Anniston is 18 Months Old!

You are 18 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 17 Months She:

Had her 2nd Christmas and we celebrated it 3 times! 

She learned to say Santa and Snowman very well and she got a Fisher Price Digital Camera from him! She plays with it frequently and yells out, cheese! 

She got croup and needed to get a steroid shot. It broke our hearts hearing her cough, but the shot and humidifier helped tremendously!

Got a sled for Christmas and we went sledding in the backyard!

She started saying potty, sitting on the toilet and flushing on her own! No, no. She hasn't gone in the potty yet, just practicing because she thinks it's fun! But she's showing a lot of signs that she is ready!

We made a jumbo snowman and had so much fun doing it!

She wears a size 5 in shoes, 4 in diapers and we are transitioning into 18 month clothes! She's getting so big so quickly! 

She got her top 2 canine teeth in! Her right one is almost completely done and her left one is tiny, but their growing! Thats a total of 14 teeth! 

She can count to five! It is the most adorable thing I think I've ever heard!

She talks. A lot. And repeats. A lot. 
It is so impressive and so cute! 

She got a big castle and a life size Elmo for Christmas. She loves bringing Elmo and her babies into her castle to read! 

Say Cheese!

Sledding and Snowball Fun!

Jumbo Snowman!

22 Weeks

How Far Along:
22 Weeks Along (12/27/2013)

Cravings:
I am into making casseroles and soups at the moment. We've been busy with a lot of family and friends, so large batches of things seem to work best! 

How Am I Feeling:
Busy is an understatement! We are hosting my sister's baby shower next weekend and as I write this, I can think of 73 other things I should be doing! But I am so excited for it! It's going to be adorable! 

Sleep:
I have been a champ lately and staying up quite late! I think it's excitement from the holiday madness and party planning! And I will note again that I still haven't whipped out my body pillow yet, so that is progress! And it also keeps my Nickolas very happy! 

Miss Anything: 
Aerobics classes and mulled wine. Not together. But I really enjoyed doing aerobics last winter and having mulled wine...so they have both been on my mind. Frequently. 

Movement:
Yes. And there's A LOT of it! Nick can feel it frequently now! It's pretty exciting and surreal to know we are to that point already! I feel like I've been so busy this pregnancy that I haven't had time to really realize that This. Is. Happening. Don't worry, the active baby inside of me is now reminding me!

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
It was Christmas!! I can't believe it is  here and gone already! But it was amazing. It snowed the perfect amount, we got ridiculously spoiled and the fun is still going! We got to catch up with friends and see a lot of family too! Now that Rachel is gone, Nick's dad Rick is here to see baby Tobin and spend time with family (25th-1st)! So it has been a ridiculously fast month with lots of family time. We are feeling very blessed! 
Worst Moment This Week: 
The heartburn monster has returned. He is still a beast to put up with and I am popping in Tums like you wouldn't believe. I know last time I found that 

Looking Forward To:  
New years and Angela's Baby Shower! I just keep looking forward to my weekends and so many exciting things are coming up! Bring on the chaos! 
About Baby R: 
The baby is now about 11 inches long and almost 1 pound! I don't know where all that other weight is coming from! But this week, they are really starting to resemble a newborn! The baby's eyes have formed now, but the irises still lack any pigment. 

Time to Compare: 23 Weeks with Anniston

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays from Our Family to Yours!

20 Weeks

How Far Along:
20 Weeks Along (12/13/2013)

Cravings:
Holiday sweets are getting the best of me right now! I am loving anything and everything mint!

How Am I Feeling:
Overwhelmed and Excited! I feel like I have a lot to get done and this month is just flying by! I will say I feel ahead on my holiday shopping though! Amazon.com is the Bomb!

Sleep:
Back to normal! We got a new mattress since our last pregnancy and it makes a WORLD of difference! We went from a full to a king and a extra firm to a Temperpedic! No body pillow needed yet! 

Miss Anything: 
Buying regular clothes. There are SOOO many cute winter sweaters and skinny pants right now! I just wish they made it all in maternity too!

Movement:
 I definitely am feeling something now! Nick doesn't feel the baby yet, but I am guessing it will be any time soon! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
This week was full of excitement! Baby Tobin was born on Thursday, December 12th! He is so perfect, small and sweet! We cannot wait to spend more time with him this weekend! 
Extra Most Exciting Moment This Week:
We also got to see the baby this week in our 20 week ultrasound! It was VERY VERY active and busy! We actually had to have another tech come in to try to get the images. She told us even if we wanted to find out what we were having, we wouldn't have been able to because it was so busy! We didn't get any 4D images this time though. I was kinda bummed, but it's okay at the same time. The last ones kinda freaked me out a bit. 

