Christmas 2014

 

Holiday Family Photo Shoot

The rain couldn't stop us!  The cold couldn't stop us!  The photographer must have thought I was insane for keeping our early Sunday morning appointment scheduled.  The reality, because of this wonderful/chaotic/busy/holiday-filled schedule, I didn't have much choice!  As we drove up north to the barn, the rain was progressively getting worse, as was my doubt in my decision.  Thankfully, we stayed (fairly) dry & whipped out a pretty great photo shoot in 15 minutes.   Afterwards, we took a family grocery shopping & breakfast trip to Central Market. My favorite dates are sometimes the most ordinary of things.  Walking around the market with a hot latte, hot husband & happy, healthy child was just my little piece of Heaven.

29..30...31...32 Weeks

Feeling pretty great overall.  It's true what they say about being pregnant with a toddler... you are just so busy & don't have that much time to concentrate on all the little nuances of pregnancy!  

• Cravings: Candy Canes.  Chocolate.  Cutie Oranges. Decaf Soy Lattes. You know... all the healthy stuff...
• Exercise: When I'm at work, I try to get in some exercise with the gals over lunchtime. M&W weight lifting & sometimes elliptical on the other days. At home, I love my pregnancy yoga. I just need to commit to doing it more! I always feel better once I'm doing it but playing with dom/chores/etc sometimes gets in the way more than it should.
• Health: I'm doing great! Docs are really pleased with progress of both baby & I.  Baby usual weighs a few days ahead of where I'm at (cue: holiday food.)  My leg has been holding up quite well which makes me VERY happy. I went into this pregnancy more fit than Dom's pregnancy & stayed very active this time. I think (hope) that's helping.
• Weight:  Pretty spot on with Dom's pregnancy. I'll say that I'm over the 25 lb mark & heading swiftly to the name big 0.  eek!  Thank you, holiday food & lack of willpower.  
• Boy/Girl: no idea!  I have had dreams of both.  I love the idea of a little brother for Dom & the buddies they will be.  A girl would be so much fun as well & I know the fam would love it :)
• Movement:  The baby is moving A LOT. It's so fun!  I feel some movement in the middle of the day but I can always count on gymnastics at 8pm & in the middle of the night.  

Holiday Festivities

Tis the Season to be Jolly!  We brought out the cocoa, eggnog, Christmas Carols, trees & manger scenes.  We enjoyed much merriment with friends & family. 

My little holiday helper. Dom enjoyed all of our decorating and (most) of our trips to Michaels, Home Goods, Target, etc.  He loves balls & so going into all of the holiday-decorated stores would greatly amuse him. Balls (ornaments) hanging everywhere! 

Uncle Matt & Aunt Danielle hosted a post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas Spanish-tapas styled festivus. Of course, no party with this group is complete without someone taking off their pants... thankfully this time it was the toddler ;)

Nick & I hosted our 2nd annual game night. I love the "Reindeer Games" theme for the year.  Matt, Danielle, Kara, Michael & Andrea joined us for many spirits, Scattegories & the song game. My fave part: I had presents for the winners!  It's always more fun to play competitive games when there are bags & bags of little presents sitting on top of the piano just waiting to be opened!

The Reindeer Games Invite from Etsy. So cute! 

Bryan & Terra hosted the uber favorite Botterman German Sausage Party with gift exchange. Terra's house was decorated so pretty (as always) - I always get inspiration!  The kiddos played & played until 10pm!  Dom & Ryan were such buddies. They pushed each other on the stroller for seriously an hour, switching riders. it was funny.  I came away from the party with a soft grey blanket that I was eyeing for newborn baby photographs! Nick landed a mugs/cocoa gift set.

The Santa Saga: Photo with Santa

We had such a great morning at Northpark this season.  We arrived bright & early to get our number for Santa.  It's a crazy system... arrive at or before 9am when they hand out tickets. Santa starts at 11am.  We got a ticket at 9:15 which allowed us a picture time of 1:30pm.  Crazy how fast those tickets go! Thankfully I learned from past years that there is a lul around noon.

After playing the Santa number draw, Dominic & I went back to the car to get our Angel Tree gifts. While I always pick a little one Dom's age as well as another child or two,  I was not thinking out the logistics as I chose this year.  Dominic & I ended up hauling into the mall: a telescope, large diapers,  learning (toy) computer and carseat along with some bags of goodies & clothes.  I DID IT IN ONE TRIP!  The boxes were stacked 3 high on top of Dom's stroller rain fly. Dom rode in the stroller with toys on his lap & we shoved a bunch under the stroller.  You should have seen the looks (and assistance) at the crazy pregnant lady with the loaded stroller.  Still, sooo worth it to know that little ones will have a happier Christmas. I always wish I could do more...

After the toy drop off, Dom marveled at the decorations in the mall & then we met Lori, Axel & Mr. Mills for breakfast.  What a treat! It was so much fun to catch up. Axel & Dom had a blast together. Good thing we got some fun in before the trauma of Santa!

Dom was not a big fan this year, of which I was 100% expecting!  I figure, every family needs the classic screaming-child-on-Santa's-lap pic.  My favorite was our post-Santa interview (posted brow)

Ax & Dom -- buddies like their awesome wrestler daddies

This was priceless. I was so not expecting him to do this. Ball under shirt = belly like mommy. 

The Santa Trilogy

Scarred

The Post Santa Interview

Babyville: 6 months

I am loving this pregnancy. So far it's been easier this time around, or maybe I am taking everything in stride because life is just so darn busy!  I cannot believe how fast it is flying by!  My favorite part is that Dom "understands" the baby bump. He loves to kiss the baby & makes a big "mwah" noise as he kisses the belly. It's pretty adorable.

While this time around is much different than the 1st time (something all of my 2nd/3rd time mom friends agree with), there are great upsides to the second go-round.  I can imagine the unborn baby a lot more vividly, since I've met a newborn once already in my life. I feel really bonded to this baby because I can really imagine this mini-version of a newborn stretching, kicking & sleeping soundly in this belly of mine.  The baby is moving a lot of the time & I love that.  The connection becomes so strong in the third trimester. I lie in bed at night just envisioning the glorious moment when we get to meet this little one.

CRAVINGS: just the things I normally like, but in MUCH larger quantities!  I went a long time without gaining much weight & have suddenly started packing on the pounds.  The cheese, bread, candy canes & chocolate that I love certainly aren't helping! HEALTH: I'm trying to work out as much as possible. We have a gym at work so I try to get down there at lunchtime. It does help with the occasional afternoon leg pain if I'm able to get the blood flowing.  GENDER: I'm getting really curious to know if this is a girl or a boy.  Both would be wonderful & would have their own upsides. Of course, I mostly just really want a healthy baby & safe delivery.

hello gorgeous!

no pants big brother shot

This is about how I zen I feel about everything - JOY!