11 months, how can that be?

Our family at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in
Detroit. Last year, I was 36 weeks pregnant with Calan. 

Well here is Calan's 11 month update. I swear I do not know how a whole month can pass so quickly. Just two days ago someone asked me how old Calan was and as I was saying 10 months, I realized that he was just two days away from bing 11 months.

Calan seems to have had some kind of growth spurt this month. He has gotten so tall. He really is starting to look less like my little  baby, but he is still my little guy. When we are out and about, he just seems so big sitting in the stroller or shopping cart. It amazes me.

He continues to be a very social little guy. It cracks me up every time someone tells me that they made him smile or that they got a smile out of him. It is probably the easiest thing to do. He is pretty good with other people and really does not fuss when passed around to different people. He definitely is not shy.

Calan's first year as a Wilson's Boobies. 

Calan officially is a "real" crawler now. He finally lifted himself up out of his army crawl about 2 weeks ago. Not sure how it finally clicked, but he is on all fours and moving quickly. He is moving around furniture pretty well and will transfer from on piece of furniture to another close by. A few times he has let go and stood for a second, but he is no where close to free walking soon. I am pretty sure that it will be toward the end of next month or beginning of the next. I just hope that he is pretty stable walking by the time his sister gets here.

This past month, we kind of took a step back on food. Calan was having a hard time eating green vegetables in bite-size pieces, so we are still mashing those up. However, he is eating a lot of the same foods Bob and I eat. I rarely am preparing his food in advance, it is to the point that I just pick something out of the fridge and serve it up. So we are getting closer to table food from baby food.

We are still working on getting use to a sippy cup. I am not great at offering it often, so this month we will be working on that so by the time he is one, I can start transitioning off on his bottles and on to cups.

This past month, Calan's first molars started to come in. They are coming in very slowly and his gums are pretty swollen most of the time. We have been dealing with off and on running nose and off and on drooling. i am praying that they come through soon. It is such a slow process. It seems so different from his front teeth.

Calan has been sleeping pretty decently except that he is playing in his crib more and more. It is hard to get him to settle down for a nap. He loves standing up and then diving head first into his crib. He just giggles and plays for what seems like forever. There have been times that it has taken him an hour of playing to finally fall asleep. As his mom, this annoys me, but I keep reminding myself that I can't make him sleep. I do all that I can and he has to take it from there. He hasn't been crabby or anything, so I am not worrying about it too much. I have just extended his wake time from 2 hours to more like 2.5 hours and that has helped a bit.

So that is where he is at. A pretty happy guy with a full world to explore. He just can't get enough of life and that is so exciting to see as his mother. Can't believe that next month will be his 1-year summary!

Article about lil' ol' me

Breast Cancer Survivor: 'Why Put Life on Hold?' 

So tomorrow is the Race for the Cure in downtown Detroit. It is such a great event and I love participating each year. It is amazing to me all the men, women, and children who gather to raise money and awareness for cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, it obviously is pretty meaningful to me.

A local online news website, asked if they could do a story on me and I of course said yes.

This will be my fourth year participating as a survivor and my second straight being pregnant!

Bob and I in 2008. I was just finishing up my
radiation treatments. 

All my friends and family who came out to walk in 2009,
the first year for Wilson's Boobies

Team Wilson's Boobies last year (2010). 

Bob and I at last year's race. I was 36 weeks
pregnant. This year, I will be 31 weeks.

Not enough hours in the day

I swear I will get back to more information based blogging when I get a chance. It has been kind of busy around here between having my little guy on the move and my husband working some late hours. I just haven't had much time to focus on blogging. Throw in a tired pregnant lady and I seriously have not had much brain power to think about blogging.

However, everything is going pretty well. We are hoping to have the nursery complete by May 24th. I will be sure to post pictures once I feel like it is up to snuff. Tonight, we put to together a tall dresser. I am so glad to have that done and I will finally be able to start organizing her clothes and diapers. Basically, I still have to find some window treatments and hang a few things on the walls, but it is getting there, and I am so excited that everything is fitting.

I have set up a 10 week plan to get everything done in time, as well as to help me not stress too much about it all. We really do not have too much more to do. We have enough diapers, we have enough clothes and blankets, and we have a place for her to sleep. I don't think that you need much more than that for a newborn.

The finish line is feeling like it is so close. I can't believe that Calan will be 11 months next week and she will be here in 2 months. Seriously, it boggles my mind. I think that I am ready. I know that I am ready to meet her.

I just wish I had a little more time to reflect and enjoy the moment. I am sure those last 6 weeks are going to drag on forever, so I am sure soon you will read blogs about why isn't time going fast enough. But, right now, I would really like it to slow down just a little.

Feeling the third trimester

Things are getting a little more difficult to do as I near the end of this pregnancy. Can you believe that it is almost the end? Well, I still have a lot of time left, but already 3/4 of the way through. I just past 30 weeks and can already feel the difference of the third trimester.

