Family night at the Blues game, take 2

As you may have read before that we went to a Blues hockey game last month and my phone was lost/stolen. So, we had take 2 at it last night again. We had an excellent dinner at Shogun, yummy sushi!!! Then we went to the Blues game. Aydan had a blast! And so did Mommy and Daddy. The Blues won, which is always an added bonus! (esp against the Blackhawks) No phone were taken.. we even came out with everything I went in with.. including a new shirt for Mom and a new hat for Aydan!!
Fun Family night out!

 Aydan is very into the game... he loves going to see the Blues...  he says "Go Blues!"

And of course you can't go see the game and no get Popcorn!

74 DAYS until my due date.

29 weeks

I'm 29 weeks today and feeling good. I had a fun filled shopping day with Mama Hood today. Aydan was a trooper and we got some things needed checked off my list, yay!
Baby update: It says this week its important to start getting more iron, calcium, and protein. Its important to start paying attention to kicks and let doctor know if anything changes a lot. It said the baby could be around 15 and a half in long now and weighs around 3 lbs.
I also have my doctor's appointment tomorrow! My 3-D sono in 2 weeks from tomorrow, double yay!

Merry Christmas to All!! and Aydan's 3rd Christmas

This was a fun year for Chrismtas! Aydan really got into it all and can now open his own presents! yay, mom and dad don't have to anymore! He really did have a good time this year and enjoyed all the lights, decorations, presents, trees, etc. Which in turn, made it fun for Mom and Dad this year.
We had some friends over Christmas Eve morning. Followed by a good nap. Then we went over to Grandma and Grandpa Hoods for Christmas Eve. We did presents, went to communion, had a excellent dinner, and then did more presents. Aydan was worn out when we got home and sleep good! Christmas day we went over to grandparents again for brunch, yummy and some relaxing time. Then followed by a great family nap! yay! What a great Christmas.
Next year we will have our whole family with us... Aydan and our new baby girl on the way.

 Aydan in his adorable Christmas sweater.

 Aydan opening Plato!

 Christmas morning! Santa time.

Opening his stocking! Thomas time.

Aydan's New Big Boy Room!!

Aydan big boy bed came today!!! He was excited. (wasn't happy he couldn't play with his trains while they were setting up, but yet still happy). Once it was put up he got on it and started jumping. He doesn't care about the dresser, but what 2 year old would. I love how both of them look now that they're in there and I think he really really likes his bed.

Here's some of my many pictures I took to mark this big event!

 His last picture in his bed playing

 He didn't want to get out. He didn't know what was happening.

 His new toy, Alphie. Let him open it while they were setting it up to distract him.

 The bed up!

 Bed is up and all made.. ready to go for Aydan.

 The room all together. Its a little tight, but its just fine with Aydan.

 Playing tools in his new bed... how could anyone sleep when there's playing to do.

All tucked in.. night night big boy!

Christmas Sweater Party

Well the 2nd annual Christmas party was a success. The ones who came last year, had better ones this year. The new-bees didn't quite get it yet. Next year should bring in some interesting sweaters. I hoping to see someone have one that plays music or have lights on it. yes!! That would be an instant win! It was a good time with good friends.
We also did our family Christmas with the Suchomski's/Pyle's this weekend. My neice, Vivian, came to play with Aydan... which I think he really enjoyed. He keeps saying "find Vivian." My sister, Dad, Nancy (his new wife) and 2 of my new step-brothers came too. It was a good weekend. I wish I could have seen all my family this year or that they lived closer...  maybe in years to come!

 My sis and I at the party.

 Almost all the participating contestants in Ugly Sweaters!

Aydan and Vivian playing trains!

In Baby world. She's really wearing out mama. On days like today at school, where I had to be on my feet a lot! My tummy was sore and rock hard by the time I got home. Had some R and R with Aydan when I got home, which was nice.  OH, and 82 until my due date.

