'Tis the Season...

....To make an Advent calendar!  I just made this the other day using a linen covered pinboard tile I've had forever, some scrapbook paper and a few Sharpies.  Why, you ask?  And why now?

One of my major concerns about having another baby is that it's going to limit the time I have with Joshua.  Which, I know...it will.  And he'll just have to get used to it, and we'll all have some adjusting to do...but it still makes my heart just a little bit sad.  Especially because this year he's two, and I think he'll actually have somewhat of an idea of what Christmas is about - so seeing him wake up on Christmas morning this year will be all sorts of fun that it just wasn't before because he was too young. 

That being said, I want to try to make this first Christmas season he will remember (hopefully!) a magical one.  I want it to be about more than presents under the tree and Santa Claus (though we will definitely have those too!).  I want him to have something fun and special to look forward to each day.  Which I know will be no easy feat since I will also have a newborn to take care of.  But still, I want to make this a special time for Joshua too. 

I had to make the calendar now because Lord knows I won't have time to think about such projects when baby boy makes his arrival.  So here it is, the middle of September, and I've already got Christmas on the brain. 

There's just some small thing to do or make or talk about hidden beneath each number.  For example, on the 7th it says pick out and decorate Christmas tree.  One of the nights is a family slumber party in the living room with the Christmas tree all lit up!  Another night is simply watching a Christmas movie, and another is having a candlelit family dinner.  Nothing huge, just something to make each day special.  Of course, there are also days to read about Christ's birth and sing Christmas songs - we don't want to forget the reason for the season!  And some of the days simply say something like go Christmas shopping or wrap presents...because I'm definitely going to need some motivation to do those things once my second son arrives!!

 

I hope my boy (and someday both boys) will have fun with this and make this Christmas season a very special one!

Small Fries

Last week I had to take BOTH my boys to the doctor because they are...small.  Which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone considering their mom is (pre-pregnancy) small and their dad is no football player!  However, doctors will be doctors and I have to try to put my mind at ease about it.

  Josh had a weight check because since his first birthday he has struggled to gain weight.  He has gained some weight, but not at the rate the doctors would like to see.  The exact same thing happened to me when I was about 15 months old - from that point on in my life (again, pre-pregnancy!) I, too, struggled to gain weight.  Our pediatrician doesn't think there is any reason to be concerned, given the family history, but told me it's just something we're going to have to keep an eye on...for the rest of his life.  AWESOME.  Still, I am thankful my boy is healthy and seems to be thriving in every other way.  He's getting taller, he's talking up a storm, his memory is awesome, and he's very active.  Just the other day he "read" an entire book to daddy from memory and the picture cues...I mean seriously, MIT, here we come!! :)

My other boy (still 2 months away from his due date) is now measuring small in utero, which is something that never happened with Josh.  The doctor is having me do ultrasounds about every two weeks from here on out to monitor his growth and development.  It's hard not to worry, but the doctor says he is just slightly smaller than she would like him to be for his gestational age.  She just wants to make sure he is growing and gaining in there - and stated he would probably just be a smaller baby when he's born - maybe 6-7 lbs. rather than 7-8 or 9.  That's fine with me!  As long as he's healthy and growing, that's all that matters.  In other news, the ultrasound revealed he is BREECH right now...UGH!  My doctor said he still has time to turn around, so I am VERY hopeful he will.  I was so scared to have a vaginal birth the first time around, but now that I know it's not so bad (with an epidural, of course!) I am more terrified of having to have a C-section.  Especially since the recovery period is much longer and I already have a toddler at home.  I know everything will work out just the way it's supposed to, but here's hoping this boy turns his little booty around (literally) in the very near future!!!