17 & 18 Week Bump & Update

OMG I'm so behind...it's been crazy around here lately.  We are in full party planning mode!

Last week we had a lot going on, which was great!  I surprised Chris with tickets to his favorite comedian/podcast show host Greg Fitzsimmons in Bellevue! SO. HILARIOUS. We got there, and were upgraded to V.I.P, so I was literally sitting next to the stage, with the microphone about 6 feet away, which made me a nervous wreck because I was positive I was going to get called out for something. But I wasn't (thank goodness) and we had the best time. The absolute best part was getting to meet him afterward! He was so nice, and talked with Chris for awhile (who is a total superfan and was talking a million miles a minute...so cute) and we even got pictures and an autograph.

Saturday morning we packed up and made the trek (in some of the worst traffic ever) down to Chehalis to spend time with Chris's family. It was a beautiful weekend and I was so nice to spend some time down there. Laila loves it, and especially loves her Uncle Brian!

This week is filled to the brim with tying up all the loose ends of planning Laila's Birthday party which is on Saturday!!! We have about 30ish people coming to the pool in our neighborhood for a BBQ and pool party! I haven't thrown a party this big since Chris and I got married! It's been so fun to plan it and we are so excited to celebrate our big girl turning 1 on Saturday!!! I've been singing Happy Birthday to her so I get de-sensitized and don't bawl my eyes out when we sing to her at her party in front of all those people! Who am I kidding, I probably will anyways ;)

If someone would've told me I would be almost 19 weeks pregnant at Laila's 1st Birthday, I would've thought they were crazy...which brings me to my 17/18 week Bumpdate!

How Far Along: 18 Weeks
Weight Gain: 8 lbs
Gender: We find out in just two weeks!!!!!
Cravings: I could have corn on the cob for every meal!
Maternity Clothes: Yes
Looking Forward to: Getting started on the nursery!
NOT Looking Forward to: Making decision about the nursery! HA! I'm so indecisive these days!
Getting Our Lives ready: Just trying to focus on Laila bug and her birthday party this week :) There's not much we can do at this point until we know the gender. I started looking at nursery furniture and double strollers that holds an infant car seat as well as a 16 month old (which I don't even really know is necessary...would love thoughts on this!)
Feeling: Excited :)

16 Week Bumpdate

Friday I had my 16 week appointment for baby #2. I was really needing to hear baby's heartbeat for some reassurance. I guess it all feels too good to be true sometimes...like it was just too easy this time around getting pregnant. I can't wait until I'm really feeling the baby kick instead of just tickles here and there. All is good, and baby is healthy and strong. Music to my ears :)

How Far Along: 16 Weeks
Weight Gain: 7 lbs
Gender: Getting close to finding out!!! Can't wait :) Still thinking BOY
Cravings: Last week I made a late night trip to Walgreens to pick up some pregnancy-safe congestion medication for a nasty cold. Walgreens happens to be next to a KFC. Keep in mind that we NEVER eat KFC, but I saw good ol Colonel Sanders and all of sudden I HAD TO HAVE MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY RIGHT NOW!!!!! Out of nowhere, I had my biggest pregnancy craving yet...10:30 PM and this girl needed mashed potatoes and gravy...pregnancy is so weird. I decided to make my way into Walgreens first so I could eat my coveted taters at home. It was all I could think about as I stood in line at the pharmacy. I got my meds, jumped back into my car and proceeded to the drive-thru. As I waited for the guy to come over the loud speaker, I started contemplating going a little nuts, and maybe getting a biscuit too! I was practically drooling when I looked up to see a sign that said, CLOSED at 9PM. I kid you not...I could've cried. No mashed potatoes for this pregnant girl. I sulked my way home, and replayed the whole scenario for Chris (who looked at my like I'd lost my mind...which I have a little, I admit. Pregnancy Brain is a real thing!) and you know what he did? Made his hormonal, overly emotional, mashed potato craving wife a delicious plate of nachos at 11pm and acted like that was completely normal and ok. Totally justified. Now THAT'S a good man ;)
Maternity Clothes: Oh Yes
Looking Forward To: Finding out the gender!!!! Just a few weeks away!!!!!
NOT Looking Forward To: I honestly can't think of anything...
Getting Our Lives Ready: We have a busy few weeks coming up with family BBQs, Laila's first birthday bash, and other fun things planned :) Won't do much for the baby until we find out boy or girl. We did clean out our guest room/future nursery though, which got me very excited.
Feeling: More energetic and very blessed.