Looking Forward To:  
Spending time with family! I am excited to FINALLY announce that Nick's sister Rachel is here from Washington! We had to keep it a secret to surprise Jennifer, but now that she's here we are so very excited! 
We also have Nick's stepdad Scott and Gracie coming up tonight for Christmas this weekend! 
Then we have Christmas in SD on the 24th & 25th and finally Nick's dad is flying in from WA on the 25th-1st! Busy times, but love seeing all the family! 

Sorry for the Lack of Bump Photos! Pregnancy brain took over, but at least you can look at Baby R!!

Check Out my 21 Week update with Anniston

Cutting Down the Tree

Well despite the RIDICULOUSLY cold weather (-10) we braved the cold and stuck to our family tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree! We got to the Tree Farm at 4:30, it was closing at 5:00, and the lady told us congratulations because we were their first and only customers all day! Anniston was a champ the entire time! I swear she likes the feeling of being cold! And huge props to Nickolas for sticking his body into that tree to cut it down - don't worry, we clapped for him!

But, it had to get done because all our weekends are completely booked! I am so happy we did it and am absolutely in love with our tree! It is massive - we weren't really planning on that - but luckily we have a vaulted ceiling, a ladder and a LOT of ornaments to fill it with! Cheers to holiday decorating, music and hot chocolate! 

Anniston is 17 Months!

You are 17 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 16 Months She: 

Learned to Walk in Snow Pants and Boots - Quite the Challenge

Threw her first snowball and then leaned down and kissed the snow. 

Learned to Say "Pease" and "Tank You" for everything and it melts our heart every time we hear it!

Loves the word "No!"

She starting throwing things away in the trash - even if it isn't trash. 

Wears mostly 12 months clothes and size 4 shoes. 

Wants to carry 2 babies now wherever she goes. 

Had her first real sickness - throwing up for 12 hours! She was such a tough girl. And she even rubbed mommy's leg when she was sick. I love how much empathy she already shows towards others when they are sad. 

Started showing her first signs of the Terrible Twos by having unexplainable tantrums. I am hoping its just her teeth! 

She has 13 teeth completely in. We are just waiting on her 3 canine teeth now and second molars! Her top right canine just broke through!

She can now unplug her monitor from her crib and turn the lights on and off. So sneaky!

She found a new love for cheese sticks! 

18 Weeks

How Far Along:
18 Weeks Along (11/29/2013)

Cravings:
Homemade stuffing! I had some at our first family Thanksgiving and cannot wait for our second round! Oh yes, and green bean casserole. Yup, feeling hungry again already! 

How Am I Feeling:
Great! I feel like myself and remembering how much I love this part of the pregnancy!

Sleep:
Very typical right now! Since it's the holidays I am definitely staying up later than I typically would, but it's okay! It's all part of the holiday mayhem! 

Miss Anything: 
Mulled wine! Nick brought some home and all these places are having it for a fall/holiday drink. Hot apple cider is my BFF right now and it's working for me! 

Movement:
 Very minimal still. There have been a few times when I am playing down and feel a slight movement here or there! I am excited to start really feeling it again! I miss those feelings! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
We been VERY busy to say the least! This week we drove to Nebraska for my side of the family Thanksgiving! We got to carpool with Angela and Jake from Sioux Falls so it was fun talking about baby buys, sharing stories and just catching up!  And now, Nick's family is all coming to our house tomorrow night for a Thanksgiving supper! I am so excited/nervous because it's our first time hosting a holiday! That's a big deal! But we got everything in order and a time sheet for when to begin everything! We are going to rock! 
Worse Moment This Week: 
Just a lot of driving during odd times, which can be rough on Anniston! I hate getting her schedule so messed up, but it is kind of like we're on a mini vacation, so hopefully this weekend we can get back on schedule!  

Baby Buys: 
We did it! We went out into the Black Friday chaos today and bought the baby furniture! I am so so excited for it, but man was it a pain to get.  I am not very fond of the Babies R' Us in Sioux Falls, especially after today. But in the end, it all worked out and I can't wait to begin decorating! I am thinking about doing a fox theme. And no....not because of that song either! 

Looking Forward To:  
All the Holiday Fun! This time of year always goes WAY too fast for me! But all around us there is excitement happening in our family! Nick's sister, Jennifer is due very soon with her little boy(12/23), and Nick's dad is coming for a few weeks to stay with us(12/25) and my sister's baby shower is coming up (1/4)!!! I cannot wait! So much to plan, buy and prepare! But I love it!  
Bring it on December. Bring it on.

This is me at 18 Weeks with Anniston Jean

16 Weeks

How Far Along:
16 Weeks Along (10/15/2013)

Cravings:
Loving any Italian foods lately, but that's a very typically craving for me - pregnant or not. 

How Am I Feeling:
Much better! I feel like myself again and as bad as it sounds, I forget I am pregnant at times! But that is a good sign to me, considering how terrible I felt before! 

