Growing like gangbusters

We are all growing like crazy -- most specifically, my belly is growing like crazy, and we found out that it's another little boy in there and that he likes to move a lot (already) and suck his thumb during ultrasounds. I've already started falling for ridiculously cute little baby boy clothes, and tiny baby booties, and swooning over photos of cribs and pillows and little appliqués of foxes and bears and chipmunks sewn onto newborn-sized onesies.

The kids are super excited that "there's a baby in your belly!" and Anika, before we found out the sex, told us that she wanted it to be a boy "so that Reni will have someone to play with." Reni is really proud to be taking on the role of big brother soon, and Anika, the master of all things big sister, will teach him how to mentor and cheer up and only occasionally hurt/annoy/scratch the new little munchkin.

Reni has taken to crawling into my lap, or saddling up alongside me, or running up and throwing his arms around me, kissing my belly button and crooning, "I love you, baby." Both older siblings are full of questions, some I'm hesitant to answer (Ani: "mama, how did the baby get into your belly? And how will it come out?") and some that just break my heart (Reni: "mama, is the baby all alone in there?). They are both interested in how he eats/how he poops/if he can laugh and cry and play yet.

This summer on the farm has proven to be wonderful for the development of Ani and Reni, as they are becoming quite the little farm helpers and gardeners and sous chefs and table setters. They behaved very well for Grandpa and even went to sleep by themselves (!!!!) when baby gave me a little fainting scare and I ended up in the ER with an IV. Reni is even starting to perhaps decide that he may be ALMOST ready to potty train. He likes to pee and poo into his own little potty seat before bath time, and is extremely proud of himself when he has success, toting the whole sloshing mess around to show everyone what he did and insisting that they look: "SEE? It's my POOPY!!"