Anniston is 22 Months Old!

You are 22 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 21 Months She:

Loves her morning breakfast meals that daddy makes. Blueberry pancakes are her favorite breakfast meal, but her favorite thing to eat is still Spaghetti and Meatballs! 

Moved into her big girl bedroom! She loves it and always brings stuffed animals to cuddle with her at night! 

Finished her first session of gymnastics and learned how to jump! She can get both feet off the ground! She also is very good at stretching! We stretch almost every morning now!  

Loves dancing, running and singing now. We turn on music and she just wiggles and runs around the house. Her favorite song is "Let it Go" from the movie Frozen. She loves acting it out! 

She got the croup and the flu for one whole week. She was such a trooper, but it really wore her out.  

Continued picking the scab on her forehead! We had to resort to wearing REALLY large bandaids all the time, but it's finally gone!

Has hair long enough for pigtails now and the longer it grows, the curler it is becoming!  

Started putting on her shoes and socks all by herself!

Now takes off her clothes and diapers in her crib during naptime and bedtime! So we are now putting duck tape on her diapers to keep them on her! 

Went on an Easter Egg Hunt on a very windy day with friends!

Is patiently waiting for her baby brother or sister to arrive! She always rubs my belly and sings to it. 

Nursery Reveal

Oh I have been anxiously awaiting for this for this moment my entire pregnancy! 

No, no, baby has not arrived, but I finally feel ready for it to because the nursery is finally complete!! 

Since I found out I was pregnant with this baby I told Nick I wanted a "woodland" theme. Really I just thought fox and deer in a nursery was such a cute concept! Nick on the other hand, thought of all the things he could create from wood. So between me searching for fabric swatches and Nick tearing wood off of old barns, this nursery was just one massive Pinterest project, waiting to come to life!

Here are a few of the DIY things we created:

 The "Tree"

So I showed Nickolas this simple tree that I saw on Pinterest. It had a few shelves on it and it was very basic, but I liked it. So Nick said said he wanted to get some wood from a barn that was being torn down and he would make something from that. I was skeptical at first. Especially when he brought home a pile of very old, rustic and beat up wood. But alas, I held my comments in and thank God I did. If you look closely he carved a heart into the tree, he hand stamped 15 copper leaves to the tree and hung a rosary from it! It truly is such a beautiful piece of art and I can't believe he created it! 
Here is his creation of the tree: 

The String Art

Once again, I saw this on pinterest and HAD to have it in the baby room! I knew I wanted the moon and back phrase and possibly a monogram string art, but as the room came together, so did the string art colors and creations. We took colors from the fabric I used and he made the moon out of copper wire to match the leaves (turns out copper wire gets twisted very easily, so he spent a lot of time untangling and unwrapping! But, for the wood, he went back to the pile of old wood that he collected and we found interesting pieces that weren't too beat up. Nickolas may have said a few bad words as he hammered into the dense wood. But overall, I think it was well worth the hassle - simply because he did all the hard work - and it totally adds to the room!

The Fox

Well foxes seemed to be everywhere this year, so I knew I wanted to add them to the nursery. Nick created a fox face replica from the fabric on the computer and we used it to create a minky/felt pillow cover and another string art. I love how the faces match up and how fuzzy the fox pillow is to cuddle up with! I still don't know what the fox says, but I do know that they are certainly cute and totally go with all the woodland decor. I also kept the wooden piece that Nick used to hand stamp the cooper leaves. I thought it was a cool piece of artwork. 

The Ladder Project

Well once again, this little gem was found at a farm. Nick brought it home with no idea what to use it for, but he knew I would use it for something! Originally we wanted to hang it above the crib and hang the felt woodland mobile from it. But, once we placed it there, it took away from the string art and the tree. So we had to go to Plan B. I thought about making a bookshelf from it, but we already had one, so we just had it sitting on it's side in the room for about a week, when it hit me. Hey, just  hang it on it's side and make it a shelf. One can never have too many shelves! I love all the little details we added to it - a cross Nick's grandfather made, a ladybug that Nick's mother gave me, woodland woods, a plush fox, and a collection of fantastic frames. I love this addition and can't wait to fill it with pictures and knick knacks for Baby R!

