Gearing up

We are about 31 weeks into this pregnancy and starting to feel like it's time to get ready! We had another ultrasound last Wednesday and baby is preparing itself for arrival. S/he is now in the correct position and giving me some kicks in the ribs :) Based on measurements taken at the ultrasound, baby is about 2 weeks ahead of schedule in terms of size...... Let's not get too crazy! I just looked at the doctor and she smiled and commented to the girls (who were in attendance) that we should probably buy baby a Halloween outfit to join us trick or treating. They are pretty excited for that! 

I'm enjoying feeling regular baby hiccups, lots of movement, and an overall sense that I'm waddling down the hospital hallways. This heat has been difficult, and I find myself sleeping on ice packs despite our A/C running. I managed to pull a stomach muscle in the recent weeks and boy, that's painful when pregnant! We weren't sure what was happening but happy to learn it wasn't labor, just a muscle. I discovered that if I refrain from bending over to pick up the constant toy on the floor or around the pool, I can avoid pain. The girls are learning to pick up their own toys :) 

I took the time this week to pick out "going home" outfits....what will it be?

Pink or Blue?!

Friends and birthdays

As we approached September (eek!, I know, it's just around the corner), Sidney was begging for what we call a "friend" birthday party. It's a given that our girls have family over to celebrate their birthdays. But we have held off on "friend" parties for as long as possible with each of them, for a variety of reasons. Just as we hosted an early pool/family party this year for her, we decided to allow her to invite a few friends over for a pool party today. She was so very excited, because after all, they were HER (school) friends, not our friends who happened to have kids about her age. Only a handful of friends were able to make it, but it was perfect for her. With heat indexes over 100, we invited each child's whole family to stay and play; let's just say in the water the place to be!

I was a little too busy to be running around with my camera, but I did capture a quick photo of her and one of her BFF's. 

Just look at that shear happiness across her face :)  

Sidney's 5th Birthday Party

This year, we coupled Sidney's family birthday party with a pool party. In years past, we've tried to do the same, and have only been somewhat successful because we waited until closer to her actual birth date to host her party and it's often too chilly. This weekend turned out to be the perfect weekend to sit in a pool, because it was H-O-T! 

Sidney asked to have a rainbow themed party. She wanted everything in every color, not necessarily rainbows all around. This is a girl who knows what she wants....

She sweetly posed for some photos prior to guests arriving.  

Hunter taught the birthday girl how to surf and she's on cloud 9 now making everyone hold the surf board so she can practice.

 Ryan showed off his forward flip skills....

and then attempted some back flips and it was pretty much epic failure. 

But boy did we all laugh and cheer him on as he practiced! 

Poor Nala got placed in the pool a couple of times and looks hideous as a wet dog. Skinny and sickly! 

 Sidney and Grandma Jan 

I think Great Uncle Greg was over-the-moon excited when Sidney agreed to his photo op request. 

What's a party without the traditional family photo (see that baby bump!)

Sidney's rainbow cake. She had specifics for me when we talked about the party cake. I'm normally one to just order it and call it a day. But this year, that was not sufficient for her. She wanted it the way SHE wanted it. And I wasn't about to find a bakery willing to attempt her request, so I did it myself. And I have to admit, the reviews were all positive!

While she made her wish from her sparkler candles, I made my own wish: "please let this cake taste good and turn out the way she requested!"

I know my wish came true! She was so excited!!! Happy 5th Birthday sweet Sidney! 

I'm holding on to the 4's for as long as I can! 

2013 Great Minnesota Get Together

In true MN fashion, we headed to the State Fair on Friday. We played, ate and walked our hearts out for 10 full hours. The girls were troopers in the heat and had black feet by the end of the day after all that walking. 

I think the pictures can do most of the talking for the day: 

A big THANK YOU to Grandma/pa Friederich for spending the day with us! 

Beach babes

I finally took a day off work this summer; it's been a LONG time coming :( Sadly, but excitedly, we made the conscious decision for me to save up almost all of my vacation time for baby's arrival this fall. That was an incredibly difficult move to make, considering the girls and I are used to 2-3 full weeks of fun together each summer. 

So today, we lived it up and  after Regan wrapped up a gymnastics camp, the girls asked to have a picnic lunch and head to the beach. I learned that we are not exactly lake/beachy people. The sand, the non-existent bathrooms, the smell of fishy water, etc. 

Apparently I'm more of a chemically treated-chlorinated water kind of gal :) But we enjoyed our time together and soaked in the gorgeous weather. 

We played in the sand, we took a break on our towels and ate apples, chips and sandwiches. 

What's a trip to the beach without building sand castles with your favorite sister :) 

But oh my dear Sidney, your arms look like they could snap in half they are so scrawny. 

So happy to have savored every ounce of our day. After we dusted off the beach, we jumped in the truck and headed home for some chlorine fun! Ahhhh, a mother's delight! 

