First Time Bowling!

I signed the kids up for the kids bowl free program and we had our first try at it today! The kids get two free games all summer long (you just have to pay for shoe rental) and I think we'll get lots of use from it. The next time I might just plan on playing the one game as the two little ones lost interest after the first game. It took about an hour for the first game so I just put Owen's name and my name down for the second game and let Hannah and Noah play using my name when they felt like participating :) that made things much faster and we were still able to make it home for lunch and naps.

I wanted to take a picture of the score after the first game but I forgot :( I edited the players for the second game but didn't realize it would erase Hannah and Noah's score from the first game. I think Noah scored 40 something and Hannah's score was 27. The only accurate score was Owen's anyways, the rest of the scores were based on whoever felt like bowling at the time :)










Even though it looks like Noah doesn't have much strength behind his throw/push his ball always made it to the end and often he knocked pins down!






What a fun time we had today and we will likely be bowling again very soon!

Canada's Wonderland

We take the boys to Wonderland during the summer every year and we always have a blast! This time we decided to keep the day trip as a surprise because we thought if we told Owen beforehand he'd be too excited to fall asleep the night before :) Owen was really excited when we told him in the morning that we were taking them to Canada's Wonderland, Noah was excited too but I think he was just caught up in Owen's excitement.

We arrived at the park around 10am and didn't leave until 8:30pm. There is so much for them to see and do there, we never even left the kids park! and I think Owen made it on every ride this year. Noah went on most rides but also enjoyed just lounging in the stroller and watching everything around him. Even I went on some of the really tame rides like the swans and the train ride:)

Here are a few pictures from our day:

Think They Like Disney Much?

Here is a short video of how my kids react while watching our disney vacation video :) you can see that sweet Hannah has watched the video before and shares the same love of Disney. It makes me laugh how Noah starts talking in a high pitched squeal that I'm sure only I can understand. Obviously they love the stunt car show, plus the part when he and Hannah start slow dancing like Beauty and the Beast cracks me up. Hannah and Noah can act like an old married couple bickering one minute and dancing together the next. Oh and please ignore the part that he picks his nose :) apparently when you are two you don't care what is captured on video.

They still talk about their Disney vacation every day and I must admit that even though I wasn't a big Disney fan prior to our trip, I've gotten caught up in the Disney excitement myself. I find myself searching for the latest Disney vacation package deals even though I know we won't be able to go until the baby is a little older. Having kids sure does change you in many ways!

We've spent many hours already at local splash pads trying to beat the crazy summer heat! Owen sure does love the water and doesn't mind getting soaked one bit! Noah on the other hand prefers to get just close enough to feel the mist but hates to get really wet. Noah still loves the pool but isn't a fan of spraying water or getting his crocs wet :)





This is the "seriously do you NEED to take pictures of EVERY single thing" pose


This is the "ok fine...hurry up and take the picture" pose :)


Oh how I love that my "job" is spending more time with my boys:) I'm such a lucky mom! I'm going to have to repeat this often to myself as Owen doesn't need an afternoon nap anymore :(

Two weeks ago we attended sweet Ben's 3rd birthday party. My boys felt right at home as it was obvious that Ben shares the same love of trucks, tractors and diggers as my boys! Thanks for inviting us to your party Ben! we love spending time with you :)

The handsome birthday boy!


Noah could hardly believe his luck - someone was actually letting him ride on the tractor :) that doesn't happen often around our house.


Owen loved playing with the digger in the sandbox

32 Weeks

I got the results of my ultrasound yesterday, and it looks like everything is well with the baby! The fluid amount is good, the placenta has moved out of the way by 4cm, and the cervix is completely closed so the cramps haven't caused any real concern:)
My O.B did mention that I won't be having the largest baby in the world and thinks that he will end up being close to Noah's weight by delivery (Noah was 6lbs 7oz) maybe a little bigger. This week I am measuring at 31 weeks (1 week behind) and it is right on track to when I started to measure behind with Noah. Everything is still within the normal range - I think I just grow at a rate my body can handle. I'm hoping that as long as I am still growing and gaining weight (22 lbs so far) they won't need to send me for Non Stress tests later on.

