Halloween, Thanksgiving, sickness.

So thought I would take a few minutes to update everybody on how things have been and are going!

Halloween this year was a little rough on me, I really wanted to be able to take Sam out trick or treating, but I was so sick at the time it would have just made me worse. The kids all had croup a week or so before and of course I got the adult version of it.  AJ was able to take him around the block wih his cousin's though and I know he enjoyed it. Hopefully next year I will be able to take him out. I don't know that he really liked having to wear his costume though, lol.

The rest of fall was pretty uneventful. Sam got sick again the week before Thanksgiving with pinkeye and then a sinus/ear infection. We were able to curb the pinkeye pretty quickly with some eye drops, which let me tell you are a bitch to give to a toddler. We had to take him to the Dr like five times just to get the ear infection diagnosed and get him on antibiotics for it. Thank God for my mother-in-law who was able to take him to the Dr so I didn't have to miss work. Once he was on the antibiotics for a few days he started acting a lot better and just in time for Thanksgiving.

I want to say that Thanksgiving was wonderful, but of course I caught what Sam had plus having morning sickness made the day pretty sucky for me. Everyone else had fun though and enjoyed themselves and really the food was pretty good, I just couldn't eat as much of it as I wanted. We ended up having to leave earlier than we would've liked to because I had a fever and was just being a sick lump on the couch. After we got home Sam and I were able to nap for a few hours and finally break my fever which helped me feel better just in time to put our Christmas decorations up, and of course my wonderful husband put up the outside decorations while we were napping.

All in all this fall was not what I expected it to be, a lot of us being sick, so far AJ hasn't caught anything yet, and I really think the only reason I have is because I'm pregnant and my immune system isn't as strong as it normally would be. Here's hoping we can get through December without any yucky sicknesses!

Our Family is Growing!

Since I announced it on my FB I thought I would share here a little bit about what's going on with us...

On October 6, 2011 I took a pregnancy test, fully expecting it to be negative for serveral reasons, first and foremost because I was on birth control and had been for the last few months. Secondly, because even if I wasn't on birth control, it took months and months, with a side of medication to get pregnant with Sam, and thirdly, because we weren't even thinking about having another baby anytime soon. Lo and behold, 3 minutes later, I was looking at a positive pregnancy test... needless to say I pretty much freaked out, took about 5 more tests just to be sure, then called AJ...

A few days later I was finally accepting that we were going to be parents again a lot sooner than we expected. We were happy and even starting to get excited. I had an OB appointment on Oct. 13, we had a little bit of a scare at that point, they did an ultrasound and couldn't see anything, and I had started spotting... as we weren't sure when I had gotten pregnant, we were thinking that maybe it wasn't meant to be and that things would just go back to the original plan... So we spent a little over a week in limbo, I had blood drawn every few days and then finally on Oct. 21, I had an ultrasound. We weren't sure what to expect at the ultrasound, but as soon as we started we saw our new little bean right away, got to hear the heart beat (128 BPM) and this new adventure started!

We were apprehensive at first, but now we are so happy and excited. My estimated due date is around June 9th, so another Summer baby... we should find out the sex in January. Sam has no idea what is going on, but I'm going to enjoy the next few months with just us until the new one comes. My next appointment is on November 23rd, hopefully we'll get another ultrasound!

Here's a few recent pictures of Sam, he's getting so big and so fricken cute!

Busy, busy summer!

I know I have been a super slacker the last few months. But we've had so much going on it's been hard to find the time to sit down and write an entry! So let me take a few minutes to fill you in.

May:

In May we celebrated Mother's day, it was such a fun day. I know Mother's day is supposed to be about people celebrating you for being a Mommy, but to me it was more about celebrating the sweet little person who made me a Mom.

Sam also figured out how to use a straw this month, which helped us out when we went on vacation in June. We also started our first garden this month, we planted zucchini, crookneck squash, tomatoes, peppers, and pumpkins.

Unfortunately this month was also marred by sadness, AJ's grandfather passed away on May 10, he was a great man, and everyone who knew him feels the loss.

