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Baby girl.

I usually am napping during this time of day.  However, I feel pretty energized and excited today, so I am actually enjoying some peace and quiet during the day.  The excitement stems from a meeting this morning with a woman that is going to paint a mural in our baby girl's rooms.  Debi is going to incorporate the tree and patterns from the bedding into the room.  She had such great ideas and it sounds like things will move pretty quickly once we give her the okay.  We picked out a very pretty green for the walls and a blue for the ceiling so that it will look like the sky, with some clouds.  She has a painter contact that will come and do the base coat as early as this Thursday or Friday if we so please!  (We are planning on having him complete some other small jobs around the house as well, since he will be here anyways.)  Debi said she would then probably be able to do the mural in the next couple of weeks.  How exciting!  Things are really coming along!  We sold big gym that was in that room and Purple Heart came today to remove a huge pile of give away "stuff" from our porch.  I'm already in that purge and give away mood, not that I ever get out of it :).  Our carpet contact is coming to measure tomorrow as well.  Before long, she will have her own room! 

As I was sitting here earlier, I think she may have had the hiccups.  I was feeling this definite rhythmic bounce in my belly.  It was pretty cute!  She is still movin' and shakin.'  She gave me some issues this past weekend and I think it was pretty much how she was situated.  Maybe she was moving or changing positions, but I had the most horrible pressure in my tailbone, to the point that I could barely even stand and walk.  That coupled with Braxton Hicks contractions made for a very unpleasant weekend.  However, when I woke up on Monday, that pressure was gone...and hopefully won't return.

Time is flying by as usual.  With the holidays right around the corner, I expect the remainder of this pregnancy to go by really quick.  24 weeks and counting...

Our Disney World Experience!

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Another funny one...

So on the way to school this morning, I noticed that a particular set of sprinklers were on by one of the neighborhoods we drive by.  One of them was broken and watering the road, so it stood out in my mind.  On our way home, several hours later, they were still on!  That really irritates me, but that is besides the point.  I made a comment to Rylan that it was not good that so much water was being wasted.  He further went on to say, "AWWWW...how are we going to turn them off?"  I explained that there was not much we could do.  He said, "I know.  We could shoot the sprinklers so that they turn off."  As a side note, he has been into "shooting" things lately ever since we shot robots on the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney.  I told him that wouldn't work.  He was quiet for about a minute and shouts, "Mommy, I know, maybe Jesus will turn off the sprinklers so the water doesn't get wasted."  Yup!  That's my awesome 3 year old!

Fall Fun!

Our fall has been an absolute blast so far, minus a little sadness from missing our Daddy!  The past couple of weeks, Rylan and I have attended a Fall Festival at the High School down the street, Zoo Boo, Raulloween 2010 (Cata and Shu's annual party), and then trick or treating.  One of our neighbors Kerri invited all the neighborhood kiddos to her house last night before trick or treating.  She made "mummy dogs," fruit kabobs, chips, drinks, and some sweets for everyone.  The kids had a blast and Rylan became more and more excited each time he saw more trick or treaters coming our way.  He would stop whatever he was doing, point, and say, "Mommy, trick or treaters!!!  Rylan dressed up as a fireman and was a sweaty little bug by the end of the night because it was about 80 degrees.  He was already asking for candy this morning :).  It's the most wonderful time of the year in my book!  Hard to believe that one year from now, I will be taking a 4 year old and an 8 month old trick or treating!

God Bless!

Party time

Apparently, 11:30 pm is party time for little miss thing. The past several nights she likes movin' and a shakin' in my belly, so much so that I sit here and watch it move. Pretty funny!

~sarah~

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So much fun!

Well, it didn't take long for me to make some decisions.  Thought you all might like to get a glimpse into my thoughts for the GIRL nursery!  I like a bedding set at Pottery Barn Kids that isn't too girlie and looks very precious to me.  It has lots of pale colors in it and I think it will look great with Rylan's dark espresso crib and changing table.  I am thinking of painting the walls one of the green colors in the bedding, tree mural on the wall, and pink curtains with polka dots.  There is a really cute doll house bookcase and chandelier through The Land of Nod that I think adds a very cute girlie touch :).  I think she approves because she is pushing against my laptop right now :)!

