35 weeks and 32 days to go!!!

I remembered writing a post to Zachary around this time....went back and found it filed under 2008 and definitely got a little teary re-reading it.  Second time pregnancy is just so different than the first, for me at least.  I am more relaxed.  More mentally prepared and not so nervous about if I will be able to keep this child alive or not because I know now I can do it. I am somehow more comfortable and definitely sleeping more than I did with Z.  I am less physically prepared...its 5 weeks away and the room isn't painted, the crib is apart while Z adjusts to his new bed, the only furniture in Mark's room is a chest of drawers since Zach's new one arrived, and most of the "gear" needs to be pulled out from the garage still!  

My nervousness comes this time more on how I will be.  Will I be able to handle two little boys under 2?  Will I be able to give Mark all the love and attention he needs while also continuing to shower it on Zachary?  Will Zachary continue to learn and develop or will baby brother cause him to regress some?  Will I have a life of my own at all over this next year?  And my excitement is different too...will Mark maybe look like a Hill this time and not the spitting image of his daddy? ;-) I cannot wait to see what he looks like!  Will he have the personality of his older brother or one entirely of his own? And more than anything...I cannot wait to see the brotherly love that grows between these 2 boys! 

I want to do my part to make sure that Mark and Zach are two entirely different and special boys and that each one knows how precious they are to me!!

Dear Mark Wendell,

Your name means "warlike" and your middle name is the name of my daddy, your popsie!  Next to your own daddy, he is the best guy I have ever known so you must be pretty special to carry on his name.  I pray that you guys will be the best of buds and he can teach you all kinds of things, especially about being a great man, husband, and father!  

I know you are a fighter and strong already because you came into our lives much to our surprise!  Since it took us a long time to create your brother, we figured you would be the same way but you and He had other plans!  I will never ever forget seeing that those 2 pink lines and literally falling to my knees to give thanks and praise!  Although it was sudden, you were loved from the moment we knew your growing!!

You have treated me well these past few months and I have truly loved that.  You have quite a regular schedule and I have grown accustomed to it.  Your hiccups are something I never experienced with Zach and they make me laugh each time I feel their rhythmic pattern.  I love the secret connection that only you and I have, and I pray that you will trust me as you grow up and always be able to come to me with anything at all.  I foresee us being connected for awhile after you arrive because I bet you will be wrapped up against me while we chase after your brother! :) I look forward to continuing our special bond!

I cannot wait to see your sweet face and to kiss your tiny toes and to have a baby in the house again!  There is something just truly special about a teeny tiny life and all that comes with it.  

I promise to do all I can to cultivate a special relationship between you and your brother.  I pray that you two will grow to be the best of friends and truly LOVE each other, not just cause you are supposed to but because you want to!

I look forward to see what kind of little boy you will become.  Whatever it may be, I will love you for who you are and do my best to not compare you to your older brother because you are your own special and unique person.  

I pray that you come to know the Lord and love Him with all your heart just like your dad and I do.  We talk of you and pray for your safe arrival every night in our prayers with Zachary before bedtime and on our own too and will do the same with you once you are here!

We are so excited to meet you, Mark!  The time has passed so very quickly and I pray that I will be a good mommy to you and your brother and our soon to be family of FOUR!

I love you with all my heart and can't wait to welcome you into this world!

Forever and  always,

Mommy

A recent pic

Just so you know what we look like these days!  Z looks more and more like a little boy!  And I am looking more and more like a house! ;-)  Looking forward to seeing what Cassie captured of us all! 

Zach at the Zoo in the aquarium tunnel!

Me and Al at her shower!  Her son is due about 6 weeks after Mark!

Good weekend!

It was a busy but fun weekend!  I am glad I have today to chill and recover!

Friday night my folks came over...enlisted my mom's help with the infamous cheese petit fours.  They are so yum but such a pain in the booty to make!  

Saturday was Allison's shower and I think it turned out really nice as usual.  I swear we should go into business ;-) It was also really nice to see all the ladies.  Its been a busy summer and it seems like I hadn't seen some of them in a long time.  And to all of you that were out of town or unable to attend, we missed you but understand that life is busy and the drive can be far!  :)  Allison got a lot of good loot although I was chatting and missed a lot so I think I need to go over and check it all out in person!  Anyway, it was fun but I was POOPED after it was all over...and stuffed from the good food!

