34 weeks

I was 34 weeks on Christmas Eve!:) He is definitely starting to run out of room and causing discomfort for mommy. Over break I have not gotten much sleep and am up ever 1-2 hours going to the bathroom, tossing/turning, and sore hips. Ryan tells me this is natures way of getting me ready to have him out;) LOL

We went to the K-State Men's game tonight. We had a great time as always. Kyra had a blast and loves her Wildcats..however she thought we were playing the Jayhawks and she says "Mommy...Yucky Jock Chalk....I eat them...I'm a Wildcat!" That's my girl! I promise that we don't teach her to say those things...she really does come up with them on her own:) We are heading back on the 3rd when they play North Dakota State and then I'm not sure if we will get to another game or not. They are ranked 12th right now and Bramlage was PACKED with Purple and it wasn't even a conference game.

I love going to the games and having things like that to spend time with Ryan and Kyra. It makes wonderful memories!!:)

Final Christmas Get Togethers

Today brought our final Christmas celebrations. The weather didn't allow us to go up when we had planned, but we all made accomodations to try to get where we needed to be. We headed up to Marysville to celebrate the Grund Christmas (above) and then went over to Hanover to Uncle Kenny's to celebrate the Green Christmas (below). Again not our usual way of getting together but we were able to see everyone. Our Bruna Christmas as canceled so we were sad about that, but there is always next year.

Kyra loved all of her princess stuff...which she is our little princess anyways:) We are thankful that the weather allowed us to see our family which is what Christmas is really about and of course the birth of Jesus!

Ready to celebrate the New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

Our last family Christmas as a family of THREE!! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We went to church on Christmas Eve and when we returned SANTA had already made his stop! Below are just a few of the presents he left for Miss Kyra. Kyra's favorite toy of the night....wait for it....still waiting??? Her TOOL set! She loves to be just like her daddy and fix things! I suppose that is good and she can depend on herself rather than on others, but she did still like her Belle Make-up head she got too;) She got Transformers 2 and we've already watched it...she tells me "Mommy Optupus die! He close his eyes.:(" Then she quickly tells me he comes back to life!!!

I got some wall hangings, kitchen items and a CD;) Loved it all!:) Ryan got loaded with KSU gear from us...Mommy got him a black KSU T-shirt along with getting on that matched for Miss Kyra to wear on their "daddy dates" to the KSU games:) They will get to try them out on Tuesday when we head to our first BBall game!!

We got LOTS and LOTS of snow this Christmas and stayed put! We did venture out over to Ryan's sister's house for Christmas dinner. We had fun playing cards and the kids watched a movie. By the time we came home as you can see below we couldn't get up our driveway!!! There was too much snow! Our neighbor Bill came over to help us out and I sent over soup and cookies when it was all said and done.

We are still home today...we were to head to Hanover today for the Bruna Christmas but it was changed due to the weather. Hopefully the roads are better tomorrow and we will try to head to Marysville to see Grandpa Grund and GiGi for their Christmas. I am not sure when we will get together with my mom as next weekend is New Year's and Freedom has plans to go out...oh to be 15 again! Plus I guess Bob is hunting also...oh the importance of hunting LOL. Better get a big one to made some good deer sausage!

So we are chillin today in the house....hoping that at some point we can go out and play in the snow:) Kyra loves to play outside...

Merry Christmas to all!!!!

Olberding Christmas & Baby Update

We traveled to Ryan's parents for their Christmas this past weekend. We always have it the weekend before Christmas and it helps that we aren't spending all of my vacation traveling. The house is definitely getting fuller as more grandchildren are coming along, but that's what makes it so great.

I was pretty tired the whole weekend...last month of my pregnancy. This week Kyra and I went out on the town on Monday and did some slight shopping with an adventure to I Hop:) She was great and even went to the bathroom on her own! It took about 10 minutes, maybe more but she did it all herself. Now if we could just get her to do this ALL the time EVERYWHERE!:) We went and saw Alvin and the Chipmpunks the Squeakel last night. Kyra loved it! She was up dancing at the end when they were all singing...it was way too cute!

