Valentine's Day 2016

 A little out of order, but i totally missed posting these photos.  We made a big celebration out of Valentine's Day this year.  We had Avery's friend Emma and her parents; Carolin and Thomas over for an afternoon of play and then dinner - Taco Night.

Avery and Emma playing with puzzles

Having apple pie and ice cream

sticky mustaches

Brrrrr it's still cold in Chicago in March

We found out we were expecting baby #2 only a few days prior to leaving for Florida to surprise Papa for his birthday, so we hadn't really had a lot of time to digest our BIG news.  After getting home and letting the thought soak in that we will soon be a family of four we got right back into our normal routine.  Avery had her usual play dates with Emma every week, Gymboree class, Swim class in her new level 2 class and her usual silliness with Rachel on a daily basis. 

Rachel and Avery made a bear den out of the couch

still having fun with valentine's day decorations

We also have a new friend that is finally home for us to play with more often - Madison Campbell.  Allyson and Madison came downtown to see the house and have a playdate.  Madison turned 2 in February so we gave her, her birthday present and the girls had a great time playing eating lunch and goofing off in the basement. 

playing in the basement together

hugs!

Avery playing with her new blanket from Mike and Janice

Every weekend we try to keep some consistency to our activities but also throw in some new for Peanut.  The standard is Swim, Gymboree and then we rotate a Target run or Petsmart - One of Avery's favorite places to play and see all the animals.  We've also made a big effort to have family dinners together on the weekends, instead of eating after she goes to bed. 

Swim class with Daddy

Lunch with mommy and daddy at Frank n dawgs after class

Big day of shopping 

Helping mommy push the cart

Scary to think she's ready for one of these....

 

Dinner at Bar Sienna - Avery was ready to go at this point but we wanted a photo

New Paw Patrol Cup - can't live without Paw Patrol

Playing on her phone.. she loves talking about Mommy, Daddy and Abby

Baby Boy Walter 4-12 Weeks

How far along? 12 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +4 

Maternity clothes? I gave in to maternity pants
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: better
Best moment this week: We started to share the news with close friends!
Miss Anything? Sushi
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Dessert
Anything making you queasy or sick: 
Have you started to show yet: YES -i look five months preggo
Gender: BOY
Anything swollen? Ankles from traveling for work :(
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  starting to plan for baby boy walter

How far along? 11 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +3 

Maternity clothes? I gave in to maternity pants
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: Average
Best moment this week: Found out that we are having a boy!!
Miss Anything? Sushi
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Dessert
Anything making you queasy or sick: not this week
Have you started to show yet: YES -i look five months preggo
Gender: IT'S A BOY!!!!!!
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to: The next ultrasound

How far along? 10 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +2 

Maternity clothes? I gave in to maternity pants
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: not great this week
Best moment this week: We started to share the news with close friends!
Miss Anything? Not having to keep a BIG secret
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Dessert
Anything making you queasy or sick: not this week
Have you started to show yet: YES - so early this time
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  A little relaxation this weekend, it was a busy work week.  

How far along? 9 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: +1 

Maternity clothes? Currently using a rubberband to extend my pants....
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: Good
Miss Anything? Not having to keep a BIG secret
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Dessert
Anything making you queasy or sick: not this week
Have you started to show yet: YES - so early this time
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Looking forward to:  Easter 

How far along? 8 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Back at even 

Maternity clothes? getting closer
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: started wedging pillows on both sides already
Best moment this week: Seeing our baby in it's first ultrasound and setting our due date 10/21/2016
Miss Anything? 
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: smell of fish
Have you started to show yet: YES - so early this time
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  The gender reveal 

How far along? 7 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Back at even 

Maternity clothes? NOPE but sadly my pants are getting tight
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: Getting more energy
Miss Anything? Coffee
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: Depends on the day
Have you started to show yet: kind of
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  Next week's Dr. appointment 

How far along? 6 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: -2lbs 

Maternity clothes? NOPE
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: Still Tired
Best moment this week: Avery had her 18 month appointment
Miss Anything? Coffee
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, just don't really have an appetite
Have you started to show yet: No
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  Just getting used to the idea, it's so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time

How far along? 5 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: -2lbs 

Maternity clothes? NOPE
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: The middle of the work day is starting to take it's toll on my energy level
Best moment this week: Going to the Dr for the official pregnancy confirmation
Miss Anything? Coffee
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: Nope
Anything making you queasy or sick: No, just don't really have an appetite
Have you started to show yet: No
Gender: Don't know yet, but we will find out
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  Just getting used to the idea, it's so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time

How far along? 4 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: ZERO - Best Moment so far :)

Maternity clothes? NOPE
Stretch marks? NOPE
Sleep: LOTS - I'm soooo sleepy
Best moment this week: Learning that we are expecting another child into our family
Miss Anything? Too soon to feel that way
Movement: It will be awhile
Food cravings: 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really
Have you started to show yet: No
Gender: Don't know yet
Anything swollen? Not yet - but it's coming :) 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to:  Just getting used to the idea, it's so exciting and nerve wracking at the same time 

Papa's 70th Birthday!

We kept the surprise! Papa turned 70 on February 21st, and mommy thought it would be so fun to surprise Papa in Florida for the weekend! We also were so lucky because it was the same weekend the your Great Aunt Linda and Uncle Dennis came to visit Nana and Papa as well.  Mommy and Daddy haven't seen them in almost four years and they hadn't met you yet so it was about time.

Daddy flew to Florida on a Thursday night so he could work all day Friday so we created a great story of why he was there.  Then Mommy and Avery flew together Friday morning.  I was a little nervous to solo fly with you as a toddler, however it was happening no matter what. It's also probably the last trip we'll take where you don't have your own seat.

Of course the night before we left, Avery had a terrible night, she woke up screaming and could not settle herself down so mommy ended up being up from 1:30-4am.  I tried everything, sleeping with you in the chair in your room, letting you sleep in mommy's bed, sleeping on your floor with you in the crib.  Finally i had to go back to bed and you didn't like that very much, but you eventually fell back asleep.

Friday morning Avery and Mommy packed up and headed to the airport - we had a little scuffle with the airlines in that they wouldn't let mommy bring her stroller through - NOT HAPPY. Other than that we sat next to a very nice women who was actually from Barrington and was VERY helpful with you.

SURPRISE

And he was - he was totally shocked when we walked in the door

Our first night in town we went out to dinner at Turtle Club - known for their sunset view.  Avery was an angel as usual and went from Nana to Papa's lap, she also helped blow out candles and eat dessert :)

Sunset

Helping Papa blow out his candle

Mommy, Aunt Linda and Nana

Avery, Nana and Papa

Papa, Nana, Uncle Dennis, Daddy, Mommy, Avery, and Aunt Linda

We also took a quick family pic on the beach

Love this photo of Avery giggling with Mommy

Day two Avery wanted to SWIM ALL DAY.  She went from the pool to the beach back to the pool and then napped like a champ!

Swimming with Daddy

Loving the water

Avery playing in the sand with everyone

Linda loving the sand

Aunt Linda and Uncle Dennis

On Night 2 we surprised Papa with a small get together with a few really good friends.  We prepared a lot of appetizers played a few games and had a nice small party!!

Mommy made Papa a photo collage 

Our last night in town we had a nice family dinner at Fish Crazy.  Daddy couldn't join us because he unfortunately got the stomach flu - we felt really bad for him, but he didn't want us to not enjoy our night.  Mommy also made Papa his own t-shirt with her favorite picture on it and we all wore them out to dinner.