Life Lately and Henry 14 months

Hi everyone! I feel like a bad mama...Henry's baby book has no more space and there's so much I need to jot down to remember. 

Henry at 14 months:

-Sleeps 7pm- 6:30/7am 

-Working towards the one nap a day goal (doesn't work perfectly everyday but we are getting there)

-Eats everything and anything. Don't even think of trying to eat ANYTHING different then you've given him because he will whine until he's eating it too! Ha! 

-He has 12 (!!!!) teeth. 4 of those are currently breaking through. Poor kid. Two molars and two canines! 

-Loves to read. Favorites that are must haves every night are Bedtime for Batman, Llama Llama Misses Mama or Llama Llama Mad at Mama. He giggles and smiles at the exact perfect parts too. I love this kid. 

- Loves his new Mickey Mouse toy from his Uncle David and Aunt Brooke. Calls it "Mmm-maa". 

-Speaking of communication- here are words he knows:

Mama, Daddy, Nana, Papa, Di-Di (Danielle), Yes, Hi, All done, Again, Light

Signs- all done, more, thank you, please (we are working on teaching him the sign for help)

I think that's pretty good for 14 months! 

- Loves to go to the library for story time on Mondays.

-Has to wave goodbye from the door to Josh and I when we leave in the mornings. My mom says after that he goes upstairs and carries around a little canvas picture of the two of us and says our names over and over. (cue tears here....)

-Totally knows something is happening soon, is very interested in us setting up the new baby's nursery, putting up swing and pack-n-play, etc. 

-His two grandpas are definitely still the family favorites. Misses my dad (Grampy) when he's not home and has to face time Josh's dad (Papa) at least once a day! It's adorable. 

-Starting to show a stubborn streak. Definitely knows what he wants and will try his best to get it. Has no problem whining or shouting to let us know his displeasure. I said to Josh the other day that the real parenting is going to begin now. Any tips on beginning discipline for a toddler? Not against spanking (when necessary) but would love other effective ways too. 14 months is too little for time out? If you've read any great books- please pass along the titles! 

We just love each and every moment that God blesses us with! I don't think I've ever known such joy (or exhaustion! ha!). Babyhood was fun but I'm loving the personality and communication that's happening right now. He's such a fun little person to be around! 

 

 

Some life lately moments:

My sweet school family gave me a diaper shower this week. It is so appreciated- especially with having two in diapers! It was a little gentleman theme. Adorable. 

Making some nursery progress. I need to get out my actual camera and take some good pictures. G's room doesn't have the beautiful big windows that Henry has, so lighting isn't the best.

    We are still trying to pick our a nursery chair. Can't decide between another regular glider or a glider/recliner combo. The recliner sound heavenly for those middle of the night nursing sessions.  

Still adding some fun knick-knacks and art prints over the changing table. 

This is my view a lot lately. I'm just pooped and my hips hurt like a mother. I'm total penguin waddle at this point. Apparently, my blood work last appointment said I was deficient in protein and calcium numbers, so I've been doing my part to up that intake. You know, the random yummy Chick-fil-a milkshake of course! Ha! As much as I long and wish for this baby to arrive soon and have my body back, I need to quit being selfish and just pray for a healthy and happy baby that will arrive when he's good and ready. That being said, I do have an ultrasound next week to check size, since big brother was born over 7 lbs at just 37 weeks. So interested to see what that says. I think this kiddo is a pretty good size too. 

Happy hump day tomorrow!!

Boys, boys, boys.

That title is so appropriate. I'm surrounded (but love it)! 

We got to see our sweet baby G last night in his 3D/4D ultrasound. Such a sweet baby. He definitely has the pouty face down pat. The ultrasound tech could see a double chin and lots of hair! Ha! Again, explains my heartburn! I think he looks just like his daddy- which will totally be who he looks like when he comes out I'm sure. Go figure. Technology is amazing. Seeing these pictures makes his upcoming arrival even more real! My last few appointments I've been measuring 2 weeks ahead and the tech yesterday said he's a pretty good size so at this point I'm pretty much banking on a early arrival (37 weeks or so). Crazy!! 

Henry's 3D/4D pics are below for comparison purposes. I see some resemblance but I think they will definitely look different. 

                    This                This kiddo I think is starting to realize something is up. We have starting setting up the nursery, put the swing and bouncy seat back together, etc. and he just walks around and watches everything! We've started to put a baby doll in those items and talk about how they are for the baby. We'll see if it really helps or if it's all futile. He's still a baby himself. Baby G kicks him all the time when he's on my lap or snuggled next to me. Henry will look up at me as if to say, "Whatcha poking me for?". Ha ha ha! Anyone got any tips on how to acclimate the toddler to the baby? 

Seriously...mad props to single parents. I'm so blessed to have a partner on this crazy wonderful journey of life. Especially being pregnant and exhausted and not having the physical capability to carry a 28 lb. toddler around all day. Daddy comes to the rescue for sure. I LOVE YOU JOSHUA JOHN! 

I have to laugh at the items babies like to play with. We have picture of Danielle and I using this exact colander as a hat when we were little! Who needs toys, right? Doesn't that smile just melt you though. He's such a cheerful kid, I'm so thankful. 

We ordered this double stroller the other day off of Amazon. I'm figuring I'll be glad to have a double stroller come summer time. We got the Joovy Scooter X2. Anyone have this stroller or one of this brand? I'm hoping we love it. It has a HUGE bottom basket, each side can recline and it claims to fit through standard doorways. I'll review it after I've used it a while. Can I just say, how does anyone buy things at a store before first comparing prices on Amazon? This stroller was over a $100 bucks more at Buy Buy Baby and Babies R Us! Seriously?!? Ugh. 

Hope you all have a fabulous Tuesday! Can you believe it's almost Valentine's Day?!

Our exciting news.....

We are going to have another sweet baby!!!

(8 week ultrasound)

I can't even start writing this post without praising our great God!

"Oh for a thousand tongues to sing

My great Redeemer's praise

The glories of my God and King

The triumphs of his grace

A thousand songs are not enough 

To say how great You are

The glories of Your majesty

The triumphs of Your love

Awake my soul to sing

The glories of my God and King

Arise and praise the One

Worthy of the songs of a thousand tongues."

            - Awake My Soul (A Thousand Tongues) Matt Maher

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What's Up Wednesday- Almost Christmas!

What We're Eating This Week

Honestly...I'm afraid to go grocery shopping currently. Not knowing when baby is going to arrive makes me not want to have a fridge full of expired food! I am going to attempt Taco Salad and maybe some homemade Chicken Noodle soup because that just sounds good! 

What I'm Reminiscing About...

I've been loving my Timehop pictures popping up lately. I've been remembering last Christmas with our fun youth group party, work parties with my hubby and my pretty decorated house. The season looks a little different this year but I'm okay with that! 

What I'm Loving.......

I'm loving the sweet little knit hats and gown that my sister gave me for Baby H to wear home from the hospital. The bear hat is my absolute favorite. They did an ultrasound yesterday to check his growth again and the ultrasound tech could see long eyelashes and hair. Lots of hair. Almost mullet like. Ha! So the hat will definitely help hide the mullet til we can take care of that! 

What We've Been Up To.....

Life has definitely not been boring the past week. Friday was a super fun day at school where we did Elf themed STEM science activities. I recruited my hubby to come help for the day. I admit, I was probably on my feet much more than usual but at the end of the day my foot and leg looked like this. Swollen. 

My jean pant legs felt like they were sausage casings. Thankfully I had my weekly appointment with the midwife that afternoon. Of course...I walk in and they take my vitals and low and behold, high blood pressure readings. I NEVER have had high blood pressure in my life until that moment. It was really high too which made it even scarier. She sent me to the hospital to be monitored for a few hours. Josh and I were sure this was it, we'd be meeting our son that night. Nope. He's a stubborn booger. My blood pressure came out of the danger zone but stayed high all weekend. It still is high now. They are making me monitor myself every four hours so now it's just a waiting game! This baby better get moving! I'm thankful for my sister who manually checked me ALL weekend long, every four hours, even through the night. And I'm thankful for my cousin Heidi who had a battery operated blood pressure cuff that I've been using since. I sat around all weekend at my sisters house and while I was there, I took the opportunity to take some pictures in front of a decorated tree. Ours only has lights. Oh and some beaded garland. Please pray that he makes his arrival sooner than later! This mama is excited to meet her sweet boy!

What I'm Dreading...

I've been an emotional mess all weekend. An induction or possibility of a c-section scares me a little bit but whatever it takes to have a healthy baby boy at this point. I know I'm in good hands with my midwife and other healthcare providers and ultimately, a great and awesome God who is always looking out for me. 

What I'm Working On.....

Trying to get this kiddo's baby book on Shutterfly started. I've made one to document this whole pregnancy and I forgot to add these cute pics we took on Thanksgiving. I love my family! 

What I'm Excited About...

Lots of things! How can you not be excited when Christmas is a few days away?
Getting the mail in December is one of my absolute favorites. While I enjoy receiving any kind of mail, Christmas picture cards are my favorite!! I smile every single time I walk by our pantry. What beautiful, precious friends and family we have.

This year we did not send out a Christmas card. Still wishing everyone a most blessed holiday with their loved ones!  I figured I'd be sending out birth annoucements to start the New Years with this sweet baby's real life out of the womb picture! Aren't those lips just precious though?

What I'm Watching/Reading....

I'm sure that I'm not the only Fuller House junkie....a few of you readers must be too! Yes, totally cheesy and non-edgy...but still a great, easy to watch show. Stephanie Tanner was always my favorite and she still is. DJ was a close second. The baby on the show is so cute but I was very relieved that about 3 episodes in they gave him a haircut. Apparently mullets REALLY bother me.

The Crown is another Netflix fave that I finished in a weekend. Yes, that's right. I said a weekend. There was a lot of lounging happening. Great show and while I'm sure not everything is historically accurate, it really shows how young Queen Elizabeth began her rule. I'm excited to see if there will be a season 2 and if it picks up where this one left off. I'm also curious what the Royal family thinks of the show. Maybe family secrets have been spilled.

What I'm Listening To.......

Josh and I have been listening to Christy Nockels' new Christmas album and we love it. Here's two videos that I wanted to share with you. First is Christy giving the story behind a song and the second is the actual song (my favorite) called The Advent Hymn. I love how she describes Advent- the anticipation and longing for the birth of Christ and the parallel to today with us waiting for him to come again. Do we have the same anticipation and longing? Hope you enjoy the videos! 

                                   What I've Been Wearing.....

Anything comfortable! Leggings, tunics, sweatshirts and pajamas! Hello, Christmas break and maternity leave! (I will still care about fashion. Promise.)

What I'm Doing This Weekend.....
Can I say hopefully having a baby?! Ha! Plus, celebrating our Savior's birth with my family. Christmas food, cookies, yum- yum- yum!!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month....

Being a mom! Ahhhh...that sounds CRAZY!! Can't wait!

Baby H's Nursery Reveal

I'm so excited to share my absolute favorite spot in the house with you today! Baby H's nursery! It's finally complete (at least I think so) and ready for his arrival! His sweet daddy worked so hard putting things on the wall and assembling the crib and glider. I had the job of painting the dresser which I think turned out pretty good! 

My idea for the nursery whether the baby had been a girl or boy was to do a simple travel theme. For a girl I would have gone with the same wall color and except for the pops of red I'd substitute coral. I have always loved to travel and figured this baby would most likely have a pretty full passport in his lifetime too. 

I loved this little giraffe print we found at Hobby Lobby. The car print is a picture I snapped in Germany one year. The car is wearing the traditional black forest hat that a lady would wear. The car is a true "lady bug". The little phone booth is a trinket from England and the little dolls are from Japan. My dad brought them back for my sister and I when we were small. 

I love the globes on the side of the changing pad. Josh's Aunt Michele hand painted the black one and the small one my sister picked up at World Market. 

The chicken wire frame I found at a local antique dealer. The frame looked a little rough so we painted it with Annie Sloan chalk paint. Easiest paint to use EVER. 

I went for a classic Jenny Lind style crib. Figured it would work for a boy or a girl. The crib bedskirt is a nice gray linen. I loved the baskets for toys that I found at Marshalls. I wanted the nursery to have different kinds of textures. The curtains were a good find at Target! I loved the print and that it was fun but not too busy. 

The little giraffe on the side of the crib was from Josh's childhood bedroom. It makes me smile to look at it. I loved the prints from IKEA that we hung above the crib. They are like vintage travel posters and they were the perfect amount of boyish style above the crib. 

A lot of my favorite nursery pins on Pinterest feature these cute bookshelves from IKEA. This kiddo has quite the collection of books (more are in the basket on the ground). I love the two framed prints. One was a shower gift from our dear friends the Masonis'. It's an actual painting copy of our 4D ultrasound. What a precious gift. 

I have spent a lot of time rocking in this chair already. It's super comfy and a little wrinkly. Ha. Apparently I need to steam the wrinkles out. 

Last but not least, we love these hot air balloons that my mama made for the nursery. They turned out so cute. She's so creative! 

That's the nursery! 

Here's a vendor list of nursery items:

Wall color- Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams

Crib- Wayfair

Glider- Wayfair

Dresser- thrift find painted Aubusson Blue (Annie Sloan Chalk paint)

Lamp- Target

Curtains- Nate Berkus for Target

Bookshelves- IKEA

Crib Bedding- Pottery Barn

Wooden Letters- Red Barn Marketplace

Wooden shelf- Hobby Lobby

Giraffe Print- Hobby Lobby

Wonderful World Print- Gus and Lula on Etsy

Chicken Wire frame- Vintiques 

Wire basket holding diapers- Hobby Lobby