Week 39

One week (or so) to go... Oliver was 5 days late, so I'm not discounting that this baby may arrive post-due date as well. We'll see! The last month I feel like I have gone from XL to XXL. I've had some of the annoying side effects (e.g., reflux, swollen feet), but they aren't consistent and they didn't start nearly as early as they did with Oliver, so I'm pretty happy about that. Physical activity is getting more challenging. I'm still doing Crossfit 1-2 times a week, but with lots of modifications. I'm also trying to enjoy the fall weather and take a walk as many days as I can. Of course I'm getting in my share of sitting with my feet up too! My appetite has increased along with my belly (no surprise there) and Chris has been indulging me with late-night runs to Trader Joes for "must have" snacks like artichoke dip or maple cookies. We've washed baby clothes, bought a co-sleeper off of Craigslist, put the carseat in the car, and packed the hospital bag. We're ready and excited to finally meet this little one (who thus far has been called "#2"). Any day now!

Birthday Party

On Saturday we had a small party for Oliver at Como Park. Shell and family drove over from Madison and two of Oli's friends and their parents came too. It turned out to be a beautiful fall morning. Cool, but comfortable. We had coffee (for the adults), pastries from our favorite bakery, and fresh fruit. Oli opened his presents and the kids had a blast running around, eating, and playing at the park.

party favors

Oliver Turns 2

How is it possible that it's been 2 years since Oliver was born? He's changed so much even in the last year. This year he learned to walk (and run and jump) and went from saying very little to having a huge vocabulary and speaking in sentences! A year ago he was still not sleeping through the night and now he is (usually) a great sleeper. At the same time, some things haven't changed much. He's still a picky eater. His love of books continues and has grown. He's sweet, sensitive, adventurous, smart, and funny. Happy 2nd Birthday Oli! We love you.

This year our color theme for Oliver's birthday was orange (Last year's birthday was red.) and we had fun decorating the night before his birthday. 

Oli was pretty excited about the decorations, especially the balloons. He opened a few toys in the morning and throughout the day. He wasn't sure about how to open them at first, but caught on quickly. He took his time as he wanted to play with or check out each gift after opening. Thanks so much to everyone who sent him cards and gifts!

A morning at Swede Hollow

Last week we took advantage of having some time together and went to Swede Hollow Cafe and Swede Hollow park. It was a gorgeous morning and we sat on the patio and had some coffee and a sticky roll, looked around the garden, and then explored the park. We are soaking up the last few weeks of it just being us 3!

As we were walking around the park we found this cool tunnel to explore and decided to take some photos for fun. A bunch more photos follow after the jump.

Notes on pregnancy, at 35 weeks

Just a few notes on being pregnant, with about a month to go. I have found that even though 9 months seems like forever when you're pregnant, when it's over, it's so hard to remember what it was like. So mostly this is just to document for myself what it's like to be pregnant, and to share a few photos.

7 months pregnant
on our anniversary in Madison

Minnesota State Fair

This year we decided to get up and go to the fair first thing in the morning. Turned out to be a great plan. We got there a little after 8 am and didn't have to deal with crowds for awhile. First stop, breakfast at French Meadow Bakery. The dough-sant (donut croissant) was new this year and we all loved it. Might have been my favorite food this year! The scone was delicious too.

breakfast from French Meadow Bakery:
iced coffee, dough-sant, and
scone with cream and strawberries

Oli tries (and loves) the dough-sant

Some of the other foods we had this year (we ate a lot!): fried olives, corn on the cob, applesauce, and of course honey lemonade and honey ice cream (old favorites). We spent a lot of time looking at the animals. Oli seemed to like the baby animals in the Miracle of Birth barn and even got to pet a piglet and a baby rabbit.

trying to get a closer look at the cow

petting a baby bunny

and a piglet!

He also went on his first rides (accompanied of course because he's too little to go alone). He went on the carousel (twice!), small train, and big slide (in the Kidway). He loved the big slide and carousel most and cried to go on them both again. We also all went on the Sky Ride which he liked too.

looking out over the fair on the Sky Ride

an attempt to get a photo of the three of us
in our yellow gondola on the Sky Ride

first time on the carousel

little train

big slide

second time on the carousel

my boys

last stop, honey ice cream!

Watching Oli have these new and exciting experiences made this one of my favorite visits to the fair. We could have easily stayed all day, but left around 2 pm and got him home for a late nap. Last year the Ayres-Wilhelms went with us to the fair and we missed them this year! And the year before, I was pregnant with Oli for the fair!