18 Weeks

I'm 18 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby D is the size of a sweet potato!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 6 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, still packed away for now!

Gender: Sooo can't wait to find out! 4 more days!!!! I'm dying to know! I have dreams about it every single night now.

Movement: I've been feeling lots of flutters and some kicks here and there!

Sleep: I'm sleeping great!

What I miss: Nothing really - maybe caffeine

Cravings: FRUIT!!

Symptons: Right now just tiredness, and a little bit of heartburn!

Best Moment this week: Preparing for our Gender Reveal Party this Saturday night!

We took pictures yesterday before church and Ryan was not exactly wanting his picture taken. In the first picture he had been crying/fussing until Daddy made him laugh. Then he wanted me to hold him.

Saturday night my sweet in-laws came over to watch Ryan so we could have a date night. We actually went and looked at van's! We will more than likely get a van in the next 6 months. We are 85% sure we will get a used Honda Odyssey. I love my Lexus SUV (which I still have yet to get back from the shop ughhhh, Hoping to get it back this week, say a BIG prayer!) We went to dinner at J.Alexander's and it was SOOOOOO good. I was starving when we got there and so full when we left. It was delicious and I can't wait to go back!

Preparing for baby #2

It's funny how your second pregnancy is so different from your first. When I was pregnant with Ryan I spent countless hours researching the cutest baby bedding, the best baby furniture, the best baby gear...you get the idea. It was so fun registering at the store and preparing our home for our sweet baby boy. This time around is SO different! I haven't spent a ton of time researching baby items or getting things ready. Only in the last week or so I have just started really looking at baby furniture and bedding.

Ryan has a convertible crib, a dresser with a changing station on top and a bookcase. We bought these items before he was born knowing that this would be his furniture forever basically. Our plan right now is to move Ryan to our other guest room that is slightly larger and keep his current room as the nursery. We will keep him in his crib for at least a while. I don't believe he is any where close to being ready for a big boy bed. He isn't trying to climb out of his crib so why mess with what is working.

More than likely we will convert his crib to a toddler bed before we make the big move to a big boy bed. I have already picked out his big boy bedding and since we are moving his room I want to go ahead and paint the room and get window treatments up. I love the colors in the bedding and plan to do navy blue curtains and paint the walls light blue. I'm debating whether I should go ahead and get the bedding so that we are ready.

The new baby will get his/her own furniture. There were two cribs I was deciding on when I picked out Ryan's furniture so I knew exactly what I wanted when baby #2 came along. We are waiting to find out what we are having before we order the furniture. If it's a girl we will get white furniture and if it's a boy we will go with cinnamon/wood color.

We decorated Ryan's nursery in neutral green/yellow colors but I'm itching to change it up and get new bedding and paint the walls. I guess we will have to decide this in the next few weeks. I am such a type A and like to have it all planned out. But like I said, it's funny how with #2 you don't have much time to think about furniture, swings, strollers and all that fun stuff. My focus is on Ryan and teaching him new things and being the best mom I can be.

I know once we see this tiny baby on the ultrasound next week and find out the gender it will feel more real and the planning will kick into gear. Did I mention I CANNOT wait to find out what we are having!!! I think I have dreams about it every night.

Since everything we have is basically gender neutral the only other item we have to think about it is a double stroller. Here is where I have alot to learn. I don't think Ryan is ready for a sit and stand stroller but I want something functional but also practical. I've seen the Joovey Ergo Caboose double and think it might be a good fit for us. There is a sit in the front for Ryan then the back there is a bench to sit or put an infant car seat. In the beginning we will use the graco infant car seat we already have and Ryan will have a full seat then as the kiddos get older Ryan will move to the "sit and stand bench" and the new baby will go in the seat in the front. Any suggestions for good double strollers?

30th Birthday Cookies

I made these cookies last week for my friend Anissa. Her sister turned 30 and they were all going to the spa for the day. She wanted something fun and yummy for them to snack on. I was more than happy to make these cute cookies!

Our Tuesday

This morning we went to Bible study at church. I am doing Beth Moore's Revelation study: Here and Now and it is going to be SO good (as all of Beth's studies are). She just has a way of speaking the truth and bringing it to life. I am so thankful I can be apart of LBS and surrounded by some very godly women.

