Let the Countdown Begin!

Oh my. I am about a month away from my due date. It's been a bit hectic around our house trying to get everything off of "the checklist". I am up late and up early...I did the same thing with when I was pregnant with Teague. It drives Ryan crazy, but I can't stand not having things done WAY ahead of time and this to me does NOT feel like WAY ahead of time, it feels like my greatest pet peeve...PROCRASTINATION. I would rather not refer to it as procrastination, but rather my inability to get things done between working and taking care of Teague. So most checklist items occur after bedtime and last until at least midnight. Oye. So thus far we have made and froze 15 meals (I mean I have - and I still welcome the drop in friend with food, don't be fooled!), disassembled the crib (didn't fit through Teague's door into the next room over), reassembled in the baby's room, repainted the dresser, made basket liners, made a baby blanket and tonight a little free hand painting in the baby's room. WOO HOO, not much left on the list!

So you may have picked up on the fact that there is no crib in Monkey's room anymore. Such a big boy! We actually had bought another crib because I didn't really want to put him in a regular bed yet (didn't want him getting up and out of bed whenever he wanted). Well I had to move the spare bedroom bed somewhere, so into his room it went. He thought it was so great he wanted to sleep in it. So we tried it on a "trial" basis. I can't believe how well it went! We told him he can't get out of bed unless mommy or daddy come and get him and he just lays there and talks in the morning/after nap and then sits up when we come into the room! Ahhh, such a good boy! It hasn't affected his length of sleep (my other concern), so I can't complain. The transition went well. I just can't believe he is sleeping in a big boy bed, doing so well potty training, etc. Why is it that I feel bad that my "baby" is not a "baby" anymore???!!!

I finished up my college bound career camp last week but have been working alot at my crisis hospital job. I am taking over for the program director for 2 weeks this month while he goes to Italy with his wife. I am really looking forward to that and also loving this job as it may offer me some additional options in the future. I guess it's always good to keep options open, right? So while I enjoy my new position, I am having a bit of a hard time giving up my last few weeks of summer for work as well.

I am coming to the realization that I will likely have to return to work for a couple of weeks before baby arrives. I guess that's good because I want her to bake as long as possible and I mind as well get paid for workshop week instead of taking sick time.....but still, how do you get motivated for another school year when you know you won't be there for more than a week or two and not return until the next September?! The beginning, middle and end of the school year is the most stressful times in my job, so the thought of stepping into that is a bit daunting for me and I can't help but wish someone else was doing it, but I am sure once I am there I will feel like I never left (like every other year)! And I have to admit that I am not looking forward to the comments of "how huge" I am since a majority of these people have not seen me since May when I was barely showing. I still can't get over that ANYONE would tell a pregnant lady that they are HUGE - especially other women who have had babies?! However, those people who are sweet enough to say things like "No way you have only a month left? You're so small..." or "you just look like you swallowed a basketball, it's all in your belly" - keep those comments comin'!!! =)

Here are a few pics from the last couple of weeks and a video at the bottom of my groovin', jammin' son...

Looking at the frogs Papa caught...so fascinated by them!

What the boys do best at Nana and Papa's....sleep!

Look at these two cute cousins hanging out with their coffee mugs full of juice and watching Barney! So adorable.... (Chase is perfect in Teague's eyes!)

Teague chill-axin' at Nana and Papa's in his swimming trunks, reading a book!

2 Year Old Parties, completed.

Happy to be 2!

What a fun 3 weeks Teague has had! 4 birthday parties, what a lucky little boy! On Sunday Teague finally got to celebrate with my family and today he had a party at daycare. He got so many nice things, including the college IRA's that my parents and sister/family started for him when he was born. Lucky boy, so many people love him!

The party all decorated - it's hard to see, but it's all farm animal theme. Even the balloons had pig, cow and sheep faces. The tablecover was cow spots. Adorable!

Posing with his auntie!

The trio +1, again!

Papa, Nana and the birthday boy!

Here he is, so proud of his cake...farm with the farm animals!

Mmmmm, yummy!

Yep, it's the Muno guitar....LOVES it (see video clip below)!

And a book of his 2nd BFF, Barney!

And finally, playing with his farm animals. Boy does he ever love animals and the sounds they make. He could play for hours with these things!

I was a bit worried that I may miss his party at my parents as I was on call for work. I had yet in over 60 hours of shifts to be called on scene, but wouldn't you know it that I was called in at 3:15 and we were going to start the party around 4! Well most calls you get you will be on site for at least 3 hours. Ugh. So it made for a late night, but I had a good experience on my first call nonetheless! This week and next week I am working a College Bound Career Camp for middle and high school students in St. Cloud. It's been fun, but exhausting. Then I take call all weekend, so I am looking forward to an official day off on July 31st - 14 straight days of work is tiring for this mama to be!

Speaking of pregnancy, all is going well. It's hard to believe that I have a little over a month until I will be a mother x2. It's wild, exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. I have not started on little girl's room yet, so after July 31st it is time to step up our game and get moving!

Well, I am tired, time to sign off! Hope you are enjoying the cool July weather! The weather is terrible for a pool owner, but wonderful for a preggo woman!

Happy Birthday to Teague!!

