July 20, 2014 - 23 Weeks

It's always sad saying goodbye to vacation.  While I was getting ready to get home to our own space, I definitely didn't want to leave Zoe and go back to work.  Oh well...I suppose it's work that allows us to take such fun vacations :)

Nothing really new pregnancy-wise.  It's definitely exhausting trying to do everything with everyone with a 20 month old and pregnant.  Thankfully there were plenty of hands to help out.  I was able to do most everything, but there were a few things I had to sit out of.  And obviously no drinking which was a major bummer....there were a few night I really could have had a glass (or bottle) of wine.

Zoe slept essentially the entire way from the airport to Glenwood Springs.  She woke up with maybe 30 minutes left and just watched out the window.  We didn't do much Sunday - just unpacked and went to Chile's with Papa (exciting dinner I know) and quickly grocery shopped for the week.

Monday we headed to Snowmass to meet my BFF and her family for a few hours.  We had fun but didn't take many pictures!  It's funny how our time together has changed a bit now that Zoe is older.  It's getting harder to just sit and chat like the old days!  But it's fun to see how it's changed too watching the little ones run around (or sit quietly as is Harper's case for now :) ).  Monday night we made dinner and somehow clogged the sink....so many dishes and no where to put them.

Tuesday we decorated the reception venue....for FIVE hours.  It was gorgeous in the end, but it took FOREVER and only a few disagreements :)

Wednesday everyone else went hiking to Hanging Lake while Zoe and I found a park.  I made the mistake of trying to tell her where we were going and she cried and cried about the swings until we finally got there.  I think we swinged for about 35 minutes before I could finally coax her off of them :)  That night we went out to dinner for my dad's birthday (60th! later this month).  After dinner was music in the park and Little Miss definitely got her groove on. She LOVES to dance.

I'm glad Andrew can fake it.

Rockin' it out with Beeba.

Thursday was our rafting day.  Zoe and I went down the lower portion after the rapids.  She had so.much.fun.  I have never heard her squeel and laugh so much in 2 hours in my life.  Unfortunately, we couldn't take phones, so I don't have any pictures, but she was so freakin' cute.  Whee!!!  Whoa.... were common words heard from the front.  There was one wave that caught her off guard but she quickly recovered and was squeeling again.  She definitely passed out that afternoon for her nap.  We had to finally wake her up at 4:30 to get going to the park for our bbq.

Friday Aaron and Zoe went for a LONG bike ride where Aaron saw a bear (Zoe was napping).  Us girls got out nails done and finished decorating and got ready super fast for the rehearsal.  Zoe did GREAT walking down the aisle with the ring bearer...our only hope was that it would go just as well on the actual wedding day.  She was crabby at dinner so we didn't stay long.

Saturday was the big day!  Zoe did perfect again :)  So cute!

And other randoms from the week...

Feeding the fish every morning.

She warmed up to the ring bearer really fast once she realized he had an iPad.

It only took about 5 days for her to finally become friends with Aunt Cathy :)

Petting the many wildlife in the backyard.

July 13, 2014 - 22 Weeks

I really am writing this one late so hopefully I can remember a week ago :)  Things can slow down any time now....

Vacation has started!!  It was exhausting cleaning the house (I clean Fridays and didn't want to come home to a messy house) and packing but it was worth it.  Zoe was a champ on the plane and loved every second of the bus ride to the airport (no car seat!) and takeoff and landing.  She did get bored and fussed for all of 15 minutes, but I don't blame her.  I was antsy too.

Eating some cereal on the landing.

What mom? Everyone else is holding onto these poles.

Besides being tired, I'm feeling great.  I feel like this will be the story of my life for the next who knows how long so maybe I should just stop complaining about it.

Still trying to think of a baby name.  I have a list and can't tell how Aaron feels about any of the contenders.  We haven't had time to really sit down and talk about them (I told him while he was feeding Zoe so it was hectic).  No progress on Zoe's room or baby's room either.  I do have lists!  But haven't had time to do anything.  That's August's project :)

Sorry for the horrible post....I guess I should have been better about writing as the week went by!

July 6, 2014 - 21 Weeks

I hate that I can't be on top of these posts.  I guess that's to be expected with a toddler to run after and the fact that this feels like the busiest summer EVER.  I am writing them on time.  I've just been lazy uploading pictures.

