Happy July

 

(July 4, 2011 Edmond Parade)

(July 4, 2012 Grandma Lynch's House after the neighborhood parade.)

 (July 4, 2013 Grandma Lynch's house after getting parade candy!)

I'm sure it is said by everyone everywhere every year, but this summer sure is flying by! However, I am so thankful I get the chance to spend so much extra time with my little man, family, and friends during the summer months and for the lower than normal temps outside!

This past month our little family has stayed busy as usual! We have gotten to work on Bradley's room and are near completion so pictures will come soon! We have had many birthday parties, play dates, trips to the zoo and pool, and a couple little road trips. 

One trip was to Harrah, OK which is not to far to see Kyle's Grandma Thompson, who has recently moved here from Kansas. It was a short but nice day visit with Grandma and Kyle's Aunt Barb and Uncle Dick. On our way home from Harrah we took Route 66 and made a pit stop at POPs, and Carson got his first bottle of orange cream soda. Kyle and I of course chugged majority of it so he didn't get an entire bottle, but he loved every drop he could get his lips on!

We had a great fourth of July! We got up and around early and headed to the Edmond Liberty Parade with our dear friends the Wheelers. Carson and Ben were asking to go about 5 minutes in, but I think they enjoyed it. It was already hot out at 8:30 in the morning and there were a lot loud sirens coming our way, so I think that may have overwhelmed them. Below is a picture of the boys watching the horses and Carson waving his American flag and nearly taking everyone around him eyes out :/ After we left the parade about half way through we went to my mom's house to catch her neighborhoods parade. At her parade they throw out candy and the neighborhood kids decorate their bicycles so we knew Carson wouldn't be afraid to sit through that one. Then later that evening we went and visited and cooked out with the Wheelers at their house. The boys really enjoy each other and their toys, and we loved getting to catch up with Dustin and Rebekah and snuggle on baby Camden!

 

 (Hiding from the loud fire truck sirens.)

 

(Counting out his candy after the Warwick neighborhood parade.)

Other news that has been all Carson can talk about around our house is the newest addition of 5 baby birds! We noticed late Spring that a bird had built a nest in our front yard tree and was always guarding it and yelling anytime we went near it. We weren't ever able to see the actual eggs but since she was being so protective we knew she must have some in there. Middle of June we finally heard the little baby birds! Everyday Carson wanted to go see those babies, but the mom and dad would attack if you got too close so we mainly watched the tree from our front door! The little family left our little tree while we were on our trip to Dallas but it was fun watching Carson be amazed by our  little bird family each day!

  Our second road trip was to Dallas/ Fort Worth to see my sister and brother in law the weekend after 4th of July. The Dobbs' family is one of Carson's favorite things in the whole world. So we probably could have just sat in their Dallas apartment all weekend and he would have been just as happy, but we ventured out to Fort Worth for a day at the zoo. It was pretty hot but luckily the zoo offers tons of shade and misters to keep us cool. Its a great zoo with tons of great exhibits but of course Carson was the most impressed with the elephants!

 (Aunt and Uncle Dobbs at the giraffes.)

(New born monkey and its mommy.)

Carson is growing and changing everyday! His vocabulary and talking continues to amaze me. But once you get him going be prepared to hear him talk till he is red in the face. We made the transition to a twin bed and absolutely no pacis in this house the middle of June. He has done great! He loves his new bed and is proud to show it off whenever anyone comes over. He asked about his paci a couple days at nap and bedtime and then that was it we never heard about them again! All these changes have made me so proud of him and a little sad, because I know the true baby stage is over :'( However, so far this 2 year old is proving to be really fun too! Currently he loves tractors, cars, Mickey Mouse, and play doh and of course all of his old loves too, books and Sesame Street. Anything Kyle does Carson feels he has to do it too. If Dads outside so must Carson go, etc. It makes my heart melt! He loves the 2 year old room at daycare and actually ask me to take him to school during the week! When he says, "I want to go to school, see my friends," I get a little choked up. But it is a good feeling knowing he is loved and enjoys where he goes without Daddy and me. 

