Washington DC Road Trip Followed by a SWEET Surprise!!!

Tuesday, the last day of our Familymoon was already upon us, so we decided to get out of Baltimore.  We got up and headed to Washington DC with the intention to take Miles to the DC Zoo.  Neither Daddy or I were thinking about how wonderful the entire day was going to be aw we were just focused on the Zoo portion.  As it was a week day, we decided to park on the outskirts and take the metro in, AKA Choo Choo!  Miles was in HEAVEN!!!

Miles was so excited to ride the metro.  It was absolutely adorable.  Before we knew it, it was our stop and we were on our way to the Zoo.

Miles was super excited to be at the zoo.  All he could talk about was seeing the giraffes, so I sent to the map when we got there, and... "are you kidding me"... The DC Zoo does not have any giraffes!  Luckily, Miles still gets some of his animal confused and he was very excited when we say the zebras, which he was calling giraffes today, so we were safe!  Way to save the day Daddy!

"Giraffes" AKA zebras

Other winners of the day included the Apes in the ape house

"Big Monkeys"

"Silly Bears" that we eating the trees

"Dirty, yucky elephants"

"Bear"

The bear was pacing for food, but a major hit with Miles

Going on a bear hunt

Even though Miles loved so many of the animals at the zoo, the big winners were the monkeys, the bears and...

the blind, bald moles???

Miles had such a good time at the zoo!

Next we were off to lunch before jumping the metro again, this time headed for the mall to check out if the cherry blossoms were up to anything yet.  Needless to say, by the time we arrived at the mall, we had a very tuckered out little boy!

Daddy and I had a great time anyways!

Looks like we are still a little bit away from the cherry blossoms, so Miles didn't miss much!

With Miles sleeping well in the stroller, we decided we had better begin heading back towards the car, so that we could get a majority of the travel under our belts while Miles was sleeping.  Our plan worked, as we were just about back to the car when Miles woke up.  As we got to the car, Daddy informed us that we had one more stop before dinner.  It didn't take me long to figure out what the surprise was... We were on our way to a 4D ultrasound of Baby!

The experience was absolutely wonderful, as it was the first time that Miles had been present for an ultrasound.  It was so precious, laying there on the table, watching Daddy and Miles point a the screen, just looking at Baby.  Baby was being pretty cooperative, however Baby's face was smushed up against the placenta since it is in the wrong location, so we needed Baby to move a little bit.  Miles jumped right in as the big brother and talked to Baby, helping Baby to be in a better position for the ultrasound.  he pictures of the ultrasound are wonderful, but nothing will ever top watching Miles face when he say Baby for the first time and watching him interact with Baby.  He is going to be such a wonderful big brother!  Baby is a very lucky little sibling!

After the ultrasound, we were off to get dinner to finish up our Familymoon before heading back to Baltimore and back to reality.  Daddy picked a wonderful restaurant, a brick over pizzeria where Miles had a lot of room to run around and be himself.  It truly was a wonderful ending to a wonderful time with my wonderful boys!

A Sprinkle for Baby

Tonight at hearth group was ladies night out, so we all decided to go out for coffee.  Little did I know that meant we were going out for coffee and a "sprinkle" for Baby!  It was such a wonderful surprise.  I truly am blessed by the wonderful and strong women I am surrounded by.  We spent the whole evening talking about work life balance, birth stories and our children.  It was such a wonderful time.  Thanks to the strong group of women that have helped to support me along the way over the past 2 years of being a mom and the many years to come as our friendships just continue to grow stronger and stronger.

Miles was extrememly excited about the balloons and went around thanking everyone for his gift!

He even fell asleep on the way home holding onto "his balloons."



