Natalie's 2nd Birthday

Well 3 months later and here they are!!  I finally got the pictures from Natalie's birthday up!  It wasn't anything fancy or big but it was perfect!  Natalie never saw the cake until we brought it to the table with the candle and she was very surprised to see that it was a cow!  As my second shot at a fancy cake I thought it turned out pretty good!  Thank-you to everybody for the gifts!

 The Presents

The Cake

Trying to blow out the candle....

.....still trying!

30 Weeks and Adventures

This has been a busy month!  We started by getting Natalie's room ready for an addition!  Once baby is sleeping through the night they will be sharing a room so I wanted to make sure I had it ready.  We had gone a bought Natalie a convertible crib so she is now sleeping in a big girl bed.  She loves it and as far as I know she has only fallen out of it once.  She usually won't let anyone lay down in it!  I will post before and after pictures once it is completely done!  We had an appointment last week and everything was still going fairly ok.  My blood pressure was a little high and I have some swelling so I was told to take it easy! This last week has been SOO hard to sit and do nothing.  I still do a little but I don't feel as guilty if I don't get anything accomplished!  We were in Calgary the other day and got everything done that we needed to before baby comes so now it's just a matter of doing laundry and packing a bag!

Here are a few pictures from this last month!

 This is how we help Grandpa punch bees!  She was sitting on the conveyor belt riding backwards!

She very much enjoyed it! 

Just out for a walk with Grandma.  We were going to take Natalie sledding but the wind was too cold that day so we just ended up going for a walk.  We didn't make it very far!

Natalie LOVES to 'drive'.  She will bring us the steering wheels for Mario Cart and ask to play.  We give her one without a remote and she will sit there steering her 'car'!  It's pretty cute! 

This is my 30 week picture!

25 Weeks and Christmas Trees

It came to my attention that I still hadn't put up my 25 week picture!  So here it is!  

I know I still have lots of growing to do but my ribs are starting to tell me that things are getting pretty tight in there.  Its almost impossible to find a comfortable position anymore.  On the positive side, any movement from baby is a good sign and trust me there is LOTS!  I recently got the news that I do not have gestational diabetes so I get to enjoy a few more treats at Christmas!  Also I am almost in my 3rd trimester which means that the day is coming, and fast! I am so excited!!

This Christmas is going to be different for us this year since Natalie can really help a lot more.  She is starting to be more independent and loves to help!  Her speech has come so far.  Today she told me she was holding "a blue ball"!!  I was so excited so for her!  She is always asking "where it go?" or replacing the 'it' with a real word for example "where owl go?"  It's adorable! 

So back to Christmas, I wanted to start the tradition of her adding the star to the top of the tree.  It took a few tries and Dylan had to help but we got it up there!!

 And this is just in case you are having a bad day, her pretty face can cheer you up!

20 Weeks With Baby #2

I don't have much to say besides that this is my 20 weeks picture!

Once I go through Natalie's birthday pictures I will post them on here!

Truly A Miracle

Monday was a busy day but it was incredible!  It started with an ultrasound just to check in on baby.  I just watched in awe at the miracle that is taking place.  To see the tiny hands, feet, and face was incredible.  I watched as it opened and closed its hand and moved its feet together.  To know that it already has fingers and fingerprints, and is preparing itself for feeding by practising its swallowing, there is no way that I could classify it as something less that a human being.  And to know that it started from a speck and grown to this beautiful baby that in a few short months we will be holding it in our arms (God willing).  I have no words to describe it!
Natalie came into the appointment as well but I don't think that she quite understood what was going on.  We tried to explain to her that it was the baby and that the Doctor was just making sure it was ok.  She was more concerned about the fact that I was laying down and that the room was dark!  She does know that there is a baby coming though!
After the ultrasound Natalie and I both had check-ups.  We are all doing fine and are all healthy!  Natalie is up to 30lbs and well.....I am not telling you my weight!

Learning For Us All

Natalie is just starting to talk! I honestly have no idea where she comes up with some of the things she says.  There are a few phrases and words that she has hung on to but a lot of words are a one time thing.  All of a sudden she will say something new but it is very clear as to what it is she is trying to say.  One of her favourite phrases is (with fingers to her mouth) "Hmmm, Let's see.....Aha!"  It is absolutely adorable and makes me laugh everytime.  She has to point out every little thing to us!  She loves the trees and makes sure we see every pivot we can!  Then there are the cows!  Her excitement for cows is unbelievable!  Whenever we drive by them she asks for more.  When she says 'cow' it comes out as 'how' followed by a little 'mooo'!  The other day I was trying to get her to actually say 'cow'.  I proceeded by saying, "Natalie it's cow. C-c-c-cow."  She looks at me, covers her mouth and replies with three little fake coughs.  I looked her and said "No, mommy isn't coughing".  It was hilarious!  Her latest animal noise is a frog.  She rocks forward with each noise and says 'ibbit, ibbit'!  

When she sees something interesting or she wants to get our attention it is always "Wook, wook."  It doesn't stop until we give her a name for what she is pointing to only to be followed by another curious "wook, wook."  Then we have our goodbyes!  These are very important and must be said often, including when leaving the room!  It's always "Bye, See Ya!"  Followed by a little wave.  

I love watching her grow and that includes  listening to her work on her speech!  I can not wait until we can have conversations.  She tries as it is but I know it will be much better when it is understandable!  

Changes, Practice, and Flips

I have been working on getting some pictures updated on here but I haven't been able to get it to work. Hopefully sometime soon I can get a few new pictures up.
We have been busy starting to prepare for the new baby!  We have been slowly making changes to Natalie's room so we can make room for another crib.  So far the changes have been minor but once we start moving stuff out I think we may have some issues with her.  We practice during the day with a doll so she gets used to the idea.  She has been so gentle and just wants to cuddle it!  It must be swaddled and has to be right beside her!  Now when we ask Natalie where the baby is, she lifts up my shirt, points to my bellybutton and then gives it a kiss!  I think she has an idea of what is happening but it will still be a big change for her I am sure!
As for me, I feel like I am growing fast!  Everything is going well with the baby and I always look forward to my appointments when I can listen for that little heartbeat!  I have been able to feel movement for quite some time now and just recently I have been able to notice it on the outside!  Finally tonight, Dylan got to feel the little kick or flip or whatever it is!  To me it makes me feel like he is more involved.  That he gets to experience more of the joy of this baby!  The way these weeks are flying by, we will be holding our little baby soon enough!  I can not wait!!!