Baby things

Since my list of big events was depressing, my friend at Doing My Best suggested in the comments that instead I make a list of favorite baby gifts and things I might like or need for this new baby. And who am I to deny my lovely readers? (Also I love talking about baby stuff.) So here goes!


Favorite baby gifts with Kalena:
1. Homemade swaddle blankets that were much bigger than those tiny receiving blankets. GREAT for swaddling. They were also very girly, so they've been passed to my nieces. 
2. Baby sign books. Specifically this one and this one. I hadn't thought much about signing, and even though we don't do much of it, I think it definitely helps with communication before they're talking.
3. Okay, obviously we got some really, REALLY cute clothes (because who can resist cute clothes for a baby girl?!) but one outfit in particular stands out as a favorite: A white onesie with pink trim and tiny pink flamingos embroidered all over plus pink capris with little white flamingos embroidered all over them. Size 18 months and ADORABLE. 
4. A pack-n-play. Actually, TWO of them! I had some super-generous friends in Texas and ended up with a pack-n-play from my baby shower given by my church friends AND one at the shower given by my work friends. (We exchanged one for a bouncy chair and some other stuff. Still- SO NICE!)
5. One of those little "baby care" kits with a thermometer and bulb sucker and baby nail clippers and such. Totally practical, and totally something I hadn't really thought about. Definitely handy!


Favorites with Will:
Umm, I didn't have a baby shower with Will so I'm sort of blanking on what gifts we even got. A couple friends did make me a cute diaper cake though! Oh, and Brian's grandma sent us a giftcard that we spent on a swing. Will slept in that thing SO MUCH. That was excellent.


Favorites with this baby:
1. One of my friends covered one of those little plastic wipes cases in cute fabric. Great for a diaper bag and very much appreciated since the only other wipes case we have is pink and says something about being a princess.
2. My parents and sister bought us a new car seat! Because ours expired. So yahoo for not having that expense!
3. Another friend made us one of those great full-sized hooded towels. And she made an extra one when she heard Will didn't have one! 


Now, obviously since this next baby is a third child and a second boy, we have pretty much everything we need. However, there are still a few things I'm on the lookout for:


1. A coming home outfit. We have some great hand-me-downs but coming home from the hospital warrants a new outfit.
2. Some sort of lovey for him. We didn't introduce Will's bear until he was 9 months old. I won't be waiting that long this time around. Maybe something like this. I don't want something that rattles though.
3. Maybe some of these oversized swaddle blankets. To replace the girly ones.
4. We may have to break down and buy a new bouncy chair. The one we're getting back (my sister has it right now) has been used by at least 5 kids. We'll see how it's holding up.


And there you have it. Now you: what's the best baby gift you've been given? Or the best one you've given? I personally have a weakness for giving tiny adorable outfits, so I'm not sure I've ever made someone's "favorite gifts" list. 

Realization

Apparently I missed my blogging anniversary. That's right, as of February 18th I've been writing in this little space for 4 years. It definitely doesn't seem like it's been that long. I was going to write a little list of big events that have happened since I started writing, but too many of the big things are depressing, so no list.

So yeah. 4 years. I wonder what the next 4 will bring?

36 weeks

I had my 36 week appointment yesterday and things still look good. The nurse asked me how the gestational diabetes diet is going and I said, "It's good. I mean, I hate it, but I'm still doing it." She gave me a sympathetic smile and then informed that I haven't gained any weight. If I stay on this track this will be the least weight I've gained during a pregnancy.

Anyway, I'll be switching to weekly appointments now and I'm REALLY hoping I don't have to have 4 of them before this baby comes. I'm ready, and the doctor says as soon as baby is ready (i.e. I go into labor) we're all set. So HOORAY! Since Kalena came 8 days late and Will only came 3 days early I'm pretty sure it's delusional of me to believe this baby might come at the beginning of March. However, that delusion is one of the few things keeping me sane, so I'll just continue believing it mkay?

So yeah. 36 weeks.

The sweetest

You're probably going to stop believing that my kids don't fall asleep randomly if I keep posting these, but Will did it again! It was Sunday afternoon (the kids don't nap on Sundays because of when church is) and he climbed up in my lap and went right to sleep.

He was all tuckered out.

Yes, she went out in public like this

Here's what happens when you let a 3 year old dress herself:

I don't know if it's a fashion statement, but it is DEFINITELY some kind of statement!

I have a talented sister

I don't know if I've mentioned this here before, but my sister Kirsta? Is artistic. And she makes some awesome stuff. Like this picture (a Christmas gift to my parents):

Sorry for the yellow lighting. And the glare. I should have taken the picture before this picture was framed and hung on the wall. Am obviously NOT a photographer. Anyway. Her picture? Is made up of torn paper put together with modge podge. Seriously. Here's a closer look:

Is that amazing or what? And you know what else? She got on pinterest like 3 weeks ago and has actually DONE projects she pinned! (Did you know people did that in real life?) Anyway, I'm hoping Kalena gets some of that artistic talent because I sure don't have any!

A rare sight indeed

My kids don't sleep in public. They almost never sleep in the car. They don't fall asleep while they play at home, even if they're tired.

However, on Friday my dad took my kids out to lunch and the park. They missed nap time completely (it was way too late to put them down when they got home.) We were planning on dinner soon, so I put a show on for Will and left to do something. When I came back a few minutes later this is what I found:

So out of it he was snoring. And he's definitely our kid- that's a calculator he's curled up with.

35 weeks

I realized yesterday that I STILL haven't preregistered at the hospital, something I was supposed to do at 6 months. WHOOPS. So I called to set up my appointment, but the lady is out of the office until Monday. I guess I will be calling again then. I wouldn't worry about it too much since I already had a baby at this hospital, but since I had Will they've opened a new maternity wing (it was finished like the month after he was born) and have a whole bunch of new registration policies apparently. Hopefully they won't lecture me about how late I am in getting this done.

In other news, it has not mattered at all that I am ignoring the nutritionist's warning about weight gain (or laying off the cheese and butter.) Since I saw her I've actually lost weight. This means I am currently up 25 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. Which is exactly where I was at 25 weeks. I've fluctuated some, but I lost weight while I had that stupid cough, gained it back, then lost it again since I've been eating low carb. It's weird for me, because I gained weight very steadily while I was pregnant with Kalena and with Will. And I think that's all for now. What's new with you?

More Valentines!

Kalena hit the jackpot this year for Valentine's shirts. She got this one in the mail yesterday from Brian's mom. (Will got a monster truck. I guess she thinks glittery hearts aren't his thing?)

Again with my pose:

And with the dancing:

I'm pretty in love with this shirt. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but all the dark pink is sparkly!

Valentine-y

Kalena wanted to show you all the lovely Valentine's Day shirt that her aunt Kari sent her.

In my requested pose:

And in a pose of her choosing:

Happy Valentine's Day!