Final Countdown

We're nearing "full-term" -- Mommy will be 37 weeks on Sunday, and we can't wait to meet this little guy!  Mommy is still working, and she's planning to do so until D-Day.  So, the sooner the better.  We're just hoping Baby Frankie stays put until the 21st when Grandma flies in to help! 

The doctor thinks he'll be early -- he flipped head-down a few weeks ago, and at last week's appointment, things started to thin out.  We have a doctor appointment in a couple days, so we should know more then.  TJ was born at 38 weeks, and that's the prediction for this one, too!

We were all glad we made it through this past weekend without Baby Frankie's arrival.  Daddy spent the weekend in Arizona watching baseball and doing who knows what else with his buddies for Dan's bachelor party.  Mommy was a little nervous staying alone with TJ Friday night, so we were lucky our friend Michelle & her family took us in Saturday.

She hosted a wonderful shower with some of the gals from work, and TJ was able to play with his little girlfriend, Gianna.  It was so nice spending quality time with the girls outside of the newsroom, and of course, TJ had a blast at their house.  When it was time to leave Sunday and pick Daddy up from the airport TJ told me, "Go home by yourself."

TJ has been a huge help as we get ready for Baby Frankie's arrival.  He helped Daddy put up all the decals in the nursery, and he's helped Mommy get the blankets and baby clothes ready.  TJ's even gone through his cubbies, taken out his "baby" toys and books and put them in Baby Frankie's room.  He is so sweet, and he's going to be such a great big brother -- we can't wait to see the two of them together, and we can't wait to be a family of four.  The way things are going -- we might not have to wait much longer!

Baby Update: 32 Weeks

It feels like I've been pregnant forever, yet at the same time, time has flown, and it's hard to believe we're in the final stretch.

Baby Frankie is right on track.  The doctor says he's growing just fine, and there's nothing to worry about.  That will happen enough once he's here. He's a very active little guy... moving around all the time and keeping Mommy up for good chunks of the night.  It feels different from when TJ was in my belly.  While TJ was quite the kicker, his little brother is more of a squirmer... making my whole belly wiggle and dance.

The third trimester discomfort and fatigue has definitely settled in, and the long days at work are getting more difficult.  I'm still planning on working until delivery, so let's hope Frankie comes a few weeks early like his big brother did.

We're a little slow to get the nursery and other things ready for Frankie's arrival, but we have every intention of setting up his room this weekend. 

TJ's very excited for his little brother to get here.  Every day he says something adorable about how he's going to be a big brother, and he's going to kiss Baby Frankie on the cheek and teach him to talk and walk and play toys.  We can't wait to see our two boys together.

Birthday Boy

I'm sure we'll say it every year, but we can't believe TJ is three!  It has been a true blessing to watch this little guy grow right before our eyes.  He is so full of joy, and he has filled our lives with a happiness and love that we could've never imagined! 

TJ is full of sass... he's quick-witted, smart, loving and everything else in between.  Every day, he does something that makes us look at each other and say, "Did that just happen?"

This birthday was a little different than the past two since we were celebrating it out here in California... not surrounded by the family and friends we're used to filling our home.  Instead, on the day before his birthday, TJ had a party at his school. Mommy and TJ had made Spiderman cupcakes the night before, and he had a great time with his teachers and buddies.

On his actual birthday, Mommy ended up taking TJ to the doctor because he had a nasty cold.  The doc put him on steroids since his airway was a little swollen, but he gave him the all-clear to celebrate all weekend.  The doctor did a quick 3-year checkup for him, too, and he was impressed by his vocabulary and articulation.  Dr. Berston said TJ is speaking at the level of a 5-year-old.  Of course, TJ doesn't stop talking from the time he wakes up to the time he falls asleep.  And, of course, we believe TJ is advanced, so it was nice to hear the doctor's perspective.

After the doctor's office, TJ & Mommy headed to the airport to pick up Grandma, Aunt G and... GRANDPA!  That's right, Pa made his frist trip to SF for TJ's birthday.  TJ was so excited to have them here, it was great.  He was so happy showing Pa his room, backyard, and toys.  After dropping their bags off, TJ & Mommy took everyone into the city for some sightseeing.  Pa enjoyed seeing the Golden Gate Bridge, getting a tour of Mommy's work, and then strolling through North Beach before finding a nice little Italian place to have dinner. 

By the end of the day, TJ was sleeping hard when Nana & Janet flew in Friday night.  He was excited to see them both Saturday morning as we got ready to head to his birthday party at Bubba Gump's.

Bubba's is TJ's favorite place in the city, so it was the only place to really have his party.  TJ was so happy to have Grandma, Pa, Aunt G, Nana and Janet there, but he ditched us all as soon as Gianna walked in the door!  Gianna is the youngest daughter of one of Mommy's friends at work.  She just turned five, and TJ is in love with her!  It's so funny to see him with her... and he was by her side the entire day -- through lunch, the carousel rides and sea lion watching.

TJ also felt special his best buddy Jack and his friend Payton sent him presents all the way from Colorado.  He thought that was pretty cool!

After a busy birthday party at Bubba Gump's, the families went back to the house so TJ could break in to all of his toys and we could relax.  Sunday morning, TJ took everyone to his favorite breakfast place for Mickey Mouse pancakes.  Then, it was more playtime at the house before our visitors had to go to the airport and head home.  TJ was sad to see everyone go, but we were all so glad to have so many people come and see our little man for his birthday.