A New Bike

Finn has had a push bike that he has loved since he was 1 year-old, but lately his knees are actually starting to drag as he rides it around. It was definitely time to get a new bike and add on some pedals. It is going to be a wonderful thing to have this summer and I can just wrap up Peapod and walk with Finn as he rides. At the store, Finn picked right up on pedaling and when we got it home he was so proud to go out riding!
He kept stopping to see how the pedals work:
He happily wears his helmet:
And he's off:

C'mon and catch me:

39 Weeks

Never fear, the big belly is still here:

My 39 week appointment was pretty standard. Belly is measuring at about 37 cm, about the same as last week. I actually saw a very quirky OB this time and he said he didn't think it was going to be a really big baby, hazarding a guess in the 7 lb range. I don't know how accurate that could be just based on checking out my belly, but I am willing to believe!

Bubbles made it here this week and she has been a huge help! She and Finn are wearing each other out. Finn wants her all to himself, sometimes telling me to "Go away, Mama, playing with Bubbles." I was thinking that I would be ready for Peapod to come anytime after Bubbles got here, but this weekend I managed to break our washing machine with a lot of laundry yet to be done. So, repair man is coming on Thursday. Fingers are crossed that it is a quick fix and we can get everything re-organized (there is now a dryer sitting in the middle of my bedroom with stuff everywhere). Then, I will feel more ready to welcome Peapod! It is crazy getting to this stage and just not knowing if it is going to happen tonight or two weeks from now! Ah, the anticipation.

Happy Easter!

On Easter Sunday, Finn woke up and was thrilled to find his an Easter basket and eggs hidden around the house by the Easter bunny. He was so happy to find each egg and exclaimed with delight, "Mama, I found a blue one" and "Mama, I found a yellow" and so on. He doesn't rush to find all the eggs either. He carefully gets each one and opens it. It was difficult to convince him that he had to save some of the treats for later. After the egg hunt, we enjoyed blueberry pancakes and then a beautiful spring walk with Lily. Then, we all donned our Sunday best to head to church. We were in the best of moods and even Finn was very excited about going, and we were very proud of ourselves for getting everything together and getting out the door on time. When we drove into Concord, we were happily striding to the church, only to be stopped by a sign noting that Easter service was at 9am rather than the usual 10am thus despite all our efforts, we were actually an hour late! Then, we felt too guilty to skip the service and attend the egg hut, so we ended up walking to a little rock garden in the middle of down town and playing for a while before heading to lunch. In the end, it was still a wonderful day and we enjoyed our time as a family of three. I am finding it important to enjoy these days as we anticipate our growing family. Here are Finn and Sean dressed for spring:
Rocks are for big hops:
Cheese:
On the turtle:
The frog Easter basket:

Easter Cousins

Nana and Papa had a fun Easter bash and egg hunt on Saturday. All the cousins were inseparable. They all had to all sit together on the same bench for dinner and then they all cozied up for a movie in sleeping bags. Really sweet!

Easter Eggs!

Egg Hunt, Take 1

Finn enjoyed the first of several Easter celebrations today. We had the 3rd annual Mom's Group Easter Egg Hunt today. Finn was more interested in running around and playing trucks in the yard than actually searching for eggs, but he had a good time. Then, the older kiddos shared some eggs and when Finn realized they had treats inside, he was much more into the process.

We have a really fun group of kids, although getting them to all pose for a picture is not easy :)

Rock Painting

Finn and I have been painting rocks to act as labels for our garden. He paints them beautifully, and then I add the label with a permanent marker. He loves the project so much, we have painted rocks three times in the last week. It is going to be a very colorful garden!

Breaking Ground in the Orchard

One of Sean's big plans for our land includes an apple orchard filled with cider varieties. We got a Fedco shipment this spring with a Golden Russet and a Kingston Black to add to the Esopus Spitzenburg he planted last year. Finn is always a big helper in the garden and loves to dig:


Finn also could not be more excited about finding worms!

38 Weeks

I know I will really appreciate these belly pictures some day, so I keep taking them. Right now, I am a bit horrified by the expansion! I am ready to have my body back, but I know it will be awhile yet before I get back to normal. We are getting more and more prepared to welcome Peapod into the family, but still have plenty to do before I feel ready on an organizational level. I am so excited to meet this new person who will join our family, but it also seems so surreal that it is going to happen really soon! Such a wild thing to wrap my head around. I had my weekly check up today and all is looking great still. Good blood pressure, measuring on target, and despite the obvious belly growth, no weight change. I must say it was nice to see that number stay steady for now. All in all, my midwife said we are just in baby-waiting mode now. So, on that note, here is the baby bingo board with the players to date. If you want to get in last minute, comment in the next couple of days!

Footloose!

I have a love of the song "Footloose" and really fond memories of watching the movie when I was young. So, sometimes when we need to get some energy out, I crank Footloose, and Finn does not disappoint in his dance moves! Enjoy:

Baby Bingo!

