PlayBall

We have a minor league baseball stadium close to our house. 

The West Virginia Power.

We didn't have much going on this day so we decided to check it out. 

It ended up being perfect because there was general admission seating in certain sections so we didn't have to pay full price and we weren't confined to certain seats. 

Emma's first dip-in-dot experience. She didn't like it. 

I'm glad we went and checked it out. It will definitely be something we would come back to.

Camping - Summersville Lake

We finally went on Emma's first camping trip! 

We were always a little unsure how things would go with camping...sleeping wise. 

Well lets just say, it was totally unexpectedly awesome (except for one thing). 

I just wish we would have done it sooner. 

Em was OBSESSED with the hammock

After we set up tent we took a bike ride to go to the "beach".

So after we came back to our tent, we started to make dinner. I could tell something wasn't right with Emma. She was becoming really whiny and clingy. 

She would not eat a thing and wouldn't stop crying. 

That's not really like her so I knew something was up. 

I ended up figuring out that she had a ear ache. 

She fell asleep in the hammock while Mike rand to the store for some Tylenol. 

She just cant win with these ear infections. 

After the medicine kicked in she felt so much better.

We were going to watch the sunset but we decided to hang around the camp site for the rest of the night. 

This made me a nervous wreck. Fire scares the hell out of me with kids but s'mores had to happen. 

I was shocked how easily Emma went to bed. She fell right to sleep which gave Mike and I some time to talk and enjoy the fire. 

We woke up early and walked to see the sun rise. 

After breakfast, we rented a kayak and paddled (Mike paddled) around the lake for a little. This is a HUGE lake so there was no way we could see it all. But what we did see was beautiful. They call Summersville "the Bahamas of the East". I am not sure about that, but it was still pretty.

Pirates Cove is a really popular spot to swim. It is also a huge spot for pictures on Instagram. I was so surprised that when we paddled up...no one was there! 

The waterfall was flowing so it was perfect.

This lake is a really popular boating lake. It was nice not to have wake waves while in the kayak. My stomach doesn't sit well with motion. 

After kayaking, we went back to the camp, made lunch and packed up for the drive home. Emma was fast asleep the whole way. 

Overall we had such a great time. 

I am hoping we can camp once more before our new arrival comes.

And yes, Emma had to go to the doctor the day after. Another double ear infection in her book. 

Baby Girl

First off.

 Before I even start into this little girls corky ways. 

I finally have internet freedom!

We have paid our two year contract off early to our satellite internet provider and we now have UNLIMITED INTERNET! 

OH MY! What am I going to do with myself. 

I can watch Youtube Videos! I can watch Amazon Prime and Netflix! Skype! Mike can play his silly video games online! We can download music! I can upload as many photos as I like! 

I feel so free!

Just a little back story. Skip if you don't want to hear. 

 When we moved to WV a year ago I set up Direct TV. I asked them if they bundle internet and they pointed me to the direction Hughesnet. A satellite provider (because Direct TV is satellite they go together?) Anyways, I have lived in 5 different states and never heard of a "cap' on internet. Well, our bill was $95 a month and we got 15MB a month. That lasted us about half the month. The rest of the month we had to use our phone data...and couldn't even use our computer.

It was so frustrating...monthly! 

 So we paid the $260 to get out of the contract that I had know idea what I was signing when I signed and we kicked the satellite to the curb! 

I live in a city! No right person would have satellite when they live in the city! I have definitely learned to ask questions and really look into what I am getting myself into. 

Hallelujah! Its over! 

Anyways, on to this little girl.

I feel like I haven't done a update on this little booger in awhile.

She is unbelievable!  

I fall in love with her more and more each day with the beautiful personality that she has. I really am not just saying that because I am her mom. She truly is so unbelievably sweet and I hope I can just keep her that way with how cruel the world is. 

When we read a book that is sad, or the caricature is hurt she hugs the page and says "ohh baby, and never forgets the kiss.

Her "thank you" is spot on. She surprises me with how much she says it each day.

Her hugs and kisses are come out of nowhere and it is the best. 

