Twenty

I am now 20 weeks and seriously can't believe I am half way done...the time has flown by.  Maybe because I waited so long to tell everyone?  

Here is a comparison of me at 20 weeks with #2 (left) and with Anna (right)

I'm definitely bigger this time, and my belly seems to be lower...but that is likely just my fat gut.   

 

I am feeling great these days...hardly any nausea and I have much more energy and motivation to get things done.  My only complaint now would be occasional heartburn, but that's probably because I eat crazy stuff. 

Only 1 more week until we find out the gender!  

 Do you think GIRL or BOY?

 

JULY

We FINALLY go to Utah on July 3rd.  The night before we left, Anna woke up with a fever and I was so worried that the flight to Utah would be a disaster.  It was actually the opposite - since she wasn't feeling well she slept on the plane (never would have happened otherwise) and was unusually cuddly and wanted to be held.  When she was awake she passed the time by putting stickers all over her arms, legs, and daddy's face.  So glad I decided to get stickers!

To announce my pregnancy to my family, I made Anna this onesie: 

They aren't the best pictures, but I'm pretty sure that I'm quickly becoming the world's worst photographer...I didn't take a single picture on my real camera the entire time I was in Utah.  Every single one is from my phone.

The next morning (July 4th) we went to the breakfast at Riverdale Park and then to the Riverdale parade.  

 

Maybe it has just been a loooooong time since I have been to the Riverdale parade, but I was extremely let down.  I am officially over the Riverdale parade.  Next  year, if I'm in town, I'll definitely find a slightly larger parade to attend....one that has more than just local Jr. High student body officers throwing candy from their parent's truck.  My sister even tried to pay her 5-year-old to go to the parade and even HE wouldn't go.  So it was just Noah, Kaitie, Russ and I with my Dad and Avery.  I think the high point of the parade for me was eating the 2 tootsie rolls and a taffy I stole from Avery's stash.  Have you ever seen a fireworks show where one firework is set off about every 30 seconds?  This was the parade form of that.  I have lots of Riverdale pride, but they seriously need to up their game if they want me to attend their parade ever again.

Here we are sporting are sweet shades from the Target $$ bins.       

We love the 4th of July!  My family always has a swimming party/cook out at their house with all of my extended family.  Anna didn't care much for the swimming, but she was still grumpy and teething so I don't blame her.  I went to bed before dark which means I missed fireworks :( at least I have an excuse. 

 

Before the festivities, we tried to get a few good pictures of the kids (all of the great-grandkids) in their matching outfits.  Anna could not sit still for even 1 second, and Carter isn't even in the pictures because he was upset for some reason.  But these 2 pics turned out ok, even though Anna had to be holding her play utensils in order to be happy.  

Jemma, Halle, Avery and Anna

 

Carter had been begging to go mini-golfing but it was raining all the next day, so we went to Fat Cats for bowling instead-and it turns out they had an indoor mini-golf there as well!

I bowled the best game of my life, which means I finally broke 100.  I almost beat Russ but he pulled ahead at the very end. 

We girls took advantage of the kids' naptimes to get crafty and make some beaded necklaces...I made one for myself and a bunch for gifts.  

Early Saturday morning we met Russ's entire family at Pineview Reservior.

Anna was in heaven just playing in the sand all day.
And I was in heaven because it was actually cool enough most of the morning to wear a jacket!

The water was surprisingly warm.

 

Samantha painted herself with sand

Sadie and her "beard" as she called it.

By the afternoon, Anna was completely exhausted.

We went to Tracy Aviary with Russ's family as well.  It was a hot, hot day but we survived long enough to see some pretty awesome birds, including the peacocks roaming freely around the premises.  

Anna loved playing with Indy, the Jones's cat.

We went with Russ's family to the Bountiful Rec Center, which was amazing - it had a huge indoor pool, kiddie pool play area and even a massive slide and lazy river.  After spending a few hours there I had probably gone down the 3 foot kiddie slide with Anna about 5000 times because the ONLY thing she wanted to do was climb the stairs, and then go down the slide so that she could go back up the stairs.  She is seriously obsessed with climbing stairs.

I took Anna to the Children's Treehouse Museum in Ogden, and again, she was more interested in climbing the stairs than anything.

She did have a fun time playing the drums, though.

 

And she spent a significant portion of our time there pulling out and replacing the drawers on the chest of a doll house.  