I did register at Pottery Barn Kids and The Land of Nod and put links to my registries on the right so you all can see my vision.  There are a couple of other wish-list items that I would like this time around as well and will add those when I have time.  We of course do not expect any of these things and I am actually pleasantly surprised that I just did not order them myself this evening (although I am so close to doing so since so many things are back ordered :).)  I just wanted to organize my own thoughts and share them with you all.  I think it is finally sinking it that we are having a girl :)!

We're back!

Very quick update cause I need to go make dinner!  We have had a lazy day recovering and I have had a yucky nauseous pregnancy day (probably from exhaustion :)).

Disney World was a blast of course!  I put up a slideshow of pics.  They are in no particular order cause we used two different cameras, and the end of birthday week is on there also.  Highlights of our trip definitely include staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, character lunch and breakfast with both Pooh and Mickey, Trick-or-treating, Buzz Lightyear ride at Magic Kingdom, meeting McQueen, riding cars at the Speedway, Animal Kingdom...the list goes on but those were favorites!

I'll add videos later and try to put captions on the photos. 

Pregnancy update:  all is pretty well.  This little girl is going to be full of spunk!  She is all over the place all the time.  I can feel a diva coming already :)!

20 week update (from Disney)

You're at the halfway mark — congratulations!Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (The way your baby ismeasured changes now.) He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (although some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

~sarah~

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Time to go shopping :)!

Yep, you guessed it!  It's a girl!  I have to say that I am very surprised.  The best news was that all looked really good and the ultrasound took about 35 minutes!  She was very thorough and talked us through the whole thing.  She looked at each body part and put the coordinating one next to it in another frame which I thought was pretty cool.

Anywho, let the shopping begin!

Big day tomorrow!

Well tomorrow is the ultrasound. I am getting pretty excited...I think we all are. The US is at 10 and I have an appointment with Dr. Cole at 11. Ry will be with us so we will probably go to lunch afterwards and celebrate the news. Its fun knowing things by yourself for awhile. You all will have to be patient until later in the afternoon. I've waited 4 months so you all can wait a few extra hours ;)!
Hugs!
~sarah~

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Interesting tidbit

I just read something cute in one of my pregnancy books. These are all the things the baby can do now while he/she is not sleeping:
-smile and frown
-suck and swallow
-hiccup
-breathe
-yawn
-stretch
-rotate
-lift head
-flip
-somersault
-stick out tongue
Now of course I already know this because this baby does acrobatics all day long in my tummy! What an amazing gift from God!

~sarah~

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Quick update!

We have a lot going on right now so I only have a minute before I run out of the house.  There are so many different countdowns going on right now:  one day until St. Peter's Family Fall Festival that we have been working so hard on for the past month, four days until Tuesday (the big ultrasound), and five days until Disney!!!  I am so excited for the this next week I can hardly contain myself.  Disney totally crept up on us, as did the ultrasound!  Yeah!

Besides that, the remainder of Rylan's birthday celebration was great.  We had a good time with Missi and Pop going to the zoo, attending a parade, and going to an Astro's games.  Lots of little projects got completed around the house as well!  Thanks Missi and Pop, we love you!

Interesting weekend...

Well, as I am sure you can tell by the pictures, Rylan's party was a huge success.  He had such a blast with his friends and was so excited with all of the activities.  Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and phone calls, which leads me to another reason for writing.

Saturday night J and I were supposed to go out on a date.  I was feeling really nauseous after taking a shower to get ready, but I brushed it off to pregnancy.  Well by the time we had ordered our food at the restaurant and the first course came, I looked at J and said, I can't do this, we need to get it to go.  Needless to say, I got a nasty stomach bug that lasted that evening into the wee hours of the morning.  Even worse, my Dad did too.  Apparently, this bug is getting passed around.  Fortunately, J, my mom, and Ry, seem to be okay.  J and my mom had tummy aches today but nothing happened, and I pray to God that it stays that way.

So I apologize to those of you that have called and I haven't gotten back to you.  I promise, we will some time this week.  I feel much better today but still have very little energy.  I think being pregnant in addition to getting this bug has really taken its toll.  The one thing that has put a smile on my face today is knowing that the baby is okay after all of this because he (I really have a he feeling lately ;)) has been moving around a lot today.  I think he enjoys the bottles of Gatorade I have been downing to try to get re hydrated.

It was a perfect time for me to have my Mom and Dad here, even though I feel bad that my Dad got the bug.  My Mom has been awesome the last few days with Rylan and helping to keep things sanitized.  God sent us some awesome fall weather which has allowed opened windows and fresh air. Glad this saga is coming to an end! 

