can (which is pretty much everything now that he's figured out how to push things closer in order to climb up on the higher things like the desk or counter top). It is exhausting! He is a ball of energy. He is not a big hugger or kisser (it is exciting when he does give me a kiss when I ask, but usually limits kisses to good-byes and good-nights) but loves to cuddle. The change between 12 and 18 months is unreal and it so exciting to watch all the changes happen. Sometimes we look at him and we think he is such a little man, able to do so much! And even after 18 months, Michael and I still marvel at the fact that we made this little boy. Such a blessing in our lives!

Pregnancy Dreams

Up to this point, I haven't had any dreams about the baby or anything pregnancy related, which is weird, because I had a ton with Nate (eg. giving birth to a dog that looked like Benny and then proceeding to breastfeed it or having the baby push so hard against my stomach wall that he pushed through it like a balloon; probably a couple of the most memorable). I think last night I made up for it, having a gazillion dreams of either having the baby, being pregnant, or things I need to do after she comes. I can't really even remember what the dreams were specifically about, I just know that they were baby related, a multitude of them, and I got no sleep. I would wake up after each dream and then have trouble falling back to sleep again. Once I did, I would have another short dream and then wake up. Sooo tired today!

So while this was the first time I really dreamt about anything baby related, I have had a couple of recurring dreams this entire pregnancy. First, I have had a few zombie dreams, which is weird because I don't really watch zombie movies and don't know where they are coming from. I usually wake up scared but the last time I finally got caught, turned into a zombie myself, and then it wasn't so scary anymore. Second, I have had many variations of the same dream. I dream that I am in high school again and cannot find my locker or my classroom or it is near the end of the semester and I suddenly realize I have been missing a class the entire time and need to make up all the work. It's the strangest thing and each time the dream leaves me feeling very panicked.

I'm no dream interpreter, but it seems to me that the school dream is somewhat related to the anxiety I feel about having another baby. Don't get me wrong, I am super excited to have her, but I don't think I would be normal if I wasn't at least a bit worried. I feel like there's so much to do before she comes and I don't have enough time. And I also think when she is here I will not have any time to get anything done. It will be much different this time around, already having Nate, who to me is still a baby. I know that once I have Maddie and we get through the rough, getting used to something new part, it will eventually smooth out. Now if I could just tell my brain that when I'm sleeping. :)

Oh, and if anyone has any ideas about why I'm having zombie dreams, I'd like to hear them!

Baby Shower

Today I had amazing friends and family gather together to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Madelyn. Jaime was the hostess with the mostess for the baby shower and did a great job! We had lots of yummy food to munch on, played some fun games, and everyone was too generous with the gift giving. It was a really great afternoon. And of course I've already looked through all the absolutely adorable clothing and will probably do it several more times before it gets tucked away before she comes. I must say girl outfits are so cute and having a little girl is going to be so much fun! Even Michael thought the clothes were adorable and he could really care less (or at least he pretends to) about things like that.

The guests playing some games

opening gifts...one of the many adorable outfits

me and Jaime (here's a belly shot for all of you wanting to see the belly!)