Spring Break 2012

Spring break definitely means something completely different today than it did during our college years. I obviously don't get spring break, but Ryan and Wade have been enjoying their time together this week. They've done some productive things (had the garage door fixed, got the baby stuff out of the basement, ran errands, etc.) and some fun things as well.

On Wednesday morning, I met Ryan and Wade at the zoo. Even though Wade has been there before, this was the first time he seemed into it. It was a beautiful day and after two hours of walking around, we were all pretty exhausted. Unfortunately for me, I had to go back to work while they got to take naps.

Today we went to Fun Friday Puppet Shows at the Carousel in Faust Park. The puppet show was okay, but the real fun was riding the carousel. Wade saw it the second we walked in the door and waiting 30 minutes through a lame puppet show tried his patience a bit.

Riding the carousel was serious business! You have to hold on tight and no smiling!

Surprise Shower for Baby Brueckmann

Yesterday I was surprised with a party/shower/sprinkle when I walked down the hall to have lunch at work. I didn't expect any festivities for baby #2 so they manged to really surprise me. I was also excited to see Ryan and Wade in attendance.
PracticeMatch kept it on the small side, inviting mostly employees from my department but many coworkers contributed to several gift cards for us. We still need a thing or two for baby, and if it's a girl, we'll have fun clothes shopping with the gift cards. (If not, there will still be plenty of diapers, wipes, and other stuff that we'll need along the way.)

Wade hadn't visited the office in months so it was fun for everyone to see him. He was pretty quiet overall, but liked walking around the office and looking out the windows. He's enjoying playing with the balloons (Mommy's, as he calls them) back at home and I still don't think he realizes that we'll be bringing a baby home in just a few weeks. He may wish for more balloons instead.

36 Weeks and Counting

This blog has gotten very little attention lately, so an update was long overdue. Yesterday I had my 36 week ultrasound and baby is doing well. Already estimated at 6 pounds, 9 ounces, we are expecting another big baby though the doctor thought maybe not quite Wade's 10 pound size. So we've got just about 4 weeks left and I will definitely be ready.

We have been enjoying the spring weather and I think Wade would stay outside all day long if we let him. There are often tears when it's time to come inside.

Trying out the slide at a nearby park

A Visit to Indiana

We went to Indianapolis for the weekend to see the Emsleys and to celebrate Aunt Chris's 40th birthday. On Saturday morning while the Emsleys were busy with basketball, Ryan, Wade and I headed to the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

It was similar to the St. Louis Magic House and Wade had fun playing in the toddler area.

All that fun was exhausting!

Wade sharpened upon on his baby-care skills. On that note, I should give an update on the baby front. I'm 29.5 weeks and measuring at 33 cm (instead of the more average 29.5 cm), so no one should be surprised if this baby is just as big as his/her big brother.  April will be here before we know it and we're doing our best to enjoy the quiet and to prepare for our new arrival.

Happy Birthday, Chris! (Brett, sorry to catch you mid-song)

A Merry Christmas

December has been a tough month after losing Ryan's father only 11 days before Christmas, but we did our best to have a nice Christmas together. Wade definitely helped put a smile on everyone's face. He doesn't understand Santa yet, but did help a little with the opening of gifts. He was anxious for his toys to be opened (and put together) and had fun playing with all of them. I think the biggest hits so far are his kitchen (and accessories), standing keyboard, and slide. He received several other great gifts, but some may stay to the side for a few months until he is older or until he gets bored with the other toys.

 

Great Wolf Lodge

 

We spent the weekend at Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City, Kansas. Great Wolf Lodge has a 38,000 square foot indoor waterpark where the temperature is 84 degrees. We visited the waterpark on Friday, twice on Saturday, and again on Sunday before we left.  We also had a couple dinners out and visited the nearby outlet mall. It was a fun weekend and a place we hope to visit again in the future.

Wade had fun swimming in the big pool (so warm!), riding the lazy river, and most of all, going down the toddler-sized waterslide. I wish I could have caught the smile on his face as he went down the slide, but one of us was helping him get on the slide and the other had to catch him, so there was no chance to take a picture.

He climbed into a beach chair on Saturday night, obviously exhausted. It was time for bed for sure!

Swim Lessons

Wade has been taking swim lessons since early fall. He enjoyed the pool over the summer and we wanted to keep that going. Last night was the last lesson of this session, but he's actually signed up through April.

Class starts with practice jumps into the pool..."1, 2, 3...jump!"

Swim to the ducky!

swimming with noodles