We had so much fun celebrating Easter this weekend.  Joe had class on Friday this week, so we were able to spend all day Saturday and Sunday together.   We had a very busy, but fun, two days!  It's so crazy to think that our little family of 3 will soon be a family of 4!

Us at our neighborhood Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning.  Mia had a lot of fun picking up eggs and putting them in her basket.  The HOA hid dumped 14,000 eggs at the park by our house.  7,000 were for kids 5 and under, which was nice so Mia didn't get attacked by big kids.  It's crazy how fast all those eggs were picked up!

 I just love my shadow in this picture. Check out that bump!!

 Mia and Daddy anxiously waiting to start.

Go Mia, go!!

We played at the park before heading home for nap time.

 After nap time, we decorated Easter eggs.  Mia really liked putting stickers on the eggs.

 

 Mia's Elmo themed Easter basket.  Even though she's never watched Sesame Street, this girl loves Elmo.  (The obsession started after I showed Mia this Youtube video....I'm Elmo and I Know It).

 Easter morning.

 All dressed up for church.

 We had a really nice Easter dinner with Joe's Aunt, Uncle and Cousins.  Mia had so much fun playing and showing off.

READ MORE

 

 Dear baby girl,


You must be having a growth spurt because Mommy has been feeling nauseous again this week.  I've even thrown up a couple of times, which is not fun (especially with my big belly getting in the way).  Your sister is now in a new room, so the nursery is now yours.  My goal is to spend this week cleaning your room and washing your clothes.  I can't wait to see all of your tiny outfits hanging in the closet.  As we get closer and closer to your due date, I am getting so excited to meet you.  I know it's important that you stay inside my belly for several more weeks but once we are close to 40 weeks, I will be so ready to hold you in my arms.  I already love you more than you can imagine.  See you in about 7 weeks!


Love,
Mommy

READ MORE

Yesterday was the BIG day; the day we transitioned Mia into her toddler bed.  I read advice on the Internet, prepared for some sleepless nights, and did everything we could to make Mia's new room fun and exciting.

We showed Mia her new room on Friday night before bed.  Everything was a surprise and she loved exploring all of her new furniture and was excited to find some familiar toys.  Throughout the weekend we let her spend lots of time  practicing getting on and off her new bed and playing in her new room.

Yesterday (Monday), I put her down for a nap in her toddler bed.  She cried at first but calmed down once I took off the new bedding and gave her the blanket from her crib. After I left the room, I could hear her talking, which is normal for her before a nap.  About 30 min later, I decided to open the door a little bit to spy on her.  When I opened the door, she was standing on her bed and proceeded to make her way off her bed.  My very obedient 1 year old knew it was time to sleep and not time to play.  I watched her walk to her rug, lay down and fall asleep.  She slept in this same position for almost 4 hours!

Last night, we did our normal bedtime routine, but in Mia's new room.  (We closed the doors to the nursery so Mia will not miss her crib.)  Joe and I tucked her into her new bed, said goodnight and left.  That was it.  There was no crying. No talking. No trying to escape. Nothing. My 17 month old baby toddler is officially a big girl and I don't know how I feel about it.

She slept in her bed from 7:30pm until about 7:00am.  I still can't believe it was that easy.  

READ MORE

Dear baby girl,


I should start calling you my little gymnast.  Every night when I go to bed, I think you start your very own dance party in my tummy.  This dance party even wakes me up in the middle of the night but I can't help but smile when I see my belly shaking.  Your big sister is getting excited to meet you.  She loves to lift up my shirt and kiss and hug my belly. This week, she is going to move out of the nursery so we can turn it into your very own room.  We even bought you a new crib mattress.  To show you how much your daddy already cares about you, he was sure that I bought an expensive, all organic, made in the USA, natural mattress.  We both love you so much and love talking about what your personality will be like and what it will be like to be a family of 4. Well, I guess we'll find out in a about 8 weeks!


Love always,
Mommy

READ MORE

It was Joe's birthday yesterday and since it was on Sunday, we got to spend the whole day together.  It was a really good day! 

 Mia made a birthday sign and we blew up some balloons to make things festive.

 Joe opening his present.

 Yay! for new luggage.

 When we came home from church, these amazing cupcakes were waiting for us.  Joe's brother, Jake sent them.  We starred at them, smelled them (okay, only I smelled them) and oohed and ahhed over them before finally deciding which ones to eat.  It was the perfect gift, especially since I didn't make a cake.

 Later in the day, we went to the Rapids Soccer Game with our friends, Caitlin and Jeremy and Joe's brother, Mike.  Our friends, Mandy and Jonathan were kind enough to watch Mia.  I am so proud of her because she did great and even went to bed without making a peep. My baby is getting so big and finally getting a little better with separation anxiety!

The game was so fun and we got to see the Rapids score two goals right in front of us! The best part was that the Rapids won!

Happy Birthday Joe!  I hope you had a fun day.  You truly are the best husband and daddy ever!  Days like yesterday, when we get to spend every minute together makes me love you even more.  There's no one else I'd rather spend my time with, especially during this busy time in our lives.

READ MORE

For the first time this pregnancy, I have been feeling really good!  My big project this week has been getting Mia's big girl room ready.  We want her new room to be really special and exciting since the new baby will be taking over her old stuff. I'm so nervous to transition her to a toddler bed, but hopefully it'll be a smooth adjustment.  

I sanded and painted this old dresser (this is the before picture).  It looked a lot worse in person. I just ordered some knobs from Etsy that will match her bedding. 

 Joe told me I had to wear a mask while using this sander.  I thought I looked pretty cool.

Here is the felt board I made for Mia's new room!  I'm really excited about it.  We have been focusing on colors lately and Mia loves real pictures, so I bought this bulletin board kit, laminated all of the pieces and attached felt to the back of each one.  I feel like the possibilities are endless with felt boards and I'm so excited to create more felt pieces to use and teach with.

Here is a sneak peek at Mia's reading area in her new room.

This is an easy little project I recently made for Mia.  I filled an egg carton with plastic Easter eggs and cut out matching felt "over easy" eggs to go inside.  Here is the link from the website where I got the idea... http://havingfunatchelleshouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/colored-eggs-and-yolks.html

As we are working on identifying colors, we are also focusing on sorting/matching colors.  Mia loved opening the eggs and finding the surprise inside.  This kept her attention for quite awhile

Here are some pictures of my little cutie pie...   (she got the wings and cowgirl hat from great grandma and great grandpa Esteb for Easter and didn't want to take them off.)

READ MORE

Dear baby girl,

Mommy has been having a hard time sleeping at night.  Either, I wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall asleep or I'm just restless and spend a good portion of the night tossing and turning.  I guess this is good practice for after your born.  Based on your current activity level at nighttime, I think it might take a few days to teach you the difference between day and night.  Even though I  know I'll be really tired, I'm looking forward to our nighttime feeding sessions together; it'll be our special time with no interruptions.

I bought you some really cute outfits this week.  I wanted to get you some things that you could call your own (so you don't always have to wear your big sister's hand me downs).  I also got you some really cute shoes, I can't wait to see them on your little feet.  I just can't wait to see what you look like and what your personality will be like.  Everything is seeming more and more real as each week goes by and I'm am getting more and more anxious to hold you in my arms.  It's amazing how much I love you already, you will be the perfect addition to our family.  See you in about 9 weeks!

Love,

Mommy

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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

READ MORE

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.

                                                 
                                                 

                                       

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE