Prego Update // the halfway point

Finally a blog update. What what! Trust me, I am as shocked as you.

I am assuming by now, most of you know that baby #2 is on his/her way. We are beyond excited and can hardly wait for October to meet this baby.

I guess, I should recap a little bit of where I left things last time, the miscarriage.

After losing Isaiah, I didn't think we would be pregnant for a while. I really thought we would have a long road of "trying" before we were to be pregnant again. Part of me was honestly at peace with that, but the other part of me was trying to guard my heart and prepare myself for a long road of more pain.

Needless to say, it happened as quickly as it possibly could. I can't explain the feeling when I saw those two lines on the pregnancy test, such a rush of excitement, fear, and cautiousness all wrapped into one.

14 weeks

Casey Wiegand just wrote this in a recent post and it summed up exactly how I feel in the moment:

"I have no idea how you can thank God for the loss of one child, so you can experience another. But today I will do that. If we hadn't lost Addison, I would never have had Apple. I am thankful that someday I will know them both...but thankful that God blessed us with Apple for this life here on earth."

While I will always have some aching in my heart that I will not get to meet Isaiah until Heaven, I am so honored that the Lord blessed us with this child to cherish here. I can't wait to kiss this kids cheeks off.

18 weeks

Fast forward to the beginning of March and the day Abel and I were both so eagerly looking forward to, our first ultrasound. Tears of joy filled my face when I saw that cute little heartbeat just fluttering away. We were 9 weeks along, around the same time we lost our sweet Isaiah. While I was still feeling very guarded, the Lord was (and still is) slowly but surly showing me how to fully trust him. Seeing that heart beating strong brought tears to my eyes. Our God is so faithful.

We have since seen him/her once more and even have a friends doppler so we can hear the sweet heartbeat any time we want. It is great peace to turn it on and just listen to our sweet baby.  Praise Him from whom ALL blessings flow.

 

This pregnancy is half way over and I can hardly believe it. Here is a little update on where we are at now. I am in no way promising weekly updates, but I am hoping to try to get a few more done before this baby is here.

How far along: 20 Weeks
How big is the baby: 10 1/2 ounces and about 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel - the length of a banana
Due date: October 11th

Gender: We find out next week! My gut is girl but we shall see!!

Sleep: Not sleeping so well b/c of crazy prego dreams and nightmares :(

Miss anything: my morning cup of coffee (see below)

Movement: First flutters felt on April 24th.- this baby isn't NEARLY as active as Simeon, but I am feeling more kicks every day

Food cravings:Venti Starbucks Black Tea Lemonade with only 2 pumps of sweetener. My bank account hates me. Sugar. Sugar. and More Black Tea Lemonade.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Coffee and Peanut Butter - two things I normally LOVE but have hated every pregnancy. I am finally starting to tolerate peanut butter but in very small quantities.

Labor signs: None- thank goodness
Symptoms: nothing too major
Belly button in or out: In

Looking forward to: Seeing the baby again and finding out the gender......    and

watching this little monkey become a big brother!!!
 

Weekend {Aggieland and Super Bowl}

We had a great jam packed few days this past weekend which sadly meant that it flew by way to fast.

Abel, Simeon, and myself headed to college station Saturday morning to visit Abel's brother, Silas and visit A&M's campus.

We had lunch plans with my family, but decided that you can't make a trip to College Station without visiting Layne's, a popular college chicken finger joint.  Instead of getting some for ourselves, we decided we would surprise Silas with some.  College Students are always hungry, right? Abel and I were both drooling the smell of the chicken on the way to his dorm.  We didn't tell Silas that we were coming, we just knocked on his door and had Simeon holding the food.  I think his roommate was shocked to see us standing there especially with a baby in a stroller.  We had a great few minutes chatting with him.  Silas had a bunch of school work to do, so Abel, Simeon and I went on a mini tour of campus.

