Pregnancy Update

Dear Little One, 

16 weeks in and im starting to believe you are real.  I know…strange huh?  A part of me is still in disbelief…and hoping that all will be well.  I haven’t been sick in a little over a week and its amazing.  Ive got some energy back…been on one walk/jog the other day with your big brother Elijiah.  Surprised at 1.  How out of shape I am 2.  How fast Elijiah can run.J  I told him he has a track future and could be as good as his big sis one day.  Anyway your dad and I went and got a few maternity clothes as I was having some trouble fitting into my pants lately.  You definitely have grown a bit over the last month.  I think I have gained a pound or two now that Im eating normally.  We have our next appointment with the Dr later this week and Im excited to hear your heart beat and even more excited next month to know if you are a boy or girl.  Currently Tristan cant decide what he wants, and Elijiah is hoping for a girl.  We will see!!  Either way Im at the point where I have a hard time not getting emotional about your pending arrival to our family.  Both your dad and I feel slightly overwhelmed at the prospect of another “Tristan”.  So im begging…please please sleep?  And colic?  We hope that it will skip our house this time around.  But again, I feel like we have been down that road, and so if it happens again, we have some experience lol.

***

17 weeks-Well another week gone…the doctor appointment last week went well.  Ive gained .5 pounds so Im on a roll!  However I am getting bigger everyday( pants that I could fit in a week ago I cant get into) so I know you are growing despite the scale. I do know that I am bigger with you than with Tristan, and that so far you are much more mellow.  To the point that I hardly notice you, and sometimes have a hard time thinking that this pregnancy is real!  Tristan was a mover and shaker from about 15 weeks he was all over the place.  I think have felt you move once or twice and we are 17 weeks along.  When I mentioned this to your dad all he could do is shout for joy believing that you would be one that would potentially sleep!  Haha.

(weight update…a mere 4 days after the doctors appointment I got on the scale again…4 pounds in 5 days was gained! OMG! What will my end weight be at this rate!!!! The neat thing however – with this obvious growth spurt- I have actually felt you move more consistently- FINALLY!)

***

On another note...havent been pleased with my current doctor and practice.  Ive looked around for a new OB based on some recommendations but those I called werent accepting new patients...SO I took a stab at another Dr that my co-workers sees and likes( however this is her first baby so what does she know)  Reviews online are mixed about this dr.  What Im looking for is continuous care by one doctor...not a large practice where I see someone new every time and have to explain my medical past and current concerns each time.  I want a Dr that shares my point of view for delivery, listens and understands and alleviates my concerns, and that I can develop some sort of report, and relationship with during this pregnancy.  However what Im finding is that is a lot to expect.  Whats more challenging is that because my next appointment is the Ultrasound- I wouldnt even be meeting said doctor till Im 24 weeks along.  What If I dont like him after meeting with him?  Do I go back to my old one?  Keep the new one regardless?  15 weeks prior to delivery and not having a secure OB is a bit scary....

What an adventure today! Took the day off from work to take care of the 100 degree bedroom situation. Spent an hour at HomeDepot researching and getting opinions. Wound up with a 100+ pound bigger than life evaporative cooler (because to us boys, bigger is better and aesthetics aeschmetics). Got it home, spent 3 hours doing "some assembly required" which included splicing into our bathroom water line, running 1/4" water line through the wall and other fun stuff.

Amber walks up stairs and goes WHITE! Exclaims in a shaky voice, "I'm kind of freaking out". Then more firmly said, "you better make that thing pretty"!!! HAHAHAHA!! I decided to at least get the thing running before I gave up. Fired it up and smiled at the sheer force of cool air that blasted forth. 10 minutes later as the entire house reeked of festering coughdrops with soft rotten egg centers (that's a smell!?), my chest was puffed out significantly less as I began to dry-heave a tad.

3:00: siphoning out nasty satan bilge water (getting far too much in my mouth in the process), disassemble, manhandle down 3 flights of stairs, and back to Home Depot.

4:00: bounce to Lowes to pick up a 12,000BTU portable AC unit that is much more pleasing on the eyes (and nostrils).

5:00: Install new sexy unit with funky window exhaust thingy - Tristan almost gives dad aneurysm while working on the very small but very steeply pitched ledge as he dangled halfway out the window with nothing more than hard packed protracted hospital stay 30 feet below.

9:00: Room @ 78 degrees, 4 year old  alive and well, and pregnant wife = smiling. <flex><grunt><zzzzzzzz...>

Father's day (as a father)

Amber always makes massive efforts to make Father's day special for me. I always get a wonderful breakfast in bed, super cute and meaningful gifts from the kids, and much pampering all day. I just always question whether or not I truly deserve the kind words in the cards, the big warm hugs from the kids, and all the rest. 


When being applauded as a great father, I seem to always reflect on all the times that I lose my temper with the kids, am not patient enough, or don't do wonderful daddy things like taking them camping, showing them how to change the brake pads on the cars, etc... Hopefully these thoughts are simply the by products of a mind that always questions praise and I actually do perform my duties as a father adequately. In all honesty, I think that the Bechtold Clan should celebrate TWO mother's days but I'm eternally grateful for the love and support of a wonderful wife, an amazing, unique and charismatic son, and a brilliant, energetic step son.

goings on around our house

Tristan is a master scooter rider already and I knew he was ready to take off the training wheels of his bike and start riding...

Well he was a bit scared, and insisted that we run along side of him, but the first go around he was off.  No falling....quite amazing.  We just got him going and pushed him a bit and he was on his own after that.  Needless to say his dad and I were pretty proud of him!! 

 Had to include the primary tie for dad from fathers day. Elijiahs is on the left - Tristans is on the right....mmm not sure if coffee is Jonathans favorite food...but we got a chuckle out of that one....;)

Pretty girl...

This pretty girl will be hanging around with us in July.  Boys are excited...we are excited.  Now- time to make plans for some fun family activities while shes here!

Happy Birthday!

This man turns 36 today.  Can I just say how lucky I am to be his wife?  What makes him incredible is his ability to ALWAYS make me feel special.  That makes ME want to make his birthday a good one.  Each year I try and make plans that will be good memory makers ;)  This year a weekend trip to Park City seemed like a good idea.  Time for us, a little break from the routine, and some good ol Jonathan spoiling.  Shopping, eating, relaxing and playing is in the forecast.  ( Yes I know I do get to benefit from this years bday present too lol)

Happy Birthday Jonathan.  Love you!