16 weeks

16 weeks today!! Sometimes I feel like time is going by so slowly and my belly isn't growing much but then I think, "Wow...16 weeks already, that is almost halfway, yikes!" We ended up switching midwife groups. We haven't had our first appt. with the new ones yet but for some reason I felt a disconnect with the old group. I don't know if I was comparing too much to Lauren's pregnancy and my experience in Chicago or if it was comments made about her labor/delivery with the new midwife that made me feel like I was not a good fit there. The other negative aspect of the old group was their hours (9-3:30), they honestly really only cater to a stay-at-home Mom or someone with a lot of work flexibility, definitely not someone in the school system. I had planned my first 3 appointments on no-school days but they are now few and far between before the end of the school year. Anyways...things are still going great. I THINK I felt movement yesterday for the first time. It was really low and when I pushed back with my fingers it happened again, hopefully I will be feeling more consistent movement soon; just love that feeling!!

Here are some of the ultrasound pictures from December at 10 weeks 4 days. I love the first two with the umbilical cord. Definitely brings the whole experience into perspective that you are providing life to someone!

agreed to take the picture if she could sit on her dress-up bin

fake smile from Lauren...

some weeks she is a little more excited than others...

Stuck Inside...Brrrr!!

Wasn't it just 50 degrees outside? Here are some inside things that have been keeping us busy lately!

Playing wheelbarrow with Aunt Amanda and Uncle Ryan

Ab work-out! Mommy is not partaking, ouchie!

Playing the Princess Fishing Game. Kyle was trying to teach her how to keep her hand steady and follow the gem until it opened, so she decided to "help herself" and hold onto her arm.

Sucking the snot out of her cat's nose. Guess it is cold season around here. She named her cat "Personality".

Eating Yummy Popsicles. These fruit bar ones are perfect because they are really short. I think they are called snack size.

Homemade play-dough and cookie cutters. I used tumeric to make it nice and yellow...don't recommend that, while it is still hot, it stains things temporarily.

Making her own "L"

Making her backwards "L" with fabric scraps, buttons, and flowers

14 Weeks

14 weeks along now although we have yet to take our weekly picture. Just had our 2nd appt with the midwives and things still sound great. Lauren got to go this morning and hear the heartbeat although I am not sure she really understood what was going on. Here are a few stats:

Weight: up 4 lbs (got in a bit of trouble and told to eat more protein) and uterus measured at 10, it will start aligning with the weeks down the road

Clothes: still wearing a mixture of maternity and regular; definitely can't fit into the my work pants anymore though, jeans are still okay

Gender: ?? Kyle and Lauren think boy, I have no idea but am kind of thinking girl. Lauren has named the baby Obie

Movement: Baby is moving tons per our ultrasound but I can't feel it quite yet, hopefully soon!

Cravings: Not much in particular, usually carbs. Kyle ordered me a Vitamix for my birthday coming up after we saw a good deal on TV. Can't wait to make some delicious and nutritious goodies. I've been slowly eliminating some more things from my diet so hopefully the Vitamix can help with substituting some things.

Bounce Town

Our little friend had her 2nd birthday party at Bounce Town. I completely understand the craze with the bouncey things now...

We laughed and had tons of fun...

(note the pink eye...which fortunately didn't turn into THEE "pink eye" and the scratch from a little spat with a 1 year old under the table at Church in which she lost)

We conquered fears and slid down the BIG slide...

We laughed...

We scaled (fell down) the ladder 20 times...

We climbed over things...and we slept AMAZING that night!

More Christmas Pictures...

Time to let the cat of the bag...especially since a 2nd grader asked me today at work!! Geez!

Lauren is going to be a....

This was our Christmas picture. Pretty good considering it was taken in front of our house with the self-timer and it was the second and final picture we took!

We are so EXCITED for Baby #2! I felt like it took forever to get pregnant this time around although I am sure Kyle would beg to differ. This pregnancy has been much different than the first. I have been feeling amazing (amazingly tired) but much better; only "sick" once and it was my fault for not eating breakfast right when I woke up. Lauren has been helping with the weekly pictures so I will have to get them uploaded one of these days. We are trying a new midwife in the area since we were in the city before and my midwife there is no longer with the practice.

Here are some details:

1. Baby #2 is due July 15th, tentatively: online it says July 18th, midwife thought the 22nd, but ultrasound measurements showed the 15th.

2. I am about 13.5 weeks along now and can apparently no longer hide my growing belly.

3. Not going to find out the gender again. I just love the mystery and fantasy of pregnancy!

4. Have absolutely NO IDEAS about baby names so share away!

5. Lauren was due on the 19th and came on the 4th so it is completely possible this could be a 4th of July or even a June baby!

50+ degrees in January...I will miss you!

Christmas 2011

Yikes...another year has passed! Where does time go these days?

We spent New Years Eve and a few days with Kyle's parents (Farmer Grandpa and Nana) at their new house. We LOVE their new place although we have a lot of fond memories in the old farm house, especially on Christmas!

Watching the first snow fall on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately it didn't stick at all and there was no snow playing the next day.

A nice set of wooden blocks. Lauren was entertained with hours with these...as were her aunt, uncle, and parents!

Doll House!

These are all for me?

We spent Christmas in Boone with my family for a few days and enjoyed everyone's company. I got a NASTY headache that kept me out of the game for about a day. I could not get rid of that thing!

Lauren the Unicorn

Playing dress-up. I guess we have a few more years before these costumes are too big although Lauren told us that it was "too fluffy for me".

Watching the Grinch with her cousins. They were a riot to watch during the movie.

Lauren absolutely adores this baby and cradle. She named her Snowie!

Christmas at Home but talking with relatives back in Iowa!

We enjoyed our first Christmas at home in a long time and it was much appreciated. Although we did miss waking up at family's house in our new pajamas it was fun to start our own traditions at home.

Playing our Christmas game. After reading the Christmas story, we decided to act like shepherds and search for Baby Jesus around the house by finding a big star. It kept Lauren entertained for quite some time!

Excited to get an etch-a-sketch.

It was the "Year of the Slippers". Each one of us gave another one slippers. Kyle and I's even matched, what a coincidence!

This was Lauren's Christmas dress. I asked her to make a pretty pose for me and this is what I got.

Pose attempt #2, what a goof!