If you have a "owha" she is the first to kiss it. Even if it is a freckle and she thinks its a owha it is kissed. 

She asks "you OK?" at the perfect times.

Just a very sweet little girl. 

A couple more things that she has been doing lately.

Blue is her FAVORITE color! 

I swear we talked about the color blue 50 times a day. She points it out at home, in the car, restaurants, friends houses, at the playground. All over the place! She will only color with a blue crayon or marker. She only wants blue paint when she is painting. A few months ago I would have told you she was obsessed with purple because it was the only color she could say. Now...it is blue all the way! 

She has become so independent as of lately. 

I am not allowed to help buckle her into her car seat or high chair. Getting dressed and undressed. Putting on her shoes. Brushing her teeth. 

Guess she is a big girl now.

I have still been struggling with breakfast meals. She usually wakes up around 6:15- 6:30 and I have not been feeding her in till around 8. It may seem like a long time gap but I still struggle every single morning getting her to eat so I want her to be hungry. Lunch and dinner are good but for some reason. She is not a breakfast girl. And trust me, I have tried numerous numerous foods! 

She really is loving movies now. She can actually sit and understand a little of what is going on. Despicable Me, Monsters Inc., Ice Age, just to name a few.

Pasta is still #1 in her book. 

She likes to tell us she is pretty. And of course we agree and tell her a million times through the day. 

She is still in love with wearing anything Elsa. 

Her new thing has been taking showers instead of baths. We have a shower head that can be moved up and down along the wall. I put it at the lowest height and it is at a perfect. I am not complaining because showers are just so much faster. 

Potty training will hopefully be happening soon. She will tell me after the fact when she went to the bathroom. She will sit on the potty but has yet to go. I am hoping once I get over my cold I can really start and give it 100%.

As of now this is all I can remember to write. Emma has been a true blessing and I cant wait for her to be a big sister. 

Baby Bump #2

I cant believe that this is only my 4th post about this little guy that is growing in my belly. I always thought when baby # 2 rolled around, that I would do everything I did for Emma... meaning all the updates. I would never go longer than 2 weeks without a bump picture of her pregnancy. So far, I think I have 2 picture for this guy! Two! That's it...and I am 30 weeks! I am so disappointed in myself that I haven't documented it as well. So from here on out, I am going to start taking weekly photos, even when I look like a hot MESS!.  Sorry in advance! 

These photos were taken back in the beginning of April. 

So Yes, I have just hit the 30 week mark. I'm not going to lie and sugar coat things. I am so over it. 

I wish I could say that I am loving being pregnant again and I hope it never ends...but that is definitely not the case. I feel bad that I feel this way though. I already love this little boy with all my heart but I am just ready to have my old self back. 

When I was measured at the doctors 3 weeks ago, I weighed more than I did when I gave birth to Emma. With Emma pregnancy, I was pretty uncomfortable the last 5 or so weeks in till birth. With this little guy, I have been uncomfortable for the past 4 months. I know each pregnancy is different and I shouldn't compare, but it is hard not to. 

Also, I feel like I have been sick with a cold the whole 7 months. I swear. I have a cold EVER.SINGLE.MONTH. I am not just talking a runny nose. I am talking full on fever, soar throat, runny nose, body aches, head congestion...I could go on and on. And it lasts a good week or so. I'm not quite sure why I keep getting sick. Could it be the toddler that I am running after that comes into contact with other kids that are sick and she gives it to me?...possible. I just feel like I can not catch a break. With Emma's pregnancy I was sick once. That was when I actually went into labor so that was no fun either because I didn't have my full strength to push. My luck I will be sick again during this labor also. 

On top of being sick monthly, and the enormous weight gain I have also endured the food poisoning in the very early stage of pregnancy and the stress of the loss of my fur baby that I am still dealing with. I know woman out there have it way way worse then my situation, and I am grateful that this is all that I have to complain about, but I guess you could say I am just tired....and my head is loopy from yet again being sick as I am writing this.  

So lets get down to this baby.

