**12 weeks photo got forgotten.. in the pregnancy book we're using a group family photo from Father's Day.**
Oops.
July 15, 2015
The First Trimester
**12 weeks photo got forgotten.. in the pregnancy book we're using a group family photo from Father's Day.**
Oops.
July 14, 2015
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.
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.
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.
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.When are you due?
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...
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 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.
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.
July 13, 2015
July 10, 2015
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
July 9, 2015
Let's Play Catch Up: June Part II
After our midwestern visit, our road trip adventure continued en route to Tennessee.
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.
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.
July 8, 2015
Let's Play Catch Up: June
When I saw July 1, on the calendar I did that thing that people do...
You know, where they talk about how can it be July already and where oh where did June go?
Well, here's where ours went...
Astros Game:
We kicked off summer with an early Father's Day outing, Lauren's first Astros game.
She did fabulous, lasted the entire afternoon game, sampled nachos and the staple hot dog, and cheered the Astros to a win.
Auntie Alysa visits:
My sister came to visit for a long weekend and we loved it.
Lauren requested to hold her hand everywhere we went and thoroughly enjoyed having someone else around to read more books.
Our girls weekend included some shopping, meals at some of our local favs, tea parties, and the highlight, Lauren's "Final" Gymnastics class.
Iowa Visit:
Matt's youngest sister, Marcie, welcomed her third little precious boy in May and my dear friend Heidi was being celebrated as she prepares to welcome her own sweet little darling next month, so a trip to Iowa to celebrate babes, with family and friends was the perfect summer getaway.
Lauren & Miles {& Hayden}
Playdate with Gracie
{these little girls haven't played together since Memorial Day 2014, but just like their mamas, they picked right up where they left off. Which made this mama, oh so very happy.}
Celebrating Heidi & Baby K
Summer Road Trip
From Iowa, Lauren and I met up with my mom and made our way North to visit the Great Grandparents, my Grandpa & Grandma McGuire in Minnesota and Grandpa Clet & his bride Val in South Dakota as well as Aunt Betty.
Unfortunately Grandma's camera has many of the photos from our visit and I forgot to get them from her before we left. But since I promised to be a better blogger, the show must go on.
In Minnesota, Lauren had lots of fun with Grandpa Joe & Grandma Barb and was introduced to a bismarck donut {a tradition of Grandpa Joe's}. She played with cousins Lilly and James and enjoyed walks to the park and watching the birds in the backyard.
In South Dakota, Lauren got to visit Aunt Betty's vet clinic where she got to visit all the dogs and was introduced to kittens for the first time. The real highlight came when Betty introduced Lauren to some cows that were at the clinic.
Now she is obsessed with cows.
Giddy, light up, pep in her step, obsessed.
City girl loves her some country cows.
We also paid a visit to Grandpa Clet and Val where we enjoyed a nap, played in the yard and did puzzles with Grandpa.
We had a great time on our little Midwest adventure and was so thankful that we got to visit so many loved ones.
But our summer road trip wasn't over...
Part II: Tennessee
You know, where they talk about how can it be July already and where oh where did June go?
Well, here's where ours went...
Astros Game:
We kicked off summer with an early Father's Day outing, Lauren's first Astros game.
She did fabulous, lasted the entire afternoon game, sampled nachos and the staple hot dog, and cheered the Astros to a win.
Auntie Alysa visits:
My sister came to visit for a long weekend and we loved it.
Lauren requested to hold her hand everywhere we went and thoroughly enjoyed having someone else around to read more books.
Our girls weekend included some shopping, meals at some of our local favs, tea parties, and the highlight, Lauren's "Final" Gymnastics class.
Iowa Visit:
Matt's youngest sister, Marcie, welcomed her third little precious boy in May and my dear friend Heidi was being celebrated as she prepares to welcome her own sweet little darling next month, so a trip to Iowa to celebrate babes, with family and friends was the perfect summer getaway.
