Bird's eye view

This is what I see when I look down. I never had the challenge of having to try to tie shoes last time, given that I was on bedrest at the end of my pregnancy, and it was the middle of summer so all I wore was flip flops. This time has been different, and much more difficult, until I found these:
That's right, "wooly" crocs. Comfy and warm, and NO SHOELACES! It's amazing how much such a little thing can improve ones quality of life. I may never wear real shoes again.

Milestones

Today, I hit 35 weeks of gestation, and had the LAST of my weekly progesterone injections. No more needles, YAY! But the bigger milestone of today was Eliot overcoming his bathtub drain fear... the tape started to come off during his bath, but he became brave and decided to pull it off altogether. Then he stood in the bathtub and watched the water go down, until it drained completely. He kept saying "water and bubbles go down the drain, not Eliot", and then would prove to himself that he was too big by trying to shove a toe down the drain (which of course did not fit). So, to all of you who were worried with Eliot that he might go down the drain, have no fear, we have now confirmed that he, indeed, is too big to go down with the water and bubbles. We have yet to see if tape is again needed for the next bath...

Party boy

Eliot trekking off to his friend's birthday party



Enjoying some pizza at the party...


Hey, where did everyone go? I'm still eating!!!




Having fun at the indoor playland after a hefty dose of sugar disguised as a cupcake.

33 & 5/7

Why is this number important? Because today I am 33 weeks and 5 days pregnant, which is exactly how old (in gestational age) Eliot was when he decided he had gestated enough and wanted out (well, he actually wanted out 4 weeks before that, and I got to be on bedrest for 4 weeks keeping my legs crossed trying to keep him in!) So Eliot's little brother has apparently decided he's staying in, and I'm hoping it's for the long haul (til Jan 2nd, or if you ask Andy, no later than Dec 31). A big thanks goes out to my MFM doc here in Germany, my MFM consulting doc in California (who gets to answer many questions and I never get a bill!), and to a weekly progesterone injection which prevents recurrent preterm labor.

The picture above was taken on Saturday night... we went out to this fabulous restaurant in Kaiserslautern, you know, the type with a 5 course menu and glasses and linen on the table... places we don't get out to very often and with baby #2 on the way this type of treat will be even fewer and more far between. We like to consider this our last supper :)
This is just proof that I actually wore boots with high heels at 7 1/2 months pregnant. Did I mention that pregnancy makes you lose your mind sometimes?


And these are US pictures of the little guy taken last Friday. Some more face shots, not quite as clear as the last ones, but I'll have you know that he appears to be rubbing his eyes as if sleepy. We continue to have high hopes he will be as good of a sleeper as Eliot (with the realization that this is probably an unrealistic expectation!)

The Solution

So bathtime had become rather challenging, as Eliot decided that there was a significant risk in the possibility of "going down the drain". He and Andy went through many scientific experiments of how only water and bubbles can fit down the drain, not toys or people, and certainly not Eliot, mommy, or daddy. He understood this and could say it, yet would REFUSE to get into the tub (or shower for that matter). But we came up with a solution... TAPE!!! He now tapes over the drain, making it safe to bathe, and he can enjoy bathtime once again. We recently discovered a similar solution to keeping "the bees" out of his room at night, by putting up a curtain... made bedtime much easier and much less scary. If only all of life's problems could have such simple solutions.

Oktoberfest in Munich

Here are some photos from our somewhat recent trip to Munich where we met Carey and Jon for the day after opening day at Oktoberfest...which is primarily in September. Even we questioned the wisdom of taking a 2 year old to the festival of all festivals. Eliot did fabulous and seemed to enjoy himself thouroughly.

Yes, it was alchoholfrei.

Eliot and Jon after 1 too many liters

2 too many liters

More of Eliot's "animal noises" repertoire

We had a little bit of time to kill today in the car, as we drove to Belgium to go furniture shopping. Eliot decided to entertain us all on our way out there by demonstrating some other animal sounds (in addition to the ferocious lion "roar" you have already heard). On the way home, he talked non-stop for almost 2 hours. We will not torture you with that video.

Eliot's Halloween


Eliot had been practicing his "ROAR" for weeks and had it perfected. So we went out trick or treating, and SILENCE! Eliot lost his "ROAR". Guess he had a bit of stage fright. Here's a video of him at his best (post trick or treating, back home, and a bit high on sugar).