Baby Blind #2 _ Surprise Gender Reveal

*June 18th couldn't come fast enough for us - we were going to find out if we were having a boy or girl!!  Our appointment was at 8:30a and all 3 of us went - very excited!!

The ultrasound tech is doing all the measurements and then she gets to the butt ... Matt says to Brody "we're gonna find out if it's a boy or girl - what do you think?"  "it's going to be a girl" Brody says & Matt agrees.  I was indifferent - I didn't care which way, but to be honest I was leaning boy.  I just thought it would be cool for Brody to have a brother to share "brotherly" stuff with and I wanted to name this one after my Grandpa.  So, I was shocked to see those 3 little white lines - almost as much as I was to see those pink lines in MARCH!  After the appointment I changed Brody's shirt and dropped him off at school *side note* we weren't telling our family until Saturday - they all thought we were finding out on June 25th - so we had to keep this a secret for 4 days AND Brody was spending the night at my Mom's on Tuesday night and would be with her all day on Wednesday.  On the way to school I was trying to distract Brody by asking him "so we don't know if it's going to be a boy or girl" He proudly said "yes we do .. it's a girl" man oh man ... I was just waiting for a text from my Mom!  But .... it never happened - Brody didn't say a word and neither did I (to my mom) ....We told everyone at work, a few friends and my sister. *June 22nd was the big reveal!  We had already planned a Belated Father's Day BBQ with all the grandparents and parents so everyone would find out at the same time.  I went back and forth on how to announce it, but decided on balloons!  I borrowed a box which was already decorated, but I had something else in mind ....

When everyone arrived and I don't think it really hit them on what was going on ....

But, once they figured it out they were all super excited!!  We did a little voting and took team pictures.

Then just before the rain came in we did the reveal!!  Matt wanted to trick them a little and throw some blue balloons in the box too, but have them float away and just have the pink ones standing!

IT'S A GIRL!! 

About that box I borrowed they wanted it back ... so after the reveal the winds really picked up and I couldn't even get the words out of my mouth .... "we should really move that box in before the rain comes" and the box blows into the pool and on top of Brody!!  AHHH ... we get the box out and dump some water out and I take the paper off so it can dry ....

I'm happy to say the box dried fine and I returned that bad boy yesterday!  LOL

*June 24 - The teachers at Brody's school were so excited to find out so we surprised them this morning with a cookie cake - Brody carried it down the hall with the biggest smile ever on his face.

Baby Blind #2 _ Trimester 2 _ Part 1

In case your coming to this party late ... you can catch up here.

Hello 2nd Trimester!!
*May 8 & 9 - I got a little work stay-cation and got to melt in the beds of the Four Seasons for a few days - it was heaven!! *May 13 - I was off to get the first half of a crown done - so not fun - but before that Brody and I went to check out a possible "new school" for him.  He went to this place when he was an infant and we were pleased.  At first he didn't want to go - then he was OK with going as long as I wasn't going to leave - then he didn't want to leave - he LOVED it.  When my Mom came to take me to the Dentist and boasted from the backseat "Grammy when the baby pops out I'm going to a new school!"  *May 14 - I got an email from Brody's teachers asking if everything was OK, because he had mentioned more than once that he was going to a new school soon. *May 17 - Brody's school had a Pre-K Graduation / Spring Program - the preschoolers were walking into the church (to the "graduation song") and Matt whispered in my ear ... "are you crying" no (with tears in my eyes) "Brody isn't even graduating ... try to compose yourself" it's the music & I'm pregnant - lol 

*May 18 - I got up and felt great so decided to to take the dogs for a walk.  When we got to the park I thought I would try to run a little with both of them (*side note* when I've tried this in the past it's never lasted long ... because Reese is always trying to run next to Zoe then runs into me and I almost trip) .... welp that "little" turned into a mile with both pups!  It was great!! *May 21 - Dr Appt!!  I still hadn't gained that much weight (maybe 3-4 lbs) and the heart rate dropped a bit (which they said was TOTALLY normal) and it was 158. *May 19 - I scheduled for us to have some Spring Family Pictures taken - we tried out a new photographer and she ROCKED!! She had the magic touch with Brody ... he sat and smiled and there was no running around and Matt chasing him and me being super crappy & the session ending with me throwing my arms up and saying "whatever who needs F'n" pictures anyway not sure why I crossed that out because it really usually is that way .... ANYWHO ... I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out!!

