The BIG 3!

Anna turned 3 last Saturday (April 24), but I've been so darn busy it's taken me a week and a half to get the pics on here. When she woke up, we gave her two gifts- a doctor kit and a power wheels. We thought she'd be the most excited about the car and took a video...



But it was so anticlimactic that I didn't bother to post it. She looks semi-excited in this picture, though.



When we asked Anna what she wanted for her birthday, she told us, "Candles". So, we spent the day putting candles in any food she ate.



The thunderstorms cleared up in time for Anna to try out her car before swim lessons. Shaun will be teaching her to drive in another 13 years, as I have realized I do NOT have the patience. He was great!



Nanny and Poppy came over for dinner and brought Anna a tutu swimsuit and a balloon (the other "thing" she said she wanted). We still had some brownies left over from what she brought to Ms. Teresa's house, so we put candles in them and sang Happy Birthday again!



Grandma and Grandpa were also in town for JazzFest, so on Sunday they drove to BR with a cake and fixed dinner for us. Anna was VERY excited about the icing flowers and pink candles.




On Tuesday I went to the doctor for my 35 week checkup and had an ultrasound. Donkey is up to 6 lbs, 6 oz. His head is down and in the 95th percentile! I'm starting to thin, but no dilation yet. I'm also praying to go into labor BEFORE my due date because if this baby makes it to June 3, his weight is projected to be around 9 lbs (with a really big head). OUCH!! Here is a picture of his face:



Since Anna turned 3, I took her for her first visit to the dentist on Thursday. I didn't take any pictures, but she did a great job! When we got home, we played dentist for a while using her doctor kit. Apparently, my teeth looked good.


An addendum to Anna's birthday party post (because I can't remember anything these days): Special thanks to Mary Jane and Carl for helping us to set up for the party, and to Kristen for being the photographer and ice cream server!

Anna's Birthday Party

We had Anna's 3rd birthday party at our house last Saturday. The weather could not have been more perfect! Anna was so excited that her friends came to her house and played! Below you can see her taking a picture with the new camera that Nanny and Poppy gave her.



This is Parker. Anna tells us about 8 times per day that "Parker is my bes' friend". We were relieved that he could make it to the party. He and Anna are so cute together.



Kristen and Sara came, along with Christie, Hannah, and Caleb.



Before the party started, Anna tried to make a list of all of the things she wanted her friends to do while they were at her party. She had specific activities for each person planned. I wonder who she inherited those "control issues" from?... In the end, she just ran amok like everyone else and had a wonderful time.



She helped me to make her cake- brownies with frosting!



She practiced being a big sister by pushing Caleb in the swing.



All of her friends had fun unwrapping her presents, too!



So, it was a great party. I think everyone had a good time, especially Anna. We were all exhausted by the end.



Here's the 34 week belly shot. I am getting big! I think this is the size I was when I had Anna. Hard to imagine that I've got another 6 weeks to go...

My blood pressure has remained elevated but it hasn't gone any higher. We are thankful for that. We would like Donkey to stay where he is for a few more weeks, though I'm getting pretty uncomfortable. I have a doctor's appointment and ultrasound on Tuesday and I'll report back if there is anything exciting going on.

Easter

On Saturday evening, Nanny and Poppy came over for dinner. Nanny helped Anna dye Easter eggs.




Anna really enjoyed all of her candy on Easter morning! She got several bath "toys", but since we were going to early mass, we promised her she could play afterwards.




After mass, there was an egg hunt. Anna has decided that she will smile for pictures now!




Some of the bathtub toys Anna got included markers, paint, and water dye drops. I think she was in the tub for about two hours. She got pretty pruney.



When I told her it was time to get dressed for Easter dinner at Nanny and Poppy's, she put on ONLY her new crocs and told me she was ready to go...



On Monday morning, Anna and Daddy went to the zoo. Anna was so excited! She demanded that I take this picture of her.


Our spring break has come to an end. Only 6 weeks of school left to go! We cannot wait until summer, and most importantly, for the arrival of Donkey!

Spring Break

On Tuesday afternoon, Anna and I went to New Orleans to visit. Shaun had to stay home because he had golf with his team. We stayed at Robert and Joelle's house overnight. They made a big lasagna dinner and Uncle Stephen came after work. We enjoyed seeing Ross, Rachel, and Brad too! After dinner, Anna found my makeup bag and showed us how to put it on:



On Wednesday morning, we were supposed to see Dr. Pooja, but she was on call and had to go to Baton Rouge for a transport. What luck :-( Hopefully we will see her before her wedding on May 8. Instead, Joelle came to City Park with us. Anna played "Ice Cream Stand" and gave Joelle all of the ice cream she wanted. She didn't give me any.



