Matt and Stephanie's Wedding Weekend

This past weekend was the wedding of two of our good friends, Matt and Stephanie. Matt and Dustin have known one another their whole lives and went to school together from elementary through college. Matt was a groomsman in our wedding and Dustin was standing up for him. We knew we'd be busy so we asked my mom to come up and help out.

Friday night was the rehearsal dinner and since I knew Addison would be getting to bed late the next night because of the reception, we opted to keep her home with my mom.

Saturday morning we went to a local park and played for a bit.

The little boy in orange was crying because his grandma died (at least that's what I interpreted while eavesdropping). A lot of the other kids surrounded him and began talking about how many people had died in their families. Addison walked right into the middle of the crowd and sat down, wondering what was going on.

Later that day was the wedding, followed by the reception. We stayed around after the ceremony for pictures. Once they were done with me and Addison, we went out to the church lobby to play with her cousin, Aaron, and the grandparents. Aaron spotted a police man and woman and wanted to go see them.

Addison wasn't so excited about it. She was so scared of the police man and cried. I hope she is always this scared of law enforcement. That should keep her honest!

The funny thing is that this cop drives around doing his regular surveying of the neighborhood and if he sees a wedding ending (there are like 5 or 6 churches within 2 blocks on this street - not kidding), he stops and "arrests" the bride and groom. It was hilarious seeing the shock on Matt and Steph's faces as they were handcuffed.

The newlyweds being taken away.

We finally made it to the reception and Addison was greeted by a surprise gift bag at her seat.

She loved all the toys inside. It was such a good idea to do this for the kids!

The little ones all had a great time playing together.

Addison was a happy (and incredibly adorable) little girl!

She and Aaron made it onto the dance floor in between meal courses to play and dance.

We were already an hour past Addison's 7:30 bedtime (though you'd never know with how wound up she was), so my mom came to pick her up and get her to bed while Dustin and I enjoyed some adult time at the reception. I felt bad making her leave before the fun really began, but I think we were all better off the next morning because of it!

Congratulations to Matt and Stephanie. Here's to a lifetime of love and laughter! Hope you're enjoying Cabo!

Addison singing her ABC's

Remember the ABC song performance I keep promising? Well, this is about the best I've been able to get, from this morning when I was getting ready and Addison was entertaining me, as usual.

She usually doesn't get tripped up on the LMNOP so much. I think she was just being a goofball.

I know she's my kid and all mom's say this, but she is sooooo darn cute!!!!

16 weeks

Here's a little description about the peanut at 16 weeks old:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 weeks already! People ask me how I feel and I give them 2 responses, "Good." and "Not pregnant". I've scared a couple of people with the latter part. They've thought that I meant I was no longer pregnant! Oh no! I just mean that I don't "feel" pregnant, really. Sometimes in the evenings when I've had a large dinner and the pooch sticks out a little, I do, but for the most part, no. I'm lucky in that I haven't had any bad symptoms and my daughter naps so I have time to do so myself when I am feeling sluggish. But, for the most part, I have my energy back and am feeling GREAT!

I went out with my MOM's group for Mexican last night. Mexican has been my only craving so far and boy, did it hit the spot! Follow that up with The Cheesecake Factory for desert and I was in heaven! YUM, YUM, YUM! One benefit of being pregnant is that I can use the excuse "It's for the baby" whenever I want to eat poorly!

Addison made a funny comment yesterday. We were at playgroup and one of our sweet little playmates acknowledged that she was 3 years old and Addison was a "baby". Addison lifted her shirt and said "Baby in my belly." I have to admit, it melted my heart. I've mentioned to her a couple of times (usually when she is trying to use me as a trampoline) that I have a baby in my belly and we need to be careful. I didn't think she was picking up on it. Looks like she was! Just like she picked up on my "Oh, shoot" this morning at Gymboree when after the store clerk rang up my items, I learned that I was 4 cents short of earning some Gym Bucks!

So, here are those beautiful belly pics! I know, I know. HUUUUUUGE. Tell me about it!