Russ had to leave us to return to work on the 11th, which is, unfortunately, the day before our anniversary :(

Russ celebrated our anniversary by going to Taco Bell.  I celebrated by having a pool party with my high school friends and their babies!  I forgot to get a picture of everyone, but Carly, Jenalee and Karly were there as well!  

Me and Anna, Monique and MaeLee, Tonya and Jesse.  All our babies were born within a month or so of each other. 

I spent quite a bit of time the next day making a cake for my nephew's 7th birthday party.  Luckily Anna entertained herself by finding various hiding places.

Here is my first, real fondant cake.  I was pretty happy with the outcome, but it took a lot longer than I would have liked.  I guess practice makes perfect and hopefully I'll get faster.  Carter helped me cut out and roll the balls for the cake.  And just pretend there aren't two yellow balls next to each other on the bottom.  I thought that was going to be the back!

 Anna spent most of her time at Grammy's house pushing the baby stroller around.

And Avery spent lots of time stealing it from Anna.

We tried out putting stickers all over ourselves again.

We had a girl's-only lunch date with my mom, sis, aunt, and nana at Zupa's.  

Unpictured but VERY IMPORTANT - we were also able to go to the beloved Cafe Rio twice.  If I don't move back to Utah to be close to family, it will be to live close to a Cafe Rio.  I might just live in one if they'd let me.  And anyone who says that Cafe Rio and Costa Vida are the same thing is speaking pure blasphemy. 

On Saturday I was able to attend one of my best friend's baby shower.  This was when I really started wanting a boy.  Seeing all her cute boy stuff made me want some of my own!

Avery and Anna played nicely, I suppose...

And here is just another pic of Anna - driving a car on the front porch of Grammy and Papa's

 

Anna is the only one who wanted to unpack when we got home.  Or maybe I mistook her constant dancing on the suitcase as her wanting to unpack. 

The flight home was something I don't really want to ever repeat.  Anna was back to her normal, wanting-to-do-anything-but-sit self and I had the task of trying to contain her to 2 square feet of airplane space for not one, not even two, but THREE separate flights.  I love Southwest's prices but the layovers are killing me.  One take-off and landing is enough to deal with while being pregnant and queasy and trying to entertain the world's busiest 1-year old.   And I had to do it without Russ this time :(  How will I ever fly when I have 2 kids?!!?!  Y'all better be coming HERE to visit ME!!!

Russ was really sick for the entire week after we returned home.  Two  days after I came home our A/C gave out and couldn't be fixed until the next day, so we spent a very sleepless night (thanks to Anna) at a cheap hotel because I don't think any of us would have slept at all in a 95 degree house.

Russ and I celebrated our 4th anniversary by eating at The Cheesecake Factory, with Anna in tow...  Next year we'll do something more exciting. 

Christmas in July

In case you haven't heard...

Baby #2 is due Christmas 2012!!

In case you want to know: 

YES, we were trying.  For about one day.  TMI?  Oh well.

Apparently I miscalculated the possible due dates when we started trying because I did NOT want to have a December baby.  We are thrilled nevertheless.

Anna and the baby will be 21 months apart (maybe more like 20 1/2 if the baby comes on time).  Call me crazy but I'm hoping baby will be a week late.  Anything after Christmas would be ideal. 

I decided to take a pregnancy test on April 26th because I had been waking up to pee at night.  I rarely do that when I'm not with child. 

At my first sonogram the estimated due date was Dec. 29th, but at my second the estimated due date was Dec. 21st.  My Dr. believes that it is closer to the 23rd.  I just tell people that he/she is due at Christmas.  

I almost feel like I had to convince the whole staff at the the Dr.'s office that I was actually pregnant.  I hadn't ever gotten my period back so they were skeptical until after the sonogram.  I must admit, if it weren't for the positive pregnancy test I would have maybe believed that it was just a food baby.

I have gained so much more weight this time than last - which is why you have seen 0 pictures of me on this blog lately.  I feel disgusting and I feel like I look disgusting, so I won't be posting many this time around.   

Mary is the first person I told (besides Russ, of course).  She is my best friend and I can't see her every day and not tell her!

We told Russ's family when they came to visit in May.  I had to go to the Dr. while they were here and Russ's mom suspected anyways.

I waited to tell my family until I visited them in July.  I could have told them when I saw them in Kansas in May, but for some reason I wanted to wait.  I think my mom was surprised but my sis and SIL both claimed they had a feeling that I was pregnant.

