Nature VS Nurture

How does nature compare to the nurturing we do for our children when it comes to the sex of the child?  The more growing up Riley does the more we wonder how big of a part we play in his becoming a man...

Is it because we have toys that like trucks and tools that he is such a boy or is it mostly in his nature to be drawn to toys that fix things and that are more boyish?

He is such a boy that it cracks us up.  He discovered ice fishing recently by watching it on TV with Daddy and he can't stop talking about it.  The first thing out of his mouth after a weekend nap was "Hi Mommy, buy ice house peese?"  I mean seriously, I have been dealing with D and his love of the outdoors and all the expensive toys that come along with that but now my 2 year old is asking to go deer hunting, pretending to ice fish through our heating vents with a wire that he attaches his bobber and lures to and 'building' with his toys nonstop.   He at all times has a bobber, lure or car in his pockets to bring out at a moments notice and show whomever will appear interested.  I think Target thought we were stealing the other night because he kept pulling things out of his coat pockets and showing them off!

We have been finding ourselves at home a lot with Daddy present the last week which has been wonderful for preparing for the new baby and means lots of work has gone into into her room including building her dresser and painting (which also means taping-YUCK!) and Riley has been hands on the entire time.  He helped take the tape down after painting, grabbed a roller and started 'painting' while we were taping and rounded out the weekend with putting together the dresser.  I wondered how helpful he was really going to be after 'helping' Mommy put up the tree (which to him meant piling all of the ornaments on one branch until it got so heavy that they all fell down-so helpful at this age and yet how helpful was he!?) but he was a huge help to Daddy!  He handed Daddy the hammer, drill, parts of the dresser whatever was asked of him and he never once got bored.  He was so proud when it was done and D was equally proud and super impressed with his miniature hands on help!  When the dresser was all done he continued to pick up the directions and then count out off numbers on the tape measure as he concentrated hard on his task at hand.

Don't get me wrong Riley is a very sensitive and loving boy.  At Sunday School these days he goes right to the baby and puts her in the highchair to feed her and then lays her down gently when it's time to go making sure she is covered and cared for while he is gone.  He sees pictures of his sister and yells out "my baby" and then comes and hugs my tummy or goes to sit in her room and 'prepare' for her.  He loves to go through her clothes with me while I organize them by size and place them in her closet, he loves to look at her pictures and then compare them to his baby pictures around the house but most of all he is just a lover, he loves to hug other kids now and gives Emmett unexpected hugs and kisses, he loves to say hi to all of his classmates and then buh bye when it's time to leave.  At Pottery Barn this weekend he was drawn to the vintage kitchen set and he made and presented us with drinks and treats which he was super proud of.  He is caring, he loves his sister already and can't wait to give her hugs and kisses.

His love of all things boy makes me wonder what his sister's childhood will be like.  Will she be a tomboy and play all the sports like me (even baseball with the boys?) because that is what her and her brother do together or will she be all girl and never want to get dirty or put a glove on?  Will she want to go hunting with her Daddy and brother like some of my girlfriends did growing up leaving me with an empty house for a long weekend or will she prefer to stay home and help Mommy around the house (i.e. pedicures and manicures : )  

Random thoughts running through our heads as we get closer and closer to bringing home a girl.  We covered Riley before we went to bed last night and we peeked in her room and both stared-almost numb to the fact that we will be have another child soon.  It seems surreal and a bit scary.  We have this 'routine' thing down so well with our family of 3 and it will all soon be turned upside down.  However, we are not the first parents to expand our family and even though I keep hearing that going from 1 to 2 is the hardest transition as compared to going from 2 to 3 or even 3 to 4 we are excited, nervous, preparing,  wondering and daydreaming about our new reality that is coming so quick.  So regardless of what her personality blossoms out to be she will always be Riley's baby sister, our first girl, the first Hutchie granddaughter and most importantly the 2nd love of our lives.  

And what would a post be without pictures?  Ha!  Even though winter has slowed me down in my pathological picture taking I manage to still get a few quick shots here and there!  ; )

Setting his line in the ice hole.