Sunday was a good day too.  We went to the early praise and worship service at 9:30 so Matt could be home early to go watch the Cowboys.  I guess football is good for something.  HA!  Z and I didn't end up doing too much in the afternoon but playing around the house since he fell asleep in the car on the way home from Target and our way to Susan's to feed the ducks! Hopefully we make it to see the ducks today!  We finished up the evening taking pics with Cassie at the park in the neighborhood.  Zach was not the most cooperative as their was just WAY to much exploring to be done, but I saw just a few she took and they will be worth it!  Thanks so much Cassie for taking the time to come out and take our pics.  It was fun and great to finally meet you in person! :)

Thanks Hubs and working for the weekend!

Matt did a wonderful thing today...he cleaned the floors!  As soon as Z and I walked in, I could immediately tell the floors had been swept, vacuumed and mopped.  What a fabulous feeling, especially when you live with hairy pets and an occasional food throwing child, makes for messy dirty floors!  It did make me chuckle because when he came in from the gym and I immediately thanked him, he says "you could tell?".  This amuses me because I am usually the floor taker care-er and he does NOT notice when I clean them.  Oh well.  I am still impressed.  Thanks honey! :)

A few of you have asked about the job front for Matteo.  Unfortunately nothing yet.  He has visited with some head hunters/recruiters and is attending a group called Between Jobs Ministry and of course applying to positions online, so we are just trucking along and hoping the right thing pops up soon enough.  It has been stressful at times as we are adjusting to this new schedule still and both would love to trade places with one another, but all and all, so far its been okay.  Can't last forever, right? ;-)

On the Operation Toddler bed front...tonight was a toughie for some reason?  We have been trying this week to be very consistent on times so we were in Zach's room for books by 7:30 (having already eaten and bathed, etc).  We did the usual books and then he climbed into bed on his own like he was ready.  I rubbed his back for about 5 minutes and then when I got up to leave, he immediately popped up and started crying!  I hurriedly closed the door to which he had followed me to and  he screamed cried for 15 minutes before I headed back in. Repeat. Climbed back into bed, rubbed back, thought he was asleep, got up...screaming ensued again. Waited another 15 minutes before I headed back in for the 2nd time. This time, he climbed back into bed, I reassured him he was okay and just sat next to the bed and he was almost immediately asleep. I guess almost an hour of on and off crying can do that to you. :( Its very hard on me because I am definitely not used to this. Usually we would lay Z in his crib and he would just go to sleep. Of course there were the occasional times where there would be crying, but it just feels different.  I ultimately think we still made the right decision to try to transition because crib acrobatics cannot be safe....but I am hoping we made the right decision.  Once he is asleep, he seems to be doing very well and sleeping even a little later, but we are for sure not to a consistent ease of going to sleep yet....

Well tomorrow is Friday and I am excited about that.  It has been a LONG 3 day week so far!  Tomorrow night I have to make my shower food.  Cannot wait to "shower" Allison on Saturday and of course enjoy the delish food that comes along with that.  And then Sunday we are taking family pics with Cassie!  WOOHOO!  It shall be a good weekend for sure!

Zoo Day

I'll add some pics later cause I did get a few cute ones!  Man, going to the zoo on a Tuesday, the day after a holiday...great plan!  It was EMPTY!  We got a parking spot on the 3rd row and passed even more open spots on the way in!  Sweet.  It was like we had the zoo to ourselves, often the only people at all even in an exhibit.  We got to do some things we usually don't do due to crowds like climb through the tunnel in the aquarium!  Prob the best pic of the day.  Basically its a tunnel that goes through a fish tank, Zach LOVED it and had the biggest smile.  Too cute.  He also got to walk most of the time which was cool, working the new shoes in ;-)  He just loves to be out and about now and it is nice when its not crowded to be able to let him roam some.  

Another first was the carousel...not such a big fan of that.  I think it freaked him out a bit, he had a very serious look and did not want to sit on the giraffe that he had picked out to ride!  Maybe next time!  

All and all a good time was had and topped off by Sonic for lunch.  YUM-O!