Since my last post I have had two doctors appointments for Baby Bradley. One on June 18th and the other on July 9th. Both went well! On June 18th, I hadn't gained any weight but my measurements were fine so the doctor was ok with it. On July 9th I had gained three lbs! So I guess I made up for lost time! His heart rate at both visits was in the middle to high 140s.  Everything is looking great with Bradley. I continue to have heartburn all the time, I'm always pressing on my belly because this little guy is a mover and a shaker and I have to push back to get him in a comfortable position, and I'm always hot but other than that its been a pretty smooth pregnancy. As of today I am 30 weeks and 4 days, so a little less than 10 weeks to go!!

Carson is 2!!

June 1, 2011 Welcome to the World Carson!

June 2, 2012 1st Birthday Party! 

June 1, 2013 2nd Birthday Party!

 We had a fun little backyard Sesame Street party for Carson's 2nd birthday! We laid out a bunch of toys in the backyard, set up some tables and chairs, tents and umbrellas, and finger foods and just let the kids run free. They all seemed to really enjoy themselves. My mom, sister and brother in law, grandparents, and five of our couple friends and their 2 year old boys and a few new babies were our sweet guest in attendance. They all showered Carson with some fun new toys. That he still can't get enough of 10 days later! His big boy gift from Kyle and I was a shiny blue tricycle! He loves being able to ring its bell. We are working on the pedaling part but hopefully sooner than later he'll pick that up. For now he is quite happy with us pushing and him steering!

A few days after his party we had Carson's 2 year check up. The check up went more like a big kid check up rather than the baby check ups I'm used to. He stepped up on the scale to be weighed (usually he sits naked in a car seat looking scale) and stood to be measured for height (usually they measure him laying on the doctors table). I can't believe we are already at that point!! I know those sound like silly little things but its just one more small reminder that it's going WAY TO FAST! Carson is 35 inches tall which is a little taller than average for his age and 31 1/2 lbs. which is a little more than he should weigh for his height. But I think he is perfect ;) His ears looked great the doctor said, Kyle and I were holding our breath about that! And the doctor was so impressed with how talkative and playful he was during the whole visit. He said he usually dreads having too many two year old wellness visits in one day because they can be a bit of a challenge, but if they were more like Carson's visit he'd schedule them all day! (Proud Mommy moment) Carson received his last shot for a couple of years and he took it like a champ, only cried while we held him down! The doctor felt like Carson is developing and growing well and talking almost as much as a three year old so unless he is sick we don't have another visit till he is three!!!

 

June 8th was our 6th wedding anniversary. It is so hard to believe we've been married that long! I guess time really does fly when you are having fun ;) Thanks to Grandma Lynch we were able to go out to dinner downtown and then enjoy the beautiful evening around the Bricktown canal. It was a crazy month of weather, ending of another school year, and Carson's bday party so it was nice to go out and relax with each other.

 

Pregnancy update: My last appointment was June 4th. At that appointment I was 25 weeks, had gained another pound, and Bradley's heartbeat was in the 140s. The doctor felt everything was going great. I have already started having Braxton hicks, and the doctor said she isn't surprised. She said many second time moms show earlier, feel everything earlier, and go into labor earlier. But I'm hoping Bradley doesn't come too much earlier so I can get everything done! I also had my one hour glucose test at that appointment, and found out the next day I hadn't passed it by a couple of points

 :( I was really surprised since I'd passed with Carson, I never thought this time would be different. Yesterday I retook the three hour glucose test and found out today that the results were normal! Thank the Lord!! This week marks 26 weeks and we'll soon begin the third trimester, it seems hard to believe we are on the down hill slide!!

 

Summer is off to a great start with our little family. Carson and I are enjoying many fun summer activities and Kyle has even gotten to golf, so let the summer fun continue!!

