Freddie!

Freddie!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Nothing quite like a good nostril shot.

Jacob and Sammy

Jacob and Sammy, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We've been parking it a lot this week, thanks to our awesome HOT (consider the source) spring break weather.

Shower Flowers

Shower Flowers, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Last Saturday my friends threw me a super sweet baby shower. I am so touched by their kindness and generosity and I can only hope to someday repay them (personally, or by filling a similar role for someone else). There was delicious homemade food, virgin margaritas, flowing conversation, non-embarrassing shower games and gifts! (seriously, gifts? for #3?!)

Many thanks to you all! Each one of you have been such a support to my family and me throughout this pregnancy. I don't know what I'd do without friends!

38/39 weeks shadow, taken the evening of 3/29

38/39 weeks shadow, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

And I think we *may* be a go this morning (3/30), Blogger friends!

We'll keep you posted! Please pray for me!

3/31 no baby yet! Just a day full of painful back labor with no progress. I am feeling better today - no back contractions so far this morning. Whew. Many thanks to all our friends and family for their kindness and encouragement through a very uncomfortable day.

New seating arrangement.

This morning was beautiful so while Sammy was at preschool Freddie and I switched around the car seats in our Mazda5. I am sure I looked ridiculous doing this at hugely 37-weeks pregnant but it had to be done. We have an appointment with a CPT Tech at the Fire Station on Saturday to check the installs, but here's what our car looks like now:

This is the third row in our Mazda5. Seat belt install with top tethers.

Britax Marathon and Regent.

Freddie in the Marathon. He's nearly outgrown this seat, but it'll work for the moment.


And the adorable Combi Coccoro for Baby!

I love this little seat! But I totally need the tech to get the install perfect. Mine is flimsy. Well, I actually took the seat out until Saturday... but this what it'll look like.

And here is Sammy's Graco Turbo Booster in the second row. It doesn't sit as well in the third row but installs beautifully in the second.

He loves this seat, so he may be sitting next to baby once Freddie outgrows the Marathon. But I dunno...

Nana and Sammy and assembled co-sleeper!

Nana and Sammy and assembled co-sleeper!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Another project tackled by Nana over her five-day visit. Add to this piles of laundry, dinner preparation, mountains of dishes, dirty floors, grocery store runs, active boys, boxes of baby clothes... and cheesy puffs! Love you, Mom!! :)

Nana to the rescue!

Freddie helps Nana build the changing table topper., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Last week I was feeling overwhelmed by the physical demands of being a mom to two active boys *and* an active baby in the womb, and worrying how I would be able to take care of them, myself, the hubs and still manage to get things ready for baby. After a couple whiney phone calls from me, my mom hit the road last Thursday for a day of driving from Arkansas to Minneapolis. As Mo called it, a true act of "Motherly Sacrifice."

Thanks so much, Mom! I wish you didn't have to leave at all before the baby comes, but I can hardly compete with a trip to Vegas!

Here's a picture of Nana and Freddie assembling the changing table topper for our IKEA Leksvik changing table dresser. One of the many projects she helped with!

I's cutes.

I's cutes., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Freddie looks more like Jacob every day. Just prettier ;)

Solar Power critter!

Solar Power critter!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Sammy really enjoyed this Solar Power information station at the Como Zoo. He is such a Little Scientist these days :)

Tropical Gardens!

Tropical Gardens!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

At the Como Zoo in St. Paul. Apparently a great place to go in the dead of winter, sadly we made this discovery the first weekend of March! The camera is all fogged up thanks to the glorious humidity!

Third trimester third baby photo shoot.

Sonja strikes again! We headed over to Minnehaha Falls this Saturday for a maternity photo shoot. Thanks SO much, Sonja! I can't tell you how much it means to me. I am so thankful to have these beautiful shots documenting my last pregnancy.



I am just about 35 weeks along in the pictures. With a big baby belly measuring two weeks ahead of due date!



Just before she took the above picture I picked up an abandoned "booze bag" with the hopes of sitting on it and spilled nasty beer all down the leg of my jeans. There is nothing quite like a hugely pregnant mama reeking of beer.



Thankfully I look like a hot mama rather than someone experiencing the full onslaught of the third trimester! (Right?!)

Still a ton of snow on the ground!