Reeling in his big catch!  

Love, love, love this bedding!  

30 Weeks!

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 30 weeks

BABY'S SIZE: 15.5 inches, 2.5-3lbs, the baby is the size of a head of cabbage.

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 20 lbs now...time to get back in the swing of working out especially with the Holidays around the corner!

SLEEP: We are both sleeping good and most nights there is no waking up for anything.

MOVEMENT: Active, active, active.

SYMPTOMS: Starting to get heartburn even after drinking water.

WHAT I MISS: Sitting on the floor with Riley and getting up easily.

CRAVINGS: Red meat.

MATERNITY CLOTHES: Still surviving on regular clothes from after Riley.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: December!  The sledding, santa visits, sleigh rides, Christmas stories, Christmas movies, Christmas cards, presents and everything else December brings with it including the snow and cold temps!

What a week!  I love short weeks and even though I had to work again on Friday it felt short and I knew I had 2 guys happily awaiting my return at 1:30 so I was feeling pretty lucky and loved.  We enjoyed dinner out on D's company Wednesday evening and again on Friday which was a special treat for his working the home show last weekend for a few hours.  Thanksgiving was short and sweet with a quick trip to Gaylord for dinner with my fam at my Uncle Steve's and Aunt Vickie's place.  Gaylord brings back tons of happy memories and Riley's first visit out there was a success although our picky eater didn't eat anything---no turkey, no squash, no jello salad, not even a homemade bun!  Let's just say payback for my own childhood pickiness isn't pretty or fun.  We started watching "How to Train Your Dragon" Thursday evening and finished it Friday...what a great movie!  Riley thought it was a little scary without his Mama and Daddy sitting next to him but as soon as we all squished together under blankets and pillows he was enthralled and so were we!  We are enjoying our quiet evenings with Daddy home nearly every night now and the cold has nothing on us as we continue to bundle up to shovel snow or give rides on the new sled to Riley.  We finally came up with an idea for the new nursery and I am pretty excited to see how it turns out.  We painted all the walls a turquoise color and planned on hanging wainscotting but we realized that with all the furniture in the room the wainscotting would be virtually invisible so we scrambled for other ideas on how to break up that very bright-all over turquoise that was cheerful but a bit overpowering.  So Daddy worked hard on Friday and after getting the dresser assembled and the crib and changing table into position this weekend the room looks great and I can't wait to add the fun details! 10 more weeks and we are a family of 4!  Since December will keep us very busy and is already booked with events and parties we might as well just scratch the next 4 weeks off too! ; )  Hope your Thanksgiving was fabulous and the food was plentiful! 

Brusha, Brusha

Riley had his first dentist appt on Tuesday afternoon and who knew the dentist could be so exciting!  He was so excited to go and practiced his 'ahhhs and eeee's' for days before the appt.  After finding the cutest pediatric dentist virtually right behind our house we talked to Riley about the dentist nearly every night and he couldn't wait to go.  We walked in and he took a seat in the cute little chairs made especially for little ones and patiently waited for every hygienist who appeared from behind the door to call out his name but much to his disappointment he was the last one left waiting in the waiting room.  He kept asking "Riwey turn?" and it was so cute!  He finally got called back and became instantly subdued with shy-ness as the nice "doct-her" asked him how old he was but he climbed right up into the chair and after she explained to me that 2 year olds don't get their teeth cleaned because they don't like it and get scared we look over to find him with his mouth open in the perfect "Ahhhh" shape patiently awaiting the exam to start.  So she put cool sunglasses on him to shade him from the bright lights and started polishing his teeth, flossing his teeth and then she even fluoridated (is that a word?!) his teeth.  Every hygenist and Dr had to stop and ask how old he was and comment on how good he was doing.  I of course beamed proudly and found myself watching in wonder at this little man who is my son and was just yesterday my little baby.  He made me so proud I nearly died.  The dentist eventually came in and counted his teeth (-he has them all and shouldn't be getting more teeth until his 5 year molars come) and she said his gums and teeth looked perfect and that we were doing an excellent job at brushing.  After a goody bag full of fun stuff like a new toothbrush, a Toy Story flosser, bouncy ball, toy car and more he left with a huge big boy smile on his face and he proudly waved goodbye to everyone we passed by.  Just one more first that absolutely shocks us at how fast the time has gone.  He joined the No Cavity Club and will hopefully be there for awhile!