On the baby front, I think he dropped and I have been feeling more pelvic pressure. Might be a long last month. It has been pretty uncomfortable and I'm still not sleeping well, but that is to be expected. Still doesn't mean I'm not going to complain;) LOL

Lots to do today before Santa comes...need to make his cookies and our traditional soup before church! Ryan is getting off at noon today so we are excited to have daddy home with us!:)

Merry Christmas All!!

33 Weeks

We went in for another Sonogram today to find out that they estimate Baby O at 5.3 lbs and has a BIG head;-). Our Dr. told us to expect him before Jan. 26th due to his size. Hoping to deliver naturally again, but have to watch the size because we had some difficulty with Miss Kyra...she too had a large head...but it's just to hold all her smarts because she definitely is a smarty:)
Have a couple of sono pics but they are hard to see because he is so smushed in there. We did get to see some pretty neat things like watching the blood flow through the umbilical cord and watching him practice breathing. Everything looked great! We are so thankful for the blessings that God has bestowed upon us!

Homemade Christmas Ornaments

I am hoping to start a new tradition with making homemade ornaments with Kyra! We had lots of fun making the felt Christmas tree ones above! The one that she is holding is the one that she traced (cookie-cutter) all by herself and then she told mommy where to put the glue and she placed the decorations! She did use the brush and glue paste to cover her tree and sprinkle her green glitter on...hardly any mess!! Ryan was thankful:)

She is standing by the tree showing off her pretty decoration that she made...it is one of many that I will treasure!! She also helped make three others for her grandma's for Christmas!

How Quickly 5 Years Goes By!

We celebrated our FIVE year anniversary today! It was such a beautiful day to marry my best friend and the love of my life!!! Ryan arranged for Kyra to visit Uncle Gerard and Aunt Megan while we went out to eat and spend some quality time together! It was so nice and I love him so much!

I can't believe that it has been 5 years already! I remember when I thought that was a really short amount of time, but not really huh? I love him more each day/year:) I am so thankful to that the Lord has given him to me. God really does know what you need and when you need it!

Who would have thought that in 5 years we would have 2 children! So much can happen in such an small amount of time. :)

I love you babe!!!

Happy Birthday To ME & Baby O Update!

So I got a great present today!!! NO SCHOOL-SNOW DAY! Yeah!!! I mentioned on Facebook that I've only had 2 other memorable birthdays in the last 10 years of turning 18 and graduating with my Master's on my birthday...now I can add to the list!!!

Went to the Dr. yesterday and everything looked great. Heart rate was 154-151, he was moving then slowed down;) As he was checking the heart rate he says "Have we scheduled you for your 2nd sono?"...I was like HUH? (We never had a second one with Kyra-I mean we had 2 done but that was because I had one done VERY early due to some spotting)....he assured me that things were ok.....just checking the SIZE!! I said "OH yes!!-He's BIG! I can feel it." He agreed with me and said that Baby O's head is already down-or at least it was when I went in yesterday. So we go in next Friday for our 2nd sono...I'm really excited to get to see him again!!!:) Hopefully we will get more pictures!!!

The countdown is on...tick tock!!:)

31 weeks

So I really haven't posted a belly pic lately....I mean an "offical" one. I was 31 weeks last Thursday and can't believe that Baby O will be here in less than 9 weeks...eeK! We finally got the crib up this weekend. We had to have a "lesson" on what not to do with the crib with Kyra...she still thinks it is her bed, but as the weekend went on she would say "Baby Brother's bed mommy!" We had to tell her "Don't climb on it and don't throw things in the crib." Just another learning experience for all of us;)

I just have to tell how wonderful my husband is:) We were looking at my belly pictures and he was looking at the current one and while sweetly smiling said "You are so beautiful!!" He is such a sweet and caring guy! I don't know how I got so lucky to have him. He tells me that I'm letting the world know what kind of "softy" he is, but I think I'm letting the world know how WONDERFUL he is!! He truly was made for me!!!

