Family Pictures 2012

 We went up the mountain to find some fall leaves to take some family pictures....we haven't done this for 2 years sadly. We found one spot, but the lighting just wasn't right, so we continued to drive over the mountain until we found it- the perfect spot. The sun didn't glare us out or make us squint, and the leaves were perfect. We had to chase 2 deer off because they were right in the spot when we saw it. We had so much fun doing this together. It was more than just pictures, we let Dawson play and we shook leaves all over him. Those are the pictures that always turn out- the ones where you are truly enjoying yourself and acting natural. 

 Dawson and his daddy! He truly loves his dad and wants to be just like him. We took several shots of Dawson rubbing his dad's beard, telling him secrets "you're fired" and laugh, and listening to his heart.

I have wanted pictures of Dawson and Andee in my tummy for awhile now, but everytime I had a chance for someone to do them I just wasn't feeling very pretty or picture worthy. We finally got some and I couldn't be more excited. Dawson found a TINY acorn and wanted to show Andee. He found leaves and showed her. He would talk to her and then in a tiny voice pretending to be Andee, "oh cool." Then he look at me and say, "Mom, she likes them!" It was so cute to watch and listen.

 This turned out so cute and yet I was just taking a break letting Dawson give leaves to Andee. He would set them on my tummy until he found the perfect one for her to keep.

 J.D. was shaking leaves on us and we were just laughing so hard at him trying to take a picture, hold his balance, and throw leaves at us. He's a pro photographer because he managed to snap this one!

 Dawson trying to catch the leaves falling from above. He was loving life!

 Now that we'd let Dawson play, he started to be a turkey about taking family pictures. We'd set the tripod up, and the timer. I would click the button and have to run clear down to get in position. Needless to say, it took about 15 tries to get Dawson to do what we wanted. He would be perfect, and then once I sat down he'd put a leaf on my head, or poke me with a stick, or put his chin down on the log. It was actually pretty funny. We finally got a couple that worked, but I'm suprised it didn't put me into labor all that running and getting up and down. Of course, Dawson thought it was hilarious!

 So.... after all that running we decided to let Dawson play photographer cuz he really is good at it. We set the camera so he could just keep clicking over and over...and that's exactly what he did. J.D. and I just stood down there talking, smiling, and doing our own thing while Dawson just kept pushing the button.

 Dawson has his father's photography skills- we couldn't believe all the amazing shots he got. These are just some of our favorites. When we looked through the pics later, Dawson took over 40 pictures of J.D. and I in just 3 minutes or so!

Afterwards we went to Todd's and ate dirt burgers and relaxed for a bit. We then drove around and looked for spike elk to fill J.D.'s tag. We saw plenty of deer, but no elk. Dawson even saw a couple bucks that J.D. and I had completely missed. 

We had an awesome day and it was so nice to spend together as a family. We are really excited to have Andee come and be able to have more days like this with her. Dawson really can't wait- every day he comes up to me or J.D. telling us how excited he is for her to come. It's so special and brings tears to my eyes because I can already see how amazing of a big brother he is going to be to Andee and how he will continue to make our life special with her here.

Pregnancy Things

I wanted to write about a few things that we've been experiencing so we can look back and remember what it was like being pregnant with Andee. As of today, we have 45 days left and I am 33.4 weeks along! WHOOHOO! She is EXTREMELY ACTIVE! J.D. and I can't believe how much she twists and turns and flips. We both are in shock watching my stomach move. How can she move that much in such a small space? We've compared her movement to the Twilight movie where Bella is pregnant and how strong the baby is because it's half vampire half human....... sooooo we either have a boxer or a half vampire half human baby.

Today at the check-up the doctor couldn't get a good listen to the heartbeat for a bit because she kept moving. He'd put the monitor on one side and she roll to the other side. He kept trying to follow her and was laughing because you could see her move. You could also see where she was at.... she didn't have much option for hiding spots in the hide and seek game, but she sure was fast at moving.

Dawson is still really in-tune with her. He will randomly come  up to J.D. or I and say, "I'm so excited for Andee to come." It's the sweetest thing. He also will feel her move and tell me, "That's her feet mom! She kicked me!" It's crazy that he knows how she's turned and what part is her feet- he's always right too.

I'm definitely experiencing a lot more pain that I ever did with Dawson. If I'm not dialated, I think I might cry because things have been so painful. I've had the braxton hicks contractions going on since about 24 weeks. The past 2 months they have gotten SO strong I literally can't walk, talk or breathe. Anywhere I am at, those contractions stop me in my tracks for a good 2 minutes. When telling the doctor he just said drink more water, empty my bladder more, and it could be the result of chasing Dawson around. Last time I didn't have anyone to chase around, so it makes a difference.  There is a lot of pressure... A LOT! I also have pelvic bone pain randomly strike.... I can honestly say that if women could have an epidural at 32 weeks I think more women would get pregnant more often. I want to have this little girl because I don't want to be in pain anymore, but I really want her to be fully developed and healthy so ..... 6 1/2 more weeks here we go.

The other day I was lifting something I thought I could handle and turned while bending back up and TEAR all across my abdomen. That with pinching my sciatic nerve all the time just about makes me want to put myself on bed rest. It is killer! lol! I laugh because I still have to learn the hard way for things.... they tell you to take it easy and be careful. However, I guess i haven't grasped the concept of listening to others rather than trying to be so independent.

As far as getting ready for this little one.... its definitely different than with Dawson. With Dawson I truly went through a nesting phase, and had EVERYTHING ready to go before he got here. With Andee.... we've been slowing getting ready, and focusing on the necessities of what we actually need. We don't have a lot of room and we don't have a ton of money, so it's changed our mindset of getting ready. J.D. and I joke that when it is actually time to go to the hospital it's going to completely catch us off guard and we will regret not getting serious about getting more things ready for her arrival and waiting until the last minute. It makes me wonder if that's going to be more her personality though. I wonder if that's why i haven't been able to know of her arrival date like I did Dawson. She probably doesn't know either and will just decide on a random day that she's coming. .... after she's born I will tell the story of when I think and have felt she will be arriving. After having one baby, we've realized what we actually need and what we can go without.

Since the beginning of the pregnancy I have told J.d. that I just don't think she will be very big. With that, I haven't even gained half as much as I did with Dawson- thank heavens! I am measuring good as far as being on my own track, but I'm not huge by any means. J.D. will say I definitely look pregnant, but not ready to pop in any way.

All in all- it just feels surreal that Andee will be arriving shortly. I just haven't totally grasped that fact that we will have 2 children. I think it's because it will feel so normal for her to be here. Since we've found out it was a girl J.D. and I have had such a complete and whole feeling. It wasn't a suprise and it's the right time for her to be here. I'm not sure how to explain it, but we are excited and can't wait to meet her.