This little girl is quite the kicker and pusher. She is spread out like no other in there. Yesterday when I was at the doctor, she was feeling for the baby and said that she is head down, but that she was feeling a thing all the way to my right and a foot all the way on my right. And let me tell you, I can tell that she is just spread out in there. I feel her pokes and prods all the time. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining; I'm just amazed at how different even her movements are from Calan.

My energy level has definitely tanked. I do one chore and usually feel like I have to rest for awhile. It is survivable, but I am just feeling a difference. Makes me a little nervous about how I am going to feel in 4 weeks.

My doctor appoints have now moved to every two weeks. Everything is going well. I am measuring right on schedule. Her heartbeat sounds good and like I mentioned she is head down. Everything is going well from that stand point.

I am not at the point yet where I am done being pregnant, but I am getting to the point where I am ready to meet this little girl. I have so many ideas of what she is going to be like and look like. I have envisioned a complete opposite of Calan. Not sure how correct I will be, but I am so curious as to what she will be like. Will she sleep well, nurse well, will she have dark hair or blonde hair, will she be little??? I am starting to feel ready and excited to say the least.

10 more weeks to go. The count down is on!

Play, playing, played

I am starting to really love this 9-to-12-month age range. People told me that once Calan started to move life would get crazy and it has, but in a totally fun and exciting way. I love watching explore and discover. I love playing with him and watching him smile. I love that he is becoming his own little person.

The other day was one of those days where it was so fun to watch him. I got a bowl of water out with a few toys and spoons and boy did he have a ball. Bob took the day off and we just played and watched him soak himself and his blanket. He loved it. Smiled. Laughed. And had a blast.

I love seeing things through his eyes. It truly does refresh my spirit.

Much needed night off

Wow, I have decided that it doesn't take much for me to feel re-energized. Last night, I took the night off and finally went out and had my hair done and had dinner with a friend. Man, it was nice. It really is true that taking a little time for yourself is so needed in order to be a good mom and wife.

Over the last few weeks, my husband has unfortunately had to work some late hours, which in turn means I am home alone most of the time. On top of it, the weather in Michigan has for the most part been pretty crummy, though luckily it is starting to take a turn for the better. Plus, I am starting to feel pretty pregnant and my allergies have gotten the better of me. All of that combined has made for one crabby mom.

I have been feeling resentful toward Bob, stir crazy stuck in the house, lonely, sick, hormonal, and fat. It doesn't get better than that, right?

But last night, really helped me to refocus. It is amazing what a little pampering and great girl conversation can do for the spirit. I feel pretty good today and happy to have great people in my life like my husband, friends and family.

Now as a pregnant woman, I am sure that this feeling might diminish soon, but I am hoping that through prayer and self awareness, I can hopefully keep things in prospective long enough to ward off my bad moods. It has been pretty hard lately not getting down. It is not like me to focus so much on the negative. I am hoping that it is a pregnancy thing and not the new normal.

Being a stay-at-home mom can sometimes feel pretty isolating. I have been kind of surprised by that feeling. I don't think that I was prepared for it. I do meet friends for play dates when I can, but overall you really are alone most of the time. I need to do a better job of doing things for myself especially when my moods take a turn for the worse. It is just not easy to turn the mom switch off.

But luckily, last night I was able to do just that. Now, if I could just get my 10-month-old to nap instead of playing his crib life might just perfect. I won't hold my breath.

Taking time now means less struggle later ... I hope

When I found out I was pregnant again, I was of course excited and beyond nervous to say the least. Since Calan was 4 months old, I have known that his little sibling was on the way. He is now 10 months. Knowing I'd be a mother of two sooner than later gave me motivation to really focus on Calan's schedule, routine, and behavior.

Now I know that most mother's focus on these things. I just mean that maybe I saw them a little differently because I was always thinking about what it might be like with a newborn around. I can't really explain to Calan that we are having another baby, I have to figure out other ways to help him with the transition. Even at 13 months, I am not sure how much he is going to understand what it is going. I just have to hope that some skills that I have taught Calan help us with the transition.

I have mentioned before that Calan spends 40 minutes in his pack and play twice a day (usually) playing by himself. Even though our parenting mentors suggested starting pack and play time early, it wasn't till I was pregnant that I really thought that I would actually do it. Knowing that there were times in my day that I would need Calan playing by himself happily while I nursed a newborn gave me the motivation to stick with pack and play time. He did not like it right away, but that was 5 months ago and now most of the time he is laughing and singing to himself as he plays with the few toys I put in there for him.

This week we have been working on Calan playing on a blanket. I should have started this skill before Calan was really moving, but I have been told it is never too late to start. Having him play happily on a blanket for a set amount of time, gives him space to play and boundaries to play with in even if there are not walls to contain him. Right now we are taking it slow. I can usually get him to play happily for about 3 to 5 minutes before he tries to crawl off the blanket. We are working our way toward 10 minutes with out me having to reset him on the blanket. And my hope from there is that he will play there for about 30 minutes eventually.

Other things that we are planning are a few nights away from Calan. I don't want our first time away from him to be when his sister gets here. I feel like he needs to know that there are other times when we are away for an extended period of time. And heck, my husband and I need a night or two to get away before we have our hands full.

Any other mothers out there have a few tricks on what I should be doing to help Calan prepare for his sibling? What should I be teaching so that the transition goes as smoothly as possible. He is a pretty easy going kid. I am hoping that characteristic plays well for us come July.

Happy Mother's Day

“We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him.”  – I Samuel 1:27

I could stare at Calan all day. This little blessing is so amazing to me and to be his mother means the world to to me. There was a brief moment in time that Bob and I were faced with the prospect that we would never have children. Doctors warned us right away that once I started chemotherapy that I could go into menopause making it almost impossible to have children. Bob and I even met with a fertility specialist before I started, but we decided to trust the Lord and our doctors and pray that not only would I get healthy, but that one day we would be blessed with children. We are incredibly blessed. 

This year has been amazing. Calan is amazing. Being a mother is amazing. 

I love all of our quiet moments together. I love all of his laughter and smiles. I love watching him discover something new. I love how he looks for me for security and love and support. I relish in his joy. 

Like any mother, putting my love into words truly does not give it justice. Only God knows the depth of love. It truly is endless. 

This Mother's Day will probably be spent just enjoying my family. There is no where else I'd rather be. 

'Begin as you mean to go'

As a new parent, I find it hard to always see the big picture beyond his immediate actions. As a little guy, it is so easy to let things slide because I can control them. And since right now it is one-on-one, it is even easier to let things slip. 

Bob and I are currently taking the third class in the Growing Kids God's Way series, also known as the Child-wise series. This class covers the "pretoddler" stage of 12 to 18 months. And last night, I think most parents in the class would agree, it was kind of a wake up call of all the things that we let slide. 

One of the most important principles of the series is the idea that we must "begin as you mean to go." The idea focuses on creating good behaviors without having to re-train or correct behaviors later. Yes, this means that you are correcting and disciplining age appropriately. For example, when Calan was 7 months, all I had to say was no to stop him from doing something that I didn't want him to be doing. However, by 10 months and the fact that he is more mobile, it takes a little more. For example if he is trying to touch something he shouldn't, I start by saying "no touch," and if that doesn't work, It is a "no touch" followed by putting his hand away from the object with a little (and I mean little) squeeze. If that still doesn't stop him, then I remove him from the object saying again "no touch." This process has gotten him to stop touching electrical cords, outlets, breakable objects on our table, etc. 

"Begin as you mean to go" is all about consistency and building upon what he has learned. 

Last night, we started to talk about the idea of strong daily structure. That basically I should have structured activities for all of his wake time. And that should be me deciding what we are doing. This idea is part of "begin as you mean to go" because later on when he has more abilities, he needs to see that I am the one deciding what we are doing. I am the parent. 

This all goes back to routine, structure, and boundaries. So, it is back to my scheduling drawing board to erase so much of his free time to replace it with more age appropriate activities. Doing some research online. I'll let you know how it goes. 

I know to some of you this is all going to seem nuts, but I really am hoping that the actions I take now will make it so much easier to add our second baby to the mix. Helping to make an unpredictable life a little more predictable helps me keep my sanity. 

Third trimester here I come

Well, this is it. The last trimester is here. Baby Girl Wilson will be here in 3 short months and I am definitely do not feel ready. But the sad part is, I am not sure what I really should do. I had everything for Calan and everything is still here somewhere.

For a person who loves organization, I am kind of at a lost on where to start this time. I am not exactly sure why I am having such a block this time, but I kind of feel like an organization mess. I know that I have plenty of time and everything will work out. 

April just flew by. That is making a little nervous that May and June will be just as quick. I know that it will all come together, but I can't help but wonder when it will all happen.

Don't get me wrong. We have done a lot in the last two months switch things around in order to make better use of our house and that has been great. I could not imagine adding another baby to our home the way it was before. Now, we have plenty of space, or so I think.

But, I guess my question is more of what do I really need to do. I need to have the nursery some what organized, but she is going to be sleeping with Bob and I till I know that she won't disturb Calan's sleep too much. So, to be honest adding her to the nursery is not exactly something we need to do as soon as possible. Then there are clothes, I do need to wash items I have purchased and prepare some diapers, but all and all that is just a day job if that. Next might be getting some things from the basement like the swing and bouncy chair, but once again, not something that we need the day we get home.

A part of me wonders if I am missing something. I should probably just relax, sit back, and enjoy my last trimester. Life is going to be crazy those first months. I know this logically, but I don't think that I can completely grasp it till she is here. So, mental note to myself. STOP WORRYING.