Abel had a great time showing Simeon all of the buildings he used to attend class in, the libraries he studied in and Kyle Field, where he went to many football games. We even got to see the new MSC that was under construction while we were there.  It was so fun to walk around campus reminiscing of old times. While we will let Simeon choose where he wants to go to college, Texas A&M will defiantly be a recommendation from us.



After our tour of campus, our appetites were worked up and we headed to Atami for a lunch with my family   My sister in law, brother, and I all have a birthday all within a month of each other, we all agreed habachi and sushi for our birthday dinner.  Emma and Simeon were stunned with the show while the chef cooked our meal. Neither one of them were sure whether to laugh or cry.  It was hilarious.

After dinner we had a quick photo session outside.  Emma kept pointing to the fountain saying "Simeon, do you see the dolphin?"  The girls has an imagination that is for sure.  These two really are the best of buds.   We had a blast spending the rest of the afternoon shopping with my family before we finnally had to say goodbye and head back to Houston.

But before he headed back, we made a quick stop by our favorite frozen yogurt place and our old apartment.  I almost had tears while sitting in the parking lot looking at the place where Abel and I first lived together as a married couple and brought our first child home to.  So many good memories in that tiny apartment on Holik Drive.

Sunday was church, nap, then the Super Bowl.  We went over to our good friends house and watched the game.  Let's be honest though, the Super Bowl is just as much about football as it is about the food.  Am I right?!  We had a great spread, an antipasto platter, crack bean dip, meatballs, Italian creme cake, and sweet potato brownies. Yum!

All of the ladies were in the play room with the little babies when we went to check on the score of the game and found the boys playing video games since the power went out.  We also found the bigger kids "playing" cards right under the daddie's feet.  I am sure they were wondering why no one was telling them to quit.

Our weekend was a full one to say the least.  It felt like a good mix of the past and future.  We had a blast visiting all of the places we used to frequent as college students.  We truly are so thankful for all of the memories College Station gave but can look back and see how the Lord guiding our steps here to Houston. We have only been in Houston one year, but the friendships we have made really will last a lifetime.

Insta- Friday // Happy Weekend

A post two days IN. A. ROW?  Things are getting a little crazy over here- hopefully I keep it up.

 

Here is a recap of our last few weeks via my i-phone 3gs. Yes, I still have the "dinosaur" one that takes super grainy pics. It boosts my confidence to think I am going for a vintage look instead of blurry. Right?!

 

Were headed out to do some fun things this weekend so hopefully more blog posts coming soon!

 

 

 

I got a whirley pop for Christmas and all I have to say is:

Cinnamon White Chocolate Popcorn.

Go. buy. a. whirley pop. now.

 

 

When Dada puts your shoes on you have a 50% chance that they will be on the right (or wrong) feet.  #atleasthetries

 

 

Abel and I have plans to go on a "romantic" camping getaway in Arkansas this April. 

After seeing Simeon  point to a sleeping bag, reach for it, and then hug it for 20 minutes, we now wondering if he should come with us.  Is that crazy to take a one year old? 

 

 

We play dominoes (88) with two other couples that we have known for ages, about once a week.  We stay up way too late, laughing (or yelling- hey were competitive), drinking one too many cups of coffee and eating one too many cookies.  Every night they leave, I can't wait for the next competition get together. 

 

Never would you know that this picture was taken right after a certain little man had just got out of time out.  It was about 9:00AM and we were both grouches who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  Sometimes you just need to take some goofy selfies in the bathroom to cheer you both up. 

 

 

 Y'all it was a HOT week.  Just a reminder that spring summer is upon us.  I am getting very excited about it.  I have learned in the past few years that I love the heat! Well, I love the pools, beaches, lakes that are involved with scorching Texas summers.  I could do without the 99% humidity but sunshine, bring it on! 

 

 

Just a nightly bath after a great manly bonding time with his daddy in the garage. 

 

 

 While organizing my closet I noticed these two babies sitting side by side.  Pretty much an oxymoron.  Pretty much my life.   

