Wordless Wednesday :)

First Trimester- Baby S #2

WOOHOO!  
We (yes, it is a group effort) made it through the first trimester...joy, joy, joy :)  As crazy as it sounds, this time around wasn't nearly as bad.  Maybe it was the fact I knew what I was in for, or maybe it is because every baby is different, or just maybe it is because #2 is indeed a boy....whatever the reason, I thank the good Lord for allowing me to enjoy these last 14 weeks a little more than I did the first time around!  Now, I'm not saying it has been a walk in the park.  I was nauseous for a good three weeks (glamorous, right?), but unlike with Lily, it came in waves, instead of hanging around all. day. long.  I've been super tired-like going to bed when the sun is still out tired.  I've also been a little more emotional, wanting to eat only fattening foods and not in the mood to workout at all.

Now to the beloved bump photo & update...

Yes, I'm aware, this is a terrible picture, but I'm just keeping it real!  My mornings of having an extra 5 or so minutes to set up my camera & snap just the right picture are out the door.  This is what you get when you're halfway ready & your hubby snaps a pic of you while he is rushing out the door :)

How Far Along? 14 Weeks, 2 Days~ Hello 2nd trimester :)

Size of the Baby? According to What to Expect #2 is the size of an avocado!

Maternity Clothes? Not yet- lots of dresses & my more forgiving pants.  I have a feeling my maternity pants will be making an appearance sooner than later.

Weight Gain? 4 pounds....just like the first time around, my goal is to keep it under 30.

Stretch Marks?  Lots of lotions and potions again :)  Warding off these at all costs.

Gender? Pink or Blue, we aren't sure!  Will find out in 4 weeks of so.  Mama thinks boy and Daddy is undecided.

Movement? None yet...this is what I'm most looking forward to.  I LOVED feeling Lily move and have missed it so much.

Wedding Rings? On

Sleep? So, so- between nature calling, my mommy ears hearing every sound possible, and being back to sleeping on my side, I'm up a good 2-3 times a night...BOO :(

Food Cravings? Hot pepperoncini peppers, pizza and carbs~bring on the bread and potatoes!

What I Miss? Hum...sushi and wine.  Oh and the desire to do anything active....my 5am workouts have been few a far between the last couple of months :(  

Symptoms? Oh so tired!  Along with nausea, bloating, congestion and a couple emotional moments!

Belly Button? In---ugh the dreaded belly button grossness again.

Best Moment of the Week? Feeling like myself again...for the most part!  I actually managed to cook four nights last week :)   

What I’m Looking Forward To? Finding out if #2 is a boy or girl.  I'm dying to know so I can start planning the nursery & buying matching outfits for Lily and the new babe! :)

Lillian Pace- 8 Months!

Dear Lily,

Another month, another post!  I can't get over how each month goes by faster than the last.  Month eight flew by with weekends out of town, sick days & lots of changes from you Miss Priss...I'm pretty sure you are a completely different child than you were a month ago.

Your personality continues amuse & amaze us!  It seems you are becoming a bit of a drama queen...which lets face it, it is expected, but I just thought this phase would come a little later down the road.  If you don't like something, then rest assure you let us know it :)  Thankfully these episodes are few and far between (well except when you yell after a meal because you're still hungry---even though you've eaten the equivalent to three jars of food!).  Overall, you've still got a sweet and laid-back demeanor.  You're fun, funny, inquisitive, alert, responsive, snuggly, active...OH and you love to give open mouth kisses! 

Separation anxiety reared its head in month eight.  While it warms my heart to know you want to be with me ALL THE TIME, it has been a struggle to find balance.  Dropping you off at school has become a challenge again...seeing you get so upset because I'm leaving is hard!  Also, if I leave you in the den to go to the kitchen, then you go completely bonkers...needless to say, there has been a lot more holding & playing together than housework or cooking this month :)  & I'm not complaining one bit!

Your developmental skills continued to grow this month---you started clapping by yourself (which is one of the cutest things we have ever seen!), transitioning from your tummy to a seated position without any help (this has caused some sleeping issues...more on that later), pulling up on just about anything, using the "pinchers" to pick up food, and doing a modified crawl backwards.  You've been busy, busy my dear girl :)  

Your vocabulary has also continued to change.  It is very easy to make out the different consonants you're constantly babbling...sounds with D's, M's, O's, B's are heard often around our house :)

Eating has remained roughly the same, although we've introduced more "pick-up" foods.  So far you've tried peaches, broccoli & puffs.  You definitely still prefer to be fed with a spoon, so that is how you get a majority of your calories, but I'm hopeful you'll warm up to solids more in the next couple of months.  Your appetite has increased this month (my little piggy!), so I've stopped trying to keep up with how much you're eating.  All I know is that you LOVE to eat :)  Along with food, you take three 6 oz bottles a day.

