The Wind and Baby Gym!

There's not enough pen and paper in the world for me to write a list including all of the reasons I am dying for spring! Reason number 984... The wind! Honestly, what is the point? The trash cans have blown over and littered our neighbors' yards, the grill cover (and everything else on the deck except the actual grill) is gone, defensive driving has become a war with mother nature. Spring had better hurry, or this girl is moving south... Waaaaayyyy south!  Because most of the south was hit by a snow storm this week?!?! 

On a positive note, Kyler had her very first baby gym class today! She played and had fun, but was more reserved than I expected. We worked on balance and strength. We also played with balls, rattles and bubbles! Oh man, bubbles were a good time! I am really excited to start taking Kyler to this class every week!! 

Back in the CO!!

Our trip to Colorado was a whirlwind. We had 2 parties to coordinate, a tiny little baby to visit, friends and family to see and not enough time to do it all! 

The purpose of our trip was to celebrate baby Landon. We had no idea when we planned our trip that we would actually get to meet the little man! He is tiny, but much bigger than you'd expect a baby born at 32 weeks to be. He is completely off oxygen or anything to assist him in his breathing. He is even starting to eat from bottle/breast. This little dude is a total badass! Pretty sure he has some rockstar genetics. Just sayin'!

We had Alli's baby shower on Saturday. We had a great time, and our friends got her lots of great baby essentials! She was so excited to go home and start putting it all together. I can't even imagine how good it feels to get everything ready for her baby who is already here! I would be in panic mode!

Doesn't she look great? Seriously, she had a baby a week ago. I only kind of wanted to tell her to leave.

During our trip back we also got to indulge in some COLORADO food! One of the hardest parts about being in Iowa has been lack of good Mexican food. I eat green chile like most people eat ketchup. I could put it on everything! Within 24 hours of arriving in Denver you can bet I will be scarfing Mexican food like I haven't been fed in 3 weeks!

Huevos Rancheros! If you don't know what that is, our friendship is over!

While I was in town my mom also made her homemade Chinese food! Ahhhhhh it's so good! Fried rice and eggrolls! Usually rolling eggrolls is my job, but my daughter got really grouchy right when it was time to roll them! HA! Totally got out of that one! Thanks Ky!

Kyler had her first trip to Monkey Bizness while in Colorado! We met my friends, Kallie and Nicole, and their daughters. Kyler absolutely loved it! I am so bummed we don't have one in Des Moines!

 We also spent much needed time with family! I really wish we lived closer! =(

Papa Don

Aunt Erica and Uncle Donny

Rooting for the Broncos with Papa!!

Bedtime stories with Grandma!

Look at those 2 beautiful ladies!

Denver in a nutshell: blue skies, gorgeous view, lots of traffic!

Spring? Is that you?

It's always hard to leave Colorado! Seriously, it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And it is filled with some of the best people on earth! We hated to leave, but we were so happy to get home to a certain handsome gentleman that one of us calls daddy (even though Zach thinks we both should).

Airports and Airplanes!

Whew! We are back from our trip back to Colorado (more on that later). For now, I wanted to post about traveling with a little one. I must say, I am very fortunate to have such a well-behaved kiddo to travel with.

With that said, is any kid really easy to travel with? Alone? Pregnant? HA! The answer is no, but I am still extremely thankful for Kyler's laid back attitude in the airport and on the plane. The whole experience could have been so much harder- just ask the lady seated at the back of the plane on our way back to Iowa (her baby screamed from Denver to Des Moines)!

Kyler fell asleep almost immediately when the plane started moving on our way out to Colorado. She woke up about half way through the flight and made friends with people in all of the surrounding rows. Seriously, she played peek-a-boo with a younger girl who sat diagonally from us, was tickled by the woman behind us and told an entire babbling story to the woman next to us. I am extremely grateful for these strangers. They helped me focus on not vomiting as we landed in Denver- always a bumpy ride!

 When we got to Denver this pregnant mommy had to go potty! This turned out to be the worst idea I have ever had. Apparently, 20 toilets flushing randomly is the scariest sound on the planet. Kyler lost her shit! COMPLETELY!! I had to carry her through the airport, while pushing her stroller. Then, to search for our over-sized luggage! Why can't I have a beer again? Oh... right... My second child!

Ky did really well on the way home. I kept thinking she was talking too loud and jumping around too much, but I got so many compliments on how great she was! That makes a mommy feel good! She fell asleep for the last 20 minutes of the flight- cuddling with her baby sister in Mama's belly!

To the man next to us: I am sorry that my daughter kept grabbing you while you pretended to sleep. Apparently your bright green sweater was very pleasing to her eyes... and her hands!

Kicking and Packing

 Kicking and Screaming Packing

Zach finally felt our new little one kick last night! He felt 2 really strong kicks (at least I think they were kicks). She is moving more everyday. I have been waiting for this pregnancy to start feeling real, and it finally has. There really is a baby in there! For a while it just felt like I was getting fat.

