Easter Fun

We like to keep our holidays low key around here.  While I like to come up with our own traditions, some of the Easter classics are my favorites.  We started preparing a few days before, getting Kenzie's goodies for her Easter basket.  I don't think an Easter basket needs to be stuffed with candy,  but we did stuff it with a new puzzle, some springy outfits, and of course, what every 2 year old needs...an Ipod touch (obviously Don's idea).  
We also decorated eggs, which Kenz loved, although maybe next year we will work on being gentle with the eggs.  

Easter morning she hunted for her eggs around the living room.  She LOVED this and even the boys helped her out!  She also hunted for her basket, although I think she wished there were more eggs to find instead!  We even let her have one PB egg even before breakfast.    

Then it was off to breakfast at our fav...the Pancake House!  

 And that was how our little family enjoyed our Easter!

28 weeks, 1 day

Okay here we go...better late than never. (Man I say that a lot on this blog)!!
28 weeks 1 day.  Less (maybe more) than 12 weeks to go!  I can't believe it really.  12 weeks seems like it'll fly, but June seems so far away.  I'm thinking once the weather gets nice they'll defiantly fly.
I'm still feeling really good.  I started going to the chiropractor at around 20ish weeks after a few weeks of horrible tailbone pain.  Since then, I go in weekly for adjustments and have had minimal pain, especially these past few weeks!  I'm trying to stay as active as possible doing some running, walking, and weight lifting a few days a week.  I find this pregnancy I'm much more irritable (Don can attest to that) and getting back up after being on the floor with Kenz, has become tricky.  Its so hard to say...Is this pregnancy different?  Or is it different because I have Kenz to take care of this time around.  I also feel much bigger.  I don't know if its because I'm wearing tighter clothes this time around?  I'm trying to embrace this pregnancy since this is most likely the last one for us.  Luckily I've had some precious souls that tell me I'm quite small for 7 months.  Bless their heart!
I had a Dr's appointment and ultrasound a few weeks ago.  Placenta has now moved out of the way.  YAY!  She also tried to get some 3D pics of baby but it was being a little stubborn and covering its face.  Also baby was breech.  Eeek!  Makes me a little nervous because I have been feeling most of my kicks down realllly low, so I'm hoping its not getting too comfortable.  Get flippin baby!  I also had my glucose tolerance test and passed that with no problem!

How Many Weeks: 28 weeks,1 day--Around 83 to go!

How Big Is The Baby This Week: Baby Burch is as big as a small cabbage, and inching towards 3lbs.  

Weight gain: About 19lbs.  This is about 5lbs more than where I was this time with Kenz.

Sleep? Since New Years I've had 3 colds/sinus infections.  For someone who gets sick once or twice a year, this was awful.  Sleeping was bad, breathing was bad, and I was miserable.  I finally had to breakdown and get a Rx, but since, I've been feeling much better, and hopefully that'll be it for sickies.  So now I'm sleeping good at night.  I can even go all night without a bathroom break!  I do get really tired right after lunch, but usually a quick 15min snooze will do the trick.  

Cravings? Hmmmm for a few days I did want a Dairy Queen PB blizzard, and finally downed all 740 calories of one a few nights ago.  Also from the beginning, I can't get enough salad and fruit.  

Aches and pains? Just besides the babe beating me up from the inside.  

Signs of labor? Oh heavens no

What I miss? We just went out to dinner with our friends Kelly and Dustin last night, and on the drive to dessert we saw a lovely Mexican restaurant which Kelly shared had the best margaritas!  With warmer weather hopefully coming, I'd love a frozen margarita.  

Reaching Milestones: Last weekend I did go through baby clothes and pulled out any gender neutral clothes we had.  Though I think I was pretty minimal about baby clothes, I couldn't believe the amount of girl clothes we had.  

This Ain't Her 1st Rodeo....It's her 2nd (Birthday)

Well this post is about 2 months late.  But alas here it is!  We celebrated Kenzie's 2nd birthday on her actual birthday, January 26th.  From the time I started researching her party, I loved the idea of "This Aint My 1st Rodeo...It's my 2nd."  So I went with it.  We started with her invite, setting the stage for this cowgirls rip roaring shin-ding.  My wonderful BIL designed it for me and it couldn't be more perfect!!

For food the "Chuckwagon" was stocked with a chili bar, mac and cheese, and cornbread.  We also stocked the "Saloon" and "Watering hole" with libations for the adults and little chickadees.  And of course Kenzie's cake....which keeping with tradition was designed by daddy, made by Grandma Burch!  

 Kenzie was blessed with a large group of family and friends that came to celebrate with her!  

