Fun afternoon with mom and sisters

We started our morning off right! 

We met at Starbucks for some coffee and chitchat.

 Katie and I purchased these adorable, handmade hats/scarves.  I will be sport'n mine often this upcoming winter!!

 mom = our paparazzi for the day!

The Afton Art in the Park had a lot of fun stands to browse through.

We tasted some good eats...

 Enjoyed some MORE coffee (hot cider for the other gals).

 Katie, Gretchen, Amanda and Mom

Art in the Park - 2011

 Just being silly. This truck has no special significance to us aside from it just being kinda cute and small!

 Some of us enjoyed wine. (not me!) I just reminded myself that next year at our Art in the Park outing, I too, will be enjoying the wine!

We see you mom!

I enjoyed spending last Saturday with my two wonderful sisters and fabulous mom!!  As you can see...we had fun catching up, lattes, checking out the different 'artsy' boothes (and purchasing some fun items), and our mini wine tasting.  All in all, a wonderful day!

I hope this becomes a tradition we do every Autumn... 

Sophie's 94th Birthday

 I think this picture may go down as one of my

all time favorites of Quinn with his great grandma Sophie.

We had fun visiting Great Grandma Johannes today! As you can see, Quinn had an absolute blast!  I loved seeing Steve's 94 year old Grandma and one year old Quinn spending time together! 

19 Months Old!

Somehow, our little man is already 19 months old!

We just started our second year in ECFE (mommy and me classes) today... we are signed up for two this semester. I know that once the baby arrives this winter, Quinn and I aren't going to have as much one-on-one time...

I'm trying to fully embrace my time with Quinn being our only child before baby #2 makes their anxiously awaited appearance in about 15 weeks!!

A great day to hike

 LOVE these shoes...!!!!

We had a great time hiking today at Taylor's Falls in Interstate State Park.   Great place if you've never been there!

 ... It was a bit on the cooler side, but was still so enjoyable! After hiking for awhile and just letting Quinn walk around and stretch his legs, we visited downtown Taylor's Falls' very own drive in burger joint and enjoyed our lunch outside listening to 'oldies' music!  So fun.

Messy Face

Pregnancy: Week 22

 

 
How far along?

22 weeks...over half way there, wow!

Total weight gain/loss:
Around 12 lbs.

Maternity clothes?
Yep... pretty much everything I wear these days (aside from the occasional big sweatshirt) is maternity.

Sleep:
Starting to get difficult getting a solid 8 hours of zzz's each night. Most every night I wake up to use the bathroom, or get in a different position because I'm not comfortable.. or, just recently.. braxton hicks contractions wake me up!

Best moment this week:
Just a lot of kicks and movements! Very exciting... with an onset of new symptoms happening.. it's starting to really sink in that the remainder of this pregnancy is really going to fly!
Movement:
Lots of little kicks and flutters...
Food cravings:
Lots of carbs... loving the breads, pastas... eating a lot of hummus and crackers.  I feel (hope) this baby is going through a growth spurt with how hungry I've been in the last few days...
Gender:
I still think boy, Steve thinks girl. We're not finding out!

Labor Signs:
Early on Sunday morning, I experienced my first ever Braxton Hicks Contraction (or 'hickers' as Steve referred to them!) ... I never had any with Quinn.  They were quite painful and surprised me, but since then I've not had them again. Maybe that means this baby isn't going to be two weeks late like their big bro was!
Belly Button in or out?
It has officially popped out!

What I miss:
Sleeping a solid night's sleep... breathing comfortably! (That's right.. I've started experiencing my least fav pregnancy symptom, shortness of breath!)
What I am looking forward to:
Continuing to watch my belly grow and be utterly amazed at the miracle of pregnancy! ...Continuing to feel many kicks and squirms from the baby!

Weekly Wisdom:
I'm not going to freak out and hyperventilate whenever I feel like the baby is in such a position where it makes breathing difficult! I'll remain calm and collected and remember to enjoy every aspect of pregnancy.. the good, the bad and the ugly!

Sometimes life gets hectic...

It's tough to keep a house clean...

laundry folded

then put away,

dinner made...

cleaned up,

carpets vacuumed...

floors mopped,

just the basic day to day life 'stuff.'

Sometimes I need an obvious reminder of what's truly important during these early years in Quinn's life...to get it through my head that life isn't just about 'keeping' a clean house. In fact, it has very little to do with a clean house!

I found this meaningful quote by chance, and as a parent to a young child... it really resonated with me:

"While your children are little, cultivate an attitude of sacrifice.  Sacrifice your peace for their fun, your clean kitchen floor for their help cracking eggs...prioritize your children far and above and away the other work you need to get done. They are the only part of your work that really matters."

So now you're warned...

..next time you visit our home, it may be a mess!

(But filled with love!)

Third Anniversary

Our Third Wedding Anniversary was spent up at the cabin again (same as last year!) ...we had such a relaxing couple of days.  Not only were Jan and Stan (Steve's folks) kind enough to lend us the cabin for the long weekend, but they also watched Quinn for two days/nights. Thank YOU! ...Thanks also to my sis Katie for watching him on Monday morning/afternoon! 

Our first night was crab legs, corn on the cob and asparagus outside by the fire. It was a chilly evening, in the low 60's...brrr! Felt a lot like fall, but it was gorgeous, and the weather was refreshing.

We kept the bonfire going ALL day on Saturday due to it being another chilly day, and just relaxed and enjoyed being together.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, STEVE! 

I love you very much!