Wednesday, May 30, 2012

13 Months and 24 Weeks!

First we'll start with a little update on Mr. Sawyer.  I am so in love with this little boy. I just cannot get enough of him.  Do all moms feel this way about their children?  I sure hope so!  Being a mom is the most amazing thing I have ever done!  It gives me a feeling of such purpose and the love I feel for my children still surprises me every day!  The fact that humans are even capable, that I am even capable, of such love just blows me away. 
Sawyer is growing and learning every minute of every day and it has been a thrill to watch him and grow with him.  He has yet to master walking... or even try it for that matter but we aren't concerned and I am not even close to being ready for him to walk anyway.  He gets around just fine.  He pulls himself up on everything and will walk along, holding on to things.  Plus he is crawling pretty dang fast these days.  One of his favorite games to play is to head into a room or place where he knows mommy and daddy don't want him to be and as soon as you go after him he'll take off as fast as he can.  Sometimes when he starts to wander, all we have to do is ask "Where's Sawyer?" and within a few seconds he'll peek his head around the corner and say "BOO".  Then he just laughs at himself.  I love how often he cracks himself up! 
He has finally mastered climbing up and down stairs.  Although he's still new at it so we don't let him do it unless we are right behind him.  Luckily we don't have stairs in our house.  He's great at turning around to go down stairs but he still prefers to go head first off of the couch or our bed.  We have been there to catch him so far but it makes me so nervous to take my eyes off of him for even a second when he's up high somewhere.
He's a little parrot and when he wants to, will try to repeat everything you say... especially animal noises.  However, there are times when he just doesn't want to perform and won't make a peep for you.  I love when he's in a chatty mood and will just jabber away like he knows exactly what he's talking about and he'll look at you like you should too! Some of the words that we can understand are: bubbles, Piper (a baby at daycare), grandpa, dad (which he likes to yell while he's in the tub), bobble (bottle), hot, up, off, and of course no. 
Every time he sees a dog, he'll bark.  Cutest thing ever! 
He has discovered Grandpa & Grandma's sandbox and he LOVES it!  He could spend hours digging and throwing sand in the air.  He is definitely all boy!
He's been off of formula for about a month now and loves his milk.  I was going to try to take him off a bottle right away because he didn't seem that attached to it but I think I waited too long.  He doesn't need a bottle to fall asleep but he really prefers to have one before any naps or bedtime.  Maybe it calms him down or something.  Now I have to figure out how I am going to break him of the bottle habit.  I think my biggest fear is that he won't get enough milk throughout the day without a bottle because he never drinks much from a sippy, even when we've tried skipping a bottle. 
He'll usually try anything at least once, then if he doesn't like it, it ends up either on the floor on in a little pocket on his high chair that he recently discovered.  He found one day that his peas (which he normally loves) fit perfectly in this little pocket and now he tries to get just about everything down in there! 
Sawyer has 7 teeth total and will be making his first visit to the dentist in a couple of weeks. 
here are a few pictures from the last month...















Now for a quick pregnancy update.  Today I am 24 weeks!!  Woo HOO!  It is always such a relief to hit this point in a pregnancy because at 24 weeks, if the baby is born, it has a chance of survival and that chance continues to go up every day.  Not that we've had any reason to be concerned that little Cooper will arrive early, but it's still nice to know if something happened he'd have a fighting chance. 
This pregnancy has been so different than my pregnancy with Sawyer.  I have had a lot more heartburn.  My tailbone has been KILLING me!  My hips hurt and my back hurts constantly.  I don't really have cravings and nothing ever sounds good but I have been putting on weight like crazy.  Skeet looked at my belly the other day and told me that I look as big as I did the day I delivered Sawyer.  That's comforting! I must be huge!  I do feel like it most days.  But honestly, I have no reason to complain.  I am so grateful for this pregnancy and for the opportunity to be pregnant again.  I wish I was able to dwell on it and enjoy it a little bit more but like everything else these days it's gone by so fast and I hardly have time to think about it.  It will mostly likely be my last and I want to remember what it's like but life has gotten hectic and this blog will be the only thing I'll really have to remind me.  I am so glad I have tried to keep up a little bit!  Here is the latest belly pic and a nice little family picture all rolled into one!  Don't I have the most handsome boys?


