Shutterfly

Shutterfly is doing a sweepstakes where the Grand prize is a trip to the Bahamas.  I don’t normally post about contests, but I use Shutterfly regularly and wanted to help promote them :) All you have to do is post a picture with a caption on their facebook page.  Each week is a different theme.  Click the link to see the full explanation of the contest http://bit.ly/SFLYSummer !

Baby update

I am 30 weeks along in this pregnancy and aside from suffering from a cold/sinus infection I have felt good.  This little boy is not the mover and shaker Elliot was.  He is living on my left side and tries with all his might to get a foot under my ribs (but I don’t allow it). Little man is head down, so when he isn’t kicking my ribs he is using his head to push on my bladder….oh the joy :) As with Elliot my platelet count is dropping, so I will continue to get blood work done to monitor my numbers…click here to read my post describing this when I was pregnant with Elliot. We are also experiencing a few different things this pregnancy.  I have developed a heart palpitation.  I have seen a cardiologist and he thinks it is PVC (Premature ventricular contractions are heartbeats that occur earlier than they should. These early beats briefly interrupt the heart's rhythm).  He says it is commonly brought on my stress, pregnancy, caffeine, etc.  I will have an echocardiogram in a month just to make sure, but the doctor predicts it will go away once little man is born.

Little man is also experiencing his own issue.  His kidneys are dilated (filled with fluids).  They are only mildly dilated, but need to continue to be monitored.  This could mean several things, but the dilation could just be there naturally. We won't know until he's born. I will have another ultrasound in 4 weeks just to keep monitoring it. The doc isn't really too concerned. Jared and I are also feeling ok with everything. There's a good chance it'll clear up on its own before birth. 

 

Week 27 ultrasound…cute little man                                             Week 29 Belly bump

We went to the Angels game when they played the Royals.  Elliot is sporting his daddy’s old Royals shirt (Grandma sent it to him in the mail)!

We have officially started potty training.  I read a book about a 3 day method.  The author’s philosophy was consistent to a book I read when Elliot was first born about needing only three days to teach a child something.  We are on day three….I am having my doubts.  I fully planned on it taking us 4 days because Elliot is stubborn and HATES to stop playing.  I’m not sure if Elliot is learning or if Jared and I are just learning to read his potty signs better, but he hasn’t had an accident today.  He has successfully stayed dry at naps and bedtime.  BUT he still won’t tell me when he has to go!  I have to tell him he looks like he has to potty and then hurry him into the bathroom (all the while Elliot is telling me no).  He then usually does a good job and pees (or poos) a decent amount.  Keep your fingers crossed he starts telling me!!! We have a trip coming up in a week and I need him potty trained.

 

Doesn’t his bottom look cute in undies :)

Palm Springs

In celebration of our 8th anniversary Jared and I went to Palm Springs! We left Elliot with another couple who has a daughter his age and we spent the weekend relaxing. Forgot the camera, so enjoy iphone pics of our weekend!

8 Years ago these two cuties were wed!

 

8 years ago July 16th, Jared and I were married.  I feel so blessed to have found the person I was meant to be with at such an early age.  We met, dated, and were engaged in college. We married shortly after graduation.  Like every relationship we have had our ups and downs, but we have managed to grow and change together rather than apart.  The past few years with Elliot has only brought us closer.  When I look back on that day I am so happy with everything…. The friends who stood by us on that day I am happy to say are still in my life and my best friends. I knew I chose them for a reason!  I look forward to this next year of being a family and everything it has in store for us (baby and a big move!!).

Happy Anniversary Babe! It’s been a wonderful 8 years!

Celebrating Elliot!

Because we did a big party while home in KC, Elliot’s actual birthday was a fun family day.  Elliot woke up to balloons and a new train set!  He helped himself right up on the table and started playing! We then went to the Long Beach aquarium.  We gave Elliot lunch options and he chose…In and Out! After, it was home for presents and a cupcake.  Elliot received a balance bike from both sets of grandparents…Thanks guys :), magnetic alphabet from us, and a Pluto doll to keep Mickey company at night!  All we wanted for this day was for Elliot to feel special…I think we accomplished that! He had a smile on his face most of the day!

Touching the jelly fish

Not touching the sting rays…he’d have his hand in the water until one got close

Weird looking fish…..and Nemo

Pretty sure he’s smiling at me :)

Went swimming the following day.  Elliot LOVES jumping in the pool by himself!

Home to KC

This post is VERY picture dense.  Enjoy :)

Jared had the month of June off before he started his residency, so we took a week long trip home to KC! We started the visit at my parents’ house playing in the pool and meeting our new niece. We made a trip to the zoo where Elliot got to see a polar bear up close! It was fun watching Elliot and Marissa play, they are of the age where they are finally interacting with each other.  We made our routine trip to one of my favorites…Taco Via….YUM. My sister and I also hosted a birthday party for our 2 year olds (they are only a week apart in age).  Elliot was in heaven…Mickey Mouse theme, at a park, with friends, family, and cupcakes! We were also lucky enough to be able to attend Ella’s baptism.  I am Marissa and Ella’s God Mother, so it was special to be able to be at the ceremony.

The second part of the visit we stayed with Jared’s parents and had a mini reunion because Jared’s siblings were in town! Elliot had a playmate in his cousin Solomon.  He really looks up to him and it is so cute watching him “be like” his older cousin. We enjoyed our time at Antioch Park playing in “Old Dodge Town” and having a picnic.  Because it was Father’s Day we set up a little photo booth session with the dads.  We went to Deanna Rose Farmstead and got to see and pet many animals.  Elliot loved the goats…he went around touching each one.  Elliot even got to feed one with a bottle (Jared took over when they started getting aggressive). Grandma and the boys made ice cream one night. We spent a lot of time relaxing in the backyard with the pool or in the house in the air conditioning!

Awesome trip home!  It was really good seeing everyone!

Jared got his long awaited iPad (very happy guy!)