We came home for lunch then Ryan went down for his usual afternoon nap. I must have been bragging on him too much last week because yesterday he only napped for 2 hours when usually he naps from 3-3.5 hours. Thankfully today he was back to his old self and slept almost 3.5 hours. I worked out and ran during his nap. I will tell you it is getting harder to run. I still want to make it to my goal of 20 weeks. My weight has stayed that same but I can definitely tell my stomach is growing.

And have you seen these in the grocery store? They are just fabulous!!! One of my friends in MOPS told me about them. So last week I make the rosemary roasted chicken with potatoes and it was SO good. It was so good we are having it again this week! These are seriously the best and easiest things. All the ingredients are in the packet and all you have to add is olive oil to mix the ingredients and chicken or meat. I can't wait to try the apple and sage pork chops.

17 Weeks

I'm 17 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 17 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby D is the size of an onion!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 7 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Still boxed away for now!

Gender: Set our date for the ultrasound on Feb. 4. Can't wait to find out!!! 11 more days!!!

Movement: Pretty sure I felt the baby a few times while lying down. Feelings little flutters!

Sleep: I'm sleeping great!

What I miss: Nothing really

Cravings: Love all fruit right now but not really craving anything!

Symptoms: Feeling more tired. Nothing else really, haven't really started showing yet and that's just fine with me.

Best Moment of the week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat on Friday at the doctor. A strong 150 bpm.

This and That

We've had a cold weekend here! I made cookies for my friend on Friday night. (Post are those to come soon) Saturday we enjoyed a lazy day at home. We made a trip to Target after Ryan's nap then picked up some chinese take out for dinner.

This morning we enjoyed a really great service at church then came home to chill and relax. Ryan's hair is getting so long and was just a mess this morning. He is starting to get wings behind his ears. He is looking more and more like a little boy.

We are gearing up for another cold week here and hopefully no more snow! I'm totally over the white stuff!

Another Snow Day

Today we had another snow day here in Cincy. I am so over the snow and ready for it to be spring. We've gotten about 5 inches. Thankfully Matt brought some work home yesterday so he worked from home today and didn't have to fight the snow. I'm hoping the roads are better tomorrow. We are looking forward to tumblebees in the morning and a play/lunch date with Tiffany and Presley.

We took Ryan out after his nap to enjoy the snow. Sadly, he wasn't really crazy about it. It was really cold so we didn't stay out very long. He cried hysterically when we came inside but I'm not sure if it was because he wanted to stay out or if he was just really cold.

Ryan loved watching Matt clear the driveway with the snowblower. He watched him intently. I think he wanted to get out there and help him.

The snow blower is Matt's new toy. He loves it and we are both really glad we finally gave in and got one. This southern girl does not like to shovel snow! I hate shoveling! It's hard back-breaking work. Thank goodness for the snow blower! I've even used it and it's kinda fun!

Then and Now

Today I started a new Bible study at church. I am doing Beth Moore's Here and Now: Now and Then Study. I am so excited! It's a study on the book of Revelation. Revelation is one of those books that is mysterious and confusing. I've always wanted to do a study on Revelation and what better teacher than Beth Moore. I am pumped and ready to jump into this study.

The rest of our day was filled with napping, working out and playing. Unfortunately I am still waiting on getting my car back. They are waiting for a part so that is the hold up. I am soooo thankful for our friends who have been generously let us borrow their van but I am SO ready to have my car back.

And I wanted to share the verse I have picked to memorize over the next 13 days.

"Blessed is the man who perserveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12 (NIV)

16 Weeks

I'm 16 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby D is the size of an Avacado

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Lost 7 lbs

(Yes - I know it's weird that I've lost so much in the first few months but I'm eating healthy, working out alot and feeling great!)

Maternity Clothes: Regular clothes are still fitting great. I haven't even pulled out my maternity clothes yet.

Gender: Can't wait and so excited to find out in a few weeks!!!

Movement: I think I've felt the baby a couple times lying down but nothing really yet.

Sleep: I'm sleeping really good!

What I miss: Nothing really

Cravings: Fruit! I didn't really have cravings with Ryan and don't really have any this time except I am loving fruit.

Symptoms: Nothing really except tired but that's probably just from keeping up with Ryan, ha!

Best Moment this week: Doctors appointment this Thursday and hearing the heartbeat again!

I can't believe how fast it's going this time around. So blessed and thankful that I am still feeling great.

Nineteen Months

Ryan - You are Nineteen Months Old!!!!