34 Week Belly Photos

34 Weeks

Watch what you say! Our curious baby is listening in to our conversations at 34 weeks -- and certainly enjoys a lullaby or two. Some say that baby will recognize songs mom sings while they are in the womb, and may even be more easily soothed by them if they are used to them once Baby’s on the “outside.” At week 34, I am starting to breathe a little easier, since baby has descend lower into my pelvis, giving my lungs some space. (Ahh!)  The pitfall of this descent, of course, is even more pressure on the bladder, so ladies room here I come.

Baby's the size of a durian! At less than two months to go, baby weighs in at about 4.2 pounds to 5.8 pounds and measures about 17.2 to 18.7 inches.  Baby recognizing and reacting to simple songs.  Baby's also urinating about a pint a day.

How far along: 34 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +19.5 lbs

Pregnancy Symptoms: Unable to see my feet, BACK PAIN!!!, lightheadedness, pregnancy brain, sciatic pain, difficulty sleeping, difficulty breathing when walking up a flight of steps, thirsty all the time, Braxton Hicks, increased urination, difficulty eating as I am full after a few bites, swollen ankles and feet
Maternity clothes: Yep
Stretch marks: Nope

Sleep: 5-6, but I am up so frequently it feels like I never sleep
Best moment last week: Taking time off of work with my Boys for our Babymoon/Familymoon
Movement: Baby loves to roll around, especially at night
Food cravings: Sweet Tea
Gender: Boy

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks, oh yea

Belly Button (in or out): I'm an outie!!!!!!!!!!!!

What I miss: Feeling rested
What I am looking forward to: Our next ultrasound
Milestones: Getting closer and closer to being ready for Baby to arrive!

Party in the Park

Monday morning came around, and Miles was seemingly back to his "good old" self.  We decided to play it safe and stay close to home, so after another wonderful relaxing morning or playtime at home, we took Miles over to Patterson Park and gave him his birthday presents, a bike and a kite.  Miles really loved his walkabout bike.  He unfortunitly is still a little short for it, so he needed some help, which he LOVED!

After Miles had enough on his new bike, it was time to try and fly his kite.  It was at this point that Daddy and I both realized there was absolutely NO wind blowing in the park today.  Miles was so excited to give his kite a try, so there we were, with a massive kite and no wind!  Don't think that little detail kept us from having a great time anyways!

Daddy was working VERY hard to get the kite up for Miles

Miles was working very hard chasing after Daddy and taking some good observation time as well.

After all the hard work with the kite, it was time for an impromptu picnic
.

Followed by a nice long walk to the playground

I had to leave the party to go to my weekly OB appointment, but the boys decided to continue to have a great time at the park together.  Next stop, the pond.

After the duck pond, it was time to go home and take a nap before heading up north to Hunt Valley to see all of Miles friends for an evening full of play. 

34 Week OB Appointment

Today was our 34 week OB appointment and it appears that everything is continuing to go as hoped.  Baby's heart beat was at 145 bmp.  Baby and I are hanging in.  My OB was so pleased with how things are going she was willing to go ahead and set our delivery date!  That is both very exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time.  Sometime this week, we will receive a call to set up our c-section... Yikes!

It's Movie Time!

Saturday we had a very special treat planned for Miles to help re-enforce to him that he is a Big Boy now that he is almost a Big Brother... We planned to take him to his very first full length movie, Dr. Suess's The Lorax.  We arrived at the movie theater just in time to find out that the first showing of the day was sold out.  Daddy, thinking on his feet quickly bought tickets for the following show, so we played around outside until it was time for our movie.  After some good running around time, we had just enough time to get a large popcorn and soda before heading in to pick our seats.

Just wait Baby until you can eat Popcorn!

Miles did very well during the movie.  He only got out of his seat once, but settled down easily again after about 1 minute.  We could not believe how well he did!  Way to go little man... You are ready to be a BIG BROTHER!
After the movie we headed home for Miles' nap time.  Unfortunately on the way home Miles really started to not feel very well.  By the time we got home, Miles was REALLY not feeling well and even began to get sick when he would eat.  Poor little guy, so we took it easy around the house the rest of the evening.