Lottie's First Easter Egg Hunt

Last Saturday we ventured out in the cold and rain to Union United Methodist Church where they were having an Easter Extravaganza.  I was so hoping that the rain would hold out and the weather was going to warm up a bit, but it didn't and it was COLD!!!!!!!!!! 

The kids started off with story time behind the true meaning of Easter.  Afterwards, they all headed outdoors for games, cookie decorating and finally an Easter egg hunt.  They had it roped off for the various age groups and I swear they must have hid 500 eggs.  Everywhere I stepped, there was an egg filled with candy.  This was Lottie's first egg hunt as we were in England last year and that's just not something they really do. 

Mrs. Beverly led Lottie through the grass and helped her get the hang of it.  That only took finding a few eggs and Lottie was off.  She loved it.  The eggs were overflowing from her basket.  Afterwards, we cleaned up the eggs and she started devouring candy.  The kid loves candy.  She asked for candy all day long after we left.  She was begging to be given her basket!

We only lasted about an hour outdoors.  It was FREEZING!  Lottie was shivering and it was almost nap time so as you can imagine a melt down was getting ready to go down. 

All in all, it was a good time!  Lottie and I are taking a mommy / daughter trip to visit Aunt Amy this weekend as Steve has to work.  I am so looking forward to having this time with her.  I have started feeling a little guilty about how my time is going to be shared between her and Mini Coop #2.  She has no "real" idea how everything is getting ready to change.  So, I plan to take full advantage this weekend.  We are going to walk along the beach picking up shells, dye Easter eggs, hide Easter eggs and just spend some good quality one on one time.  :)

Here are a few photos from Lottie's first egg hunt!

Pick two matching ducks and you win a prize! 

Ring toss to win a drink!  Lottie did NOT win us a drink - she's got a wild arm!

Come on Lottie - mama is thirsty!  Still nothing..........

Cookie decorating - guess who ate most of that cookie??????? 

Mrs. Beverly & Lottie

So happy!!! 

Cheese!

Check out my egg mommy!

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Easter!!!!!!! 

33 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 6 weeks to go!!! 

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 25 lbs - I absolutely ate my face off this weekend, so next week's weigh in is going to be disastrous! 

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Group Power
T - Arrichion (MMA)

You should see the looks I get in the classes I take...........  Doing jumping jacks in front of a large group of peeps has become somewhat of a freak show!  It doesn't make me feel uncomfortable at all.............

Symptoms: INSOMNIA, bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  Other than those usual symptoms, everything is going great.  No swelling, pain, nothing of that nature.  I feel great. 

Thyroid: I had my follow up on Friday with my endocrinologist.  She checked my thyroid and am awaiting the results from my blood work.  Hopefully, they will be in any day now.  I am anxious to see where my levels are at since they sort of fluctuate while pregnant.  I am hoping it is within the normal range and no adjustment to my medication is necessary. 


Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 



Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! STILL NO MIDDLE NAME!!!!!!!!!  Lord help us!  :)


Movement:  We are ROLLING - giant waves of movement from one side of my body to the other.  The past few days I've felt the most movement thus far.  I swear she moved around all day yesterday! 


Food Cravings: I can't tell you how ready I am for a giant steak (medium rare) with a plate full of sushi on the side.  It is most definitely happening within the first month after the babe is born. 

** A side note - I made a gallon of decaf sweet tea this past week and good gracious alive - it was amazing!  I forgot how much I love sweet tea! 

Food Aversions: ZERO!  Yep, I'm back to eating just about any and everything! 

Best Moment of the Week:  Lottie has nailed her sister's name down and talks about her all the time like she's here and she's her buddy.  It is so cute!  I can hardly stand it!  I can't even imagine loving another child as much as I do Lottie.  I know there is room in parent's hearts for baby #2 but my heart is constantly bursting at the seam for love for this kid. I'm sure my heart is going to explode when I meet Mini Coop #2.


What I Miss: This past weekend I really missed being able to meet up w/ the hubs or friends to watch college basketball at the pub.  My boys made it to the Sweet 16 and all I wanted to do was watch them on the big screen and drink a couple of beers!  Ahhhhhhhh

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: I'm pretty sure I am procrastinating!  I haven't washed a thing for Mini Coop #2.  My first pregnancy was all about being prepared and having everything done a month before the baby was born.  Not this time - I've got loads of stuff to do.  My hope is to get around to doing it in April.  Let's just hope this baby decides to cook for a few more weeks.

