Celebrating Lucy

No, No, I didn't forget to post today.  It's just that the sun is finally out and I think summer is really going to arrive.  I know, I almost always post by 8:30am, but I think with this warmer weather my times might be shifting.  I'll still do my best to post every week day, but it might be more in the afternoon or evening.

Sooooo, we didn't have any trips to the ER before Daddy got home, but his plane did get delayed...a whole 17 hours delayed!! Eventually, he made it home to his girls.  I guess, we'll just have to stay on our toes for his next work trip to see what crazy twisted thing will happen...

Sally's BFF, Lucy, had a little birthday get together at the park.  It was the perfect birthday celebration for this age!  Although I didn't get a picture of the two of them, Sally certainly enjoyed herself!  Thanks for the invite Lucy, and Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Giddy Up!

She's got a sweet tooth like her Mama!

Sally met a new friend, Greta, Lucy's cousin.  What is it with little girls LOVING older kids? Thank you Greta for being so sweet and playing with Sally!!

This Mama is one happy camper.  We had a very productive weekend.  In anticipation for our new arrival we had decided it was best if we moved our bedroom to the main level and  Sally will eventually move upstairs to the half story.  I know, the baby won't be here for a long while, but it gets very hot in the half story during the summer, so I thought it would be a good idea to move down now, since we knew we had to eventually do it.  Thank you to my wonderful husband for being so willing to do so much moving and lifting this weekend.

I'm not going to lie, I'm loving that my middle of the night bathroom trips are now, only across the hall instead of all the way down the stairs...

Spring in our Step

We finally had some much needed sunshine yesterday!

Saying Hello to neighbor Joe

"Mommy, look what I found!"

Downward Facing Dog...she learned this all on her own?!

"Peek-a-coo"

Happy Long Weekend!!

**We made it through the night! Hooray! Daddy gets home late tonight, so hopefully it is smooth sailing from here on out!

Hopefully she won't make her move

Reid has been out of town since Tuesday.  We didn't tell Sally that he was going on an airplane this time, in hopes that she won't pull any stunts that will end in a trip to Children's Hospital, like she has done the past two times that he has traveled for work. 

So far so good, however, she usually makes her move the day before he gets home, which is today.  Prayers are appreciated :)

A few pictures we've sent to Daddy so he misses his little lady a little less.

Yes, it's lunch time and she's still in pjs.  Why not, with this rainy weather?!

Enjoying her new Bunny chair and a snack of strawberries!

Baby C-Mile #2

We are very excited to be growing our family by one more member. 

ME:

There's not a whole lot to complain about, but there's nothing to brag about either.  I'm not a thrower upper, even when I have the flu.  I do everything possible to keep it down.  This has been the same for both pregnancies.  I never threw up with Sally and I haven't with this one yet either.  I think it's pretty much the same as Sally's pregnancy, I just notice the nausea more, because I'm home all day and can focus on what I'm feeling rather than teaching and working with Middle Schoolers all day.  Eating has been more of a chore this time around.  With Sally I couldn't get enough fruits and vegetables.  With this one, if I eat something once, I have a hard time eating it again.  I think because I think it'll make me feel better, but then it doesn't, so I associate it with feeling sick. 

The one thing that is better than Sally's pregnancy is I'm not nearly as tired.  I used to get home from work around 3:30, take an hour plus nap and then come 7:30pm and I couldn't keep my eyes open.  I was also getting up at 5:15am.  This time around I'm able to sleep in until 7 (I know, I'm lucky) and I can make my day as busy or easy as I want.  I've found that if I do take a nap, I have a harder time falling asleep at night.

MIDWIFE:
We're excited this time around because we decided to try out using a Midwife, instead of a regular OB doctor.  My sister recommended this and after doing some research it seemed like such a great option for us.  It's covered the same with insurance and I already feel like we get more individual attention.  We had our first appointment last week and we were very happy with it.  They actually have time for you! We weren't rushed in and out.  It was very calm and relaxed. I'll talk more about what we see as benefits with using a Midwife.  We got to hear the heartbeat last Friday, and oh boy does it make all the nausea worth it!! 

DUE DATE:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're due in December, what if we're overdue and he/she is born on Christmas.  What can you do?  Really, what can you do?  We're blessed to be able to continue to grow our family, what do we have to complain about?  There are so many pros and cons to having a baby anytime throughout the year.  We just choose to look at the positive end of it :)  We won't have to decide if we should hold him/her back from school.  The summer months are part of the earlier parts of pregnancy so I won't be super uncomfortable and I think that the time will fly by.  December really doesn't seem all that far away! Memorial Day-Labor Day feels shorter than the month of January in MN! We can spend the cold long winter days snuggled with our new little one.  When we do have to go out we won't have to worry about all the snow gear, just throw on the bundle me on the car seat and we're good to go.  Many more positives about a December baby.  A quick fix? Celebrate his or her half birthday so the birthday doesn't get mixed in with Christmas.

THE BIG SISTER:

Sally is very excited!  She gets it.  Every once in a while she'll stop what she's doing, run over and say "Hiiiii Baby!"  She'll point to her stomach, shake her head no and say, "Just Mommy has baby."  Yes, she's a mama's girl, but what a lot of people don't see, is that during the day, when I'm busy cleaning or doing something with Henry, Sally's totally fine and will find something to do to entertain herself.  If she needs help she'll wait until I'm able to help.  She helps with Henry, already throws his diaper in the "diaper garbage."  She'll be changing a diaper in no time! She's ready to rock the roll of a Big Sister and I think she'll be great at it.  She'll have a lot of practice with new babies, as we have so many that have joined our world recently!!  She's genuinely a kind, caring, gentle, compassionate little girl!  After all, aren't siblings the best gift you can give your children?

