30 Weeks!!

Yesterday marked the beginning of my 30th week of pregnancy with this little sprout.  I am definitely already counting down the days, but it's a bittersweet feeling as this will probably be our last baby.  Brian and I always talked about having two kiddos, but I guess I was hoping for at least one of those kids to be a girl.  I would love to have a little girl to play dolls and barbies with, to play dress up, to put bows in her hair to match her dresses, and to have that best friend bond that daughters have with their mothers.  These are all selfish reasons, of course.  But it looks like I was meant to be a momma of boys.  My boys will just be momma's boys! 

I am feeling the urge to nest already, so while my mom was in town visiting, we dug out Harrison's 3 tubs (!!!) of baby clothes and stocked the dresser drawers.  We will have some interesting living arrangements once the new guy arrives, but it's temporary, as we will be moving again in July.  So his crib and dressers will be put into our spare room with the full sized bed that's already in there.  He'll be tiny (I hope) and won't need much space, so... sorry little dude.  :)

Otherwise, I am feeling pretty good and only mildly uncomfortable.  I started getting sick with Harrison at around 32 weeks, so I am getting more nervous as I approach that mark, but all is well for now.  

3o week belly

Harrison and belly :)

Day at the Science Center

Brian, Gigi and I took Harrison to the McWane Science Center downtown.  He had a blast running around like a crazy kid and getting his hands on everything.  

Loved watching the fish

I love his face here! 

Playing with Daddy at the water table

A "No Good" New Year's Eve

Our New Year's Eve was a long one and I wish I could say it was because we were out on the town.  Poor Harrison had had several days of a high fever, but no other symptoms.  So I felt comfortable dosing him with Tylenol and Ibuprofen and playing Momma, RN.  However on New Year's Eve day, I went ahead and gave the pediatrician a call, who suggested we go to an after hours clinic because the fevers wouldn't subside.  I honestly thought we'd be in and out at after hours and even joked with my mom on the way over that Harrison needed to look "a little sicker so they wouldn't laugh at me!"  Well it didn't take long for him to decide to do that.  His temperature at the after hours clinic was a whopping 104.5! He was covered in a red rash and so puny.  It was awful.  

They did a full work-up on him, as I expected.  His fever eventually came down to 101 and we were ready to head home after 3 hours of waiting and testing.  I was chatting with the doctor and Harrison was drifting off to sleep when he started startling with a jerk.  He did it several times, which confused our doctor.  She immediately sent us to the ER, concerned this was some sort of seizure activity.  I opted to drive us downtown (instead of paying $750 for the ambulance ride).  After being in the ER, everyone concurred that Harrison was doing the normal falling asleep jerk that you sometimes do--however these can be intensified when you have a fever.  In the ER, the doctors also noticed small pinpoint bruises on his arms and face, so he had blood cultures drawn, an IV placed and a dose of antibiotics given.  It was horrific to watch your own child being poked and prodded--definitely a different view being on that side of the bed.

We finally got home about 4am.  Harrison, although still not himself, is feeling much better and no fevers!! 

I am an awful momma and made Brian take this picture--I hope this is the only one we ever have to take.

3 pounds already!

29 weeks has just flown by with Baby Luds #2!  At my visit last week, the doctor said I was measuring a little big and given that Harrison was a big boy born 3 weeks early--it is likely that this kiddo will be rocking the chub, as well.  

Today, I opted to have an extra ultrasound just for the sneak peak.  While we were so happy to see that little face, Baby was less than cooperative and kept his hand up by his cheek.  We did get some great shots (hand included) and the tech did a few measurements to check his size.  He is currently measuring just a little big, weighing an estimated 3 pounds 3 ounces.  The tech commented on the length of his legs, which considering we have no height in our family, leaves Brian pondering how tall the postman is! :)  Kidding, of course!

Yawning

So sleepy (with hand on the head, of course!)

Check out that cute little nose!

This pic is his two little feet with curled toes

No Clothes

Harrison thoroughly enjoys being without clothes.  He also enjoys brushing his teeth.  Both make for an interesting bathtime.  Last night, I chased Harrison around while he ran and hid in the spare room.  

Closing the door on me! See the toothbrush!

And he's off...

"Brusha-Brusha-Brusha!"

Christmas Fun

Opening his stocking on Christmas Eve. 

Santa came! Don't mind Harrison's "dumb face" as we call it.  

