This whole once a month blogging thing is actually difficult to keep up with everything that we've done.
What has happened in the past month can be clearly noticed by Gus and I. She is able to attach more words to objects, people, and animals. She understands questions and can give us yes or no answers. She pooped in the potty once. She said, "poop poop" to me before it happened and then I brought her over to the potty and tahdah! It is kind of funny how excited I was about it! Sierra loves playing with her toy "little people" and having them interact in her pretend world, which is quite entertaining to watch. She is OBSESSED with drawing right now, which she calls "colors." She likes it best when we color with her.
She has been able to spend a lot of time recently with her family too. We went down to visit Grammie Anne and Grandpa Jer Bear, and Great Grandma Marybeth one weekend. Auntie Lyn babysat one Saturday while Gus and I went mountain biking, and Auntie and Grammie babysat another Saturday while Gus and I went mountain biking for most of the day. We also spent one morning at Auntie Lyn's for breakfast too! Sierra has very close bonds with her California family now; she recognizes them calls them by name (Grammie and Auntie) and really enjoys seeing them (and vice versa). It has been great to observe her developing her independence and relationships with other people outside of Gus and I.
Sierra and the "Little People," she brings them everywhere.
Sierra has been a little better with letting us put headbands and hats on her head. We're trying to prep her for the weather change!
Sierra and Gus picked me up from work one Friday this week. She got to check the place out.
We picked up some art supplies from Grammie's on our trip down.
She is getting very close to opening all of our doors on her own.
Auntie Crystal sent her a Halloween costume!
Park Ranger, Sierra.
We got out for a few morning walks this month, visited the horses, and went for some bike rides.
Sierra rode in the back of the pick-up truck with the dogs (just kidding).
We found out Sierra is going to be a big sister.
I got out of work early on two occasions and called our friends Sophia and Arianna to play!
I didn't think I would be one of the moms that gives them her smartphone to play with but dang the girl likes "let it go" from Frozen.
It definitely teaches you not to judge other moms or be hard on yourself for not being the "ideal" mom that you created in your imagination. As long as you're loving and involved there's no reason to get down on your abilities or compare yourself to ideals.
I have been lifting three times a week and trying to ride 4 times per week in one form or another, and I plan on staying as active as I can throughout my next pregnancy. I feel great right now, and have only really noticed a few of the prego symptoms starting. Heightened smell, cramping, tightness around my hip flexors (?) or possibly uterine ligaments. No nausea yet, phew, or food aversions/cravings. We're thinking baby number 2 will make their debut around mid June, but haven't had the official doctor visit yet to confirm. I know it's early to make an announcement, but that's just the way I am. Gus and I are both very happy and we are excited to see Sierra as a big sister. Chapter 2 of Pride and Pregnancy begins!
