20 weeks(19 picture too)

19 week picture

How far along: 20 weeks
Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a banana
Total weight gain: 8 pounds
Maternity clothes: Yes-they are much more comfortable. I can still wear a lot of my normal t-shirts! I also found a whole bag of maternity clothes in the crawl space last night and I was sooo excited. It was like Christmas all over again!
Gender: It's a boy-Mr. Laekan Harper
Movement: This boy is a mover and shaker. As soon as any caffeine hits my mouth he is all over the place. He likes to be active at night. I am still waiting to be able to share the movement with Justin and Taegan-it isn't quite hard enough yet.
Sleep: I am sleeping great!
What I miss: Don't miss anything. Although the other day I was super stressed and really could have used one drink....

Cravings: Not much this last two weeks.

Symptoms: My back is becoming a problem again...ugh!!! Other than that I have been feeling very well and staying healthy-knock on wood!!!

I have been super stressed this last week with lots of stuff to do around the house. I think I am already nesting and that is a bad sign-I still have half of this pregnancy to go. I did get a ton done on the list and hope to keep working on it. Just seems like as soon as I cross something off I add two more things!

Christmas 2010

We had a busy, but fun Christmas this year!!! I love having family time with each family and this year was no different. We started our Christmas Eve out at Justin's parents. All three girl grandkids were there and ready to decorate cookies and make party hats! Taegan did a lot of the sprinkling of the cookies-because the other two weren't quite old enough yet. She loved helping.

She got real good at it and even started putting multiple colors on one cookie!
Then she got to help Grandma Becky cut out some cookies.

We spent the morning and afternoon there. Nap wasn't very successful for any of the girls that day and then we headed to my mom's side for about an hour. Taegan got to help cut out and frost cookies there as well!!! She was a pro by then. We headed back to Grandma Becky's to get ready for church. Taegan did pretty well in church(usually she is in Sunday school, but they didn't have that on Christmas Eve). Then we swung by home to get some more things and take our annual pictures in front of the tree.

I am so blessed to call these two mine.

She was ready to go open presents!!!

Back to Grandma Becky's we went to eat and open presents. We got started opening presents at 8:45 or so and finished at 11!!! WOW those girls got lots of good stuff this year. We were all exhausted and ready to call it a night. We packed up and headed home-only for Taegan to fall asleep before being able to put out her special Santa cookies. So we did it for her:)

So pretty!

Passing the time before presents with Kinsley.

An attempt at a group picture-this was take 6!

Getting into the presents-she was great this year!

The end result was a naked Taegan riding on Kinsley's new trike with Kinsley helping:)

Christmas morning we spent at home with just us three. That is our favorite time!! We had so much fun watching her see what Santa brought her and just relaxing together! She loved the presents this year.

Her stocking all laid out in a line.Here she is with her new Doll House from Santa-this is her favorite right now!

We headed over to my parents after finishing at our house and had more fun!!! Taegan knew what the presents were all about and didn't want to eat breakfast because she was ready to open away!!! We managed to get her to eat some. She got spoiled there as well-what a lucky girl!! She was done opening all of her presents and then we had one last surprise...

A train table!!! She played and played with this.

My Grandpa came over for lunch and then we all took a nap:) What a wonderful holiday season we had this year. Laekan was also spoiled as well...Justin and I can't say thank you enough to our parents for loving us and treating us so well. We truly are so blessed to have them in our lives and supporting our decisions. We love you all!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas-I can't believe it is over already.

It's a....

BOY!!!! We are so excited to share that we are adding a boy to our little family. He will be named:

Laekan Harper Ross.

We are over the moon with excitement and so very nervous to take this new journey. I would have to say that I am more nervous than Justin is, but nevertheless nervous. I have NO idea what to do with a boy and this will all be a new journey. We had planned on taking Taegan with us to the ultrasound because it was going to be a surprise to our families. I got super nervous she would slip and say something so I had a friend come watch her while we went.

The baby is looking great-very healthy and very active. I however, have placenta previa and will be monitored very closely for the remainder of the pregnancy! I made a huge mistake by googling that and now am on edge constantly about it! I just have to put faith in God and let him take control, I am just not very good at that yet:(

We ended up telling our parents the night of the ultrasound for one because we were super excited and for two I was a bit stressed about it. It was supposed to happen on Christmas, but they were surprised none the less. Both sets of parents are super excited and can't wait to meet Laekan!!!

