DMDD

On Friday we had our last DMDD (daddy, mommy, daughter date) before brother comes. Garrett sure likes to date his girls! We had a good time browsing Old Navy and TJ Maxx even if we didn't buy a single item. Then we went to Biaggi's where Eden decided she had enough as soon as we sat down at our table. That meant a quick shovel of food in our mouths and off we went back home to get her to bed. It was a great time even if it wasn't one of Eden's finest moments. The three of us love spending time together and Garrett always seems to have the patience to deal with a cranky nugget!

Yesterday we made our way up to Janesville to see our two friends. We had a wonderful time relaxing and grilling and even getting a little wet. We will miss them so much as they start a new adventure in their lives out in California. We are trying to savor each moment we get to spend with them because soon the visits will be fewer but no less special! May God bless the two of them as they follow His leading!!!

I had a doctor's appointment on Friday and nothing special to report. Cooper is an active little boy (I keep having weird dreams that he comes out a she). No cervical checks yet, so I have no clue if the squats are doing anything. I guess we will have to wait and see next Friday!!!

Here are a few pictures from this weekend:

Pink frosting was a bad idea...

On July 13th Eden turned one!!!! Can you believe that time has gone that fast? I can't! I am amazed at her daily as she learns new things and what all she can remember. This past year has truly been a blessing. God has given Garrett and I a new perspective on His love for us through parenthood. We love her dearly and we cherish each day we have with her.

I had planned on having an elaborate duck-themed party for Eden and was going to make her a rainbow cake. I wish I could say I pulled it off being 9 months pregnant and all and get some sort of metal for being the best mom in the world but it didn't happen. Garrett and I decided to have a little family party and I broke down and bought a cupcake cake. Eden didn't seem to mind that there were no streamers or confetti or party hats, so I think she will forgive me for this one. We had a great time celebrating with family and her new little cousin Christopher! She got a new kitchen that left me drooling over how cool it was and making me wish that I was little again and could play house. She also got lots of Sesame Street stuff - she loves her Elmo!

The party turned out perfect and I wasn't stressed about a single detail. Eden loved her some cake, although I do suggest going with a white or chocolate frosting because the pink dye made everything that came out the other end a nice hot pink color for days:-)

I am still in shock that she is now one and has been apart of our family for a year. She has grown and changed in ways I would have never guessed and I get sentimental just thinking about it so I am going to have to stop!

Here are a few pictures of her big day:

In case any of you were wondering her 12 month stats: 29" for height, 19lbs 14oz for weight, and 44.5cm for head circumfrence. She is now not so long and skinny but she still is a petite little gal!

Oh and I am still baking this little guy (on Monday I will be 38 weeks)...and yes, I do about 80 to 100 squats a day...and yes, I am going to have buns of steel. We are praying for a delivery much like Eden's and are anticipating his arrival any day now:-)

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today marks a very important day - 2 wonderful, crazy years with a man who loves me beyond what I deserve!

These two years have been anything but what we thought they would...they have been better! But I would like to say thanks to my husband for these past 2 years. In two years, I have been pregnant more than I have not been (almost a total of 18 months out of 24) and my husband still finds me attractive. I have had morning sickness up the wazoo but he still rubs my back and cleans my face and even cleans the toilet after I am done. He also runs to the store in the middle of the evening because I NEED a turtle sundae two minutes ago. He makes the bed almost every morning and will even make it just minutes before we go to bed if it has been a crazy day because he knows how much I love getting into a made bed. He sends me encouraging messages throughout my day and even just calls to chat to see what I am up to and just to hear my voice. He looks forward to coming home after a long day at work just to be with his girls and to take care of them. He goes to all of my doctor's appointments that he can and even goes when I am just sick because he genuinely cares. He will pick up any medication and at any time for me because he just wants me to feel better. He always listens to my crazy rants and is quick to let me know when I just need to not say something. He also listens to my ideas for our family and crazy ways to cut costs and be kinder to the earth God has given us. He kisses me goodnight and always tells me he loves me and how beautiful he thinks I am. He gives me compliments even when I am most undeserving. He loves me more than I can describe and still looks at me with eyes that say I am the only one for him. He trusts me whole-heartedly.

