18 Weeks!

I am now over 18 weeks pregnant and feeling great. I am feeling lots of little movement, which is so exciting! I really missed that after Grant was born, so I am excited to be back to this part of pregnancy. Doug can't wait to feel it again too! I don't notice it all day, but mostly feel it when I get in bed and lie still at night. Only a couple more weeks until we find out if it's a boy or girl! Be sure to vote in the poll on the left side to tell us what you think it will be. We go back and forth--many days I think it's a boy, but then some days I picture a girl! We are just so excited to find out either way. I am sleeping better too now, which is a welcome change since I was having trouble the last few months. I still get heartburn, but not everyday. Although I'm sure it will get more severe again later on like it did before. I will start posting belly pics with the next post, because it's really starting to pop out! I go back to the doctor on Tuesday for my every 4 week check--it just happens to fall when I'm 19 weeks, and they usually won't do an ultrasound unless you are 20-22 weeks, so I will schedule the ultrasound for the following week. We'll keep you posted!

Rest in Peace, Grandma!

There's a new angel in Heaven this week. Doug's grandma, Mary Welage, died yesterday at the age of 97. She was such a wonderful woman, and she absolutely loved babies. We are so glad she got to live long enough to become a great grandma. Although she lost her sight and much of her memory not long after Grant was born, she was able to see him, hold him in the hospital when he was 1 day old, and kiss him lots! We will miss her, but we know she lived a long, wonderful life, and that she is now reunited with her husband and other family members that she missed so dearly. Keep an eye out for us, Gram. We love you! (The 2nd picture is the last one we have of her--it was taken on Easter.)

Easter/Vacation/Birthday/16 Weeks/Mother's Day

This post will get you caught up on our lives since Easter--lots has been going on! We had a great first Easter with Grant. He had fun dying eggs, looking for his Easter basket, and celebrating with both of our families. It was another busy holiday, but we had a lot of fun!

The day after Easter, we set off for our first road trip of the year to Folly Beach, SC. Grant did great in the car, and we were happy to get to the beach. This was a much better trip than when we were there last year. Grant was only 9 weeks old then, not sleeping, and it was when his acid reflux was at its worst. So we were happy to be there this time, where Grant could play and sleep well. He had so much fun spending the week with Clara and my family. He absolutely loved the pool and ocean. He wasn't crazy about the sand, but loved sitting in the surf and having the water go all around him. The best part about this trip was celebrating Grant's 1st birthday! We had a fun day of swimming and playing, and had pizza for dinner--which he loves! We let him dive into a small cake, and he really seemed to like it. We were sad to have to come home from the trip, but we brought with us more memories of another great family vacation!

The day after we returned, Grant had his 1 year doctor appointment. He weighed 22 pounds, 14 ounces (50th percentile) and was almost 31 inches tall (75th percentile). He leveled out a little bit finally after playing catch up for the first year, and will probably grow at a slower rate now, as they often do between 12-18 months. He is also now officially off of baby formula and has moved on to whole milk. He doesn't mind the taste change at all, but we still put the milk in a bottle and warm it a little at bedtime to make the transition a little easier. He is also really close to taking some steps. He will stand on his own, and might move his foot a little, but still hasn't mastered the stepping part. But he walks all around while holding onto things, so I'm sure he isn't too far off.

We then had Grant's birthday party here at home last weekend with both of our families and some cousins and their kids. He got to eat another piece of cake, got lots of good presents, and loved being around all of his family! Thanks to everyone for making our little boy feel so special on his birthday!

As far as my pregnancy goes, I am now 16 weeks along. Right now, the baby should be about the size of an avocado! I am starting to feel some stretching and growing of my belly and am noticing more of a bump now. We will start taking belly pictures soon! I have also just started to feel some slight flutters and twitches. It is a week or two earlier than the last time, so not sure if it really is the baby yet, but I think it is! I went to the doctor last week, and all was well. We love hearing the heartbeat! It is about the same rate as Grant's was at this point, so maybe it is another boy. We find out soon, though, at about 20-21 weeks if it's a boy or girl. We can't wait! I am feeling much better now, have more energy, and am sleeping better. Thank goodness for the 2nd trimester!

I had a great time celebrating my 2nd Mother's Day. It was crazy to think that last year on this day, we had only been home from the hospital with Grant for a week. He was so tiny then! Doug and Grant made the day so special, and we also got to celebrate with our moms as well. We are also loving this warmer, sunnier weather! We have been playing outside more, and Grant is now fine playing in the grass. He got some outdoor toys, like a swing, a lawnmower, and a baby pool for his birthday, and we can't wait to use them all. I can't believe summer is just around the corner!