*May 25 - We went over to some friends house for a 31 Party and BBQ - I forgot how sweet it was to put a baby in their PJ's & give them a bottle & just sit there holding them ... watching them fall asleep! ahhh ... sweet Makenzie! *May 27 - We got an Eckart's gift card for Christmas and still had it so we headed that way for lunch and some Strawberry Festival fun.  Honestly we've never been to Eckart's and I'm not sure why!?!?  It was fun!!  Brody was awesome with the rides - no tears or fits when it stopped - we fed the animals carrot chips & shopped in the store. Let me just tell ya what .... I'm pretty sure every other family I saw was having a baby - no joke!!  I wanted to pick the strawberries, but the boys weren't into it so we bought some instead .... as we were looking at them and teenager and her mom came in and the girl goes "you're telling me I just went through all of that work and could have bought them HERE" bahahaha *June 1 - I was signed up and super pumped for the "Doctor Approved" 2013 USO Mud Run, but mother natural had different plans.  It POURED the night before and the morning of, but we still got up at 5:30a on a Saturday and drove to it - hoping it would let up.  We got there and took out our umbrellas, duct taped our shoes and shivered under the hatchbacks .... it was 8:15a - our start time was at 8:30a - it was time to get out of under the umbrellas and hatchbacks and head to the start line, but it was still pouring & freezing!!  I mentioned to the group .... "we should just do breakfast instead" - another agreed - "I mean we've already gave our money to the troops" - then we voted - Breakfast it was!! I was bummed, because we had a TON of fun last year!!  *June 2 - after our Eckart's trip I planned a Grant's Farm trip *those goats get me everytime*  We hadn't been there since Mother's Day 2011! So we left right after church and the goats were full again this time!!  Oh well ... honestly if the goats were crazy hungry Brody would hate it.

*June 3rd - new month new week ... I'm exercising!!  After supper I wanted to walk/run with the dogs, but Brody wanted to go with me.  So I made him ride in his stroller - I bet it's been a year since he's been in that thing - he gets in - his knees bump the tray - "I'm too big for this!!" ... luckily he's pretty easy going so he just went with it ... off we go - a jogger stroller with a 3 year old, 2 dogs and a pregnant lady! We make one lap around the park (1 mile) then he wants to run - great - honestly I can't wait for the day the two of us can go on a run together ..... so now .... it's a jogger stroller, a 3 year old, 2 dogs and a pregnant lady running - yes we are a circus act!  Brody did pretty darn good - he's sprinter (as all 3 year olds are), so he didn't last very long, but by god he made it a mile - me on the other hand was disastrous - I have 80+ lbs of dogs running with an empty stroller ... I was all over the place!  *June 4th - I got up with my alarm and watched Ellen and lifted some weights .... *June 5th-7th - slept in - had too much stuff going on in the evenings - gotta love the burst of energy spells - oh look ... just as I left it in the 1st Trimester!

Baby Blind #2 _ Trimester 1

So I left off at *March 6th - I wake Matt up and say (something along the words of) "we're having a BABY".  The next day I'm bursting at the seams waiting to tell someone else!  I try to meet Emma for coffee or lunch, but she can't get away so I just ask her something like this "so do you think you can be in the delivery room again THIS FALL?"  My initial plan was to wait to tell our family on Easter and give them an egg with a note in it .... well that lasted all of 2 days ... *March 9th - we stopped by all the parents and grandparents houses and Brody gave them this: 

