No spoon

Sometimes mama doesn't want to pick up the spoon once it has been dropped 17 times in one meal, so if you're hungry, you need to use your hands:

Chasing Daddy

Rolin has finally decided the swings are tied with the big toy as his favorite activity. For the last couple months, all he has wanted to do at the park is swing, swing, swing.

Now he likes to chase his mom or dad around the big toy:

Mmm mmm milkshake

Rolin really enjoys the fact that his mama is pregnant. He gets to have more burgers and shakes because of it:

Pics of B2T2

Here's our baby #2!

I think B2T2 looks like Rolin -- in the chin area, anyway. I'm so looking forward to what this little one looks like; to see similarities and differences between my two babies will be amazing and mind blowing all at the same time.

Well, the whole concept of creating a human is pretty mind blowing, actually. It's the oldest, most natural thing that happens all over the world, every second of the day -- even animals make new animals -- and it is still such a phenomenal miracle to sit and think about.

Overall, B2T2 appears to be healthy and growing at the right pace. There is one thing that had me a little worried though. If you look closely at this picture again, perhaps you'll see it yourself.

Yes, that's the umbilical cord, "loosely" crossed around the shoulder and neck area. Now, I realize baby has another 20ish weeks of flipping, rolling and twisting to do, and that some babies are born with it wrapped up that way and are fine -- most are! You can even have a C-section if it is necessary (and that's fine by me!), but seeing this made me nervous. Then I read about things in some books and online and learned more. Well, that was a mistake.

3D pics are nice, but are they really that nice? Anyway...

I called and spoke with a nurse, who, after I had to be more or less forceful with to get her to read the results and look at the picture, told me yes, the scan results did note that the cord is loosely wrapped. She also did say that had there been any concern, the midwife or doctor would have brought it up.

That's all well and fine, but I guess what I'm trying to say is, I was concerned. I didn't want to be, I really didn't, but I let fear and anxiety take over and it was all I could think about. It was ALL I could think about. I unexpectedly burst into tears after I got of the phone with the nurse...I think I scared Rolin...but I calmed down soon enough to comfort him and tell him I was fine, just nervous about baby.

He didn't really care. He just wanted me to be quiet so he could watch "Thomas" in peace.

I shared the developments with a few friends, complaining about the crassness of the nurse. But I knew what I had to do. And I asked the friends to do the same. I prayed about it...not just to fix it, but to not think about it. I asked God to take my fears, nervousness and recurring blasts of terrible thoughts. I did not want them poking at me all day, all night and the next day again.

You know what, so far, it's worked. Thank you, Lord! Of course, it crosses my mind from time to time, but I just do my best to shake it off.

It's so easy to worry, but worry will wreck you. It has wrecked me before. That's why I don't want it this time.

Another thing that helps is I've actually been reading my "Jesus Calling" devotional...the book that's moved with me three times. It's spent time in three bathrooms, where I told myself I'd read it. I didn't. I don't really do New Year's resolutions, but you could say this year mine is to actually do a daily devotional, so the book spends time on the kitchen table now. It does get covered by one of the two high chair trays, mail or other randomness that lands on my kitchen table, so I forget about it from time to time, but, overall, I've read it more in the last two months than in the last three years.

My original intent with this post was to share today's devotional entry, so without further rambling, here it is:

March 4

REFUSE TO WORRY! In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry. That is the nature of a fallen, fractured planet: Things are not as they should be. So the temptation to be anxious is constantly with you, trying to worm its way into your mind. The best defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with thanksgiving. Awareness of My Presence fills your mind with Light and Peace, leaving no room for fear. This awareness lifts you up above your circumstances, enabling you to see problems from My perspective. Live close to Me! Together we can keep with wolves of worry at bay. LUKE 12:25-25;  1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

Will you do something for me, readers? Will you pray for B2T2? Will you also pray for me to not worry? Like I said, it's so easy to feel worry. In fact, I think it's expected by some people that we're worried about one thing or another all the time, you know what I mean? Thank you for helping hold me accountable with this particular worry of mine, and any future worrisome events that may cross my path, spoken or unspoken.

I've decided to end this post with some new pics of life:

My big baby thinking he's a small baby.

Movie and popcorn while dad's out of town.

B2T2 is growing

B2T2 is about 18.5 weeks baked as of today. I've already done a terrible job documenting the new baby...

But, here are some pics to watch Christine the baby grow!

