24 weeks

How far along: 24 weeks

Size of baby: Laekan is the size of an ear of corn

Weight gain: 15 pounds..(update per the Dr. it is 13 and I'm going with that!!)really need to slow down!! My appetite is on overload and I need to slow it down-which actually it has been the last few days. Headed to the Dr. today and not sure I want to look at their scale:(

Gender: BOY-Laekan Harper

Movement: Tons. He is starting to make the outside of my tummy move and I love it. He loves to move at night or right after I eat chocolate:)

Sleep: I really am getting good nights sleep, I just have to get comfortable. I am having terrible pressure pains and when I lay on my sides(which is all I can do) the pressure is pretty intense for a bit until it settles down.

What I miss: Bending all the way over and walking like a normal person!

Cravings: Big on the peanut butter again this week...can't seem to eat enough of it.

Symptoms: My main symptom right now would be the intense lower pain...to the point of not being able to step or sit up out of bed! Yikes, gonna ask the Dr about it today and see if there is anything I can do to make that better. If not-I have a long 16 weeks left:(

Bathroom done and Daddy gone...

After 4 months...our bathroom is done!! It has a few minor touch ups here and there, but for the most part is complete. I did the final total clean-up on it and then put it back together. What feeling it was to get ready in my bathroom this morning before MOPS!!! I felt like a whole new girl:) Here are the pictures of our new bathroom-everything in it is completely new down to all new plumbing as well!!!! Justin did an awesome job, I am so proud of how hard he worked in there.

This is the tile-LOVE!!!
As you walk in the door the vanity is to your left.

I love that it is set into the wall-out of the way!

This is looking to the right.

Justin left yesterday morning to head to Wichita for apprenticeship school, so it is just Taegan and I flying solo this week. He will be back late Thursday night and we let her stay up so she can see him when he gets here. The last time he went to school(he goes every 6 weeks) she had a really hard time with it, so this time I thought we would make a countdown until we get to see him! She loved the idea and was even more excited that she got to help color the pages. We then taped it up on her door and she gets to tear a number off every night until he is home! I hope this eases her week some this time, although today as been a bit rocky. She does get to talk to him on the phone every night so that helps.

Busy coloring away.

Our finished countdown!

Have a good Tuesday-I will be back tomorrow with Week 24.

Mr. Laekan Harper

Laekan Harper...

Here is a picture of our little man from my sonogram yesterday!!! He was trying very hard to put his thumb in his mouth...so fun!! Although when he gets here I would like him to use a pacifier:) I finally figured out/remembered that we had a scanner on our printer so I put them in this morning and now I can show him off!!! Hope you are having a good Thursday-we are snowed in and I don't expect to leave the house anytime today or tomorrow until I have a girls dinner! Can't wait.

23 weeks and Dr. visit

How far along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: Laekan is the size of a large mango.

Weight gain: 12-13...not cool! I am sure I will get a lecture from the Dr. next week about slowing down. I have had a big jump this month!

Gender: Boy-Laekan Harper...and the sonogram today confirmed him for sure a BOY!!!

Movement: He is a dancer...holy cow this kid is all over the place!

Sleep: I am sleeping okay once I can get comfortable. The turning over part is becoming more of a challenge as well because I am having so much hip and back pain.

What I miss: Not being able to bend over as much as I would like-it is becoming uncomfortable.

Cravings: Not sure I am "craving" anything this week, but I can't get enough peanut butter. I am eating it like it is going out of style:)

Symptoms: Low back pain, low pelvic pressure, hips, and some sharp pains. Otherwise I doing just great!!! I am trying to rest more and take it easy because that is all they suggest for all these pains!!! Wish me luck on that!

The sonogram today went great!!! We got to see him again and confirm that YES he is a boy. He was moving all over the place and trying to suck his thumb...so cute! I am waiting on a confirmation from my doctor, but the tech said that the uterus and placenta were growing and moving and no longer a concern around the cervix! An answer to our prayers. She doesn't think I will have to go back for another one for that issue. We also found out that Laekan is breech and although he still has time to move we would like him to do it sooner rather than later!!! I won't worry about this because he has plenty of time to move:) So overall-a great day. It was a super one for my heart and soul to get great news and see him doing so great!!!

