Ultrasound Pics

I had my 20 week ultrasound today (technically, at 22 weeks).  They had to delay my ultrasound when I had my 20 week check-up.  I wanted to share some of the ultrasound pics they gave me. 

Overall, everything looks healthy!  Thank goodness!!  It was funny, because the ultrasound technician asked me if I wanted to know the sex.  I told her we were pretty sure what it was, but I wanted to see if she got the same answer.  She put the ultrasound wand on my belly, and wham!  She got a perfect shot of... well, our little boy. ;) 

He is measuring a little ahead of 22 weeks (based on his bone length) which means he is probably just going to be a big baby.  Shocker!  The u/s technician said that he is already approximately 1 pound, 3 ounces.   I got to see the brain, spine, 4 chambers of his heart, his little hands and feet, even the lips. 

Here are some pics of Baby Boy K! 

Crossing his legs.

Front of his face.

Profile pic! (No, he's not chewing gum... that bubble-looking thing is his elbow!)

It's that time again!

One of my favorite times of the year... when mountain season begins!

We always kick the summer off with a good ol' Memorial Day weekend celebration at the mountain colony, with tons of friends and family around.  The weekend consists of a lot of lake time, topped off with the picnic/squaredance combo Saturday night. 

We drove up Friday evening, and the girls stayed up a little later than normal refamiliarizing themselves with Grandmom and D-Dad's mountain house.  It didn't take them long.  Soon, they were running around and dumping toys out all over the floor, just like at our casa!

Saturday morning, since we are such early risers, me, Stephen, and the girls went on a walk and got in some good swinging time.

For brunch, all the ladies went to a shower for a girl who is getting married in a few weeks.  It was at a beautiful winery/vineyard only a few miles from the mountain house.  It was gorgeous... almost felt like we were in California, not the mountains of South Carolina.

After we got back, we headed down to the lake.  The girls loved it!  The weather was just perfect, so it was nice to cool off from the warm sun in the rather chilly lake.

After late naps (me, included), we got ready for the picnic and squaredance.  This was Taylor's first official squaredance! 



Sunday, we went to chapel in the morning, and then Stephen and some of the guys went to play golf.  I braved the lake without Stephen, and managed to do okay!  (thanks to my dad for assisting when needed).  We ate a huge meal, and then Stephen and I decided to make the trek back home after dinner.  The girls fell asleep on the way home, and we got back around 10:00.  We were tired, but it was nice to have a full day off at home on Monday to get things done. 

We topped our weekend off with some fun times grilling out with the neighbors.  It was a great weekend!  Can't wait to do it again.

Seeing the Light

Yes, folks- the time is almost here.  The end of another school year.  And the end is so in reach... but not quite.  A few more obstacles to go, and then the freedom of... SUMMER!  Summer break definitely makes all the headaches of working worthwhile.

Anyways, I feel like I have been MIA lately.  Probably because last week and this week have been weeks from you know where.  My work load has been atrocious... all the last minute things people try to squeeze in before the end of the year.  But, after my two big meetings tomorrow (my last of 14 I've had to do in 2 weeks, which is a normal load for 2-3 months), I will be that much closer to the light.  And yes, I will be celebrating.

So, the latest... minus a visit of the stomach bug last week that hit us all, we have all been healthy.  Me, possibly too healthy.  That was noted my some great gains (ahem, on the scale) this past month.  People say I've really "popped" lately... it may be because of my nightly Cocoa Pebbles treats.

20.5 weeks- Halfway, baby!

I meant to mention this earlier.  Remember the tics I was talking about that Sydney was doing?  Stephen took her to the neurologist a few weeks back, and they didn't see any concerns.  He said it's normal for toddlers to do tic-like things, and he said it can get worse before it gets better a lot of the times.  I have noticed a decline in the tics lately (especially with her eyes), so I feel much better about that!  Oh, and no more night-time accidents with her!  Hip hip hooray!  (let me follow that with a big KNOCK ON WOOD!).

Nothing else terribly exciting has been going on!  We've been keeping super busy, between meeting up with friends, housewarming parties, graduation celebrations, birthday parties, etc.  But that's what makes life exciting, huh?

More later...!

Jury Duty

I was officially summoned for jury duty for the first time.  I take that back- I was summoned once when I was in college to serve in Fulton County, but was able to get out of it because of the mere fact I was a college student.  Couldn't play that card this time. :)

Before I start griping, let me just say... I know this is my civic duty.. yada yada yada.  And, I should preface this blog with saying that one of my biggest pet peeves is wasting time.

But, seriously??  I got to the courthouse at 8 AM, and, long story short, we didn't leave until 5:45 PM.  I NEVER ONCE moved chairs. Meaning, I was not part of the 72 of the 100+ total people called back to be questioned to be considered for a jury.  I was one of the "lucky" ones who got to sit... and sit... and sit.