28 weeks!! Some days feel like 20, some like 40, ha

Hello 3rd Trimester!!
Of course, I'm tired... but I've been tired already, so now its just more tiredness, ha. She preparing me for the non-sleep that will happen once she's born. I am also now down to my 2 week appt. So I go back right after Christmas. Then go back again the 2nd week in Jan for my 3-D sono. The doctor I saw last also said we could probably schedule my c-section at 32 weeks, so we'll see.
This week: She is developing billion of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat (aka baby fat) in preparation for life in the outside world! The Baby nows weighs about 2 1/2, like a butternut squash :)  And around 15 in long. Her head is also growing, to make more room for the developing brain. 
She'll still kicking a lot. She's a mover. She actually managed to keep me up most of the night Friday night. gooo. We did just finish a family nap, which was awesome.. and much needed after not much sleep this weekend. I have just 2 days of sleep this week before our 1 and a half Christmas break. 

 Here's my newest picture. Our light in our room is broken, so did it in the other babies room. You can see Aydan new mattress in front for his new bed that's on the way.

 Aydan came in for some belly hits while trying to do this. ha. Had to put it up.

Some of my Projects.

Here are some pictures of finished projects for the babies room.

1st the picture I painted. I was going to show it after hung it, but waiting on the proper backing to hang it.. and since was taking pictures of other things... decided just to take this picture too! Its just laying on the bed right now. Its a water lily.. minus the water.. but I like how it turned out!

2nd the... bow/hair ties/hat holder. Its cork board I painted white. So there are hooks at the bottom and its cork to pin anything else on I want. There is also pink ribbon around the edges. I really like how this turned out.. its simple and yet going to useful.. I'm sure it'll look fuller when can actually hang it.

Here are some of the headbands I got online. I'm not big on the big bows.. but definitely do like something pretty for them. I was super impressed with this set I got too. They are Super super soft and not tight on the head.. so should be comfy for her.

And lastly. Something else I didn't make, but that's ok. Its pretty! Its a burp cloth.

Oh, and 89 days til my due date.

27 weeks and 1 day.

I had my appointment today. I did my glucose test. It went well. The babies heartbeat was good and strong. Everything checked out good with the baby and me!
As for the baby: She around 2 lbs. or more by now. Comparable to a Chinese Caggage, ha. And somewhere around 14-15 in long. The baby's brain is very active now. A lot of rhythmic movement could now just be the hiccups. (I think I just feel her kicking and doing summer-salts more than anything!) She can aslso now blink her eyes, which have eyelashes. She may even be able to see the light that filters through the womb now.
Here's the technical picture of what's going on. hehe.  :)

Aydan visits Santa and our 1st snow

Aydan went to see Santa yesterday morning! They had a fundrasier here in town at the Union Hall, called "Karing for Kids." You go eat breakfast and see Santa. All money goes to taking children to go get clothes and things they need.
Since Aydan cried last year and wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, I didn't know what would happen this year. He did much better this year. We hung out, ate, let him watch numerous other kids go and see Santa to get used to it. When came his turn.. he walked up with me, and starting walking slower when a few feet away. I had to pick him up and put him on Santa's lap. Santa came him a candy cane, which then allowed us to get a picture. Oh, and he also told Santa he wanted Handy Manny for Christmas, yay!

It is also snowing right now here for the 1st time this year. It took until December 12th for it to snow, but its really coming down today. There must be 1-2 inches out there already, and still a little more to come. Probably try and get Aydan out to play in it today!

Also in baby news. 91 days left, yay! And I'm 27 weeks today. Baby update tomorrow after my doc appt.

Daddy's 1st baby girl shopping trip

Justin was in Chicago for his State's Att. Conference this week. He knows I love Carter's for baby clothes and now anytime he goes shopping without me, he always goes in there to get stuff for Aydan, and now the baby girl on the way.
I must say after he said he bought the little girl some clothes I was very interested to see what he would pick out. I'd say it was a success and I was proud of him!

1st pick:

A pink and brown cheetah print sleeper. This is adorable! Also, very adorable because its one of the two things I picked out from there when I stopped in a month ago. We think alike! Unfotuntely we bought the same size, so I'm going to take it back and get the next size up!

2nd pick:

This outfit set is the cute pants (of course, that's why featured in pic), also came with short sl onesize and long sl onesize. Cute.. it'll be one of the 1st purple things for her!

