Jenn's Baby Shower

Yesterday Rhiannon and I threw a baby shower for Jenn at Rhiannon's house. We've been planning it for months, so it was nice to see it all finally come together! Rhiannon came up with a "Bedtime Stories" theme. So we bought bedding to use as table cloths and used our kids books and stuffed animals as decor. It turned out super cute!! I think Jenn loved it and had a great time, which is all that really matters.

We had two tables set up like beds -- complete with pillows!

The other tables were covered with blue sheets and we used Lily's books as the centerpieces.

The food table was also set like a bed. We had sandwiches, salads, cheeses, dips, mini quiches. We also had milk and cookies (with optional Kahlua) to go with the theme! Unfortunately, I forgot to get a photo of the whole room, or any photos during the shower -- but at least I documented all our hard work. :)

Swinging

Thursday evening Lily and I hung out outside for hours. She played while I worked on the lap top. It is so nice to be able to get outside for fresh air now that it is not so cold -- in fact I am outside right now as I type! She is loving her "park" and is actually swinging all by herself like a big girl! I admit, I babied her on the swings and at the park she would often still get put in the baby swings, but that is only because she doesn't always pay attention and has fallen off -- flat on her back -- the big girl swings more than once! But having her own to practice on has been good and she is actually pumping her little legs and swinging!!

Go Lily!

This look cracked me up!

Pajama Day

Wednesday was Pajama Day at school. Lily looked so cute in her Rapunzel nightgown that she got for her birthday. It was a little cool in the morning, so we had to add leggings to the ensemble.

Baby Love

Someone is more than ready for a baby! In fact, I have had to told to "Be quiet! The baby is sleeping!!" and have to constantly care for baby "Abby" -- she named her after her best friend's brand new baby sister. And I thought I had 5 more months to rest. :)

BIG NEWS!!!!

I am sure most of you reading this already know that I'm pregnant!! Today I am between 13 and a half weeks (according to the Dr's calculations) and 14 and a half weeks (according to MY calculations). :) My "official" due date is August 24th, although the baby will probably be here a week prior since I'll have to have another C-section.

We found out in December, right before Christmas, so it was an amazing Christmas present! And although it was still so early and I was very weary, I knew we had to tell Lily at Christmas since it was so perfect and would make her so happy. She has been wanting a baby brother or sister for some time now and asks for one constantly. But I am getting ahead of myself . . .

First, my positive pregnancy test!
Chip was actually home when I took the test this time (with Lily I had to wait all day to surprise him once he got home from work) and Lily woke up soon after. She had no idea what was going on, but was very happy to smile and pose for the photo. :)
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We decided to tell Lily on Christmas Eve, so the news wouldn't get lost in the excitement of Christmas morning. I gave her a present (nursery furniture for her doll house) and told her it was from the baby in my tummy. She said, "You don't have a baby in your tummy!!" and I said, "Yes, I think I do" and she said "Cool." And that was it. We have it on video. I think she was kinda shocked. She didn't say anything for a few days about it and since I'd hadn't even seen the Dr yet, I didn't push the matter, but then suddenly it hit her and she hasn't stopped talking about it since. She is beyond excited!!! She wants a little "bother" and I am sure boy or girl, she will get her wish! :)

Opening her gift from the baby on Christmas Eve.

I had my first Dr appointment on December 30th. I had figured I was 7 weeks along, but the baby measured small at 6 weeks and one day. You can barely see it on the ultrasound -- but it was there and the heart was beating!! :) This was also the day that my parent's got back from California, so it was perfect to have the ultrasound to show them and announce the news.

6 weeks!

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I went back to the Doctor 4 weeks later on January 27th. Since it was probably too early to hear the heartbeat on the Doppler, I got another ultrasound. I wasn't complaining, I LOVE the ultrasounds. It was amazing to see how much the baby had grown in 4 weeks and it was moving around like crazy. He/she even waved to me! So cute.

10 weeks -- that bright white spot on the bottom left is the hand waving.

I got another ultrasound at 11 and a half weeks on February 7th for my first trimester screening and I am happy to say that everything looks great!

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On Sunday, the 13th, I had some light spotting. The exact same thing happened with Lily around 11 weeks, so I wasn't too concerned. But I went to the doctor on Monday (Valentine's Day) and got yet another ultrasound to make sure all was good -- and thankfully, everything looked perfect.

12 and a half weeks.

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I had planned all along to announce my pregnancy on Valentine's Day, so after the Dr gave me the okay, I posted the following photo of Lily and the ultrasound photo on facebook to basically tell everyone I know. :)

She is such a happy and proud big sister.

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I probably won't get another ultrasound until the 20 week appointment, so I doubt I'll have any more photos for awhile. But no news is good news and we'll just be continuing with our busy schedule, while I try to sneak a nap in whenever I can! :)

Valentine's Day

We had a great Valentine's Day this year. It was perfect since it happened to fall on a Monday which is Chip's day off work! Of course, Chip started the festivities on Sunday night since he couldn't wait to give Lily her presents. She got a teddy bear, as is the tradition. He has bought her a teddy bear for every Valentine's Day since she was born. She also got candy, a rose and a rose pen. She was SO happy. I got Chip candy (sugar free) and he got me some chocolates, as well. And, he actually listened to me! I LOVE and appreciate it so much when he buys me beautiful bouquets of flowers, but they are so overpriced on Valentine's day, so I politely asked him not to buy me flowers (there is so many other things I could spend $100 on) and for once he obeyed. Of course I missed my flowers, but it was great just spending the day with those I love most!

Lily getting her presents. Her bear came all wrapped in a pretty basket.
Lily had school on Monday, so she got all dressed in her Valentine's outfit and headed off with her "Olivia" valentines that she signed herself! (sadly, I forgot to get a photo of her writing out her valentines and the finished product). After school she got to go through all her Valentines and check out all her sweet treats! Here is her spiderman valentine from Matthew.

As I expected, she did NOT like her conversation hearts (if it isn't chocolate, she doesn't like it), so she spit it out in her hand.

Eating her chocolate candies and watching Chip play Mario Kart (those 2 are obsessed).

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Then we all went to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (my choice). I don't care to go to dinner on Valentine's Day since everywhere is SO crowded, so we went to lunch. It was a beautiful day and we got to sit out on the patio -- it was perfect! After we headed to the mall to play around and run some errands. I know, it doesn't sound very exciting, but we had things that needed to be done (watches that needed batteries, dresses to buy) and we always have fun at the mall! :)

Lily wanted to ride all by herself! So she made me sit on the bench like a dork while she rode the "horseys" like a big girl.

Later in the evening we ordered a pizza and Lily got all dolled up! :)

She is such a girly girl!!!

Daddy Daughter Dance

Tonight Chip took Lily to a Daddy Daughter Valentine's Day dance with Ben and Carys and Pete and Makayla. Of course Lily was beyond excited!! It was SO sweet watching them get ready -- I only wish I could have gone too! I am hoping he'll take a few pictures at the dance . . . if I get any I'll post them later.

Lily getting her first corsage.

She picked this pose, where she is smelling her flower. :)

LOVE this picture of my two loves! I am sure they are having a great time!

Superbowl

We watched Green Bay win the SuperBowl this year at Elan and Jeff's house. It was fun as always hanging out with Rhiannon and her family and of course Lily had Carys and Matthew and Chip had Ben . . . so it was perfect. The best part was that I FINALLY got to wear the cheesehead I bought 7 or 8 years ago on a business trip to Milwaukee! :)

Carys and Lily waiting for the Black Eyed Peas halftime show.