wondering out loud...

Today was such a great day...Actually, all week was pretty perfect if you ask me. Not only was the weather nice but Ryder and I just had tons of fun hanging out with family and friends. On Tuesday we visited The Amaze N Farmyard with my sister-in-laws (there must be a shorter name for these people??) and all the kiddos. Ryder had an absolute blast and is already asking when we can go back... If you haven't been, I recommend you go and check out all they have to offer, it's relatively inexpensive, has lots of things to entertain the kids with, and best of all, it's local and close -- which is fabulous for your gas tank! Then Ryder had fun in the evenings with T-Ball which he really seems to love, and he even got to go to a Saints game with Max for some quality bonding time... Yeah, he's a pretty lucky kid. :)

On top of all that, today was HOT outside and we spent the entire afternoon in the lake at the Johnson Cabin once again with my in laws and the kiddos... I love that cabin because it's like time slows down (or just doesn't even matter), the kids are always entertained, there are millions of golden retrievers running around, there is always good food --(a big bonus for preggo, here), and it always reminds me of my wedding! After that we had some rest time back at home and then I got to head off to therapy  zumba and had a kickass workout that left me feeling good and motivated! After all that, I was able to come home and put my sleepy child to bed, which led to the reason for this blog anyway--although I seem to have gotten a little sidetracked...

Let me explain myself... I got home tonight and Max told me they had a "quiet evening" because Ryder just wasn't quite feeling up to par I guess (probably just overly exhausted from being out in the sun all day is my guess) and he shared with me that after I left Ryder burst into tears because he wanted mommy to tuck him into bed tonight... (Melts my heart!!) Needless to say, I was very happy that I got home before Ryder was tucked into bed and ohhhhh the snuggles were SO worth it!! I let Ryder say his own prayers tonight and the way he was talking to God was just so sweet, and the things he thinks of to pray for are so cute and thoughtful (and also funny-- for example, Ryder prayed that he didn't have bad dreams, then he gave an example to God---> "And bwess me God to not have any scary dreams about monsters, and no monsters in my room, in my closet, under my bed, under my desk, in the hallway, in the bathroom" --etc, etc. I literally think he named every location in the house he could think of!!) And then he prayed for his baby sister and had to bend down to my belly and give her a big goodnight kiss and told her he can't wait to meet her... When prayers were finally over, I layed with him for a couple mins and these are some of my FAVORITE minutes of the entire day... Sometimes I get busy and want to rush through bedtime but when I get to the end when I take the time to lay with Ryder I always wonder why I rush through it... When we lay, Ryder gets real still and snuggles up to me and puts his hand on my cheek, or somewhere on my face, almost to ensure that I'm still there or something. It is the sweetest thing and it melts my heart just thinking about it. Then when I whisper goodnight he always tells me to have sweet dreams :)

After I left his room tonight I couldn't help but think, how in the world will I love a second child as much as I love Ryder?? Does that sound bad? It probably does, and don't get me wrong-- I already love this baby girl so much, but I can't help but wonder how it works when your life has revolved around one little boy for the last 4 years and suddenly you have to divide your time, love, and attention with a whole other baby... I'm not going to lie, it baffles me. Growing up, I always remember my mom saying "I love my children equally, I love you all the same" --but it seems crazy to me now to think that my love for Ryder will be doubled once this new little one joins our family as well...Either way, I'm excited to find out!! 15 weeks and counting....

Ish!

I try not to complain about the weather, I really do - but this week has just been awful! Monday I was able to get some ALONE TIME (what???) as I dropped Ryder off with my sister and headed up to St.Cloud to see Paula at Petite Spa for some much needed hilights and a trim. I forgot how peaceful getting your hair done can be! After that I was able to run some errands in the mall quickly and then headed back home - all in all, a great (but rather gloomy) day... Tuesday I felt horrible, must have had a stomach bug or something so we had a very low key day to go with the shitty weather, we couched it as much as we could... Today I am feeling MUCH better, I was still a little sore/achy this morning so Ryder and I did some prenatal yoga (It is SO cute to watch preschoolers try to imitate yoga poses!) and then have just been finding things to keep busy with for the rest of the day: playing games, puzzles, coloring, and we even managed to get outside for a short while as well...  Now it's "rest time" and Toy Story 2 is on so the house is quiet and peaceful once again for the next 90 minutes or so... :)

On a positive note, I think the rest of our week is going to be a little more exciting! Tomorrow I go to the chiropractor and then am hoping to sneak in a chai tea from Cricket if I get lucky and since The Little Red Hen is open I plan on swinging through Dassel to check that out as well... Friday is supposed to be SUNNY (I HOPE!!!) so hopefully can do something fun with Ryder and Saturday Jen and I are going on a much anticipated shopping trip to Arbor Lakes--nothing like a girls day after a week of crappy weather and shut-in kiddos!

AAAANNNNNDDDDDDD in T-Minus 8 days the Miss Kristin Kammemeierer will be home!!! :) Love, love, love, this!!

just loving our summer!

