Baby Girl: 23 Weeks

I had grand plans for adorable "bump" progress pictures, but since I am the paparazzi of the family it has just gotten away from me. I will try to do better just in case this our last pregnancy, and now knowing that it's a girl she may want to see what her Mom looked like pregnant!

Also, this "bump" is not filling out as nicely as Jack did. Not in the cute phase of pregnancy yet, maybe because it is a girl, but this time around I seem to be carrying in the round instead of straight out. The first trimester felt so long, but with only 17 more weeks to go (14 weeks if she is 3 weeks early like her brother) this pregnancy is now flying bye. My energy is back, it took until week 19. So different than with Jack! She is moving and grooving, that started around week 16 and has progressively gotten stronger and Preppy can feel her now which is so much fun. The private dance party that occurs daily in my belly is my favorite part of pregnancy!

My only big compliant these days is that I have round ligament pains, so uncomfortable at times I can barely sleep. I know they will go away once sweet little baby girl is here, so for now I just have to deal with it. Jack loves kissing and hugging on "Baby Girl". He knows when we go to the Doctor that it is for "Baby Girl" and we get to hear her heartbeat. So precious it makes my heart smile.  Love fruit just as much as I did with Jack, but also cookies and ice cream this time too, Baby Girl has brought on a sweet tooth. Major! As far as weight gain goes, it hasn't been that much yet, but I started out heavier than usual (some I-am-sad-we-moved lbs.). While the scale says I haven't gained much I feel huge! It is all worth it and I know with a little hard work after I will get back in my wardrobe!

Baby Girl's name is TBD, we have a front runner, hopefully her Daddy will get over the SHOCK that it is a GIRL and commit soon!  For the longest time we just figured that we would be the family with like four 7 foot wild crazy boys that never get invited over. Our world was rocked with news that it is GIRL! I don't think we anticipated how happy the news that we are having a little girl would actually make us! We feel so blessed that we get to experience being parents of a boy and the girl!

Easter Egg Hunt Practice

Who says you only get have fun doing an Easter Egg hunt on one day. After dinner last night we entertained Jack for an hour, it was a good way to practice colors and get out the late night wiggles. There was only one Jelly Bean per egg so the sugar high didn't fire back at us too bad. If you pass our house around 7pm from now until Easter don't be surprised if you see us on the hunt!

"Don't touch my candy Dad."

27 Months

Jacky Bear you are already 27 months. Everyday brings on the unexpected as you are full of energy, ideas, giggles, and some attitude. These pictures were taken right on March 8th, but I am just getting around to posting them, amazing how even in these last 3 weeks you have grown so much!

• Favorite Things
• "Tangled" is still the movie favorite. You have started repeating lines now and it makes your Dad and I laugh. The Golf Channel and Mickey Mouse Club House tie for runner up of things to watch. You will only watch TV in the big bed or right before bedtime on the couch.
• Love to FaceTime the family. Not fully having conversations yet, but they can make out the key words. You will make a pretend sad face and say you miss them in "Cheecago".
• Golf, Baseball, just plain running around outside are your favorite activities.
• When you sit still, Good Night Moon, is your book of choice.
• Before dinner you say your prayers. We hold hands and you bow your head. In fact we say numerous prayers because you love it so much, and you always say amen.
• Salami, Strawberries, and Veggies with Dip are your favorite foods. Oh and Lucky Charms. I caved in so you would have more milk. Super annoying that you won't just drink a glass!
• We go out to ice cream once a week and it is your favorite date.
• And you love Dutch. Dutch probably thinks you love him a little too much:)

• Personality
• You are a great sleeper. Still in the crib but your "Big Boy" bedroom is all set up. Nap 5 days out of the week, anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. Bedtime is around 9pm and you wake up at 7:45am.
• We can finally make it through a whole church service. You actually get excited to go now and play with the kids and eat crackers. There are tears in the beginning, but you work through it.
• You can count 1 to 10 and know when there is up to 3 of something. You know all of your letters, and objects on the letter blocks. Amazed at how you know all of those! Easily can point out colors as well, especially pink these days, and you say it is for baby girl.
• Always say "please" and "thank you". I just want to pinch your cheeks every time.
• Shopping is easy again. As long as I give you lollipops.
• You are such a snuggle cuddle bear, always giving me big hugs and kisses.
• While you are quite the adorable lover boy, you also have a stubborn streak. Tantrums are not often, but when they occur they are dramatic.
• Jack you are one very busy boy, just always on the go, and always in my business. I try to understand though as I know you are just learning about everything. Defiently not a child that will sit and play quietly with toys.
• You always want to "help" me.

You are growing up too quickly.

I love being your Mom.

Sunday

Ah I love Sundays.

Jack slept in until 8:45am. Church was wonderful, so thankful we finally found after 2 years a great church home. The weather was gorgeous and full of spring cheer. I couldn't find my cell phone all day and it was kind of refreshing to be so disconnected. Jack took a 2.5 hour nap. Discovered my pairing knife that had been missing for 3 years (cutting up our nightly bowl of strawberries is so much easier again). Learned how to correctly fill up a dish wand soap sponge (my hubby had been wondering why the little button always went missing). And discovered Swifter Febreeze wet mops (quick, easy, and smell so good). Now "Mad Men" premiere with the Preppy.

It's the the little things that make me one happy girl. And mostly that I get to spend the day with these two!

Getting Our Derby On

With only a little over a month before the big Kentucky Derby we thought it would be a good time to get our learn on at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Plus, when we asked Jack what he wanted to do today he said, "go see horsies". The Museum was great and the tour was very cool getting to see where the days events take place without the crowd. I must admit it got me pretty excited to live in Kentucky during Derby time. It reminded me a lot of Arlington Park back home, but this racetrack was huge!

It was a successful filed trip with Jack. He now, in the most adorable way, says "Derby". Teaching how to bet is next:)

Running through the starting gates

I guess the tour was not entertaining enough for this two year old. 

The first Derby winner. 

Comparing Jack to the 4'11 Jockey, Pat Day, he won the most races at Churchill Downs. 

Seriously, what is going on with my skin during this pregnancy!!!

Great view of it all. 

Getting a little antsy...

22 weeks. And desperately needing highlights. 

I can only imagine how crazy it is during the Derby! 

At the finish line. 

Walking where the horses enter.

"Silly Daddy"

Fun Day! 

Just The Two of Us

It has been just Jack and I since Sunday, I honestly do love the time just the two of us, there are so many sweet moments. And then there are some my-buttons-are-being-pushed-and-please-just-don't touch me-or say my name- for-two-seconds moments. Not to mention this pregnancy still is zapping up all of my energy and Jack's energy never ceases to amaze me. My intention was to catch up on blogs, but I can barely keep my eyes open and there is a little blonde one trying to unplug all of my electronics from the computer. So we are just going to snuggle on the couch, watch some Tangled and eat a bowl of fresh strawberries. Good Night Everyone! 

via pinterest

Spring Sun

 80's and sunshine in March? Why yes, that is just what I ordered! When the weather is gorgeous and Jack is full of energy our days are spent outside. We play baseball, golf, hoops, bags, chase the dog, and then Jack does a lot of wandering. He notices the new flowers and wants to smell them all. He points out the birds in the trees and new berries on the bushes. I love his curiosity and funny commentary. Hours go bye. I know it may seem boring, but it's part of my job as his Mom. Sure I get antsy, but I have to remind myself that these days are numbered, dinner always gets made and housework done. Learning to love the sweet spring sun all over again like a 2 year old!

*Please don't judge us on the yard, just one of those things to deal with when you are renting:)