Houston Zoo

We decided to try out annual membership at the Houston Zoo this year. Not only can we zip through the line now, but we can go for a short visit and not feel guilty. I think we've been averaging a little over an hour on the last few trips. In and out. And besides Claire's favorite attraction is the choo choo train and it isn't even in the zoo, it's right outside it :)

Petting zoo- brushing the goats.

Watching the ducks together.

LIONS!

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Spud: 24 weeks

I had a doctor check-in appointment this week and things seem to be progressing as planned, YAY! Little baby girl was tracking in the 62nd percentile for size during the 20 week ultrasound and there's no new update to that. I feel like I have a considerably waddle in my step now and I have to sit down to put my shoes on. Baby girl likes to really get moving right around bed time. Sleeping has been my biggest challenge this week- being sick with a cold for almost a month is the main culprit. 

In another note, Claire turns TWO this week!! I love this age :)

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Midland and Back

Made a quick trip out to Midland and back home today. It was 30 degrees when I landed and probably ~65 degrees in the afternoon when I left. Desert living!

The green Concho building is hard to miss in the Midland skyline.

The awesome new Concho amenities center is now open: A gym, cafes, daycare, etc. 

Momma didn't get to wake Claire up in the morning and get her dressed. 

I think Claire really wanted 1) her momma and 2) a braid in her hair :)

Happy Wed y'all!

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Claire Plays Basketball

Here's a video of Claire playing basketball  :)

Link here, if embed doesn't work:
https://youtu.be/TCtsg5N-3qI

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Spud: 23 weeks

Oh my, I'm getting bigger all over! I'm definitely starting to feel flabby and I'm only a little over halfway there, EEEE! Baby is ~8 inches and only slightly over a pound so I really can't blame the scale on Spud can I?

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Brother's Philly Tour

A few weeks ago brother gave mom and I a "proper" tour of Philly, which included Reading Terminal Market. Normally it's a major tourist trap, but since Mom and I were tourists we made a quick walk through around the place. Let's just say, we left with more chocolate than when we went in :)

This girl was the fastest Cannoli filler I've ever seen. 

Jeffrey in front of Jefferson U!

Jeffrey's rental Bachelor pad, which he shares with 2 other med students. The townhouse next door is going through major renovations and the hammer started at 7AM sharp on a Saturday.

 I wonder where Jeffrey will land for his next chapter-- Residency!

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Ballerina

Claire went to her friend Victoria's 4th birthday on Saturday and it was at a ballet studio! The invitation said wear your tutu and slippers so Mommy knew certain things needed to be purchased. Once she was in her outfit, Claire kept yelling "Ballerina!" and "Bun" while she ran around the house. It was so cute.

Love her.

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Momma's Kitchen Helper

Mommy's little kitchen helper likes to "cook" while mommy gets dinner ready.

Claire's cooking involves frequent taste tests :)

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Spud: 22 weeks

I've been snapping my weekly belly pictures at the gym. Today I majorly lacked the motivation to work out. Maybe because it's a Monday or maybe because I've just started feeling like an overweight roly poly. Bending over is more of a struggle and I'm not sleeping well at night. Why do pregnant ladies get insomnia before having a baby? It means it's a long time before a good night sleep!

Spud is kicking away in my belly. I can now see the movement from the little fist/foot pushing on my tummy. Love this little mover already!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Bee my Valentine?? :)

Valentine's Party & Pajama Day at Skoooool!

Date Night- Cirque du Soleil & dinner. 

Thank you to Granna for watching Claire while Momma & Daddy had a fun night on the town. The Cirque show was very mediocre but it was a fun night!

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Claire Counting

Proud Momma moment... Claire counted to 13! I didn't know Claire knew about anything beyond 10, so I was so surprised when she kept going. I think she was just trying to show off while we "made a Movie." Claire loves to watch movies of herself.



Here's the video link if you don't see the embedded video above!

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Tour of Philly

It was cold and windy day...

That sounds like the opening of a scary novel, but it's not I promise.

Brother took Mom and I on a proper tour of Philly this time around. We walked everywhere so I was grateful for a warm jacket that fit around my belly :)

Jeffrey booked us a ticket to the top of the observation deck at city hall.

See that building at the end of the street with William Penn standing on top? That's city hall.

We took a 5-person capacity, rickety old elevator up 545' or 44 stories to get some great 360 views of the city.

Family picture at the top

There was an ice skating rink right next to city hall. Maybe I can entice someone out there with me on our next trip :)

Great to see Brother's stomping grounds (and eat some really good food also)!

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Spud: 21 weeks

I feel baby Spud kicking in my belly so much!!

Taking a look back at my blog posts when I was about the same weeks pregnant with Claire (aka Sprout) my main pregnancy complaints were insomnia and heartburn. Yes and yes. Got both of those this time around too. Luckily I got meds to help with the heartburn and a toddler to make me even more tired at night :)

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Philly & Baltimore

I took a short weekend trip to the NE to visit Grampie and my brother- Mom was already up there. Here are some iPhone snapshots for now and more to come! Overall it was a great trip seeing family and eating some good food too. The weather was cold (~30) and windy but otherwise no complaints. 

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Date with Dad

Ross picked Claire up from skooool today and took her out for lunch followed by a trip to the ice cream shop. What a fun daddy date!

 

Then back to skoool for nap time!

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Sadness for Friends

We found out today that our Alaska friends lost their baby boy only a few short hours after he was born. Baby was diagnosed with Trisomy 13 during pregnancy and there has been much uncertainty about so many things for their family throughout the process.

I wanted to share this story with you because I have been truly amazed with their faith and trust in God throughout this whole journey.

I pray that God brings them peace and comfort during this time.

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