Pretty proud of his goody bag!  

29 weeks (yesterday...oops!)

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 29 weeks

BABY'S SIZE: 15.5 inches, 2.5lbs, the baby is the size of a squash.

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 20 lbs now...time to get back in the swing of working out especially with the Holidays around the corner! 

SLEEP: OUT LIKE A LIGHT EVERY NIGHT!!!

MOVEMENT: She has her favorite times of day to be a gymnast and she is especially busy right when I get out of bed which is great-I start the day with a hi to my baby girl and then I tell her I guess it must be that time to get up and at least we are doing it together ; ) 

SYMPTOMS: Eczema=gone with the help of a new handwash at work and triam cream! and I am seeing the Dr again today (Monday) because my face is driving me nutso! 

WHAT I MISS: Peeing and actually emptying my bladder...sorry TMI?  I will have just gone to the bathroom and not 10 minutes later be back in there as if going in the first place starting a chain reacion or something : )

CRAVINGS: There is little I won't eat but meat has been top on my list this week.  Thank you D for the Outback dinner that supressed my immediate hunger for red meat but it is far from gone. 

MATERNITY CLOTHES: I really need to do some shopping but haven't yet.  I walk around in scrubs all day and then get into pajama pants and wear them the rest of the evening and on weekends so really as long as I don't have to leave the house I am good to go for the next 11 weeks!  ; )  

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: Thanksgiving with the family in Gaylord.  We are packing the Tahoe full with Ben, Katie and Kyle and meeting my parents at my Aunt and Uncles house on Thursday.  We haven't been out there since before Riley so I am actually looking forward to the turkey farm smell (ya right!) and after dinner walks that we grew up with. 

 
Sunday Daddy painted the ceiling and walls in the new nursery and we love the color.  We used the newer Dutch Boy paint and it goes on like a dream with only one application needed!  I can't wait to see the finished room once it's all together!  Here is her carseat...just gorgeous!

Riley and I braved the ice storm and made it to church safe and sound but Sunday School was cancelled so we ended up coloring and watching Veggie Tales and then coming back home.  So much for getting out of the house and avoiding the paint fumes! (They really weren't bad with the Dutch Boy paint!)
Riley has been so caring lately especially to his puppies who he feeds, bottles (with the paint roller) and then covers with his lovie.  He made sure they were warm when we went to eat at my parents house last night and they were the first thing he checked on when we got home a few hours later.  He brought them to bed with him and covered them up first before we were allowed to cover him...what a sweetheart!  I think the nesting instinct has hit him!  D and I were laughing about calling the baby "Sister" so much and  sounding like the Berenstein Bears and I think we will start referring to her by name soon-so here's to hoping Riley doesn't ruin the surprise!  Riley tells everyone now that Mommy is having a dotter (daughter) and it's so funny!  She is now "Riwey's baby" as he points her out on the fridge and computer.  I think this Big Brother thing is pretty exciting to him as the following pictures might lead us to believe!  Let's hope the enthusiasm lasts once she comes home on the 'outside' of Mommy!  Happy Thanksgiving.  We are so thankful for our family, children, home, health and jobs.  I could go on but I will get too mushy : )

Yep, he looks ready and excited!  

 Well cared for puppies with a good dish (yum, mini sports balls) a bottle (paint roller!) and a blankie!



