Holy Big Baby on the Way, Batman!

I had my (hopefully) last sonogram this morning, and I'll admit to being a bit taken aback by the update on this kid's stats. 6 lb. 14 oz at 36 weeks and 1 day. We all hear about 13 pound babies being born, so we're not in that league, but keep in mind that Angus was only 7 lb. 5 oz when he was born...at 41 weeks. And babies gain about 1/2 lb/week from here on out. Her stomach is also apparently sized in the 95th percentile....a stat I didn't even know HAD percentiles? The doctor assured us that she wouldn't be born looking like she had a massive stomach (it's apparently a matter of millimeters), but I'm pretty sure we saw a double-chin when the tech went in for some 3-D photos.

Which, by the way, is the weirdest looking thing in the world. You had to pay extra for 3-D pics when I was pregnant with Angus...so clearly I was too cheap to do so. Now they give them away. Yikes.

Anyway, there have been several, erm, chunky babies on both sides of the family who have subsequently done fairly well in the athletics department, so I'm not concerned about her future so much as I am about the delivery. If I were a religious person, I would say pray for me. So just keep your fingers crossed that she doesn't blow up into a 10 pounder.

A few pics from the past few weeks with Grandma and Grandpa visiting for almost 2 weeks. We went to the Eastern Shore (had some good seafood and ice cream), and Angus honed his Grandpa-torture techniques. Kid makes me proud every day.

Just a reminder of how ridiculous Angus can be. And future blackmail.

Grandpa did a pretty solid job of proper crabbing. Angus did not partake.

Since Grandpa bought us a new jogging stroller, Angus has rediscovered his passion for being pushed around...by his very pregnant mother in extreme heat. BUT it still puts him to sleep, so I can't complain (too much).

Scottish Highlands Creamery in Oxford, MD. Delicious.

The birthday boys and their beloved carrot cake.

Angus cleaned up in the present department. We need to work on his appreciation of what he unwraps, though, versus joy at the act of unwrapping.

Outdoor Adventurers

I've never made it a secret that I have a very bipolar love/hate relationship with the DC area. BUT while there are plenty of things I would change about the area - and, let's face it, plenty of places I would rather live - there are a few silver linings to the good ol' DMV area. One of those positives is the park system. This area - and fortunately, particularly Arlington - is rife with well-maintained parks, both of the playground variety and the nature trail variety. We also happen to live within 2 miles of multiple larger parks that offer nice, (relatively) quiet trails, so I've taken it upon myself these past few weeks to take advantage of them. And, since Angus is more or less permanently attached to me, for better or worse, he has been "lucky" enough to partake with me. I'm happy to report that he's quite the adept hiker. When he isn't demanding to be carried. Or isn't demanding that I carry his 48-pound backpack...

It's T-minus 2 months now until the next iteration of crazy makes an appearance. She has been kicking and spinning and, apparently, doing some complex Russian gymnastics recently, so I think she'll be a wild one.

He's a pro at this now, so much so that he doesn't even need to sit in mommy's lap anymore. :(

At Gulf Branch Park...he said there was "spooky" here but still completed a solid hike.

He told me to take a picture here. Clearly he isn't exactly shy.

And again. An Angus-dictated photo opp.

At Potomac Overlook Park, our second hike of that day. I'm so tired...

A, erm, SMALL snack after our hike. Cheddar biscuit, massive Rocky Road brownie, 4th of July cookie. And a loaf of bread. And this was an hour before dinner. He's definitely my son.

Last Flight with Only One Little Person in Tow...

Angus and I got back from Denver this past Sunday - a really nice trip, though the not-unexpected several hour delay at DIA did make for a very long day of travel. Regardless, it was a good week, and I know Angus had a great time - despite not initially being slated to come with me (initial purpose of the trip was for a work conference).

