Just Let It Ride

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Pregnancy update--22 weeks

(I can't believe I'm doing these kinds of posts again! Wow!) 😮

Baby Brother is now about the size of an ear of corn, and I've been able to feel him moving a lot more lately, which I love! Harper was sitting next to me on the couch the other night, and when I told her I felt the baby moving, she put her hand on my belly and we both sat really still. Sure enough, I felt another kick, and when I looked at Harper I could tell she had felt it too. She looked amazed and said, "Was that the baby??" When I told her it definitely was, she just grinned and put both hands on my belly. She couldn't wait for baby brother to move again! She even started talking to him, coaxing him along. Moments like those make me realize how special this pregnancy is; I love that Ryder and Harper are old enough to be able to share in the excitement! They are also very willing to vocalize their opinions on names for the baby. Andrew and I are having quite a time trying to figure out this little guy's name--we honestly have no idea at this point. One of us will offer up a suggestion, and if the kiddos are within earshot, they are quick to approve or disapprove. On a few occasions, they have come home from school and asked, "What about (insert name here)?" and I know they have met a new classmate or friend with that name. Or in Ryder's case, he may have come across a character in a book he just read. I told them I appreciate all of their suggestions but that Andrew and I have the final say and veto power. 😄

Despite all of the chaos happening over the past month, I made it a point to start taking baby bump pictures! I didn't want to look back at this pregnancy one day and realize I hadn't documented it the way I did with the first two. (aka "3rd child syndrome) Ha!

18 weeks

20 weeks, 4 days

22 weeks

I have an appointment scheduled for January 9th with a new OBGYN, so I'm looking forward to getting into the routine of monthly visits!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Welcome to NY!

heading north!

When we stopped at a gas station, Harper begged to go touch an old pile of snow that was still piled in the parking lot. Although born in Virginia, this girl has only ever known Florida weather!

another old snow drift
These kiddos can't wait for freshly fallen snow!

all bundled up for our first night in our cabin in the woods

looking like a New Yorker!

enjoying hot soup on a cold day

Ugghh

The kids love exploring in the woods!

my new winter coat and snow boots from Mom :)

celebrating Harper's birthday one last time with a Coca Cola cake

We got firewood delivered that we hope lasts us through the winter!🔥

Toasty toes!

catching some snow flurries before school

Ryder opted to catch snowflakes with his hand instead. :)

Major Changes

Since my last post in August, our lives have turned upside down and inside out. God had plans for us that we NEVER saw coming, and it was a difficult few months. Lots of prayers and the AMAZING support of our family and friends got us through it, and now we can breathe a sigh of relief and begin our new normal. I'm not going to go into details, but here are our major life changes:

1. I'm pregnant with baby #3 and due in April.
2. We moved to upstate NY.

Shocking, right? Believe me, there are still days Andrew and I look at each other and just shake our heads in disbelief. But the important thing is that we are together as a family of 4 (soon to be 5!) and the dust is beginning to settle.

Here is a random batch of pictures taken over the past several months, prior to our big move.

9 week ultrasound--one strong heartbeat!

mani/pedis as part of my birthday celebration :)

bedtime stories with Grann

Happy Fall!

Poor Harper had a rough October. She had strep, then a horrible rash due to an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, then a lower respiratory infection that required nebulizer treatments.