I can tell that Cooper is getting big.  He's moving a ton more and soon Sawyer will start wondering who the heck is kicking him when he's cuddling with mom.  My next appointment with Dr. S isn't until next week so if there's anything to tell, I'll update again then!!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

22 weeks

This pregnancy is just flying by... just like everything else since Sawyer came along.  Things are going well though and I stress less and less every day.  My biggest worry is Sawyer and how he'll react to a new baby.  He is so spoiled right now.  Yes, I know it's my fault.  No, I don't care.  I love spoiling my little guy.  I love making him laugh and smile and watching him learn.  I hope that our new little guy (who we are thinking of naming Cooper) and Sawyer get along!!  I am so excited to have another snuggly little boy to love.  I'll try to remember to post a belly pic sometime this week!
But this was me at almost 19 weeks.  Don't look at my face, Skeet took it in the middle of me saying something and I look awful!



How far along:22 weeks.

How my baby is growing: At 11 inches (the length of a spaghetti squash) and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment.

Weight gain: 14 pounds.  It's coming on a lot faster this time around which really has me worried. Especially because I have been trying to eat better with this pregnancy and I am more active!

Maternity clothes: Yep.  However, I have invested in some regular maxi dresses and skirts and those are definitely my favorite things to wear!

Gender: Boy

Movement: He still doesn't seem to move as much as Sawyer did at this point but he is moving and kicking.  I wonder if he'll be a little more calm than his older brother.

Sleep: Can't get enough. Sawyer has been sleeping better but I still feel tired ALL THE TIME!!


Symptoms: Heartburn!! Like crazy!  I finally caved and called Dr. S for some stronger meds but even those aren't working great.  Lemon water helps as long as I don't eat anything else or bend over!

Cravings: I really don't have any cravings this time around. It seems strange to me.  I do have a lot of foods I can't or don't want to eat and they are mostly veggies and fruits so it's been hard to get the good stuff in me!! 

Best moment lately:Hearing the little nugget's heartbeat last week and knowing he's okay in there.  Also, confirming that he is a boy and deciding on a tentative name for him!

What I am looking forward to: More movement and seeing him in a couple of weeks.  Dr. S will be doing an ultrasound to check the length of my cervix to make sure it's holding up this time around so we'll get a sneak peek of our little cutie!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Sawyer's First Year In Pictures

































Happy Birthday Sawyer!!

We really tried to give Sawyer a fun birthday.  I had to work in the morning but Skeet stayed home and made Sawyer his favorite breakfast, french toast.  Later that morning I met them at the park.  Then we took him to lunch with some of my family.  Later, after his nap, we took him swimming for the first time.  He loved it!!  We did too.  I can't wait to take him again.  I remembered to bring the camera to the pool, but unfortunately I forgot to use it.  We had planned to have his birthday party the next day so that all of his grandparents and aunts and uncles could be there but then that night I came down with a nasty case of food poisoning and we ended up canceling.  We did do a small BBQ after I was feeling better with a few family members. He was finally able to eat his cake, which he loved mashing more than eating! It was a really good weekend (other than the throwing up) and I think that Sawyer had fun.

Opening his first birthday present! Thanks Buhlers!


Of course he likes the tissue paper the most!

Fixing his wild hair!


My first birthday!


Opening his present from Mommy & Daddy




Hanging out with Papa Chad!




Wasn't sure what to think of everyone singing to him.

He didn't hesitate, he dug right in.


Cute birthday boy!!
Happy Birthday Sawyer Buddy!


I can't believe you are a year old already!! The time has flown but your Daddy and I have enjoyed every second.  You have changed our lives completely in the best way imaginable and neither one of us would go back to the day before you for anything in this world.  You have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives and into the lives of everyone who meets you.  Your sweet smile, fun personality and silly sense of humor keep us on our toes and make us fall in love with you over and over again.  I love how much you love your Daddy.  How you always have a smile and a hug for him.  I love the sweet cuddles and kisses you give me.  We waited so long for you and you were worth every second of the wait.  We are so proud to be your parents little man.  You are the best thing that has ever happened to us.  You helped heal our hearts when we were still aching from losing your big sister.  It has been such a comfort to know that she is watching over you. 
It has been such a thrill to watch you grow and learn every day.  You constantly amaze us with how smart and funny you are!  My only regret is not being able to spend more time with you buddy, I hope that I can make up for that in the future. 
I look forward to every day with you and hope that you grow up knowing how much you are loved how much you are wanted. 
We love you little man!!


Love,
Mommy