 The Crib Bumpers

Well this is my 3rd time around making crib bumpers and these are by far my favorite! Each time I try to come up with a better pattern and I think I may have found my go to pattern! Unfortunately, they were, by far, the most time consuming and the biggest pain to make! I literally stuffed them with a ladle and a lot of bad words. But, I got the job done and couldn't be more happy with them! 

The Accessories

I LOVE this whole set! I feel like it ties the entire room together. After Annie's room redo and this room I have learned to love quilting. It's time consuming, yet there is something about it that is very calming and rewarding. I ended up doing a patchwork quilt for this baby. There are 8 different pattern swatches and some are minky, some are fuzzy and the rest are cotton swatches from the the Michael Miller Norwegian Woods line. I ended up making a quilt, a boppy cover, a diaper holder and changing pad cover to go along with the room! Also, I found the white little night stand at a local boutique in town that I am in love with called Salvage Sisters! They have amazing stuff and it fits perfectly with the decor! 

So see, doesn't it just make you want to go be adventurous in the woods or something? Or curl up with a fox? Either way, I love it and I am so thankful for my sweet husband for helping me creating such a wonderful woodland for baby! 

38 Weeks

How Far Along:
38 Weeks Along (04/17/2014)

Cravings:
Parfaits and smoothies. Basically fruity deliciousness of any kind is my kind of treat! 

How Am I Feeling:
At ease. It's a very strange feeling. Part of me, well, a lot of me, just wants this baby to come already! It's heavy, it's constant pressure, I'm swelling up and I'm totally ready to stop peeing ALL. THE. TIME!
 Yet, at the same time, I want this next week and half to spoil Anniston, watch movies, run errands, and spoil Anniston some more! I am having a very difficult time knowing that we will only be a family of 3 for a short time more. Of course I am excited for baby, but it's overwhelming to think that I won't be able give all my extra attention and time to Anniston. I just don't  want her to feel less special or loved when baby comes.
Oh, my mommy hormones are on high alert!  

Sleep:
Anniston has been sleeping a lot better again, so that has given me a little bit more shut eye. But between the shifting of pillows, bathroom breaks and baby monitor checks, sleep is still pretty limited. But still probably better than what it is going to be in 2 weeks!

Miss Anything: 
Well I just can't wait to get outside and be active again. The weather is SLOWLY starting to feel like spring again! So it is exciting to see people out, the ground and knowing that it can only go up from here! Well....hopefully! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
Anniston's room is complete, the new nursery is complete and my hospital bags are ALMOST completely packed. So really, the baby can come ANY day now! We. Are. Ready.
Maybe...
Complaint of the Week:  
Heartburn is full force right now. I take Zantac 150 every morning and Tums throughout the day. Yet, that doesn't seem to be helping anymore! This is either going to be one hairy baby or I really might throw this baby right up! At least it feels that way sometimes...

Looking Forward To:  
Baby's D Day! We have a boy and girl name picked out. We have been pretty set on them since the beginning. We picked two new names this time around, but I have said them both several times and I feel good about them!
I just can't wait to feel what labor is like this time, or what this baby looks like, or how I feel afterwards. Just an exciting time with so many questions!
About Baby R:
Well I can definitely tell this baby is growing! It is about 6.9 pounds and at least 19.5 inches long! It has a firm grasp now so it can grab onto my fingers when it arrives!  Baby's organs are fully matured and ready for the World!

Here is me at 38 weeks with Anniston!

36 Weeks

How Far Along:
36 Weeks Along (04/03/2014)

Cravings:
Strawberries and applesauce. Really anything fruity. I think it is my body just getting ready to enjoy spring weather and everything that comes with it! But right now, nothing a bowl of strawberries and lemonade. I think Anniston is liking my "cravings" too, because that is her go to "nack" everyday after daycare! 

How Am I Feeling:
Well, the baby has DEFINITELY dropped. I am feeling myself start to waddle more and more every day. And I must look like the baby is ready too because now whenever I go anywhere people say - How much longer again? Any day now? Oh you must be ready to go!
You know...the usual last month remarks that make me feel even more massive and ready to go! 

