Dinner with Friends

 Nolan, Abby and Quinn

~July 29, 2011~

 Say CHEESE!

 Waiting intently for their strawberry shortcake!

 Ty, almost six months old!

We joke that these two might date someday?!

...Or at least end up good friends!

 The boys lounging after dinner.

We had our friends, Ally and Brandon, along with their two

kiddos Nolan and Abby, and Chelsea with her 

sweet little Ty over for dinner.

What a fun night! The kids got along great! ..It's so much fun to

see that as they get older they interact more with one another,

and really do enjoy one anothers company!

Pregnancy: Week 17

How far along? 17 Weeks (that's almost half way done, people!!)

Total weight gain/loss: Almost 10 lbs gained

Maternity clothes? It's beginning...regular non/maternity shirts are starting to look a bit snug.

Sleep: Not nearly as much required now compared to the early weeks...but I still get tired easily if I over do it, and some days I'm just really tired! (Could it be from chasing around Quinn?!)

Best moment this week: My doctor appointment yesterday (7/25). Quinn was with me, and as I was lying down to have the baby's heartbeat checked, I looked over to see Quinn's eyes big as saucers and grinning from ear to ear. It was such a special moment for me to take in the sounds from one child (their beating heart, strong and healthy!) and to be able to see the excitement and curiousity in my other child. 

Movement: I felt the baby's first kicks last night at around 10pm when I was trying to go to sleep. I loved it! I had to run downstairs to let Steve know, even though it'll be many more weeks before he

can feel the kicks.

Food cravings: Lot of salty stuff :( 

Basically, what I liked before I was pregnant, I just crave food more frequently!

Gender: I think boy, Steve thinks girl. We're not finding out!

Labor Signs: None, thankfully :)

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: Nothing. I can honestly say I am currently enjoying everything there is about pregnancy.

What I am looking forward to: Our ultrasound on August 15th.

Weekly Wisdom: I'm going to enjoy this pregnancy as thoroughly as I can, because it might be my last. And being pregnant is truly one of the coolest experiences in this life!

Happy Tuesday, All! 

Meaningful Church Sign

The other day I was driving past a church, and the sign's message resonated with me, as it simply read: 

"The only thing you can take to heaven with

you are your children." 

(I also feel like spouse should/could be included).

How quickly it put my day into perspective and reminded me of the most critical and important job we have as parents...to guide our children to have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ now,

while they're still young, that they may carry their

strong faith throughout their entire lives.

It may seem like an almost too overwhelming responsibility

at times, but it gives me great comfort knowing that the Lord is guiding each and every step in our parenting,

as we allow Him to work through us.

Family Photo

We headed to the zoo on Saturday afternoon to spend some family quality time together...we had such a nice time.  We checked out

the new penguin exhibit, visited the farm yard, had a snack outdoors on a shady picnic table and just soaked in

the gorgeous day and being together. 

Of course...we brought our camera to the zoo but when we tried taking a photo, we realized someone (maybe me?!) forgot to return the memory stick... thank goodness for fancy phones with their picture taking ability, right?!

In other news... my second pregnancy is going great! Right now, I can feel the babe doing sommersaults on the left side of my belly :)

Hot and humid days of summer!!

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmkkkkkkkkk (Quinn crawled up onto the couch where my laptop computer was laying, and decided he wanted to add a little to his blog...)

You know it's hot when...

Even your toddler is sweating as soon as you step outdoors!

We have been enjoying these hot and humid days!  Okay...we might not be outside as much as when it's a little more tolerable (when it's 80 instead of 100 degrees!) ...but I'm looking at the big picture here and reminding myself that in about, oh...five months from

now we'll have 3 feet of snow on the ground and

it'll be cold again!    I am not complaining!

In other news, Quinn will be 17 months tomorrow! That's right...a month away from being a one and a half year old! He is becoming more of a monkey these days! (could it be because his favorite

 and only show he watches is Curious George?!)

He is constantly climbing up onto chairs, couches and even our tall bed! (he has figured out where to strategically place his foot to be able to climb up from the foot board.)

Hopefully everyone is enjoying these awesome summer days!

 In the blink of an eye it'll be over and we'll be moving on to the next (beautiful) season...

Ice Cream Cone

What's better than an ice cream cone

break on a hot and humid day?!  

4th of July - 2011

 4th of July, 2011 - Quinn (16.5 months)

 Quinn had fun getting pushed

back and forth on his jet ski!

 With his Grandma J on the dock.

 I'm 14 weeks pregnant and

feeling wonderful.

 Whether we're at home or the cabin,

the lawn mower is always a hit!

 First s'more. Made by Aunt Laurie!

 Enjoying our bonfire and s'mores!

 Did I say s'mores? Quinn preferred

his Gerber puff cereal over it!

Looking festive in our Old

Navy 4th of July shirts!

Four generations:

Jerry (Jan's dad), Stan, Steve and Quinn.

The boys and I headed up to Jan and Stan's cabin
for our annual Fourth of July tradition.

We had a wonderful three days of relaxing, eating delicious food (J&S make great breakfast, lunch and dinners every day!), playing in the water and sun, and just enjoying one anothers' company!

Thanks for having us up!