Baby update

Baby update... we're now at 32 weeks. My weight, which I choose to check very infrequently, is beginning to rival Jon's. I'm feeling well overall, but becoming increasingly tired. I'm getting more uncomfortable (e.g., get winded climbing stairs, need to maintain good posture if I want to take a full breath, backaches, headaches, heartburn...), but it's all normal and expected at this point.

We found out in July that we are expecting another son, who we've named Jordan Nathaniel (the names together mean, "God's gift descended"). Given that Jordan is our 4th son, it took us much longer to name him (we'd already used all our favourite names). Jordan was pretty much the only name that we both agreed on :)

So, we will again have "boys", which is such a gift. We had so many dreams for Josh & Jonah that faded when they lived for only a short while. Jude and Jordan will be 17-18 months apart in age, depending on when Jordan is born. We hope they'll be great friends.

Abby will retain her "princess" status as the only daughter in our little family and only granddaughter in my family.

Jordan is breech right now, but we're hoping that he'll turn sometime over the next several weeks.

Jon's busy working on the addition, but even if we're not where we hope to be by the time Jordan's born, he can sleep in his crib (recently vacated by his big brother Jude) and we'll just hope that they adjust early to sleeping in the same room :)

Update

Jude slept in his big boy bed all night (although at 5:30 am we heard him pushing his books off his dresser next to the bed!) So, it was an early morning, but a successful night overall. This afternoon I had to actually wake him up after 3 hours. I took these pictures of him and before I woke him...he was sleeping so peacefully. I felt bad waking him, but it was already 5 pm and sleeping longer would have messed up his bedtime. Hopefully he'll sleep in a bit longer tomorrow morning!

Big boy Jude

Jude seems like such a little man these days. I know that when we bring our new little guy home in a couple months that he will seem so much more grown up. Although we set up the toddler bed in his room several weeks ago, we've used it only for cuddles, stories, etc. before he goes into his crib to sleep. We are still undecided on whether to borrow another crib or move Jude into his big boy bed before his little brothers' arrival. We decided that if we were going to try the big boy bed, we needed to do it soon so that he'd be comfortable in that transition before making the transition to "middle child".

So, yesterday afternoon I gave it a try. He cried for a few minutes and then settled down to sleep (only to wake up crying 45 minutes later). Today I stayed with him until his little eyes could stay open no longer (it didn't take more than 5 minutes) and he slept 2 1/2 hours! So, we thought we'd try a whole night. It took him a little longer to settle, even with cuddles and stories, but he's asleep (we're hoping it's for the night!). We'll let you know how it goes :) Just in case, I think I'll head to bed a little earlier tonight...

Abby at Gymnastics

Abby had been showing an interest in gymnastics (sommersaults on our bed, using our couch as a trampoline, etc.) so we decided to enroll her in gymnastics this fall. She's in a class where it's just the children and their coach/teacher (without parents). However, there was so much chaos the first day with parents and kids, classes ending and starting, that Abby was very overwhelmed and frightened. We did well to keep her in the building. So, Jon started going on the floor with her until she feels safe enough to be there on her own. Today was by far her best day. She remembers what to do at each station, even if her coach doesn't remind them. She had so much fun and came off the floor telling me about all that she did "all by herself!"

The top picture is of her doing the crab walk (her friend Sarah is behind her).

Daddy & his little people

These pictures are "typical Abby" these days. When she's really happy or when she's said something funny, she'll close her eyes and do a silly laugh. She loves hanging out with her Daddy.

Hanging out with Daddy.

Abby's new guitar

Abby started "playing" Daddy's guitar and making up songs a week or so ago, so we found a used guitar (for free!!) to encourage her interest. She loves playing by herself, but loves playing with her Daddy more :)

First day of playschool

We just started up the fall session of playschool (we've named it the "Little Seedlings Cooperative Playschool") at our church. Although we didn't have many kids this past week, the kids who were there had fun! Now that Jude's walking, he seems like such a big boy, playing and eating snack with his sister and the other big kids. He won't officially be enrolled until he's 18 mos, but will participate unofficially until then.
Jude's favourite activities this past week were play-doh, singing, and snack (no surprise there!) Abby's favourite activity continues to be dressing up like a kitty, but she's also doing well singing with her friends.

Jude's Walking!

Although he took his first steps a month ago, Jude's now officially a walker. He prefers walking over crawling and is doing really well! We're really proud of him, but he's even prouder of himself.

Here's a little clip of Jude's new accomplishment :)



In case the clip didn't work, here's a different link...

http://members.shaw.ca/lcgomes/Jude Walkin (short).wmv

Happy Birthday Anthony!!

Abby's friend Anthony just celebrated his 3rd birthday last week. We helped him celebrate at his construction-themed birthday party!
Construction Girl
Just the construction guys, hanging out.

Hymers Fair Labour Day Weekend

We went out to the Hymers Fair on Labour Day weekend. It was great to be in the country! Abby had a great time patting the animals, getting her face painted (a kitty of course!), trying to walk on stilts, and patting a SNAKE!! Reptile Rob was there. The frogs and turtles were fine, the lizards were okay (except for the fact that he had kids involved with the show carrying around the reptiles so the audience could get a better view!), when the snakes came out though, Angela and I made our way to the very back! I tried, I really tried to stay with Abby while got to see the snakes up close, but I really don't like snakes. I don't mind if they are safely enclosed behind very thick glass, however when they "free", my skin crawls and I give in my "flee" instinct. Jon is okay with snakes and so sat with Abby while they brought the snakes through the audience!!

We bought some local corn (very yummy!) and a quart of dill carrot pickles for $8! Yup, a little pricey, but they are my very favourite and Mum's are 2500 kms away! They weren't as good as Mum's, but still a treat.