here we go, one more time...

Long overdue post about Geyer baby #2!

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2/19- So, I took a pregnancy test first thing in the morning on Sunday February 10. David's mom was in town, and David left early that morning to drive to Cleveland to buy some appliances from CraigsList (for the Werner house). After David got home I didn't want to tell him right away because I knew he had a busy day and we wouldn't be able to really talk about things or share in our excitement. So he took his mom to the airport then went straight to work on the Werner house. Like most work-on-the-house days, he got home later than he expected, and I was about to burst! He took a shower and I told him I wanted to give him his Valentine's Day card early. It had the positive test inside, and he was so excited.

I'm already a bit sad because we haven't documented this pregnancy like I did last time. I guess I expected it to be this way, but I don't want this baby to ever feel less special than Crawford.

Two nights in a row I woke myself and David up because I was laughing at a dream.

Though I haven't thrown up yet (!), I have been feeling nauseous off and on throughout the day. Making dinner stinks.

We wanted to keep it a secret until after I go to the doctor (2/25), which was much easier last time because we didn't see ANY family in that interim period. This time? David's mom was HERE when we found out, and later that week my parents and my sister and bro in law came into town!! So hard not to tell...

Kate Carr is pregnant! Crawford and Cooper are 9 days apart and this time our due dates are 2 days apart! Her surprise friendship is such a blessing.

Pregnant pee is so weird. I feel like I have to go all the time, but I barely really do. TMI? I have been getting up in the middle of the night to pee since before we even knew I was pregnant, and I'm already over that.

2/22- Ok, I couldn't do it. I told Ashley. I had to. She basically asked me straight out, and I couldn't NOT tell her. She, of course, started crying. Haha. It's so nice to share our secret with her! Our plan is to wait to tell my parents until they are here to help Ash & Chase move in (around 11 weeks), then we'll tell David's mom when we're together for Andy's wedding (12 weeks and a few days). Perfect! After that, we won't have to wait long to find out the gender then spill the beans to everyone. I can't wait for that!

I don't know how women breastfeed while pregnant. I initially wanted to take a pregnancy test because I was starting to wean C (to try to GET pregnant), but I didn't want to if I didn't have to. Well lo and behold, positive! I've kept up our morning and bedtime feeding sessions, and he's still 100% into it. I, however, am EXHAUSTED. The actual nursing is super, duper quick (he always has been), but I wonder if letting them go would give me a bit more energy during the day??

2/25- We saw Dr. Brody today! After waking C up from his morning nap (40 minutes in) and racing to get there on time, they informed me that he was stuck in deliveries and they needed to reschedule for the afternoon. I was SO frustrated. The Lord worked it all out though, because David surprised me and was able to leave work in time to be there for my afternoon appointment. It was such a blessing too because Crawford was crazy. We did have to wait a long time, so I was extra glad to have his help. Also, it was super special because he wasn't able to go with me for my very first appointment last time. We saw and heard the heartbeat and everything looks good! My due date is October 10. Dr. Brody did say that not nursing really would help with my energy level, but I just can't do it yet. I think it'll happen on it's own, and that would be good with me.

I am starting to freak.out. about having two kids. Really, I just feel like Crawford is still such a BABY I can't imagine having another baby. I know people do it with a lot less time in between, but 20 months is seeming like not very much time to me. Everything at the doctor today felt like Twilight Zone because I feel like we were JUST THERE.

3/5- The first trimester suuuucks. The end.

Ok, not the end. David and I both had a stomach bug yesterday and it was horrible. Hor.ri.ble. But, I started crying because I knew even after the bug passed I'd still be nauseous and throwing up. Stupid first trimester! Granted, it hasn't been as bad as last time, but I am nauseous ALL the time.

3/7- Nap times are my lifeline. Oh, and we need some sunshine stat. Nothing sounds good to eat, but I'm always hungry.

Cravings:

Raspberries, cheesecake, macaroni and cheese

3/12- I still feel horrible. When I was pregnant with Crawford I threw up a ton, but felt pretty much fine when I wasn't curled over the toilet (sink/bathtub/shower/trashcan). This time? I'm nauseous 90% of the time. Even when I throw up it doesn't really give much relief. Thankfully c loves to turn the water on the bathtub off and on, which is a perfect distraction for him while I do my thing at the toilet. Poor baby.

I've been feeling particularly bad from about 4-7, so sweet David has been coming home from work and putting dinner together (I do help prepare it). Fortunately, a few weeks ago I made and froze a bunch of meals that we've been working through. I usually just lay (lie? I never know...) on the couch and watch Crawford play from nap time to dinner time. Poor kid, again. I feel super guilty about it, so I try to really maximize the early part of our day. He is so good though, and he plays so nicely by himself. Love this kid so much!

3/18- I was so excited that I have been feeling well lately, and then it all came back this evening. David got home and I immediately got in bed. Ugh.