We went through a bit of a sleep challenge in the beginning of the month.  Not sure if it was teething, a growth spurt, or just the 8 month sleep monster that I've read about, but whatever it was, no one enjoyed it.  Your daddy & I decided to let you start crying it out, instead of going in to give you your paci at night.  It was tough the first couple of nights, but luckily you quickly adapted.  There were nights you'd still wake, but you easily put yourself back to sleep!  However, once you figured out you could sit up on your own, this changed the ballgame.  Now on the occasional night you wake, you instantly sit up, so mommy or daddy have to come in & lay you back down.  Normally this does the trick & you are back to sleeping like a baby until morning :)

You still love your naps at home, but refuse to take them at school!  On the weekends, you take two naps that range between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 hours each.  

Lily, it has been a FUN month!  Can you believe how much you've changed and grown?!?  You are the biggest blessing & greatest joy :)  Every stage keeps getting better...can't wait to see what month 9 has in store!

Lily's 8 Month Stats:

Feed:

Three meals per day, plus three 6 oz bottles

Weight:

18 pounds

Length:

27 inches

Diaper Size:

Size 3

Clothing Size:

6 & 9 month

Hair:

Blonde & getting thicker :)

Eye Color:

Blue is still hanging around

Favorite time of the day:

Picking you up from school---love the smile you give when I walk thru the door

Funniest moment this month:

You finally gave me a big "surprise" while in the bathtub

***Note to self, for the next photo session, make sure to have an assistant & not take the pics right before nap time***

All Things Baby #2

Sorry it has taken me a couple of weeks to get my act together, but here are all the fun details on sweet Baby S #2!  

First off, we can not thank our friends & family enough for the sweet well wishes & excitement surrounding our new bundle of joy.  Sharing the news was SO much fun!  It is pure joy to know #2 is loved by so many special people :)  

I know the news of adding another little one to our family was a bit of a shock to most everyone, so here are some answers to questions I've gotten about our "little" news...

1. When are you due?  
My official due date is February 19, 2014!  We apparently like having holiday babies :)  This little one will come almost 7 years, to the day, of mine & Slade's first date.

2. Was this pregnancy planned?  
Well, without sharing to much information, it wasn't prevented ;)  Slade & I have loved every minute of this journey of parenthood.  Adding another baby to the mix was something that excited us...after all we both want a big family!  So we decided to let it happen in His time, which wasn't long at all :)

3. Do you know what you're having?  
Not yet, but don't worry, we will be finding out in another month or so!  Slade & I both knew Lily was a girl from the get go---this time around, I'm convinced #2 is a boy, but Slade goes back and forth.  Boy or girl, we don't really care :)

4. Will you be documenting this pregnancy like you did with Lily?  
I'm going to do my best!  I'm a little busier this time around ;)  I will definitely do trimester updates and try my hardest to update every couple of weeks.

5. Will you continue to workout?  
So far, I've kept with working out 3-4 times a week.  I admit---I've been SO tired that it is harder to motivate myself this go round, but I know it is best for me and babe so I'm going to keep with it :)

6. What about another nursery?  
OH another nursery!  I'm super excited to decorate another baby room & do something a little different this time...I'm thinking brighter colors.  We will be converting our guest room to #2's room & adding a daybed to Lily's room for guests (aka Sugar & Bebe in those first months weeks!).  We are also blessed to be getting another (yes we will have two under one roof!) baby bed from Slade's sister, so all the furniture for the new nursery is taken care of!

7. Will you continue to work with two babies?  
The short answer is NO :)  My company was acquired in June and with that comes a lot of change.  I was hired on a 3 month temporary basis that ends in mid-September.  After much conversation and prayer, Slade & I have decided I will stay home with our babes!  I am beyond excited and thankful for the opportunity to spend more time with Lily & #2 when he/she arrives.  Of course, this will come with a lifestyle change, but I know that change will be well worth it :)  

So there you have it, all caught up on the newest bundle of joy!  I'll be back with a 1st trimester update later this week....to sum it up, I'm constantly tired :)

I leave you with this sweet picture....Baby S #2 at 12 weeks!

Lillian Pace- 7 Months

Dear Lily,

How can it be?  7 months already!  I seriously think this month has been my favorite yet.  You are constantly moving, talking, blowing strawberries, chasing "brother" (aka Tyde) with your eyes...you don't miss a beat my sweet girl.  

This month you have continued to wow us with your growing vocabulary (ok, really just sounds), physical strength & increased awareness.  You LOVE to talk...guess that is why they call you "social butterfly" at school!  In the mornings, we often have conversations in the car about your dreams & your day ahead.  I'm sure Mommy looks cra-cra talking to herself, but it is a time I really enjoy.  You continue to sit up like a champ.  You are also standing while holding onto something- usually our figures, the railing of your crib or a toy.  And did I mention you don't miss a beat?!?!? You take everything & everyone in...so alert, aware & curious.  Also, a bit shy.  If a stranger or someone you don't come in contact with daily approaches you, then you completely shut down & just stare at them.  I guess you're already taking "stranger danger" seriously :)   

Month 7 brought along some really fun moments....we found out you are going to be a BIG sister!  While I know you don't really understand it now, I can't wait to see how you handle your new role :)  I know you're going to be a big sister that is loving, supportive, kind & a great leader for your new brother or sister.  

