Day 29 - Big Boy

Someone has officially graduated to a big boy twin bed. We have been trying to figure out how we were going to make the transition from the toddler bed since our crib mattress will soon be needed by Baby Girl.   My sweet friend Tracy was getting rid of her oldest son's bed and asked if we wanted it.  I think I may have screamed, "YES!!!"  

Sam was very excited to bring home a "big bed"  but we made him wait a week and a half while I sanded and repainted it. More on that later. Also, he still has a darling quilt coming his way to complete his new big boy room.  Until I finish it, I'm letting him use the quilt my Grandma Dannelly made for Ben and I for our wedding.  

I think someone might be just a little excited.

Day 28 - Beep

Saturday was crazy busy for us so by the time we got to bed, both Ben and I were exhausted.  At 1:30 am our peaceful slumber was disturbed by a beeping.  

Why do smoke detector batteries always go out in the in middle of the night?  Especially when you have super high vaulted ceilings and no ladder? 

My smartie pants husband pulled our kitchen table into our bedroom and then placed a chair on it to reach the smoke detector.   I'm glad he's so smart because in my sleep deprived state, my solution would have been to go sleep in the spare bedroom.  

I did have the presence of mind to take a photo.

Day 27 - Stroller

Ben's parents bought us a sit and stand stroller for Sam and the baby.  I did tons of research and waited for a sale make the purchase. The night we went to buy it, I discovered the model I chose wouldn't work with my car seat.  UGH!  So after even more research, I found a stroller I liked even more.  Ben put it together today and wheeled it out to the living room to show Sam.  He immediately said, "Ellie's stroller!"  It's good to hear all this baby talk is sinking in.  

We then explained that the stroller was for both Sam and his baby sister. Right away, he made himself comfortable.  In the baby's seat.  With his blanket.  Watching television.  Apparently, we need to continue discussing the baby.  

Day 26 - Two Points

Sometimes it is 8:00 PM and I realize I don't have a photo. Then fate steps in a saves me.

Remember Sam's gambling habit?  These little babies are all over my house, my car and apparently my child. 

Day 25 - BOOM!

So whenever Ben is right and I'm wrong, he points at me with both index fingers and says, "Boom!"

Imagine my immense pleasure when my 3 yr old imitated this at dinner tonight.  

Please note the ninja sweat covering his body.  We play way too much Fruit Ninja in this house.

Day 24 - Chuck E. Cheese

Sam has been to a total of TWO kid's birthday parties in his life.  His cousin Zaylee's last year and now Logan's.  

For Logan's birthday we went to Chuck E. Cheese.  Our group consisted of me, Sam, Buddy, Logan and his two AWESOME brothers, Larson and Jackson. (We were of course sad that Ben, Tom and especially Jordan couldn't be with us.)

For all of you Chuck E. Cheese naysayers out there.  You're wrong.  Chuck E. Cheese it the BEST.  The kids had so much fun.  Sam and Logan were in heaven.  It was clean.  The games were fun.  The food wasn't half bad.  Sam ate ALL of his pizza. Also, it doesn't hurt that we were with our favorite playmates.  

I would also like to point out to a couple of individuals that the photos I took yesterday weren't that great.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that the photos taken yesterday by one of those individuals are MUCH better.  :)

Cute friends riding a "roller coaster" together.  So fun until it died. 

  

Logan driving a monster truck.  Sam trying to escape.

For a moment I couldn't find Sam.  I looked over to the big kid games and spotted this. 

 Buddy and Logan laughing HYSTERICALLY while riding a Jurassic Park motion ride/game thing. 

As always, we had so much fun with our friends.  Now I just have to take Ben to Chuck E. Cheese.

Day 23 - Super Cool

Ben wears hats a lot. Before he got his job at the University of Texas, I would say that he wore a hat 85% of the time.  Sunday was practically the only day he didn't wear one.  Now he mostly just wears them at night and on Saturdays.

Until recently, Sam has not been interested in wearing hats.  He is, however, interested in picking out hats for Ben.  Over the last few months he has also started to warm to the idea of wearing them.  Ben encourages this by telling him he looks, "Super cool!"

This afternoon I came out of the office to find this little scene. 