What have you been up to these days???

You are one active little boy. You don't sit still very much and you are always on the go. You are constantly active, running and getting into things. You are a busy boy!

You wear 18-24 month clothes, size 4 diapers and size 5 shoes. You are growing so fast! I love to call you my little monkey boy.

You are talking and babbling more. Just this week, while watching Wheel of Fortune, you kept saying the letter "S" and were trying to repeat words we were saying. We say you speak a lot of Japanese. You say alot, we just don't know what you are saying.

You absolutely LOVE dogs. You love Annabelle and Gracie but you really love big dogs.

You favorite thing to watch right now is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. You love Mickey and your favorite are the songs.

You are VERY strong willed and smart. We are working on discipline and it's hard for all of us. You love to test us on every little thing and see what you can get away with.

I love this age! It is very rewarding but it is hard. Every night I am exhausted but feel so blessed that you call me mom and that we get to spend every day together. You are the best thing that ever happened to us and I can't imagine life without you. You are so sweet and love to give hugs and blow kisses. We love you so very much!

MOPS and Miracles

Today was our first day back at MOPS for 2011. MOPS is a gathering of moms of preschoolers who share friendship, resources and support. If you are a mom of a little one I highly recommend you find and join a MOPS group in your area. I am SO thankful for all the sweet women I have met through MOPS. There is just something about having a girlfriend and other women who are in that same stage of life as you. These women are such an inspiration to me.

In our MOPS meeting today we talked about activities to do with your kids during those looong winter months. Some of our moms are so creative! Ryan is still too young to do crafts but I definitely got some great ideas for the future.

Our snow is still sticking around but I honestly wish it would all melt and be gone. I saw a post on facebook the other day that made me laugh: "86 days til spring!" I need to join that countdown, ha. So what are some of your favorite things to do with your kids during the cold winter months?

Have you seen the new show "Miracle Detectives" on Oprah's new OWN network? It's my new favorite show. Obviously as a firm believer in God I know miracles happen all around us every day. Miracles that science nor logic can explain.

The shows premise is a documentary based on two investigators; one a believer and the other a scientist who travel the globe to uncover answers to mysterious incidents that transcend logic. They interview people, talk to experts and most of the time the two investigators disagree on their final conclusion. It's fascinating to me to here the stories and decide for myself if it's a miracle or not.

Snow Day

It's started snowing really early this morning. When I got up it was snowing pretty heavy. We got about 4 inches by the end of the day. We might get another inch over night but hopefully we will be able to get out tomorrow. I love a snow day but I can only take one day of it.

I took Ryan outside to play in the snow after his nap. So glad he kept his little hat on. No matter how hard I try he will not wear his hat. As soon as I put it on he rips it off. Thankfully today he kept it on. Too bad I couldn't get him to keep his gloves on.

He really loved the snow and kept walking out in the snow then walking back into the garage. I had to really coax him to come inside since it was cold and he didn't have gloves on.

He loved carrying his sand bucket around and collecting the snow then dumping it out! What a fun snow day!

It's hard to believe that this was Ryan just one year ago almost. I was just saying to Matt how I can't believe this time last year Ryan was barely sitting up and now he is running all over the house and into everything!!!! Crazy!

Our Weekend

This is currently my favorite picture of Matt and Ryan! I love it! The key to getting Ryan to smile these days is to sing to him.

We had a quiet weekend around here. We went over to my in-laws for dinner on Saturday night. Matt's stepbrothers are in town and we were excited to see them. They live in Arizona and California so we don't see them much. It's crazy to think the last time they saw Ryan he was about 4 days old.

Uncle Matthew getting some tickle time in.

Ryan is obsessed with space heaters. He knows not to touch them (we have one in our basement) but he couldn't keep his eyes off the heater.

Such a cheese ball!

Matt got a chocolate milkshake after dinner and decided to let Ryan try his very first milkshake. To say he loved it is an understatement!!! He couldn't get enough and we seriously had to cut him off, ha!!!

Spending time with Aunt Erin!

We enjoyed our time with family and so thankful to have people around who love Ryan.

We are gearing up for the "white death" tomorrow. We are supposed to get 2-5 inches throughout the day tomorrow. We are planning a pajama day and maybe play in the snow a little. And I got the best news this afternoon...I should get my car back from the shop this week! It's been almost two months since my wreck and I am so ready to have my car back!