The Scoop

I LOVE hearing about how other women's pregnancies and births go so for those of you who are like me, here's an answer to some of the frequently asked pregnancy questions:

1. How far along are you? Technically, I'm 20 weeks on Wednesday(May 16), but during my first ultrasound the baby was measuring a little big, so the doctor moved up my due date to September 29, making me 20 weeks on Saturday. Halfway baby!

2. Why have I waited a while to let the word out? See question 3. There are so many crazy comments that I've gotten from people that I do and don't know. I read a status the other day that said, "Often the people that know you the least have the most to say." Don't get me wrong, I'm not ashamed that I will be a mother of two in a few short months, I am thrilled! I have really enjoyed letting the word get out slowly(thanks to the people that we have told.:)) I WANTED to wait until we found out if it was a girl or a boy... but that didn't happen.

3. "Was this one planned?" Yes, that is a question word-for-word that I have been asked. I know a lot of women think it, but often when it's verbally asked it comes out SO wrong. This is a question that I have made a HUGE effort not to ask any other woman, because we are all so different. If they want to share it, they will. But YES, This baby was planned. Yes, This baby is wanted.  Yes, 2 years isn't very long between kids. Yes, I know I still have a toddler. Yes. Once Eli turned 1 we felt that another baby was waiting to come to our family. So yes. that's when the "planning" began.


4.How are you feeling? I can't believe how stinkin' tired I am by the end of the day. I'd like to think that it's because I have a little boy to chase after as well, but I am TIRED! I was really sick during the first trimester and have had little "spouts" of sickness and headaches since, but I've figured out how to eat so I don't get as many headaches or don't get as sick.


5. Movement? Eeee! Yes! I started feeling the baby move around 16-17 weeks, which is a lot earlier than Eli! Yesterday Craig felt the baby too! It's my favorite, favorite part or being pregnant!


6. Do you think it's a boy or a girl? This pregnancy has been SO different than my pregnancy with Eli, so I really feel like we're having a girl. Craig says that he thinks it's a girl, but he wouldn't be "as shocked" if it was a boy. Of course, I have done some of the myths and tricks, and these are the results that I've gotten:(thanks to parenting.com)

1. Highs and Lows If you're carrying high, break out the pink. If your bump is low, you're carrying a boy. 2. Be Still My Beating Heart                                According to legend, 140+ beats per minute indicates a girl, and below 140 a boy. 3. Sweet and Sour Craving ice cream every single day? Some people believe this means it's a girl. If you have to have salty or sour stuff, then it's a boy. 4. Chinese Birth Chart This ancient method uses your age at conception and the month you did the deed to determine gender. Try it here! 5. Even and Odd Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception and the year of conception. If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy. 6. Spot On If you're breaking out like crazy, blame it on your girl babe. The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits. 7. Nice Ring to It Pop off your wedding ring -- if you still can! -- and tie it to a string. Hang it over your belly. If it swings in a circle, a little guy's in your future. If it goes back and forth, you've got a girl. 8. Queasy Does It Sick as a dog during the first trimester -- or still? Signs indicate you're having a girl. Little or no morning sickness points to a boy.

1. I think it’s really too early to tell? 2. Girl- Last time I was at the doctor, the baby’s heartbeat was 154. 3. Again, this one is really hard. I love sweets so I’m not sure if I am craving them because I’m pregnant with a girl? In the beginning Ramen noodles(I know they are so bad for you) helped a TON with Sickness because of all the Sodium it has. 4. Girl 5. Boy- I was 22 in the year 2011 6. Girl- I have broken out like mad since I’ve been pregnant. 7. BOY- It started back and forth then went in circles for a looong time. 8. Girl- I have been so dang sick.

Girl: 4 Boy: 2
So... that doesn't tell us much either. Anybody else have any guesses before we find out at our ultrasound on WEDNESDAY? :) 

During the last four months...

Oh dear... So much has gone on in these last few months that it almost seems overwhelming to post anything. But after reading this quote, I know that as I write and record more regularly, relationships will grow and inspiration on what I will write about will come. Right?... Right.

So for a little update:
1. We are MOVING to Colorado after graduation in July! SO if you know anybody in the area that knows anything about the area, we LOVE to hear it. I'm a little nervous to leave my comfort zone here in Rexburg.

Sunday Drives have become one of our FAVORITE things to do. Here are a couples of pictures from last Sunday's Drive to a little swimming hole about 30 minutes out of town. One of Eli's new obsessions: Rocks!

2. We BOTH graduate with BACHELOR'S degrees JULY 21. The other day a girl at work asked me if it has been hard having a baby and going to school. Looking back it has been really tough! I feel that I was given the strength and motivation to continue on... and our schedules have really worked out. We have been so lucky!
3. Eli is 100% BOY! He is obsessed with cars, books, bikes, planes, and TRAINS! Yesterday was his 20 mo. birthday. During the last few weeks we have been working on the Alphabet with him, and we keep saying we need to get a video of it. Maybe it will make it here. :) Last week was his first week in Toddler Lab on campus and he has LOVED it. It's only 2 times a week, for an hour and fifteen minutes each day. They play, sing songs, read books, have snacks, and play. My favorite part? The observation booth!

