A puppy?!

We may have a problem...Gwendolyn seems to think she would prefer a puppy over a baby brother or a sister. Our 20 week u/s is tomorrow and I'm hoping and praying that there isn't some inside information that she has that we don't know about. I'm not sure I can handle a puppy. They're cute, but they a lot of work.

She's kept this same opinion ("nooooo") from the very beginning. She's going to be in for a big surprise come April. As far as a brother or a sister goes...only time will tell! I had my first baby dream last week and I was writing in the pages of a baby journal, which were all blue with blue designs. Yet all I know is pink and bows and dresses so it'll be a huge surprise (and blessing) either way. Dun dun dun.

We're half way through!

Thankfully, she's a bit more confident about her body parts *smile.

I'm finally almost totally recovered from a stomach bug, so it's off to run errands, vacuum and clean my kitchen that hasn't been touched in two days. Oh joy!

Blessings to you!

Wordless Wednesday

(I'm not sure how long they'll last, so I don't ever want to forget them...)

18 weeks with #2 and belly pic update

We're already 18 weeks along with baby #2! And I've had a bump since about week 10 to prove it *smile. As requested, here are a few belly pics!

18 Week Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks on 11/23

Size of baby: 5.5", length of a bell pepper 

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not really sure, but maybe 3 or 4ish lbs? My next appointment with a mid-wife is on December 11th.

Maternity Clothes: Yes, I finally broke out the maternity pants last week. I've been living in my comfy black yoga pants though, which has definitely bought me time. It's nice to be able to do that this time around! I did have to give in for Thanksgiving and church though. I didn't think my stretchy pants would be appropriate at either event *smile.

Gender:  We don't know! I have moments where I think it's a girl and then I see blue. No baby dreams yet!

Movement: Yes! I just love it! I felt the baby for the first time at 16.5 weeks and Tom felt the baby last week, which was 3 weeks earlier than with Gwendolyn. It never ceases to amaze me!

Sleep: Pretty good.

What I miss: Being able to take Advil for back pain and headaches. Tylenol is so weak.

Cravings: It's hilarious how different this pregnancy is. I never craved anything with Gwendolyn and my food aversions had stopped by the end of the 1st tri. My most recent cravings have been for dill pickle chips, and Fruity Pebbles and Fruit Loops. I know, I know, I know....

Symptoms: Will probably have to break out my old (bigger) bras soon (woohoo! I'm getting the curves back!), headaches, legiment aches, still bothered by certain smells, and still pretty picky about what sounds good to eat.

Best moment this past week: Feeling the baby move and seeing family for Thanksgiving!

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And just to catch up a bit....(I recorded this earlier)

15 Week Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 15 weeks on 11/2

Size of baby: About 4 inches from head to toe, the size of an apple.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 1.5 lbs

Maternity Clothes: Not yet! I am lucky to be able to basically live in comfy clothes this time around!

Gender:  After a lot of going back and forth and discussion, we are not finding out. It's tempting though!

Movement: Not yet.

Sleep: If Gwendolyn doesn't wake me up, then I usually have to get up once to go to the bathroom.

What I miss: Not feeling so restricted on what "sounds good" to eat.

Cravings: Mac-n-cheese and Aldi's fruit snacks.

Symptoms: Sore up top, if you know what I mean, and certain smells make me feel queasy. Did finally get my first headache that stuck around for five days too. That was not fun.

Best moment this past week: Hearing the heartbeat at our appointment on November 2nd! She said it was 155. Gwendolyn's eyes lit up and she suddenly paid attention to what was going on when our midwife, Bridget, found the heartbeat, turned to her and said, "that's your baby!" Was so cute. (Remember Bridget?!)

12 Weeks:

In Tom's words on October 11th, 2012:

"Twelve weeks and you're frickin' huge!"

10 Weeks:

I was kind of freaked out b/c I was showing SO much so quickly with this baby, but now I feel like I'm back on track with where I was with Gwendolyn. Not that it really matters and obviously I'm not working out like I was with her, so I shouldn't be surprised. Actually, I'm not working out. Let's just be honest. Unless cleaning and going up and down our stairs multiple times a day counts. I do think I'd feel better if I did work out though and I'm definitely noticing new pudge in new areas. IlovemyselfIhatemyself.

I have always heard people say "you show so much faster with your second pregnancy!" so I was anticipating that, but I think it's hilarious that we all blame it on the "second pregnancy" when really it's probably just b/c naturally our tummies weren't nearly as toned and flat as they were the first time around (if this doesn't apply to you then you're my hero!)

I thought we took a 16 week pic, but I can't seem to find it so perhaps I didn't. We should be all caught up now and you get to look forward to my bi-weekly pregnancy updates again!

Words and Happy Thanksgiving

Gwendolyn now says "apple sauce" and I die every.single.time.  She's been saying "apple" for forever but just recently starting saying "sauce" and there's just something about the way that she says it that cracks us up. At first she was saying it whenever we'd ask her to, but it's quite possible we I asked too much and now she's a bit sick of it so of course I knew I had to get it on tape asap before she stops saying it altogether. She also says "I love you" now too and if that doesn't absolutely melt your heart, I'm not sure what will. It was Friday, November 9th and I was leaving for dinner with friends. Daddy asked her to say "I love you" to me and she said it! It was amazing! Of course I got tears in my eyes and it just made my month. Hearing your child say those three words is really something.

So here is a little video of her saying her new words and giving a little shout out to the people we love the most. Hope everyone has a happy and safe and blessed Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for, and I'm constantly humbled and in awe of God's grace and mercy and love towards our family.


Blessings to you all!

October in Pictures

Will there ever be a month where I don't start with "man, was that ca-rrrrrrrazy!" ever again in my life? I am thinking no. Not possible when you have children and a business and a home to run. Thankfully God has done a little work in my heart (can I get an Amen?!) and I'm much more at peace than I was when I wrote this post. While it may not have come off in the post, I was struggling with balancing my new life at home and an expanding business. (I just so want to do everything well and am learning to say "no".) We made it through October with flying colors and had so.much.fun (as we struggled not to sink, ha). We had friends and family come visit, made trips to TWO zoos, celebrated our 5 year anniversary, traveled back down to Iowa for ISU Homecoming, and dressed up for Halloween all while (somehow) fitting in 22 photography shoots. Phew! 

Big thanks to my hubby for taking over dinners, skipping his gym workouts, and caring for Gwendolyn with all of my evening and weekend shoots. He's the best and the greatest assistant who gets no pay or benefits!! (Except for in hugs and kisses, of course.)

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Liz and her three kiddos came for a couple days in the beginning of the month. It was so sweet to see the kids together and just have a few days to talk. We did life together (meals and bed time and outings...stuff like that) for two days, which is rare. She's a loving, patient mom and the best friend a girl could ask for.

Anna, Gwendolyn and Max watching a movie before bed. 

Jack felt left out.

Good moooooorning, everybody!

We went to the Afton Apple Orchard. Little did we know we'd have four of 586 kids there. That's perhaps an exaggeration, but I do.not.like.crowds and I just shuttered when we drove up and saw row after row of school buses. We made the most of it though and had a great time.

They have this cool tunnel thing and finally Gwendolyn was able to go through it without 10 other kids in the way. She started off with a smile and by the end of it was signing "all done" and close to tears b/c some little kid jumped on top and was rocking it back and forth. The protective mother in me asked him to please get down b/c there was a baby in side (*smile). Thankfully she survived but didn't request to try it again. Huh.

This slide rocks. Never gets old.

I think the slide has new fans!

The next day we hit up Lookout Ridge Indoor Playground. So much fun!

Jack and Gwendolyn on the boat.

By the end of our time there, she was climbing up the steps and going down this slide all by herself! So brave! For a little one who is pretty cautious, this is a big deal.

I stepped in for Grandparent's Day at our nephew Grant's school. They had an adorable program and then we went back to his classroom where the kids all sang us songs and we got to make a craft together. Precious!

Tom and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on October 6th. Trisha and John were so kind to come stay the night at our house so we could go relax and eat room service in bed at a hotel. It was fabulous. Gwendolyn decided to have a little party from 1:30 to 3:30 am with them - bless their hearts. This was all happening just as we were ending weaning so she wasn't quite used to not having mommy if and when she woke up in the middle of the night. They did a great job with her though and Uncle John sang and rocked her back to sleep.

