Memorial Weekend

 For our long weekend, we really just took some time to relax and work (you can be productive and still feel like its a break right?!). Jon was amazing and painted our baby's room. We went green....a nice baby girl green. It will be cute with everything put together. Jon also did loads of yard work. Our house is really getting polished lately. If Jon keeps up this pace his honey-do list may just be empty for the first time in his life ;) (that makes me sound demanding and like a task master....I'd like to think I'm not, but as Jon tells everyone "my wife is happy when I am working." ha....I guess it's true!) Then to have some real fun on Monday Jon and his friend Ezra decided they wanted to take their kids fishing. Sounded perfect to me...a free morning! I got to go shopping alone (I still laugh at myself when I get excited about that....oh how much children change your life!), and do some organizing in my room. Since the new baby will need a bedroom, our extra room-- that used to just serve as a resting place for the things we didn't know what to do with--had to be cleaned out and the stuff organized. I think I have MOSTLY gotten that under control. I'm still working on getting my closet back together from adding quite a few things to it! Anyway, after some organizing my family returned and took naps. Then we went to the Beaumont Walter Family cookout. We had the kids playing in the pool and ate good food. Overall it was just great to spend some extra time with my man around. Kate and I sure do love him! And to show you some photo proof, here is Kate in one of her new favorite games--backwards horsey rides:

For whatever reason Kate thinks hugging her dad's behind is a smart idea.....she will learn someday just how unwise this move is!

And just because I have this picture from this week I want to post it. Kate and Chance are just like siblings. Kate talks to him all day long and likes him to follow her around the house. I heard her telling chance to sit the other day and then she said "baby on Chance lap! yay!" I had to come see what in the world she was doing to the poor dog. It wasn't what I was imagining! I thought I would find Kate trying to sit on him or something....but no, she just wanted Chance to hold her baby. She was very pleased that Chance accommodated her wishes so well.

Advice Needed, and some bubbles for fun

 On Friday night Jon came home from work and went straight to bed. Kate and I were bored to tears with eachother.....so we went outside to blow bubbles. That of course then led to bath time. I guess Kate decided she hadn't had her fill of bubbles, and while I wasn't looking dumpped her entire bottle of shampoo into the tub. Instead of yelling at her--which was my initial instinct, I just embraced the bubble party. (And today I bought some real bubble bath so hopefully the shampoo will be spared next time.)

Now, that first part of the post was to prove that Kate and I do have some good times together. But GOOD GRIEF it feels like we fight constantly! What I want to know is are there any other moms out there who have felt like their child generally doesn't like them? I would bet half a million dollars if I had it that Kate would confirm the fact that she really dislikes me if she had more of the verbal capasity to do so. It makes me absolutely wild....she is so well behaved for other people, but turns crazy and angry if stuck with me. For example, Sunday walking into church Kate started throwing an epic fit. I got to our pew and was putting my stuff down so I could take her back out and calm her down, when she saw her Uncle Kenneth and ran right to him and sat happily on his lap. She was 100% happy the rest of church because she didn't have to be near me. Now, I LOVE that she is super friendly and happy with other people, but does she have to show her hatred towards me so strong---or vocally! At the grocery store today, THANK GOODNESS Aunt Heather was there too because Kate started SCREAMING bloody murder at me and hitting me, until Heather volunterred to push Kate's cart. Then she sat happy in the cart until I went to put her in our car....where she cried the whole way home demanding to be back with Heather. Maybe its partially my hormones talking, but it sorta rips my heart out to know my kid can't stand me. I try so hard to be a good mom and feel like its getting me nowhere. Obviously I'm doing something wrong if my kid can't be near me. SO--if anyone has ANY advice or thoughts of what I should try or ANYTHING, PLEASE let me know. I feel so desperate. I need Kate and I to be on better terms before her sister is born.

My new Boyfriend

I bought myself a boyfriend on Monday, and I think it's love. My body has been feeling like it might break apart at any given moment so I decided it was time to get a body pillow. When I was pregnant with Kate I don't remember my body hurting this bad this early on. I'm only 26 weeks!! Things only get bigger from here! Is it because I'm older? I'm in worse shape? I'm picking up a toddler all day? I'm aware that it only gets worse so I'm being over dramatic? Ha I don't know! But, my new boyfriend did help relieve some of the pain in my back the past few nights. So that is about all it takes right now for me to publicly confess to being in love. My current husband is not the biggest fan of my boyfriend because he says that with him in my arms I take up too much space in our bed. I say that I'm the one carrying the baby so I make the rules!
Does anyone else think that feeling so much discomfort this early on is normal?? I don't like feeling like I'm a wuss....

Mother's Day

 My mother's Day turned into a mother's weekend....I think I won the jackpot on that one! Jon spent most all day Saturday doing projects around the house for me! He fixed some paint that had been messed up since we moved in, cleaned the whole house, took care of Kate, fixed a light, mowed the yard, and planted some flowers for me. He sent me to the store to get what plants I wanted planted, and when I came home this picture walked by my window:

My husband is pretty amazing if I do say so myself! Then I got to see proof that Kate really likes helping Jon mow:

So this mother's day I was not only feeling loved by my family, and feeling love for my mom, but I was reminded just how great of a husband I have. I'm so excited to be getting to the point where I feel better and can get more projects taken care of around my house....cause in 3 months I won't have time for many projects!! Hopefully I will get my act together and have pictures of Kate's big girl room this week--It is mostly done, but I don't want to post pictures till I get all the details done! Then it will be on to the new baby room and finishing my room! So much to get done so little time! I hope everyone had a great mother's day!!

Water Fun

 In the last couple of weeks we have found a few excuses to play outside in the water. We aren't picky as to what form of water....for example the first two pictures are from a splash park nearby where we met up with a group of our friends. Kate ran around screaming and laughing. Basically she thought she was in heaven.

 Then we are content to hang out in the back yard with our cousins too! Splashing and squealing and being kids. Mom is glad they are still so easily amused! Give them a pool, a few cups and bowls and you've got a party!

 Then when we are living the high life we will chill poolside! Kate is actually a pretty decent swimmer considering her age. I'm really excited for her swimming lessons to start next month. We will get her ready for the Olympics someday--or I would settle for just a good swimmer so I don't have to hold her/and or watch her like a hawk!! That will give me arms for the next little swimmer I will be bringing around with us in August.

Amazing Friends

Have you ever just had a crappy day where no matter what you try to do you cant stop tearing up at everything and being emotional? Today has been one of those days for me. Not only is my throat swollen and my voice gone, but I woke up to a sick husband. He has a stomach flu. Since I've been throwing up the last 24 weeks of my life I totally understand, but at the same time it makes me grumpy that when he is sick he gets to sleep it off and do nothing; but the last 24 weeks he left me home alone with Kate to take care of (not that that means he is a bad person by ANY means its just the injustice of the situation!). So I got ready for church and took Kate with me as always. She was extra hyper today, so it made my job harder than usual. Then top that off with getting news at church that made me really emotional (I may have sat in the bathroom and cried for a bit....I blame the pregnancy!). I then of course come back home to a sick husband who needs me to take care of him. So my Sunday was spent taking care of my family all while feeling alone and emotionally strained. Then I get a random phone call from one of my dear friends. She says she knew I could use a laugh and was emailing me a video she made that would make me happy. Then she also listened to my woes as always and helped my burden feel lighter. So now I am sitting here crying again (I HATE HORMONES!) counting my blessings for all the amazing friends and family I have in my life. Whether it is a phone call or text or invite or comment, somehow the amazing people in my life always make my way lighter. I feel so unworthy to be blessed by so many simply amazing people. Even though I'm not going through any huge crisis I have friends who care enough about me to know when I need a good laugh. So I guess this is me publicly thanking all of my friends for the small things you do all the time to amaze me. You all make my life the amazing journey it is.

