Week 18

backyard shenanigans

It's been hot.

Yes.
I know it's July and we're all feeling the heat,
but it's hot.

That means, unless we're at the pool, you can find us outside for morning walks, in small doses through the day, or in the evening for some backyard shenanigans.





These shenanigans usually involve pressing the 'door bell' on the castle numerous times, listening to the princess music, and spinning until we're dizzy.







But backyard shenanigans are the best when Dad gets home just in time to join in on the fun.

big sister outtakes

When I began thinking about announcing this pregnancy I had visions of including Lauren in some darling little photo.

After I ordered some big sister books, I thought a photo shoot of our in-house book worm studying up on being a big sister was simply perfect.

You know, just like the ones you see on Pinterest.

Except it didn't quite turn out that way.








looks thrilled, doesn't she?

Week 17

five things

...Lauren's been up to this summer.

{1} Pool time/Splash Pad


With the dreaded Texas heat upon us, the splash pad and pool have been bit hits for us as of late. Lauren loves the water so we've also clocked in some hours at our neighborhood pool and the Fisher's backyard.

Lauren also began swimming lessons last week, which are going wonderfully. She attends on Wednesday evenings with Dad who has been great {much better than mom} at helping Lauren to get her whole face in the water.


{2} Fourth of July Parade
We attended the city's annual 4th of July parade and this girl got a lot of of waving & 'Hi's' in.

Especially to the horses & the Chik-fil-A cow.

She also watched fireworks from the backyard. With no issues.
One less thing we have to worry about next year.

{3} Little Helper
That Texas heat sometimes keeps us inside, so one thing that has kept us busy & happy this summer is baking.




{4} Baseball
The Royals were in town and we couldn't not go.
Lauren sported her new Esky shirt from Uncle Tyler and lasted until the bottom of the 8th.
On a Wednesday night.

Unfortunately, she has also now seen a Royals loss.

{5} Morning Walks

We love to go on walks.
It's been part of a routine since Lauren was itty-bitty.
And in this weather, we switch it up a little bit and take our walks first thing in the morning.
After breakfast, of course.
It sort of reminds me of our Colombian days, when I took her out first thing in the morning and walked around the bay.
I'm really hoping baby #2 enjoys walks {or is just as good in a stroller} as his/her big sister.
That being said, my double stroller hunt is on...
... any suggestions??

Week 13 - 15

You only see one picture here.

Yes, I know.

Long version:
Traveling home from two weeks of vacay coupled with a bit of pregnancy brain meant there was no Week 13 picture.
Then at 13w 3d I skipped ahead to 14w 3 d, so a week 14 picture does not exist.

Short version:
Oops.
I did it again.**

**how long have I been blogging??
And this is my first Britney reference....

The First Trimester

**12 weeks photo got forgotten.. in the pregnancy book we're using a group family photo from Father's Day.**

Oops.

FAQ: Pregnancy #2

While there isn't quite as many lingering questions regarding this pregnancy,
probably since we live in the United States, together,
at the same time.

But there is still those basic questions that come along with announcing you're expecting.

When are you due?

Originally January 2nd... which lead to many comments about trying to make the baby come a few days early to catch that tax break.
There was a brief discussion at our first appointment about monitoring the size of the baby and possibly inducing a week early based on the unexpected size of Lauren {since babe #2 is typically larger.}
At our last ultrasound, the tech informed us we were a week farther along than we originally thought, so the due date was moved to December 26th. Following my ultrasound I discussed my new due date with the nurse who told me that the ultrasound tech cannot change the due date, only the doctor can. Since my doctor was out for the 4th of July holiday, he has not confirmed the new date. The NP I saw thought that he would likely change the date, but until then I suppose I am 'technically' due January 2.
But if you ask me, I am due December 26th.

How are you feeling?

Good, but completely different than when I was pregnant with Lauren. This go around I  felt a lot more of those first trimester symptoms that aren't so fun, the nausea, exhaustion, food aversions... I just didn't feel like myself.
While pregnant with Lauren, besides feeling tired, I felt fabulous.
While I only go sick once, that yucky feeling left me not wanting to eat, unless you offered me something in the carb family. Which is stressful in itself.
 I'm not sure whether this is a direct reflection of the different lifestyle I lived during my first pregnancy, {I had a maid and napped whenever I felt the need to} or can be simply explained by the fact that is a different pregnancy.
I guess there's always the 'boy' theory...

