big sister- 14 weeks

We're having a baby!

Due Date: February 13, 2012



Today, I'm 14 weeks pregnant and we're super excited! We found out we were expecting on June 4th and didn't want to share the news with everyone until we heard the baby's heartbeat. When I was pregnant with Greta, I had a dating ultrasound and was able to hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks so we felt safer telling people earlier with Greta. With this pregnancy, I was pretty sure when I got pregnant so I didn't get a dating ultrasound and didn't get to hear the baby's heartbeat until 12 weeks. It was a little nerve-wrecking the last month knowing I was pregnant because I had a postive (or 2 ) tests. But not really feeling pregnant or knowing what was going on inside there. It was a relief when we heard the heartbeat. I wasn't blogging when  I was pregnant with Greta and am bummed I can't look back and read the blog entries I wrote when I was pregnant with her. So far, I'm feelin exactly as I did with Greta. I haven't had the early cramping in the 4-6 week period like I did with Greta but everything else seems to be the same. Or at least what I can remember.

Symptoms: I've felt generally pretty good. I've been a little nauseous a few times but no throwing up (thank goodness!!). The main symptom I have are pure, utter, exhaustion. I. am.so.tired. I could literally sleep all day and still feel like sleeping more. Except at night. Then I have insomnia. Greta is still getting up once a night and it's so hard for me to fall back asleep after I get up with her.  I'm also getting up at least once a night to use the bathroom. Did I mention I was tired?

What's different this time: I feel like I'm showing more this time. I'm excited about the pregnancy this time but I think my mind is so consumed with Greta that I often forget that I'm pregnant or forget how far along I am. With Greta I felt like it was a constant countdown clock towards 40 weeks. I think this pregnancy might go a little faster because I'm busy chasing after a toddler. I also hope I can really enjoy all this time with Greta being an only child and soak up the remaining days we have of one-on-one time.

Cravings: FRUIT! This is the same as it was with Greta. I can't get enough fruit or orange juice. I generally like fruit but won't go out of my way to consume excessive amounts of it but when I'm pregnant something switches and I just crave fruit. There have been a couple nights last week where Chad has gone to get me raspberries after 9pm because I had such intense cravings for them. The other night I even started googling local raspberry picking places because I just can't get enough of them and thought I could go pick my own. They are crazy expensive at the store!

 
Aversions: Meat sometimes grosses me out. I'm also not a super fan of spicy things right now. Also- salads. I think after the 3rd time in a week of getting an upset stomach after eating salad I need to realize that I should stay away from it. I love salad though, (especially the yummy Punch salad I had today!) but it's just not agreeing with my stomach. We feed Sofie a cooked fresh food and I've had a hard time feeding her since I've been pregnant. I usually wait until Chad gets home for him to feed her. The smell of her salmon food makes me gag.

Sleep: I'm always tired and not getting a lot of uninterrupted sleep these days with Greta getting up in the middle of the night or getting up to go to the bathroom. I'm tired all day but at night seem to have a hard time falling asleep.

I am loving: thinking about Greta being a big sister! She loves her baby dolls and is constantly feeding them, wrapping them in blankets, or pushing them in the stroller. When she sees a real baby she will hold out her hands like she wants to hold him/her. I can't wait to see how she reacts to having a real baby in the house.

I miss: having energy.

I am looking forward to: having a little more energy in the 2nd trimester (hopefully!).

I'm spazzing about: What we are going to do with Greta when I go into labor, not knowing when it will happen, hoping everything goes well in the pregnancy.

Best thing about this week: Hmm... It's just been a good week. I'm probably having one of my best summers just having fun with Greta. Chad's home this week so it'll be nice to have the extra hand and spend more time as a family.

Milestones: 14 weeks, feeling like we're really making progress and the 20 week ultrasound is right around the corner. We'll definitely be finding out the gender. I would love to wait but the curiosity would kill me.

Movement: I've been feeling some fluttering movements since about 12 weeks. I actually googled "feeling butterflies in your stomach" because it almost felt like I was having an anxiety attack in my stomach and was considering calling my midwife. I guess the butterfly feeling is often the fluttering movements of the baby. Greta was really laid back and I didn't feel much movement with her during most of my pregnancy so I'm worried this one may be a wild child.

splash pad fun!

Greta met her friend Elle at the splash pad in our town yesterday. The weather was perfect although the water was a little cold. The girls had a really good time although Greta wasn't as interested in the water as Elle was.

Inspecting where the water comes out.

A fountain just their size.