I honestly could not be in love with a man more suited for me! Garrett displays Christ's undeserving love each day. I've been listening to a lot of Matt Chandler sermons and one thing he said is that unless you know Christ's love for you, you cannot truly love your spouse. I am so glad that my husband knows Christ and pursues Him before me because I know that he truly understands how to love me and that it is more than just this emotion that he feels.

Thank you Garrett for being my husband, my lover, my companion, my best friend! And thank you Jesus for consuming Garrett's heart with a desire to be more like You daily!

And the little girl in this picture loves you too!

Hopefully no more of this...

These above pictures are of Eden when she had a nasty yeast infection rash and we were letting her bottom air out. But she normally doesn't like to cuddle like this unless she is sick. Last Tuesday we took her into have tubes put into her ears in hopes that we won't have more pictures like the above. Poor little thing would probably be at the doctor's this week since the Monday before she already had fluid building up in them again. She had some hearing loss due to the consistent fluid but are quite optimistic that she will be able to hear low tones well soon!

Right now I am trying to teach Eden the sign for baby but she isn't quite catching on. I think that she just thinks that my belly is a big pillow for her to lay on:-)

This pregnancy is flying by and little Cooper seems to be relaxing in my belly. I have a feeling he likes his home in there very much and that his only complaint is that his sister likes to use him as a nice little perch. I can't believe I am 33 weeks!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!

Anyway, can you believe that this little cutie in the picture below will be one in about a month and be a big sister shortly after???

God bless my OB!

I had my 30 week appointment today and little Cooper is growing perfectly:-) He is starting to hurt my pubic bone though, which is a weird pain since I didn't really feel like this with Eden. My doctor said it was normal and wrote me a prescription for a support belt thingy. I am not sure if I will get it or not. We will see.

I have gained a total of one and a half Edens right now (I am referring to her last weight at the pediatrician's office, so I will keep you wondering how much that is since only Eden, Garrett, and I know this disclosed amount). Even though everyone tells me that they can't tell I'm pregnant from behind, I know it has gotten bigger. Let's just say, when I get pregnant my face gets pregnant, my double chin gets pregnant, my arms and thighs get pregnant, and maybe even my ears get a little pregnant. I am not really complaining though, it is a fact with both of my pregnancies, I gain weight everywhere. But my kind, sweet doctor said the sweetest thing a pregnant woman who has gained one and a half Edens...he called me skinny:-) When you have cankles, being called skinny is like butter on popcorn! I about hugged the man, that was how sweet of a thing it was! LOL

We also discussed the possibility of me being induced at 39 weeks. Eden was a very fast, unexpected labor, so I am just concerned with Garrett's new job that he won't make it to the hospital in time. We are going to think about this as an option but after briefly discussing this with Garrett, I highly doubt it is one we will choose. I like the thought of my body going into labor naturally, when it wants it too and when it is ready. So, if you read my blog and would like to be my back-up labor coach - I am taking applications. Please send a resume with a cover letter and your photograph plus $20 for processing. Job requirements are as follows:

Must be funny.

Must make me laugh.

Must laugh at my jokes.

In other news, we just got back from our trip to Ohio to see Garrett's family. It really was a wonderful trip and we are glad Eden was a good little passenger even though she pooped out her diaper an hour into the trip on the way home. Pictures will come once Garrett downloads them to the computer.

What Goes Up, Usually Comes Down

That is Eden's new saying. And she is sporting her first bruised bump on her cute little head:-) This was bound to happen since she likes to stand up by herself (with the assistance of something to crawl up) and usually she slowly lowers herself to her bottom but not today! She decided to see just how hard her head was. Don't worry, she is fine and dandy.

Garrett and I are taking the plunge into cloth diapers. I found a great deal on some one-size pocket diapers and decided to try them out. So far I have no real complaints but I do dread the poopy ones. I guess I dread them in disposable as well. She now has a badonkadonka behind on Saturday and Sunday.

I am now 27 weeks along and for the most part feeling pretty good. I sometimes get some kidney pain and my back hurts but hey, there is a baby growing inside of me! The picture of me is from 3 weeks ago but it is the most recent one we have.

Funny Faces with Eden