The other day I had one of my friend's over, and when Eli and Juliet became quiet, I had to check on them. This is what I found them doing... Reading in Eli's "Prayer Chair".I'm sure this is completely normal at the this age, but Eli has become extremely attached to his blanket("ni-ni" or "bain-keck") and wants to take them EVERYWHERE.

I'd like to think that I'm not the only one who thinks adult-like mannerisms are cute when modeled by little toddlers.(notice the arms and legs... oh, I melt! I love love LOVE him)

Eli likes to say gross, which sounds more like "goes" when he touches my toes, but he's all about eating his own!

When we were down in Utah over break in April, Eli inherited this little treasure from his cousin Keaton and he loves it... which comes as no surprise since his mom and dad LOVE going on bike rides with him.

And a little look into the next few months:
I'm done with my LAST block class in JUNE!
We have a family reunion(eee!) then graduate in JULY!
We'll be in Colorado in AUGUST!
Eli will become a brother at end of SEPTEMBER!

Tell me I'm not alone...

..and that I'm not the only mom who sees this(after a short moment of silence...):

Hair ties, bows, bobby pins, make up brushes and makeup.

All because I was finishing a homework assignment...

DONE!

I am so extremely happy to say that I am completely finished with this semester! I don't think I've EVER had such a crazy three months, but I am sooooo happy to be done. The classes that I took really stretched me and I learned a lot about people and about myself and the things that I am capable of. YAY for being done! The countdown begins until Christmas... until then I am going to enjoy:
1. Time with my two main men...

2. WARM Rexburg. :)
3. The ability to read/watch/do WHATEVER I want.
4. Exercise
5. Doing absolutely nothing. :)

My Little Buddy

This fall semester has been a busy one for Kimi.  She has a full load of classes plus she is managing the after school program at the elementary school for her internship.  I am very proud of her working so hard to finish her degree.  I have been working in the early morning and then spending all day with my little buddy Eli.  I'll probably never have this much time with any of our future children, so I am trying to take full advantage of the time Eli and I have together.  It has been so wonderful!  He is nearly 13 months old now and so full of life, eager to learn, and   so dang cute!  I love my Eli Paul.   Here are some pictures from our recent adventure in Kelly Canyon.

 I carried Eli in the backpack for the majority of our hike but he insisted on walking some of the not so steep sections.  The trail isn't quite as smooth as the floor at home or the sidewalks in town, so Eli had a fun time adjusting to the bumpy terrain.

 The trail was quite dusty.  Eli loved stomping his feet and watching the cloud of dust appear.  He even stopped a couple times, squatted and patted the ground with his hands.  Mix that with the drool that is almost always coming out of his mouth and you get one dirty little boy.

I loved being in the mountains with Eli and wish time could just stand still for a little while.

 The view we enjoyed from the top!

 Getting ready to make a sweet move to the basket.

Playing ball in his pj's.

Eli is all about cars, or anything with wheels.  He loves going on walks around town and pointing and shouting at all of the passing cars. 

Eli is possibly the pickiest kid around, but he loves to eat broccoli!
And we have some awesome pictures from the birthday party last month, but they're on our other computer that is getting fixed right now, so a late birthday post is coming soon.  

Who needs a Birthday BASH...

When you can have a BIRTHDAY BATH?! 

 The best thing about having a 1 year old? 

He's perfectly content doing whatever. 

But really, we do have a birthday party planned for this weekend.

Until then...

check out this happy birthday boy in his Birthday suit. :)

MINNESOTA!

 Before I get to our awesome trip to Minnesota here is a picture of our buff little Eli guy.  He just loves to watch us mow the lawn, and he kept begging for a turn to try it out.  He pushed the mower through the grass. He is a strong little fella, probably going to be a linebacker some day.

 We had a splendid time visiting Kreg, Anna, Cecily, and Oliver Wagner in Minnesota.  Here we are visiting Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. 

 Playing in the water

 Our awesome hosts Kreg and Anna.  They treated us well and we are grateful for their hospitality and sharing their cute kids with us for the week.

 Cecily and Eli got to meet the Blues Clue dog at the Mall of America!

Cecily jumped into this picture with some random kids, so I quickly snapped a picture too.  Ha ha!

Us at the Yankees/Twins game at Target Field. 

 Visiting the Scripture....no no Cecily it is the sculpture gardens.  She kept calling it the scripture gardens.  I like the big spoon and cherry.

 Best buddies playing doctor

Chillin' at the beach at one of the many many lakes in Minnesota.

We really had a great relaxing time hanging out in a new place.  Eli did get sick so we had to take him to the ER, but after a few days he was fine. Eli and Oli had a great time playing together.  I am excited to see them grow up together.