 

Summer Break is Near!!

I can not believe I will begin my summer break this FRIDAY! I am so excited to begin my summer stay at home mom routines and spend sometime with my little man! I have so many plans for us, hopefully he is willing to indulge his mama, especially since this is the last summer without a sibling!!

This past month has been crazy for us and as all of you know the entire state of Oklahoma. For our little family we have been busy with household jobs, friends and family events.

 Towards the end of April we had a little garage sale in our neighborhood garage sale event to help clear out the guest bedroom for our newest little man. We did pretty good and were able to get rid of somethings we just didn't have space for. Also at the end of April I ran in the Oklahoma Memorial Marathon Kids Run with my school. Please don't be fooled, I am not a runner and its only a little over a mile. However, I find so much joy being involved in the Memorial and doing community activities with my sweet students and co workers. The past two years I have helped the PE teacher once a week the last semester of school with her running club project. The kids run a few times a week after school to complete the miles they need to finish the Marathon the day of the race. The day of the race they run the last mile and receive their medal. It is great to see them run and receive their medals with so much pride!

The very last week Kyle went on a work trip to San Antonio and I was left to run the show without him. That was my first time since Carson was two months old to work and take care of Carson from sun up to sun down without Kyle. And Carson was a complete angel! I was shocked. I really thought being off his morning routine would make him cranky but he didn't skip a beat.

May did not slow anything down for this family. We continued to have birthday dinners, play dates, Mother's Day, and getting my classroom ready for summer. It was a great second Mother's Day. The boys got me my favorite breakfast and flowers, we went to the park, and enjoyed a nice dinner out on the patio. It was such a relaxing and sweet day.

 

Through April's crazy rain showers and random freezes we were able to go on a few walks around our ever growing neighborhood and enjoy the new pond they've made. Carson loves going to see if the ducks are there. Unfortunately they usually aren't but that's given Kyle more chances to teach him to skip rocks, or as Carson calls them "rockos."

 Carson loves walking his Jake. Carson has started wanting to do anything Kyle does. Usually Kyle walks the dogs and I push the stroller. However, now Carson also needs to walk a dog and I'm left pushing an empty stroller. It continues to make me so thankful that God gave me my husband. It couldn't make me happier that my little boy would want to be like such a wonderful man.

 

Our little baby has really begun blossoming into a toddler. This past month he has transitioned to a toddler bed, and for the most part is doing well with it, and is becoming more comfortable with the potty. I hope to have him potty trained by the end of summer (wish me luck)!

His 2nd birthday is June 1st and we are looking forward to having a fun little get together to celebrate our big little man. If asked what he wants for his birthday we will tell you a birthday cake and ice cream, easy to please I guess!

He still enjoys books, music, playing outside, and Sesame Street. And has formed a new love for cars/trucks/tractors/trains/airplanes, the zoo, and anything dad does. He talks, giggles, and sings all the time! He currently likes singing Rock a bye Baby, Twinkle Twinkle, and the ABCs. He has a very sweet and sometimes sassy personality, but I just love how big of a personality he has!

 

Baby Bradley Update



Today we went to the doctor for our follow up ultrasound on the measurement of Baby's tummy and our monthly doctor's visit. Thank the Lord, his tummy is now measuring the correct amount of weeks!! They did a full panel of measurements again and everything measured correctly and went great. His heart rate was in the 160s and we was very active. I am a little over 23 weeks today and have gained 5lbs since my first doctors visit in January. I will need to get some baby bump pictures up because I swear it looks a lot bigger than 5lbs to me! I take the glucose test next visit and I'm praying they don't limit my sugar intake!!

I believe we have decided on a name, Bradley. We aren't completely set on a middle name but I'll share when we do. We've picked out his bedding and have a dinosaur theme in mind. I am excited to be out for summer and give this little guy's room more attention!

