Weird Weekend

So, we didn't really have any major plans this weekend, but it's been kindof a weird one. Friday I ended up with a migraine, which I've been having more often since I've been pregnant. I don't get that terrible a headache, but I get what they call an "aura," flashing lights and spotty vision, which is always a little disturbing, and then I just feel really tired. Gabe was in a good mood, thankfully, so it wasn't too bad. Then Saturday Dan had to work, so it was just the two of us again, and I was feeling sort of nauseaus (still having to take unisom and B6 occastionally - the first time around it was definitely gone by now). However, Gabe was NOT in a good mood. I'm not sure what's going on, but he wouldn't nap and was just acting really cranky and whiney. I think we are definitely getting a taste of the terrible twos! Then today I woke up with hives on my hands, forearms and knees....very strange and very itchy. I don't know what it is, but I took some Benadryl and it got a little better, but then it came back again around 6, so I took some more, which helped again, but now I'm feeling itchy again! I have no idea what it is. I also got another migraine today! Grrrr....Gabe also in a sortof cranky mood again today, but not as bad as yesterday. I've given him a dose of Tylenol today and yesterday and that seems to help, so maybe it's the molars, but I think we're just getting into that tantrum stage a little bit. Dan was at the dentist Thursday and she said when her little girl turned two it was like she woke up one morning as a different child....I hope that doesn't happen! He didn't want to nap again, so we took him for a ride (that's what we did yesterday, too) to give ourselves a break and we went to Costco. I stayed in the car while Dan went in and he slept the whole time, thankfully. Hopefully this will all pass soon. I'm just feeling a little stressed with all that needs to be done before I go to France and all I need to do to prepare for his b-day party, etc. and I feel like I didn't get anything done this weekend!

Anyway, sorry for the long winded, venting post....it was just one of those days / weekend! I can't complain, though. I know these are relatively minor mishaps! Hope everyone else had good weekend!

Counting and Talking

Gabe's been talking a ton lately, and starting to use more three and even four word phrases. He's really like a little parrot lately. Yesterday we were just sitting on the floor and talking and I say "how are you today?" to which he replied, clear as day, "fine." I got that on this video. He's also been counting a lot; we count with him as we go up the stairs and he can say most of the numbers between one and ten. When he counts on his own, though, he usually counts out of order (as you'll see in this video). Excuse the first few seconds of the video (and the shots of the messy kitchen)...I was trying to sneak the video because sometimes when he sees the camera he just wants to play with the camera (also evidenced in the video :-). He's saying "s" more and has been saying things like "I see it!" and "I found it!" He also says "oh my!" all the time...it's one of his favorite phrases. I have a couple more talking videos I'll try to get up.

Swimming

Here are a few pics of Gabe's swimming and bathing adventures this weekend. He was definitely a little tentative at the pool; it took us a while to get him to go in with Daddy, but once he did he had a lot of fun. We had to pick up some swim trunks at Wal-Mart there because the ones from last summer are packed away and probably too small. We also had a fun bubble bath in the big jacuzzi tub, which he loved. If only we had one of those at home!

Valpo

This weekend we ended up to going to Valparaiso, Indiana to see my sister's team play there. My sister actually got us a room at the Courtyard where the team was staying and since they book so many rooms, she even got us a free upgrade to a suite with a jacuzzi (thanks, Beck!). So we went in Friday evening and checked in and had dinner with the team. Dinner was at 8, so Gabe didn't go to bed until 10:30! He did really well though and he was glad to see his Aunt B. My mom's sister lives in Valpo, so my mom, grandma, a couple of my aunts and cousin were also there staying with her. We all went to the game Saturday. They lost, but we still had lots of fun seeing Beck in action. Here are a few pics from our mini weekend getaway. I'll post some more of Gabe in the pool and jacuzzi (I can't figure out how to post more than 5 at a time?).

Our Second Boy

As a proud dad, I figured I'd make this post with a couple pics of the new baby.

Leave comments with ideas for names...if we get some that we like, we'll have an on-line poll to pick the winner...well, maybe not pick the winne, but it will be fun anyway.

We decided not to upload the 4D pics...they're kinda weird looking.

Dan

And the baby is....

.....A BOY! A little brother for Gabie. :-) We had our 20 week ultrasound this morning and she had no problem identifying the gender! We're very excited. I think everyone is surprised because almost everyone thought it was girl, including me! However, I felt that way the first time around, so I figured it was probably a boy again. :-) This will be nice because we have all the boy stuff, etc. Dan is super excited as he was really hoping for another boy. We got some pictures on a CD, but they are ".avi" files, and I can't figure out how to upload them (any suggestions?). They also did some 4D shots, but the baby's face really wasn't in a good place to get a good face shot. It was still pretty cool to see, though! I think Dan and I both feel a little more connected now to this baby - it is so amazing to see the baby on screen and for me it just helps to know it's a boy and now I can't refer to "him" instead of "baby." So, there you have it! If I can figure out the pics, I'll get those up soon (though a lot of them she put on there are the "gender ID" shots - I'm sure no one wants to see 8 pictures of that!).

I'm going to.....France

That's not something I thought I'd be saying anytime soon. But, my dear friend Heather presented the opportunity to me in December. She was planning to go with a group of other moms from the organization she works for, Campus Crusade for Christ. Many of the other women bring friends and family, so she asked if I'd like to go. I had a number of hesitations, primarily being away from Gabe for 8 long days, and the fact that I'm pregnant, but with lots of support from Dan I've decided to take this opportunity. I really consider it the chance of a lifetime in many ways. I've always wanted to go to Europe, and I don't think Dan's desire is as strong, so it's a good chance for me to go and spend some quality time with Feather. We'll be visiting the staff that is on site for Campus Crusade in Toulouse to lend them some support and encouragement. My understanding is that we'll be helping them with their regular campus activities and outreaches and doing some of our own interaction with students. This will be a real growing experience for me and definitely a chance to strengthen my own faith - another reason I've decided to go. All in all I'm thrilled, but a little nervous. We leave March 11 and return March 19 (we'll be spending the last one or two nights in Paris). I'll keep you posted as I learn more! This pic is of Toulouse, I think of city hall. I need to do some reading up - all I know is that it's in the southern part of France, on a river between the Atlantic and Mediterranean.

More Pics from the Museum

It's been a fun day. We spent the morning at the museum at Navy Pier and then grabbed lunch. Gabe fell asleep in the car on the way home at about 12:45, made the transfer when we got home, and is still sleeping (I know he'll probably wake up before I finish this post...it's 3:35).

Here are a few more pics from our morning. He particularly loved the CTA bus, which sang his favorite "bus" song when you pushed a certain button. And Mamow makes a good driver.

Still sleeping...

Bowling

My mom and I took Gabe to the Chicago Children's Musuem this morning to play for a while. I loved this video of him bowling. I guess if you've never bowled before, "knock the pins over with the ball" can mean anything you want it to!