May Days

So we've made it to May and the countdown for our family's completion with Buddy's arrival is getting short. Mommy is pretty run down at this point and just trying to survive these last few weeks of pregnancy. The girls are their same old selves.

Evie has recently chipped both her front teeth in a fall, the result of all of her fearless climbing, but I continue to be thankful that we have avoided any serious injuries so far considering her adventurous spirit. She is talking more and communicates very well with simple nods and shakes of her head, pointing and use of "dis" and "dat." She is willful, but very loving. She is exceptionally jealous and has started to hit Claire quite a lot if Claire is being held and Evie is not or if Claire has a toy she wants. She throws tantrums on the floor when something is taken from her. I attribute this to a strong desire to be able to communicate and feel like once she can really talk these issues will resolve themselves. Time out seems to work for her already, though, when necessary. Thankfully, Evie seems to have mostly gotten past the separation anxiety issues that had really interrupted all of our sleep for awhile, though her teeth are all coming in at once and that can be a bit challenging. She has a major attachment to "Kitty" pictured below in numerous photos. Our pediatrician referred to him as her "immunizer" since he probably picks up plenty of germs for her because they are so hard to separate. She loves to laugh and loves to smile and plays well by herself and is just a delight.

Claire is showing some signs of understanding that she's about to be three. She's a good firstborn, though, and even the trouble she gives us with her assertion of her will would probably be considered minor to many parents who have been through the 2's and 3's. We still struggle some with speech issues, but Mommy thinks she talks really well and better every day. She talks all the time! She is definitely becoming more imaginative - constantly making up stories and roll playing with her stuffed animals and dolls and often "reading" stories to herself, Evie, or anyone who will listen. She still gives us a hard time with meals - especially dinner. Anything I cook for dinner is automatically something she does not like, no matter what it is. We are trying to be patient, quite a challenge for an 8-month pregnant mom! She loves to snuggle and loves to talk to and feel her little brother moving in mommy's tummy. She is very excited about his arrival, but also struggling with jealousy issues like Evie, so we are going to have quite the adjustment in a few more weeks.

Buddy is coming along - somewhere over 6lbs at this point and will be full term in 10 days. I am having contractions, especially when I overdo it, and am trying to take it easy at least until we hit the 37 week mark. He is scheduled to be c-sectioned out of there on 5/31, but it won't surprise me if he picks his own birthday. I am ready to be done! His nursery is 90% ready and all his clothes are washed. His carseat is installed and I plan to pack hospital bags in the next few days, so not much left to do but wait.

 In their tent - a surprise from the K-mart closing

 "Helping" me organize clothes in Buddy's room

 Swinging with Kitty - probably Evie's favorite thing in all the world

 Lately, when the girls want to go outside, I have just let them play on the front porch where I can comfortably hang out on the swing. It's so hot to be so early in the year and I just can't keep up with them by myself in the backyard anymore. I keep telling them - just a few more weeks!

Evie loves to take a stroll. She walked Mickey all the way over to our neighbors' house and back - a pretty good trek for those who don't realize how big our yard is. 

 After the first time I put a ponytail in her hair - it was sticking up so funny

 Wallowing on their daddy

 A semi-rare moment of lovey-ness - depending on her mood Claire either wants to love on Evie or screams if Evie even looks like she might touch Claire. Oh the joys of having them so close in age!

 Sweet girl - the static from rolling around on the sofa makes her hair look super-straight in this picture, but it's really got a lot of soft curl to it. Geoff is ready to trim it in back but I can't bear to cut the curls just yet.

 Little tiger

 Some mealtime antics

 On the swing with Daddy

 A rare pregnant pose from a very pregnant mommy - and yes, this is the biggest I have been in all of my pregnancies and the least I've weighed. Weird - must be a boy thing.

What a happy little doll!