Well, at 37 weeks, we have now made it to full term and Peapod could arrive at any time. So, let's have some fun and gamble a bit. I borrowed this idea from a good friend of mine who just had a baby. She set up a baby bingo board that included birth week, sex, and weight. I figured I would simplify a bit a just include birth date and sex. So, here it is. You get to pick a square, any square. When do you think Peapod will arrive and will kiddo be a boy or a girl? The winner of bingo will receive a bona fide prize, so wager carefully! Statistically (see below) most babies are born in the week before or the week after the estimated due date, so I have included specific days for those weeks. But, babies born anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full term, thus I have included those weeks as well. To place your guess, you must put a comment in this blog post. I know lots of you read the blog, but never comment, so to do so, just click on the comment link at the bottom of the post. Put in your guess, and enter the word verification. You then have to choose an identity. If you don't have a google account, just choose "anonymous" and make sure you include your name in the comment. I will update in a week with everyone's guesses. Only one guess per square, first comment gets the square!


To make sure you have all the information when guessing, here are some statistics and some old wives tales to determine sex. All very scientific!

The Calculating Due Dates page shows a bar graph with these percentages of babies born over the last weeks of pregnancy:

37 weeks: 5%
38-39 weeks: 10%
39-40 weeks: 20%
40-41 weeks: 35%
41-42 weeks: 20%
Over 42 weeks: 10%

For what its worth, Finn was born at 40 weeks, 3 days. Sean is pretty sure we are having a girl and that I will go into labor before my due date. I am of the opposite mind thinking it is a boy and we will go past the due date! Finn alternates between saying he will have a brother or a sister!

Here’s a list of pregnancy old wives tales I found online:

Old Wives Tale #1: Heart Rate

If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl. If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy. Peapod has consistently been above 140 = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #2: Shape of Belly

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl. If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy. I guess you can decide, but I think it is big and round = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #3: Ring Test

Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly. You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle. Circle = BOY

Old Wives Tale #4: Shape of Mom’s Face

When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl. If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy. Sadly, in the last few weeks, my face has definitely gotten rounder with some lovely last minute weight gain = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #5: Key Test

This test involves a key. If you pick up a key at the top (the roundest part), you are going to have a boy. If you pick up the key at the bottom (smallest part), you are going to have a girl. If you happen to grab the key in the middle, congrats, it’s twins! I always pick up keys from the top = BOY

Old Wives Tale #6: Mayan Tale

The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception. If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl. If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way! According to this, we are having a girl. For us, the number is even = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #7: Acne

If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones. For the most part, I have had nice clear skin = BOY

Old Wives Tale #8: Cravings

People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy. If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl. Overall, the navel oranges have been my most prevalent and consistent craving = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #9: Smell of Garlic

If a pregnant woman eats a clove of garlic and the smell does not come out of her pores, it’s a girl. If the smell seeps out of her pores, it’s a boy. I haven't actually eaten a raw clove of garlic, but when I do have it in food, I don't think I smell like it! = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #10: Skin under Left Eye

The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye. If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl. This is weird, but I don't think I have this = BOY

Old Wives Tale #11: Previous Kids

This tale only applies if you have had previous kids. If you have and that child’s first word was momma, you will have a girl. If your first child’s first word was dadda, you’ll have a boy. I am pretty sure Finn said a variation of Daddy first = BOY

Old Wives Tale #12: Legs

If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy. If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl. I think it’s too early for me to tell on this one. As much as I want to say they are in shape, I fear the tree trunks of thighs I have developed = BOY

Old Wives Tale #13: Moodiness and a Little Pecker

If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you. Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you. Moody! = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #14: Bread

If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy. If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl. I have actually been cutting from the middle of bread = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #15: Chinese Gender Chart

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%. It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived. For me, Chinese Gender Chart = BOY

Old Wives Tale #16: Mom’s Beauty

Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy. It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty. If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy. Another tough one, you can decide for yourselves, but never tell me if you think "girl" for this one :) For me, I am going to say BOY

Old Wives Tale #17: Dream of Sex of Baby

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl. If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy. Dreams show the opposite of what you are having. All my dreams have been boy = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #18: Clumsy vs. Graceful

If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl. If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy. Definitely clumsy = BOY

Old Wives Tale #19: Side You Most Rest On

If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy. If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl. I prefer my right side lately = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #20: Hands

When the pregnant woman is asked to show her hands, it’s a boy if she keeps her palms down and a girl if she shows her palms up. I go palms up = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #21: Dad’s Weight Gain

If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl. If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy. Sean is as trim as ever = BOY

Old Wives Tale #22: What Do You Think?

71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having. I think BOY!

