Ultrasound is Scheduled

My ultrasound appointment is scheduled for September 30th.  I will be just over 18 weeks along.  I can't wait to see the progress the baby has made in growing, and of course (hopefully) determine if we are having a boy or girl.  If we have a boy, Clint has a named picked out.  He has wanted to name his first boy this name since high school I believe.  Not sure on what the middle name would be just yet.  If it's a girl, I think we both agree on a name we like.  Again, no clue as to what the middle name would be. 

I forgot to mention at my 10 week appointment that the doctor did not see twins.  So I guess we won't have to worry about picking out two names.  It's sad but kind of a relief too.  It would be hard adjusting to two babies and all the extra costs associated with two.

Every so often I ask Amelia, "So do you want a baby brother, or baby sister?"  She always responds, "Baby brudder (brother)."  When Clint asks that exact same question, she responds with, "Yeah!"  That response makes no sense!  Maybe she will be right and it will be a boy.  I know Clint would be excited to get his boy.  I myself am a little weary about having a boy.  It's a little unknown to me.  I would be more comfortable having a girl.  I just don't know if we need more estrogen in this house with Amelia!  I think I heard a quote or saying that said something about "You can't grow as a perosn if you stay in your comfort zone all the time."  So I guess if I want to grow, I need to have a boy and get knocked out of my comfort zone.  I know I will love this child no matter what gender they are!

Amelia's 1st Bike Ride

Clint and I just bought two bikes recently from some of our neighbors.  We bought them in hopes of going bike riding together.  One day while looking on craigslist, I came across this child carrier for a bike.  We attached it to Clint's bike and took a stroll around our neighborhood.  Amelia seemed to enjoy the bike ride...no tears were shed.  I haven't ridden an actual bike since high school, so around 8-10 years.  I was wobbly at first and tried to be very cautious since I am pregnant.  Besides the bugs hitting my face every so often, it was a nice little five minute bike ride.  I hope our family can continue to bike ride together, at least once a week.  It will be nice once the weather starts to cool off but then my body might start getting awkward on a bike with my belly, so we will see how that goes in the future.

10 Week Appointment

I had my first doctor's visit and was 10 weeks along.  The due date my doctor gave me was March 2, 2011.  Seeing how my water broke six days early and Amelia was born five days early, I expect to have baby 2 at the end of February.  Amelia was 8lbs 12oz.  I would really like to have a smaller baby this time around!

It was nice to finally see a picture of the baby and actually see the tiny heart beating.  The head is on the right hand side in the pictures below and you can see little tiny arms if you look hard. 

My next appointment is August 31 and I will be 14 weeks along.  I will get to hear the heartbeat at this appointment.  I can't wait!  I remember the first time I heard Amelia's heartbeat at her 14 week apt.  I started to tear up with joy. 

So far I haven't really had a whole lot of symptoms.  I haven't really had any kind of morning sickness.  I think it's because I get to sleep in until 8am or longer.  When pregnant with Amelia, I was teaching and getting up at 6am.  Getting up to brush my teeth that early would set my nauseousness off every day from 8-12 weeks.  I do feel cramping; it seems like once a day.  My doctor said possibly because I'm not drinking enough water.  I admit I don't drink enough water.  Sometimes it is just hard.  If I start guzzling a water bottle, I start to feel like I'm going to gag.  Or when I start to drink water, Amelia insists that it's hers and she takes the bottle from me and drinks it.

Amelia's 2nd Birthday Party

Ray family

Birthday Girl!

Getting ready to blow out the candles

Blowing out the candles...Happy Birthday!

Eating a cupcake

 Reading a card with mommy

Opening presents...ladybug quilt and pillowcase mommy made

Riding my new tricycle

 Daddy and Amelia

4th of July BBQ

We went to the Ray family bbq on Saturday July 3rd at Clint's sister's house in Phoenix.  We took some pictures before we left the house to show our patriotism.

Since it was a 4th of July party, I decided to make a special treat; edible bald eagles.  It is made by dipping a marshmallow in melted white chocolate, then in coconut (except for one end).  You stick the white chocolate, non coconut side down onto an Oreo.  Let it sit for a while, allowing the white chocolate to harden to the Oreo.  Use a toothpick to make a hole in the marshmallow.  Stick a cashew in the hole.  Use black decorator's gel for the eyes.

We had yummy food at the bbq and had a fun time swimming.  Later that evening, we went to where the fireworks were going to be held around 9pm Saturday night.  We had to park in a neighborhood street and walk a little ways to the golf course that was hosting the fireworks show.  We heard them starting to go off so we walked behind some stores and sat in the parking lot, fairly close to the fireworks but away from the large crowds.  We put blankets down on the asphalt and sat in camping chairs. 