Elle is going to check this one out.

Greta kept wanting to wander over to the lake.

We had a great time and we'll definitely be back soon. Greta and I are having such a wonderful summer.

last week

Here are a few pictures from last week. On Monday, Kristi came over with her 3 week old son, Cayden. Greta loved him.

Sofie loves Kristi and had to sneak in for a picture too.

We went to the zoo with some moms from our mom group on Wednesday. It was a super fun day and we were there for almost 5 hours.

Greta checking out the penguin exhibit.

Ava and Greta

splash pad time!

Greta also went to a new toddler class on Thursday morning that she really enjoyed and we'll probably work it into our weekly routine. On Friday, Greta and I spent all day at the Albertville outlet mall and met Rachel and Elle there for lunch and a little shopping. Greta was a trooper the whole day and let me try on a bunch of clothes and would even give me her opinion. I love that she will usually stay put in her stroller and not ask to get out but I know those days are numbered. On our way back from the outlets Christin texted me that she was at the splash pad so Greta and I made a quick trip there. Greta had fallen asleep in the car and I kept her in her carseat and just put her in the stroller. She slept almost the whole time we were at the splash pad. It brought me back to her days as a baby where she'd sleep while we were out. It was nice for her to get a long nap and I got to visit with my friend. On Saturday, we made another trip to the MN Zoo to meet Jodi and her kids. It was a fun day but hot and busy. I don't enjoy going to the zoo as much on the weekend because it is so crowded. We still had a great time though.

Greta has started having this fake laugh. It's kind of funny because you know she is just trying to laugh. She'll do it all the time though. Sometimes when she's around kids she'll fake laugh to get their attention. I don't know where she got this from. Greta has also started to act up a little more for me. It's not terrible and she usually doesn't do this for her dad or when we are in public but when we are home she will make herself cry or throw herself on the ground when I'm around. There's usually no rhyme or reason to her little episode and she usually isn't tired, hungry, etc. It's really odd and usually just lasts a few seconds. I was gone today and she'd been in an awesome mood all day for her dad. When I got home she was super happy to see me but then after about 30 minutes of me being home she started throwing these little tantrums. She also throws a total fit when I change her diaper but acts like an angel for her dad. I just don't get it. I'm home with her all the time and give her all my attention so not sure why she feels the need to act out. It's not terrible and most parents might not even consider it to be much but it's a little out of character from her normal attitude. I'm sure it's just a stage.

playdates

I don't know if Greta knows how lucky she is somedays. We've had quite a few playdates lately and Greta has just been loving it. When she sees her friends coming she usually squeals with delight. Today, Greta had her friends Ava and Harper over, and Ava's baby sister, Lila. All the girls are into anything to do with babies but luckily they all played really well together and there were no fights over babies or strollers (or maybe just a few).

Ava, Greta, and Harper

On Monday, we went down to Shakopee to visit my friend Ari and her daughter, Cora. Greta had an awesome time playing at her house. Cora has every toy a little girl could ever want and I think Greta was in heaven.

We really need to get a kitchen for Greta. She would play with this all day.

Cooking up something good!

After playing at Cora's house, we went to Sandventure. It's a fun sandy "pool" that kids can play in and then play in the sand around the pool as well. They had waterslides for the bigger kids too. Now that Greta is walking that's all she wants to do. She wanted to walk in the pool but she's still unsteady and it was a couple feet deep so I didn't feel comfortable letting her wander on her own. She didn't like that and pitched a little fit.  I can tell I'm going to start getting my exercise chasing her around. She had a fun time playing with Cora though and was thoroughly exhausted when we left the pool. She fell asleep just a block from Sandventure which I think is a new car napping record. I won't complain because it was a nice peaceful drive for me back to our house and I actually got to listen to my radio station:)

While Greta has been starting to show her independence lately, she has also been as sweet as sugar at times. She's really into giving me kisses and coming behind me and hugging me. Those moments make it all worth it. She's also as busy as ever tending to her babies. She likes to put her baby on the footrest of her highchair and then have a bowl and spoon and pretend she is feeding the baby. She even pretended she was feeding her friend Ava today.

photoshoot

We went to a new studio today. Megan is friends with one of  my mom friends and we went to her studio to take some photos this morning. Here's one sneak peak from our photo shoot. I don't have high hopes of getting many good shots because Greta was not into having her picture taken today. She wanted to play with everything and was obsessed with going over to the front door of the studio. Megan had the cutest props and we had Greta in some cute outfits so I hope we got a couple good shots. We were playing Greta's favorite music cd, Sing Play Learn, in the studio during the shoot and Greta would stand up and dance. It was so adorable. I love how she shakes her booty without inhibition.

first steps

She gets so proud of herself when she stands up. She'll usually clap her hands.