Grandpa Dan was in town for work so we got to see him for dinner and a visit and that was nice!  Z showed him his belly button and how the elephant moves, very funny stuff.  

Anyway, operation Toddler Bed is still moving along.  Definitely helping with the crib out.  Oddly, he is sleeping later in the morning which is nice though but weird i think.  He had a tough time falling asleep tonight but I take partial blame for that as naps were only in the car today and we had a Grandpa around at night so he did not want to go to sleep.  Hopefully this week will continue to improve!  

And only 39 days till Mark arrives...OH MY!!!!!!

Over the hump?

Wow!  Tonight's bedtime went easy peazy!!  Does this mean we are over the hump and going to be okay??  After minimal fussing when I left the room, Z took a 2 hour nap like normal.  When he woke up, we went to the neighborhood pool since it was the last day it would be open for the season.  It was weird, we were like the only ones there!  Nice fun for Z!

I was determined to get as much back to schedule tonight as possible.  Bath time at 7ish followed by books in his room.  We have our little routine as I am sure everyone does.  After books I turn off the lights and we say our prayers.  We finished and were just rocking and Z got off my lap and crawled into bed.  I rubbed his back for a few minutes and said goodnight and a quick kiss and got up.  He sat up when I opened the door to let myself out and cried for about 1 minute and that was it!!  No long goodnight, no banging on the door, almost like back to normal!  Hope it is not a fluke and he just just adjusting to the new bed! :)  So proud of my little man!!!

Labor Day!

Thankfully no labor here....but definitely in the home stretch with just over a month to go!

We started our morning off by heading to the mall for some new shoes.  In the last week or so we noticed poor Z's toes were to the end of his shoes and just now finally made it out for shopping.  We went to Stride Rite and I know they are expensive, but when the boy only wears 2 pair really I think they are worth it.  His last pairs lasted like 10 months and if it was not for them being outgrown, they are still in good shape!  Any how, we got a pair of tennis shoes and a pair of brown dress tennis shoes so we are set.  I think Z liked them too as once they were on and he had walked around for me, he went straight to his stroller and climbed in, ready to go!  :)

We decided to cruise the mall to burn off some energy too.  It was the first time we really let him just out and walking.  I know, sounds silly, but always makes me a little nervous.  But he was so good!    He walked just along side the stroller in between Matt and I.  Definitely looking like a bog boy walking along in his size 8 shoes!!  We headed to the indoor play area as our final stop.  It was pretty crowded obviously but Z enjoyed the slides and climbing around.  Saw a fight break out practically between 2 little boys....that was interesting.  They were probably about 3?  Both were playing with this moving toy thing on the wall and started pushing/wrestling over it and then after one shoved the other...the other rared back and hit the other!  Of course, neither one's parents were close OR paying attention.  It was a very awkward sight to witness.  The boy was fine but cried and it was definitely not a good situation.  When Z finished playing and we were headed out...we noticed the mom of the one boy lecturing the other parent...perhaps if either had been paying attention to begin with it would not have happened?!?

Anyway, good morning and tired the Z Man out.  We went up to his room and of course he didn't want to lay down.  I finally just left, and amazingly, only about 2 minutes of fussing and then quiet?  I guess that really is the trick.  I just need to leave and let him do it himself.  He has been quiet for over an hour already so so far so good!!  Perhaps he is getting the hang of this!!  Hopefully tonight will go better too!

I am off tomorrow as well to make up for today's holiday...think we may head to the zoo in the morning so burn off some energy and check up on the animals!  Hope everyone is having a good long Labor Day weekend!

3 and 4

Well last night was tough, mom was babysitting while we went to Jeff and Kelley's housewarming/wedding celebration.  We got home around 9 and grandma had been trying since around 8:15 to get him to bed.  He was just crying and so I went in and rubbed his back and he actually fell asleep in about 10-15 minutes.  Only negative was he was up early at 7am even with staying up late.  So I will say day 3 was a draw.

