Life...

Well...looks like I am behind again.  Feels like a theme in my life!  I can't keep up with email at work...can't keep up with the blog (no pics...again)...can't keep up with friends...and Noah is becoming a little man more every day!  I don't know if I am getting more overwhelmed with the idea of two or just plain pooped from being pregnant...but it has been a long couple of weeks!  I survived our huge visit days...then UNI has erupted on the news almost every day.  It is defeating to go to work and read and hear what people are saying.  I work with amazing people and we do really good work...but that is not what you read or hear about...just ready to move forward!  On some positive notes...Noah is just a riot:)  The potty training thing is going so well...not brave enough to do the no diaper thing at night...but he is in underwear all day and no accidents since about a month ago!  He has his colors down, counts to 20 and working on our shapes!  He is a talking machine and having conversations with him are down right hilarious!  Noah still isn't quite sure about the baby in mommy's belly but is fascinated by babies so we are hoping this is a good thing! 

Here is a poem I found about loving two on another blog...and I think it suites what I am thinking and hoping will happen:

Loving Two

Author Unknown

I walk along holding your small hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then he is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as you’ve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, “Please love only me”. And I hear myself telling you in mine, “I can’t”, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. I’m afraid to let you see me enjoying him, as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times – only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how he adores you – as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of his new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I haven’t taken something from you, I’ve given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you.

I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you – only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you’ll never share my love. There’s enough of that for both of you – you each have your own supply.

I love you – both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Luv you Noah and future baby!!  Had my 28 week appointment this week and all is well!!!!  My placenta moved so hopefully I will be able to have a vaginal birth with this one.  Apparently it is not in the cards for us to have a "petite baby" according to the doctor:)  So they will be watching very closely and I will probably be induced at 39 weeks...not going to change my due date (May 23rd) but probably will be earlier!  I start going every other week already...so I will go back in about a week...which is kind of crazy and is making it seem closer and closer.  Sometimes I am super excited about it and other times TERRIFIED!!!!!!  Scott and I still are no closer with names...and I still have no desire to know the sex...I am excited for the surprise:)  So...here goes nothing!  I didn't gain any weight this month (in fact lost a pound...) but with the kidney stone fiasco...I'm not in trouble...yet.  

Scott is staying busy at school and is getting excited for track season to start:)  Such a lucky lady to have a great guy...him and Noah surprised me with roses this week...Noah was so proud of himself for picking out the flowers.  Off to relax and get ready for our last Kindergym!! 

February is almost over!!

I can't believe tomorrow is the 20th of February:)  It has flown by...the past week was one tough week for the Connolly's.  Lats Friday, I went to Hawkeye CC for UNI with my Intern.  We headed back and I commented that my back hurt a bit.  Little did I know that it was only the beginning.  I was prepping a program with my supervisor for one of our largest visit days (Up Close...this past Friday) and I told her that I was going to have to call the doctor...I had never had a pulled muscle hurt this bad.  By the time I called...I was in tears.  They told me to head over to labor and delivery to be sure...I went to tell Amy...and was pretty much convulsing in pain!  It was sooo embarrassing...but I work with such great people...everyone was awesome.  Everyone helped me to my car and Amy and I headed off.  Checked in...and they were pretty sure it was kidney stones.  Now...I have had one baby and ran two marathons (26.2 miles apiece...) but I have never in my life experienced pain like this!  Someone got a hold of Scott...my phone was still on my desk at work.  My mom headed over and Noah was going to be with my dad.  Scott was playing in a mat ball tournament and I didn't want him to miss...and...while I almost 30...I really wanted my mom:)  They got me started on morphine and fluids and kept checking the baby.  This baby is a mover and a shaker...they finally had to take the monitor off b/c he/she was moving so much!!  Scott got there and it was a looonnnnnggg night.  I finally passed one Saturday morning and they sent me home around 2pmsh.  Our parents took turns with Noah and we were all home on Saturday night.  I was still in a lot of pain Sunday and Monday.  Went to work for an hour on Monday...and came home.  Not to be gross...but being on Vicadin does not help in the bathroom department...so I quit taking it at 6:30am...but by 8pm...I was in tears.  Scott convinced me to take another one...and then I passed another stone at home!  It was instant relief.  I went to work Tuesday morning and the doctor.  With such a big week...I needed to get some work done.  We have such great friends who brought supper and checked in on us.  What a blessing!  It was a very long week and we are still exhausted...but Up Close went great and we are hopefully on the mend! 