Went to Topeka and got some more Christmas shopping done. I think Mr. & Mrs. Claus finally have Miss Kyra done:) Mr. & Mrs. Claus had some trouble trying to finish because Mrs. Claus really liked the princess aisle and Mr. Claus really liked the toy tools/Lincoln Logs aisle......Mrs. Claus finally agreed to Mr. Claus's ideas;) To be truthful I think she will really enjoy the tool set because on Sunday as we were getting ready to leave for a Christmas party the electricity went out as I was blow drying Kyra's hair. She went out to tell daddy and I heard her say as she was flipping the light switch "I FIX IT DADDY!"

Mrs. Claus needs to finish her shopping for Mr. Claus:) He's a hard one to shop for!!! I have a couple of other people to finish up and then I think I will be done...just on to all the wrapping and you what....having your belling so far out in front of you makes it a little more challenging to wrap all those gifts!:)

I have my check up with Dr. Priddle tomorrow and will have another one in two weeks....then starts the weekly appointments:) I'm slowing gathering things for my hospital bag and getting ready:)

So I've been meaning to steal this from Renee and just haven't done it. She is married to my classmate Chris Myen and they are expecting their second child also this next year:) She posts an update as you will see below and I think it's great!! I love blogging because this is my way of "scrapbooking"...you all just get to read about it if you want to:)

How far along? 31 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss? 10 lbs to date

Maternity clothes? Oh heck yes:) Much more comfy

Stretch marks? Not any new ones that I know of, but am expecting a few more:)

Sleep: Oh heck sleep...who needs it right....yes...I do:) I get up about every 2-3 hours to go to the bathroom....I think it's just preparing me for baby:)

Best moment this week: Listening to Kyra say "I fix it daddy!" whent he electricty went off and her fasination with the snow today:)

Movement: This kid can pack a punch!! Moves all the time especially right after I eat. Kyra likes to watch him move as well as daddy does too:0

Food cravings: Anything salty...not good I know. Only had one off the wall craving so far...rice, pepperoni, sour cream with sweet/sour sauce...strange I know! LOL

Gender: Baby Boy

Labor Signs: Oh I thought I may have to go to the Dr. on Tuesday due to some stress releated conversations that had me pretty upset. I have been getting pre-term contractions since 20 weeks. Stress really affects me more with this one than what I was with Kyra.

Belly Button in or out? Just so all know...I have a never ending belly button according to Ryan...it never popped out with Kyra and I am waiting to see what it does with this one:)

What I am looking forward to: Making it to the 18th for Winter Break!

Weekly Wisdom: Christmas is a great time to remember that Jesus was given to us!

Milestones: Baby O just growing each day and watching Kyra become such a grow-up little girl:)

Kyra Loves to Play Dress Up!!!

She love love loves to play dress up! She always wants me to do a photo shoot with her:) Probably because she sees mommy do it:) She does have moments of girly girl times:)

Elf Yourself 2009

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

2nd Cut Job on Hair!!! OH MY!

Yes, she got in big trouble....but what do you do?? She went into the bathroom and cut her hair again. She got it really good this time....not much else we can do:( Hope it grows out quickly. I guess she wanted to be able to see and not let mommy grow her bangs out! LOL

Santa in Seneca

The gang waiting for Santa to arrive to town! We made Gerard stoop down so he wasn't so tall...the thing is I'm just leaning over...not stooping! LOL

She was so excited this year to see Santa! She couldn't wait to run up and sit on his lap to tell him what she wanted for Christmas which was anything "PRINCESS":)

After we saw Santa we made a stop at Freddy's Pizza for supper...mommy LOVES their pizza and it is not a trip back home without it!

Priceless Picture!!!

I love my pretty little girl!!!

