Almost to the end.

I'm starting to actually feel pregnant these days. My body is beginning to ache a bit, I'm getting tired halfway through the day, all I want to do is eat and lay on my couch. I've been trying to be consistent with going to bed early because its the only way I'll be able to make it through a whole day. Going to the gym & playing wii fit has helped with the aching and sleeping hasn't become too difficult yet. I'm praying it doesn't because I'm going to enjoy these last 4 weeks of 8+hours of sleep at night!

I'm getting so anxious to meet Beck and to not be pregnant anymore. I can't believe that in a few weeks I'll be mommy to not just Riley, but a baby boy as well. I also can't believe that our lives as we know it will be changing because of this little person. I'm getting excited for this big change and for the challenge. I'm curious to see how Riley will react once we bring him home. I wish she understood what was going on, understood that soon she'll have a little brother. I wish she could be excited with Leif & I:)

Part of me wants the next few weeks to fly by while the other part wants them to go as slow as possible. Either way, soon our family of three will be four and I will no longer be pregnant, haha.

Playtime at the Aquarium

I took Riley to the aquarium yesterday, and all she was interested in was coloring and playing.

Sure, she smiled and clapped when she saw the sea lions and jelly fish.
But, she got really excited when she saw that she could color

She wasn't that happy I interrupted her coloring
&push buttons that would produce animal noises.

It was a nice way to spend the morning though. We had the play area basically to ourselves so Riley was able to run around and I could sit and watch her. We played together in a tunnel for awhile... I think it was suppose to be a seals flubber? That was my favorite part. She kept going in and out of the tunnel, and each time she'd return she'd hug me. I loved it.

Every animal at the aquarium was 'puppy'. Riley thinks all animals, including her stuffed ones, are 'puppy'. Silly girl.

Sleep Methods.

I like to think that Leif and I are doing pretty well at parenting Riley. I also like to think that we did an excellent job with getting her to sleep through the night as soon as we did. Yet, if we're doing such a great job why is she now insisting on sleeping with us?

When Riley was sick about two weeks ago she had a cough which lead to her wheezing. We were in Southern California and instead of having her sleep in her pack-and-play we had her sleep with us. We didn't think anything of it because we do this from time to time. When we got back to Monterey she was breathing a bit better so we put her in her pack-and-play in our room. After visiting the doctor and getting medicine to help with the wheezing (turns out her cold caused asthma), we put her to bed in her crib, in her own room.

Riley never fights us when its time for bed so that first night she went back into the crib, we went about our night routine. Checking ebay and blogs, eating snacks, playing games together, cleaning the kitchen... But then when we are about to go to bed, Riley wakes up screaming. She refuses to be consoled and keeps pointing at the door. Usually that means she wants some milk, so we take her out of the crib and assume she's going to head to the kitchen. Instead, she heads to our room and to our bed. Part of me just wants to let her sleep with us because I'm tired and don't feel like staying up any later. I know though that if I give in just this once I'll probably give in many more times. So we put her back in her crib and let her cry... and scream. For awhile. Leif eventually goes in there and then she finally falls asleep.

When she was smaller letting her cry it out was a lot easier. She would only do it for about 10 minutes then be knocked out. She also didn't really have the concept down that if she cries it means she'll get to sleep with mommy and daddy. Now, letting her cry it out is the last option for us. Letting her sleep with us is a last option as well though. I'm kind of at a loss of what to do. I don't really have a problem with letting my child cry at night unless she's sick or really in need of something. Normally I wouldn't mind the loss of sleep but I'm trying to get in all the sleep I can before Beck arrives.

I think the timing for Riley to refuse to sleep in her crib is perfect:) I mean, I can handle sharing a bed with two kids and a husband right? Thankfully, it hasn't been every night that Riley has been insisting on sleeping in our bed. And the nights that she does, we let her fall asleep then transfer her to the crib.

It really is the cutest thing though when Leif brings her into our bed and she's so excited. She always hugs my neck and falls asleep next to me. So while ideally, I'd like her to spend every night in her own bed, I'm enjoying how much she loves being close to me.

What sleep method did you use with your child/children?

Faith.

This is the verse that has been on my heart for the last few weeks:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Hebrews 11:1

I've been thanking God constantly for the things He has yet to do, but I know
He will. In the past I've really struggled with putting my faith in God, but I'm learning what it
truly means to have faith.

I'm expecting great things.

Baby photos.

I found these today when I was going through Riley's baby photos. I'm getting really excited to have a little baby around again:) I'm also excited to take pictures of the new little baby. I forgot how easy it is to take photos when they can't move all over the place.

She's such a daddys girl

I love when she makes this face.

And just because she's cute:
Watching the rain and hail

Gratitude Thursday: Surprise!

I'm grateful for the girls here in Monterey.

Last night was girls night out, and what I thought was simply dinner at a Japanese restaurant, really turned out to be a baby shower for me! So fun:) I have wonderful friends here in Monterey. I love them dearly. I really wasn't expecting a baby shower this time around so it was a nice surprise. Like really, what a wonderful way to show a friend you care. Plus we didn't have to play any ridiculous games, just sit around and enjoy each others company. Very refreshing.

I'm so blessed to have met the women that I did when I moved here. They have helped make my transition to Monterey so much more enjoyable. I hate thinking about the fact that most of them will be leaving in the next few months though. Why must the military take away my best friends?! Despite impending departures, I am happy with the time we've shared and the times we'll share in the future.

I am constantly thanking God for their friendship.

Blogging from L.A.