I was with my aunt tonight at dinner and she reminded me that my posts have not been updated in quite a while. Well, my friends- I am here to update you on our wonderful summer so far!
It really has been wonderful... I am already having anxiety/panicking about going back to work in the fall because I LOVE being at home with Ryder --but I will save that dilemma for a different blog :)

Our days are spent quite leisurely! Each day Max heads to work and Ryder and I usually start off with a nice stroller walk to get our exercise in and then head back for breakfast/baths/showers, etc. Then it's time to head outside for a while until lunchtime, when Max comes home to eat with us! After lunch we usually run any errands we have to run (if any) sometimes visiting a park or the library, and then heading home for 'rest time' where Ryder gets to watch a movie to unwind for awhile... After that we usually practice some "homework" (coloring, writing, etc) and usually end up outside again as we wait for Max to get home... I also get my cleaning and laundry mixed in there at some point in time...Our nights are insane with volleyball league on Mondays, TBall on Tuesdays, Max golfing on Wednesdays, Zumba for mom and TBall for Ryder on Thursdays and NOTHING on Fridays -- thank goodness!

As for baby, she continues to grow and wiggle lots, as does my belly! I am 23 weeks this week and feel great! My only major complaints are that I get so much more tired out and can really tell when I've 'overdone' it. By about 7pm on some nights, I get into "pointing mode" as my husband calls it... It's when there is still stuff around the house that I want to finish, but I just can't move anymore and I "point" to what I need. (I.E.--I will point to the laundry in the dryer and ask Max to bring it to me on the couch so I can fold it without having to bend down to pick it all up and carry it over to the living room--haha) I am also not sleeping well lately (partially because of all the potty breaks, I'm sure!) All in all though, life is pretty good... This week I purchased our new stroller and carseat and I LOVE it! Our crib is also all set up and the baby's room is being painted as we speak :) --Compliments of Max, gotta love him!

Around the farm not much else is new, Starr is getting saddled up tomorrow for her first ride of the season (which I am sure she is just ecstatic about, lol) and the chickens are still clucking around somewhere as well....OOH! And I had my first peony bloom this morning and it's absolutely beautiful!! It has never bloomed for us so to see if finally bloom this year made me so happy! Those are our updates -- more to come soon!

*OFFICIALLY THINKING PINK!*

A week ago today was our 20 week ultrasound and we are ECSTATIC to announce that our little 'it' is officially a 'she!' :) It's about time for a little pink in my life!

Friday was an exciting day for everyone -- Ryder had his preschool graduation and I don't think I've laughed that hard in a long time! Those little kids are so damn cute and Ryder was definitely the class clown - just up on stage shaking what his mama gave him and making anyone/everyone laugh at his goofiness... He's such a ham! After that we grabbed a super nutritious lunch at Mickey D's (haha) and dropped Ryder off at Gramma Cindy's. After downing lots of water, Max and I headed to the hospital to check in for our ultrasound. Me and my "full bladder" that they request were not in the best mood as we were sitting waiting forever to be seen by the ultrasound tech, but finally they brought us back and we got to take a long look at this beautiful little baby growing inside of me! Of course they do all the tedious medical stuff first like measuring all the organs and stuff that didn't make any sense to me.... Then the time came when the tech asked us if we wanted to know the sex and I did hesitate just a bit, but we said YES!! She then did a close up of the 'goods' and said, "Well, that looks like little girls parts to me!!" It took a second to sink in, but once it did, I don't think I stopped smiling the entire appointment, or probably for the rest of the day actually. Of course at that point in time we would have been happy with a boy or girl after knowing that everything so far looks healthy, but getting a little girl out of the deal was sure a real treat! After that, we scooted over to the clinic to meet with our doctor for my normal checkup and then got to head back home to tell everyone our exciting news! It was a fabulous way to begin our memorial day weekend!
The next day on Saturday Ryder and I left Max to do his manly stuff here at home (aka-yardwork) and we met up with my friend Kelsie and her son Carson at the Minnesota Zoo! The boys had a blast, Kelsie and I had a great time catching up, and the weather was perfect... Of course on the way home, I realized I was only a few short minutes away from the Mall of America and I just couldn't justify not stopping being so close and all.... My daughter's closet may already be filling up quickly, don't judge ;)
The rest of our Memorial Day weekend was just spent hanging out at home, catching up on stuff, and grilling out with my parents. My dad served our country for 27 years of his life and if spending the day with him grilling out at his house is how he wants to be honored on Memorial Day then that is exactly what we do!
Looking forward to another fun filled weekend this weekend... My sister is finally moved back from Warren (like 4 hours away) and both her and her husband recently got hired at Holdingford High School so they will be moving to the St.Cloud Area soon (CONGRATS NATE AND MELLISSA!!) and will be around this weekend, and tomorrow is the highly prestigious Johnson Bros Lake Stella Triatholon! Good friends, good food = good day!