Kasiska Christmas

Every year we go out to Grandma's in western Kansas to celebrate Christmas with all of Justin's moms side. We went 2 weekends ago now and had a blast. It is so much fun to have 30 people in one house and have everyone stay the night! I know it sounds crazy, but it is some crazy fun. Taegan had a great time this year playing with all the cousins-she fit right in. Once she overcame being shy-there was no holding her back. We just loved watching her interact and play.

Here she is with Kennedy and Brooklyn getting ready to open presents.

Waiting very patiently on her presents.

Time to dig in!

She got some great presents and we were spoiled with a Texas Roadhouse gift card!!! I can't believe it is the week of Christmas and yet I still have some last minute things to finish up...ugh. I am mostly done, but it is those last minute things that I need to do!!!! I will be back with week 19 in a few days!

18 weeks

How far along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a bell pepper

Total weight gain: 5 pounds

Maternity clothes: Most of my shirts are now if they are nice shirts and I am still using the belly band for my pants-although that is getting uncomfortable.

Gender: Find out the week after Christmas

Movement: The baby is moving a ton-I love feeling it move. I can't wait until Justin and Taegan can feel it!!!

Sleep: I am sleeping really well still. Taegan has some off nights that impact that, but overall I am still very comfortable and able to sleep.

What I miss: Nothing-I am really starting to enjoy this pregnancy and getting very excited!

Cravings: Nothing this week-haven't really been hungry that much?

Symptoms: After going to the chiropractor last week my hip and back pain have settled some. I am however still experiencing some, but it is managable! The huge news this week is that the toilet and bath in our main bath are back in working order and this momma doesn't have to walk 2 flights of stairs in the middle of the night to use the bathroom:)

We celebrated Christmas with Justin's extended family last weekend and I will be back tomorrow with some pictures and stories from that trip!!!

17 weeks

How far along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a turnip

Total weight gain: 4-5 pounds...can't get the scales to agree!

Maternity clothes: Starting to wear more shirts because they tend to be more comfortable, and I am still using the belly band with my pants.

Gender: Find out after Christmas.

Movement: The baby has been very active this week. I have felt it at least everyday!

Sleep: Sleeping like a rock star this week, haven't even gotten up to go to the bathroom!!!!

What I miss: Not having any aches and pains after I do something. I wrapped presents for 4 hours Monday and could not move that entire night!

Cravings: Back on my grape kick....

Symptoms: I still have terrible hip pain and now lower back pain. Other than that I am feeling pretty good. Lots of energy to get things done-let's see how long this lasts.

Christmas in Kansas City...

My mom and dad along with Justin, Taegan, and I have started a tradition to do a trip to KC every Christmas season. We had to go a bit early this year because we are busy from now until Christmas. So we headed out yesterday to have some fun. We had to run some errands before heading to dinner and Crown Center, but we had fun!!! We had lunch at Noodles and Company and it is one of my favorites. While we were eating there we found a store called Kolache Factory and Justin and I were so excited to go see what they had. Justin has grown up with his Grandma making kolache's so he was eager to try one from the store and see. They had tons of different ones and he seemed to like them. Said Grandma's were better:)

After that we headed to Zona Rosa to shop some while Taegan and my Dad took a nap in the car! It was pretty darn cold out so when she woke up we headed out because I didn't want to bundle her up and shop with her. We did love Zona Rosa and will come back when it is nice out. We tried this place called Yogurtini-which was self-serve yogurt and toppings. YUMMY!!! We need one of those in Topeka.

Then we were off to dinner. We chose Jack Stack down by Crown Center...one of our favorites. We always eat too much, but it is just too good not to!!!

Here is Taegan attacking Mom after we were done eating waiting to pay!

Once we finished dinner we were off to roam around Crown Center and play in the walkways they have over the streets. This is Taegan's favorite thing to do. She runs and runs and runs. Just what she neeeded after a day spent mostly in the car for her.

Here she is on a fixture they have in the walkways getting ready to slide down.

And sliding down...this was her favorite thing to do!!!

Daddy and Taegan.

Sitting with Papa looking at the lights and watching the cars.

Taegan and Mommy.

We had such a fun day...after getting some fudge and popcorn we were on our way home! I can't wait to share this tradition with our new little bundle next year. Family time is so precious and we love sharing it with everyone!!!