Weekend of fun

We had a lovely weekend with my BFF and her 3 adorable kiddos :) The heat is coming back full-force and to say that the kids were in heaven is an understatement! Sidney and Natalie were best of friends all afternoon as they splashed in the pool thinking of anything their creative minds could imagine. 

Sunday evening, Ryan made arrangements with the girls' favorite babysitter so he could take me out to celebrate our anniversary. We had a wonderful dinner followed by a walk around the nearby lake. Thank you Leigha for watching the girls for us!

Welcome back summer! 

We are happy to have you :)

Gym meet fun

Tonight we wrapped up the girls' summer gymnastics program with a meet. All 4 grandparents came up to watch them 'compete' (it's really all for fun, but they are judged, given places and an all-around). 

This was Sidney's second meet and by far, she is a teeny one in her level. You can see in the picture below that most of the girls are significantly older than she is. But she keeps up with them and is loving her time in gymnastics.

I think what amazes me most, is their confidence and fearless attitude. No way could I place my hands on a beam and even attempt, let alone succeed, at doing a cartwheel. And at age 4 or 7 nonetheless! 

But they do it and make it look effortless and fun! 

Regan came out on top of her level this time around. She actually understands the whole "first place" and gave it all she had tonight.....not so much during her weekly practices. She went to bed so very proud of herself, and we are too! 

Yea, I think they had some fun today :) 

Summer wind down

Today the girls finished up their summer programming. It's been an interesting summer. One without enough heat, but one that has kept us busy and on the move. 

 Regan was slow to warm up to her summer routine, and she gave us a bit of a run for our money. While she figured out her place amongst a slew of children, she came home exhausted and crabby on most days. She preferred a whine over a nice voice, and a bossy/sassy attitude towards her wee sister. We initiated a "chore jar" to help mitigate those behaviors, and although it's working quite well, both girls are actually ENJOYING when they get to grab a chore. Win-Win I guess! 

She has started helping cooking in the kitchen, and boy do I love her company. She is such a great helper!

She tells us that she is not excited to start school, but in the next breath, she is bouncing off the walls with excitement as she learns which friends are in her class. 

I continue to grow a belly :) This picture is not the greatest, the stripes make it hard to see, and the angle (Ryan is a bit tall) is deceiving. 

Ryan is convinced baby is a boy. 

Although I have had 4 very vivid baby boy dreams, I still think it's a girl (after all, it's all I know!). 

The girls change their opinions by the hour. 

I haven't had any cravings or unusual pregnancy related issues; it's been pretty similar to my previous. 

And for that I'm thankful!

Ryan spends his weekends golfing, generally in the rain. If he has a tee-time, it is bound to rain. 

Happens a lot. And I have to chuckle :) 

He's frequented concerts and sporting events too this summer. 

And he claims to be working a lot, although 2pm mandatory happy hours are also part of his days. 

And last but not least, this peanut has also finished her summer programming. She played all sorts of summer-outdoor games, was blessed with in-house field trips weekly, bounce houses and water days. Sidney got to nap each and every day at school, so she would come home in a much happier mood compared to her big sis. 

She's over-the-top thrilled to be starting in her new classroom when she returns to school in September. We know it will be a huge adjustment for her (no more naps at school), but we are looking forward to this final year of preschool. 

Here's to the last 2 weeks of summer! 

Just another day

It was just another (Fri) day in our house today. 

We started the day with a gymnastics class, then some art, followed by lunch, a lot of play time together, a visit to the park and a hop in the pool. We sure know how to keep busy, but always, it's the keeping busy together that we love the best. 

Today, I opted to put aside the dusting and cleaning to soak in the love that these two have to offer. 

The girls did, however, JUMP on the opportunity to wash the car by hand today. No automatic car wash this time. And they were giddy with delight when I let them do most of the scrubbing and rinsing on their own. Boy did we have a good time! I'm not ready for summer to end, and neither are these two sweet girls. 

Just hanging out

A couple of weekends past, the girls asked if we could head to Minihaha and ride around on the 4-seater bike. Regan really enjoyed herself, but in true Sidney fashion, she was bored after about 20 minutes. Keep in mind, Sidney is our daughter who despises being buckled in. From the moment we brought her home from the hospital, she cried in the car. At nearly 5 years old, she still whines when we have to get into the car....she's a joy :) 

So when Ryan asked her to smile for a picture, she put on a cheesy grin just to try to entertain herself.

Despite that, we really did have a lot of fun, and tried to keep Sid entertained by pointing out various things around the park on our hour long ride. Regan's ready to go back, but this time, is begging to help pedal. Now if only I would fit in the kid sized passenger seat; I would gladly trade spots!

Biker babe

Regan got a new set of wheels this weekend, courtesy of Grandma Jan and Papa. She needed a new bike, but more importantly WANTED a new bike. Her previous one had "princesses" on it and she claimed "princesses are for babies". But before we let her pick out a new bike, she needed to prove to us that she could (and would) ride one. So she spent all week riding out front each and every night, and we finally caved. Grandma was pretty excited for her, and we all are pretty proud of the way she maneuvered this larger bike. Click HERE to watch her in action :)