SISTERS:

Yes, my sister and I are pregnant at the same time again.  Did we plan this? No.  Sally and Lucy are only 2 weeks apart.  We, obviously, are spacing our kids a similar distance apart.  She's 8 weeks ahead of me.  Another thought is that we've always been thought of as twins, so maybe we have that innate connection?? Reid's brother is due with their second in November.  Yep, that's right.  October, my sister is due, November, my sister-in-law is due, December, we're due.  Can you imagine the excitement of the Grandparents??

I hope that helps answer some of your questions :)  Thank you for all of your well wishes and excitement.  We are very much looking forward to this little being to join our family, and realize how blessed we are to be expecting another baby! Hooray for little miracles!

Read Between the Lines...

Like Mother Like Daughter

If you know me, you know I love black olives.  My aunt always brings an extra can for me at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Looks like she might need to add another for Sally.

Conversationalist

Sally was having quite the conversation the other day with Daddy and George.  Clearly, there weren't any Mamas around, hence, Sally's crazy hair...

Blue with some new pink

We added a splash of blue to the mix!! My former co-worker and friend had a baby BOY yesterday.  She was wishin' and hopin' and prayin' for a boy, of course a third daughter for their family would have been just as great, but it was such a great surprise for them!  She thought she was, for sure having another girl.  Welcome to the world Nolan Sean, I can't wait to meet you! I will post pictures once I snuggle with the little guy!!

Isn't this Spring weather FABULOUS?!  We've been outside as much as possible.  It's so fun to pick out clothes for the day instead of the same old boring winter clothes we had to choose from for too many months!  Sally insisted on a few items of clothing yesterday...so it begins :)

look at those dirty knees!

"Hi Kitty!!"

"Oooooh, niiiice Kitty"

Lots of Pink!

Sally has a new girlfriend she'd like to introduce you to. Isabelle Grace! This little peanut was finally welcomed to the world (8 days overdue and a 20 hour labor) on the 16th, weighing only 7lbs.

isn't she perfect?!

We're so excited to welcome this newest little one.  There is such a different excitement when someone close to you has a baby! You know that you get to share in all of the joys and milestones, but you only have to hear about the hard times :) We can't wait to watch little Isabelle grow up and surround her with lots and lots of love!

Congratulations Pat and Tiff, we're so so excited for you and your beautiful family!!

Dreams do come true!

MN Zoo

The other day when we were at the library we scored two free admissions to the MN Zoo.  These are very hard to come by!  We ventured over the river (literally) and to the zoo on Sunday.  Sally's favorite were the Dolphins!

Watching the Dolphins

can't remember what this was, but they were watching intently

Daddy pointing out the shark

"A BIG one!"

"Hi Birdie"

Not sure who had more fun, Daddy or Sally :)

Father/Daughter Dance

Reid had a lot of fun with the special Daddy time with Sally, on Friday night.  Every one did very well, especially since the dance started off with a sucker :)

So excited!

Those big brown eyes absorb the flash everytime :)

Love seeing this!

We had so much fun!

Make Believe

Sally has started to have fun with playing make believe. She even has her "fake" voice, it's pretty funny.

She's especially excited for her special night with Daddy.  It's the Father/Daughter Dance tonight, sponsored by our ECFE.  They are getting all dressed up, a few of them are meeting at Noodles for dinner before they walk the red carpet.  I wish I could go and just be in the corner to observe!

Happy Weekend!

Happy Birthday Songs

Love the innocent look on her face when we're singing Happy Birthday!

The only problem is now she thinks every day is her birthday.  She thinks for every meal there should be a candle she can blow out :)

Warmer weather and hail

It was hot Hot HOT yesterday, but you didn't hear anyone complaining. Finally warmer weather has arrived...at least for a while. The last time we felt weather that warm was October. Wowzers!

We were outside pretty much all day. It was so fun to finally dress Sally in summer clothes. Thank you Nana & Grandpa for searching out the great deals!

One of her favorite birthday presents...

She can almost take over for Daddy

Our front yard looked like a circus yesterday.  On the other side of this picture there is a tent with a tunnel leading into it.

Loving the humidity

Watching for ants

Found one!

Of course it couldn't be a perfect day we had to end with a Tornado Warning and a hail storm...

Wedding Festivities

Congratulations to Maria and Justin on their beautiful marriage! Thank you for allowing us to be part of your special day! We wish you many many years of happiness!


Craigmile Crew



Go go Fast!

a small portion of the 46+ cousins!!

A big thank you to my mom for watching Sally, so Reid and I were able to enjoy ourselves at the wedding!

2-two-too-to-tu-tu

Sally had a fun filled birthday celebration yesterday! Thank you for making her feel extra special with gifts, cards, phone calls and messages.  This little lady sure is loved!

walkin' on sunshine!

Thanks Teeny for the adorable 2 shirt!!

Birthday Celebration and Nana & Grandpa's!

Had to get every last little piece of wrapping paper off the top!

Birthday Celebration and Grandma & George's

Loves to be sung Happy Birthday to!

Clearly the cake is way more important!

It was a great Mother's day yesterday as well.  Once you become a mom the appreciation for your own mom goes to a whole new level! Thank you mom, for teaching me all that I need to know to be a wonderful mother.  If I can do half as good of a job as you did, I'll do great! Loved this poem, so I thought I'd share!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never peen puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary yes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love something so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every ten minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.