Banana Baby

I'm 20 weeks already!  This pregnancy is certainly flying by, especially compared to Oliver where I felt like I noticed every single day and spent hours researching, shopping and wondering.  Sometimes I've felt a little guilty that I'm not focused in the same way, but my OB pointed out that I AM giving this baby all my 2nd time mom expertise and lack of nerves.

That all being said, in the last few days the baby has been moving so much and I feel all sorts of kicks and punches now and I LOVE it.  I don't remember being quite so enamored with my fetus first time around, but this time I just feel like the baby is talking to me with every kick.  I also have a very sweet spot for this second born child, being a second child myself.  It changes things for everyone, I know that, but I am also keenly aware of the struggles of the second born and determined to make this baby uniquely loved and cherished.

We go in tomorrow morning for our 20 week ultrasound and I can't WAIT to confirm the sex!  In light of 2nd time motherhood, we've also decided to find out the sex, tell everyone, and we even think we'll announce the name ahead of time.  I hope it will help Oliver be prepared to know some details about his new brother or sister.

Age 3!

I was kind of emotional on the morning of Oliver's birthday, thinking of the past three years and all Oliver has brought into my life.  I kept thinking, "never have I known such joy."  By now, Oliver has a very distinct personality and I know who he is, what he likes, and often, how we will react to situations.  He is slow to warm up in new situations, then a constant chatter box.  He is FUNNY!  Chris and I often laugh out loud at the things he says.  He has a strange serious streak and tells people, "no laughing" or "too loud" at times.  Chris wonders if our own nature to be silly will make him fundamentally opposite.  He is really quite generous and I'm happy to say we've had almost zero problems with sharing.  He is gentle.  I've noticed lots (most) 3 year old boys play rough, but Ollie is really gentle.  He is sweet to his baby cousin Annabelle and gently hugs her.  He loves reading books, he loves trains, he loves any activities like playdoh or crafts.  He often asks to make "valentines" for his extended family.  

Parenting is hard and exhausting, and the older her gets, the more baffling it seems.  The conversations are getting more complex on how to be the best parent possible (most recently protection vs. adventure), but in the end, I truly have never known such joy.  I cherish the moments when we cuddle together, read books or nap and he puts his arms around me.  He asks for hugs and kisses every time I leave the house.  I know my heart is physically bigger for him.

Big Boy!

I'm so proud of Oliver (and so grateful).  He figured out potty training in 2 days total and now hasn't had a single accident in 6 days.  We went in a public restroom for the first time yesterday and he wasn't phased.  He's done fine with babysitters too.  I know boys can be super slow, so I am really thrilled.  I think it helped a ton that Chris was home this week and was really chill about it, so he didn't feel pressure.  At first we did stickers and 12 stickers = a bigger prize, but now he doesn't really ask, so we're phasing those out too.

When we talked about "no more diapers, we need to save them for the baby" he added, "and no more Nuks!"  So, he's also not using his Nuk in bed much at all either.  He'll still ask for it occasionally for naps, but it's a big change.

I'm not sad to be done with diapers, but I did have a serious nostalgia pang when I realized that after 35 months and 2 weeks, all of a sudden we haven't used the changing table at all.  It's just another of those small but poignant moments of proof that life moves quickly.  Big boy!