baby #2: 20 weeks

Posted on February 14, 2014 by tara

(written February 12th)

Baby’s size: Crown-to-rump length is between 5.66 and 6.5 inches, and at our ultrasound baby weighed 10 ounces!
Maternity clothes?: None yet! Somehow my pants are still buttoning…
Gender: We know!!! I will definitely be sharing soon, but Michael’s parents were supposed to come to town this weekend, and I was planning to surprise our family in person first. Sadly, the snow kept them from coming, but I have a pretty creative back-up scheme.
Sleep: Great quality, low quantity. I also seem to remember my dreams really well.
Movement: Still lots! I actually felt it on the outside of my belly with my hand for the first time ever today. Baby also had the hiccups during the ultrasound!
Cravings: Milk and chocolate-chip cookies.
What I miss: Naps. Kaya has been resisting naps (not because she doesn’t need it, because she is obviously very cranky and overtired), so that means no break for me. Oh well… Maybe she’s just preparing me for when I have two kids and they don’t sleep at the same time.
Anything making you queasy or sick?: I still have a few nauseous moments here and there, but nothing big. We even ate chicken paninis this week!
Belly Button in or out?: In for sure.
Exercising?: Ran 20 miles total this week.
Mood: Relieved to finally know baby’s gender and so excited to kiss those little cheeks in July!
Best moment this week: Seeing our sweet baby’s face at our ultrasound!
Looking forward to: Having a little birthday celebration 🙂
Comparison: 20 weeks with Kaya!

26

Posted on February 12, 2014 by tara

Today is my birthday.

I’m 26.

For the first time in the past few years, it’s not about the number for me.

20 was the kickoff to a new decade.
21 made me a “real” adult.
25 marked a quarter of a century.

Hitting these milestones made me feel like my 20s were zooming on by. Every year was another one closer to being 30. 40. 50.

I’m done counting the years, because now I’m counting the moments. I’ve had 26 years full of amazing opportunities for growing, loving, and becoming the person I was made to be.(source)

I have a lifetime full of heart-melting snuggles, smiles, and kisses from my baby girl.
My husband loves me regardless of how many times I annoy him with the same exact question, problem, or request.
And today, I get to see my new baby through ultrasound for the second time.

Today is my birthday.

I’m 26.

My heart is so full and my life is so blessed.

i know

Posted on February 10, 2014 by tara

On Sunday, we enjoyed a special musical performance by one of our sister missionaries.

The hymn has been my favorite for years, and this arrangement in particular touched my heart.

I know that my Reedemer lives- but how often do I actually take the time to acknowledge Him and all He does for me?

Too often I am caught up in some thought or worry that won’t even matter in a few days.

There is always something waiting to be checked off my to-do list.

I get frustrated with my imperfections and shortcomings.

And all the while, as I groan and cry and fret about things that don’t really matter, He is waiting for me to come to Him. He is there, ready to pacify me.

(source: LDS Gospel Art Library)

Most of all, He wants me to be happy. He wants all of us to find joy.

I know that He lives, and as time goes on, I hope I can do better to acknowledge Him more throughout my day.

five on friday: the cute and the crazy

Posted on February 7, 2014 by tara

ONE. We visited Daddy at work for lunch one day this week. I think it’s obvious that they both loved it 🙂We also played with ALL his highlighters.

TWO. This little boy… is seriously so CUTE! We had a mini-photoshoot just to get a picture for his birthday invitations. It was hard with two little tornadoes running around our makeshift set, but we got a couple of adorable shots like this so I’d call it success!

THREE. Where’s Kaya?

FOUR. This picture encompasses almost everything she loves: her toy car, wearing necklaces, and listening to music from the bluetooth speaker. I also love that her tongue is sticking out!

FIVE. I love this wild-smiling, crazy-haired girl (who climbs on everything).

Happy weekend!

Linking up with Natasha, April, Christina, and Darci today!

baby #2: 19 weeks

Posted on February 6, 2014 by tara

I see maybe the tiiiniest little bump this week!
Baby’s size: Crown-to-rump length is 5.25 to 6 inches, and it weighs about 7 ounces.
Maternity clothes?: Still wearing regular everything, but I’m definitely glad I have some long tank tops to layer under things!
Gender: We find out in ONE WEEK! I can’t believe that next week at this time, we will know!
Sleep: Awesome. We’re just not awesome at going to bed on time (obviously nothing has changed since my last pregnancy…)
Movement: LOTS more this week! I’ve started to notice it a lot more often since it’s getting so much stronger. When Kaya was a little bigger, she used to kick and push her feet into the right side of my belly… and it feels like this baby is doing the same. I actually have seen my stomach moving on the outside a couple times. It’s crazy!
Cravings: Chocolate-chip cookies, mini wheats, and cocoa puffs.
What I miss: Guiltlessly eating raw cookie dough… I might’ve snuck a few pieces this week.
Anything making you queasy or sick?: I had two days this week where the nausea came back. Super weird.
Belly Button in or out?: In for sure.
Exercising?: Only 16 miles run and two walked last week due to weather… but I’m back on track for this week.
Mood: Excited!
Best moment this week: Seeing baby move on the outside for the first time!
Looking forward to: Next week! My birthday, our ultrasound, and Valentine’s Day!
Comparison: 19 weeks with Kaya!

