Reality

I know, I know! Really I have no excuse for not blogging more. Except that having two kids is pretty darn hard. Archer is 12 weeks now (seriously?) and it isn't getting 'easier', but I think I am finally get the hang of parenting both boys.
We've also just moved house, into a house we OWN! It feels so scary and grownup, but is infinitely awesome and we are so excited. I am hating unpacking though and avoid it like the plague.
I only have a few small windows during the day where the boys are asleep or happy to play by themselves and most of the time I take a moment to flop back on the couch and relax, but I want to be more productive. Even if that productivity just extends to regular blog updates as opposed to cleaning. But no promises! :)

So, the boys are going great! Leopold will be 26 months this month, yep it's already August :O
Since moving into the new house he isn't sleeping as well as he used to, quite often getting out of bed in the night and getting up with the sun (or so it feels, 7-8.30am is undoubtedly an awesome time to start the day, but I'm used to him getting up at 9-10.30am so cut me some slack!), but otherwise he has settled in well.
He is still breastfeeding pretty often, is a picky eater (or maybe he just knows what he likes haha), but is always happy to eat fruit and our homemade fruit and vegie juices and currently loves drawing, ride on toys and bath time. So proud of him for getting past his water aversion! :)
He is also Toy Story OBSESSED! We just bought him a Buzz Lightyear toy yesterday and my gosh, talk about a positive reception, so cute. He's very talkative and has started learning numbers, letters, shapes and colours and can count 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 hehe.
Leo also loves his little brother. His bond with Archer is just gorgeous and I really hope they will be close as they get older.

As I said before, Archer is now 12 weeks and is without a doubt the most chilled baby I have ever met. He falls asleep anywhere, anytime. Self settles, loves nappy changes, loves being naked, is a total water baby, feeds well, sleeps even better. He definitely makes parenting a relaxed affair! We get lots of smiles, giggles and 'coos' now and I am really starting to enjoy him and watching him grow.
He is a big boy, short, but so chubby and heavy. Not sure of his exact weight, as due to reflux (that now seems to be settling *touch wood*) he lost a little bit, but I'd guess 6+ kg now.
Arch doesn't seem to like being held by Gaz if I am around and will often be grizzly if his dad cuddles him for too long, which is a bit sad. He is also in my sleeping pattern (staying up really late and then sleeping in) at the moment, which is not good, but he does sleep through so I can't complain!
We are going through a bit of medical stuff with Archie Bear at the moment, he has a large vascular growth on his forehead/over his left eye which is getting bigger and effecting his vision. First appointment with a pediatric surgeon next week so we are all a bit nervous about that. He's tough though and I know no matter what we'll get through it :)

I'll try my hardest to get another blog post up soon, I have a few I want to do (like a tour of our new house, a 'day in my life', one specifically on AP and what being a peaceful parent means to me). If there is anything you'd like to see on this blog please let me know, I'd really love for friends and family to use it as a way of hearing about us and watching the boys grow :)

xoxo

33 & 34 Week Update

Oh my gosh where to begin! So much has happened the last two weeks.
Well, I am 34w2d today (seriously?!!!) and feeling every one of those weeks. The last month or so I have been having pelvic issues, lots of pain, tenderness and trouble with mobility. Finally get in to see a physio (actually the same physio I saw during my first pregnancy) and what do you know? My pelvis has almost completely seperated and become unstable. So lots of exercises and physical therapy for me! And I have to wear a special pelvic belt. Hopefully we can minimise the damage done and help the pain, but I'm looking at a 6-12 month recovery post-partum so need to take it very easy. How easy can one take it when they have a toddler and newborn? I guess I'll find out!

Also my doctor is a wee bit concerned about Squishy Bub's growth so we're off for another growth scan this week. I have suspected bubs is small, and last growth scan he was measuring 30th percentile (I'm very aware ultrasounds can be inaccurate in estimating size), but my doc is worried he isn't growing effectively and dropping percentiles. If that's the case I will be looking at regular monitoring and possible early induction. That really scares me. A) Because I feel like I need every single one of the weeks I have left to prepare for bubba's arrival and b) because I want a very natural birth experience this time around and am worried how an induction will effect that. Of course,  a healthy baby is my main priority, but I hate this unknown element. Everyone please cross your fingers for me that it all looks good and Squishy is growing. I'll be sure to update here as soon as I know :)

33 weeks (and poking his bum out!)