A pro at opening presents

A new hat and scarf from GiGi and Gramps

"What do you mean there are no more presents?"

Daddy playing in Harrison's new tent

A giant sugar cookie from GiGi!

Reading books

Playing at the park the day after Christmas-we will NEVER be able to do this again!

Going down the big boy slide with GiGi

Cookies, Santa and Boots! Oh my!

Our Birmingham buddies at a Christmas cookie exchange.  It was impossible to get all the kids to look in one direction.  This was the best I got!

Harrison, Charlotte, Abby (who was NOT happy) Annika, Addie and Cole

GiGi is in town visiting and lets me wear her boots! Don't you know thigh high boots are all the rave! 

Had to include this photo of Dakota! She came downstairs from a nap and still had her blanket on!

Harrison's new Pottery Barn chair, which he loves

Umm and Dakota thinks this it's her new bed.

Can I have some more cookies, Mom?

Ho! Ho! Ho!

For Dakota's Friend Dizzle

See Daisy--you're not the only one who has to pose for the camera. 

Love,

Dakota

Check our our friend's blog over here to see their cute kiddos and adorable dog!

Baby Bellies!

As I did when I was pregnant with Harrison, I have been taking weekly belly pictures.  I thought I would throw a couple comparison pictures on here to share with my blogger friends.  I secretly (ok sometimes not so secretly) have my fingers crossed that our second little fellow is a little smaller than Harrison was.  I can only imagine how much this baby will weigh if I go to my due date!  I have been overanalyzing my Harrison belly with New Baby belly!  

Harrison Belly!

New Baby belly!

PS-all the maternity clothes I own are some form of sweatpant or t-shirt. Sorry for the lack of variety! 

Silent Night

Brian had several Christmas parties this past week, which we were lucky enough to attend.  Thankfully, we have found a couple of great babysitters in Birmingham.  It was nice to have a 'date night' and uninterrupted adult conversation!  

Momma's Little Helper

Harrison loves to "help" do just about anything.  He throws away his diapers in the garbage, tries to climb in his highchair for meals, and now he is doing laundry!  I figure the more I can teach him now before the baby comes, the better!  :)  Nevermind his AWFUL hair in these pictures.  He had a morning bath and then played outside with his hat on--the perfect recipe for hat head! 

Thank goodness for the CHILD LOCK button!

Sleepy Baby & TV Junkie

This is the second time Harrison has totally cashed out in the highchair.  I was mixing up his yogurt as he was gabbing away, then there was silence.  This is what I found.  

He has officially discovered the TV.  I believe he is watching the Today show.  

He has great taste in morning television. 

GiGi sent Harrison all the classic Christmas movies, so we watched Frosty tonight.  Well, let's be honest, we watched about 5 minutes.  But I took a picture anyway. 

Oh Christmas Tree

We ventured out to buy a real Christmas tree this year (well if you count going to Home Depot as venturing).  We've always wanted to have a real tree, both of us growing up having artificial trees.  It was kind of thrilling driving home with a tree on top of our car!  

Gretta the Jetta with tree!

Harrison "helping" decorate

Thankfully, the novelty of the tree has worn off and Harrison has lost interest in the shiny bulbs and lights.  However, the pretty wrapped presents under the tree tempt him.  I think on  Christmas morning he will be more impressed with shredding the paper than the gifts themselves.  

Gobble! Gobble!

We have had a great week, especially since Grandma and Grandpa Ludwig are visiting.  Harrison has enjoyed the extra snuggles and attention with his Iowa family.  We showed Grandma and Grandpa around town, complete with a trip to the Birmingham zoo.  We have also been out on the town shopping and dinner dates! 

Our little stud with his rocking hat

The new scrunch face

Complete scrunch face with eyes closed of course!

Harrison and his "lady friends" Charlotte and Addie on Thanksgiving! 

The girls live up the street (doing same sports fellowship) and their momma sure 

keeps me sane and laughing!! 

Disclaimer: No children were hurt during this photo!! So Dakota, our mouthy dog, has a bark collar.  Note-it does NOT work, yet we put it on the dog because she thinks it works.  The piece of the bark collar that could zap the dog if she barked is not even attached anymore.  Anyways, Harrison was playing with Dakota's toys today and came around the corner "wearing" the collar! Priceless.

For those who have been asking...

And finally the second little turkey-- roasting away at 24 weeks.

The belly is expanding at a very fast pace!