At a little over three weeks into being the parents of two, I rate J.R. and I as success.  We are decidedly not a success in terms of cleanliness of our house, but since everyone is relatively well-rested, fed, and comfortable, we have declared ourselves a “success.”  Yes, our expectations are low.  This seems to be a popular method of survival during the newborn period, however.

A few points of interest from the past couple of weeks:

• I am surprised at the lack of exposure that most people seem to have to slings.  Considering the number of babies, and the variety of slings available from a large number of distributors, I would presume that people must see them around.  In the few times that I have been out of the house in public places wearing mine, however, I am amazed by the number of comments/surprise that people express over the “handy baby carrier” that I own.
• My tolerance of a baby crying has increased exponentially since Gabriel was a newborn.  I credit this to having a two-year-old and previous experience in the matter.  I am sure that it also helps that Gabriel assures Joshua that “it will be okay” whenever Joshua wails over the injustice of diaper/clothing changes.  If anyone knows about how to survive me changing them, it is Gabriel.
• Gabriel is a great big brother.  He helps out however he can with Joshua, showers kisses upon his baby brother, and keeps track of Joshua’s belongings on the occasions that we are away from home.

Joshua Christopher was born on October 12, 2009 at 11:52 pm via c-section. He weighed in at ten pounds, six ounces and twenty-two and a half inches long (much larger than we anticipated, as Gabriel was 7lbs, 11 oz and such big babies do not run in either of our families). Both Joshua and I are doing well – all of us are adjusting to life as a family of four. More to come as time allows!

Still no baby.  We really are “ready” for the baby to arrive now.  I am doing well, but the last week has seen many days in which I physically just do not feel up to doing many household tasks.  I really do not care to venture anywhere alone with Gabriel either, as it has become so difficult.

I have been enjoying these last days without a newborn to care for, however.  I am getting plenty of sleep, spending lots of time with Gabriel (I have no plans, since I planned on having a baby by now), and taking it pretty easy.  There have been some contractions, but nothing regular, and no real signs that seem to indicate that I will go into labor soon.  I know that it will be any day now though, I cannot stay pregnant much longer!

My due date has come and is nearly gone, and no baby yet.  The baby’s arrival does not seem imminent, either.  I am not that surprised however, as Gabriel was born more than a week and half after his due date.  Maybe it is just my way of growing babies to take a bit longer than the “typical” forty weeks.  Around the time that forty weeks rolls around, however, I cannot help but feel kind of ready to meet our new little one.  I am big, achy, and physically somewhat worn out.  At least we know that every day brings me closer to meeting the baby, and that it really is going to happen any day now.

My due date is now about a week away.  We (yes, J.R. has been helping out a lot around the house as well) have been nesting like crazy around here over the past few weeks.  Everything is in place (for the most part) for the baby’s arrival.  I have a well-stocked assortment of newborn, 0-3 month, and 3-6 month clothing ready to go, and most other things in place as well.  I am hoping to avoid low-supply issues with breastfeeding this me around, but am better prepared, should it happen, than I was with Gabriel.  The baby’s name has not been finalized, but we did not really know with Gabriel until he was born either.  J.R. and I seem to be “we need to meet the baby before we can actually name it” kind of people.

Maybe by the next time I post the baby will be here!

I am in the late third trimester of my pregnancy now, and feeling great, all things considered.  Yes, there is the backache and large stomach getting in the way these days, but things are going very well.

Somehow, I have managed to avoid the swelling that plagued me the last couple of months that I was pregnant with Gabriel.  At least part of this is due to the mild summer that we had and my not being due until October this time around, but I am still surprised to have seemed to escaped it entirely.  Also, thanks to the morning-sickness-induced weight loss early in the pregnancy, I have managed to only put back on the weight that I lost during the first trimester.  Again, in comparison to my first pregnancy, it seems odd to consider that I will end this pregnancy at a lower weight than I started it at.*

I feel a little guilty about all of the things that we did not do as well with this time around, however.  Tummy pictures were much rarer, my blogging records are severely lacking in comparison, and we have spent very little time pouring over names this time around.  Make no mistake, however, this little one will be loved no less.

