15 weeks

So we're 15 (and a half, oops) weeks pregnant. I've been trying to keep up with updates so far and I hope to do the weekly ones I did with BG. I love looking back on hers. So I went back and found the survey I did with her for grins and giggles.

How Far Along? 15 weeks

Total Weight Gained/Loss? up about 5. Good times.

Maternity Clothes: shirts, yes, since about the second that plus sign showed up. Pants, no, but none of them are buttoned.. shh..

Sleep? yes. Give me all the sleep.

Best Moment of the Week? I didn't have a headache today. One day out of the week is cause for celebration.

Movement- I think so... I've been feeling something that may be "baby" for a week or so now. Nothing consistent though. And I could be crazy.

Food Craving- all the cold things. Especially ice water (in styrofoam cups please)

Food aversions- seafood, chicken, most everything. I'm still at the point where nothing sounds good. Ever.

Morning sickness?- not since about week 13. The headaches are in full force though.

Gender- In 3 weeks or so. Unless I break down and do the early ultrasound thing.

Labor Signs- none.

Belly Button- in but far more shallow than at this point last time.

What I miss- feeling like a functional human being. It's coming back. Slowly though.

What I'm looking forward to- appt next week.

Big Sister Status- she no longer says she's going to run away if it's a boy but she still is staunchly on Team Pink. Conversation in the car the other day went something like this:

BG: blah, blah, blah baby Sister

Me: You know, it could really be a boy kiddo

BG: It could, but it's not. You'll see. I'm right. I just know it. And then you'll have to say "see Ella, you were right!" when it's born so...

This kid....

surprise!

Baby Girl has someone she'd like y'all to meet...

We are all thrilled to welcome Baby #2 in November!!! Details to come :)

k3 promotion.

There are certain times where I'm reminded that I am in fact someone's parent.

I mean, I always know but there are events where it just hits me in the face.

Like Tuesday night. BG had her promotion ceremony at school. She had been talking about it for weeks. How she was getting on a stage and was going to get "permoted!" up to k4. She was stoked that afternoon when I picked her up from school to go home and get ready. She wanted to wear a pretty dress (and was very disappointed at the school's request of shorts and a blue shirt) and even wanted me to put a bow in her hair (which is NEVER the case anymore!). She was so, so excited.

So I got there and quickly claimed a few seats for our group after dropping BG off with her class. I started thumbing through the program and quickly noticed her name next to the opening song. Hmmm... now that's new. She hadn't said anything about that.

Sure enough, the introductions were made, the class was led out and my girl walked to the front of the stage to the microphone. And there in front of her entire class and a church full of their families, she sang her first little solo....


And then I died.

Ok I didn't. But I could have.

She did so good!!! And I'm totally "that Mom" right now but I. DON'T. CARE. Because y'all.

She did SO GOOD!!!

I still can't get in front of large crowds (without liquid courage) without shaking and pitting out but she did it. And that face after?! I mean, seriously. She knew she did good. I'm so freaking proud of that kid.

I've watched the video no less than one hundred times. No shame.

The rest of the ceremony was just as adorable. The kids sang, showed off what skills they learned throughout the year, and did a few skits. It was definitely in the top ten of cutest moments ever.

At the end, the teachers said a few words about each kiddo and their personality. They gave out awards based on their personalities such as "most likely to be a...". When it came time for E's, I was a little nervous (no lie) since she tends to be one of the most outspoken, sometimes getsintroublealot children. But they didn't focus on that at all (as they shouldn't because she is so much more than her sometimes poor lack of self control!!) and they nailed who she is.
My tiny dancer. Good grief I love her.

So another school year in the books. How on Earth is this going so fast?!??

life.

I've decided that I miss writing. I miss writing about the every day. I miss blogging our lives. I miss having a recording of my kid because she is growing, so, so fast. So I'm back. Hopefully for good. Hopefully more than just once a month.

BG has been taking dance since September. She seems to love it. Or seemed... It's the week before her recital and I've noticed that she tends to sit through her entire class lately. When I ask her about it, she says she "got shy" (not true) or "she's tired" (maybe true). Well we got her costumes for her recital in the other day and she loves them. So what's a Mom to do?

Bribe her.

If she doesn't dance at practice, I'll send those things back (I can't do that). It's been the only method to have her keep moving through her 30 minute practice. Though "practice" last week consisted of her spinning in circles with her skirt around her shoulders. I'm going to consider her recital a win if she makes it on the stage. After that? well... that's a picture at least.

So recital tomorrow. That should be fun.


