Baby #2–30 Week Ultra Sound

March 23, 2017

This was an exciting day!  I love ultra sounds and seeing our growing boy!  I have been saying the entire time how low and big I think he is.  These things were confirmed when we found out his legs were straight down to my center (where he likes to tap dance) and that he already weighs over four pounds.

We got to make sure he is, in fact, a boy… that he has some hair… and that he already doesn’t like to look at the camera ;)  After lots of maneuvering, she was able to get a pretty good 3D profile pic.

We so look forward to meeting this sweet boy!  Just trying to be patient these days… and now we know that he needs to turn!

Baby #2 – 27 Weeks

February 26, 2017

How Far Along: 27 weeks

Size: Baby Boy is the size of a rutabaga: 14.5 in. long and around 2 lbs.

New Baby Developments: He is practicing inhaling and exhaling with his rapidly developing lungs. And, he is showing brain activity!  If he were born today he would have a 99% chance to survive.

Cravings: Nacho Cheese Doritos, Little White Donuts

Aversions: Anything gooey… Still sausage and salad too.

Movement: He is constantly moving!  And way down low this time.  So much more movement than I ever felt with Mollie.

Looking Forward To: Another ultra sound next month, Seeing his sweet face!

Best Moment Since the Last Update:  Finding out that our prayers have been answered even more, because it’s a boy!  And, seeing Mollie get more and more excited about being a sister.  She feels my belly all the time and tells Reed goodnight every night.

_________________________________________________

Pregnancy Compare Pictures:

Baby #2 – 20 Week Ultra Sound

January 6, 2017

This was such an exciting day!  We were worried that some major snow would cancel our appointment, but we braved the elements.

Mollie stayed with Melissa and Dallas while we went, and we were super glad about that after we waited in the small crowded waiting room for TWO HOURS!  It was getting a little ridiculous and we were starving.  I have no idea why we had to sit there that long for an appointment that we had made two months ago and confirmed through email and a phone call.

We were both a little agitated but as soon as she started the ultra sound all we could do was smile.  It is so fun to see a sweet little baby on the big screen.  I loved seeing every picture she took…. even the boring ones. 

After it was all said and done, we have a healthy baby and that is all we could have asked for.  And the baby already looks like his daddy….

Baby #2 - 16 Weeks

December 15, 2016

Instead of weekly pictures this time…. I’m going to try for monthly pictures.  I felt horrible the entire first 14 weeks so pictures weren’t a thing I was thinking about.

How Far Along: 16 weeks or 4 months

Size: Baby is the size of an avocado… 4.6 in. and 3.5 oz.

New Baby Developments: Baby can listen to us now!  And, Baby is growing hair and forming taste buds!

Cravings: Food is just now starting to sound good.  I’ve been craving orange juice though.

Aversions: Sausage and Salad

Movement: A few flutters!

Looking Forward To: Celebrating Christmas with our families and finding out whether this sweet baby is a boy or girl.

Best Moment of the Week:  Hearing Baby’s strong heartbeat at our monthly appointment.

______________________________________________________________

Pregnancy Compare Pictures…

Baby #2 First Look

November 8, 2016

We went in for our first ultra sound to check out Baby #2.  This time it is a little different because they didn’t do it in our doctor’s office.  We went through the check in process for a very short ultra sound that resulted in one picture.

We weren’t very happy with the service or the price, but I guess you can’t put a price on seeing your baby for the first time.  It was confirmed once again…. we are having a baby!  Seeing his little profile was a precious sight and we got even more excited!

Mollie was there to see the whole thing.  She was super excited and told everyone she saw for the next few days about seeing the baby on the tv screen.  This was her outside the hospital before the ultra sound.

We can’t wait to see our baby again for the big 20 week!  Boy or girl???  We all say boy and a couple of my friends have had dreams about it being a boy…. so I’m thinking we will be shocked if it’s not.

Baby #2!!!

Well…. we’re having a baby!  We have been trying for 25 months (who’s counting) to give Mollie a brother or sister.  And just when we both got comfortable with the idea of Mollie being an only child, and I schedule a garage sale to get rid of all the baby stuff cluttering up our attic, I take a pregnancy test and BAM…. It’s really happening!

