33 weeks down, 7 weeks to go

Anybody who reads this blogs knows without a doubt that Owen quite often takes center stage. But look out Owen, there will soon be a new baby in town. This second pregnancy has been going great, very similar to Owen's and I have nothing to complain about. I'm a day shy of 33 weeks - so only 7 weeks left. Although I'm reaching the stage where you don't think your belly can get any bigger, though I know it will, I am feeling great.

We have three options here on the island when it comes to having a baby: 1) deliver here at the local Portuguese hospital, 2) fly back to the states at 34 wks and deliver there or 3) fly to Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany at 36 wks and deliver at Landstuhl (the largest military hospital outside the states). After quite a bit of struggling over the decision, Jared and I thought it best for me to deliver this baby in Germany. Owen and I leave for Germany on June 23rd and I'm due July 25th. My intentions are to see a bit of Germany before this baby enters the world. Jared's mother is meeting me there just a few days after we arrive and Jared will meet us there with his dad July 17th. It'll be great to have Letha there and I hope she is equally excited.

In this post, I keep referring to the baby as "the baby" or "it" not because we don't know what we're having (if you know Jared and I at all - you know we found out the sex!) but in the event my dad or brother reads this, I don't want to ruin the surprise. As with Owen, they prefer not to know what we're having so we're doing our best to keep the secret.

We think Owen is going to be a great big brother. He seems to be baby crazy and likes to play with all the other babies in the neighborhood. I think he'll be excited in the beginning - up until he realizes how much attention the baby gets meaning he gets less mommy time. At this time, the new baby may not be that cool.

Here are a few pregnancy pictures for those that care to see the progress.

Nothing but a hambone!

Owen is quite the hambone at times - got to love a happy kid!!! No complaints here. He is on the move all the time and so quick on his feet, it's amazing we get any pictures of him.

Owen likes to twist the top off of Jared's earplug container (this used to be quite a challenge but he has now mastered the task) and put the earplugs in his ears. It's always fun to be like daddy.
When we tell Owen to say "cheese" and smile for the camera often he just closes his eyes and hams it up.
Owen was playing with a friend's snorkle at the beach and it had many uses - sword, shovel, and in this picture I think a musical instrument???
Yes - this picture was in the last post, but isn't this the epitome of a hambone?
It's always fun to throw in a naked baby shot. He of course loves running around in his diaper.

My future is so bright...I've got to wear shades!

Jared's mother sent Owen a pair of sunglasses. He loves them for about 30 seconds and then is ready to take them off. But if you're quick - 30 seconds is long enough to get good pictures sometimes. Here are some pics of Owen looking cool in his new shades...

Bad Hair Day

Owen woke up a few weeks ago with a terrible case of bed head - not everyday can be a good hair day I guess. It was pretty bad so I had to take a few pictures.

The funny thing was, after his nap, the bed head went away.

Azorean Bull Fight

With summer time in the Azores comes bull-fighting season. They have a large arena where they have a few bull fights but most of them are done in the streets in small towns around the island. Americans are allowed to observe all they want but we cannot participate - not that Jared or I would want to.
There are four bulls that will be released in an evening. They block off both ends of a street and let one bull out of the cage at one end of the street at a time. The bull has long ropes tied around its neck and it is allowed to run up and down the street while the locals taunt the bull with t-shirts, umbrellas, etc. The bulls get pretty angry and you often see the locals in the street hoping fences and porch walls for safety. People get hurt too - I sure don't want to mess with an angry bull.
Jared and I went to one last year and the first fight of the season this year. Always an interesting experience if not a little hard to describe. I'm sure Jared would do a better job. Here are some pictures of the fight in April.
FYI - they don't kill the bulls here in Portugal - only in Spain.

Excited about Bath Time

Owen was so excited about taking his bath one night he went upstairs and got into the tub while it was still filling with water - with all his clothes on! It was a pretty funny sight - though he didn't think it was that big of a deal.