We have been very grateful for all our visitors lately. We aren't planning a trip home until after Jack is born (probably spring) and it is so hard not to have plans to see everyone.
Last week my Grandma and Grandpa Underwood came to visit. I really need to get better at taking pictures. I'm falling way behind on stuff for L...I know that's typical but I've been really busy with TDP and feel like I have a camera around my neck all the time!
Anyway, we had a great visit (filled with the typical Barton chaos!) and can't wait to see them again!
Grammy and Gramps brought a special package from Paw Paw U- cowgirl boots! She LOVES riding the house that Nicole and Ben gave her and now she has some pink accessories to ride in style!
We really love the nature center here. They have a stool now that kids can use to look through their telescope. She got right up there and told Gramps that she saw a big black fish (it was pointed at the ceiling). She gets her story telling from the Underwood side I think...
We have been VERY into Fruit Loop necklaces lately. She made this one herself that morning and ate it while we were exploring at the nature center...a true pioneer.
We are more than half way there! Only 18 1/2 more weeks to go until we meet little Jack. :) We got an updated belly picture today...let's look at the progress:
I feel like I'm carrying lower than I did with L. Jack is also moving like crazy and thinks that it is VERY fun to kick Mommy's bladder. I'm a little scared he's going to be just like his big sis! :)
It was so great to see Baby Button actually look like a baby this time (thank God the tail is gone)! Haha. Everything looked great and they got what they needed despite Baby not wanting to hold still (just like Big Sis...we are in trouble!). Layla got to see Baby in the last few minutes of our ultrasound. She kept looking from the TV to my belly and wanted to "touch" the baby at one point on the monitor. She was pretty interested for about 1 minute and then she was over it.
So I'm sure you are dying to know....are we seeing BLUE or PINK? Take your last guesses...
It's a....
BOY!!! I think practically everyone I talked to saw this coming and although I was getting a girl vibe there for awhile, I decided it was a boy the night before my ultrasound. A BOY!!! I can't believe we are having a BOY!! I was nervous about a boy at first because I have NO idea what to expect. Then I realized that boys are generally less drama, have short hair (bring it on curls!) and like to eat. Could this be my "easy" child? Haha!
Here are a few more pictures from our gender reveal session:
So Jack Edward will be arriving sometime on November 21st (yes, the day before Thanksgiving). We are scheduling a c-section but if I go on my own, I might try a vbac. Honestly, I'm getting more and more comfortable with the idea of a c-section and more anxious about attempting to do things normally. Either way...this baby is coming out before Thanksgiving!
I can not WAIT to start on the nursery...Grandma and Janet- get those sewing machines ready! ;o)
I feel like this has been a work in progress for a year. I had a vision in my head and it has just come together in the last month or so. With the new baby coming, we've had plenty of motivation to get our butts in gear!
I honestly think it turned out better than I could have imagined. Every "oops" that I encountered (Ex- I ordered the wrong size pics for her frames) turned into something better than the original idea (added a small pink stripe to the outside of the pic and it just POPS).
So here it is, L's big girl room (sob):
And a few of the details:
That vanity wall looks a little plain right? Well I still have 1 piece of artwork to order, frame and hang above her vanity:
I have to give a big shout out and THANK YOU (!!!!!!!) to my Grandma
Lucky for doing the quilt and pillows. It all started with those 5 in
circles (poor Grandma). And also my Mother-in-Law, Janet, for doing the
window treatment and bed skirt (I was going to attempt this and she
saved me from a total disaster).
I am not kidding when I say that in this house, we are either laughing our heads off or crying. There is no in between here. When this video was taken, we were having one of those hysterical days where L thought she'd be a total comedian. She LOVES to make Mommy laugh (and I don't mind either).
This was taken a few days before Bryan's birthday which was PERFECT because not only did I tell Daddy it was for him, but I was also able to send it as a special b-day message to Aunt Ash and Uncle Brock on their birthdays (all within a few days of each other).
Brace yourselves for what you are about to watch...the more you watch, the harder you laugh...
We have had SUCH a busy summer so far. Between getting
stuff done on our house to do list, getting ready for baby, lots of
traveling and photo sessions for TDP we've not had much time to just
relax. Thus...a late post about Layla turning 2 1/2! Oops!
Layla's half birthday is June 29th. We celebrated with a trip to urgent care because Daddy was convinced she had Lyme disease. Turns out she just had a delayed allergic reaction to a bug bite and that the PhD behind Daddy's name doesn't make him a medial professional. ;o)
So much has changed in the last 6 months! L is now completely potty trained, although we do have some accidents still in the car and at nap (still in a diaper at bedtime). She's in a big girl bed and LOVES it! She loves to sleep in (thank GOD!) and when I walk in in the morning and she's not ready, she tells me "Mommy, get out" and points to the door. LOL
I know every parent says this but L has the BEST personality. She makes us laugh all the time and always asks us "is that silly?". Her speech is right on target for 2 1/2 (finally caught up!) and her motor skills are still crazy good. She's climbing and jumping off of things, almost during somersaults on her own and loves to run around the house like a wild women. She thinks sunglasses make her invisible...and this is why I love her.
Layla is also doing much better with eating, although it is still a battle there typically are no tears when it is time to eat. We spend almost an hour EVERY meal time at the table convincing her to eat but she will do it. She gets bribed with chocolate and her toys...something that is going to have to go away soon (Lord help us)!
Layla loves to have "dance parties", ice cream cones and her stuffed animals. She loves to read, her favorite movie is still Lion King and her favorite song is "happy birthday". She loves to practice her ABCs and can identify all upper case letters. She can count to 10 with help and can identify all her colors.
We always knew we were in trouble with the attitude...but the dramatists are getting worse. Even the tinniest thing can set her off and we are kicking and screaming on the floor. Thankfully she doesn't act like this in public. Layla spends a lot of time in time out for not listening, throwing a fit when she doesn't get her way and hitting or bossing the dogs.
Here are a few pictures of L in the last week:
Helping Daddy paint the porch. Yes...we are insane! She actually did really well! There wasn't a single drop on her but she did get LOTS on the floor, wall outlets and Oscar.
Helping Mommy get more paint at Home Depot. Ring Pops are a serious life saver when I'm trying to get something done and I need L to be good. What's better than loading up a toddler with sugar while running errands?!
Layla LOVES this monkey she got from her Grandma and Grandpa U. They are best buds! LOL
And she's finally getting the hang of her Cozie Coupe. This makes for a long trip to get the mail each day. Fast forward to about 1:10 to see the good stuff!
I can't wait to see how L changes in the next 6 months and how she takes on her role as "Big Sis"!!!
We currently live in Midland, MI but "home" will always be central Illinois. We moved to Midland in the fall of '10 so Bryan could start his job as a PhD Chemist for Dow and I could be a stay at home Mom and photographer. We have an amazing little 2 year old girl, Layla and a baby boy on the way! Add 2 crazy dogs to the mix and we have one crazy life!
