Doctor Appointment

Just thought I'd give everyone an update on Baby #2. I had my first ultrasound today. Everything looked wonderful...strong heartbeat and measuring right on target at 9 weeks and 1 day. My due date was confirmed once again for November 27th, although I will end up having my c-section scheduled about one week before that. Yea!

Baby Martin #2 is on the way!

Yes, that's right! I am 8 weeks pregnant with the newest (and last) member of our family! Chris and I could not be more thrilled. My due date is November 27th (Thanksgiving!) and we have my first ultrasound scheduled for next Friday, April 25th. I am in the midst of dealing with the same horrible morning sickness that I experienced while I was pregnant with Eve...not so fun while chasing a toddler around all day! But I will get through it, and it will all be so worth it in 7 months when our little one arrives. I have a feeling we will be having another little girl, although I will be ecstatic either way. I am just so happy for this latest blessing in our lives!

3 weeks left!

Stressed!

That is what I am feeling right now as Chris and I continue our search for an apartment to spend at least the next year of our lives in. We are moving closer to the St. Louis area so that we can cut Chris' commute down and save our car from the 500-800 miles a week we are now putting on it. We have been looking for the last month, and I feel like we are never going to find the right place. Please pray that we find the perfect place soon!

Thankful

Today was a very trying day with Eve. Chris worked a 12-hour shift so it was just Eve and myself from sunrise til sunset. It is almost as if she knows the days that Daddy is going to be gone all day, and these are the days she chooses to test me the most. From the moment she woke up from her first nap, I knew I was in for trouble. The day was filled with tantrums, throwing food on the floor, pulling outlet covers out of outlets, hitting me in the face with her sippy cup, and much more.

Towards the end of the day, I was completely out of steam. And I think Eve sensed it, because out of nowhere she came and sat on my lap and quietly layed her head on my chest. That was it...end of tantrums, end of misbehaving...I think she was as worn out as I was. As I was putting her to sleep tonight, I thanked God for my baby girl and for every single difficult moment we had today. I was thinking about everything God has taught and given me through Eve...infinite patience (a must when one has a "spirited" child); compassion (I believe once you become a mother, you are a mother to every child out there); a sense of wonder at what the world must look like through her eyes; and most importantly, a much deeper and stronger connection to Christ. I look into Eve's eyes, and my heart is so full of love for her that it feels as though it may burst. Only God can be responsible for such a miracle.

Anyways, my point is that I will gladly take day after day like today, because it is another day with my beautiful daughter, and for that I am truly thankful.

We have a walker!

Walking, Teething, and Eating

Eve has been practicing her walking non-stop the past few days, and is getting sooo close! She will take about 6 steps, fall, stand back up, and repeat. She gets the most determined look on her face...I will try to get some pics tomorrow. At this rate, I know she will be walking full-time very soon.

I also just noticed a few days ago that she is getting in 3 more teeth! I think this has been why we have been having such difficulties with her eating lately, not to mention her night wakings. On a positive note, she did eat wonderfully today for the first time in a couple weeks. So who knows, maybe that phase is behind us...I can only hope!

Easter

Well the day is over and I am drained! Started the morning out by giving Eve her Easter basket...no chocolate this year, but we did fill her basket with new toys and books...most of which we ended up giving her early! We spent the afternoon over at my parent's house where Eve got to see her Aunt Christie and Uncle Rob for the first time in a couple months. Eve got showered with more books and a stuffed bunny from Grandma and Grandpa. She seemed to view the bunny more as her enemy than her friend...LOL. We all ate entirely too much, but thats what holidays are for, right?

Eating Woes

*Sigh*

So, my wonderful little eater has suddenly become the picky eater that I've had nightmares about. Favorite foods are now going untouched at mealtime, and two bites is about her limit before she is ready to go back to playing. This has, by far, been the most frustrating thing I've experienced as a parent aside from Eve's acid reflux. After all, I can't really force her to eat. So I've been devouring any information I can get my hands on about "toddler nutrition", and everyone says the same thing:

1. Most toddlers will exhibit this behavior at some point

2. No baby will starve itself

Well, that's nice to hear people, but that doesn't make me worry any less! So for now, I am trusting the experts, and picking my battles. Here's to hoping (for my sanity!) that this is a short-lived phase, and that my wonderful little eater makes a quick return.

O-H-I-O

So, last week we made a long overdue trip to Ohio to visit with Chris' family. I was so excited to get back and see everyone, and yet so worried about how Eve was going to do in the car and in a new environment. The girl shocked us, and barely made a peep the entire way there...no tantrums, very few tears, and a teeny bit of whining just to let us know she was either hungry or sleepy. I was so proud! Once we got there, we got some quality time in with the fam despite the blizzard-like weather conditions. It was a short visit, but we had a great time. Now we are back home, and things are back to normal. At least for the next 6 weeks...then it's moving time!

Yea!

So I decided to create this blog to keep track of the daily shenanigans of my daughter, Eve, and to let family and friends get a glimpse into her daily life. Every day is adventure with my baby girl, and I hope you all will join us in the fun!