Amelia was sitting with me on the blanket and once she heard the loud firework go off, she sat in my lap facing me, buried her face in my chest, and clutched her arms around me for dear life.  I asked her if she wanted to watch the pretty fireworks and she would just say, "No".  I covered her ears and held her safely while I enjoyed the fireworks.  I eventually kicked Clint out of his chair so I could sit with Amelia in a slightly more comfortable position.  Eventually I think she fell asleep because I felt twitching and she wouldn't respond when I asked her a question.  At the very end of the fireworks show, I started to stand up from the chair. She woke up and heard everyone cheering.  So she sits straight up, claps her hands, and says "Yay!"  What a silly little girl.

On Sunday after dinner with Clint's family in Mesa, we drove back home to our house.  We put Amelia in her wagon and walked near the front of our community to watcht he fireworks going off at the Field of Dreams on Power and Elliot.  The fireworks were nice, the mosquitos biting us were not nice.  Right when the firework finale was starting, a stupid car drove up and parked right in front of where we were sitting and blocked the fireworks!  We were able to hear the fireworks 10 seconds after they went off because of the distance delay but it just wasn't the same.  Amelia did enjoy watching these fireworks because they were farther away and not very noisy.  When they were over, she kept saying, "More, more."  We went home and watched the Boston fireworks on tv.  Amelia loved watching those as well.

Aside from bbqs and fireworks, my favorite part of the 4th of July is hearing the patriotic songs.  I just love the Star Spangled Banner and get choked up every time I hear it or sing it.  I am so glad that I can live in this free country and am able to practice religion without being afraid like people in other countries.  I am so thankful for my family and friends!

Late Father's Day Gift

So besides the very awesome S'Mores maker that I got Clint for Father's Day, I gave Clint another spectacular present the day after Father's Day...the gift of another child!  Yes, you read that correct.  We are finally expecting again! 

I woke up early Monday morning and took the pregnancy test.  I was shocked that it finally said 'Pregnant'.  I was so used to seeing 'Not Pregnant'. I ran back to our bed and jumped on Clint.  I told him "Happy Late Father's Day Clint!"  He was like, "Okay thanks."  I said it again with more emphasis on the Father's part.  He figured it out but thought I was lying.  I guess he was used to hearing the 'Not Pregnant' response too.  After the initial unsureness, he was excited.

It took us a while (a lot longer that I liked or expected) but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.  Twins run in both sides of my family so maybe there are two little baby Ray's this time.  There are no twins in Clint's entire Ray family so that could be exciting for them.

My first appointment is August 3rd and I will be 10 weeks along.  I can't wait to hear the heartbeat(s) :)

Father's Day

We had our own Father's Day celebration at our house on Saturday June 19th.  Clint wanted to have tin foil dinners as his special dinner so we made them.  We had bbq chicken, ground beef, corn on the cob, carrots, and potatoes.  For dessert, we had some of this cake that Amelia decorated at Bashas that morning.

On Sunday morning, I gave Clint his Father's Day gift.  You will probably think it's cheesy but Clint never wants gifts and this was something funny that I knew he would like.  I got him a Perfect S'Mores maker.  You add water in the back part and set up the graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow, and set it in the microwave for 30 seconds.  The S'Mores turn out a lot better this way for me because the little white arms hold the graham cracker down while the marshmallow is melting.  Normally when I would make S'Mores, the marshmallow would be rolling off the graham cracker.  Clint had like five S'Mores for breakfast and didn't want anything else.  So I guess it was a good present!

Here are some pictures of Amelia eating graham crackers in her pjs, with some crazy hair!

Grandma Susie's Visit

My mom came down for a visit.  We went to the Arizona Mills Mall to do a little late birthday shopping for me.  We had lunch and went on the carousel.  Amelia just loves going on the carousel and gets very sad when it's time to leave.

Later in the evening we went to our community park.  Amelia had fun hanging on the monkey bars, swinging by herself, and going down the slide.  I love the picture of Amelia hanging from the bars and sitting on the platform looking in the distance!

I WON!!!

So I just got an email from http://www.savingcentswithsense.net/ (I entered their drawing a week and a half ago) and they told me I was one of the three selected people to win 2 FREE Tickets to the SeaLife Aquarium.  Very exciting!   I never win stuff so I am pretty amazed.

SeaLife Arizona Tickets Giveaway

So for those of you that don't know, my birthday is this Saturday.  My parents, sister, and nephew are coming to stay with us and we are going to SeaLife Arizona for my birthday activity on Saturday.  I came across this site that is giving away two tickets to SeaLife.  Thursday is the last day you can submit entries.  I am hoping to win these two tickets so Clint and I can get in for free for my birthday.  Wouldn't that be a great birthday gift...saving money.

Check out the website and see if you can win some tickets!

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