21 Weeks

My belly shot for the week. (Compare to my 21 week belly with Christian.) I am still feeling really great and enjoying the very active little one growing inside. Steve returned from Alabama on Friday (hooray!) and next week we will find out what we are having, assuming that the baby will cooperate. :)

Favorites

Christian and his favorite things: his "b's" (blankets) and his "ink" (drink.)

Summer Blues

Not sure that our summer days will be over anytime real soon here in South Carolina, but we have been enjoying slightly cooler weather in the low 90's and high 80's. (Hey, I will take it!) I am definitely dreaming about fall weather and a change of season. Below are some sweet shots of Christian that our friend Erik took when we went to visit his family at Eglin AFB in Florida at the beginning of August.

Nana's Visit

This past week my mom visited us in South Carolina. We picked her up in Atlanta on our drive back home from Alabama, and it was nice to have her finish the last of the drive with us. After unpacking and adjusting back into our normal routines, we were able to enjoy a visit and time together. We had a lot of fun hanging out, visiting Swan Lake, Palmetto Park, and Baker's Sweets in Sumter, and the Riverbanks Zoo, and Sandhills shopping area in Columbia. It was great having Nana with us for a full week while Steve is still TDY. Looking forward to both Nana and Papa coming back out next month for Christian's 2nd birthday and a few days in Charleston!

Christian's boot camp:

2nd Cut

Christian (finally) had his second haircut this past week. His hair was getting pretty long and crazy, but it was just so hard for us (especially Steve) to cut those wild blonde curls. His first cut was at home, but this time we went to a salon. As you can see in the photos Christian wasn't so sure about the process and ended up sitting in my lap. He now has shorter curly hair, but at least it's a little more tame.

My Pal, Phoenix

Christian just adores his "me" (meow?). He is always so excited to see him and enjoys giving him treats. Phoenix is so patient with Christian and really does tolerate a lot. Though he does sometimes act annoyed, he generally sticks around his crazy little boy.

18 Weeks

Pregnancy #2 is just flying by between travels and keeping up with the busyness of an almost 2 year old. I felt the baby for the first time last week at 17 weeks (a little earlier than when I felt Christian.) This week the baby's heart beat was 158 and everything is looking good. I am feeling really great and am enjoying having lots of energy despite the wicked heat and humidity in Sumter. With Steve being gone in Alabama, we had to push the BIG ultrasound to 22 weeks, so we will find out then if baby R 2 is a boy or girl. Steve said that he could wait until the birth, but I am not sure if I am that patient.

18 week belly shot

MIA

Yesterday Christian and I returned from Montgomery, Alabama where Steve is taking a 5 week course at Maxwell AFB. C and I were only able to stay the first 2 1/2 weeks because I needed to get back for a doctor's appointment, but overall we really enjoyed our time in Montgomery. Other than the cramped and non ideal lodging (C had his pack n' play in the tight kitchen,) Montgomery has nice shopping, restaurants, and other activities that Sumter (being a smaller city) does not offer. (Below are pictures of our "cozy" TLF living. Christian and Daddy especially enjoyed wrestling on the bed):We were also able to visit with old friends from Edwards AFB who are now stationed at Maxwell AFB and at Eglin AFB in Florida (a 3 hour drive.) It was certainly fun catching up with everyone since life has changed so much in the 2 years since we all moved from Edwards. The last time we saw these families we were all pregnant with our first baby, so it was fun to see how the family dynamics have changed and to finally meet these kiddos since we had only seen photographs. Christian also loved meeting and making new friends (Christian, Benjamin, and Annika were all born within a month of each other, and little Gunner is only 15 months behind.) Benji sitting on Christian's lap, ready for a story.

Playing at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

Our friends, Erik and Rozlyn with their children, Annika and Gunner.