Today, I am thankful...

• for a healthy baby
• that my baby isn't trying to come out
• for friends that care and pray for me
• for my friend, Laura who brought her baby and foster child over to watch Mia while I went to the doctor
• that I can stand up straight with no pain
• that my house is clean
• for a hubby that works so hard to provide for our family

Thursday, I started having intense back pain that progressively got worse throughout the day.  By nighttime, I was near tears and couldn't find relief.  I called my doctor on Friday and she suggested I go to Labor and Delivery to rule our premature labor.  I declined.  I really didn't think I was in labor, which is why I didn't go.  I got a massage on Saturday and since then, my back has gotten better and better. Praise God, because it is really hard to take care of a 16 month old when you can't move. : )  Today I had a routine doctors appointment with my OB.  She confirmed that I'm not dilated and my baby girl's heart rate sounds great.  I'm only 27 weeks, so going into labor now would be a very bad thing, which is why I am very thankful.

I finally took the time and hooked up Mia's toddler car seat yesterday.  She is weighing in at about 19.5lbs and her infant carrier goes up to 22lbs, so it was definitely time.  She loves her "big girl" seat which hopefully means she'll love her "big girl" bed once we get it set up.  

Infant car seat

Toddler car seat

My other little girl is also getting bigger and bigger.  Here is a picture from today (26 weeks and 2 days).   She is about the size of a cucumber, weighing around 2.2lbs (from Whattoexpect.com).  Joe and I haven't finalized a name yet, good thing we still have about 3 months. : )

Mia is growing and learning so much every day.  I haven't really devoted a post to her in awhile.  So, here are way more pictures than you want to see, but I had a hard time choosing my favorites.  

Mia is talking so much now, sometimes I feel bad because I don't know exactly what she is saying.  Her favorite sound right now is the 'ck/k' sound.  She has mastered saying: back, truck, neck, work, Mike and walk.  My favorite is when I ask her where daddy is, she says, "work". : )  She'll pretty much try to say anything, it doesn't always sound the same, but she gives a worthy attempt.

 This girl loves to paint,

 help her daddy with his homework,

 color,

 stand outside in the snow,

 sit outside in the snow,

 give kisses,

 throw temper tantrums,

 get the mail,

 climb on the couch,

 explore new textures,

 read really long books,

 take baths,

 pray, 

(she reminds me before every meal and pretty much anytime we sit anywhere)

 build really tall towers,

(I came in the playroom and found this...Mia built it all by herself!)

 wake up from a nap,

 be silly,

 go on walks while looking super cool in her sunglasses,

 point at airplanes,

 and play with her little friend, Bennett.

 Joe took me to Flemings Steak House for Valentine's Day.  It was delicious and nice to have some time alone with my hubby.  This date almost didn't happen due to work travel,  no babysitter and to top it off, a delayed flight, but we were determined and I'm so happy we were.

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake

                                     

Mia and I hosted a Valentine's Breakfast this morning.  There were 7 moms, 3 babies and 5 kids under the age of 3.  We had such a fun time eating, playing, painting baby feet and making Valentines.  I think this will be a new tradition that I will do with my girls every year. (I can't believe I will have two girls in 3 months...wow!)

 The kid's tables.  These table and chair sets are awesome and only $20 for the set at Ikea.

 Party favors.  Each kid got a bag of three different sized heart cookies.

 The mommies got a personalized bottle of homemade trail mix (can I call it homemade if I just mixed the ingredients together?)  Before I got pregnant, I was obsessed with Starbucks Frappuccino, which is where the bottles were from.

 I forgot to take a picture of the food.  Since I know my Grandma will be wondering, here is the menu:  strawberries and blueberries, heart shaped muffins (saw the idea on Pinterest), Valentine donuts (from a local donut shop), egg bake and individual applesauce pouches for the little ones.  

 Mia eating breakfast with her friend, Rebekah.

 Baby Liam...this boy is so handsome and melts my heart.

 Titus and Cierra enjoying their breakfast.

 Sweet Kennedy, who has mastered sitting up.

 Notice the hearts on the wall behind Mia?  She colored them and taped them to the wall ( I helped with the cutting).

 Making Valentines.

 Baby Bennett and his mommy, Laura.

 Painting fun!

 Tillie with her Valentine.

 Me and my little Valentine.

 How cute are these baby foot prints?!?

 Mia gave everyone their party gifts when the party was over.  She was so proud and so was I. : )

 Three little babies, all born within a month of each other.

 Mia loves arts and crafts.  Coloring keeps her busy for a long time.

Mia, watching her friends go bye bye.

I'm so fortunate to have such great friends that are also stay-at-home moms.  Today was a good day.  I hope all of you get to spend Valentines Day with people you love.  Don't forget to spread the love.  

I'm off to sanitize all of Mia's toys and sweep sprinkles and heart shapes off my kitchen floor. Then, I just may have leftover donuts for lunch. <3 Yum.

Thank you to everyone that sent Mia Valentines, she has them displayed in her playroom and loves getting mail.  I didn't get Valentines out this year, but we are definitely thinking of our friends and family that live far away. We miss you.