Sammy swinging, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

It makes for a nice lower swing height for the boys :)

March in Minnesota

Sammy and Henry working on getting muddy, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

My neighbor Ruth and I took our boys to the park yesterday afternoon because it's been so nice! Things are melting and it's comfortable to be outside (well, as comfortable it is for a mom in the third trimester!).

We still love our car and so does Consumer Reports!

A bunch of people have asked recently what kind of car we are going to buy when Baby #3 arrives. We don't plan to. We have an awesome Mazda5. It was recently picked as the Best Family Hauler in the Consumer Reports Top Picks: Best Models of the Year in 10 Categories.

Here is what they had to say:

Family Hauler: Mazda5

The Mazda5 microvan offers a lot of practicality in a compact, affordable package. With three rows of seats and sliding rear side doors, it combines the convenience of a minivan with the maneuverability and stingy fuel economy—24 mpg overall—of a wagon. The interior is airy, with good fit and finish. Plus the Mazda5 is fun to drive, with a nimble feel and a comfortable ride. The addition of standard ESC for 2010 improved its emergency handling. If you need more room, consider the Honda Odyssey minivan. Price: $23,805.

Just for fun, here is a picture of us the day we bought our Mazda5. Circa June 2006.

, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Probably. The boys are already calling the baby "Baby Jack."

Freddie's rocking Don King hair.

Freddie's rocking Don King hair., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Jacob requested I take a picture of this awesomeness. FYI: Freddie did not style it with the comb prior to this picture.

Good morning, Sunshines.

Good morning, Sunshines., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Loving Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes!

Loving Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

You can't really tell in this picture, but it was a rare one with his mouth closed. He was very excited about dinner last night - especially the ranch-flavored oven "fried" (goBare) chicken drumsticks and Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes for dessert.

Eating corn out of the serving bowl, with the serving spoon.

Eating corn out of the serving bowl, with the serving spoon., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We are all about good table manners here.

Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes

Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We were inspired to make these little treats thanks to The Wiggles "Crunchy Munchy Honey Cakes" song.

Winter Program

Sammy - my adorable performer, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Sammy's preschool class had their winter program on Thursday, February 11th. He and the rest of the Butterflies sang and danced to about 10 classic kid numbers, then afterward we had a reception of cookies and juice. It was a fun night, and Sammy is such an adorable (and natural!) performer.

That's a little red heart painted on his nose. They'd had a puppy-themed Valentine's Day party at preschool that morning and he did not want to wash off the heart. A few of the other kiddos were still wearing theirs, too.

Snow as high as Freddie

snow as high as Freddie, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

On Super Snowy Monday. Sammy loves to sled, Freddie loves to shovel. Freddie's method of shoveling basically involves tossing snow from a high bank to an area recently shoveled by Jacob.

Super Snowy Monday

jacobs-well beanie, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We had a great snowy day on Monday. The boys were happy playing in the front and back yard for nearly an hour!

Here is a cute shot of Sammy after a ride down our front "hill" on a sled, wearing the Jacob's Well beanie he earned for his recent community service!

Tiny Love Wind Chime Recall!

Hazard: The wind chime toy can be pulled apart exposing sharp metal rods, posing puncture and laceration hazards to the baby.

I know a ton of parents with toys like these. Here is the direct link with pictures of the (seven!) specific toys: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10136.html

What a great idea! Washing Tiny Socks

This reader tip from ohdeedoh would have saved us a week of headache with a "broken" washer right after Freddie was born. Remember this?

Instead of searching for all those little baby socks after you do the laundry- stick them all in a mesh laundry bag before you throw them in.

Read article: Washing Tiny Socs

30 weeks

Thanks so much to Sonja for inviting us over to play this morning, and for snapping a few shots of me for my mom and Blogger friends! This is the first official belly shot of Baby Rod #3. Obviously I have hit the glamorous stage of pregnancy, note the pony tail, sports bra outline and entire outfit of stretchy material. But I still think Sonja made me look good with her mad photography and Photoshop skills. Thanks again, friend! :)

Feeling very European...

makeshift indoor clothesline, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

To continue on with our year of household failure our dryer stopped working on Tuesday, after I'd washed two loads of clothes. I rigged up this makeshift indoor clothesline in the boys' bathroom upstairs.

