Getting Ready

We've been slowly but surely preparing for another baby. We picked a name, baby announcement design, and blessing outfit. We have a double stroller.

Scott waving to me instead of looking at John. He loves his baby doll, so we're hopeful he'll like his brother, too.

He likes to bring me his baby doll so they can both sit on my lap while we read. He also brings me shoes to put on the doll.

When the doll is flat, its eyes close. Scott likes to open them up. We're going to need to nip that in the bud.

Scott's been using a twin bed for several months now. He's been sleeping either 8-9 hours on his own all night or 10-11 when he wakes up once. Since he generally goes back down easily by having one of us next to him for a few minutes, I actually prefer the latter.

We pulled our baby things down from Scott's closet and he played with everything like long lost friends.

John and I have also been cooking extra and stockpiling some freezer meals for when the ward stops bringing dinners and John goes back to work. I've never done freezer meals before, so it's all experimental. The cookie dough I'm sure will turn out if it ever makes it to the oven.

I finished my paper for school, girl's camp is over, my mom's been watching Scott so we've had some fun dates, I bought a coming home outfit, some formula and diapers, the carseat base is installed and we feel more or less prepared for the baby physically. 

It's a good thing, too, because I hit 38 weeks today. I feel big, but am so much smaller than I was with Scott. I gained 52 pounds with him and so far have only hit 33 this time. I'm definitely feeling ready to be done with being pregnant, but am too anxious about labor to actually want the baby to come. He'll be here soon, though!

Gilroy Gardens II

We went back to Gilroy Gardens last Saturday for Lincoln's 2nd birthday party. It was nice going with John so he could see how much Scott enjoyed himself. One of the best parts of being a parent is seeing your kid have fun.

 Scott petting the horse's mane.

 They were excessively inefficient at loading rides, but Scott was pretty patient. This 2 1/2 minute ride took 13 minutes to start once we sat down. Yes--we timed it because it was that absurd.

 John went on one of the bigger kid rides while Scott and I explored the monarch garden.

 He went over to this boy and held his hand.

 Then he wanted the boy to walk with him at which point the kid turned and looked at his mom with a very confused face. The parents and I were laughing.

 Walking through the garden.

 The birthday boy and his family. We had a little break for delicious cupcakes and present opening then went back to business.

It was a fun to get away as a family for the day.

Eagle Lake

We left really early on the 4th of July to go camping. We arrived in time for lunch. We stood around shooting the breeze while Scott unloaded the car.

 Then we watched in amazement while he set up the tent.

 Karen said if I went camping (6 hours away and 8 months pregnant) they'd bring us an air mattress and do the cooking. I loaded up on s'mores ingredients and we hit the road. Unfortunately, Joseph and Alan had a heck of a time getting the mattress in the tent opening. It ended up being a little deflated, but still infinitely better than the ground.

 All three uncles came and it was fun spending time with them. John and Uncle John went out on the kayaks.

 I love that Scott held the paddle.

 It didn't take much time on the soothing water ride for Scott to knock out.

 He also napped well on the speed boats.

 He liked watching the water skiers and wake boarders behind us.

 Proof that I was on the trip. We went on a leisurely tube ride as a family, but went in the water when the boat stopped, which Scott did not like. It's pretty cold.

 Scott's favorite part of camping was definitely the dirt.

 I brought his shovel and pail and he spent hours playing with them.

 The flannel plaid was killing me. So perfect for camping.

 Scott liked to dump the shovel of dirt on the chairs, peoples' feet, any place that looked too clean.

 Distracted from the dirt by Grandpa cooking.

 Helping Grandma find some food. He learned quickly what the coolers and plastic tubs held.

 Enjoying delicious pancakes. They tasted even better with his personal topping: dirt.

It was a long drive home and took a long time to unpack, wash and put everything away. But we loved being with family and letting Scott run around free. Also, the s'mores.

Scott in June

Scott discovered that raspberries fit perfectly on his fingers.

 He likes playing with his water table in the back yard and carries the stacking cups around everywhere.

 He also sometimes walks around with his toy in the air. I'm not sure what that's about.

 He outgrew his sleeping gowns. Mostly because he can't run in them. They were cute while they lasted.

 Helping dad water the garden.

 Mostly he just collects rocks

 and takes them over for a rinse. He knows they have to be cleaned before he can bring them inside.

 I sorted the baby clothes by size and Scott had fun climbing the tubs.

 I think we forgot one part of the outfit.

 John went to see a family in our ward get sealed while Scott and I played in the visitor's center.

 It was the last day before the temple was closed for six weeks of maintenance and a Saturday in the middle of June, so there were weddings galore.

 They were really behind schedule, but luckily Scott is easily entertained. This is him reaching for a cracker. You can see his new teeth if you zoom in enough.

 We were both so excited when John came out.

 Our dresser refinishing project went amuck. Scott enjoyed helping John with the demo and now we have some firewood.

 Scott is silly and finds ways to amuse us and himself. Like with pen caps

 beeping his coupe horn

 and trying to crawl through cereal boxes.

 Ever helpful.

 Scott really likes putting sunglasses on, but they don't stay for long.

 Having a post-church snuggle

 Scott's newest obsession is a kitchen my mom bought him.

He was cooking and then taking it over to his baby doll in the swing and feeding him.

 First thing in the morning he heads straight over to make breakfast.

Scott likes to play with our shoes, but this was the first time he tried walking in heels. He quickly traded them for John's slippers, which are much comfier.

 His 5 1/2 shoes I just bought him a few weeks ago were already snug. So we went in and had his feet measured again and sure enough he's a 6. These little Toms are my favorite and he looks even more like a toddler now.

 We also had to get some size 2 jams for summer. We set up the swing frame for the baby and Scott likes to play in it.

And some phone pictures. 

Playing at Anna's. His big bum popped his overalls open.

 Snuggling after swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's.

 Scott liked putting Olivia's pacifier in her mouth. When he couldn't find her while she napped, he tried it out himself.

 Playing with their grandparents' toys.

 The day finally arrived for the father's day Cardinals game. He's clapping with excitement.

We took the BART to the stadium, which John and Scott both loved.

 It was Scott's first major league game, ie the first game where we stayed the entire time

He was actually really well-behaved the whole time, ie we fed him for about 3 hours straight.

Scott has also spent significant time practicing his chatting.

His first consistently correctly used word(s) is "uh-oh." He says it whenever his ball rolls under the couch or he drops something.

He can also say mama/mommy, dada/daddy, and yep. He mostly says yep to everything, sometimes says uh-oh when he throws things, mama frequently means food and dada means let's go in the front yard. We're working on it.