Baby Walti #3 – 24 weeks

Ahhh!  I cannot believe that we are already 6 months into this pregnancy!  I have told several people this, but I literally forget I am pregnant 90% of the time, except at night when I sit down and the little guy/gal starts to groove!

Looking pretty bump-tastic! 

(Seriously, get that girl some butt-implants!  and a haircut and color!)

I’m feeling great!  I think some of the night-time energy is starting to fade again, as Scott has caught me passed out at 8pm on the couch a few nights…I am anxious to see how my energy fluctuates with being at home with the kids all day rather than sitting at a desk.  I am excited to be more physically active during the day!

Jack asked the question of “how the baby gets out of my body” the other day and was kind of freaked out that it just came “out of my skin.”  To which I told him, no, it doesn’t happen like that.  He then replied “Oh, so you poop the baby out?”  I said “Well, buddy, actually it is kind of like that.”  He liked that answer, and he seemed a lot more at ease with it, so Honesty is the best policy around here! 

24 week stats

Weight Gained:  Not sure, probably around 10 lbs – I have my 3 hour glucose test on Monday and will find out.  I definitely don’t feel like I have gained as much weight this time around so far (gained 28 total with Jack and 26 with Emma), so that is good!

Movement:  Scott is now able to feel the baby move and I can see it from the outside – always so cool.  Movement is VERY LOW in my belly and always after my morning coffee or eating or the minute I sit down!

Side Effects:  I am not allergic to my wedding band this time around – so strange!  And my skin has not broken out at all, but is VERY dry. And I literally have NO bladder control – that is probably TMI, but so the truth.  I seriously may have to patch together Emma’s diapers soon…

Hunger/Cravings:  Salads (ranch dressing), Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter on apples (uh, delish), mac and cheese, pasta, goat cheese.  I am also VERY HUNGRY, think I am entering that big 7 month growth spurt

Energy Level:  8/10 – I just can’t slow down or sit down or I wont get back up – gotta keep moving at night until my “chores” are done!

Upcoming Fun:  Staying at home!  Lots of fun field trips planned, a trip to Indy for the Superbowl (go Giants, Baby Manning!), living in my comfy yoga pants and tank tops, new bras (uh, very necessary – it is scary, folks) and trying to slow down and enjoy this pregnancy (I already feel guilty for #3 that I haven’t had the time to really enjoy this little bundle yet – excited for more time to give some prenatal LOVE!)

I still LOVE being pregnant!

The End (or The Beginning)

Today is my last day at work! As excited as I truly am, there are some things that I will miss (not counting my awesome boss and the great ppl I work with):

1. Alone time! I really enjoy my 5 minute walk to the train, even in brisk weather. A good start to the day to be outside for a few minutes, especially with a hot coffee. And an 18 minute round trip car-free commute was awesome!

2). The luxury of being able to schedule my own doc appts and such during the day - cant do that with 3 kids in tow!

3). Daily Starbucks. My Keurig with Wild Blueberry coffee is a close second though....and paired with being in jammies and with Anne Curry, it's an easy trade.

4). Adult time! Looking forward to finding a Moms Group once we get into the swing of things!

5). Dressing up - I'm a little scared that my fashion sense and style will go to the wayside other than lululemon and Puma.

6). Recognition. I'll admit, I like the kudos for a job well done and the feeling if doing a great job with that feeling of accomplishment. I have a suspicion that Emma will not be shouting "Mom, way to go scrubbing that toilet, it's beautiful!" anytime soon.

7). The excitement that the kids show as I walk in the door at 5:30...Scott always says that he has to "gear himself up" for this energy right when we walk in the door, but it is the best part of our day. I'm a bit sad of how my relationship with the kiddos will change; I am now the rule-keeper, schedule-maker, enforcer - not the mm who they get a little break from and is mostly fun at night.

Overall, I am overjoyed and so grateful for the opportunity to be with my cuties every day and to witness their daily fun (and battles). Look forward to done funny stories ahead (and probably a little venting from me).

Let the ADVENTURE begin!


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Katie-Babe

Today is the last day that our wonderful, loving, and fun nanny Katie will be with our family.  She is basically all that Jack has known other than family as a care-giver and has been a member of our family (truly) for 2 1/2 years, since Jack was 19 months old and she is truly all that Emma has known since birth!  I am having a hard time even writing this without tears streaming down my face, as she has been such a huge part of Jack’s learning process, every day fun, and has taught him SOOOO much.  She has been a blessing to our family and someone we have been able to count on to love our kiddos every single day.

