Forward Facing

Last Saturday, we switched the kids' convertible car seats around so that they are facing forward.  They didn't seem to mind facing backward, but we definitely needed to flip them before the baby comes anyway (to fit an extra car seat in the back row).  They seem to really enjoy being able to see the world from a totally different viewpoint.  We went to a birthday party that afternoon, and Miles was all smiles with his new forward facing view.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

So I guess I'm netting one step forward, right?  I'll take it!

Last week, I ran 19 miles, all of it with the double stroller.  I felt really good on most of those runs except for one day when it was particularly warm and I ran out of water.  It's hard for me to remember to take my time and bring my breathing back to a reasonable pace, especially when I'm feeling good.  My weight keeps steadily increasing (up 12 pounds now from the start), but I feel like I'm much more healthy during this pregnancy than with Miles and Vivienne.

Yesterday, I went out for a jog, and I felt pretty bad.  I had some pulling sensations in my stomach muscles and my right shin was acting up - almost feeling like a shin splint.  I ended up running about a mile and then walking about 2.5 more miles.  I'm going to try to remember to take it easy on myself and not push too hard. 

I don't want to ask the OB about the pulling sensations in my tummy, because I don't want them to tell me that I can't run anymore.  Jason thinks that's poor reasoning, and I know he's right.  I'll ask them at my appointment this Friday.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that yesterday was just a tired day for my body.

Viv in Glasses

I think she would make quite the little librarian.

Road Rash

A week or so ago, Vivienne was playing with a full size basketball, lying on it on her belly.  She lost her balance and fell forward and went face first into the pavement. She had a nice goose egg on her forehead and a pretty big scratch on the tip of her nose and her upper lip.  She looked pretty rough for a couple days, but luckily it healed up pretty quickly.  This isn't a great photo, but you can see some of the damage.

Halfway There

Tomorrow, I'll be 20 weeks pregnant.  I can't believe that this pregnancy is almost halfway over already.  It seems to be going by much more quickly with these two little ones to chase around. 

I'm feeling really great these days.  I'm still running.  Well, I guess it's more like jogging with my current pace, but it's still a whole heck of a lot more than walking.  =)  I went 16 miles last week (in addition to pilates, yoga and the Xtend Barre class).  This week, I have gone 14.5 miles already - hoping to get in a few more miles before the week is over.

I can feel our Baby Girl kicking a lot now.  It's fun to feel her moving around and learning to use her arms and legs.  She is supposed to be the size of a mango now.  Mangoes happen to be one of Jason's and my favorite fruits.

We're starting to think about names, but we haven't settled on anything yet.  I think we'll probably wait until she is born to tell anyone the name that we choose.  I can't believe she'll be here in a few short months.  I was just looking at pictures from Miles' and Vivienne's first weeks, and it is amazing how tiny they were and how big they are now.  The time does pass so quickly.  I'm glad that I'm here for every minute of it.

Going to Bed

We have to consider ourselves lucky to have had two pretty easy sleepers.  We virtually never have to get out of bed at night.  Occasionally, one of the kids will wake up and cry for a few seconds, but they put themselves back to sleep very quickly. 

Until recently, Vivienne would nap in the guest room (in a pack n play) while Miles napped in the nursery in his crib.  While Michelle and Jason were here, I tried napping them both in their cribs in the nursery.  It actually worked quite well, and I have been doing this ever since.

Over the past week or so, I will say to them,"Are you ready for a nap?"  They get really excited, go find their lovies, and wait at the gate at the bottom of the stairs.  When I open it, they both climb up the stairs, go into the nursery and stand in front of their cribs.  I put them both in their cribs and they usually take about an hour and a half nap.  I'm trying to lie down myself every day at this time, because I need to take every opportunity that I can to rest while they're asleep.

They have also started eagerly climbing the stairs to bed at night.  It's really cute to see those two little tushies making their way up the stairs in their PJs.

Thank You!

Last week, I handed something to Vivienne and she said, "Thank you!"  I have never heard her say that before (or at least I had not recognized that she was saying it).  Whenever I empty the dishwasher, Miles and Viv will come running from the next room (because they hear the dishes clanging) to "help" me unload it.  They mainly just take out the silverware and hand it to me one piece at a time.  Though this significantly slows down the emptying process, I sit and take each piece one by one and exclaim, "Thank you!  Thank you!"  She must have learned it from me.

I've also noticed that she will occasionally hand me something and say,"Thank you."  I think she thinks that "thank you" means "we're handing each other things."  One step at a time, I suppose.