I said, "Nice hat Sam."  

He responded, "Sam is SUPER cool!"

That you are little friend.

Day 22 - Chinese New Year

Sam has the BEST teachers.  Teachers that have mini-dance parties to Moves Like Jagger with Sam in the parking lot.  :)

For Christmas, they gave all of the kids a sweet stuffed polar bear and a book.  When Sam opened it he said, "Oh!  It's so cute!"  He repeats the sentiment whenever he hugs it.  

For Chinese New Year, they gave all of the kids a fun red envelope.  I handed it to Sam in the car before opening it.  I heard him yell, "YAY!!!  A ticket!"  I was a little confused until I got him out and realized that his ticket was actually a dollar.  According to my extensive internet research, the red envelopes are good luck and ward off evil spirits.  Like I said, he has the BEST teachers.  

When we got out, Sam insisted on carrying his envelope in his pocket.  When he couldn't get it in his front pocket, he tried to put it down his shirt.  Obviously that didn't work so well.  (At the zoo, he tried to put a rock down his shirt.  Strange child.)  He was thrilled when I helped him put it in his back pocket.  

Goodness, I love this kid.  

In case you are wondering he is playing his favorite walking game in the photo.  It consists of hitting different objects and saying, "Take that _____!"  In this case he was talking to the AC unit. My favorite is when he hits the doorbell and says, "Take that ding-dong!"

Day 20 and 21 - Fruit Ninja

Sam is really into video games.  He is also really into Fruit Ninja on the iPod.  He loved playing it with Uncle Berk when he was here this fall.  Yesterday, Ben decided to buy it for the Kinnect.  

Oh. My. Goodness.  

Greatest $10 we ever spent.  The kid is in love. He played all afternoon yesterday.  He played last night while the babysitter was here.   He woke up this morning and said, "Good morning Daddy.  Play Fruit Ninja on TV." He played after church today.  

Here he is yesterday while in the midst of a ninja frenzy.

The best part?  The kid is jumping around like a maniac. It wears him out. He gets to play video games and get TONS o' exercise at the same time. As you can see below, the kid isn't afraid to play hard.

And he makes sound effects.  Like "Hee-ya!"  and "Boo-ya!"  Yes, I said Boo-ya.  It's awesome.

Here's a little video of our favorite ninja.

The only problem is he's not so good about playing with others.  There is a 2-player mode.  Nope, doesn't dig that.  Mommy and Daddy can play maybe ONE game and then he says, "Sammy's turn!" He wouldn't even let the babysitter play.  Little stinker.  

Day 19 - Goats

Our friends Buddy and Logan invited us out for a fabulous day at the Austin Zoo.  I use the term zoo very loosely.  It more like a private animal sanctuary. A fun and kinda ghetto zoo.  We loved it.

There are all sorts of random exhibits.  Like a giant turkey wearing shoes (???) that I wouldn't go near.  Scary turkey.   I especially loved (NOT) the scary roosters walking around.   They also had biggest pig I have ever seen in my life.  I texted Ben a picture but it isn't real great.  There were tons of monkeys, big cats and super fun goats. We had such a good time.  

Buddy and I liked the animals.  

Sam and Logan liked the sticks and the rocks. Go figure.

Here are the cuties posing in the duck cut-outs.

Attempting to get a picture in front of the lions.  Sam was loving but less than cooperative.  Logan wanted to go inside the cage with the lions.

My sweetie boy riding the most random train I have ever seen in my life.  Cute but I wasn't quite sure why there were aliens, pirates, gnomes and half a rhino along the route.  Whatever.  It was a train.  The boys loved it. 

Cute friends holding hands while walking.

My very favorite part of the day was feeding the goats.  Sam was totally into it and practically stuck his hands in the goats' mouths.  Lovely.  Buddy said at one point Sam pulled his hand away and she saw a trail of goat drool.  

Logan on the other hand was more cautious.  He would put the feed in their little troughs and then yell for them to come get it.

Here he is yelling, "Come here white horse!"

Hysterical.

We are sooooo lucky to have such good friends here in Austin. We can hardly wait for our next adventure!

