Holiday Recap

We had a jam packed holiday season and I'm worn out.  Just as I imagined, Samantha loved every minute. 

Hanukkah was early this year and Samantha got a very special castle menorah from Grammy and Pops.  She wanted to light the candles as soon as she woke up every morning and constantly was asking me "Should we play dreidel now?"   I was concerned that once Hanukkah was over we were going to have a tough time explaining that she would no longer be receiving a present every day but she took it all in stride. 

Then we had Christmas! Samantha is at a particularly fun age for the whole excitement of Santa and we took advantage of using the bribery of Santa to get her to do things leading up to Christmas - all you had to do was mention Santa and she would start behaving good again.  She visited Santa and made it clear that she would like dishes this year. 

She received so many wonderful presents throughout the month - a barn, a dollhouse, clothes, art supplies, an easel, etc.  But, her big gift from Santa was a fully stocked kitchen complete with dishes, food, pots, pans and more which she absolutely adores.  

And, best of all, I'm feeling like as a family, we have really got this holiday celebration down now.  I've mentioned before that when Dave and I first started living together, it was a challenge trying to figure out what felt comfortable to both of us.  But I think we have it figured out now and can simply enjoy all the fun of both holidays with our extended family as well. 

Home Stretch

Here I am today, in my 33 week of pregnancy.  It is hard not to compare this pregnancy to last.  In my last pregnancy I was on bed rest by this time so I've been a bit on edge lately.  However, I went to the doctor this morning and everything is looking good.  My blood pressure is low, no swelling, I'm not leaking protein and the baby's heart rate is perfect.  As the doctor said, this is just going to be a different kind of pregnancy for me.

I have still been trying to keep up with my Boulder ways, I've been taking a weekly prenatal yoga class, a weekly prenatal swim class and I'm still trying to get to boot camp once a week.  I have to say, that swim class is my favorite time of the week.  The whole time I just tell the teacher how good I feel.  It really is a good workout and the buoyancy seems to take all my aches and pains away. 

Much to the dismay of the Boulder moms in my classes, I have opted to schedule another c-section.  In many parts of the country, a c-section is mandatory.  In Boulder, my doctors would let me try not to but after what I went through last time, we all felt that it is the best option for me to go with a c-section.  Right now, we are on the books for February 7, 2011.  

Golden Child?

It started when Samantha was about two days old, the nurses in the hospital kept telling us how we should feel very fortunate to have a baby with such a good temperament.  Overall, she has been a good sleeper, a good eater and very kind.  People are frequently reminding us of how lucky we are to have a special, easy going child and trust me, we get it.

I wish we could take credit for many of the things she does so easily but the truth of the matter is that I think much of it is plain old luck.  Potty training has been a perfect example.  Now, I will say that my mom began potty training in September and Samantha was not at all interested.   We decided to take a break and begin again.  This time, she was just potty trained.  Sure, we read books and prepared; we made a big deal when she was successful.  But when it came down to it, we didn't do much at all.  It has been a few weeks, and I can count on one hand the number of accidents she has had.  No big deal.

We keep debating if our luck is up with baby #2.  I do think it is funny because right from the beginning, people want to take a mean twist on it.  When Samantha was a few weeks old,  a neighbor told us "You know what they say....great baby means a horrible teenager!" As Carina kicks and moves like a little maniac inside me, everyone says "This is going to be your wild one".  Why can't I have two golden children? 

Nesting

According to the books, around the fifth month of pregnancy, the "nesting" instinct can set in. This is an uncontrollable urge to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world.

About three weeks ago, "nesting" began taking control of me, I began washing all of the baby clothes, pulling out baby gear, buying gifts for the holidays and beyond, getting things in order and preparing the nursery.  I mentioned earlier that we did a little art project in the new room. Ironically, the art project has a little bird nest incorporated into it!  Now, you can see the final results.  It is a very sweet and cozy room, a place where I hope Carina will be very happy.

Meaning: Beloved

We have settled on a name for our new little girl.  I know some of you like surprises but since I don't, you all get to know. You may recognize the name as it has been the inspiration for a few songs, such as:



and:



The meaning is beloved and I think that is especially fitting for this baby.  We are going use the spelling of our dear friend from high school Carina.  Her middle name will be Jean, after Dave's grandma Carol Jean, my Dad's brother Gene Erger and my baby sister Madeline Gene.