What You Don't Know

What you don't know before you become a parent is all the worry that comes with the territory. I think that's the hardest part about being a mom--you're so vested in these little people and in giving them a good life and raising them well, there just seem like an endless amount of things to worry and fret over. It kind of gives you perspective about the important things in life.

I love these two little people. They are my whole world. Nothing compares to the way Kara runs at me and hugs me and tells me, "you're a good mommy!" or the way I can pick Jessalyn up when she's crying and she nestles her head in my shoulder. I am truly blessed.

Grandmas

My grandmas are really cool. I know I've said that before, but really, they are awesome. My grandma and my great grandma always know how to make us feel loved!

A lot of the things we have from when Kara was a baby are either worn out (diaper bag, receiving blankets), or the wrong season (clothes). My grandma made me this beautiful Eric Carle Grouchy Lady bug bag to replace my old diaper bag,

Inside of my ladybug bag

It looks way prettier in person

and my great grandma made Jessalyn this stack of blankets and this adorable quilt. We got them in the mail today (plus Kara got a new pillow case), and it was like Christmas.

See what I mean? I have the best grandmas.

No Doubt About It

I think my girls are adorable.

Rain! Finally!

For the last couple of weeks, we experienced record heat here in CO, much like the rest of the country. The heat and the dryness contributed to several big wildfires here, and let me tell you, it felt like the entire state was burning. We did get some pretty sunsets out of it though, so I guess it wasn't ALL misery--there is always some kind of silver lining I suppose!

Anyway, we finally had a big rain the other night. I was so glad that things finally cooled down, and we were all loving the rain! My mom and I had taken Kara to Sonic to get an ice cream cone right as it started raining, and a bolt of lightning struck (literally) right behind us. My back was to the lighting, so I didn't see it (although I did see the flash), but my mom and brother saw it. My mom swears that you could hear the *pftht* of the lightning strike. The thunder was so loud, and it scared poor Kara to death. We hurriedly finished our ice cream and headed home before the rain got any worse. When we got home, the rain REALLY started coming down! It started raining so hard at one point that we couldn't see out our window!

After the rain died down, Kara and I headed out to the ranch to help my mom and sister with chores. The roof to the chicken coop (where all the baby chickens and the baby turkeys are) had a big leak and got all their food wet, so Karina climbed up and fixed the roof while Kara and I laid new bedding out for the chicks and cleaned out their feeders and gave them new food. And of course, I had to go visit the pigs and feed them. When we were about ready to leave, they were hanging out over by the fence in the mud pit they created from the rain, so I started feeding them some weeds that they love and playing with them for a few minutes. They were in hog heaven!

Pregnancy Update

Here's a little update on what's going on this go-around:

Two weeks ago, I had my blood test and the doctor called me back and asked me to come back for another test the next week (Normally, I only have my blood drawn every 2 weeks). The doctor has been checking my blood work to make sure my liver enzymes are normal, platelets are normal, and my kidneys are functioning ok. After I went back last week, the doctor called me on Monday of this week and let me know that she wanted to have me do blood work again this week. I had my "regular" appointment this morning, and we discussed the results from my labs. One of the things they test for in my blood is a little higher than she would like. On its own, the doctor says she wouldn't normally worry about it, but because of my history and some things that have come up in past visits, she was a little concerned and wants me to come in once a week now. Next week, I am supposed to have some kind of stress test, an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid levels, and some other test that I didn't understand, as well as my usual battery of blood tests. I now have a standing appointment with the doctor and the lab every Friday, so if anything gets worse or changes, they'll be sure to catch it before it gets to the point that it did with Kara. So there's an update for anyone that was wondering what's going on!

Here's a shot of me at 32 weeks.

Just for comparison, here's a picture of me with Kara around 33 weeks. Do you think I look about the same size-wise?

 

Today, I was out with Kara and I decided stop by Target to look at some baby things (I wanted to look at car seats, diapers, pacifiers, socks... Just a few things that have been nagging at me that we really need to get). While we were in the baby aisle, I spotted this adorable outfit! When I look at all the newborn clothes, it's hard to believe that Kara was that tiny just 2 and a half years ago!

How We Spent Independence Day

In spite of the firework ban here in Colorado because of the terrible fires and heat, we managed to have a pretty great 4th of July.

Originally, we were going to go to a pancake breakfast at church, but my mom told me that my dad was going to be in a big parade at the same time, so Kara and I decided to go watch Grandpa and Nana instead.

The parade was a lot of fun! Kara's favorites were the horsies (of course), the firetrucks, and Grandpa and Nana as they pulled the truck with the float on it. There were a whole bunch of cool old cars in the parade, as well as some singing groups and some dancing groups. It got hot by the end, but it was worth it!

Waiting for Nana and Grandpa to come by

Here they are!

Waving at Nana and Grandpa!

Later, after we went home and took a nap--well, actually, I took a nap, Kara pulled all of the clothes out of her dresser, all the toys out of her toy box, and all the stuffed animals out of her closet--we headed over to my mom's house. We all sat in the shade while Kara ran around in the grass (she loves playing in the grass!) and played with her ball. Eventually, Grandpa came out too and played a little catch with Kara. She loved it (and I think he did too!)

