Peters Plus Another One

We're having a baby!!  I think most of you know this information, but this is the official announcement.  I'm going to try and answer all of the questions that I think people want to know, but if I miss something let me know.

I am 20 weeks. My due date is December 12th. We are not going to find out the sex, just like we did with Henry.  I was nauseous the first trimester, but have felt great ever since.  This pregnancy is very similar to my pregnancy with Henry.  I don't have as much heartburn, which is nice.  The kids will be 18 months apart.  Yes, this was planned.  The kids will share a room until we move, at some point in the future.  I'm still working out with my mom's group and I'm pretty sure that is why I feel so great and have enough energy to run after a 14 month old.  According to our sonogram today, everything looks picture perfect.  This one likes to wave just like big brother.

I will try to keep you posted as things progress.  Cheers!  

Random Videos of Henry

Here are a few videos I have taken of Henry.  They actually go backwards when it comes to him getting bigger and walking better.  Some are longer than others, but I wanted to make sure that I always had them.  Enjoy!

An Amazing Lake Trip

A tradition in my family is to go to the lake every year.  Whether it was Beaver or Tablerock we were there.  Andrew, Henry and I were the only "kids" that could make it this year, but I have to say it was maybe my favorite lake trip yet.  Don't get me wrong, the other ones, when my other siblings have joined, were a blast.  I have such great memories and stories that we still laugh about.  I tried my first beer on the lake trip, there has been way too much family nudity on lake trips (if you know my family those kinds of things are not out of the ordinary) and a lot of crazy card games to finish up any competitiveness we didn't get out while skiing.  

I say this one may have been my favorite because I was able to see the excitement and joy of being at the lake in my own little boy.  Henry LOVES to explore new things and if there is one thing you can do at the lake it is explore! He was an amazing trooper as we strapped his life vest on and put him in the water, not knowing what was going to happen.  He endured the rain as we forced ourselves to get in the lake just in case it never stopped.  He loved riding on the boat and waved at every other boat that passed us by.  I couldn't believe that this little one year old could help me remember why I love the lake in the first place, for its simplicity.  We always create our own adventures at the lake and this year was no different.  

walking down to the boat

Henry's first time in the lake.  This little float with the sun shade was awesome!

swimming with Grammy

chasing after the rubber ducky, After a while he would actually kick his legs and move the floaty himself.

So proud of my new life jacket!

Here comes the rain.

Exploring the dock.

No, Andrew is not going to throw him in, he's hanging on to him because Henry wanted to jump in.

Dancing to Michael Buble!

The guys are chillin' at the front of the boat.

He loves Addison.

Watching Daddy ski with Grampa

Henry was very nervous when Andrew got in the water to ski, he wanted to know where he was at all times.  But once he got up he loved to watch him and wave.

Andrew going over the wake.

He's pointing to whoever is skiing.

He was dancing to the music, as Grammy got back in the boat.

His first skiing lesson.

He  was always happy to have Daddy back on the boat!

I hope everyone has a place they can go where their family becomes stronger and the best memories are made!

Books Galore

A couple weeks ago I found a coupon in the paper for our local second hand book store, Bookaholic, for 75% off all picture books.  I thought that was a great deal so we hit the East side store and then a couple days ago we went to the West side store.  I couldn't believe the great stuff they had!  I was able to buy 17 board books for only $16!!!  So, here is Henry enjoying the board books.

You Did Good, Mom

I think it was last Friday, July 12th, when Henry and I had a really tough day.  I think he is teething, but have no proof of it.  Either way, he was cranky, clingy and uncooperative.  Nothing I did seemed to make him feel better and I was out of ideas before noon.  We somehow muddled through the day and as I was putting him to bed one of those moments occurred that other parents tell you about.  That moment when you know you can get up and do this again tomorrow.  I put Henry's blanket across me so that he could lay down and as his head was resting on my shoulder he was patting my arm.  This is not something new that he just started doing, but at that moment it felt like he was saying, "You did good, Mom.  We survived this day and you did good."
 

Cousin Pictures 2013

Portrait Innovations did a great job taking the cousin photo this year.  I love that my sisters are on top of things and get these photos organized every year.  What great memories!

Some of these we used and some of them are just outtakes that I couldn't resist putting them in.  Feel free to write your own captions, some of them are pretty telling.  Enjoy... 

(From left to right starting with the boys in the back: Colton (8), Wyatt (5), Front row: Marlee (19 months), Evy (3), Henry (1))

July 4th, 2013

I don't know if anyone else has had this problem with blogspot.com, but I keep creating blogs and they won't save or publish.  So, my new tactic will be short stories instead of novels, just in case.  

I want to put a plug in for my stepmom's website justshootmekimi.blogspot.com.  If you go to that site you can see a video of our time in Hutchinson on July 2nd, because I failed to take any pictures while there.

July 4th is quickly becoming my favorite holiday because I get so much family time and I don't have to stress about presents for everyone ;)

Some of my favorite memories of Henry on the 4th involved his little cousin, Marlee.  She is 20 months and they were a hoot together.  Whatever Marlee had, Henry wanted and vice versa, including Marlee's mom, my sister-in-law, Rachel.  While we were watching fireworks Henry wanted to be in Rachel's lap and Marlee was very good to share!

Henry loved the fireworks and wanted to be in the middle of everything.  

Aunt Misty did a great job of covering Henry's ears when the boys set off loud fireworks.

She also did a great job of clapping with him when they were sooo pretty!

The infamous lap and I'm pretty sure Henry is still trying to push Marlee further away.  Maybe he's working on his flirting skills?  We'll keep working on it.

I'm pretty sure they are sharing the drink back and forth here.  Yes, they could share, sometimes.

Andrew enjoyed showing Henry the fireworks for the first time.  He seemed to really like the sparklers.  I was so proud of him for watching all of the fireworks with us and just enjoying the time being together.

This is my family that comes in for the 4th:
Craig and Rachel with Evy and Marlee from San Diego
Chris and Blythe with Colton and Wyatt from D.C.
Jeremy and Misty from Lexington
Tony and Lindsay from Manhattan, KS
and then Andrew and me with Henry from Wichita

It's a big group with a lot of craziness and fun involved.  Can't wait for next year already!!