Playground

We have a little park right down the road from our house, it is the perfect size for Hannah to play on.  This little girl has NO fear!  None at all.  I can't imagine where she gets that from....

We headed down here one afternoon after lunch to play before nap time.  Hannah squealed with delight every single time she slid down the slide.  "Again, again" she would say as soon as she got to the bottom.  What a delight watching her have so much fun!

 

 

Play date with Teagan & Breslin

Jennifer, Anna, and I found a nice morning to get together and have our kiddos play while the Burrill's were in town from California.  We walked to the nearby playground, had a deliciously healthy lunch, and watched the kiddos play.  They are so close in age, it's too fun watching them interact and learn to share.

I found 2 pictures on my cell phone, don't know if I took them or saved them from texts from Jenn or Anna. Either way, I love them!  We can't wait for another play date!

I love this one with Teagan's tongue sticking out :)

It is very hard to catch a good picture of all 3 kiddos smiling and looking at a camera.

Ice cream and ponytails

Gotta love these hot summer nights, perfect for ice cream!  Hannah was totally loving her vanilla and chocolate swirl ice cream, I was too!

  

   

                                                              I love my little princess so very much!!! 

                                 

I'm not sure where Hannah put the idea in her mind, but she kept asking me for a "pony" this entire day.  So here is her little poof of a ponytail :)
                                

12 Weeks

 

Today we are 12 weeks along already!  We had our first doctor's appointment where we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time.  She barely had to put the doppler on my belly and found the heartbeat loud and clear almost immediately, such a change with Hannah where they searched and searched.

Because this isn't our first baby experience, the OB office does things a little bit differently the next time around.  I had a phone appointment around the 8 week mark to review my health history and update my records.  We will still go for appointments every 4 weeks.  We won't have our first US until 20 weeks (as opposed to 12 weeks), so we must wait a little bit longer to see our peanut.  Once again, we won't find out the sex of our baby until delivery day.  (unless we would have some reason to find out sooner).  But my appointment was nice and easy, everything appears to be going well so far :)

This time around I have felt way more sick.  With Hannah I had  moments of morning sickness, with this little stinker, I feel sick almost all the time.  I am dry heaving frequently, even if I just ate 20 mins prior.  I'm trying to eat the small snacks/meals more frequently, but quite frankly, I feel like I'm eating all the time and not feeling any better.  My waistline has definitely expanded quicker and I'm already at the stage where NOTHING feels comfortable to wear.  All my normal clothes look terrible to me because its not my 'usual' size and I'm not ready to get out the maternity wear because those are too big and flowy yet.  This leaves me wearing my sweats all the time!  I remember being at this point last time just wanting to really feel and look pregnant so I could find something to wear that feels and looks right.  Thank goodness I can wear scrubs to work!!

I'm not as tired or exhausted as I thought I would be, it also seems harder to gauge because of  my night schedule.  I'm typically tired when I'm not pregnant because of that.  I do find it easier to sleep all day after I've just finished a stretch of work and go back to bed on a normal schedule that same night just a few hours later.  Hannah keeps me so busy that when I do get to relax when she naps, I'm napping right along with her.  Some mornings I feel more sleepy and thankfully she is such an independent child, I can take a little snooze on the couch with her playing right beside me.  But sleep-wise I guess I can't complain.  I can only hope to feel as great as I did during Hannah's pregnancy for this baby.


12 Week Details:
-Baby is the size of a plum (approx 2 inches)
-Baby weighs .49oz
-Features on baby's face are becoming defined.  Fingernails have formed on fingers.  Baby's brain synapses are rapidly growing.  Keep up the good work baby!
          

We will attempt to include Hannah into our monthly baby pictures as best as we can.  She was not in a sit-still-and-take-pictures kind of  mood for this attempt, but what 21 month old toddler really is?!  Hannah seems excited as she proudly tells people that she will be a "big sister".  I truly don't think she understands exactly what is going on.  I'm on the search for a good big sister book that will help out a little more.  Anything we can do to help explain this major change to her will be helpful.  Any suggestions from my mommy friends out there?

Last, here is a video I took of Hannah a few weeks ago of her.

The family reveal

We broke the news to my family in PA while we were visiting in June for our long weekend trip.  As you may have read in our June trip post, on Sunday we had a family picnic and also celebrated my niece's birthday.  Before anyone else arrived for the birthday party, I had purchased a onesie with "Big Sister" printed on it.  After we ate lunch, John and I took her inside and changed her into it.  I carried her back out and put her down on the sidewalk so she could continue doing her thing.  Instantly my sister-in-law Kate noticed and looked funny at me.  Within seconds, my sisters Amy and Kim were screaming and running at me to give me a hug.  My parents were standing a little to the side and couldn't quite see, but heard the commotion and were immediately hugging and squealing with delight.  There were tears, happy wishes, hugs for the 3 of us, and so much excitement.  It was an amazing reveal and I'm glad my whole family was together to experience it.

We told John's family a few weeks later, the day before Father's day, while we were out at the cottage spending the day there.  It wasn't the warmest of days, so John and I changed Hannah into the same "Big Sister" onesie and put a sweatshirt over the top.  After we finished eating dinner, Hannah was pulling at her sweatshirt, and pulled it up to show the table what was written on it.  Everyone was very excited, but Cassie's reaction was my favorite.  She said, "wait, really, are you guys serious?", she was completely shocked.  It was priceless.  John's parents, brother and fiance, and sister all shared in the excitement of our news (although they claimed to have known) and are very happy for us as we add onto our family.

My best friend's wedding

Laura and I have been best friends since 6th grade.  We used to sing Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" on cassette tape in my bedroom over and over again.  We went to "Pioneer girls" together at my church.  We've shared countless sleepovers, trips to the racetrack, notebooks, shopping trips, concerts, sporting events, boys, relationship dramas, so many unforgettable memories together growing up.  There are so many things I love about Laura.  She is so kind, caring, always thinking of others, she cares deeply about her family, and she would do anything for her friends.  Laura has never thought twice about helping me, supporting me, or just being there to lend an ear.  During our college days when we were hundreds of miles (and states) apart, we wrote each other letters, emails, phone calls, we were in touch somehow.  When Laura moved to NYC after college, we both flew and visited each other when we could.  There are so many memories that we share, that can never be replaced.  I am so lucky to have such a wonderful friend who still knows me inside and out, even though we now live in MI and Utah.  We will be forever friends and I am so happy and proud to be standing by her side on her wedding day.  I love you Lar!  

    

 

 

of course, we are still those goofy 6th graders throwing up Cheetoh's in Vanessa's house....  

     

   
                                                       such a stunning, beautiful, glowing bride!
   
                             
 
 

the new Mr and Mrs Wiecks!!  (thanks John for the one good wedding ceremony picture!)



Reception fun!! Everyone had an amazing time dancing, drinking, and closing down the place!  This was definitely one of the best weddings I have even been to.
  
  
                                          friends for all times, I love these lovely ladies with all my heart!