Now, on the plus side, I am thankful not to have been picked, where I'd have to come back again this week.  I should also be glad that I got a lot of good reading time in (350 pages of my 500+ page book were read), and I got to meet a new friend.  But, seriously??  I was so aggravated at the end of the day, just feeling like I wasted so much time.  The judge, who was really nice, (seriously, no sarcasm hinted) told us we were dismissed and to not feel like we wasted our day by just sitting here.  I'm thinking... sure... while thoughts of the 300+ things I could/should be doing run through my brain.  Everyone there really was super nice- the police officers, the clerks, etc.  Good company to be near, I suppose.

But, I am proud that I could do my civic duty... and now that I'm home, caught up on emails from the day, wearing my PJs, and bumming on the couch, I am much happier. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms out there!

We had a great day in the K-Bash household.  It didn't start off too cheery, with Taylor tripping, falling into the door frame, and busting her lip big time, and poor Sydney having terrible stomach pains.  After lots of hugs, kisses, and ice, we ate a yummy breakfast.  I was given a sweet card and a beautiful canvas collage of the girls.  We then headed to church- Sydney sat with us during church (instead of going to her kids' class) and was a perfect angel.

Since it was such a yucky, rainy day, we enjoyed the early afternoon playing inside.  Stephen had wanted us all to go to Bruster's for an ice cream treat, but the weather wasn't cooperating.  We ended up going to Chili's and getting a brownie/ice cream and sharing it with the girls.  Yum.  Then, we came back, and Stephen starting cooking a yummy dinner that took 3 hours to prepare.  I was ordered not to help, set the table, clean up, etc.  I got to sit and hang out with the girls and be a bum... I could get used to this! :)

Stephen was sweet, and would talk to the girls about what a "wonderful" mom I am and how lucky they are to have me.  Sydney, at one point, came up to me and told me how special I am and "thank you" for being her mom.  Have I ever told you that I love my little family?

Happy Mother's Day!!

All my Mother's Day goodies, including flowers from church and presents from the girls' school. 

Jinxed

Yep... I should've known better.  I even thought about it as I typed the words yesterday that I could be jinxing the situation...

Needless to say, after a certain little 3 year-old snuck into my bed last night (while daddy was out of town), I was up at 4:30 AM washing sheets.  If you catch my drift...  or hers! (ba dum bum)

:)

17 Months!

Taylor is 17 months old!

Whew, what a month!  I feel like Taylor has just taken off with becoming a "big girl".

Let's see what she's accomplished this month:

• Talking a lot more!  She says: mama, dada, uh-oh, ball, more, please, Elmo, eye, baby, shoe (more like "shhhh"), dog, duck, yes, and the latest... "mine!".  Some words she says sound so much like a bigger girl that we're not sure if it's Taylor or Sydney talking.  It's wild.
• She moved up to the next room at daycare!  She's now with all the babies who are between 18 months and 2.  I'm happy for her, because now she gets to go outside everyday and play on the playground.  In her last room, it went from advanced crawlers to Taylor's stage, so they could only ride on the buggies.  Plus, Taylor kept laying on the babies and moving the cribs, so you could say it was definitely time for her to move. ;)
• This girl LOVES to brush her teeth.  All we have to say is, "Taylor, time to brush your teeth!" and she'll go racing into the bathroom, get on her stool, grab her toothpaste and wait, smiling the whole way. 
• She is officially >98% in everything!  She's solidly wearing 24 month or 2T clothing and a size 6 shoe.  She's taller than almost every kid in her new class!
• She has started running!  Now, I'm not talking about Jackie Joyner-Kersee type speed, but she's definitely... jogging.  That might be more appropriate.  Whatever it is, it's hard for me to catch up!
• She has a new best friend... ELMO!  She calls him "Eh-bee".  (a variant of "Elbow", like Sydney called him).  She hugs him in her left arm while she sucks her right thumb.
• Taylor LOVES to be outside.  I have never seen anything like it.  She will pitch an all-out fit when we have to come inside from playing. 
• Celebrating her 2nd Easter.
• Going to her first wedding.
• Going to her 2nd family reunion.

Here are some pics of this past month!

This girl also loves the shower.  She likes to get in it before we're ready.

A couple side notes-

1.  Sydney normally wears nighttime pull-ups, but for the past 3 weeks, she's been waking up completely dry.  She is now only wearing underwear at nighttime!  I am so proud!

2.  I was just thinking that when I got pregnant with Taylor, Sydney was 17 months old.  And yet again, I am pregnant while having a 17 month old. 

3.  20 more days of work for me until summer!