Ky wanted to feel the baby move too.

Next on the agenda is packing for our Colorado trip tomorrow! I have a lot of it done, but it is hard to pack for Kyler when she uses half the stuff we need until the moment we walk out the door. I have lists galore, but I still feel like I might forget something. I am trying to strategically pack her diaper bag with enough to entertain her for our one hour flight. When she has flown in the past we was much younger. I hope I'm not THAT parent tomorrow. Ya know, the one with the screaming child, and a mortified look on her face? Yeah, that would be fan-freaking-tastic! That will not be us! That will not be us! Just keep saying it...

Notice that nothing is crossed off yet. I like to wait until I am almost done, and then cross it all off- like a badass!

Kyler was helping me pack...

Until she noticed the dog...

Adios, Kyler.

Giggles, Chatting and a Tiny Baby Cousin

These past few days have been quite eventful! Ky has a new baby cousin, who decided to come into the world 8 weeks early! Mr Landen A. Johnson was born on January 10th at 9:33 am. He weighed 4 pounds 4 ounces and is 17 inches long. He is a tiny little booger, but a strong one! I thought Kyler was tiny! Kyler and I are flying to Denver in 4 days! We can't wait to meet our new little buddy and to hug his mama! 

Ky must be really excited about her new cousin! She has been giggling and chatting up a storm these past few days! These are seriously the best sounds I have ever heard! She is becoming such a little person. She has her own fun and sassy personality. It's more and more fun everyday!

Please excuse her onesie tail. She doesn't really fit in her Bronco gear, but not sporting Bronco gear on Bronco Sunday is not acceptable around these parts!

Along with the best sound in the world, we also hear more of the saddest sound in the world. This would be Kyler's pain cry. The poor girl smacks into everything. She has no fear, and is already pulling to stand and crawling on everything. She has yet to figure out that when you move both of your hands all you have left to catch you is your face. And faces aren't meant for catching. This means that our sweet, little chubby-faced girl is now crawling around with bumps and bruises on her face/head. She had a bad one today. She was moving from leaning on the TV stand to her play house. She missed the play house with her hand, but quickly found it with her eyebrow. Oh man! I was sitting ten feet away, and could not get to her fast enough. First came the "I'm going to hold my breath because I am too mad to scream", followed by her ear piercing, pig squealish scream. I seriously think I tear up every time she does this. It is so sad! She cuddled with Mama for a few minutes while she calmed down, and then headed to Daddy's chest for some more snuggles.

Just over her left eye brow. I swear, it looked worse in person.

Since Kyler's appointment last week, we have been feeding her solids before her bottles. This has actually been going really well! She has had peaches and pears for breakfast, carrots for lunch and avocados for dinner. She hasn't been fighting us when we bring the spoon to her mouth. She ate all of it without gagging or spitting it out. Mealtime has become a completely different experience for Kyler and her mommy and daddy. Thank goodness!

Here is another cute picture of our Bronco cutie! I am fairly certain they can thank this cute little fan for their victory today! She is the perfect good luck charm! 

Rock on, guys! Rock on!

Baby Eggleston #2 is a...

GIRL!!!

Sisters are the PERFECT Best Friend!

I can't believe we will have another little girl this year! We definitely thought it was a boy this time. Clearly we aren't great at guessing (we thought Kyler was too). When the ultrasound technician said, "Well, you'll recognize these parts because you're having another girl", I immediately looked at Zach, who put his face in his hands and started shaking his head. I imagine that the lyrics of "Still Cleaning this Gun" by Rodney Atkins started playing in his head, but that's just a guess. The ultrasound technician then said, "There's nothing wrong with being surrounded by beautiful women".  Zach laughed and agreed. I don't blame the guy for being nervous. He's got some serious tasks to perfect over the next few years... pigtails, tea parties, putting Barbie's head back on (always a tough one for dad), kissing booboos and painting fingernails. He better get to practicing, and I need a pedicure, so this seems perfect! Joking aside, he is pretty excited to have another little princess running around here- how could he not be? Kyler is one fun little gal! 

Here are a few more cute shots of Kyler from her gender reveal shoot today. HA! This girl is on the go, and nearly impossible to take pictures of these days.

Having two girls so close in age will be a great adventure. Not mention, we get to pull out all of the clothes Ky only wore once or twice. AND I feel completely justified in every hair bow or cute outfit purchase I make these days. I told Zach they are "like an investment now". He laughed, so I think I pulled it off?? Either way, what fun!

Barefoot and Pregnant

Literally

Please disregard my horrible, unpolished foot. Instead, focus on the cute pudgy toes all curled up next to the bump!

This is how I found myself while cooking dinner tonight. I laughed out loud a bit when I looked down and realized I was a walking cliche. 

Kyler has been super clingy cuddly the past two days, so she helped me make dinner (sat on my hip while my left bicep almost fell off). I think she is teething again, so she wants lots of lovin'. I am ok with that!!

I took Kyler to the pediatrician to discuss her constant gagging on food, Tylenol and occasionally her formula. He suggested trying to feed her the solid food first to see if she just rejects it after bottles due to being full. He also referred us to a GI specialist. I think we might just have a picky eater with a sensitive gag reflex, but better safe than sorry. She weighed in at 20 lbs and 1 oz today! HOLY MOLY! That is 2 pounds heavier than she was a month ago. Granted, she had her clothes on this time, but that can't add that much extra weight. I think it is safe to say she is healthy and happy- even with the gagging and throwing up. 

She did humor me and eat some yogurt drops after her appointment today. She made that funny face after every bite, but she didn't throw anything up! SCORE! Oh, and notice the bib she is playing with... She hulked that off like 5 seconds before I hit record.

18 weeks!

I haven't posted one of these yet, so what the hay! 

How far along: 18

Gender: Hmmmm

Weight gain: 4 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Pretty much living in yoga pants. I have pulled the maternity clothes out though.

Stretch marks: None yet!

Belly button in or out: On its way out

Sleep: Bah!!!! If I can get around the hip and back pain long enough to fall asleep, I have the craziest (sometimes scary) dreams. This means lots of time awake, watching Kyler on the monitor. It's enough to make me crazy crazier!

Best moment this week: Kyler finally having her own room!

Worst moment this week: Kyler gagging and throwing up her food for the gazillionth time.

Miss anything: Beer, margaritas, wine, Red Bull. 

Movement: I thought I felt a really strong kick the other day. I can't wait to feel more!

Cravings: Fruit, Kisses with almonds, Jimmy Johns.

Queasy or sick: Nope!

Looking forward to: Announcing the gender and feeling more baby movements.

Happy Saturday!

Jammie Day

When your day starts like this... You know it's going to be a good one! 

Get it Ky!

How does she make pooping look so cute? Today has been a lazy one. We ran some errands (in our jammies) and have just been lounging around. I have been working on a new craft that I am going to post later this week. Tonight I am going to try to make Maid Rites at home. Maid Rites are a loose meat sandwich that Zach has been eating since he was a kid. I saw an easy recipe on a blog that I follow, so why not? 

New Years Diet!

A Healthy New Year... For Ky Bug!

Psssshhh I am pregnant! There will be no diet for this girl! I am helping my brother-in-law lose weight, so there will be lots of lean meat and veggies to cook in the coming months, but I might sneak off to eat a 6 pound Chipotle burrito OR eat a handful of Hershey's Kisses with almonds (like I just did). 

 

Craaaaaap!

Kyler is such a princess when it comes to eating! She is uber dramatic when she doesn't love what she is eating. She will tolerate a handful of foods, but if I fed her avocado for every meal she would be a happy girl! She eats spits solids 3 times a day these days. 

I went a bit nuts with the baby bullet this past week and pureed about 9 pounds of fruits and veggies for Ky. The picture above only shows about half of them. I am not sure I will make it through all of it before it has been in the freezer too long. Oh well, lesson learned. I will admit that they are mostly fruit, as that is all Kyler will eat. My pediatrician would be shaking his head in shame if he knew this, but I basically feed her what she doesn't gag on and spit at me. I fully intend to choose my battles with this kid, but this is one I can't fight. 

This week I made carrots, watermelon (first time, and it was kind of a disaster), peaches, pears and avocado (duh). I puree them, freeze them in ice cube trays and bag them. That way, I can pull them out, defrost and feed the munchkin. Sometimes I mix a fruit with her rice cereal to thicken it up, and sometimes I mix them together to experiment. 

Here are some combos I have tried for Kyler. They have about a 10% success rate! 

Mangos and a prayer

Pears and begging 

Peas and 20 minutes of failed airplane spoon game

Apples and pulling your own hair out

Try these if you have a picky eater like we do. BAH! I am hoping this gets easier as she gets older. We tried some Gerber puffs the other day and she gagged and threw up all of her avocado and bottle, while simultaneously giving my poor husband a heart attack. We will give it a few more weeks before we try those again.

 

Goodbye 2013!

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday to Our Main Man! 

Hello 2014! While 2013 was a very exciting and eventful year for us, we are pretty excited to welcome a new year. A fresh start, new goals, new baby and Kyler is learning more everyday. She has suddenly started chatting up a storm, and it is the cutest sound in the world! 

Today is also Zach's 29th birthday! I am married to such an old geezer. We will make sure the last year of his 20s is an unforgettable one. Kyler pretty much makes everyday more exciting than they've ever been before! 

I don't like New Years resolutions, but I do have some goals in mind for this year. I am not going to write them down or type them out, but I think of them often.

On a separate note, it is frigging freezing outside and I am done with winter. Kyler is not a fan of wearing clothes at all, so being bundled up is not her cup of tea! We are ready for spring and playing outside and Easter! For now, we shall sit inside with our sweats on and Google pictures of the beach... Yeah, that sounds like a plan.