Fears/Dreading: Typical fears - just hoping baby comes out healthy and everything goes according to plan.
 

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is April 3, 2013. 

Bump Photo: Off to work I go!  I think it is almost that time to break out the kitten heels!  Holding on strong!

Old Time Hockey Weekend

Two weekends ago we finally got around to celebrating Steve's birthday.  I bought him a weekend jammed full of hockey.  The guy is a sports fanatic especially when it comes to hockey and "football" (soccer).  I love sports myself, always have, but I can't think of anything worse than sitting down and watching a game of soccer.  I am already dreading the World Cup next year! 

With Steve being the hockey nut he is, his favorite movie is Slap Shot.  He's seen it probably 40 times or more.  Since I've known him, I've watched it at least 6 or 7 times or more myself.  It really is a great movie (a bit vulgar) but overall a really fun movie.  I wouldn't recommend the kiddos watching until they are 20!  :)

If you've seen it, then you are familiar with "The Hanson Brothers".  They are icons in the world of hockey! 

Old Time Hockey Weekend was an entire weekend of The Hanson Brothers, Slap Shot and two Charlotte Checker hockey games.  Our weekend consisted of two hockey games, meet and greet with The Hanson Brothers and a screening of the movie Slap Shot at the Epicenter. 

We took Lottie to both hockey games and she loved it.  She watches hockey at home with Steve and runs around the house yelling "HOCKEY".  It is hilarious!  She says, "They fall, hurt head."  It cracks me up.  She did really great during both games.  She loves the noise, the music, the hockey and of course a bucket of popcorn.  The kid loves her popcorn at sporting events!  Just like her mama!

On Saturday night for the screening of Slap Shot, Steve and I got a babysitter and enjoyed a few hours kid free!  It is very rare that we get moments like these, so we took advantage.  Steve enjoyed himself several cocktails while I enjoyed more popcorn and water!  The movie was fun.  Steve along with all of the other hockey nerds in the theater knew every line to the movie.  Afterwards, there was a question and answer session with The Hanson Brothers. 

We ended the weekend with another hockey game.  Lottie met Chubby and almost lost it when he got too close!  All she did the entire game was talk about Chubby.  Chubby this and Chubby that.  Then, she gets the chance to hang with him up close and personal and she freaks out shouting, "NO CHUBBY, NO!!!!" 

Here are a few pics for the hubs (even though he doesn't read the blog) to look back on.  The Hanson Brothers must be in their early 60s now.  Slap Shot came out in the 1970s. 

Autograph session

Steve getting one of his thousands of jerseys signed...........  Geezzzzzz

Cheesing!

Movie night

CHUBBY! 

"Do not come any closer Chubby!!!!!!!!!!!"

All in all, it was a very busy weekend, but a fun one!  Hockey season will be over soon, so if you get a chance, take the kiddos!  Lottie loved it! 

Mini Coop #2 - 3D/4D Ultrasound

I had my very first 3D/4D ultrasound on Friday.  I did not do the 3D/4D when I was pregnant with Lottie because I think I ended up having around 5 regular ultrasounds during that time.  Honestly, it never really even crossed my mind to have one done.  But, with this being my second and last pregnancy and given the fact that I don't believe I'll be having any further ultrasounds, I really, really wanted to see Mini Coop #2.  I haven't seen her since I was 18 weeks pregnant and have really missed seeing / knowing what's going on in there. 

The ultrasound was nothing short of amazing.  I was completely mesmerized by what I was seeing.  She looked like a "real" baby.  Her hands, face, arms, legs, feet - everything looked as though she was ready to be born today.  She was absolutely beautiful!  And boy did she put on a show!  She smiled, yawned, posed, did all of these amazing "tricks" while I was looking at her. 

I also learned that she is measuring right along side with my due date.  She currently weighs in at 3 lbs 15 oz or right at 4lbs. 

Unfortunately, Steve had to work so he wasn't able to attend.  But, I was given a DVD / CD to take home with me for him to see.  He thought it was pretty darn cool too!

Oh and we all know that I'm not one to pay full price if I don't have to - so I got the "special".  If you go Tuesday through Friday, it knocks off about $30.00.  The package I got came with an ultrasound (around 45 minutes), DVD, CD, 5 color photos, and a teddy bear w/ your child's heartbeat in it.  It cost $115.00. 

My Sunshine Baby

Without further a do......... Meet Mini Coop #2!