I had morning sickness for the first 15ish weeks.  I didn't throw up a lot, I just felt super nauseous.  Almost worse than the morning sickness was my overwhelming desire to do absolutely nothing.  Before I was pregnant I always had lists and lists of projects to do to keep myself busy while Russ was at school/work.  But while pregnant, I didn't want to do anything, not even read or watch movies.  I was in the worst mood ever.  I didn't want to go anywhere or talk to anybody.  It was like pulling teeth just to get me to take a shower.  Anyone else feel this way when you're pregnant?  I don't care for it.  If you ever suspect that I may be pregnant in the future, just take note of my personal hygiene.  I rarely wore makeup during my first trimester. 

For the first few months I was really hoping for a girl.  I really wanted another girl because I have so much girl "stuff" and I made the mistake of buying lots of things in pink that I should have bought in gender neutral colors.  Because we are on an extremely tight budget, a girl would be great because I would not want to buy new stuff.  I also want Anna to have a sister that is close in age.   I have a girl name picked out and I find that I cannot find many boy names I like.  Another reason I wanted a girl is that she will have several girl cousins close to her in age (the boys are all older).  But lately I have been leaning more toward wanting a boy.  It might just be because I want to have a reason to go shopping and buy new baby clothes/toys, but really it would be fun to experience having a boy as well.  According to a Chinese gender chart and a test my sister made me take (found on pinterest) I am having a boy.  Of course I will be happy no matter the gender.  Part of me hopes that I will have one of each.  Anyone ever find out at 21 weeks that they are actually having twins?  Yikes!

The first time I felt the baby move was at the movie "Ice Age 3" (went with my nephew and family).  I think the baby must have liked the loud music.  This was much earlier than I felt Anna move (probably 20 weeks).

Cravings?  Anything salty and savory.  Grilled cheese and Macadoodle have been staples.  I haven't cared much for ice cream, but I crave shaved ice almost daily.  Mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, hot dogs (in the macadoodle)...I basically turned into a 6-year old.  I promise I have more sophisticated taste when I'm feeling normal.

JUNE

June was a pretty uneventful month for us, quite nice actually after a very busy month in May.  We didn't take any trips this month, and didn't really get out to do much at all, but that's ok because I have lots of trips planned for the rest of the year!  I just bought a super inexpensive ticket (thanks to my southwest rapid rewards points!!) to Denver to see my sis and her family in September.  So we'll be going to Utah for a couple weeks of fun with the family in July, I'll be visiting the bestie in Lubbock, TX in August, Denver with the sis in September, and I used every bit of my birthday money to buy a ticket to both Lubbock (to see the bestie's new baby girl) and Utah (to see family and my new niece!) in October.  SIL Rosie promises to visit in November and I'm thinking we need to go somewhere fun for Thanksgiving, unless someone wants to come see US!!  So far the only suggestion was from my cousin to visit family in Kansas, which would be amazing...if I am up for a long drive at that point.  And sadly, since baby is due at Christmas, we won't be going home this year :( but hopefully we'll have people come to visit us.  Did I mention we really, completely blew it on the timing of this little one??

I suppose I should keep better track of things and write along the way, because I honestly can't remember what happened at the first half of the month.  I am guessing we didn't do much because I was feeling sick and didn't want to leave the house.  We usually try to go swimming a couple of days a week with some other moms/kids from the ward.  But since Anna has started walking, ALL she wants to do is walk...around the pool.  She's not so interested in getting in it anymore.  Which had been OK for a while because it hadn't been super hot, but now its hot enough that even at 9:30 in the morning I don't want to be chasing her around the pool - I want to be in it!  It has been so nice to be able to have these little play dates and talk to other adults, it was getting kind of lonely just staying home sick all the time.

My friend Kara and I took a cake decorating class this month at Joann.  I've been wanting to take it for probably the last 5 years - since I finished the Beginner Course of the Wilton cake decorating.  We took course 3, which is Fondant and Gum Paste.  I didn't think I'd really be interested in making flowers out of gum paste but it turned out to be a lot of fun.  Now I just need to start practicing making cakes with fondant so I can improve my skillz.  I'm so glad Kara motivated me to take this class with her, who knows when I would have done it otherwise??!