34 weeks

34 weeks

How far along?: 33-34 weeks
Total weight gain: +5-6kg from pre-pregnancy weight (huge gain the last fortnight!!)
Maternity clothes?: Just bought so super daggy trackies. Hells yes!
Stretch marks?: Oldies definitely more visible, but no new ones *yet*
Sleep: Not too bad suprisingly
Best moment this week: The birth of a good friend's baby boy (early yesterday morning). I'm so happy for her and so excited! But also really nervous now because that means of all the preggos I know IRL I'm next eek!
Miss Anything?: Being able to eat without heartburn
Movement: Very, very painful now. He's strong even if he is little!
Food cravings: Cucumber sandwiches! I really, really want one. Now. Please
Anything making you queasy or sick: The sight of my untoned thighs is not pleasant
Gender: Boy
Labour Signs: The last 24 hours, just quietly, yes. But I think we're still awhile away (well I HOPE we are) from anything serious happening.
Symptoms: Pelvic issues, heartburn/reflux, nausea, constant need to wee, fatigue, Braxton Hicks contractions...you name it I have it!
Belly Button in or out?: Cute little outie :)
Engagement ring on or off?: On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Still happy, but going to be totally honest, I'm getting a little over it now haha
Looking forward to: Being able to kick a ball around the yard with Leopold again

Leopold is amazing!

I just love this little man so much and cannot wait to see him interact with his baby brother.
He is such a gentle soul, I've never met a more affectionate toddler. He definitely has a funny and cheeky side to him though haha.
Leo is growing up way too fast, he has at least 12 teeth (won't let me see if there are any new back ones), can count to two, saying 3-4 word sentences and picking up new words every day, is learning to swim, tells us when he has done poos or wees and always says "please" and "thank you".
I could not be more proud of him!

2013 and 21 weeks!

Wow, it's 2013! And what an exciting year it is going to be for my family. In about a month we are going on a lovely mini holiday to the beach (definitely looking forward to that as this Summer is looking to be a hot one), my fiance is working towards finishing is writing course and starting a home business, we are house hunting and looking to buy our first home, in May we will be welcoming our second, beautiful son (due only 8 days before my 22nd birthday), then we celebrate Leopold's 2nd birthday late June. Cannot wait for all this and more!

We rang in the New Year in a relaxed fashion. Showed Leo the children's fireworks at 9.30pm (he was mesmerised), put him to bed and then I watched DF and my younger brother play drunken xbox. Very amusing :-) I was asleep before 2am. I do wish I'd been able to have a couple of drinks, but there is always next year. Hope everyone had a lovely New Year's Eve and wishing everybody an amazing year to come. It's amazing how fast time as flown since having Leo over 18 months ago, part of me hopes this year moves a bit more slowly!

21w2d

How far along? 21 weeks
Total weight gain/loss?: -2kg from pre-pregnancy weight
Maternity clothes?: The dress I am wearing in the above picture, I want one in every colour!
Stretch marks?: No new ones. My ones from first pregnancy are still very faded  

Sleep: Sleeping well this week
Best moment this week?: Feeling/seeing lots of big movements!
Miss Anything?: Once again, alcohol. Damn you NYE!
Movement?: Millions of movements!
Food cravings?: Still sandwiches and chocolate
Anything making you queasy or sick?: Nothing in particular
Have you started to show yet?: Popped out a lot this week
Gender?: Boy
Labour Signs?: No
Belly Button in or out?: In. I think it's getting a little flatter though
Engagement ring on or off?: On
Happy or Moody most of the time?: So happy :-)
Looking forward to?: Our 4d scan in a couple of weeks time

I can't get enough of this beautiful boy!

My gorgeous Leopold is almost 18 months and I cannot believe we are about to celebrate his second Christmas!
He is definitely in toddler mode now, chatting my ear off constantly, learning new things every day and in general he is an absolute delight (although we are hitting the terrible-twos a little early and get the occasional full on tantrum).

He is also finally sleeping well about 75% of the time and for those of you that read this blog and know Leo's sleeping patterns this is amazing. Still not making it all the way through the night, but much improved. I can not recommend baby massage enough, it is simply amazing.

I just love him and his cheeky face so much (and I refuse to cut his gorgeous curls!) so here is some Leo spam for you!!

Madeleine xoxo