32 Week belly pic

Ultrasound #3

My O.B wanted me to come in for an ultrasound this morning to check the position of the placenta and to see what may be causing the cramps. Gavin and I took Owen with us so that he could see the baby, and I think he enjoyed being able to see his baby brother kicking and squirming on screen. No pictures from today :( but we were able to confirm that it is a boy and he moves a crazy amount! he was constantly kicking, stretching, moving his head around, opening his mouth and blinking. He looked much more like a baby and is quite a bit bigger now. It was also confirmed today that he is head down - he still may move in and out of position but at least he's there for now! that has me feeling positive that the placenta has moved - I'm guessing it would be hard for a baby to be head down with the placenta in the way?

The O.B will have the results in a few days and I imagine if there is a problem I will hear about it soon, otherwise I I have another bi-weekly appointment next week and will learn the results of the ultrasound then. My O.B was concerned that the placenta may still be low and that could be causing the cramps. I'm still praying the placenta is out of the way and that I won't be needing a C-section but I will know more soon!

30 Weeks

Only 10 more weeks! I am seriously not ready, I have so many things to prepare for before the baby comes it's crazy - and none of the things are baby related! I know that everything will get done on time, it always does. I'm wondering now if it's the nesting urge...ahhhh just another thing to make the reality of another baby set in!

Last week I had a couple of nights that I woke up with heartburn - I didn't experience that with Noah. This week it seems to be increasingly worse and I've taken to sleeping propped up on a couple of pillows most nights, it seems to help things and I can get back to sleep. I caved this evening and bought some tums so now I'm prepared to take on the battle tonight! from what I've read it seems like this pregnancy symptom might be here for the remainder of the pregnancy.

I'm still having some cramps but haven't been able to count them like the O.B wanted me to. The cramps are like menstrual cramps but kind of constant and they last anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour. They also seem to happen when I'm in bed or sitting so I don't really think it's because I'm over-doing it. I've felt tightening like braxton hicks contractions - I had the same thing with Noah but these other cramps are definitely different. I'll mention it again at my appointment tomorrow and I'm also supposed to have another ultrasound at one point so maybe they'll do a more detailed exam and see what's going on.

The baby is still moving like crazy - I can't believe how strong he feels to me. I should try and get some video of my belly as he moves because there are times it looks likes he's trying to bust his way out of there!

I weighed myself tonight and it looks like I've gained another 3 pounds bringing the total up to 19 pounds. I'm thinking my weight gain is still on track and heading towards the 30 pound total I was expecting. My weight gain is also the same as when I was pregnant with Noah, maybe up a pound. I feel bigger this time around regardless of weight, maybe the heat has something to do with it. I've got my fingers crossed that August isn't record hot this year but I'm not holding my breath.


30 week belly pic

Today at the park a lady told me I had a "lovely belly" lol.


30 week pregnancy comparison pic - pregnant with Noah.

Soccer

We signed Owen up for soccer the minute the summer registration was open - we knew the field near our house always gets filled up first with enrollments and we wanted to make sure we could play close to home. Owen was excited to play his first game of soccer last week, but unfortunately the city closed the fields due to the rainy weather we had the week before. We were able to pick up Owen's uniform and then played at the park for a bit before heading home with a disappointed little boy.

The evening is split up into several soccer drills and a mini soccer game, similar to last years program only parents remain on the sidelines this time. I must admit it was nice to be able to sit and watch him play instead of having to run around, I'm really enjoying having a big kid now and watching him do things on his own.

Totally worth the money - the soccer uniforms on the little kids just make me so happy :) I just love how the uniform is still too big.


Owen stands like this all the time - I've noticed Noah standing with his hands behind his back now.


Every time Owen would get a goal I'd hear him say " I did it!" he's always looking for approval - he wanted to make sure his coach noticed he scored!






Noah would cheer Owen on saying "YAY Owen! kick the ball!"





It was fun to watch the kids play soccer - you could tell that they are so used to being told to wait their turn, share etc. as everyone was waiting for their turn with the ball instead of trying to get it away from the other players. So cute! there was only one incident when Owen tripped and fell and someone accidently stepped on his hand with cleats. He cried a bit and Gavin had to go out on the field to console him, but he was back in the game quickly. Gavin tried to explain that sometimes people get hurt playing sports and it's not intentional but I think Owen will be staying clear of that little boy for a while :)

Big Boy Bed

Noah is now sleeping in his big boy bed! he was really excited to have a bed just like Owen's and the new sleeping arrangement is going better than expected. We do find that it's been taking the boys longer to fall asleep and often we are returning one of them to their own bed as we keep finding them "hanging out" on each others beds, but for the most part it is going well :) Once they fall asleep we rarely hear from them until morning. We weren't sure when we should transition Noah out of his crib, but knew it should be before the new baby arrives so we decided last weekend to try it out.

