First Campfire of 2014

Memorial Day weekend marked the unofficial start to summer.  We spent lots of time outside enjoying the gorgeous weather.  Dad built a campfire in the back yard, and our little family of 3.5 sat outside on a crisp, clear and calm Saturday evening to enjoy it. 

Summertime means...

...corn on the cob!  Vera Lou loves corn on the cob...as long as she has the "handles" to hold on to it and it isn't too hot.  She does a really good job of biting it off the cob and chowing down!

Vera's New Look

We went to see Dr. Ruhenkamp at the end of April.   It was time for a new pair of glasses for Vera.  Her first pair were getting tight behind the ears, and they also had several scratches on them.  Dr. Ruhenkamp said her prescription changed slightly and still an astigmatism, so a new pair of glasses was definitely a good idea.  In talking with their staff, we had only one pair of glasses in her size that we could order.  Vera wanted purple glasses, and fortunately this one and only came in purple.  Schew!  When it was time to leave the office, Vera couldn't understand why we weren't leaving with the new glasses.  It is hard to explain to a 3 year-old that the glasses had to be ordered and made especially for her.  After a few weeks, Adam took Vera to pick up the new glasses.  Here is her new look:

She wasn't at all thrilled about taking a picture with the new glasses.



Trying not to smile...

That's better!

30 Weeks

I took this picture myself before leaving for Ansonia's Prom.  Here I am at 30 weeks 6 days.

Still cooking...

Vera's birthday marked week number 28.  Around that same time, I went for my second 1 hour glucose screen of this pregnancy.  Dr. Bachman implied that I am at a high-risk for gestational diabetes when I was under her care at the beginning of this pregnancy.  Because I failed the 1 hour screen with Vera, her birth weight was so large, and I have a family history of large babies, she wanted me to do a screen at the very beginning of my pregnancy and then another around the standard 28 weeks.  I had a lot of anxiety about the test because I absolutely did not want to fail and have to go for a 3 hour screen.  I'm happy to report that my blood sugar came back at 98, which is fairly low.  Dr. Train said she likes for pregnant women to have their levels below 135.  What a relief to make it past that hurdle!  Dr. Train says my next hurdle is delivery.  I say the next hurdle is the Group B Strep test.  The hurdle after that is making sure baby is in the right position for delivery.  Then, delivery will be the final hurdle.

At my doctor's appointments within the last 2 months, I'm measured right on schedule.  Blood pressure is very good, and at my appointment in March, I had only gained 11 pounds, which Dr. Train also commended.  She told me that I wouldn't gain as much weight as what I did with Vera.  I asked her if I could have that in writing.  The baby's heartbeat is right around 150-160 consistently, which is about what it was with Vera.  

28 weeks 0 days.  Vera's 3rd birthday

And on Easter Sunday I hit the 30 week milestone.  (Picture to come soon!)  Although overall I'm doing well, I must say that the true aches and pains of pregnancy have reared their ugly head.  The lower back pain has been a nagging ail.  My hips have not been right since I gave birth to Vera, so that pain is escalating as I grow.  It's starting to get more difficult to sleep comfortably.  My legs started cramping at night about 6 weeks ago, just like they did with Vera.  Adam says that I am totally different with this pregnancy than I was with Vera.  He says everything seems to be a struggle for me lately.  I will admit that I am more tired, sore, and slow-moving than I was before.  I attribute a lot of that to having a 3 year-old to care for during this pregnancy that I didn't have with the last.  Though I love her to pieces, it goes without saying that she requires a lot of energy and time on a daily basis. Life is busier now...and about to get busier!

I have had such a hard time staying away from sweets, especially in this third trimester.  I could eat ice cream daily.  Cookies, cake and candy could serve as meals for me.  I've really been trying to keep it in-check.  Some days I do well, and other days are epic fails when it comes to sweets!  I must say that all of the Easter candy and sweet treats at family parties haven't helped.

If this baby is born anytime soon, it shall be nameless.  Adam and I cannot come up with a name that we agree on.  He has many suggestions and so do I, but very few that we both approve.  Within the last week, we both feel good about a girl's name that we like.  I think naming a child is so very difficult.  I want something reasonable, easy to spell and pronounce, but also unique and un-popular.  One of these days a solid boy's name will come to us...let's hope. 

I feel like I'm carrying this baby a little lower than I remember with Vera.  My shirts already feel like they aren't long enough.  We compared pictures from my pregnancy tonight.  I asked Adam if I looked the same.  His immediate response was that my hair was shorter then.  Thanks Adam, but I was really asking about the baby belly.  Then he commented that I look about the same then and now.

Though we're anxious to meet the newest member of our family, keep cooking a while longer, little one!

Meet Sparky

Right after Vera's birthday, another new swing came in the mail for us to add to her swing set. 

Meet Sparky the horse.  From the first minutes Vera started swinging, she decided that this was her horse and without hesitation, she named him Sparky.  Sparky is Sheriff Callie's horse on one of her favorite cartoons.  She has a song that she sings (from the cartoon) while she rides, and usually while we swing we have to stop and feed Sparky some apples or carrots. 

When it was time to come inside for the first time after we hung Sparky, Vera wanted to take the swing down and put it inside because she didn't think Sparky could hang outside all night in the dark and cold.  Adam coaxed her into leaving it outside, so she gave him a hug and kiss before heading in the house for the night instead. 

Since then, Sparky is a huge hit.  When she rides, she almost always says she needs a hat (to resemble a true cowgirl.) 

Vera also has her new green swing, which is named Clementine.  Clementine is Deputy Peck's horse on the same cartoon.  Clementine is a good horse, but not nearly as faithful and fun as Sparky.

A "New" Swing Set

Shortly before Easter, Adam had the idea to revamp Vera's swing set to make it a little bigger and nicer.  It's in desperate need of repainting and/or restaining, so we figured this would be a good time to do some work to it.  I have to say that I had a hard time visualizing Adam's plan, but he did an awesome job, and it turned out so well!  He worked hard over Easter weekend to get the construction all done.  Vera loves her new swing set, and I'm certain that it will provide hours and years of fun for Vera!  Now we just need some warm and dry weather to get it all sanded and stained.

Vera spent lots of time outside "helping" with the project.

I loved how she waited and watched patiently until it was finished.  She just couldn't wait for the steps to be done.

And when dad gave her the green light, she excitedly climbed to the top.

My favorite picture.

The finished project. 

The telescope (in Vera's words the otoscope) helps watch for pirates, crocodiles, and other intruders.

Vera thinks it's so cool to climb the stairs.  The "special effects" in the background are courtesy of the trash-burner.

Mom and Vera's shadow play.

And the steering wheel to drive the ship is also plenty of fun.