We had a great time on Teague's 2nd birthday! We woke up to rain (which I am not complaining about since we needed it, but....) so I was a bit worried that we would need to make other plans. As it turned out, it was a perfect day at the zoo. Teague only napped about 1/2 hour in the car on the way so I thought it could be interesting, but he did so well and absolutely LOVED seeing all the animals. He is asking to go back again! After that we headed to Chuck E. Cheese. He thought that was pretty great as well being able to ride the rides but only after he told me "Eat. FIRST!" - okay, I won't argue with that! Then we went to Coldstone Creamery for his first experience in heaven - well the nap thing was starting to catch up to him as there were too many choices and I obviously made the wrong choice for him. Meltdown in heaven was not cool. However, all in all it was an awesome day. I struggled a bit with it being that it's the last time it's his birthday all alone with us, but one day I hope my guilt about making him a sibling shall subside!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEAGUE!!!

Eating a snack on our way into the zoo...hmmm, looks excited??

Lovin' the zebras!

Ohhhhhh, a TIGER!

Cutest picture of the day, for sure!

GIRAFFES!!

Monkey posing with the monkey!

How fun to ride with his 2nd BFF at Chuck E. Cheese, Barney!

He looks a little nervous about this swing ride!

Driving the racecar ride with Daddy!

Lots going on...

Gosh, I cannot believe it is the middle of July already. Life has been crazy, but good. We literally have something going on everyday of the week, which is probably why life is so hectic these days!

I have started my new job and so far, so good. I am working mostly weekends now, but trying to do as many shifts as I can before the baby is born. I like the flexibility and it seems to work well with our schedule.

Friday Ryan and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! WOO! It's been an amazing 5 years. He says he can't believe I put up with him for this long, but I think it's really vice versa. He's the easiest person to love and live with. We celebrated by going to the Twins game and having a fondue dinner. It was great.

Tomorrow we will officially celebrate Teague's 2nd birthday. I CANNOT believe he is 2. I think I spent more time just today reminiscing about what I was doing 2 years ago today...I had just gotten over the stomach flu and was told by my OB that this baby was not planning an entrance any time soon so we scheduled an induction date for the next week. So 2 years ago today we decided to go to Mpls to the Twins game, out for dinner, shopping, etc. We got home and 11p and my water broke - 24 hours later I delivered my 10+ pound-er, au natural! Woo, what a ride. So we will celebrate this big momentous occasion with Teague's 1st trip to the zoo (which I am assuming he will be over the moon about since he LOVES animals and that is his theme birthday party for this weekend at my parent's) and Chuck E. Cheese. Mmmmmm.

Teague is definitely asserting his Independence. Everything is "self" or "No, Teague!" (his way of telling us he can do it himself). Or "different shoes" or "different guk guk". Love it and hate it all at the same time! He talks constantly and it is funny listening to him because he tries to talk in long sentences and so he will mumble for the beginning of a sentence and then pronounce about 2 or 3 words together at the end. He is counting, doing ABC's and copying everything that comes out of your mouth - I have learned that a time or two. Yikes. He is NOT very keen on the idea of a baby, so hopefully the next few weeks will change his mind as we have less than two months to go here! He loves LOVES babies, just not the concept of one being in MY belly. Oh well.

So speaking of our baby girl, she gave us a bit of a scare last week. I can only compare my pregnancy with Teague to this one and nothing is the same. Teague was a mover and a shaker and there was no question about limbs sticking out of my belly. This little gal is a dainty mover. On Thursday I was noticing that she seemed to move less and less. I never in my pregnancy with Teague needed to do "kick counts", but on Thursday I did with her and she didn't move once in 2 hours (they are supposed to move 10 times in one hour, give or take). It wasn't like she didn't move all day, but literally only felt her twice all day. So I decided not to worry too much since I was going in for a check up on Friday anyway. Well I think that worried my OB as he ordered a biophysical profile. The easiest way to explain that is the baby is scored on 5 different things (including a non-stress test) and given a score of 2 for each item for a total possible score of 10. She did really well and of course while I was on the bed for an U/S she started moving like crazy. I guess she must already be feeling attention deprived, just had to make sure we were paying attention to her like we do to Teague?! Anyway, she scored 8 out of 10. She didn't receive any points for practicing breathing, which my OB said is normal at this gestation and that in a couple of weeks she would do that more often. I have a follow up appt regarding that this week after Teague's 2 year appt. It could be interesting being that Ryan is gone to do a bball camp at SJU all week, so if I have to have a complete work up again I don't know what I will do with Teague. Poor Ryan didn't get to see baby girl much on the U/S as he had to take care of Monkey. All is well and she is not leaving me guessing any more these days, which I love. On another bright note 3 weeks ago I passed my glucose screen, so no diabetes this go around. I know for some that is no big deal, but until you have had it and understand the complications and what has to be given up when you are diagnosed with that, it's a huge celebration in my book! Here are a couple of pics of her:

Look at that profile...same lips and chin as Monkey.

She's just relax' in there, legs crossed and twiddling her thumbs!

Here are all the "Dusha" grand kids. The pictures are from Ken and Dana's wedding reception over the 4th.
The whole Dusha clan!

...and finally the Trio+1!

One of the Parties...

Yesterday we celebrated Gaga's birthday along with Teague's (a little early). Teague will get to celebrate most of July, so he is likely to think that all of July is his birthday! We had a great time, here are a few pics. Happy 4th to all!

Teague is so proud of his YO! Gabba Gabba! cake...

Who is more excited about the Tootie character, daddy or Teague?!

The WHOLE Dusha family!

Here ya go Jaci, this is the closest thing to a belly shot!

Teague and Gaga with their YO! Gabba Gabba! cake!