 

Please continue to keep my hometown of Moore and the other cities hit in the recent May tornadoes in your prayers. Thankfully, my mom and other close friends and their families are all ok. But many of my college and childhood friends have lost someone or their homes. But just like the city has done in the past they'll recover again!

Baby Update

 

Today was our 18 week check-up and the official gender confirmation ultrasound. Baby B is still a Boy! And we are still undecided on a name. On my end everything looked great. I have gained two pounds since the last visit, blood pressure, and measurements were all on track and looked good.

Baby's heart rate during the ultrasound was in the 150s and when we were listening to it with the Doppler it was in the high 140s. His ultrasound measurements looked normal. He wiggled around the whole time and kept is little toes all clinched up. I don't think he liked all the pushing from the ultrasound. He actually measured a day or two larger in some areas so that would make the due date between 15th-17th of September.

His tummy was the only area that did not match the 18 week measurement. On the ultrasound his little stomach looks like a little bubble and it measured smaller than it should. My doctor does not feel concerned and believes that he may have passed all the fluid before the ultrasound and that's the reason for the smaller measurement. However, we still will have to redo the ultrasound on the next visit to confirm this. I of course Googled it on the Internet and have now made myself a little nervous, but I do trust our Dr. and believe if it was of greater concern she would say so. We will still be keeping the situation in our prayers and always appreciate your prayers too!

 

My regular clothes officially don't fit around my belly without assistance, by assistance I mean belly band or rubber band, so I have moved on to dresses and maternity pants. Which are so much more comfortable anyways! I feel like my energy has returned along with my old friend heartburn

 :( Starting around week 17 I was able to feel the little flutters of movement, which makes the whole thing so much more real and exciting!

 

A little family update: Carson seemed to really enjoy the Red & White Scrimmage at OU. He loved the Ruff neck guns, the music, band, and crowd! He was a real trooper and stuck it out the whole game! It sure made Kyle and I happy to get to share a little of our old college days with our little man.

 

Till next time!

Happy April

The end of March we had our monthly check-up for Baby B. At that point I was 15 1/2 weeks. I hadn't gained any weight, which is shocking since I already have a kangaroo pouch, but was still excited about the number. We thought we were just going to hear the heartbeat and be on our way but we were surprised by getting the chance to see our little bundle again on an ultrasound. We did hear the heartbeat and it was in the high 160s and sounded wonderful. We were discussing with our doctor the next visit and getting to find out the gender when she said we could go look right now since we were far enough along and she had time! We were completely shocked but soo excited, so we jumped at the offer.

Drum roll please......

 



(not sure why but it keeps flipping the pic when i down load it, so I apologize for the sideways view)

 

Another BOY!! We have our official 18 week ultrasound next Tuesday to determine the gender but our doctor as well as us from the picture we have feel confident the next ultrasound will still prove Baby is a boy. Since we found out right before Easter we decided it'd be fun to send some of our loved ones an Easter egg with the surprise in it. Above is a snap shot of one of the special deliveries. We have yet to decide on a name but hopefully we will come to an agreement before the birth ;)

 

  The weekend of Easter we enjoyed some time with our sweet friends, the Kochenowers, who passed down a big brother book to Carson. It has become one of his favorites and he now talks about big brothers so I think we are slowly making a little big bro progress. When asked if he wants a baby in the house or a brother he still however quickly responds with a,  NO ;)

 

We have been and continue to be booked every weekend in April with some sort of activity, but we are all excited and eager for the nice weather and outside time we'll get to enjoy. Last weekend we spent some time at the OKC zoo. Which Carson has become very fond of. He really loves looking at the animals and playing in all the play areas. It was his first time to wear shorts for the season so we left with skinned knees and lots of dirt, so for a little boy I'd say that spells success! We decided to get a zoo pass this year, so I am looking forward to spending some of my summer time there too.  This coming weekend we are taking Carson to his first OU game. It's the red and white scrimmage for the football team. My sister, brother in law, and mom will also be joining us on this big occasion. Hopefully he enjoys it as much  as we do!

