Here I Am!

It's been awhile since my last post! I feel like I've been doing everything I can to stay busy and occupied during these last few weeks, and for whatever reason, writing was not something I thought of to occupy my time. But since there is only so much "nesting" one can do, I am now making time for some updates.

First, yes, I am STILL pregnant. I'm in my 38th week, which means that I technically have 2 weeks left. HOWEVER, I am ready NOW. My gut, and the vericose veins in my legs, tells me that this is going to be a big baby. My sleep has gone from bad to worse, and the fluid in my joints make just about everything unbearable. I spend a lot of time bouncing on my birthing ball (or yoga ball), which aids in opening up the pelvis, and bringing Baby down farther into the birth canal. It also helps to relieve a lot of back pain. And since it's cooled off a bit today, I'm hoping to get out for a walk with Sydnie and the dogs around the neighborhood. I am DETERMINED to get this baby out before Christmas!

In other news, Sydnie is a walking MACHINE. I have so many cute videos that will just NOT upload to my blog, so I'll have to find another way to host them on here. She is just such a little ball of energy, and a CUTE one at that! She tests us every day, and we can tell that she loves to make us laugh. I'm so thankful that we've (so far) raised such an independent child. As much as we love to cuddle Sydnie and sit together as a family, it is so nice to know that she is completely content in her gated play area, with all of her toys. She sometimes plays for over an hour without making a peep, and I think she'd spend even more time in there if we allowed it! She's not talking much, but she sure "chatters" up a storm! Sydnie says "Dada", and will say "Mama" only if she's prompted (ya spend a whole Summer alone with a kid, and she can't even say your name?!?! Something doesn't seem right about this...). She also lifts up my shirt, and kisses my belly if you ask her where Parker is. That just melts my heart!! The little things she picks up is so neat! I am more in love with her, and proud of her every day!

Matt is doing wonderfully. He's been throwing at the Spring Training facility for about a month now, and has been working out 4-5 times a week. He's feeling great, and is seeing pounds melt away every week. How does this happen for men so easily? He's also golfing once or twice a week, and is really proud of how his golf game has improved over the last couple months. Neither of us have really talked much about this upcoming baseball season, but it's amazing how fast it is approaching! We're just trying to enjoy the last few months of "normal" life here at home, before we are off to... wherever we are off to in the Spring!

We are all doing well! Looking forward to our first Christmas in our own house, but missing our wonderful families this holiday season. We look forward to the future, when we can be closer, and see eachother MUCH more.

I am hoping (and at the rate I've been going, this will almost definitely be the case) that my next post will be to tell you about the arrival of our sweet baby boy!

Here are a few pictures from the last couple weeks...

We took Sydnie to see Santa last weekend! No tears!
A couple photos from our Christmas card photo shoot

And here I am at 36 weeks (so about 2 weeks ago now)... ready to GO!

Turkey Day

Matt and I decided that we'd cook at home this year for Thanksgiving, and head to Shawn and Ashley's house for dessert later on. Originally, I thought I'd just do something simple, and get a tenderloin or something cooked by the grocery store's deli. BUT a couple days before Thanksgiving, I thought I'd be brave and go for the real thing. I bought a fresh, 12 pound turkey, and figured whatever we didn't finish, we could have for leftovers or freeze for when the new baby comes.

So the big day came, and I planned my cooking schedule mentally. Matt went golfing with Shawn, and I decided to get the house cleaned up while he was gone, and do all the food prep so we could eat around 4:00. I got our table set, and started chopping apples. I knew the time was coming to clean the turkey, and I was having a little anxiety about that! I can't tell you how many different Google searches I did on "how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey" or "how to remove giblets". I prepared my game plan, took off my wedding rings (or just my engagement ring, since my chubby fingers can't fit more than that), and got started! It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and really thought that I MUST be missing some internal organs in there, since I wasn't dry heaving like I thought I would. (I didn't miss anything). I found a tasty-sounding recipe, and got my glaze made. The turkey went in the oven around noon, and I figured the hard part was over! Everything else fell into place beautifully, timing-wise. Matt came home from golfing in time to bring Sydnie downstairs after her nap, and to keep an eye on the dishes cooking while I got myself dressed.

We were ready to eat right on schedule, and I was HUNGRY! Our Thanksgiving menu consisted of: turkey (duh), stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stewed cinnamon apples, biscuits, and cranberry. I also baked some apple crisp for dessert, and pumpkin bars with a cream cheese frosting to take with us to Shawn and Ashley's.

While it wasn't our first Thanksgiving as a family of three, it was so sweet to have our daughter eating with us at the dinner table this year! What a special time the holidays are. While we were missing our families back home TERRIBLY, it is a blessing to have our little family together!

Here are a few pictures from the day

Parker's Surprise Shower

First, let me just say that I have some of the SWEETEST friends in the world! This passed Saturday, I was thrown a baby shower, and had NO IDEA that anyone had been planning one in the first place!

Nordstrom Rack had a grand opening on the 6th, and Ashley asked if I wanted to go. Never known to pass up some good retail therapy, I agreed! We decided to go on Saturday the 7th, so her mom, her mom's friend Kim, and Chrissy could all join us. Ashley picked me up at noon, and we were all on our way! After a couple good hours of shopping (I even started some Christmas shopping! Go me!), we were all ready for some sustenance. Ashley suggested Olive Garden, and we all agreed. We made it to the Olive Garden near the mall, and were taken back to our table right away. Good thing, because I was STARVING! I was following the rest of the group, and was the last to turn the corner to our table. I turned left, and lo and behold, there were blue and green balloons, a table full of gifts, and some ADORABLE cupcakes! Jen from my message board (who is also due with baby #2 in January), and Gretchen, also from the board, were both standing there waiting for my reaction! Jen had been in contact with Matt and Ashley, setting this all up for months! The other girls from my message board were also in on this, and sent LOADS of gifts. I felt (and still feel) VERY loved. Parker got so many wonderful things! TONS of clothes, some great little toys, lots of cuddly blankets, and some other necessities. WOW! Like I said, I felt VERY loved opening up all those gifts!

