Baby SISTER!!

We had our 20 week anatomy scan today and got to find out the gender! I was convinced we were having a boy…and Russ thought girl, for sure! I was so shocked and excited when the tech told us girl!! The doc even double checked when he came in and said he was absolutely certain. She looks perfect and healthy, and they even switched on 3D for a few seconds and we got to see her kick her legs like crazy. It was so amazing!!! They sent us home with everything recorded on a DVD which was great, and a totally different experience than when we had Rowan.

Russ and I went to California Pizza Kitchen afterwards for a little date, and then bought a super cute little pink hat with a flower on it from Nordstrom. Ruffle butt leggings and headbands.. HERE WE COME!! :) Pretty excited to do some shopping.

We decided to pick up a dozen balloons to take a photo announcement. We were all set up ready to pose and the ribbons came untied from the weight and flew up into the sky. I was sooo upset! I just told Russ to forget it, but he told me to go inside, feed Rowan dinner, and he’d go and pick up some balloons. Guess he wanted to avoid this pregnant lady’s emotional breakdown, lol!

Here are some of the pics we took:

Me, with the FIRST bunch of balloons. (Only photo we got, haha)

There they go!!    

Ro’s First Easter Egg Hunt!

The local YMCA held a big Easter event this weekend with an egg hunt, carnival games, and Easter bunny. We parked at a nearby elementary school and took the shuttle bus (which was probably Rowan’s favorite part) to the event.

He really liked picking up the eggs, and wanted to look at the easter bunny… as long as we were holding him. He waved and gave him a high five. We thought he’d want down to run around like his usual crazy self, but I think he was a little nervous around such a huge, loud crowd. It will be fun to take him again next year!

    

18 Months!

 

Rowan is already 1 1/2 years old. CRAZY!!! I feel like I have seen the most growth in him just over the last month. He went from like 3 words, at 15 months, to over 35 at 18 months. He has such a fun personality. He weighed in at 24 lbs (still only 25th %) and almost 34 inches (90th %). Doc said he’s the tallest 18 month old she’s seen! No wonder I feel like he looks so big.

Here are some things I want to remember about 18 month Rowan:

- He loves to jump! He will say “jump” over and over while parading through the house, jumping.

- He still loves his mama. I tried really hard to get him attached to a “lovie” or a stuffed animal, for months, with no luck. Instead he loves to rub my chest, up by my collar bone. Only way to go to sleep. Sometimes it drives me nuts… but most of the time I just think it’s sweet.

- The kid will eat ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Seriously. He spends at least 30 minutes at every meal, and almost always asks for “more.” The only thing he’s not crazy about is meat. Unless it’s dipped in BBQ sauce (just like his dad!!!)

- He loves Elmo. What kid doesn’t?? He’s started carrying his little stuffed Elmo around and likes to “read” to Elmo, or give him something to “drink.”

- He imitates anyone who’s laughing. He does it at home, and it’s hilarious. It’s slightly more embarrassing when I’m at Trader Joe’s, and he obnoxiously mimics someone laughing in casual conversation.

- He loves when we blow bubbles outside and it’s also one of the clearest words he says.

- He’ll wave at just about anyone when we’re out and about.

- When we snap he clicks his tongue and waves his fingers around. Clever way to copy!

- He kisses my belly everytime we say, “come kiss your baby brother or sister!”

- He loves to read. We probably read at least 20 books a day. His favorite right now is "Brown Bear, Brown Bear.”

I could go on and on… but those are just a few things I’m loving right now. He’s just so much fun to be around. I really want to enjoy the last few months I have alone time with him, and as just 3 of us, but I think it will be really fun to see him as a big brother!

Farrel McWhirter Park

 

Russ and I bundled up and took Rowan to a local park in Redmond, Farrel McWhirter Park. My friend’s Val & Courtney told me about it and met me there awhile ago, but Rowan was only 7 months old, and a little too young to enjoy the sights. 

There are horses, pigs, cows, goats, sheep, and chicken to check out. Rowan LOVED pointing out all of the animals and making their sounds but got pretty freaked out when he saw, and heard the horses!

Definitely a fun afternoon and I hope to make it a regular thing when the weather warms up a bit!

In Case You Haven’t Heard..

 

I just realized I’ve gotten behind and never posted about our baby news! We are expecting Baby #2 on August 26th. Rowan’s going to be a big brother and we couldn’t be more excited!!

With Rowan, I had pretty much NO symptoms. This pregnancy has been a little harder with quite a bit of nausea, and puking (yuck!) for the first 5-10 weeks. I’m now 14 weeks and feeling MUCH better thankfully. I’ve been craving sour patch kids, skittles, and frozen yogurt.

We had our first ultrasound at about 7 1/2 weeks and will hopefully find out what we’re having at our anatomy scan in about 5-6 weeks. Can’t wait!!

Giving the baby a kiss! Pondering life as a big brother!  and of course the monthly belly shot… I swear I didn’t look like this until 18-20 weeks last time!!!

Russ is 30!!!

Russ turned 30 while his sister and our niece were here. I remember when we first met and went out to celebrate his 25th. Crazy how fast the last 5 years have gone! Russ has been on a project working nights for a couple of weeks now so he had to work on his birthday but we still managed to have a little fun first. He wanted to go out for a big breakfast when he woke up later in the day, so that’s what we did! I made him a two layer chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and strawberries. Overall it was a pretty low key afternoon. It was really special to have his family here though!

     

Cousins from Across the World!!

Russ’ sister, Ruth was able to get a last minute, half price ticket to fly in from New Zealand and she jumped on the opportunity. She flew 14 hours, with her 20 month old Kaitlin, and while being 5 months pregnant. They stayed for a week and we had a really great time. It was our first time meeting Kaitlin. Rowan and Kaitlin are each other’s only cousins so it was really special to see them together. They are only 3 months apart…. and the babies in our bellies are only going to be 2 months apart!

We were pretty busy throughout the week: aquarium, pikes place, bellevue square, north bend outlets, lunch at my mom’s, and celebrating Russ’ 30th birthday.

We’re really going to miss them and wish they lived closer. Hopefully next time we’ll be able to go and visit in New Zealand!

Rowan LOVED having a little buddy around. He kept trying to give her cuddles. :)

Here are some photos from our time together. I wish there were more but we didn’t want to lug around our DSLR everywhere we went!

     Ruth “filing” Rowan’s nails.Reading books early in the morning. First Tandem Bath!

Sharing snacks!

  Skyping with Kaitlin’s Daddy/Uncle JasonReading books with Auntie Ruth!        

It was also pretty fun to hear all of the different words they use for every day items. Here are some of my favorites:

Diaper = Nappy

Binky= Dummy

Stroller= Pram

Bathroom= Loo

There are a lot more….. Would love for Rowan to have that cute little accent!!