It Finally Happened

Well...I was wondering when it was going to happen. Frankly, I'm a little surprised it hasn't happened before, but tonight just happened to be our lucky night. Yes, my sweet daughter pooped in the tub for the first time.
It started out like any other bath, when she leaned back in her signature poop position and proceeded to fart more than any almost one year old I'm sure has ever farted before. Which made Laila laugh hysterically, as she tried to gently pick up her fart bubbles. Of course, I was doubled over laughing as well...when she got "The Look". That's when she proceeded to poop in the tub, and yes, tried to pick it up as well, totally fascinated by what was happening. I freaked out, started yelling for my husband, screaming, "She's pooping in the tub! She's pooping in the tub!" Chris and our dog, now all riled up and barking come barreling down the stairs and into the bathroom. Chris swoops Laila up in a towel, who then proceeds to poop all over her daddy with a look on her sweet face that said, "Hey, I wasn't done, Okay?!" I ran upstairs to grab a slotted spoon to fish out her poop from the bath, drained and doused the tub with chlorox, and refilled the tub for yet another bath. My laid back girl couldn't have cared less about the chaos, she was just super excited she got to have another bath!
As I tucked her into bed tonight, and sang my little goodnight song to her, I got a little teary remembering how lucky we really are, because just one short year ago, I would've done ANYTHING to have a story to tell, like my story above. I would've done ANYTHING to laugh with my baby and husband about something as silly and absurd as fishing out baby poop with a pampered chef slotted spoon.

I don't know why she does it...but Laila's favorite thing is to put her Easter bucket on her head. I think it has something to do with that it makes everyone laugh :) My little comedienne.

Laila-11 Months

Laila Kate will be a whole year old in just ONE MONTH! How did that happen????? She had a big month in terms of development and firsts!

Laila Kate These Days:

HEIGHT: 30 inches - actually we haven't measured her since her last appt.

WEIGHT: At least 23 lbs

CLOTHING SIZE: 18 month -2T

FAVORITE FOOD: My mom makes a killer banana bread that Laila just can't get enough of! We've officially renamed it Nana Bread. This month she also tried (and loved) cherries, lasagna, chicken, cupcakes,  peaches, cheese, and zucchini quiche, among other things.

MILESTONES: Get ready for it.....CRAWLING!!!!!! My big girl is finally mobile! And she's thinking about pulling up too. Life has officially changed around here, and we are baby proofed to the max. She chases our poor dog around the house all day tormenting him-she grabs his toys and shoves them in his mouth. Paisley is slowing warming up to her and they actually play now. She also points to her hair when you ask her where her hair is, and hands you toys and grabs your hand to show you what she wants you to do. So sweet, and a little bossy which is hilar. 

FAVORITE TOY: The fireplace mantle, the dog dishes (she's dumped the water at least 3 times), the garbage can, anything really that she can get her hands on. She also loves her Easter bucket, that she routinely puts on her head and yells into so it's really loud.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: I'd say chasing poor Paisley around the house, and making us laugh. We may have comedienne on our hands :)

LEAST FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Getting her diaper changed. Or anything activity where she has to be still.

14 Week Bumpdate and Other Things

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July! We sure did, even though it sure is different with a little one who goes to bed at 8pm... and you're left sitting on the couch cursing the neighbors who are making too much noise...annoyed because the babe keeps waking up....must mostly just jealous of their shenanigans.. and that this is the second summer in a row that I've been pregnant and can't down an ice cold beer to kick off the season...sigh. Just to make it perfectly clear though, I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the whole wide world.

To kick off Laila's first Independence Day we drove to Anacortes to catch the annual parade. I had been looking forward to this for quite some time. There were many years of attending the parade while trying to get pregnant, and daydreaming about what it would be like if we were lucky enough to someday bring our own baby to the parade. It was a great moment, and I may have even teared up watching Laila take it all in. She loved everything about it...the crowd, the noise, and especially  watching all the big kids run out to get candy! She'll be that big before I know it.

We drove back to Bellingham shortly after the parade because unfortunately Baby #2 has been kicking my butt lately. I was extremely tired and nauseas after our big morning. Lots of resting took place the rest of the day, and after Laila went to bed, this tired mama took a hot shower, poured a giant bowl of kettle corn I purchased at the parade, and sat my butt on the couch for a chick flick. Not gonna lie...it was pretty heavenly.

All in all we had a great week last week. My friend Melissa and her daughter Quinn came up for a pool playdate - which seeing both girls in their swimsuits was almost too cute to handle!

We also started a gymnastics class for 9-22 month olds called Little Gymmies...SO MUCH FUN! The gym has all the normal gymnastics equipment (balance beam, uneven bars, etc) but it's all downsized for little ones! We sang songs, played with bubbles, played under one of those giant parachutes, played on the equipment and even went on a zip line! Laila absolutely loved it, and so did I!

Which brings me to my 14 week Bumpdate!

How far along: 14 weeks
Weight gain: 6 lbs as of my last appt...haven't weighed myself lately.
Gender: Don't know yet...but I'm totally thinking BOY
Cravings: Mexican Food. Anything salty really...
Maternity clothes: Yes
Looking forward to: Finding out the gender so I can start getting the nursery ready.
NOT looking forward to: Cleaning out the junk closet that's in the new baby's room.
Getting our lives ready: We cleared out the old guest room today to make room for a crib, rocker, baby dresser etc!!! I just can't believe it...still.
Feeling: Like I'm back in the first trimester yuck...but can't keep this goofy smile off my face :)