16 weeks and Dr. Appt

How far along:16 weeks

Size of baby:Baby R is the size of an avocado

Total weight gain: 4 pounds...and that is at the Dr. office too:)

Maternity clothes: I am starting to wear a few shirts, but am still able to do my normal pants with the belly band.

Gender:Find out after Christmas

Movement:I actually just felt the baby move, but it is still nothing consistent.

Sleep:It has been a good week for sleep.

What I miss: Being able to walk normal-I am having some hip pains and it makes me walk like I have a serious limp. The pains come and go, but they sure don't feel good.

Cravings: Nothing really this week. I am off my grape kick and really just want to munch on food all day long. I don't let myself, but I sure would like too. Chips are being well liked this week!

Symptoms: Hip and back pain are becoming more of an issue. I am having more energy lately so I am working on getting stuff done. I was having a lot of anxiety this past week about the baby and was eager to see the Dr. for my checkup. The heartbeat was very strong and she said I was looking good!!! What a relief, and I felt the baby that night. Overall, I am feeling much better about it all. Just need to start enjoying it before it is over!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we did Thanksgiving on Wednesday night with my parents and one of her sisters. They have two kids Megan and Ryan who are in high school and college and I loved hanging out with them. It was so fun to have a relaxed night and enjoy each other's company. We miss Megan as she is away at college-but I can't believe this is her last year:( On Thanksgiving we went to my Grandpa's house and had lunch with him and one of his lady friends! She was super nice and we had a yummy lunch. However, we found out that day as well that my cousin that is mentally handicapped wasn't going to make it much longer. She had been fighting an infection and on the way to the hospital to do more tests she had a seizure and by the time her driver saw her she was purple. They got her immediate help, but it was too late she was determined brain dead. This was a huge blow to our family. Dad and Grandpa left Thanksgiving afternoon to head to Manhattan to see her and she passed away Friday morning. She has left a hole in our family and we will miss her terribly. I am so excited for her though as she is now running, singing, talking, playing, and doing all the things she was never able to do here. She also is getting to play and hang out with Grandma-which is super cool!!! I am so glad Grandma was there to greet her.

I have a Dr. appointment on Wednesday and can't wait to hear that precious heartbeat. For some reason I have been having anxiety over this baby and I need some reassurance right now. I will be back Thursday with an update.

15 weeks

I have 2 pictures today because I thought I would show you how different the belly looks in two outfits!!! It is here to stay:)

How far along: 15 weeks

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of an apple

Total weight gain: 4 pounds-I am back with an appetite!

Maternity clothes: Nope-just using my belly band on certain pants.

Gender: Find out in December

Movement: I feel the baby at night, but still not a lot.

Sleep: Sleeping great right now-I can still sleep on my tummy.

What I miss: Nothing this week.

Cravings: This week it has been chocolate malts.

Symptoms: After raking for 4 hours on Sunday I am super sore, but otherwise feeling pretty good. I am still tired, but not completely exhausted all the time.

Cute little cousins...

Today we went out to Grandma Becky's and played with Miss Ayla for a little bit. They both have the same outfit and Kendra and I dressed them alike to get a few pictures!!! Taegan LOVES her cousin Ayla and was so excited to be wearing the same thing and getting to see her today. She however, is in a bit of a phase about pictures and is starting this tongue thing. So needless to say getting a good shot was a challenge. We managed to get a few cute ones. Enjoy.

I will be back tomorrow with my week 15 post, be ready to see a baby belly:)

No more leaves please....

I wish I had a picture for my post today, but alas I didn't think about it at the time! We had a busy and productive weekend. I was finally starting to feel better so we started on our ever growing to do list. Friday we hung out as a family and just played and relaxed. Saturday, we got up and ready to go see Santa. Taegan was about to jump out of her skin with excitement to go see him and tell him what she wanted! We walk in the door and she is immediately a different kid. I have never seen anything like it. She wouldn't go near him or take her hand away from her face. Needless to say, those pictures will be great I am sure. We then headed home to get to work. We painted another coat on the bathroom so that hopefully it can be tiled soon and we can get it finished...fingers crossed! I then cleaned the house like a mad woman before the KSU football game. Which wasn't much of a game-boo!!!

Saturday night we went out to dinner with my parents for my Mom's birthday...Happy Birthday Mom!!! I know I am a day late(her birthday was really yesterday), but better late than never. You are the best Mom ever and I have no idea where I would be without you!!!! After dinner we went to Winter Wonderland here in town to see all the Christmas lights. Taegan loved it and kept pointing and talking about all the lights. Oh I can't wait for this holiday season with her.

