The kids!

Oh man, the kids are starting a little early with the sibling rivalry. I'll have Anthony on my chest (and belly) and the baby will start kicking and hitting right where Anthony is laying. Anthony then gets all worked up and sits back, then starts head butting and poking at my belly (mainly my belly button) as if to tell the baby to knock it off. He's still not happy that he can't lay on my chest like he used to, but he's getting used to having to put one leg on either side of my belly when he gives me his hugs and kisses. He sure does like giving the baby kisses too. Its so cute. He'll lean forward and kiss my belly button. But its not like a simple muah! quick peck. No, its an akward long kiss that often leaves a small bit of spit on my shirt or belly (depending if my shirt has been pulled up or not). He'll do this several times until I have to tell him "No more kisses for baby right now". He's just a little charmer!
He's taken a lot more to riding around on his toys that he's supposed to ride around on. The red Radio Flyer scooter we got for him for Christmas and Leo the lion (that he got from Debbie, Mike, Katrina, Kallie, and Great Grandma Rose) seem to be the favorites. He'll ride down the hall way smacking Leo's nose (which is the switch to play music and his nose lights up and he laughs) when it stops. Its the CUTEST thing ever. He's really catching on that he can ride on these, he just has to keep his feet going because they don't go on their own.
He also went pee in the potty for me once! I try to put him on the potty during diaper changes (its his no diaper time to prevent him from getting that nasty diaper butt) and he'll take things that are small enough and put them in the part of the potty that catches the business they make. Well, its usually the tub of diaper cream. This one particular day, he had shoved the tub in there and couldn't get it back out while he was sitting down. I thought I would help and was confused when I felt that the tub was wet. I had Anthony stand up while I pulled it out and saw a little pee in the pan/catcher thing. OMG he had PEED IN THE POTTY! I started in really heavy with the praise and could tell that he was just LOVING it! He was excited that he had done something so good (even if he had NO idea what it was!) and gave me the biggest grin he could. He hasn't done it since and I can tell that he really wants to do it again to get all the praise, but we are working on it. He really likes to sit on it, even if he has a diaper on. He also likes to play with the pan part. He'll carry it around, put it on his head, step in it, put toys in it, anything you can imagine. Might have to start breaking him of this little habit so he knows that its for pee, not toys. I wouldn't want him learning that he can put his toys in the toilet later on when he's moved on to that.
He's also taking on a few more words. They escape me now, but I'll start writing them down. I swear the other day he said done, thanks, please, and shoe. Of course in his little toddler way, but I swear that's what each sounded like. He loves his books and LOVES counting the monkeys and lady bugs in his two counting books. He won't let us close the book until he's counted them all. And he'll carry one of these books around the house for us to read during the day. I hope he's a little book worm like me! He's also loving going outside. Its still a little chilly so that full body bunting (Thanks for the idea, Shannon!) is PERFECT for him to go outside. It was the best $30 I've spent on an outer outfit for him. Its a burnt orange with these spikes on top that make him look like a dinosaur. He's just adorable in it and he loves that he can go outside and wander around in it. He still gets a little too excited when he's going outside and will tend to trip, but he's the kind of kid that gets right back up and goes for it again without a tear.
As for the baby and the pregnancy, the belly is getting huge and hard. If I eat a big meal, I look like I'm about to pop. This wasn't a good thing when we went to Olive Garden (OMG the soffatelli and chicken was AMAZING!) and I ate my heart out before we went to Old Navy to see if they had any pants for me. I was unable to get into a size 12, but the 14s were a bit snug and the 16s were pretty big. One pair made me look AMAZINGLY HUGE! I told Adam I looked like I was almost overdue, not 6 months pregnant! Of course he just smiles because he takes pride in the belly. Its kinda cute to see him with a puffed out chest when talking about the belly that's carrying his baby. I believe I've gained about 8 lbs so far. I don't think that's bad at all. I didn't drop much before, but at least I'm not in the double digits yet. The swelling has been pretty minimal so far and I'm still able to wear my rings. I hope I can until at least May when we have to get them inspected. Then I might put it away until after I deliver. We'll see though. Maybe it will get stuck and I'll have to wear it the whole time ;). Ok, so that wouldn't be the best, but I had to say it. I don't like being without my rings.
Baby is SO active! I often get kicked in the sides, lower pelvis where my pants sit, or way up high on the top. I've even been kicked up top and in the lower pelvis area at the same time. Judging from how we were situated on Monday, its quite possible we had one foot in each place and were trying to stretch for more room. Sorry, baby love. Its only going to get to be tighter as the time goes on! Adam is able to feel most of it, but its finally getting to where you can just barely see the movement from the outside.
I have been having some pains across the top of my belly. I can only describe them as maybe painful Braxton Hicks? The top third of my belly gets really hard, its a little harder to breathe, and it lasts for a little while. I made mention of it at the appointment, but no one said anything about it being of concern, so I'll just bring it up to the OB when I see her in about 2 weeks. She'll be able to sit with us and talk more about anything she sees one way or the other. I'm also thinking its time for that LOVELY glucose test. YAY. I actually don't mind it, but its how hyper the baby seems to get from the sudden sugar spike (and the fasting before). I'm not sure if I will be doing it this coming appointment, but I'm also not sure how often we'll be doing appointments. We are set up to go for monthly visits in St Cloud at the clinic there and our OB is basically working around them. Last time we saw her was obviously a month ago, but she said go ahead and wait 2 more weeks so that we aren't doing 2 appointments the same week.
But all seems to be going well. Belly is growing, Anthony is stretching out a bit more, we are getting a little more prepped for the new baby (we bought a box of size 1 huggies snugglers last week and have been packing up Anthony's clothes that no longer fit), and Adam and I are a little more relaxed with everything. I can tell he's getting excited to find out what we are going to be blessed with this time around. We still both have our idea of what we are having, but we aren't pushing either way. We often look at Anthony and think "OMG. In no time flat we'll have TWO kids. They'll probably BOTH be hyper little turds. We are SCREWED!" and then smile that nervous but happy smile. Eh, always an adventure with us!
Its been a fairly good stretch of days. We pray that it keeps up. Nice weather, healthy family, and all, what can be better?