Deep in the Heart of Branson

What a beautiful day!  I'm happy to be typing on my porch while Louis takes his nap.  We spent the morning at the park.  Becca and baby Landon met us for a while and I'm sad to say I forgot to snap a picture of his cute little face.

Louis has finally graduated to the big swings and was really brave today.  His favorite slide ended up being the big tube which he usually skips.  He likes climbing up the ladders or anything that requires me to be nearby.  I'm trying to let him do most of it on his own but it's hard to let go sometimes.  There was a 4 year-old that was really disturbed by Louis doing monkey bars, etc. and let us know that those areas are only for big kids!

We have been trying to get our last minute construction projects in before #2 arrives in March.  Joe has been making a built-in closet in our bedroom since we have to move out of the guest room closet.  It will now be Louis' big boy room.  These projects always take longer than expected.  But Louis LOVES helping Joe work.  Joe had to get him some ear protection as he didn't like the loud power tools.  He is great with the shop vac and takes measurements for Joe.  They always end in a "half" measurement which is pretty funny.

Although we haven't started on the big boy room, we set up the bed to make sure it would work.  I'm happy to report that Louis is going on day 4 of sleeping in it!  He chose to on his own and seems to really like it.   He is even sleeping better through the night.  I guess he wasn't as comfortable in that crib.

Joe's parents took us to Big Cedar near Branson for the MLK holiday weekend.  I love going down there as it's so pretty and relaxing.  I'll let our pictures tell you about the trip.

Joe and Louis played football while Bill grilled our dinner.

Tackle!!

He climbed a tree.

Big Cedar had a camp fire and provided s'mores.  Louis helped toast the marshmallows.

He took down his first s'more like a champ!

We went to the bar early for the singing cowboy.  Louis danced and Joe and his parents had some drinks.

Bubble Bath!

They have a tower with all kinds of local wildlife to view.  Papa is showing him the surprises in the drawers.  Of course, I was sitting and panting after climbing 30 stairs to the tower.

Swimming was fun.  He loved the water slide and jumping to daddy!

Bill and Janelle took us to the College of the Ozarks for lunch and then we had a tour of the dairy.  All of the students have a financial need and good grades.  They actually work instead of paying tuition.  I'd hire someone from this school in a second.

We got to pet the week-old calves.  

Here is pregnant me with the pregnant cows.   I loved the tour.  Joe's dad was answering half of my questions from his farm days.  I think he enjoyed talking with the student about their operation.

We thought about eating light and healthy on the way home but baby #2 decided we had to stop at Lamberts for some southern food and "throwed rolls".  Louis took home a balloon as a souvenir.

Other than that, we have just been trying to get out when the weather is nice and schedule some play dates before March.  Here are some pics.

Open gymnastics.

Front yard play.

The Zoo!

Open play at a nearby community center.  I'm glad a friend told me about this.  It's only $2 for two hours which is a great deal.  I had to snap this picture since he chose the pink Dora bike.  He has loved pink since his early days!

I'm now 33 weeks pregnant and still just as sore & big as I mentioned in my last blog.  I've been doing yoga which helps but I've pushed it a little far a few times and paid for it later.  I thought I was doing really good on eating light and healthy and then got another ravenous hunger for a few weeks.  In the span of two weeks between appointments, I changed from measuring a week behind to two weeks ahead.  That little baby had a growth spurt and I was devouring everything in site!  Speaking of food...

The Not So Joys of Pregnancy

Don't get me wrong.  I'm grateful to be having a healthy pregnancy.  But you know those cute pregnant ladies?  The ones that really haven't changed except for that adorable bump?  Yep, that's NOT me.  This time I'm really feeling like Elizabeth Banks' character in What to Expect When You're Expecting.  Here is why.  You should stop reading now if my TMI is going to gross you out...

First, weight gain.  All of my books and doctors say the normal and healthy weight gain is 25 to 35 pounds.  Huh?  Too bad I gained that by the half way point.  I'm pretty sure I'm already up to 50 lbs and still have 10 weeks to go.  I'm not sensitive about it either.  I'm just hungry.  I've heard people say they only had room for a tiny bowl of cereal here and there.  What?  Pass me my own pizza, people.

