First School Pictures

Remember my post about the 'parenting failure' when I forgot it was school picture day and sent Betsy to school with scrubby clothes and barely brushed hair? These are the photographic evidence.


And the one picture I HAVE to buy is the class picture, including Betsy, cousin William, and Betsy's first boyfriend Ryder (who Ben says looks like a seventh grader in this picture). I see blackmail in the future. About 15 years in the future.

Baby 2.0 doctor appointment 2

I had an appointment today, originally scheduled for late in the afternoon but it was bumped up to 11:00 am. Though I had to wait a while I was in a good mood (do you know how seldom my opportunities to SIT and READ are lately?!) when I saw Dr. Greene. She asked about morning sickness (none!) and other symptoms. I let her know I've started swelling but as my blood pressure is beautiful (her words, not mine) we're not worried about the swelling. Plus it goes away when I lay down, as opposed to last pregnancy I tried everything and got no relief!

Dr. Greene gave me a surprise ultrasound and baby B looks so different today than he or she did five weeks ago! I'm still measuring right along with my due date, December 10th. Baby B was moving around constantly and waving to us the whole time. Dr. Greene gave me my first ultrasound with Betsy a little over two years ago but she seemed more into it this time, because there is more to look at when the baby is 12 weeks versus 6 weeks along. Arms, legs, proportional head, and clearly defined movements.

Dr. G says everything looks perfect and I'm doing great for my first trimester. I've gained 7 pounds in the first trimester which is a teeny bit more than I was hoping for but I'm not too upset. I remember my weight stabilizing for a long time as eating starts to get uncomfortable as my stomach is forced to share space with my expanding uterus and growing kid!

Also today I scheduled the rest of my appointments between now and delivery. They are monthly until September, then biweekly until November 10th and weekly until baby's arrival. And probably the one I am most excited about, we will be learning the gender of Baby B on July 6th.

Here are the pictures, a great appointment overall :)
Baby's face, and hand waving

Measuing right on track!

My favorite picture, you can see the baby's shape, leg and arm.

Come to think of it, in that last picture the baby resembles someone else I know...

Oh Happy Day.

It's funny how the definition of 'a spectacular evening' changes from one stage of life to the next.

Ten years ago it was running around Clear Lake with my girlfriends from church, maybe a slumber party, maybe playing pranks on the guys we hung out with.

Five years ago it was having my girlfriends over for 'weight watchers night' dinner and watching Grey's Anatomy in my first apartment in Huntsville, Texas.

Nowadays it's Ben and I getting home about the same time, eating dinner together at the table with Betsy, having family play time in the playroom, watching the sweet girl pick up every doll in her bedroom to give it a hug and a kiss before bed, snuggling Bets until she falls asleep, watching Big Bang Theory uninterrupted, and getting to sleep in the same bed with my husband all night because Betsy's teething pain doesn't hurt so bad and we don't have to share the bed with her anymore.

I wonder what life will look like in another five years.

We're back!

Two weeks after my sinus infection began, morphed into an ear infection I'm finally feeling all better. Here are a few pictures of Bets from this weekend, how can you not love pictures of a sweet girl in a pink tutu swimsuit?

Ben is golfing with his friends and brother today and I'm catching up the laundry and playing with Betsy (especially 'architect' as Bets has a new found love of her mega-blocks). Another turn of events is the discovery Betsy is teething again, all four of her canine teeth are coming in and she is a drooly mess. Poor kiddo is quite uncomfortable at night and we're eagerly anticipating these teeth showing up.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, I'm enjoying feeling well again and loving all the time with my sweet big girl!

Random things

1. My sinus infection morphed into an ear infection last night so I finally got myself to the doctor and put on an antibiotic. I felt like the doctor didn't even want to touch me, perhaps I looked as gross as I felt?!

2. Betsy knows I don't feel good. She slept with me last night and woke me up giving me kisses this morning. Lots and lots of kisses! And she kept rubbing my face.

3. Once I was awake she slid out of bed and picked up all the tissues and dirty clothes on the floor. Seriously. And she brought Daddy his shoes to put away.

4. Last night we were worried a thunderstorm might become a tornado so Bets, Maddie and I were in the guest bathroom. Madison hid in the bathtub, and Betsy hid behind the shower curtain so she could sooth Madison. It was so sweet.

I'm raising quite the little nurturer.

Quick update!

Today is day 8 of a pretty nasty sinus infection. Yesterday I started feeling better, and today I feel about the same as yesterday. When adding a sinus infection to an already fatigued pregnant body you get a lethargic, lazy Shannon.

