Baby Brother

Today I had my monthly ultrasound check-up and since it was at 8:15 in the morning and didn't interfere with nap time we decided to take Riley to see if it helped her understand that her baby brother is on his way.  Riley has been acting up lately and we think it's partly because she's feeling the pinch of baby brother's arrival since we've been getting his room ready.  We hoped that getting her involved would help her grasp that baby brother was coming.  Riley wasn't quite sure what was going on but when the Dr came in she got totally into in.  The Dr went straight to his face so that she could see and we got some great pictures of his face.  The Dr even printed off a couple so that Riley could take them to school for show and tell during circle time.  Riley clung to the pictures the entire way.  When we got to school Riley ran into her class and straight to her teacher yelling "Look at my baby brother!"  All of the kids crowded around and Riley showed the picture of her brother who is "in mommy's tummy!" 

Our little man posing for us

Riley asked baby brother to move his hands so she could see his face

Proud big sister showing all of her friends at school her baby brother

All went well at the ultrasound, I've been having contractions so they checked to make sure I wasn't progressing and all looks good so they are just Braxton-Hicks so that's a good thing.  The baby is actually on the small side for the first time all pregnancy.   I was worried at first that we were headed down the same path as we did with Riley but the Dr said he looks great, he's only measuring 2 days behind his due date and that we probably just have small babies and that's ok.  He's currently weighing in at 4lbs 7oz (at 33 1/2 weeks) which is what Riley weighed when we brought her home from the hospital so he'll be bigger than she was, just not 8lbs, which I suppose isn't a bad thing for me! 

And our little adventure seems to have worked because for the first time Riley referred to her brother as her brother and not her sister and called him by his correct name!

Happiness...

is having your almost 3 year old say in the middle of Target unaided, "I love my baby brother."  And then leaning over to kiss you belly. 

I don't know if we were more shocked that she said this unaided, we weren't even talking about him, or if she actually got it right that it's her brother and not sister!  Now we just need to work on her getting his name correct! :)

A Sprinkle of Love

My wonderful friend Lori threw us a sprinkle to help us bring some blue into our lives today.  It was a fantastic day with yummy food (with lots of leftovers so Marc was happy), great friends, and lots of fun!  She held it at a Chinese restaurant, yum, my favorite and had lots of fun games!  Riley even came at the end to help me open her brother's presents.  Riley was really excited to finally wear one of her new " Big Sister" shirts (I've been crazy superstitious and haven't let her wear one yet but I figured it would be fun for the shower).  She was so excited to help me open presents and every time she opened one she would hold it up and show everyone and say "This is for my baby brother!"  (A step in the right direction since she called him her baby brother and not baby sister!).  She also did a great job of knowing that the gifts were for him and not her and did not try to take any of them, though she did have her eye on the awesome owl blanket from Lori (picture below).  I was very proud of her, I think she's going to be a great big sister and I can't wait to see her in action.  Friday she told me that her baby brother was her "fwiend!"  Got to love that girl!

"What Brothers do Best," the other side says "What sisters do best"

Riley hanging with Bella's mommy

Owl toy!  Thanks Auntie Amber! :)

And an owl blanket compliments of Lori - this is the one gift that Riley coveted

Me and the hostess.  Thanks for the wonderful afternoon Lori!

Me and my girl

My little helper!

Group shot!

Riley and "Auntie" Lori

The soon-to-be Big Sister arrives just in time for cake and presents, her favorite!

My almost 30 week baby bump and my side-kick

Getting my belly measured for our first game, "Guess how big Allie's belly is."  Marc's answer - HUGE!

Searching for safety pins in a bowl of rice, it's surprisingly hard!

So Sweet

Riley FINALLY accepted that she's having a baby brother instead of a baby sister.  Tonight at dinner I let her eat on the couch since she hasn't been feeling great and I honestly didn't want to battle her at the dinner table.  I was sitting next to her and she decided that her brother wanted some of her dinner so she lifted up my shirt and started shoving green beans into my belly button, I tried to explain the whole concept of an umbilical cord and that what I eat, the baby eats.  It went right over her head and she insisted on putting more green beans in my belly button and then of course he needed some milk so her sippy cup ended up in my belly button too.  After baby brother was done eating she says "Oh I just love my baby brother!" leaned over, gave my belly and "big" hug and a kiss.  So incredibly sweet and I nearly cried (which could be the hormones!).  I think someone is going to be a great big sister after all!