14 weeks.

17 weeks.

Yes, it's the same shirt. 

Yes, my posture is poor here.

Yes, I am wearing different pants.

Yes, I am 35 times bigger than three weeks prior. 

Yes, the letter blocks on the wall are crooked.

Yes, the majority of my growth is likely due to cheeseburgers and granola bars.

Yes, I'm carrying a lot higher than with Rolin. 

Any cravings? Yes...beer. And there is nothing I can do about it. 

Also, a lot of people around here use their outdoor grills, so by 5 p.m. the delicious scent of sizzling steaks is wafting through the air in our neighborhood and I find myself craving a burger or other type of BBQ-able food. Sometimes I give into this, sometimes I just go eat white cheddar popcorn while I heat up leftovers for dinner.

I also find myself gravitating toward spicy foods or pulling the tapatio out of the fridge to spice up my lunch. 

I am always starving (like, really starving) right after I brush my teeth and settle into bed for the night. I keep granola bars in my nightstand for this reason. Sometimes I try to go to sleep as quick as I can so I don't eat a granola bar. This is usually only when I've run out of granola bars. Plus, giving into my hunger pangs would mean leaving bed and going all the way downstairs to the kitchen. Justin is never happy about this request, but he has been a good sport and is kind about going to fetch me a snack. :)

I am feeling much better than I did in the first trimester. I have more energy, I can function in the mornings, I'm not *as* hungry. I'm still lazy. I still hormonal-cry (thank you P&G, for your super emotional Olympics-themed mom ads....AGAIN!). I still hormonal-yell (or head-scream). I still forget things...like words and proper punctuation. 

Here is a sweet moment between Rolly and B2T2:

Kisses for Baby.

Yes, I have a strange bellybutton. 
Yes, that mole was smaller before I got pregnant the first time.
Yes, yes. Thanks for noticing.

Visitors

Whew! We had a busy end to January, which flowed over into February.

One of the hardest things for me when we moved the first time was knowing all my family was together celebrating at most holidays, birthdays, nice weekends, Cougar games or simply just because, and I wasn't there. That was how I grew up -- we always got together with family. I was shocked to learn that what we did wasn't really the norm when little country mouse (me) went to the "big" city (Pullman) and met lots of different people. I couldn't understand why their mom didn't make spicy cheese dip for tortilla chips when an aunt, uncle or cousin would come by, or why they didn't sit out on the patio for hours after the sun went down, eating that dip and chatting. I thought everyone did that??!! You don't play nerts with everyone at Christmas until it's almost the day after Christmas??! You don't you all live about a mile away from family??!!

When we moved to California, we didn't know anyone. Well, save for a couple people in San Francisco, but that was like a two hour drive away, even though it was only about 25 miles away. Our first New Years was spent in a cheap hotel with cheaper pizza and the cheapest champagne. Our first California Easter was just the two of us and too much ham (again). Same for 4th of July, Halloween, birthdays, Christmas...I can't even remember what we did that first Christmas. It must not have been very exciting because, according to this blog, I just made Elf Yourself videos and never even blogged about Christmas.

This repeated itself over a few more holidays, but then we found the Bracketts and our lives changed forever. It still feels weird not to celebrate a holiday with the Bracketts. But I digress.

What I'm trying to tell you is we had a lot of family come visit this January and February. More than ever came to visit us when we LIVED IN WASHINGTON. Go figure ;)

The best part? They all came at once!

The worst part? I really failed at taking many pictures.

Plus, most of the pics were taken in the early-morning time frame when no one should be photoed.Also, the weather wasn't as warm as it had been or as it is right now, but those visiting from Chicago thought anything was better than -6F and the "polar vortex!"

Drew was the first to arrive, though it was just for dinner. He was in town for a business trip, so he came by to say hi and treat me to Jimmy Johns :) WOOT!

The Olmsteads were also here in their RV, but on the other side of Phoenix. Rolly and I made a trip over for an afternoon outing where he went swimming with Rah Rah for almost an hour. He loved being in the water, especially after we took off that dumb rash-guard shirt that made him freeze.

Rahrah and Rolly swimming.