This was on September 29, 2016.  This was the day we found out we would be a family of FOUR!

Nate and I are still in disbelief.  As I type I am almost 17 weeks along and we are still totally in shock.  We will be finding out soon if the baby is a boy or girl and I know this will be a turning point in my mind.  We are so super excited and grateful and just can’t wait to meet our little one close to June 1, 2017!

To celebrate we went to eat at Olive Garden and tried our best to hide the good news until after our first ultrasound on November 3.  After we saw there was a real baby in there, we called our family and friends and the news just kind of trickled out from there.  I had a lot of cute ideas on how to get the news out, but I was too sick to make any of those things happen.

We are praying every day for a healthy baby and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be parents again.  Mollie will be the best big sister ever and it will melt us to see her with the new baby!  Looking forward to every new step!

In My Daughter’s Eyes

Everyone knows, a baby changes everything.  I thought I was fully prepared for these changes.  I had wanted to be a mother my entire life.  And for the most part, I have loved every change that has come our way.  What I wasn’t prepared for was how being a mother changed me.  Mollie is now two years old and still everyday I am learning new things about myself.

 

The funny side of this is that I am suddenly able to take care of things and share my opinions with  others.  I used to be so chill and mellow…. going with the flow and never speaking my mind about much.  Since having Mollie I suddenly feel equipped to tell everyone what I think.  I have opinions about things and I will gladly tell you… sometimes unsolicited.  My friends think it’s hilarious.  I think I feel empowered since birthing Mollie.  In a way she brought me into womanhood.

I look at Mollie and I want to be strong and independent for her…. characteristics that I would never stick on myself.  I want to be the best version of myself…. for her.  When she is cranky beyond repair, and Nate and I are tired of the tears, I want to be patient and tenderhearted to take care of her the best way I can. 

When we put her to bed at night, I want to sing to her and tell her she is beautiful, she is wanted, she is loved, and God has a plan for her life.  I want to speak only good things into her tiny, cutest thing ever, head.  I want her to hold onto Jesus and know that He will keep her safe, that He will always be with her.  And, in wanting those things for her it reminds me to live like I am beautiful, wanted, loved… and it makes me remember that God has a plan for my life, that I need to hold onto Jesus.

I want to be the woman that my daughter wants to be like.  And, as a person that has struggled with self-esteem ever since I can remember, this changes me.  The very thought of what I look like to Mollie…. it changes me.  It changes me for the better.

I love these words to this Martina McBride song "In My Daughter's Eyes":

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daugter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

 

I love you so much, Mollie Grace!

Mollie’s First Birthday!

October 26 – November 26, 2013

Oh my goodness… I can’t believe that our sweet girl is a whole year old.  Time really does fly!

Mollie Grace, this month you celebrated your first Halloween (dressed as Princess Leia), Had your last formula bottle and started drinking milk. On November 7, you got your first ear infection and took your first antibiotic.  We were thrilled you made it so long without one… both your parents have bad ears.  On Halloween you took 12 steps at Nana and Papa Bill’s house, and by November 11 you were walking!  We celebrated your first birthday on November 16, a few days early.  And, on November 21, you met your new cousin Avery. Oh… and this month, you tried your first bite of Chick-fil-a chicken…. Daddy was proud.

Mollie ~ 11 Months

September 26 – October 26, 2013

This month you went to your first parade at Czech Fest.  It was really cold, but you enjoyed it!  We also went to the pumpkin patch with your friends.  You loved looking at all the animals.  Around October 16, you started saying “no".  It’s really cute….. right now ;)

 

Mollie ~ 10 Months

August 26 – September 26, 2013

You have developed such a cute little personality these days.  You are still shy around strangers, but I love how you cling to me when they talk to you ;)  You started trying to walk around September 15.  You are easily entertained and still love to be soothed by pacis.  You like to swing and watch Claire run around.  You get into the cabinets all the time, and like to play with your learning table.  This month, you also went to your first football game!