Sprinkled with Love

Recently, I heard about an event called a Sprinkle, like a baby shower but for baby #2 or 3 and instead of showering them with gifts you sprinkle them, very clever.  What a great way to get those few things that are need for baby #2.  Now I checked with my SIL Kassi in Cali and she said they do them with every baby.  Mainly a reason for girls time and then you bring diapers or a cute little outfit.  As I read about these things called "Sprinkles"  I found people loved them or hated them and it really had to do with your particular circle of friends.  Anyway, I decided I didn't care so I threw one for my SIL Kristen who will be welcoming a little girl.  I tried to make it simple but you know my when it comes to parties I can't just do simple, the ideas just go running through my head.  I threw her an adorable pink and yellow themed Sprinkle that was held at 10am at her house with all her friends from church and I was the hostess.

the table

sorry about the light

grapes

the donut tree

kyle made the chalkboard blocks

There's No Place Like Kansas

As I had mentioned in my previous post Troy & Gracie made the long haul to Smith Center, Kansas.  This is a trip that Troy wants to make a yearly tradition, making sure our kids get some good farm time in.  Luckily they were accompanied by his brother Kyle & nephew Sawyer.  The 4 of them drove the Toyota out and I will paint the seen in the back with Gracie facing forward and Sawyer facing the  back seat which lead to some good conversation for the two of them and some taunting.  Now I did not witness the taunting but heard it over the phone and just laughed.  The driving part was hardest on all involved including me.  I just needed them off the road and safe.  Once they got to Kansas they had a great time and Gracie loved every minute.  Every time time I called I asked Troy if he was taking pictures, so even though I missed it I could at least see all the good times.  And, he did get some great pictures, so here are just some of my favorites.

Gracie & Sawyer with Mema

my nephew Sawyer looks just like his daddy

Gracie & Papa in the tractor

the kids out cruisin'

Sawyer & Gracie with Papa

Uncle Jake teaching Gracie how to swing

Auntie Audi & Gracie going for a ride

my favorite - wrestling time

While Gracie holds Uncle Jake down Sawyer showing him who's boss

time with Aunt Marlene

my favorite picture

Auntie Audi braiding Gracie's hair while in her overalls

so cute

Gracie & Papa ready for the farm

love this

love this

Gracie trying out all the machines on the farm

how do I work this thing

Farmer Gracie

Ride that bronco

My husband really did a great job taking pictures, thanks babe!  Although I have no pictures of my week it was great and since everyone knew I had free time I was so busy it was crazy.  Dinner with friends, photography sessions, girls night, craft day and planning the reveal party.  That was plenty for me but I did miss my family.

More on the 4th

Just to give you a quick over view, Troy and Gracie got back from Kansas on Thursday night(I will put up pictures soon).  Friday we had our ultra sound and then enjoyed the day recoupeing from there trip.  Saturday we played and my parents came into town and helped us set up for our big Sunday party.  I wanted this to be simple laid back and well once we go going it was crazy.  I went a little over board on the details I think but it was so cute.  We had 44 people, yes that is right 44 people in our house and some how it worked and with the hot weather people wanted the cool air.  I am so thankful how well everything went.  The only thing I forgot was to video take the cutting of the cake.  The reaction was priceless!

one of the tables with the cake

our little reveal cake

red, white and blue theme

our 4th of July preztels

caramel apples with chocolate
these were suppose to be all chocolate

but we had issues with the white chocolate

chocolate covered popcorn

cute buckets a borrow from kristen

my favorite and the easiest was the layeres strawberries &

blue berriesthere were also strawberries covered in

white chocolate & blue sprinkled edges

my nephew Sawyer wearing Gracie's tutu

Gracie and Nina playing

all though these fans look cute I did not enjoy making

them & have marked them off the list for future parties.

Hosting does not allow for alot of mingling but I did get to enjoy some of our visitor's thanks to my mom monitoring the food area.  Troy and I were so grateful to all that came.  I never got pictures of our guests and I missed the reaction of everyone when we cut the cake.  I was so busy watching Troy's reaction but I guess all the guys were jumping around like crazy throwing up high fives.  Troy is very excited!

4th of July Reveal Party

I have always wanted to have a baby reveal party but with Baby #1 I wanted a boy so bad that I just needed to know up front and we did not really have family here so we decided not too.  But I always said with baby #2 I was having one and I pretty much planned the important details of how we would find out and tell.  I wanted something where everyone wanted to get together and hangout with a little added excitement and the 4th of July was just perfect.  Gracie actually picked the 4th for us.  I was at Khol's and she picked out this 4th of July dress and I thought when would she ever get to where that and then it hit me, great idea Gracie.

So Friday we went to the doctor and had out ultra sound.  She zoomed around the screen and from what I could see I thought GIRL.  I am obviously not trained but that's what I came up with.  We had the nurse write down the sex on a piece of paper put it in an envelope and seal it.  I then took the envelope to the store and had them make a little cake.  They had never heard of this and thought it was so much fun. On the 4th we cut the cake together...Troy was stalling...but finally we cut the cake and found out what baby #2 was......

BLUE!!!

 Troy's reaction

 saying he was excited would be an understatement

 the cake and the paper that confirmed the sex...

our little family, very exciting

I will post pictures of all the cute treats later.....

20 Weeks

I am 20 weeks and 2 days, officially half way through.  This time around I feel like it is going much slower.  When people ask how far I am, I just feel like it should be more then what it is.  I am trying to just enjoy the time and now that the baby is moving I want time to slow down so I can just enjoy, so this last half will be a lot of fun.  No pregnancy glitches like last time just a few minor things on the side but no major things to mention.  The anticipation of finding out the sex of this baby is purely so I can figure out why this time around I feel so different.  If it is a boy then I feel like that will help me understand a little better but if it is a girl I am at a loss for an explanation.  Anyone ever feel different from one to the other pregnancy and not know why?  I thought maybe I needed to up a specific vitamin. I am just looking for something a little more o-natural instead of what the doctors want to give me.

Cravings: pretty much the same salads, fruit, and veggies. No aversions to report:)

Sleep Cycle: on my side and a half stomach side lay, it makes me feel like I am sleeping on my stomach:)  No Changes to report in the bathroom area, I am still up 2-3 times a night, no matter how little I drink before bed.

Movement: I feel movement all day.  Troy can now officially feel the kicking.

Short Story:  Troy was waiting and trying to feel a kick when my stomach growled and he quickly looked at me and asked if that was the baby:) I then explain I was hungry.

Excited For: This weekend we are having a 4th of July Reveal Party.  I have wanted to do one of these for a long time.  This time around the not knowing does not bother me mainly because I am so indifferent about what this baby will be.  I am fine with either.  Although last time I wanted a boy first and I got Gracie of course I think she is perfect.  God knew I needed to see a father daughter relationship more then anything, for healing purposes I am sure.  But now that I know my girl I am a little scared to have a boy.  We will just have to see...

What to Expect: Per BabyCenter my baby is the size of a banana. 

New Moment: Again I had the house to myself, this time for a full week while Troy & Gracie spent there time in Kansas.  What did I do?  Well, most people guessed right off the bat, cleaned but only the night they left and I was done before they were out of the state of Ohio.  I made it the only night to clean.  The rest of the week I spent working on crafts, hanging out with girl friends (which was much needed) and getting ready for the party.  It was very quiet.  I loved my time.

small view of the baby

this view makes my belly look much bigger

My next post will be our big announcement of the gender, we will both find out soon....