Grandpa and grandma...and Annie, of course...were able to meet us for most of the trip, so we went out to some nice restaurants, spent some time checking out the trains at Union Station (where I was - I'll say it - pleasantly surprised to see a needle drop), and took dinner to my grandmother at her assisted living facility. The conference was good, too, and the hotel we stayed at had a small rooftop track. Angus insisted on coming with me to run every morning, so, after a lap or two, he generally chillaxed on a lounge chair while I ran a few miles. Good stuff.

We then headed up to the mountains after the conference. I always enjoying "roughing it" in the mountains - little to no wifi/cell service, relative quiet, no street lamps. Good to get away from the constant bustle of the city. Though with running water, a full kitchen, and a TV/DVD player, it's not exactly Hatchet...Anyway, we did a little hiking, took Angus to the Y in Estes Park, ate some good food...and watched The Good Dinosaur approximately 47 times. Kudos to Mom for sitting through that movie as many times as she did. I did manage to run some in the mountains, as well, though the altitude kicked my ass far more than it normally would. Little baby's taking my oxygen!

Speaking of which, I'm now officially in the third trimester. Still in denial, still very tired, but we're both healthy. At some point, I'll have to start thinking about names. Other than Agnes, but nobody else seems to like that name.

And now a photo dump from CO.

Arriving at DIA - I can see that Angus will be a cheesy tourist in the future...

Mr. Cool strolling the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver.

Checking out the big bear at the convention center where my conference was.

A budding pianist? He wasn't exactly churning out Chopin, but it could have been worse.

Checking out the trains at Union Station.

Eating breakfast at Union Station - place came highly recommended to me, and I definitely enjoyed Angus' blueberry pancake!

Chasing the poor baby ducks at Grammy's place. It's a miracle Angus didn't get mauled by momma duck.

Three generations of Marden crazies.

At the base of Longs Peak, one of many summits completed by Grandpa in his heyday. We did actually walk up a short distance, so Angus has technically hiked it.

On a short hike to a pretty waterfall.

Checking out the "BIG water", in Angus speak.

A rare moment of sitting still for Angus.

Budding hiker.

Picking flowers for Grandma.

Painting dino toys on the cabin porch.

And finally, passed out after a late flight back the day before.

Bigger Bumps and Big (Dinosaur) Humps

It's almost May, which is awesome because 1) Mother Nature has finally gotten her act together (despite the rain this week...nobody's perfect), 2) my nutrition class final is next week, so I can focus on planning my path forward (and not be out of the office so much), and 3) because I'm going to Colorado at the end of the month for a conference/stay at the cabin.

Then again, it's almost May, which SUCKS because 1) I've done nothing to prepare for this baby, 2) I can't sleep for shite anymore and expect it will only get worse, and 3) did I mention I'm still pretending that I'm NOT pregnant?

But moving along, she's decided it's time for me to stop this denial BS by kicking constantly during the day. CONSTANTLY. Fortunately, she's pretty quiet at night, but I can already see the sibling conspiracies starting, as Angus has taken to farting around in bed until 10 or 11pm. We moved him to a "big boy" bed this week, and I think all this big boy talk has gone to his head. *Sigh*

But a few pictures to continue the posting streak...before Angus' little sister arrives and the picture-taking....stops. A la Dave and Barb Marden circa December, 1980.

I took Angus to the Dinosaurs Alive! exhibit in DC last weekend. He was a pretty happy camper.

First of two dinosaur tattoos. I have visions of the future, and I'm sure my fondness for tattoos will bite me in the a** eventually with at least one of the kids. "Mom, YOU have 10 tattoos, why can't I get ONE??!!"

Digging for gold. Or fake dinosaur bones.

Angus loves him some Stegosaurus.

His little legs don't quite reach the peddles, but he's gotten pretty into riding it around parks lately.

Mommy may have worn him out last weekend. Poor thing passed out for 2 hours.