This was right around the time when Grandpa wasn't doing good at all so the good news brought tears to many.  I don't like to tell anyone else but family before my 1st ultrasound and doctor appointment., but I had some pretty important events coming up .... 1st hurdle = St Patty's Parade and 5 mi.  The weather was on my side and was pretty cold so that was my "excuse" for not wanting to stay around after the run - the RUN that my ass ran the whole way with the Hubby!!  2nd hurdle = Blogger Birthday Bunco .... AT MY HOUSE.  I'm not going to lie I was terrified!!  If you're not part of a Bunco group you don't know what kind of breed these girls are.  I passed with flying colors - NO ONE asked me why I wasn't drinking.  My 1st doctor appointment was scheduled for *March 25th, but when the day finally came so did snow & lots of it .... UGH canceled and rescheduled to March 29th.  *March 29th - Everything looked great & I was right at 8 weeks along!!  I kept telling my Dr how I had symptoms and I never had them before ... she laughed and was like EVERYTHING is different the 2nd time around!!  After the appointment my mom dropped some letters in the mail to some very special people.  *March 30th - so much fun .... everyone got their letters and were surprised about the news!  *April 1st - I changed my cover on FB and said nothing else ... I did get some messages asking if it was another April's fools joke like I did the year before.  *April 23rd - doctor appointment!  I'm always super nervous about the 2nd doctor appointment .... because you're just right at the 1st trimester and the nurse always says - "it might take me a while since your so early" - she had no problems.  It was a strong and fast 169 heart rate   I can NOT believe we only have one more doctor appointment until we know what we're having ... AHH!  *April 27 - Color Run 5K!!  It was cold and raining, but we did it!!  I was super sore that night ... round ligament pains suck!!  I bit the bullet and got out my maternity clothes I had for Brody ... I do not remember having that many clothes!!  

*April 28 - I was still a little sore so I wore a pair of maternity jeans (which were too big) and was miserable the whole time I was shopping .... constantly pulling them up, very annoying! *April 30 - I felt great!!  After work I pulled weeds, washed my car & Brody and I got an icee.  Took a 12 week belly picture! *May 1 - I actually got up at 5a for a workout!! *May 2-3 - Slept in again .... lol (the burst of energy was nice while it lasted)

Cravings: Salads with Ranch (usually I'm an Italian dressing kind of girl), Soup, Ice 
Clothes: some of my pants are getting snug & the ones that still button get pretty uncomfortable by the end of the day
Symptoms: At the beginning nausea was pretty bad - I feel like I'm hungover, but its getting much better
Energy: it's off and on .... 

Beef Stew .... the Blind's recipe!

You know how when you make beef stew you throw a little bit of this and a little bit of that into it ... well that's how this post is going to be!!

Geez Louise my last post was in January so I'll give you the birds eye view of what's been happening around the Blind Household .... The last time I wrote I was complaining about Brody randomly pissing his pants ... well what do you know it's happening again!!  I think he just gets too busy and dribbles then he's like I need to go finish on the potty.  OH .. and another thing that's happening is that he is terrified of the automatic flushing toilets - it's bad and funny and the worst part is they have them at Olive Garden and we eat there alot ... he goes to sit and it flushes and hops off and says "I'll go at home"

February: Disney trip .... it was busy - I should just stop there .... but I'm not going to - here's how it went down ...

Friday - flight out was at 6:20a - we had to be at the airport at 4:30a .... my alarm was set at 3:30a - I woke up at 1:30a and couldn't fall back asleep.  Brody did great on the flight ... slept 1/2 way through and PTL didn't have to go potty.  We land, check into the hotel and head to Magic Kingdom.  We chose not to get Brody a stroller and he did just fine.  We walked up to the castle and they are having a dance party with all the characters ... YAY (right) not for Brody .... I danced my way over to Woody and screaming and tears galore!  fabulous .... he warmed up from a distance and had fun towards the end.  We rode the rides he could and saw some of the characters - of course he was scared of all of them except for the fairies! I just knew that Friday was going to be a long day with the early flight and 7:30p fireworks reservations .... honestly I can't tell you what we did after the fireworks ....

Saturday - we got up and headed to the race Expo & did our thing there and headed to Hollywood Studios.  There was a ton for Brody to do there - more than what I would have thought.  There was a whole Disney Junior section and there was a live show - which was pretty much like a live Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode.  There were a ton of different characters there that we enjoyed from a distance ..... I'm not going to lie him being scared of the characters kind of disappointed me ... I mean here we are at frickin Disney World - happiest place on earth (right) and my kid is scared of everyone ..... I guess this means we don't have to go back again Saturday was an early night - the race was at the butt crack dawn.

