Dear Baby Girl

Dear Little Peanut:

I first want to say that I am excited for your arrival in 16 weeks! You are growing and moving a lot! I get to see you in two weeks for an ultra sound. You are a little small, so we are just going to check in on you a few more times! Dad and I are talking about names for you a lot! (Shh, I think we know what we are going to name you! But we won't tell until you come.)

Although I love feeling you move, I would appreciate it if you would move up and off of my bladder. It isn't really a trampoline. I don't think you need to do jumping jacks. I REALLY don't want to have an accident, and we've had some close calls... But other than that, keep moving and growing! I want you to be nice and strong! Maybe this time we can pass the six pound mark.

I love you forever,
Your Mommy
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Today

Last night, I got 5 hours of sleep (crummy sleep might I add).
I woke up with pink eye. AGAIN. For the second time in less than 3 weeks.
I have a cold, so I took some cough syrup, and it either made me really drowsy or a little high. Or both.
Adds has been great and we rented Tangled and made popcorn.
Now, we are going to Taco Time for dinner. I love sick days.
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Zoo

Picture one: The birds LOVED Mike. At one point, he had three birds crawling on him. They flew straight towards him.
Picture two: Addie was less than appreciative of the bird on my shoulder, and the birds flying around. I thought it was kind of cool.
Picture three: This goose was in with the flamingos and just wanted to do what everyone else was doing. He stood on one leg and curled his head back. (Sorry if the picture is kinda crappy, phone pics....)
Picture four: Addie and I enjoyed the carousel at the zoo today. It made me dizzy, but she just laughed the whole time.

We got to see a lot today and it wasn't busy at all, which was great! We really like seeing the red pandas, otters, flamingos, the aviary with all the pheasants, and feeding the birds. Today we went into the Zoomasium, which is a spot for little kids. They have some stuff to climb on, slides, lots of activities, and they sometimes bring some small animals in there for the kids to see. Addie LOVED the slide.
I know it seems like we go to the zoo a lot, and we do. I have been going on average once a month for the last 10 months. I love it. We bought year-long passes this year and for us it was totally worth it. We love going on bad weather days and just picking a few exhibits we want to see. We only live 15 minutes from the zoo, so going isn't a huge hassle. We talked ourselves into passes for this next year, too!
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The Office

I feel like a need to comment on the Office last night. As you may know, The Office is probably my favorite show (ever...). I have been rooting for Michael and Holly since day one. I know they are strange, but they are perfect for each other. (I am talking about them like I know them in real life and they are friends...sometimes that's how I feel. I watch The Office more than I will openly admit to anyone. Let's just say that if you are looking for a specific episode, 90% of the time I can tell you the season and on which disc its on. Pathetic, I know.)
The proposal was perfect. Beautiful. I cried as Holly walked through the kitchen and Michael declared his love for her and cheered when she said yes in a Yoda voice. The ring: HUGE. The sprinkler system: perfect for the show. Michael and Holly are quite the pair.
I am so saddened by Michael moving to Colorado. What will The Office be without him?? I am curious to see how the new boss (Will Ferell) fits in. Looking forward to April 14th.
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Lately

Ok, so this picture isn't recent; it's almost 3 years old. I really like how I look: Happy. And I think Mike looks dang good too, but he always does.
But I made cake yesterday (healthy-ish...egg whites and applesauce!) and Mike didn't want any... So I thought of this picture. (I wanted to mash it in his face like I did at the wedding, but that would start a war I would lose.)

I bought a hutch for my kitchen. I'll put up a picture when I get it all decorated. But its black and it is SOO cute! I have to admit, it felt good saving up for it and then paying cash for it. I got it at an antique store in Country Village in Bothell. That is my new favorite place to take Addie. They have ducks, chickens and rabbits running around. There is lots of places to run and walk around. We like to chase bunnies, feed the ducks, and stare at the roosters. I am so looking forward to warmer days when we can be outside more!

On Saturday, I went to Target and got MATCHING dresses for my girls!! One is 24 months, the other is NEWBORN! It is so tiny! This girl is going to be small, but that's fine with me! Its for their first Sunday together. I went through all the teeny baby clothes, and we don't need any... But that probably won't stop me from buying a few new things :) We have also been busy thinking about names. I think I am settled on one, but I am not telling, because I don't want opinions and what if she's born and the name doesn't fit. That's what happened to Addie. We thought she was Lucy, but she didn't look like a Lucy to us.