Disney On Ice

We had so much fun today! We went and got shop Christmas shopping done before meeting up with Monica and the girls. We then headed over to the Expo Center to watch Disney on Ice. It was a priceless two hours with my daughter. To watch her amazement and expressions brought tears to my eyes! I was so happy that we went because it brought such joy to my heart to watch her! She came home in her Mickey Mouse crown and told daddy all about the show. The show itself was amazing!!! I would recommend it to anyone with small children. It is a great show to spend quality time with your children. We sang, marched and clapped along! Just a few pcitures from our day!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a busy break! We spent Thanksgiving Day with two dinners....one at noon and one at 5 p.m. Lots of great food, fun and family. Grandpa Jr. got a new little Boarder Collie puppy who is 8 weeks old who is named Trixie....the kids LOVE her and she is already a such a great puppy.
Kyra had a great time with all her cousins and they are so much fun to watch.

We then went over to my dad's for supper and had a great time. Kyra is so blessed to have so many grandparents that love her.

This morning I got up and went with Ryan's family to Marysville for Black Friday...he says we are crazy, but I thought we got some great deals!

We have much to be Thankful for today and everyday!

Sunday = Freezer Meals

The finished project for this Sunday:)

Creamed Chicken & Biscuits

• 1/2 large onion
• 1.5 tsp butter
• 4 c cooked chicken
• 1/2 c sour cream
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c cooked carrots
• 1/2 peas (I used Green Beans)
• 1 c shredding cheese
• 6 refrigerator biscuits
• 1 can cream of chicken soup

Boil chicken and you can either cube or use shredded. Put butter in pan and saute onions until tender. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Sprinkle with cheese and top with biscuits. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees

Enchilada Casserole

• 1 1/2 lbs hamburger
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 green pepper chopped
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10oz) enchilada sauce
• 1 (4-oz) green chilies chopped
• 1 (10-to-12oz) taco sauce
• 1 can block olives, chopped (I used black beans instead)
• Tortillas
• 2 c cheddar cheese
• 2 c mozzarella cheese

Brown and drain hamburger, onion, and green pepper. Add both soups, enchilada sauce, green chilies, taco sauce and black olives (beans). line well greased dish (9x13 or larger) with tortillas. Add 1/2 of meat mixture and one cup of each of the cheeses. Repeat all layers. Bake at 350 degrees at 30 to 45 minutes.

Sausage Balls

• 1 lb hot sausage
• 3 cups bisquick
• 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese

Mix all ingredients together and shape into little balls. Bake 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

I would suggest adding some milk and perhaps an egg to help hold the mixture together and not make it so dry. They are very good...Kyra LOVED them! I am freezing these for later! Will try again with milk/eggs added next time.

Cabbage Roll Casserole

• 1 sm head cabbage, chopped
• 1 1/2 lbs hamburger
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 2 ctns crescent rolls
• 1/4 chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Brown hanburger and drain. Add chopped cabbage and onion and cook until cabbage is tender. Add mushroom soup. Unroll one container of crescent rols into a greased 9x13 pan. Pour hamburger mixture on top of crescent rolls. Put shredded cheese on top of hamburger. Top with other container of crescent rolls. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until lightly brown.

I used 2lbs of hamburger and extra cabbage. I also did not cook the casserole and divided it into two freezer containers (see pictures) By dividing it into two meals I used a can of crescent rolls per dish. I also added Garlic, salt/pepper to taste.

28 Weeks

28 weeks this week! Ryan and I decided that this one is really different from when I was pregnant with Kyra. He seems to be all in my tummy...don't get me wrong...I've gained about a 1lb/week once I got over being sick but my overall appearance is much "slimmer" could I say than I was with Kyra. I do still have about 2 months left..geeze...is that ALL? This pregnancy has flown by even with being sick in the summer.

This past week I've been really sick with a sinus infection and they said something viral. I went to the Dr. last Wednesday and they sent me home to rest. My pressure in my head seems to be better but I'm still very congested....lots of rinsing my sinus's along with antibiotics. Friday the junk seems to move into my chest and I feel like I am hacking up a lung!