This past week has been a little nutty on the baby front. I accidentally posted THIS post (from my phone. Stupid.) instead of continuing to save it as a draft. Obviously I was able to immediately un-post it, but my parents and brother got it as an email and everyone who reads my blog in reader could see it. I called my parents and told them to delete their email, but my dad couldn’t do it (I was hysterical when I called them) because he was worried something was wrong. So, I told them. Sort of. They found out on their own, and that sucked. I called my brother and texted the friends I thought would see it on reader (after a few people already sent me facebook/text messages confirming what I feared). It’s no big deal, but I was super disappointed that none of that went as planned. And, it was my stupid fault.

Ash and Chase moved in this weekend! Well, sorta. They closed on the house today, but we got the go ahead from the home owners to move stuff in yesterday afternoon. So, David, Ash & Chase rented a Uhaul and filled it with stuff from the storage unit, and the four of us (mostly the three of them) unloaded 3 vehicles and the 20 foot truck. That wasn’t the plan for the week, but it worked out perfectly, and it was so nice to get it done and have it all there! I wore Crawford in the Ergo on my back for a while, and he was so so good. Then, he just hung out on a blanket watching (and clapping as people walked by) and eating his dinner. Love.that.kid.

3/25- I went to the dr today, and everything is great! Baby was wiggling all around, which is so amazing to see. Crawford napped at Ashley's house, and it was so nice not to worry about him being all over the place during the appointment. David was able to FaceTime (thank goodness for FaceTime!!) and watch the baby. Unbeknownst to each other, we both took screen shots while we were chatting. So cool!

I was really worried something was wrong since my symptoms have started decreasing, I had some cramping last night and I had lost two pounds when they weighted me today, so it was an extra big blessing that baby is looking healthy and strong. Next appointment is April 17 (15 weeks), and we'll find out the gender! We're trying to decide what to do about a gender reveal something or other. We did so many fun things with Crawford's pregnancy, and I don't want this kid to feel like they got the shaft.  

4/1- Well, the word is out! There are a few people we haven't gotten the chance to tell yet, but for the most part we've been letting folks know that baby #2 is on the way!

4/17- It's been so fun to share the news and be excited about this baby with our friends and family. Although it still doesn't feel real about 85% of the time, when I do stop and think about it I am pretty pumped and so thankful that God is blessing us in this way. We go to the doctor next Wednesday to hopefully find out the gender (though, I'm more excited to hopefully see a healthy baby and get a good report), and we've planned a gender reveal party for the next day. We'll find out if baby is a he or she with our friends, and we'll reveal his/her name! I'm pretty excited about that.

Overall I've been feeling soo much better. My nausea has limited itself to about a 2 hour window around dinner time, and I can handle that since David is home to help out with Crawford. He's been so gracious to me. I'm going to bed early, but let's be honest. I always do that. I still haven't gained any weight and am only sort of showing at the end of the day, which isn't what I expected for #2. I'm kind of anxious because of this so I'll be really glad to go to the doctor next week.

We haven't posted this news on any social media outlets (my facebook wall has been turned off since the "accidental blog" incident above, so people who have found out from my parents or whatever have been sending me actual messages which is sweet), so it will be fun to share "we're having a baby!" and "it's a ----!" simultaneously. You know, with the facebook/instagram world... ha. 

So, here we go! Geyers, party of FOUR!

Virginia is for lovers

That was partly the reason for our Easter weekend jaunt to VA. David's bff, lifelong friend Andy married the lovely Reisha so we packed our bags and took off! We decided since we were going to be so close, to squeeze in a visit with some of my family in Richmond too. It was all around exhausting, but we're glad we made it all work!

We left Thursday morning, flew from Chatt to Atlanta to Richmond, and it was mostly uneventful. We hadn't flown with Crawford since we went to Sanibel for Thanksgiving at which point he wasn't mobile. We knew it would be a different ball of wax this go around, so we came prepared: tons of snacks, shows on the iPad and his car seat on board. Fortunately both of our "long" (only about 1 hour, 15 mins) flights had extra room so we were able to install the seat next to one of us. Unfortunately, it took us learning the hard way that you need to put the seat forward facing so the poor kid's head doesn't hang in his lap the whole flight. Whoops.

So we arrived in VA, collected our excessive amounts of stuff (2 suitcases, 1 hanging bag, car seat, big stroller, diaper bag) and met my fabulous, generous college friend Marcie's husband to borrow a pack & play and high chair. That was such a huge blessing! I know we could have gotten the hotel crib, but I was too grossed out by the thought of that. Marcie and Mason were super helpful - Mason even met us AT the airport! So nice. We got our (much smaller than we expected) rental car, CRAMMED our junk inside and headed to Norfolk.

David's mom was already there when we arrived, and we immediately bumped into other wedding guests we hadn't seen in a while. David especially was super excited to see people he grew up with, and he was pretty much on cloud nine the whole time we were there. Cathy kept C at the hotel so David and I could go in peace to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, which was so nice. We had a great night out! 

groomsmen! eleven!

groom with his brand new nephew, Charlie; David and Eric Russ - such an amazing brother who he hadn't seen since high school (in the hats Andy gave them as groomsmen gifts)

Friday started off awesomely because David got Panera AND a smoothie for me for breakfast! Win! We hung out in the lobby meeting/seeing tons of people. Crawford in a hotel = not tons of fun. Except for the fact that there was a pool... that was awesome. D spent most of the day doing groomsmen stuff (he really was Andy's go-to helpful guy, shocker!) so Crawford and I ran some errands, went swimming with Hannah and played in the room. Of course when it was time to leave for the wedding he was still sleeping... always happens!

