Baby #2 is a....

....BOY!!

We are thrilled!  We had a great doctor's appointment and ultrasound today.  Baby's heart beat is in the 140s, organs all look great and all measurements are right on target!  Little one is weighing in at 11 ozs. and Mama has gained a total of 7 lbs.  

Derek and I just marveled at our son today.  He was moving all around, opening his mouth, sticking out his tongue.  We saw his heart, his brain, his stomach, his kidneys, and of course, precious little fingers and toes. Beautiful little life.  I could have watched him all day.  Such a blessing!

And, to make sure Big Sister Madeline was included in the fun, we had a special little gender reveal for special little her when we got home today.  She loved it - "Happys" coming out of a big gift box?  What could be better?!  

I am one lucky mama.

Nags Head at 18 weeks

We just got back from a fantastic Beavers family vacation in Nags Head.  The whole crew - Mimi & Buddy, Kim & Darin, Kristen & Kenneth, Rachelle, Keith & Avery, and Derek, Madeline and I - headed east last Saturday and ate, relaxed, visited and ate some more for a few days.  The weather was perfect, warm and sunny (which was a nice change from the rainy Raleigh weather) and it was so good to have everyone together.  Of course, the girls had a blast, as usual and loved playing on the beach and swimming in the pool.  Already looking forward to going back next year!

I entered my 18th week of pregnancy on our trip.  I'm feeling more "normal" - breathing better, no nausea, headaches have subsided (at least for this week).  The only thing I'm noticing that is uncomfortable is some soreness in my hips when I sleep.  Granted, this came on while I was on the trip in a new bed, so hopefully being back in my own cozy bed will help.  

In fun news, Derek was able to feel the baby kick for the first time while we were at the beach.  So exciting for us both :)  Little guy/gal is pretty active these days, so I'm thrilled to share that with the proud daddy.  1 week from today, we know who is in there moving around!  Can't wait!

"Big Girl" Room

Since our baby girl has turned into a big girl in what seems like the blink of an eye - and with baby on the way - we decided it was time to create a new room and space for Miss Madeline.  Though she doesn't have much interest in sleeping in there just yet, she enjoys playing in the room and sitting on her "big bed."

Here are some pictures of the - almost - finished product (we still have some pictures and toys that are still hanging in her nursery for now).  The bed was mine when I was a little girl and her dresser has been in my family for generations.  My Irish ancestor, Richard Hill (who was married to Nancy McNeel) made this dresser for his daughter when she married in 1780.  It has been passed down through generations on Vie's side of the family since then - to Lindsay McNeel and on to her Madeline McNeel.  Very special!

Vie painted the table to match the greens in her room

This is a doll case from Vie and Papa's that holds Mom's (now M's) Madame Alexander dolls and other special collectibles

Reading nook

SML 2013

We enjoyed another fabulous trip to SML a couple of weeks ago with the Beavers crew.  We had such a good time - especially Madeline, who took boat rides, bubble baths with cousin Avery and fed the pet carp at a marina around the way from the house.  The fish feeding, Madeline took very seriously.  Even bossing them around - "Fish, where are you, fish?!  FISH! (foot stomp) Come here!"

Such a special weekend - we're ready for Beavers family vacay part 2 in Nags Head in a couple of weeks :)

14-16 Weeks, M update

We're well into the second trimester and I'm starting to feel normal again.  Still tired, but I think any woman with a toddler is tired.  I have zero nausea, a little more energy and the crampy, pulling round ligament pain has backed off significantly.  AND I'm sleeping.  I hope this lasts for a while longer.. Feeling very blessed right now. 

I ended up visiting my Primary Care physician last Friday with a little scare.  I have been having some dizziness and shortness of breath lately and almost fainted in the shower Friday morning.  As it turns out, it's sinus-related.  My left sinus cavity is pretty  much blocked, hence the lightheaded feeling and difficulty breathing.  I'll take it - glad it's nothing more.

I had my 16 week appointment yesterday and everything is looking good.  Baby's heart beat is now in the 150s and the child was moving around like a maniac.  Love hearing the static of that movement in there.  Total weight gained so far, 2 lbs.

I'm feeling baby flutter around quite a bit now, which is always such a pleasant little surprise during the rush of the day.  We go back to the doctor in 3 weeks (July 24) to find out WHO is in there (yay!!).

Miss Madeline is still awesome.  Loving on her baby dolls (and real babies too!) at every turn. She wants to hold them, kiss them, tickle their feet, change their diapers.  She's going to be the best big sister.  Our poor little girl is suffering with a double ear infection at the moment, but hopefully will feel some relief pretty soon.  We've started swim lessons at Aqua Tots and she is really enjoying it - for the most part...she hates - I repeat - hates being submerged underwater. Who can blame her?  Luckily, she sucks it up and shakes it off pretty easily.  Otherwise, she's enjoying learning and being in the water. 

We've also started putting together Madeline's "big girl" room.  I should hopefully have some pictures after the weekend of the (almost) finished product.  Still need a few things, but it's coming together.  She likes to play in the room and roll around on the bed, but she has zero interest in sleeping in there right now.  All fine by me - she'll get there eventually.

Lots of fun and crazy in our world right now.  Wouldn't have it any other way!