We've got parties set for life

This weekend during Hollie's birthday party, Daniel and I realized something awesome.  Hollie's birthday will always be fairly close to Mardi Gras, mine will be fairly close to Easter, Daniel's is four days after Christmas, and the new baby's will (probably) fall near the 4th of July.

Party themes...check!

So, we didn't really plan much for Hollie's big day...what do you plan for a two-year old anyway?  But with Daniel's parents in town from Lake Charles, and the family friends we invited having roots in Lafayette...it turned out to be a Cajun party all by itself.  

We played French music, had pasta-laya for dinner (that's jambalaya with pasta, instead of rice.  Not exactly Cajun, if we're being nit-picky.  More of a New Orleans thing, I think), and later enjoyed a king cake (carried carefully on the plane by the grandparents)(here's a link).  

The family we invited over had two kids- a three-year-old boy, and a one-year-old girl.  Despite the gaps in their ages, they had a blast together.  Hollie loves to be chased, and this boy, apparently, loves to chase, so there were many many laps around the living room and kitchen, with little sister trying her best to keep up.  It got pretty wild, but as long as they weren't hitting or pushing, we let them have fun.  They all had a hand in opening the gifts, and then the house really turned upside down!     

Trike from Abuelita and Pepere

Bowling set from Mommy and Daddy.  They could not even wait for all the pins to be stood up- they just dove into them!

So, it was a blast.  Everyone slept pretty well that night, I think.  Hollie's check-up with the doctor was yesterday, and she's doing great.  She's 26 pounds, and 33 and 1/4 inches tall.  

New picture up over there!  (Darn soap dispenser snuck in again.)  I know I skipped a week.  It might happen again- you've been warned.

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There are a few bits and pieces from the OB appointment two weeks that I forgot to share.

I've been starting to really feel the growing pains lately, sometimes an ache at the top of my belly but most often on the sides.  I remember that from before, but not this bad, so I asked and Dr. J confirmed that it is round ligament pain, and that it will probably get worse with each pregnancy.  Soooo, I think after this one we're gonna be a family of four permanently!  Just kidding, but maybe not.  We'll see.  :)

When he felt my belly to find the top of my uterus, he said, "Wow, you're already above the belly button!  Normally at 22 weeks we expect you to be just about even."  So, I think- cool, I'm measuring big!  Then he takes out the measuring tape to get an actual number, and says "Hmmm.  You're actually measuring small for 22 weeks.  Looks like your belly button is just really low."  We had a good laugh about that later...I guess you really do learn something new everyday!

Who needs chairs?

I just came across these photos today.  They were taken back in November and I just never got around to posting them!  Anyway, we're snowed in (yeah, again), and these reminded me of warmer weather (because Hollie's not wearing pants).  Enjoy!

To distract her from the [obvious] fact that I had the camera out, I asked her a few questions...

               Hollie, where is your nose?                                     and Momma's nose?

                        Ears?                                                                   Teeth?

                        Eyes?                                                               Belly button?

What a cutie.

Snow baby (or not)

One morning, a few weeks ago, we woke up to this:

It was so darn awesome, we ate breakfast at the window...

Ready or not, here we go!

Helping Mommy shovel the driveway...

Nah, Hollie want big shovel!

So, being out in the cold was fun for about ten minutes, and then someone (not me) was at the door begging to go back in.  

We spent the rest of the day staying warm and taking silly pictures...

...and being silly in general.  Look at these two goofs...

I love that last one.  And yes, that's Hollie's hair in a little ponytail.  She needs that first haircut, and I'm leaning toward doing it myself.  If it happens, there'll be pictures, I promise.

Details

So...we're pregnant!  It feels great!

When we were pregnant with Hollie...wow...is there any bigger shock than a surprise first pregnancy two seconds after you get home from the honeymoon?  Looking back, I think we were pretty much in that state of shock until the moment she was born, and then we said well okay, here we go, and slid easily into parent life.  Maybe we got a little excited about it toward the end of the pregnancy, but in the back of your mind is still this horrifying sense of your life being turned upside-down and saying goodbye, at twenty-one, to all the fun and freedom of young adulthood.

Sorry, I shouldn't talk about it like that (we obviously fell head-over-heels for Hollie and haven't looked back).  It's just that the contrast between that pregnancy and this one could not be greater.  We're excited to be excited about this!  We're a family now and it's working for us, and we can't wait to add to the mix.

So...it feels great.  Except for a few things...

Morning sickness.  I got up to about week 7 or so without feeling sick at all, until BOOM, I'm suddenly losing my dinner.  Prescription zofran in helping, and my appetite is coming back.  I still have this slight queasiness that's pretty much constant, but at least I can function.

I am tired.  Wiped out.  All the time.  Poor Hollie is has been so patient but I know sometimes she gets bored to tears, and then this happens...

Occasionally I get these little bursts of energy, and I run to the store for some groceries and get Hollie out for a walk and put away some laundry and some dishes and clean the house up a little, and then collapse.
 
I know everyone always wants to know what pregnancy women are craving, so here you go:
Buffalo wings (just took a break to go get some...I'm back now, and typing with my pinkies)
Cheetos
Ice cream
Onion rings

That's pretty much it.  Can't wait to get some energy (and appetite for healthy foods) back in the second trimester... 

I don't know if Hollie senses what's happening or what, but she has become very interested in my belly.  She always wants to lift my shirt to see it, and touch it, and even kiss it.  Daniel tried to tell her that there's a baby in there, so sometimes she points to it and says "baby!" but I don't know if she really understands.  She will, soon enough.

Daniel has been incredibly helpful.  When Hollie wakes up early, he makes breakfast for her before he leaves for work, to give me time to shower, because I cannot do anything in the morning until I shower.  So far he's been obliging my cravings for really unhealthy dinners.  He's the best.  :)

We went to see our new OB, Dr. J., at 8 weeks.  He didn't want to try and get a heartbeat yet (it might still be too early), but after a quick feel of my belly he said, "Well, something's growing in there!"  He is an older guy, pretty laid-back, and he flat-out told me that he won't induce my unless he sees a real need to, and I'll be in control of my labor.  He said (more or less), "Heck, you can run laps, get in the bath, squat in a corner and meditate, or you can get an epidural and watch TV, whatever you want."  He's a little strange, but I like him.

That's all for now!  We go back to the OB at 12 weeks, so we'll update then, if not sooner.  

Also, see this edit to my last post...

Ladybug

Lately, my camera has actually been in a good mood (knock on wood) and I've gotten some great photos of Hollie doing various silly things.

Okay Mom, get it off now please!

Blurry

 As promised, here are some of those photos that capture the blur of toddlerhood.

Disclaimer: These might give you a headache.

Trying on Momma's underwear.  As in, finding out how many pairs can be worn at once...

Hope you enjoyed them!

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 You know, while I'm at it, here are some other - less blurry - pictures I've been meaning to post...

I hope you guys aren't getting tired of food pics.  'Cuz I'm not. :)

 

 

 Revamping her Halloween costume (with one glove, plus hat from last year's costume, minus ballerina shoes)...

A day in the life...

[cracker + cream cheese...pressed against the mouth]

[new measures required for keeping devious little monkeys out of the recycling bin]

(I can hardly get it open) 

[freshly chewed board book]

(regression, anyone?)