Mila Elaine Larson

I am pretty proud of these next pictures.  It was hard work but extremely fun and so relaxed this time around.  I had a great setting, a sleepy baby (after some coaxing) and a very laid back Mama.  Mila is a doll.  We brought pizza and the pictures to the proud parents last night and I could have sat holding her for hours (so could Riley Man!).  My heart is happy, full and anticipating an overload when we meet our Baby girl in 80 days (omigah!!!)  Riley talked about going to "Keeks house" all evening and when we finally got there he couldn't wait to run around with the dogs.  He was also very happy with the "nite nite baby Miya."  He held her, brought her toys, touched her ears and tiny nose, coughed on her (oops too much running around!) and wanted to hold her some more.  He is ready.  We are almost ready.  The other day he ran up to me with a huge smile and a hug with a casual "hi mommy" which was immediately followed up by a belly hug and a "hi baby."  She hears her brother, she responds with huge sommersaults and kicks and once again my heart is so full.  But I digress...onto the pictures of the adorable Mila. 

Perfection. 

Gotta love and adore the baby back fat.

                                                                         10 Tiny Toes.

 Sweet baby cheeks and perfect pouty lips. 

Loving that peach fuzz hair all over her back and arms! 

So I start the day with less than normal sleep but am wide awake and happily awaiting whatever comes next.  D is almost done with the wallpaper border removal in 'her' room, 'her' sheets should be here by Saturday or at the latest Monday, I picked up a new carseat that is gorgeous, (same one I would have got if Riley was a girl-I am so happy they still have it!) and I am reflecting on Riley's day...Harvest Party at school and Operation Christmas Child shoebox drop-off today.  We shopped at Target last night for our Christmas Child (boy 5-9) and had so much fun filling the shoebox for the stranger whose life we will be touching soon.  Riley/Mommy filled out a form telling him a little more about us and soon we will be tracking our special package and finding out what country it will be going to.  I was so proud of my boy for picking out special toys and candy for a stranger.  He did really want a choo choo train but after some thorough discussion about how this was not for us and for someone else he seemed to let it go and excitedly filled up the box when we got home.  Yep, it's that time of year and I am hormonally hyped up-so once again my heart is happy, growing and excited about today and tomorrow and 80 days from now ; ) 

28 weeks!

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 28 weeks

BABY'S SIZE: 14.5 inches, 2.25 lbs, the baby is the size of a head of cauliflower!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 15 lbs now...

SLEEP: We have been in bed at the latest this week by 9:00 so sleep is coming easily except that my flu shot made it impossible to sleep on my left side for a few nights!  Why does that tiny shot make your arm so sore?!!!

MOVEMENT: She is a busy body and the movements are so fierce that they stop me in my tracks occasionally!

SYMPTOMS: Eczema=back with a vengence! and the Doc says I have a common pregnany rash/redness on my face so he prescribed some cream to help relieve me of that!  This girl is causing havoc with my skin! 

WHAT I MISS: Having Riley sit on my lap comfortably.  Now I am constantly re-arranging him to get both of my children comfortable and hopefully myself which is getting harder and harder. 

CRAVINGS: Salt, salty chips, salt bagels you would have thought the salt cravings came before the water cravings but not in this case!
MATERNITY CLOTHES: I really need to do some shopping but haven't yet.

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: Christmas!  Is it too early to say that?!  I am so excited about the gifts we are getting for Riley and it is going to be nearly impossible not to give them to him early!  I also can't wait to get the tree up and decorate and get our boy in his snowpants for some sledding. 

And because it just wouldn't be the same without the boy in the picture!  ; )

This is the boy who was tickling the baby yesterday and saying "hi baby" "hi mommy's baby" over and over again-pretty sure he loves her already also!  

Sunsets and smiles...

I took my boy to the river last night to get away from Daddy who is once again-yep you guessed it-sick.  He has been fighting off a virus/cold/sinus infection for like 5 weeks now.  Both Riley and D have been sharing it back and forth and I am bound to get sick one of these days so for now I am playing the avoidance game and getting away with it.  Riley had a blast exploring the last of what nature has to provide before the winter hits us.  He threw rocks into the river, picked up sticks, twigs and browned to perfection leaves.  He pointed out geese to Mommy and he looked right at me and said "Mommy, wook geese," as if he was talking in sentences his whole life!  We enjoyed the early (way too early!) sunset and headed back home for a later dinner with Daddy.  I caught some priceless expressions of joy and pure happiness in him and had a blast just watching him take it all in even if it was from behind the lens!  I really wish I would have brought more than just my prime lens but didn't so here is a few faves from last night.  He is seriously grow up before our eyes.  If he looked any older we would just die!  Wait till you see his school pic-OMG where has the last 2 years gone!!! 

