30 Weeks in Utero

You all knew I'd be back eventually, right? These were part of a series of family photos taken by the lovely Kami of Orange Peel Photography.

This is me thirty weeks pregnant with our second child. Photos taken Nov. 7, 2015. Hoping to welcome this little girl or boy earthside near the middle of January.

We will cherish these for years to come.

Is This the Night?

While Ivan is the sweetest little guy to ever be born and when he sleeps, his sweetness and cuddle factor grows exponentially, his sleeplessness is a form of terrorism. "Sleep terrorism," as C so delicately phrases it. To take it one step further, my Ivan is a sleep terrorist.

I feel bad complaining at all, because Ivan does, in fact, sleep. You know, sometimes. Less than a dozen times "sleeping through the night" since he's been born. But I'm okay getting up once or twice in the night to pat him, rock him, nurse him, or generally comfort him. It makes me feel needed. I even like snuggling with Ivan in our big bed for the last hour of sleep in the early mornings.

But these infrequent, occasional things aren't happening right now. Little guy has been sick ever since starting daycare at the end of March. Which has led to a handful of nights spent screaming (four ear infections), a dozen nights of fitful and sporadic sleeping with/on us, and more nights than I care to remember where anything went just so we all could get some sleep. I'll be honest that I'll indulge a sick Ivan quite a bit if he's clingy - he doesn't feel good.

For tonight, Ivan and I are spending it at AM's home and he is in his packNplay asleep (after 20+ minutes of crying) in the other room. This may be the first time he's been in a separate room from me. We'll have to see how well he sleeps in the fresh air (windows open) and without all the little creaks and people noises he usually hears from sharing a room with C and me.


- Posted from my mobile phone

Parade Time

C and his dear friend N (yes, of N&A+C) decided to put the old Dodge Power Wagon in the pararde in McPherson, KS, on May 10th.  It was the first time C has done much with trucks since we have moved and been in such an upheaval.  The boys had so much fun!

 N is such a good prom king!

Fun times!

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

Let me try your bill. After all, we are in a bar on St. Patrick's Day and I hear anything goes!



At the parade in Aggieville. Nana, my mom, joined us!





It was really really cold, thus the grimace.


- Posted from my mobile phone

Thirty-seven Weeks: Awesome Friday

The beginning. A good day because our KSU onesie fits and our shoes taste good!


Stroller walk around City Park. Someone fell asleep.


Out at our land we're building the house on! Ivan was happy - promise.


Long day.


Long long day. Emphasis: very long day. Sleepy boy.


- Posted from my mobile phone

M & C & W from Christmas

We were able to see my friend M over Christmas, along with her daughter, C, and son, W, who is only a little older than Ivan.  You might remember I made a colorful pink/aqua quilt for little C and that she is the amazing little girl who was born at 29 weeks and is doing great!

Pool lesson? C, Ivan, little W, and M.

Trying to get a photo: M, W, little C in the middle, Ivan, and me.

Better.

Best!

Trucking & Standing

Ivan spent the day in PJs, but they didn't slow him down - he's been pulling up on the couch. Sometimes he turns to make sure someone is watching. Oh, and he's sure he doesn't need to hold on to the couch with both hands, but he does.















- Posted from my mobile phone

Fun with Friends & Family

Well, this morning began early. Ivan and I had to take Abby (my parents' dog) to the chiropractor about 40 minutes away. Thankfully, sister B agreed to meet us. Hyper wiener dog + unhappy Ivan = not fun, but with sister B, we had man-on-man defense going and it was all good. We all came back to M town, regrouped, and headed downtown. Ended up at the coffeehouse, Swiss chocolate gelato, Italian sodas (raspberry cherry for me, strawberry peach for her, & Ivan stuck his fingers in the gelato while I wasn't looking), & A FRIEND!







So awesome to run into her! And even better, this is B, and she spends enough time with our family that she knows sister B & me & she adores Ivan. We enjoyed an hour or so with her and all of our sugar.

Then back home to let sister B change a diaper and have a talk with Ivan:







*Later this evening, my dad called from AZ (where he & mom were) and let me know my grandpa passed away. He will be terribly missed - he was known to be a joking, happy, ornery man. Sister B and I are so lucky that we have an abundance of awesome memories of Grandpa H. I'll find some good photos for all of you soon. I can't help but smile even thinking of him - that's how great he was.

- Posted from my mobile phone

Hello 2013!

All sorts of happy thoughts of life to come in 2013. We celebrated a nice evening with dear friends N&A + C on New Year's Eve and welcomed 2013 with a brightly lit morning in the country. We're both excited about what this year will bring for us - Ivan's growing up, our building plans, putting roots down in M town . . . I hope there are great things afoot.



- Posted from my mobile phone

Ivan's Friend B

Ivan's got a serious fan club going because little man can sure throw out a smile here & there and for the time being, he'll let you hold him.

B used to live with us, so she's like family. And she adores some Ivan!













It's pretty late here, but Ivan quite likes her too.

- Posted from my mobile phone

Twenty-Three Weeks: At Friends'

K had other plans on Friday, so Ivan spent the day with my friend R and her children V&E. From the photos, I think Ivan had a blast! Right now he loves watching and smiling at older kids - he loves listening to their loud voices sing & shout, so I can only imagine how much he enjoyed V&E!

Naptime went well:




Walking to pick up R's son, E.




And the best part, swinging! Ivan enjoys being outside, so I think he had a great day!




Thank you, R & family, for taking such good care of Ivan all day! He is so lucky to have friends like you guys!

- Posted from my mobile phone

Stoic. Then Happy.

At K's house on Thursday.




Ivan looks way too grown up below. It kills me.




Then I see the follow up photo and think, that's my baby!



- Posted from my mobile phone