More snow...

I really liked taking Taegan outside last week to play in the snow!! She had a ball and really loved the sled that daddy brought home one day after work. She talks about it all the time and watches herself on the video camera. With all that said-I do not want more snow. We are expected to get 3-6 more inches of snow starting tomorrow and I am over it. We had a terrible winter last year with gobs of snow, and frankly I am done with it after just once this year. The only good thing about it is that Taegan will get to ride her sled again and have fun in it. Otherwise, it just makes for us stuck inside and at home again. Last week we did not leave the house for 4 days...and I about went insane. Hoping that doesn't happen this time.

On the baby front-I am heading to the Dr tomorrow for another sonogram to check the placenta. I have my fingers crossed that it has moved and that this worry will be a thing of the past. However, I have been in some pain and discomfort since Saturday. I am having lots of pressure, sharp pains, and just overall not being able to move like normal. Called the Dr. yesterday and the nurse said right now that pain is normal and to rest as much as I could! That is a bit hard with a two year old. She wants to see what the sono looks like and see where to go from there. I am also hoping we can get another peak at little man and to make sure he really is a "little man" and not a "little girl". That is just me being silly and thinking what if I prepare for a boy and it is a girl??? Oh the stresses I create for myself sometimes:)

I will be back tomorrow with my weekly update and news from the sono!!!

22 weeks

How far along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: Laekan is the length of a spaghetti squash

Weight gain: 10 pounds(posting this is getting harder and harder!)

Maternity clothes: Yes, yes, and yes!!! I am all about comfort right now.

Gender: BOY-Laekan Harper.

Movement: Laekan is getting more and more active and I love it. Reminds me of what a blessing I have growing inside of me and getting ready to join our family. He continues to steal my heart one little movement at a time!

Sleep: Doing pretty good, getting a bit more uncomfortable. Laekan is also starting to push just ever so slightly on my bladder, causing a few more trips to the bathroom.

What I miss: Starting to get to the point where I can't sleep on my tummy and that will become an issue soon!

Cravings: I hate to admit it, but I think I have eaten half a batch of peanut butter cookies this last two day since we have been stuck inside:(

Symptoms: Just getting a bit uncomfortable...nothing too bad yet.

I go next Wednesday for my next sonogram to check on little man and see how that placenta is doing. If you have time could you say a quick prayer or positive thought for me next week? I am hoping and praying with all I have that it has moved and I can let that stress settle for now! Also, thanks for letting me ramble yesterday-it felt great getting that off my chest. Have a good day/week.

Just thinking out loud...

I can't believe that I am halfway through my SECOND pregnancy! WOW! Let me back track just a tad-I wasn't going to have any kids. Like, none, at all! Or that is what I claimed in high school and college. It had nothing to do with not wanting/loving kids. It was all about the pain-haha!!! I kid you not, you can ask my parents. I told them they would be out of their minds to think I was going to go through the pain of childbirth. Wasn't going to happen. I hate needles, doctors, hospitals, pain, you name and I hate it all. I even take chill out meds before going to the doctor-I don't anymore, but I used to take them before every visit. I was a baby about pain! Something changed when Justin and I got married and we started talking about a family. For some reason the pain issue didn't cross my mind! We decided we wanted to have one and we were blessed with getting pregnant our first month. What a blessing-for an impatient person I would have driven myself mad worrying that I was the problem.

As I was pregnant with Taegan I was SOOO excited and really the thought of the pain of childbirth only entered my mind a few times. For the most part-I felt like it was just something I was gonna have to get through and be done with. Because of course Justin and I had decided that we wanted one little angel to spoil and love endlessly!!! We made it all the way through the pregnancy with no problems, a fast labor and delivery(4 hours) and then everything came crashing down! Our little girl was sick and sent straight to the NICU. WHAT??? This wasn't in the plan and I was at a loss. I couldn't see her because I was sick and this was about the opposite of what I had planned for my type A personality! Hours turned into days and she ended up with a full recovery and went home with us 7 days later. Not bad-and I know others have had much worse. It just wasn't what either of us had expected at all!