TMI!!!!!!!!!  I know - she had her legs spread WIDE open!  No second guessing what the sex is though!

Yawning

HI!

How gorgeous is she????  I could have stared at her all day!

Smiling

I think she's got her mama's nose!

Big yawn

If you get the opportunity to do something like this, jump on it.  It truly was heart warming and made me feel so much more excited to meet her.  I can't wait to hold this sweet girl in my arms!  Less than 7 weeks to go!  :)

32 Weeks - Mini Coop #2

Due Date: May 11, 2013

SURGERY DATE: MAY 6, 2013 - 7 weeks to go!!! 

Total Weight Gain (CRINGE): 25 lbs - I lost two lbs this last weigh in - shocking I know!  That has never happened in the history of me being pregnant! 

Exercise:
M- Group Power
T - Arrichion (Warrior)
W - Group Power
T - Arrichion (MMA)
F - Group Power

I've finished w/ Insanity until the baby is born!  It was getting a bit boring and doing the Level II drills were a no go!  I was trying to use too much of my core which is a big NO NO, so looks like it is Group Power and Arrichion the next few weeks. 


Symptoms: INSOMNIA (no joke - the worst!!!), bloody gums while brushing/flossing, getting up THREE times a night to potty and not being able to hold Lottie for more than a minute.  For the most part, I honestly feel pretty great!  I am definitely starting to feel a bit more run down and am looking forward to some down time in April. 

Thyroid: Next follow up appointment with my endocrinologist is Friday. I've had to increase the dosage once since being pregnant this time around.  I am anxious to get my levels checked this week.  Hopefully it will be within the normal range! 


Maternity Clothes:  EVERYTHING!!!!! 



Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!!!! STILL NO MIDDLE NAME!!!!!!!!!  Lord help us!  :)

Movement:  We are definitely rolling now - giant waves of movement from one side of my body to the other - so very cool! 

Food Cravings: Oranges!!!!!!!!  I am going through them like I've never had a meal before.  Not kidding, Lottie and I are nuts for oranges!  And let me tell you - they are going through little Lottie like oil!  So gross!!!!!!!  I am getting ready to have to cut the girl off!

Food Aversions: Crock pot chicken tacos - they are like crack (so good), but they make me sick.  I found the recipe on Pinterest and have had them at least 4 times and every time, they make me a little sick to my stomach.  Why do I insist on making them over and over again????  I'm pretty positive that is what caused the weight loss this past weigh in.  I literally couldn't eat for 2 days.  I was miserable!  Poor baby! 


Best Moment of the Week:  So many great moments this past week!!!!!!!!!  I had a 3d/4d ultrasound on Friday!  It was a last minute decision on my part and boy am I glad I did it.  It was amazing!  A post will follow.  We also had our family photos done and I can't tell you how excited I am to see the pics!  It was fun!  Last but not least, Steve and I went on a date!!!!!  Ahhhhh, the little things..........

What I Miss: I could really use some pick me up in the form of caffeine so a cup of regular joe would be GREAT right about now!

Differences Between 1st Pregnancy & 2nd Pregnancy: I think I am truly running myself ragged!  Between appointments through the week and events on the weekends, I can't seem to ever find the time to relax.  I have at least two weekends in April that are completely free and plan on taking full advantage of them!  During my first pregnancy, time seemed to just drag!  Not this time buddy - all you future 2nd time mommies, just you wait!  Time is going to pass you by! 


Fears/Dreading: For once, I am not really fearing anything or dreading much - I am too tired to think about it I suppose! 
 

Follow Up Appointments/Ultrasounds: Next f/u appt. with my doctor is April 3, 2013.  2 weeks!


Bump Photo: Enjoying the beautiful weather we were blessed with this past weekend!!!!  How gorgeous was it out????

A Look Back - Maternity Photos

I am so stoked to be taking maternity / family photos this weekend with the lovely Shannon!  She is so sweet and talented.  I first met Shannon through a mutual friend when she agreed to take photos of Steve and I while I was pregnant with Lottie.  I loved them so much.  It has been so much fun to look back and remember the time when we were just starting a family. 

Since I didn't start the ole Waxhonian Chronicles until Lottie was about 4 months old, I thought it would be fun to post my first maternity photo session. 

 

 

A special thanks again to Shannon for taking these photos.  I will cherish them always.  For more information on Shannon and the inspiration she is, check out her website Teal Diva