Baby Conner 2.0

We've been itching to tell the world that around April 30th we will be a family of four (or six if you count the dogs)!

I can't believe I'm almost through the first trimester. I really don't have much to complain about though. Other than just feeling tired and a little icky in the afternoons, it really hasn't been too bad.

I had forgotten this about being pregnant but some food just sounds SO good. I haven't necessarily had any cravings- just strong opinions. On the flip side, some food just doesn't sound good at all.

Austin has been a trooper in tolerating my grumpy-tired-quirky food preferences-over planning demeanor. A few weeks ago I was already stressing about not having enough help in the first few weeks of the new baby, especially if I have another c-section. He kindly told me to slow down and we will cross that bridge when we get there. Glad I have him around.

I do recognize I've been a little moody lately. Happy one minute and totally discouraged and depressed about something small the next. Austin and I have a good laugh remembering the night that we have deemed "date-pocalypse." Those crazy hormones decided to accompany us on a date and heavily interfered with civil conversation and rational reasoning. I take full responsibility for the night ending in tears. Again, we both laugh about it now so don't feel sorry for us. It's quite funny looking back on it. Did I mention I have a patient husband?

All that being said, we are SUPER excited about what 2013 holds for us.

More updates to come!

 

A Day in Kansas City

This past Saturday, we trucked it up to Kansas City for the day.

It was a rare occasion that all of my college besties were going to be in the same area so we planned this little reunion months and months ago! We spent the day camped out at my friend Bonnie's house. Between taking care of the 6 kids ranging from two weeks old to 2 years old, we had our hands full. There was about a five minute window in which all the kids were down for naps but we still enjoyed our time together.

Here are Bonnie and Carly doting on Sara's 2 week old son, Ben.



Everett and Adelyn





Carly with her twins, Reece and Peyton



And here are a few attempts on getting them all in one picture. They were surprisingly compliant. We didn't take the risk of putting two week old Ben in the mix of toddlers.





I love this one. I think I made a funny noise to make them all look at me.





In the midst of luches, snacks, walks, diapers, and snot, we pretty much forgot to get pictures with one another... boo!

It seemed like a quick trip but the drive was totally worth it. I love these gals and all of the little people that they keep making!

Computers, Trashcans, and Hail Damage

For one reason or another, this blog has had its share of technical difficulties.

About a week ago things started going haywire. I couldn't login to my blog and the very few times I was actually allowed to, I would immediately be redirected to a page welcoming me to Wordpress and asking me to install it. After the first phone call to my web host, I realized this was not going to be a quick fix. You know it's never good when an computer tech says, "wow, I've never seen this before... why is it doing that?... I'm going to have to send you to tier 2... What is happening?... This is new to me..."

Basically, it took 4 phone calls to finally find someone who could help. I had installed a backup plugin that was messing with my databases. After we removed the plugin, which was a challenge because I couldn't log in, all was well.

I didn't realize this before having a kid but now that I have one, hassles like this are VERY inconvenient. The only time I can sit down and make a long call to get help is during nap times. Any mother knows how precious those few hours are. Anyway, I'm glad it's fixed. If this site goes down again, I will probably just start another one rather than fighting through all the tech stuff again. So be warned and keep an eye out on facebook for my new blog if this one goes down again.

ANYWAY...

In other news:

The pace of life has picked up a bit now that Adelyn can walk and climb. I love that she has the freedom to go where she wants but this also requires a bit more supervision and baby proofing. One thing we are not able to fully baby proof is the trashcan. What I mean by this is now that she has learned how to throw things away, she wants to do it all the time. Yesterday I found myself digging the television remote, a bib, and a tupperware lid out of the trashcan.



We got hit by a hail storm a few weeks ago. We didn't think it did too much damage but thought we'd have our insurance company take a look anyway. Turns out we had over $10,000 worth of damage. Craziness. So we are in the process of getting bids, working with different contractors, getting second opinions, and eventually having a lot of work done on our house.

I'm currently c0-leading a 20-something's small group of 15 women. I'm loving it. The girls in our group seem to be meshing quite well and I love the depth of conversation we are already having only 3 weeks into the study. It's quite a big difference from leading a high school small group.



Last night, Austin and I had "Monopoly and Milkshakes Night." Aside from the fact that I ruined Austin's milkshake with too much milk and that I'm a bad sport at games that I'm not good at, we had a good night. Seriously- I only played Monopoly City out of devotion and love for my husband. I maintained a good attitude until the moment that I had to mortgage a property and accidentally  bought a property I didn't want. Austin is a good sport for putting up with me and still making it fun despite my pouting. I married a good man.


Lastly, between the two of us, we have probably read The Wide Mouthed Frog 300 times by now. I know it by heart.

I'm Back. I Hate Technology.

I ran into some more techy problems with my blog. Four long phone calls later, things are up and running.

I'll explain more in the near future but until then, I leave you with this to hopefully brighten your day.

Keeping Up with My Camera

I haven't uploaded pictures from my camera in a while so here is a bunch of randomness.

As you can see, little lady's hair is growing out. Despite relentless attempts by her mother, there is no toleration of bows or pony tails. Sometimes I can sneak one in if she is majorly distracted but she often catches on to my schemes within the hour.



At my parent's house a few weeks ago, Adelyn emerged from the bathroom accompanied by a roll of toilet paper. Somehow she got it stuck around her foot and managed to bring it all the way down the hall before anyone noticed.





I included this picture because only moments after I snapped this shot, Adelyn made her way to the rock path in front of her, tripped and was saved from a major face plant by Aunt Les. When I say "saved" I am serious. She was headed face first into the rocks and my super sister bolted out of nowhere and snatched her up when her head was inches from the rocks. Good save, Aunt Les!



Speaking of Aunts and Uncles...

Weirdo.

Other than that, life has been busy but uneventful. Austin and I finished season three of Parenthood and plan to try to keep up with season 4 this Fall.

Adelyn is loving her new found freedom of walking.

She is also loving books. This child reads more a day than I do. It is not uncommon for her to track me down and harass me with a book until I read it to her. Tonight I was in the middle of making dinner when she came toddling in the kitchen with one of her favorites and proceeded to hit me with it until I complied to stop what I was doing and read it. I never thought I would deny reading to my child but there have been times where I just have to tell her to read it herself. This response is only met with tears and usually a full body rebellion.



I've been warned that the 15-18 month stage is a hard one. Thank goodness its challenges are accompanied by blossoming personality and quirks that make us laugh all day.

Grandpa

Sweet Adelyn,

Your great-grandpa passed away about a week ago. I'm sad you never got to know him. You'll never remember this but you did meet him at Christmas. You both so were tickled by each other and I was so glad to catch a few of the moments on camera.





I don't even know where to start on all the memories I have of this man. Since we grew up about a mile from their house, we were able to spend a lot of time with grandpa.  He was a character. He was a man's man, a fisherman, a storyteller, a hunter, a businessman, a go-getter, a hard worker, had the highest pain tolerance I've ever seen, a collector, a historian, a lake-legend, strong willed, goofy, and just a great, fun-loving grandpa to us.

His passing away has hit me harder than I thought it would. I miss the grandpa that I grew up with and am sad I only have memories to hold on to.

I just hope that you have the same fondness for your grandparents that I do for mine. I hope you have too many memories to put in a blog post. I hope you treasure the time you get to spend with them and tuck away sweet memories that you can carry with you through your life.

Giving Chauncey "Love"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-8_jibPNqo&feature=share&list=UUSKqLOMw-hUXq2Z54GS7yCQ