Meanwhile, the dog decided she was a little thirsty and snuck a drink out of my water. After she drank it all, she tipped it over and ate all the ice!

After dinner, we finished up the day by going with Grandpa and Nana to the ranch to feed all the animals. I might have *accidentally* let all the chickens escape from the chicken house when we were trying to move part of their yard/pen, so we spent quite a few minutes rounding them up and shooing them back in to their house. My dad wasn't very happy about it, but it was kind of funny and cute because they realized that there were loads of grasshoppers waiting to be eaten in the field next to them, and they all started running around and catching as many grasshoppers as they could. We move their house (it's called a chicken tractor) every day so they have fresh ground to peck at and new bugs to eat every day, but they had eaten all the grasshoppers in their house for the day, so they were pretty thrilled to have such a treat. I'm pretty sure they ALL got a grasshopper (or 2 or 3) last night!

I fed the pigs last night, which I do whenever I go out with mom because the pigs are my favorite. The little girls (there are 4 of them) had to wait while I fed the 2 bigger sows, and when they saw that I was coming back to feed them, one of the girls started running in circles around her trough and wagging her tail. I love the pigs because they have so much personality.

I hope everyone else had as good a day as we did!

Lazy Day

I have been feeling more and more tired every day, and have had almost no energy to do anything--eating, showering, battling my 2-year old. Everything has just seemed like a giant chore the last couple of weeks. My doctor had her nurse contact me today, and she is somewhat concerned about one of my lab results--I have to have some more tests done on Friday when I go in for my appointment--so that may be why I have been so stinkin' tired lately.

 Anyway, I really had a lot I needed to do yesterday. Among things on my "To Do" list were clean house, finish the laundry that has been sitting around for days, put the zipper in Kara's shirt, send something in for school, go to work... But after Kara and I ate breakfast and showered, I just didn't have the energy to do ANY of that. I still had to work in the afternoon, so I weighed the pros and cons and decided that I needed to lay in bed so I would be able to do my job and take care of the kids at school. Kara and I got dressed, hopped on my bed, fluffed my pillows, and I pulled out the iPad for her. I felt like a bad mom for letting the iPad be the babysitter, but it sure felt nice to relax and rest before I had to work in the afternoon! Kara also had a blast, I might add. After she jumped on my bed a few times, she snuggled right in next to me and played games and then watched The Land Before Time on Netflix (that's what I REALLY feel guilty about. I don't believe in movies except on special occasions, and I REALLY don't think a movie should be babysitting my daughter). The snuggling was pretty nice, and so was the little nap I caught before work.

And can I just say, it constantly amazes me that Kara knows how to manipulate my iPad better than I can.

Random Happenings

These last couple of weeks, we've done a lot of things. For work, we went to a baseball game and an airplane museum, which were pretty cool.

The museum had the only Star Wars X-Fighter plane in existence, which was used in the movie, so I had to get a picture of it for Jon.

My mom and dad had a shipment of baby turkeys come in. Baby turkeys are extremely fragile, so one of them got sick and I tried to nurse it back to health. It started doing ok for a little while, but sadly, didn't make it after the next morning. I was pretty sad, but I also realize that it's the circle of life. The turkeys are so cute though--here's a picture.

We went to the zoo for my mom's birthday. Kara was pretty good up until the end, and then it was NAP TIME! She got so cranky! For dinner, we all went out to Pappadeaux, and it was delicious!

My grandma came in town for my mom's birthday, so we spent a little bit of time playing at the pool (Kara LOVES swimming and jumping around in the baby pool) and looking at quilt stores and just spending time together. Well, I have actually had to work most of the time that she's been here, but I've still been able to sneak in a little bit of fun. 

I got my mom to do Instagram with me a few weeks ago, and we have been having a great time doing it together. We have been doing a couple daily/weekly challenges, and these are a couple of the pictures I took for them:

Anyway, that concludes the randomness for now!

Zoo Love

Saturday morning, we (meaning my mom, my sister and brother, Kara, and I) all went to the zoo. I love the zoo. Love, love, love it. I usually go 10 or so times in the summer. I don't know why I love it so much because the animals rarely ever change, but I just love it! It is probably just the fun of being outside, killing time, and looking a cute furry creatures.

Anyway, Kara is often my little brother's shadow, and this trip was no different. She wandered around and rode on his shoulders almost the entire time. She adores him, and he is a pretty awesome uncle in return.

The best part was this monkey we saw in Tropical Discovery. He was right up on the enclosure fence interacting and watching me and another woman (who looked like she was a professional photographer). He was calm as can be, just watching us. Probably thinking "these people are idiots. I do this all the time. Go ahead, take my picture." But, it might have just been that he liked us, because he got down and left when we walked away. It was really cool.


Kara also loved the exhibits in Tropical Discovery. Here she is talking to an iguana in a sing-song voice saying "Hi. Come here."

I bought us a family pass so we can visit all year long. Well, Jon bought it since he brings home the bacon, I just happened to hand over the money. I am so excited to go back and take Jon because we didn't even get to all the animals!