Saturday morning (our actual anniversary) we had breakfast at IHOP and I got myself one fabulous gingerbread hot chocolate. Tom thought it was too sweet. Never!

Our annual anniversary picture taken at IHOP. You bet!

Gwendolyn is such a little mommy to her stuff animals and dolls. Looks like bunny needed some baby powder...

Trisha, John and I went and cheered Erin on as she ran her very first marathon. Um....WOW! It was amazing and so emotional to see her out there running her little heart out. We decided she was the most adorable runner. My face would have been bright red and I would have looked horrible. She was smiling (through the pain) and looked as cute as ever. This was taken at around mile 22 I think? She's my hero!

She doesn't know if she'll do another one, but says it was a great experience. I can only imagine crossing that finish line and how amazing that would feel. So proud of her!

Daddy took a day off and we went to Como Zoo and Conservatory...

My little best friend (she put her arm around me herself. Heart melted.)

Sometimes the conversation at small group is a bit boring for a then 18 month old. She got a little sleepy and decided time was better spent sleeping.

My brother Brent and his family came to visit! Hayden loves being outside so despite it literally raining, he was out there kicking around his soccer ball. And trying to teach Gwendolyn a thing or two....

Uncle Brent's "Gwendolyn" face. (They kind of look alike! Could it be b/c they share a birthday?!)

The kids at the Minnesota Zoo. The zoo grounds are so pretty! You can see the regular zoo animals but then get up close and personal with animals you rarely get to see so close....a fox, porcupine, wolves, and raccoon (these were alive). It was just cool. After spending a couple hours there, we decided to buy a yearly pass so we're looking forward to going back!

Baby doll and snack bucket make for one happy zoo goer.

She took a little snooze right on schedule. Phew!

Bath time!

Mimi and Papa came up for a weekend visit and Papa's Kindle was a crowd pleaser.

Ohhhh this scenario still makes me chuckle. Gwendolyn loves cousin Brookie and they play very well together. They would randomly make pit stops to draw and color so I tried to take a picture of them both sitting up to the table like big girls. Immediately upon seeing me enter the room with my camera, Gwendolyn starts saying "no" and shaking her hand at me. She then gets up and comes over to me (I'm thinking, "ohhh, how sweet. She wants me to hold her!") and literally pushes me backwards while whining. After realizing that my daughter was telling me to leave I just couldn't help but laugh. I mean, my feelings were totally hurt b/c it was the first time she was ever "mean" to me, but I was also amazed b/c she really is growing up and has a mind of her own! She stood there and watched me back up until she knew I was out of sight. Wow wow wow. I thought that wasn't supposed to start until their teens?! *smile.

Here she comes to give me a hug! NOT.

"Cheeese!"

Meeting baby Jocelyn Ellen for the first time at Iowa State Homecoming. I love baby snuggles!

Lunch with my three best friends (and their families) from college. Does it get any better?! What a fabulous day.

So many memories at Pi Beta Phi. Crazy that we all have at least one child now (Liz has everyone beat with THREE and we won't even start about how she still looks the exact same as she did in college. Not fair.)

We took the tandem bike out for a spin around Greek land, just like old times.

What does a monkey say?!

This bench is special to us. Tom proposed here and we took 20 week belly pics here when I was pregnant with Gwendolyn. 

Someone was pretty pumped about her trick or treating bucket.

In front of the ISU campanile.... 

Checking out the beautiful butterflies at Reiman Garden's butterfly exhibit.

Buddies...

We stayed with Brent and Sara and Gwendolyn took her turn on the trampoline.

We love our cousins!

And we love animals, including Bella the cat and Obi the guinea pig.

This girl amazes me with how much she carries at once.

As you can remember from this post, Halloween was super fun this year. (She was ready to get the show on the road and didn't like us wanting to take a family picture.)

In addition to all of the above, we had our first mid-wife appointment on October 4th at 11 weeks and got to hear the precious heartbeat of our little one! Separate baby update post coming soon!

Happy, happy holidays!