Special Treat!

Around our house, we always seem to talk about "special treats". We tell Rachel she is getting a special treat if we are doing something fun and exciting or if she gets to eat something special so hopefully she'll learn a special treat is special.
Well, earlier this week, I got a special treat! Three of my sweet friends (Kristin, Stephani and Pam) gave me a gift certficate for a prenatal massage! I love massages anyway but this was especially needed right about now - from all of the strains on my growing body to chasing a toddler around! So, thank you sweet friends - I thoroughly enjoyed my "special treat"!

32 Week visit

On Wednesday I had my 32 week visit and everything looks good at this point. Because I've been having so many contractions he actually checked my cervix (and it is tightly closed - which is good news!) and did a test to see if I am at risk for going into labor in the next two weeks. I can't remember what it is called but it was negative so that was also very good news! He said that most likely my uterus is just very sensitive and that is why I'm having so many contractions. I'll update you after my next visit!

Potty Progress!

Over Memorial Day weekend, we started the process of potty training. There is a reason they call it training :) So, on that Saturday we had a "potty party" designed to make the whole process exciting and to teach Rachel how to go to the potty.

First we taught bear how to go to the potty which was exciting and Rachel enjoyed telling bear that she had to go potty and not to pee pee in her big girl panties. And then a little later it was Rachel's turn. She definately enjoyed putting the stickers on her chart, as you can see she is admiring her sticker chart in this picture. And the treats were a big hit, well, most of them. I think I offered marshmellows, pretzels, yogurt covered raisins, fruit snacks, and hershey's candy coated kisses (like m&ms, but semi-sweet). Her favorite options were the pretzels and yogurt raisins - that's our girl! and the really funny thing is that as soon as she started eating the Hershey's candy she spit it out??? I'm not exactly sure what that was about.

She is actually doing pretty well. In fact, I don't think she had an accident all day today and only one each day for the past couple of days. But, she still needs quite a bit of encouragement from me to actually get to the bathroom. Playing is still way more interesting than going potty which I guess she does have to switch gears...for past two+ years she could continue doing whatever she was doing and go to the potty at the same time. We'll keep you posted on the progress.

Braxton Hicks Contractions

I think I mentioned in a recent post that I've been having Braxton Hicks contractions. They have increased in frequency in the past few weeks. This morning Rachel and I went for a walk and in a 1/2 hour period I had at least 4 or 5 of them. So, as recommended I came home and drank several glasses of water and layed down for 30-40 minutes (with Rachel crawling all over me, of course :) ). I don't think I even had one while I was lying down but as soon as I got up I had two of them right together. I called the nurse and spoke with her and she immediately felt I needed to be monitored to make sure it is only Braxton Hicks. The good news is that the contractions are only Braxton Hicks but I just seem to be having more than normal and the only way to stop them is to lay down. If only I could lay on the couch all day! I still have 8 weeks to go and I hear that they increase. I'll keep you posted.

Hiccups

Just two days ago, I felt the baby hiccup for the first time. It took me a few minutes to realize that was what it was. What a fun experience!

Sand, Surf and Sun!

We spent the week before Memorial day as a family at the beach. Our time was very sweet as a family before we add our new addition. Mainly, we played in the sand, ran from the water (Rachel) and read some fiction books (Tab and Vimal). Here are a some pics of our time together. And I included a preggo pic for those of you who are wanting to see my belly grow!

Daddy's Girl