16 months (what a month)!?

November 11, 2014

Sierra's 16 months now and we sure made the most of it this month. At the beginning of the month she was weighed and measured at 28lbs and 35in (probably bigger now). She's a big kiddo! She had a bunch of shots too and was very unhappy, as to be expected (but did fairly well after given a sticker). We all got out on quite a few bike rides. We mostly went on road rides around town, but we also switched off mountain biking and hiking around with Sierra at a few different spots. I have also been getting in two road rides a week during my lunch at work and lifting 3 times a week. It's fair to say that I have been doing far less than I was during my first pregnancy.

We hung out at Auntie Lyn's place several times this month and Grammy came to visit a few times too. A very special day for them was on Halloween. Sierra spent the whole day with them. The weather reminded me of the Halloweens my siblings and I shared on the east coast. Rainy and  chilly with leaves scattered about in the shallow puddles. I was sad to have missed bringing her out to the days' events, but I was happy that she could at least spend it with family. We also had the opportunity to visit our good friends Chris and Julia in Roseville twice this month. We hung out and got caught up in each other's lives. It's nice to have some friends around that you've had for a long time.

I couldn't help myself, I had to get Sierra some more "Little People" because she loves to play pretend with them and bring them everywhere with her. She plays with them and colors everyday. We run around in the driveway a lot too. We try to make it down to the park at least once a week.

As you can see she has really advanced her skills with the chalk pastels. Another new habit is that she has now taken to nibbling on crayons and drawing on the floor with them... Got to keep an eye on that one.

We had a 3 day weekend in October and went out to Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods, and Mount Tamalpais. A different hiking spot each day. We hit the beach once more before we left too; you have to be watching Sierra closely around the waves she runs straight for them.

So far this month has been pretty horrible in terms of morning sickness and fatigue, but it's starting to get better slightly. I got my first ultrasound and the baby is healthy and growing well. It looks like he/she will make their debut around June 11 (based on LMP) or June 13, 14, 15 based on the size (I am betting on a later date because of how late Sierra was). The doctor ordered a Panorama Test which is a more accurate and non-invasive way of screening for chromosomal abnormalities than any other test available, and it also will be telling us the gender of our little one within a few weeks. More exciting news to come next month, so stay tuned.... 

15 Months

October 13, 2014

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!

14 Months

September 12, 2014

The months just keep sliding away from us. Where on one hand so much has happened in this past month on the other, it has gone by so fast (yet again). We did a lot on our weekends, but our weekdays turned into the work week grind. As I always emphasize, I love the work that I do, but I just miss spending time with her and Gus together as a family unit. Also I still wish I was the one raising her instead of having her in day care. We are doing well though, we minimize daycare hours to less than 6 hours per day and 5 days per week.

So where have we been? What have we done? How is Sierra growing up? All of my blog followers must be wondering!

 Eating more diverse foods with all of her new molars!

Reading National Geographic to Mr. Oso.

Adventures to Tahoe for an additional 2 weekends in August were tons of fun. We feel like we were true benefactors to Anne's retirement gift rental from Jerry. One of the two weekends we spent time with Gus' best friend, Trevor, all of Jerry's kids and the grandkids (and the closest thing Sierra has to cousins too). It was a push to make it happen, but we made it work. Getting down to the lake and getting out for a hike were some of the highlights, but we all enjoyed hanging out together at the house too.

We made it up on to Tahoe again, the final weekend, Labor Day. We spent the whole weekend with Grammy Annie. Going on a few outings with the dogs to creeks, get into the lake again and a get a few hikes in for further exploration of the area. Gus and I hung out in town together while Sierra was napping one afternoon. It was a great opportunity for all of us to spend more time together and generally relax. For being so close to Tahoe for so long, I'm glad we finally got an opportunity to spend more time there.

Aunt Lyn had a birthday recently and we went out to Berryessa gap brewery and vineyard with her and her friends and had some dinner afterward in the quaint town of Winters. Sierra loves getting out and about to explore new people and places. Earlier in the day her and I went to a Sac State volleyball game. She thoroughly enjoyed running all over the place, but it made me quite aware how hard it would be to take her to sporting events while she is so active.

The week has included seeing the horses in the morning and hitting up some playgrounds around town too. She has had a cold this week (as have Gus and I) which has been changing her temperament a bit unfortunately, but she is holding up pretty well. She has tons of teeth now, says all types of words, and is as sweet as ever. She has become fairly accustomed to our daily routines, which includes (one of her favorite things) feeding the animals (dogs and chickens). She is a joy for us to be around, and we are constantly exclaiming to one another how cool she is and how in love with her we are. Our little girl just keeps on growing and keeps on amazing us. There are still some hard days when I leave her to go to work, but I don't know if that will ever change.