20 Weeks & 20 Months

20 Weeks

Half way!  This is just flying by.  I had my 20 week appointment with Dr T on Tuesday and all seems well so far.  The heartbeat sounded great and I am measuring right on schedule.  I asked him if he thinks if this baby will be bigger then Austin was and he said as of now no.  Of course things can change, but there is hope.  I can handle another 9 pounder, but for some reason the double digits are a bit frightening.  Dr T really wants me to schedule an induction in my 39th week, but at this point I really don't want to.  While inductions are not the worst thing, I am really hoping to go into labor on my own so I know my body and baby are ready to go.  I know that my doctor has my best interest in mind so I will try to work with him as best as I can.

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +11 according to the doctor.  Really I think +14 since I gained a few before my first appointment.  Less then last time so far, but the cookies, donuts, and pizza aren't helping.  Meanwhile the two ladies up top are getting huge. 

Maternity Clothes? All maternity pants and dresses.  Most shirts.

Stretch Marks? No

Sleep? Waking up every morning between 5:30-6am with heartburn.  Lovely!

Best moment this week: Austin has started hugging my tummy and saying baby.  He also pushes on my belly button like hello baby.  I think he is noticing something is different.  Also we found out we are having a boy so I have begun looking at nursery decor and furniture.  No luck yet.

Food Cravings: Meat aversion is pretty much gone although I still prefer veggies and fruit.  I am really craving Maryland crabs! 

Gender: Boy! 

Belly Button in or out? In

What I am looking forward to:  Starting to decorate and continuing to get more energy back. 

20 Months

Austin is turning into more and more of a toddler every day.  I am still in denial that he will be 2 years old in just 4 months.  He has so much energy and every day I try to find activities that will wear him out.  He loves to be outside so this weather has been perfect.  We spend many afternoons playing in the backyard with bubbles, chalk, the hose, on our swing set, playing basketball and tee ball, and riding bikes.  Did I mention this kid loves to swing.  He will swing for 30 minutes and be perfectly happy.  Kind of ironic since he hated the swing as a newborn.  When we leave the house you can usually find us at Frying Pan Park (the farm), the playground, gymboree, or at playdates.  We still go on errands and shop, but I have to make sure he is good and worn out and of course a lollipop always buys me extra time.  I would have to say that lollipops and popsicles are at the top of Austin's list of favorite foods.  He is slightly obsessed.  He will still eat pretty much everything we give him, but my boy likes his sweets like his mommy.  If there is ever a food that he isn't so fond of we just give him ketchup to dip it in and all is good.  He loves it!  These past few months Austin has really turned into a sponge.  He mimics what we say and do.  He loves to be a helper around the house and do grown up stuff.  Unpacking the dishwasher, helping daddy in the yard, helping to clean up toys, pulling laundry out of the dryer, and carrying the grocery bags in the house.  I am totally guessing but I think Austin probably has about 20-30 words now.  Some he will just say on his own and a lot of stuff he repeats what we are saying.  Here are a few of the most common ones we hear:

All animal sounds, Some Colors, Ew, Ucky, Mama, Dada, Gaga, Food, Pee Pee, Poop, Hot, Help, Baba (his drink), Outside, Bubbles (with such excitement), Pop, Car, Play, Club (mickey mouse), Elmo, Pockle (popsicle), Baby, More, Cookie, Acker (cracker), Two, Go, Me, Pease (please) and Ank You (thank you).  He has started putting together very simple 2 word sentences which is cool.  We also hear a lot of words that we don't understand and we say that Austin speaks Russian at times.  One word I left off of the list is No. That is a favorite as well, even if he means yes.  It can be frustrating at times, but I try to keep in mind that sometimes there is a communication barrier which leads to tantrums.  We have started using a time out chair, but to tell you the truth we need to make it more of a habit.  Discipline is not my strong point and something I am trying to work on.  Luckily he is a pretty well behaved kid, but we all have our moments I guess.  Every night before Austin goes to bed he has a routine where he has to say goodnight to his monkeys and hippo money bank, and then then the three of us give lots of kisses and hugs.  He loves when Jeff and I kiss and he pulls us together so we keep doing it.  He just laughs and then he wants us to kiss him.  Every night I think how lucky I am to have such a happy, loving, and healthy kid.  Yes being a mom is a lot of work and it challenges me in way I never knew possible, but this is what it's all about. 

Daddy's hat

                                                  morning cuddles.  love.