Toward the end of the month, I got a nasty, horrible cold with lots of sinus pressure/headaches, congestion, couldn't sleep the first couple nights...it was awful, especially on top of having morning sickness.  I have to eat to not feel queasy, but I didn't want to eat because of my cold...it wasn't fun.  Luckily a week later I started to feel a lot better, except for the dreaded cough that seems to come around each year and drive Russ bonkers, especially when I'm hacking all night long.  When I was pregnant with Anna I had a similar bug and coughed so much and so hard that I am pretty sure I bruised my ribs.  The good news now, at 15 weeks, is that I am no longer feeling queasy...at least for the last couple of days.  Praying it will stay that way!  Now I can stop binging on carbs all the time!  That's all I do when I feel queasy is eat carbs carbs carbs!  And cheese.  Pretty sure most of my belly is just from a food baby.

While I was double sick with a cold and the queasies, all I wanted to do was lay on the couch.  I was so bored I was going out of my mind crazy!!  There was nothing I wanted to watch on Netflix and I just couldn't bring myself to read the 10 books I have stacked up and waiting for me.  Since everyone seemed to be talking about The Bachelorette, I decided that, yes, I was desperate enough to start watching it, and I caught up on 6 episodes in a few short days.  I was hooked.  Usually shows like this don't really do it for me, I usually find them quite boring.  But I seriously couldn't stop watching, it was so entertaining to me.  And now I don't have to feel left out when everyone else is talking about it!!  I sure hope Sean wins and brings Emily back to Dallas so we see them shopping around Northpark Mall or something!! 

On the last day of the month Russ and I were finally able to go on a date!  A double date, to be more precise, with our good friends the Rasmussens.  We went to the famous Twisted Root Burger Co. and I got a very disappointing buffalo burger.  It was good, but extremely overpriced.  We payed more for two burgers and onion rings than we usually pay for a nice meal at a restaurant plus tip.  I give Russ's bacon/swiss/ranch burger a 9 out of 10, but for taste only....it was still WAY overpriced.  I'm glad we tried it though, the place did have personality.  Instead of calling a number or your own name, they call a famous person's name when your order is ready.  I was Vanna White.  Our second attempt at seeing the Avengers (tried earlier in May but the only seats left were front row, so we got our money back) was a success!  Loved it!  Unfortunately I coughed on and off the entire time, despite downing an entire bag of cough drops.  At least I only bothered about 10 other people, as the theater was nearly empty.  Russ almost banned me from going to church this morning because of my cough, but I was able to go and sit in an empty room and listen to the meeting without disturbing people. 

In other news, Russ and I have been jamming to Led Zeppelin in hopes of creating a tribute band some day when we move back to Utah.  So if you know anyone who wants to join us and can sing like Robert Plant, we'll be set.  I only plan on playing a few songs on the keyboard (the rest of the time I'll just be a groupie), and of course Russ will be the guitarist.  We are taking this very seriously. 

Anna hasn't added many new words to her vocabulary this month.  She likes to put things up to her ear and say "hi" and of course her favorite is "no."  More like "no, no, no, no, no, no, no etc." 

She has still been quite a picky eater, but I haven't been very good at offering her a variety of foods because I haven't felt up to cooking/shopping/feeding her, so I just do whatever is easiest.

The last week of the month I finally stopped letting Anna take morning naps...It may have been a bit soon for her but it is easier with our schedule and I wanted to be able to be more flexible when we go to Utah.  

She has been such a good girl while I have been sick, I know I haven't given her a lot of attention and I have definitely let her watch too much TV, but she has done a good job of entertaining herself when I don't feel like doing anything or going anywhere.  She is absolutely the sweetest girl and I can't help but smother her with kisses every time I see her. 

PICTURE TIME!

Pre-pool time....cutest outfit ever!

Splash Park

At the Pool...cute little belly hanging out!

Hi.  

Cake Class

Eating with a big fork!

 Stealing ice from the cooler at a birthday party

Seth the baby whisperer...got her to sit still at church

 Daddy brought home a pixie stick for Anna...yum!

Making a mess

Anna loves to put my clothes on her head and wander around the house

Attacking daddy and biting his nose

Possibly the cutest picture ever

Obsessed with shoes

 

I was bored and decided to turn Anna into a hunch-back

After the first diaper-change of the day I'm usually too lazy to put her pants back on

Done with cake class!  I know I used weird colors, I was lazy.  Yes the leaves on those flowers are purple.  

 The only proof of our date night....I am not good at taking pictures of us.