8 1/2 Months

I turned 34 wks pregnant on St. Patrick's Day so I'm trying to wear green... its not the most green outfit... but thought I did pretty well considering my limited wardrobe and the warm record breaking weather we've been having. I pulled out my summer shorts and love that they all still fit, sweet!

Today I had my 34 wk Doctors appointment and all went well! I have a LOT of contractions... did with Augustine too so its never a big concern. However, when my Doctor asked if I have five in an hour I said I was pretty sure I do... So she wanted to check things out to see if they were effecting anything. Turns out they were but she wasn't to concerned. I'd share more but I feel that's a bit TMI. I just feel SO great that I was kind of amazed my body was gearing up for baby to come. With Augustine I felt like he could drop right out he was so low and SO SO SO heavy!

At nine months I'm going to do a bump line up of pictures to see the changes. I only gained one pound from my last pictures at 8 months so I'm not sure if there is a visible change or not.... I am feeling bigger though!

I wish I had more energy to post more... but with the weather I have been going to the park a LOT (often twice a day) with Augustine and by the time he crashes I'm just not in the mood to write... Part of going to the park includes walking to the park or often being "horsey" while Augustine rides to the park on my back. I can't help but picture how funny we look. A 30 pound toddler on my back, the  baby bump on the front and a 6lb purse dangling from my shoulder. I'm in WAY better shape this pregnancy than last I can tell you that much!

Happy St. Patrick's Day and The feast of St. Joseph!

To celebrate I ate 3 bowls of mint ice cream! (I gave up sweets for lent so I'm splurging... just a little. ;-)

Winter Trip to Wisconsin

"Hug?" Says Augustine... to Aunt Sisa 

Augustine and I recently took a trip home to WI to visit my family and see my brand new baby nephew, Adam Michael! It was wonderful to be back home for a weekend!

 Augustine has a special obsession with Grandpa, "Chickies", "Outside" and "Kitty Cats" which happened to be a perfect combination. I wish I had gotten more pictures but instead I just tried to take in the moments and enjoy his excitement. Above Grandpa is getting him into his snow suit and boots to explore the outside. He also had a chance to taste cat food... ewe gross. Although, I have to admit I did it as a kid too.

Snuggle time with Grandpa...

watching videos of Augustine eating snow and playing with "cheddar" the cat.

Oh how I wish we were closer to home in WI... maybe... maybe, someday!

8 months and growing...

Yes, that bump is growing!

I've been feeling so good that I hardly notice the bump until I look down...

 or see my reflection...

 or notice strangers going out of their way to help. I'm so distracted at chasing Augustine around that I don't have time to realize it. It was funny, today when I pulled Augustine out of his swing at the park, his boots fell off and a lady sitting nearby rushed over to help pick up his shoe. I was so surprised at her reaction... as I quickly thanked her and said I was fine, while crouching down with Augustine sitting on my knees as I balanced to put on his boots. It was only after I saw my reflection in the windows at the library that I realized how pregnant I look and how obvious it is to people! Duh!

When I was pregnant with Augustine it was the exact opposite. I wanted people to have sympathy on me, so bad, because I was in such excruciating pain and I felt so so so uncomfortable!! I wanted everyone to walk really slow with me or, heck, just carry me! I longed for closer parking spots and reflected on getting a "handicap sign" for my car. I felt like crying if I had to get off the couch and walk across the room. I'm not being a baby, I was really in THAT much pain. I can't thank God enough for the blessing of this pregnancy and how great I feel!

My 8 month check-up went smoothly, and baby is in position and I am measuring perfect. All is good. I've gained 16lbs so far which, despite my ever growing bump, seems low for me. I'm happy. We are healthy. All is really great!

A new stage...

I'm starting to stop calling Augustine a "baby" anymore since when I do he starts doing this "baby talk" stuff. He uses so many words now and even sentences that the obvious baby talk is his way of acting like a baby and it seems weird. As cute as he is... acting like a baby really just isn't that cute.

With Augustine's 2 yr birthday coming up in just a month he has been facing some new changes that are bringing him into a new stage.

First off:

NO MORE "P"-ACI

Our last big road trip, for a while, is over and Augustine has only been using his paci otherwise for naps and bedtime. I was terrified to cut him off since it is such a great and innocent source of pleasure for him and I worried it would wreck his wonderful sleeping patterns. Every morning he would remind me that he was "Sleepy, two blankies, and P." As if I didn't know what he had been up to. I truly enjoy his habit of 2-3hr naps each day, how he never fights bedtime, and sleeps in until 9:30am sometimes and never gets up before 7am.

Well, we made the plunge... I felt ready, I thought. I had gotten Augustine his favorite stuffed creature ever - ELMO and thought it might be a nice swap for the paci. I did it on a night Jeremy was home (for moral support) and I was ready for the worst. I think it was a good lenten thing for me since I was dreading giving it up more than Augustine.

First night he cried for 30 min and woke up at 6:15am then next morning. Dread.

Naptime he cried for 10 min and slept for 20min. I'm ready to cry.

Second night Jeremy put him down without a tear shed for anyone! DEFINITE progress.

Naptime he cried for 15 min and Jeremy cuddled him and to sleep he went... Yeah for Daddys!

Third night I put him down and he didn't cry. He yelled out for "Mommy and Daddy" and that's it. We yelled (quietly), "Hurray for Mommy!"

Naptime... 3 1/2 HOUR NAP (Need I say more????)

And the rest is golden... This has been a wonderful transition.

I'm feeling so good about this transition that I actually may give potty training a try. Augustine has been excited about sitting on the potty lately and has been telling me, "poopy diaper" before he has one -- consistently. Which I feel is a good sign. Again, I feel like I've held back because I'm not sure I'm ready. Maybe this is more about Mommy's transitions and feeling the sense of loss for her baby Augustine than anything else. Yes, that sounds about right. I cringed when I bought his potty chair today and Augustine jumped for joy hugging his new "Sesame Street" character toilet seat.

So, you can be sure there will be an update on Potty Training soon. Very soon. Too soon?