We're down south currently. Only for a few more hours though:) We drove down for a wedding that was on Friday. Its been an enjoyable trip. The last one we'll take before Beck gets here. I really don't want to go back to Monterey. Its nice having family so close, and being able to drive up and see good friends. I always forget how much I love coming down to visit. For some reason this visit for me was probably my favorite visit we've had so far since moving to Monterey.

Although our days were packed with visiting family and friends, I never really felt too overwhelmed or worn out. I really cherished the moments I spent with everyone since it'll be a few more months until we make it down again. I really appreciated the effort that people put into seeing us. Its comforting to know that although we've been gone for about 7 months, we're still loved down here! I'm a little bummed that I couldn't make time for more visiting, but I am so happy that we were able to spend time with my family, and Leif's family. Especially our stay with my sister in law and brother and law!

Riley got sick while we were here. Poor baby. It caused her to be cranky the first two days, refusing to nap, and only wanting to be held. By Saturday she was running all about. Even walking up to people other than mommy and daddy and asking if they'd hold her. Sunday we kept her out for most of the day and night, without naps and I'm happy to say, she was a content baby the whole time. Its always risky when you keep a toddler out without naps, haha. I think her favorite part of the day was being able to jump on the exercise trampoline with uncle Jerry:) She hasn't been able to sleep that well at night though, her cough kept waking her up and making her cry because it causes her throat to hurt... Last night was the first night she slept for the majority of the night without crying. I'm hoping that means that she's on her way to recovery! Recovery also means a full nights rest for mommy & daddy:)

Despite Riley getting sick (&Leif... now) this has been a nice 'last L.A. trip before Beck arrives'. We were definitely blessed these past few days!

Little Reader.

Riley loves to read and be read to. Most of her playtime is spent having me read to her or her sitting in a pile of books "reading" to herself. She'll read to her stuffed animals, to me while I'm cleaning or cooking, to Leif while he lays on the couch. To anyone that will listen really.

Although she'll make me re-read books to her over and over, I don't mind too much. I really enjoy watching her get excited to turn the pages, and listening to her laugh when she points something out in the book. I will never get tired of reading to Riley.

Updating my blog, finally.

I've been slacking on the blogging. I guess that means that things have just been busy around here:) Actually, last week Riley was sick and then Leif ended up getting sick as well. It was the same stomach virus, that I had gotten in Oregon. Supposedly its been going around! Ick. I'm happy that we're all healthy again!

Since I haven't blogged in awhile its probably a good time for an update on our family and what's been going on around here. Leif and I are starting to prepare for Beck. We made a registry at Target, which is mostly for ourselves so we're able to keep track of the things we need. It feels like we just went through this yesterday. I didn't think we'd be looking for another crib so soon, ha. We went through all of Riley's old clothes because we knew we had a few things we could use for Beck. It was fun looking at the clothes Riley used to wear. I couldn't believe that she actually was able to wear those newborn clothes at one point. We're also in the process of trying to decide where and when school will fit into our lives. Leif has started to take classes in preparation for a Masters degree in Computer science and I've been trying to figure out what the best route to take in finishing up my degree would be. I'd like to start school back up at least half-time come Summer and Leif wants to start a program as soon as possible. We're doing a lot of praying and seeking:) God is good.

The pregnancy is still going well. I see the doctor every two weeks now. So excited about that! That means the end is near! My sciatic nerve isn't bothering me too much, mainly because I've been really consistent with exercising & stretching. I'm trying to get to the gym as often as I can and workout at home since I only have a few weeks left. Although I'm having a c-section, I still want my body to be as prepared as it can be for birth. My recovery from my c-section with Riley went really well because through out the pregnancy I was conditioning my body for giving birth. I'm hoping that this time around, it'll be just as good and quick! I'm also praying they send me home early like last time because hospitals aren't allowing children to visit if they're under the age of 18.

Riley has been changing a lot lately. She's become more attached, which is so foreign to me. I'm used to her having no problem being apart from me. She was always a little attached to Leif but now even more so. Stranger anxiety has finally kicked in, and while she doesn't cry when people she's not familiar with talk to her, she gets shy and really quiet. Its so different than when she was younger. I've never thought twice about leaving her in childcare at church but now she stands at the gate, whimpering and reaching up. It breaks my heart a little. Thankfully once we leave shes fine. I'm having a hard time adjusting to Riley being so attached to me, but I'm trying to be grateful that she wants to be close to me so much. Maybe shes just enjoying her last few weeks alone with mommy and daddy?

I think that update covers mostly everything. I miss blogging, but I am happy that I'm spending a lot less time online. I will attempt to blog a bit more before the baby gets here.

Lately I've been trying to really savor my last few days alone with Riley. I'm excited for Beck's arrival, but I love the times I have with just Riley. Sometimes I wish we had waited so I could have more time with just her... Other times I'm so happy we didn't. Either way, I am looking forward to being a mommy of two. I'm looking forward to the challenge of balancing four schedules instead of three. I'm looking forward to Riley gaining a new friend. I'm looking forward to having a son and getting to know him.

Part of me wants the next 7 weeks to fly by because I'm ready to meet my little boy and bring him home. The other part of me wants them to go by slowly because I'm enjoying my time with Riley. Especially now that she's a toddler.

I feel so blessed to be able to spend everyday with my daughter and soon with my son as well.

Its the new year.

And we are back in California! Leif and I really missed home while we were away. I like that when you're on vacation, you gain a new appreciation for your home. :) Oregon was a nice break from Monterey, but like I said earlier, I really began to appreciate where we live. Such a good thing! I've been praying and struggling with that lately. It may not sound like a big deal but I think its important to be content where you are. I love when prayers get answered.