You also celebrated your 1st fourth of July, attended your 1st concert (FL/GA Line) & helped Mommy celebrate her 28th birthday this month.

Eating hasn't really changed much.  You're still a garbage disposal...seriously, you eat us out of house & home!  I've never seen a child get so excited when placed in their highchair...you kick, squeal & bang on the tray until your food arrives.  You're going through the equivalent of 42 or so jars of stage 3 baby food a week, plus three 6 oz bottles a day.  You do a great job of gumming most of your foods...the chunkier the food the better in your book :)  Pretty sure we will start on the Baby Led Weaning (http://www.babyledweaning.com/) very soon.   

Sleeping also hasn't changed much.  You my girl love your sleep, which is good, because Mommy needs her beauty sleep! :)  Some nights you'll wake up and want your paci, but for the most part you're sleeping from 8:30pm til 8:00am on the weekdays, and later on the weekends.  One Saturday morning this month, you slept until 9:45am...usually I would wake you up by 8:30am, but I just wanted to see how long you would sleep...I can't tell you how often I checked the monitor to make sure you were alive! Ha!  You definitely got your sleeping traits from your daddy :)

We've had a couple health scares this month...no fun :(  You were diagnosed with RSV, double ear infection & pneumonia within a week of each other....stressful.  After several weeks of breathing treatments, antibiotics & some time at home with Bebe, you were back to your normal self!  Good news for us, not good news for you...with good health came your 6 month shots.  I expected the worst- like crying hysterically for hours (especially since we went to the appointment sans Daddy), but you actually did great!  You let out the saddest sound when you were poked, but once I picked you up, you were back to normal.  Also, heat rash showed up on your face...guess that is what happens when you sleep snuggled with a blanket in the summertime.

There you have it Lil...a little glimpse at your 7th month of life!  You are my sunshine sweet girl- don't you ever forget it! :)

Lily's 7 Month Stats:

Feed:

Three meals per day, plus three 6 oz bottles

Weight:

About 16 1/2 pounds

Length:

About 26 1/2 inches

Diaper Size:

Size 3

Clothing Size:

6 & 9 month

Hair:

Blonde & getting thicker :)

Eye Color:

Blue is still hanging around

Favorite time of the day:

Waking you up in the morning

Funniest moment this month:

Your constant talking & squealing...especially at inappropriate times!

#2 & #28

So the theme of this post is numbers...numbers that have significance & meaning.

#2

That's right folks...Baby S #2 is on his or her way!!!!  We could not be more excited that our family of three will soon be a family of FOUR :)  Our official due date is February 19, 2014, so Priss Pot and her new brother or sister will be 14 months apart...we feel so blessed and thankful!  There will be many exciting, busy and crazy times ahead!

#28

HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY SLADE!  

I couldn't ask for a better husband, father or friend.  You continue to make all my dreams come true...I am beyond grateful for your hard work and dedication.  I pray that this next year is even better than last!  

I love you!

Slacker...

Hey there peeps!  It's Lily.

  I figured since my mom has been a total slacker lately, I'd come update y'all on what we've been up to recently :)  

Before I start filling you in on the deets of life, I have to wish myself a happy 7 month birthday today!!!

& could I get any cuter in my first Little Black Dress (LBD for short)?!?!  I think not!

Moving on....we had a busy end of June & July hasn't slowed down any either.  You'd think my parentals would learn to say "no" so that I could just hang at home & play in my jumperoo, but who am I kidding, we all like a good party! :)

 I had a fab time celebrating my Bry Bry's 2nd birthday party!  We swam, ate, opened presents...it was the time of my life.

Then this lady decided to leave me for a whole 5 days for work....don't worry, it was WAY harder on her than me.  I survived daddy daycare & had a blast hanging with my Bebe :)

How cool is it that I have 3 great-grandparents that are healthy & think I'm the best thing since sliced bread?!?!  I got to celebrate my Mema's 90th birthday with some of Dad's fam....there were a lot of peeps I'd never met before...I got loved on big time!

Mema makes 90 look so good!

  

The weather in July has totally been cramping my style.  It has rained and rained, so my first 4th of July was spent indoors....so much for these awesome things called fireworks that everyone was talking about :(  

Oh, and these 2 crazies ran the Peachtree for the 5th time.  Can't believe they leave me out of awesome things like this...good thing my Chef (aka Uncle Josh) made me feel better with some Lucky Charms marshmallows for breakfast--nom nom nom :)

Last, but not least, I met daddy's friend, Chris!  He was super cool :)

Well that about sums it up friends!  

Thanks for letting me "chat"...I think Mom will be back later this week with a BIG announcement, so don't stay gone for too long.

XOXOXO

~Lily