We adored Taegan with everything we had. We loved every second we had with her and we still do of course. The entire first year of her life she was all we wanted or needed. We couldn't get enough of her and how she was changing. And then one day Justin suggested maybe we have another....WHAT??? This wasn't in my plans either-we were going to have one and love her endlessly and be a perfect family of three. I mean that's what I grew up with and that is all I knew. I immediately shot that idea down and we moved on. Six months later he brought it up again...and I sat on it for a few days. I just wasn't sure it was what I was called to do. I didn't know if having two kids was really in my cards-so I needed time to wait it out. Turns out I wasn't so against the idea this time, but I was still very unsure. It wasn't the pain that was scaring me away this time-that epidural was perfect! I was very unsure of how to love two kids the way I loved Taegan. How was that possible??? I didn't share this with Justin because honestly I thought it was a terrible thought to have and I was the only one in the world who would think that.

We decided in late July to start trying-and by the grace of God we got pregnant again on the first try!!! Yes-this was supposed to happen. That was proof. Now was when I was faced with those feelings again. We found out right away with this one and I knew from the moment it happened really. So to say we are only halfway through seems like it has been longer. We were both so excited and couldn't wait to share with our families. We shared early because we were busting at the seams-neither set of parents thought we would have another and if so it would be after Taegan was in school! Everyone was happy and we started making plans for this second one to join us. About a week after telling people and getting over the initial excitement I came crashing down. All out crying fit-and Justin was dumbfounded! Part of the problem was that I really didn't know what feelings I was having, and the ones I was having were ones I thought no mom should ever have. I was so scared about adding another child to our family. So worried that this amazing time I have had with Taegan will be gone. How will I split my time between two and be the best I can be? How will I be able to give the second one the same amount of love, support, and nurture I did with Taegan? Why was I feeling so down and out about being blessed with another life? What was I going to do when they both needed me? Ugh-the pain and stress got to me and I just lost it. Justin actually expressed the same concerns once I opened up and I felt a bit better. But as the mom I was supposed to be able to handle it all-this is what we wanted after all! Justin said we would take it one step at a time and figure it out...and I had to put all my trust in that.

It took a while for me to get back right with everything. I was always blessed to be able to have this second one and will never take that for granted. We started having problems around 9 weeks and had an early ultrasound...we got to SEE the little baby! I was head over heals...and scared out of my mind still! Things looked okay and we picked out furniture, a new stroller, talked about names, and were starting to accept the intitial steps of adding a second child to our family. Justin wanted a boy and I wanted a girl. Deep inside I thought if I had a girl-I already knew what to do and it might be easier to love this one. Sounds awful I know-but at the time I was still trying to wrap my mind around it. Two days before we found out what we were having Justin changes his mind and wants a girl-we are having a BOY!!!! Our good Lord gave us another challenge-and one that we are SOOO happy about now. We also found out that I have a low-lying placenta and will need to be watched closely throughout this pregnancy. Another bump in the road. With all these turns we have come to a point in the road where we are over the moon that this little man is on his way. Yes, there are days when I have a twinge of sadness over not having another little princess to dress up and play with. Then I think about all the fun stuff we get to do with Laekan and how much fun they will have together. Taegan will always have a brother to watch over her-even though he is younger. What a blessing!

To say I'm not worried about the placenta issue is not realistic, but I have let it settle in the back of my mind. I know that I am doing everything I can to protect him and take care of him and the rest is up to God. I can't control what happens...I just have to deal with it. I can control how much love and support I give him-and that I will do!!! I will do my best to love him just like Taegan...I just hope I'm not the only mom that has felt this way:( I'm sorry that this was such a ramble and maybe it only makes sense to me-which is okay! I will want to look back on this time and remember how I felt even the unsure parts. I look forward to the rest of this pregnancy, I don't look forward to the gaining weight part but alas it will come as well. I look forward to sharing all the ups and downs that come along-and I hope you will be there with us as we go through them. If you made it all the way through this....I have a cute little picture for you-

Here is my not so little girl:(

Snow Day!!!!

