22 wks gender? 28 wks running? 30 wks walking! 33 weeks big...

 Not sure how many pounds I gained at this point on Sept 9 but I know I finally went to the doctor for my first appointment at 20 weeks and got my ultrasound scheduled. I had only gained 10 pounds at 18 weeks - and I was still wearing my normal pants which is unreal for me but most likely due to working 40+ hours as server during that time. Luke "facetimed" me with the ipod at my appointment and he was at work with his ipad. It was the first time the sonographer had ever given the gender results over the internet. And it's a... GIRL!!! Luke and I bet and he won.

  This pic is at 22 weeks, taken for my friend Kristen but I never posted it. :)

Now this is 28 weeks and I started running/walking with my friend Carrie. My sister Nancy totally runs all the way up till the end but after running 1.5 miles and walking 1.5 a few times and getting bigger. Now I am walking! It feels good to exercise.

  And this is 30 weeks, still another photo for Kristen. I miss you my friend!

 I don't know if there will be any more pictures of me because I now have a double chin coming on. RRRR. And I have 2 small spots on my right leg of spider veins. I think that is what they are called. 33 weeks and I am starting to slow down a little and get uncomfortable. The girls remind me everyday how big my belly is. I don't enjoy being pregnant and can't wait to meet this new baby. Although I am not ready for another change. We are thinking of naming her Lexie or Noel right now. Gracie wants to name her Sunshine. We will see. 

Gracie learned how to swim in September!!

I've worked with her all summer and she never wanted to trust me and do what I say to learn to swim. Then I taught her how to shoot like an arrow off the side and she loved her new confidence. Then one day another girl her age was swimming and she tried to keep up with her and she learned to float. Then each time we went back, it just got better and better. Here are some pics and a video for proof. And Katie, believe it or not, goes all over the pool with those arm floaties by herself. She is not scared!

 

 

While Gracie is away, Mom and Katie will play!

We  like our alone time and for the first little while we didn't know what to do with ourselves while Gracie was at school. Kate and I like to sneak chocolate when no one else knows. It's our thing. It's still hard to get her to eat some things, but if we promise a treat as a reward for eating good then she will do it. And the bug? Well we started doing preschool/babysitting my friend's little girl who is Katie's age, Skye, twice/week. They have fun playing and learning together but sometimes, as with all 2 yr olds, they fight. I have to intervene all the time! Our favorite thing to do is go to the park and swing and then go see the fishies in the pond nearby. All the while I try to teach them early concepts and preschool songs. It's been pretty fun to earn a little extra money too. Oh and the bug... I found this sicko on my towel at the pool one day, flicked it off, or so I thought. He hitched a ride home and crawled onto my bathroom wall. Thought I got him again. Next day, during preschool, I scared the kids when I screamed while cleaning up the kitchen and he was crawling on my counter once again. I had to trap him in the pot, but no matter amount of smashing outside would kill him. Finally twisting and stomping in the grass got the bugger. It was a preschool highlight!

Gracie's First Day of Preschool at Primary Prep

Gracie goes to preschool from 8-11am every weekday. Which means I have to get up at a certain time. That hasn't been required of me for a few years and it is early in my book since we are usually night people. With Luke's job he gets up at 5am to drive 1hr 15min over a time zone to make it in time for school to start. So it all works better this way so we go to bed earlier. My girls are good sleepers and I feel bad waking them up every morning but Gracie loves school. And she is so sad if she misses it. She loves the social part of making new friends and I am glad it has taught her to play outside and not worry about getting sand in her shoes. She likes to dress fancy for school but she has to leave her necklaces and bracelets at home. She is getting better at getting her hair combed without crying. She is also learning to respect adults more and not talk back or argue with what they want her to do. Initially, she always wanted to do things her way and would pout and not participate if she didn't get to. She just got the "Whoo's Terrific" award for standing out as a good friend and showing respect. Way to go Gracie. She is also beginning to read! We really like Gracie's school but I don't like having to be somewhere.  

Snapshots of August

 Katie's got hair. A lot more than Gracie ever did! And now she's got bangs. She held so still while I cut them.

  My girls love to dress-up in several outfits a day. I should just replace their clothes with dressups. 

Gracie's 4th Birthday "20 Questions"

Gracie’s 4^th Birthday “20 Questions”

1.      What makes you happy? Sharing with others

2.      What is your favorite animal? Sheeps

3.      What is your favorite thing to eat? Noodles, pizza, macaroni, broccoli, green beans

4.      What is your least favorite thing to eat? Corn, tomatoes

5.      What is your favorite thing to do? Go swimming, and watch a movie and I like to play games

6.      What is your favorite show? My Little Ponies, Barbie and dad and mom movies, Phineas n Ferb

7.      What are you really good at? I don’t know what I am good at. Singing!

8.      What is your favorite color? Purple, pink, blue, green, red, and white

9.      What is your favorite song? Christmas Glorius

10.   Who is your best friend? Everybody in my school

11.   What do you and your mom do together? Clean up my room and play games and clean up the house and clean up outside

12.   What do you and your dad to together? Play games

13.   What is your favorite book? Santa books. I like Santa so I like Santa books.

14.   What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher and a dancer and a singer.

15.   What is your favorite toy? Barbies

16.   What is your favorite game? My little ponies memory game

17.   What is your favorite treat? Fruity snacks

18.   What is your favorite drink? Orange pop

19.   What is your favorite holiday? Put hearts on

20.   What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Mac and cheese and broccoli

Gracie's 4th Birthday was Aug 20!

We did another dance party for Gracie in our driveway with a new dance mix. She had so much fun inviting everyone. Only this time, it was a tough crowd. Gracie, Katie, Luke and I were pretty much the only ones dancing there for a while. I had to make a fool out of myself to get some of the other moms to join in. But what makes other people more comfortable than knowing that they can dance cause at least their not as ridiculous as me right? They did enjoy Luke's dance lessons and "Jump on it" again. Maybe the problem was we made it too comfortable to sit because we moved our couch out from storage onto our lawn. Kinda ghetto I know but it was breaking out of the mold! Gracie and Kate can really dance though.

We served Gracie's strawberry shortcake castle which she requested from a castle cake pic she saw and I had sooo much fun being creative with it. Our favorite things were the strawberries on top and jam in the middle.  I think it is my best one ever. Gracie and Katie loved picking out the candies for it too. And serving ice cream cones was fun. I think next dance party - ice cream cones would be enough. :) 

 

  Gracie had to wait a few days to open presents on her real birthday and when she wasn't so tired. She was so fun to watch this year being excited about each gift. And Kate was right there along side her. As you can see, Gracie really wanted a barbie table and chairs that wouldn't tip over all the time like the ones I made her. So ebay supplied us with a dining table, 6 chairs, a grab bag of barbie clothes and shoes from China, and a barbie kitchen set. Gracie enjoyed her gifts from Grandma, Grandpa, and Papa, Michelle too. My little Gracie is growing up. Happy birthday Gracie I love you!