Pregnancy Survey - 28 weeks

I went for my 28 week appointment this morning and here are my results:

 How far along? 28 weeks - 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: I gained no weight in the last month so holding steady at +1 pound.

Maternity clothes? Yes.  I actually purged all of my maternity clothes and have officially "Good-Will"ed the winter items.  The summer skirts, dresses and leggings are ready for warm weather.

Stretch marks? No new ones. 

Sleep: Still trying to stay on my sides but keep waking up on my back.

Best moment this week: Hard to say - although I it kind of made my day today that some of the ladies I was volunteering with at Joseph's school couldn't tell I was pregnant. I am carrying her so differently - it's still hard to tell in some outfits.

Movement: lots and lots of movement.  I'm thankful for all of them.

Food cravings: Thai Chopped Salad & Ice Cream Sandwiches

Gender: Still a girl!  :)  We double-checked this morning.

Labor Signs: I've started having some Braxton Hicks in the evenings which are not super comfortable - but not painful.

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On.

What I miss: maybe sleeping on my tummy?

What I am looking forward to: Finishing the nursery! Everything is pretty much done.  I need to hang a couple more pictures and move the couch upstairs.

Weekly Wisdom: If you want to keep from gaining weight while pregnant - make sure your kids catch every tummy bug around AND give it to you.  I've had it three times now.  Not so awesome.

Milestones: We had a growth ultrasound this morning and baby girl is measuring at 30+ weeks and weighs 3 lbs. 5 oz.  Definitely a Swearingen baby!  We also got to sit and listen to her heart for about 45 minutes.  At our visit last month we heard her drop a beat and she repeated this a couple days later when we checked again.  From here on I'll be going in weekly to monitor her heart rate/bpm for about 20 minutes or so to track how often it's happening (if it's still happening). We have been told that this is not entirely uncommon and often is outgrown before birth.  Once again we are thankful for Christopher's job and that we are surrounded by/connected to so many talented doctors who help reassure us and take care of us.  Also thankful for so many friends who are praying for this sweet baby girl. 

flowers for mama

We have a few weeds in the backyard.  We stopped having it treated at the end of the year because we intend on doing some massive projects back there in the next year and didn't want to waste money on grass that we will be digging up.

Anyway - some of these weeds have flowers.  Joseph thinks they are lovely and sweetly brings me the occasional bouquet when he lets the dog out.  And I put them in a vase and thank him for being so sweet.  Because what mama doesn't love to get flowers?

just because they are so handsome. . . .

love these little men . . . .

while the cat is away...

Daddy is in DC for work this week so the boys and mama enjoyed dinner at Big Orange on Monday evening.  It was a bit sunny/warm on the patio but we were glad to soak up some Vitamin D.  

Jacob requested a cheeseburger and oranges - not quite comprehending that they don't actually serve oranges here.  We also shared a yummy chocolate shake after their burgers and mama's Thai Chopped Salad.  (Seriously - I could eat one every day.)

Holding down the fort alone whilst preggers and trying to keep up with a very active 3-year-old (and his big brother) is proving to be a challenge but we're finding our groove.  This is a good thing since we'll be doing it again in a couple of weeks but then I think we will all be in "stay home" mode until baby girl arrives.

3-years-old!!!

Well - Jacob has been 3 for 2 weeks/4 days but we had his well-visit yesterday and I decided to put off this post until I had some stats.

At 3 years (2 weeks & 4 days) Jacob is 3 ft. 2 in. tall which is in the 75th percentile.  He weighs 38 lbs. 12 oz. which is in the 95th percentile.  I think we can see that his eating has improved.  He is much less picky and will usually try whatever is given to him.

He is a really entertaining little boy.  He is rarely shy and hardly ever meets a stranger.  He loves to talk and sing and dance.  Jacob is definitely social and would go-go-go all. day. long.  Sending him to pre-school three days a week has really helped his social side and he is beginning to talk more about his friends and teachers.

 He loves to play dress up and become a fireman, cowboy, pirate or astronaut. He is much more into imaginary play where he is the character than Joseph was/is.  (Although Joseph also has a great imagination and creates elaborate scenarios involving other players.) Quite often you find him strolling around the house "playing guitar" with nothing in his hands (which are in the correct position and strumming).

