We've gotten back into our "normal" routine. Atrium (Montessori-based preschool at Christ the King) on Wednesday mornings for Marie, story hour and craft time at the Library on Thursday mornings for both the kids, heading into the office a couple days a week for me, hitting a prenatal aquatics class on Thursday nights, and trying to keep up with the rest of the day-to-day.
We've also been getting some things ready for Baby Brother to arrive. First of all, Joey got to move out of the crib into his Big Boy Bed. It was really a pretty smooth transition, pretty similar to Marie. We haven't had any trouble keeping him in bed when he's supposed to be. In fact, he generally waits until we come upstairs in the morning to get him up. It is obvious that he has been awake because as soon as we open his door, he pokes his head up, pops to his feet and starts jumping up and down. Wish I was as chipper as that in the mornings!
We've also been finding the boxes and tubs with baby items. They are not quite unpacked, washed, and appropriately put away, but Marie is really looking forward to going through everything so I'm sure we'll get to it soon. On the baby front, we've started our weekly OB visits where we monitor the baby's movement and heart rate. So far, there has been nothing to cause any concern whatsoever. He is really active...more so than I remember Marie and Joey being. As long as things continue as such, we'll probably talk about inducing around 39 weeks, just a little over 4 weeks away. Talk about time flying...
Another thing we've done to get ready for the baby was to stock our freezer with lots of yummy, quick meals. For that task, Grandma and Grandpa Meinhart came up for a few days. Grandpa and Jon spent a lot of time occupying the kids while Mom and I spent our time in the kitchen. Overall, I think there are 6 freezer casseroles, a big batch of vegetable soup, cooked chicken, ground beef, turkey, and Chorizo, muffins, and lots of broth for making noodles and the like. I feel like we at least have the eating situation under control. Thanks, Mom!
We also got to celebrate Grandma's birthday during their visit. Again, the kids really got a kick out of getting to celebrate an adult's birthday. Marie made and wrapped Grandma's presents especially for her and they both helped to blow out the candles. Hopefully it was as special for Grandma as it was for them!
Grandpa Meinhart and Uncle Mark were able to head out to the sledding hill with Jon and the kids a couple of times during the visit. Marie and Joey just never tire of it. I'm not complaining whatsoever. I think it is great that they're getting fresh air and exercise. (I've not been as good at getting them outside during the days as I have been in years past.) Grandpa taught Marie how to bail from her sled if she was heading for a tree or straw bale. This was a bigger hit than I would have expected, even to the point where she rolls out of her sled before she gets all the way down the hill, much less close to an obstacle. She always ends up laughing though! Grandpa even went down the hill a couple of times...though I'm not sure he ever bailed. Uncle Mark took quite a few trips down the hill as well. His finishes were also generally spectacular...at least from the kids' perspective.
Marie, having just bailed from her sled...no trees in sight!
Mark, going head first down the hill.
Joey, trying to be just like Uncle Mark with Dad and Grandpa looking on.
Mark, after diving to stop Joey from going (head first) into the brush at the bottom.A couple of weeks ago, Marie and I headed to the Marquis Theater in Northville to see a show with god-daughters Rosie and Lilly. This time it was a little different though because it was just the four of us. We had decided to take Rosie and Lilly for a little outings so that their parents could have some down time before their baby boy was born (he was just born on Wednesday and everyone is doing great). We saw Little Red Riding Hood and I think it was a success...with two four-year olds and a three-year old, you're bound to have a couple of rough patches (like having to go potty RIGHT before the show starts even though they were asked multiple times before that, like the community box of popcorn being spilled all over the floor, etc.). After the show, we headed to a bookstore / cafe for some juice and a couple of stories. Then we met Jon and Joey for pizza. Needless to say, I think EVERYONE was tired by the end of the day.
That's all the notable news I can think of right now. The kids have really been getting along relatively well lately. They do a good job of playing together for the most part. They only occasionally end up screaming at each other, mostly because one of them is not doing what the other one wants him/her to do. Marie has been a big help around the house recently. She has always tried to be a help, but I'm starting to give her more to do, both in amount and level of difficulty. She is taking it all in stride and loving it!
Joey continues to talk a lot. He tells us stories and jokes, sometimes about things I can't believe he remembers. He has such a personality and definitely has an ornery streak. The other night, when we were praying / reading books, he wanted to sit where Marie was sitting. After asking a couple of times to sit there, he nonchalantly asked her where her bear was...thinking that she would get up to get it and he would have the chance to steal her seat. Sneaky, sneaky...but it didn't work. Marie didn't fall for it.
We're also getting into the potty training routine...or at least trying. Joey definitely doesn't look forward to having to stop what he's doing to go to the bathroom. And, he doesn't bring it up unless Marie has to go, it is a terribly inconvenient time, or he's trying to get out of doing something else. But, we have to start somewhere.
Finally, both of the kids are excited about getting to watch one more Steelers football game. You can guess who is being their influence!
(No, those aren't real glasses. They are part of Marie's dress up clothes. Though, I'm sure it is only a matter of time...)
No comments:
Post a Comment