JUNE

Sam started walking this month. Just a few steps here and there at first, but it didn't take him long to get the hang of walking and quickly transitioned into full out running. This was also the month of one of the greatest vacations ever!

We went to Disneyland which the kids loved and then headed up the coast to San Fransisco. Disneyland was so much fun, all the rides and seeing all the characters, it made me feel like a kid again. Even though it was incredibly hot and there were waaaaaay too many people there, I enjoyed myself. Loved the rollercoasters, and all the fun rides, it's just too bad that there were so many people there that the lines were ridiculous. I think we all would have enjoyed it more if we hadn't spent half the day waiting in line for things.

The drive up the coast was amazing though, Hwy 1 has the most beautiful views. It's very twisty and turny, but those views are hard to come by. We also got to see the elephant seals on the beach during the 17 Mile drive... it's amazing to see something like that in real life, not in a zoo or captive situation either.

San Fransisco was just lovely. I would never live there but I completely fell in love with that city. I don't even know what it was about it either. The smell of sourdough in the air or the fresh crab sandwiches, or all the little shops and the live entertainment that littered the sidewalks throughout the whole place.... It is just an amazing place, the golden gate bridge is wonderful in person and when you go to Muir Woods, you feel so tiny in that forest full of giants and Alcatraz is a place with so much history... Even the people didn't bother me even though it was nearly as crowded as Disneyland.  I just know that one day when we can afford it, (so probably years and years from now, lol) AJ and I will definitely be going back there.

JULY

My garden started producing this month and I got to experience for the first time the joy of having a garden and what it gives you... Going to grocery store now is slightly depressing as the produce is not nearly as tasty looking and is probably full of all sorts of chemicals!

It was also Sam's first birthday this month, such a bittersweet time, on one hand I am happy that he is growing and healthy and love experiencing all the new things he can do and watching him discover all of those things. On the other hand I am sad to see my teeny tiny little baby turn into this big walking, jumping, dancing toddler. We spent his birthday together as a family, we went to the zoo in the morning and had dinner at Red Robin, then on Sunday we had a birthday party for him. It was great to get everyone together to celebrate, and Sam absolutely loved it.  

AUGUST

Things finally started slowing down a little. We didn't do much this month except relax and tend to our garden, which is now huge and producing new vegetables every few days.

Sam is playing with all of his balls, (the 1000 that we have, lol.) And he's getting to be so big, he talks a lot now, and can say: Momma, Dadda, Nana, Papaw, Poppa, Cracker, Cookie, Uh-Oh, and Ball, especially ball, lol. There a few others I think he's trying to say, but I can't be sure.

So that's our busy summer, I am going to try and keep up a little bit better and post more often. I can't believe it's already September and we're going into fall, the best, best time of the year!!

9 Months ALREADY?!

 
Age: 9 months

Length/Weight:  (I'll update these on Friday after your Dr Appt!)
Milestones: CRAWLING!! You started crawling a few days after you turned 8 months, now you are not only crawling, but you are climbing up stairs, pulling yourself up to stand, cruising on the furniture, everything! I absolutely love walking into your room in the morning to you standing up giving me a big grin, you're also figuring out how to bounce on the bed when you stand, lol. We have some new teeth coming in now too!

Favorite Food: Anything that Mommy is eating. If you see me with a plate of food and I don't share you get really upset. I have realized now that we are going to have to start sitting down at the table to eat so you can have your food.

Favorite Toy: You are loving the gym you got from Santa for Christmas, we have adjusted it so you can stand up and play with it. You're also REALLY into balls right now, you love rolling them across the floor then running over to get them.

What Makes You Laugh: You laugh at funny faces, and tickling under your chin. You also like to be upsidedown, lol.

Interesting things that happened this month: We had Easter this month and you helped hunt for eggs. (Really the big kids found all of yours for you.) We had to buy a bunch of gates for the house so you wouldn't go crawling up the stairs, lol. We also got you a bunch of summer clothes, though it's been a little too gross outside for you to wear them much yet. Oh, and you got your first pair of REAL shoes. You're not too sure about them yet, but I'm trying to get you used to them for when you're walking.