Quick Noah update...he is still potty training like a champ!!!!!!!!

Potty Training!!!

Wow...this potty training thing is a whole different ball game!  It's a good thing you don't remember these things...b/c it is one weird change.  Noah has been doing great.  Shortly after the holiday break, we talked to our day care and asked if we could start exploring the idea.  They said to bring in pull-ups and they would begin.  That was the start for us.  Target makes a version of them and off we went!  There are two other boys around Noah's age so the three of them are doing it together.  Not to brag...but Noah is a ROCK STAR!  I don't want to jinx it...but he is really getting it.  We are not expecting this to be done in a weekend...we figure over time he will do it and he has!  We have been wearing big boy underwear to day care as well!  The sticker chart is filling up fast.  He is beginning to figure out when he has to go, which is a big deal (we think...listening to your body and such).  Very proud of our little man! 

Work for me is getting crazy...but in a good way.  I work with such a wonderful team of people...I am so lucky!  Bring on the visitors...last 2 Fridays in February...cross your fingers for HUGE numbers!  Scott is about done refereeing...and it has flown by.  He is playing basketball with some people from DNH and is enjoying it.  He also started his second grad class...sounds like a lot of work, but it was a great financial deal...so we will take it! 

Baby news...hit the 24 week mark.  Starting to feel really preggo...and I know there will be more to come.  Our 24 week appt went well...no more marginal previa, but still a low-lying placenta...so another ultrasound next month.  Not to be gross...but the constipation thing is up and down...lots of fruit and water for this gal:)  Overall...feel pretty good!  With Noah and this one...this is the best time of pregnancy.  I look pregnant (and not just fat!!!) and feel pretty good.  Sleeping in a recliner...but whatever it takes to sleep! 

Fun Noah phrases:

"Are you kidding me?"...not sure where he heard it...but he says it when he is "working"...mostly with his tools.  Always wants to know what to fix!


While eating...we have to start making him take Daddy size bites...otherwise he just wants to play. 

Instead of asking "what happened" it has now become, "why?" and it is funny.  No matter how many times you explain...he still wants to know why! 

Here are some fun pics:

 Block building with Daddy

 Cooking!  Daddy has a cheesy smile...b/c Mommy made him wear it:)

 "working" with Daddy on the trike...had to go the next size up!

 Strong man!!

 Just because flowers from Noah...or Daddy:) 

 About 6 months!  Remember...I have a short torso...no where for this baby to go but out!

 Sledding with Daddy!!!

 Attempting a snow angel...

 1st Kindergym!!  More stories on that next time!

 Ha!  Just like his daddy...reading ESPN going to the bathroom!

We went to the UNI vs. Creighton game for the RA Alumni night...what a great last minute win!!

A quick update...

January has flown by!  I was talking to one of my best friends, Megan, and how normally, January...lasts...forever (to me)...but not this time!  Maybe because the weather was so nice?  Scott is getting back into the refereeing swing so that has kept us busy.  It is good exercise, decent money and he is home at a decent time!  LOVE IT!  Noah has begun the potty training.  It has been an adventure.  He is much better with Scott than me.  This past Saturday, Scott braved it with big boy underwear while I was off to Urgent Care (another story).  Noah did great all morning...and then when he got off the couch...Scott noticed it was wet...and Noah had wet his pants.  Oh well...good try!  Noah likes to "read a magazine" on the toilet.  He is doing very well at daycare...minus yesterday.  Noah fell into the potty...and his whole outfit had to be washed...luckily no scarring as he hopped on again at home!  He wore big boy underwear all day today!  We are not pushing hard core, but we are making progress.  I am getting bigger by the day!  I will post pics next time...next week I will be 24 weeks...6months!  Crazy how much faster this pregnancy is going.  We have another ultrasound next week and we will see how things are going.  I am not sleeping well...Scott moved a recliner upstairs and I am sleeping in it.  I do sleep better there...so I will take it!  He has been a trooper as always:)  We are also working on better budgeting...we do well most of the time...but b/w Thanksgiving and Christmas...we just fall apart...every year.  So back at it.  The idea of 2 in day care and the costs sent me over the edge last week...but one of my best friends, Shannon, got to the root of it...it isn't the money...it is the change to 2 kids.  So...deep breaths and be ready friends and family...we will be asking for help:)  Noah and the baby thing has been funny.  He thinks it is a baby sister since all of the babies at day care are girls...it makes sense.  He also thinks the baby is in my belly button...smart logic for a 2 1/2 year old I think!  That is all for now:)

Fun phrases...

