New Camera

We have been wanting to upgrade cameras for awhile and knew we wanted a Canon Rebel...but beyond that we had no idea what to look for (there's like 5+ styles of Rebels alone).  We liked our previous camera but felt it was impossible to get good shots of Lincoln, who would be on to the next thing before the shot actually got off.  We thought this was the perfect time to upgrade with summer coming and soon another baby.  The man at Best Buy rattled off all sorts of settings to change to get different results...most of which sounded foreign.  So instead, we will just mess around ourselves and practice on our handsome little model :)  Here are a few pictures from the new camera, which we have already fell in love with!

 

25 Weeks

Twenty-five weeks doesn't sound like a whole lot...but when I hear myself say only 15 weeks left it sounds so soon!  A lot will happen between now and then (graduation, board exam, and summer to name a few), I have no doubt it will fly by!  We continue to get ready for baby...planning the nursery and shopping of course :)  Lincoln also likes to "bond" with his little brother- petting my belly (as Lincoln likes to call it), planning fun adventures for his baby brother, and even telling us how to cuddle the baby and where he thinks baby should sleep. 

This week, baby is the size of a rutabaga (whatever that is):

Baby bump this week:

 

 

How far along: 25 weeks
Total weight gain: 7-8 pounds
Maternity clothes? Sometimes...still waiting for Spring to arrive :)  Maybe it's here to stay...
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Still about the same, the occasional bathroom break...
Cravings: Chocolate chip cookies
Pregnancy symptoms this week: None :)
What I miss: Subway, anything for a COLD sub!
Belly button: In
General mood: Happy, excited, anxious...
Movement: Lots of movement!  He still feels feet down as my bladder constantly gets kicked.
Embarassing cry of the week: None that I can remember...or admit :)
Excited for: More movement, seeing what this peanut looks like- if he'll look like Lincoln or not, will he have hair, will he have Lincoln's pouty little lips??

24 Weeks

This week marked another routine doctor's appointment.  Everything looked good as usual.  My BP is still low and no other concerns at the time.  I measured right at 24 weeks, which has been pretty consistently right on.  Because of somewhat conflicting dates between our 11 week ultrasound and our 20 week one, our doctor decided to compromise the dates and move our due date a whopping ONE day later.  Not that due dates mean a whole lot anyway...babies are rarely born on their due date so one day really isn't going to change much :)  August 8, 2013 is our final due date! 

Baby was very active again today.  Our doctor heard a heartbeat but the doppler had a hard time reading a rate.  Everytime she almost had it, the baby moved or started kicking...just like his big brother (yikes!).  Finally, she read it at 145 bpm...it has come down again since last appointment.  Little peanut is still feet down (we think).  He seems to only kick my bladder...of course :)  Hopefully he decides to do a flip soon and stay put! 

This week, baby is the size of an ear of corn

The baby bump this week...



How far along: 24 weeks
Total weight gain: 7 pounds
Maternity clothes? Somedays, usually not since most of them are spring/summer...and well spring hasn't decided to show up just yet
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I find myself ready for bed at 9:30-10:00 and usually wake up once or twice to use the bathroom...or help Lincoln use the bathroom
Cravings: Strawberries
Pregnancy symptoms this week: Not many, an occasional "round ligament" cramp when I stand up or get out of the car
What I miss: Still lunch meat...Subway
Belly button: In
General mood: Happy and excited
Movement: Lots of movement, usually on my bladder
Embarassing cry of the week: None I can think of...shocker!
Excited for: Planning/decorating a nursery, looking at fabric makes me super excited!

To Infinity and Beyond!

Last Friday marked the big 3 (AKA: free) for our "baby" (Lincoln).  Every mother tells you how fast they grow up and they aren't kidding.  I can hardly believe he is already three.  Three short years has grown a strong-willed, sweet, smart, funny, busy, charming, a memory like you can't believe, energetic...(did I say busy?) little boy!  He definitely gives us a run for our money but can melt you with that little smile and his sweet "Mom...I love you" at the most unexpected times.  He never seizes to amaze us with what he learns, picks up on, says, and usually does!

This year has brought: new daycare, many new friends (I think he knows someone everywhere we go), underwear, sitting in church (BIG accomplishment), less of an egg allergy, independence...and lots of it, big boy bed, and a Toy Story obsession

...which meant it was only appropriate to have a Toy Story birthday party!  We have watched Toy Story too many times to admit, know all the scenes...even some lines, and all the characters.  If there's one thing he's consistently asked for it's been Buzz.  He had sooo much fun at his party!  His eyes lit up when he saw the room, and he smiled in all his glory as everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him, proudly holding Buzz and Woody.  We love you so much, Lincoln!

