Sibling love

Everyone always asks me how I can possibly work from home and get anything done if I still have the kids there with me.  Well, the answer is that we have been greatly blessed with "sibling love". 

Ava and Alex play quite well together (usually).  They amuse each other. Ava gets to tell Alex what to do and for the time being he doesn't seem to mind. They enjoy each other's company, giggle themselves silly, and in the process they help to relieve my mommy guilt - I don't feel like I am ignoring them so much while I'm working if I know they are having fun together.

Yesterday while I was busy working on my computer, Ava and Alex wanted to play with the iPhone to watch "E-I-E-I-O" (as Alex put it).  So Ava said she would find it for him, and while watching them get settled by themselves on the couch next to each other, I couldn't help but take a picture of the precious scene: Ava with her arm around Alex, Alex snuggled up close to Ava, and both happy with Ava lovingly watching the YouTube videos that Alex prefers.

These two just make my heart melt!

Pregnancy #3 - stats, updates, guesses anyone?

Well since I did this post at 29 weeks with Alex, I figured it was only fitting to do it once again with this little nugget growing inside at 29 weeks as well.

This pregnancy has been very similar in some ways to the previous two, and unique in its own ways - of course I am also older, chasing two little ones around, having two little ones climbing all over me, etc.

Once again we did not find out if we are having a boy or a girl, because we really enjoy the surprise.  Ava is convinced it's a sister and that we should name her Cinderella or Belle, but now understands that God gets to pick if it will be a boy or a girl and is open to the idea of a boy...but still convinced it will be a princess. ;)

This little one is positioned slightly differently than what I remember the other two, since it seems like his/her back is more on the inside with little arms and legs facing my belly button.  I feel AND see a TON of movement, usually around 7am, 10am, 2pm, 5pm, 8pm-10pm, and often around 3-4am.  We'll see if these "awake" patterns continue after the baby comes!  I know baby is head down, since I feel these little arms/hands moving right around my pelvis.  I also feel and see larger movements (must be the legs and feet) right above my belly button, often moving from one side all the way to the other.

I've craved breads, cakes, and carbs quite a bit with this pregnancy - and indulged quite a bit during the first two trimesters...of course this has resulted in a somewhat accelerated weight gain comparatively speaking, so I am working on indulging a little less, cutting out juice, and adding in more protein for a healthier balance.  I just don't want to overdo it - I've done great at keeping up with exercise, mainly yoga and pilates, and want to be as healthy as possible for this little one too.

	Pregnancy #1 (Ava)	Pregnancy #2 (Alex)	Pregnancy #3
Morning Sickness	No	No	No, unless I was hungry
Cravings	Sweets, fruits/veggies	Sweets, hearty meals	Sweets, carbs/breads
Baby's heartrate	120-145	148-160	145-165
Weight gain	steady	same as #1	Fast at first, slowing down now
Belly shape	round, out front	round, out front	round, out front

 

 

And just for fun, check out this little one's moves ;)  Watch the nice little body roll at the 20 second mark!

So let the guessing games begin!! :)

 

For the record:

Ava was 6 lbs. 3 oz.(2.8kg) and 18.5 inches long (47cm) and born 2 days before her due date.

Alex was 6 lbs. 14 oz.(3.1kg) and 20 inches long (51 cm) and born 2 days before his due date.

Email me your guess:
Sex -
Birthday (official due date is May 10) -
Baby's weight -
Baby's length - 

Ava!

He finally said it!  Alex has quickly been expanding his speaking skills, and has finally chosen to incorporate Ava as one of his favorite words.  It began just yesterday, but after nap Alex started to say Ava!

At first he pronounced it "Ah-vah", but after saying it for about 15 minutes he moved on to saying "Ay-vah".  It is the cutest little voice calling for his sister, and though I will forever love him calling her "PP" for sweet pea, I love hearing him call for his sister.

He has started saying:
eh-ya-yoo Ay-vah? = Where are you Ava?
Ay-vah doing = What's Ava doing
Ay-vah go potty? = Is Ava in the bathroom?
moh-ning Ay-vah = Good morning Ava?

His speech has expanded to much longer sentences, songs, and words I didn't even know he knew!  He sings parts of Twinkle Twinkle, Jingle Bells, Head-Shoulders-Knees & Toes, Palma Palma, and other little songs from the Galinha Pintadinha CD we listen to in the car.  He even makes requests now:

"Mamae! Mamae! I want "ito" = Mommy, I want to listen to "Pirulito que bate bate"
"Mamae! "mamamamama papapapapa" = another reference to a Galinha Pintadinha song

Alex also expresses what he wants to eat:
I want papa = I want food
I want poon = I need a spoon
I want jooos = I want juice
I want meuk = I want milk
more inha = more "carninha" or meat
more awbewee = more strawberries
I want ahfoo = I want waffles
I want ee-yo = I want cereal
I want cake = self-explanatory
no cry P.P. = don't cry sweet pea

I am just amazed at how much he can express and communicate now - he has just taken off in his abilities, and he is no even 22 months old!  The vocabulary this kid has is much like Ava was at his age - just incredible - and he picks up so many new words on a daily basis!

We are so blessed!  I also noticed Alex got his two top 2-year-old molars already! They are both growing so fast. :)