ANYWAYS, Saturday I was bound and determined to get out of the house and not think about how yucky I felt and it really helped. Ben, Bets and I met friends in Georgetown at my favorite small town diner. Bets got a little anxious toward the end of the meal but that was to be expected after sitting patiently for 2 hours. After lunch we drove toward JD and Tiff's area to check out Babies R Us. We looked at bedding, and cribs, and clothes and basically just wondered around for a while. We headed home and took it easy the rest of the night.

Yesterday Ben and I saw Robin Hood while his parents kept sweet Betsy. After the movie we did the grocery shopping, cleaned out the fridge, pantries, and cooked a good dinner. It's so nice when we both work on a project and get it knocked out in no time at all! Again I went to bed early and slept pretty well.

That's all, pretty low-key and didn't get done nearly as much as I wanted to this weekend, but it was still a relaxing weekend with lots of good time to play with the BBs.

The blue-eyed ginger

The older she gets, the more her hair thickens, the more we debate what color hair my child has. It comes up more often than you would think...every time we see my Mom, often at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and lots of times when we take pictures. Our theories vary from dark blond, medium brown and now the most widely held belief; my kiddo has red hair. I don't particularly CARE what color hair and eyes Betsy ends up with. She could have purple hair and orange eyes and I'd still think she was the cutest thing in the world... it's just a little bizarre to think that with parents who have black hair and brown eyes, and medium brown hair and green eyes, she ends up with red hair and blue eyes. We LOVE our little blue-eyed ginger girl and can't wait to see what our next one comes out looking like!

I have a theory...

I have a theory that little Betsy stretches far and wide on purpose.
Bets, if you scoot a little more toward the middle neither Mommy or Daddy can fit in there with you.

See, she is a heifer. She heifers her food and hogs the bed too.

Observation

I'm really glad my Mom used to make be get up on mornings I wasn't feeling good, take a shower, and try to start the day. I've been sick with a chest cold/cough all week and it usually works out that as soon as I get up (and do some coughing), take a shower, brush my teeth and get dressed, I feel a hundred times better than I did when I was laying down. This attitude doesn't apply when I have a stomach virus, but a chest or head cold, absolutely! I sound better once I'm up and moving. And of course I love saving my time off for when 2.0 arrives :)

Needs for baby 2

I haven't bought the first thing for this new baby, but I'd like to start making a mental plan of what I need. I would love the input from blog readers who have a second child (or just have thought about this at all).

I need to clean out a room so we can set up the crib.

I need a crib mattress, as Betsy is still using hers in the toddler bed.

I'd like a double stroller for our many trips to mall, Target, etc. I'm thinking about a traditional double stroller versus the sit and stand kind. Any opinions?

I'm thinking about getting a new sling to carry this baby as I'll need my hands free. Something like the Moby wrap. Any input on what type is the best?

I need new bottles, Betsy's bottles are in rough shape after 18 months of use. Luckily we've discovered how much she likes the super-cheap Wal-mart bottles, and we'll be starting with a small pack of THOSE for the next baby to see what he or she likes.

Diapers (which I have started buying with coupons).

Formula (which we can't buy until the little one arrives).

(maybe) Clothes, if we find out this baby is a boy, and a non pink blanket or two.

Baby Tylenol, Milicon, diaper cream.

I think the arrival of baby 2.0 will be different than Betsy. I'm pretty sure I won't have the freedom to pick up and go places for a while since Ben will be in soccer season. I could do that with Betsy, but we were one on one. Not anymore!! Luckily, for a while, this baby won't yet be mobile and it'll give me the freedom to chase EJB!

I'd love feedback on other necessities for the second baby. I feel so blessed that we were given such wonderful gifts the first go-round, I think we're in pretty great shape to have a baby. I like to plan (make lists) because it makes me feel more organized.

PARENTING FAIL

I completely forgot today is picture day at school. Oops! Betsy is NOT in her finest attire...she's wearing black yoga pants and a pink Wal-mart t-shirt that said 'I heart kisses'. We also did battle with her hair this morning and I'd say it's a draw. It was less tangled than when she awoke but still pretty frizzy. Expect a rocking first school picture to be posted soon. I'm likely not buying them, unless her stellar personality overshadows her shabby appearance.

Wild Weekends

Our weekend was about as low-key as it gets. On one hand I feel like I've wasted my time off when we don't get lots of things accomplished. On the other hand, watching netflicks, snuggling babies and schnauzers, and building forts is accomplishing something!

I have laundry to finish tonight, I need to vacuum, and a dishwasher to unload, but the weekend was still pretty great.

