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!