Our Baby

Life with two little boys

Well seeing that my last post was when i was 39 weeks pregnant and my baby boy is now four months old that might tell you how much extra time i have on my hands these days :)

Alexander Joseph Reuter was born November 16, 2009. He weighed 8 pounds 10 ounces and 21 inches long. Summed up into four words Alex "goes with the flow". He is very easy going, calm, happy, content, smiley, and loves to watch his big brother. He is quite different than Turner was as a baby and i believe he learned alot faster that sometimes he just has to wait his turn. Turner is a terrific big brother, he loves to make alex smile and giggle and coo. Turner summed up in four words is "full of energy & love". He is so sweet, sensitive, happy and energetic. Did I mention he has alot of energy? :) He runs around like a 3 year old boy and we just try to keep up with him. He loves going to playgroup, and is signed up for a soccer team and swin lessons this spring. I am truly enjoying being home with my boys and cherishing these days. I am thankful to still get some "me time" when i go to the gym or to class. I'm almost half way through my grad school program and am really enjoying my classes. I start my field work in the fall and look forward to getting back out into the social work field. Andy is also half way through his graduate program for his masters in administration and stars his vice principal internship this summer. Life with two little boys sure has changed for us, we don't sleep as much, the house isn't as clean, and our free time has taken a backseat, but the amount of love and joy, smile and giggles, hugs and kisses has doubled in this house and we count our lucky stars to have two healthy, happy (and i must say adorable) little boys.

Almost there!

I will be 39 weeks on Thursday, i can't believe our little guy is going to be here soon! I had my second to last appt today and an ultrasound because the baby is measuring big. The ultrasound technician said he is measuring at 7 lbs 5 oz which isn't too big. It was great to see him on the screen, his heart beating and him moving around. Then i saw the doctor, i haven't made any progress yet she said the baby seems nice and cozy, not ready to come out yet. I on the other hand am ready, diapers are out, clothes are washed and we're just waiting for his arrival. Since i had a csection with turner and am trying for regular labor with alex they have certain stipulations and don't want me going past my due date and can't induce me due to certain risks, so if i'm not in labor on my own by Nov. 19th then we will be having a c-section, Nov. 19th at 9:30 a.m. I'm hoping to go through labor on my own but i will be happy no matter how my baby boy gets here. I'm feeling good these days, uncomfortable as expected and ready to see the newest member of our family. Turner is also really excited to meet his baby brother, he came to the dr appt with me today and thought that the baby was coming today, he's eagerly awaiting his big brother role. And he will be turning THREE tommorrow, i just can't believe that three years ago tomorrow we were welcoming our first born and now were getting ready to welcome his brother, we are beyond blessed.
Here is what i call my "super bump"

and Turner's third birthday party, sniff sniff sniff

34 weeks and counting

Baby is due 6 weeks from today! I am amazed at how fast the time went by, then again i feel like it was yesterday we brought turner home from the hospital. I was just looking through pictures of turner's first days and it brings such warmth to my heart, he is such a special little guy and i am so excited to another special little one in our lives. I am feeling good, the exhaustion has hit me like a train going full speed but i'm trying to nap when Turner naps and rest when i can. That is one difference with this pregnancy, i'm alot more active running around after turner and picking him up when i should be taking it easy. I also feel alot of pressure from the baby, he feels alot lower than i remember feeling with turner, the dr said it's normal and you notice more with your second pregnancy because your body is used to it. I drink water constantly, enough to hydrate an elephant which keeps me up about 4 times a night. The nursery is ready and waiting, clothes are put away, crib is made (even though the baby will be in our room the first 6 weeks) and diapers all set, we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our second born :)
Me at 34 weeks

Turner's halloween costume

Turner first born :) Nov 2006, what a special time for us

30 weeks

Time is flying by, and i'm sure the next ten weeks will also! We are so thrilled to see our little boy soon, Turner just can't wait to meet his baby brother. I'm feeling good these days, a bit uncomfortable to sleep but other than that very blessed to be carrying a healthy baby boy. We finished the nursery and changed Turner's room to his big boy room. He just loves his big boy bed and had a smooth time transitioning from the crib to the bed, he doesn't even get out of his bed in the morning without calling to us first! He seems so old to me, I can't believe he'll be turning Three in November! We're currently home sick as he has caught the chicken pox, he doesn't seem too uncomfortable just some itching and we're bummed that we'll be missing Hannah's First birthday in Chicago this weekend :( We'll have to celebrate another time. Andrew is back to teaching, he has fifth grade this year and aside from some rambunctious boys and a crazy mom he's enjoying it. I love being home with Turner, what a blessing to have this special time with him, he tells me all the time "mommy i love that you're home with me" he has a huge heart! I also started my grad school classes again and I really enjoy going, Social Work is such an interesting program. Andrew is back for in school for his masters in administration so we are definitely keeping ourselves busy. We'll keep you updated as the time continues to fly :)

30 weeks

Proud Parents

Our little Man in his big boy bed

Such a sweetheart

27 weeks

One more week till the third tri mester, time has flown by! Baby is good, lots of movement, he's measuring a bit big so the OB will keep an eye on that, Turner was 7 pounds 1 ounce so we'll see what happens with this one. I start my appt's every 2 weeks soon, crazy! We've just started the nursery, changing the guest bedroom into a nursery and there's alot of work to do but it's so much fun getting ready for the baby. We had a great summer in Maine, Chicago, and The Outer Banks! It's nice to be home now and settling back into a routine. I'm loving being a stay at home mom and feel so blessed. We started potty training this week and so far so good, wish us luck :) Here I am at 27 weeks

The Reuter Family

Beach time!

24 weeks :)

We have been growing and growing here in Chicago this past month. Baby is doing well, kicking up a storm and i'm feeling great even been making it to the gym lately. We had a check up at my mom's clinic out here and Turner got to hear the baby's heartbeat and likes to tell us he heard baby bike's heart!! We have been spending our days at the beach, pool, park and getting as much family time in as we can. Turner loves his cousin hannah and she sure looks up to him, trying to do what he does. He's still learning the whole sharing game but he's getting there and boy will he learn quickly when the baby arrives. I'm learning also how to handle two children as we watch hannah some days while aunt michelle gets some work done, it is a handful but the key is to getting them nap at the same time! And hannah is such a joy to be around, such a sweetie. I love that Turner has had so much time with his cousin, nan, jagi and aunts, we're so lucky to be out here for the month. We return home next Tuesday and then it's off to the Outer Banks for some more family fun! We'll keep you updated, Love, The Reuters

Half way there!

It is hard to believe that we are half way through the pregnancy already! 20 weeks and counting! I'm feeling the baby kick alot more and my belly as shown in the pictures continues to grow day by day. I've been seeing pregnancy specialists and got a second opinion about needing blood thinners because of my history, he ok's me to have a healthy normal pregnancy, no meds and no more high risk! That was very reassuring. We've been traveling for the past few weeks, we started with a very relaxing week in maine with Andy's parents it was foggy but still beautiful and Turner loved his first ferry ride. Then an unexpected trip to Virginia for my cousin Allen's funeral he was so young and will be truly missed by us all but always remembered. We are now in Chicago where we will stay until early August! Turner is loving riding his bike from jagi and nan, swimming in the pool and hanging out with his aunts and of course his favorite cousin hannah! He likes to talk to baby Alex and tells us he's gonna be a big brother, his favorite books right now are his "I'm a big brother" books. We'll attempt to potty train soon once i get motivated and we can be home for a good couple days. Hoep everyone is enjoying their summers!! See many of you at OBX in August! Love, The Reuters

20 week belly bump