Husband of the Year

No pictures to upload to this post but I do need to brag on my hubby for a minute. Since becoming pregnant I have been really tired, to the point of exhaustion! It's crazy! With Avery I was super sick, hugging the toilet sick, but this time I am just tired! So, keeping Avery entertained all day has become a bit of a challenge! Well, Ryan had a 2 day business trip planned to Athens the 20-22. He asked me last week if he could take Avery to Athens with him so I could get some rest by myself at home! I tried not to jump up and down with excitement but on the inside I was! What a great idea, and to think he came up with it all on his own! He was willing to drive 7 hours with a toddler all by himself! So, they left this afternoon. It was a little sad watching them leave together, knowing they were going so far away, but I welcomed the opportunity! So, I will be doing a whole lot of nothing for the next 2 days! No diapers to change, no meals to make, no timeouts, no nothing! Don't get me wrong I did cry tonight when I talked to Avery on the phone...I do miss her...like crazy!! But she is having a great time being spoiled at Mimi and Papa's house! The next 2 days will fly by but while they do, I am very grateful to my Husband of the Year for letting me spend them alone!

It's official!

We are so excited to have another baby on the way! We found out on December 28th - the night we drove home from GA after Christmas. We kept our little surprise a secret until we got our family together last weekend in Asheville - a full 2 weeks!!! I am so proud of myself! I didn't even tell my mom who brought up the topic of another baby at least twice during that time! So, we coaxed our parents into meeting us in Asheville to tour the Biltmore House - we were going to be in Asheville anyway. They came in on Saturday and we hung out during the day. We went to Outback for dinner around 8:00 and two of Ryan's friends were able to join us as well. We ordered appetizers and our meals and then was the big moment. I said "Hey everyone! Avery has something she wants to show you!" Avery stood up in her high chair and I took off her jacket that was covering up her big sister shirt. She stood there proudly for as long as everyone ooohh'ed and awww'ed over her! She loved the attention. It took our parents a few seconds to understand what the shirt meant but when they did it was just a wonderful reaction! It was so worth the wait!

I had my first doctors appointment this week. My due date is September 4th. I am really looking forward to having this baby at a different time of the year...remind me of that during those hot days of August!!! But we are thrilled! Avery and her baby brother or sister will be a little more than 2 1/2 years apart - just what we were hoping for. So, stay tuned for more updates...

And "No" we are not finding out the sex of this baby either! Don't you know I love surprises!

No one told me!

I guess there are a lot things that could start with the words "No one told me.." when it comes to raising children. This one is no exception. I have an almost 2 year old that has started the repeated"Why? Why Mommy?" questions. I had no idea that started so young! It's an endless battle really. When the 1st thru 5th "Why?" is asked, I kind of ignore it, hoping that it's just rehtorical and doesn't really need an answer. Then the 6th and 7th "Why?" is asked and I feel like I should give an actual explanation! After I've gone into the reasoning behind the questioning, I feel my job is done! She will be satisfied now. Then come the 10th, 11th & 12th "Why?" and it's at that point when I find myself turning around and saying the dreaded "mommy answer"... "BECAUSE I SAID SO"!!!! Ugh, those words make my toes curl even as they are coming out of my mouth. And here I am saying them to a 23 month old! So, not only did no one tell me that I'd have a "Why?" asking toddler but they also didn't tell me I would use those awful words "because I said so" at such an early age. Is this just the beginning? Am I going to be that mom that says that phrase? I hope not!

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (look it up)

Avery learned the following prayer from her cousins "God our Father (repeat), Thank you for (repeat), For our many blessings (repeat), Amen (repeat)". The prayer is supposed to be sung and is appropriate before a meal. But try to explain that to a toddler! She prays all day long - while playing outside, driving in the car or taking a bath, basically anytime and anywhere! Yesterday she was riding her 4 wheeler on the driveway and stopped to take a moment to pray. She got off the 4 wheeler, folded her hands, half closed her eyes and intently said the prayer. The best one yet was this afternoon, when we were in the living room watching nothing else but Mickey Mouse. Avery sat down next to me, grabbed my hand, closed her eyes and prayed. Needless to say, she is teaching me a thing or two these days! This video caught her 4th or 5th rendition of the prayer while playing outside.

A Breakthrough

Avery has got to be the worst eater in the world! She doesn't eat any meat, hardly any vegetables and basically just likes snack food! I wonder how she stays alive! But the doctor says it's normal, so for now I am trusting him! Tonight might have been a breakthrough. I went to Sam's and picked up a very yummy rotisserie chicken (if you haven't had one, you've got to try it! for $4.88, it's definitely a bargain!). I came home and sat down in the floor of the kitchen and let Avery help me take it off the bone. It smelled so good and she kept asking for a bite. It was almost dinner but I let her eat it anyway because I was so happy that she was eating the chicken! After that she sat on the counter and watched me peel potatoes and chop them up for mashed potatoes. She loved sitting there and handing me the potatoes to cut and peel. She actually sat there the whole time! I know that there aren't many toddlers that would sit still for that long just watching someone do something, so I was very grateful that she did. Anyway, dinner was ready and we sat down to eat. To my surprise Avery asked for seconds on green beans and chicken! What a miracle! I am hoping that by typing this blog I don't jinx myself and she then goes back to her old ways. I hope that we have maybe turned a corner and now after watching me cook tonight she realizes how yummy real food actually is! Keep your fingers crossed!!!