You're welcome, Angus and TBD

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/pregnancyparenting/love-of-physical-activity-may-start-in-the-womb/ar-BBrCZgL?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=DELLDHP

I'm just saying...

So it may LOOK like Angus is extremely lazy and prefers to watch tv and eat in bed, but in reality, he'd just finished a 10-mile run. (in his dreams)

Half-Way There....

Though I'm not sure where "there" is...? Total insanity? Or just the addition of a sweet, calm little girl to the family? In any event, I'm 20 weeks along now (still in total, absolute denial, if you must know). Feeling "meh". That's as much as I can say. For all of his shenanigans now, Angus was pretty easy on me during pregnancy, but this little girl is starting to be pretty high maintenance. I had my 20-week ultrasound a few days ago, and it took 2 1/2 hours because she refused to cooperate. Twisting, turning, tumbling...you name it, she did her best to avoid helping the technician get the shots needed.

Ah, well. In other news, it's finally starting to look like spring in DC. Long overdue, if you ask me! So Angus will be gearing up soon for his racing season...stay tuned for finish line victory pictures :).

We went to West Palm Beach recently for Christopher's cousin's daughter's wedding. Angus had a great time at the beach, despite a teeny bit of sunburn. And sand in his diaper.

Getting buried.

He loves loves his new Spiderman sunglasses...

"Mommy...where the fishes?"

What do we do when mommy is craving egg salad and fries? Why go to Booeymonger for dinner, of course!

Round 2....

I have (unintentionally) taken a break from blogging (more than one year). Blame it on being busy, blame it on computer issues, blame it on the aliens who abducted me on Halloween...whatever the reason, I need to get back in the swing of things, if for no other reason than to get Grandpa Marden off my back :).

As all 2 readers of this blog know, I am also pregnant again and expecting a girl in late August. Now, assuming that this little girl will have ZERO interest in reading anything her crazy, out-of-touch mother wrote, I'll go ahead and say that I've got a fair amount of trepidation about this whole thing. I'm definitely in denial that I'm even pregnant, though my expanding stomach (seriously, why didn't anyone tell me how much faster you get fat with the second one?!?!) will eventually force that issue. Angus seems ok with it, though he does occasionally do a semi-psychotic gritting-teeth and pinching my stomach thing that makes me think the sibling rivalry is already alive and well. I do love being a mom, even when I start wondering about how old boys have to be to be admitted to military boarding school, so I'm sure I'll get with the program sooner or later. I'm (understandably) nervous as hell about having a girl - as my brother informs me, she WILL become a little princess, like it or not - but hopefully Angus will step up his game as big brother.

Anyway, the original crazy mini-me himself is now closer to 3 than 2 and going 15 miles/minute. He's a sweet, charming little boy who does let himself get carried away at times (holy hell is he physical!), but he's healthy and happy, so I couldn't ask for more.

Some pictures from our recent trip to Kansas to see Grandma and Grandpa (and, of course, Annie). Getting back on the blogging-train will hopefully get me back in the habit of taking pictures (and documenting things for this little girl).

Angus rocking my sunglasses and one of the two shirts he would deign to wear while in KS (the other being his favorite dinosaur shirt). At the Arboretum in Lawrence, near the soccer fields where my brother and I both started our illustrious soccer careers....

Muncher's donut. I want one RIGHT NOW.

Angus reading with Grandma.

Open gym. This was about 3 seconds before another kid landed on him and he was reduced to tears.

I don't know what possessed him to do this, but I guess Angus was emulating fat mommy.

And reading with Grandpa...

Angus is a serious task-master when it comes to Annie's walks.

Second birthday cake for Grandma!

"Why yes, Angus, I DO see what you mean about the migration patterns of ducks in middle America". I think he was pointing at trash and yelling "FISHIE".

Chilling at the lake with Grandma.

He asked me to take this picture. And I did wash his shirts, I swear.

Pre-dinner TCBY treat. Followed by Aladdin Cafe, my new favorite restaurant.