The best cake ever...

 Marble track

 Standing proud with Buzz and Woody :)

 My cutest nephew ever..

Opening his bow and arrow

 More gifts...

 Sooo happy...love him!

23 Weeks

This week brings number 23!  Another week gone by...  Nothing too new or exciting this week.  Next week we go in for another appointment and will have more to share.  Everything continues to go by smoothly and Lincoln enjoys "cuddling" with my belly and his little brother.  

This week, baby is the size of a mango

Baby bump..."popped" more this week & carrying high

How far along: 23 weeks
Total weight gain: Around 5 (depends on the day)
Maternity clothes? Some maternity, some "regular"
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Between thunderstorms, my bladder, and a 3 year old...not much sleep here
Cravings: Grandma Schut's lime jello with pears and cherries in it
Pregnancy symptoms this week: Charlie horse...yikes!
What I miss: Lunch meat...especially dried beef!
Belly button: In
General mood: Happy
Movement: Yes, he likes to kick in the tub
Embarrassing cry of the week: Grey's Anatomy...that's a given
Excited for: Next week's appointment to hear the little heartbeat again

22 Weeks

This week marks week 22 of this pregnancy.  Time goes so much faster the second time around, we are too busy keeping up with Lincoln to realize how fast it goes.  A couple weeks ago we got to watch our healthy little BOY on ultrasound.  He was super active and already a little peanut for our tech who could barely get a measurement before he started doing somersaults.  Looks like this one could give us a run for our money...yikes!

 

This week, baby is the size of a spaghetti squash

 Ultrasound Pictures:

 It's harder to see in this picture, but in 4D he looked JUST like Lincoln as a baby!

 

Baby bump

 

How far along: 22 weeks
Total weight gain: 2-3 lbs. from my "pre-baby" weight (I lost a lot during the 1st trimester...darn morning sickness) 
Maternity clothes? Sometimes
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: At least up once a night to go to the bathroom, more if Lincoln wakes me up :)
Cravings: None
Pregnancy sypmtoms this week: Tired, very mild occasional heartburn
What I miss: When everything in my closet fit
Belly button: In
General mood: Excited
Movement: Still little flutters often
Embarassing cry of the week: Louisville beating Duke in March Madness...and I'm not even a fan of either
Excited for: Maternity shopping this week!

Lately..

It's clearly been much too long since I have last posted...and so many changes and exciting things have happened since.  Here is a little glimpse at what our last few months have looked like.

This December wrapped up my last semester in the classroom (huge sigh of relief)!  I took my last finals and enjoyed some much needed time off with Lincoln.  In January I started the first of three clinicals for school.  I was fortunate to get all three rotations in the Sioux Center area, which has put an end to my commuting.  Another huge blessing!  I spent three weeks at the Sioux Center hospital, 5 weeks at the Orange City Hospital, and have just began my 6 week clinical at ProActive Physical Therapy in Sioux Center.  Time has flown through these clinicals and I have learned so much.  I am very anxious to get licensed and practice on my own!  I will graduate in mid-May and take my board exams in early July...lots of studying to do in the meantime!

Christmas Festivities:

Troy, Lincoln and I at the Christmas Tree Farm with my in-laws.

Visitng Santa and Mrs. Claus

Lincoln and his new tractor

Santa hand-delivered a Christmas present!

Opening his stocking at Grandpa and Grandma Schut

Troy and I with our stockings at my parents house

Lincoln and cousin Braxxton...the best attempt at a picture of the two of them

Our biggest and most exciting news came this winter when we got to announce we are expecting baby #2 on August 7!  Lincoln is thrilled to gain a little brother this summer.  More on this pregnancy to come...

My sister Courtney came home for the weekend to celebrate her and Troy's birthdays in early March.

 

Also in March we spent a night at the Ramkota hotel in Sioux Falls with Troy's family.  They have an indoor water park in the hotel where Lincoln spent over 5 hours straight of swimming.  We had to drag him out of the pool for a slice of pizza...and again when it was bedtime.  He was absolutely exhausted, but loved every minute of it!

 

 



 

Easter 2013: dye, candy, Easter eggs, family, and good food...

 Lincoln loved hunting for Easter eggs this year.  We came home with a basket full of goodies and way too much candy!

 Lincoln and cousin Braxxton's Eater buckets.

 

Me and my not so little "baby" anymore...love him!