3rd pick:

This is a pj set. Its cute. Not my favorite. Only problem is the size will have this set for the summer time. So we'll just exchange the size for her to wear it in the fall instead of the summer.

Over all, this little girl's daddy did GOOD! Before we know it, he'll be putting pony tails in and bow on top!  :)

Aydan's Christmas Outfit

Aydan had the cutest Christmas outfit last year from Grandma from Janie and Jack with penguins on it. So... this year Grandma found it again!!! Its a penguin with a top hat! Aydan will look just adorable this year. Pictures to come after Christmas of course.

Aydan goes to Candy Cane Lane w Grandma and Mommy!

Tonight we took Aydan to see Candy Cane Lane in Wet Frankfort and he had a blast! The characters he saw and recognized and said their name out loud: Mickey Mouse, Star Wars, Head (which is potato head), Lighting McQueen, Mator (tamator from Cars), Santa, Buzz Lightyear, Snoopy, and many others. He kept saying "Mama, More!" every time the car moved on to see more. And when we were done, he just kept saying "More, More, More." So, I'd say he had a good time tonight... too bad the lane doesn't last longer! There's always next year!

The pictures are kinda crummy, but I forgot my camera and this was the best I could do in a moving car. 

26 weeks...

I'm now 26 weeks. New baby developments this week. She can now not only hear me, but hear Justins voice too.. and hear our conversations. She will be reaching 2 lbs very soon (or I believe her to be 2 lbs already, a little ahead of the game). She is now sleeping and waking in intervals, could be sucking her thumb, and opening and closing her eyes.
I am 98 days from my due date!

I made a lot of progress on my painting this weekend. The flower is done, just have the lily pad and water to do. Also got some other items in... the lid for the hamper (had a problem when the hamper came, no lid :(  and the piggy bank (looks just like Aydan's, only in blue), and the cork boards to make a hair ribbon/bow holder! Lots more projects to do!

This is my newest belly pictues..

Delayed Thanksgiving pictures

Aydan thinking his a baby again. We brought his over for his 6 month old cousin.. and he climbed in, ha.

Aydan showing Avalinn how his trains work

Mom and Dad eating dinner

Aydan and Avalinn eating breakfast

Posing Aydan and Avalinn in front of tree for a Christmas picture

Baby Survery time.

I found a cute baby survery... deciding to finally do one. If anyone has any other cute ones... let me know (aka probably Heather, why did you find your format?)
I also added a baby countdown ticker...  104 days left to go.  When said like that it said huge! ha.

About the mommy:
Name: Marcy
Age: 28
Is this the first child?: Nope. I have a beautiful little boy, named Aydan

About the daddy:
Name: Justin
Age: 31
Is this the first child?: See my answer above :)

About the pregnancy:
When is your due date?: March 13th
How far along are you right now?: 25 weeks
Have you had an ultra sound?: Yes, 2 of them.
Have you heard the heartbeat?: Yes, at every appointment! Its so special every time.
Sex of the baby: Girl!!
What do you want. Boy or Girl?: A girl, wanted one of each, and we are very lucky to get that.
Are you happy with what you are having?: Definitely. I wanted one of each. I think Justin is more happy with it as time goes. He's happy that I'm happy and that I won't bug him for another one. :)

About the birth:
Who is going to be with you?: Just Justin and the other 6 doctors/nurses, ha.

Are you going to video tape it?: Nope. Even if I wanted to its not allowed.

Do you think you will have a c-section?: Yup. Aydan was, so we will be having one this time too. So that means the spinal again, cath, etc.... yuck yuck. But she'll have a perfect shaped head!

Do you think you will cry when you first hold your baby?: Most likely. I was sooo tired when I finally got Aydan and had cried during most of surgery getting him out, so I was good once held him.. I believe the same will happen. It's just too hard to sleep the night before having a baby.

Do you know what you will say to the baby when you first hold her?:  I love you!

Are you scared about the labor?: Nope. Scared of the spinal. And scared I will go into labor before go to planned c-section and then will have emg one.

