Week 22 - April 9 - 15, 2015

Hi Sweet Boy,

Can you believe that we are 22 weeks along already?   You are over 11 inches long and over 1 WHOLE pound... big boy!  You are about the size of a spaghetti squash!  It makes me laugh that these pregnancy sites compare you to fruits and veggies as you grow, but I guess it makes some sense!  Only 18 weeks to go before you are in my arms (and your daddy's and your sister's).  We all love you so very much and Mollie talks to you and gives you kisses every day!

I went to Prenatal Yoga for the first time this week, and it really was incredibly relaxing and supportive.  I loved it.  Trying to decide if I can get all the way out there on a regular basis, but boy would it be nice for the meditation, reflection, stretching, peace, and a chance to just send you my undivided attention and love for an hour.  Life is so crazy, so getting to enjoy you and send you uninterrupted peace and love is a real joy for me.  :-)

We have a lot going on right now at Casa Janiszewski!  Mollie and I cleaned up the backyard/pool area, which you will love, to get ready for mulching and for the pool to be opened.  Tonight we have a design appointment in the hopes of remodeling the house, so we have more room that works for us for your arrival!  Everything is so exciting around here!

Here I am at 22 weeks strong!  My sweet, growing boy!

Week 21 - April 2 - 8, 2015

Hey Little Man!

You are moving this week!!!  So very active... at night ;-) You are approximately the size of a carrot, though you are measuring bigger than that!  We went to Chattanooga on Saturday, April 4th with Uncle Abe, Aunt Val and Jimmy.  We had so much fun!  We went to the Aquarium and played outside, went to Lookout Mountain and then had dinner out before heading home!  What a full and fun family day!

On Sunday the 5th, we had our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt with some mommy friends and their kids, and your sister was a master!  She filled up her Easter Basket and then some.  You were kicking away, so it was nice that you made your presence known... next year we will have you out there :-)

I went to Arcola, IL for work, as we are getting closer to opening the show, so it was just you and me.  Daddy stayed home with your sister and they had a ball!

Here I am (and you are) at 21 weeks!  Last night was fun, because I just laid my hand on my tummy and you kicked for a solid hour.  It was nice to feel you so active.  Of course, I had a little chocolate, so maybe that was the reason.

Keep growing and moving, my little love.  I can't wait to hold you in 19 short weeks! 

Love, Mommy

YOU ARE THREE YEARS OLD!!!!

My Little Love,

How is it possible that you are 3 years old???  You are growing, changing, and developing into this little lady.  You surprise me every single day and keep me laughing.  You are wild and crazy, you sing ALL THE TIME, you make jokes, you work things out, you wiggle your bum, you like to hide (under your grankie) every time we go somewhere (and make everyone find you), and you love to ask questions.  Your favorite question right now is "Why?" or "Because Why?"  I see this question frustrate a lot of parents, but I absolutely love it... so does your Daddy.  I don't ever mind you asking the question, as long as when issues of your safety arise that you still respond and listen immediately.

You love to climb... ON EVERYTHING.  You are actually really good at it.  You like only the big kid equipment at the park, but you have been that way since you were little.  You climbed up this massive, steep slide (that is in a tube) all by yourself a couple of weeks ago.  You enjoy playing games now.  We have quite a few games... mostly monster games, that you love.  Feed the Woozle, a monster puzzle game, dominoes, cards, matching and memory games, and we play them all pretty regularly.  You still love to do puzzles, but you pull them out, do them quickly, and then put them back, but you still seem to love the process of doing them!

You pick your clothes, dress yourself (unless you really don't feel like it - in which case "I NEED HELP!" comes out of your mouth), you get your own drinks and food... you are super self-sufficient.  It is both fun and amazing!  You are excited about your baby brother and talk about him a lot.  You want to know things about it, talk about what you are going to teach him, and you are gentle with my belly... always giving him kisses!  You are also really funny about stuff - I told you that I was going to feed Baby Max from my breasts just like I did for you, and now you will push on them saying "I bang on Max's food!"  You think that is hilarious, and of course I can't help but laugh.

You sing about absolutely everything, and want us to sing about everything too.  This seems to be how you communicate what you are thinking.  Your life is basically a musical. You dance more now.  You have always danced, but you seem to enjoy dancing a little more now, and shaking that booty!

 You and your daddy REALLY enjoy being silly together.  These made me laugh so hard!

We met your newest cousin before your birthday!  You and I flew to Texas to meet Baby Henry the day he was born!  It was so amazing!  You were an awesome traveler, even though it was really difficult to keep you entertained at the hospital!

You wanted to get dressed up like a mermaid! Olivia let you use hers... adorable!

We took you, Olivia, and Lily to the Celtic festival and you guys had a BALL!  It gave Uncle A-Aron, Aunt Jenny and Baby Henry some time to hang!  

 Your Aunt and cousins made you a birthday cake (you helped, and licked it off the counter, and dug into it with your fingers making it impossible to properly ice it, but you had a blast) and we sang happy birthday!

 You guys adore each other so very much!  Makes my heart happy... even when you argue and fight!

 A pic of all the kiddos (minus Jimmy) with Popa!

Shanell, our dear friend and amazing photographer, took your 3-year-old pics and our family pictures.  They turned out beautifully, despite the fact that you were not interested.  Her daughter was there and we were outside... you wanted to run and play, which I love!  Here are some of my favorites:

Your birthday was a lot of fun.  It was just you, me and daddy.  We made breakfast, complete with rainbow waffles, took you to Murfreesboro to the indoor water place, had a nap, went to eat at El Rey, our favorite Mexican restaurant and just had a beautiful day!  Your party was amazing!  Lots of friends, lots of gifts, at the park, perfect weather... it could not have been better.  Everyone dressed like their favorite Disney/Pixar characters... You were Minnie Mouse and Jimmy was Mickey.  When we asked you what theme you wanted for your birthday... you named every Disney/Pixar character you could think of, so Daddy said... Why not!?

I love watching you learn, grow, do, think, process and be.  You are an amazing little human, and I am so honored to have you in my life, and to be in yours. Oh, how I dearly love and adore you, I love holding and snuggling you, but mostly I love our developing and deep relationship.  You aren't really aware of it in the same sense I am at this point, but I love you intensely.  I am so grateful that I am your mommy.  I'm excited about every single day I get with you.  

I love you to the moon and back, so much all the time, more than the universe and more than there are words to describe.  You are my girl!  

Love, Mommy