 I can't believe we have a 2 year old.. (now 2years 2 months).

Happy 2nd Birthday my little love!!

Game of Catch Up..Part 2

So remember that time I got pregnant and I fell of the face of the Earth when it came to blogging about Baby Burch 2??  Poor thing is already getting the shaft.  Well lets hope this is a good kickstart to somewhat weekly updates, doctor's appointment excitement, and other randomness to remember this exciting time in our life.

So it all started back on October 4th, when I took the all important pregnancy test, and got the ever so important double line.  Honestly, I couldn't believe it.  I wasn't having the same symptoms I had when I suspected I was pregnant with Kenz.  And it happened SO FAST, like one month fast.   
I decided to keep it from Don, since I thought surprising him with Kenzie's help would be fun, and I assumed he would be as surprised as me!  
So I took a quick snapshot of my baby girl after I shared with her news, that she didn't understand, but doesn't seem to be thrilled with our little secret, and headed off to AC Moore.  I made up this quick shirt and had Kenzie waiting for Don when he got home from work.  His first words "Shut-up!"  ....how profound :)

So just a few days later we were off on our Caribbean Cruise.  We had a touch of a scare right before we left (awesome timing), but when I talked to my Dr., she had no reservations on letting us head out. She was so positive and hopeful we'd see her right after the cruise with positive news!   
And we did!!  I calculated our due date as June 10th, but baby measured a little later at June 15th. His/her heartrate was about 144bpm. Ahhh sweet relief!

And then next few weeks were a blur.  A big nauseated blur. Like with Kenz, I was terribly nauseous all day long.  I can't tell if it was a bit easier this time around, than with Kenz, or if I was just dealing with it better, since I couldn't just lay around like a slug all day.  I lived on soft pretzels, baked potatoes, and Greek salads.  

We again did the 1st trimester screen.  Everything looked great on the ultrasound, and when the blood test came back, my doctor said I had the best numbers you can get!  Also good news....my platelets are NORMAL this time!

Luckily pretty soon after the start of the 2nd trimester, the nauseousness subsided.  I felt like I could feel the stomach flutters pretty early, but I'm not sure.  Don did feel the baby really early, I think around 18 weeks, so that was exciting.  
Everything looked completely normal at the anatomy scan at 18 weeks.  Only issue...my placenta is covering my cervix, and needs to move to make room for baby's preferred exit.  I have a repeat ultrasound in a few weeks to see if it has moved.  *fingers crossed*   

Pheww...well I think that brings us up to date.  I am 25 weeks today, and will hopefully start weekly updates tomorrow!  Get ready to see a big-ol-belly :)

Potty Training: 10 Day Progress Report

We are 13 days into potty training, and I can't say its been an easy road.  But looking back, I'm so proud of Kenzie and our hardwork!  Last week at this time I may have been bawling my eyes out on the phone with Don, or cleaning up pee that Kenzie had just slipped and fell in.  But now, Kenzie is totally getting it, and dare I say...POTTY TRAINED!!  

We decided to start on the first weekend of February, when 1. We'd both be home to devote our attention to it and 2.  the following week, she'd be home with me, and not rushed off to daycare.  We followed principles from a couple different program including Potty Training Boot Camp, and 3-day Potty Training.  We followed them both pretty accurately and tried to stay as consistent as possible.  The first day was rough.  Every 10 min Kenz was whisked to the potty, and we hoped she'd sit there for 5 minutes.  This happened all.day.long.  There was no pee in the potty and lots of pee on the floor.  We had a few successes on Sunday but no self-initiation, where she tells us she needs to go.  We did quickly learn her cues of when she needed to go potty.  But things weren't quite clicking.  

Then it was back to work for Don and the next few days were a blur.  Thank God for my level-headed husband.  He talked me off the "I can't do it.  I have to put her in a diaper ledge" a few times.  

I'm happy to report, that Kenzie is diaper free besides a night time dipe.  She did wake up dry this morning and ran herself over to her potty, so I'm confident it won't be too long.  She doesn't have to be asked or reminded to go, she just walks over to her potty, sits, and goes.  And this goes for both the pees, and poos!  She has gone in public restrooms though we need to work on just sitting and going.  Yesterday at lunch we took 4 trips to the bathroom because she asked, but she wouldn't go.  Who likes public restrooms anyway.  We also had a rough 1st day at daycare, but the 2nd day there were no accidents.  In fact we are accident free the past few days!  
At the beginning of this I was so overwhelmed, and stressed.  I didn't go as far as looking up places to send her away and have her returned to us fully potty trained....but it crossed my mind.  I also shared with friends that I'd rather give birth then go through potty training.  (wow, what a hormonal mess I am). But we are passed all of this and I am...
SO PROUD...and RELIEVED!    

