Wuehler Family Reunion

 

 

This summer we went to a Family Reunion near Yellowstone National Park.  We played games, had a talent show, and spent a day in Yellowstone.  Most of the visit was driving through, but we saw Old Faithful, mud pots (which is boiling mud), and lots of bison.  We stopped at Yellowstone Lake to play at the beach.  Daniel loved throwing the rocks into the water. 

 

 

 We also spent time at a nearby river.  Paul really wanted to rent a boat or canoe, so we tried out the paddle boats.  After a minute we regretted this.  Our legs were sore from paddling constantly against the current.  It was a great exercise, but what we really wanted to do was enjoy ourselves.  Needless to say, we learned our lesson. 

Insomnia

Daniel can't crawl yet, but he's going through the beginning stages--he can sometimes push himself backward.  However, he still gets around.  Daniel likes to roll a lot.  When we put him on the ground he'll go from one side of the room to the other side and back.  When we put him in his crib he'll roll around and end up face down with his head at the other end.  He likes to stick his head up and see if anyone is around. 

The other night Daniel stayed up late.  He seemed tired and fell asleep as I fed him, but when I set him in his crib he woke up and acted like he had had a 2 hour nap.  We were tired and hoped he'd fall asleep by himself so we set him in his crib (Daniel shares a room with us).  He'd roll over and push his head up to see if we were there, then he'd drop down and roll back to his back and look at the mobile above him.  His mobile is the kind with music/sounds, a light, and zoo animals.  He'd reach for the animals on his mobile, sometimes grabbing them.  Next he'd put his hand over the spot on the mobile where the light comes from.  Then he'd roll back to his stomach, bring up his head, and pull down the crib bumpers checking for any signs of movement.  This went on for nearly an hour.  Normally I pick him up if he gets fussy, but he was perfectly content.  It was quite entertaining to watch, even though I was tired.  He finally fell asleep a couple of hours after he had woken again. 

Push-Ups

Last friday, Daniel did a mini push-up.  I put him on his tummy on our bed and after a little while he pushed his head up and held it.  I grabbed my camera so we could remember it.  As I cheered him on he realized what he was doing was a big step so he kept on doing it.  He looks so proud of himself in the video.  Paul and I are really proud of him as well. 

Halloween

I thought I should post some pictures of what I decided to be for Halloween this year: 

Anticipation

I wonder what he'll look like!  The ultrasound pictures show that he has a good nose, but what will his other features be like?  Will he have brown eyes like Paul or blue eyes like me?  Will he have brown or blonde hair like either of us, or will his hair be a completely different color?  Will he be a squirmish baby or a calm one?  I already have a heads up on this--he already moves around an awful lot.  It's like he's saying "Let me out!  I'm claustrophobic!!!"  I imagine he'll look somewhat like Paul did as a baby:  brown eyes with the same eye shape, brown hair, slightly tanned skin, and soft cheeks with just a little chubbiness.  Just as adorable as Paul is!

____?____ Wuehler DeReis

Paul and I have four names in mind for the baby:  Daniel, Phillip, Samuel, and Caleb.  All names aren't as common so he'll have his own name; they also aren't uncommon or weird sounding, so he shouldn't be made fun of.  I prefer choosing unique names for girls.  Daniel is Paul's favorite as well as a few others I've spoken to.  My favorite is Samuel. 

We've decided to use my maiden name (Wuehler) as his middle name.  I was given my mother's maiden name (Melanie Tolman Wuehler), and I never had to ask her what it was.  Someday when he is doing family history work maybe, he'll already know what my maiden name is and how to spell it!  Back on the subject of his first name, it may come down to that final moment when we meet him face to face--perhaps then we'll know what name we want to give him.

"Just be born already!"

I'm already in the 9th month of my first pregnancy.  By now, the baby is considered "full-term", even though he still needs to grow.  He moves more frequently, usually in the late afternoons & evenings.  Sometimes when he moves, I get a sharp pain in my pelvic area.  I feel more and more pressure in my upper abdomen, like a rubberband is tightly fastened there. 

Sometimes I just want him to just be born already!  I've been getting a really bad cramp (like a charlie-horse) in my upper inner thigh and walking it off doesn't always help.  I still go to the bathroom frequently, my feet are so swollen that my shoes aren't fitting the way they used to, my lower back aches most of the time, I get exhausted more often, and some of my pregnancy clothes don't fit me anymore.  Paul jokes about my water breaking--anytime I moan he'll ask me if it broke already.  From the suggestion of a friend, I already have my hospital bag packed and have been reading up on labor & delivery. 

On the other hand, I'm not ready for him to arrive.  Paul and I still have last minute preparations to finish: cleaning and shopping.  I haven't had my baby shower yet; there are some items on my registry that I'll need when the baby is born.  I'm nervous about labor and how I'll handle it, and I'm still trying to figure out if I want an epidural or if I want to deliver naturally.  I have about three more weeks until the due date (sooner if he's early).  I'll figure it out by then.