Sleep:
This is much better too! See I just forgot how rough the 1st trimester is and how lovely the 2nd trimester is! I did get used to going to bed early, so I am still crawling into bed much earlier than I used to! It's awesome! 

Miss Anything: 
Fitting into my regular clothes! I am at that awkward stage still so I am not quite in maternity clothes, but not wearing my regular clothes comfortably yet. But I am definitely ready for the maternity clothes again! I just remember how much I loved my gap leggings and comfortable waisted jeans! 

Movement:
 Not yet! There's been a few times this week, where I thought I might have felt something, so I think it is going to happen soon!!

Most Exciting Moment This Week:
On Friday, we had our 16 week check up too! It's crazy to think we are there already! Unfortunately Dr. Taylor was out, so we had a very short appointment with another Dr. It was a very brief appointment, but she listened to the heartbeat and it was at 155 bpm.
Worse Moment This Week: 
At the appointment Anniston got very sick. I mean sick in throwing up on her jacket, in her hair, etc. I've never seen Anniston throw up anything other than breast milk. So we were a little scared! The doctor said just to take her down to Peds and have her checked out. Luckily, I had an extra set of clothes so we got her changed, got packed up and heading downstairs. Unfortunately, she threw up again. And again. Needless to say, she left the doctor's office in Daddy's coat and doctor note saying she has a stomach virus and there was really nothing we could do except wait it out. So that is what we will do. It's a conference week, so I am at school Tuesday night and Thursday night. So hopefully staying home with Daddy and snuggling up with good books will make her feel much better! 

Shows I am Watching: 
Scandal - it's getting so Scandalous! Seriously, did that really happen to Mellie? And how on Earth is Olivia's mother still alive?! Really?!
Revenge - this show might be getting a little too twisted for me! It's hard to keep up, but I am just waiting for this finale.
Nashville - it's good music, it's juicy and I don't like Rayna with the new country boy...at all!

Looking Forward To:  
Thanksgiving Break and Conferences being done! We are hosting Thanksgiving this year for Nick's family! I am anxious to see how it all turns out! Don't worry, I am pinning everything to make sure it is a success!

Getting ready to leave the hospital in Daddy's coat. 

Anniston is 16 Months!

You are 16 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 15 Months She: 

Was little Red Riding Hood for Halloween. 

Learned to really rock on Elijah the Elephant!

Is a pro at going up and down the stairs.

Started climbing. On Everything. "Up, Up!" she always says! 

She picked her own pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and painted it herself! It was messy, but so much fun!

Started sleeping with a blanket in her bed that she curls up with. 

Sits on my lap every morning while I put on make-up. She gets blush on herself frequently.

Wears 12 months clothes and size 3 shoes. 

Started facing forward in her Big Girl Car Seat! She loves it and always yells, "Hi Mommy!"

She braved the cold and went to her first UofM/Huskers Football game. 

She is obsessed with her books now and takes out multiple a day for us to read. 

Her favorite book is "Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!"

12 Weeks

How Far Along:
12 Weeks Along (10/18/2013)

Cravings:
No cravings, just hungry every hour on the hour! And if I eat too much I feel nauseous and if I eat too little I feel nauseous. Working on finding that perfect balance! 

How Am I Feeling:
Unfortunately, my mornings have been pretty rough. I'm hoping that this is coming to an end soon though! I am also still so exhausted. I don't remember being this tired with Annie. So it's either a boy or I just tired from Anniston and then keeping up with a growing baby . It's a lot of work!
Boy or Girl:
I am thinking a boy right now. Just feeling much more queasy and sleepy this pregnancy! But it also could just be a completely different pregnancy! So who knows right now...I don't even think the baby really has a sex yet!? I need to read up and refresh my mind when that happens!

Sleep:
Still going to bed pretty early every night. I am a little restless and my strange dreams are starting up again. I remember having strange dreams with Anniston's pregnancy, but this time they are already bizarre! But I guess that's completely normal?! Right moms?!

Miss Anything: 
Feeling like myself again. I just forgot how strange you feel the first trimester of pregnancy! Queasy, chubby, exhausted, pale, frizzy hair....I remember it getting much better last time! So I am hoping the same happens with this pregnancy!

Movement:
Nothing yet! 

Most Exciting Moment This Week: 
We had our 12 week appointment. I always get so nervous for that appointment. As strange as it sounds, I knew everything was fine because I was feeling so nauseous! But Dr. Taylor reassured me saying I was growing good and my symptoms were normal. The baby's heartbeat was at 153 bpm too! It never gets old hearing that though!
Nickolas's 28th birthday is also this week and we are seeing a lot of family next weekend for the UofM/Husker Game.  

Looking Forward To:  
Entering the 2nd trimester and starting to look officially pregnant vs. is she eating too many cookies!