A Wonderful Husband

I felt that this subject needed it's own blog post.  The other night when I got home from book club... I found this....

Nate handmade a foot stool for me to get into bed.  We recently purchased a new bed.... that is quite tall.  I had been using Kaitlyn's little bathroom stool to help me get in and out of bed. 

What I love about this is... I never asked for a new foot stool.  He made it because he didn't want me to fall getting in and out of bed.  Kaitlyn loves it too!  Makes it easier for her to climb in and out too! 

So, I just want to thank my husband for thinking of me!  I love you so much!  Thank you for being such a great husband and father to our children!

32 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe that I am 32 weeks today!  Granted... I am ready to be done now.... but I know the end is near!  The joys of the 3rd Trimester are in full swing.  Sleeping is difficult.  I wake up to roll over or go to the bathroom.  By the end of the day all I want to do is lay on the couch in a horizontal position.  (This is difficult when you have a 3 1/2 year old wanting to play.)  Bending over has also become a challenge... with that so has putting on socks and shoes!  Thank goodness for slip on shoes. 

I now get to go to the doctor every 2 weeks.  I have mastered peeing in a cup, which can be a challenge when your belly blocks your view.  I also miss seeing my feet!

We have finally come up with a few names.  (Actually one boys name and one girls name.)  I hope that our little one looks like the names we have picked!  Otherwise, we are back to square one... Note to self... Pack baby name book in hospital bag.  (Which reminds me that I should maybe do this sooner than later.)

Kaitlyn came 5 weeks early, so I am starting to get a little anxious that the same thing will happen this time.  I have suspended all travel from here to the end until the baby comes.  I am determined to deliver at Ridgeview this time. 

I haven't gained too much weight!  (Which I am happy about.)  At my last appointment I had gained 15 lbs. and should gain about a pound a week until delivery. 

Kaitlyn is getting excited to meet her new brother or sister.  She loves to talk to my belly and give it kisses. 

We asked her what we should name the baby.  Her response is: "Jesus".  So, we might be having a baby Jesus.  If you ask her what babies do.... she says: "Cry and Poop, Cry and Poop".

I have found this little one is very active throughout the day.  I don't remember Kaitlyn being this active.  My stomach likes to conform to odd shapes, while our little one tries out new dance moves.  It is fun to put a remote or cell phone on my belly and watch it move around. 

So the countdown has begun!  8 more weeks to go!  We can't wait to meet this little one.  We are so happy that we decided to wait to find out the sex.  It makes the journey that much more worth it! 

McNeilly Family Christmas

New Years weekend we had the McNeilly family Christmas at our house.  We had a great time hanging out, eating, playing, and opening presents.  Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Nate and Grandpa took the big kids to the fire station to look at all the trucks and try on Daddy's (Uncle Nate's Gear.)

 Kaitlyn Ready for a Fire Call!

 Cousin Darren Trying on Uncle Nate's Helmet!

 Cousin Hailey trying on Uncle Nate's Helmet!

 Kaitlyn trying on Daddy's Helmet!

 Cousins!

 Kaitlyn and Hailey are best friends!

 The Boys!

 Opening presents!

 Cousin Gibson getting his turn at presents!

All the cousins wearing their new hats that Aunty Mel made! 

Christmas Weekend

Wow, I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone!  Good thing we have one more Christmas weekend with Nate's immediate family!  We were very busy celebrating with both our families this past weekend.
Christmas Eve we spent the evening at Bopapa's house.  We had a delicious Ham dinner and opened gifts.  Here are some pictures from our evening.

 Kaitlyn getting ready to open presents at Bopapa's house!  She was so excited!

 So many presents!  Cousin Diana made it fun by wrapping each present in tissue paper!

 Kaitlyn and Mommy wearing mommy's hats she got from Bopapa for Christmas!