Old Wives Tale #23: Morning Sickness

If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy. If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. Easy pregnancy with no sickness = BOY

Old Wives Tale #24: Protein

When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy. I have definitely been eating more meat than typical = BOY

Old Wives Tale #25: Feet

Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant? If so, you just might be having a boy. If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl. Considering I was pregnant throughout a chilly winter, I don't know how accurate this can be, but my feet have been cold = BOY

Old Wives Tale #26: Hair on Legs

If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy. Nope = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #27: Hands are Dry

If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy. Yes = BOY

Old Wives Tale #28: Nose

Do you feel like your nose is growing and getting wider? If so, you might be having a boy. Please say no = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #29: Headaches

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. Nope = GIRL

Old Wives Tale #30: Baby Names

It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby. We agreed on our girl name first, but I have been dead set on a boy name so this one is a toss up. I guess we will say GIRL.

So, that gives us 15 for boy and 15 for girl on the Old Wives Tales. Hmm, that is what? 50/50? Pretty close to biological odds of having either sex :)

Good luck in guessing!

36 Weeks

Holy big belly!



Well, its the final stretch (pun most definitely intended!). The belly is most obviously quite big. The belly button has popped, and I even have a couple of stretch marks. I know they aren't bad, but I didn't get any with Finn, so I was a little surprised when I saw them. I am really running out of clothes that fit, especially since the weather is still cold. As you can see from the pictures, I have taken to stealing Sean's shirts when I am at home and just looking for comfort.

I had my 36 week check up today. I saw a new midwife who is filling in while another midwife is on maternity leave. She was very nice, but she made some "big baby" comments. For instance, she noted that at this point, we have passed the pre-term labor thus if I went into labor now, they wouldn't try to stop it. She mentioned that babies born at this age typically do very well, they are just small and have trouble regulating temperature. But then she looked at me and said, but not this baby! Awesome. I am measuring a week ahead now, although I always did with Finn and those measurements are highly variable. She said that on paper it looked like I was having a perfect pregnancy and everything looks great. We are just in "waiting for baby" mode now. I will be going to weekly check ups from here on out.

I had a really wonderful baby shower/freezer stocking party this past weekend. I got some beautiful things for Peapod and everyone brought a freezer meal that I can just pull out and pop in the oven during those first few weeks where we are all getting to know each other and establish a routine. I am slowly starting to feel more prepared. Sean and I pulled down a lot of the newborn stuff from the attic and I am happy to start nesting. Although, trying to organize everything is a bit overwhelming. I have a good list started of the things we will need to get in the next couple of weeks, so at least I have a handle on it. I love lists!

I am full of anticipation right now. Who is this little person that is going to join our family? What will s/he look like? What kind of personality will s/he have? It is so exciting. I am also filled with some anxieties. What will this labor and delivery be like? How will breast feeding go? What will Finn think? How am I going to meet the needs of a 2 1/2 year-old and a newborn? Will I ever sleep again? I am trying to trust that it will all come together. I would love to hear from you second + time mamas. What was the most difficult thing about adding a second child to your family? What one piece of advice would you offer? What was the best thing?

Big Bed

In preparation for the new peapod addition, we found a twin bed for Finn. We actually got it on Craigslist. It was our first Craigslist purchase, and wow, it is great! I will never look elsewhere before checking Craigslist. We wanted a bed with drawers underneath to allow for storage of clothes. I love having a tiny house, but storage and organization are the constant challenges. So, we set up the bed so we could move Finn's clothes into the bed and open up some space to start getting out our newborn stuff. We are in no hurry to get Finn sleeping in the bed because Peapod will be in our room for quite awhile, but we figured it would be good to get him used to the bed being there and let him choose when to try it. He was SO EXCITED to help Sean put together his new "big brother" bed! After they got it together, he kept saying, "We made it, Daddy! We MADE it!" Too cute. We also picked out some sheets that have trucks and motorcycles on them which made it that much cooler. That night, we gave him the choice of where he wanted to sleep and he chose the big bed. He hadn't napped well that day and he fell right asleep in the big bed while Sean was reading him books. And he slept until 5am! WooHoo! The second night, he actually asked to sleep in his crib. The third night, he was back in his bed with a couple of wake ups, which is really the norm. He didn't get out of the bed though, he just called to us. And then, last night, he was in the big bed again. Unfortunately, he is suddenly battling quite the cold and he was up a couple of times. The second time that he called out to me, I stumbled my way to his room and it looked like he was on his way to scooting out of the bed. We will see how long it takes him to figure out he can get out on his own at night. Overall, I am surprised that he took to sleeping in it so quickly. I must say, it is nicer to go lay with him on the big bed in the middle of the night as opposed to sitting on the hard floor by his crib when he wakes up. He is still in awe of the bed and tells me everyday how he and his Dad made it. As you will see in the pictures, Lily has also embraced this as a wonderful place to sleep. Nothing like a labrador to seek out comfort!

Cooking with Daddy

As always, Finn is a big helper in the kitchen. Occasionally, on weekend mornings, Sean makes his specialty biscuits and Finn loves to help: