20 week bump {baby boy #2}

Confession. I've been really bad about taking pictures of the bump this time around.  I still love you just the same baby boy, but I must admit, I have a lot more to keep me from getting to photo taking & blog posting this time around. 

 

 

But the good news is that the bump really just started to get big enough to be picture worthy anyway, so my lack of documentation up until now really hasn't mattered THAT much. :)

 

 

I have felt pretty much exactly the same this pregnancy as the first.  Not sure if it's just because it's me or if it's because it's another boy.  But I'm not complaining because I really did have a blessed & smooth pregnancy last time & would love a repeat!

 

The main difference this time is that:

 

1.  My hubby is not deployed miles and miles away. 

 

&

 

2. I have a little 15 month old to chase around.

 

Two very good improvements upon last time, I think. 

 

So, now onto little mister in the belly...You are quite the squirmer.  I felt you for the first time around 15-16 weeks. And you get stronger each week!  We had your 20 week ultrasound today and you are still a boy, so that's good!  You also would NOT keep still.  All of our images are a little on the blurry side because someone was wanting to have a boxing match with the sonographer's tool.  Every time she pressed on my belly, you matched her with a punch or kick.  It was really funny to watch/feel :)

 

I love this picture with your leg propped up in the air--almost right up to your mouth.  You definitely love the acrobatics and maybe a little toe sucking? ;)

 Big brother was not very excited about the ultrasound...in fact, he cried nearly the entire time--perhaps a first glimpse for him of what sharing the lime light will look like?

I know he will love you.  And we've taught him to say baby, so although he has no idea what's in store when you arrive, at least he will know what to call you :)

 

Weekend Hiking

 

 

Although our weekend didn't actually fall over the Labor Day weekend (my hubby works crazy hours), we did enjoy a nice weekend together right before Labor Day.  Weekends together are the best.  It's amazing how Ephram even knows that weekends are WAY better because daddy & mommy are BOTH home. 

 

I am usually  not a great consignment sale hunter, but I happened to score this AWESOME hiking baby carrier at a sale recently.  Brand new & 1/3rd of the price--yay!!    Ben was really excited too because for a while now, Ephram has not been able to sit comfortably on his back in the Ergo.  I think it's because my husband has a ridiculously long torso, so rather than being able to see from a high perch on dad's back, Ephram was getting smooshed down in the middle of his back & couldn't really see anything.  *I still love my Ergo though* and Ben has no problems using it forward facing, but I think as Ephram got bigger (he takes after his daddy in the height department), he needed a big boy solution. This fancy pants carrier has a torso adjuster....awesome.

 

ANYWAY, all that to say, we were happy for the find & decided to hop on over to the state park to give it a try.  Little mister & his daddy both loved it and we had a great time at the park.  Minus the part at the end where we got back into the car after feeling nice & accomplished with our hike and had ticks ALL over us.  Ughhh...

 

I may have  been a hot mess the rest of the day, trying to pick phantom ticks off my body.  Yeesh. 

 

I think we may wait a month or two more for our next hike...I'm still recovering from the trauma. 

 

 

what a cute little peanut.  I love both of these guys. 

 

 

Ephram and Texas

I know it's so cliché to say it, but this summer has flown by! I really can't believe that it's the middle of August, that my birthday is right around the corner & that kids are going back to school this week. 

 

We were able to squeeze in a little family vacation to Texas before summer's end & sweet little mister had his first experience with the sand & ocean.  He had a blast playing with his daddy in the sand while momma photo-documented it all. Don't worry, I'll only share a  few ;)

 

 

just like daddy.

 





 

surveying.

 

 

nephew & aunt.  loves her as much as the beach.

 

 

A little lady or a handsome gent?

 We were blessed to have any early sonogram at 15 weeks on our vacation with a sweet friend and talented sonographer!   We are thrilled to announce that...

Ephram is excited for a little brother! And oh BOY are we gearing up for a lively household of four:). 

Maternity Photo Shoot

 I was so thrilled to have the opportunity recently to take maternity photos for some sweet friends! I am not a professional, but they entrusted me and my camera anyway & I am grateful for the chance to work on my skills!

Here are some of my favorites from this very fun session.  They were so easy to photograph and we had a lot of fun in the process.  And yes, that last picture is of a 38 week preggo getting some air--be impressed.  She rocks. 

Carter...Party of 4

 

Ephram's got some exciting news to share!

 

 

Coming in January of 2014:

Little man is going to be a BIG brother!

 

Mama's got another peanut in the oven & we are feeling immensely blessed for this gift.

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

4th of July Fun!

Well, I meant to post this on Monday, which would have been much more appropriate.  But you know, life happens & today's Thursday and here I am posting about our 4th of July.

 

We had a great weekend & I must say, the military really knows how to put on an Independence Day party. 

 

Ephram got to pet lots of different animals & had a blast on his first pony ride. 

 We had a great BBQ with friends & I attempted my first cherry, blueberry pie (fresh, picked I might add).   Here are the highlights!

 

 

                              

                               

                                

 

My uncooked pie....I didn't get a photo of it cooked- it got eaten so fast, but it was pretty!