Day 18 - Delightful

My plan for the day was to post a picture of the darling blessing dress my friend Kristen gave me for Baby Girl.  So CUTE and I'm so grateful that she thought of it!  Such a sweet friend.

However, Sam was not about to be upstaged by a dress and proceeded to be super cute in his own way playing with all of his cars from the Cars movie.  I love that he knows that it's time to smile when the camera comes out.  

He has been particularly cute and delightful lately.  His daily reports from school have been awesome. He's making amazing progress. Last night he even initiated going #2 on the potty!  So exciting.  Today I tried to put him down for a rest (aka nap) and he started to cry, "But I need snuuuuuuuggggggles."  

With a face like this, there was not a chance of me resisting. 

Day 17 - the betes

Our Young Women activity put me behind last night.  

Yesterday was the first day of finger stabbing.  So far, so good.  No above range readings. With my $100 worth of one month supplies (UGH!) I got a cute pink meter. For free.  It's the little things people.

Day 16 - Indifference

Today was the appointment at Maternal Fetal Medicine.  They are going to try to control my GD (Gestational Diabetes) with diet.  For the first week we are just going to cut refined foods and sugar and see where we get.  No carb counting and no medication.  Just finger stabbing 4x's a day. My levels were good when they tested me so fingers crossed.  

We also had another ultrasound.  Baby Girl is definitely a girl and she still had all of her parts.  She did not feel like letting us see her face.  She kept covering it with her little hands. I'm 29.5 weeks and she is about 3.5 lbs so she is a little big.  Sam always measured big so no big surprise there.  

I had no idea they were going to do an ultrasound so it was a pleasant surprise.  I was especially excited that Sam was going to get to see the baby.  As you can see, he was sooooooo interested.  

Day 15 - Coloring

Other than going to lunch with Ben, all we did today was snuggle, play and color.  

Best MLK day ever.

Day 14 - My Handsome Hanson Support Crew

When I was pregnant with Sam starting at 14 weeks we hard an extremely difficult time keeping my blood pressure under control even on medication.  My edema was so bad that Ben would write words in my legs by pressing on them.  The indentations wouldn't go away for at least 5 minutes. I lost 30 lbs in the 4 days I was in the hospital delivering Sam.  That's a lot of water weight people. 

I'm happy to report that my blood pressure with Baby Girl has been great.  I have hardly any swelling.  I'm still wearing my wedding ring and I wore some sassy high heels to church today . . . with my tent of a maternity dress.  :)  

My perfect pregnancy has just hit a speed bump.  They diagnosed me with Gestational Diabetes this last week. Not fun for anyone but especially difficult since I have been a SUGAR FIEND with this baby.  I go in Tuesday and we'll find out the game plan.  However, since I'm obsessive I've already started reading up on the subject and figuring out what I need to do to minimize my risks. Obviously cutting sugar and carbs is part of it.  Ben has graciously been devouring all of the junk in our house.  

One of the other things they suggest is to walk after dinner.  Now, if you know my hubby at all, making him walk is like pulling teeth.  His parents are avid walkers and hikers.  Somewhere along the line he developed a deep aversion to it.  He'd rather go run on the treadmill. (which he does regularly) So tonight when I asked Sam if he wanted to go for a walk Ben let out a giant groan. I told him he didn't have to go but because he loves his wife and son he joined us.  

I am so lucky to have a such a handsome support crew.  Men who walk and consume large amounts of sugar for the women they love.  What more could a girl ask for?  

Day 13 - Bumputer

Sam has his own login on the "bumputer".  He perches  on the stool, clicks on the doggie icon and then opens up Google Chrome to play his games.  We've set them up on bookmarks so he can easily find them.  My favorite part is when he suddenly jumps down to go potty.  Sometimes he forgets to put his pants back on before he returns.   

Day 12 - Tickets

Our local grocery store, HEB, gives out "Buddy Bucks" to kids.  They take the bucks to a machine where they spin for tickets.  Each ticket has a number value and they can save them up for prizes.  Sam just likes the number stickers.  He sticks them to his clothes and his toys.  Especially Clue.  

Here's a little video of him at the machine.  I'm starting to become a little concerned that he may develop a gambling habit later in life.  