Flutters

I felt my sweet little baby fluttering today!!!! What an amazing feeling! I look forward to when J and Ry will be able to feel him/her as well.

Life is good and busy. Rylan's big bday party is Friday. I will be happy to get it over with as it has consumed quite a bit of time. He is going to love it though! Lots of pictures will be taken for sure! Glad I was able to steal many of the ideas from a friend :)!

ECDC Fall Festival is in a couple of weeks as well. That has also been a lot of work and organization, but I enjoy the busyness.

Gma and Papa are here now and I am on the back burner. Ry ran to Gma first today at pickup and told her he missed her...too cute! I appreciate the distractions!

Missi and Pop arrive next week, landscape project is being completed tomorrow, bday celebrations for the next week, Fall Festival, ultrasound on Oct. 12, and Disney on the 13th! Whew! Gotta love it all!!!!

~sarah~

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New stuff

Just thought I'd give a quick update on some things that I have found funny this week. Rylan has a new expression. He says, "it's no big deal." He often says it at appropriate times such as when someone starts talking loudly or emotionally and the words are accompanied by rolling of the eyes and hands up in the air with head tilted back. J and I have been cracking up and the phrase seems to be a new favorite among all of us!

Rylan also seems to be eating a ton lately. Where he is putting it all I have no idea! He even had his first bratwurst yesterday and loved it! There is not much he doesn't eat these days! Growing boy! Guess that's why he's gained 1.5 lbs in the last couple of weeks!

~sarah~

First Day!

Rylan had a great first day of Preschool.  Here he is with Ms. Ellen!

FIrst Day of School!

I just dropped Rylan off at St. Peter's ECDC for his first day of preschool.  What an enormous difference from a year ago!  He is such a big boy!  He knew exactly what to do when he got there...put his stuff in his cubby, washed hands, found the toys, and gave Mommy a big hug and kiss with a big smile and said "bye, go get your oil changed in your new car."  (I told him yesterday that was one of the things I had to do today because he asked what I was going to do when he was at school.  Funny bug!)

I was fine until I read a little goody bag from the teachers:
"My first day of school is here...
You can leave me in my teacher's loving care.
Go home and enjoy a hot cup of tea...
Feel the soft cotton and think of me...
With a tissue to brush away your tears...
And kisses to last you until I'm here!"
So that got me choked up a little bit.  I am going to be a mess when he goes to kindergarten!  I have three more years to worry about that though!

Well off to the joys of school days...how many errands can one person get done in a 5 hour time span.  It's amazing how quickly that time goes by!

Summer is officially over!

Missi was here for a long weekend last week!  We had a great time with her as always and Rylan was able to enjoy some outdoor time since the humidity was actually low for a few days.  I think Missi and Rylan enjoyed their walks and park time together, as well as playing and pool time.  Thanks for the great visit Missi!

It all begins this week!  Rylan starts back at ECDC on Wednesday!  This year, his teachers will be Ms. Ellen and Ms. Julie.  He will be attending twice a week this year on Mondays and Wednesdays.  I am so excited for him because he is already familiar with Ms. Ellen, as she was his music teacher last year.  I can already tell that the classroom will be filled with song all year which he will absolutely love!

I also have signed Rylan up for maintenance swim lessons.  Houston Swim Club is five minutes from Ry's school, so we are going to head over there on Wednesdays right after school.  He had his first lesson last week and it went great.  They jumped right into things and from what I saw last week, I have no doubt that he will be swimming by next summer!

MOPS also starts this week on Friday! Yeah for MOPS!  I love that Mommy time every other week and look forward to seeing some of the ladies that I missed over the summer.

The hustle and bustle starts tomorrow and I love it...and missed it this summer!  This month also brings Fall Festival planning for ECDC and the big #3 birthday party for Rylan!  I will be keeping very busy and welcome the FUN!  What could be more fun than planning great things for your little boy to enjoy?

SOOOOO EXCITED!

Okay, call me a dork, but I just booked us reservations on The Polar Express for December!!!!!  Most of you know, I am a planner, and there were so many things that I wanted to do last Christmas that we waited too long to do.  For whatever reason, I was thinking about it tonight and checked to see if you could already get tickets and you can!  Of course EVERY time slot and type of car is available so I got exactly what I wanted!  I can check that off my Christmas 2010 list!  Now time to start planning the cookie exchange ;)!