35 Weeks

Just about 5 weeks to go and this little guy is still moving around all the time, putting pressure on my bladder and sciatic nerve, and even working on opening my hips. People who have known me for years tell me how big I am, while moms I don't know at all keep telling me how little I am. I guess it depends on your perspective whether I'm tiny or huge, but I certainly feel pregnant.

Today was very full with swim lessons, shopping, a play date, and an evening at the Hill Country Galleria where they had music, bounce houses, and a petting zoo to celebrate the 4th of July.

These days just walking around is exhausting. I imagine having 2 kids will be even more exhausting, so I should probably just get used to it. Of course, this sweet little girl is ready to pitch in and help. As you can see, she loves babies! She also loves sticking out her belly and posing... 

Melody

Aurora has two friends named Melody. Both are 4 years old and both recently went to go stay with their grandparents in Houston. One Melody is in her class at school AND in her swim class:

The other Melody is my friend Anne's daughter. We took the girls to see Brave today in 3D:

Aurora was more brave in the movie theatre than she was in swim class, but she certainly had fun playing with both friends this weekend (and clearly enjoyed her first 3D movie experience!). Temps are already in the 100's here so I was happy to have a few good indoor activities on the calendar...

Wordless Wednesday

You Rock, Dad!

On Friday Aurora brought home a gift she'd made for Chuck. When he came home she shouted "Daddy! I made you something at school! It's a..." Me: "Aurora, don't tell him what it is!" Aurora: "Okay, I won't tell you what it is, but (whispering) it will keep your papers from blowing away in the wind." Miss Brittany told me that it was painted yellow because "that's Mommy's favorite color." Obviously, Aurora's got this whole Father's Day thing figured out.

We baked cookies, took Chuck out to a nice lunch, went to the movies (Madagascar 3), and took a long nap. We should've also called our dads and sent cards in the mail. If only we could share the cookies (and hugs) with all the dads in our lives. Happy Father's Day... we love you and you all ROCK!!!

B is for Baby Boy...

And Big Sister! In just a few short weeks my friend Amelia is throwing our family a baby shower to celebrate both. The invite was sent out via facebook but I wanted to post it here as well. If you're a loyal blog follower and would like to come, you're invited! Please just RSVP here.

Grandma Nancy already bought us a new car seat (thank you!!!), and we have tons of clothes thanks to friends with little boys and stuff we saved from when Aurora was a baby, so we've just registered for diapers, wipes, and a few essentials we didn't have or save from our first baby. I'm mostly just looking forward to having everybody over for a party! 

Lessons

This weekend we took Aurora to her first swim lesson at Nitro, a huge new indoor pool facility not far from our house. They have a pretty cool system where kids start at level 1, then depending on skill can move up at their own pace.

In order to pass level 1, kids have to put their heads and ears underwater for 5 seconds. She liked wearing goggles, but in general this was scary and really not so fun for our girl. Her instructor said she was brave and I think next week she'll be at level 2. They just started doing free swim twice a week at her school too, so she'll be getting plenty of pool time.

The more fun and exciting lessons that she learned this weekend happened during our "sibling tour" of St. David's Hospital, where baby brother will be born. It was actually really cool, as we spent the majority of our time in the exact room where Aurora was born!

They showed us all around the maternity ward (including the nursery where we got to see a really cute newborn baby girl), and taught the big siblings how to diaper and swaddle. Aurora got to take home a goodie bag with a baby blanket, cap, diaper, bottle, and more. As soon as we got home she wanted to play doctor and pretended she had just had a baby...

We're 32 weeks along now so this will really be happening before we know it! Well, except for the part about Aurora having the baby. Let's give that another 20-30 years.

Not what you expected...

31 Weeks

It's June, which means baby #2 has just 2-months to go before we hit full term and our little family of three becomes a big hectic family of four. I have to say that this pregnancy has been just a little harder than I remember my first pregnancy being. Maybe it's just my memory? He moves and kicks a ton and my belly feels tighter and heavier. I'm having a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions and pressure as well as low-back pain, which makes doing yoga and even walking pretty uncomfortable. I may try a different yoga class, start using the exercise bike, or just take it easy for a few months.

I'm having a bit of frustration surrounding my bi-weekly OB appointments. Last time I had to wait a full hour before my doctor saw me, and today it took 40 minutes and me telling them that I had to leave. I think it's because we changed my appointments to Mondays, so hopefully changing the day of the week will help. Regardless, baby and I are both doing great. I've passed all my tests, my blood pressure remains low and I have no swelling. His heart rate is always in the 140's, and today my belly measured 31 cm right at 31 weeks pregnant! Perfect.