Day 11 - Books

Sammy J. adores books. He is already reading the BOB Books and he's getting pretty good at recognizing simple sight words.  

He especially LOVES Barnes and Noble.

Once Ben opens the door he shoots back to the Children's section and settles in with a book.  The "Maisy's First Clock" is on of his favorites.  He was on the bench reading it before I could even waddle my way back to him.

Ben an I both love to read so we are happy to see him so engaged in books.  Hopefully this is the beginning of a lifetime love of reading,  

Hey Grandpa Dannelly.  I would like to point out the he is wearing his Caterpilar jacket and his "grandpa boots" all by his own choice.  I think we may need to renew the search for a hat.

Day 10 - Snuggles

One of my very favorite parts of the day takes place after school and lunch but before nap.  This is when I get quality snuggle time.  Sam is a busy dude so I have to take advantage of every opportunity I get.  Lately he has be crawling up into the chair to wedge himself between me and the arm of the chair. Usually he rests his arm on my bump.  It's the only place he fits as Baby Sister has taken over Mom's lap.  Sometimes we watch Mickey Mouse or Tinker Bell.  Today he wanted to play iPad.  Sometimes I think he knows that our time with just the two of us is almost over because it feels like he is squeezing in as much loving as possible these days.  

Day 9 - Dad

I can't compete with this business. 

Sam loves me and I get lots of sweet snuggles and kisses.  However, NOTHING competes with Dad.  As soon as Ben walks in the door, Mom is out in the cold. When he hears the door open he says, "It's Daddy!!!"  

This is usually followed by, "Daddy, let's play Mario."

The kid has priorities.

Today he wanted to play on the "bumputer"  (computer) with Ben.  

Usually he just wants to be close by his best buddy.

Some things never change.

Day 8 - Bad Day

The "Poor Tracey" list of the day.

1.  Doctor's appointment rescheduled while en route to the doctor.  For the 2nd time.

2.  Failed my 1 hour glucose test.  I take the 3 hour test tomorrow. Ugh.

3.  Iron is super low.  Add another pill to the list.

4.  Gained 8 lbs since last month's appointment.  Oops. Dang Christmas.

5.  Couldn't find Baby Girl's heartbeat for 10 minutes.  Nerve wracking. Finally found it.  Sigh.

6.  Measuring BIG.  Here's to another big baby.

7.  Doctor looked at my glucose test results and said, "Yeah, you were REALLY high.  You're probably not going to pass tomorrow."  Thanks.

8.  Blood pressure high.  See #10.

9.  Sam doesn't ever want me to go when he and Ben leave the house.  Tonight's meltdown consisted of my crying child saying, "Mommy stay home!!!"

Finally . . . 

10.  I slid into a cute little family driving right before my doctor's appointment.  They didn't speak English. As you can see, I had minimal damage. My tank took out their bumper.  Sorry dudes.  

Day 7 - Coconuts

Sam likes to tell jokes these days.  The all have the same punchline.

"Hey Dad.  Guess what?"

"What?"

"Coconuts."

"Sam, where is the baby going to sleep?"

"Coconuts."

"Who does Mommy love?"

"Coconuts."

I think you get the idea.  

Day 6 - Pennies

Components of a perfect day. 

Weather

Clear and 70 

Breakfast

Chick-fila for Sam. 

 Breakfast tacos for Dad. 

Chilaquiles for Mom. 

Activities

 Children's Museum 

and most importantly

Throwing pennies in the fountain at breakfast.

Day 5 - Clue

(This year the blog is about keeping the grandparents happy more than the actual photography so prepare for lots o' kid posts)

Since Thanksgiving we have worked with Sam on a couple big things at our house: using utensils, going potty and getting rid of the binky before Baby Sister makes her appearance.  I am proud to say that he has managed to do all three things with relative ease. 

The binky was the most daunting so I chose to do it the first week of Christmas vacation.  Uncle Kent and his girlfriend Erika came to visit so when they left we just told him that Kent took the binkies back to Utah.  While not thrilled about this, he had so much fun with Kent and Erika that he accepted the idea.  Every once in awhile he still asks for one but we just say, "Sorry, it went home with Kent." and he goes on with his business.  This could make our next trip to Utah interesting since Sam has an excellent memory.  He'll probably ask Kent for his binky.

We also eased the transition by giving him a new friend to take to bed.  Blue from Blue's Clues.  In our house she (yup, watch the show, Blue is a girl) is referred to as "Clue".  Every time we went to Barnes and Noble this fall Sam would hunt down Clue and carry her around.  The last day that Kent and Erika were here we went to B&N and of course Sam found Clue.  Knowing the plan for the binky, I bought her on the sly when Sam wasn't watching.  He was very disappointed when he couldn't find her so he was SUPER excited that night when I brought her out at bedtime.  Now Sam and Clue are inseparable. 

Last night Sam decided he wanted to sleep with Clue and his Lightning McQueen Easter basket (?????)  so imagine his excitement when I showed him that Clue could drive Lightning.  Needless to say, Clue has been cruising the house in her race car all day.

I sure love age three.

Day 4 - Mario

We have some serious Mario love going on in our house right now.  Sam want play Mario constantly, especially with Ben.  I'm no good so he usually ends up taking the controller away from me.  We've had to limit the times that he can play.  No Mario unless Daddy is home.  When he is home they usually play between Daddy catching up on ESPN and dinner.  

Here are a few of my favorite phrases that I often hear Sam say while they are playing.

"Go up Daddy!"

"Take that dudes!"

"Take that chumps"

"Yea!  We did it!"

"Good job Daddy!"

"Ahhhh! So close"

"Letsa go!"

Day 3 - Besties

Sam has a BFF.  

His name is Logan.  

They are the cutest little friends.  

Since his mom and I are friends we often have little McDonald's lunch dates.  For awhile when we would drive past McDonald's Sam would say, "Nuggets, fries, play with Logan!"

Logan came to play this afternoon.  We had been talking about it for a couple of days.  When I picked Sam up and drove towards our house instead of Logan's he had a major meltdown.  Once I convinced him that the school bus was dropping Logan off at our house all was well.  The bus driver said that the whole way to our house Logan was talking about going to Sam's house to play. They played cars, made me lunch in Sam's kitchen, had snacks and played Legos.  I think they played with every single toy in my house.  I'm so Sam has such a cute (and nice) little friend to play with.  

Day 2 - Baking

As you can see, Baby Girl isn't the only thing that is baking around here.  

First of all, seriously?  Could my stomach poke out anymore?  Ben came home today and my shirt wasn't covering my stomach.  My MATERNITY shirt.  And I still have 87 days to go.  I'm going to be employing my other prego friend Keri's plan of a mumu and Uggz before I know it.  Seriously.  So ridiculous.

The good news is that while I'm carrying the same way I did with Sam, straight out and high, this pregnancy could has been the complete opposite of my pregnancy with Sam.  Blood pressure is great.  No swelling.  Minimal heartburn.  I feel fabulous.  I keep telling Ben that my body must prefer Baby Girls. And then I look at Sam and know that this cannot possibly be true.

In other baking news, all I want to do it cook. And eat.  And cook some more. 

Tonight's dinner:

Smokey Bean Soup with Ham

and 

Homemade Ciabattas.

Both winners.

Day 1 - We're back

Ok.  So last year I made it something like 252 days.  Not bad.  I felt a little bummed that I didn't get all 365 but it's a new year and we are going to try again.  Mostly because I've had a bunch of people ask when I was starting again.

Plus this will be a good way to record the transition of having a new baby in our house.  We've been talking to Sam about Baby Sister a LOT so he won't be completely shocked when we bring her home.

To start off the year I'm going to post a video.  We are going to be a little more flexible and use a combination of media this year.  Here is a little  conversation we have at least once a day.  In case you can't tell, he is totally teasing me with some of his answers.  He thinks it is HILARIOUS!

Don't mind my messy house it was New Years Day.  Also, I can't talk.  I'm pregnant.  Leave me alone.

To clarify for those of you who don't know, we are naming her Dannelly (my maiden name) but I'm not huge on Danny for a girl so we are preemptively nicknaming her Elly.  We'll see what we actually call her when she gets here.

And that Diet Coke Sam drank at the end . . . from the night before.  So gross.  How has his mother not cleaned off the side table?