 Kaitlyn was so excited for Santa this year!  She has been asking for a baby doll with a nukie!  The funny part of this is... First she asked for Santa for a Baby Doll with a nukie!  Than she added ...and a bottle a few weeks later... Then the day before Christmas... she also wanted a rubber ducky!  When she opened her stocking and present from Santa - which contained... a baby doll with a nukie... She looked at us and said..Where's the bottle?

Since Christmas Day is Jesus's Birthday.... we had to make muffins and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

 Later that day we headed to my sister's house for our Christmas Day Brunch!  Kaitlyn got to open more presents. 

 The McNeilly's! 

 My little sister and me on Christmas Day!

 The Girls!

 Nana and her girls!

 Kaitlyn and her Godparents.  My sister asked Randy to put on a nice shirt for pictures.  Don't you just love the ugly Christmas Sweater he picked?

 Papa and his girls!

Papa and all his girls!

On Sunday we went to Nate's Aunt and Uncles for his extended family Christmas!  We spent the day being entertained by all the little cousins opening their presents.

 Kaitlyn got a purple unicorn pillow pet from Great Grandma and Grandpa.  She was so excited!

Her other favorite gift was a guitar from Aunty Betty and Uncle Matt!  She was styling in her pink Christmas Dress, Pink Sunglasses and Pink Guitar!

Christmas Eve Morning

We woke up on Christmas Eve morning to several inches of snow.  Kaitlyn and mommy decided we should shovel off the deck and play in the snow before we headed to Bopapa's in the evening.

 Kaitlyn trying to maneuver through the deep snow in the backyard.  She dropped her shovel off the deck and had to go and retrieve it.  Mommy couldn't help because her snow pants no longer fit over her big belly!

 Cody digging for sticks!  He spent most of the time with his head buried in the snow looking for mulch or sticks.

 Kaitlyn getting ready to sled down the hill daddy made with all the snow we have gotten this winter.

 Kaitlyn climbing up the big snow hill!

 It's so sad to see our boat surrounded by snow under our deck!  Dreaming of a warm sunny day on the lake!

Kaitlyn loving to be outside and playing in the snow! 

25 1/2 Weeks

Wow, I can't believe that my 2nd Trimester is almost over.  This begins the true countdown until our newest family member makes an appearance!  We had another ultrasound on Monday to check a few things that we weren't able to see in our first ultrasound.  Baby is looking great and everything is measuring normal.  Here is a cute profile picture of our little one.

As I have stated before.  This pregnancy is very different from Kaitlyn.  Our little baby is very active at all times during the day.  Kaitlyn loves to give mommy's belly hugs and kisses to her baby sister or baby brother. 

Making Cookies!

This past weekend we had a huge snow storm.  5th Largest Snow Storm in the last 20 years.  We enjoyed the snowed in weekend at home.  Not exactly sure, but I am pretty sure we saw close to 18" in Mayer.  Saturday evening we decided to make some sugar cookies.  Kaitlyn loved helping in her new apron that I found a local craft fair.

 Getting ready to make the cookies! Kaitlyn loves helping in the kitchen.

"Mommy, stop taking pictures so we can make cookies."

 It's time to frost and decorate the cookies we made!

 The finished product by Kaitlyn!

 Yummy! That was good mommy! 

 Some of our master pieces!

Kaitlyn's Christmas Program

This was Kaitlyn's first Christmas Program at school.  We weren't sure what to expect from 3 and 4 year olds, but they were adorable.  It was held in Kaitlyn's school gym.  It was so cute to see all the kids dressed up and ready to perform.

Kaitlyn is in the front row, second from the left.  She had almost a whole row of fans watching too.  Daddy, Mommy, Aunty Anny, Uncle Randy, Bopapa, Nana, Grandpa, and Grandma.  She did spend a lot of time watching the 4 year olds doing the actions and would copy her favorite parts.  When we got home, she did tell me she didn't sing all the words because she didn't know them, but did sing her favorite parts.  Her favorite song was "Away in a Manager", which she has me sing before bed every night.

Kaitlyn loves baby dolls.  After the program she had to go and hold Baby Jesus.

Kaitlyn and Mommy before her program! 

The McNeilly's!