Tahoe in July

It's become an annual tradition to head to Tahoe around Mike's birthday and take whomever wants to head up there with us. Last year Jimmy, Jose, Fuji and Eric and Becca came up with us and Eric popped the question to Becca!! This year, my friend Tina and her husband came up with us. It was really nice because we decided it'd be an adult only weekend so we left David at home with grandma and grandpa and they left Emmett home with her sister. Although it was hard to be away from David, it was definitely needed. We didn't do much but lay on the beach during the day and hang out a little at the casino at night but it was nice to not worry about David. It's amazing how wonderfully wrapped up in our kids we get. It's nice to focus on someone else. And give someone else all of your attention. Soon I'll have to learn how to split my attention again. :P

Like normal, we headed to Tahoe to miss the craziness and expense of being there during the Celebrity Golf Tournament. We left just the day before it started so it was fun when we went for a run and ended up back at Edgewood wandering around the facilities and checking out everything as they prepared. It was really neat seeing all the set up ... while golfers got the last little bit of practice in or fun before they lost their course to media and insanity.

Enjoying the beach every day we were in town, even taking in a movie the first night before our friends, Tina and Scott, arrived. We had great food, gambled a little and just tried to relax. We even watched the casino floor after all the Saturday hoopla from weddings and bachelor/ette parties. Even a few fights right in front of us. YIKES. The weekend away was definitely necessary and enjoyed. But of course we were so ready to be back home with David.

3rd trimester here we come ...

 

Minius and I are both doing great. I'm measuring right on and even though I gained more than the 3-5 this time around she said I'm still well within the necessary weight gain and the key is to see it be consistent from here on out. But not to worry. I told her that as soon as I popped, so did my weight and that actually I was smaller and had gained less weight initially this time around. But now that my belly has popped I look bigger than with David. She reminded me that every pregnancy is different. She's happy that I'm still running. I told her its not as many miles or as often and not as fast but I'm still running. She's really happy to hear that I'm still running and that its going well. Reminded me to get rest when I can and when needed and to keep cool with lots of water.

I got to hear Minius' heartbeat and it sounded strong. Minius even kicked at her twice while she was listening in. Saw my tummy bump too. :) I told her that Mike hasn't felt the baby yet and she said that its because he likely has a calming effect on me and therefore the baby. Which will come in handy later when the baby is really punching and kicking hard. LOL!!!

I have to do my 'oh so fun' glucose test in the next 2 weeks. Ick ... fast the night before then head over in the morning and drink that yucky stuff before getting my blood drawn. From here on my appointments will be every 2 weeks. I can't believe it ... next week I'm technically in my 3rd trimester. That crept up REALLY fast.

Got a little 3rd trimester goody bag from the docs office. Haven't gone through it yet but she mentioned that the list of classes, etc are in there if we choose to do any of them again. Including info on hospital tours. She confirmed that yes, we have options for hospitals and to definitely check them out. One of her new mom's happened to come in to share her son with Dr. Starr when I was there. That was fun. Only 5wks old. :)

To help out Debbie getting ready for their garage sale of Grandma Bunny's items on Saturday, my neighbor Erika watched David during my appointment and it went really well. Grayson (her son ... who turns 1 at the end of Sept) was waking up as I needed to go so I suggested she take David with her and I could sneak out. It worked ... because all morning I was talking about how we were going to go play with Baby Grayson and his mommy Erika and watch Cars 2. He was so happy to go with her to get Grayson. In fact, she said only Grayson cried while I was gone. LOL ... she thinks he's just not used to being around the noise that a toddler brings because he responded the same way to her young cousins. But definitely wants us to get the boys together more often to help encourage Grayson in movement and speech. I told her that within the week after spending time with Avery, David started walking at 13 months. Its easier to realize that 'hey I can do that' when you see someone your size do it too.

Kirstine and Fab are excited about our trip and will be moving into a new house just 10 days before we arrive. I told her I was more than happy to give her use of my nesting tendencies to help get organized. She told me in an email today that she could use my 'design eye' to help out with some paint, etc. LOL!! She had a dream about our trip and said she couldn't wait but wanted to make sure neither of us has sea sick issues. I'm guessing one of us lost our lunch in her dream. HAHAHAHHA ...