Next came some of the Rabes and the rest the Chyterboks, sans Drew this time. Maggie brought her two little bugs, James and Owen (who was just 2 months old at the time). Mags and the boys stayed here while the Rabes stayed at a hotel a few miles away. I was excited to see Rolin and James together, especially because James is a year and two days older than Rolin. They got along pretty well for the most part, especially considering Rolin kept swiping James' toys, which more or less forced James to share his goods without being asked. He was good about sharing his trains, the most prized possessions of them all. In short, we've since purchased a couple Thomas the Train trains for Rolin as they've been the latest requirement for nap time (wheee).

Pajama pals cleaning up after breakfast.

What Rolin is really saying here is, "James, take this awesome duster..." So I can go play with your train by myself.

Dinner time!

Hugs!

Rolin was also really interested in baby Owen. He kept a close eye on him and made sure we remembered he is, in fact, a baby. "Baby! Baby! Baby!"

 Rolin making sure Owen knew he had a nose. "Nose!"


Making sure Owen's swing was swinging and playing music...

Cousin Laura joined us Friday night, after driving about seven hours to get here (wowza!) and stayed at our house. Maggie's friend Maggie, her husband and baby girl came down from north Phoenix for an afternoon at the park -- we were going to hit up the train museum and farm-themed park, but opted for the park in our neighborhood for logistic and food reasons, ha! Kids have a way of derailing (no pun intended) the best laid plans from time to time, right?!

Daddy and Rolly at the park.

Laura had to leave early Sunday to get back home, but we're so glad she made the trip to see everyone! The kiddos were glad to have a non-parent adult around to play with them, that's for sure!

One of the early-morning shots before Laura hit the road. 

Sunday afternoon was the Super Bowl, and Team Thompson hosted a viewing party. Everyone brought snacks, we enjoyed a chili bar with all the fixin's, and finished with football cookies and these cute "Seahawk Nests" Maggie and I made.

Seahawks nests for the Big Game. 

It was a great game, and having everyone here made Seattle's victory that much sweeter.

Thanks to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou, Mags and I were able to sneak away for (desperately needed) pedicures and some time to ourselves. It was a great treat! My parents got in late Monday, then everyone hit up the aquarium Tuesday. James and Rolin loved it, particularly the "water spot" on the floor, made by projectors, smoke and mirrors. We could hardly get them away from it. The underwater tunnel was also a hit.

Swimming in the "water," aka "the spot on the floor."

A little hesitant about stepping out onto the water!

James and Rolin checking out the shark mouth!

"Swimming" in the tunnel

The Rabes and Chyterboks left Wednesday, but mom and dad were still with us for another five days, so we weren't going to be all alone all at once.

Another early-morning shot before the Rabes and Chyterboks left for the airport. 

All the visitors kept our schedules packed, and I loved every minute. Mom and Dad's trip included a weekend getaway to Sedona, by way of Prescott, which we'll save for another post.

Stay tuned for more!

Not the mama

There is a framed photo of our wedding propped up against a wall in the corner of our bedroom. It's not that I don't like it -- it happens to be my favorite wedding photo! It's just that I ran out of picture-hanging steam, I suppose. Plus, it's usually covered by our laundry basket, so I forget it's there.

Well, I decided to do some laundry the other day, so I took the basket down the hall, exposing the picture.

Rolin has been sitting in front of it since that day, pointing at the pictures and naming those he recognizes.

Cute, right? Aww, he knows who people are! 

Maybe you can even see yourself in this photo? Feel free to point at those you recognize and joyfully call out their names as if you're a 19-month old.

It's fun, yes?

But you know what has got me baffled and questioning my appearance lately?

He doesn't recognize the lady in white, the one holding his daddy's hand. 

You know, the one who birthed him and has never been away from him for more than eight hours at a time (not necessarily by choice...). 

You know, HIS MOTHER!?

He won't believe me when I tell him otherwise. 

To him, this is not mama. 

To him, our wedding photographer is his mother. 

Nothing against her, of course. She's a lovely lady! I just really wonder why I can't convince him that I am the other woman in the picture!!! Ha!

Could it be her cowlick? Maybe. It's similar to the one that makes an apperance at the back of my head if I don't wash my hair daily. And, if we're being honest, I can't tell you the last time I washed my hair two days in a row. Maybe that's it. 

Is it her watch? No, I don't wear a watch. 

Is it her red shirt? well, I do wear my bull shirt from Spain a lot...so much so it's kind of orange now. Maybe that's it. 

I often stand with my hand up like that, protecting my tender Norwegian eyes from the bright sun. Even on cloudy days (which sometimes seem brighter, for some reason). Maybe that's it.