I've been busy...

working on a house, spending time with my nieces, visiting family, sewing pillows, working on a baby quilt, reading, sleeping, learning a new area, being homesick, editing photos (which I desperately need to post), picking out baby names, playing with Leon, attempting (and repeatedly failing) to discipline a two year old, painting, and growing a baby. 

(23 weeks with baby boy #2)

One of these days I'll find time to post about some of these projects.  I've been a terrible blogger.

Louisville Temple Trip

On Saturday we were able to go to the Louisville Temple.  It's only 1 hr 20 min drive which is soooo much better than the 3 hour drive through Chicago to get to the temple.  I think we'll be taking more advantage of short trip in the future.  We met our friends from home there so we could do a trade off kiddos.  We had a great time playing with their little Dax and then enjoying a late lunch all together.  Here are some pics from our visit:

Our boys - they had a good time together.

 I think Kyle really enjoyed having both boys together.  Just a little view into the future I guess.

 Mr. Dax

My Leon and the boys exploring the beautiful temple grounds together.

They had the most beautiful pink hydraneas on the grounds.

It was a great trip.  I always love the refreshing perspective I get at the temple.  It's a wonderful blessing.

A Brother

Yesterday we had our ultrasound.  I'm happy to say that we're having a healthy baby boy!  Leon is going to have a little brother and we couldn't be more excited.  I was sure it was a girl so I was surprised, but the more I think about it the more excited I get.  Two boys to play with each other, two boys to send on missions, two boys to have adventures with.  It will be wonderful.

After the ultrasound, Leon and I went to Babies R Us to celebrate and get some fun new things for the baby.  Leon helped me pick out the little doggie and the cars pj's and I picked out the cute robot pj's.

Now it's time to start making decisions.  What on earth are we going to name this boy?  We don't have a lot of names picked out.  Should I have a VBAC or another C-section?  The doctors here DO NOT like doing VBACs.  How should I decorate this kiddos room? 

I'm so excited about it all!

Lately with Leon...

The last two weeks have been pretty hard on Leon.  He started to refuse to sleep in his crib - screamed and cried and was just plain terrified everytime I tried to put him in it.  He also has been extremely clingy.  He freaks out anytime I go into another room where he can't see me.  However, he is getting better everyday.  I've been working with him to try to get him to feel secure again.  Kyle also said a special prayer (aka a father's blessing to you LDS folks out there).  I feel like it did wonders.  He's still not 100% back to himself but I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. 

We bought Leon a train table a few weeks ago.  He LOVES it.

 And a few days ago we bought Leon a big boy bed.  It was pretty obvious he was just DONE with the crib.  I was sleeping on the couch with him every night.  He loves his bed, but I still have to stay with him until he falls asleep right now, but I know it will get better with a little bit of time.  We had fun picking out his Thomas the Train sheets.  I can't believe my little boy is big enough for a twin bed.

Jumping on his new bed:

Our New Home

Well, we're moved!  I'm missing home like crazy this morning, so I thought maybe...just maybe, showing off our new house a bit might help.  And I know some of you have been asking to see photos.  These photos were taken while we were house hunting, so they don't show any of our stuff in them.  I'm going to wait to do that until we get a little more settled, throw some paint on the wall, and getting it looking more like us.  We're mostly unpacked, but we have lots of organizing, rearranging, painting, and all that other new home stuff to do.  Well, here you go:

The Outside:

I usually don't really care for brand new houses, but after spending the last two year fixing an old home up (and still having about 10 more years of work to do) just to have to leave it, I didn't want to put all that work into another one.

The Kitchen and Breakfast Area:

It's small, but has a pantry.  We now also have a fridge.  I also are going to replace those ugly vinyl floors soon - I can't stand them.  We turned the dining room into the office, so that large breakfast area will be the official dining area.  It's big, so we'll be able to fit a good sized table there.

The Living Room:

It looks a little dwarfed in this pic, but it's actually very big and roomy.  We have a lot of spare space.  This pic is taken from the kitchen, so everything is nice and open which I love.

There's also a 1/2 bath on the first floor.  The second floor has the master "suite" with nice bathroom, another bathroom for the kiddos, a rec area (which we're using for a toy room), a huge laundry room, and two more bedrooms.  We also have a full basement which we hope to finish if we're here long enough.  This house is big - much bigger than I'm used to.  However, it will be plenty of space for us for quite a while, if not forever, which is nice. 

Leon is adjusting well.  We bought him a train table when we got here (which he is keeping him occupied at this very moment) and absolutely loves.  He's been getting up early, around 5:30, most mornings which is not soooo wonderful for me.  He had been very clingy and worried around us, but now that all of his favorite things are out of boxes and we're getting settled he is doing so much better.  Kyle started work a few days ago and has been working hard, but he likes it so far. 

3 WEEKS?

Huh?  I just looked at the calendar.  We have only 3 weeks until we move?  Huh?  What?  OH MY GOODNESS.

Reality just hasn't set in.  I haven't done a single thing to really prepare for this move.  Well, that's not true.  We've almost sold our house, almost bought a house, and I've found an OBGYN down there.  But honestly, that's it! 

We're going to be gone in 3 weeks.  whoa.

eek.  I don't wanna go.  Please, don't make me!



Well, I guess I have to.  I've been so not wanting to think about this move, that I've consumed myself in doing other things.  I've had quite a few awesome photography sessions, I've sewed, I've slept and ate a lot.  I just don't want to deal with it.  But at the same time, I'm just so ready to have it all past us.  You know, to feel like I'm not waiting around anymore - to start life again.  I've had a bad attitude - the "what's the point, I've moving" and "who cares, I've moving" attitude.  I'm so torn about all of it. 

Anyway, I'll share a pic of my amazing little artist.  This is the first time finger painting.  More pics to come:

Some Special News

We have some special news:

Need a hint?  Read Leon's shirt!