Today was definitely mixed.  Nap time was blah.  He would NOT lay in the bed for nap time.  He some how actually climbed into the crib.  I by this time had to take a potty break so I left the room while he was crying in the crib and he decided to fall asleep for 2.5 hours.  Much needed but still frustrated that it was not in the bed... :(  

My parents came over tonight and we took the crib apart.  Zach actually didn't seem to mind it being gone so that was good.  When it was finally bed time, the Z acts like he is excited about bed, goes over to bed, etc etc etc but just will not lay down and go to sleep.  After being in there for over 30+ minutes, I decided I just needed to leave.  He cried and banged on the door for about 5 minutes...and that was it?  I haven't gotten the nerve to open the door and see if he went into bed or not, BUT I am hopeful!  I will call today a draw again too and pray that tomorrow goes better and know that I just need to leave and let him be!!

Toddler Bed...continued

Night 2- Win Mommy!

Matt said when he got up to Z's room this morning, the light was on (it's a touch base) and Zach was out of the crib again, so I decided we needed to keep on our plan to work on the "big boy" bed.

Since we didn't have time to take the crib down and move it to the other room tonight, I decided to just clean it out instead.  Bumpers out, toys and books out, all blankies out.  We did our usual bed time procedures...bath, read books, etc and then said time to lie down in the big boy bed.  He went over to the crib and I told him it was broken but the big boy bed was perfect for sleeping!  OK, maybe its wrong to say the bed is broken but it seemed to kind of work.  I rubbed his back while in bed for a few minutes and thought he was settling down and then he got frisky again and wanted to play on the bed.  I told him it was night night time and mommy was leaving and gave him a kiss and went out.  He cried and banged on the door for about 10 minutes and then it stopped?  I was pretty sure he was he sleeping on the floor or on the diaper changing pad that he pulled off the table but decided to let it be since it was quiet.  I finally got the nerve to go in after an hour or so and I was sure that he was asleep....and he was laying in his bed!!!  WOOHOO!  Go mommy!  Matt wasn't sure my efforts would pay off or not tonight as he tried for over an hour to get Z to nap in the bed to no avail.  But tonight it worked!

Now to see if Grandma can handle it tomorrow night when she is watching the Z Man....

Operation Toddler bed continues!!

Operation Toddler Bed

Night 1- win to Zach. 

Last night Zach woke up around 4am.  When I opened the door to his room, he was in mid hang.  All it took was the one fall the first time he got out and now he has mastered it.  Swing one leg over, balance in the middle, throw both legs down and hang...and drop.  Easy Peasy.  and crazy to watch.  Anyhow...after seeing he is now climbing out at night and not just when he is mad during timeout, we decided to put together the toddler bed Roxanne loaned us today.  We just put it in the room with the crib and he seemed all excited about it!  Put all his blankies in it, toys, etc.  Kept laying down and pulling his blankets up on him, so I thought, hey, this may be easy?  

At bed time, we did our usual process and then he climbed into the new bed so I was thinking, so far so good!  But as soon as I shut the door, he was out and the crying and banging on the door began!  He rarely cries when we leave him at night so this is definitely out of the ordinary.  I let him go for about 10 min and he seemed to have quieted and then it started again.  I finally went up to check on him and when I opened the door, he had the lamp turned on, diapers everywhere and all his books out.  We patted for me to sit in the glider so I quickly picked up and turned the light out to sit in the chair and he climbed right up.  We sat for about 5 minutes and then I said, "are you ready for bed?" and he got off my lap and walked right up to the crib.  I caved and put him in and he went right to sleep....Win 1 for Z.

So, I read some of your comments on facebook.  Looks like we need to get the crib out of the room and plan to sleep a few nights possibly in there with him....and plan for a tough couple of nights in the beginning.  I wonder if maybe he isn't ready for the bed, but at the same time, I don't like the thought of him jumping out in the middle of the night.  Any more thoughts???

Last note, Mark update.  I was paranoid today after a couple of days of what seemed like in my mind a noticeable decrease in movement.  I called in this morning and they had me come in for a non-stress test.  All is perfectly well and he could just be running out of room or I have just been too stressed to be paying real attention to the movements.  I felt a little silly but my doc was very sweet and reassured me that is what they are there for and always better safe than sorry.  I definitely feel better and also enjoyed the 30 minutes of just laying there and listening to his heart beat.  

Ok, that is long enough for now.  Ill let you know how Operation Toddler Bed goes tomorrow night!