Nothing really new or exciting pregnancy-wise to talk about.  Still feeling generally good.  I'm getting more tired by the end of the day with swollen feet here and there.  I was SO SWOLLEN by the end with Zoe, so I was hoping to avoid that this time around.  But maybe it's going to be in my cards again.  I'm also starting to get out of breath really easily.  I don't remember this happening so early before. And makes me a little nervous as to how I'm going to last 19 more weeks!

The highlight of the week was our weekend, adult getaway.  Beeba and Papa took Zoe up north while Aaron and I enjoyed a trip to Holland and then back for a night in GR.  We missed our little girl like crazy but it was so nice to just nap whenever, not worry about how late I was staying up because I knew I'd get to sleep in, not worry about eating at a certain time or nap time or any of the scheduling.  Don't get me wrong, I love every second (or almost every second ;) ) with that little girl.  Mommy just needs a little break to recharge once in a while.

Holland was filled with shopping and beach time.  It was crazy how quiet it was on the 4th.  The summer is their tourist season so I would have thought it would have been busier.  Nope, lots of stores and restaurants were closed.  GR was also fun.  The restaurant we wanted to go to was closed too (what?!), but we made do.  The fireworks were literally on top of our hotel so we were able to have a really good view.  Then Sunday it was back to my parents to pick up Little Miss who was so excited to see us.  She did have tons of fun though and had a few mini meltdowns when having to leave the "sings" and "wawa" (swings and water).  Story of our life so nothing new there :)  I think Beeba and Papa were exhausted too but had fun!

Next weekend it's off to CO!  Crazy busy summer!

Zoe Louise | 21 months

This girl is growing like crazy.  And her vocabulary is exploding.  We had to go back 2 weeks after her 18 month checkup so Dr. Butry could check her ears, and she asked what new words she could say.  I was caught off guard and said well we were here just 2 weeks ago so I guess I don't know.  Dr. Butry said to watch out because she'll have a new word every few days soon enough.  And was she right…

Piggies!  Finally!

She repeats almost everything.  She can form short sentences.  "Go ou-side" is of course her favorite.  She loves to say "ride" to ride in her wagon or cozy coup.  She loves her "strower" (stroller).  Every morning now we wake up to "Momma, dadda, Wawyyy....Momma dadda, Wawyyy!!  MOMMA, DADDA, WAWYY!!!"  While I wish sometimes she'd sleep in just a little later than 7:30 am, her jabbering is the cutest wake up ever.  And I love how Wally's name is now thrown into the mix.  She can say birdy which sounds slightly like boobie...and loves to point out every birdy she sees on our walks.  And currently "Beeba" sounds like boobie too :)  We get a good kick out of that one.  "Kitty" is another favorite.

One of her new favorites during this time period is "What's tiss? What's at?"  (What's this, what's that?).  And she asks this to EVERYTHING. Even with things I know she knows.  It's super cute though :)

She's really good with Sesame Street characters too.  She knows that Abby is on her shoes.  And she will open the book at school right to Zoe and yell "Oeee"!  She can't get the "z" out quite yet.

She knows who "Papa" is and loves to repeat it and question where he is.  She doesn't get that they don't live close to us.

Then there are the things that are funny but not the best habits...She recently started saying "No, go away!"  Not sure where she picked that up...we are trying to teach her to say "No thank you" which usually comes out "No, go away! No kank you. Go away." Or some similar combination.  Or the fact that one of her books has a phrase "Stop right there!"  And she'll point to people now and say "Stop right there."  Again, it's funny and SOUNDS cute coming out of her little mouth, but not the best thing to be saying to people.

She is doing great at trying new food now.  She'll eat more fruit including blackberries, blueberries, nectarines.  We're getting there on the meat department.  She ate ribs earlier.  I'm really just happy if she tries something even if she doesn't like it.

Her moods have been all over the place these past few months.  She's super happy, then she's throwing the biggest tantrum.  School thinks she can sense that I'm pregnant.  I'm not sure about that...she is getting more of her teeth.  Her eye teeth are almost all the way in.  And I can't quite see the molars.  But I think this is a lot of it.  She's just been very "sensative" as they put it at school where she has a fit over what seems to be nothing.  But then she's super sweet and helpful.  Maybe she's getting out her terrible twos early :)

She's starting to take more to other kids/people.  She was in Aunt "Joey's" wedding and walked down the aisle like a pro holding hands with the ring bearer.  He was very good with her and played with her the day before which helped warm her up I think.  She was also best buds with Aunt "Caky" by the end of the week too.

