Actual date of ultrasound was June 9th, we are now 29 weeks!
The Ultrasound went as well as anyone could hope for. Our baby is right on track for growth and development and all of the organs and systems seemed to be functioning as they are supposed to. We again did not find out the gender but could breathe a little easier knowing that he/she is currently healthy. We are really excited to meet him/her this October!
At more recent appointments the baby is still measuring well (just from measuring fundus height, there have been no other ultrasounds). I have started to have non stress tests (NST's) now and will have those every two weeks. This baby is very active and is jiggling around all the time so I think that he/she will really be a mover, and let's hope a good sleeper (at night). We are no closer to choosing a name but otherwise feel prepared to bring our next baby home.
Not really sure how I will get trick or treating done this year but I am sure we will figure it out. I would love to take them as last year Riley and August were both sick and couldn't go.
Pool Time in Marion
This summer has been flying by with various appointments and bouncing between Ottumwa and Marion for different events or gatherings. The weekend these photos were taken, we went to the Cedar Rapids Farmers Market and celebrated Keenan's birthday. This year Keenan and I both turn 30. Wow! Time seems to go so much faster once you have kids, I just want it to slow down a little - they are growing so fast!
Mom's Knee Surgery
This is also around the same time that Mom had her knee surgery. She has been doing better than expected across the board and is keeping up with all of her therapy, so we can be thankful for that. She is allowed to drive now and will be going back to work shortly. The doctor said there could be swelling for at least a year after the surgery, so she is still going to have to be careful to take breaks more than she normally would to ice it.
Ottumwa Getaway
I went to Ottumwa for a few days just for the kids to have fun. Riley and her cousins got to go to The Beach Ottumwa for the very first time. The slide in the kiddie pool and the wave pool were favorites. Riley would get knocked over by waves in the wave pool and laugh and go back for more but the next day insisted that she didn't like it. Poor Olivia fell down and hit her head so she just stayed close to Stacy, so I don't think she had as much fun as the other two. Riley still asks to go back!
The next day she checked off another first. On Wednesdays in the summer, the Ottumwa movie theater has a kids movie at 10:00 AM for $2. This time they were playing the Peanuts movie. Riley had never seen a screen so big and was awe-struck. She loved it and was pretty quiet the entire time, which was great because a theater full of kids is anything but quiet!
Campfire Night and Other Fun Things
We haven't had many campfires this year. Early in the season it was raining a lot then it immediately got too hot. So catching that perfect night has been a challenge. The kids had fun playing outside and we made smores. I made a new one that uses a shortbread cookie, dark chocolate, raspberry preserves and a marshmallow. Yum, I would say it's definitely worth repeating!
Riley is going to be starting Preschool September 1st and could not be more excited. There is an event the day before it starts that I can take her to that will allow her to meet her teacher and get familiar with the classroom, which will be great.
She seems like such a big girl now, it's fun to see the things she comes up with and what interests her the most. This summer she got glasses and has been doing a really good job keeping them on and putting them away in a safe place, out of the grasp of little brothers. She still enjoys about any art activity we can come up with, the messier the better! She also is a very wild story teller, she may get the wild hand gestures from me. Guess I don't get to decide what she inherits!
August had his 18 month appointment and is doing great. He is socially and developmentally on track. He is starting to talk more so we have been doing fewer baby signs with him and trying to focus on him talking. He was a late walker but is doing great now. He follows Riley everywhere she goes. He loves to cook in the play kitchen, build things with blocks and snuggle up to read lots of books. He does not like to swing but will let you put him down the slide at the park until your arms fall off. Next summer he will be big enough to do a lot more at the park.
Indiana Trip
The house we were renting was a really great solution to be able to spend more time together at night and during nap times. It felt more normal to be able to prepare meals together. The kids had a lot of space to run around and then some, this place was huge.
Party at Ryanne's House
It was fun to catch up with this side of the family.
Trip to Zoo
The Indiana zoo was really nice! The kids had fun trekking around and looking at the different animals. I think Riley liked the otters and the seals the best.
Back Home
There is something so cute about a baby eating corn on the cob! We have been trying to buy it once a week, the season is so short and it's definitely one of Riley's favorite foods.
Leaving for Adventureland