Sleep:
Pretty light sleeping lately. Between moving Anniston from her old bedroom to her new bedroom and constant bathroom breaks, I feel like I have a newborn already! But overall, I would say my sleep is MUCH better this time around, than the last time around. Nickolas is happy, because I am finally at the "constantly hot" stage. So that means the fan is on all night and no covers. Just how he loves it! 

Miss Anything: 
Well I just can't wait to get outside and be active again. The weather is SLOWLY starting to feel like spring again! So it is exciting to see people out, the ground and knowing that it can only go up from here! Well....hopefully! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
 I completely finished the baby bumpers and am ALMOST done with the quilt! We hung up everything and now it's just little things here and there! I promise to post up pictures soon! I just want it all complete before I do! 

Looking Forward To:  
This weekend! My parents are taking Anniston for the weekend, so Nickolas and I get a babymoon! We aren't going anywhere or doing anything....but just knowing that we have a weekend to sleep in, take naps, run errands and organize is pretty much the coolest vacation ever!!
About Baby R:
This baby is growing about an ounce a DAY! Oofta! No wonder I am feeling pressure! It is about 6 pounds and at least 18.5 inches long! It is starting to shed some of that downy hair that covers their body. By the end of this week, the baby will be considered pre-term. Full term is 39-40 weeks, but it is still safe to have baby at any point from here on out! Also, I learned at my last appointment that baby's head is already down!

Here is me at 37 weeks with Anniston!

Anniston is 21 Months Old!

You are 21 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 20 Months She:

Helped decorate her new bedroom! We hope to move her into her room next month! Mommy is nervous and Anniston is excited!  

Started going to gymnastics and now does somersaults everywhere. Bring on the bruises!

Started reciting the ABC's by herself. She blends her L, M, N, O and P letters, but it's still adorable!

She still wears 18 months clothes and is in a size 5 for shoes.

Loves coloring and singing nursery rhymes to her baby.

She says "oopsie daisy" whenever she makes a mistake. 

We explored the Children's Museum in Minneapolis.

Anniston's New Bedding made by Mommy! 

34 Weeks

How Far Along:
34 Weeks Along (03/20/2014)

Cravings:
Chocolate. I gave it up for lent, so now I just would love to have any bit of chocolate possible! But in general, I haven't been nearly as hungry anymore. I am getting full so quickly, so I just find myself grazing throughout the day. I think my stomach is officially out of room for anything else right now! 

How Am I Feeling:
Great!! Spring break is all next week! We are going to SD again this weekend for Sonny's baptism and then I am staying to help out at the Tewalts until Wednesday! I am so excited for my extra time with Sonny, but nervous to be away from my Anniston for so long! This is the longest I'll ever have been away from her, but I know she will be amazing! 

Belly Button: 
Still popped out and Anniston is very amused by this! Its adorable listening to her giggle whenever she sees it or touches it! She has been a lot better about talking to the baby or rubbing my stomach. I think she is starting to understand that there is a baby inside of me, but I think she will fully understand once baby actually arrives! I mean, how does one really explain that to a toddler?!
Sleep:
The weird pregnancy dreams are coming back for me! I want to say thats's normal to have strange dreams while you're pregnant - I think I read that somewhere. But the topics I dream about lately are so bizarre! 

Miss Anything: 
Moving...at a normal speed. Just the other day it was really windy out and I was carrying Anniston. So naturally I tried to "run" into the store. By the time I got inside HyVee I was panting and instantly had to use the bathroom. Can't wait to get from point A to point B at a regular pace again! 

Movement:
I have been having a lot of hiccups lately. At least that is what I am calling them. It is like my entire vibrates for 5 seconds and then I don't feel anything for an hour. Strange? Yes. Normal. I guess so - according to my doctor anyways! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
Like I said previously, it is FINALLY spring break! I am ready to have a break from school to go help with Sonny for a few days! It is his baptism on Sunday and Nickolas and this week we were asked to  be his godparents! We feel so blessed to be a part of such a beautiful experience! 

Looking Forward To:  
Finishing up the nursery! We are SOOOO close and I am just obsessed with the woodland theme so far! It is so adorable and different that I cannot wait to post pictures! I am very grateful for Nickolas. He has done a TON of work in the nursery. Our babies are so lucky to have such a loving, creative and imaginative daddy!
About Baby R:
Baby is almost 5 pounds and 18 inches long! No wonder my ribs are constantly getting kicked! If this baby is anything like Anniston, it is probably longer at this point - Anniston was 22inches long! It's nervous system and lungs are continuing to mature in the next few weeks!