David is talking up a storm as usual and getting better at eating more things. Grandma must have used the word broccoli a lot while we were gone in Tahoe because this morning David asked for broccoli. :P Each meal since we've been home he's asked for a grilled cheese. And has been drinking more and more milk.

Week 23

Minius and I are both doing great. I'm measuring right on and even though I gained more than the 3-5 this time around she said I'm still well within the necessary weight gain and the key is to see it be consistent from here on out. But not to worry. I told her that as soon as I popped, so did my weight and that actually I was smaller and had gained less weight initially this tim around. But now that my belly has popped I look bigger than with David. She reminded me that eery pregnancy is different. She's happy that I'm still running. I told her its not as many miles or as often and not as fast but I'm still running. She's really happy to hear that I'm still running and that its going well. Reminded me to get rest when I can and when needed and to keep cool with lots of water.

Got to hear Minius' heartbeat and it sounded strong. Minius even kicked at her twice while she was listening in. Saw my tummy bump too. :) I told her that Mike hasn't felt the baby yet and she said that its because he likely has a calming effect on me and therefore the baby. Which will come in handy later when the baby is really punching and kicking hard. LOL!!!

I have to do my 'oh so fun' glucose test in the next 2 weeks. Ick ... fast the night before then head over in the morning and drink that yucky stuff before getting my blood drawn. From here on my appts will be every 2 weeks. I can't believe it ... next week I'm technically in my 3rd trimester. That crept up REALLY fast.

Got a little 3rd trimester goody bag from the docs office. Haven't gone through it yet but she mentioned that the list of classes, etc are in there if we choose to do any of them again. Including info on hospital tours. She confirmed that yes, we have options for hospitals and to definitely check them out. One of her new mom's happened to come in to share her son with Dr. Starr when I was there. That was fun. Only 5wks old. :)

To help out Debbie getting ready for the garage sale on Saturday, my neighbor Erika watched David during my appt and it went really well. Grayson (her son ... who turns 1 at the end of Sept) was waking up as I needed to go so I suggested she take David with her and I could sneak out. It worked ... because all morning I was talking about how we were going to go play with Baby Grayson and his mommy Erika and watch Cars 2. He was so happy to go with her to get Grayson. In fact, she said only Grayson cried while I was gone. LOL ... she thinks he's just not used to being around the noise that a toddler brings because he responded the same way to her young cousins. But definitely wants us to get th boys together more often to help encourage Grayson in movement and speech. I told her that within the week after spending time with Avery, David started walking at 13 months. Its easier to realize that 'hey I can do that' when you see someone your size do it too.

Kirstine and Fab are excited about our trip and will be moving into a new house just 10 days before we arrive. I told her I was more than happy to give her use of my nesting tendencies to help get organized. She told me in an email today that she could use my 'design eye' to help out with some paint, etc. LOL!! She had a dream about our trip and said she couldn't wait but wanted to make sure neither of us has sea sick issues. I'm guessing one of us lost our lunch in her dream. HAHAHAHHA ...

All is well here ... David is talking up a storm as usual and getting better at eating more things. Grandma must've used the word broccoli a lot while we were gone because this morning David asked for broccoli. :P Each meal since we've been home he's asked for a grilled cheese. And has been drinking more and more milk.

Lots going on ... lots moving ... lots to love ... lots to be thankful for.

Baby #2 is half baked

Today marks a big milestone for Minius ... that's what we're calling the baby for now. Mike came up with it. Afterall the baby is a 'mini' 'us'. :) Today Minius is half baked. It's going by so quickly this time.

Through the pregnancy I've kept up my running up to date and some days are great and some are awful. Getting through the first trimester was difficult. There were smells that I would come across in one particular neighborhood on my runs near home that usually had me kicking my legs into gear to escape for fear of losing the food I'd consumed so far that morning. David has become quite the running buddy. He loves checking out the scenery and learning new words. Plus who can't deny that the park at the end of the run doesn't make him happy either. I figure if I'm going to strap him into the stroller for about an hour while I run then the least I can do is let him play afterwards.

So far this year I've completed the following races ...

• Kaiser Half Marathon - February (second half marathon completed but first that I ran in its entirety)
• Pleasanton Half Marathon - April
• See Jane Run Half Marathon- June
• Diva 5k - May
• Bay to Breakers (12k) - May
• Garden of the Gods 10 Mile - June

Hoping I can keep up the running as long as possible. Doctor hopes so too.