Greta took her first steps today. She took 2 steps earlier today and then took about 4 steps tonight when her daddy got home. She pushes her baby stroller around the house with one hand so I know she can walk but I think she just thinks about it too much. Tonight, she was busy trying to get from one spot to another and I think she forgot she was still standing and just walked a few steps.

Greta's favorite pasttime is taking all the books out of this bin and then sitting in it with her baby. She'll lay back and put her feet over the side.

We went to storytime this morning at the library. It was all about teddy bears which was fitting since Greta just learned how to "roar" like a bear. After we got home I tried getting a few more pictures in her cute 4th of July dress but she wasn't having it.

"Mom, give me back the stick!"

I don't know where the week has gone. I can't believe it's already Friday tomorrow!

playdate

Today, Greta and I went over to Christin's house for a little playdate with a bunch of friends. The playdate started at 10am and we didn't get there until almost 11am because I wanted Greta to get in a morning nap. I guess she had other plans because she just sat in her crib and talked and sang for over an hour. I finally went in to get her at 10:30am and we attempted to eat lunch (major food struggles with her lately) and then went over to Christin's.

Greta scooting around trying to keep up with everyone.

Greta loved baby Lila and would hold out her hands like she wanted to hold her. She also kept wanting to rock her bouncy chair.

Fun in the trampoline with Ava!

Greta's version of jumping:)

It was a fun afternoon but we were wiped out after a couple hours. We had to come home and immediately take a shower to wash off all the sunscreen and sweat and then Greta was exhausted and took a 2 hour nap.

4th of July

We've had a wonderful 4th of July weekend filled with lots of friends, bbqs, music, and swimming.

On Friday, Greta and I met Johanna and Harry at the White Bear Lake Farmer's Market. We walked around a bit and stopped for coffee. It was pretty steamy out. I think Greta takes after her dad with her sweating. If it's above 75 degrees poor little thing usually has a sweaty head. After the Farmer's Market, Greta came home and took a good nap and then went over to her friend Harper's house for a little playdate.

On Saturday, we went to my friend Kate's house for a bbq. Greta loved this little kid-sized picnic table.

Just relaxin'

Greta loved this little girl, Lauren.

Mommy's girl

Greta and Kate's daughter, Molly

On Sunday, we were invited to a bbq hosted by our friends, Johanna and Aaron, at Lake George.

Harry, Nora, and Greta having a little stroller convention.

Greta relaxing in the shade with her dad.

She's not into headbands anymore:(

Luckily, we were able to sneak a hat on her every once in awhile.

My girl

Not happy about getting her swimsuit on.

A snack made everything better.

Greta and daddy swimming in Lake George.

This is the life.

On Sunday night, I went with my friend, Jenny, to the Jason Mraz concert. It was an awesome show topped off by the perfect venue. It was the first show at the outdoor amphitheater at the Mystic Lake Casino. So fun! I think Prince might have been there because at the end of the show Jason said "I love you, Prince" and then blew a kiss to the audience.

I think our busy weekend caught up with Greta today. She slept until 8:15am and then went down for a nap at 10am and slept until 1pm! After she got up we headed over to the Blaine beach. I forgot my camera but could have captured the sweetest pictures of Greta helping her dad build sandcastles and then swimming in the lake. This is my kind of lake because it's man-made so there aren't many fish and the lake bottom is really clear with a few rocks and no algae. After an hour at the beach, we came home and Greta took another 2 hour nap. I think all this fresh air over the last few days wore her out.

A couple things Greta's been up to lately... She's started standing more on her own and will stand up and then immediately clap for herself. It's really cute. She's so cautious and will usually just sit down although she could stand for longer. She's also been really interested in climbing into things lately. She loves to climb into her baby cradle with her baby and then rock back and forth. Today, she emptied out a toy box and then climbed into it and just chill in there with her baby. It takes her forever to get in and out because she's so careful. I think Greta said "thank you" today. She likes to make the dog and bear animal sounds. She says "woof woof" for a dog and with "roar" for a bear. She loves to put any type of bag, purse, etc over her shoulder and will grab her baby and wave and say "bye". She is always amazing us with the new things she's learning.

I'm participating in the Comment Challenge at Jenna's Journey.