I've been traveling a lot lately. Work is INSANE to say the least. We currently have two offices and I've been doing the sales for both areas. Now we've added a third office at the beach which adds a bit more travel. I've been alternating weeks down there with our other sales rep and our travel has really picked up. It's exhausting to say the least.

All that travel means Mr. P and the little are getting a lot of time to bond at home. Which sometimes means a project.

So last week while I was at the beach, they built a garden. Well, Mr. P built it. BG quickly decided it needed to stay empty because it was the perfect spot for her to sit in and watch tv on Mr. P's phone. She was not a fan of them filling it with dirt.

But they did. After he agreed to build her another one.

We headed to the store the other day and picked out a few plants. Her only request was strawberries. Then we picked out a few veggies that Mr. P and I wanted.

The two of them spent an afternoon planting and watering their new garden. I absolutely LOVE that they did this project together. They both had such a good time and it's been such a good way for her to get outside and stay busy. She has loved doing this with her Dad. It's pretty cute.

So now we have a garden. Which has already started sprouting strawberries which the little thinks is the coolest thing ever. So do her Dad and I to be honest.

Gardens, ballet... I think that's about it. We're in a nice little routine right now. Life is busy but I'm pretty sure with jobs and a preschooler that that is just the way it's going to be for a while.

Y'all cross your fingers that her recital goes well tomorrow. It could be a disaster..... Hopefully not though.

four.

And just like that, my girl is four.
I wish there was a way to put into words exactly what I feel when I look at her. What I feel when I think about her. Just how much I stinking love her. We have this little game we play where I say "Ella, come here I need to tell you a secret" to which she yells out "I LOVE YOU!!" and then bursts into laughter. Yes, she knows my next line because I tell her that 100 times a day. Yet it's not enough. It doesn't even begin to describe how much I truly do love her.

Which I know she'll never get. Well, not until she has a kid of her own because no one could explain it to me. It's just the way it is. It's this crazy, all consuming love and pride for this little person that I get the joy of watching grow and change every single day. It's just the best.

So who are you at four Baby Girl? What do you like:

Favorite Color: purple

Favorite Food: sandwiches (me too girl, me too)

Favorite Movie: Frozen (shocker)

Favorite Book: Go Dog Go

Favorite Thing To Wear: flip flops and dresses

Favorite Toy: Oliver (the big dog)

Best Friend: Kathryn, Zoie, Livingston

Favorite Song: Let It Go (shocker again)

Favorite Drink: lemonade

You have a laugh that is infectious. You have an absolute joy for life that is something I hope never decreases in you. You love learning and going to school. You also thoroughly enjoy church and look forward to going each week. You have a mind like a sponge and come out of school and church every week reciting something new you learned. And you never forget. We can ask you something from months ago and you'll remember it like it happened yesterday. This is both good and bad as you never forget anything we say either. We can't get anything past you.

You are extremely active. You move all day everyday and you don't nap, so there is no refresher in the middle of the day. You are up and moving from 7:30 am until you pass out at night. Your parents stay exhausted. You? not so much.


You have the biggest heart. You love people so much. Sometimes you take it too heart a bit too much when you and your little friends argue at school. Which makes me go all Mama bear but I know is just one of those life lessons. You genuinely care about people. You will always try to befriend others at the park and you don't like it when someone is left out. You have the best heart.

You also enjoy animals. A lot. You love ours and we have to stop you daily from petting random ones on the street.

You are a bit sarcastic and have a bit of an attitude which we are working to tame. But I was the same way and it hasn't gone away so... We pray daily on patience with you. Your quick wit, intelligence, and sarcasm are sometimes quite the naughty trifecta and end you up in hot water. You are funny, but sometimes it needs to be reigned in.
You are so funny girl. And you know it.You make jokes and say the silliest things and you love getting a rise out of people. You will be class clown for sure. No denying that. You know how to work a crowd and though you may be shy in certain surroundings at first, that doesn't last long and in no time you are dancing and hugging and smiling your way through the crowd.

You thrive on people. You LOVE your people. You've adopted some amazing "family" through your friends you've made and through your Dad and my friends. You never meet a stranger and are the girl in the grocery store waving at everyone you pass. You were made to be a social butterfly and you definitely are.

Baby Girl you'll never know how much we love you and how proud we are of who you are becoming. From that tight lipped little smile to the way you bust into "shake your booty" complete with dance moves, you keep us on our toes and keep us laughing at all times. Days can be hard with you but they are also oh so amazing. They broke the mold after you little one. You are our special little nugget. We love you more than the world.

Mama & Dada