Here is me at 34 weeks with Anniston! We went to cheer Nickolas on for his Marathon! 

32 Weeks

 How Far Along:

32 Weeks Along (03/06/14)

Most Exciting Moment This Week

Sonny Leonard Tewalt was born on Friday, February 28th!

They are all doing wonderful and he is just such a perfect baby. He is so calm, quiet and sweet. I cannot wait to watch him grow and change, but for now, I will just snugle him as much as possible!!

We are heading back to SD this weekend to see him again! 

Cravings:

Eggs are my morning go to meal lately. Nickolas is amazing and makes Anniston and I breakfast every morning - yes, EVERY morning. We are very lucky! So I have been requesting a lot more egg variations lately and Anniston isn't complaining about that either! I think she has had the same cravings that I have throughout the pregnancy! 

How Am I Feeling:

I brought up the itching to my doctor and he did end up testing me for cholestasis - thanks for the advice Lisa! Luckily it came back negative! So I have just been using my exfoliating scrubs and body butter - thanks for the amazing gifts Heather :)  I really think the scrub has made a huge difference! 

Sleep:

Well, sleep has been lacking lately! Every since Sonny's birth, I have been off with my sleep schedule and I am not sure what to do about it! My mind is on "to-do" list mode all the time lately. So now when I lay down at night I can't seem to shut my mind off...

finish conferences, finish baby bedding, have Anniston nap in her new bedroom, school work, etc. 

Miss Anything: 

Well now that I am thinking about sleeping, just sleeping through the night would be a luxury! Yet, at the same time, I know pregnancy just prepares you for the baby's arrival! For now I am waking up to go to the bathroom, put Chapstick on, reposition myself or to get a drink. I think Nick thinks I am crazy for all the movement I do throughout the night! 

Movement:

Lots of hiccups lately! Nickolas and Anniston have both gotten to feel them and they are just as amazed as I am! It kind of reminds me of the rabbit Thumper, from Bambi, inside of my stomach. It is very rapid and quick thumps. 

Looking Forward To:  

Getting done with conferences and having a spring break! I know this month with fly by because it's our state-wide testing, I have a student teacher and I have conferences to complete! March Madness is an understatement!

About Baby R:

It's about 17 inches long and weighs almost 4 pounds! Which means I am gaining about a pound a week! Exhausting to think about! Also, Baby R now has toenails, fingernails and real hair - not just the peach fuzz! I cannot wait to see if this baby comes out with a full head of black hair like Anniston did!

Here is me at 33 weeks pregnant with Anniston! 

30 Weeks

How Far Along:
30 Weeks Along (02/20/2014). Happy Birthday to Me!

Cravings:
Smoothies. I LOVE smoothies all of a sudden. Which is strange considering it is freezing outside! 

How Am I Feeling:
The heartburn is under control, but the itching is not! What's that about anyways? I remember having the same problem with Anniston. Like my legs - especially my calves - cannot get attacked enough. I literally look forward to the daily loofah scrub in my shower and body butter - lots and lots of body butter.  

Belly Button: 
Well, my belly button popped out! It is very strange to me. And weird to see it when I put on tighter fitting shirts! Once again, not quite sure why belly buttons are so fascinating to me during pregnancy. But they are. 
Sleep:
Great! I have been sleeping fairly well this pregnancy! Still waking up for frequent bathroom breaks,  but I have gotten a lot better about just going the second I wake up, rather than lying there contemplating how badly I REALLY need to go. Waiting six more minutes and then actually going.

Miss Anything: 
  My Baileys and Hot Chocolate. I am craving one - or two - or three - of those too. Very badly. But next winter they will be there waiting for me! 

Movement:
Boy does this baby move! And it's not just a kick here and there. It's my entire stomach doing the wave for me. ALL the time. It's very surreal and strange feeling. Yet, I don't ever want it to stop! That was the thing I missed the most once I had Anniston. It's a feeling you can only get from pregnancy. Or going down a really steep roller coaster. 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
It was my birthday on Thursday! It was an amazing day! I woke up to yummy blueberry pancakes, an Aveda gift card, a massage appointment, an early dismissal from schooland snuggle time with Anniston and Nickolas all afternoon! It was a perfect day and to top it off, school was cancelled on  Friday too! So I am soaking up my EXTRA long weekend! Happy Birthday to Me!