Sunday - Princess Half Marathon Time!!!  My alarm was set for 2:30a and we caught the bus at 3:00a .... YAWN is an understatement - I was beat!!  Our start time was 5:50a I think .... there was a dance party there with characters, but honestly I just wanted to go back to bed.  Once the race started it was SO much FUN!!  It was super hot & humid and we made a few stops to get pictures taken with the characters along the way and my body just wasn't' used to stopping and starting again ... so I struggled.  Emma was texting Matt along the way so they knew when we were coming ... around mile 12 Emma gets a text "Brody and I are going back to the hotel"  I could have quit right then and there - I was hot, tired, sore and now my husband and son wasn't going to be at the finish line waiting for me .... once I saw the finish line I ran my ass off ... I felt my heart in my head and I just wanted to be DONE!  *side note* Brody had to poo and refused to use any of the potties ... he was crying and holding his belly and just wanted to back to the room and go.  Matt tried to take him into a porta potty and one look at that he was like "that's not a potty - that's a trash can"
We went to the airport super early because we were ready to get the hell out of dodge .... our flight was delayed a bit - we all slept on the way home (Matt and I slept with our heads in our hands on the tray in front of us) and when we landed in STL .... our luggage wasn't there - icing on the cake!!  We finally got it the next day around noon.

All and all I'm glad we went ..... we have some great memories and photos to keep forever - however my FAVORITE one is this one:

March: *my birthday month*st. patty's day 5 mi/parade*blogger birthday bunco* parTAY - right?  Well, somethings don't always happen the way they are planned.  Come March 1st when I didn't receive my monthly visitor I just thought well I might be off a few days *note* despite my "plan" I decided to get off the pill when the clock struck 2013 .... *March 2nd - nothing *March 3rd - nothing *March 4th (laying in bed) I tell Matt - um, I haven't started yet "you think your knocked up" JERK *March 5th - I got to Target and get some pregnancy tests (teared up because it may be better BE the last time for me to buy them) that night when I got home I couldn't get into the bathroom fast enough ... and what do I see - a pink cross - then I see the digital words "pregnant" (I brought 2 brands to be sure ... yea know in case I got the 1 in a trillion test that was defected) A million things are running through my head .... How could this REALLY be happening?  I thought for sure it would take as long (if not longer) than it did with Brody?  Did we even have sex in February?  Was I pregnant when I ran that half?  Matt wasn't home that night and Brody kept asking me if I was sick because he thought the tests were thermometers. *March 6th - I wake Matt and up and say (something along the words of) "we're having a BABY"

My due date is November 8th .... only 3 days before the P!NK concert!  Thank god my doctor is a saint and won't even think about letting me go to my due date - I've already told her about my prior obligations and she's cool with it.  I just don't want to be laying in a hospital bed on Oct. 31 when Brody is trick or treating ...

April: welp this month didn't start off on much of a happy foot .... we lost this great guy April 7th .....

..... and I can't stop thanking God that we had those pictures taken in November and that Brody has memories of him - we have SO many pictures of the 2 of them together.  Grandpa lived a good long life (88yrs) and was ready to go .... it's hard to swallow, but he's happy and health in Heaven now.

I Pee'd ....

.... about 6 months ago those words were music to my ears - now ... not so much!!  Brody's been having accidents on purpose (I think) and it's driving me crazy!!  Matt's been out of a job since early November and has been home with him, but he still goes to school like 3-4 times a week but only for like 3 hours - just enough to get the pre-school stuff still.  At first I thought the accidents were because of all the new Christmas toys - too busy palying, but now he does it when he just sitting there - "I pee'd"  WTF kid .... I've read or heard or just think we shouldn't be punishing him for this, but I don't know. Should we take him to the Doctor?  Do we start the whole potty bribing reward system again?  Is he doing it because his schedule's been off?  Do we punish him?  We've been making him change himself, but that doesn't faze him ....

UGH .... help!!