Differences - 17 Weeks, 4 days

Every baby is different. Mine seem to be different so far even in utero. I first felt Charlotte moving in the womb at about 15 weeks along and then always felt her regularly. I began feeling this Little Bug around the same time, but this one doesn't move quite as much. At 17.5 weeks, I feel him more often now, but I was going days without feeling a thing after that first movement. Even now, I usually feel gentle little movements instead of full blown popcorn popping.

I've thought there could be many different reasons, that the placenta is attached somewhere different than it was with Charlotte, meaning I don't feel as much movement, or that I'm not sitting still working at a computer for much of the day, as I was during MC's pregnancy.

But even so, they are still different. To get MC to move, I used to drink something with caffeine. Seeing how much caffeine still affects her to this day, that makes sense. Little Bug, however, doesn't seem to mind caffeine so much, but rather gets moving every time I drink ice-cold water. This baby is in for a shock when he's born in January!

My body is definitely different this time too. I'm showing much more for being 17 weeks, but I THINK I'm keeping the weight gain a little more under control. I wonder if we can peek back at my old records on my next OB visit. It's going so fast this time.

The Cookie Monster

Ahh, yes, my very own cookie monster. Or just my very own monster, depending on her mood. While often the most loving, this little cookie dough eater also likes to throw her own tantrum. Or two or three. If I'm not going to cave to something, I ignore the tantrum, so she's usually back to sweet and happy within a minute.

Sometimes, I can't ignore the tantrum, because we're in the parking lot at Kroger, it's 100 degrees outside, and she doesn't want to get into the car and into her car seat. Mommy, who is still recovering from the swine flu, just can't handle that.

She gave up tantrums long enough today, however, to help me make cookies, although insisting on a lot of extra tasting. As I scooped out sugar and flour, she took the measuring cups in her hand and said confidently, "I do this, Mommy." What didn't end up in the bowl gave a good, "I've been baking" effect to her dress. She has a cute pink apron, given to her by Aunt KK, but cries, "No, Mommy! No Mommy!" each time I pull it from the hook.

In fact, our baby girl (who's not much of a baby any more) talks up a storm these days. Though I try to encourage things like, "Please, Mommy" and "Yes, Mommy" and "No, thank you, Mommy," her most recent sentences include the word "need." "I need milk. I need help!"

She did not, however, need any help creating the masterpiece on the table. I thought it pretty creative!

Yes, those are colored pencils sticking out of her purple play-doh.

Just so everyone knows that a sweet girl does indeed live behind the sweet smile most of the time...

• Charlotte loves to give hugs and kisses. My favorite to receive come while I'm singing her a song before putting her to sleep.
• Often when passing a crucifix on the wall, she says, "Kiss Jesus?" and then does.
• She loves to sing. While sometimes I have no idea which song she's belting out, we often hear "Jesus Loves Me," "ABCs" and "Muffin Man." She sings along to most of the 72 tracks on her Silly Songs CD. (Although sometimes she doesn't like to hear ME sing, " Mommy, no singing!")
• When she gets to rough while playing and I tell her something hurts, she gives a big hug accompanied by an, "I sowwry," that makes my heart melt.

AND she's also very cute when eating cookie dough:

PS - Did I mention this batter is made with pasteurized eggs, so Mommy had some guilt free enjoyment too? Best invention, ever.

Weedkend Fun, a few days late

So, FIRST, we've made it to 15 weeks! Time just keeps disappearing, but really I don't mind. We've been really busy around here getting ready for a shower for Christy that I'm hosting (with a little help from my sisters) at the house on Thursday. That means a lot of the boxes that are still unpacked either need to find their way to the attic or their contents need to be put away.

Anyway, first I want to post about my exciting Craigslist find, a barely used Phil & Ted's Sport buggy. No one seems to have quite the same excitement I have over this (and why would they?). I have wanted this stroller since I first laid eyes on it about a year ago, but it is pricy, so I've been combing craigslist for MONTHS. We picked it up on Friday from a couple in College Station. My favorite thing about this stroller? That it CAN be a double stroller without adding all the extra bulk. The picture below shows the setup for a toddler and an older baby, but there is an additional setup for a newborn and a toddler that I will definitely use.


For now, we will use it for just Charlotte. As our babies grow, we'll probably end up using it just for Little Bug, so it's nice that it will convert easily from a single to a double.

This photo is of us in the empty MSC at A&M. It is all ready for renovation! We didn't spend much time in CS, but did manage to stop by Shakes after a quick dinner at BWW. Yum! (Is it weird that I didn't feel like I could take my toddler to eat at Northgate on a Friday evening?)

So far, I love this stroller MUCH more than the cheap Graco stroller we registered for. It handles sidewalk cracks in the neighborhood with great ease and manuvers really easily. Charlotte likes it too.

Saturday we went to the Downtown Aquarium with Jeannette, who had a deal for $5 entry. We really enjoyed ourselves, but I can't imagine paying the full $15 on a Saturday with all of the crowds we battled! Charlotte loved all of the fish, especially Nemo and Dori, but wasn't interested in touching a sting ray.


We rode the carousel and waited in line for over an hour for the Shark Train. Apparently, only one train was running, and maybe with good reason, as later that evening when they brought it back on the track, there was a collision!



While our plans originally included eating at the Aquarium as well, Fred convinced me that the food there isn't worth the pricy menu, so we made our way to Goode Co. Seafood. LOVE that place!

I must be missing a few brain cells, because I didn't take pictures of our Sunday lunch here at the house with our friends Connie, David, and their son Augustine. Augustine and Charlotte totally entertained each other so we could visit, which was very nice. God willing, when they come over next year this time Little Bug will have his own playmate too!