BOY!

It's a BOY!!!!!

Baby #2

Yes!  Another Foster baby!  I am already 20 weeks along- 1/2 way!  A huge milestone!  This pregnancy has been so much easier than the first.  I often find myself wondering if I am doing okay, if the little 'thing' inside me is still dancing.  For the first 4-5 months of my first pregnancy, I was throwing up and could hardly leave my bed.  Ugh.  I haven't missed those days- not one bit!

The news...
I took a pregnancy test this summer, July 5th (Happy Birthday Ficken!) anticipating some good news.  It was positive- I didn't believe it- it was too early to tell.  I didn't even tell Adam I took one- he happened to find it and was thrilled!  I waited a few days- took another one- positive again! YES!!!  At this point, I was only about 5-6 weeks along.  I contacted the Dr. Office and went in for blood work at week 7- positive again!  Whoop Whoop!

We had our first 12 week ultrasound on August 23rd.  We were anticipating meeting our doctor, hearing the heartbeat and being on our way.  When my doctor checked me she thought I seemed a bit 'small,' so she sent us in for an ultrasound to determine our due date.  It was so refreshing and amazing to see the little peanut so early on in my pregnancy.  I didn't get a glimpse of E until 20 weeks.  His/Her little heartbeat was 152 (I believe E's was around 160ish the first couple times).  He/She wouldn't move at first, but after a bit of prodding by the ultrasound-tech, the little peanut started tossing.  He/She had it's little butt in the air and had it's arms/legs tucked under- it was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  The ultrasound tech determined our due date to be March 2nd- (We had thought around March 7th).  Everything looked perfect!

This little peanut has the opportunity to steal someone's birthday.  My brother, Zac's is March 3rd and my grandma's is March 5th.  There should be a pool starting any day now!

A Different Pregnancy...
As I mentioned, I feel a ton different this pregnancy.  Literally, the day after I took the 2nd pregnancy test, I was feeling nauseated- for about 3 weeks (Week 5-8/9).  I was constantly nibbling on crackers and trying not to make any fast moves.  That part was easy- I never threw up, just felt like I could A LOT.  I tried the accu-pressure bracelets this time.  I don't know if it was because of the bands, or if I just got lucky this time!  Because it was summer break, it allowed me to lie around on the couch daily.  Fortune for me, not so fortunate for Braydon and Elise who were bored with me!
I started showing around 10 weeks.  Suddenly, I was chubby!  I didn't start showing with E until 16 weeks or so.  I instantly thought I was pregnant with twins.  I still think how crazy and fun that would be!
I remember being kind of tired with my first pregnancy, this one I have been MEGA tired!  Until week 19, I was in bed every night before 8, some nights were before 7- and I could sleep until my alarm went off at 6:15 the next morning.  It has felt good this last week to stay up til 9-10 at night.  Adam feels good about having someone to hang out with, too!
I think Elise and Braydon are pretty excited for baby.  Elise knows I have a baby in my belly and always wants to see my belly.  She ends up poking my belly button (gross) and rubbing my belly.  Sweet? Yes! If you ask her who has a baby in the belly she will say, "Elise baby in the belly" and lift up her shirt.  She told her teachers at school that her mommy had a baby in her belly a couple of weeks ago.  She also walked by the fridge where the ultrasound pictures are hanging and said, "Hi Baby!"  My heart melted.  I hope she loves baby as much in March.  Braydon is a man of few words when it comes to the new baby- but him and E are both rooting for a BOY!  I will be thrilled with either, and I can't wait to find out in 4 days on October 17th!

I have been pretty good about taking pictures of my belly this time around, but I didn't start until 16 weeks or so- will post soon!

Pork Days

You know those small town carnivals? The ones that attract anyone and everyone within the radius of your small town (only). Ok, well CP's small town carnival is called Pork Days. They have rides for the kids, games, food, a typical carnival- carneys and all! This was the first year we were in town to participate- I felt good about supporting our local economy. We also go to watch some of my students participate in TaeKwondo- they had a little performance uptown. Braydon and Elise had a blast!