She and Jack hit it off from the first day in September 2009 and I truly believe that they are soul-mates in a lot of ways.  Emma is also in love with Katie, but especially is infatuated with her husband Pete…she will seriously need to have regularly scheduled cuddle time with her Peke-Man.

We will miss her bright smile bouncing into our home every day (she is much more of a morning person – or at least acts like it) than we are and the kids love it and also her calming disposition.  I will have to work on that! 

Katie never once hesitated to take the kids somewhere for a field trip, fun outing, or to the park; which I appreciate so much.  She truly embraces the great culture that we have by living in Chicago – my kids have probably been to many, many more museums, exhibits, parks, etc. than most 4 and 2 year olds and I really, really want to continue that once I am home.  Yes, it is very hard work and I’m sure very frustrating at times, but she made it work and we love her for it.

So…in honor of our Katie-Babe’s (Jack’s nickname for her") last day (full-time, she will definitely still be a big part of their lives), here is a “Top Ten” memories that Katie might have with her little mooshers, Buddy and Buggy:

10.  My kids “regularity” with #2 – Katie is amazed that they poop at the same time every day and how regular they are.

9.  The “Poop on the Wall” incident

8.  Jack’s amazing love of “Katie Projects” – she started art projects with him at 19 months and he truly loves them.  Emma…not so much yet…I will keep these creative and beautiful art projects forever!

7.  Bagel-Fridays at Chicago Bagel Authority and the “Sam Sunrise”

6.  Emmy’s yogurt-covered snuggles and undying love for Peke

5.  Fun field trips on the train to the Big Library, Field Museum to see Sue, the Zoo for popcorn and photo-booth photos, Whole Foods, Noodles & Co, among others

4.  “Katie Parties” – she made every holiday special with costumes, special treats, gifts, and more fun.  WAY better than any Preschool – “Katie School” ROCKS!

3.  “The Wedding” – Jack made the cutest ring bearer for the cutest couple and was up until 11pm trying to steal the show on the dance floor to “OMG”.

2.  “Bird, Bird, Bird is the the Word.”

1.  Hundreds of Hugs, Kisses, Tears, Laughs and Memories

We love you SOOO much, Katie and Scott and I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for our greatest gifts – our children – and the joy and love that you show them every day.

my new manta.

 

Love it. 

So Excited!  So Grateful!

Early Retirement…

Very excited to be writing this post and all the fun (and challenges) it brings – I am “retiring” in the next couple of weeks!  Looking forward to having my coffee with the kids at home, fun activities, playdates, and getting to witness every moment of our kiddos growing up. 

I have heard from many Stay-at-Home-Moms that they don’t regret this decision for a moment, that there are some very tough moments, and to not have too big of expectations from yourself.  I appreciate every bit of advice that I have gotten and am on the lookout for more!  Scott has been MORE than supportive and that goes further than I can say…I know that I am beyond blessed to be able to experience this and I am ever so grateful for his hard work and ability to make this a reality for our family – THANK YOU, Babe!

I have however, already been psychotically planning activities, play-dates, museum trips, etc. for February and March and almost have the calendar booked.  Serious OCD issues here.  I think we will stay pretty busy with Jack having school on T/R and then soccer on Fridays.  I am very much looking forward to having some alone time on those days with Emmy – I truly have not had very much of that and I think she really wants/needs it! 

So…expect more posts about our activities, our smiles, our triumphs, and probably a bit of me venting, too. 

And…I am SOOO far behind with Christmas, NYE, and baby posts.  Plan to work on that this weekend on our new iPad and my new DSLR (LOVE) – so excited for a new hobby!

We are having a rough week here at the Walti house – Emma and I are both crazy sick – I am going on day 7 of a terrible head cold and I took her to the doc last night for what I thought was an ear infection, but ended up being a bad cold like me and getting 3 eye teeth in…Many sleepless nights (I was watching “Max & Ruby” at 1am last night to calm her down), snuggles, and kids in our bed.  But, we are supposed to get 6”+ of snow today, so that will make for a fun weekend ahead!

**Can’t believe that Baby #3 is 22 weeks along today – I seriously forget that I am pregnant about 90% of the time… the size of a Spaghetti Squash today and kicking up a storm to let me know it!

Today

Back to reality after 10 glorious days with my family...Wish I was still doing this!!



Happy New Year to all...looking forward to a wonderful 2012 and all the fun, challenges, and memories it will bring!!

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