I feel like such a cheeseball taking pictures of myself!

O-H-I-O

There's a little football team in our town who causes quite a stir from August - January every year. They are cleverly named after our state tree, the Buckeye, and play in the National Championships or a big bowl game much more often than not. The Ohio State Buckeyes, they're called, and though it totally goes against everything I ever believed, I have become a fan. I don't compare to the absolutely crazy fans that reside here in our city and throughout the world, but I am finally admitting that a fan I am. It's really hard not to be! (I will always love my Boilers, no doubt, and will always root for them against the Buckeyes, but for the other 11 or so games each year, I will be rooting for my home team.)

Dustin and I had the opportunity to attend what was being called the biggest game of the season last weekend, against USC. We cheered for the Buckeyes in Dustin's firm suite, nonetheless. Talk about doing it right! We had a great time with our good friends and also Dustin's client (hence the reason for being given 4 spots in the suite). My voice wasn't strong going into the game due to being sick for 10 days prior, but the game did me in. I walked out of the stadium at nearly midnight Saturday night with nothing left but a little croak.

Though we sadly didn't come out on the winning side, it was a great game. Great food, great game, great company. Can't ask for much more on a Saturday night.

To make things even better, we received a GREAT report from Addison's new babysitter. Having just gotten over a terrible illness and having not a chance to meet Jenny prior to that evening, I was a little worried that she might not be too happy being with anyone but me. I was wrong. I think I am finally learning that there is no need to worry about Addison being with other people, even someone who is a complete stranger to her. The girl is so flexible and easy-going. She does great every time! I was told she was a complete angel. We are very lucky and hope the next one has the same temperament as Addison!

Back to the game.....

We did a little tailgating before the game began. People started tailgating in the wee hours of the morning. It was an 8pm game. I told you they're crazy!

Dustin and Anthony

Anthony, Kate, Dustin and yours truly.



Dance party with some fun rappers.


This is really cool. First of all, the OSU marching band is amazing. Each game, they form a cursive Ohio. This was the formation of the O, leading into the h.

And here is the completion of Ohio, with the dotting of the i.

There wasn't an empty seat in the stadium. Even the nosebleed tickets were selling for hundreds of dollars. See? crazy!

I was too busy cheering and yelling at the players and refs to get any shots during the game, but trust me when I say it was a good one!

Cincinnati Race for the Cure

Saturday was the Cincinnati Race for the Cure and for the third year in a row, Team "Kickin' it with Kristi" came out to support the cause.

We went to Cincy on Friday to catch up with some friends and family. My sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Matt, were kind enough to host us even though they were just getting in town that evening from a vacation on the West Coast. They didn't even mind finding out that morning that I had invited a few friends over for a bit to visit and have dinner. Thanks, guys!

"Aunt" Emily flew in from Chicago and stayed with her our friend, Holly. So, Emily, Holly, Brad and JT came over for a visit. Addison and JT are 3 months apart and have gotten along beautifully in the handful of times they've met. This visit was no different. They are really cute together! They even had matching snack traps and enjoyed their time on Beth and Matt's wonderful front porch.

And who couldn't play with a dog leash for hours? Seriously.

It turned out that Emily was the only one making much of an effort to watch these two. What? The yard was fenced in. Plus Bubba was on babysitting duty. :)

They wore Emily out and spent some time on the steps leaning their heads back and proclaiming "Ahhhhhhh". The kids were great at mimicking Emily. It was so cute. Wish I'd gotten it on video.

There is always time for hugs and kisses between two young loves.

Bright and early the next morning, we headed downtown to The Great American Ballpark, where the race commenced.

All 3 of us have survived this disease in my eyes!

The 3 of us with Gammy and Poppy

Gammy and Addison warming up for the big race with a little Jazzercise.

The best team ever, "Kickin' it with Kristi". What wonderful supporters with whom I've been blessed!

Addison and I accepting my Survivor's medal at the end of the race.

Addison and I crossing the finish line.

Our tradition is to go to Panera Bread after the race to eat and visit. Addison and her cousin, Aaron, had fun catching up.

