Baby boy number 2 will be soon making his appearance (he’s due May 21). We obviously haven’t been logging this pregnancy in the way we did with Fletcher’s, but baby boy, know that doesn’t mean this pregnancy is any less amazing! In fact, there are many things about this pregnancy that have been so incredible and so different. Fletcher was our first — everything was new and a little scary and uncertain — but of course also magical. With a second pregnancy so much of the anxiety is gone, and I’m so much wiser than I was before. I’ve taken better care of myself throughout this pregnancy which has left me feeling overall really great (of course I have bouts of exhaustion and aches). I was able to choose a doctor who better suites me (in fact, he is amazing, and the best doctor I’ve ever had) who empowers me to trust my instincts and my body, and will aid me in trying for a successful vaginal birth this time around. And of course we have the privilege of sharing this pregnancy with Fletcher, who will be such a great big brother.

With less than 3 weeks until the due date, we’ve been getting things ready around the house… but we have so much of what we need, that it is much easier this time around! What I’m more diligent about is preparing my body for birth. I’ve been going to yoga once a week since the beginning of my second trimester or so, and have found that it helps me so much, not just physically but mentally. Aside from breathing techniques and stretches, it’s so nice to be surrounded by a room full of beautiful pregnant women in all different stages. I’ve been walking regularly as well. It’s my hope to do more of both in these final weeks, but I can only do what I can do, and that will be good.

We’re so looking forward to a magical summer at home with our little family — the four of us will have my whole leave to bond and spend time together, which is the most amazing thing I could ask for.

We obviously miss our old roomies…. thankfully we’ve been able to get together every week so far. As much as we miss having our buddies around to hang out with all the time, I’ll admit that I love having my own kitchen.

Fletcher is nearly 17 months now. He’s talking, talking, talking… sometimes babbling, often saying real words. He’s really into mimicking – everything – this week his favorite sound to make is a siren. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That’s basically how it sounds. I’m convinced that he understand every word we say, which has started two new rules for us: 1) watch your language, and 2) be as silly as possible. Basic silliness is how we pass our time when it’s just the two of us. I don’t really know what we do, but we sing and dance a lot. Then I do a little work, and he reads a little and loves on Hal (Hal and Fletcher are definitely best friends now, without their fellow babies and cats to play with) and then we sing and dance some more. It’s fun. We’re happy.

I’m still working from home three days a week, and I’m loving it. My work on Dinosaur Train is nearing completion, but thankfully a couple more little projects popped up to keep me busy in the next month or two. I’m hoping that keeps happening.

All in all, we’re all great, and life just keeps happening! The newest parenting challenge that is presenting itself…. preschool and waiting lists. All the sudden, everyone all around me is talking to me about preschool. PRESCHOOL! I know it is the right time to begin the search and get him on the list for whatever school is right, but wow, that happened fast.

You know what deserves that response? We’re movin’ out! For all who don’t know, we and the Mickelsons have been able to come to an arrangement so that we can all have a little more space to ourselves. Dave and I have found a place in Eagle Rock that we move into September 15. The Mickelsons are going to stay at the house, and in two years, we’ll all get together again and see if we can sell the house or rent it out or something else. Whoa, dude. Needless to say, we’re feeling excited, and very sad. We’ve lived together for four years. FOUR YEARS! That’s a looooong time. We’ve started the packing process, and making our lists of who needs what now that we’ll be on our own… it’s kind of surreal. And our house is a disaster.

We’re excited about the new place — it’s small (relative to what we’ve been living in) — but seems just about right for us. It’s a duplex, our landlords seem amazing, and we have a little patch of a backyard for Fletcher to play in. Should be a good time.

Fletcher is now 14 months old, and incredible. I know we’re biased, but he is. He’s very observant — every day he’s surprising me with the things he is picking up. For example, he’ll find something he knows I don’t want him to have, like my phone… when I ask for it back, he will start to bring it to me, then take it back…. when I insist for it, he’ll hand me something else, like his favorite toy of the moment, as barter. He’s noticed that I try to pull the same switcheroo on him. So smart. He’s talking more and more — a lot of it is jibberish, but we’re starting to hear real words come out of the jibberish, even if they are just his own version of the word. He loves music and dancing — he and Keaton are quite the dancing fools. And despite the new phase he’s entering of instant temper tantrums and squawking to tell us he wants something (it’s obnoxious), he’s actually really patient and good at entertaining himself. This road trip alone has proven it — he’s kept right up with us on the long drives and the walking tours and the restaurants… what a good boy.

It’s been a long time since I’ve last updated this, for no good reason. Life has been moving along, and is actually really wonderful right now. Working more from home and being with Fletcher the majority of the week has made me incredibly happy. I finally feel balanced. I’m not sure what the future will hold, but I’m confident I can keep enough income coming in to make this work.

Life is good. We both feel incredibly lucky.

More to come soon…

Nothing in the world could replace your hugs and your big, sloppy open-mouthed kisses, or your giggles and babbles and huge grins.  From our first hours cuddling as a family in the hospital bed to you jumping in your own bed in excitement to see us in the morning, your affection towards us has been one of the most comforting and assuring feelings we’ve ever experienced.

We don’t mind that you spit up almost the entire first year of your life, or that you vomited all over us (several times) or all over the car, or that you try to eat the cats or that you really enjoying spitting food out or throwing it on the floor now, or temper tantrums or any of that stuff… we adore you so much.

Happy first birthday! We can’t wait to watch you grow.

I say that first birthdays are definitely for the parents — it’s wonderful to reminisce and think about how wonderful life is now that Fletcher is part of it.   It’s been the best year of our lives.

Seems like Fletcher’s been growing lately — he’s had quite the appetite and has been taking nice loooong naps during the day (which is ideal for a work at home mom!) and is definitely filling out his clothes more.  His little belly pokes out quite a bit now, enough that he has discovered it and will now (sometimes) show us his belly when we ask where it is.  Adorable.  He is walking pretty well now, especially now that Keaton is back — seems to me like he’s improved a lot this week now that he has his buddy to chase around.

Oh, and he has been completely off of bottles for a few weeks now — woo hoo!  And he loves to brush his teeth. And he can tell me where my nose is now.

Only 11 days until his birthday… tomorrow marks his due date…. that highly anticipated day that came and went… I’ve been reminiscing a lot lately about the events of one year ago!