My new goal: eat healthier. We don't just sit around and eat junk food all day (Confession: I just ate a bite of the aforementioned cake...) but, I want to make smarter food choices. So, I have been doing a little research, blog hopping looking for recipes that are healthy and sound/look good (I have realized that this is difficult sometimes... I am All-American in the fact that I use butter and condensed soups a lot in my meals. This makes the meals taste great, but not the best for you). So, if you have a favorite website/blog/cookbook that has healthy recipes, send it my way!
Newest lesson learned: check your husband's pockets before you wash his pants. You might find pliers in the bottom of the washer at the end of the cycle.

PS: Can't wait to go to Vancouver. DSW and Home Goods here we come!

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Baby Girl!

Here she is!!
I am so excited!
She was curled up and face down during the whole appointment, but BUSY!
She measures a bit on the small side, so I get to have another ultrasound in 3 weeks!
She crossed her legs and also was looking around a lot! She has all ten fingers and all ten toes!
Can the next 18 weeks go by any faster??
PS: now here comes the name game!
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Who knew...

...That buying a new pillow would allow me to sleep through the night for the first time in 10 weeks?
...That making breakfast the night before would be one of my best ideas yet?
...That getting an 18 month old dressed would be so difficult? (We go through the same fight every day...)
...That waiting an extra week for my ultrasound would be one of the longest weeks ever? And that it made me almost want to wait till birth to find out the gender (but I can't, I am dying to know)?
...That seeing your family for three short days would spur a trip in two weeks (General Conference weekend!!)
...That your husband wants a trip too? And thinks its a good idea to stick your big dog in the back seat of the Prius is a good idea?
...That I would have a super cute girl to call mine?
...That I love my husband more today than I did yesterday?
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A Letter

Avalon:
We have never met, and we will never in this lifetime, but I have heard about you. You have been on my mind a lot this week. You were my sister's classmate, my aunt's student, and my cousin's friend. You were apart of a choir that I admired and took every opportunity to go listen to.
The day I first heard about you was admittedly one of my worst days in a while. In fact I can't remember one this bad since I have been married. I was so tired of dealing with a sick baby for the third week in a row, irritated that my child wouldn't let me put her down, tired of being stuck in my home, mad at my husband for forgetting his phone so I couldn't complain to him; I cried most of the day. I talked to my mom for a minute and listened to her day and some of her adventures. I told her a little of what I was feeling, but kept most of it to myself.
Then in a brief quiet moment, I checked Facebook, that is where I saw your name for the first time. I felt sad for you and your family. But, I am ashamed to say, that is where it stopped for the day. The next day, I found out more information about you, and that is when you affected change in me, forever.
Every day, I will look for good. I will enjoy my precious time with my baby. I will try to be more patient. Even on bad days, I will try to remember that my bad days aren't as bad as another's bad day. You helped me to remember how thankful I am that Families Are Forever, and that death is not the end. I will say "I love you" more to those I love. When I look outside and its gloomy and rainy, and look in my garden and see the little purple flowers coming awake, I think of you and try to be better for me and my family. I pray that I can help my children to be happy.
I pray for you, Avalon. May you find the peace your soul needs in the rest of our Father.
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Pregnancy

Ok, I was going to wait until tomorrow when we knew what we were having to post this, BUT we now have pink eye and I decided not to go into my doctor's office and spread the love.

So, we found out we were pregnant this time on November 16th. I was SO excited! I screamed, Addie smiled at me like, "Mom, I already knew." I then proceeded to count out to 40 weeks and figured I was due on July 24th. I told Mike that night when during dinner. For some reason, he never believes me. But he was so excited.

We left three days later for Rexburg for Thanksgiving. Makenna stayed with us at Mike's parent's home. I have to apologize for not telling her. I WAS DYING TO!!

We told our families on Christmas. And of course everyone was excited for us. I have to say that so far Mitchel's reactions to both pregnancies had been awesome.
"Mitch, your going to be an uncle."
"I already am."
"Yeah, but for the second time."
(He looks confused....)
"Oh, you're pregnant."
Thanks for the enthusiasm.

I felt the baby kick for the first time at 13 weeks. I couldn't believe it. Mike felt the baby kick at 19 weeks. This baby is busy.

I have had a pretty easy pregnancy compared to the first one. A lot less morning sickness and I have just felt a lot better all around.