Looking Forward To:  
It is Angela's baby d-day week!! So literally ANY day this next week she could have this baby! The anticipation is killing me! I cannot wait to see the baby, hold the baby, hear it's name and it's little cry! Babies are just the sweetest :) Our bags are packed for SF and we are ready to go anytime!
About Baby R:
It's about 16 inches long and weighs right over 3 pounds! It's getting so big! It's brain developing at a rapid pace now and starting to form grooves and wrinkles. It can even regulate it's own body temperature now.  Because of this, the baby is starting to shed some of it's lanugo this week - which is the downy body hair that covers a lot of infants. Anniston still had some on her shoulder and ears when she was born, so it'll be interesting to see how much hair baby #2 has!

Here is me at 30 weeks with Anniston! 

28 Weeks

How Far Along:
28 Weeks Along (02/07/2014). Welcome to the 3rd Trimester! 

Cravings:
Fruit. Lots and lots of fruit! Anniston is craving them too! We snack down on clementines, strawberries, smooties and bananas like a boss lately! 

How Am I Feeling:
My back is starting to ache and now I am having my rib pain return. I actually forgot all about this process, but the memory of it comes back quickly! Dr. Taylor just says its because I am so short that my ribs have to really expand to make room for baby. Lucky me...

Belly Button: 
Anniston has really become amused by my "button" lately. Well, for that matter, so has Nickolas. They constantly rub it and "tickle, tickle" it. And strangely enough, it is actually starting to pop out a little bit! It never did that with Anniston, so maybe it's an indicator that it's a boy?!
Sleep:
Besides the frequent bathroom breaks, I have been sleeping pretty soundly. I definitely have been looking forward to the weekends though! I have been taking naps when Anniston takes her naps - I even got Nick to jump on board with me! It just feels so nice to have that break in the day and we both pass out immediately! 

Miss Anything: 
  Having my back cracked. It needs it badly, but I am thinking I might hit up the chiropractor soon! I didn't do that with Anniston, but I figured it might help a bit?

Movement:
Hiccups are back! These are forgotten fun things too! I completely forgot that babies get hiccups inside of you! So when it first happened, I was kind of taken aback, but now it fun feeling baby move so much! I have tried to get Anniston to keep her hand on my tummy long enough to feel the baby,  but she's way too busy for that! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
 I have finally started sewing Anniston's bedding and baby's bedding! I am so jazzed about the fabric already! I think if I could just sew all day, every day, I would be happy. Then again, my back would really be out of whack and then I would complain more! 

Looking Forward To:  
It's my sister's baby month! So literally ANY day this month she could go into labor! Crazy to think that it is that time already!! I am so anxious to see what she is having, what she is naming it and what it will look like! Babies are WAY too much fun!
About Baby R:
It's about 14 inches long and weighs right over 2 pounds. It's eyes can open and close and it even has eyelashes now! How crazy is that?! Hopefully they are just as long and plush as Anniston's!

Here is me at 28 Weeks with Anniston. 
I still cannot believe I did that to my stomach or to poor Lilyan. That will NOT happen again. EVER.

Anniston is 19 Months Old!

You are 19 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 18 Months She:

Was really into nursery rhymes and loved saying parts of them! She sings them to my tummy all the time!

Went potty consistently - at home and at daycare! She still wears diapers because mom isn't ready to fully train her yet!

Loves coloring and putting stickers on everything! 

Is wearing 18 month clothes, size 5 shoes 

Loves singing and dancing to music. 

Got car sick on our trip back from Neenah, WI. 

She wore her fairy wings around the house a lot and would fly!

Had tea parties in her castle and in her bathtub. She always tells us if the tea is "too hot" to drink or 
"it okay mommy, it not too hot now."

Had a scab on her forehead the majority of the month. She does NOT stop picking it! 

Has a new favorite phrase. Instead of no, she says 
"never ever, never ever."

She weighs 22.1 pounds (23%) and is 31.5 inches long (35%).