Amelia's 1st Diamondbacks Game

 I always enjoy going to sporting events!  When I was younger and lived in San Diego, my grandparents would take us to the Padres games.  I remember the fun times, cracking open peanut shells, and searching for the prize in the Cracker Jacks box.  I want Amelia to have fond memories of sporting events too. 

The last Diamondbacks game Clint and I went to was in June 2008, when I was around 8+ months pregnant.  I was large and in charge.  We had cheap seats, way up in the top where the stairs are quite steep.  Probably not a great idea for a large pregnant women. 

On Thursday night, our wonderful neighbors, Matt & Holly, text me to see if our family wanted to go to the Diamondbacks game Friday night; they had two extra tickets.  I wanted to say yes right away but I had to make sure Clint's schedule would work out.  We were going to be able to go...yay! 

Our family got into Chase Field right when they started singing the National Anthem.  I bought a drink and hot dog while Clint took Amelia to the Guest Relations Center.  I read that children can get wristbands with their parents' section and seat number, in case they get lost.  I wasn't planning on losing Amelia but I thought better safe than sorry.  She also got a cool pin for her shirt that said, "My 1st Diamondbacks Game" with Baxter the Bobcat.  Also, a Baxter the Bobcat trading card. 

We got to our seats; section 131, row 25, seats 15 and 16.  We were right down the 3rd baseline.  I haven't had nice seats like these in a long time.  It was nice to sit in the lower level.  Clint really wanted to catch a foul ball.  There were plenty of foul balls but they all seemed to go to the left or right of us twenty feet.  Oh well!

The game was fun to watch except that we weren't winning until the 9th inning.  We were down like 3-0 and we ended up getting 3 guys in, to tie up the game.  They went to the 10th inning.  Colorado didn't score.  One of our guys came to bat in the bottom of the 10th, and with the first pitch, he hit the ball nice an deep to center field, which allowed a runner to score.  Victory for the Diamondbacks!

Amelia loved cheering during the game.  Whenever people started clapping, she joined in enthusiastically.  She loved the different chants that are said at baseball games.  She really liked jumping/dancing on the seat.  Anytime cheering would stop, she would say, "More again."  Her way of saying she wants to do it more, or again.

We got to watch spectacular fireworks after the game too.  Amelia actually watched them this time (read post about 4th of July).  Every time she saw a pink firework, she said, "Pink one."  If you ask her about the fireworks though, she will cover her right eye and say, "Scary."

Amelia was actually trying to smile in this picture but it looks kind of scary, like she's mad or something.

Wiggle worm Amelia in the 9th inning...around 10pm.

Diamondbacks player hitting

Mommy and Amelia standing right at the fence along the 3rd baseline after the game.

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.