3 More Weeks?

I saw my doctor yesterday.

Does anyone else find every other pregnancy after the first to be so much less dramatic?

I never forgot anything in my first pregnancy: blood tests, urine samples, etc.

I forgot my urine sample again.

And the blood test.  Oh well.

Amazingly, I didn't gain any weight.  Well...that's not true.  I gained 4 ounces.

I attribute no weight gain to our Costa Rica trip.

We're dying to know the gender of the baby.  We have to wait 3 more weeks.

This weekend we're switching Anne's room and the office.

This will give her a bigger space, especially since she'll be sharing it come October.  

I'm excited to post before/after pictures.

15 Months Old : The Words I Speak

Daddy

Hi

Bye

Love You

Ba (Bottle)

Juice

Shoes

Mmmm

Thank You

Socks

Ball

Doggie

Woof

Birdie

Tweet

Please (in sign language)

Mama (questionable)

Leah

Gigi (Granny)

Gucky (Yucky)

Up

Uh Oh

Eye

Kids

Food Poisoning

Yesterday, we went to the Wild Chef, a wonderful Japanese Hibachi restaurant.  

On Sundays, they have a lunch special that we really enjoy.  

I had a craving all through church that wouldn't subside.

So, my husband gratiously gave in...at the mention of sushi.

I knew I had him at sushi.

We went, in the pouring rain.  But it was worth it.

Cooked right in front of our eyes.  Beautiful.

I had the delicate shrimp, Matt had the chicken with a sushi appetizer.  

Annelise ate the rice from my plate.

We came home, took a long nap, falling asleep to the rain pelting our bedroom window. 

I woke up to Matt in the bathroom.  Doesn't sound good.

He's sick.  I guess we won't be doing our mission trip presentation in church tonight.

Sitting on the couch, pondering my husband sickness and it origin, I start to feel queasy.

"Surely, after 4 months of pregnancy and never throwing up, today wouldn't be the day."

I've had food poisoning before.  It comes on like a flash.

And in a flash, I was in the bathroom.  

I haven't felt that sick in years.

Annelise came to my rescue.  Well, kind of.  She giggled at the site of mommy sitting on the potty with a trash can in her hand.

Daddy came to the rescue...sort of.  He doesn't do well with vomit.

Good thing we have two couches.  We utilized them the remainder of the evening.

At 9 I was able to eat a bowl of cereal.

Woke up this morning as good as new.  

Except, haunted by the thought of Wild Chef.  My favorite restaurant.  Now on the bad list.

Steal of the Century!

Our first garage sale venture of the season and we hit the jackpot!

We purchased a Burley Bike Trailer in almost mint condition for...

Wait for it...

$40!

We went to a neighborhood garage sale, but didn't really find anything we liked.  As we were leaving, we thought we should check the final cul de sac, even though it looked desolate.  There happened to be a few sales, but nothing impressive.  The last house we hit had an old, faded Burley Bike Trailer off to the side.  We asked if it was for sale and were told it had already been sold.  Disappointed, but not surprised, Matt asked how much they had sold it for.  $40.  Wow! Someone got a steal.  We perused the tables a little longer and as we were about to leave, one of the ladies running the table asked me if I wanted to leave my name and phone number.  They had an old Burley in the attic they could dig out later and give me a price on.  I thought, "What can it hurt."  I've been reasearching Burley's for a while, but never found a decent one in our price range...which is pretty close to zero.  Just as I was giving her my name, her teenage daughter came down from the attic with the trailer.  It was practically brand new...not faded in color...clean.  It looked like it had never been used.  They quickly showed us how to set it up while Matt asked for a price.  Expecting to hear somthing like $200, I was shocked when the price of $40 came out.  We accepted the offer, without hesitation.  As the men were packing up our steal, the woman told me that he husband was angry with her for offering it.  I was secretly happy.

As we left, I told Matt I felt like we needed to speed out of there fast before they realized that we were thieves.  We just got the steal of the century!

The moral of the story:  it never hurts to ask!

Pregnancy: 15 wks 5 days

I'm almost 4 months pregnant and hardly know it.

Other than the fact that I'm already in the clothes I wore at 6 months the first time around.

And the fact that I have sciatic nerve pain, which didn't happen the first time.

Oh and other than I'm craving everything from pickles to twinkies.