What Mommy is thinking: I am thinking that I just LOVE you so much. There are not words to describe how much I love you! I miss you terribly when I'm not with you, especially now that you are older and you are so expressive and happy. You are by far my favorite person in the world. :-) Only 3 more months till your birthday!! AHHH

8 Months Old!

Age: 8 months
Length: 28-28.5 inches
Weight: 18.5-19 lbs
Milestones: You started pulling yourself up to sit. Now whenever we put you on the floor you immediately pull yourself up to a sitting position. You even want to pull yourself up to stand, sometimes you grab onto the edge of the couch or the bars of your crib and try so hard to pull up, you just haven't gotten the hang of it yet. You also started clapping, it's SO adorable. Sometimes I'll just catch you clapping your hands, it's too cute. We also started feeding your table food, you can even eat pancakes, which you LOVE!

Favorite Food: You have a sweet tooth, fruit, puffs, cookies, and you love anything cold.
Favorite Toy: Right now it's anything you can get your hands on, the funniest thing is that a sock can keep you entertained for 30 minutes, you just sit there waving it around in the air or chewing on it.
What Makes You Laugh: Silly faces and tickling, and swinging, you LOVE to swing!
Interesting things that happened this month: This month we had your first St. Patricks Day, we also let you swing for the first time this month. You started holdiong your own bottle, we took you to the zoo for the first time!

What Mommy is thinking: I am thinking that I am going to miss this time of your life. You are at such a perfect age right now, giggling and clapping and smiling for everyone and I know in six years when you are losing your first tooth (as your cousin Maddy did this week!) I am going to be missing a different kind of toothless smile. I know all babies grow up to be kids at some point or another, but it seems like it happens quicker than we mothers would like. All in all though, I'm really thinking about how wonderful you are, the sweetest little boy and the joy of my life. Only 4 months till your birthday!!

7 Months!

Age:  7 months
Length: 27.5-28 inches
Weight: 17.5-18 lbs
Milestones: You started eating cookies and puffs this month, I am thinking I should buy stock in puffs considering how much you love them! You are now self-feeding so I have given you some table food to try, I cut up a banana and gave it to you (you loved it!) You've been eating meat now for the last 3 weeks, you love it. You also started saying "ma" and "ba".

Favorite Food:  Puffs or cookies
Favorite Toy: You l-o-v-e your sock monkey. I don't know if it's cause of all the extra legs or what, but you just love that thing!!!

What Makes You Laugh: Pretty much anything right now, lol. Sometimes you even laugh at yourself!
Interesting things that happened this month: This was your first Valentine's Day, and you started a class at The Little Gym, which you absolutely love. (And so does Mommy!)

What Mommy is thinking: I am thinking that you are going to cause me a lot of trouble when you're older with girls. You are the biggest flirt, you always have a smile for the pretty ladies, whether they are strangers or not, lol. I am feeling a little bitter sweet this month though. You are going to be crawling soon, and you are no longer my cuddle bug. You still like to cuddle with me, but it's pretty much limited to when you're ready to go down for a nap or bed. This makes me sad and happy, sad that I don't get as much cuddle time, but soo much happier that you are becoming independant and meeting all those milestones! Only 5 months till your birthday!!!

New Things every day!

Sam is doing something new every day I swear!! It's like we show him how to do these things and he doesn't get it and then all of a sudden one day he does! He now can eat those gerber puffs (meaning he can pick them up and put them in his mouth all by himself) and has mostly gotten the hang of how to use a sippy cup. This is all just today! He's also started getting himself up on his hands and knees when he's on the floor so crawling is imminent. But I'm starting to think that he will crawl for only a short amount of time before he starts to walk. Today at our Little Gym class, I was holding onto his hands and he was taking steps. He walked with me for about 5 feet before he was done, I couldn't believe it!! Only one week till he's 7 months old... time is going by sooo fast!