27 Weeks!

                                                                  HELLO 3RD TRIMESTER! 

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 27 weeks

BABY'S SIZE: 14.5 inches, 2 lbs, the baby is the size of a head of cauliflower!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN: 12 lbs now...

SLEEP: No issues, sleeping like a rock.  I can hardly keep my eyes open past 9:30 and my naps after work have been refreshing and quick.  All I need is that quick 30 minutes and getting up at 4:00 has been relatively easy and pain free.

MOVEMENT: I have been so busy at work and at home that I haven't noticed much movement this week but when I do sit and be still she can be felt punching.  Funny story:  I told Riley Sister was kicking and asked if he wanted to feel.  He climbed up on the couch, felt a few swift kicks and then kicked me square in the tummy.  It happened so fast that I didn't even realize what was going on and Derrick was soooo mad when he found out.  I guess I should have used any other term when explaining to Riley what Sister was doing because he thought-if she is going to kick then so am I! 

SYMPTOMS: Eczema=gone, no symptoms except possibly low back pain-good thing I have a massage coming!

WHAT I MISS: My Tahoe!  D took it up hunting with him : (

CRAVINGS: Water, lots and lots of water!

MATERNITY CLOTHES: I am wearing one pair of maternity pants and some of my fat pants from after Riley that are super comfortable for now. My sis bought me a super cute maternity top and I can't wait to wear it!

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: Derrick coming home Monday night and our weekend up north starting Friday! 

Onto our firstborn...he is so talkative!  He is saying new words everyday including people, de-ah (deer), hunt, Riwey (which he has been saying for awhile), duck, Ha hoe (Tahoe), TV, "why, huh, why" is his newest favorite phrase, numbers, doctor, yuck, ewe, ears, eyes, sky, moon, stars, night night and more.  On Friday night he was asking for 'choo choos' and I remembered that Daddy always gives him piggy rides to bed as Riley says "choo choo" and I asked him if I could be the choo choo and he said "No Mommy, my Daddy."  Sweet boy loves his Daddy so much.  When we ask Riley how much we love him he lifts his hands up high and says "sky", yes buddy boy we love you up to the sky and back!  We are lucky!

Saturday night we ventured out to spend some time with my Auntie Jean who lost her husband suddenly last November.  It was so fun hanging out with my cousins and catching up with them.  We had quite the feast at Davanni's and Riley had a blast playing with Brandon's old choo choo set.  Brandon is home after 4 years in ND attending college and applying to Law School.  Aaron is also attending school and has grown up so much!  Pray for my Auntie.  She is going through more tests this week and is looking ahead to surgery in a few weeks.  

 What a beautiful weekend it has been!  Hopefully next weekend is more of the same!

Happy Birthday Bob

Today is Bob's birthday.  He would have been 72.  Derrick had a very heavy heart yesterday and I am sure Bob is on everyone's minds today.  Monday also marks the wedding anniversary for Kathy and Bob and the boys are staying up through Monday to help her get through it.  Some days it feels like forever ago that we said goodbye to Bob and others it feels like just yesterday.  Today is a 'just yesterday' kind of day and Riley and are looking at pictures of Bob and remembering his Grandpa Angel.  You are always in our hearts Bob and we know that you are dancing with the Angels but we would rather have you dancing with us.  You would be so proud of Riley and the little hunter and fisher he is becoming.  He sleeps with lures every night and talks about deer hunting, ducks and his Daddy all the time.  Derrick said he will be using your shotgun today in remembrance of you and I hope he gets a huge buck for you.  We love you, we think of you often and you live on through your family.  Love, hugs and kisses to you Bob.  Happy Birthday!  tears...

