Our Family

Laurel of The Living Bouquet is not only talented in the area of making headbands and cute twin boys, she also takes amazing photos! She doesn't take portrait shots usually (so she says... ;)) but has taken our family photos since we had Gideon. I always love them!

Here are the latest - our family of soon four. Thanks, Laurel!

They've captured my heart! 

He's so happy that he can run! 

Goodness, just look at that boy!

So fun! 

38 Weeks!

I can't believe I'm there. 38 weeks, well almost. My baby is full term and can come any day now! With Gideon I delivered at 39weeks, will his brother follow suit? We shall see. My mom comes to town on Tuesday, I'm so excited!

Currently, I'm not craving anything except ICE COLD drinks and a pedicure! I really think that salons should give pregnant women--who can no longer reach their feet without passing out--free pedicures. It only seems fair, right?

At my 36 weeks appointment I was 2.5cm and 50% effaced! Really, that means little. Especially with a second baby. But I'm hopeful! :) My only "complaint" right now would be horrible, collapse to the floor leg cramps - but I'll deal with those for a full-term, healthy baby.

38 Weeks
(We took the picture at my most tired part
 of the day, whoops! :))

This season is full of exciting things for our family, and lots of transition. I'm seeing the Lord's grace over and over again.

It's been a while...

I also seem to have a post like this one, where I have fallen off the grid for a bit then am ready to jump back in. Truly, my reasoning is life. Sometimes I feel ready and inspired to blog and other times I feel like my entire focus needs to be on my home, husband, and family. That was the recent season. Adam was doing 80-90 hours a week so I felt like we were going non-stop, partly because we were. He is now finished with his 800 clinical hours for his degree, taken and PASSED the board exams, and is now finishing up his last week and a half of classes before finals and GRADUATION. A close friend and I also joke that we look forward to the day our husbands work a full-time job and come home. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for this season... I'll write more about that later.

Anyway. I'm back and feeling much more inspired now. :)

Gideon is 16 months old and full.of.life. He is climber. Moms, got any tips for climbers? We've only had one "injury" so far, and thankfully it wasn't too serious but I spend much of my time taking him down from the kitchen table, or chair, or coffee, table, or benches..you get the point. I don't want to drown the adventurous part of him but he has no limits right now. Adam often says he's much like me - loves to be around people, gets super excited at nothing sometimes, and does great with schedule but goes with the flow so easily. Love my boy. I can't wait to meet his brother.

I'll have another post soon and update you on my pregnancy as well.

My Man

Today is my husband's birthday. It's been a crazy last week or so with a very sick son and a very hectic schedule for Adam. Today I thought he would be gone for 12+ hours so we knew that much celebrating couldn't happen. Though, the Lord showed me tons of grace and several of Adam's commitments were cancelled, allowing him to be home with Gideon and I on a very rough day. So..we spent a lot of his birthday at the doctors office, getting medicine, and trying to calm our sick baby (this evening he showed improvement).

All of that to say, I'm so blessed by this man. I've never felt such tangible unconditional, self-sacrificing love as I feel from him. He truly models Christ to me. I couldn't be more thankful for such a hard-working man. Did you know that my husband goes to school full time, works a job, does clinicals, has homework AND still makes his family number one?! Seriously, how did I get so lucky.

Here's to by husband. The man who has made so many of my dreams comes true and serves me like I'm a queen. Happy 26th Birthday, Adam! I'm proud to be your wife.

Gideon's 1st Birthday: Photo Booth Fun

Just a few photo booth pictures from Gideon's party!

Amos! 

Andrew had the most fun, I think! 

Future Mr. and Mrs. :) 

The Krause Family 

The Welmers! 

**Masks compliments of my mom..she sells them, too! :)

Gideon's 1st Birthday Party in Minnesota

We had so much fun celebrating Gideon's birthday party with some of our closes friends here. Thanks for all the support, love, and gifts you all share! Here are some photos from the day:

I had so much fun making some yummy treats to go along with the Woodland theme! Mushroom cookies, acorns, hedgehog donuts were a few. :) 

 

Aunt Becca and Gideon hanging out! 

He picked up the whole "cake" to eat. :) 

More photo booth pictures to come!

"All this is for me?!"

22 Weeks!

22 weeks! Already!

Baby:
**Healthy and happy inside my belly! Everything looked great the ultrasound.
**Weighs approximately one pound already (20wks)! At least according to our anatomy scan earlier this week.
**This little man especially loves to move when I'm lying down to go to bed. I love it! I often fall asleep smiling and wake up with such joy thinking about him.

Cravings:
**I've been wanting more junk food..but I think that just because I'm still having some food aversions so thinking/creating meals is sometimes difficult. Eating meals is great, it's just when I make them..  Junk food (processed garb) seems the easiest to me. :)

Emotionally:
**I'm everywhere! Hard to get reigns on pregnancy hormones sometimes. I'm so thankful for a husband who can so gently and with care put up with my moody/emotional attitude sometimes. :)

Milestones:
**I'm wearing a lot more maternity clothes now. They are just more comfortable!
**I've gained 7 pounds! Grow, baby, grow! :-)
**More braxton hicks.