Dear Kenzie

I can't even believe we have a two year old.  The past 2 years are without a doubt, the fastest 2 years of my life.  And since it feels like yesterday, I remember so well what happened 2 years ago.
I don't want to forget anything, so there have been things I've been wanting to write down, and just haven't found the time to...until now.

Kenzie Leigh, 
Two years ago you were placed on my chest and stared into my eyes, with those squinty deep blue eyes.  And everyday since, we have had a front row seat watching you grow.  You have brought nothing but joy and happiness to our lives.  I'm amazed at how happy you make people.  Our family, our friends, even complete strangers.  We hear weekly... "She is so beautiful."  "What a cutie"  "You better watch out dad."  from people we dont' even know.  
While I love watching you grow and evolve into this little lady, there are some things I want to cement into my memory and never forget.  

• I love your little voice.  You have been speaking well for a months now, but some of the things that come out of your mouth, crack us up.  Some of my favorite sayings are.  "I luv schu Moma."  "I did it."  "No, No Fa-Fo" "Its a sunny day." 
• In fact, I think you are gonna be a gabby child.  You talk, sing, and hum all of the time, even if you are in your carseat entertaining yourself.  I swear I think you'd stay in your crib all day.  You could lay in there for hours (don't worry, I don't let you) just talking to yourself.   
• You love pointing things out in the car, especially airplanes, Kenzie's house, and buses.  You always say buses are orange, and while I agree with you, Daddy thinks they are yellow...but you always hold you ground and insure him its orange. 
• While there were a few weeks where you refused baths (don't worry you did still manage a shower)  you are crazy about them now, especially turning over on your belly and saying "I going swimming."    
• On cue you will not say Hi to people, but on certain trips to the grocery store, Target, or restaurants you say Hi to everyone you see.... repeatedly.  Even when they are trying to eat their food, or have moved to another aisle, you continue to say Hi over and over.  It can be quite awkward, but we laugh at your outgoing spirit.    
• You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and anything associated with it.  At least once a day you ask to watch Mickey.  My favorite is when you do the hotdog dance.  You tuck your elbows in and swing them side to side saying "hassdog, "hassdog."  You notice him (or the Disney emblem) everywhere.  Even when we don't see it, we backtrack and may find the tinniest Mickey on a package of bandaids. 
• I love when you get hurt, not that you actually get hurt, but that you say "Oww boobie hurts."  I love explaining to people that a boobie, is actually a boo-boo.  
• Daddy's favorite sporting events calm you.  Sometimes when you are sad you ask for "beesball" and since baseball is not in season, we turn it to the MLB network and you calm down just seeing the MLB icon on the bottom of the screen.
• Fausto and Grady drive you nuts.  You tease them all the time with your food, and think its so funny (poor guys).  While Fausto is gentle, Grady will snag anything out your hand if you aren't watching close enough.  There are times when you seem to love them.  You tell them "See ya buddies."  and "Bye bye boys" when you leave for daycare in the morning.  You do love going into the fridge and grabbing carrots for them and you quickly learned to throw them to them, instead of hand them.  You've had a few close calls with your fingers.
• You are pretty good with your P's and Q's, although sometimes you need to be reminded.  When I ask you "What do you say" you always respond with "Pease, mom."  You are especially good at "Dank you." "I sorry Moma" you sometimes need to say more than we'd like, but I especially love it when you say it for no reason.  
• Any church or big building you see is a castle, and a princess lives there.  
• You rarely ever snuggle up or fall asleep on us, but when you do your Daddy and I always say to each other "I bet you wish she did this on you."
• Daddy and I think you are amazingly smart.  You've been counting to 15 before you were 2.  You sing your ABCs (mostly) and know most of your letters.  You say "I Kenzie Bush" though you wish your name was shorter so you could spell it.  You know your shapes, and love drawing circles.  But of all this, you can not figure out your colors (besides pink and orange.)  But if you don't know the color you politely say "Uhhh, I dowt know."  We even asked the Dr about it at your 2-year Dr. appt, because we thought maybe you were color blind - ha!  Sorry we jumped the gun on that.  You'll get them in time!  

You are by far the best thing I have ever done.  You are my biggest joy and my biggest energy drain, but can't ever picture our lives without you in it.  I can't wait to see you learn and grow, and become a big sister.  I love every single ounce of you, forever and always, no matter what.  

Love, Moma