Lest I sound like I'm complaining...

It's wonderful to be preoccupied with a 15 month old.

Knowing this pregnancy is going to spring itself on me a lot faster than the first.

Did I mention we don't have air conditioning and I'm due October 9?

I've neglected my blood test for the past two appointments.

I think my doctor might be upset.

I made her do an ultrasound last time to be sure there was only one baby in there.

There was only one.  

Somedays I put Annelise in her car seat and wonder what it will be like to have two carseats

a diaper bag

my purse

a double stroller

and then I stop wondering because I'm getting a stomach ache.

Or is that another craving?

My family is thrilled about another baby on the way.

3 grandchildren in 2 years.

Yes, you could liken us to a baby making factory.

My theory

I hate being pregnant.

I love the babies.

So, lets bring them on fast and furious.

Then we're done.

Matt doesn't agree.

That could be a hindrance to getting this child bearing stage done quickly.

Although, I might have the upper hand.

I think this is enough for today.  

I feel better already.

Another Week

As I type this post, the scenery behind me is refreshing.  Rain falling from the sky, coloring my lawn the same shade of green as the curtains in my dining room.  I love it when my indoor decor matches God's creation!

I must admit, I'm a bit lazy today.  We've been home from our trip to Costa Rica less than a week and I'm still not recovered yet.  There's something about being 15 weeks pregnant and overwhelmed that equals a bad combination.  The rain has encouraged me to take heart, relax and enjoy this cozy time inside with my little one.  A hot cup of coffee always helps with that...

In other news, my sister Leah got a job waitressing at a local restaurant.  Every once in a while, I get to watch Alayna.  I think this picture could be a foretelling of our future.  Annelise, clearly jealous of the baby on mommy's knee.  Me, nervously smiling, while trying to juggle two children.  And Alayna, obviously uncomfortable as her little head jerks back in my unstable arms.  Oh, Lord help prepare us for life with two children.  What a joy (although scary as well)!

A Morning at Home

Bottle or scrap paper?  Scrap paper of course!

My living room became a playroom while I was gone.  I will be changing that.  I have this thing about rooms being what they are designed to be.  Bedrooms are for sleeping.  Bathrooms are for bathing.  Living rooms are for living.  Playrooms are for playing.  So, the toys will be moving back to Annelise' bedroom today.  No tv in there, no distractions.  Just playing.

I also came home to a professional fit thrower.

A little girl's dream.  Nanny Neal brought a dollhouse with her.

Annelise loves the little rooms.  She even "sits" the people on the couch.

I found the legs of this girl poking out of Annelise' mouth.  I think we need to talk about eating the children versus playing with them.  Apparently to her, they are interchangeable.

Annelise has enjoyed this morning more than most.   Mommy is home after 8 days away.  No rushing to get ready and go somewhere.  No work.  No cleaning.  Just babytime.  I think she's loving the attention.  And I know mommy is enjoying it too!

We're Back!

Blogging after a 10 day hiatus is difficult.  Would anyone else agree?

We arrived safely home at 3:30 am on Wednesday morning.  Our trip to Costa Rica was beyond words.  I've been on many short-term mission trips, overseas and within the States.  I never expect to have much impact on those we serve.  How much affect can really occur over 8 days? But this trip was different, very different.  It was evident that God met us in Costa Rica.  And His plan was for us to have a lasting impact on the ministry of the Rought family.  It was incredible to see each of our students get involved, grow in their love for God and people, and leave with an increased passion about the body of Christ.

I will share more in the coming days.  It's too hard to process everything and write it in one blog post. 

Oh and I'm sure you're dying to see pictures.  As it turns out, we left our camera at home. Fortunately, there were 11 other cameras with us!  Here is a link to one of the missionary's web albums.  She only captured the part of our trip that occurred at Sojourn Academy - where we did lots of painting and cleaning.  She takes fantastic pictures!

Thanks for your prayers and support.  Its wonderful to be home with our baby girl.

And We're Off

We technically don't leave until tomorrow evening - but since tomorrow is bound to be a crazy day full of last minute planning and cleaning, I doubt I'll have time to say "goodbye" to my blogger friends.  

Thanks for all of your prayers!  We are thrilled to serve God in this unique way.

We'll be sure to update when we get back.