How's Lauren?

Fabulous and still pretty clueless. We've talked about the baby in mom's tummy and her role as big sister.  We've read some books, but besides pointing to moms tummy and loving finding babies in public, she is none the wiser.

She is in for a lot of changes in the coming months. Our house has two bedrooms on the main floor, one of which is ours, and the rest are upstairs. That means Lauren is losing passing on her nursery to the baby. I've been thinking about decor options and we're discussing to-do lists, but the tentative plan is to move her upstairs sometime around her 2nd birthday. We're hoping that gives her some time to adjust and work out the kinks, before the holidays and the babe's arrival breaks our routines.

She loves her dolls, all things baby, and has become quite the little helper. So, while I know we're in for some bumps in the road as we all adjust to a family of 4 [+2 dogs] I am looking forward to watching her become an incredible big sister and I know this baby will be a lucky one.

Will you document this pregnancy?

Since I was a bit of an overachiever and did weekly pics the first time around, I feel as though I must do the same again. Although during my June vacay, I dropped the ball a little bit so there is a slight gap & I already feel some mom guilt & worry about some potential second child issues.

This time will you find out the gender?

Yet again, it will remain a surprise.
I'm guessing boy. Feeling completely different during this pregnancy was my first clue, but when the ultrasound tech announced that she could 'see' what we were having and offered to share, I was prepared to leave and begin the hunt for a bowtie and some blue. 

But who knows..?

I was convinced Lauren was a boy.

Week 16

Introducing...

Lauren, the {soon to be} big sister!

We're thrilled to announce that our little family is growing!
Expected Arrival: Holiday Season 2015



There's much more to come on our latest & {another} great adventure...

Happy Friday!
xoxo

Let's Play Catch Up: June Part II

After our midwestern visit, our road trip adventure continued en route to Tennessee.

We made a pit-stop for a picnic lunch with Uncle Tyler in Ankeny. 

He was visiting the area for a music festival and brought us lunch and helped to chase LEM around the playground while we actually got to eat lunch.

He also blessed us with a portable DVD player. 

This took our road trip to another level. 

Lauren doesn't get a lot of screen time at home, but traveling is a different ball game. 

I speak the language of survival when traveling.

Portable DVD players, Elmo, Mickey Mouse Club House, & 101 Dalmatians are now part of my vernacular.

We left Mitchell, SD on Friday morning and reached Knoxville on Saturday afternoon. 

It was a long trip and Lauren did fabulously, but it did seem longer than last years rendezvous. 

We spent the rest of the weekend at the lake boating, blowing bubbles, swimming, and relaxing. 

Our weekend came to a close with a dinner to celebrate Papa for Father's Day.  

The rest of our week was filled with parks, pools, blocks, walks, tea parties, zoo visits, dining at our favorite Knoxville establishments and lots of time with Grandma, Papa, Haddie, and Ruby.

At the zoo we got to see a mama gorilla and her one month old baby gorilla. 

Sweetest thing ever.

In the midst of this busy week, Lauren started acting a little off and had a runny nose she couldn't kick.
I took her in and we walked out with a double ear infection {for the first time} and a couple of prescriptions.

Another part of our busy week:

Grandma & Papa are moving.
Or moved.
The day we flew out.
We did our best to help pack when we could and watched them work magic as they managed to pull it all together and get it done.
And now we get to look forward to visiting a brand new house with a BIG backyard that Lauren got a glimpse of.



I haven't flown solo with Lauren since last fall  when she still fit in a Baby Bjorn and nursing was my magic trick.
But that double ear infection had this mama pretty nervous, actually probably the most nervous I've been flying with LEM.
Despite the doctor assuring me we would be good to fly, I couldn't shake visions of eardrums bursting and a screaming toddler on a full airplane.

But I'm happy to report that there were no issues. Lauren has another successful flight under her belt and even got a sucker during take-off and another one at landing out of the deal.

It was another fun, adventurous, and memorable summer getaway tracking many miles through many states to see many faces of people we love.
And that's what summer road trips are all about.
The miles.
The warm busy days filled with smiling faces.
Yes, all that.


And in the end making it home to your own bed.