Sunday we got up and did some quick things around the house before heading to church. After church it was time to work outside. It was a gorgeous day and that might be our last for a long time to come. Justin put up the Christmas lights-oh I do have a picture of that, but my camera is at home! Taegan got up on the roof to help him and she thought she was so cool being up there with Daddy. I was busy raking leaves and then she headed to nap and Justin started helping me. Mom came over to help as well...and we raked and bagged leaves for 4 hours!!! 32 bags later we were done. UGH. I am in some pain today, but the yard looks awesome.

Have a great Monday!!!!

14 weeks...

How far along: 14 weeks

Size of the baby: Baby R is the size of a lemon

Total weight gain: 0-I am back to my starting weight

Maternity clothes:Nope

Gender: Find out in December.

Movement:Felt the baby the other night again...what a great feeling!

Sleep: Since I have been sick I have not slept great, but that isn't because of the baby.

What I miss: Nothing right now.

Cravings: I have really wanted a Coke Icee all week...need to get one!

Symptoms: Other than my asthma, virus, bronchitis, and infection I am feeling good. In other words I am feeling great baby wise!!!

Best moment this week: Narrowing down the name:)

New baby furniture

Last Friday the USA Baby store in Overland Park was having a huge one day sale-well actually the sale was on Saturday, but they had the prices tagged Friday so we went that day. Mom, Dad, Taegan, and I loaded up to go find some deals. Justin was on his way for opening hunting season-so we were all doing something!!! We had talked and decided on what we liked. We love the brand that we got Taegan's furniture in so we really wanted to be able to do the same for this baby. We also like the lifetime cribs that grow with the child...so we set out to see what kind of sale they had. It was an awesome deal!!!!

The crib-but it is in white.
And the dresser in white.

The brand of the furniture is Munire and we have loved it. It is super sturdy and holds up great. I was so excited that they had an awesome deal on it and that my parents were so willing to get it for us!!! We are blessed.

Also while we were there I was looking at strollers and decided on this one by Graco. It is super easy to steer and we have liked our Graco now so far so I thought we couldn't go wrong there either!!! I'm not gonna lie and say that this double stroller thing isn't intimidating, but I think I will like it!!!
Overall, our trip was a success and we are getting somewhere on my list of things before the baby!!! Now if I could just get my bathroom done...

13 weeks

I don't have a picture this week because I have been sick and it has been the last thing I wanted to do. Promise to have one next week.

How far along: 13 weeks

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a medium shrimp.

Total weight gain: 2 pounds

Maternity clothes: No, but I have used the belly band with a pair of jeans...ahh the comfort!

Gender: Find out in December

Movement: Haven't felt the baby this week-kind of makes me worry.

Sleep: Doing great as long as Taegan is...still able to sleep on my tummy!

What I miss: Being well and being able to take meds when I am sick....ugh.

Cravings: Still anything grape and a new one is chips. I just can't get enough of any kind.

Symptoms: Nothing pregnancy related this week, just the stomach flu!

Taegan's first KSU game

Last Tuesday we decided it might be fun to take Taegan to her first basketball game. We were playing Newman and it started at 7. She had taken a 3 hour nap and I thought it wouldn't be that close of a game so I would be able to go walk with her when she got bored. Overall, she did pretty well. She LOVED the music at the beginning and she liked it anytime the cheerleaders were on the court, but as far as the actual game she lost interest after about 5-10 minutes. We got lucky and there was an extra seat in between us all so she got her own seat, which was huge!

Cheering away and dancing at the start.
Watching the start of the game with Daddy.

Eating some popcorn and relaxing with Papa Greg.

I am glad we took her to a game-she seemed to really like parts of it. I was also glad to find out how she would do so we would know whether to take her back soon-NO!!! We had a fun night...but won't be taking her back this season. She is still too young.

Halloween 2010

This year Taegan was a bumble bee and she got to go trick or treating three different times!! She went with Grandma Becky on Friday to the mall, on Saturday she went with my parents to our church's trunk or treat, and Sunday we all took her out around the neighborhood. We have more candy in our house then we need for a year!!! Yikes. She had a blast all three times and finally got the hang of it the last day.

Here she is enjoying her orange cinnamon rolls for breakfast with Daddy!!!
All dressed up and showing off for the mirror.