I went with Ryan and Kyra to the K-State game on Saturday and made it to the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Then I went out the car and fell asleep...I didn't even care we lost because I just feel so terrible. I have decided though that Kyra doesn't like me at the games with her and her daddy. The first half she was a PILL but the second I left she was happy as a lark for daddy! Even sitting on the lady's lap that has seats next to us. Little stinker!

We left right after the game was over and went to my FAVORITE grocery store HYVEE!!!! Got groceries and then I came home and crashed for a couple of hours then basically went back to bed. Kyra and I watched the Wizard of Oz for awhile before I decided I just needed more sleep.

Today I plan on making some more freezer meals...the realization of that in 12 weeks this baby is going to be here is hitting me and we don't have ANYTHING ready!!!!!!

So...I'm OFF....!!!

Everything Is Right In the World Again!!!! Go CATS!

What a great day for a GREAT game!! K-State is back to beating KU!!! The weather was beautiful and the game was outstanding! It was so great to have the Cats beat the Hawks! I like to say that the world is back as it should be!

We didn't take Miss Kyra to the game. She stayed at a friend's house and had a grand time. So grand that she didn't want to leave! She loves it over there. It was nice to have some adult time with my husband since those times are limited and will become even more in about 2.5 months!:)

I love my handsome husband and my Cats!

To keep up with my ever expanding belly we took a picture today since I'm 27 weeks this week. My headache seems to be gone, but now it seems that I'm having sinus problems. Drainage and sore throat. I'm thinking that's probably why I had such a terrible headache this week.

School Pictures Will Never End For Me:)

Tada! Beautiful I know right? Here is my school picture for the year. I'm going to say that being pregnant helped achieve this fabulous look:) LOL Actually I really do like it, it's one of the better ones. Ryan was looking at all of them last night and said to the one that I had the year after I had Kyra "Uh...did you forget that it was picture day?" I told him "YEP!" It's fun and very funny to compare and look at all the ones I've taken in the 6 years that I'm been teaching. Gives us something to laugh about for sure!

I am home today. I've had a terrible headache for the past three days, however today it is much less. I've also had a stomach ache but no fever. Yesterday was horrible, but I made it though the day so I could stay home and rest today. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be as good as new!

On the Kyra front, she had her 3 year check up yesterday! She is doing great! Her height was 31.5 inches without shoes putting her in the 63%ile and her weight was 29lbs putting her in the 20%ile. She's a lightweight we know!! She did such a great job at the office! She is SUCH a big girl now that she gets to stand on the scale like mommy does and had her blood pressure taken like mommy does! She listened to the nurse and it was so awesome to see this little girl do all these "big" girl things:) We hadn't been to the Dr. for gosh....before I was pregnant! So that was great and hopefully we can continue the minimal visits to the office. She DID have to get a shot, but only one. Again she was AWESOME, we only cried for about a minute and by the time we walked out she was fine. She had to tell daddy though about her band-aid! We do need to head to the County Health Dept. to get her other shots, but need to wait for a new supply.

So we were very pleased with the Dr. visit;) Until next time......

My Pretty Girl!!:)

I know we have had a similar picture, but just in about a month she has just grown up sooo much!! She looks so much like a little girl now, not my baby girl;( Is it terrible that I could just look at her all day:)

Happy Halloween

This year we spent Halloween out at my mom's house. Since it fell on the weekend it made it much more doable to celebrate with them since Halloween is my mom's favorite time of year. Kyra was a little K-State cheereleader and her Auntie Free"bum" dressed up as a cheerleader as well! They made just the cutiest pair! We went to Glen Elder for a small celebration in the afternoon and then Freedom took Kyra around town trick-or-treating. Kyra had LOTS of fun and definately ate tooooo much candy. On the way home she said "Mommy I hungry." I asked her if she wanted some chicken nuggets and her reply with a smirk and question form was "Chocolate???"...of course my reply.."NO!" LOL

Freedom was decorating the yard and even Ryan got into it by helping rake a pile of leaves they decorated with shovels, spider webs and a ghost. Kyra was having fun playing in the leaves as you can tell. Mommy came out to check on them and posed for a picture!!:)

This year was a BIG change from just going downtown in Wamego to trick-or-treat for Kyra...I think she got spoiled!!:)

26 weeks

Nothing really special to report today....just posting pictures of my ever expanding belly!!:)

Pumpking Carving 2009

Couldn't be Halloween time without some pumpkin carving! We did our traditional TWO pumpkin carvings tonight. We obviously did BIGGER and BETTER pumpkins this year. There were a lot and I mean A LOT of guts to clean out!! Kyra didn't want to touch the guts....she tired but preferred the spoon to dig out some seeds.