Ok, this is turning into a novel. Didn't mean for that to happen so we'll hit the high points:

• wedding was lovely. super Christ-centered and special. cold and windy. C was wild, so we played on the grass in the back.

Reisha and her dad. She was stunning! Her dress= ridiculously amazing.

what finally kept C entertained during the wedding... the buckle on my boot

Mr. and Mrs. Andy Rhodenbaugh

• reception was great. lots of fun dancing. Crawford was exhausted but was SO GOOD being passed around. he finally passed out in the ergo for about 20 minutes.

resting with Grandma

David and Nick Otto

Jesse, Andy and David = like brothers

fiiiiinally asleep

best buds, these three!!

• left Saturday am to drive to Richmond to see the fam. Hung out with Claire (cousin) and Cooper (3 years old), C took a nap (so did me and David), went to visit Grandma.
• Grandma was awesome. SOO sweet and gracious to Crawford! He was a cranky monster the entire time we were there, stupid teeth.

Mic Pechan being the bomb - soooo sweet with C! And Hannah P = always a trip highlight for me

fountain at Grandma's house was quite a hit; Sweet Grandma meeting her great-grandson

cousins! 2 years and 6 days apart

• woke up Easter morning to Crawford sleeping in! and D got Panera again! yay, Easter! David is awesome and hid the eggs in the yard for Cooper to find when he woke up. 

• went to Marcie and Mason's house and met their sweet Bradley. He's a month older than C, and it's so fun to compare notes/talk baby stuff. Wish we lived closer!

• lunch at the country club w/ the Cooper fam and Aunt Judy (hadn't seen her in...15 years?). David and Crawford joined us for the tail end and we headed out for the airport. Oh, and Aunt Annie gave us lotto tickets in our Easter cards and I won $11! score!

• flight to Atlanta was HELL. The medicine AND the iPad were in our checked luggage (cough... not gonna say who accidentally did that) and Crawford was in pain. He basically cried the whole time. I cried some too. D and I took turns trying to calm him, but nothing worked for very long. 
• David walked C around the Atlanta airport in the stroller until he fell asleep, I drank a HUGE smoothie and Crawford was a dream on the last flight.

Whew. 

Morals of the story: don't do this much in one out-of-town weekend. spread it out. leave the kid and his mom at home whenever possible. but, once you're there, enjoy the time you get with family and friends. keep medicine handy with teething baby. take lots of naps after you get home.

The end.

update on C

No way am I going to keep up with a monthly post about Crawford, but he does have a lot going on in his little life these days that I want to remember:

• He has 5 new teeth coming in. That's right, FIVE. Nightmare city. The fourth bottom one was first to breath through, then his lateral incisors on the top. So, yeah, he looks like a vampire. The middle two on the top are taking FOR.EV.ER. He has only been up in the middle of the night once, and though that was brutal, I can't complain since he's generally been sleeping really well through all of this. There are definitely days when he is so sad, and I can tell it's because he's in pain and that is really not cool. Those days he gets medicine :)

• He can't decide about going to one nap. Last weekend I had almost certainly decided he was ready for 1 nap a day. I was dreading it, but I bit the bullet and went with it. Sunday he took one nap and it was fine. Monday through Friday? And ever since? Two perfectly normal (9:30-11ish and 2-4ish) naps every day. Just as soon as I think I know something he throws me a curve ball. Though this time, I'm super thankful! I need those two nap times!

• He is obsessed with his lovies, walking up the stairs, throwing balls, the flag on the front of our house, saying "gaghie" (which sometimes means doggie or daddy) and "light", turning on and off the light switches, and Harley (still). 

• He is very testy. When he is happy, he is ALL smiles and giggles, but some days he just wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and nothing seems to go his way. I leave the room, he cries. He finishes his banana (current obsession), he cries. I try to get him to drink milk, he cries (I'm giving up on that, by the way). A toy rolls under the couch... you get the picture. 

• He is considering the possibility of walking. He's started standing without holding on to anything more regularly, and today (3/25) he took a step two times! I know it isn't much, but I think he'll make more progress once he starts to gain some confidence. I'm glad I had low expectations for him to be walking, because it definitely is slow going for this guy.

He really is a joy! This season is challenging me in new ways (what do I do to find new ways to entertain/teach/occupy him? how can I make sure he's eating all the things he ought to? WHY won't he stop pulling on that lamp?! will it ever warm up so we can go outside? what fun things can we do outside other than swing or go for a walk? will I ever pee in solitude again? etc.), but I love that at the day's end, I have all kinds of funny stories and sweet memories that I know I'll cherish forever (as long as I write them down somewhere so I'll remember them...).