We're keeping strong on not finding out the sex of the baby and working a little bit on names. We both keep going back and forth on which sex we'd prefer. Both would be a great addition to our family!! David even goes back and forth on wanting a brother or sister ... it's quite cute really. We're getting there!!!!

Celebration of Life: 2 meanings

This year as we celebrated David's birthday, we also celebrated the life of Grandma Bunny, whom we lost on June 22nd. It's so hard to know that David's happy day shares a sad day but she is a phenomenal memory to have and we only wish that he could've gotten to grow up more with her. He loved his Great-great. And I know how much Grandma Bunny wanted to meet our new little bundle arriving in November. But sadly it was not meant to be.

She was an amazing woman that lead an extraordinary life, loved fiercely and could make a room stop and listen to her. I only hope that I can live a life in a similar fashion ... everyone that came across her loved her instantly. Even in the end, her nurses teared up as in just a few short days they had become very attached to her and were immensely effected by her passing. She was a spitfire all the way til the end which was a great way to see her go.

Her mermorial service was beautiful too and Debbie and Gary did a great job letting everyone see all the great and even more in Bunny in her passing. Many a people showed to pay their respect and honor her life. It was quite the event and the church literally had to kick us all out at the end of the night because everyone was enjoying themselves recounting times with Grandma Bunny. It's an event that Bunny would've loved.

As for celebrating David ... it didn't all happen on one day but rather for some time. Spoiled by the whole family as always he still didn't quite get that it was his birthday but maybe next year we'll truly be able to celebrate and focus on David.

Update of Due Date for #2

The doc decided to stick with my original due date stemming from my last period. Initially I measured a smidge behind and then baby made up some size in about 3wks. So she's sticking with the base line that most docs use instead of size of baby. This puts baby #2 due November 14, 2012.

This change puts me at 14 weeks this week ... and that means baby is the size of a lemon (~3.5inches).

First appointment for baby C #2

A few days ago we had a 'family' dinner where we got to let the cat out of the bag to some close family and friends before we shouted from the roof tops. It was such a fun reveal for us. We got a shirt for David to wear to help us out. All while my mother was in town visiting. :) David's shirt said "Only Child" (crossed out) with "Big Brother" written on top. So that my dad could be apart of the reveal from Colorado, we simply 'called' him on a Gmail video chat and told him that David had wanted to talk to grandpa. He did then I took over and Mike got David ready by changing his shirt. Everyone was in the kitchen and Mike told everyone that David had an announcement ... everyone staring at David waiting for him to speak ... my mom turned to me with tears in her eyes and seconds later Chad exclaimed ... HIS SHIRT! READ HIS SHIRT! The realization of what David's shirt said and not that he was going to actually say something spread over the kitchen and everyone started clapping and exclaiming. My poor dad couldn't see his shirt so I took over the computer and told him what it said and he yelled for joy. It was truly a fun way to share the news with our family.

 

We had our first appointment today ... The doctor measured and I was 9wks 1day. Therefore she changed my estimated due date (EDD) to November 20^th, 2012. This is two days before Thanksgiving. :P We previously thought that I was going to be 10wks this week for my appointment. There is nothing that would indicate a concern although I’m measuring behind at this time. In fact it has everything to do with how long my cycle is and time of ovulation/conception etc. As we move along, if the length of the baby changes to suggest its progressed/grown and is therefore farther along than we thought they may change my due date (each doctor does this differently. Kaiser ONLY relies on the first day of your last menstrual cycle. My current doc goes off measured length of fetus. Neither are an exact science. My friend Amy has the same doc I have and she changed her due date twice.).

All looked great, the heartbeat fluttering away and so far we’re madly in love with our ‘gummi bear’. We’ll be checking out the 3 area hospitals in the coming months and trying to decide where we’d really like to (try) deliver. Valley Care, San Ramon or John Muir.

Lots to be grateful for and we definitely feel supremely blessed.

 

We love you all and are so thankful that we have you in our lives and the chance to celebrate such exciting news with you.

LOVE ~ Danielle & Mike (and David too!)

And baby makes 4 ...

Today we found out that we're going to become a family of 4!! This is the next step in our adventure and we couldn't be happier!! Boy or girl ... neither Mike nor I care. We each have reasons why one would be fun but neither of us have a preference. We just can't wait to meet this little one ... and this time around ... the sex of the baby will be a secret to all ... including us ... YIPPEEE