Thank you SO MUCH to all who were involved in putting that day together... you all are FABULOUS!

Here are a few pictures from the day

Jen, the hostess, and me!

The whole gang, after dinner

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!

Home Stretch

I'm 32 weeks this week! (Mom, that equals 8 months). I can't believe how quickly the last couple weeks have gone by. I'm feeling VERY big, and remember this point with Sydnie, thinking there was no way 2 more months of growth could possibly fit in this belly. Well, miraculously, it does. I'm getting heartburn just thinking about it, actually. I've been told by people while I'm out and about, "WOW! You're just about to pop!" No, no. I've got EIGHT MORE WEEKS! Hard to believe by looking at me, but it's true.

I have just started panicking (just a little) about the fact that we have NOTHING ready for this child! And because I still have buyer's remorse about all the clothes that were bought for Sydnie and never worn, I've been VERY selective about what I add to Parker's wardrobe. I had frilly outfits with matching shoes, and coordinating hairbows for Syd, and realized quickly that you need pajamas, and onesies for such tiny babies. But still, there's A LOT to do before this little guy makes his debut!

We've dedicated Thursday (tomorrow) to starting the painting prep in the baby's room. We'll be turning our guestroom into a multi-functional room, where Parker will sleep, and all of his things will be kept, but the big bed will stay in there in case we need to accommodate incoming family... at least for the next year or so. We'll paint, and do some decorating, but there won't be a crib in the room until we come home from the 2010 baseball season. Parks will be so little still when we leave for the season, that he'll stay in the Pack 'n Play until we come home. Then, Sydnie will get a new bedroom set, and Parks will get the crib. So, hopefully in the next week or so, I'll have some pictures to share of the "new nursery".

I had an appointment with Dr. Benezra on Monday, and everything went really well. I had my "growth ultrasound", where the baby's body parts are measured, and an estimation in size is given. Everything looks great, and little mister (who showed us ONCE AGAIN that there is no mistaking the fact that he is, indeed, a mister) looks healthy! We got some great pictures once Parker decided to move his little arms from in front of his face! I'd say he looks just like Sydnie, although he some awfully big and pouty lips that Sydnie doesn't have. But the little nose and chubby cheeks are there for sure! Parks was trying to suck his fingers during the ultrasound, and looked to be drinking some amniotic fluid (YUM!) too. I could go on and on, but I'll just post the pictures!!

Halloween Then and Now

The ladies on my message board thought of a cute idea to post pictures of our babies from last Halloween, and then of this Halloween. It was so cute to see some of the BRAND NEW babies in some of the tiniest costumes I've ever seen! I couldn't find anything small enough last year for Sydnie, besides a pair of pumpkin jammies, and a pair of skeleton jammies. And of course, she wore a bow in her hair to match!

This year, I found Syd's costume pretty early on, and just fell in love. See for yourselves just how cute she was/ is!

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2009


Before our first trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Viera, 2008


Before our trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Viera, 2009

At the Pumpkin Patch, 2008

At the Pumpkin Patch, 2009


And a few more from the Pumpkin Patch this year...

Party Pics... LOTS of Pics!

I'm finally getting around to organizing ALL of the pictures from Sydnie's birthday and birthday party. The week and weekend was a BUSY one, but we had such a blast with our parents here! We only wish everyone could've stayed a little longer.

Before I post pictures from all the festivities, I'll start with this little slideshow I put together of Sydnie's first year. We had it playing (minus the captions) at her party, and I know all the grandmas and grandpas got a kick out of it. It's AMAZING how much this child has grown in a year!

Now, I'll get on with more pictures (since I know that's what most of you want to see anyway!)

Birthday morning! Enjoying her blueberry pancakes, fresh blueberries, and scrambled eggs!

All done with breakfast. Now onto her gifts from her WONDERFUL great grandparents!

We picked Grandma B up from the airport, and headed to Portobello at Downtown Disney for Sydnie's birthday dinner.

Sydnie (but mostly Grandma B and Mommy) enjoyed this slice of chocolatey heaven!

Now onto Saturday, the 24th, for some party pictures!! The day was a WHIRLWIND!! Matt and I were up early, showering, having breakfast, and downing as much coffee as we could before the chaos began. Terry, Kellee, Mom, and I got started on some of the food and set-up early on. We had gotten some decorations out the night before, but still had a bit to do that day. Mom and I ran out to pick up the cake, and have balloons blown up (little did I know that had I dropped the DANG balloons off ahead of time, they'd have had them ready for us on Saturday. That would've saved us about 45 minutes! Oh well!) We RACED home, with about 30 minutes to spare before guests would be arriving. Everyone was scrambling to get things "pretty", and to get food out and ready. It was so awesome to have all of our parents' help that day... I really don't know how we would've pulled the day off without them!

Everyone started to arrive JUST as things were officially "guest ready". My feet were already so sore, but I put on my game face, and we had SUCH a great time!

Sydnie's birthday banner, handmade by Mama.

The cake and favor setup

Party favors, handmade by Mama

AMAZING cake topper!

Adorable AND yummy cake

Food setup

Dad and Matt at the grill

Buffet line. Carne Asada tacos, chicken kabobs, cornbread muffins, bean and corn salad, and green salad. YUM.

The birthday girl!!


Sydnie's gifts

Her new play set from us
The smash cake!!

The damage
Opening gifts after a bath

And here a couple of the shots Ashley took of Sydnie in honor of her first birthday!