Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday would have been my Moms 57th birthday. I miss her so much. Being pregnant without her around has been so hard. There are so many things I want to call and ask her advice on. When we found out the baby was a girl she was the only person who I really wanted to call. I know she would have been so happy that I will get to experience the same mother/daughter relationship we had from her point of view. We didn't always see eye to eye but she was always there for me, no matter what. I remember when I found out I was pregnant with River. I was scared. I was 21 and had just started back to college. Jon and I had only been together for a few months. We barely even knew each other. I remember wanting to wait to tell my Mom in person. I found out on a Monday evening and wasn't able to see her until Friday. We talked on the phone almost everyday and I cried every time I hung up the phone for that week. I felt like I was keeping the biggest secret from my best friend. I felt so guilty. Guilty I was pregnant, guilty because I knew this wasn't they way things were supposed to go, guilty I wasn't telling her. When I did tell her I knew she would be disappointed, but I also knew that she loved me and no matter what I did she would always support me. That is exactly what she did. She never lectured me on how I had made a huge mistake. She never said or showed she was upset or disappointed with me in any way. She never questioned my ability to be a good mother. She knew I was going to be a good mother. Why wouldn't I be? I had the very best role model right in front of me. She answered thousands of questions those 9 months. I was her baby, the last time she was pregnant was 21 years before yet she always tried her best to remember. She took me to every single doctors appointment. She was there when we found out we were having a boy. She was there when he was born. And then she loved him. She loved River so very much. I've never seen a grandparent love a grandchild like my Mother loved my son. He meant so much to her and that meant so much to me. River still talks about her and I hope that he always remembers how much she loved him. She didn't just love him, she loved everyone. That is the kind of person she was. She was loving and kind. She would do anything for anyone. I know she would be so happy right now, knowing she was going to have another grandchild. She would have been thrilled it was a girl. I hope that I can be half the mother she was. I hope that my children can love and respect and eventually be friends with me like I was with my Mom. I am blessed and so lucky she was with me for 25 years. 

K’Lynn

21 Weeks

How far along: 21 Weeks.

Baby is the size of a:Carrot

Gender: Girl

Weight gain: 7lbs.

Maternity clothes:Of course. I'm still sneaking in non maternity clothes too when I can. 

Sleep: Good

Aches and Pains:Swelling and round ligaments.

Best moment this week: Finding out we are having a sweet baby girl!

Worst moment this week: All of the Valentine's Day treats I couldn't say no to! 

Miss anything: Wine. Valentine's Day left me really wanting wine!

Movement: Sweet little kicks.

Cravings: Nothing really this week. 

Looking forward to:Baby crafts!

I didn't have a bump picture to share this week so I thought River would serve as a sub! He has been so excited since he found out for sure he is getting a sister. I can't wait to see the two of them together! 

K’Lynn

Valentine's Day Cards

With Valentine's Day a few days away I thought I would share the Valentine's Day cards River and I made for his class this year. I have had this idea in my head for over two years now but have had the hardest time finding a small dragon toy. The ones I did find were either too expensive or too big. After a lot of research and digging around I found stickers, tattoos, and stretchy dragons. Then we added a small bag of skittles per Rivers request.

I made the tags using Microsoft Publisher. The border is a default shape colored blue with the line changed from solid to dashed. The font is called Seriously, I downloaded it for free here. The cute little dragon is also a free font called Tribal Dragon Tattoo Designs downloaded here.

River signed his name to all 13 cards. He decided to get smart half way through and start lining them up and writing all the R's, I's, V's, E's, and R's on each card one at a time. It resulted in a few upside down E's but he managed to make it work for the most part.

The stickers and tattoos both came from Amazon. I found the stretchy dragons here.

These may be my favorites out of all the Valentine's Day card we have made since River has been in daycare. I also love how he writes his name. Its so messy and has far to much space between letters, but it just amazes me he can spell and write his own name!

K’Lynn

Its a Girl!

It's a girl! 

I think I am still in shock. Jon and I have both been hoping for a girl since before we even started trying to get pregnant. We have been praying for a healthy baby girl. I have always wanted a daughter. Someone who's hair I can fix and nails I can paint. I've wanted River to be apart of a brother sister relationship. I cannot express how happy I am to know this baby is a little girl. She was so cooperative and our tech was able to get so many good pictures. 

Proof. She is all girl!

Sweet little profile. 

Little baby feet.

I know these 4D pictures are slightly creepy, but I love how she looks like she is praying. And that cute little button nose!

K’Lynn

20 Weeks

How far along: 20 Weeks! Half way there! I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going by.

Baby is the size of a:Banana.

Gender: Unknown. We find out today!

Weight gain: 7lbs.

Maternity clothes:Yes, but I'm still sneaking in my normal clothes when I can. I hate having a limited wardrobe!

Sleep: Its been pretty good this week. I've been having pretty crazy dreams too. I dreamed this week I had already had the baby and Jon asked me if I wanted to see it so I said of course. When he brought it to me it was not one but three and it was not a human baby but kittens. I started bawling because I wanted a baby and not kittens! 

