13 weeks and a heartbeat

We had our first appointment today with Yolanda and got to hear the heartbeat! So, little baby is alive and well and we're very thankful for that. Jason was relieved it was only one heartbeat....I was a little sad. I'm feeling good and am getting a support belt to wear since I'm having trouble with the lifting and carrying that the job of motherhood brings. I've decided that with the naps I need during the day and how wiped out I get with this pregnancy compared to Jilliann's, that this stay-at-home mom job is much more demanding than my previous office manager job was.

I've always loved eating...

I love the smell of sauteing onions and garlic and could wear it as a perfume. Bacon makes me crazy, fresh raspberries and blueberries fill me to my gills in the summer and chocolate makes my eyes roll back in my head. My daughter, on the other hand fights me during almost every meal time. On very naughty days, she throws her food on the floor or spits it into the trash can after she gets excused. I have to come up with all sorts of incentives to get some food into her, as I myself sit there enjoying food and since being pregnant, lots of food! I love eating for two! But, on this day, you can see Jilliann was having fun at the dinner table and I was so thankful for that. This was a day I didn't have to fly in a bite via airplane because she liked her tofu and choose to eat it. Alleluia for days where you get a break, where you can be at ease and when you can see your blessings clearly and abundantly.

Mommy and Me Gymnastics Class

Jilliann had gymnastics this summer and we went three times a week for 45 minutes all month! I thought that was a lot for a toddler, but I saw her progress during her time there and was glad it lasted so long (and glad it was affordable- thank you City of Holland Rec.!). This class was fun for both of us and a couple of our friends were in it, too. The hardest part for young Jilliann was waiting her turn and listening to instructions. Great things to learn, though! She also learned how to jump from a vault, walk across an adult sized balance beam (forward, sideways and backward), do a summersault down a mat and above, she's pushing herself up on bars (with Joy's assistance). It was great to get her energy out in this way and I hope we can do things like this on a regular (seasonal) basis.

In Lake Michigan

Setting her ashes free

Dad vists!

My dad is coming today and staying the week. He really went out of his way to make this happen and we're really excited to have him here. Then, we're both leaving town about the same time on Friday morning; he's headed back to Middletown and then on to Charleston and I'm going to Wheatland (Jason will meet us there after work)! Yahoo. Wheatland is a music festival that Jason and I have made our annual ritual. It's when we celebrate our anniversary (this year marks 7 years) and this Wheatland, we get to take the girls. My mom and Fred are coming and brining the camper, making it much easier for the girls to sleep. It should be a great time. House goes on the market tomorrow. Busy, busy. :)