This past Saturday evening, we took Frankie to his first DC United game. We rode the metro in, figuring Frankie would get a kick out of riding on the "choo choo train" - which he did. "Anoth train!" he would shout as we passed other trains and "train station!" when we'd stop.
Right before the game started, Talon, the Eagle mascot, came around for pictures. Score! I figured I'd get a great pic of Frankie and the mascot. Not so much. He liked Talon from afar but was terrified of the oversized bird up close. He wanted to go "upstairs" (into the concession area) after the traumatic experience. Thankfully when Daddy & Frankie came back, he regrouped and was into the game. "In the air!" "He fall down!" His screaming had other fans turning around. I think they were getting a kick out of him. (That's what every parent thinks, right? When actually the person is annoyed as heck at their kid.) Since it was a night game and we knew we had the metro ride home, we only stayed until half time rather than press our luck through the whole game and the crowd at the end. All-in-all - It was a great evening! (Not to mention great next morning - Frankie slept until after 8am!)
Once upon a time, there was a couple who found out they were pregnant. The mommy wanted to keep the gender a surprise and the daddy said he didn't, but appeased his wife. The daddy made the mommy promise (and actually shake on it) that if they were to be blessed with another child, they would find out the gender. Two years later, when the couple was expecting their second child, the daddy admitted that it was pretty cool not knowing if they were having a boy or a girl the first time. So, the mommy left the decision of finding out the baby's gendercompletely up to the daddy. The day came for the anatomy sonogram... And guess what!?!! They didn't find out!
That's right, little one...that story is about your mommy and daddy...and we're going to let you surprise us just like we let your brother!
Looking back, I feel like I had a hunch I was going to have a boy with Frankie. But I honestly haven't a clue with you! At first I thought you were going to be a girl - then I really started to think boy. Your daddy had a dream that we were having another boy. I guess we'll have to wait another 20 weeks to find out!
Boy or girl, we were so relieved to hear the doctor tell us that everything looked and measured perfectly during the anatomy sonogram. We saw your ten little fingers and ten little toes. We saw you moving around and putting your hand to your face. The doctor told us we "have a mover". You were comfy on my left side, which I feel like is your preference. I can really tell that the left side of my tummy is slightly bigger than the right, most of the time.
We're halfway there, sweet Baby D2. Take your time growing and developing - And I'll be here to hold you when you're ready to reveal your surprise.
August has been a bit hectic because our nanny is on vacation. Yes, for the whole month! My mom and sister have been helping us out as well as our friend's nanny, which has been great. Mom and Laura have come to Arlington a few times to watch Frankie, but this has also been a great excuse for us to venture out to Winchester more than we usually do. Last week, Frankie and I went out on Sunday evening and I worked from Panera on Monday while Mom watched Frankie. Then we stuck around that evening for Laura's surprise 30th birthday party!
Happy Birthday little sister!
Notice the little fingers digging into the frosting
Only Laura would beg for a toilet seat for her birthday - I had to get creative so filled the box with candy and said "30's sweet!" (We also got her a little something else.)
This week we went out again for Mom's birthday. Per the request of the birthday girl, we spent the morning at Marker Miller Orchard, followed by pool time back at Grammy's and then a BBQ.
Enjoying the playground at the orchard
Pool boy
What summertime BBQ would be complete without watermelon?
Helping Grammy blow out her candles (and test the frosting)
This week, at my regular check-up, I got to hear your heart beat again and everything is sounding perfectly normal. We scheduled the anatomy sonogram - Next week we'll get a sneak peak of you! No definite answer on whether we'll find out if you're a boy or a girl - I've left that up to your Daddy!
So far, I can honestly say that I really haven't had any cravings this pregnancy. I've actually felt like I've been eating less! (Which you wouldn't be able to tell by looking at my belly.) It seems like I get full so much quicker - Maybe you're going to be a bigger baby than your brother?
Something which I've definitely been getting less of is sleep - I've been sleeping terribly. I don't remember waking up to pee this much with your brother! Between my bathroom runs and tossing and turning, I guess my body is just reminding me how little sleep I'll get once you make your arrival!
Over the past month, Frankie has really started to talk. "Really started to talk." (That's what he would say; he repeats EVERYTHING.) I can't believe we already need to start watching what we say around him - and spelling things. At 22 months old, I can almost have a conversation with him.
Frankie: "I hear airplane."
Mommy: "Where is airplane?"
Frankie: "Up there."
Mommy: "Where is airplane going?"
Frankie: "Airplane go by-bye."
Hey - I didn't say they were elaborate conversations! But it is super fun ("supe fun") being able to converse with him.
Here are two quick clips of Frankie "counting" and singing "Happy Birthday" to Aunt Laura. He is able to recognize when there are two of something - "I see two trucks" - but if you ask him to count something, it's always "one-two-free-four-five-eight-nine-ten".
I find it fascinating that he is able to refer to himself in the correct person. If I ask him, "Frankie, did you ride in a car?" He responds with, "I ride in car." Perhaps that's normal - but to me it seems like it would be a difficult concept to grasp.
Frankie continues to LOVE being outside. "I go outside." He is constantly wanting to go on walks and has his 'route' down. Always the same way. ALWAYS. We can divert him with the promise of seeing a Bobcat, digger, dump truck or mail truck on another street, though. Or by luring him home via a different route by bribing him with an ice pop. Food always does the trick with him.
He is such a boy - he's all about trucks. But he also likes to look good - Whenever I wear a long necklace..."I try." And he sports it around.
I can't believe my baby is almost 2! He's growing up waaaay too fast!
It's official! I've definitely started to feel you tap-tap-tapping! Especially at night once I crawl into bed and relax. It's much more than a flutter - definitely little 'kicks'. I so enjoy the little reminders that you are in my belly. It just makes me stop what I'm doing and be thankful for miracles.
It's also official that I apparently feel much larger than I am - already. I swear, when I look down at my belly, it looks HUGE - but when I look at these pictures, I'm (thankfully) not as big as I perceive myself.
Don't let the workout clothes in week 16 fool you - They are just the result of an early morning trip to the park with your brother. You didn't think I exercised, did you?
Week 16
Week 17 is an on-location shot - at the beautiful wedding of cousin Theresa to Tom at the Coral House in New York. You might want to get used to our quick trips to Long Island. This time, we shot up Saturday morning at 4:30am for the wedding that evening and were back on the road to VA after breakfast on Sunday. So worth it, though.
Week 17
At this point, you've grown to about 5 ounces - and Mommy should have gained 5-10 pounds. I'm scared to weigh myself so I'll just take their word for it. My appetite hasn't really increased yet - On the contrary, I've noticed that I become fuller faster.