 

 

Sometimes you just have to bake.... even when the dishes are already piled high and you shouldn't even thinking about dirtying any more.

 

 

Happy Weekend Everyone!

 

 

 

Simeon {15 Months}

Gosh, I really want to get better at blogging more often.  I truly love that this is a place where I can capture our memories all in once place.  Hopefully, I will be better about it.  We shall see.

I realized that while I have posted pictures of Simeon, I haven't done an update on his likes, dislikes, and developments lately. He is changing daily and I want to remember everything about this stage of life, it really is a fun time for all of us.

Simeon is now 15 months old.  While he is still my baby, he has most definitely grown into a toddler.

I am not sure how much he weighs but I would beg to say anywhere between 20-22lbs.  He most certainly has chunked up from his reflux days.

The boy loves to eat.  It doesn't matter if he just finished a huge dinner, if you pull out food he will ask for some.

He recently learned how to use a fork which is super cute, except he won't eat anything without it now. He will sit and whine until you give him a fork or spoon. Also, don't even think about trying to help him. Mr. Independent does not want your help, so don't try.  The good news is he will eat anything off of a fork, so veggies have not been a battle lately. Score for the home team.

He is really into exploring things.  He is like his daddy in this way, checking everything out to see how things work and why they work the way they do.The wheels are always turning in his head.  I believe we have a little engineer on our hands.

Another thing Simeon is into lately is helping his daddy in the garage.  Abel has been working on some projects for his car and Simeon will sit on Abel's work bench and just stare at him- taking it all in.  They both come inside greasy messes most evenings.  Never does Simeon sit still for hours unless he is watching Abel fix things.   These two are going to have many great bonding memories out in the garage, I'm sure.  The below pics are from a hard days work in the garage.

All in all he is a super happy kid.  His other favorite things are the tupperware cabinet, tearing down his blocks, clicking pens, drinking his juice, going on walks in the stroller, drumming or playing with any musical instrument, dancing, the swings at the park, being outside, the bath, eating grapes, and playing with new friends.

The only dislikes I can think of at the moment are when you try to slow him down.  He does NOT want to sit and cuddle, read a book, or take the time to put tennis shoes on.  There is no time for stopping to take breaks.

He is waving "hi" and "bye". Signing "more" and "please" Saying "mama", "bye bye" and doing a tarzan yell which is hilarious.

He loves to clap and is a dancing machine.  We were at a one year old birthday party this past Saturday, and apparently, he wanted to get the party started-  so, he went into the middle of a room full of sitting adults and  started dancing.  No there was no music anywhere.  Just dancing to the music in his head.  Hopefully, he always has a lively spirit and hilarious personality.

Crazy that 15 months have flown by.  Every day truly is a blessing with this little guy.

Life Lately via Instagram

Happy Monday everyone!   

The Houston area just opened 2 new Trader Joe's! They are both about 30 minutes away but these babies, along with a bunch of other items, made it worth the drive. So glad I listened to my SIL and bought these, so YUM!

 

 

This picture defines my niece: Aggie, football, diva.  If you ask her what Johnny Football's number is she shyly says "two".  Pure awesomeness of a child. 

My dad's old Air Force PT pants. These got a lot of use last week while it was rainy. Every time I looked down I was reminded to pray for our troops who are fighting to keep our freedoms.

While I have always carried a big purse, the contents now prove that I officially a mom purse.

Taking selfies at Aunt Anna's basketball game. Love these two goofs.

We walked to HEB a few nights ago, Abel set the detergent on the front and someone got comfortable.

 

He sleeps like his momma.

Abel and I have been running quite a bit lately. Our motivation may or may not have been getting in shape... or the cookie dough ice cream in the freezer.

Because I dissed Seattle last week, this is my punishment. Houston is cloudy and rainy all week. Go figure.

When taking out my Valentine's Day decor, I found this cutie and had no choice but to fill her up asap.  Almond flour chocolate chip cookies for the win.