Here is Anna wearing her "sunglasses". She insists on them.



We went on some big swings.



And I got this super cute pic of Anna on the lions.




When we got back to Baton Rouge, we painted our toenails. That was the last time I will do that until Donkey is born. It was hard work getting around my belly!



On Thursday we went to the Pasquier's to play. Anna played PowerWheelsCommando. Poor Mick just wanted to ride.



So what they would do is: get in, drive about 2 feet, stop, get out, eat pretzels, then run back and start over. For about 3 hours.



On Friday, Anna and I went to the park. Well, we go just about every day, but it was especially nice on Friday and Anna looked so cute!


I'm officially on blood pressure watch. For those of you who don't know about Anna's birth:
Despite all of my efforts to do everything right during my pregnancy with Anna, I had to be induced at 38 weeks as a result of my blood pressure skyrocketing. I had about a week of "bp watch" and woke up with incredible swelling on April 23. By the time I got to the doctor's office (foolishly I went to work), it was 180/110. I was wheeled straight from the doctor's office to the LDR at the hospital and hooked up to pitocin. Anna was born the next morning.

This time around, I've gained even LESS weight than I did (only 10 pounds so far), but I'm already starting to have trouble. So, I'm taking it easy, decreasing my sodium intake, and monitoring my blood pressure at home. Hopefully Donkey can hang in until Pooja's wedding!

Hey Baby!

Anna has been preparing for the arrival of her baby brother. She's been giving her babies bottles and swinging them.



We wanted to keep the baby's name a secret until his birth (in case he comes out looking like a different name, and less like Mr. Magoo), but Anna insisted on telling everyone his name:





Here is my 29-week ultrasound. There appears to be NO growth restriction. This turkey is in the 65th percentile for weight- at a whopping 3 1/2 pounds! His head measures in the 90th percentile. That's so good, yet kinda bad... This is a picture looking straight at his face, in the right side of the ultrasound. Can you see how big his cheeks are?



Here is a picture of him having fun in utero. And in case this picture looks like a bunch of blobs to you, we'll just say that he's playing with his "middle leg". Apparently it was the picture of the day in ultrasound! We got some good laughs out of it! I suppose it DOES get a little boring in my tummy...



The 30 week belly. I swear, this thing came out of nowhere! I woke up last Wednesday morning, looked down, and was amazed!

On a good note, I passed my glucose screen with flying colors! We're enjoying our spring break and getting things ready for the arrival of our son!

Marching on by!

It's been a while since I updated- we've been busy and don't have many pictures to share. Golf season started the week after Mardi Gras, so Shaun has been working 12 hour days during the school week. Anna and I have been going to the pool a lot because it helps with my sciatic pain, and to the park after school. Both activities wear us out and we go to bed early! We truly cherish the weekends, so these pictures are mostly from them.

We went to the zoo two Sundays ago. Anna was just a LITTLE excited about the train ride:




Anna went to a birthday party at the Little Gym last Saturday, so here she is in action!




Last Sunday was the first nice day we've had since December. After goofing off around the house (yes, she just slept in the clothes from Saturday), we decided to go fishing!



Anna helped Daddy dig up some "wormies" in the backyard. She didn't have much patience for the fish, though.










Here is my 28 week belly shot. I am getting big! Little dude is moving around lots and LOVES to hang out on both of my sciatic nerves. Anna has explained to me that there's a baby in there and we should name him, "Donkey". I'll have another ultrasound, the glucose tolerance test, and my final 4 week ob appointment on Wednesday. After that, it'll be every two weeks! Wow!



Today, we went over to the Pasquier's to play. The weather could not have been more perfect. We spent about 3 hours soaking it in outside. Anna commandeered Sara's power wheels and proceeded to crash into everything, including me and my foot.



This picture of Anna looks just like a picture of Shaun when he was little, so I had to include it!



Anna and Sara played "Pretty Pretty Princess" inside for about 5 minutes...



The girls play so well together!


I'd like to promise that I'll update on Wednesday with news and perhaps a cute ultrasound picture, but don't hold your breath!