Dear Firecracker... You're 20 Weeks Old Today!

Dear Firecracker... You are half way done growing in my belly!!!

Your big brother Declan has been helping me take your "first pics" of you!  And though he almost looks ticked off in the pictures, he really is happy to do it... just his "Cheese" face is so serious!


15 Weeks

20 Weeks

And you made me look like you were growing way faster than he did, but really Declan is the one to blame, not you!  Second pregnancy's just show sooner and I feel like I have barely changed since 15 weeks but you sure are growing lots!

And Grandma Connie's Ultrasound school friend Kelly helped take pictures of you IN my belly!  You were being a little Firecracker today and moving all over.. You flipped back and forth three different times and    I love this little video as you look ready to "stand up"!

This is truly when I feel closest to God is seeing the miracle of you growing in me.  I admit and apologize I haven't been as consumed with this pregnancy as I was with your brother's, but I am so grateful everyday for the joy and fun I know you are going to bring us.  We have fun telling you goodnight and Declan kisses my belly as I say a prayer for your future with us!


We had fun telling your Grandparents and Aunt and Uncles over Christmas Time and can't believe you'll be here in just over 4 months!!  You'll hopefully love that you get fireworks around your birthday every year! We are planning July 8th as due date for the c-section because then Declan gets June 8th and you get July 8th!    Even though you have taken it pretty easy on me so far with no big kicks to the ribs/booms yet, I just have a feeling you'll be a little Firecracker!  (Which we discovered today the placenta is on my belly so that is why I haven't felt you as much.)


We are excited to be surprised if you are a boy or a girl!  I truly have no inkling either way, and even if I did I was wrong with your brother.  But this pregnancy has been a bit different so maybe you are a girl??   And your father and I can't agree on a boy's name at all yet, so it'd be easier if you were a girl!   Either way,  we are so excited to meet you and see how Declan handles his jealousy!!

Love you forever and always,

Momma

Weekend Away

Last year I went with Andy to his Elks bowling tournament and just watched... and thought the whole time about my 8 month old I was leaving behind overnight with grandma!

This year I went with and bowled, and though I missed my boy, I was able to relax much better!  I enjoyed bowling and was happy I did okay since I have barely bowled this year.  Technically with handicap I beat Andy and that is all that matters to me, right!?!

Sleeping in (from the animals...not even Declan!) was glorious, half hour showers and reading a book in a weekend was a treat!

We had an amazing dessert too from Ground Round... Deep fried Oreos with Ice cream... They were delicious!!

But coming home to a spinning, giddy, well cared for Declan, and a super clean house/table sealed/closet organized from my Mom and sister was a major bonus.  Thank you Mom and Britt!

Valentines 2015

It was wonderful to have a three day weekend over Valentine's weekend and we did A LOT!

Andy and I enjoyed a date night on Saturday with dinner out and a movie (American Sniper was intense)!  It was extra relaxing and just nice to have 100% adult conversation.  Yet, I did think about how this was what used to do weekly to entertain ourselves and now we have free priceless toddler entertainment at home with Declan.  He seriously doesn't stop shocking me!

On Sunday, it was Thunder Alley 3M family fun bowling day and Dec's first time bowling. We shared a lane with our friends Tom, Molly & Noah.  The toddlers lasted much longer than I expected and did a good job waiting for their turns.  They made some money for their piggy banks too!   Once the moonlight bowling started they both danced the afternoon away!   Declan had so much fun, the next day he was asking for Molly and to go bowling again.  

Declan enjoyed his valentine's gift from Grandpa Tim and Grandma Sue with some DQ after bowling.  He polished off half that strawberry sundae while watching all the cars on Main Street and calling them stinky cars... 6 months after Grandpa Tim taught him that trick!  

And our little artist has been adding more painting to his art collection!

Dear Declan, You're 20 months old today!

This isn't a Dr. Appt month,  but 20 is one of my favorite numbers!  And is (mostly) my favorite age you have been, so here are 20 things about you I love, don't ever want to forget, or am just so proud & impressed by you with!

1.  You count now... Different order all the time but you get the idea!!

2.  Speaking of numbers, you throw a fit if you hear a timer being set and you didn't get to press the numbers... or I should say number... you really like to just hit the 2!

3.  You overhear conversations, and remember it for later.  Like today that Schwedlers were at the Zoo!!  Or that we took down the garbages so you wanted to watch for the garbage truck all day! 

4.  Trying to get you distracted or forget something doesn't work anymore!  And you don't always listen as well anymore so Timeouts have started more regularly... You had two today! 

5.  Even though you like going to sleep,  I love how you already stall and ask for more hug, more kiss when you are tucked in!

6.  You started reading books to your teddy bear and I think it brought your dad and me both to tears!

7.  Your real cry when teething/sick makes me wanna cry with you!

8. Your fake cry makes me want to win.  Gotta be honest here... looking at tantrums like a competition almost makes it fun for me.... almost...

9.  You clean up pretty well... if we sing the clean up song. 

10. You finally will watch something else besides Baby Signing time... Mickey and Sesame Street with Elmo/Cookie give me some variety and it is fun to dance with you.

11.  You love any songs with falling down...Ring Around the Rosy and Teddy Bear touch the ground bring out full belly giggles everytime!

12.  Today when we were on walk and you said, "Home"... and I said, "Ok, turn around" , you did a full 360 and kept walking towards the park!

13.  You say, I love you (with some prompting) and it melts my heart everytime.

14.  You tell me what you are drawing on your magnadoodle... twice it has been a horse and goats eating. 

15.  You think Firecracker is a girl. (Well, one time you said boy)

16.  You always try and repeat the last word we say. 

17. You build Star Wars Legos with daddy and I tear up, again.

18.  Croix is pretty much afraid of you... you have him better trained than we do. 
He begs from Dad again and dinner. Probably because he knows his actual dinner comes from you!

19. But you love him and your meows, and have to tell them all nigh-night at nap and bedtime!

20.  The first hug and kiss of everyday makes me want to stall (and often makes me 5 minutes late for work) and makes everyday better than the one before!

Love you through and through,

Mom

Fresh air embraced!!

So after over a week of everyone in this house being sick with something, and canceling a trip to Chisago to rest and recover, having energy today felt amazing!

We headed up to Rocket Hill park for the first time, knowing there may not be much snow but there would at least be a ship to blast off in!  Luckily, there was enough on a perfect size Declan slope for a few trips! 

 http://youtu.be/DrM93FhXUkc

Ice Fishing Fun

We weren't sure if we were going to make it to Chisago this year for the Celebration of the Lakes if Packers had made it to Superbowl on Andy's Birthday, but we didn't make it due to everyone feeling a litte sick.  So I am glad we went up the weekend before to attempt some fishing...  

These first pics are from 6 month old Declan last January unable to walk and content to sit in the fishhouse. I actually got to fish (and catch nothing) last year.   

This year I barely got to fish (same result though.. caught nothing) and spent time slipping and sliding on the ice with Declan!  It was 35+ degrees and nice out so it was still a blast chasing him around!