Because of his love for all things astronaut/rocket related, he counts backwards much better than forwards.  We hear "10, 9, 8 . . . . . 0 - BLASTOFF!!" multiple times a day.  He can count to 20 with just a little help.  He can also recognize quite a few of his letters and knows almost every shape and color.  I recently realized that I haven't been working with him as much as I did with Joseph so we've been making more of a concentrated effort in certain areas.  His pre-school helps with that too.  They do a lot of singing as well and he thinks that every song ends with a "yay!" or "great job guys!"

He loves to goof around (mostly at mealtime) and is quick to get himself and his brother in trouble.  Jacob has a big stubborn streak and often has to be disciplined for talking back and yelling things like "no it's not! Let go of me! No you be quiet!" But he also is quick to apologize later and has a soft side that loves to snuggle and give lots of hugs and kisses.

Jacob is quite jealous that his brother is on a soccer team and insists that he is old enough and big enough and should also be on a team.  So mama and daddy take turns playing with him at practices and games.  I can't wait until he can actually play.  I think he will be a go-getter.

Potty training has gone well and, although we are still having the occasional #2 accident, everything else has been fabulous.  He is even waking up dry after naps and night-time.  He loves wearing his Mickey Mouse underwear and mama is glad for her first (albeit short) diaper break in 6.5 years.

We had no idea what a crazy, fun part of our family this little guy would be!!!

Go Cheetahs!!!

Joseph's had his first soccer game on Saturday morning.  It was a bit chilly but still a fun morning for watching a bunch of Kindergarten kiddos play soccer.  

The parents made a "Spirit Tunnel" for their team to run through.  Jacob loved helping out.  He was less thrilled about not being able to play on the field as well.  Daddy took him over to an empty goal so he could practice kicking his own ball into the net.

 Joseph's team lost 7-6 but he had so much fun.  And he had fun posing for pictures with his school friends from the other team after the game was over.

Spring School Pictures

The boys' spring school pictures came home recently and I always love their arrival. Since these are the only pictures I'm not usually present for, I love the surprise and am kind of amazed that they held still and smiled.

Our preschool always has fun props for their pictures.  (remember Joseph on the motorcycle?)

 For Joseph's spring picture he was able to wear regular clothes instead of his uniform as in his fall picture.  (A tree also did not run into his face a week before his spring picture as in his fall picture.)

Easter Morning

And I just realized that I have no pictures of Aunt Alissa from this weekend.  We were so glad to have her visit and I'm seriously not sure how we would have gotten ready for the party in time without her.

Sunday morning the boys helped me make Resurrection Rolls and they enjoyed discovering the "empty tombs" when they bit into their rolls.

Then we put on our Easter finery and celebrated at church.

 This was followed up by a yummy brunch at Bravo!

3 years old!

We had Jake Jake's 3rd birthday party on Saturday.  He has been looking forward to his "Rocketship Party" for a long time.  

My sister Megan designed these great invitations while we were in Indiana the week before.  

 Jacob's birthday shirt.

 The Photo Booth

 Gift table with Jet Pack favors.

 Goodie Bag with astronaut ice cream sandwiches and solar system stickers.

 Daddy spent a lot of time getting the garage ready for the Moon Walk.  This involved black plastic, duct tape and the jump castle.

 Another fun activity center - a cardboard space shuttle to decorate.

 The food:

Rocket Fuel - orange Crush

 Milky Way Cheese

 Flying Saucer Pizza Bites - mini pizza bagels

Grape Rockets

 And the cake - and moon cupcakes on a space shuttle cupcake holder.

The marshmallow fondant recipe came in handy again and this cake was really easy to make.  Special thanks to Aunt Alissa for suggesting using the tops of the food coloring bottles to make the craters! She also proved to be a great fondant roller-outer.  :)

 Jacob had a great time at his party and the boys were so exhausted from jumping in the Moon Walk that they slept in until 6:45 the next morning.  That is pretty amazing.