Names:
Do you have a name picked out?: We have one... I'd say we're 99% sure. I'm ready to start putting the name of stuff, so probably going to be 100% sure very soon. Emma Jane Hood!

Is your baby going to be named after anyone?: Nope, that's the way I like it. It fits Justin and I and that's it.

Did the daddy help pick the name?: Yes, he picked the middle name.

Other random questions:
Have you felt the baby move?: Oh, my goodness yes.... lots lots.

What was your first symptom?: No period.

Will you have godparents?: Yes

What is the baby's room theme?: Yellow, pink, white, and brushed nickel... No theme exactly.

Are you ready to be a mommy?: Yes. I think Aydan would say I'm a pretty good one. Am I ready to be taking care of 2! eeekkk. haha. jk. Of course I am. I believe I can handle it. 

What do you think the baby will be a "daddys girl/boy" or a "mommys girl/boy"?: Well Aydan is a Mommy's boy as of now. We'll see... of course I hope a mommy's girl :)

25 weeks...about 65% of the way there.

25 weeks there. Not much to update on the baby. Just that the baby is around 14 in long this week and the weight is a little more than a lb and a half. She's also going a lot of hair this week.

Aydan meanwhile is repeating every word you say! If he can sound it out, he'll say it! So mommy and daddy are watching what they say and watch on tv in front of him. It's really cool to see his vocab skyrocket though.. he's so smart.

I'm also going to being working on a painting a picture of a flower on a canvas this week for the baby's room. Picture to come as soon as I'm done!

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great!! Justin and I have a lot to be thankful for this year: eachother, Aydan, our baby girl on the way, our wonderful families and friends, and all the good food we ate that day! Oh, and p.s. the fact that I could still fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans (granted they were buttoned w a hair-tie, but that's just details) to wear that day, yay... cause not much longer will that happen.
I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!!

Lauren got some cute pictures of Aydan with his cousin Avalinn, once she gets them to me.. I'll post one.

Other baby updates: she growing, growing, and growing. Oh, and moving all the time! Especially when I eat! Got her some goodies on Black Friday: an idock for her music, a lamp, and some cute clothes!

This break has been nice to have some days with Aydan!!!! Hope everyone else is enjoying them too.

24 weeks!

It feels like yesterday we saw our little girl for the first time and they told me I was 7 weeks along. The last 17 weeks have gone by fairly fast. And in less than 16 weeks we will get to meet her, yay!!
This week I have continued to sort through Aydan's clothes, wash stuff, hang some, and store some back that we won't need for awhile. Aydan's bed rail for his new bed came, its cute and he keep trying to play with it and store his tools in it. The office is coming along towards being an office/guest bedroom. Grandpa got the bookcase out and painted the wall behind it. yay! Huge relief. I had parent teacher conferences this weeks so didn't get much else done.

Baby progress: The baby is now anywhere from 13-15 in long. And weighs about 1 1/2 lbs (the weight is compared to a rubtabaga, which is a yellow Sweedish turnip). This week the brain is continuing to grow quickly and taste buds are continuing too. The lungs are developing branches of the respiratory lines, as well as the cells that help the air sacs inflate once she's out in the world. Her skin is still thin and translucent, but it will start to change soon too. She will also start turning the lean little body in for some baby fat!

Feeling ok this week. Only one bad evening. Little girl decided she would kick me/move around every 15 seconds or so Thursday night, when I had 4 hours of parent conference. So... by the time I got done I felt like I was going to throw up. When I got home and laid down Justin came over to feel her move.. felt around 20 strong kicks and replied "She is punting your stomach!"... I said, I know!

 Same profile I've done every week.

 Did this one with shirt over the belly, because I think you can see the roundness my belly is doing with shirt over it a little more. Wearing a pre-baby tank top. Yup, she's a growing.

And here's Aydan all tucked in bed while I was taking pictures.. watch Dora of course!

My newest wall design

I have wanted to put something up on the wall in our living room for awhile now. I found this one awhile ago too, but never ordered it. Once we found out we were having another baby I never I would want a saying for her room. So I ordered them both together. This one is in our living room and I thought the saying was so fitting because its our sitting, playing, and hanging out area all in one. I am so happy with it now that its up and love IT!!