Here's the sweet girl and her Daddy building their fort. I think you can tell who the boss is on this construction site.

Happenings in the B house

Betsy
It's a hard business, growing teeth. Betsy hasn't gotten new teeth in several months but one erupted yesterday and another is on it's way through. Yesterday she was SO uncomfortable and fussy, it broke my heart. She slept with me (her sleeping patterns are rough when she's teething) and the skin to skin contact provides so much comfort to her I can't deny her that.

She was a happy camper again this morning, she even let me put her hair in pigtails. I hope the teeth breaking through will provide her some relief and I can have my good little sleeper back soon :) Sweet girl loves school. I mean, she is a HAPPY CAMPER when getting dropped off in the mornings. I love that she loves it there. It makes it easier to be away from her.

Ben and Shannon
On another note we have NO plans this weekend. After Ben's birthday party and my trip to Atlanta it's really nice to not have plans. I'd like to clean really well, and start going through the office to purge some stuff because we need to start setting up for Baby B round 2.

Ben
Guess who only has 17 more days of school left?! I think he's super excited about it.

Shannon
Not much to say for me but I'm going to bed as early as possible and while nauseated a lot I've only gotten sick once in the last month! This pregnancy is different from the last one. I've gained three pounds and while I'm not obsessed about my weight by any means I'm trying to limit my first trimester weight gain to five pounds. Some days it's easier than others as I have no appetite. Other days all that makes me feel better is keeping my stomach full, so that's what I do! I've also been reading a bunch which is a nice change of pace from my normal routine.

Baby 2.0
According to 'What to Expect' the little one is the size of a small plum. Baby is growing bones and cartilage about now.

Madison
She KNOWS about the new little one. I swear she does. She's back to laying next to me and putting her head on my stomach. She must be thinking..."Mommy WHY would you do this to me again?!" I should answer "Madison, maybe Betsy will pick on the new little one and leave you alone!"

Atlanta Pictures!!

I feel like we spent a WEEK in Atlanta, not a weekend. We were constantly doing something and having fun. Friday we arrived and met my family at the California Pizza Kitchen for lunch. Afterwards we shopped around the Forum, and Lauren went to pick up her new puppy (which as of yesterday FINALLY has a name...Gray!) After the forum we all headed to Mary and Glen's for a barbecue. It was tons of fun, and Betsy was worn out by the end of the night.

Saturday we went shopping at the Forum again, and got ready to head downtown. Lauren and Sean babysat both the girls (Betsy and Gray) while Mary, Nancy, Pam, Lisha, Chris, Christina, Gina and I went to see Mary Poppins. This is by far the best show I've ever seen. I cannot wait for it to come back to Texas so we can see it again. It was AMAZING!!

After the show Mom, Mary and I picked up the babies and headed back to Mary and Glen's house.

Sunday we all went for lunch and did some more shopping before heading to the airport.

Betsy was SUCH a little trooper all weekend. She went with the flow and was really well behaved despite having very late bedtimes and a crazy schedule all weekend. She was so worn out that yesterday she went to Grandma and Grandpa's house to recover rather than going to school. She's back to her happy self and I'm sure she loved seeing all 'the girls' especially that little dog she did lots of chasing and snuggling with.

Pam and Mom

Betsy and Macy play tic-tac-toe.
Granny steals kisses from the girls!


Girls Gone Wild...see babies being tortured by their Grandmothers after falling asleep!



Gina couldn't wait to get her hands on the new puppy!
Nancy and Tripp (with Macy's ninnie)
I like this picture because you can see the two toddlers, infant and puppy, and imagine what a zoo we were walking around the Forum!
Puppy likes her Granny!

Betsy: Puppy, I give you kisses now!
Betsy goes in for the kiss...
Mama Lauren with her new baby!

The two cousins have a staring contest.
Macy spied the puppy at Granny's house.
All three of the babies (and the puppy).

Mary with the kiddos.
The REAL Sean Bedford...

Betsy tries a lemon, and likes it!
Poor Christina REALLY didn't want a big deal made out of her birthday, but those crazy Aunts of hers didn't listen :)

Massive hat, little baby, cute pictures.


Meet 'Betsy Hose Hands'. This is what happens when you put slip on socks on Betsy's arms. They provide an afternoon of entertainment.

Chris, Bets and Christina.
Puppy and Betsy created an explosion of adorable.








We're marketing a new product called the 'Nauzer Ninnie'. Puppy stole Betsy's ninnie and I snapped a picture of it.
It's too bad Betsy didn't get ANY attention all weekend....(NOT!) The kiddo was super entertained by all her Aunts and Cousins!