Aches and Pains:I have felt really good this week!

Best moment this week: Just hanging out with my guys. 

Worst moment this week: Nothing! Overall I had a great week. 

Miss anything: Coffee. I still have a morning cup but I prefer to drink coffee like Hobbits eat. 

Movement: Barrel rolls. I am positive this baby was doing barrel rolls the other night. He/She is also really fond of bunching up in one spot and stretching my uterus out as much as possible.

Cravings: Food. I had one day this week where I was starving all day. I ate from sun up to sun down and never truly felt satisfied.

Looking forward to:Finding out the gender and then picking out a name, shopping, just preparing in general!

Cross your fingers Baby Reynolds is cooperative today and our ultrasound tech gets to see everything they need!

K’Lynn

Winter Skin Care

I am normally ok with winter. I normally don't have a problem with the cold and I quietly suffer through it all season. This winter is different, this winter has been miserable. I am so tired of the cold. I'm a true Texan, I love the heat and the sun and I just can't get used to the cold this year. I have been battling dry skin on my legs since October. I've had to completely change my normal winter skin care routine. Pregnant women should not have to shave their legs daily in the winter. They just shouldn't! I have, however, fallen in love with a few products.

Mr. Bubble // Dove Winter Care // Tree Hut Sugar Scrub // 

Neutrogena Hand Cream // Old Navy Lounge Pants

I've been taking warm, but not too warm, bubble baths and Mr. Bubble is the best there is. He wouldn't have been around for over 50 years if he wasn't hands down the best bubble bath. 

I use Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub in Coconut Lime. This smells amazing. It instantly takes me to a warm summer beach with a non virgin pina colada in my hand. It also removes the dead skin. I only use this once or twice a week and it really seems to help. 

Dove Winter Care soap is incredible. It smells good and is really moisturizing. I usually prefer bar soap, but this stuff has been a life saver this winter. Its so thick and creamy I use it in replace of a normal shave gel. 

I use Neutrogena hand cream on my legs when I get out of the shower. It is very greasy but my dry legs just drink it up and it helps keep the itchiness at bay. I almost never use this on my hands because my hands are hardly ever dry. Don't let the hand cream name deter you, if you have dry skin anywhere I would recommend this product.

When I am done with this ridiculous skin care routine for my legs I hop into a pair of Old Navy pajama pants. The ones I have are non maternity and still really comfortable on a growing belly. They are 100% cotton so they don't get too warm under thick blankets at night.

My fingers are crossed I only have to keep this up for the next few weeks before winter leaves Texas for the year. In Austin we keep getting teaser weekends when its 70 out and the sun is shining. I can't wait until that is the everyday norm again. 


K’Lynn

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 Weeks.

Baby is the size of a:Heirloom Tomato.

Gender: Unknown for 7 more day, hopefully!

Weight gain: 6lbs. Up one pound this week. I'm blaming it on the cold weather. 

Maternity clothes:Yes. I went through my closet yesterday and pushed all my non maternity jeans and shirts that won't work with a bump to the back.

Sleep: Starting to toss and turn. I am a stomach sleeper and its finally gotten too uncomfortable to sleep on my stomach. 

Aches and Pains:Swelling is about it. My cough has finally started to go away. I'm crossing my fingers this weather's inability to decide if its Spring or Winter doesn't bring it back. 

Best moment this week: A sleet/ice day in Austin meant the whole family stayed at home. I was still working but its nice to be able to have lunch with my guys!

Worst moment this week: The weather going from 70's on Friday to the 30's on Sunday. I am so ready for spring!

Miss anything: Licking cake batter off the spoon. River and I made a cake this weekend and I could barely resist!

Movement: Kicks! Its amazing how fast the movement goes from butterfly's to kicks. 

Cravings: Icee's and Chicken Spaghetti. 

Looking forward to: 7 days until we find out the gender! We aren't doing a gender reveal with everyone but we are going to do one for River. I can't decide if we are going to do colored confetti in a balloon, colored icing in a cupcake, or silly string. I am open to more ideas!

K’Lynn

River Says

This kid.

He keeps us constantly laughing. His favorite insult is to call someone a Peanut Butter Jelly Head. He loves to taunt us just so we will chase him down and tickle him. He is the sweetest, happiest child I have ever known. 

And of course, he often says the funniest things. 

River: Mom, did you know Special Agent Oso can jungle?

Me: Jungle? 

River: Yeah, it where he has 3 cans and he throws them in a circle. 

Me: Oh juggle!

River: Yeah, juggle

Me: How was school? Were you nice to everyone on the playground?

River: Yeah, I didn't lose my dignity.

Me: Your what?

River: My dignity. When I don't do my job I lose my dignity.

Movie ticket lady: Here is your tickets, enjoy your show!

River: My Dads not with us.

Movie ticket lady: Oh, where is he?

River: He is dead.

Me (horrified): River! That is not true, you don't just say stuff like that!

Movie ticket lady looks wide eyed as we walk away.

Just a typical day with the very imaginative little boy!

K’Lynn