*Note:  Due to lack of motivation, breastfeeding, etc. I never did lose all of the weight that I gained from my first pregnancy, so there is techinically “baby weight” to be lost still.

I have spent more time at yard sales this year than in the rest of my life combined (not difficult to do, my family did not attend yard sales growing up). Although I admit readily that some of the items at yard sales may be “junk,” there are some real treasures found at them as well.

To highlight a few of our finds this year:

1. My top pick is the working Vita-Mix that I found for $1.  We have one already (it is my favorite appliance, we use it every day) but if something ever happens to the one that I have, at least I will not have to shell out $449 for a new one or be without one while my other is being fixed.

2. Gabriel’s Peg Perego Santa Fe Express for $20.  The lowest price that I have seen this for new is $200, and most people want over $100 for it on Craigslist, Ebay, etc. used, so we would not have one if had we not found it at a garage sale – and it is one of his favorite toys these days.

3. La-Z-Boy Reclina-Rocker (link is a similar example, not the exact chair we have) for $20.  After using a wooden glider when Gabriel was a newborn that was super uncomfortable and hurt my back, this was on my “must have” list of things to acquire before the new baby arrives.  Since such a chair costs approximately $500 or more new, however, it would have been entirely beyond our ability to make such a purchase this summer, was it not for finding a great used one.

4. Maytag Portable Dishwasher (link is a similar example, not the exact model we have) for $30.  A dishwasher was an appliance that we needed terribly, but could not afford to buy new.  I would prefer to have a built-in dishwasher due to space issues, but this dishwasher works wonderfully and saves us so much time over hand-washing everything – a real plus with little ones!

5.  I also managed to compile a great wardrobe for Gabriel (and pick up many things for the new baby as well) that will last beyond when yard sale season starts again next year at a great price.  Many people in my area sell excellent condition (often expensive brand name) children’s clothes for $0.25 or $0.50 a piece.

Today is Gabriel’s second birthday.  It is kind of hard to believe that it has been two years already since we welcomed our son into our home and lives.  It also seems pretty safe to say that he is not really “our baby” anymore.  He is independent, sometimes difficult, sweet, and so much more.

Yesterday we celebrated his birthday with the grandparents/great grandparents/aunts and uncles.  Today we plan on enjoying his actual birthday with him.

Happy second birthday, Gabriel!  Mommy and Daddy love you very much!

Gabriel’s fascination with trains began around the end of last year, when J.R. and I selected the Fisher Price Animal Train as one of Gabriel’s Christmas gifts.  After we moved, Gabriel’s interest in “toot-toots” grew, as we live near the train track that runs through our town.  Although we seldom notice the train unless we are outside, we have learned to listen for trains so that Gabriel can see one when it goes by, as he enjoys watching them so much.

This past weekend saw large crowds and steam engines roaring through town twice per day, as the Train Festival was taking place.  Gabriel and I saw the grand old trains every time that one went by (which would be eight), and his interest in trains has sky-rocketed to new levels over the past several days.  Thanks to his recent experience with trains, when we ask Gabriel what a train “says,” his reply is “whooo-whooo!” instead of “toot-toot.”   Sure, these engines were much louder than what he was used to (and thus somewhat intimidating), but there was something much more grand about these trains that has drawn our whole family to enjoy his interest more.  Next year we hope to take him to the train festival.

Gabriel is approaching his second birthday quickly, and has grown up so very much in the past several months.

• He will repeat nearly anything that he hears, and is understood by most.
• Gabriel has taken to really enjoying reading now as well (toys have held his attention much better than books for the majority of his life, even though we have made a point of reading to him).
• Last month he was the ring-bearer in J.R.’s cousin’s wedding, and did a very good job, particularly considering his age.
• Going to garage sales is one of his favorite activities.  This is likely influenced by the fact that it is a weekly family ritual and that my mother-in-law often accompanies us (she likes buying Gabriel at least one toy per day that strikes his fancy).
• He is a zillion times more independent than he was at even twenty months, but he is still “our little boy” or “buddy.”