She can also count (somewhat).  I start by saying one, then she can say "two, see (three)", I say four and five really fast because she moves right into "six and nine!"  We'll get there :)

She's starting to HATE her car seat which has not been the case for her entire life up until this point.  Ugh…maybe when we move her forward it will get better.  Because she can last about an hour tops now and then it's over.  She cried for 45 minutes on the way to my parents until I finally stopped, gave her baby and a kiss and she fell asleep.  Then the way home from the reunion for 4+ hours by myself?  I don't even want to talk about it.  And the 4+ hours to Denver when I thought for sure she'd fall asleep since it was past her bedtime…nope.  Just screams.  

But really, she's a great little girl and makes us laugh constantly.  She can say "pease!" so well and in context.  She's getting better and better with "kank you!" and will run around saying "kank you…you're we-come" all to herself :)  So precious and nice to see that she's learning her manners.  She also says "bess you!" when we sneeze, cough, yawn, etc.  I've given up trying to correct her when we do something other than sneeze and just tell her thank you because it's so darn cute.

Her new favorite songs are "pa-ey cake" and "issy beecy".  Skinninamarink by Sharon Louis and Bram was an old favorite, but she's SO over that one now.  She much prefers Patty Cake and Itsy Bitsy Spider.  And you MUST help her with the hand motions.  And life is pretty much over after we sing the last rendition and tell her it's time for bed.  Oh the drama! :)

Little girl, you really are my heart and make everyday the most fun.  The hugs and kisses you give make every tantrum beyond worth it.  Mommy and daddy love you so much and we can't wait to see what the next 3 months have in store.

June 29, 2014 - 20 Weeks

(Written on time…posted way late!)  20 WEEKS!  Halfway...that's just so crazy to me.

I think I'm up about 10 or 11 lbs.  The bump is definitely there.  Generally, it's not in the way yet, but I noticed painting my toe nails is getting a little harder.  Zoe LOVES to help me put my shoes on...if only I could teach her to paint my toe nails too :)  Still feeling like I don't look too huge.  I've noticed that my legs are getting to the not nearly as toned as they were point.  But I know from past experience, that I can't worry too much.  It is what it is at this point, and I'll do what I can workout-wise.  Knock on wood, they should go back to normal within a few weeks of delivery.  My ankles are looking a little bigger at the end of the day, so I'm wondering if some of it is water retention.

We had our big appointment this week!  And.....it's a BOY!!!!  So whether or not we go for #3, we have one of each.  Our perfect little family...so cheesy but it's how I feel :)  It might be because we already have had a girl and have history on the ultra sound, but it was so obvious to both of us that it was a boy.  She waited until the end to tell us, but we both saw the goods well before she said anything.  Definitely no mistaking it. Everything looks great though.  No worries.  Heart rate is in the 150s.  He's measuring about 12 oz. and right on track.

This profile looks awfully familiar :)

Ummm…please stop taking pictures of me and trying to make me move.  I'm sleeping!

Now I just need to figure out what to do with a few of the nursery items, get clothes and oh yeah, come up with a name ;)  I'm trying to not even worry about much until the beginning of August when I can breathe again after all of our traveling. 

No real worries this week.  It was so reassuring to see baby and know that's he's ok.  I also feel those taps all day long to remind me that he's in there :)

This weekend we traveled to Wisconsin for our niece's first birthday party.  It was a long drive, but so worth it to see everyone.  And Zoe is definitely starting to vie for attention and show off.  She was sprawling out on the ground and rolling around and we all thought it was funny.  Well then anytime she wanted any one's attention (especially Nana's), she'd plop down and roll around.  Such a cheese ball :)  She was amazing in the car for the most part.  She had a brief meltdown on the way there but it was 8 hours so I don't blame her (daddy was getting just as antsy).  She was a little crankier on the way home but still not too bad. 

What?? You don't lawn swim to get exercise?

Nana got her an American flag, and she is constantly pointing at the flag now and saying "Nana!"  So cute :)  It's so cute how she latches onto Beeba and Nana when she's with them.  She does not want them to put her down.  Nana will have her hands full in November with 4 little ones wanting her attention!  I know she loves it though :)  It's so neat to see them all together. 

Nana got the grand kids matching outfits and had a photo shoot.  Surprisingly, they all cooperated and they turned out really cute.  Sorry, photo shoot overload!

Leaving was hard and reminded me how much we miss family and living closer.  We should see Baby Ben at the end of July and then we won't see everyone again until Christmas :(  That just seems so far away!