Baby Shower and Pregnancy Updates

My sweet friends Amber Hill, Nicole Lesueur, and Tami Richins threw me a baby shower this past Saturday.  It was mostly my friends from the ward and a few family members.  I loved it! I had a great time and the crepe bar was INCREDIBLE!! Thanks to everyone who helped out and who came to support us and our new baby!

Juliet, Stacey, Jennae

Lindsey

Cherelle, Monica, Marni

Such cute decorations!

Tami, Amber, Nicole

She thought everyone was there to see her!

Adrienne, Kristi, Ashley, Brittany, Serena, Jaymie, Tami

Alesa, Kristi, Juilet, Haylee

Andrea, Carley, Kristi, Katie

Tara

A week ago (36 weeks gestation) at my prenatal appointment, my midwife checked to see how I was progressing.  She said I was 1cm dilated and 40-50% effaced.  This was huge news for me because when I was checked for the first time at 41 weeks with Juliet, I was almost 1cm and about 10% effaced.  So that excited me to think that perhaps I won't go all the way to 42 weeks this time! Today when I went to my appointment (37 weeks), she checked me again and said 1+cm (almost 2) dilated and 70% effaced.  Progress!! I love it! Not sure if I'll make it all the way to 40 weeks, but we'll see.  I feel like he has dropped a bit just these past few days because he is constantly pushing on my bladder and my hips are killing me, which I assume means my pelvis is spreading more to make room for him.  I feel great otherwise.  My biggest complaint really is that he pushes so hard on my bladder.  I haven't gotten any jabs to the ribs or any issues there, which I know a lot of my friends have, so I am grateful, but it is hard when your bladder is pushed on so forcefully and so often! I seem to have enough energy for life about every other day.  It is hard because I want to clean and organize so bad, but about half the time, I just have to sit around and play with Juliet.  Honestly, I don't mind it that much because she needs the attention too, so it's probably a good thing.  Here's a few belly pictures. :)

29 weeks - Feb 7th

33 weeks - March 9th

37 weeks - April 2nd

18 Months Old

This special little princess turned 18 months old on March 25th.  She definitely thinks she's two with the tantrums she throws, so we are learning a lot about parenting and patience!  But she is also learning so much and is still so sweet! We just love her to pieces!  Here's a few of her stats:

-25lbs (60%), 33 in (81%). 16 teeth.
-Just now growing out of 12 month clothes due to length.  In 18 month to 2T.  Just grew in to size 5 shoes.
-She knows almost all her body parts.
-Words she knows: Mama, Dada, More, Milk, Kitty, Woof Woof (Doggie), Hi, Banana, Ewww
-Favorite foods: String Cheese, Applesauce, Cottage Cheese, Yogurt 
-She loves to dance any time she hears music. 
-She laughs when people laugh on TV and claps when she hears clapping.
-She loves the park and is starting to play more with friends.
-Best friend is Emmy Farr across the street. She lights up even when she sees Emmy's mom.
-Sleeps 7pm - 7am. Naps for 1-2 hours at 12:30.  Lately been going down very easily at night time.
-Favorite toys: Duplos, Horse princess castle, dinosaur hand puppet, stacking cups.
-Loves to read books.  Loves to watch cartoons on PBS and Sprout in the morning.
-Hates having baby sitters.  Always wants to be with Mom or Dad.
-If we ask her where baby brother is, she points to Mom's belly.  She has no idea what's coming!

Absolutely loves picking out shoes for mom to wear every day.

First day in nursery - still doesn't love it a month later

Playing basketball by the park

Singing hymns in church

At Buy Buy Baby with Mom and Dad registering for little brother

Wagon ride with friend Lily

She does the slides all by herself now

This is a normal way to eat, right? She usually starts with a utensil, then when that isn't fast enough, she eats with her hands.  Apparently, sometimes the hands aren't fast enough, either!

"Helping" mom vacuum.

Nap time

For some reason, Meg allows her to do this to her and always comes back for more.

Where's baby?

Peek-a-boo!

Remember Sock 'em boppers?

Hanging out with Mom waiting for her OB appt.

Normal???

Sleepy baby.

She had been taking a bath in our tub for a while and started refusing to get in, so I moved her back to her own tub.  She was a little bit happy about it. :)

Lunch after getting 18 month/Easter pictures taken.

Nap time in the car

Cousin Brynn's mittens!