We kind of had to coax daddy into helping, but once he got started he got into it! He always does!:) He actually took over the carving...LOL.

We now have our "BOOOOOOOOOOOOO" pumpkins according to Miss Kyra out on the front porch lit for all to see!

Birthday Party

We had a great day with family and friends! It's always so fun to watch all the little ones play and interact!!! We are so blessed to have so many friends and family members that have such caring and giving hearts!

The day went off so well! It's always a whirlwind, but a good one. I always feel like I don't have enough time to visit with everyone but am thankful they are here! I've only posted a couple pics from the day. The cake turned out well and all seemed to enjoy themselves today.

Now only 365 days until her 4th birthday but as I told my sister-in-law we start planning in the summertime LOL.

Kyra's 3rd Birthday Cake

Her cake didn't really turn out the way that I wanted, but I think it turned out pretty neat still. Hope it tastes good too, but at this point, I'm ok with what it is!!:) LOL

25 weeks

So I've started to take pictures of my every growing belly!! Grew quite a bit in the last 3 months, but my weight is still only 141...next week I should hit 142 my prepregnancy weight. So I hope that we can stay on this steady gain. It's really helped that I haven't been eating school lunches and bringing my own AND staying away from Tostito's Pizza's:) LOL I wish I could do some more walking, but first there isn't any time it seems like and the biggest is that if I'm on my feet too much or have increased stress the preterm contractions are much more frequent. Little guy is moving all over, probably another mover and shaker like Kyra;) I can't wait to meet him and learn his personality because once we got to know Kyra I could so relate that personality to her in the womb.

Funny story about big sister:

I went in to go take a bath and she asked "Mommy you watch kick?" I said "What?" She said with more force "BABY kick!". I smiled and said "Oh yes!". The night before she came in and watched baby kick mommy so she thinks now that when I take a bath I'm "watching for baby." If she hasn't seen you for awhile she will point to my belly and let you know there is a "BABY" in there too.

She has also started this "I love you mommy!" when she is corrected. Like that is going to change the concequence. :)

She'll be a great big sister!!:)

First Time Making Fondant

So I tried making fondant...the first recipe stunk! BUT THE SECOND....very much more doable. The recipe:
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/2 cup and 1 tablespoon shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound confectioner's sugar

I used my Kitchen Aid to add the corn syrup, shortening, salt and vanilla then added the sugar until it was a stiff dough. I just used my Wilton food coloring to tint the dough. It is much more shiny than what was used on Ryan's cake, but Ryan thought this tasted better.

Kyra helped me use star cutters to make different colors and sizes. I didn't take a picture...WOW I know you think! I'm too tired and plus the cake still could turn out to be a disaster and in that event and Manhattan run will have to occur to either Wal-mart, Dillons or Dairy Queen!

This recipe actually makes great play dough that you don't have to worry about them eating!! Kyra was rolling and stamping stars BUT I think more was eaten than made:) LOL

This week has been so hectic and slowly but surely things are coming together. Yesterday I got Kyra's room cleaned and bedding in the dryer in 45 minutes before I had to leave for Highland to teach. Monday Kyra and I did our shopping for her cake and party supplies and didn't get home till 8:30 p.m. Then of course tonight I did the fondant and cleaned my bathroom while Ryan folded the mountain of laundry downstairs. Last night after work Kyra helped stack her drinking cups and as we were doing that it occurred to me that I had her doing a patterning activity because we started with a green cup then a pink and so on. She realized when she had two pink cups and separated them so that she stayed with that pattern! That's my girl!!!