Fishing with Daddy

 Saturday I was off chaperoning a youth activity for our church, so Jon decided it was time to take his daughter on her first official fishing trip. He even took her to buy her own fishing pole first. He said that she seemed to really have fun until they caught a fish. His text to me telling me how the trip was going said "She is your daughter. Afraid of the dang fish" I have to admit, that made me laugh out loud literally! I'm sure she will warm up to it as time goes on. Maybe she will eventually take the fish I catch off the hook for me! I'm glad I have a husband who tries hard to make special memories with his daughter.

Easter Round II and an Excuse for Vacation!

Last week we had the chance to go home to Ohio. One of my friends was getting married, and Jon was actually able to take the week of! It was a great excuse for a family vacation that didn't have the pressure of the holidays. Now that doesn't mean we didn't find ways to celebrate. My Grandma spoiled me with a second Easter. She knows how much I LOVE her cooking, so she made an Easter feast on Sunday, and had an egg hunt for Kate. We are so spoiled!

 Kate and her Great Grandma. Or Granny as she calls her.

 Kate enjoyed all the attention from my family. Here she is running outside in her new skirt having Grandpa and Zach throw her in the air.

  Running around outside Kate still takes a time out to request looking at pictures on Grandpa's Cell phone.  That girl is mildly obsessed with pictures!

 4 Generations on the front porch.....we know it isn't pretty...but the point is we were all there and we are awesome!

 And her egg hunt! She wanted the candy out but had a hard time opening the eggs. She quickly discovered that she could break them open by throwing them on the floor.

 And for whatever reason this net was the preferred way to gather eggs. She is such a silly girl and comes up with the funniest ideas on her own.

  All the partying didn't leave lots of time for sleeping. Kate missed her nap multiple times while we were on vacation. But she still was a sweetheart and had a blast....until our last day when we told her we were going home. Poor girl didn't want to leave Grandma and Grandpa! But who can blame her-- they are the coolest!

 Ohh Uncle Zach. Kate just loves flirting with him! She gave him TONS of big kisses. She plants big ones right on the lips and holds it there for long stretches of time. SO fun to watch her do to Zach since it makes him uncomfortable. She would hold him captive all day if she could.

 While in Ohio Kate had her first experience with high heels. She was snooping in Grandma's room and found some dress shoes that Grandma was saving for Christmas. She came running out and said--"Grandma! Pretty Shoes!!!" It is funny to note that it took her quite a few tries to stand up in them. Funny girl. But she is becoming quite the shoe fanatic.

 And the best excuse to have vacation.....Kacie and Randy's wedding! Somehow I didn't end up with a bride and groom picture, but here is Kate and Grandma enjoying the good food at the reception. I was asked to read a poem in the wedding ceremony, and it was great to be there for the big day! I just love Kacie so much!

 I did get a picture right before Kacie and Randy dug into their ribs at the rehearsal dinner. I love a couple that isn't afraid to get messy--especially for good food! Thanks for the great wedding, and I'm so happy for you!

Ahh, being home from vacation is always such a sweet sorrow. You are forced to sit around and cherish the good time you had while you do laundry and get back into the daily routine. I sure love all my friends and family and am so blessed to have them in my life. Sometimes I sit back and marvel at all the amazing people I am fortunate to have by my side! I am one lucky lady! 

Best $2.50 I've Spent!

In Kate's Easter basket I put these cheap popper things I found for $2.50. Kate LOVED them! She spent an hour straight popping the ball to dad and then running to get the ball when he hit it to her. So much Kate laughter....and it made her perfectly tired for bed!

They found it was very funny to pass the ball this way.
But not as funny as popping our self in the nose!

And jumping on dad like a trampoline while playing with the popper was a favorite. She laughed so hard when she made him make noises from jumping on his chest. Too fun to watch them run around enjoying themselves.

