Starved Rock Morning

We were getting a little stir crazy here at my parents so last Friday we decided to get out and do a little hiking.  Josh and I were married at a local state park called Starved Rock.  It is right on the Illinois river and has beautiful canyons and hiking trails.

It had been a few years since we went hiking there and were not able to see all the canyons.  On this trip we decided to take it easy and just stick to the trail headed to St. Louis Canyon.  It was only 1.5 miles out and a fairly easy hike.

Unfortunately the area received a lot of rain recently and the trail was pretty saturated.  We were still  able to hike but the mosquitoes were pretty bad.

Despite that, Mara was a trouper.  She insisted on walking most of the way and probably hiked about a mile.  Once we made it to the canyon Mara and Josh got in the water.  She loved it almost as much as playing in the sand next to it!

After hiking we stopped at the restaurant on the veranda for lunch.  It was the perfect ending to the morning.  I love hiking at Starved Rock and am looking forward to more visits in the future!

9 Weeks with Baby #2

This week has been a blur of activity as we dealt with with our old house and had my mom in town for a few days.  On top of it I am starting to finally feel pregnant.  I've had a little nausea return and just overall have felt really bloated and big.  I know they say you show earlier with your second but I never expected to have a belly this early.

I got to tell my mom this week.  She reacted pretty much as I expected her.  She doesn't outwardly show too much excitement but I know she's excited.  It was really fun to be able to talk about the baby with her and throw around whether this baby is a boy or a girl.

We also had our first ultrasound this week.  Similar to with Mara, our appointment was late (10 pm) Mom had been watching Mara while we attended a dinning out so we swung by and picked them both up on our way to the hospital.  It wasn't the original plan but sometimes Mara has her own plans.  lol

Once we were there we had to wait for almost 30 minutes.  Normally not a huge deal but when you're required to have a full bladder and you're pregnant, it's torture.  I was pacing the waiting room by the time the tech called me back.  This ultrasound was to date the pregnancy and just make sure everything was looking good.  By the measurements we were two days behind what I originally thought.  I don't put much thought into this as baby's will come when they come.

The heartbeat was strong at 189 and the baby was already moving around those arm and feet buds a ton!  With Mara we never had an ultrasound this early so it was kind of neat to see the baby so early. He or she definitely looks a lot different than at 12 weeks!  They always bring Josh in at the end after the exam and I just love the look he gets on his face.  He just kind of melts and it is the sweetest thing.

The rest of the week was somewhat uneventful.  We got some family pictures and I tried to suck it in (and failed).  It was so great to see this little one and really made it real.

For comparison Mara at 9 weeks!!

8 Weeks with Baby #2

This week has been pretty much a complete turn around from last week but I think it's because this week has been so busy.  I haven't had the time to sit down and feel nauseous.  We've had two different movers coming through and three different moves to sort.  Josh has been busy at work so I'm on my own at the house.

I was able to schedule our first ultrasound for next week.  It seems a little early to me as we didn't have one with Mara till 12 weeks but I am excited to see this little one.  That first ultrasound always makes it real for me.  I remember asking the tech with Mara if he was sure there was something in there.  As always with Ft. Bragg and Womack our ultrasound is at a crazy hour.  Thankfully my mom will be in town and will be able to watch Mara while we get the scan done.

My baby bloat has gone down this week.  I felt like I was looking more like 15 weeks along than 8 before this.  I thought it was likely bloat as I carried Mara very similar.

My stomach has started hurting at night if I roll onto it at all.  I had this with Mara too and have already started using another pillow to sleep with at night.  We packed my pregnancy pillow so unfortunately I won't have that till we get settled in Georgia.

I'm struggling with bouts of insomnia too.  I usually fall asleep pretty quickly at night but have a hard time going back to sleep if I have to get up with Mara or when Josh's alarm goes off in the morning.  I typically do fall back asleep but it can take up to an hour.

Otherwise this week has been pretty uneventful.  I am ready to be a little more settled again once the moves are complete and am definitely ready to be less busy.  I see a few afternoon naps in my future along with (hopefully) some nights that Mara sleeps through the night!

Here's Mara at 8 weeks! 

4th of July

This 4th of July was pretty low key for us.  We were excited to be able to celebrate it with family up in Wisconsin and also celebrate a few birthdays. Josh's sister and family we're coming in so it made the day even more special.

We started the day with some swimming at the house Josh's parents were staying at.  Mara slept through most of it but was able to enjoy some swinging and pool time when she got up.  After swimming we headed back to Caleb and Carrie's for dinner.

Right before dinner we decided to do a family picture.  This was probably one of the best moments for us as we took the opportunity to tell the family we would soon be adding another little one to the mix!  From there it was dinner and dessert, including birthday treats for Ani, Caleb and myself.

You can't have the fourth without fireworks so we headed to the local expo center to enjoy the display.  Mara was a trooper staying up till about halfway through.  We were also super impressed that she wasn't scared.  She was in awe of the colors and shapes so much so we are still hearing about them today!

Overall it was a great fourth of July!  Not only did we get to spend it with extended family but it was our first fourth as a family of three!  (Next year we will be four!!)

Uncle Arne brought his snake

swinging with mommy

The Bast Family 

Nana & Papa with their 9 grandkids!

Mara gets personal with the snake

Love how she has her tongue out like the snake

ahhh sweet summertime

7 Weeks with Baby #2

This week has pretty much been similar to my pregnancy with Mara.  I have been dragging my feet like no other and it's everything I can do to get out of bed in the morning.  I have had some nausea but I can usually combat it if I eat something.  At night I also get a lot of stretching and bloating.  Sleep is also hit or miss.  I usually have insomnia and am already having a lot of trouble getting comfortable at night.  I was joking with Josh last night saying that I may break out the pregnancy pillow sooner rather than later.

I had my first ob appointment this week.  Normally I wouldn't go into the doctor this early as I am pretty hands off when it comes to my pregnancies.  I decided to go in early because of our move.  I wanted to get the blood work done and just start the process in hope that we can do an ultrasound before going overseas.

The appointment went well.  Here at Ft. Bragg your first appointment is just basically a lot of information.  What to do.  What not to do.  They ask about your medical history and give you a lot of handouts.  Basically it was all old hat.  The one funny bit was on top of the 9 vials of blood they originally had to take I had to run in right before my appointment for one more.  Guess what they forgot to run?.....the pregnancy test!  Duh!

Otherwise I'm feeling ok.  This has definitely been the worse week for me thus far but I'm hanging in there.  I know I have it a lot better than most and for that I am grateful.  I can't wait for our ultrasound in a couple of weeks and being able to tell my mom when she comes.

Here's Mara at 7 weeks!

Vacation-Wisconsin

Before heading to Georgia we wanted to make sure we got some quality time in with family.  We were so lucky to have all of our family in the same general location currently which allowed us to check in with everyone without making a lot of trips ourselves.

Our first stop was Wisconsin to see Josh's side.  Josh's brother's family is there and his parents were also up visiting.  The usually travel north during the summer (from Florida) to see the grand kids.  The first few days here were slow which was so nice after a long road trip.  We got to visit with the kids and parents while Mara enjoyed running around with her cousins.

I was pleasantly surprised as to how fast she warmed up to the kids.  She loves running around with them and lets the older ones pick her up.  She is also so willing to give out kisses, hugs and high fives all around.

The week went by fast.  For the most part we hung around the house visiting with family and enjoying time together.  We did get out a few times to break up the days.  One day we played at a local park and another we spent shopping new clothes for Josh.

The fourth of July weekend was busy as Josh's sister and family came down from Minnesota.  We went swimming and celebrated birthdays (separate post on this!).  We also took Mara to see her first fireworks in Waukesha and they were a huge hit.  She is still talking about the big booms in the sky!

It was a great week and it went by way too fast!  It's hard to believe it may be years before we see everyone again but we are so thankful that we were able to have this time together.

6 Weeks with Baby #2

This week has brought a lot of pregnancy symptoms.  I'm getting a little nausea at night and definitely have the baby bloats.  I know my stomach will go back down but for now I look like I'm 12 weeks instead of 6.  I have also been really exhausted as of late.  In the mornings it's all I can do to drag my butt out of bed and usually around 4 I hit a wall.  This isn't the most convenient as Mara is still running around then and it's about time to start dinner.

I also haven't been eating the greatest.  Basically if it sounds good at the moment I will eat it.  There's been times when I make dinner to only not want it at all.  Hopefully soon my taste buds will go back to normal.

Today we did all the blood work the hospital requires.  I forgot how many vials they need.  They made me fast and took 9!!  Note to doctors: not a good idea.  By the time it was over I was pretty close to fainting.  I got out of there and grabbed something to eat stat!

I also found out today that one of my close friends here is also expecting!  She's about one week ahead of us.  It's super exciting and I only wish we could go through this entire pregnancy together.  I'm so happy for them and pumped to have another pregnant friend to go through this with.

Otherwise there isn't much new.  Everything is going pretty much as normal.  Next week we have our first appointment and then will schedule our 12 week appointment after that.  It's exciting because hopefully by the 12 week appointment we'll be able to hear this sweet babe's heartbeat.

For comparison Mara at 6 Weeks!