Chuck's been so helpful and Aurora really is the sweetest thing. She loves talking to my belly and continues to say things like "baby brother, I will always love you!" As much harder as I feel like this has been physically, I don't have much time to stop and take notice. Work is busy and there's never a dull moment when you have a 4-year old. This weekend was the summer reading kick-off at our local library, complete with a clown, magician, games, balloon animals, arts and crafts, and miniature horses. Here's a cute picture of Aurora with our neighbor Sydney wearing masks they decorated:

I'm so used to having a big girl that I feel like it will be a huge adjustment bringing home a newborn baby boy. I've been re-reading all my baby books and am feeling pretty confident. Still, any advice from the other parents out there would be much appreciated! 

Dance Recital

I know I promised a video, but the theater was so dark and the stage was so light that my little camera didn't really take the best video. I'd post it anyway, but it looks like next month we'll be getting a copy of the recital on DVD so I think I might just try to share it then. I will tell you that Aurora had a great time. She loved getting into costume and having Bailey do her hair.

She loved spending time with all her little friends - before, during, and after the performance. While they didn't get all the moves right, they were all so cute, confident and happy on stage.

And she was such a good girl during our special dinner afterwards with Bailey & Laura. She enjoyed spaghetti, bread, and just about all the parmesan cheese she could get out of the shaker.

Aurora kept telling us how gorgeous she felt in her costume and how surprised her dance teacher would be that her hair was in such a good bun. It's true, we don't usually spend much time on her hair! She also picked out our outfits and told Chuck he looked gorgeous (gorgeous man not pictured). All in all, a very fun day. I'm sure she'll miss dance now that the season is over, but next week we start SWIM! Two months of swim lessons before her next big extra-curricular activity begins...

Rehearsal

Aurora's been taking dance at school since August, and this weekend her lessons are coming to an end. The big recital is Saturday evening and tonight was the dress rehearsal. It was so cute seeing her whole class dressed up in their leopard print outfits, excitedly watching the other classes practice their moves. It was even cuter once our girls took the stage! 

I'm sure we'll be posting video of the main event, so let's just call this your sneak peak. At the rehearsal we also got to see the official dance photos. The group picture didn't turn out very good, but Aurora's individual shots are kind of awesome. Look at that smile!

Yes, this is the same company that used to take her "mug shots." I won't be purchasing a set, but I'm sure glad to have this copy for the blog.

Holiday Colors

Aurora's been so excited about having a holiday weekend, but teaching her what Memorial Day is all about has proven to be a little tricky, mostly because the first question she asked was "What colors do we wear for Memorial Day?" We certainly do a good job of getting kids to associate holidays with colors and festivities! I tried explaining the true purpose of Memorial Day and she got it - asking questions like "Where do wars happen?" Of course, in practice this has just been a regular weekend filled with laundry, errands, and a fun 4th birthday party complete with a hammock and balloon animals made by Silly Sparkles the Clown:

We don't have any big plans for tomorrow. I missed yoga this weekend and Aurora's been asking why we haven't been going to the gym (she likes the kid's club), so I think I'll try getting a light workout in the morning. We'll clean the house and might get to watch the Bachelorette with our friend Amelia. Speaking of Amelia, the pictures from her wedding just came in and there were a couple of shots from her photo booth that I just love! I wasn't really supposed to take screen shots, but seriously:

So, are you wearing special colors or doing anything fun to celebrate Memorial Day? I hear we can start wearing white now...

School Pictures

Even though we just got Aurora's 4-year photos, I have really been looking forward to seeing her school pictures. The main reason I've been so excited is because I sent her to school that morning with an adorable new outfit and awesome hairstyle. Her hair was scrunched up curly with bangs off to the side in a clip, all hair-sprayed in place. She came home that evening with messy hair and a new comb, but I didn't think anything of it. Turns out, the photographer took out the clip and combed her hair! Of course she still looks great, but her hair didn't turn out quite as cute as I'd imagined...

At least it gives me an excuse not to purchase the photos. I mean, that and I did just buy and sent out all her 4-year photos. Right? They also put together a class composite photo, and I have to say - her little classmates are pretty adorable. Her teachers are Ms. Brittany and Ms. Jasmine.