They loved riding the lady bug.  Sadly, it lasted for barely 25 seconds.

Ready!

Set!

Go!

Iowa Children's Museum

Again, on another brutally, hot summer day.  We ventured to Iowa City to visit the Iowa Children's Museum and beat the heat!  Elise had a great time playing with the different things- mostly the babies and the trains.  She is obsessed with babies- loves to put them 'ni-night,' sleep with them, 'rock a bye-baby' them, and wrap them up in her blankies.  It is the sweetest thing-ever!

This picture has nothing to do with the museum, but she's too cute anyway!

Not everything she learns from her big brother is good :)

On the way to IC

             

2 passenger plane

                                                                  

Trying to figure out how the ball works

Whoa! Wind!

 

Baby Heaven!

Putting her baby to sleep!

 We had a great time at the museum.  As I was uploading pictures, it dawned on me that it looks like Braydon never goes anywhere with us!  Ha!  He is with us daily- and I do have pictures of him to come- it just seems the last two events he wasn't with us.  Poor guy!

4th of July

It was kind of weird having 4th of July in the middle of the week this year.  In years past, I have spent my 4th of Julys celebrating in Okoboji near the water with friends!  Because it was smack in the middle of the week (and WAY TOO HOT to do much), we didn't do anything too exciting- except dress E in a really cute red, white and blue dress!

After nap time we headed over to our friends' house- Phil and DeEtta Andersen.  They live in town and usually have a dinner with friends/family on the 4th of July with fireworks.  We stayed for a couple of hours and enjoyed their company- we didn't make it to the fireworks. 

Bed time>fire works!

             

We went to Target and E insisted that she hold my hand on the way there :)

 E played in the sprinklers before bed time.

Mississippi Fun

On July 1st, we headed up to Harper's Ferry, Iowa (just a few steps from Prairie Du Chein, Wisconsin) to visit our good friends- Andy & Mary Beth Maloney and their two kids- Ava- 6 and AJ-4!  I teach with Mary Beth and they just happen to live 2 houses behind us! Their parents own a cabin on the Mississippi, so they invited us for a fun day of boating, tubing, and relaxing.

 
 Elise, Ava, Braydon, and AJ ready for a tube ride.  Braydon's first ride!

Elise thought she was brave for about 10 seconds (notice we have barely left shore!)  She thought it was a better idea to stand up. :) 

Elise and Daddy

Adam and I enjoyed  getting whipped around by Andy.  I realized the next day I am WAY too old for that stuff- my back was killing me.

I talked E into going on the tube with me.  Still not digging it.  After about 30 seconds she was crying- throught all the bumps.  Poor girl!

 

This little girl has NO fear.  

            

Before we left to go boating, Elise decided she was ready for the water.  She climbed on in by herself.  Fearless!

 

Braydon had a great time on the trampoline with Ava and AJ

Can you tell she's tired?  She fell asleep sitting up while the boat was cruisin' along!  Precious!

Captain E

We pulled tried to pull the trampoline over to tie up with some friends.  We made it about 5 feet as we could only travel about 2 miles per hour with the kids riding on it.  That doesn't work in 100+ degree heat.  Adam ended up holding on to it on the boat while we sped over.  Whew!  It was fun while it lasted.

Yo!

                           

B is pretty stoked about being on the river. (It took a while!)

He really isn't scared- this is his new face! :)

              

Ava and Braydon ended the day trying to hook some fish- No Luck!

We had a wonderful time with the Maloney's.  After being on the river for nearly 4 hours we headed back to the cabin to get ready for some dinner and cool off in some AC!  We can't wait to go back for another trip!

My 26th Birthday (3+ months ago)

Cheese!

Uncle Al always causing racket!

For my 26th birthday, Alex met us in CR at Osaka- a Japanese grill.  After that, we headed to Orange Leaf to enjoy some frozen yogurt.

26 wasn't too crazy.  Adam, Elise, and Braydon gave me some 15 lb weights and a gift card for a massage- It was wonderful!