Lauren & Miles {& Hayden}
Playdate with Gracie
{these little girls haven't played together since Memorial Day 2014, but just like their mamas, they picked right up where they left off. Which made this mama, oh so very happy.}
Celebrating Heidi & Baby K
Summer Road Trip
From Iowa, Lauren and I met up with my mom and made our way North to visit the Great Grandparents, my Grandpa & Grandma McGuire in Minnesota and Grandpa Clet & his bride Val in South Dakota as well as Aunt Betty.
Unfortunately Grandma's camera has many of the photos from our visit and I forgot to get them from her before we left. But since I promised to be a better blogger, the show must go on.
In Minnesota, Lauren had lots of fun with Grandpa Joe & Grandma Barb and was introduced to a bismarck donut {a tradition of Grandpa Joe's}. She played with cousins Lilly and James and enjoyed walks to the park and watching the birds in the backyard.
In South Dakota, Lauren got to visit Aunt Betty's vet clinic where she got to visit all the dogs and was introduced to kittens for the first time. The real highlight came when Betty introduced Lauren to some cows that were at the clinic.
Now she is obsessed with cows.
Giddy, light up, pep in her step, obsessed.
City girl loves her some country cows.
We also paid a visit to Grandpa Clet and Val where we enjoyed a nap, played in the yard and did puzzles with Grandpa.
We had a great time on our little Midwest adventure and was so thankful that we got to visit so many loved ones.
But our summer road trip wasn't over...
Part II: Tennessee
July 7, 2015
excuse the intermission || twenty & twenty-one
A month vacation from the blog.
Is that a record?
There were visitors, travels, and summer adventures in the last month.
So, there should be a lot of catch-up blog posts
{no promises, but I'm really going to try}
coming up as I try to get back on track.
Backing way, way, up, I had a big ole Mom fail on getting Lauren's twenty month photo up,
although I did actually take it on time.
At twenty months, this little girl...
... is a happy, busy, toddler, complete with an independent streak.
... loves to play outside, take walks, play ball, and have tea parties.
... likes to wave at trucks and airplanes any time she sees them.
... has a thing for Elmo and the book, The Monster at the End of this Book.
... can be heard singing her own rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" at various times throughout the day.
... has discovered popsicles.
Big. Fan.
At twenty-one months, our sweet Lauren...
... has an independent streak that has grown. Full-blown toddler bordering on terrible twos. Complete with tantrums.
... slays us with her smarts. She's a fantastic puzzle putter-together, learns new words every day, and remains the cutest little book worm I ever did see.
... loves all animals, especially cows. She may be a future veterinarian. She also plays & sleeps with her dollies and hosts some amazing tea parties.
... loves to help cook & is quite the sous chef.
... will now eat some vegetables. With dip.
Progress.
Is that a record?
There were visitors, travels, and summer adventures in the last month.
So, there should be a lot of catch-up blog posts
{no promises, but I'm really going to try}
coming up as I try to get back on track.
Backing way, way, up, I had a big ole Mom fail on getting Lauren's twenty month photo up,
although I did actually take it on time.
At twenty months, this little girl...
... is a happy, busy, toddler, complete with an independent streak.
... loves to play outside, take walks, play ball, and have tea parties.
... likes to wave at trucks and airplanes any time she sees them.
... has a thing for Elmo and the book, The Monster at the End of this Book.
... can be heard singing her own rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" at various times throughout the day.
... has discovered popsicles.
Big. Fan.
At twenty-one months, our sweet Lauren...
... has an independent streak that has grown. Full-blown toddler bordering on terrible twos. Complete with tantrums.
... slays us with her smarts. She's a fantastic puzzle putter-together, learns new words every day, and remains the cutest little book worm I ever did see.
... loves all animals, especially cows. She may be a future veterinarian. She also plays & sleeps with her dollies and hosts some amazing tea parties.
... loves to help cook & is quite the sous chef.
... will now eat some vegetables. With dip.
Progress.