Nine Weeks

We had our first appointment with the obstetrician this past Thursday. It was very exciting to get our first look at our little bean in there. Everything looks perfect. The baby was measuring right on target and had a steady, healthy heart rate of 169 bpm.

I am doing pretty well. The nausea and fatigue have really been kicking my butt. It seems to be worse than the first pregnancy, but I'm trying hard to push through it. Really, it could be much worse and I know that strong symptoms usually mean a strong pregnancy.

Ian has been a wonderfully supportive husband, letting me sleep as much as I can during the weekends and taking charge with Riley. I couldn't ask for a better partner.

Speaking of the peanut, Riley is getting to be quite the big girl. She's talking in phrases now and repeats almost ANYTHING Ian or I say. She knows most of her body parts, animal sounds, some colors and has started counting. Currently, she can get to four on her own. She's become a climbing queen and loves to scale the chairs, tables, couches and best of all - mommy and daddy's bed where she can jump up and down to her little heart's delight.

Big News!

Most of you probably have already heard by now, but I just want to make the news official. We're having a baby! That's right, #2 is on its way and due here around late September. We are very excited and are looking forward to introducing Riley to the fine art of being a Big Sister.

I am currently about 5 weeks along and feel great. I've had some very, very mild nausea, but nothing I would call Morning Sickness. Of course, the fatigue has really kicked my butt this time around and I am faithfully taking a nap in the afternoons with Riley. At least she's been giving me good 3 hour naps the past two weeks or so.

Our first appt. with the OB isn't for another few weeks, but we'll be sure to give everyone an update when we do with the official, doctor-given due date. My guess is about 9/25-27.

Ian and I both feel strongly that we're having another girl. It would help us out tremendously if we didn't have to buy everything again in blue. We still have a TON of clothes and toys left over from Riley. I'd love to be able to re-use them.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see. We won't be able to find out the sex until about 18-20 weeks, so there's some time to go yet.

We're on a new and exciting journey and I absolutely love the idea of being a mom again!

We're still here...

We're just still trying to climb out from under all the laundry, cleaning and straightening our house needs after our holiday travels. It's been good to be home this last week and not living out of our suitcase.

Riley has enjoyed seeing all her family and friends and we're finding it hard being at home by ourselves at times. There are lots of pictures coming soon! And an update when I have more than five minutes to myself (a rarity these days).

Halloween

We went "trick-or-treating" in downtown Fuquay on Friday. Here are some pictures a friend took for us.

Animal Sounds

Last weekend we drove out to see the Tice's again. This time, to help put up some fencing.

Riley thoroughly enjoyed all of the animals on their little farm. She was once again mesmerized by the chickens. (I'm starting to see a brood of chicks in our future.) The cats, however, seem to be her favorite. She chased the kittens around all weekend trying to pet them. She was surprisingly gentle with them and would bend down to look in their face and just giggle. Too bad Ian's allergic and I don't like cats... Riley wasn't sure of the dogs; they're still too jumpy and fast for her to feel comfortable around. But mom's favorite part...? We finally got Riley on a horse and rode around the yard for a bit. She seemed to enjoy it and wasn't afraid - so long as mom was up there with her!

Our camera is broken, so we didn't get any pictures. Hopefully, we'll get the few we took with Rachel's camera soon to post. Until then...

Here's Riley practicing her animal sounds!

18 Months!

Riley had her 18 month check up yesterday. She is 25 lbs. 3.2 oz. (65th%), 33 inches tall (85th%) and has a 47.5cm (75th%) head circumference.The doctor was impressed with her development milestones (how much she's talking, running/walking/climbing, understands direction, etc). Except for the flu shot booster we have to get next month, we won't need to go back again until she hits the 2 year mark. I can't believe we're already creeping up on that one!

State Fair

Riley got to attend her very first state fair today. We went with our friend Tracy and her son Bryson to the North Carolina State Fair; we all had a blast.

It started at 9:30am and we didn't leave until well after 2pm. We visited every animal barn (cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, geese/ducks); the only one we missed was the rabbit house.

We visited the Village of Yesteryear, where Riley made her own rag doll bunny. It was sewn on an antique sewing machine from c.1880.

She LOVED the poultry barn where we got to hold/pet baby chicks and was mesmerized by the ginormous cows in the Kids' Barn. She didn't seem too interested in the sheep or pigs, but wanted to touch every chicken we saw.

We ate our share of fair food, indulging in polish sausage piled with onions, french fries and (of course) funnel cake. It was a good thing I packed lunch for Riley. At least one of us ate rather healthily.

By 1:30pm, she was completely worn out and fell asleep in the stroller.