Not real sure about the headband-she never wore it trick or treating.

This year she just dug into the pumpkins to help clean them!

Showing off the finished products...in her panties! Don't ask:)

She would go up to most of the doors all alone...she is getting too big.

Halloween this year was a good time, but now she keeps asking when she can go trick or treating again!!! Oh this girl kills me.

12 weeks...

How far along: 12 weeks

Size of baby: Baby R is the size of a lime

Total weight gain: 2 lbs

Maternity Clothes: None yet-although this second time around I am showing sooner.

Gender: Find out in December

Movement: Yes, very slight movement and not consistent yet.

Sleep: I am sleeping very well right now-except for the 2 bathroom trips.

What I miss: Being able to handle raw meat-I can't even get it out of the freezer...gag!!!

Cravings: Still anything grape, also I have been wanting anything crunchy.

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good, having a lot of muscle pain in my back and hips.

Best moment this week: We had our first Dr. appt and heard the heartbeat!!! Everything is checking out well and I did awesome giving the 4 vials of blood:)

11 weeks

How far along: 11 weeks

Size of the baby:

Total weight gain: 2 lbs

Maternity clothes: Nope...still doing well!!!

Gender: Not yet.

Movement: Yes, I have felt a few moves. Nothing consistent-but it is fun.

Sleep: Doing great with the sleep-just need more of it!

What I miss: Can't think of anything this week.

Cravings: Still want anything grape-I am going through Kool-Aid like crazy.

Symptoms: I have felt real good this week!!!

Best moment this week: Feeling the baby move for sure.

Girls trip and the Bathroom...

Last Thursday Mom, Taegan, and I headed out on a little girls trip to Oklahoma City. They were having a huge craft show and since we love craft shows we made our way down there. Taegan did great in the car for the four hours and actually did really well at the show as well. She loves playing in hotels and pushing the elevator buttons! The first night we got there we did some mall shopping and she built a new bear and got some Legos at the Lego store. Once back at the hotel she was ready to build with Grandma...

Here she is pushing some pieces together with a little help from Grandma.

We got back late afternoon on Saturday and Justin had been working away in the bathroom while we were gone. He got a ton done, but it still isn't close to being finished. I am trying to be patient, but it gets harder and harder somedays!!! Oh well-it will be done soon enough. I just can't wait to see the finished look. Here is a picture of Taegan helping Daddy on Sunday in the bathroom...she sure loves being wherever he is!

Check back tomorrow for a new belly pic!

10 weeks

This is not a good picture this week because I was doing it myself in the mirror. I didn't get up early enough this morning for Justin to take the picture.

How far along: 10 weeks

Size of the baby: The size of a kumquat

Total weight gain: 2 pounds

Maternity clothes: Nope still wearing all normal clothes!!!

Gender: Find out in December.

Movement: Well I would say no, but I swear I felt the baby move this morning

while laying in bed...but not sure if it is too early??

Sleep: I am sleeping about as good as Taegan is right now-she is having awful night terrors

and it up and down quite a bit. Also making at least one bathroom trip.

What I miss: Not much this week.

Cravings: Still any grape drink I can't get enough of!!!

Symptoms: The lower pain has gone away and the nausea seems to have lessened some

this week!!! I am still not back to normal, but I can at least get out of bed without

feeling sick. I am also eating earlier in the day which is probably why I gained a pound!

Best Moment this week: Having Taegan kiss the baby goodnight each night before bed!

Pumpkin Patch Visit

At the end of last week we decided to make a trip out to the pumpkin patch. It has been crazy around here this month and I wasn't sure when we would be able to go if we didn't squeeze it in when we had a chance. So we got Taegan up early from her nap and headed out just the three of us!!! It was perfect-we were the only ones at the patch. And the weather was so beautiful!!! I will let the pictures do the talking-Taegan had a ball.

She walked right up to the pumpkins and picked hers out first thing.
Then she decided to help Daddy.

Wanting to be a "big" girl and pull it by herself.

Teeter-tooter with Mommy.

One of my favs-look at their feet!

She got brave and decided to get in the bouncy house and jump-it was her

favorite thing she did out there!!!

Then Daddy decided to join her:)

At home with her pumpkin!!!!

We had such a great time as a family, I can't wait to carve them all together next week and take her trick or treating!!! Check back tomorrow for my weekly update about the baby!