Some favorites of Noah's:


Mommy or Daddy say "I love you"--Noah will say, "Wuv you 2"

We say sweet dreams to each and have since we have gotten married.  Of course we say it to Noah...now he says it first!!!  It is the best.

Noah has trouble saying chocolate...so it comes out "cochate"...so cochate milk anyone???

Anytime he sees the moon..."Daddy...I can get the moon.  I use your ladder?"

Mommy loves to snuggle...and Noah is a toddler...so not much of that happens unless he is sleeping!  So we call our calming down time, "snuggling" and Noah has trouble saying his "s's" so it comes out "nuggling"...it is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday pics!!

Finishing up the holidays:)  Just put away the tree and holiday decorations.  I always go through a small depression when we put them away...my awesome hubby always puts up with it and lets me keep them up at least till my birthday!!  While our holidays were crazy, we had a great break and full of great memories.  Scott and I went to our 20 week ultrasound this week...incredible what they can see.  We decided to not find out this time...well...I'm not finding out.  Scott did find out but is not telling...so good luck getting it out of him!  Everything looks great...I have to have another ultrasound at our 24 week b/c I have marginal previa which means part of my placenta is over my cervix.  Old anxious Jenny would be freaking out...but so far I am good.  The doctor said the placenta usually moves on it's own and if it doesn't next time then we keep doing ultrasounds until it does...or I have a c-section.  No real restrictions yet...although I am trying not to pick up Noah as much...which kills me!  But...so far he has been a trooper.  Keep you posted on all of that.  Scott has started a weight loss thing of his own (I am not much help) and our new resolution (this will sound funny...) is to eat a veggie and fruit at every meal we have at home.  Seems easy...right?  We have had week one and are on the right track.   Noah went potty at day care which was a huge feat!!  He is also a playing, talking machine.  And with that...normal toddler tantrums...we are in the world of time outs and hugs.  We make him hug and say sorry if he hits or whatever was deserving of a time out.  Keep on trucking with that.  We did tell him that there is a baby in mommy's tummy...b/c he didn't understand why he can't tackle or kick mommy.  It is starting to sink in:)  Off to pics:

 Dadd's new carharts!!

 Hanging out with Aunt Megan and unwrapping...

 Uncle Scott and Alaina:)

 Our Christmas Eve tradition..."The Night before Christmas" and the Polar Exress

 Noah is not as enthused about the Christmas Eve tradition of a stocking to open and pjs

 One of Noah's new presents...UNI hat like Daddy!!

 A new digger from Papa Mike and Nana Julie (you can tell I am tired as I have hardly any pics from this Christmas!!)

 Playing outside the day after Christmas!!

 Loving the park on December 26th!!

 Puzzle time!!!

 The new train table:)

Working on a way to display the holiday pics...note for next year...heavier ribbon...hopefully can show the cards as well!!

Fun pics from Halloween till Christmas:)

 Noah and Jordan playing football in NOVEMBER!!!

 Noah loves chocolate ice cream!!!!

 SAA formal...dressed up and had fun watching the group:)

 Giving Daddy a "haircut"...never sure what will happen!!

 Kindermusik...Noah loves to move to the music!!!

 Noah and Mommy at Kindermusik!!

 Noah and his friend Logan and Jenny and her friend Janelle (Logan's mommy) at UNI bball!!!!

 The pic that ended up as our holiday card b/c the church one didn't work out:)

 Holiday cooking...lots of sprinkles all over!!!

 Noah's Christmas party for day care!!  Noah learned Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

 I love naked baby buns!!!  Noah loves the letters!!

 Noah refusing to wear the lamb hat for the Christmas program...tools only!!

Playing at the pool at the Isle:)  Nana and Papa Connolly rented a room!!!