He is still growing nicely. Kicking like crazy. More so then I remember Emma's movement. My glucose test came back normal. I once again was a little anemic, so I am just taking an extra dose of iron. I had my first Rhogam shot today at my appointment. For myself having a negative blood type and Mike being a positive, I need to have shots so my body doesn't reject the baby. His heartbeat was 157. My belly is measuring right at 30 weeks. I have started to be on the every two week schedule for my appointments. 

My GroupB test is coming up soon. I have my fingers crossed that I will be negative this time around. With Emma I was positive and that was not really the plan that I had in mind. With a positive test (from what I remember) you have to get to the hospital before your water breaks so you can have a shot for the bacteria. I also had to stay in the hospital a little longer to make sure everything is OK. I would really like to labor a while at home before we go into the hospital, and having a toddler at home that I am already nervous about (who she is going to stay with while I am in labor) that I want to get home as soon as possible to. So fingers crossed that I am negative this time around.  Things always work out and I really need to just shut up and let everything happen the way it will.

So that's about it as of now..or all I can remember with my congested head at the moment. I swear though, I am going to be so much better these last few weeks with my bump updates. 

His room tour is coming, along with Emma's...just because.  I am also having my pregnancy photo shoot soon and also my "just for fun" sonogram photos. 

Keeping Busy

Em has been in gymnastics for a little over 2 months now. I am not really able to get any photos of her in action because I am busy trying to keep up. Plus there is never any good times to pull out the camera because we are always on the move. Hopefully soon Mike will take over the activity (because my belly is getting in the way) and I can bring my big lens to get some good shots. 

She still has days were it is just chaos. Her listening skills could use improvement but other then that I think she is really having fun learning and climbing on everything. Except for the rings. She will not even come close to even touching them. I know she has some issues with being scared of heights so we are trying to overcome that.

Mike finally took over this day...forgot my good camera tho :( 

We went to check out the tottsicle ice skate activity. 

It was absolutely so cute! 

I was shocked how extensive it was all for $5. 

The kids are on the ice for about 45 minutes playing with tons of toys. Then everyone goes inside for story time with cookies and hot chocolate. 

I'm a little bummed that this program stops during the summer. I guess there is not enough people that come during nice weather. But we will definitely be back in the fall. Hopefully she will have a little bit bigger of shoe size and then she can try the skates. 

Getting Outside

I have been trying to get outside everyday because I think it makes Emma and myself feel better. She seems to nap better, eat better and sleep better on days that we are busy doing stuff so I would like to keep that routine.

I am consolidating a bunch of days into one.

Coonskin Park 

She was not scared at all about feeding the ducks by hand. I was more worried about the pieces she was feeding them were so small. Iv never been bit by a duck so I wasn't sure how it would feel.  

 Reiner Park 
On this day, we came to play on the playground. We didn't even have food with us to feed any ducks and these guys were pissed! 

I had no personal space! 

I have not had really had any luck with sunsets here.  

Kanawha State Park 

Fishing with sticks. 

Wine Cellar Park 

'Making a wish'

Spring has arrived finally! 

Things are starting to be a lot more green which isn't so depressing. 

I met a friend at one of my favorite parks to run some energy out of the kids. 

It decided to rain while we were there. 

Sticks have always been her favorite things to collect.

She likes to touch each tree with the stick as we walk by them.




















Carriage Trail

I want this bench!





She could play in water for hours

Coonskin Park

Abandoned Rail
West Virginia has a crazy amount of train tracks...because of all the coal, so there is bound to be a lot of tracks that are not used any longer also.


Cato Park
A friend invited me to a picnic near one of the parks that she lives by. A couple family's were doing a potluck and then the city put on a "info about bats talk/ a hike / lanterns release". It was nice to meet some new people and it gave Emma some time to run around with other kids. I wish Mike would have been in town to meet some people also.


Neighborhood Bike ride



Wine Cellar Park

I am so glad the leaves are green again.

We had never walked around the whole lake before, and this day we finally did. It doesn't look that big but it took us a good while to circle around.

As you can tell, we are outside a lot. Home is still a little empty for us so I like to take my mind off of the things that still make me sad.