Last week was the week of the cruise.  Remember...the one I was suppose to go on until we found out I was too pregnant.  The good thing that came out of the whole ordeal is that my mom's ticket was already booked, so she still came and spent the week with Mia and I.  It was so great to spend time with my mom and Mia loved playing with grandma.  Five days without communication with Joe would have been rough without my mom here to distract us.  Also, one of Joe's work partners felt bad that I wasn't able to attend and said they wanted to reimburse the cost of my flight!  

 Grandma and Mia

 Mia with her new outfit from Grandma

While we were having lots of fun playing, Joe was enjoying Cozumel, Mexico...

 Even though he was kind of the 3rd wheel, he still had a good time.  

 I think this is suppose to be a picture of Joe and imaginary me. : )

 He must have been thinking about me giving birth while he was on vacation...haha

The cruise ship.

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When I was pregnant with Mia, I took a picture and wrote a letter to her each week from 30-40 weeks.  I am excited to do the same with this baby.  I hope both girls will enjoy reading these letters someday to help them know and understand just how excited we were for their arrival.  The first letter is a little late since I turned 30 weeks on the 18th.

Dear baby girl,


Wow!  I can't believe you have been growing in my belly for 30 weeks!  Everything seems so real as I feel you move around inside me.  My favorite moments are when you make my whole belly shake or when I can feel your little body pressing against my skin.  I'm not sure what kind of tricks you are doing in there, but it feels impressive.  Daddy and I still haven't come up with your name.  Naming a baby is a big deal and we have been researching, discussing and trying a whole bunch of different types of names.  We just want your name to be perfect and be perfect for you.  Luckily, we still have about 10 weeks until your arrival, I promise we'll have your name decided by then.  As your arrival gets closer and closer, I am getting more and more excited to meet you.  I just can't wait for that first moment when I get to hold you in my arms and we see each other for the first time. I will be praying for you to continue to grow healthy and strong and you keep on moving around because it helps me know you're doing well.  At our last doctor appointment you had a strong heartbeat and my belly measured right on track. I love you baby girl and can't wait to meet you in about 10 weeks!


Love,
Mommy

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Mia's great cousin Sara sent a super cute St. Patrick's Day shirt and green socks.  Mia loves getting packages and put the shirt and socks on instantly when she got it.  Here are some pictures of her yesterday sporting her festive clothing.  Thank you Goetze family for being so thoughtful and making sure that Mia is always dressed so cute!

My mom is visiting right now and Mia has been having so much fun playing with grandma.  Her and grandma were doing the Itsy Bitsy Spider in these pictures.

                                                 
                                                 

                                       

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So, I know that every parent thinks their child is the most amazing, smartest, cutest, funniest kid to exist. And, in my opinion, it should be that way. If you don't think highly of your child, who will?  Now that I'm a mom, I understand why parents of my kindergarten students acted the way they did.  I now understand why they told me that their child was advanced before I even met them and I understand why they wanted me to fill out recommendations for their child to be admitted to the gifted and talented school.  Even if these kids were average academically, they still seemed extraordinary to the parent who watched them grow from a helpless infant to a small person.

Of course I think Mia is extraordinary.  I do understand that the things she does as a 16 month old are probably the same things that 16 month olds across the country are doing,  but that doesn't make it any less amazing. 

As a proud Mommy, I just have to share how much Mia has learned the past few months....

Mia can:

• Identify and name all of her body parts (including her neck and nails)
• Identify most farm and zoo animals and their sounds
• Count to 2 and count 2 objects
• Identify and name the colors blue and red.  She hasn't quite mastered green and yellow.
• Draw balls (aka. circles)
• Tell me the title of her favorite books

She is also just started to put two words together.  Example: all done, red ball, bye mommy, hi daddy

It's just so fun to watch her grow and learn.  I love being able to spend all day with Mia so we can learn and play together...I am one lucky mommy.

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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.

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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. : )

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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.

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 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

                                     

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