30 Weeks Pregnant

Second, body pain.  I could break this category down, but why bother?  So many things hurt.  My back, especially my lower back and my lady parts are all sore.  Sometimes after cleaning or playing with Louis I can barely walk so I have no choice but to rest.  Then I have to keep my fingers crossed that I don't get stuck in my resting position.  I seriously need a push or boost sometimes to get up.  I'm also getting more braxton hicks this time and sometimes they actually hurt, even though my books say they aren't supposed to.  Well, I think my book is lying to me.

Third, bladder issues.  The minute that uterus starts growing and crowding out my bladder I am sure it will be my least favorite part of pregnancy.  I hate getting up all night to use the toilet.  Also, since I've already pushed one baby out, I have serious problems if I sneeze or cough.  Especially with this baby pushing on my bladder if you know what I mean.

Louis - 10 Days Old

Fourth, heavy breathing.  Heavy breathing is a serious pet peeve of mine.  I am acutely sensitive to this noise.  I've been to plays where I cannot concentrate because a heavy breather is sitting a few chairs away.  Sure enough, I am a heavy breather now.  It gets worse each day and now I'm waking myself up snoring and drooling at night.  I remember this from last time.  It's so gross!

Fifth and final complaint I'll subject you too is my emotional instability.  With Louis I was really happy all the time.  Not so on round two.  I'm moody and cry a lot.  Like the ugly cry too where I hyperventilate and feel like my chest is going to explode.  I know it's weird when it happens but I can't stop.

Maternity Pics with Louis

Like I said above, I really am happy to be pregnant and am looking forward to meeting this kid.  But sometimes, I just wish I was that cute pregnant lady that spends time at the gym and rubs her belly lovingly with a silly grin.  But then I spot that salted caramel cupcake and a crazy hormone starts yelling at me to EAT THAT CUPCAKE!

Happy pregnancy to all and a special thanks to my husband for putting up with my random crying, rubbing my back and sleeping in bed with a huge snoring monster each night!  

Louis and Daddy

Happy New Year!

Another year has passed and it was a pretty eventful one for our family!  We took Louis across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota.  We had fun with him in Chicago and he became a world traveler through four European countries.  We’d love to go back soon!  Joe and I took trips on our own to Dallas, Vegas, San Diego and New Orleans.  I quit my job, decided cake pops aren’t worth my time, we said goodbye to our two dogs and we found out another baby is on the way.  I’m hoping 2013 will be another great year for us but I think we will move at a slower pace adjusting to the new addition in March.

Here is a wrap up of Christmas.  It is getting more fun now that Louis can feel the magic of the holiday and having a little one really makes us appreciate family and friends even more!

We were really excited for our first snow day since last year's winter was so mild.  He lasted about 30 minutes with me.  I'm not so fun since I was worried about falling the whole time.  Luckily Joe came home before dark and was more adventurous sledding down our icy driveway, etc.

Christmas Eve we made cookies for Santa.  Louis enjoyed decorating them but liked sampling his work even more!

He was very excited Christmas morning when Santa brought him the one thing he wanted - Candy Canes!

Santa's big gift was a train around our tree.

Our gift was play food for the new kitchen Joe made from scratch.  My mom also made him an apron and chef's hat.  He got Buzz Lightyear, wooden cars, puzzles and several books including an activity book Joe's mom made him.  He loves it all and I don't feel like we are swimming in toys so I'd say it was a success!

I did a poor job of taking pictures of my family but here is one with cousin Jonah.

The weekend after Christmas, we traveled to Saint Genevieve, Missouri for Joe's family Christmas.   Once again I was bad at capturing family pics but here are a few.  We stayed in one big house out in the country and it snowed around 4 inches.  It was so beautiful!

Joe's immediate family.

I hope you all had great holidays and wish the best for 2013!