24 Weeks, Hawaii, Avon

Well here I am 24 weeks and a few days pregnant.  The last week she has really been kicking me.  Especially at night.  The other night I couldn't fall asleep so I stayed up reading until she calmed down.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE feeling her move its just ridiculous at night when I am trying to sleep and she feels like its the best time to make her presence VERY known.  I am trying to remember if Lily was like this.
As far as the nursery goes we haven't gotten very far.  We bought paint about a month ago and last weekend we got my old day bed out of there.  Now we or I need to get my stuff out of there so we can paint.  Our crib and changing table/dresser is going to be delivered the first weekend in March so I know we need to get a jump on things.  We have the bedding so we know the theme.  We are doing Care Bears.  Which are surprisingly hard to find these days.  I have one that I grew up with and we haven't been able to find them in stores or online anywhere except ebay and amazon.com.
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Hawaii.  Our trip was just what we needed.  Ryan was having some rough days at work and I was in need of seeing some sun and relaxation time.  We went to the island of Kauai which is probably the 3rd or 4th most touristy island.  Its more for those that want to find some neat beaches and just relax.  There were a few other things to do but nothing that was like "WE HAVE TO DO THIS WHILE WE'RE HERE".  Our honeymoon in Waikiki was like that.  I felt like everyday there was something that we had to do.  We only spend 1 day at the beach back then.  Whereas this trip I got to go to the beach almost everyday and if not then I sat by our amazing pool and read.  I almost finished the 3rd Twilight book, Eclipse which is a 620 page book so that tells you how much relaxing time I got.  It was great.  The part of the trip that made this possible was that we went with Ryan's parents and his sister and brother-in-law.  So there were 6 of us adults for our 1 toddler.  We took turns watching her during naps so we all could enjoy our time there.  We were very thankful for this.  I don't know that we would or could do another vacation like this without other people there to help us.  Especially on the flights.  We had so much stuff to carry on that we didn't have enough hands.  We had her carseat and stroller plus each of our carry on bags as well as my purse and a diaper bag.  The whole flight process was a lot better than I expected it to be.  Lily did AMAZINGLY well on the way there.  If it weren't for the portable DVD player though I don't know how well she would have done.  She only had the equivalent of about an hour nap the day we left and she stayed up to what would be 2am our time when we landed in Hawaii.  She was amazing.  But when we made it to the condo she didn't exactly sleep very well.  It was kind of an adjustment for her for the first 2 days but then she fell right into her old routine only in Hawaii time.  Hawaii is 4 hours behind us.  So 8am home time was 4am Hawaii time.  She adjusted better in Hawaii than when we got home.  It took her a week to break the Hawaii time once we were at home.
The beach initially was not Lily's favorite.  She didn't like the sand sticking to her.  This may have been remedied if we had introduced her to playing in the sand this past summer but her sand box wasn't done yet.  But she did play in the ocean and with the sand a little.  She really liked the pool at the hotel.  It had a kid area that was the Zero depth entry but the bottom of the pool was a sand gravel.  The kind that didn't stick to you.  She loved playing in this type of sand.  She wanted to go play in the water every day regardless of the weather.  There was one day we all sat around the pool while she played and it was sprinkling.  It didn't bother her at all.
We did go to a Luau one night and we did a tubing adventure as well.  So it wasn't ALL beach and pool but mostly.  Its amazing how easy it was to not get on the computer while we were there.  I wish I could do that when I am at home.  I just always felt like "I can do that at home so I'm not doing it here".  I did get on occasionally to check emails and our accounts.  But other than that I am amazed at how easy it was to ignore the internet and even the TV.
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Not that I want to be one of those people that has their sales pitch in everything, but Avon is becoming a fun part of my life now so I thought I'd share.  I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I do.  Selling Partylite was so completely different.  I felt when I was selling it that I was asking people to spend so much money on stuff that they don't necessarily need.  Now don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with spending money on things you want...when the price is reasonable.  AVON doesn't make me feel like that.  Avon's products stand up to their reputation AND they are AFFORDABLE!!  I was a customer before I started selling so I feel I can say that without feeling biased.  I love the makeup....that's where I started as a customer and now I love the lotion (Skin So Soft) as well as the jewelery and fashion.  I most recently took a skincare clinic and learned a lot about AVON's skincare line.  These products are great.  I just started doing an anti-aging regimen.  I know what you are thinking...I'm only 27 but after doing this clinic and reading more about the products I have discovered that its never too early to start an anti-aging line. 97% of dermatologists agree: the best way to treat and protect your skin throughout your lifetime is to start a daily anti-aging skin care regimen as early as possible.  What is a regimen you say?  Basically a cleanser (Cleanse), day cream, night cream (Moisturize), and an eye cream (treat).  All of these products are available in AVON's Anew skin care lines.  They are each targeted towards a certain age group or skin type.  I started with the Rejuvenate line which is recommended for ages 30+.  Its mainly for those with no or very few lines and somewhat still young skin.  I love the cleanser and face creams.  I think that I will continue using it.  Now initially they are kind of expensive, but AVON has trial kits available for less than $20 and you can buy one product at a time too so you aren't spending it all at once.  I would start with the day cream because it has SPF in it and that's the first place you want to start when protecting your skin against aging.  Each of the 3 Anew lines have SPF 25 in their day creams.  These products while seem expensive up front are worth it because they work and they last.  The little jars really have a lot of product and it doesn't take much product to cover your face so you will get your moneys worth.  You will not be disappointed either.  I never thought I'd start an anti-aging process now especially since I still get told I look like I am in high-school.  I just know that down the road that will be a HUGE compliment to me.  I'd like to always look younger especially once I turn 30.
There's a reason AVON has been around so long and that's because they have a great reputation for putting out products that work and people keep coming back to products and a company they trust and love.
Alright I think that's it for now.  I'm off my sales pitch.  If you read this and you want to try some of AVON's Anew skincare products let me know.  I can get you some samples or you can order "try it" sizes for very little money!  You won't be disappointed.

20 Weeks Pregnant and 11 Days til Hawaii

I am "officially" half-way done with the pregnancy when you count weeks.  If you count the fact that I will be having a c-section a week early then I have less than half left.  Its all give or take a week anyways.
Last Monday was my doctor appointment and I had a blood test to test for anemia and downs syndrome.  My results came back normal.  PTL!  So this time I am not anemic, which I was with Lily.  So I won't have to take an iron supplement this time.
Tomorrow I have my 2nd official ultrasound.  This is when I would have originally found out what we are having.  I am excited to get to see her again.  I am hoping the lady will show us some 3D too.
We hope to get a crib this weekend.  We are going with Ryan's parents who have offered to get us a new crib so that Lily doesn't have to give hers up.  We also need to go get paint so we can start that now that we have the bedding picked out.  I just want to have everything done and ready good and early this time around so there are no worries if we get to bring her home early.

11 Days til we leave for Hawaii.  Cannot get here any sooner!  However, it has creeped up on me and I feel like there is so much to do to get ready.  Mainly packing so we don't forget anything.  I am certain that I have over packed which is ok because when you are pregnant you never know what is going to be comfortable to wear so I want plenty of options.  The average temps this time of year are 75-78 F.  Which sounds amazing compared to the 10 degrees that it has been here.  Can't wait!  I am a little nervous for the plane ride and how Lily will do.  But I am not going to let my worries ruin the vacation!
I think that's it for now.

14 Weeks

Well this should be the end of the road for the nausea and morning sickness.  So far it hasn't been.  It has gotten better, but we're not out of the woods yet.  With Lily I was still getting sick til about 20 Weeks.  As long as its gone by the time we go to Hawaii (50 Days away).
I go to the doctor this coming Friday for a regular pre-natal visit.  I assume she will start measuring my belly since I am showing now.  I looked at my belly pictures from my 1st pregnancy and I look like I did at about 18-19 weeks with Lily.   So I am definitely showing a lot quicker this time around.  Hopefully that doesn't mean a big baby!

Lily has been nothing short of entertaining these days.  She repeats EVERYTHING you say so she knows more words than I can count now.  We are working on colors now since she has most her animal noises down.  Its so much fun hearing new words and sounds from her these days.  I can't wait for Christmas this year because she will actually get to interact with the gifts and toys.  We also plan to start a tradition of reading the Christmas story out of the Bible.  It should be fun since we got her the Fisher-Price Nativity Set and she already is very familiar with who Baby Jesus is. 

Preparing for Baby #2.  So far all I have done is buy a few newborn diapers when they are on sale.  I recently discovered that Luvs makes newborn diapers which is awesome!  If you can find a store that actually carries them.  I did have to cave and buy a pack of Pampers (which are my favorite but most expensive) I at least had a coupon.  I am going to try to buy a pack a month til the baby comes to get us pretty well stocked up.  Just hopefully we won't need 2 months worth of premie diapers like we did with Lily.  I am planning for a normal end to the pregnancy this time around.  We haven't done anything to the baby's room as of yet.  Kinda hard to get motivated when we don't know what we are having.  Until then we are trying to figure out where we are going to store my old day bed as well as a TV and bookshelf.  I am sure we will figure something out.  I hate to get rid of the bed cause we could use it for Lily when she gets older.  So we'll see.  So right now we just wait a couple more weeks til we know what we are having then we can really get started.  I am thinking I might be crafty this time around and make the bedding.  We shall see!

Where does time go?

Oh boy, still can't believe Lily will be 18 Months old on Sunday. Where has time gone? I feel like we just brought her home from the hospital. I realized this today as I held my friend's new baby girl not even a day old yet. She weighs just under 5 lbs. Tiny little angel. It made me forget how little they start out. Even though Lily weighed almost a pound more than her it still reminded me of holding her. Lily came with me to the hospital and as soon as she saw me holding her she immediately wanted to be on my lap on top of the baby. She kept saying baby and pointing at her. I don't know if she was jealous or just interested in the baby. She had a cute pink hat on and a pretty pink outfit. I was able to share Lily's preemie clothes with them as they will most certainly need them for awhile. We didn't have many cause we were blessed to borrow some from friends whose 1st baby was pre-mature as well. But I am glad that they are getting worn again.

I look at Lily each day and notice new things she's doing. So much of me wants to be able to remember how she is at this age because she's most certainly entertaining and so funny with everything she does and says. I know I should be journaling things and I do but I am just afraid that I will forget the little things like the way she sings "Veggietales" when she wants to watch them. Or how she runs from you in her crib in the morning like she can really get far. Or the boat noise she makes in the bathtub with her boat and fish toys. Each moment so precious each moment passing so fast. I just pray that I am able to take time to notice each new thing she does and that I can cherish and remember these things later when she is all grown up and I am wondering what happened to my cute little toddler? She will always be my baby.

Our family will be taking a vacation to Hawaii this January. We will be going with Ryan's parents and sister & brother- in- law. We are very excited. Hoping and praying that the plane ride will not be torture to us or those around us. We may just have to invest in a portable DVD player and put on some Veggietales for her. This trip is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. Most of the vacations that Ryan and I have taken have been so planned and each day filled with things we HAD to do. This trip will not be that way. Ryan's even saying he doesn't want to bring his cell phone. I don't know if I will go that far. But I am looking forward to getting away from distractions of everyday life and basking in God's amazing creation. Can't wait to lay on the beach and read. It will be just what we need.

Currently Reading:

One Vacation to the Next

Sunday we left for Omaha, NE.  We got there around 5pm.  Lily slept a whole 40 minutes the way there so she was pretty tierd.  We didn't do much Sunday night but run errands to the local walmart and then got dinner.  We put her to bed and then watched TV.

Monday we woke and went to the Omaha Zoo.  We arrived there at about 9:45am.  Lily had so much fun and did SOOOOOOOOO well on no nap all day long.  We saw lions, tigers, and bears...oh my!  (I had to) as well as elephants, giraffes, monkeys, gorillas, all kinds of birds, butterflies, etc.  She really enjoyed the lions and the fish at the aquarium.  I am so proud of her and how well she did.  She finally conked out at 5pm when we were getting ready to leave the zoo.  We bought her a stuffed lion that she immediately became attached to and is now one of the animals she sleeps with.  

Tuesday we spent the day walking around downtown Omaha.  We walked across this neat pedestrian bridge over the missouri river.  We then ate lunch at the spaghetti factory.  After lunch we went and got ice cream at this hole in the wall homemade ice cream shop called Ted & Wally's it was pretty good.  I got White Chocolate Cappuccino Ice Cream and Ryan got Root beer ice cream.  His tasted like a root beer float.  Both were excellent.  Lily enjoyed them as well.   Tuesday evening we went to an Omaha Royals game but Lily was tired so we had to leave early in the 6th inning.  It was about 8:30pm anyways.

Wednesday Morning we woke up and ate breakfast then headed home.  Lily slept a little on the way home then just sat there like a perfect little angel the whole way home.  We got home and she napped for over 2 hours!  Much needed after the last couple days she had.

Today we left for the airport before 10am and flew to Denver for Bekah's wedding.  This was Lily's first plane ride and she really enjoyed it.  She liked the take-off but as soon as we were in the air she fell asleep and slept until we landed.  So she was awake for the exciting parts of the flight.  We got to the hotel after waiting FOREVER to get our rental car and we put her down for a much needed nap which she decided playing in her bed was more important and finally fell asleep after an hour or so.  Then we had to wake her up cause we had to be at dinner at 6:30pm.  Course this is all an hour "earlier" with the time change so dinner was starting at what would be Lily's bedtime.  She did pretty good during dinner.  She had a blast running around the room at the restaurant.  She got some kind of second wind and got all this energy all of a sudden right before we left.  She never ceases to amaze me.

Tomorrow is the big day (or today since its past midnight back home).  We get our hair done at 11:30am then I go with Bek to help with pictures at 3:30pm then the wedding is at 6pm.  Ryan and his parents are taking Lily to the Denver Zoo during this time.  Which is great for her and for me so I can spend this time with Bekah helping her do whatever she needs me to do to make her day less stressful!  So be praying that everything goes well and that Bekah isn't stressed out.

Walking Everywhere!

I didn't realize how long it has been since I have written.  I guess I have been pretty busy chasing Lily around.  She seemed to pick up on walking pretty quickly.  After taking some real good steps Sunday, April 26th she has been unstoppable.  She still needs to master being able to stand back up after falling.  Right now she crawls to something she can pull up on then starts walking again.  I know she can do it but she's only done it twice.  Now all we need to work on is making sure she can make it down the aisle at my sister's wedding.  We most likely will have to use an incentive at the other end like puffs or mommy's keys.  I don't know what her fascination is with my keys but she knows where to find them and if you try to take them away from her she gets very upset.  Sometimes I give them to her just cause I know it will make her happy for the time being.

This week we switched her carseat around to face forward.  I think she's happier now in the car because she can see what's going on better.  This week we also changed sleeping schedules.  Lily used to wake up about 8am drink some milk then go right back to bed til about 10am.  No such luck anymore.  Now we wake up at 7:15am and stay up til about 9:30am and nap til about 11am.  This pushed back her afternoon nap til about 2  or 3pm.  Either way she's still getting the same amount of sleep just at different intervals.  It also means that mommy can't go back to sleep in the mornings like I had been doing.  But thats good cause now I can get stuff done around the house while she is taking her morning nap.  Like right now I am blogging which I have not done in 2 months.  

Things are going well for us otherwise.  Ryan has been working on a wooden swingset for Lily but lately has not had much time to finish it.  Once it is done it will be great because Lily loves being outside and it will give us something else to do outside together.

Photography has been kinda slow for me this year which is good and bad.  Good cause it gives me more freetime and bad because I am not making a lot of money.  I have been trying to come up with ways to generate more print sales after portrait sessions have past.  So if you are a former customer of mine stay tuned for discounted prints if you still have some you'd like to order that you couldn't quite afford at the time.

This summer is jam packed for us starting with this weekend:

Saturday, May 23rd- Going to Lincoln for a family BBQ at Ryan's Cousin's house

Memorial Day- Royals game with Ryan's family

Sunday, May31st- June 3rd- Going to Omaha as a family to visit the Zoo and maybe an Omaha Royals game.

Thursday, June 4-6th- Going to Colorado for Bekah's wedding.  I am the Matron of Honor, Lily is the flower girl and Ryan will be an usher.

July 3rd- Royals game

July 4th- Annual Biery family dinner and shooting off fireworks in Topeka, KS

Friday, July 10- Bekah's in-town wedding reception.

Saturday, July 25th- Andrew & Abbie's wedding in Fort Scott, KS

That's about all I can think of for now.  I am sure other events will pop up.