Easter Weekend

Here at the Walter House we made Easter a weekend party! On Friday Kate and I got to hang out with our friend Nikki. Above is Kate all dressed up for our lunch date. Can you tell the outfit makes her sassy. Then Friday night Jon and I were able to attend the temple. Then Saturday afternoon we went to a pool party with our cousins down here. Kate had a blast! She is tall enough this summer to really enjoy running around the pool.
Then came Easter morning. Kate was excited to see her new movie, UP. But she is not a fan of our camera--she thinks it is going to flash every time, so she always makes a nervous face. But you get the idea. She loved her dress. When Dad was getting her dressed she started saying, "yay yellow!" We are pretty sure Yellow is her favorite color.
Then after naps on Sunday we went back to a cousin party at Scott and Susan's house for Easter Egg hunt and Easter dinner. Kate was excited to find the eggs, and would ohhhh and ahh when she found them. Then would clap for herself once the egg was placed in the basket.
Another shot showing her disapproval of the camera. Silly kid! One day I will get cute pictures of her!
After grabbing 8 eggs, Kate decided she was done and wanted to swing with her basket. No need to be greedy I guess.

The results are in

We officially are having another GIRL. We found out this morning. I can't say I'm surprised, I kinda figured it would be since I've been so sick. But I was a little bummed....I was excited to try out a baby boy. But things will be fun around here with 2 little girls. I already see Kate's big girl room holding bunk beds full of giggling girls. Now we just need to come up with a name! We have a few we like-- but aren't sold on any yet. We like Anabelle, Abigail (abby for short), Shelby, hey you, baby #2....we don't know! We will let you know when we do. Guess its time to pull out Kate's newborn clothes and see how much we need to buy!

Southeast Texas State Fair

Yesterday was dollar day at the Southeast Texas State Fair, so we decided Kate would really enjoy it. I'm so glad we went- it was a major success! We headed to the animals first. Kate was a huge fan. Here she is petting her first chicken.

She was not afraid to touch any part of the animal she could reach....good thing for hand sanitizer.
She also thought it was fun to kiss any animal that would go for it. This shot in particular cracks me up....preparing to make out with 2 lambs!

She was so friendly to each animal we came to. She would get down to their level and say hi to them. It was super cute.
She really thought the goats were fun. She kept shouting, "Goat, goat!"
Oh the cows....Kate dove head first into a stall after tripping on some straw. Luckily she avoided the cow pies! No harm though, she didn't miss a beat petting and talking to the cow.

And yes she kissed a few cows....
We then met up with our friends and Kate had a blast with her friend Avery.
We found a stuffed gator, and Kate loves them lately, so she was very happy to see it. Of course he got a kiss too!

And then she was given a balloon! That simple balloon made her squeal with laughter for quite some time. She enjoyed running from dad and hitting the balloon into people.

Look at the joy on that face.

This was taken right after saying "daddy mommy balloon!" meaning dad hit mom in the head with the balloon. She thought that was the best game ever!
After that the balloon broke off the string and floated away. Jon and I looked at each other with the "aw crap" expressions and started telling her to wave bye to it, blow it kisses and such. Surprisingly it worked! She didn't cry at all!

Then we headed off to ride a few rides. I bowed out of them----spinning in circles isn't a good idea for me right now. Here is the rest of the gang on this spinny bear ride.
And this is what Kate thought of it:

Apparently not a huge fan. lol.

Then the elephant ride with Nikki. (PS..Nikki was the ride partner of choice. Kate didn't want to ride with mom or dad, not for lack of trying. We wanted to ride with her, but we aren't as cool as Nikki!)Avery and Tanner saying Hi on the Elephant ride.

And to finish up the evening, the carousel. Again she wasn't a fan.

Overall the fair was a great time! Kate only occasionally expressed her frusteration--mostly about being taken from Nikki. No temper tantrums or crying. It was a good time to be out and make memories!