Staying busy busy busy

I had my 6 month appt (23 weeks tech) on Monday. Everything checked out ok and the baby is doing good. She moving a LOT! I go back in 4 weeks for my sugar test, yummy.. its a really nasty orange drink.

I've been continuing to go through Aydan's clothing.. a HUGE project in itself! But I feel as if I'm making head way in the crates downstairs finally.

I got the Christmas tree put up.. yes I know, its EARLY, but we are staging it to take a family picture next to it on Saturday for our Christmas cards. I even wrapped presents to put under in for the picture. We all have nice new sweaters (except Mowgly) and its going to look great!

I ordered Aydan new bedding and bed rail for his new twin bed. Pictures to come when his bed comes in. My little man is growing up into a Big Boy Bed, its crazy.

Lots more to do in next few weeks, espically before Christmas...   goo, I better get moving!

Daddy's 1st kicks!!

Last night baby girl was moving and kicking like crazy when I got into bed, like usual. I put my hand on my stomach and decided I thought I was fianlly feeling it on the outside too. So I put Justin's hand on my belly and sure enough he could feel it and strong too! He got to feel about 10 good movements before she calmed down and lay still. He was so excited and so was I!! It was a good night!!

Other good news I'm 23 weeks today! Last month of the 2nd trimester. She is contining to hear sounds from the "outside" world now! Loud noises become familar.. such as me teaching loud so my kids can hear me over the fans and vent, Mowgly barking, and Aydan banging on stuff! She's probably just a little more than a pound now! And about 1 foot long, they compare her to an ear of corn this week.. hummm. :)

Play day with Aydan

Well we had today off because of the great work our Vets do... so we decided to spend the day playing with Aydan.
1st we spent most of the morning with Aydan throwing all his balls down the stairs and Justin throwing them back up to him. He enjoyed it greatly!
2nd we took Aydan to see the new kid movie, MegaMind

Aydan enjoyed himself. Ate some popcorn. And was pretty tired on the way home!

He naped and then 3rd got to play outside. He enjoyed a plastic set of bowling balls he got from his birthday party. Of course he didn't want to come inside for dinner because he had tooooo much fun today!!

It was a good family day!

My Dad's wedding

My dad got re-married this weekend to a very lovely lady named Nancy. We went to Champaign for the wedding. It was a fun weekend! I got to visit with my Dad's brothers and sister and tell them all about the new baby to come and they got to see Aydan again, which was good. (the yearly re-union isn't often enough). The ceremony was nice and my dad's best friend gave a nice speech about what a great person my dad is!!

I got to see my sister Carmen a lot which is always nice because she lives so far away. I also got to see my mother that weekend, which I haven't seen in over a year, which is nice too. I really enjoyed my visits this weekend!!! I was tired when I got home, but it was all worth it.


Also, on the way home, I stopped in the Carter's at Tuscola... here's 1 goodie I found on sale....   super cute!! A little mini-dress!

22 weeks and 1 day!

I am a couple weeks past the half way point which feels nice! My back however does not! boo.. I don't have to do much and my lower back kills and pinches like heck. This week the pancreas is developing nicely. The eyes have formed, but still lack pigment. The baby is still about 1 pound big, maybe more and around 11 in long. About the size of a mango! This little girl is also moving like crazy lately! She definitely a mover!
Here's my newest picture. 

My uppercase living for the baby's room and the living room came in. Here is the new addition for the baby's room! Whatca think?

And on my way home from Champaign this weekend I popped into Carter's and picked out some soft adorable blankets for our little bundle! Can't wait to snuggle her in them!!
Note- picture kinda makes them look like towels.. they're not. I'll post some new outfits I got too this week!

Cookies, Cookies, and more Cookies

I got a wild hair to make my mom's famous sugar cookies. Thought right before I go see my family up north I'd make them and bring some up. I made some for people here in Mcleansboro, mainly my friend Beth.. who loves them and its her bday on Sat! I'm bringing up plenty for my dad's rehershal dinner too.
As you can see from the picture, I made a lot. I always double the recipe and it makes a lot! Which is nice, because they are good!