On my mind:
**How to raise TWO sons! So thankful for the Holy Spirit.
**Gideon being a big brother.
**Baby boy names!
**Thankfulness for a healthy, growing baby. And grace!
**Double strollers, second carseats, and all that fun stuff.

I'm feeling really good these days. Fatigue often, but I can handle that. My next appointment is in 3 weeks and we actually get to have another ultrasound! They couldn't get a good profile picture of the baby because of his position so they'll re-scan for one. I'm okay with that! Also, I'll get tested for gestational diabetes. I was negative with Gideon and hopeful for the same with this little man.

Disclaimer: We are not photographers...sorry to all my friends who are, don't judge. :)

Gender Reveal!

The news has finally arrived! Enjoy a short clip from Gideon sharing his sibling love. :) All the fun ultrasound details to come tomorrow.

P.S. Stay tuned for the bloopers at the end!

Boy or Girl?

I am already 20 weeks pregnant with this little babe! Feeling good and having lots more energy, too. On Thursday (Jan 17th) we find out the gender of our second baby!! I can hardly wait.

I want YOUR guesses? Another son? Or will we be adding a little lady to our family? Do tell what you think! :-)

Here's a 20 week bump picture! Sadly I haven't taken any before this one really...I think because this pregnancy just seems to be flying by for me.

20 Weeks! 

Milestones:

**Daddy felt him/her kick for the first time yesterday! And I was feeling tonssss of movement and even already seeing my belly jump a little. Oh man, if you have never been pregnant or are newly pregnant, let me tell you, it is one amazing thing to feel your child inside of you. I wish I had words to describe it.
**You're apx. 7 inches long already!
**You can recognize Mama's voice!
**More energy for Mama!

Cravings:
**I haven't had too many as of this week. But I am enjoying pickles a lot more these days. I know, how stereotypical. But I have had more cravings this pregnancy than last. In the beginning I craved chicken nuggets. Then Sprite, chocolate ice cream, and...something else. I'll have to think of it.

On my Mind:
**How to prepare for two children, physically and emotionally. I can't wait!
**Adam finishing this semester in MAY!!!!
**Finding out if we are having a boy or girl.
**Loving on Gideon more!

I'm not in maternity clothes quite yet but I have a feeling that my wardrobe is going to need to expand in that area! I hardly got any when I was pregnant with Gideon and now I'm realizing that I do need some more clothes that *fit*..and I think I'll be in them a lot sooner! So..if anyone has any to sell let me know! :)

This photo I had to add for sheer laughter! :) I promise I wasn't ignoring the
fact that he was about to fall backwards..even though I kept composure in this picture. :) 

Okay, I think that is it. NOW, get to guessing!

Our Family is Growing!

I can hardly believe I am writing this post already. Baby number two is growing big in my belly. We are so thrilled to be having another baby. This baby is due the beginning of June...though I'm measuring a bit bigger so we will get more of an idea at my ultrasound on THURSDAY! I'm 19 weeks 5 days  right now and feeling really good. I started feeling movement and having some Braxton Hicks around 16 weeks. I had BH early in my first pregnancy too so this time around they don't make me too nervous.

My pregnancy with Gideon went great and had no complications, as with my delivery (that I'll write about one day). We are trusting the Lord for this pregnancy and delivery to be the same. Since birth is something I'm already so passionate about, I'm sure you will be hearing of ways we prepare for baby number 2, as well as birth plan ideas, etc. If that's something you're interested in, stay tuned. :) I have really enjoyed being pregnant, so far with both of my pregnancies and I'm one of the weird women who is actually looking forward to labor and birth again. It's just so incredible to me.

My children will be just over 17 months apart and I couldn't be happier. My prayer is that they would grow together and learn to lay their lives down for each other. What a blessing it is to have children! I couldn't imagine my life without them.

Bump picture to come! :-)

One Year!

I have a one year old and I can't even believe it!

Gideon, you bring so much joy to our lives! Daddy and I can't even imagine life without you. You're constant smile and thrill make even the bad days, good. We cannot wait to see the mighty man of valor that you grow into. We are thankful and proud to be your parents.

- You are cruising around as fast as you can with your push toys!
-You LOVE to give and receive kisses. They just make you melt.
-You babble all day long!
-You can say Dada, Mama, all done, and baby!
-You're gonna be a great big brother, I already know. You were made to be in a big family!
-You love pushing buttons, playing with Mama's phone, and getting into new things.
-You're great at stacking cups and putting things in funny places...like sippy cup lids in the heater.
-You put your hands together to say "more", clap, wave hi, give high fives, and can climb up the stairs.
-You have a gentle spirit.
-You're trying really hard to listen when Mama or Daddy tell you not to do something.
-You love eating crackers, green beans, and spinach smoothies.
-You weigh 23 pounds and are 31 inches long!

Where's Gideon?