Our Baby Boy at 18 Weeks

I'm still getting used to the idea of "our baby boy", "my son", "our little man". But I'm loving it! We love this little guy so much already. It's bringing back memories of Anna and of loving something so much before you've even met. He's already bringing us so much joy. Joy that has gotten us through a tough week. We've experienced a very high high in finding out the gender of our baby and a very low low in something that's happened in our community; I'll leave it at that for now. I may elaborate in a future post but until then here we are at 18 weeks:

How far along? 18 Weeks

How big is baby? the size of a sweet potato and HE (I can say "he"!!!) is yawning, hiccuping, swallowing, and sucking plus twisting, rolling, punching, and kicking too! Lots of action by this little guy! 

Total weight gain: I'm starting to hate this question. Really is it necessary that you know how much weight I've gained?? We'll see if this is on here next week! (I may just be a little bitter that I'm gaining weight a lot faster this time around--blaming it on the kid!)

Maternity clothes? most of the time I'm in gym shorts and t's or tanks. When I have to actually look nice it's in maternity clothes.

Sleep: pretty good. No nose bleeds this week and having to get up only once at night to pee, sometimes not at all! 
Best moment this week: finding out Travis has a little fishing buddy! 

Miss Anything? going up a flight of steps without losing my breath. God forbid I forget something downstairs when I just ran upstairs. It's the worst.
Movement: my favorite part about the evenings after I put Anna to bed is laying down and feeling a little jab or a kick. In fact I feel movement as I type this (it's not night time but I'm still loving it!)

Food cravings: the leftover cake and cupcakes sitting in my kitchen from the gender reveal party. They are calling my name every afternoon and night and I respond every time. 

Gender: B O Y ! 

Symptoms: bloating, loss of breath, just feeling big all the time

Belly Button in or out? I can't deny it anymore, it's out!

Happy or Moody most of the time: this week has been a tough one so let's just skip this. 

Looking forward to: the pool being open during the day instead of waiting until kids get out of school at 4. Who wants to wait until then to take a dip?! 

Juice Drop #2 is a...

B O Y !

I am still in a bit of shock. But over the moon excited to meet our little man! I was mistaken yet again. With Anna I could've sworn I was going to see blue cutting into our reveal cake and this time I was envisioning pink but, boy, was I wrong! >> See what I did there? ;) And guess what guys?! No tears of sadness--only tears of joy! I really was just so happy. We now will have one of each and we couldn't feel more blessed. 

Our gender reveal party was amazing. We had our close friends and family surrounding us in celebration (so thankful my dad, brother, and sister were able to be here and my mom and other sister skyped in!), the weather was perfect, our new secret park was all ours (just recently found this park and we're always the only people there. Saturday was no exception!), and the cake/cupcakes were gorgeous, and most importantly, delicious! 

I went with a peach, mint, and gold color scheme. Peach for girl, mint for boy. I thought it was a perfect color combo for this spring party. Travis' cousin Angel made our cake and cupcakes again. She is just amazing. She always does a beautiful job and her cakes always taste so yummy. I don't know if this time can be outdone. Just look at that masterpiece!

Since not everybody knew everyone we thought it'd be a good idea to use name tags. The name tags were also a way for our guests to vote for Juice Drop's gender.

Team Boy (who inevitably knew the outcome!)

Team Girl (looking rather sparse and in the end lost the vote)

We enjoyed a great meal grilled up by my awesome dad and sides were brought along by guests. And then finally after we were stuffed it was time to cut into that cake and see if it was a baby boy or girl growing inside of me! 

Here we go!!!

The moment I saw blue!

You can tell Travis is yelling out "BOY!"

Pure Joy!

I love how Anna has no idea what is going on the entire time. She has no idea Mommy's having a baby, no idea she's going to be a big sister, no idea she's getting a baby brother. She does kiss my belly though and that makes me think maybe, just maybe, she's has a hint of what's to come. 

Not quite sure how ready I am to have a boy but I'll tell you what I haven't been able to stop watching our ultrasound dvd and 22 weeks just seems way too long of a wait before we can meet our sweet little guy!  

Anna and Juice Drop's Updates

Today's post includes both of my children...did I really just say "children"??? It's still so unreal to me that Anna's not the only one anymore. I'm 4 days past when I should've taken a weekly update picture and posted it and since today Anna turns 20 months old I figured I'd make a post about both. 