The weatherman had been predicting a snow storm since last Thursday-so we had our fingers crossed that it would actually happen! Taegan got an awesome snow suit from her Aunt Melissa and Uncle Kyle that she couldn't wait to try out! I was a bit worried though because last year she hated the snow, so I wasn't sure she would like it this year. It started snowing right after she went to bed last night, and I was super excited to see how much had come when we woke up. There was about 4 inches on the ground when we woke up and it has been snowing all day!!! We have about 9 inches right now with big flakes still falling! All the schools were closed in town and the kids are hoping for another snow day tomorrow I am sure. I tried to go be a super pregnant lady and shovel-now I am laid up on the couch with my cold much worse and a back that is killing me. Boo....on a much happier note I will let you enjoy the pictures of Taegan-who LOVED the snow:)

Her first step outside in the snow.
Deciding she might want to eat it!

Oh the wonderment of a child-she was in awe of it falling on her.

Then she decided to just sit right down and play.

Daddy stopped by on the way home and bought a sled-she had a blast!!!

21 weeks...

How far along: 21 weeks

Size of baby: Laekan is the length of a carrot.

Weight gain: 8.5 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Still able to wear my normal t-shirts, but pants and nice shirts I am wearing maternity. It is much more comfortable and I feel better!

Gender: BOY-Laekan Harper.

Movement: He is becoming an active little boy. Justin felt him for the first time on Monday night and he was so excited! Laekan is super active at night while I am watching TV and relaxing. He is moving off and on during the day-but I know to expect an active evening!

Sleep: I have had a cold this week so that is changing my sleep-but otherwise still doing pretty good.

What I miss: I am starting to miss being able to bend over all the way without it being uncomfortable. I can still do it, but for short periods of time.

Cravings: Coke Icee!!!!

Symptoms: I am starting to just move slower and things are taking more time than normal. My back is still sore and now my hips are starting back again. I feel like an old lady that can't move at times!! Oh well-he is worth it!!!

On a good note-I got a ton done this last week around the house. All the decorations are down and put away, the crawl space is cleaned and organized, Taegan's clothes are gone through and gotten rid of what I didn't want, house is clean, Taegan and I have been working daily on skills, and we are making a menu and eating more at home!!! Overall, all a success. We also got told this last week that we have some friends that want to throw us a shower since we don't have anything for our little man!!! How lucky are we??? I am so excited!!!!

Circle time...

I am making it a goal of mine this year to start doing "circle time" with Taegan each day. She is at such an age that she wants to learn and loves doing new things. So I thought it would be a great way to keep her mind expanding and also start hitting on those topics that she will need for school anyways. I found a pad that lists each day of the week and I wrote on it what we will work on that day. For example, today was stringing beads and water paint. I am hoping to start a letter of the week next week and that way she will be able to start really recognizing her letters-she can sing the song, but struggles with knowing them. I will just gear all the activities around that letter for each day!!! I know this will get harder the further along in this pregnancy I get, but I am really hoping to keep it up for her.

This morning was a success!!! She got so excited to sit down with me and sing songs, do beads, and then paint. We did stuff for about 30 minutes and then I let her relax and now she is playing babies!

Here she is painting Pluto on her table!

2011

Happy New Year! I am so excited to start a new year and can't wait for what it holds. I am excited to meet Laekan, excited to see how Taegan does with him, excited/nervous to add another little bundle to our family, eager to get myself back in shape after he is born, ready to watch Justin be a Daddy to two little loves, and so much more!!!

2010 was a good year as well, but nothing earth shattering happened to our little family that made it over the top awesome. We did have a fun year and got lots of family time in. We did tons around the house to upgrade it and I love it. We spent more money than we wanted to and now we get to pay for that! We had so much fun watching Taegan become a little girl and not a baby anymore(kinda sad). We had some sad times with the loss of family. And we had some major excitement finding out we will be adding to our family. I would say that is a good year.

We spent the evening last night going to dinner and then heading home to watch a movie. Well, Justin watched the movie, Taegan went to bed, and I fell asleep:) He did wake me up at 11:55 to bring in the New Year! The older we get, the more boring we are...it's sad, but true. Today we spent the day taking down all the decorations and getting the house back in order. I feel real good about the house and my stress level is much lower. However, I did just sit down to do some bills and the stress level rose just a bit. Why is saving money so hard??? I really hope that 2011 brings with it some insight for me to get that under control. That is one stress that I know we control and yet we always seem to let it get a little bit away from us. UGH!

Happy New Year-I am off to read my new book.