Memorial Day 2013

Our Memorial Day was simple and lovely. 

Josh had to work all day, bless his heart, and so Viv and I decided to take a trip out to my mom's for the day.

I knew that if we didn't go (it's an hour drive) I would regret it because it will be a few weeks now before we can make it out again since I don't want to be that far from home if I go into labor!

My mom is the absolute best.

She made a huge area in the backyard JUST for Vivienne!

There's a playhouse, a big swing set, a playground, a little slide, a pool and by the next time we go it should be warm enough to swim and play in the sprinklers!

Viv had the best time playing all afternoon and was so happy to know that space was just for her.

I can't wait to spend many days at my mom's this summer with her just watching Viv play and enjoying the sweetness of Penny. 

Mom also made tons of delicious food and we got to visit with my grandparents which is always a treat.

It was a relaxing day but we sure did miss Daddy!

We drove home in time to get Josh from work by 5 and I made a big delicious dinner.

After we ate we took a stroll to the playgrounds and we all played and ran in the grass until dusk! 

I love our simple life.

I love that it's so easy to be content with just spending time together and not feeling like you need anything more than just that.

Life can so easily feel more complicated that it should when things arise like paying bills, fixing cars, finding jobs...but at the end of the day when we're lying in bed together and we remember to breathe and put things into perspective, it's just so simple.

(p.s. I was so excited that I got this ponytail in her hair while she was napping! She *always* pulls them right out if she knows they're there but I just think she is so adorable with a tiny pony!)

^Sick of all the pictures^

^ 38 weeks 3 days ^

Waiting For A Storm

Earlier last week we zipped up to the beach after dinner one evening to watch a big thunderstorm roll in!

It was, for me, the perfect thing to really kickoff our summer.

Thunderstorms are my favorite and thunderstorms at the beach are even better.

For years now Josh and I have driven up to the beach on summer evenings when we know that a big storm is coming.

We just walk the beach and wait while the wind brings the clouds in and then run to our car (since having a baby anyway) just before the rain hits.

I can't for many more thunderstorms and trips to the beach this summer with our two girls.

Summertime is so simple and easy and I just can't wait for all of the memories this one is going to bring our little family!

xoxo. 

Pregnancy #2: 37 Weeks!

Oh, you guys...

I am so ready for this pregnancy to be over!

I mean, I wore bicycle shorts under my dress this morning to church because I couldn't bear to wear pants, I've been living in maxi dresses and skirts and am starting to feel like an old lady because of it, and all my other dresses and skirts are too short because my belly is SO big! 

So, there are my excuses for this train-wreck of an outfit.

Ugh and my poor, poor legs are in desperate need of some sun and some working out!

Okay, onto some real pregnancy stuff maybe?

It's been a few weeks since I've updated more than just brief little things (which I regret because when I was pregnant with Viv I barely updated at all by the end and I wish that I had!).

I'm still going to the doctor once a week for a regular check-up, once for a non-stress test and every other week for an ultrasound. 

My amniotic fluid levels are still elevated but Penny is in position and has dropped so a lot of the delivery risks go way down if the baby is in position (phew!).

I have an ultrasound tomorrow to check my fluid levels one more time and if they're still elevated then I will have to be induced on either May 30th or 31st - if the fluid levels have gone down and are normal then we won't have to induce.

Honestly, I hate the idea of an induction but I will absolutely do whatever needs to be done to make sure that Penny has a safe and healthy delivery. 

My doctor wants to induce by my due date (June 7th) though anyway because Baby is measuring pretty large and we don't want her not to fit through the birth canal (I almost needed an emergency c-section with Viv because she was so big 1 week past her due date).

So, I will know for sure tomorrow if Penny is coming on May 30th or June 7th! 

Or, if she decides to come anytime from now - her due date would be perfectly okay with me too!

We have everything ready for our new sweet daughter to come home and I'm starting to feel so stress-free. 

We have the girls' room settled and so cozy, the cradle is set up by my bed side and ready, pack-n-play is set up with the bassinet attachment in the living room, swing is together, diapers are supplied, baby tub is washed, all Penny's clothes are washed and put away...hmm anything else?

