It's a...

BOY!! 

We had so much fun at our gender reveal  party last weekend!! We were pretty split as to what we were guessing baby would be. Jon was swearing since before I was pregnant that we would have a boy next, but boys are pretty rare in my family so I had just been picturing a little sister for Avery! My pregnancy so far has been almost exactly the same as the first time which was the biggest thing sending me girl vibes. 

Last Friday we went to Storkvision in Frisco, a place where you can get optional ultrasounds to find out the sex a few weeks earlier than they offer at the doctor and 3D ultrasounds later on. We told the tech that we wanted to be surprised for our party and she was awesome! She made us close our eyes while scanning the tushy so we wouldn't even guess. Then she called Moncia, our lovely cake lady and told her the gender over the phone instead of us having to give her a secret envelope. Then she mailed us the money shot photo this week after the party. So at the party we found out with everyone else, when we cut the cake and saw blue candy spill out everywhere! It was such an awesome moment!! Finding out the gender of your baby is one of life's best surprises, so finding out with all of our family and friends was truly special! All morning it felt like Christmas! I'm so thankful for Jamie throwing such a cute party for us. 

          Aunt Kera got to Skype in!! So fun

Everyone kept asking which sex we were hoping for and honestly we wanted either  equally. I wanted another girl so I could so all of Avery's most precious outfits all over again. And there's also just something special about the bond between sisters. Then again, sisters fight about those adorable outfits and have drama like no other when they get older. If it is a girl I'd also have to stop telling Avery that she's my favorite girl in the world. 

We wanted a boy because we don't have a boy! I want a little lovie to be Momma's boy, and Daddy's buddy. Just like Avery is my mini me and Daddy's snuggle buddy. Plus when they're older they hopefully won't have as much competition and drama as two girls would. Even though he will be younger he can still look out for her in the high school years too. Plus now it's just one wedding we'll be paying for. Ha! The benefits are endless. 

It's a good thing we went gender neutral with the big ticket items when Avery was born, so we really won't need too much besides clothes and diapers! I'm so excited now to get started on the nursery. We are going to get all the baby stuff out of the attic this weekend when we get the Christmas stuff out. We have a lot of work to do though. 

We are seriously so blessed! I'm 16 weeks now and feeling great! I'm finally getting my energy back. I'm enjoying this break between the 1st trimester nausea and the nonstop heartburn that's right around the corner to enjoy eating what I want. The heartburn has already popped up a few times but isn't severe yet. I am having some aches and pains in my belly but they are over pretty quickly. I am also feeling baby boy flutters at least once a day or so now, too! I'm looking forward to feeling him more and more. 

I'm so grateful to have this week off to spend with my growing girl!! We have both been needing some time together and she's had some serious meltdowns in the last week or so, and the only cure is Momma snuggles so I know it's because I've been working so much. That makes me feel terrible but even more thankful for this break!! We are going to have such a fun week and are hitting the potty training hard starting today. Wish us luck!! 

Another crazy week!

Check-ups, Halloween and a Birthday party--oh my! Oh and Daddy contracted the Hand, Foot and Mouth disease and was sick as a dog, plus a busted hot water heater to top it off..but onto the positive. 

I'm 13 weeks along and  had a prenatal appointment for babe #2 this week, and got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!! The rate was a little slower this time than at 8 weeks, in the 140s, which could mean boy, but Avery's did the same thing! I also got a ton of bloodwork done, and everything looks great so far. I also got to feel and see this baby's first movements on Friday morning. This is super early in pregnancy to feel movements, but this was without a doubt  the baby! It was kind of bizarre, because it actually woke me up that morning! I must have been laying just the right way, also with a very full bladder pushing a visible, baseball sized baby ball protruding to the side of my stomach and  was moving all around. Even Jon could see it. It was so neat and weird, because I haven't really felt any other movements since then, either! I'm excited for them to become more persistent. 

Avery also had her 2 year check up on Friday. We did a lot of priming her by talking about doctors and check ups and watching shows about these things for a solid week or more before her appointment, because she's been known to be a total basketcase at the doctor. She was actually excited to go, and loved the toys in the waiting room. As soon as we got called back to get weighed though, she starting freaking out. She tried so hard to be brave, but was genuinely terrified. Her little lip would tremble and silent tears would roll down her cheeks as she got poked and prodded at. She eventually calmed down and got comfortable towards the end, just in time for her flu mist and shot. Then she lost her cool again. She was excited for her sucker though, and she didn't cry for long. The best part is she doesn't need anymore shots until she is 4! But sadly, because we love our doctor so much, we don't have another check up until she is 3. 

Avery is 34 inches tall, and 24 lbs (fully clothed) which has her on the same growth trend she's been on forever...tall and skinny. She is in the 65th percentile of height and 16th for weight. She is very advanced verbally and cognitively, but we have some physical things to work on, like dressing and undressing herself, balancing on one foot, and finishing potty training before she is three. 

Friday night was Halloween too, and Avery and I dressed as matching witches. Poor Daddy was sick so he couldn't trick or treat with us which was sad, but we made the most of it. We went to my friend Whitney's house so Avery could trick or treat with her daughter Harper, just like last year. Whitney made her an adorable squirrel costume, but we didn't get any decent pictures of them together. The flash on our phones was being so goofy that it made all the pictures blurry and terrible. They were the cutest trick or treaters on the block though! Avery absolutely loved it. She held my hand and wanted to run from house to house. She was so good at saying "trick or treat" "thank you" and "Happy Halloween!" But sometimes would just say "I love your pumpkins/jack-lanterns/skeletons/costume!" Haha she would dig her hands in the bowls and grab as much candy as they would let her. She was a hoot! And she only got scared once, of a 6ft witch decoration. 

Saturday was Avery's party, since it was rescheduled from last week. Luckily lots of people were still able to come, and although on the chilly side, the weather was nice. Our birthday outfit was originally shorts, but we had to layer tights underneath and a jacket. She still looked adorable, of course. She really had a great time seeing all of her favorite people in one place. She didn't want to leave. I was kind of caught up and forgot to do a few things, like pass out bubbles and glow sticks I had bought for the kids, drinks for the adults (cokes and bottled waters) and to take pictures. Luckily Alex and some other people got some good shots of her when opening presents and eating cupcakes. All in all, the party was a success! Avery of course got tons of presents and had a ton of fun too. 

Today Avery was so busy playing with all her new stuff, and couldn't stop talking about her birthday party. Tonight, while rocking her and singing our nightly songs, she folded her little hands and completely unprompted, starting saying her prayers. She said "thank you, God for these songs" and "thank you for my birthday party!" And repeated that last part about 10 more times then said "Yaaayyy! Amen." Tears were streaming down my face, as I thanked God for her. 

Making pancakes at her request this morning!