Just like Daddy!

Ian is becoming more and more independent during playtime. One of his all-time favorite things to do is to go sit in his room, pull all his board books off the shelf of his bookcase, sit right in the middle of the pile of them and "read" to himself. If it ever gets really quiet in the house and you're wondering where he is, 90% of the time that is what he's doing.

He's also taking a liking to any of his tractor toys! Sound familiar?? Last night after bathtime but before bedtime, the house got quiet. I walked into his room and he was sitting on the floor surrounded by his book, as usual. Only this time, he was pushing his tiny little tractor all over the books. We also think that he's put two and two together and understands that Lolo (Charles' dad) drives the tractor. Whenever he's playing with his tractor or see it, he says "Wah Wah", which is his new word for Lolo. What a smart boy!

I'm sick.

Winter Wonderland!

We bought Ian a new sled this weekend! Sunday it was actually above zero (a whopping 15-20 degrees!) as oppose to the -15 degrees with -45 degree windchills we've been having lately. Charles took Ian out around Lolo and Lola's farm for a ride. Ian was in need of a nap so he didn't smile much, but I'm sure he had a blast!

This is the life!

How wonderful it must be to be a toddler...

20 week ultrasound today!

We had our 20 week routine ultrasound today at 2:45pm. Charles got off work early and Lola Betch watched Ian. After downing 32oz of water in about 5 minutes (and nearly peeing my pants for the next hour) we got to see our little guy do flips and twists for 30 wonderful minutes! Within just a few seconds of putting the probe on my stomach, it was confirmed that he is infact, still a boy! Little show-off!

All his measurements were perfect, and unlike his brother, he's not measuring 2 weeks ahead already! I'd love to give birth to a 'normal' size baby, so this is a good sign! My placenta is anterior, just like it was with Ian, but I'm still able to feel lots of kicks and punches, he must be strong!

So without further ado... here is Mr. Sean Patrick Raymond and his adorable button nose :)

Christmas Day

We woke up Christmas morning bright and early and opened our stockings. Ian got some new cloth diapers, an O-ball, lots of board books, an echo microphone, snacks, some divided plates and a Big Brother t-shirt! Then I made us all a quick breakfast and we got ready and headed out to the Raymond Farm.

Everyone was there for Christmas... Tita Elizabeth, Tita Laure and Tito Pete, Lola and Lolo, Lola A, even Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) came and joined us to celebrate there! We opened our stockings from Charles' parents and lounged around the house while other relatives started arriving. We had an awesome lunch of ham, chicken and all the side fixings.

Later, we opened presents and Ian was once again spoiled! He got a Little People Bus, coloring books, an elephant bath towel and mit, adorable cloth diapers, a Leap Frog Guitar, board books, onesies, and lots of other wonderful things that I can't even think of off the top of my head!

Just a couple pictures from the day...

And because I think this is seriously one of the funniest Raymond Family pictures EVER...

Christmas Eve

Since we have so many pictures from the holidays, I'll break them up into several posts, more to save my sanity because it takes quite a while to upload pictures!

Our plans for Christmas this year were foiled a little bit because of stupid Wisconsin weather, but we still really enjoyed the holiday! We had originally planned to have my sister and her fiance, my mom and dad all come to our condo for Christmas Eve. We had a big dinner planned and we were going to open our presents that night. Then they were all staying over and we were going to do our stockings and Santa gifts in the morning. Kristina and Dan were then going to go back to La Crosse to have Christmas Day with Dan's family, then my mom and dad were going to come to the farm with us to have Christmas Day with Charles' family. Thanks to a lovely blizzard, we had a quiet, yet perfect Christmas Eve at our condo, just Ian, Charles and I.

When Charles got home from work, I had a great big dinner made of lasagna and rosemary garlic bread. After dinner Ian had his nightly bath and we dressed him in his comfy winter jammies. Then it was time to open presents!! Ian wasn't so sure about it at first, he would just tear tiny little pieces off, but then he got more into it when he realized there was good stuff underneath the paper!

Ian was spoiled, as usual! He got a Little People train track, a Little People Magna Doodle, magnetic letters and numbers for the fridge, Happy Feet, 101 Dalmations, big kid hooded towels, and lots of books! His favorite thing though, was MY Cheesehead that I got from Charles! He looooved putting it on his head! He also opened the first thing his new brother got! An adorable BabyGap organic cotton onesie that says, "Solar Powered".

After opening presents, we put out cookies and milk for Santa, and headed to bed!

18 weeks

Yesterday (Thursday), I was 18 weeks pregnant. I can't believe how fast it is flying by! I guess chasing a toddler around really makes it go a lot faster. Also, I'm showing a LOT more at 18 weeks this time around than I was with Ian's pregnancy. It's strange though, because I actually weight LESS this time around.

If you can belive it, I'm still throwing up a few times a week. I actually had to have my Zofran prescription changed from the pill that I swallow to the dissolving tab because I was throwing it up everytime I took it. When I saw my OB a few weeks ago, she made me promise that I'd be feeling better and not throwing up anymore at my 20 week appt. I've got two more weeks to try and keep that promise! haha!

I was fully expecting to have gained back a few of the pounds that I lost by eating lots and lots over the holidays. I stepped on the scale this morning and I gained a whopping .2 pounds. WOOHOO.

I've had a few cravings, but nothing substantial. When I was back in Waukesha a couple weeks back, I really wanted a Golden Gate egg roll and sweet and sour sauce. Sadly, the only day I was there, they were closed! I've had more aversions than anything.... for example, my formerly addicted to Starbucks self no longer wants anything from there. I also can't stand the thought of most anything spicy, except buffalo sauce. Ice cream is nasty, so are all cookies, except Oreos.

I really wanted to have a belly picture infront of the Christmas tree, but it didn't turn like I had hoped and I was too tired to take it over last night. So without further ado, here is my 18 week belly, post entire can of Spagetti O's. For comparision, my 18 week belly with Ian is underneath.