19 Weeks

Today marks 19 weeks into this pregnancy.  Since this baby will be delivered at either 36 or 37 weeks, I am officially past the halfway mark.  This is probably a good thing because I have already put on half the weight that I put on while pregnant with Avery.  The doctor thinks my weight gain is right on track; I, however, know exactly what I weighed when I became pregnant, and there's a few extra pounds that they don't know about since they didn't see me until I was 10 weeks along.  Oh well, I'm feeling great and that's the most important thing I think.

Speaking of doctors and appointments, yesterday was our full sonogram and also a checkup with our doc in Wichita.  Our baby was very active and also had the hiccups, a combination that made things a little more difficult for the sonographer to take all the necessary pictures, but she eventually got everything she needed.  She informed us at the beginning of the appointment that she would not be making any guesses as to which gender the baby is.  She would only let us know at the very end of the appointment if she was completely sure of what we are having.  At the end of the appointment she got a shot, froze it, and said "Well, you're going to have to buy all new things; you're having a boy!"  Then she pointed to what was in the picture and yes, knowing now what it is, it was pretty obvious we have a son in the oven.  So here we go!  Avery will have a little brother to run around with and help take care of. 

Mom, Avery, and I have already made a trip to Carter's in Newton to start stocking up on baby boy things (and of course new clothes for Avery too)!  It's definitely a different world over in the boy section opposite all the pink.  I loved every second though (even though Avery didn't; we had a fairly decent meltdown in the middle of the store) and can't wait to continue planning for our baby boy.

Spring is Almost Here!

With all the warmer weather we've been having the last week or so, Avery and I have definitely been taking advantage of getting lots of fresh air.  Avery's latest favorite hobby (other than chasing the dogs around the yard with the ball thrower: still an old favorite) is blowing bubbles.  At the end of every Mother Goose session, the teacher blows bubbles on all the kids and Avery seems to enjoy it so much there, we bought some bubble solution of our own to try out.  Well worth the $2.  So much that yesterday we went back out to Walmart and bought a bubble gun and a bubble pail.  We plan on returning to get more bubble accessories as we have the time and the newness of these wears off. 

Here she is chasing some bubbles.  We weren't able to actually capture any of the bubbles in any pictures.  It was a pretty typical windy March day.

Finally getting her own turn with the wand.

But continuing to love the ball thrower.  She's holding it like it's a lacrosse stick or something.  I love how serious she looks!

Other than being outside plenty, not much else has been happening in our household.  Chris and I will make a trip to Wichita on Tuesday for both a sonogram and a regular appointment.  As long as the baby is cooperating, we should be able to find out if we are having a boy or girl!  

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Busy Week!

It's been one of those weeks where we seemed to have something going on every single day.  We started off the week with Daddy leaving Monday afternoon to go to Lawrence for a class for work.  Avery and I had dinner with Mom and then a quiet evening of just the two of us.  I don't think Avery was too impressed with just my company since I'm her companion all day every day already.  Oh well, we had a fine evening even though we missed Daddy like crazy.

Tuesday we waited for Daddy to get home from Lawrence and he surprised us by getting home about an hour before we thought he would!  Wednesday, Mom took a personal day off from school so she, Avery, and I could travel to Salina to go to my Uncle Tom's deployment ceremony.  None of us had been to anything like it before, so it was definitely something to experience.  Over 550 soldiers were being deployed and all their friends and families were in the Bicentennial Center with us.  Pretty neat.

Yesterday was an exciting day because our friends, Seth and Laurie, welcomed twin baby boys into the world!  We can't wait to meet Tyler and Brandon Ek!  And today, Friday, Avery had her 2nd annual preschool (or infant/toddler) screening done through the Early Childhood Center.  Avery went last March when she was 7 months old and I think I will continue to take her once a year just to have the professionals check her hearing, vision, and cognitive skills.  She did great, even impressing one of the teachers to the point where she wrote Avery was above age level on her checkout sheet!  Hooray!  That deserved a frosty from Wendys so that is what we did.

In between all the appointments and traveling, we have been enjoying some warmer weather.  Here's Avery in one of her more springy outfits.  We can't wait until all we are wearing are capris or shorts!

Yes, that is naturally curly hair!!!  Just spritz some water and VOILA!

Making sure the 4 wheeler battery is still running.  It is.

Trying to unzip her coat for the billionth time.  She is working on dressing and undressing herself, and at this point is only really successful at the undressing.  Note Mommy's new ride parked in the garage.  We needed more space pending our new arrival.  We are now a minivan family!