The only things left to do is just superficial house work but I've been super OCD about cleaning lately so I'm not worried about that. 

We have a bunch of stuff to drop off at Josh's parents house to store in their basement but that will only take a few minutes to do.

Penny's hospital bag is packed and I know what things I want to pack for myself so that will only take a second.

The only thing that I really wish that I had is this sling but I haven't been able to drop almost $100 on it with everything else we've needed - so that's a little sad but hopefully we'll be able to get it soon!

I'm really feeling like I want to switch pediatricians for both the girls before Penny is born. 

I've never been happy with the one that we have and I really don't want to be taking Penny there now too.

He's just so gruff and impatient. 

Ugh. 

So I have to makes a few calls today and see what I can figure out!

Her Size: Well, 2.5 weeks ago she was almost 6.5lbs so by now she's at least 7.5lbs but since she's been gaining so fast I wouldn't be surprised if she was closer to 8lbs! We'll find out tomorrow though. 

How Far Along: 37 weeks, 4 days! Getting SO close! This is crazy!!

Total Weight Gain: The other day I calculated only gaining 22 pounds....but then by the evening I had gained almost 15 in water weight alone (just that day!). I've been having terrible swelling due to the excess amniotic fluid and  it's been driving me crazy! My legs and feet are always so sore from all the fluid and I even had to take off my wedding rings already! 

Sleep: Most nights I sleep great but there have been some nights lately that I'm up about 5 times to use the bathroom or move pillows around or just because I'm restless. I feel like I'm getting enough decent sleep though and often I will nap during the day with Viv which helps a lot. 

Maternity Clothes: Back to none. The maternity jeggings that I had been living in are a little too tight to be comfortable now since I'm swelling so much. It's been getting really hot out lately too so I'm really preferring skirts and dresses anyway. 

Cravings: Anything super cold and icy! 

Aversions: I haven't had much of an appetite still - Penny is just taking up too much room and whenever I eat anything I just feel crappy. 

Symptoms I Have: I was having the most severe heartburn ever for so many weeks and now all of a sudden it's gone and I haven't had any in over a week! I've been having a ton of Braxton Hicks and a few more severe contractions. Whenever I walk too much I start to contract and get so uncomfortable. Also, the swelling is driving me crazy like I keep saying lol. 

Doctor's Appointment: Tomorrow morning we have an ultrasound to measure my fluid levels again and then a regular appointment for my NST and check-up and also to schedule my induction!

Movement: She is still constantly moving around and stretching out! My belly is relatively small for how big Penny is so I'm sure she must be a little squished in there. Sometimes I feel like she's just going to break right out of my belly! 

Best Moment of the Week: Getting Penny's cradle all set up in our room! It's so cozy and sweet! 

Looking Forward To: Having this baby!!

What I Miss: Running and playing in the grass with Viv without a huge belly in the way or having to think about being careful, easily walking places and being able to bend over, having clothes fit me....oh my, I think I could go on forever...

A Little Bit of Life

During weeks that I don't take very many photos I always feel a little guilty. 

On average I take probably 500 pictures a week with my DSLR but over the past few weeks I've only taken about 100.

I feel like Vivienne grows up so much each week and when I don't capture everything I always regret it later on.

So many people always say things like I should enjoy the moments happening without a camera in front of my face but honestly, have you people ever taken a photo in your life?

I feel more in the moments happening when I DO have a camera in my hands than when I don't.

I get down on the ground with Viv when I'm taking pictures, I run and chase her, I capture every face she makes and every laugh. 

When I don't have a camera with me I'm more likely to just let Josh chase her around (mostly though because I'm 9 months pregnant - ha!).

Josh and I are almost on a daily basis looking back on photos from the years that we've been together, our married life, all of our adventures with Viv. 

My photos are my most prized possessions.

So, all that to say...over these past few weeks I've been just too pregnant to bother with taking a lot of pictures and I'm regretting it! 

Another thing I just realized...

I didn't even take any photos on MOTHER'S DAY!

We had such a lovely day and I guess I just forgot!

This pregnant brain is killing me!

Oh! 

I have to brag a little bit about Joshua.