Playing together at Choo Choo Bob's

Playing together at Choo Choo Bob's, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We met up with friends at a favorite local train store this afternoon. If you are local and have not been yet, check out Choo Choo Bob's on Marshall Ave in St. Paul. It's a little boy's dream. :)

Another shot of the clothesline and octopus dryer

makeshift indoor clothesline and octopus dryer, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Tuesday's snow

Freddie and Sammy out on a snowy day, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Why Rear-Facing is Better...

I started looking into car safety again after talking to a friend who's little one is about to out grow his infant car seat, and am once again stuck by how much information there is out there. It's relevant, updated, keeping-your-kids-as-safe-as-possible-in-the-car information that so many parents ignore or overlook or are just plain ignorant about. I realize my blog has a very small readership, but still I feel convicted to share some of this invaluable information. Here is installment I. It's about extended rear-facing. This is from carseatblog.com:

Here’s a list of concrete reasons why we recommend rear-facing past age 1 and 20 lbs. That old recommendation that many pediatricians still hold onto stresses the bare minimums of when to turn a child forward-facing. Who wants the minimum for their child? It’s best practice to rear-face to the limits of the child’s convertible carseat: check the label for the rear-facing weight limit and make sure there’s at least 1″ of carseat above the top of his head.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended since 2002 that after age 1 and 20 lbs., children should ride in a rear-facing convertible seat until reaching the weight limit of that carseat. ....

Read the full article, including You Tube videos documenting RF safety: CLICK HERE

And here are a few tidbits of basic rear-facing info:
Children are 5X safer when left rearfacing until at least 2 years.
Many convertible car seats will accomodate a rear-facing child until 3-35lbs.
Broken legs are not a concern when rear-facing.
Rear-facing convertible car seats can be installed as upright as 30 degrees to give older children more comfort.

Minnesota TImberwolves game

pre-game Nacho smiles, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Jacob took Sammy to a Timberwolves game Friday night. I would have loved to go, too, but tip-off was at 7pm and that is just too late to have Freds out. So Jacob and Sammy took the $200 a piece tickets and gave the $150 tickets (one row back) to Nate and one of his friends. (One the perks of working for a Fortune 500 company!)

Sammy had a really good time. He and Jacob rode the light rail down to the Target Center (a highlight in itself), they got nachos and ice cream, watched the players warm-up, saw the pre-game show and made it through the first quarter. From what Sammy told me he had a blast. Next up, Twins season!

More pics from the outing up at Flickr, just follow the link under the picture.

Jackrobatics

This is what I've been calling the baby's movements lately. Jacob thinks it's embarrassingly bad. But it's so fitting because this baby is in constant motion. I don't think anyone really believes me. Constant. Motion. And he gets the hiccups all the time, too. It's cute and wonderful and amazing and miraculous, but it can be weird at times, too. Especially when I'm just sitting here minding my own business and a freakin' knee glides across my middle. "Hi! Baby in here!" Weeeeird.

When the OB was doing my belly check on Monday (29-week appointment) she had to keep moving the doppler from side to side to pick up his heartbeat. And she heard and commented on the hiccups, too. Sweet validation. The ultrasound tech also struggled with him holding still long enough for her even to snap a picture for measurements. What a turkey!

Y'all say a prayer for us that while he's not resting (or letting me rest) in the womb, he'll be a mellow, docile, sweet sleep-loving baby once he's born!

Almost forgot! The OB also said he's measuring to be closer to Freddie's birth weight (a hearty 9.2 lbs!!!) than Sammy's (a mere 6.2). She basicially told me to expect another 9-pounder. Yeehaw.

current reading

current reading, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Just in case anyone is interested in our progress. There is none. We have yet to solidify a name for Babycakes #3, although Jack might be the current front-runner.

And for what it's worth, I really like Aiden. :) I just don't know if it's the right combo with our last name. Of course, I reeeeally like Javier, but I feel like that's problematic with the last name, too, at least as a first name. Think about it - there would be, like, a gazillion dudes with the same first-last name combo.

Other names we've discussed:
Joey (but I'm not sold anymore, I keep thinking "baby kangaroo")
Tobias (Jacob called the baby this for a while and it's kind of grown on me - for a middle name, maybe)
Anthony (Tony Stark anyone? :D )
Wyatt
Dylan
Rhys/Reece
Presley
Jude

Who knew choosing a name could be so challenging?!

