While Al Is Away We Still Play

Al is out of town for 16 days this month.  He comes home for a couple days here and there, but Alex and I are basically on our own.  It's a good thing we don't get sick of each other or it could be bad.  We are used to spending a lot of time with Al, so it's always hard when he goes out of town especially when I could go into labor any day.  However we all know that I probably won't have the baby until 41 weeks, ha.  We've been trying to keep our days busy to pass the time quickly.  Last week Alex had a hearing test just to make sure his delay in speaking wasn't associated to him not being able to hear things clearly.  He passed so he just doesn't want to talk yet.

We went on a hike in Pacific Palisades with our friend Kristin.  I had a bright idea that I could push a stroller up the trail. Being 8 months pregnant and pushing Alex in a stroller was no joke.  

Most of the trail wasn't too steep so we made it to the top.

Polluted and Hazy LA sky, but the ocean is in the background.

Alex found a big stick at the top he loved running around with.

and thank goodness Kristin brought her dog Chili.  The entire hike Alex kept saying Da Da Da.  We just need to work on the og part.

Afterwards we made a quick trip to Target.  We put Alex and Chili in the cart and Alex has never been so willing to stay in the cart.  A dog might be in our future when we have a house and a yard.

Al was at a convention in Chicago for work.  I asked him to take some pictures and this is all I got.  

We went to the Arboretum with some friends.  I won't be going back until Alex understands that you can't get in a fountain, duck pond, or any other form of water.  He was mad in this picture because I made him leave the fountain area that was covered in goose poop.  

I trapped him in his stroller for about 5 minutes with a drink.

He got a kick out of feeding bread to the ducks.

The weather got cooler for about 2 days last week.  We met the Willis girls at an indoor playground when it was raining.  Alex was loving the bounce house.

He wanted to ride this motorcycle but was still a little too short for it.

He loves play kitchens.  The best part is when he trys to turn on the sink or push the buttons on the microwave.

Afterwards we went to lunch.  Sienna and Hazel insisted on holding his hands, so cute.  

Randomness

Here are a few random pictures from my phone I've been meaning to post.  We had a relief society enrichment night where some people painted pots with their house numbers.

I got my hair done instead...hahah

Alex loves to sit on my stomach and here is a picture where he is actually holding still.  He likes to find my belly button which is the squishiest outie right now, so gross.   Then he pats my stomach because we always say baby, be soft.

Alex likes to go to bed with a book.  I made the mistake of giving him his favorite one Pat The Bunny and this is what happened.

Playing with glasses at the mall while we got some new work clothes for Al.

A couple weeks ago Alex got the flu or some sort of stomach bug.  I took him to the Rose Bowl to let him get some sunshine and run around.  He just sat there and picked grass, so not like him.

Enjoying his strawberries.

and last but not least some boob cakes I made for a friend that got a boob job.  How great are these!!

Family/Maternity Pictures

I wanted to have some maternity pictures taken since I had some taken when I was pregnant with  Alex. I decided to have some family ones taken too since it's only the 3 of us for a little bit longer.  Here are some of my favorites.

Baby Shower Bliss

Last week some friends in my ward threw me a baby shower.  It was perfect, I loved everything.  

Laura made the cutest decorations.

Yummy desserts, cheeses, and fruits.

A picture you would find on Pinterest

My lovely hosts Laura, Jenny, and Amber.  Thank you so much for an amazing shower.

I got so many great gifts.  Lots of cute new clothes, diapers, and toys.  Since Alex was born in the Spring a lot of his clothes won't be warm enough for baby #2, so it was nice to get some new things.

Adorable red pants and navy v-neck sweater with red elbow patches.

All of us in Amber's beautiful home.

One of the funniest gifts I got was a baby rattle that looks like a weight.  

My friend Kristin that I know from Vegas is living in LA for a couple months so it was great to have her there.

and the lovely Ashley and Chelsea (who is also pregnant).  Yay for babies.  

Thank you so much to everyone that came.  It means so much, love you all.

Big Boy Bed

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago so I'm actually 34 weeks pregnant now.  Feeling pretty good, mostly nervous, tired, and ready to be able to wear normal clothes again.  

Al and our friend Kris put together Alex's new bunk beds.  I figured both boys would be sharing a room in a couple of years and bunk beds would be perfect.  Plus we have another bed when people come to visit now.I was really worried about switching him from a crib to a bed and delayed it as long as I could.  Al taught him how to climb up on it and he loves to sit on it and look at his books. 

We put his bed where his crib used to be and moved the crib into the other room.  We aren't using a bed rail and just put a ton of blankets on the floor in case he falls which has happened.

Skyping with Grandpa Cameron.  His new nickname for Alex is Prince Amukamara, but since he only sees him every few months he still goes by Alex.

This was before Alex's first night sleeping in his bed.  Reading books, singing songs, and getting him all ready.

Luckily he doesn't know how to open doors yet.  He cried for about 10 minutes which is what he did in his crib anyway.  He fell out 2 or 3 times the first night and I went to put him back in each time.  Nap time was a little painful the first few days because it would only last 45 minutes to an hour, but 1 week later and he's back to 1.5 hour naps, yay.    He was running to the door, stomping his feet, and banging on it for the first few nights and naps, but now he just sits there and crys or babbles when I leave.  

We stalk him on the monitor.  The first night I couldn't watch because it was so sad and I didn't know if he would like it, but he's doing great.  Hopefully we can get him to stop falling out so we don't have to buy a bed rail.  On the 2nd or 3rd night we found asleep halfway under his bed.  Another night he was asleep on the middle of his rug, but I think he understands that his bed is more comfortable to sleep on.

So glad it was a semi easy transition and that we have a place for the next baby to sleep.

Change

Alex's labor and delivery was loooong, hard, and painful.  Although I love him to pieces, he is stubborn, strong willed, and very particular.  I feel like since he was 1 week late  it was his way of telling us I'm not ready to come out and you're not going to make me!

I've been thinking about my little Alex a lot the last few months and how his life is going to change in hopefully less than 5 weeks.  He will no longer be the baby of the family, and will soon be a big brother to a new baby brother. 

He's my baby, for now, and I love it that way.  I'm so nervous and maybe that's just because I know everything that's about to happen.  The recovery, the sleepless nights, the nursing, and this time I have Alex to take care of too.  He still loves to be held, carried and babied once in awhile.

I feel like our last days together are numbered and I'm trying to enjoy each and every one.  I feel bad for Alex and feel like we are taking love and attention away from him.  I know that we will only be adding love to our family, and his life won't be nearly as great without a little brother.  I know it will be the same when the next one joins our family, but t its always hard to accept before the actual change occurs.

 I'm hoping this labor and delivery is a nice, quick, and easy-going.  Cross your fingers for me.