Holidays with a Twist & Pregnancy Update

It was a banner year for the Wieck family as we spent Thanksgiving... wait for it... Together!  In Iowa!  This was a first since 2001.  [That's a first in 12 years, math people].  Because of how the basketball schedule worked out, Justin was off from Wednesday-Saturday.  Last year Justin was in Montana, the year before that we were in South Dakota, before that I was in Minnesota, the year before that we were in Las Vegas... And I can think of Illinois, Kansas City... and even out of the country!

We decided to fly home because it is too long of a car ride for being this pregnant AND trying to entertain the toddler.  We had a great time celebrating with both of our families and although it was a quick 2 1/2 day trip it was so much fun to have Jordy spend time with his cousins!  He talks about them constantly and we feel bad that he so often misses out on a lot of grandma & grandpa time.

Eating breakfast with Jackson

Snack with Owen

The final twist is that while we got a Thanksgiving in Iowa, we will be cozying up and spending Christmas in Jamestown since we are so close to our due date.  We are kind of excited to be able to have our own little family traditions just the 3 us and have Jordy experience his stocking and Christmas at home AND not having to travel 700 miles [one way] in the winter!  Yet it's bittersweet to miss out on being together with family, especially our cousins and grandparents whom we only see at Christmastime.

Of course this isn't our first January baby, and the Christmas we spent together in Aberdeen waiting for our baby was one of the best Christmas's ever and one we'll never forget!  Usually Justin and I don't exchange Christmas presents [and honestly...parents of the year... didn't get Jordy anything last year, either!] but we decided to do some little stocking stuffers just to have something to open here with Jordy.  We are trying to budget wisely for 2 kids in daycare AND majority of my maternity leave unpaid (!)

And although I said I wouldn't... we decided we are going to do a little birthday party for Jordy!  I mean, the kid's favorite song IS Happy Birthday, after all!  So Dad is 100% in charge of pulling this one off.   We will be inviting.... who else!  The basketball team!  We are just going to do cupcakes after a game and hopefully we can get the guys [make them?] sing Happy Birthday to him!

Since there's only 4 short weeks left until Baby, it's time to compare pregnancies!

Here I am at 35 weeks with Baby #2:

Here I am at 37 Weeks with Jordan:

Not the greatest quality but I don't have hardly any bump pictures this time around [lazy!]  I am however, approximately 18 pounds lighter this time around.  You read that correctly!

I attribute this to the following facts:
(a) I was in much better shape overall when I got pregnant the first time
(b) I am constantly in motion chasing around a toddler and can't lay around on my couch all night when I get home from work
(c) I am on prescription medication for my nausea so I feel better this time and probably more active, and not living on Sprite, chocolate shakes, and Arby's (practically all I could eat for awhile the first time!)

This pregnancy I have actually been much sicker overall, like getting up in the middle of the night to get sick and pretty much feel narcoleptic much of the time.  So the medicine is a dream come true!!!  With Jordy I drank little to no caffeine whatsoever and this baby I have a coffee every day and whenever I feel like it, a Pepsi!

Getting everything wrapped up at work, this time feels CRAZY! I felt a lot more prepared last time, even though it was my first year as a school principal; and this time is my 5th year of teaching... Perhaps it's just still getting used to being new, too, that it seems overwhelming.  [Maybe a difference between a Catholic school system vs. a public school system, too?]

The basketball schedule is also MUCH different.  Practices here are much later into the evenings and never at the same time in Jamestown than they were at Northern.  Also the game schedule sucks.   At Northern, they were always womens/mens and they were ALWAYS Friday/Saturday (and home Saturday night after an away game).  Since November, it's been: Justin gone from Tuesday-Sunday (@ New Mexico, then 2 games in Nebraska) to playing Tuesday, Friday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday <<<break for Thanksgiving, we traveled the whole time>>>,  Justin gone Thursday-Sunday in Iowa.  

While it sounds understandable why we have nothing set up for Baby yet :), I am focusing on enjoying these last few weeks!  Jordy has just been absolutely awesome lately!  He is in a great mood and talking more and more and more every day.  His new favorites are "Come here, Mommy/Daddy", "I want Daddy's gym,"  and "I like it, Mommy, I like it!!!"  And at night I have been getting "I want to snuggle Mommy."  Isn't that the best!!!  Despite the craziness of basketball, he loves "the guys" and has no clue if we win or lose -which is awesome!  He brings us both so much joy each day and we are really looking forward to giving him what I consider the ultimate gift - a sibling!!!  I love seeing and feeling Baby moving all around and while I'm slightly terrified to have to go through another surgery & recovery, I'm told it's more manageable the 2nd time around. And of course this baby will be worth it just like the first!

Will try to keep up on the once per month blog, so until then when we become a family of FOUR!, never be too busy to count all your blessings!!!!