2013 in review

Posted on February 5, 2014 by tara

I know that most people write their “year in review” posts around New Year’s day… but I really wanted to include Baby #2 in this, and since we just announced a couple weeks ago, it had to wait till now!

January

-Kaya played in the snow for the very first time.
-She learned to roll over!
-Jeff and Lelia moved back to town and we had a lot of crazy fun with them and Karl!

February

-Kaya had her first ever play date with Mia!

-I celebrated my 25th birthday and was surprised with my 5D Mark II 🙂

-Kaya made the cutest Valentine’s Day card ever for her daddy.
-I started my cake decorating classes!
-Lelia and I made our first-ever quilt without any “adult supervision” 🙂

March

-We had some fun visits with some out of town friends (the Cooks and Laura)!
-We met baby Liam for the first time ever!

April

-We picnicked with friends!
-We visited with my mom.
-Michael completed 100 miles for the Tour de Cure!
-I went to Utah for the first time ever!

May

-I said goodbye to my sweet guinea pig, Maggie.
-I celebrated my first Mother’s Day 🙂
-We enjoyed the spring weather on the swings!
-We celebrated our 4-year anniversary… and adopted Jax the same day! 🙂June

-Kaya went swimming for the first time ever!
-My mom came up to visit (and get baby cuddles)!
-Kaya finally started eating solid food!
-Michael celebrated his first Father’s Day.
-Jax went to the dog park for the first time and met his cousin, Fallon!
-We enjoyed some time down on the river with the Irwins!

July

-We cooked out with friends and saw some gorgeous fireworks on the 4th!
-We enjoyed more pool time, celebrated Pioneer Day and Lelia and Brittany’s birthdays.
-All three of us went out to Utah this time!

August

-Kevin and Tori got married!
-We visited Temple Square and Hogle Zoo before coming home from Utah!
-I shared my very favorite whole-wheat chocolate-chip muffin recipe.
-Michael celebrated his 26th birthday!

September

-Kaya finger-painted for the first time.
-We soaked up the last of the warm weather and had one final cookout with friends!
-I took Kaya’s one-year photos!
-We celebrated her first birthday!October

-We enjoyed General Conference with friends!
-Lelia and I made pumpkin bread and cookies ~~a million times~~.
-I told you some awesome facts about Michael!
-We went pumpkin picking when Kevin and Tori came out to visit!
-We trick-or-treated a lot with our little elephant 🙂
-Lelia and I hosted an awesome Halloween party!November

–Juni passed away.
-Kaya had her first “real” sickness.
-We found out we were pregnant with baby #2!
-We enjoyed a ton of delicious food with all our family at Thanksgiving!

December

-We went to the town Christmas parade!
-Kaya met (and was afraid of) Santa Claus.
-We saw Peanut on ultrasound for the first time at 11 weeks!
-We decorated gingerbread cookies!
-We traveled home to celebrate Christmas a few days early with our families.
-We delivered homemade goodies to friends!
-We celebrated our first Christmas at home, just the three of us.
I’m amazed at how much our family has grown and changed this past year! Here’s to a great 2014 🙂

50 degrees

Posted on February 3, 2014 by tara

It’s amazing what a difference the weather can make in your mood (or mine, at least). The temperature for the whole weekend was around 50 degrees, and the sunshine felt heavenly! We took full advantage with walking, swinging (Kaya), running (me) and biking (Michael).

She loved just watching the world go by her as we walked, and the swings were more fun than ever now that she’s a little older.

Her happiness didn’t last long once we got inside, though. She’s still teething and just wanted to be held… thank goodness for baby wearing so that I could still prepare dinner!
We tried this enchilada recipe. It seemed good, and Michael really liked it… but as is usual with me lately, I don’t want to eat anything I cook. It all just seems unappealing. She was so happy to cuddle with her daddy as soon as she woke up on Sunday morning! I love her smile.And of course there were even more cuddles just before bedtime! I love these two together.

Happy Monday! 🙂

Michael and Tara

It's Us!

Monthly Archives: February 2014