And the kids figured since all they did were ride in strollers, they'd get their exercise with a few push ups on the dirty, germ-infested floor. I figured with as sick as Addison was, she's immune to everything right now!

15 weeks

We've had a bit of a bug going around our house recently We've all (really, just Addison and I) been miserably sick, resulting in pure exhaustion, since my last post. But, I'm happy to announce that we are finally healthy again and good as new. I don't think we've completely caught up on lost time yet. It's easy to tell by looking at my overflowing laundry hamper. This would surprise anyone who knows me well! Tonight just doesn't feel like a laundry night, though, so I've declared it HGTV + blogging night. Laundry can wait until tomorrow. :)

Fortunately, I don't have many updates because other than multiple trips to the doctor, Addison and I were confined to our house for much of two weeks. This includes missing out on Labor Day weekend at my Mom's house, which made us all very sad.

We were feeling much better this weekend, which is good because we had quite a bit going on. Most everything is blog-worthy so stay tuned.

We'll start with a 15 week update! Drum roll please..........

Okay so there isn't much of a change, if any, from week 14.


Laugh if you want. I know I did when I saw the picture. But this is the first time Dustin's gotten in on the picture-taking action, so I just had to take the opportunity to strike a pose! Plus, I wanted to assure everyone that this pregnant body does include a face!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is some information on the baby at 15 weeks, compliments of BabyCenter.com:

How your baby's growing:
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now that I am no longer under the weather, I have been feeling well. I am sleeping great for the first time in a couple of years, probably as a result of being so exhausted from trying to nurse myself and Addison back to good health. I'm hoping this continues because it really makes a difference. I don't have any aches or discomforts (yet) and have a hearty appetite. I love having only good things to report. Oh, and we are soooo excited to find out the sex of the baby in a short 11 days!

14 weeks

Today, I am 14 weeks pregnant. This time has flown so far, which is personally a plus for me. I lack patience (just a teeny, weeny bit) when it comes to things like this so as much as I am rooting for this bun to bake for another solid 26 weeks, I am also hoping the time moves quickly!

I find it rather silly to post belly pics at this point in my pregnancy (because let's me honest, I don't have much to show) but I know a few folks who would be a little disappointed if I didn't post them, so this one's dedicated to them!



Like one of my friends said, "It's time to break out the maternity clothes." He he. Haaaaaardly! I mean, I personally see a belly, but I know most people can't. That's okay. I'm cool with it for now. The baby is measuring ahead of schedule, after all. And s(he) should, given the late night cravings I'm already having!

I am feeling great. My daily naps are becoming more like every other or every third day and I am sleeping a little (not much) better at night. I think my nights of sleeping soundly are long gone. We find out the sex of the baby in 3 weeks, which is very exciting. I am thrilled to be able to design another nursery. I had so much fun doing Addison's and have a lot of ideas already stirring around upstairs. This may be contributing to the poor sleep. My mind just never stops!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a little information on how the baby is growing:

This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

In other news: Your baby's stretching out. From head to bottom, he measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His body's growing faster than his head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his body. (His legs still have some lengthening to do.) He's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair, called lanugo, all over his body. Your baby's liver starts making bile this week — a sign that it's doing its job right — and his spleen starts helping in the production of red blood cells. Though you can't feel his tiny punches and kicks yet, your little pugilist's hands and feet (which now measure about 1/2 inch long) are more flexible and active.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

With all the excitement last week of posting our great news, I completely forgot to show some pictures of how Addison was preparing to be a big sister.

She has the kisses down pat. There's no doubt the new baby will be given all the love in the world from this little munchkin!




Forget the 5 S's (which I was very grateful to have learned from Dr. Harvey Karp). She's great at singing "Rock-a-bye Baby". It's tender enough to calm even the most worked up.


She witnessed me burping a friends newborn once and began imitating it (though my version didn't exactly look like this). I know who I'm going to after feedings!


And just so you don't think she's all-business and no fun-and-games, she wanted to show you how she is going to throw the baby up the air. Good times await us. I can feel it already!