He graduated this weekend with his BS degree with a double major in History and Political Science (with an almost 4.0 gpa I should add!)!

Hallelujah!

It's been a long, long road to get here but he did it and I am SO proud of him!

He has been so incredible over these years of schooling - never complaining even once.

He's 21 years old, has been married for almost 3 years, has (almost!) 2 children, and has worked at least 2-3 jobs the entire time he's been in school. 

I think there's something to say about that!

I have so much admiration and respect for this guy of mine. 

I love my husband more than anything and even though we still have a ways to go while we find a job and a place to really call home, we have come so far and have been so blessed.

And because I know you secretly read my blog...

I'm so proud of you, Honey!

Thank you for all your hard work, patience and unwavering love over these past few years. 

I'm so thankful for the way our lives have unfolded and I can't wait for the next journey ahead of us!

Okay, I'll stop now...

I know that I say this all the time but Viv is *such* an adventurer! 

We took her to this nature trail the other day and just let her lead the way.

She marched through the grass, stopping every few feet to pick flowers and find bugs.

Her spirit is so happy and full of joy and I just can't get enough!

It's been getting more difficult for me to take Viv to the park by myself because all the walking onsets a bunch of contractions that I can't really walk through.

So, our days have been mostly spent inside doing art projects and getting ready for Penny and then when Josh gets home from work we head outside until dark.

It's more fun when Daddy is around anyway! 

Last Week Was A Blur

Last week was a blur of adventures outside in the sun, LOTS of work on the apartment and getting things ready for the baby, lots of visiting family, and just a whole lot of love. 

I decided not to stress about blogging and actually cut out using the internet a lot and just enjoyed the week without the extra interruptions. 

I still have hundreds of photos on my camera from the week which never happens - I try and make sure I get them uploaded by the end of every week so that they don't pile up.

We switched around the bedrooms of our apartment and got things settled for Penny to come.

I think that we're pretty much ready for her!

I need to pack up all my winter clothes so that I can make room in my closet for some extra storage but that about the only project I have left to do! 

Oh, and did I mention that I'm being induced on May 30th?!

That's only 16 days away!!

So, I'll probably be really lazy at posting since we're really just soaking up these last few weeks as a family of three and making sure that Viv gets some extra special treatment! 

Oh, and on another fun note...

There is a possibility that we're going to be moving to the Buffalo area in the next few months instead of DC!

Josh still has a big test to take for a job in DC but honestly, I think it's looking more like Buffalo is going to be our next adventure! 

I'm a little hesitant to want to move back so close to where I grew up because I like new adventures and was looking forward to a new life in a new state...but we would be SO close to my parents! 

Josh would be starting his Master's there and if we can find some kind of a job soon we'll be moving out there for sure! 

We even found an absolutely adorable house for sale at an amazing price and I'm really trying just not to think about it at all because I don't want to get my hopes up. 

But it looks like God is putting things into place for our life and I can't wait to see how things change and where we end up but I'm open for whatever happens! 

Her soul

Vivienne is our fearless adventurer. 

She looks at life with such determination and confidence. 

There is never a moment that she questions whether or not she can accomplish the things that she wants to accomplish. 

She tries and if she fails she gets right back up and tries again.

Her knees and elbows show life in their scrapes and little bruises.

I am envious of her courage and bravery.

I think I can count on my two hands the times that she has put up a fuss about going somewhere or doing something in her entire life.

She is always, always up for an adventure - no matter how small it may be.

She looks at everything we do as something positive and new.

She inspires me every day. 

She inspires me to be brave.

She inspires me to look ahead with excitement.

She inspires me to keep persevering even when things may not be so easy.

This tiny little person reminds me every day to be strong...

to look at the world with her eyes and see the beauty all around.  

Meeting Baby Juniper

Today we took a little drive out to my mom's house to meet the newest baby on their farm...

meet little Juniper!

This adorable little sheep is only two days old and was rejected by it's mother, so my mom adopted her and is bottle feeding her.

I think that she might even be cuter than a puppy if that's possible!

She followed Vivienne around the yard all afternoon and it was almost too much sweetness for my heart to handle! 

There is going to be two more babies born this week and I can't wait to see them and watch Viv play with all three!