 

Till next time!

Easter 2012 

Easter 2013 (What a change!! It went too fast)

Yelling at the bears to "come down now!" they were up near the top of the hill and too far away for him I guess.

OKC zoo playground and my 16 week baby bump. 2nd time really does bring the bump a little faster :/

2nd Annual Neighborhood Hunt

Our neighborhood held its annual Easter egg hunt today and this year I think Carson was much more successful than last year. It took him a few minutes to pick up on what he was suppose to do but once he did, watch out eggs! Then when he discovered candy was inside, the hunt was done and he was ready to eat his loot. I can't wait to see him show his little bro or sis the ropes next year!
 

(Last years hunt)

 

Happy Easter!

A long overdue update!

Well as many of you may already know our biggest family news is Baby Bertholf #2 is on his/her way! We found out we were expecting around the middle of January and it has been a very hard secret to keep! Our first doctors appointment was January 29th, and at that point I was 7 weeks along which makes our due September 17th. The doctor said everything on the ultrasound looked great and it was wonderful to see the little tiny heartbeat.

So far everything seems to be following the same path as Carson's pregnancy. I felt nausea from weeks 7 to 11 and extremely sleepy the first trimester. I think working with 21 7 & 8 year olds and keeping up with a 21 month old added to the tired feeling! I don't have any certain cravings but I can't recall having any certain ones with Carson either. But when I am hungry, look out because I am one cranky hungry preggo gal!

 

We went back to the doctor for our second check-up on February 28th and the second ultrasound showed a very active little baby! Even the doctor seemed surprised at how much our little bundle was hopping around. At that check-up we were 11 weeks. I hadn't gained any weight, which shocked me because I already felt I looked rounder!

As of today I am 14 1/2 weeks and feeling much better. We go back for our next visit Thursday. At that appointment we will also schedule the ultrasound to see what gender our beautiful number 2 will be!

 

There wasn't really too much to report about in the month of January. We all just worked on getting back into the swing of things after the holidays and winter break. However, one of Kyle's sisters welcomed their little baby girl into the world, and we are thrilled to have a new niece and cousin for Carson!

February was an exciting month full of interesting Oklahoma weather. One minute we'd be snowed in and the next we were taking walks and visiting the OKC zoo. I also had a few school holidays and breaks so it made the month seem even shorter than it already was.

 

 

March has been an exciting month for our little family as we took a trip to see Kyle's parents in Washington over Spring Break. I was a nervous wreck leading up to the big trip. Traveling with a 21 month old seemed like a really scary task! But Carson proved me wrong. He did great! Everything about the airport and airplane was soo exciting to him! He acted like the whole thing was a big ride. Of course with any toddler we had our moments but there was only a few! That being said it was still a lot work traveling with a young child and I may need a vacation to recover from the time changes and extra work I had to put in! Carson enjoyed getting to see his grandparents and show off his big personality as well!

My brother and sister in law welcomed their little boy in March as well. So now Carson has a cousin on both sides closer in age!

 

Carson is of course still growing by leaps and bounds. We haven't had an ear infection in months, thank you Lord, though the doctor felt for sure he'd see us again before the winter season was over. So if we continue at this rate we may not see the doctor till June for his 2 year wellness visit! Currently he loves music (especially playing guitar and drums and hearing daddy play guitar), animals (elephant seems to be his favorite), doing anything and everything by himself, fruit, books, cars, and of course still Sesame Street. He talks all the time and is starting to say more phrases and some sentences. Kyle and I love to hear him say his name, Thank you, o my goodness, excuse me, and sing. He has currently started counting to 11 all by himself. I'm not sure he knows what any of the numbers mean but its super cute to hear him count! He can also sing along to the ABCs but some of his letters sound made up and we've begun sitting on the potty (as long as there is candy involved) but nothing is happening just yet.

I would love to add more pics but at the moment its not letting me upload, so until next week take care!