I will be having a C-section this time around for sure (my doctor doesn't do V-BACs) and I am totally fine with that. We will schedule that at 28 weeks, so I'll let you know then. And I will let you know next Friday about noon what we know about or peanut.

I am ready to have my little one here. Some days I do worry about taking care of two kids (Addie can be a handful some times, believe it or not). But I know that this baby is coming when its supposed. And if Heavenly knows I can take care of this little baby, then I know I can. I love this baby so much already. See you next week, Peanut!
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QUILT

I finished my first quilt!!!
I am so excited about it.
Its not perfect
(I need to work on my measuring skills...)
But I am ready to wrap my new baby in it!
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Our Week

This picture pretty much sums up my life since Wednesday....

*WARNING: Contains graphic words, like throw-up, so if you don't like reading about sick people, stop now!*

Wednesday, Addie woke up with throw-up all over her room. It was BAD. We pretty much snuggled all day. I had to change her clothes and mine about 7 times.
Thursday, she was sick, but the other end... And its been like that since (here's hoping to a healthier Monday)
Friday, Miss Adds felt better, but she was only at 60%. We even went to REI that night. I bought my first pair of ski goggles. 50% off! I love them. They are red, white and black Scott goggles. But I won't be able to use them until next season.
Saturday, Mike left at 7 AM and went back country skiing with a friend from the ward. I took a nap that morning when Addie did. I woke up feeling nauseous, but attributed it to the fact that I was hungry (can you see where this is going???). I talked to my mom, and as soon as I got off the phone, I got sick. I thought it might just be pregnancy sick, but....it wasn't. I called Mike and finally got a hold of him after 30 minutes. He was on his way back, but the bummer about back country skiing is that he had to hike almost 2 hours to get back to the car and then its an hour and a half drive home, so he got home at 4. He took care of Addie and I stayed up in our room. I was nice and sick.
That night he woke up at 2 and joined the party, and has been partying ever since. Luckily, when I woke up Sunday morning, I felt ok. Not great, but so glad I could function to take care of Addie. I did get pretty bored last night and resorted to cleaning to keep myself occupied. Mike is home from work today because he is still pretty under the weather.
The biggest bummer is that my dad and sister weren't able to come up. They didn't want to get sick, and I don't blame them at all. Now we just need to go down there soon.
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18 months

When the heck did my baby turn into a toddler?? (PS she picked this outfit out by herself. I told her to get dressed so we could go play in the snow.)

She is so talented and has accomplished so much!
-Goes to nursery (with mom or dad)
-Sleeps in her big girl, twin sized bed
-Tells us exactly what she wants (in words we don't understand)
-Makes sure we pray before every meal and snack
-Does the motions to Popcorn Popping, Patty Cake, the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Do As I'm Doing
-Says mama, dada, bubbles, juice, cheese, stinky, poop, animal noises (snake, elephant, lion, tiger, bird, bee, and dog,) and shell (like sea shell)
-She loves to read and is starting to pick out animals in one of her books.

She likes: Toy Story, Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Elmo, Thomas, Sword in the Stone, Mac-n-Cheese, chicken noodle soup, cheese, strawberries, peas, raspberries, cottage cheese, french fries, juice, milk, bubbles, baths, reading, jumping, running, dancing, swimming, sliding, pulling Roxie's tail, playing in the snow and her stuffed hippo. We hope to add skiing to that list next year!

We celebrated 18 months with the flu. I felt so bad for my poor baby. She was sick all day Wednesday and Thursday. We cuddled and watched lots of movies. We have had lots of outfit changes, diaper changes and nursing sippies (how does one spell that??). Hopefully she feels better today.

Addie is a joy to have and I can't imagine our family with out her.
I love my Adelaide June.

(PS: we find out what we are having next Thursday! So stay tuned! What do you think, boy or girl?)
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Skiing

Last night Mike and I went skiing. It had DUMPED 2 1/2 feet in the 24 hours before we went. It snowed the whole time we skied too! With the exception of the 45 minutes where I needed a break, I had SUCH a good time!! I only did 5 runs, but I am 19 weeks pregnant. It was so beautiful up there. The snow was perfect for me, soft and fluffy.
The best part of the night was just spending time with Mike. Sometimes I feel like we just kind of live together and it is so nice to go on a date and be alone with him.
I only went skiing twice this year... Bummer, but now my pants are too tight, and so are my ski coats. Both times were amazing though. Next year Addie will join us up there! We can't wait! Until next season, see ya snow.
PS sorry to mike for all the pit stops on the way up the hill...

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