Anna Jubilee - 20 months old

Yep, she ate the entire cob

Weight and height: 24 lbs and 31 in (this is just an estimate based on her 18 month check up) 

Favorite Book: "What Do You Say When a Monkey Acts This Way", a book about manners which is something we're currently working on and "Little Owl Lost", she'll actually repeat the words 

Favorite Toy: Her baby dolls. She's figured out a way to take one of the dolls clothes off and wants the doll to always be naked. Not sure what to think about this. 

Personality: independent, strong willed, FEARLESS, joyful, reserved until you get to know her--nothing like her parents ;)

Favorite Animal: dogs but to her every dog is a puppy

Loves: anything to do with water (and when I say fearless I mean it--she jumped into the pool several weeks ago while I turned my back for a second--isn't that how it always goes?)

Mommy's Favorite Words: water "wa-wa", thanks "danks", please "peeze", milk "dat" (not sure where she came up with that but it's too cute), for any insect "bee", stop "dop", owl "owlie", let's go "deet doe"

And Our Little Juice Drop

How far along? 17 Weeks

How big is baby? the size of an onion and is growing some meat on those bones. Grow, baby, grow!

Total weight gain: ehh who knows anymore? I'll find out tomorrow.  

Maternity clothes? most days I'm in gym shorts and tank tops but when I actually make an appearance in public it's usually in maternity clothes

Sleep: just fine. Seriously I think this pregnancy has been easier on my sleep than with Anna. I'm not having to get up and pee 5 times at night and I'm still able to sleep on my stomach most of the time.

Best moment this week: the Urban Eagles vs community leaders soccer game this past Sunday. 

Miss Anything? nothing I haven't already mentioned

Movement: Yes!! And Travis got to feel a little kick too!!! It was so great :) 

Food cravings: what don't I crave?

Gender: We find out Saturday!!! Stay tuned for the big reveal :)

Symptoms: same old, same old...bloody noses, heartburn, shortness of breath, bloating 

Belly Button in or out? in between

Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!

Looking forward to: our ultrasound tomorrow, our big reveal on Saturday, and my family coming down to celebrate with us! 

I'm a little nervous about my reaction when we finally cut into that cake on Saturday since I cried in my dream a few weeks ago when it was a boy! Deep down I know all I want is a healthy baby but apparently my sub conscience might be saying otherwise. Send joyful vibes our way so the only tears shed are happy ones no matter the outcome! 

The Most Beautiful Game

If you would've asked me in high school what I thought the worst sport was I would've said SOCCER. How in the world could somebody like such a dumb sport? All you do is run around and kick a ball. Lame.

Until I met Travis, well more like several years after I met Travis. After being surrounded by soccer and living and breathing soccer for the past 3 years my perspective has totally changed. I love soccer. I love everything about it. I love the skill that is involved. I love how you only need a ball and a few cones--sometimes not even a ball; a taped up t-shirt will do. I love how it brings all nationalities together despite the language barrier. And yes, even now I love the running.

This past Sunday Travis, his interns Luke and Logan, and his partner Paul had the opportunity to host a soccer match between their U15 and U18 boys' teams and adult leaders in our community as a fundraiser for the Urban Eagles. The leaders team included local church leaders, teachers, coaches, Urban Eagles volunteers, and a police officer. It was such a neat way to bring the community together, enjoying one another's company, and playing the Great Game. The final score was 2-1 with the boys winning over the adults! Everyone did an awesome job and thankfully there were no injuries--when you get older that's the first thing you worry about. It was amazing to see the participation in the leaders of our community. They were such good sports and played their hearts out. What I loved most was seeing all the nationalities and all ages coming together, to play, to watch, to just enjoy an evening together.

Pre-game prayer

Coach Logan opening the evening and introducing the teams. The U15 and U18 Urban Eagles boys are behind him.

And the leaders of our community, including Laura, one of my volunteers and only woman out there playing. She did awesome!!!
Way to go Laura!!!

Just a few of our wonderful fans. Look at those boys, totally engaged in what's going on out on the field!

At the beginning of the second half "Chavez", "Loganski", and "Lukano" (not pictured) made their appearance. 

It didn't take long for "Chavez" to receive a yellow card ;)

I think I've mentioned before that Travis will wear his mullet any opportunity he can. This was one of those opportunities he didn't want to miss out on. Seen here with "Lukano" and "Loganski".
Never a dull moment with these guys. 

I love this community so much. I'm blessed by these kids every day and knowing we have adults who love and care for these kids too just brings me so much joy. Soccer is just the tool but the community that has formed because of the Great Game is what keeps us together.