What do I do with this hot mess? Book overload!

What do I do with this? Book overload!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Suggestions, anyone? I straighten it, they destroy within seconds. But we love books. Help!

All About Me! poster by Sammy

All About Me! poster by Sammy, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Sammy made this poster for a school assignment. Most of the other kids at his preschool left their posters to be hung up along the hall at school but Sammy loves his so much he brought it home. He was special person the week of Jan 11th.

The answers to his questions read:
Name: Sammy
Birthday: Nov 13
Fav Color: green
Fav Toy: remote control crane (although I'd argue this and say GeoTrax... but what does Mom know?)
Fav Food: strawberries and bananas (Sammy *loves* his fruit!)
Fav Animal: giraffe
My family: Mommy, Daddy, Freddie, Emma the dog and a baby brother on the way!
When I grow up I want to be: an airplane pilot

An early anniversary present.

etsy.com Anniversary Art, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

I found this on (customizable) print at vol25's store on etsy.com and bought it as an anniversary present for us. Great news is that J loves it as much as I do, and it looks great in our room. Score!

Sick Freds.

No pictures, please., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

It's been a not-so-fun week at our house. Just for Freddie and me to a lesser degree. Sammy and Jacob seem to have escaped from the... unpleasantness.

Freddie's big boy bed!!!

Freddie's big boy bed!!!, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

Last Saturday Jacob took down the crib in Freddie's room (because Freddie was hanging out of the bars and about to nearly destroy the thing before Baby #3 got a crack at it). And we finally set up a twin bed in his room.

He pretty much loves it, and has done so well with the transition! The first night I sat at the top of the stairs and walked him back to bed probably a dozen times between 7:30 and 10 pm, and he woke the entire house up at 6 am after sneaking out of bed and knocking things off the wall, but since then he's back to his normal sleep-loving self. Freddie can be super tricky and challenge me at nearly every turn, but this boy is a happy sleeper and for that I am eternally greatful (no way would I make it as his mama with him being a poor sleeper!).

Yay for Freddie being such a big boy! (And a tiny sniff for my baby growing up too quickly!) Now, we are just looking forward to that other big boy milestone -- potty training! (I doubt there will be misty eyes for mama with that one!)

Welcome, Michael!

Dom&Michael, originally uploaded by dancgbear4757.

My step-sister Dominique and her husband Moises welcomed their baby boy into the world last Friday, January 8th. Baby Michael weighed in just under 8lbs (!!!) and around 19" long, if I'm remembering correctly.

Congrats, guys! We are so happy for you and can't wait to meet your sweet baby boy!

A boy's lunch.

A boy's lunch., originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

We try to follow a "no toys on the table during mealtime" rule but sometimes a graham cracker is just too perfect a ramp to pass up.

Leave your child with me, she'll go home a Texas fan...

Kaia and Freddie rocking the Texas garb, originally uploaded by sweetietooth.

I tried to indoctrinate Kaia while I was watching her this morning. I dug through Freddie's (Sammy's) outgrown clothes and dressed her for the occasion (National Championship game v. Alabama is tonight!). I even tried to get her and Freddie to "Hook 'em" but they both busted out with number ones. I'll take that! :) Aren't these two year olds so cute?

Texas Fight!!!

Happy 2010!

We took the boys and Jacob's parents to the Minnesota Children's Museum for their Sparkle-rama party on New Year's Eve. The kids had a blast and we very happy to be back at MCM after a brief respite since the weekly visits of the summer.


rockin' out on air guitars made at MCM


with Grandma and Papa, who were visiting us (from Texas!) for the week after Christmas


the 8pm ball drop - Sammy *loved* this part! You can't really tell by the pictures but there were hundreds of beach balls being thrown down and around the museum and a band was playing, too. I imagine it was a lot like New Year's at Times Square ;)

Merry Christmas!

Wow! Where did December go??? Here's a picture from Dec 22nd - Jacob and I took the boys to a (free!) gingerbread house building even at a local park rec center and afterward Santa stopped by. The boys spent much of the that night searching the sky for Rudolph's red nose and listening for Santa's sleigh bells as he returned to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas!

Here is Freddie diligently working on his gingerbread house.