But speaking of my girl...she is in the bathroom and I heard water and now silence??? HMMMMMMM??????

Freedom's Confirmation

Freedom was confirmed today. I along with Heather were her sponsor's. Not really sure where Heather ran off to, but she missed out on pictures. Freedom did a great job and look beautiful. She is growing up into such a nice young woman. I was blessed to be part of her day and support her in this big step in our Catholic faith. I hope that I can be a good role-model for her in the faith and in life.

Bacon & Potato Chowder

1 lb bacon
3 carrots chopped
8 large potatoes cubed
1 medium onion
1/2 tsp garlic salt
2 (14 oz) cans of chicken broth
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tablespoon flour
2 cups half/half
2 c frozen corn
3 ribs celery
2 tablespoons melted butter

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain and crumble. Saute onions. Cut potatoes, celery, and carrots. Combine bacon, onions, potatoes, celery and carrots in a pot. Add chicken broth and cook over medium heat. Add salt/garlic/pepper and boil until potatoes are tender. Simmer. In a mixing bowl combine the melted butter and flour. Slowly add the half/half to butter mixture. Stir mixture into chowder with the corn. Cook and stir over medium heat until slightly thickened.


I did not add corn this time because I didn't feel like it...haha! I did add a little sour cream to the soup and it was very yummy!!!

First K-State game missed;(

I decided to stay home from the game. This is something that I NEVER do, but I've been having preterm contractions and they occur most from stress/walking/standing...so that pretty much wraps up the K-State game in a ball for me. Maybe next week when it's an earlier game. Kyra and daddy are having a "daddy date" at the football game. We also have to leave very early tomorrow to head out to Cawker for my baby sister's confirmation as I am her sponsor. I am excited to be a part of such a big step in our Catholic faith and support my little sister. Right now, I'm making some soup to freeze....we'll see how it turns out..new recipe!

Not a bunch going on. I can't believe that my little girl is going to be THREE in two weeks! Really does seem like yesterday that we brought her home and now we will be bringing a new little life home in a couple of months. This little guy seems to be more challenging already;) But I love him already!!!

I just need to prioritize things differently and make sure I'm taking care of myself and following the doctors orders of sitting more and relaxing to keep contractions to a minimum. If this is all I have to deal with we are good!!!:)

Missing my girly and husband;(

23 weeks

So last Thursday I started my 23rd week of my pregnancy. This one is sooo much different than Kyra. The Braxton Hicks started when I was about 19 weeks with this one and they can get fairly strong. I tend to feel so much more stretching and pulling which seems to cause me to slow down because sometimes it can be very painful. Sitting helps the most and when Ryan rubs my back for me. This little guys is a never ending kicking machine too! Kicking in every uncomfortable place possible. I don't "think" that I've complained too much, but you'd have to talk to Ryan. LOL Ryan has been able to feel the baby move and asked "Does he do that all day?...I would get annoyed!" I assured him that baby does move all day and even though I love it, some days it can become cumbersome. Kyra hasn't been able to feel the baby yet and when I say that brother is kicking mommy she just goes "HUH???" I'm also just about back to what I weighed before I got pregnant. I would expect that I will reach that within the week or so!:) I started out at 142 and I'm 139 right now.

I go in for my October appointment tomorrow. Feb. seems so far away but yet I can't believe that October is almost half over!

Pumpkin Patch

Kyra met her her cousins in Topeka to have some fun at the pumpkin patch. It never fails, it is either windy, cold or both when we go! Never the less they all had fun. Above Kyra is proudly showing her prized pumpkin she brought home.

Here Kyra took some time out to take a picture with her mommy!:)

One of her most favorite things is the mower train rides!

Playin' in the Hay!

It only took one time "sliding" off the haystack for her to NOT do it again. I really was very high! She didn't get scared and laughed after she came down, she just wasn't about to go up and do it again.