28 Weeks

Last week I had my glucose test and a O.B appointment, luckily I was able to start my glucose test then go to my O.B appointment and return for the blood work. Of course it was the only time my O.B was running late and the one hour test turned into a two hour test, I'm so thankful that my mom cares for the kids while I have all of these appointments. I have another one at 30 weeks and then the bi-weekly appointments start - Yikes! it seems to be happening so fast this time around!. I mentioned the cramping I was having to the doctor and he was quite concerned about the frequency of the contractions. He told me to monitor how many contractions I was having an hour and if it was 6 or more to head to the hospital. While braxton hicks contractions can be more painful with each pregnancy, they shouldn't have been occurring as often as I was feeling them. He looked at my paperwork and mentioned that while having other kids at home it's hard to find time to rest but it's important to listen to my body and rest when needed to avoid going into preterm labour. I'm glad that the cramping has been better this week and I will do everything I can to avoid having this little one come earlier than August!
I was glad to have had the appointment when I did because just a few days earlier I came down with an awful flu and ended up losing 5lbs in one day! I was still up about 2 pounds by my appointment bringing my total weight gain so far 16 pounds. So far I am measuring right on and the doctor doesn't seem concerned with the weight or my size.

Welcome to Trimester 3!

26 Weeks

This past week I've had some cramping that I assume are Braxton Hicks contractions, but I don't remember them being painful when I was pregnant with Noah. I'll ask the O.B about them next week but they aren't really in a pattern nor are they intensifying so I don't think they are anything to worry about. It could also just be some "growing" pains as I think I've gotten a little bigger over the past couple of weeks.

Here is my 26 week belly pic



and a comparison pic of when I was pregnant with Noah


Yikes! did you notice the ticker is less than 100 days now? seems like the birth is just around the corner and we have a million things to get done first!

Water Lovin' Boys

Swim lessons this time around are going great, the boys are showing such confidence and truly love to be in the water! The difference a year has made in Owen's swimming is incredible. Last year he didn't like to get his entire face wet, he would blow bubbles in the water when asked but that would be about it. When jumping in the water he always tried to keep his head from going under, this year it's a different story! he has no problem jumping right in and will even go under the water to retrieve dive sticks from the bottom of the shallow end, he requires a bit of help to get to the bottom of the pool but we are so surprised he will even attempt to do that. We'll likely take a break from swim lessons during the summer months but plan to put Owen into his first non parented swim lessons in the fall.







Noah has the same instructor as Owen and they have their lessons back to back. He loves to be in the water and his favourite thing so far is to jump into the pool, whenever they are given a few minutes of free play Noah always chooses to practice jumping, most of the other kids want to play with the pool toys but not my boy! I love watching him count to three before he jumps in, he prefers someone to be holding his hands while he jump but has no problem with going under the water. One thing we find funny is that the boys have always practiced blowing bubbles in the bath tub so we know Noah can do it, but for some reason in the pool he tries to lick the water instead!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day this year and the boys were so sweet and well behaved it was perfect really. The morning started with Owen wishing me a Happy Mother's Day and telling me that I really love him that's why I'm his Mother :) sooo sweet and it took everything I had to fight back the tears. Then he finally caved and told me what my gift was (he didn't spill the secret all week until last minute)


Gavin had asked Owen what he wanted to get me for Mother's day and he said a stamp. Gavin thought it was kind of a strange gift for him to want to buy but he went along with the suggestion. As soon as I opened it I understood why Owen thought it would be great. Weeks ago we went to apply for Owen's SIN card and one of the office clerks had a hand stamp that Owen thought was great, he kept mentioning we didn't own one and I guess he never forgot!
Anyway the gift is perfect and is so my little boy. I'm looking forward to stamping some little love notes for his school lunches in the fall - I think he'll love little surprises like that.

Below is my Mother's Day card. gavin asked the boys a few questions and these are Owen's answers.



Noah's answers (some he actually answered on his own) I'm not sure who thought pudding was my favourite food though...


The boys took me out for breakfast and the rest of the day we spent together enjoying the great weather.

We think of Owen's birth parents often but especially on holidays such as these. We hope somehow his birth Mother knows just how much he is loved and is comforted by that.