Num nums pease

We had such a blast all weekend surrounded by family and friends the entire time.  Dinner on Friday was fabulous as expected and even Riley got a special gift from Nana for Mommy's b-day, a brand new piggy bank which he proceeded to walk around to everyone in hopes of a handout (preferably silver!).

Saturday Daddy set out chairs and our blankets early for the big Halloween parade and we had excellent seats right on the curb for the cute little eyes to take it all in.  Derrick's co-worker and 3 kids came with and Logan brought his Mommy and Daddy too!  Riley loved scrambling for the thrown candy and was quite pleased with most of the floats, none more than SpongeBob and crew.  After the parade the boy took quite a nap and we indulged in pizza and some R & R.

Anticipating the next thrown num nums

Nana and Papa watched Riley for us Saturday as we attended the annual Kieffer party.  Hilarious costumes, tip it and a buffet of food made for an evening of fun with friends.  We of course ended up with Jeff and Apryl for a nightcap like we always do?! and more laughs ensued.

Thank goodness for sleepovers and the G'parents because D and I slept until nearly 11:30 no problem on Sunday!  Riley and I took Sample's kids to church with us for the Harvest festival and Riley loved, loved, loved bowling with pumpkins.  He got numerous compliments on his adorable costume and thoroughly enjoyed the attention he always receives.  We finished up the f-ball game (what a joke) and headed out to trick or treat.  It was nice to have 6 and 7 year old boys show Riley the ropes and it only took one house for him to figure out exactly how to get a treat.  He would run up to the houses and exclaim "HI!, nums nums pease?" and then giggle as they handed him treat after treat.  It was rather cold out so we only hit our block but the boy came home with a hefty bag full of treats that he was very proud of.  We laughed until I nearly peed my pants at his joy and excitement as he followed the boys leads.

Last night we were playing in the living room and Riley looked outside and said "Mommy, Daddy, dart (dark), nums nums pease?" as he pointed across the street to our neighbors.  Of course we couldn't say no so he got to pick one treat and we are hoping he doesn't keep asking every night!

So here we are in November already looking forward to Thanksgiving and the end of raking up leaves!

I am thoroughly enjoying my new shift after 2 days and have been found to be rather productive even after getting up at 4! I am blessed by a quick shift, a quick nap and more time with my boy.  Everyday I am going to think of one more reason I am so thankful this month and for today it is the end of election season...finally!  No more junk mail, door knockers and campaign commercials that are clearly fake and just plain annoying!  Happy November!

26 Weeks!

PREGNANCY HIGHLIGHTS:

WEEKS: 26 weeks

BABY'S SIZE: 13-14 inches, 1.5-2  lbs, the baby is the size of an eggplant!

TOTAL WEIGHT GAIN:  12 lbs now... 

SLEEP: Sleep is going to get trickier but for now it's my own fault.  My new hours are 5-1:30 and although it seems like a great idea since I can come home and have an hour or more to nap or catch up everyday before I pick up Riley man getting up at 4:00 is ridiculous although I love how fast my day goes and will have no traffic to and fro work so it is a win win as long as I make sure to shower the night before : )  

MOVEMENT: Seriously, I do not remember Riley being so active.  It literally feels like she is doing flips and twists in there all the time.  It is completely distracting as I smile to myself as people are looking at me wondering what the joke was!  

SYMPTOMS: No pregnancy symptoms but my eczema is back and it appears to moved to my face (just a little)-as if I needed any more redness to try and cover up.  

WHAT I MISS: Holding a warm, bundled up, wonderfully smelling newborn. We are ready!  

CRAVINGS: Halloween candy.

MATERNITY CLOTHES: I am wearing one pair of maternity pants and some of my fat pants from after Riley that are super comfortable for now.  My sis bought me a super cute maternity top and I can't wait to wear it!   

WHAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO: Daddy's first deer weekend is coming up and I am just so excited to sit and be still, enjoying the small things of everyday life and Riley.  I am also looking forward to ordering 'her' bedding and dresser and picking out paint!  Happy November and Halloween!